Wrapping it up from the Bronx
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on May 19, 2009 
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It wasn’t the party atmosphere of the past few days, but there was an obvious confidence and satisfaction in the Yankees clubhouse after the game; this is a team that knows it’s on an important run.
Phil Coke had some great lines about getting his first save, which he said was an incredibly draining experience. “I might sleep right here,” he said, gesturing to the clubhouse floor. “I might not even get changed.”
Coke said he was so amped up that he spent the time in between the eighth and ninth innings trying to trick himself into thinking he was just pitching some random middle inning instead of getting ready to close out the game. “I was trying to play mind-games with myself instead of thinking, ‘Where’s “Enter Sandman?”‘ he said. Then, when the game was over, he went up to Mariano Rivera, who wasn’t available after working three innings the past two days, and told the closer, “Hey, you’re better at this than me.” Rivera laughed and told Coke he did a good job.
It’s also worth noting that Coke took a different approach on what may have been the most crucial at-bat of the night. In the eighth inning, with Justin Morneau up representing the tying run, Coke refused to throw a slider since Morneau had homered on one in Saturday’s game. With Morneau – who 4-for-4 at that point – looking for another one to smack, Coke gave him “all fastballs, as straight as I could throw ‘em” and Morneau struck out to end the inning.
A few other notes:
1. Andy Pettitte took a grounder off his thumb but said he was fine. He said his stuff was so bad tonight that “I don’t know how I got anyone out” and praised Francisco Cervelli for helping him battle through. Cervelli is definitely impressing both in dealing with the pitchers and handling the bat.
2. Whether it’s really a factor or not, Mark Teixeira believes A-Rod’s presence is helping him. Teixeira is 13-of-36 with five home runs since A-Rod came off the DL. “I think I’ve seen better pitches and it’s an extra hitter in the lineup that the pitcher has to worry about,” Teixeira said.
3. No word yet on what roster move the Yankees will make to get Bruney active. I know there’s a large contingent hoping Jose Veras is the one to go and he’s certainly a real possibility. Check back tomorrow afternoon and I’ll update as soon as we know something.
With that, I’m heading home. Great job everyone tonight as we went over 1,000 comments on the game post. Not bad for a Monday in May, though perhaps everyone was just in a talkative mood because it was International Museum Day. It goes without saying that you should all be sure to come back tomorrow morning as we celebrate another holiday.
Thanks, Sam! Great job!
Good win tonight.
Get Veras and/or Albaladejo out of here ASAP. Albie more likely as he still has options. They really seem to be riding this Veras train until it crashes.
Veras is gone.
Sam, wow – great job. LOL at Coke……Cervelli has been terrific and he sure is impressing the vets. Also, I underestimated the effect Alex would have on Tex……what a duo they will be this.
1) Phil Coke gives the most awesome postgame interviews ever. It’s not so much what he says as the way he says it. Like, “‘I’m glad Tex made that play because if he didn’t that wouldn’t have been cool”
Seriously, I was cracking up the entire time. Too bad they won’t replay it. It was classic.
2) My heart may have been beating harder through the 7th, 8th and 9th today than at any point during the walk offs.
3) I’m really, really glad I’m not a Twins fan right now.
4) Melky’s batting .320 and Francisco Cervelli’s at .375. I thought there was supposed to be a black hole of doom at the bottom of the line up?
Cervelli is the find of the season and could help get them in the playoffs in a supporting role.
Cervelli is definitely impressing both in dealing with the pitchers and handling the bat.
================================
Cervelli has impressed me. I’m a fan.
It’s Malcolm X Day.
Let’s vow to beat the Orioles “by any means necessary”
*Welcome to Miss Annie’s Daycare. While we’re waiting for the mommies and daddies to pick up their todlers Miss Annie is going to show you the new things they learned today! Please keep the noise down because they are all curled up into little balls now and sucking on their binkies.*
“This game sort of has the air of inevitablity about it”
“twins are going to win this game. this has a really bad feeling to it.”
“This looks like a loss…….WAY too many wasted opportunities”
“Twins are going to end up winning”
“This game has 8-6 Twins written all over it. No Rivera to close it out, no Bruney until tomorrow.”
“WHY IS VERAS COMING IN? Joe Girardi really never learns. Only two things can happen here. A three-run homer or a walk. This is disgusting.”
“Oh god…not Jose Veras….anyone but Veras…”
“Way to get ahead Veras. YOU’RE TERRIBLE.”
“oh god not veras.”
“please, will anyone be shocked if this guy blows tonight. I’d be more shocked if he actually did well.”
“Oh my god. Get Veras OUT of there.”
“girardi is an idiot”
“Wassamatter Girardi, my mother wasn’t available?”
“Just a wasted game here. Andy should go pull Veras himself.”
“Who give a flying if he gets claimed. He is awful. I can’t stand him.”
“Bye Veras you punk, nice knowing ya. Hope you are gone tomorrow.”
“Veras rolls a lucky 7!!!!!!!!!!! The guy stinks….”
“Don’t understand why the bum is still up here :/”
“christina… my God, even a real Putz is better than our putz…”
“At best we are looking at a tied game now.”
“Absolute garbage this guy is”
“The only way Veras and Edwar are off this team is if the Yankees lose an important game that they lose. And it sucks that that is what is needed for the two to be gone.”
“Ugh, here we go”
“OH MY GOD… YOU ARE TERRIBLE COKE”
“What in the name of Christ are you doing, Phil!?”
“How do you walk Carlos Gomez ? I mean really, 1 out away, battle fool !”
“I am going to implode”
“This is horrendous. 1 more strike is all we needed!”
Even though the toddlers are still learning, we had to put little Christina in time out since she couldn’t play nice and said stupid things. If her mommy and daddy can’t control her better we will have to ask them to stop taking her to Miss Annie’s.
I’ll be sad when Posada and Molina are back which means no more Cisco..
It can’t be anyone but one of the Veras/Edwar/Albie trio
Veras probably stays because he is out of options
Albaladejo is one good day, one bad day. Loses his command as often as Veras.
I’d say it’s probably Edwar though who goes down
Bo Knows….There is no way Cervelli goes down, same holds true for Pena….Molina is the one who maybe on the outside looking in…The Club will take their time with rehabbing Molina as the kid keeps getting more games under his belt….
I took a course on Malcolm X by accident once (I thought I was signing up for a course on matriarchy…)
It was one of the top five classes I took at Syracuse.
(I’d rank it up there with history of disease, writing workshops 1+2, history of London and intro art history).
Edwar goes down tomorrow.
They don’t want to let Veras go because he at least has considerably higher upside than Edwar.
Really great job, Sam!
I really hope they keep Cervelli in the team because he has been a blessing for this team.
Pat M
When Posada is back, Cervelli’s playing time will be drastically be reduced. Might it make more sense for his development to send Cervelli to Scranton and keeping Cash as the back-up.
I love what Cervelli’s doing, but would rather he not ride the pine.
From a baseball standpoint, this was a GREAT 4 game series. All 4 games could have gone either way.
Starting with the Gardenhire/Girardi/Tex/Gomez dust up on Friday, to hanging on the edge with Coke today in the 9th… this series had everything.
Which regular is Miss Annie?
Has to be Edwar. The guy gives up as many bombs as he does strikeouts. He needs another pitch to be effective … Now, it is just sit on the change and blast away.
I hope you mean Molina. Because Montero at 19 is better offensively then Cervelli will ever be. You have to look at #’s. I hope not, but odds are that Cervelli will come back to earth, based on his #’s in the Minors.
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The thing is Cervelli last year in a short stint was over 300 at AA. Two years ago in Tampa he was over 300 with 24 doubles in 89 games the first half of the year and then got hurt. This no power label is not true. Few people hit HRS in Florida. Maybe he won’t have big power but it’s too early to tell.
50 Cents: you ain’t sayin that if you’re on the wrong end of the four game sweep…
Pete
YankeeJosh
When Posada is back, Cervelli’s playing time will be drastically be reduced. Might it make more sense for his development to send Cervelli to Scranton and keeping Cash as the back-up.
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Only if you think that having inferior players on the roster helps the team win, which is ludicrous.
Posada can’t catch more than five times a week, if that. In fact, given his age and susceptibility to muscles pulls probably less.
Cervelli is much better than Cash or Molina. He needs to stay in NY.
Whether it’s real or placebo, Tex thinks Alex is helping him and that’s all that matters as long as he’s healthy enough to be there.
Getting a stronger offensive force than Swisher hitting behind Alex might be a good thing though.
Where is Robertson?
His curveball is sick. He should be up here instead of Edwar
LOVE cisco and pena and how they do the little things right, coke always has me cracking up during his postgame.
did anyone else hear tex on the mlb network? he was interupted mid interview bc swish was yelling at him lmaoo
My money is on Edwar heading to Scranton–they haven’t forgotten what Veras did last year to let him go that easily
I saw that, Swisher is a troublemaker =P
But Coke’s interview…man I hope they interview him after every game. He’s so much fun to listen to.
Good game. Too bad that the Minnesota Twins have to leave town.
“Cervelli is much better than Cash or Molina. He needs to stay in NY.”
Let’s hold the phone a bit on Cervelli. I like what he’s done so far but he was also hitting .190 at Trenton. Cash is a proven solid back-up. I’d probably take Cervelli over him right now, but no guarentee it stays that way. The League will adjust to Cervelli and we’ll see if he has the stick to stick in the bigs. I hope he does.
That being said, Cervelli may be securing a plce on this team for next year, but it’s way too soon to say he’s better than Molina.
Which regular is Miss Annie?
****************************************
Not me. I would have posted that under my real name.
Some fairly amusing stuff there.
Who is Aunt Becca….Went to Syracuse, Tricia ????
Check that Rebecca is Aunt Becca ???
Swisher is almost back. He hit a couple of balls hard, just right at people. The better thing was that the CC boys were into the game today. Bruney is back, Posada is rehabbing. Optimism abounds. We’re not there yet but we’re getting closer. Anyone hear anything on Marte?
Coke’s postgame interview was pretty damn funny.
This is kind of interesting:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=mlb
kim asks coke how he was able to stirke out morneau, cokes answer? “well…. i was kinda mad at him.” LMAOOO
I like Alba and I don’t think he will be going down. I think he will be ok if he is used properly in the 5th or 6th innings. He is not a late inning reliever and too much was asked of him. He has better stuff then Ramirez..but that doesn’t say much. I think Ramirez is definitely the one going down. If Veras doesn’t get better he will be gone also and they will probably give Robertson another chance. I find it so funny when you always hear Kay say that Ramirez is the “lefty reliever” because the change up goes away from lefties. The guy can barely get people out and he acts like he has a real job on the team.
Uh, Cervelli hitting 190 in Trenton. Last year he hit 315 in Trenton. Don’t let the facts interfere with your statement. That was in 57 at bats this year, 72 last year – small sample size. What’s Alex hitting? Again – small sample size. Yes, the League will adjust to him, maybe he’ll adjust to the League. Too early to tell. But the catching skills are advanced Major League level right now and in the catcher’s position game calling and defense are the first priority. A run saved is the same as a run scored. As Billy Martin said “Score one run, it takes two to beat me”.
Pat, if you’re still awake: Yes, I am Rebecca.
I became an aunt about two weeks ago =D
Ouch. Torre says Proctor’s stupidity is why he needed TJ surgery.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sp.....8158.story
want to know how much a joke espn is? the other day some dumb reporter said this: “the al east isnt as tough as everyone thought it was going to be.”
4 of the 5 teams in the division have 20 or more wins. but you know, according to espn the al east isnt tough. well i guess thats what i get for putting it on lol
“the al east isnt as tough as everyone thought it was going to be.”
No, it’s not.
It’s tougher.
Closing out tonight’s game was an adventure but I’m high on Coke (Phil Coke).
whens jorge come back again?
I knew that Rebecca…I slow down after taking my percocets….Hope mommy and child are doing well
Really starting to love Tex. It’s like having a good athletic 3b playing 1b. 2 HR’s aside, his defense is helping win games here.
Tonight you get the feeling that the new guys and the young guys are starting to assert themselves.
This team feels more like a team and less like Jeter’s team than it has in years.
I’m hoping tomorrow isn’t some kind of brainfart for Cashman when they activate Bruney.
Veras, Ramirez or Alby have to go down or go (in Veras’ case).
I really like Aceves and Tomko should be given a chance.
YankeeJosh
Let’s hold the phone a bit on Cervelli. I like what he’s done so far but he was also hitting .190 at Trenton. Cash is a proven solid back-up. I’d probably take Cervelli over him right now, but no guarentee it stays that way. The League will adjust to Cervelli and we’ll see if he has the stick to stick in the bigs. I hope he does.
That being said, Cervelli may be securing a plce on this team for next year, but it’s way too soon to say he’s better than Molina.
__
Cervelli’s stats this year at Trenton are an unrepresentative sample.
His stats at Trenton last season:
.315 .432 .384 816
His career mL stats:
.271 .371 .379 750
I don’t fault you for not knowing that because all the media harps on is his AVG at AA this season, but when the all the facts are considered, it’s pretty apparent that the kid can play.
He’s more athletic than Molina, and his quicker release make his arm better.
The Yankees do some stupid stuff, so they may well make the wrong decision.
When I watch Cervelli play well, I really feel good for Girardi. Joe showed a lot of faith in him last season and was projecting this kind of performance for him before he got injured against Tampa in the home plate collision last spring.
I remember Girardi looked like he wanted to cry when Cervelli’s injury was assessed.
This has to be very rewarding for him as a manager to see the player bounce back from that and start to fulfill his potential.
Quite honestly, the worst thing to happen to Jose Molina was Cervelli.
Unless they decide to tell Jorge he can’t catch anymore next season (which is a strong possibility), Molina is most likely in his last season in pinstripes.
When you have All Star pitchers going out of their way to praise a kid, you have something. Maybe not right now but Cervelli is apprenticing for the job. Good Times.
Cervelli’s biggest problems are two guys named Jesus Montero and Austin Romine, though if Montero moves to DH, then it’s less of a problem.
Romine might be switched to COF, Montero DH/C, his only problem is Jesus other than him a kid named Higashiwoka who is a ways away.
Pena & Cervelli are not only surpassing everyones expectations, there playing well and contributing….Pena is here to stay, he gives A-Rod, Jeter, & Cano a blow when needed…..Cervelli provieds outstanding defense and even when his stick slows down he’ll stay around .250 as a rook……I don’t expect him to get 30 hits per 100 ab’s ( .300 ba ) , but 25 hits per 100 ( .250 ba )is more likely….Right now you ride the hot hand…
I hope they don’t move Montero to DH.
They can’t have a guy that young occupying the DH role when they’ve got so much age on the team.
I think Romine is more likely to move positions than Montero.
Who knows what’s going to happen with the catchers and maybe-catchers in the system, but Cervelli has a shot to make an impact this year until Posada and Molina are both back, which could be a while. And probably next year too.
This could could have two rings before the ‘too many catchers’ problem arrives. Posada will be done by then anyway.
This *kid* could have two rings…
Cervelli should stay up. He’s a better hitter than he appeared to be before the call up, and unlike Cash and Molina will work walks. Po is old. Matsui is creaky. Cervelli can finish some games for Po and catch when Po DH’s. This is a very good thing for the Yanks having a young catcher who won’t get an old guy injury the day after the starter does. Plus the kid is just the best defender we’ve had back there in forever. Molina had a good season throwing guys out last year, but he’s glacial in his movements. The kid is athletic back there. The Yanks should keep Cervelli up.
It took Molina’s injury for our pitching staff to really flourish. He just couldn’t call games…
Don’t underestimate the value of Molina.
He may not be able to hit but the guy is a real weapon behind the plate. The pitchers LOVE throwing to him, especially Burnett, and he is one of the best backup catchers in the league.
I like what I’m seeing from Cervelli too – but don’t sell Molina short.
check out edwars WHIP, it is real bad..
veras is a a knucklehead. guys hit 220 off him but he refuses to throw strikes…
the walks need to be corrected soon..
check out edwars WHIP, it is real bad..
veras is a a knucklehead. guys hit 220 off him but he refuses to throw strikes…
the walks need to be corrected soon..
the pen has to be fixed..
Nice blunder by Ryan Chruch in the top of the 11th inning in LA. Fails to touch 3rd base on a scoring play after a double to the wall. The Dodgers appeal and Church is called out, no run scored.
Blow up the core!
Pat:
My thoughts on Peña and Cervelli
http://www.puristbleedspinstri.....their.html
Bigger blunder by Pagan and Beltran on a fly ball that has the winning run on 3rd
Molina is at least a month away from seeing any rehab games, and with Cervelli filling in so well the Yanks will not rush him back….As for where Cevelli will be come July 4th, alot can happen between now & then….One thing has been established, he can play at the MLB ….If he can sustain his hitting will be the question…
2 OF
5 INF
basesloaded no outs 2-2 btm 11th
Bases loaded, none out for the Dodgers. Metropolitans playing with 5 infielders.
Hmm. I thought the Mets were gonna walk in the winning run.
Torre looks grim. Bedtime is long in his rear-view mirror.
Listen to Phil The man who knows what he speaks off.
No one is bashing Molina, he is what he is. But Cervelli and Pena are both pleasant surprises and this gives the kids on the farm hope. If Pena makes it, surely Nunez can make it as well and so on. Hey, Pena and Cervelli can execute bunts when needed. Too bad Jeter can’t hit to the opposite field when needed.
Great write up Auntie Becca….Very impressive…Has your site been around long ???? I’m going to check it out every night…..
Cervelli has been huge for the Yankees with Posada and Molina out. That said, he’s only 23 and hasn’t had much time above A ball in his career. He should be the backup catcher when Posada comes back and be sent down to the minors when Molina is back. It’s too bad he lost a year of development because of that spring training game against the Rays.
I’m looking forward to Bruney being back. Coke has been leaned on too much. I don’t know if Aceves can be used as a short relief guy, but Veras, Tomko, Melancon, or someone else needs to step up. I think one of them will. For some reason, my biggest question is if Bruney can stay be a consistent set up guy AND stay healthy all year.
By the way, anyone watching this Mets game? It’s nuts. Ryan Church missed 3rd base on an RBI double in the top of the 11th to end the inning. Then, Pagan calls off Beltran on a fly ball to left center that falls through to put runners on 2nd and 3rd after the lead off walk. Now Manuel brings Beltran in to play a 5 man infield. Crazy.
Pat M: Since September 07. I’ve done a couple guest posts here.
Thanks for the compliment though, hope you enjoy it. My background’s creative writing, not journalism, so it’s a little different than the other blogs. Or so I hope…
Ah, Mr. Torre will enjoy the sleep of the contented tonight.
Poor Mets.
I’d rather shoot myself in the face then be a Mets fan right now. The 5 man infield actually works and Reed throws the ball away.
Aunt Becca, I do remember the outstanding piece you wrote during guest week ….I does sem solong ago however….I’m for one going to check in every evening for your great insights without all the hysteria that so many blogs offer…People here need to know about this….
Pat: You are far too kind =). Alas, I’m afraid I promote it so often that by now most people probably do know…
I’m not snarking on Jeter. But I’m a firm believer that “You takes the man’s money, do the man the job. Man on third, one out – score 6 – 4. Everyone knows what’s required. Jeter is a professional, he gets paid to do a job. Be a professional. You get an outside pitch, go for it. He didn’t and it’s embarassing.
They put Cervelli on the 40 when he was in A ball because they thought he would stick and that another team would definitely take him in the rule 5. He’s better than Molina, even if he doesn’t throw out quite as high a per centage (though I think he will), his superior ability to block balls that Molina misses and that let runners advance and make other plays more than makes up for any advantage Molina might have in throwing guys out at second. And he has much better ab’s.
So spake the Medieval Scholar.
Bo Knows…That pitch was out side, Jtere should not have been punched out….I didn’t even think it was a border line pitch….
BIG TEX. That is all. Right Guiseppe.
Based on how Girardi has been using Veras the past couple days, I would think that he isn’t going anywhere. Also, why DFA Veras, when you can just send down Ramirez? That would make most sense to me. Ramirez is pretty much useless with his 87 mph fastball and 80 mph changeup.
And would people stop it with the ‘Cervelli was hitting .190′ crap? Look at his career numbers and remember that he is coming off a wrist injury.
Sam loved your play by play during the game,and enjoyed your recap comments. *See,you didn’t have to fear us.*
*Cervelli must stay in the line up.*
It doesn’t make any sense to keep Cervelli as the backup when Molina is available. It has nothing to do with him hitting .190 in the minors this year.
1, There is no way that he will be a better option than Posada so he will only play 1 or 2 days a week.
2, He already missed a year of development after getting hurt in Spring Training against the Rays last year.
3, He is only 23 years old and has only had played in 37 minor league games at AA, his highest level.
4, Jose Molina is a very good defensive catcher. One of the best in the league.
5, Cervelli’s 9 games in the majors do nothing to suggest that he can consistently hit major league pitching as good or better than Molina.
If Molina is going to be out a long time and Cash can provide good defense behind the plate, I think it would make more sense to send Cervelli down to AAA. It would benefit him more playing everyday in AAA than twice a week in the majors, especially when he comes back down to earth.
It’s funny that posters who are saying Cervelli is a better backup than Molina after 9 games in the majors are annoyed at other posters for mentioning that he hit .190 in 16 AA games this year. “That’s a small sample size. Look at the 21 games he had in AA last year.”
Right.
Some guys take things to another level when they get to the major leagues, i think that is what we are witnessing with Cervi.
He is a passionate player.
Veras has no place on this team. Get him out of here!
Coke had great lines?
Oh no you dit-nt Pete! 