Pretty encouraging development for A-Rod
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on May 16, 2009 
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Alex Rodriguez belted a home run in his first at-bat off the disabled list on May 8 in Baltimore.
But as he stepped to plate in the 11th inning today, he was 2 for 24 since that home run. But Rodriguez had drawn nine walks, a sign that he was maintaining his plate discipline and not wildly swinging away to try and make his mark on the team. “For me swinging at strikes is so important,” he said. “That always sets me up, swinging at strikes.”
Then — kaboom! — there it goes. The Yankees win with a walk-off. Mark Teixeira set up the home run by drawing a walk. Craig Breslow had to throw strikes and his second pitch was crushed by A-Rod.
“I gave you guys something to talk about and write about in the 11th inning and I didn’t have to open my mouth. That’s the way I want things, to stay out of my own way,” Rodriguez said.
Great quote at the end from Alex.
Good luck with that Alex. Hope you can pull it off. You’ve disappointed us enough times tham I’m wary. As far as the media goes,it would be a great disappointment to them. The Selena Roberts’ of the world might actually have to get a real job.
the end quote from arod is something to really smile about. Shows he really wants to stay out of TMZ this year.
John Lackey got thrown out of the game after 2 pitches lmao
Amen brother..
I’m probably in the minority but I like the TMZ version of A-Rod.
I think it is entertaining and gives us some personality.
from last thread because Pete always makes a new post whenever I comment:
Turned on the game as soon as Tex walked.
I think its safe to say that the whiners, bridge jumpers and the like NEED to pipe down and let the game play.
Granted there will be these close games that wont go the way of the Yankees. but thats just baseball.
Got to take the good with the bad. Great freakin’ win today!
I want to wait another game or two before I officially agree that Tex’s slump is over, but hey, he looks great.
And this is all started after “whats his face” re-entered the line up.
carl
what did he do?
lol, why Carl?
Yanks are 6-2 with ARod.
Meanwhile, only 3 teams in the AL have a winning record both at home and away. The Yankees are one of them.
Maybe he is really starting to get it, I just don’t know, but I hope so. Great moment for him and despite his horrific batting average his presence is a big part of Tex’s surge at the plate.
God only knows who will be in the bullpen tomorrow, but I’d like to see them send down Edwar, DFA Veras and call up Melancon and Robertson. Those guys are younger and more talented, and they can’t walk more guys than Edwar and Veras can they?
Coke, Mariano and Edward should be unavailable Sunday so that’s a concern.
Get Bruney back, get Wang ready and head up a catcher or two and this team could be ready to kick some butt
Great win for the Yankees today!
When was the last time the Yanks won on 2 consecutive walk-off hits?
Angels pitcher John Lackey who’s been out for the past 6 weeks or so made his return and lasted 2 pitches to start the game…..He threw the first pitch of the game behing Kinsler and then drilled him in the ribs on the 2nd pitch of the game…He was immediately tossed from the game….I don’t think I’ve ever seen a starting pitcher get thrown out of a game that fast in 48 years or so of watching baseball……
I’m not sure, though, whether announcing that you are not opening your mouth and are staying out of your own way actually counts as not opening your mouth and staying out of your own way.
HEAL UP a catcher or two. Don’t drink and type!
Puke on that last quote. I mean, he has every right to thumb his nose at the obnoxious writers in the group, but what happened to keeping quiet? Guess, it’s easier said than done.
Not that I don’t appreciate him putting everyone out of their misery today!
I hope Alex means it. Between that, Baby Joba keeping us in the game, and the results of the last two days…things are looking good.
How did they eject Lackey?
He is coming back from an injury and making his first start… they expect his control to be perfect?
LOL – great quote from Alex. Good blog post, Pete -you’re right, the walks are very encouraging. Of course, I never lost faith – these struggles are purely the result of rust. I was not surprised that people booed him……..but very disappointed.
So it was the pitch to Kinsler that got him thrown out?
I was thinking it had to be something else like arguing balls/strikes. I’ve never seen a pitcher thrown out without warning for drilling the first hitter of the game.
Wow.
Lackey intentionally hit someone.
Where are all of the people who said that the Yankees would be better off w/o Alex? Oh, yeah – they are somewhere eating crow. The guy makes a difference on this team. And I’m not just talking about his ability to jack one out. They have been playing better since he returned. Some of it is common sense baseball; he lengthens the lineup and guys get better pitches to hit (I’m talking about you, Tex!). However, some of it is mental. I think that the team feels different about themselves when he’s in the lineup. Even though he’s been walking up a storm, in the back of their minds, they probably feel that with him around, they have a chance to win every time they play and that the burden doesn’t just rest on their shoulders. In my mind, that’s whats making the biggest difference.
“I’m not sure, though, whether announcing that you are not opening your mouth and are staying out of your own way actually counts as not opening your mouth and staying out of your own way.”
Depends on what the question was or whether he volunteered that with no question asked.
You’re seriously taking THAT out of that quote, M?
Hahaha.
Lackey has an ERA of infinity.
“Lackey intentionally hit someone.”
If it is true that he purposely hit Kinsler, LAA should fine his butt big time dollars. How stupid can you be? They just get him back from the DL and this is how he behaves?
Isn’t there some bad blood going on between LAA and TEX? If so, they should have had one of the relievers handle it. Lackey should not have been the messenger.
Laura,
6-2 isn’t better than 13-15, is it?
nice to see things coming together for the team. they’re gonna need to count on everybody and get and stay healthy (cmon Wang, Posada, Bruney, Nady, Marte, Molina, gasp…)
“Hahaha.
Lackey has an ERA of infinity.”
——-
I’d still take it over Wang’s
Kinsler hit two HR’s last night, Laura.
That being said it doesn’t seem much of a reason for lackey to go throwing at him deliberately like that.
Given its his first start, it could just be rusty control.
I’m surprised he wasn’t warned first.
Good to see the team win on a Saturday which has been bad karma for several years.
The best way to uplift a team is walkoff wins and come from behind wins.
Teixeira has his confidence back.
Why would Lackey intentionally hit Kinsler in his first start, and first batter of the season?
and how did the umps know it was intentional?
Angel,
Yeah, it sounded a little “Look what I did” to me. Of course the writers were going to write about the walk off by Alex. What else were they going to write about? (Tex was awesome, but Alex’s walkoff was much more dramatic).
To me it sounded like Alex was trying to joke around with the writers.
I guess its really true that he’s just better off saying “no comment to everything”. That way nothing can be misconstrued.
LMAO
That is hilarious, he gets ejected after 1 batter in his season debut
m,
you know he said he wants to keep out of HIS OWN way, he wasn’t telling the writer to keep out of his way? i had to read it twice to pick that up
Yeah reading it again, I guess I could see how it could be taken like that.
It all depends on what context it was said in, I suppose.
m,
Glad I’m not the only one who wasn’t a fan of his quote. As usual, he probably meant it a different way but it came off badly.
Kinsler Cadillac’ed his way around the bases last night on a dinger….These teams go at it all the time……..Just think a week ago there was a movement which was gaining support, to move Texeria out of the 3 hole…..This winning streak will not be a false start this time….Glad I booked my flights to NYC for the first & third weeks in October when I did…..
I like Kinsler. The best Jewish player in the game, imo.
I see what m is saying… not the best quote for alex
even when A-Rod is trying to make a joke about himself, he screws it up lol
OPPC
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24 Cano – I think I will ask someone else for an interpretation here. I’m not trying to be difficult but I think what we are looking for is members who stay away from the negative, even when the Yankees are losing. And there’s a difference between “_ sucks!” and “wow that wasn’t a great at bat.” Kind of a qualitative thing. I think the club discourages members who feel the need to write a lousy post with every at bat and every pitch and who are ready to dump every relief pitcher, etc., just because things may go wrong in a game.
If any of the other members have a better/different interpretation, I welcome them to chime in!
___________________________________
Laura, you in?
“I gave you guys something to talk about and write about in the 11th inning and I didn’t have to open my mouth. That’s the way I want things, to stay out of my own way,” Rodriguez said.
—————
I know mel doesn’t think so – but I find that to be a very encouraging sign for A-Rod.
It remains to be seen if he sticks to simply shutting up and playing ball – but he’ll certainly be much better off if he does.
AJ was just on Yankees on deck – I like bad puns and jokes, but I hope he didn’t make this one up:
What did to eyes say to each other?
*Between you and me, something smells……..
wow, AJ…….
There’s a lot of chippiness in the junior league nowadays. And it’s only going to get worse because the wild card race is going to be, well, wild. And division races aren’t going to be decided until very late in the season.
I credit some of that to Girardi. You would never see Torre yelling at another manager like that. You’d never see Torre jawing with the Boston hitting coach.
Of course, Boston and the Angels didn’t need Girardi’s help, but once one manager starts doing it, it’s all of a sudden acceptable to get into it.
Lots of teams starting to hate Boston. How come?
Kinsler is a monster… hitting .318 with 11 HRs and 31 RBIs.
Pedroia is on a roll too
Going to be tough for Cano to make the AS team.
I didn’t see what Lackey did – but I can’t imagine he was intentionally trying to throw at Kinsler.
That would be an amazingly boneheaded of epic proportions.
And of course, he was making a dig at the writers for writing about non-baseball stuff. So if he said that part with a big smile to the writers, then it’s kind of funny.
A-Rod really needs to stick to “no comments”.
Really don’t have to look far to find holes in that specific quote. I get what he was trying to say, but he didn’t have to say it.
Preakness Time, which horse will win?
1. Big Drama
2. Mine That Bird
3. Musket Man
4. Luv Gov
5. Friesan Fire
6. Terrain
7 Papa Clem
8 General Quarters
9 Pioneerof the Nile
10 Flying Private
11 Take the Points
12 Tone It Down
13 Rachel Alexandra
Let’s go Rachel Alexandra
Hacker traded to Pit for Romulo Sanchez???
Really? We’re picking on A-Rod’s quote where he says he wants to perform on the field and not be a distraction?
Unreal. Even when he hits a walk-off we find a reason to bash the guy.
Let him have some swagger. For one day, at least, he deserves it.
Dale May 16th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
A-Rod really needs to stick to “no comments”.
Really don’t have to look far to find holes in that specific quote. I get what he was trying to say, but he didn’t have to say it.
—————
Like everything else A-Rod says, some people just prefer to psychoanalyze everything that comes out of his mouth.
That’s why he just needs to shut up and play.
Angel – A tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury – signifying nothing.
May 16th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Kinsler hit two HR’s last night, Laura.
That being said it doesn’t seem much of a reason for lackey to go throwing at him deliberately like that.
Given its his first start, it could just be rusty control.
I’m surprised he wasn’t warned first.
————————————————————
It was either rust, timing, or, “something else”.
Did we get Tabata back?
Cleveland mounting a little rally here.
Don’t forget Giradi getting tossed in Baltimore may have lite a fire under some people’s behinds….Tricia, it really shouldn’t be to difficult finding the faithful as opposed to the quitters here at the Lohud…It’s one in every 50 ….
Dr. Cox
May 16th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
I like Kinsler. The best Jewish player in the game, imo.
————————————————————
Ryan Brain and Kevin Youkilis may dispute that.
Who hit Arod with the pie?
Ryan ***Braun***
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Giuseppe, you’re definitely in unless you say otherwise.
Seriously, what should A-Rod have said? No matter what he says the A-Rod haters (in all honesty, I’d consider myself leaning that way) would tear him apart. It was a nice quote, an innocuous one, and people still are going to crucify him for it? Damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t.
Didn’t see the play, but how pizzed is Lackey? Jinx gets a $750 fine and John gets tossed in his first outing of the year.
I guess the league is going to treat any pitch behind the batter as throwing with intent. Why now, Selig? Why not lay down the hammer on the guy who actually confessed?
Wow, another great one.
One more win and I think we can call it a real live bona fide streak.
Okay trisha, I’ll bite. What is the OPPC?
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==========================
Also Ed, jennifer, Doreen, m, DT
Wow so close mine that bird.
“I credit some of that to Girardi. You would never see Torre yelling at another manager like that. You’d never see Torre jawing with the Boston hitting coach.”
—
Good call, m. I dug that, too. Nothing wrong with a little p*ss and vinegar, especially from the top. All things considered, this April and May is far more encouraging than recent campaigns.
Giuseppe, you’re definitely in unless you say otherwise.
———–
Well, I’m an optimist by nature but I’ve never been voted into an exclusive club for that optimism.
Perhaps these members’ main duties should be to call out the idiot bridge jumpers who rule this place when the Yanks are losing.
You go girl! Rachel Alexandra
carl-You mean they ran the Preakness? Mine that Bird won?
I’m rooting for Mine that Bird because I want a triple Crown winner, but a filly running is a pretty interesting story.
Who ran up and hit Arod with the cream pie?
I feel sort of clueless, but I have a feeling the race wasn’t run yet.
Sue-I thought A.J.
Gotta go already. Good game!
Between the Yankees and the Preakness, today was a good day for #13.
No Alexandra won Mine that bird came in a a close 2nd.
Teix,
mine that bird showed (?), was very close. mine that bird made their move just a little too late. the closing speed on that horse is something else. the filly won.
So, does Calvin Burrell get credit for winning the Triple Crown if he wins The Belmont, even on different horses?
Did AJ hit someone with a pie yesterday? We need that kind of personality on the team.
*OPPC*
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Members: Trisha, Rebecca, Boston Dave, Nick in SF, Angel, SoS, DT, Pepitone, S.A., pat, Dr. Cox, Giuseppe Franco, ed, Doreen, Pat M
Pat M – you were just inducted!
S.A., with all due respect to both mel and jennifer I would want them to willingly opt in. I don’t want either to feel they can’t emote readily (yesterday mel said she was spitting and cursing; her right but not necessarily what we’re trying to promote!)
We’ll take any and all opt ins because if they’re opting in they want to hold up the positive and not the negative.
Back in a while!
Tex – Official Positive Posters Club (OPPC)
A Rods back…back again. Hell of a win
http://twitter.com/NickSwisher
When Alex focuses on baseball, he’s the best player in the AL.
Good to see Teixeira get going too. If he and Alex get going at the same time, look out.
It’s been a while since I posted, As Pete once said it’s like crack and I miss my fix.
Some random thoughts.
As SJ and others have posted over and over it’s a long season– things level out both good and bad.
I think most of our team issues to date are a direct result of injuries.
Losing Nady made Swish our starter. Swish is the perfect bench, versatile, good club house guy we need. Like Molina play him too much and you start see why he’s not the starter. Perfect back-up Not starter.
Losing Bruney and Marte really hurt our pen. Coke, Veras, Edwar and others will be a lot better when they are matched up in the 6th and 7th.
I also think it’s obvious Arod has had an immediate impact on Tex.
In spite of all that we are right where we need to be.(thanks to the low rent Yanks- Melkner, Pena, Cervelli.)
I am not trying to get in OPP club. In fact I would like to see a crotchety old geezer club (GB as President of course) Where I could discuss the Tar Heels with Pat M and m.
I loved Girardi yelling at Gardenhire
And Alfonso Soriano has a walkoff hit in the Cubs win.
Really like Kelvin Cash…. brought some spunk to the team
I’m back sooner than expected.
Wow, the preakness sounded good. Too bad, no triple crown this year.
Can I be inducted into the OPPC?
Girardi gace Robertson a raw deal when he was here
He is better than all of these clowns. I trust him more than Alba, Veras, Edwar, Tomko
I don’t like Cash at all, much prefer Cervelli. You know your bench has troubles when in the eighth inning with the tying run at the plate you leave Kevin Cash in to hit.
But I’ll stop there lest I jeapordize my chances to join the OPPC. And in my defense, I’ve always maintained we had a fine bench, it’s just playing due to injuries.
I hate listening to talk radio or SNY after the Mets win, especially during a win streak
This is the new Arod and it’s all legit, regardless of what the hsters think.
GREAT to see and hear.
Coke has been doing well and I’m a Coke fan, but I’m tired of all this “fearless” crap. I’d rather see him be cautious around great hitters then be “fearless” and have them smash HR’s against him.
GB7,
Is that what they call irony?
trisha,
I want to reserve the right to cuss and spit. But I’m behind you guys all the way.
Dale,
Gardenhire is class all the way. He brushed it off like it was nothing, something about old-school stuff. He knows that his guy was wrong. And by extension he was wrong. Gomez tried to brush it off, but then he went a step further to say that if he did something wrong (tex claiming it happened twice), his manager would’ve told him the first time it happened.
Oh, if the Mets win then they’re just the rosiest freaking team in the world. But with the Yankees we “have holes”.
“haters”. Sorry for the typo.
I respectfully disagree with the idea that Swisher is a mere bench player. Did you see what he did in ’06-’07? Unless you think he’s declining in his age-28 season, his ceiling is something Nady could only dream of. It’s Nady who is the ideal bench guy; a lefty-masher with a significant career platoon split.
I don’t think either Swish or Nady are bench players; when Nady comes back, we’ll finally have a legit bench guy and we may get one of those nice problems.
Not that Nady is a bench guy, I mean that when either of them are on the bench it is nothing to sneeze at.
Great game. Since Alex got back the Yankees are 6-2. And Tex started hitting when Alex came in to the line-up. Tex is probably seeing better pitches and the pressure to carry the team is off of him.
I don’t think Swish is a bench player. But he needs to cut down on the strikeouts. Needs to adjust or the league will just eat him up.
Somewhere, Seleaza Roberts will cry herself to sleep tonight.
I hope someone throws water on Selena Roberts so she melts.
May 16th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
GB7,
Is that what they call irony?
————————————————————
Not sure, but, Soriano has been slapping a few singles to right field this week. Not sure if it’s something that Piniella’s working on him with or not. It sure would make him more productive than trying to jerk the outside pitches to left field.
SJ,,I was talking to Brent Mayne earlier today and asked him about your nephew……Brent still does some work for the Giants ( scouts catchers ) and reports to Tidrow indicated that he thinks he could go late in the first round….
“It’s Nady who is the ideal bench guy; a lefty-masher with a significant career platoon split.”
Nady is righty.
Maybe “bench player” is too harsh. Swish is most valuable to this Yankee team when he can show off his vesatility. LF, 1B, RF, DH and pinch hitter. as opposed to parked at one postion. I like Swish and believe he should get a lot of playing time, just not as our everyday RF.
Alex seems very happy……..and that’s good to see. He’s had a rough year (he brought much of it on himself, but not all of it) and now he appears to be in a good place. I like that he’s showing a sense of humor and I love the quote…..then, I always enjoy a self-deprecating sense of humor.
I know Coke blew it, but I still like him quite a bit. He’s just coming back from a back issue and before that, he was solid. Also today he did get of Veras’ mess…….Bruney’s going to have an adjustment period when he gets back, so we can’t expect him to be lights out, but his presence has been sorely missed.
Neither Swish nor Nady are everyday players on a great team. Both bring a different quality to the lineup.
Swish is the OBP guy
Nady is the .280-.300 hitter
Both have power
Both will strikeout a lot, but Swisher much more
Both are streaky
At this point, we could use Nady’s ability do drive in runs and put the ball in play. We’re getting guys on, we’re just not driving them in.
The ideal situation was to ride the hot hand.
This is the new Arod and it’s all legit, regardless of what the hsters think.
GREAT to see and hear.
————
I sure hope that’s the case. Too bad he didn’t adopt that philosophy five years ago.
Coke is fine if you don’t overexpose him. Problem is, the bullpen is so bad, we have no choice but to do just that. An overextended Coke is better than anyone else.
Bruney is not the end all be all either. Him being overused is what put him on the DL to begin with. Even CB pointed out how often Girardi used him and how it was dangerous.
We have to find other guys to step up around Bruney, and not just one guy.
Right now we’re scoring. In rather roundabout ways, but whatever. Our problem is still BULLPEN. I’m tired of hearing how fearless Coke is. I think fearless is just like the “aggressive hitter” myth. If you’re an aggressive hitter, it means you’re impatient (unless you’re Yogi Berra). If you’re a fearless pitcher, you don’t know when to pitch around a guy. I know Morneau is up behind him. So? I’m not saying walk him, I’m saying pitch around him. Adn pitch around Morneau too. Just be smart, Coke! You know I like you.
“It’s Nady who is the ideal bench guy; a lefty-masher with a significant career platoon split.”
“Nady is righty.”
Yes. A righty who happens to mash lefties. Hence the saying “lefty-masher.”
Well, Varitek isn’t an everyday hitter on a bad team, but the Sox seem to get by fine with him.
Marte could have been valuable in this series for Mauer/Morneau/Kubel.
And when we play the Phillies next week, their entire roster is left handed and kill righties. Coke is going to get a lot of work then.
Even if or when Nady returns, it’s difficult to think that they’d take a chance with his arm by playing him in the outfield. Even if they do, runners will be moving on him every time they get on base.
Teix,
Boston doesn’t have another option like we did with Nady.
GB7, you’re right. He’d be DH’in to give Matsui a rest.
LOL I just saw Alex get pied (missed it earlier) – AJ came from out of nowhere -sheesh. The afterglow of the win is still there – it’s nice to have an evening to enjoy it.
A-List: Exactly. My point is that we can have only one of them hitting and we’d still have less of an automatic out.
Nady has always been underrated here
Maybe if he played loud music in the clubhouse, people would like him more.
Nady coming back as a DH is going to muddle the roster flexibility even more
What do we need a RH DH for? Matsui has been killing lefties so it’s not like it can be a platoon situation. And A-Rod is going to see more days at DH then he did in the past. Posada too.
How often is Nady really going to play as a DH?
alex to dh tomorrow?
i would think if that happens swish is in the outfield bc you dont want cabrera-gardner-pena-cervelli at the bottom but by the way swish has been k-ing lately maybe he needs a day off. i do belive though that he has been robbed of a couple of its by morneau. (sp?)
Kevlar-How does it “muddle” it? For one thing we get a legit pinch hitter. For another, what if Matsui gets hurt? Or what if he goes into an extended slump? Or gets his knees drained again and needs to miss a few days? Then we’ll need a decent DH for a little bit.
Thanks for clarifying that for me, PJR.
tarheelyank, I’m not wedded to the idea that he has to be in right every day, but his bat should be in the lineup at *some* position on most days. If the Yanks want to use him as a super-utility guy, rotating him among first, left, right, and DH to keep guys fresh, that’s fine with me.
brackman on the bump tonight
“Bruney is not the end all be all either. Him being overused is what put him on the DL to begin with. Even CB pointed out how often Girardi used him and how it was dangerous.
We have to find other guys to step up around Bruney, and not just one guy.”
Bingo. Bruney and Coke cant pitch everyday. We may not always get 7 innings from a starter. We also need guys who can come in when we’re down a couple runs and keep the game there so we have a chance to come back. We’re going to need more than 2 arms to get this pen righted.
GB7,
meant that Sori & Alex both had walk off hits (one nicer than the other, obviously).
Bruney says that the HR by Posada with all the instant replay time is what hurt him. You’re not being overused in the second or third week of the season wehen you’re only pitching one inning a day anyway, and sometimes you’re not even pitching at all. That was not even close to the reason he was hurt. I do agree that he’s not our big solution since our bullpen struggled with Bruney too, but he will absolutely help A LOT.
Trisha, sign me up.
Anyone remember the 90′s MTV commercial where it was a “Joining a Club Anonymous” meeting? So what your saying is, “You Joined a Club!”
The Swisher must sit tomorrow. My god the man has struck out just about every other AB in his last 40 or so. Give him a break. If you DH Arod then play damon melky and gardy. Matsui on the bench strengthens it.
Wang could rejoin the Yankees Tuesday (doesn’t he get one more rehab start? monday?) and Nady’s swinging this weekend and a week from rehab games.
Seriously, I want in to the OPPC! I’ll ad it to my post name. In fact, all members should do that, to identify each other.
We may be on to something here.
Andrew Brackman is pitching for Charleston, tonight. Scranton, Trenton and Tampa are being delayed by rain.
Kevin S.
thats exactly what I am trying to say. Super-utility
With the way Gardner and Melky have been playing recently, it may be the situation we have right now.
can i get in on this..i like positive stuff….as pangloss would preach, optimistic determinism is where its at!
Ah, OK. As long as he’s playing 5-6 days a week, I really don’t care where he does it.
Me too. Sign me up Trisha.
Swish has been killing us. Batting him 5th today was murder. The only good thing in that move was Tex’s getting off. Let him sit for a day or so and see what the kids do. DH Arod or Matsui. Either way the bench gets stronger.
How about that Tex! In light of the past few games I am not changing my post name.
I think Wang is having another rehab start tomorrow(not too certain of this).
Hopefully another good performance from him
Tex on fire!
I think we see A-rod DH tomorrow.
Can you imagine when Tex and Arod get hot at the same time. There will be hell to pay.
In Search of O’Neill-THAT is when we become unbeatable…
If Arod DH’s, the bench would be strong with Swish and Matsui.
Tex and Arod had seminal moments today. They both became Yankees.
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Members: Trisha, Rebecca, Boston Dave, Nick in SF, Angel, SoS, DT, Pepitone, S.A., pat, Dr. Cox, Giuseppe Franco, Pat M, Jeff NJ, Fran, Tex
Mel, that is exactly what I wanted to give you the choice!
Tex, you are absolutely welcome to join up, in fact the more the merrier – but just understand you basically give up your right to spit and cuss over things in the game. That is why I asked mel if she wanted in. And I totally respect what she said! She’s still part of our support system and our good bud – but just not a card carrying member of “aren’t we all so positive all the time!”
Totally up to you and I will respect whichever way you want to go.
What I can say in behalf of joining up is that if you can stand doing it, you can actually go through a whole game with a totally positive attitude and have full enjoyment when the Yankees do something like they did yesterday and today. You don’t waste any energy getting upset. And when the Yankees lose, you end up being philosophical about it since they’re the team you root for, so you understand being behind them in tough times too.
Definitely not for the faint of heart!
Totally up to you. You can also join up and if you find the process too pollyannish for you, you can opt out.
We have 21 games to play before Boston shows their ugly faces again. Imagine if we win them all. That would be a 25 game winning streak.
As much as I may dislike A-Rod, that last quote is great. He’s got his head in the right place and I hope he can just go out and play baseball with a clear mind from now on.
trisha-Hmmm. I see how this could be a life changing decision.
I think, for now, I’ll join with mel, but I hope that the door is still open for me to join in the future? It’s just that for now I need time to think about it.
*OPPC*
Opt in/Opt out
Members: Trisha, Rebecca, Boston Dave, Nick in SF, Angel, SoS, DT, Pepitone, S.A., pat, Dr. Cox, Giuseppe Franco, Pat M, Jeff NJ, Fran, Tex
Fran, you my dear could easily be president of this here club! If anyone defines positive, wow it’s you. You’re there.
I knew that Teix would get hot when A-Rod was hitting behind him, it looks like he’s finally breaking out of the slump, hopefully A-Rod can get hot and the pitching staff keeps shutting it down – LOVING IT!!
Pat M,
That’s what we are hearing. Thanks for the check on him.
Giuseppe,
Some folks need to hit bottom before they realize they have to change. That may be the case with Alex.
*OPPC*
Opt in/Opt out
Members: Trisha, Rebecca, Boston Dave, Nick in SF, Angel, SoS, DT, Pepitone, S.A., pat, Dr. Cox, Giuseppe Franco, Pat M, Jeff NJ, Fran
Tex, absolutely. And so many of the people who aren’t joining up are wonderful posters and good Yankee fans. It’s just that the club members have found a way to transcend negativity and that’s kind of a linchpin of the club!
Hey, I see my name on the club list.
Kind of nice, but like I said I want to think a bit before I give up my right to moan and complain.
trisha, when it comes to the team I try and be optimistic, but sometimes I think they need to be called out on certain things. However, having your club is also necessary for the blog to keep it’s sanity.
Haha this OPPC is kinda funny, but I like it. Its not the negativity per se that pisses me off the most and makes me try to stay away during game threads, its more the contingent of “predetermined negative outcome” posters. I like the people who have faith in good things happening.
I think they’re going to win the division, I really do.
I did call the six runs in 2 innings comeback vs. the Angels. Perhaps my best moment on the blog.
*OPPC*
Opt in/Opt out
Members: Trisha, Rebecca, Boston Dave, Nick in SF, Angel, SoS, DT, Pepitone, S.A., pat, Dr. Cox, Giuseppe Franco, Pat M, Jeff NJ, Fran
Silky, want in?
sometimes being negative is positive, if it’s constuctive criticism.
How’s brackman doing?
“Tex and Arod had seminal moments today. They both became Yankees.”
i think arod had done that already
We should start looking for all the usual bridge jumpers and make a list of them…2 off the top of my head: Al from BK and 2008 hasn’t ended.
A-Rod has been a Yankee for a while now.
See I don’t know if you want me in. While an optimistic fan, I haven’t had much success going to Yankees games this year. 4 games I’ve gone to:
Opening Day in Bmore- Loss
Home Opener vs. Cle- Loss
1st Saturday Home game vs Cle- 22-4 Loss
Last Thursday vs. TB- Mo gives up 2 HRs in the Loss
I’m going again on Monday night, so I don’t know if I’m hexed and will bring bad karma to the group. I’d like to get a win under my belt before I join
In Search of O’Neill, absolutely. An example is today someone noting that if would be a really good thing for Swisher and the team if he sat out a few games. That’s different from saying that Swisher is garbage and never should have been picked up, etc.
trisha, are you saying constructive criticism is okay?
I really don’t think Arod had become a Yankee yet. The fans still haven’t fully accepted him. Hell Giambi was never booed after he “became a Yankee.” Alex looks so much looser, even drawing walks when they pitch him out of the zone instead of widening his strike zone when he is uptight. If he keeps doing it right, we will win and he will never get booed again. That is when he will become a Yankee.
tex, I would defer to members of the club to add in, but I certainly think that’s acceptable. But whining like a two-year old who didn’t get her or his way or trashing the players or the team because you don’t like what’s going on, is not constructive criticism. (not saying you do that, just trying to give an example)
Even MO was booed.
There is never a point where you’re never booed.
Trish-
That someone was me. For the past 2 days I have been preaching to sit the Swish. He needs a rest. Melky and Gardy are holding their own, let them grow.
So, let’s say I thought Joba should have gone seven today (by the way, I had no problem with taking him out). I say, “I thought Girardi made a bad decision. Joba had a decent pitch count, and we have a shaky bullpen. It would have made sense for him to go seven.” That is allowed?
*OPPC*
Opt in/Opt out
Members: Trisha, Rebecca, Boston Dave, Nick in SF, Angel, SoS, DT, Pepitone, S.A., pat, Dr. Cox, Giuseppe Franco, Pat M, Jeff NJ, Fran
In Search of – well then it was a meant to be!
Want in?
The truest Yankees are Mo, Jeter, Pettitte and Posada.The others must win a championship and they will be initiated. Damon is closer to being a Yankee than Arod at this point.
I love this comment by Damon: “NY is my favorite of all the places I’ve played.” Hey Johnny, why don’t you speak louder, so Boston can hear you?
Damon won a WS, just with Boston.
Damon would LOVE to stick it to Boston, the cheap b*stards they are.
Or how about what I said earlier about Coke? Is that allowed?
In Search of O’Neill
May 16th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Tex and Arod had seminal moments today. They both became Yankees.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Ummm…Could you please use a different adjective than “seminal” to describe ARod and his teammates?
Charleston losing, 1-0 after 3 and a half innings.
Brackman’s Line: 3.0 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 1 earned run, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, 0 HRA, WP 1, 3.98 ERA.
Only one hit by French. everyone else has been striking out except Brewer with 2 walks.
Tex, I am thinking that is a yes. I wish others were here to give their opinion because I am probably over the top in the other direction, so I am trying to be as objective as I can. Stated the way you stated it doesn’t seem negative. In the heat of the moment in the middle of a game, to say “Girardi is such an idiot. He shouldn’t be managing this team. He always blah blah blah blah” obviously has a negative ring.
Do you see what I am saying?
Tex-
My point exactly, Damon is a winner.
Okay trisha, if that is allowed then maybe I will join…I could handle that, II think…
A great day. The team seems more cohesive emotionally than I’ve seen in a long time, it’s not the recent and awkward mix. They genuinely seem to enjoy each other. As for the ‘truest Yankees’? Mussina had it exactly right. If Mo Rivera had been perfect for them as he was for the previous group? They’d have two World Series rings. End of discussion.
One more point worth making. The three teams with the easiest schedules in baseball as of last week? Each of interest. The Dodgers, the Red Sox, and the Blue Jays.
SJ, Is there one club that seems to be heavy in scouting him ???? Yanks seem to have addressed their catching thinness over the past few years, although I think only Kyle Higashoika is the complete package and he’s at least 4 years away….Austin could work out if his foot work improves….Your nephew could be in the Bronx in 2 years….If he were to be selected by the Yanks, the conversation at Thanksgiving should be quite interesting….
Harley-The Blue Jays are not real contenders. The Sox are sort of for real, but we will get our fair share of wins vs. them. The Dodgers? I predict no good w/no Manny.
Trish-
Where does second-guessing fit into the rules of your club?
Just watched the game delayed on mlb.com What a fun win. The team is really coming together. GGBG look great today in center. Could Melky be for real?
I really think the team is stronger with either Swisher or Matsui on the bench, especially with our weakness at the bottom of the order. Matsui’s pinch-hit double was big today.
Pat M
May 16th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
SJ, Is there one club that seems to be heavy in scouting him ???? Yanks seem to have addressed their catching thinness over the past few years, although I think only Kyle Higashoika is the complete package and he’s at least 4 years away….Austin could work out if his foot work improves….Your nephew could be in the Bronx in 2 years….If he were to be selected by the Yanks, the conversation at Thanksgiving should be quite interesting….
————————————————————
I’d really like to see the Yanks move Romine to a corner outfield spot. He has the footspeed, whereas Montero doesn’t other than giving him games out there against some of the smaller outfields like Boston or Baltimore. One thing it would do is finally give NYY 3 catchers on the team in a couple of years. You had also mentioned that you thought that Romine could play the hot corner.
The interesting thing is that our “weak” bottom of the order has been doing it’s part.
I’m making it official…I think I am joining the OPPC. I will no longer be negative, but instead construcively critical.
That was a leap of faith.
*OPPC*
Opt in/Opt out
Members: Trisha, Rebecca, Boston Dave, Nick in SF, Angel, SoS, DT, Pepitone, S.A., pat, Dr. Cox, Giuseppe Franco, Pat M, Jeff NJ, Fran
In Search of, I am going to defer the answer to that until other clubbies come along. I don’t feel comfortable giving responses that might not comport with what other people are thinking.
I also don’t want to sound like an idiot with my response but I guess I am thinking that there are various ways to second guess and some are more positive than others – hence, the official positive posters’ club!
Not trying to be evasive here. But if you want the freedom to be critical on a continual basis, it’s probably better to do so outside of the club.
Matsui pinch-hit for Cervelli today, we could use a 3rd catcher though. If Pena plays 3rd and Alex dh’s he or Swish could bat for him. That would be bench strength. Yes, the bottom of the order has been key.
trisha…I think I’m in…
Brackman’s Line: 4.0 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 earned runs, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, 1 HRA, WP 1, 4.10 ERA
2-0 Bowling Green over Charleston after 4.5 innings.
*OPPC*
Opt in/Opt out
Members: Trisha, Rebecca, Boston Dave, Nick in SF, Angel, SoS, DT, Pepitone, S.A., pat, Dr. Cox, Giuseppe Franco, Pat M, Jeff NJ, Fran, Tex
Tex –
YOU OFFICIALLY ROCK GIRL!!!!
When you get used to it I swear you will feel it’s one of the best things you ever did. Take the positive constructive road that is.
How can replacing Angel Berroa with Xavier Nady make the roster less flexible? Doesn’t make any sense.
Trish-
So if you are a club-member, you can’t be critical? As president you have to be decisive. Don’t get political on me.
I love that dude on the MLB network who keeps saying we have a weak lineup. I just laugh and say I don’t care what he thinks if we’re scoring runs.
trisha-Since when was I a girl?
Anyone know the reason for this exchange?
Yankees acquired pitcher Romulo Sanchez from the Pirates for pitcher Eric Hacker.
Hacker was designated for assignment last Saturday to make room for Brett Tomko. Sanchez had a 4.38 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings for Triple-A Indianapolis
I’m in.
In search of – I am not president, just the one listing the members! That’s why I wish others were here since I can’t speak for the whole club. And I am trying so hard to be diplomatic here.
I swear I don’t know how to answer that question. Maybe the answer is you can be constructively critical but you can’t be nasty.
Anyway, I gotta go guys. trisha, you deal with that revelation for awhile.
when was that deal reported?
I really don’t think Arod had become a Yankee yet. The fans still haven’t fully accepted him. Hell Giambi was never booed after he “became a Yankee.” Alex looks so much looser, even drawing walks when they pitch him out of the zone instead of widening his strike zone when he is uptight. If he keeps doing it right, we will win and he will never get booed again. That is when he will become a Yankee.
———-
This always been an unbelievably stupid argument and always has been (next to the Joba to the pen argument).
A-Rod has been a Yankee for five years and will remain one for nine more.
He’s a Yankee – period. He’s won two MVPs for this team and has still been one of the greatest players of our generation.
The truth of the matter is the people who don’t accept him as a Yankee are not real Yankee fans – they’re fair-weather fans and morons to boot.
I hope those fans who booed him when he struck out today weren’t the same people who cheered him after the walk off dinger because that would make them hypocrites.
Maybe I can be the conscience of OPPC. Never much of a joiner.
Trish-
Is Guiseppe Franco one of the nasties you speak of?
In Search-I believe Franco is a member.
Pat M,
This weekend crystalized some things.
Col, Seattle, KC, Toronto, Milwaukee and Tampa are all over him.
The Red Sox have backed off a bit because they are into a HS OF.
The Mets and Yankees have shown interest. Not as much as the other teams I mentioned.
It’s been a wild ride Pat M. Here us a kid that goes from one scholarship offer (BC) in HS, to being a semi-finalist for the Johnny Bench Award and a possible first round pick in 3 years.
It’s really amazing when you think about it.
Giuseppe Franco – Thank you!
People need to refer to the FJM Glossary for the definition of True Yankee:
“True Yankee
A leader. A guy who’s full of intangible qualities that help him triumph – with class. Derek Jeter. A guy who has a certain look in his eye, like he knows what it means to don the pinstripes with some motherfletching pride. Bernie. Mantle. Joe D. Jeter. A guy who you want in the trenches with you. Mattingly. Joe Girardi. Derek. Jim Leyritz. Posada. Derek Jeter. A guy who stares adversity in the face and says, “I play for the Yankees, and that means something, and I am going to hit a HR off BK Kim in this World Series Game because I am a New York Yankee.” Scott Brosius. Tino. Dave Justice. Derek Jeter. A winner. Derek Jeter.
Here are some people who are not True Yankees: Alex Rodriguez, Mike Mussina, Jason Giambi, Alfonso Soriano, Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright, and every other New York Yankee who has never been on a Yankees’ World Series winning team.
If you ever – ever – hear someone use the phrase “True Yankee,” for any reason, I want you to find the nearest exit, form an orderly line, and leave the premises quickly and calmly. Seek shelter. Cover head. Report the incident to your nearest FJM representative immediately. You are in great danger, because the person you are talking to is an idiot.”
Trish-
Do you know an imposter when you see one?
Strange inning for Brackman in the 5th inning. Gives up a leadoff single, next batter hits into a 7-5 putout. Picks off the other runner, walks a batter then he has a 1-5-3 putout.
GB7, You’ve seen him much more than I since he left El Toro HS….He has a real stick, real good arm, but as we know 3rd base is occupied…..Right field could be the spot…
I miss FJM…
Wait, what?
How did Bruney get hurt during the Posada HR?
Quick drive by. I do want to clarify. I am NOT a girl. Don’t want any confusion from here on out.
How’s Romaine looking this year?
Holla-Had something to do with the long wait, I don’t know, but that’s what he said.
“since we first showed up with the pirate hats on,” who said that?
Tex, I don’t know why I thought you had said you were female once. Sorry about that!
In search of, I have truly never seen Franco in a gamethread do anything but stay positive. You know that I am not here throughout every day and night so can’t really speak to peoples’ posting habits. But if someone opts in, they know they need to be positive to stay in. Best I can say.
Also, people don’t have to be best friends to be in. I have had issues with one of the members, it’s no secret, but the person does tend to be a positive poster. That’s what bonds the members.
I’ll check back in later.
SJ, He’s played in the Cape League so do you think he’ll transition from metal to wood easily ??? Man a good hitting catcher with skills is a commody for certain…..Ah the golden age of catchers was the 70′s , Bench, Munson, Fiske, Boone, Sunberg, Simmons, Yeager….Are you going to the draft ????
In case anyone had any doubts, I too will be a member of OPPC. I just hope there isn’t a membership fee. Times are hard these days.
Pat M
SJ is a fake.
if you watch the video of the the whole teix-gomez arguement u see aj, bruney, and cc immediatly hop the fence and stand right there just in case things got really escalated. thats what i like to see from a team, that they have each others backs.
the whole thing also proved that teix isnt an unemotional robot, which some people have called him
Nady helps us MUCH more as a RF than he does as a DH.
As a DH, he is only going to play if Matsui is banged up or in a slump. If Matsui is healthy, then he is rarely going to play.
Though Nady as a DH is a better use of a roster spot than Angel Berroa
Pat M
May 16th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
GB7, You’ve seen him much more than I since he left El Toro HS….He has a real stick, real good arm, but as we know 3rd base is occupied…..Right field could be the spot…
————————————————————
He’s one player that I’d like to see them try him at all four corners….just for the versatility. above all, keep him and Montero’s bats in the lineup somewhere. As I said earlier, I’d even try Montero at first and both corners for the same reason, though, I’d restrict that to smaller outfields.
if anyone is juicing, its mo, not ortiz. just look at the numbers!
Mutts won 3 in a row in San Francisco
Now watch, they’ll go 6-1 on their West Coast trip then when they go to Boston next week, they’ll get swept.
Pat M
May 16th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
SJ, He’s played in the Cape League so do you think he’ll transition from metal to wood easily ??? Man a good hitting catcher with skills is a commody for certain…..Ah the golden age of catchers was the 70’s , Bench, Munson, Fiske, Boone, Sunberg, Simmons, Yeager….Are you going to the draft ????
————————————————————
Jim Sunberg, in that group, never got a bit od credit for just how good he was. In a 6 year stretch he caught in at least 140 games a year, 5 of those of at least 146 and 2 over 150 games in that Texas heat. Great glove, great arm and a solid hitter.
vinny
May 16th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
if anyone is juicing, its mo, not ortiz. just look at the numbers!
————————————————————
Orange and grapefruit juice doesn’t count.
Nice to see the fakes back in here.
Pat M,
He hit with good power with the wood bat in the Cape last year and the Northwoods League two summers ago.
He also got a hit off a 98 MPH Daniel Bard fastball with a wood bat when they played the Red Sox in March.
He hit 14 HR’s this year and that places him in the Top 6-7 in the ACC. Finished the regular season with a .354 BA. He really came into his own at the plate this season.
I think he will be ok with the wood bat.
His calling card is his defense. He can really catch, frame and throw.
Today was his last regular season college game and he threw out 2 UNC trying to steal, one from his knees.
For the year, he threw out 19 of 30 guys who tried to steal on him and picked 3 more off first base.
The big thing for him will be learning to call games. College programs have their coaches call all the pitches from the bench. That’s going to be a new experience for him.
vinny
May 16th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
if anyone is juicing, its mo, not ortiz. just look at the numbers!
==============
Lol.
But Rivera gets his gifts from Source. Watch him when the inning is over. You’ll see him look up. You won’t see that stupid, self-serving, pointing to the sky that players engage in (I’m excepting those who are honoring friends, mothers, fathers, etc.).
You will see him pause and calmly raise his eyes. Mariano knows who’s in charge
.
Brackman finished the night with 5 innings. 2-1, Charleston is losing in the 7th inning. Only RBI was on Corbin Joseph’s double.
This is the first game of a double dip.
Here it is;
Yanks acquire Romulo Sanchez
By Mike Axisa
Via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Yanks have acquired righty reliever Romulo Sanchez from the Pirates in exchange for righty starter Eric Hacker. The Yankees had ten days to trade Hacker after designating him for assignment last week to make room on the 40-man roster for Angel Berroa. Sanchez, 25, had a 4.60 ERA in 12 appearances for the Bucs over the last two years, but he was outrighted off the 40-man roster in early April. He had a 4.50 ERA in 10 relief appearances for Triple-A Indianapolis this season.
Baseball America rated Sanchez the Pirates’ 25th best prospect coming into the year, noting that he sits 92-94 with his fastball and has a very good curveball. He’s a big boy, standing 6?-5?, 260 lbs. I’m assuming he’ll head to Triple-A Scranton’s bullpen.
if anyone is questioning the toughness of tex, remember that collision he had at the plate a few years ago with posada?
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepa.....ready.html
sj,
first of all, congrats on your nephew. all of us dreamed of being in his position. i’m sure he has a preference as to where to go. you may not want to say, but does he know where he wants to go.
sounds like he might get plucked before our beloved pinstripes. any idea who might be their second choice?
Brent said that he has him in the first round and that’s what he passed along to Tidrow……From what you just passed along on him I can’t imagine him not going in Round 1….When does the Conference tourny start ??? I watched Cole pitch last night vs. Cal State Fullerton…..His control has been an issue for him during his Freshman season…He’s just not getting Prime Time College hitters to chase border pitches….But man what an arm……Shame I can’t buy some stock in your nephew the future Major Leaguer…That has to sound good to you….
Honestly, he has no team preference. He just wants to get a shot at making a big league roster within 2-3 years. Whichever team can help him in that quest, he’s into that team.
Pat M,
The conference tournament starts Wednesday in Durham, NC. They are supposed to announce the pairings tomorrow at 4 pm.
I’ve kind of kept a low key approach to this whole thing the entire season.
This weekend though, its become more tangible.
A few GM’s, several farm directors and a lot of scouts were in Boston this weekend for the UNC-BC series. UNC has 3-4 first round picks on their roster.
They also have a soph pitcher, Matt Harvey (Rick Porcello’s best friend) who turned down 850K from the Angels out of HS to go to UNC. He pitched and won today. He is really, really good.
My nephew played really well this weekend and every scout, GM and farm director I talked to had nothing but good things to say about him.
They were even asking about the “number” (what it will take to sign him) but, I wasn’t biting. lol
Just need a few more weeks of good health and June 9 could be a very special day for him.
gb … in your case , prune juice!
I didn’t know that pitches were called from the bench in college games. Thats interesting.
Is that a hard adjustment to make – going to calling your own games? Or do you pick up on stuff on what the coaches called and run with what you learned from that?
Its a good question, Angel. He had a chance to call a few games in the Cape to get a feel for it.
I think its a matter of learning your staff, scouting reports, etc.
I think that’s going to be his biggest adjustment at the next level.
He will compete and compete hard. I’m not worried about that at all. Defensively, there won’t be many kids superior to him.
The bat? I think his power will translate to wood bats. I don’t think his average will so much because he will get pitched much tougher at the next level than he does right now.
If he can stay healthy, and can get a good handle on gamecalling, he has a chance to move quickly through a farm system of the right team because his defense is so good.
That’s his calling card.
And after one out in the 7th inning, Charleston drops a 5 spot on Bowling Green with a walk, stolen base by Angelini, 3 straight doubles and three singles. Charleston has the lead in the last of the 7th inning. 6-2. Last inning of the inning. Brad Rulon is going two innings to close it for the win.
Last inning of the ***game***
In the bottom of the 7th, Rulon got the 1st 2 batters, then gave up two hits and a walk. Venditte came in and pitching right handed, got his only batter for the save. 6-2 Charleston.
AND THEY’LL BE DOING THE CHARLESTON….ALL NIGHT LONG.
Jesus, this announcer, Dan Reed is worse than Hawk Harrelson.
I take it for what it is with this guy.
You guys just don’t get it who are complaining about Ramirez and Veras, there are about 1/2 dozen reliable relievers in baseball, the rest are 50% at best. Girardi had a great year last year with the bullpen precisely because he never stayed with his unreliables long enough for them to do any damage. He’s gotten back to that with Ramirez and Veras. Both can be effective if kept on a short leash. I think the problem at the beginning of the year is that he had assumed they had some how became effective relievers over the winter so he decided he was going to let them try to work out of trouble. Big mistake. These two are either on or off. Girardi’s use of Veras today was perfect. After the 2nd walk and a sac he gave him the hook. Then he took his chances with Coke who is about 75%. When he faltered he had no choice but to use Ramirez and surprise – he was effective today. If not, that’s the game, but Girardi gave himself 3 shots to win today instead of sticking with Veras and trying to keep the other guys fresh. Hopefully he’ll keep this up.