Comments on: This is confusing http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/ A Yankees Blog by Journal News beat writer Peter Abraham Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:12:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Sawyer http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418987 Sawyer Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:47:56 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418987 Pedroia and Ellsbury have the heart and desire to improve their baseball skills. They know what it takes to be a Champion. Cano and Melky might have more talent but as I've watched over the years, I do not see the heart and desire to improve as Major League baseball players from Cano or Melky. Pedroia and Ellsbury have the heart and desire to improve their baseball skills. They know what it takes to be a Champion. Cano and Melky might have more talent but as I’ve watched over the years, I do not see the heart and desire to improve as Major League baseball players from Cano or Melky.

]]> By: Fan mail from some flounder... http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418977 Fan mail from some flounder... Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:39:31 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418977 I can see Joe G. showing faith / confidence, ala Joe T., in his players (Melky, Farnsdouche, the rest of the bullpen, etc) but with 40 losses already in the books, its time to throw faith down the tunnel. Granted its the players that ultimately decide the success or failure of any strategy but with three well pitched games and three losses, well methinks the in-qame management needs a new approach. In the prior two seasons, while Joe T. slept on the bench, the post all-star game Yanks hit their way into the playoffs. Maybe they will this year too. Question is: how long can Joe G. afford to impersonate Joe T.? I can see Joe G. showing faith / confidence, ala Joe T., in his players (Melky, Farnsdouche, the rest of the bullpen, etc) but with 40 losses already in the books, its time to throw faith down the tunnel. Granted its the players that ultimately decide the success or failure of any strategy but with three well pitched games and three losses, well methinks the in-qame management needs a new approach. In the prior two seasons, while Joe T. slept on the bench, the post all-star game Yanks hit their way into the playoffs. Maybe they will this year too. Question is: how long can Joe G. afford to impersonate Joe T.?

]]> By: Scott http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418894 Scott Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:00:39 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418894 Wait wait wait. Why the hell did he bunt with a FAST runner IN SCORING POSITION with NOBODY OUT in the FIRST INNING? Wait wait wait. Why the hell did he bunt with a FAST runner IN SCORING POSITION with NOBODY OUT in the FIRST INNING?

]]> By: Jeremy http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418783 Jeremy Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:40:12 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418783 Using Rivera in a tie game in the top of the ninth is and will always be the right move. Rivera does not have some bizarre aversion to pitching in non-save situations. He will give up runs every year - this year he has just happened to give them up in non-save situations. It's a coincidence. And it's not as if Rivera collapses in non-save situations this season. His WHIP in non-save situations is still less than 1, and he still averages more than a strikeout per inning. In short, he always pitches very well. It's just that his mistakes in tie games have been very noticeable because (1) a run allowed in a tie game is always important, whereas a run allowed with a 2 or 3 run lead can be meaningless, and (2) Rivera happens to have a zero ERA in save situations. Something I'd like to see is if Rivera has a history of pitching worse in non-save situations than save situations. Using Rivera in a tie game in the top of the ninth is and will always be the right move.

Rivera does not have some bizarre aversion to pitching in non-save situations. He will give up runs every year – this year he has just happened to give them up in non-save situations. It’s a coincidence.

And it’s not as if Rivera collapses in non-save situations this season. His WHIP in non-save situations is still less than 1, and he still averages more than a strikeout per inning. In short, he always pitches very well. It’s just that his mistakes in tie games have been very noticeable because (1) a run allowed in a tie game is always important, whereas a run allowed with a 2 or 3 run lead can be meaningless, and (2) Rivera happens to have a zero ERA in save situations.

Something I’d like to see is if Rivera has a history of pitching worse in non-save situations than save situations.

]]> By: Jeff http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418738 Jeff Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:09:08 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418738 Girardi must go Girardi must go

]]> By: pete http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418716 pete Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:55:45 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418716 obviously we all know that mariano cant pitch in tied games.. except for joe g. obviously we all know that mariano cant pitch in tied games.. except for joe g.

]]> By: pete http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418713 pete Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:54:39 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418713 why didn't edwar pitch the ninth inning?? we all know mariano can't pitch in tied games.....edwar struck out kinsler the night before. he would have struck him out again with the changeup. why didn’t edwar pitch the ninth inning?? we all know mariano can’t pitch in tied games…..edwar struck out kinsler the night before. he would have struck him out again with the changeup.

]]> By: Chet http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418698 Chet Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:37:09 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418698 This is the most frustrating team to watch the Yankees have put together in the last 15 years. The $200+ million train wreck is back in the station and is in dire need of a serious overhall. Looks like the starting pitching and bullpen are doing ok and the offense goes to sleep. There has been no sync this year with this team. With Matsui out and Gardner up Giambi should be the DH daily with Posada at 1B. And Melky should be sitting and could spell Damon in LF late in games for defense. Lineup could be: Damon LF Jeter SS Abreau RF Rodriquez 3B Giambi DH Posada 1B Cano 2B Molina C Gardener CF Chet This is the most frustrating team to watch the Yankees have put together in the last 15 years. The $200+ million train wreck is back in the station and is in dire need of a serious overhall. Looks like the starting pitching and bullpen are doing ok and the offense goes to sleep. There has been no sync this year with this team. With Matsui out and Gardner up Giambi should be the DH daily with Posada at 1B. And Melky should be sitting and could spell Damon in LF late in games for defense.

Lineup could be:
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreau RF
Rodriquez 3B
Giambi DH
Posada 1B
Cano 2B
Molina C
Gardener CF

Chet

]]> By: Rone http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418694 Rone Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:33:37 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418694 Baltimore got a break when Girardi declined to manager there. He's just awful. He seems clueless strategically, can't manage a line up, and rests guys who are hot yet insists on sticking with guys who clearly need a blow (oh, he benched Cano for ONE games). Who stinks? HE STINKS! Baltimore got a break when Girardi declined to manager there. He’s just awful. He seems clueless strategically, can’t manage a line up, and rests guys who are hot yet insists on sticking with guys who clearly need a blow (oh, he benched Cano for ONE games). Who stinks? HE STINKS!

]]> By: 86w183 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418672 86w183 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:26:23 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/01/this-is-confusing/#comment-418672 My turn to pile on. I've been supportive of the Girardi hire from day one and defended him from what I viewed as unfair criticism, but his management of the bottom of the ninth inning may be the worst I've seen in a long time. First, the one thing that CAN NOT happen in that situation is allow Melky to swing the bat. He's below .200 against LHP this year PLUS in the worst slump of his career. If he stays up there he must BUNT. Second, how can you let this game end against a LH closer with Derek Jeter not getting to the plate? He was the most rested guy on the team at that point and was ready to step in. He could swing away, or they cold hit and run... either way you have a first class bat up there. Joe's explanation that "we haven't been hitting with runners on" is insane and should have been attacked by the lap dogs covering this team. Is he saying that Melky was more likely to advance Betemit/Gonzo to THIRD BASE than Jeter or Damon was to drive in a run from SECOND? Because that's the only thought process that matches up with his comments and that process could get you institutionalized! I'm not yet giving up on this season, but the Yankees are three weeks from having to decide if they are buyers or sllers at the deadline. At this point, I'd bet on being in "sell" mode getting whatever useful pieces they can for Abreu, Giambi, Damon, Matsui, Farnswrst, Mussina et al My turn to pile on. I’ve been supportive of the Girardi hire from day one and defended him from what I viewed as unfair criticism, but his management of the bottom of the ninth inning may be the worst I’ve seen in a long time.

First, the one thing that CAN NOT happen in that situation is allow Melky to swing the bat. He’s below .200 against LHP this year PLUS in the worst slump of his career. If he stays up there he must BUNT.

Second, how can you let this game end against a LH closer with Derek Jeter not getting to the plate? He was the most rested guy on the team at that point and was ready to step in. He could swing away, or they cold hit and run… either way you have a first class bat up there.

Joe’s explanation that “we haven’t been hitting with runners on” is insane and should have been attacked by the lap dogs covering this team. Is he saying that Melky was more likely to advance Betemit/Gonzo to THIRD BASE than Jeter or Damon was to drive in a run from SECOND? Because that’s the only thought process that matches up with his comments and that process could get you institutionalized!

I’m not yet giving up on this season, but the Yankees are three weeks from having to decide if they are buyers or sllers at the deadline. At this point, I’d bet on being in “sell” mode getting whatever useful pieces they can for Abreu, Giambi, Damon, Matsui, Farnswrst, Mussina et al

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