Game 7: Yankees at Rays, with A-Rod audio (RIP Harry Kalas)
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc, Podcast on Apr 13, 2009 
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YANKEES (3-3)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Swisher 1B
Posada C
Nady RF
Cano 2B
Matsui DH
Ransom 3B
Cabrera CF
Pitching: RHP Chien-Ming Wang.
RAYS (3-3)
Upton CF
Crawford LF
Longoria 3B
Pena 1B
Burrell DH
Navarro C
Gross RF
Iwamura 2B
Bartlett SS
Pitching: LHP Scott Kazmir.
Game time: 7:08 p.m.
Chien-Ming Wang (0-1, 17.18) vs. the Tampa Bay hitters.
Scott Kazmir (1-0, 1.50) vs. the New York hitters.
CAPTAIN NOT CRUSHING: Jeter is 1 of his last 17.
CODY NOT CRUSHING, EITHER: Ransom is 1 for 20 this season.
REALLY? With the Yankees facing a lefty, Melky Cabrera is back in center. He is 9 of his last 43 dating back to last season.
RISKY RISP: The Yankees are 13 of 55 (.236) with runners in scoring position.
BRUNEY BATTLES: Briam Bruney’s last three games: 3 0 0 0 0 5.
COKE ISN’T IT: Phil Coke this season: 2.2 5 4 4 1 5.
WANG NEEDS A REBOUND: Chien-Ming Wang was brutal in Game 2 against Baltimore (3.2 9 7 7 3 0). But he has been solid against the Rays in his career (7-4, 3.35 in 13 starts) and at the Trop (5-2, 3.74 in eight starts),
RIP MR. KALAS: Sad day in baseball today as Harry Kalas, the long-time Phillies announcer, has passed away at the age of 73. It’s a tough day for some guys on our beat Ty Kepner and Sweeny Murti grew up in the Philadelphia area and have fond memories of Harry and later got to know him. George King covered the Phillies for a long time and knew Harry very well. I had a chance to meet Mr. Kalas many times when I covered the Mets and he was always very gracious.
Back with some more later on.
UPDATE, 4:33 p.m.: Mark Teixeira had an MRI today on his left wrist No damage. He hopes to play tomorrow.
UPDATE, 5:43 p.m.: Alex Rodriguez is here at the Trop and did a long interview in the dugout. Here it is in its entirety:
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He talks about the surgery, how much better he feels now, his new-found commitment to baseball and other topics.
UPDATE, 6:46 p.m.: Boxing announcer Michael Buffer, in a cream-colored tux, is announcing the Rays roster. Nice touch. The team will raise the AL banner today and get their rings tomorrow.
It’s weird to see this place filled with Rays fans instead of Yankees fans.
UPDATE, 6:50 p.m.: They actually have these boxes spitting fire when the starters are introduced. Very Las Vegas. Gov. Charlie Crist will throw out the first pitch.
UPDATE, 6:59 p.m.: Wearing jeans (they’re informal here in Florida), Gov. Crist threw a strike from the mound. Now they’re going to raise the banner. The Yankees can’t be too thrilled to have to watch this in person. But that’s the price you pay.
UPDATE, 7:19 p.m.: We’re underway. Michael Buffer said, “Lllllllllllllllllllet’s get ready to play ball!” before the first pitch.
UPDATE, 7:33 p.m.: Inauspicious start for CMW as he walks Upton and hits Crawford. He needs a GIDP here.
UPDATE, 7:38 p.m.: The Rays are going to test Posada. Wang’s delivery is very slow, which gives Posada little chance. Wang needs to handle this himself now.
UPDATE, 7:40 p.m.: Disastrous beginning for Wang as he allows a two-run double by Pena. He left that 2-2 pitch high.
UPDATE, 7:43 p.m.: That’s it, season over. 3-0 Rays, Let the panic begin anew.
UPDATE, 7:50 p.m.: There’s one out and Wang has thrown nearly 40 pitches. When will the Yankees realize they need a long reliever? Albaladejo warming up now.
UPDATE, 7:54 p.m.: Wang threw 42 pitches in that inning. 4-0 Rays.
You have to wonder if something is wrong physically, although there was no sign of that in spring training. 4-0 against Kazmir is a hill to climb.
UPDATE, 7:59 p.m.: Wow, what a catch by B.J. Upton to rob Nady of at least a double. It was a Willie Mays-style over the shoulder grab. What a great talent Upton is.
UPDATE, 8:05 p.m.: This team has a way of making the Yankees look so old. Bartlett singles, steals second, then Upton bunts for a single. The Rays can pick pick away at you with their speed and good fundamental play.
Meanwhile, Wang can’t get his sinker to sink. He may not last this inning.
UPDATE, 8:12 p.m.: That’s it for Wang as he walks in a run. 1+ innings, 6 hits, 5 runs (so far) and 3 walks. He threw 61 pitches.
I’m sure the panic-stricken will demand his immediate removal from the rotation and/or execution. But Wang was 46-15, 3.74 from 2006-08. He didn’t suddenly forget how to pitch. He’s either hurt or he has sort of mechanical flaw.
UPDATE, 8:17 p.m.: It’s 9-0 as Albaladejo allows a Pena slam. Wang’s line: 1 6 8 8 3 1. He now has a 28.93 ERA.
UPDATE, 8:53 p.m.: Hey, Nick Swisher homered. The Yankees won’t get shut out.
In other good news, this blog just registered its 700,000th comment since Jan. of 2007. I’m not sure what that means, but it sounds good.
UPDATE, 9:25 p.m.: It’s 10-2 after five innings. Now Edwar is in for an inning or two. This game could force them to make a move for the bullpen tomorrow.
UPDATE, 9:39 p.m.: Edwar should pitch in the Home Run Derby. He gives up bombs.
UPDATE, 9:50 p.m.: The Yankees are lucky that Joe Maddon has called off the dogs.
UPDATE, 10:01 p.m.: See, Cody Ransom can replace Alex after all. He just drove in a run in a 12-2 game. (I’m kidding).
UPDATE, 10:14 p.m.: Now they can’t catch a pop-up. This is embarrassing.
UPDATE, 10:17 p.m: Classy Rays fans chanting “Yankees suck” when it’s 12-3.
UPDATE, 10:34 p.m.: Swisher (yes Swisher) is pitching. Posada is at first and Molina is catching.
UPDATE, 10:36 p.m.: Proud moment for the franchise here as Swisher lobs over 75-mph “fastballs.”
UPDATE, 10:40 p.m.: Swisher fans Kapler. This is pretty funny. He throws a scoreless inning, better than any of the other pitchers tonight.
UPDATE, 10:45 p.m.: Swisher saved the ball from his strikeout. He’s hilarious.
rip harry
any tex wrist news ?
Can’t wait till Arod returns
Was sad when I heard about Harry Kalas this afternoon. As you said Pete, he definitely was very gracious. He said hi to everyone he saw and looked you in the eye no matter who you were.
Phillies fans and those he touched will sorely miss him.
My guess is Melky isn’t playing because we’re facing a lefty; but because Girardi’s fearful of Tampa taking the extra base all night.
I yelled out a whoop when I saw Matsui out of the clean up spot.
And then kind of came crashing to earth when I saw Cabrera in center.
Then again, I guess you have to if Teixeira’s still hurt. Any word on him, btw?
Did you see David Robertson’s line for Scranton today?
3IP, H, BB, and 7 strike outs.
Impressive, no?
Melky is garbage, yankees need to get a legitimate right handed center fielder that you can platoon with Gardner.
I don’t care who’s in the lineup and where they are on the field. I just want Wang’s sinker to sink tonight.
What is wrong with teixiera!?!?!?!??!?!?
Give Ransom a breather. If Pena plays third then wang has some better defense behind him and Pena gets some at bats.
man it sucks not having Tex in the lineup in an AL East series
Yea R.I.P. Harry, I didn’t know much about the guy,but from what I’ve heard he was aclass act. I am sure he will be sorely missed.
On another note, I second Rebecca’s question, what is up with Tex? any time tables?
Gardner has been awful to start the year guys. You guys are bashing Melky and he has 4 ABs all year long. How can no one is bashing Gardner?? O thats right because you dont want to admit you were all wrong bout him. I know I know hes so fast but so what, if he cant get on base his speed is of no worthiness. Im glad Girardi finally sat him.
mannnn no Tex wth
Well looks like the number 8 and 9 hitters are automatic outs.
Todd Kalas (Harry’s son) is a Rays announcer. Sad times for him.
RIP Mr. Kalas.
Melky playing? Well, let’s hope for the best.
Cano and Nady should switch spots in the lineup
Once again, the longer it takes to know what’s going on, the worse it is, and Pete has been dreadfully quiet on the Teixeira front today…
tampayank: I’d like to agree, but then the bottom of the line up is pretty weak.
Was anyone else having trouble loading this page? I was beginning to think that somehow, Pete was banning me from the site.
this lineup is terrible.i mean really bad
How long is Text out?
Tex = Text
Newsday said Tex was at the minor league complex this morning getting treatment.
Tendonitis, is inflammation and rest is the only way to get the inflammation under control.
my guess is that this year is going to be one of those ‘different line-up everyday’ kind of years that will have people going nuts once we lose 3 in a row. it’s better this way, having player having to perform for playing time. see cano, robinson.
Man the Rays lineup is loaded. Don’t think it’s going to be a prtety night for Wang or our bullpen
Laura – Plug it in, change the world!
i was 2.
They’re being really careful with Tex.
Get that tendinitis out. We need him back in there.
No Tex. No A Rod. Upton back for the Rays.
I agree. The most important thing is that Wang’s sinker actually sinks. That’s priority #1.
i agree with Donnie Baseball23, re: melky playing, gardner sitting.
and i think i read that it was decided yesterday that tex would sit against kazmir.
Yanks win! Sorry to buck the negativity trend…you guys are laughable!
Hopefully Melky has a good game.
Gardner has to really work on that horrible swing.
Pretty unusual – Jermaine Dye & Paul Konerko hit their 300th career HRs back-to-back.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4065202
Only once has a pitcher pitched back-to-back no hitters. Teammates pitching back to back no-hitters? Well that sure Ain’t happened yet. Anyone think the Yanks have a shot at accomplishing that in the next few years, considering the arms they have in stock? Of course it’s a ridiculously long shot to ever happen anywhere. But AJ, Joba, Hughes (who was on his way to one when he got hurt a couple years ago) all have the kind of stuff that can be pretty close to unhittable when they’re really really on.
Swish!!
what’s up with teixeira? i haven’t seen anything on the severity of the injury.
wang seems like he comes back after horrendous starts with a new fix from eiland so lets hope they did it again this time.
i like a team that plays out a simple theme that defines them. to me this year it’s the rotation. if wang can get back to normal and have a quality start that will be, as others have said, five in a row .
the yankees really haven’t had that in years and it is something to be excited about.
I’m officially worried anout Teixeira
the rays lineup isn’t loaded. It’s good, but not loaded.
Gardner,Melky,Ransom all are AAA players at best
Cano should move up a spot.
Debbie Downers already?
Its freaking tendinitis you drama queens.
Worry all you want, he’s day-to-day and they’re being cautious.
You guys act like he could be out for months. The truth is he could have played through it but they don’t want it to linger or get worse so they’re waiting til its better.
TB has a good lineup, but their 3-3 record proves that they can lose games too. The key is the Wanger. That sinker better sink tonight or we’ll have a rough night ahead of us.
It’s the game thread. Time to whine, moan and complain about everything Yankees.
*”At least when the Mets collapse, they get to stick around for another season”*
-Alex Rodriguez on the death of Harry Kalas
Hard to win with this lineup. Black holes in CF and 3B, a SS who is struggling, etc., etc. I would rather have Nettles and Rivers in there (in present form) than the clowns penciled in today at those positions.
If Wang isn’t super-sharp, it could get ugly.
“Debbie Downers already?”
This was one of the funniest SNL skits I’ve ever seen. Lindsay Lohan was the host and they did a DD skit where they went to Disney World. The girl that played Debbie (Rachel something…I forget her name) lost the character for a moment and couldn’t keep a straight face. Then Jimmy Fallon started laughing. Horatio Sanz was next. By the end, none of them could stop laughing and it ended up being one of the funniest skits in SNL history.
“Hard to win with this lineup. Black holes in CF and 3B, a SS who is struggling, etc., etc. I would rather have Nettles and Rivers in there (in present form) than the clowns penciled in today at those positions.
If Wang isn’t super-sharp, it could get ugly.”
That’s my cue. Time to leave the game thread. Keep your Paxil and Xanax at arms length in case things get really bad. If the Yankees go down by more than 2 runs remove all sharp objects.
See you guys after the game.
Melky? Gah.
Miggs:
Well, last year it tended to go like this:
Just sitting tonight
Day-to-day
Rest him a few days
15 Day DL
Out for the season
And we don’t want that to happen again!
Longoria is off to a crazy start. Second year in the bigs and he’s got 5 hrs in the first week!
Too. Soon.
Another head scratching line up..
Why is Cano batting 6th? I’d rather see him in cleanup between Swish and Posada with the way he’s been batting.. or 5th, there’s no reason Nady should be there.
And where the hell is Tex.. he’s batting .833 .750 in 12 PA’s against Kazmir.
miggs — I guarantee you Nettles could still outhit Ransom. Mickey versus Melky is basically a toss-up.
at one time one of the most important position in team sports…playing CF for the New York Yankees & they have Melky & Gardner out there( this is going to be a platoon all season long)they drop the ball when Beltran wanted in at a reduce pay & they said no.
I got a bad feeling about tonight. Wang has gotten be on top of his game tonight for him to make it.
Clark
April 13th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Man the Rays lineup is loaded. Don’t think it’s going to be a prtety night for Wang or our bullpen
Well, I guess we might as well take the night off and add one to the loss column!!!
The Rays lineup is loaded with palookas who will pound the baseball into the hard turf and grumble their way back to their dugout.
After seeing Gardner’s throw to home on the single off Coke yesterday, i for one am glad to see Melky in there, as long as he doesnt foul out and hit into two double plays again today. Can we just hit Cano and Posada 4 times each and sneak Swish in there for one at bat?
Could tex be the new American “IDOL”? ???
Not your everyday $200 million lineup:
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Swisher 1B
Posada C
Nady RF
Cano 2B
Matsui DH
Ransom 3B
Cabrera CF
I don’t think Melky or Gardner can play for any other team in the majors at the CF position
“Why is Cano batting 6th? I’d rather see him in cleanup between Swish and Posada with the way he’s been batting.. or 5th, there’s no reason Nady should be there.”
why don’t you look up Nady’s career numbers vs. lefties and get back to us?
I find it odd that all of a sudden some people are happy to see Melky. Have you forgotten 2008? Gardner may throw like Ethel Merman, but at least he reaches base now and then.
“at one time one of the most important position in team sports…playing CF for the New York Yankees & they have Melky & Gardner out there( this is going to be a platoon all season long)they drop the ball when Beltran wanted in at a reduce pay & they said no.”
Are you sure about that? What exactly has Beltran done for the Mutts since he arrived in Queens? From where I sit, absolutely nothing.
I heard Pavano may pitch Saturday at the stadium if he doesnt break a nail first….
IM going to that game!!! Hopefully we have some MLB Quality hitters in the lineup by Saturday. just kidding…
geez, i feel like ‘bill’ has taken over the comment section and keeps changing his name
Rebecca I can understand the concern. But the situation you described is only accurate towards one player… Posada. He was a catcher with a shoulder problem and people knew it was bad from day one.
This injury to Tex is completely different. He injured it Wednesday and played for 2-3 more days. He only feels pain when he swings from the right hand side and he “could” play through it if he wanted to.
Its minor tendinitis. Its the Yankees being super-cautious with their new $180 million investment.
Its just frustrating because he changes the game so much. He plays last night, Yankees win…no doubt in my mind. Love Swish but that play at first never happens. Tex either fields that ball cleanly or goes back to the bag since the ball was so far towards 2nd. IMO, he covers the bag and Cano throws the batter out routinely. Yankees win by 2 runs.
That’s what hurts. But he’ll be back soon.
The Rays lineup is loaded with palookas who will pound the baseball into the hard turf and grumble their way back to their dugout.
Palooka is a great word. So is Jabroni.
I wish Pete wouldn’t start the game thread until first pitch. It’s like the roaches coming out when the lights get turned off.
“Why is Cano batting 6th? I’d rather see him in cleanup between Swish and Posada with the way he’s been batting.. or 5th, there’s no reason Nady should be there.”
Canó is not a clean up hitter. He’s a line drive hitter-at his best hitting balls in the gaps. You want your clean up hitter to have power to crank it out of the stadium/dome, and Posada does.
Besides, I don’t know if you’re watching the same thing I’m watching, but Posada’s been hitting the ball pretty darn well himself.
Good news on Tex.
“Gardner may throw like Ethel Merman…”
Anything he can throw, Melky can throw better?
Good one, Nick!
Are you sure about that? What exactly has Beltran done for the Mutts since he arrived in Queens? From where I sit, absolutely nothing.
LOL!!!!
LAST THREE YEARS…
34 hrs
113 rbi’s
155 hits
116 runs
280 BA
I guess he has done nothing
2
“REALLY? With the Yankees facing a lefty, Melky Cabrera is back in center. He is 9 of his last 43 dating back to last season.”
Hey Pete, Gardner is 8 of his last 43 dating back to last season….
“UPDATE, 4:33 p.m.: Mark Teixeira had an MRI today om his left wrist No damage. He hopes to play tomorrow. ”
Okay, the worriers can stop worrying. Tex may be back tomorrow. Woohoo!!
“I guess he has done nothing”
Hey, how many World Championships has Beltran brought home to Queens? Zero.
Like I said, he’s done nothing.
Gardner,Melky & Ransom stink
With Texeira and A-Rod in the lineup, you can live with the ugly Gardner/Melky combo. When this combo is joined by the putrid, abysmal, AA-caliber Cody Ransom, then it’s trouble.
miggs
Well said re: Tex playing yesterday. However the fear factor among management is very high. They had better get over it.
Panic is rampant. Never fear, the division has been taken over by the Orioles and Jays.
Since people predict the Yanks,Sox and Rays at the end, i wouldnt start worrying about 3-3, since the Rays are also 3-3 and Boston is 2-4..
Soon Tex will be back, A-Rod will be back, and everything will be fine.
Note: even without A-Rod and Tex, and Posada, we still would have won yesterday without the pen collapse. No less than 4 runs a game so far, beats last year…..
at one time one of the most important position in team sports…playing CF for the New York Yankees & they have Melky & Gardner out there( this is going to be a platoon all season long)they drop the ball when Beltran wanted in at a reduce pay & they said no.
_________________________
How many times has it been said on this blog that you cant have an all star at every position? We need to develop our own. Plus we have Clashin’ Action Jackson coming up next year
We’re good man.
Fire Girardi for playing Melky. I am absolutely serious. Fire his ass.
UPDATE, 4:33 p.m.: Mark Teixeira had an MRI today om his left wrist No damage. He hopes to play tomorrow.
==================================
Good news
“Hey, how many World Championships has Beltran brought home to Queens? Zero.
Like I said, he’s done nothing.”
You’re kidding right? It would be pretty ridiculous to say Beltran was the reason the Mets haven’t won a championship recently. He’s one of the top CF in the game. If anything, their bullpen and Wright choking down the stretch are 2 things to blame the last few years on. But please not Beltran. Imagine the Yankees with Beltran in CF.
Yeah. Exactly.
“With Texeira and A-Rod in the lineup, you can live with the ugly Gardner/Melky combo. ”
All this means is that others in the lineup (Posada, Nady, Matsui, Swisher and Cano) have to pick up the slack. That’s the mark of a great team. When the big guns are down and out, the rest of the team picks up the slack. We can win games without Tex and A-Rod. It’s just harder to do.
AS long as its just tendonitis, all Tex needs is probably a little rest and maybe a little cortisone shot (as prescribed by a doctor of course – ain’t that right, Andy?
) and a week later it’ll be like there was never a problem. He’s usually kind of a slow starter but half the guys in the game are too. Nothing to worry about with Tex.
“UPDATE, 4:33 p.m.: Mark Teixeira had an MRI today om his left wrist No damage. He hopes to play tomorrow. ”
now that’s good news.
wang usually gets back to basics after a game when the wheels come off . that means working on keeping his stride short to help his sinker sink, his arm slot, and pounding the lower part of the zone with the improved sinker.
this usually works.
my point is he could have played CF for the Yankees at the ripe old age of 27 in 2005 then decided they rather have J Damon to play trhat position in 2006 at a lot more $$$$$ how did that work out
Sweet, I’m goin to the game tomorrow..thank god Tex will be back because I already won’t get to see my fav player A-rod play.
Without meaning to rub it in too much, Ransom reminds me of Beetle Bailey — same clueless look, crew cut, buck teeth. Then again, Bailey could probably hit his weight.
“Hey, how many World Championships has Beltran brought home to Queens? Zero.
Like I said, he’s done nothing.”
please stop, this is stupid.
Ransom has been really bad. I can’t believe I actually picked him up for fantasy baseball.
“You’re kidding right? It would be pretty ridiculous to say Beltran was the reason the Mets haven’t won a championship recently.”
Did I say that Beltran was the sole reason the Mutts haven’t won anything? My point was that Mutts have this great CF and still have nothing to show for it.
How is Beltran any different from A-Rod then?
Certainly he is not solely to blame for the Yankees not winning the last 5 years. In fact, without him we may not even make it to the playoffs in some of those years, but everyone is quick to attack him as not being worth it.
All the big name players has not gotten the Yankees a title and i dont think beltran would have been any different.
UPDATE, 4:33 p.m.: Mark Teixeira had an MRI today om his left wrist No damage. He hopes to play tomorrow.
His mind will be at ease now and he’ll be back soon. Everyone back in off the ledge.
“Fire Girardi for playing Melky. I am absolutely serious. Fire his ass.”
please stop, this is stupid.
““Why is Cano batting 6th? I’d rather see him in cleanup between Swish and Posada with the way he’s been batting.. or 5th, there’s no reason Nady should be there.”
why don’t you look up Nady’s career numbers vs. lefties and get back to us?”
ok? What am I missing? They both have about the same #’s against lefties. Nady has a slight edge but nothing to warrant him batting ahead.. Cano is hitting the ball well and Nady hasn’t been.
Oh man I don’t get this Beltran debate. He’s a great player but two images stick out in my mind when I see his name. 1) The 2006 playoffs against the cards where he strikes out looking to end the series. It felt like that pitch hung over the plate for a full 2 seconds. 2) his mole
“Did I say that Beltran was the sole reason the Mutts haven’t won anything? My point was that Mutts have this great CF and still have nothing to show for it.”
ok, but your “point” is really, really stupid.
are you saying that if the yankees didn’t have Beltran, they wouldn’t be MUCH MUCH better?
if you are, you should just stop posting. or not. you fit in perfectly around here.
Sadly, Ransom and Melky have more of a chance to put the bat on the ball against Kazmir than Pena/Gardner do.
““Hey, how many World Championships has Beltran brought home to Queens? Zero.
Like I said, he’s done nothing.”
please stop, this is stupid.”
Why is that stupid? If the point of the original post was that we’d be better off if we had Beltran, my counterpoint is valid. The Mutts have Beltran; are they better off for it? Have they accomplished more than we have because they have him? The answer is no.
the one and only reason the Yankees sign Damon was to stick it to the Sox…..he didn’t all of a sudden not be able to play CF he never could, at 27 Beltran was there and they didn’t grab him
I would play Mick Kelleher at 3B until A-Rod returns. He always at least had a good glove.
Great news on Teixeira. Can’t wait till he and A-Rod are bashing together
RE: Beltran
As the story goes, Steinbrenner (George, of course) asked the question, “who would’ve helped us more in the Red Sox series (2004) – Randy Johnson or Beltran?” With George’s pushing, Randy was acquired instead of Beltran. It was a legitimate argument at the time… but hindsight is 20/20.
“ok, but your “point” is really, really stupid.
are you saying that if the yankees didn’t have Beltran, they wouldn’t be MUCH MUCH better?
if you are, you should just stop posting. or not. you fit in perfectly around here.”
I’ve been posting here for quite some time now and I have always managed not to resort to name calling or insulting people. Since you are incapable of the same, I’ll do the sane thing and just ignore you from here on out.
Melky is 3-10 against Kazmir
Gardner has been awful
Makes sense
Dudes .. Ransom is a backup player and he ain’t expected to put up all-star numbers. A batting average above the Mendoza line would be nice, but there are 8 other big leaguers in the lineup who should be able to make his below average hitting seem like less of a problem. What they need most from him is to not be a disaster at 3B for a few weeks until A-Rod gets back.
“ok? What am I missing? They both have about the same #’s against lefties. ”
are you sure about that?
Nady: .308/.383/.470
Cano: .297/.343/.423
not even close.
“Canó is not a clean up hitter. He’s a line drive hitter-at his best hitting balls in the gaps. You want your clean up hitter to have power to crank it out of the stadium/dome, and Posada does.
Besides, I don’t know if you’re watching the same thing I’m watching, but Posada’s been hitting the ball pretty darn well himself.”
That’s a fair enough point.. And I see Posada also hits Kazmir well enough in limited ab’s.. But I’d still rather see Cano further up as much as possible with the way he’s been hitting (and walking!) so far this season.
All this 20/20 hindsight arguing about Beltran is ridiculous.
“Can’t wait till he and A-Rod are bashing together”
Please don’t use the word “bashing” again when referring to Alex. Reminds me too much of those two fellows in Oakland… late 80s, early 90s. Trying to put the controversy behind us.
“Since you are incapable of the same, I’ll do the sane thing and just ignore you from here on out.”
thank God.
“wang usually gets back to basics after a game when the wheels come off . that means working on keeping his stride short to help his sinker sink, his arm slot, and pounding the lower part of the zone with the improved sinker.”
There’s a general concept in systems design called fault tolerance.
The basic ideas is that if something goes wrong then there is redundancy of some kind of capacity. There’s a back up way of getting it done. This is big part of how the internet works, for example.
Wang’s major issue isn’t simply over striding or not having his sinker working.
Wang’s issue is that he has no fault tolerance in the system of his pitching.
This isn’t a common aimed at his last start – he was clearly out of whack and hadn’t pitched in game action for months.
It’s simply what I think his challenge is right now as a pitcher.
If that one pitch isn’t working then that’s that. You can tell from the get go it isn’t going to be good. Alternatively, when teams like the sox force him up in the zone by taking close pitches he has problems – again he has no other way to execute.
I’d really like to see Wang continue to evolve rather than become more dependent on his sinker.
What I mean by that is that he has to come to some kind of medium where he is mechanically able to maintain his sinker while at the same time throw his secondary pitches in a more effective manner.
First and foremost that means using his change up more. There just isn’t enough variation in his slider to make that a strong secondary pitch for him.
The only bright part of Wang’s last game was that he threw a few good change ups.
I’d like to see more of that. The power sinker/ change up combo is a deadly one if perfected. The way the change up naturally tends to sink is a nice compliment to a hard sinker.
The change up is what helps separates Brandon Webb from Wang.
“That’s a fair enough point.. And I see Posada also hits Kazmir well enough in limited ab’s.. But I’d still rather see Cano further up as much as possible with the way he’s been hitting (and walking!) so far this season.”
Cano strikes me as the guy who would start pressing, and begin to change is approach if he’s asked to hit clean-up. That’s probably the last thing he needs.
ANSKY — Ransom doesn’t even look like a back-up player. He’s one of those guys who should be a career minor-leaguer.
Joekuh – Pushing people off the ledge.I’m saving NO ONE.
April 13th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
at one time one of the most important position in team sports…playing CF for the New York Yankees & they have Melky & Gardner out there( this is going to be a platoon all season long)they drop the ball when Beltran wanted in at a reduce pay & they said no.
_
How many times has it been said on this blog that you cant have an all star at every position? We need to develop our own. Plus we have Clashin’ Action Jackson coming up next year We’re good man.
======================================================
Yes, and with Eddie Sosa developing nicely, and a few other toolsy youngsters, we have organizational depth going forward in the outfield for a change.
“Why is that stupid? If the point of the original post was that we’d be better off if we had Beltran, my counterpoint is valid. The Mutts have Beltran; are they better off for it? ”
no, it’s not “valid”.
i’ll try to explain this to you.
the Mets and the Yankees are different teams. there are 24 other players on a team besides the CFer.
if you put Beltran on the Yankees, you might have a team that is now good enough to win the World Series.
while putting Beltran on the Mets, they still might not be good enough.
is that really so hard to understand?
Austin Jackson remains hot today. 3-5 (all singles) 1 RBI, 1 run scored. Only downer was a strikeout. He’s hitting .500 (NO….He’s not ready to play in the Majors.) 6 strikeouts in 22 at bats looking much better. 3 Walks.
Kevin Russo had another good game…2-5 with an RBI. Hitting .346
“are you sure about that?
Nady: .308/.383/.470
Cano: .297/.343/.423
not even close.”
uhh ok.. You also failed to mention that it’s based on nearly 500 more AB’s for Nady… which makes it pretty close and not really a factor.
I’d prefer the hotter hand.
Pretty laughable that people point at Beltran as the reason the Mets haven’t won a World Series. Carlos is one of the top 3 CF’s in the game. Great fielder, great hitter, great base runner. He’s a very complete player. In hindsight the Yankees should have probably signed him.
CB,
That’s an interesting analysis of Wang. I think he really does suffer from not having full command of the English language. There must be some technical terms and psychological nuances that are difficult to translate or pantomime.
As for Gardner? It’s a little early to be making a big deal out of Melky starting. Even li’l G needs some nap time.
Joekuh – Pushing people off the ledge.I’m saving NO ONE.
April 13th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
All this 20/20 hindsight arguing about Beltran is ridiculous.
====================================
The poster is right, however. George wanted to spend the money on Randy instead, so we passed on Beltran. Beltran is a much better CF than Damon was when we got him, and he can throw, as well. He wasn’t leadoff material, however, but DJ could have done that for us.
I like Damon, but in his Yankee tenure, he has been a failure as a defender in CF. His play in left is fine. No complaints there.
Interesting points, CB. You are right, you can definitely tell when Wang will be good, and when he won’t be (sometimes its on an inning by inning basis, unfortunately). Good thoughts.
Austin Jackson ….bring him up and play him,this Melky & Gardner platoon is going to last all season
“Austin Jackson remains hot today. ”
So what do you think, GB? Does he get the call up at the end of the season when the roster expands or sooner?
CB-
Wang’s change had incredible movement in his first start. If he can keep that pitch he will become an even better pitcher than he was before the injury.
“uhh ok.. You also failed to mention that it’s based on nearly 500 more AB’s for Nady… which makes it pretty close and not really a factor. ”
uhh, exactly.
thank you for making my argument for me.
Nady has a long, consistent track record of hitting left handed pitching.
you seem to have it backwards.
“That’s a fair enough point.. And I see Posada also hits Kazmir well enough in limited ab’s.. But I’d still rather see Cano further up as much as possible with the way he’s been hitting (and walking!) so far this season.”
Yeah, I could switch Canó with Nady, but having Canó a little farther down gives Nady some protection.
IMO it’s a toss up, although the rest of you would seem to disagree.
Finally a post about the TEAM and not all that other fluff about one individual. It is a TEAM game after all.
I think everybody has to agree it’s a good thing the Yankees didn’t trade Swisher. It’s nice to have an actual bench again.
So far Gardner really hasn’t done much to impress me, but I wasn’t all that sold on him like everybody else. I even listened to all the blather about what a superior defender he is and I haven’t seen that yet so far. If Melky is going to be on the team (and as far as I’m concerned he is still their best defensive outfielder) he’s going to need some at bats, so everybody needs to calm down.
And anyway, the losses so far have all revolved around the pitching. Two bad starts and a bullpen hiccup. When the lineup stays with the basics and just tries to get on base and move runners along (which they’ve been doing so far) they have no problems scoring runs.
To put everything negative on Melky tells me that most posters aren’t even watching the games. . .
curious
April 13th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
“Why is that stupid? If the point of the original post was that we’d be better off if we had Beltran, my counterpoint is valid. The Mutts have Beltran; are they better off for it? ”
no, it’s not “valid”.
i’ll try to explain this to you.
the Mets and the Yankees are different teams. there are 24 other players on a team besides the CFer.
if you put Beltran on the Yankees, you might have a team that is now good enough to win the World Series.
while putting Beltran on the Mets, they still might not be good enough.
is that really so hard to understand?
============================
Not hard to understand at all. Also, as a switchy, he’d have been perfect for the Stadium. At the risk of generalizing, many people here seem to not be able to differentiate between a thoughtful observation and “negativity.”
It’s like the pod people run this site. It’s one thing if hysterical comments are being made – but when someone takes the time to make a thoughtful post, the people sort of towing the party line about “negativity” really come off as puppets who haven’t even bothered to carefully read the post.
It’s pretty disappointing.
Thinking about Austin Jackson….
Did anyone catch the Centerstage with Bernie Williams? I liked the story he told about the conversation Gene Michael had with George Steinbrenner. George wanted to see Bernie traded when he first came up, thinking it would be the right move… but Michael, knowing Bernie was special lied to George by telling him, “we’ve been trying to trade him… no one seems to want him!” Interesting stuff.
Melky is 3-10 against Kazmir
Gardner has been awful
Makes sense
———-
Yeah, Melky is really strutting his stuff being 0-for-4 on the season with a K, a foul out, and two GIDPs. He hasn’t hit the ball out of the infield.
If you are going to take a small sample size of Gardner’s six games then I guess it’s fair to take Melky’s small sample size of ABs as well.
There’s nothing wrong with playing Melky at this point. I mean, why not?
They are interchangable. Up until now, both he and Gardner have proven to be well below average major league players.
There is no centerfield “battle” unless either Cabrera or Gardner can put up numbers close to league average. It’s silly for fans to get on here and tout how “awesome” either Gardner or Melky is.
Neither has shown anything yet to deserve such praise. My guess is if that neither player can give the team at least a .700 OPS out of the CF position, a trade will be struck around the deadline.
Optimally, both would be fourth outfielders. The orginazation I’m sure hopes they are just placeholders until Austin Jackson arrives in 2010.
Every Yankee fan should hope that is the case.
This just in:
In anticipation of tonight’s Yankees – Rays game in which the Yankees will compete without Mark Teixeira or Alex Rodriguez in the lineup against pitcher Scott Kazmir, several precautions have been taken.
First, extra security personnel will be posted at all downstate bridges and even a few notorious mountain ridges in the lower Catskill region.
Secondly, grief counselors and other types dressed in white suits will be on-line for the benefit of certain Lohud blog posters.
And finally, Joe Girardi has adamantly requested and received a hot line from the dugout to this blog to gain access to these same posters so he will know exactly what bullpen decisions to make in real time as he knows they always know what they’re talking about.
“uhh, exactly.
thank you for making my argument for me.
Nady has a long, consistent track record of hitting left handed pitching.
you seem to have it backwards.”
lol whatever man.
I don’t think any sane fans are touting either Melky or Gardner as “awesome”. I think we’d be happy if either were simply decent or adequate.
Time to bring up Jackson.. he is hitting .500 in AAA. Enough with the Melky/Gardner experiment.
I like this lineup against Kazmir…lots of lefties and switch-hitters. Perhaps they can make Kazmir surrender the yogurt tonight.
“lol whatever man.”
exactly, whatever. you have no idea what you are talking about.
Laura – Plug it in, change the world!
April 13th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
“Austin Jackson remains hot today. ”
So what do you think, GB? Does he get the call up at the end of the season when the roster expands or sooner?
————————————————————
It really depends on three players, I’d think. If Cabrera and Gardner can’t fix their offensive problems, and Jackson continues to hit, gets his walks and keeps the strikeouts in check, he could very easily be up in June. September callup is an almost guarantee. Right now, though, it’s just too soon.
curious, i’ve been enjoying your posts!
leaving work now. go yankees.
The MRI showed no damage? Well, then, it must be wrong. They need to get Tex to another scanner, and have it read by another radiologist, because the experts here on the blog have decreed that Tex must be injured, and somebody must be hiding something.
TOS
April 13th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Finally a post about the TEAM and not all that other fluff about one individual. It is a TEAM game after all.
I think everybody has to agree it’s a good thing the Yankees didn’t trade Swisher. It’s nice to have an actual bench again.
So far Gardner really hasn’t done much to impress me, but I wasn’t all that sold on him like everybody else. I even listened to all the blather about what a superior defender he is and I haven’t seen that yet so far. If Melky is going to be on the team (and as far as I’m concerned he is still their best defensive outfielder) he’s going to need some at bats, so everybody needs to calm down.
And anyway, the losses so far have all revolved around the pitching. Two bad starts and a bullpen hiccup. When the lineup stays with the basics and just tries to get on base and move runners along (which they’ve been doing so far) they have no problems scoring runs.
To put everything negative on Melky tells me that most posters aren’t even watching the games. . .
===========================
X100
Well said.
Ted Lilly has a 5 inning no hitter going against the Rockies. 1 walk, 6 strikeouts.
On a more serious note….
CB, that was a nice analysis of Wang’s pitching style and his task. It almost sounded like you have experience in the area of human factors and systems integration. I base this on a lot of conversations with my wife, who did human factors research when she worked for Grumman. Do you do work in this area, also?
“September callup is an almost guarantee. Right now, though, it’s just too soon.”
True. Cashman may also look to make a trade before bringing AJ up. At this point though, I’m hoping that Gardner can get his act together. I like the speed he brings to the team.
“exactly, whatever. you have no idea what you are talking about.”
Ok Mr. Right.. Have fun propping up .015 avg difference and 4% OBP difference with nearly 500 more AB’s.
It’s like comparing what they both have done against Kazmir. Then saying that Cano is clearly the better hitter because he’s has 1 hit compared to Nady’s 0 hits against Kazmir.
But I don’t use that argument because it’s pretty stupid.
Whew on Tex – now I can relax, lol
Austin Jackson needs to stay in AAA for the entire season. He needs a lot more polish. Five games at AAA does not make a player a superstar.
His numbers at Trenton last year were just OK. He still strikes out too much and lacks plate discipline. Hopefully, that will come with another year of seasoning.
I think people forget how raw Jackson has been as a prospect. He’s starting to come around, but let’s give him a chance to produce on a consistent basis before he becomes another “five-tool” guy who never materializes as a good player.
Am I the only one that thinks the Nats could actually go 0-162?
“Am I the only one that thinks the Nats could actually go 0-162?”
Yes. You are forgetting that at some point, they are going to play PIT. You gotta figure they are going to win at least one game from those guys.
Laura, you asked in the previous thread if I had to sell a kidney to get tickets behind home plate, lol. Fortunately, I didn’t have to resort to that. My brother-in-law got tickets from a friend/business associate and I practically begged him to give them to me, lol. Luckily, he didn’t need to give them to a client, so……
My father and I will be getting there early to check out the place and scope out the best food spots. I love garlic, I love french fries – I’m hoping to find that, lol. The nice part is the weather is supposed to be good….
“He’s one of those guys who should be a career minor-leaguer.”
Agreed, ZMAN. He IS a career minor leaguer. Like I said … the Mendoza line would be nice. That he’s hitting like a relief pitcher isn’t a total season-blowing disaster to me though. He just has to fill the 3B gap for a couple more weeks. As long as that’s the extent of it, and A-Rod comes back with his usual numbers, we won’t remember Ransom’s stats come August.
Given the length of A-Rod’s expected time off the decision was that it wasn’t worth going outside the organization to find someone. I suppose if Ransom finishes at .053 they might reconsider their approach if one of the starting infielders goes on the DL again.
CB – I think Wang’s aware that he has to use more than his sinker to be successful. A couple years ago the Sox hit him hard one game. The next time he pitched against them he shut them down because he used his other pitches (primarily his slider) more. He (and Posada) knew they were onto his sinker, and Ortiz couldn’t get to him that day.
Rebecca-Optimist Prime…Staying to Write the Story
April 13th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Am I the only one that thinks the Nats could actually go 0-162?
————————————————————
They haven’t played the Astros, Padres and Mets, yet.
Wow, when I think Ted Lilly, I don’t really think no-hit kind of stuff.
I don’t think Cashman’s going to trade a cost-controlled player like Gardner.
It’ll be a good thing if Jackson could play the OF in ’10 (my lord, where have the years gone?). But that’s asking a lot right now. Great to see Jackson off to a great start, though.
I know many of us Yankees fans are tired of teh Kate Smith renditin of GBA. However, she’s ours – ours to gripe about.
Patty Austin just sang it in Washington, but introduced it thusly: “We’re not gonna do this Kate Smith style – we’re gonna do this 2009 style.” And then did a very “eh” version, nice voice but the tempo was all over the place.
I know. Who cares? It just seemed like a gratuitous statement. Just sing the song.
““Am I the only one that thinks the Nats could actually go 0-162?”
Yes. You are forgetting that at some point, they are going to play PIT. You gotta figure they are going to win at least one game from those guys.”
So what, 6-156?
“They haven’t played the Astros, Padres and Mets, yet.”
They could beat the Astros but the Padres have been playing well and even the Mets can beat the Nats.
So let’s say 20-142.
at this point I’ll take
Coco Crisp to play CF
“Laura, you asked in the previous thread if I had to sell a kidney to get tickets behind home plate, lol. Fortunately, I didn’t have to resort to that. My brother-in-law got tickets from a friend/business associate and I practically begged him to give them to me, lol. Luckily, he didn’t need to give them to a client, so……”
That’s great. Well, with seats like that, I know that you are going to have fun at the game. Enjoy!
“Yes. You are forgetting that at some point, they are going to play PIT. You gotta figure they are going to win at least one game from those guys.”
So what, 6-156?”
maybe 9-153? they still haven’t faced the Padres.
m
April 13th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
I don’t think Cashman’s going to trade a cost-controlled player like Gardner.
It’ll be a good thing if Jackson could play the OF in ‘10 (my lord, where have the years gone?). But that’s asking a lot right now. Great to see Jackson off to a great start, though.
————————————————————
He can hit any fastball. Like all young players, though, he has real problems with off-speed stuff. Low outside sliders, in particular. Tends to chase them like Soriano. That will be his biggest challenge. He can play center field, and, he’ll go over the top of fences.
Teix was supposed to play on Saturday and yesterday too and was scratched. Until he is in the lineup, I’m not assuming anything. We have no idea how he will feel tomorrow morning. Though we do face a righty so that might help.
Wait, did the Nats already play PIT and lose? Man, they are worse than I thought.
“If that one pitch isn’t working then that’s that. You can tell from the get go it isn’t going to be good.”
—————–
Agreed. Which is why I always ask myself why they let Wang pitch more than 2-3 innings when it’s clear his sinker isn’t working.
Honestly, when was the last time Wang’s sinker was crap for 2 innings and then it just kicked in?
If Wang is off, get him out quickly so the Yanks still have a chance to win the game.
I really wanted Gardner to succeed because he could be that sparkplug type player for us… but it’s clear that he just can’t hit ML pitching. Pitchers are challenging him and he is looking helpless. His defense isn’t even that great.
Hey! The Pirates are going to be better than you think. They’ve got Yankee blood now.
Hey, do we get to play the Nats this year?
Liily at 6 innings, 0 hits, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts.
Rebecca, Yep.
“The only bright part of Wang’s last game was that he threw a few good change ups.”
————
I felt the same way. As Patrick said, his change up looked fantastic. It had great late movement low and away from left handers.
If I didn’t know any better, and more importantly if Wang could throw his change that well all the time, I’d say it was one of the better ones I’ve seen.
Of course a change up is generally only as effective as the pitcher’s fastball/sinker. If that isn’t working, hitters will sit on it.
line tonight
TB..160 to get 100
NY…100 to get 140
“Hey! The Pirates are going to be better than you think. They’ve got Yankee blood now.”
I don’t know about that. They’ve been stinking for so long now that I think they are just used to it.
Ed Ooh! I am kind of excited, haha
Rebecca yes we do 4 games I believe
Melky goes 2-4 tonight?
joeman,
I’d take that action.
Lilly is at 86 pitches in the 6th. I don’t see him throwing a complete game.
If Lilly’s going to go the distance, he’s going to have to get some quick outs. 87 pitches in 6 innings.
playing against Lily in a fantasy league this week…just my luck
prediction: this game will be close and come down to the bullpens. Kazmir will do well but a high pitch count gets him out after 6.
The Yanks pen will get a chance to redeem itself (at least with the panic stricken bloggers from yesterday).
We play WAS for 3 games at home June 16-18.
vin
April 13th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
joeman,
I’d take that action.
not a bad bet at all…they have to make Kazmir throw pitches
“Lilly is at 86 pitches in the 6th. I don’t see him throwing a complete game.”
That’s not a terribly high pitch count in general. For a no hitter it’s a bit high.
Still, I can’t see them pulling Lilly out before 125-130 pitches if he keeps it going.
For example, the Sox let young Jon Lester go 130 pitches in his no hitter.
Rebecca, hopefully Zimmerman won’t hit a walk off homer again just like 3 years ago when Wang was trying to complete the game.
Hardly a revelation, but Ransom needs to sit for Pena.
“Honestly, when was the last time Wang’s sinker was crap for 2 innings and then it just kicked in?”
Typically, it seems that when CMW runs into trouble it occurs when a guy reaches base, forcing him to pitch from the stretch. There are many games when he’s cruising along, and then a groundball gets through, he walks the next guy, then gives up a double to the gap, and the floodgates are open.
Girardi can’t necessarily just pull the plug on him, because a lot of times when he settles back in the next inning. Unfortunately, there are a few games when he just doesn’t have it, like CB mentioned.
They haven’t mentioned Lilly on the MLB network yet.
Oh how they have fallen
Isiah Thomas may be headed to Florida International as coach – http://tinyurl.com/cmndvx
Boston Dave
April 13th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
“Lilly is at 86 pitches in the 6th. I don’t see him throwing a complete game.”
That’s not a terribly high pitch count in general. For a no hitter it’s a bit high.
Still, I can’t see them pulling Lilly out before 125-130 pitches if he keeps it going.
For example, the Sox let young Jon Lester go 130 pitches in his no hitter.
————————————————————
The weather is against Lilly. Cold, wet and foggy in Chicago, today. Wind is blowing out, but, that’s a tough lineup.
“Girardi can’t necessarily just pull the plug on him, because a lot of times when he settles back in the next inning.”
—————
really?
I’ll take your word for it. I can’t remember any games off hte top of my head where Wang’s sinker wasn’t sinking in the first 2 innings and then it just kicked in.
It almost always seems like an adjustment needs to be made in the followng days to his delivery/mechanics.
GB7,
ahh, didnt realize that. tough call then.
I can’t imagine Lilly leaving the mound without a fight!
wasn’t he the one who got in an argument with the manager when he was in Toronto because he didn’t want to stop pitching?
imagine him if Sweet Lou takes him out after 8 with a no-no going….
Interesting statement series vs. Tampa. IF we win today, we have a chance to sweep.
A lot depends on Wang. If he’s on, Wang himself has been fairly close to no-hitters. When he’s not on, we all saw the result vs. the Orioles.
Her’s to hoping for a bounceback game with Wang.
Does anybody here honestly think Gardner has a better shot against a tough lefty like Kazmir than Melky? Kazmir feasts off young inexperienced left-handers.
cb-
i love redundancy- back ups on back ups on back ups. but here’s the problem with that with wang. if wang had not suddenly developed the sinker he likely would have never made the majors . he was just an ok triple a pitcher before that.
the sinker was what made him chien ming wang. the stride really is the key to wang. it was the very first thing that he had to do different when he went to the sinker. he already had the natural arm slot for the sinker. with him it’ll always be the stride. it is not natural for him to shorten it and likely never will be.
i can see a change up working well however because there would be no tendency to over stride as he not going for velocity. i think the point where we disagree is that i believe that when wang’s sinker is on, the other team can’t hit it, even when they know it’s coming.
i believe he loses the good sinker easily by trying to throw too many other pitches which throws off his stride. i realize you did qualify what you said by having wang only make changes that didn’t affect the quality of the sinker. we’re in agreement there.
what is interesting is that neil allen( wang’s sinker teacher) was primarily a two pitch pitcher. 95mph fastball and one of the best 12/6 curves in the national league as a closer. so how did he know about a sinker? it turns out that he threw it when he was a starter instead of a closer.
he says that there is no reason that wang can’t throw both sinker and slider, but he has to keep his mechanics the same. there is a tendency to change stride length when going back to his old slider which he used to throw. what wang needs to do is throw everything off the same short stride length and arm slot as the sinker. his slider doesn’t have to be great , just another look as you suggest. same thing with the change.
as far as the red sox allen simply said that they step up on him to minimize the break on the sinker. they may be taking some pitches, but they are also hammering them when up in the box. allen said he tells wang to just knock them off the plate with an up and in fastball.he also tells him to do it on his own if posada won’t call for it.
so i have no problem with wang evolving, but i’m wanting it to be a very slow process so he keeps the gift of the sinker that got him to the majors in the first place.
Of course, if Wang pitches well tonight all this conversation will be for naught.
easy call for Lou now
oh well
2 out hit by atkins, single between 3rd and short.
By the way, relieved at the good news on Tex.
if you were starting a team who would you pick wang or kazmir?
Girardi needs to have Albaladejo warmed up early tonight… we should know pretty early if Wang has it or not. He isn’t the type of pitcher to settle in and pitch well after a rough start, if his ball is up, you know its a long night.
A few runs is all the Rays might need with Kazmir on the mound. Short hook with Wang tonight….
Tell you what-If Wang pitches well, he could throw whatever he wants.
Former AL Rookie of the Year Mark Fidrych has been found dead under a pickup truck at his home.
“There’s a general concept in systems design called fault tolerance.”
gb7-
is what your ex wife was missing
“what wang needs to do is throw everything off the same short stride length and arm slot as the sinker. his slider doesn’t have to be great , just another look as you suggest. same thing with the change.”
—————-
very interesting stuff randy.
what’s your opinion on Wang making in-game changes to his stride length? why does it seem like once he’s off, he’s off for the entire game?
I realize in-game adjustments are harder to make. However, when the adjustment that needs to be made is always the same exact one…. it should be much easier, no?
I don’t want to predict what’s going to happen. We could say “the Rays may only need two runs”, but who knows? Often projected pitchers’ duels end up becoming shootouts.
Here’s to hoping it’s a Yankee blowout.
rip mark “the bird” fidrych
“Tell you what-If Wang pitches well, he could throw whatever he wants.”
huh?
Boston Dave-I mean, I don’t care if he’s throwing sinkers or sliders or fastballs as long as hitters are getting out.
At the time, his out pitch is the sinker, but if other pitches get good, so be it.
gayle
Oh how they have fallen
Isiah Thomas may be headed to Florida International as coach – http://tinyurl.com/cmndvx
__
He hasn’t proven that he can be trusted to head an elementary school, but he probably will be able to recruit.
Mark Fidrych found dead under his pickup truck.
“A few runs is all the Rays might need with Kazmir on the mound. ”
Kazmir’s weakness is often his tendancy to build high pitch counts early.
I’d like to see some patience from the Yankee hitters tonight. Make Kazmir work, hopefully draw some walks, and get a few hits with RISP.
If they do that, and Wang is decent, they’ll be in a good position to win.
What are the odds that Met fans boo, if and when the announcers ask for a moment of silence for Harry Kalas?
Sorry, this is very tragic and horrible, but I’ve never heard of Mark Fidrych.
over/under total for game is 9
Boston Dave
April 13th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
GB7,
ahh, didnt realize that. tough call then.
I can’t imagine Lilly leaving the mound without a fight!
wasn’t he the one who got in an argument with the manager when he was in Toronto because he didn’t want to stop pitching?
imagine him if Sweet Lou takes him out after 8 with a no-no going….
————————————————————
LMAO. The late Preston Gomez did it twice when he was managing the Padres and astros. Kirby had a no hitter with 8 outs in the 8th. Don Wilson had one through 8 innings (he also had two no hitters in his career). Both pitchers were losing the game, 1-0.
Sad thing about Don wilson. He was a really outstanding young pitcher. 200 strikeouts every year, 2 no hitters. One night, started up the car in the garage and though they said he fell asleep, most thought it was suicide. The other tragedy was his son’s bedroom was next to the garage and he also died and his daughter was in a coma. He was 29.
Well I was going to say this AM after I heard about Harry that these things usually come in three’s and lo and behold once again it rings true
RIP Harry, Nick and The Bird
I’ve never heard of Mark Fidrych, but I do know that way too many baseball people have died in the last seven days.
“Boston Dave-I mean, I don’t care if he’s throwing sinkers or sliders or fastballs as long as hitters are getting out.
At the time, his out pitch is the sinker, but if other pitches get good, so be it.”
Ok.
I think what randy is saying is that it’s an either/or. It’s difficult for Wang to have his sinker working in addition to a change up or his old version of the slider.
If that is indeed the case, I’d like Wang to focus on the sinker and make sure that is right.
The meat of the Rays order – guys like Longoria and Pena are pull hitters that IMO won’t be as much of a problem if Wang can keep the ball down.
I’ve seen Longoria ground into plenty of double plays when he tries to pull a ball that he should go the other way with.
Wang can control this lineup if his sinker is going well. The problem is that if the speed guys get on, Wang will need to keep his composure and not lose sight of getting the man at the plate out.
They just interviewed Mark Fidrych on the MLB Network recently. Oh, my. Not a good few weeks for people dying. RIP.
So, it’s not enough for the Nationals to talk about how nice their ballpark is. They referenced the fact that their park cost 1/2 of what Yankee Stadium cost and THEY don’t have so many hundred obstructed view seats. Sigh.
randy l.
April 13th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
“There’s a general concept in systems design called fault tolerance.”
gb7-
is what your ex wife was missing
————————————————————
Nah. She had a great systems design. sadly, it was being on call and gone 7 of the ten years we were married. It was rough on her. I still see her, though. A fine lady.
Doreen: Yah, but their team stinks, to put it politely.
damn GB,
that is sad.
also sad for the loss of Fidrych. I never saw him pitch live but have studied the game enough to know a great character like that doesn’t come around all the time.
And Guzman just came up lame.
Wow I’m glad I’m not a Nats fan.
Nice interview.
just looked up Fidrych on wikipedia. For those of you who don’t know him, it’s an interesting quick read:
“Every time he pitched, Tiger Stadium was jam-packed with adoring fans. In his 18 appearances, attendance equalled almost half of the entire season’s 81 home games. Teams started asking Detroit to change its pitching rotation so Fidrych could pitch in their ballparks, and he appeared on the cover of numerous magazines, such as Sports Illustrated (twice, including once with Sesame Street character Big Bird), The Sporting News, and became the first athlete to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone. In one week, Fidrych turned away five people who wanted to be his agent, saying, “Only I know my real value and can negotiate it.”"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fidrych
When Wang is on, his fastball is usually relatively slow.
Wang’s gotten close to a few no-hitters himself, as close as last year in fact, I remember Abreu losing one for him.
He was standing at the wall when someone hit a HR that barely cleared. Of course, Abreu could have caught it had he not done a stupid little jump and bumped his hip o the wall.
Very sad about all the baseball people dying.
On the bright side, has anybody else heard that Kaat is getting back to baseball and will be w/the MLB network covering the first game at New Yankee Stadium?
That’s what Kaat said on his blog.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fidrych
Rebecca -
Yeah, I know, but still…
the defending champs are having bullpen issues of their own:
Lidge gives up a 2 run jack to our friend Ryan Zimmerman.
9-8 Phillies
Adam Dunn up
“I’ll take your word for it. I can’t remember any games off hte top of my head where Wang’s sinker wasn’t sinking in the first 2 innings and then it just kicked in.”
I think we agree, we’re just missing each other’s point…
If CMW’s sinker stinks from the get-go, then he doesn’t usually recover. But there are plenty of times when it IS working, but then he gets out of whack for an inning or two. Seems like the latter starts are more common than the former (thankfully). I’m looking through his game logs now to see if the stats back up what I think is the case.
Ooh, and Lidge’s perfect season in jeapordy.
sorry to bring back up the Yanks bullpen…
but what team does everyone think has the best bullpen in baseball?
I’m curious what people think… and how the Yanks pen matches up with the best pen.
And they get the save (Phillies).
Johan Santana put the collar for his wasted gem here yesterday squarely around the neck of teammate Daniel Murphy. “It was just one mistake that he made, [and it] cost us the whole ballgame,” Santana said after his 13 strikeouts went for naught in the Mets’ 2-1 afternoon loss to the Marlins and their equally superb starter, Josh Johnson. Maybe true, but what player calls a teammate out like that. Of course Johan, if you didn’t give up the two out walk…………
Mark Fidrych was a quirky right hander who took the country by storm in 1976.
He used to get down on his hands and knees to manicure the mound and talked to the baseball inbetween pitches..
Injuries ruined such a promising career…
RIP, Mark.
http://www.baseball-reference......ma01.shtml
vin,
oh ok. i got you now.
I’m not concerned with Wang at all. He’s proven he’s a solid pitcher. One or two games don’t defy several years of success.
I just hate seeing the games where his sinker doesn’t sink and they let him stay out there for the 3rd and 4th innings to get pummeled.
Boston Dave-I trust our bullpen. I think it’s in the top five.
Why? Mariano Rivera says it’s the best we’ve had in awhile.
I trust Mo.
I rank it Phillies bullpen first, Mets second (Gasp! Not the invincible Mets pen!), Red Sox Third, and Yankees fourth. Fifth maybe Tampa Bay, I’m not sure.
Holy crap are the Nats bad or what?
JIm-That is SO overblown.
He’s not berating Murphy or anything.
All he said was the mistake cost the ballgame.
That’s it.
Nothing wrong with stating the obvious.
Tex,
I don’t think you’re too far off with those teams. Toronto’s pen has some depth (even if they’re perpetually battling injuries with pitching) as well.
Before everyone criticizes the Yanks pen after a bad game here and there, we all need to remember that it could be much worse. The Yanks pen is one of the better, and perhaps deepest, in the baseball.
Thanks for posting the ARod interview Pete – what was he saying about his non-baseball activities – like product endorsements, etc.? He didn’t say he was giving them up did he?
“Lidge gives up a 2 run jack to our friend Ryan Zimmerman.”
Ha. I so called for that one.
“what was he saying about his non-baseball activities – like product endorsements, etc.? He didn’t say he was giving them up did he?”
———–
I hope he doesn’t give them up. He has just as much right as any other athlete to do endorsements.
Call me crazy, but I think ARods new commitment to the team should revolve around limiting his name in the tabloids rather than in commercials.
Boston Dave-Yeah, as I said yesterday, I didn’t like the way Girardi managed it. That being said, not Girardi’s fault that coke got hammered out there with subpar stuff. Still, it happens, and at least Bruney and Marte looked good.
Oh lord, Fidrych? RIP – I never saw him pitch – but he seems to have been quite a character. He’s way too young to go – how sad. Oddly, a few weeks back on another board, I mentioned that I thought he had died – and then obviously I was corrected. Sigh.
Best pen in baseball is probably the Angels with Shields-Arredondo-Fuentes. Not much depth at all, but can’t get any better than that in the 7th-9th.
After that, I like the Sox pen with Saito (healthy), Masterson, and Ramon Ramirez who looks like a stud
The Mets 8th-9th is the best in baseball and do have some nice complimentary guys like Green, Feliciano for lefties, and Parrnell.
The Phillies with Lidge-Madsen-Romero was lights out for them in the playoffs.
I’d rank us 5th probably.
“Lidge’s perfect season in jeapordy.”
——————
there was a discussion about some of the worst trades in baseball in a previous thread.
I think the Lidge trade is up there.
Lidge and Eric Bruntlett to the Phils for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary and Mike Costanzo.
way to sell low Houston! That’s a team that looks like it will be mired in the bottom of the standings for the forseeable future thanks to questionable moves.
Dave21-I could definitely see that. Forgot about the Angels.
Still, no depth as you say. And no K-Rod.
We’re still a top five pen either way.
I’m not gonna kill A-Rod for having to re-commit himself to baseball. Given everything he’s put himself through in the last couple of years, I get it. His attention was split in a million directions (again, it was his fault so he’s not innocent here). Also, I get that he didn’t realize what he was missing until it was gone. Being away from something that you love makes you love it that much more. I think he’ll have a huge season once he gets going. And the way Ransom is playing right now, I can’t wait for that day.
Boston Dave-And the perfect season is intact anyway.
By the way, that does sound like an awful trade.
Personally I don’t give a hoot what #13 does off the field, in his car, in his plane, in Miami, with Madonna, with a stripper, with Britney freakin’ Spears for all i care…
If he drives in 120 runs a year and plays solid defense while scoring 100+ runs and hitting around .300….he could be naked on the bottom of a pile of cheerleaders, wouldn’t bother me a bit.
Male or female.
Stats might say otherwise, but do you really trust anyone in this pen outside of MO to get through an inning cleanly with a 1 run lead?
Like tonight for example, facing Pena-Longoria-Burrell in the 8th… we’re all going to be shaking in our boots.
rebecca DM me on twitter I have 2 single tickets for opening day I ended up getting 2 additional ones as someone cant go he gave me his seats together so I have these two singles both on main level and you asked me
The thing that, for me, seperates the Yankees’ pen is that I think ours is the deepest.
For example, take the Mets-they’ve got a great 8th and 9th set up, but what if their starter can only go five?
We’ve got a lot of options and a lot more waiting in the wings should someone falter.
Dave21,
Fuentes scares me as a closer somewhat but you’re right. it doesn’t get much better than Shields, Arredondo, and throw in Speier I guess.
The Yanks may not have the best 1-2-3 punch but few teams, IMO, can compete with their 4-7. Their flexibility and depth should pay off.
I like the Dodgers pen with Cory Wade, Hong Chi Kuo, Jonathan Broxton – throw in promising 26 year old Ronald Belasario, Ramon Trancoso, Will Ohman, and Guillermo Mota. Not bad. Part of the reason they’re my NL pick this year. The starters may be questionable though, but Dodger Stadium always makes pitchers seem better than they really are.
“We’ve got a lot of options and a lot more waiting in the wings should someone falter.”
————–
never thought we’d say that 4-5 years ago.
Imagine, the Yanks won’t need to trade AJax or Montero at the deadline for a hired bullpen gun.
They can just call up Robertson, or Melancon, or… or…. or…. or….
Zodiac-Yeah, I’d trust Bruney there.
Obviously, if stats say otherwise whether we “trust them” or not they get it done more often than not.
Very few teams have a lights out 8th inning guy. Normally it’s a pretty good 8th inning guy like ours or it’s a conglomerate.
This works pretty well normally.
The Mets and Putz are of course a major exception, but that doesn’t mean that we’ll implode w/o a star in the 8th inning.
Yankees’ pen is really deep, possibly the deepest in the league. And that makes a difference. Even if our great starters struggle, often our pen can keep us in the game because we have so many good arms.
Notice I said good, not great.
Can’t wait for Melancon. I’m excited for this guy. The sooner he’s up here, the better.
The strength of our pen is the depth. We have a ton of nice pieces, but not that one or two dominant reliever(s) that can shut down a game and make you comfortable.
We have a ton of guys with live arms and mediocre control. And some of our better pieces like Coke and eventually Robertson/Melancon are going to struggle because they are young and inexperienced.
Pretty soon, we’re going to have to find the 2-3 guys who we trust against lefties, righties, whatever Just guys who can get outs in big spots consistently. A revolving door is not a good idea for long term success and it’s not going to do much for the psyche of these pitchers to be yanked in the middle of innings, demoted, 8th inning one day, mop up the next etc. You need stability.
” what’s your opinion on Wang making in-game changes to his stride length?”
boston dave-
because he has to restrict his stride on purpose ,i think that it just erodes back to his natural longer stride. it’s probably hard to feel when he’s doing it. the tell of over striding is him being up in the zone and getting his hand under the ball. you can see it when he starts doing it. that’s when posada will gesture with his hand that wang is getting under the ball.
i do think cb’s idea of more change ups makes sense. i’m not opposed to the idea of more pitches. i’m just saying mechanically it’s more difficult than simply doing it because of wang’s tendency to erode back to his natural stride length.
the differences of opinion about how wang should pitch are legitimate differences of opinions. ultimately , it gets down to wang himself executing.
i’m hoping he’ll get back to basics and have a good game. he’s done it before after bad games, so there’s a good chance he’ll be fine tonight.
Wow Mark Fidrych is dead? I just saw a game of his from 1976 on MLB network. Man did the fans love him.
The 1998 team was full of many players who were good, not great. Of course, there were some ‘great’ players, but the team didn’t have a single starting All Star.
“I’m not gonna kill A-Rod for having to re-commit himself to baseball. Given everything he’s put himself through in the last couple of years, I get it.”
—————
John,
Alex has put himself in this position with all of his decisions but you also need to put it in perspective, somewhat.
Here’s a kid who goes from nowhere to superstar multi-millionaire overnight.
There will unfortunately always be Lindsay Lohans, Britney Spears, etc. They make their own decisions and should be held accountable for them, but you can sometimes see it as a product of the environment and culture.
Alex, hopefully, is finally smartening up and maturing.
Most people will always hate him because he is a Yankee. However, if he truly makes positive changes in his life and gets back on track, people should forgive the other stuff and appreciate what he is as a player again.
Clark-I think it’ll be Coke seventh, Bruney eighth, then Mo, and eventually Melancon/Coke seventh, Bruney 8th, then Mo, and then after that Bruney seventh Melancon 8th (Coke if he struggles) then Mo.
By the way, I love that we could say “then Mo”. That’s something no other team could say.
Teixeiramvp (JobaCyYoung)
April 13th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
JIm-That is SO overblown.
He’s not berating Murphy or anything.
All he said was the mistake cost the ballgame.
That’s it.
Nothing wrong with stating the obvious.
Absolutely, I agree. Calling out is probably not the words I wanted to use, but no need to state the obvious. Now, what would the airplay be if A-Rod said it?
I trust Bruney, but he can’t pitch every day. We need some of these other guys to step up.
Marte also needs to be allowed to pitch complete innings.
Right now, it’s time to let Coke work in long relief and give guys like Edwar or Alba a chance to pitch in the late innings.
Rebecca-Well, we did have Bernie, Tino, and Jeter, all three of whom had arguably MVP seasons that year.
I miss Alex. Ransom is just playing horrifically bad.
I think that person was trying to say that if Wang is pitching well, it doesn’t matter what a bunch of bloggers say.
Ugh. Melky.
Not starting Gardner on turf doesn’t make much sense to me at all.
Seeing Melky in the lineup makes me flashback to the futility of last season.
That said, he’ll probably go 3-4 tonight and then Girardi will give him CF back where he’ll proceed to play himself off the roster in a matter of weeks with his keen batting skills.
Gardner is 25. There is zero reason to be giving him days off. Either he’s the CF or he’s not.
JIm-If A-Rod had said it, the headline would be “A-Rod insults rookie OFer, says that w/o him they’d be better off”.
The only thing I know for certain is that none of us are going to realize how much Mo really has meant to the Yankees until the first year after he retires.
randy l,
i guess it’s just a matter of practice and repetition then.
It’s most difficult for me to understand because he was able to throw the sinker with great consistency for several years.
If it really is a matter of habit, what makes him fall out of that habit? Habits are hard to break. I guess like you said, it’s still not natural for him and it’s a matter of conscious change.
I’m pulling for him tonight too. Thanks to the four starters around him, the need isn’t as great as it may have been in the past for him to carry them. if he does get it together and go on a run like he can, the Yanks are going to storm ahead and never look back.
there’s a very intriguing duel underway for most inept major leaguer: Cody Ransom v. Jed Lowrie.
Ransom currently has the edge (1 for 20 v. 1 for 18).
“When Wang is on, his fastball is usually relatively slow.”
that’s because he’s in effect slide stepping which creates more sink but less velocity.
“The only thing I know for certain is that none of us are going to realize how much Mo really has meant to the Yankees until the first year after he retires.”
Stop it Rebecca!
He’s not allowed to retire.
G. Love-I think it’s because Melky’s a switch hitter with a little more experience. Come to think of it I’m not sure whether Gardy’s left or right handed, but whatever he is Kazmir probably owns hitters who hit from that side.
Those crazy, cuddly little Cubs fans are at it again.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4065613
“there’s a very intriguing duel underway for most inept major leaguer: Cody Ransom v. Jed Lowrie.”
Ransom has ARod relieving him in a couple weeks.
Lowrie has Julio Lugo.
advantage: Yanks!
Pete jumped on Alex for making a comment that anyone with any reasoning skills would know what he meant. Alex has never given me any reason to doubt his work ethic or committment on the field – he’s simply an incredibly hard worker. He just needs to simplify his life – at this point, let it just be about his family and baseball.
“there’s a very intriguing duel underway for most inept major leaguer: Cody Ransom v. Jed Lowrie.”
Fortunately, our Most Inept candidate will soon be replaced by the best all-around player in the game.
randy l.-Either way, if his fastball goes over 90 too often, I know we’re in for a rough night.
Boston Dave-That’s what Melancon’s here for, to seamlessly take his place.
If he pitches like he did last year he’ll never retire.
So what are we least confident about tonight?….
Our hitters against Kazmir who has a 1.05 ERA against us at the Trop in his career?
Tampa’s potent lineup against Wang?
Our pen against the Tampa hitters late in the game?
Three reasons why Melky is starting (two of which Girardi would acknowledge):
1. Kazmir is lefty, Gardner is lefty, Melky switch hits
2. Melky’s arm could slow the Rays down a little on the bases.
3. Gardner hasn’t been impressive at the plate – instead of taking strikes and falling behind in the count like last year (bad), he’s swinging at strikes, and popping them up (even worse).
Hey guys, heard Orlando Hudson hit for the cycle in Dodgers opener
I think, ad this is my opinion, that it’s A-Rod’s life.
If he gets back to playing like he did in 07′, he could whatever else he wants to. It’s no concern of mine. Sometimes simplifying your life doesn’t work. Sometimes it does.
If he plays good baseball, who really cares. It’s not my life.
Betsy,
not if, but when the Yankees win the World Series I might be happiest for Alex. If he stands behind his words and does change, a World Series win (especially if he hits well in October) would be quite a story that would be better than anything Selena Roberts could write.
If Alex stops giving the media the garbage to report, they might be forced to write about his baseball activities, how much he trains, how he takes younger guys under his wing, etc.
—fingers crossed—
Pete did nothing wrong… he reported the facts on A-Rod.
Alex should have worded his statement better, but as usual, he stuck his foot in the mouth.
You’re acting like Pete made him word his statement like that to make it sound like he wasn’t focused early on. This is A-Rod we’re talking about. Not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed.
“if he does get it together and go on a run like he can, the Yanks are going to storm ahead and never look back.”
boston dave-
despite my grumblings about cashman over the winter, that’s what’s getting me excited about this team. the starters have a very high upside.
i was luke warm about burnett at first, but after watching him pitch in pinstripes, he seems like a perfect fit for this team.
66 stripes-I’m not confident about Kaz facing our hitters. He’s nasty in the trop. Which is why much depends on Wang.
But I don’t like predicting pitcher’s duels. These often become shootouts.
vin-I thought Gardy’s been doing better than last year. His avg. is a bit higher. He just needs to hit a hot streak.
“Boston Dave-That’s what Melancon’s here for, to seamlessly take his place.”
————-
Tex,
I hope those aren’t your expectation for Melancon, to seamlessly take Mo’s place. You’ll be miserably disappointed. There is only one “greatest closer of all time”
If Melancon can be an above average reliever/closer, I’ll be pleased.
“Most people will always hate him because he is a Yankee. However, if he truly makes positive changes in his life and gets back on track, people should forgive the other stuff and appreciate what he is as a player again.”
Boston Dave – I agree with you. I’m saying Alex has put himself in bad positions. You would hope he would grow out of it before the age of 30, but if it took him to age 33, that’s fine. I was replying to what Pete said in the other thread – about how the Yankees can’t be happy with that he wasn’t applying himself fully before.
My point was that I understand why he may not have been. No matter how much you get paid, things can get in the way and you can lose focus. Hearing that he realized how much he missed the game and how he now has “tunnel vision”, I think he means it. I think he realized how much he missed the game and his teammates and decided he was going to commit fully – no more off-field stuff – just baseball. I appreciate his comments and believe him (at my own peril).
Stripes – I’d be shocked if we win tonight. Just too many things going against us. We felt the same way last time Wang started against that Japanese kid.
But I’d say our hitters against Kazmir will be the biggest cause for concern. Without A-Rod and Tex, we lose ALOT of patience. Nady, Melky, Ransom, are not going to see many pitches at all. Matsui is in a deep funk, so is Jeter.
Easy to say we should “wait out” Kazmir, but easier said than done with this lineup. I do think Wang will pitch fine.
Heh, Orlando Hudson hit for the cycle…and it’s the SIXTH inning!
“boston dave-
despite my grumblings about cashman over the winter, that’s what’s getting me excited about this team. the starters have a very high upside.”
————————
if Wang goes well tonight, I believe that would be 5 straight outstanding performances from the starters.
it’s actually quite scary how good they could all be if healthy.
Boston Dave-Alas, not an expectation, but a wistful hope that most likely will not come to fruition.
However, don’t say that “there’s only one Mo.” We think that, but who really knows. There was only one Dimmaggio until Mantle showed up, and only one Ruth before Gehrig.
My point is that I think Melancon can be an excellent reliever. Mo level? Probably not, but who knows?
Tonight, Wang is the biggest concern. The bullpen is going to be an adventure all year, not just tonight.
It really sucks we lost like that yesterday, especially since tonight is not the ideal matchup.
John,
I agree.
Heck, if I were making $30+M and had my pick of the ladies….
I don’t wanna be a hypocrite
but yes, it is time for him to become known as the best player and not media fodder.
Boston Dave-If everyone pitches to potential, we have five potential aces that probaably won’t normally allow more than 3 runs a game.
We have so may things working against us tonight, we’re probably going to win 11-1. That’s baseball for you.
Let’s see what this team is made of.
“It’s weird to see this place filled with Rays fans instead of Yankees fans. ”
You mean former bandwagon Yankee and Red Sox fans.
Tex,
good examples
The Yankees have been spoiled with some serious greatness!
Floyd-I like our bullpen. I think it was one bad night.
alright.. time to bail before the gameday thread turns into a cauldron of trolls and worriers.
go Yanks!
Boston Dave-When MLB network did our all-time team, Don Mattingly was a bench player, not a starter.
Enough said.
Teixeiramvp,
You are wrong. Wang’s sinker is not slow. It sits in the 91-94 range and reaches 95 whether he’s on or off.
The way you can tell if Wang is on his game are consistent ground outs or fly outs. It has nothing to do with his velocity.
Part of what makes his sinker so tough to hit when he’s on is because it’s a hard sinker and hitters react to it like their swinging at bowling balls.
R+: Hey, if the Angels can keep smashing the Red Sox in the reg. season than collapse in the playoffs every year, we could win this game.
That’s baseball.
It appears that the stupidity level of the usual clowns is running in overdrive already.
Bout time melky was back in cf
Melancon is not a flamethrower like Joba who is going to come up from the minors and blow everyone away with high 90s heat.
He is a different type of pitcher. He’s going to struggle.
The “Next Joba” comparison isn’t really accurate for Melancon. Different types of pitchers.
Gonna head out to avoid the trolls, but am liveblogging for those interested.
Numbers for wang tonight
7 inn. 3runs. 4 SO
Franco-I’m not referring to his sinker, I’m referring to his fastball being slow.
You’re right about the ground outs and fly outs though. They’re a more accurate barometer of his performance.
Sweet cameo on Kim Jones’s interview with Joe Girardi Pete!
Joe-Different types maybe, but who knows? Sometimes pitchers just click in the big leagues.
Anyway, his fastball tops out at 96.
Franco-I’m not referring to his sinker, I’m referring to his fastball being slow.
———
Uh, his fastball isn’t slow. I just told you his velocity. 91-94 and reaches 95.
That’s not a slow fastball unless you’re Nolan Ryan at age 23.
Teixeiramvp (JobaCyYoung)
April 13th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Franco-I’m not referring to his sinker, I’m referring to his fastball being slow.
You’re right about the ground outs and fly outs though. They’re a more accurate barometer of his performance.
————————————————————
You’re aware that Wang throws a 94-95 MPH high 4 seamer, aren’t you? That’s hardly a slow fastball.
Franco + GreenBeret7-He can, but normally when he gets that high his sinker is struggling.
You know he’s on when he’s hitting 90 on the radar and his sinker is being located.
Wang is our 5th starter.
Teixeiramvp (JobaCyYoung)
April 13th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Franco + GreenBeret7-He can, but normally when he gets that high his sinker is struggling.
You know he’s on when he’s hitting 90 on the radar and his sinker is being located.
————————————————————
Yeah, he really struggled the night he struck out 10 Mets, throwing all four seamers and about 5 sinkers all night.
At least that’s what I’ve noticed. If I’m wrong, whatever. A better barometer? Groundball outs.
GreenBeret7-That’s not normally Wang’s game. Tell you what, if he consistently has nights like that, I’ll agree.
Pena needsbto play 3b everyday. Ransom is not a major leaguer.
V-As bad as Ransom’s doing, Pena is not (yet) a major leaguer either. His BA is too low. That being said, Pena IS at this point only a backup, so maybe it’s not a bad idea to play him instead of Ransom.
Gotta go now, guys. You can continue this debate w/o me.
Terrible news about Fidrych. For those who never saw him play, he was quite the character. In 1976 he was as big as the Beatles.
Or as big as Miley Cyrus.
Bright side…Swish playing while Tex is resting is a huge upgrade over Betemit or Duncan.
Dark side…Starting to look like it will be necessary to make a trade for a center fielder that can actually hit.
I just heard the Fidrych news. Very sad. To those of you who don’t know of him, watch the listings for MLBTV…I’m sure they’ll show the Monday Night game from 1976 when The Bird was the talk of baseball…the talk of the nation, really.
I was at the game… Tiger Stadium is only 60 miles up I75 from where I live. The Bird went against Kenny Holtzman and the Yanks and beat them convincingly. Very, very exciting stuff, even though my team lost.
Fidrych was a goofy free spirit who captured the attention of the nation. It was cool, for sure.
Alright Jeter…time to get back on track. 1-for-17 in last four games.
John in Ohio,
I remember that game like it was yesterday. That’s awesome that you were there.
Well it seems like the stadium will be loud and obnoxious I am thrilled.
Everyone get out your ear plugs. Although hopefully we’ll take a nice big lead, and get the crowd out of it.
Thanks Tex
jennifer my thoughts exactly
Noise pollution! My head hurts!!
Harry Kalas, Mark Fidrych, and NOW Marilyn Chambers. What is going on today!
nasty slider
Another good game for Austin Jackson; went 3 for 5 today.
David Robertson 3 innings 1 hit 0 runs 1BB 7K’s 0.00.
No Tex? No A-Rod?
i’m usually not pessimistic at all when it comes to the Yanks but i’m not loving our chances against Kazmir tonight. without Tex and A-rod, two power righties, Kaz will have a much easier time
jennifer
Look at the positives. The Trop is loud enough that they are drowning out the heckler.
Lets go WANG! tonight is your night.
The big G- Legs are already tired.
http://www.mercurynews.com/spo.....ck_check=1
Good AB from Swisher. He seems to have as good an eye as Giambi or Abreu.
Trevor
April 13th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Another good game for Austin Jackson; went 3 for 5 today.
David Robertson 3 innings 1 hit 0 runs 1BB 7K’s 0.00.
*rubs eyes* 7′ks good for dave. Lets go AJAX. keep it up.
Curious if anyone watched the Mets opening ceremony and what they thought of it.
Not a good start for Wanger. Now Jorge has to be ready to throw.
Pete did nothing wrong… he reported the facts on A-Rod.
Alex should have worded his statement better, but as usual, he stuck his foot in the mouth.
_ _ _ _ _ _
Oh please what Alex said is no where near sticking his foot in his mouth. Anyone with a 1st grade education would know what he meant. Pete added his own sarcastic remarks which weren’t needed and uncalled for. He wrote this long post the other day stating that the rules of the blog are not to insult others, posters, writers, ball players and others and he is the first one that does it. If we are going to hold Alex responsible for every little word he says why wouldn’t we hold Pete to those same standards with the stuff he writes?
lead off walk
Here we go….
BJ walks
that was a double
wow…
wow wang very nice
Moron fans, that was not on purpose. This is what happens when people jump on a bandwagon.
Wow….what in the filth floren filth is going on here.
jennifer -
I completely forgot about that. (the Mets opener)
CMW giving it up early
Crawford looked at Wang like he did it on purpose.
Wang is terrible.
I feel disaster for wang today
Bad control again, ugh.
Uh Oh Wanger
I thought Wang was ready to go. Posada calling the same pitch over and over…
Missing high again.
hitters always look at the pitcher like it’s on purpose because it hurts to get by a 90 mph pitch.
Maybe becuase Posada wants to get his sinker working?
can the pitching coach work with wang with another pitch so that he doesnt get killed when he doesnt have the sinker working?
I have a bad feeling about this game and Wang really has not looked good thus far this year or many times in spring. He cant command his pitches and way too many of them are up in the zone. I hope I’m wrong but just goin based on what it looks like…
alright Wang-just need 2 more outs
Bucholz – Gallo
I attended many, many games at Tiger Stadium. My Dad, brothers, and almost all my buddies were/are Tigers fans.
I was also at the July 1st 1970 game when Denny McLain came back from his suspension for having a gun in the clubhouse. Bobby Murcer hit one off the roof in RF, and Al Kaline never even moved.
The Yanks pounded McLain that night, but Detroit won the game.
thing about wang is he’s always one good sinker from getting that DP. don’t give up on him yet.
Pena not a major leaguer? His glove n speed are plus talents. And he has just as many hits as Ransom
darn throw was right there!!
Rays owning us.
double steal
“Maybe because Posada wants to get his sinker working”
Ding ding ding we have a winner.
wow they are running over the place, definitely are testing Posada:(
so much for the DP
tampa may steal 10 bases tonight.
Sad just sad
Carl and BJ = pain in the butt
I fn knew it. This team is disgustingly unathletic.
2-0 Rays
Wow, some questionable calls in this inning have KILLED the Yankees.
Upton was out at 3rd on the stolen base, and Pena was out on strikes, he CLEARLY went on that pitch.
Umpires influence the outcomes of a game. When will people realize this?
With Kaz pitching, this one could be over already.
maybe the wanger need food?
We’re so losing this game like 15-2. Sigh.
Thats what happens when you walk and hit a batter.
What can Jorge do when Wang takes 10 seconds to throw the ball to home.
and Wang was our preseason #1 pitcher in 2008, not a good start this season
Leaving everything up.
Matt I thought Pena went around too, but you cannot tell me Wang is pitching well right now.
Wang looks lost this year he isn’t making big money so we could still replace him.
How many people had this down as an L? raise your hands. I did. The Wanger ain’t ready yet and the Tampa offense with it’s speed is gonna smoke Wang. This games done already unless Kaz man implodes. Fingers crossed!
Put Wang in the 8 and bring up Hughes.
I’m turning this game off. Just sad.
might be time to get somebody up. oh, i forgot…we have no long reliever.
Other than that one changeup, Wang has made some decent pitches. However, when Pena CLEARLY swings at the 3rd strike and it’s not called, what do you expect to happen? Good hitters getting extra strikes is going to end badly almost every time.
This is not good
Somethings wrong.. he’s having trouble keeping the ball down.. 2nd start in a row now.
Wang is a mess…
If this isn’t proof positive that starting pitching is the most important aspect to any team’s chances in this league, I don’t know what is.
Bad news!
Matt- that flat sinker that wang just threw was also the umpire’s fault.
And BTW, who in their right mind would have thought Wang was a #2 over Burnett? Wang has to be perfect or he gets creamed, this is nothing new with him.
lol matt upton was safe and Wang is complete garbage this season
Nice BP session here for the Rays.
Without trying to overly crucify Girardi, he needed to go for the jugular yesterday and get the sweep. That meant bringing in Mo with two out in the 8th. He knew he’d be going to Tampa to face a very tough lefty with his own crappy lineup. Now this is a losing streak in the making.
Oh, and Wang sucks.
seems like most people here have already given up. What fans.
Yeah, it’s definitely not just Jorge, it’s the combination of his recovery plus Wang’s known lousiness at holding runners. Molina really should catch Wang for a while, though I could see why they wouldnt want to do that today, the lineup is already pretty weak.
Let’s just get out of this inning soon. Hopefully.
oh Wang.
it’s only 3-0, no worries. We have then right where we want them.
I thought Darrell Rasner was in Japan?
and btw Matt, although Wang has been horrible this season did u hear what Kay just said? He has had back to back losses one time his whole career. That, “he has to be perfect or he gets creamed” comment is baseless
Why did Kei Igawa invade Wang’s body?
This lineup vs kazmir? Ouch
When you are struggling to throw a certain pitch, you have to learn to mix it up. That was just Wang’s first slider of the entire night. Why is Posada not calling for him to drop in a few for called strikes to get him back into some of these at bats, or maybe to help him get his arm slot back?
Wang has me thinking about Hughes.
well, looks like ALBA,RAMIREZ will be mopping up tonight
“That’s it, season over. 3-0 Rays, Let the panic begin anew.”
Good call.
you’re on point will, but it’s never a good sign when he’s already at 25+ pitches and the bullpen just blew a game. Granted it’s nothing to quit over
well no long man, too bad giradri blew last night game, if the yanks swept the royals i could live with this. yanks would be lucky to win 1 this series. this home ump blows
Pete, can you do some digging and find out what happened to CMW’s 95 mph power sinker?
No Matt Posada wants him to find his power sinker!!
/Wang has me thinking about Hughes./
have some backbone. Wang has won for the Yankees for a couple of years. What has Hughes done besides getting injured?
Hey pete, you know what would make a fascinating book? The story of how the pride of Taiwan went from being an “ace” to being a pretty laughable number five. Joba is hardly the weak link in this rotation.
Tampa is beating Wang.
It would be nice to see the offense respond with some runs instead of crawling into a shell every time they fall behind.
29 pitches and counting
Are we keeping score? So far matt has blamed posada and the umpires… pretty soon he will be blaming bobby meacham
Yeah bring a pitcher in a game on April 12 in the cold rain, who came off shoulder surgery.
Yeah, thank god you aren’t the manager.
oy
well at least its hit on the ground
So…is Hughes ready for the majors yet, or are we all just going to sit around and hope Wang magically remembers how to throw his sinker? I’m not suggesting Wang is finished, but if his sinker isn’t working, he can’t get major league hitters out, and he needs to take some time to get his stuff together before we march him back out there to get demolished. This is embarrassing.
Cano you had time. Catcher running…
This is the thing that annoys me you about wang, yes when he is on, he is great, but when he is off, he just doesn’t have it at all. There is no second game plan for him. When he’s off, he is way off and gets destroyed. You’d like to see him battle out there, without his good stuff, instead of just getting hit like it’s a batting practice session.
Hey the Yankees are only facing Scott Kazmir, no big deal. We can overcome a devastating first inning against one of the game’s best lefties.
Paging bret tomko….
Wang will get is straightened out. By mid-summer, none of this will be discussed. As long as he’s healthy (read: no shoulder problems), he’ll invariably find his groove.
Crawling into a shell lol. Look who Tampa has on the mound.
Good thing we have Mariano well rested for tonight! Great job, Joe!
so he’s almost at 40 pitches:(
I’m watching on gameday, but it would appear Wang is up in the strike zone? Doesn’t this usually happen when he’s too strong? Isn’t one of Wang’s biggest problems when he’s too strong and overthrowing the sinker, that it doesn’t sink?
Yeah, Jennifer, you’re a clear expert. I’m sure your knowledge is boundless.
3 runs against Kaz is impossible with no righties, ballgame.
bring Hughes up
everything is up
Can we got Doc please?
ZMAN7777
It is only logical. You want Mo to blow his arm out on April 12?
The pen is going to be abused tonight – we really need a long man. AJ is going to have to give us major innings tomorrow – looks like he’ll have to be the stopper again.
E erythi g has to be perfect for Wang. Stop the excuses and trade him.
36 pitches and counting…
i dont want to start the whole wang is not an ace thing but this really shows it tonight. wang is a pitcher who has a very nasty pitch but when that pitch is not working, he really doesnt have anything else he can rely on. Over the course of a season he will be “on” enough to win 15+ games with this lineup. The problem is when we get to the postseason and he is up against the other teams top pitcher and he doenst have his top stuff then we have no chance to win a game.
36 pitches and counting
Well good news Kazmir is sitting for 45 minutes.
Tomko would be nice
indicator things are bad: the step 3rd to 1st…
Yanks must be tired of having to deal with all these home openers
This pitch count in the first is ridiculous…I wonder what the record for pitches in the first inning is…
This is miserable.
at least the mets are losing 4-0
Eight innings out of the pen? Maybe this will get Melancon or Robertson up here.
Terrible… terrible. This team stinks.
tomko couldnt cut it in the NL last season
Game over!
wow wang u r great
Also, how was CMW in Spring Training? Is it possibly nerves wit him? I can’t imagine he all of the sudden lost it. He didn’t pitch for a while, but he’s had rough stretches before.
Lucky break, easy out.
Excellent decision to carry Coke (who is useless) instead of a long man. 2008 has not ended quite yet…
Wang cant get anybody out. He looks horrible right now. I’m sure he’ll iron his issues out in time, but it’s not going to happen in this game. He doesn’t have it right now and this is where the decision not to go with a long reliever really hurts us. It takes us out of this game basically. girardi is so obsessed w/playing matchups in the bullpen, but how about recognizing when a starting pitcher is facing a bad matchup and making sure there are reinforcements? And I think it’s pretty obvious from the get go this wasnt a good matchup for Wang.
This is what yankee fas have come to. “At least the Mets are losing.”
Thank you Dave Gross. Wang was never going to get 2 more outs on his own.
He has nothing again tonight.
Gotta try to get him out of this inning, right?
Let’s see…who ever pitches the most innings tonght will be sent down and a long man should be brought up tomorrow.
Good thing Wang has freed up my afternoon. I don’t have to worry about listening to the game anymore. I’m gonna go and enjoy the SF sunshine. woot woot! sigh.
Where are the wangs an ace crowd?
any real yankees fan would take pleasure in the mets losing their stadium opener
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH WANG?
the saddest thing is that after this inning, you know the Yankees are going to go down quietly and not even give Wang a chance to rest.
And the inning is mercifully over.
Wang is the Melky Cabrera of pitchers
Yikes! This inning is not bearing well for the mental state of the game thread.
I can only imagine the kind of email Bill will send Peter now.
lucky, i think he was safe.
I’ll say one thing, the best thing I can say about this is that it’s in the first inning. If Mr. Wang can sort out his ish or the bullpen can hold (cough) then we have enough time to get back in it. Not that I’ll be watching. fun in the sun. Ciao everyone. Enjoy.
21.21 era lmao wang.
Wang is going to have to suck it up and take it like a man. Girardi is not pulling him this early. Take the kids out the room. This game may get real ugly.
Anyone else think it looks like Wang’s gained some weight?
that’s finally over with.
42 pitches for Wang. Yikes
Hate to bring this up but we could have traded Wang with IPK for Santana, ugh.
“Where are the wangs an ace crowd?”
Right here.. He is.. He’s just not acting like it right now.
If the bullpen gets wiped out tonight – get ready for the Scranton/Wilkes Barre express.
The Yankees aren’t scoring a run in this one and the Rays are going to score 15+
wow…there’s a higher level of discourse in “Dude Where’s My Car” than in this thread right now. It’s a shame how ugly this place gets as soon as the Yankees are losing.
In SI last year someone said the Yanks made a mistake giving the longer contract to Cano vs. Wang – well!!!
Hopefully this inning will last more than 3 minutes.
I think Kaz sitting long will hurt him, at least I hope.
At least Rivera is well rested for tonight’s game.
I don’t shower.
Please release wang right after the game please
Wow 85% of the posters right now are complete morons. Can one of you guys explain to me how it feels to be so totally retarded? thanks in advance
I knew this was going to happen. Wang is a good pitcher, but he is not an elite pitcher – he just can’t make adjustments. The worst part of it is that he likely will not improve in the next innings and the pen will get torched.
It’s time to be concerned about Wang.
Wang the new Dontrelle.
Plain and simple.
CHIEN-MING WANG IS AN ACE
this us why u take a long man in April
“Angel – A tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing April 13th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Yikes! This inning is not bearing well for the mental state of the game thread.
I can only imagine the kind of email Bill will send Peter now.”
maybe Bill was on to something:)
wang in a slump, too bad giradri cost a yankee sweep. ou know what is arod fault
time to watch some chuck….poor wang
“Where are the wangs an ace crowd?”
Wang could go 0-6 and still have a better record than most of the top pitchers in baseball.
(his current record is 54-21 .720)
I’m as disappointed in Wang’s start as much as anyone, but the panic, as if Wang doesn’t have several YEARS of success backing him up, isn’t warranted after TWO bad starts.
good luck against kazmir! HAHAHHAA
Honestly, I can take a loss here, even after the debacle of last night. What I don’t want to see is wearing out the bullpen because we don’t have a long man, and then cascading the problems to further games.
At this point, I’m more interested to see Wang stabilize and pitch like he has in the past, then continue to struggle in his second start. The Rays could win 30-0 and it’s still just 1 more in the L column. If Wang doesn’t get it together, and looks to be struggling, that translates in to a lot more potential Ls.
At this point in the season, I’m more concerned with how people are playing than the result at the end of the night. So things like Jeter’s drought, or Teixeira’s sitting are of more concern than a few Ws or Ls. right now, at least.
Arod looks thinner.
I hate Upton. I thought that was gone, and he makes a basket catch.
Yanks are gonna have to get after Kazmir with a scrub lineup? No wonder ARod taking grounders is news
Will,
Wang looks terrible. Maybe he isn’t ready to pitch to good major league hitting just yet. Hughes started to look good toward the end of spring training. Why not give Wang more time to get ready if he needs it?
FACTS ARE FACTS
TELL ME GARDNER MAKES THAT CATCH! AHHAHAA LOSERS
Tomko should be on this staff exactly for games like this.
great catch, can the yanks forfeit
phenomenal catch
Why do I fee like GGBG would not have caught that?
Why do I fee like GGBG would not have caught that?
Nice 1 minute inning there boys
that’s how the day is going to be.
Bobby Abreu could have caught that
1-2-3 inning.
awesome job by the yankee offense.
this team is going NOWHERE
maybe Bill was on to something:)
************************************************
Yes, they call it crack cocaine, I believe.
It’s silly to give up on this game, down just four runs in the second. That said, I don’t understand why Wang is starting at all if it’s so obvious he isn’t ready yet.
Pitiful. Kazmir couldn’t have thrown more than 6-7 pitches in that inning.
That sucks. None of our OFers make that catch, that’s what really sucks the most about it. Austin Jackson’s day cant come soon enough.
a tampa ray fan? why aren’t you and the other 3 at the game?
Hate to bring this up but we could have traded Wang with IPK for Santana, ugh.
———–
Yeah, and Sabathia would be pitching on the Left Coast.
Great just what the Yankees didn’t need a 4 minute inning. I blame Alex.
Wow.
The crazies are out tonight!
I must say, that was the longest half inning I’ve seen in a long time. Still, Wang isn’t being traded. He isn’t being sent down to the minors. He’s going to work it out. If it takes 2 starts or 2 months, he’s going to work it out.
A guy like that doesn’t suddenly forget how to pitch. He’s rusty. Hasn’t pitched since last June.
Wow 1-2-3 inning. Not so good.
Still its only 4-0. The game is hardly over. Wang can get it together and get some momentum going into his next start.
Wow. It’s going to be an uphill battle but they can do it. They’re the Yanks!
the lineup is terrible…… why don’t we just bring up austin jackson… i’m tired of lifeless damon.
>TAMPA RAYS FAN
they only dropped the “Devil”, not the “Bay”
“Why do I fee like GGBG would not have caught that?”
Because he wouldn’t have, Upton is a better fielder..
This is why Girardi couldn’t just give away yesterday’s game. Bad momentum heading into tonight plus facing Scott Kazmir minus two of your best hitters, what did you expect to happen?
Nice job giving Wang time to recover from that inning, swinging at the second pitch in your at bats! Way to go offense!
Only 4-0? only? Are you serious?
lol Tampa Rays. Good luck against Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton HAHAAHA ohhhh wait…
john sterling (steiner,HA)…dude is a terrible play by play man….i’m gonna go on about this til he quits…he gets the calls wrong…every game…at least one….he just called that a home run….oh no, wait…he is wrong…again…one of the worst announcers i’ve heard.
“Hate to bring this up but we could have traded Wang with IPK for Santana, ugh.
—————-
Yeah, and Sabathia would be pitching on the Left Coast.
====
Yeah the Yankees could never afford two 20 million dollar pitchers. That’s CRAZY!
Well I’m out this game is headed only one way and the trolls are out in force.
Wang has one pitch. That makes him easy to hit
Isn’t it a school night?
If I had a dollar for every moronic post…..
The Obama’s got a new dog and his front paws are all white so it looks like he is wearing white socks. They named him Bo. The Pres. is a White Sox fan and Bo Jackson played for the White Sox.
I know that has nothing to do with the Yankees but it is more informative than most of the posts that have been written during this game so far.
fire the pitching coach… he ruined wang.
Remember the “Wang is an ace” argument? Tough not to laugh at it right now. Kevin Kennedy thinks he’s injured. At least that would be an excuse. Whatever he is, he’s currently terrible and has now singlehandedly cost the Yankees two of their four losses, and yes, they’re losing this game.
No reason to panic in terms of the season, but Wang needs to get right or get out of Hughes’ way.
“The crazies are out tonight!”
miggs,
they’re out every game thread. of course, they get crazier if the Yanks don’t score 10+ runs and throw a shutout.
Bring back Leiter, get rid of Wang
you let molina catch wangs next start
Owned.
lol this is going to be a bad game
I feel bad for Jorge, depending on how this game goes I think you pull him.
“It’s silly to give up on this game, down just four runs in the second. That said, I don’t understand why Wang is starting at all if it’s so obvious he isn’t ready yet.”
How do you know that a pitcher isn’t ready? As long as he’s healthy you send him out there. Eventually he’ll get his sinker command and he’ll be fine. The guy won 19 games twice. He’s a good pitcher. Stop being so reactionary. This isn’t football. It’s 162 games.
Yeah the Yankees could never afford two 20 million dollar pitchers. That’s CRAZY!
———-
It was one or the other, not both.
What is Kay talking about? They aren’t running on Posada, they’re running on Wang, who is doing an AWFUL job holding runners.
Posada has made some incredible throws. Hard to throw a guy out when your pitcher you no chance.
Wang is the Yankees fifth starter. I like the matchups the next two days, but the Yankees are going to have to get some bullpen help down to Tampa. Melancon yesterday 1.2 innings, 4 strikeouts.
It’s early but this game looks like a lost. Nothing going right tonight.
OK…maybe if we cry for mercy
WOOT LETS GO RAYS WE R THE BEST
WOOT LETS GO RAYS WE R THE BEST
I guess girardi is punting this game
they’re out every game thread. of course, they get crazier if the Yanks don’t score 10+ runs and throw a shutout.
************************************************
Hell, some of them are still crazy even when that is happening. Sometimes I have to triple check the score to be sure that they really are winning the game, lol.
not sure they were pitch outs
Wow, brilliant guys. Let’s pitch out twice when the pitcher can’t throw strikes!
Where’s Kei Igawa when you need him?
lol pitch out 2 times? Then a ball!!
I really think Wang is intimidated by the Tampa Bay runners. This kid needs to relax a bit and pitch his game.
this game is getting ugly and so i expect it to be even uglier in here… see you all tomorrow.
AJ throwing bullets tomorrow.
Hmm, I’m not sure what the strategy of that was.
This is beyond AWFUL.
7 ER last start.
4-0 in the 2nd and the bases are loaded with 0 outs? Am I dreaming?
Send Wang to the minors and bring up Hughes.
WHen the pitching is like this, how do the hitters stay in the game?
I see Pete has went to the injury card for Wang.
BLOW OUT IN THE 2nd WANG SUCK
I’m really thinkin wang is hurt…this is painful..he can’t do anything right…
hughes will be up here in no time
Grandslam inc
50 pitches… 3 outs
Terrible. Wang will never get a 20 million dollar a year contract. Sherman speculating the Yanks will deal him in the off season is making more and more sense.
And Tomko is closing in Scranton? Makes sense. It just looks like the same old Yanks. They can’t hang with a team like the Rays. The Yanks are stiffs compared to these guys.
Good god. Some of you people are INSANE. This is why god’s good green herb needs to be legalized!
Again, the pen is going to be completely burned out tonight……that is the biggest and most immediate problem. Something is wrong with Wang- there has to be. He’s not this bad, obviously.
This is bad
wang’s velocity is down and he cant throw strikes. he’s obviously not ready. send him back down to AAA.
And Pete wonders why registration is necessary. This place goes to sh** very quickly when the Yanks trail.
Lord, he’s terrible!
wow wang is absolutely terrible tonight. did he forget how to pitch in his nine month absence??
Again, the pen is going to be completely burned out tonight……that is the biggest and most immediate problem. Something is wrong with Wang- there has to be. He’s not this bad, obviously.
—–
he WASNT this bad, but so far this year he IS.
Well thankfully we have AJ going tomorrow, he’ll have to go 8.
this blog has turned into “I Am Legend”
you can’t go out at night (during the game thread) without being attacked by zombies (lunatic posters)
bases loaded FAIL
This is getting embarassing. Not only will we get blown out in this game, but our bullpen will be exhausted for tomorrow’s game. AJ Burnett will have to play stopper AND workhorse.
Throwing up. Again.
“I am Lohud” I mean
I’d pay to keep the trolls away
“Yeah the Yankees could never afford two 20 million dollar pitchers. That’s CRAZY!
—————
It was one or the other, not both.”
Thanks Hal Stein. Seriously how would you know? The Yankees have no limitations and easily could of afforded both by not signing Burnett.
some reliever is gonna get blown out tonight, that sucks.
Instead of picking on Wang, I will switch it up. Why the yankees chose not to carry a long man especially after last year is beyond me. I guess they didnt look at the schedule and see the yankees play in about 15 games in a row to begin the season. Good call
60 pitches and 3 outs. I’d really like to know what the record is.
Good call by Girardi throwing Wang to the wolves, however its the game last night that we should have won.
I’m out. Now I know why some good posters don’t participate in game threads.
cya tomorrow.
This ump isn’t helping the situation, last pitch was a perfect strike and he doesn’t call it.
Wang’s worst start ever?
And I thought the last one was bad.
Time to break out the knuckler!
Doesn’t help either that the umpires is not calling anything on the corner a strike.
Not being hyperbolic doomsday type fan, but is this what Wang is now? He was awful last year before the injury, and just does not seem to have anything. This is where I miss Mussina, always seemed like no matter how well he pitched in a season, whenever yanks had some bad losses in a row he came out and gave us a great game.
Man, he’s looking very un-Wang-like.
So, when is the Wang experiment going to be over?
The guy got pounded in the playoffs, and got pounded quite a bit last year, and are pounding him now. He’s got nothing. Major League pitchers are hitting him like their hitting off a tee.
Enough, send the guy down and see if you can straighten him out. He’s fooling no one!
walk him in!!
back to minors for wang.
i hope cashman has s/wb on the phone to get phil hughes up here quick!!!! unbelievable
this is so painful to watch but I’ll keep watching
Wang really is not ready.. he needs to spend some time in Tampa to get his arm back. He missed all of last year and the majors are not a place to rehab, you can tell he just is not right.. A couple of starts in Tampa will do the trick.
ease off people, geez.
Are you kidding me?
This game could have been winnable too if we had a long man. That decision combined with Girardi’s decisions with the bullpen yesterday really hurt here.
Tampa Rays Fan,
Let me guess….You didn’t follow baseball until last year. I went to a Rays game a couple of years ago and i bought 2 tix for $13 (2 for Tuesdays!). I sat way out in the middle of nowhere and moved up to the 1st row after the 1st inning because the stadium was empty. Now all of the sudden you guys are diehards? I’m not buying it tough guy.
And another reliever is going to get sent down for Bret Tomko tomorrow. The decision to not have a long man showed no appreciation of history and no foresight either.
This team has a way of making the Yankees look so old. Bartlett singles, steals second, then Upton bunts for a single. The Rays can pick pick away at you with their speed and good fundamental play.
———
This happens every year when the Yanks play the Rays.
The Rays look so much better and blow them out of the water for a couple of games early.
And by the end of the year the Yanks win the season series 11-7 like they did in 2008.
Same old story.
No mas. Throw in the white flag already!
Maybe Wang is going through the stretch that CC went through last year. He’ll be all right by the end of the season.
What can you do if you’re Wang?
Your stuff is diminished, and the umpire REFUSES to call ANYTHING on the corner a strike. Wang threw at least two pitches in that AB to Longoria that he should have been rung up on. When you are in trouble and the umpire calls every pitch of yours on the corner a ball, you’re bound to make a mistake or walk him.
This one is a loss, but I think we’ll win the next two, so non-trolls keep the faith.
This could match Pavano’s start if Albo can’t get it done.
I don’t know what to be more disturbed by – Wang looking bad, or some of the comments.
Jorge doesn’t know how to call a game.
send down edwar. the guy is useless.
I think you owe that guy Bill who sent you that email an apology
is this idiot 4 real i could throw more stricks then him nd am 14 years old unbelivable
how do you lose that hitter? I’ll tell you how. You don’t have anything a player swings and misses at. I was hoping for a turnaround this inning, and he just got worse and worse.
Something is definitely amiss. It’s real bad out there.
Don’t blame the umps. They won’t help someone who can’t hit his spots.
By the way, it’s a good thing that “24″ is on tonight. I have a good reason to turn this disgraceful game off….. I bet Jack Bauer could pitch much better than Wang.
And again, to reiterate, this is why if you’re Girardi, you HAD to have yesterday’s game. You knew something like this was going to happen, especially facing a good team and Kazmir, and now because you lost yesterday’s game, you really are in trouble and teetering on the edge of a blown out bullpen and a losing streak.
i hope wang isn’t hurt. that would be two big losses in one day.
Is his foot fully healed? Is he not trusting it? So he’s not pushing off properly?
Wang’s ERA is 23.14 not counting the runners still on base.
Good luck here Albaladejo.
Putrid!
Too bad Wang has too much class. I would have had a few words for the Umpire leaving the game.
“I think you owe that guy Bill who sent you that email an apology”
For what?
wooooooooow
I think we can put his in the books as an L. Kaz would really have to lose it.
wang coulda done that
What does it even matter? The game was over as soon as Wang allowed Pena’s two run double.
9-0
yankees have become a joke
at least wang was just walking people.
can’t we just forefit this game?? I dont want to see any of the bullpen arms get blown out! That’s literally the only thing I care about, I had this marked down as a loss before the game even started, so I’m not upset to be losing now. I am taken aback at just how bad Wang looks, but I know he will work out his woes. Just hope his doing so doesnt cost us several more games.
oh god this is such a trainwreck haha. I have it on mute, thats the only reason i am even half able to watch.
Is this the Ray’s first game home this year?
hey Dancing with the Stars is on. May have to check that out.
Yankees suck. 5th place in our sites
I’m embarrassed this is a shame. whats CMWs era now?
unbelievable!!!
After this game they are going to need two or three fresh arms…they don’t have an off day until the 23rd.
Ouch. Well, this game is over unless the mother of all comebacks occur.
So, what did everyone have for dinner?
Rays may score 20
So far Wang looks even worse than Hughes or IPK ever did last year. Is it time to be seriously concerned about him? His velocity isn’t up where it normally is, he can’t throw strikes, and where the heck did his slider go?
Can’t get much worse, can it?
Is that WBC 10 run mercy rule in effect?
This game is over.
Will Tomko get called up? Albaladejo sent down. Maybe Edwar.
Thanks Hal Stein. Seriously how would you know? The Yankees have no limitations and easily could of afforded both by not signing Burnett.
——–
Because that’s been the conventional wisdom for the last two years and Hal has repeatedly said he wanted to cut payroll.
So basically the choices would have come down to getting Santana or Sabathia in addition to Teixeira or both Sabathia and Santana with Teixeria playing first base in Boston.
Cashman had to beg Hal to open up his wallet for Teixeira. Maybe you should read the papers and you’d know this.
Alex is like ” Can I go home now?”
Heck I’d even take a chance bringing Hughesy up again, I dunno how you fix 1 IP 9 ER.
Dr. Cox
April 13th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
This is team is superior to the Yankees in every way.
No truer words were ever spoken. They are superior to us in pitching, hitting, speed, fundamentals, and they are all still very, very young!
Bye, bye, Yanks!
“Wang coulda done that”
I LOLed.
Maybe Albaladejo felt he’d pitch better without runners on base.
Heckuva way to solve that.
Did no one notice during spring training that Wang now doesn’t look anything like his pre-injury form?
“Upper East Side
April 13th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
R.I.P. – 2009 New York Yankees”
R.I.P. – any last shred of common sense or intelligence
Yuppies suck!
what’s wangs era now???
29.93???????
the yankees are gonna open the new stadium in last place.
wang ERA about 23 now…seriously
I’m now watching the News yes even the News is more encouraging.
Jen, I have great faith in AJ – he will continue to be tested by following Wang every 5th day, lo. Still, it sucks that he’s got almost no breathing room – he HAS to give us innings tomorrow. If I were the Yankees, though, I’d bring up a long man right now – they need someone in the pen for tomorrow and the next day because these guys coming in tonight are going to be exhausted.
On another board, they are speculating that Wang will come up with some mystery ailment so he can work on his problems elsewhere – I wouldn’t have a problem with that.
BD, you have to admit that there is reason for concern with Wang. This is not just an “eh” outing where he gave up 4 or 5 runs – this is a disaster, and it’s twice in a row. The Yankees can’t afford this if they are going to stay in the race and the pen can’t take the strain. It’s a real problem.
Why would you not have a long man?
Wang’s ERA is 28.93. He’s pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowed 15 hits and walked 6. I’m ready for Mr. Hughes.
It’s the 7th game of the season.. we have 155 more to go.. relax people lol.
The dejection on WANG’s face on his face speaks volumes.
It was a dumb decision not to go with a long man. Yeah you got good 1-5 but they won’t have it all the time. Second year in a row Girardi has done this.
It’s one game, everyone. May I suggest that you all turn it off and come back tomorrow?
Wang has no guts
yeah, it’s early! it was “early” last year too. guess how that turned out?
Wow Wang looks terrible sitting in that dugout.
I never turn the game off but tonight I may.
Ransom can’t catch the ball. Of course he can’t.
“It’s the 7th game of the season.. we have 155 more to go.. relax people ”
Don’t even bother, it’s like talking to a brick wall for some of these fruit loops!
LOL @ Bronx Jeers
See what happens when Alex shows up.
Ransom is a hack
Seriously – some of you are scary!
Gotta love that the pen is burnt for the week because Wang couldn’t go more than one inning.
It’s gotta suck to be the reliever who loses his big league job tomorrow because of Wang and the need for a fresh arm.
OK… so when are we going to put in Pena? Ransom has looked awful out there on defense so far this year, and when you are already getting no offense from him, you NEED defense.
LOL now ransom showing his gold glove skills….
As long as Wang is not hurt, I wouldn’t worry about him.
Oh yeah, this mess of a game coincides with…A-Rod’s return to the bench. Lol.
these games are just as important now as they are at the middle or end of year…every game counts
Betsy- I think that may have to be an option. You can’t keep throwing him out there when clearly something is wrong. he didn’t look good in spring training either.
clearly a-rods fault for coming back
Where are those saying this team is better without A-Rod?
Its gonna be halfway through the season and people are gonna be saying “we have 80 to go it’s still early”
“Did no one notice during spring training that Wang now doesn’t look anything like his pre-injury form?”
I noticed, I just hoped it was ST aberration. Wang is not the same pitcher after that foot injury but at least he is still on a rookie deal and Lackey, Harden and Duchsherer are free agents.
this is for real 9-0 somebody give me a damn asprin before i go nuts nd shoot ching ming tonight
This is all because Arod’s in the dugout. Get him outta there!!! LOL
this game will take 5 hours
I’m still waiting for the post where someone blames A-Rod’s presence in the dugout for this horrible game.
People:
The Yankees being down 9-0 does not mean you can use vulgar words in your posts or make racist remarks. Please try and have some class.
Those who do such things will be permanently banned.
BTW, here’s something not related (not directly, anyway) to this horror show of a game – I think the Yankees should call up Juan Miranda, give him some DH AB’s, send down Ransom and play Pena at 3rd. I guess the problem is that leaves you with no backup IF though. Do the Yankees really need Melky??? That would create a spot for Berroa.
if wang isnt hurt, how many more bad starts do you give him? i let molina catch him and see how it goes, if bad i think you make a change and get hughes up here
Yeah who is the call up? they will have to add someone to the roster after killing the pen tonight.
“This is all because Arod’s in the dugout. Get him outta there!!! LOL”
Oh, there it is.
wow, this turned into a giant ball of ugly
OK…lets get a few here and start chipping away at the lead…still early.
didnt wang have a pretty bad end to his spring? Maybe he’s hit a rough patch, hopefully he can get back on track next week
OK enough you nut jobs.
Out!
Haha, some people on here are ridiculous. I usually just lurk to see reactions, and they are priceless. Do some of you realize that no matter how many runs the Rays score this game, it is still ONE loss? Relax, we still have 95% of the season to play.
Wang looked awful, yes. It is something they will work on in his side session and hopefully things will be straightened out. The guy hasn’t pitched seriously (besides last clunker against the Os) since July. Give him a bit of a break. He was our ace for 2 years, now that we have CC and Wang has a poor start, everybody is ready to kill the man. Take a step of the ledge, things will be OK. Remember, this is only one game.
We should have taken bets on how long it took someone to say that, Laura.
Sooner or later CMW will get straightened out – didn’t he start last season with two clunkers and then go great guns until the lis franc disaster? Even before tuning in, I just had a feeling that the Yankees might not win this one unless their starter was lights out. Rays all excited by their home opener, Kazmir starting, and whatnot – I figured they’d come out on fire and dominate given the least opportunity. True that speedy teams make the Yanks old, but great outings by by Yankees pitchers can go a long way toward freshening up these oldsters quite a bit . . . Anyhow, looking forward to AJ’s start tomorrow lol, and still enjoying the new season.
Carl
April 13th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Its gonna be halfway through the season and people are gonna be saying “we have 80 to go it’s still early”
my point..just one game calm down… it’s still early
Betsy,
It’s concerning, sure.
This is still just the 2nd start for Wang in 10 months.
Personally, I’m not going to let 2 games outweigh what I’ve seen over 3+ seasons.
That said, I think he needs to show improvement in his bullpen sessions. We all know he can throw a good sinker. He just needs to find it. I expect the Yanks staff to make it a top priority this week.
On another board, they are speculating that Wang will come up with some mystery ailment so he can work on his problems elsewhere – I wouldn’t have a problem with that.
================================
I wouldn’t be surprised either if that happened. Sounds fine by me. I feel terrible for Wang.
Wow.
everyone calm down. let’s not forget this is baseball, not football. being 3-4 (if and when the Yankees lose tonight) a week into the season isn’t too bad. Let’s not forget we’ve got pettite and burnett going in the next two game, both of whom have looked good so far. so relax and enjoy the 162 game season. yes, once again 162 game season.
The good news is we have Melky’s at bats to look forward to tonight!
where is phil or ian or acceves this is major right now damn
Is A-Rod in the dugout? Surely that’s the reason why we’re having this horrendous game. Remember, it’s all A-Rod’s fault.
Pete – if you can permanently ban those people (and believe me, I wish you would) then cant you just ban everyone who trolls this site day after day, impersonating other members, etc?
I really appreciate all you do here, just think it’s a shame for the regular baseball fans in here that this blog becomes an e-schoolyard/jailhouse hybrid whenever a game is going badly for the Yanks. Us normal people cant even rationally discuss what might be wrong with Wang because hysteria abounds and that makes it impossible. It is soo frustrating!
Not a good night so far but it will only counts as 1 “L” no matter how many runs the Rays score so relax at least a little.
Let’s root for a hit or the night could be a whole lot worse.
This season is far from over fellas, no one wins a pennant in April, and these kinds of things happen to every team every year. However, that being said, come playoff time (if the Yanks can make the playoffs) I don’t see the Yankees beating this team in a 7 game series. They are just simply superior to us in every way.
The only wild card is a sudden return to form of Wang, or some other young pitcher, and/or a major injury to one of the Rays top players.
Other than that, I can’t see it.
April 13th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Thanks Hal Stein. Seriously how would you know? The Yankees have no limitations and easily could of afforded both by not signing Burnett.
————
Because that’s been the conventional wisdom for the last two years and Hal has repeatedly said he wanted to cut payroll.
So basically the choices would have come down to getting Santana or Sabathia in addition to Teixeira or both Sabathia and Santana with Teixeria playing first base in Boston.
Cashman had to beg Hal to open up his wallet for Teixeira. Maybe you should read the papers and you’d know this.
=========
So you are telling me if the Yankees had Santana the 5-8 million a year difference between Burnetts contract and Sabathias would keep them out of that auction?
LOL Are you a new fan? The Yankees don’t cut payroll. (Teixeira)
Let’s keep running Wang out there so he can figure out the issues he’s facing…you know. Where the games don’t matter at all. Come on…two starts and a 28.93 ERA?? At what point do you let him figure it out in AAA if he continues to pitch horribly? How many starts does it take?
Let’s keep running Wang out there so he can figure out the issues he’s facing…you know. Where the games don’t matter at all. Come on…two starts and a 28.93 ERA?? At what point do you let him figure it out in AAA if he continues to pitch horribly? How many starts does it take?
how about daivid cone takes a glove nd throws cuz thiz is painful
Can we at least agree we need to get ransom out and put pena in?
Just like the first game for Posada. Sinker.Sinker.Sinker.Sinker.Sinker.Sinker.Sinker
Sinker.Sinker.Sinker.
Sinker.Sinker.
Sinker.Sinker.
Sinker.Sinker.Sinker.Sinker.
Is Wang now our 5th starter? I think the next worst ERA in our rotation is CC at 4.50 and that’s still 25.00 ERA less than Wang. Ouch!
Are the yankees going to let cody go 1-31? He’s 1-21, might as well let him go 1-41.
Melky!!
I will go out on a limb and say the Yankees make a dramatic comeback tonight and win 14-12.
Come on Joe, bench Ransom already. He’s had horrible AB’s and been terrible on defense. That is the complete opposite of what you need from someone filling in for your injured star.
What right to play has Ransom earned? He had like 15 at bats all of last season. I get it with Nady or Matsui, but Ransom can be benched.
And Melky heard me.
we try to get our pitcher a little breather, and he pops the first pitch. i wont be surprised if when alex comes back, cody goes down and pena stays.
we try to get our pitcher a little breather, and he pops the first pitch. i wont be surprised if when alex comes back, cody goes down and pena stays.
A HIT!!!!!!!!! Figures, Melky gets one now.
Here’s a question…and I am in no way thinking that it will happen or should happen, nor am I calling for his head…but what does the record have to be through 30-40 games for Girardi’s job to be in jeopardy? Calling Mattingly?
uber-lazy
Melky begins a 40 game hitting streak.
After this game we need to designate Ransom, send down Veras and bring up Aceves, and Melancon. Give Wang another start and if he can’t go 4 innings we bring up Phil.
YAY A HIT
the melkman delivers, a single…
Melky-thank you.
Can anyone tell me why Giradi insists on playing Rancid everyday? This guy is clueless at the plate.
I called Melky going 3-4 tonight. The other 2 hits will be grand slams. I know this because I am from the future.
I can definitely agree that Pena needs a chance.
Melancon will get rocked just like he did in Pitsburg.
or against Pitsburg.
ah yes, the ol rally killer.
Sadness on a big, fat bun.
Austin jackson 3-5, 1 RBI
hes now hitting .500 for the season!
this guy will be up sooner than later..
Mr. Can’t do no wrong is now 1-19
On top of it, why is Pena up here if he is just going to sit on the bench? He is a young player who needs to play every day and you are just DESTROYING his development by letting him rot on the bench.
Ransom is a journeyman who is playing terribly. Put him on the bench and get the young guy at bats every day.
Forget the ERA. Yes, it’s ugly, but it’s still only two starts. It doesn’t matter what his ERA is. What matters now is how well or poorly Wang pitches going forward.
That was an early end to this game. Must be jet lag.
yes tex i agreee 100%%%%%%%%%
Can Jeter show Gardner how to hit the ball on the ground…I mean since he’s a master at it now and all.
Wang often opens the season w/a few clunkers, exception being last year when he got off to a fast start then hit a rough patch about a month in. It’s not unusual for him to take a while to find his sinker. Now add that to the rust created by his injury and, all things in perspective, his struggles now arent THAT alarming.
The question is how quickly will they get worked out and whether that can happen in his MLB starts and side sessions.
“Can anyone tell me why Giradi insists on playing Rancid everyday? This guy is clueless at the plate.”
—————
Although I like the nickname, I think he insists on it because the starting 3b is hurt for another several weeks.
That’s what happens when you lose a starter like ARod. kind of hard to replace. If Alex were going to be out longer, they would have addressed it.
10-0 omfg
Albaladejo sucks. He sucked last year he sucks now.
10-0
Mercy Rule in effect.
Let’s all go watch 24.
Jack Bauer wouldn’t let this happen.
WOW…well goodnight to all. This is embarrasing.
It’s fine to just chalk this up as a loss, but you just can’t be that blase about it. The pen is absolute toast – for tonight and the next couple of games. It would be one thing if Wang just was “eh”, but not getting out of the 2nd inning? The Yankees can’t afford to keep sending him out there as is, no matter the back of his baseball cards. Apparently his velocity is down – there’s something wrong and I’m not sure that a bullpen session will fix it. I’m all for sending Wang down at this point. I
A-Rod looming in the dugout reminds me of what we could have and then I see Ransom and he turns into a pumpkin lol.
Yanks aren’t bringing up Hughes this early. I bet you they bring Aceves or Geise first.
Prediction:
1) They’ll fix whatever is ailing Wang…he’s simply too good to be this bad…
2) A.J. will toss a gem tomorrow night.
3) Order will be restored on this board.
Lol. Nice team Ca$hman. Nice team. LOL. Wang.
10?
Great decision Giradi keeping Abledwasteo. Why wasnt Tomko kept for long relief?
Someone said up above that CMW didnt look like the same pitcher in Spring Training this year. Can anyone elaborate? I didn’t get to follow much ST. Was his sinker never on in ST? Was he trying to throw different pitches? Was his foot scaring him? What exactly is different?
Watching from gameday tonight, all his strikes were up, and everything else was outside and low. My memory tells me his sinker should be strike zone lower half, and look a lot higher to hitters. He clearly didnt get that tonight. Is this how he was in ST?
Hey folks, just checking in. Too busy to watch the game live but I have high hopes for CM Wang’s start, so I’m dvr’ing it to watch later. I’m psyched to watch this game, so I just wanted to send out my positive vibes for CMW and the Yanks. Go Yankees!
JFC! Albaladejo throwing batting practice out there!
I’m not crying or panicking about losing this game, I’m even trying to remain philosophical about Wang getting his butt kicked, but, can’t the Yankees at least stop giving up runs until we at least score one or 2??
Giese is in Oakland now.
I do think Wang should be benched until they figure out what’s wrong with him and deal with it. It shouldn’t be a deal where they hand him the ball and HOPE the problem just goes away.
Boston ? ….. pffffft ! !
The Rays didn’t hang an AL Championship banner as a joke. They ARE the team to beat. Well balanced.
Everyone abused me in the off season when I suggested that Wang could be traded before he becomes a FA next year. So much for that thought as he won’t bring back the young prospects I was looking for.
He is not progressing at all and yeah yeah I know it’s only game 7 and his second start but he is clearly our #5 starter at best.
The Rays are clearly a better team than the Yanks even with Arod and Tex in the line up.
So much for no long man as our pen is going to get eaten up tonight.
AJ will have to follow another 2 game losing streak with at least 7 innings tomorrow.
Off to watch the Rams with the supe again on NFL network.
I think someone had it right. This has 20-0 written all over it.
Hope to see Pena tomorrow. He can’t be any worse then Ransom.
giese is in oakland dumb head
Great decision Giradi keeping Abledwasteo. Why wasnt Tomko kept for long relief?
___
This was Cashman’s decision to hold Albie no?
Pepitone, please – the Rays are having a ball against Wang, but if AJ shuts them down tomorrow, are you going to say they are FAR superior? It’s one game – since when do reasonable people make judgments on the quality of teams based on ONE game?
JOJO – Oakland claimed Geise. Pretty sure the Yankees aren’t calling him up.
Nick don’t bother watching it….I want to hang myself right now
I didnt really care for Albaladejo last year either. I prefer Dave Robertson over him.
How Good was Chien Ming Pavano
Cody Ransom is a bum…..why does the yanks have a thing with a career minor league bum every dam year
My high speed internet is on the fritz. Any update on the score?
Is carl crawford cross-eyed???
wow we are in the bottom of the third. WOW
“Wang is not the same pitcher after that foot injury but at least he is still on a rookie deal and Lackey, Harden and Duchsherer are free agents.”
Yeah, lets look this over, shall we? You are talking about an injury with Wang…
Duchscherer has had his hip surgically repaired twice, as well as elbow surgery.
Harden is a walking injury machine. 25 starts is the most he has had in a season in the last 4 years.
Nice choices… Much more reliable than a man such as Wang. Funny seeing everyone throw him under the bus after two awful starts.
20 -0? are you kidding me this is like tht womens basketball game tht one team lost 100-0 nd watch joe maddon get fired tomarrow just becuase he didnt say sorry for winning 100-0 just like the winning coach did
Betsy,
You are right on. Wang has tanked the week for this team. AJ now has no wiggle room tomorrow.
The relievers will be spent and Alby will most likely get sent down tonight for Tomko or Aceves.
If another pitcher with options goes multiple innings 2 pitchers may have to go down for fresh arms.
The horror of this happening is that he couldn’t at least go 4 tonight.
It’s bad and it’s the type of thing that can ruin a week of the season and send the team into a slump if Cashman doesn’t be aggressive as a GM and make roster moves to get fresh arms up here.
On a larger level, the team needs to find out why Wang sucks right now. He’s beyond awful right now.
If he’s hurt he needs to be DL’d and if he’s just not feeling it I think he gets 1 more start before you think about giving him a phantom injury to go work on his stuff and get his head right.
He’s unable to go more than a few innings and you can’t keep running him out there and burning out your bullpen every 5 days.
Uncle Reggie: We’ll need two touchdowns to win.
We could say it’s “only April” all day long, but the fact remains, the slow starts are killing this team. This team just isn’t that good.
I would never trust Wang as a “number 2″ in the playoffs. I am sorry…but I don’t. He is the digital pitcher. Either a 1 or a 0. On or off.
Tex
Tomko? are you kidding me …another spring training wonder bum
OK, welp, I think I’ve reached my rolling my eyes at the hysteria and overreaction of others quota for the night, so I’m out. I do give myself a pat on the back for lasting till the 3rd inning! About 85% of you need to eat a Xanax and caaaalm down. Go AJ tomorrow! And Albie needs to take one for the team tonight. Aceves should have been the long man BTW.
The curse of A-Rod!
YankeeRay, you can think the Rays are clearly better even with Alex and Tex in the lineup. Me? I think I’ll wait on that – and I refuse to judge the teams based on ONE game.
“Everyone abused me in the off season when I suggested that Wang could be traded before he becomes a FA next year.”
You shouldn’t have been abused for that opinion but you are also being very short sighted. It’s two games.
I guess, using your logic, the Giants better trade Tim Lincecum ASAP!
“Nice choices… Much more reliable than a man such as Wang. Funny seeing everyone throw him under the bus after two awful starts.”
He is not just awful he is done, that foot injury could have lasting effects and he is obviously not himself. I’m not a doctor but I think his not getting the ball down has everything to do with that landing foot. I was just throwing those names out there, Hughes would be my choice should Wanger be hurt.
I asked for a hit and Melky delivered, now I want a run!
DVR,
I don’t think the Yankees would trust Wang as their number 2 in the playoffs either. Even though you are simply making an observation, the Yanks won’t have to worry about making that decision this year. And that’s not based on this game or the 6 before it….they just aren’t as good as TB or Bos.
Lincecum > Wang. That’s just stupid to put them two in the same conversation.
SWISHERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR FINALLY A TRUE YANKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
YOU GOT UR RUN
I love him???? He is a gamer.
had to switch to sny for a more competitive game…
promptly turned that off after being too distracted by the hideous mets inaugural season patches.
A run!
Now we just need a few more
Ok – As if he wasn’t already, Swisher is my new favorite Yankee.
Okay. I’m 2-2. Another run please.
when tex gets back, swish HAS to be in RF or LF
Sick Nwisher rules.
Public Service Announcement:Scooby-Doo, Where Are You is Now Being Shown on the Boomerang channel. The episode is “Hassle In The castle”.
Swish!!!
Pat, what’s next?
At least they’re still trying out there and not giving up like they would have last year. Too bad their pitching gave them no chance.
PAT QUICK WHILE U IN LUCK ASK FOR NUMBER 27 ND 12 RUNS
There likely will be a roster move. The pen will be spent by the time this is over. Aceves or Tomko. And if someone else like Edwar pitches long then maybe Robertson gets the call.
“Lincecum > Wang. That’s just stupid to put them two in the same conversation.”
Really? I don’t disagree but Wang has a much longer track record. Tim Lincecum has much more to prove than Wang does IMO. The talent is there but that has nothing to do with the point, which went a mile over your head.
It’s not stupid to suggest that a pitcher with a 3 year track record not be judged on 2 bad games.
“Everyone abused me in the off season when I suggested that Wang could be traded before he becomes a FA next year. So much for that thought as he won’t bring back the young prospects I was looking for.
He is not progressing at all and yeah yeah I know it’s only game 7 and his second start but he is clearly our #5 starter at best.”
Yeah, because 2 bad starts > what he’s done in his career.
Flaherty needs to stop calling the pitcher Cashmere.
G Love, I’m sure Cash will make moves – and I wouldn’t wait on Wang, not one more start. This is a good team – they are as good as the Rays and Sox – and it’s not fair to have Wang put them in this position. Something is wrong with him – one session will not get it done. He should have a physical exam – if his velocity is down, there has to be a reason. You just don’t lose it overnight.
I really hope AJ won’t get lambasted by fans if he doesn’t have it tomorrow. Regardless of how he does, I have a lot of confidence in him – it’s just not fair to put this type of pressure on him, where he HAS to go 7 or 8 innings.
lol pat
Anybody miss the Tampa Bay troll from last season?
Betsy
April 13th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Pepitone, please – the Rays are having a ball against Wang, but if AJ shuts them down tomorrow, are you going to say they are FAR superior?
Yes, Betsy, I will say that. They are superior to us in every way, except maybe the bullpen and power, maybe. They are younger, faster, better defensively, better starting pitching, better hitting overall, and fundamentally superior.
I’m thinking beyond April to October, and I don’t see them beating this team in a 7 game series. I could be wrong, but we will only know the answer to that question in Oct. But, I stand by my statement.
Betsy
April 13th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
YankeeRay, you can think the Rays are clearly better even with Alex and Tex in the lineup. Me? I think I’ll wait on that – and I refuse to judge the teams based on ONE game.
——
Betsy, they are younger faster and more hungry. We have big names big contracts and big egos. I looovvveee the Yankees but Tampa is the better team.
Now that doesn’t mean we won’t pitch well, hit well and they may get some injuries which could change things.
But, how many people on here believe we are a better all around team? Not me, sorry for being honest.
For my money I would bring up Ajax before too long and give him a look as we need that type of youth in the OF. Gardner is not the answer in CF.
“Yes, Betsy, I will say that. They are superior to us in every way, except maybe the bullpen and power, maybe. They are younger, faster, better defensively, better starting pitching, better hitting overall, and fundamentally superior.
I’m thinking beyond April to October, and I don’t see them beating this team in a 7 game series. I could be wrong, but we will only know the answer to that question in Oct. But, I stand by my statement.”
You do realize that the Yankees won more games head to head against the Rays last year don’t you?
Mr Yankees
See what happens when you get greedy. You ask for #27 and you get a DP.
Slow and steady wins the race
“He is not just awful he is done, that foot injury could have lasting effects and he is obviously not himself. I’m not a doctor but I think his not getting the ball down has everything to do with that landing foot. I was just throwing those names out there, Hughes would be my choice should Wanger be hurt.”
I am a HUGE Phil Hughes supporter, and have been since day 1. So I would love to see him pitching this season…
But jeez, to say Wang is done, you need your head examined. You can tell that he is completely finished as a pitcher by watching him pitch twice!?! Lol, ok buddy. You keep on thinking that.
double play. ok Nady DONE. Swish is our wish!
“STUPID NADY SWISHER IN RF IF SOMEONE CAN GET IT THROUGH GIRARDII THICK SKULL”
Would have been very interesting watching Swisher man two positions, that’s for sure.
Ok I have been reading this blog for a few weeks now, and some of you are ridiculous. Is this painful to watch, yes, but if we do lose, it will be 4 on the year, guess what, we are going to lose more then 4 times this year so relax. We’re missing 2 really big bats in our line up right now, I have a feeling things will change when our 3-4 hitters are Tex an A-Rod. Oh and the whole this is a start of a losing streak, I’m thinking our next three startes, AJ, Andy and CC will not let that happen. Everyone just chill out.
Kristin,
get used to it during the game threads.
it’s doomsday every day
They are burning out Alby tonight (they have to). So there will be a roster move and new pitcher up tomorrow.
I think Wang’s earned enough credit with the organization to get at least 2 more starts to show progress. If he gets shelled both times out though, they can’t waste more games on him.
If he goes out in his next 2 starts and has a similar result and can’t go more than a couple of innings and has that deer in the headlights look I don’t know what they do.
I hope it doesn’t happen.
But he’s bad right now. That’s not panic. That’s a fact.
is there anything ransom can do??
Nady continues to prove he belongs in the NL
Ransom.
Wow… can Ransom be any worse? WHY IS PENA ON THIS TEAM IF HE IS JUST GOING TO ROT ON THE BENCH AND RUIN HIS DEVELOPMENT?
Oh, Ransom!
No way do I bring Phil up.l Phil is not ready and we already dealt with this in 2007 when he was brought up because of our rotation problems. Kennedy, Aceves, I don’t care. Phil is too valuable to the Yankees future to be used in such a way. He stays in AAA regardless.
Did Jeter give Cody a dirty look?
i just said Swish in RF when Tex gets back.
Ransom is a skidmark.
raymagnetic
April 13th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
“Everyone abused me in the off season when I suggested that Wang could be traded before he becomes a FA next year. So much for that thought as he won’t bring back the young prospects I was looking for.
He is not progressing at all and yeah yeah I know it’s only game 7 and his second start but he is clearly our #5 starter at best.”
Yeah, because 2 bad starts > what he’s done in his career.
——
Raym it’s not just these 2 bad starts. He doesn’t throw hard enough or have enough pitches to continue getting by. The league has made adjustments and he hasn’t. He got pounded in the playoffs and so far again this year. He will win plenty of games for us but he is not a top 3 starter IMO and thats how he will want to be paid.
I’d keep him as a #5 das it.
“I think Wang’s earned enough credit with the organization to get at least 2 more starts to show progress. If he gets shelled both times out though, they can’t waste more games on him. ”
So after 3+ years of being an excellent pitcher he gets 4 starts to prove his worth. Oh yeah, that’s brilliant!
any chance we trade for halladay? just curious. but i think wang will get it back.
This game stinks, but the problem with Wang is that his sinker isn’t sinking. It’s not that the league “mde adjustments.” His money pitch isn’t working for him. He’s either hurt or his delivery is all screwed up.
“Raym it’s not just these 2 bad starts. He doesn’t throw hard enough or have enough pitches to continue getting by. The league has made adjustments and he hasn’t. He got pounded in the playoffs and so far again this year. He will win plenty of games for us but he is not a top 3 starter IMO and thats how he will want to be paid.
I’d keep him as a #5 das it.”
His CAREER numbers speak otherwise, but hey everyone is entitled to their own opinions no matter how wrong they are.
Question. When our full line-up is out there (Arod & Tex), who would start on our team off of Tampa Bay?
Upton in center no doubt.
Crawford in LF for Damon.
Burrell over Matsui at DH probably.
That’s it though.
Then look at starters. Their ace is Kazmir, ours is CC. Yanks win that. From there take it down the line. I say we win everyone but Wang…and when he’s right maybe not.
Then look at bullpens and closer. Maybe they win bullpen, maybe. We win closer.
So, now tell me how, exactly, the Rays are clearly so much better than us.
Hey Pete- Who got the honor of #700,000?
RayMagnetic,
Why don’t you read my posts moron?
Are you really dumb and myopic enough to sit here and tell me and everyone else that if Wang has 2 more starts like his first 2 this season the NY Yankees won’t look to fill his slot with someone who can go maybe 5 innings and take him out of the rotation to figure out what is wrong with him?
He might be injured or he might be messed in the head. They are not going to let him work it out at the big league level and lost games and burn out the pen every 5 games.
That was the Hughes/Kennedy plan last season and it ruined the season for the team.
Those 2 burned out the pen every start.
I think Wang gets one more start. If he’s bombed for a third straight time, you need to consider a change.
Chien Ming Pavano deserves to ride it out..Must be his mechanics
i don’t feel like looking up the exact numbers right now, but i’m pretty sure some guy named cc looked pretty awful in his first few starts last year. amazingly, he still had a good season and he’s a pretty decent pitcher now.
Dee, why would the Blue Jays get rid of Halladay on April 13th? Come on.
I think I’m going to go and watch The Tudors, lol.
“any chance we trade for halladay? ”
not unless you’re playing video games. there is almost zero chance the Jays trade him to the Yankees.
why would Toronto trade him within the division? for the same reason the Twins traded Santana to the Mets, the Jays would prefer he go to the NL.
The Yankees have one of the best, if not the best, rotation in baseball anyway. they don’t need Halladay but they can’t get him anyway so it’s a moot point.
halladay no chance american east no way no how i thinking the nl centural will get him if hes traded
Ok, so the Rays are younger and faster – that doesn’t equate to better. You guys are judging the teams on one game……..ONE. The Rays may very well prove to be better (and the Yankees have a terrific SP – I’m not going to say the Rays is better), but so might the Yankees. Baseball is a long-haul game – we’ll see who’s standing at the end of the day.
why would the Blue Jays get rid of Halladay on April 13th? Come on.
not now obviously. i mean by july. and that’s only if wang keeps up like this. which i don’t think he is, but i wonder if the yanks have even considered a trade for halladay.
it would be nice to see some fight in the Yanks the rest of the way.
If they lose, fine. But there is always room for positives even when the end result is a negative.
Betsy — what color is the sky in your world?? Phil Hughes is the next starter in waiting. Ian Kennedy is a zero.
JoJo
There young,athletic,quick etc and there confident
but if we are full strength we should have them covered
“I’m sure Cash will make moves – and I wouldn’t wait on Wang, not one more start. This is a good team – they are as good as the Rays and Sox – and it’s not fair to have Wang put them in this position. Something is wrong with him – one session will not get it done. ”
Not one more start?
19 wins back-to-back years and 8 wins in the first 2 months last year. He gets 2 freaking starts?
Not fair to have Wang put them in this position? What
???????
Do you watch the same team I do? Do you understand baseball?
What “moves” do you want Cashman to make? Send Wang down? DFA him? Trade him?
Its hard to hold back on personal insults when the posts are as stupid as that one.
Mark Fidrych is dead………..Jeez, sad………
Besty,
I wonder why some of these people are even Yankee fans.
“You do realize that the Yankees won more games head to head against the Rays last year don’t you?”
So what? Who went to the playoffs last year? Who won the AL Pennant and went to the World Series last year?
If you have been a baseball fan for any length of time you know that the regular season series means nothing when October comes around. Once the playoffs start it’s a whole new season, both teams start 0 – 0. And its in that scenario that I am saying the Yankees, as they are presently composed, will fall short against the Rays.
Of course that assumes both of these teams make the playoffs, which could be a mute point come October. The way Baltimore is playing they may be there. Who knows, I never thought the Rays would be there last year. That is the one thing I love about baseball, you really never know.
well even though wang has looked awful im not worried about him as much as i am matsui. seriously.
matsui cannot hit anything right now either.
wang will work it out. everyone knows that, it is just frustration.
“RayMagnetic,
Why don’t you read my posts moron?
Are you really dumb and myopic enough to sit here and tell me and everyone else that if Wang has 2 more starts like his first 2 this season the NY Yankees won’t look to fill his slot with someone who can go maybe 5 innings and take him out of the rotation to figure out what is wrong with him?
He might be injured or he might be messed in the head. They are not going to let him work it out at the big league level and lost games and burn out the pen every 5 games.
That was the Hughes/Kennedy plan last season and it ruined the season for the team.
Those 2 burned out the pen every start.”
I actually did read your post and noticed how ridiculous it was.
Wang is getting more than 2 more starts to prove himself regardless of whawt you want to believe.
Wang’s situation is completely different from Hughes and Kennedy last year. Wang has PROVEN that he’s a very good pitcher already.
I think Wang has a mechanical flaw that may require remediation for an extended period.
Hey Pete, did A-Rod cut all his hair off? Looks like it here:
http://cache.daylife.com/image.....y/610x.jpg
I thought being a “fan” was supposed to be fun.
What’s the point in being a fan of something if all you do is complain and whine?
some of you guys are so miserable. it’s one game… or two games.
I think some of you need a new hobby… and I don’t suggest the stock market.
I’m thinking something along the lines of bowling (with the bumpers in) or fishing.
Cody is the antichrist
Sit down Ransom… PLEASE?
all that said, ransom hasnt earned that same loyalty and needs to go.
right now it would be nice to just get some runs and make a game of it.
http://kimberlyjones.mlblogs.c....._town.html
Ok, Wang is teaching AJ Chinese – I think AJ needs to teach Wang pitching for now, lol. AJ must have mixed up his words – I think he sent “preparation for humiliation”
Ransom sucks…whats Drew Henson up too
Melky is going to get some ABs.
You never know…
Let’s Go Yanks!
Melky is raking. Go ‘head, Melk Man!!
melky, gardner and swish tomorrow in the of?
melky, gardner and swish tomorrow in the of?
Melkman!
let’s go Yanks… let’s at least make it interesting.
Drew Henson is sitting here on my couch eating a hot pocket.
JOJO
Drew Henson is sitting here on my couch eating a hot pocket.
__
Tell him that Tom Brady says hi.
any clue on what happened to jeter after he hit the homerun and has one hit since?
Whatever the @#$# Cody has, he’s given it to Derek.
I LOVE THIS GAME!!!!!!!!!!
Some observations….
If Wang is not hurt then I am not worried about him. Today was exactly why Wang is a only a good pitcher and nothing more. You can’t be great with only 1 pitch. Also great pitchers know there mechanics and body. If Wang doesn’t start the game good he is finished. He needs to mature and make adjustments.
This is a perfect game to get Pena some innings at 3rd base. He is a great defender I am would assume he can play 3rd. Ransom is terrible. He seems too nervous out there that he can’t even field now..we knew he wouldn’t hit but he needs to field if he is going to play everyday. They can not have him playing 3rd base for another 3 weeks.
Swisher has to play RF. He is a much better player then Nady all around. They especially can not sit him in the middle of this hitting streak. Nady doesn’t walk, or play hard, and can only hit a fastball.
I really hope that Melancon pitches really good in AAA that he becomes an option for the team. The 8th inning has me alittle bit worried. The Yanks have too many pitchers in the bullpen that are early game relievers. When Bruney is not wild he is ok. But Veras and Ramirez are not good enough to pitch in the 8th.
Jeter is completely shot, time to move on.
I wonder how many more at-bats Jeter and Damon are gonna get before they get benched for Pena and Cabrera
Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it?
Sounds just as silly as Wang getting 2 more starts and then he’s gotta go.
BD, I am very emotional too, and maybe I sometimes scream at my tv that the Yankees stink (and last year, it was true, lol). This year – no, I don’t think so. I KNOW this is a good team. They look like crap because Wang looked like crap. I respect the Rays a lot, but even they know this is not a representative game from the Yankees.
I feel for Wang in a way – he’s likely never gone through something like this before. There’s something wrong with him and the Yanks need to find out what it is. Wang is a good pitcher – he just is.
raymagnetic
What isn’t ridiculous is that Ransom should sit and sit and sit and…
Spiced Ham
Jeter is completely shot, time to move on.
__
I’ll wager that he’ll finish the season with an OPS+ over 115.
What’s Aaron Boone up too….Ransom couldnt hit off a tee,let alone MLB pitching
Captains Corner:
There wasn’t a thing you said that I disagreed with.
Great thoughts all around. I hope they can take your advice to heart.
Boof Henderson
What’s Aaron Boone up too…
__
Like Ransom, he can’t play at all, but because of heart surgery not ineptitude.
WOW. Melky is 2-2 so far! That’s a shocker. Go Melky!!
and last season, our thing was DP and bad RISP, this year it will be everytime a little good happens, we give it right back in the next half inning.
Jeter has got DavidOrtizitis….washed up
MelkyGirl
April 13th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
WOW. Melky is 2-2 so far! That’s a shocker. Go Melky!!
=================================
Not really.
Alright, first thing is that we’re missing the middle of our batting order. Secondly, Wang’s mechanics are off. He had a set back last year, and will have to work back from that. But when his Sinker isn’t working, hitters know to sit on it like a beach ball coming at them, and then wack it all over the place with Wang. He needs to rely on his secondary pitches more. I’m sure he’ll be fine.
ZMan, Phil is not ready. We went through this in 2007 – do you want to go through it again? He’s a very highly regarded young pitcher who the Yankees have great hopes for. For the sake of his future, you leave him alone. If they bring him up now, when he still has things to work on, it will be huge mistake and a blow to his development. They need to have a plan with this kid and stick with it…..unlike what they did in 2007
I dunno why Girardi continues to use Ransom everyday he is not an everyday player and forcing him into the line-up daily won’t change that.
the optimist in me is remembering that this is the same team that gave up a 7 run lead in a matter of three innings in the ALCS last year, hey, ya never know.
A.Osuna
Jeter has got DavidOrtizitis….washed up
___
Then explain this:
His splits from last September:
.342 .438 .474 .912
Ransom is a minor league bum.but if you hit a few Hr’s in Sept and have a good spring training.guess what you can start everyday for the NY Yankees
Couldn’t Scott Brosious play 3rd? He can’t be that old.
“Phil is not ready”
Based on what?
“We went through this in 2007″
Ummm I think you mean 2008. Last year. Remember? Did you watch the Yankees last year?
“For the sake of his future, you leave him alone”
Yeah. And you want to bring up Kennedy. You don’t know what you want.
So will Arod be walking on water in his return next month or what?
Ransom is starting because our 3rd baseman is injured. I’m pretty sure when Alex comes back we won’t see much more of Cody.
“Wang is a good pitcher – he just is.”
Ok. You just wanted him replaced in the rotation saying he didn’t deserve another start. You wanted Cashman to “make a move”.
Either you get paid by the word or you are bipolar. Either way I wish you’d post less.
Cashman is probaly working the phones now. to find the next Ponson,Chacon,Small,loaiza etc
“So will Arod be walking on water in his return next month or what?”
You know it!
Kristin
Ransom is starting because our 3rd baseman is injured. I’m pretty sure when Alex comes back we won’t see much more of Cody.
__
Sagacious post, but then again, we need to find out if Pena is worse.
A few things, feel bad for Alby, took one for the team and will now be sent down to Scranton. Any idea who will be the first call up?
Also wonder if they will send Wang down to work on his issues. You can’t keep sending him out there.
Also maybe Alex is really dedicated. He shaved off his blond highlights.
Wang just needs a good shake to get straightened out.
I hear the Angels are about to sign Pedro.
JOJO
I hear the Angels are about to sign Pedro.
__
I read that they were seeking an in house solution, but what do I know.
“Any idea who will be first call up”
Probably Aceves or Tomko. And if Edwar goes long which would looks like he will, Robertson perhaps.
One more question. Has anyone heard anything about Boone?
Upton plays deep shortstop.
JOJO,
not sure where you heard that.
“Kevin Baxter of the LA Times cites Mike Scioscia, telling fans that the Angels will not go outside the organization to find additional starting pitching:
“Our solutions here, short term and long term, are in-house,” said Scioscia, who will need an extra starter next Saturday in Minnesota.”
Tomko would require a roster move.
Wow those guys can play the field. Two hits stolen.
WTH are you talking about Miggs? LOL I am talking about 2007, or have you already forgotten that that is when the Yankees brought Phil up DESPITE Cashman saying he wasn’t going to see NY until September? Why was he brought up early? Because the Yankees had rotation issues. Hey, if you think Phil is ready right now and you want to rush him, feel free. I don’t give a flying fig if you want me to post less. I don’t know why you can’t just ignore me since you have such a problem with me, but hey – no sweat off my back. I enjoy this blog and have absolutely no problems ignoring your insults.
Swisher’s a class act. I like the tip of the cap.
nick swisher is the man.
I’m not disagreeing that Ransom is notan everyday player, the fact is we don’t have an everyday 3rd baseman right not. I would like to see Pena get some at bats, but at the end of the day, we just have to wait it out. And I’m starting to get annoyed with the Rays outfield, can’t they just drop a few.
Man Swish is just locked in. Great catch though.
I’m still confident that this team will be really good.
Kristin
I’m not disagreeing that Ransom is notan everyday player, the fact is we don’t have an everyday 3rd baseman right not. I would like to see Pena get some at bats, but at the end of the day, we just have to wait it out. And I’m starting to get annoyed with the Rays outfield, can’t they just drop a few.
__
What I’m saying is that Ransom has no place on a ML roster in any capacity, at least as a player.
It’s the Rays night. We’ll get ‘em tomorrow. AJ will take this azz whuppin personally.
What a disappointing game! The Yankees never seem to beat the Rays!
Yes but what I’m saying is what are our options right now, we don’t seem to really have any.
jojo- agreed, he won’t like that they keep piling on.
Edgar is kind of tailor made for Burrell.
“What a disappointing game! The Yankees never seem to beat the Rays!”
Yanks were 11 wins 7 losses against Rays last year.
“WTH are you talking about Miggs? LOL I am talking about 2007, or have you already forgotten that that is when the Yankees brought Phil up DESPITE Cashman saying he wasn’t going to see NY until September?”
Ok Betsy try and stay with me here. Hughes was pitching great his first 2 starts in 2007. Then he hurt his hamstring. When he came back he pitched good at the end of the year, good in the playoffs, then had a bad 2008 filled with injuries.
So its now 2009… 2 whole years later, and you think he’s not ready? You’d rather bring up Kennedy? What planet are you from?
You post this nonsense every day. Its diarrhea of the keyboard.
You contradict yourself and usually sound like you’re about to blow your brains out with your negativity and dramatic drivel.
And your baseball knowledge is equal to that of a squirrel.
jojo- Why even bother?
Wow .. Mark Fidrych died .. he was only 54.
What a disappointing game! The Yankees never seem to beat the Rays!
==================================
Yes it is a disappointing game, but we never seem to beat the Rays? What?
Why do you people have to be so insulting to each other?
Even the ball doesn’t want to roll their way tonight.
“Yanks were 11 wins 7 losses against Rays last year.”
Yes but when we lose to them it seems like we really take a beating…this game is reminiscent of the one we lost to them last year around this time…it was lopsided too…
I’m going to say this right now, Wang is not a longterm SP for this franchise. At some point he will be traded.
I-Brandon (I LOVE ME SOME ME !)
I’m going to say this right now, Wang is not a longterm SP for this franchise. At some point he will be traded.
__
I would trade anyone if it improved the team mid-term as well as long-term, but Wang is sill really good. They better get a lot for him if and when that ever happens.
Everyone still think we have a great bullpen
WOW. No other words to describe what’s happening tonight.
How is that NOT Girardi’s fault?! He has no clue.
“Yes but when we lose to them it seems like we really take a beating…”
Still only counts for 1.
now the Crawford is out, hopefully the Yanks could hit the ball hard out to LF again.
http://tinyurl.com/d6q6e4
Mets are lucky it wasn’t a black cat.
pat,
Good point…Let’s Go Yanks!
Miggs, there’s really no point in reading your post when you take that insulting tone. I really don’t care what you think about me or my lack of baseball knowledge. You can’t be civil, so I’m backing out of this. If you want to get into a pissing match, you’ll have to do it solo.
Wow Tex and Arod better hurry back soon…
it seems like its wang’s mechanics… they should send him down to AAA and bring up Ian kennedy or hughes for 2 starts
Brandon you might be right.
Surely can’t see them signing him to a long-term contract right now.
They won’t trade him this year, but they may in the offseason or during the season next year.
If not, I could see him walking as a free agent after 2010.
Its a shame because I’m sure he’ll improve. But when his sinker isn’t working he’s dead. The Yankees may not want that risk, especially at $12-14 million/year.
‘How is that NOT Girardi’s fault?! He has no clue.’
What do you mean he has no clue, is it his fault that Wang gave up a TD in the firt 2 innings, it was over after that.
see. I told you.
keep doing tha, Yanks.
http://tinyurl.com/cnw5tw
Looks very closed in, looks like the upper deck is soo steep.
“Its a shame because I’m sure he’ll improve. But when his sinker isn’t working he’s dead.”
That’s the problem ! if there is no sinker he can’t rely on his slider, or fastball because it messes w/ the arm angle for the sinker, he has ups and downs but longterm wise I try to package him midseason w/ Nady or in the offseason to some team in the NL.
What was Cano swinging at
Look Ma no legs
http://tinyurl.com/cjtx27
Some crazy pictures on yahoo tonight.
Kay made it sound like Abreu caused that brawl. What a moron.
just one game, we’ll get em back manana!
if they bring another starter up, I’d go with Hughes, I know Kennedy has had a few good starts down there but at this point I’d trust Hughes more in the bigs but hopefully Wang gets it straightened out.
‘What was Cano swinging at’
when ?
if the Phillies could overcome their 10 run game, the Yanks could also do it too.
hmm, wasn’t Cormier an AL east batting pratice pitcher last season?
Cody is due.
ANSKY…and I just saw him on the MLB network a week ago or so…very tragic.
Now we know that Cormier is really, really bad.
oh look, Ransom has a hit.
Woah….Cody Ransom for MVP
I hate you Melky.
I’m 3-4 tonight, which is more than I can say for any of the Yankee hitters.
Are the Rays spectators chanting “Yankees suck”? Really? Most of them needed directions to get to the Trop tonight.
Juan Miranda was named IL playerr of the week..he’s off to a tear of a start anyone think he can land us Leo Nunez or Jonathan Sanchez ?
rebound yourself Coke
pat those are the same fans that were wearing thier yankees hats to the trop before last October
Wang is not an ML pitcher. Time to bring up Hughes
So much for our ‘killer’ rotation.
Garza is going to own this lineup tomorrow.
Let’s go Coke.
Brandon, if Teix lands on the DL (g-d forbid), we going to need Miranda for now just in case.
What happened to Coke’s velocity? last year he was around 95, I’m going to assume it’s early in the year and that’s why his velocity is down.
Yankees switched to Pepsi…that’s the problem.
Today you saw exactly why the Rays are better than us
Younger, faster, hungrier, know how to play fundamental baseball. Not a second where they take a play off.
For those who thought they were going to ‘regress’, think again.
Line of the night:
“Are the Rays spectators chanting “Yankees suck”? Really? Most of them needed directions to get to the Trop tonight.”
thanks pat. LMAO.
”
UPDATE, 10:01 p.m.: See, Cody Ransom can replace Alex after all. He just drove in a run in a 12-2 game. (I’m kidding).”
Pete’s gettin soft on Arod?
The slate is clean!
Who cares if Ransom’s been terrible. What about the guys that don’t have another player in the wings coming in 2 weeks.
Ransom does have 2 RBI. That’s as much as about half the team at this point.
‘What happened to Coke’s velocity? last year he was around 95, I’m going to assume it’s early in the year and that’s why his velocity is down.’
It’s early and he’s holding back.
“Joe April 13th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Wang is not an ML pitcher. Time to bring up Hughes
So much for our ‘killer’ rotation.
Garza is going to own this lineup tomorrow.”
Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Good one.
lol
Girardi looks like he’s about to go off on someone after the game.
he is rushing to the plate a bit, so Eiland is going to have an issue…Robi listen to your infielders. PLEASE!
Coke is throwing in the high 80s
He looks like he did most of his minor league career before his mysterious velocity spike to 95.
Send him down to Scranton until he gets his velo. back
What an embrassing loss. Wang has NO backbone
I have to laugh at that one…it’s all I can do
Wow this just kind of summed it all up for today
wow.. that was painful
Mets are losing 6-5 in the 9th. K-Rod was in to pitch the top of the ninth. He retires the side and then does the whole look up to sky raising both arms and pointing like he does when he gets a save?!?! Ridiculous.
I wonder how the clubhouse is after a pounding loss? I would assume quiet and tense?
A line of Coke: .2 0 0 2 0 0 10.80
Coke just isn’t the same. Maybe he’s over used.
sigh
The sun will come out…tomorrow
dammnit, if the Nationals could almost overcome their 9 run defelict earlier, the Yanks could certainly do it.
GI Joe is going to need a filter after this game.
Well, there’s always tomorrow.
Why are so many Yankee pitcher mechanics off? or at-least it seems that way. Ugh!
Apparently, Vader is the only one who appears to actually pay attention to the game thread posts.
Not that 98% of them are worth paying attention to.
Yeah, Vader … he was pretty unique. His season in the spotlight was when I was 12 years old and just begun to watch the game. He was fun to watch. Apparently the antics were his natural self too, and not an act.
Someone is gonna get yelled at tonight.
Get out the bad tonight folks…
“GI Joe is going to need a filter after this game.”
oh yes he will.
let tampa use all their runs tonight so they have nothing left tomorrow
Mike Francessa was right— Wang just got figured out.
I don’t know why people are so stunned, you could see this performance coming from a mile away
Coke = Joke
I think Girardi is gonna need to be sedated for the post game.
“Younger, faster, hungrier, know how to play fundamental baseball.”
Not to mention a pitcher that didn’t need 50 pitches to get out of the 1st inning.
Hughes would be the obvious choice if someone goes down.
But I really don’t see them yanking Wang. It would be extremely premature. If Hughes and Kennedy got 2 months last year then Wang should get at least that much time this year.
I’d use Aceves if an emergency starter is needed for one game if Hughes wasn’t scheduled that day. But Hughes is the best choice by far if you’re talking about a long term switch. That is, if your goal is to win.
If you want to baby Hughes and play for 2010, then piss the games away and start Kennedy.
So what is Kim going to say to poor Phil tonight? Last night she made the guy feel so bad for losing it.
Yay another great performance by Phil Coke
Another September fluke. Time to go.
as Michael Kay would say….. SEEEEEE YAAAAAAAA
Miles
Didn’t watch the game huh? Wang was throwing meatballs down the middle. His sinkers weren’t sinking. It had nothing to do with being “figured” out.
Rays fans now have become jackasses like fans from other teams – welcome to the big time TB
things to look foward to, since I refuse to comment on this joke of a game…
AJ pitching tomorroow
Tex (hopefully) coming back tomorrow
Alex coming back soon
I-Brandon (I LOVE ME SOME ME !)
April 13th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Get out the bad tonight folks…
=================
Yup. This way you kick yourself in the ass that much harder tomorrow.
Well if you can take solace in anything the Mets lost their home opener.
if the Yanks doesn’t wanna hear the f-bombs and slamming from Girardi, they better start a rally against Cormier, the batting practic pitcer.
Since albaladejo and Coke are burned for the next three days, I’d guess they’d go to Scranton and bring in Tomko and either Claggett or Kroenke.
Let’s score 13 runs now and take the lead.
ed- Word has it that Joe doesn’t curse. He might pop a blood vessel though. So I suggest Pete stands back.
Time to bring up Mark Muhlanson
Send coke Bye Bye
And trade Juan Miranda somewhere for some relief help.
My guess is Coke will go down; the way Girardi uses him reminds me of the way he used Ohlendorf start of last season.
Yeah I think a few pitchers are going to be sent down tonight. Alby for sure and probably Coke.
well at least the Mets lost, the Rays can get all their runs during this first game of 3, Girardi needs to light a fire and get the guys ready to take the next 2!!!!!!!!!!Losing is one thing but we’re look like a Division II baseball team tonight, every embarrassing performance. Brush it off and play hard tommorow, AJ get ready
Rant over
Typical Mets…first they get eliminated from the playoffs in the last game at Shea, and now they drop the first game at CitiField to a team that might lose 100 games.
love ya Swish
I don’t think anything needs to be said to the team about this game. I think they all know the team pitched and played like garbage.
‘Yeah I think a few pitchers are going to be sent down tonight. Alby for sure and probably Coke.’
Cokes not going anywhere
rs- and a cat ran on the field. Although it wasn’t a black cat.
I-Brandon
He’s thrown a lot of pitches the last few days. So it would not shock me.
like i said, if the Nats could **almost** overcome their 9 run defliect, the Yanks could do it too.
damnit, Nady. why the weak hack?
it’s no big deal.they will get it together.giradi should put the “coke” down ,insanity is putting the same pitcher in a game over and over and expecting diffrent results.
Yeah Jorge!
Make ‘em work for this win.
Let’d at least go through their bullpen to help out for the next 2 games.
it’s funny that Rays fans chant “Yankees Suck” now, i went to that stadium in 2007 to see the Yankees play there and 90% of the people in the park were Yankees fans.
guess a lot of people are riding the bandwagon…
The only person Joe needs to cuss out is Wang.
He set the tone for this debacle. The Bullpen has to basically pitch a complete game, their performance need to be excused
Jack Francis
April 13th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Time to bring up Mark Muhlanson
Send coke Bye Bye
And trade Juan Miranda somewhere for some relief help.
==================================
You won’t see Melancon until after May 15 at the earliest. If he comes up before then, he becomes arbitration eligible a year earlier.
well there are always a couple of these a year…
thats why we have the rotation we have, so that tomorrow we can just bounce right back.
the season isnt over, but its still embarassing.
Jennifer he’s not getting sent down. He’ll take a break a day or two and get put in the same position. His mechanics are a bit off, they’ll fix it. It’s just the start of the season and he has dominating stuff when right.
I’m sure they’d like another left hander in the pen which would be Kroenke, but, he’s not on the 40 man roster.
Yeah…he said that when he was talking to himself it was basically going over things his old man taught him, while he would be filling in the landing spot of the other pitcher be fore he pitched the next inning.
swish pitching now.
Wow. If Jeter, Damon, Gardner, Matsui or Ransom went 1-4, it would raise their batting averages.
Swisher pitching
Swish could pitch? wth?
GI Joe is pissed off
SWISHER’S PITCHING??? This guy does everything! I love it!
Swish better be starting for the rest of the year.
Yes, folks, we’ve entered the Twilight Zone…
OMG!!!! Ive seen it all.. LMAOL
Is swish pitching!!
I hope you’re right Brandon. Also, Pete, tell me when you’re getting close to the 1 millionth comment so I could be the one that makes it.
Poor Swish.
I-Brandon (I LOVE ME SOME ME !)
April 13th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
‘Yeah I think a few pitchers are going to be sent down tonight. Alby for sure and probably Coke.’
Cokes not going anywhere
================
His twin, Mike Dunn, had 4 Ks tonight, gave up 1 hit in 2.
LMAO
If I was the ump…this would be 1-2-3 strikes you’re out lets go home.
Does Swisher play loud music in the clubhouse after a loss?
Cody IDK what to say, that was right there.
He’ll do anything for this team, and that has to score points for the manager.
lmao
Swish calm down
Our 8th inning solution!
Swish first major league strike out!! LOL..
OMG Kay STHU
Swish strikes him out…he does it all
So far a better inning that either of Wang’s.
WTF!
Great now Swish is outpitching Wang.
A Swish and a miss!!!!!
Swish is the ultimate utility player….lol…I can’t believe this
Boy…a long man would have worked well tonight.
I love Swisher
Is Girardi kidding me??!!! Let Veras pitch..He stinks…Swish can hurt his arm doing this.
Swish for setup man!
I can’t stop ;laughing
LOL
He just cracks me up, I want to longterm him.
Kay needs to lighten up. If you can’t laugh in a game like this when can you.
good job Swish, getting out of trouble.
I can’t believe we just saw that.
Another lefty option out of the pen..lol..Swish should be a GREAT post game interview.
Best pitching performance tonight.
Nick Swisher.
That says it all.
Great. Now Girardi will use him every 8th inning.
lol hey he wasnt that bad lol
Great job Swisher! LOL
At least he made me smile watching this miserable game.
miggs so true.
HAHAHAHAHAH!
Makes this game SO worth it. See that nasty 4 seamer to get the K?
Swisher should manage inning 9 from the mound.
yea the yanks are losin by 10 but seeing swisher pitch has really put a smile on my face
did we really become that team that has a fielder pitching?
I have never laughed so hard in my life. For the last 15 minutes I was in tears. I repeat. Do not turn on the radios or buy the newspaper tomorrow.
Swisher, the only Yankee pitcher today that dont gave a Run
how about that?
i’m smilling to not cry!
Filthy sliders by Swish, he was like Randy Johnson out there
Good job by Girardi. The media will all be camped out at Swisher’s locker to get reaction instead of Coke’s.
We knew about Swisher’s versatility. But not this far. CMW should feel embarrassed
If Burnett gets knocked around early tomorrow then the Yanks are really in trouble. I doubt they would bring up Tomko because he isn’t on the roster.
Swish is making it impossible not to like him, most positional players would look the other way if even approached about it; Yanks need more team players like him; lol still can’t believe I saw that
did anyone else see tony pena? he was hiding his face bc he was laughing hysterically, joe looked at him and walked away lmao
lol Wow.. I knew it was going to be a bad game early but this is beyond pathetic.
So now Swisher is leading the team in BA, HR, RBI, AND ERA!
You got to love this guy. He took a horrible loss and made it at least entertaining for the fans to watch. Sad thing is he was our best pitcher tonight!
At least the A’s have gotten to Jon Lester for 5 runs so far in the 2nd inning.
Giambino with a 2 run double.
So if the Yankees come back and score 11 swish will get his first ML win.
that really made my night.i love that guy.swish is too much.
My fam and I just came back from the Yankees-Rays game. & Damn did those Rays fans gave us and some other Yankee fans a rough time. One fan was like “Oh Yankee fans are classless.” “Go home and cry”. There was more but, I’m not going to post those other comments. Most of the comments we let go in one ear and out the other. But, man it was brutal.
i think Girardi is AWESOME for doing this. Because he isn’t doing it to b funny, he’s doing it saying look bullpen, if you can’t come in and pitch i WILL find SOMEONE who can. I think it’s great, it’s a ballsy move and the bullpen should feel ashamed right now.
Honestly, that made me a little nervous. Knowing our luck, Swisher’s mechanics will get screwed up, further hurting our team.
I want them to tie it up so Mo can play center field.
Why are they doing this to cody? His confidence is shot.
Is there anything Swish can’t do??!!! Maybe he can be the 3rd baseman for the next 3 weeks. He can’t be any worse then Ransom. Then again I would be a better option at 3rd then Ransom.
When AFraud is the face of your organization for better or worse (mostly worse), it is nice to see Swisher be a classy team player.
can swisher get a game in cf please.if not him give melky another game.
It’s to break the ice, he’s the guy that loosens up the tension, think of yeh we’re losing 15-5 , it ain’t the end of the world, come back tomorrow and just have fun and compete.
Y’know Susyn… I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see this one on Yankee Classics.
IT IS HIGH! IT IS FAR! IT IS THONG!!!
Rip Mark “The Bird” Fidrych… sad day for baseball…
How is Swisher on the bench?
you know its bad when there are over 1000 comments on a game post
Can’t wait to see the post game!
tampa yankee from long island
April 13th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
can swisher get a game in cf please.if not him give melky another game.
============================================
Swish is a gamer and a hoot, and a good ballplayer, but he can’t play CF.
Red Sox losing 5-1. Big G with a couple of RBI.
I am assuming that Swish was a pitcher in high school or college..? Does anyone know?? Otherwise I doubt Girardi would of sent him out there or Swish would of known that he can pitch.
Just got in. Found out Swish pitched. Then yahoo was nice enough to text me the Yankees lost 15-5.
Anyone care to -vent- update me? I was following through the Albaladejo GS. I didn’t stop following because I don’t care. I really do. I just had to hit the road.
tomorrow, swish in rf, tex at 1b, Posada DH, matsui japan,
Swish=the man…
But I would not like to be Wang during player introductions on Thursday, I don’t expect too many cheers for him.
UPDATE, 10:36 p.m.: Proud moment for the franchise here as Swisher lobs over 75-mph “fastballs.”
HA HA HA Wow.
dam
April 13th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Swish=the man…
But I would not like to be Wang during player introductions on Thursday, I don’t expect too many cheers for him.
===============================
Only an idiot would boo Wang.
UPDATE, 10:45 p.m.: Swisher saved the ball from his strikeout. He’s hilarious.
===========================
LOL
“But I would not like to be Wang during player introductions on Thursday, I don’t expect too many cheers for him.”
so you could predict the future? please oh please, post tomorrow’s lotto number while you at it.
This has to be one of the most mind-warping threads to actually read, since it was excruciating just to skim over in one minute. I can imagine participating in would be similar to having a vasectomy done with a blunt object and without anesthesia. Game results were ‘unfavorable’ but the game (and the season) couldn’t have been anywhere near as cataclysmic as you’d think from the posts. I’d never realized until today that it’s actually possible for an I.Q. of a negative number to exist.
“tomorrow, swish in rf, tex at 1b, Posada DH, matsui japan,”
So, so true
Man 7 games in and this season has already been one for the ages…
“Anyone care to vent update me?”
Here’s the update
Garbage
Garbage
Garbage
Swish hits a HR
Garbage
Garbage
Swish pitches, gets a K
Garbage
Game Over
“My fam and I just came back from the Yankees-Rays game. & Damn did those Rays fans gave us and some other Yankee fans a rough time. One fan was like “Oh Yankee fans are classless.” “Go home and cry”. There was more but, I’m not going to post those other comments. Most of the comments we let go in one ear and out the other. But, man it was brutal.”
Bigblue….my cousins and I were there too. When the rays scored those 4 on Wang we and Rays fans in our ears saying “Yankees SUCK!!!” & like you we let it go over our heads. I actually thought they were pretty funny. As for the game we were embarrassed. I mean we did our best to defend the yankees against those rays fans but, there wasn’t much we could say when they’re playing that poorly. The only one that was productive was Swisher. I couldn’t believe Girardi left Wang in there that long. But, all game long to the car we had to listen to constant chants of yankees suck and all I had to say back was “26 championships baby”
bodhisattva
either can brett gardner.Plain and simple.he looks more overmatched than 95 percent of players i’ve seen come up in 20 years.
Here’s hoping CMW isnt injured. He’s too good to get pounded like this twice. His next start is Saturday against the Indians. Only a fool wouldnt be concerned if he pitches this poorly in that start.
Cone is more worried about Wang’s psyche than he is about his physical condition/stuff……
wang will be fine…………..
I think Wang’s ERA is 28+ right now. Pretty pathetic.
The legend of Swisher grows! I gotta get a Swisher shirt, this guy is the man. Billy Beane knows his players.
m
Melky went 2/4, Jorge got a big hit, Swisher pitched. All the rest in between was ugly.
What an ugly game.
Sit Ransom down for a game. He doesn’t look good at bat or in the field.
This bullpen needs a long man.
Keep playing Swisher.
Hopefully they can straighten Wong out. If not, look for Hughes.
Ah we need Wang to be his usual self. He’s a Win Factory when healthy.
Bronx,
That was venting!
Seriously. What do we do with Wang? He needs to go to Scranton IMO. Get straightened out and strong again. His psyche? I’m not worried about that.
Let’s play hypothetical situation. Wang works out the kinks, Phil comes up. Slides in behind Joba? Everyone else moves up?
Hope AJ pitches a gem tomorrow. Talk about pressure!
BTW, what’s all the talk with Tomko coming up? He’s not on the roster.
Rosa,
hughes is not replacing wang.wang is not barry zito.
Well Lester is being hit hard, the O’s may still win but they have no pitching at all so the day is not a total loss but they do need to get a long relief man, bring up Robertson and the earlier the better
I think I’m going to buy myself a Swisher shirt too. Love the man.
pat,
Thanks. Good to see Melky get a couple of hits. But can he pitch?
700,000 comments. Congrats! That’s impressive. Over a 1,000 on this thread alone. More than half coming after the start of the game. As for me, I’ve been pretty much speechless since I tossed aside my scorecard in the third inning. I watched to the bitter end, though. It was just too hard to watch and record all the ugly details.
tampa yankee from long island
April 13th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
bodhisattva
either can brett gardner.Plain and simple.he looks more overmatched than 95 percent of players i’ve seen come up in 20 years.
=======================
Yeah, he’s looking more and more like a fast guy without a clue. Easy solution: play Melky. Melky plays a good CF.
Swisher is starting to become my favorite. The guy can do everything! he is outstanding. I want a Swisher jersey too.
I wouldn’t go that far, Melky hasn’t earned anything you stick w/ Gardner heck it hasn’t even been 10 games. Let him adjust to this level.
I-Brandon (I LOVE ME SOME ME !) Nick Swisher is my guy !
April 13th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
I wouldn’t go that far, Melky hasn’t earned anything you stick w/ Gardner heck it hasn’t even been 10 games. Let him adjust to this level.
=====================================================
Can’t make the play straight back to the wall, doesn’t have any drive in his bat, will never walk a lot…Cabrera’s a better option.
m
He’s used to throwing from further than 60.5 feet so if they move the mound to behind 2B, he’s your man.
Does anyone know if anywhere (Modell’s, etc…) are selling Swisher shirts yet?
Swisher with his shoulder wrapped in the postgame just caps off the joke.
Cant wait until we have Tex, A-Rod, Posada,and Swish in the same lineup.
I really think Gardner will be fine…He needs to turn those deep counts into walks and stop hitting the ball in the air…once he gets on base and starts using his legs he’ll get his confidence back.
tampa yankee
I didn’t mean Hughes replacing Wong for the year, only until Wong gets straightened out. Yanks are not going to keep running him out there if he continues to pitch badly.
Wow, talk about humiliating – having to use a position player to pitch. I don’t think that’s funny at all
Wow, talk about humiliating – having to use a position player to pitch. I don’t think that’s funny at all
It’s funny how the Yankees “spent $441m” in free agency (parentheses for the obvious misinterpretation the media uses when talking about yankee spending) yet the fan favorite and most talked about new player is Swish. What a guy.
Yeah, he’s looking more and more like a fast guy without a clue. Easy solution: play Melky. Melky plays a good CF.
———–
Yeah, Melky showed how good he is by regressing so bad over the last two years that he was benched and got his job taken away from him by a guy who had 127 career ABs.
Betsy
April 13th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Wow, talk about humiliating – having to use a position player to pitch. I don’t think that’s funny at all
======================================================
I think it provided some comic relief and took a little bit of the edge off the loss. Tonight’s over.
jorge is pissed.
You’ll probably have to get Swish shirts/jerseys on yankees.com. Betsy while I agree it is a little humiliating to have to use Swish to pitch, he did help out the bullpen and it is real early in the season to stretch out your entire group of arms.
‘Can’t make the play straight back to the wall, doesn’t have any drive in his bat, will never walk a lot…Cabrera’s a better option.’
Has not earned anything this year. Period.
As for Georgy gee man relax, tension in the first week not good for the team overall.
So all we need are 9 Swishers and Mo. Then, 27 is ours for the taking!!
Betsy lighten up. Seesh!
I saw jorgie’s interview he is indeed very pissed. He didn’t think anything was funny about it when swish said it gave them something to laugh about.
Worst part of being 1 game under .500?
If you win the next game, you are now at .500.
Kim Jones- “The game ended with a few laughs”
Jorge- “It was embarrassing, No one was laughing”
Ouch!
bodhisattva ,
i think melky needs to play 2.there spring stats were close and giradi new he was giving the job to brett all along.melky can field and throw better than brett and has some power.melky would love to stick it to giradi.
Oh it was laughable Jorge.
Good for Jorge. He is allowed to voice his opinion especially being a leader of the pitching staff and clubhouse.
All I know is for this team to succeed it needs to lighten up a bit, the whole tight lipped thing all it does is bring tension and down fall, you save that for a losing streak not 4-7 games into the season.
You gotta to love Jorge
Oh the trolls are out tonight? Well if user name is not linked then you’re not getting true MM Bacon.
He’s right no one was laughing on the Yankees. but you can see they was holding back in the dugout.
Mostly us fans and Swisher finds it funny. It’s the seventh game of the season not the playoffs. So whatever.
So I respect Georgy as a leader but saved that when it’s needed. Tonight was not the night for that.
Giuseppe Franco
April 13th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Yeah, he’s looking more and more like a fast guy without a clue. Easy solution: play Melky. Melky plays a good CF.
—————-
Yeah, Melky showed how good he is by regressing so bad over the last two years that he was benched and got his job taken away from him by a guy who had 127 career ABs.
so that means gardners better than melky?
where is dereks bat??
I-Brandon (I LOVE ME SOME ME !) Nick Swisher is my guy !
April 13th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
‘Can’t make the play straight back to the wall, doesn’t have any drive in his bat, will never walk a lot…Cabrera’s a better option.’
Has not earned anything this year. Period.
=========================
I’m not concerned with notions of who has “earned” what.
.
I want the guy who can catch the ball, not one who turns the wrong way every time the ball is hit over his head.
save* I’m sorry multi-tasking right now.
Bodh, not for me – I can’t get past the humiliating aspect of it. Also, what happens if Nick had hurt himself? I just don’t think it’s funny.
at least Melky can play the field and has a great arm…..he’s not as fast as Gardner but he’s still has some speed to steal bases…
Thank you Brandon. Agree. They got their butts handed to them, there was nothing to take out of the game, you don’t have to turn cartwheels but your best bet is to move the on.
‘I want the guy who can catch the ball, not one who turns the wrong way every time the ball is hit over his head.’
How about the one that actually makes it to 1B and hussels ? Melky hasn’t earned a damn thing, what 2 games ? and I don’t dislike him but he hasn’t earned a thing.
tampa yankee from long island
April 13th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
bodhisattva ,
i think melky needs to play 2.there spring stats were close and giradi new he was giving the job to brett all along.melky can field and throw better than brett and has some power.melky would love to stick it to giradi.
=================================================
Well, exactly. It’s not as if it’s between Melky and Adam Jones.
Speed that can’t get itself on base or get its glove to the warning track has no relevance. Hoping it will, by osmosis, translate, is just that – a hope.
“All I know is for this team to succeed it needs to lighten up a bit”
Posada is used to that corporate, button down Yankee way. He’s not used to having fun on field. Yankees been corporate for quite some time now.
It’s about time they have someone who has fun on the field.
Betsy- We can play the What If game all night.
Please Trevor – can you allow for a difference of opinion? I’m glad you got a laugh out of it……..
Thats what I like about Jorge. I personally didn’t find anything funny about it either. I the whole game was horrendous. & being there in person hearing it left & right from Rays fans blows. The Yankees are much better than that
“where is dereks bat??”
It is amazing. He’s 1-20 and no one even seems to notice. He hasn’t even been on the postgame shows and he was always a fixture there.
Good for Jorge – he’s probably not too thrilled with Joe tonight.
gardner needs to get on base to be effective,and i don’t mean by avoiding a dp.
‘I can’t get past the humiliating aspect of it. Also, what happens if Nick had hurt himself? I just don’t think it’s funny.’
So do we dwell on one game in April out of the 145 remaining ? You can’t play this game tight, it never works that way, look at the Phillies last yr., tight players don’t perform well that’s just a fact.
I hope that Swish’s pitching “debut” (is it?) was some effect whether Joe G. meant to or not. Provide some comic relief after a tough loss. And send a message to the players. Stand up or sit down.
Nomah! You guys seen Big G? He’s grizzled and thinner. Looks like a guy on a hunger strike.
I thought Swisher pitching was something cool for the season. The Pirates turned a double play yesterday and lost the game. When they highlight their season and do a recap you can be sure the triple play will be in it even though they lost the game. It’s just a cool part of the game.
I-Brandon (I LOVE ME SOME ME !) Nick Swisher is my guy !
April 13th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
‘I want the guy who can catch the ball, not one who turns the wrong way every time the ball is hit over his head.’
How about the one that actually makes it to 1B and hussels ? Melky hasn’t earned a damn thing, what 2 games ? and I don’t dislike him but he hasn’t earned a thing.
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Makes it to 1B? And how frequently is he going to make it to 1B to make his defensive weaknesses worth enduring? This guy isn’t the future – he’s not Austin Jackson. He’s much rawer than I thought he was. He doesn’t have the instincts that have been attributed to him. He needs to work with someone to understand that defense isn’t just in your legs. CF is a defense-first position. Anything else is a bonus. This guy can neither play great defense nor get on base consistently. So what’s the rationale for his presence?
Trevor
I agree.too many clean shaven short hair miserable ballplayers.
Meanwhile the one player that is having fun on that field is the guy tearing the cover off the ball and on base prbly 50% of the time.
Please, folks are acting like people were having a party. They lost and will lose a hell of a lot more. Tightly wound and they wont be winning a title this year. Swisher smiled, he’s no less focused about winning than Jorge.
so that means gardners better than melky?
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It means that one guy won the open competition for the CF job in ST and the other is Melky.
We’ve suffered enough watching Melky decline for two years. He had his chance and couldn’t do the job. That’s life.
It’s time to give someone else a chance and let him play for more than six games.
Melky got two years and Gardner gets six games?
That hardly seems like much of an opportunity for the guy who outplayed Melky for seven weeks in ST.
Melky will be lucky if he’s not traded before the season is over.
Whether Gardner is the answer for the rest of 2009 or not remains to be seen. But I do know that Melky is certainly not as evidenced by his decline over the past two years.
tampa yankee from long island
April 13th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
gardner needs to get on base to be effective,and i don’t mean by avoiding a dp.
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Before there’s even a discussion about OBP, he just needs to make the sure play in the outfield. If he can’t do this, the rest of the discussion is meaningless.
‘Makes it to 1B? And how frequently is he going to make it to 1B to make his defensive weaknesses worth enduring? This guy isn’t the future – he’s not Austin Jackson. He’s much rawer than I thought he was. He doesn’t have the instincts that have been attributed to him. He needs to work with someone to understand that defense isn’t just in your legs. CF is a defense-first position. Anything else is a bonus. This guy can neither play great defense nor get on base consistently. So what’s the rationale for his presence?’
Damn then Stick lied about Brett. BTW it’s not like Melky adds anything better, what’s your rationality for him watching him GIDP and swing for the fences his many times. He is in need of tough love, the ST competition loses meaning if Joe puts Melky there. Until Melky shows more than 2 games of how he has finally got it Brett stays in that CF role, he deserves some patience because it’s not like it was a fluke how he beat out Melky for CF.
Just checked the MLB.com yankees shop for a Swisher shirt as I want a white or grey player t-shirt and somehow he isn’t listed for customizable shirts but the idle Carl Pavano is available. Shenanigans!
I’m all for having fun on the field and in the clubhouse – I’ve stated many times that I love this club’s chemistry. They obviously like each other and are having fun – I think that’s terrific.
That said, this was a humiliating loss for the Yankees and I appreciate Jorge’s honesty. This is the kind of leadership people were missing when he was gone….
If AJ pitches well tomorrow and Andy after that, the Yankees will look much better. The Rays are good, but they are not 15-5 better than the Yankees, if they indeed are better. In that sense, you turn the page and move on. I don’t suggest the Yankees mope and worry about this, but to become a willing punchline to the Rays? I don’t like it.
both melky and gardner are not complete players.THEY SHOULD BATTLE IT OUT,if nady can sit for swisher brett can sit for melky.let them stay hungry and push each other.
Brandon, I agree with you – believe me, I’m not suggesting the Yankees let this loss linger. If they have short memories, that’s a good thing. Putting a position player out there? Joe didn’t do that to provide laughs – I assume he did it because his pen is toast. I’m not killing the Yankees for laughing (if they did), I’m killing Joe for making that move. I’ve never liked it.
Damn then Stick lied about Brett. BTW it’s not like Melky adds anything better, what’s your rationality for him watching him GIDP and swing for the fences his many times. He is in need of tough love, the ST competition loses meaning if Joe puts Melky there. Until Melky shows more than 2 games of how he has finally got it Brett stays in that CF role, he deserves some patience because it’s not like it was a fluke how he beat out Melky for CF.
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He didn’t “beat out” Melky. The Yankees made an executive decision before the Kangaroo Court that was Spring Training. They wanted a guy with some speed to rattle the pitcher’s cage, get on base, cause some havoc. Fine.
What they apparently didn’t bank on was that this guy’s speed doesn’t translate into great defense. It just doesn’t. Speed alone does not make you a better defender: it’s the great lie. He has demonstrated some alarming habits in CF. Without getting technical – I’ve already written a tome on this site about this – he is just not a very good center fielder. And he is also a worse hitter than Cabrera.
By default: Melky Cabrera is just better.
I like Jeter but, he really needs to start stepping it up. He’s been poorly and I didn’t expect that being the last year of his contract. Though it isn’t time to panic yet its only the beginning.
betsy,
he knew putting the new yankee fan favorite out there would make people laugh.the game was a joke at that point.but he should not of done it.
NYY isn’t going to do much of anything until Jeter stops hitting ground balls. 1-29, 5 strikeouts 13 ground ball outs, and only one to the right side. He’s not even hitting them hard enough to kill grass or make the grub worms run for cover.
TYFLI,
They did battle it out in ST and Melky lost. Gardner won and it wasn’t close.
Melky hit .200-250 for five weeks and finally came alive the final ten days and brought his average up giving the illusion that the race was close.
But Gardner started hitting the very first game of ST and never let up. He was consistent the whole time.
Now Melky deserves the starting job after he’s pissed all of these opportunities away?
No thanks. We know what Melky has to offer.
It’s someone else’s turn now.
Also, I’m not killing Nick at all – this was Joe’s decision
Correction: Jeter stops hitting ground balls. ***1-20*** 5 strikeouts
tampa yankee from long island
April 13th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
both melky and gardner are not complete players.THEY SHOULD BATTLE IT OUT,if nady can sit for swisher brett can sit for melky.let them stay hungry and push each other.
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If they want Gardner to develop, send him down and have someone work with him on reads and routes. He needs way more work. The other guy is more complete and a better contact hitter. He’s the more seasoned player right now. He’s also the YOUNGER player, so I’m not entirely sure how I’m supposed to buy it that his career is over, but the other guy’s star is just waiting to ascend, if we only give him another slew of games to turn routine flies into doubles.
melky had no chance in spring training.giradi has a man crush on brett and coke.robertson should be on this team also,he was great this spring.I wan’t buck showalter now.just kidding,but possibly by the all star break.
“Correction: Jeter stops hitting ground balls. 1-20 5 strikeouts”
Whew, thats better.
melky had no chance in spring training.
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Yeah, let’s cry a river for Melky. He had two chances – 2007 and 2008.
If he didn’t show enough in two years to keep his job without being benched and sent back down to the minors – then it’s his own fault that Girardi saw something in Gardner that he liked better.
Let me be clear. I’m not telling anyone that Gardner is their long term answer for CF.
But I am saying that he clearly beat out Melky for the job in ST and earned it. Check out the stats – Melky didn’t hit for squat until the final ten days.
Gardner hit from the first pitch of ST and was consistent for seven weeks.
Lara08
April 14th, 2009 at 12:00 am
“Correction: Jeter stops hitting ground balls. 1-20 5 strikeouts”
Whew, thats better.
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Not much better.
I was joking lol
And now, his OBP is .261 and he’s hitting .227 – because he doesn’t get to face 85MPH FBs and no secondary pitches. Now that he’s facing big league pitchers, he’s overmatched.
You sound 100 % all melky and nothing for Brett meanwhile you lose this arguement we’re not even debating this after 50 ABs, such a small sample ! wth is it w/ your man crush on melky he hasn’t earned a damn thing, he’s been regressing !
The sweetest of ironies is that, despite our offensive maladies, we still have been putting up about 5 runs a game, that should be enough with the quality of pitching that we have. Obviously we’re going to have to depend on the pitchers because coming out there without Tex the last couple of days and no A-rod means that we need to capitalize on these 5-run games. Obviously there is no immediate call for alarm, Wang can’t be injured, its been soo long I think it has to be some mechanical issue, regardless I hope Eiland sprinkles some of that Sabathia pixie dust on him and fixes what’s wrong because we should not be giving away games in which our depleted offense manages to score a sizeable amount of runs.
I’d wish suzyn would die on air…of all the dramatic things..jk not really
Giuseppe Franco
he did not.and let me be clear also melky is a 4th outfielder and never will be a force on this team.but gardners a 5th outfielder/pinch runner.clearly overmatched.melky sucks and still is a better hitter.
And now, his OBP is .261 and he’s hitting .227 – because he doesn’t get to face 85MPH FBs and no secondary pitches. Now that he’s facing big league pitchers, he’s overmatched.
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Yeah, in six games.
Melky hit .214 / .263 OBP after June 8th in 2008 (73 games and 210 ABs).
I-Brandon (I LOVE ME SOME ME !) Nick Swisher is my guy !
April 14th, 2009 at 12:11 am
You sound 100 % all melky and nothing for Brett meanwhile you lose this arguement we’re not even debating this after 50 ABs, such a small sample ! wth is it w/ your man crush on melky he hasn’t earned a damn thing, he’s been regressing !
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I have no “man crush” on anyone. You’re the one who is emotional. I call them like I see them. I never liked Henderson’s CF play either, but at least he was worth the tradeoff offensively.
Rickey could never make a running catch, he always had to slow up as he got to the ball, rendering his outfield speed practically meaningless. He also got a terrible jump. But because he had great speed, I’m sure many people assume he was a great outfielder. He wasn’t.
GB
He’s had cold spells before but it is the elephant in the room that no one acknowledges. Now that you’ve said it aloud, warn people around you that lightning might strike at any moment.
he did not.and let me be clear also melky is a 4th outfielder and never will be a force on this team.but gardners a 5th outfielder/pinch runner.clearly overmatched.melky sucks and still is a better hitter.
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Go check the stats if they are still available.
Melky spent most of ST hovering around .200 – .250 until the last 10 days or so and finally woke up.
That’s a fact.
tampa yankee from long island
April 14th, 2009 at 12:13 am
Giuseppe Franco
he did not.and let me be clear also melky is a 4th outfielder and never will be a force on this team.but gardners a 5th outfielder/pinch runner.clearly overmatched.melky sucks and still is a better hitter.
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Wow. That’s blunt but pretty accurate. Melky wins by default.
the last week of spring counts more than the first week.the level of play is higher.
the last week of spring counts more than the first week.the level of play is higher.
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Not really, especially since Girardi said that neither was going to win the job in the first week or the last week of ST.
Melky has blown several chances to take that job and run with it.
Why do people feel he deserves yet another chance when he clearly hasn’t earned it?
tampa yankee from long island
April 14th, 2009 at 12:23 am
the last week of spring counts more than the first week.the level of play is higher.
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Well that’s true too, and I chuckled when the guy said Melky “only started hitting at the end.” The end is when the pitching is getting stronger.
Let’s hope for a better outcome tomorrow.
Now would be a great time to lock up Wang for cheap.
He’s going to figure it out, but if I’m Cashman, I’m calling up Hughes right now to make a spot start.
Well that’s true too, and I chuckled when the guy said Melky “only started hitting at the end.” The end is when the pitching is getting stronger.
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The irony of that argument was that Gardner won the job and started the majority of their last seven games or so.
Melky did much of his late surge offensive damage against the other teams’ minor leaguers after Gardner had already been lifted in the middle innings.
Funny stuff.
Funny stuff indeed Giuseppe.
holy swish i was confused by the box score…that is incredible.
I’m not saying Ramiro Mendoza was THE key to the championship Yankees. But a long reliever who can spot start and keep his ERA around 4.00 is worth his weight in gold.