What I did on my furlough
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on May 25, 2009 
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Hi guys.
As you may (or may not) know, I was on a company-mandated furlough last week. To save money, the company basically laid everybody off for one week this financial quarter. Under the rules, that meant no blogging, no e-mails, etc. So if you e-mailed and I didn’t respond as usual, please take no offense and keep an eye on your in-box.
It was extremely frustrating not to be able to work. The Yankees are playing well and I wanted to be there to chronicle what was going on. I watched every game (live or on Tivo) to stay up to speed. Beyond that, it was a decent week. Here are the highlights:
Monday: Lined up a few freelance pieces. I’m hoping to ghost write Angel Berroa’s memoirs. Tentative title: From Gehrig to Gardner, My Years in Baseball.
Tuesday: Cleaned my condo. Quite exciting. But I no longer live in abject squalor.
Wednesday: A friend gave me his company’s tickets for the Orioles game. Section 126 is right behind the notorious Legends seats adjacent to third base and it’s a great view. The $225 seats also feature waiter service and our man Moses was very attentive.
But it’s easier to get on an airplane than to get to your seat at Yankee Stadium. I met my friend at Gate 4 and we walked to our seats. The usher at the top of the aisle checked our tickets. OK, fine. Then we got to the seats and a second usher checked the tickets again. Um, OK. Then nine minutes later, a third usher showed up and demanded to see our tickets again.
At this point I had enough. I told her they had been checked twice already. But this woman said, “I have to know if you are supposed to be here.” After we gave the tickets up, she seemed almost disappointed that we were legit.
The same thing happened to the two women who sat in our aisle. What are the Yankees thinking, treating customers like that?
Meanwhile, Section 126 was a ghost town. There were no more than 20 people there. The Legends Seats were fairly full because of the sailors and Marines who had comps. We had a great view of the Legends Seats. It’s pretty comical what the Yankees have created.
There are dozens of waiters and waitresses in those seats literally trying to give food away. Candy, pretzels, peanuts, water, even sushi. Then every few innings, guys with boxes of ice cream sandwiches walk around and literally throw them to people who clamor like trained seals.
After a while, there were so many being tossed around that the people were catching them and throwing the back to the peasants in the $225 seats. Security rushed over and admonished those people doing that. Meanwhile, nobody was remotely paying attention to the game.
That said, it was fun to be a fan again. I kept score in the program, had a few frosty Coors Lights and took photos. My friend is a “Joba in the bullpen” person and I spent nine innings trying to convince her otherwise to no avail. The girls we sat next to were cool, too. Good time.
Thursday: Saw Bruce Springsteen and the mighty E Street Band at the Izod Center. Drummer Max Weinberg was away, taping a rehearsal in LA with Conan O’Brien. But his son, 18-year-old Jay, filled in admirably Jay Lustig of the Ledger did a great story on Jay and Max.
Caught the show with two friends, one long-time Bruce fan and one relative newcomer. We were dancing in the aisle like idiots, but then everybody was. We were all impressed with Jay Weinberg. Imagine being 18 and filling in for your famous dad in front of 19,000 people?
Saturday: Back to Bruce. Hung out with radio legend Sweeny Murti before the show and sat with one of my favorite people, Tara Sullivan of The Record. Bruce, being Bruce, played 10 different songs from Thursday as the show nearly went three hours. He did three songs of his classic 1973 album The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle.
If you’re a Bruce fan, you know how cool it is to hear Incident on 57th Street and Kitty’s Back live. He closed with a cover of Mony, Mony, the old hit by Tommy James and the Shondells. I’m here to tell you, there has never been a better version done of that song.
So that’s my week. All in all, not bad. But I am glad to be back at work and will blog my brains out this week.
Thanks to Sam and the guys for filling in for me and thanks to all of you for sticking with us. Things are heating up with the Yankees and you will not lack for updates here, I promise you that.
Welcome back!
PETE IS BACK!!!!!!!!!
=D
wooo! welcome back!
Cue the “Welcome Back Kotter” music.
FYI Shelley Duncan thought you were slacking, but he was set straight.
When Nady goes into his hack-mode and his average starts to dip and everything is a groundout to 2nd… then you play Swisher
When Swisher goes into “walk” mode and he is striking out at alarming rates, killing rallies, and hitting .200…. then you play Nady.
That was the ideal way to use them coming into the season. Both are very streaky hitters. Take advantage of each of their hot streaks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVS3WNt7yRU
pete!!!
man did i miss ya, sam and the others did their best but the lack of updates was killing me! lol
im glad you’re back
Welcome back
Nice to have you back, Pete!
Also, teams can not keep players just based solely on their personality. Swish can be a very valuable player even coming off the bench so it wouldn’t be the case with him, but it’s hardly productive to have comedians with no skills on the roster. No one is a bigger AJ fan than I am and I love his pie routine (no, I adore it), but it’s not good that he’s known more for his pie throwing than his pitching. I don’t think he should quit pieing people because if he’s doing that then it means the Yankees are winning, but the Yankees need him to be good (whether he gets the wins or not). David Cone mentioned something interesting on Friday’s post-game show. He talked about AJ being a leader in the clubhouse and how liked and respected he is………..so much so that a performance like Friday’s comes as a shock to the team (forget what fans think, it only matters what the Yankee players think of AJ’s performances). At some point, you wonder when players start questioning (privately at least) the performance of some of their signings (Tex was very bad for over a month, for instance, and CC was blah until his recent spate of very good to dominant starts)……..of course, they might also need to look in the mirror themselves. Point is, eventually productivity has to count for much more than personality.
Missed ya Pete, but Sam was a great sub!
Oh to be Max Weinberg’s 17 year old son playing with Springsteen. Friggn insane.
Welcome back Pete you were very much missed although Sam as always did a grat job filling in
Jeter is 3rd among shortstops in stolen bases with 9.
hardly ZERO speed
Welcome back
Welcome back Pete!
J.A. Happ… hapless A.J…
Oprah, Uma…. Uma, Oprah…
If Swisher had a bland personality, he would have been outta here weeks ago
okay, now starts a 7 game road trip, any predictions on how we do?
i would like going 5-2, but will settle for 4-3. anyone else?
What’s the old adage in baseball?
You never want to make the first or third out at Third Base?
Jeter gets thrown out in that situation and the baseball gods wince.
Welcome back, Pete.
Sounds like a productive week you had there. Two Bruce concerts – not too shabby. Sitting here watching the 2000 MSG concert, which is almost done. We’re finally going to try to get tickets for the fall.
You were missed.
The players are probably wondering, “Where is the hell is the AJ Burnett that was like 5-0 with a 1.10 ERA against us the last 3 years?”. That’s the guy they wanted here, not the guy who had an ERA over 5 last year against the rest of the league.
I doubt the players follow the rest of the league enough to know that this is what Burnett is. He’s not THIS bad obviously, but he is nowhere near the guy that pitched against us consistently either.
Welcome back – I thought you might join Art Vandelay in his architecture firm and figure out how to fix the Stadium’s homer happy situation – could this hurt getting FA pitchers in the future. Lines at concession stands still seem slow and they are delaying visitors into the Yankee Musuem when it did not seem all that crowded.
“If Swisher had a bland personality, he would have been outta here weeks ago”
We didn’t want Swisher outta here weeks ago, he was a big producer while Arod was gone and Tex was slumping. But if Swisher had a bland personality, how would that make his fat contract and current slump more attractive to another team?
WELCOME BACK MAN!!!
I’ll say 3-4 on this road trip
Don’t like the timing of this Texas trip. We have to fly 1\2 way across the country and play an afternoon game tomorrow. I bet you tomorrow is one of those patented “lethargic” games we’ve seen over the last couple of years where they look like they didn’t even get off the bus. Facing a young mediocre lefty also usually spells doom for us.
Have no idea what to expect from Burnett either and Joba is still a kid. I would say we take 1\3 in Texas.
Cleveland is bad, but it is very hard to win a 4 game series on the road. They can still mash the ball and we do face Lee and Carmona. The bullpen isin’t in very good shape either. I think we split in Cleveland.
Welcome back,
Your dreams were your ticket out.
Welcome back,
To that same old place that you laughed about.
Well the names have all changed since you hung around,
But those dreams have remained and they’re turned around.
Who’d have thought they’d lead ya (Who’d have thought they’d lead ya)
Here where we need ya (Here where we need ya)
Yeah we tease him a lot cause we’ve got him on the spot, welcome back,
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.
Pete was probably in withdrawal from not blogging.
WB, PA
Welcome back Pete. 12:01, right on time.
Holding back on what you did Friday?
Glad to have you back, Pete!
Lohud sweathogs?
Matchups are
Hughes vs. Harrison
Chamberlain vs. Millwood
Burnett vs. Holland
Pettitte vs. Lee
Sabathia vs. Carmona
Hughes vs. Pavano
Chamberlain vs. Reyes
I’ll say 3-4.
“Jeter is 3rd among shortstops in stolen bases with 9.
hardly ZERO speed”
Anyone can have a stolen base it doesn’t mean they have speed. His 9 stolen bases just means he is smart as to when he picks his spots. Most likely only running when the pitcher is slow to the plate and or a bad throwing catcher behind the plate. Howard had a stolen base today on the double steal. Does that means he has speed? It is a lot harder to steal 3rd then it is 2nd. Jeter doesn’t have enough speed anymore to just steal off of a pitcher that is fast to the plate.
I’ll say 5-2.
Welcome back Pete! Big fan of your blog as i read it several times a day.
Rachel
Anyone can have a stolen base it doesn’t mean they have speed.
_
Jose Molina says hi.
Giuseppe Franco
May 25th, 2009 at 12:12 am
What’s the old adage in baseball?
You never want to make the first or third out at Third Base?
Jeter gets thrown out in that situation and the baseball gods wince.
GF I agree.
but to say Jeter has Zero speed is simply not accurate not that you said it or anything
Girardi is not creative enough to double steal
He would rather overmanage by replacing Pena with Cano
welcome back Pete, we miss your sarcastic style of blogging…
I will say 4-3 and I don’t know if I’m being *positive* enough. 2 of 3 to start.
We should pound all these teams
Texas’ pitching is better but it is still bad. They also have no bullpen. Get the starters out of the game and then rally late
Cleveland’s pen is deplorable. Work the count and get their starters out and win.
The key to these games is how close our starter can keep us. Because conversely, these teams can all mash the ball as well.
Rachel
May 25th, 2009 at 12:26 am
“Jeter is 3rd among shortstops in stolen bases with 9.
hardly ZERO speed”
Anyone can have a stolen base it doesn’t mean they have speed. His 9 stolen bases just means he is smart as to when he picks his spots. Most likely only running when the pitcher is slow to the plate and or a bad throwing catcher behind the plate. Howard had a stolen base today on the double steal. Does that means he has speed? It is a lot harder to steal 3rd then it is 2nd. Jeter doesn’t have enough speed anymore to just steal off of a pitcher that is fast to the plate.
I agree that a double steal there would not be good idea.
But Zero speed ??? just not true sorry
don’t use hyperbole use facts “Jeter has lost a step” ok
on pace for 35 steals no WAY is that zero speed.
Peter,
From the boys at 6 Pound 8 Ounce Baby Joba. Welcome Back! We missed hearinga bout the gritty gutsy Brett Gardner, the delusional Joba to the Pen people, Springsteen updates, and Angel Berroa’s social security updates.
Here’s to a season of great Peter Abraham coverage, a Melky MVP award, a Joba Cy Young, a Melancon Rookie of the Year, a Swisher comeback player of the year, a Girardi manager of the year, a Cashman executive of the year, a Yankees World Series ring, and a Peter Abraham best beat writer award.
Gla to have you back Pete.
Its good to have you back Pete, hope the furlough was restful
Welcome back Pete!! Sam did a terrific job filling in for you, but it’s good to have you back and better than ever. Sounds like you made the most of your involuntary hiatus. The Yankees did too – 8-2 with plenty of drama. Hope your prediction about October bubbly holds up – things certainly look promising. Have a great night and looking forward to tomorrow. Over and out . . .
Well judging by how the Yankees did on the home stand in taking pitches it doesn’t look promising. Happ who had a 75 pitch limit went six innings. It was a great record but they rested up for 8 innings for the mighty effort late. So gear up for late inning fireworks. They had one walk in three games. Oy
Awww, Pete missed us.
I feel special – a post at 12.01am on the dot. Welcome back, Pete!
Sam did a great job filling in for you, but it’s good to have you back.
Atta boy!!! Way to make the best of your Gannett-sponsored vacation.
That said, glad you had nothing better to do on Sunday night (just like the rest of us) than to make a post.
Good to have you back.
Damn, I gotta put my OPPC stuff on my laptop, I forgot about that.
I was at Thursday’s Springsteen concert – it was incredible.
And Jay Weinberg was FANTASTIC. I loved how Bruce kept challenging him and he delivered (our seats were in back of the stage, but fairly close, so I could see when Bruce turned around and had eye contact with Jay.
Going to try and go again when they close out Giants Stadium. The man and band are the best entertainers bar none. Old Clarence looked a little tired though…….
I tweeted throughout the concert – and Harlan Coban did as well. Had no idea you were there Pete – would have liked to say Hi.
As for Yankees road trip? I say 2/3 TX, 3/4 Cleveland. Don’t know which games though….
“He would rather overmanage by replacing Pena with Cano”
pfffft that run doesn’t score w/o that substitution & Pena ripped the ball in his AB, unfortunately it was w/ 2 outs b/c Tex GIDP otherwise this is another walkoff and your kissing his a..
I was alerted to this post by Shelly Duncan on twitter. I miss his enthusiasm – hope he gets a chance to come back up some time…….
GF I agree.
but to say Jeter has Zero speed is simply not accurate not that you said it or anything
—————-
Nope, I never said that.
My only point is that a double steal in that situation was a significant risk.
I’m not going to kill Girardi for not doing it, especially when Teixeira has been their hottest hitter the last week.
Bo,
True. They must work the counts. Guys like Millwood and Lee are workhorses. They are in there for 8 innings everytime getting groundball after groundball.
If they have bad, lazy ABs, like they had for many innings against Philly this series, then they’re going to struggle. We don’t have last licks on the road.
I know you didn’t.
misunderstanding .
I agree with you.
LOL! That same guy in that pic with that one woman was the waiter when I went. He was pissed that I only ordered Cracker Jacks.
We need to send Nino and Cisco down
What good is it if they just sit on the bench up here? They need to play everyday and improve their hitting.
David Price replacing Kazmir in the rotation and getting the start in Cleveland tomorrow.
Welcome back Pete… just got done watching Bruce on Paladia
Welcome back Pete aka the greatest blogger on the internet
welcome back pete–you were greatly missed, but the sam did quite a fine job. he difinitely did his best to take care of your place…
Welcome back!
Welcome back, Pete! Bruce played Kitty’s Back! Wow!
7*7 May 25th, 2009 at 12:28 am
Girardi is not creative enough to double steal
He would rather overmanage by replacing Pena with Cano
————————————————————
I’ll go on record for saying that Pena should run in that spot. Cano is not a good base stealer (14 career steals, 15 caught stealing). Yes he did get a HUGE stolen base the night before but the odds are still with Pena there.
how rude of me…. Welcome back Pete!!
Sam – if we start losing Pete is out and your back in!! This is bad karma, as Crash Davis would say “you don’t mess with a winning streak” (or an 8-2 homestand in this case)
Welcome back Pete!
The Yanks probably wouldn’t have tied the game in the 9th if Pena had not been the pinch runner.
Cano has never been a good base stealer.
Welcome back Pete!!
THANK GOD YOU’RE BACK WE ALL MISSED YOU!!!!!!
Welcome back Pete. Sam and the gang did a capable job last week but it was nothing like the real thing.
Welcome back oh King of the Yankee Blogs!
Sounds like you made good use of the time being laid off…hope you collected unemployment
12:01am hmmmm! i think the blogfather was in technical violation of his parole i.e. by typing posts before midnight lol.
Welcome back Pete!!! We all missed you last week. Sam was a great sub and all, but it was not the same without you.
I sure missed your humor, Pete. You make me laugh all the time with your comments. YAY! Pete has been furloughed out of his no-blogging prison.
Hi Pete! 12:01 post…hehe
Pete,
Great to have you back! I would not bust on the paper too badly. Companies are trying to do what they can to survive. The alternative is not pretty.
Bruce closed with Mony, Mony here in C’bus a few years back. Awesome!
Welcome back Pete. You’ve created something special here.
PETE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
great video of bruce doing mony, mony the other night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUsN39s29T8
Pete great to have you back. Love the Joba in the bullpen comment. Couldn’t write it better.
Gotta say I did not miss the Angel Berroa jokes, negative references to the new stadium and Springsteen references. We get it Pete, you don’t like the new stadium, you love Springsteen and you think Angel Berroa looks old. In a week you couldn’t come up with anything new to write about? I think your colleagues did a great job and the contrast today is startling. And not in a good way.
Welcome back, Pete! My company has furlough time too, though as single days scattered around. Either way: no pay!
Welcome back to New York’s and Baseball’s best blogmeister!!!!
Pete, how bout them Yankees?
Welcome back, Pete!
I missed ya!
Yeah Pete – What did you do on Friday? The Bada Bing?
Welcome back…so how excited are you Bruce is closing Giants Stadium?
Jay Weinberg goes to my almer mater… pretty damn cool
I cannot believe we went one whole week with no “look-at-all-the-empty-seats-at-Yankee-Stadium” posts and then Pete calls our attention to it at 12:01. attaboy pete. You musta been chomping at the bit trying to get that point out there while on furlough