Cranky, cranky, everybody is cranky
-
- September
- 25
I’ll try to explain this as simply as I can.
Before the game, Joe Girardi told us that Mariano Rivera went back to New York to get his standard end-of-the-season physical. He wasn’t going to pitch anyway, the manager said, because he had a “cranky body.”
Girardi was asked several times and in several ways whether Rivera had an injury to his elbow and shoulder. He denied it every time. The questions were very exact. “He said his whole body was cranky,” Girardi said.
Here, listen for yourself. This is Girardi’s pre-game:
This made no sense. Rivera lives in New York all year, he can get his physical any time. Why leave now? I’ve never once heard of a player leaving a road trip to get a “standard physical.” Beyond that, this is Mariano Rivera. It made sense to check this out.
Most of the writers called Brian Cashman. The GM said the Rivera complained about a sore shoulder after Tuesday’s game and was sent back to New York to get an MRI. The Yankees wanted to make sure their closer is OK. Cashman said he isn’t too concerned but was waiting to get the results of the MRI.
Cashman said it was not a standard physical. The New York Times, meanwhile, is reporting that Rivera could need surgery.
After the game today, Girardi stuck to the “cranky body” story and denied that Rivera ever said his shoulder hurt, which contradicts what his boss said. Let’s assume for a second that this is true. If you were the manager of the Yankees and Rivera came to you and said he had a “cranky body” wouldn’t you ask him what was wrong? It is Mariano Rivera, after all. So either Girardi is not telling the truth or he’s irresponsible.
Here is Girardi’s postgame press conference:
Girardi got contentious when asked about his misleading statements, slamming his fist down on his desk. It’s similar to what happened earlier this season when Phil Hughes, Brian Bruney, Chien-Ming Wang, Jorge Posada and Damaso Marte got hurt. Girardi’a first inclination is to be misleading.
It has gotten to the point where team officials now apologize to reporters for the manager’s actions. Nobody is sure why he does it because he gets caught every time.
I’m not going to complain about it. I’ll just ask other people questions when it comes to injuries.
I’m sure I’ll get ripped for writing this. That’s fine. Rip away. But this is Mariano Rivera we’re talking about. I’m going under the assumption that most Yankees fans are concerned about the status of their closer and would like accurate information.
If not, listen to the manager. He’s perfectly wiling to tell you just what you want to hear.
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on Thursday, September 25th, 2008 at 11:07 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
Once the season’s over, Joe, Cash, Hal, Hank, and whomever else can sit down and talk about this season, and hopefully get on the same page for next season.
It is a sign of Giradi’s immaturity. It doesn’t play well, particularly in media/fan-intense NY. One wonders if Cash stays – will this be the wedge needed to either get rid of Joe or at least do some wholesale changes to his staff.
That’s scary. It’s like Girardi has split-personality disorder. Last week, you were saying, Pete, that he was starting to open up. Now he’s lashing out at the media. Scary.
Normally I’d remark about how Pete is probably enjoying this, but it is Mariano Rivera and Mo >>> everything else.
Ouch. Three crankys in one title.
Not good.
That’s what reporter’s do, ask questions right ????
Girardi is trying to hide things for no reason. None.
I think Joe gets a pass for this season. A shakeup in the coaching staff is imminent. I would say a new bench coach & third base. If the Yanks bring in some free agents, and reload in the off season, and get the same type of results, Joe will be looking for ajob come this time next year. Anything less than a playoff birth will be considered a failure.
Heading, not title, I guess.
why must Kim Jones always repeat the same questions? I already could tell Girardi’s tone of voice is changing after every question.
Also, did anyone, you know, talk to Mo?
I really don’t get why girardi misleads especially since the rest of the season doesn’t matter. He’s losing credibility in so many ways and it reflects on the organization
This happened after the Wang injury in Houston. Pete then got ripped apart by almost all of you guys. This is the way Girardi has been all year – he needs to learn the appropriate way to convey information to the media. Hiding these things just makes him look incredibly silly the next day.
I hope Mariano is OK
everything else you posted – yaaaawwwwn
Peter,
Your condescending comment in that last sentence is beneath you.
Lol you media people are terrible… what did Girardi say wrong to keep on and on and on …. Joe Torre did the same thing… Girardi is well better the Torre… With Joe this team has 79 – 81 wins… At least we got a manager that could manage a pen….
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Surgery?????? (maybe we sign K-Rod…...).
Nice audio Pete.
++++++++++++++++
sammy
September 25th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
When’s Mo’s surgery, Pete? I hope he’ll be ready for spring training.
++++++++++++++++
This was on the previous thread. I do believe I am the first one to report this.
USC clawing back.
he’s so smart he might be trying to convince himself. Girardi worked for YES and both played and coached with the Yankees…he knows how it all works…well at least he should
Friends:
see, not everyone who expresses a negative opinion deserves to be automatically ignored as a troll.
BTW Brew Crew won.
I’m sorry, but Pete is 100% right in what he posted.
Joe is hiding injury information on the damn players.. either because he thinks it should be kept private, or because he doesn’t want the media/fans to worry. Either way, its been going on all season – it needs to stop next year.
Also, the way Girardi handled himself tonight was completely unprofessional.
I was hoping they’d lose and negate the need to use Sabathia again on short rest, lol.
Girardi is starting to sound a lot like that Iraqi General at the beginning of the Iraq war who kept saying that Sadaam’s army was beating back the U.S. forces, right up until the U.S. tanks rolled into his office in downtown Baghdad.
I have to say this bothers me. IT IS RIVERA, the greatest closer of all time we are talking about!! When he says, “my body is cranky”, he says ok Mo, get it checked out? You don’t ask what is wrong? The skipper’s defense of I assumed it is his whole body, legs, back, etc. just does not hold up, and frankly is disappointing. I realize the season is over and the pressure is off, but still be upfront with the fans. It is bad enough we didn’t make the post season this year after the 13 in a row, how much more jerking around can we take?
I don’t understand, Mo went back to NY to get an MRI because his shoulder is cranky or w/e. However, Joe said that if they were still playing for October, he would’ve been pitching tonight. But then goes on to say he would never do anything to hurt Mo.
Why are people angry at Peter for reporting the truth that Girardi lies?
I heard that melancon had some arm problems late in season too. how’s he doing Pete?
Girardi is just putting up a smokescreen to distract people from the stark reality that we may have seen the last of Carl Pavano as a Yankee. Classic diversion.
You people can be so naive.
anyone have the link to the new york times report cant find it yet
“Also, the way Girardi handled himself tonight was completely unprofessional.”
It could also be said the reactions arent always as professional as they could be either by some people.
shrug
Nick, I think OSU is getting to your head.
I can just imagine Girardi as a part in the “Battle of the Bulge”, lol.
How about the Twins coming back if the chi sox lose tonight Ozzie is going to go nuclear
Go get ‘em Pete.
What’s the difference between Girardi and Rumsfeld?
Girardi still has a job.
What’s the difference between Girardi and Nixon?
The Army gave Nixon a crew cut.
To me it looks like Cashman should talk with Joe before Cashman sings like a Canary to the press about injuries so they are on the same page. Seems like Cashman threw him under the bus.
Ugh, despite my better instincts, I took OSU on the 2H line and now they’re on the verge of blowing it!
September 25th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
When’s Mo’s surgery, Pete? I hope he’ll be ready for spring training.
++++++++++++++++
This was on the previous thread. I do believe I am the first one to report this.
Joe can answer questions truthfully without giving away too much
in the pregame he could have just said mo has some soreness and he went to get it check
thats all he had to say, i would have been happy with just that, for some reason joe feels like he kind hide stuff from the media
well maybe u can hide stuff from the nationals beat writer but ur not going to hide much from the ny media
i always try to defend joe because i feel that he hasnt managed long enough
all im saying is that if the yanks dont make the playoffs next year, all hell will break loose
Whatever Sammy.
You go PETE…. I agree with ya… Girardi comes off like an idiot most of the time…
If Mo pitches on Sunday – will Pete retract?
This really seems like a tempest in a teapot right now. Maybe it won’t be – but I hope it is.
Didn’t Pete consistently complain about wireless reception in the Rogers Centre? Too funny that Girardi mentioned that Cash hadn’t spoken to him.
Girardi really does come off like an absolute moron when he talks/lies about an injury. If people are going to find out when why lie about it? He couldn’t handle 2 beat writers in Florida and it is obvious that 20 NY ones are too much for him. All Girardi had to say was Mo’s arm was a little cranky and they sent him for an MRI just to make sure it was nothing. That is all..Instead he looks like an idiot and a complete lier. Also another thing that is soo stupid is even if Mo went for the MRI and everything was perfect I can almost guarantee that he would not be pitching on Sunday no matter what and he would be shut down. Mo’s health is much more important then Moose’s 20th win especially since the Yanks are eliminated. So Since Girardi knew that Mo had the MRI there was no reason for him to say that he wants him ready for Sunday.
Times reporting that he may need “minor” surgery. Let’s pray.
TK: in fact, I think Girardi fully disclosed Mo’s situation via live webchat. Clearly, Pete needs to upgrade his wireless card.
If Mo saves Moose’s 20th win, that would be heroic!
Joe Girardi is a liar, this is not new news. The guy needs to pick his spots if he has to lie. What is to be gained from lying to the press right now? He doesn’t want to give the competition an edge knowing Mo won’t be back? The guy has no common sense. And you can’t blame Ca$hman, why would he lie about an injury we as fans all would for obviously reasons want to know about. Somebody said it above and i’ll agree Hal Ca$h(if he’s back) and Joe need to get together in november and decide that they’re all either going to just blatantly lie about everything or at least throw us a bone sometimes. If they made that decision joe evidently didn’t get the memo. Oh, and George should fire Hank.
If it would be heroic, then you should bet on it! (given your craven gambling ways!)
Didn’t Girardi upload the MRI’s to the interweb for everyone to see?
What/who’s your source sammy?
“Nobody is sure why he does it because he gets caught every time.’
Haha. Perfect Pete.
why cant he just be honest? i see girardi as a phony. torre was more genuine. kudos to the beat reporters for not being satisfied w/ his bs.
Nick: I think I’ve figured it out.
When you watch college football, the ranked team loses.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/sports/baseball/26yankees.html?ref=sports
Oh crap, the Twins won. We don’t like them.
On the other hand, anything that leads to an Ozzie meltdown is probably worth it.
“Nick: I think I’ve figured it out.
When you watch college football, the ranked team loses.”
Cal wasn’t ranked were they? (ooh, whoops!)
Nick: Could you imagine if Ozzie got to manage the Mets blowpen?
Pete its hilarious that you hate Girardi for not disclosing injuries yet you love Billy B in Boston. Your hypocrisy knows no bounds.
Well, I watched about 200 football games this past weekend while I was up in Lake Tahoe and many of the ranked teams won, so the theory doesn’t hold. But I hope it does hold tonight.
And Cal is NOT ranked right now, for some stupid reason, so I’m very confident that they’ll RUN IT UP vs. Colorado St. this Saturday in Berkeley.
“Cashman said Rivera expressed a small level of discomfort to team trainers but would not have been sent home if the Yankees were still in the race. He said he expected Rivera to rejoin the team in Boston on Friday and be available to pitch this weekend.”
Funny, because that’s what Joe said. I guess Cash is lying also.
A city is in slumbers as its children weep for a new dawn, now two seasons away. The Clemens that is Roger has been shackled by the contempt of one who would dare try to slay a hippopotamus. But it shall not come to be. For although the cross hairs may rest on Clemens, his fist tightens, the rage and fury coursing through the night air to Toronto, burning the wardrobe of Bryan Adams as he ponders his soup and disrupting a lively discussion about maple syrup in the parliament. The fury finds it way—appropriately enough—to the Rogers Centre.
A lone man with a short haircut is suddenly possessed by the fury and rage. He flips out during his press conference, slamming his clenched hand on the table as the familiar fear buckles their knees more severely than a field hockey player at serving string beans to Sheila E.
The rage has returned.
Girardi will bang his fist.
2009 Yankees: Brotherhood of the Fist
“And Cal is NOT ranked right now, for some stupid reason, so I’m very confident that they’ll RUN IT UP vs. Colorado St. this Saturday in Berkeley.”
I sense a Music City Bowl matchup – the BBQ is on me if that happens
The mediots’ opinions mean absolutely nothing – neither the Yankees, nor reasonable fans, will judge Joe on based on what the media thinks. They have an overdeveloped sense of self-importance. What Joe needs to do is change his reaction to the press. He just can not let them get to him like tonight (pounding the table is over the top and childish). As the commercial goes, he should never let them see him sweat. Joe should answer the questions as calmly and rationally as he can, no matter how many times they repeat it. If he has to cut the post-game chatter short, then so be it. I would also recommend that he not read the papers; their opinions mean squat. It only matters what the Yankees think.
Boy, Tyler Kepner really roasted Girardi over the coals. It’s ridiculous that he’s implying that Joe doesn’t care about Mariano’s health….it’s probably libelous, too. More mediot drivel
Pollyana, I’m stealing that.
So many people have said it better than me, so let me sum up: Joe Girardi is an idiot.
‘Girardi will bang his fist.’
I never understood this reference – could someone clue me in?
i agree with pete that girardi is a moron with his injury denials. but isnt it funny that pete writes another of his many posts about this and then states hes not going to complain? didnt he just finish complaining?
Joe G. better loosen up or next year could be his last- he is not fooling anyone especially since the season is over
TK: Read Pete’s post above
the Yankee beat writers are the pettiest people in the world. it’s been entertaining, i never realized reporters were so unprofessional.
now the NY Times article has some useful info, which is that:
1. the surgery is arthroscopic /minor
2. Cashman expects Mo to pitch this weekend
3. Girardi said he just repeated what Mariano said.
in other words, unless Cashman is lying, Girardi’s downplaying of it as minor is accurate.
unfortunately the Times’ rare spurt of actual sports journalism is then followed by 4 slanted whiny paragraphs beginning with “Girardi has misled reporters…” and degenerating from there. about as unprofessional as Pete’s hatchet job of a post.
What Pete fails to understand is Joe G doesn’t want to tip off the other teams so they drive up the price for the inevitable trade for a closer for the stretch run. Pete doesn’t know how to play poker.
I think that it’s hilarious that of all things, the media is accusing and whining about being lied to.
ask the ?’s get your answer…deal with it pete….go spread ur manlove on hughes some more and u steal ideas from his blog…example ….playlists and contests…no offense pete i dont care whats in ur ipod ok…
“TK: Read Pete’s post above
”
I got that Rebecca – it is the ‘bang his fist’ (more often used with Clemens) that seems to be a frequent reference going back a year or two.
Pete,
You guys were awesome tonight in the postgame, not letting the liar get away with his standard BS. Bravo, and kudos to Kim Jones, who really let him have it!
I was appalled by Girardi’s behavior tonight. The man is as unprofessional as they come and it’s no wonder there was no effort put forth this year by the players. If that jerk was my manager, I sure wouldn’t be motivated to do jack…
Yes, Joe G. may have got caught in this inter-web, but I’m sure he was trying to protect Mo.
From what you ask? Let Mo get a full grasp of the situation and how to deal with the news.
Haven’t listened to the postgame yet. But really, after asking a question twice and getting the same answer, isn’t that considered an ‘asked and answered’? That was his story and he was going to stick to it, no matter how many times he was being asked. Just because it wasn’t what they wanted to hear or what they ALREADY knew to be false doesn’t mean he should be treated like a hostile witness.
Reporters report what was reported. Investigative reporters dig and dig and dig until they get to the truth.
Feel bad for the reporters, but I can understand why Girardi does what he does. I don’t think he’s a pathological liar by any defition of the term.
Wow, a Pollyana posting!!
On a different note, I want to ask a totally unrelated to baseball question for those who live in the New York City area.
In a couple weeks I think I will be in the city and was wondering what people recommend for Broadway shows these days? I enjoy plays, musicals, and just about anything.
Thanks.
Hey, why didn’t anyone ask Girardi about the links between al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein?
Girardi held his press conference an hour too early.
I always like to hear a vivid fiction story before bedtime.
george
September 25th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
the Yankee beat writers are the pettiest people in the world. it’s been entertaining, i never realized reporters were so unprofessional.
now the NY Times article has some useful info, which is that:
1. the surgery is arthroscopic /minor
2. Cashman expects Mo to pitch this weekend
3. Girardi said he just repeated what Mariano said.
in other words, unless Cashman is lying, Girardi’s downplaying of it as minor is accurate.
unfortunately the Times’ rare spurt of actual sports journalism is then followed by 4 slanted whiny paragraphs beginning with “Girardi has misled reporters…†and degenerating from there. about as unprofessional as Pete’s hatchet job of a post.
Seems strange that with 3 game left in the season, a pitcher would keep pitching if he needs arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. Somebody has something screwed up.
Obviously Pete is blowing this way out of proportion but it is pretty troubling that Girardi would be intentionally misleading. Whats the point? What could he possibly gain by holding back this information? Clearly he is inexperienced when it comes to dealing with the media. There is a time and a place for holding back injury info and this is not it. Cashman realizes this and thats why he was forthright and told the truth about Mo’s shoulder. Hopefully Girardi will learn that this nonsense is unecessary.
TK, that would be awesome, however I think the Pac-10’s bowl-eligible teams are all slotted to other bowls and the Music City Bowl is an SEC vs. ACC game. But we can dream.
Ray: Spamalot or Avenue Q, assuming you have a fairly liberal mindset
Ray (a Red Sox fan), I highly encourage you bicycle to Bed Sty, Brooklyn and wear a Larry Bird Celtic Jersey.
I also highly recommend a trip to the 50-yard line at Giants Stadium.
First off by making an entire post dedicated to the inconsistency in statements again you ARE complaining about it.
That said Im with you on it this time. The games we are playing now are meaning less and the veiled excuse of not disclosing information that could help the other manager ahead of a series or game is moot. No reason for Girardi to be nothing but honest about it.
Why is it that when Girardi doesn’t want to be up front about injuries to the media, he’s unprofessional and a liar; yet, you never mention anything about Belichick doing the exact same thing with the Patriots? What is the difference here that I’m missing exactly?
Kill Schill, I was thinking more in terms of wearing a Pedroia or Youkilis shirt. Just kidding.
Thank you Rebecca, I do have a more liberal mindset.
Adam: The difference is that Pete doesn’t get paid to be critical of Bellicheat Bellichek.
Probably because Pete rarely posts about the Patriots and makes 3-4 posts a day about the Yankees? It is a Yankees blog you realize. Right?
ray: You’ll probably find your time easiest in a Plaxico Burress or Eli Manning Jersey at this point.
I’d stay way, way, way away from any Heilman, Feliciano, Schoenweiss, or Smith jerseys, however.
Why is it that every time Pete posts something about Girardi’s fibbing habits (whether appropriate in this case or not) multiple people make the exact same boneheaded Belichick comparison?
What is it about covering a team professionally vs. rooting for a team recreationally don’t people get?
GB7 –
The standards for a blog post are more like an Opinion Editorial than a news story. I don’t expect, heck I don’t even want objectivity on the blog.
In the newspaper it is different imo. There you have to be objective and as fair as you can.
Off-season arthroscopic surgery would seem typical to me for most any sport, especially for a 38 year old. Mo’s workload has not been especially heavy and he has been normal (which for Mo means the GOAT). I’m not really worried.
“Seems strange that with 3 game left in the season, a pitcher would keep pitching if he needs arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. Somebody has something screwed up.”
i think the disconnect is this:
Kepner wrote “There is some fear that Rivera could need arthroscopic surgery”, which would be of minor scope. he didn’t attribute it to a source. sounds more like speculation.
Cashman said about this possibility: “The only way that would happen is if tests indicate that should happen.”
so if the MRI indicates surgery, i’m sure they’ll shut him down. if not, they may pitch him. the surgery option may just be a media speculation that muddies the waters.
ray, if you ever visit San Francisco, I can recommend a restaurant that’s owned by Youk’s brother. You can wear your Boston gear in peace there.
I obviously don’t know the details, but if I was a Giants fan right now I don’t think I would be entralled with Plaxico Burress.
Nick,
His brother has a restaurant in SF? I didn’t know that.
mel
September 25th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Reporters report what was reported. Investigative reporters dig and dig and dig until they get to the truth.
_
And, after the dig and dig and dig, and find that there is no story, they’ll invent one.
“Thank you Rebecca, I do have a more liberal mindset.”
So the Au-H2O bumpersticker is out of the question?
ray, no matter what happens, Giants fans and Plax will always have this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfb5tMBugbA
Ray: Apologies, I’m not a giants fan so, uh, I have no idea what he’s done.
Too bad the Yankees can’t convince some 3rd team to acquire Coco Crisp from the Sux. He’d actually solve their CF problem for next year. I don;t think he’s a free agent until 2011.
“What is it about covering a team professionally vs. rooting for a team recreationally don’t people get?”
So, the only way I should be upset about a coach or manager or player not being upfront about an injury is if I’m covering a team as part of my job? Seems hypocritical to me. If I hated Belichick for covering up injuries and then praised Girardi when he did it, wouldn’t that be wrong?
Also, how many times does Jeter blatantly lie to the media about any injuries he has? He doesn’t get called out on it, does he? Nope, that’s just Jeter being the true professional that he is.
I’m always amused when I see the opening credits for SVU reruns and the producer is listed as Jose Molina.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/maverick-san-francisco
Is it possible that Girardi really is clueless in some aspects?
It hasn’t been brought up but it seemed alot this season that he hasn’t had the same type of control as Torre did. Maybe the players go above or beyond him to talk issues.
Anyway Pete, Thanks for asking tough questions. If we had more reporters like you we might have never entered Iraq, long since exterminated the taliban, caught/killed Bin Laden and stopped the bleeding of our economy and the weakening of our dollar.
ray, Plaxico would have to kill someone before i get unhappy w/him. Burress played hurt all last year, played well, destroyed the Packers, and then closed out the awesome Super Bowl – he’s earned the benefit of the doubt.
Ugh, Adam, it’s too stupid to go over again and again.
Rebecca, certainly no apology needed!
Basically, earlier this week Burress disappeared for two days, didn’t go to practice or meetings, and didn’t answer his phone.
There are rumors of domestic problems, and the Giants have dismissed him without pay for two weeks.
ray: Eep, that is very suspicious!
And dude:
TO WHOEVER IS THE GM OF THE JETS STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING AND SIGN OSU’S PUNTER!
TKinDC
September 26th, 2008 at 12:02 am
GB7 –
The standards for a blog post are more like an Opinion Editorial than a news story. I don’t expect, heck I don’t even want objectivity on the blog.
In the newspaper it is different imo. There you have to be objective and as fair as you can.
Off-season arthroscopic surgery would seem typical to me for most any sport, especially for a 38 year old. Mo’s workload has not been especially heavy and he has been normal (which for Mo means the GOAT). I’m not really worried.
_
Sorry, but if you claim objectivity in one and then say objectivity in the other doesn’t matter, then that’s screwed up.
My point is, if Rivera has a shoulder injury that’s serious enough that it requires surgery, then, why is he pitching at all? The two don’t go together. This isn’t something floating in his knee, this is a pitcher’s shoulder getting cut on…arthroscopic or not.
OSU OMG!!!
HOLY INTERCEPTION BATMAN!
There’s gonna be some partying in OSU tonight!
Wow….USC is going to lose this game.
Trojans 1-1 vs OSU’s.
Not very good.
This is the same Oregon St. team that lost to Stanfurd.
Grrrrrr.
The 13 year old in me wants to write the headline for this upset.
The adult in me doesn’t want to get banned from using this beloved site
TKinDC
September 26th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Trojans 1-1 vs OSU’s.
Not very good.
_
When Trojans only have a 50% success rate, it’s time to look for another.
TK, the delicate LoHud sponsors Lace and Stiletto thank you for your discretion and good taste.
TKinDC
September 26th, 2008 at 12:17 am
The 13 year old in me wants to write the headline for this upset.
The adult in me doesn’t want to get banned from using this beloved site
I was going to say something else, but, I’m already on Double Secret Probation.
TK, I’m quite curious, what’s the headline?
no ripping here. Your absolutley right pete. It’s just such a strange thing that he does. Leading fans to believe that the players have minor injuries when in reality is deseptive, and just plain strange.
I never wanted torre gone. I was heart broken when he and mattingly left, all this season has done is reinforce that we had a very special manager. Girardis in game tactics are not what turns me off to him, it’s the fact he alienates almost everyone who he comes across.
o-o uh oh.
Rebecca, it’s the Beavers vs. the Trojans, write your own headline!
“TK, I’m quite curious, what’s the headline?”
I’m not falling for that
Rebecca,
Will the optimistic squirrels that were referenced so often last year make the move over to the new stadium???
Ray: I think so.
I think if I get a response to my Steinbrother letter then we will see only good things in 2009.
Nick: Well, I’m slow. You know.
The squirrel felt disrespected by Cashman in his arbitration hear and resents Cano’s contract, so… doubtful.
‘arbitration hearing’ that is.
if mo is seriously injured do the yanks go after k-rod
Mo’s not seriously hurt, and if he was, the Yankees would likely go to Joba to close.
thaknz rebecca forgot about about joba this starting releaving things getting on my nerves
OK Yankee Fans – this time I mean it – see ya!
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I would check out The 39 Steps. It’s a Hitchcock comedy that’s getting good press. Sounds like fun.
From TBO.com
Even when it has nothing to do with the Yankees, it always comes down to being about the Yankees…....
“Thursday was a beautiful day for baseball, but the Rays would have preferred to play under the lights. They were not pleased to have a day game for the series opener – courtesy of the Tigers’ senior citizen day promotion – after arriving at their hotel here around 3 a.m.
“It’s just pretty poor planning. You can’t slice it any other way,” said Maddon. “I’m not going to sit here and agree with what was done. I’m sure it was planned in advance based on the previous reputation of the organization – that’s what I got. Because there’s no way the Yankees would be sitting here right now. ... It’s just inappropriate.”
TK has more phony exits than James Brown.
Actually, Mr. Maddon, that’s exactly what would happen to the Yankees.
Nice letter Rebecca, I just read it on your blog, but why can’t I comment on your blog like I’m commenting here? (By the way you made me smile by writing here in one of your comments “the Mets blowpen!”).
Isn’t Tampa the king of making us play night games on getaway days to boost their feeble attendance? Sheesh!
TK, I think ESPN stole your headline.
I don’t know abot Mariano’s body but Girardi sounds a little cranky.
Ho hum.
Angel,
Perhaps MacBeth said it best.
Maddon seems almost as out of touch with reality as Girardi.
Girardi up close is showing a bit more of the real reason he was let go from his first managing job. At this point in the season, what difference does it make to tell the truth about the injury to Mo? No post season, no meaningful games other than possibly getting Moose the 20th win. If Mo is hurt and needs surgery, he isn’t likely to pitch, despite Girardi’s words.
With all the lies about the injuries, exactly how did that help the team? Take Wang’s injury, he was out and done for the season. Lying about it wasn’t going to change the outcome, it wasn’t going to have the opposition changing their game plan. So why do it?
What is there to gain especially when everyone knows the truth will come out. Its one thing to downplay it a bit, but don’t lie about it.
There is talk about grumbling in the clubhouse. Could it be that he pulls some of this stuff in there and has lost credibility? The players hear this stuff too. How do you think that makes them feel? Deceived? Pettitte talked about how Girardi said he wanted him back, is that a lie? If I were Pettitte I would be wondering about it right now.
Defective Trojans repelled by Beavers?
Nick: Beavers trap Trojans.
The one thing that doesn’t make sense with the idea that Girardi was purposely trying to hide injuries is that he knows Cashman is going to talk to the media too. Girardi is a smart guy. He would make sure that him and Cashman are on the same page when it comes to telling the media what happened. In other words, they would have the same story. Does it really sound possible that Girardi and Cash would agree to tell contraidctory stories? Of course not. So it sounds like they have communication problems.
Your strange, irrational loathing of Joe Girardi puzzles me.
Trojans give into Beavers.
My apologies if that’s over the line.
Well – this news about Mo certainly makes you think that Joba will most likely start ‘09 as a reliever.
As for Girardi – he should take a page from the Stump Merill post game interview approach back in early 90s and sip a brew while answering reporter’s questions.
Bedtime for me.
Thanks everyone that put up with my letter writing antics from earlier today. It should go out in tomorrow’s post.
Pete,
Would you consider leaving sports reporting and getting into political coverage? You seem to be more tenacious than 90% of the national media- can you ask John McCain and Sarah Palin why they lie all the time too?
It is a sad day when the most aggressive reporters we have out there are the Yankees beat guys and David Letterman.
When will Joe G. start babbling on about the missing quart of strawberries?
The hitters of Yankees often played DP or Fly out,but Dodgers’s hitting has made great progress.
Compare Kevin Long with Don Mattingly,and Don is better obviously.
I really doubt whether Kevin Long know how to discover player’s hitting problems and help them to improve.
By the way,Yankee’s players need more eager for victory than Redsox,Rays and Angel. The three teams always struggle to the very end for win every game. I take off my hat on them.
Yankees usually gave up the game early when they lost in the begining in this season.
“Never give up”(they really need it in next season)
RustyJohn
September 26th, 2008 at 1:31 am
When will Joe G. start babbling on about the missing quart of strawberries?
_
This has to be a first time that any sports blog or message board has had a reference to “The Caine Mutiny”.
I love how the NY Times likes to create panic bringing up surgery for Rivera to bolster their anemic sports section. Rivera’s fine he is likely sore because its late September and his arm has a ton of innings on it.
There’s a story about a sales manager in radio who comes into his new job and realizes that all the sales people were sitting around the office and not pounding the pavement to sell advertising – so what does he do? The guys come into work one day and all their desk chairs are gone!
This seems to be Girardi’s management style – take away the candy in the locker rooms – deprive the reporters of the perques they enjoy – in this case facts! – and show everyone who’s boss. This is nothing but naked insecurity, we’re seeing it now, but you’d think “management” should have known better. Does slamming the desk and amateurishly attempting to manage the media really add instant gravitas? These actions don’t fairly characterize Girardi as a person but they do illustrate the difference between him and the man he succeeds.
The tremendous thing about George Steinbrenner and his outrageous, grandstanding younger years was his ability to swallow his pride when he was wrong to welcome back Billy, Yogi, Reggie and Winfield. It was folly to mess with Torre and now he’s gone and this team of future HOF’ers play like middling no-shows. I wonder if this new generation of Steinbrenners can correct out of the bad turn they’ve made.
Good work on this Pete. As Dan Rather said for awhile, Courage!
Two words Buck Showalter!
“If you were the manager of the Yankees and Rivera came to you and said he had a “cranky body†wouldn’t you ask him what was wrong? It is Mariano Rivera, after all. So either Girardi is not telling the truth or he’s irresponsible.”
Surely you jest. At the end of a gruelling season you think it’s unusual for a player to say he has a cranky body? Holy God how long have you been covering sports? I’m just a fan and I am totally aware of how beat up players are at the end of the season. You think a manager would find it worrisome to hear a pitcher say he has a cranky body? I think it would be unusual to hear anything other than that at the end of a season!
I think sometimes you think there is a spy behind every bush. How about Girardi is both telling the truth AND is responsible? How about the politburo corps take on everything just may be skewed from time to time and you are the ones who are over the edge on this stuff.
May I remind you how you singularly ran with the Joba stuff convinced that Girardi was lying and it was some dreadfully serious issue.
Here’s what Girardi said: I don’t think it’s anything serious because his velocity wasn’t down and he wasn’t pitching in pain. But instead of believing him you and the rest of this blog spun out for two days, with you Pete telling everyone that it had to be something serious or he wouldn’t be sent for an MRI or to Dr. Andrews.
Girardi was right on the money. You all were totally off base. And you accused Girardi of hiding something then too.
Finally, I can only speak for myself, though it seems that more than a few others here are in agreement. We don’t need to press for details before the Yankees are ready to give them. They don’t owe us anything. When they are ready to give out information is soon enough for me.
I’m frankly tired of the press spinning out of control every time it feels that Girardi is hiding something. Report your stories and if you feel the need to report you think he’s hiding something then report it. But stop putting the guy on the cross every time you suspect something isn’t right. He has a heck of a lot more important things to do than to cater to the press. You want to make his life difficult? Do it. As someone aptly pointed out, Girardi doesn’t have to make the press happy. He will still have his job whether you like him or not. As long as he is managing the Yankees well, that is all the organization gives a crap about, not whether the sports reporters feel miffed about information!
That’s my opinion anyway. I believe you have lost your objectivity on Girardi if you ever even had any. It’s no great secret that you can’t stop yourself from worshipping at the throne of Joe Torre.
“Rivera’s fine he is likely sore because its late September and his arm has a ton of innings on it.”
He’s below his average of innings thrown and his pitches per inning were the fewest of his career this year. Fatigue shouldn’t be an issue.
“He’s below his average of innings thrown and his pitches per inning were the fewest of his career this year. Fatigue shouldn’t be an issue.”
Maybe age is catching up with him. And maybe it’s nothing. Beckett had an MRI and was sent to Andrews and was given a clean bill of health. Maybe its something minor. I’m sure we’ll know when it’s time for us to know.
““He’s below his average of innings thrown and his pitches per inning were the fewest of his career this year. Fatigue shouldn’t be an issue.â€
Maybe age is catching up with him. And maybe it’s nothing. Beckett had an MRI and was sent to Andrews and was given a clean bill of health. Maybe its something minor. I’m sure we’ll know when it’s time for us to know.”
That is exactly what I meant. Not only is it late September but he is a year older now than he was last year and perhaps a bit of soreness flared up no reason risking Mo in a meaningless series up in Fenway.
I’m sure Cashman will tell Girardi to handle the media differently when it is regarding injuries going forward.
It is Girardi’s job to be a source of accurate information to Yankee fans. The press is the conduit of info from the team to us. Reporters are our proxies. Girardi has a responsible to be truthful to the people who ultimately pay his salary. And that’s you and me.
This is a managerial problem. The right hand (Cashman) and the left hand (Girardi)are saying two different things. Doesn’t Big Stein have a PR guy nowadays? The Yankees should get some kind of “media consultant” to teach managers and coaches on how to deal with the press or at least the front office needs to make clear for Giardi what to divulge to the press and what not to divulge. Who’s in charge of the Yankees these days? The Yankees always seem like an organization with too many chiefs but not enough Indians (i.e. the Tampa crew vs. Cashman and who’s really in charge, the steinbrenner siblings or their spouses?)
We’re signing Sabathia. No question. Joba’ll close.
On top of that, doesn’t Hank want to do the whole GM by Committee thing as in Cashman just get’s more help? This team is starting look like a government bureaucracy.
“We’re signing Sabathia. No question. Joba’ll close.”
Err, ok. That still only leaves Wang and CC as sure fires starters next season, what about the 3,4,5’s in the rotation? Also does anyone else think Gene Michael could GM this team?
Honestly, I think you pick on Girardi too much and that you have just had issues with him all season long … but on this one I will give you some leverage … telling us that Mariano’s body is cranky drives me batty … you start to think all kinds of things, and you don’t have a clue as to what is actually going on … you even start to think is Mo not feeling well and could it be something serious physically instead of a shoulder or arm injury … so Girardi should have been forthright with these answers that’s for sure!
The Girardi apologists need to pipe down and face reality. I was in that camp for about 2 months, but the fact of the matter these were never issues with Joe Torre and Girardi has been deceiving and or vague too many times regarding injuries. Especially now with Mo and the Yankees eliminated. He often acts like injuries are matters of national security and must be closely guarded secrets.
I’d rather have a manager who conceals injuries from the press. There is nothing I hate more than how the media runs with negative Yankee related stories.
I’m sure Pete had a huge problem with Tom Brady being on the injury report every week last year too.
“I’m going under the assumption that most Yankees fans are concerned about the status of their closer and would like accurate information.”
There was no accurate information until the MRI came back anyway…
I don’t understand why the story strays so far away from the actual story (Mo going for an MRI) to Girardi’s interactions with the media.
I am a big Yankee fan and I know lots of people that closely follow the Yankees. No one I know cares about how anyone on the Yankees treat the media. It is not a story that Joe Girardi may or may not have misled Yankee beat writers.
If I didn’t find out that Mariano went to have an MRI until Monday, it would not have made any difference. Here’s the story: “Mariano went to NY for an MRI because his arm was sore, more information to come.” End of story.
If any of you follow football, you would know that coaches frequently give as little information as possible regarding player injuries. Why is this an issue in baseball? To hear that Girardi needs to go because he doesn’t disclose information about the team as quickly as some would like is insane. His job is based on team performance and considering the Yankees could win 90 games with the injuries and disapointing seasons they’ve had, he’s done a good job. As much as I like reading Abraham’s blog, I don’t care if I don’t find out about an MRI that doesn’t even have results in yet. Don’t know why anyone would.
Girardi might find work as a White House Press Secretary one day
Girardi slamming his fist is the symbol of the season.
Girardi better get his act together.
Giraldi is just clueless on how to communicate & interact. He has no tact or is not very smart.
He wasn’t fired from the Marlins because he couldn’t manage, but rather because he could not get along with his front office.
You’d think for the money he makes he would learn.
“It is Girardi’s job to be a source of accurate information to Yankee fans.”
I have a feeling that if you read his contract there is nothing in there about being a source of accurate information to Yankee fans.
It’s Girardi’s job to manage the Yankees. Period. It’s unfortunate that it’s gotten to the point that the press has as much access as they do. Better that PR departments hand them notes and they sit and cover games in their little press box. That’s about as much information to which I feel I am entitiled. If the Yankees want to give me more, all well and good.
“I have a feeling that if you read his contract there is nothing in there about being a source of accurate information to Yankee fans.”
Huh? The manager gives two press briefings per day, every day. How can you say that this is not a part of his job?
I liked the hiring of Girardi, but his actions all season with respect to his “spinning” (to be kind) of injuries has become beyond ludicrous. For a very smart man like him not to get that by constantly getting caught in “misinforming” the reporters, and thereby harming their credibility, he is ensuring they will always dig deeper with respect to every injury situation & ferret out the truth, & rightly so for our sakes. He, & by extension, the Yankee organization, loses in the long run.
Whatever tactical advantage Girardi thinks he’s gaining by trying to mislead,especially since he’s caught every time,
pales in comparison to the ill will he generates with the Beat writers, & we, the fans. He looks childish & petulant.
He needs to apologize to the press and cease his pointless misinformation policy & try & rebuild trust with the media. Cashman & Co. should insist upon it & punish future transgressions. People here who are criticizing the writers as being “petty” are misguided & refuse to see the big picture.
When lied to constantly, the Beat writers have every right to be be annoyed about it & an obligation to dig deeper.
Girardi does not have to have a Torre-like lovefest with press, but he should either be truthful or SILENT.
I can’t say I blame him for lashing out. Reporters always want to make something out of nothing around here because of the disappointing season. And hopefully Girardi hasn’t been reading the papers around here lately because you would think St. Joe Torre would have led this rudderless bunch to the playoffs with his touch of class. Puhleeeze! Maybe if the Yankees had acquired Manny Ramirez we’d be in the postseason too! The way they are treating Girardi is typical. The Yankees don’t put a good enough team out there to win and it’s all the manager’s fault. He’s forced to pitch Ponson and Rasner and watch Hughes and Kennedy got 0-8 with over a 6.00ERA combined and it’s Girardi’s fault. Get the hell out of here with your whining already!
great job, Pete. You are right on. Girardi needs to be a little more mature if he wants to be successful managing here. If he needs a role model, he can look across town at Jerry Manual—or at the previous guy who had his job.
This blog is a must-read, thanks for a great season…. Better than the one the Yankees had.