Greetings from Gate C-2
-
- May
- 9
Here’s how you know you got up early: When you walk out the door and the newspaper delivery guy is just coming down the hallway. Depressing.
There are at least five Yankees fans here at the gate waiting to go to Motown. At least I assume that’s what the guys in the Jeter and Joba shirts are doing.
It’s amazing how many people travel with the team. Then again, it’s probably cheaper than paying for a ticket and to park in the Bronx.
If you ever consider going on the road, try Baltimore. Camden Yards is a great park, you can walk there from many hotels and there are plenty of bars and restaurants around. Toronto is the same deal (only in Canada and the Rogers Centre is kind of boring).
For the ambitious, go to Anaheim. Very underrated stadium and plenty to do around there as well. Of course you’ll need to rent a car. Seattle is great, too.
Don’t go to Oakland. If you remember anything, remember that.
————
Here’s a balanced take on Joe Girardi’s relationship with the media from Neil Best of Newsday.
Speaking only for myself, I think Joe has a better understanding of the situation now and it speaks well of him that he cared enough to take steps to fix things before they got untenable.
Speaking of untenable, the Post reports that David Wells wants to be a Yankee. Hey, if Billy Crystal can get a deal, why not Boomer? They’re about the same age.
Wells allowed 201 hits (22 of them homers) in 157.1 innings last season. Take your 1.54 WHIP and enjoy retirement. Little Stein, of course, had a comment and seems for it.
————
As always, it’s good to be the Captain.
————
OK, off to Detroit. Check back later for the lineup and other news.
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on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 7:42 am by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
hmmm…i like going to see the yanks when they play oakland. i stay in a san francisco hotel and just take the BART to the game. when the game is over, i take the BART back and hang out in san fran. i think it’s a great time. i agree with peter on seattle…that’s a great ballpark and fun time.
I live in the Baltimore area, and Camden Yards is a great park. when the Yankees come to town we definitely outnumber those horrible o’s fans.
I second mark’s comment: why no love for Oakland? Not such a bad stadium, and easy to get to via public transportation. (Of course, when they build the new one you’ll have to drive, which is BS.)
ummm,,,how about…because it is Oakland….nasty…
Look, dude, if you’re afraid of getting your pink penny loafers dirty by setting foot in Oakland, you can take the BART from Berkeley or San Francisco — that’s the flipping point!
rip, go pound sand, Oakland stinks, period. That whole state needs to crack off and float out towards China,,,,SOON !
I hate Hank. Geez, can’t he stay quiet for more than a few days at a time? Ugh David Wells? I never liked him when he was here the first time and now he’s got a few more years on him ….plus he’s not good anymore. Hank seems like he’s trying to chase Brian out of here so that he doesn’t have to let him go………So far, I believe he’s doing a pretty fair job of that.
um… yeah, dude. whatever.
I spent the fall 2006 semester in the East Bay and my friend and I were among those who bought ALCS tickets in advance, gambling that the Yanks would make it past Detroit. You could tell who at that game was a part of the Yankees diaspora — we were all wearing NY gear and miserable facial expressions
I”m going to Toronto in July got my flight and hotel booked. I cannot wait!!
“Don’t go to Oakland. If you remember anything, remember that.” Haha, that’s a classic Pete. I’ll be sure not to fly from east to west coast to watch the Yanks play a crap team. I can do that here when the Yanks the play the Mets.
Why is Oakland so horrific? (Not that I care, I live in MD) but my curiosity is piqued.
Hmmm… the Return of Boomer…
no thank you.
how about auditioning Wells as a long man/reliever? i’d think there’s a good chance he could provide more value than Hawkins/Britton/etc. no harm in giving him a look.
Hate to say it, but Boomer is better than Igawa and a hell of alot cheaper. I was stunned last winter when I heard on the Micheal Kay show that there were teams like San Diego that were “interested” in Igawa and the Yanks didnt move him. Thats crazy. Are the Yanks afraid to admit a mistake?
They will waste more games on him in the future. He is not going to suddenly develop some great pitch. Career wise he is 2-3 with a 6+ ERA
“Post reports that David Wells wants to be a Yankee.”
My goodness gracious – David Wells is in George’s baux!
Wells wants to come back to the Yankees? oy
Angels Stadium is a nice enough ballpark, but the food isn’t that great. It can be dirty sometimes as well…but it usually isn’t too bad. Beware of drunk Angels fans waving rally monkeys at you.
I agree with george, we need some sort of long reliever/ spot starter in the bullpen. Why not it be boomer, he can still win games in the majors and lefties are better suited for yankee stadium.
Did anyone hear about the fight at between Seattle and Texas. The Texas pitcher went up and in on Sexton, and Richie went after the pitcher on the mound and threw his helmet at him. SO lets see how many games each is suspended.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280508112
You can see video of it, the pitch actually wasn’t near his head, it was HIGH but no where near his head.
Gabbard probably won’t be suspended, though I think he should at least get a game or two. It was an intent pitch, but they didn’t eject him…and he left only a couple of batters later with an injury. Sexson will probably get three games.
There’s a right way and a wrong way to throw at batters. Above the shoulders is not the right way…and Sexson is a tall guy.
I’m for giving David a look see. He’s healthier, and guys like him don’t forget how to pitch, they do however run into walls where they just can’t pitch. Could be lightning in a bottle ala Small, worth a look.
No more David Wells, please! His time has come and gone. The odds of a 45 year old pitcher being effective in the AL East is near zero. He just isn’t good anymore.
Why would we want a guy back who last time he was here bragged about how he didn’t need to stay in shape, and promptly threw his back out and wasn’t able to pitch more than one inning in Game 5 of the World Series?
Ive been to Cleveland a couple times for games at Jacobs Field, and have enjoyed it every time. Good number of bars and restaurants right around the stadium, and there was a cheap Ramada Inn or whatever couple blocks away from the stadium.
Maybe Boomer talking about wanting to be a Yankee for Old Timers’ Day? If so, I’d have no problem with them making a little room on that roster for him. Otherwise, just foolish.
So what reliever gets sent back down to Scranton today? I have to guess Britton. Just guessing my how the Yankees are using the guys that are on the team now.
rover -
I can’t imagine anyone wanting to take Kei Igawa out of the mix! I hope they tell the Detroit airport to divert aircraft from over the ballpark.
If they suspended Kyle than they should follow suit and suspend Kabbard. I still can’t figure out why it is taking MLB so long to decide whether or not to reduce his suspension.
I live in Toronto and I agree. The Rogers Centre is very prefab in terms of ballparks but Toronto the city is great. Not boring at all. Get great tickets to Yanks games. I try to get to the Stadium at least once a year because there really isn’t any place like it.
“Why not it be boomer, he can still win games in the majors”
Pitching most of his games in that pitcher’s haven in SD in the weak-hitting NL West, he had AWFUL numbers last year. What, other than his name and good memories, makes him worth a look? As it is, there are minor league starters that are trapped a level below where they should be by the glut of pitchers in the system. McCutchen and Wright at LEAST have earned a shot at AAA. White’s probably earned a shot at the MLB swingman role.
As for Igawa…he seemed batshy early in the count, and then he kept wanting to go up in the zone when he was behind in the count. That just isn’t going to work here. But it’s an approach thing. His stuff is comparable to Rasner’s, but he’s lefty. He should really be able to be league average…and that’s all Cash ever expected of him. People act like Igawa was a move to “counter Matsuzaka”, but it wasn’t. It never was. Before he even threw a pitch here, Cash said he was a back-end guy and a long-term project. They essentially bought a 27 year old lefty on a reasonable (4-5 mil per) 5 year contract.
Let’s see how he does. I do wish he could face a more lefty-heavy lineup, though. And I really, really hope that the Yanks won’t let Rogers off the hook all night again.
Good memories? My last memory of him is walking off the mound after getting out the first inning and not coming back.
RE: David Wells
Hank, the Yankees and some fans need to stop looking in the rear view mirror for the next WS title.
The late 90’s were fun, I apreciate what the team/players/coaches and management did to make them happen but those days are never to be relived.
Sequels are rarely ever as good as the original and pining for Glory Days isn’t going to get 27 done.
Pete, don’t forgot about Chicago. The Cell is no Camden Yards, but they have improved it a lot in the past few years. Also the food is great (especially the bratwurst) and the Cell is a short El ride from downtown.
Pat – well what do you recommend? because going with young 21 year old pitching didnt work very well.. and a bullpen without anyone who can pitch more then 2 innings did not work either…
I’d second Camden Yards. Its clean, the food is great, and you can usually get great seats. Plus the Inner Harbor has a lot happening at night.
I can tell you one thing, David Wells is NOT the answer. He is 45!! 45!! I don’t touch him with a ten foot pole.
“Pat – well what do you recommend? because going with young 21 year old pitching didnt work very well”
For a MONTH. Declaring the young-pitching movement a failure after twelve combined starts among three pitchers is idiotic.
What’s the answer? The answer is bring Kennedy back up after a few more good starts, start Joba’s transition on or around June 1, and hope that Rasner/Igawa/White can keep you afloat until then. Making a panic trade when you’re a month from adding one of the most talented young pitchers in baseball to your rotation and then being able to insert the top pitching prospect of 2007 a couple weeks later is foolish.
This time around, anyone dare to predict the Yanks will sweep the Tigers? LOL.
I am not saying it wont work in the future, but kennedy won’t be up any time soon and hughes is now out till july. We need a quick fix, wells is not very quick at all, but its a start, unless Kei Igawa can pitch like he did against the red sox every game.. But we need someone in that bullpen that can throw multiple innings, and wells might help that case for very little money. I am looking for a spark from this team.. Barry Bonds anyone?..(JK!)
what does “catching lightening in a bottle” mean? It is even possible to catch lightening in anything, let alone a bottle? And once youve caught it, what do you do with then?
I love going to Camden Yards, I warn you though, the hotels are very expensive if staying in the inner harbor, which I highly recommend. I would NOT stay outside of the harbor.
The inner harbor the power plant to be more specific is a very young, lots of 20 years olds, so if it is not your scene there are other places to go like Fells point, or Federal Hill.
I actually don’t see the harm in signing Wells to some sort of in expensive 1 year minor league contract, let him pitch at AAA for a few times and if he has anything left bring it on for the back end of the rotation. I am probably in the minority on this but if he sucks, cut him. Seems like a low risk and also allows our rooks to develop and not rush. I will probably get crushed now, but just throwing my 2 cents. Have at it.
If Ian does well his next start he will be back. I don’t care that David Wells says he is in shape, (in shape to him is being able to get up for another beer run). He wouldn’t even be in game shape till mid June at the earliest, we’ll have Phil coming back right around that time.
I went to Wrigley last year to see the Mets and Cubs(a friend of mine is on the Cubs and alot of my friends are Mets fans, so he hooked us all up with the tickets). I highly recomend going there, it was awesome.
Meatloaf will be traveling to Detroit and singing “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad” after Sunday’s game to the Yankees.
When the Yanks were last in Baltimore, John Sterling said on the radio broadcast that Camden Yards was similar to Ebbets Field. He then waxed poetic about specific similarities between the two parks. Never having been to Ebbets Field I had to take his word for it, but I agree that it is a nice place for baseball.
“Chris from SI
May 9th, 2008 at 9:56 am
This time around, anyone dare to predict the Yanks will sweep the Tigers? LOL.”
.
the YANKEES WILL sweep the PussyCats….Watch it, pal and we will ALL LOL at YOU, Meester !!!
“We need a quick fix, wells is not very quick at all, but its a start”
No it isn’t. By the time Wells would be ready to pitch Phil will be back.
I am amazed that people want David Wells back considering how many people want Moose burned at the stake.
“Did anyone hear about the fight at between Seattle and Texas. The Texas pitcher went up and in on Sexton, and Richie went after the pitcher on the mound and threw his helmet at him. SO lets see how many games each is suspended.”
That was totally uncalled for (on Sexson’s fault). The pitch wasn’t even CLOSE to him. I’m hoping for 10+ games.
The pitcher was hurt, and had JUST come off the DL.
Absolutely uncalled for. As an announcer said “If we wanted to hit one of you, we would have hit one of your GOOD hitters”.
Baltimore is great. I live in the area now and I’m actually moving within sight of camden yards. I can’t wait. There is plenty to do around the stadium.
Baltimore is not great, its actually pretty lame. But if you like out of shape sorority girls and being cut off at the bar at 130, then its your town.
My answer is stay the course and keep your eyes open for viable alternatives either in house or later through trades. I think there are options in the Yankee system that would be just as viable as David Wells at this stage in his career.
Everybody was screaming to get Jaret Wright out of NY after 2006. His 2006 numbers pitching in the AL East were better than David Wells numbers last year pitching in a pitchers park in the NL West. IMO, Boomer is a nostalgia thing for some people and reliving the Glory Days might be a feel good moment but I don’t think it best serve the team in the long run.
“No it isn’t. By the time Wells would be ready to pitch Phil will be back.”
wells coming back is crazy, but hughes hasn’t shown with his performance that he belongs this year even when he’s healthy.
this ongoing pattern of always rushing hughes back to be a savior for the team is becoming a chronic problem. there is no empirical evidence that hughes belongs in the major leagues. when he’s healthy he needs to go back to triple a and continue his development without the pressure of being a yankee in a pennant race.
i like hughes. i think he can be really good someday. hughes is a prospect. that’s it at this point. he’s not a good young major league pitcher yet. if anyone cares about hughes the person and his development as a pitcher, they’d advocate giving him the time he needs in the minors to develop and mature.
if he does it in 6 weeks great. if it takes a year and 6 weeks , that’s fine too.
My father-in-law was on the first season of the Yes Ultimate Road Trip show. He said it was quite taxing to travel all over with the team, but it was worth it for the once in a lifetime experience. His name is Ray if anybody remembers the show.
Anyway, he also mentioned Camden Yards as the best place to watch a ballgame. He told me that they have the best food and amenities by far of all the stadiums he went to that year. He ranked Safeco Field second and Fenway last, although he said it was a fun time there as well. Also, he said Minnesota(the city, not the stadium)was a pleasant surprise and that the Mall of America in Bloomington, a suburb of Minnesota, is a must if you’re in the city.
maybe it’s just me, but i liked Cleveland better than Baltimore…. at least the stadium.
raymagnetic – I give the Well’s idea some merit only because it would be a low risk insurance policy for the rotation. He would cost millions less to “rent” him for half a year (compared to Clemens) and with the spotty performances from Hughes and IPK thus far it might not be a bad idea to consider. Especially since he knows how to pitch in NY and has had success (when healthy). I know Hughes is coming back in June/July but no one realy knows what we will be getting from either him or IPK for the rest of the year? I hope those two can really settle in and perform to their expected levels. Nothing wrong with having a plan B or C.
I am definately not in the group that roasted Mussina. I am so happy for him that he has made the necessary adjustments. We are not going to get Cy young performances, but he can at least keep us in the game and let the bats and bullpen do their jobs.
David Wells HAD his chance to be a Yankee. Just retire already! Last I remember, you had back spasms during the World Series that you were afraid was going to end your career. You wouldn’t want that to happen again.
As for Anaheim, Pete’s right. While I currently live in LA, I see the Yankees in Anaheim a few times a year.
It is a nice stadium and there are always a ton of Yankees fans. While the Rally monkey carrying fans outweigh the Yankees, it’s a nice mix. Most people are nice (I am always treated MUCH better there than I have ever been at Dodger Stadium).
Angel Stadium has nice food and the parking is really easy. There is a place you can park that is adjacent to the Stadium and you don’t have to pay. And even if you do park there, it is easy to get out. It doesn’t take 2 hours like Dodger Stadium does.
1) No Wells please.
2) Pete, did you hear who is getting sent down for Igawa?
3) I’m heading to Camden in August for the first time. Sounds like it will be a great time!
‘ The Baby Boss then dropped a subtle hint he’s growing disillusioned with the Yankees’ youth movement and could open the door to Wells.
“What sticks out in my mind, that team in the late ’90s, the starting pitching,” he said. “You had [David] Cone, El Duque [Orlando Hernandez], Wells . . . they were all big-game pitchers. They all came from elsewhere – not in the system.” ‘
This team is doomed. Absolutely doomed. CC Sabathia, welcome to New York. Don’t be surprised if Hughes and Kennedy are packaged together for a backup catcher before next season starts, since, just like every other pitcher we’ve brought in the last few years, you won’t be ‘comfortable’ with Posada catching you. Oh, and you’ll suck here. You have that in common with all those other pitchers too.
It’s going to take at least 10 years for the Yankees to pick themselves up off the floor and unseat the Red Sox …
why no love for Oakland? Not such a bad stadium . . ”
Not the greatest one either. Last time I was there, there was an old toilet along the driveway to the parking. It was quite a site.
The fans were really obnoxious too. The game I saw, the Yankees had Zito out before the 2nd inning. It was the year the Yankees picked up Mark Belhorn off the garbage pile.
I like SBC Park tons better. If only the Yankees played there more but that’s the NL. Very clean stadium and decent fans. GORGEOUS view!
i just watched the vid of the fight between Texas and Seattle. lol. talk about making up reasons to fight. the pitch that “hit” gerald laird barley even touched him and he made absolutely no effort to avoid it, then glares at the mound as he trudges down to first. what a baby. then the pitch to Sexson was NO WHERE NEAR him, and he charges the mound and violently attacks Gabbard like that? what a total jackass. Sexson should be suspended 10 games.
Anyone been to PNC in Pittsburgh? I’m going to the Yanks/Pirates game in June. Heard the stadium is awesome with the bridge there and all the food options. We are staying at a hotel that is about 7 miles away and they have a shuttle that will drop us off at the walking bridge there, but not sure of other things to do in the area. Thoughts?
Ha! Ha!
Wells and (bleep) in the same sentence:
“You never know,” Steinbrenner said. “[Wells] hasn’t come up in conversation, but I’ve had so much other [bleep] to deal with lately.”
The interview doesn’t exactly sound like a ringing endorsement for his return either.
I just love how he blamed everything on Joe Torre.
I think Wells is just getting sentimental. He wants one more go around and the current stadium and then hopes to play in the new one. Just forget it! You had your chance, you blew it. You were great when you provided, but you like to bad mouth the Yankees when you don’t get your way.
I’ve only been to 2 parks other than Yankee Stadium, Turner Field and Camden Yards. Turner Field in Atlanta is pretty nice, but Camden Yards is amazing. i went there last year. it’s a 5 star hotel with a ballpark in the middle. I had seats in the club level, and the concourse was so nice i actually lounged around in there and watched the game on a big screen TV for an inning at one point during the game.
Forget about Wells.he pitched like crap in Boston two years ago, now we want to sign him after two years. That is definitily not the answer.
pete: You forgot Fenway. Yeah, it’s in the middle of enemy territory, but it’s a gorgeous park, and everyone there nows the game. And Boston is a great city.
“this ongoing pattern of always rushing hughes back to be a savior for the team is becoming a chronic problem. ”
Who’s rushing him back to save the team? I’m talking about him coming off the DL to unseat whoever’s pitching poorly in the rotation. He’s destroyed the minor leagues. We KNOW he can pitch down there. He’ll have rehab starts. If he struggles in them, then fine, keep him there for a bit. But he can wreck kids in the minors without even working hard. How do we know? He’s been doing it for years. The only place he’ll be able to show he belongs in the majors is IN THE MAJORS. He probably won’t fail in the minors and have to pick himself up again. He’s unlikely to even be pitching in tight situations in the minors. He’s never had to before.
“but it’s a gorgeous park”
:-O
Are we talking about the same fenway? The field is nice. Everything else about it is cramped and kind of smelly. Much like Yankee Stadium
Sure, it’s got lots of wonderful history, but that doesn’t make it beautiful.
David Wells is probably just looking for a job. He probably figures he could be this years Clemens – brought back for a few months to “save the team”.
If the Yanks do need more starting pitching because Hughes, Kennedy, Rasner, etc. can’t do the job I would rather see a trade for a starter from a team that is out of it – anyone but David Wells.
Number of walks by Igawa in the first inning tonight =
2
Yeah, Camden Yards is a good place to watch a ballgame, but Peter Angelos has destroyed a fine franchise there. Stay at the Sheraton Inner Harbor — lots of teams stay there too — and it’s a 3-block walk to Eutaw Street. Boog’s barbecue is a treat, but so is the grilled Italian sausages a few steps away. Yankee fans tend to dominate the ballpark when the Yankees are in town.
am i the only one who couldn’t care less about food at a stadium? eating at a stadium is usally just a last resort for me, if i don’t have time to eat elsewhere prior to the game. i’m going to a game for a game, not fine cuisine.
whozat: You forget I’m a history student.
To me, old IS beautiful.
I’ve always been a fan of Boomer (except when he let us down against the Marlins in ‘03), but you guys do realize that he’s now a fat middle-aged man, right?
JUST SAY NO TO BOOMER.
1998 was too long ago.
Latest of many lessons should have been learned from an over-the-hill Randy Johnson’s time in pinstripes, and Wells wouldn’t even be close to half as reliable as Mr Unit (Mr 5-run ERA Unit) if he tried to play now. That Wells has gone out and proven that to be true over the past several seasons should be another lesson. His ability to still throw 2 or 3 decent games in a year (at most) aren’t worth the trouble of the 12 shaky starts he’d make before he’d skip a start or two, or go on the DL. And those 2 or 3 decent games would NOT be an indication that the guy who threw a perfect game 10 years ago is back at the top of his game for good, as might be believed after just one decent start.
Griffey’s bat would be an interesting addition to the lineup though, but he’s injury plagued for a while. Anybody think he could play 1B and DH? Couldn’t be worse than what we have now, right? Actually, he would be an upgrade even if he played 1B like when Sheffield tried.
Yeeeeah I know we need a real glove at 1B. Just fantasizing about him hitting in NY.
I’ve followed the Yankees a lot on the road and I have to agree that Camden Yards is one of the best. Also Safeco, Coors Field, and The Ballpark at Arlington..or whatever they call it now are very cool parks. At Coors you can’t beat the view of the Rockies and the LODO area of Denver has plenty of good bars and good food…plus it was mostly Yankees fans..it just suck that we lost all 3 games there. Don’t be so hard on Oakland they have good garlic fries there…it’s not as bad as Tropicana Field
Rebecca,
Speaking of old stuff, will you be attending Fordham’s Bronx campus?
Lot’s of old (but nice) buildings.
Hank I have an idea, why not trade Hughes for El Duque, I’m sure the Mets would love to get him off their hands. And while we are at it, why not bring David out of the booth. Auh the good old days.
I live out in Oregon and have been to Seattle a bunch, great stadium and city. Games are a bit tame though. I also had the pleasure of going to Oakland last year for Jackie Robinson day and was pleasantly surprised. We had a blast until Mariano gave up the walk off 3 run home run to Scutaro. It just happened to be sitting near that foul pole, my jaw hit the ground when the ball bounced off of it! Anyway, the tickets were affordable, took a weekend in SF, and the weather was gorgeous for April. Don’t knock it until you try it.
Teams stay the Sheraton? Wow, it is a nice hotel but Not that great.
Oakland is very gangsta.
SaucY,
I don’t think the food is the deal breaker for a stadium, but for people who have never been to one stadium or the other, I think it’s nice to know. Just my 2 cents.
I mean if I was told the food was horrendous, I might be more inclined to bring my own snacks. I would rather have the Hooter’s chicken wings and the other variety they offer at Angel Stadium then the Dodger Dogs at Dodger Stadium.
“We KNOW he can pitch down there.”
we knew he could pitch down there before, but we don’t know it now. something seems to have changed with hughes since he was so dominant in the minors. i would also like to see him work on a third pitch. he might not be so dominant at triple a while working on a change or slider.
anyone who plays golf understands the concept that when you hit a drive in the woods sometimes the best move is to” take your medicine ” and hit sideways and get back on the fairway.
always going for the flag when you’re in trouble can create even more problems.
in my opinion hughes needs to get back in the fairway which may be a step back, but it will get him back on course.
the danger in constantly pushing hughes ahead could potentially ruin his career. he’s had three major injuries in a year. how many does he have to get before a step back is taken?
maybe it’s not necessary, but why not err on the side of caution? isn’t the goal to have a home grown young pitcher for the long run? isn’t that what cashman’s plan is all about?
i didn’t think the goal was to rush kids up to get wins now. what happened to patience?
1. say No to Boomer Wells
2. Bob Watson if anyone should be suspended it should be Richie Sexson that ball was nowhere near his head
3. Kei Igawa’s line tonight
4 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 B, 2 K’s, 1 HR
Has everyone voted for their Yankee All Stars?
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ballot_reg.html
You can vote up to 25 times until July 2nd.
Speaking of seeing the Yankees in Oakland, the best thing about it is that Yankee fans are usually half the stadium but we bring all of the enthusiasm. The A’s are a sad franchise. 4 Championships in Oakland and strong teams for much of the last decade but Northern CA leans more towards the Giants, who won their last title when they played at the Polo Grounds. My guess it’s probably because as in everything there, Oakland has a sad inferiority complex to all things San Francisco. The A’s play in a dump while everyone like Pete Abraham worships AT&T Park. A’s fans look like they just got out of prison while the Giants fans are there for the company retreat.
I voted a bunch of times when I was at the game the Kennedy pitched vs Baltimore. We were bored so grabbed a bunch and passed them only to Yankee fans.
Sadly, I’d rather see Wells than Igawa so I’m actually for giving Wells a look. I cant believe I said that!
You’re a good Yankee fan, Jennifer.
I hope we can get as many of our Yankees on the All Star team. I know they aren’t playing that well . . . yet! But by the time June/July rolls around, they could be clicking on all cylinders.
Dusty Bakers blowin out another arm
http://tinyurl.com/545lkh
You can go to Oakland, but just stay in San Francisco. Very easy to get their by BART. The Stadium itself is junk, and they hardly get any fans there except when the Yankees, Red Sox and Giants come in. I remember going to games there in 98 when the A’s were putrid and the Yankees were a juggernaut. There literally were more Yankee fans in the building than A’s fans. It was glorious. Ofcourse when the A’s got better in a couple of years the fans started coming back and it got nasty when you went there. Still it’s a good vacation to the Bay Area.
To add to what I said before, do not sit in the upper deck in Oakland when you go see a game there. It’s the cheap seats (especially on Wed.) and that’s where the rif raf sit. Better to sit field level. I remember going to the ALDS game where Jeter made the flip and I was sitting in what they call their bleachers and it was not so pleasant when I jumped for joy when Giambi was called out. I didn’t know peanuts could hurt so much.
“i didn’t think the goal was to rush kids up to get wins now. what happened to patience?”
I’ve been advocating patience. All year. You’re advocating sticking him back in the minors until ‘he proves he’s ready’ which means…what, exactly?
He’s going to be on rehab assignments. Obviously. He’s going to log a bunch of minor league starts, obviously. If he doesn’t pitch well in his minor league rehab starts, then he clearly shouldn’t be promoted to the majors.
What more than that are you advocating? It was all of LAST YEAR that he was destroying the minor leagues. You make it sound like it was three injury plagued years ago. The kid won a postseason game eight months ago.
Del The Funky Homosapein is from Oakland
Jewnnifer – I voted 25 times on line for Yankees only. Is there a limit on the number of times you can vote at the stadium?
When I was in Oakland it was almost half Yankees fans too. Def take the BART to the game and stay in San Fran. If the Giants are in town you have to see a game at AT&T Park…it’s an amzaing park with good beer and food choices.
i’ve heard it truly isn’t an oakland trip unless you ghost ride the whip at least once…
Aside from Wells simply being a fifth slot pitcher in the NL last year (77 ERA+ to go with that 1.544 WHIP…and under 5 and 2/3 innings a start), him warming up in AAA for a month or so would block a prospect, no?
im predicting a win for igawa tonight! not because i think he’s any good, but because the tigers are slumping and sending kenny rogers to the mound.
im going to see the yanks in pittsburgh, i cant wait. the city isnt all that but the stadium is awesome!
2 weeks ago I drove with my friend 12 hours from brooklyn ny to chicago for the white-sox yankees series and I really enjoyed it then we went to Cleveland but I didn’t enjoy it because the fans were really nasty to us, some one spit on us in stadium as he walked by.
later when Joba came in a big guy stood up and yelled “you got Joba we got bugs” then his friend yelled out loudly “what a blow job by Jobba”.
As we walked out of stadium someone yelled out of his car F… you bitch so at least the 1-0 wang game I enjoyed also the friday night fireworks in their stadium.
Clay/Joe: I imagine so.
Brandon: 16? Do you realize that means he was born in 1992?! Heck, I remember 1992! (Okay, just barely, but that’s not the point!)
I enjoy it when people ghost ride the whip and then fall out of their own car and get semi run over by it. Quite a laugh.
Fran- My friend and I just grabbed a bunch and sat punching the holes, we left them in different bins.
Now for the record I didn’t just vote for Yankees. I certainly couldn’t in good consious vote for Jason, however I voted for a future Yankees in Texeria.
gball
i watched that game the other day with volquez, and i was suprised dusty kept him in there, especially in the wake of his cubs tenure.
but i would also point out that volquez was dealing free and easy and was totally dominant. i expected him to be taken out to save innings for later in the year, but i really didnt see any problem with letting a young horse run free. the innings toll may be a problem if he keeps doing it, but i dont think that particular outing of 120 pitches is going to hurt the kid at all. i think the psychological effect for a young kid to be large and in charge of an mlb game is as important as how many pitches he throws in one particular game.
dusty is fishy in many ways, but i had no problem with that particular outing.
Jennifer -if the truth be known I kind of left him off my ballot too, but I voted for Yankees at all of the other positions!
rebecca,
1992 was the year bernie took over as our regular cf. i had been a fan from seeing him in albany. but you’d be too young to remember.
mantle was in cf the 1st game i went to.
Obligatory Rizzuto story: The Tiger Stadium’s radio booth offered a difficult vantage point, prompting the Scooter to declare that a fly ball by Cecil Fielder had soared over the roof. Yet, to Rizzuto’s shock, it was caught by Yankee shortstop Alvaro Espinoza. “The shortstop!†Murcer recalls Rizzuto saying. “Murcer! How can the shortstop catch … oh, Murcer! I can’t talk anymore.†True to his word, he stopped talking.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/09/sports/baseball/09sandomir.html?ref=sports
I think the Yankees have seen enought of the Paul Bunyan face Sticky Rogers for awhile. They are due to send him to the shower early.
Seattle is a great place to visit for a game. The weather in the summer is almost guaranteed to be 70-80 degrees and sunny. The pyramid brewery is right across the street from the stadium. Lots of fresh seafood to be had.
Wrigely is by far and away my favorite place to visit for a game. You just cant beat having a ballpark in an area like that.
Farnsworth suspension cut from 3 games to 1
“but i would also point out that volquez was dealing free and easy and was totally dominant. i expected him to be taken out to save innings for later in the year, but i really didnt see any problem with letting a young horse run free. the innings toll may be a problem if he keeps doing it, but i dont think that particular outing of 120 pitches is going to hurt the kid at all.”
There is an statistically significant correlation between a pattern of letting pitchers under 25 exceed 100 pitches in an outing and arm injuries. Once probably won’t be a problem, sure. But if it becomes a pattern…or, if there’s one EGREGIOUS instance (140+ pitches or something), that’s a problem.
I know Rebecca and he may be a legit 16 yr. old from what I hear from my family out there. The workouts are going to be held in Houston, Cashman has personally seen this kid even took a flight to Puerto Plata just to watch him. Rumors are Ed Wade will not go through this latin draft not targeting him. He really wants Inoa. Inoa may command $4-5 million.
As for a couple of unknowns Luis Domoromo and Orlandito Rodriguez are also big targets.
Joe- Where did you hear that?
Does anyone here think Turnbow would be a worth a shot in our bullpen? He has had success before and maybe a change a scenery would do him good. I heard the Mets are interested.
Joe: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but that’s great news. Farnsworth has been (mostly) really good for us this year.
Brandon: Wow. We’re going to have to keep an eye on him…what position?
jennifer, associated press, due to where I work, I have access to the ap news wire, and it just came over minutes ago.
Anyone near a tv can watch a segment on Joba on ESPNEWS.
How he’s helping them “creep back towards .500″
How about Matsui or Damon? lol.
Oh, pitcher. Go me for reading.
Can someone remind David Dellucci that he is a career .260 hitter, who had two years with more than 15 homeruns both while he was with Texas. Know your place scrub!!
Okay thanks Joe.
Rebecca, I agree with you about the Farnsy suspension. 1 game is nothing. Plus, with Igawa pitching tonight odds are he wouldn’t have pitched anyway. Tonight seems like an Igawa, Hawkins and Ramirez/Britton/Veras (whichever doesn’t get sent down) night.
Rebecca, Inoa’s a SP, Rodriguez and Domoromo are OF
Anyone want to take a stab at who’s being sent down for Igawa today? My vote is Britton.
Thanks for the information Joe. I am glad it was reduced to one game, but in reality I don’t think he should have been suspended at all.
Did Pete get lost in Detroit?
On the yesnetwork message board someone said Johnny was working out at first. Has anyone heard this, and what do you think it means?
I’m a Yankee & Joba fan but why all the harsh words for Delucci? He didn’t do or say anything wrong.
Delucci’s HR on Tues WAS more important than Joba’s out yesterday. Delucci didn’t parade around the bases. Time for some fans to bite back on the venom.
Call me crazy but I would rather see a 50 year old, 300 lb Wells on the mound then the sunglasses wearing Igawa. Atleast Wells knows what he is doing he just might not still be able to do it. Igawa has no idea…But the Wells thing will NEVER happen!!!
Salcedo has yet to sign w/ anyone and rumors are the Indians have pulled out.
David called it bush league, that is what he did wrong.
Delucci’s HR on Tues WAS more important than Joba’s out yesterday. Delucci didn’t parade around the bases. Time for some fans to bite back on the venom.”
WHAT ?
If Delucci doesn’t like it he can end it by a getting a hit like he did the other evening.
Damon has worked out at first here and there for the past year or so. I don’t know if you should read into it at all. Although Gardner did play a random game in LF the other day. A game that Brian Cashman was in attendance for.
Gardner was out of the line-up last night, they said to rest.
Here we go again with Mike and Chris – the Joba fist pump yesterday. Isn’t there anything else to discuss?
He pinch ran and stole third last night though. And scored the winning run I believe.
Why do you listen to those morons?
i just turned the M&MD show off they opened up with the Joba fist pump. Those guys are real jerks
“Gardner was out of the line-up last night, they said to rest.”
then he came in the btm. of the 11th to make Mike McDougal’s life a living hell
“The kid won a postseason game eight months ago.”
one game is the ultimate small sample. he hasn’t done the job this year. i just don’t see the rush. it’s clear you and i come from a different way of understanding the game. i really think that is where the difference of opinion of what is best for hughes comes from.
you say things like “There is an statistically significant correlation between a pattern of letting pitchers under 25 exceed 100 pitches in an outing and arm injuries” , which might be totally true.
i’m going on experience, intuition, and feel.
i respect your analytical abilities and the opinion you are expressing from them, but i have a different opinion in this case from playing and being around the game. the smart thing to do would be to put both these opinions into the equation and watch him do his rehab starts and then make a decision.
i’m just saying don’t make that decision now that he is coming back to the majors asap. make it after the rehab starts. it’s really a matter of feel. i just don’t want hughes to feel like the team is desperately depending on getting him back asap. let him take his time.
Again, if Dellucci has a problem with Joba, maybe he should go to the other side of the Indians clubhouse and ask C.C. Sabathia not to pump his fist after strikeouts to end an inning. Clean your own house first before you worry about the rest of the neighborhood.
Who can blame Joba to be emotional yesterday? Two of his worst moments in the major leagues have happened against the Indians. Game 2 and the bugs last October and Tuesday night. So, getting a 1-2-3 inning was as important to him as Dellucci’s HR the other night.
saucy is right, you cant go to Oakland and not get your hyphy on.
daivd dellucci…”he’s young, he’s Italian, I like him”..Bobby Valentine
Injury update from the AP…
A-Rod took 57 swings in batting practice and fielded 31 grounders at third base during his first injury rehabilitation workout Friday at the New York Yankees’ minor league complex.
A-Rod hit several long homers, including a pair that went over the center-field back drop. He also ran in the outfield.
Rodriguez said the session went “good” and gave a thumb’s up as left the field for the clubhouse.
Posada also took some swings today for the first time from both sides of the plate, and he could start a light throwing program next week.
Karstens could pitch in an extended spring game tomorrow.
This just in:
Farnsworth suspension cut to one game.
“He didn’t do or say anything wrong.”
If what Joba did is bush league, then what about what Delucci’s own teammate did in an APRIL game? Why is it bush when Joba does it, but not when Sabathia does it?
It isn’t bush league. There is a difference between an emotional celebration and showing someone up. I hate the Red Sox, and I hate both Ramirez and Papelbon. But there is a difference between what both of them do. Manny show’s up opposing pitchers and in general is a showboater. Papelbon is just an emotional player similar to Joba.
“Although Gardner did play a random game in LF the other day.”
He’s done that a bunch, I think. It’s pretty clear that Melky’s earned himself a pretty long leash in CF at this point…getting Gardner experience at the other OF positions can only help him be more useful to a major league team — whether it’s ours or another one as a part of a trade package.
I don’t know if this gives us a window into Yankees’ thinking but rather than promote a pitcher from Trenton (AA) to SWB (AAA) to replace Kei Igawa, they have some reliever making a spot start.
The pitcher they may have promoted was Chase Wright.
I think this shows that they aren’t expecting KI to be up for very long – although I admit this is just guesswork on my part.
man I really don’t want Karstens back, what is it people see in him ….
anyway look for Daniel Cabrera to end up either on the Mets or Braves he has 5 good starts to his resume this season and is a FA after this season.
bush league, what is that an all girls league?
“the smart thing to do would be to put both these opinions into the equation and watch him do his rehab starts and then make a decision.”
Show me a place in which I advocated any point of view other than this one.
Joe –
I am SHOCKED that Posada was swinging the bat. It sounded like they wanted him wrapped up in cottonballs for weeks when he went down.
I guess it is good news. I really am not excited about the idea of Posada coming back too quickly if it means he will DH or play 1B. He needs to catch, he wants to catch, just take your time and come back whole.
“Can someone remind David Dellucci that he is a career .260 hitter, who had two years with more than 15 homeruns both while he was with Texas. Know your place scrub!!”
Jenn, you’re a good citizen, so good in fact that you should know one’s opinion or right to express it is not and should not be based on how well he hits a baseball.
I 100% believe that Joba had positively no intention of showing Dellucci up….but he did anyway. Operative word in “youthful exuberance” is youthful. I think he let it get away from him a little bit after that strikeout, yet I understand where his emotion came from. I also understand why Dellucci felt the way he did. Now if Dellucci loafed around the bases a la Darrell Strawberry in the ‘86 Series, he’s got no beef when Joba does a triple salchow after striking him out. Didn’t happen that way though.
“I think this shows that they aren’t expecting KI to be up for very long – although I admit this is just guesswork on my part.”
Well, if Wright isn’t on turn tonight, and they need room for the reliever that gets sent down for Igawa…where would they fit Wright on the roster?
Daniel Cabrera to the Mets in FA next year? Can they fix him in 15 minutes too just like Zambrano?
Baltimore is great to see the Yanks play. So many Yankee fans, I kept looking in the press box for Peter back in April. I did not see him, I did see Mark Feisand though.
“I am SHOCKED that Posada was swinging the bat. It sounded like they wanted him wrapped up in cottonballs for weeks when he went down.”
Why? Swinging didn’t tax the area at all. It never did. Better to have him take as little time off from hitting as possible.
TKinDC, Chad Jennings asked Nardi Contreras if there was any chance Chase Wright might come up to Triple-A to start in place of Kei Igawa tomorrow. No chance, he said.
Meanwhile Heath Phillips is making another spot start.
TK, I agree, I had to read a few times to make sure that Jorge was taking batting practice, but his problem all along wasn’t swinging a bat. It was when he threw. So, I guess it’s the same situation now, just that they’ll be very conservative with his throwing program.
“anyway look for Daniel Cabrera to end up either on the Mets or Braves he has 5 good starts to his resume this season and is a FA after this season.”
They’re welcome to him. His K:BB isn’t even at 3:2. His K/9 is around 6, while his BB/9 is around 4.
whozat –
I’m not a doctor and I don’t play one on this blog, but I suspect that the shoulder would somehow be involved when you swing a bat.
Maybe you know better.
WTF DID FATA.. AND FRUITLOOPS JUST SAY THEY DIDN’T SEE CC PUMP HIS FIST AFTER THE DUNCAN STRIKEOUT !
Brandon –
Yeah – I saw that too – I am just saying that it tells me that if they expected Kei to stick for a while with the Yankees they would have to figure out a long term sub for him at SWB
“TKinDC, Chad Jennings asked Nardi Contreras if there was any chance Chase Wright might come up to Triple-A to start in place of Kei Igawa tomorrow. No chance, he said.”
No chance for McCutchen either, I guess???
“I’m not a doctor and I don’t play one on this blog, but I suspect that the shoulder would somehow be involved when you swing a bat.”
Yes, but based on what Posada, Girardi and everyone else involved with the team said when he came back as a DH, swinging the bat did not affect the part of his shoulder that was ailing.
I’m not a doctor, but that’s what I’m going off of.
Re: Joba’s fist pump. or Papelbon’s jig, or Sabbathia’s fist pump, etc.
It’s not about the gesture, it’s about the timing. In the NFL, you look foolish making a big first down gesture (after catching the pass) when your team is down three TDs. I’d also suggest that a bases empty, two out strikeout with a three run lead (in the eighth inning – in May) is not exactly a Ralph Branca/Bobby Thompson moment.
I also think that Papelbon tends to be over the top, but at least he is on the mound to finish the game. And Rivera’s calm demeanor after a save proves “that he’s done it before.” Understated, and classy.
In short, have the celebration correlate to the game situation. Beckett struck out 8 last nite and didn’t gesticulate after any of them. Joba’s meltdown on Tuesday didn’t warrant crying, and his eighth inning success last nite didn’t warrant “fist pumping.”
Delucci didn’t show up Joba on the HR, and he feels that the courtesy wasn’t reciprocated. He may have a point.
“I am just saying that it tells me that if they expected Kei to stick for a while with the Yankees they would have to figure out a long term sub for him at SWB”
The roster situation with kennedy, Rasner and Igawa is so fluid that I don’t expect them to do any kind of long-term move just yet.
“They’re welcome to him. His K:BB isn’t even at 3:2. His K/9 is around 6, while his BB/9 is around 4.”
I know Whozat, a team that thinks they can fix him could get a huge ceiling SP or a complete HR derby/ suspendable beanball player in return, I’d think the Mets would trade Aaron Heilman, while Atlanta might go Kotsay and Diaz or Stockman.
“DID FATA.. AND FRUITLOOPS JUST SAY THEY DIDN’T SEE CC PUMP HIS FIST AFTER THE DUNCAN STRIKEOUT ! ”
That would require them to actually watch the games. They’re far too busy for that.
Brandon, the translation to them not seeing CC was they just overlooked it. Come on, you should know the deal by now. It’s just like how they “overlooked” Eckersley while he played. They never ripped him when he was doing the fist pump and point to hitters after striking them out.
“No chance for McCutchen either, I guess???”
we may soon find out
whozat – I am sure they wouldn’t take any unnecessary chances given all the facts around Posada (leadership, offense, character, contract, etc.)
I am actually really happy they think he can swing the bat. The idea that we had for a couple of days that he would go under Dr. Andrews knife was pretty depressing.
I do think it is very preferable that he catch and not hop from DH to 1B, but we can work that out
“Delucci didn’t show up Joba on the HR, and he feels that the courtesy wasn’t reciprocated. He may have a point.”
Then why wasn’t he criticizing CC when he double spun and fist-pumped after the 6th inning of an April game? Striking out Shelley Duncan, of all people.
“I do think it is very preferable that he catch and not hop from DH to 1B, but we can work that out”
Of course. And that’s the why they DLed him. He could have stayed on the team and continued to DH. But they need him catching, so he’s on the DL.
“Atlanta might go Kotsay and Diaz or Stockman.”
Who do they have coming up in the OF? I know there was that one really high-ceiling kid, but isn’t he kind of at Jackson’s level of experience? And do they have someone with the bat to play a corner?
“Yes, but based on what Posada, Girardi and everyone else involved with the team said when he came back as a DH, swinging the bat did not affect the part of his shoulder that was ailing.
I’m not a doctor, but that’s what I’m going off of.”
I’m no doctor either, but it seems to me the time he spent DH’ing rather than catching didn’t help the problem any.
Brian (Red Sox Fan)
You are posting on the wrong blog. I’ll see your Joba and raise you Youk and Pedroia. Those guys are total clowns regardless of the situation.
Since you conceded on Pap – I’ll let it go. I mean why would I bring up a tantrum in a May game where he showed up his teammates.
The Yanks are going to be overly cautious this time with both ARod and Posada. They felt that they rushed them both back before and may have worsened the injuries.
If Posada is swinging a bat he has obviously been cleared to do so by the doctors.
Joba’s emotion doesn’t bother me in the slightest. It also doesn’t bother me when someone on another team does it, either.
It’s a natural human thing, and showing emotion, at the very least, lets the world know you care.
Didn’t all this fist pump garbage start on opening day when joba struck a blue jay out in a 1 run game? It seems he does it more one emotion then showing people up.
Its not like Manny show boating when hitting a solo home run doe 5 runs. I know i see that more then a Joba fist pump.
The worst thing is Joba did this sometimes last year. Are Mike and Chris just picking up on it this year? Those guys are truly clueless.
Whozat – I didn’t defend Sabbathia either.
Again, it’s about the game situation. If Sabbathia was fist pumping after a strikeout with a 3 run lead (and no one on), than he’s showboating. If he fistpumped on an inning ending strikeout in a one run game (with runners on), then it’s understandable.
I didn’t see the Sabbathia moment. Was it a close game, a big situation in the game? It makes a difference. Players whose emotional response far excedes the moment just look silly.
“Who do they have coming up in the OF? I know there was that one really high-ceiling kid, but isn’t he kind of at Jackson’s level of experience? And do they have someone with the bat to play a corner?”
Not sure anyone’s close. Jordan Schaffer (sp?) is in the middle of a 50 game stretch for PED’s. He was rated the 25th best prospect in BA – before the PED susp. He was there nearest guy. They have a kid named Jason Heyward (#28 in BA Top 100) in the Sallie League whose upside is about as high as any OF out there, but he’s 18 and a ways away.
Rebecca –
Lots of things that are natural aren’t necessarily great to do in public. I have to admit when Manny is standing at the plate admiring his work it really ticks me off (except when it falls in for a double or is caught
)
I think Joba is great and a ton of fun to watch and I really don’t have a huge problem with what he did. However I don’t want him to turn into a “look-at-me” diva. There is something to be said about the class that Mariano displays night in, night out; year in, year out.
Brian (Red Sox Fan) ….BeckA$$ is a jerk all around and so is half your team. go find a BoSux blog, ya maroon !
They cannot be seriously taking about this Joba thing… you have to be kidding
Especially since Dumb Dawg rooted for Barry Bonds who stood in the batters box for hours watching his steroid induced home runs
I think people might be forgetting that while the Dullucci strike out wasn’t a big moment in terms of the game itself, it *was* a big moment for Joba.
Here’s the guy that two nights ago hit a home run off of you–he beat you and he won the game for his team in the process. And now you have a chance to strike him out. I’ll be damned if I don’t fist pump there.
there’s a difference w/ what Sean Avery does instead of Joba did I really just hear that from FATBOY and FRUITY ? and I’m a Rangers fan too…you got to be kidding me. I’m a Giants fan a see how the Giants were criticized for BALLINNNNNNNNNNNN’ and how Eli was criticized for not being intense …I mean amazing what you hear on sports radio
JOBA DON’T CHANGE A THING !
Did I just hear Mike and Chris agree to a callers point that Cash is paying Joba to fist pump, so that people would talk about it, instead of the real things that are currently wrong in Yankee land? Wow.
“I’m not a doctor and I don’t play one on this blog,” That’s a good one!
“but I suspect that the shoulder would somehow be involved when you swing a bat.”
If you pretend to swing a bat and then pretend to throw a ball, you can tell there is different muscles involved. When I fake threw, my arm elevated, but not so with a swing. But I agree, the shoulder would most definitely be involved.
But Jorgie is a switch hitter, maybe he is swinging with his non-throwing arm to lessen any further injury? I don’t know.
I agree with the cottonballs comment. I too, thought they said they were going to “shut him down” for 2 weeks. I guess 2 weeks could already have gone by. I can’t believe it is the middle of May already!
“Show me a place in which I advocated any point of view other than this one.”
aren’t you saying that right now that you think he belongs in the major leagues and you want him back as soon as possible after a few rehab starts?
i’m saying that i think that after he makes the rehab starts, they should then look to see what they think. there wouldn’t be anything automatic about a return to the yankees.
you seem to be making the assumption he’s a major league pitcher on rehab. i don’t see it that way. i see him as a prospect on rehab.
that may seem like a subtle difference, but i think it changes the way hughes goes through his recovery from the latest injury . you give prospects more time.
Kyle is serving his 1 GAME suspension tonight.
A one-game suspension to a reliever is not even a slap on the wrist. It amounts to an admission by the league that they were wrong (don’t tell Pete A. about that)
Joba is actually from the Jersey shore and thats the reason why he fist pumps so much.
TkinDC: Till it’s a two run lead in the seventh and Igawa can’t pitch any more…
Still, better one game than three.
it always goes back to Mariano Rivera..WTF FATA.. you was more into Bernie than Mo now I guess because Bernie left he’s using Mo to beat a young player’s moral up
Don’t diss Jersey.
A lot of people on this blog must have stayed at the Holiday Inn express last night. The Yankee are Billion $ business i think they know what they are doing with Jorge.
“In short, have the celebration correlate to the game situation. Beckett struck out 8 last nite and didn’t gesticulate after any of them. Joba’s meltdown on Tuesday didn’t warrant crying, and his eighth inning success last nite didn’t warrant “fist pumping.—
I disagree. Joba had his -worst ever- major league appearance the other night. Total meltdown with a two run lead.
The fact that he came out yesterday with absolute dominance is something.
The kid is very emotional, and wears it on his sleep – positive or negative. Watching his father, it’s easy to see where he gets it from. I have no problem with it.
Reb –
“Till it’s a two run lead in the seventh and Igawa can’t pitch any more”
Igawa hasn’t pitched yet in pinstripes! (OK, once, but it snuck up on him.
If Farnsy has reached the point where you think he is indispensable then it is a brave new world.
longtime –
please – I am a positive yankee fan but to presume infallibility is a little much.
since when is giving up a lead by way of a 3 run homer a”total meltdown”? What happened to Rick Ankiel was a total meltdown…Joba the other night, not so much…just a bad outing…not a “total meltdown” You ninjas are crazy.
Thanks for the A-Rod/Posada/Karstens update, Joe.
Red Sox players shouldn’t be allowed on the field. It is offensive that they are even allowed on the field.
“Watching the Celtics game last nite, you’ve Allen, Pierce, Perkins, Rondo, Cassell, Brown and Posey that look like criminals of the worst kind”
Why can’t they be more like the Knicks who actually ARE criminals of the worst kind????
Igawa should be just starting his pre-game 955 laps around the stadium right about now.
V – I was suggesting that MLB is a 162 game marathon, and riding an emotional roller coaster is counter-productive. Joba should probably try to be a little more even-keeled. I would think that it would help him in the long run.
He’s had a lot of success in short bursts, and he’s fully aware that his appearance in the rotation will be hailed as a messianic event. When the worm turns (as it always does), he has to be ready for it.
TK: The way Farnsy’s been pitching, I have more confidence in him than in Albie, Britton, K-Ram…
It’s really weird and I’m setting myself up for a massive fall, but that doesn’t make it less ture.
Sam
If you consider steroids to be drugs, then every Boston athlete is a criminal. They all take their queue from Big Papi and Dustin PEDroia
Re: to Josh Beckett’s maturity
Brian (Red Sox Fan)
we’re speaking about the same Josh Beckett who was an idiot in Florida ? and last year because Lofton dropped his bat opened his big mouth in an ALDS ? Your boy has a laundry list, there are videos from Boston to Florida I don’t think you want to continue this debate buddy.
Why are people talking about Daniel Cabrera as a free agent? He has two more years of arbitration left.
I heard that Pedro Gammons took his tongue out of the Red Sox long enough to do an interview with Mike and Mike in the morning and talk about Joba. Then he turned it right around and inserted his tongue back to its rightful place and turned it into a discussion about how great Dennis Eckersley was and how his celebrations were an emotional release from a fear of failure.
“If Farnsy has reached the point where you think he is indispensable then it is a brave new world.”
Not really the case, but it would have been nice if he were serving the game on Sunday rather than tonite. Have to assume Igawa doesn’t last much longer than 5, and we have assume Ohlendorf is not available after 2 IP yesterday. That could leave the 6th and 7th in the hands of Hawkins, Albie, etc.
“Igawa should be just starting his pre-game 955 laps around the stadium right about now.”
Haha, very good.
Are we really debating how “mature” of a player Josh Beckett is? PUHHHHLEEASSSEEEEEE
2008
Mariano Blown Saves: 0
Papelbon Blown Saves: 1
Owned.
” Joba should probably try to be a little more even-keeled. I would think that it would help him in the long run.”
he doesn’t need help
you do!
so lets see the freking ‘gambler’ put out the same kind of steller performance he gave wearing pinstripes in the 1996 postseason:
3GS, 7IP, 14.14ERA, 21 baserunners in 7 innings, thanks, Kenny, hope you wear the ring proudly….
As much as I cant stand Josh Beckett, he did bang Leann Tweeden…….respeck
Fredo –
(btw, great name)
Farnsy pitched Tues and Wed so another day off might have happened anyway.
Hawkins, Edwar, Albie, Britt (if he is still on the team – do we know what they are doing w/ the roster?) should be able to piece together the 5-9.
i see a win for igawa tonite, not a pretty win, but a win.
Brandon – Beckett certainly has had his moments, but he has become remarkably calm when pitching (even when it’s not going well). I don’t knowq how much you see him pitch, but his demeanor is virtually impassive. Even after a HR, he just gets another ball and gets on the rubber (though he still “vents” back in the dugout).
Beckett is at the peak of his profession right now, physically and emotionally. He’s a potty mouth, but he has it totally together.
I live in MD, and yes, Camden Yards is awesome, it’s just a shame they can’t put asses in seats there unless NYY or BOS come to town, since Cal retired. awesome ballpark
” I would think that it would help him in the long run.”
brian(red sox fan)-
with all due respect,i think you are about as concerned about what would help joba ,as i am concerned about what would help youkillis pedroia, or papelbon.
Arlington TX is a good road trip to see a game. If you have kids, Six Flags and Wet N Wild are next door to the ball park. For the adults, Billy Bobs in Ft. Worth. Oh, and it is a nice ball park.
The issue in Oakland is the ballpark is in an industrial area, similar to Shea. It is ugly but safe. Anyone who goes to Yankee Stadium or Shea will have no problem in Oakland. Of course you stay in SF, just as you would stay in Manhattan for a visit to Yankee Stadium.
“I don’t knowq how much you see him pitch, but his demeanor is virtually impassive. Even after a HR, he just gets another ball and gets on the rubber (though he still “vents†back in the dugout).”
remember that, you said it.
clip 1
“Beckett is at the peak of his profession right now”
Exactly how many Cy Youngs in the trophy case? none? oh. nevermind.
“He’s had a lot of success in short bursts, and he’s fully aware that his appearance in the rotation will be hailed as a messianic event. When the worm turns (as it always does), he has to be ready for it.”
If you look at the kids life thus far, it’s pretty clear that he’s got the makeup to deal with a lot of adversity. The only thing I worry about is him getting too big for his britches. The game has a way of deflating egos, though.
“that may seem like a subtle difference, but i think it changes the way hughes goes through his recovery from the latest injury . you give prospects more time.”
Randy, now you’re splitting hairs. I said he’ll be on rehab and, when he shows he’s ready, he’s ready. Like I said, I expect Joba to have made the transition by the time Hughes is rehabbing. I think Kennedy will have forced his way back to the majors before Hughes even gets to his rehab. They’re not going to demote someone who’s doing well to get Hughes back in. That said, if someone’s struggling, I’m pretty confident that Hughes — when right — is a better option than a struggling Moose or a struggling Ian Kennedy. Why? because I’ve seen him do it. The guy we saw this April is not the pitcher that Hughes is and has always been. Even if he’s only the guy we saw last August and September, that’s still a better option than a Moose who’s been figured out or an Ian who’s returned to being gunshy.
“Exactly how many Cy Youngs in the trophy case? none? oh. nevermind.”
Bet he cries all over his two World Series rings thinking about how empty his life is without a Cy Young.
Honestly people, this is dumber than the “Yankees Suck!” dumbasses at Fenway.
Why do Red Sox pitchers hate coolers so much?
“you seem to be making the assumption he’s a major league pitcher on rehab. i don’t see it that way. i see him as a prospect on rehab.
that may seem like a subtle difference, but i think it changes the way hughes goes through his recovery from the latest injury . you give prospects more time.”
Randy,
I never said Hughes would be a savior when he comes back and I don’t think that the Yankees view him as any kind of savior either. I do think that after his rehab stint is over he’ll be ready to be recalled to the majors.
Why do I think this? Because last year when he wasn’t hurt he pitched 72 IP’s during the regular season. His ERA was exactly league average as a 21 year old.
This year Hughes has been bad in the 22IP however we now know he was probably hurt.
I don’t think he’ll learn how to pitch any better while in the minors. He needs to be in the majors pitching to major league hitters in order to get better.
Brian – I am failing to see what you are getting at. You have said beckett “vents” in the dugout, he has a potty mouth, but he is composed?
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:viLG4BbI_9mQ0M:http://bp3.blogger.com/_Clp2tCbi-9o/RxwnBeasTpI/AAAAAAAAAlw/D7sgl0fsYbc/s400/beckett%2Bis%2Byelling.bmp
Randy 1 – You’re right, of course. My actual interest in Joba’s long-term success is matched by your concern for Pedroia, Papelbon, etc. Guilty as charged.
Whozat – Sports adversity is different than life adversity. I can cope with lots of life’s travails, but I can’t cope with the “yips” engendered by missing a 2 foot putt on the first hole. That’s an entirely different dynamic (e.g. Jon Lester coped with cancer, but he still can’t throw strikes).
You can’t expect Joba to act like Beckett, Papelbon, Mo, K-Rod, or CC.
But if he becomes a starter, I think that stuff has to go (someone said he did it on a K to end innings in the minors). Momentous occasions, yes. Big K on an arrogant hitter, yes. But as a regular part of his behavior on the mound? I don’t think it’s right. You may have had starters in the past do it, but you don’t see too many starters exhibit such “exuberance” on a regular basis.
Flip the coin. Would we want Beckett to celebrate when he sat down someone to end an inning? I don’t think we’d appreciate it, and I don’t think other teams will appreciate it if Joba does it as a starter.
And Delucci was basically embarrassed on that last swing. He kept getting fastball after fastball and forgot that Joba occasionallywill strike guys out with the slider. And even if he remembered he couldn’t do anything about it!
“I was suggesting that MLB is a 162 game marathon, and riding an emotional roller coaster is counter-productive. Joba should probably try to be a little more even-keeled. I would think that it would help him in the long run.”
Who are you to suggest how his behavior should be? You are a hypocrite. Youkilis practically cries after every at-bat when he’s in a slump but I guess that’s okay right?
‘Randy, now you’re splitting hairs.”
whozat,-
hey, if our differing opinions is down to splitting hairs we’re making progress.
“(someone said he did it on a K to end innings in the minors).”
no it was K to end last inning of work mel. Like if he will be pulled in the 8th if he K’s you he will do a fist pump. As a SU man it feels too much because to some people because they think he is a CL he has the SP mentality, he’s going to do that probably once every 5 days of good starts.
“That’s an entirely different dynamic (e.g. Jon Lester coped with cancer, but he still can’t throw strikes).”
Jon Lester never COULD throw strikes. It’s not the “yips”, it’s the kind of pitcher he has always been.
Look, if Joba get Steve Blass disease (a la knoblauch), I don’t know if anything would help him. But…really, I feel like dealing with the emotional side of failure is not going to be any more difficult for him than it is for anyone else.
RayMagnetic –
When did I defend Youkilis (in terms of excess histrionics)? I don’t like ANY emotional displays that aren’t commensurate with the situation. I don’t like basketball players flopping, soccer players diving, idiotic touchdown dances, etc.
Youkilis certainly pouts/whines too much for my taste, Papi thinks all strike calls are wrong, Manny admires HRs (and double and F8s, for that matter). I’ll defend none of it.
But when Joba fits into one of these categories, “it is what it is.” Dellucci is a veteran player, was in MLB when Joba was in grammar school. Joba (3 months service time)dissed him, plain and simple.
“… but I can’t cope with the “yips†engendered by missing a 2 foot putt on the first hole.”
brian( red sox fan)-
real yips are where you have an involuntary muscle contraction and knock the ball way past the hole. it’s called a dystonia and is caused from doing a repetitive act a zillion times.
if that’s what’s happening, just do something different like putting cross handed or use a long putter. now if you’re just missing because you are choking like a dog , i don’t know what to say except to remember that putting is a pretty silly athletic event .
you take two athletic shots to go 400 yards and then use up two silly little strokes to go 20 feet and make the ball go into a little hole in the ground.. actually i do have another suggestion. if you have trouble from two feet , lay up to three feet.
hey for a red sox fan , it;’s the least i can do.
“Joba (3 months service time)dissed him, plain and simple.”
Your damn right… owned.
So Jeter tattoo’d 6 of Maxims top 100. Im sure he’s tattoo’d many other non celebrity girls who are even hotter than the ones on Maxims list.
I echo your views of ballparks. Camden Yards is my favorite visitor ballpark to go to. It doesn’t hurt that I live 50 miles away. I went to a Yankees game there last month (their first series at CY) and sat in the Club section for $85 and feasted on $6.50 beers and $5 dogs. Waaaay cheaper than the Bronx. I also had some drinks and things to eat at the Inner Harbor, a long stone throw away.
I’d vote for Camden Yards anytime.
I was born and raised in Baltimore and always enjoyed the games at Camden Yards, beautiful park and easy to get in and out of. Sentimentally I miss the old Memorial Stadium, where my dad took me and my brother to our first games.
If in Baltimore, lots of cool bars in Fells Point and Canton. Not to mention the former set of “Homicide, Life on the Streets”, IMO the best cop drama ever on network TV.
“Seeing the Yankees at West Coast ballparks” impressions from a transplanted New Yorker living in the West …
OAKLAND: Pete nailed it, sad to say. It has nothing to do with where the ballpark is (rough area) or Mount Davis in center field that blocks what would otherwise be a nice view out of the stadium. It’s the fear for all you’ve ever loved — namely, your family, your friends, your unborn children and your own a$$ — when dealing with Oakland “fans.” Don’t forget that this is the Raiders crew dressed in A’s gear. I went to three games up there — a three-game A’s sweep, no less, when Giambi was still an A and punctuated the Sunday game with a walk-off HR — and I feared for my safety at all times. I wore a Yankee shirt all three days and was threatened every day. Not heckled, where you get everywhere, but threatened for real by drunken 20-somethings and worse. It’s just a terrible place to go for a Yankee fan, at least one going with family and not friends looking for a fight. Then it might be cool.
ANAHEIM: It ain’t the greatest, honestly, but it’s worlds better than Oaktown. It’s getting harder and harder to get tickets because the bandwagon’s enjoying the nice ride at the Big A. The fans are generally stupid in terms of baseball knowledge and decorum, but generally harmless too. I cheer for the Yanks and they respect it. The ballpark’s not near all that much, honestly, but you can stay at the Anaheim Hilton and walk to the park, which is cool. And the beach isn’t that far away. The monkey gets a little old after a while, but then again, they wouldn’t call on it if the damn thing didn’t bite the Yanks every time they play there.
SAN DIEGO: This is from the ‘98 World Series, mind you, so it’s still from Qualcomm, aka The Murph. That place was a weird spot for a baseball game. San Diego rocks, though. The Padres fans, well, they were an interesting bunch. Drunks, all of ‘em, but fun California drunks. They acted dumb a lot of the time, but mostly in an entertaining way. The crowning moment of this experience was sitting in the upper deck seats in CF as Game 4 (and the Yanks’ sweep) was winding down, when a toasted SD fan blurted out, “I’d rather lose in San Diego than win in New York.” Is that right? Awesome, because that’s just what you got. Be sure to check your surfboard at the door before you come inside to visit the Yanks’ World Series trophy.
SAN FRANCISCO: This stadium rocks. It really does. The fans were cool, the sights were cool, the food was cool, the area is cool. Cool cool cool, all around. The Yanks put on quite the dismal show there last year, but you feel so mellow at this place that you just don’t mind as much as when you’re dodging flying plastic beer bottles walking out of the Oakland stadium. One caveat: if you sit in the last row of the upper deck, as I did, bring a sweatshirt unless you enjoy the bay breeze whipping through your freezing skin for three hours. What’s sad is, watching Bruney walk in runs with the bases loaded proved more painful than freezing.
Gael11,
“What’s sad is, watching Bruney walk in runs with the bases loaded proved more painful than freezing.”
I was in San Francisco for the last game (Sunday). Joe Torre brought out Clemens and he was SUPPOSED to shut down Bonds. It didn’t happen.
I agree with your summation of AT&T – it is very cool. I took my family to the game instead of having a bachelor/bachelorette party. We had a wonderful time. I didn’t have to endure the little ankle biters (a la Dodger Stadium) chanting “Yankees suck!” The Giants fans were very nice. It was one of my best visitor stadiums.
I didn’t get much love when I lived in Chicago. My experience with the White Sox “fans” was they just wanted to play drinking games. I feared for my life riding the “L” after the game – and we won! We drove to the stadium after that.
Abraham so desparately wants to get into Giambi’s pants, now he’s stealing Giambi’s lines (remember the Letterman Top 10 list?).
Pathetic.