He’s a fat drunk toad
-
- August
- 20
This from the AP in Japan:
Former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu was arrested Wednesday for allegedly assaulting a bartender after drinking 20 mugs of beer, a police official said.
Irabu, 39, became angered after his credit card was rejected. He then allegedly pushed the bartender against the wall, pulled his hair and smashed at least nine liquor bottles at a bar in Osaka, western Japan, a police official said on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.
The bartender sustained no injuries. Irabu paid the bill with another credit card. The police official said Irabu admitted the assault.
It’s hard to decide what’s more amusing, that Irabu had 20 mugs of beer or that the bar allowed to him to get out another credit card and pay his tab after he beat up the bartender.
Meanwhile, Kei Igawa spent a peaceful night at his apartment in Scranton watching Tora! Tora! Tora!
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on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 2:45 am by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
Irabu is a hair puller?
He looked like such a peaceful fat toad.
What’s even more amusing is that he may pitch on Saturday in Baltimore. The way this season is going, I wouldn’t be surprised.
What can you even say about this story?
I’m just speechless!
Irabu has more rings than ARod.
“What’s even more amusing is that he may pitch on Saturday in Baltimore. The way this season is going, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Classic stuff…
“Irabu has more rings than ARod.”
Another classic one that reigns true…
See, Pete? This proves my theory. Irabu is still under pressure from the World Series or bust mantra pounded into the players.
It’s clear that cracked from the underperformance of the current team.
Even better, if Irabu pitches on Saturday, he gives up 2 runs in seven innings but the Yankees lose 3-2 while A-Rod hits into a double play with one out and the bases loaded.
Then he goes out drinking with Ponson.
Irabu goes out drinking with Ponson.
Art keep em coming….
Sensing that we need more offense after Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Baltimore, several posters on here suggest that we trade Melky Cabrera to the Angels for Torii Hunter and K-Rod while seriously believing that the Angels will take that deal.
easy back on the Japanese references, be a little more politically correct…Tora Tora Tora….how about erasing that line.
Maybe “Tora Tora Tora” was showing on the local Scranton station. I wonder if Scranton has an entire channel devoted to “The Office.” I do know that Scranton has Dunder Mifflin banners all around town.
Irabu also has more rings than AROD, Jason Giambi, Mike Mussina, and the other Hideki on the Yankees put together.
What is the Yankees’s crisis?
1.age(majority of players are too old)
2.loose’s attitude(some players)
3.to lack morale
4.not to hang together
5.It’s not enought to be anxious to gain victory
6.the coach often made strange decision and got a miserable ending
7.hitting couldn’t be lifted up
8.bad luck
9.poor pitchers
10.could not get scores at the right moment
11.always said the same words when loss,but the worse situation didn’t change into better
It’s the time to break the caldrons and sink the boats to make team to get into playoff game or make a BIG comeback for next year.Think about.
I really don’t want to see the Yankees frequently Lose.
with the, ” He’s a Fat Drunk Toad ” why did I think Pete released a biography?
Sorry for that and I apologize i’m not the skinniest man alive…
Something tells me that Igawa is more of a late night Cinemax guy.
“SteveB
August 20th, 2008 at 2:18 am
At the time a-rod was a free agent, I wrote, in another Yankee blog, that I didn’t think it really mattered one way or the other if a-rod returned to the Yankees. I don’t like him, I don’t think he is a ‘winning’ ballplayer. He sure can compile stats, his talent is undeniable, but in truly crucial moments he has terrible at-bats. If he was the great ballplayer many say he is, right now he would be carrying this ballclub on his back to the playoffs. Reggie would. Thurman would. The Mick would. Donnie Baseball would. Bernie would. Paulie would, too. a-rod doesn’t, never has, and frankly I believe he can’t & never will. I refer to him as: “a-rod- that’s little ‘a’, little ‘b’- he doesn’t deserve caps in his nameâ€. That said, he isn’t alone this year as the reason for why the Yankees are in the predicament they are in, but the others aren’t being paid to be the best ballplayer in the world. He is.”
post of the week.
Unfortunately for SteveB and arod, baseball is a team sport. Arod cannot pitch, cannot play all nine defensive positions, nor can he bat 9 times in a row. If that were the case, I’m sure this club would be contending for the division – or in the cellar. Make no mistake, Arod is a slugger – high homerun rates and high strikeout rates. Get used to it. This year, he’s doing everything and anything he can to make a run. His ninth inning running “gaffe” was because in his mind he knew Giambi would be an instant out. That his team scored all of 1 run in the past 8 innings. If he didn’t try to take second, the game would have ended with him on first anyway. I’m not defending arod, but I am condemning the whole offense. They are and have been putrid all season long – for all the reasons pete listed in another post. And don’t give me any crap about Donnie baseball carrying his club to the playoffs. As much as I love Donnie, he won exactly zero titles. Just as many as arod so you can scuttle that logic. Bernie and Paulie were part of a great team that had contributors from all sides – with a great balance of youth and veteran leadership and a rock solid pitching staff. Tell me one season where Bernie or Paulie carried the entire team to the playoffs and/or the WS title. For the whole bloody season. They were all valuable cogs in the great wheel that is the Yankee TEAM. This years club is just a combination of bad years, youth regression, and underachievers. Arod may be the best player in baseball, but unless you have a great team surrounding you, you’re not going anywhere. Santana was the best pitcher in baseball for the past 4 or 5 years – how many titles has he won? And he was surrounded by an AL MVP (Morneau) and AL batting champ (Mauer). So please stop with the one man can carry a team because that’s crap. Even if arod were getting on base (like Abreu was last night) he’d have been left there all night with the other 8 makeing consistent outs.
making – grife.
Hate to beat a dead horse but if the cleanup hitter gets a hit or puts the ball in play instead of 3 K`s maybe its a different outcome. I dont blame him for getting thrown out at second, thats baseball. However can he put a couple of balls in play when they need him? He is the best player in the game isnt he? He is clearly the most skilled guy on the roster.
When is the last time A-Flop produced a game winning hit of any kind ?
Is it true that Latroy Hawkins and Jeff Karstens have both pitched well since leaving NY or is that just a vicious rumor??
“He’s a fat drunk toad”
Finally, a nice headline about Jason Giambi. Everytime I see him he is striking out, so its good to see the Big G make the papers for another reason.
Dee,
yes both are doing well. Quite frankly, I could pitch in that league and I`m in my 60`s. The NL has lineups of mostly 5 or 6 major league hitters. When guys like Tony Clark,Aaron Boone, Will Nieves. Jason Micheals, Dave Roberts, and Gabe Kapler still can contribute shows you how weak that league is.
This is the most entertaining story that has come from Yankee universe in a while. 20 mugs is not too shabby. Maybe the Yanks can sponsor an all time Yankee drinking contest shortly after they’re eliminated.. Graham Lloyd would be my dark horse favorite.
black ysnkee, thanks for letting me know.
“And Damon makes the catch!” (The play ain’t over.)
I’ve found some nice Tabata news as he starts to enjoy himself in the zero-pressure Pittsburgh Pirates organization: http://tinyurl.com/5e7up5
Tora Tora Tora jokes Pete? .......wow in this day and age of PC ness, and Spanish basketball players pulling their eyes back …boarderline bro, boarderline
Winning teams do what the Rays have done and the underachievers of the Bronx don’t do.
35 come-from-behind wins.
The Rays haven’t lost a series since the All Star break (9-0-1).
Losing Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria hasn’t caused that team to skip a beat.
On a semi-related topic, I asked Nady about playing first base, something he’s done a bit of in his career and most recently on Sunday in the 15-6 laugher, the first time he’d been there since ‘06 with the Pirates. Nady said that his old glove felt a little bit “crusty” out there, but he didn’t out-and-out reject the idea of playing some first base from time to time.
http://bombersbeat.mlblogs.com/
Joe is going to have an difficult decision to make tonight. Who plays cf, lf and 1b. If Nady can play first I put him there and sit Jason.
‘’It is a real tough thing to play for the Yankees. ... They are one of those teams where they are under more pressure every day and everyone is following you,’’ he added. ‘’I feel free and feel that I can get ready for the big leagues here.’’
Tabata also believes, ‘’I can make it to the big leagues faster with the Pirates.’‘
OK so since this season is over it is time we start discussing on this blog how to fix the team for next year.
Trade Damon, trade some young pitching. Stick Gardner in the outfield. I long for the days of Jackson and Montero.
Jenn – you have to start preparing for next year. Whether Nady plays first or not, I don’t think Giambi factors into the situation. Giambi is a goner next year.
Rookie Lefty on the mound
You know what that means
8 innings of 2-hit ball and no runs
“When is the last time A-Flop produced a game winning hit of any kind ?”
Last week.
well morning all my yankee friends.. i guess after that lost, its clean house time… who is the first to go not named carl pavano?
When is the last time A-Flop produced a game winning hit of any kind ?
Do you actually follow the team? ARod in the last week had hits in 3 different games that either tied the game or gave the team the lead. The biggest one was against Minn when he it a homer in the 12th inning.
Jason gone
Bobby gone if he wants too much $$ years
Irod gone
Pavano (who?) Gone
Wilson gone
Damon traded
Andy back on 1 year deal
Mussina back on 1 year deal
Nady back to play left
Looks good Jen, any coaches or (GM)?
i really can’t watch the giambi shift next year.maybe keep abreu if we can trade either matsui or damon.2 of those 4 need to go.
hey i dont know i like Damon but i dont like him in CF.. i dont think there will be enough outfielders on the market next yr..
You have to give Girardi another shot, one season with a wayward team doesn’t give you the true sense of his ability to be a manager. Maybe K. Long but I don’t blame him as much as others….did his hitting theories change so much from last year to this year that we don’t think he’s an effective hitting coach?
BTW- does anyone know a baseball stat sight that gives information on most hits to tie or take the lead in a game. People mention the stats all the time but I can’t seem to locate a site.
Looks good Jenn, but it is easy to say who you think should be off the team. Who would you like to acquire?
As far as who you think should go, I agree with everything except I would consider bringing Pavano back if he wanted less money and Betemit is still young and cheap so he might have some trade value. I would DEFINITELY trade Damon and just give Gardner a shot.
As far as acquisitions: Sabathia and strive for Burnett. Barring injuries (and when aren’t there any on the Yankees?) we will have a dominant rotation next season. Burnett/CC, Wang, Joba, Pettitte, Moose. Can’t beat that. So, after 1 big contract in CC (or a semi-one in Burnett), we should have room on the payroll (with all those people you want gone) for one more big one. TEX!
if we keep abreu we can have him dh in 2010 and 2011 because damon and matsui will be gone.he would be an ideal dh.
Russell NY
Pavano? i rather see him back in the NL, Atlanta or Washington, he can bring Kei with him
No one likes Manny on this team? also think it would be a nice way to bring back the best rivary in sports.. otherwise i rather see ohio st. and mich. football as a rivary
Pete, so what you’re saying is that things are so bad that now Irabu is showing more fight and life than the Yankees these days.
Tabata will get to the majors soon has he starts to hit like a big time prospect is suppose to do.
Russ, Keep Abreu? He can still hit, but he has no fire. I would rather see Nady signed long term. Next season you can have Damon in LF, Gardner in CF, and Nady in RF. In 2010 hopefully Jackson comes up.
As only Yogi could say best . . .
“It ain’t over ‘til this team faces a clutch situation”.
”...drinking 20 mugs of beer”
What a lightweight…
I don’t think Gardner is the answer for the OF next year. I’m hoping the Yanks give AJax a try in ST and see if he can take the job.
Giambi and Abreu will go – Abreu will want too many $$ and too many years that he can get with other teams.
Damon – I give a 50-50% in getting traded. His limited no-trade could be difficult to by-pass. Altho, Cash could offer $$ to Damon to waive it…
Same with Matsui. I don’t know if anyone would want a DH with bad knees. It’d be selling low/salary dump. He’d be limited to AL teams since his knees will keep him off the field so you’re talking about a really limited field already and then on top of it – take away teams that already have established DH’s… as well as teams not in the AL East… so 3 or 4 teams tops?
Roster:
Jeter (SS)
Cano (2B)
Arod (3B)
Nady (LF)
Posada©
Matsui/Manny (DH)
AJax (CF)
?? (RF)
?? (1B)
Ransom/Loretta/?? (Utility)
Gardner (4th OF)
Rotation:
Wang
Sabathia
Chamberlain (innings limit)
Moose
Pettitte
Hughes (innings limit)
Pen:
Geise/Rasner (long man?)
Marte
Rivera
Robertson
Melancon
Veras
Bruney
Jennifer :
In order to get missing pieces, Melky or Cano or both will have to be involved in deals.
Nothing for nothing.
If Damon is not traded – it’ll be Damon (LF) and Nady (RF) (IF Ajax can claim CF).
Jackson is at least a year away. No chance he takes the CF job early in 2009.
It will be closer to 2010.
i said if we can trade damon or matsui keep abreu.2 of the 4 players who can’t cath the ball must go.that will most likely be giambi and abreu.
Why did Beernie have to leave us like this.. CF has been the hardest place to field.
These projected 2009 lineups remind me of those dumb “Who should stay, who should go” polls that they have in the newspaper right after the season ends.
Does anyone know how many arbitration years Nady still has? 1? 2?
His current $3.35 million is a bargain in the scheme of things.
I don’t dispute that GF, but there are scouts out there who wonder if the Yanks would be gutsy enough to throw him out there and learn on the job because he’s got so much talent.
I am leaning on the side of “why not”? I can only forsee that if both Matsui and Damon go and the Yanks cannot find a suitable replacement via trade. But I also understand the conservative side of Nardi and Cash… so it’s highly unlikely.
Bernie was slowing down… he’d be a candidate for DH if he was still on the team. His arm was weaker too.
Nady has one more year of arb.
Good morning everyone.
Well, it’s agreed that the Yankees’ prospects for this season don’t look very good at all. I knew they were not scoring runs, but the stat Pete gave us about being held to 2 runs or less for 40 (gulp) games is pretty stunning. I don’t see that changing much in the last month of the season. Even when they ran off their heralded 8-game winning streak, I seem to recall a couple of 2-1 games in there.
My feeling is Girardi should have a second shot at this. The only coach I would change is the 3rd base coach, but even that is negligible. I don’t know enough about his bench coach, but I would think that the most important thing is for the manager and bench coach to have a good rapport, and for the manager to trust the bench coach. I think a manager should be able to choose that guy. I’m not certain about Dave Eiland – certainly his promotion did not guarantee the success of Kennedy and Hughes this season, and I thought that one of the reasons he was promoted was because of his effectiveness with the young pitchers. So, perhaps his job is shaky, too.
Only heaven knows what’s going to transpire with regard to trades and acquisitions this off-season. It’s nice to debate who, what, when, etc. But one thing everyone needs to keep in mind that in dealing with FAs, they have a lot more choices these days and the Yankees are not a slam-dunk destination for any of them, dollar signs notwithstanding. Especially if the Yankees are no longer viewed as a team that’s an ‘automatic’ playoff contender or worse, a team in deep decline.
My personal goal for the rest of the season is to resist the negativity, the player-bashing, the manager-bashing, the player-bashing, and instead focus on whatever positives arise out of any particular game. Of course, I would love for the Yankees to win – hope is not lost until the mathematics say it is, and every day is a new opportunity until then. For the Yankees to miss the playoffs this season is not the end of the world, and I daresay most of us have at least entertained that thought at least once this season and are in some way preparing ourselves for a Yankee-free October.
Last night, Rasner gave a very good showing. He was impressive and perhaps he can be a good trade piece for the Yankees. He’s had some really bad games, too, but overall, he’s done what the Yankees have asked of him. He absolutely should have won the game last night.
1 yr left on nady
I would keep Damon and Abreu. Both are above average or better offnesively in the league. Look around at other AL teams, their numbers look pretty good. Matsui should be the everyday DH. He hits in the clutch, works counts, drives in runs and keeps his mouth shut. Nady has to stay. Let Giambi go, move Posada to at least parttime 1B, keep IROD to catch when Posada plays first
black yankee’
abreu will get 3 yrs it’s his last real payday.
3 years? thats too much. I see your point. Well, I`d offer him 2
As much as his antics get to me, I think this team needs a guy like Manny Ramirez to lighten things up. Besides Jeter, Rivera and Pettitte there is not a guy on this roster who doesn’t look tense out there. Well Cano is Cano-he looks like he is sleep walking out there sometimes he is so relaxed.
Getting Manny would provide us with a guy who doesn’t care what anyone has to say-he will just go out and rake each night
Thanks all for the Nady info. Cots has him listed as 4.059 years of service time so I wasn’t sure if he would fall under 6 years by the end of next year.
What would you rather have?
Abreu for the next 3 years/40-45 million
OR
Manny for the next 3 years/65-70 million
“As much as his antics get to me, I think this team needs a guy like Manny Ramirez to lighten things up.”
No, No, No, No, and No.
In my opinion, Manny Ramirez is the last guy that the Yankees need on the team.
They don’t need someone to lighten things up, they need someone to produce. That said, Manny produces. But at this point, he’s a DH. He comes only if Matsui goes.
Let Giambi, Marte, Abreu, Pudge, and Pavano go. Resign one of Moose or Pettitte (my preference is Mussina because if he doesn’t win 20 this yr, 300 could be his only way into the HOF.
Sign CC to a 5 yr, 135 mil deal.
Sign Will Ohmann
Ideally sign Mark Teixeira to an 8 yr deal, but in all likelihood it won’t happen.
CC/Wang/Joba/Moose or Pettitte/Hughes
Mo, Melancon, Ohmann, Edwar, Veras, Giese, Bruney
Damon/Jeter/Teixeira/A-Rod/Nady/Matsui/Cano/Posada/Gardner
Molina, Betemit, Christian, and Ransom (Duncan has to earn his spot imo)
OR
Damon/Jeter/Nady/A-Rod/Matsui/Cano/Posada/Gardner/Miranda? or Duncan? or Betemit?
This team is in serious trouble that only time can correct or a serious push by management to shuffle the deck of players they currently have.
Pride will have to be swallowed and fat contracts eaten in order to get back to the business of winning championships.
They have already missed important opportunities to be sellers and bring back minor league prospects that might have been ready to move into the lineup in the next year or two.
When Damon and Giambi were on there hot streaks a month or so ago they needed to strike to move them and their weaknesses to true contending teams that just needed a bat in their lineup or off the bench (eating as much of their contracts as necessary in order to get at least one decent prospect). THAT would have been a good use of money/resources.
It would have also sent a message to everyone that the team was headed in a new direction.
I groaned when the team entered the new season with the same players that hadn’t gotten the job done in previous years. With all of them another year older; how was that going to produce better results?
CAN this get better?
I seriously doubt it with the green and apparently disinterested lil steins in charge.
That leaves it to Cashman whom I have supported often in the past but I believe has to be held accountable for this fiasco. You can’t charge the ticket prices this team charges and have the highest payroll and produce these kind of results when the teams ahead of you are working with half or even a quarter of the resources this team has.
The team immediately needs a 1b, CF, and catcher. They need a 2B who has his head in the game and a SS with defensive range. The defense has to get better in order to compete.
Both Giambi and Abreu have to walk at the end of the season. It shouldn’t even be a debatable topic.
Abreu will be 35 years old next season and he’s a terrible defender who is clearly in decline.
This team has to get younger, more energetic, and more flexible and that can’t happen if they bring back 35 year old outfielders who can’t play defense.
Abreu and Giambi need to go. Period.
i would make a push for aj and cc above all.add in joba, wang and one the seniors moose or andy.hughes gets shot later in year.that would be a young 1st 4 in rotation.
OK, guys. Here are two trades that must be done if one of them is done.
Robinson Cano for Matt Kemp. Bowa loves Cano and we would need Kemp, young talent, mlb ready, and with a-jax coming up in the farm system that outfield duo would be insane. Another prospect or two might have to be added in order to complete this deal, but whatever.
Ian Kennedy and someone else for Mike Aviles. Aviles could fill the hole at 2B by trading Cano, and he is a good hitter with a batting average near .320.
With that, our batting lineup could be (without Teixeira):
Damon/Jeter/Kemp/A-Rod/Nady/Matsui/Posada/Aviles/Gardner
Damon could play 1B, Gardner in left, Kemp in center, Nady in right, and Matsui the DH
Cashman doesn’t bat or field or pitch. This mediocrity is on the players. Marte has one year of arbitration left, the only way he goes is if the Yanks trade him – which they’re not since Cash has coveted Marte for years. Posada is the catcher until his arm proves otherwise. Cano could be traded, but it’d be selling low. Jeter is not going anywhere nor will he move to another position since he didn’t move when a better shortstop came to the team. His “captaincy” is too good for that y’know. It’s not the defense alone that’s costing games. If you hadn’t noticed, they can’t seem to score many runs either.
When is Cervelli’s ETA? He’s ahead of Romine and Montero in the minor league system and if it weren’t for the wrist injury in ST, he could have been a potential replacement for Posada.
please stop the damon at 1st nonsense.it won’t happen it would be horrible.you need more than cano to get kemp.maybe ian,cano and a third player.
I would also argue for trading Damon and Matsui. Both again limit you as they are not all around players. Damon you can maybe hide in left field, but if he continues to hit this season you can probably get something back for him now while his value is high. Similarly, Matsui is not even an outfielder anymore. If he hits the rest of the way he might bring something back.
As mentioned ad nauseum, the Yankees need to get younger, they need to have guys that can play the field as well as hit, they need guys to stay healthy (not that younger will avoid injuries but you will not have the wear and tear and breakdown).
Obviously Jeter, Rodriguez and Posada are back. That is three older players. I hope Cano is back unless he can be traded for a really good piece or two. So you have 1b, and two outfield positions.
I think you purge all of the spare DHs and semi-outfielders.
Pitching wise, especially if they sign CC, this team can be special in both the rotation and the pen.
Why in the world would KC trade Mike Aviles for Ian Kennedy?
The Royals job isn’t to give the Yankees gifts. Its to make their team better.
If the blog is now going to consist of trade talk, can we be at least a little logical?
One sided Pro-Yankees trades aren’t going to happen. If the trade has no benefit for the opposing team, don’t waste your time trying to sell how “Cashman needs to get this done”.
The Royals aren’t going to trade a guy who will get Rookie of the Year votes for a pitcher who is winless in the majors this year.
with Molina entrenched as backup C, cervelli is a trade candidate.
does no one like Ben Sheets in the rotation next yr.. also prince fielder i beleive will be a FA as well..
Sheets is injury prone. He’s hit 162 innings this year for the first time since 2004. I’d pass on him.
sheets is not an innings eater look it up.we need work horses
I just keep scratching my head whenever people post that this team hasn’t produced in years. I KNOW they have been one and out in the playoffs the last three times. HOWEVER, it still means something to win the division, and it still means something that they’d lead the AL, if not the majors, in wins. Once you get to the playoffs, anything can happen, and I don’t dispute that the offense seemed to have left the building the last couple of playoffs. But to make it sound like this team hasn’t even competed for the last several years is just crazy. CRAZY.
And to suggest that this team needs Manny Ramirez to “lighten things up,” WTF?????? Tell me this team needs Manny because he falls out of bed and hits, I can listen. But to suggest that Manny’s demeanor would upgrade the Yankees, I have serious issues with that. He is the quintessential selfish player – but he gets away with it because he hits. And though he seems like a guy who is immune to pressure, and perhaps you could try to make a case that perhaps he could spread that immunity, I doubt it. Plus, he is getting older and would command too much money and too much of a commitment. (Of course, again, who knows what the Yankees will do here.)
Their problem isn’t that they need to “lighten things up”.
It also isn’t spending money. They spend more than anybody in baseball.
Its to get younger, more athletic, and being SMARTER with how they spend their money.
Its about being SMARTER in their decisionmaking and evaluations of players.
Until that happens, you can spend all the money you want…..you won’t win.
Look at this year as Exhibit A in this discussion.
Getting Ben Sheets has the potential of being Carl Pavano part 2. Your going to pay him a ton of money and he’ll be on the DL a ton.
Morning SJ44
Question: How would you retool this team? Which players would go, who would you trade and trade for, and who would you sign?
this team needs major personel changes.youth and energy.3rd base coach, hitting coach.eiland been ok.abreu and giambi gone.
Do people think were gonna get TEX and CC ?
cause were not.
we all putting our Eggs on CC for next yr, what if he becomes another Johan and we cant get him.. who is next on the list?? do we keep buying more hitters who cant pitch like this yr the SEXson deal.. the irod deal..
Girardi’s spring training approach will need a drastic change. Opposed to practically running the team into the ground like this year, he needs to cut down on it and put heavy emphasis on team fundamentals by drilling them long and hard on bunting, moving runners over, and every type of situational hitting known to the game.
He’ll need to take his 3rd baseman aside and explain that when the signal is given, he must bunt, hit to the opposite field, and be more of a contact hitter when needed.
With Giambi gone, A-Rod will stick out like a sore thumb as a selfish player that swings only for the home run.
Manufacturing runs will be the way to go.
i really dont think CC is a smart move.. Mil is running him into the ground because they know they wont sign him back.. 130 pitches and pitching twice in one week, truely he is helping my fantasy team, but to be real he will hurt the yankees next yr, thats looks like Kevin Brown for all my die hard fans that remember him
so, was pete mistaken about pavano?
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/will-he-or-wont-he-pavano-may-be-on-deck/
did he get it wrong?
someone just needs to teach our outfielders to use 2 hands to catch a fly ball..
in retrospect, was the damon signing a mistake?
is this contract going to look even worse in 2008?
*2009
Doreen
In 1996, the Yanks sold 2 million tickets. In 2007, the Yanks sold over 4 million tickets. Those numbers tell me many Yankee fans are here for the rings and when the rings don’t come they say the team hasn’t produced.
It was reported in NY Post that he had a stiff neck and didn’t throw a pen. (Pavano)
timely hitting is the problem.we lose against 5.oo era pitchers.are pitching is better than are hitting.we should play gardener in cf at this point.see if he can produce.let chase pitch on saturday.this team does not gel.
I’m pretty sure Kei bought a house in Scranton…. why waste that money on rent when you’re gonna be there a while.
do you think Pavano and Kei are room mates on the road?
pat –
I think you’re right. Players come for the rings, fans come for the rings. Maybe this year some fans (and some players, too) will realize how much they’ve take for granted – how it’s not so easy, and definitely not a birthright. (Maybe there’ll be a few more tickets available, too?)
2 runs or less 1 3rd of the time is really unbelievable.it really looks like they rush through the games to getthem over with.do really wan’t this crew back next yr.they are more than cc away from the world series.
Damon is Damon. His year in 2009 will probably be the same as 2008. Leadoff hitter. Battered body. Achy legs. Noodle arm. A year older. Around .280-.310 hitter. Like with all players, he’ll probably be as good/bad as his health allows him to be.
I wanna know how thick-headed and brainless you have to be to see that your current approach at the plate is failing miserably. Giambi and ARod’s “close your eyes, swing as hard as you can and pray for a double” approach is tough to watch.
What happened to guys just putting the bat on the ball? The guy on the mound is throwing 85-95 any given day, just stick the bat out and poke something over the infield.
This teams approach to Burnett was particularly terrible, trying to overpower a power pitcher. He, like most good pitchers, basically gives you one pitch to hit the whole at bat. Instead of trying to overpower the guy by swinging as hard as you possibly can and likely giving yourself a hernia, pick out a fastball (since you’re not hitting that curve) and hit it where its pitched. Everyone was getting FBs away, JUST STICK THE FREAKING BAT OUT!! SIT ON THAT PITCH!!!! Once he gets two strikes on you, go ahead and swing for your closed eyes double you’re going to strike out anyway, but at least TRY to start with a good approach at the plate.
I guess nobody (except Cano who tried and got robbed) learned from Abreu’s 1st inning hit.
Giambi yesterday with the ENTIRE Blue Jay defense on the right side of the field and Jeter on 1st could have stuck the bat out, rolled a ball down the third base line, and Jeter would have scored easily. BUT THE STACHE WAS SELFISH. He had dreams of beating the shift, rather than beating the Blue Jays.
Its quite obvious that a lot of these players have more personal pride that what we like to call “Yankee Pride.” It means more to come through for THEMSELVES, rather than their TEAM.
Last night was one of the most blatant examples of this. Nady trotted over to the foul line to “give a look” at a ball that he could have lunged into the stands to get. Rather than getting the out, Rasner had to throw more pitches. Make your pitcher work hard, nice work. Oh and make sure to swing at the first pitch when you come to bat in the top of the next inning. Three examples in the 9th: ARod tries to take the Earth out of orbit by turning a blooper into a double. Giambi and Nady thinking they’re in a HR derby.
We’ve all been saying this since the Giambi (superstar) era began, that there is no “team concept.” That starts with management, but it ends with the players. Girardi’s and Torre’s words likely fall on deaf ears.
The sooner GMs realize that the success of a player is influenced by the guys around him, his team and how they work together, and not by his numbers, the sooner we’ll see winning teams built again. I’m convinced a team full of ARod’s would win AT MOST 40 games a year. ARod as a pitcher would try to strike everyone out on a pitch exactly on the corner, and walk close to 300 in a season. A lineup of ARods would have as many HRs as Ks.
Nobody is willing to do what they need to do to win. Damon won’t bunt, Giambi won’t go the other way, Bobby won’t get within 9 feet of an outfield wall, ARod won’t let his team get the job done. The blame can be spread all around. I feel bad for the kids that have no chance of playing in the majors because these selfish guys get paid to pad their numbers.
Maybe Girardi shouldn’t allow ANY food in the clubhouse next year… maybe then they’ll be hungry.
new thread
Sunny,
First off, you don’t re-sign Abreu and Giambi under any circumstances. That ship has sailed.
I don’t want to hear about OPS or any other stat nonsense. Both guys are 35 and over, are on the downside of their careers, make 8 figures, and aren’t getting any better.
In today’s baseball, that means you say goodbye to players who fit that profile.
Either Damon or Matsui have to get moved. Even if it means paying some of their salary to get a better prospect/player. They can’t have two guys who are hurt an awful lot these days playing everyday. Or worse, believing they can play everyday.
Also, with Posada’s shoulder in question, DH can’t be manned by either guy because that may be Posada’s domain for part or all of next season.
If they can move both, you do it. However, at minimum, one has to go.
You rebuild the team from the pitching staff out. This way, you aren’t so reliant on needing big offense. You can play more “small ball” if your pitching is very good.
Cano? I would definitely listen to offers for him. If you can get two players back that can help your team for the next 3 years, you move him.
If not, you keep him and you put the hammer on him in a final attempt to get full potential out of him.
That’s going to be a tough call for the Yankees.
I’d bring back Pettitte and Mussina. I don’t want to hear any more nonsense about “young pitching”. Until the Yankees young pitchers can show they can stay healthy AND produce, its time to ditch the “young pitchers’ experiment.
Take a good look at the Dynasty Teams. They played small ball, made better contact and (with the exception of Pettitte) were filled with veteran guys in the rotation.
Joba can be the “Pettitte” (the lone young guy) on the staff.
The rest? A full season in AAA to actually LEARN how to pitch.
I’d give CC a blank check and tell him to fill in what he wants. He’s got to be the #1 priority in the off-season.
How to fix the offense? That’s where scouting comes in. Look at guys in AAA who are high OBP guys, good contact hitters, and good guys, who may be blocked in their path to the majors.
Look at the trade market. Another good vehicle.
It isn’t about getting all stars. Its about getting baseball players. Something that is REALLY missing with this team. Guys who can grind.
You rebuild it from the pitching staff out. Wang, CC, Moose, Andy and Joba. I’ll put that staff up against anybody’s in the game.
The bullpen is already pretty good and will be better next year with Melancon in it.
Their challenge is to find a way to get younger and more athletic within their starting lineup.
ohgodno, well said.
“they are more than cc away from the world series.”
Ehh maybe. If Joba, & Wang are healthy we’ll have a great rotation going. if Posada was healthy we’d get an offensive upgrade at the C position.
Thats why i dont think the yankees need a complete overhaul like some of you are saying. I doubt, although i might be wrong, that the best player in baseball (A-Rod) is gonna have back to back dissapointing years. same thing goes for el capi-tan.
A-Rod & Jeter will correct there own problems, and Posada, Joba, & Wang can sure up the end (or front) of our rotation.
After Sabathia and Teixeira, the free agent market drops off considerably.
Cashman will need to be shrewd in trades to fortify the roster. Under no conditions should Giambi, Abreu, I-Rod, Betemit, Kennedy, Cabrera, and Cano see spring training as Yankees.
Thank SJ – very informative.
I’m flying off to Ireland tonight for 2 week vacation.
Seems like I timed it just right – can’t stand to watch this group of overpaid, middle aged, passionless under acheivers anymore.
Last time I felt this way about the Yanks was some time in the 1980s.
The early 1990s were more torebale because they were just plain ol’ bad but at least they could only go up from that point.
follow up – who would want cano now?
ohgodno
The only thing wrong with your theory is you are asking players to be what they are not and have never been.
The Yankees have built a team to be the Bronx Bombers and you want them to be the Bronx Bunters. Nothing wrong with the Bronx Bunters but that is not who was hired.
Players who see their approach isn’t working, can’t just flip a switch and be something they are not. Successful teams take advantage of their players strengths and surround them with other players that pick up their weaknesses.
The Yanks this year may just have too many players with the same strengths and weaknesses.
maybe cano goes to dodgers with his fav manager and coach, Larry Bowa, he was the only person to keep him in line
Cano’s stock is obviously low – so what could you get for him? What would be a good deal for a Cano player who has the potential of being a .300+ hitter?
cano and melky for Kemp..
“Irabu has more rings than ARod.”
And Gagne has a ring for the Red Sox. Why to people write this drivel? Pointing out someone has a ring means absolutely nothing. And you expect people to read your blog? Good one.
2009…get Sabbathia, Joba, Mussina, Petitte, Sheets for your rotation…Hughes/Kennedy get one more year of development in Scranton…bring them up only when they get to “lights out” great!
Get speedier not more slugging. okay to dump Giambi/Matsui..keep Cano, Abreu,, even Damon.
Posada plays first. I like Brent Gardner for CF.Nady in left.
Tora Tora Tora? Ouch. Here’s a suggestion. No watermelon jokes in the future, ‘kay? Hey, wait. Did you hear the one about Ian Kinsler? Torah, Torah, Torah!
Geesh.
i’m really not one for this fantasy GM stuff, but I have to give me 2 cents here.
keep Abreu and trade Nady this offseason. Let Matsui and Damon finish their contracts. Nady is having a career season, sell high. He will get you more in return than any of the other 3. If we keep him and he reverts back to any season’s numbers other than this years, we’ll all be disappointed. Abreu has been more consistant in putting up above average seasons. As others pointed out, he’d be great in a DH role as well. Offer him 2 years, but agree on 3 if he doesn’t take that.
well, at least Irabu didn’t knock down a 64-year-old man because he wasn’t getting enough free tix to an event for his liking
As for Irabu, alcoholism is never funny.
As for the Yankees’ 2008 season, it’s been over for a while.
As for the Yankees’ 2009 season, my wishes and predictions:
1) Mussina has a legit shot at 300 wins. He knows how to pitch with an 85mph fastball, so he could be effective for several more years. He’s not going to sign a 1yr deal. And I think he’s not going to re-sign with the Yankees.
Bobby Abreu will be re-signed to a 2yr. deal.
2) Pettitte would make an excellent #3 or #4 starter. the Yanks will re-sign him to a 2yr deal, but for less than he’s been getting paid.
3) On the free agent front, the Yanks will throw HUGE dollars at CC and get him signed.
4) Since Tex makes no long-term sense for the yanks, they will not sign him. But they will sign Adam Dunn to play 1B and crush 40 homeruns per season.
5) Giambi will not be re-signed.Hideki Matsui will be the full-time DH.
6) Johnny Damon will be traded. Ian Kennedy will be traded. W. Betemit will be traded.
7) Juan Rivera and Cesar Izturis will be signed as a FAs.
9) Phil Coke will make the 2009 team out of ST and get a spot in the bullpen
Lineup in 2009:
Gardner-CF
Jeter-SS
Abreu-RF
A-Rod-3B
Dunn-1B
Matsui-DH
Nady-LF
Posada-C
Cano-2B
Rotation: Sabathia/Wang/Chamberlain/Pettitte/Hughes
Bullpen: Veras/Ramirez/Marte/Melancon/Giese/Coke/Rivera
Bench: Molina/J. Rivera/Cabrera, or Christian, or Miranda/Izturis