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A New York Yankees blog by Chad Jennings and the staff of The Journal News


Game 125: Yankees at Blue Jays

Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Aug 19, 2008 Print This Post Print This Post | Email This Post Email This Post

YANKEES (66-58)
Damon CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
A. Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
NadyLF
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
I. Rodriguez C
Rasner RHP

Darrell Rasner (5-9, 5.18) vs. the Toronto hitters.

A.J. Burnett (15-9, 4.67) vs. the New York hitters.

Notes: The Yankees start the day 5.5 out in the wild card race. … The Yankees are 3-8 in their last 11 road games. … Jason Giambi has a 1.065 OPS since Aug. 4. … Xavier Nady (5 of 25, 8 Ks) has cooled off a bit. … Wilson Betemit is 11 of his last 33 with five RBI. … Johnny Damon is 1 of his last 18.

GODZILLA RETURNS: Hideki Matsui is back with the Yankees, having been activated off the disabled list. OF Justin Christian was optioned back to Scranton

BY THE WAY, HE’S DEREK JETER: The Captain is up to .295 thanks to a 12-of-19 hot streak.

MESSAGE DELIVERED: Robinson Cano is 6 of 15 in the last three games.

SO MUCH FOR AN UPGRADE: Pudge Rodriguez is 7 of 32 (.219) with one HR and one RBI since joining the Yankees. Jose Molina is 7 of 30 with one homer and two RBI since Pudge came aboard.

LONG TIME COMING: Brett Gardner has three extra-base hits, nine RBI and eight runs scored in 83 MLB plate appearances since June 30 when he made his debut. Melky Cabrera had five extra-base hits, four RBI and 12 runs scored in 121 plate appearances since June 30.

SAY IT AIN’T SO, MO: Mariano Rivera since July 1: 18.2 innings, 19 hits, 7 earned runs, 2 walks, 22 strikeouts, 2 home runs. That’s a 3.38 ERA.

LOOKING AHEAD: Much could change. But at the moment the Yankees would have Pettitte, Ponson and Mussina against the Red Sox when they return home next week. Of course if they don’t play well against the Jays and Orioles, it won’t matter if they have Ford, Ruffing and Gomez.

Check back later for updates.

UPDATE, 5:52 p.m.: Joe Girardi said that his plan was to play Matsui as the DH every day, use Damon in center and bring Gardner off the bench.

UPDATE ON JOBA CHAMBERLAIN, 6:05 p.m.: Jobamania threw in the outfield this afternoon. Here is what he did:

20 throws from 70 feet
20 throws from 90 feet
three-minute rest
20 throws from 75 feet

Here is his schedule the rest of the week:

Tomorrow: off.

Thursday: same as today along with a few throws from level ground to a catcher.

Friday: off

Saturday: Throw off a mound in the bullpen in Baltimore

From there it’s uncertain. It’ll depend on how he feels. Chamberlain said that he’s throwing at 80-85 percent capacity and that he feels fine. He said his shoulder gets stiff when he’s not moving it. But once it loosens up, he feels better.

He is optimistic about getting into a game in early September. The question is whether that would be a minor-league game or a game for the Yankees. He has gone 15 days since pitching and it’ll be at least another five more.

At that point, he will have missed four starts. Girardi would not put a timetable on Joba’s return. I’m sure the Yankees have a plan on paper somewhere (they always do) but this will largely depend on how Joba feels.

UPDATE, 6:13 p.m.: Girardi went into the Cone of Silence when asked who would start Saturday. They’ll spring it on the world sometime Thursday. The candidates appear to be Carl Pavano and Phil Hughes.

Based on Brian Cashman’s recent passionate defense of the Idle, it sounds like Pavano. Unreal.

Alfredo Aceves is chucking tonight for Scranton and Chase Wright is listed for Saturday. Hughes is scheduled for Sunday but that could change.

UPDATE, 6:24 p.m.: The Red Sox signed OF Jason Lane to a minor-league deal about 10 seconds after the Yankees cut him. Boston needs OFs with J.D. Drew experiencing back pain. … In case you missed it, Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski is in a Boston hospital with chest pains.

UPDATE, 6:54 p.m.: John Challis, the Pennsylvania teenager whose battle with cancer became a national story, passed away today. He was 18.

As was mentioned on this blog last month, A-Rod had taken a special interest in John and spent time with him in New York.

“He was an inspiration,” Rodriguez said today. “He was a very brave boy, very charming, very intelligent. … He’ll be an inspiration the rest of my life.”

UPDATE, 7:26 p.m.: Sure, Johnny Damon in center. What could go wrong?

This is clearly the best lineup they can put on the field. But Johnny can’t be doing that. Yikes.

UPDATE, 7:31 p.m.: Nice job by Rasner picking up Damon.

UPDATE, 8:09 p.m.: You can’t make this stuff up. Pavano skipped his bullpen session today because of a stiff neck. Why do the Yankees even bother?

Meanwhile, speaking of stiffs, the Yankees are 0 for 5 with four strikeouts with RISP. Bobby Abreu has two doubles, everybody else is 0 for 12 with eight whiffs.

UPDATE, 8:55 p.m.: Sorry about the lack of updates, but the wireless here is awful. As always.

A.J. Burnett is making a ton of money in the last month. He’ll almost certainly opt out of his deal after this season and become a free agent. He had won five straight starts coming into tonight and is dealing again. His 13 Ks (through 7 innings) are a season high.

But Rasner has the soft-serve mojo working. Still 1-0 Yankees.

UPDATE, 9:04 p.m.: Damaso Marte was warming up. If you’re going to obtain Marte, don’t you use him against a lefty hitter in the seventh inning?

Girardi stuck with Rasner and Lind homered. It’s a tough call.

 
 

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1,010 Responses to “Game 125: Yankees at Blue Jays”

  1. Rubin August 19th, 2008 at 3:41 pm

    Damnit, my lineup was off by 1!

  2. Bob(The Original) August 19th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

    Let the lineup complaining begin………

  3. Theresa August 19th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

    What will it take to get Giambi out of the 5th spot?

  4. AZ Four August 19th, 2008 at 3:43 pm

    I guess Pettitte-Ponson-Mussina is what we want against Boston.

    Wow, that is amazing.

  5. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 3:44 pm

    9 – 2 Blue Jays

  6. NongEyeWayneTolleson August 19th, 2008 at 3:44 pm

    Theresa,

    Probably a hit-squad.

    Anyway, I think those numbers comparing Gardner to Cabrera are very telling…and Cabrera was a 3-year “veteran”.

  7. NongEyeWayneTolleson August 19th, 2008 at 3:45 pm

    Brandon,
    You think theyll score 2 runs against Burnett? He owns them….and no one else.

  8. Jeter's Edge (In Blaz'n Copper!) August 19th, 2008 at 3:45 pm

    See the Edge works! We are pushing 300 again!

  9. Bob(The Original) August 19th, 2008 at 3:45 pm

    11-3 Jays.

  10. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 3:45 pm

    Welcome back Matsui!

    I am very nervous about this series.
    They must…must..take 2 out of three or sweep the Blue Jays and knowing this team…they will probably be the ones getting swept. :(

    Prove me wrong Yankees. Prove me wrong..

  11. RayBlay August 19th, 2008 at 3:45 pm

    Hmmm… I must say, that’s a pretty good lineup. I wonder if they’ll believe they are and actually make something happen.

  12. ramon August 19th, 2008 at 3:46 pm

    what the hell girardi ?

    why is matsui batting so low?

    why is abreu still in the 3rd spot? he is not a 3 hitter.

    nady is the hottest hitter on the team! why is that slug giambi batting in front of him again? does girardi think he is the 2001 giambi instead of the guy who hits .220 with RISP?

    and looks like girardi is ok with jeter hitting into so many DPs otherwise he would bat him leadoff where he should be?

    and why is gardner out of the lineup? after going 3-5 and 2-4 in the last 2 games and providing a spark he is on the bench. great managing.

  13. zellyanks91 August 19th, 2008 at 3:46 pm

    I am loving this lineup. The best it can be. Big game today coming after the day off. They can’t lose the momentum they had. These are all crucial games. They should be announcing who will start this weekend against the Orioles. I am hoping for Hughes, but it looks like they are leaning towards Pavano because Phil was shaky in his last start.

    Kevin

  14. RayBlay August 19th, 2008 at 3:47 pm

    I JUST REALIZED… has there ever before been a lineup where every single guy has been an all star? I doubt it. This is a historical day!

  15. Bob(The Original) August 19th, 2008 at 3:47 pm

    Honestly guys, I’d be shocked if the Yanks even win one of these games.

    Given the pitching they are facing and the way they’ve been playing, this has all the makings of the final nail getting pounded into the coffin.

  16. AZ Four August 19th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

    Rasner will gut out 6 innings of 3 run ball. Bruney and Edwar will hold it for the next 2 innings

    But it won’t matter. Brunett will itch 8 innings with 3 hits, 2 walks, 0 runs and 11 strikeouts. BJ Ryan will shut the door.

    3-0 loss upcoming.

  17. RayBlay August 19th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

    Ramon, I assume you are kidding and making fun of all of the posters who say inane things just like that all over this board.

  18. G. Love August 19th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

    The Giambi in the 5 hole just baffles me.

    I wish Pete would ask him if he’s given any consideration to moving up Nady or Matsui to 5 since Giambi is having trouble driving in runners this season.

    Knowing Girardi, he’ll say “but he hit a grand slam the other day”.

    That’s my problem with the Yankees. Giambi does something positive offensively once every 25 games and they hang their hat on it and tell us he’s back.

  19. Laura - I still believe! August 19th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

    “Let the lineup complaining begin………”

    I will stick with the only complaint I’ve recently had with the lineup: Move Nady up behind A-Rod. I don’t care that he’s cooled off a bit. I’d move Nady up to the 5th spot. Once Matsui gets his feet wet, I’d move him to 6th and bat Giambi 7th.

  20. Andrew August 19th, 2008 at 3:49 pm

    AJ Burnett is getting deified bigtime. Do people forget what he looks like in games where he can’t throw strikes or leaves pitches over the middle of the plate? Not saying that that’s bound to happen tonight against the Yankees, since he’s shut them down each time facing them this year. But he has a track record of consistent inconsistency, no matter how many starts he’s won in a row, and I am not going into this game without hope of a good offensive performance and a win.

  21. NongEyeWayneTolleson August 19th, 2008 at 3:51 pm

    Andrew,
    He’s getting deified because he’s owned us this year and really, only us.

  22. Theresa August 19th, 2008 at 3:51 pm

    Bob (The Original),

    Your optimism is so refreshing. Where’s Rebecca when we need her?

  23. Patrick â„¢ August 19th, 2008 at 3:54 pm

    “Andrew,
    He’s getting deified because he’s owned us this year and really, only us.”

    Thats just not true. He’s only faced the Yankees twice and gone 2-0.. where did his other 13 wins come from?

  24. TKinDC August 19th, 2008 at 3:54 pm

    “Jason Giambi has a 1.065 OPS since Aug. 4.”

    “Giambi does something positive offensively once every 25 games and they hang their hat on it and tell us he’s back.”

    Reading is fundamental G.Love – someone can help you out with the OPS stat if you find that confusing.

  25. ohgodno August 19th, 2008 at 3:54 pm

    Good Lineup. Great Names.

    NOW SCORE SOME FREAKING RUNS!!!!

    If names could score runs, we’d be champs already. Sadly guys crossing home plate is what puts runs on the board.

  26. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

    Welcome back Matsui!

  27. Jeter2007 August 19th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

    GIT ‘ER DUN

    WIN, THAT’S IT

    our offense needs to come through in a HUGE way

  28. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 3:56 pm

    OPS, BA, OBP % SLG % means nothing to me right now.

  29. ohgodno August 19th, 2008 at 3:56 pm

    Everyone needs an Edge, with a Sync soundsystem. It’s working for Jeter.

  30. pat August 19th, 2008 at 3:59 pm

    RIP John Challis

    The inspirational Pittsburgh teenager who visted Yankee STadium and was featured on ESPN this year passed away in his sleep this afternoon.

    Prayers and wishes to his family.

  31. ohgodno August 19th, 2008 at 3:59 pm

    In fact, if the Yankees were an Edge, Gardner would be the Blazing Copper and Matsui would be the vista sunroof… A Rod would be the flat tire.

  32. Laura - I still believe! August 19th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

    Guys, let’s not kid ourselves here. We really have to sweep both TOR and BAL if we want to have any chance at making the playoffs. It’s not about catching TB anymore. That’s not going to happen. Unfortunately, it’s not about catching just BOS anymore either. We now have to worry about BOS and worry about who the loser is in the Central war between MIN and CHI. Add trying to keep TOR off of our tails and we have a struggle ahead. It can be done, but we need good pitching, timely hitting and losses by those other teams to make it happen. This is make or break time. If we don’t get at least 2 from TOR, I’m afraid it will be time to call it a season.

  33. gayle August 19th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

    Pat that is sad news indeed and once again shows us that baseball is just a game and certainly not life and death.

  34. Andrew August 19th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

    That’s real sad, it was a solid move of A-Rod to take care of that kid the way he did.

  35. RalphieD August 19th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

    yanks beat burnett…(i gotta go against the grain today since no one has any faith)

  36. JoeT 28 in 09!! August 19th, 2008 at 4:01 pm

    oh man…. GODZILLA INVADED CANADA!! I love it!!

  37. Al from BK(I got CC's check right here, get it done Hank!) August 19th, 2008 at 4:01 pm

    “In fact, if the Yankees were an Edge, Gardner would be the Blazing Copper and Matsui would be the vista sunroof… A Rod would be the flat tire.”

    lol.

  38. saucY August 19th, 2008 at 4:01 pm

    “I JUST REALIZED… has there ever before been a lineup where every single guy has been an all star? I doubt it. This is a historical day!”

    i don’t think Nady was an All-Star

  39. ohgodno August 19th, 2008 at 4:01 pm

    We can’t lose more than one game this week basically.

    If we want to be totally honest with this situation.

  40. JohnC August 19th, 2008 at 4:03 pm

    Need to get to Burnett early. At least try to make him throw alot of pitches and get his pitch count up so maybe they get him out after 6 innings. Rasner has to keep the Yanks in the game. 2- 3 runs the most he can allow, hopefully over 6 innings.

  41. The Panoramic Vista Roof in Jeter's Edge August 19th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

    over under on strike outs tonight for Burnett 18

  42. G. Love August 19th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

    TK–

    If Giambi’s been so amazing since August 4th, why has the offense been in a tailspin during that time period?

    Why has he done nothing until the Grand Slam the other day to drive in runs with oodles of guys on base, eh?

    Take your OPS and put it back in your looseleaf binder stat nerd.

  43. Al from BK(I got CC's check right here, get it done Hank!) August 19th, 2008 at 4:05 pm

    If this line-up gets owned tonight, thats a pretty good indicator of where were at.

  44. helno51 August 19th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

    i know pete isnt big into facts when hes on his pro-gardner and anti melky soapbox but when melky started his career in his first 81 plate appearances he had 4 extra base hits, 9 runs scored and 10 rbis. by petes logic (especially considering gardner is much older) brett must be on his way to the mexican league.

  45. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

    pat August 19th, 2008 at 3:59 pm

    RIP John Challis

    The inspirational Pittsburgh teenager who visted Yankee STadium and was featured on ESPN this year passed away in his sleep this afternoon.

    Prayers and wishes to his family.

    Very sad news. May he R.I.P.

  46. ohgodno August 19th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

    Under.

    Burnett gives up 30 runs in 1/3 of an inning for a nice 810 ERA.

  47. Al from BK(I got CC's check right here, get it done Hank!) August 19th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

    “over under on strike outs tonight for Burnett 18″

    Oh come on dude be realistic. I’m putting it at 10.

  48. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 4:07 pm

    RIP John Challis

    The inspirational Pittsburgh teenager who visted Yankee STadium and was featured on ESPN this year passed away in his sleep this afternoon.

    Prayers and wishes to his family.

    RIP John :(

  49. al arodien August 19th, 2008 at 4:07 pm

    i have a tuff question ; what is better to make the playoffs and fall out in the first round or to play the last month a lot or rookies and see what we got for next season? ( and of course not make the playoffs)

  50. TKinDC August 19th, 2008 at 4:07 pm

    “If Giambi’s been so amazing since August 4th, why has the offense been in a tailspin during that time period? ”

    You asked a question about the offense? or Giambi?

    “Why has he done nothing until the Grand Slam the other day to drive in runs with oodles of guys on base, eh?

    Take your OPS and put it back in your looseleaf binder stat nerd.”

    Not only is calling someone a stat nerd cool – it makes you look tough and intelligent at the same time – well played sir!

  51. Al from BK(I got CC's check right here, get it done Hank!) August 19th, 2008 at 4:08 pm

    “pat August 19th, 2008 at 3:59 pm

    RIP John Challis

    The inspirational Pittsburgh teenager who visted Yankee STadium and was featured on ESPN this year passed away in his sleep this afternoon.

    Prayers and wishes to his family.

    Very sad news. May he R.I.P.”

    R.I.P. John your in a better place.

  52. Steve August 19th, 2008 at 4:08 pm

    Our biggest problem this year is hitting with RISP

    The #5 spot in the batting order is one of your main run producing spots.

    Jason Giambi is hitting .209 with RISP

    Hideki Matsui is hitting .338 with RISP

    I have nothing else to say.

  53. Patrick â„¢ August 19th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

    Does anyone have a website or a list of Yankee players that won’t be exempt from the rule 5 draft this December?

    The way I understand it, players signed at 19 or older are exempt from the Rule 5 draft for four years and players signed at 18 or younger are exempt for 5 years. I’ve heard some talk that some pretty good players in the Yankees system are going to be available in the Rule 5.

  54. JoeT 28 in 09!! August 19th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

    under 10, Yankees offense rolls tonight, 9-6 win

  55. RayBlay August 19th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

    Saucy, whoops I thought he was this year since he’s been so good. I have no idea where my head has been the past few months. I totally thought he made the NL AS team
    haha I need a few months’ worth of sleep…

  56. Drew August 19th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    Ask Pudge where he hid his ‘roids.

  57. jaysfan August 19th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    The Yankees order is terrible. Here’s what a Jays fan thinks it should be -

    Damon
    Jeter
    AFraud
    Matsui
    Abreu
    Nady
    Giambi
    Cano
    Pudge

  58. ohgodno August 19th, 2008 at 4:11 pm

    The thing we have to consider here is Fords decreased profits have a DIRECT correlation to Jeter’s decrease in OPS.

  59. Laura - I still believe! August 19th, 2008 at 4:13 pm

    “what is better to make the playoffs and fall out in the first round or to play the last month a lot or rookies and see what we got for next season? ( and of course not make the playoffs)”

    Tough question. I want us to make the playoffs for several reasons, one of which is for us to match ATL’s record. However, seeing them lose first round to LAA again would be more than I could take.

    If I had to choose, I’d rather sit the playoffs out and prepare for next year than lose to LAA another frackin’ year!

  60. CB August 19th, 2008 at 4:13 pm

    The yankees need to roughly play .700 baseball over the next 38 games in order to make the playoffs.

    That is a very difficult task – but that’s the hole they’ve dug for themselves.

    What do they need to do to play .700 ball?

    They’ll need to score an average of around 8 runs a game to play at that level for the next 38 games.

    This year their team ERA is 4.29. And they are allowing 4.45 runs per game (that’s earned and unearned runs). The pitching staff’s performance this year has been good.

    If the team’s pitching and defense had given up 4.45 runs pergame this season and the offense had performed up to expectations (averaging around 5.5 runs per game) this team would have won around 98 games and made the playoffs comfortably.

    Instead the offense has averaged 4.8 runs per game and the team is on pace to win 86 games. That’s how bad the offense has been – at this rate they will have cost the team 12 wins. Just amazing.

    So over the next 38 games the team will probably allow around 170 runs total for the rest of the season.

    If you want to play .700 baseball over 38 games and you’re going to allow 170 runs total then you’ll need to score around 300 runs over that same period of time. That’s what it’s going to take. 300 runs. Around 8 runs a game.

    Does this offense have it in them? It’s a tough order. 8 runs a game from an offense that’s averaging 4.8 per game thus far.

    Better pitching alone will not allow them to win at a .700 clip. Even if by luck the pitching is 10% better for the next 38 games the offense would still need to score over 7 runs per game to win at a .700 rate. And I can’t see the pitching being 10% better than it’s been.

    This is just an estimate for what needs to happen for them to get into the playoffs. They don’t have to actually score 8 every game – but it’s just a sense for what needs to happen.

    Bottom line – their offense has to be overwhelming from here on out in order for them to have a chance and the pitching can’t get worse than it’s been.

    But the improvement in play will need to come from the offense for the most part. The hitting can’t just be good. Has to be overwhelming.

  61. ARD August 19th, 2008 at 4:15 pm

    you cant put matsui 4th when he just came back u dunno how hes gonna hit anyway we havent beat brunett in a long time but yankees vs blue jays games are usually close and what matsui back im guessing we win 4-3

  62. saucY August 19th, 2008 at 4:15 pm

    “what is better to make the playoffs and fall out in the first round or to play the last month a lot or rookies and see what we got for next season? ( and of course not make the playoffs)”

    it depends on whether or not the yankees making the post-season keeps the red-sox out.

  63. mel August 19th, 2008 at 4:16 pm

    Theresa,

    Thank you for your kind comment the other week. So sweet!

    Doreen,

    I thought you’d like that one. I had you in mind!

  64. BobK55 August 19th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

    Yankees will sweep this series. Giambi will come through big tonight!

  65. mel August 19th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

    No mention of Yaz? In the hospital with chest pains. Best wishes.

  66. Bob(The Original) August 19th, 2008 at 4:18 pm

    Can someone please explain to me why they think after 125 games, the Yanks offense is suddenly going to start producing when it has been awful all season?

    I’m missing something I guess.

  67. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter. August 19th, 2008 at 4:18 pm

    saucy, just wrote a post to you down below and then noticed that quiet that always comes when Pete has started a new thread! So here it is:

    saucy – thank you for saying that! That really means a lot to me. And I have to tell you that you bring a smile to my lips every time I read one of your posts leveling the Sux! I feel like we’re kindred spirits.

    :)

    Drew – about trampoline being an Olympic sport. Try table tennis!

  68. Doreen August 19th, 2008 at 4:19 pm

    Okay, CB -

    I’m not following. If the pitching is giving up roughly (rounding up to a whole number) 5 runs a game, why is 6 runs a game not enough for the Yankees to win?

    And if the pitching gives up fewer runs than 5 per game, shouldn’t the runs needed be coincidental to that, meaning, if they give up,on average 4 runs a game, shouldn’t 5 a game be enough for the offense?

    Mind, you, I’m certainly of the opinion that it’s not going to be easy from here on out and both pitching and hitting need to be clicking together for even a chance of anything happening. I’m just not following your numbers.

  69. pat August 19th, 2008 at 4:20 pm

    CB

    The Readers Digest version is: They need to score one run more than they give up 6 more times than the Red Sox do.

  70. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 4:20 pm

    RIP John Challis.

    BTW, I am now officially moved into the Bronx. This should be fun.

  71. JB August 19th, 2008 at 4:20 pm

    Trisha — Thanks for the welcome from the previous entry. I didn’t realize the blog moved on over here.

    I hate the Sox just as much as you guys do. I am an equal opportunity hater (we do that in Canada) because I dislike the Yanks (and the Orioles) just as much. I should hate the Rays, but it’s kind of tough right now.

    Cito is a great manager because he gets the best out of his players. He has a proven record of being able to say the right thing to a player and get the most out of him. That being said, he is a terrible strategist. Some of the moves he makes drives us nuts. Second guessing Cito has been a sport in Toronto since 1989. Just because the winning run is at third and John McDonald is batting with a .210 average, don’t always expect a pinch hitter. His bullpen management is also questionable. One thing we miss about Gibbons is his management of the bullpen.

    This is going to be a great series because both of our teams have the dilusion that they must sweep this series to get into the playoff hunt. This is really a battle for third place. Should be fun!

  72. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter. August 19th, 2008 at 4:21 pm

    It will be interesting to see whether brettisgod is able to get out of bed once he sees that Gardner is not in the lineup!

  73. saucY August 19th, 2008 at 4:22 pm

    lol trisha – i just read the original in the last thread.

  74. al arodien August 19th, 2008 at 4:22 pm

    it depends on whether or not the yankees making the post-season keeps the red-sox out.

    i understand your point but if we make the playoffs we will play the angels and thats most sure a lost series.

    so the question is does it “pay” to make the playoffs and “feel happy” , or we dont make the playoffs and we build a good team for the future.

  75. mel August 19th, 2008 at 4:22 pm

    Trisha,

    I enjoy watching BMX as much as the next, uh, gal. But really? Doesn’t it belong in the X-Games?

    You know who will really miss baseball as a sport is Cuba. I’m not quite sure, but I think they had a SP who was 35. They lost yesterday to Korea, who are now the favorites.

    I saw only one trampoling routine yesterday and it was stunning. A Chinese woman (at least I think she was).

  76. Doreen August 19th, 2008 at 4:22 pm

    Saucy -

    I went to the R&R HOF in Cleveland. Thought we’d spend a couple of hours there. FIVE HOURS LATER…. – and we easily could have stayed longer if the kids weren’t with us!

    We enjoyed Progressive Stadium as well. Weird set-up in a way – it’s a rectangle on the outside. But clean, nice, good fans there.

  77. Chris August 19th, 2008 at 4:23 pm

    GODZIRRA!!!!!

  78. Al from BK(I got CC's check right here, get it done Hank!) August 19th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    “BTW, I am now officially moved into the Bronx. This should be fun.”

    Congrats on the successful move. I hope you get to enjoy many Yankee games and be the first on line for tix(since your right there).

  79. Laura - I still believe! August 19th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    “Can someone please explain to me why they think after 125 games, the Yanks offense is suddenly going to start producing when it has been awful all season?”

    I’m not saying that they are. It’s more likely that they will continue to suck versus turning out 8 runs or more a game. That being said, it will be interesting to see what affect Matsui has on the lineup. It’s those little things that get you going sometimes. Seeing a guy work hard to try and get back to help out his teammates should resonate with them. I know that I’m impressed by Matsui; always have been. The other guys need to take a page out of his book and start busting their butts to get the job done!

  80. helno51 August 19th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    I’d much rather make the playoffs. MLB isnt like the NBA where if you dont make it you go into a lottery and could get a top draft pick. Also what rookies are we going to play if we are out of it? We can and should play Hughes now since our staff is a mess. Joba has already established himself. As for the other pitchers at AAA, which none are that exciting from a prospect standpoint you could still play some right now. I mean does anyone think Rasner or Pavano is that much better than any of them? As for hitters, the closest real hitting prospect we have is Jackson who is still at AA and most likely isnt MLB ready. It would be one thing if the Charleston hitters (Montero, Romine, Laird, Angelini, Suttle) were in AAA or even AA, then I might say lets let them play but there really isnt anyone who we are blocking at this point so we should be trying to win.

  81. mel August 19th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    Bob,

    There’s still hope in the season. If you can’t deal with it, you need to find another place to hang. :)

  82. Bob(The Original) August 19th, 2008 at 4:25 pm

    Sorry, I prefer objective talk myself. Never been one for living in fantasy land.

  83. G. Love August 19th, 2008 at 4:27 pm

    TK — Please. Don’t go intellectual with me. You were the one who had to remind me reading was fundamental.

    I cannot imagine the amount of idiocy it takes to sit on a blog and defend Giambi who has putrid numbers with RISP.

    The fact that you had to use a small sample size since August 4 to support some ridiculous reason why a guy who only hits home runs or walks should keep prime real estate in the batting order is beyond me.

    It makes me laugh when nimrods like you come here spouting how good players are during/after the awful road trip they just returned from.

    I doubt you’re a Yankee fan. Anyone else who watches the games this season knows that Giambi has been awful with RISP and the OPS doesn’t matter when he’s not driving in runners and the hitters behind him can’t drive his station to station butt in when he works out a walk.

  84. Andrew August 19th, 2008 at 4:28 pm

    How is “this offense has stunk all year, and they will continue to stink” objective talk? It just sounds like bluster that you would have to back off of if the team found ways to win games, offense being great or not. Throwing around bold proclamations about the season being over and the team stinking are anything but objective. Don’t confuse pessimism with objectivity, Straight Talk Express.

  85. saucY August 19th, 2008 at 4:28 pm

    Doreen, glad you enjoyed the trip. I think i would have went crazy if i was at the R&RHOF longer than we were. the crowd was insane. i think we waited about an hour just to get in. But I found out that I have the same drum set as the beach boys, who had an exhibit when we were there….

  86. Blargh August 19th, 2008 at 4:29 pm

    Aren’t looseleaf binders so last decade?

  87. Drew August 19th, 2008 at 4:29 pm

    Trisha, don’t forget badminton.

  88. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter. August 19th, 2008 at 4:30 pm

    I’m not thinking that we have to sweep. I’m thinking that we have to take series. There is far too much pressure that you put on yourself to look for sweeps, especially against a team like the Jays.

    One game at a time, and let’s continue to evaluate. What we need to do is at least keep pace with other teams and try to find ways to capitalize on the days they fall down.

  89. CB August 19th, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    “If the pitching is giving up roughly (rounding up to a whole number) 5 runs a game, why is 6 runs a game not enough for the Yankees to win?”

    Doreen,

    It has to do with how averages wind up getting calculated. Most times you don’t actually score as many runs as you are averaging. Some games it’s more than the average some less. For instance, how many times have the yankees scored exactly 5 runs in a game?

    This year Texas is scoring 5.6 runs per game and allowing 6.0 runs per game. So their being outscored on average. But their record is better than you’d expect – their playing exactly .500 ball.

    So to win there has to be a larger gap between the runs you score and allow than you’d intuitively guess.

    To play .700 ball it’s not good enough to simply average .5 or even 1 run more than you allow. To play at that level you need a very large gap.

    That’s what the team is up against. The offense will really have to be overwhelming from here on out in a huge way.

    Not likely – but that’s what’s needed.

    That’s also why the team’s best offensive line up needs to be out there every single game if they are serious about trying to make the playoffs.

  90. jaysfan August 19th, 2008 at 4:33 pm

    You guys will be lucky to avoid being swept. Doc is Doc and you won’t touch a lefty you’ve never seen, so tonight is probably your only chance.

  91. Laura - I still believe! August 19th, 2008 at 4:33 pm

    “I’m not thinking that we have to sweep. I’m thinking that we have to take series. There is far too much pressure that you put on yourself to look for sweeps, especially against a team like the Jays.”

    That may be true, but I think that the Yankees need to roll off a 10+ game winning streak and to do that, you have to sweep teams. This “win 2, lose 1″ approach works fine when there are 60 games left. We’re down to 37!!

    These are dire times; the players know this even better than we do. My guess is that they are thinking sweep as well.

  92. S.o.S.27 August 19th, 2008 at 4:34 pm

    Folks that think we are going to lose are forgetting something. Godzilla came back from a wrist injury to go 4 for 4. He works counts and is in the bottom of a weak lineup. Which can only be strengthening our weakness.
    Yankees bombers come to life. 8-3. 700 baseball here we come!!

    mel,
    What was that stuff written next to your name?
    Dream Team vs. 08 squad. Who wins?

  93. ohgodno August 19th, 2008 at 4:35 pm

    We just need wins, even if it means breaking Burnett’s kneecaps… I mean scoring more runs.

  94. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter. August 19th, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    “Trisha, don’t forget badminton.”

    :lol:

    Look I don’t mean to laugh. I know that these athletes really incredibly hard to be the best at what they do. But air pistol shooting?????

    :D

  95. ohgodno August 19th, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    Laura, let’s win today before we start talking about sweeps.

  96. mel August 19th, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    How cute. A Jays fan talking trash. The last one we had called himself “Jesse Litsch eats babies”. You guys are so adorable.

  97. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter. August 19th, 2008 at 4:37 pm

    Laura – I hear ya. You are right that we do need to go on a good run quickly.

  98. Blargh August 19th, 2008 at 4:39 pm

    Badminton’s a pretty fun sport
    Table tennis is another fun sport

    Shooting of course, requires hand-eye coordination and accuracy out the wazoo….beyond that, well…it’s pretty much old-world respect for martial skills.

  99. Paul August 19th, 2008 at 4:39 pm

    ” Of course if they don’t play well against the Jays and Orioles, it won’t matter if they have Ford, Ruffing and Gomez.”

    hehe…good one, Pete!

  100. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 4:39 pm

    It’s going to be interesting to see what Johnny does when that runner turns 3B

  101. CK in LA August 19th, 2008 at 4:40 pm

    “RIP John Challis

    The inspirational Pittsburgh teenager who visted Yankee STadium and was featured on ESPN this year passed away in his sleep this afternoon.

    Prayers and wishes to his family.”

    Very sad. I’m friends with his Uncle who lives out here.
    :-(

  102. ohgodno August 19th, 2008 at 4:40 pm

    Jesse Litsch really does eat babies.

  103. mel August 19th, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    SoS,

    Waipio is in the Little League World Series. Undefeated heading into the semifinals on the US side.

    I’m not talking basketball with you anymore.

  104. E-Man August 19th, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    Assuming 90 makes the Postseason.

    The worst we can do is go 24-14.

    But this is assuming Boston does worse than 18-20

    Or the the Twins do worse than 20-19

    In order to go 24-14, we have to win every series here on out. We do have the luxury of losing only 1 3 game set (LAA) in that time period.

    I think it’s going to take more than 90 to get in. With our offense and Girardi’s managing, that’s one tall order.

    It would take a miracle greater than last years second half explosion to get them in the Post season.

  105. JB (Lives next to Rogers Centre in Toronot) August 19th, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    A sweep is not an impossibility for your Yankees.

    The Blue Jays were swept by the Indians in their last series at home. Of course they then went to Detroit, took 3 of 4 then swept the Red Sucks at home. The Blue Jays are very inconsistent and I wish I could tell you what team will show up for this series.

  106. Paul August 19th, 2008 at 4:42 pm

    New website address link….so cold last night I thought it was gonna snow….

  107. Paul August 19th, 2008 at 4:42 pm

    home sweet home

  108. Paul August 19th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    Go Yanks

  109. pat August 19th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    mel

    It’s the exchange rate. Jays fans are 6% milder than other fans.

  110. mel August 19th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    Except to say congratulations on signing Finley. He’s an important cog in your machine. Just keep him well-oiled. :)

  111. MoBoy(aka McLovin) August 19th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

    Hopefully we get Phil Hughes to replace Rasner next week and Joba back in the pen,will really be great next week in the streach run against Boston.

  112. CK in LA August 19th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

    Here’s the link to John’s Story.

    http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08232/905451-49.stm

  113. JB (Lives next to Rogers Centre in Toronto) August 19th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

    Edit — I actually live in Toronto. Toronot doesn’t exist anymore.

  114. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter. August 19th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

    Before I write Pete to ban that loser “Bunny”, I do need to say that I heard she went on quite a bean binge when her loser team got their blocks knocked off two days in a row by the Jays, especially the day they got pulvarized 15-4. That’s the only thing that could explain her absence here on those days, right Bunny? You’d never stay away when the Sux lost and the Yankees won, right Bunny? Yeah we’ve really missed you.

    Oh yeah. Bye now!

  115. Drew August 19th, 2008 at 4:46 pm

    The Olympics has become a joke. I realize that some sports, like ping pong, are much bigger in other countries than here, but sports like it and curling in the winter just have to go.

  116. The Monk August 19th, 2008 at 4:47 pm

    AJ Burnett – 2-0, 1.88 v. Yankees; 13-9, 4.94 v. field. And, thanks to a revived BJ offense, he’s won his last five starts even though in his last three he has a 6.11 ERA.

  117. Hobs August 19th, 2008 at 4:48 pm

    CB,

    According to Bill James’ Pythag. Expectancy the Yankees will need to score 260 runs to play .700 baseball if the pitching gives up 170 runs over the final 38 games.

    An average of 6.85 runs per game.

    Doable.

  118. saucY August 19th, 2008 at 4:48 pm

    they should just add poker to the olympics. they cover it on ESPN, right? lets send out some of our best cigar smoking ‘athletes’, even if they can’t make it around the track during opening ceremonies.

  119. ohgodno August 19th, 2008 at 4:49 pm

    Curling takes a lot of skill actually, with the rotation of the big rocks with handles and the precise sweeping. Those people can clean a kitchen in seconds.

  120. mel August 19th, 2008 at 4:49 pm

    pat,

    They’re just more highly evolved than the other cockroaches that scurry around here. It used to be bad in the wee hours, but Pete leaves the light on so they don’t come around much. :)

  121. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter. August 19th, 2008 at 4:49 pm

    JB, I hope that some of our posters here will realize that you come here in peace and take the time to have some baseball conversation with you! If people feel okay about having a Sux fan here as long as he isn’t talking trash, you certainly should feel the same way about a Jay’s fan.

    I seriously have such admiration for players like Rios and Vernon Wells. Actually they scare me! :)

    Jays have always come to play and I don’t remember them doing anything to act like punks, unlike the Yankee’s neighbors due north. So JB, I salute you and your guys. I have difficulty not liking the Jays. I think they are a really fine bunch of guys. Hopefully you will get some conversation with some of our fine posters here who are fun and also welcoming.

    I am leaving for a while but will check you out later if you are around.

    That said, GO YANKEES!!!

  122. S.o.S.27 August 19th, 2008 at 4:50 pm

    mel,
    Cant leave me hanging. I mean what the hell are we going to talk about in the offseason? Lunch pales, parachute pants,best actors,football? No cant talk football with a Pats fan. You have to take the good with the bad(ask my wife). I get the sense that you are leaning towards this years team. I hope they dont have one of those bad shooting nights behind the 3 point ark in these elimination games.

    As far as Finley. That drove me crazy. Crazy enough to want to be a free agent. They didnt do anything to improve the team. Still Old and very frustrating. To top it off Ginobli is playing in the Olympics even though he isnt healthy.

  123. Clay Buchholz stole my laptop (Latest Blog Entry: Why Abreu is scared of the outfield wall) August 19th, 2008 at 4:50 pm

    My prediction.

    Dream Team 116
    Redeem Team 104

  124. Joeysdadjoe August 19th, 2008 at 4:51 pm

    Jason Giambi is the second best hitter in this lineup.OBP of around .400 is nothing to scoff at.Funny thing is 1-9 this lineup tonight is at least as good or better than the opening day one.Nady over Melky offsets the catcher.

  125. mel August 19th, 2008 at 4:51 pm

    ohgodno,

    I knew that it got ridiculous, when Team USA were utilizing $50,000 computerized push brooms to train with.

    I’m out, but I’d really appreciate if someone could recap Olney’s blog entry about overusing CC. Thanks!

  126. Blargh August 19th, 2008 at 4:52 pm

    Speaking of winter Olympic sports, who thought of skeleton? As the whole premise of it sounds akin to suicide to me

  127. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter. August 19th, 2008 at 4:52 pm

    “You sound like a little kid, I’m telling Pete, I’m telling Pete.”

    Better that I didn’t warn you you flippin loser? You are a dime-a-dozen troll(op) whose envy of the Yankees causes you to need to groupie around a Yankee forum. We see your kind all the time.

  128. LathamJoe August 19th, 2008 at 4:53 pm

    I’m a diehard Yankees Fan, but:
    The Yankees have been terrible in hitting with RISP all year….
    The Yankees have lost both of (arguably) their best starters….
    The remaining Yankee pitching staff, save for Mussina – and recently Ponson, has been inconsistent all year…….
    The Yankee offense has been spotty all season….
    The schedule during September will be the toughest its been all season….

    What makes people think that they can suddenly “flip a switch” and play .700 ball for the last 38 Games of the season?

  129. helno51 August 19th, 2008 at 4:53 pm

    I like how G. Love attacks people who rely on stats as he bends stats to help his case. Giambi does have awful overall numbers with RISP but if you look since the beginning of June, he has been very good. And since G. Love references the current struggles of the team you would think he would want to use the more recent and more relevant statistics. but I assume he is either ignorant of them or just being dishonest.

  130. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 4:53 pm

    There is nothing wrong with hoping.

  131. Players Union August 19th, 2008 at 4:55 pm

    Ladies and Gentlemen, your 1000-run New York Yankees.

  132. S.o.S.27 August 19th, 2008 at 4:55 pm

    “they should just add poker to the olympics. they cover it on ESPN, right? lets send out some of our best cigar smoking ‘athletes’, even if they can’t make it around the track during opening ceremonies.”

    How about lumber jack? I think thats what its called. When they chop a tree down or the balancing game in the lake. We would certainly get gold.

  133. Hobs August 19th, 2008 at 4:56 pm

    Just looked through baseball-reference…

    The most runs scored by the ’08 Yankees over a 38 game span this year is 208 runs.

    Seems the offense has their work cut out for them.

  134. Jefferson August 19th, 2008 at 4:56 pm

    “That’s my problem with the Yankees. Giambi does something positive offensively once every 25 games and they hang their hat on it and tell us he’s back.”

    Haha so true.

  135. Hobs August 19th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

    Whoops, I lied.

    215 runs.

  136. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

    CB

    You’re saying that they need to play .700 ball for the last 38 games which would give them a record of 93-69. If that guarantees them a playoff spot then they need to finish 27-11.

    Therefore:
    Detroit win 1 of 1 game
    Seattle win 3 of 3 games
    Anaheim win 1 of 3
    Chicago win 2 of 4 games
    Toronto win 4 of 6 games
    Baltimore win 5 of 6 games
    Boston win 4 of 6 games
    Tampa win 7 of 9 games

    Any combination would do however sweeping Boston, Tampa Bay and Chicago would be more helpful.

    Interesting- I suppose if we score 8 runs a game this is doable!!!!!

  137. Andy in Windblown Daytona August 19th, 2008 at 4:58 pm

    In Badminton, the shuttlecock (heehee) can travel up to 200 mph.
    I love baseball as much as anyone, but the majority of the World could care less about it. The World Baseball Classic is just fine with me. Now, if we could just figure out a way to get the best pitchers to actually pitch more than 3 innings. The WBC will never be taken seriously if they can’t figure out a way to solve that problem.

  138. CB August 19th, 2008 at 5:00 pm

    hobs,

    Thanks for the correction. I posted the wrong numbers. I posted the number of runs scored they’d need to roughly play .750 ball which is what it may take to get into the playoffs.

    Unfortunately I’m not sure if .700 will be enough to get them into the playoffs.

    If they play .700 ball they’ll finish up with 92 wins. The sox are on pace to win 94. With the head to head match ups 92 might be enough but then there are the twins as well.

    .750 ball would have them finish at 94 wins. To play .750 ball they’ll need to score around 300 runs.

    Thanks for catching that.

  139. JB (Lives next to Rogers Centre in Toronto) August 19th, 2008 at 5:01 pm

    Trish:

    I will post later on if I am not at the game tonight (I have not decided if I want to watch it in person or in front of my big HDTV at home).

    Your offense is so much better than the Blue Jays it is almost embarrassing. Our roster has the likes of Kevin Mench and Brad Wilkerson. Cito also prefers to start John McDonald over David Eckstein.

    I like our pitching a lot more though. The Blue Jays bullpen is awesome and the best in the biz.

  140. Andy in Windblown Daytona August 19th, 2008 at 5:02 pm

    The “Birdie” in Badminton goes about 200 mph. This site won’t let me say the real name.

  141. JB (Lives next to Rogers Centre in Toronto) August 19th, 2008 at 5:03 pm

    Rios shouldn’t scare you because his mental lapses scare only Blue Jays fans.

  142. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 5:03 pm

    CB

    I rounded off to the next highest number since 38 x .7 is 26.6 giving them 93 wins 69 losses.

  143. steve August 19th, 2008 at 5:04 pm

    russo is on SNY now too?

  144. Bronx Born August 19th, 2008 at 5:04 pm

    There is nothing wrong with rooting for your team and being that extra man from the field. It is not about being optimistic or pessimistic — it is about being loyal to your team. That said I want the Yanks to win and i am always disappointed when they lose. I have been a Yankee fan since I was born sometimes it seems. And I was born right there near Yankee Stadium. And yes I get upset with Cash or wonder about Girardi and it hurts to see the Captain playing hurt and yes hitting into a DP. But I root for my team win or lose. If you have never read Yankees for Justice (http://yankeesforjustice.blogspot.com/index.html). Todd speaks for his neighborhood.. where being a Yankee fan means more than to most.

  145. rover August 19th, 2008 at 5:05 pm

    asuming sui is something of his normal self, he absolutely changes the lineup. His rep alone should provide G with a few more hitable pitches. I like our chances better with him than without him.
    other than right after the as break, we’ve not had a really hot streak, maybe we are due one. time will tell.

  146. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 5:05 pm

    JB have you watched any Yankee games? Or does your offense just stink that bad? The Yankees don’t score save Sundays game.

  147. JB (Lives next to Rogers Centre in Toronto) August 19th, 2008 at 5:06 pm

    The Blue Jays offense stinks THAT BAD.

  148. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 5:07 pm

    Damn 15 million dollars to this guy ?

  149. CB August 19th, 2008 at 5:07 pm

    YankeeTrader,

    I think you have it right when you broke it down by series.

    To make the playoffs they have to play out of their minds from here to then end of the season.

    In order to do things like win 7 of 9 from Tampa and 4 of 6 from Boston, etc. they are going to have to just maul teams by scoring runs by the heaps.

    More than the exact number of runs they’ll need to average the sense of how they’ll need to play is the bigger thing.

    Last year they scored around 980 runs. That’s an average of around 6 runs per game.

    They’ll need to score runs at a much higher rate than they did last year if they are going to make the playoffs this season given how far back they are and how few games are left.

    That’s the challenge.

  150. Paul August 19th, 2008 at 5:09 pm

    “What makes people think that they can suddenly “flip a switch” and play .700 ball for the last 38 Games of the season?”

    The power of prayer!

  151. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 5:09 pm

    CB

    .750 x 38 = 28.5 rounded off to 29 puts them at
    68 + 29 = 97 wins and 65 losses, therefore they would have to go 29 and 9. This would take divine intervention.

  152. steve August 19th, 2008 at 5:10 pm

    atleast the crack committee is disbanded.

  153. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 5:11 pm

    SO we might see 2-1 games. :lol:

  154. ANSKY August 19th, 2008 at 5:13 pm

    SoS 27 – The original dream team vs the ’08 squad?

    It’d be a close game but only because the original dream team members are all in their mid-late 40′s now.

    If time travel existed and they could play this year’s team while they were also in their primes, the original dream team would win by at least 20.

    This year’s team is really good and more focused than I expected (probably the 2nd or 3rd best dream team to date) but that original dream team could go down in history as the best single basketball team anyone will ever see. Jordan, Bird, Magic, Ewing, Stockton, Malone, Pippin, Barkley etc … c’mon.

    Yes, there could be a dozen as-yet-unborn children whose parents haven’t even met yet, who’ll come along in about 30, 40, 50 years who could be brought together to create a super team for some country somewhere. But there aren’t 12 people alive today who could ever hope to compare as a team, top to bottom. And I’m already spotting you Christian Laettner.

  155. G. Love August 19th, 2008 at 5:14 pm

    I like watching baseball. I don’t like breaking down numbers to unnecessary levels unless you happen to work in baseball or cover it for a living. If you’ve got the time in your life to do that, God bless you.

    I have way too much to do and focus on in my chosen profession to realize that Giambi has incredible OPS stats for a few weeks.

    All I know for the past few weeks we’ve been losing, he’s been coming up with guys on base all the time and he’s not driving them in.

    Dispute that fact with me please. Show me the numbers that prove Giambi has been winning ball games with his bat this year.

    He hasn’t.

    Should he be in the lineup? Sure. Should he bat 5th? Absolutely not.

    Nady seems to be a better hitter that Giambi and I already know a healthy Matsui is way better than anything Jason Giambi can do with the bat at this stage.

  156. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 5:14 pm

    although i was always a yankees fan, carl yaztremski was one of my favorite players growing up, b/c he won the triple crown and of course because he’s a long island boy! class player, get well soon YAZ!

    anybody else remember YAZ bread?

  157. JoeT 28 in 09!! August 19th, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    they should do one of those espn accuscore things for dream team vs redeem team

  158. S.o.S.27 August 19th, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    CB,
    You are forgetting about our september weapon when you state that we need to average 8 runs per game. Yes our very own Pavano will take us back to October playoff games in Yankee Stadium. Everytime he’s on the mound it will be like an off day for our offense. 1-0 wins!!!

  159. Trevor August 19th, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    Hughes hater: Michael Kay said he’ll rather have Pavano start then Hughes.

  160. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 5:17 pm

    Pete

    “Of course if they don’t play well against the Jay and Orioles, it won’t matter if they have Ford, Ruffing and Gomez.”

    Having Whitey Ford and the ghosts of Red Ruffing and Lefty Gomez, telling each Yankee batter what pitch the opposition was throwing next, might help along with divine intervention, but let’s face facts. The Yankees have the most difficult remaining schedule, the Twins followed by the White Sox, the easiest.

  161. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 5:17 pm

    The power of prayer!

    We’re gonna need a BIG ONE

  162. rover August 19th, 2008 at 5:18 pm

    Playoffs are long odds, we will very likely need help from boston and others to make playoffs reality. Can be done certainly won’t be easy. Not exactly sure that they control their destiny. hoping it does get done though.

  163. Peter Rabbit August 19th, 2008 at 5:21 pm

    Awesome, Michael Kay is taking my line of thinking with the Pavano situation.

    Stop bashing Pavano!

    Smart smart man.

  164. Gary (avoid the loss column) August 19th, 2008 at 5:21 pm

    All the number scenarios only serve as a reminder that a win in April and May is as good as a win in August and September.
    Coming out of the gate strong will always be better than playing catch up baseball with the exception of many horse races.

  165. S.o.S.27 August 19th, 2008 at 5:22 pm

    Ansky,
    I agree 100% with you. We touched on this in the last thread. The Dream Team also had Centers on the team. Robinson and Ewing. Un gaurdable Forwards in Malone,Barkley,Bird. Birds long range. Jordan and Magic to break down defenses. All those players can pass and rebound. And most of all we had the best bench warmer in Leitner. I think it would be a blowout.

  166. John H. August 19th, 2008 at 5:22 pm

    I really do hope the Yankees offense picks up it up from now and so does their pitching (we already know what happens when those two come together at the same time – 7 or 8 game win streak).

  167. rover August 19th, 2008 at 5:22 pm

    Gary avoid, you nailed that one.

  168. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 5:23 pm

    Chris Russo signed a Sirus deal $15 MIL for 5 yrs.

    Folks he’s almost getting paid like Robi Cano

  169. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 5:25 pm

    Against AJ Burnett
    Damon .125
    Jeter .286
    Abreu .326
    A-Rod .333
    Giambi .313
    Nady none
    Matsui .375
    Cano .154
    I-Rod .333

  170. ohgodno August 19th, 2008 at 5:26 pm

    Win today. Worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.

    Just. Win. Today.

  171. gayle August 19th, 2008 at 5:30 pm

    FYI please remember if Pavano OR Hughes starts on Saturday they not only need to make a 25 roster move BUT ALSO a corresponding 40 man roster move.

    I think this would be easy just place Posada on the 60 day DL.

    In looking at the 40 man roster talk about lots of turnover next year lots of changes no matter what happens this year.

  172. Wangawa August 19th, 2008 at 5:30 pm

    Good to have Matsui back. The guy was hitting like .330 and was one of our most clutch hitters before he went down.

  173. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 5:32 pm

    G Love
    If Giambi could bunt down the 3rd base line against the shift, he’d probably be batting 20-30 points higher. Agree Nady should be fifth and actually would try Jeter leading off.

    Don’t worry, Giambi and his $23,426,571 salary will be gone next year!! What a waste. When i think we could have signed David Ortiz instead, that year.

  174. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 5:34 pm

    365 days/5 days. = 73 days he doesn’t work

    15 MILLION/ 5 yrs = 3 MIL per year.

    365 – 73 = 292 days he may work

    $3 MIL/ 292 days = $10,274 per day

    $10,274/8 HRS = $1,284 per hr. that Mad dog will be making.

    EL DIABLO 8O

  175. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 5:35 pm

    I’m outs, luck to the bubble gum lineup tonight.

  176. ohgodno August 19th, 2008 at 5:39 pm

    In my MLB 08 The Show video game here are the Yankees in 2011:

    Left: Matt Holliday
    Center: Torii Hunter
    Right: Elijah Dukes
    3B: ARod
    SS: Hanley Ramierez
    2B: Dan Uggla
    1B: David Ortiz
    C: Jorge Posada

    GIDP: Derek Jeter (DH)

    Pitching Staff:
    Sabathia
    Chamberlain
    Wang
    Hughes
    (My Create-A-Player)

    THINK OF THE FUTURE!!!!
    This team was none of my doing, all computer trades… hilarious. Hank is a big spender.

  177. Alvaro Fernandez August 19th, 2008 at 5:39 pm

    Are we supposed to cheer on Jeter because his AVG is off just .011 from his career numbers? How about his OBP being .031 off? His SLG .055 off? His OPS (this is the stat that really counts) is .085 off! Yanks used to be 1st, 2nd and 3rd in OPS in the MLB from 2002 to 2007 … Jeter, Abreu and Cano and injuries to Posada and Matsui are the guilty ones to have such a horrible and underperforming offense.

  178. Celerino Sanchez August 19th, 2008 at 5:41 pm

    I don’t care what Giambi’s OPS is – He is a losing player. His signing was symbolic in many ways – shove a reliable, proven winner out the door (Tino) who still had a couple decent years left. Replace him with an overrated big-money selfish goon. I guess the Yankees weren’t paying attention when Oakland choked away not one but TWO division series to the Yankees in back-to-back years. Then they go and sign the face of the losing franchise.

    If Grady Litle knew how to manager, Giambi wouldn’t have even had the chance to beg out of Game 5 in losing the World Series.

    They must let him walk next year. double his buyout if necessary.

  179. Celerino Sanchez August 19th, 2008 at 5:43 pm

    Yes you should cheer Jeter every day because two-thirds of you wouldn’t even be here if Jeter wasn’t here to build the dynasty. He never had the best stats – remember when baseball stat people said Nomar was better? Roid-aided Tejada? Even the greatest of the great, A-Rod-, moved positions to play next to him.

  180. DCR August 19th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

    Yeah, Giambi sure is a chump for not being able to play because he had a life threatening disease. What was he thinking? Its not like he hit two HR’s to keep Game 7 of the ALCS within reach. Its not like his ressurection in 2005 could be looked at as a turning point of the season. Nope, he is just a ‘losing player’.

    Some of the stuff people on this blog come up with are amazing. The Yankees should buyout Giambi in order to make a run at Texieria, not because he is a ‘losing player’.

  181. Celerino Sanchez August 19th, 2008 at 5:48 pm

    Giambi – life-threatenign disease brought on by heavy steroid use. Two home runs in Game 7 – roid-aided. AL MVP _ won on ‘roids. Whoe c areer – phony.

  182. Celerino Sanchez August 19th, 2008 at 5:49 pm

    what life-threatening did he have in 2003? it was a bogus knee injury. get yer facts straight.

  183. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 5:50 pm

    just reading up a little on carl yastrzemski’s career, can you believe that when he won the triple crown and led the sox to the world series in 1967 he didnt win the mvp unanimously?

    some guy from minnesota voted for cesar tovar!

    yaz: 189H, 112R, 44HR, 121RBI .326 avg and a gold glove

    tovar:173H, 97R, 6HR, 47RBI .267 avg. he did play 6 positions.

    now how does a writer like that keep his job?

  184. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 5:51 pm

    What life threatening disease are you talking about-his pituitary adenoma, which was never operated on? Or was it the septic abscess on his derrierre from injecting himself?

  185. Celerino Sanchez August 19th, 2008 at 5:53 pm

    DCR is hoodwinked like the entire media and many Yankee fans, that this guy is some sort of hero. And Jeter is a bum because is OPS is finally in decline.

  186. Paul August 19th, 2008 at 5:53 pm

    I missed this Pavano page…..

    http://espn.go.com/i/page2/photos2/pavano_op.jpg

  187. The Central Scrutinizer August 19th, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    Guys………We just won 2 games in a row with Big G batting fifth. Let’s see Matsui hit for a game or two and watch Girardi switch the 5 and 7 spot in the lineup through the rest of the year! All the crying will go away once we see Matsui swing the bat for a game or 2.

  188. JB (Lives next to Rogers Centre in Toronto) August 19th, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    There’s a chance that Giambi will be playing for my team next year. I am not excited about that.

    But you Yankees will end up paying for Texiera at $27 million a year for ten years. That may be worth it for a few years, but after five that will look as ridiculous as Giambi’s salary today.

  189. Betsy August 19th, 2008 at 5:55 pm

    Michael Kay has just given up any pretensions he may have had of being a qualified sports talk show host and of being a knowledgable Yankees announcer.

    I turned his show on on my way home from work and he must have been discussing who the Yankees will call up, Pavano or Hughes. I caught him saying that Pavano has given the Yankees his best effort……well, I turned it off right there and picked my jaw up off the ground. He’s got to be kidding. THEN, Kay goes on to say that Phil’s has struggled his entire career in the major leagues (obviously forgetting about September, unless Kay thinks a 2.73 ERA is struggling) and proceeded to qualify Phil’s performance in the ALDS as merely “being in relief”. I think the real laugher came when Kay asked (and he did this with disbelief in his voice): “Who would you rather have on the mound? An 18 game winner or someone who has struggled whenever he’s pitched for the Yankees. I think the answer has to be Pavano and most Yankee fans would agree”. This is not quite verbatim, but this is in essence what he said. In my opinion, Kay is smoking something and he’s completely out of touch with Yankee fans. I venture to guess that 90% of Yankee fans, even those disappointed in Phil ,would say that they would rather have Phil on the mound than Carl any day of the week. I may even be lowballing that 90%. I suspect it’s higher than that.

    Kay really doesn’t like Phil, but he sure loves Carl!

  190. The Disabled Mess August 19th, 2008 at 5:56 pm

    Hey Pete. I wanted to say that I really enjoyed your “A few random thoughts before packing.” That post sets you apart from the rest of the professional Yankee bloggers and posts like that are why you are the best. I loved it and was very entertained by it. Never settle for what people want you to post. I like the fact that you expressed your feelings in that post. I hope you never change.

  191. Vince Black (Yanks Fan in Chitown) 60/60/42 August 19th, 2008 at 5:58 pm

    Yes you should cheer Jeter every day because two-thirds of you wouldn’t even be here if Jeter wasn’t here to build the dynasty. He never had the best stats – remember when baseball stat people said Nomar was better? Roid-aided Tejada? Even the greatest of the great, A-Rod-, moved positions to play next to him.

    ????
    I don’t think it went down exactly like that.

  192. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 5:58 pm

    well well well – looks like Girardi finally smartened up and decided to play the best players every day instead of going by statistics (Christian in Texas). Only to about 120+ games… :roll:

  193. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 5:59 pm

    Hope Matsui producces in his ABs, Johnny in center…erm…

  194. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    i believe in phil hughes! i think he’s gonna be great! i think he’s gonna help us THIS YEAR.

    but count me in with the 10% (you say) that would rather see carl pavano pitch saturday.

    for one thing i dont want phil rushed, and for another, pavano is an established major league pitcher who has pitched well in the pennant race, the playoff and the WS.

  195. Fran August 19th, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    Betsy – I heard Kay also. One thing he did say that I agree with is that Pavano now has something to play for – a new contract. And it seems that players in their walk year always seem to give it a little bit extra to get that new contract. Personally,I don’t care who pitches on Saturday as long as they give the Yanks a quality start and a chance to win the game.

  196. ohgodno August 19th, 2008 at 6:03 pm

    Betsy, Kay just likes to associate himself with other people who just sit on their ass and make money.

  197. JB (Lives next to Rogers Centre in Toronto) August 19th, 2008 at 6:10 pm

    Has anyone figured out what the Yankees have paid Carl Pavano per start?

    One thing I cannot stand about your team is that you will overpay guys like him or Jaret Wright at ANY price, screwing the finances for the rest of baseball. Free Agents can use reasonable offers from teams like the Blue Jays and just go back to the Yankees and ask them to better it with exaggerated numbers. I can only imagine what stupid contracts are going to be handed out in order for you to land Texiera and Sabathia. They will also be no where near what anyone else was offering.

  198. RhapsodyInBlue August 19th, 2008 at 6:10 pm

    Josh Beckett’s next start has been moved back because of numbness in his fingers and throwing arm. Here is what he told the ProJo moments ago:

    “I have some numbness in fingers that I’m not used to having,” he said. “As far as pain goes, there’s not very much pain with it. We just have to figure out what it is because you don’t want it to get so bad where it ends up being a really bad problem….”It’s something I’ve been dealing with,” Beckett said moments ago. “At some point and time we just have to figure out what the hell it is. Obviously, it’s not what I want, but at this juncture (being pushed back) is something that needs to happen because there’s something going on.”

    This is not the news the team needs right now but it does help explain his last outing.

  199. DCR August 19th, 2008 at 6:10 pm

    A bogus knee injury? Why the hell would Giambi bail on the World Series but not bail on the ALCS? You obviously have it out for Giambi. And oh yeah, he missed just about all of 2004 because of a tumor.

  200. Neil August 19th, 2008 at 6:11 pm

    To borrow a phrase that Eddie Stanky once said about a player, “He’s a ballplayer from the neck down”.
    Yeah, that fits Cano alright.

  201. RhapsodyInBlue August 19th, 2008 at 6:13 pm

    Tingling, numbness for Beckett
    Link|Comments (2) Posted by Amalie Benjamin, Globe Staff August 19, 2008 04:49 PM
    BALTIMORE — In the wake of the revelation by Terry Francona that Josh Beckett has been experiencing tinging and numbness in his right arm since Sunday, Beckett addressed the media in the visiting clubhouse here in Baltimore.

    Beckett will be pushed back from Saturday to Tuesday because of the issue, and is undergoing tests to attempt to determine the source of the problem. Beckett said he slept awkwardly on the arm before Sunday’s start against the Blue Jays, a start in which he gave up 8 runs in 2 2/3 innings.

    “Just something I’ve been dealing with,” Beckett said. “At some point in time, just got to figure out what the [heck] it is. Obviously it’s not what I want, but I think at this juncture it’s something that needs to happen. Obviously there’s something going on.”

    Beckett said the numbness remains in his pinky and ring finger, and has been there since Sunday, though it has improved over time. There is “not very much pain at all with it,” he said. “You’ve got to figure out what the [heck] it is. You don’t want it to get so bad to where it ends up being a really bad problem.”

    It appears that this isn’t exactly a new problem for Beckett. While he said he has never dealt with it “on that level,” including on a day he’s been on the mound, it is something that he and the team have monitored over time.

    The pitcher will not have to leave the team for tests at this point, with assistant trainer Mike Reinold working on determining the source of the problem.

    “Any time something’s wrong with your arm when you’re a baseball player, or especially a pitcher, you obviously thing the worst first,” he said. “I’ve been kind of reassured by people that it’s not [something serious, like an aneurysm].”

    Asked if he has or might have to undergo an arthrogram — a test in which dye is inserted to get a picture of a joint — Beckett said, “No, I haven’t. I’m not a big fan of those arthrograms. I think they cause a lot of unneeded soreness. If it gets to that point, we’ll do what we need to do. I don’t think that’s what it is.”

    The rotation in Toronto will be Paul Byrd, then Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka. Because the team has a day off on Thursday, it wasn’t particularly difficult to move up the other starters to account for Beckett’s absence.

    As for his start next Tuesday, Beckett said, “I don’t know. It’s still seven days away, so we’ll see.”

  202. DCR August 19th, 2008 at 6:14 pm

    I forgot that Giambi’s tumor was benign. Sue me. I am not hood winked on anything. I am just not stupid. You want to blame someone for 2003? Here is a list:

    1.) Joe Torre for letting Jeff Weaver give up a walk off HR in the 12th inning while Mariano Rivera sat there playing UNO with the bullpen catcher.

    2.) David Wells for lying and saying that he could pitch but then asking out of the game.

    3.) The team as a whole for not hitting.

  203. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 6:15 pm

    im not sure how much we’ve paid pavano per start but its probably about even with what the blue jays paid frank thomas per game this year.

  204. JB (Lives next to Rogers Centre in Toronto) August 19th, 2008 at 6:16 pm

    Good point. Giambi is the next Frank Thomas in Toronto.

  205. steve August 19th, 2008 at 6:17 pm

    Ian Kennedy had a dominant September as well… does that mean he is the next Maddux? Ohlendorf had a 2.49 ERA last year in September and made the postseason roster. Jeff Karstens has a 3.66 career ERA in September which is lower than any other month of his career.

    Throw away September numbers, they are meaningless. Most teams at that point are out of it and are playing young players anyway. There is no extensive scouting either, teams are just playing out the season. Most of the teams rest their veteran players and manage games like Spring Training, more for development and less for results (i.e leaving in pitchers in tough situations in close games to see if they can work out of it, not bunting runs in close games etc.).

    And as far as the playoffs go… Hughes did great, no doubt, but you also have to factor in that I’m sure there was no scouting report on him and it was a “relief” outing from the standpoint that he could go in there and let it all loose for 3 innings/45 pitches. Didn’t have to pace himself or anything. Wedge probably didn’t expect him to be in there, they probably thought Villone/Ohlendorf would be the first guys out of the pen because Joe wouldn’t trust a rookie starter coming out of the pen to save the season.

    Hughes may very well be great but end of the season numbers are not a great indicator that he will become who we thought he was.

  206. confused August 19th, 2008 at 6:18 pm

    Anybody have an idea where Brett Favre is having dinner tonight ? Umberto’s ? Burger King ? Beni Hana’s ? For Season’s ?

  207. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 6:18 pm

    here’s where yankees fans are ridiculous….figuring out who’s to BLAME for 2003!

    we went to the WORLD SERIES!

    ok we didnt win, but someone has to hang for that? the boone homer wasnt enough?

    damn, tough crowd!

  208. KING FELIX August 19th, 2008 at 6:19 pm

    kay is right

    game on the line tonight i want pavano over hughes. pavano has a track record and has a world series ring along with an extensive dl record. hughes on the other hand only has a dl record.

  209. MoBoy(aka McLovin) August 19th, 2008 at 6:19 pm

    The Yankees should be wise to put Joba in the pen the rest of the year.It would put less stress on he’s shoulder or shut him down.Because the shoulder is nothing to play around with.

    The Yankees are already to blame for Hughes and Kennedy.Even though Hughes is the dumb@$$ for not knowing he needed glasses if he can’t see.

  210. KING FELIX August 19th, 2008 at 6:19 pm

    by the way do not push rasner tonight. get the 5-6 innings out of him and run.

  211. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 6:20 pm

    confused, i think he’s at sardi’s and from 10 tables away he can see david tyree’s super bowl ring!

    G-MEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  212. AZ Four August 19th, 2008 at 6:21 pm

    If Joba can’t pitch them you might as well shut him down. He is too important to our future to mess around with. But if he is still able to pitch then we need him out there so he can get his innings up for next year. Joba is more important than Pavano/Hughes.

  213. Nick in SF in Napa August 19th, 2008 at 6:21 pm

    I told you it would take the jaws of life to pry Giambi from the 5-hole. If even that. Can Godzilla?

  214. Trevor August 19th, 2008 at 6:22 pm

    I rather call up Hughes then Pavano. Kay is a moron just looking to knock Hughes at any chance.

  215. ZaWheelZ August 19th, 2008 at 6:22 pm

    do you complainers realize that MAtsui hasn’t seen mlb pitching in a long time.

    it will take him a few games to get warmed up.

  216. DCR August 19th, 2008 at 6:22 pm

    I am not hanging anyone for the 2003 World Series. I think it was a shame they lost because Torre was an idiot but I am not bummed. The only reason I brought it up is because some guy who has no idea what he is talking about is calling Giambi a ‘losing player’. Its retarded.

  217. DCR August 19th, 2008 at 6:24 pm

    Why would you want Hughes over Pavano? In both starts where Hughes was extended he wasn’t very sharp. Pavano has only improved as his rehab progressed while Hughes has regressed, showing his arm strength isn’t there. I believe he will eventually get the call but not right now. Call up Pavano, let Hughes pitch in AAA for one or two more starts, and then bring him up.

  218. wolf man (2008 is over) August 19th, 2008 at 6:25 pm

    i dont know whats worse…. kay or francessa solo.

    francessa needs to add some kind of partner or personality or his career is over. he is the most boring talk ever.

  219. Trevor August 19th, 2008 at 6:30 pm

    At least Kay has Lagreca. He brings a little something to the table. Francesa is completely by himself.

  220. hmmm August 19th, 2008 at 6:31 pm

    Jason Giambi is hitting .209 with RISP

    Hideki Matsui is hitting .338 with RISP

    I have nothing else to say.

    thank God.

    you realize Matsui hasn’t played in 2 months, right?

    incredible, just when i didn’t think the complaints could get any stupider.

  221. Nick in SF in Napa August 19th, 2008 at 6:31 pm

    I probably won’t be able to see much/any of the game, but I’ll be following along as best I can.

    Tonight begins a new era of Yankee excitement: the X-Man meets Godzilla! Guest-starring The ‘Stache! Special double issue!

    Enjoy the game and go Yankees!

  222. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 6:31 pm

    wolfman, francessa agrees, he said last week that he will have others on the show and he thought that nobody would want to listen to him for 5 1/2 hours a day.

  223. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 6:34 pm

    hmmmm
    relax, nobody is a bigger matsui fan than me, well maybe trisha, but lets let the guy get his mlb timing down before we put him in the 5 hole. once he’s hitting, if joe still has giambi 5th, then raise a stink, but for now, its the smart thing to do.

  224. hank hal August 19th, 2008 at 6:35 pm

    Developing Story -

    ESPN’s Chris Mortenson is reporting that Brett Favre and his wife Deanna are going to have dinner at an “undisclosed” location on the Upper West Side. Sal Paolantonio is gathering details as we speak and is on the scene. NFL Live will be doing a remote live from the restaurant location, including analysis from Mike Golic, Mike Ditka, Keyshawn Johnson, and Mark Schlerith. A source close to the situation tells us that an Italian restaurant on West 96th street could be location. Continue to follow ESPN as we monitor this breaking news.

  225. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 6:36 pm

    sorry hmmm, didnt realize you were quoting!

  226. Doreen August 19th, 2008 at 6:41 pm

    CB -

    Thanks for your response. I believe I understand your position.

    Saucy -

    We were there (RRHOF) on a weekday; not a whole lot of people there. I would imagine a huge crowd would make the experience a lot less enjoyable. Hey, we also went to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. I am not a hockey fan, but my daughter’s boyfriend plays and my brother is a fanatic. The Stanley Cup was there. It was really way more cool than I thought it was going to be. Pretty empty, though. Again, a week day.

    I’m trying not to expect too much from Hideki, and praying his knee holds up. Wouldn’t you think that depending on how the game unfolds he’d be taken out in later innings, with Damon going to DH and Gardner taking over in center?

    Did anyone get a chance to hear Derek Jeter on the Show on XM this afternoon? I was in and out of the car almost all afternoon, but of course not while this was occuring.

  227. Doreen August 19th, 2008 at 6:43 pm

    Almost Forgot -

    Rebecca – Mazel tov!

    Hope your new place is a home sweet home for you for the next few years.

  228. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 6:46 pm

    Welcome back ‘Zilla. Go Yankees!

    And i’ve been complaining about Giambi batting 5th for the longest time, but I am not even bothered by it today. It’s Matsui’s 1st day back, and Giambi has actually been hitting lately. I more wanted him out of that spot when he was in the middle of a horrendous slump. I’d still rather have Matsui as my 5 hitter given the choice b/w the 2, but it’ll happen in time.

  229. Joe M August 19th, 2008 at 6:47 pm

    I have over 1 The number of trips to to mens room

  230. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 6:47 pm

    doreen
    i love jeter but if you’ve heard one jeter interview, you’ve heard all of them. he is an all-pro at talking about anything and saying nothing. of course he learned at the feet of the master himself, joe torre.

    this talent has served him extremly well, in all this time in new york, the guy has never said anything that made headlines. thats pretty hard to believe.

    “yeah, we gotta get after it, time’s running out” probably sums up the entire 20 minutes.

  231. Dennis from the Bronx August 19th, 2008 at 6:47 pm

    Geez Pete, for four years we’ve been complaining that Pavano never pitches. He’s finally healthy and you don’t want to start him? Why the heck not? He may as well earn some fraction of the money he’s been paid, and on the rare occasions when he has been pain free, he has been a very good pitcher. Put him out there. Get him five or six starts this season and see what happens. What else are you going to do with him?

  232. Joeysdadjoe August 19th, 2008 at 6:48 pm

    You guys make me laugh killing Giambi.Unless the Yankees get a discount on Tex next year(not happening)Jason is coming back.Get used to him.

  233. Doreen August 19th, 2008 at 6:51 pm

    Y’s Guy -

    Thanks. Ya know, for some dumb reason, I always hope he’s going to be a little difference, just once. But, he’s a smart cookie, that DJ.

    At least I know I didn’t miss anything. :lol:

  234. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 6:51 pm

    Torre a genius?

    This writer thinks so.

  235. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 6:52 pm

    Dear Yankees,

    Please win this game somehow. KTHXBAI

    Love,
    All of us

  236. Ed - Yanks will be Yanks in the 2nd half! August 19th, 2008 at 6:53 pm

    i would had flip flopped Giambi with Matsui. Matsui is A-Rod’s best protection behind Nady.

  237. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 6:55 pm

    hope Yas is okay. I hate the Sox, but not the players.

  238. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 6:56 pm

    “Hughes hater: Michael Kay said he’ll rather have Pavano start then Hughes.”

    What is he smoking and where can I get some?

  239. wolf man (2008 is over) August 19th, 2008 at 6:56 pm

    articles like that are i’m rooting for the d’backs to win the NL west.

  240. S.o.S.27 August 19th, 2008 at 6:57 pm

    “You guys make me laugh killing Giambi.Unless the Yankees get a discount on Tex next year(not happening)Jason is coming back.Get used to him.”

    Not for getting Tex. With Posada having shoulder surgery maybe playing some first and all the dh’s on this team. I cant see them re-signing Jason. I can see Cashman looking to package young pitchers in the minors to get a young first baseman. Giambi will probably go back to the west coast. What do you guys think of Laroche? We did well getting X and Marte. Could Cash work his magic once again?

  241. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 6:58 pm

    its been weeks since i watched a game in real time and read the posts while the game was going on. it got sooo depressing. but tonight, in honor of my favorite yankee returning, i’m gonna show confidence that we’re gonna jump out in front and enjoy the game here with you guys.

    Let’s Go Yankees!!!!!

  242. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 7:01 pm

    LOL @ the idiots on the East Valley Tribune. I just read an article from those same hacks a week ago talking about how the Yankees might miss the playoffs for the first time since 1995.

    So, take everything they write for what it is worth! Which is not a whole lot IMO. If a baseball writer cant even be bothered to get a simple fact like that straight, everything he and his employers have to say is 100% useless.

    lol at analysis of New York baseball from a rag out of West Podunk, Arizona anyway. They don’t matter, nor do their opinions.

  243. Ron August 19th, 2008 at 7:02 pm

    Of the subject but I’m curious. Who will people listen to?
    Mike on the FAN or Russo on Sirius?

  244. Joe Monte August 19th, 2008 at 7:04 pm

    Russo on Sirius / XM…no brainer.

  245. SJ44 August 19th, 2008 at 7:06 pm

    At this point, you can play with the numbers all you want. It’s a

  246. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 7:07 pm

    no chance of me ever listening to russo, despite the fact that i have xm in both cars on the tv and on my computer.

    he’s just a hater. a well-paid hater, but i have no use for him.

  247. Kevin August 19th, 2008 at 7:08 pm

    If almost everyone on here has given up on the 2008 Yankees, why do you bother posting on here?

    And I think this is the best lineup Girardi could put out there tonight. I know Giambi has been brutal but who knows what we’re going to get out of Matsui after 2 months away from major league pitching.

  248. Betsy August 19th, 2008 at 7:08 pm

    Pavano is an idiot – I’ve never hated a player like he has. The Yankees paid him all that $$ and that didn’t motivate him? How about personal pride? That didn’t motivate him? How about not wanting to let his teammates down? That didn’t motivate him? The only reason I want Carl pitching on Saturday is because I don’t care if he gets shelled. It is of the utmost importance that Phil is not rushed – I’d like him to start at least once more in AAA to prove he’s over and done with the dead arm and to have a good outing on which to build once he come up to NY.

    DCR, Pavano should be dominating the leagues he’s been pitching in and so far, except for Sunday, he’s been so-so. Phil, on the other hand, had been throwing great until Sunday’s game.

  249. SJ44 August 19th, 2008 at 7:09 pm

    it’s about winning series. Doesn’t matter how. Just win series the rest of the way.

  250. ERâ„¢ (The Final Seasonâ„¢) August 19th, 2008 at 7:09 pm

    Blue Jays will
    win
    20-0

  251. romine August 19th, 2008 at 7:11 pm

    What did Damon do?

  252. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 7:11 pm

    kevin

    i havent given up! NEVER CONCEDE TO THE RED SOX!

    1978 lives!

  253. RhapsodyInBlue August 19th, 2008 at 7:11 pm

    Doreen
    It’s a shame someone in NY didn’t act on the RRHOF before Cleveland. It seems to me it belongs here.

    Cleveland??

    Bethel/White Lake site of the original Woodstock would have been the ideal location.

  254. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 7:12 pm

    BBB,

    Just trying to get all the New York retirees to jump on the Daimondbacks’ bandwagon.

  255. randy l August 19th, 2008 at 7:12 pm

    SJ44
    August 19th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
    “At this point, you can play with the numbers all you want. It’s a…”

    … really bad team. blow it up and start over.

    you know i’m kidding sj.

    i think we’re all going to need a sense of humor as this season plays out.

  256. EDUB August 19th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

    NICE! JETER DIDNT GIDP

  257. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

    Yeah Bobby!

  258. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

    CLUTCH HITTING RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  259. romine August 19th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

    Wow don’t see Bobby swing at pitches like that often!

  260. TKinDC August 19th, 2008 at 7:15 pm

    Well that’s a positive start. :)

  261. Mark (Brett is back) August 19th, 2008 at 7:15 pm

    It looks like the Sox are going to get the awful Daniel Cabrera tonight.

  262. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 7:15 pm

    LOL WUT?? Did we just score a run off AJ Burnett?!?

    In the first inning no less?!?

    This may be the first time since 2006 that we have scored on him before the 8th or 9th inning!

  263. Al from BK(09 Rotation: CC, Wang, Joba, Moose, Hughes) August 19th, 2008 at 7:16 pm

    This has 15 K’s written all over it.

  264. Kevin August 19th, 2008 at 7:17 pm

    Burnett has some nasty stuff. I don’t understand why his numbers are so mediocre.

  265. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 7:17 pm

    big g took that first pitch fastball right down the middle. not likely to see another….

  266. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 7:17 pm

    “It looks like the Sox are going to get the awful Daniel Cabrera tonight.”

    Which means that we’ll get the fabulous Cabrera later in the week. Of course, Cabrera is always fabulous against the Yankees so there ya go.

  267. Trevor August 19th, 2008 at 7:19 pm

    “It looks like the Sox are going to get the awful Daniel Cabrera tonight.”

    He’s usually awful anyway. Only time he pitches well is when he faces the Yankees and Tampa.

  268. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 7:19 pm

    Let’s hope Rasner can pitch like he did when he first came up. Atleast give these guys a chance tonight!!!

  269. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 7:19 pm

    Rasner needs to pitch a shutout. IRod better keep him on point.

  270. Al from BK(09 Rotation: CC, Wang, Joba, Moose, Hughes) August 19th, 2008 at 7:20 pm

    I also get this creeping feeling that the run we scored in the first is the lone run.

  271. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 7:20 pm

    Poor AB’s by Jeter, A-Rod and Giambi. Not just because they all struck out, but they each helped Burnett out on at least one pitch. Gotta take advantage of the rare wildness you see from him, ala Abreu and, to a lesser degree, Damon.

    Did Damon used to walk this much when he played for other teams? I don’t remember it if he did.

    Which also makes me think, I wonder if Long ever discusses walking with the hitters? I know Mattingly used to say he never mentioned it, just talked about waiting for your pitch to hit.

  272. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 7:20 pm

    Great. Boston gets Good Daniel and we get Healthy AJ.

  273. romine August 19th, 2008 at 7:20 pm

    Giambi has looked a lot better in the field lately

  274. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 7:20 pm

    Wow. We scored one of those run thingies. :)
    Just keep us in the game Rasner

  275. Aardvark August 19th, 2008 at 7:21 pm

    Red Sox score two in the first on two sac flies. A lesson in situational hitting. A-Rod should be taking notes.

  276. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 7:22 pm

    I’m cheering on every out recorded by Rasner.

    I know we got one run in the first, but Burnett looks like one of those “effectively wild” pitchers that the Yankees have trouble figuring out (like Baltimore’s Cabrera).

  277. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 7:22 pm

    *sigh* @ walking the hitter in front of Rios

  278. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 7:23 pm

    walking scutaro there is bad form. basically these guys have 2 hitters, if you keep the bases clear in front of rios and wells, you should do okay. potential big mistake there.

  279. Betsy August 19th, 2008 at 7:23 pm

    Good article on Phil:

    http://yankees.scout.com/2/780915.html

    I think, however, this shows that Phil is nowhere close to being ready. I thought maybe one more start in AAA, but his pitches need a lot of work. I don’t think he should come to NY at all this year.

    I love his atttitude, though; I just know he’s going to be very good if we give him the time to develop.

  280. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 7:24 pm

    When Rasner walks people, that’s when we get killed. Walks the Yankees give to the other teams 9 out of 10 times comes around to score. When we walk, well we are lucky when we get 2 out of 10 times- (the first inning).

  281. Mark (Brett is back) August 19th, 2008 at 7:24 pm

    TORONTO — New York Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano came out of a minor-league rehab start Sunday with stiffness in his neck and didn’t throw a bullpen session today.

    If Pavano is Saturday’s starter in Baltimore, he would have to throw a bullpen today, but Girardi didn’t say if that was in the plan.

    http://www.nypost.com/seven/08.....125164.htm

  282. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    walks=bad Rasner

  283. j August 19th, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    lazyyy lazzy play.

  284. Al from BK(09 Rotation: CC, Wang, Joba, Moose, Hughes) August 19th, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    Oh boy.

  285. Jeff NJ: Let Joba Play! August 19th, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    Brett is God?

  286. JoeT 28 in 09!! I WILL BE RIGHT ABOUT PAVANO!! 5-0 down the stretch August 19th, 2008 at 7:26 pm

    wow

  287. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 7:26 pm

  288. Trevor August 19th, 2008 at 7:26 pm

    Ahh Damon in the field rears it’s ugly head.

  289. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 7:26 pm

    Ugh

  290. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 7:27 pm

    BTW, looking for the Orioles to show some patience against the Bosox junkballer.

    Go Baltimore!

  291. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    AND of course, there’s a walk by Dice K.

    Doesn’t he lead the league despite missing several starts this year?

  292. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    New York Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano came out of a minor-league rehab start Sunday with stiffness in his neck and didn’t throw a bullpen session today.

    If Pavano is Saturday’s starter in Baltimore, he would have to throw a bullpen today, but Girardi didn’t say if that was in the plan.

    Oh brother..
    :roll:

  293. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    K! Rasner!

  294. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    Only 1 more out Raz. Please don’t let them score!

  295. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    Of all the hitters to fail to make that play on, too. I mean, on the rare occasion that Yankees pitching actually gets Rios out…

  296. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    “BTW, looking for the Orioles to show some patience against the Bosox junkballer.”

    Don’t hold your breath. BAL only plays us tough. They roll over for BOS whenever they play them.

  297. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    damon was allowed to go through the minors with that one-handed catching style by the royals, its never been a big problem but its fundamentally unsound. you think its so rare that it wont matter, but that kind of thing pops up and bites you at the worst times. usually, johnny has a very good glove, but there it is when you least expect it.

    huge k by rasner there!

  298. pat August 19th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    Scared of Raz throwing breaking balls for Ks.

  299. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    0-2

    Go Rasner, BIG OUT!

  300. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 7:30 pm

    That was a strike!

    Reel it in Pudge!

  301. kd August 19th, 2008 at 7:30 pm

    We shouldn’t be surprised by Pavano. He’s trying to follow one great Yankee tradition, having a disease named after you. Pavanoitis is the condition of being a scared to do your job and faking an injury. It’s akin to calling in sick when you didn’t put a cover on your TPS report and you know all the managers will talk to you about it.

  302. Polly August 19th, 2008 at 7:30 pm

    The Pudge trade was awful.

  303. JoeT 28 in 09!! I WILL BE RIGHT ABOUT PAVANO!! 5-0 down the stretch August 19th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    that a boy razz!!

  304. Al from BK(09 Rotation: CC, Wang, Joba, Moose, Hughes) August 19th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    Razzy getting squeezed. Nice job picking up Damon offense needs to support this guy.

  305. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    great recovery Rasner!

  306. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    Razzle Dazzle!!

  307. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    Yeah!

    Tough inning for Rasner, but a big one, probably for this game considering the possible shifts in momentum.

    Go Yankees!

  308. kd August 19th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    rasner the gamer!

    works out of a jam

  309. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    I don’t know who is scarier to watch pitch other than Ranser.

  310. B.J. Cryan August 19th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    Results of poll for Beijing 2008—-
    Best looking female athlete–Leryn Franco ;

    Ugliest–Venus Williams ties Serena Williams ties Kerri Walsh ties Misty May

  311. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

    nice job raz, johnny owes you one tonight, and ill bet he pays it off!

    Let’s Go Yankees!

    i’ll be standing and cheering right here in my living room when hideki comes up!

  312. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

    Nice job Rasner!

  313. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

    Wow. Way to go, Razz.

    Is that Pavano thing a joke? Neck pain? You can’t even script this kind of stuff.

  314. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 7:33 pm

    Jays doing their best Yankees impersonation, with Vernon Wells playing the role of A-Rod. Love it.

  315. Someone Else August 19th, 2008 at 7:35 pm

    “I think, however, this shows that Phil is nowhere close to being ready. I thought maybe one more start in AAA, but his pitches need a lot of work. I don’t think he should come to NY at all this year.

    I love his atttitude, though; I just know he’s going to be very good if we give him the time to develop.

    Um, you do realize he was ill in his most recent start, right?

  316. Al from BK(09 Rotation: CC, Wang, Joba, Moose, Hughes) August 19th, 2008 at 7:35 pm

    “New York Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano came out of a minor-league rehab start Sunday with stiffness in his neck and didn’t throw a bullpen session today.

    If Pavano is Saturday’s starter in Baltimore, he would have to throw a bullpen today, but Girardi didn’t say if that was in the plan.”

    Well nothing about Pavano ever surprises me anymore. Nice job by Burnett 4 batters, 4 K’s.

  317. pat August 19th, 2008 at 7:35 pm

    Looks like this is going to be up to the lefties tonight. The breaking ball is too good and is freezing the righties.

  318. B.J. Cryan August 19th, 2008 at 7:35 pm

    **I don’t know who is scarier to watch pitch other than Ranser.**

    hmm, how about Ian kennedy?, phil hughes?, Edwar Ramirez?, Mariano Rivera in a tie game?

  319. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 7:35 pm

    Right down the freaking middle. What is Nady waiting for?

  320. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter and also believe Arod will start to hit. August 19th, 2008 at 7:36 pm

    “If almost everyone on here has given up on the 2008 Yankees, why do you bother posting on here?

    And I think this is the best lineup Girardi could put out there tonight. I know Giambi has been brutal but who knows what we’re going to get out of Matsui after 2 months away from major league pitching.”

    Kevin, I think there are a lot of us, maybe most, who haven’t given up on the 2008 Yankees. Some people like to put out bravado about how bad the Yankees are, their chances, etc. “just because”.

    I also like the 2nd part of your post.

    I am willing to always assume that Girardi is going with his best lineup based on what he knows about the team and whjo’s hurting, who isn’t, what he needs to get out of certain people and who he needs to save for whatever reason. I really get tired of hearing these people whine. But I love being around the people who always show hope.

    GO SUI!!!!!

    P.S. I love Bobby Abreu. He continues to give me reason to hope he’s around next season. In fact, I love all of these guys. As long as they’re trying, they are number 1 in my book.

    GO YANKEES!!!

  321. S.o.S.27 August 19th, 2008 at 7:36 pm

    Burnett is pitching wicked. Knee buckling wicked. Im glad we got that run. We might have to wait till his pitch count is up till we put more runs on the board.

  322. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 7:36 pm

    I’m not even gonna touch the Pavano stuff with a 10 foot pole. Put it this way, the only reason I have an ounce of faith in him to come back and pitch average is to set himself up to get paid. He is a lazy POS. Normally I never say that about athletes I dont know, but Carl really is! And if he’s hurt now, shocker of the year!

  323. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 7:36 pm

    O’s let Matsuzaka off the hook with two on, nobody out.

    Well, better luck next inning.

  324. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 7:37 pm

    wow, robbie smoked that one! excellent play by scutaro!

  325. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 7:37 pm

    ugh

    F you Scutaro

    I hate Ras having to come back out after such a short respite

  326. oh brother August 19th, 2008 at 7:38 pm

    if we lose this game i dont know what to say..
    this sucks..

  327. AY August 19th, 2008 at 7:38 pm

    Glass Carl experiencing neck stiffness. Are you f’ing kidding me? What a total a-hole. I hope they make him start anyway and when he reaches the mound, the Yankees leave the field and they release 5-6 bengal tigers onto the field to maul him.

  328. Wangawa August 19th, 2008 at 7:38 pm

    Rasner complete game shutout? … It’s possible.

  329. Frank August 19th, 2008 at 7:38 pm

    How in the world does A.J. Burnett have such mediocre numbers?!?!? His stuff is beyond filthy.

    You look at the way he pitches against the Yankees… then look at his numbers… and you scratch your head. I guess it’s because I’m a Yankees fan I’ve never seen him anything but flat out dominant.

  330. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

    Pavano is a joke, and a jerk. it is always something with him.

  331. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

    Varitek is suddenly channeling his inner Posada.

  332. Kevin August 19th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

    Did Kay just say Babe Ruth is buried in Yankee Stadium?

  333. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter and also believe Arod will start to hit. August 19th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

    “if we lose this game i dont know what to say..
    this sucks..”

    I think at this point you need to say “we’re not going to lose this game.” If at the end of a game, the Yankees have lost, what you say is “well we better come out tomorrow and win!”

  334. Ox August 19th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

    I can’t believe I’m going to have to watch Pavano pitch in pinstripes.

    I’m sick.

  335. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

    lots of k’s but we have had 2 guys (abreu and cano) hit ropes. lets remember this guy’s era is 4.67, its not bob gibson out there.

  336. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

    “Rasner complete game shutout? … It’s possible.”

    Yes, it’s possible. And it’s also possible that I’m going to hit Mega Millions tonight. It’s not likely, but it’s possible.

  337. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

    Speaking of that Sunday start, Hughes said that he was a little bit under the weather that night in Allentown, but said he learned a long time ago that it does no good to make excuses. Hard to say how much a little bit of a cold affected him, but it might account for some of his struggles.

    From chad jennings blog

  338. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

    “Rasner complete game shutout? … It’s possible.”

    Not at 23 pitches per inning it isn’t.

  339. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 7:41 pm

    Can you guys not call him ‘Sui’? That means ‘water’ in Japanese and we don’t to associate Hideki with any kind of fluid!

  340. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 7:41 pm

    ox you won’t cause his stiff neck will become a stiff back.

    I really hope next year no one signs this joke of a human being.

  341. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 7:41 pm

    “Pavano is a joke, and a jerk. it is always something with him.”

    I read an interview recently where Cashman was defending him. I wanted to hurl.

  342. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 7:41 pm

    kevin, when i was a kid i thought the memorials were grave markers and those guys were buried right out there (used to be) in the outfield!

  343. Peter Rabbit August 19th, 2008 at 7:42 pm

    Wait…so is Pavano really hurt or is this some sort of sick joke?

  344. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 7:42 pm

    “but said he learned a long time ago that it does no good to make excuses.”

    Then why are we hearing about it?

  345. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter and also believe Arod will start to hit. August 19th, 2008 at 7:43 pm

    Rasner is pitching one hell of a game. Rasner started out the season pitching fantastic games. Rasner knows how to pitch. Looks like he has it back.

    GO RAS!

  346. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 7:43 pm

    Fredo, because it came out, and people asked him if he was sick. And he answered.

  347. Joe from Long Island August 19th, 2008 at 7:43 pm

    Is there a reference source somewhere, where Pavano goes to see what new symptom he can have?

    Let’s see, we’ve had the shoulder, the back, the butt, the elbow, now the neck…Have I missed anything?

  348. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 7:43 pm

    Trisha,

    Girardi likes to play with the lineup card a little too much, I think.

    I’m not one to play Back-seat driver, but sometimes I think he makes these changes for the sole sake of “making changes”.

    He also relies on lefty/righty matchups to the point of dogma. I understand that Matsui is a great lefty but, coming off the DL, it isn’t the greatest idea to match him up against a righty as tough as Burnett.

  349. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 7:43 pm

    Back to work bats.

  350. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 7:44 pm

    Nice job by Rasner to work around the leadoff single. Lucky thing Stairs isn’t a threat to steal.

  351. say it aint so pavano August 19th, 2008 at 7:44 pm

    whats wrong with my favorite yankee carl pavano now? still stealing checks?

  352. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 7:44 pm

    “Fredo, because it came out, and people asked him if he was sick. And he answered.”

    Gotcha. Guess it’s okay if Chad uses as an excuse.

  353. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 7:45 pm

    *it

  354. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 7:45 pm

    How many hits does Pudge have as a Yankee? My guess is less than 5.

  355. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 7:45 pm

    Pavano should be arrested for unarmed robbery (as one of the Yankees said)

  356. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 7:46 pm

    Nice inning for Ras.

    AJ is not Cy Young, but he really stifles the Yankees usually. They USED to be able to beat him though, by making him throw a lot of pitches and waiting wildness out. Right now he is at 29 pitches thru 2 so it would behoove them to start having lengthier AB’s. Plus maybe a few of those liners will start falling in. I don’t know about this defense w/ Damon in CF but I definitely feel good about this lineup.

  357. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 7:46 pm

    I’d much rather have Molina catching everyday. Pudge has been terrible, he can’t even take a pitch, it’s just an automatic first pitch out. Sad.

  358. say it aint so pavano August 19th, 2008 at 7:46 pm

    i say let nady play first, damon in left and Bret in Center, get rid of the stache untill he can hit.. 1 for 11 is not going to get it done

  359. S.o.S.27 August 19th, 2008 at 7:47 pm

    “How in the world does A.J. Burnett have such mediocre numbers?!?!? His stuff is beyond filthy.”

    They had an interview a few years back when he was on the marlins. Penny,Pavano,Beckett and Burnett. They all agreed that he had the best stuff of the group. If only he would have stayed healthy.

  360. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 7:47 pm

    Would it hurt them to make Burnett work just an itty bit?

  361. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 7:47 pm

    2nd walk by Matsuzaka but the Bosox lead 3-0.

  362. Betsy August 19th, 2008 at 7:47 pm

    Someone Else, did you read the article? It wasn’t a very positive piece. Clearly Nardi is not thrilled with Phil’s approach to the change up and his cutter is still developing. I maintain that he will be a stud, but this article (although it’s very good) rather depresses me. I thought Phil was throwing harder in his rehab starts, but this article doesn’t mention that. He almost looks like a precocious kid who matured faster than everyone else, and now everyone else has caught up with and passed him by. We’re going to have to be patient with Phil……he may not be ready for the big leagues until 2010.

  363. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter and also believe Arod will start to hit. August 19th, 2008 at 7:48 pm

    Terry, I think I’m one of the few people who appreciates juggling the lineup. In fact I wish he’d play with it more. Crazy as that sounds sometimes it’s a way to shake things up when things are stagnant.

    I’m happy to see Sui in there probably only because I think it’s good to let him start to get his swings and start to get used to being back in the lineup against major league pitching.

  364. Betsy August 19th, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    Fredo, what exactly do you want Phil to say or do? Should he lie and pretend he wasn’t sick?

  365. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    “i say let nady play first,”

    Nady’s history at 1B is one of the reasons he’s an outfielder. It’s not his position.

  366. Matt August 19th, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    Pavano held out of bullpen session today with a stiff neck! Unbelieveable!!!!

  367. Clay Buchholz Loves Laptops (My Latest Blog Entry: Why Abreu Is Scared Of Outfield Walls) August 19th, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    I’ve seen softball teams with a better defense than tonight’s Yankees lineup.

  368. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 7:50 pm

    “Pavano should be arrested for unarmed robbery (as one of the Yankees said)”

    Jennifer: Was it Moose who said that? It does sound like him, lol. I was lovin’ it when he called Glass Carl out in Spring Training in 06 (07?)

  369. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    Announcers need to stop this “very good hitting ballclub” when talking about the Yankees. One thing they are not very good at is hitting, that’s for sure. If anything, they are fairly mediocre.

  370. joe August 19th, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    geez. Burnett over/under 13 K’s

  371. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    As stated earlier, I will be cheering for EVERY out Rasner records because Burnett is mowing the Yankees down (maybe he’s trying to impress the Yankee brass for next year’s FA).

  372. say it aint so pavano August 19th, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    damon cant catch or throw in cf…

  373. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    “Fredo, what exactly do you want Phil to say or do? Should he lie and pretend he wasn’t sick?”

    Not saying he should do anything. Somebody is using it as an excuse. As long as the somebody is not Phil, I’m fine with that.

  374. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    bbb- not sure who said it.

  375. JR Yankees August 19th, 2008 at 7:52 pm

    Rasner is pitching okay for now but the second third time through the order probably won’t be as good. We need to get on Burnett now so Ras has some breathing room.

    Also, on Matsui, I think once he gets his timing and stroke back he will be moved up in the order behind Arod where he should be and the Big G moved down.

  376. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 7:52 pm

    2 innings and 7 strikeouts already – jeezus… way to swing them bats Yanks

  377. Doreen August 19th, 2008 at 7:52 pm

    Rhapsody in Blue -

    It has to do with radio – the DJ that put together all the R&R shows and established R&R as a major radio force was based in Cleveland. Alan Freed.

  378. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 7:53 pm

    rasner should be a middle relief or long relief he sucks bad..

  379. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

    how much you want to bet pavano signs with a club next yr and starts..

  380. Betsy August 19th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

    I think Cash said it, but I think the bad start was still mostly due to a dead arm. Phil’s a good kid with a terrific head on his houlders; he doesn’t make excuses and he says all the things you’d want to hear from a young athlete. It’s one of the reasons why I want him to stay in AAA. He’s not close to being ready for the big time and he will get smoked. The media will call him overrated and the fans will boo him. I guess the former doesn’t matter, but I don’t want to see Phil booed again.

  381. Where is the injury bug hiding? in the meachams pants??? August 19th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

    how tall is Mr. Pudge????

  382. Betsy August 19th, 2008 at 7:55 pm

    7 K’s in two innings? How is that possible?

  383. JR Yankees August 19th, 2008 at 7:55 pm

    Yeah, Pavano will probably sign with one of our rivals and pitch excellent against us.

  384. Clay Buchholz Loves Laptops (My Latest Blog Entry: Why Abreu Is Scared Of Outfield Walls) August 19th, 2008 at 7:55 pm

    Carl “they called me Mr. Glass” Pavano. I like that.

  385. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 7:55 pm

    nice curve.. lol thats nasty!!

  386. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 7:56 pm

    Nice K. Big out to get in front of Rios.

  387. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 7:56 pm

    I agree that you can “shake things up” by changing the lineup card. However, Girardi’s not doing it to “shake things up” because he does it in more than half the games. He did it today after the Yankees beat the Royals with the same lineup in the last 2 Royals games.

    As to Matsui, again, I agree that he has to get his swings, just not against THIS pitcher. If Matsui’s knees and confidence were hurting then, they’re more likely than not going to be hurting more after seeing Burnett’s knee-buckling breaking balls.

  388. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 7:56 pm

    i say washington or atlanta he likes the sun.. in our case he likes double a

  389. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

    DP.

    Go Rasner! Go Yankees!

  390. pat August 19th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

    If the Yanks are going to hit Burnett tonight it’s going to be early in the count so don’t whine about them not taking pitches too much.

    If he gets to 2 strikes, he’s a K waiting to happen tonight with the curveball.

  391. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

    So maybe now the offense will say “hey, look ras is pitcing well” and they’ll hit some more

  392. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

    where is my buddy melky? Walking in triple A?

  393. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

    Amazing

    Could Ras pls give lessons to Moose, Pettitte and Wang on how to do that? Plus any Yankee relief pitcher.

  394. ERâ„¢ (The Final Seasonâ„¢) August 19th, 2008 at 7:58 pm

    21 K’s by AJ, here they come ………

  395. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 7:59 pm

    Betsy asked: “7 K’s in two innings? How is that possible?”

    After seeing the way he’s been pitching, I’m surprised he ONLY has 7 Ks!

  396. Chris August 19th, 2008 at 8:00 pm

    “2 innings and 7 strikeouts already – jeezus… way to swing them bats Yanks”

    Are the Yankees so bad that we’ve somehow been able to strike out that much already?

  397. romine August 19th, 2008 at 8:00 pm

    Abreu starting to swing the bat well!

  398. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 8:01 pm

    abreu’s on it, looks like the lefties are seeing the ball pretty well.

    c’mon arod, im not hating on you but you GOTTA move abreu over here!

  399. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 8:01 pm

    Wow, Babylon!

    Earn your pay, #4-6!

  400. j August 19th, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    nice jobv arod, great picth to hit

  401. Zooboy August 19th, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    Come on Nady! (Only two out to get to him…)

  402. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    Abreu on fire tonight!!

    He needs to score, go in the dugout and tell the rest of the guys what time it is on Burnett

  403. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    whoo – arod… good job.

    not really.

  404. romine August 19th, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    Amazing he swings at the first fastball and takes the next two down the middle

  405. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    Okay, bail out #4, #5 & #6.

  406. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    may i help you AROD? Naw just looking.. lol

  407. Chris August 19th, 2008 at 8:03 pm

    Runner on 2nd, nobody out…Why am I not expecting any chance of us scoring Abreu?

  408. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 8:03 pm

    WHAT IS HE WAITING FOR?? Hitters should be fined when they sit breaking ball. He got 2 FB’s right down the middle and did nothing. Glad to know A-Rod is still pathetic.

  409. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 8:03 pm

    damn, arod took 2 fastballs that had alot of plate!

  410. Frank August 19th, 2008 at 8:04 pm

    ANOTHER leadoff double about to bite the dust…..

  411. romine August 19th, 2008 at 8:04 pm

    Kay giving Arod pointers on hitting

  412. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 8:04 pm

    My video’s balking. Did Giambi foul off 2 balls?

  413. JR Yankees August 19th, 2008 at 8:04 pm

    Another big hit by Arod. I wouldn’t mind so much if he just made a non-GIDP or a flyout.

  414. j August 19th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

    4-5 hitters pathetic

  415. F - Burnett August 19th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

    Classic

  416. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

    Oy, Yanks, please stop striking out when at bat?

  417. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

    That slider is killing us.

  418. romine August 19th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

    Man when Burnett is getting that curve over they gotta jump on the fastball early

  419. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 8:06 pm

    please Nady

  420. Gary August 19th, 2008 at 8:06 pm

    Burnett is making giambi and nady look silly

  421. EDUB August 19th, 2008 at 8:06 pm

    there is no reason giambi should be in the 5 hole. at all.

  422. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 8:06 pm

    Hanging slider and Giambi can’t touch it. Great showing from this great hitting ballclub!!! First time we get a RISP in the game we go 0 for 3 already.

  423. Gary August 19th, 2008 at 8:06 pm

    hey rebecca you gone back to syr. yet?

  424. F - Burnett August 19th, 2008 at 8:07 pm

    That was a leadoff double right? Just checkin.

  425. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 8:07 pm

    Jebus this is ridiculous.

  426. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 8:08 pm

    jeezus – what a waste.

    Arod – remember your quote here – big guys in the lineup have to drive this offense? Remember?

    I don’t recall the words “into the ground” tho, altho it appears that’s where it seems to be going.

  427. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 8:08 pm

    Damn

  428. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 8:09 pm

    This is exactly why the Yankees are better off not making the playoffs. Imagine every game against good pitchers, we’ll be lucky to win a game with this offense.

  429. stuart August 19th, 2008 at 8:09 pm

    Nice AB’s from the multi zillionaires tonight. .Arod is especially battling..

    he is a joke, I guess right down the middle is not a strike in his mind.

    enough with the compliments for Burnett our team cannot hit good pitching, they could about 4 years ago..

  430. Michael T August 19th, 2008 at 8:09 pm

    After losing this game 3-1 the Yankees will extend their league lead in CTOP (Cap Tipping the Opposing Pitcher).

  431. JoeT 28 in 09!! I WILL BE RIGHT ABOUT PAVANO!! 5-0 down the stretch August 19th, 2008 at 8:09 pm

    Rasner is going with the Kei Igawa high curveball…. gotta get it down

  432. EY August 19th, 2008 at 8:09 pm

    The RISP continues to tank.

    Paging Manny Ramirez…

  433. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 8:11 pm

    i know arod is the big bat and all, but after he got schooled in his first at-bat, he should have been just trying to move abreu over. he NEVER does that, never cuts down his swing with 2 strikes, nothing to help out a struggling team with good situational hitter.

    even mickey mantle was a good bunter when the situation called for it!

  434. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 8:11 pm

    Sunny: Not “into the ground” – that would imply he was actually making contact rather than K’ing! :\

  435. Mattingly's Bat August 19th, 2008 at 8:11 pm

    I would so love to see some of you stand in against even a high school pitcher.

    You all seem to know exactly what is what but yet you’re sitting at a computer and not on a field somewhere. Your talents are obviously being wasted!

  436. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 8:12 pm

    50 pictches, 3 BB for Matsuzaka, top third, two out.

  437. Dan August 19th, 2008 at 8:13 pm

    I agree with Mattingly’s bat.

  438. EDUB August 19th, 2008 at 8:13 pm

    but the thing is we’re not being paid millions of dollars to hit

  439. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 8:13 pm

    Lind helped out Rasner there.

    Big out there!

  440. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 8:14 pm

    “You all seem to know exactly what is what but yet you’re sitting at a computer and not on a field somewhere. Your talents are obviously being wasted!

    this from a guy who calls himself mattingly’s bat (on his computer!)

  441. Where is the injury bug hiding? in the meachams pants??? August 19th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    double machine is rasner!!!

    yea.. burnett can strike them out but rasner can get some double plays.. yea baby!!!

    maybe this run lead will stick

  442. F - Burnett August 19th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    Who is this Rasner kid?

  443. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    raz matching big bad aj and hanging out on top!

    Let’s Go Yankees!!!!!

  444. Frankie speaking .... August 19th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    A-Rod and Giambi are the posterboys of “Live by the home run – die by the home run”.

  445. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    YES! DP!

    And Matsuzaka finally gets burned for his walks!

  446. Where is the injury bug hiding? in the meachams pants??? August 19th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    3 -1 bases loaded

  447. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    Nice!

    Baltimore getting into the game now.

  448. Mattingly's Bat August 19th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    EDUB

    High school kids don’t get paid millions of dollars. I didn’t say you had to face Burnett.

  449. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    You are doing good Ras, but you gotta stop with that putting the leadoff man on, that won’t help.

  450. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    Scott comes through behind Huff!

    3-2 Bosox.

  451. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    UPDATE, 8:09 p.m.: You can’t make this stuff up. Pavano skipped his bullpen session today because of a stiff neck. Why do the Yankees even bother?

    You have got to be kidding me.

    Except it’s totally believable…

  452. Where is the injury bug hiding? in the meachams pants??? August 19th, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    3-2 baby!!!

  453. Where is the injury bug hiding? in the meachams pants??? August 19th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    millar is up.. lets see can he burn his old team!!

  454. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    About Pavano. I said this eons ago. I think that he has stage fright. I’m serious. I think that the thought of pitching in a Major League game scares the crap out of him and he comes up with these injuries to avoid having to pitch. He needs to see a sports psychologist.

  455. Digital August 19th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    Pavano is the reason contracts should not be guranteed.

  456. EY August 19th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    I am totally laughing my butt off at the Pavano bit because it was something just waiting to happen. Pavano hurting himself is as certain as death and taxes.

  457. Mattingly's Bat August 19th, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    “this from a guy who calls himself mattingly’s bat (on his computer!)”

    I don’t pretend I know or can do just appreciate the talent of those who can.

  458. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    If they can keep grinding out AB against Burnett and if Rasner can keep them in the game…

  459. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    Rasner doing his job.
    Time for this offense to do theirs.

  460. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

    Rebecca,

    Could you tell me what the syntax is to use the quote system?

  461. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

    Nice to Robbie hustle down the line.

  462. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

    laura, did you see the 2003 postseason? stagefright? i hardly think so.

  463. F - Burnett August 19th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

    They really need to make an example of this assclown. Put him in, let him through 1 pitch, and take him out. In double A. The thunder can afford to play around.

  464. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

    There’s really no hope with Cano. Once again, he has the count at 2-0 and instead of waiting for a good pitch he goes after a pitch more than a foot outside. What a pathetic player.

  465. Mark (Brett is back) August 19th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

    Kay is a moron for saying the Leaf fans came back after the hockey lockout, why not the Jays fans?

    Hockey=Canada

    Baseball= America’s Favorite Past Time.

  466. romine August 19th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

    Nice AB by Pudge there!

  467. Timmy Lupus August 19th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

    I don’t think anyone on this blog claimed to be a professional hitter. I think they just expect “The best player in the game” not to be up at the plate looking like he doesn’t have a clue. I can’t even count how many times A-Rod has been caught looking at pitches right down the middle.

  468. JoeT 28 in 09!! I WILL BE RIGHT ABOUT PAVANO!! 5-0 down the stretch August 19th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

    I guess the YES network would frown on Michael Kay just coming out and saying “Pudge was a huge roid head” so he had to throw all the clues out there

  469. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

    time for damon to repay raz for bailing him out on the error.

    double down the line and a 2-0 lead!

    Let’s Go Yankees!!!!!

  470. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

    Laura I agree I think he is afraid to get on the mound. And it all started with him getting hit in the face by the baseball. I was at the game, and it was scary.

    EY – Me too, I was like okay what can he come up with this time? Oh yeah, neck, neck is good.

  471. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    “laura, did you see the 2003 postseason? stagefright? i hardly think so.”

    That was before he signed that huge contract. His health problems didn’t start until he joined the Yankees. There’s a lot of pressure that comes with playing for the Yankees and I think that he thought he could handle it, but found out that he couldn’t. Now, he’s a hypochondriac. Watch – he’ll pitch fantastic for his next team.

  472. F - Burnett August 19th, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    Pay attention you fool.

  473. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 8:25 pm

    who is the most expensive AAA pitcher, Igawa or Pavano?

  474. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 8:25 pm

    groan

  475. Wangawa August 19th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

    That was a ridiculous pitch that just struck out Damon. No worries though… Rasner will pitch that complete game shutout like I said.

  476. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

    9 bloody strikeouts… this offense is offensive.

  477. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

    Is that the 1st stolen base by a Yankee catcher this year? Who said I-Rod trade for Farnsy was a bad deal for us?

  478. tim boat August 19th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

    If Rasner pitches another good inning or 2, watch Girardi keep sending him out until he implodes, because Joe obviously can’t tell when enough is enough and to quit while he’s ahead. Just like that Baltimore game a few weeks ago when he left Rasner to hang out to dry in the 7th

  479. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

    Nice of Pudge to steal so we can go 0 for 4 with RISP. Great swing Johnny, you really looked good there.

  480. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

    Good to see the day off helped the offense.

    You would think with all the stripper options in Toronto, ARod would be 3-3 with a HR.

    But instead, he slowly creeping back to .300 and racking up those K’s. Unbelievable.

  481. tim boat August 19th, 2008 at 8:27 pm

    who is the most expensive AAA pitcher, Igawa or Pavano?

    At least Igawa pitches.

  482. ERâ„¢ (The Final Seasonâ„¢) August 19th, 2008 at 8:27 pm

    Blue Jays will score this inning.

  483. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 8:27 pm

    Terry,

    The tag is “blockquote”

  484. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 8:27 pm

    Apparently, you posters that are criticizing the guys for striking out aren’t watching the game. Burnett has some nasty stuff. Once they get behind in the count, it’s pretty much a guaranteed K. I don’t think Mantle would be doing any better than A-Rod is right now against this guy.

  485. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 8:28 pm

    Pavano is more expensive $$$$$ + luxury tax$$$$$.
    Didn’t Pavano grow up a Red Sox fan?

  486. Joe from Long Island August 19th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

    Number 1 – Alex looks like he’s guessing again. Last year, he looked more like “see the ball, hit the ball.” Just my opinion.

    Number 2 – I don’t know what Burnett looks like against the rest of the league, but he ALWAYS looks great against us. His ball really looks like it’s moving. I bet he takes that opt-out this off-season (why else is it there?), and I think the Yanks would be well-served to look into his services. If for no other reason than to keep him from pitching against us. Even if CC signs.

  487. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

    i agree that burnett’s stuff is nasty but i’m very sure that mantle would have at least tried to move the runner in that situation BECAUSE the guy is too nasty to be thinking about taking him deep. arod refuses to ever cut down his swing or move a runner.

  488. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

    A-Rod isn’t half the player Mantle was, and Mantle was hurt. Look up his stats with RISP.

  489. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

    Coming into the game ARod was .333 against Burnett.

    Based on recent performance, it is more ARod than Burnett.

    this is interesting.

    Baseball America has just released its ever-popular Best Tools list, and while the entire lists are for subscribers only, we’ve got the Yankees and where they fall:

    As expected, A-Rod pops up the most: He’s been voted the AL’s best hitter and second best power hitter. He’s also got the third best infield arm, according to the folks who participated in the pool.
    Bobby Abreu earned himself the second best strike zone judgment award, sitting just behind Kevin Youkilis.
    Derek Jeter is the AL’s third best hit-and-run artist and the third-best defensive short stop. Make of that what you will.
    Robinson Cano is the league’s third best defensive second baseman.
    Jose Molina was voted the third best defensive catcher, falling one spot behind current Yankee Ivan Rodriguez.
    Joba Chamberlain has the AL’s third best fastball, behind the Mariners’ Brandon Morrow and the Tigers’ Joel Zumaya.
    Mike Mussina’s control is third-best in the junior circuit.
    Andy Pettitte still has the league’s best pick-off move.
    And finally, Mariano Rivera is the league’s best reliever. Bet you never saw that one coming.
    The Yankees clearly have the tools, according to those who play and watch the games. Too bad they don’t yet have the wins to go along with it.

  490. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

    I think Rasner is taking lessons from Ponson. And I mean that in a good way.

  491. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

    Laura’s right.

    It doesn’t matter where that slider is thrown. It’s untouchable; all you can hope for is that he throws it for a ball.

    No,

    You also have to hope that Rasner pitches one of his best games of the season; so far, he’s up to the task.

  492. romine August 19th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

    -Yankee Trader

    I think Pavano came up through the redsox system

  493. chr1zis August 19th, 2008 at 8:32 pm

    What is Rasner’s pitch count?

  494. JB (Toronto Fan) August 19th, 2008 at 8:32 pm

    You guys are witnessing the Blue Jays at their best tonight. Great pitching performance wasted by a horrible offense who can’t hit a mediocre pitcher like Rasner.

  495. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 8:32 pm

    Here is some more on ARod as he sits in this $30 million funk

    From A-Rod to K-Rod
    By: Ben K.
    Over the last few weeks, as the Yanks have slipped in the AL East and Wild Card standings, Yankee fans, looking for a scapegoat, have found their favorite target in Number 13. A-Rod, as everyone knows by now, isn’t hitting well with runners in scoring position this year, and for some reason, this is reason enough to blame an entire disappointing season on the $27-million-man’s shoulders. While we’ve always been on Alex’s side, David Pinto points out a trend: A-Rod’s strike out rates with runners on base are significantly higher than they are with bases empty. With no one on, A-Rod strikes out 15.4 percent of the time; with runners on, that number nearly doubles to 28.2 percent. As Pinto writes, “He’s not even giving the runners a chance to advance 1/4 of the time.”

  496. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 8:33 pm

    I’m not watching game on TV. Are you impressed with Rasner, or is it just a matter of time before the Blue Jays get to him?

  497. andrew August 19th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

    is the pavano thing true or is pete playing with us?

  498. TKinDC August 19th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

    “What is Rasner’s pitch count?”

    Cy Razz is below 70

  499. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

    Guess: Jeter singles, Abreu walks, Arod homers…

    and then I woke up… :-(

  500. EY August 19th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

    Who’s this guy wearing Raz’s uniform?

  501. Clay Buchholz Loves Laptops (My Latest Blog Entry: Why Abreu Is Scared Of Outfield Walls) August 19th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

    “The Yankees clearly have the tools”

    Or as they would say on Yankees on Deck, “The Yankees have the toolz.”

  502. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

    Raz is at 62 pitches.

  503. Joeysdadjoe August 19th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    You’d think we were losing?

  504. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    Nice, Razzle!

    Crisis averted in Baltimore. Jacoby called out on a full count.

  505. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    Toronto announcers just said Rasner looks like a Cy Young candidate.

    About time a #5 stater looks like Cy Young FOR the Yankees rather than AGAINST the Yankees.

    Rasner, Ponson, and Mussina… love baseball and its grey area for player performance.

  506. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    pavano grew up in soutington ct, mom was a yankees fan. drafted by the red sox, he was EL player of the year and won 19 games for the trenton thunder when they were a sox affiliate.
    he was traded along with tomy armas jr. to montreal for pedro martinez in 1997.

  507. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    :shock:

  508. chr1zis August 19th, 2008 at 8:36 pm

    Thanks. LETS GO YANKS!

  509. Clay Buchholz Loves Laptops (My Latest Blog Entry: Why Abreu Is Scared Of Outfield Walls) August 19th, 2008 at 8:36 pm

    “is the pavano thing true or is pete playing with us?”

    True, Pete is a jokester, but it’s real.

  510. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 8:36 pm

    get Jetes home

  511. Patrick â„¢ August 19th, 2008 at 8:36 pm

    Wow the moment Pavano hears he might have to pitch in the majors he gets a “stiff neck”. Maybe he has a serious psychological problem and just can’t handle the pressure anymore? Or he’s lazy, or he’s a total wimp. Maybe he just has no passion for the game anymore. He’s set for life at this point, he might as well just quit and go open some used car dealerships or something. Imagine buying a car from “Pavano’s Used Cars,” how fast would that car break down I wonder?

  512. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 8:37 pm

    c’mon dj we need a runner!

  513. TKinDC August 19th, 2008 at 8:37 pm

    Oakland just took the lead over Minnie-haha

  514. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 8:37 pm

    crap

  515. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 8:38 pm

    Damn, Bobby smoked that

  516. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 8:38 pm

    Too bad Bobby couldn’t drive him in. Now come Mr. Choke, very likely a DP here.

  517. F - Burnett August 19th, 2008 at 8:38 pm

    Please dont stare at 3 strikes again.

  518. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 8:38 pm

    Terry,

    The tag is “blockquote”

    Thanks Mel.

    Leadoff runner. Let’s get some tack-on runs!

  519. Clay Buchholz Loves Laptops (My Latest Blog Entry: Why Abreu Is Scared Of Outfield Walls) August 19th, 2008 at 8:39 pm

    Folks, we’re going on a run. Get this one game, and we’ll win tomorrow. The streak will then be up to 4 games, and it will just snowball.

  520. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 8:39 pm

    Anyone watching the Tampa game? What was with the onfield delay?

  521. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 8:40 pm

    Arod is overthinking like crazy up there. Jeter fouled off those curves on the inner part of the plate, that’s why his AB was successful, Alex is guessing and guessing wrong.

  522. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 8:40 pm

    Bases loaded, one out against Matsuzaka with Mora up!

  523. kole August 19th, 2008 at 8:41 pm

    in my book, Arod is as much a loser as Igawa.

  524. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 8:41 pm

    Can A-Choke hit a FB right down the middle? Can he stop guessing? Can he be productive with RISP? THat’s a no for every question…

  525. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 8:41 pm

    Anyone watching the Tampa game? What was with the onfield delay?

    They just announced that the Yankees starting pitcher Saturday, Carl Pavano, is headed to the DL once again.

    Players dropped with laughter and time had to be called to avoid injury to both LA and Tampa.

  526. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 8:42 pm

    Bases loaded, one out in BAL. Mora up.

  527. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 8:43 pm

    “in my book, Arod is as much a loser as Igawa.”

    This is one of the most stupid posts I’ve ever read.

  528. daver August 19th, 2008 at 8:43 pm

    Thats’ 3 K’s for ARod. One more and he’ll have the Golden Sombrero. Perhaps Melky can buy him one when he ends up in a Mexican league. ;-)

  529. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 8:43 pm

    jeez

  530. JR Yankees August 19th, 2008 at 8:43 pm

    Wow…this is embarrassing.

  531. j August 19th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

    nice job, why cant they make contact. a bunt off a burnett fastball would go down the 3rd base line.

  532. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

    A-Rod and Giambi a combined 0 for 6, 6 K’s. Now that’s a great job from the big guys who were supposed to drive in the runs. F**k those overpaid SOB’s.

  533. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

    I love our 4-5 hitters. So much power, so much production, I don’t see how the Yankees can’t make the playoffs.

  534. Doreen August 19th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

    If it wasn’t Burnett it would be embarrassing. But it certainly is not good.

  535. daver August 19th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

    And that’s 3 K’s for Giambi. He and Alex may have to share the Golden Sombrero. Do you think the Golden Sombrero will match his Golden Thong?

  536. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 8:45 pm

    jeezus christ – arod and giambi suck tonight

  537. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 8:45 pm

    A-Rod and Giambi 0-6, 6 K

    ….
    I don’t even need to say anything else, I think this speaks for itself.

  538. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 8:45 pm

    Mora K’s. I’m tired of batters who make Matsuzaka look like a good pitcher. The guy throws JUNK. DON’T SWING!

  539. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 8:45 pm

    Mora pulled an ARod.

    Aubrey Huff is up

  540. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    “arod and giambi suck tonight” Not just tonight my friend, everytime there’s a runner on.

  541. TKinDC August 19th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    At least Burnett is at 95 pitches – and I don’t think he’ll pitch 130 like CC did last night.

  542. Coach Jay23 (Bring Back BUCK) August 19th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    i agree with how bad AROD and Giambi are playing but u guys r funny are 1 and 2 hitters have K’d 4 times also guys. You guys all loved AROD sunday.

  543. Joeysdadjoe August 19th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    Someone should tell that fist pumping a hole Burnett he is losing 1-0

  544. daver August 19th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

    On the radio pregame show with Susan — Alex said he had to not try to do much, press too much, and try to go with the pitch, make solid contact, etc. I guess saying it is one thing, doing it is another.

  545. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

    Burnett gave up 4 runs in each of his last three starts, lasting no more than 6 innings One of those starts against Oakland, worst hitting team for the year. Worst hitting team since the 8 game winning streak is probably us.

  546. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

    The ghost of Ponson has inhibited Rasner.

  547. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

    Like I said, BAL always lets BOS off the hook. If that was us, Huff would have hit a Granny.

  548. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

    Huff pulls a Giambi.

  549. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

    Great inning by Raz!

  550. JB (Blue Jays Fan) August 19th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

    You guys shouldn’t feel embarrassed. At least you have a run because the umpire couldn’t give Burnett a strike until after the first batter.

    My team can’t hit Rasner! Swinging at the first pitch! Wells takes a hanging curve for strike three with two runners on!

    You guys can keep your head high compared to what I have to go through.

  551. WAa August 19th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

    CantGAIRDistopNapping?

  552. Mark (Brett is back) August 19th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

    Dice-k got out of the 4th, but at 90 pitches through 4 that means lots of Sox bullpen tonight.

  553. The 2008 World Champion Tampa Bay Rays August 19th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

    yank-yanks, LOL. Stifled by Burnett again huh?

  554. E-Man August 19th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

    “UPDATE, 8:09 p.m.: You can’t make this stuff up. Pavano skipped his bullpen session today because of a stiff neck. Why do the Yankees even bother?”

    LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  555. Michael T August 19th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

    Meanwhile, DiceK has allowed 4 walks, 11 baserunners and thrwon 90 pitches through 4 innings. But only allowed to runs and is in position for another ugly win.

    Borrowed time I say.

  556. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

    i can handle the K’s with nobody on or with 2 outs, power hitters strike out alot.

    just the K with the RISP and no out eats me up.

  557. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

    Is Rasner pitching like Mussina tonight and working the corners?

  558. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 8:49 pm

    Wow. What an inning for Ras. He is pitching an amazing game. The Yankees better get him the win!!

  559. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 8:49 pm

    Hopefully just one more inning from Burnett.

  560. sw August 19th, 2008 at 8:49 pm

    The Jays broadcasters are totally flummoxed that their team is being shut out by a guy with a 5 ERA. :lol: Welcome to our world, Blue Jays.

  561. E-Man August 19th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    The Yankees should do a 4 man rotation like the Dbacks are doing. It’s not like we’re playing with Young arms here. Our top 3 are Moose, Pettitte and Ponson.

  562. TKinDC August 19th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    “On the radio pregame show with Susan — Alex said he had to not try to do much, press too much, and try to go with the pitch, make solid contact, etc. I guess saying it is one thing, doing it is another.”

    Tell me about it!

    Sincerely,

    C-Rod

    :)

  563. Anonymous August 19th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    the o’s remind me of the yankees, they couldn’t score a run:
    bases loaded, 1 out, dice-k struggling, and their 3 and 4 hitters coming up …

  564. Terry from New Hampshire August 19th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    11 K’s in 6 innings is pathetic from a Yankee perspective. Looks like these guys are swings at gnats in a boggy creek tonight. CAN’T THEY SMALLBALL AT ALL?

  565. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 8:51 pm

    papi lifts a flyball and moves pedroia over to 3rd base with one out……….

  566. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 8:51 pm

    Whiff said:

    Huff pulls a Giambi.

    Nah. Huff just made an out and that’s reasonable. What’s more egregious is that Mora swung at a poor pitch that would have been ball four (walking in a run).

    It’s the Runner on 3rd

  567. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

    Yeah, at least it’s nice that Burnett’s PC is up near 100. Of course, it would have to be, with him schooling the heart of our order like that, but I’ll take it!

  568. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

    Joe G., pay attention and start the runner or Robbie is going to GIDP.

  569. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

    Youk, 2 run HR.

    So much for Baltimore.

  570. youk August 19th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

    Yoooooouuuuuuuuuukkkkkkkk!!!

  571. Mark (Brett is back) August 19th, 2008 at 8:53 pm

    Youk goes yard, and now Dice-k will get win 15 by throwing another 5 inning gem.

  572. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 8:53 pm

    “11 K’s in 6 innings is pathetic from a Yankee perspective. Looks like these guys are swings at gnats in a boggy creek tonight. CAN’T THEY SMALLBALL AT ALL?”

    Burnett is good. That’s the way it goes. Focus on the positive. Rasner is pitching out of his mind.

  573. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 8:53 pm

    we’ll score this inning if Burnett stays in-at 100 pitches

  574. JB (Blue Jays Fan) August 19th, 2008 at 8:53 pm

    Yankee fans: I am afraid the Blue Jays have the best bullpen in the majors so getting Burnett out is not what I am afraid of.

    Doesn’t matter though because the Jays can’t hit.

  575. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 8:53 pm

    If that’s it for Rasner, then we have to thank him for keeping him in the game. No one though we could win with him on the mound but yet he proved everyone wrong. You have to give him credit, he was solid tonight, well solid for a #5 starter.

  576. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter and also believe Arod will start to hit. August 19th, 2008 at 8:53 pm

    “Apparently, you posters that are criticizing the guys for striking out aren’t watching the game. Burnett has some nasty stuff. Once they get behind in the count, it’s pretty much a guaranteed K. I don’t think Mantle would be doing any better than A-Rod is right now against this guy.”

    I was on the phone with work until right now and couldn’t watch the game. I flew through the posts and looked at the score and am really happy to see the Yankees are still winning.

    Thank you Laura for this post.

    It is PATHETIC to see the amount of hideous whining done on this forum when things don’t go the way posters think they should. If Burnett has been pitching with great stuff, my guess is that there won’t be a lot of hits – whether you want there to be or not. If Burnett’s stuff is not very good then sure you have a right to complain about the Yankee not hitting.

    My take from reading some of the more lucid posts is that he has had very good stuff tonight.

    I would guess that Rasner has been amazing also, or at least very good, or must have had some good D behind him. Again it appears he has gotten the job done.

  577. Hahaha August 19th, 2008 at 8:55 pm

    can giardi stop sleeping on the bench

  578. Ox August 19th, 2008 at 8:55 pm

    How much do they offer Burnett in November?

    17 mill per?

  579. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    That Cano grounder was so obvious that only Girardi didn’t know.

  580. dale d August 19th, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    G-string hitting into this shift is just stupid
    the third baseman was behind second
    is butcher-boying a blop to the left side impossible?
    I mean this guy can hit and just making contact can’t be worse than striking out three times.
    Are these guys just that stubborn?

  581. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    Rasner threw 23 pitches in the 1st and 45 pitches over the last 5. They have to send him out for thr 7th at least.

  582. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    Rasner only at 68 pitches. Nice job by him tonight so far.
    Would be even nicer if the yanks could somehow get another run

  583. Lanny August 19th, 2008 at 8:57 pm

    Who actually thought Pavano was going to throw a pitch this yr??

  584. NongEyeWayneTolleson August 19th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

    Who woulda thunk it…Burnett owning the Yanks…oh wait, i mentioned that yesterday. he’s cy young…only against the yanks.

    i cant believe pavano wussed out. maybe he doesnt care about a contract for next year.

  585. geO [Mickie James Roast Beef] August 19th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

    Burnett is owning the Yanks

    hopefully Rasner can continue pitching good

  586. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

    13 K’s in 7 innings, this offense makes me proud!

  587. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

    we’ll score this inning if Burnett stays in—— NOT!

  588. jose August 19th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

    if raz goes 7 who pitches the 8th? veras?

  589. bphill August 19th, 2008 at 8:59 pm

    RIP John Challis :-(

    Very inspirational, I watch the SportsCenter video all the time.

  590. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 8:59 pm

    “You have to give him credit, he was solid tonight, well solid for a #5 starter.”

    Six shutout innings on 68 pitches is solid for ANY starter.

  591. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 8:59 pm

    Guard against the 95+ fastball, get the knee-buckling slider.

    Guard against the slider, get the 95+ fastball on the black.

    Pretty impressive.

    What’s more impressive?

    Rasner is beating this guy 1-0.

  592. pat August 19th, 2008 at 8:59 pm

    JB

    I’ll take my chances with the mighty Jays pen. It couldn’t be tougher than Burnett tonight.

  593. EY August 19th, 2008 at 8:59 pm

    Hahaha oh wow. This is unreal. 13Ks.

    If wins are determined by the number of Ks, we’d be winning the world series 3 times over by now.

  594. Don Pratt August 19th, 2008 at 9:00 pm

    Yeah Burnett is going to get his money then immediately check into a hospital.

  595. Y's Guy August 19th, 2008 at 9:01 pm

    the youk homer wasnt the story there, the story was papi moving pedroia over with nobody out by lifting an easy fly ball. thier big bat does what needs to be done, ours cant ever be asked to that.

  596. Mark (Brett is back) August 19th, 2008 at 9:01 pm

    Kay do you think the Jays care how many he throws? He is going to opt-out next year.

  597. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 9:01 pm

    This is the scary inning, if we survive this inning, we win the game.

  598. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter and also believe Arod will start to hit. August 19th, 2008 at 9:01 pm

    Hey someone earlier said imagine if Rasner got a CGS and people just kind of chuckled.

    Imagine…

  599. TKinDC August 19th, 2008 at 9:02 pm

    “Yeah Burnett is going to get his money then immediately check into a hospital.”

    No Way! That never happens with proud, Professional athletes – especially former Marlins. Ridiculous.

  600. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 9:02 pm

    Twins and White Sox opening up leads.

  601. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 9:02 pm

    I see where the Umps are refusing to use Instant Replay. These umps have too much power.

  602. Don Pratt August 19th, 2008 at 9:02 pm

    I think Rasner can see Marte in the bullpen, I wonder if that shakes his confidence or lights a fire.

  603. TKinDC August 19th, 2008 at 9:03 pm

    “Kay do you think the Jays care how many he throws? He is going to opt-out next year.”

    Mark –

    His agent will storm the dugout and take him out if the manager doesn’t do it. :)

  604. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    one. bad. pitch.

  605. F - Burnett August 19th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    dont be down raz. you pitched great. we cant hit.

  606. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter and also believe Arod will start to hit. August 19th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    Poor Rasner.

    Thankfully it was a solo.

  607. JoeT 28 in 09!! I WILL BE RIGHT ABOUT PAVANO!! 5-0 down the stretch August 19th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    Freaking offense!!…. Ras needs to get out of this inning, the offense needs to score – team win first, but Ras DEFINITELY deserves one tonight

  608. Mark (Brett is back) August 19th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    There was never any chance the Yanks could win a game 1-0 this year with their luck.

  609. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    awww man :(

  610. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    There goes the game. Too bad, he pitched good.

  611. Don Pratt August 19th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

    I guess it shakes his confidence. This is what kills me about Girardi. If you don’t trust Rasner to get through the inning then take him out. Don’t get a guy up with no one on base when he’s pitching a gem. You’d think a former catcher would know what a head case a pitcher can be.

  612. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

    Damn. It’s okay Rasner!

    now we have to score another run. Uh Oh

  613. Ponson for Cy Young August 19th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

    Wow. Are you kidding me.

  614. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

    Most of the Jays swings were … over-exaggerated I think is the word.

    They were clearly overswinging and going for the bleachers. That time, they finally got a hold of one.

    Rasner’s still pitching a great game. Let him pitch for as long as he can.

  615. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

    Wow….

  616. JB (Blue Jays Fan) August 19th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

    Lind is the future of our franchise.

  617. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

    “His agent will storm the dugout and take him out if the manager doesn’t do it.”

    That is unless he shares an agent with one Carsten Charles Sabathia.

  618. stuart August 19th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

    what can you expect if Rasner, he could not pitch a shutout against a college team.

    the blame goes on the group who deserves it for the whole year, our great lineup…

    our lineup are a bunch of paiises, they cannot catch up to a good fastball, and are terrible overall.

  619. jose August 19th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

    any chance the yanks go after burnett if they dont get sabathia? i would be against that move

  620. NongEyeWayneTolleson August 19th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

    I am surprised he’s taking him out, considering that the home run was it. Even that last ground ball wasn’t hit hard. Theyll lose, because they wont touch Burnett, and then Ryan.

  621. F - Burnett August 19th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

    taking him out early again is going to cost us. Homerun off Veras anyone?

  622. TKinDC August 19th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

    “That is unless he shares an agent with one Carsten Charles Sabathia.”

    Whoever that agent is Fredo – he is not getting his job done.

  623. j August 19th, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    well rasner gave it his all.

  624. Mark (Brett is back) August 19th, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    Just let him finish the inning Girardi. The kid was pitching great. Pitch count was low, and he made 1 mistake. It is not his fault his offense can’t do anything tonight.

  625. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    WTF!

    Come on Joe, give me a break!

    Give the guy a chance!

    Overbay has power but he only has 9 HR in 400+ ABs this year.

    God Damn it!

  626. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    “but Ras DEFINITELY deserves one tonight”

    Truth is, he doesn’t deserve it anymore than Burnett does, but he’s pitched a great game nonetheless.

  627. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    There’s our coach, never consistent with his moves. When guys are laboring, he leaves them in, when guys are cruising, he takes them out. Great leader, awesome tactics.

  628. JB (Blue Jays Fan) August 19th, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    No one is warming up in the Blue Jays bullpen. Burnett probably told Cito has has one more.

  629. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

    Taking Rasner out now? Why not let him finish?
    Okay…

  630. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

    so much for that.

  631. Don Pratt August 19th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

    >>>any chance the yanks go after burnett if they dont get sabathia? i would be against that move

    I think it’s a good move, I think the lease on Pavano’s hospital room goes through 2010 so a two year deal won’t cost them any extra.

  632. Ponson for Cy Young August 19th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

    Why not play the percentages and pull Rasner after 6? His 6+ innings ERA is horrible – and that long ball isn’t going to help his psyche if he gets in that position again…

  633. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

    Is it Veras or Marte coming in? If it’s Marte, it just feels like he’s going to give up the lead, everybody feels it.

  634. Lanny August 19th, 2008 at 9:10 pm

    You are lucky to get 6 innings from guys like Rasner.

    They can’t score this year. It is their downfall.

  635. TKinDC August 19th, 2008 at 9:10 pm

    After Razzy, Veras’ fastball must look like a laser :)

  636. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 9:10 pm

    will the yanks lose 2-1 or win 2-1? Here’s a question – how do they respond?

  637. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

    please get another run now. Somehow

  638. Joeysdadjoe August 19th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

    I don’t want to lose this game.Not to that scumbag Burnett.

  639. NongEyeWayneTolleson August 19th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

    Was that pitch to Lind even that bad? It looked like he missed, but way inside and Lind just upper-cut it. Maybe I’m a moron.

  640. ITALIANO!!!!! August 19th, 2008 at 9:12 pm

    hey Pete really grow up… I’m sure Girardi just waited for the Jays to hit a homer b4 he thought Rasner had enough. What do you hate Italians or something. I’m sure you would og took him out before the homer, right?

  641. Gary (avoid the loss column) August 19th, 2008 at 9:12 pm

    Yet another quality start from Rasner but he like all the Yankees starters realize they have a putrid offense to deal with.

  642. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 9:12 pm

    So, I think the team should definitely talk to Joe Girardi this off-season and knock some sense into the man. Bring in Willie Randolph and Bowa. They could help him because he sure looks lost in NY….

  643. j August 19th, 2008 at 9:12 pm

    the ump today has an ithcy strike finger.

  644. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 9:13 pm

    That strike call to Damon is a joke.

    WAY outside.

  645. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 9:13 pm

    burnet still in after 112 pitches… jays must have a bad pen?

  646. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 9:13 pm

    “Why not play the percentages and pull Rasner after 6?”

    Because he was cruising. He retired 15 of 16 before that Lind homer. Sending him out was the right thing to do.

  647. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 9:15 pm

    jeezus – how about using some of that $200 mil to buy a run?

  648. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 9:16 pm

    13 unholy strikeouts – way to stay hot offense… :roll:

  649. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 9:16 pm

    What are the O’s SWINGING AT!

    He’s a junkballer, let him throw balls all day LONG!

    Matsuzaka gets through the fifth and is on pace for a CW.

  650. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 9:16 pm

    Anyone-
    What’s the abbreviation for sluggers?
    Can you use it in a sentence?
    Would it be the Yankee sluggers aren’t looking very good tonight.
    The abbreviation, correct me if I’m wrong, is The Yankee slugs aren’t looking very good tonight!

  651. Ponson for Cy Young August 19th, 2008 at 9:17 pm

    I don’t like the look of this.

  652. jose August 19th, 2008 at 9:17 pm

    jeez girardi should have made bp mandatory today

  653. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 9:17 pm

    Looks like the Yankees left their bats in NY. Wait, who am I kidding? They can’t hit worth crap. We should have taken advantage of Burnett’s wildness in the first….

  654. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 9:17 pm

    Everybody just knew those great Yankee hitters couldn’t even hit a tired Burnett. What a joke of an effort from our millionaires!

  655. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 9:18 pm

    Sunny-Jays have a good pen.

  656. Terry from New Hampshire August 19th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

    Carol Burnett could K 13 Yanks the way this team manufactures runs.

  657. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

    $209 million dollar bunch of weenies.

  658. pat August 19th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

    “Sorry about the lack of updates, but the wireless here is awful. As always.”

    How ironic. Isn’t the Rogers Center owned/licensed by Rogers Communications. :smile:

  659. Ponson for Cy Young August 19th, 2008 at 9:20 pm

    Never fear… Yankees have A-Rod and Giambi on deck!

    Oh wait.

  660. MoBoy(aka McLovin) August 19th, 2008 at 9:20 pm

    Why would you put soft throwing Ponson and Rasner.Makes no sense.The Yankees always trying to squeeze everything from these journeymen and prospects.

    Too bad you can’t get anything out of these megastars.

  661. trisha - I am a Sidney supporter and also believe Arod will start to hit. August 19th, 2008 at 9:20 pm

    More work issues.

    Hope Yankee pitching can hold up and a run is forthcoming. (Also hope they leave me alone so I can finish watching the game…)

    GO YANKEES!!!

  662. Lanny August 19th, 2008 at 9:20 pm

    This team just cannot hit.

    Don’t give that Burnett is good.

    Check his last 5 games out. He’s hittable.

    He’s only on when he faces NY?

  663. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 9:21 pm

    I have no problem Joe keeping Rasner in. He was cruising and had a low pitch count.

  664. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 9:21 pm

    Please Veras, don’t pull a Mo here…

  665. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 9:21 pm

    strikes Veras

  666. JB (Blue Jays Fan) August 19th, 2008 at 9:23 pm

    Just tell your Yankee pitchers to throw it outside the strike zone. These Blue Jays won’t take a walk. Lind’s homer was actually a ball.

  667. JoeT 28 in 09!! I WILL BE RIGHT ABOUT PAVANO!! 5-0 down the stretch August 19th, 2008 at 9:24 pm

    ““but Ras DEFINITELY deserves one tonight”

    Truth is, he doesn’t deserve it anymore than Burnett does, but he’s pitched a great game nonetheless.”

    That’s exactly what I was thinking as I typed it – thought about it, and decided that in my mind Rasner deserves it over Burnett (but ONLY because of the NY on his hat lol)

  668. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 9:24 pm

    Why would you put soft throwing Ponson and Rasner.Makes no sense.The Yankees always trying to squeeze everything from these journeymen and prospects.

    What?

  669. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 9:25 pm

    Rays now up 4-2. Boston, Chisox and Twins in blowouts. Yankees better find a way to win this one.

  670. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 9:26 pm

    Wow, this is again why Damon should not play center.

  671. pat August 19th, 2008 at 9:26 pm

    I miss Melky.

  672. Neil August 19th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    Johnny Damon what an athlete

  673. ellen August 19th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    Holy moly.

  674. JoeT 28 in 09!! I WILL BE RIGHT ABOUT PAVANO!! 5-0 down the stretch August 19th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    are you kidding me johnny – AWFULLLLLLLLLLL

  675. F - Burnett August 19th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    Apparently Defense is important. I think we know who will not be playing tomorrow.

  676. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    Well looks like a looong game tonight. Unless the Yankees hit a homerun, this could be 13 inning+ game. There’s no saying they will even have contact with the ball….

  677. The Gardner Rakes! August 19th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    Game.Set.Match.

    Come on Damon!

  678. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    This team is f*cking pathetic.

  679. Someone Else August 19th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    Melky Cabrera says “Haha!”

    Defense is not overrated.

  680. Don Capone August 19th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    MELKY come back NOW!!

  681. retroclutch August 19th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    Oh yeah, Damon in CF was a great idea.

    There was a reason he was moved away from it a couple years ago.

  682. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    Thanks Veras….

  683. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    So frustrating. Ugh. Love the Veras, but does he throw anything besides fastballs?

  684. blackdragon905 August 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    UNBELIEVABLE, im in a lost of words

  685. MoBoy(aka McLovin) August 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    S.A:

    I meant Why is Rasner in the 7th inning.No reason for these journeymen to be in the 7th inning.You only expect 5 innings from this guy.

  686. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    Well, that hurt.

  687. Don Pratt August 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    The Babe has cursed this season. He built this house for the Yankees to play in forever.

  688. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    this just blows. Tough loss after tough loss with this team.

    Over/under on times the phrase “tip your cap” is used in tonight’s postgame?

  689. Someone Else August 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    “This team just cannot hit.

    Don’t give that Burnett is good.

    Check his last 5 games out. He’s hittable.

    He’s only on when he faces NY?”

    Apparently. I don’t think anybody could have hit him tonight. His pitches were sick.

  690. JR Yankees August 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    I didn’t just see Damon drop ANOTHER flyball giving up the lead, right?

  691. Yankee2123 August 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    Damn it, damn it , damn it…there’s no way Damon plays CF tomorrow no way!!! It was in his friggin glove and he lost it!!!!!!!!! DAMN

  692. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    Game is on Johnny.

  693. SCRANTON August 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    Damon that stupid caveman!

  694. Trevor August 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    Sorry but I rather see Gardner play CF every day. I don’t care if he’s not a great hitter. Defense is important too.

  695. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 9:29 pm

    Theeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Yankees suck. I wonder when we’ll get real players.

  696. Lanny August 19th, 2008 at 9:29 pm

    Well, you can read the death rites now.

    This team is officially done for.

  697. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 9:29 pm

    Now how do you get Matsui in the lineup? He has to dh.

  698. Someone Else August 19th, 2008 at 9:29 pm

    “I meant Why is Rasner in the 7th inning.No reason for these journeymen to be in the 7th inning.You only expect 5 innings from this guy.”

    Um, he was pitching well.

    Of course, 90% of the people that post here don’t actually WATCH THE FRIGGING GAMES.

  699. Timmy Lupus August 19th, 2008 at 9:29 pm

    Melky? Gardner makes that play. You can bet he’s sitting on the bench saying to himself “That’s what you get”.

  700. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

    Just want to point out

    There is no room for Gardner in the OF none watsoever you trot out your best offense forget about the D. :roll:

  701. Neil August 19th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

    TB wins.

    BOS wins.

    CWS wins.

    MIN wins.

    Devastating.

  702. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

    :evil:

  703. JB (Blue Jays Fan) August 19th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

    I think ARod yelled “HA!” to Damon from the infield.

  704. dmac August 19th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

    Pete Abe – overall really like your blog, but do you still think CF defense is a throwaway skill? This is embarassing, they need a real CF in there.

  705. stuart August 19th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

    Classic..

    Yeah blame it on the guy making $500k hell with the guy making $13 mill.

    the was a easy play, you have to make it.

    the 9th inning AB’s should be interesting!!!!

  706. Dan August 19th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

    Game isn’t over yet.

  707. Trevor August 19th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

    Matsui coming back actually complicates things a little bit. Damon playing CF everyday? That’s a joke.

  708. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

    “Apparently. I don’t think anybody could have hit him tonight. His pitches were sick.”

    Nice briefing of Joe G.’s postgame interview.

  709. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 9:31 pm

    Game over! Rays come back. Longoria’s replacement knocking in winning runs again-team hasn’t missed a beat with their injuries. Boston wins, as will Minnesota and White Sox.
    Good night friends.

  710. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 9:31 pm

    This is complete monday morning quarterbacking, but this late in the game Gardner should at least be in as a defensive replacement.

    This really sucks.

  711. Joeysdadjoe August 19th, 2008 at 9:31 pm

    I don’t want to hear how Johnny Damon shouldn’t be playing CF.That wasnt on Girardi or Veras.A major league outfielder makes that play.Damon CHOKED

  712. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 9:31 pm

    They don’t need Melky, but they need a regular CF; either Christian, Melky or Gardner.

    Damon is weak defensively and Girardi thought he could afford that. It’s the risk he took when he put Matsui into the lineup, moving Gardner (or Christian) out of CF and putting Damon there instead of DH.

  713. Lanny August 19th, 2008 at 9:31 pm

    Has Veras got a big out yet this year?

    He’s great in the 7th. He’s terrible in the 8th.

    The Pudge trade really killed all the momentum this team built in July. Just killed it.

  714. Stanny46 (President of the Carl Pavano Fan Club) August 19th, 2008 at 9:31 pm

    The fact that we are moaning over a 2-1 score tells me that we have bigger fish to fry other than Johnny’s blunder in center. Why are we only scoring 1 run off of mediocre pitchers?

  715. pat August 19th, 2008 at 9:31 pm

    Anyone have a problem with A-Rod swinging for the fences this inning?

    I don’t.

  716. jk August 19th, 2008 at 9:31 pm

    Bench Matsui or send him to the doc for surgery. May as well bench Damon as well.

  717. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

    So for all who thinks the Yankees will make it to the playoffs, think again. It is possible, but it isn’t going to happen. This team can not hit with RISP and when there Pitchers do their jobs, the defense sucks. They can’t get everything to click at once. It will be a long off-season…

  718. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

    “Game isn’t over yet.”

    Who are you kidding? A-Rod, Giambi and Nady against B.J. Ryan. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t K the side.

  719. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

    Yankees just suck.

    there is no post season in 2008.

    But hey at least this time we were treated to a 2 game winning streak.

  720. JB (Blue Jays Fan) August 19th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

    This game is far from over. Ryan had trouble with the Yankees earlier this year and blew a save.

  721. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

    “There is no room for Gardner in the OF none watsoever you trot out your best offense forget about the D”

    Fine. Then you have to be prepared when sub-par defenders blow the game. I have no problem with Damon starting the game, but his turn at bat had already come and gone. Girardi should have put in Gardner as a defensive replacement.

  722. Mark (Brett is back) August 19th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

    Lanny- Veras did nothing wrong tonight.

  723. Zooboy August 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    Closing the glove AFTER the ball lands in it. So easy even a caveman, er, nevermind.

  724. Lanny August 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    I give BJ Ryan 8 pitches to be done with this team in the 9th.

    A bunch of quitters who don’t grind at bats because they want to go drinking after the game.

  725. Magoo August 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    ARod, Giambi, Nady up.

    Turning the TV off now.

  726. EricNS August 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    FIre Joe G.!!!

  727. stuart August 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    they ruled that a hit, laughable then Lanny above blames Veras.

    Lanny is another moron..

    Damon has to be the CF because they cannot score…

  728. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    well… I guess it’s lose 2-1

  729. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    And yeah, not to say I told you so but this is why some of us wanted Brett in CF.

  730. Rob Thompson August 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    We got this – Ryan is gonna cough it up. I can feel it.

  731. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    3 outs away from a pretty cruddy loss.
    How will the Yankees offense respond? I’m expecting nothing..hope I am wrong.
    :(

  732. Steve August 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    Anybody that thinks Melky is the answer is an idiot. 90% of playing defense is getting to the ball, hence the idea of range factor. Damon got to both balls and he just happened to have the bad luck to drop probably the only two balls of his career in one game. I actually think the fact that Damon got to both balls is a great sign and gives me great hope that we never see Melky again in a Yankee uniform.

  733. F - Burnett August 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    Thank god A-Rod is up. I was worried someone who couldnt hit in the clutch was up.

  734. Someone Else August 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    Alex Rodriguez is a stupid man.

  735. Dan August 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    Thank you JB, for having common sense.

  736. JoeT 28 in 09!! I WILL BE RIGHT ABOUT PAVANO!! 5-0 down the stretch August 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    way to run there BJ Upton… great job

  737. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    This is complete monday morning quarterbacking, but this late in the game Gardner should at least be in as a defensive replacement.

    This really sucks.

    What Monday QB’n…I pointed this sh** out since yesterday to , trish, to you, to every frickin’ body, 35 + yr. old in CF does not bring good D.

  738. Mike August 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    This is A-Rod’s first game of baseball, right?

  739. Neil August 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    LOLLLLLLLLLLLLL

    NINE MORE YEARS OF THIS

  740. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    The difference between Alex and Damon is that when Damon talks the talk, he also walks the walk.

  741. Don Pratt August 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    and the Babe especially hates Arod

  742. russomcbo78 August 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    stupid arod, way to kill that inning….and thx damon for that error

  743. lil' m August 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    Greed kills – not a smart move

  744. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    Nice play ARod… Still trying to be the hero..

    Yanks should have let him go…

  745. E-Man August 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    LOL what a joke. I’ve layed off Arod but cmon that is inexcusable!

  746. Dan August 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    Lets go Yanks.

  747. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

    Please, fire this motherf**ker.

  748. ellen August 19th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

    Holy moly again.

  749. YankeeJosh August 19th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

    This is really not typical of Damon. He’s always been able to catch the balls he can get to. His defensive liabilities are his total lack of an arm and that he’s slowed a bit and doesn’t have range anymore, but dropping balls…inexcuseable and unforseeable.

  750. Lanny August 19th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

    And A-Rod runs us out of another game.

  751. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

    AWWWW this is sooo painfull..

  752. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

    Really, Alex? Really? We need baserunners, not extra bases.

  753. Beonx Jeers August 19th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

    Speechless. I guess Alex doesn´t get paid enough to run out of the box.

  754. F - Burnett August 19th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

    can giambi hit a high fastball ever?

  755. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    why cant damon play left leave the rookie in center and nady on first?? is he that bad at first?

  756. Lanny August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    stuart you are a troll.

  757. Someone Else August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    Jason Giambi sucks.

  758. Yankee2123 August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    Terrible baserunning. Kay is a moron on Yes. Giambi 4 SO. Game over.

  759. Laura - I still believe!! August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    That was a desperation play by A-Rod. He knew the chances of someone getting him in from first were nil so he gambled and lost.

  760. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    Up to Nady

  761. Vito August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    I just hope we can hold off Baltimore for 4th place.

  762. E-Man August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    Goodbye worst season I’ve seen in my entire life.

  763. Neil August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    JASON GIAMBI BATS 5TH ON THE NEW YORK YANKEES

  764. Don Pratt August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    4 strikeouts tonight and batting 5th tomorrow

  765. Someone Else August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    Game over. Season over.

  766. JoeT 28 in 09!! I WILL BE RIGHT ABOUT PAVANO!! 5-0 down the stretch August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    heyy Sombrerossssss

    this game is just awful – we deserve nothing

  767. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    Giambi needs to go NOW. Why don’t we put Nady at first and move Damon to LF and have Gardner stay in CF?

  768. ellen August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    Wow, that was painful.

  769. Rebecca--Optimist Prime August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    Wonderful. One game from third place.

  770. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    Nice!

    well one more to go and I can go spray weeds.

  771. Vito August 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    This team fking sucks.

  772. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    lol well i guess fourth place aint that bad..

  773. Rafael August 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    the season is definitively OVER!

  774. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    See how everybody is blaming GI Joe for this one, again Brett Gardner in CF

    Brett Gardner in CF

    Brett Gardner in CF
    Brett Gardner in CF

    Brett Gardner in CF :evil:

  775. MoBoy(aka McLovin) August 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    Giambi is nothimg better then a stikeout and Walk.

    Glad he’s gone next year.

  776. harris August 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    are you kidding me giambi you fat piece of shi*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  777. Joeysdadjoe August 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    I dont care if I get banned F you Alex!!!!Run out of the box and you get the double.Stick your millions up your Madonna loving posterior

  778. Yankee2123 August 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    I say Damon bench Damon tomorrow.

  779. YanksFanMan August 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    What a horrible display.

  780. fyi August 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    I for one is tried of the churlish acts of this Insane Bolt character.

  781. Lanny August 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    How is that not Veras’ fault? He gave up the 2 out hits.

  782. Vito August 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    E-Man this is nothing. You should have been around in the early 90′s for the Bucky Dent, Stump Merril, Oscar Azocar, Alvaro Espinoza years.

  783. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    Season is OVER.

  784. franky b August 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    SEASON IS OVER…..THANKS DAMON

  785. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    Nice game boys. Once again you have found new ways to lose and piss away great pitching performances. Hopefully you can win enough games to avoid last place.

    85 wins…… never going to happen.

    so does Girardi get a pass or does he get fired?

  786. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    and…that is that.

    Have to win the next 2 games. :(

  787. Brad August 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    “Clutchless” Rodriquez strikes again. The prototypical flop.

  788. daver August 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    wow. amazing.

    johnny drops the game in the field.

    alex is finally clutch and gets a hit…and blows it by trying to stretch it into a f*%&ing double!!

    season is done.

  789. E-Man August 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    “JASON GIAMBI BATS 5TH ON THE NEW YORK YANKEES”

    That’s because our manager was NL Manager of the Year once.

  790. Joeysdadjoe August 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    Im tired of this crap

  791. myrtlebeachfan August 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    That was a ridiculously terrible baserunning mistake by Alex.

    Absolutely horrendous. That’s not the way to win a game.

    This team is just pathetic. Best player in the baseball strikes out three times. Giambi 3 times. The team strikes out 14 or 15 times in the game.

    I’m so angry that I wasted my time on this game that I could strangle someone.

    Good thing I’m home alone.

    Kidding of course, but damn.

  792. Don Pratt August 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    Anyone notice Arod looking directly into the centerfield camera after he was tagged out at second. He does that in the dugout too. I don’t know what that says about him, but I know I don’t like it.

  793. Anthony August 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    that was brutal. This team makes me want to pull out all of my pubic hair.

  794. sw August 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    Jays one game behind, they might be ahead by the time the series is over. :? Rasner’s great start wasted.

  795. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    A-Rod and Giambi, thank you for both for being there when we need the most, for carrying the offense, for making the most of your AB’s in the 4th and 5th spot in the lineup. Thank you. You guys are really great.

  796. Josh Johnson August 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    Another day, another disappointment. A-Rod has a horrible game, well pretty much the entire team, except Rasner. Go figure. Bunch of overpaid bums.

  797. MoBoy(aka McLovin) August 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    Keep Joba in the minors to get healthy we don’t need him,Pavano or Phil(Pavano Jr) Hughes this year.Makes no sense to bring them up now.

  798. Someone Else August 19th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

    I’m not big on projecting lineups, but this should be the lineup for the rest of the season:

    1. Jeter SS
    2. Damon LF
    3. Abreu RF
    4. Rodriguez 3B
    5. Matsui DH
    6. Nady 1B
    7. Cano 2B
    8. Molina C
    9. Gardner CF

  799. Jensen August 19th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

    And Giambi wanted Yankees fans to vote him into the All-Star game. Pfft.

  800. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

    Well we witnessed Damon not being able to play center. Can Nady? He can’t possibly be as bad as Damon was tonight. That is the only way you don’t lose damon’s bat.

    I just heard another nail going into the yankees coffin.

  801. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

    its not damon fault.. he should have been in left.. Fire Joe lets try Willy now

  802. Angel August 19th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

    Alex would have been stuck on first even if he hadn’t of tried for a double. That’s just how this offense has been rolling.

    Case in point. Game over.

  803. sunny615 August 19th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

    Playing like it’s the last week in September eh Arod? More like softball in a community college.

  804. zzzZZZzz August 19th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

    Can we bat A-Rod 8th tomorrow? And Giambi 9th.

  805. bphill August 19th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

    This is really a tough loss to swallow. Damon can’t be trusted in the field. Brett Gardner…you play.

  806. mell hall's batting stance August 19th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

    a waste of a game. this team thinks of new ways to lose every day. this is the new yankees. the pathetic yankees. sad to say.

  807. george August 19th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

    wow, after that performance, they can’t put Damon in CF anymore. he should’ve been settled under that ball, it was up in the air for awhile.

  808. wolf man (2008 is over) August 19th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

    ranser pitched his heart out

    get rid of damon

  809. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

    rays win again

  810. Lanny August 19th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

    This team has quit all year. Another 2 hr game.

    They got to go out drinking in Toronto. Earlier the better.

    You do realize there was a reason they didn’t play Damon in CF all yr right?

  811. Harry Doyle August 19th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

    Can one of the “anouncers” mention that A-Rod was NOT hustling out of the box?

  812. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

    The entire team stunk tonight save Rasner and Bobby. Everyone else was still on their off day.

  813. Brian from PA August 19th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

    holy hell. i didn’t think they could get anymore pathetic then they have been but they lose a game where RASNER gave them 6 2/3rds of 1 run ball by making stupid ass mistakes that AA players make.

  814. myrtlebeachfan August 19th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

    It is a disgrace that the ball Damon dropped was called a hit.

    If it HITS THE GLOVE it should be caught. All baseball players are taught that. Sometimes, it is a difficult play and it can be called a hit. But that play was absolutely PATHETIC. Error, error, ERROR, ERRROR, and ERROR>

    The official scorer should be punched squarely in the face.

  815. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

    Brandon, I just meant Monday morning QB’ing in terms of, I hadn’t been thinking before the inning started that he should put Brett in as a def. replacement. But everybody should have known Damon in CF would cost us runs…of course the very 1st night Brett is on the bench it ends up being game costing. Figures, with this bunch.

    And what an absolutely pathetic way to go down in the 9th too. I am disgusted right now.

  816. Laura - That's all she wrote, folks! August 19th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

    This loss is on Damon. I could see it if the ball was over his head or was an overall hard play. But it wasn’t. I think a kid in AAA makes that play. No excuse for that.

    Well, you can hang the season on that game. That is the kind of gut wrenching loss that a team may not recover from.

  817. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    Kay called that a good game? For who? The only thing good about that game was Rasner.

  818. stuart August 19th, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    another bad loss. about the 15th bad loss..

    way to battle in the 9th, arod stupid play, if you cannot make it you cannot get thrown out.

    they suck, the big stars and no longer big stars.. another dismal performance by that great offense… another game of 3 runs or less…..blame it on the scrub pitcher, you fools.. but it is king alex, derek, giambi, and the gang of underachieving multi multi millionaires.. this team is pathetic…

    no you clowns can blame it on the manager that is what you usually blame it on, foolish..
    Peter will give a jab at Girardi’s lack of medical info or some other meaningless info, but heck giambi is hitting 249 gang, the guy makes $21 large, if he is lucky he will get 100 RBI’s then again he is hitting about 204 with RISP, yeah we should bring him back, where else can you get those type of #’s.. Anyone who wants to bring that sack of sh-t back needs to see a Psychiatrist.

    Another bad loss…..

  819. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    Giambi needs to go NOW. Why don’t we put Nady at first and move Damon to LF and have Gardner stay in CF? Damon is not in CF for a reason. And no offense I’d rather have Gardner batting then have Giambi strike out or hit into the shift. He’s gone, get over him and his mustash and thong.

  820. daver August 19th, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    Hey, I am going to make T-shirts that say:

    The Stache SUCKS

    Who wants one?

  821. Nate August 19th, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    This game ended the season.

    No chance they beat Halladay on Thursday.

    7 games out from Boston.

    Done for.

  822. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

    Laura, just listen to Kay that was a tough ball to catch. he knew just knew that Damon didn’t have it, he didn’t tap his glove. Like Nady was anywhere near him. That ball was all damon.

    Kay is a moron.

  823. Yankee 'to death' August 19th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

    I hope season ends tomorrow… I can’t watch these overpriced idiots (specially AROD)….

  824. E-Man August 19th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

    “E-Man this is nothing. You should have been around in the early 90’s for the Bucky Dent, Stump Merril, Oscar Azocar, Alvaro Espinoza years.”

    I was around in the early 90s. We didn’t have the talent like we have now. It’s more of let down. We have a fool running the team when even the announcers are questioning his moves. I don’t remember them doing that back then.

  825. Dennis August 19th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

    One of the worst loses of the year. Giambi, happy trails, Damon is awful, thanks for spoiling a great Rasner performance that we may never see again. Season over. How do you recover from a loss like this?

  826. Steve August 19th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

    The ugly result ever and again this team is cursed.
    Watching Yankees this year is a torture.

  827. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

    Well, they played Lind’s HR so as not to embaress Damon, but the error/hit was really the play-of-the game.

    Tough one for Damon tonight, even worse one for the Yankees at-large.

  828. Yankee2123 August 19th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    Vito, I remember those teams in the early 90′s sucked bad, but they were supposed to. And the pitching was terrible (Tim Leary 9-19). This team has all-star players making millions of dollars, striking out, and dropping balls in the outfield. We’ve been getting good pitching. The position players have really sh*t the bed this year.

  829. Neil August 19th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    It is depressing to watch this team and a waste to put so much time into them. On a night that EVERY team they need to lose happens to win, the Yankees lose. And even if they win tomorrow, they lose the series on Thursday when they face the best pitcher on the planet.

    Tonight John Sterling said that in 1995 the Yankees finished the season 27-7 to win the WC on the last day of the season in Toronto. Does anyone see this team playing any better than .500 baseball for the last 37?

  830. Nate August 19th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    Good teams don’t lose every opener of a series.

    This ISN’T A GOOD TEAM.

  831. Vitoooo August 19th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    If Arod runs out of the box he is safe at second, that is why it is a blunder.

  832. Yankee 'to death' August 19th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    Hope Girardi has the BALLS to drop AROD and Giambi in the batting order…..

  833. BBB August 19th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    I guess the good news is it has to get better for A-Rod from this point on right? Cause it can’t possibly get any worse than this. What a joke of a game for a guy who is supposed to be the best player in baseball. Just hideous.

  834. COL 88 August 19th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    This is the lineup I want to see tomorrow

    Gardner CF
    Jeter SS
    Cano 2B
    Christian RF
    Nady LF
    Betemit 1B
    Ransom 3B
    Molina C
    Pudge DH

  835. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    Seriously Yankee fans, how many more times does Girardi have to make bone head decisions that cost this team.

    Hank should be blamed for all the extra effort he went through to bring back ARod.

    AROD has done nothing to help ANY team he has been on. He flamed out against the Yankees when he was on the Seattle team of 110 wins. Couldn’t save the Rangers.

    Tried to pull a sissy swipe in the playoffs against the Red Sox. And now, making $30 million is starting to look as old as Jeter.

    This team is in deep deep trouble and I mean for next year. Decision-makers in the front office are not plentiful and the manager, well, good thing he has an engineering degree.

  836. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    So we have two options.

    Damon left
    Nady cf

    or
    Brett cf
    Damon lf
    Nady 1b

  837. Chobba August 19th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    You can forget about catching the Red Sox. Outside of the Yanks and the Angles, the rest of the league turns into a bunch of maginas whenever they face Boston.

  838. Nick August 19th, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    It is not the pitching’s fault at all. You can’t expect a team to throw a shutout.

    That being said, I don’t fault Alex. He knew there was no way they were getting him in from first.

  839. george August 19th, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    Harry Doyle, you’re right, A-Rod didn’t get out of the box.

  840. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    Where was Damon at on the dropped ball?

  841. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    “Hey, I am going to make T-shirts that say:

    The Stache SUCKS

    Who wants one?”

    Daver, I’ll buy one!

  842. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    Thank god football season is starting soon.

  843. Nate August 19th, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    This team has 4 definite Hall of Famers on it.

    Maybe 6 or 7 if things break right.

    How are you comparing this to the early 90′s?

    Sorry but this is WORSE.

  844. Doreen August 19th, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    When it’ s not your year, it’s not your year. Every single decision the Yankees have made this year has backfired. Damon in center to keep his bat in the lineup, knowing his arm is weak, but really never figuring he wouldn’t catch the balls hit to him. Frankly, I thought they’d put Gardner in late in the game, move Damon to LF and sit Matsui.

    I don’t blame ARod for trying to go to 2nd. It was a good, good throw to get him. The problem was the 3 Ks earlier in the game, when he could have driven in a run.

    At what point does Giambi not start????????????

  845. Where is the injury bug hiding? in the meachams pants??? August 19th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    all great empires fall

    the roman
    the byzatine
    the chinese

    now the yankee empire.. is falling fast!!1

  846. Where is the injury bug hiding? in the meachams pants??? August 19th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    and we got the a-rod curse.. i hate him!!1

  847. franky b August 19th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    KAY IS A COMPLETE MORON.TOUGH CATCH HE SAYS

  848. A-Rod sucks. August 19th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    A-Rod should quit life.

  849. Yankee2123 August 19th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    That game was like a bad nightmare. They just gave it away as a gift to Toronto.

  850. no words August 19th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    a game like this shows why haveing melky in the long run will help us, hes in the worse slump in his life right now but that has nothing to do with him being a great defensive player

    im not knocking Damon but i think now for the first time melky haters are seeing that we need him but only on the bench as a defensive back up

    however Damons defensive skills did not lose the game for us haveing a good lead leaves room for mistakes like that, but lack of offense pressures everyone to be perfect

    BAD GAME, BAD LOSS

  851. george August 19th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    the romans, Byzantines & Chinese didn’t have Joba.

  852. Marc August 19th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    The first ball Damon dropped had nothing to do with him not being able to play center field. He dropped a routine flyball. The second one was really bad because it showed he is not great at running straight back in center and making a catch. He back pedaled big time at the end.

  853. Nate August 19th, 2008 at 9:46 pm

    This team will be lucky to finish in 3rd place.

    This is a 84 win team here.

  854. Joeysdadjoe August 19th, 2008 at 9:46 pm

    This is the most underacheving team Ive ever seen.And thats 20 years worth.They lose every way they can.I’m not sure Girardi is the man for this team.They don’t respond to him.But then this is the worst team hes managed ,those 20 guys making the minimum Marlins were a better team.

  855. Tank August 19th, 2008 at 9:46 pm

    You got a GEM pitched by Rasner against Brunett and you don’t win that game.

    Instead he throws 120 pitches and has 13 Ks.

    This team just doesn’t have heart. Everyone from Jeter to Arod to Giambi… all a bunch of lifeless losers.

    And the sad part is, we’re probably hoping against hope that Hal will change things. The only guy who isin’t coming back is Giambi. The rest of the crew— Damon, Arod, Cano, Posada, Matsui etc. will still be back.

  856. Stanny46 (President of the Carl Pavano Fan Club) August 19th, 2008 at 9:46 pm

    I haven’t been able to wrap my brain around why this offense can’t hit? And to think, in spring training everyone was worried about the pitching!

  857. Neil August 19th, 2008 at 9:46 pm

    For $200 million the Yankees don’t have an everyday first baseman or center fielder.

    HOW DO YOU NOT HAVE A FIRST BASEMAN OR CENTER FIELDER????????????

    HOW??????????????????????????

  858. NongEyeWayneTolleson August 19th, 2008 at 9:46 pm

    A comedy of errors. What a lousy team.

  859. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 9:46 pm

    If Arod runs out of the box he is safe at second, that is why it is a blunder.

    That was an amazing play by the 1B clown..you want to blame anyone blame Damon for dropping a frickin’ flyball or how about how Matsui was suppose to be the answer to everyone’s prayers I told you guys about this crap ! Gardner a minor leaguer yehhh and Damon is a pro who blew this game. You go vs AJ Burnett that’s what happens 1 mistake it’s over.

  860. Marc from Portland Maine August 19th, 2008 at 9:46 pm

    “I say Damon bench Damon tomorrow.”

    Wow, the last time Damon was beched everyone here wanted to castrate Girardi. What’s tha average age here, 14?

  861. Laura - That's all she wrote, folks! August 19th, 2008 at 9:47 pm

    “Hope Girardi has the BALLS to drop AROD and Giambi in the batting order…..”

    Will never happen. I think Giambi should be sitting on the bench. He is horrible. He either strikes out or walks. Not a big help if you ask me. I laugh at the poster earlier who said that the Yankees would keep him next year. LMAO!!!

    A-Rod is playing crazy, like a man desperate for water after walking 10 hours in the desert. There’s no difference between him trying to make 2nd tonight and the slap play against BOS. He’s desperate to make something happen and is only making things worse by trying. It’s a sad thing to watch.

  862. jennifer August 19th, 2008 at 9:47 pm

    So is Girardi supposed to help damon catch routine fly balls?

  863. Yankee2123 August 19th, 2008 at 9:47 pm

    Kay is a total retard. Arod was trying to make something happen? Well he did. He killed the inning.

  864. Timmy Lupus August 19th, 2008 at 9:47 pm

    Here we go with the Post game. The cap tipping has already started. “Can’t get on the Yankees offense to much”. It’s funny every other team seems to hit Burnett to the tune of a 4+ ERA.

  865. Chobba August 19th, 2008 at 9:48 pm

    Season high strikeouts for Burnett, is anyone surprised? This team chokes under pressure. It’s only the 900th heartbreaking-how-can-they-lose-like-that game of the season.

    Yankees = Self sabatoge.

  866. Vader August 19th, 2008 at 9:48 pm

    Girardi might lose this town soon, if not this team.

    Yes I know it is on the players, but if you can’t get them to play hard every night, what are you good for.

    Sorry, but if Girardi was brought here because he can handle young players and Torre couldn’t, when I look on the field I don’t see too many young guys out there.

    IMO, it will be at least three years before the fruit of the farm pays off and by that time no one will want to play here and they will need someone like Jimmy Key to come in and change the culture.

  867. Vitoooo August 19th, 2008 at 9:48 pm

    No Words,

    any professional outfielder makes that play it wasn’t a hard play. Melky has nothing to do with it

  868. bphill August 19th, 2008 at 9:48 pm

    I’m ready for tomrorows lineup.

  869. Marc August 19th, 2008 at 9:48 pm

    Damon CF
    Jeter SS
    A. Rodriguez 3B
    Abreu RF
    Nady LF
    Giambi 1B
    I. Rodriguez DH
    Molina C
    Cano 2B

  870. Lanny August 19th, 2008 at 9:48 pm

    You can point to the Pudge trade as to when things went south for this team.

    Even losing Wang and Posada and Matsui they still hung in there.

    The bullpen was a mess after losing Farnsworth for some reason and Pudge has been terrible.

    Absolutely terrible behind the plate and at plate.

    Every bullpen role that they had going so well was screwed up.

    Not worth a catcher who cant throw runners out and pitchers don’t want to pitch to.

  871. E-Man August 19th, 2008 at 9:48 pm

    “This team has 4 definite Hall of Famers on it.

    Maybe 6 or 7 if things break right.

    How are you comparing this to the early 90’s?

    Sorry but this is WORSE.”

    That’s what I’m saying. Those early 90 teams weren’t postseason teams.

    This team is…

    or was.

  872. LathamJoe August 19th, 2008 at 9:49 pm

    and for all those ragging on Melky this season…
    THAT’s what happens when you put a DH-type in centerfield!

  873. The Big Giamphony August 19th, 2008 at 9:49 pm

    RIP YANKEES

  874. A-Rod sucks. August 19th, 2008 at 9:49 pm

    A-Rod’s play was bad because he didn’t run out of the box, he was just admiring his hit, like he does most of the time.

  875. jake August 19th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

    I can’t wait to see Trisha’s next post telling us that Arod shouldn’t blamed. Blah, blah, blah

  876. Nate August 19th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

    This team is an embarrassment for 200+ million.

    A total embarrassment. There should be firings all over the place.

    Starting with GM and manager. I hope Hal does the right thing and cleans house in this very important off season.

  877. daver August 19th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

    Here it comes…post game interview:

    You’ve got to tip your hat to Burnett. He had great stuff tonight. That’s baseball.

    F*** that.

    How about..

    “We lost because Johnny screwed up in the field…playing the field like a Little Leaguer. And Alex screwed up on the basepaths in the 9th. And Giambi is useless…4 strikeouts from a $23MM hitter in a key game. I hope that Golden Sombrero looks good with his golden thong.”

  878. Jensen August 19th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

    I wonder if Melky was watching that drop by Damon. Maybe it would have been better to keep Matsui out and keep Damon at DH.

  879. FrankDiscussion August 19th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

    It’s a shame a solid start from Rasner was wasted by Damon providing comic relief in center field and usual impotent display of offense. Give Burnett credit, he was on the money, but Arod and Giambi looked completely overwhelmed. At this rate they are likely to be in 4th place by the time this series is over.

  880. Jorge Steinbrenner (bring back Melky NOW) August 19th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    Wow….look at that….you put Damon in CF, and he singlehandly costs us a run that the previous centerfielder this year would have saved us, AND the offense didn’t exactly take off roaring without the presence of that supposed rallykiller of a centerfielder?! you mean Melky Cabrera actually saves us runs out there AND wasn’t the guy killing the offense? you mean all the hyperbole you saw on this blog was dead wrong? SHOCKING.

    and notice i didn’t even bring up Darrell Rasner….

    in an ideal world, half these guys would donate their day’s salary to charity after a dump of a showing like this. nice way to fight for survival at the end of the season, guys.

  881. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    I say we bench Giambi tomorrow, and have Nady play 1st. Move Damon back to LF, put Gardner in CF, and that way Matsui can still DH.

  882. Chobba August 19th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    Arod waiting 3 seconds to leave the box, what a moron. He should have been standing on 2nd base!

  883. Tank August 19th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    Postgame tonight -

    Girardi – “I thought Razzy threw the ball extremely well.”

    Arod – “Brunett was nasty tonight, this was the best I’ve seen him.”

    Jeter – “Tip your cap to them, they pitched well, got some key hits. They’re a good team give them credit.”

    Damon – “(while stuttering) This is unacceptable. We need to play better. Boston won again and we are falling behind. We know we have the talent.”

  884. Nate August 19th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    I also pray that Hughes starts in Camden yards Saturday.

    Just to show all of you that the season was thrown away when we didn’t make the Santana trade.

    Because Hughes is just another in a long line of overrated Yankee prospects.

  885. franky b August 19th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    AROD AROD AROD..WHAT ABOUT GIAMBI THIS POOR LOSER CAN;T HIT TO THE LEFT SIDE…CAN’T WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR WITHOUT THIS LOSER

  886. Neil August 19th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    16-27 IN SERIES OPENERS

    HAHAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    THIS IS EMBARRASSING.

    Can’t wait until the clock strikes midnight on Giambi and the rest of the goof troop weighing down the payroll.

  887. AZ Four August 19th, 2008 at 9:52 pm

    Gardner needs to start tomorrow.

  888. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 9:52 pm

    A-Rod’s play was bad because he didn’t run out of the box, he was just admiring his hit, like he does most of the time.

    Do you even know anything about baseball ? He hit the ball ran hard after the follow through Overbay made an amazing play, it took a slide a barehand and a perfect bounce off the turf to make that play. This game is on Damon. Figure it out clown.

  889. NongEyeWayneTolleson August 19th, 2008 at 9:52 pm

    I don’t think Girardi can come down as hard on these primadonnas as he wants to. He knows that this wussies will cry and decide not to play because he yelled. The entire team needs a culture change. I like Girardi and while he’s made mistakes, its these overpaid, underachieving slackers that are to blame. I just don’t want to hear that the better team won tonight (even though they did) and that the Yanks “just have to come out hard tomorrow and try to win as many games as possible.”. I’m sick of the middle-of-the-road responses and lack of fire in these players. I can see that losing kills Girardi…I don’t see that in the players.

  890. mel-go, go, Waipio! August 19th, 2008 at 9:53 pm

    Please, where did Johnny misplay the ball? Was it on the warning track? He had a nasty spill last year.

  891. donald fagen August 19th, 2008 at 9:53 pm

    this team makes me want to pull off jerry remy’s toupee!!!

  892. ken August 19th, 2008 at 9:53 pm

    It’s not Damon. It’s still on the offense. Arod and Giambi continue to do nothing at the plate (except against KC’s minor league pitchers). That’s the story of this season.

  893. Nate August 19th, 2008 at 9:53 pm

    I’d like to see Jerry Manuel manage this team

    At least the Mets don’t quit.

    he has that team in 1st place with guys like Tatis, Murphy, Evans, Easley and no bullpen.

    Girardi has been BEYOND AWFUL. All of us can win 90+ games with this team. He’s a joke.

  894. Chobba August 19th, 2008 at 9:53 pm

    @Jorge Steinbrenner (bring back Melky NOW)

    I’ve read some stupid stuff on this site, and this is right up there.

  895. Vader August 19th, 2008 at 9:53 pm

    This season has to be Girardis’ worst nightmare come true.

  896. E-Man August 19th, 2008 at 9:53 pm

    Girardi: You just have to tip your cap to AJ, he pitched a great game.

    On Damon’s two errors:
    That’s just baseball, it happens sometimes

    Player reactions:
    We’re playing horrible. We have to play better and win some games before its too late.

  897. wolf man (2008 is over) August 19th, 2008 at 9:54 pm

    nate

    if hughes starts, then cashman/girardi have effectively given up on the season

    hughes and kennedy are both awful, overhyped prospects who cant miss any bats.

    and you are right, season did end when we didnt trade for santana.

  898. rogerk99 August 19th, 2008 at 9:54 pm

    Here’s the thing, for those of you who have been paying attention, Damon is no longer a competent outfielder. He has been tentative in left all year and really should not be anything other than a DH. It is not a matter of whether Girardi could catch for him or the difficulty of the catch-Damon cannot play outfield and Girardi’s use of him shows wishful thinking and very bad judgment.

  899. Terry #1 August 19th, 2008 at 9:54 pm

    jennifer said:

    So we have two options.

    Damon left
    Nady cf

    or
    Brett cf
    Damon lf
    Nady 1b

    No.

    this is also an option:

    Brett CF
    Damon DH
    Nady LF

    or

    Brett CF
    Matsui DH
    Nady LF

    Girardi won’t platoon due to Matsui’s and Damon’s star power, but what I’m saying is that the option is there.

  900. manny August 19th, 2008 at 9:54 pm

    I am proud of you Arod. I taught you well how to admire your hits.

  901. MoBoy(aka McLovin) August 19th, 2008 at 9:54 pm

    If Giambi,A-Rod,Jeter and Cano were hitting,Melky would have been here and no one would have cared of he’s crappy hitting.

  902. Buddins August 19th, 2008 at 9:54 pm

    Glad we finally get to cut the chord on the Giambi Era.

  903. Don Pratt August 19th, 2008 at 9:55 pm

    I remember when the Yankees used to find ways to beat pitchers who absolutely dominated them. They routinely did it to Pedro. They could make a masterpiece out of 3 hits. The old Yankees would have beaten Burnett today.

  904. Laura - That's all she wrote, folks! August 19th, 2008 at 9:55 pm

    “A-Rod’s play was bad because he didn’t run out of the box, he was just admiring his hit, like he does most of the time.”

    Wrong. He wasn’t admiring his hit; it wasn’t that type of hit. He didn’t look like he was sure it was going to be fair. That is why he hesitated. Even if he ran hard out of the box, he really should have played it safe and stayed at 1B. He didn’t because, like all of us, he has zero faith in the Yankees’ ability to drive in runs. Can’t blame A-Rod for that last play. At least he tried to make a difference. This game is on Damon. Millionaires baseball players should be able to catch routine fly balls.

  905. Giambi_Is_A_Softball_Player August 19th, 2008 at 9:55 pm

    Why is Giambi in the lineup? But even tougher, why is he batting 5th?

    Girardi has demonstrated that he is truly over his head this year.

    Every time this team wins a couple games, he changes the mix and they end up losing, it’s been the same story all season long. He needs to get a clue.

  906. Aardvark August 19th, 2008 at 9:55 pm

    You guys crack me up jumping all over Damon, after he’s about the only member of that team who even looks like he cares. Last week you were all over Girardi sitting him for a game while he was hot, and now he makes one misplay in the field (I didn’t see it)and he’s a bum. So he’s not a great defensive outfielder. If the rest of that all-star team showed half of Damon’s ability to create runs, one mistake wouldn’t matter.

  907. Marc August 19th, 2008 at 9:56 pm

    Things that piss me off:

    Blowing great starts by guys like Ponson and Rasner

    A-Rod

    Girardi not changing the linuep

    ignorant Yankees fans

    People who think A-Rod will be the greatest player of all-time

    The Pudge trade that I told everyone would suck

  908. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 9:56 pm

    Chobba it’s not like your comment on Arod made you sound smart.

  909. Neil August 19th, 2008 at 9:56 pm

    It’s comical when people write that the Yankees NEED Brian Cashman and will miss him when he is gone. Really?

    There are plenty of other teams in the league who are forced to trade their stars every season because of monetary issues and they seem to contend. In fact the A’s had the best ERA for the majority of the season. The Twins are on their way to another October with a rotation containing ZERO household names. The Rays are going to win the best division in baseball.

    But the team with the most money will be home on October 1st after finishing out the final games at Yankee Stadium playing out meaningless exhibition games.

  910. wolf man (2008 is over) August 19th, 2008 at 9:56 pm

    and the mets bounce back and score 5 runs in the bottom of the 8th

    some teams just have heart, and we dont

  911. Timmy Lupus August 19th, 2008 at 9:56 pm

    Al Leiter “AJ Burnett is 8-2 over his last 10 starts he’s been dominant”. He forgot to mention his ERA over those 10 starts is 4.06 THAT IS NOT DOMINANT. Enough with this BS cap tipping.

  912. The 2008 World Champion Tampa Bay Rays August 19th, 2008 at 9:56 pm

    :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil:
    :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil:
    :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil:
    :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil:
    :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil:
    :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil: :lol: :evil:

  913. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 9:57 pm

    man what dont Joe see?? put nady on first already damon in left put bret in CF.. this is not hard.. we wish to have a win this yr..

  914. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 9:57 pm

    You guys crack me up jumping all over Damon

    CATCH THE F***IN’ BALL !!!

  915. Nate August 19th, 2008 at 9:57 pm

    Hughes is nothing more than a decent #4 pitcher.

    He is as over hyped as they’ve ever come. He doesn’t even have a 3rd pitch and he’s going to be an ace?? He’s not half the pitcher Santana is or will be.

    Please.

    I really do hope he starts Saturday because the Orioles will tee off on him. Remember they have an O that actually scores runs.

    Maybe Santana can add to his victory total Thursday and rub it in our faces even more.

    This is how you know Hank has no power with this team.

    His father would have fired Cashman already for this mistake.

  916. stuart August 19th, 2008 at 9:58 pm

    ladies enough with the lineup changes and defensive replacement BULL.

    This should be the lineup, the rich guys just SUCK…

    Peter with the Marte BS.. Marte has a 10 ERA with the Yanks and has stunk so far, Rasner threw like 85 pithes and got like 14 in a row out.

    The manager did nothing wrong tonight, THE PLAYERS SUCK… THAT IS THE PROBLEm..

  917. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 9:58 pm

    i say fire Joe and someone Call Willy.. a true yankee

  918. YankeeJosh August 19th, 2008 at 9:58 pm

    Damon is the goat of this game. He made two terrible plays. Remember though, we don’t score our run if Damon doesn’t work the walk in the first.

    The drops don’t indicate that Damon can’t play the position. I’d actually more worry about his lack of arm strength throwing balls and his lack of range compared to Gardner. Damon got to both balls, he just shanked them. Terrible plays, and inexcuseable given where the Yankees are and what they need, but not indicative of his lack of Centerfield ability imo.

  919. Angel August 19th, 2008 at 9:59 pm

    Well at least somebody is trying to make things happen.

    Not a lot of the team seems to have that desperation. They are in a dogfight for their playoff lives – a little desperation would be appropriate.

  920. Frank August 19th, 2008 at 9:59 pm

    The playoffs were out of the question 30 games ago…

    Now you just try to save face for this season. It’s in danger of becomming embarrassing.

  921. G. Love August 19th, 2008 at 9:59 pm

    TK,

    If you’re still around can give me an update on that Giambi OPS and remind me why he’s a great 5th place hitter?

    I’ll wait for your data.

  922. Angel August 19th, 2008 at 9:59 pm

    And how was that non-catch of Damon’s ruled a hit?

    I call shenanigans.

  923. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 9:59 pm

    and the mets bounce back and score 5 runs in the bottom of the 8th

    some teams just have heart, and we dont

    They are playing one of the worst team in the NL at home. What is your point ? Didn’t you see them in Pittsburgh struggling…IDK how you can say the team has no heart, they have no smarts or awareness but not heart.

  924. Chobba August 19th, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    So with your team down by 1 in the 9th, and you hit a ball that looks like it might be fair, you’re okay to not bust it out of the box right away? What’s up with all the apologists? Listen, he didn’t run out of the box and blew a huge opportunity at a double.

    He would have been STANDING on 2nd base if he ran hard from the start.

  925. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    what ever happen to catch with 2 hands??

  926. Az Four August 19th, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    Isin’t Pudge the exact type of player that most of this board clamors for?

    The “gritty” veteran who has won is a winner and played in big games before and is a leader and is fundamentally sound?

  927. stuart August 19th, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    this is the yankee excuse, you did not Know Burnett is BOB GIBSON.. IT is not the offense sucks it is AJ burnett is great.. the only problem is he is only great against the Yanks…. I wonder why.

    We cannot hit fastballs good fastballs….

    JOBA would pitch a NO NO against the Yanks….

  928. skeptic August 19th, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    AROD JUST SUCKS, PLAIN AND SIMPLE!

    we will never win the world series with that loser on the roster.

    9 MORE YEARS OF THE MOST OVERHYPED CRAPPY PLAYER TO EVER PLAY THE GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  929. JB (Blue Jays Fan) August 19th, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    Yankee fans who hate A-ROD.

    We will give you Marco Scutaro and a minor leaguer of your choice. You have to pick up his salary though.

    Would you do that for us? Please?

  930. Lanny August 19th, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    Burnett has won games lately but his ERA has been horrible. They don’t grind out any at bats. Why did those days die? They need to retool and get better and younger and faster.

    A-Rod can clearly not carry a team. The guy can’t handle the pressure.

    They made a terrible move resigning him and making this team now about home run chases and meaningless stats and not titles.

    We are a title franchise. Not some stop for meaningless record holders.

  931. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    i say fire Joe and someone Call Willy.. a true yankee

    I’d say STFU go to sleep already because you sound like an idiot.

  932. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    Agree with Laura. A-Rod had no choice but to try and take 2. Giambi= Double Play or Strike out. So if he took 2 then MAYBE Giambi could have gotten him to 3rd. Doubt it but the point is, the team realizes they can’t hit so when they do, they have to try and stretch a single into a double in order to have a 1% chance of scoring.

  933. Lanny August 19th, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    Why would a Blue Jay post here?

    troll someplace else and get a life

    There are actual Blue Jay fans?

  934. Angel August 19th, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    Are all those faces really necessary?

    My four year old nephew could do that.

  935. hank hal August 19th, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    And I don’t want to hear Damon speak again. He cost us this game.

  936. Marc August 19th, 2008 at 10:02 pm

    You people need to remember that Damon has played center his whole career and that he was leading the A.L. in hitting as of last week. He can play center in terms of running balls down and stuff like that. The only concern about him in center should be his arm strength, which isn’t a that big of a deal.

  937. Vader August 19th, 2008 at 10:02 pm

    I never in my life thought that the posters on this blog would be wishing to see Farnsworth come in from the bullpen in a tie game?

  938. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 10:02 pm

    joe stucks.. i am sorry

  939. stuart August 19th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    Nate the 1st post in the last 5 minutes with the Santana post wow I have never heard the yanks almost got santana!!!!!

    I did not hear that.. Yeah Hughes is done he is 22, they should DFA him..

    Man when the Yanks lose the stupidity meter on this site goes up to stratospheric levels.

    They are not making the playoffs, this team stinks.. the vets suck…

  940. pat August 19th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    No problem with an aggressive play in the 9th inning down by a run to get a runner in scoring position.

    A-Rod will say the same thing he did in Minny. You have to play to win the game not wait for it to come to you.

  941. Mr. Exceptional August 19th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    Well that about does it for this year. A sad team Cashman trotted out there. The projections for next year don’t look very good either.

    You can forget about CC, he’d be a fool to come back to the American League, he’ll be a stud in the NL for years to come.

    Looks to me like Cashman and crew never really cared about this year…or next for that matter. They knew this year would be a bunch of sellouts, as next year will be.

    Sad, sad, sad.

  942. Showalter '09 August 19th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    The same Willie who presided over the biggest collapse in baseball history and lost a clubhouse, in the same manor Girardi is doing?

    No Thanks. No more Ex-Yankee players. Go for Buck, he will toughen this team up.

  943. Nate August 19th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    Playoffs?

    Playoffs???

    Imagine what this offense would do in the playoffs?

    3 games and out against Lackey, Santana and Saunders.

    They might throw 2 CG’s.

    Forget the playoffs! Use your heads.

  944. tampayank August 19th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    you can’t get mad for AROD for trying to get to 2nd…he was trying to get something going against a good closer. He works harder than anyone and wants to win. I blame Damon for this loss.

  945. G. Love August 19th, 2008 at 10:04 pm

    This team collectively can’t hit a fastball above 88mph.

    Memo to Cashman — It’s time to invest in fast pitching machines since we have a bunch of millionaire losers in the lineup who can’t hit heat.

    How this team is even 1 game over .500 is amazing. I’ve never seen a team that works harder to lose.

  946. FrankDiscussion August 19th, 2008 at 10:04 pm

    Interesting how some are writing off Hughes before he even comes back. IMO he is too much of a potential asset to give up on this easily. If you look solely at his performance this season, its easy to state that he was overhyped. Last season he turned in some solid starts. My biggest concern with Hughes is his propensity for injuries. IMO this season is pretty much over for the Yankees. Put Hughes in the rotation and let us see how he develops / performs without the pressure of a race for the wild card. It could be helpful in helping his confidence. Clearly every prospect isn’t going to pay off, but not every pitching prospect is going to come out early like Doc Gooden.

  947. Marc August 19th, 2008 at 10:04 pm

    And Damon didn’t cost us the game. You can’t expect to win a game scoring zero runs in the last 8 innings. Learn the game of baseball before you put it all on Damon, who plays harder and cares more that almost everybody on this team.

  948. pavano 40 mill richer.. how do i get that lucky? August 19th, 2008 at 10:04 pm

    i dont care who we get Hey pete can run this damn team all i care

  949. JB (Blue Jays Fan) August 19th, 2008 at 10:04 pm

    I posted here to talk baseball with people I thought were intelligent fans. Boy am I disappointed!

  950. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 10:04 pm

    I love how no one will come right out and say that this team sucks. where is Jim Leyland or Ozzie Guillen when you need them to call out their teams.

    Instead, from the butt buddies in the booth at Yes, to Sterling and Mrs Kravitz, to Girardi, to Jeter/Damon/ARod/Pettitte/Rivera, to Cashman, to Steinbrenner, all they can do is tip their hat to a lot of excellent players all year AND remind everyone that injuries really hurt this team.

    This display of accountability is the very reason that no one on the Yankees takes charge. The Yankees need a true Captain on the team, not one for print like Jeter, and they need a manager who will make the tough decisions and sit the over paid millionaires for the sake of winning games and not a popularity contest.

    I have said it all season that Girardi has no connection or control over this team. The Yankees errored in hiring him, as he was overrated from one year with the Marlins.

    Getting rid of Giambi, Damon, Abreu, and other veterans will not help this team, at least until they get some leaders from the brass all the way to the asses they pay.

  951. Angel August 19th, 2008 at 10:06 pm

    “A-Rod can clearly not carry a team. The guy can’t handle pressure.”

    I’m picturing all the scornful laughs you would have gotten at this point last year had you said that.

  952. COL 88 August 19th, 2008 at 10:06 pm

    Does Damon have any trade Value?

  953. Nate August 19th, 2008 at 10:06 pm

    Just because Hughes is only 22 means what exactly?

    He throws low 90′s now. Average at best.

    He’s not throwing harder as he gets older. He has no 3rd pitch. He’s going to develop one playing in the majors???

    Stop making him out to be a stud, stuart.

    Just because some magazines said so.

    We got our young ace pitcher already. Joba. A legit pitcher with 4 pitches and a hugh 90′s fastball.

    Hughes could be a decent #3. That is why this season was lost when they thought he was an ace and Kennedy was a #3.

    This is a win now team that could have won this year if they got Santana. or Haren. or CC.

  954. franky b August 19th, 2008 at 10:06 pm

    lets not forget we got 6 hits tonite.

  955. Vitoooo August 19th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

    It is retarded that you try for second after not running hard out of the box. If he was running hard he would have been safe, and the excuse of he thought it would be foul is BS. Baseball players have to run hard only 4 times a whole game and AROD struck out 3 times before so maybe he should run if he has the opportunity.

  956. Katie August 19th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

    It’s everybody’s fault except rasners we lost the game. The Yankee’s can’t hit or play defense. Giarardi should have left Raz in the game. He should have had a defensive replacement, you know, what he said Brett would be. He shouldn’t be batting Giambi 5th, screw left- right lineup, make a lineup of people that can HIT THE DANG BALL!

  957. Dee August 19th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

    Girardi in postgame now. He lost me at “Johnny is a good center fielder. Johnny is a good defender…”

    I love Johnny, he’s got heart and works hard to win. But what Giardi said is serious LOL.

    I need to keep laughing about these stupid quotes, the trampoline Olympians and Carl Pavano’s stiff neck to keep myself from dwelling too much in reality, which is that our team sucks. :-(

  958. Marc August 19th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

    No one on here knows baseball. I’ll go find somewhere else to talk about the Yankees.

  959. Dassit August 19th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

    Pete must be happy with all the traffic his blog generates. I bet he will cry when reading most of the posts after a loss. boy do this place turns into a dump after a loss.

  960. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

    Yankee fans who hate A-ROD.
    We will give you Marco Scutaro and a minor leaguer of your choice. You have to pick up his salary though.
    Would you do that for us? Please?

    Blue Jays farm system sucks worse than ARod.

    Make it Halladay and the Yankees eat the salary difference and you have a deal.

  961. Frank August 19th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

    I wonder how they’ll do against Halladay !!!

  962. Nate August 19th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    “A-Rod can clearly not carry a team. The guy can’t handle pressure.”

    I’m picturing all the scornful laughs you would have gotten at this point last year had you said that.

    And last yr was what???

    His contract year!!

    No way! A-Rod with meaningless stats for the money??? Nooooo!

  963. no words August 19th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    when was the last time we were ever in 4th place in our own division?

    the yankees are my team and always will be but the way they are playing makes me ashamed to be a yankee fan

    and damon is the only person on the team who is man enough to say that they suck besides pettite, damon made a dumb play but this game is all on the offense, AGAIN.

  964. stuart August 19th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    Imagine Giambi making the Overbay play in the 9th, that would be laughable..

    they jsut are not very good. all the vets that they an should be gone after this season that is it…

  965. pat August 19th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    “A-Rod can clearly not carry a team.”

    Why should he have to? There are 24 other guys wearing the uniform too.

  966. Chobba August 19th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    @Chobba it’s not like your comment on Arod made you sound smart.

    Yeah, somehow people want to hear this: “Arod, take your time getting out of the box, it’s only the 9th inning and we’re down by a run. Seriously, take your time, it’s not like these games count. What’s that? Didn’t look like it was going to be fair? Oh okay, good thing you had such a great game to hang your hat on that if you misjudged it and it lands fair, it’s not a big deal if you’re running as if you’re on a 3 second tape delay”.

  967. Frank August 19th, 2008 at 10:09 pm

    LOL at Damon’s postgame !!!

    You guys on this post called it !!

  968. K-Lo August 19th, 2008 at 10:09 pm

    This is the 2nd game A-Rod has cost us on the bases in the past 2 weeks.

    2 games. He’s becoming adept at blowing games like Damaso Marte is.

  969. no words August 19th, 2008 at 10:10 pm

    Marc,
    if your so smart and know everything then why are you here?
    exactly.

  970. george August 19th, 2008 at 10:10 pm

    Girardi scares me when he cites splits. he says he didn’t bring in Marte largely because Linds hit lefties better this year.

    the differences are actually small, insignificant given it’s only 57 PAs.

    vs. lefties: .296 .324 .533
    vs righties: .314 .368 .529

    i can understand if he doesn’t trust Marte at the moment. but this abuse of stats – someone needs to rescue Joe from the Pocket Protector Brigade.

  971. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 10:11 pm

    “This is a win now team that could have won this year if they got Santana. or Haren. or CC.”

    None of those pitchers has a win if they’re pitching for the Yankees tonite. Pitching has not been a big problem for this team.

  972. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 10:11 pm

    This is the 2nd game A-Rod has cost us on the bases in the past 2 weeks.

    Holy sh** I didn’t know Alex played CF tonight

  973. Nate August 19th, 2008 at 10:11 pm

    “A-Rod can clearly not carry a team.”

    Why should he have to? There are 24 other guys wearing the uniform too.

    24 guys don’t get paid superstar money to that’s why.

    He is the superstar clean up hitter making 30 mill. He HAS to carry this team on his back for major stretches.

    You ever hear Albert Pujols complain about it? A-Rod is certainly no Pujols. you think Pujols would hit 200 with RISP???

  974. tampayank August 19th, 2008 at 10:12 pm

    Damon almost cost the Yanks 2 runs in the first w/ his drop then the drop in the 8th….I blame Damon tonight…not saying he doesn’t play hard but you have to make that catch and the offense not consistently producing is a whole other issue so YES I blame Damon

  975. Dee August 19th, 2008 at 10:12 pm

    Man I can never get too mad Johnny. He looks like he’s about to cry again in the postgame. You never hear the ever-popular “tip your hat” from Johnny Damon. He said he was awful. He sucks at CF, but he sure cares.

  976. Vader August 19th, 2008 at 10:12 pm

    Marc what would you like to talk about?

  977. S.A.-Can the Yanks win some games? Starting today? This offense is still offensive. August 19th, 2008 at 10:13 pm

    This is a win now team that could have won this year if they got Santana. or Haren. or CC.

    We could have cloned Santana 5 times over and we still would probably not have won this year. This offense sucks!

    They have not been hitting and getting those runners home. How many good pitching performance from various people have already gone to waste this year thanks to this pathetic offense?

    Enough with friggin Santana!
    He is not here.
    He is not coming here.
    If he was here we would still probably be screwed since they can’t score a run if their life depended on it.

  978. stuart August 19th, 2008 at 10:13 pm

    Nate the pitching coach!!!!!!

    Please shut the f up, with you eval of Hughes.. You are clueless…You wouldn’t no a cutter if one hit you in the face…

    hey nate the great maybe you can work with Mo in the pen on his tie game issues you think you are such an expert!!!!!!!!!!!!

  979. NYYanksFan August 19th, 2008 at 10:13 pm

    “the yankees are my team and always will be but the way they are playing makes me ashamed to be a yankee fan”

    If one year of possibly not making the playoffs after 13 years of making them makes you feel ashamed, the Harlem Globetroters are the team for you.

  980. K-Lo August 19th, 2008 at 10:14 pm

    Why do you people care about post game comments?

    These are pro’s. They won’t throw anyone under a bus. They won’t break chairs. Relax.

    It just isn’t a very good team. No team that scores 700 runs in a season is.

  981. Whiff (Cano's bat) August 19th, 2008 at 10:14 pm

    For those complaining about the blog not being a place to talk baseball, what exactly is there to discuss about the Yankees that would generate conversation.

    Their “young” line up does not exist. Their farm system is either on the DL, in rehab, or in AA. The existing team is not worth talking baseball because the manager refuses to manage to win games instead conceding to popularity.

    So what is there to discuss about the Yankees, at this point in the year. They are consistent in poor play, Their pitching has kept them on the heels of a post season trip. Their offense has only produced against Bannister from KC. TB owns them. Baltimore owns them. They can’t beat Texas, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Angels, Twins, Royals, Blue Jays, Tigers, and of course the Red Sox.

    So what is there to discuss. When the team you like is a failure, you can only discuss the past success so much or just watch Yankeeography.

  982. ken August 19th, 2008 at 10:14 pm

    ~~If Giambi,A-Rod,Jeter and Cano were hitting,Melky would have been here and no one would have cared of he’s crappy hitting.~~

    exactly!

  983. Fredo Corleone August 19th, 2008 at 10:15 pm

    “Holy sh** I didn’t know Alex played CF tonight”

    The CF didn’t cost them game. He merely stopped it from going to extras.

  984. ramon August 19th, 2008 at 10:16 pm

    stop making excuses for hughes, he is terrible.

    joba is a stud, hughes is not.

  985. stuart's therapist August 19th, 2008 at 10:16 pm

    Stuart, did you take your medication today?

  986. Someone Else August 19th, 2008 at 10:17 pm

    ““A-Rod can clearly not carry a team.”

    Why should he have to? There are 24 other guys wearing the uniform too.

    24 guys don’t get paid superstar money to that’s why.

    He is the superstar clean up hitter making 30 mill. He HAS to carry this team on his back for major stretches.

    You ever hear Albert Pujols complain about it? A-Rod is certainly no Pujols. you think Pujols would hit 200 with RISP???”

    Man on 2nd, 1B open, Pujols is batting .095.

    Man on 3rd, 1B and 2B open, he’s batting .200.

  987. Laura - That's all she wrote, folks! August 19th, 2008 at 10:17 pm

    I love Damon. He has heart and fire and goes out everyday trying to win ballgames. That doesn’t change the fact that he sucked tonight. At some point, every player has had a game that smelled up the joint (Imagine how Uggla felt at the ASG). Damon just picked a really bad night to stink.

  988. Z-Mills August 19th, 2008 at 10:18 pm

    To make the night even worse…

    Leroi Moore the extremely talented saxophonist for the Dave Matthews Band has died.

    I spend a great deal of my teenage years following DMB around, some of the best times of my life. He will be missed.

  989. Tank August 19th, 2008 at 10:18 pm

    Thank God Russo hasn’t launched yet.

  990. no words August 19th, 2008 at 10:18 pm

    Dee,
    exactly what i said, i was mad at johnny but then i realized
    1) this game was NOT his fault alone
    and
    2)he plays hard, anyone would say that if they watched any other game besides this one

    BENCHING JOHNNY WOULD BE DUMB.
    and joe is not gonna do it again after the raft that he got for doing it before and hes not gonna bench arod so get used to it, maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll bench the big g since its a lefty tomorrow

  991. Vader August 19th, 2008 at 10:19 pm

    Sometimes it is just not your year, but for some reason it feels like it has not been the Yankees year for some five years now.

  992. Trevor August 19th, 2008 at 10:21 pm

    Hughes is a stud. People don’t realize it because he’s had a down year. He’s going to make a lot folks eat crow. Especially Kay.

  993. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 10:21 pm

    You don’t have to bench Johnny but he can’t field in CF don’t bench Gardner when you know you need defense out there.

  994. Laura - That's all she wrote, folks! August 19th, 2008 at 10:21 pm

    “Sometimes it is just not your year, but for some reason it feels like it has not been the Yankees year for some five years now.”

    No, but this year is different. These past years, we’ve had setbacks, but were able to overcome them by August. August is almost over and we are nowhere near where we need to be. Even worse, it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to get there like we used to in the past.

  995. Laura - That's all she wrote, folks! August 19th, 2008 at 10:22 pm

    “You don’t have to bench Johnny but he can’t field in CF don’t bench Gardner when you know you need defense out there.”

    Exactly. Girardi should have brought in Gardner for the bottom of the 8th.

  996. Celerino Sanchez August 19th, 2008 at 10:22 pm

    Too bad Damon didn’t keep his word years ago when he said he’d never play for the Yankees.

    How’s Giambi’s OPS looking?

  997. Vader August 19th, 2008 at 10:23 pm

    So what are you saying?

  998. RhapsodyInBlue August 19th, 2008 at 10:23 pm

    It’s a gamble, Johnnie’s bat for Melky’s glove.

    Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

  999. Andrew August 19th, 2008 at 10:23 pm

    Honestly, I thought Damon would be a problem in center in terms of throws. I wouldn’t have figured that he would have completely forgotten how to track fly balls hit to center field. It’s not like he played the position for his entire career or anything.

    That was hands down one of the most frustrating games to watch in an obviously frustrating season overall. I think the countdown for Jason Giambi’s contract being up should be in full effect now after his sterling zero-contact night on top of his 1-hit-wonder (literally) series against the Royals. Unfathomable how this team can find new and creative ways to lose games, day in and day out.

  1000. Brandon (FIRE LONG ! clapclap clapclapclap, Ian Kennedy for Lastings Milledge give me the piece I’ll pull the trigger) August 19th, 2008 at 10:24 pm

    It’s a gamble, Johnnie’s bat for Gardner’s glove.

    FIXED

  1001. no words August 19th, 2008 at 10:25 pm

    baseball is my favorite sport and its fun to watch
    you win some, you lose some, thats how the game goes
    but when your team is losing way more then its winning
    thats when the game becomes depressing

    and when you look up the word depressing i bet you it says 2008 Yankees

    im still gonna watch and im still gonna have faith
    lets just see how this road trip ends before we write off this series, but i also agree that we have everything going against us

  1002. pecosmedidc August 19th, 2008 at 10:25 pm

    We have to see the positives of this whole season. At least Mr. Torre will be RETURNING to the playoffs. Good for him. In my eyes, he’s still a TRUE yankee!!!!!!

  1003. Andrew August 19th, 2008 at 10:25 pm

    And, wait…is that Pavano news update serious? I can not believe that as soon as the GM makes a statement saying basically, I’ve got your back, I won’t say you quit on your team, and you just might start for us in a (now dead) playoff race…he goes and comes up with a stiff neck? That is really amazing.

  1004. RhapsodyInBlue August 19th, 2008 at 10:26 pm

    On the other hand the great Giambino cannot get out of town quick enough for me.

    He has to hit 2 HRs every game to justify his presence at first.

    A bottle of champagne above the fridge for the Great Giambino’s last day in Pinstripes.

    I can’t wait.

  1005. george August 19th, 2008 at 10:26 pm

    it’s a quandary – benching Damon would be insane, but playing him in CF – well, there’s a reason Melky’s been the CF.

    and Matsui has to play.

  1006. Frank August 19th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

    For everyone who thinks Hughes is overrated, check the stats of Luke Hochevar, Jeremy Sowers, Clay Buchholz, or Homer Bailey. All were highly touted top draft picks and top prospects.

    Go look at Moseley and Santana’s numbers with the Angels when they first came into the league. Or look at the Rays’ entire pitching staff when they were rookies for that matter!

    Guys like Joba are the exception… not the rule. It’s normal, even for good pitchers, to struggle when they first break into the bigs.

  1007. Yankee Trader August 19th, 2008 at 10:35 pm

    Speaking of Santana, the other Santana, the Angel’s Santana, wasn’t he offered in a trade with Chone Figgins and another player for A-Rod in 2006?

    Anyway now we have to win 5 in a row then sweep Boston, and beat Halladay, Cabrera and Lester.

    We will soon be facing the dilemma of the “double edged sword.” By that I mean Yankees will need replacement players for starting pitching, 1st, CF and possibly LF, if the plan is to rid themselves of FA’s and either Damon or Matsui. When they expand the rosters in September, if our so-called can’t miss pitchers like Melancon don’t perform, our minor league players might lose their trade value for needed replacement position players. Can’t count on us signing Teixeira or CC.

  1008. Bad Scooter August 19th, 2008 at 10:41 pm

    More and more ridiculous posts tonight. Arod can do no right in most peoples eyes, unreal. He gets a hit and it’s still his fault. Who here wasn’t thinking double out of the box? Overbay made a great play. Arod didn’t run out of the box because he wasn’t sure where the ball was, it was sort of off the end of the bat. We’ve seen guys do that a million times, but Arod gets bashed for not hustling out of the box. Lame.

    Then we have so called fans hoping that Hughes pitches Sturday and gets shelled so that will prove that he really isn’t any good and never will be. First of all, judging a guy on one start is stupid, but that’s par for the course around here and second to hope that a Yankee fails, some Yankee fan. Unreal.

  1009. beedogs August 19th, 2008 at 11:34 pm

    maybe they’re just sick and tired of wasting their time, money, and energy on a team that doesn’t care and hasn’t all season.

  1010. geO [Mickie James Roast Beef] August 19th, 2008 at 11:54 pm

    the new tagline for the rest of this season for the Yankees should be: “…and that’s the way the cookie crumbles!”

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