Game 29: Tigers at Yankees
-
-
- April
- 30
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YANKEES
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Matsui DH
Giambi 1B
Cabrera CF
Cano 2B
Molina C
Gonzalez 3B
Pettitte LHP
Andy Pettitte vs. the Detroit hitters.
Jeremy Bonderman vs. the New York hitters.
Notes: Chad Moeller is in fact back but no word yet on the corresponding move. … Thanks to Mike Dougherty for calling in the lineup.
UPDATE, 7:30 p.m.: Joe Girardi got testy again today when asked about the status of Phil Hughes. How could he not have anticipated that question? Here’s what he said:
“These are internal discussions that are meant to stay internal. Hughes is in the rotation right now.” When reporters sought more information, it only got worse.
Right now? What does that mean? Either Hughes is pitching Sunday or he is not. It’s unfair to the player to leave him in limbo like that. And please don’t say maybe they don’t yet. They know. Whoever is pitching Sunday will throw a bullpen tomorrow.
Meanwhile, A-Rod took the blame for getting injured again, saying he came back too soon. He hopes to be back in two weeks. But while A-Rod may have wanted to play, it’s up to the manager to put him in. Many managers wait until the player tells them they want to play, then they wait an extra day.
UPDATE, 7:37 p.m.: For those of you wondering, Chris Stewart was optioned back to Scranton. To make room for Moeller on the 40-man roster, Sean Henn was activated off the disabled list and designated for assignment. Chris Britton was called up as well. He replaces A-Rod.
Not sure why they just didn’t put Bruney on the 60-day DL. Then again, if the vaunted “internal discussions” mean that Rasner is coming, they’ll need another spot.
UPDATE, 9:01 p.m.: The Yankees just announced that Phil Hughes has a strained right oblique and has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. So much for “he’s in the rotation right now.” Why the Yankees work like that, I have no idea. But this allows Hughes to chill out and get some work in without being demoted.
At any rate, they’ll need a starter for Sunday. Likely Darrell Rasner.
UPDATE, 9:16 p.m.: For the record, Girardi said Hughes was healthy when asked before the game. I guess Hughes got hurt while sitting on the bench.
UPDATE, 10:24 p.m.: Girardi now says that Hughes told them he was hurt yesterday. But this afternoon, when asked, he said Hughes was healthy.
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on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 at 3:50 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
another new lineup…wow
Good that Molina is healthy enough to catch.
did they say who the are bringing up for the A-Rod DL move yet??
I like Gonzalez at 3rd…good move…
Thank god Ensberg’s not at 3rd. Gonzalez will prove to be the better option.
I was wondering who the first person was going to be to complain about the lineup.
Chris it looks like you win the award.
tony – they’ve been saying Britton in the previous thread
second Rishi. Good to see Gonzo get some more playing time.
my thoughts on the first month, for the one of you that’s interested.
Glad to see the Attorney General at 3rd. I think he should get a few games there consecutively to see what he could do.
The Yanks are going to have to make a decision about what to do with Betemit soon. Personally, I like Gonzalez’s game better than Betemit or Ensberg.
I do wish that they would find a roster spot for Rasner. I think Sean Henn has had enough chances and should be cut from the 40 man roster to make room for Rasner.
GONZO !!!
Looks like everyone has hit Bonderman well. Matsui will have a monster game tonight.
GO YANKEES!!!
Good lineup given the injuries…
I’m going to the game tonight, leaving in about an hour. Hopefully Cano lights it up and breaks out of his slump!
Can somebody explain to me what Girardi is doing here? im getting FED UP!! First, he doesnt start Melky last night (the hottest yankee hitter as of late)
TONIGHT- he doesnt start Shelley, who scored half the runs and got on base 4 times last night!!!
C’MON JOE!!! what the hell is he doing?s
Duncan started last night because of the lefty on the mound.
Not starting Melky last night was absolutely ridiculous. Damon in left and Melky in center would have trimed at least 2 runs off the board last night.
Hit submit too early. I’m sure Duncan will play again tomorrow against another lefty.
Melky should have started last night, agreed, but Shelley does not have good lifetime numbers against righties.
Y’all are too hard on Ensberg, he’s a good player. He’s had 2 bad games and now he’s awful? Patience is clearly not a virtue held by many Yankee fans.
Ensberg’s a good player when he’s cycling.
I don’t know if Molina is healthy. He’s just gutting it out right now. His hamstring is still bothering him.
That’s why Girardi will have a hard time juggling the catching position in the next few weeks. He can’t overuse Molina.
I hope Moeller has a month of good games left in him.
No Arod. No Posada. The two best hitters on the team from last season out. Probably for a month.
The first baseman and second baseman are both hitting .150.
AG, a great glove but light bat, at third.
Molina, certainly not an offensive threat, behind the plate.
Unfortunately, injuries necessiate this lineup. Girardi has not choice.
My point. Don’t expect a lot of offense in the coming weeks.
If anything, the pitching is going to have to carry the day in May.
Its why if they get to June 1 within 4 games of the Red Sox, they should be overjoyed.
Looks like May is going to have to be a “stay close” month, unless some guys (namely Cano and Giambi) get very hot and Arod and Posada get healthy.
He’s playing this substitution game to a fault already. Yes, the yanks have too many potential powerhouse players but hes not giving anyone a chance to heat up…. EXCEPT of course giambi, who i think should take an extended vacation to Scranton.
“Yes, the yanks have too many potential powerhouse players but hes not giving anyone a chance to heat up”
Who do you think needs to be given a chance to heat up?
I think Canò will start to heat with the weather, but when it’s snowing in Syracuse on 30 April, I’m just beginning to think the big guy in the sky has it out for me.
SJ44,
I agree that pitching will be key in getting the Yanks through May. Giving Hughes and Kennedy a long leash is a luxury the Yankees cannot afford.
They need to get Rasner on the roster while he’s pitching well. You know it’s not going to last forever. Maybe by that time Phil have worked out his mechanical problems and be ready to roll.
Don’t feel great about Molina playing tonight if it’s true that he is still seen limping. Last thing we need is a 3rd re-injury.
The only problem with your request that Giambi take an “extended vacation to Scranton” is its impossible.
He has too much service time accrued to be sent outright to Scranton. He has to approve a trip to AAA and that will never happen.
They have 3 choices. Play him. Bench him. Release him. That’s it.
I don’t see the Yankees eating over 20 million dollars by releasing Giambi. Especially with Arod and Posada both out for probably a month.
At best, he should be in a platoon with Duncan.
However, given all the injuries, he’s probably going to be given every opportunity to find his stroke because their offense is dormant.
Not the best choices. Something to remember in the off-season when folks want to hand out 7 year contracts to players like chocolate.
They often come back to bite you in the butt.
from peter a. :“Cashman has done a great job of reorganizing how the Yankees scout and develop players. Maybe the next thing to do is look into how they take care of them.â€
thanks peter, where do i send you the money i said i’d pay you to say that ?
seriously the yankees need to hire an assistant gm that overhauls and oversees the conditioning , training, and medical staff. then that person should be in charge of everything created and everything would then go through him or her.
cashman is spread too thin to do it, which is why so many conditioning things things fall through the cracks.
that said, cashman has done a great job of reorganizing and scouting as you say. my point in criticizing cashman for conditioning problems was not to bash him on everything, but to point out an obvious place where the yankees could be made stronger.
blaming isn’t the point. getting better is.
Britton up for A-Rod. Haven’t seen anything announced about Stewart going back down yet.
Drive,
I agree. I always believe a pitcher has only so many good pitches in him over the course of a season. I’d rather see Rasner use those pitches with the Yankees than in AAA.
I also think guys like Rasner find ways to get to 5 or 6 innings per start. Its tough with the young guys. The effort is there but, they don’t know how to navigate the tough waters yet.
Its about treading water now. Its hard to do it when your #4 and #5 starters are winless and averaging less than 4 innings per start.
It will be interesting to see what happens after Kennedy’s start tomorrow. If he bombs, something has to change.
They can’t go through May without making some changes.
If buy “back” Pete means he’s in the clubhouse, I’d assume that means Stewart down for Moeller.
You know what? There is no reason that this lineup can’t score 7-8 runs. Most teams in the league would trade their whole 9 for the Yankees top 7 batters tonight. Let’s not start a pity party just yet, Pettitte will get us right.
Im not worried about our team especially our offense yet. A couple years ago we lost Matsui and Sheffeild for a long period of time and still treaded water. This team is better constructed for this than it was then.
My only beef is Giambi. How bad does he have to play before he is sitting on the bench? I dont care if Duncan or Ensburg are worst on first than he is. Girardi needs to balls up and make a statement. You earn your spot and if you cant hang on to it. Someone else will. Same goes for Hughes. I was impressed a couple outings ago. When it was cold and his defense wasnt helping him much. He still grinded. But yesterday was totally opposite of that. He looked like a deer in head lights. Defeated. Time for him to regroup in the minors.
I was very excited in the managerial change this year. But the more i see Girardi manage. The more of the same comes out. Its like Torre never left. Balls up!!
This is getting annoying very quickly. Can anyone explain how the Red Sox can get Mo(my nickname for Jon Lester), Bucholtz and Masterson to pitch well and sometimes even dominant while this season we have not gotten even one FREAKIN ONE decent start from either Hughes or Kennedy.
SJ,
Giambi’s OPS+ is 106.
Yes, he’s not tearing up the league (and he’s not worth $20MM), but he’s not the real cause of the Yanks offensive doldrums.
Hey, well, you know, instead of always focusing on what’s wrong with the team, we shouldn’t forget the things that are going right.
I mean, we have fourteen wins, right?
Phil and Ian have been bad, but Wang and Pettitte have been great and even Mussina is giving us what we need when he’s not pitching to Manny Ramirez.
Chin up folks, it’s not all bad!
Steve, it doesn’t negate your point, but Hughes was very good in his first start against Toronto…
I cannot agree enough that with the offense looking thin for the next month, we need to get the pitching straightened out fast.
I have faith that Kennedy is going to come through and deliver a decent start. I don’t know why, but I’m actually starting to think he’s going to “get it” quicker than Hughes. IPK has taken his lumps and seems to gut through things. Hughes isn’t gutting through anything right now.
If it’s Rasner, good. If it’s McCutcheon let’s do it. Try anything at this point. Let’s just not keep sitting on our hands with our fingers crossed that Hughes is the answer right now.
I tend to think a stint at Scranton might give him enough perspective and fire to fix and work on things so he doesn’t go through this kind of stretch in the bigs again.
If he is who you all claim he is, Hughes is going to hate the fact that he got demoted and he’ll be driven to get back up and prove everyone wrong.
So much of the game is mental. Maybe he needs to know it can all be taken away from him now.
Any time Cashman
if it needs to be posted in every thread for your attention it can be done.
Kay is unsure of Hugues’s upside. God that guy is dumb.
Chris
I stand corrected. I forgot about that one start.
agreed JRVJ.
his last week of games: .300/.417/.708
if girardi is going anything about giambi, it’s not going to happen now.
Someday (hopefully sooner rather than later), we’ll all look back on Phil’s early struggles and laugh. At Michael Kay.
Just read an interesting rumor…
According to buzz in the Bay Area, the Yankees and Giants are discussing a Giambi for Zito trade. The sticking point being how much of Zito’s contract the Giants would eat.
Assuming the Giants ate half the contract, would you pull the trigger on that deal if you were Yankee GM?
Not sure if you all caught my post in yesterday’s game thread, but Bob Costas did a live CostasNow yesterday focusing on sports and the media (including “new” media, like blogs)…it was a very interesting 90 minutes. The main topics I caught (missed the beginning) were: blogs, race, athletes and the media (changes through the years).
Caught the tail end of Michael Strahan calling out Chris Russo (both were there live). Looking to DVR it so I can catch the full conversation but it ended with Russo basically saying he didn’t say anything bad about Strahan’s performance in the Super Bowl and Strahan responding with something like – there iwas nothing to complain about, but if there had been i’m sure that’s what you would have focused on.
Really intersting stuff…
I’m sure they’ll replay it 100 times on the various HBOs, try to catch it if you can.
nooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Here is the link to the above rumor.
http://nyyu.blogspot.com/2008/.....-west.html
Frak it is amazing that if someone on a web site types it it automatically becomes a rmour.
Not in a million year does that deal happen and only in the world of the internet wouldit ever happen
One day I hope to open a game thread and see no complaints about the line up. Just once…
That rumor is BS.
Who is the Yankees MVP of April?
a.Melky
b.Wang
c.Mo
d.?
SJ you are correct about treading water but as is this team should stll hit.
damon, jeter, abreu, matsui, cano are all legit hitters who should hit. Melky is a good player and Giambi should hit 250 with some power. That lineup should produce even without arood and Jorge.
They did not play melky yesterday for 1 reason it is a damn long season.. they have 144 games to go.
again there pitching should be better then last yr…….
I am not sure what is up with Hughes I am suprised at the level of his struggling…….
Frak,
That rumor makes absolutely no sense whatsoever (it was probably made up by the owners of that site).
The Yanks have the money to pay Giambi this year, and will certainly buy him out next year.
Zito is a borderline No. 5 pitcher right now (he may well not be that good anymore). Even if the Giants ate 90% of his remaining contract, what possible reason would the Yanks have to take on that contract?
Now if the Giants were willing to send Lincecum back with Zito in exchange for Giambi, THEN the Yankees surely would be willing to take on Zito (and a lot of the money in his contract).
We dont need another contract mess in our hands.
No thanks to the over paid 81 mph fastball relief pitcher.
We’ll stick with 5 more months of Giambi. Besides, we have Igawa. No need for Zito.
So much bad info in that rumor, it doesn’t mention Giambi’s no trade, I assume Zito’s no trade, the said minor leaguers to go along, also not sure if the $5M option on Giambi for ‘09 is counting in the $20M.
Deals like that happen in the NBA, not in baseball.
“I don’t understand how he was the number one pitching prospect in baseball with a straight 91 mph fastball”
-Michael Kay
I would not trade for Zito under any circumstances.
Again almost all mega contracts are bad..good contracts are Vlad Guerrero, and Pujols and not many more.
Why would the Yanks trade for a pitcher that sucks and has 6 yrs. left on a deal, IT WILL NEVER EVER HAPPEN..
6 YRS. GIAMBI HAS 4 months on his deal, which turned out to be a terrible deal……..
I would trade Giambi for Zito in a heartbeat.
Melky batting 6th? Love it.
all these announcer know nothing. singleton said maybe the yanks should convert Ohlendorf into a starter, NEWSFLASH he was a starter but has 2 pitchs so became a releiver.
yeah give up on a 21 yr. old stud(hughes) that would be moronic and we would regret it for about 12 yrs…….
S.o.S.
It has to be Wang.
He’s pitched lights out, improved his game, 5-0 record.
Mo is Mo, he’s MVP every month.
Jaewon you are a moron.. trade for Zito how about trading for andruw jones, schmitt and pierre also. then they could have the all terrible contract team..
Jaewon maybe the yanks should resign Pavano also…..
MORON
ANYONE PLEEEEEEASE GET IT TO CASHMAN ! THE YES NETWORK, ESPN’S KAY SOMEBODY
hell put it in Philip’s blog.
stuart,
No one is giving up on Hughes. It’s just where does he need to be right now: AAA or MLB?
SOMEONE GET HANK ON THE PHONE ! HE’LL GIVE ATTENTION
Scorpio I don’t know. I give him 1 more game but what the hell do I know…
I cannot understand what is up with him, end of last yr. he looked great…
“I don’t understand how he was the number one pitching prospect in baseball with a straight 91 mph fastballâ€
-Michael Kay
Blood pressure…rising….
Hughes sits at 93-94! What is this 91 nonsense!? Kay calls 75% of Yankee games, it’s his job to know everything about the Yanks. I expect him to be at least as knowledgable as the people on this blog and he’s not even close. I can give a pass to guys like Joe Morgan, Tim Mccarver, etc because they call games for all the teams in the league. Michael Kay has no excuse for being a moron.
My biggest reason for wanting Hughes sent to AAA now is, the things he has to work on can’t be done at the major league level.
When you are a pitching coach at the ML level, your priority is on the game and games at hand. Its about winning at the ML level, not development. Your time is limited.
If somebody needs to work on mechanics, pitch selection, etc, you have a side session and a bullpen between starts to do it. That’s it.
At the minor league level, you can spend more instruction time with Hughes. Or any pitcher for that matter.
Let’s use Darrell Rasner as an example. He’s journeyman guy. Yet, he has been dynamite in AAA so far this year.
Why? Rafeal Chaves has not only worked on his cutter, making it an effective pitch for him, he has also worked on maximizing his pitch count. That allows him to go deeper into games.
Is Darrell Rasner an all star? No. But, tell me right now if you would sign up for 3-4 quality starts in May if he is put in the rotation? I know I would. It may be time to give him that opportunity and see if he can do it.
At AAA, you can tell Hughes, “Ok Phil, tonight, we throw nothing but sliders and changeups in the first inning”. You can’t do that at the major league level.
How is he going to learn to pitch at the major league level? Especially in a pressure cooker like NY? I don’t know but, it seems to me that’s pretty tough.
At the major league level, its all about winning.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not giving up on Phil Hughes. I’ve talked to enough baseball people, folks who forgot more baseball than I will ever know, who think he can be a very, very good pitcher.
However, he has to get right and I don’t think he can get right pitching every 5 days at the major league level right now. Its way too tough to do.
That’s the thing Brandon. He was NEVER a sits at 89-91 pitcher. Never. They are tight lipped about it and I have to think it’s either because they changed something about him that made him a. lose command and b. lose velocity. If they’re the ones who made the change I can see them not talking about it, but they need to put it back. At this point Joba and Phil arent 1 and 1a theyre 1 and 2.
“how about trading for andruw jones”
I would trade for Jones, his contract isn’t bad. He is awful right now so I wouldn’t trade much but I’d get him if the price was right.
come join the unofficial Peter Abraham Blog facebook fanclub! (click link above)
Scorpio,
I have to go with(in order)
1. Mo(never seen an april like this from him.Best ever)
2. Wang(awsome month,but he’ll never be an ace off coarse)
3. Melky(most under rated player on this team)
I couldn’t post yesterday or today. So, my thoughts on things that have occurred recently (if anyone cares
).
1) I really feel Girardi mismanaged last nights game. He just didn’t put Hughes in a position to succeed. Our poorest defensive line-up playing behind him, a brand new catcher, a struggling pitcher. That’s definitely a recipe for a disaster and that’s what we got. I think things could have been greatly different if we play last night’s game with Hughes pitching and tonight’s line-up on the field. The ball that fell in front of Damon would have been caught by Melky and saved us at least one run if not two. There was also a ball that was just out of Hideki’s reach in left that I believe led to a run that Damon would have caught. Also, I remember a play down the line at third that Gonzo would have gotten to that Ensberg did not. It’s things like that which make me thing we have to let Hughes make at least one more start. Hopefully the next time out we do what we can to put him in a position to succeed.
2) Good to have Moeller back, especially after the debacle Stewart had last night. I, like Pete mentioned in the last blog, can’t believe I’m saying that though. The Yanks relying heavily on a catcher the Nats release? Wow.
3) With ARod going on the DL, Giambi and Cano really need to step up. Giambi has picked it up during the last week or so, hopefully he can continue that trend. Oh, and with ARod and Posada out, we really need his bat in the line-up so we’re going to have to hope he can give us something. I’ve also seen better at bats from Robbie recently, hopefully the results follow soon.
SJ,
True it’s tough to work on things in the majors but I’d like to see Hughes get one more start before they send him down. He has shown flairs of good pitching this year, they ought to give him one more shot.
Ok, I’m off to the game. Hopefully the traffic isn’t too bad, GO YANKS.
Don’t get mad at Michael Kay. He can’t even tell if a ball flyball is a “long flyball” or a pop up to SS.
If you have a play by play guy who, after all these years, still can’t judge flyballs in his HOME ballpark, you can’t take what he has to say about a pitcher’s ability.
One more point I had, wanted to put it in a different post….
4) Pete was dead-on in his previous post that the next thing Cashman needs to address is the training/conditioning/medical staff of the Yankees. I’m a big believer in what Will Carroll writes for Baseball Prospectus and here’s a quote from him from his Team Health Reports before the season:
“The Yankees have a tendency to bring in players that are past their prime, which would make many think that I’d give Gene Monahan and his staff something of a pass for this team’s lower-third finish in Three-Year Rank category. However, while Monahan is almost an institution in New York, he’s not above some blame here. The team has been behind the curve in some ways, but perhaps most telling, it’s the area of maintenance where their results are the most questionable…..
So what’s the problem? I think it could be tradition. The Yankees operate in an older, smaller environment for their medical staff—something that the new park will correct—and tend to resist change. While the move last year to bring in new ideas with a new conditioning coach did not work, their quickly pulling the plug revealed the extent of the internal resistance. Most of the problem seems to reside in the organization’s upper levels; while solid injury statistics don’t exist for the minor leagues, at least anecdotally it appears that there’s been an increase in injuries at the upper levels. The team has actually had solid success with its Tampa rehab programs, which indicates they may already have all they need in place, but just need to better deploy their resources.
If nothing else, the Yankees could use the same financial advantages they have everywhere else to help solve this issue. More trainers? Sure. Better equipment? Sure. Better facilities? Already in the works, but sure. The one thing we’ve yet to see is an organizational focus on the issue, and that can only come from the top.”
1050 ESPN saying Girardi’s meeting with the press was heated and contentious.
Joe Girardi vs. Joel Sherman. Film at 11! lol
Can someone in the media ask Girardi this.. Why Giambi, why?
I just don’t understand. Is he going by stats or salary? The guy can barely field first base. He’s not hitting. He’s still pulling the ball. How long until this ends?
…and that Hughes is in the rotation now, but wouldn’t commit to his making a Sunday start.
Will YES have the tape on the pre-game show?
Well last night someone asked him a question regarding Phil, than Kim goes and asks the same thing!! I mean how to you expect him to react? If you keep gettting asked the same question of course it is going to tick you off.
Bruney is not having surgery – according to M. Kay show.
How much sense does this make? He had 2 doctors tell him he needed it and now it will be ok?
Giambi can’t possibly think that his 2009 option will be picked up to keep him a Yankee. His $5M buyout will be exercised and with any luck, some AL team will take him on the cheap with a contract not much over the minimum salary.
The front office has been chomping at the bit for a few years to rid the albatross contract from the payroll and move on.
TKinDC
Bruney really has nothing to lose by waiting for surgery. His only chance of making it back to the Yankees this season is to risk the one month wait and see if his foot heals, otherwise surgery means he’s guaranteed out for the season and most likely out of Yankee rotation forever.
rodg12-
good stuff from will carrol.
it’s not a criticism, but it’s important for everyone who likes will carroll to realize he’s a conditioning reporter. he’s not a conditioning expert. he has no degrees in the field at all.
that said , i like the info and observations that he puts out .
There shouldn’t be any question as to the April MVP. It’s Wang.
Without his starts, we’re under .500 and in worse shape than we were last April. He’s been everything we could have asked of him, matched p against some of the game’s best and won. Heck, he two hit boston and shut out cleveland.
Offensively, Melky is our MVP, but good as Melky is, he can’t pitch.
Here’s the thing….
Seems to me Girardi gets ticked off when folks ask him the same question over and over. He probably thinks they are trying to trip him up.
In most cases during a group interviews, guys just want clarification so they are accurate in what they will report. You will have some people repeat questions. Or, some come a little late to the interview and repeat questions.
Are some guys looking to trip him up? Perhaps.
Sherman is a pain in the ass. A guy who thinks he’s the 2,000 elephant in the room.
I could see Girardi getting ticked off with Sherman.
Guys like Pete, Feinsand, Sweeney, Kepner? They aren’t “gotcha” artists.
The problem though is that in these group settings, when you go off, EVERYBODY will write about it.
As I said the other day, 50% of this gig is being able to minimize distractions.
Personally, I don’t think Girardi should make Sherman feel important enough to show that he can get to him with his line of questioning.
By doing so, you can guarantee Sherman will do it again. It makes for news when a reporter can bait a manager into a tantrum. Especially in NY.
At the end of the day, it just makes for a distraction you don’t need.
Henn finally DFA’d
“Joe Girardi vs. Joel Sherman. Film at 11! lol”
I’ll for an extension if he punches him in the mouth
Thanks for the info randy.
Vince,
How sad to be a ball player and know that your team’s probably going to pay you $5M to go away.
Pay $5M to save $20M+? No brainer in this case.
Re: Girardi. If I had to deal with what he’s dealing with, I’d be bitchy, too.
Looking forward to a bounceback win from Andy. Seems like we’ve been asking that a lot lately.
So Joel was the reason for the blow up?
Good point Scorpio – I just think he is being delusional but there is no downside for the Yanks unless he could be back before the end of the year w/ surgery.
Also I think many of the normal beat guys are off this series Kepner is (curry is filling in) Ed Price is (Dan G filling in),Pete is,
think Feinsand and Kat are there not sure about George King . Sherman is a large pain in the but and remember he is a columnist not a beat guy so he always comes in with an agenda to back up whatever his colum agenda is
I agree with Scorpio. It doesn’t hurt if Bruney waits to see if he can give it a go.
If he waits a month and the injury doesn’t show signs of improvement, he can have the surgery.
What’s interesting is, with Henn DFA’ed today, they are at the limit on the 40 man roster.
If they are to call up Rasner (or anybody else for that matter), they will probably have to put Bruney on the 60 day DL to make a corresponding move.
Been in meetings all day, missed what going on…
whats happened with Girardi and Sherman???
Gammons has brought some sense to the MK show.
SIT GIAMBI FER GOODNESS SAKES!!!
Jax,
Agreed. Very good reporting by Gammons.
just DFA Pavano to make room dont seemuch point in keeping him on and taking a roster spot away
OOps also noticing that Cervilli at least on yankees/com is not listed on the DL could they do something with or is he actually back working at this point
I can’t listen to Michael Kay (I guess God likes me.) What did Gammons say?
They DFA’d Henn? Where was that reported? Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
SJ, where’d you hear that about Henn? Not that it surprised me, they can only hide him on the DL for so long. In the meantime, they should find room for McCutchen at AAA.
Gayle, Pavano is on the 60-day DL and therefore not taking a spot on the 40-man roster.
Yes, what did Gammon’s say???? I thought he was a Yankee hater.
Henn being DFA’s was on STar Ledger site (see links on the right)
I concur with SJ. There’s just so much time at the big league level for bumps in the road until it’s apparent that things get worked out at a lower level with no scrutiny, just progress for a player experiencing struggles. The risk of hurting confidence is just too damaging.
Phil Hughes needs 3-4 good AAA starts to get it together and put himself in a postition to contribute.
All reports show that Rasner is deserving of a chance through hard work. He could have accepted free agency at the end of spring training but his desire to remain a Yankee was first and foremost.
Gayle,
Pavano is on the 60 day DL list, and that doesn’t affect the 40 man roster (i.e., players get taken of the 40 man when they go on the 60 day DL list).
Plus, the Yanks (if memory serves me right) are trying to at least get some insurance money in re: Pavano, so they can’t just DFA him.
gotcha on the pavano thing didnt realize that even though you were on the 60 day you didnt take a 40 man spot. knew it about the 25 but not the 40
Whoa, they DFA’d Henn?
Dang, guy must have had no hope then. Well, I mean, he wasn’t any good, but still.
Girardi has a few things to learn about the media. But he can’t change his personality so I don’t expect the velvet fog of Joe Torre to suddenly reappear before and after the game.
It is pointless to fight or even be contentious with the media. Most of the reporters are just doing their job and want to make sure they get an actual answer. No matter what, you cannot beat people who buy ink by the barrel, as they used to say. Girardi can’t let himself turn into Nixon and start stonewalling or buy into the “us against them” mindset. The sooner Girardi realizes that Sherman’s going to find a source or quote or fact that allows him to write whatever he wants to write regardless of what Girardi says, the better he’ll be. If there gets to be a real problem with particular reporters, that’s Zillo’s job.
IMO, when dealing with the media, Joe G needs to take the same advice he’s giving his young pitchers: you control the game with your tempo, slow it down. Trust your stuff, throw strikes, and don’t try to be perfect.
(And Joe, try to have some fun for god’s sake. Watching you in the post game it looks like you’re trying to pass pineapples).
“Joe Girardi vs. Joel Sherman. Film at 11! lolâ€
Did Girardi go totally Artie Lange on him?
Gammons basically telling Kay that Hughes has been better in the past then what he has shown so far. Kay sounded surprise when Gammons said that there are GM’s that still think highly of Hughes.
It’s become clear that Kay doesn’t like Hughes. He doesn’t throw hard enough for him.
Patrick –
Kay has BECOME McCarver et al., because he has become all about himself these days. It’s about his analysis and his personality. I guess doing CenterStage and his radio show, he’s becoming a “broadcast personality.” I do not consider him to be the voice of the Yankees.
I am so uncomfortable with the fact the he seems to go out of his way to criticize the Yankees, while, as you point out, either not having all the facts, or choosing to ignore facts that would not suit the needs of his show (read ego). Yes, Phil Hughes has been pitching poorly. We all know that. But he showed definite signs last season, late last season, that he belonged with the Yankees, including “mentally.” And I would doubt that so many people would rate Phil as highly as they did (even if they did downgrade him somewhat, he was still pretty up there) if he was a total fluke.
At AAA, you can tell Hughes, “Ok Phil, tonight, we throw nothing but sliders and changeups in the first inningâ€. You can’t do that at the major league level
SJ44-
THAT’S exactly what I was wondering – whether that would be something that would be done at the minor league level.
Let’s take Gammons positive comments on Hughes with a grain of salt. He comes with his Red Sox nation baggage. It is in his interest for the Yankees to struggle.
I can’t believe that as a Yankees fan I’ve been reduced to finding solace in of all things– the team’s retention of Chad Moeller.
Alas, I have.
May this not augur a season of such meager consolations.
I can’t fathom an October without Yankees baseball. The prospect is too desolating to contemplate.
Bruney doesn’t want surgery – that is why he sought out so many opinions. He said his foot doesn’t hurt so he finds it hard to believe he’ll need surgery. He wants to see how it heals in the boot cast because if it does, he won’t lose the entire season.
Randy Johnson got touched up this afternoon in Arizona. 4IP, 9H, 6ER.
You have to admit that trade makes Cashman look like a genius. Ohlendorf, the former Attorney General, and a draft pick (for Viz).
Just giving credit where credit is due.
The jury is still out on the Sheff trade… We’ll see how good Sanchez is as he recovers from TJ surgery.
I would say the Jared Wright – Chris Britton trade has been about a wash.
Murph,
Completely agree.
I’m a huge Girardi fan. But, if he keeps acting like this, he will bury himself in this job.
He’s got to chill out. You would think Zillo or Cashman, or even Michael Kay (who is a friend of his) would remind him that fighting with the media is a losing battle.
Especially over the small stuff. The questions about Hughes? That’s really small stuff.
I mean, c’mon. Did he think it wouldn’t be a big topic of conversation today??
This is not a group of media animals. Compared to the old days (the Dick Young days. I’m dating myself! lol), Joel Sherman is NOTHING.
If he can’t handle Joel Sherman, he’s doomed.
The rest of the guys? They aren’t predisposed to dislike him. But, if he keeps losing it over the least little thing, and “misremembers” certain things, he’s going to end up walking the plank.
He doesn’t have to be Joe Torre. He just can’t be the Joe Girardi he was in Florida.
If he is, he’s one and done in this job and that would be a shame for everybody.
He’s too smart a guy. I hope he gets it soon.
m-dog:
Sage advice. Girardi has to develop a rapport with the beat reporters who want to make sure that he has the temperment to manage a team in the media capital of the world.
If you take the long view only W-L records matter, but the press can make your life uncomfortable in the meantime.
The good news is that ANDY P is on the bump tonight. The questions are a lot easier to answer after a win.
A few years back, Cashman saw the error of his ways with the approach in the farm system winning championships at all levels.
The teams do well in their leagues and many time reach a championship scenario but the No. 1 priority has been and will continue to be player development above all else.
Only sheer luck will see Randy Johnson reach the plateau of winning 300 games for his career.
Father Time has come calling and his aching back won’t allow many more innings.
“Girardi has to develop a rapport with the beat reporters who want to make sure that he has the temperment to manage a team in the media capital of the world.”
There are no beat reporters who WANT to make sure he has the temperment. It’s not their job to make sure of it, or even care about it. Further, they wouldn’t have the capability to do something about it if they did want to.
Fact is their job probably gets a lot easier if he does not have the temperment. Nothing makes a beat reporters job easier than an ill tempered manager.
SJ:
I remember Dick Young at the end, sort of like Lupica is now; bored with everything, smarter than everybody. Nasty man.
Zillo can talk with Girardi some more and maybe even Kay can “dutch uncle” him a little. The guy who would be a perfect foil for Giradi is Ken Singelton. Calm, smart, been there. Doesn’t get too upset over silly stuff, seems to enjoy himself. Joe should try a little “Singy” next time.
But none of it will work however until Girardi realizes it’s all beyond his control. He just has to do his job and let the rest go.
“He doesn’t have to be Joe Torre. He just can’t be the Joe Girardi he was in Florida.”
SJ, I agree he doesn’t have to be Torre. That said, what makes you think the Joe Girardi he was in Florida isn’t…well, Joe Girardi. He’s always had the “smartest guy in room” thing about him and he’s always had a bit of a temper.
Doesn’t mean he can’t do the job, but his personality would seem to dictate that the media will be an issue for him from time to time.
“Fact is their job probably gets a lot easier if he does not have the temperment. Nothing makes a beat reporters job easier than an ill tempered manager.”
It makes it easier only insofar as it gives the writers a whole new line of stories to write so they won’t be caught short on material. But their primary job is to get the day to day stuff done and a bunker mentality manager really interferes with that. Before you know it, nobody wants to talk on the record, an enemies list is drawn up, insiders start leaking about how tough the manager is to deal with – and if Girardi thought they were trying to trip him up before, getting too defensive is effectively the same as being adversarial. Then they will be trying to mess with him.
Fredo Corleone:
I do agree with you. Joe needs to find a way to chill out or he will only make it worse for himself.
should be yet another interesting night for the Yankees… Pettitte better pitch like he’s capable. i don’t want to see any crap like his last start.
In fairness to Girardi, in last night’s post game, I thought he was working very hard to maintain an equilibrium, if not a cool. The only time he got testy was on a repeated question that had to do with what they’re going to do about Hughes. The thing is, with a question like that, of course he’s not going to give the media any information before it’s been discussed, and certainly not before it’s been discussed with Hughes. He did say that (though not in those exact words, obviously). Perhaps he just needs to find a key phrase that he can match with a beguiling smile – “Come on, guys, you know I can’t answer that yet.
” That kind of thing.
He tries be too precise while at the same time, not wanting to divulge any information until it’s absolutely air tight. And I really do believe he does not want opponents to know exactly what hand he’s playing. That’s not a bad thing, but he has to learn how to sell it.
It’s very, very obvious the man hates losing and so any interview after a loss is going to be a tough one. There’s a very, very obvious answer to this dilemma — simply win every game from here on out!
I could not take listening to Kay on the drive home. He was raising my blood pressure
Agreed Murph. Obviously better to have a working relationship, especially as a beat guy. My post was more about discounting the notion that it was the beat writers job to manage his temperment.
I think to some degree he’s digging a bit of a hole with these guys already. He’s been fairly disingenuous about the injuries and gets short when things don’t go well. Some postings by this blog’s fearless leader suggest he’s less than thrilled with Joe G.
What does it say about the fact that I’m not bothered by the way Girardi’s acting?
If you lose a game, I expect the manager to be angry and get testy.
I’d make a horrible manager, I guess.
You know what I don’t get about Kay – is why the Yankees keep him around when, IMO, he is extremely unsupportive of the team. I’m not saying that he has to be an idiot and gush over the players like the White Sox announcers do (after the game, I think Hawk goes and gets the guy’s autographs!), but it seems to me that Kay is more negative than the average team announcer. Yet the Yankees keep him on each and every year. I don’t get it.
Fredo -
You call it being disingenuous, I call it playing your cards close to your vest. But I do think Girardi, again, needs a canned phrase for that too, that’s a little less off-putting – “We really don’t know the extent, but as soon as we do, you guys will be the second to know.
” instead of the answers he’s been giving which not only give out no information, but seem to be patently false.
Rebecca -
I’m not particularly bothered by him, either, but I don’t have to put a story together for the next morning’s paper. This media has been very spoiled by Joe Torre’s laid-back demeanor. Can you imagine if they had hired Lou Piniella a couple of years ago??????!
Fredo,
Agreed. He’s strange in some ways with media dealings.
He has no problems with new media. He does a weekly show on the YES Network (I don’t know many managers who do that) and also does a weekly Q&A on Yesnetwork.com.
It seems he is comfortable only in controlled media settings.
Well, NY ain’t that kind of market. If he is going to look to control information with the NY media, or control the media at all, he’s doomed.
Like Murph said, that’s when factions form and the info is going to get out anyway.
Its best to say nothing than either lie, mislead, or get angry with the media. Especially on the small stuff.
When you think about it, he really shouldn’t be testy now. They have a lot of injuries. Yet, the team is hanging in there.
Is it a perfect team? No. Is it a team that should cause media confrontations? Nope.
Plainly put, its an area he has to improve on. Stop playing word games and stop sweatin’ the small stuff.
I my goodness I actually agree with Chris Russo. Now that’s a first.
M&MD saying Phil Franchise Hughes is heading down to minors and Rasner is going to come up. Wow. The more poorly Phil does, the more you think about Santana. Its almost impossible not to.
The roster is at a weird crossroads, and that’s why I think us Yankee fans are having a hard time understanding. Most of the roster is aging and ready to carry us to a World series, and other areas are incredibly young and inexperienced (i.e. Hughes and Kennedy).
It also doesn’t help that we have a new injury every few days. Maybe that candy and ice-cream kept our boys healthy. Who knows…
murphydog
You are right about Lupica. He has turned very nasty and sour.
Time for him to hang em up. Still got the talent but the desire is all gone.
Laura -
I agree 100% with you on that. And Kay just keeps getting worse. Like he’s testing the waters, to see just how much negativity he can get away with.
I’m all for constructive criticism and I certainly don’t want blatant homerism, but there’s got to be a happy medium, and he’s getting farther and farther from it, in my opinion.
rodg12,
Good points…I don’t understand why Melky wasn’t in left and Molina behind the plate…if Molina was injured then if makes sense, other wise…
No excuse for our best CF sitting, especially with a young pitcher who needs all the defensive support he can get…What’s the rational behind all these days off anyway?
In the old days did guys like Joe D, or Yogi get all these days off? I could be wrong but I wonder if they did…
ADave -
Is that M&MD’s opinion, or had a decision been made?
There you go, Brandon. Thats just proof that his mechanics are off. Some idiot obviously messed with them. And who ever did should be sued and fired, even if it was Eiland or Girardi. Im sorry, you just do not mess with a dominant pitchers mechanics. Hughes was a dominant pitcher in 2006 and in 2007. That was obvious in the results. This season has been nothing but a disaster so far for the kid. I honestly think that he should be sent either to the bullpen or to Scranton so he can get him self together and to get back those mechanics that made him into the dominant pitcher he has been for the past few years in the minors and even in the majors.
OK… maybe a silly question, but regarding the 40 man roster…
What determines whether a player is on the 40 man other than a major league contract (Brackman, Miranda) and being on the big club? I guess my question is why are the following players on the 40 man? Were they all signed to major league contracts?
Jeff Marquez, Steven White, Chase Wright, Francisco Cervelli)
Doreen it’s Francesa assumption it’s not factual.
How behind am I? I just noticed Cabrera is batting SIXTH!
Thanks, Jax.
SJ44,
Yes, Joe’s handling of the media is curious…especially when you consider how long he’s been in this town and since he was Joe Torre’s bench coach…if anyone handled the media well it was Joe T…
Get mad at what happens on the field…show frustration about injuries, but don’t come across as angry with the media…I don’t see how that helps anyone…
Laura – Aside from Kay’s issues with depth perception on flyballs, I think he calls a nice game. I disagree that he’s unsupportive, but would agree he’s no Hawk. For my money, I don’t want my play by play guy be a company suck up. Just want to call him as he sees it and not be afraid to call out a Yankee when they’ve done badly or praise the other team for doing well. At least he’s believable. You listen to Sterling with the TV on and you wonder what the hell he’s watching. His calls are borderline fiction at times.
Doreen:
Your way of addressing the issue changes it from disingenuous to what it should be. It was subtle things like that which made Torre’s ability to deal with the media so strong.
Chad Jennings on SWB says that Britton is back (replacing Alex) and that Henn was DFA’d so that Moeller could go back on the 40 man.
I got pissed when he says its important that Phil still believe in himself. You might have helped him out with that one Joe by not having Damon in centerfield and Stewart behind the plate.
I know I’ve said that ONE HUNDRED TIMES but I can’t stop saying it. Pete, you gotta ask him about this! (and Giambi and why he’s not sitting).
Doreen,
Girardi does have a catch phrase. It’s “obviously”.
He should use it like this:
“Obviously, I can’t share that until we’ve talked to the player.”
“Obviously, you think I’m an idiot if you think I’m going to answer the same question asked a different way.”
“Obviously, a stupid question gets a stupid answer.”
I think you get the idea.
“I don’t understand why Melky wasn’t in left”
I meant in CENTER!
Re: the Santana deal…….Melky would be in that deal. Imagine this season without Melky. Not pretty.
I don’t think Johan Santana would be happy with Johnny Damon in CF. lol
Add to it the luxury tax implications, which do matter, it just wasn’t a workable deal.
I don’t give up on Hughes or regret not making the deal because April has been a bad month for Hughes.
That deal had too many implications, many of which weren’t in the Yankees best interests, to rehash it everytime Hughes has a bad outing.
I know I’m not going to change the minds of some. Just pointing out some issues with the deal.
Hey, Melky is tied for the team lead in HR…
Anyway, more moves are coming. Right now, as Jennings points out, there are five catchers on the 40 man.
I feel bad for Phil.
Wait, did someone just say Phil got sent down and Rasner called up? Or are they speculating?
I like A-Gon at third..A-rod who?
This Francessa guy is killing me. Classic case of drawing the wrong conclusion from the evidence shown. “None of the starters are going 5 innings so we need an 8th inning guy.” NO what that proves is that you need starters to go deeper into games and to have a long reliever.
Speculation Rebecca.
If you think Joba is THAT good he has to be in the rotation so that you dont end up with a starter that goes 5 or less everytime.
M&MD were speculating based on Cashman’s comments last night and his pre-game comments today.
Rob he says that because it doesn’t support his argument that Joba should stay in the pen. lol
Got it give to him, he’s really sticking to this “Joba needs to be in the pen” non-sense. No matter what kind of information he gets about Joba as a starter it’s still “he needs to be in the pen.”
“This Francessa guy is killing me. Classic case of drawing the wrong conclusion from the evidence shown.”
A scientist is conducing an experiment. He cuts off one of a frog’s legs and says “Jump, frog, jump.” The frog jumps and the scientist makes a note.
The scientist cuts off another leg and says “Jump, frog, jump.” The frog jumps and the scientist make a note.
The scientist cuts off the third leg and says, “Jump frog, jump.” The frog manages one more jump and the scientist makes a note.
Finally, the scientist cuts off the last leg and says “Jump frog, jump.” The frog doesn’t move. The scientist says again, “Jump, frog, jump,” and still the frog doesn’t move.
So the scientist writes a note in his journal: “Frog with no legs deaf.”
That scientist was Mike Francessa.
If Mo broke his leg and could never pitch the same again (god forbid/ knock on wood) I MAY be able to see using Joba as the closer. But three years in the 8th inning? Albie/Ohlie guarantee get the eigth inning with a lead more often than not.
He talks about how important the 8th inning is and how we dont have pitchers going deep into games well I know how you can save quality pitchers for the 8th inning. Have a guy who can pitch 5-7 innings every time out. Joba may be able to do that for you.
My thoughts:
Phil to AAA for May with Rasner replacing him on the big club.
Let Kennedy try to work himself out. Mussina said he is close and it more a matter of trusting himself and altering pitch sequence and style. Also, if you have to mess with someones head, I would choose Kennedy. Lower upside, older, more experience (college).
June Phil back up and the Joba covnersion begins.
I was watching the Mets get pounded this afternoon and I thought Darling was great in the booth. What impressed me was they allowed calls to the booth during the eight inning. So I was thinking how much fun that would be if the folks here on the blog were able to actually call Kay during a game. I think after one call he would end that feature. I think Kay likes to harp on the negative in regards to the Yankees. Seems like he’s auditioning for espn.
its ok. have no fear fellow yankee fans. the Charleston Riverdogs are absolutely stacked. pitching, hitting, theyve got it all.
look for the yankees to become absolutely filthy come 2013…
lol
Jason – I have to agree with you on all of that. I just don’t want to see Joba stretched out in the minor leagues, stretch him out in the majors and whoevers turn in the rotation it is comes in as the long man after Joba…. it would be a waste to have Joba stretched out in the minors, we need those innings
addition to the last comment – give Phil at least 1-2 more starts before sending him down though
I’d give Phil one or two more starts if I knew Molina was going to be behind the plate both times. If that can’t be the case, however, might as well start the AAA healing process now.
How funny is it that the Mets had as many errors (3) as runs (1) plus hits (2)…
I waffle on giving Phil more starts. Seattle would be next and they are not a great hitting club, but if the issues are mechanical, pitchability (or more precisely throwing his 3 and 4 pitches in a game) why wait.
Agree on Joba – You can probably creat a plan over about a month that would do the trick.
I waffle on giving Phil more starts. Seattle would be next and they are not a great hitting club, but if the issues are mechanical, pitchability (or more precisely throwing his 3 and 4 pitches in a game) why wait.
Agree on Joba – You can probably creat a plan over about a month that would do the trick.
Mel -
You crack me up!
Hype-
If you’re 17, you’ll probably need a parent or guardian to get into the stadium. Usually they check id’s for people at the gate, which is why you’ll see long lines there. It might be best to come another weekend when a parent/guardian can accompany you.
So what can we do to lure Micah Owings to the Yankees?
Okay, so the pitchers don’t hit in the AL generally, but I know that there is a way to lose the DH and it would be so freakin’ awesome…
Rebecca -
I heard (on XM morning baseball show) that Micah Owings hurt his ankle the other day after hitting a double (his 3rd hit of the game). I didn’t follow up on that, though.
Just watching the pre-game on YES. According to Kim, Brian has said there are on-going internal discussions re: Phil Hughes as to whether he works out his problems in the starting rotation, bullpen or AAA. They will decide before his next start.
Also said Alex made the injury worse by coming back too soon. Said they will be mmre careful with returning players from now on.
Uh Oh – Our boy Jose Tabata appears to be on double secret probation. Four days out of the lineup – suspension, off day, two dnp no reason given.
Just checked. Looked like Owings could be available, Rebecca. He’s supposed to make his start on Friday. Dodged a bullet!
Good! Tabata has a bit of an attitude give him a few days to calm down and clear his head.
Kim Jones said Bruney has decided not to get surgery on his foot to see if there is a chance he can come back in August.
Never thought I would say this, but I feel for Bruney, especially the new slimmer better Bruney. Sounds like he is worried about losing his job next year if he gets surgery and can’t pitch for the rest of this season.
Oh man. You see how people wanted Santana?
I want Owings like 2389723x more than anyone that wanted Santana. Just cos.
Like, I’m salvating at the thought of him in pinstripes.
(Yes I know Arizona wouldn’t give him up in the Johnson deal, but that’s not the point!)
Hey guys just got in. Haven’t had a chance to read all the comments so hopefully I don’t repeat anything.
1) Love the lineup today. No complaints. I like the energy AG brings. Hey, at least Matsui and Abreu are in there.
2) I am still completely satisfied that the Yankees didn’t pull the trigger on the Santana deal. Even with the obvious emergence of Cabrera, I’m still not convinced Santana is going to be better than Hughes over the next 6-7 years. I understand the kid has looked really really bad at times this year. But I saw that game last year against Texas, that magical 7 innings. I also watched his games in September last year and that relief appearance against Cleveland in the playoffs. That talent doesn’t just go away. He’s in his own head but I think he’ll work his way out of it. Also, not only are Santana’s numbers down and home runs up, he’s pitching in the NL now. Imagine what his numbers would look like in the AL.
3) Mo is my MVP for April. Other guys have played well, but to me this one isn’t even close. He’s throwing the ball as well as he ever has.
4) Not too many people looking to DFA Mussina these days. Funny what a few good starts will do for you.
5) I don’t think the Yankees can use injuries as an excuse for their record so far. Every team has injuries. Look at the Angels. They lost their top 2 starters (Escobar, Lackey) and are still 6 games over .500. Imagine where the Yankees would be if Wang and Pettitte had been on the shelf since Opening Day? But I do think the road schedule and no off days has hurt the team, and that’s why a win today makes the record 15-14 for April. I’ll take it, it could be much worse.
Also in the pre-game, Bob, Kenny and Kim couldn’t seem to say Phil Hughes’ name without mentioning AAA. I think the writings are on the wall.
If that’s the case, good luck Phil and hope you work things out down there and come back soon.
Okay, Rebecca – I have to ask – why Micah????
Like Brandon said maybe he needs to get away from Eiland. Who apparently tinkered with his mechanics.
Yeah, I really hope that the fix whatever is broken with Phil. I usually don’t agree with mike and chris but Phil’s fastball hasn’t looked as explosive as it had. It’s pedestrian and that + a good curve isn’t going to win many major league games. I think the team is going to be fine but the change in Phil scares me because he is the first guy that I followed since we drafted and went specifically to see him play in the minors. I’m worried that a trip to AAA won’t help unless he fixes whatever has changed, which it seems like the Yankees are ignoring.
Paging Mr. Contreras, Mr. Nardi Contreras to AAA Scranton!
Let’s get his head straight before we do lasting damage. Same for Tabata. These kids are really young for their respective levels. To misquote Yankee legend – 100% of the game is 1/2 mental.
Get their minds in the game before turning them loose.
Anyone play golf – anyone try hitting a golf ball (that is not moving or looking to swing back at you) when having seven different swing thoughts. Never works.
Phil needs to have it ingrained with repeated success what he will do and just trust it and let it rip.
Doreen: Because he can flat out mash!
Okay, my friend wants to hack into my mlb.tv account to watch an out of market game, so I will have to give up the computer for a bit…GO YANKEES, back later =)
Disagree with Bruney. If drs recommend surgery, get it done. He’ll try to come back and reaggravate it. There’s no guarantees he can come back by August anyway. He’ll be like Schilling. In a holding pattern.
He might find the bullpen kind of crowded in August anyway. Hopefully some of the younger pitchers will be making an impact by then.
Michael Kay has never liked Phil – nothing he says is a surprise. Well, gee Mike – go ask all the scouts who raved about Phil and ask THEM what they saw. Oh wait – they don’t know anything about baseball. I just don’t want to hear Kay sing Phil’s praises when he eventually pans out to what we all expect him to be.
When are they getting Minky and Marte from the Pirates?
Dee – I agree. Although they said the Yanks have yet to decide, I would be very surprised to see Hughes starting in the major leagues on Sunday. I expect it to be Rasner.
“miggs 3) Mo is my MVP for April. Other guys have played well, but to me this one isn’t even close. He’s throwing the ball as well as he ever has.”
Good to see posting here my brother. BTW. I cant believe your considering moving out of s.d. I guess you gotta do what you gotta do.
It’s YANKEE time!!!
I really hope Phil gets things straighten out.
Listening on the radio to the vitriol some fans were throwing his way really made me feel for the kid. He is just a kid.
If I hear, “We could’ve had Johan Santana” one more time…..grrr
Game time!
Let’s go Yankees! Let’s get a win today!
Wow. 20 years since Bull Durham. Geez… I’m old.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200.....rham_s20th
Rebecca-
Will you shut up already about Micah Owings?
Hughes and IPK should stay with the big club.
Everything will be fine.
Let’s go Andy!
how do we get michael kay to stop saying “generation tres”?
Suzyn W wants Phil to wear special goggles so he can see the signs from the catcher at night. – - I just got this mental image of Phil pitching with a coalminer’s helmet with flashlight.
ridiculous.
Glad to see Pettitte on the mound tonight.
Tony,
Unfortunately, that means breaking up the Three Amigos.
I’m sure this old news, but Henn was DFA’d.
i heart Jose Molina
I think Phil needs to be sent down (never though this before last night), not because he needs to work on a change, but because he needs to clear the monsters out of his head. If he was indeed nearing the breaking point last night, I do not see what good it does to keep him up here. He’s a special young man and a special pitcher, but he could easily be ruined if he’s battered beyond what he can handle mentally now.
I have no doubts about Phil’s capacity to handle pressurized situations; that game against Cleveland will stay with me for a long time. Right now, though, no team could be putting as much pressure on Phil as he is on himself. That’s the problem. Another problem is the fact that the Yankees, for NO reason, changed his delivery. Phil’s body is telling him that he doesn’t like these new mechanics; I want him back to his natural delivery and now. Nardi is clueless about this. I’m ticked off at the Yankees.
Everytime I see Doc Gooden I want to cry.
I wonder it the AG’s like, “Uh, I didn’t sign up for this.”
Nice job by A-Gonz & A-Pett
I’m all for giving Phil one or two more starts with Molina and an adequate defense behind him (or the best possible), if it was road games. He seems like a tough kid, but I’d hate to see him get boo’d if he’s not lights out at home next week.
i dont think Hughes should be laughing in the dugout with his record.
Good and quick inning by Pettitte. I’m sure AG was thrilled by all of those grounders to him.
Mel, I agree Bruney should listen to his doctors. I guess he is worried about his livelihood and I hope even if he waits he will get surgery to have it fixed once and for all in the off season.
Fran, I have a feeling Cash & co. are waiting til after IPK’s performance tomorrow night to make an announcement on Phil’s status. It’s kind of a 2-part decision.
Didn’t get to read the posts but
WELCOME BACK CHAD MOELLER! Boy is that good news. As someone who believes in the KISS theory, this was effortless.
Fran – we will definitely win tonight.
just making sure you guys know that post by Multiple Miggs was not me……
Would you rather see Phil crying while sitting in the dugout?
A – run must score here
B – why couldn’t anyone look at least this alive yesterday?
Double with no outs…. can we score him?
Need to get him over now. Hopefully Jeter lays down a bunt.
Wang would be the MVP of my April. Mo would be a close 2nd.
Cabrera should bat in front of Giambi!
Not many better to have at bat in this situation.
Abreu is well worth his contract.
Well, I’ll take a single as well. The Yanks have to jump out early.
I think Mo is MVP for life. Wang is MVP for April.
miggs-
We know, glad there is just one of you.
Time to go small ball, Yanks.
Well it’s gotta be near impossible for us not to score here.
Glad to have Matsui in this situation also.
ok – bases loaded no outs – I would like more than one run here…is that greedy?
Bases loaded and no out…they absolutely have to score.
Wang is my April MVP
Ugh – well that sucked
Buddy Biancalana – I was only kidding, you dolt…it was me
Hmmm.
Okay.
All Jason has to do is sky one. If it’s caught it’s okay. A run scores.
MUST SCORE NOW!
Giambi did his job.
We get one!
Nice sac, G-Man.
But memo to Kay, that was deep, maybe, but not deeeeeeep.
well, there’s 1 run
Given the state of hte team’s hitting, I will definitely take that from Giambi. Unexpected.
Ahhh, a productive out. And a first inning run.
Nick -
Melky can do something here…
Giambi went the other way and did his job. I’ll take it.
I never seen so many great hitters get so many cheap shots for runs.
Melky Delivers Again!!!!!
There we go Melky! nice slide
Hey FLEAS wherever you are.
THAT is the reason we don’t care that we don’t have Santana. THAT is the reason we didn’t want Santana.
Get it?
FANTASTIC baseball right there. Challenge the outfield, good opposite field hitting, GREAT slide by Jeter (naturally). Good baseball.
nice Melky
let’s see if cano can get hot. love to see melky deliver
Ah, Melky has been so good this year!
He’s throwing erratically Robbie, go up there and swing at everything! =\
If there is an offensive MVP for April – I nominate Melky. Gamewinning homer in Cleveland, leading the team in dingers and being consistent through the month.
This looks like a baseball team right now. Sac fly for a run. Opposite field hitting for another run. Great slide at home. GO YANKS!
2 runs…I’ll take it.
Cano is getting frustrated. I hope he gets it together soon. By the way, as I stated earlier, the top 7 in the lineup today is as good a top 7 in baseball even without our two injured stars.
Cano is the worst 2B player ever!
Money completely wasted.
Can’t hit any ball.
I don’t know if this has been discussed already, but Roger Clemens released a statement earlier today and said that he approves of the Miley Cyrus photograph and is willing to meet with her to assist with her music career.
mmx while I’ll grant you that you have made an accurate statement with respect to Robby to date this season, I guarantee you that you will be eating those words soon eough.
That’s a good thing.
Nick,
that was hilarious.
Nick -
Hahaha Nick
Nick, it was funny the first time I heard it last night when Letterman said it…then again when Bill Simmons typed it earlier today.
Bad luck on that hop.
Just see how Redsox’s Pedroia play the ball, I really have little confidence with Cano. Even less than Hughes.
Just got back on…
Giambi for Zito? Ugh… My lord, I pray not acquire thee.
Unless the Giants are sending close to a $100 mil back east with Zito, I pray this doesn’t happen.
Go after Sabathia and Big Tex in the offseason. How many number three -through- five starters does a team need?
Freakin’ Zito…
Sabathia = five years, $125M
Big Tex = six years, $130M
Just a guesstimate, of course. No need to hop all over it and dissect it like a frog in biology class. You know who you are!
c’mon Andy
I guess I’m behind in the times since my net connection died yesterday. What’s the Miley Cyrus photograph?
My apologies, Westerner99, I figured it was obvious enough that someone else might have thought of it too. But I didn’t know. I’m sorry you had to suffer through that.
Nick, no need to get overly dramatic…just credit your source.
For that matter, who is Miley Cyrus?
Billy Ray Cyrus’s daughter
Westerner99, I am my own source. I didn’t see it on Letterman or read it today. It’s a pretty obvious joke, no professional training necessary.
Lets go Molinaa
mmx…..Cano and Hughes are both great. It seems like Cano just gets off to slow starts, thats just how it is(plus he’s horrible in the cold weather). Hughes is just going thorugh some growing pains…he’ll turn out great.
I take exception to the 730 Pete post I listened to the replay on ESPN radio and he answered the exact same way that Brian Cashman answered the question actually the exact same words. He answered the question the same way the 2nd time it was asked as well as the 3rd time it was asked. It was the 4th time he was asked the question that he got testy.
Believe me I am not saying you are after him but if he answers the question the same way the first 3 times and if Brian Cashman answered the question the same way the times he was asked and I am sure it was more than 1 time, what else is he supposed to say.
Obviously as an organization they have decided this is how they are going to answer the question today. YOu dont gt the exact same answer and I am exact word for word if they didnt disucss it internally how they were going to answer the question so they for sure anticipated it.
Yes they probably know what they are going to do but I guess they want to announce it on thier timetabl and not the media’s timetable. I am not saying that is right but thatis what they have determined is the best way to handle it.
mmx… can I smoke some of what you be hittin’?
Worst 2B ever? Apparently you’ve never heard of Jose Offerman…
Anyone want to know what living deep in the heart of Red Saux ‘Nation’ is like? This story about the pot-smoking Spaceman Bill Lee was the headline of our local daily newspaper/online news service today…
http://www.mainecoastnow.com/a.....897263.txt
Welcome to my world… Jump right into my nightmare, the water is warm!
PS- The sports writer is such a tool too. God, I hate his pro-Sox columns I have to suffer through when trying to find my kid’s little league scores in the local sports section…
Nick, they you are qualified to write for Letterman.
Jose Molina>Guestavo Molina from the Mets
Mets always trying to rip off the Yankees 1 way or another
Then what is the photograph of her that has everyone buzzing? Why would Clemens be involved…because she sings country?
edit…then you are…
Pete, when is the edit button coming back?
Thanks! But my rule of thumb is, if I can think of it, they probably thought of it a day ago, and you confirmed my math if it was on last night. Sigh.
Probably when the site doesn’t keep going down because it’s on there and it doesn’t take forever for posts to appear.
I’m a Yankees fan, not a Redsox fan.
But I do respect some of the Redsox players.
Cano’s AVG is even lower than Molina now.
Miley Cyrus is a teenage pop star every little girl wants to be
on the Arod thing I find it interesting that he didnt have an MRI the first time around as he had to go for the birth of his child you wouldthink the Yankees would have gotten one anyway. That is not on the manager that is on the trainer and the GM
u seem like a sox fan to me mmx
Wait… Your a Yankees fan, but Cano is the worst 2B you’ve ever seen?
Did you just start rooting for the NYY, or were you too young to remember the iconic, sure-fire Hall of Famer Tony Womack?
pete can you just admit you dont like girardi… as i fan i could care less how much info he gives you or us… i just want him to make the right decisions on the field.
“Why would Clemens be involved…because she sings country?”
Probably because she is 15.
Roger seems to to like..um…younger women
I guess, though, if it wasn’t for Womack’s horrible signing, Cano might not have had the chance to come up when he did…
how do you deal with your boy belicheck and the pats?
can you please get over your Girardi grudge? it’s so old now. Torre was terse with the media plenty too. He doesn’t owe you anything.
So it was a joke on the affair that he had with the other country singer? Wow, one day with the Internet modem going bust and you miss everything.
This I don’t take any credit for:
http://www.sfgate.com/columnists/asmussen/
Pete, I agree, of course Girardi knows Phil’s status. I think they are waiting to see how Ian pitches tomorrow night to make final decision and address both of them at once in case there is more than one move.
About Alex’s injury, I can see some athletes especially super competitive ones like Alex and Jorge under-reporting their pain level to their manager. I won’t blame Girardi for their re-injury.
But one thing I hope Girardi will stop doing is that he often says “I’m optimistic so and so will be back by how many days”. I think that puts pressure on the injured players. Even today he said that when commenting on Alex. Instead I suggest Joe used a similar line he used when commenting on when Joba should come back when his dad was sick: like “Alex should rest and come back when he has healed completely and not one day before”
lol steph….sometimes its hard to tell when someone is telling a joke online
Oh god, not the Patriots crap again… Don’t get him going, berniepaulandtino….
I love Pete’s sense of humor, the way he smacks down foolish posters and, of course, this blog. But his affection for the Pats is….
Troubling. (
)
But, to each is own.
I admit I’m new to the MLB, and most of the games I watched are Yankees games. I’m a Wang fan.
Girardi already cracking under the pressure of the NY media? Shocking.
It’s pretty obvious that pitching would be the most physically grueling, don’t you think?
Girardi needs to know how to diffuse the press with humor. For example, an answer he could give to many stupid questions is: “We’re gonna take him behind the shed and shoot him”.
Press: Are you going to send Hughes to AAA?
Girardi: No, We’re gonna take him behind the shed and shoot him.
Press: Cano is in a bad slump. Are you going to bench him?
Girardi: No, We’re gonna take him behind the shed and shoot him.
Press: Do you think Bruney should have surgery?
Girardi: No, We’re gonna take him behind the shed and shoot him.
etc.
I thought I’d take the time to mention that Matsuzaka is pitching a NO HITTER through 3.
If baseball superstition works out the way it is supposed to, I should be reporting to you that the Jays get their first hit in the fourth inning. If not then, certainly soon thereafter.
No need to thank me for that help, Sux fans.
Yeah, I guess. I spent basically all of my time that I could get on the net yesterday researching my final project for a class, so I have apparently missed this breaking news. I knew about the Clemens affair, but I don’t have a clue about the Miley Cyrus photograph. I guess I’ll just Google it and catch up.
why are jeter’s throws always low??
LOL OLDYANKSFAN HAHAHAHHA
I like it OldYanksfan!
Thats how I would handle the media, if given the chance. Answer every question either with a question or with a joke.
Or pull a page or two from the Crash Davis ‘Dealing with the Media for Dummys’ book…
Maybe, just maybe, the decision about Hughes has not yet been made. And maybe, just maybe, Girardi has a lot of fish to fry at this point in time and so it going to hold on making a decision about Hughes until he, well, solidifies the catching and the 3rd base situation and makes decisions on who stays and who goes in the process.
If Girardi does know and chooses to hold that information BFD!
That’s the way I see it anyway.
we get it Pete, not a fan of Joe Girardi
Trisha – it always works when Michale Kay says it!
Maybe we should give toronto Giambi to ignite their offense.
fran -
I can laugh now but oh how I want to kill him when he does itwhen our guys are pitching!
Stairs just got a hit – no hitter gone
AHEM AHEM AHEM!
Fourth inning in craptown and Jays just got their first hit.
He he he.
OYF,
Great point. Humor really does diffuse a lot of these situations.
They know what they are doing with Hughes. They just didn’t want to announce it today for whatever reason.
You are talking about a group that plans EVERYTHING. Now, they don’t know what to do with Hughes? Sorry, not buyin’ it.
Somebody has to throw a bullpen tomorrow and that pitcher has to know before he throws it.
If Hughes is throwing a ‘pen to get ready for his next start, he’s going to have to know today. They aren’t going to tell him tomorrow.
Its a stupid fight for Girardi to wage today given the issues facing the team.
Save your bullets for real battles. Not this nonsense.
Who just said Dice-K is throwing a no hitter? You just jinxed it!
mmx, damn! I didn’t even think of that. What am idiot I am.
2 BBs from Dice-K. Can’t get enough of it!
Trisha – it worked!
Ya think if I mention he’s pitching a shutout the Jays will score?
It is wrong on both sides…Girardi needs to learn a little patience and to pick his battles. The media sensationalizes every little thing to get a story.
Nice work Trisha…
Fran, I SWEAR it does. Every time. And that’s why I want to MURDER Kay when he so blithely mentions those two words when we’re pitching and then the next inning someone get a hit!
GRRR!!!
bb77,
im a little new to this blog and not familiar with how strongly pete roots for the pats and certainly am not trying to get into a pats vs. giants thing here as much as i would like to. but it seems to me girardi is adopting the same kind of management style as far as keeping roster moves and injury reports internal and i dont see anything wrong with that. just wondering if it bothers pete when belicheck does the same thing or is this different because pete is following the yankees for his job and not as a fan. idk if pete is a fan of the yankees or not or if thats ever been discussed but id have to assume any person would begin to root for a team they cover and travel with every day unless he grew up a diehard sox fan up there in NE.
Nice Andy!! 9 in a row
Thanks Bronxbomber77! Every little bit helps.
great to see that Pettitte is pitching well!
Pettitte is cruising.
Andy is great. One hit through 4.
Joe G. is a very intense guy. Very smart, and very intense. It’s part of the package. He takes everything about his job very seriously. Every little thing. We may not like it, but it’s part of the package. We better get used to it, because, if Joe/Yankees is successful, he ain’t going anywhere.
SJ – I too am sure the Yanks know what they are doing and it seems as though they are leaning toward sending Hughes down. Do you think that if that is the choice they will send Kennedy down too? Or maybe keep one up here and have him work out of the bullpen like the way SF is doing with Zito.
Chad on SWB quotes Kepner from Times that the Yanks are leaning towards Rasner up and Hughes down.
At this point I have to agree. Rasner will be at minimum as good as Phil has been, probably better. Phil gets his head on and reassess Mussina, Kennedy, Phil, Rasner and Joba to the rotation in 3-4 weeks.
Nice job by Andy so far.
A few more runs would be nice
Uh, I disagree with anyone criticizing Girardi for saying what he did. Let me be honest here. Last time I managed the Yankees and had my catcher down, my MVP down, my pitchers having a tough time, and my offense also struggling a little, when I was asked a question by the vultures swooping in, I mean the press, I too got a little testy.
I think Girardi has the right to say what he wants. He owes nobody anything. Cashman made a statement that they were evaluating things. Sorry but that has to be good enough. When they are ready to announce it they will. And no I absolutely do NOT believe the decision has been made yet. Like I said, they had at least a few other things to take care of before tonight’s game.
And if it has? It’s none of anybody’s business until the Yankees decide it is. End of that story.
whoa, whoa what? now clemens is having affairs with Miley Cyrus? LOL cant get enough of how badly he is ruined
i know i’m late, but this is a response to pete’s first update about girardi. who cares what girardi says about it? he doesn’t have to tell anyone anything if he doesn’t want. the reporters need him more than he needs the reporters. at the end of the day, his w-l record and playoff success will determine his future job security way, way more than whether certain reporters like him or always get the info. they want.
maybe he’s taken a page from the book of belichick: master of evasion.
Mr. 154 does it again. sigh.
hell, tom brady has been on the injured report for what, six years? why should girardi have to say who the starter is? and its not exactly safe to assume that girardi gives the same amt. of info. to hughes that he gives to the press. that’s a ludicrous assumption.
frits – yep.
Gah, Cano is nailed at second. This just hasn’t been his month.
can we option Cano to Scranton every season until mid-June?
I say give Hughes one more shot before sending him to AAA…this time give him Molina behind the plate, and Melky in CF…
Oh oh oh. Matsuzaka is pitching a SHUT OUT!
(I don’t know if there is a “shut out” superstition. We’ll soon find out!)
Allright, so Robbie got thrown out on a failed hit-and-run. The team’s in a collective slump, and Joe wanted to get something going. It didn’t work. It happens. I’d rather that than waiting for the three run homer that ain’t coming.
Trisha,
That’s funny…I don’t think there is but maybe if it works you can be credited with starting it…
Please don’t use your blog to cry to us about the manager not telling you everyting you want to know. Just stick to updating us about the Yankees and it will be a lot better.
Fran,
I think they are going to wait and see how Kennedy does tomorrow night before making a decision on him.
They really don’t have a lot of other options (unless they want to use Igawa. Yikes!! lol) if they send both guys down.
At this point, I think they will send one down (probably Hughes) and hope the other can put something together.
Trisha,
It wasn’t the catcher last night. It was Hughes. Part of fixing a problem is recognizing it and not making excuses for it.
I think Hughes has a chance to be a very, very good starting pitcher. Right now, he’s lost.
He melted down on the mound last night. That’s not on the catcher. Its on him.
He is wound so tight right now, every pitch he throws is as if he is pitching in the World Series. Its affecting velocity, location, etc.
From a developmental standpoint, the first thing the Yankees need to do is take some pressure off him. You do that be sending him to Scranton to work out the kinks.
If they keep him in the rotation, they run the risk of doing more damage than good.
Its similar to Melky’s situation a few years ago. When Melky flopped his first time around, he was sent down, played well and came back a different player.
He’s too valuable to the future of the franchise, IMO, to run that risk.
“just wondering if it bothers pete when belicheck does the same thing or is this different because pete is following the yankees for his job and not as a fan. idk if pete is a fan of the yankees or not or if thats ever been discussed but id have to assume any person would begin to root for a team they cover and travel with every day unless he grew up a diehard sox fan up there in NE.”
Only guessing here, but I imagine if Pete had to COVER the Pats, and not just root for them, then he would act and write just the same as he does in reference to Girardi.
A reporter tries to get every facet of every fact. When you work covering a team where the coaching staff completely disregards the media (as does the Pats), it MUSt get very frustrating.
What– Brady has been on the Questionable list with a Right Shoulder for three or four straight seasons?!?!?! That must drive Pats beat writers nuts!
As for Pete and who he roots for… My guess would be he is an objective reporter, thus always rooting for a good game/team/season… Makes the copy much easier to write.
But then again. I think ol’ Pete grew up in Mass, attended Umass, and he’s stated on here that his dad (or someone in his family) has had Pats season tickets for decades.
Was Pete a Sox fan at one point in his life? Maybe…
But then again, I was born in Worcester, went to college in Boston and now live even DEEPER in the heart of Red Saux ‘Nation’…. Maine.
And I grew up with Donnie Baseball posters on my bedroom wall. So I guess where you are born can have little factor on who one roots for!
But what do I know? I’m just a fat pub owner from Maine!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Yanks may be waiting until after IPK’s start to make a decision on who if anyone is going to Scranton. Moves may be contingent on how Ian does.
Bobby Abreu would have had that! Oh wait… never mind.
Manute Bol would have had that!
Looked to me like Damon jumped at the wrong spot…
SJ agreed. The Mussina audio from WFAN really might give some insight into the Yankees thinking. He says that Kennedy is actually close, has tremendous control, but is nibbling, not trusting his stuff, not thinking he can let ml batters actually make contact and get outs. So he may be close. He also showed some nice resiliancy coming back in for the final three innings his last start. Besides, if you had to protect one of them it is Hughes at this point.
Is this the “x number of batters retired in a row” jinx?
Not to threadjack, but this (team moves, i.e. Hughes) is where sports reporting resembles political reporting. There are things the voters/fans want to and should know, and the reporters try to discover the answers. Those with the answers (officials/management) might not want the voters/fans to know.
Keep pressing, Pete. We fans are not in the mood for Rostergate.
Marcus Thames was a Yankee, traded for, I think, Ruben Sierra.
dang it
Damon is not athletic at all that ball was catchable. Melky,Gardner and A-Jack would have had it.
second straight start where andy was cruising then runs into a little trouble in the 5th
That was a weak attempt by JD. Sucks that all that work Pett did earlier gets erased.
sj -
You definitely misunderstood my comment. When I talked about the catcher I just meant finding someone to replace Jorge, which was also euphemistic for saying Girardi is busy. I absolutely AGREE that last night was on nobody but Hughes. Hell, it was brand new for Stewart, all of it. It was hardly new for Hughes…
I know the caught stealing wasn’t his fault; Molina should have put the bat on the ball. What I was saying was that it doesn’t seem to click with him until mid-June or so when it comes to hitting. Heck, the Big G’s average may be low, but at least he is drawing walks and scalding the ball, not striking out and hitting weak grounders.
Trisha – it’s Michael Kay. He kept talking about Pettitte giving up a HR in the 5th ining in his last start and what happens in the 5th inning….
C’mon Yanks. You can score some more.
IsCano the biggest disappointment so far this yr.
really could he possible play any worse if he tried to play terrible.
They need him to play well and he is lost in space…….
Um, if they send Hughes down to AAA wouldn’t he still be throwing tomorrow anyhow?
Does the press now need the manager and front office to lay out a five-year plan for the team like the Kremlin used to? Because that is very helpful in working out trades with other teams or having leverage to make moves with players-advertising everything in advance.
I used this technique when I bought a car last time. The dealer was asking for 20 grand, I was willing to pay 18500 so I started out the negotiations by declaring, “I am willing to pay $18500, but my starting offer is $16500.” The dealer immediately sold me the car for $16,500.
(Tongue planted firmly in cheek.)
Yes, I like teams to have “internal discussions” because that means they are thinking about things, not making quick hasty decisions to please reporters so they can get their stories in by deadline. Or fans who constantly check the Web twenty times a day to see who the last man in the bullpen will be.
Sj44 – you make a cogent arugment for sending Phil down. I might give him another start, with counselling of course, but I can see your point.
I’m waiting for some sub-genius to crucify Andy for giving up that home run.
FIRE MICHAEL KAY!!! jk but no seriously… this yes crew is sorry i cant take any of these guys other than kenny singleton and bobby murcer. why is singleton in studio he needs to be in the both. the best retired yankee in the booth yes ever had is now the manager.
I dont know he is hiring these guys but it seems all you need on your resume is played for the yankees. or in the case of michael kay… well i dont know how the hell he got his job
The bummer about that half inning is, 3-2 at home shouldn’t be a big deal.
But, this offense is so dead, and has been for most of this season, the deficit feels bigger than it is. Or should be.
Awfully tough to pitch perfectly every night because you have no offense.
Somebody on this team has to get hot. If not, they are going to have to pitch lights out until Arod and Posada get back.
Fran, Kay really can be oppressive.
Okay Fran, I didn’t want to get into specific details because it seems I do better with the big picture, but I did think that the Yankees were going to take this game 6-4…
was that a 4 pitch inning? What is going on here?
Why does this offense suck so much?
wow a 5 pitch inning. way to work the count o vaunted yankee lineup.
Pitching, pitching, pitching, it what separates the contenders from the pretenders and the Yanks haven’t had good pitching since 2000.
Andy is a warrior, but even he is starting to slide a little. The Yanks have to keep Hughes and Kennedy in the rotation. Let them work it out.
Maybe Andy keeps giving up dingers in the 5th because he never gets any time to rest in between innings with the less than explosive run support.
Not much offense since the first inning.
Trisha I agree mostly with your assessment of the Girardi situation.
I think part of the problem has to do with which one to send down. What if Kennedy bombs this time out? Who says he has any more right to stayin the rotation than Hughes. They havebeen equally bad. Interesting decisions coming up for the Yankees.
He wouldn’t be throwing tomorrow if he wasn’t going to pitch on Sunday in AAA.
He also wouldn’t be throwing tomorrow if they put him on the DL.
Another option they may be considering.
He could have an “injury”. That’s one way of working with him on the side to fix his mechanical and head issues.
Wow another HR?
are they going to boo Andy too?
Yikes! Polanco channeling Ruth…
You know, I’m really getting tired of this crap.
I hate you, Placido.
And you as well, Edgar.
4-2 now
Yeah okay, well there’s run number 4.
So now there can’t be any more Detroit runs or obviously my call of the game will be wrong. At least in terms of the final score.
Damn. Second straight start Andy couldn’t hold a 2 run lead. Not like him.
The Tigers can hit though.
Its what happens when you can’t match a team offensively.
You need to be perfect on the mound and this staff is far from perfect. Unfortunately.
man, talk about getting punched in the gut. All my enthusiasm just disappeared…
Why can’t our 7-8-9 hitters hit home runs?
C’mon Andy be tough! We’ll come back!
no more homeruns, please. unless they come from the yankees of course.
how are we not hitting Bonderman? He’s like a starting version of Farnsworth?
Don’t blame Andy for this mess, he can only do so much. The offense is non-existent. No pitcher can pitch knowing you have to pitch a shutout every time out.
I second that Amanda!
Miggs, definitely not easy decisions coming up. Also, it isn’t like Girardi can say unequivocally that Pettitte is automatic. I think we can feel good about Moose and Wang. So add that to the mix (and not that I don’t think Pettitte will come out of it) but in the here and now Girardi has some HUGE decisions he will have to make regarding IPK and Hughes.
at least Dice-K is at almot 100 pitches and McGowan’s at 58…I’d love to see Timlin out there tonight
If the Yankees lose this game it is possible they can get swept. Unless IPK surprises us all and pitches well tomorrow.
Andy better call Brian McNamee for a “tutoring” session.
pettitte – sinking fast… another bullpen nightmare coming…
Are you (Pete) going to take subtle shots at Girardi EVERY – SINGLE – NIGHT for the next 3 years? Please, it’s getting old.
Wow is Cabrera slow. and thankfully so!
Ususally you feel pretty comfortable with Andy and a 2 run lead.
I know that the offense has not been good, but they have to work the other pitcher. The Yankees 1/2 of the inning is so fast that the Yankee pitcher doesn’t even get a chance to catch his breath.
He gets out of this with no addtional runs scoring-we come bakc and win!
GO YANKS!
Another bullpen nightmare?
Hell our pen’s been stellar lately!
IPK is going to give us a good outing tomorrow
Does Miguel Cabrera even run anytime. Geez, he took a Sunday jog down the first base line to get doubled up.
I don’t mind, but wow, what a lack of hustle!
1 more Andy. Just get through this inning
Wang is our only reliable starter. Andy is a good #4 or 5 right now nothing more, and Mussina is just barely hanging on. Nope, they are going to have to keep the two youngsters in there and let them work this out.
I just hope George Jr. keeps his meddling hands off the roster. I don’t want to wait another 10 years for a contender because Steinbrenner sold off our good young players for quick fix veterans.
We still come back regardless!!!!!
Ian Kennedy is going to get lit up tomorrow please come on he can’t get anybody out he’ll just walk everyone
I am willing to bet the house that the Yankees know who is pitching on Saturday and have informed that person! They do not have to tell the media yet.
Any thoughts of this team scoring 1,000 runs this season are out the window. They are however, on pace to win the honors for runners left in scoring position.
So much for my score predictions.
But so now we’ll just have to win by another score. Dumb as it sounds I still think we’re going to pull this game out.
Thats exactly why you can’t take Jeter and Arod for granted. As big of stars as they are, they respect the game and always hustle. Sets a good example for kids. There is no reason you cannot run 100% 4 times a night. No reason at all.
SJ-
Well they DO compare Cabrera to Manny Ramirez
Mussina is just barely hanging on? Don’t tell him that!
You do realize the bullpen has thrown over 10 scoreless innings the last 3 games?
Pepitone is right. Its pretty tough to pitch lights out all the time.
At some point, injuries or not, this team has to hit. Its 29 games and the offense is an absolute joke.
No excuses at this point. If they are only going to score 2 runs a game, I don’t care who is pitching, they aren’t winning a lot of games.
This team, for better or worse, is built on offense. If they can’t hit, they can’t win.
I think IPK is going to have a gtood outing also.
this is sad…so sad
I am willing to bet the house that the Yankees have decided on who is starting on Saturday and have informed all parties! That does not mean that they have to tell the media what their plans are! I like they they are playing close to the vest! Hughes does not need anymore pressure.
Can it be that the Yankees have too many chiefs trying to run this organization? Torre left because of the NY/Tampa split and it still continues – Hank, Hal, Randy, etc. there and Cashman, Girardi, et.al. here. No wonder the young pitchers -Ian and Phil are confused. They may end up in the bullpen while Joba becomes a starter very soon.
the 5 pitch innings for Bonderman really are terrible. People the Yanks use to score runs with Chad Curtis in LF and Mariano Duncan at 2B….
You do not need a superstar every position to win.
this team looks dead for a change, sleep walking.. If you make outs at least make the guy throw a few pitchs…
Bonderman now looks like Koufax….
jeez
It’s too bad our pitchers find themselves having to be perfect. Andy wasn’t doing so well.
I just read Pete’s updates. It seems to me the writers got their answer — they’re not ready to make their decision public. Question asked and answered. Just because it doesn’t satisfy the writers doesn’t mean it’s not a valid answer. It IS a valid answer. There is no need for anyone to know what their intentions are regarding Hughes, at this point, other than the particular parties involved. And they may not have reached a decision. Hughes could do his bullpen tomorrow and they could have Rasner or whoever prepare as well, and then just go with whatever they decide.
I understand frustration of the writers wanting to know; but it’s not fair to make Girardi out to be some kind of information Nazi in this particular case. This is not going to be an easy situation.
Is this offense EVER going to get it together. Even without Posada and Rodriguez, it’s not a terrible offense (on paper). They should be able to score 3 more runs. Fingers crossed.
Alright Arod on YESterdays.
Holpefully the bullpen can start tomorrow; we need a win.
I know this was brought up before – Michael Kay is a Phil hater and that’s obvious. However, should we be concerned that Phil’s own teammates don’t think he’s more than a 4 or 5? If that’s true, then I also think they are idiots for judging a 21 year old kid. I think I want him in AAA and not around these guys who have zero tolerance for a young kid.
Giambi & Cano are our hitting culprits.
This yankee offense is so lethargic. Overcoming a 3 run deficit is just about impossible these days.
I don’t know if they still have tables of food in the clubhouse, but Girardi needs to lose it with these guys and flip a couple of them. It’s getting painfull to watchthem take such a feeble approach each and every at bat.
Oops, I meant, Andy wasn’t doing so badly before that inning. I’m fighting to stay awake here tonight.
Thank you for playing Bobby Abreu, we have some parting gifts before you go.
Cy Bonderman folks
Can we score 4 more runs? I honestly don’t know.
The Yankees are truly idiots if they have to wait until Ian pitches to decide whether Phil should be sent down; their determination on Phil should be based SOLELY on what they think is best for Phil. I have zero faith that this organization knows what it’s doing with young pitching.
According to Pete:
“Joe Girardi got testicles again today when asked about the status of Phil Hughes.”
It almost seems like the whole AL east division is having trouble hitting and scoring runs. Top of the 7th and the Sox have one hit and the Jays two hits in a scoreless game so far.
sweet jesus … with the offense as is… this game is over… sigh
Andy didn’t pitch badly. He made two mistakes and it cost him 3 runs.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of offense, you can’t afford to make any mistakes.
Pretty tough to ask pitchers to be perfect.
Sometimes, its nice for other guys in the rotation to pick up the slack.
Let’s face it, the #4 and #5 starters are winless in 10 starts this year. That can’t last any longer.
Somebody has to step up. If they can’t do it, you have to go to Plan B.
Its pretty tough to ask Pettitte, Wang and Mussina to win everytime out. Frankly, its not fair.
This is becoming hard to watch.Second game ina row that Andy has hit the wall at 70 pitches and 5th inning. Has he gotten old quickly
I know they showed Doc Gooden in the stands tonight and last night. Has Cashman contacted him to throw a couple of innings?
ESPN’s Steve Phillips just said that if he was a general manager he would be calling the Yankees about Hughes and Kennedy. He said what I have said for years, the Yankee owners have no patience.
Fellas, more than anything else, not pitching, not hitting, not fielding, not anything scares me as much as Hank or Hal telling Cashman they’ve had enough and are going to trade our future. If that happens, you can kiss not only this season, but the next 6 or 7 seasons goodbye as well.
this is almost too painful to watch… apparently everyone forgot how to hit a ball all at the same time.
You lost me at the “Lord of the Flies” reference, Kay.
I was wondering that myself Matt’s Dad. He looks really good and then all of a sudden he hits a wall and 3 or 4 hits get turned into runs and a 2 run game turns into 5 runs and the start is just okay instead of real good. It’s weird to watch.
To ray’s point it does seem like the whole AL east is in a funk. I’m not sure if it speaks to the quality of the teams in the division or if everybody is just having a tough go of it.
ray your pitching is hell of a lot better though. at least you have that.
This is an 84 win team this yr. Do the right thing and get the kids there innings and get em next yr.
You cant win with 2 reliable SP’s and your two best hitters out of the lineup.
Sorry folks
Pete,
Managers listen to vet players who know their bodies and to doctors. Enough of the head hunting of Girardi just because he doesnt want to divulge every detail of every decision and private conversation. If ARod said he felt good he has to trust him. He DHd him his second game back to make sure he wasn’t doing too much too soon as well. He isnt the guy who did the MRI so give it up.
Remember Posada was getting annoyed at Girardi for keeping him out so long when he felt he was 90% healed last week. I am pretty sure you negative about Girardi then for not listening enough to Posada. Seems to me you have decided to blame him for everything.
You also criticeizd his bullpen management saying he does the same as Torre in splitting the pen into winnable games and lost causes. Not true. Traber, Ohlendorf and Bruney have all pitched meaningfull innings in close games. Of course where possible Joba is pitching the 8th and Mo the 90th. Doesn’t mean he has given up on everyone else.
I’m getting fed up of this blog. Actually I’d be interested to hear the tape of this one Pete, to see if this outrageous reaction from Girardi was simply him getting tired of you guys ignoring his previous 10 statements that he wouldn’t be telling you everything and then asking him again and again anyway. You seem to expect every person to tell you everything and be so nice to you despite the fact that you guys repeatedly ignore their wishes. A manager has to consider his players first and the media second. It is his job to give them the best chance to succeed. Sometimes that means keeping their conversations and his plans private. Try asking a company CEO what conversations he had with his board yesterday, see how far you get.
After coming home from a REALLY late work day this is the last thing I wanted to see.
Ok, I’ll say it.
Here’s my theory as to why offense is down across the board…..
Drug testing.
I find it funny that certain “sluggers” no longer hit for power, have knee cartlidge injuries (symtomatic with PED use), and go into prolonged, long term slumps.
Some for the first times in their careers.
Its more than just “slow starts” for one. Their declines are just too rapid for me to not have the suspicion radar up.
Offense is down everywhere and its not just the weather and injuries, IMO.
Hughes on the DL. Strained right oblique.
Hughes 15 Day DL, Strained Oblique.
Hughes on DL with straind Oblique. Interesting.
“Phil Hughes was just placed on the Dl with a Right Strained ERA”
Wow…the whole team is going on the DL…what gives?
This team isn’t fun to watch anymore :\. I’m finding it hard to have interest now in following any storyline. Injuries early in the year have once again really hit this team. But the real story is Hughes and Kennedy just not looking anything close to elite. Kennedy I understand, but seeing Hughes pitch is a letdown. He doesn’t look like he did last year, that’s for sure.
Watching Giambi and Cano come up once every 2-3 innings has gotten depressing. Cano’s attitude at the plate is just killing me. He looks weak, frustrated, and like he’s given up. Not fun to watch
Hughes to DL? What ????
Wow it just gets better and better doesn’t it Yankee fans?
15 day DL – oblique strain for Hughes?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, Brian M. This is baseball.
Pete is a GOD among men. He deserves all the answers to everything (notice deserves.
Some say… he knows the meaning to life!
/sarcasm/
Hughes on DL with right oblique strain…more great news!
*sigh* I thought moving Pettitte between Hughes and Kennedy was supposed to improve the rotation? instead he’s been kind of crappy since the change.
and then, of course, no one is friggin hitting.
WHAT! Hughes on 15-day DL???!
SJ I believe you called that!
Strained oblique my @$$! glad to see they’re going to be giving him some time to figure things out.
CMW has been lights out. Moose has been good. Andy has been okay. The kids are struggling but I predict a comeback for Ian.
It’s the freaking offense. Sit Giambi!!!!!!!!! Sit Cano. Let them just stand there and look. It would make the pitcher throw at least 9 pitches. NOT FIVE.
Is it bad when I’m actually more interested on this immigrant dude that Sterling and Waldman is talking to?
Just said Hughes will be on the 15 day DL for an oblique strain.
vbshockey
The pitching has been better the last five games or so but overall the Sox still have some of the same pitching concerns as the Yankees, and I would say as of late the Yankee bullpen has been better than the Sox bullpen.
Bizarre…don’t know what we’ll hear next…
Two bits of good news. When LaTroy came into the game there was no consternation on this forum. That means that LaTroy has been getting the job done and is no longer the goat.
Second, I’m happy that Hughes is going on the 15-day DL. What better situation? We can get some new pitching in and if he’s hurt he can heal.
A win win.
Phil Franchise on the 15 day DL! Should we just call May a wash and just start showing up to games in June?
Hank and Hal have not shown any evidence of being impatient.
None. Even Hal, who isn’t as quotable as Hank, told Jack Curry of the Times yesterday, “we are on course and aren’t panicking”.
Its nice of Steve Phillips to project his nonsense. Too bad he doesn’t have any evidence to back it up.
They aren’t going to panic and they aren’t going to give away the young pitchers.
Its not going to happen.
“What does it all mean Basil?”
Does this DL stint for Hughes give him a timeout, chill and regroup instead of a depressing AAA stint?
Rasner coming up?
He deserves it. Maybe he has turned a corner?
so many questions…..
You really do have to laugh at this “injury” but hey it serves the same purpose gets him some time to work on his stuff wihout having to go to the minors
My oh my, Hughes on the DL now. Perhaps the ‘for now’ comment was a reference to waiting on a doctor to examine him? Hmm, or we could just assume Girardi was lying eh Pete? Best to assume people are lying as a journalist eh? Then blame them the next day when the don’t really want to talk to you. Works for me.
Boston up 1-0 on an Ortiz HR
Injury bug bites again…
Phil Hughes placed on 15 day DL with strained right oblique
For all those who said we shouldn’t have gotten Johan, Phil Hughes has now made two trips to the DL in two seasons compared to Johan not going ever. We are going to regret not trading this “ace”
Great Hughes on the DL. Next will be Cano and we’ll find out he couldn’t see that’s why he was swinging at everything.
what the hell
Since when do they announce players going on the dl in the middle of the game?
Ok so obviously this “strained oblique” is just a way to get Rasner up with the drastic move of sending Hughes down.
I think I just strained my oblique reading this
Hughes on the DL? Amazing. perhaps if Rasner takes his place he can pitch competently.
well that’s one way to avoid the next start in the majors
Glad that hughes didnt pitch after the rain delay or everyone will be getting on giardi for injuring him
SJ – you called it a 1/2 hour ago – an “injury” to Hughes.
OK. Now what about Kennedy?!
It’s pretty bad when the NY Rangers outscore the Yankees.
“without” the drastic move of sending Hughes down.
Wait a minute it’s probably not really an injury. Maybe more time with Eiland on the side?
well, hughes has had a history of injury, so I can’t say I’m surprised. This just adds to that. Time for Rasner or some other minor leaguer to bring it. Maybe McCutcheon?
Hughes can now make “rehab starts” before starting again for the big league club.
This team simply does not have the wherewithal for timely hitting or come from behind wins at this point.
Trisha your new name cursed Phil
instead of being all frosty about it, why don’t you scoop it pete?!
i mean COME ON! (in the words of Gob Bluth)
Gayle – yeah, they couldn’t give Hughes conjunctivitis – they already used that one for Betemit.
That’s just crappy of the Yankees. The kid needs to get his head on straight in the minors and they’re futzing around with his future instead. Sending Phil to the minors would not be admitting they made a mistake – he’s still going to be an outstanding pitcher. Even if they did make a mistake (meaning that he was ready right now), who cares? The most important thing is to take care of Phil. I have NO faith in this organization to do right by their young pitchers and they have already messed with Phil.
Of course, if Phil is really hurt, then ***** and I apologize to the Yankees. IF he is hurt.
Frits,
When you have been around this stuff as long as I have, you read between the lines.
When Cashman, who can’t lie about ANYTHING, isn’t giving straight answers as to Hughes’ status, you know something is up.
I thought about it at dinner tonight and came to the following conclusion.
Nobody in the system knows Hughes better than Eiland. They are very tight.
The Yankees know, after last night’s meltdown, this kid needs a mental break as much as anything.
They also know the 3 innings starts have to stop now because the offense isn’t there to overcome them.
You add it all up and its kind seemed like a good team for Phil to get “hurt”.
Not sayin’ the Yankees are fakin’. I’m just sayin’……
“Phil Hughes was just places on the 15-day DL with a Right Strained W-L Record.”
Steve Phillips is a jackass and a stupid one at that. he says 90% garbage. he is right as often as a drunk retard.
the guy hates the yanks, hates arod, and is a total fool.
yeah the yanks will trade Hughes after 6 bad starts, but they would not include him in a trade for Santana.Give me a break.
the point on the yanks not being fun to watch is true.. There offense is terrible and besides being terrible it is boring, they do not run, do not work the counts, and just look terrible.. SJ44 the drug testin, maybe for some guys but for Cano? Giambi(maybe 3 yrs ago.) etc.
Cano is the big problem at present even more then Giambi the moron…Pathetic…
It is amazing to see a pitcher who is considered to be struggling all of a sudden look like Cy Young.
Putting Phil on the DL serves a couple of purposes (assuming that the oblique strain is bogus).
1. Addresses innings limit on him.
2. When he comes off the DL, he can make some “rehab” starts in the minors.
It is better for his psyche than an outright demotion.
“ESPN’s Steve Phillips just said that if he was a general manager he would be calling the Yankees about Hughes and Kennedy. He said what I have said for years, the Yankee owners have no patience.”
Yeah, I was watching a bit of the Cubs/Brewers game right when he said that…
Phillips said: “If I was a GM, I’d have my team owner call Hank and bypass Cashman on purpose. I’d offer a few quality relief pitchers for Hughes so they could move Joba to the starting rotation. You know how anxious Hank must be right now…”
So anxious that he deals the Phranchise away for some crap set up guy, so he can slot Joba in the rotation?
Wow… Now Hughes… Anyone else want to jump on the DL? And the Oblique always scares me. It had Abreu messed up for the first half of the season last year…
So hard to heal, regardless whether a hitter or pitcher…
here comes the offensive offense
I hope they take this next 15 days for Phil in order to change his mechanics back (if that’s the problem) or get him back to square one. I think it’s good for him to stay with the big club and not get sent down to AAA. Going down and dominating lesser hitters really isn’t what he needs, he needs somebody to let him get into his good mechanics and start driving off his legs. Was it just a juiced gun in Chicago that showed he was at 93-94 and he pitched 2 good innings? Or when he is at 87-92 his body is holding him back? I’m more inclined toward the latter. Bring up Rasner if you can or The Beaver aka K Igawa-san.
Maybe Phil fessed up to being hurt.
Regarding Steve Phillips comment, to call another GM when young pitchers, with a tremendous upside, are struggling is probably the normal course of business in the GM world. However, the problem with his comment is the assumption Cashman and the Steinbrenner boys would trade them. Maybe Phillips is jockeying for Cashmans job…
Nick your anti-Phil comments are not funny at all. Grow up
If you need a starter, you can have Oliver Perez for a bag of balls.
“Hank and Hal have not shown any evidence of being impatient.”
Hank showed his impatience by “suggesting” that Joba should be starting. Other statements he has made (Hal has been pretty quiet I admit) are equally disturbing as far as patience is concerned.
You know what Sj44 I am going to copy your statement and keep it for future reference.
We shall see how this plays out. I do hope you are right and I am wrong.
can any of these guys take a freakin pitch??!?!??!?
Wow, this team is really cursed. Maybe anyone who has a poor outing or is performing poorly is actually playing through pain.
Time to reboot the IGAWA EXPERIMENT!
So SJ44… who are you thinking on this team was a one-time PED user? Aside from Giambi, obviously…
Who are you hinting at? Damon? Matsui? Cano?
Just curious…
Fran,
My .$02 opinion on Kennedy. Unless he melts down like Hughes tomorrow night, he is staying in the rotation for awhile.
If he does fall apart, and they feel they need to make a move, I think Dan McCutcheon may be the next to get the shot.
He’s dominating AA, has a big arm, and is 25 years old. Old enough to not be too “young” to be given a shot.
They would have to make a roster move to put him on the 40 man, but that can be done.
I think he’s next up if they need a starter.
the offense is just dead
7 pitches that inning, this is sad
In the immortal words of Pvt. Hudson… Game Over man. Game Over!
Nobody is scared to face the Yankees anymore. This offense is beyond pathetic. Bested by Rogers & Bonderman.
Gil Meche has been just as horrid as our two youngsters yet I think most level headed people believe he’ll work through it and regain form. Why can’t we just cool it on the over analyzing their potential or lack thereof. Hell, look at the atrocious career start stats they showed on Bonderman. Give it time, just some time. I hope poor Phil doesn’t read these comments in his hotel room and sniffle himself to sleep.
Brian M,
If you’re so fed up, then leave. Please. Who needs your complaints? This is hands-down the best Yankees blog out there. We’re lucky to have Pete offering this service — which, by the way, isn’t a part of his job with Lohud.
SF? Do they even have a baseball team anymore, Nick?
SJ – Why is Dan not up in the AAA rotation? Especially with Giese in there?
JS54 – I actually put that up right after the news, as a joke of sorts. I had been saying send Hughes to AAA.
“What does that mean? Either Hughes is pitching Saturday or he is not.”
“At any rate, they’ll need a starter for Saturday.”
Pete, you mean Sunday yes? IPK tomorrow, Wang Friday, Moose Saturday.
Doesn’t matter who’s pitching… when the offense is non-existing, we lose
Uhh EY, the Yankees arent that stupid. Rasner will get the start, they should really just announce the obvious already…i love fake injuries, gives the yankees an excuse for making a mistake and messing with someones amazing mechanics, and letting him get them back
Regarding Steve Phillips-there’s a reason why that man is no longer a GM and is just working for ESPN
this team is simply not good right now.
alas, it will get better. Aaron Small where are you?
Not to toot my own horn, but I, not the vaunted SJ44 was first to call this at 2:30 pm on the first post on Pete’s entry “Medical Issues Dogging Yankees”. Not to toot my own horn, here is my post:
“Why do I get the feeling that Phil Hughes’s glare problem is going to be called an injury requiring a DL stint? Go ahead Phil, take a few weeks off, the Tigers and Indians will be gone and you’ll perform much better after.”
Guess I was wrong about the reason, but they got him off the team. They are really pushing the envelope with the DL this year.
what are the odds this team can score 4 runs in the next two innings and keep them rascally tigers scoreless?
My net connection dies…and I come back only to find another injury report and another DL’d player. Why am I not surprised?
Uh oh.
Now Kyle is going to be crucified.
trisha – Hey, it’s your guy Farnsworth again! You must be overjoyed!!
Farnsworth strikes again.
I would rather send him to another planet
guess that answers my question… going to go puke now.
I see Trisha, I thought you were a mindreader
The injuries also don’t help. I’m sure Girardi doesn’t want to sit Cano or Giambi in the hopes they can get going.
That said, if I’m the manager my lineup tomorrow night against Robertson has Ensberg at third, Gonzalez at second, and Duncan at first.
At some point, you can’t have 2 .150 hitters in the lineup every night. I don’t care about their past histories.
At this point, Cano and Giambi do more damage than good playing everyday. They are both lost at the plate.
He’s going to have to spot them against certain pitchers soon.
Man, this pitching staff has turned Placido Polanco into Albert Pujols. What a joke.
Kyle’s hearing is tomorrow. This is probably the the last game he will pitch for a few days so they might as well let him finish the game and save the rest of the bullpen for the night.
Polanco and Bonderman are like MVP and Cy Young against us tonight. I feel deflated.
This is not fun to watch…
this year its oblique, last year it was hamstring hmmm what will next year be?
Deja vu all over again
JS54: I have made no anti-Phil comments. I’m a big Phil fan. 100% pro-Phil. Thank you for the consideration.
Jetes needs to catch that
Chicago Dave, I’ve never been known to kick someone because they’re having one bad outing. And by the way, it isn’t like Detroit hasn’t been hitting our pitching.
Good job …. just Kyle being Kyle.
this team cannot buy an out… except when they’re batting… then they can’t give them away fast enough…
is there a max amount of players you can put on the DL? I don’t know if there is, but if there is we are getting close to it.
GUys it never over till its over!!!!
Farnsworthless is handing out free home runs again!
Seriously, I don’t get hte postgame here. Do people ask Girardi about the struggling bats, the weak swings, the 7 pitch innings? Does he address this stuff? Why does it feel like this team gives up after losing a lead? Does he say anything about that?
Blue Jays rallying – so we’ve got that going for us…
Maybe I should ask my connection to die again. This is painful.
don’t believe that Phil Hughes injury crap… he’s not hurt
Farnsy is going to drive CB crazy
“UPDATE, 9:01 p.m.: The Yankees just announced that Phil Hughes has a strained right oblique and has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. So much for “he’s in the rotation right now.†Why the Yankees work like that, I have no idea. This allows Hughes to chill out and get some work in without being demoted.
At any rate, they’ll need a starter for Saturday.”
Pete……Moose pitches Saturday, hughes was scheduled to pitch sunday.
Ensberg and Duncan will not be an upgrade over Giambi and Cano.
Sheff trying to show off when his run means absolutely nothing in this game. Everyone knew he would try to do that. So happy that they got rid of him his attitude is disgusting.
Cool. Jays just tied the score.
1-1
Is it possible that this offense just might not be that great this year? With all the injuries, age and players might not be having big offensive years this year. It’s still early but it’s quite possible.
trisha – Just a little playful teasing, that’s all! Don’t worry, I’m not going to go on another diatribe about Farnsworth tonight (though someone else probably will). It’s just not fun anymore…
True. Hopefully Farnsworth works his way out of this and the offense decides to explode. Just as long as the explosion doesn’t cause any more of their players to go on the DL.
This should make all Yankee fans smile…..Timlin is warming up for the Sox!
Right now, everybody is an upgrade over 2 .150 hitters.
Hughes is on the DL so he can stay in NY and work with Eiland. Eiland has had him for years and they are close.
Its much easier for him to fix what’s broken with someone he is comfortable with.
They work with him for a few weeks, then send him to Scranton for rehab starts.
Chicago Dave, oh I thought you were serious.
Actually I expect a barrage of bad stuff anytime Kyle is unfortunate enough to give up a run!
Boooooooooooooooooo !!!!
Boooooooooooooooooo !!!!
Boooooooooooooooooo !!!!
what is up with the animus pete has towards girardi right now? is he not getting the off the record scoops? is this the first time he’s encountered less-than-straightforward talk from the powers that be?
I am normally an optimist but the Yankees lack of hitting makes a 4 run gap seem like a 40 run gap.
sad sad team …
wonder what everyone would be saying if Torre was still running this team…
Wang IS Taiwan,
I appreciate the hard work Pete puts into the blog, and the amount of news he gives us. That is why I have read the blog daily for about 18 months now. I just want to see some objectivity come back into it. I used to love this blog, I am just disappointed that Pete’s apparent belief that the most important quality of a NY manager is answering every question put to them b the media. Nobody cares about this as much as the NY media do, but they can present it however the please.
Girardi was always going to be more guarded about things than Torre, and to be honest I think that is a good thing. If I was Hughes or Kennedy and had a bad game I wouldnt want to read, ‘yes I’ll be talking to Cashman about sending him to AAA if he doesnt pitch great in his next start’. Not the best way to help a young guy. Making it a non answer which means it wont be a headline is not a bad way to shied your young guys. That is a large part of his job this yr.
I guess I am just disappointed in recent posts, it kinda leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Pete has a huge following. Even Cash reads this blog! He knows what he is doing.
cant wait to see rasner again. Always liked him.
This should make all Yankee fans smile…..Timlin is warming up for the Sox!
Quick-trade Giambi to the Jays.
ray – you’re too kind.
c’mon Krazy
“Ensberg and Duncan will not be an upgrade over Giambi and Cano.”
You mean neither of them can bat over .150??
SJ44 – Sorry, I know Giambi and Cano are tanking big-time right now, but watching Ensberg and Duncan hit is similarly excruciating.
Hey ray Sox fan, correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems you only make appearances here during Yankee games when the Yankees are losing. I don’t remember you here during our wins.
“wonder what everyone would be saying if Torre was still running this team…”
tougher schedule, more hurt players, still a better record than last season.
FARNSY A CLUMSY MOFO..
This season has all of the makings of a train wreck.
trisha – Ray has always (and will always) lurked on this board. Pay him no mind!
I blame Golden Tee for Hughes’ injury. These athletes of today, they just aren’t as tough as those of yesteryear. Maybe if they stopped with the protein shakes for a while and mixed in a candy bar or some ice cream . . .
I think a box of tampons would be an upgrade over Giambi right now.
“Kyle’s hearing is tomorrow. This is probably the the last game he will pitch for a few days so they might as well let him finish the game and save the rest of the bullpen for the night.”
Sj44, what good will it do? He won’t listen to anyone, he hasn’t for all the years he’s been in the majors. Maybe you might know why they continue to keep this guy? There has got to be some fool, cough – cough, I mean GM who would take him.
Trisha I think I’m in love. Marry me?
I’m not making any judgments on the season yet, but as far as april goes, this sucks.
I would go with Broscious at 3B, Jeter at SS, Knoblach at 2B (even with his throwing problems, at least he would work a pitcher for 4,5 or 6 pitches per AB) and Tino at 1B… now i need to figure out how to get them on the 40 man roster…or figure out this whole time machine thing…
Pete – when are you going to realize that the Yankees have absolutely no obligation to tell you or anyone else anything at all regarding their clubhouse. Accept it and stop whining in every blog about Girardi not being straight with you or the front office not outlining their plans for you daily. Just get over it.
Chicago Dave – okey dokey.
LOL @ Pete’s 9:16 pm entry.
Pete, Hughes got hurt going after one of those healthy snacks in the locker room.
The perils of taking the ice cream machine out of the place.
Folks, what Pete wrote is one example as to why the guys on the beat are getting @#@$-ed off with Girardi.
He was asked DIRECTLY if Hughes was healthy and Girardi said “yes”.
Really, why do that?
They talked today about what to do with Hughes and they KNEW what they were going to do prior to the media being allowed in the locker room.
That’s the kind of stuff you don’t have to do. What does it accomplish?
Hughes wasn’t on the field today. That’s an indication that he is getting treatment.
It doesn’t take much of a detective to figure this stuff out. That’s why you can’t lie to media.
You make a small thing a big deal when you do that.
Where’s that guy who used to write the “Clemens will pound his fist” posts? I miss those!!! We could all use the levity right about now.
it’s cool how the yankees scored 2 runs in the first inning and pretended they were actually going to have offense tonight.
Farnsworth got out of it…maybe that’s an omen…
Then it’s a good thing that May starts tomorrow. May the Yankees play better, seriously. And get healthier.
Not a bad job by Kyle.
Okay, who thinks the Yankee offense has at least 5 runs in them?
I CAN’T HEEEEEEAR YOU!
(Trying to keep it light.)
Trisha,
It is not like I was trashing the Yankees. In fact I was making fun of Timlin.
Ah, V, you picked up on my mistake. I meant they are both upgrades now.
We miss the edit button! lol
The least of my concerns about the Yankees right now is what Girardi said before the game about Hughes.
Girardi should be spending his time figuring out how to motivate his team to hit for the next 2 weeks because this has been a very ugly start to the season.
Cashman should give a press conference to discuss the injuries and explain why the current medical staff is worthy of caring for $200+ million investment.
they still need to score 5 runs in two innings… good luck
I don’t like the dishonesty as it relates to the DL with Hughes, Betemit and Henn. Pair that with the problems of not DL’ing A Rod and Jorge and it would seem that things are clearly running differently this year.
I’ll say it. In some ways, I wish Joe Torre was still here. His calm during the storm is in direct contrast to the subterfuge and animosity we are getting this year.
So who starts Sunday? I’m guessing Rasner but would rather see a real prospect McCutchen.
Come on Pete you have been a bit harsh towards Girardi’s comments. Still havent gotten over the Patriots? (just joking!)
Hopfully Hughes will get his mind cleared and get some work done in Tampa where it isnt frigid.
They need to get a second set of player photographs with out the smiles for use on DL list graphics and other poor stat graphics, dontcha think??
Arli$$ – That’s a good point. Why everyone gets so wrapped up in what Girardi says is beyond me. If he doesn’t want to disclose the truth at all times, who really cares? He’s the manager of a baseball team, not the president of the country.
SJ44
April 30th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
“Ok, I’ll say it.
Here’s my theory as to why offense is down across the board…..
Drug testing.
I find it funny that certain “sluggers†no longer hit for power, have knee cartlidge injuries (symtomatic with PED use), and go into prolonged, long term slumps.
Some for the first times in their careers.
Its more than just “slow starts†for one. Their declines are just too rapid for me to not have the suspicion radar up.
Offense is down everywhere and its not just the weather and injuries, IMO.”
Okay… Again… Who are you hinting at? Any NYYs? Aside from the obvious, that is?
Damon? Matsui? Just for curiosity sake?
Trisha- you mean tonight or the rest of the week?
Yeah Joba doing us a lotta good pitching the 8th get him in the rotation. a lock down 8th does us no good if you are trailing because your starters arn’t doing the job
SJ, exactly. It was time for Torre to go, but he would have handled this situation much better. A no comment, or a vague answer like we’re evaluating all options now is all that was needed. Lying to the media, being intentionally evasive and refusing to give them anything will just backfir in the end.
hughes is probably not injured.
hopefully he will return using his old mechanics and we may start seeing a little life on his fastball…
maybe his curveball will get that nasty late break that we saw last year (and on a consistent basis).
his mechanics look nothing like they did last year, especially his stride.
this team is in trouble…
but…
its still april. barely.
not liking the way Girardi handles himself. i mean, there’s a difference between keeping things on the down low and not giving away info and straigh up just lying.
There you go Pete… objectivity rules in ur blog !!
jeez man… guys, imagine what wud hv happened if Pete was in the “white house press core” during the Scot Mcllelen era… wud have been hilarious…
Hey SJ44–
Which Yankees would you (in theory) say have lost their offensive production b/c of drug testing? Just curious?
AGain I will say if you blame Girardi for not being truthful you have to blame Cashman as well he was asked tthe same question I heard the audio he didnt say he was hurt either
blame there results on there record but that is bunk.. They have no Bruney so what. Arod has mised 5 games but is hitting 125 with RISP.
they jsut stink so far no excuses.
this team is in a funk right now. a loss to kenny rogers yesterday and just 5 hits against bonderman today is not what one of the premiere offenses should be doing
It is actually possible that Hughes is really injured. (I know it’s heresy to imply that Girardi is not a lying scum, but what the heck…)
I think Phil might have fessed up to being hurt.
Brian from PA – Know what’s cooler?
How the NY Yankees starting 2nd baseman can actually go through the on-the-field motions while simultaneously acting like he’d rather be somewhere else.
oh f…. it …
com’on batter ! SWINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG BATTA BATTA !!!
But if Torre said those same things, the media would have had let it go the first time and the constant badgering questions would have ceased. Girardi hasn’t garnered that respect yet with the NY media.
Giambi contributing nothing on the field or to the conversation
Michael Kay just mentioned it on air: Resignation. I definitely feel that, and I feel like I see it in the players. Poor swings, poor at-bats, 1/3rd of at bats being 2 pitches or less. There are definitely people who look resigned to lose.
Yeah, it’s in the air.
I think Girardi is making Abraham cry…
runs… my kingdom for some runs…
Arliss, there is a difference between holding your cards close to your chest and outright lying about whats in your hand when asked directly. Look, I’ve heard the press conferences and sometimes they do ask stupid repetitive questions and I get his frustration with them at times, especially certain press members. BUT that said Girardi does look silly saying he’s healthy and then a couple of hours later they announce hes going on the DL. He would have been better off not answering it, instead of straight out saying no.
Kenny Singleton always made the mention that you REALLY start to get bothered by a slow start at around 100 ABs. If you’re batting below .200 after 100 ABs, he said that’s when there is a problem.
Cano is past 100 ABs (104), Giambi is close (70). Something needs to be done to wake this offense up. They are 2/9 of the offense every game. They maybe struggling terribly right now, but they’re not the ENTIRE reason the offense is non-existent.
Pete…get over yourself please. Girardi’s job is not to keep you informed. As a fan, I want him protecting all information for as long as possible. There is no need for everyone to know what the Yankees are considering in terms of roster moves.
I have been generally unhappy with Girardi’s game management, but agree whole heartedly with his more tight lipped approach. The days of Grandpa Joe are over. Move on.
SJ – you said that Cashman can’t lie about ANYTHING – how will he answer reporters with a straight face after the game when they ask about Hughes? How will he and Girardi answer for the “mystery” oblique strain that occurred between 7PM and 9PM tonight while Hughes was sitting on the bench?
When asked before the game if Hughes were healthy, Girardi said “yes, yes”
So that’s a lie. Last week he said that the MRI on Bruney’s foot showed no structural damage. That was a lie as well. They knew it showed a fracture.
Just little things. But it starts to add up. Bobby Abreu, for instance, was benched the first three times they faced lefties. I asked why and Girardi said he just wanted to give Bobby a rest. When I went and asked Bobby he said, “They don’t want me facing lefties because it messes up my swing sometimes.”
Why not tell the truth? It’s OK to say he’s sitting because it’s a lefty. That’s a valid reason.
Girardi had all sorts of media relations issues in Florida, a team covered by three papers. The belief was that he learned his lesson, etc. Spring training was great. But once the season started, the problems came back.
If he’s going to get irritated when people ask if a young struggling pitcher is going to be replaced, what’s going to happpen when the big stuff occurs?
I personally like Joe. I organized a dinner with him and all the beat writers during spring training and we had a great time. But if he doesn’t start telling the truth and giving out basic information, it’s not going to go well.
You can’t have the media believing everything the manager says is a lie. Once the public perception becomes that the manager is over his head, the players start to believe it, too.
If you don’t believe me, go back and read about the Art Howe Mets.
Joe’s a smart guy. I hope he figures out that what he’s doing is not going to work.
We want some runs
We want some runs
Wow..Michael Kay didn’t go with his DEEEEEP to Right field call for a routine fly ball.
Hey chicago dave- http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/6562
This team doesn’t need motivation. Pep talks ain’t solvin’ the problems.
They need:
#3 and #4 starters who can win games. They were zero for April.
Their all star catcher.
The League’s MVP.
Their first and second baseman not to hit .150.
Its not rocket science. Its a hurting team with some significant holes. Its patchwork time.
Its why they just have to find a way to grind through the next month and stay within 4-5 games of Boston.
Its not going to be easy but, if they want to stay in it, that’s what its going to take.
Cano is lost without his “Obi Wan Kenobi” – a.k.a. Larry Bowa. Seriously, without someone to ride his ass every day about playing hard and not being a lazy party boy, he’s hopeless.
Joe T shud be enjoying his green tea now…
just like we ignore the trolls.. we gotto start ignoring Pete’s complaints abt Joe G.. we know hes got some axe to grind “which he wont say”
It’s his job as a journalist to get the facts straight and to try to get them out to the masses. He’s only doing his job.
“It is actually possible that Hughes is really injured.”
I agree, its quite possible that he is. With all the muscle strains going around the majors like the black death, it wouldn’t surprise me, I guess.
The pinstriped wall of silence and avoiding giving the media anything has been the Yankees mantra for years now, since Cashman took over. It’s true, he’s really stuck havng to talk to the media and playing by team rules to stay quiet.
The difference is that Torre ignored the FO wishes and actually was truthful with the media because he knew he alienating them would hurt him and thus the team. He was secure enough to do that, having all the success he did. Girardi is not yet.
Torre ignoring FO wishes was problematic on the field, but with the media was a good move.
Just my take.
i’m calling a bobby abreu home run here.
ehhhhhhhhh!
Again…who cares if he lies! This is baseball, not national security. Get over yourself please.
SJ44
April 30th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Ok, I’ll say it.
Here’s my theory as to why offense is down across the board…..
Drug testing.
I find it funny that certain “sluggers†no longer hit for power, have knee cartlidge injuries (symtomatic with PED use), and go into prolonged, long term slumps.
Some for the first times in their careers.
Its more than just “slow starts†for one. Their declines are just too rapid for me to not have the suspicion radar up.
Offense is down everywhere and its not just the weather and injuries, IMO.
Who, then, in your humble opinion, was taking PEDS? Any Yankees? (aside from that bag of donut grease at 1B…)
Peter- Well put!
It’s one thing not to answer the questions or say you’ll have more info later, but quite another to outright lie. Not a good way to handle anything in life, let alone the press and public.
It’s just not smart, and I would have expect more from Girardi. He’s actually causing himself more trouble than his lies are worth. He may “get it” eventually, but he seems to be a real stubborn guy so far as a manager.
Rob – God that was freakin’ hilarious!!! “I wanna talk to the boss!” Too funny!!!! Thanks for the link, man!
**sigh**
THIS IS LIKE WATCHING PAINT DRY….SOMEONE LIGHT A FIRE UNDER THESE GUYS…..MAYBE CAPPY NEEDS TO STEP IT UP AND HAVE A CLOSED DOOR MEETING….THE HELL WITH THE INJURIES, THIS TEAM IS SHOWING NO LIFE….
Pete Abe
whats the difference between what Joe G said
“he is getting some rest”
and what Abreu said
“dont play lefties”
why cant both statements b true.. admit it, you hate the guy
Pete, Joe gets ticked being asked the same exact question 4 times. Can’t say that I blame him. Last night someone asked a question about Phil staying in the rotation Kim Jones asked the same question right after! Was she not listening?
Media types are hysterical. They can’t get over the fact that the world doesn’t revolve around them. I am sorry Pete, but Joe G. doesn’t need things to go well with you. He needs Hughes to pitch well and Arod/Posada to get healthy. Just like Art Howe, the media doesn’t make or break a manager; the performance of his players do.
my new prediction:
yankees get mowed down by todd jones in the 9th…
ian kennedy goes 5 innings giving up 5 runs tomm….yanks pull out the game in extra innings with a chad moeller single up the middle.
i’m gonna go look for my helium tank.
I love some of these comments. So if you were covering the Yankees today, what would you have asked? What Joe’s favorite color is?
The question of the day is what they’re going to do with Hughes. It’s a simple, basic baseball question. This player is not playing well, what can be done about it?
It seems safe to say that most intelligent fans would be interested in that. I guess people like Arliss, Will and others just want the writers to go in there and applaud Girardi.
Sorry. I suggest you read another blog if you want Yankee cheerleading. I’m trying to get you information about the team and I’ll ask whatever questions that need to be asked. This isn’t Little League.
” UPDATE, 9:16 p.m.: For the record, Girardi said Hughes was healthy when asked before the game. I guess Hughes got hurt while sitting on the bench. ”
.
In case ANYONE is left to wonder, Pete doesn’t like Girardi very much and also likes taking shots at him. Pete is a member of the entitled media and he feels that HE and all of baseball, and all of the fans and the world for that matter, is ENTITLED to a straight answer the very moment that a member of the media asks it. After all, what RIGHT does a manager of the Yankees have to not come “clean” with the 100% truth all the time ? This is the Soviet Union and baseball managers must TOE THE LINE !
Chicago Dave,
Really agree with your take on Cano. Sad to see he needs that constant “riding” as you call it to get himself out of his general laziness/haziness.
“Joe’s a smart guy. I hope he figures out that what he’s doing is not going to work.”
Now imagine you are a Pats beat writer for the Globe, the Herald or the ProJo…
Would you write the same of Belichick? I understand your point, you are trying to do a job and report accurate facts. At what point does the media start digging Girardi’s grave?
Can you at least bury him next to Hoffa in CF?
So – can the Jays score in this inning?
The difference between Torre and Girardi, is Girardi has far less patience for ignorance. The NY press corp is chock full of ignorance, so it isn’t surprising that there will be some friction.
Chicago Dave –
I read in this morning’s Star Ledger that Reggie Jackson was called in to work with Cano.
I have a theory about Michael Kay. His “problem” is that he is a Yankees fan. Listen to him. When they don’t do well, when they disapoint, he actually gets whiny. Not to be insulting, that’s not my intent, but he sounds like I imagine quite a few of the posters here would sound if they were speaking instead of typing. It would also explain why he goes soooo far out of his way to appear unbiased.
Wilkins De La Rosa
2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K’s
1.15 ERA
GO/AO 2-2
a single basterd bunted for a basehit on him
Dellin Betances
5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K’s
2.59 ERA
GO/AO 5-3
77,
I don’t think Cano was/is a PED user.
It was more of a general comment about what I have noticed around the game so far this year.
There are guys (and one is in Cleveland now) who had a big slugging rep. Now, they can’t hit squat.
I don’t know but, I can’t remember the last time I have seen so many “sluggers” who no longer can hit for power, and some not hit at all.
I think drug testing and the ban on greenies are having a big effect (bigger than I ever thought) on the game.
Just my take. Folks can disagree if they wish.
“What Joe’s favorite color is?”
So, what is Girardi’s favourite colour anyway?
This is Bronx Zoo all over again!
They’ve been drug testing since last year. Explain that than.
Peter, newsflash….this is a free country…you are free to ask questions and Girardi is free to tell you to go take a leap. Last I checked, YOU have no power over him and YOU don’t pay him and I, for one, don’t fall into the category that Pete is our fearless leader and the only one that can save us from the Evil Joe Girardi not telling us all the answers, all the time…
Why do I get the feeling all hell is gonna break loose.
Or maybe it already has.
Frustration all around
They are entitled to the truth, Don Vito. If he doesn’t want to answer that directly he should say so, but to outright lie about it – well I can understand that not going down well. He doesn’t have to write their stories for them, but he does owe it to them to be honest with them. He’s just going to create a hole for himself where they don’t believe a word he says. How is that constructive?
Abreu should just play up against the wall, that way he wouldn’t have to worry about running into it…
An intelligent baseball writer wouldn’t need to keep asking the same questions over and over, and wouldn’t complain because the manager “lies” to him. Pete always defaults to the “I am not a cheerleader” routine when he is challenged, but that is a strawman. Stop complaining and do your job.
Don Vito: You could not be a bigger clown and apologist. So it’s OK for the manager to lie? I liike Girardi just fine. I don’t like when people I interview tell lies.
I’m not entitled to anything. You are. My job is to get fans like yourself information. Well, not fans like you. You just put on your pinstripe glasses and pretend nothing is wrong.
Pete – I agree the questions have to be asked …..that is not the issue. the issue is your barbs and complaints when you don’t get the answers you want. i.e. the answer that will make your job easier.
The bottom line is Pete is frustrated because Girardi is making it harder for him to do his job, period. While I can empathize, it’s no reason to ceaselessly bash the guy. He’s just trying to do his job the way he sees fit as well. Just because the two ends don’t meet and, as a result, you might have to get a little more creative to fill up your column space, doesn’t give you a free pass to slam Girardi and slam everyone that is basically saying “just get off it already!”
OK, Will, you’re smart. Tell me the question to ask.
They might as well just stretch Joba out now and put him in the rotation.
When Hughes is healthy they can call him back up and put him in the bullpen like the Dodgers did with Billingsley.
The bullpen really straightened him out last year, he was Phil’s age last year so maybe it can work for Phil as well.
alright-back to the game
c’mon Edwar
Great point Bronxbomber…Pete needs to call Bellichick asap and teach him how to be a winner. I am sure the fans in New England can’t stand rooting for a team the isn’t forthcoming with injuries and roster moves. Hysterical…not sure if this is a comedy blog, but it does make me laugh quite a bit.
Pete.. for a second step back and put urself in Joe G’s shows.. he is trying not break the confidence of the kids by speculating along with the media abt the “demotion to AAA “…
its funny, how you ask us to be patient and you have not been patient with the manager.. maybe he is under stress. may be he deserves some space…
you need a flavor of the day story to sell ur paper.. dont blame u.. but dont slime Joe G because he doesnt feed the media with answers to ur every qn…..
For those of you complaining about the media and asking questions of Girardi to find out what’s going on, you do realize he’s asking because it’s stuff the fans want to know, right? I’d like to know what’s going on with Hughes, and if Girardi is less than forthcoming (and actually lying), it makes me mad because I want to know, too.
When Girardi’s lying or misleading reporters, he’s doing the exact same thing to all of us.
even though the ball was just foul, somebody really needs to plunk placido polanco.
i hate how dormant bats wake up against the yankees. its sickening.
Pete do you think that there has been an organization decision to not to be as forthcoming and open with the media as has been in the past with Torre. You know that there was frustration last year when the Joba Rules became public by Torre when the orgnization particularly Cash didnt want them known.
Maybe they feel they want to be more stealth with info like that ie who is available, how bad someone is hurt etc etc thus this year there has been a change of tact so to speak.
Hopefully Ramirez can get Polanco here…and we can watch the offense’s attempt to come back.
Pete,
It’s useless arguing with the truly obtuse. Don’t waste your time. Unfortunately, it seems you’ve attracted quite a few to your fine blog.
I hope Pete asks Girardi after the game why he said that Hughes was healthy when he wasn’t instead of whining about it.
I interviewed a pretty well known sports writer out of jersey last Friday who lives three doors down from an NY cop. He said the cop indicated that Cano goes out all the time in NY, gets drunk as a fish, and drives home drunk with women in the car. Allegedly, he has been pulled over and let off more than once.
On one hand, he is a millionaire stud. On the other hand, he is an absolute knucklehead who needs to get his act straight.
He’s a grown man, he shouldn’t need Bowa around to keep his head on straight.
SJ.. I couldn’t agree more. I was just curious which NYYs you think may have used at one time.
Damon? Matsui? Sounds funny to think about.
Racking my brain, can’t figure out who in CLE you were talking about (?). Hafner? Martinez?
You ARE right though. So many SLOW starts offensively across the league. AND injuries that are keeping players out LONGER.
What a game. I love it. Every aspect, including the current conversation.
If you didn’t want to say aloud on a blog who your candidates are for possible PED usage, feel free to email me your list at bronxbomber77@gmail.com.
I’d love to exchange lists with you (without the fear of getting sued for libel/slander from some angry, past-his-prime slugger who has nothing else to do in his down time but read the Lohud Yankees Blog posters speculating about them) !
I’m off to work… See y’all later.
PS-For all you ‘chicken littles’ and ‘knee jerks’ on the ledge, steer clear of open windows! Technically, there’s still a few hours left to April and the team is one game under .500, after being ravaged by injuries and playing through a horrible road schedule!
The on air reporters want that sound bite with their own question. Torre was good at repeating his answers without losing his cool. Girardi is aware of that as he did it well during ST, but those games didn’t count and there wasn’t a whole lot of pressure. These games count and with the injuries, lack of offense and scattered quality starts by the pitchers it looks like the pressure and losing is getting to him a bit.
i might pop in my Giants Superbowl dvd instead of watching the post game…
Shall I send you a copy Pete? There is a romantic conversation between Bruschi and Seau with minutes left to go in the 4th quarter… a real tear jerker.
Otto -
That was a funny post about tonight or the rest of the week.
I’ve been on the phone that long with my boss. When taking a call from your boss to discuss work situations is actually a pleasant distraction, you know that things are pretty dismal!
Jennifer -
I think the testing is a bit more stringent this time around – there’s no advance warning, I believe, for one thing, when the tester is coming to the clubhouse.
JB Cox
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB 1 K
0.00 ERA
GO/AO 0-2
gayle agreed.
And you know the more I think about it, look what is happening. Why would Joe lie about this, and have it come out during the game that Phil is hurt. He looks like a liar and a fool to some fans,and some members of the media. The interview is like 2 hours before the game right? So maybe he finally confessed.
And here I thought the founder of this blog was above calling people names… Seriously, man, most times you yourself would criticize someone who stooped to such schoolyard bullying tactics as a way to prove the superiority of their opinion. If you’re trying to be an objective writer (and not one of us despicable Yankees fans with “rose-colored glasses”) you should abstain from that sort of thing. It’s unprofessional.
Let’s score 5 runs now
i don’t know why so many people are jumping all over Pete. as a fan, i for one am pretty irritated at the way Girardi and Cashman have downplayed everything so far this season. They keep telling us everything is ok when it’s not. I don’t want to be given false hope over and over.
seriously, how are we supposed to trust the Yankees now when they tell us someone is fine after an injury scare?
It might have been a mistake for peeps to be calling for a sweep before this game.
I’m just saying…..
Brandon,
Another scoreless inning for JB Cox tonight in Trenton.
Pete doesn’t Girardi.
Geez, Louise, if he hated the guy, he wouldn’t have organized a dinner for him. He just would have done a Joel Sherman and taken potshots at every turn. Half the stuff Phil Allard wrote about in his idiotic blog entry was Pete joking around. The injury stuff? He’s not joking about and he’s right on point about it.
When you work the beat, you rely on the manager to give you the truth. If he can’t tell it, don’t say anything. You can talk without saying anything. Torre was an expert at it. So are other guys.
Geez, folks READ what Pete wrote. The guy LIED to him about certain issues. You can’t do that.
I’m sorry but, this isn’t Bill Bellichick, it isn’t the NFL, and frankly, its not how the Yankees do business.
Also, with all due respect to Joe Girardi, he’s not Bill Belichick. Win 3 rings, then you can act like a lunatic, which is what Bellichick is.
Pete doesn’t have it in for Girardi. If he did, believe me, he could use his Sunday Baseball Wrap as a personal rip job of Girardi. He doesn’t.
I’ve said it many times, I’m a Girardi fan. I want to see him succeed because he has a lot going for him and I think he can be a very good manager for this franchise.
But, I’m telling you, he is setting himself up for failure if he doesn’t make some changes.
Its not just about “pleasing the media”. Its about being professional and being truthful.
Believe me, Hank and Hal aren’t going to like the manager lying to the media. That will get his butt in trouble a helluva lot more than going with young pitchers.
There is a professionalism that you have to have in the job. When you stray from it, you have problems.
Peter Abraham
April 30th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Don Vito: You could not be a bigger clown and apologist. So it’s OK for the manager to lie? I liike Girardi just fine. I don’t like when people I interview tell lies.
I’m not entitled to anything. You are. My job is to get fans like yourself information. Well, not fans like you. You just put on your pinstripe glasses and pretend nothing is wrong.
WOW! Smack!
Looks like I’m leaving at the right time. G’night all… And take it easy ! Geez… have a cocktail or hippy lettuce, whatever your desire. But geesh… take it easy!
Its just a game!
(my favorite cliche!)
SJ44, I hear you wrt to PEDS, but in your general statement are you including Greenies, because I bet that had an even bigger impact.
I always thought Damon was a user. Don’t know for sure just going by his body type and change over the years.
The difference between Belichick and Girardi is all the success Belichick has had. He can freze out the media and get away with it. Girardi can do the same when he wins some World Series, and get away with it. Not now.
This has nothing to do with making my job easier. I can only write what people tell me. The job doesn’t change a bit. My job is to try and write the truth as often as I can.
Honestly, whether a young pitcher is going to stay in the rotation is hardly a big deal. All you have to say is yes or no. The only mistake that you can make is lying.
As for people asking the same questiion, the best way to avoid that is by giving a definitive answer and not some open-ended non-answer.
I’m surprised, that’s all. I thought Girardi was smarter than this based on spring training.
Jake, I thought they’ve only been in town for a total of 4 days this season?
Jake…nothing like unsubstantiated garbage. Maybe Pete will write a post about it.
Doreen,
That’s true. Earlier, they were warned in advanced. Some system.
sad sad offense… it’s going to 2007 revisited.
The yankees,dead bat,worthless bat.
The yankeds,pay a lot of money,get what?
Blame it on Pete, blame it on Hughes, blame it on Farnsworth, blah blah blah. The Yankees have TWO HITS since the first inning. That is absolutely pathetic. Pathetic Pathetic Pathetic.
Two hits. It’s not all Cano and Giambi’s fault either. Hughes doesn’t hit. Petitte didn’t hit tonight. Girardi didn’t hit tonight.
This is pathetic.
If anybody’s paying attention – boston is about to have their second walk-off in as many nights…
Pete…Girardi is smarter…he isn’t feeding into your hands. Deal with or get another beat. Whining about it isn’t very interesting.
I don’t even know what to say about this game.
The young pitchers haven’t performed but unfortunately they are far from the only problems this teams has.
Good to see the cut fast ball is making such a tremendous difference for the new kyle farnsworth. He has one of the highest home run rates in all of baseball. That’s not going to change.
People are misdirecting their anger at Pete.
Like it or not Girardi is entering a big time danger zone with what he’s telling the media right now.
It is going to blow up in his face – whether you want to make excuses for him or not.
What Girardi is doing now is just plain not smart. Giving out what is easily construed as misinformation which can and will be cross checked or come out as the exact opposite information later on is just a losing strategy.
No manager in NY could pull that off.
Let’s put it this way – Tyler Kepner is a terrific beat writer. If he’s not the best baseball writer in NY then he’s not lower than second.
Keppner was remarking on his blog about how strange and disingenuous girardi is coming off right now.
Girardi is acting like Eric Mangini.
That is not going to help this team in any way. Instead of hearing from the manager the reporters are going to start going to the players to cross check everything Girardi is telling them.
And the reporters should because that’s their job.
Now tomorrow Phil Hughes instead of working on his rehab in peace is going to get pestered by reporters all day asking them about what Girardi said.
That is just not helpful to the players performing.
Girardi said he learned a lot about dealing with the media last year as a broadcaster and that he’d be different than he was in miami.
We’re still waiting to see him use some of that polish with the media this season.
Why are there so many
songs about rainbows?
And what’s on the other side?
Betemits Pink Eye,Morgan sprained Ankle that the Yankees said he had but he didn’t even know about then remembered he had one a hour later and now Hughes being healthy from 6:30pm to 9:30pm then going on the Dl.
THis is some weird stuff.I thought Hank loud mouth was bad but Cashman and Girardi lying for no reason and being testing is just stpid.
Oh well, the post game should be fun…
Pete,
I for one appreciate the job you do. I want to know the truth about the team and the players. I am tired of our national politics and don’t want it on my team.
Keep up the good work.
If Girardi would only stop lying, the offense would be able to hit bad pitchers.
Jennifer & Gayle –
I think you both may have something there. Those Joba Rules were never supposed to be public and Cashman was furious. And think about it – if the other teams know that Joba was already used in Game A, by knowing the Joba rules they KNEW they wouldn’t be facing him. It’s a slight psychological advantage. Why give an opponent any advantage at all?
Now, they may have gone a bit overboard, and Girardi needs to find his way around it, so he’s not outright “lying” and ending up looking foolish. That said, the media won’t ever be happy until they get the answer they’re looking for in the first place.
Boy do we look like a mediocre team right now.
OK. SAT question here: The yankees lose 6-4 yesterday, 6-2 today…what will the score be tomorrow…
Will,
Would you be all that surprised?
I mean, its not like Cano is playing well AT ALL.
He just signed a massive contract, makes plenty of money in the funnest city in the world.
our offense is dead, baltimore & tampa bay are playing better than the yanks. the bosox are the least of our worries.
The reporters need something to write about. Columnists like Lupica, etc can write about whatever they want – but beat writers have to write about the news surrounding the team, not their opinions. If Girardi gives them nothing to write about, they just can’t tell their sports editor, “Sorry – manager isn’t saying much today. Hopefully he’ll say something tomorrow.” They’re not bugging Girardi just to bug him – they have to write a thousand words every day about the team. That’s a lot of words to crank out when nobody’s talking or holding back info.
ESPN helped create this 24/7 news cycle for sports – and NYC is the perfect media center for it. The sports writers are just doing his part to fill it. If you enjoy reading the sports section of your local newspaper, you should be for the reporters getting scoops and trying to get you information. Otherwise you’d be stuck with Lupica (ugh) the box score and the Word Jumble.
Is Pete biased on this blog – yeah – but it’s his blog. I don’t think he makes comments about Girardi in his columns. They’re two separate forms of communication and expression.
Rainbows that have nothing to hide, Westerner99.
I agree Girardi doesn’t have to tell the media everything, of course they are allowed to keep their plans close to their chest.
At the same time though, it’s completely fair game for Pete to ask the obvious question: if Hughes was healthy right before the game but now injured by the 7th inning, what happened in between?
It’s most likely that Hughes is not injured. But they can’t flip flop their statements in a matter of 7 innings without expecting questions from reporters. Their choices are not black or white, it’s not either disclose everything or lie out right. There is a huge grey area in between.
6-0…I could have went with..trick question..yankees win..theeeee yankees win..but we know the more probable answer is 6-0
Yes, people, get off Pete’s back…he’s trying to do his job.
Having said that, I like the Hughes bit…he is a young lad and I can’t say that I have all that much faith in his ability to handle adversity at 21 years old in New York.
ahh im going to the game tommrow…hope they play well and win..
Jake…Cano struggled early in every season. Mindless speculation is moronic.
ugh. another sub .500 April.
so many discouraging things about this team so far. for like the 4th straight season they’ve caused me to lose interest in watching the games by May 1st. get it together Yankees. obviously playing .700 ball from July 15th on to squeek into the playoffs totally worn out isn’t the way to go.
As a yankees fan, I would like to know what is really going on with my team. Kinda hard when people are lying, just spit it out. This is not matters of National Security, it’s baseball.
I can understand the frustration with Girardi. I’m a bit frustrated right now with him and this team. I’m sure many are.
It’s still early, hopefully things turn around.
Good luck Jack. I hope i’m wrong.
I still say Phil confessed to being hurt. Look what is happening now. Many on here are calling Joe a liar.
“The difference between Belichick and Girardi is all the success Belichick has had. He can freze out the media and get away with it. Girardi can do the same when he wins some World Series, and get away with it. Not now.”
Have any of us ever stopped for a second and wonder why success lets people get away with some things we find morally disagreeable?
So the Yankees are 14-15, the same record through 29 games last year. For the record, that was on May 6th. In fact in April last year the Yankees only played 23 games, this year they’ve played 29.
Pete – OK, if Girardi’s evasiveness (or lying, as you have called it) doesn’t have any impact on you or how you do your job, why do you get so obviously incensed about it? I mean, you’re not a Yankee fan, and you otherwise have no personal stake in whether Girardi tells the truth. So, I remain curious…Why keep adding your own two cents to whatever Girardi says or doesn’t say? In fact, if you think he’s a liar and want to show us fans that, just let the guy’s quotes speak for themselves. In other words, just report the quotes without the editorializing. It’s that whole axiom about a good writer showing rather than telling.
I’m honestly not trying to be sarcastic or anything like that. Rather, I honestly want to understand why this whole Girardi deal remains such a daily, consistent theme in your posts.
Will,
Can you not see any logic in the possibility?
Who’s to say it didn’t start this way before?
I don’t blame the Yankees woes on Cano, its a team game and no one is really hitting except maybe Matsui.
As SJ pointed out, their 4 & 5 pitchers suck, they don’t have their MVP, their starting catcher, and are beaten up in general. Its a patience game.
I dont want you to go in there and do anything other than what you do, but when the organization is in the process of making a decision, as they were doing when you asked the question about Hughes, I dont expect Girardi to have a straight answer for you. So, when he tells you Hughes is in his rotation, and then they announce two hours later he is hurt, thats that. You have the info, it was disseminated to you when the Yankees were ready to put it out there. There is no reason to cry and whine about Girardi and how bad he treats you. You have a job to do, so does he, unfortunately, he doesnt believe he has to make yours easy for you, just like you dont make his easy for him. I dont see what the problem is here actually…..its not like NY/tri state media has ever made life easy for any player/manager in the Yankees organization, so why would you expect that to be the case in return?
Let’s see how Girardi and Cashman answer on the post game show.
I am sure they’ll ask who is coming up. I think it will be Rasner.
Maybe it’s time for the Yankees to have a players meeting. They have got to do something. They look like they are just going through the motions at the plate. They look so flat.
bronxbomber77, maybe this will keep you from racking your brain too much:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3375934
Jeter needs to step up and earn that C. call a players only meeting, and lay it out. They cannot feel sorry for themselves and have to pick up for Alex and Jorge.
Josh,
There is also another difference. The Boston media is a fanboy media, with few exceptions (like Dan Shaugnessey).
They aren’t going to ask the tough questions and they will fawn all over Bellichick.
The NY media asks the tough questions. As a fan, I would think one would want to know the answers to the questions. I know I do.
I don’t like fanboy media cities. Boston is one. Miami is another when it comes to football and that’s bitten the local fanboy media types in the butt for the last several years covering the Dolphins.
The beat guys aren’t putting bamboo shoots under Girardi’s fingernails and asking for trade secrets. They are asking basic, fundamental questions that we talk about all day in this blog.
Sorry but, Girardi has to be better than he’s shown handling the media. Yes, it does matter in NY.
If you are going to act like a jerk, they you better be 23-6 instead of 14-15. I don’t think we want it to get to that point.
Hopefully, Girardi lightens up and is more professional than he has shown the first month. I hold out hope he will adjust.
This team is growing very frustrating to watch. They manage to fall a few runs behind, and the offense goes down faster
then the Hindenburg… absolutely no plate discipline at all. Don’t have to worry about stranding the runner when you can’t even get anybody on.
Redsux just got thrown out at the plate by Vernon wells in the bottom of the 9th. Tied at 1-1 with 2 outs and man on 1st and 2nd
hmmm I wonder if the media is frying him for this?
Manager Eric Wedge was noncommittal about how long Hafner would be on the bench or if he would remain in the No. 3 spot in the batting order when he does return to the lineup.
“We’re taking everything day by day,” Wedge said. “We’re going to give him a break and we’ll move forward.”
“Jerkrardi”
How slightly immature.
If Phil confessed to being hurt, some members of the media owe Joe G an apology.
I guess I don’t take the injury reports seriously. I couldn’t care less (thanks to last night’s game blog, the usage should be correct here) who is hiding what information. I just want to see them win, regardless (not irregardless).
Redsux win. ouch! this night just gets worse…
And the Sux get their second walk off in two nights.
Bah!
And Boston wins…AGAIN
BkueJays suck ..AL EAST contenders my a…
Blargh
That’s a fair question, and I certainly wasn’t saying it’s right, biut it is realistic. Bellichick has led a dynasty and freezes out reporters who don’t play by his rukes, from what I understand. Reporters want to be in his good graces because they know he’ll be there. Doesn’t work that way for Mangini and Girardi.
The comments by Girardi are just stupid. It makes him look like
A. A liar or
B. Someone who has no idea or handle of what’s going on with his team or
C. Someone who has no authority.
Sux win.
Jennifer,
It’s not an impossible scenario. It would be a relief to know that Phil is pitching so poorly because he’s hurt instead of he’s just bad.
Either way, this whole DL thing is good. If he’s hurt, it’s good he finally fesses up and gets some rest and treatment. If he’s not hurt, it’s good to know that Yanks is willing to go through the trouble to keep him up here to get a mental break and work with Dave Eilnd instead of just throwing him out like yesterday’s trash.
Westerner99
Maybe I am being naive, but I really think this. Maybe he saw what is happening with the team, and wanted to go out there and try and help his team.
Trisha- Maybe you should talk to your boss again to brighten up your evening..
“If you are going to act like a jerk, they you better be 23-6 instead of 14-15.”
Not a criticism of you (I’m guilty of this kind of thinking myself at times), but more a general human nature question; why is it that we can think this way? That success is relevant to whether a person’s a jerk or not (or relevant to our reaction to a jerk)?
That’s not just two walk-offs – that’s two in a row with two outs and a man on second.
Somebody run me our team’s stats on getting that man home with 2 outs so far this season.
Pitching pitching pitching. When your starters give you good innings you at least have a chance.
The Sux went two nights in a row virtually scoreless through the whole game. So obviously their offense hasn’t been tearing up the field. Neither has the Jays, but we knew that about them also. But starters for both teams both nights bore down and got the job done.
A la Wang and Mussina, when your starters give you strong innings, you have a chance to win games. When you are always deficit spending, catching up is really tough.
Some thoughts –
1. Nobody looks good losing. Least of all our Yankees.
2. With Phil now on the DL, who’s going to start Sunday? Originally, I thought – along with everybody else – that Rasner would be called up. But Michael Kay on the broadcast says that Chris Britton was again recalled. So is Ollie going to get the ball? It would be 4 days rest since yesterday’s game, but I thought he was moved to the ‘pen because of his problems as a starter. If he’s only to counted on for 5 innings, then that’s a heavy load for the pen.
3. Joe needs to lighten up. I know that’s easier said than done, but he’s going to make more trouble for himself, as well as give himself an ulcer if he doesn’t already have one. Or worse. I really hope he succeeds with our team, but he needs to change his approach in this regard.
Jen – I think I agree with you, to a degree. My guess is that it was tweaked…but something he might normally play through…however, due to his performance, they decided to use it as the reason to have him take some time off.
Now the Jays’ starters for the last couple of nights…Those are some guys who have a right to get royally p-o’ed right about now!!!
Otto -
Okay, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Goodbye April, hello May. A new month, a new way of doing business. Can you hear me NY? The Yankees are going to right the universe and start to win again!
trisha – To be fair, catching up is also next-to-impossible when just about NOBODY in your starting lineup is hitting a lick!
SJ44 – I agree with the fanboy media comment.
I think the difference here in NYC (and what I like) is the competition between franchises that most other cities don’t have. There’s not one team for the city to rally around and in fact, the teams are desperately in fear of losing eyeballs and the media money – that’s the bottom line.
It’s like McD’s and Burger King – each has a hard core fan base and the rest of America just wants a burger and don’t care where they get it. Casual baseball (football, hockey and basketball) fans in NYC have two options and the front office for the Yanks and Mets know it. The writers know it too – there’s only one back page for multiple teams – and you don’t get the headline singing kumbaya. You get it with the biggest story.
I can’t get the song, “Slip Sliding Away” out of my head for some reason tonight.
I don’t care how god or bad the starters have been, or who is hurt, there is absolutely no excuse for the atrocious approaches at the plate up and down the lineup.
Peter, Girardi is not here to shower the writers with what they wantto hear.
Bonderman threw about 70 pitches for the last 7 innings while striking out 1.
how many bad AB’sdid you see?? The thing with Cano is he has bad AB’snormally(lo pitch counts) but usually can get hits but now he is just getting bad AB’s.
Jeter swings early in the count and the beat goes on….
Molina is in like a 0 for 16 slump with no power, jeter has no power, the look like old men….
THere comeback ability is nonexistent…
Cashman may need to make some changes to the offense, they look slow and old.. Giambi and Cano are in the 165 avg area….
they have a 1 game better record then the TIgers!!!!!!!
We are missing 2 guys, too friggin bad.. Bruney is nothing, Jorge should only play 5 days a week, there look terrible and not only they look bad they do not make the pitcher work at all….
how’s Joba doing in the pen? Looked good yesterday and today
Oh he didn’t pitch, why cause our starters couldn’t get to the 8th with a lead. Put him in the rotation
Chicago Dave, I know that. But all you need sometimes is that lucky hit. Hell, look at the Sux. 1 run in the bottom of the 9th last night, a go ahead tonight. 0-0 both games, tonight’s through 8.
Get us some decent starting pitching and a lucky run or two and let’s get some Ws on the board until this moribund offense gets off the shnide.
“Originally, I thought – along with everybody else – that Rasner would be called up. But Michael Kay on the broadcast says that Chris Britton was again recalled.”
There no reason to call up Rasner now. They won’t need him until this weekend.
They’ll use Britton out of the pen until sunday and then option him down and call up Rasner (rasner will probably fly to NY before then but not be activated until the day he needs to start)
Britton doesn’t need to be in AAA for 10 days because of the injury.
This assumes of course that they ever trust Britton enough to enter a game. Otherwise i guess he’ll just keep a seat in the pen warm like he did last time he was up.
I know of a left handed batter who is available.
I love this post-game analysis on Hughes’ injury. Al Leiter said “well this injury, it is what it is…” while Flash is flashing a naughty smile.
“I know of a left handed batter who is available.”
like I give a damn
CB – I would be shocked if we saw Britton appear in a game. Actually, they should just ship a cardboard cutout of him between Scranton and New York. I’m sure Britton would appreciate that, as I’m sure he has better things to do than sit on a bench at Yankee Stadium for a few days at a time before getting on a bus again! HA!!
SJ
“If you are going to act like a jerk, they you better be 23-6 instead of 14-15. I don’t think we want it to get to that point.”
That was basically my point but you are correct about the Boston media vs. the NY media. However, the Boston media can turn vicious, just ask Buckner. LOL They seem in love with the Red Sox organization though.
I wonder if Girardi is caught between a rock and a hard place. The media wants answers, and his boss-Cashman, clearly doesn’t wnat him giving answers. He has to learn to answer better and give something but keep it vague enough to satisfy Cashman. Not easy.
I need to address this Pete. Why the heck are you guys coming down on Pete for doing his job? Coming from a sports broadcasting background, it is a reporter’s job to act as liaison between the Yankees organization and the fans. He/she brings news to the fans who do not have daily access to the team. The reporter then asks questions of members of the organization that he/she feels the fans would want to know the answer to. Pete goes above and beyond what most Yankee journalists do. He brings funny and unusual insight to our favorite players with stories like the Buck Hunter Video Game; stories that you don’t find in the columns of Lupica, Klapisch, Price, Sherman and O’Brien.
The Yankees organization is trainwreck right now. Hank likes to run his mouth and is bound to do so again soon with the way this team is playing. Cashman is looking like a buffoon, and Girardi is already showing his inability to handle the NY media. A lot of people knocked Joe Torre, I was one of them for many of his in-game blunders. However, that man handled the media like fine china. I could count on my right hand how many times he got testy with the media. Girardi has already surpassed him. This organization should feel BLESSED that it has such passionate and loyal fans. Sometimes we go overboard, but to treat us like fools, especially today with the Hughes-to-the-DL fiasco, is reprehensible.
Pete, thanks again for all the hard work you do to give us realtime Yankee news.
Bonds makes all the sense in the world for this team, especially now with Jorge and A-Rod shelved.
Will never happen though.
To call Boston a fan boy media city is the most comical statement I have read on this blog to date. Boston media is the “fellowship of the miserable”….
I am sure Pete had a hardy chuckle as well at the hypebole..
-dennis
Britton was called up when A Rod was sent down.
Leiter and Kay wondering how Hughes pitched with a strained oblique. Maybe they’re not just saying it because they’re on YES but I wonder in the back of their minds do they know it could be a fake injury?
They sound like they believe it’s true.
Hey CB I know Girardi doesn’t like fat guys but Britton is a serviceable arm who can pitch the 6th inning in some of these games. If they arent going to pitch him I wish theyd just trade him for skinnier middle reliever who may or may not get a shot.
I’m just hoping this injury is because someone actually paid attention to …check on video/mechanics
“like I give a damn”
you should give a damn since our stellar lefty 1b/Dh is doing wondering out there.
edit: wonders
CB – you’re right, I wasn’t thinking. But – to move on to another question – why doesn’t Britton get into a game? He barely pitched for the big club last season, and seems overlooked this season as well.
“you should give a damn since our stellar lefty 1b/Dh is doing wondering out there.”
Juan Miranda
I keep hearing all the talk about this being a “rebuilding” year, but I’m not buying it. Essentially the same offense / defense as last year, the first base situation has yet to be addressed, Jeter’s lack of range is glaringly apparent, shaky outfield (Matsui’s range, Damon’s arm) and the same complete lack of situational hitting.
Hughes and IPK are in the rotation solely because Pavano and Igawa are complete failures. A few new faces in the bullpen and that’s it. Where is this major rebuild ? Maybe next year when alot of $$$ comes off the books we can start rebuilding this team, but for now it seems to me like a few holes were hastily patched on a sinking ship.
Yea Juan Miranda will automatically jump start this offense…what was i thinking.
Anyone know who the trainer is this year? Last year’s trainer got fired when Hughes went to the DL. I’m starting to think that Hughes may in fact, be injury prone.
Well according to Joe, he saw him wince in pain in the 4th inning yesterday, he got treatment and was evaluated by the doctor who determine that it was a strain today at 6:30. He didn’t want to reveal anything since he wasn’t sure that he was hurt.
Brandon – Seems like would be better off spending his DL time with Carlos Gomez, not Dave Eiland. I was already starting to question Eiland’s ability as a pitching coach…that link you posted only served to further strengthen my doubt.
I watch all of the postgames too. Only once I have I seen Girardi seem out of sorts with the media. Now granted we only get YES cuts, but I still find him very even keeled.
Girardi now saying they got information from Dr. Hershon at 6:30 tonight regarding Hughes. I don’t know how timely that was in terms of what Pete reported, but geeze, give Girardi a break. He’s preparing for a game at that time.
I think calling Girardi a liar is pretty harsh and also out of whack with respect to what we are hearing.
Who is in line from Scranton to pitch on Sunday?
Miranda is hitting .267 with two homeruns so far this year…. MEH
Girardi just said on the post-game that they knew about the Hughes injury yesterday after Hughes cane out. If that is indeed true, he out-right lied earlier today. Pete and the beat reporters have every right to be upset. Girardi could have just said “he’s being evaluated” but he didn’t. He said he was healthy, which was a lie and he got caught in it.
Speaking of Injuries…what exactly is wrong with Carl Pavano? What’s his injury again?
Peter Abraham
” April 30th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Don Vito: You could not be a bigger clown and apologist. So it’s OK for the manager to lie? I liike Girardi just fine. I don’t like when people I interview tell lies.
I’m not entitled to anything. You are. My job is to get fans like yourself information. Well, not fans like you. You just put on your pinstripe glasses and pretend nothing is wrong.”
.
So when I call you out, I am a clown ? Oh, no, I remember, I am always a clown, right ?…
,,,and YES, it is OK for a Manager to lie…( Peter’s sheltered life implodes here )…and if you don’t like it when people you interview tell lies, then you must not like your job very well, because I am sure people lie to you a LOT !….Did I miss something ? Is baseball now only about the MIGHTY KNIGHTS OF THE MEDIA, who represent the fans of this great nation, these KEEPERS OF THE TRUTH !!! They MUST be allowed to force ( under the penalty of death ), the TRUTH out of all baseball managers ! This is the MOST IMPORTANT thing about baseball as we know it in the great year 2008 !!! And BASEBALL FANS are NOT entitled to the truth either….SO WHAT if we are lied to !!!….Do we need to make a federal case out of it ?…Oh My, I am not going to be able to function tomorrow at work because Joe Girardi lied to Peter Abraham about Phil Hughes being injured.!!!!! Whatever will I do ???….And what in HALE does ME having pinstriped glasses on have to do with anything ??? I love my Yankees and always will. I never said I am pretending nothing is wrong. PLENTY IS WRONG….we are a game under .500 and playing like DOO-DOO !…..and this leaves us to mindless conversations like this over NOTHING ! If the Yankees were 10 games over .500, this subject wouldn’t get 2 entries….So let’s all just go to bed,,,the sun will rise in the morning and remember…..PEOPLE LIE !!! Tough !
I’m with you Chicago Dave i’ve been laboring under the concept lately that Dave Eliand is the one who thought that Phil needed a change in mechanics. Let Nardi straighten him out since he has 15 days off at this point.
“Maybe next year when alot of $$$ comes off the books we can start rebuilding this team, but for now it seems to me like a few holes were hastily patched on a sinking ship.”
What do you think they’re going to do, use the money to bring in new bench and bullpen players and give Jeter a prosthetic arm?
No, they’ll bring in Sabathia and Teixeira. Two more big free agents who will flop like all the rest and put a drain on our payroll for the next decade.
Girardi ALWAYS sounds like he is lieing when he answers questions about injuries. He is withholding information which all teams do…but every question that is asked he needs a ummmm and a second or 2 to think about what to say.
Dennis,
When it comes to Belichick, the Boston media gives him more free passes than anyone who has ever coached/managed up there. Even more than they gave Red Auerbach.
Sorry but, the media is fanboy squared when it comes to dealing with Belichick.
I’ve seen him lie to people’s faces at press conferences and nobody up there criticizes him about it.
If he acted like that in NY, which is probably why he didn’t take the Jets job, he would have been crucified.
I still don’t think he’s really hurt. They’re giving him a break and try to clear his head and fix his mechanics.
Trisha,
Girardi also said Hughes told them something was wrong after last night’s loss. When asked today if Hughes was healthy, he didn’t say “we don’t know” or we “are examing him” he said yes. Last I checked, that’s a lie.
I’m sure he will be headed to Tampa tomorrow. they say he won’t be picking up a ball for at least a week. But he can still review tape and try and figure this out.
I need a beer. Who else wants one?
Maybe Steve Phillips could use his Met connections and have someone place a call to Hank. There’s a certain Met player named Santana the Yanks might be interested in acquiring for Hughes and Kennedy…. hmmmm…. verrry interesting concept… wonder if anyone’s thought about it before…. lol
Bets on how many papers are sent to Tampa to spy and see if Phil is throwing down there?
“I’m just hoping this injury is because someone actually paid attention to …check on video/mechanics”
This analysis is nonsense. And it is one of the major reasons why people are so anxious about Hughes mechanics and velocity.
This is all you need to know about this analysis:
“THT author John Beamer is currently working on an article on Phil Hughes. He asked me take a look at Hughes’ mechanics. I had briefly seen Hughes pitch before, but I needed a closer look. So I went to YouTube, found some video, broke it down and got back to him.”
That’s great – I’ve almost never seen hughes pitch but let me go see what I can dig up on youtube.
Now that I’ve seen a 2 minute clip on youtube and hughes first major league start I can confidently tell you what all of his problems are.
Also, in order to get attention for myself and get every yankee blog to put up a link to what I say let me post something inflammotory – how about Hughes is going to blow out his shoulder.
The video tape this analysis links to and is based on was ELEVEN pitches long.
It’s also from the futures game – an all star contest in which pitchers overthrow all the time.
This past year Joba’s appearance at the Futures Game was the first time many people had actually seen him pitch (including media types).
Joba was clearly overthrowing in that game. But afterwards a number of commentators confidently concluded Joba had marginal command of his fastball.
That’s all you need to know about these snap “scouting” judgments.
A pitcher who walked less than 3/9 has marginal command of his fastball. A guy who throws 100 mph fastballs consistently at the knees has poor command.
The notion that some guy who looks at 11 pitches on a grainy video knows more about phil hughes mechanics than nardi contreras, dave eiland and gil patterson is sort of comical.
I’ll take Girardi’s side again and echo what someone else said and that is until he had complete information he didn’t want to say anything. For all he knew Hughes had a charlie horse that would have gone away by today.
What is to say that the Dr. Hershon info is accurate.
I guess we will have to wait and see.
Anyway, we need to get Phil straightened out. If someone really in the know about this mechanics change is out there please weigh in. I have heard both sides to the Gomez thing.
that’s why I’m questioning this “strain” and YES has made it clear maybe he can look back on tapes from last year, they should have just said tapes from his futures game/Carlos Gom….oops I mean side sessions… I don’t care what it is finally it looks like they are giving it attention.
“So let’s all just go to bed,,,the sun will rise in the morning and remember…..PEOPLE LIE !!! Tough !”
Jesus. Chill.
Why is it that the posters who never ‘panic’ and ‘whine’ are always the ones who seem to get the most hysterical?
From the sound of Joe, it sounds like Phil really is hurt and that he let them know after he was pulled from last night’s game. If that’s true, I am absolutely furious with Phil and have lost some respect for him; if he was hurt, he should have said something. Instead, he pitched through it and aggravated it.
IF Joe faked us all out and he’s lying, he’s a great actor, except the move will backfire because now Phil can’t throw or do anything to work on his mechanics. Sheesh, what a dumb move.
S.A.
Ill take a shot of whiskey, some xanax and a cigarette. Jeez, this team.
S.A.- I took my property final today, watched my favorite yankee prospect laughing in the dugout as he got the mystery oblique strain for a 15 day dl trip and watched my yanks get smashed…. toss me a Blue Moon.
When no one hits, it makes everything THAT much worst, definatly winnable games for what this yankee offense is supposed to be, sure arod and posada but still got like 5 or so guys that could do a little better.
…and it is now may.
wow, what’s going on with easrly baseball in ny?!
Fear, loathing, LoHud
tomorrow there will be sun
Robinson Cano
Guys, who really cares whether they lie or not about injuries? Is it really something worth arguing over and over about?
I can understand why Pete and other reporters would be annoyed, but to all of us does it really matter?
What we should be angry about right now is the approach this entire team is taking at the plate.
Rogers was absolutely awful last night and the Yanks got 2 runs.
Bonderman threw 57 out of 100 pitches for strikes and the Yanks scored 2 runs.
You can’t do a damn thing about inuries, but you sure as hell can do something about this kind of garbage.
trisha -
agreed. Why say oh he’s hurt or we think he is hurt, if you aren’t sure
Rob – Yeah, don’t you start to question exactly how much of Eiland’s rise to fame was simply “right place-right time” rather than any inherent talent he had/has as a pitching coach? Just because he was the pitching coach for Hughes and IPK in the minors doesn’t mean he has the magic key to both of these guys.
Apart from anything else, hasn’t Eiland ever heard, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?” I mean, Hughes was going great guns in the minors with everyone singing his praises whilst using his “incorrect” form…So why did Eiland insist on changing it? Seems idiotic…
Brandon – Now back to your good news. The whole farm pitched great tonight: Kontos, Cox, Hacker, Betances, De La Rosa. Many of these names we will see and hear about in the coming year or two. (some like Cox sooner).
Two more hits for Montero.
Miranda is Giambi lite at this point. He hs hit much better of late and has excellent plate discipline. Not a gold glover. Actually Eric Duncan is coming around. Some nice hr and xbh power.
Yankeejosh you call it a lie, I call it withholding information until complete information is in. So until the answer is no, the answer is yes. Maybe Girardi truly felt Hughes was healthy and was going to come back with a clean bill of health. I don’t know.
I just know there are a lot bigger fish to fry with this team right now and whether or not Girardi said yes or no to that question really doesn’t bother me.
Jennifer – they said that both Alex and Hughes will stay with the team at least through this homestand to receive treatment every day.
Tough loss. With so many starters struggling, a lot more pressure gets put on Wang and Pettitte to produce. Unfortunately Andy didn’t get any help from the Yankee bats.
I don’t like Girardi’s underhanded injury manipulations. Dishonesty isn’t good for the team or the game.
The only good thing I took from tonight’s game was that hopefully Rasner will get another shot at the big leagues and possibly have a chance to convince Joe he can fill in as a long reliever/spot starter.
SJ44.
Agree to disagree. He manages the media in a very calculated way. I believe Joe Torre was/is the best at this.
NY media fawned over Bill Parcells.
I should not have jumped on the site after a Yankees loss. I broke my self imposed rule. I will not come on again until after a Yanks win.
Have a good night.
-dennis
your disdain for girardi is showing more and more, pete
Pete, it sounds like the communication style is making it difficult to get any info from the team. Even with that, I enjoy the blog and the updates, just keep plugging away.
ironic point – Melky would have been the bigger loss than Hughes if we traded for Santana at this moment
fran thanks. I missed that.
trisha –
April 30th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I’ll take Girardi’s side again and echo what someone else said and that is until he had complete information he didn’t want to say anything. For all he knew Hughes had a charlie horse that would have gone away by today.
So why didn’t Girardi say that? We have no comment until we have complete information? He said Hughes was healthy. He gave an unequivocal yes to the question. This isn’t about whether to give out the information or not. It’s how you handle it. There is no reason to lie to a persons face.
Pete has every reason to be very upset now. If you can’t trust the manager to tell you the truth, that makes your job much much harder.
Perplexed,
Never said anything about bringing in big $$$ free agents, just getting payroll under control. More then enough talent in the farm system to fix the problems we are seeing. My apologies if my previous post left the wrong impression. We’ve been burned too many times with the high priced help.
Dave like ive said ad nauseum at this point he is NOT the guy he was when I saw him in Trenton. Something happened from there to here and the most glaring change would be the pitching coach in my opinion. If this new mechanics (ie mediocre command of a mediocre fastball) is what they plan on sticking with cash me out now. Put me on the Joba bandwagon lol because Phil was a control fastball artist before, now not so much.
Glad to see the DL stint, let’s get this kid fixed. OH and who starts sunday… i’ll be a fanboy… SHOW. ME. McCUTCHEN!
You guys are being too hard on Girardi. Obviously, he wants to talk things through with players and coaches before going public. This creates some awkwardness with the media, but it’s because he respects his players and coaches more than reporters. So what?
“Guys, who really cares whether they lie or not about injuries? Is it really something worth arguing over and over about?”
It only matters because it’s not simply an isolated issue between Girardi and the media.
The players inevitably get involved because if the reporters don’t trust what girardi is telling them they are going to be even more vigilant about cross checking their information.
That means they are going to start going to the players over and over to cross check information.
Playing in NY is hard enough without additional distractions.
Watch – tomorrow all the reporters are going to ask hughes about his injury and why it wasn’t reported earlier. They are going to ask him if he hid it from Girardi, etc.
That’s the last thing Hughes needs to deal with.
But that’s the beat writer’s jobs. They need to try to cross check information to get facts.
Girardi needs to see that this is only going to put more of the honus on the players.
And that is not going to help them perform.
Like it or not dealing with the media is one of the central parts of coaching in NY – especially the Yankees which are the center of attention in the NY sporting world (which the team intentionally wants to be).
Listen, we all knew the pitching would be spotty, but the offense has been the real issue. The pitchers are young and struggle, but the offense has been incapable of putting anything together.
LMAO @ Hughes looking like he’s trying to remember what the Yankees told him to say.
What is this the Spanish inquisition with Phil. When did you feel it, when did you tell anyone, why did you wait.
we’re learning if Philip Hughes can lie and hold a poker face… he’s done ok so far.
trisha – I got your back on Girardi! (I think we’re in the minority, but that’s fine by me!!)
Rasner is the guy.
Uh Oh cash said he spoke to him last night about it, Phil said he didn’t think anyone really knew about it till today.
Yankeejosh I am not doubting Pete but I didn’t hear the exact question posed to Girardi, I don’t know when the question was asked, and I don’t know the exact answer that was given.
I believe that the Yankees have the right to give out information and edit information. When they’re ready to give it out, they will. I actually manage to live in the meantime. We get really good information from Pete. If there are some things Pete doesn’t get, it doesn’t take a whit away from the job he does of keeping us informed.
Rasner coming up. Just announced.
On the Pete vs. Girardi point – I don’t believe Pete has “disdain” for Girardi, but think about this – how much respect would you have for someone who kept lying to you (whether it be big ones or little ones) constantly? Boss, friend, or a coworker? My answer would be “not much.” If Girardi was withholding information, wouldn’t it be easier for him to say, “I cannot give you an answer at this point until I receive more information from so and so sources.” or “when I know, you’ll know” or even, “Cash would be a better person to ask.” I’d take that over a lie.
Looks to me Phil’s been instructed to lie in this post-game. The most important point he seems to try to get across is “No, no one knew, I didn’t tell anyone until today.”
Bill Belichik never lies about injuries….LOL
CB I understand your point of view but lets be honest something is off w/ Philip. And the words from Patrick Teale last night echoed on ESPN is he didn’t throw like this in AA or A ball. …IDK but the tapes might need attention to see if it does have validity to what’s going on w/ him.
Rob – Well, since the start of this year is so much like the start of last year, we might as well see a new kid! Why not McCutchen!!
Cash just confirmed it’ll be Rasner.
Forget beer. I think I need some tequila
Rasner no question. Cutch is for when Kennedy is sent down to fix his problems.
Let’s give these guys some time. Melky took time. Maddux, Glaving, Santana et al took time. Pedroia took time (he was hitting like under .100 for a month last year the Sox stayed patient and then he took off).
Players tune their mechanics all the time. The best golfer in the world has gone through two major swing changes.
In baseball as in golf – if you are having swing/pitch thoughts during the action you are done. Phil is overthinking, guiding and not throwing.
He has had success at every level including the majors. He needs to get straight and then we will see who is talking about mechanics. I played little league baseball and I feel more qualified than the entire Yankee organization who has staked their future on Hughes to analyze his mechanics – give me a break.
Definitely some funny business going on here. However, it’s the best option. Wonder if he’ll stay with the team or maybe go down to Tampa for awhile. Either way, I picked up Rasner. Now IPK is on the clock.
Chicago Dave, like I said before, when I managed the Yankees it wasn’t an easy job!
Let them all eat cake. Girardi has a team to manage. I personally feel that their decisions are theirs and their timing in announcing them is theirs also. Mine is to hear it when I do and then say “oh wow!” Then I watch the games and hope we win!
My job as a fan really isn’t a lot more complicated than that!
I think there is some confusion as to when everyone found out about Phil’s injury. now tomorrow they’ll question what Phil said and what Cash said.
cash is giving the same line as Joe. It tells me, they didn’t like the loose lips that Joe T had. Oh everyone this is our Joba rules, we can’t use him two days in a row. etc etc etc.
That’s odd about Hughes. Several times during the game yesterday I wondered if he was okay. Did anyone else notice Hughes bending backwards from the waist? He did it a few times and I thought something might be up. Announcers never noticed it though.
SJ44, Eiland (or Nardi or both) changed Phil’s mechanics, so I don’t exactly think he’s going to fix Phil’s problems. How competent can he be when he’s forcing this kid into a delivery that’s unnatural to him? I’m disgusted.
Brandon where are the Patrick Teale comments – what did he say. I trust his analysis,
I’m getting tired of all this nonsense about injuries and how Joe G. handles the media…
Remember the good old days when we debated Joba starting vs. relieving?
norther Yankee. The announcers never notice anything.
Jeter another one on YES saying Hughes “take a couple of weeks off and work on things” further indication it’s not a real injury.
Or the good old days when we knew if Joba threw two innings he was off for two days. I’m sure the opposing manager loved that as well.
lol Dynasty what debate? Joba is a starter.
I don’t think Girardi lies, I think Girardi is circumspect.
Brandon,
Of course he’s throwing differently than he was in AA.
Right now he stinks and back then he was very good.
But there many,many reasons why that’s so.
I don’t care what these talking heads have to say based on these miniscule samples of seeing hughes pitch.
There’s clearly something going on – he’s struggling. Just as nearly all 21 years old are.
But it very well could be all of the mental parts of the game – of needing to make adjustments to the better competition – that’s the issue not the physical parts.
Let’s put it this way – Phil was terrible in the futures game. Jose Tabata smoked a ball right back up the middle against hughes that day that nearly took his head off.
So far Tabata hasn’t been able to hit AA pitching.
So yes there’s a big difference between now and then – most of is related to the fact that Gary Sheffield is much better than Jose Tabata so of course he’s going to look worse until he makes the adjustments needed to succeed in the majors.
Trisha, if I recall correctly, he was directl;y asked “Is Hughes healthy?” and he answered “Yes.” If he knew about this injury, he could have said “as far as I know.”
I guess it’s possible the injury is fabricated and Girardi didn’t know the Yankees were going to run with that.
Ok, lets have some fun with this.
What mystery injury will IPK be found to have after he has another rough start tomorrow?
“Definitely some funny business going on here.”
No kidding. I’ve never seen an interview in which the player focuses on clarifying the timing instead of the nature of the injury.
Dr. Cox, you are truly disgusting.
yankeejosh, did you hear the interview yourself?
Jeter: “take a couple of weeks analyze that Gomez piece that LoHud and NYYFANS kept posting, find your fastball, bring me back some gummy bears” :lol
“Peter, Girardi is not here to shower the writers with what they wantto hear.”
I’m willing to bet that not a single person who is defending Girardi and bashing Pete has ever dealt with the press as part of their jobs. If I’m right about that, then believe me, you just don’t understand how this works.
With all due respect, when a credentialed member of the press asks Girardi an obvious and very legit question about a starting pitcher, that is not asking to be showered with anything. Like any other team, the Yankees would be not quite the Yankees without all the media they attract. So, it’s a symbiotic relationship; the Yankees sell newspapers and the newspapers help sell the Yankees. It’s a two-way street and Girardi is trying to make believe it’s not.
Girardi has to be a grown up and either say he doesn’t know or we’re not sure or we’re day to day or whatever. Managing to give the exact opposite of the correct answer a couple of days in a row just makes it look like anything but an accident. It makes Joe look unreliable if not an outright fibber. And Girardi has to be a little slow if he doesn’t think the reporters have other sources, like the players. And pretty soon the writers won’t be asking Joe for answers because they won’t believe him.
So, Joe, don’t declare war on the media. It’s a war you cannot – and should not – win.
Love the 9:16 entry, lol!
CB you know it’s hard for me to disagree w/ you in this case I just want them to check everything, even this
You think that the mental side of it can account for the loss in velocity, life, and command on the fastball CB? That’s what looks different and scares me. I can live with him getting beat up by the sox and the tigs, theyre very very good hitters. It’s when his stuff doesnt look very good that I have to wonder what the deal is.
OK Pete,
I accept that sometimes Girardi dodges questions and that he sometimes isn’t forthright with his answers. I’m gonna play devils advocate for a moment though, cos well, I like Girardi and although I can admit some of his answers have been what I will kindly call ’short sighted’ I am gonna try to give him the benefit of the doubt and throw out a few things to consider.
I honestly think Girardi might just be nervous about saying anything about his guys which could be perceived as negative. He has obviously had run in s with the media in Florida and could be concerned about having his words taken ot of context and blown into an issue – just look at what happened if you dont go for a curtain call, in NY he knows mountains can be made out of mole hills. The one thing he always did in Florida was keep team issues and disagreements private. He will probably never tell you anyting Cashman tells him to do or say. Team policy dictates the way a lot of information is controlled, he’ll never say ‘I amn’t allowed to tell you that’ though. For all of his fall outs in Florida, he never gave any details of his dealings with management or ownership there. He certainly isnt going to now and will end up taking some heat for truths he is told to conceal.
Saying he wants to rest Abreu etc, maybe he thinks it is more respectful than saying a vet cant play against any LHP? Obviously it was a bit shortsighted to say that and sitting someone against lefties is a common enough thing in baseball, but in NY….
Regarding injuries he will also realize that guys careers and contracts will be greatly affected by injuries or reports of injuries. Bruney got 3 doctors to examine him. Perhaps Girardi didn’t want to tell the world that a guy who is out of contract in the summer has a major injury until it has been confirmed. As a former player I think he will be very sensitive to that sort of thing.
Two other things.
1 – I have listened to a lot of the audio you post and generally he gets testy when someone asks a question, he says ‘we aren’t going to comment on that’ or ‘we’ll be handling that privately so we I wont be answering questions related to that’ (which is reasonable in a lot of circumstances – we don’t have the right to know every detail about every conversation or relationship on the team), and the someone else asks the same question. Then someone else asks it. Honestly I’d get annoyed too.
2 – In some cases, especially regarding injuries etc, I am sure Cashman will be telling him what he can and cannot reveal to he media. Sometimes he may not be comfortable in answering these things and that might be reflected in his mood.
Overall he has had a lot to deal with in his first month. He got Giambi and Damon to turn up in shape (something Torre would never have done), he has had a lot of injuries to deal with to key guys, and other veteran players are just not hitting well at all. Despite that, some anticipated struggles from the young pitchers, and a truely brutal schedule the team is just a couple of games back from Boston.
I always admired the way you were a voice of reason against the people who wanted to lynch Torre for every injury, every lost game, every in game decision that didnt work out (as is bound to happen in such an inexact science). It seems to me that your frustration with some of Girardi’s answers has bled into your analysis of his decisions and now although you are telling fans not to panic and give up on the season, you are at the same time blaming Girardi for many things which are simply not his fault. You have made comments about him bringing Posada back to soon when he actually held him back almost a week after Posada a vet player told him he was ready, after doctors told him there was nothing to worry about. He couldn’t have done anything else. Cashman is very cautious about injuries, if he had any idea of what was to come Posada would have been sitting.
He handled Joba’s Dad’s illness very well, never using his absence as an excuse for a loss or pressurig him to return to the team at a time when he realized his family needed him as much as a thin bullpen.
I know he isn’t perfect and with the media he is making some mistakes. But it is his first month so perhaps some more balanced analysis and understanding would be good for everyone. He hasn’t overused arms despite a pretty terrible rotation, and has somehow managed some wins despite some truely terrilble hitting as well.
As you pointed out tonight, perception of how he is doing can end up controlling his fate more than his actual ability to do the job. Your blog and paper are highly visible, and can sway a lot of fan opinion, so I’d hope to see some more balanced opinions that is all. He needs to be held accountable for mistakes, but please dont let those mistakes color your judgement of every little thing he does. It isnt fair, it isnt how you treated Torre, and it isnt worthy of the sort of reporting I have enjoyed form you for a long time now.
YankeeJosh -
Obviously I don’t have any insight into any of that. What I do know is that manaing the Yankees is not an easy job at any time. Managing the Yankees your first year and being hit with a crapload of injuries makes it that much harder. Being pressed to give up information you are not ready to give up – for whatever reason – makes it that much harder.
Everyone is singing the praises of Torre with the media but remember that’s 12 years and a lot of experiences later. If you remember correctly, the back page of one of the NY newspapers had a fullpage picture of Torre with the caption Clueless Joe when he first came on board.
I am with Girardi 100% and fully support whatever he says and does – because he’s doing a phenomenal job under some very difficult circumstances as far as I’m concerned. He doesn’t draw a paycheck to pander to the media. Sorry.
Girardi just don’t come off to be very honest. I understand that he is not going to come off as smooth as Torre was but yesterday when the reporter were asking if Hughes was going to stay in the rotation…all he had to say like Torre would is yes he is in my rotation. Then later on in the week if they decided to take him out then say that then. Instead he was saying I don’t know I need to talk to my manger, I can’t give you an answer without talking it over there was no reason to get into all of that.
i’m kind of amused by Peter Abraham’s relentless investigation of “what did Girardi know and when did he know it?”
By the way, I am hardly bashing Pete. That’s for the record. I am supporting Joe. I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. I understand Pete’s need for the information but I guess I understand Joe’s need to give out information on his own schedule more.
Hughes strained his oblique on the grassy knoll…
For the last 4 seasons I feel like Ive been watching the same season over and over. Really bad start to the season …Injurys…No pitching…Go on a crazy run the rest of the regular season to make the playoffs…Lose in the first round…Blah Blah why watch when you already know the outcome
Maybe there is hope
the franchise may be hurting
we still have Joba
I think Girardi’s Floridian reputation for being difficult with the media appears well-deserved. He’s a bright guy. Very bright. He knows the difference between being evasive and lying. An evasive manager looks circumspect, perhaps even wise. A lying manager looks stupid. Girardi is not new to the NY spotlight. I just expected him to know better how to handle it.
Hey Brian M is that really supposed to be Brian C !! lol all fair points I just wanted to make the bad joke about you being Brian Cashman.
Why it has to be a conspiracy? The kid is struggling to survive his second big league debut and fail hard on the beginning. If he was really hurt, he would have difficult telling the truth in the beginning afraid this might be the end of it.
I think Pete, and you people, are becoming too suspicious on j-G now. Why? Because he the altitude he has toward the media recently? Or is it something else?
The question I have is, why Yankees has so many DLs on April, especially the year? Is it pure unlucky?
northern yankee- that bending thing hughes does, im pretty sure its a habitual thing kinna like when he puts his left hand on his hips- i guess he does it to strech or something like that. but ive seen pettitte do it a lot as well.
“You think that the mental side of it can account for the loss in velocity, life, and command on the fastball CB? That’s what looks different and scares me.”
He hasn’t lost velocity. He was 90-94 in the minors. He was 92-93 for most of the game yesterday.
He has lost movement – but I think that’s because he’s trying to make perfect pitches. He looks tentative and he’s aiming the ball more than trusting his stuff to get outs.
Could there be a mechanical issue – sure. Same way hitters get screwed up when they’re in slumps.
But that doesn’t mean it’s a fundamentally different way from how he was throwing in the minors.
Here’s the fact – relatively few people outside of the yankees ever saw phil throw in the minors and there is very, very little video available from him in the minors.
The yankees know him best. I trust Nardi and Dave Eiland a great deal. They are very, very good, Nardi in particular.
When the yankees drafted Joba he was throwing 92-94. Nardi worked with him on his mechanics for a couple of weeks and afterwards had him sitting 96-98.
Nardi helped teach Phil that great curve ball from scratch – phil never had much of a curve in high school.
I’ll trust the guy who can do that rather than some blogger on the internet or a guy on ESPN.
I like ya, Pete… but you gotta stop this (not so) subtle Girardi bashing. Don’t like the guy? Fine. That’s your prerogative. It’s also your prerogative to write about it in your blog.
But, as a loyal reader, I’m telling you right now that it makes me want to read your blog less.
I like your blog for the info it provides. I don’t read it because I enjoy reading petty snipes.
Looks to me Phil’s been instructed to lie in this post-game. The most important point he seems to try to get across is “No, no one knew, I didn’t tell anyone until today.â€
Maybe.
Alternate theory, he could be telling the truth too.
Oh I agree with you re: internet / ESPN “video” analysis of that futures clip and him against Toronto. It kills me when college kids with no more baseball expertise than me are getting literally thousands of hits because “Like my gf amy said ‘hes too tight” that stuff is a joke.
I guess i’m going to have to fall in line a bit with the idea that he is getting messed up physically as a result of pressing mentally, I can see that.
If Phil isn’t hurt and he is lying, this is all on Joe and Cash. I mean sheesh – Phil doesn’t have enough to worry about without being forced to tell half-truths and no-truths?
UGH.
Jennifer, it was on the pregame I think. I do remember hearing Girardi say that.
He hasn’t lost velocity. He was 90-94 in the minors. He was 92-93 for most of the game yesterday.
CB, IDK but souts do not agree
I meant scouts *
i don’t know that it’s worth bashing the reporter for. it’s just so trivial – the obvious anger the reporter has is so out of proportion to what is going on.
especially because Girardi is just being professional.
Hughes did NOT say he didn’t tell anyone until today. He said he told his coaches after the game but didn’t think anyone else knew about it until today.
“I like ya, Pete… but you gotta stop this (not so) subtle Girardi bashing. Don’t like the guy? Fine. That’s your prerogative. It’s also your prerogative to write about it in your blog.
But, as a loyal reader, I’m telling you right now that it makes me want to read your blog less.
I like your blog for the info it provides. I don’t read it because I enjoy reading petty snipes.”
I second MikeC
133 games remaining
the Yankees are pathetic. They should’ve just told the truth and said that Phil just isn’t ready to pitch a full season in the majors. That’s it. We would’ve understood. This is part of the growing process. Instead, we’ve got bait & switch answers, rigmarole, & a poor kid forced to B.S. about an injury that really doesn’t exist.
And its only April. I can’t wait for more tales & mysticism to flow from this franchise as the season continues.
Way to many of you Chicken Little’s out there. It may look like the sky is falling but things are going to be just fine. The lineup has looked awful but things will change. Guys are gonna start picking it up and hitting.
I don’t mind Hughes getting some coaching on the side for a couple of weeks from Dave Eiland, that’s what he’s there for… Plus, the advantage of this is that he won’t lose confidence by going down to the minors and potentially not doing that great down there, then becoming a psychological mess. AND he doesn’t use up innings as part of his mandatory innings limit. Listen, there are advantages and disadvantages to Hughes getting demoted to AAA and working out kinks there. I just happen to feel that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.
Also, if you don’t think that the Yankees are eventually going to trade for a starting pitcher with some experience and MLB credibility you’re absolutely kidding yourselves. It’s going to happen, just a matter of when. In the meantime, I honestly think that the pitching is going to work itself out.
Lastly, I know many debate the merits the psychological aspect of big league players. Some think guys are basically just robots and are going to perform regardless of score and situation. I do not. I think that a lot of the time, when pitchers either have a lead or just kind of have that instinctive feeling that the lineup is going to pick them up, get them some runs and keep them in the game, even if they make a few mistakes, they gain more confidence and pitch better. Now, I know the statistical folks would argue and say that argument is flawed and not based on anything quantifiable. They’re right. But for anyone that watches these games and for anyone that’s ever played, you just know that it affects these guys. Once the team starts scoring more earlier and consistently picking up their offense during games (which is exactly what they did last year) you will start to see guys like Pettitte and (hopefully) Kennedy come along and start getting big W’s.
Hope springs eternal GO BOMBERS!!!!
Wasn’t there a guy, in his age 20 season, who threw 5 1/3rd innings of 3 hit, 1 run, no walk, 6k ball at the Indians in the division series, got a win? Who no hit the RAngers for 6 1/3rd? Who had an AL EAst sub 4.50 era at age 20?
And who opened the season with a nice game against Toronto a month ago?
I think this is all why Earl Weaver broke young pitchers in as mop up men.
Phil will be fine in the long run. Looks like the attitude here is in the long run we’re all dead.
Problem now is the pressure loaded onto the next start, whenever that one is, but he will eventually throw another good game and the ball will roll from there. Or, if he never pitches well again, hope he can hit like Ankiel.
i love you Miley.