Spotlight on Asian players tomorrow night
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Apr 07, 2009 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
It’s safe to say that journalists from Japan and Taiwan will outnumber those from the United States at Camden Yards tomorrow evening.
The Yankees play the Orioles and it will be Chien-Ming Wang of Taiwan against Koji Uehara of Japan. The two right-handers last faced each other in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. On Aug. 21, Japan beat Taiwan 4-3 in 10 innings.
Wang, then a Yankees prospect, allowed three runs over 6.2 innings. Uehara, the ace of the Yomiuri Giants, gave up three runs over seven innings. It was a strong performance for Wang, who was facing a lineup that included future major leaguers Kosuke Fukudome, Kenji Jojima and Norihiro Nakamura.
“It would have been a big win for Taiwan,” Wang said yesterday. “We played a good game. I remember a lot about that game.”
Tomorrow’s game also will feature Uehara facing his old Giants teammate and friend Hideki Matsui. As Tyler Kepner explains over on Bats, Matsui was the MVP of the Central League in 2002 and Uehara was the winner of the Sawamura Award as the top pitcher.
Uehara is the first Japanese player for the Orioles. His performance has slipped in recent seasons in Japan, but his big-league debut will be huge news in Japan. That he is facing Wang and Matsui makes it only more interesting to the fans in Asia.
In Taiwan, the return of Wang from last season’s foot injury will captivate the nation. He will be pitching for the first time since last June 15.
We have a lot of readers in Taiwan and are very passionate about baseball and the Yankees. They will be happy to see their man back on the mound.
yay hideki!
Wow, I think I jinxed poor Mr. Meche. As soon as I gave him a shout-out Krazy Kyle got called in from the bullpen. So much for the 2-1 lead!
Sox got the bases loaded for Lowell. 1 out .
After the WBC it’s pretty apparent that Asia has embraced baseball & has alot of talent.
Go Wang, bring home a W!
is there any chance if the mariners are out of it come trade deadline they would look to unload ichiro’s contract?
i know he might not be the same player he was but i sure would love to watch him play everyday in ny.
Mariners are out of it now and I can’t believe you just brought up a trade.
looks like hes set to make 17 million through 2012
ugh Farnsworth gives up a 3run HR. Thanks for messing up Meche’s win
Beckett looks sharp so far. locating both his fastball and curve.
Tampa looks anxious on offense though.
oh well there’s krazy kyle at his best.. 3 run shot by thome
Annnnnd just like that Krazy Kyle gives up a 3-run shot to Jim Thome. 4-2 CWS.
why cant you believe i brought up a trade. ichiro is my favorite non yankee player in the league. ive been hoping he made his way to right field in yankee stadium for yrs now
Off the subject, but I just watched Krazy Karl Farnsworth give up a 2 out 3 run homer to Jim Thome. Chisox took the lead 4-2.
Funny how many of us muast have the Extra Innings package.It’s the only way I can get Yankee games here in MA.
Does anyone miss Krazy Kyle?
“ugh Farnsworth gives up a 3run HR. ”
thank god that guy is gone. he’s a classic case of someone who doesn’t have a bit of yankee in him.
we’ll only miss him if there’s a brawl of some kind jennifer
That’s just Kyle Farnsworth being Kyle Farnsworth.
jennifer,
R U KRAZY
Damn, i had Soria lined up for the save in my fantasy league. Krazy Kyle, that guy’s still blowin games i care about.
Bruney = Farnsworth
who signed farnsworth? must have been somebody before cashman took the reigns. he wouldn’t have been that stupid would he?
“Does anyone miss Krazy Kyle?”
Dumping him was the best part of the Pudge trade…
I don’t miss Kyle now, but he was doing a good job, seemed to be into a good grove, right before he was traded. And he seemed really taken aback at being traded from the Yankees. Who knew?
Just shows how you can and must move on in baseball.
Yeah, I miss him about as much as I miss my last case of ringworm.
And here, I thought that Farnsworthless would perform better for KC because there would be less pressure.
The globalization of baseball is really something marvelous for the sport.
I feel your pain JT, I have Gil Meche and I’m down 3-0 in W’s so far this week.
Who cares about Farnsworth?!
Go Wang! Beat the O’s and get us a win!
My local liquor stores probably miss Krazy Kyle being on the Yankees. I would give them so much business buying my “must drink when Farnsworth comes into the game” liquor
“Who cares about Farnsworth?!”
exactly.
Gotta love the Asian appreciation for baseball!
Id love to see an exhibiton game between the best professional team in japan and some of the better mlb teams.
Beckett perfect game broken up.
No-hitter still intact.
First no-hitter at fenway on opening day?
WANG = BEAST
haha, Pauly, the best was watching Cesar Izturis (on my bench) homer off Phil Coke (in my lineup) yesterday. I mean really, what are the chances? Izturis can’t hit homers and Coke does not give up homers. About as good as two guys on the same team being the first two ever in history to homer from both sides of the plate on opening day. Not the first two to do it on the same team, just the first two, period. Ever. And they do it on the same team in the same game. Baseball is crazy.
yea, I also have Meche while my H2H opponent has Buehrle
Akinori Iwamura has been a nice pickup for the rays. that was one of those under the radar signings.
Kyle is a classic case of why the most overrated discussion re: pitchers is velocity.
He threw a 97 MPH fastball to Thome in freezing weather. On the surface, most people would think that’s good. However, without movement and location, the real hallmarks of pitching, it was a sitting duck and Thome crushed it.
You can throw 110 but, if its straight and has no movement, which is the problem with Kyle’s fastball, big league hitters will crush it.
That entire inning was vintage Kyle. Seven throws to first base to try and pick off a runner (Fields) who has no speed. All that does is distract him from the hitter and he ends up throwing too many fastballs to fastball hitters.
His fixation with throwing to first used to drive Torre and Gator nuts. Eiland thought he got him to stop doing it but, he still would over do it in his final weeks with the Yankees.
He’s always been an engima. At least now, he’s the Royals enigma.
I designed a Wang shirt after the season that is now for sale here. For all you Wang fans its a must have!
http://nysuperfan.com/if-chien.....shirt.html
Is it me or the pitcher pitching for the O’s tomorrow looks like Kei Igawa. I hope he pitches like him too!
Uber-class, uber-consistent pitcher Josh Beckett looking sharp through 3 innings.
Ouch, JT that one has to hurt. It seriously is a fluke sometimes. Don’t worry about Buehrle Dassit, he won’t get credit for the win and he ran up a much higher WHIP and ERA today than Meche.
“That entire inning was vintage Kyle. Seven throws to first base to try and pick off a runner (Fields) who has no speed. All that does is distract him from the hitter and he ends up throwing too many fastballs to fastball hitters.”
Perhaps that was a sign of fear. He was nervous about facing the batter so he threw over to 1B to delay the confrontation. Sounds to me like he would benefit from a few visits with a sports psychologist.
skinny mike.. ilove it
I bet the Yankee hitters can make Igawa look like Cy Young if he’s pitching against them.
“Uber-class, uber-consistent pitcher Josh Beckett looking sharp through 3 innings. ”
not so sharp in the third. walked two hitters at the bottom of the order and started missing locations and gave up a run.
Shields imitating a Yankee pitcher in giving up runs right after scoring.
did anyone else stay away from here last night like me? i could only imagine the magnitude of the doom and gloom crowd, its okay though because we are going to win tomorrow and all will be restored in lohud yankee land
Skinny Mike,
lol that shirt is great!
YGHF,
Most of the regulars were here, but we were joined by some trolls, and even more bridge jumpers. Actually, the bridge jumpers were the worst part because we’re all used to trolls.
Thanks guys.
I also made this one as well if you like what you saw with the first one…
http://nysuperfan.com/vitamin-.....athia.html
@Pauly; losses count too in our league. I would be up by 2 in the Loss category while tying the Win category. So he kinda screwed me twice haha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmr0i8XIF0A
shields getting smacked around a bit.
jason bay continues to be manny ramirez
4-1 sox. runners on the corners
Beckett’s only 28? Somehow I thought he was a little older. Oy!
I think they’ve hopped up the baseballs again.
“Beckett’s only 28?”
i’d much rather they have him than hanley ramirez.
jint 51,
Nice one. That was Dice K he hit that off.
Hey nothing wrong with Ichiro but it’s just a tad early to be bringing up possible trades.
Hopefully this new guy can be Kei Igawa 2.0 tomorrow and pitch batting practice for our lineup. However, he will probably 2 hit us like all new pitchers seem to do.
Wang is THE man for the Yanks. It’s pathetic how his value is either questioned or ignored completely. His contributions since coming up have been nothing but consistent.
Good luck tomorrow, Wanger!
Bronx Jeers,
Yes I wasnt asking now, Im wondering if its a possibility at the deadline.
I feel like Ichiro and now Griffey are the only things to draw fans out to the park in seattle if they are losing. Making the M’s less likely to move him.
I hope im wrong and if so I hope the yanks would be interested
One comment One question.
I see Silletto has added an extra picture on its advertisement. Everytime i see the food specials, all i can think of is Pacman Jones saying that he went to those clubs for the food.
On the baseball ticket advertisement. Why are the Yankee tickets less than the Mets and everyone else? Youd think they would be the most expensive and the Mets would be the cheapest. I guess people cant help wanting to see the yearly car wrecks(choke jobs) that is the Mets.
“Wang is THE man for the Yanks. It’s pathetic how his value is either questioned or ignored completely. His contributions since coming up have been nothing but consistent.
Good luck tomorrow, Wanger!”
Right on, couldn’t agree more.
Then lets all show how much we love him with this shirt!
http://nysuperfan.com/if-chien.....shirt.html
“If Chien-Ming is Wang, I dont wanna be right!”
S.o.S.,
The only reason I come to the LoHud Yankees Blog is for the Silletto ads.
Long range forecast for opening day looking good
Thu
Apr 16
Mostly Sunny
58°
46°
20%
8 Very Good
“Hopefully this new guy can be Kei Igawa 2.0 tomorrow”
No one can be Kei. First off, he’d have to think he looks cool wearing shades while pitching. Second, he’s have to have a very loose neck from when people blast his high floating fastball over the fense. Most would have stiff necks trying to be like him and throw it to the backstop wearing dark shades. It takes a special talent to be Kei.
“he will probably 2 hit us like all new pitchers seem to do.”
Im hoping this new and improved version surprises us. They are grittier, patient and arent affraid to get their uniforms dirty.
“S.o.S.,
The only reason I come to the LoHud Yankees Blog is for the Silletto ads.”
Vader,
lol. I thought you were going to say for the cheap food specials.
Let me guess. You have the sports illustrated magazine membership only for the free swim suit edition?
I see Krazy Kyle gave up a walk off hr to lose the game this afternoon…
Thanks Peter. I linked this article to my website. It’s very knowledgeable.
Per ESPN: “A-Rod book date pushed back”
The new date is May 12. They are obviously timing the date to coincide as best as possible with A Rod’s return date. Selena Roberts and her publisher are chasing the calendar dates around like my dog does his food dish, which is a pretty appropriate metaphor.
Well that may be true, but I also like the Pop Culture questions they ask four athletes weekly…you know the ones that ask who is hot???
good luck wanger!
FYI selena roberts book which was scheduled for release april 14th (two days prior to opening day at yankee stadium) has now been moved to may 12th. Let me take a crack at this if I may. hmmmm…arod’s target date back is may 15th..hmmmm..book gets moved up tp may 12th. This guy seriously cannot and I mean cannot catch a break. When is it enough???? when the guy puts a gun to his head and takes his own life because some mindless, attention craved *&^^ wants to expose everything he has have ever done so she can make her mortgage payments? To each his own. I dont condone airing out someone’s dirty laundry for the benefit of themselves.
I will keep my comments to myself because It will only get me booted. I hope she sells a lot of copies. (sarcasm at its finest)
Those are some cute t-shirts Skinny Mike.
I agree. Not just anyone can be the like the ultra cool K-man.
The new guy for the O’s can be Kei Igawa 2.0 only if:
A) Wears cool shades while pitching.
B) Wants to quit and go back to playing ball in Japan.
C) Is able to throw the floaty high fastball that gets crushed everytime.
Anyone else notice that most Aces are struggling big time?
Lincecum
C.C.
Webb
Halliday
Lee
Im sure i missed a couple others. I dont feel so bad about C.C.’s outing.
I thought they pushed the stupid book back to May 14th? At least that was the date I saw the last time I checked.
Gee, I wonder why the release date keeps on changing..
Should have worded it as some Aces struggled opening day.
Good to be back I had to watch CC’s start at a hotel in Florida. He had no fastball, very surprising for CC to just lose his fastball I really hope it wasn’t nerves because the Orioles are a 90 loss team no way should CC labor like that.
Drive – The Yankees should leak that A-Rod will be back in two weeks or two weeks after the date they are talking about today and see if the release of the Roberts book changes.
“You can throw 110 but, if its straight and has no movement, which is the problem with Kyle’s fastball, big league hitters will crush it.”
—————
so true. I hope it’s the case with Daniel Bard. All I hear from Sox fans is “he can hit 100. nobody will hit him”.
2nd and 3rd no one out Longoria up vs. Beckett.
BD…isn’t that what said about Craig Hansen?
A-Rod back April 26th count on it. The guy is determined and with the pen looking shake we might need runs.
“so true. I hope it’s the case with Daniel Bard. All I hear from Sox fans is “he can hit 100. nobody will hit him”.”
Im with you there Boston Dave. They are making him sound like he comes to the mound with a cape. Heres hoping hes another Hansen.
Vader,
at least Hansen had very good movement on his pitches. If he can ever gain command (easier said than done) of his stuff he’d be very good. Of course, he hasn’t and doesn’t appear to be making any progress with that.
I haven’t seen Bard so I can’t comment. I just hear about his 4-seamer and unless he has something else to go with it, it might not be enough. Not to mention I don’t even think he has good control with the 4seamer.
It looks like Tampa is choking the inning away. Longoria popped out and Pena struck out. 2 outs no runs scored.
SoS,
I watched that. very discouraging inning for the Rays. You have two of your best hitters up with runners on 2nd and 3rd and no outs and you can’t even plate one.
you don’t beat Josh Beckett without getting those types of runs in.
BD…Bard may be the real deal and someday Hansen, but living in Sawx Nation, I’m just saying that Sawx fans say all of there prospects are the bomb and that includes the bias Boston media.
I mean they got Schilling for a deal fronted by Fossum if I remember correctly.
Vader,
no doubt. Most Yankee fans do it too.
At least as far as relief pitching, the Sox really only have Bard to talk about so they can put all their hype into one guy. If he doesn’t work out, they’ll have to either move their starters into those roles or scramble to find guys.
With the Yanks, there are handfuls of relief prospects to overhype. We only need a few of them to live up to it
Lincecum has given up 5 runs in 3 innings(3 earned). I hope the top notch opening day struggles make some C.C. haters come off the ledge. I dont see Webb, Halliday or Lee on the front sports pages. All i see is C.C. better get to a fast start. I wonder if all the media jumping on Yankee players failures makes our own fans get over anxious?
of course it’s the other way around with position prospects.
Wow. 5-1. Varitek really earning his $2M.
SoS,
In order for that to happen it would mean there weren’t an anti-Yankee media bias.
I think it was SJ44 who already said it but “negative sells”.
Apparently, people would rather read about the downfall of CC, Tex, ARod, etc.
“I mean they got Schilling for a deal fronted by Fossum if I remember correctly.”
And if i can recall. They over hyped Fossum as well. Look how he’s turned out? I believe most fans over hype their own farm. But its the media who im listening to that makes him seem like the chosen ONE.
m,
I was surprised to see Tek turn on a ball down and in. He hooked it right around the Pesky Pole so it’s not like it was a bomb. At least from what I’ve seen he usually likes to get his arms extended but he showed some quick hands with this HR.
beckett has 9 K’s, his fastball is still at 95
make that 10K’s in 7innings
Boston Dave,
I never really fell into the anti Yankee media stuff before. But its getting clearer and clearer that theres a rule book for the Yanks and another rule book for the other teams. Dice K was an over paid pitcher and not once did i here the media saying anything about how much(to the exact dollar)did the Sox spend on him. All i kept hearing this offseason is the gajillion dollars the Yanks spent this offseason and that the Sox new pitchers are high reward low risk. Crap like this makes me wish i had the YES network.
Benny,
Beckett does look pretty good but many of Tampa’s hitters also look pretty rusty. They’re just not getting good at bats (aside from Aki and Gabe Gross). Longoria still looks like he’s trying to hit a HR every at bat. He still has a lot to learn, especially in the style of offense that Tampa plays.
I wonder if CC has fatigue because he sat at about 90 mph and could only hit 93 when he reached back for it. I just hope hes ok.
Pete would love this. The Red Sox just did “God Bless America” before the 7th inning stretch.
Kenny Rosenthal was on the dan patrick show. It seems as if Mr. Rosenthal has something against Manny.
He was at the O’s/Yankee game and answered the question of what was the mood like in the clubhouse after the -smackdown- loss with, “Professional. No sense of panic at all.”
He said fans and the media tend to get into a frenzy about season openers [and their implications], but to the players it’s one of 162.
Asked if he would take Lowe or CC for a postseason start, he paused, asked, “one game?”. When Dan answered in the affirmative he said,”Lowe. Because he’s done gotten it done before and on more than one occasion.” But he did say he didn’t want to take anything away from CC because he’s a very good pitcher. Then they talked about last September and how he was toast by October. Also said his September starts were essentially postseason games.
“Dice K was an over paid pitcher and not once did i here the media saying anything about how much”
————–
SoS,
I actually did an analysis on that contract/posting fee and depending on the interest rate you want to use, you could argue that Daisuke’s deal was comparable to almost a 6 year / $150M deal.
The $51M posting fee was a lump sum payment up front (like a signing bonus). If you compound that over the 6 years at a reasonable interest rate, it gets pretty big.
I didn’t see a single mention of this anywhere. If the Yankees had signed him, I have to believe it would have been looked at by the media more closely.
“Asked if he would take Lowe or CC for a postseason start, he paused, asked, “one game?””
————-
so if it were 2 games he’d take CC?
If CC were worn out by October, as he’s suggesting, wouldn’t he take almost anybody over CC?
The media has always, in my memory, scrutinized the Yankees. That may be because of the NY baseball market being so large, and their desire to stoke the emotional fires. In any case, I think a rational person has to distinguish between the tirades and pseudoanalysis of the lazy/not really trying members of the media, and those who really are serious about their craft.
ESPN, many tabloids, and that screaming jerk on SNY fall into the first group, and should not be paid any attention to anyone who values their gastric lining.
Boston Dave,
Ill take it another step. If C.C. or A.J. only go 5 innings a game. They will be looked at as a bad investment. I never heard anyone in the media talking about Dice K inability to go more than 5 innings.
Did i mention that im still proud to be a fan of the Evil Empire even with the double standard.
ugh i hate this day off.
I think we have to distinguish commentary by serious media types, and the tirades and pseudoanalysis of the ESPN, tabloid and that screaming jerk on SNY, who are only out to make a splash, without being serious or professional and actually learning what they are talking/writing about. Kim Jones made passing reference to those types in her YES blog the other day.
We just have to pass on those types, or our brains will turn to mush.
SoS,
I don’t doubt that at all. They do talk about Daisuke’s laborious innings somewhat in the Boston media but I suppose rightfully so, as long as the team is winning they don’t worry about it.
As long as the Yanks win games, they can rip CC, AJ, Alex, Tex, or whoever they want. The best way to shut everyone up is to win it all this season.
This Beckett start is not going to calm any waters around here (meaning Yankee fans, the general media, etc….) in terms of whether the Yankees are good enough to beat out the Sox. It sounds like he’s been unbelievable today and the Sox have done more than enough. If Beckett is going to pitch like this this year, the Yankees are going to have their hands full to say the least. The Yankees only know how to score one way – the HR. They have very good hitters who have seemed to have dried up in the clutch and they just don’t get the runs home when they need them. They are a good team, but the more I think about it in terms of the Sox (I’m not familiar enough with the Rays), they just aren’t as good. They don’t do the little things (and I don’t mean small ball – the Sox don’t do that either) needed to win a game. I tend to be negative anyway, so take what I’ve said with a grain of salt, but last night just looked like so many other nights. Even SJ44 admitted in an earlier thread that the Yankees are a relatively one-dimensional team that absolutely depends on their pitching to carry them through. I’m not sure that’s going to be enough to get them to the post-season, not in this division, where every last run and every last game are going to matter.
Don’t fret the day off today. Starting tomorrow, they play 15 in a row, with the next day off on the 23rd.
the Boston bullpen gets it’s first test to live up to it’s preseason “best bullpen in baseball” title from the media.
it’s a 4 run lead with 6 outs to go…
me too S o S,
We just need to get to the postseason and let everything else take its course.
We will be fine. all of our starting pitchers (at some point during the season) wont have their best stuff and will get slacked…..
Okijima just walked two with no one out.
I wonder if there will be stories mis-season about all the predictions that don’t hold up?
Not.
Hi Betsy!
We split with boston last year (9-9). I’m not worried about beckett because we hit him and dice k. It’s that punk lester( just kidding) that kills us.
Come on Ohka!! Blow the lead for your ace why dontcha. First and second no outs.
Betsy,
I don’t know the exact #s but I’d think the Yankees have and will have one of the best OBP teams in the league. If that’s the case, it doesn’t really support the idea that they only score via the HR.
Of course they’ll need to hit with runners on, which will be a pretty good indicator of their success this season. I think it’s a bit early to suggest they can’t score runs without hitting HR.
Further, if a team has to be one dimensional, pitching is the dimension to have.
Boston…best bullpen??? HA!
I’m thinking CC won’t be pitching on 2 or 3 days rest for the Yankees. I’m thinking the Yankees will be in better shape than the Brewers were, pitching wise, in September. I’m thinking the Yankees are going to keep CC’s complete games to a minimum. I don’t think CC will be toast THIS October.
Rays score 2…. tying run at the plate
They lifted Oka for Masterson?
What happended to Okajima? Oh, Longoria got a two run single. 5-3. Game’s not over.
Doreen,
I happen to agree with that 100%. CC also knew he had to carry the team on his back. If the Yanks rotation holds up, he hopefully won’t feel that burden. He just needs to be a piece (albeit an important one) in the puzzle.
Was watching Channel 5 news in NY before. They showed the video of the night Joba was pulled over and arrested. The announcers on the news were shocked because in the video Joba said that New Yorkers are rude. I was born in Brooklyn and raised in NY and sometimes we are rude. I wasn’t offended by the tape at all. Must have been a slow news day.
I dont get that Betsy. We have a healthy Posada, Jeter and Tex this year that are capable of hitting over .300. Not to metion the griddy speedy Gardner. This is not an all or nothing team. As far as Beckett is concerned. We’re his stepdad(daddy title goes to Pedro).
Carlos Pena strikes out for the 4th time… a combo of good pitching and he’s apparently also not seeing the ball well
Forgot to mention a healthy Matsui.
Boooo-rellll!
Can’t judge a season by one game.
I wonder if the Yankees will try and keep ARod’s return under wraps as much as they can, vis-a-vis “the book.” It’s really comical how the release date keeps flitting around. But, it’s not going to comical if it causes a boatload of distraction, which, among the players, I don’t think it will. Among the general public is another story.
“Carlos Pena strikes out for the 4th time… a combo of good pitching and he’s apparently also not seeing the ball well”
I like how Pena is a strikeout king until he faces us. Then he turns into a freakin homerun king.
Papelbon will have to face Matt Joyce, Dioner Navarro, and Gabe Gross. If anyone gets on, he’ll have to find a way to get Jason Barlett out.
Oh the suspense…
It’s only one game, but this spring Joe Maddon had a very “casual” (my word, not his) spring training. It was a long season and he didn’t push them as hard. Are the hitters not prepared? Anxious?
Also, when is Upton due back?
Not all young pitchers can have the class and professionalism of Phil Hughes, unfortunately.
m,
many of them looked very anxious, IMO, early in the game. they started taking a few pitches later on. Obviously, it didn’t help their case that Beckett was throwing strikes (it seemed like he got the first pitch over almost every time).
I think Upton is due back in a week (April 13th).
Beckett seems to be like A-Rod… does well in odd number years.
He was light outs today, as good as I’ve seen him in a non-playoff game.
What channel is the game on?
Can they score 2 off of Puckerbon?
Taiwanese Yankees fan here (although I’m now in the states, studying). Will be watching tomorrow’s game religiously.
Believe in Wang, our stopper.
Wanger will bring in our first win of the year.
Hey Yankee fans don’t feel bad about your guy Bruney. Oki tied his ERA at 54.00. I think we might need Oki more than you need to count on Bruney.
joe,
very true.
Good to get one up one the Rays. Paps is throwing fire.
WWWWOOOO HHHHHOOOOOOOO
I don’t know how people thought the Sox WOULDN’T be good.
They got nothing from Ortiz, Lowell, or Beckett and they still went to game 7 of the ALCS. They are loaded with talent and have a winning pedigree. They also have great big game performers who excel on the biggest stage. They don’t even need anything from their off-season pickups to be a formidable team.
Tampa is the one who is going to fall off, not Boston.
Papelbon got some fairly generous calls there. Anybody else see that?
Frank we need Okajema not to stink out the joint. He’s picking up where he left off last year. I didn’t come here to brag on the Red Sox. That’s classless.
Sorry Yankee fans. Looks like my friend Clark is smoking crack. He just picked a bad place to do it.
I kinda thought he got squeezed.
I don’t think anyone thinks the Red Sox aren’t good. I think it’s nit-picking one team over another (player by player) based on who your personal favorite is. Both teams have situations where if things break favorably, yahoo, if not, well, not so good.
Any problem usually arises out of the reading material – i.e., sports “reporters” who allow their biases to show.
Smart baseball fans realize that these are two good teams who will more than likely be fighting tooth and nail to the end of the season, barring unforeseen and/or unhappy circumstances. And then throw in the Rays, who aren’t gonna just go away.
Why is the daily news posting the video of joba chamberlain??
Talk about trying to break up a happy home. The DN has a vendetta against the yankees. are they tring to stir up contoversey I’m was born and raised in new york. We new yorkers know that we can be rude at times.
just another lame attempt from the smediots to break up the yankee chemistry.
sam,
Classy red sox fans are always welcomed here.
Agreed Doreen, We wouldn’t want it any other way, would we!
LOL
yeah Boston will be there every year, they have that aura of the late 90s Yanks, hopefully the Yanks get back to that brand of winning baseball this season. The Rays won’t be taken lightly by anyone, interesting how they respond this first month of the season.
Kyle Farnsworth gave up a 3 run HR in the 8th inning to Jim Thome to lose the game for the Royals today. Thank god we got rid of that guy.
tampayank-I pick Yanks first, then Rays in the Wild Card, then BoSox. But very, very close, first and third being seperated by a max of four games.
By the way, they may have the aura but not the WS rings!
JOJO-The eighth will soon be taken by Coke and eventually Melancon the way Marte and Bruney are pitching (get rid of Marte, he did bad in the AL last yr., had a bad ST and has had a bad first game).
S.o.S.*118-44!!* If I want to brag on the Red Sox I’ll go a Red Sox forum. I’m not afraid to admit Oki scares me and his failure could make a big difference in Red Sox games. I’ll also admit that your 2009 Yankees scare me a lot. On paper the Yankees have the Red Sox beat. I didn’t think so last year. I think so this year. I hope I’m wrong.
Frank (Red Sox Fan)
While it certainly would be easier if things were different (well, easier one way or the other), it certainly makes the rivalry exciting and real for the teams to be evenly matched.
I will say, though, it gets awfully tiring at times!!!!
BD, I agree about pitching being the most important part of the game and in that regard, the Yanks should be fine. However, the defense is so/so at best and I have concerns about the offense. I have these concerns because of the past couple of years. They sometimes have huge breakout games against bad pitchers and then the next night revert to being rendered helpless by yet another mediocrity. I can’t explain it because Jeter is still a terrific hitter and so is Posada. Matsui is a ? because of his health, but obviously he’s at least decent. Alex is Alex.
SOS, I agree the Yankees have good hitters, but these guys seem almost programmed to fail with RISP. Mind you, I’m not saying the Yankees are not a good team – they are. I don’t mean to take my frustrations from the past few versions of Yankee teams out on this one. It’s just that they really do have a lot to prove…….more than the Sox do, that’s for sure.
Doreen-I love the rivalry. There’s nothing quite as fun as a good, hyped-up Yankees-Red Sox divisonal clash. More often than not it’s the pivotal games from July to Sptember that decide the A.L. East (although this time we have the Rays).
Yeah, just get rid of Marte after a bad game. Too bad they signed him for three years during the offseason and he’s not going anywhere.
He also has a track record of success.
Marte was actually fine last season for the exception of one really bad outing against Texas in which he was forced to throw 40 pitches and left out there to dry.
Betsy-You watch, Tex will pull out of it. I’m calling it. He hits like 200 from April to late May then from late May to June he’s practically a 400 hitter. Statistically, he’s fantastic with RISP, and Jeter will be, and Posada will be, and Matsui will be, and Damon will be. And Coke will lock down the 8th inning. We’ll be more than fine, we’ll be great.
sam,
As you know, we’ve won many paper championship titles in the 2000′s. I no longer get caught up in all the murderers row plus Cano. Best pitching staff ever. Or anything before they actually play the freaking game. What we do have this year is depth in the minors. That i believe is key to all successful teams. Your always going to have injuries and the teams that dont lost much dipping into their farm win.
As far as Ohka. I have noticed he’s not the same pitcher he was his first year. Could it be the over use? Could it be the hitters figuring out the Japanese pitchers after a full year? I mean most having continued to dominate after their first or second year. Thats why its interesting to see how Dice does this year. Too bad it didnt take a year to figure out Mr. Shades in pinstripes.
It will always be Yanks/Sox in the end. Payroll flexability, great run clubs and most of all the BEST RIVALRY IN ALL SPORTS.
Giuseppe Franco, it’s clear you know baseball and I respect you for that, but we seem to disagree a lot.
He was not “fine” last season, bad outing and terrible outing are two different things. If your job is to get out of the inning allowing no runs and you allow one, you had a bad outing. Marte had plenty of those.
I know they can’t really get rid of him, but I’m frustrated with his total lack of sucess in NY. He’s Farnsie all over again. It’d be great if they could work a trade, but I realize that’s not realistic. Hopefully he’ll either improve or assume a Latroy Hawkins rule where he’s only used as a last resort or in blowouts.
Relief pitching will be the downfall of the Yankees. The setup guys are just not that good. And Rivera is not going to last forever. When he drops off, it is going to be off a cliff, not a skateboard ramp.
Relief pitching will be the downfall of the Yankees. The setup guys are just not that good. And Rivera is not going to last forever. When he drops off, it is going to be off a cliff, not a skateboard ramp.
Uncle Reggie-Got to disagree. The Yankees have some great prospects. Coke looks good. He may set up. Or Melancon eventually. And while it’s true that Rivera won’t last forever, I’m willing to bet he’ll last this year. In a few years Melancon will take the closer mantle, Coke will set up, and life will move on.
Betsy,
Its called being spoiled from the Yankees late 90′s success. Not sure when you began to watch them. As for me 1986. We couldnt even sniff the playoffs back then let alone the title. I think its also as i mentioned. We have high expectations because of all the stars we have year in and year out on the team. Like Jeter always says its either winning #27 or a failure of a season. I do think this is the most well rounded team we’ve had in quite sometime. From hitting to pitching to bullpen to bench. I hope they prove you wrong.
As far as Tex’s regular early season struggles. Lets hope someone told him its late May already. We are going to need him to come up big till Arod comes back.
GF, I’m not about to freak out on Marte either because he had a bad outing. As you said, Joe hung him out to dry last year and he suffered for it. It’s ridiculous to say that any player who struggles sometimes stinks. These guys are human……
Betsy-He hasn’t struggled sometimes, he’s struggled since he’s been here at every level. I hope most of all that I’m proven wrong and he turns lights out, but I don’t see it.
Giuseppe knows what he is talking about.
Texmvp,
I’m with Giuseppe Franco on this… that game in Texas clearly threw him off track. He gave up 2 runs (both earned) since August 12 – and 1 of those runs was in the Toronto series at the very end of the year when the Yanks were out of it.
http://www.baseball-reference......;year=2008
vin-I also remember him struggling vs. the Angels.
I’ve learned over the years that Relief Pitchers (more so than any other player) cannot be judged by stats alone. A couple of bad perfomances can distort the numbers, as can improper use (see: Torre, Joe). Also, one thing that never makes the box score is if a guy gets up to throw, but never makes it into the game – that can have an impact on his productivity.
In order to judge relievers, you just need to watch the games, pay attention, and have a good memory. After all… all they are is failed starters.
He did allow a run vs. the Angels, but it was a big run in an important series. By the way, I remember the Texas game. He allowed a 2 out walk-off grand slam. He retired the first two batters. It’s no wonder that Girardi had nobody ready in the ‘pen.
You’re probably referencing line 55
http://www.baseball-reference......;year=2008
My point is great hitters fail 2/3 of the time, but relief pitchers draw our ire if they fail 4 out of 72 times. They’re human, they’re going to struggle occasionally. The trick is to get good length from your starter, have a deep and versatile bullpen, and have a manager who knows how to utilize his guys.
vin-I’d say except Mo, but even Mo was a failed starter.
I subscribe to the theory that Girardi needed to learn how to use him. And apparently the way not to use him is for multiple innings.
Teixeiramvp,
Contrary to your frustrations, Marte was not that bad last season.
His numbers were skewered because of one really bad outing (8/04 against TEX: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K).
Numbers with Yanks in 2008:
18.1 IP, 14 H, 11 ER, 10 BB, 24 K — 5.40 ERA, 1.33 WHIP
Remove the one outing against Texas and you’re left with:
17.0 IP, 12 H, 7 ER, 7 BB, 22 K — 3.71 ERA, 1.12 WHIP
It’s very easy to diss the guy when you look at his overall numbers with the Yanks last season but when you start breaking things down he wasn’t nearly as bad as you claim.
That Angels game was tied on the road, which is why Mo wasn’t brought in for the 9th. Girardi gambled with Marte and lost.
update >>>
“Uehara is the first Japanese player for the Orioles”
Was Lenn Sakata filipino?
SOS, I started watching the Yankees about 1983/1984, so I understand what it’s like to REALLY root for bad teams. Imagine having to send out the likes of Steve Trout and Andy Hawkins? Alvaro Espinoza and Bobby Meachem anchored the infield and our big slugger was Steve Balboni. I don’t consider myself a spoiled fan and I don’t have a sense of entitlement about the Yankees. In fact, I feel rather priviledged and extremely fortunate that I have gotten to experience 1 WS in my lifetime…..nevermind 4. For those who claim that it’s been ages since the Yankees won, well……..that may be so, but most teams would kill for the kind of playoff run the Yankees gave us. The Angels won a WS a few years ago and they haven’t won one since. They are considered amongst the most successful franchises in the game. The Yankees are just held to a higher standard.
I have faith in the individual hitters on this team – they’re good, they’re very good. Collectively? We shall see.
Here’s a positive piece:
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....8;c_id=nyy
Franco-That one bad outing was horrible. And he had a pretty bad ST too.
I disregard the Pirates numbers, they were in the NL.
By the way, 3.71 ERa for a reliever’s pretty bad.
Sorry, capital A.
Franco-That one bad outing was horrible. And he had a pretty bad ST too.
I disregard the Pirates numbers, they were in the NL.
————
Who cares how he did in ST. I guess those numbers count now, eh?
That means Gardner is going to hit .400 with power and Teixeira is going to hit .440.
Marte also has a career 3.29 ERA and that’s pretty good.
He has a long track record of success for you to go ape over a couple of bad outings.
jake
April 7th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
“Uehara is the first Japanese player for the Orioles”
Was Lenn Sakata filipino?
————————————————————
Sakata was Hawaiian of Japanese decent.
GreenBeret7
April 7th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
jake
April 7th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
“Uehara is the first Japanese player for the Orioles”
Was Lenn Sakata filipino?
——————————————————————————————
Sakata was Hawaiian of Japanese decent.
———————————————–
Actually, GreenBeret7, Lenn Sakata was American, born in Hawaii to Japanese-American
parents. There ain’t no such creature as “Hawaiian of Japanese descent.”
But i appreciate you taking the time to respond.
I really hope Wang can win this game .
Taiwan can not play forword to the final 8 in WBC .
Wang will try to make Taiwan shine in the baseball field .
To be a Taiwanese ,I must support for Taiwan .
Japan is also my favorite contry .
Hope three contries Taiwan Japan USA will win themself….