Spring Game 22: Yankees at Astros
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Mar 18, 2009 
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YANKEES
Damon LF
Cano DH
Teixeira 1B
Swisher RF
Ransom SS
Molina C
Cabrera CF
Berroa 2B
Leone 3B
Pitching today: Chien-Ming Wang followed by Brett Tomko, Jose Veras, Phil Coke and Jon Albaladejo.
ASTROS
Bourn CF
Smith 2B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Tejada SS
Blum DH
Johnson 3B
Bogusevic 2B
Towles C
Pitching today: Mike Hampton.
Notes: The Yankees have won five straight, Counting the games against Team Canada and Team USA, they are 10-10-1. … There is no DH today, so Wang will stand in the box and not swing. … The Astros are dreadful. They are 1-14-3 this spring and look worse than that.
WBC update: Derek Jeter and Team USA play a meaningless game against Venezuela tonight. The semifinals start on Saturday. Jeter is 5 for 19 in six games.
Joba question deadline: Joba Chamberlain has agreed to answer questions from readers of the LoHud Yankees Blog.
You have until today at 6 p.m. to submit one question via e-mail. I will pick the 10 best questions and ask them to Joba later this week. Only questions submitted via e-mail will be accepted. One per person.
The answers — and audio — will appear on the blog later this week, probably on Saturday morning.
Back with more later once we get to Kissimmee.
UPDATE, 9:37 a.m.: A few updates from the clubhouse . . .
Both Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada said their shoulders felt fine after playing last night. … Ramiro Pena has a slight groin injury. … CC’s next start, on Sunday, will be at the minor-league complex. Alfredo Aceves will face the Rays.
UPDATE, 11:02 a.m.: We have arrived at Kissimmee, where the sign out front said there was standing-room only available.
The Yankees added three minor leaguers to the roster for today: Justin Snyder, Addison Maruszak and Eric Duncan.
UPDATE, 11:32 a.m.: The Astros agreed to use a DH. So now Cano is playing and hitting second. Wang is off the hook.
UPDATE, 12:56 p.m.: So Cano had to drive here from Tampa. You watch, he’ll get a couple of of big hits. That’s how it always works.
UPDATE, 1:22 p.m.: 1-0 Astros. Jason Smith tripled and scored on a two-out single by Carlos Lee. Wang nearly made a play on the ball, which went up the middle.
UPDATE, 1:40 p.m.: Hampton has held the Yankees to one hit over three innings, a bloop single by Tex. 1-0 middle of the third.
UPDATE, 1:45 p.m.: Wang has retired the last seven batters he has faced, two by strikeout. 1-0 Houston after three innings.
UPDATE, 1:59 p.m.: I think Wang could be done. His line: 4 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 1 earned run, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts.
Of the 12 outs he recorded, seven were on the ground. His location was crisp.
UPDATE, 2:12 p.m.: Nope, CMW still out there. Still 1-0 Astros. Yanks have four hits and have left three men on base.
UPDATE, 2:15 p.m.: Wang got three grounders. Hampton is done for Houston as Valverde comes in. It’s 1-0 and the first five innings took a little more than an hour.
UPDATE, 2:27 p.m.: Phil Coke replaces Wang. CMW’s line was a strong 5 3 1 1 0 2. It’s still 1-0.
UPDATE, 2:45 p.m.: The Yankees have come all the way back to take a 2-1 lead. Here’s how it happened:
Ransom walked
Molina singled, Ransom to third
Pinch runner Austin Jackson steals second
Cabrera ground to second, run scores, Jackson to third
Berroa singles to right. 2-1 Yankees.
UPDATE, 2:53 p.m.: Brett Tomko on for the Yankees. 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh.
UPDATE, 3:02 p.m.: Cano singles, making him 2 for 4. Well worth the unexpected trip.
UPDATE, 3:10 p.m.: Coke and Tomko each pitched an inning. Now Veras is in and has walked the first guy.
Why are you counting games against the WBC teams?
We’re seeing a lot of Tomko – does this mean he is likely to make the team? I would doubt it given all of the arms to choose from…
I love Bruney’s attitude – he certainly is confident:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03.....160145.htm
“I don’t give a [spit] about that,” Bruney said of proving the Yanks don’t need Chamberlain in the pen. “I am here to help the team win a World Series. I am not Joba, so I am not worried about Joba. Anyone who thinks Joba should be in the eighth, that is their business. The team is counting on me in the eighth inning.”
“My ideal situation is to be a closer,” Bruney said. “I want that pressure situation. I want the toughest job. It not only pays better, but I like being out there with stuff on the line. I am not saying I want to take Mariano’s job. I just see myself as a closer one day. That is why this [year] is such a big step for later in my career.”
Hope Wang will not get walk or hit by pitch. Otherwise, he might walk between bases…
Leave it up to Joel Sherman to keep trying to resurrect a dead issue.
Too bad those “team officials” he cites aren’t named Hal Steinbrenner, Cashman, or Girardi or Sherman might actually have a scoop.
Betsy- He’s one cocky dude.
I WAS thinking that, Guiseppe Franco. I only posted the article because of Bruney – I rolled my eyes at the Joba stuff (though it’s not a dead issue to the media).
So you’re saying the Yankees Wang will not swing today?
If it came down to a situation where Mo did get hurt enough to miss serious time, Joba is the only guy on the team I’d be comfortable with as the closer. However, I think for the sake of Joba’s health, I’d prefer to live uncomfortably with someone else closing rather than seeing Joba’s role changing back and forth.
You have to root for guys like Bruney. How many players these days are honest enough with themselves to take stock of himself to do what’s he’s done?
To lose 50 pounds and 6% body fat, basically saving his Yankee career, is good stuff.
I hope he has a huge year as a reward for his dedication.
SJ44 -
Me, too.
Too many times, people look outward instead of inward. Whether or not he achieves his ultimate goal, I applaud him for taking necessary steps to make it even a possibility for that to happen.
He didn’t just change his body, but his attitude. It’s a giant step when someone comes to the realization that even though you are blessed with talent, you need to work to make the best of that blessing.
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/29725781/
Someone remind Joe that he is in the NL there is no dh.
“You have to root for guys like Bruney. How many players these days are honest enough with themselves to take stock of himself to do what’s he’s done?
To lose 50 pounds and 6% body fat, basically saving his Yankee career, is good stuff.”
Speaks to him maturing, that’s for sure. To be honest, I don’t think too many guys at this level would keep showing up an out of shape pantload every year either. This guy’s arm has never been in question but it would seem his commitment to conditioning and good health was. It’s refreshing to see him growing up, improving his game, and assuming the “I want the ball when it matters” attitude.
This is the normal recuperation from hip labrum surgery. 6-9 weeks is not normal.
“people who have this procedure are usually on crutches for up to two months. If you didn’t need the cartilage step, you might be on crutches for only two weeks. Within 1 or 2 months of surgeries, patients can get on the elliptical or start swimming, and after about three months, patients can start running and training specific to their sport.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/lif.....tml?page=1
Sounds like Bruney has a PSD degree “poor, smart & driven”….(the poor part is relative, given that most players at the MLB level make way more than your average American, even the scrubbies which Bruney isn’t but you get the point). Good for him.
I’m not sure why this is getting caught in the filter so I’ll try again
This is the normal recuperation time for hip labrum surgery and 6-9 weeks is not normal.
“people who have this procedure are usually on crutches for up to two months. If you didn’t need the cartilage step, you might be on crutches for only two weeks. Within 1 or 2 months of surgeries, patients can get on the elliptical or start swimming, and after about three months, patients can start running and training specific to their sport.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/lif.....tml?page=1
Wang playing against the Astros is a situation in which he has to hit, whoodathunkit?
*in*
Living in Scr/WB, I saw Bruney when he was demoted and he was lost. You could see it on the mound, mentally he was shot.
I don’t think enough praise can be sent his way. To physically and mentally rework yourself is extremely challenging and takes a lot of guts.
I think the two biggest factors was a guy who recognized his career slipping away, and getting Joe Torre out as manager. Torre was clueless with the pen and had trouble relating to some, not all, some young players.
Bruney may become a household name MLB Network and ESPN love after this year. Peter Gammons has said as much.
Why even send Wang up to the plate if he isn’t going to swing? As Clemson noted, he could get hit by a pitch or (somehow) draw a walk and get on base anyway.
Couldn’t you just take the automatic out by skipping him in the batting order?
BTW, Cashman should be given some credit for Bruney. 1. he got him for nothing, when anyone could have had him. 2. he offered him arb last year, despite the previous years struggles.
We were so close to geding Jeter back!!!!!
EDIT: Getting
WOW THIS EDIT FEATURE IS AWESOME, AND I FINALLY LEARNED HOW TO USE IT!
Cashman has picked up a few bullpen arms for nothing and there are almost assuredly going to be three of them in the pen come April:
Edwar Ramirez (picked up from the Independent league)
Brian Bruney (released by ARI and picked up as a FA in the middle of 2006)
Jose Veras (released by TB, TEX, and COL before signing with NYY in 2006)
Oops, my bad.
Veras was signed out of the Independent League as well. He never played for COL.
I know! I thought we’d have Jeter back this weekend.
no such luck.
http://blogs.chron.com/baseballblog/
—-
Aaron Boone is one of the classiest men you’ll meet, and it’s with great sadness that I wrote he will leave the team to have have a bicuspid aortic valve repaired.
The open heart surgery hasn’t been set, but it will be set shortly.
“We’ll probably schedule it this week,” he said. “It’s not an emergency situation. I don’t have to rush to the table. It is something I have to schedule this week but hopefully we’ll get done in the near future.”
It’s unclear when or if Boone will ever play baseball again. But baseball hardly matters now.
This news should remind us all that there are way more important things than spring training games.
—-
Buster:
Yanks unconcerned about A-Rod Being A-Rod
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 | Feedback | Print Entry
Alex Rodriguez has nine years and about $275 million remaining on his contract, and he’ll probably outlast everybody currently in the organization not named Steinbrenner. He’ll be with the Yankees after Derek Jeter retires, after CC Sabathia’s contract expires, after manager Joe Girardi is fired. He isn’t going anywhere.
So in that respect, he’s increasingly viewed as the eccentric uncle in Yankees’ family. He’s part of the clan and that isn’t going to change. So they live with his personality quirks, which don’t surprise any of them anymore.
The rest of the world might ask: Why has A-Rod befriended Madonna? Inside the Yankees’ family, the response is That’s Alex.
The rest of the world might ask: Why would A-Rod host a press conference about his past steroid use and create more questions than he answers? Inside the Yankees’ family, the response is That’s Alex.
And today, the rest of the world might ask: Why would A-Rod pose for a picture in which he appears to be kissing himself in a mirror? Inside the Yankees’ family, the response is That’s Alex.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be sure to make fun of him for it,” one teammate told Kat O’Brien.
The Red Sox lived for a long time with Manny Being Manny because he had an eight-year contract, he’s a great hitter, and he helped them win two World Series. And similarly, the Yankees will live with A-Rod Being A-Rod, and they will go about their business around him and ignore all the unusual decisions that he makes. They will hope none of that prevents him from being as great of a player as he has been in the first 14 years of his career.
The Yankees’ spring training is actually going pretty well. Jorge Posada, coming back from shoulder surgery, is throwing to bases now, and appears to be on the right track. Mariano Rivera made his first exhibition appearance Tuesday. Sabathia looked great. The young pitchers who struggled last year are doing well.
Strange A-Rod pictures? A-Rod being A-Rod? They have stopped worrying about all that.
Sorry…don’t know why it coded like that. The link is
http://blogs.chron.com/baseballblog/
>Giuseppe Franco
You should have used the the new LHBLOG edit future
EDIT: Feature
MAN I LOVE THIS FEATURE!
Who is supposed to pitch in Saturday’s game?
Wow good luck to Booney… thanks for the HR in 2003. Get well soon.
Review of the new NYC stadiums:
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/.....rentPage=1
Does anyone know where I could watch the Yankees edition of MLB TV’s 30 clubs in 30 days?
Wishing Aaron Boone a quick recovery!
Just read about Boone getting surgery on ESPN. Hopefully all goes well, and I wish him the best. Hit one of the biggest HRs of my lifetime, so I’ll always have fond memories of him.
Sad news about Boone, he should move to NY, he’ll never pay for another meal in his life (t)here.
Here’s my question about AL vs NL in ST games….why not let the AL team always use a DH and let the NL team use the pitcher to hit if they wish??? I mean, the results of these games really don’t matter, so the AL team getting the unfair advantage of the better hitter isn’t a big deal. Plus the NL guy gets to face one more quality hitter which is probably a good thing for evaluation purposes. Also, this way allows the NL pitchers to get ready for the year by giving them their ABs while not subjecting the AL guys to unnecessary ABs. Win-Win in my mind.
We always heard how Bruney had troubles in Arizona and how he was immature. I think he has really improved his attitude and he has a shot of being an extremely good set-up guy and maybe closer. I like his attitude right now.
I think Bruney is a free agent after this season, he could come up really big for us and get signed as a closer in the offseason.
SJ44, do you know what Bruney’s relationship with Joe Torre was like?
“Alex Rodriguez has nine years and about $275 million remaining on his contract, and he’ll probably outlast everybody currently in the organization not named Steinbrenner. He’ll be with the Yankees after Derek Jeter retires, after CC Sabathia’s contract expires, after manager Joe Girardi is fired. He isn’t going anywhere. ”
Wow that is really depressing. Can we trade this guy in a few years? Please?
Patrick,
If I remember correctly, Torre left Bruney off the 2007 playoff roster.He may have deserved it because he wasn’t pitching well, but I remember reading something recently where Bruney mentioned that ticked him off. I’m guessing he and Torre didn’t get along too well.
rodg12 – I was asking the same question the last time this came up (I think it was 1-2 weeks ago)…makes no sense
Rishi, thanks for posting that. I love that the Yankees are going to make fun of Alex for that pic – you don’t make fun of someone (affectionately) unless you like them. So he’s a bit of an odd duck – so am I; there’s nothing wrong with that. As to camp, it’s going very well – knock on wood for the continued health of our rehabbing guys as well as everyone else. The new guys have fit in extremely well, the organization is happy with the progress Phil and Ian have made, the clubhouse culture overall is strong, CC has looked very good, AJ has looked brilliant, Tex has been as advertised….can’t complain.
Wow about Aaron Boone – my thoughts will be with him. I pray that he makes a full recovery and that he can get back on the field. If he is unable to, I hope he stays in the game in some capacity.
cant we just cut aroid already?
If Bruney has a big year I have to imagine the Yanks will do anything to keep him. Otherwise we’re right back where we started with the whole 8th inning conundrum. Let him be the 8th inning guy till Mo finally has to ride into the sunset, move him to CL, bring up Melancon for the 8th, we’ll be set (in a perfect world) Now all we need is a good SS prospect…
I’m also rooting hard for Bruney to lock down that 8th inning role. It’s very impressive that he took stock of himself and basically turned his career around. How unselfish of him was it that he decided to risk his health by not going for the sure-cure surgery to fix his foot and instead decided to rehab it so he could try and help his team? The nice thing is that he is young – anyone know how many years are left on his contract? He wants to close and if he doesn’t think that he’ll get that shot here eventually, I’m sure Brian will take full advantage of free agency.
Wang had better remember to just stand there like a statue………..
Best wishes to Aaron Boone
Thanks Rishi.
Good article from The New Yorker.
Citifield is a vast improvement over Shea though.
One contrast that I don’t believe was brought up is how the Met’s are sort of stealing some history but at the same time the Yanks are sort of destroying some history. I guess it’s a matter of opinion on which is the bigger crime.
I’m excited about the new stadium and am counting down the days till I see it firsthand (April 17th!-T-minus 30 days). I think I got better seats but we’ll see on that and I’m really looking forward to all that space but I know in my heart that after the initial thrill wears off there will be a feeling of dissapointment in knowing that we traded off history for a little more elbow space and some microbrews and garlic fries.
Interesting that Jacob Ruppert had his eye on that west side lot 85 years ago.
hey guys,
does anyone know the deadline to complete our brackets for the ncaa pool?
IF Bruney pitches well this season I would not spend big bucks to keep him. There is no hole in the 8th inning. Melancon is ready to be the set-up guy RIGHT NOW. Not to mention all the other electric arms the Yanks have.
Hmm I’m reading that Bruney is still arb eligible after this season. Does anyone know if this is true? I thought 2009 was his third arb year.
Brian Bruney has an 8th inning mindset. Failure is not an option.
There will be certain situations for him to close in games where Mo was used the night before in accordance to how Girardi uses his bullpen.
as far as bruney goes , it is impressive that he’s made positive changes in his life . for any of us changing for the better is always hard to do. it’s just human nature to keep doing what you’ve been doing. that said, why not challenge players to stretch themselves?
the yankees must have seen that bruney was 40 pounds overweight. what could they have done to help him come to this decision to improve his conditioning with a life style change?
i realize the player has to be self motivated to make these kind of changes, but you’d think that it wouldn’t be totally left to the player to have a meeting with himself to bring about positive change.
AROD Fan -
Most of the brackets are saying you need to complete them before the first tip-off, IIRC. So, sometime tomorrow?
I hope Boone has a safe surgery and speedy recovery.
I tell ya, life is full of “surprises,” isn’t it? Some not too welcome.
“Hmm I’m reading that Bruney is still arb eligible after this season. Does anyone know if this is true? I thought 2009 was his third arb year.”
In Cots, it reads like this was his 2nd arb year. His MLB service time in ’06 was pretty limited, which may explain things.
there was a ton of ppl here last month knocking cashman for not signing andruw jones. the good news for them is that jones is about to be let go by the rangers who are not going to add him to thier roster by friday, so you are going to get a second chance to damand he be signed.
Randy:
I think it’s just growing up. He’s 27 years old now and has for the most part had a disappointing career to this point despite being blessed with a great arm. Being stone cold released by the D’backs, being shuttled between the minors and the bigs, and missing time due to injury, you’d like to think he learned something.
I like Bruney. I think he is going to have a great year. He wants the ball in the 8th inning, plus the joba debate makes him work even harder.
It seems like the dude pitches every day.
No need to re-sign Bruney to big money when we have Melancon
Everyday-
You’re right. I hope they don’t burn Coke out. He threw 3 innings on Sunday and is back out there after only 2 days rest…
The Sox cut Josh Bard. A few weeks ago somebody on here was saying he was a border-line all-star, or something.
I somehow don’t think A-Rod took these photos with the idea of his teammates laughing at him…
wow..!!!.AJ faces toronto tomorrow. I guess it will be the first game for him in which he gets shelled. I dont want him to pitch perfect in ST, then get tattooed in his first start.
AJ’s next 2 starts are both on TV against the Jays and Sox
As much as we poke fun at arod. I’m sure we will forget all about his off-field antics once he starts hitting homeruns.
You think AJ’s going to make those starts? Or, will he pitch a minor league game somewhere?
Well, thank goodness for that:
UPDATE, 11:32 a.m.: The Astros agreed to use a DH. So now Cano is playing and hitting second. Wang is off the hook.
Arod’s coming out !
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
The funniest part of the A-Rod pics is that he apparently took them the same day he found out about the steroids.
You’re career was just ruined and you were just caught cheating… so what do you do? Take modeling pictures of you kissing a mirror!
Such a clown, but as long as he hits… nobody will care.
Per Pete in his article today, AJ will be pitching tomorrow (Posada will be catching). This game is on YES tomorrow night…It will be fun to see him against his ex mates. I do sort of get nervous when players have practically perfect springs, so I kind of hope at some point that AJ gets touched up a bit. It really doesn’t matter, though – he’s going to have a few tough starts during the season whether or not he’s perfect in ST. As long as he’s throwing well (he has a very fluid, smooth delivery – reminds me of Mo), that’s all that counts. If AJ really wants to throw hitters off, he should work on his change and work with Mo on his cutter (even if he just uses it a couple of times a game) ……..
I think he’d start against the Jays considering they are not really a ‘rival’ of ours and not a team we’re going to be battling for the playoffs.
But I don’t see how he will (or should) start against Boston. Especially a guy like him who will get amped up to face the Sox, you don’t want him doing too much to try and impress people and have that pressure on him. Plus, I wouldn’t mind not showing him to the Sox until the regular season.
I wouldn’t start AJ against the Sox.
As CB said… the change is very important for him and will show us if he truly has ‘evolved’.
Thank you, Astros…….lol
Why do some NL teams reject the DH in ST anyway? They want their pitchers to get some ABs?
You have to wonder about Alex’s advisers. On what planet did they think that a photo shoot with Steven Klein would be received positively. Or change his image. Yeah people would love to see Alex’s tone fit body, that will make them connect to him. They are probably paid hundreds of thousands of dollars, you’d think they’d check out his work to get some idea as to the shots he takes.
Alex obviously isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, either that or he just loves to be in the spot light, good or bad press. He should know by now how photos of him making out with himself in the mirror would be received.
I was a big Bruney fan the first go-around, but I told a good friend here not to fall in love with him because he’ll break your heart. But he definitely looks like he’s on track to good things. For him it’s all mental, and he’s an example of Girardi’s ability to handle difficult pitchers. If Farnsworth had stayed I’m sure he would’ve been another successful makeover. They all have talent, but all these middle relievers want is to be loved.
But to make life changing changes like Bruney’s done takes a very strong mind and some major committment. Congrats to him on that.
Torre and Bruney? Not good. I remember furniture involved on Bruney’s part.
Alex is officially a crossover -freak- star. He made the “Showbiz Tonight” segment of CNN’s Headline News. He supplanted the Octomom as the lead-in story.
a couple of things about the dh in ST. yes the nl teams want their pitchers taking some bp, but like to keep them to batting practice because there is less risk of injury. really nl teams are mostly looking for thier pitchers to be able to bunt, but you dont want them bunting too much in ST games bc of the risk of hand injuries. so they have been waiving the dh in game after game this spring.
Sorry to hear about Boone – hope all goes well.
Two facts about Boone:
1) He’ll always be the guy that hit that HR in 2003 to beat the Sox, leaving him forever known in Beantown as Aaron “Bleepin’” Boone.
2) In the Dubious Data Department, but for Boone’s off season knee injury going into 2004, A-Rod never comes to the Yankees. (Do with that what you will).
Why is AROD such a Circus???
http://men.style.com/details/f.....;play=true
I don’t get it, Completely Weird….
I think Emerson was talking about Alex when he wrote, “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” Alex should be more self reliant and pay no mind to his handlers.
There is a rumor that Jim Kaat wanted to come back to YES at a part time basis, but was denied. So he’s going to MLB Network instead.
Anyone have the full scoop?
thanks for the link to the new yorker stadium review. first off, he was spot-on when he said the new stadium, “is effectively an attempt to atone for the brutal 1973 renovation of Ruppert’s building, which removed the historic ambience without adding much in the way of modern amenities.”
i went to my first game in 1964, and i loved the old stadium. back then there was no interweb so you had really no idea what the new stadium would look like when it reopened and then…blahhhhhhhhhh. the roof was gone with the frieze or facade or whatever they called it (so were the girders blocking lower deck views) and in its place was this monolithic behemouth with no personality whatsoever. and there was a little fake facade out in the outfield that was supposed to make you feel better about it. i’ve always felt that they butchered the old stadium.
im a little concerned that the new new yankee stadium might be a little too much of an imitation of the old one, but what ive seen seems pretty nice. ill withold my judgement until i’ve been in it myself.
Jack Bauer
I heard that as well. Yes turned him down said they didn’t have the budget for him or the space. Kaat said he wasn’t looking for mega bucks.
” Being stone cold released by the D’backs, being shuttled between the minors and the bigs, and missing time due to injury, you’d like to think he learned something.”
Steve B-
you’d think so, but not everyone does or it wouldn’t be newsworthy that bruney has changed something. i’m just saying you’d think that the yankees would do something proactive to get more players to make positive changes.
sending someone to triple a from the majors can be a kick in the butt, but there are other ways to get players to the fork in the road where they have a choice of making a positive change.
for instance, eiland and girardi put mussina at a fork in the road last spring when they said pitch inside or go to the bullpen. mussina was the one who had to make the final choice, but making him realize he had a choice to make was good work by girardi and eiland.
there are other less intrusive ways of getting someone to change behavior. just charting things does wonders. just things like putting players weights and body fat% on a wall chart in the trainers room that everyone sees would have an effect.
the yankees have a team shrink and performance coach, but it seems like an obvious case of bruney not being in shape to play professional baseball was left pretty much to him .
the yankees seem to simply go by performance. bruney got bad , so he was sent down where it was up to him to get it together or not. kind of a sink or swim way of getting results.
that works with some people , and with some people for a short time. whether these changes stay with bruney remain to be seen. what happens when he does well enough to make some money and be more secure?
does he slack off again and revert back to bad habits? again, you’d think the yankees would be more involved than just a sink or swim philosophy based on performance. if you do well you stay ;if you don’t you’re gone( unless they are stuck with salary and years).
you’d think they’d do things to make players want to continually improve. or look for the kind of player that is driven in that way. in the case of bruney, it looks like he did it totally on his own. the yankees should be in there with the player helping these kinds of things happen as much as possible.
Jack Bauer:
“Kaat won’t be returning to YES’ Yankees booth. MLB sources said Kaat reached out to YES suits, offering his services on a limited basis at a reasonable price.
Sources said Kaat, who was not looking for major dough or a monster schedule, was told YES had no room for him because of budgetary constraints and scheduling.
Think about this: YES and the Yankees, who are rolling in dough, cannot afford to pay Kaat. Man, the economy must be worse than anyone really thought. Think about this: YES, already with a cast of thousands, cannot squeeze Kaat in the booth on a limited basis.
Nah, why would YES want to bring back Kaat, not only a marquee analyst YES suits raved about, but a fan favorite too. That just didn’t make sense.”
http://tinyurl.com/am8h2f
I just cannot understand what everyone’s problem is with A-Rod. Yes, he’s weird, he does and says dumb things, he lives in his own little world. I get that. I also get that he is going to hit .300 with 30-40 hrs (or more) and drive in 120 runs. Plus, he’s got a good sense of the basepaths and is a good defensive player.
I have no problem putting up with off the field shenanigans as long as he produces at the plate. There is no one we could get to replace that kind of production…and that includes Manny, who is even a bigger headcase.
As for the picture, c’mon, he’s not kissing himself, he’s finally “facing the man in the mirror.”
I have no idea what A-Rod was thinking
How do you take pics like that?
Jennifer, I think that Alex needs to get advisors that are sports people. His PR people are Hollywood types and they are treating him as a Hollywood celebrity.
Isn’t Dave Justice still on the payroll – - but they turned down Jim Kaat. Maybe Kaat has an age discrimination case against the Steinbrenners.
Tom
Or he should be more like Thoreau. Alex in a Cabin in the woods- with no mirror – ha.
I’m not sure how the Emerson quote applies to Alex.
I always thought in meant: don’t be so afriad of contradicting yourself that you never branch out or say what you mean.
What were you thinking?
Is Joba pitching on Saturday?
People act like he did a photo shoot with Playgirl magazine. Has it really come to this??? We have now resorted to nick picking at every ( and I mean every) single thing this guy does? The last time I checked he is the first person at the field and the last one to leave. I work with people I may not like, but I dont worry about everything they do after work hours.
I wonder … during the season or the world series will Wang be allowed to pitch in NL parks?
I know the idea s to protect his foot from another injury. I don;t see why he can’t just go to the plate. Either Girardi can order him not to swing, and take an automatic out, or he can order him to take an easy jog to first for the likely out (while moving any existing base runners up) if he makes contact.
If he still gets on (by a hit or walk) he can be restricted to jogging the bases or just allow himself to get picked off. At least he’d have moved any other runners up a base or two if he got a hit.
If he was our 5th best pitcher he’d be easier to skip over, but I’d think you’d want a guy like him going into the 7th or 8th inning in an important game.
An option for the world series is just to set the rotation so he only pitches at home, but for the regular season stretches of interleague play that just might not be possible.
ANSKY –
They’re probably just being a little protective during spring training. He’s only a couple of weeks pitching and why take unnecessary chances in games that ultimately mean nothing?
I don’t think they’re going to re-vamp their rotation during interleague play – I mean I wouldn’t think they’d do that.
I’m not saying we should sign Bruney if he’s looking for mega closer $$. I agree that Melancon is probably ready, but can you ever have too many good arms? Why let him go just because we have a prospect that might work out and might be great?
fran- Very good point.
Girardi will probably tell him to just stand there in the NL parks and get himself out
We play in Atlanta, Miami, and Citi Field
I’m so sick and tired of people being critical over crap. Arod getting in touch with himself is not smart but it makes him a little more human. Who cares what people think, he is the best hitter in baseball and as long as he hits in October, I don’t care if they have pictures of him licking himself. Just doint in October Arod!!
What is Bruney’s contract situation? He’s not under our control or anything is he? Isn’t he a free agent that chose to re-sign with us? I wouldn’t give him mega money. But enough to make him feel appreciated. Of course you don’t want him running off for more money (giggle), but we have lots of upside pitchers and there’s no room in the rotation for them.
Nice piece in The New Yorker but short and undeveloped compared to most Goldberger pieces. He obviously wrote it from the perspective of someone with no interest in ever going INSIDE a baseball stadium.
My big gripe w/ all the new Stadium reportage — I haven’t even seen it commented on here, by fans — is the total lack of commentary on the new profile. What made Yankee Stadium such an amazing place to watch a ballgame was how steeply pitched the decks were, so that in just about any upper deck seat a fan was almost ON TOP of the action. This also created that enormous, canyon-like sound — the acoustic difference, say, between, speaking through a cardboard paper-towel tube and a funnel.
The new stadium has a profile totally dissimilar to the old one — much shallower, closer to say the new Tiger Stadium, which, however pretty, is a lousy place to watch a game. even in good seats it’s almost like looking through binoculars.
Can someone who has actually been inside the stadium — PETE? — ease my concerns? It realy f#@king bums me out.
Bruney is under contract for next year too I think right?
>Can someone who has actually been inside the stadium — PETE? — ease my concerns?
Go see for yourself.
Damn, I really felt like if Wang had a chance to have an at-bat or two, it really could be the thing that pushes us into the play offs.
I know it seems like I’m picking on Alex when I point out other mainstream venues playing up this story.
But it is what it is. So yes, we can say that Alex is the best baseball player in the world (he can’t even make that claim anymore), etc., etc. But the baseball world doesn’t exist in a vacuum anymore.
I’d like to see Selig mandate community service by teams like how Stern does. I really think it would help the game. It would also help kickoff my PR campaign for Al!
Count
I can’t help you. But I must say one of my biggest fears is that I will prefer the new Shea to the new Stadium.
I like the outside and the inside (stands/field) but i fear the interior will be too modern for me- but who knows.
“I wonder … during the season or the world series will Wang be allowed to pitch in NL parks? ”
Wang has always had better numbers at the stadium than on the road. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Yankees tweak the rotation during the playoffs so that his games can be at the stadium. Of course, we have to get their first.
Way too much is being made of Wang ever swinging a bat again (including Girardi).
It was a freak accident and if there are people on base, he’s going to bunt (I hope). If there’s a guy on 3rd with less 2 outs he’s going to swing.
We’re not going to lose games to avoid another freak accident.
Get back up on that horse, CMW. Just do it in a game that counts.
If anybody’s interested, the game is on MLB.com radio with Milo Hamilton
What would the yankees record have to be after 25 in order to satisfy us bloggers/die-hard yankee fans?
I’m goint to say…..16-9.
worst case scernario 13-12
Wang’s accident was a freak thing, yes, but, why take chances in an exhibition game? By the time he needs to bat again, it will be a full year, which is plenty of time to ebsure the injury is completely healed.
Benny,
A winning record and being ahead of the Rays/Sox when Al comes back would satisfy me.
update:
UPDATE, 12:56 p.m.: So Cano had to drive here from Tampa. You watch, he’ll get a couple of of big hits. That’s how it always works.
***ensure*** the injury is completely healed.
Green Beret,
Yeah. That’s what I meant. Games that count. I’d love to win “Spring Training Champ”, but I meant reaallll games.
Pel, thanks for the smart-assery. Maybe you have $300 bucks I can borrow to check it out.
I love listening to Milo Hamilton
Should be a high scoring game, today. Wind is blowing right to left at 20 MPH.
And, as I say that, Damon strikes out
Back to Bruney. He is arb eligible next year as I understand it. After next year he is a free agent.
By then we will know if Melancon is the real deal. Also by then several other arms will be ready to contribute in the big leagues. Spending tons of money on set-up pitchers is a waste and hopefully a thing of the past. Marte is a special case because he is a lefty and consistent which is extremely rare.
Cano batting and lines deep to center. Wind held the ball up in the gap.
Teixeira singles to center
Swisher bounces out to 3rd
I understand keeping Wang of the bases in meaningless ST games and am not worried about him getting at-bats so he’s ready for the 5 times he might actually see the plate this season. But I do hope that when the time comes for him to pitch in an NL stadium that Girardi and the others don’t harp on his injury from last season. if they dwell on it too much then it will be in the back of his mind and may lead to something bad happening. Players always say, “you can’t go into a game worrying about getting hurt, because then you will.” Hopefully come real game-time, the message about Wang is, “He’ll be fine if he just goes out there and plays”
It probably wouldn’t cost all that much money to keep Bruney. That said, I wouldn’t resign him to a multi-year deal no matter what.
There are too many young arms in the system to lock down anyone in th pen for a number of years unless his name is Rivera.
Should be a good test for wang, with Houston playing 5 regulars
GB7, Thanks for the updates.
Did anyone post a gameday link? If so could someone repost please?
Bourne leads off, grounds out to first base. 3 pitches, all strikes
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday.....b_houmlb_1
gameday?
Patrick,
Thanks for that info. This is Bruney’s 3rd year with us?
Arizona really gave up on him, huh?
Smith batting, triples on a 3-2 count. 6 pitches.
Berkman lines out to short on first pitch.
2009 is Bruney’s 4th year with the Yankees.
The Astro radio guy is just brutal. Wonder what Astro fans do for 162 games.
Lee batting, single through the middle on a 2-1 pitch run scored. 1-0 Houston
THX Rishi
Tishbi-
Milo is a classic come one he is like the Bob Sheppard of radio broadcasting been around forever. (he called Aaron’s Ruth breaking HR) We Yankees fans should be so lucky to have someone who does radio calls so well.
Tejada batting, flies out to center. 3 pitches, 2 balls .
Milo Hamilton and Bob Elson in the 60′s and early 70s were a clasic team on WCFL Chicago for White Sox radio.
Patrick,
Thanks for that.
GB7,
Thanks for the play-by-play
Gayle, He could be a classic, but he’s really well suited for TV. He doesnt tell you anything as a radio guy, no “word picture” coming out of his mouth.
Ranson gets robbed on a liner to short
GB7, youre watching or listening?
o’mel
March 18th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Patrick,
Thanks for that.
GB7,
Thanks for the play-by-play
————————————————————
My pleasure. Only giving the pitches on Wang. It’s his pitch count that I’m interested in.
Molina flies out to center
Tishbi
March 18th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
GB7, youre watching or listening?
————————————————————
Just listening and going on Hamilton’s descriptions
He was a little better this inning giving some pitches and location.
Scary looking lineup today
Winds must have shifted or swirling since Hamilton’s first report. sounds like wind is holding the fly balls hit high.
Blum is batting, soft liner to short. 2-1 count. 4 pitches
murphydog March 18th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Isn’t Dave Justice still on the payroll – – but they turned down Jim Kaat. Maybe Kaat has an age discrimination case against the Steinbrenners.
- – - – - – - – - –
YES turned down Kaat returning as a broadcaster? If Jim doesn’t have an age discrimination case he might have one against them for gross incompetence. Kaat is as good as there is. Period.
Sign him on!!!!!
Johnson batting. Strikeout, 4 pitches, 1 ball
>Pel, thanks for the smart-assery. Maybe you have $300 bucks I can borrow to check it out.
Hey, I’ll gladly let you borrow $300.
But, instead…hold on:
Pete, answer this guy. He’ll either be satisfied or dissatisfied with what you write, he’ll never have to step foot in the stadium to experience it himself, and it’ll save me some cash.
There. 2 birds.
Telling someone to witness something for themselves is not “smart-assery”.
Go and ease your own nerves. Experience it for yourself.
You would rather NOT be your own authority on that particular experience? You would rather NOT be able to form your own opinions on the matter with the information you gather through experience? You would rather settle for living vicariously through the 5 senses of someone else, when you can experience something for yourself?
I wouldn’t. But that’s just me.
Me and my snide remarks. Pffft…that’s just Pel being Pel.
Bogusevic batting. 4 pitches, 2 balls. second ball hit off of Wang’s glove, including the RBI single. Sounds like he’s got a target on him.
Duck, Wang.
I agree. Kaat was always a breath of fresh air in the booth. Tells it like it is, no sugarcoating. With Leiter gone to MLB Network, why not bring back Kaat?
Berroa batting, high bouncer to short. 1 out.
Leone bounces out to 3rd.
I’m pretty sure Leiter will still call games this year. He is doing some stuff for MLB network but I read somewhere that he will also be calling games on YES.
Damon bounces out to 2nd. Yanks aren’t doing much of anything and going down fast. Will Hampton make a big comeback this year or break down, again?
quick game so far. bottom of the 3rd inning in 35 minutes.
So GB starting the third how many pitches do you have Wang at?
Kaat and Sigleton were the best pair the yanks have had since the Rizz, White. Messer team. IMO
They must have some petty reason so we’re stuck with Flash (booooooring) and David -deer in headlights- Cone and all the other mediocre analysts.
Where is the outrage?
Towles batting. strike out on 5 pitches. 2 balls
Bourne bounces out on 2 pitches 1 ball. 28 pitches so far.
Towles looks like Floyd Landis in his gameday photo…
Smith bounces to 2nd base on two pitches. 1 ball. 30 pitches in 3 innings. 2 hits, 1 run (earned), 0 walks, 2 strike outs.
Ummm, Pel. Nowhere in my post did I ask for firsthand perspective in order to determine whether or not I would ever “set foot inside the stadium.” By that logic all accounts of the stadium — any anticipation, or photos, reviews, whatever — are worthless.
Also, when I travel abroad, I read beyond the brochure. I’ll ask a friend about a city, a hotel. Somebody that’s been there. I’m also hyped to read about how Brett Gardner’s doing. Should I not read the paper until I can “seem him with my own eyes”?
I’m excited about the stadium. I’m also afraid they bungled a crucial aspect of the Yankee Stadium experience. Who dubbed you Deemer of Appropriate Inquiries? Yeesh.
Cano singles on a liner to center.
Teixeira bounces into a DP around the horn.
did i miss when mike hampton actually stopped being injured??? Havent seen that guy in years.
Hopefully Wanger has a good start as well.
Swisher batting. Bounces a singles to center
Ransom bounces out to shortstop.
xpost “SEE him with my own eyes”
A player in the Yankees clubhouse saw the photo yesterday on the cover of the New York Post and snickered at it with a couple teammates. “What was he thinking?” one mused. Most Yankees shook their heads or shrugged. One said: “Don’t worry, we’ll be sure to make fun of him for it.”
When shown the picture before Team USA’s game in the World Baseball Classic, Derek Jeter appeared a bit taken aback but had no comment. He shook his head and said: “All sorts of articles coming out.”
http://www.newsday.com/sports/.....5465.story
What was Derek Jeter really thinking when shown the A-rod photo?
Berkman batting. Bloop hit to right, over Berroa. 2 pitches. both strikes
Lee batting, grounds into DP short to first. 2 pitches, both strikes
the Yin and Yang of Derek and Alex becomes more visible with each blossoming moment.
Tejada batting. Bounces out to short. two pitches, 2 strikes. 36 pitches in 4 innings.
Thanks for the play-by-play GB7!
Just popped in to say something that I have to believe probably has not been said today! Kei Igawa, clap clap, clap clap clap!!!
Just read in Pete’s notebook that he is being given serious consideration for the long reliever role.
Good on ya Kei!
Like mel, the more someone gets down on one of our guys, the more I am going to support him. That and I have never been convinced that Kei can’t pitch! (My exception is Ian Kennedy, for whom I am willing to lead the anti charge!)
I swear I thought about this last night and I guess there is really something to it: the 10th player effect. Kevin you know who-kilis said that one of the biggest factors in Team USA’s win was the crowd.
FWIW, Guthrie starts tonight’s game. (It’s worth a lot to me!) And how about Team Korea!
Later y’all.
>I’m also afraid they bungled a crucial aspect of the Yankee Stadium experience.
>also afraid they bungled a crucial aspect of the Yankee Stadium experience.
>afraid they bungled a crucial aspect of the Yankee Stadium experience.
>they bungled a crucial aspect of the Yankee Stadium experience.
>bungled a crucial aspect of the Yankee Stadium experience.
>a crucial aspect of the Yankee Stadium experience.
>crucial aspect of the Yankee Stadium experience.
>aspect of the Yankee Stadium experience.
>of the Yankee Stadium experience.
>the Yankee Stadium experience.
>Yankee Stadium experience.
>Stadium experience.
>experience.
Who’s Yankee Stadium experience?
Yours? Did they bungle it? Did they bungle your Yankee Stadium experience across the street in the new stadium? Would Pete know that?
Travel abroad to the new stadium and tell me all about it.
Molina batting. Lines a single to center
My pleasure, S. a. I feel just like “Dutch” Reagan.
You are truly a clown. Please leave me alone, or go for a jog. Or something.
But I like your concrete poetry.
Cabrera flies out softly to right.
Berroa batting. Flies out to short center.
Actually, if you flip your verse over it strongly resembles the shallower profile of the new Yankee Stadium.
The benefits of the older, steeper profile, incidentally, are not part of “my” experience. The proximity to the field and the uniquely reverberant roar were part of a “shared” experience…but maybe you never went much.
Leone batting. Strikes out. They were obviously concerned with Molina’s base running skills. Hampton looked at him once and used a slide step.
From MLB.com:
“Veteran infielder Aaron Boone has a heart condition that will require surgery, effectively ending his year with the Astros.
“I have been diagnosed as having a heart condition involving the aorta and aortic valve,” Boone said, flanked by nearly the entire Astros team at a Wednesday morning press conference in a meeting room at the Osceola County Stadium complex.
Boone will have surgery to have the valve replaced. He has had this condition since college. He’ll schedule the surgery this week. He categorized it as “not an emergency situation.”
There were some on here recently who wanted Boone bacck instead of Alex. Hope all goes well with Aaron, but I’ll take the guy from Details Mag.
Blum batting. bounces out to short. 6 pitches, 2 balls.
Anyone else use a feed reader and having trouble with the feed?
Johnson batting. Bouncer to third. 2 balls, 3 strikes…5 pitches.
“Blum batting. bounces out to short. 6 pitches, 2 balls.”
6 PITCHES!!!!!
To one batter?? What the hell is he doing?
Like today’s economical Wang.
Bogusevic bounces to first base on first pitch. Wang has thrown 48 pitches in 5 innings.
Great outing for Wang… both him and CC rebounded after tough starts
I haven’t added the balls vs strikes, but, if Wang has thrown 12 out of the strike zone, I’d be surprised.
Swisher up to .241.. just a couple days ago he was at .091
Man, the excitement is palpable! Mid-March against the Astros. Is this heaven . . . or Iowa?
Nice outing by Wang, lots of ground balls as usual, good to see the pitching staff looks set to go for this season.
Damon bounces out to 2nd base.
GB – Thanks much for the updates. You watching the game somehow??
“Man, the excitement is palpable! Mid-March against the Astros. Is this heaven . . . or Iowa?”
lol yeah, this be coming kind of tedious now. The season can’t start soon enough
When Wang is getting those ground balls then you know he is locating his sinker.
Juding from what Gameday is showing, Wang had 12 groundouts and 3 flyouts, but who knows if Gameday is accurate.
wanger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Damn..I love our rotation.
Cano batting. Smokes one to the hole at short, thrown out at first.
There seems like an error on the pitch count……
…..should be 56-36
Still thanks a lot for the live
Teixeira batting. walk
>…but maybe you never went much.
So, you’re saying that I would’ve had to go in order to have an experience?
That sounds weirdly familiar.
Swisher batting. Flies out to right center.
wanger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Damn..I love our rotation.
Seeing Sabathia on the mound last night I was saying to myself, thank goodness, no more Darell Rasner, no more Sydney Ponson facing the Rays, Angels, Red Sox in Fenway, we now have actual pitchers on the mound that can get guys out without giving up 5 runs by the 4th inning and needing our offence to keep us in the game.
What a change from last season. It was a Russian Roulette as to who was pitching for us on any given day last season and what the results would be, still say I was amazed this team won 89 games when you look at a rotation that had only 2 full time starters in Moose and Pettitte, who was pitching hurt and considering Rasner made the third most starts.
Deep
March 18th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
There seems like an error on the pitch count……
…..should be 56-36
Still thanks a lot for the live
————————————————————
They don’t do well with pitch counts during ST. all walks are 4 pitches, all strikeout are 3 pitches and all hits are 1st pitch.
Tomko pitching. Towles bounces out to short.
Bourne batting. strike out.
Smith raps one off of Tomko’s knee for a single.
Err……I meant that I counted from your live,
and it’s totaling 56-36.
Sorry if I’m wrong
“Smith raps one off of Tomko’s knee for a single.”
Ouch is Tomko okay.
Berkman batting. Broken bat hopper to 3rd base. Out at 1st.
UPDATE, 2:27 p.m.: Phil Coke replaces Wang. CMW’s line was a strong 5 3 1 1 0 2. It’s still 1-0/
___________________________________-
Coke or Tomko??
We got the Wanger lookin’ pretty sharp so far.
Yeah is it Coke or Tomko, Hope is not Coke who got hit in the knee
I’m thinking it was Coke and Hamilton was confused. He commented that it was a lefty throwing, then said it was Tomko. Something didn’t add up there…..
Deep
March 18th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Err……I meant that I counted from your live,
and it’s totaling 56-36.
Sorry if I’m wrong
————————————————————
Not a problem. I couldn’t count before yesterday’s St. Pat’s Parade, either. I wasn’t a math major. I was a crayon major.
Yeah, Tomko was fine. He’s fighting for a job, so, Girardi won’t be able to take him out of the game with a crane.
Ransom batting. Walk
Yeah, board says Coke and Hamilton said Tomko. Go with board and Coke.
Wang just needs to throw his change up more to keep the hitters honest. I remember in that 2007 ALDS, the Indians did a great job of laying off his hard sinker and forcing him to get the ball up, and they hit him hard. One scout remarked, he needs to throw his change up more to be effective cause mroe teams will take the same approach. In fact, I remember a couple of scouts said that if he had a curveball, he’d be almost unhittable.
Milo is 82. I’m gonna go with Gameday.
Molina batting. singles on hit and run to right. Ranson to third, Jackson pinch runs for Molina.
Jackson steals 2nd base
When I check boxscore, it’s coke. Astros announcers are ridiculous. One throws with right hand. The other throws with left hand.
looks like the Yankees are trying to win this one
Calm down Jessica…they’re getting into shape. It’s still ST.
Terrific outing for Wang – even if the Yankees lose, that’s really all that counts. Sheesh, does it matter what Jeter thinks of the pictures? He and Alex are friends – I absolutely believe that. Maybe he thinks his friend his weird, but who cares? I don’t get the complaints about the media making every day all Alex, all the time and then we can’t let go of the subject ourselves.
A sharp 82 year-old is like a dull 70 year-old.
Cabrera batting. Bounces out to 1st. Run scores, Jackson to 3rd
Berroa batting. singles to right, scoring Jackson. 2-1 Yanks.
Jeter makes a living off rolling his eyes at A-Rod lol
I can only imagine his reaction when a reporter showed him those pics
Snyder pinch running for Berroa.
Michael Kay’s advice to the Cuban team in the WBC-Defect.
Do it!
Leone batting. Snyder steals 2nd base. Leone strikes out.
A-Rod did those shots to appear sexy… not so his teammates would laugh at him for being such an oddball lol
Damon flies out to center.
So that’s 5 great starts in a row. Indicitave that they’re feeding off each oters success. Hopefully. How many times did we see that last season?
I know it’s still Spring but it beats the pants off 5 garbage starts in a row. Besides this is late Spring training when it’s supposed to take form. The future is bright today.
Miranda playing 1st. Eric Duncan at third. Addison Maruszac playing short. Pilittera catching.
I am a bit surprised that we have not seen more of Duncan this spring after Arod went down. I would have imagined they would have given him a shot at 3rd with Ransom. He has ben around forever and this is about the third year we can say it is put up or shut up time for him.
Lee batting. Flies deep to center.
Who on the present Yankee team do you think is a first time eligible selection for the Hall of Fame,
The Mick 536.
Snyder playing 2nd. Tejada pops out to 2nd
Snyder playing 2nd. Tejada pops out to 2nd
I am not angry. This is just really confusing. Astors still insist Tomko is on the mound. Gameday and Peter say it’s Coke.
Blum singles to center
Not a lot of runs are going to score when you have the Melkman out there.
with al out until may, will berroa and ransom both start the season on the major league 25?
Johnson batting. Fly out to right.
It’s strange that homer Milo is afraid to use the Coke name – since Minute Maid (whose name is on the Houston ballpark) is owned by Coca-Cola.
I could see if his name was Phil Pepsi……
Yep. Only 2 1/2 weeks til Opening Day and the pitching staff is rounding into shape nicely
5 iron, e. duncan is not even in big league camp. they just added him for today’s game. back to minors camp tomorrow.
apparently Tomko actually is in now
Cano batting. Single to right
“A-Rod did those shots to appear sexy… not so his teammates would laugh at him for being such an oddball”
Alex learned a valuable life lesson that day.
He should have known something was amiss when the photographer cranked up the tunes from Right Said Fred.
Miranda batting. liner to right. doubled Cano off of first.
Shelly Duncan, playing right field. now batting. strikes out.
Ham – I realize that. I don’t know the logistics of adding guys to the camp but I thought they should have at least given him more of a look. I know his stock has dropped precipitously but sometimes guys may step up when presented with an opportunity.
Bogusevic batting. Veras pitching. Walk on full count.
Bogusevic has a stolen base. Abercrombie batting. HBP.
Bourne batting. Bourne has no identity.
sac bunt. one out, runners on 2nd and 3rd.
Smith, the Yankee killer batting. strike out…two outs
Newhan batting. walk. bases loaded
Michaels batting. Fly out to Jackson in center. Veras squirms out of his own mess.
40 man roster question…Does anyone know whether Arod can start the season on the 60 day DL and be eligible to come off it 30 days into the season? I am asking this because the Yankees only have 6 infielders on the 40 man roster and only Ransom as the utility guy. Will the Yankees need to open up a roster spot for another middle infielder while Arod is out?
Why only Tomko for 1 inning?
Maruszak hits a hard liner to left. His first at bat above rookie league.
The NYY will trade Tomko to the NL
Jackson batting. Line drive single to right
Pilittere batting. pop fly single to second
Is Malec playing SS in the field?
With Alex out, Berroa will make the team by default.
Greet Baret – Have you seen Murauszak? What are your thoughts?
Snyder batting. error on grounder to first base. 1 out, bases loaded.
Eric Duncan batting. single just past short. 2 runs scored.
Maruszak is a better prospect than people think. He has patience at the plate already and a great arm in the field.
How’d Tomko look? I wish there was a way to see this guy pitch earlier in games just to see how he does against the better hitters……He’s doing a good job and certainly has Aceves beat out, though I’m not sure about Geise.
I’d love to play the Astros 18 times a year.
dennis
March 18th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Greet Baret – Have you seen Murauszak? What are your thoughts?
————————————————————
Not yet. He played at Staten Island last year and hit well, fielded well and ran the bases. He’ll be at Charleston this year.
Linden batting. Strikeout.
Poor Astros.. they just can’t catch a break. They are 1-14 this Spring, with 3 ties. And they won their first game of the Spring. That means they have gone 17 straight games without a win lol
Cash batting. HBP. Bases loaded.
I agree Phil – Mars is a major sleeper.
I doubt they create a 40 man spot just for Tomko. They’re going to have to make one for a utility INF anyway.
I think Giese gets the job considering he is on the 40 man. The long man spot is not creating a 40 spot for.
Miranda batting. Fly out to left. 4-1 Yanks.
Maruszak has an all-world arm.
“That means they have gone 17 straight games without a win”
Houston has become the Washington Generals of the NL.
Albaladejo pitching.
Dan L. in NJ –
I’m quite sure that the 60-day DL requires a minimum stay of 60 days (and spring training doesn’t count). So unless someone develops a 2-month injury (is Humberto Sanchez volunteering?) the Yanks will indeed need to clear a roster spot for a utility infielder. For that reason, I highly doubt that they will want to clear another spot for Tomko or Igawa.
Santangelo batting. bounce out to short stop.
So excited to see AJ tomorrow again.
I hope YES shows us shots of the rest of the starting rotation on the top step watching him.
I saw Swish and AJ at the top of dugout yesterday, they mobbed Matsui after his HR lol
Gaul batting. Strike out
Johnson batting. Bounce out 3rd to 1st. Yanks win, 4-1.
This just in….
Roy Oswalt, currently playing in the WBC has defected.
He refuses to go back to Houston.
Edwar’s changeup looked great yesterday, lots of swings and misses
you take out the Anaheim games (which is 1.2 innings out of 55), and he was absolutely lights out.
I vote for Angel Berroa!
Just thought I’d throw that in.
And yes, Regis, that’s my final answer.
GB7, you are the blog’s MVP for today. Thanks for the constant updates, you rock man!
Last night was my first edge-of-my-seat baseball experience of 2009.
Beautiful day boys and girls! – Baseball is back!
Shakey inning for Veras, but, he was able to pitch through it. Not exactly facing “Murderer’s Row”, though.
GB –
you must be ready for a nap now.
How did you do it? Pounding the Red Bull?
Ok assuming there are no more injuries this is my predicted opening day roster.
(5)Starting Pitchers: Sabathia, Wang, Burnett, Pettitte, Chamberlain
(7)Bullpen: Rivera, Bruney, Marte, Coke, Veras, Ramirez, Tomko
(9)Starting lineup: Damon, Jeter, Teixeira, Matsui, Posada, Cano, Swisher, Ransom, Gardner
(4)Bench: Molina, Cabrera, Berroa, Me
Honestly I have no idea who gets the last spot on the bench. I prefer Albaladejo over Robertson/Ramirez but I think Edwar has the best shot at making it.
JoeyA, I agree…it felt so strange, in a good way, to be on the edge of my seat for baseball that early in the year!
Patrick
March 18th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
GB7, you are the blog’s MVP for today. Thanks for the constant updates, you rock man!
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Thanks. It was touch and go a few times. Milo had trouble keeping up between reporting the game and a visitor an inning to the booth, including the owner, Drayton McLane and his advertisers/sponsors.
I enjoyed doing it, for those that couldn’t follow the game on radio or game day. I’ll try doing the next day game that isn’t televised.
DT
March 18th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
GB –
you must be ready for a nap now.
How did you do it? Pounding the Red Bull?
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I was going to make a remark about that, but, being a classy guy, I decided against it. I’m on “Double Secret Probation” as is.
I don’t think they’ll keep Tomko unless they trade Veras or Ramirez.
Astros are so bad Pudge might want to reconsider before he signs a deal.:)
IMHO the starting lineup this year is a definite maybe on production and defense depending upon how arms, legs and hips play out.
my feeling is that the pitching is really going to be hot this year. excellent starters and bullpen. this will carry the team.
haha Pete.
With Kei Igawa being even considered to the big club.. it sure makes your Ian Kennedy-Tom Glavine comparision and Kei Igawa snub much more amusing.
“I don’t think they’ll keep Tomko unless they trade Veras or Ramirez. ”
If the Yanks keep Tomko I think they would DFA Giese rather then get rid of Veras/Ramirez.
I think Igawa will start the year as our long man but eventually move up to the 8th inning and be our Okijima.
“I was going to make a remark about that, but, being a classy guy, I decided against it. I’m on “Double Secret Probation” as is.”
I’m glad you spelled out DSP.
I would have immediately thought Drill Sergeant Program.
Updates on Ohlendorf, Karstens and Tabata (Pirates):
“Left-handers Paul Maholm and Zach Duke and right-hander Ian Snell appear to have spots locked up, leaving right-handers Ross Ohlendorf, Virgil Vasquez and Jeff Karstens competing for the remaining spots.
“The Pirates also optioned outfield prospect Jose Tabata to Double-A Altoona. The 20-year-old Tabata, dealt by the Yankees late last season, was impressive during his first spring training stay with the Pirates, hitting .407 with five RBIs in 11 games.”
“I’m glad you spelled out DSP.
I would have immediately thought Drill Sergeant Program.”
Digital Signal Processing
Patrick -
You left Nady off your roster. Since he’s not starting in your scenario, he’d be the other bench guy.
DT
March 18th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
“I was going to make a remark about that, but, being a classy guy, I decided against it. I’m on “Double Secret Probation” as is.”
I’m glad you spelled out DSP.
I would have immediately thought Drill Sergeant Program.
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They said I was too set in my ways….too “crusty” to be a drill sergeant. I never understood the “crusty” part. I always took showers.
Patrick
March 18th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
“I don’t think they’ll keep Tomko unless they trade Veras or Ramirez. ”
If the Yanks keep Tomko I think they would DFA Giese rather then get rid of Veras/Ramirez.
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I like Giese for whatever reason. Not great stuff, but, he gets outs and is very versatile. I think a trade is brewing to make room for pitchers like Albaladejo and maybe Tomko, though, he might be one that’s traded.
“You left Nady off your roster. Since he’s not starting in your scenario, he’d be the other bench guy.”
Haha you’re right, wow how could I forget him?
I doubt the Yankees trade Veras or Edwar unless they bomb at the ML level this year – Why would you trade guys who did well for us last year for unknowns? What have Robertson or Albaladejo done to prove they are better than Veras or Edwar?
People like to hate on them, but Girardi trusts them. And really, thats all that matters. Until they give him a reason not to trust him, they will be on the team.
Giese has no options left right? That means he either makes the team or has to go through waivers.
And why would you want Giese AND Tomko in the bullpen? You don’t need 2 mediocre long man.
Veras sounds like he wasn’t sharp today – no big deal. I love having so many options in the pen, but it’s rough when you know that only so many can make it. Did Albaladejo pitch yet? I like him – he’s just a good, solid pitcher; I hope the Yanks don’t trade him.
I love watching the WBC, but tonight is a perfect example of it’s flawed arrangement.
Team USA is forced to play a meaningless game in Miami, delaying their trip to the WC for the semi’s.
That gives the one less day to deal with time change/get comfortable/ R&R.
Pete had it right with the best of 3 series in the first round and single elimination for each round there-after.
I would love to care about tonight’s game, since I absolutely LOVED last night’s game for obvious reasons, but it’s hard to even care about tonight’s game, let alone set aside time to watch it.
WBC and MLB loses a lot of viewers with these meaningless games for strictly seeding purposes.
AARON BOONE NEEDS OPEN HEART SURGERY
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3992132
Nobody can say with complete certainty who the 25-man roster will be for opening day.
The only thing close to set is the infield until Alex returns.
The CF question will linger for another 10 days.
40-man roster space will have to be created. Humberto Sanchez will go on the DL leaving Frankie Cervelli and Steven Jackson as possible candidates to go in a late March deal.
A-Rod can have new rehab company in Vail.
Dr.Philippon operated on Kurt Warner’s hip yesterday. A baseball player, a football player and a hockey player all in a week. Dr Philippon = the jock doc.
Why are people discussing trading any BP arms?
We have everyone we need and room/options for all.
Don’t make a trade just for trade’s sake.
Our only needs are a utility middle infielder. Any deal without a proper and legitimate utility middle infield candidate isn’t worth considering, unless it’s a complete steal.
Even when A-Rod comes back, we could still stand to get a utility fielder, for nothing else than giving Alex a day off or late inning defensive replacements.
What exactly do we hope to get by trading Veras or Edwar?
You’re not just going to give them away. I could see them being 3rd-4th players in a big trade, but nothing thats imminent.
Yanks 1623
March 18th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Giese has no options left right? That means he either makes the team or has to go through waivers.
And why would you want Giese AND Tomko in the bullpen? You don’t need 2 mediocre long man.
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Nobody said anything about keeping both. NYY isn’t likely to just release them, either, if they can include one in a trade for minor league position help.
“Humberto Sanchez will go on the DL” — I haven’t heard anything concerning Sanchez. He hasn’t pitched in an exhibition game, so obviously he’s hurt. What’s his injury? Will he be a 60-day candidate?
JoeyA,
I’m with you. I’m amazed that so many people want to trade away good bullpen arms. With the volatility of bullpens, it is good to have as many options as possible.
What if we trade Veras and Edwar, and Albaladejo/Robertson do awful? Then what?
Veras and Ramirez provide to many Rolaids momemts, but, they have value to teams needing bullpen help. They won’t be given away, but, NYY has better that are ready now and I believe Albaladejo is also out of options.
The funny part is, aside from Melancon it’s not like any of these young arms are exactly better than eachother, They are all a dime a dozen. Saying that Alba is better than Veras or Edwar is better than Robertson is splitting hairs. Trading away a couple of these guys is pointless considering they are all mediocre middle relievers. Why ruin your depth, especially since none of these guys are proven and could explode at any time?
***too*** many Rolaids ***moments***
Albaladejo and Edwar each have one option left I think.
Both were optioned up in 07 and 08. Every player has 3 right?
also
Veras, Bruney, Geise are out of options
I think many people on this blog underestimate the volatility of bullpens.
There is no bullpen that exists that you can guarantee will be lockdown all year. Sorry Mets fans.
Bullpens are notorious for their ups and downs.
So to speculate trading proven bullpen arms during Spring Training is ridiculous. Let’s let these athletes show us what they got during the season before we give up on them before a single meaningful game.
Nobody, aside from Rivera, is a definite, so the more arms the more our team is protected from A. injury B. guy just losing it and having an abysmal stretch C. someone needing rest
JoeyA, agree with the meaningless seeding WBC games. what makes it worse is playing Venezuela, yet again. the 3rd time, and only 1 counted.
re-shuffle the pools between rounds, or something.
Abaladejo was not optioned in 2008. He was on the DL. When he pitched in the minors at the end of the season, it was a rehab assignment.
The best assurance of a solid bullpen is a solid rotation. Bullpens tend to break down when they get overtaxed (see Mets of 2007).