Game 153: White Sox at Yankees
-
- September
- 18
Yankees (81-71)
Gardner CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi DH
Nady LF
Cano 2B
Miranda 1B
Molina C
Mussina RHP
Mike Mussina (17-9, 3.63) vs. the Chicago hitters.
Javier Vazquez (12-13, 4.13) vs. the New York hitters.
Notes: Thanks to Josh Thomson for calling in the lineup. … I am doing some writing from the home office today but Josh will relay any information for updates. … The Yankees have won four of their last five games.
JUAN FOR THE MONEY: This will be the major league debut of Juan Miranda. The 25-year-old Cuban has been with the organization since Dec. 22, 2006 when he signed as a free agent. He spent this season with Triple-A Scranton.
SECOND CITY: The White Sox are 2-7 in their last nine games at Yankee Stadium.
GIRARDI LIKES COKE: He’ll undoubtedly rest today. But the legend of Phil Coke is growing. The rookie lefty has thrown 10 scoreless innings in his seven appearances, allowing three hits with one walk and six strikeouts.
GAMES PLAYED AT YANKEE STADIUM
Mantle 1,213
Gehrig 1,080
Berra 1,068
Williams 1,039
Jeter 1,000
TRYING FOR 20: The Moose needs a win tonight to have any hope at 20 wins for the season. He is scheduled to pitch again on Tuesday in Toronto and on Sept. 28 in Boston.
Back later with some updates.
BIG DADDY DAMON: Congratulations to Johnny Damon. Michelle Damon gave birth to the couple’s second child today, a girl named Danica. She checked in at 6 pounds, 8 ounces and everybody is doing well according to Joe Girardi.
Imagine having Johnny as your dad? What could be better than that? No word on when Johnny will rejoin the team.
UPDATE, 5:08 p.m.: Ah, the insular little world of baseball. The Dodgers won again today, beating the Pirates 4-3 in 12 innings. Scott Proctor, who you may remember from his 1,700 appearances with the Yankees, got the win. The Dodgers won the game on a single by James Loney off former Yankee T.J. Beam.
That’s 15 wins in 18 games for the Dodgers and Joe Torre. These are dark days for the Torre haters out there. The Yankees are going home and he’s going to the playoffs again. The best part is that they’ll tell you he would not have made a difference on this team.
Of course not. It’s not the like the Yankees had flawed, injured teams in 2005, 2006 and 2007 but stayed tough all summer and made their way into the postseason. Oh, wait a second. They did.
The other excuse, of course, will be that the NL West stinks. Which is does. Tell it to the 2006 Cardinals.
(Let the angry, irrational, “You Love Torre!” comments begin. Nobody knows when they’re being teased.)
UPDATE, 5:45 p.m.: Girardi said that Andy Pettitte’s start on Sunday would not be his last. They plan to use him in Boston.
UPDATE, 7:13 p.m.: Orlando Cabrera now has five doubles in this series.
UPDATE, 8:57 p.m.: Bobby Abreu must really want to come back next season. That’s three hits and five RBI for him. He has given them a lot to think about.
If this score holds, the Moose will have 18 wins for the first time since 2002 and still have a chance for 20. What a season for him.
UPDATE, 10:15 p.m.: Good for Cervelli and Sanchez, getting to play on the big field. Sanchez, who grew up in the Bronx, must be thrilled.
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on Thursday, September 18th, 2008 at 4:23 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
This is a litttle nostalgia time. I saw Javy Vasquez pitch on Opening Day at the Stadium, and the team he faced (and won against) was the Chicago White Sox. I remember watching Ozzie Guillen goof around at the batting cages.
Nice memories.
18 wins cmon mOOSE!
I’m going to the game, leaving in 30 min.
I like the lineup, will be nice to see what Miranda can do and I haven’t seen Gardner in person yet. Hopefully Damon will get a pinch hitting opportunity late in the game, he always seems to get a hit when I’m there.
why did we trade vasquez for randy johnson again?
lets go yanks lets win all these games at home i kant believe its come down to 4 more games at home
Actually Vasquez was tanking a bit but giving the old line that he thought he pitching was fine. I don’t that cuts it with the Yanks.
Randy Johnson was George’s prize. The fact that Arizona wouldn’t part with him until it was pretty late in the game didn’t dissuade George from getting him anyway. Too much too little too late on that one I believe.
can we finish 90-72?
“why did we trade vasquez for randy johnson again?”
This.
Miranda at 1B(fist-pump). Now if we see Humberto its a good night.
Vasquez is the perfect middle of the rotation starter… eats innings, competes etc. We should have hung onto him, but hopefully Hughes can be the middle-rotation innings eater like Vasquez.
I have to attend a work event from 7 – 10.
I will have the tape going though.
Juan Miranda MLB debut?
im looking forward to seeing this lineup…btw i did read this question asked in an espn chat to John Manuel about Austin Jackon vs Andrew McCutchen
“Shorter answer now is, McCutchen has better tools, esp. the run tool. Jackson is more skilled, just a better ballplayer. Honestly, Jackson seems to get pigeonholed because he’s a black former basketball player, but he’s really a guy with emerging skills, good athleticism but not a burner, not an explosive guy but a good athlete — avg. run, avg. defense, always seems to make big plays, situational hitter. Just the more skilled guy. Scouts prefer McCutchen; managers prefer Jackson.”
FYI no Damon as he is wife is giving birth according to Ed price..congrats Johnny
Nice to see G.I. Joe giving Miranda some ABs
I want to see Humberto if its a blowout.
Good to see Juan “Im such a” Miranda in the line up. Let’s hope he goes deep in his first at bat
That is a fair description of Jackson… not an explosive player but a winning player who can do a little bit of everything.
*repost*
Just catching up, you guys have a lot of good stuff going.
-love the X jokes by Rebecca & Brandon
-Wang’s an ace, but why can’t we have more than one?
-for Doreen & trisha. We’re all getting a little emotional as the end approaches, and all the players have had nothing but nice things to say about the Cathedral. Except one person. Junior. The Times has an article about how he’s not sad to see it go, has not connection to the place. By all accounts he’s a private guy, great with his family and teammates, but he sounds like one cold SOB. Part of the stadium thing links back to getting yelled at by Billy Martin for playing too loudly in the tunnel.
- We may’ve been a wee disappointed (some very) with Phil’s performance last night. I think it would’ve “looked†better if he went 5 innings. But the fact is that Phil gave up only 1 run on 4 hits. One could’ve been caught by Jeter. And that first double by OC should’ve been a single. Anyway. It was pretty impressive how Hughes battled. Lots of fouled off pitches, but to me that meant they had a tough time putting the ball into play.
-SJ, about Phil’s straight fastball. Was it always that straight? I recall hitters saying that his fastball was deceptive. Like it was hard to hit.
Miranda should have been up months ago so we could see if he can be our 1B solution next year. we can’t draw any conclusions from what he does in these few token ABs he will get the rest of the year.
“Honestly, Jackson seems to get pigeonholed because he’s a black former basketball player.”
Not really sure what this means. Haven’t most pro athletes played other sports in school? And I’m *definitely” not sure what Manuel is saying about his race!
Congrats to Johnny and his wife.
Hopefully Moose can get win #18 tonight
Congrats Johnny!
can we see humberto sanchez tonight please joe?
From the last thread–it’s weird to read about SJ winding up on Arthur Ave, that’s two blocks from where I live! I go there to do my grocery shopping
Mel,
I answered your question re: Phil in the other thread.
Trisha,
Dominick’s opens at 1 on Sunday. Their address is 2335 Arthur Ave.
Stephen,
It sounds to me like he is saying that Jackson gets a bad rap because he’s thought of as an “athlete” rather than a baseball player. In the past he was described as a guy who has great athletic skills but not great baseball skills. Over the past two season that has changed a great deal.
Hughes’ stuff looks almost identical to Aceves.
Aceves throws a couple ticks harder than his minor league scouting report said he did, so does Coke for that matter.
Thanks SJ. It makes sense to me to do Dominick’s first and then head to the Stadium. We definitely won’t be stopping to hang out after the game!
Miranda is an awful defensive first baseman. That’s why he wasn’t called up earlier.
He makes Jason Giambi look like a Gold Glove first baseman.
He can mash righties, no glove, and has a hard time with lefties.
Ideally, he’s an excellent platoon-type guy as a DH. Not the answer at first base.
Rebecca,
I’m on Arthur Ave. about 20 times a year, usually after games.
Sometimes, if I am in town and someone wants to go to Dominick’s or Mario’s, I take them there. Usually though, its after day Yankee games in the summer.
andy is a liability. we need to start ian kennedy on sunday to have any chance of winning.
trish also I think I am going to do the same thing on Sunday you can park your car at the stadium and take the subway D line up to 183 and walk a few blocks to arthur avenue then take the subway back to the stadium.
I didn’t know Johnny’s wife was expecting. Congrats to him and his wife. Is this baby # 4 or 5 for Johnny? He sure is a busy man.
Miranda is not the answer for 1B, we need to go out and find a real one. A guy who is great on both sides of the ball. Whether that’s Teixeria or a trade. Miranda is another Betemit. Jackson is the only legit position player in the system before the Charleston kids.
SJ: Well, maybe sometime I’ll bump into you and we can talk loads of baseball, or some such.
I’m here at least through most of the 2009 season…
SJ,
I agree completely with what you said about the 2009 outfield in the last blog post. Nady in right, Damon in left, Jackson or a stopgap in center, and Matsui as the fulltime DH.
I like the idea of Laroche, he could be available.
Teixeira would be a luxury but I’m not sure the Yankees can get him and I certainly don’t want him signed to a 7+ year deal.
Getting Sabathia should be priority #1.
how is the neighborhood around there. I was going to go downtown after the game Saturday, but maybe I’ll head that way instead? I’d be driving.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=bostock
for those of you not old enough to remember, the above is a link to a very good story about lyman bostock. i wasn’t a twins fan in those days, but i didn’t have to read the story to remember him. i always loved watching great hitters and he was one.
jennifer: About Arthur Ave? Not a whole lot of parking. Good Italian food though.
Give Johnny the rest pf the season off.. let him be with his wife. No point bringing him back to play out meaningless games. Gardner can play instead.
Jennifer neighborhood is more than fine
Trisha and Gayle – that’s great that you got tickets to the final game. I’m sure that the place will be electric.
I don’t think the impact of them actually closing the stadium will hit me until all of the closing ceremonies on Sunday.
SJ,
Thanks for that. All in all, a better outing than not. He didn’t get hit hard and kept it close. That’s the main thing. Still not liking the quick hook, but I’m sure there’s a reason.
wolfman,
I know you’re kidding. You’re kidding, right? Kennedy’s not prepared to pitch in the majors. Phil deserved it because he battled back from an injury. Kennedy still needs to figure it out. It’ll do much more damage than good to bring up Kennedy. And I’ll be disappointed if they do because it’s about developing pitchers.
Rebecca,
I’ll be back there next year. That would be fun.
Patrick,
What’s interesting about re-tooling the team is, if they are lucky enough to get CC and/or AJ, it makes their rebuilding come together much quicker.
They REALLY need dependable starting pitching.
As bad as the offense was this year, and it was VERY bad in long stretches, the guys they rolled out every five days (for the most part) made winning very difficult.
That’s why I think they really have to go all in for both CC and AJ.
If they pull off that “double”, look at what they would have:
CC, Wang, Burnett, Joba and (most likely) Moose or Andy (whomever takes the one offer that will be on the table) in the rotation. Coke, Marte, Melancon, Veras, Bruney, Mo and a long guy in the ‘pen.
You can win with that pitching staff.
You would have Aceves, Hughes, Wright, Kennedy in the AAA rotation. A guy like Humberto Sanchez would be in the AAA bullpen, getting ready to contribute during the season. We may even see an Andrew Brackman sighting at some point.
That’s when you would begin to see real pitching depth in the organization. That’s how important it is to sign two (or get one in a trade for that matter) of the top end starting pitchers that will be on the market.
If you shore up the D, you really have something.
The days of trying to patch the rotation together with “might be’s” and “could be’s” has to end.
Both Boston and Tampa will have formidable starting staffs next year. The Yankees are going to have to open up the checkbook if they want to match them on the mound.
Yeah Arthur Ave. Not good parking? Thats stinks
I don’t know what to do than. The driving up there is okay though? Which is the best way to go? I have tom tom, but I can’t always rely on him.
Which is the best place to go eat?
Danica Damon?
Hey non-YES-area fans, WGN is supposed to be showing the game if you want to (finally) see Moose pitch.
Jennifer there is a municiple lot that I have been able to find spaces in right on arthur avenue so not sure about other parking options. I guess it dependson what time you go.
Could not tell you how to get there i just punch in the address on my gps when I am at the stadium and I get there lol
Don’t get too high on Coke. It is September. Ian Kennedy looked great last year around this time too.
Juan Talamela at 1B YES ! …I mean Miranda at first base tonight, finally the prospects get a chance !
john manuel makes ajax sound like a slightly above average mlb as his ceiling which is nice…i dont know much but im sure he can still raise his ceiling to be even more?
wolf man,
Why? So when Kennedy gives up 7 runs in 1.1 innings he can say:
“I’m not too upset, I thought I pitched well”. “It’s just the final game in Yankee Stadium, its not that big of a deal. It was renovated anyway.”
“If I pitch like I did tonight, I will win a lot of ballgames”.
Get Manny bat him behind arod
Jennifer- I usually can find a spot on the street around Arthur Avenue. You may have to drive around a couple of times but you should be ok. And as Gaye said there is a municipal lot.
jennifer: The Stadium’s not very close to Arthur Ave, about 10 minutes ride on the subway and then a 20 minute walk from the Fordham Road subway station to get from the Stadium to Arthur Ave.
You could park near the stadium and take the subway up from the stadium, but I wouldn’t recommend doing it on yur own, especially after dark.
DeMonica Damon would’ve been nice, too. Congrats to the Damon family.
Good luck to the Yankees today.
“We may even see an Andrew Brackman sighting at some point.”
I can’t wait to see what he brings to the table – I saw a lot more of him in a Wolfpack basketball jersey than a baseball uniform, but if a guy that big can get everything together mechanically it is going to be a treat!
Sounds like a plan. Now I just have to convince my friend to go along.
“Don’t get too high on Coke.”
This message was brought to you by the DEA
nice to see Miranda debuting today. if only he debuted last night when i was there. =(
Pete, I’m quite happy with my own father…but I have no doubt Johnny D would be an awesome dad.
Congratulations again to him.
funny thing about Nady. I finally got to see Nady live for the very first time yesterday, and saw/hear some awesome things about Nady. His entrance music was, X gonna give it to ya by DMX..and his 10 second “clutch hit” video was an X-Men theme.
Ralph – A-Jax still has a lot to prove. He doesn’t have great speed… only stole 19 bases this year. Doesn’t have a great arm in the outfield, only hit 9 HRs, struck out 113 times as well.
He should not be rushed and should be given time to develop in Scranton where the league won’t suppress his power as much as Trenton did. Needs to steal more, hit for a higher average, and cut down on the Ks.
Most scouts compare him to Mike Cameron… who was a slightly above average ML player himself, nothing wrong with that.
The Cubs scored 4 times off Torres in the bottom of the 9th, all with 2 outs.
If we had Joe Torre, I would say our chances would have been better to make the playoffs. But maybe thats cuz I dont like Girardi even from his playing days
Congratulations to the Damon family. Danica – after the racing lady maybe??? Actually, it’s a nice name (not that it’s any of my business, of course
).
Let’s go Moose! I have “Back to School Night,” so I’ll miss the first few innings.
I really wish we were going to a game this weekend. I hope all of you who are going have the best time, take lots of pictures and soak it all in.
The Torre loves fest is reaching nauseating levels. I will be rooting hard for the Mets to knock them out.
Lesser of the two evils-
Mets fan > Torre fans/NY meda.
“The Moose needs a win tonight to have any hope at 20 wins for the season.”
maybe moose should just keep 19 as his high water mark and be famous for being the best pitcher to never win 20 and win three hundred.
of course moose will probably win 299.
which would lead to the debate of whether he should get in the hall of fame with “only” 299 wins and “only” 19 wins as his highest yearly total.
The Cubs scored 4 times off Torres in the bottom of the 9th, all with 2 outs.
Yikes!
randy l -
Sad, but too true, about Moose’s numbers.
I have to tell you I am getting a little sick of all the Joe Torre talk. Whether he would or would not have made a difference this year WHO CARES. he is not here and he in Los Angeles. Let him do well out there.
Everyone and I mean everyone needs to move on and let sleeping dogs lie so to speak.
Peter,
If you hadn’t spent all season displaying a completely irrational antipathy towards Girardi, your opinion on the manager’s impact on the Yankees season might have some credibility. As it is, I can’t believe anyone without an agenda believes that Girardi was the main culprit for this season.
Torre would have abused the same guys in the bullpen and the Yankees would have been worse off than they are now.
Please.
Unless one doesn’t understand baseball, the reason the Yankees never missed the playoffs during the Torre years is because of the offense they got from the catcher and/or CF positions. The injury to Posada was the biggest reason the Yanks aren’t making the playoffs this year, not to mention Cano’s horrendous season. And, of course, in those years we didn’t have to deal with a 95 win Rays team.
i would agree with the “don’t get too high on coke” sentiment.
“The Admiral” David Robertson looked unstoppable at the beginning too
let’s not forget.
“That’s 15 wins in 18 games for the Dodgers and Joe Torre. These are dark days for the Torre haters out there. The Yankees are going home and he’s going to the playoffs again. The best part is that they’ll tell you he would not have made a difference on this team.
“Of course not. It’s not the like the Yankees had flawed, injured teams in 2005, 2006 and 2007 but stayed tough all summer and made their way into the postseason. Oh, wait a second. They did.”
Holy Christ. Are you for real?
There is no guarantee that the Yanks would have made the playoffs this year with Torre. It really doesn’t matter. Torre is not here and lets just move on from that.
I agree with Stacey’s point. Girardi has managed the bullpen far better than Joe ever did.
Pete’s vendetta has become comical. I wonder if the team ever gets wind of his posts. Well, we know one thing for certain: Pete will be allowed to clean Joe’s L.A. pool during the offseason. Bravo, big boy!
Michael Kay is the only one who gets it… the rest of the media is full of Torre groupies. Torre hated the NY media and said as much, yet the media continues to kiss his fanny.
He cited the best part of California is the laid-back press and their lack of negativity, so clearly Torre doesn’t feel the same way about Pete and co that they do about him.
Here come all the Torre haters giving rationalizations!
LOL @ Pete
Yup, the Yankees who barely made the playoffs last year would have made it with no problem under Torre with Posada, Wang & Matsui missing >50% of the year, Hughes & Joba hurt down the stretch and Rodriguez missing 20 games and having his alltime great performance last year replaced by his subpar clutch performance this year.
So that’s the C that hit 330+ with 90+ rbi, The pitcher that won 19 games, the DH/LF that had 100 rbi, the pitcher that had a 2.7 era in his last 5 starts, the pitcher that was unhittable in the pen, and the 3B who hit .300+ in the clutch with 150 rbi missing from the team that BARELY made the playoffs…
Your transparent Torre love fest is sickening!
Stephen
September 18th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
“Honestly, Jackson seems to get pigeonholed because he’s a black former basketball player.â€
Not really sure what this means. Haven’t most pro athletes played other sports in school? And I’m *definitely†not sure what Manuel is saying about his race!
________________________________________________
Jackson had signed a Letter Of Intent to play basketball on full scholarship to Georgia Tech and was heavily recruited at Illinois. Everyone expected him to go to Tech. Don’t believe what you read on that report. Jackson isn’t Gardner fast, but, he can run. He may have “only stole 19 bases” this year, but, he was in the 30s the previous two years and he’s successful 76% of the time. He’ll learn to read pitchers as he goes. His defense is also “better than average”. Power-wise, yeah, he’s not a 30 homer hitter, but he produces runs. He’ll be around 18-23 homers a year, hit .285-.310. Johnny Damon numbers.
It’s easy to say we would have made the playoffs with Torre, but the reality is that we don’t know if we would have.
2ndly, and most importantly, Torre is dealing with a bunch of young kids that aren’t getting paid ridiculous amount of money to under preform. They either hit or they sit, ask Andrew Jones.
3rd, its the NL and the West. Probably one of the easiest divisions to win. It has never been strong.
I am not a Torre fanatic nor do I hate the man. You have to respect him for what he did in New York, but we all must face the fact he is not in NY anymore and what he does in the NL has no effect on us unless he makes to to the world series one year and we have to play him
“The Yankees are going home and he’s going to the playoffs again. The best part is that they’ll tell you he would not have made a difference on this team.
Of course not. It’s not the like the Yankees had flawed, injured teams in 2005, 2006 and 2007 but stayed tough all summer and made their way into the postseason. Oh, wait a second. They did.”
I am not a Joe Torre hater. I thought he did a great job as a Yankee manager. But Pete, check the records. The Dodgers have fewer wins than the Yankees this year. This means that, as high as the Yankee loss rate seems, the Dodger loss rate has been slightly higher this year. So when it comes to strictly winning games, they have been worse than the Yankees this year. The Dodgers are just lucky that they play in the worst division in the NL. Whereas the Yankees are playing in the toughest division in baseball. And where do you think the Dodgers would be without Manny Ramirez’s insane hot streak since early August? I am not saying Torre is a bum or anything. But to make it sound like he single-handedly willed the Dodgers to some incredible season is just false. They are a mediocre team that plays in a crappy division and pulled off a crazy trade to help put them in a better state of mediocrity then where they were 2 months ago. The Yankees are a mediocre team that plays in a tough division, and their trades weren’t very successful at changing that mediocrity. That’s basically the difference – the divisional context and the impact of some trades.
And please don’t make it sound like the Yankees team this year has had nearly as many plate appearances and innings pitched from their core players as the past few years. The Yankees have had over 2000 plate appearances this year from guys with an OPS that is more than 15% below league average. 2000!! Do you realize how staggeringly high that number is? That is almost 40% of the team’s total plate appearances. The last Yankee team to even come within 400 plate appearances of that mark is the 1991 team. Also, one-third of the Yankee games have been started by Ponson and Rasner and Igawa and Kennedy and Hughes. It is pretty crazy to think that Torre being on the bench would have turned these guys into even league average pitchers this year, wouldn’t you think? Once again, I’m not saying Torre is a bum, but there isn’t much any manager could do when you have to field a lineup with 3 or sometimes 4 automatic outs everyday (Melky/Cano/Molina/BenchGuy) and send guys like Rasner/Ponson out there one-third of the time. Right?
And the RISP issue is also something that is out of the manager’s control. Melky/Molina/Cano/Bench are hitting roughly .210/.269/.292 this year with RISP in over 530 plate appearances. Do you realize how terrible this is? All other Yankee hitters are collectively at .290/.386/.454. The power is bit low, but the stars are not killing the team. it is the absolute waste of space that 2B/CF/C/Bench has been all year long that has killed this offense? Do you really believe Torre’s presence would have turned all of these guys into even league average hitters? Sorry, but I just don’t see how that is possible.
ZMAN7777
September 18th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I agree with Stacey’s point. Girardi has managed the bullpen far better than Joe ever did.
Pete’s vendetta has become comical. I wonder if the team ever gets wind of his posts. Well, we know one thing for certain: Pete will be allowed to clean Joe’s L.A. pool during the offseason. Bravo, big boy!
________________________________________________
Girardi has a considerably better bullpen than Torre had for the last five years, too.
Pete, you can discredit all the Torre’s haters all you want. We all know you are in love with Joe Torre. When are you moving to LA?
Hey Pete,
The Yankees have a better record than the Dodgers
If Torre is managing this club this year they win 95 games.
I didn’t hear anyone trash Torre’s managing of the pen from 96-2001.
When you actually have some talent out there it helps.
To think that the Yankees would have made the playoffs this year if Joe Torre was manager is ridiculous.
For all those years, the yankees didn’t go into the season with 2 rookies automatically in the rotation. They didn’t lose their 19-game winning ace. They did not lose their offensive minded catcher. They did have to rely on CARL PAVANO. The list goes on and on.
The whole “Yanks have a better record” argument is totally flawed.
No one cares what the record is. It’s how far did you go.
You would think you all would know when I’m teasing you by now.
You have to admit, it’s pretty funny that Torre proved Randy Levine and all his haters wrong.
Meanwhile, the records are meaningless. If the Yankees got the wild card at 80-82, you’d all jump for joy.
Mussina doesn’t have what it takes to win 20.
Hasn’t done it his whole career even tough he’s played on some pretty strong Yankee teams these last 7 years. In fact, he never has won a big game for the Yanks either.
I hope Yanks win out their remaining games & make the last 3 at Fenway interesting, but don’t relie on Moose.
Torre made the post season last yr with Chase Wright, Ponson, DeSalvo, Clippard, Rasner etc pitching and starting multiple times. Not to mention Moose being so bad he was dropped. He also didn’t have a pen in front of Mo til Aug 1.
So please. Spare me the BS.
He also got a young pitcher named Wang to lead the staff and become an ace. How did Girardi do with his young starters?
How did Torre do with Melky and Cano?
The Torre haters are not going to win today.
” He’ll be around 18-23 homers a year, hit .285-.310. Johnny Damon numbers.”
we can only pray right : )…damon offense with better defense sounds like a very nice player to me..
Why couldn’t Cashman get Torre better pitching the past 4 years and Joe G this year?
That should really be the questions.
Austin Jackson. Sigh.
Another prospect that the Yanks will overhype. Can’t we let these guys develop before we pencil them in for the lineup in 2009?
A good chunk of the Yankee struggles this year, in addition to the injuries, is due to the failure of player development. Hughes and Kennedy and Cano and Melky and Duncan and Gonzelz and Gardner and Ohlendorf have all been pretty awful this year. When guys get injured or struggle, you have to look to the farm system to replace those guys, and the Yankee farm system just wasn’t good enough to deal with the injuries and/or innefectiveness this year of Melky/Cano/Posada/Wang/Hughes/Kennedy. Seriously, when you don’t have a pitcher in your farm system that is better than Sidney freakin’ Ponson, you have major developmental problems.
The manager isn’t the one to fix that or blame for that. It is on the head of the general manager for having a poorly equipped farm system which couldn’t provide reasonable reinforcements for the injured and ineffective hitters at the major league level.
My main gripe with Girardi this year is that I think he benched his lefty hitters way too much against lefty starters. But even is you assume Torre wouldn’t have done that, I don’t think it would have made such a huge difference to account for the 10 or so extra wins the Yankees need to be in contention. The futility of Melky/Molina/Cano/Bench and Rasner/Ponson/Hughes/Kennedy is just too much to overcome that.
Looking forward to seeing what Miranda can do. He murders AAA righties (.332/.439/.534). I hope I never see him in the lineup against a lefty though(.195/.258/.280). Did Castro ban left-handed pitching in Cuba or something? What a difference in his splits.
Pete, I have a question.
Do you SERIOUSLY believe we are BETTER with Torre, even though Joe G is a BETTER in-game manager (albeit with his own stupid flaws)?
The Yankees STILL have a better record, despite playing in the toughest division and league in baseball, whereas Torre is playing in the worst division in baseball.
As FJM wrote, “it required one hundred-some-odd games and the addition of a Hall of Fame outfielder to compel Torre to bench Messrs. Pierre and Jones are now points in Colletti’s and Torre’s favor?”…which brings me to my next point- it took Manny Ramirez- not Torre magic- to improve the offense to a point where the team began winning with its good pitching. Now, I know it took one hundred-some-odd games for Joe G to bench Melky, but all season his pen management has been good for the most and he seems to be learning from mistakes on the job. He is playing youngsters and given them a chance in the pen (D-Rob, Veras, Edwar, etc. They have been up and down, but they might not even get a chance with Torre).
I do not mean come off sounding like I am fuming as I type, but I was just want an answer. Opinions are fine, I was just want some friendly banter.
The Torre haters are not going to win today.
Put the Codgers in the AL East.
once torre lost the rubber arms of nelson and stanton he had no clue how to manage a bullpen – anyone who says different does not watch yankee games… go ask proctor, villone, quantrill, gordon, etc how their shoulders feel and look at the numbers of their seasons after they got under torre arm killer control
Torre seemed to connect with Cano and Melky. There weren’t “player development” issues with them the past 3 years.
He also seemed to connect with Wang and Joba. Hughes even pitched well.
That’s on the manager.
Ralphie, Jackson has power, but, mostly gap type, doubles and triples, but, he can hit homers. When he gets out of pitcher’s leagues and parks, they’ll go up. He’s still only 21 and hasn’t filled out. He’s the goods.
and i saw a comment about the record thing is stupid since its about how far as you go…why should we credit torre for playing in a bad division. give him in average division and the dodgers most likely do not make the playoffs.
“go ask proctor, villone, quantrill, gordon, etc how their shoulders feel and look”
And how did Mariano perform for Torre for 12 years??
Did he blow out his arm??
I guess he only killed the untalented journeymen pitchers that were average everywhere. Poor Joe. He didn’t know how to manager a pen yet won 90+ games every yr and 4 titles. He also didn’t know how to manage and groom the best reliever in baseball history.
Now we should penalize Torre and the Dodgers for beating teams they should beat and making the playoffs. Makes a lot of sense. Do the 2006 Cards have an asterisk next to their title for winning only 83 games in a bad div?
Matty, I have also taken the approach that all Yankees prospects are overhyped and I never want the front office to have the chance to trade prospects for established major league stars (who aren’t over-the-hill) and take a pass again. That said, with the season essentially over, seeing some new players in the next couple weeks gives me a reason to tune in, I suppose. But yeah, with regard to AJax, I’ll believe it when I see it. Until then, he’s just someone who hasn’t proven that he shouldn’t be bait for a good starting pitcher.
Matty
September 18th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Austin Jackson. Sigh.
Another prospect that the Yanks will overhype. Can’t we let these guys develop before we pencil them in for the lineup in 2009?
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Nobody’s putting him in the 2009 lineup. I watched him play in the`sally League for over a year and in Tampa. He’s GOOD. Not great, but, good is good enough.
so because one pitcher (who happens to be the best relief pitcher of all time) faired well then we can ignore the many many examples of human pitchers who did not succeed and sustained injury for 12 years?
Paulio – go root for the dodgers then. thats it.
“The Yankees STILL have a better record, despite playing in the toughest division and league in baseball, whereas Torre is playing in the worst division in baseball.”
And that matters how?? All that matters is you make it into the dance. There are no style points for better record.
Who wouldn’t trade places with the Dodgers or Mets or W Sox right now?
“Torre seemed to connect with Cano and Melky.”
Do Melky and Cano even speak fluent English???
Whoever mentioned to start Kennedy at some time is right. However, ARE YOU STUPID??? Why would you have him start Sunday, the LAST FREAKIN GAME at Yankee Stadium? Of course, have a kid who has potential but hasn’t done well to start the final game at Yankee Stadium. Wasn’t it the goal to have Mo throw the final pitches with you know, the Yankees winning. I am in favor of giving Kennedy another chance just not to replace Pettite on Sunday.
The Dodgers won’t go anywhere. Even if they stumble into the WS, somehow, they’d be swept by any AL team
Please “hew”. Name me a good pitcher he had in the pen after 2002 besides Mo.
You got rocks for brains if you think he blew out any of those scrubs.
No one was complaining about bullpen management when he rolled out Stanton, Nelson, Mendoza, Mo for 6 years.
But lets bash Torre because he had to make lemonade with scrubs like Karsay, Quantrill, Heredia, Sturtze, Hammond, etc
It’s Torre’s fault they stunk and weren’t any good.
And you still didn’t answer my question.
Why isn’t Mo burnt out??? Why didnt Torre trash him??
Someone should compare how the Dodgers and Yankees faired against teams they both played this year. I bet the results will be interesting.
What was Cano’s BA and RBI’s with Torre?
How did Melky play?
Seems to be a bit different with Girardi don’t ya think??
Seems to me that Torre connected pretty well with the young players.
“Someone should compare how the Dodgers and Yankees faired against teams they both played this year. I bet the results will be interesting.”
Who cares? The Dodgers have a shot to win a title. We’re playing golf. They had the much better season even if they get swept out in rd 1.
Dodgers are going to the post season with a WORSE record than the Yankees. SO really, though sleepy Joe T might be better at rallying the troops, you only have to be a whisker over 500 to win the NL West by a margin.
hew
September 18th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
once torre lost the rubber arms of nelson and stanton he had no clue how to manage a bullpen – anyone who says different does not watch yankee games… go ask proctor, villone, quantrill, gordon, etc how their shoulders feel and look at the numbers of their seasons after they got under torre arm killer control
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Go look at Gordon’s record in NY. Look at Proctor’s number in 2007 and 2007 and talk. Quantrall was run in the ground long before he ever came to NY. He was pitching in 80+ games in Toronto and LA for years. You forgot to include the legendary Felix Heredia and equally legenary Tanyon Sturtze and about 30 other stellar bullpenners..
We’re going to make excuses now for Girardi?
Every team has injuries. He didn’t get the job done. With a 200+ mill payroll and Hall of Famers around the diamond.,
He was out of his league.
But I guess Torre never connected well Cano in the first half of ‘06 or ‘07, right?
***Proctor’s record in 2006 and 2007***
Geez Torre is a hall of fame kinda manager..the real dissapointment was the lack of fire and disciple Joe G was suppose to bring..
Remember change was supposed to be good…where was the change? Sept 15Th?
““Someone should compare how the Dodgers and Yankees faired against teams they both played this year. I bet the results will be interesting.â€
Who cares? The Dodgers have a shot to win a title. We’re playing golf. They had the much better season even if they get swept out in rd 1.”
Well it is relevant. I’m happy Torre got lucky enough to play postseason ball this year but I’m not convinced by any stretch of the imagination that they are a better team. We have a better record than them and we are 10 games out of first. Meanwhile they are 4 games up on the Dbacks. Who could have predicted Tampa Bay having a season like this and the NL West choking. Anyone could have steered the Dodgers to the playoffs with their talent and their piss poor division
I think we can safely give Torre credit for making guys like Proctor, Sturtze, Gordon, etc.
You really going to cry that he burnt those scrubs out? They shouldn’t have even been in the league! Sturtze had the worst ERA of any active pitcher at the time and Torre made him a capable late inning guy.
If Torre was so bad with the pen why did they win 4 titles due to that same pen and why will he be attending the HOF induction for the closer?
BJTE: 1 playoff appearance in since 1981
JTE: 12 playoff appearances 4 world series titles, 2 al pennant. World series 50% of the time.
AJTE: No playoffs yet
I can’t believe people hate him.
“Anyone could have steered the Dodgers to the playoffs with their talent and their piss poor division”
Not Joe Girardi apparently.
You realize there are hundreds of managers who could have coaxed 95 wins from a team with this much talent and this much payroll.
Bottom line is, when Torre was here, he had his detractors. No manager is perfect. Torre did a great job overall, could have done better in some areas, and I was sorry he left. The only question I have is if he was so darn good, what happened to the playoffs the last few years? He certainly got them there. But he didn’t keep them there. That’s if you believe it has all that much to do with the manager.
There’s no way you can zip out Girardi and zip in Torre and know for certain that Torre would have been successful with this team. Frankly, all things being equal, Torre would have been fired at the all-star break. Which is one of the reasons he walked away. He’d had enough of the daily questions concerning his status. It would have been the same this year. And, frankly, many in the media seem to have a bit of amnesia about that.
It stinks that the Yankees will not make the playoffs this year. It had to happen sooner or later. If it wasn’t for the stadium being closed down, it wouldn’t be quite the same story. It would still be a downer, obviously, but the whole “this is the last year in Yankee Stadium” just makes it that much harder to deal with in some camps.
“You realize there are hundreds of managers who could have coaxed 95 wins from a team with this much talent and this much payroll.”
laughable
“The Yankees STILL have a better record, despite playing in the toughest division and league in baseball, whereas Torre is playing in the worst division in baseball.”
Bingo.
Torre managed for the last 28 years. Before he was given the best team in baseball he had NADA LA DIDA to show for all of his managing here there and everywhere. In fact he was fired at least once. In the NL and Torre couldn’t even come up with a winning club. Torre has almost 30 years on Girardi.
Joe “one and out” Torre? Thanks for the memories.
What I can’t believe is that anyone is opaque enough to actually believe the Yankees didn’t want him back. They didn’t want another losing postseason at his hands, as it had gotten quite old. So instead of telling him to vamoose, they gave him a lesser salary with incentives. A REAL winner would have taken the challenge in my opinion.
Good riddance to him. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Except to mention once again the beginning of this post. The Yankees are in the toughest division in the majors, played hampered with injuries all season, and still have a better record than Torre and his just abouts.
GO YANKEES! GO JOE GIRARDI!
Hilarious that people are bashing Torre.
You realize only one player changed from last yrs team right?
Hawkins for Vizcaino
And how did they hit and pitch and play this yr????
This is on the GM and manager.
The Dodgers were so high on Torre that they tried to sign Girardi first.
I don’t think Girardi was the savior we all thought he’d be but payroll is not an issue worth mentioning. Again all we have to do is look at the genius Jim Leyland over in Detroit. Detroit and NY both had disappointing years with high payrolls and aging superstars. We’ve been heading in the wrong direction for the past few years and Torre jumped ship before we finally learned our lesson. Hopefully they’ll finally make some needed changes this offseason.
“The Dodgers were so high on Torre that they tried to sign Girardi first.”
You think they aren’t happy as pigs in poop that they got Torre there??
The Yankee fans also almost revolted in 1995 when he was hired. How did that go the next 12 yrs?
The Cardinals had no business winning it all in 2006.
And some would argue the Giants had no business winning in February.
Ah, playoffs. Funny animal.
I’ll be honest with you, I think this team makes the playoffs with Torre. Until recently, Girardi was like a h.s. football coach with these guys and that approach clearly didn’t work.
But Torre was sick of the politics and it was pretty evident he had lost his touch in the postseason. It was probably best for all concerned that he left. Long-term, as they get younger, Girardi could be a good choice. I think if he loosens up a bit, he could do just fine. We’ll find out by next spring.
And spare me talking about the records and what division the Dodgers are in. You can only play the schedule you’re handed. You think the 2006 Cardinals are giving back their title? You have to make the postseason before you can win the World Series.
Payroll is a huge part of this discussion. You don’t have 200 million dollar payrolls to finish in 4th place. This is a learning on the job type job here. This is the NY Yankees. When you have this type of payroll and 4 mill fans a year they expect more than this.
EDUB
September 18th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Anyone could have steered the Dodgers to the playoffs with their talent and their piss poor division
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I doubt that any baseball man anywhere will tell you that the Dodgers are a better team, or at least, have better players than Arizona, but, Arizona is about to go down the tubes.
Pete Abe has called this from Day 1 about Girardi. He was in over his head and this team didn’t respond to him from the get go.
GreenBeret7, don’t forget the great steve karsy, the legendary Antonio Osuna, and the godly dan miceli.
It is the same team Torre had last year. They made no major improvements or trades in the off season.
And Girardi will guide them to 4th with no signs of life all season. None. They had one long winning streak all season. Right after the ASG.
Torre guided them to the playoffs and the best last 100 games of any team in the game.
I notice a difference.
Trisha: What kind of drugs are you on? I’m serious. It has to be something great. Share with the class.
JK: Girardi’s agent invented that story to get more money out of the Yankees, which he did. Nice try, though.
lol at the Torre haters.
He’s going to the postseason with 100 million dollars less.
Joe Girardi is a horrible manager.. The worst Yankees manager of my 20+ years of watching them.
this Zack Hample guy, he’s the one that caught 2 homers in back to back days. he’s really something. he never left a game without catching a baseball. unbelieveable.
If the season is all about getting to the playoffs, then Torre was successful (it would seem) this season, and Girardi was not. It does not mean Torre could have done it here; it does not mean he wouldn’t have. Impossible to play that game.
Girardi is always saying you learn from your mistakes. Well, I’d say he probably learned quite a bit this season in several areas. I think he’ll be better for it next season.
Man, that Girardi is a terrible manager. If only he could have led his team to win as many games as Torre’s Dodgers have won this year…
Nevermind the fact that the Dodgers weren’t a playoff team until the traded for Manny. It’s all because of Mr. 4 Rings!
Going back thru all the relievers Torre had from 2001-2007 it is amazing to think they went to the playoffs every single season.
This man could only use his 8th inning guy one day at a time for one inning at a time. He never had a lefty. Gordon was throwing up in the pen before big games.
All the whining over managers is ridiculous. Look at Joe Maddon and the Rays or Leyland as I mentioned. Maddon’s Rays were TERRIBLE last year and here they are now. You can’t predict baseball and you certainly can’t pin a season on the manager.
The Yankees are finally getting what they deserve in not making the playoffs and hopefully this will open some eyes up in the front office for Cashman to get some more help
What has been successful about Girardi’s first yr here?
Are the young players better? No.
The vets happy? No.
His in game skills improve? Not really.
His media skills? Terrible.
Joe Torre did a great job here in NY. But he is gone so please let’s move on
“Hilarious that people are bashing Torre.
You realize only one player changed from last yrs team right?
Hawkins for Vizcaino
And how did they hit and pitch and play this yr????”
That’s funny, I don’t remember Posada having 600 plate appearances this year or Wang pitching 200 innings this year or Roger Clemens replacing our ineffective pitchers this year. I need to go back and look at the year in review. How the hell did I miss all that??
And seriously, you assign 100% blame on melky/Cano playing like crap on Girardi. It seems to me that a huge amount of the blame for players playing like crap should go on the players. Do you have any in-game strategic criticisms of Girardi? That would be more meaningful than an argument of “well Player X sucks so therefore the manager sucks.”
Boston dealt with crazy injuries this year. But they had decent minor leaguers to fill in like Masterson and Lowrie. The yankee farm system failed to provide any answers. This is why the team failed this year. If you want to blame someone other than the players, look at Cashman before you look at Girardi. The farm system woes are on Cash’s head.
And to those who cite the 200 million dollar payroll, do you realize that a crazy high amount of at bats and innings this year have been given to the guys who make near the minimum? it isn’t the big expensive stars who have been to blame for the poor performance. it’s the guys like melky and Molina and Cano and Ponson and rasner and Betemit. Cano is the only one of that group making big-time money. The healthy guys that are getting paid 8 figures have done very well, with the exception of Pettitte.
I hope Joe Torre is reading the posts here, enjoying his bigelow green tea and laughing to himself.
Also, forget for a second about Torre/Girardi.
What’s the Yankees’ record right now if Wang is healthy? If Joba is a starter from day one? If Posada and Cano are playing at their career marks?
Pete I know, I know. Everyone is a liar in the Yankee organization, including Brian Cashman, and you have the real story. Sweet.
Trisha has been on some kind of drugs all season.
I mean this is the same person who backed up Igawa, Ponson, Farnsworth and Pavano.
It’s like Mother Theresa here.
Yes, Torre had to deal with injuries, but I cannot recall Torre ever having to deal with the combination of a depleted rotation + an anemic offense.
In 2007, the offense was relatively healthy with the exception of first base issues. Mussina was terrible, but Wang and Pettite were solid and the rotation improved a bit towards the end of the year- still, the rotation was the weak link in the playoffs.
In 2006, the rotation had 2 above average starters in Wang and Mussina and innings eater in Johnson and an offense that was great thanks to the replacement of an injured Sheff with Bobby Abreu.
In 2005, another great offense plus the emergence of Wang and the wonder years of small and chacon.
2004- another great offensive year, starting pitching was servicable for the regular season but sucked for postseason play.
2003- another great offense with pettite, wells, mussina and clemens each throwing 200+ innings.
again, can go and on on but you get the picture. this year no wang, no hughes, no ipk, no joba for part of the season, a pettite in decline. the only reliable starter all year has been mussina. offensively- arod out for part of the year, posada out, matsui out, below average beginning of the year for jeter, no production from melky or cano.
Rebecca, well said. A healthy Matsui would have helped too.
Also: http://www.baseball-reference.com/k/kuntzru01.shtml
“What’s the Yankees’ record right now if Wang is healthy? If Joba is a starter from day one? If Posada and Cano are playing at their career marks?”
How about if I told the Sox that Ortiz will miss 2 months and be 70% the rest of the way, Manny will quit and be traded in July, the pen besides Papelbon will be Mets bad, Lugo won’t play after May, Ellsbury will have huge prolonged slumps, and Beckett will miss time?
You realize every team has issues right?
Yeah the Yankee organization is really afraid to say or do what it needs to and wants to. Cashman saved Torre’s sorry butt the season before when the Yankees wanted to can him. You think there was going to be a huge hue and cry to save him as manager after he no longer produced in the postseason? If they wanted to pick a year to send him packing and probably be applauded, last season would have been it. They wanted him to stay but they wanted him to stay and win. And about politicis – that’s a joke. That was well taken care of when Cashman put it on the line and Steinbrenner told him he was running the organization. Torre had a pretty free ride after that.
The drug I’m on is called truth Pete.
Well, you do love Torre. Looking forward to seeing Torre lose in the first round. Again.
Torre made the post season in 2005 with Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon pitching in the rotation and winning 18+ games!
He made the playoffs in 2007 with Mussina benched, DeSalvo, Clippard and Wright all pitching multiple times, and no pen in front of Mo til Joba came up.
In 2006 he started Jaret Wright in a deciding Game 4!
Spare us all. The guy did more with less than Girardi.
So Terry Francona is a genius because JD Drew carried the team for a month then Pedroia put the team on his back the way through? Not to mention Lester being an absolute stud and Dice-K (minus the walks) holding his own. The managers don’t play the games. We were unfortunate in that nobody on the Yankees is having monster years and our pitching has been beyond inconsistent (besides Moose)
“What’s the Yankees’ record right now if Wang is healthy? If Joba is a starter from day one? If Posada and Cano are playing at their career marks?”
That’s irrelevant. Joe Torre…he would have just used the skills and powers of the 4 Rings to find a way to win. That’s just the type of manager he is.
Captain Clutch would have also hit into less double plays if Green Tea Joe was still here.
“In 2006 he started Jaret Wright in a deciding Game 4!”
What a genious! How did that game turn out again?
trisha – BRING BOBBY BACK!
September 18th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Bingo.
Torre managed for the last 28 years. Before he was given the best team in baseball he had NADA LA DIDA to show for all of his managing here there and everywhere. In fact he was fired at least once. In the NL and Torre couldn’t even come up with a winning club. Torre has almost 30 years on Girardi.
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I don’t really care that Torre left so much, just didn’t care to see Girardi.
However, you are wrong about Torre as a manager before getting “The Dream Team”. He broke in as a player manager of the Mets in 1977-81, a team that even John McGraw couldn’t win with.
In 1982, he took a last place Atlanta Braves team to the NL West title, then 2nd and 3rd place finishes against the NL power team, the Dodgers.
In 1990, he took over a last place Cards team and they finished in 2nd place and then 2 third place finishes. They were still bad teams because management was changing and they wouldn’t spend money.
“I’ll be honest with you, I think this team makes the playoffs with Torre. Until recently, Girardi was like a h.s. football coach with these guys and that approach clearly didn’t work.”
Pete, do you really believe that having Torre as a manager would have changed the fortunes of Ponson and Rasner and Hughes and Kennedy and Cano and Melky and Molina and Pudge? I can’t see how that is possible. These are the main guys that have played the worst at the big league level. Do you think Torre being the manager would have prevented Posada and Wang and ARod and Damon and Bruney and Hughes and Kennedy from getting DL’d?
I guess what I am asking is, Can you please explain what exactly you think would have been so different in the performance of these specific players if Torre was the manager? Ponson and rasner have always been crap. Molina has always been a terrible hitter. melky was never a good hitter and he took a turn for the worse this year. Do you think Torre would have turned cano into a .320 hitter and a more disciplined hitter this year even though the hitting coach is the same guy? Do you think melky would have batted in the .280’s if Torre was the manager? I don’t really see it. Those 2 guys just played like crap this year, and I don’t see how it is anybody’s fault except their own.
“I mean this is the same person who backed up Igawa, Ponson, Farnsworth and Pavano.”
Oh give me a break “paulio” – cute name. Everyone who is honest will admit that Farnsworth had done a really good job and turned himself around. I supported Ponson as long as Ponson was producing. Pavano, I was all for as long as he could help the Yankees. Yeah I called Igawa wrong. Big deal.
Go cry in your beer and pray for machines. That’s about all someone like you can tolerate.
The front office was tired of the clout Torre had with the media. It’s actually quite funny because >50% of the media wanted him fired after the 2006 season. The FO was also tired of the way he handled the bullpen, the favoritism he showed towards vets vs. rookies and how loose his lips were with the media.
Pete, you might complain about how tight Girardi is with information but this is clearly what the organization favors. Getting information out of the Yankees on injuries with minor leaguers is like pulling teeth and Cashman was clearly pissed about the leaked Joba rules last year.
I also think the Yankees had ZERO plans of the 70 year old manager opening the new Yankee stadium.
“In 2006 he started Jaret Wright in a deciding Game 4!â€
What a genious! How did that game turn out again?
Hence the point, GENIUS.
RustyJohn,
Wang was hurt in the begining of 07 and we also had Rasner, Pavano and Igawa in the Starting rotation to the open the season. Starting pitching was a big problem last year.
Jeez enough with Torre.
If he was here maybe we would have done better, or maybe they would have done worse. No one knows and more importantly, who cares!
The man is not here.
I dunno what’s worse: The “If only Torre were here” statements or the “If only we had Santana” statements.
Wow its like a civil war broke out in here….
Pete, you are really on top of the stories and that is the only reason I read your blog. When it comes to analysis, well a kid could do much better.
This is the sort of “analysis” you write: “Since Pete Abraham started a blog about the New York Yankees, they have failed to reach the World Series and this year, they will fail to reach the post season. Isn’t it time for Pete to shut down this blog?”
Agree with you RustyJohn! Yankees were on the top three in the MLB in OPS (Pete, this means OBP + SLG or on base percentage plus slugging, heard about stats? Heard about using facts to report?) from 2002 to 2007 and this year they are very average, middle of the pack.
Of course, if they had better pitching and defense, that makes up for the lack of offense.
This are the reasons the Yankees have failed, not because Joe Torre is not around anymore.
Trisha you have been a fun read all season but you are out of your mind.
I can’t take someone seriously when they support Igawa, Ponson, Farnsworth, Pavano etc.
If they fired Girardi today you would be bashing him tomorrow and praising the new manager. I respect the homer in you but are a joke.
Torre made the post season when Carl Pavano started Opening Day.
Read that again.
“I dunno what’s worse: The “If only Torre were here†statements or the “If only we had Santana†statements.”
Wow. The two things that the team needs. A good manager and an ace pitcher.
How is that bad to talk about?
Paulio: Yes. Every team has their own issues.
Sometimes teams, such as the Red Sox, can overcome them. Sometimes, in a bad year, teams can’t.
GB – He had losing records in 1977, 78, 79, 80, 81, 90, 94, and 95. He was handed a dream team with the Yankees. And even then he stopped being effective. I had enough of him to last a lifetime. I don’t believe for a minute he could have brought this broken team to the postseason this year. And even if he did, I believe it once again would have been one and out. I agree with Pete on the supposition that he stopped being effective in the postseason.
I think Pete is a great and funny journalist but he doesn’t corner the market on truth. What I will say for him, however, is that when he has called something wrong, he has come back on and said he did.
Why on earth does being a Yankee fan consist of such polarizing views? Why does it have to consist of absolute either/ors?
Why does it have to be either ARod or Jeter? Why can’t the Yankees team and fanbase be big enough that both have their place on the team and both are embrace as such for that?
Why can’t we embrace Joe Girardi as the new manager while being appreciative AND respectful of what Joe Torre did for this team?
It goes on and on.
Honestly. *scowl*
torre didnt have to deal with a rays team that took the division which left the yankees fighting for the wild card with the sox and the twins, the injuries, inconsistant offense with 3 automatic outs in cano, cabrera & molina kept them out of the wild card.
“So Terry Francona is a genius because JD Drew carried the team for a month then Pedroia put the team on his back the way through? Not to mention Lester being an absolute stud and Dice-K (minus the walks) holding his own. The managers don’t play the games. We were unfortunate in that nobody on the Yankees is having monster years and our pitching has been beyond inconsistent (besides Moose)”
With this logic that means any manager can win with any team. Just appoint the janitor! It doesn’t matter.
Well, how did Grady Little do in 2003? How did Francona do with the same team a yr later?
You are nuts if you don’t think a good manager means a lot. Francona has got everything out of that team and more this yr. They’ve lost just as much as the Yanks yet they don’t complain about it. Something Girardi didn’t do.
“I can’t take someone seriously when they support Igawa, Ponson, Farnsworth, Pavano etc.”
I can’t take someone seriously when they don’t support a Yankee player – unless the player is not trying.
Wow. The two things that the team needs. A good manager and an ace pitcher.
How is that bad to talk about?
You are right. People should continue to whine..er..I mean talk about them not being here. Thus they will magically appear! Woooooooooooo!
There is a point where people should just move on and some can’t seem to do that.
You think Cano hits .260 for Torre and Bowa???
When him and Kennedy get traded for Chad Billingsley and Kemp in Nov and Cano hits 340 in LA what will you say?
Angel okay I can deal with that. What good Torre did was appreciated, and in my view it was time for him to go. Now I support Girardi and wouldn’t want Torre back because I definitely felt it was time for him to go.
I’d trade Cano for Chad Billingsley if that was possible, then sign either one of the two of CC and Burnett. Somehow plug a hole at 2B. It’s 50/50 how I feel about Cano, but if Torre wanted Cano on his team then maybe the Yanks could work something out. It is his first down year, but Cano is a slacker sometimes. Billingsly is a horse and would be a great addition to the rotation. Just some food for thought!
“Wow. The two things that the team needs. A good manager and an ace pitcher.
How is that bad to talk about?”
Well, it isn’t everyones opinion that we don’t currently have either of those.
Girardi Fans:
What has he done this year that has impressed you?
I don’t want to hear bullpen management because in July/Aug when the Yankees needed it the pen went into retreat mode.
He’s been flat out terrible from the moment he let Mussina pitch to Manny with 1st open in April.
RustyJohn
September 18th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Yes, Torre had to deal with injuries, but I cannot recall Torre ever having to deal with the combination of a depleted rotation + an anemic offense.
2004- another great offensive year, starting pitching was servicable for the regular season but sucked for postseason play.
_______________________________________________
After the 2003 season, NYY lost their three top starters…Pettitte, Clemens and Wells…all left for FA. The replacements ended up being, Brown, Lieber, Vazquez, a half a season of Hernandez and then Contreras and Loaiza were traded for each other. Hardly an exchange that evened out and people wonder why they couldn’t get past Boston.
No way Kennedy goes in that deal! I still think he is serviceable.
Trisha: Most of us believe Pavano hasn’t been trying.
cano & kennedy for billingsly & kemp would be a pretty good deal for the yankees with how low canos value has got to be right now – dont discount billingsly & kemp abilities becauze you dont know muchabout them.
“You are right. People should continue to whine..er..I mean talk about them not being here. Thus they will magically appear! Woooooooooooo!
There is a point where people should just move on and some can’t seem to do that.”
You’re right. Forgive me for talking baseball on A BASEBALL BLOG. Forgive me for talking pertinent what if’s about the game and the state of the team. I guess we should all sit back and accept everything that is going on and accept all that has been done. Everyone should just love everyone and deal with it. Just accept it.
Rebecca – and I can respect that.
I would love to have Larry Bowa back with the team.
About Pavano – I always said that I was happy to have him back if he could help the Yankees. It’s ludicrous not to want that. I didn’t say I wanted him back forever.
Trisha the Super Fan. This girl would defend Hitler if he put on pinstripes.
I doubt Moose can get even 18 wins. It’s a lost season overall.
Trisha the Super Fan. This girl would defend OJ if he put on pinstripes.
Literally…we are one win at a time here folks…it will be AWESOME to roll into Boston only 3 games back of those slugs with 3 to play….DREAM…BELIEVE…PASS IT OVER HERE !!!
“About Pavano – I always said that I was happy to have him back if he could help the Yankees. It’s ludicrous not to want that. I didn’t say I wanted him back forever.”
And anyone takes her seriously?
This team has gone backwards under Girardi. You cant fire 25 players. The manager cant just accept credit when things go well.
irrational?
On another topic, someone has told me that YES will not be broadcasting the final Yankee game. Does anyone know if that’s the case? I know that it’s the ESPN game, but doesn’t YES also have the broadcast? Or is it that they don’t broadcast it til later on?
Thanks.
Off to a work event. GO YANKEES! GO MOOSE!
In all deference to Mr. Torre…he was definitely out managed in 2004 by Mr. Francona.
paulio: I’m impressed that he’s kept the team in the race for as long as he has despite the injuries and the overall apathy.
This is his second year managing, ever. I don’t expect miracles.
I expect the team to be better next year and better again the year after that.
I think Cano is a goner this off season. If he can fetch a top young pitcher and someone like Kemp they got to do it.
But be prepared for him to win batting titles in LA. You don’t think they’d love to hit him in front of Manny next year?
if the team didnt have 3 automatic outs (cabrera cano molina) batting 3-4 times a game each the yankees would hve been in the playoffs, girardis fault is that he stuck with cabrera for about 4 months longer than he shoudl have cano & molina sucking were just luck of the draw.
Trisha: It’s a Sunday nighter. ESPN has exclusive rights.
“paulio: I’m impressed that he’s kept the team in the race for as long as he has despite the injuries and the overall apathy.
This is his second year managing, ever. I don’t expect miracles.
I expect the team to be better next year and better again the year after that.”
Bingo Rebecca. (Just had to add that)
Rebecca – thanks!!! I feel better about my taping situation now!
Why should you need miracles with 200+ mill, the resources to get anything you need in season and all star talent all over the place?
The apathy thing is on the manager. Did anyone see this team was apathetic last yr?
That should get a manager canned. He can’t get the players to play hard or care. That’s a pretty bad indictment.
Enough with the nonsense about NYY having a better record than the Dodgers. As someone pointed out on another thread yesterday, Yanks have won only one game more, with twice the payroll, and the Dodgers, still on their way up the standings rather than down, will almost certainly end the season with the better record. It just makes you look ignorant to use that argument.
For myself I can’t see why anyone begrudges the man having a successful season in his new job — it’s not like the Dodgers are taking anything away from the Yankees.
Pete, you say you think the Yanks would be in the playoffs with Torre? They need at least 10 more wins. Go ask any of your baseball prospectus buddies if any manager is worth 10 wins. They will laught at you.
The bottom line is you should blame this year on melky and cano and molina and rasner and ponson and hughes and kennedy and betemit and pudge for all playing like crap.
trisha – BRING BOBBY BACK!
September 18th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
GB – He had losing records in 1977, 78, 79, 80, 81, 90, 94, and 95. He was handed a dream team with the Yankees. And even then he stopped being effective. I had enough of him to last a lifetime. I don’t believe for a minute he could have brought this broken team to the postseason this year. And even if he did, I believe it once again would have been one and out. I agree with Pete on the supposition that he stopped being effective in the postseason.
I think Pete is a great and funny journalist but he doesn’t corner the market on truth. What I will say for him, however, is that when he has called something wrong, he has come back on and said he did.
______________________________________________________
Come on Trisha…Nobody could have won with that Mets team. only the ‘62-64 Mets were a worse team. Look at the names on that team. In two years, they traded Seaver, Koosman and Matack….three of the top pitchers in NL and got back players like Doug Flynn. The point is, they won more in the following years with the same team. He got the same types of players in Atlanta and St. Louis and won or improved.
Here’s a link…Pull up the player rosters and decide why those Mets teams didn’t win.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/torrejo01.shtml
“if the team didnt have 3 automatic outs (cabrera cano molina) batting 3-4 times a game each the yankees would hve been in the playoffs, girardis fault is that he stuck with cabrera for about 4 months longer than he shoudl have cano & molina sucking were just luck of the draw.”
Was Cano an automatic out last yr?
Was Melky?
Can’t that be traced to the manager not getting them to play or make adjustments?
They seemed to hit very well with Torre in charge.
So now its bad luck if the players don’t perform?
What other excuses for Girardi can we conjure up?
They need at least 10 more wins. Go ask any of your baseball prospectus buddies if any manager is worth 10 wins. They will laught at you.
A bad manager can cost you ten + games for sure.
Paulio, if you think it’s so easy, maybe you should try it?
I personally just think its a moot point, because Torre isn’t here and Girardi is – and that isn’t going to change despite all the coulda, woulda and shouldas.
But there is no way I’m going to disrespect or diminish what Torre did while he was here in order to prop up Girardi either (not saying you were doing that at all – I want to be clear about that). Thats not fair either.
I’ll be honest, I was sorry Torre left (maybe it was more the circumstances), but I guess did wonder if perhaps it wasn’t time. I wasn’t all that keen on Girardi being appointed, but I was determined to give him a fair go and be openminded about him. So far, I’ve been impressed with some things he’s done and not so impressed with others. I think a lot of that comes with it being a learning experience for him – and I do think he has what it takes to be successful in New York.
You’re right. Forgive me for talking baseball on A BASEBALL BLOG. Forgive me for talking pertinent what if’s about the game and the state of the team. I guess we should all sit back and accept everything that is going on and accept all that has been done. Everyone should just love everyone and deal with it. Just accept it.
Oh no. If you want you can continue whining for Santana and Torre. Maybe by doing so, they will come to the Yankees and save us? Maybe there is some sort of time machine we can use to change the past? I’ll look into it.
There is nothing better than whining for people that are not here and not coming here over and over and over and over and over again.
Enjoy!
I hope the Dodgers run the table and Torre wins another one.
Peter, I can’t believe you think this team would make the playoffs.
You REALLY thing a manager is worth 10 wins in baseball? In football a coach can make a significant difference but in baseball??? 10 wins??? WOW.
The last 2 years Torre brought this team to the playoffs he had a 19 game winner and a all-star level catcher. Girardi had non of those luxuries.
Anyway to each their own. I am almost always in agreement with you but this… I just can’t see it. IMHO, a manager simply does not mean that much in baseball.
Lou Pinella is terrible with the Devil Rays but awesome with the Cubs… What the… How in the world did he become an awesome manager so like that???
“When him and Kennedy get traded for Chad Billingsley and Kemp in Nov and Cano hits 340 in LA what will you say?”
First of all, whoever thinks that you could get billingsley and kemp for cano/kennedy is obviously delusional. Secondly, the dodgers wouldn’t do that AT ALL. Why would they trade a stud pitcher and an up and coming star player like kemp. And don’t sell so short on Kennedy. Sure, he’s sucked when he’s played this year and has an awful attitude, but remember, HE’S YOUNG. He still has time to figure it out and be a decent starter. It’s amazing how quick people are to just write off hughes and kennedy as being busts becaus they struggled so mightily this year. How come nobody mentions Clay Bucholz possibly being a bust? He’s done awful this year too, hasn’t he? They’re young guys, they have ups, they have a lot more downs, but it’s FAR too soon to just write these guys off as being scrubs.
If you ever care to read “Baseball Between the Numbers” you will all find out how a manager doesn’t make much of a difference.
Why I started to hate Joe Torre since 2003? Very poor use of the bullpen, sticking to some particular players and EVERY post season failure using the “it’s crap shots” excuse. Specially how handsomely he was paid and much even worse when he felt insulted by the incentive offer he received from the Yankees. If he was willing to use the crap shots excuse then he should have accepted the incentives. Thank God he didn’t!
Everyone needs to cool out, OK? COOL OUT!
If Torre was still manager, the Wang, Posada, Matsui, A-Rod, Damon, Joba, Hughes injuries never would’ve happened. Torre has a way of doing that. Never mind his pre-Yankee managerial record, that the Yankees have a better record than the Dodgers now despite playing in a much tougher division, or where they were before Manny fell into their laps.
Paulio, if you think it’s so easy, maybe you should try it?
It shouldn’t be an on the job training job should it?
It’s also not brain surgery. If the Yanks told us before the season that they were punting the yr to get their green manager some experience we all could have been ready for it. But the job is to win titles. He’s clearly not ready for the big seat. As his moves have shown all year.
Again, Rebecca, name me one thing that he did that impressed you this season.
People have been comparing Jeter to Pete Rose a lot lately. But Pete Rose played various positions throughout his career. At what point will Jeter relinquish his position at shortstop and possibly move to a different spot on the diamond? Thoughts?
They looked apathetic last year too. How about the series with Cleveland after having beaten them, what.. like, every game during the regular season.
Not to mention the crackdown on PEDs this year probably had an effect on people. Paulio you are just another uneducated fan who probably started watching the Yankees in 96. Nothing to complain about for a few years and now you are spoiled.
The Yankees aren’t making the playoffs and believe it or not it’s not because of their manager
It’s hilarious to me that you tease Torre “haters” so much when you come off as such a Girardi hater. That’s quite hypocritical, not to mention unprofessional.
It’s okay to like both managers.
If this team had Santana, like they should, they would be the WS favorite right now.
That’s the sport. It is all about second guessing and questioning. If you can’t deal with that you should not post on blogs about baseball.
Well this game thread is certainly feisty.
Anyway, let’s go Moose. Get #18
Come on Trisha…
Nobody could have won with that Mets team. only the ‘62-64 Mets were a worse team. Look at the names on that team. In two years, they traded Seaver, Koosman and Matack….three of the top pitchers in NL and got back players like Doug Flynn. The point is, they won more in the following years with the same team. He got the same types of players in Atlanta and St. Louis and won or improved.
Here’s a link…Pull up the player rosters and decide why those Mets teams didn’t win.
baseball-reference.com/managers/torrejo01.shtml
just add www.
to the front of the link
Paulio: I told you what impressed me.
Perhaps I have different expectations than you?
I don’t expect to win every year. I want to win every year, but I realize there will be off years. And perhaps with young players it’s better to struggle early so they better understand the value of success.
So I’m not about to jump off the ledge.
I absolutley refuse to believe that the 2000 WS will be the last WS I will have seen the Yankees win in my lifetime, though I am thankful I did get to see it, and that’s good enough to me.
“They looked apathetic last year too. How about the series with Cleveland after having beaten them, what.. like, every game during the regular season.”
Sorry. They looked apathetic in THE PLAYOFFS. My bad. Are you kidding me? Forget the fact that it was 4 games and the only one who looked apathetic was Game 1 and Game 4’s starting pitcher.
“I’m impressed that he’s kept the team in the race for as long as he has despite the injuries and the overall apathy.”
So, you were impressed that he kept a team with 200+mill payroll and all stars all over the roster in it til Aug 25?
Wow. You have to be joking me. You realize that is the time when good teams turn it on. They hit that extra gear. This team died a quick death.
And that manager impresses you??
The world’s most valuable blue door:
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/signing-the-door-on-their-way-out/index.html?ref=sports
Somebody tell me how in the Wide World Of Sports do you trade a player, who, according to most of you isn’t good enough to keep and is a lazy dog, for not one, but, two young players like Billingsly and Kemp? You people are either completely stupid, nuts, trolling or all three.
Here is the only thing really about this subject that means anything.
Torre guided a team into the playoffs this year.
Girardi didn’t.
Don’t whine about injuries, performance, etc. It is strictly about results.
Girardi didn’t get any. Torre did.
If this team had Santana, like they should, they would be the WS favorite right now.
That’s the sport. It is all about second guessing and questioning. If you can’t deal with that you should not post on blogs about baseball.
We would have been a WS favorite? I didn’t know Santana would have helped the Yankees score runs every night. How awesome is that.
It’s all about second guessing and questioning? Sorry, but I don’t like to live in the past and play the useless game of “what if’s”. I like to deal with the present and the future ahead of us.
But if you do, go ahead. Enjoy the game
“Wow. You have to be joking me. You realize that is the time when good teams turn it on. They hit that extra gear. This team died a quick death.”
This years team just wasn’t that kind of good team. That should be fairly obvious by now.
I was thinking off the top of my head when I said Billingsley and Kemp for Cano and Kennedy.
But I def see Cano getting moved in Nov and LA is as good of a place as any for him to land.
They also have a glut of OF’s and young pitching to give.
And Cano’s value isn’t as bad as people here say.
Da SQUIRREL.
Well Paulio what is your definition of apathetic? Sure looked like the first half of 07 and the Cleveland series they looked it too. Paul Byrd completely owning us in Game 4? The real reason we aren’t in the playoff hunt this year is that other team in the division, the RAYS. What was their record last year?
Pick a new bandwagon to jump on for the next couple years
“This years team just wasn’t that kind of good team. That should be fairly obvious by now.”
And that’s the managers fault!! Thank you for playing.
Of course it was the worst decision made this year in not retaining Joe Torre. That was the beginning of the end and we should have known this team was doomed.
How many times has Girardi guided a team to the playoffs. Oh right, never.
And remember people, Cashman wanted Torre back a flew to Tampa with him for that fatefull meeting with the village idiots from Tampa.
Go Joe and rub the Yankees faces in it. I hope the Dodgers win the world series!
Um no it isn’t. I rest most the the responsibility. But thank you for playing ‘lets put words in other people’s mouths’.
** I rest most of the responsibility on the players themselves **
“Paul Byrd completely owning us in Game 4?”
What was the score headed to the bottom of the inning? How long did our ace starter last?
That series wasn’t any example of apathy as part of the Yankees. They got outpitched in Game 2 and our ace bombed in 1 and 4. That’s not apathetic play, buddy.
Apathetic play is losing series’ to the Orioles, Indians, Royals, Pirates, etc in 2008.
Well this isn’t a great start
Pete, please tell us:
Any parental connection between 1B Juan Miranda and former Yankees shortstop Willie Miranda in the late 50s?
What’s the managers job Angel?
To get the players to play, perform and play hard right?
Did the 2008 manager do that? He didn’t do the one thing his job is about. Get them to play 100%.
How do you play 100% when half your roster isn’t 100%?
Paulio, how far did our ace starter last this year? You’re arguments make no sense. I invite you to move to 38pitches.com
E-Man & Green Beret 7:
I am not disputing that Torre didn’t have a solid rotation after 2003- nor that he didn’t have injuries to the rotation. What I said was that he never had to deal with losing 3/5ths of his rotation PLUS having an anemic offense.
Even with last year’s crap rotation the team scored over 950 runs. I could pitch and possible get a win if my team averaged six runs per game. Plus, the rotation improved the 2nd half of last year.
The rotations in 2004, 2005 and 2006 weren’t great or even good, but over the course of 162 games they were servicable given the offense. If those teams scored 150-180 fewer runs per season they would have never made the playoffs just like this team.
Time to bail on talking to the brick wall, I think.
Girardi has been terrible. What place are they in? Nuff said.
Yikes Moose
Moose is in trouble. He is not getting the calls
I loved Joe Torre but he has moved on and so should all of you.
Mussina isn’t going to get anything close. We’ll see about Vazquez.
Orlando Cabrera now has 102 doubles against the Yanks, amazin!!
OK, can we all move on from the Torre thing? I was just having a little fun. No need to get all fired up.
A better question is this: Moose, Pettitte, neither one or both in 2009? I don’t think they should bring them both back.
Angel you obviously never played the game and really don’t follow it.
A managers one job is to get his team playing hard every single day. That’s it.
It’s a shame that you don’t know that.
I have watched the first half of the first on wgn an have had it. What homers they are awful just awful
You may as well bring them both back because Cashman has proved he won’t shell out of the prospects for a top pitcher in a trade and the chances of signing CC isn’t good.
I’m not terribly worried about the 4-5 starters. We need frontline starters to put with Joba and Wang.
Man the moose looks dead. The Yankees better have brought their bats in order for him to win.
“The rotations in 2004, 2005 and 2006 weren’t great or even good, but over the course of 162 games they were servicable given the offense. If those teams scored 150-180 fewer runs per season they would have never made the playoffs just like this team.”
And the manager shouldn’t get any blame or any credit for the offense being good or bad???
Kinda weird that this team scored 150 less runs than last yr with the same players on it.
Where does the manager take the blame?
I found some info about parking on Arthur Ave
http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=19774
that was lucky – good pitching by moose. He got out of that with almost minimal damage. Unfortunately – he hit almost 30 pitches. Hope that bullpen is ready.
Pete:
Willie Miranda, Cuban shortstop, played for 9 years in the Major Leagues, 1951-1959. With the New York Yankees 1953-1954. Is there any familiar connection with the new Yankees 1b, Cuban Juan Miranda?
Remember when Saint Joe was offered less money than the previous year, but still would have been the highest paid manager in baseball?
Pete – what do the 06 cardinals have to do with anything? They are in the NL Central. Please tell me you mean something else?
hold onto that bat Brett
I say send Moose and Petite to the Dodgers for the rights to bring Torre back. [inset smiley, winking happy face here]
well, at least he saw 9 pitches. get that pitch count up!
i say moose back and pettitte only if his shoulder is actually ok. if we don’t get cc, there won’t be a lefty starter.
YAY Bobby!
nhr bobby
Hope Moose can make that stick.
ABREU! WE LOVE YOU!
almost for Giambi.
Omg Hawk Harrelson is ridiculous, how the heck did he get hired?
When Giambi crushed that foul hr, he said..”Get foul…thank you”…..absolutely ridiculous
Quick note on Willie Miranda…he was the player that NYY called up to take Mantle’s spot on the 1951 roster when Mantle was demoted in June.
“When Giambi crushed that foul hr, he said..â€Get foul…thank youâ€â€¦..absolutely ridiculous”
?
Do you think the Mets are winning now? Go ahead, take a guess.
Wow, thanks for all these great memories of 2004 game seven Yankee broadcasters. Really appreciate it.
Hawk Harrelson is the White Sox announcer for WGN
if Miranda get to out this inning and hit like a homer or a somekind of a basehit, i would seriously mark out really bad. lol
whoa – this ump has got a fluid strike zone.
bat, not out.
Nice at-bat Nady
HOLY COW…MIRANDA DEBUTING!!!
nice job seXy
ok i overcounted the lineup.
Ed, you should put yourself on probation until Miranda really bats.
Ed, you should put yourself on probation until Miranda really bats.
agreed. lol.
cano – sigh
Nick in SF
September 18th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Ed, you should put yourself on probation until Miranda really bats.
________________________________________________
Double Secret Probation
Wise has gotten quicker and stronger since last year.
Ed, Miranda’s debut is now locked in, so you’re ok.
GB7: You should consider yourself on Double Simmons Probation for previous transgressions.
The team needs to give Mussina as much support as possible. It would be great for him to get 20 wins.
Kevin
here interesting article about Cashman and which players he didn’t really want to sign/resigned.
The Brian Cashman Analysis
Good evening all!
I got a chance to go to the stadium the other night…
If you’re interested, here are some pics my family and I took on that historic night in the Bronx:
http://dynastyisdestiny.blogspot.com/2008/09/yankee-stadium-pics-from-september-16_18.html
Let’s Go Yanks!
Ed, Miranda’s debut is now locked in, so you’re ok.
and he’s leading off too in the next inning. lol
Nick in SF
September 18th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Ed, Miranda’s debut is now locked in, so you’re ok.
GB7: You should consider yourself on Double Simmons Probation for previous transgressions.
____________________________________________________
True, but, I have always been “The Great Transgressor”.
http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080918&content_id=1455222&oid=36019&vkey=4
Can I just walk into the lot where the mural is? I’d love to get a picture of it. I’ve walked by it a zillion times but never stopped to look.
About Pettitte/Moose: Last year we thought it imperative to resign Andy.
This year? He is in danger of finishing the season with an under .500 record.
Be careful what you wish for.
I’m all for re-signing Moose, but they NEED to have a back up plan, just in case. The year he’s having this year is the type of year you retire after…
…and he walks in his first ML at bat.
You’ve just been read your Miranda Rights, Vasquez!
(sorry)
Funny – Suzyn W is talking about what a great defensive player Miranda is. SJ earlier today said he made Giambi look like a gold glover.
My money is on SJ!!!
Miranda has more walks in one at bat than robby has had in what a 100 at bats
Asterisk: Miranda’s first ML at-bat isn’t an at-bat, just a plate appearance.
why did Molina swung at ball 2?
Funny – Suzyn W is talking about what a great defensive player Miranda is. SJ earlier today said he made Giambi look like a gold glover.
TKinDC, you are correct. he does make Giambi look like a gold golver and so does Howard, Fielder, and Dunn that makes Giambi look like a gold glover.
Anyone know when the pregame ceremonies start on Sunday?
Thanks..
“whoa – this ump has got a fluid strike zone.”
I have some guess on what that fluid is
“I have some guess on what that fluid is
”
Are you saying he’s been greased?
remember last season, we almosted swapped Abreu for Dye straight up since both of them were doing bad?
David i’d like to know that myself. I have a friend going and we can’t figure out what time it starts.
I heard gates open at 1pm on Sunday and YES coverage begins at 6pm. ESPN is also doing a full day salute to the Stadium beginning at 1pm with “special Yankee guests” coming to the booth during the game including Yogi.
I’ve looked everywhere, Jennifer.
I’m planning on being at the gates by 6. Hope that’s early enough.
David i’d like to know that myself. I have a friend going and we can’t figure out what time it starts.
jennifer, the last i heard that the last day at the stadium would open at 1 for a 8 pm night game. it would be something familiar to Old Timers Day that day.
I remember that – Bobby has been good as a Yankee. That said – B’bye Bobby.
It is a rare chance to watch a player decline with a team other than the Yankees imo.
Bobby!
wow, 2 homers for Bobby!!!
Think Bobby’s high on Coke and X?
Seriously, what did he have for dinner and where can I get some?
Oh, Bobby Abreu… where have you been?
now that’s a 2-2
ok – he can stay! (just kidding)
WOw 1 pm for 8pm game.
I don’t think there’s a better looking Stadium at night.
That white faux “frieze” facade above the black seats, against the dark of the night, nothing compares.
I’ve thought maybe Camden Yards, but that city’s skyline has changed too much.
Fenway not so much.
Nothing else to compare to.
Hope the new Stadium does the same for me.
Rebecca–Optimist Prime
September 18th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Think Bobby’s high on Coke and X?
Seriously, what did he have for dinner and where can I get some?
________________________________________________
Not sure about dinner, but, he’s having Javier Vazquez fastballs for dessert.
WOw 1 pm for 8pm game.
just for that, i think i would buy a bleacher ticket just to attend the festivites and try to see some legends there. =)
David agreed!! It is a beautiful place at night. It looks so crisp on a Oct night. Unfortunately we will probably not see it again.
Mickey Mantle has the most homers at the Stadium
“I don’t think there’s a better looking Stadium at night.”
Agreed…wish they’d give it landmark status or something to keep it around…
Michael Kay’s ridiculous thought that the Yanks are going to sign and activate Bernie for the last game at yankee stadium… what’s the chance of that? Would it be billy crystal in spring training, or what?
i’m not sure how i feel about this. he can’t be a worse hitter than melky and he’s supposed to be in good shape?
Hard to believe that Mussina’s with his diminished fastball and slider has 140 strikeouts this year.
A_Rod settled his divorce.
wow, that was close.
For a second I thought that was replay-able, but it was foul.
Anybody else hear Girardi talking about Cano’s year today with Francesa on the FAN?
He said that he had been on Cano’s case a lot of the year but didn’t make a public deal of it – and that he was positive on Cano’s response to the recent benching.
Cano is a big factor going forward – I hope he’s part of the solution.
Robbie with a walk. whoa
Did that really just happen?
Robbie Cano walked?
So THAT was his first official at-bat.
You’re going to see a lot of that from Miranda against smart pitchers…left or right handed.
So THAT was his first official at-bat.
ditto. (i just woke up from my nap before and don’t know what i was typing. lol)
You’re going to see a lot of that from Miranda against smart pitchers…left or right handed.
let’s see how well he adapts to it.
It feels like this game is being played under water.
Vazquez’s pitch count must be in the mid 70’s by now..
c’mon Jeter, be that clutch hitter that you were meant to be!!!!
It’s nice to see a former Yankee pitcher come back and pitch the way he pitched when he was still a Yankee pitcher.
Has Humberto seen any action this week?
Vasquez pitching with the bases loaded at Yankee Stadium…wonder if this is the first time that’s happened since ‘04…
“It’s nice to see a former Yankee pitcher come back and pitch the way he pitched when he was still a Yankee pitcher.”
If they just boo him all the memories will come flooding back.
TRADE FOR CANTU TO PLAY 1B next season. the Rays gave him on him too soon last year.
Vazquez at 87 pitches
Derek’s still got legs
Any guesses as to who will throw out the first pitch Sunday and who will make that last lever pull?
I’m pulling for George to do one of them – the lever pull would raise the roof.
Whitey and Yogi first pitches may happen, but strangely, I think that would be a disappointment. Seen it happen too many times before….
Thoughts anyone?
gave up on him**
Noooooo! Come on Ozzie, this was the matchup we wanted to see… one last time.
Who knew ‘Vasquez’ was Spanish for ‘Timlin’?
“Has Humberto seen any action this week?”
if you consider sitting in the bullpen spitting seeds then yes he has..otherwise no
“Who knew ‘Vasquez’ was Spanish for ‘Timlin’?”
Then Giambi wouldn’t have K’ed twice.
David Cone’s Labrum
September 18th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Any guesses as to who will throw out the first pitch Sunday and who will make that last lever pull?
I’m pulling for George to do one of them – the lever pull would raise the roof.
Whitey and Yogi first pitches may happen, but strangely, I think that would be a disappointment. Seen it happen too many times before….
Thoughts anyone?
___________________________________________-
Members of the mantle, Maris, Ruth Munson and Murcer families.
What is that, 5 RBI for Bobby?
wow, that first pitch turned into a single…
3 for 3 for Bobby.
I was just going to say Gardner might pass Jose on the base paths.
One thing I don’t get. Why is it that when batters hit the ball in the infield they look at it? Doesn’t that slow you down a bit?
I heard that Bob Shepherd was hoping to announce the final game. Anyone know if he’s healthy enough to do it?
GB, that would make me cry.
c’mon A-Rod…keep it going!!!!
Unless this becomes a blow out, I think Joe will use his A pen. He wants Mussina to get he W.
Bobby baby!
Bobby looking for a big contract – making that push to .300 20 100.
Wonder where he’ll land.
like i said, keep it moving!!!
Bobby looked like he slowed down. I wonder if he could have scored if he ran hard.
The Ghosts are out tonight.
That was an oopsie. I’ll take it
Which one of these teams is going to the playoffs?
wow.
i love how this team plays so close to the end of the season.
No on bob sheppard. He’s pretty ill.
Uh, guys, if we hold on and Tampa holds on, we’ll have the same record as Minnesota.
where have THESE Yankees been for the past 150 games?
I heard part of the reason he isn’t going to be there is cause it is a night game. And he can’t handle not returning hope till Midnight. I mean this guy is probably asleep by 8pm. Thanks ESPN!! YOU STINK!
Abreu sure is making a case to be resigned next year. He’s been by far our most consistent hitter this year. His defense has slid, but he’s been our only bright spot in the lineup as far as clutch hitting is concerned.
keep it moving, Nady!!!!
Minnesota? That’s one of our competitors for the Wild Card, cool!
Uhh, I hope Hank is watching this, and watching how good Bobby is and realizes how big of a mistake it would be to let him go. This team needs Abreu back. Just keep Nady in left and move Matsui to 1B, or see if he’ll apporve a trade.
The Yanks have put up a 5-2 vs the Rays and White Sox this week like it was nothing. That is what kills me the most is how much better this team really was, and its great seeing these big innings because we didn’t see many this year.
Keep winning Yanks, still got a shot.
TKinDC
Yeah the white soxs look like garbage.
I guess that is what happens when you have the Indians and Royals in your division.
The Yankees play in a division with 4 great teams. Only bad one being the O’s.
Question for you Pete Abe:
Everyone talks about getting rid of Bobby and Stache. But this is a team that struggles to score as it is. Are they really going to get rid of the two guys who actually work counts and have OBP’s of almost 400?
darnit Nady…
I get rid of Big G, and bring back bobby for 2 years no more.
I can see them keeping Bobby for another year, till A-Jax is ready.
Damn, X.
What’s with the awkward chin-high swings?
“Angel you obviously never played the game and really don’t follow it.
A managers one job is to get his team playing hard every single day. That’s it.
It’s a shame that you don’t know that.”
The term “assumptive prat”, suits you in more ways that just one. Like the first three letters.
Bobby is going to want 3 years, no? No one-year deal. Unless he REALLY wants to come back and accepts arbitration. Which seems unlikely.
jennifer –
Plus Javy is on short rest. At least he is consistent in the Stadium. IIRC he was good on the road as Yank but awful at home.
Please don’t remind me. I still have nightmares about that.
” Keep winning Yanks, still got a shot.”
Sure, in an alternate universe where the city of Boston does not exist.
Sunday’s game will be ruff knowing it’s the last, but don’t worry ESPN Coverage should be great…
they’ve trademarked “The Last Game at Yankee Stadium,” and it’s sponsored by Taco Bell. 90 years of tradition!
I guess the White Sox gave up already. hahas.
How dare Kay question Ozzie’s strategerisms. For shame.
Why does Cano hit lefties so much better than righties?
Bobby will get 3 years somewhere.
I dont think NYY go 3 for him.
We could also use the draft picks.
…So is Miranda going to make contact, ever? Two walks and a K?
wow hes taking out everyone
Looks like Miranda´s attitude is like that of Cano. No sparks. No soul in pinstripes.
But suppose we win tonight, and then our next six, then Toronto sweeps Boston and then the Indians take 3 out of 4 from Boston and then we sweep Boston in Fenway…
†Keep winning Yanks, still got a shot.â€
“Sure, in an alternate universe where the city of Boston does not exist.”
Or maybe in a universe where Boston has to face the likes of A.J. Burnett, Roy Hallady and Cliff Lee in the next few days…wait-that’s this universe!
2008 ALDS:
Angels vs. Red Sox
Rays vs. White Sox
Ratings for that Tampa/Chicago series will be through the roof!!!
If Miranda can walk twice for every K and never do anything else, he’ll be a legend.
“We could also use the draft picks.”
We can use Abreu too, except it’d be right now…
Dynasty – beautiful pictures. Thank you!
BRING BACK BOBBY!
“Ratings for that Tampa/Chicago series will be through the roof!!!”
BOTH Rays fans will be watching.
The Yankees are getting some really cheap hits tonight.
Nick: He would be.
Apparently Brett Gardner needs to only AB with RISP.
gardner just loves hitting cano in..
brettisgod is somewhere and tears of joy is streaming down his/her face
trisha,
Your welcome! Glad you liked the pics!
“Looks like Miranda´s attitude is like that of Cano. No sparks. No soul in pinstripes.”
Well, at least you gave him a chance.
I guess the way our whole season has gone Moose would have to go to his very last game to get 20 wins. Nothing has been easy! But boy we’ve had some individual records set along the way. This season has had some great moments. And the fat lady hasn’t sung yet…
Nick in SF: No one is going to buy a ticket to see Miranda walk. What a waste of time.
brettisgod is unable to comment due to the restraining order that was filed after they brought Melky back up.
Miranda = Shelly Duncan with better plate discipline.
Another Yankee bust.
Hahahaha Nick
Crosetti
Just consider the Miranda walks as a free gift with purchase.
Have to re-sign Abreu… he has been our best player this year.
I would rather re-sign Abreu and trade Damon/Matsui than keep Damon Matsui and let Abreu wlak.
Draft picks are meaningless. We take injured pitchers or don’t sign them anyway.
6 RBI night? Yeah, that’s pretty cool.
Uh, I cannot imagine the Yankees not giving Abreu the opportunity to come back.
Just sayin’
That was pretty underhanded of the Yankees to sell all the tickets to this game and THEN put Miranda in the lineup.
Pat: I agree. I just hope he swings sometimes that stick next year. The guy looks strong, but Long needs to bring us a better product.
i think we might see humberto pitch i think theres a 95% were gonna see him tonight
Hard to believe it’s only the sixth
I was just checking the ESPN schedule for Sunday at 1:00 and didn’t find anything about a tribute to the Stadium. But I did find an MLB classic game – how about Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS???? Good on ya ESPN!
Is the Spongetech Shammy made with the same technology as the Sham-Wow?
trisha –
With Cashman, you never know. He has been on the “We need to get younger!11!” bandwagon for years. I can’t imagine he would be stupid enough to let a top offensive player and great clubhouse guy who has fit in our lineup like a glove walk away with no replacement in mind, but I wouldn’t put it past him.
Knowing Cashman, he will overvalue Austin Jackson and reserve a spot for him in the outfield and that will be his rational for letting Abreu walk. And again, there will be immense pressure on Jackson to produce immediately because our outfield offense will be extremely weak. I hope Cashman has learned from his mistakes.
We are not the Devil Rays, draft picks do not = proven talent for a team that is going to (and better) win now.
“Another Yankee bust.”
you got to be hyped in order to be a bust…but its ok if you enjoy bashing people after 2 abs
What on earth has Alex done to his head?
Ack.
Arod looks pretty frosted about that last strikeout.
If Sanchez does not pitch in this game, I will join Pete in the Anti-Girardi crusade.
Nice DP.
The ChiSox are playing Brett Favre to Moose’s Strahan.
Nice of them to take a dive!
Moooooooooooooooooose
Mooooooooose!!!!
TK, don’t go there
Angel
His divorce was finalized today and he’s try to see if blondes really do have more fun?
9:30, top of the 6th inning?
Yankees Baseball is back!!!
after the pitch count hit 28 in the first inning, it’s hard to believe he just finished 6 innings 93 pitches. Let him open the 7th inning.
LOL Pat.
It was finalized today? Already?
The WS are lucky that the Twins are in a downward spiral.
Pssst. He might have picked the wrong shade and amount of blonde to test that theory though.
So we are 5-2 in our last 2 series against 1st place teams.
If only we played with that same authority against sub. 500 teams.
That was one of the quickest divorce settlements I can remember.
This could not have been an easy summer for him.
But that’s still no excuse for that hair disaster!!!
pat where do you see that? that is rather quickly especially for someone as wealthy as he is. I guess he decided quickly and quietly was the way to go.
Humberto Sanchez for the 7th and 8th.
Rasner for the 9th.
I think that pat was joking. Alex’s divorce won’t be final for at least a year, if not longer considering that she’s contesting the pre-nup.
Doreen: Can you say pre-nup?
“It was finalized today? Already?”
Should have said settlement was finalized or at least that’s what they said on the news tonight.
This is what I got.
jen, i believe things will start at 7. the yankees are expected to put out a release tomorrow outlining their plans
Not having 20 wins in a season will prolly be the only thing keeping Moose out of the hall.
Looks like Robbie has turned it around….several months too late.
It does seem pretty quick, but if there was a pre-nup and she decided not to fight that, or she considered he was finacially fair – then maybe it was easy for it to be quick?
Yes, its not exactly subtle, Doreen. Well… not if he wasn’t going for the Ronald McDonald version of subtle, that is.
Rebecca -
Pre-nup.
NOOOO NOT JOSE VERAS!! Did Joe forget about Humberto. I also will be very angry if he doesn’t let Mussina go out there for a curtain call. He could very well be his last game at ys.
Veras warming
y the hell is veras warming up its supoosed to be sanchez
Longoria has his 3rd homer of the night.
“Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez and his wife, Cynthia, announced Thursday they have reached a settlement in their divorce, according to a report on the Web site of the New York Daily News.”
Looks more like the work of Sun-In than Frederic Fekkai.
Girardi, we have a 8 run lead. I think it’s safe to use Sanchez so why warm up Veras? he’s already proven to be UNWORTHY!!!!
whack…..
Haha, Doreen has been taking lessons in smartypants from her children.
Miranda looks like a No-No. No hits, no runs.
Girardi had lost it
Girardi is giving Humberto the Chris Britton treatment.
LOL @ Sun-In. That stuff is definitely responsible for horrible orange hair shades, especially on dark hair.
I read today that the gates are opening @ 1 on Sunday.
I originally had no intentions of going to the game on Sunday. However, as these last few days dwindle down the memories I have of this place are starting to hit me. From the time I was 17 and first got my license I was driving from my home in Toms River to the Bronx, sitting in the bleachers every Sunday and many weeknight games along the way.
Had a partial ticket plan in 2001 and got to go to Game 1 of the series vs the Mets.
I was there at the clincher vs the O’s in 98
I think I need to be there, my last memories right now are losing the first two to Boston in August.
Pete, any truth that McCartney, Springsteen will be there performing?
need an another extra OFer to replace Bobby. calling Justin Christian back up?
That stinks. Rodriguez and Jeter have some targets to reach.
Maybe he is saving Humberto for the 8th or 9th?
Wow, listen to the crowd!
=(
Wow that gave me chills, the reality of the stadium being gone is setting in.
I have tears in my eyes.
That was actually classy to let the fans give Moose some love!
Moooooooose!
i hope the cap tip didnt mean goodbye!
if the season is truly over, i think Mussina would want to cry and willing to come back hopefully depending on how he feels.
you can tell the moose just really enjoyed that. his last game ever at yankee stadium
I think you should go yanksfanmc… if I had the opportunity to I would.
Wow that gave me chills, the reality of the stadium being gone is setting in.
same here, my tears literally want to come out instantly.
Doreen – they’re killing me with this stuff. Moose’s farewell to the Stadium. I’m going to be emotionally wasted by Sunday.
Oh yeah – BRING BACK MOOSE!!!
Cano showing the hustle.
He is grinning from ear to ear.
Great moment at the stadium for Moose!
Jesus…give it a rest with Sanchez. Veres will finish the 7th and Sanchez will get the 8th or 9th.
I have a funny feeling Girardi just doesn’t like fat pitchers. How else do you explain no Sanchez?
I wish I could have been there to applaud him myself.
I have a funny feeling Girardi just doesn’t like fat pitchers. How else do you explain no Sanchez?
what a dumb post.
Moose better get a chance at 20 or I’ll be PO’d. The only way it works out is if he starts Tuesday and then his start after that will be in Boston for the final game of the season. Mr. Hughes, has to sit.
Aw, I forgot that this could actually be Moose’s last game at the Stadium.
Come back Moose!
Miranda is going to pitch the 8th and Sanchez will play first base.
If Veras isn’t throwing strikes with an 8 run lead in the 7th, when will he?
mooseeeeeeeeeeeeee come backkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
“what a dumb post”
Not when you take into account he never used Britton.
BTW I’m half way joking….
I should see Moose in January. I lobby for him to return. Although hopefully it will be done by than.
Nice to see I was right all along.
I said In March he’d have a much better year. All those doubters were proved wrong.
Ed – strange things happens in baseball [good things happens when it's the full moon the Yanks]
September 18th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I have a funny feeling Girardi just doesn’t like fat pitchers. How else do you explain no Sanchez?
what a dumb post.
_____________________________________________________
So is the constant complaining about “No Sanchez”.
It was really moving.
It’s amazing, they can do tribute after tribute, but nothing will ever be as moving as what happens on the field.
I think the most moving moment I ever witnessed live was the Paul O’Neill chants…but the most moving ever would have had to be Gehrig’s speech.
“I have a funny feeling Girardi just doesn’t like fat pitchers. How else do you explain no Sanchez?”
Nah. How would you explain with his obsession with Sidney Ponson then?
He Gone!
Imagine the final game at YS ends with a walk-off, how awesome would that be?
Does anyone know if ESPN is telecasting ALL of the ceremonies on Sunday?
“Nick in SF
March 18th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Moose is going to win 18 games minumum this season. You can write it down.”
I was right about Moose 6 months ago!
I’m getting teary.
It would be nice to see Pettitte and Mussina finish off their remaining starts this well with this offensive production.
“Nah. How would you explain with his obsession with Sidney Ponson then?”
lol he had to use him. There was no one else to go to.
Al -
A Jeter walk-off would be fitting, with MO getting the win.
Moose had a great season, whether he gets to 20 or not. I’m happy he’s one closer to it. I hope he comes back for one more, but I’ve prepared myself for him to retire since I read “Living on the Black.” I can see him walking away on a high note, absolutely.
That was such a nice moment for him at the Stadium.
So many endings or possible endings in the next few days…
Trisha – don’t float away!!!!
““TKinDC
March 18th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Moose is going to win 18 games minumum this season. You can write it down.â€
Beat ya!
I think Mo striking someone out would be more fitting than a walk-off.
al- Mo throwing the last pitch is better, that is how Joe wants it.
Laura someone better be, if not Yes, than ESPN. Otherwise I might drive up to ESPN studios.
Oh man, your gonna make me look. GEESZ
Wow, the reality of the stadium closing AND no playoffs this year is setting in.
This is sad.
The stadium didn’t deserve to go out like this. Hopefully Cashman actually tries to win next year.
How does the final game in yankee stadium end?
humberto in the pen oh yes im exited
Mets bullpen with a 5 run lead in the ninth still has to mix and match…
Mo *better* throw the last pitch at the Stadium.
TK, I notice you had the same ‘minumum’ typo as I did way back on March 18. What are the odds of that?!??!?!
I’m a cryer but…..
Moose still has 2 more starts, hasn’t announced he’s retiring and doesn’t have a terminal disease. This group never would have made it through Gehrig’s “luckiest man on the face of the earth” speech without owning stock in Kleenex.
The Big H is warming up
im actually glad that the Yankees isn’t scoring anymore runs. we need to save it for the Orioles series and try to sweep them again.
Apparently 100% -
tk- how can I just search lohud.
“Laura someone better be, if not Yes, than ESPN. Otherwise I might drive up to ESPN studios.”
Well, as you know, I can’t get YES so I’m hoping it’s ESPN.
never a sure thing that mo will throw last pitch what if its a tie
Looks like I can shut my fat mouth Sanchez warming.
pat, you clearly have no heart.
The only thing that could make me cry more would be to see do his last crossword puzzle in the dugout.
ER (The Final Season) said that Sunday will get rained out. Any truth to that?
pat -
Oddly enough, this one didn’t make me cry.
But you’re right – NEVER would have made it through Gherig’s speech – I never do when I watch the movie, either!
can’t wait to see Humberto Sanchez going to rock and roll with Cervelli.
Mets blowpen lives to implode another day
(yeah, I know it’s juvenile, but it’s too much fun to resist)
“tk- how can I just search lohud.”
Please don’t believe the hype – while Nick may have been clairvoyant – I am a fraud and a sham.
I throw myself at the mercy of the court.
jennifer, don’t bother trying to find that March 18th post of mine — later in the post I praised Joe Girardi’s people skills and Pete Abe deleted it.
ER (The Final Season) said that Sunday will get rained out. Any truth to that?
that’s a lie.
BIG H THROW UR BIG FASTBALL
Sanchez and Cervelli. It’s the 2 fer special.
Ooh, look – it’s HUMBERTO!
pat: No way in hell I’d make it through that pitch.
Humberto Time
3 sweeps.
it’s weird – if a 91-win team has a long winning streak early in the year, it will be perceived as an upper-echelon team all year. if it happens to close the season, the team will not be considered upper-echelon until the season’s last weekend.
err, speech.
“Mo *better* throw the last pitch at the Stadium.”
Rebecca I heard Waldman say that it is already set up that no matter what the score is, the door is going to open in the 9th inning and Mo is going to come out to Enter Sandman and pitch the 9th.
Sterling then said something about having Metallica there and Waldman said that someone should mention it to Lori Somebody, “who’s thought just about everything else.”
Can you imagine what a moment that would be???
if only Cervelli was called up when the Yanks were facing the Rays so he could get his revenge.
i been waiting for this moment since we aquired him
I have never seen anything like the Mets bullpen before.
Every pitcher is a specialist. Their lefties can’t get out righties and their righties can’t get out lefties. Every inning they have to mix and match and use 7 pitchers a night.
Veras would probably be their closer. Giese would be their SU man.
Doreen
I cry at commercials and Moose walking off the mound tonight made me smile because he just looked so comfortable with it.
if Posada goes down again next season, Cervelli will be the guy to take over for Posada.
Okay I give up, don’t have patience to look. But I know I’ve been saying it all year.
FIRST MAJOR LEAGUE STRIKE OUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!
wat a breaking ball shyt that was nasty
nasty cure
There you go big H.
i mean curve
Trisha: They wouldn’t do that, but omfg that would be amazing.
Rebecca–Optimist Prime
“September 18th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
It was really moving.
It’s amazing, they can do tribute after tribute, but nothing will ever be as moving as what happens on the field.
I think the most moving moment I ever witnessed live was the Paul O’Neill chants…but the most moving ever would have had to be Gehrig’s speech.”
Also Mattingly’s first appearance in the playoffs. And the ovation he received.
Metallica?
MasterCard of Puppets, who’s pulling your strings?
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h92/BeeseveN_90/1219687279176.jpg
“Veras would probably be their closer. Giese would be their SU man.”
Edwar and veras will probably be 1-2 in their bullpen
jennifer: Remember the wager that was had with anti mussina? How if Moose won 10 games all year he’d disappear…
Good to know he kept his word.
I cannot believe I don’t get to watch this game live – I’ve been counting on you all to keep me up on what’s going on…
And I am so jealous.
Strange that you say that. My friend texted me that her husband heard that Sunday might not be the last game. I told her he was nuts. I’m checking weather now.
Is number 77 ok? Or are the O’Neil number police going to be ticked because Humberto picked a multiple of 7?
I think Sanchez would keep the “first ML K to a HOFer” than his “first ML K”, or just keep both.
What’s with this fatass? I’m tired of reading the same crap… “the Yankees won’t go to the offseason”
go cover the freaking Dodgers then, who cares.
And the Cardinals are on the NL Central you fatass.
pat -
I think you hit the nail on the head with that. I was trying to figure out why I didn’t feel weepy and I wanted to say I just felt happy. And it was the way Moose carried himself.
I remember that!!
1-2-3 for Sanchez.
Good inning.
1-2-3 innnig nice debut
Nice debut for Sanchez. A lot of people were just made very very happy.
yanks has alot of power arms in the bullpen for next year
Nick, do ya want a full blown tuba, or just a little trumpet?
Is number 77 ok? Or are the O’Neil number police going to be ticked because Humberto picked a multiple of 7?
LOL, or maybe he’s just pulling a “Reggie Willits”. being a fan of Mantle, so just double the number.
being a fan of Mantle but taken/retired***
wow, I am very impressed by Sanchez. That was a nasty curve to K the first batter…..and the other Sox did not get any good swings against him. He’s a big, strong young man.
Angel, I don’t know exactly what you’re talking about, but it sounds great!
Mets released RHP Al Reyes. Despite all of the Mets’ bullpen problems, Reyes hadn’t made one appearance since being called up on Sept. 2. He probably asked for his release since he obviously wasn’t part of the team’s plans.
LOL hahahahas.
just got home, turned on the tv, and I am really liking what I see! abreu’s been on fire!
It was nice to see Sanchez’s hard work to come back from surgery be rewarded a little with a nice debut.
Ed –
I just hope he actually has an idea of who Mickey Mantle is – I wouldn’t bet on it.
YIKES! TAMPA BLEW THE LEAD
That curve is just filthy.
They talk about how bad the Mets bullpen is (and it’s bad), but, nothing was better than watching Franciso Rodriguez blow last night’s game with Oakland with a hit and a walk and his own error to throw the game away. Today, they bring him in for the cheapest of all saves, 9th inning bases loaded, 2 outs and a 6-1 score, and he lets 3 runs score and had two one before getting the last out.
LOL it does doesn’t it, your funny “blowing your trumpet” moose post. A tuba was the biggest version of a trumpet like thing, I could think of.
Hey, guys, are Cervelli and Sanchez going to become a trivia questions as the last Yankees to debut in pinstripes in the old stadium?
Better Mickey Mantle than Dennis Rodman.
nice to see pitchers like sanchez do well and show their nasty stuff right away in light of other guys like hughes and kennedy disappointing
GB –
7 blown saves for that hot dog this year – Mo? Uno.
They talk about how bad the Mets bullpen is (and it’s bad), but, nothing was better than watching Franciso Rodriguez blow last night’s game with Oakland with a hit and a walk and his own error to throw the game away. Today, they bring him in for the cheapest of all saves, 9th inning bases loaded, 2 outs and a 6-1 score, and he lets 3 runs score and had two one before getting the last out.
talk about overhyped record breaking!
“It was nice to see Sanchez’s hard work to come back from surgery be rewarded a little with a nice debut.”
Absolutely. Coming off of TJ and pitching in the ballpark he lived in the shadow of his whole life must be a bit unnerving but he looked good.
Breaking news- YES will show all pregame ceremonies!!
Sanchez and Melancon are the reason we can return our ace Jova to his rightful place
I hope Posada was watching this game.
Sanchez’s parents are in Yankees Stadium tonight, unfortunately YES couldn’t find them.
Tuba, trumpet, they’re both pretty brassy, true. And it took brass ones to make that bold Moose prediction back in March — a prediction that was, alas, deleted by Pete Abe because of the other prediction in the same post: that Tom Brady wouldn’t make it out of week one of the NFL season.
melkyisgod -
Apparently you don’t remember the debuts of IPK and Phil – they were very strong in 07.
But TK!! Saves are the ONLY stat that matters for a closer!!
/end sarcasm
I just read that A Rod and Cynthia resolved their divorce today. Good for them, keeping it all private. By the way, I’ve been through a divorce. If anything could cause a drop in job performance, it’s going through that.
My early pick for 2009 MVP, A Rod. You’ll see.
Okay I think we know why Britton hasn’t pitched.
Heh, Chris Britton isn’t really very good.
*Joba
Why is Britton pitching
criss britton sucks y the hell is he on this team
Ed –
I just hope he actually has an idea of who Mickey Mantle is – I wouldn’t bet on it.
well since he’s a rookie, rookies always get stuck with a high number. he’s from the hood and live near the stadium, and “should” know who the legendary Yankees are.
criss britton sucks y is he on this team
Ugh, send him back to Scranton! I don’t care if their season is over. He can de-gum the bottom of the seats.
http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2008/09/18/2008-09-18_yankee_star_alex_rodriguez_and_cynthia_r.html
Rishi -
I wish I had known you couldn’t watch the game. My MLB TV account has been available for anyone out of the NY market who has wanted to use it!
why was the ump touching Cervelli’s back?
rookies get high numbers in spring training not during the season. I am trying to find out why #77.
Very poor job by YES, they should have known Sanchez is from the BX and has family in the audience.
Nothing so beautiful as the moon shining over Yankee Stadium. Thanks, YES guys.
criss britton sucks y the hell is he on this team
It keeps our minor league pitchers on thier toes, If Britton can make it to the Big Show they certainly can.
Kim Jones should go to the White Sox clubhouse tonight. Ozzie is likely to go off tonight and that should be captured on film.
Take Britton out, he is awful.
Britton..grrr
Heh. You had a good March 2008 for predictions, didn’t you. You should have brought yourself a couple of lottery tickets while you were on that roll.
Could have been rolling in Moose Bars right now.
wake up Girardi… Britton is a disaster.
“YIKES! TAMPA BLEW THE LEAD”
Longoria gets a shot at 4!
TKinDC
September 18th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
GB –
7 blown saves for that hot dog this year – Mo? Uno.
_______________________________________________
He has much to learn about being the next Mariano Rivera…not the least of which would be grace and class in winning or losing.
Britton will be a 40 man roster causality
Along with the likes of Albaladejo, Duncan, Betemit, Ponson, etc.
it will be sad if Mo has to come it and get the save if Girardi leaves Britton in too long.
I know Britton isn’t looking real good but how good can someone be who never gets to pitch?
angel I swear I made that prediction!!
I guess the umps have to check in before 11 – that strike zone is getting HUGE!
Twins 9-8
why don’t my posts go through?
trisha,
we do need to re-sign Bobby Abreu.
My early pick for 2009 MVP, A Rod. You’ll see.
“He has much to learn about being the next Mariano Rivera…not the least of which would be grace and class in winning or losing.”
GB –
They were saying on Baseball Tonight that he has lost 3 mph off his fastball – plus Thigpen sucked after he set that record.
I hope K-Rod goes to the Mets for big money! (yes, I am a bad person)
the Yanks and the Jays are still tied for 3rd place.
looks like the O’s are slumping, and lets hope for another Orioles sweep during the last week at the stadium.
“My early pick for 2009 MVP, A Rod. You’ll see.”
You sir, are correct.
Nice win.
GO TWINS
#18 for Moose! Woot! Woot!
Santana – 7 IP, 1 ER, 8 K
:::sigh:::
So depressing.
Kim Jones is like fine whine… she gets better with age.
Do we want the Twins or Rays to win?
Had Hughes had this umpire yesterday. He would have pitched 8 innings.
Twins. The Yankees elimination number would stay at 2 then instead of 1.
MOOSE on RADIO!!!
that mussina reception gave me chills
hope he comes back next year
Santana – 7 IP, 1 ER, 8 K
:::sigh:::
So depressing.
Yankees offense this season yehhhh
If you want the Yankees to have a shot at the playoffs, you want the Rays to win.
Twins 11-8
Twins 11-8, still only one in top of ninth.
bodhisattva – geeze I sure think we do. I can’t imagine letting him walk!
Forntoso, I think we want the Rays to win. Anything to put distance between them and the Sux. And the more the Twins lose, the better for us. (yeah I know, crazy to even be thinking that way…)
Heck I’m willing to concede the division to the Rays!
http://thunderbaseball.wordpress.com/
You are dreaming if you think the Yankees make the playoffs this year!
I agree – a MIN loss helps with the wild card…but looks like that’s not so likely now
No one wants to leave the stadium!!
You can practically hear Moose smile through the radio interview. It’s nice to hear him so chipper.
Torre haters have it both ways. They blame him (torre) for our recent postseason struggles, but when girardi’s team struggles the manager cannot be blamed. by no means was a huge torre supporter, but girardi has not been great.
lmao – jennifer.
And now I’m going to vomit.
I wonder what we will do for Rookie hazing…
Christian, Gardner, Robertson, Miranda, Cervelli, Sanchez, Coke, will all qualify.
Abreu should be brought back as a DH for 2 yrs. He still has speed & can produce .300 avg. 20 HR. 100 RBI while really working the count.
However, you have to get rid of Damon & Matsui. You can’t have so many mid 30’s guys especially since you still will have Posada 37, Jeter 34, & Arod 33.
Good Lord LOL Patterson looks like a 8 foot hooker
I can’t remember when I felt this good after a yankee game!
TKinDC
Are you going to run to that ‘fine dining’ establishment now?
Not now. Not anytime soon. That visual is going to stay w/ me a while.
Just got in. What did I miss?
I feel like the ghosts were there tonight.
They better interview Sanchez.
But knowing Kim Jones, she will interview Veras instead and ask him what it was like to get out of the ‘jam’ in the 7th inning.
Notice too that Scooter the squirrel has showed up for the past few games.
As long as Tampa and Boston keep losing and NYY keeps winning, they have a chance. It won’t happen, but, I don’t give up. At the end of the season, I’ll demand a recount on the win totals.
Game over. Twins win.
I love Andy and all my original core dynasty Yankees (Bernie, miss ya bigtime!!!), but if it can/should only be one, gotta go with Moose. If the offense had cashed in on a just a few of the no-decisions/losses where he gave them a chance to win, he’d already have gotten to 20. Kay has it right – Moose is the Yankees’ 2008 MVP.
What about signing Ken Griffey JR to play CF? The guy is a professional hitter, winner, good clubhouse guy.
I would rather sign Griffey to a 2-3 year deal than sign re-signing Abreu.
“Kay has it right – Moose is the Yankees’ 2008 MVP.”
Did he say that? He and Moose have a running feud. Good for Kay.
I’m being optimistic here:
if the Yanks DO make it to the playoffs, here’s the roster I want it to be:
Starting (in order):
Mussina
Pettitte
Hughes
Pavano
Aceves/call up
Bullpen:
Rivera (duh.)
Chamberlain
Bruney
Marte
Coke
Giese (he’s actually better than Ponson and Rasner combined)
Robertson?? (he could be dominant but was a tad overused)
Lineup:
Damon
Jeter
Abreu
Rodriguez
Giambi
Nady
Matsui
Cano
Molina
Bench:
Gardner (pinch running purposes)
Ransom (late inning defensive sub for Giambi)
Pudge
Christian (again pinch running purposes)
————-
so why could Aceves and Christian make it to the postseason roster? Easy, release both Ponson and Rasner on the last day of the season.
Sox pick up half game!
Thanks Minnie! Sweep’in in Tampa for sure!!!!!
Toronto and NY will cancel each other out next week!!!!!
trisha I noticed that too!! He was on the field before the game.
I want Kim to interview him and ask him where he was to begin with!! GEEZ!! The nerve.
Griffey? Why stop at 3, lock him up for 5-6 and then maybe he can retire a Yankee. That would be awesome.
Griffey would rather die than play in NY. Read the article at the Times. He doesn’t even remember that spectacular play he made years ago.
Oddessy – Griffey Jr. has spent his professional life letting everyone know just how much he can’t stomach the Yankees. I doubt he would ever play for the Yankees, and I really wouldn’t want him. He’s too injury prone.
I feel like the ghosts were there tonight.
Rebecca, I been feeling like that since the last weekend and ever since I saw the full moon upon the stadium. let’s hope the ghosts will be there with the Yanks ALL THE WAY till the last out of the season.
Great stories on NJ.com
The Yankees 102 year old special guest.
http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2008/09/graziano_yankees_show_former_b.html
Plans for the final Stadium game
http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2008/09/new_york_yankees_rivera_to_pit.html
Wild Card Race :
.
BOS 89-66 -
NYY 85-71 -4.5
TOR 85-71 -4.5
.
…and what THEN ???
Fragile? Check.
Old? Check
Declining production? Check
Expensive? Check
Where do we sign?
“I want Kim to interview him and ask him where he was to begin with!! GEEZ!! The nerve.”
jen, obviously he never got the memo that October isn’t automatic!
Most likely the Griffey contract bombshell will be the second shoe to drop, right after the Giambi extension.
TKinDC
September 18th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
“He has much to learn about being the next Mariano Rivera…not the least of which would be grace and class in winning or losing.â€
GB –
They were saying on Baseball Tonight that he has lost 3 mph off his fastball – plus Thigpen sucked after he set that record.
I hope K-Rod goes to the Mets for big money! (yes, I am a bad person)
_______________________________________________________
Yep….Thigpen followed the 57 saves with 30 and 22 and was gone. His arm just came apart. A real pity, because he would have and should have been good for a long time. The White Sox rode him hard before that season for three years at a very young age for a closer.
Ken Griffey Jr. will never play for the Yankees. He still holding a grudge when he got kicked out of the clubhouse when he was 5 and supposedly his father was treated badly when he was here.
Oddessy :
are you out of you’re mind????
Oddessy -
I agree! The team needs more vets! I would like to add Griffey, Millar, Edmonds, and Delgado to the team next year. I would also like to trade Cano and sign Ray Durham. Cano is too lazy and non chalent, we need a gritty, grinder vet like Durham at 2nd.
tonight it sank in for me
Omar Vizquel would be a good signing to nudge Jeter out of SS.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers.jsp?c_id=nyy
Radhames Liz to pitch back to back days against the Yanks. this will be a sure sweep for the Yanks. LOL hahahas.
Girardi has been very somber in his postgame interview… you can tell everybody on the team is miserable and just trying to enjoy the final games at the stadium.
Cashman better be sure to put a winner on the field next year, its not fair to the players or manager to put them through this torture next season.
The Angles had a 6-0 lead in the 9th and still had to use K-rod after Bulger and Arredando loaded the bases. He let all 3 of his inherited runners score, but they held on.
A gritty team, grinders not paychecks.
Girardi
It was Eiland’s idea to take Moose out in the middle of the innining and Moose deserved that….He threw a great game….I think it meant alot to Moose to get the ovation….Abreu had a great night, he feels comfortable against Vazquez…It’s great to get an opportunity to get the young kids in there….Cano is seeing a immediate results from his new stance, he has been working on it in the cage and we encouraged him to take it in the game….we aren’t playing what if because the season is still alive…The people of NY and Yankee fans appreciate what Moose has done in his career….You love to see guys do well and when they do you usually win games….Lots of great things are happening and it’s been a good week to watch lots of players accomplish individual milestones too.
BBBB
Bring back Barry Bonds
Radhames Liz to pitch back to back days against the Yanks. this will be a sure sweep for the Yanks. LOL hahahas.
Sad attempt by the Orioles to be the first ever at the stadium to do that.
I know everyone is thrilled by this win. However the playoff discussion should be curtailed.
Coke = Eric Bedard?
Both were late bloomers, lefties…
to let you all of you know, no matter what…the Yanks will have to face Burnett and Halladay with or without a short rest to them both. Going to be a tough battle next week.
Weather Man,
I can’t even watch these postgames anymore… everyone is so somber and depressed, it is painful to listen to. The only reason I’m watching tonight is to hear Humberto.
Miranda and Cervelli will grind it out against Burnett and Halladay, we will be fine.
By the way, Mirnda = Daniel Murphy. A grinder.
hey AL FROM BK, i have been curious lately..what does BK stand for? brooklyn?
Moose
The ovation was a lot of fun when you play well and people appreciate it….It was really nice and it was the last chance for me to pitch here….It’s been a fun year for me and it’s nice to pitch and be successful….I haven’t thought about Yankee STadium being where I saw my first game until tonight….The stadium is new and imporved but it’s going to be a big change for NY, the fans and players….at some point in this off season I’ll make a decision….in order to come back and play they’d have to want me….If I end of Palmer’s win number, I’ll be stuck with him forever…..It’s a pretty good place to be at 268 wins….I still have to win 19 before I think about 20….I’ll go out on Tuesday and see what happens….Personal accomplishments are meaningful but the disappointment of the year will be there….Today we played well, got a couple of breaks and was an example of how we could have played all year.
Miranda and Cervelli will grind it out against Burnett and Halladay, we will be fine.
but the thing is, what if they both strikes all the time like they have been through out the season?
Man there is no way we can afford not to bring Abreu back next season!
“The Angles had a 6-0 lead in the 9th”
Acute or obtuse?
I would trade Kennedy and Cervelli for Neftali Feliz
I now regret not getting a Mussina jeresey couple years ago, but if I do and Mussina doesn’t come back..I want to wear it if someone suck wears #35.
Wilson,
Nardi compared Coke as a starter to Jeff Fassero.
Nick,
Obese. None of them are cute.
Good stories on NJ.com about a few of the plans for Sunday nights game and about the Yankees 102 year old special guest for tonights game.
Some pics of my trip if interested….
http://thevinceblackshow.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/09/some_pics.html
Laura and Trish there might be a pic in there of interest to the both of you.
pat,
Just read about the oldest pro player @ the Times blog. They gave him a cake on the field and he had like 4 generations with him. Said he doesn’t watch baseball but the Yankees are his favorite team. Lucky thing because he’d probably be throwing things at the tv, huh? Also said it felt like he was in heaven.
They didn’t even interview Sanchez… pathetic.
Cano
I’ve been working on my stance with K. Long and last night we decided to try it….Stance is more closed and I can see the pitch better….I should have done it sooner and it’s how I’ll hit next year….I can stay back and see the pitches better….I’ve got to play hard and stay in the game and be prepared….It’s great to see Moose come back this year and be so good and Bobby is having a great year this year too.
Vince,
Very nice pix. Looks like you had great seats. Funny shirt, too.
That guy who caught the HR on consecutive days? He’s all over PTI & ATH. He supposedly wrote 2 books.
mel
102 and he can still touch his toes!! At 102, I’d be happy to see my toes and know what they are. The cake and singing Happy Birthday to him was a nice touch.
It takes such small gestures sometimes to make people so happy. I’m always happy to read stories of the Yankees players getting that.
Vince – beautiful shots! If you are referring to the X pic I’m not an X gusher. But I’m pretty sure you hit it right with Laura.
After listening to Moose’s postgame interview I get the feeling that Moose would like to come back. He listed off a number of considerations regarding next season, and one thing he mentioned was whether or not the Yankees want him back.
Night all!