Turn that @#*&% off!
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on May 09, 2009 
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The way it works in a Major League clubhouse is that the starting pitcher that day gets to pick the pre-game music.
CC Sabathia is not a music guy on game days. He’s more of a walk-around-and-talk-to-assorted-teammates guy. So Nick Swisher (of course) plugged his iPod into some speakers in the middle of the room.
Out came country music. I’m not opposed to country music as long as it’s Johnny Cash. Or maybe some Hank Williams or Delbert McClinton. But this was modern, sappy, makes you want to kill yourself country music.
A.J. Burnett, who considers Metallica easy listening, withstood it for a few minutes then finally decided he had heard enough.
“Are we going that bad that we’re listening to country?” he asked in a loud voice. “We can’t possibly be going that bad.”
Swisher perked up. “What do you want?” he said.
“I want to take a bat to that iPod,” Burnett said.
Swisher laughed. “I’m here for you” he said as he went over to change the playlist.
Burnett laughed.
Teams that win have good chemistry. Teams that lose have bad chemistry. But I’m here to tell you, The Yankees have better chemistry than they’ve had in several years. These guys like each other and they’ll play hard for each other.
If this team can get healthy and stay healthy — and there is no guarantee of either — they’re going to be pretty good.
Totally agree.
Nice anecdote, Pete. Seems like Swish and AJ have really lightened the mood. Seems like the tense, distant, and quiet days of Kevin Brown and Randy Johnson are over.
As soon as the Yankees are strictly listening to country, it’s a sign that none of us want to see. The Yankees need someone like Burnett to get them pissed off about things.
Haha. AJ is awesome!
Pete,
You cannot swear on the blog. You cannot substitute letters & symbols. This is a family-oriented newspaper.
Country music is depressing even when you’re winning.
Hope the energy guys keep it going. Some more pitching like tonight wouldn’t hur either!
I remember years ago it didn’t seem like the Yankees were plagued by as many injuries…
Is it just age? Overtraining? Or just a fluke?
well….
i got friends…in low places…
where the whiskey runs…and the beer chases my blues away…
…i’ll be okay…
couldn’t agree more. great chemistry is such an integral part to winning championships. obviously there are more important pieces to the puzzle, but team chemistry is something the yankees have lacked and i’m glad to hear that it’s back.
Country music? Come on Swish, you’re a rocker not a crooner.
Well as long as they don’t “Cowboy up!” I guess it’s ok.
Just hypothetically, replay the scene with Reggie’s iPod and Munson doing the complaining. That’d be an iPod with a short and pain-filled lifespan.
I feel like most of the levity in the clubhouse — or, at least, the reported levity in the clubhouse — comes from Damon, Swisher, and Burnett. Are any of the other guys gettin’ in on the action?
I’d love to hear that Ramiro Peña keeps regaling the clubhouse with bad puns or something absurd like that.
love these types of stories
makes the players seems so much more like “real” people!
Now if they could just pistol-whip jeter, posada, and mo, our aging old-school (read: way too crusty and serious) crowd into loosening up a bit..
“Within two years, Cervelli will be 4th or 5th in line as a Yankee catcher. Montero, Romine, Higashioka and Jose Gil will be ahead of him.”
I don’t think we see any of those in the majors in less than 4 years, unless Montero has to move away from C.
At least we have catchers in the pipeline. Montero & Higashioka carry pretty good bats, GB7?
the last yankee developed cather we traded by the age of 21 and he played in the sereis last year..
did we trade him for the big unic along with others???
” don’t think we see any of those in the majors in less than 4 years, unless Montero has to move away from C”
hopefully your wrong
Someone Else
May 9th, 2009 at 1:07 am
“Within two years, Cervelli will be 4th or 5th in line as a Yankee catcher. Montero, Romine, Higashioka and Jose Gil will be ahead of him.”
I don’t think we see any of those in the majors in less than 4 years, unless Montero has to move away from C.
————————————————————
You’re making a mistake if you think that Montero and the others can’t play defense as a catcher. Perhaps you should go watch them. Of the four I mentioned, Gil is the oldest at 22. The others can’t even drink legally.
Great stuff Pete.
I like blog entries like this.
m
May 9th, 2009 at 1:10 am
At least we have catchers in the pipeline. Montero & Higashioka carry pretty good bats, GB7?
————————————————————
Yeah, they do. One of the problems over the years has been the best of the catchers are taken well before NYY gets a chance to draft them. They either have to go outside the country or take chances on those with signability issues. Same holds true with position players.
NYY is just now getting some outfielders, but, no big mashers. I can see Romine or Angelini being converted to the outfield, and probably Brandon Laird. They do have one in Charleston with power and speed, though in Mely Mesa. He’s unpolished/raw, but, he can hammer a pitch a long way, steal bases and a really good outfielder with an arm. Rather short and stocky, not like Kirby Puckett or Tony gwynn, but, he’ll definately need to watch the weight.
though in ***Melky Mesa***
Pete,
I wish I could share your confidence with this team. I can’t, they are old, and don’t hit in a timely fashion. I think Mo is done, and we have problems. This team is not competing in a weak division. Therefore, they might do well, but I’m afraid the playoffs are not in the picture.
Hey Pete, as a huge metalhead myself, do you know the type of stuff AJ listens to? Any bands in particular you know of?
“You’re making a mistake if you think that Montero and the others can’t play defense as a catcher. Perhaps you should go watch them. Of the four I mentioned, Gil is the oldest at 22. The others can’t even drink legally.”
Name a starting ML catcher that went from Low-A to the Majors in a short time span, and turned out to be a solid offensive+defensive catcher from day 1.
Pete,you need to do a question/answer with Swisher and Burnett. They would be fun.
Maybe Nick Markakis would like that music? Camden Yards does play “Thank God I’m a country boy” everytime he gets up to the plate. I’m not sure if the Orioles got the news that he is from Long Island.
GB7,
Thanks. Don’t think you can have too many catchers.
Just saw a scary stat. Before tonight, our ERA in our wins was 3+. The ERA in our losses was 9+. Tonight’s win was huge in many ways. Most importantly, CC was awesome.
Swisher seems like a mischievous guy – maybe he could run up during innings and plug in the Ipod so we don’t have to be subjected to YMCA, Cotton Eyed Joe and scratchy Kate Smith anymore.
There are wins and then there are wins, the kind of wins that turn a season around, the kind of wins that allows players to see what could and what will be……Tonight is that kind of win…The springboard that offers the question , why did it take this long ???? No there’s reason to believe, it took 5 weeks or so, but make no mistake, the NY Yankees have arrived…..
m
May 9th, 2009 at 1:38 am
GB7,
Thanks. Don’t think you can have too many catchers.
Just saw a scary stat. Before tonight, our ERA in our wins was 3+. The ERA in our losses was 9+. Tonight’s win was huge in many ways. Most importantly, CC was awesome.
————————————————————
Tonight, he was as good as I’ve ever seen him pitch. Three of the hits were sqeakers through the infield or a bloop that Damon never moved on. It easily could have been a one hitter. Hopefully, he backs that game up with an equally dominating game. Hughes is the next big thing for NYY tomorrow. It would be nice to get him 3-5 runs in the first and go from there. NYY should score off of Eaton.
Hey Rob,
Why don’t you just put up the white flag and quit watching then???
If you’re not excited as a Yankees fan after watching Arod’s big return and CC’s masterpiece, then you’re not a real fan.
Thanks for trolling.
Finally a positive post from Pete. Feel like it’s been all negativity ever since the season started (even through the win-streak).
Hopefully this optimism can be maintained.
“There are wins and then there are wins, the kind of wins that turn a season around, the kind of wins that allows players to see what could and what will be……Tonight is that kind of win…The springboard that offers the question , why did it take this long ???? No there’s reason to believe, it took 5 weeks or so, but make no mistake, the NY Yankees have arrived…..”
Well said Pat M.
I posted during the game thread of the loss to Boston on Tuesday night that I still believed that this team will win it all this year.
The rotation is one if not the best in baseball. We all knew that it wouldn’t be long before the dominant CC showed up. Just wait until we get a healthy Wang back, the rotation will be scary good which in turn will help the bullpen.
The lineup is also one of the best in baseball. When we get Posada back, we could have Cano batting 8th! That pretty much says it all right there.
I’ve been very frustrated with the way the team has been playing, but we finally saw a glimpse of what things could become this year for our beloved Yanks.
But I thought A-Rod doesn’t bring good chemistry to a clubhouse?
Meh, chemistry is overrated. Chemistry is nice to have but it doesn’t help you win games if your team or doesn’t play well.
They are a resilient bunch, but what’s going to carry them is their starting rotation if and when they get rolling.
They need to reel off a 7-3, 8-2 streak. This team is capable of doing it. The hitting is still spotty and Teix, oy. They still drive me crazy with men on base. They refuse to play fundamental baseball and the mistakes are to kill for. That pickoff today, grr. Be a professional, play hard, that’s all I ask. Those 3 and 1 dribblers are killing me, or those SO’s on 86 mph fastballs. You don’t try to overpower slop.
Somewhere, Selena Roberts is crying herself to sleep tonight
NHYankee62
May 9th, 2009 at 2:21 am
Somewhere, Selena Roberts is crying herself to sleep tonight
no she’s very happy – she’s going to take credit for fixing Alex
I don’t know if it’s because people don’t want to jinx it, but no one is talking about the season that Melky Cabrera is putting together.
He’s leading the Yankees in batting average and on base percentage. Among centerfielders with at least 80 plate appearances, he is 4th in OPS behind Beltran, Adam Jones, and Hunter.
Hitting .342 all season isn’t going to happen, but he is really starting to prove that he’s more than just a 4th outfielder. If he can avoid the 2 months when he hits under .200 he’s going to have a big year.
27
people have noticed.
many think he can’t sustain it.
I like to think of him as a 280-90 20 80 guy. This year he’s been awesome.
I actually posted a stat last night Melky has 10 walks so far all last year 29 (I think)
This line-up has the potential to be SICK
“no she’s very happy – she’s going to take credit for fixing Alex”
LOL. She ain’t happy. She despises Arod and tried doing anything and everything she could to ruin his life to advance her own pathetic career.
She want’s to see Arod ruined. That ain’t happening. Mark it down, this guy while be popping champagne in the Bronx with his teammates in October.
Roberts is a disgrace.
The lineup has the potential to be the best in baseball.
Now we only have one automatic out (sorry Cervelli; I’m still considering you an automatic out until he proves himself for a week or so).
Once Posada comes back we could have Cano batting 8th!!
I think she’s actually crazy in love with him its just my OPINION though.
and as far as automatic outs…. Tex needs a good game
Chemistry is as good as your next 3-run homer.
Rickles
you have nothing left to prove at open mic night.
serious q are you a working comedian?
Yea, but do you seriously think that Tex isn’t going to turn it around?
He’ll be fine unless he’s hiding a really bad left wrist injury.
I DO think he will but the longer it goes on the more concerned I become
some rabble rousers were calling for him to be moved down in the line-up I hope that never has to happen.
Actually I think once he clicks he’ll go nuts but I’m a fan
I am not.
But I drove a friend to the airport tonight and “All the Umbrellas in London” came up on shuffle and the “and all the money in Tokyo couldn’t make me stay” made me sad about Matsui leaving, whenever that happens.
stuart
May 9th, 2009 at 1:13 am
the last yankee developed cather we traded by the age of 21 and he played in the sereis last year..
did we trade him for the big unic along with others???
Stuart, did you just call Randy Johnson a Big Eunuch or was that just a typo?
We’ll your talents are appreciated here. I asked because I know some people in that biz.
Wow a year ago I had no clue about magnetic fields now they are quite a fave. Matsui is under appreciated.
There is a Japanese BBCue place on 8th and 39 that is ALL about No 55. Its actually called No 55 – they will be disappointed too
well not we’ll
GB disease
You people are obsessed with Ms. Roberts.
Leave Selena Roberts Alone !!!!!
Watching one of George Carlin’s last standups. Hilarious.
Great win for CC tonight. Chemistry is only as good as ypurself next day’s starting pitcher. Hopefully young Phil Hughes can have another excellent start tomorrow.
Thanks, Uncle Ellsworth. I’m not too helpful with sabermetrics or novel counter-intuitive ‘our pitchers get better as our catchers get worse’ theories, so I contribute as best I can.
The Magnetic Fields are one of my very top fave bands. I have some illicit live recordings, contact me via the email address on my flickr photo page if you want me to hook you up.
Early day tomorrow, goodnight.
Big day for the Cash Truthers tomorrow eh?
or is it the PosadaMolinaCervelli truthers
reminds me of the Ellen Jamesians
This is a cute interaction and all, but I’m now a little suspicious of how closely your perception of teammate interaction actually matches reality. For example, the “awkward moment” you captured between A-Rod and Jeter today, where you tried to make it look like A-Rod an “unusual guy” who was confusing Jeter with his line about being nervous — was it a joke? Was it serious? Who knows with that perplexing A-Rod character!
The problem is, this exchange was broadcast on national television, so everyone who saw it could see how twisted your version of the interaction was. It was pretty clear it was a joke, and rather than giving A-Rod a “quizzical look” Jeter was obviously smiling because at least HE understood it was a joke.
Your efforts to make A-Rod look like even more of a freakshow than he actually is are pretty sad.
CC took one look at Mo warming up and said, “Oh, HELL no.”
Today was a great game for the Yankees but tomorrow is an important game as well. This team needs to build on the little momentum they have built today and turn it into something really positive like maybe get 7 or 8 games above .500 in the next few weeks.
Great game, of course the night that I go out they win big and CC goes the distance
Can we fire Marty Miller again?
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....t_ste.html
Both Tex and Swish are seriously pressing. Strikeouts (way) up, walks and batting average down. GD it! Can this team never hit on all cylinders?
stuart: “the last yankee developed cather we traded by the age of 21 and he played in the sereis last year..”
What about Georgie?
NHYankee62: Just because you don’t agree with Rob doesn’t make him a bad fan or a troll. But your calling him a bad fan and a troll shows you for what you are: Scum.
He is a bad fan.
The Yanks have played 29 games and he’s already said the season is over and the greatest closer of all time is finished.
Never mind that we go through this crap every year with Mo. He has a rough night or two and people think there’s something wrong with him or his career is coming to an end.
Only simpletons think that way – like Mike Francesa and Rob.
yeah GF, the fat fella over did it with his sermon on Mo yesterday. It was a bit much.
Pete- Merle Haggard is worth a listen to. Workin’ Man Blues is hard not to like.
NHYankee62
“Somewhere, Selena Roberts is crying herself to sleep tonight”
Uncle Ellsworth
“no she’s very happy – she’s going to take credit for fixing Alex”
Nope. Gleeful. That’s what I bet she is. I bet as soon as the ball left the bat on his first-pitch HR, she said “SEE?!!?!? I KNEW HE WAS STILL ON STEROIDS!!!!!”
Baby woke up early, but now she’s fine … otherwise I’d be SOUND asleep until 8 or 9. That’s what the heck I’m doing up at 6 posting.
I feel ya on the country music, Pete. There’s got to be less than an hour’s worth of country music in the entire history of the recording industry (OK, make that the history of all mankind) that I wouldn’t have taken a bat to that iPod for myself.
My dad loved country music. Still does. A good man … other than that flaw … but … YAAAARRRRGH!
Aw, it’s like the old timer’s fighting for the TV at the nursing home. How cute.
This story would be much more interesting if you could tell us more about what music you would have them play, Pete.
Contemporary county music has been craptastic for the last 20 years though alt-country (Americana) like the stuff they played on XM’s Cross-Country (RIP) or Sirius’ Outlaw Country is just fine.
But Metallica? Feh. Classic rock. Almost.
OT-RIP Chuck Daly
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/.....id=4153982
chamberlain=goose gossage……interesting comparison….i know chamberlain is a starter but if mo doesn’t do the job …don’t jump on me…but just thinking if wang comes back healthy and throwing
Hopefully Youuuse(Mike Francesa pronunciation) can give us a good performance today.
Yesterday was a great job by CC
Dodgers are 0-2 without Manny.
Thank you Selena Roberts
http://i378.photobucket.com/al.....e/Alex.gif
What a game!
From the first pitch 3-run homerun by returning prodigal son, to CC striking out the side to put an exclamation point on the evening, you couldn’t draw it up any better.
I have no illusions about Cervelli, but I think it’s fair to be impressed with the job he did last night. And I also think it’s fair to say he looks like he’ll be able to do at least a serviceable job while he’s here.
I think with all the hand-wringing that’s been going on lately, we are all entitled to be a little over-enthused after last night’s win. (But I don’t think you can be over-enthused about that kind of a win.)
I think the Yankees will win today because they are not on ESPN or Fox.
I was surprised that they chose Stephen Jackson to DFA from their incredibly large collection of fair-to-middlin’ RHP candidates. Claggett or Hacker would have been my choice.. probably Hacker since he’s a year and a half older.
Oh well, it’s a start… only 17 RHP left on the 40-man and only 12 pitchers on the MLB roster. Next, replacing Berroa with someone who can actually play.
I think the Yankees will win today because they are not on ESPN or Fox.
==============================
LOL
I was gonna say we are cursed on Saturday’s, but we did actually win a game on a Saturday(April 11th)!
I’m already nervous for Hughesie
Great post Pete.
Country music rules! The reason New Yorkers don’t like it is because they are arrogant fools. On my I-pod I have everything from Metallica to Little Big Town and everything in between to include Newfoundland folk music. Prejudice against art is ridiculous. Although that ignorance does explain lots of the comments on this blog every day.
IPK will now go to 60 day DL so they can put John Rodriguez on the 40 man.
They really need a better PH option then Berroa, especially while Posada’s out.
You don’t want Franky hitting with bases loaded and two outs in the 8th, when your down by 1.
Yes Tim that classic “Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw” is truly artistic.
Actually I find some of virtually every genre to be pretty entertaining. As the fill-in DJ said in good Morning Vietnam, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like a good polka!
Okay, we’re going to have to come up with one nickname for Franscisco Cervelli. Is it going to be Frankie or Cisco? ‘Cause I had to stop to figure out who people were talking about with either one. What’s Girardi calling him? I would guess Frankie because of the “ey” sound he puts on everyone’s name. (Mat-ey for Matsui is the one that cracks me up the most, though.)
As I believe the Bronx Zoo proved, you don’t need team chemistry to win a championship. The negative clubhouse can spark players to over perform as they want to rub it in to their nay-sayers.
That isn’t saying that a good chemistry clubhouse is bad, it simply shows that you don’t need it to win. A clubhouse like this one is fun for the players and the fans, but it hasn’t shown much results on the field yet.
Teams that like each other may help pick up the members that are failing some, but it can also have the adverse effect causing the player who is struggling to feel even worse for letting down his buddies. That can lead to more struggles and pressure.
As in just about every aspect in life, its all about balance.
Best win if the year last night and we have someone in here declare Mariano Rivera “done”.
And you wonder why people laugh at Ysnkee fans now.
Doreen, Girardi will probably be calling Cervelli “Velly”. Built in “ie” sound with no work.
NYYanksFan–
Sorry, but the Yankees are a significantly better team WITH A-Rod. They are several games under .500 without him, but win games at nearly a .600 clip with him. That’s just one of many stats to cite (without considering the offensive output he provides) that automatically trump the hypothetical “24 + 1″ argument. Plus, trying to make a point by saying that the Yanks have won 26 world championships without Alex Rodriquez is like complaining that you’ve never won the lottery even though you’ve never bought a lotto ticket.
So the yankees won,a-rod hit a homer,cc pitched 9inn and I just saw rihanna’s foto’s…it’s a great day
Doreen,
It’s Frankie. 100%.
Girardi also refers to Arod as Al, which I love, and have used it myself when speaking of him with friends.
Ex. “Did you hear Al hit a HR in his 1st AB?” “Who?” “You know, Al Rodriguez. That what his friends call him.”
SJ – Why do you say it was a Yankee fan?
@Nick in SF, so cool to see someone who’s a huge fan of both MF & the Yanks! I went to your flickr photo page but couldn’t find your e-mail address on it (sorry if I’m being dense). But I would dearly love to be hooked up with your live MF recordings! How do I find your e-mail address on your flickr page? Many thanks!
They wouldn’t call him “Cervix” would they?
Props to Frankie Cervelli for catching C.C. so well under “need to win” conditions.
The sweet 112 pitch complete game shutout looms big in letting the pen rest and keeping Mo on track to be used tonight. He must be used an average of 3-4 times each week to stay sharp,
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/200.....ent-780753
====================================================
It’s the ones that listen to Francessa that say that.
They wouldn’t call him “Cervix” would they?
====================================
I would think no.
Yes- country music stinks.. Seeing Korn, NIN and Janes Addiction in the next month.. ROCK ON!!
Pasqua
Those are Pete’s words, not mine.
He denied saying the Yankees were better off without A-Rod, just posting where he did.
Joe,
He comes here everyday posting the same nonsense. He just changes the “goat” of the day.
If this team can stay exactly where they are right now, 4 games out of first place, by June 9 (one month from now), Wang, Posada, Bruney, Marte and Nady should all be back.
If they don’t suffer anymore injuries in that timeframe, and all these guys are back, do you mean to tell me folks will still think, “this is not a good team”?
There would STILL be over 100 games reamining to make up 4 games. That’s an impossible task? I don’t think so.
SJ, One has to be slightly concerned about Rivera in that his problems in the past were always with his control which is different than what’s happenning this season….He’s lacking veloctiy which is resulting in no movement….I’m confused as to why it comes and goes….However it was very clear in the Bay ab and the Crawford ab that someting’s up……Not saying he’s done, but the sun is fading gentlemen…..
Much Ado About Something -
Well, one would think “Velli” is ready made for Girardi. But, so is Matsui.
86w183
“Cervix” !!!!????!!! Oh, heavens, no!
Any I PHone users happen to know the name of the translator app AJ uses
SJ44
If you was a fan in 78 that is enough to make you realise that anything can happen.
I don’t think many thought they could make up the 14 games in the short time they had, including me.
I’ve followed sports long enough to know that things can change that you thought couldn’t possibly happen.
Just askin’!
I think Rivera is at a point where he is less able to adjust to unusual circumstances because of the shoulder in context with advancning years.
Thus I have three “Mo Rules”
1. No outings longer than an inning, period.
2. If he approaches or passes 20 pitches he gets the next day off.
3. He should never go more than 3 days without pitching.
Pat M
Don’t you think Mo had similar trouble in 07? He seemed to in that game in Oakland that we were both at. Seemed like everything he threw that game was flat.
Pat M,
Then he will break out the change up and the knuckleball. That’s right, he can throw a knuckleball.
Mariano is one of the most competitive people I have ever been around. There is no way he is “done” until we see how he pitches AFTER he makes adjustments.
His shoulder strength isn’t there yet.
Folks have predicted that Mariano is “done” in 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009. I guess if you predict it enough, sooner or later you are going to be correct.
For the sake of argument, let’s say his velocity stays at 90-92 for the rest of the year. With his two seamer in on righties, his changeup AND his cutter, that’s still good enough to get outs because he still has great command.
My point is, to declare him “done” after a few bad outings is just silly.
If he gets ONE more strike against Jason Bay, NOBODY is declaring Mariano Rivera “done”.
He’s human and he’s 39 years old. He’s still gaining strength in the shoulder after surgery.
He will be fine. The Yankees have bigger problems than Mo.
Someone Else:
“Name a starting ML catcher that went from Low-A to the Majors in a short time span, and turned out to be a solid offensive+defensive catcher from day 1.”
———
Brian McCann started in low A in 2003, by mid 2005 he was raking in the majors. In 2006 of course he went .333/24/94. It took him slightly less than a year and a half to go from low A, through high A and AA to the majors. Not to mention he was only 21 when he joined the Braves.
86,
Exactly! That’s what you have to do with Mo now.
That’s pretty much the parameters the Yankees will have to work off of for the rest of his career.
If they do, and he stays healthy, he will still be great. Not good, great.
Maine,
That’s why I crack up when people on here declare the season “over” in early May. Its pretty comical, given the history of this franchise.
You wonder if these kids were alive in 1978 and how they would have reacted to that season.
I don’t know, call me crazy but, if CC is back to pitching like CC, Arod is back, and they get a little healthier, its hard for me to declare the season “over” on May 9.
I know its crazy but, that’s just me. I could be wrong.
Peyton ( A-Rod is a bad, bad man) May 9th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Any I PHone users happen to know the name of the translator app AJ uses
===============================
WordPower?
http://www.innovativelanguage......wordpower/
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/200.....andy-show/
SJ44
If they went into a WS with Dent at ss and Doyle at 2nd this blog would explode.
Thats why I think they can get by at catcher for the short term if either one can do a respectable job.
“He will be fine. The Yankees have bigger problems than Mo.”
Mo is fine. People may have to change their expectations. He’s had different levels of success from year to year.
Last year he was unbelievably good. So far, this year reminds me a bit more of 2007.
That said, the end is near. This year and next are it, so I say instead of thinking something is wrong when it isn’t, enjoy his greatness.
Or take into consideration other closers. Who would you rather other then maybe KRod, Papelbon, and Nathan?
Peyton ( A-Rod is a bad, bad man) May 9th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Any I PHone users happen to know the name of the translator app AJ uses
========================================
My post was eaten up, so lemme try this again:
Wordpower?
http://tinyurl.com/o7bvk3
Pete’s April 21st post: “The Mo and Andy Show” was when he mentioned it.
If Hughes pitches another gem this evening expect the tone of this blog to improve.
With this rotation, without further injuries, things are bound to improve.
I wonder what this blog would sound like say in 1998, when everything was so good.
People would complain that they were too far ahead to stay focused.
SJ , The point I’m trying to convey is that the days of being automatic are ( as to be expected ) maybe coming less and less often…..His problems in the past was not veloctiy but location….This season it’s velocity, and hopefully it’s the residule of the off season cutting plus he was on a slow spring training program…..Right now it’s a concern…Just because he’s always bounced back is a nice track record to fall back on….Just as it was last summer knowing that The Yanks always make the playoffs….What is confusing is how he looks lights out one night and then looks ordinary, That’s my point….GB7, tells a story from a few ST’s ago when the fanned Howard with that circle change of his….Devastating pitch to add to his arsenal….He;ll be fine I suppose, I’m not certain he’s a 5 appearance a week closer anymore…At 39 it’s remarkable that he’s still The Great Rivera
Last night’s win was great. ARod provided the spark and CC pitched like the ace of the staff. When Alex hit that HR in the 1st inning you could just see the whole demeanor of the team change. Hopefully this will carry over and get the Yankees going.
I think you might have something there “And now entering into the game…. The Great Rivera”.
Pat M,
I see your point. That’s why I think we will see more of the changeup to keep hitters from staring earlier to hit the cutter.
They just have to use him the right way. As 86 says, there does have to be “Mo Rules” from hereon out.
If they get starting pitching performances like CC’s last night, they won’t have too much trouble adhering to the rules! lol
do the Fleet Foxes count as country? i dig ‘em…
Does anyone know if Perkins is going to be suspended for the Celts? He almost has to be, after that dirtbag Rondo didnt either time last series.
I like Little Big Town and Trace Atkins and stuff. No problem with country.
Chemistry is overrated. The 70′s Yanks had no chemsitry and two championships. PITCHING wins championships, and that includes bullpen, which is a huge problem. Hopefully if starters eat more innings our bullpen will become more effective.
Had to watch that A-Rod homer again. Pure Beauty.
I really think that the bullpen, specifically Mo since he’s the closer but everyone, is forcing the Yankees to move Joba to the Pen. I’m all for Joba as a starter in ideal circumstances but our closer is old. In fact, how about this: Joba is closer and Mo is the set up man. II know the Yanks would never, ever do it, but they should.
Things are looking better in Yankeeland.
The seventies Yanks had loads of chemistry. It was combustible, but it was chemistry. I think they thrived on the “creative tension” that existed between them and then they bonded (like many chemicals do) when they got royally ticked off at The Boss.
It never fails that no matter what flaw on the team we start discussing we end up with starting pitching, isn’t it? Mo will be fine if the starters do their jobs. The offense scores enough IF the starting pitchers do their jobs. The bullpen is fine when it’s not overworked due to poor starting pitching.
The expensive seats would be full if only… Ok maybe not that one, but you get the point.
If they get quality starts 80 percent of the time they will be a playoff team and if they don’t they probably won’t be.
86w183-I thought there were two sides to that team, those who like Jackson and those who didn’t.
I’ve read the Bronx Zoo. One of the biggest thing keeping that team from killing each other was Sparky Lyle. Notice this: He goes, championships end. No idea if he was the reason why, but it makes you think.
It was a chemically unbalanced team that thrived on pressure. What propelled them to greatness was Guidry, who was just unbelievable. W/o him, they’re nothing. So you’re right, in the end it all goes back to starting pitching.
SJ and Pat M – as far as you (or anyone else) knows, is there any reason to think that the changeup (and I remember Ryan Howard striking out on the Mo’s change) could affect the cutter?
To 86w183,
I’m sure you could find titles in any genre that are a bit silly. All music is art. You did make me laugh though. I was just stirring the pot a bit because some people on here take themselves way too seriously. Take care.
Love Rock, hate Rap and hip hop, like country and not ashamed to admit it.
last night was great and it was the new beginning of the season.it was exactly what the yankees needed
… but now is as good a time for any to bring up something negative that absolutely has to be changed.
from espn:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4153791
After the game, Rodriguez admitted that his hip bothered him so much in the final two months of the 2008 season, he was helpless against a half-decent fastball.
“Anything above 92 miles an hour, I didn’t feel like I had a prayer,” he said.
——————————————————————–
this simply can’t be allowed to happen on the yankees.
the players have to be constantly monitored to check for physical problems. this would have been an easy problem to recognize if there was a performance and medical head who’s only job was overseeing conditioning, performance ,and health, etc.
arod felt pain which is the obvious first clue.
performance was way down which is the second marker.
strength tests should be given every week or month which monitor weakness before the problem gets to the pain level.
players need to be fined for not reporting pain and/or weakness ( the team has to reward this and not punish a player by releasing or sending him down).
arod could have and should have had his operation last fall and he wouldn’t have lost 5-6 weeks of the season.
this is on yankee management.
there is no excuse to not have a head of injury prevention with a massive budget and personnel to implement the program.
this injury prevention team should be the envy of the industry.
anything less and the yankees deserve to keep seeing more salary on the DL than most teams have on their payroll and to struggle to get to .500 with the highest payroll in the known sports universe.
Thanks for the story, Pete! It’s very good to see that, despite their losing streak, the team hasn’t lost it’s sense of humor and they aren’t wallowing in misery. I said during ST that I thought the fact that these guys liked each other and genuinely supported each other would help during the tough times. I admit that recently, probably out of frustration, I’ve been thinking how silly my comments were and how it would be better if they all hated each other and were playing well. A win makes everything seem better, lol……and I really still believe that it matters that the Yankees are a close-knit group. Despite the losing, they have tried hard – they do battle. The results are similiar, but last year although I refuse to say they didn’t put in an effort, it seemed like they sleepwalked through most games. This year is different – I really hope they can survive this crisis so that they have a chance to compete for a playoff berth later when they are all healthy and performing up to par.
randy l.-You’re right.
Same with Posada.
I wish we were playing the Red Sox today.
People are forgetting that the Yankees did exactly what we asked them to. What did we ask them to do? We asked them to hang in there for ARod’s return.
Well they did. It wasn’t easy, but they were by no means out of the race yesterday and have now gained a game on Toronto. All of a sudden though, “hanging in there” wasn’t good enough because everybody knew how good this team really could be. They wanted more. And with ARod back and attitudes lifted, hopefully they’re going to get it.
“I wish we were playing the Red Sox today.”
No you don’t
Brandon “THE CIRCUS IS BACK !”-Yeah I do. I want to stick it to em and make a point that the only reason we lost is no ARod and that we’re turning it around!
Sparky Lyle departing the Yankees had nothing to do with their lack of winning.
He barely pitched in key roles for them in 1978, after Goose got there, and they won that year, staging one of the greatest comebacks in history to do so.
The 70′s Yankee teams had a ton of chemistry between the white lines. Guys played hard and held themselves accountable. That’s what “chemistry” is in a professional clubhouse.
They stopped winning after ’78 for a variety of reasons:
1. Thurman died.
2. George lost his mind and became the defacto GM.
3. They got away from what made them win in the first place. Balance between homegrown players, trades and signing the right FA’s. Similar to what has taken this generations team off the track a bit.
Randy,
No doubt the training/medical screwups have hurt this team bigtime. Probably a big reason (although they will deny it) why Dr. Ahmed and the Steadman Institute has now taken over the medical side of the operation.
Betsy,
Fans create more misery for themselves than players do.
Its a veteran team and they know the season isn’t “over”, despite the cries from some in the fan base.
That said, a performance like last night from CC and ARod lifts everybody’s spirits.
Now, its up to Hughes to keep the line moving in the right direction this evening.
Unlike football, you don’t have a week to savor nice victories. Gotta get back at it tonight, win, and take a series. That will make everybody feel better.
Tim— Glad I made you laugh.
I too am stunned by some of the “absolute” positions people here take on one thing or another, but hell I do it too.
After hearing Alex’s comments yesterday you have to wonder about the Yankees’ medical people. He should have had surgery in October, not February! Ridiculous.
randyi
Your 11.03 post is good input, it would be good if NYY were the benchmark in this areas because certainly from a financial resource standpoint, there is nothing preventing NY from being the best.
Do you know any ML team which is cutting edge in early injury detection/prevention?
SJ44-Sparky was more or less the “glue” that kept the team together. W/o him, the fighting had no real resolution but more fighting. His performance on the field were besides my point. But your other points are certainly true.
They aren’t ready to play the Red Sox again. They are 0-5 against them for a reason. They aren’t as good as the Red Sox…..yet.
Get back Posada, Nady, Wang, Marte, and Bruney, and give Arod more games under his belt, then look forward to that matchup.
When you are 0-5 against a team, and have been beaten every way you can be by them, its best not to talk junk.
Get healthy, get better and be glad there are 5 more months left to the season.
randy l -
It has to be on management, because the players are never going to be 100% honest. They will “gut it out,” “play through it,” or whatever other phrase you want to use.
I suppose ARod felt that once the season was over, his hip would feel better with rest. Now, I guess the Yankees were okay with that for a few reasons. ARod has never had significant injury problems in the past, and ARod knows his own body (I would have said takes care of his body well, but we all know that’s not entirely accurate to say anymore). BUT ARod represents a huge financial investment for them, and so, they absolutely cannot rely simply on a player’s own assessment of his problems. No more. They can’t. The players seem to always underestimate their conditions. I don’t care if the Yankees look like hypochondriacs. I’d rather they be proactive than reactive with injuries or weaknesses or all the “something doesn’t feel/look/seem quite rights.”
A little off topic, but what do you all think of the Yankees DFA S. Jackson yesterday as opposed to maybe putting IPK on the 60 DL or DFA someone else such as Hacker?
I found it a little odd, it seems as though Jackson was having a good year in SWB and also was considered a top 30 prospect.
Reggie didn’t hold himself accountable. Remember when he was yanked? It was all Martin’s fault, not his.
The team was a mess, but it was good ON THE FIELD. That’s all you really need to be. Chemistry is not a necessary element.
SJ44-That is true, but still, in a three game series we shouldn’t be swept.
It’s embarassing and I really want to right that portion of the ship. Unfortunately we’re waiting until June.
Sparky Lyle was not the glue that kept the Yankees together.
I was there in that time. I worked in the media and covered the ’77 and ’78 teams. I saw that team up close and still have friends from that team to this day.
I know you love Sparky Lyle but, he wasn’t the key to the team.
Thurman Munson was the glue to the team. Catfish Hunter was the leader among the pitchers.
Reggie? He was that generations Arod. Supremely talented and had guys in the locker room shaking their heads on a daily basis.
Aside from sitting on birthday cakes naked, and winning a Cy Young, Sparky was just “one of the boys”.
He had no leadership position on the team. Nor did he want one. He just wanted the ball in big situations.
Randy I, And the medical list ( dl ) keeps on growing….Most ballplayers & atheletes in general have a higher tolerance when it comes to with pain…Nobody wants lose pt,and that may stem from the days in the minors when you fear for losing your place in the organization….However the club needs to be proactivate when it comes to the health of their stable of high priced ballplayers……Does anyone know if Mariano was scoped or actually cut back in November ???
SJ44-Reading the Bronx Zoo I know he wasn’t leader, just peacemaker. He was one of the guys that had his own opinions but felt no need to voice them, allowing the players to vent. Sometimes you need that. Until he wrote the book, which put his opinions out there.
Sparky always said that if he had been allowed to pitch more in that comeback year (78?) he would have been far more effective. Taking nothing AT ALL away from Goose.
Serious question: Who do you still know from that team? Any big names?
The question is then why Mo doesn’t throw the change? I guess because he’s never had to……..but now he’s going to. Will Mo be stubborn about it and stick with his cutter? SJ, I didn’t realize Mo also throws a knuckleball – how unfair would that be to hitters? LOL……. If he throws it, he should use it.
I’m not ready to say that one win is going to send the Yankees on their way. They still let Guthrie off the hook a couple of times yesterday – it’s still a very inconsistent offense. Tex is killing us batting 3rd – I really wonder how long we can stick with him there before we drop him in the order. It wouldn’t be permanent, but we have to win games, period. Also, this is a problem with having kids in the rotation. I love Phil – I’ve been one of his biggest supporters because I think he’s going to be a big-time pitcher – but we have no idea what we’re going to get from him today. He may go out there and throw well or he may go out there and get lit up.
Betsy-They should have switched him with Cano long ago.
I love Tex and think he’ll be great but you cannot have someone on a streak as bad as his killing us in the third spot like that. And maybe it’ll wake him up.
Pat M,
He was scoped. But, he didn’t throw at all during the winter (he rarely does anyway) and the thought was that it was going to take him up to 6 months after the surgery to be up to full strength.
That puts him approx. 1 month away from having the shoulder at full strength. Pretty much the average (without setbacks of course) for the type of procedure he had.
SJ44
Reggie had them shaking more than their heads didn’t he. He seemed to put himself above the team at times. Some real big egos on that team. I don’t know what kept Thurmon or Billy from killing Reggie at times. Even though they won it was embarrassing to be a fan at times.
Everytime they move Cano up in the order he struggles. He tries to do too much.
He is much better suited to hitting down in the order.
They moved him up last week, and he went 1-20.
They moved him down yesterday, he had 2 hits.
He’s not a #3 hitter.
If you want Tex to break out of his slump, moving him is not the way to go.
If you have him hitting in front of Cabrera and/or Cervelli, he will see LESS pitches to hit.
Keep him where he is and hope Arod starts out hot. If he does, he will get pitches to hit.
Tex will be fine. The fans? Not so much but, Tex will be fine.
You don’t forget how to hit simply because you are in a slump.
If the modern day Yanks were like that, I’d just love it.
Especially if they won.
Teixeiramvp (I’m keeping the faith) (Not the troll)
May 9th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Betsy-They should have switched him with Cano long ago.
I love Tex and think he’ll be great but you cannot have someone on a streak as bad as his killing us in the third spot like that. And maybe it’ll wake him up.
————————————————————
Oh, give it a rest. Teixeira doesn’t need anything “to wake him up”. No more than Jeter, Cano or Swisher do right now. They’ve lost anywhere from 60-80 points off of their averages in two weeks.
SJ44-You’re right, I think Tex will be great. It’s not a matter of forgetting how to hit but a matter of actually hitting. We need a good number three hitter. Tex will be one, but right now he just isn’t. Maybe not Cano maybe even Melky, who is hot (I guess not enough power). Or Matsui. How about Matsui, Tex switched to five?
Reggie was hated on that team. Arod isn’t hated on the Yankees.
Guys don’t understand him at times and are amazing at his social awkwardness but, he isn’t hated in that clubhouse.
Reggie was HATED!! lol More by Nettles than just about anybody else on the team.
That’s how the fight started at the party in Oakland after they clinched the pennant in ’81.
Nobody on this team wants to punch out Arod. Most of the guys on the 70′s and early 80′s Yankees wanted to take a shot at Reggie. lol
SJ, I know that’s true about the players and fans – that alone should keep me from getting to worked up about a few losses. For some reason, I’ve been wondering to myself whether the new guys regretted signing here because they were under the impression that they were coming to a team that had a real chance to win and then all of a sudden, the bottom falls out from under them with injuries (which no one can predict) and especially poor play in aspects of the game. Even as I’ve been thinking it, I realize how silly these thoughts are…….these guys (well, all the players actually) have been on teams that struggled. Players have to have a positive outlook otherwise it would be impossible to get through a season – the first losing streak would send the team into a downward spiral. That said, the team really needed that win last night – no matter who positive players are, they are still human and you wonder when they start to think whether they can dig themselves out of it or not.
GreenBeret7-Tex is ice cold. I love him and I think he’ll be great but he’s hurting the team where he is and perhaps it will have the side effect of waking him up.
I will give it a rest when Tex gets up to 250. Until then, something, anything, must be done.
Speaking of Mo and the proposed Mo rules, who do you think Joe G gives the ball to with a 1-2 run lead late in the game for a save, if Mo is unavailable?
My guess it would be Coke.
Any thoughts?
You don’t change the batting order to get guys going.
You know what happens when you do? You mess up the entire order AND the big spots always seem to find the struggling hitter.
Its not a video game. Its an everyday game.
He is getting closer and closer to breaking out.
Try patience for a change. Its something more folks should practice.
If he’s hitting .190 on the 4th of July, then move him.
Something tells me that won’t be necessary.
SJ44-Patience is very nice and I’m sure he’ll break out of it but I’m not moving him to get him going, I would move him just to get him out of the three hole.
It’s ridiculous to have your number three hitter hitting 190.
And I know he’ll do better but right now, today, he is hurting the team there and needs to be moved.
Teixeira’s eye is still there-he’s still getting his walks. He seems to be just missing when he makes contact. His numbers will be there at the end.
Anybody think that maybe Teixiera’s wrist is still bothering bothering him? After all his slump started after he missed a few games with the wrist problem. And after reading about ARod last year playing with a bad hip, not telling anyone, and it affecting his play, maybe that’s what is going on here.
He doesn’t need to “wake up”. Please, the guy is playing GREAT defense, taking his walks, and beginning to take better swings from both sides of the plate after coming off a wrist injury.
You want to put more pressure on him, making him press even more? Start moving him around the lineup.
How did that work for Cano? They took a hot hitter, moved him out of his spot in the order, he pressed, and went 1-20.
Betsy,
CC has 161 million reasons, AJ has 82.5 million reasons and Tex has 180 million reasons not to be unhappy they are Yankees.
They are fine. The fans are panicked but, that doesn’t transfer to the players these days because there is less contact between fans and players than ever.
They know its a long season and none of them lose confidence in their abilities as quickly as fans do.
Teixeiramvp
Moves like you have been suggesting lately are what get managers fired.
Watch Texeria’s swing, he’s missing by less than a 1/4 inch….The one thing I’m a little perplexed by, is him getting puncehed out looking…..I know he’s very selective & has a incdedible eye….I watched him play almost every game last season when he was shipped over to Anaheim I don’t recall so many backward K’s…..It was mid-season and he was dialed in, so it’s hard to get a good read on him right now based on those observations…..But man he is a special player….
SJ44-I do NOT want him moved to wake him up! I want him moved because he’s hurting us in the three hole! If tat wakes him up it’s a bonus!
I feel like I’m beating my head against the wall here. You’re responding to the wrong point! By the way, he had three K’s yesterday. He needs to do better, aka “wake up”. As does Jeter. As does Swisher.
I think Tex will be fine – he certainly didn’t forget how to hit. Still, it’s really not that early anymore and the Yankees need him to start looking like a reasonable facsimile of himself. SJ, good points about Tex not exactly getting pitches to hit in front of Cervelli and Cabrera
But, “you” aren’t moving him. Its not going to happen for reasons I outlined in several posts. So, give it a rest and find something else to complain about.
They aren’t moving Mark Teixeira out of the 3 hole now that Arod is back. That makes ZERO sense.
Fran,
His wrist is not bothering him anymore. He’s just about 10 days behind in work. He wasn’t able to take extra BP, flips and work off the tee while his wrist was hurting and that messed him up.
Now that the wrist is better, he’s able to go back to his usual game prep routine.
He will be fine as long as he keeps his confidence up. So far, there is no evidence he’s suffering in the confidence department.
MaineYankee-Question: If you knew Tex would bat 190 the whole season, would he be your three hitter?
The answer is no, obviously. So if he’s batting 190 now, why not move him until he gets it together?
It’s more like the same things that Rodriguez goes through about twice a year. He becomes a guess hitter and is caught inbetween fastball and curveball. Right now, all they’re throwing him are breaking pitches. As soon as he launches a couple of breaking pitches into the seats, they’ll start pitching to him honestly. He’s striking out more looking than swinging.
SJ44-”I” am not. But I would. In the three hole he is hurting the team. I know he’ll do better, I’m sure of it, but until then why is he there?
doreen and sj44-
right this moment there are injuries developing that no one knows about. we will hear about them in a few weeks to a few months. teixeira with maybe a wrist in need of an operation. joba with perhaps a shoulder problem. wang with an arm injury caused by pitching for so long with a bad hip.
molina and posada have quad and hamstring injuries. posada’s was for sure preventable because he was playing with it already hurt and everyone knew about it.
does molina look like he has been through a yoga stretching regimen to have his quads in better shape?
tight players are going to get injured more especially as they age. they may not like the stretching and injury prevention workouts ,but they have no choice if they are mandatory. and yes they will attract a different kind of player if they impose this on players.they may lose some potential free agents because it would be hard work to be a yankee.
right now , as far as i can see, a player plays until he breaks down. then once broken the yankees go all out to fix the injury.
that is just plain stupid.
teixeira should not be playing with that wrist . all kinds of bad things could be developing. an injury prevention head would shut him down in a second.
as much as we want to se him , arod should not play tonight.
here’s a simple rule of thumb for what the yankees need to do for injury prevention. whatever the red sox do, double it.
the yankees have the money and it doesn’t add to the luxury tax. they need to spend money to save money. they are losing probably a third of what they spend on salaries to injuries.
My name is Texeiramvp.Of course I think he’s a great player. But enough is enough already.
Well, Teixeira’s hitting .625 (5-8) off Eaton. Maybe today’s the day he gets going.
Tom in N.J.-Hopefully.
“GZA
May 9th, 2009 at 3:54 am
CC took one look at Mo warming up and said, “Oh, HELL no.”
”
funny I was thinking the same thing last night, I didn’t want MO in that game w/ baserunners…I love MO, but I think he needed a mental break…hopefully he gets his velocity up soon
I wonder what it is with Cano that he’s so sensitive to lineup changes – that’s a part of his game I don’t like. He’s one of the best hitters in the lineup and when some of the guys are gone (Damon, Jeter in a few years), it’s going to be up to him (at least in part) to soulder some of the responsibility. He’s not going to be able to hide at the 6 spot forever……the sooner he realizes it, the better.
He isn’t hurting “us” because we don’t play for the Yankees.
No lineup, NONE, have 9 guys all hot at the same time. If that’s what you are looking for, that’s in the video game world and not in the real world.
Guys ALL slump and have bad weeks. The key, if you can help it, is to not have it all happen at the same time.
Swisher’s slump “amazing” has come at the same time he took a nasty pitch off the elbow. You think that’s a coincidence?
With Nady out and the bench thin (please don’t suggest Brett Gardner should be playing over Nick Swisher), Nick is grinding through it this week.
That’s what happens during a season.
Jeter? He will be fine. Smoked a couple of pitches last night and just hit them at people.
Pat M,
Tex is guessing too much. He’s not reacting to the pitch.
One K was on a fastball middle in. Completely outhought himself.
One was on a pitch a foot off the inner half. Nobody could have reached that pitch. No idea how that was a strike most of the night.
You keep him where he is and wait for him to break out. He’s close. Folks just have to exercise some patience.
Teixeiramvp should change your name to Teixeiramendozaline, j/k
….he needs to get going soon so this offense can explode
Who would have thought in ST that the two guys carrying the offensive load over the last 10 days would be Damon and Cabrera? One was too old and the other was the #4 outfielder who should have been traded.
Teixeiramvp (I’m keeping the faith) (Not the troll)
May 9th, 2009 at 11:49 am
MaineYankee-Question: If you knew Tex would bat 190 the whole season, would he be your three hitter?
The answer is no, obviously. So if he’s batting 190 now, why not move him until he gets it together?
=====================================================
If he was going to be a .190 hitter all season he would be on the DL. You aren’t listening to reason. You don’t move your lineup according to whose hot and whose cold. You can do that with young players like Melky or Gardner, not veterans. Vets rely alot on routine.
Betsy-I think it’s just bad timing over a small sample size. He was hitting small rough patches right when they moved him up in the lineup, they moved him down when he got hot.
Last year I don’t count. That was not the real Cano last year.
Don’t hear much about gardner anymore..Where are all the melky haters?It’s may and he’s still hitting 340 and taking walks
But what about wang?Will this be the last start for hughes?
Randy I, why do you think Tex needs an operation ? Wow………
I’m not going to pick apart any of Alex’ at bats for now – he really has not played that many games in EST and he’s going to be rusty – anyone would be. If he strikes out, he strikes out. As far as I’m concerned, just let him get his swings in and he’ll be fine.
how do we know teixieira’s wrist is healed?
he says so.
the old trainer says so.
the doctor says so.
this is all old school stuff same as decades ago. where is the new cutting edge strength testing equipment that the red sox reportedly have?
it’s a bit difficult for the yankees to do strength tests with the equipment that they don’t have .
MaineYankee-No reason is having a 190 player hitting third.
He’s hurting the team. Unless he gets really hot, like five for hive 2 HR hot, today, he’s got to be moved or the team suffers.
Tex hit two bombs a few games ago and fisted a double down the line the day after. I don’t think his wrist is an issue. He just looks lost at the plate. Even the pitches he guesses right he has been fouling off or not hitting solid. Hopefully, he’ll right the ship soon. Perhaps a drop in the order wouldn’t be that bad for him or just giving him a day off. I don’t think that will be necessary unless he continues to have crappy at bats today.
randy l,
You can have all the money in the world in your whatever-it-is sports medicine budget. But it won’t mean a thing if the players aren’t up front about the injury. I’ll bet they (Hughes, Alex, Marte, Edwar) all downplayed their injuries because they either wanted to play, make a difference, or actually make the opening day roster.
You’re making great points, but I think the players need to be more up-front about what’s really up. I don’t think the trainers are telling the guys to take an aspirin and call them in the morning when the players complain of an ache or pain.
It’s a good thing that different players (even the ones you don’t expect, like Cabrera) are taking up the slack for the the ones that are slumping – that’s what a good team has to do. Swish has no choice but to play – it stinks that he was hit just as he was getting hot again, but he’ll be fine. I see some folks on other boards freaking about Jeter – I’m not worried about him in the least. He’s already had a bunch of huge hits for us this year. I’d love to see him back in his usual .300 range, but that will come.
SJ44-You’re right. By the way, fine. I’ll change “us” (which referred to Yankees and their fans) to “The Yankees if it makes you feel better.
Of course Swish and Jeter WILL be fine. But for that to happen they need to get it together, like Tex. And their cold streak isn’t nearly as long or bad as Tex’s cold streak.
While he’s hitting like this he has to be moved until he hits like he’s capable of.
By the way, I’m still a Gardy guy. While Melky’s hot use him because he’s hot, but I don’t think he’ll keep it up.
Betsy,
Some guys just don’t respond to changes in the lineup. They get moved up and they think, “I have to do more”.
Its why the guys like Arod, Pujols, etc, get paid the big bucks. They take on the big roles and handle that responsibility. That seperates the very good from the great players.
Tex isn’t going to hit .190 all year. If you aren’t patient enough to wait it up, find another hobby until he starts hitting.
Every suggestion you make about the batting order reeks of panic and video game fever.
You want to make a player WORSE? Show him you are panicking about his performance. Then, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Why would you move Tex when they have waited ALL YEAR to have him hit in front of Arod so he gets better pitches to hit?
Doesn’t it make sense to at least try that for more than one day before you go off the deep end?
I know you are a young kid and a big fan. Those are fine qualities. But, you have to think things through and not be so reactionary.
Every move you make in a lineup affects other spots in the lineup.
Move him down, and he’s surrounded by lesser hitters than ARod and will get FEWER pitches to hit. How is that going to get him out of his slump?
If you can’t, then stay in the game threads where panic and foolishness rule.
Randy,
I think I would DH Arod today, sit him tomorrow, and DH him in Toronto to keep him off the turf.
I agree, he has to be managed differently for the time being than just being penciled into the lineup at third as he usually is.
I have a feeling the doctors have laid out a plan for the Yankees to cover the early part of his return.
We will know for sure when we see how he is used in the next couple of weeks.
“Randy I, why do you think Tex needs an operation ? Wow……”
betsy,
i don’t think he needs one .
i’m saying that it’s the kind of possibility that could happened given the way the yankees treat injuries and the way they let him play with the bad wrist.
hopefully not, but why take a chance?
they rolled the dice with posada and lost as he ripped his damaged hamstring further.
how can that be a smart way to operate?
rany
I’m not saying the Yankees don’t need to do better but I think you give the RS to much credit. They have had their share of health issues that could have been adressed sooner.
Lowell’s hip, Lowerie’s wrist, Dice-K’s tired arm, Beketts back. These are a few I can think of right now.
The most telling news was ARod’s admission that he couldn’t hit hard fastballs last year and didn’t feel right in the hip. Those last two month stats were startling. How did the Yanks and him not look into it sooner?
I think it happened for a reason…that 1 month hiatus and him and the team refocus. We got to see exactly what this team misses when he is not in the lineup and he came back with perfect timing after the book flop and manny’s admission.
Finally, something goes right in the Yankees Universe
“I think I would DH Arod today, sit him tomorrow, and DH him in Toronto to keep him off the turf.”
that makes sense and a way to be cautious , but still takes advantage of the momentum of getting him back.
Randy,
His wrist is not a problem now. It really isn’t. His bat speed, which they do have the technology (finally!) to measure now, is fine. He’s just in catch up mode in reps to get his swing down.
Tex,
You really think he has to go 5-5 with 2 HR’s to make you feel better?
Like I said, video games are the bane of today’s sports fans existance. lol
Next time Swisher is ipodding, ask him if he has “Clint Black – Summer’s Coming.” That song turned me on to country this March on a road trip with some friends to South Carolina.
Not on Earth that’ll get me hummin’ like a heat wave comin’…
Remember when Torre put Alex in the 8th hole in the playoffs. It not only did no good, it also put Alex out on an island because it showed that Toree had no faith in him.
Not saying the same would happen to Teixeira, but…
SJ44-Of course we have to wait until he gets better, but I’d rather him do it in a spot where he’s doing the Yanks less harm. Yes, he’ll get worse pitches. On the flip side, hotter hitters will get better pitches.
Tex is not going to break his slump by hitting in front of ARod or being moved down. But it’s inexcusable to have your number three hitter hitting 190.
Here’s a deal: I’ll wait for this game to end to see Tex pick it up. If he does bad today, you can’t have him at third.
Well, if you read Damon’s comments after he crashed into the wall, I’m banged up, but I will I don’t want an MRI or anything because no matter what it says I’m playing. Some of these guys like Damon, Jorge, Jeter, etc won’t say anything because these guys get banged up all year. Some may not want to get sent down or lose an opportunity, but no one wants to be the Pavano of this clubhouse where every little thing is a DL stint. It’s good and it’s bad. Good because these guys want to play, bad because some of these injuries get worse. I think the main issue is the club and manager have to force these guys to sit rather than relying on them to say I need a day off. Jorge was ticked when Girardi was sitting him and taking him out, but it was to rest him and spell some time. No he got hurt anyway. If he already had the strain they should have just sat him longer with his age. Having said that though he was DHing so they were still resting him to extent.
All it took to know the mindset of this team was to watch the way CC was embraced on the field by all his teammates after last night’s game.
All you nabobs of negatism take note, better days are ahead.
SJ44-He doesn’t have to every day, but that would prove to me that he’s pulling out of his slump.
Yeah, I exaggerated. But three for five with a double would be very nice.
By the way, I haven’t played a baseball video game in over five years.
SJ, he has to hit homers from both sides of the plate, nay! Grand-slams from both sides of the plate-in the same at-bat, to prove to me he is worthy of hitting 3rd!
Teixeiramvp
‘By the way, I’m still a Gardy guy. While Melky’s hot use him because he’s hot, but I don’t think he’ll keep it up’.
Garder?really?This is based on spring training?
How about the rare six run HR?
Roger(the new amsterdam yankees )-I always liked him and his attitude.
He should work on copying Elssbury’s or even Damon’s swing though.
The way I see it..to hell with the Red Sox, I don’t care where they finish.
The Yanks spotted Tor 4.5 games and a mix of KC, Det, Tex, Sea, and LA between 4 and 1 games. Hardly insurmountable for the wild card lead.
Karma is starting to change around here, let’s just hope it keeps going in our favor.
Tex is a .252 lifetime hitter in the month of April. He gets better as the season goes along. Because of the wrist injury they limited his batting practice before games to not aggrevaite it. It seems pretty obvious that his timing is off. He isn’t the only one not getting the big hits in the lineup. Jeter after starting on a tear is now batting .264. Should we take him out of the leadoff spot too???? And Arod will make a difference. Tex is fifth in the league in walks. There was no fear pitching around him to get to Matsui or Swisher. You can be sure Tex will see much better pitches to swing at and a few good swings is what gets a player going usually.
Wow, How generous of you. You are going to wait ONE more game for him to get going? I think that’s fantastic.
You deal realize he can’t make up for a 4 week slump in one day, do you?
You also realize that if you move him down in the order, around lesser hitters, he will get fewer pitches to hit, and that means his slump will last longer.
Thank God you aren’t in any decisionmaking capacity with this team.
The only “curse” this team has is, the “Carl Pavano Curse”.
Guys would rather play with broken bones than EVER be put in the “Pavano Class” when it comes to sitting out over injuries.
Admirable to some degree but, it must drive management crazy!
That’s why they are so adamant with the players about communicating fully about injuries.
We need to beat the Red Sox in the worst way just so it doesn’t get into our heads.
“I think I would DH Arod today, sit him tomorrow, and DH him in Toronto to keep him off the turf.”
I agree with SJ. The Yanks probably intend to be careful with Alex which is why they still have Pena and Berroa on the roster. It certainly can’t be to strengthen the bench.
CC wasn’t pitching great until yesterday. If he’s not pitching great then he shouldn’t be starting, stick him in the bullpen.
SJ44-I’ll wait this game to see signs of improvement, yeah.
He’s a ML hitter. Who is batting around him (if he’s switched with Matsui with aRod in fron that’s not bad) shouldn’t make a difference when he’s going good. But he’s not. And he’s hurting the team in the three hole.
“I’m not saying the Yankees don’t need to do better but I think you give the RS to much credit. They have had their share of health issues that could have been adressed sooner.
”
maine yankee-
that’s why i’m saying that they should double whatever he red sox are doing and spending.
if they don’t they really need to go to a strategy of younger players who are replaceable with other cheap young players . young players will have less injuries because they are less brittle and have less overuse.
the problem is they are less skilled. there is no young player as good as arod or even teixeira so you had better spend a lot in a smart way to take care of these experienced stars.
if a team isn’t going to do that, they should put the money into disposable mostly young players.
For all the ones that I disagreed with earlier about Melky playing, I will say I’m impressed with what he has shown so far. He has been showing more discipline which was one of my problems with him. Maybe he is starting to mature.
John-Pitchers are different because a) they don’t play every day and b) his little cold streak wasn’t nearly as bad as Tex’s.
Besides, we did have a pitcher going bad. Remember Wang? He’s rehabbing in Tampa. The Yankees think he’ll get better but despite him not facing ML hitting and getting the feel of it, and possibly hurting his confidence, they realized he was hurting the team. The Mets just did it with Ollie Perez.
randy l -
The only thing with Red Sox – for example, with Dice-K. They shut him down fairly quickly at the beginning of the season. They were more proactive than reactive, but they did let him pitch ineffectively twice. But Dice-K still isn’t back. So, being pro-active may not limit the amount of time on the DL. May not.
It’s not a perfect science and certainly the nature of the competitive athlete is to play no matter what.
But I do agree that with Wang and ARod particularly, they needed to be more hands-on, if for no other reason than they’re paying these guys to produce and they need to protect their investments. I think they needed to be cautious with Posada’s injury because they Molina is not an everyday catcher and at the time Posada first “tweaked” his hamstring, Kevin Cash was on the DL, so they didn’t really have the back-up to the back-up that they signed Cash to be.
Did they ever had Teixeira miss a game? I don’t even remember. He had the cortisone shot, but I think he played anyway.
I think, maybe even if they don’t stop a guy from playing, they should whatever they can to get the best picture of what exactly is wrong, so they can monitor the situation better than with “so, how’re you feeling today, player A?” and relying on the player.
The whole thing breaks down because you can’t rely on the players to either (a) tell the entire truth, and (b) not over-estimate what they are capable of playing through.
But I think the Yankees should spend, spend, spend on the unseen and underappreciated aspects of running a baseball team. Even it if means foregoing a free agent every once in a while. Heck, spend it in the exact right places, and they may not be shopping in the FA market nearly as much.
86w183
May 9th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Yes Tim that classic “Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw” is truly artistic.
I know you’re kidding but please check out these titles by Jimmy Buffett: Come Monday, A Pirate looks at 40, and He Went to Paris he has many more. BTW Buffett isn’t a “pure” country artist
Cervix? the players would call him that They call Wang “Wang” not Wong and I think if my ears don’t decieve they are calling Melky “Milky”
But I think his nickname is Cisco already – cool
Oh and Milky is in CF to stay.
Phil HUGE!
Teixeiramvp
I just don’t see him get on base.I know he has the right attitide but that’s not enough.And spring training doesn’t mean ****.I hope I’m wrong and he will help the yankees win some games but i don’t see it happen
But does anyone know when Wang will be back?
The Yankees have to take more measures against injuries. The problem is getting epidemic.
“Brandon “THE CIRCUS IS BACK !”-Yeah I do. I want to stick it to em and make a point that the only reason we lost is no ARod and that we’re turning it around!”
Trust me we’re not ready for them.
SJ if that trend continues I got to question Robi’s will to want to be great. They move him up the lineup he goes 1 for 21, they move him down the lineup he has 2 hits, if Robi wants to be great he needs to battle that and adjust. He when locked is one of the best pressure hitters in the game, he has a Manny being Manny like attitude in the clutch, but what you described about him going 1 for 21 when he moves up to the # 5 spot is a trend that can’t continue especially if he’s going to be a big proponent of the next big 3 which is Alex, Tex and him.
If he ever could handle that type of promotion a 3,4,5 of
Cano
Rodriguez
Teixeira
Would demolish the AL.
Roger(the new amsterdam yankees )-I liked what he did last year in September and the two walk off hits. He had a couple of really impressive games.
I hope he can get it going because I like him. And Pena. And how about Cervelli?
Brandon “THE CIRCUS IS BACK !”-That is a great 3 4 5.
randy
I agree they need to take care of the older players like you say. Like others have said here, getting older players to own up to injuries is also a problem.
That being said I hope they get back to having a good balance between young and old like in the 90′s.
Cano a LHB that can hit LHP, RHP, improving patience and would get better pitches w/ Arod being the #4, Arod an XBH threat a HR threat, w/ Teix a OBP % threat , XBH, hR threat being 5th, that 3,4,5 would rock. To think Matsui becomes a #6 and Swish a #7, 8 & 9 wouldn’t really matter.
8 would be a red hot Melky.
Eventually Jackson will over take him. IDK what it is about Melky I still see #4 OF w/ him. I just hope Jackson progresses and becomes the player we are waiting for by 2010.
When Bill Mueller(sp) played for the RS he hit down in the batting order and won a batting title. The reason he wasn’t higher in the order was because he wasn’t comfortable in the top of the order. These aren’t chess pieces that you can move at will. You have to take in the human element. Being a manager requires the ability to handle people as much as the game. That’s one of Francona’s strengths is dealing with the personalities.
Uncle Ellsworth
May 9th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
86w183
May 9th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Yes Tim that classic “Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw” is truly artistic.
————————————————————
The best of Outlaw Country brand of music outside of Willie Nelson and waylon Jennings was a thrown together group in California. The Name of the group is “New Riders Of The Purple Sage”. The two leaders of the group were Billy C. Cody (Commander Cody And The Lost Planet Airmen) and Jerry Garcia. It was done just for kicks and give them a break from their road tours.
Some of their hits were “Red Hot Women And Ice Cold Beer”, “She’s Lookin’ Better Every Beer”, “Panama Red”, “Farewell, Angelina), “Down To Stems And Seeds Again Blues” and their best, “I Heard You Were Lain’ My Old Lady).
“I Heard You Were ***Layin*** ’ My Old Lady
This is good stuff Pete. Posts like this is what makes you the best.
Well…it could have been worse. They could have been subjected to the music on my mp3 player >_>
I’ll be concerned with the Yanks when/if they play Coldplay in the clubhouse, thats when I’ll know the season is a write off.