Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 06, 2008 
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All was lost. Suddenly the Yankees had their most unexpected win of the season thanks to Jason Giambi. Brian Heyman has the story.
The Yankees took RHP Gerrit Cole in the first round of the draft. This notebook also has updates on Johnny Damon, Brian Cashman and Mike Mussina.
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Meanwhile, you iPhone users will be happy to know that the Yankees logo should now pop-up to identify this blog on your screen. At least that’s what blog guru Ted at the office tells me. He says it should look something like this:
The iPhone icon is not showing on my iPhone when I add the page?
mine just shows a generic web page…not the yankee logo
this giambi is anti-iphone
Could that logo appear on a Blackberry?
no icon on my iphone either
My iPod touch still doesn’t have the logo.
its not coming up on my black rotary-dial iphone either!
The ever objective Red Sox lover Peter Gammons can’t ever answer a Yankee question without injecting a Boston flavor. For example :
When asked his thoughts on the Giambi walk-off pinch hit game winning HR, he absolutely had to throw in the name of Ortiz and his accomplishments.
When asked about Joba’s not-so-good- first start, he absolutely had to say he didn’t have the upside of a Clay Buchholz or Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers.
This on Mike & Mike in the morning.
melancon fever starts to build:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06.....f=baseball
the malancon fever starts to build!
(i cant get any links through the filter but check out the interview with melancon in today’s nytimes)
they’ve got him as mariano’s successor already!
Looking to purchase the UNO cards for my son that were distrubed as a giveaway yesterday. If anyone attended the game and is interested in selling them, please contact me via email.
can you change the icon to a Yankee logo with a mustache on it?
And just as the momentum swings in the Yanks’ favor, the Sox seem to be in utter disrepair. I mean, talk about a plane full of Kennedys.
Not only will they lose Coco Crisp for four to five games for his role in the brawl, but radio up here in Maine is reporting Jacoby Ellsbury might be put on the 15-day DL b/c of his right wrist roll last night.
And, with Papi down for a few eeks, they may lose Manny now too with a hamstring issue in his right leg. The same Manny Ramirez that physically attacked Kevin Youkilis in the dugout last night.
Brawling with the Rays. Brawling with each other. Hazel Mae leaving NESN. Things are getting ugly for this team.
FEAR THE ‘STACHE!
Keith Law grades the draft picks (1 rounders) and give honorable mention to the Yanks as one of the best picks for taking Cole:
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb.....%3d3428233
By the way. All of the C.C. Sabathia lovers out there, you catch Jayson Stark’s tidbits?
Cleveland is floating him, and reportedly they are scouting the Red Sox organization heavily.
IMO, either they are trying to bait the Yankees by saying they are ‘heavily scouting the Red Sox’, or they are seriously interested in acquiring Sabathia via trade.
Very interesting.
Maybe Peter Gammons can talk about how the Red Sox house is about to tumble…Have you seen what is going on ? Ortiz could be out for a long time, Elsbury was hurt yesterday ALONG with Manny. Shredded Wheat is going to be suspended for like 5-7 days. Schilling isn’t going to be any help soon. They are overusing their ‘pen and PugNose and their flash in the pan set up guy are both accidents waiting to happen. As we continue to get healthy and MASH through this June schedule, we could easily pass those bums before we turn the page and start into July. As always, I am a Yankee Fan and a fan of ALL teams that play the BoSux…ROCK ON !
Cleveland floating C.C. (corpulent chucker) Sabitha?
What would the yankees have to give up?
Howie..yes it can appear on a blackberry.
For all the haters and ‘calling for a dfa’ers’:
Player A:
.303 6 HR 28 RBI .488 SLUG 2 SB…. making $15M this year
Player B:
.315 6 HR 27 RBI .500 SLUG 9 SB…. making $13M this year
Anyone know who these players are?
Player A is JD Drew, close to 1.5 years into his 5 year, $75M deal.
Player B is your starting left fielder, Johnny Damon.
The same Dmaon that people wanted shipped out of NYC on a ‘cargo plane full of rubber dog $@%!’, to quote ‘Top Gun’.
Offer nothing for Sabathia unless the hiarchy is convinced that he will be a difference maker for a playoff push.
Otherwise wait until he declares free agency.
logo doesnt show on my iphone
For some reason the iPhone icon was taken down by our web department yesterday. No idea why. Should be back up soon.
“As always, I am a Yankee Fan and a fan of ALL teams that play the BoSux…ROCK ON !”
Did I just say that? NO??? Well I could have!!!
Suxys having a little woe visited on their ship of fools. Sa-weet!!! Couldn’t happen to a more overplaying deserving bunch.
Are there a lot of nicer ways to begin a day than to watch SportsCenter’s repeat of the Top 10 plays in sports, anticipating that we are right at the top, and hearing Michael Kay’s hoarse excitement calling Giambi’s walkoff???
I have to tell you I stood there watching with a tear coming out of my eye. As much as I can’t stand Kay, I am in love with some of his end-of-the-game calls. That guy’s in a field by myself. (Insert any joke you’d like here.)
And how nice to see plays 9-1 in silent-movie form and then to hear the Kay call in the number one play and to see Jason get a lot of face time in it as well as a bit of extended time with the team crowding him at home plate.
GOOD ON YOU GIAMBINO!!!
Guy has taken a lot of heat this season but just kept going on there and working on it and finally getting it done. You gotta say that he is one player with no quit in him.
GO YANKEES!!!
I think the CC talk and Indians “scouting the Red Sox” talk is all about trying to get the Yankees to get worried. While the Sox are starting to have some pitching woes, Dicey K’s shoulder might be worse than reported, Schilling still out, Beckett not being quite the same as last year, Okijima not having the same results as last year… They still aren’t is really bad shape.
Lester is pitching well enough. Buchholz might have to be called up rather than working on his arm slot, but he has had success. Masterson looks good.
I didn’t see it with Santana and the Sox. I don’t really see it with CC and the Sox.
I think teams should wait till the end of the season to think about CC. He is going to test FA more than likely, regardless of who (if anyone) he gets traded to. Giving up good prospects for a rental is tough.
Fear not, Yankee fans. Sabathia isn’t going to land in RSN or the Bronx for that matter.
That’s propaganda trumped up by people who purposely link the Yanks or Red Sox to a star player to increase said player’s market value.
If the Red Sox passed on Johan Santana, why would they turn around and trade/sign a guy who is a lesser player, a bigger health risk, and will command almost as much money and good prospects?
The very same argument can’t be made for the Yanks.
I think the odds are slim that Sabathia ends up playing for either team, whether it’s this season or next.
We have learned a valuable lesson in recent years that immense, long term deals, on properties we don’t know, often don’t pan out.
I think Cashman has finally learned this lesson and I don’t see an enormous spending spree this offseason even though the team has an estimated $85M coming off the books.
That’s not the way to rebuild the core of this franchise. It’s how they got into this mess in the first place.
Manny took a swing at Youkilis in the dugout last night
haha even Manny can’t stand that pig
Oops. That’s supposed to be can be made for the Yanks.
I think that Cleveland will try to trade Sabathia if they think that won’t be able to sign him. And of course if that is their plan than it always gets out that the Yanks and/or Red Sox are interested, even if they are not. It’s a way of driving up the price.
At this point I am a believer in what we likely have in our own back yard. While I have been less-than-enamored with the (non)contributions of Hughes and Kennedy, I am also a total believer in their showing up at some point in the near future – meaning I would certainly think they would be ready for prime time by next season.
Wang
Kennedy
Hughes
Joba
Moose
Pettitte
Rasner
Here’s some potential mixing and matching.
We don’t need no long-term contracts with no pricey FA’s!!!
Meanwhile, if anyone ever ends up explaining the mental fog that overtakes CM every single season, heck you’ll make a trillion. I am stymied.
Hey Fran!!!! WHAT A GAME!!!
Have a great day and keep this blog in order.
See you gametime.
By the way, check out some great Jason pix in the Daily News. What a very nice moment for us and him.
Trisha
Giuseppe,
I think you are right about Sabathia but that doesn’t mean Cashman won’t spend money this offseason. I fully expect them to sign Texeira to a $100 mil + contract. It makes sense on a lot of levels. He’s a switch hitter, a great fielder and of course a great hitter. The Yankees have very little depth at the first base position in the minors, unless you want to count on Montero moving to first at some point.
This lineup already is showing signs of being weaker than years past and there isn’t a whole lot of help close to the bigs. Abreu is a FA, Giambi will be gone, Damon and Matsui are nearing the end of their Yankee career. We need guys that can replace that production and I think Tex will go a long way towards that.
Unfortunately most of the offensive help we have in the minors are several years away. Gardner is close but hes more of a leadoff guy or a 8, 9 hitter. Jackson is getting there but we can’t count on him to hit in the middle of our lineup next year or the year after. Who knows about Tabata. Other than those three guys the rest of our high upside hitters are in low A.
Next year our lineup could look like this:
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Texeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Cabrera RF
Gardner CF
Nice…
Trade for Sabathia if we get a window in order to negotiate a contract extension. Otherwise, it doesn’t make much sense for us.
I was thinking about this, and I don’t know if anyone has the answer, but I wonder if the limits on how many Type A free agents a team can sign would prevent the Yankees from being allowed to sign both CC and Tex in the offseason. If so, they should do what they can to trade for one of them now and then it wouldn’t be counted, I believe, towards the limit.
More draft talk – mlb.com has scouting videos of a lot of the draft picks. I’m looking at the supplemental guy, Bleich.
I’m not a mechanics guru, but one thing my untrained eyes noticed is that he could probably drive his right leg a little better (ending up with increased velocity). His current motion (plant left drive right leg) definitely doesn’t scream ‘finished product’ to me.
If the Yankees’ scouts saw the possibility of improving that, and adding some mph, good on them.
i still think seeing ARod/Teixeira in the middle of the lineup for the next 5 years is going to be incredibly exciting and productive.
how many years did they hit together in Texas? how did their numbers stack up there?
id do the research, but im lazy.
“but I wonder if the limits on how many Type A free agents a team can sign would prevent the Yankees from being allowed to sign both CC and Tex in the offseason.”
interesting point. i do believe there is a 2 Type-A player limit, if i remember correctly. however, i honestly dont see the yankees giving a contract to 2 players like that in teh same offseason anymore. of course, i could be wrong though…
MAJOR PROPS to charlie manual, who benched jimmy rollins, the reigning mvp for not huslting on a pop-up.
no controversy, he wouldnt talk to the press at all about it and rollins took his medicine and said he deserved it.
thats the way to handle a guy who’s not hustling, no matter who he is, then put it behind you.
point taken.
“MAJOR PROPS to charlie manual, who benched jimmy rollins, the reigning mvp for not huslting on a pop-up.”
Willie should be taking some notes over in Queens.
He had to bring up Craig Hansen during yesterday’s draft like he’s something special and also mentioned David Aardsma as coming into his own with the Red Sox.
No way he signs a 5 year deal. I think some think like 8 years for 160 mil. Remember he is Boras agent and he is young(29?)
with any sinker ball pitcher pitcher, adding other pitches can affect the sinker. the more the pitcher throws the sinker the better he can get it.
it’s a finicky pitch. not many pitchers can throw it. it’s why i’ve always been against wang throwing so many other pitches. temporarily when everything is in sync having other pitches is great, but throwing the other pitches increases the chance of getting out of sync.
wang would win more if he threw predominantly sinkers.
TurnTwo
Tex and A-Rod probably only played together Tex’s rookie year in 2003.
wow, pat, you’re right. for some reason, it felt to me like Teixeira has been around longer than that.
Giambi needs to have a monster year… that way – when he signs elsewhere (cause it ain’t gonna be here), we’ll get a Type A in return as well if we sign Tex or CC.
“with any sinker ball pitcher pitcher, adding other pitches can affect the sinker. the more the pitcher throws the sinker the better he can get it.
it’s a finicky pitch. not many pitchers can throw it. it’s why i’ve always been against wang throwing so many other pitches. temporarily when everything is in sync having other pitches is great, but throwing the other pitches increases the chance of getting out of sync.
wang would win more if he threw predominantly sinkers.”
I’m sorry but this is basically 100% false. You know what a sinker is? A 2-seam fastball. Virtually every major league pitcher throws a 2-seam fastball. Look at Brandon Webb, Fausto Carmona, Roy Halladay. All 3 throw a lot of sinkers and they all have good secondary pitches.
I don’t see Giambi being typed as an “A”, even with a monster year. Don’t they use multiple years to come up with that rating?
sunny, who wouldve thought we could even think getting a Type-A would have even been possible for Giambi…
and not just Giambi, but Moose, too, if he can keep up his pace…
Somebody actually corrected me when I thought that we’d get a draft pick in return for Giambi going elsewhere and they were right, in order for that to happen, we’d have to offer him arbitration and there’s no way that happens with the amount of mulah he makes, he’d definitely take arbitration.
“interesting point. i do believe there is a 2 Type-A player limit, if i remember correctly. however, i honestly dont see the yankees giving a contract to 2 players like that in teh same offseason anymore. of course, i could be wrong though…”
I think two is correct. However, I think the Tribe will do all they can to move Sabathia this year rather than let him go to FA. Why? Because next year’s draft is viewed as very weak and those picks aren’t worth it. With the Dodgers now very much in the NL West picture, I would not be stunned to see them get invovled there.
Braves will do the same thing with Tex if they fall out of it, but I think they’ll probably be able to stay in it.
I don’t see Giambi being typed as an “Aâ€, even with a monster year. Don’t they use multiple years to come up with that rating?
I think the rating is determined based on the previous 3 seasons. We might get good picks for Mussina, Abreu, and Giambi. Moose might retire though and we might re-sign Abreu. Farnsworth is also leaving but I doubt he would be type B.
I don’t think we’d offer arbitration to Farnsworth either, he’d also take it compared to what he’d be able to get via free agency I’m sure.
I think Abreu and Moose will both be back.
Farnsworth is a Type B, but the B stands for BAD.
“I don’t see Giambi being typed as an “Aâ€, even with a monster year. Don’t they use multiple years to come up with that rating?”
They use the previous two years when making the designation. Yanks, in my opinion, will never offer Giambi arbitration, so they won’t likely be getting compensation for him.
I don’t see Giambi being typed as an “Aâ€, even with a monster year. Don’t they use multiple years to come up with that rating?
You are right. I think they consider the last 3 years to determine if he is Type A
I’d offer Abreu and Moose arbitration but I wouldn’t re-sign either. The reason being is the Yanks have nice depth in the outfield and at starting pitching in the minors. I can’t see Moose or Abreu being useful for longer than one more season.
“We might get good picks for Mussina, Abreu, and Giambi”
Nope, probably only for Abreu. You don’t get compensation unless you offer arbitration. If they offer arbitration to these guys, Giambi and Mussina would quite likely accept it meaning they are Yankees for at least another year.
Abreu would probably reject it as he has only 1 big contract left and he’d be unlikely to accept something that isn’t at least 3 years in length.
Giambi had a monster 06 and he’s having a monster 08. He might generate a type A pick if it’s the last 3 years they look at.
He also might not take arby if he’s offered it. He’s getting 5 mil from the Yankees regardless. Maybe they could work something out with him where he won’t accept arbitration if offered.
Patrick,
I’m not so sure about the team signing Teixeira during the offseason. Not just because of money, but for another big reason.
Yeah, he would look good wearing pinstripes and would be a great bat in the middle of that lineup for years to come as well.
But, and here’s something Yankee fans and Cashman need to think about, is what do you do with Jeter at SS in a few years?
Yes, he has improved somewhat this season but his defense is naturally going to continue to decline simply because of age. What then?
It would be stupid to move Teixeira to DH because he’s one of the best defenders at 1B in the league.
They will eventually have to move Jeter to another position and 1B is one of those options. I suppose they could make A-Rod the sacrificial lamb again and move Jeter to 3B, but I don’t think that makes sense.
They probably wouldn’t move A-Rod back to SS again because he hasn’t played that position in years and wouldn’t make sense to move him over to 1B because he’s the better defender over Jeter but not as good as Teixeira.
That’s a big issue that Cashman and the rest of the organization really has to sit down and think about before they decide to sign Teixeira to a long term deal.
I don’t think Jeter is going to be playing SS in 3-4 years and you have to move him someplace or the defense in general is really going to suffer as a result.
“I fully expect them to sign Texeira to a $100 mil + contract”
“No way he signs a 5 year deal. I think some think like 8 years for 160 mil. Remember he is Boras agent and he is young(29?)”
I’m not sure if my math is right but 160 million is above 100 million isn’t it?
“I’d offer Abreu and Moose arbitration but I wouldn’t re-sign either.”
If they accept it, you’re stuck with them for ’09. Abreu probably wouldn’t. Mussina probably would.
“Nope, probably only for Abreu.”
I just said I think the Yanks should offer Mussina arb. Considering they will buy out Giambi at the end of this season they will not offer him arb so I was incorrect there.
Guiseppe re: Jeter,
I don’t see 1B as a landing spot for Jeter if he needs to move. Jeter has a great bat for a SS but he would only be slightly above average as a 1B. If his offense declines like you expect his defense to he would end out being below average for first base. I see left field as a good spot for him if his defense gets worse at short. You are saying in 3-4 years he might have to move, well if thats the case then we would already be halfway through Texeira’s contract or more. I don’t think Cashman should base his decisions on what Jeter MIGHT have to do 3 or 4 years in the future.
IF Mussina is back, the Yankees might offer a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
If he makes the roster, a $1.2M deal with incentives.
There’s still more to be seen of him this season to make any commitments.
“If they accept it, you’re stuck with them for ‘09. Abreu probably wouldn’t. Mussina probably would.”
I understand what arbitration is. Perhaps I should have said “I wouldn’t re-sign either to a multi-year contract.” Keeping Abreu and Moose for 2009 would be good but any longer would be detrimental to the team. Thats why arbitration would be a good idea for both. It would be a win-win in my opinion.
I think until the kids turn into MLB-ready starters that we can depend on, it’s useful to have Moose around and I doubt it would take much, probably just another two year $11M deal. As for Abreu, say we get rid of him, who do we replace him with? I don’t really like the idea of giving out a three year deal to him considering his age and declining performance, but I’m not sure we have any better options. We need to get some offense out of our outfield and Abreu still has a great arm out there. And Abreu could hold down the fort while we test out Gardner and Jackson in the left field spot after Damon and Matsui are done here.
“I don’t see 1B as a landing spot for Jeter if he needs to move.”
neither do i. LF? prob the best guess, as of right now. i also would rule out simply sliding him over to 2B, either. of course, then you’re playing with Robby Cano’s future.
“Keeping Abreu and Moose for 2009 would be good but any longer would be detrimental to the team. Thats why arbitration would be a good idea for both. It would be a win-win in my opinion.”
Very good point.
Jeter has a great arm, I think he’s destined for left field at some point, not another infield position. It’s his ability to move quickly that has fallen off, he’s still got the arm and ability to catch fly balls.
Pete & Ted,
thanks for the mobile phone logo thingy.
i also wouldnt** rule out simply sliding him over to 2B
“Jeter has a great arm, I think he’s destined for left field at some point”
of course, that depends on if they already have someone playing LF, or ticketed to play LF.
though it would seem to work out perfectly for him to play SS in the first year of the new stadium, and then slide out to LF when Damon and Matsui are off the books…
I can’t imagine Cano at SS. I’d rather just leave a crippled Derek Jeter there than a guy that doesn’t pay attention and seems to misplay ground balls with regularity.
“I can’t imagine Cano at SS.”
no way Cano could/would ever be asked to play SS.
Definitely, if there is someone producing really well in left and Jeter is the best option for SS, even with diminished defense, than they’ll leave him there.
“As for Abreu, say we get rid of him, who do we replace him with?”
If he leaves after this season I could see us surviving with an outfield of Damon LF, Gardner CF, Cabrera RF. Thats very little power but imagine how good our outfield defense would be. Gardner is unproven in the majors but hes killing AAA right now so its a good assumption that he will succeed to some degree in the bigs. All three guys can hit for average, hopefully Cabrera continues to improve in the power department and hopefully Damon doesn’t drop off too much.
If Abreu stays one more season and leaves after 2009 I can see Austin Jackson taking over one of the 3 outfield spots. Originally before this season began I was thinking that Jackson or Tabata might be ready in the beginning of 2009 but that seems unlikely now. However I don’t think it would be too crazy to say at least one of them will be major league ready by 2010. I still think at least Jackson will be a September call-up in 2009.
Then of course there are free agents and trades we can look at. But the bottom line, there are options in the minors.
Hey guys,
I know I haven’t posted in a long while, but I lost the internet in my dorm (plus was in the hospital for a bit), so I can’t follow those night games etc. live that much anymore. I did just watch the archive of yesterday’s game that had me smiling and laughing here in the wifi rooms at the uni.
Anyway, now the doctor cleared me to fly, and I’m coming to the States from June 27th until July 22nd, together with my brother. Now, we’re starting and finishing in NYC, so if anybody has good tips on what to see Yankee-wise and where to look for some opportunities for a nice game, that’s more than welcome (of course, general travel tips are nice too).
If we can make it, it’ll be my brother’s first big league game, he’s never been to the States before.I was at this game though (can’t believe how everything worked out that evening): http://www.baseball-reference......5100.shtml
Oh, and I apologize should I repost this when a new thread opens.
Well, if Cano wouldn’t be put at SS, then I don’t think you can slide Jeter over to 2B. I don’t know, I’m glad I am not the one who has to make the decision.
“All of which is why it’s preposterous for Johnny Damon to suggest the Yankees aren’t playing for this year. They’ve shifted Joba Chamberlain to the rotation because, as always, they desperately want to win this year. They think their chances are better with Chamberlain pitching six innings every five days instead of one inning every two or three days. And they’re absolutely right.”
Source: http://insider.espn.go.com/esp.....=neyer_rob
Well, that is just a number I threw out there.
To be perfectly honest, moving Jeter should happen sooner than that and this is the perfect time to do it.
This team will look very different in a year or two than it did at the beginning of 2007 and Jeter’s move to another position should be part of that transition.
iPhone users – you have to delete the current icon on your home screen (just touch and hold the logo until it starts to wiggle and hit the x) then go into safari, come to this page, hit the plus sign on the bottom and add the page to the home screen again – it will have the new Yankees logo
I’m worried about counting too much on bringing the kids up, sort of the way Cash didn’t give us much of a cushion with our young pitching this year. Hopefully, they’ll bring up Gardner this year and we can start to see what we have in him before making him one of our starting players next season. Yeah, Jackson and Tabata are both still so young, but I think we might be able to count on one of them for 2010.
I’m starting to be a bit peeved at Girardi, and this coming from a huge fan of his.
Where’s the small ball that we thought we’d be getting from him? Where’s the action to back up the “I hate losing, I love winning” slogan he keeps repeating? How is putting Kyle Farnsworth in the 9th yesterday a decision from someone who hates losing? If not for Giambi’s miracle homer, the Farnsworth allowed run was going to be the difference between W and L right there. And that was a miracle win, we can’t count on that repeating.
I was especially agitated during the post-game when Joe was asked about the Cano bunt. He said “well yeah he hasn’t done a lot of bunting in his career…” THEN WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO HAVE HIM BUNT?! That horrible move costed us 2 men on base and 2 outs in a very crucial moment of the game. If not for that DP the next RBI by Betemit would have tied the game.
I still support Joe but I hope he changes his in-game approach soon.
Well, if Cano wouldn’t be put at SS, then I don’t think you can slide Jeter over to 2B. I don’t know, I’m glad I am not the one who has to make the decision.
I honestly wouldn’t mess with Cano at second. He is one of the better second basemen in the majors. I wouldn’t move A-rod because he is the franchise now. I am an optimistic person so I think Jeter can stay at SS for several years. I think Jeter in LF is the best option if its absolutely necessary.
Jeter to 2nd, in 3 years.
Or Jeter to the OF. 1B is not his landing spot.
“I don’t know, I’m glad I am not the one who has to make the decision.”
ultimately, it rests on Jeter at this point to make the change hismelf, wherever he ends up.
unforunately, the positions where Jeter is most likely to end up are those where it doesnt really fit (1B) or where there is current or future young talent who you hope can produce around the time Jeter would be moving (CF/LF/2B).
there is a part of me that looks at that Chris Smith pick and for some reason keeps on thinking we found a diamond in the rough.
Look at this swing who does he remind you of ?
Chris Smith
doesn’t he remind of …
Sort of a Bondsian swing, but not nearly as polished.
Well, that is just a number I threw out there.
To be perfectly honest, moving Jeter should happen sooner than that and this is the perfect time to do it.
This team will look very different in a year or two than it did at the beginning of 2007 and Jeter’s move to another position should be part of that transition.
I disagree. It is totally unnecessary to move him in the near future. He is better than average this year, why needlessly complicate things and move him? Who is your replacement at SS, Alberto Gonzalez? Do you move him to first or left? The best thing for this team is to keep Jeter at SS as long as he is able.
On Joba and the Johnny comment, I’m waiting to see a few more starts from Joba to conclude my opinions.
In the long run of course it is better for Joba to move to the rotation, no questions. In the short run when it comes to winning this year, I’ll wait to see a few more starts from him. If Joba’s starts continue to look like training games 6/7 games from now, then no he should be doing that in AAA instead of costing us games up here. But I’m hopeful his starts will look much better in a few game. I’ll have patience, within reason, and I hope Johnny does too.
I can easily agree with Turn Two in the Captain going to LF after 2009 as the contracts of Damon and Matsui are finished.
A-Jax could be on the cusp of the 25-man roster by then.
I agree on not moving Jeter yet. Basically that would mean putting AG in and substituting out one of our possible outfielders- be that Damon, Matsui, Jackson, Gardner, or whoever.
Anthony exactly and many people who remember Barry at 18 the one thing that stood out w/ him was how raw his swing was atleast that’s what my folks tell me. I showed that video to my uncle and showed him the stats he said well if he isn’t a spitting image of Barry. He stayed shock in his chair like he had seen a ghost.
Barry was from Riverside, Cali this kid is from Compton, Cali, just as hard a worker and has LA talking about him already. IDK what his future holds but no one can say his swing won’t continue to draw comparisons to you know who.
You guys scream about how Jeter cant make a throw from shortstop to first and you want him to play left field?
hope you find your way down Compton avenue mother $%$%&
Russel NY: How often do Left Fielders throw to first?
If Jeter ends up changing positions down the line, I see more of a Robin Yount transformation.
I see him more as a future OF than a first baseman.
He gets great reads on pop ups, as Yount did, has a good arm (same for Yount) and is an excellent athlete (also like Yount).
If he moves at all, and he won’t for at least 2 more years, its probably to the OF. Either LF or CF.
Draft is 2 minutes away from restarting…
i think people really need to relax on the “his swing looks like Barry Bonds” comparisons… jesus, talk about lofty expectations for a 17 or 18 year old kid to try and live up to already.
“I’m sorry but this is basically 100% false. You know what a sinker is? A 2-seam fastball. ”
i’m sorry, but the above statement is basically false.
a two seam fastball is a two seam fastball. almost everyone can throw a two seam fastball. few can throw a good sinker
a sinker is thrown with a particular two seam grip that changes from pitcher to pitcher.
the arm slot is vital to the sinker. very few have it. wang has it naturally.
but his stride has to be cut short to get the proper release.
this is from the guy who taught wang.
with a sinkerball pitcher less is more.
too much monkeying around with wang by coaches who didn’t create wang’s sinker in the first place will likely totally mess him up.
before worrying or getting excited about young pitchers who may or may not help the yankees two-three years from now, i’m more concerned about wang having an almost 9.00 era over his last 4-5 games.
i thought the draft started up again at noon?
(In my best David Letterman imitation)
Hey kids are you like me? Do you like any kind of Sux consternation? Well all you have to do is tune into streaming WEEI and listen to the broadcasters kicking little Coco around the bases!
I typically listen to WEEI on my way into work, but always when there are Sux issues or the Sux have lost a game. Well this morning was pure delight. I was able to discern from what they were saying that Manny sucker punched Puke!!! I still don’t have a straight back story yet but will go to Boston.com to see if there is anything else about it.
If you have rich red Yankee blood coursing through your veins (and maybe live anywhere in the vicinity of the Sux or have at some point), you have to be thoroughly delighted at this point in time with all of the crap going on, including their players who seem to be either DLd or DL bound.
Finally, I loved listen to them talk about how what Crisp did was really so babyish and how good old fashioned baseball says that under the circumstances you expect to be hit and you just shut the blank up and take your base. They were also really trashing Coco for his bravado after the game, saying that instead of feeling like an idiot for playing boy macho out there, he was bragging about it.
(I say his press conference and he kept referring to the Rays as little girls and saying that they punched and scratched like little girls. What an asswipe.) Can’t wait for the next time that fool comes to bat in Tampa…
I hope the yankees pick some more black kids from Compton.
I hope so re: Chris Smith developing more Bonds like attributes. He’s a product of the Compton MLB academy apparently. That’s pretty cool.
Nobody is saying he’s Bonds or that we have any expectations of Bonds, we’re just comparing his swing, that’s all.
As fans, we really have not much of a choice — have patience with the moves of the front office or ???? Or what? Stop watching? It sounds good, but in reality, we won’t stop watching because we’re fans.
It’s fun to speculate, of course. But it’s just amusing to me when we as fans say, in effect, “they better (not) do this or that.”
Just a couple of weeks ago, I would have been certain that Giambi/Damon/Mussina would not be figuring very strongly in the construction of the 2009 team. But now, who can really say? To me, Damon is really the only one of the three that would bring them something back in trade, plus they have what might be a decent leadoff guy in Gardner, so I’ll be interested to see what happens with Damon after the season.
Mussina is interesting, because I suspect he’ll retire, and although he’d be a “good veteran pitcher to have around,” can you really take up a roster spot if that’s his only value – that and 10 wins or so at the back of the rotation? I really like Mussina and always have, so I’m especially happy he’s put together a great month plus, and I’d like to see it continue going forward. But next year? Big question mark.
Giambi, I think, is the most interesting of the three. He still has power; he’s been healthy; he’s, by all accounts, a very good teammate. I wouldn’t be all that surprised if the Yankees work out a deal to keep him around. They don’t have a lot of power options. Especially if they decide to pass on Teixeira or Teixeira decides to pass on the Yankees.
There’s a lot that still has to unfold and a lot will depend on what happens this season — do they pick it up from here and become true contenders? Or is this all she wrote – hovering somewhere around the .500 mark, hoping for a stretch run that ekes them into the wild card? Or no playoffs at all?
So far this is shaping up to be a roller-coaster of a season, and an intriguing off-season no matter how 2008 ends.
“i thought the draft started up again at noon?”
11:30 AM
“Nobody is saying he’s Bonds or that we have any expectations of Bonds, we’re just comparing his swing, that’s all.”
we’re just comparing Chris’s swing, if anything the beef should be w/ his coach this was his quote sometime in March or June
“A feared hitter,” Pickens said.
Just how feared?
Put it this way, in the past three decades, Pickens has groomed a few mega-stars from the South Central area, such as Eric Davis, Darryl Strawberry and Coco Crisp. And he said Smith might be the best he has ever seen. “
“(I say his press conference and he kept referring to the Rays as little girls and saying that they punched and scratched like little girls. What an asswipe.) Can’t wait for the next time that fool comes to bat in Tampa…”
Crisp is a punk.
Crawford is truly a little girl. Gomes is a big girl.
“Put it this way, in the past three decades, Pickens has groomed a few mega-stars from the South Central area, such as Eric Davis, Darryl Strawberry and Coco Crisp.”
Why is Crisp grouped in with Strawberry and Davis? He is no where near the player that those two were.
Im going to watch Menace 2 Society and Boy N The Hood tonight…..this Chris Smith drafting has me all Compton’d out. Im wearing dickies with a white t-shirt, navy blue chuck taylors and blue bandana around my neck right now.
I love Compton
Hey Trisha,
Did you find out what happened between Youklis and Manny. Know they almost came to bloiws but was wondering why.
Hi Doreen,
“There’s a lot that still has to unfold and a lot will depend on what happens this season”
I agree. A few weeks ago on the blog people were yelling to DFA Giambi and Damon. Now people are saying they have to come back next season. Now everyone wants Moose back – by August who knows? So much will depend on the players performance, where the Yanks finish, who will be ready to come up from SWB next season and who the Yanks may sign as Free Agents. But it is fun to predict and project what will happen.
raymagnetic I said the same thing
i want THIS logo for my iPhone:
Picture Link
“If you have rich red Yankee blood coursing through your veins (and maybe live anywhere in the vicinity of the Sux or have at some point), you have to be thoroughly delighted at this point in time with all of the crap going on, including their players who seem to be either DLd or DL bound”
Now that Torre is gone, Francona stands as the AL’s best manager at managing personalities/issues like this. I honestly believe this Youklis/Ramirez thing will be a forgotten issue amongst that group before BP today. day.
officially 3 mins. away
Youkilis was upset at Manny being slow to come out of the dugout and join the fracas on the field.
He later challenged Manny as to why he just took a slow walk on the field behind Bartolo Colon.
Where can I follow the draft live?
nm. mlb.com has a link
Day 2 draft begins.
MLB DRAFT DAY 2
DAY 2 DRAFT TRACKER
Jordan Danks went to Chicago WSox
How many picks do the Yankees have today?
Brett Hunter selected by Billy Beane
gosh i pray abreu stays. i love bobby.
Yankees select Kyle Higashioka, Catcher
Fredo, I wouldn’t be so sure about the Manny/Youk thing disappearing so quickly. Youkilis has a temper that is barely controlled. It will be something that simmers and come out again.
For Manny to take a swing at him is unusual. Ramirez doesn’t usually get that hot under the collar.
Manny will be out for a bit with a hamstring, though, so Tito might just have him stay away for a bit.
Any more word on Ellsbery’s injury? I hadn’t heard if he was put on the DL.
Wow the picks are going very quick today.
day usually goes that way Jenn
dammit Issac Galloway went to FLA
Nothing on Ellsbury. Was listening to “EEI on line for awhile, but the Celtics are ruling the day up there.
“Jordan Danks went to Chicago WSox”
White Sox cornering the Danks market. It’s John Danks they already had, right? He’s a pretty good pitcher.
“How many picks do the Yankees have today?”
There are 44 rounds in the draft today. They have like 30 seconds to make a pick.
Yankees select Daniel Brewer, CF
Fredo, you mean the remarkable recovery of Pierce after his leg practically fell off and he was out for so much of the game?
What is it with Boston that their players feel they have to evoke sympathy? Youkilis dives and looks like he is dying for every little ding. Brady wearing the “boot” and how he is listed on the roster as probable. Pierce being carried off the floor, put in a wheelchair then back out in 1.5 minutes. Same with Perkins.
manny and youkillis?
simply the big dog putting the little dog in his place.
you think where manny grew up he doesn’t know how to fight?
i think youkillis just had to be reminded of that.
youkillis acts tough. manny is tough.
now if manny could backhand youkillis in the mouth and high five a fan at the same time, i would be really impressed.
Gotta love it when the Yankees are the top play on ESPN.
Jeepers Creepers
When I heard about it this morning I said he did it to get the crowd into the game.
Yeah you can jar something and be fine, but the pain doesn’t go away instantly, it lingers for at least a few minutes.
He FAKED IT PLAIN AND SIMPLE!
Jeepers:
I’m thinking they may have shot Pierce up last night to dull pain so he could play. They seem rather worried about his knee from what I’m hearing and reading right now. Limping around heavily postgame and barely able to negotiate getting in his car.
he is faking it!!
Rd.9 Yankees select RHP Michael O’brien
Tommy Lasorda is cracking me up here
How is it Hawkins is appealing a 3 game suspension for throwing behind a batter when Lester hit 2 batters, threw close to the head of another and threw behind a batter (just like Hawkins) after a bench clearing brawl and after both teams were warned.
I don’t mind the rule, what I do mind is that is not being applied fairly by all umps in all games across the board.
that Mikey O’Brien kid a H.S. kid cranks it to 95 mph
With the way he came jogging back out, either it was a fake or he got a shot of something. I didn’t see where he was limited at all after he came back out, other than that “sock” bandage around his knee.
I didn’t see anything from after the game. Perkins also came back really quick from the way he went limping off. They said they just re-wrapped his ankle and he was fine.
It just seemed off.
Phillies take JC Rodriguez from GW High School
Brandon- Is Jordan Danks related to the Danks already on the W/Sox thats a weird coincidence, Do u guys think Melancon is seriously ready to even come up let alone be successor to the best closer ever
Yankees select RHP William Mitchell in Rd.10
The thing with Pierce though, it could be that they are deeking it so the Lakers think they have something they can exploit. It may not be, but we saw there was nothing wrong with Brady in the SuperBowl.
I watched that play with Ellsbery last night. His hand came back toward his wrist pretty far. I’d be surprised it didn’t damage some ligaments in his hand. Thats a lot of stretching for something that doesn’t move that far.
Yu Darvish, I don’t think we will ever be blessed enough to see another pitcher like Mo. He is of the type that you only get to see once in generations. He is the “Babe” of closers. How does anyone compare to that?
“Crawford is truly a little girl. Gomes is a big girl.”
Well let me see. A punk ass player with his little girl hair nearly wipes my guy out, going outside the base paths, trying to STEAL second. Not make it to second. Then the next day, after the expected retribution which was no more than a flippin shot to the thigh, the same little punk ass charges the mound?
Crawford is a hero and Gomes is a bigger one. Too bad they didn’t kick the crap out of the loser Crisp.
I know these aren’t the Yankees involved, but let’s see if Crisp gets any kind of suspension for this.
Ellsbury injury reminded me of Matsui’s and also Vernon Wells early this season, same type of catch.
I’ll be very surprised if he escapes the DL.
That was pretty intense.
ive got the icon now – thanks guys.
“How is it Hawkins is appealing a 3 game suspension for throwing behind a batter when Lester hit 2 batters, threw close to the head of another and threw behind a batter (just like Hawkins) after a bench clearing brawl and after both teams were warned.
I don’t mind the rule, what I do mind is that is not being applied fairly by all umps in all games across the board.”
Lester came nowhere near anyone’s head, but it would appear to be no coincidence that it was two Rays who took cheap shots at Crisp, Iwamura and Suzy Crawford who were hit. He probably should get the standard 5 game suspension so he has a start pushed back.
Fran, the Sux are really closing ranks around this situation. People are speculating but I don’t think anyone knows for sure. Boston Dave has a friend that is close to Manny, and he told us something last night – oh yeah, he said that Puke is a crybaby over everything and Manny finally got sick of it and told him to shut up and Puke answered back. And we have another version about not getting out to the bench clearer fast enough.
I agree with the poster who said this is not going to be forgotten too quickly. On EEI this morning they were saying that there is a big difference between men fighting and swinging at each other and someone sucker slapping someone else with a backhand. They equated it to almost being like a father and son – I guess much more demeaning to the slapee???
I don’t know because fights aren’t my thing, and I still say that there is a certain mentality that goes along with that kind of stuff and it isn’t the kind I’d want on my team. And I STILL don’t believe anyone who says that it would happen with the Yanks because other than Kyle, who is kept penned up (and I don’t know that even he would do it because everyone around him seems to be a gentleman) I can’t see any personality on the Yankees being that way.
I guess when you have the reputation of having a huge ego and being a whiner to boot(Puke), you could aggravate someone.
Of course the most interesting thing is that it happened at a point where the Sux were on their way to taking over first place and sweeping the Rays. So you can’t even say it was borne out of frustration from losing games!
Works for me.
GO BACKHAND!!!
Gomes got in a number of good shots to Cereal Boy. Gomes is a thug though. This is his second instance of escallating things. I don’t think that will go over well with the commissioner’s office.
Crisp looked a bit shaken up, even though he was trying to look like a tough guy.
Ellsbury (is that how you spell it?) had a different injury. Wells and Matsui you could see the wrist going toward the back of the hand. Jacoby had his going the other way, flexing toward the palm side, but it was hyper-extended big time. It nearly went flat against the arm. That could damage bones, but more likely tendons and ligaments would be overly stretched.
Lester should have been ejected after the first hit batsman and then faced a three game suspension same as Hawkins. Except Hawkins didn’t hit anyone.
All the others you named will get theirs as being part of the brawl, like Melky and Duncan did, but Lester was given a pass.
My point is, when Joba was ejected without warning it was because of what the ump perceived right or wrong as intent. This has to be applied fairly across the board in all of MLB games by all umps or it becomes what it is. An anti-Yankee bias, farce.
Question: On the FA market, what do you have to pay for a .900 OPS guy and how many years do you have to commit?
Answer: The Yankees can have Giambi for 2009, for ONE year, for a net cost of $17m ($22m option – $5m buyout). I’d be curious to see if anyone can find a better deal then that.
Point: Matsui is a terrible liability in LF. He even looks bad on balls he catches. However, while he is a good hitter, it’s a shame to use up the DH slot on him.
CounterPoint: As Abreu will want a 3 year deal, I think he is done as a Yankee in 2009. If he settles for 2 years, the Yankees MIGHT bite, as neither Tabata or AJax are ready for 2009. Another alternative is to put Matsui in RF, where 1/2 his games will be played with far less OF ground to be covered. He will still be lousy, but not that much worse then Abreu (who ain’t great out there). His arm is not good, but we can live with it. This would give us a 2009 OF of JD, Melky and Matsui (which is not much, if any, of a downgrade from this year), Gardner as a 4th OFer, LIDR, PR, and possibly a DH of Giambi.
What this does is buy a year to see what Tabata and AJax do in 2009, and get a shot at another FA class before making any long term commitments. It gives us great flexibility as Giambi, JD and Matsui would all be on their last year, and could be dumped if necessary.
What to do with Jeter after 2010 is going to be a real issue. Aside from playing SS, I do NOT believe he will hit or slug enough to carry off another position. I believe SJ and the rest are WRONG to think a 37 year old Jeter with questionable knees, who will probably be a singles hitter with a sub .800 OPS, who has NEVER played a game in the OF, will be anything but a liability in LF.
He DOES have many of the skills a 1Bman needs:
Experienced and EXCELLENT as a cutoff man.
Experienced and EXCELLENT at going back on popups.
Experienced and very good at charging ground balls.
Experienced and decent fielding groung balls.
Experienced and decent at taking throws to a bag.
Plus it is easier to find an impact OFer then it is an impact 1Bman (as there are 3 OF positions, so triple to pool, and we already have 2 kids who can play CF… Melky and Gardner).
Plus, if we get lucky, we do have some OF prospects on the farm who may be MLBer, but no 1B prospect of note (Miranda is trade bait, as he is a poor fielder, and we are not sure yet what kind of hitter he will be).
Plus, at 1B, Jeter will stay healthier then as an OFer.
There is no reason to believe that Jeter can’t be as good a defensive 1Bman as Millar, Youk, and a number of other guys at 1B. Actually, he already has the skills, and height, to be better.
Robin Yount was an exception. Soriano is young, gifted and fast, and yet is still having problems in the OF.
Jeter will be a below average HITTER at either 1B or OF. At least at 1B, he has a chance to be a decent fielder and maintain his health.
Jeter is an iconic, HOF Yankee. IF… if if if if… the the Yankees re-sign him, it will NOT be for what he offers the team going forward, but what he has done for the team in the past. Like with Ghost of Bernie, he will play because we love him. The question will be… where will he be the LEAST liability?
I hope Derek proves me wrong, but right now with a .728 OPS you have to wonder if in 3 years he will be much more then a .750 OPS guy. Right now, Melky is young with upside, is average or above on D, has a GREAT arm, and plays CF. Yet with a sub .750 OPS, we do wonder if he has a future with the Yankees. How could you possibly think of having Jeter, at 37, with below average defense, be a corner OFer for the Yankees?
I personally think he might retire after 2010. I think he has too much pride to drag on a career where he is below average.
I grew up in the NYC area, if you were in any type of arguement and someone backhanded you it was a huge insult. Kind of like giving a message that they weren’t worth even a punch, a backhand slap is considered what you would do to a woman (if you are crass enough to hit a woman, something which I would never tolerate).
Manny is a tough guy, even though he seems loose and easy. I am sure he knows how to fight, unlike Cereal Boy who threw a punch with his eyes closed. You don’t grow up on those streets without learning how to fight, even in the better neighborhoods.
Hard to tell with Jeter. I don’t think his hitting is in decline. He had a bad spell after being hit by Cabrera, but he is hitting again now, and I think he will be in the .300 range again. He is a spark plug for the team.
I don’t think the Yankees are going to keep Giambi for another year. Abreu has a shot at getting some offer from the Yankees, but it might be a 2 year shot with a 1 year option/buyout. That might be enough for Bobby who would love to get a ring. The Yankees offer that incentive.
Jeepers -
It is so nice to have the negative spotlight somewhere else for a while – and especially in beantown, and especially under the circumstances.
They say you take your happiness wherever you can get it.
Personally, I hope the thing with Puke and Manny simmers for a long long time and that someone takes Puke aside and tells him what a fool Manny made of him.
Good times.
iPhone icon is up and working.
“unlike Cereal Boy who threw a punch with his eyes closed.”
Cereal Boy apparently was a pretty accomplished amatuer boxer going 17-0 in his fights. Not sure everybody successfully dodges that haymaker thrown by Shields. Crisp was pretty deft in dodging that, but he barely grazed Shields when he threw his punch.
Guess when you go thru life being called either Coco or Covelli, you need to know a thing or two about fighting.
“The fact he slid into Aki hard yesterday and the fact he charged the mound, it set me off when he ran and [then] he decided to try and charge the mound,” Crawford said. “That didn’t sit too well with me at all.”
Do I have to ‘splain everything to you people?????
Good for you Carl.
Trisha, sometimes things just go right.
Trisha,
Thanks for the explanation. Hope the battle continues to fester too.
See you later. The Yanks should certainly win tonight.
I fought (sadly) a number of gold glove boxers in my days of youth. Yes, they can do well in a boxing ring, but many can’t street fight.
From Boston.com/Michael Silverman
…..said Graham, chief of the Curtis National Hand Center:
“Our decisions are sound. Making a surgical decision for David would be substantially premature and aggressive.â€
In August 2004, Philadelphia slugger Pat Burrell sustained what Graham called the “exact same injury†as Ortiz, which has been labeled a partially torn ECU tendon sheath in his left wrist.
Three doctors recommended surgery for Burrell. The fourth doctor, Graham, saw Burrell shortly before the surgery and recommended he wait a couple weeks, which Burrell did. His wrist responded well and Burrell was activated a month later, hitting .231 with six home runs over the final 26 games of that season.
Neither Graham nor the Red Sox will commit to a timetable for Ortiz’ return if the nonsurgical option is a success. But healing in a month’s time like Burrell did is likely a best-case scenario.
Should Ortiz require surgery, Graham said there is at least a glimmer of hope he could return before the end of the 2008 season.
“My point is, when Joba was ejected without warning it was because of what the ump perceived right or wrong as intent. This has to be applied fairly across the board in all of MLB games by all umps or it becomes what it is. An anti-Yankee bias, farce.”
My point is, I agree with you. Can’t suspend a starter for 3 games though. It has no impact. You have to suspend him for 5 so he misses his turn or has it bumped up a day. That’s been standard fare for starting pitcher suspensions the past few years.
Plus, Sheilds telegraphed that punch way too much. Almost like he was throwing a pitch.
If Ortiz used ‘roids, then the healing time will be longer. Unless, of course, they use HGH.
In this era, it also makes you wonder if Burrel used HGH to heal so fast.
I agree Fredo, all I want is consistency from the umps.
Can’t suspend a starter for 3 games though. It has no impact. You have to suspend him for 5 so he misses his turn or has it bumped up a day. That’s been standard fare for starting pitcher suspensions the past few years.
David Cone..how did you get the icon???
“Well let me see. A punk ass player with his little girl hair nearly wipes my guy out, going outside the base paths, trying to STEAL second. Not make it to second. Then the next day, after the expected retribution which was no more than a flippin shot to the thigh, the same little punk ass charges the mound?
Crawford is a hero and Gomes is a bigger one. Too bad they didn’t kick the crap out of the loser Crisp.
I know these aren’t the Yankees involved, but let’s see if Crisp gets any kind of suspension for this.”
Trish, your account of things is more fictional than John Sterling’s game call.
Crisp is a punk. But he did not go outside the baseline on Iwamura. He went right over second base. What he did do, is break into his slide way too late and right at Iwamura’s legs…and he did it on purpose, though I believe he was hoping for Bartlett to be there rather than Iwamura.
Crisp was also wrong for charging the mound (and he WILL be suspended for it) because Shields did it the way he was supposed to. But Gomes and Crawford are pussies. Anyone who takes free shots at a guy being held down are cheap, low rent punks. Crawford’s excuse is beyond weak. He’ll be suspended too. Gomes is a slug and his history on the Duncan matter will follow him when his punsihment is doled out. I’d guess he gets 8-10 games. Crisp and Crawford 3-5 each and Shields will get 5 because he’s a starting pitcher and he mistakenly admitted to it hitting Crisp on purpose. Wouldn’t shock me if Maddon gets a night off too. Iwamura might lose a game as well and if Watson has some testicular fortitude, he’ll issue a suspension to Lester as well.
Yeah but thge plisser is that Crisp had them all amped up from the way he tried to take out Aki, who really seems like a pretty docile guy. Then when he charged Shields, Shields probably saw red, white and blue. It’s no wonder he went at him with a haymaker. My only regret is that he failed to connect. A shame to get whatever he is going to get for suspension time for that little jerk causing the whole thing and not having the satisfaction to have cold cocked him.
Thing is, I blame more of it on Maddon. It wouldn’t surprise me that Maddon called on Shields to pitch at Coco. He seems to like the rough tough playing, maybe too much.
Crawford’s EXCUSE is not an excuse. That you don’t like or accept it is on you. He’ll get what he gets and he also got the satisfaction of having the back of two teammates.
Perhaps you in the heat of the moment would be a Dudley Doright and do the perfectly acceptable and societally approved thing.
However, these are humans reacting with emotion.
Oh well.
“But he did not go outside the baseline on Iwamura.”
Uh, yeah he did.
Jeepers, and why shouldn’t Shields have thrown at Crisp after what Crisp did to Aki?
It seems the accepted way of handling things in the game. Only Crisp took it to another level. Perhaps his thighs are sensitive?
I think it’s a hoot that MLB chose to go with the sanitized version of what Coco said after the game.
But he did not go outside the baseline on Iwamura.â€
Uh, yeah he did.
Uh, no he didn’t, unless second base was moved off the baseline.
Crawford had nobody’s back. He was taking cheap shots at someone in a defenseless position. That’s the height of cowardice, which when you listen to him, fits him rather perfectly.
“Jeepers, and why shouldn’t Shields have thrown at Crisp after what Crisp did to Aki?”
He should have, and he did it the right way. But you can’t admit for the record that you did it on purpose. The suspension is almost automatic now.
I don’t really have a problem with Cereal Boy getting hit, but a suspension should go with it. You do the deed knowing the consequences. I believe Maddon was the one that called for it, though. Crisp is a punk, and deserved to get plunked like that. He acted like a punk throughout this, and it will steam up again when they meet again.
Fredo, I think he might have admitted it to also send out a message. When you man up like that, it lets the other team know you are prepared to take it to that level.
Jeepers:
I hear you, but that really went without saying in this case. THAT he did it says enough in my opinion.
“Crawford had nobody’s back. He was taking cheap shots at someone in a defenseless position.”
These two sentences are not mutually exclusive. That they ended up being cheap shots at someone who may have been in a defenseless position does not mean he didn’t have a teammate’s back.
He was upset with what happened to Iwamura, a pretty gentle soul, and also that the crud that caused the ruckus was now going at his pitcher.
That’s my definition of a hero and someone I would like on my lifefraft!
(Not to keep this going but just because I just checked back in.)
IT’S ABOUT TIME!
Thanks a lot LoHud Yanks Blog. the icon is off-center tho, and i think you can find better yankee logos than the one u are displaying, not being picky, just trying to help.
You’re still the best yankees blog in the history of the world
peace.
How long until MLB sues to stop the use of copyrighted logos?