Postgame audio: The Moose is loose
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Podcast on Jul 05, 2008 
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If you’re a Mike Mussina fan – and we know you’re out there – here’s a little treat for you. It’s the complete postgame press conference from today’s game.
Because so many of us wanted to speak to him, Moose went into the interview room. So I was able to get my battered Olympus WS-100 voice recorder right on the table in front of him.
Moose talked about pacing around waiting for Mo to close the game out, his chances for the All-Star Game and his plans to attend the County Fair in Hughesville, Pa., if he doesn’t make it. Seems they have a good demolition derby.
At one point, a writer asked Mike what he was doing differently this season.
“I changed everything! Everything I do!” Mussina said with a chuckle. “Well not quite everything, I still throw right-handed. But it was suggested that I change.”
Everybody laughed. Take that, Little Stein.
Here’s the interview:
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Thanks to everybody for reading today. Can’t believe that on the Saturday of the July 4th weekend, we have nearly 900 comments for the day. Your passion for baseball and the Yankees is impressive.
Maybe it’s partially because he’s winning so many games with his good pitching, but Moose is extremely likable this year
Pete,
Maybe, we just don’t have a life.
I hope Moose makes the All Star squad. He is having a great season. I hate to think where the Yanks would be without him.
“but Moose is extremely likable this year”
i really liked him when he hit manny for the second time.
pedroias line drive was fair. called stikes on crisp AND lugo were a foot outside. where are these umpires coming from? the nba, maybe!
what better way to kick a post 4th of July hangover than with Yanks/Sox?
Thanks Pete.
Great wok s usual Pete
PS really like the changeof the blog on the mobile devices while at the game it is a real pleasure being abe to read all the comments on my blackberry rather than having to hit next after 5 comments and load a different makes it a MUCH easier read.
all the comments yesterday just means we have a lot to complain about.
Raises hand high!! Huge Mussina fan here. I said in the winter that Mussina would do well this year and have a like a 4-4.5 era. Looks like I was wrong on one part the era! Our good friend Mussina stinks is gone!!
Looks like he held up his end of the deal.
I was at a restaurant bar waiting for Mo to close the game out. I along with most people there was a nervous wreck!! When Mo finally got it down, there was clapping!!
I let out a huge sigh of relief, and said Now I can leave to eat dinner! 
I think everyone else felt the same.
“If you’re a Mike Mussina fan – and we know you’re out there” Really?! Who?
Thanks, this was fun.
Thx, Pete! Your audio is so much better than the YES audio, couldn’t even hear any of the reporter’s questions in the postgame interview.
I’m appreciating Moose so much this year. He’s proved that he’s a professional and worthy of the HoF. Whatever happens the rest of the season, Moose has been a high point for the Yanks and I hope for his sake that he can get a ring before he retires.
But how did Moose respond about the Molina question???? Your audio cuts, I’m dying to know what he said b/c it does seem that he works better with Jose.
How about we have our passion for baseball and the Yankees rewarded in the form of pitching reenforcements before July 31st?!
Tyler Kepner’s blog seems to have the answer: http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/.....kage-deal/
“Calling a game, catching the game, throwing the ball, blocking balls, being a leader on the field – he’s a No. 1 catcher,†Mussina said. “He knows how I think now. He’s important. He’s real important.â€
Moose was hysterical during the postgame
I really hope he can win 20 games this year. A ring would be nice too.
Agreed Thanks Pete, your audio has 1000% better than YES. I couldn’t hear any of the questions on Joe’s or Mussina’s interviews.
Mussina is one funny dude.
Hideki Mastui and Johnny Damon are keys for us going forward after the all star break. let’s hope Mastui knee gets better with rest.
Ever since Moose had the near perfect game ended with 2 outs vs. the Red Sox I have been a huge fan of his…the look on his face when Everett got that hit was painful to watch….I’m always wanting him to win that elusive 20th game and get a ring with the Yankees…way to go Moose…….keep it up and maybe you’ll win 20 games this year and then bring a championship to the new stadium next year!!!…sorry guys but I have to be realistic about this year and I would rather we get some things figured out this year with some young guys, get rid of some salary, and gear up for next year with some new players in key spots and have Mussina in the rotation next year…kind of like the Sox did in 2006 and it beats losing in the first round again….
McCutchen is adjusting to AAA now
9 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K’s
As for Melancon aka Gossage V. 2.0
2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K’s
(he allowed a hit ?)
Credit to CJ Henry hitting his first HR of the season (it was a matter of time he’s been hitting the ball hard)
Austin Romine hit his 3 HR of the season
Matt Carson still hitting in AAA who knows if he can continue it.
I think it’s pretty clear that his improvement has been a result of accepting his own limitations. Instead of using 99.9% of his physical effort to get that last 1 mph on his fastball, he has dialed it back a little and is concentrating more on pinpoint control. He has good stuff, it just doesn’t include a powerful fastball.
When you expend a lot of energy trying to throw hard, you often times sacrifice control. Without overpowering stuff, Mussina cannot make mistakes. Right now he is simply putting the ball generally right where he wants it.
Much thx, sw!
I can always count on the fans here to get me my Yankee info.
If we can only merge Jorge’s bat with Jose’s arm then we’d have the uber-catcher that all would be jealous of.
Is the humidor broken in Colorado? 35 total runs yesterday and 18 today so far.
Brandon: thanks for that update!
Looks like this Melancon kid is really something, doesn’t it?
What changed?
He BEANED Manny twice!!
Moose has always been my second favorite player in baseball, even when he was in Baltimore(I would see him all the time, as a Maryland resident)
He’s at 11 wins now, I’m really pulling for him to get the big 20. But I’d love to see him get a ring more than anything. He deserves it. It’ll be a sad, sad day for me personally when Moose no longer dons the pinstripes.
Thanks for doing this Pete, great job as always.
I thought he was done last year and even after the first few starts this year.
I still hold my breath with every start, but it really has been fun watching him pitch this year.
And Pete, love when you post the full audio of interviews. Much better than just hearing a few soundbites or reading a few quotes.
I’m not going to lie, I’ve been a huge Mike Mussina fan since he was signed. I suppose it was the near perfect game against David Cone that really sealed the deal for me (damn you, Carl Everett!), but I’ve just always been a fan of Moose’s approach, and yeah, even his temperament.
Oh, funny story: Buchholz gave up five runs in 5 innings (6 H, 2BB, 5 SO, 1 HR) today against Lehigh Valley (Phillies’ AAA affiliate). Hat tip to Mike A. over at River Ave. Blues for the link to the box score.
(I think one other thing that helped make me a Moose fan was that every time I went to the stadium, it happened to be a day Mike Mussina was pitching. It was never planned either.)
http://rotoworld.com/content/H.....;hl=243132
The New York Post is reporting that Cliff Lee will start the All-Star Game for the AL squad.
Someone isn’t going to be invited to the TBS Christmas party. The Post is revealing the names of the All-Star starters the day before they were set to be announced tomorrow.
According to George King, the AL starters are
C Joe Mauer, 1B Kevin Youkilis, 2B Dustin Pedroia, 3B Alex Rodriguez, SS Derek Jeter, OF Manny Ramirez, OF Josh Hamilton, OF Ichiro Suzuki and DH David Ortiz. Milton Bradley is expected to be the replacement for Ortiz in the lineup.
The Post also says the plan is for Mariano Rivera to pitch the last inning of the game. Jul. 5 – 6:04 pm et
Definately a treat for this Mussina fan – thanks so much for the audio, Pete! So happy to see him lock in #11 today
Truly hoping Moose makes the ASG…. and seeing the record he has [which should be even better], I’m completely hoping to see him back in pinstripes next year!
Pedroia over Kinsler ? WOW
LOL. Classic line:
Princess Leah: I love you.
Han Solo: I know.
Might as well be a conversation between the media and Moose.
Is it true that Francona will use Joe’s office during the all star game? I sure hope he removes any material on other teams from his office. Seems a little strange to let an opposing manager, and a soxs manager at that, use your office.
jennifer-
Would you prefer Francona used the bathrooms on the Tier level? LOl
Let him use the bathroom as his office.
seriously, they have to take all the Yankee players gear out of the clubhouse too!!
Brandon: Can’t believe Pedroia gets the nod over Kinsler!
Hasn’t Francona ever heard of the Trucker’s Friend?
Goes to show you that the fans vote is awful. Pedroia, Jeter, Ichiro and Ortiz are all non deserving. But remember this is reported by George King who often gets facts wrong with his guesses.
Watching the game now. I must say Moose was magnificent!!
If a non-Sox player smacks Youkilis in the dugout during the All Star Game, can they avoid suspension because it would be considered an internal matter?
Jeff NJ
I think it is a total JOKE! that the fans can vote for the All Star Game. All it is, is a popularity contest.
Please remmber fans vote the starters so that is why Pedroia gets the start over KInsler. Kinsler will be there he deserves to be there and Francona will pick him. This is hte problem when you have fans voting it becomes a popularity contest for the big name teams nad player rather than anything else why else would Ichiro get the nod he doesnt deserve to start either. Same thing for Jeter to be honest but hey I voted 25 times online and in stadium ballots so I am partially to blame.
the 4th of july hangover is a huge part being around the internet today
Moose has always been one of the good guys. I wish they could have gotten him a ring in his time here.
I can’t find the NY Post article from where rotoworld got that info from. I guess maybe they took it down? Weird.
Ok what is the more suprising move of the weekend so far:
Francour optioned to AA
Myers optioned to AAA
Gorzelony optioned to AAA
Jose Guilen gets in fight with pitching coach (and he is not even a pitcher)
It makes me sick that at least 3 position players will be soxs!
Anyone going to the red carpet parade?
gayle- I heard an idea, let the fans vote. But only have it account for say 25% of the vote, let managers/players/ownership account for the other portion.
Jennifer I think I am going to the parade it goes a block from my office so might make a trip.
Also if the game is going to count for something I agree fan votes should not count for all the votes.
OK add the signing of Jeff Weaver toth INians as another suprising move of the weekend..uh why would they sign him he hasnt pitched since last year and he stunk last year that move makes no sense. At least we didnt sign him.
I thought Moose was done. I really believed it…but the guy was brilliant today and he has transformed himself as a pitcher completely.
What he’s doing this season is above any expectations anyone had for him.
I hope his arm holds up for the 2nd half. The good sign is his velocity has slowly been inching up. He was throwing 89mph today And the movement on his pitches is wicked right now.
It wasn’t long ago he wasn’t breaking 85-87 and the knuckle curve looked like a lollipop pitch. He’s a completely different pitcher.
gayle, I didn’t even realize that Jeff was out of baseball!
g love did you listen to the Mussina interview. He joked that maybe the Yankees juiced the gun to make him feel better.
From Kepner’s blog:
He’s thrown out 22 of 47 potential base stealers, including Jacoby Ellsbury on Saturday. That is a 46.8 percent success rate, the best in the major leagues. Jorge Posada, whose throwing shoulder will need off-season surgery, has caught 3 runners in 33 attempts, or 9.1 percent.`
Girardi does not seem inclined to do it – he’s a big Wilson Betemit fan — but with Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui down, the Yankees’ best lineup might include Molina as the everyday catcher with Posada and Jason Giambi alternating between designated hitter and first base.
I don’t understand why they allow you to vote 25 times. Why not one vote per person? I guess they wouldn’t get so many votes then, but so what?
Mel against fast teams I would not be suprised if Jorge DH’s…
Especially with no Matsui and Damon…
Molina is a great defensive catcher but man he cannot hit at all….
Jeff Weaver was actually in the Milwaukee organization, pitching for their AAA affiliate, until they released him. I think it was just a few short weeks ago.
Tim Dierkes correctly noted the irony of the situation, as the Brewers are rumored to be the front runners in the C.C. Sabathia sweepstakes as they are (reportedly) offering Matt LaPora as part of their package, who is likely to be the best player offered by any of the teams seeking to add Sabathia.
…personally, if I’m the Brewers and I get Sabathia for LaPorta+, I do all I can to make sure Sabathia gets signed long-term, because LaPorta’s a pretty big talent to be including for a rental, in my opinion.
Man, looking forward to 55mph knucklers vs. 98mph heat tomorrow.
Hopefully the running game can come into play even more and Gardner will do some serious damage.
stuart,
It’s not true. Molina can’t hit anything but doubles.
Doesn’t he lead the team in doubles?
He was a great signing, and it’s comforting to have him behind the plate. To the point that you don’t even miss Jorge’s offense.
I’m not proposing Molina full-time, but he’s great insurance to what would’ve been a disastrous injury to Jorge.
I wonder how long Jorge can continue playing with his shoulder, it wouldn’t surprise me if he shut it down within the next month or so.
What I saw today was two of the veteran Yankees Moose and Mariano step up and lead this team. Hopefully they will inspire the other “headliners” to do the same.
Joba will prove well under pressure tomorrow I can feel it already!
For anyone interested Phil Hughes updated his blog said he feels great, ummm visit his blog update at your own risk.
Jorge has only hit 3 HRs. They might as well shut him down.
I love Moose. He pitched (and got the win) at the first game I ever saw at the stadium, so he’ll always have a special place in my memories. On opening day this year I said to my boyfriend that I had a feeling this would be a really great year for Mussina. He laughed, but I was right and boy am I glad! Almost makes up for opening day 2007 when I predicted Pavano would be our ace that year…
Anyway, thank god for Moose! One of a very few bright spots this season, and one of the only predictions of mine that’s actually come true.
Just another life-long Mussina fan chiming in with thanks for the holiday weekend bonus.
I agree Hank.
By the way— when does McCutchen get the call? Enough with the Rasner/Ponson/Karstens/Igawa experiment.
Asking Ponson to pitch against the Rays is just asking for trouble.
Rising gas/travel prices mean a number of us didn’t really want to go anywhere and decided to enjoy our weekend by watching the Yanks, Pete.
Ponson and Rasner have little or no value as our #4 and #5 starters…They are both getting figured out QUICKLY by opposing teams and are accidents waiting to happen. What we please me greatly, is if BOTH are NOT in the post All-Star game rotation….better yet…trade both of them, along with Hawkins to San Diego for one of their cute ball girls….. Bring up some fresh meat from the minors, trade for CC and Tex and let’s make our move !
Matt Carson has been hitting real well at AAA why not give him a shot over Christian? Also, McCutchen Complete game shutout today in AAA
omg that moose wisecrack is a classic… i don’t know why i’ve never seen this side of him before. it’s almost as if he didn’t have a personality until this season
Buddy
If the Yankees are out of it come August Sept, It wouldn’t shock me if the Yankees told him, it is okay to have surgery.
And also to the person who commented about the 25x voting, I don’t get it either. Make it one per ip. Otherwise you get the people with nothing better to do, sitting and voting 8 zillion times, with 5 million email addresses.
and if Jeff was just floating out there, why didn’t the yankees take a flier on him?
Pete –
Thanks for posting the Mussina interview.
For those of us who have watched and cared about Mike since Stanford, it was a real treat to hear him speak as he always does about his game – honestly and with a sense of his dry humor.
A really great guy and a superb baseball pitcher.
Moose pitched great! In my opinion the Yankees should have scored a lot more runs than they did. Their offensive slump has really put a lot of pressure on an already stressed pitching staff. The umpires – they were bad in my opinion – especially the plate umpire but they were consistent – meaning they were bad for both sides so no real complaint there. As for Moose this season – he is way to good of a pitcher and way to smart to allow his struggles last season to hold him down. He’s made the adjustments and uses that Stanford mind to rework his approach to pitching and the results have been top notch. He should definitely make the All-Star team and even more importantly – he is without a doubt a Hall of Fame pitcher even if he doesn’t have a 20 win season on his resume. With the emergence of the specialty pitching positions – the 7th, – set up man – and the closer I believe it puts the ball in too many hands to make a 20 win season a valid benchmark for a starting pitcher to get into the Hall these days. Keep it up Moose!
Thanks for this Pete, this huge Moose fan really appreciates it.
I like Moose and always have.
And the 9th inning was very exciting yesterday. I would LOVE to see him make the All-Star team.
he’s my fav
thanks for the interview