Crazy eights
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on May 20, 2009 
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The Yankees are on the kind of run teams dream about: They’re winning close games and blowouts, coming back when they need it and playing from in front the rest of the time. Suddenly, everything seems to be working. Tonight’s win is their eighth in a row and with Boston beating Toronto again, the top of the AL East is getting awfully bunched.
It was good to see Phil Hughes have a strong outing, if only because he’ll go back to the minors with a better taste in his mouth. I’m not entirely convinced he won’t have one more start in the bigs before Chien-Ming Wang returns, but it sounds like Joe Girardi will make some sort of decision on Wang tomorrow.
The offense? Hard to complain about anything at this point. Three homers in a row is impressive (especially off Guthrie, who is about as good a pitcher as the Orioles have) and the power numbers are getting overwhelming. Hitting like this makes inconsistent pitching a non-issue.
I know there are fans out there who always see the downside or potential for disaster, and I’d be the first to admit there are still some legitimate questions about this team that need to be answered before I’d label them a World Series lock. That doesn’t mean this kind of run isn’t something to be wholly enjoyed. There’ll be plenty of time to worry about the bullpen or injuries or whether Joba belongs in the pen or the rotation. For now, take a break and breathe in a big winning streak. They’re something special.
——
Condolences to the Yankee family tonight on the loss of Max Margulis, a World War II veteran who ran “Max’s Cafe” inside Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
Max’s was the place where everyone — Yankee staffers, scouts, executives and the media — had lunch during spring training, and Margulis was always waiting at the door when you came in. The Yankees said he passed away Tuesday after suffering a heart attack. He was a very, very nice man, and he’ll be missed. Spring training won’t be the same without him.
My favorite thing about the game tonight?
In the 8th inning, ever single runner that reached scoring position scored, and the Yankees didn’t hit a single HR that inning.
You do that and you’ll win more games than you lose.
Scott Showenweiss’ wife was also found dead inside their Arizona home by their 14-year-old Daughter. Awful. Just awful.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4188199
R.I.P Max
Like Crash Davis told Nuke LaLoosh in Bull Durham, you’ve got to respect a winning streak and enjoy it too, because they don’t happen all that often.
Yeah, like the man said.
“Mo threw 14 pitches. Chill out.”
No, I will NOT chill out. Mo may have only thrown 14 pitches but he also had to sit through a long half inning after pitching in the 8th.
It’s DUMB to make your 39 year old closer who’s coming off of shoulder surgery pitch more than he has to.
No reason to put him back out there when you’re up for 8 runs and there’s no logical thing you can say to make me think it wasn’t a horrible move.
If Torre had done that he would have been KILLED on here.
Since this is already a depressing post filled with death, let me add to the misery by reminding everyone that we beat a sub par MIN and BAL. BAL is a last place team for a reason. They suck. I’m enjoying this team and this winning streak as much as anyone, but unless we play like this against the BOS and the TB’s of the world, this current winning streak will be rendered meaningless.
End of negative post.
Seeing the downside and pointing out the negative is for Sawx and Cubs fans. Yankees fans should expect good things.
Interestingly, even with an 8 game winning streak the Yankees are not in 1st place yet…
Even a win tomorrow won’t land us in 1st…
Not to worry though…soon first place will belong to us!!!!!
Go Yanks!!!!!
Jeff May 20th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
“I hate to say it but I have a feeling that Joba is not mature(if that is the word you want to use) enough to let it go and we will see something tomorrow.”
Sadly, I agree with you. We’re in the midst of a fantastic win streak with everything clicking. Last thing we need is a brawl or one of our hitters getting hurt when they retaliate.
——————–
I think people should give Joba more credit than that.
He certainly doesn’t have a problem with drilling someone, but he’s not an idiot.
He had two chances to drill Huff later in the game against the O’s the last time out and didn’t do it.
This also won’t be the last time they face each other this season unless Huff gets dealt somewhere before the trade deadline.
“No, I will NOT chill out. Mo may have only thrown 14 pitches but he also had to sit through a long half inning after pitching in the 8th.”
It was 14 pitches chill out.
Sadly, some people can’t even enjoy an 8th game winning streak without complaining
Some people are just so miserable
“Since this is already a depressing post filled with death, let me add to the misery by reminding everyone that we beat a sub par MIN and BAL. BAL is a last place team for a reason. They suck. I’m enjoying this team and this winning streak as much as anyone, but unless we play like this against the BOS and the TB’s of the world, this current winning streak will be rendered meaningless.
End of negative post.”
yeah because 8 game winning streaks against bad teams don’t mean anything.
Last I looked these games still count in the standings which is all that really matters.
“It was 14 pitches chill out.”
It was DUMB.
Holy crap people.
We’ve won eight in a row. That don’t happen often, even to the greatest teams. Enjoy it.
Yeah, Minnesota and Baltimore are not the league’s best teams, but the standings don’t reflect that. This ain’t football. Who you beat don’t matter as long as you beat them.
The pitchers are pitching. The hitters are hitting. The gimps are getting healthy.
What’s not to like?
You can only play who’s on your schedule. Sure it would be great if they was playing the RS now or the Rays but they’re not.
It wasn’t that long ago when the Yankees lost 2 of 3 to the Orioles. And the other game they got blown out.
These are the wins we did not win last year. That’s why we didn’t make it to the playoffs. We had a winning record against Tampa bay and a tied record with Boston and what did that get us?
Completely agree with raymagnetic. There was no reason to let Mo pitch the 9th.
Sabathia was supposed to pitch the 8th inning last night but didn’t after the Yanks blew the game open in the 7th.
But Girardi did the opposite with Mo tonight – a guy who is 39 yr old and still coming back from that shoulder surgery.
Mo is the most indispensable member of this team given the struggles of the pen.
Rolling the dice on his health with an 8-run lead makes no sense.
“Since this is already a depressing post filled with death, let me add to the misery by reminding everyone that we beat a sub par MIN and BAL. BAL is a last place team for a reason. They suck. I’m enjoying this team and this winning streak as much as anyone, but unless we play like this against the BOS and the TB’s of the world, this current winning streak will be rendered meaningless.
End of negative post.”
a negative post about an 8-game winning streak. priceless.
i love this board.
Sam, great summary – thanks! I agree – let’s just enjoy this run. The Yankees are winning in all sorts of ways and building confidence in the process. The walk-off wins weren’t just advertisements for the wonders of whipped cream, they were further proof that this team can come back from most anything. The best thing I saw tonight outside of Phil was the 8th inning. For the 2nd time in a row, they took a close game and blew it apart…….and not via the HR, but multiple hits and sound fundamentals (nice sac fly by Cash). Imagine this lineup when Posada returns? Nice………..I’d like to give kudos to Melky as well. He’s been absolutely great and came up with another big hit. At this point, I’m not looking towards the future. All I care about is that, at this point, it looks like he can hold the CF spot down for us. He’s worked very hard and has had a great attitude all along – I busted on him all spring, so it’s only fair that I give him the props he deserves.
As to Wang, I would give him another start or two in AAA. He’s got to be right when he comes up, so I’d rather just be safe than sorry.
This is just a fun team to follow – I’m getting a lot of enjoyment out of whipped cream, kangaroo courts, loud music and bad haircuts, lol
These are the teams we should be beating and so far we are. Thus me =
Ed H. – Is it bad that I’ve watched Bull Durham twice in the last 3 days?? Great movie.
Loving the winning streak. I do think that Albie should’ve thrown the 9th inning but nothing to get worked up about.
btw, Magic took game 1 from the Cavs – LJ put up 49 in the loss. He’s going to end up with EVERY record (back to baseball).
Laura, I don’t think I’m going to have what you’re having…….wow. First of all, Minnesota is not a sub-par team and the O’s do have a very good offense. You beat the teams that are in front of you – the Sox just lost 2/3 to Seattle. What does that say about them? Ok, nuff said – I don’t think an 8 game winning streak needs to be defended
I assumed that Mo told Girardi that he just wanted to finish the game since he was already warmed up. I really find it hard to believe that Girardi would send Mo out there unless he told him he wanted to. Girardi is not Torre, he would do something like that. I thought it was VERY odd when I saw him pitching but I don’t think it had anything to do with the score maybe Mo just wants to get more innings under his belt so his arm feels better. Alba was warming up in the bullpen so he could of came in if it was a score decision.
According to the fine young men at the It Is High website, tonight John Sterling has delivered the worst win warble of his career.
A measly 3.42 seconds.
An 8 game winning streak and all Sterling can warble off is a 3.42?
He’s definitely losing it.
I assumed that Mo told Girardi that he just wanted to finish the game since he was already warmed up. I really find it hard to believe that Girardi would send Mo out there unless he told him he wanted to. Girardi is not Torre, he would do something like that. I thought it was VERY odd when I saw him pitching but I don’t think it had anything to do with the score maybe Mo just wants to get more innings under his belt so his arm feels better. Alba was warming up in the bullpen so he could of came in if it was a score decision.
————-
Yeah, but that doesn’t matter.
Of course Mo is going to say he’s good to go. He’s not going to ask out of the game.
Girardi has to make that decision for him. He didn’t let Sabathia go out there last night after the game was blown open and he should have used the same logic tonight with Mo.
It wouldn’t be as big of a deal if Coke or Albaladejo was sitting between innings for that long – but it doesn’t make any sense to let Mo go out there when it wasn’t necessary.
The Yanks can ill-afford to screw around with Mo’s health.
I don’t think it’s any question Sterling’s losing his touch, at least a little.
ugh the babying of Mo talk on this blog is really getting tiring. Mo was in position to get a save, he is closing in on 500 and it once the runs were tacked on, it became an easy save.
The bullpen management looks much better when the starters are getting so deep into games and the hitters are mashing up and down the lineup.
FWIW, I think Wang should make one more start in Scranton.
Might as well make sure Wang is right before they make that decision to let him rejoin the rotation because it’s a decision they’ll have to stick with if he’s not quite right and doesn’t pitch well when he comes back.
O wish I knew as much about baseball as some of you. I’d love to tell Girardi how stupid he was to bring Rivera out for the 9th inning. Hell, the best part is, I wouldn’t even have to know why? I could just tell him because I blog on LOHUD. How much more experience would I need?
Sterling had a touch??
Pointing out the truth isn’t being negative; it’s being realistic. We have to beat everybody; not just the teams on the bottom rung.
ugh the babying of Mo talk on this blog is really getting tiring. Mo was in position to get a save, he is closing in on 500 and it once the runs were tacked on, it became an easy save.
————-
You don’t get it.
I think we saw how valuable Mo is when he wasn’t available on Monday and Coke really labored to get those three outs.
Imagine if that was a nightly occurrence because Mo went down after sitting for 20 minutes and pitched a meaningless 9th with an 8-run lead.
I’m not some negative ninny for the sake of being negative.
But given the current state of that pen, Mo is the most irreplaceable member of this team. Rolling the dice on Mo’s health hardly seems worth the gamble – especially when Girardi saved Sabathia last night in a similar situation and didn’t allow Bruney to pitch two days in a row.
He wanted to save Sabathia’s arm and Bruney’s arm but not Mo’s arm?
That’s not too smart.
>It was DUMB.
Stop trolling.
I don’t think Phil Hughes’s future should be in Girardi’s hands. The decision should be made by Cashman. But if they are dumb enough to start Wang with his diminished velocity, they should be smart enough to put Hughes in the pen.
Pel (Uncertainty is certain.)
Stop trolling.
__
He’s not trolling. Stop being so obtuse.
Maybe Mo felt he needed to go back out there? If he didn’t want to go back out there he wouldn’t have. Its not like he has anything to prove.
Who cares who it is against a winning streak is a winning streak and we need those to make the playoffs. If we win 95 games, who we win against is irrelevant in that we are going to the playoffs no matter what.
And frankly, this team is better than boston. It was better than the redsox in april too despite what francessa and whatever all those other naysayers drag on about. This team isnt just playing well – it is built well. Outside of the pen which can be improved with time, this is the better yankee team on paper this century. We have never had a starting five like this since our last world series. We have never combined that kind of pitching talent with the power hitting lineup we have right now in even longer. This team isnt JUST hot right now – it is a great team that is hot right now. When bruney, robertson, marte and melancon are all in the bullpen, they wont really even have a major flaw. Now that is what Im talking about.
“First of all, Minnesota is not a sub-par team and the O’s do have a very good offense.”
The O’s do have a good offense, but as we are all so used to saying, pitching wins games and they don’t have any. MIN is, in my opinion, sub par. They just lost again to CWS, another team that stinks. I’m happy about the 8 wins in a row, but we have to beat BOS before I start planning the parade.
BBTN aka Baastin Bar Maids Update:
EPSN anchor stooge: Stadium is “whiffle ball park”, and “we really don’t know much about the Rays yet”.
Viña: The Rays will win the division. (paraphrasing)
Phillips: It’s the Red Sox all the way. (paraphrasing)
Laura, you’re missing it.
Last year we missed the playoffs because we couldn’t beat the Reds or the Pirates or the Orioles or the Rangers…
Teams on the bottom rung (at the time). Teams we _should_ have beaten. We did just fine against the Sox and the Rays.
This year, we’re beating the teams we’re supposed to beat. Yes we haven’t had success against the Sox-yet-but a LOT of those losses could have really gone either way.
“Since this is already a depressing post filled with death, let me add to the misery by reminding everyone that we beat a sub par MIN and BAL. BAL is a last place team for a reason. They suck. I’m enjoying this team and this winning streak as much as anyone, but unless we play like this against the BOS and the TB’s of the world, this current winning streak will be rendered meaningless.”
The sub par Twins were tied for 1st place before coming to NY. The first 2 wins of the streak were against 1st place Toronto. So, three of the wins were against 1st place teams. The Twins also had a better record than the Yankees going into Friday night’s game.
That;s the formula for winning teams – beat the teams you’re supposed to beat and play .500 ball against the good teams.
The Twins were over .500 before they got to the Bronx.
I think I enjoy everyone on ESPN hating the Yankees, it makes these winning streaks much nicer when they have to keep the excuse train going. MLB Network all the way.
Very true. I would rather beat the teams we should beat and then, play even against the best teams then, struggle now and be forced to sweep the redsox or rays to get into the playoffs later on.
“I’m enjoying this team and this winning streak as much as anyone, but unless we play like this against the BOS and the TB’s of the world, this current winning streak will be rendered meaningless.”
—-
Soooooo… if we’re in first with an 8 game lead on the final day of the season, these games won’t count and we have a one-game playoff? I don’t understand how wins are meaningless…
laura would have liked 9 or 10 wins during this 8 game stretch
if you can’t enjoy this, why watch baseball at all?
Good lord, people.
Mo is fine. His biggest problem this year has been arm strength, due to his surgery. He has to pitch to get arm strength back, and if you let him pitch to one batter and then sit him, he’s not going to get any work in. He sat for two days. This was the perfect time for him to go out and work on building up arm strength, and get the velocity on his pitches back to the high level he (and we) are used to. Girardi wanted him back out there, Mo wanted to be back out there, and it was a good situation to pitch him, since he’d already warmed. He threw 14 pitches. Stop making something out of nothing.
“if you can’t enjoy this, why watch baseball at all?”
Where did I say that I wasn’t enjoying this? In fact, I specifically said that I was. I’m just tempering my excitement with reality and that reality is that we have to beat BOS.
GB7
“How much more experience would I need?”
You could stay at a Holiday Inn.
Bottom line – The schedule is about to get a lot tougher
Let’s see if we are up to the task
NYY have yet to put a complete team on the field all at the same time, they’re 2,5 games out of first, just took 2 of 3 from the 1st place team and people are still complaining. For 8 straight games, every facet of the team has worked at the same time.
>He’s not trolling. Stop being so obtuse.
lol @ being upset that Mo threw 14 pitches.
Mathematically, we could win the division and never beat Boston. But I wouldn’t recommend it.
“Where did I say that I wasn’t enjoying this? In fact, I specifically said that I was. I’m just tempering my excitement with reality and that reality is that we have to beat BOS.”
That’s the mistake. In 2005 the Yankees were 10-9 against Boston, in 2006 the Yankees were 11-8 against Boston, in 2007 the Yankees were 10-8 against Boston, in 2008 the Yankees were 9-9 against Boston. Now, where exactly did that get the Yankees? We don’t have to beat Boston, we have to beat everybody. The problem for the Yankees the past few years, is the everybody part.
Also, to those point out that we’ve “only” beaten Baltimore and Minnesota, we also won a series against the team that is currently in first place. I don’t care if that time in first looks like it’s going to be short lived right now, they have still played great ball over the first month and a half of the season, and we took a series from them. Also, unless I’m completely off, I believe Minnesota was on a hot streak coming in to the series in New York.
I don’t care if these aren’t “good” teams. Last year, one of our biggest problems was that we didn’t win the games we were supposed to win. Now we are. Take that and be happy with it.
Nick: Wanna bet?
Upcoming schedule is
3 vs. Philly (Defending WS Champs
3 @ Texas (lead the AL West)
4 @ Cleveland
4 vs. Tampa (Division rival)
3 @ Boston (0-5 against them)
3 vs. Mets (Crosstown rivals, never easy)
Before we get a break and get Nationals-Marlins-Braves
“Mathematically, we could win the division and never beat Boston. But I wouldn’t recommend it.”
Good point, Nick. Look, perhaps I take our rivalry with BOS a bit more seriously than others (save for trisha), but the fact that we are 0-5 against them annoys me to no end. They weren’t even firing on all cylinders and we lost. They are our chief rivals. They are the real threat; not TOR. This Yankees team won’t be for real until we prove to the world that we can beat BOS. Until then, I will remain cautiously optimistic.
“The problem for the Yankees the past few years, is the everybody part.”
I agree 100%, but in the end, I think that we are going to end up facing BOS in the playoffs. I don’t want another first round loss. Beat them now and we’ll be confident that we can beat them later.
“This year, we’re beating the teams we’re supposed to beat. Yes we haven’t had success against the Sox-yet-but a LOT of those losses could have really gone either way.”
Amen. The RS cannot be happy to see what Tex can do with Alex slotted in behind him. The NYY line up was not ready for prime time against Boston, and still the games were not ‘gimmes’ for the RS.
Now, if we can find a solid bat to put behind Alex…
Laura: Boston is our chief rival? I wouldn’t know about that, I live in California.
Rebecca: there’s no need to bet, you know that I’m correct. I don’t think that scenario will come to pass, however.
Pel (Uncertainty is certain.)
lol @ being upset that Mo threw 14 pitches.
__
1) The guy posts here on a regular basis, so he’s not a troll.
2) I assume he took the position that Mo shouldn’t pitch two innings before he knew how many pitches Mo would throw. Given his age and recent surgery, he believed it was an unnecessary risk.
You may disagree with that, but it’s a reasonable position.
Laura, the past few years or so, the Yanks have always had trouble beating Boston early and come around to beat them later in the year.
I wouldn’t worry about it just yet.
Pepitone’s Hairdryer
BBTN aka Baastin Bar Maids Update:
EPSN anchor stooge: Stadium is “whiffle ball park”, and “we really don’t know much about the Rays yet
__
Whiffle balls don’t travel all that far. Just sayin’.
Heh, Boston worries too many people.
We had the majority of those games won (when we were struggling and Boston was at its peak) and they STILL haven’t seen our best starting pitcher nor a lineup with A-Rod in it.
“I agree 100%, but in the end, I think that we are going to end up facing BOS in the playoffs. I don’t want another first round loss. Beat them now and we’ll be confident that we can beat them later.”
Laura, remember this, the Red Sox are 5-0 against the Yankees, and they’re only 1 game ahead of the Yanks in the standings. My point is that the Yanks have given them a 5 game head start in head to head battles, and Boston didn’t take advantage by blowing us away in the race.
(Laura: I’m not sure if I buy the proposition that you take the rivalry with Boston more seriously than everyone but Trisha. Heh, the second half of that proposition is weaker than the first!)
“Heh, Boston worries too many people. ”
Probably. 2004 is a memory I just can’t shake.
“I don’t want another first round loss.”
We cannot play the RS in the first round.
It’s worth noting that the NYY’s also took a series from the LAAs, and all of this was before CC got warmed up and Alex had returned. NY may face the RS in the ALCS, but it starting to look like this team can beat whoever they’ll meet in the ALDS.
Hey guys:
Just wanted to say hello and I hope this doesn’t break my furlough. I went to the game tonight with a friend and had good seats behind third base. I had a chance to walk around the field and talk to a lot of blog readers. The stadium really is an impressive building.
I did want to pass along two things:
Max, who Sam blogged about, was a nice man. He was one of George’s cronies and his death will hit the old man hard. He called everybody “kid” and had a gruff way about him that was mostly for show.
Meanwhile, I had field level seats tonight just above the moat the field Legends seats. Food is free in the Legends seats and there are dozens of waiters and waitresses brining those folks their orders. Then at random times, people with stacks of candy, ice cream bars, soda, etc. will walk around passing out their wares for free.
On three occasions, a guy with ice cream bars stood in the middle of rows throwing the ice cream around as people begged for the bars like trained seals. There were so many that people began catching the bars and then throwing them back to the people in the plain old $225 seats.
Then security would rush over and admonish them. It’s beyond ridiculous. But I will say this: It’s nice to have a waiter bring you a Coors Light and a shot of tequila. The prices are nuts, but the service is tremendous.
Anyway, back to furlough I go. It’s killing me not to be working but I’ll be back on Sunday.
Oh, and RF is ridiculous. Two of those three homers the Yankees hit were fly balls that get caught at the old place. The home runs are great when they work for the Yankees. But the time is coming when the dimensions will cost them a close game.
“(Laura: I’m not sure if I buy the proposition that you take the rivalry with Boston more seriously than everyone but Trisha. Heh, the second half of that proposition is weaker than the first!)”
Nick, as a viewer of LOST, you should know that things aren’t always as they appear.
I would sign right now to face Boston in the playoffs because it would mean that the Yankees finally won a playoff round, which imo, is the hump they have to get over in order to go on a sustained run. They have been as tight as a drum since the 2004 ALCS collapse, and once they do win a round, they will loosen up and crush teams, with Alex leading the way.
2 of 3 from Kansas City (2nd Place in AL Central)
2 of 4 from Cleveland
2 of 2 from Oakland
2 of 3 from Detroit (1st Place in AL Central)
2 of 3 from Anaheim (2nd Place in AL West)
5 of 8 from Baltimore (May have cost us the playoffs last year)
2 of 3 from Toronto (1st Place in AL East)
4 of 4 from Minnesota (Over .500 until we got done with them)
The only series we lost?
2 of 5 from Tampa Bay – 2 of those losses were Arod and Posada-less, the other a Wang blow-out.
0 of 5 from Boston – I know it feels like these losses count 2 or 3 times each, but they really don’t.
Just curious, but what teams do we have to beat to be allowed happy about a win streak? We even took out Anaheim. We NEVER take out Anaheim.
With all the injuries, all these won series are kind of amazing.
Thanks for checking in, PA.
Laura, you can only survive in baseball with a short memory. Yeah, 2004 sucked, but it’s 2009.
Nothing from or about 2004 should matter right now.
“Just curious, but what teams do we have to beat to be allowed happy about a win streak?”
Okay, when did I say not to be happy about a win streak? We should be very happy about this win streak. We are climbing higher and higher each day above .500. That’s great news. I’m simply pointing out that we’ve got a tough road ahead and I just hope that we are ready.
Rebecca-Optimist Prime
Nothing from or about 2004 should matter right now.
__
What should be and what is are often two different things. Check out the way the Yankees’ OBP has shrunk from the regular season to the playoffs from 2005-07 and you will see how tight they have played. There is no better explanation for that than what happened in 2004.
Laura: I hope you enjoy the return of Miles more than you’re enjoying the win streak.
“Nothing from or about 2004 should matter right now.”
I know, Rebecca. But it still bothers me, 5 years later.
“Laura: I hope you enjoy the return of Miles more than you’re enjoying the win streak.”
You better have those Moose bars ready in 8 frakin’ months.
You know what annoys me more than BOS? Waiting an eternity for a new episode of LOST. Ugh!!!
*Great game Yankees!!*
Thanks for stopping in, Pete. It was getting spooky not hearing from you.
Well, now that I’ve had my membership card revoked from the OPPC, I better head off to bed. Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer. I promise to be more positive tomorrow for win #9.
Goodnight all!
I understand where Laura is coming from, a little payback would be nice.
PA
Nice with the Tequila shooters.
Richie
May 21st, 2009 at 12:32 am
Pel (Uncertainty is certain.)
lol @ being upset that Mo threw 14 pitches.
__
1) The guy posts here on a regular basis, so he’s not a troll.
2) I assume he took the position that Mo shouldn’t pitch two innings before he knew how many pitches Mo would throw. Given his age and recent surgery, he believed it was an unnecessary risk.
You may disagree with that, but it’s a reasonable position.
————————————————————
I’m sure that 3 pitch, one third of an inning in the 8th will be the Rivera killer. All Rivera did was go back out in the 9th and threw fastballs….no effort. He knew that it was the bottom of the lineup and he could outlast them. I think he’d have been more upset with getting fully warmed up and throwing to one batter and still leaving the finish to someone else. Any team is capable of putting up an 8 spot since YS is such “a launching pad”. at least have a good reason to complain about an 11-4 blowout.
The worst part about being 0-5 against BOS is that they were not at full strength
AND we gave away the first two games. We lose with Mariano on the mound and 2 run lead in the 9th and the next day, AJ blows a 6 run lead.
I’m so nervous playing against them.
Since when does the Fenway dump actually play fair or big? Obviously ESPN forgot to mention that Fenway’s dimensions are even more of a joke then the “wiffle ball” park’s are. Fenway is 310 to LF, 302 to RF, the only part of the stadium that is over 390 is deep center which is .420. Every other part is 390 feet or below.
As far as YS goes Pete is right if it was the opposing team everyone would be screaming that RF is a joke. If it is possible to move the wall back without messing up the bullpen then I would think the Yanks would look into it. It will be frustrating if it happens more often and happening against the Yanks.
Buddy, you are the best peacemaker on this board.
But I don’t think Laura takes the rivalry with Boston more seriously than you do.
Jeff D
May 21st, 2009 at 12:55 am
The worst part about being 0-5 against BOS is that they were not at full strength
——————————————————–
Neither were the Yanks.
GreenBeret7
I’m sure that 3 pitch, one third of an inning in the 8th will be the Rivera killer. All Rivera did was go back out in the 9th and threw fastballs….no effort. He knew that it was the bottom of the lineup and he could outlast them. I think he’d have been more upset with getting fully warmed up and throwing to one batter and still leaving the finish to someone else. Any team is capable of putting up an 8 spot since YS is such “a launching pad”. at least have a good reason to complain about an 11-4 blowout.
__
Again, despite his 3 pitch 8th, how many pitches he would end up throwing in the 9th was unknowable.
I’m not even disputing using him. I’m merely stating that being concerned about his age and recent shoulder surgery is not an unreasonable position, which is why I don’t think that raymagnetic is being a troll for raising the point.
D-Backs-Marlins in the top of the 12th
2nd game of a doubleheader. 1 AM in Miami
Boston will be sure to suffer our wratch in due course!
For now we punish Baltimore and then Philadelphia.
All debts will be paid in full and our foes will tremble!
Jeff D
May 21st, 2009 at 12:55 am
The worst part about being 0-5 against BOS is that they were not at full strength
AND we gave away the first two games. We lose with Mariano on the mound and 2 run lead in the 9th and the next day, AJ blows a 6 run lead.
I’m so nervous playing against them.
The only one they were missing….Lugo. Just because Ortiz wasn’t hitting doesn’t mean he was missing.
Is that redhead in the purple mini-dress and the black boots behind home plate in LA a celeb? She looks familiar.
Now we’ll never know. Mets lose.
Break up the core.
Mets just got swept can’t wait to here the radio let down.
Richie
May 21st, 2009 at 12:59 am
GreenBeret7
I’m sure that 3 pitch, one third of an inning in the 8th will be the Rivera killer. All Rivera did was go back out in the 9th and threw fastballs….no effort. He knew that it was the bottom of the lineup and he could outlast them. I think he’d have been more upset with getting fully warmed up and throwing to one batter and still leaving the finish to someone else. Any team is capable of putting up an 8 spot since YS is such “a launching pad”. at least have a good reason to complain about an 11-4 blowout.
__
Again, despite his 3 pitch 8th, how many pitches he would end up throwing in the 9th was unknowable.
I’m not even disputing using him. I’m merely stating that being concerned about his age and recent shoulder surgery is not an unreasonable position, which is why I don’t think that raymagnetic is being a troll for raising the point.
————————————————————
Rivera said it himself. There’s nothing wrong with the arm/shoulder other than he didn’t get to pitch enough in ST. That’s what he’s trying to do. His ST games usually consisted of 6 pitch innings.
I’m not some loser troll who comes in here every day just to whine and complain because I’ve got nothing else better to do.
I also don’t usually second guess Girardi’s decisions – whether it’s the lineup, bullpen management, or whatever else.
Read through my posts of the past and you’ll clearly see that I rarely question or complain about anything regarding this team. I’m as optimistic as anyone on this board.
But I have to draw the line at risking Mo’s health in a game like tonight. It just wasn’t worth the risk given he’s the most indispensable member of the team.
I guarantee the respected or “smart” regulars who frequent here like SJ, CB, and Pat. M will come in here tomorrow and make the very same argument regarding Mo tonight that I did.
Great run thus far, enjoying the ride.
“Somebody asked me about pie in the face, how it’s not a Yankee thing,” Jeter said. “So if you do something to have fun, people say it’s not a Yankee thing, and you don’t do it they say you’re not having fun. We’ve had fun here for quite some time”
http://www.nydailynews.com/blo.....NlH&A
>I guarantee the respected or “smart” regulars who frequent
>here like SJ, CB, and Pat. M will come in here tomorrow and
>make the very same argument regarding Mo tonight that I did.
Then all of you would be overreacting. :\
Rivera said it himself. There’s nothing wrong with the arm/shoulder other than he didn’t get to pitch enough in ST. That’s what he’s trying to do. His ST games usually consisted of 6 pitch innings.
__
Well, Girardi told Francesa that the reason he used him for four outs in Boston was because Rivera hadn’t told him that he had a tired arm at that time. So it’s not like Rivera has always been 100% candid.
But again, all I’m saying is that raymagnetic shouldn’t have been called a troll for disagreeing.
my goodness. are we really going nuts off mo’s usage?
let’s check our ego’s at the door and try not to act like we know everything about baseball.
the yankees won – enjoy it. the overanalyzing is kind of nuts…
The Rivera gripe is legit.
He pitched the ninth for one reason and one reason only- to get the save. He wasn’t needed, and he didn’t need the work. He padded his stats.
Of course he’s going to want to stay in and get credit for the save. Why wouldn’t he? And Girardi wants to keep him happy. I’d rather Giradi do whatever he can to ensure he stays healthy- can you imagine the backlash if he got hurt, especially after that long 8th inning?
It’s May. It’s a long season. Why risk it? Even Veras would have trouble blowing that lead.
The Yankees win 8 in a row and people complain that they haven’t faced tough enough competition and that Mariano shouldn’t have pitched.
How bout the fact that the Yankees are on their win streak without one of the best hitting catchers in baseball (Posada), their set-up guy (Bruney), and their best starter over the last 3 years (Wang).
The Yankees are doing this well and still aren’t at full strength.
I was somewhat surprised when Mo came out in the 9th…..He should have been in the shower when the 3rd out was recorded….
in my tray, the digital readout temperature of my video card is exactly 42 degrees Celsius as i read the above lines. this is a coincidence of the highest order and definitely means something.