Game 14: Athletics at Yankees
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Apr 21, 2009 
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YANKEES (7-6)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Matsui DH
Ransom 3B
Gardner CF
Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (1-0, 2.51).
Pettitte vs. the Oakland hitters.
ATHLETICS (5-7)
Sweeney RF
Cabrera SS
The Big G 1B
Holliday LF
Cust DH
Ellis 2B
Chavez 3B
Suzuki C
Davis CF
Pitching: LHP Dana Eveland (0-0, 6.75).
Eveland vs. the New York hitters.
THERE IT GOES: There have been 28 homers in six games at Yankee Stadium, 20 in the four regular-season games.
CLUTCHITUDE: The Yankees are 4 for 32 (.125) with runners in scoring position at home.
MO’S THE MAN, PART 1: Mariano Rivera now has 941 strikeouts, 12th place in team history. He is 74 shy of moving into the top 10.
MO’S THE MAN, PART 2: Going back to last season, Mo has not allowed a run in 12 straight decisions. His line in that stretch: 11.2 innings, 6 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 12 strikeouts.
BRUNEY’S THE MAN, TOO: Brian Bruney has retired 20 straight batters. In his last seven outings, he has pitched 6.2 perfect innings and struck out 12.
SLOWLY BUT SURELY: Mark Teixeira’s last three games: 3 for 9, 2 runs, 2 homers, 4 RBI, 3 walks.
LOTSA SHOTS: The Yankees have homered in seven straight games.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES. WELL, NOT SO MUCH: The Yankees were 6-7 through 13 games last season.
2,000 CLUB: Today will be Johnny Damon’s 2,000th career game. It will be 1,999 for Derek Jeter.
1,000-HIT CLUB: Mark Teixeira needs four hits for 1,000.
GOOD SIGN FOR ANDY: The A’s are 2-5 against lefties and are hitting .202 against them,
WELCOME BACK: Dan Giese was called up by Oakland on Saturday and will be in uniform tonight. He pitched in 20 games for the Yankees last season.
Back with more later.
UPDATE, 4:13 p.m.: Nady thinks he’ll be out 4-6 weeks.
Wang will pitch in Tampa in an extended spring game. He is not on the DL. They’ll evaluate him then.
UPDATE, 6:07 p.m: A few update for you …
Wang will throw an extended spring training game on Thursday. He is set for 100 pitches. How he looks will determine the next move. The options at that point would be to start him in Detroit on Tuesday or put him on the DL.
Total speculation here, but the Yankees appear to be setting him up for a DL stay. Brian Cashman again today talked about Wang’s velocity being a concern and how he wants the team doctor to look into any possibility.
A DL stint would give them 2+ weeks and two or three starts to try and get him fixed. But if Wang pitches well on Thursday, maybe he gets another chance.
Wang is not particularly pleased with being shipped down to Tampa but he realizes there is not much he can say about it.
Meanwhile, the hope is that Xavier Nady will come back as a DH in 5-7 weeks after some rehab games and perhaps eventually as an outfielder. Nobody has given a clear explanation of what is wrong with his elbow. Nady said he has what amounts to a partial tear that can be rehabbed.
But a tear is a tear and with this being his walk year, Nady is putting himself in a risky situation.
Cashman said he hasn’t put much thought into thinking about the ballpark and whether it’s a launching pad. He said he has been told the dimensions are the same but he admits the fences are shorter. There is no question the fences are shorter in right field. You can tell by the naked eye.
Finally, the Big G was behind the cage when the Yankees took BP getting hugs from all his former teammates and coaches. When Cashman came over, Giambi hugged him and lifted him up off the ground six inches or so. I wish I had a photo. Just hilarious.
UPDATE, 7:11 p.m.: Nice ovation for Jason Giambi. Then the Little G took a double away from him with a tremendous catch.
By the way, there are embarrassing — I mean embarrassing — swatches of empty eats here. There’s an entire section of Legends seats down the RF line and a huge empty section on the 200 level.
UPDATE, 7:38 p.m.: Brett Gardner does it again with a two-run single through a drawn-in infield. Then he steals second.
Meanwhile, it’s bad enough that the Yankees play the PC Richard’s whistle after every strikeout. Now they’re playing “Gotta Go To Mo’s” after a stolen base. Can’t there be some segment of this park that isn’t commercialized?
Meanwhile, as I look over the Legends seats, no more than 40 percent of them are full. In the front row between the dugouts, 25 seats are empty. So either those fans didn’t show up or they’re in the restaurant.
UPDATE, 8:12 p.m.: The Yankees are wearing Dana Eveland out. They’ve put 11 runners on base and we’re in the third inning. He’s at 77 pitches.
But it’s only 4-0 as the Yankees have left seven runners on base.
UPDATE, 8:16 p.m.: If you’re looking for a nice place to come read a book or get some quiet time, Yankee Stadium is for you. It’s like a church service in here.
UPDATE, 8:28 p.m.: Because the ball hit Chavez in fair territory, it was dead and the runners could not advance.
UPDATE, 8:57 p.m.: One of Andy Pettitte’s strengths as a pitcher is the ability to put a rough inning behind him. He got knocked around a bit in the fourth and now he has retired seven straight and will cruise into the seventh.
Meanwhile, after watching The Big G stab at balls like a grizzly bear trying to catch a salmon, it’s pretty fun to watch Mark Teixeira play first base. He makes it look pretty easy.
UPDATE, 9:03 p.m.: Johnny Damon out to right in the second deck. No wind needed there. 5-2 Yanks.
UPDATE, 9:21 p.m.: Fog rolling in to left field now. Those vaunted wind currents aren’t doing much to get rid of it.
UPDATE, 9:47 p.m.: Bruney retired 22 straight before allowing that hit.
Somehow I imagine that Jeter’s been in a few more than 999 games.
(from a few posts ago – too many to keep up with!)
Giambi Titanic quote has to be the best line in Yankee history.
I absolutely love this accuweather/official lohud meteorologist debate. Thanks for posting it!
Q: Kim Jones’ writing is surprisingly similar to Shannon Drayer’s in Seattle. To the point where it seem one was strongly influenced by the other. Anyone know why that is?
Go Yankees!
2000 v 1999
I don’t wanna jink anything but eversince the Yankees moved Eric Duncan to the OF he looks to have found his game and is fielding very well from what I hear ? Could this kid be finally getting it ?
Roughly a thousand more games.
They also look the same. Are they secretly the same person?
There’s somebody out there stealing 1,000 games from the players….at least two of them.
E-Dunc has “light tower” power
I’m rooting for him
And just for kicks Brackman’s last start
6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB and 8 K’s
This is kind of going off the last thread, but I really like the idea of (once Xavier is back and if Matsui’s knees hold out that long) a Nady/Matsui pseudo-platoon with the healthiest/most effective at the time getting the lion’s share of the starts, with the lefty/righty factor also coming in to play with particulary tough match-ups.
If that plan doesn’t work, however, then Cashman’s issue #1 will be getting an OF in July. It’s possible that if Matsui recovers some of his health and all of his game, and X can rehab successfully and still hit once he’s back, the offense won’t need too much in the way of an upgrade. But, those are a few big ifs.
I thought the game totals looked low. Thanks to all for commenting so I didn’t have to do math.
massive news on nady. hopefully he can return soon. at least to platoon split DH vs. lefties.
Brandon, I went to the morning game between Charleston and Savannah. Great game, even if it did start at 10:45 AM. Here’s the rundown.
————————————————————
DJ Mitchell pitched another great game despite the score. 6 innings, 7 hits, 4 runs, 1 earned run, 1 walk (his first of the year), 8 strikeouts.
Savannah scored 3 unearned runs in the 5th inning. Mitchell gave up a single leading off. The next pitch was a taylor made DP around the horn, except Lassiter’s throw from third to second was ruled an error on Lassiter, but, I thought that adams crossed the bag before he caught the ball. He was definately in the wrong neighborhood. No outs recorded. Mitchell got a fly ball to short left field and then struck out the next batter for the second out. He then walked his first batter of the year before giving up a 3 run double into the left field corner. after that, Corey Arbiso came in and just ate up 5 batters with sliders and fastballs on the hands.
Pat Venditte came in with 2 outs in the bottom of the 8th. Pitching left handed, his first pitch was a well placed 83 MPH fastball. After that, it was 4 straight sharp breaking sliders for a strike out.
In the 9th, pitching right handed, first batter was 2 92 MPH fastballs and a grounder on a change-up. The second batter struck out on a 93 MPH fastball. He struck out the last batter on three straight fastballs, all at 91 MPH. The last two batters were right handed batters.
Another save this year (4th straight) to go with 23 straight last year.
That’s 5 games, 4 saves, 7.1 innings, 3 hits, 0 walks and 11 strikeouts.
Venditte’s name is pronounced (Ven-Ditty)
The offense was ok. Carmen angelini was 0-3 with a sac fly and a walk. No strikeouts or errors today. He did screw up on the bases when he doubled off on a bunt pop-up, though.
Honest Abe Almonte had another good day with a 2-4 with 2 runs scored and a double.
Melky Mesa had a good day going 1-3 with a sac fly and RBI single.
Catcher Chase Weems was 2-4 with an RBI and looking a lot better defensively and with the bat.
Lassister was 1-3 with an RBI.
The play of the game besides Almonte’s continued solid defense was a rocket throw by Taylor Grote from left field to nail the potential tying run at home in the bottom of the 6th to end the inning.
I’m still trying to find out why the game started at 10:35 this morning, unless it’s because Savannah has a long bus ride. Weather was still a bit cool and looked like rain, so I couldn’t update from Grayson Stadium here in Savannah.
Charleston won the game, 5-4.
Good news on Nady. I like Swish a lot, but i think he will need his time off to recharge.
good lineup but i’d prefer no Ransom. Go with Pena or call up E-Dunc!
What’s your take on DJ Mitchell SP or relief GB ?
“And just for kicks Brackman’s last start
6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, *0 BB and 8 K’s* ”
Nice.
Nady might be back by mid-May somebody on Sirius radio just said it.
Get Gardner out of the lineup.
One flaw with Girardi is he sticks with what he sets. Melky is hitting much better right now, and Gardner is not only not hitting, but did anyone see his fielding Saturday? Yikes.
Brandon Rain “Is He Really Hitting This Year ?”
April 21st, 2009 at 3:48 pm
What’s your take on DJ Mitchell SP or relief GB ?
————————————————————
Definately a starter. Great control and good fastball and breaking pitches. Basically, the hitters don’t know what he’s going to do next. strikeouts and ground balls. Deadly combination. Works quick.
I know I’m late on this, but I’m sooooo happy that Nady won’t need surgery……He must be so relieved. It was a bad situation for the team, but much more so for Nady, whose career was at stake. This is such good news……..
Which outfield position is Duncan playing these days?
.364 BA .421 OBP .455 SLG would look pretty good tag teaming with Swisher in RF.
Though obviously it’s a small sample size, only 9 games. Duncan would be a great story if he finally figures it out. First round pick rushed, busted, and back — Maybe.
its damons 2000th game isnt it and jeters 1999th game. dont short change em pete.
lol @ starting Melky against a lefty whoever said that… also Oakland has already faced 7 lefties?? jeez
Finally Cano moves up in the lineup (to the 5th spot), but not where he should be (hitting 2nd or 3rd). How much longer will it take Girardi to change that if Cano continues hitting? (added by Mobile using Mippin)
Eric Duncan is playing both infield corners and both outfield corners.
tex’s new best – forget swish, we gotta get matsui out of the lineup!
‘Get Gardner out of the lineup.
One flaw with Girardi is he sticks with what he sets. Melky is hitting much better right now, and Gardner is not only not hitting, but did anyone see his fielding Saturday? Yikes.’
Dude let Melky earn it a bit more and then we’ll think about it. 1 or 2 HR doesn’t automatically give you a spot.
How’s the weather there?
Beautiful day here in DC.
“Eric Duncan is playing both infield corners and both outfield corners.”
If he can sustain his hitting he could be extremely useful, esepcially with Nady out. Unfortunately I doubt he can sustain his hitting
‘Eric Duncan is playing both infield corners and both outfield corners.’
What’s your take on him, I see BBs to K’s is reasonable after 33 ABs is he getting it finally ?, his start reminds me of Daniel Murphy’s last season.
While GB7′s Yankees minor league updates are far more interesting, here are the Red Sox minor leaguers most likely to have an impact in 09′:
Buchholz – nursing a bad hamstring and not pitching currently
Bowden – off to a great start, 14IP, 0.64 ERA, 15K
Bard – impressive so far, 8IP, 1 hit, 1R, 13K
Tazawa – not bad, 15.2IP, 2.30 ERA, 6BB, 15K
Lars Anderson (prob won’t see Sox til late this season or next but he’s their #1 prospect) – off to a slow start .283, 1HR, 10K/3BB in 46 AB
just keeping up with the “enemy”
Brandon, people forget that Mitchell has only been pitching for 2 years. Clemson moved him from the outfield.
BD what’s the report on Bard and Tazawa ? I see Bard is getting more sharp, Tazawa wasn’t he signed of IFAs this past yr. ?
Dude let Melky earn it a bit more and then we’ll think about it. 1 or 2 HR doesn’t automatically give you a spot.
Stick with who is hot now. You dont need to stick to one or the other. melky is hitting now, so play him and when he isnt play gardner.
GB
Eric Duncan = Daniel Murphy’s 08′ ?
If Duncan keeps hitting and actually keeps up with cutting down on the Ks, the Yankees will give him a shot. Wasn’t it our intrepid blog author who was singing Duncan’s praises in Spring Training about his work ethic even in spite of having no shot at making the big league club?
I wouldn’t be surprised if he kept mashing and Matsui’s knees and performance don’t turn around in the coming weeks, Duncan gets a promotion and a chance to DH/see some time in RF.
Isn’t it more logical to call up eric duncan with nady out and matsui not able to play RF??
‘Stick with who is hot now. You dont need to stick to one or the other. melky is hitting now, so play him and when he isnt play gardner.’
He hits 2 HRs and suddenly he’s hot, if anything you see him doing good coming off the bench why mess w/ that ? plus he’s better of use off the bench to use as a defensive replacement in late innings for Swisher or Damon’s arm.
Brandon Rain “Is He Really Hitting This Year ?”
April 21st, 2009 at 4:02 pm
‘Eric Duncan is playing both infield corners and both outfield corners.’
What’s your take on him, I see BBs to K’s is reasonable after 33 ABs is he getting it finally ?, his start reminds me of Daniel Murphy’s last season.
————————————————————
I really can’t say much about Duncan. I’ve only seen a couple of his games on the internet the last couple of years. I think that a lot of his problems were because of his back injuries. This year, he’s finally healthy (so far). He’s still young, too. Maybe moving to the outfield will put less strain on his back than bending over at 1st or 3rd. I guess we’ll know as soon as he starts hitting for power.
The thing that kills me about Tawaza is that if the Yanks had signed him, they would have been crucified all over the media for breaking the unwritten gentlemen’s agreement with Japan about not signing their amateur players. But since the Red Sox signed him, its a great and wise signing. They get a pass.
Gardner actually has been really bad but I agree with Brandon, give him a little more time to prove himself. He is the starter and 1 or 2 HR from Melky shouldn’t knock him off that role. If Girardi kept switching the starting CF neither one of them would get on a roll.
IF Duncan’s problem was that he was rushed, there is NO WAY the Yankees will repeat the same mistake and call him up early.
He’s going to have to hit for a sustained period before they think about bringing him up. Why risk shattering the confidence it took 3 years to regain?
GB I hear he’s doing well in the OF tracking balls off the bat and showing some plus range. Wouldn’t it be funny if he does get it now.
how do u rehab a partially torn ligament?
obviously it wont reattach, u strengthen surrounding and hope it doesnt continue to tear?
good luck!
*to see my opening day photos click on my name*
Don’t know what happened to it but the link to my opening day photos is broken and I can’t get into my account. So I had to recreate the whole thing. I added a few more pictures and the color seems more vibrant. If you don’t want to do a slideshow it seems you can click on a picture to get the thumbnails.
Greenberet7,
Thank you for that thorough scouting report and the in-game play-by-play.
If I haven’t said it before, thanks your nostalgic recalls – they touch my heart, and your smart, true and unencumbered posts.
Now – question about Honest Abe: how did his routes look? I know he’s quick as the devil, and a converted infielder. Harnessing his speed defensively was said to be a project of the coaches with this kid.
I will be down there in June. Can’t wait! (Especially to see Abe, DJ, Marshall, Brack, Manny B!)
Agreed re: Gardner/Melky. Gardner has had some good mixed with some bad, and how could a fan expect anything other than that? The guy is still a rookie and still breaking in to the league. He earned the job in the Spring, and I don’t think he’s done enough wrong so far in the season to warrant him losing the job, especially after only 11 games.
Duncan wasn’t rushed. He was never healthy.
“BD what’s the report on Bard and Tazawa ? I see Bard is getting more sharp, Tazawa wasn’t he signed of IFAs this past yr. ?”
————–
They are starting to expect big things from Bard in Boston. He does have 3BB in 8IP and the main concern is his fastball control. He’s clearly overpowering the hitters in AAA so far with his high 90′s fastball. I haven’t seen him pitch this year so I can’t speak too much about it. Kyle Farnsworth would probably strike out his share of guys in AAA so it’s hard to translate Bard’s fastball from AAA to the majors. As a Yanks fan, I’d like to see his walks rise a little bit as a sign that he’s still not able to command the fastball.
As for Tazawa, I know even less about him, except that he was signed as an amateur out of Japan as a 19yr old and there are varying opinions on his potential. I would imagine the hope is that the Sox can call him up to pitch out of the bullpen later this year, however, he’s been starting games in AA.
“Duncan wasn’t rushed. He was never healthy.”
I was going to say that. If anything Tabata was the one that was rushed.
“just keeping up with the “enemy””
One guy I check on from time to time is Kris Johnson, a not real hard throwing lefty, fair to middling prospect, who is now at Pawtucket and off to a nice start (10 IP, no runs, 8/3 K/BB) after a decent year in the Eastern League last year.
His claim to fame? Selected with the 40th pick (sandwich round)of the 2006 draft……..one pick before Joba Chamberlain’s name was called by the Yankees.
That must sting a little.
“The thing that kills me about Tawaza is that if the Yanks had signed him, they would have been crucified all over the media”
———-
Ain’t that the truth!
The Sox gave him $3.3M over 3 years and then he follows arbitration rules so if he pans out they’ll have him under control and cheap for quite a while.
p.s. I had incorrectly said he was 19. He turns 23 in June.
Brandon Rain “Is He Really Hitting This Year ?”
April 21st, 2009 at 4:00 pm
‘Get Gardner out of the lineup.
One flaw with Girardi is he sticks with what he sets. Melky is hitting much better right now, and Gardner is not only not hitting, but did anyone see his fielding Saturday? Yikes.’
Dude let Melky earn it a bit more and then we’ll think about it. 1 or 2 HR doesn’t automatically give you a spot.
====================
The HRs by Cabrera are the product of the much better approach he’s brough with him since Winter Ball, and I dare say, late last season. The results matter less immediately than the approach, but they have been there, nonetheless: .294/.368. That’s generous enough from CF.
But I don’t think you need to fret. Girardi isn’t interested in including Cabrera, for if he were, he’d be in there tonight vs. lefty. My hope is, the Yankees trade him so he can play.
Steve B,
interesting… I didn’t realize that. Joba is turning out to be quite the steal that every MLB team passed on in the 1st round.
bodhisattva
April 21st, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Greenberet7,
Thank you for that thorough scouting report and the in-game play-by-play.
————————————————————
My pleasure, Bud. I enjoy doing it as long as people want them. Today, because of the threat of rain, I didn’t post ingame. Just took notes and posted when I got home….about two blocks from Grayson Stadium in Savannah. I’d like to have made the run to Augusta, but, the costs are a little prohibitive and it’s a 150 mile drive. I’ll wait until they get back to Charleston to go see them. I can go by boat and it’s about 30 miles up the coast. Right now, it’s too cold on the ocean for me to make the trips.
*to see my opening day photos click on my name”
YESTERDAY’S MINOR’S UPDATE FROM MY FRIEND ON ANOTHER FORUM
“Yes Scranton is still undefeated. Okay so it was because of a rainout.
In Charleston hot prospect Andrew Brackman threw a better game than his previous game and a much better game than his opener. He gave up 2 runs in 6 innings. Allowing 5 hits(1 solo homer accounted for one of the runs), a walk, and getting 8 Ks.
Tampa had the day off and Trenton also got rained out.”
Bodhi,
Why would Girardi play Melky against a lefty? He’s not a good hitter from the right side.
Tex’s New Best Friend
April 21st, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Get Gardner out of the lineup.
One flaw with Girardi is he sticks with what he sets. Melky is hitting much better right now, and Gardner is not only not hitting, but did anyone see his fielding Saturday? Yikes.
=======================================================
I agree with you x100. But apparently, Girardi is happy with bad routes and an OBP under .300.
Bod, besides the big improvement in Honest Abe’s hitting, his defense has been great…at least in the Savannah series. I can give you a more honest and complete update in a few weeks. This series, he was smooth and caught everything in the air except for the damned gnats.
Wang to Tampa to work things out. Someone finally listened to me!
I try to make it to some of the Portland Seadog games where Tawaza is pitching right now. Sometime soon I will watch him and attempt to give an unbias report.
trisha…um….um….how can I say this? I hate to admit it but I enjoyed watching your slide show of opening day. Seriously, it was interesting to see the different pics of the new stadium even for a fan of that team just north of New York.
With the infield corners locked up by high-$$$ stars, and most of the the outfield looking like it could be up for grabs sooner or later, Duncan moving to the OF might be a good career move for him. He’s gotta hit though, and not pull an Abreu when he gets close to the OF wall.
I’m skeptical on Nady just rehabbing, assuming it’s really a (partial) ligament tear. He could get by depending on how much the ligament’s been torn, but how long would it hold up over the season and future seasons? I’d expect teams considering him as a FA would be skeptical of his elbow, so maybe he’d best serve himself by making sure it’s not going to be a weakness, a lingering problem or even a time bomb.
I don’t know about not being rushed. I didn’t see him play but Baseball Prospectus is only 1 of the reputable sites who were pretty sure he got rushed to AA and then he was in AAA by 21.
That being said I’m glad he has a little life left in him. He is still only 24 so there is still hope.
Tabata is a head case and is doing poorly again in Pittsburgh so far. Sort of hurts that he’s gone when arguing our farm system to other teams’ fans but I’m not sold he’ll ever be the “next manny” some people think he is.
What bodhisattva doesn’t seem to understand about Melky is that being a 4th/5th outfielder is where Melky is most valuable.
He can be a defensive replacement late in the game or a pinch runner. He’s certainly not going to pinch hit very often unless it’s for the pitcher when they start playing interleague games.
Melky is not an everyday player. He’s just not. How much more proof does anyone need watching him suck for the last two years in CF?
Gardner may be the same way, but he beat out Melky for the job so he deserves the chance to show what he’s got.
Melky got two years and showed nothing. Gardner’s had 12 games and has shown flashes that can really help this team.
Let Gardner play. Leave Melky on the bench where he belongs.
If Brackman really tears up the league at this level, and at the next level, he’s still a few years away from having his season innings totals built up enough to jump to the majors isn’t he?
GB — definitely keep the info. coming, it’s much appreciated. I’m sure you’ll never have any of the more level-headed folks ask you to stop.
“how do u rehab a partially torn ligament?”
Well the fact that it isn’t completely torn means they can just let it heal. When someone has a hamstring strain that is literally a partial tear in the hamstring. In that case the player just rests then rehabs it. Luckily it sounds like Nady can do the same thing here.
pat
April 21st, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Wang to Tampa to work things out. ***Someone finally listened to me*** !
————————————————————
Who, in their right minds, would have the guts NOT to listen to you? Certainly, even Patton and EF Hutton would listen to you.
GreenBeret7 – do you live in Charleston?
I go to College of Charleston and I actually attend quite a few of the games when I’m there. Right now I’m in our nation’s capital interning but will be back.
The Riverdogs have been a treat to watch lately, with Betances, McAlister, and Montero.
It’s good to see the Yankees are continuing to insert mid to high ceiling prospects into the system in Charleston. It’s a great place to be.
“But I don’t think you need to fret. Girardi isn’t interested in including Cabrera, for if he were, he’d be in there tonight vs. lefty. My hope is, the Yankees trade him so he can play.”
Dude this isn’t no rascism or anything, he’s in the dog house because of the crap he pulled last season, on top of that he has a long way to go in gaining Girardi’s trust and anyone’s for what it’s worth, the one good thing said about him is he’s using his hips more this year., his best AB was the drawn walk in the blowout game. He has a long way to go, and if I could I’d trade him for Lastings Milledge but Washington won’t do that, so you can forget that. Case in point HRs doesn’t earn him anything for now what he has shown is off the bench he is a better hitter, starting games I can’t say that.
*to see my opening day photos, click on my name*
ray, I am so happy you enjoyed them.
If you want to see something really beautiful, take a look at this one. It’s the blow up of the panoramic shot. I can’t see how anybody wouldn’t love this shot.
http://images44.fotki.com/v148.....ees008.jpg
Hmm so I guess the Yankees will roll with a 24 man roster for awhile. I’m kind of surprised they didn’t just DL Wang with the classic “tired arm” injury.
If Duncan was never healthy, and he never hit better than .260 in full season, then why was he promoted to AAA by the time he was 21?
Yeah, he showed some power potential hitting 19 homeruns in 400 ABs at Trenton at age 20, but hit .235 while doing so.
He never showed enough to get promoted at 21, particularly if he wasn’t healthy.
Yanks gambled that he’d respond the promotion like some players (Austin Jackson) do.
Bad Scooter
April 21st, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Bodhi,
Why would Girardi play Melky against a lefty? He’s not a good hitter from the right side
===========================
But here’s the point: he is traditionally a better hitter from the left side. But if you can be present & just watch his approach lately – regardless of results – you will see that he is a completely different hitter than he was last season. He’s also a hitter-in-the-making, he’s not 34 and at the end of his career. He has improved as a hitter.
He is hitting with a level swing, staying back, and he’s through the ball – from both sides of the plate. Something is happening to him as a hitter – he’s learning to be short and still generate the power that screwed him up last season. This is a major accomplishment for him. The only player to so alter his approach has been AJax. The latter astonished me when I saw him in ST; he is a COMPLETELY different hitter, but back to Cabrera:
His OPS+ is 158, FTR I’m really less interested in results – because they don’t tell you as much as approach does – but what is exciting for him is that his approach is generating results.
OK – The people saying that Melky has sucked for the past 2 years are spewing horse****.
I’m sorry, but Melky was very valuable to us for some time and had stellar defense in Center and LF/RF at times. The fact that his offensive production declined last year shouldn’t be ignored, but he can still be a productive player if he regains that approach (as reports show that he has).
Gardner has never proven ANYTHING as a Yankee in the regular season, except that he’s not an improvement over Melky. Gardner should be given a chance to show that he is better than Melky, but it’s coming to the time where the manager needs to put Melky out there to see what he can do.
Spring training is no time to evaluate how someone will do in the regular season. Brett Gardner was a homerun king back then and Brian Bruney didn’t know how to pitch.
Let’s stop pretending that the past was different than it actually was.
“What bodhisattva doesn’t seem to understand about Melky is that being a 4th/5th outfielder is where Melky is most valuable.”
Giuseppe I literally don’t know what is it that ppl see ? I mean yes I was guilty of the same and then wised up after watching him for a full season, it’s not like he’s tearing the cover off the ball, and it’s not like he’s going to be more than a 4th or 5th OF and him as an off the bench tool is a great thing to have for both us and him. Maybe it’s the Sterling calls or Got Melk shirts that make ppl believe he’s better than what he is, he’s never going to touch 20 HR / 100 RBI , he’s an off the bench weapon. Simple.
If I were a betting man id say melky gets more playing time that gardner and is the full time CF by the allstar break
Rob NY — 2009 The Road to Redemption
April 21st, 2009 at 4:28 pm
GB—definitely keep the info. coming, it’s much appreciated. I’m sure you’ll never have any of the more level-headed folks ask you to stop.
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Thanks, Rob. I’ll try to do more of the ingame update posts from the park when the weather permits. The Charleston, scranton and Trenton games are all carried on MILB. Can’t remember the cost, but, it’s pretty cheap for those with the interest. Some of the Scranton games are televised. I won’t insult anybody’s intelligence by giving updates or reports on the players I haven’t seen.
Right now, the Charleston kids have the same issues as last year. a little moreso this year because other than Baisley and Mesa, there’s not much power. Defense is still dreadful. The need to move Lassiter to short and find a spot for Angelini. He’s not improving a bit at shortstop. He’s terrible.
brandon
I’n new to this but what kinda crap did he pulled last season???
GB
I have 2 teenagers so I’m used to no one listening to me. It’s exciting when someone does.
Melky at best can hope to be Endy Chavez meets Gregg Dobbs. That’s his best.
No complains with the lineup today at all.
If you sub A Rod for Ransom all of a sudden its a pretty good lineup.
Regarding the news on Nady, it sounds really good on the surface. But upon further thinking, it only helps to a certain extent. If Matsui stays even SOMEWHAT healthy and Nady can only DH, the affect is not as great as if he can play the field. Right now Posada needs to DH around once a week, there’s Matsui, Damon needs to rest his legs every now and then but Girardi wants his bat in the lineup, etc. Lots of guys to rotate in one spot.
Sounds like Nady will be able to DH in 4-6 weeks, assuming his rehab goes well. The REAL question is when/if Nady can return to the OF this year. Maybe the Yankees don’t even know that answer. But IMO it makes all the difference in the world. Returning to DH only adds depth to that particular position, and unless Matsui goes down the team won’t see the full benefit of having Nady back.
The key is going to be getting him in the lineup at the same time as Damon, Matsui, Jorge, etc. And that only happens if he can play the field.
Basically if he can only DH for the rest of the year, it more enhances the Yankees depth rather than greatly affects their performance on the field from day-to-day.
GreenBeret7
April 21st, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Bod, besides the big improvement in Honest Abe’s hitting, his defense has been great…at least in the Savannah series. I can give you a more honest and complete update in a few weeks. This series, he was smooth and caught everything in the air except for the damned gnats.
===================================================
I will look forward to the updates. Glad he’s progressing. Seems we have a cornucopia of talented outfielders up-and-coming in a few years. I will try to give reports on the Staten Island group (Sosa, Urena, DeLeon and Duran – if he winds up there, too). Yes, I will remember to bring the bug spray when I head down there in June
Nady 4-6 weeks I figure end of May.
ALB3
April 21st, 2009 at 4:31 pm
GreenBeret7 – do you live in Charleston?
I go to College of Charleston and I actually attend quite a few of the games when I’m there. Right now I’m in our nation’s capital interning but will be back.
The Riverdogs have been a treat to watch lately, with Betances, McAlister, and Montero.
It’s good to see the Yankees are continuing to insert mid to high ceiling prospects into the system in Charleston. It’s a great place to be.
————————————————————
No, I live in Savannah, but, sometimes I drive up or we take a friend’s boat up the coast and dock in and walk over to the park. Joe Riley’s a great place to watch the games. That was a great group of kids, last year. Not much power this year, though.
Jonathan
April 21st, 2009 at 4:36 pm
If I were a betting man id say melky gets more playing time that gardner and is the full time CF by the allstar break
==========================
I am dubious. I think we have a bit of a political situation here. I think Melky needs to go somewhere else to get playing time.
“brandon
I’n new to this but what kinda crap did he pulled last season???”
He was a bad influence on Robi hence keeping them apart for half a season. Parties late night after games, no offense but his stature in NY isn’t that big to be doing that stuff and dragging teammates along to other things which we will not discuss but it’s been talked about, he and Robi got into a habit of not working out last season, not doing pregame workouts and taking practice for granted, getting overweight, above all that was lackadasical and cocky playing in the field, it rubbed teammates the wrong way last season.
ALB3,
The problem with your argument is that it was made very clear that Florida was the battleground for the CF job.
Melky and Gardner both knew it. Everyone knew it. That was the biggest positional battle of the spring.
The bottom line is that Gardner outplayed him for seven weeks and won the job. It wasn’t even that close.
So Gardner deserves a helluva lot more than 12 games and I suspect he’ll get at least another month – at least until A-Rod comes back and plays some games.
We know what Melky has to offer. That’s why he was the 5th outfielder coming out of ST. He sucked the last two years and is simply not an everyday player.
As I’ve said, the same might be the case with Gardner. But he earned the job – not Melky. It’s his time now to show what he can do and it’s going to last considerably longer than 12 games.
MARK MY WORDS!!
While Wang is in Tampa, they’re going to report he’s still “feeling a little pain” in his foot, and put him on the DL. He’ll have time down there to work out whatever is going on with him
Who will they call up?
Wang will pitch in Tampa in an extended spring game. He is not on the DL. They’ll evaluate him then.
===========================
Good. Get to work on making Wang right again.
‘brandon
I’n new to this but what kinda crap did he pulled last season???’
I posted it the forum didn’t allow it. Anyway lets just party boy/overweight/drinking/lazy that’s just one part of it. Yeh I heard so many stuff it’s not even funny.
do yourself a favor and look up gardners # last year for spring training
spring training #s are meanless
gardner can high straight fastballs, every in the majors knows this
bodhisattva
April 21st, 2009 at 4:39 pm
GreenBeret7
April 21st, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Bod, besides the big improvement in Honest Abe’s hitting, his defense has been great…at least in the Savannah series. I can give you a more honest and complete update in a few weeks. This series, he was smooth and caught everything in the air except for the damned gnats.
===============================================
I will look forward to the updates. Glad he’s progressing. Seems we have a cornucopia of talented outfielders up-and-coming in a few years. I will try to give reports on the Staten Island group (Sosa, Urena, DeLeon and Duran – if he winds up there, too). Yes, I will remember to bring the bug spray when I head down there in June
———————————————————–
I mentioned this last night, but, Pat Venditte has moved beyond a unique freak of nature or a novelty act. He’s good….real good. That’s as nasty a left handed slider as Sparky Lyle’s. It breaks quick and straight into the feet. Doesn’t throw hard from the left 80-82 MPH, but, almost perfect control. A good 90-92 MPH fastball, hard slider and a really impressive change-up from the right side.
Melky will get another shot this year to be the starting CF. It’ll be up to him whether he stays there or not.
pat
April 21st, 2009 at 4:37 pm
GB
I have 2 teenagers so I’m used to no one listening to me. It’s exciting when someone does.
————————————————————
Pat, I’m not quite as brave and foolheart as I was last night. I ain’t sayin’ nothin’.
“I posted it the forum didn’t allow it. Anyway lets just party boy/overweight/drinking/lazy that’s just one part of it. Yeh I heard so many stuff it’s not even funny.”
Unless you personally have “partied” with him on many occassions then this is not a good argument as to why he isn’t starting these days
bodhisattva -
Melky just has to produce every time he’s given the opportunity to play. That’s all he can do. Because of last season, he starts from behind the eight ball a little bit. He’s going to have to earn anything he gets from this point on.
I’m rooting for him. Always have.
If Wang is out, Hughes or Kennedy gets first crack.
Forgive me if all of you have already been alerted to this and/or saw it on your own, but the link below has the MLB.TV guys doing a side-by-side comparison analysis of CMW’s delivery from last year to this last start and it’s pretty interesting.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=mlb
He’s going to get another shot it’ll just be off the bench, now if Brett gets hurt and he steps up while Brett is down then he’ll really have a chance to earn it. Until now he needs to prove he can succeed in the PH/def replacement role.
brave and ***foolhearty***
Just catching up.
1. saucY-saw your posts. All of them. Thanks.
2. good news for Nady, hopefully he’ll make a full recovery.
3. need a win today
4. again with the gardner/melky debate? there is not right or wrong. it is what it is.
Giuseppe I literally don’t know what is it that ppl see ? I mean yes I was guilty of the same and then wised up after watching him for a full season, it’s not like he’s tearing the cover off the ball, and it’s not like he’s going to be more than a 4th or 5th OF and him as an off the bench tool is a great thing to have for both us and him. Maybe it’s the Sterling calls or Got Melk shirts that make ppl believe he’s better than what he is, he’s never going to touch 20 HR / 100 RBI , he’s an off the bench weapon. Simple.
———-
Agreed 100%. I wonder if these people have watched this guy play the last two years. I really don’t get it.
Melky is what he is – a fourth/fifth outfielder. He’ll never be an everyday player for any decent team.
I also have to laugh at the alleged “political” tactics that the coaches conspired against Melky in ST.
Gardner won that job from the get-go. He hit the first pitch he saw in ST and never let up for seven weeks.
Melky didn’t hit squat for five weeks and finally snapped out of it the final two weeks. Sorry, but too little too late for the Melkman.
I’m assuming this is some kind of cultural thing with bodhisattva or Melky once saved his cat from being mauled by the neighbor’s German Sheppard because it’s hard to understand his blind faith in someone that has proved he’s not an everyday player.
We’ll see how Gardner works out for this team. But we know what Melky offers and it’s well below replacement player production.
I am not a fan of intangibles, I will preface my argument with that. So bear with me if you are one of those fans who insists on having a guy who is gritty and tough as nails despite the fact that he OPS+’s 57.
Brett Gardner is not a good baseball player. Granted, presently Melky Cabrera isn’t either, but Melky Cabrera is a BETTER baseball player than Gardner. Every facet of the game minus base stealing. Let’s compare the stats:
Brett Gardner vs Melky Cabrera
Melky: .294/.368/.647 HR: 2 RBI: 4 R: 5 AB: 17 UZR/150 (RF): +20.3
Gardner: .244/.292/.311 HR: 0 RBI: 1 R: 7 AB: 45 UZR/150: -21.9
Melky Cabrera has had only 17 abs, and has only 2 less runs scored than Gardner. Gardner’s slugging percentage and production is atrocious and this is not an anomaly, as his line drive% is the same as it was in the minors and last year in the majors. What is the difference?
No major league pitcher will walk Brett Gardner. He will not have an OBP NEAR .320. No Major League pitcher will throw the guy a ball when they know at best he can hurt them with a single.
Gardner has never been a good baseball HITTER. Therefore, it is irrational to argue that he is a better hitter than Melky. Look at BA/SLG throughout the minors and even this year. In 17 abs, Melky outproduced Gardner. Clearly.
Melky is a better defender, as last year his UZR/150 was still +0.9, and he has IMPROVED this year reading balls considerably.
Anyone who wants Gardner starting NOW as opposed to Melky, is just a Gardner fanboy. It’s clear who is better.
knew I forgot something. thnx gb7. the charleston updates are terrific.
‘Unless you personally have “partied” with him on many occassions then this is not a good argument as to why he isn’t starting these days’
Yet it’s a fact, do I know people who have seen him ? yes, you think lohud ppl don’t go to Jersey Clubs or LQs or XBar, I’ve only seen him once last yr. and it was a Saturday at XBar and they had a game the next day so for what it’s worth which really is nothing but it’s not something the Yankees don’t know. BTW I back up more latin players than anyone here, why do you think I’d lie about this particular one ? weird if anything but this is why don’t ask don’t tell is used.
If they determine that Nady’s going to be out 6 weeks,maybe they’ll backdate him on the 60 day DL to his last game. By the time he’s played some minor league games, that would bring him up to Mid June, anyway.
————–
Agreed 100%. I wonder if these people have watched this guy play the last two years. I really don’t get it.
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You sir, are a moron. Melky Cabrera is 24 years old (younger than Gardner) and has a higher ceiling. No duh he sucked the last 2 years, when you are the Yankees CF constantly under pressure, you won’t develop properly.
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Melky is what he is – a fourth/fifth outfielder. He’ll never be an everyday player for any decent team.
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Again, another unfounded idiotic statement. Melky would start and leadoff for the White Sox TODAY. Among other teams. You are just blind. If Melky is a 4th/5th outfielder at best sir, then Gardner is a Community College All Star. He can’t hit, can’t field, can’t steal first base.
———–
Gardner won that job from the get-go. He hit the first pitch he saw in ST and never let up for seven weeks.
———–
Moronic statement #3. Because apparently, spring training matters at all. Sure Gardner can hit 85 mph fastballs down the middle…CONGRATS!
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Melky didn’t hit squat for five weeks and finally snapped out of it the final two weeks. Sorry, but too little too late for the Melkman.
————-
GASP!! Melky is a switch HITTER!! OMG!!! Doesn’t that mean he MIGHT take a little longer to warm up from both sides? WOW learn baseball.
————
We’ll see how Gardner works out for this team. But we know what Melky offers and it’s well below replacement player production.
————
Melky at his worse (OPS+72) is better than Gardner is now (OPS+57). You are wrong. Go away.
m
April 21st, 2009 at 4:56 pm
knew I forgot something. thnx gb7. the charleston updates are terrific.
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Entirely my pleasure, Mel, and thank you.
There’s a good chance neither one is the answer in CF. But whatcha gonna do? I’m not a big fan of Cameron in CF. Maybe something will come up mid-season.
But I do know that I want Gardner to succeed. One of the biggest reasons is that a very well-respected poster has said here that the Yankees aren’t a championship with Gardner in CF. That makes him an underdog, and makes me cheer even louder for him.
I think if you’re going to judge Melky by his past seasons, then it’s only fair to add Gardner’s ’08 performance in as well. Breet has played 55 games, not just 12. In his first 42 games his obp was .283. In his last 12 his obp is .292. I say give him another couple of months, but he needs to show improvement or a move needs to be made. I love Gardner’s speed,but he cant steal first base.He could be valuable coming off the bench late in games.
Both Melky and Gardner are more than likely destined to be spare parts.
Brandon is right, he is usually the one defending Latin players and talking about their upside. I trust him when it comes to Melky.
Also don’t get us wrong, saying he is a 4th or 5th outfielder isn’t a bad thing. He is still a major league player, just not a star outfielder. He is valuable off the bench for pinch hitting, pinch running, taking over in the field. Just because he isn’t a star doesn’t mean he isn’t a useful player.
I’m hoping that Cabrera and Gardner both hit and field well enough that the debate (internally) continues all year long and still no decision in sight.
m, ha! glad you got them
People talk bout how young Gardner is and give him time. Hes actually older than Melky. Gardner has done nothing to impress me. He K’s more than he should he doesnt work the count at all. His D has been avg to below avg this far. I think Melky is a better play right now but Girardi wants to go with HIS guy yes HIS GUY to try to prove something. Girardi and Gardner both need a ticket out of NY. Florida replaced manager Jeff Torborg with 72-year-old Jack McKeon in 2003. So it can happen and I really think we should make a change.
Brandon is right, he is usually the one defending Latin players and talking about their upside. I trust him when it comes to Melky.
Also don’t get us wrong, saying he is a 4th or 5th outfielder isn’t a bad thing. He is still a major league player, just not a star outfielder. He is valuable off the bench for pinch hitting, pinch running, taking over in the field. Just because he isn’t a star doesn’t mean he isn’t a useful player.
—————————
Are all posters here this idiotic? No disrespect but race isn’t an argument here in this debate. Look at the numbers, the peripherals, look at them play for the love of God. Gardner is not a good baseball player. I don’t understand why you guys are trusting the scouting of posters who have the same information you do. Do the research, watch the games. For the love of god.
So I just found out my tickets for Saturday’s game at Fenway are in one of the Pavillion Box’s with 18 other Sox fans.
Should I wear:
A) A Texeira Jersey (although i’d have to go out and buy one)
B) An Aaron Boone Tshirt (yes, I own one)
C) My Giants Superbowl hoodie
D) Or just be low key and wear my Yankees hat.
My brain is leaning towards D since the tickets were given to me by a good friend who works for the Red Sox…but my heart is screaming for a combination of A,B, and C.
“Melky didn’t hit squat for five weeks and finally snapped out of it the final two weeks. Sorry, but too little too late for the Melkman.——————-
GASP!! Melky is a switch HITTER!! OMG!!! Doesn’t that mean he MIGHT take a little longer to warm up from both sides? WOW learn baseball.”
No offense but what a cop out response. He told you a fact, the fact melky’s a switch hitter didn’t change that the first 5 weeks he was swinging at the ball like he was swatting flies.
Is Billy Connors still working with pitchers in the minors?
Wang’s only hope is that he’s not.
This lineup stinks. Melky should be the CFer and Pena the 3Bman.
“Brandon is right, he is usually the one defending Latin players and talking about their upside. I trust him when it comes to Melky.”
I’m not the 100 % source but just think this, they seperated him and Robi for the last few months and Robi took off since then. They even moved them from being roomies, how serious was this ?
No offense but what a cop out response. He told you a fact, the fact melky’s a switch hitter didn’t change that the first 5 weeks he was swinging at the ball like he was swatting flies.
———–
Are you stupid slow or dumb? Are you serious? Have you ever played organized baseball. Like seriously? Do you understand that it takes a switch hitter more time to get going. And Melky didn’t do squat for 5 weeks, even after his hot start, Gardner was NOT outproducing Melky. He was out BA/OBP Melky, but he was hitting ridiculous and we all knew he couldnt keep up that pace.
The other stats, production. Runs Scored etc… Melky was head to head with him as a switch hitter. Come on.
Ive got to say i trust melky to get on base more that brett, as much as i like bretts speed and ability to produce errors on the opposing team. After watching his fielding lately I also have to admit Id like Melky more in CF than Brett presently. All in all its still early and both should be given a chance still, continue the fight for CF into the season, neither is terrible in comparison to each other. what do we have to lose?
Brandon Rain “Is He Really Hitting This Year ?”
April 21st, 2009 at 4:46 pm
‘brandon
I’n new to this but what kinda crap did he pulled last season???’
I posted it the forum didn’t allow it. Anyway lets just party boy/overweight/drinking/lazy that’s just one part of it. Yeh I heard so many stuff it’s not even funny.
===========================================
Wow. Just wow. I’m speechless. Who are you? You come on here and spread 3rd party crap about this guy?
“The other stats, production. Runs Scored etc… Melky was head to head with him as a switch hitter. Come on.”
Melky woke up vs replacement pitchers, meanwhile Gardner was praised by team USA’s pitching staff, most noticeable Oswalt and Lily, ok buddy.
Brandon Rain “Is He Really Hitting This Year ?”
April 21st, 2009 at 5:06 pm
“Brandon is right, he is usually the one defending Latin players and talking about their upside. I trust him when it comes to Melky.”
I’m not the 100 % source but just think this, they seperated him and Robi for the last few months and Robi took off since then. They even moved them from being roomies, how serious was this ?
==========
So write a bleepin’ book.
“Wow. Just wow. I’m speechless. Who are you? You come on here and spread 3rd party crap about this guy?”
Oh it’s not crap and there’s even Youtube video of this, but that’s NOYB.
Blind Are We?: Where can I see Brett’s LD% from the minors?
No offense but what a cop out response. He told you a fact, the fact melky’s a switch hitter didn’t change that the first 5 weeks he was swinging at the ball like he was swatting flies.
————–
And Ruben Rivera was a 5 tool Hall of Famer. Are you really using Hearsay as your best evidence? Are you that stupid?
“yes, you think lohud ppl don’t go to Jersey Clubs or LQs or XBar, I’ve only seen him once last yr”.
I thought this was the funniest thing I had ever read on this blog but then I got this gem.
“Brandon is right, he is usually the one defending Latin players and talking about their upside. I trust him when it comes to Melky”.
I am Latin and have been following the Yankees for 25+ years, does that make me an expert on every latin player that plays for the Yanks? Nope!
The CF debate is broken up into 2 groups, those who like Melky and those who like Gardner. Each group can come up with so many pro’s as to why one or the other should be in the game. The debate will not stop until either one truly establishes himself, they trade for an established CF, or Jackson comes up and is the real deal holyfield
Melky is a better player than Gardner.
There is no denying this. I just don’t understand how people are saying that right now Gardner is better.
He has never proved to be anything but far worse at the ML level than Melky. He should be given the month of April to figure it out before the job is given to Melky.
Melky is a far better hitter and, honestly, he’s a better fielder too with a much better arm. Gardner throws like Damon, with a little more on the ball. He takes confusing routes to balls and he’s far more valuable off the bench than Melky is.
Girardi has to realize sooner or later that his blind faith in Gardner was misguided.
Blind Are We?: Where can I see Brett’s LD% from the minors?
———-
http://www.fangraphs.com
“So write a bleepin’ book”
My last name ain’t Torre and first sure as hell isn’t Jose, so for what ?
Brandon Rain needs to learn baseball before he writes anything relative to Baseball.
Blind are we? -
The only stupid people around here are those that have to resort to insults in an attempt to make a point. Arguing about which player is better, Melky or Garder, is like arguing whos farts smell worse – they both stink! Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Melky and Gardner are destined for the same role – 4th or 5th outfielder in the majors.
Honestly, just go look up projections for both players based on their major league and minor league stats. Melky is projected as a slightly better hitter, Gardner as a slightly better fielder/base runner.
The only upside is Gardner has less time sucking in the majors compared to Melky which leaves a chance that he could be a better player. There is enough of a sample size for Melky to prove that he is a marginal player in the majors. That sample size doesn’t exist yet for Gardner which leaves a chance that he could end up being better than we think. Odds are they will both end up being bench players.
“I’m not the 100 % source but just think this, they seperated him and Robi for the last few months and Robi took off since then. They even moved them from being roomies, how serious was this”?
HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA, bro they live in the same complex on the same floor in NJ. I am pretty sure they still interact plenty
“We’ll see how Gardner works out for this team. But we know what Melky offers and it’s well below replacement player production.”
After 55 mlb games, Gardner has a .288 obp and a .587 ops. Gardner has a below average arm and great speed.As terrible as Melky supposedly is, he has a .330 ops and a .770 ops. Melky has a better than average arm but less speed.
It’s a stretch to say Gardner is a better player at this point. I say give Brett a couple more months to see what the impact of his speed can be. Melky is valuable on the bench. Both of them are just keeping the position warm for Austin Jackson anyways.
55 games is not a large enough sample size to decide that Gardner sucks. Try again please
To those of you who have been to a few games now. I did see Freddy and the Marlboro man but what about Disco Stu? Is he at the new stadium?
“HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA, bro they live in the same complex on the same floor in NJ. I am pretty sure they still interact plenty”
And at the end of last season, were they or weren’t they seperated ? all reports were Yes. I never said I’m an expert but damn does Melky have some support here. I wish Robi had the the same in the offseason
4-6 weeks? I’ll take that any day of the week..that’s just great news. So with Wang’s extended ST, he can stay down there as long as the Yankees feel it’s necessary? Also, that means there will be no roster moves – like calling up another pitcher (Phil? Ian?)?
All projection systems for Melky/Brett point to the same conclusion – they both kind of stink.
“It’s a stretch to say Gardner is a better player at this point. I say give Brett a couple more months to see what the impact of his speed can be. Melky is valuable on the bench. Both of them are just keeping the position warm for Austin Jackson anyways.”
That’s what’s funny to me too. Hey if it makes anybody happy they both are keeping it warm for Austin.
Blind Are We?: Fangraphs does not list minor league numbers for the section with LD% etc. So where did you see that data?
Donnie Baseball23
April 21st, 2009 at 5:02 pm
People talk bout how young Gardner is and give him time. Hes actually older than Melky. Gardner has done nothing to impress me. He K’s more than he should he doesnt work the count at all. His D has been avg to below avg this far. I think Melky is a better play right now but Girardi wants to go with HIS guy yes HIS GUY to try to prove something. Girardi and Gardner both need a ticket out of NY. Florida replaced manager Jeff Torborg with 72-year-old Jack McKeon in 2003. So it can happen and I really think we should make a change.
===================
Agree that Girardi is not going to undermine his own choice by inserting Melky. Do not agree that Girardi should be fired. Girardi was hired because we are entering a pitching-centric era from within.
Girardi won’t do a thing about CF if there’s no criticism from the media, and none of those guys seems to have even noticed Gardner’s defense. I think Melky is buried. For his sake, he needs to be traded.
Considering my sons name is Robinson Jose, I think you can put me down as a Robbie supporter.
I respect your opinion man, I just think some stuff being said is a bit outlandish
Bodhi,
There’s no politics in this CF stuff. Melky played real well in the spring, but Gardner was better. Melky has played well in limited action early on, I just don’t think the Yanks are going to make a switch based off of 2 weeks of games. Gardner earned the job and they’ll go with that for a few months, they owe that to him. The job was up for grabs and Gardner won. Melky was the starting CF for the last few years, he struggled at times and kept his job until last year. Gardner deserves the same. If after a couple more months Gardner is struggling then Melky will get his shot again.
Hey GB, How does David Adams look this spring? I got the chance to see him a few times in S.I. last year…
Patrick,
“55 games is not a large enough sample size to decide that Gardner sucks. ”
Not sure if you’re comment was directed at me because I agree. My only point is that his first 55 games are far from impressive. Gardner doesn’t “suck” and he’s seemed to improve at each level with more playing time. I say give him the playing time, but he certainly needs to markedly improve.
“Blind Are We?: Fangraphs does not list minor league numbers for the section with LD% etc. So where did you see that data?”
Actually they do. Just not on that site, try first inning I think.
DY I know, hey I’m not trying to start anything, ppl asked about him it sounds outlandish doesn’t mean it’s not true.
“55 games is not a large enough sample size to decide that Gardner sucks. Try again please”
What is the large enough sample size to decide that he stinks?
Because the Melky that we got at 22 years old, and for 280 games, was pretty darn good with a .275 ish avg, and getting aroudn 70 rbi.
He has improved his approach and can certainly do that again. Gardner hasn’t shown that he can even hit .250 over 55 games. If one of the major stars was hitting .250 with a low OBP, we’d be freaking out after 55 games.
Gardner certainly deserves a little more time to prove that he can hit, but the fact is, he hasn’t shown it yet. Defending him without evidence is ridiculous.
The Yankees have to make the right decision this year and that decision has to be the one that is best for the team. Forget the fact that they’re both not very good – Gardner has been dismal in 55 games. Melky was acceptable for 280 games, with a subpar last season. What is to say that Melky, still young and developing, can’t regain that form or even improve?
What makes people so sure that someone with no track record at the ML level can perform better than someone with a far better track record? Not to mention that Melky is younger.
I just don’t understand the blind faith in Gardner.
Grittiness and guttiness don’t do much of anything when you’re not getting on base.
Gardner improved in his final call up to put up a ‘respectable’ line in august/september. It was like .280/.320/.400 or something. If he could produce that this wouldn’t be a question. I would give Gardner a month more to see if he continues to have the bat knocked out of his hands.
“I think Melky is buried. For his sake, he needs to be traded.”
So your more a Melky fan than a Yankee fan, what’s this for his sake ? if he’s better than he is he’ll get his chance if not he’ll be dealt, which I so see happening.
Brandon: Thank you, Firstinning.com had it, and Brett has a REALLY respectable 18% LD%. Thats pretty good, especially for a guy who sucks. He is getting killed by the fact that he is only walking in 6% of his ABs, and isn’t putting the ball on the ground enough.
And it’s not like Gardner came up and stole the job from Melky.
Melky lost the job. Not in spring training, but last season.
So there is no “unfair” here. Unless it’s unfair that marginal players end up in the doghouse sometimes. But when you’re a marginal player, everything is taken into consideration. Attitude, work ethic, intangibles.
Blind are we,
Yeah, I can play that game too and I don’t need to call other people childish names to make strong arguments.
———–
You sir, are a moron. Melky Cabrera is 24 years old (younger than Gardner) and has a higher ceiling. No duh he sucked the last 2 years, when you are the Yankees CF constantly under pressure, you won’t develop properly.
————–
The age argument is so disingenuous and ridiculous. Melky made his major league debut roughly two weeks after the Yanks drafted Gardner out of college in 2005.
Melky got many more opportunities to play in the majors than Gardner never did. Gardner also played three years of college ball and Melky didn’t.
Melky also has three years more major league experience than Gardner and still couldn’t beat him out in ST.
——————
Again, another unfounded idiotic statement. Melky would start and leadoff for the White Sox TODAY. Among other teams. You are just blind. If Melky is a 4th/5th outfielder at best sir, then Gardner is a Community College All Star. He can’t hit, can’t field, can’t steal first base.
——–
Apparently Melky can’t steal first base either considering his numbers from last season when he was the undisputed starting center fielder.
Melky after May 17th in 2008:
.239 / .287 / .293 in 276 ABs
Melky after June 8th in 2008:
.218 / .268 / .282 in 206 ABs
——————-
Moronic statement #3. Because apparently, spring training matters at all. Sure Gardner can hit 85 mph fastballs down the middle…CONGRATS!
———
Yeah, Spring Training does matter when both the manager and GM said in February that there is an open competition for the CF job and the winner would be the starting center fielder in April.
Get a clue, punk.
————–
Brett Gardner vs Melky Cabrera
Melky: .294/.368/.647 HR: 2 RBI: 4 R: 5 AB: 17 UZR/150 (RF): +20.3
Gardner: .244/.292/.311 HR: 0 RBI: 1 R: 7 AB: 45 UZR/150: -21.9
———-
If you want to take small samples through 12 games to pump up Melky’s production (in only 17 ABs no less) – then I could so the same thing with Gardner and downplay his production because he’s only played 12 games.
Five hits by Gardner over the next two nights and he’s hitting over .350. What exactly would that prove?
Absolutely nothing – which means Melky’s stats over 17 ABs are just as irrelevant as Gardner’s right now.
Again, get a clue and understand the game before you sound off like an effin lunatic.
As most anyone can see, Gardner will have much more success if he slaps the ball the other way, or sprays line drives…if he keeps the ball on the ground, he always has a chance to do something.
Easier said than done I guess.
“Gardner improved in his final call up to put up a ‘respectable’ line in august/september. It was like .280/.320/.400 or something. If he could produce that this wouldn’t be a question. I would give Gardner a month more to see if he continues to have the bat knocked out of his hands.”
We’re not even a month in or 100 ABs and ppl are bringing up UZR ratings , LD % and using his LD % when he had a different approach a AAA and negating the ST numbers, I mean how does that make sense ? since the offseason Girardi let them know it’s you vs him, Brett beat him since the get go on every category you’d think a rookie gets the same time as anyone would but this is NY.
Jerkface,
Those numbers you refer to were actually .228 ba/.282 obp/.299 slug %. Those are atrocious numbers.
Tom in N.J.
April 21st, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Hey GB, How does David Adams look this spring? I got the chance to see him a few times in S.I. last year…
————————————————————
Not too bad at all, so far. Good bat, some speed, a little power, but, it should get better. Plenty of gap type power (extra bases – 7 doubles, 2 triples), though. Haven’t seen enough on defense, though at 2nd base. I’m guessing that if he makes it to the majors, it’s not going to be with the yanks.
“Brandon: Thank you, Firstinning.com had it, and Brett has a REALLY respectable 18% LD%. Thats pretty good, especially for a guy who sucks. He is getting killed by the fact that he is only walking in 6% of his ABs, and isn’t putting the ball on the ground enough.”
If he gets on base 32 – 35 % of the time he already becomes more valueable than melky because his speed and how he changes the game between SP & C to batter while he’s on the base, he’s a distraction and a guy that can score himself from 1st to home on a well placed single.
The biggest news of the day isn’t who is playing center field tonight, it’s the great news about Nady. It’s like the man has come back from the dead! lol Here’s hoping it works out for him and he’s back playing in June. Getting a Rod back in May and Nady in June is like making 2 great trades in – season.
I seriously can’t wait for the day when Gardner hits his first home run, all you Brett doubts going to be like “okay he’s on roids.”
You misunderstood me. Gardner was sent back to the minors, and when he came up in august/september he did this:
25 games, 73 PA: .294 .333 .412
Gardner famously took some time to adjust to each level(.600 ops when he got promoted, .850 ops the next season at that level)
I want to give him time to prove if he could be that good.
Brandon Rain “Is He Really Hitting This Year ?”
April 21st, 2009 at 5:16 pm
“HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA, bro they live in the same complex on the same floor in NJ. I am pretty sure they still interact plenty”
And at the end of last season, were they or weren’t they seperated ? all reports were Yes. I never said I’m an expert but damn does Melky have some support here. I wish Robi had the the same in the offseason
================
I have always defended Cano. These are players at a completely different level of ability. The so-called stars of this site got out of joint when I said he’s the best hitter we’ve developed since Mattingly. Look whose raking is sticking it to those sanctimonious people now?
And as I recall, the same crap you’re shoveling about Cano – boozing, etc. – was leveled as a reason to get rid of Cano. Hey listen – I hope Melky is traded; he deserves to play somewhere.
But you need to understand that being a boy scout has nothing to do with what goes on between the lines. Mantle and Ruth hardly led what the extreme right would call exemplary lives. Besides, it’s none of our bleepin’ business, just like it’s no one’s business who ARod sleeps with. I’d personally like to see less of this crap on here – and I can’t respect people who dish out crap about people they don’t know.
“I seriously can’t wait for the day when Gardner hits his first home run, all you Brett doubts going to be like “okay he’s on roids.””
IDK it better be a bloop HR w/ him
Rather, the same crap you’re shoveling about Cabrera..
“I’d personally like to see less of this crap on here – and I can’t respect people who dish out crap about people they don’t know.”
That’s why I don’t do it, it’s not like that news is a secret bodhisattva, but ok I guess.
I bet Gardners first HR will be an inside the park.
Ed – Swish is awesome!
April 21st, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I seriously can’t wait for the day when Gardner hits his first home run, all you Brett doubts going to be like “okay he’s on roids.”
==========================
You’re power struck. I’m not even thinking about his offense. I want him to take good enough routes to the ball on back flight so he actually employs his speed to make plays.
Couldn’t give a fig about his offense right now.
bodhisattva you male or female ?
the Melky/Gardner debate is crazy IMO
As GB7 already said, Gardner won the job fair and square.
He should, will, and must be given a reasonable amount of time to show what he’s got.
Melky may very well be better than Gardner but you cannot set the precedent that you only have 12 games to excel or you’ll lose your job.
The argument isn’t even about who is better right now. Gardner won the competition and the prize was a reasonable amount of time to be the starting CF. 12 games is not a reasonable amount of time.
Over the next 20-50 games (and perhaps even more), Gardner needs to show he is their best option. Otherwise, Melky or someone else deserves a shot.
Gentle reminder: a baseball season is 162 games long and tons of adjustments are made during the course of just one season. MLB teams would be in deep trouble if they based all of their decisions on sample sizes of 12 games.
I totally agree with this. Melky was given ample opportunity to prove himself, and he didn’t get it done. Now they’re trying to give Gardner a chance. I doubt he’ll get it done either, but just a few weeks may not be enough time. I wouldn’t give him more than another month or so of this kind of production, but not much less, either, just to see if there’s an upside.
The bottom line is, though, that the Yanks’ entire OF is not very good.
Brandon Rain “Is He Really Hitting This Year ?”
April 21st, 2009 at 5:36 pm
“I’d personally like to see less of this crap on here – and I can’t respect people who dish out crap about people they don’t know.”
That’s why I don’t do it, it’s not like that news is a secret bodhisattva, but ok I guess.
===================================================
I also expect better from you. I know you from a “past life”
Sounds good, Thank you, GB.
Brandon Rain “Is He Really Hitting This Year ?”
April 21st, 2009 at 5:39 pm
bodhisattva you male or female ?
=====
Hint: I’m Melky Cabrera’s uncle.
But worse than the Yankees’ outfield are their radio announcers. Seriously, how do these two keep their jobs? Truly awful.
I have no problem with bod’s critiques of Garnder either. I just think Gardner has earned the right to work through any issues with the bat or in the field.
If these issues defensively are as obvious as bod is suggesting, the Yankees have also noticed them and will work with Brett on it.
So I do know you. Interesting but I know alot of ppl so I’ll figure it out it shouldn’t be hard, I mean Melky fan who posts all his stats compared to Gardner I’ll narrow it down soon.
Boston Dave
April 21st, 2009 at 5:40 pm
the Melky/Gardner debate is crazy IMO
========================
It’s customary for people to analyze players. Some of us – although not all of us – have noticed that Gardner has consistently gotten bad breaks on balls hit over his head. Why is it equivalent to heresy to say so?
Hello, Lovies…
Just wanted to stop by, put down my home plate Martini, and say….
JAZZ HANDS!
Ciao for now!
TH,III
Taste Great!
Less Filling!
Anyone else goin to the game???????
“It’s customary for people to analyze players.”
bod,
I followed up by saying your critiques are fine. I just think you’re not giving Gardner enough time to make adjustments and/or improvements.
Thurston Howell, III
April 21st, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Hello, Lovies…
Just wanted to stop by, put down my home plate Martini, and say….
JAZZ HANDS!
Ciao for now!
TH,III
======================
Strike 1…You’re name is Thurston Howell, III
Strike 2…There are no Martini’s in baseball! (ok, besides the New Yankee Stadium Legends Seats)
Strike 3…YOU’RE OUT… c’mon, Jazz Hands?
The argument isn’t even about who is better right now. Gardner won the competition and the prize was a reasonable amount of time to be the starting CF. 12 games is not a reasonable amount of time.
Over the next 20-50 games (and perhaps even more), Gardner needs to show he is their best option. Otherwise, Melky or someone else deserves a shot.
———-
Well said, Boston Dave. This is precisely my argument.
Nobody is saying that Gardner is leagues ahead of Melky as a baseball player.
Most of us are simply making the point that Melky had more than his fair share of opportunities to take the job and run with it and he failed miserably the last couple of years – especially last year.
Gardner won the job in ST and deserves the chance to show what he can do.
Melky had his chances and blew it. Period. That’s on him. Melky didn’t get railroaded. He lost the job.
It’s time to let someone else play for awhile. Gardner earned himself that opportunity.
Brandon Rain “Is He Really Hitting This Year ?”
April 21st, 2009 at 5:44 pm
So I do know you. Interesting but I know alot of ppl so I’ll figure it out it shouldn’t be hard, I mean Melky fan who posts all his stats compared to Gardner I’ll narrow it down soon.
=====================================================
I’m actually a Yankee fan. I understand the preoccupation with in-potentia speed. I was ready to roll with Gardner, but the repetition of the SAME bad tendencies on fly balls was unexpected and has me on the alert that the guy who was advertised as a faster Melky minus the arm isn’t the guy in CF.
The irony is, people have been shouting about Melky’s “bad jumps.”
meanwhile,
far more important that Gardner vs Melky is how CMW does in
Tampa.
I expect Pete will keep us updated but if anybody hears anything make sure to post it.
I hope Wang is receptive to the feedback he’ll get from Eiland and the coaches.
At least today you guys are arguing about 2 live players.
Yesterday I accidentally started an argument over who is better: a live Cano or a dead Tony Lazzeri (it was a slow day for GB7 abd Texmvp)
*to see my Opening Day photos click on my name*
“Hello, Lovies…
Just wanted to stop by, put down my home plate Martini, and say….
JAZZ HANDS!
Ciao for now!
TH,III”
By far one of my favorite posters!
Did anyone else read Tyler Kepner’s article in the NY Times yesterday? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04.....8;emc=eta1
““The biggest difference is exactly at the center of Section 103 (the one closest to the right-field bullpen), where the new park is nine feet shorter (359 feet in the new, 368 feet in the old).
The difference is due to the scoreboard in the right field wall.
Cano has been moved the 5 hole, a sopt that might be his home for years to come……Tricia’s excellent panorama view of the Stadium certainly indicates how the rf wall does not bow inward as they old wall did….I guess they wanted to squeze in some more seats….
Trisha,
I wanted to see your pics of your seats on Opening DAy but I have no luck with the link.
“Brian Bruney has retired 20 straight batters. In his last seven outings, he has pitched 6.2 perfect innings…” But I repeat myself. -Pete Abe
*to see Opening Day photos click on my name*
Sorry, messed up again. Address is now the correct one.
Since I have no angst I will just hang out and watch tv until the game begins! I’ll leave the current debate(s) to those to whom they matter.
Tom in N.J.
April 21st, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Sounds good, Thank you, GB.
————————————————————
sure think, Tom. you’re most welcome. Keep in mind, though…it’s only my thoughts and opinions. Hell, I thought that Roger Repoz and Steve Whitaker were going to the HOF.
‘Cano has been moved the 5 hole, a sopt that might be his home for years to come……’
his graduation # 3 hole here he comes
Boston Dave
April 21st, 2009 at 5:48 pm
“It’s customary for people to analyze players.”
bod,
I followed up by saying your critiques are fine. I just think you’re not giving Gardner enough time to make adjustments and/or improvements.
=============================
Well, he’s going to get that time. He’s the manager’s choice. I think the disconnect here is that I’m less convinced he can improve enough on tracking balls. It’s my opinion that this is, to a degree, an in-born talent. But let’s hope he can make the adjustments and be the defender he was advertised to be. I’m not that demanding – just catch the ball and all will be well.
3, 4 and 5 could one day be
Cano, Teixeira, Rodrguez
or
Cano, Rodriguez, Teixeira
Pat M,
If the new improved Cano can keep getting on base, he may end up being an ideal #2 or #3 hitter. It remains to be seen whether he’ll ever have 20-30HR power (*not counting potential YS park factor) but he’s showing hit the ball to all fields and get on base.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Jeter,Cano,Tex,ARod manning the 1-4 spots in 2010 if JD departs.
Of course you’d like more speed there but if the Yanks don’t have it, you go with the guy who is going to get on base.
I think this is where too much stat crunching and “projections” obscure the observable.
Cabrera has been horribly inconsistent and his plate discipline has digressed considerably over the last 3 years… but on the other hand, we KNOW he has certain tools in his bag.
He can hit major league pitching hard over sustainable stretches. He’s had months in the majors where he’s been a GOOD starting outfielder, at the plate and in the field.
He’s had multiple, prolonged hitting streaks that suggest his ability wasn’t just running into dumb luck.
Hes actually shown respectable plate discipline in his career (2006).
Given his age, and his apparent immaturity, it’s not unreasonable to at least consider that he could develop consistency over time and his mental approach could improve.
If he could just approximate his career performance in the months of July-August (550 abs over three seasons), he’s be a good major league outfielder.
If the guy was in his later 20′s and he was consistently medicore, I’d say his time has passed. But he’s still very young and has mostly been pretty good or very bad.
I think the guy deserves time to figure how to lock into the good Cabrera for longer stretches and minimize the bad Cabrera.
Wow, great, great, great news about Nady. I’m exceedingly happy to hear it. Huge for the Yankees. Especially because now they can focus on what they are going to do in the meantime. The way I see it, it’s:
a) call up Juan Miranda
b) call up Juan Rodriguez
c) sign Frank Cattalonatto or Edmonds
But I do think the Yankees have to do something. Not because I think we necessarily need another OF. Melky can handle 4th OF duties for the time being. But what he can’t do is be a potent bat off the bench, and THAT is what we need.
Uncle Ellsworth
April 21st, 2009 at 5:54 pm
At least today you guys are arguing about 2 live players.
Yesterday I accidentally started an argument over who is better: a live Cano or a dead Tony Lazzeri (it was a slow day for GB7 abd Texmvp)
————————————————————
It’s always a slow day for him.
bod,
I understand that. But don’t you see the value in giving guys a fair shot at a job they won fair and square?
If players knew they had no room for error, no chance to make adjustments, etc – they’d be playing with an incredible amount of pressure.
Unfortunately, the Yankees have 2 CF options which still need a little learning on the job. Both are young and have adjustments to make if they’re going to be quality major league starters.
Whether it’s Melky or Brett, we need to allow some growing pains. Until they develop or the Yanks get a proven CF, that’s how it’s gonna be.
BD, I’d want Robi in the #3 hole, his eye w/ Arod or Teix protecting him, and knowing Alex or Teix will both be protected. It depends who takes one for the team.
Essentially a playoff series w/
#3 Cano
#4 Arod
#5 Teix
or
#3 Cano
#4 Teix
#5 Arod
sounds very dangerous if they stay level headed.
Pat M, I am so happy you mentioned that panoramic view. Since I am such a leper with a camera I am thrilled that some of the shots came out the way they did! Definitely one of the ghosts from the old Stadium was helping me out…
Drive, try now.
I am going to leave the link to the large panoramic shot on my posts because I seriously think it is an awesome shot. Again, credit to the camera and the ghost!
http://images44.fotki.com/v148.....ees008.jpg
I’m off to fetch dinner so I don’t miss first pitch, so appreciate the gentlemanly debate (you know who you are, lol).
Go Yanks!
My personal Opinion is that Melky is a better player than Gardner offensively and defensively, and Melky is two years younger than Gardner. I think Melky has a chance of being a .300 BA 15HR type of player some day, that is my personal opinion but what do I know. With all that said Gardner deserves his shot, but so far he has sucked except for a few games, I was expecting much better defense from him,and pitchers treat him like he doesn’t belong in the majors. Like some of you have said you can’t steal first base, and half the time he hits the ball its a weak pop-up. But he deserves his chance and i hope he proves me wrong….and look at it this way if Austin does what we all think he is going to do no one will discussing Melky, or Gardner next year:)
GB7
now is that nice? ha
anyway off the 4 train and to the Death Star in the boogie down Bronx
DL the bum and stop wasting his roster space… call up a long reliever so we can burn his arm out in the Boston series because you know one of those games someone will get knocked out early.. that always happens in a Sux Yanks series
Oh, and I think most people would agree, the VERY good April Cabrera had last year (specifically the 5 homeruns) is what really screwed him up in the head for most of the year.
I think there is enough evidence to suggest a more mature Cabrera that develops a consistent approach could be a .280/.350/.440 type player, which with his arm and some improved flyball pursuit would be more than a servicable centerfielder.
“I’m off to fetch dinner so I don’t miss first pitch, so appreciate the gentlemanly debate (you know who you are, lol).”
Tell Melky I said hi
It’s a great shot Tricia……..As for Cano, let’s see how he adjusts to the 5 hole….Last season when he was moved up in the lineup he was a bust….I think he’s going be fine this go around…..During the off season there was much debating about a Cano / Matt Kemp trade….Kemp is of to an amazing start as is Cano….Robby Cano, think George Brett with more power
Haven’t seen anyone else bring this up yet, but imagine if Girardi had brought Nady in to pitch instead of Swisher? Girardi said he brought Swish in because of his personality, but it was also said that he asked the guys who had any pitching experience. What if Nady had some?
Could you imagine the hot-water he’d be in? Just something to chew on.
Pretty sure bod is female, not that it matters.
Buddy,
You should just give it up. You’re batting .000 on gender predictions!
Brandon,
I have no problem with Cano hitting 3rd. Ideally they’d resign Damon or get a speedy high OBP guy to hit 1st or 2nd.
Then the rest of the lineup falls right into place.
My personal Opinion is that Melky is a better player than Gardner offensively and defensively, and Melky is two years younger than Gardner.
————–
Why do people continue to use the age difference (which is one year, BTW – not two years) when Gardner beat him out for the job in ST?
It was made clear by everyone that the winner of the CF job would be determined by their performances over a seven week period in ST.
Gardner won the job. It’s as simple as that. Melky didn’t get railroaded and it wasn’t a political conspiracy by the coaches.
Melky also has three more years of major league experience and couldn’t beat out the guy who has 127 ABs.
Melky was also so bad last year that he was sent down to the minors because of his issues on and off the field.
Melky after May 17th in 2008:
.239 / .287 / .293 in 276 ABs
Melky after June 8th in 2008:
.218/ .268 / .282 in 206 ABs
Gardner was also drafted out of college a couple of weeks before Melky made his major league debut in 2005.
So why do people keep bringing up a one year age difference when the younger guy has had many more opportunities to take a stranglehold of the job and couldn’t do it?
Hey, if the good doc said Nady didn’t need surgery and he could rehab his way back to the diamond, then it seems to me the risk (such as it is) is a good one.
maybe my mind is still a little blurred from yesterday, but i’m dying here after Thurston Howell’s post.
maybe the YES people can superimpose famous fictional rich people into the empty seats until the yankees get the price situation straightened out. the howells, mr. burns and smithers, mr drummond, and the family from silver spoons…
m-
Haha, very true.
Cano
Tex
Arod
That’s sick!
Wait… Wang is allowed to pitch in a Extended Spring game even though he is not on the DL or in the minors?
How does that work?
Giuseppe Franco: well if you read my full statement you would of seen that I said Gardner deserves his shot. But im just saying he needs to improve in a month or two because from what I’m seeing he is not doing very good. I know its only 12 games and twelve games does not make a player but the sings are not good I’m just saying…and you should of read the full comment:)
Thanks for the updates, Pete.
I can understand why Wang would be upset. Any competitor would. But we have to do what’s best for the team right now. Wang’s had a couple of chances to prove himself, and he hasn’t.
Even I could lit Cashman 6 inches off the ground.
Mike Cameron is better tan Gardner and Melky combined.
Therefore, we should trade for him.
can we ban the term “launching pad”?
I think there is enough evidence to suggest a more mature Cabrera that develops a consistent approach could be a .280/.350/.440 type player, which with his arm and some improved flyball pursuit would be more than a servicable centerfielder.
===============================================
Uhhh….isn’t that the case WITH 90% of the players? That’s why they become bench/4th outfielders because they lack the consistent approach.
There’s a reason why Gardner beat him out in ST, and I bet you were one of those who wanted him to be the starting CF out of ST.
I don’t know about the Bronx, but it just started raining here in Queens.
Joe,
He doesn’t have to physically be with the team. And he won’t be pitching for any of the minor league teams. Simulated game, but they want to see him get out of the 2nd inning.
Is anyone going to the game tonight? Fast moving thunderstorm starting to move into the area here. I can’t the doplar weatherthing to move north.
Cabrera looks like he can handle major league pitching.
Gardner does not.
I’d LOVE for the guy to prove me wrong (really), but sometimes your own eyes tell you what you need to know.
saucY April 21st, 2009 at 6:22 pm
maybe my mind is still a little blurred from yesterday, but i’m dying here after Thurston Howell’s post.
maybe the YES people can superimpose famous fictional rich people into the empty seats until the yankees get the price situation straightened out. the howells, mr. burns and smithers, mr drummond, and the family from silver spoons…
================
Cardboard cutouts of Jack Nicholson might work……
Joe -
You can pitch in an extended game, but you can’t make any roster moves. So after Thursday’s outing, they have to make a decision. We’re playing with a 24 man roster now basically.
Though I suppose they could keep Wang on the 25 man, send down a reliever, and bring up Hughes or Kennedy to make a start or two. But if thats the case, you might as well DL Wang.
Bod isn’t saying that Melky is a great hitter. He’s not. He’s just saying that Gardner is atrocious. Can’t hit an ML fastball and now, one of his supposed assets, fielding, has been shown to be severely overvalued.
Cabrera should clearly be seeing more time. Saying that isnt’ the same as saying you think he’s an All-Star. If he can go .260/.340/.420, it’s still better than what Gardner is going to give you
“I am going to leave the link to the large panoramic shot on my posts because I seriously think it is an awesome shot. Again, credit to the camera and the ghost!”
Trisha – it’s a great picture. But just one question?
Do you have Photoshop software? If so – please superimpose both Melky and Brett in CF together to keep everyone here happy.
Stuckey,
I think those are some astute observations regarding Cabrera…
However, Gardner won the CF position fair and square so he must be given a reasonable time frame–more than 12 games in other words–to see what he can do at this level…
As for me, when I’ve watched them both play, I see it as Melky is the better hitter/defender, while Gardner’s big edge is his speed…but he must get on base to take advantage of that…
Let’s see what Gardner does after a month of AB’s…
“He doesn’t have to physically be with the team. And he won’t be pitching for any of the minor league teams. Simulated game, but they want to see him get out of the 2nd inning.”
M, It would be funny, in an odd way, if it were announced that Wang was pulled for getting bombed in a simulated game.
Got here about 5:15 and checked out my seats…. fantastic.
Now I’m having some drinks and food at the Hard Rock. We’re sitting next to a guy dressed in head-to-toe Yankees offical gear. He just bought us tequila shots.
Good times.
Mark-Cant Touch This,
My point is what does it matter if Melky is one year younger?
He still lost the job in ST.
They have two completely different backgrounds. Melky has been in the Yankee system for 8 years and Gardner has been in it for 4 years after being drafted out of college.
People keep using the one year age difference as some kind of feather to put in Melky’s cap but it really isn’t relevant because he’s also had far more opportunities to take a stranglehold of that job and hasn’t done it.
There is no advantage to Melky knowing he’s a year younger. It’s more of a knock against him knowing he’s had so many more opportunities to do something about it.
miggs, how the weather
Melky is a much better defender then Gardner, has more pop, switch hits, stronger arm.
Melky is a pure baseball player, Gardner is a track star.
Overcast, a little windy last time I checked.
I anticipate staying here until first pitch, this place is great. Drinks are not as outrageous as I thought they’d be. I’m pleasantly surprised.
Also, if you’re not going to sit field level, main dugout is the place to be. I’m still shocked at the great deal I got on StubHub today.
I’ll try and post sporadically throughout he game.
PatM
LA Times today, Torre said the way Kemp hits the ball reminds him of A-Rod/Piazza/Strawberry. Just seems like the ball is never going to land. Mattingly seemed equally as high on him.
That’s some pretty lofty company. I know Kemp has skills but haven’t seen him play that often. Fair comparison or wishful thinking on Torre’s part?
DT – LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are just so humerous!
If I had the skills of a lot of people, I could probably do something like that with my eyes closed.
I agree about Melky being the pure athlete and Brett being the track star, by the way. But I’m also at peace with whatever decisions are made since I have no say so!
(The last time I had any WTH angst was when Alfred E. kept showing up on the mound.)
I don’t know if it’s been said above, but since there are “just” 250 comments, I won’t review each and every one.
It think it would be great if Bleachers Creatures give Giambi the Roll-Call as a welcome to the New Yankee Stadium.
Giambi lifting Cashman off the ground…
trisha,
Let’s hope they don’t re-call Alfred if they put Wang on the DL. Hughes has to be the choice.
*Alfred E.
trisha, finally saw your slide show. great pics
Woo Hoo Miggs!!!! It’s a sweet place to be, isn’t it????
Nothing like getting a good stubhub deal. I have the feeling that might not be so uncommon this season.
Giuseppe Franco: I get your point….but one question for you. if you asked every team in the major leagues to pick between Gardner or Melky to play for them in the next 5 years which one do you think they would pick?
Have fun Miggs. The closest ill get to watching the Yanks is in Anaheim. I bought a car from an Angels season ticket holder and hes going to hook me up with a couple tickets that wont take a home loan to purchase. Cant wait!!! Enjoy the game.
I was one of those people who wanted to trade Cano for Kemp last season.
And I’d still do it, especially given that Damon, Matsui, and Nady will likely all be gone a year from now.
An outfield in 2010 of Austin Jackson, Matt Kemp, Nick Swisher and probably Gardner would cover a lot of ground in that outfield and add quite a bit of youth to the team.
>>Uhhh….isn’t that the case WITH 90% of the players? That’s why they become bench/4th outfielders because they lack the consistent approach.<>There’s a reason why Gardner beat him out in ST, and I bet you were one of those who wanted him to be the starting CF out of ST.<<
I wanted someone/anyone to be GOOD in centerfield, whomever it happened to be. I’d gladly watch Gardner keep Cabrera on the bench. I’m rooting for the guy.
He just doesn’t look like a major league hitter. He’s got a long, mostly arms and hands swing.
Surely I can’t be the only one who’s noticed that?
Doesn’t mean he’s not going to catch up with one here and there.
Clint I would be stunned if they ever took Alfred E. over Hughes. Hughes would have to be DLd for that to happen. Seriously. I mean seriously.
See, the angst is coming back!
You’re not the only one, Stuckey. I watched him take a late hack on an 89 MPH 2-0 fastball right down the gut in the TB series, I believe.
saucy, so happy you finally got to see them! I just picked up Hank Blalock, by the way. I needed someone with power.
Franco – Same here. Kemp is going to be a stud.
if you asked every team in the major leagues to pick between Gardner or Melky to play for them in the next 5 years which one do you think they would pick?
———
My point is that we don’t know exactly what Gardner is yet because he hasn’t played enough. He may be just a 4th/5th outfielder or he could be a decent stopgap until Jackson is ready.
But we already know Melky is nothing more than a 4th/5th outfielder as evidenced by the last two years.
I was one of those people who wanted to trade Cano for Kemp last season.
And I’d still do it, especially given that Damon, Matsui, and Nady will likely all be gone a year from now.
An outfield in 2010 of Austin Jackson, Matt Kemp, Nick Swisher and probably Gardner would cover a lot of ground in that outfield and add quite a bit of youth to the team.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _
I totally disagree with that, a second baseman like Cano is much more valuable then Matt Kemp, there are plenty of Matt Kemps or equivalent to Matt Kemp players out there..There are very few Canos
Meanwhile it is pouring here in Rhody. I’m wondering if the team to the north will get the game in.
This maniac sitting next to us continues to punish me with tequila shots. He won’t take no for an answer.
At this rate I won’t be getting to my seats until the 3rd inning.
So funny, this guy has on Yankees everything. Even Yankee socks. No joke.
I am not sure which is the better player, Melky or Gardner. Frankly, it seems a bit of a moot point given than both have their troubles and their pluses.
Franco, to keep harping on Spring Training is the wrong approach to the argument. While Gardner won the position in Spring Training, it was as much to do with the way Melky looked last year. The old saying is you never place too much faith on spring training or end of the year performances.
Melky certainly looks to be a better bat. He has a stronger arm. Gardner’s speed is great, but if he can’t get on base it isn’t going to amount to much.
Overall, neither are ideal.
trisha,
The Nats, Sox, & O’s are in rain delay.
How many games does it take, Giuseppe, to discern that Gardner has no plate approach? Not only that, he doesn’t have the skill to handle the pitches that come his way when he gets ahead in the count. This isn’t a question of balls dropping in or having a slump. It’s the way he approaches ABs, the way he sees pitches, the way he reacts to pitches, and the types of swings he puts on most pitches. The reason he hit 2 doubles in the TB game is because they were playing him to hit like a pitcher. It’s not just fans. Everyone has him scouted as a terrible hitter. It’s a poor baseball decision at this moment to invest time in watching Gardner put up a sub .300 OBP. The two CFs they have are like middle relievers. I expect nothing from either, and I expect to see the hot hand ridden.
If G*Fraud gets back on the juice, he might be able to lift Pete 6 inches off the ground. Then Pete could yell “Weeeee!” as Giambi spins around.
My point is that we don’t know exactly what Gardner is yet because he hasn’t played enough. He may be just a 4th/5th outfielder or he could be a decent stopgap until Jackson is ready.
But we already know Melky is nothing more than a 4th/5th outfielder as evidenced by the last two years
__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Well the thing is I don’t think the Melky we saw the last two years is the real Melky..I think the Melky we saw the first year is the real Melky. But he has to prove me right I hope he does, and I hope Gardner succeeds because that would improve the chances of the Yankees succeeding.
Trish,
2 things regarding pictures.
1. The big screen out in center is awesome. (i would put a faucaud at the top of it like the crown on the royals screen).
2. You need to remove picture #44. That cleveland player looks like hes getting ready to do something kinky.
Remember their are kids who read and see this blog.
Tricia, next time let’s get a clear picture of you…..So in the furure if and we when we go toe to toe on a difference in opinion, at least I’ll have a image of who is whipping my tail……..GB7, are you lurking about ??? I was watching mlb.tv, as they were doing their 4 hours of WS highlights…..I think we forget how great the Baltimore Orioles were in the late 60′s / early 70′s as the filled the power vacumn that the Yankees created as they fell off the Penthouse…..Frank Robinson was a great, great ballplayer…..Surprisingly they only won two Championships, as did the Reds who filled the vacumn that the Cards left in the late 60′s……
mel, the weather really is lousy across the nation. Yesterday I understand that the tampa minors game was postponed because of rain as well as the Scranton game. It is really pouring here and is that damp cold that goes through you! Sucky night to be playing ball. I feel bad for Minny…
miggs – JUST SAY NO! You want to be able to drink in the Yankee experience and you will not do it if you keep drinking in the tequila shots!!!
miggs-Have fun at the game. Bring us some luck!
Franco, to keep harping on Spring Training is the wrong approach to the argument. While Gardner won the position in Spring Training, it was as much to do with the way Melky looked last year. The old saying is you never place too much faith on spring training or end of the year performances.
———
You’re misunderstanding me. I don’t put any stock in ST stats. But the point is that there was an open competition for the job and Gardner won it.
ST stats don’t mean anything unless guys are battling for a role as was in this case.
I’ve never suggested his ST numbers would translate to the regular season.
who replaces Wang in the rotation if CMW goes on the DL?
I’m guessing the most popular answer would be Hughes but perhaps the Yankees don’t want to bring him up just yet. Let him continue to get into rhythm in AAA for a month or two first.
Could it be Jason Johnson, Tomko, or someone else?
in regards to the accuweather vs lohud meteorologist debate, ive created a discussion over that the accuweather forums….if you havent already signed up you can join for free and discuss it
Pat,,,,,Matt Kemp is the next great ballplayer of our era I believe…..He’s still a raw talent as he’s learning as he goes, but wow he’s very special….5 tools and their all way above average…..
John_Halfz,
Gardner won the job and deserves a chance to show what he’s got. Melky was really, really bad last year and they still left him in the lineup for most of the season.
I guarantee Gardner won’t get nearly that much time to prove himself. He’ll probably get another few weeks or a month.
But I don’t understand people clamoring for Melky when he showed nothing last year and at best would be a minimal upgrade if any upgrade at all.
The more Melky plays – the more Melky shows he’s not an everyday player.
Question to any sat or sun ticketplan holders:
Did you have to buy a ticket to tomorrows game?
“Finally, the Big G was behind the cage when the Yankees took BP getting hugs from all his former teammates and coaches. When Cashman came over, Giambi hugged him and lifted him up off the ground six inches or so. I wish I had a photo. Just hilarious”
Awww, I wish you had a photo too! I love the Big G. Although I’ll love him a lot more if he doesnt get any hits tonight unless its an inconsequential 2 out single. Maybe he’ll beat the shift for lolz.
Pat M, I’ll see if I can find a clearer picture of me, maybe in panoramic view!!!
Giambi has no HRs, by the time these 2 games are over he will.
I have to say I felt a little tug at my heartstring when I saw Jason in his A’s uni.
Lets go Andy! DP maybe?
“Giambi has no HRs, by the time these 2 games are over he will.”
Maybe not. He’s facing 2 lefties in the 2 games.
Anybody else having trouble with the home feed on mlbtv?
omg im not gettting the game on tv!!!!! outrage!!!!!
Pat M
Thanks. The article made him sound like a kid who thought he knew it all until he found out how much he didn’t know and he’s been more receptive to learning since he figured that out.
I wonder if the yankees will shift when Giambi is up or remain in their positions as a favor to Jason?
article on Brett Gardner on ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4084009
the Giambino!!
Pat,,,,,Matt Kemp is the next great ballplayer of our era I believe…..He’s still a raw talent as he’s learning as he goes, but wow he’s very special….5 tools and their all way above average…..
————
Agreed.
I would have traded Cano for Kemp last season and my opinion hasn’t changed one iota despite Cano’s fast start.
We’ll have to wait and see if Cano sustains it. A nice hitting streak to start the season can make a lot of people forget all his struggles the last year.
It won’t be long before people turn on him again if he has a rough stretch.
A large contingent of Yankee fans are good at that. Singing praise when a player is performing well and kicking them in the gut with steel toed boots when they are struggling.
Wow!
hehe, Brett just robbed Giambi.
Little G robs Big G
Not too shabby of a reception.
Best play by Garner yet?
Little G robs Big G???? Shocking.
LA Yanks – Yeah, it is not working for me either. Awesome huh?
I’m so glad I pay for this service!
Wait, I thought Gardner was a poor fielder?
Can the Yankees hire some seat fillers to fill some of these empty seats along side the dugouts? I’ll gladly be one of them.
Nice play by Gardner:) hope he continues to prove me wrong
That was GORGEOUS. Who was saying that Brett isn’t an athlete???
little G takes down the big one!
I think Little G might’ve been reading this thread…
LA Yanks,
me neither. The game audio came on for 3 seconds and then right off again.
ugh
Great catch. More of that, please.
“2. You need to remove picture #44. That cleveland player looks like hes getting ready to do something kinky.
Remember their are kids who read and see this blog.”
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!
OK, mine works now despite a sputter here & there.
I would have traded Cano for Kemp last season and my opinion hasn’t changed one iota despite Cano’s fast start.
We’ll have to wait and see if Cano sustains it. A nice hitting streak to start the season can make a lot of people forget all his struggles the last year.
It won’t be long before people turn on him again if he has a rough stretch.
A large contingent of Yankee fans are good at that. Singing praise when a player is performing well and kicking them in the gut with steel toed boots when they are struggling.
__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Ill keep Cano thank you..They guy had a HORRIBLE year and still hit .272…Cano can flat out rake I never lost faith in him..It wouldn’t be surprise me if he won the batting tittle this year
Bronx Jeers
April 21st, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Not too shabby of a reception.
Best play by Garner yet?
==============
Got two to choose from. This was better.
Working for me now. Came on just in time to see Jeter fly out. That guy has got to be more productive. He’s hurting my team (the Yankees) and my fantasy team (Spacely Sprockets)!
Damn, there’s a LOT of empty seats. Not just near the field, the entire 1st level around the field is full of holes.
The walking wounded- Alex and X are the only 2 Yankees who got a hit off Eveland last year. Hope this group can figure something out tonight.
Wow it looks like the whole bottom is empty
All those empty seats are depressing.
My mlb.com is doing the same thing…..Cano fo rKemp is and will be an interesting trade that will never happen….Cano is a gold glove 2nd baseman who hits. 320 plus with 30 hr potential…..I my mind that’s tough to replace…I love Kemp, as I see him play all the time here in LA….Torre is right though, he is special and his potential is unlimited ….
“I would have traded Cano for Kemp last season and my opinion hasn’t changed one iota despite Cano’s fast start.”
Dodgers never agreed to or offered that trade anyway. There was a rumor but that’s all it was.
So might as well say you’d trade Cano for Kemp and Kershaw.
Mark-Cant Touch This
April 21st, 2009 at 7:16 pm
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Ill keep Cano thank you..They guy had a HORRIBLE year and still hit .272…Cano can flat out rake I never lost faith in him..It wouldn’t be surprise me if he won the batting tittle this year
================
Yup. Never got too upset with all the nonsense, because I figured Cashman wouldn’t be that stupid.
Ill keep Cano thank you..They guy had a HORRIBLE year and still hit .272…Cano can flat out rake I never lost faith in him..It wouldn’t be surprise me if he won the batting tittle this year
———
Blind faith is not a good thing. Same thing in regards to Melky.
Matt Kemp has a higher ceiling than Cano. I don’t think there’s much doubt about that.
I hope for the Yanks’ sake that Cano continues to hit well as he has during the first 13 games.
But I’m not going to guarantee it by any means. He still has a lot to prove.
First pitch swinging Cano is back. Bring out the pitchforks! /s
cano
oh man,
mlb.tv finally came up and I’m way behind. Jeter is just coming up to bat.
lovely.
Remember this is a week night game against Oakland. This would not be a sell out at the other stadium.
Good for the empty seats. Let the ticket speculators learn a lesson and lose some cash. Maybe they won’t buy up so screw up so many real fans’ ticket plans next season.
The empty seats are horribly depressing, and thAt AB by Cano, no good.
First pitch Cano, why !!!!!
Getty caught an image of Big G giving the same bear hug to Jeet.
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty....._athle.jpg
Ok I made it to my seats.
Great catch by Gardner. Not only was it an amazing play, it gave me a small window to escape the Hard Rock.
One quick hi-five to Mr. Tequila and I was out of there.
Lots of empty seats again behind home plate. More empty seats down the lines.
Runners LOB is killing this offense (not too mention an army of guys hitting below .250). They’re lucky they’re facing a team with even less pop.
Boston Dave turn off Nexdef. It won’t be hd but it will be on time.
“I would have traded Cano for Kemp last season and my opinion hasn’t changed one iota despite Cano’s fast start.”
Dodgers never agreed to or offered that trade anyway. There was a rumor but that’s all it was.
So might as well say you’d trade Cano for Kemp and Kershaw.
———-
No, it wasn’t a realistic trade. Nobody ever made that offer.
But we had many discussions debating whether it would make sense for the Yanks to do it last year and I believe Kemp will turn out to be the better player.
It was more of a discussion regarding a fantasy scenario than anything based on reality.
The Yankee brass better at least start thinking of putting cardboard cutouts of people in the lower seats.
The cameras can hide just so much.
Blind faith is not a good thing. Same thing in regards to Melky.
Matt Kemp has a higher ceiling than Cano. I don’t think there’s much doubt about that.
I hope for the Yanks’ sake that Cano continues to hit well as he has during the first 13 games.
But I’m not going to guarantee it by any means. He still has a lot to prove.
_ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _
Matt Kemp has a lot to prove also
Cust has some ridiculous power. The bat barely made a sound and the ball nearly went out.
My crack-of-the-bat induced twitches are returning!
This is an embarrassment. The Stadium is dead with thousands and thousands of empty seats.
$1.5 Billion new stadium is the laughingstock of baseball within it’s first week. Obstructed view seats, lifeless crowds, scores of empty seats, and a launching pad park factor.
Man Chavez could have had an awesome career.
Mirror images: Chavez and Matsui. Both batting second, both broken-down.
Andy is looking good!
So might as well say you’d trade Cano for Kemp and Kershaw.
————-
Id do that trade BD.
Correction: both batting seventh
Andy looks good out there. Now if they can only get Wang straightened out, they can go on a decent win streak with this starting pitching.
Pettitte off to a good start…thats what I like to see…now lets blow the A’s out…Id say we are due to be on the right side of a blowout
no buzz (in the Yankee Stadium crowd, at least).
I can’t shake the feeling that I’m watching a spring training game, but with less people. The combination of the net and the glaring empty seats is not cutting it.
theres more yankee fans at road games than at home it seems, pretty disturbing
all those empty seats are making fools of the yankees brass. greed and hubris coming home to roost. on tv it sounds like a triple-a game.
Nick!
Oh yes. How could I forget about the Net. Thanks hardwired.
Why are the seats so embarrassing? The economy is bad right now. And when they started building it was something that they didn’t foresee. If there wasn’t a bad economy and people didn’t show up that would be bad.
Every game there is going to be an empty seat watch?
When the economy gets better and the Yanks work something out I’m sure it will be better. To use the cliche: it is what it is.
I’m not embarrassed by it at all.
LOL Swisher just gave the Big G a BIG buttslap. Hilarious.
hardwired
maybe it’s the color of the seats…it’s too dark… I miss the old stadium
Its a damp Tuesday night against the A’s calm down people..
LOL at Swisher
Matsui lives! He lives!!!
lara, the empty seats are the ones right around the infield, its a joke and an embarrasment.
Vanessa, that photo made me start to bawl. I’m like Betsy in that I get attached to more than the laundry and then it’s hard when someone like Giambi goes elsewhere.
Look, when they started to build the new Stadium, the economy wasn’t in the toilet. Something will be done about this. So let’s just wait and watch.
Nice to see Godzilla looking better
mlb.com is out again….
RISP. Get them home
rumors of godzillas demise are greatly exaggerated.
Cody will hit a 3 run home run
“Wait… Wang is allowed to pitch in a Extended Spring game even though he is not on the DL or in the minors?
How does that work?”
it looks like he’s still on the yankees mlb roster and just getting a workout in tampa. my guess is he’ll face a yankee lineup of rookie ball hitters or whoever is in tampa. i actually caught a full simulated game once for the orioles. in that case there was a defensive team in the field( they didn’t hit) and a lineup of hitters, but it can be done without a defensive team and with any number of hitters. after three outs the pitcher sits in the dugout just like in a game and then goes back out to the mound to continue for as many innings as wanted.
i had assumed and injury would be created to get wang on a rehab mode with minor league games involved. it’s obvious that eiland and girardi have only some ideas what the problem might be, and you get the feeling they know they need some time to fix wang.
in addition to being a team problem,this is personally serious also for girardi and eiland. neither wants to have a two time 19 game winner go into oblivion on their watch. that’s the kind of thing that could stick to their reputations whether it’s fair or not.
i would like to see an “injury” causing wang to be disabled so wang could get back to basics in tampa, and throw 2-3 minor league starts to build up strength. i would not bring him up until he ‘s hitting 93-94 mph on the sinker even if it takes longer than 2-3 starts.
sike!
Ransom is just not very good.
No Cody pops up…A-Rod I miss ya buddy:(
Lara, great minds think alike. People have to learn to chill with the seat thing and just realize that in a better economy there wouldn’t be this problem, at least not to this extent. Geesh
I wonder how badly torn that ligament on X is.
I really hope it’s not so bad that he can’t play the field. A L-R platoon with Matsui sounds great, until you think that Jorge, and Damon, and maybe Alex will need time there also. We already have plenty of DHs. So, unless X can put in time in the field, this is another problem, potentially.
Sorry for the negative post, but it’s on my mind. Hope I’m wrong.
bg!
GGBG comes through! 2-0 Yanks.
They aren’t using the homeplate camera anymore so if you are seeing net you have been overserved or your contacts need cleaning.
Nice job lil G!
ggbg
at least, Brett picked up Cody.
man do we ever need A-Rod, i betcha when he comes back and the weather gets warmer we’ll start seeing the sellouts we are accustomed to
Lil G comes through!!!
Brett giveth and Brett taketh away tonight.
The attendance isn’t bad per se. It’s just were used to seeing all those seats filled. It used to be that it was always the left field bleachers and the outfield tier that was not sold.
If you look at their attendance history you’ll see that they’re right about at their 1999-2001 levels.
I know where the seats are ham fighters if it gets you upset so be it.
For me the embarrassing thing is all the whining in Yankeeland. If its not the seats, its the friggin’ wind, if its not that its that the Yankees’ season is over and they wasted billions of dollars.
Its just always something.
I think Gardner heard that I was talking about him lol…If I promise to keep trashing you will you promise to keep hitting and playing good defense Gardner?
hard to believe a lefty let gardner take a lead that big. he almost had his back foot to the cut out.
nice start to the night for gardy
Gardner staels 2nd….That’s why he plays ahead of Melky….Oh the catch in the 1st inning is another reason
Okay – whew. What a weird few hours. Thought my daughter had baseball practice this afternoon, so I drove her there and realized it was the wrong day. Came back home.
Does anyone think Gardner was reading this blog today???? First that incredible catch and now the single with RISP. Way to go Gardy!
(I may like Melky, but I want anyone who plays to succeed and I don’t dislike Gardner.)
miggs -
Hope you can still enjoy the game!
Can someone tell me on what planet the Yankees are playing catch-up to the Red Sox?
While driving my daughter home from “practice,” I was listening to Dibble and whoever on XM talk about what a mess the Yankees rotation is in and somewhere in their little speech, the guy with the Daffy Duck voice said the Yankees have to catch up with the Red Sox.
I am now sworn off, officially, any non-Yankee broadcast. I don’t mind if people who follow the Yankees daily criticize and make proclamations – but not casual observers.
how can they give that a hit?
“They aren’t using the homeplate camera anymore so if you are seeing net you have been overserved or your contacts need cleaning.”
———————————–
Well either I need to start drinking or I need to see a doctor cause I see net!
Friendly hometown scoring for the Cap’n there.
And Damon delivers, but bad baserunning.
the problem isnt a lack of interest, the problem is blatant greed, the seats are waaay overpriced. tons of people who would gladly have paid 100-200 bucks would be sitting there if they could but the yankees are holding out for 900 plus or they’ll be empty. that is just rediculous greed.
Bad play by Johny!
we’re crushin
Tex delivers a broken bat RBI single. Sweet.
And if people want those prices to go down then these empty seats everyone is so embarrassed about is the best way.
we are seriously due for a blow out.
4/5 with RISP is what I like to see.
nice to see em scoring early
I kind of absolutely love Swisher you know. He’s just such a sweet addition to the Yanks AND to my Fantasy Team!
Pat M – get ready for nightmares. Here is panoramic Trisha!!!!!
http://images49.fotki.com/v148.....Trish2.jpg
Is that clear enough for ya?
Lots of singles so far.
Evening all, nice to see we’ve brought our hitting shoes.
so your position is that its good that the seats are empty because it will force the yankees to lower the prices? that just proves the point that they were greedy and overpriced them and the lousy atmosphere it produces is the fault of thier greed.
The stands where I’m sitting are completely full. The only noticable empty sections are behind the plate and down the lines.
Also its loud here, at least where I am. Seems like its much more quiet on TV.
One more thing, to really appreciate Gardner’s speed you have to see him in person. Not a great jump, decent pitch and throw to 2nd, and he still made it.
And the Yankees just keep on hitting. Hey 4 runs and no homeruns!
I don’t know, but it looks like they raised the camera or they lowered the net.
The ball doesn’t carry!
Cano crushed that! keep it up young man
MIGGS if your reading!! Go to stubhubb and buy all the remainder yankees tickets home/away. We all will chip in for the traveling fees. Whos with me?
Watching the hits just keep flying by almost gives me an eerie feeling. It seems that I can’t remember not being on the other side of that well enough!
Got a lot of hits, but not many runs.
Ham Fighters April 21st, 2009 at 7:46 pm
so your position is that its good that the seats are empty because it will force the yankees to lower the prices? that just proves the point that they were greedy and overpriced them and the lousy atmosphere it produces is the fault of thier greed.
———————–
Okay they are “greedy” that is absolutely nothing new. All for profit organizations are. You seem surprised. They will charge until people stop paying. If the economy was still booming would the seats still be this empty? Do we know that for sure?
Concerning empty seats and ticket prices…
Not only are the regular season ticket prices for Yankees games precluding fans from going to games, I even stopped going to Spring Training games in Tampa because of the cost. Sure the gate price at Legends field is nice but who can get those tickets at the gate? They are sold out 1 second after going on sale on Ticketmaster and the only other way to get them is through StubHub and those prices are through the roof for good spring training games anymore. I went to 2 Yankees games a year in Tampa for the last 3 years before this season and the prices in the first year were great but the prices for 3rd base line near the back seats in the last year on StubHub where $90+ per seat for decent games (Cleveland and Red Sox). I paid $145 per ticket for the St. Patrick’s day game a year ago and it was the best game to attend in my opinion but the high cost stopped me from even trying to buy tickets this year. This is out of control.
Those empty seats at the new stadium, and a lot of other stadiums, are a joke. The owners need to be slapped.
Now I know who I’m dealing with when we go toe to toe ….Nice seats, and the Mickey / Minnie Mouse is a nice touch….
Got a lot of hits, but not many runs.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I say 4 runs and 7 hits is good and we got a two out RBI
omg swisher should of caught that
Just lost my sound on the broadcast
what we do know is that the atmosphere at the new yankee stadium sucks and the reason is that they are not selling the tickets closest to the field because they are grossly overpriced.
Note to Johnny Damon — gritty gutty Brett Gardner you are not. This is a real murphey’s law kind of inning I’ll tell you what.
Hey! That did NOT get past a diving Jeter!
carl- I hope you are joking.
trisha- sound is fine for me.
Ham Fighters April 21st, 2009 at 7:51 pm
what we do know is that the atmosphere at the new yankee stadium sucks and the reason is that they are not selling the tickets closest to the field because they are grossly overpriced.
——————————–
Okay. I’m going back to the game.
Jennifer I am lol
Swish seems to have a little trouble with balls in right.
Sox still in a rain delay.
Wow, I just watched the Gardner hit on MLB Gameday. That’s rough playing the infield in like that. To risk giving up a single like that with a young starter in the game is playing with fire and Geren and the A’s got burned.
Jeter and balls to his left just don’t mix.
Lara I understand what you are saying, but on the other hand who wants to pay 2500 dollars to see a baseball game for crying out loud?!? I don’t know many people who would want to.
great play tex.
Rocco Baldelli on DL already.
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....tra_bases/
THAT is a first baseman!!!!
It’s great to have a real first baseman.
holy crap, our 1B plays defense.
So that is what a first baseman can do? WOW
Weird DP lol
Still miss Giambi?
Nice play Tex
Tex a world of difference. Memories of Giambi ruining a Wang start in Boston with an awful throw to the plate.
Giambi: “First basemen can do that?”
Smart play by Tex.
Mattingly would be proud.
carl- Just checking. Because you never know around here.
personally i dont care what the people who sit down there pay for thier seats, i never in my life bought tickets in the lower deck, the upper deck and the bleachers were always fine with me. but this is different, im watching my team play in what sounds like a minor league park surrouded by a sea of empty padded seats which are separated from the regular seats by a wall.
even when those tickets get sold, the crowd sitting there will be dead and make no noise, even if they have some inkling of what the guys in the pinstriped sweats right in front of them are attempting to accomplish.
in the old park, the silecne of the suits sitting around the infield was blown away by the noise coming from the upper deck right above them. now the upper deck is so far away you cant hear it.
Excellent D gets Andy out of a major jam. Beautiful.
Giambi and Cody Ransom kind of have a similar throwing motion. I wonder why all the empty seats. It’s $5 night so the upper deck should be packed. I wish I was there.
That was a great play. Good job working out of it and not giving up any runs.
so far, the sox signings of baldelli, penny and smoltz have accomplished nothing.
Sox should start soon. Sky is clearing up here.
Andy is really proving the naysayers from this winter wrong so far this young season. He will win his 15 games and be worth every penny, unlike smoltz and penny!
Ham
Miggs is in the stadium and he says it’s loud.
Double play started by our first baseman. Who knew? What a difference a REAL first baseman makes to a defense.
When A-Rod comes back, the Yankee infield is as good as any in the mlb….Regardless of Jeter’s weakness to his left…He still goes to his right as good as any ss, and still is the best on pop-ups ( Texas Leaguers )….Good job by Andy…Winning Streak is under way
Tex is great huh? Not only is he a great fielder but a smart one.
Giambi would have been too confused to make that play or he would have rushed the throw. The big lug that he is.
If the Yankees win a world series this year..the New Yankees Stadium will be called the best park ever built. Winning cures everything
Imagine a team of Giambi/Damon/Swisher on it.
Kay needs to not say “loosey goosey”!
I didn’t realize they intentionally played that PC Richards thing after every strikeout. That’s SO lame.
:(:(
Great ab by swish
I have a double mea culpa!
1. I had no faith that Andy would come back and have a decent season. So far I got that wrong!
2. I just knew we didn’t need Tex. Wow was I wrong!
Nice at bat by the swisher
Is it wrong to love a 9 pitch at bat even if it ends in a groundout?
According to A’s broadcast, Swisher was traded from Oakland a week after he bought a house in the chic East Bay enclave Blackhawk.
this guy trying to take out godzilla’s knees or something?
“I have a double mea culpa!
1. I had no faith that Andy would come back and have a decent season. So far I got that wrong!
2. I just knew we didn’t need Tex. Wow was I wrong!”
——————————————————
No need Trisha.
We know you’re a nut job.
# Nick in SF April 21st, 2009 at 8:05 pm
According to A’s broadcast, Swisher was traded from Oakland a week after he bought a house in the chic East Bay enclave Blackhawk.
Fail
http://tinyurl.com/dfgm8p
Pic of the Big G picking up the little G.
J/k He is picking up Jeet.
Cody pulls everything.
Could Matsui possibly be awakening from his slumber?
to say nothing of….Cody Ransom?!? lolwhut?
Ham Fighters
April 21st, 2009 at 7:57 pm
personally i dont care what the people who sit down there pay for thier seats, i never in my life bought tickets in the lower deck, the upper deck and the bleachers were always fine with me. but this is different, im watching my team play in what sounds like a minor league park surrouded by a sea of empty padded seats which are separated from the regular seats by a wall.
even when those tickets get sold, the crowd sitting there will be dead and make no noise, even if they have some inkling of what the guys in the pinstriped sweats right in front of them are attempting to accomplish.
in the old park, the silecne of the suits sitting around the infield was blown away by the noise coming from the upper deck right above them. now the upper deck is so far away you cant hear it.
========================
The chants don’t seem to get going easily in the new place, but what’s most annoying is the amount of activity in the seats. I was ready to punch people out the other day, getting up in the middle of play and remaining standing, while a pitch is being thrown. Bouncing up every minute to go get beer at the lounge. People need to learn baseball etiquette. Or stay the hell home.
BBB-
Said the same thing to my husband (re: loosey goosey).
carl: fail? What fail?
Trisha: You deserve credit for admitting you were wrong about Pettitte. Good job.
BBB
April 21st, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Could Matsui possibly be awakening from his slumber?
to say nothing of….Cody Ransom?!? lolwhut?
=================================
When Matsui is feeling right, you want him up there. Ransom is someone you hope to get away with until ARod returns.
No, not a nut job Jeers. Just not afraid to say I got something wrong. That’s likely because I get so much right so much of the time that I don’t feel terribly compromised by offering up the few times I don’t hit the bullseye.
What’s your excuse?
Nick, thanks for that.
Watching Matsui “run” the bases and try to avoid inside pitches makes me think there has to be something that Roger Clemens could recommend to him to give him a little lift!
The empty seats are disturbing in an early season game in April…in not so great weather, but it will be a “Statement” if they are empty in say a Boston/Mets series or better yet pennant race.
Having a first baseman that can field his position, will save a ton of runs and add a few more games to the win column…that was such a stealth move by Cash.
bodhisattva -
It’s a shame – baseball etiquette – but it’s not limited to Yankee Stadium. Unfortunately, it should not be that way at a Yankees game.
People have no attention span anymore.
Hurry up and get this game in lol
How many bats has Damon broken this year? Geez that bat exploded.
even at 4-0 we’ve still left 7 on through 3 innings.
im thinking mlb should mandate a thicker bat handle. the players will bitch but its for thier own safety. it seems that bats break 2 or 3 times an inning now.
Doreen
April 21st, 2009 at 8:12 pm
bodhisattva –
It’s a shame – baseball etiquette – but it’s not limited to Yankee Stadium. Unfortunately, it should not be that way at a Yankees game.
People have no attention span anymore.
========================
I’ll say. They boo a 22-year old pinstriped pitcher trying to build innings. I don’t remember such people in the old days.
“No, not a nut job Jeers. Just not afraid to say I got something wrong. That’s likely because I get so much right so much of the time that I don’t feel terribly compromised by offering up the few times I don’t hit the bullseye.
What’s your excuse?”
————————————————————–
Hey I just post whatever my neighbors dog tells me to.
Either that or I just cue up Helter Skelter on my Ipod and let it fly.
trisha – click to see Opening Day pictures
April 21st, 2009 at 8:10 pm
No, not a nut job Jeers. Just not afraid to say I got something wrong. That’s likely because I get so much right so much of the time that I don’t feel terribly compromised by offering up the few times I don’t hit the bullseye.
What’s your excuse?
===========
Trisha,
Come sit in my section – we’ll intimidate all the neophytes together.
Bodh — nothing is worse than my row at giant stadium. I literally have to get up 30 times a game and the rude SOBs have the stones to get angry when I don’t move for them in the middle of a play. If you plan on getting hammered why not just hit your local sports bar? At the least it’s cheaper at most you don’t lose your seats for being a drunken rowdy moron. Can you tell it’s a real hatred of mine?
Trisha — nice job owning up to the pettite deal, lots of folks don’t. LOL but I’m sure you reserve the right to redirect if he should hit the skids!
It always amazes me when the shift is on and a guy still can get a hit to that side of the field. I mean there is like no grass left uncovered yet it drops.
Sox game postponed.
Doesn’t that affect Beckett’s status? He is suspended for 5 games, not 5 days.
So instead of being able to come back Saturday, he’s pushed to Sunday.
Not a huge deal but it affects this weekends series.
Rob NY
April 21st, 2009 at 7:59 pm
“Sox should start soon. Sky is clearing up here.
Andy is really proving the naysayers from this winter wrong so far this young season. He will win his 15 games and be worth every penny, unlike smoltz and penny!”
Rob, I’m not sure where you got your information but the Sox game has officially been postponed until tomorrow.
Will be played at 12:35 PM and the tomorrow night’s game at another time.
By the way, and I think I had posted about this and it may have gotten caught in the filter, I was thinking about something Pete said about the possibility of people being in the restaurants. While perhaps not 2000 per Legends section are there, I will tell you that there is a huge glassed-in restaurant where food and drink (minus booze) is free for Legends seats ticket holders. I had to go in there to get a blue bracelet on Opening Day (admission to the Legends seats) and the restaurant was packed. Large-screen televisions everywhere. In addition, below the Legends sections are underground restaurants with bars, with free food and drink (minus booze), private bathrooms, and booths with large-screened televisions. I didn’t spend any time in either of the eating venues because I wanted to be in the stands, but there were a lot of people in both places. On a chilly night, it is possible that people are watching from those venues.
And now that you don’t miss a pitch no matter where you are, it is also possible that some people are seeking the protection of the concourses, especially those parts where there isn’t a lot of open space.
Just sayin.
Gayle is there tonight but she can tell you that when she has been there the lines for food have sometimes been 45 minutes long – so that’s a lot of people you don’t see in seats. And whereas in the past if you went to get food you couldn’t get back fast enough because you didn’t want to miss any action, now you don’t have to hurry back.
And not sharp tonight.
uh oh
What is it with the 4th inning? Didn’t Pettitte have trouble in that inning a lot last year?
Uh Oh
all these hits and walks and we are still trouble
Premature on the praise for Pettitte
Tex is a beast.
doubleheader for the Sox tomorrow
Another great pick by Tex there to get the out at 2nd.
bodhisattva…it’s just the way things are in the 21st Century, where the fax machine is on the verge of becoming a dinisour.
That would have been a two-run single last year.
Come on Andy we cant let them back in the game!
come on Andy
He was out.
Big break!!!!
Excellent break for the Yanks. Poor positioning by Chavez.
Out and the runner goes back.
Andy is a team player and needs to give a little to add to the Andy/Mo total.
Rob NY
April 21st, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Bodh—nothing is worse than my row at giant stadium. I literally have to get up 30 times a game and the rude SOBs have the stones to get angry when I don’t move for them in the middle of a play. If you plan on getting hammered why not just hit your local sports bar? At the least it’s cheaper at most you don’t lose your seats for being a drunken rowdy moron. Can you tell it’s a real hatred of mine?
===================
Dude, I’m five rows off the field there – for the Jets, not Gints. We have a bunch of idiots who stand in the cue by the overhang and have their friends take their pictures while play is going on. Of course, at Jet games, there’s no security to move these people along, so my section has to police everybody.
@trisha – click to see Opening Day pictures
By the way, and I think I had posted about this and it may have gotten caught in the filter, I was thinking about something Pete said about the possibility of people being in the restaurants…
—-
I totally agree. If I were in those expensive seats or anywhere else in the new stadium for my first game or two I would make plans to try the new off-field features for a few innings. How could you not? Will those expensive seat holding fans finally get tired of that and stay in their seats for the game? I sure hope so.
Unfortunately we don’t have Tex at 3rd.
Well they still got the run. With all those hits, we might not have enough runs.
not long tilthe 7 me left on base through 3 comes back to bite us.
“Trisha—nice job owning up to the pettite deal, lots of folks don’t. LOL but I’m sure you reserve the right to redirect if he should hit the skids!”
Indubitably! I would do it gently, but I would do it. (And I’m hoping to hell that I don’t have to start tonight…)
All those runners we left on my haunt us
Why the hell was Cody playing up with 2 outs!!!!
Does anyone here remember when Gerin caught for us ??? Late 80′s ???
Andy sleeping and the guy at first sleeping.
The new place isn’t nearly as noisy with 2 outs and 2 strikes.
Premature on the praise for Pettitte
———-
Really? It’s a little premature to knock the guy too.
He doesn’t have to pitch a shutout. Quality starts is what they need (6 or 7 IP and 3 ER or less) from Pettitte.
Man, you love to belabor a point. Ive been to the stadium already and are obviously watching tonight.
You are definitely overblowing the noise issue. What is it? No A-rod around for you needle?
Just looked at the radar, no rain showing up. very strange.
Vader
April 21st, 2009 at 8:22 pm
bodhisattva…it’s just the way things are in the 21st Century, where the fax machine is on the verge of becoming a dinisour.
That would have been a two-run single last year.
==============================
The rhythm of baseball is from another time. The knee-jerk crowd doesn’t sway with that rhythm. It doesn’t help, either, that every moment is stuffed with music or noise prompt or that chick with the chalk-across-the-blackboard voice asking quiz questions. I mourn another time…
geren was here until about 91ish. I think within the next year or so the yanks went and got Wynegar to be the full time guy.
I remember Geren in the early 90′s.
Really? It’s a little premature to knock the guy too.
He doesn’t have to pitch a shutout. Quality starts is what they need (6 or 7 IP and 3 ER or less) from Pettitte.
———————————————-
Genius Giuseppe — nobody expects a shut-out. But it’s obvious he’s playing with fire. Without some stellar defense, this game is tied.
I think Matt Nokes was in there with them as well.
I am so sick of hearing everyone complain about the stadium, i mean what can we do….nothing. So why complain about everything, about the empty seats, how quiet it is….who cares there is nothing we can do.
I hear plenty of noise.
Oops…Wynegar was in the 82s not 92s…I feel old now.
The funny thing is it seems louder on TV than it has all week so far has to be a disconnect somewhere
Seems to be more people at the seats near home plate now. Maybe they were just lounging at some of the posh restaurants.
We had a chance to knock the A’s pitcher out of the game but we didn’t:(
PAT M
April 21st, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Does anyone here remember when Gerin caught for us ??? Late 80’s ???
============================================
Good 3/4 season in 89. Was good against righties. I forget where he finally wound up. Kelly , Espy era.
3 innings cant get the ball past anyone and all of a sudden 2 Ks. Yankees need to focus.
I hear plenty of noise over the television, too. About the same as last year.
All of this criticism is getting out of hand. There is no way to compare the noise in the two stadiums unless you can listen to equal games at the same time.
I always thought the crowd at the stadium, the last couple of years, was late to the plate – they don’t cheer until AFTER something has happened. It’s been a lazy crowd for years.
gayle, I absolutely agree. There is a ton of noise that we can hear. I think that part of what we’re dealing with MAY be that on certain days the fans haven’t had a heck of a lot to cheer about. Tonight they do, and we’re hearing it.
ZMAN7777
Genius Giuseppe—nobody expects a shut-out. But it’s obvious he’s playing with fire. Without some stellar defense, this game is tied.
———–
Yeah, and good pitchers find ways to wiggle out of trouble and those eight guys behind him are a big part of that.
But you tend to focus on the negative anyways so why should I be surprised.
Focus on the big picture – not a rough inning or two.
If the Yankees are playing in a playoff-type atmosphere, the place will be rocking. If they are playing in mid-50′s, cold, rainy weather against the Oakland A’s, I’ll give the deafening silence a pass. I’ve noticed it’s not as loud too, but lets put it into perspective too. We aren’t playing the BoSox.
Here’s an interesting stat on Matsui I learned recently:
Godzilla had more RBIs in his first 3 seasons with the club than any other Yankee in history except 2:
Joe DiMaggio and Alex Rodriguez…
Big Joe
April 21st, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I think Matt Nokes was in there with them as well.
================
Nokes there then? His big year with the Tigers, was 87, wasn’t it?
I’m sick of Wang. Dl him and have him make 3 minor league starts
Nong, I don’t know if you’re watching this on television but on my broadcast it is VERY noisy. Sounds like a typical Stadium crowd!
Ray — yeah I got that from looking out the window LOL. It is clear in this part of town, at least it stopped raining. Looks like I won’t be getting a callback from the weather channel.
Home plate ump hit with bat in Toronto and taken off field.
BS call
Trisha,
I am watching it on TV and I notice the lull. Don’t know why, as compared to you.
Kay is such a moron. Is it a good idea to skip Wang? Um no Kay, lets pitch him against the soxs. He says he wants to pitch. No Kay he is going to say skip me, I am afraid to pitch.
Really where in the world did we get this guy from?
jeff karstns goes 6 innings, 1 run, 3 hits vs. the fish. ohlendorf beat them last night.
Nick
Hit in the head? He conscious?
Swisher is slumping…honeymoon over. Trade him. Mwahahah
Jeez finally a little noise from the crowd.
Ok honestly the last few innings there hasn’t been much to cheer about. The nitpicking is ridiculous.
When the Yankees were scoring their runs it was plenty loud, at least where I am sitting.
As loud as the old stadium? Tonight probably not. So what?
And I do agree completely with Doreen about it being a reactionary crowd, and lazy to some degree. I remember playoff games where it seemed almost silent then would erupt on a big play.
I think people are paying way too much attention to the noise. Since they’re concentrating on it so much, the quiet times become more noticable.
How many ex-Yankee catchers are mlb managers ??? Giradi, Gerin, Jerry Nerron ( ? )
Bs- He didn’t even swing. Ump had no business calling him out.
Kay: “Pettitte looks pretty important right now”
Leiter: “You think?”
Leiter is awesome.
Here is a major league DUH on my part. I’ve been watching the Oakland broadcast. I just switched to the YES broadcast. When I went to the YES network proper, the game wasn’t on, but I didn’t think to check all of the ExtraInnings channels.
On the Oakland broadcast the crowd noise is very loud!
Home plate ump hit with bat in Toronto and taken off field.
=============================
Oh no.
pat, 11, they listed them on yes earlier in the game
Half of Michael Kay’s broadcast is him laughing. Looks like the Pirates are pretty happy with trading Nady/Marte right now.
Whoever didn’t want to resign Andy should be ashamed of themselves
pat: I think he was hit in the bed with Hank Blalock’s bat. When I flipped over the medical cart was just driving through the outfield wall. Announcer said the ump has suffered a cuncussion previously, so maybe taking him away was just precautionary. Or maybe not.
Karstens just went 6 innings, 1 ER for the Pirates.
anyone see cano at first next to giambi when he hit that single? i had no idea cano was that huge, he looked bigger than jason!
I would have traded Jeff Karstens for a bag of peanuts. I still don’t care that he’s gone.
Hey Miggs! It sounded pretty noisy to me! How funny is it that the Oakland broadcast has a lot more crowd noise. I prefer the Oakland broadcast because I believe the crowd is noisier than they are being given credit for being!
I switched over to the Jays broadcast to see if I could hear anything about the ump. I’m hoping no news is good news…
karstens and ohlendorf i could care less about, but im still a little bit on how early they gave up on tabata
get well soon alex… please!!!
V
April 21st, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Whoever didn’t want to resign Andy should be ashamed of themselves
—————————————-
I am still annoyed that we lost Andy the first time in the early 2000′s when he went to Houston. I think with him we would have gone further in the playoffs one of those seasons.
trisha -
It’s on My9 tonight.
On my cable, anyway, YES is notoriously a quiet station. We have to turn the volume way up just to get normal sound. My9 is a lot better, sound-wise.
98 mph..whoa! I thought Joba pitches for the yankees??
Whoever didn’t want to resign Andy should be ashamed of themselves
========================================
I admit that I didn’t want Andy back at the price he supposedly was asking for. But I had no issues with the contract he accepted from the yankees.
Pitt should be congratulated for getting rid of Marte. Martes agent should too for fleecing cashman
Man, Gardner has such a wide stance. I don’t know how he gets any hip action into his swing. It’s still an issue for him, though it’s gotten better.
“Whoever didn’t want to resign Andy should be ashamed of themselves”
Uh, why?
I can see acknowledging being wrong. Being ashamed? I think that might be pushing the envelope a little too much.
This guy has filthy stuff
Andrew Bailey is painting the strike zone with 98 heaters.
Andrew Bailey is painting the strike zone with 98 heaters.
We need to bench Swisher. He’s in a bad slump. Put Melky in RF
Mark is just smooth..
Hey V, you got anger issues or something?
S.A. come to think of it I too said that I didn’t mind Andy coming back at the contract price but didn’t want him back at the higher price. I did say I didn’t think he was worth the bigger contract because I didn’t think he did anything last season to merit it. So in that mixed bag, maybe I didn’t think anything so wrong. BUT, I did question whether or not he would be effective. I must admit he has been a lot more effective than I thought he would be.
Meanwhile, it’s a joy watching Tex play first. It’s been a long time..
melky over swisher lol, no i think you meant melky over gardner
If Bailey went to Voorhees High School, he may have played against Jack Cust (who went to Immaculata High School). I think they may be within a couple years of each other and those two schools do play a few games.
The food choices here are by far the best I’ve ever seen at any sporting venue or stadium.
I just had a steak sandwich from a place called Lobel’s… absolutely delicious.
UPDATE, 8:16 p.m.: If you’re looking for a nice place to come read a book or get some quiet time, Yankee Stadium is for you. It’s like a church service in here.
Are Miggs and Pete at the same game?
Doreen – I always thought the volume issue on YES was something about my TV. Thanks for the tidbit.
And by the way, I totally believe that Damaso Marte, used properly, will be just fine.
I love Girardi and I realize that with what he was sitting with he had to play things a certain way, but when you put in a lefty specialist for a lot more than that and when you pitch Edwar Ramirez so that he’s throwing 55 pitches, you’re just asking for trouble.
Can’t wait til we see that long reliever show up…
They just said that the ump in Toronto did not lose consciousness. Hopefully that’s a good sign.
So much for the new Stadium is a launching pad. Keep the ball down and make ‘em hit it to the middle og the fieldand “The Launching Pad” collapses.
Looks like Pete is definitely feelin’ the noise factor, or lack thereof.
Thanks for the updates Nick. Good news.
Karstens with a solid start for Pittsburg tonight. Any regrets?
I think there wasn’t room for him with the Yankees but Ohlie might hurt
Johnny Damon!!
Damon jacks one through the jet stream in right.
Johnny!
Seriously, anyone that has Extra Innings through DirectTV, just switch over to the Oaklande broadcast for a few minutes. You won’t believe the difference in crowd noise!!!
Micheal Kay annoys me to no end
Nice no-doubter for Damon.
Trisha, you also said that you didn’t want Pettitte back because he might be too distressed and distracted by the Clemens trial, didn’t you?
Joe from Long Island -
You’re welcome.
I’m sure its been said many times…. but Leiter is a horrible announcer… I’m about to switch to Sterling
i think almost all of us dislike Kay, but thank god we only get glimpses of his Mench-head during the game
Johnny’s thumb is wrapped but it doesn’t seem to have hurt his swing that time.
Texas is winning
couple observations in between painting. Pettitte looks far more comfortable in his role this year than last. It is a good fit for him
Jeter needs to start taking more pitches.
damon look like he put on weight?
I know it’s been stressed so many times about how the new guys are fitting in. But I’m gonna do it one more time. AJ Burnett is always one of the first yankees I see clapping, waiting to high 5 someone coming back to the dugout, or just laughing with teammates. I had a totalllly different impression of him when he was in Toronto.
And the big downside to satellite television? The broadcast bites the dust from time to time when it rains!
Pete,
You have to do your annual see the game as a fan. When you do you’ll see where all the empty seats and lack of noise comes from. The concourses are packed. The Audi Club, Jim Beam Club, and Delta Club are packed. The Legends clubs and bars aren’t packed, but a lot of the suits are watching in there. At those prices the seats will never completely sell out, but a lot more people are there, just no in their seats.
Seats will fill up as a few innings go by. People are exploring all the goodies. And as the season goes by, and the games get more intense, more and more people will be in their seats from 1-9, instead of 5-9.
Come October this place should be shaking!
“…after watching The Big G stab at balls like a grizzly bear trying to catch a salmon…”
___
Nice!
AJ does seem cool..
all these guys will have fun when the weather gets hot and people show up to stadium…
Y us ransom playing???? Y isn’t pena playing everyday here ?
A-Rod’s bat isn’t the only one missed, so is his glove.
The boos were pretty loud right there.
When is A-Rod coming back? Jeez. Is Pena that bad of a hitter?
Cody we all know you can’t hit a lick, so lapsing on defense is unacceptable
Come on ransom!!!
Come on ransom!!!
Betances didn’t pitch well tonight:
3.2 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
Scranton just took the lead 3-2, Bot 7th over Buffalo.
Austin Jackson is 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Robertson just pitched another scoreless inning with two Ks.
come on Andy.
“Trisha, you also said that you didn’t want Pettitte back because he might be too distressed and distracted by the Clemens trial, didn’t you?”
Nick, I absolutely did. But I also said that if was as a 5th starter for cheap money I could deal with it and wouldn’t be as worried.
Well, even the Yankees brass said they would accept a poor-hitting Ransom, but they need him to field. He has done neither. I feel badly for the guy, because he’s struggled long-enough in the minors…but this might be it for him.
yea i dont understand the logic behind having Pena in the bigs, the kid is 23, still developing and needs to play everyday, Berroa would have served the same purpose that Pena is now
Seven strong from Andy. Time for Bruney and Mo.
Ransom can’t even do routine plays.
Anybody catch Kay’s call on the disclaimer tonite? He really nailed “disseminated” and especially “aforementioned.” Maybe he can bring back his uniform descriptions or the “martini-glass” defense.
I really miss Bob Sheppard
But to my HUGE credit – I wanted AJ so bad I could taste it!
Nick Swisher is killing my Fantasy Team
I love my country too but the God Bless America has gotten really old.
Outstanding job by Andy today
Agree vb03
Is this really a Yankee game? It’s only 9:15ish and it’s bottom 7?
Mauro — I have to disagree. Leiter is one of my favorite Yankee announcers. Anybody who shuts up Michael Kay is a plus in my book too. I like his knowledge of pitching, the stories and his personality. Different strokes I guess.
Nice pitch by Pettite……Who is the PA announcer ???I thought they had Bob Shepard’s understudy taking over his job, as he sounded very much like Mr. Shepard……
Another quality start by Andy. Gotta love it. Need insurance runs.
I would prefer Mike Tyson or Michael Kay.
Pat M – You’re talking about Jim Hall (the New York Giants announcer). He wasn’t asked back this year after making too many mistakes last year.
Announced attendence of just over 42,000
Paul Olden is the new PA. used to do play by play
Great job of pitching by Pettitte, tonight, save for the 4th inning. 0 strikeouts, but, more importantly, 0 walks. He could afford the 9 hits, of which 8 were singles, and 3 of those were infield.
This is Paul Olden on the PA
PAT M- I don’t know but I was once at a game that I believe Bob Sheppard’s son was the PA Announcer and he sounded just like him. It would be great if I am correct and the Yankees could get him to take over the helm for his father.
Question? Who pumps up Swisher when he is down?
Hmmmm, the historical record is murky. But no shame is needed. All credit to Andy for his performance tonight!
I too preferred the Bob Sheppard sounding guy. This guy sounds too much like every other baseball announcer.
Was Beckett supposed to pitch tonight? If so, and the game hadn’t gotten rained out, how would he have been able to pitch on Saturday against AJ (that would be on 3 days rest)? Now it’s moot, I suppose -I think we’ll see Lester. Too bad – I would have killed for AJ/Beckett.
GreenBeret7
April 21st, 2009 at 9:21 pm
“Great job of pitching by Pettitte, tonight, save for the 4th inning. 0 strikeouts, but, more importantly, 0 walks. He could afford the 9 hits, of which 8 were singles, and 3 of those were infield.”
I have to give you credit GB. You were saying months ago on here that your Yankees needed to bring Pettite back.
Good to see Matsui staying back more…
Ransom is terrible at the plate.
Matsui is washed up. Right?
Honestly, I know Pete has talked a lot about how quiet the stadium has been but I’ve gone to three games so far and sat in the left field bleachers (seats with the creatures have become more expensive) and that part of the stadium was rocking. maybe you guys cant hear because you’re surrounded by the ‘sell your children to afford me’ seats.
IM ON A BOAT
April 21st, 2009 at 9:22 pm
PAT M- I don’t know but I was once at a game that I believe Bob Sheppard’s son was the PA Announcer and he sounded just like him. It would be great if I am correct and the Yankees could get him to take over the helm for his father.
===================================
There was a story on Sheppard’s kid. Think he’s an engineer or something. In it, he said he wanted to take over for his father some day.
Why would anyone throw Ransom a fastball ever.
“whispers” I love it when Kay waxes poetic.
A ransom K??? No way
I feel bad for ransom
What the heck, Ransom! You can’t miss Scranton *that* much…
We need to chill on Randsom I know he can’t hit but were winning so chill with the booing..
IM ON A BOAT
April 21st, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I would prefer Mike Tyson or Michael Kay.
==========================
That’s ok. I’ll take an idiot over an idiot rapist.
Nick, trust me, I don’t care enough to lie!
What you are talking about is my saying that I didn’t think the Yankees would re-sign Andy because they wouldn’t want the distraction of the Clemens trial, etc., especially based on how Andy said he was distracted by the hearings last year. Once I was wrong on that and the talk was that they were trying to get Andy back, I was adamant that I didn’t think he was worth what he was asking for and I definitely didn’t want him back at that money but as a 5th starter at cheap money I could deal with it.
Betsy
April 21st, 2009 at 9:24 pm
“Was Beckett supposed to pitch tonight?”
Betsy, Wakefield was scheduled to pitch tonight and so he will pitch the first game of the doubleheader tomorrow with Brad Penny pitching the second game tomorrow.
Imonaboat, I think AJ has surprised everyone. Cone, Flaherty, Kim Jones – they all rave about him and how he’s fit in. Remember he also bought Tex a cake and balloons for his birthday and is learning Chinese so he can communicate with Wang – he’s really just a good guy. I have noticed the same things you have – he’s always very enthusiastic, both when he’s pitching and when he’s not (the team must love playing behind him). I’m still waiting for him to pie someone……..
Swish will be fine. It’s too bad some fans (not saying here, but just in general) are going to abandon him because he’s hit a slump. Tis what they call fair weather fans. Swish just has to remain the same positive guy he was before the slump (and I’ve no doubt he will) and he will find his way out of it.
Tom in NJ,,,I’m with on Matsui…Much better balance in the box……As for the PA announcer, tutor the Hall guy…Too many changes at one time maybe…..
Kay is an interviewer. A reporter. I would cringe at hearing him do a game on his own, a la Vin Scully.
Bruney then MO….lets shut it down!
WOW… Cody looked terrible.
There are 42000 empty seats
Rob NY
April 21st, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Mauro—I have to disagree. Leiter is one of my favorite Yankee announcers. Anybody who shuts up Michael Kay is a plus in my book too. I like his knowledge of pitching, the stories and his personality. Different strokes I guess.
============================
I actually prefer Leiter to Cone. The latter is more run-on, though insightful. Leiter is an iconoclast, and has an unusually expressive style. He strikes me as very genuine. Always liked his sort of “homeless guy” weirdness on the mound, too. He’s unfiltered. That’s fine with me.
Thanks, Ray! Are Sox fans as keen on Beckett/Burnett as Yankee fans are? I know they’ve faced each other before, but obviously not in the heat of a white hot rivalry…..
Micheal you idiot that was not a breaking ball inside
ray (sox fan)
April 21st, 2009 at 9:24 pm
GreenBeret7
April 21st, 2009 at 9:21 pm
“Great job of pitching by Pettitte, tonight, save for the 4th inning. 0 strikeouts, but, more importantly, 0 walks. He could afford the 9 hits, of which 8 were singles, and 3 of those were infield.”
I have to give you credit GB. You were saying months ago on here that your Yankees needed to bring Pettite back.
————————————————————
Evening, Ray. Hope all is well and dry in the (sox fan) family homestead. Yeah, I saw that as a no-brainer to bring him back. He would have to be on a mission, not to mention that had NYY had a big lead or were totally out of it last year, he would have sat down for a couple of weeks and most likely would have had a sparkling season. Ju;y 26, he was 12-7 and an ERA of 3.68 or so. Like most wily vets, he finishes on a roll when healthy. It very well could have been 2 each 20 game winners on the Yanks.
Bets, AJ didn’t surprise me!
Nick, however, I didn’t think that Pettitte was worth anything more than a 5th starter. I would say I definitely got that wrong.
Trisha, there are a few other things you said about Pettitte too, but it’s all water under the bridge. Anyway, I’m the guy who gives you props for admitting you were wrong, not the ‘you oughta be ashamed’ guy.
The Yankees always wanted Pettitte back – for the right price. Thank goodness they worked it out.
I’m also the guy who challenged respected LoHud commenter CB to join me in wearing an “I’m a Bruney Believer” pin last year!
Bruney-Bridge to Mo.
Ransom is what he is. Hurry back A-Rod. We love you..now.
http://www.weather.com/weather.....ayer=radar
Some nasty showers about 50 miles west of da Bronx. Probably won’t get there for 30 minutes. Hopefully we get this game in, it would stink to get a delay with an inning or so left.
MICHAEL KAY IS THE BIGGEST F-IN JINX IN THE WORLD
Betsy,
I think a Beckett/Burnett match up would make for a great game. In the few games he has pitched so far this season Beckett has looked dominating at times and other times not so much……so mixed so far.
I certainly acknowledge that Burnett has great stuff and I think he is a real competitor!
What I like about Coney is that he’s a loose cannon. You never know what to expect with him and he lets it fly. With Kay you’re gonna be bored to death over some joke he’ll find hysterical. And Leiter will become a Professor giving a lecture. Not that it’s bad with Leiter but I just prefer Cone’s attitude and wit.
come on Brian
coke is ready…
Bring in Mo
Sorry, Posada, but, that’s a passed ball. Bad attempt at that one.
I’m looking forward to Joba Vs Lester
That’s usually what happened while I was wearing my “I’m a Bruney Believer” pin.
ahhhhh cmon BRUNEY
I was wrong
dont like this..uh oh…good…but hit hard
WHEW!!!!
WHEW!!!!
there u go bruney….u are human after all….MO TIME!
I can’t come here as often as I’d like to… and I appreciate the regulars. I’d really like to be a regular commenter, but just don’t have the time. Anyway…
Thought I’d share something my brother (a Tigers fan)said at the beer joint tonight.
He said thet a guy at his work told him that they were gonna hold the Little League World Series at the new Yankee Stadium this year… but they need to move the fences out a little.
Out man! Kay got that right, great name for a pitcher.
Nick, I said a TON about Andy, mostly negative. No question. I thought he was worthless last season, I didn’t believe he was playing hurt and thought it was an excuse, I thought he was over the hill, I thought he had nothing but audacity to ask for what he did based on how terrible he was, I thought he almost singlhandedly kept us out of the postseason with his hideous second half and had a lot of nerve going out there hurt if he was hurt. Let me see, I’m sure there were other things! But yeah, I was as down on him as I could be. But in answer to someone’s question about whether I would root for Pettitte if he came back, my answer was unequivocal. When they are ours, they are mine.
john- sorry that went over like a lead balloon.
John in Ohio (1) Yankees (0)
It was never an issue of Pettite not returning, it was about the dough he wanted…I t really was a no brainer, as the organization wanted Hughes in AAA ….
Didn’t need to worry about that bat hitting any fans in those seats
I can’t believe it is that cold at the stadium. You can see their breath!! wow
Melky should be playing cf. He at least can hit
@john in ohio
Your bro is your sister.
central ct yankee
the kind of crowd that got red barber fired.
Ray, it should be fun; I’m no fan, but Beckett is always capable of putting a whooping on anyone.
Trish, I always had an open mind about AJ. In fact, I wanted him very much from the first. I always have open minds about the players we sign, whether Clemens, Boggs, Cone, etc….Until they prove to be bad apples, I always give them the benefit of the doubt.AJ had an interesting history to say the least, but I always read that he was a good teammate, so in that sense I’m not surprised.
We should put a net over NYC.
I can’t wait for the Boston series:) great pitching match ups:)
I figured I had jinxed Bruney since I was just about to mention that I had just picked him up again on my Fantasy Team and how odd it was for him to be facing Cust since he’s on my Fantasy Team too!
I apologize
Sorry…
You have to realize that I’m a Yanks fan here in Tigers/Indians country.
It is funny, though…gotta admit.
http://www.sadtrombone.com/
Jeter could have moved to third on that. We know the Big G can’t throw.
Tex gets that.
Tex makes that play
PAT M: That’s pretty much how you, CB, me, Wave Your Hat (also known as Wave Your Hate) and a few select others saw it.
Does Outman not know who is playing first base????
We really need to find 2 more trust worthy relievers
I wanted Andy back, but I admit that he really annoyed me. I thought the Yankees’ offer was more than fair…….That said, like with Mo and Posada, I put any bad feelings I had on the back burner once he signed. One thing that I underestimated was what an influence he is in the clubhouse. AJ’s locker is next to Andy’s and he apparently spent ST picking his brain ……..in fact, CC did as well. LOL AJ actually texted and called Andy a LOT after he signed, asking him when he was going to re-sign (even though they barely knew each other).
Yay a fly out. Let Mo get a save.
Tex looks like he’s hitting uphill at times.
Enter Sandman.
We really need to find 2 more trust worthy relievers
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Yeah cause they all suck lol. Burney has given up one run in 23 innings take a chill pill.
enter sandman
I think Jeter may have the most infield hits of anyone in the league this season.
Welcome to the launching pad
Can you imagine Jason and his brother playing a game of pickle as kids?
I don’t wanna throw.. you throw.
Launch this.
Mo time
Coke
Alby
Bruney
Mo
Thats good for now
here comes the record for Andy and Mo…
Nick in SF …It was a small group….I remember GB getting lite about Pettite coming back from someone I’ve chosen to forget…..Man the off season seems so long ago….From the CC, AJ, & the Texeria countdowns….
Good news: no Scutaro.
It looks pretty foggy at the Stadium.
the frieze is shrouded in the gloamin
Best starters so far:
1.Andy
2.AJ
3.CC
4.Joba
5.Wong
And I really hope that this order changes. I’m sure it will.
Texas wins
Is that Ichiro with a mask on…4 hits today
Wong?
Did Michael Kay say “its like the freeze in the glowman?” Is that English?
“Good news: no Scutaro.”
Still hurts me. I had a lot of emotion invested in that game.
Jays lose! And it was a Halladay start, too.
please strike 3
Texs Tryna hype up mo lol
Not a good play by Cano, there. Rivera will bail him out, though.
yaaaankeees winnnnn!!!!
Theee yankees win!
Mo does it again
What a beautiful thing.
What a gift from Cabrera. That was just dumb.
With no Wang this team is rolling. Too bad
theeee yankeeees win!
Nice.
2 games over .500 woot woot
Yankees win. All is right in the world.
What a gift from Cabrera. That was just dumb.
with the Big G on deck as the winning run. Thank you OC.
who has no wang?
I don’t think Mo even needs to shower after a game. easy-peezy.
go ahead run I mean…
Yankees win, all is right with the world.
whatttta team! winning w/o nady arod wang…a dynasty in the making.
AJ and Andy have been the best by far – I might have to give them a tie (if that) because AJ stopped two losing streaks and saved the pen when they needed saving. On Sunday, he gave us length even though he had no control. CC will eventually be the absolute horse that he has been, no doubt. Joba is still a kid and he’ll have his moments, but I’ll bet as the season goes on, he’ll get better and better.
This is my first time playing Fantasy Baseball ever but I do have a few goodies:
Mo
AJ
Brian Bruney
Joba
Marco Scutaro
Cust
Don’t kill me but – evil elf and Pukelisp.
Justin Mourneau
So how was the game? I just caught the top of the 9th, and the weather looked bad.
Glad they got the game in, though. Finally, 2 games over .500 lol.
Yanks in first by April 30 th….
The Jays lost? LOL I had chalked up a win for them tonight before the game even started.
I really don’t want to hear from experts how the Yankees are lucky to have the record they have. They’ve deserved to lose the games they’ve lost and they’ve deserved to win the games they won.
“Yankees win, all is right with the world.”
Ain’t that the truth jen!
how many times is Michael Kay going to ask everyone in the booth if they think cano is hitting because of the benching or because of the new stance and then tell everyone what girardi told him months ago! im waiting for singleton to say something about his repetition someday, or slap kay in the face.
They day is so much better when capping it off with a Yankee win.
“how many times is Michael Kay going to ask everyone in the booth if they think cano is hitting because of the benching or because of the new stance and then tell everyone what girardi told him months ago! im waiting for singleton to say something about his repetition someday, or slap kay in the face.”
The Stadium looks terrible with all the open seats around the field. What a mess! Lower the price and give the people that got ripped off some type of perks like free parking, free seats for next year, access to some of these club level bars, etc….. something has to give. Or give the seats away to people in the city like business partners, schools, charities, etc….
just got back from the game. yes there were huge sections of empty seats…but i’ll tell you this – the stadium is awesome. anybody that tells you otherwise are being really nitpicky.
the reason why the stadium is not as loud is b/c everyone is there to see the stadium. people are walking around all over the place. everyone is exploring the stadium and concentrating less on the game. at any given time, at least 30% of the stadium is out of their seats. this may the case this year but as the season goes along, the novelty will start to wear off and you will see and hear the crowd more.
abcd April 21st, 2009 at 10:16 pm
just got back from the game. yes there were huge sections of empty seats…but i’ll tell you this – the stadium is awesome. anybody that tells you otherwise are being really nitpicky.
==============================
Where do you live, a block away from the stadium?
Karstens had a big game for the Pirates tonight. I wonder how long it will take Pete to make another “Blah Blah Blah The Yanks Blew it Bloopity Bleepity Bop” post. And then obviously followed by the blog lackys who always agree with him.
I am happy for both Ohlendorf and Karstens, but can’t rush to throw them into Cooperstown after 2 games.
the reason why the stadium is not as loud is b/c everyone is there to see the stadium. people are walking around all over the place. everyone is exploring the stadium and concentrating less on the game. at any given time, at least 30% of the stadium is out of their seats. this may the case this year but as the season goes along, the novelty will start to wear off and you will see and hear the crowd more.
———————-
Correct. My only question is will “everyone” be everyone or will the people in the seats always be new people for each game because all the tickets were purchased by corporations or scalpers.
sweet_lou – left the stadium in the 7th inning…
Hey, Hey, Cervelli 2 for 3 with a HR.
Vechionacci 1 for 3 with a 2B. Fortenberry still sucking slough water.
Cervelli is the next coming if his wrist is strong enough. Great defensive catcher.
So who starts Sunday for Boston with the rain out?
Boo to you ABCD for leaving a good (and quick) game so early.
So why does it seem that only fans sitting in waiter service sections seem to be leaving their seats?
abcd April 21st, 2009 at 10:24 pm
sweet_lou – left the stadium in the 7th inning…
=====================
That explains it. I couldn’t believe that anyone could leave YS at the end of the game and be home in 15 minutes.
Beckett starts Saturday. Lester on Friday and Masterson on Sunday.
no changes to the pitching
bronx jeers…i’m recovering from a stomach virus so i’m still not 100%…but i had to go to the stadium tonight. i picked up these tix 2 weeks ago so i wasn’t going to miss it.
the empty seats doesn’t bother me in the least. i mean seriously, the prices are expensive so who cares who can afford them. i’m not embarrassed by it. only people that need to worry are the owners. all i care about is how they perform on the field – and a few empty sections ain’t gonna make one bit of difference whether they win or not.
the Yankee offense is not pounding the ball but getting I think 4 runs about every game…
I rather get 5 runs or so every game then the periodice 12 runs and often 1.
Arod will really help the O out…
the world is not coming to an end 2 over 500, anyone want to fire girardi today? How about his inability to use the pen correctly!!!!When guys do there jobs managers look much smarter…………………….
Feel better abcd
thanks SA
The pen early in the season is the least of the yankees problems.. they have arms in the minors if guys fail.
the problem is wang and matsui’s health.. If Wang does not figure things out that is a problem.. become a 5th starter with a 4 ERA but a 32 ERA will not work…
“the Yankee offense is not pounding the ball but getting I think 4 runs about every game”
actually they are scoring just shy of 5.5 runs a game which is excellent.
consider it’s without ARod and it’s fantastic.
It’s their pitching that needs to improve, namely Wang. Once Wang comes back to form, they’re in great shape.
Bo Knows….High praise for catcher Cervelli,,,,,
Those of us watching the Yanks on TV are seeing mostly empty seats behind home plate and along the 1st and 3rd baselines. It looks like the Yankees are playing to an empty stadium.
Way to go, Yankee management! Maybe you should rethink your policy of Seats for the Billionaires Only.
I think it’s funny with these “fire Girardi comments”. The guy committed a miracle last year, with all the injuries and bad starting to win 89 games. Was a genius at handling the bullpen. Bruney and stick are Girardi creations. The Yankees are winning games with all the injuries and the Wang no show. Where’s the beef?
Was anyone else watching the Oakland feed on Extra Innings? Was it me or was their sound just unbearable. Their crowd mike was turned up so loud and at such a high decible that I had to watch the entire game with the sound off.
For anyone who complains about YES, it could be a lot worse. You could have to watch some of these third rate regional sports networks with horrible pictures and sound.
yeah, the empty seats are starting to get embarrassing
The inability to beat the Pirates,Royals, Tigers of the world is killed the postseason plans….He was dealt a tough hand last season,as many of the players under achieved..Along with injuries…
“Way to go, Yankee management! Maybe you should rethink your policy of Seats for the Billionaires Only.”
———-
while I can’t argue that the seats are fairly priced, it’s not fair to judge the empty seat issue during a recession like this.
It’s quite possible the seats will all sell out once the economy rebounds. At that point, the Yanks will hopefully continue to invest heavily in the team and reward us with more championships.
I like the idea of letting the “billionaires” overpay for good seats as long as they still have reasonably priced seats for people like me.
Cervelli might be picking up a bit with his offense, but 4 errors as a catcher, less than two weeks into the season is unacceptable. Infield defense in particular, throughout the system is brutally bad. The outfield defense is getting much better, especially with Austin Jackson’s, “Honest Abe” Almonte’s and Melky Mesa’s play.
The Yanks are still abysmal with RISP, but I think that’s flukey bad – they can’t possibly stay this way all season. They may be mediocre, but that would be a vast improvement from what we are seeing now……..and they are still scoring. I would love to take tomorrow’s game……and get CC back on track.
There are empty seats al over the country. It is a product of the economy. Sorry, but the average fan is not going to spend 800-2600 on a seat, and I dont blame them.
These prices will come down when the organization starts realizing this.
GB, Once again, where have all the coaches gone ???
Hey Pat
Some friends of mine,(ex catcher types) saw him play, raved about his catching skills – defense, take charge, work the hitter. High OBP. I’m going on their information. I’m firmly in the camp of defense first catchers. Posada drives me crazy. Love the guy, bad catcher.
Want to see empty seats?
Turn on MLB tv and watch the Nats vs Atl.
“I think it’s funny with these “fire Girardi comments”. The guy committed a miracle last year, with all the injuries and bad starting to win 89 games. Was a genius at handling the bullpen. Bruney and stick are Girardi creations. The Yankees are winning games with all the injuries and the Wang no show. Where’s the beef?”
I don’t look at it that way… I think he costed us at least 10 games last year with some of his boneheaded moves.
Having a .200 hitting Melky Cabrera swing away in bunt situations down a run with runners on… treating every lefty like Sandy Koufax… Giambi stuck being a #5… and so on
you watch – pettitte wins 20 games this year
Outside of that Baltimore game, the 3rd game of the season, we have not won a blowout game so far. All the games have been close (though some were fairly blown open in the 8th/9th like the Cleveland game and the 2nd Tampa game).
I wonder if Night Owl and the rest of the “embarrassed multitude” are so embarrassed that they are wearing paper bags over their heads.
enough with the “I’m embarrassed” BS. It’s already an old shtick. Not to mention stupid. For starters, it wasn’t exactly a glamour matchup, it was cold, on a school night and miserably wet. There was a rain threat all day long.
And right after I rave about Cervelli, GB cools me off. Four errors, Yikes. Mind you the stories last year from Florida were all about his defense. Maybe he had an off week.
Daniel Murphy strikes again for the Mets
So the team that fielded a rotation that had one starting pitcher above league average (Mussina) and ranked 7th out of 14 teams in the AL in runs scored should have won 99 games?
PAT M
April 21st, 2009 at 10:51 pm
GB, Once again, where have all the coaches gone ???
————————————————————
No idea, PAT, but, it’s system wide. The minors is not the place to be cutting costs, then complain about players not being finished products.
Yanks have the highest average attendance so far.
WS Champion Phillies are 2nd.
The empty seats were always there. They just weren’t so front & center.
Bo knows
April 21st, 2009 at 10:57 pm
And right after I rave about Cervelli, GB cools me off. Four errors, Yikes. Mind you the stories last year from Florida were all about his defense. Maybe he had an off week.
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Tonight’s was a catcher’s interference call, but, the other three were throwing errors on steals. Tack on three passed balls and that’s just not good. another supposed glove dazzler was supposed to be Marcos Vechionacci…4 errors in 10 games.
I was there tonight in the right-field bleachers. They were rowdy as ever. Didn’t notice the “church-like” atmosphere Pete mentioned.
So how about that Bruney tonight? Even though he finally gave up a run, he protected another lead of 3 runs or less…
What do you think? We have our 8th inning solution? Or do we need a larger sample size?
I, for one, am starting to be convinced…
GB, That is extactly why Randy I ( The Original Tin Cup ) has such an issue with Cashman…Aside from his roster blueprints…..The Organization really needs to dump some dough into that area of player development
In 1961 the Yanks averaged 21K at home. (one of the best teams of all time – with a homer record chase to boot)
In 1976 the Yanks averaged 25K at home. (first year of remodeled stadium after two years at Shea)
So there are some empty seats this year? How does that effect me? I don’t get it.
I’m “embarrassed” when the Yanks lose 22-4, not by empty seats.
I kind of like the empty seats behind the plate. I don’t have to look at some dufus talking on his cell phone and waving at the camera, or hear some drunk cuss out a player’s family.
Yeah. I was at the game, the crowd was actually awesome. I was in section 430 and everyone was loud and into the game. There was a Red Sox fan in the left field bleachers that was getting “Boston sucks!” and “A-HOLE” chanted at him all night, and every time there was two strikes the crowd stood to applaud.
Justin I had, and I use that word very harshly, right field bleacher creature seats for 5 years straight, only to be moved to left field this year. I had a saturday package the whole time, now have monday & tuesdays. Totally blows, but at least I have seats. I was depressed not being in right field, as it it the ONLY place in the stadium with any life. Sitting in left field with the posers, and A’s fans it became very clear to me how screwed over I was by the team with my treatment for 6 years of ticket plans. Otherwise, I had fun, tried to get people going in my section, but they were terrible.
It all goes back to the Big Stein firing all the scouts because they made too much money. I have had a hate on for Newman for years. A legit beef is no quality organisation people. In pitching Allen, Patterson, Chaves all gone. In a certain way the big spending is an indictment of player development. They couldn’t develop a 1B? They have a glut in pitching and a Sahara in position players. They had to resurrect Livesey. That Cole fiasco last year, they didn’t draft a high profile backup in case they couldn’t sign Cole. And the list goes on. If you can’t be creative, copy someone else. Cleveland, Minnesota and Tampa Bay come to mind.
Perhaps the whiny and disenfranchised can start a blog somewhere else.
I was thoroughly entertained by the game tonight.
I’ve been on the Vechionacci bandwagon forever. And he was starting to finally come into his own last year until he got hurt. Mind I can sympathize with these guys playing baseball in the miserable spring weather. Especially the South Americans, everything hurts.
With the rainout in Boston tonight, is Beckett still slated for Saturday against Burnett?
I’m thoroughly embarrassed by all of the empty heads that are “embarrassed” by the empty seats.
“You know reading this blog and alot of other blogs about the yankees over the past year or so I finally figured something out, I know pretty sad, that would, most fans don’t really have a clue at all, whether it be about the players, management, stadium etc…..so when I see dumb ass comments from some of you, i just think hey take it with a grain of salt because you never know what dumb no knowledge of the game fan this guy is, maybe he or she is just a casual fan and really doesnt follow the team that much etc etc….I really dont see any other reason for some of the dumb things being said in here…
on the other hand there a few very knowledgeable posters as well….oh well, we are in a blogging world now a days and anyone with a few fingers and a computer can give their opinions for everyone to see….”
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Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy.
Whew. Just got through the game thread.
-Thanks for that article on Gardner. What are the chances that 2 Yankees came from the same tiny town. What a neat connection between Wille Randolph and Gardner.
-Carl, I thought I was imagining that. Tex definitely was pumped. I thought it was Papelbon out there with the 1B glove!
-trisha, re: the weather. It’s been raining the last two days here, too. My toes are cold.
-so Andy went 7? Maybe not his best efforts, but that’s always been Andy. Bend. But don’t break. He must lead the league in innings pitched. AJ must be up there, too.
-I had a feeling Halladay wasn’t going to get the win. You can’t always chalk up a win, or a loss, based on the pitcher. That’s why they play the games.
GB, Empty Heads ……Funny Stuff old boy…..
I wasn’t alarmed by Bruney’s outing tonight because a) he didn’t give up the lead, and b) he didn’t walk anybody.
His biggest problem in previous years was his penchant for giving up free passes.
He stops that, he’s the 8th inning guy, in my mind.
For all those who keep saying, why didn’t the Yankees do a wind study, here’s the story that they did.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/.....4213.story
PAT M
April 21st, 2009 at 11:57 pm
GB, Empty Heads ……Funny Stuff old boy…..
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Well, they’ve been called idiots so many times in their lives that they’re beginning to think that’s their names. Needed something to get the point accross.
Alright….Who snuck that extra “C” in there?
point ***across***
Touche..GB
PAT M
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:09 am
Touche..GB
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what kids have you been “scouting” out in Calif., PAT? Anyone that NYY has a chance at that could help?
GB, I’m 2 weels removed from hip bone graphing surgery..So I’m confined to my house for a few more weeks….Moving around better with the use of a walker….Should be in good shape to playoffs in 4 weeks…..After 4 hip surgeries and 5 knee cuts,I hope its over for awhile…..Good Night GB…You certainly bring balance, knowledge, and humor to The LoHud
alright, PAT. I forgot about the surgery. Your typing makes you look so healthy and mobile.
Get well, soon, Bud. I like your left coast reports. Have a great night.