The trouble with closers …
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 09, 2008 
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I’m in Houston connecting for a flight, so I don’t have time to break down the numbers.
But Mariano Rivera has been just about perfect in save situations and far from it otherwise. Closers are such creatures of habit that it almost throws them when there’s not a lead to protect.
It’s not just him, either.
He had Guillen 0-2 and he got those two strikes on him with pitches away. Guillen fouled off the third pitch outside. And then Moeller set up inside, the only place where Guillen could take him out of the park. Not a wise choice.
Yea but four pitches outside could hurt too. A better choice was high fastball or further in fastball, just not a strike, make him swing
Mo goes through this every year. No worries. He’ll be fine.
Timely post Pete, thanks.
Some idiot in the last thread ACTUALLY said that Mo has no heart.
I guess the saying ‘what have you done for me lately’ is true, for the fickle crowd.
How about a ‘its a marathon, not a sprint’ post to keep the mob from jumping off the ledge?
small sample size. He’s given up homeruns in save situations before(not this season). This post, to me, is only there to excite a response out of the people.
Rivera just ran into the player most likely to be player of the week in Jose Guillen. 9 for 16 in the 4 game series with 4 homers, 10 RBI’s and 2 outfield assists. No fault in bringing in your best when facing the heart of their order.
The fault lies with the anemic run production of these high paid Yankees, especially going against a pitcher with a >5 ERA, which means they should have scored more than 5 runs!!
Jennifer hit the nail on the head.
Mo goes through this every year, usually for less than a week, between April and June. And a certain percentage of fans always wonder if ‘this is the year’ that the Sandman finally breaks down.
Here’s to the greatest post-season relief pitcher of all time!
Number 27 in 2008!
You people simply don’t get it! Using Rivera 3 days in a row is too much.
Since you’re in Houston Pete, could you ask the Rockets front office whether they are willing to give away Yao Ming to the Spurs, just like Memphis with Gasol to the lakers. Think about it, Yao and Duncan, the Twin Towers redux.
Rivera is fine.
another closer, Wagner, has even said, don’t put me in if it’s not a save, I can’t do it.
I mean, who would you rather have, Joe Borowski? Eric Gagne?
Congrats Ken Griffey Jr. on #600
Congrats to Ken Griffey Jr!!!
Rebecca,
I don’t think anyone here would trade in Mo. That question doesn’t even have to be asked.
Philly June 9th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Since you’re in Houston Pete, could you ask the Rockets front office whether they are willing to give away Yao Ming to the Spurs, just like Memphis with Gasol to the lakers. Think about it, Yao and Duncan, the Twin Towers redux.
Who roots for the Spurs??
Salvie: I know, that’s my point
Not a good home stand for the Yanks who have not been playing well at home.
Nick: People not named Mel?
If we could get a hit with a runner in scoring position Mo wouldn’t need to be out there during a tie game.
The better question is this. Why would the NBA want Ming in SA when they could put him in NY???
NY is where its at. Ask the Giants.
Maybe if we had a pen MO wouldn’t have to be used in a tie game all the time.
I got nothing to watch tonight now. If they pulled this out at least I could watch the encore.
May b I don’t like lakers. Just sticking it to them, you know, especially with Phoenix, Dallas going downhill from now on.
I’m surprised you can’t fly direct from NY to Oakland
“Maybe if we had a pen MO wouldn’t have to be used in a tie game all the time.”
The pen was a little worn out. Pettite’s short outing plus Joba’s pitch count didn’t help.
Once Joba is off the pitch count in a couple weeks it will hopefully allow him to go 6-7IP every time out and give the pen a little more rest.
Also, Griffey hit 600. Even more impressive given the time he’s spent on the DL.
Rebecca,
I’ve gone Boston – Oakland direct on Jet Blue but maybe things have changed.
Which came first, the offense (or lack thereof) or the pen (or lack thereof)??
Anyone else HATE west coast games? I can’t even stay away for the start of them, let alone the end of them. I’m thinking, though, that this may not be a bad thing.
If Girardi hadn’t put in Mo and heaven forbid one of the other less reliable relievers had given up the lead, could you imagine the implosion on this blog?! I won’t second guess that. And, actually, the Yankees got a little something started in the bottomof the 9th. This loss falls squarely on the offense (again
).
FYI
Tyler Clippard struggling a bit in his first start for the Nats.
speaking of Clippard, does anybody know how Albaladejo is doing in his rehab/recovery?
continued from last thread,
“patrick( the good one?) -
i’m not the anonymous poster here like you are.
i’m the one who has transparency.
anyone who wants to click on my username can look at exactly who i am .
that’s me at age 40.
people can make up their own mind who’s had some experience in this game and who hasn’t.”
randy,
It says (the good one) because there was another person named Patrick on here making disparaging remarks about people that I respect. I appended that to my name to differentiate us.
Congratulations randy you looked good as 40 year old. Why should we care and how does that lend any credence to your arguments? I’m anonymous like almost everyone on the internet is anonymous.
Just because you played baseball for a long time we should agree with everything you say? Playing the sport doesn’t give you the ability to make logical and well thought out arguments. If that were the case then every ballplayer that had a long career would make a great manager. How do you think Paul O’neill would do managing this team? I don’t think he would be very good at all and it has nothing to do with how long he played baseball.
any chance we can avoid carrying over arguments from previous threads?
Haha.
Doreen: I’m not a fan, either, have a hard time staying up in the later innings. Also, there’s the small part where we never seem to, uhh, win any of them.
can mariano hit in the clutch for the yanks???
Or can mariano throw the ball at ed montague, preferably put him out of all future yankee games…..
what is the story with jeter? His #’s are not real good, his power is down, his avg is down, his OBP i down…..his SB are down…….
the details on abeledajo are as few as they are on Hughes..
they never update you on these guys. Or Bruney for that matter…
Rebecca –
I don’t think the Yankees don’t win any of them, it just seems that way. Because you get the score late, so it’s like you find out they lost, and then you read about that loss again the next day. But for some reason, when they win, it doesn’t make the papers!
does anybody have an update on humberto sanchez sumbody had said that hell pitch 2morrow is that truth
Sometimes teams beat your best guy. That’s when you hold up your glass and say, “you beat us today.”
KC Royals, you beat us today.
In case anyone is impatient or unhappy consider this.
Check the box score for Willis tonight in the Det-Cle game. He’s the guy the Yanks wanted and Florida wanted a combination of Cano and Hughes for. Ultimately, getting Miller and Maybin for him and Cabrera may be a great deal for the Fins.
So, it works both ways. Sometimes you overvalue players and sometimes its better to be patient with your own. Key is to figure out who is going to be good/great and who to get rid of when the value is high.
Patrick Other One,
Why the need to continue your BS from other threads here? I wish the babies would just leave already. I think we are done with the antics of children like you.
Randy L has the class to actually be himself and you keep taking shots at him for his opinions and viewpoints?
Talk about low.
oh,well, get em tomorrow
Oy, stop the bickering. You all aren’t 13.
lucky the tigers signed willis to an extension.
i guess those last 2 yrs of a over 5 era excited them..
the tigers are a disaster. they also are old and make the yanks look multidimentsional and athletic………….
wow Peter, you’re huge.
“Maybe if we had a pen MO wouldn’t have to be used in a tie game all the time.”
What Yankee fan doesn’t want Mo in there??? Mo got beat. It happens. Now we man up and start a run.
Whatever Griffey
Cliff Lee doing his Rasner impression.
I’m not worried about Mo, but this whole pitching different during a tie as opposed to a save situation is garbage.
Its still a high leverage situation, he still faced Guillen with what turned out to be the game on the line.
Next I expect to hear someone talking about “pitching to the score”.
Yikes. The Indians are pounding the Tigers..
All I have to say about Mariano in tie games:
Game 7, 2003 ALCS.
He threw two bad pitches in a weekend. That’s it.
You mean 2004.
2003 Mo was $@#$@#$ brilliant.
testing
testing number 2
Oy, stop the bickering. You all aren’t 13.
Wow sorry for continuing a discussion from an earlier thread. My response was late because I had to leave work and drive my hour+ commute.
And Luke NY you tell me to stop the argument from previous threads and yet you insult me. Who was the baby again? I don’t take shots at anyone but I’m not going to back down from someone talking nonsense.
I’ve got an idea to stop the bickering. Whuduya say we get a Carl Pavano doll and play some darts??? lol
Drive: works for me!
anyone see petes shout out on nom@@$.com…i can’t type the word but it is no m a s s
i mean .org not . com
Patrick,
If you take insult with me calling most people here babies than so be it. I call them like I see them. You take pot shots at people and what do you expect?
Disagree with someone. Fine. You haven’t said a sensible thing on this or any thread besides personal insults.
And, sorry, that’s not okay and it is for babies.
First of all thank heavens that Ken did it before the Reds came to NY.
Second what a screwed up WC trip. We fly all the way across country to play 3 games in Oakland, than fly half way back to play Houston, than home. Why not make a 9 game road trip to all wc teams?
You have to be wary of people who get their jollies from throwing insult bombs over a computer especially to fellow Yankee Fans.
Seriously.
You understand that??
n o m a a s . c o m
.org
teach me how to type, please
“It’s not just him, either.”
Billy Wagner would agree.
Interesting.
Rebecca,
It’s been in the news lately that airlines are cutting their direct flights to save on fuel. We’re not only going to have to pay more to fly, but be inconvenienced even more than before…
Back to baseball.
Wang: Still interesting. I could fly direct to Rome, but not to Oakland.
There are a lot of non-stop flights to San Francisco. Many people going to Oakland fly there and then drive over to Oakland.
I got to congratulate one of my favorite ball players tonight Ken Griffey Jr. congrats on # 600 I know he’s not gonna read it but guys like him deserve it.
Congrats Ken Griffey Jr. on HR 600 !!!!
Sparky Lyle, a closer in a different era, wrote that he couldn’t perform well when not in a closers’ situation (slim lead to protect). In ’78, George had signed Gossage to close, so Lyle’s production deteriorated.
I’m re-reading The Bronx Zoo. Thirty years ago today, the team was near .500 and a few games out and they won the World Series. Of course, that team had Guidry and Figueroa. Aside from that, this year’s team is better position-by-position. (I hate to vote against Nettles, but there’s no choice.)
yeah but it was fun watching martin shuttle lyle and gossage into RF to keep them both in the game!
any predictions on the upcoming road trip? If were a waging man, I would predict they win 3 and lose 3. Unfortunately, they have been consistently mediocre.
Disagree with someone. Fine. You haven’t said a sensible thing on this or any thread besides personal insults.
I don’t believe that is true but if so I’m sorry for any disprespect – to randy l or otherwise.
I shouldn’t have continued this argument, it is silly.
Back to baseball.
I was just perusing milb.com for some updates on our minor league teams when I noticed Ryan Pope is on the 7-day disabled list. His last start was May 24, does anyone know what happened to him and if its serious? I think this kid has a lot of potential. He was drafted last year and hes already dominating high A.
n o m @ @ s . o r g
Pete, do you care to comment on the situation as the posts won’t stop until you do…
I’ll be adventurous and say they go 4-2.
I’ll get it going! DFA Mo. He’s old! He can’t pitch anymore! We need Borowski in here!
It does seem like every year the talking heads and quite a few fans say its the end for Mo. Last year it was “who is the next Rivera?” With a bunch of flash in the pans suggested. Guess what…it’s Mo. nobody’s perfect, Mo just seems that way most of the time.
One day it will be the end, but given Mo’s career, it will be graceful and leave us in awe.
Are these people from No…. really brain dead? Funny pictures, but not much else.
id like to hear those people’s excuse for ‘outing’ one of the commenters on thier blog. its completly unethical.
if it was pete, which i doubt, so what, they come on here and knock him all the time.
but publishing the name of a poster on thier blog when there is an expectation of anonymity is completly unethical and they owe some answers to anyone who posts on thier lame blog.
I was at the game today. It’s taken 5 hours, but I think my body temp has finally cooled down.
Our blog creator is the victim of a smear campaign by a bunch of juvenile jerks. Did they not notice that he plugged their site? It is very disturbing. I for one will never go on that smear site again.
Clay/Joe: Ack! I really hope you had good sunscreen! Sorry about the result!
He did go on their site and say another site was better essentialy, “Schooled by Lohud. Ha.” and question their qualifications, though they study the draft more than he ever does.
I don’t think he was promised anonymity on the message boards, either, though it is, fair to say, assumed…
If he feels it was appropriate conduct, he can say it. He’d probably be right, too, but I’d like to hear him say it.
I would agree that they should’ve contacted him first to see what the deal was; maybe they did, but I don’t know.
It’s mainly pretty funny if he’s that vain (though they clearly are too). Make fun of them, but then go ahead and troll the site, a bit hypocritical no?
Are these people from No…. really brain dead? Funny pictures, but not much else.
It really is immature, some people are from No— the others are from Nyyfans, either way if they really got a beef w/ Pete email him don’t post it here because we don’t care and if they were to be posting this to ask Pete a question they would have emailed him not post it on his blog drawing attention. In posting it here is thier way off telling his readers “look what he did ! look !). Really Lane at No— could have squashed this and IM Pete as an adult except he chose the other route.
It’s his perogative just like it’s Pete. It sure as hell isn’t my business or anyone else’s.
they do it here all the time pimping for pete’s regulars to hit thier site.
outing any poster when there is assumed anonymity is just unethical.
why would anybody post a critical comment now when they guys who run the site may find out what your name is and publish it?
there is no excuse for that.
We were at a game in August 2006 were temps were in the high ’90′s, my wife was six months pregnant at the time. The day before, a women who was also 6 months pregnant died in the stands at Fenway, so needless to say my wife was concerned. I remember this one NYPD officer who was in our section kept pouring water over my wife throughout the game, and the beer vendor kept giving us ice. Great people… we say this was our daughter’s first Yankee game.
I’m hearing about the “Willie Watch” on the radio again today. Tonight, the Mets are in fourth place, 30-32, 7.5 games out of first. The Yanks are in fourth place, 32-32, 7.0 games out of first. Why is the media losing their collective minds over the Mets? Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad we’re not hearing lame calls for Girardi’s ouster (probably because this is his first season in the job). What do you think?
Rebecca,
I lathered on the sunscreen, but I kept sweating it off. Damn, I wish Melky had gotten a hit to end the game. Oh well, what are you gonna do.
I won’t argur too much with the anonymity thing, really, as you are correct. It does seem a bit vain, though, that he would do that (if he did that), don’t you think?
The reason I think it’s worthy of being posted instead of emailed has as much to do with the sense of enittlement beat writers feel as compared to bloggers/internet writers (many of whom are uniquely qualified in a different way or better way, though this is certainly not true on the whole); I do think Pete is one of the best out there, though…
Rebecca,
Sounds like Saturday was a fun time.
I just find it pathetic that folks who are constantly ripping Pete, even though he goes out of his way to say positive things about them. Then he makes one innoculous comment asking a poster to use his real name (if that is even what really happenned) and they use it as an excuse to rip on him more. They are such slimy dirt-bags, it really annoys me. I wish someone would just sue them for defamation and make them sweat a bit.
i LOVE willie randolph, he was a great Yankee and a very nice guy.
that being said, they need to fire him. after last year’s collapse and all the problems in the clubhouse this season, the manager has to go. i dont really see thier problems as being his fault, but something has to change and you cant fire 25 players.
its too bad, b/c willie had to wait way to long to get his chance and now he’s gonna lose it, but that’s just the way the ball bounces.
had he not gotten the mets job, i had been hoping he would succeed joe t with the yankees, but it just didnt go that way.
best of luck willie, you always have a home in the bronx!
Not sure he could sure for defamation…we don’t know if it’s untrue. Interesting that he rips others for not using a real name, yet does it in an anonymous way, no?
Just playing contrarian…
That is assuming that this is all true, of course…
ellen: Because Joe’s a first year manager and Willie’s not.
Clay/Joe: It was amazing. Met Pete and Chad Jennings, and Dave Miley stopped by.
so adam, you think there is no problem breaching the anonymity of the posters?
Rebecca,
Cool stuff! Chad Jennings does a great job. I e-mail him a question from time to time, he always writes back with 2-3 paragraphs.
Why is the media losing their collective minds over the Mets?
They just signed and traded thier farm for Johan Santana, the average age of thier roster is 31 yrs. old and the collapsed last season, think about it they owned 1st place and then in a 7 stretch of 7 games were eliminated from the playoffs entirely.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad we’re not hearing lame calls for Girardi’s ouster (probably because this is his first season in the job). What do you think?
You just answered your own question.
im so mad i missed chad. wanted to say hello to him as i read his column every day and b/c like him i went to mizzou. (i did thier baseball games on the college radio station) o well, ill be back in scranton and try to introduce myself.
i had such a good time at that game!
o yeah, thanks for the pics rebecca!
Why is the media losing their collective minds over the Mets?
They just signed and traded thier farm for Johan Santana, the average age of thier roster is 31 yrs. old and they collapsed last season, think about it they owned 1st place and then in a stretch of 7 games they were eliminated from the playoffs entirely.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad we’re not hearing lame calls for Girardi’s ouster (probably because this is his first season in the job). What do you think?
You just answered your own question.
I agree that they probably shouldn’t do it (although it should be noted that unlike on this site, it does not say anywhere that your name/email will not be published). Certainly, I woyuld concur that this is not an appropriate practice…
I want to know how is Shelley Duncan still on this roster ? why isn’t he in AAA the fact the Yankees drafted a Brett Gardner clone in Raymond Kruml from South Alabama makes me wonder why is Brett still in AAA ?
Clay/Joe: I need to email him on occasion, too–had a great conversation with him, talked Syracuse, journalism..everything.
Y’s guy: He was just there in the beginning. You’re welcome about the pics, can’t wait to get everyone else’s.
Who is Randy L?
its especially not an appropriate practice when the poster’s name they publish has a competeting blog. (who has allowed them free use of his blog and a link to help them out!)
completly unethical and sleazy.
True, although he did rip them on their blog and pump up his own competing blog. Independent of whther they should have unveiled his identity (they shouldn’t have), it does seem to indicate quite a bit of vanity and insecurity on Pete’s part, no?
Yankees–right now the definition of mediocrity. A real honest to goodness .500 club!
However, if we all remember they are 5-6 games ahead of last year’s pace, with somewhat of an easy schedule for the next 6-8 weeks.
Mussina and RasBoy look like studs, Wang will snap out of it, Joba will be himself by late June, and Pettitte, IPK, and Hughes will fight it out for long man/5th man.
Look for the young guys come up to relieve. Farns and Latroy are the garbage men.
The hitters will hit (including goat for a day Melky–anyone for goat’s milk?)
Look for 10-20 over .500 by August, which squarely places them in the hunt despite a transition year.
That we’re .500 at all in a transition year should be considered an accomplishment.
where’s my post ?
Adam, you are obviously here to bash Pete. We are smarter than readers on that blog, we see through your bs. Those bozos are completely in the wrong in this situation, we are all free to say whatever we want on the internet. Some people do it without the name calling and taking unfair shots. Others are less mature.
Can someone answer my question how much longer will the Yankees go w/ Shelley Duncan on this roster, why is Brett Gardner stuck in AAA ?
Brandon did you mention in your last comment the site that is calling Pete out about his comments because i have now tried to post two comments with their website name, and for some “funny” reason my posts won’t show up.
Mark, it’s simple that’s thier beef not ours.
Jeff,
I’m not obviously here to bash Pete in my opinion; I truly am a loyal reader (though infrequent poster on the blog). In fact, I haven’t directly called him or anyone a name, and have agreed that the no m a s guys displayed inappropriate conduct. We are all free to say what we want on the itnernet, yet Pete won’t allow their name typed on this website (try typing their website name as a comment; it won’t show up, so it seems fairly evident that he was the poster as the other site implied or why would this step be necessary?). Does it or does it not speak to vanity on his part? It’s a fair question to ask of a writer we’re all loyal to; it doesn’t mean I won’t keep reading and enjoying this blog, because believe me, I will. It’s the best Yankee blog out there, but can’t both the other site and this author be wrong?
Brandon- I agree with you 100% that is between Pete and the other site, but I find it funny that Jeff says we are all free to say whatever we want on the internet, when that is not true here.
On a Yankees topic I have no idea why Shelley is still here. He is not doing anything. I am hoping Brett gets his chance because he deserves it, but I don’t think he should have to ride the bench, and rot himself. I would like to see Brett come up, and be the pinch runner, while also getting maybe 2 starts a week.
If I type the name nom@ss, with an a and not an @, my posts don’t show up.
I guess it’s a new curse word around here.
Whatever is happening between those fools and Peter seems childish. I give it a big whatever!
Anyways, I wonder which Chien-Ming Wang we are gonna see tomorrow night (that is if I stay awake for the game)
I hope it’s the good one..I’m not liking his evil, bad-pitching twin.
Willie watch is back on. Sad.
Also, the Mets finally put Church on the DL? They totally screwed that up..and probably screwed him up too. Not good
Just to play devil’s advocate: why assume that what was written on this other site is true? Because you can’t post the name of the site here? Doesn’t that fact make it just as likely that it’s untrue, and LoHud doesn’t want to give it legs for that reason?
Adam,
It could just be the filter. The same filter that won’t let us type the name of the day after Friday. And if it really is an issue, I wouldn’t blame Pete. That website has a history of being crude, and also bashing Pete.
If that’s the case, he should say so; his actions just seem to add fuel to the fire, no?
YankeeJosh, understood; I’m not familiar enough with the site, so I’ll take your word for it, but it does seem bizarre.
Hey Guys I am a first time poster but a long time reader of this blog. I also visit nom@ss a lot too. Anytime the Yankees lose i go over to their forums and breeze through the game threads to get over the loss quicker. Laughs do that to you.
Anyway I am a web designer. And they seemed to have matched Pete’s IP to the IP of the commenter on the Draft Blog. This is 100% accurate. Basically, the only way it would not be Pete, is if a friend or relative or burglar used his computer and made those comments.
That said, Pete being a paid beat writer should take the high road and admit he was wrong and move on. Be a step above fan blogs.
The term “fan blogs” is nothing against NoM@ss, but they shouldn’t be expected to adhere to the same standards Pete definitely should adhere to.
I think not being able to post the name of that site here is just a strange glitch.
It probably has nothing to do with whatever is between Peter and those fools overs there.
There are plenty of problems with this team. Mo is not one of them.
Not being able to outhit or outpitch one of the worst teams in baseball over a 4 game series says it all.
If Shelly Duncan is never gonna get an at bat, how about calling up Gonzalez so we actually have a guy on the bench you could use as a pinch runnner and also use at second so Cano could spend a few days on the bench to figure out how to get his head out his you know what. Something has to be done about him. This is no longer a slow start. Soemthing is seriously wrong and needs to be addressed.
On a Yankees topic I have no idea why Shelley is still here. He is not doing anything. I am hoping Brett gets his chance because he deserves it, but I don’t think he should have to ride the bench, and rot himself. I would like to see Brett come up, and be the pinch runner, while also getting maybe 2 starts a week.
It isn’t not about him riding the bench and rotting anymore, it’s about getting him to play before his service is lost or he falls victim to the depth chart. Brett’s been w/ us for 4 yrs.
I think Brett has one more yr. of service before he is Rule 5 eligible and he will soon fall under the depth chart battle. Austin Jackson and Colin Curtis are in AA, A ball has Abraham Almonte and soon will add Raymond Kruml and Michael Jones. Get him up here already.
I guess it will not get us anywhere talking about it until Pete lets us know what happened when he gets to Oakland.
Where is my post !
Bob: It’s a transition year, whether we want to admit it or not.
SJ renumerated the problems in the last thread. There are a lot of them.
It’s a .500 team, but it could be a lot worse.
Just been catching up on all the days activities….An ugly day…From the Yankee loss, to the name calling amongst the bloggers and now this crap about Pete and whoever….I came over here from Yankee Replacement level last year and for the most part this has been a most postive experience….Lately however there has been too much petty crap…..I could a rats ass about that other minor league site…..Who cares…..Gas is costing amost 5 bucks a gallon out here in LA….Really folks,trust me, there’s for more important issues to be concerned with that some chumps from another site….Screw em….Pete’s a teammate, we’ve got your back…..
Brett Gardner is 1 yr. away from Rule 5 eligibility get him up here already. Who’s blocking his path Shelley Duncan ? w/ Austin Jackson and Colin Curtis and Abe and Kruml and Jones sooner or later Brett’s gonna rot in the depth chart. Get him up here !
What ever happened to Whozat?
Bob: It’s a transition year, whether we want to admit it or not.
SJ renumerated the problems in the last thread. There are a lot of them.
It’s a .500 team, but it could be a lot worse.
Yes, I know. Even going into this year I wasn’t expecting a playoff berth this year.
Doesn’t make watching the games any less frustrating. Especially seeing how weak the league is so far this year and how even in this transition phase, this team really could and should be right in the thick of at least the WC race.
“Gas is costing amost 5 bucks a gallon out here in LA”
Gah! That’s crazy. I would have to get a bicycle or something.
It $3.80 around me here in Jersey….and my wallet can’t take it anymore
Ordinarily I’d love seeing the Angels getting beat, but the Rays are pounding Saunders tonight.
SA: Really? Where? Up by me the lowest I can find is $3.95 per
3.84 the other day when i gassed up in marlton (right across the river from n.e. philadelphia.
First base ump gets the call right on Melky’s bunt and you have a different ballgame. Yes, the Yankee offense should have done better. But in a close game, it would be nice if they had 3 outs to work with every inning instead of 2 due to a horrible call.
I’m not a big fan of instant replay, and I don’t mind close calls going against my team, since I believe they’ll even out. But at least don’t screw up the obvious calls!
“That said, Pete being a paid beat writer should take the high road and admit he was wrong and move on. Be a step above fan blogs.”
What did Pete do wrong that he needs to admit to?
Brett Gardner is 1 yr. away from Rule 5 eligibility get him up here already. Who’s blocking his path Shelley Duncan ? w/ Austin Jackson and Colin Curtis and Abe and Kruml and Jones sooner or later Brett’s gonna rot in the depth chart. Get him up here !
The only problem is, where does he play? All three of our outfield spots are pretty locked down. The only spot I’d want him playing is in centerfield and I doubt Cash/Girardi have given up on Melky yet. I think Gardner could be a starter for this team in the future. I want him to get as much play time this year as possible so when he gets the callup it will be for good. I could see him being a sept callup that sticks on for the postseason (if they make it). Then in 2009 he should be starting CF.
yeah, damn, i think major league umps do a great job usually and i can handle it when they miss a bang-bang play, but that was ridiculous. reminds me of the denkinger call that cost the cardinals a world series in 1985.
how could he get it that wrong?
The last thing on this team people need to worry about is Mo so he gave up a hr big deal the yankees have been playing bad baseball all year that has nothing to do with Mo.
Rebecca-In the Woodbridge/Edison area. The lowest I found was $3.80 @ a Sunoco
I don’t think any serious Yankee fan right now is worried about Mo.
Wang? Yes. Pettitte? Yes. Mo? No.
SA: Okay, so basically no place within 20 minutes of my house.
Colin Curtis sucks he will never make it on the Yankees
igawa, just wondering have you ever seen colin curtis play?
Patrick- I agree with you I would love to see Brett get a shot I am very high on him. Your right on our outfield having no openings right now. I mean Matsui and Damon are playing great. Abreu is Abreu, and I would like to see Brett split time with Melky, or even see Melky get traded, but I just don’t think Melky Cabrera brings back much in a trade. I will probably be crucified for giving up on Melky so quickly, but I am on the Brett Gardner bandwagon, and would love to see him get a real shot, at least splitting time with the melk man.
Why dont the Yankees turn Alan Horne into RP? I mean this kid has great stuff and yeat after year he rotts in the minors.
How is Gardner’s D can he handle CF at the ML level? Hows his arm because thats the one thing about Melky he has a gun and play good D. So if he hits 270 and bats ninth what more do you want???
People I am worried about on the Yankees:
Wang
Andy
Cano
Farnsworth-not really worry..more like..he will always scare me when he comes in to pitch. I hope someone sent Girardi “The Farnsworth rules”
Hughes-Any news on his injury?
Hhmm…I think that is it.
Oh wait, Jeter seems to be a little off lately, but I do think he will come around.
igawa, now you’re exposing your ignorance. he’s been injured all season and just made his first start (since april 10th) last night
Mark,
I would consider trading Melky too but the backlash from the fan base would be pretty bad I think. I like Melky, he’s a very good fielder with a great arm but I don’t see him being much more than an average bat. If he stays with the Yankees I think his future is as a fourth outfielder. Also, Austin Jackson is coming on strong so in a few years Melky might be the odd man out. Gardner is dominating AAA right now, he deserves a shot in the majors but I don’t think the Yanks will give up on Melky.
Is colin curtis related to Chad Curtis?
My sister-in-law lives in Woodbridge.
Its $3.99 a gallon here in MN.. thats just ugly.
I’m honestly not worried in the least about Wang. Yeah hes been bad his last several starts but he’s been fantastic for 2 years, its not like he lost all his talent. Heck, he was great the first month of the season so we know he still has it. I guarantee he will end this season with an ERA in the 3′s and 16 or more wins.
Pete -
He acted unprofessionally. That is clear. I love the guy to be honest. I loathe the mainstream media because no one gets as in depth as Peter with this team. The fact is, he posted under an alias and tried to discredit the posts of a fan. He has posted on their f0rums for quite some time and has been posting under an alias trolling. That is unprofessional.
If I was Peter, I would probably do the same because the guys over there have a topic dedicated to him and a lot of things are said that should not ever be said about a human being. But the fact is, the majority of the posters at that website come off to me as very funny, middle aged men who have social problems. Things they say they would not say to someone’s face basically. Anyway, I just think Pete should take the proverbial high road and end this.
The guys at that website might just say “Ha what a blah blah blah look what he did”. But adults, normal adults, would acknowledge it as an act of a mature, professional
ignorance? I know Horne has been hurt it just bugs me that this guy never gets a chance and then the one time you think he is gona get the call he goes down…and Curtis is a 250 hitter and hasnt had a hit in like a week… So why dont you tell me why he’s so great
rebecca, i dont think so, his bio doesnt mention it, very common name.
I just commented on Chad Jenning’s blog asking him about Brett’s arm since he gets to see him play a lot. I am sure it is not is good as Melky, but Melky has one of the best arms in the league. I will let you guys know what Chad has to say about his arm.
well, i’ve at least seen him play a few times. he’s fast and has a good arm, hits for power, but not yet for average. i dont know if he’s going to turn into a major leaguer but he can play.
I just see Curtis as a trade chip thats all Im not saying he isnt good I just dont see him on the Yankees.
I wish my gas prices were that cheap. In CNY the average price is $4.25/ gal. It just took a ten cent up yesterday.
Curtis is a 250 hitter and hasnt had a hit in like a week… So why dont you tell me why he’s so great
.273/.381/.390 w/ RISP he was around 320 a few weeks ago cooled off I guess, but he is a plus OF that won’t be considered until 2009 or 10′ or be a trade piece, 27 of his 31 season RBI are w/ RISP
I just wish the Yanks would call up Gardner and send down Duncan at the least he should be givin a shot he is hitting well over .300 but I just love the thought of his speed in the 9 spot turning the line up over
if you looked up rasner’s minor league stats you’d say (like half the posters on this blog did during ST) that he was garbage and would never make it as a yankee. turns out they were wrong, eh. you have to give guys time to develop, not just look at thier stats and say they will or wont be major leaguers.
Darvish back in the building! Yanks gotta sweep the A’s to get any respect what you guys think?
The only problem is, where does he play? All three of our outfield spots are pretty locked down. The only spot I’d want him playing is in centerfield and I doubt Cash/Girardi have given up on Melky yet. I think Gardner could be a starter for this team in the future. I want him to get as much play time this year as possible so when he gets the callup it will be for good. I could see him being a sept callup that sticks on for the postseason (if they make it). Then in 2009 he should be starting CF.
right now that can’t be a concern, it’s time to push Melky’s buttons, he’s getting a bit to comfortable and lacking in his ABs. Gardner needs to be brought up because
1. you need to establish a trade market for him, since you drafter players that project better than him in this year’s draft.
2. you need to see what it does to Melky.
3. you need to see what you got in Brett already.
Ok good for him but he still isnt hitting for avg you said that yourself now if he can turn that aound and he has all the time in the world to do so then you really start to take a look.
I just wish the Yanks would call up Gardner and send down Duncan at the least he should be givin a shot he is hitting well over .300 but I just love the thought of his speed in the 9 spot turning the line up over
most of us w/ awareness are wondering what is it that Shelley Duncan does to merit being in the ML right now. Chris Duncan is an MLB player, I can’t say the same for Shelley if we’re being honest.
my point was that you dont just dismiss a guy by looking at his stats, which you did regarding curtis.
pretty sure chris duncan is back in the minors.
Brandon- you think Gardner is ML talent and not just a AAA creation Duncan was mickey mantle down at SWB but i guess the Yanks needs to see what they got
my point was that you dont just dismiss a guy by looking at his stats, which you did regarding curtis.
you talking to Igawa’s buck teeth ?
Rasner is probable for the game I’m watching (11th).
Nice! I was hoping it would be Joba, but I’d like to see Rasner just the same.
LET’S GO YANKS!
Y’s guys I agree you need to give kids all the time in the world to develop…and I hope he turns into a good ML player but these are the Yankees you have to think A-Jax will be on this team and some day Tabata if he can get his act together. Those are already 2 yankee farm hands how many do you see being in one OF? Its a numbers game and in 2 or 3 years what have you I dont see Colin Curtis in the Yankees OF but thats not saying he wont be in someone else’s.
What I want to see Brett show off up here is that speed he has I mean he has 25 sb’s already this year. Also has 7 triples which I know its AAA pitching, but still impressive. Average is at 295 right now, but his obp is an outstanding 414.
Gardner has always intrigued me I think its time we see him on the stage
well, id say curtis is alot closer than tabata. curtis is older and was a college stud, tabata is very young and immature and not hitting well. curtis is a much better fielder, too.
Brandon- you think Gardner is ML talent and not just a AAA creation Duncan was mickey mantle down at SWB but i guess the Yanks needs to see what they got
Gardner hits lefties hard, if he has value showcase it for future considerations. Shelly is a different case in minor league ball he was never a high OBP % guy he had 2 out of his 8 seasons in the minors w/ a decent OBP% SLG and he’s not a defensive upgrade. Atleast w/ Brett you have use, check and see if his OPS of 1.059 vs LHP is for real, check is if he can build on that 799 OPS vs RHP. It’s not gonna hurt them, he’s a gamer, it’s time to find out if he’s for real.
Someone write in a question to YES to be asked on the Joe Girardi show asking why the hell Gardner isnt our CF lol
I been to a few SWB games and a game in Trenton and honestly long term Austin Jackson looks the most like a major league OF
Ouch, Pierre.
That best actress acadamy award doesn’t get you any cheaper gasoline?
*Academy
Here is Chad Jennings on Brett’s arm. Chad doing an amazing job covering Scranton. It must have been great for some of you guys to meet him.
“He doesn’t have Melky’s arm, but he doesn’t have Damon’s arm either. He has a good arm, just threw a guy out the other day, actually. Nothing flashy, but it’ll work.”
i liked what i saw of gardner last year at trenton and when i saw him the other night in swb. but i dont think he’s better than melky, he definatly doesnt have melky’s arm. so if they bring him up, i dont see him getting much playing time. id like to see how he handles the majors, but the yanks dont need another LH bat and i dont want to see him rot on the bench.
I agree with you that Curtis is playing much better than Tabata now but do you still see that being the case in lets say 2 years?
good work Mark now write in to yes about Gardner being called up lol
no question ajax has game. every time i see him play he does somthing to impress me. still expect him to spend almost all of this year at aa ball and next at scranton. we will see him called up next year a time or two if someone gets injured.
So I guess A-Jax has an ETA of 2010
If thats the case Im all for letting Mely and Garnder fight for CF until A-Jax is ready
Mark while your at it ask Joe G. does Dave Robertson have to pitch 50 straight innings of scoreless ball to get a call up
Ajax will be a good major leaguer and another question why isnt Melancon at SWB for the love of god they are wasting his innings at AA
well, given thier ages, id say if curtis doesnt make it to the bigs in 2 years, tabata is likely to pass him but that’s not a given. he is very young but currently is overmatched at aa. sometimes guys who are supposed to be studs dont make it through aa. thats what separates the men from the boys. until he starts to show some game at aa, i dont start counting on them as mlb players.
that being said, he is only 19 and is very atheletic, but i think curtis will still be slightly ahead of him in 2 years. (it is possible tabata will be going back down before going he goes up.
Mark: Chad was incredibly nice and awesome.
Question on Brett sent guys. Now we wait to see if it gets answered lol.
it’s funny here some of us were explaining why Melky is not going to the CF longterm wise I remember some posters saying why would they take Melky out of CF, when Austin Jackson starts to warm up watch out, ain’t no one stopping him there are really only 2 prospects that can CJ Henry if he develops a pulse of competitiveness and Abraham Almonte.
i think the yankees might be considering whether rushing guys through trenton and scranton into the bigs might the best way to go. it worked well for joba, but not for kennedy. i was expecting melancon to be moved up to scranton when the thunder got back from connecticut on friday but it didnt happen. its even more suprising b/c scranton really needed some b/p help going into this w/e.
still i expect to see him in scranton in the next couple of weeks.
It’s funny here some of us are explaining why Melky is not going to the CF longterm wise I remember some posters not too long ago saying why would they take Melky out of CF ?, when Austin Jackson starts to warm up watch out, ain’t no one stopping him. There are really only 2 prospects that can CJ Henry if he develops a pulse of competitiveness and Abraham Almonte.
Its been awhile since the Yanks had a burner on the bases Gardner would be exciting stealing bases bunting sac hits etc.
Regarding the positive identification of a poster via IP address: This is a spotty proposition at best.
Mobile users moving from one wireless network to another change IP addresses all the time.
Consumer grade Internet service providers dole out dynamic IP addresses via DHCP and change them with varying frequency.
Businesses normally employ network address translation or web proxy servers to make one IP address do the work of many. At my place of business, two hundred people appear to connect to the Internet from a single IP address.
These networking tricks are employed to conserve IP addresses, which are in short supply, and as a security measure. It is difficult to initiate a connection to a computer that sits behind a proxy server or behind a router doing network address translation. ISPs also use dynamic IP addresses in an attempt to dissuade their customers from making network services publicly available. The cable company does not want its cable modem users with consumer grade accounts running web servers.
Bottom line: An Internet IP address usually cannot be tied to an single person over time and often cannot be tied to a single person at all.
Al from BK they arent wasting Melancons inning in Trenton they are simply building his arm up. They wouldnt be pushing him this hard if they werent planning on calling him up this year. IMO he will go from AA to the Yankees without pitching from SWB. I would say give it about 3 weeks.
Emmet: And it’s a known certainty that Pete uses a laptop and is mobile, switching networks often.
Igawa- you really think they would bypass AAA with a pitcher coming off surgery the way the yanks treat young pitchers i dunno that would be exciting
I think w/ Melancon, AA is his AAA they might do what they did w/ Joba, when he goes to AAA it might be for 8-12 innings then hello Bronx.
i cant get any luck with melancon. ive been to 4 trenton games this year and havent seen him pitch yet. first 2 times he hadnt been promoted yet.
i was expecting he might be moved to scranton in time to pitch when i was there saturday but that didnt happen.
now i will be going to see the thunder again wednesday (to see alfredo aceves) but with my luck he wont pitch or will be in scranton.
The Trenton game I was at in May Melancon didnt pitch can someone give me a brief description of his arsenal and pitch speeds
al, wish i could but he’s been giving me the slip
Cashman said in spring training that Melky is not guaranteed to be a fixture in CF. Jackson’s not nearly ready yet. I think for now Garnder has tools (namely speed and .OBP) that can really help this team.
Melky has a good arm, but Gardner can likely cover more ground.
If you guys want to see Melancon pitch just do the math if he goes 3 inning they give him three days off if he pitches 4 innings they give him 4 days off. Melancon has 2 big time pitches his fastball tops out at 93-94 but his strike pitch is a nasty curve. The kids the real deal.
And Gardner may not have the arm but he has the accuracy and runs better routes to the ball. Brett’s arm isn’t like Damon either so don’t diss him for that.
I am glad I am not the only Brett supporter here. I am also a fan of Melky, nothing against him, but want to see Brett show off his speed.
and we are now 24 hrs. away from signing Erick Threets
*to a minor league assignment* if he doesn’t accept have a nice life.
well, by that method, i will miss melancon again, he went 2 innings saturday and they were off tonight, so he would figure to pitch tomorrow night, but i cant make it.
“And Gardner may not have the arm but he has the accuracy and runs better routes to the ball. Brett’s arm isn’t like Damon either so don’t diss him for that.”
Exactly. I think a lot of fans put on blinders when they look at Melky, because offensively he’s really not good at anything. If the team were able to hit, and namely hit better with RISP, then Melky’s offensive shortcomings could be better covered up. He’s only 23, but after almost 2 1/2 seasons, his numbers aren’t getting better. Melky Cabrera is who we thought he was!
Free Brett Gardner and his .400 OBP. and 25 steals from AAA.
I think we should start a call up Gardner campaign. I would love to know what Pete thought about this.
looking forward to seeing aceves on wednesday though. his last outing (at 10:30 a.m.) was poor, but i dont know if you can judge a pitcher when he pitches at that time. before that he was lights-out.
its also melky cabrera bobblehead night!
Y’s Guy what do you mean 1030 AM why the hell did the game start at that insane hour????
travel day in aa, they take busses not planes.
Add me to the “Let’s see what Gardner can do” bandwagon.
And S.o.S. is the resident Spurs fan.
Igawa- I am now putting my name to Mark (Free Brett campaign)lol
Y’s Guy what do you mean 1030 AM why the hell did the game start at that insane hour????
yeh it’s the only time he struggled, he just couldn’t adjust to first pitch at 10:30 in the morning
Joel Sherman writes on his blog – “The Yanks also should seriously consider moving Melky Cabrera. Three scouts I spoke to said they think Triple-A center fielder Brett Gardener is ready, and his speed would be a real bonus for the slow Yankees. Plus, in Austin Jackson, the Yanks believe they have their center fielder of the future at Double-A and probably targeted for a 2010 arrival”.
Again Joel Sherman can go to he– I don’t wanna hear his opinion
joel sherman is idiot..
he is a clueless as madden and the rest of the lazy bias baseball writers..
they are lazy never do any homework o nthere own.. sherman would not be able too pick up gardner or ajax from a police lineup with the 3 stooges..
clowns look up Jeters and Melky’s offensive #’s today…. Melky’s are actually slightly better.. should we call up the AG for Jeter????
If you say add Gardner to the roster for moeller and try to pinch run him and get him in some games against lefties I say that is fine, but Melky is more then adequate.
Jeter and melky have 27 RBI’s jeter has more AB’s and hits at the top of the order!!!!!!!!!!
if you said they need gardner for speed, pinch running, and to give the outfielder a day off here and there then I agreee. I am all for giving him a try, the starting job, no way……
I know the mans a tool I just posted it because of what the scouts he talked to said.
Stuart- I would just like to see Brett gets 2 starts a week to see what he can do up here. Also be the teams pinch runner. When was the last time we had some real speed on this team?
I agree w/ stuart the every day job for Gardner lets not go crazy I just want to correct a wrong and create competition for the OF spot. The wrong is Shelley Duncan IDK why he’s still here, he probably threatened to beat up Cashman or something because right now he has no role. None, zippo, zilch, nada, waterboy status, cheerleader status. Batboy status.
Duncan is in the Bronx?
“But Mariano Rivera has been just about perfect in save situations and far from it otherwise. Closers are such creatures of habit that it almost throws them when there’s not a lead to protect.”
This is just a fluky result of a small sample size. Sure, Mariano has been much worse this year in tie game situations. But he pitches such a small number of innings that it just isn’t very meaningful to look at any individual season and judge him by that alone. In 1997, 1999, 2003, and 2004 he was more effective in non-Save sutuations. In 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 he was more effective in save situations. In 2007 he was equally effective in Save and non-Save situations. Collectively, he has been slightly better in save situations, but overall it is not a big difference, and he is very effective either way.
Hhas always been effective in both types of situations, except in 2001 when he had over a 6.00 ERA in non-sv situations. But other than that his numbers in each situation are pretty close. There isn’t a huge difference. He’s effective either way.
There really isn’t any need to try to overcomplicate the reason why he gave up a homer today and the other day. It’s not because it was a non-save situation. If you think about it this logic is absurd to begin with. The logic goes like this: the closer is at his best in the highest pressure situations. So when he is pitching in lower pressure situations he will falter a little. Well guess what, a tie game is the highest pressure situation you can enter a game in at the start of an inning. There is not even a one-run buffer for a minor screwup. So trying to blame Mariano’s homerun allowed on it being a non-sv situation is absurd since it was still a very very high pressured situation, and the typical assumption is this is when a closer is supposed to be at his best.
Anyway, there is no need to overanalyze this. Not even Mariano is going to go through an entire season with a 0.50 ERA. And he’s gonna give up some more runs. It’s completely normal. His ERA is probably going to regress towards the mid or high 2′s at some point this year, and that shouldn’t surprise anybody.
And to further the point, the main guy who complains about the difference in save and non-save situations is Billy Wagner. But look at his career stats based on save and non-save situation:
Save situation: 2.37 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 4.57 K:BB
Non-Save situation: 2.35 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 3.35 K:BB
He is essentially the same pitcher in either case.
I know the mans a tool I just posted it because of what the scouts he talked to said.
When CB or SJ say they have talked to scouts I believe them, Joel Sherman I’m sorry I don’t see him doing that at all.
Did we figure out why Mariano was pitching in the 9th inning of a tie game?
lol it gets better Sherman goes on to say “The Yanks should trade Matsui, Damon stays in left and Giambi can move to the DH role without forcing Matsui to the bench”.
Mel did you really just ask that?
mel not you …
Mariano was pitching because it was impossible for there to ever be a Save situation for the Yankees at that point in the game. They are the home team. Once the 9th inning or later comes around, the game is over once they take the lead. So Girardi made the right call, unless you think Moose could have given another inning. But if you go to the ‘pen, it would be dumb to bring anybody but Mariano into the game at that point.
“lol it gets better Sherman goes on to say “The Yanks should trade Matsui, Damon stays in left and Giambi can move to the DH role without forcing Matsui to the benchâ€.”
Thats actually not a bad move. One of the only one that makes sense on that ridiculous Sherman list.
Trade value for Matsui might still be high.
Just watched Tyler in Washington, oh boy he is still the same Tyler Clippard, too many 4 IP and 6 K’s ok and then he walks the park he had 4 BB PT/S 98-54 (not good he needs to throw more strikes that is near Igawa territory vs a good offense)and a GO/AO of 0-7 (oh boy)
he sure can’t keep throwing it there
or there
Dr.Cox who are you trading Matsui for? Sherman says he would trade Matsui, Tabata and Alberto Gonzalez for Sanchez and Randy Winn. Do you do that trade?
we’re going back to talk of trading Matsui?
he’s only third in the league in batting average and has been one of, if not our best clutch hitter to this point in the season.
No, there is no way I do that trade. I didnt read that Tabata and Gonzalez were involved.
What I meant was that if we were going to trade a big name player, even though he is hitting, I think the obvious and best choice would be Matsui.
However, that is contingent on what we would be receiving in return.
What?! I’m not blaming him, I just thought it was odd at the time.
Igawa’s teeth all your getting in that deal is Jonathan Sanchez, I sure as hell wouldn’t and I’d love him on this team. Although if they add say Brian Wilson I’d listen.
he’s only third in the league in batting average and has been one of, if not our best clutch hitter to this point in the season.
2 words (Playing time)
I wouldnt do the deal im simply posted what idiot Sherman wrote. I dont think the yankees need to make a deal just yet. I think that they can fix the pen in house. With the addition of a RP at the trading deadline. Nothing crazy maybe a Fuentes.
“Sparky Lyle, a closer in a different era, wrote that he couldn’t perform well when not in a closers’ situation (slim lead to protect).”
You’re cherry picking here. A tie game is still a high leverage situation–if a guy has the mindset to protect a one run lead, he has the mindset to hold a tie (pitchers, even Mo, aren’t perfect–as this weekend showed).
When relievers talk about pitching in non-save situations, its usually about pitching in situations that aren’t high leverage–then I guess some of the competitive edge disappears (except for Billy Wagner, who knows what his deal it).
You’re going to Oakland via Houston???????
rconn
Cabrera w/RISP .296 until yesterday.