In the merry, merry month of May
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on May 31, 2009 
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Mark Teixeira this month: .330/.398/.747. Just a run of the mill 1.145 OPS.
He had nine doubles, 13 homers, 34 RBI and 25 runs scored in 28 games. His batting average, once at .182, has climbed to .281. Tex also has hit in 13 straight games (at 22 of 55). The streak is the longest of his career.
So, Mark, are you excited? Not so much.
“The law of averages caught up to me,” he said. “It was a good month but it looks better because I had such a bad April. Hopefully I keep this up. I really feel great.”
This post is too positive!
Take it down!
Put Tex in the bullpen!
Wow, Tex……if he’s not player of the month, then the fix is in. I love how level headed he is – doesn’t get too high or too low. What a perfect signing he was – and he’s the best 1B I’ve seen since Mattingly. He’s just absolutely superb
http://kimberlyjones.mlblogs.c.....tinue.html
A.J. the tutor: A.J. takes great interest in his teammates and how they’re doing, especially the pitchers. He has developed a particular fondness for Wang, and the two were in the outfield just before noon, getting some throwing in on flat ground.
A.J. finished first and stayed to watch Wang throw. Then, he stepped behind Wang and offered what appeared to be mechanical suggestions. He and Wang were discussing Wang’s grip on the sinker.
We’ll ask A.J. for more details, probably tomorrow.
****I hope to get those details from Kim, lol. AJ preparing for his future career as pitching coach? Seriously, despite his penchant for pie throwing, this guy is not the clown that some think. He may not always perform as well as he or we would like, but he does take his job seriously and obviously he’s a very good teammate
Mark you out shine Arod any day
Watching the Yankees via the out-of-town scoreboard with only red and green dots to go by is the most frustrating feeling in the world! I wished I hadn’t found it at Citifield, but, alas, I did, and it was like watching a pot of water coming to a boil.
BUT when the Yanks scored their first two runs, my oldest daughter said, “I think there was a two-run homerun (based on the red out dots and the green men on base dots).” Then she said, “It was probably Mark Teixeira. Later on, in the car listening to the last of the game, we heard the recap. Gave daughter a hearty round of applause and cheers for making the call.
Got to my mother-in-law’s in time to see the sad end of the game.
It stunk seeing the score and trying to figure out if Hughes was doing that badly, based on the score, and wondering if Kim Jones had jinxed the errorless streak. We knew Jeter had a hit and she didn’t Jinx that because they put up a “what’s the point” recap up on the board at Citifield that showed he had a double and ARod had a single early in the game.
Then we saw Wang came in the game, and I kept watching to make sure that none of the green dots turned into runs. Saw he was doing well, based on those red and green dots.
So, we had a great day at Citifield. The weather could not have been better. The ballpark is gorgeous, ESPECIALLY as compared to Shea. We got there early and parked in handicap parking (my mother-in-law had a placard) right near the left field gate. We ate at the Taste of the City area out in centerfield and sat at a picnic table out there. There are not nearly enough of those, but people were very friendly and we shared with some other people. Taqueria carnitas were excellent. Hubby had a burger from Shake Shack and pulled pork from Blue Smoke (?). Pretty good. Happy we got there early because by 20 minutes to game time you could not move through that area. Huge wind tunnel in that centerfield area! We were in field level seats, but covered by shade, so that helped us immensely. We left after the 7th inning – it was a quick game. Started after the Yankees game and ended well before. And the best part of the day was we had NO TRAFFIC!!!!
Watched the post-game in Bayonne. Then got home here and didn’t read the game thread, but read Pete’s recap (thanks, Pete). Sounds like a lot of little things just didn’t happen (or did) today. It happens. I’m glad they at least tied it, but if you’re gonna tie it, you gotta win it. Tomorrow will be a better day.
As bad as the kids did today, they all took their medicine, it seems, answering to the media and taking responsibility. I did not hear Phil Coke, but one should never blame the ump’s call publicly. Even if you’re right.
Teixeira is on some tear. I hope in June he can keep it up, and bring some more guys along with him.
Maybe you send AJ to the dugout when Wang joins the rotation.
How did SJ44′s nephew do today? Did he play? Catch or DH? Did they win?
Doreen, the fact that the team came back again means something to me even if they didn’t win. 14-4 in their last 18 is incredible – and they still don’t give up. I’m not saying that is a moral victory and the players wouldn’t say that either, but it just shows once again that they don’t quit. That is a quality that will take them far…….Also, seems like most of the guys are hitting, but they aren’t perfect and sometimes unfortunate games will happen. I guess all message boards for all teams (yes, even the Sox) are like this after losses, lol
I really hope the Yanks make the right decision and put Wang back in the rotation and send Hughes to the minors. Hughes needs to work on his secondary pitches and hasn’t earned anything to start over him. Wang has been really good his last 3 times out and they need to get Wang back to Wang. They can also use his innings in the rotation. Enough already…
Don’t even joke about that, Nick, lol…..
Doreen to answer your question BC lost to Army today by a score of 4-3. Sanchez went 2-4 hitting in one runner and stuck out once according to the box score the Boston College athletic site provided me. It also appears that Sanchez started as a DH and finished the game catching.
Phil Coke blaming the ump is asinine…….but then this is the same kid that said that the guys in the pen were on death watch waiting for the phone to ring. Shut up Phil………sheesh, I’m tired of him. Joe needs to have a sit down with him or else a player needs to – it’s inexcusable.
http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde.....e_bla.html
It’s hard to blame Coke for being upset. He’s knows he cost his team the game. But after calling out an umpire, is there any reason for Coke to expect getting a call next time?
“How did SJ44’s nephew do today? Did he play? Catch or DH? Did they win?”
Sadly, BC lost to Army 4-3. Game ended with the Eagles grounding into a double play with the bases loaded. Pretty good effort off of last night’s marathon.
Betsy -
I didn’ t mean to sound flip. I was really happy that they came back to tie. Really happy that they just don’t die. Last year they certainly do not come back into that game. It’s a great feeling knowing that team is not done until the last out is made. It is disappointing to come back and still lose, though. But, I’d rather them come back and lose than not come back.
Pavano owes the Yankees. He does. I was always someone who backed Pavano. For a long time. But it really does irk me that that he had so much “bad luck” for the Yankees, ultimately needing TJ surgery, getting it and rehabbing on the Yankees dime and now doing very well for the Indians. I just don’t like it.
This was the guy the Yankees thought they were getting. C’est la vie. C’est la baseball. I guess.
The Yankees have are going to have a very tough decision to make. Wang is just about ready. Hughes is probably better served getting major league hitters out. Joba can’t go to the bullpen now. The path of least resistance is Hughes to SWB, in my opinion. But it’s a decision no one is going to like. No one.
Steve B -
Thanks for the information. Too bad.
Hughes to SWB is asinine
Coke sounds like a total idiot when he says those things about the umpire. Instead of just saying I have been awful and I walked a .170 hitter, ofcourse he has to blame it on someone else. Maybe he should try getting people out instead of crying about it.
“Hughes to SWB is asinine”
And Joba to the pen is genious level thinking
“Hughes to SWB is asinine”
Where else would you like to him to go? They have 5 starters and he isn’t going to the bullpen…
Rachel…Are we watching the sames games ??? Wang has had three appearences since coming off the DL….The first was not good, the second improved slightly, and today was better……As I mentioned, If Hughes needs to work odn his secondary pitches, then how did he turn in the 2 best pitching performance of any Yankee Starter agaunst first place teams on the road….In Texas his curveball was knee buckling….He didn’t have that pitch today and still k’d 6 in 5 innings….Remove the Baltimore start and he has the best numbers of any starter the Yanks have….My point is sending him to AAA is crazy at this time…
You know how good Pujols is? He has that month, well, pretty much every month.
“Wow, Tex……if he’s not player of the month, then the fix is in”
Might be pushed by Mauer’s .414 average, .500 OBP, and 1.338 OPS. He had 11 homers, 32 rbi and 27 runs scored. Wouldn’t shock me to see them sharing the award.
Doreen, I know you weren’t being flip – I think I’m on automatic pilot as far as being defensive because the posts today were doozies. Did you know that the Yankees suck? LOL
It sucks about Pavano, but I’m really not that bothered by it. He’s a jerk (insert any 4 letter word you want), but I didn’t spend much time today hoping he’d get bombed. I mean, I hoped he would, but that’s because I hope the Yankees do that to all opposing pitchers.
You’re right – the Yanks have a tough decision, but it’s a good one to have in that Phil is in a much better place this year than last. I’m very happy for him…….he won’t like being sent to AAA, but he won’t be the first pitcher to be sent down. Wang is a starter and there’s just no room for Phil…..I do think that getting ML hitters out has been a boon to him and it’s a great learning experience, but there’s just no room for him unless, as Pat M suggested, they piggyback Phil and Joba.
“Rachel…Are we watching the sames games ??? Wang has had three appearences since coming off the DL….The first was not good, the second improved slightly, and today was better……”
2 shutout innings against the Texas Rangers is improved slightly?
nice.
As others said, based loaded DP to end the game.
The scene afterward was sad.
Wiswall, who hit into the DP, was safe. In fact, it wasn’t even close.
Instead of leaving the field, the umpires parked themselves at the BC dugout and began arguing with the kids. It escalated and almost became a security incident.
The umpiring during the entire regional was poor. Today, it was bizarre.
First time I’ve ever seen trash talk from umpires.
Tough way to finish a breakthrough season for the kids.
“Coke sounds like a total idiot”
I’ll give Coke the benefit of the doubt that he forgot that he knows better. Maybe one of the veterans will offer a suggestion on how to handle this in the future.
“First time I’ve ever seen trash talk from umpires.”
Wow. How unprofessional and sending the wrong message to the players.
Pat M -
If they piggy back Joba & Hughes, they’ll have to have a lot of resolve and to heck with statistics. It’s an interesting idea. I also think they’d have to alternate who “starts” and who “relieves.” And they’d have to split the innings evenly. Whoever starts gets 5, whoever relieves get 4.
But, don’t you want them to learn how to go 7 innings? This plan wouldn’t address that part of the problem, would it?
Hell of a year for BC, SJ. Remarkable effort last night against what is probably a much better team. Bothers me a bit to see what these coaches do to these kids at this level. Granted, most of them don’t go all that far professionally, but using kids for 12 innings in one game is just ridiculous, if not a little dangerous.
Congrats to your nephew. Best BC’s done in decades and obviously he was a big part of it.
It was two innings folks…..He hasn’t even faced the same hitter twice…..As for the Texas outing, it was more of a mopup outing as the Yanks had the game in hand…..He needs more than just 2 inning outings before you send Hughes back to AAA, and throw Wang back in the rotation…..He needs to provide more evidence that he’s ready to start…..
SJ, sorry about the loss – I’m sure the kids are disappointed. However, they all played their hearts out…Umps at every level of the game are a disgrace, wow!
Congrats to your nephew, though – how exciting this must be for him (and for you!)…..
SJ44 –
Without knowing anything, it sure seems like the umpires wanted no part of another extra-inning affair.
Sorry such a great experience had to end on such a sour note.
“I’ll give Coke the benefit of the doubt that he forgot that he knows better.”
People wanted IPK drawn and quartered…and the pieces arrested last year when he demonstrated a similar attitude.
That’s fine, Pat M – I don’t think Wang should be put back in the rotation either. However, he’s not going to face lineups more than once in the pen unless he throws 4 or 5 innings. That’s not going to be easy to find that for him unless one of our starters bombs, and no one wants that to happen
Gardner is in trouble. With Bruney.
The two are obsessed with the Tiger Woods videogame. They play against each other all time. To the winner goes custody of a Tiger figurine.
When Bruney triumphs, he paints Tiger’s cap, shirt and shoes red. When Gardner prevails, he paints the cap, shirt and shoes green.
Yesterday, Gardner jumped the shark. He painted the entire figurine green. And he put thought into it — he asked a clubbie in Texas to purchase bright green paint and a small paintbrush. Then, he temporarily hid the mini-Tiger from Bruney.
By this morning, Bruney had seen it.
“He painted it like a two year old,” Bruney seethed. “Why did he have to paint the whole thing green? I’m done.”
With the videogame?
“No, with Gardner and the figurine,” Bruney said. “Ask him why he did it.”
http://kimberlyjones.mlblogs.c.....tinue.html
***********
Geez talk about immature from Brett. Him and Brian had a friendly rivalry thing going. But he went a ruined it.
Pat M -
Do you think they might pass over Andy’s next start and give it to Wang in order to get him through a lineup a couple of times and see how he does? They could say they’re being cautious with Andy’s back.
Wang should be in AAA till he starts throwing with his normal velocity which as it stands today and this year is 4 mph shy of what it was his entire career…
You people forget that Wang threw consistently in the middle nineties?
I agree that his ball in Texas was moving very well but I’d be less apt to send Hughes down while he’s finally logging innings and showing flashes of the promise we all thought he had.
If Wang were to get BLASTED again I’d rather him be at full strength and 91 mph is not full strength.
Phil Coke isn’t nearly the shut-down pitcher we all thought he was. The motto of this bullpen is “lead off walk” not “1st pitch strikes” like it should be.
Doreen that would work, but Andy is going to fight to pitch his turn unless he is not cleared by Monahan/Donahue to pitch.
“They could say they’re being cautious with Andy’s back.”
Speaking of dicey. If Pettitte says he can go and the Yankees say no, the incentive piece of his contract looms as a potential rift.
This is like Spring Traing for Wang….He’s thrown maybe 40 innings since March 1st…..They are going to take their time with him this go around, as there is no need to rush him…..
!!!,
Wang has been hitting 93-95 consistently. You must be looking at the YES radar gun, which is absolute crap
Kevin in 908 -
No doubt Andy would fight it. I’m just choosing to ignore that part of it.
Doreen May 31st, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Pat M –
If they piggy back Joba & Hughes, they’ll have to have a lot of resolve and to heck with statistics. It’s an interesting idea. I also think they’d have to alternate who “starts” and who “relieves.” And they’d have to split the innings evenly. Whoever starts gets 5, whoever relieves get 4.
But, don’t you want them to learn how to go 7 innings? This plan wouldn’t address that part of the problem, would it?
—————————————
I came up with that idea before.
Andy would rather go in a start and labor and give up 4-5 runs than god forbid skip a start.
He did the same bs last year when he got blasted after the all star break. He’s being no ones hero by playing 70%
Evo,
F Wang.
I wouldn’t send down Hughes till he has a bad game.
Wang will be back in the rotation, it’s only a matter of when. 3 innings was good today. Next time maybe 4 or 5? But he’s going back to the rotation.
If you throw out his first three starts, he’s looked pretty good.
Igotid88 -
Minds thinking alike, I guess.
F Wang?
Lol.
Pat M, Wang has shown that he can keep his pitches down, that is what they have been waiting for. Getting Wang back on track is much more important to there success this season then Hughes getting 2 more starts in June. He needs to work on his command of all of his pitches. He has pitched in 7 games this season and went 5 innings or less in 5 of them and also only had his good stuff in 3 of them. Only having your fastball won’t work up here and raises his pitch count. There is no reason to delay getting Wang right any longer.
Jen, I’m sure Bruney was kidding……..I doubt these guys had a blow up about a figurine, lol
Kim must be thrilled – two links to her blog in one thread….lol
Steve B
I gave IPK a pass too so I can’t be accused of not being consistent.
Dealing with frustration and the media at the same time isn’t something that comes naturally to all people. Many times it’s the frustration speaking and not necessarily the man.
We ate room-service oatmeal at the hotel for breakfast, so we declined the pizza offer and also will skip The Hal Lebovitz Press Dining Room today.
************
hmmm wonder who the ‘we’ is.
Hughes’ next 2 scheduled starts are home vs. Tampa and @ Boston.
Betsy- He came across very angry in the article. Can’t blame him. Brett did a childish thing painting the entire figurine green. They were having fun going back and forth painting it depending on who won. But he ruined it.
Doreen May 31st, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Igotid88 –
Minds thinking alike, I guess.
—————————
I meant what PatM said about piggybacking their starts. But I agree they need to learn to go more the 5.
Media relations and proper responses is just one more thing for young ballplayers to learn. They’re not all Derek Jeter.
I know i’d be terrible at interviews. I can only imagine what would come out of my mouth. Hard for me to judge what a young guy says. You never know the tone or context of how he possibly meant it.
Looks like Brian and Brett will have an honest to goodness wrestling match and the belt can be awarded for real…..I don’t blame Brian for being annoyed, although I’m sure Brett didn’t mean anything by it – he probably just thought he was being funny. If Brian has a problem, then the best thing to do is to tell Brett and get it out in the open. I really don’t want anything (especially over something as stupid as this) to cause tension in the clubhouse.
It’s amazing how bad the pen is. It isin’t even average— it’s terrible.
Remember in Spring we had like 12 arms for 7 spots and everyone posted a sub 2 ERA? Seems like so long ago. I’d settle for just one reliable reliever.
Hopefully Melky is ready to play tomorrow. I have had enough of Gardner for a couple of days. After not running in the 9th inning and catching that ball he should sit.
If you think Bruney was seriously upset, then I worry about you.
Betsy- Last thing I read was Brett was going to paint the #11 on the back. That Brian might have found funny. But he ruined the doll.
If bruney and brett get into a fight over a figurine, Posada would beat them both to death with a bat.
Gardner needs a time out?
Anyone with kids knows how these things end up. Sure, starts off as good clean kidding around and then someone’s feelings get hurt.
http://www.awritersgroove.com/.....-bench.jpg
“Sure, starts off as good clean kidding around and then someone’s feelings get hurt.”
Then you ask “who wants an ice pop” and everyone forgets they were fighting.
Rachel
I agree with you. Gardner had a bad game. At the beginning of the year, I thought Gardner should play and Melky be the 4th outfielder. Boy, was I wrong. Melky has played very well and deserves to play every day.
So, who’s going to have to offer the ice pop?
It’s all fun games until someone loses a rotation spot.
SJ44,
Very sad ending. I thought he was safe too. Is Tony okay? It looked like he got hit on the wrist at that last at bat. I was sitting near some BC parents who said that Tony was limping around the hotel last night with 2 big icepacks on his knees and could barely walk.
Doreen
As a way of proving he has changed and the no sweets in the clubhouse rule wasn’t really his, Girardi will take both guys out for an ice pop. Iced vodka shooters would work too.
Don’t forget about Joe Mauer – he’s probably had as good a month (if not better) than Tex. That being said, he’s been pretty spectacular this month. I love watching him play at first too. After watching Giambi flail around like a dead fish, he’s pretty awesome to watch.
Clare
I guess catching 25 innings will do that to ya. Wasn’t it something like 7 plus hours. Ouch!!
why doesn’t arod play on top of the third base bag in late innings…like every other third baseman does? he’s done that quite a few times the last few weeks which has cost them a late inning hit each time..
if gardner “refused” to run doesn’t the first base coach pull him aside and tell him “you better fing do what we tell you!!!” and why didn’t they send him the first pitch – or the second at most why wait until the hitter gets 2 strikes on him? just dumb plays all aorund…
This might seem crazy, but the Yankees have never been in as good a position in the standings on May 31 since 2003 (0.5 game lead). Even in the years they ended up winning the division, they were either tied with Boston at this time, or a few games back (actually, in 2007 they were 13.5 GB at this point!)
What does this mean? Probably nothing. But it’s nice to feel excited watching this team before July comes around.
rs- wow very interesting.
Yankees minor league pitcher Jason Johnson collapsed yesterday at the complex in Tampa.
Johnson, who is in the extended spring program, collapsed because of a problem linked to diabetes. Battling the disease, Johnson has an insulin pump attached to his belt when he pitches.
Johnson, 35, recovered well enough to spend the night at his Tampa residence.
Signed to a minor league contract before spring training, the veteran right-hander has had a tough several months. Less than a week before camp opened, he was diagnosed with retinal cancer in his right eye.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05.....171761.htm
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05.....171745.htm
Nice article on our catching prospects.
Wait what?
Gardner painted Bruney’s doll?
Just got home from dinner out with the houseguests from Germany –
1. Doreen – Glad you had a good time with our family at new Shea. It sounds like you had a blast.
2. SJ44 – Sorry to read about your nephew’s game and how it ended. It’s one thing to lose, it’s another thing when the circumstances are as you described. Tragic, that’s the only word, and it’s up to their coaches to teach them something from it.
3. Brett Gardner misjudged a fly ball to center. I’m old enough to remember the Game 7 of the 1968 World Series when Curt Flood, the best CF in the National League, misjudged a line drive right at him, which turned into a bases loaded tripe, which wound up winning the game and the Series for Detroit.
Mistakes happen, even to the best. Although, he should have tried to steal second base. That was the play.
4. As Pete has said, young pitchers need to learn how to pitch as professionals, that is, when you’re in a jam and the umpiring is bad. It’s part of being a professional and making adjustments. It’s part of the development process. But I’d much rather live with that for a game than more of Jose Veras or Edwar failing to learn time after time after time.
5. If they win tomorrow, that’s 5 of 7 on the road trip, while remaining in first place. Not too shabby, not at all.
Gary
The Tiger Woods figurine.
Gary,
They had a good back and forth and the winner got to paint the shoes a certain color… Brett took it too far by painting the entire figure and Bruney got ticked
Phil Coke did the wrong thing by blaming the umpire. Now all the umpires are going to target him and he will never get the borderline calls. What a fool!
Hey – When you have a bunch of frat boys in the clubhouse, things like this are bound to happen. They happen all over baseball… we just don’t hear about it. This is no longer the Yankee Clubhouse where everyone keeps to themselves, when guys mesh, sometimes dumb things happen. No big deal.
We shouldn’t forget Texeira’s defense…as much as he’s been hitting, it’s easy to overlook…but I think that’s improved this past month as well…
Go Yanks!!!!
And who the hell is Phil Coke to complain about the umps?
He was facing a .178 hitting #9 hitter on a last place team… you should attack him, not try and paint corners with him. This isin’t Manny Ramirez.
And we wonder why our pen is so bad. This guy is supposed to be our SU man.
Dynasty Is Destiny!
May 31st, 2009 at 10:12 pm
We shouldn’t forget Texeira’s defense…as much as he’s been hitting, it’s easy to overlook…but I think that’s improved this past month as well…
Go Yanks!!!!
I hope the people decide these things take Tex D into account when deciding on player of the Month.
Pavano owes the Yankees. He does. I was always someone who backed Pavano. For a long time. But it really does irk me that that he had so much “bad luck” for the Yankees, ultimately needing TJ surgery, getting it and rehabbing on the Yankees dime and now doing very well for the Indians. I just don’t like it. This was the guy the Yankees thought they were getting. C’est la vie. C’est la baseball. I guess.
*********************************************************
Amen, Doreen. It is definitely schadenfreude, I admit – but even though they didn’t end up winning the game, there was something satisfying about them fighting back and denying Pavano a win.
Coke just doesn’t have good mental makeup. First that quote about how he was afraid when the BP phone rang, then his interview after he got the save (while entertaining, showed he didn’t have the right mindset for it), now blaming the umps publicly.
Robertson looked like a scared puppy on the mound today too.
Why can’t they all be bulldogs like Aceves?
From the article Jennifer posted about Montero and Romine:
After seeing Romine last year, the scout compared him with a familiar face to Yankees fans.
“I wrote in my report that Romine reminded me of [Jason] Varitek,” the scout said. “He’s a big, strong guy, can catch and throw, has some power. Romine, to me, was further advanced behind the plate. He can catch and throw, and his bat could get him there, too.”
“He painted it like a two year old,” Bruney seethed. “Why did he have to paint the whole thing green? I’m done.”
With the videogame?
“No, with Gardner and the figurine,” Bruney said. “Ask him why he did it.”
——————-
LOL Wow. Bruney is pissed
Varitek?
Romine’s ceiling is a .219 hitting catcher with a weak throwing arm?
Great. Trade him while his value is high and try and fix the pen then.
NickSwisher we battled hard. tough one. We’ll get it tomorrow.
from twitter.
I thanked him for at least denying Pavano a win.
Matty- Obviously not the current Jason.
Why did Gardner have to ruin the action figure?
Gardner should sit in the corner for a day or 2. I would say no candy also but GI Joe doesn’t allow candy anyway. He didn’t steal the base, misplays the ball, misplayed the ball against the Phillies, colors the action figure. He needs to know what he did wrong…lol
Rachel
Seems like Johnny gets the day off tomorrow. He’s been hurt, plus he hurt his leg Wed in Texas. Otherwise all the reasons you gave are good enough to sit Brett down. LOL
Rachel
May 31st, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Gardner should sit in the corner for a day or 2
nobody puts Gardy in a corner
maybe gardener needs to worry more about catching fly balls in center and in game situations a la the steal catastrophe this afternoon, instead of painting a stupid figurine. hell have plenty of time to paint figurines in aaa when he gets sent down
wow i typed gardENer, who am i to criticize
GBOOF – Sad but true LOL
Gardner has been an atrocious outfielder. He has gotten on base 41 times this year and has only attempted to steal 11 times.
At this point, he is merely a pinch runner (though as we saw today, he can’t even excel at that)
at this point hes keeping his spot warm for the melk
I’m a big believer that most of the bullpen problems can be solved from within. The one exception is a strong lefty in the pen. I have no faith in Marte and am losing faith in Coke. You would think Cash could pick a decent up for a couple of minor leaguers.
These guys remind me of little children……they’ll survive, lol. If not, they may have to be brought up in front of Judge Mo……..
Geez, poor Jason Johnson – the poor guy has had such a rough go of it lately. I hope he’ll be ok……
He shouldn’t be airing this out through the media. He should have gone to Gardner directly… not asked Kim Jones to “ask (Gardner) why he did it”.
Lighten up Bruney. It’s not like Gardner did it on purpose.
Go to Toys-R-Us and get another action figure for $.50 cents rather than getting ticked off about it.
Jeff NJ,
I’m in agreement.
I’ve seen too much of Melancon live to worry about this in the long term.
I saw Aceves a good deal last year and figured he’d eventually contribute to the BP – that has come to pass. I like Robertson, and I also happen to like the lefty Mike Dunn, who has looked good in all four outings I’ve seen of him.
Also, Christian Garcia had his longest outing yet yesterday – if he can stay healthy (yes, I know, BIG IF) that’s a ridiculous weapon as the season goes along.
I can’t evaluate Kontos, as I’ve never seen him, and he has his critics, but others seem to think he can step into the BP. Alan Horne is on the comeback trail.
A call to arms will be answered by our depth – not by some desperate, geriatric acquisition – those days are gone.
I am looking forward to Bruney coming back healthy, knock on wood.
Remember the Mets bullpen last year that everyone in baseball made fun of because they couldn’t get outs and gave up runs every night?
That bullpen’s ERA is a run lower than ours is currently.
i didnt read the kim jones bruney/gardner girl fight article but i think some of you are reading wayyy too much into it like theyre really fighting lol i hope its meant to be a joke cause some of these comments have just been ridiculous
No reason why Melancon is in AAA while Veras, Coke, Tomko etc. are up here
TEX is so hot, hope his wife knows how lucky she is!!
Robertson has a straight fastball and very spotty control. Coke also seems to have had the bloom come off the rose. 5.06 ERA in May (before today’s game).
We need some power arms who can pound the strike zone, strike guys out, don’t give up HRs or walks, and can have quick innings.
Can’t rely on Bruney with his injury problems. Cashman needs to be proactive.
The Bullpen has a 5.17 ERA.
Only the Angels, Rockies, and Nationals are worse.
The pen is really, really bad.
RI Yank
May 31st, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Robertson has a straight fastball and very spotty control. Coke also seems to have had the bloom come off the rose. 5.06 ERA in May (before today’s game).
***We need some power arms who can pound the strike zone, strike guys out, don’t give up HRs or walks, and can have quick innings*** .
Can’t rely on Bruney with his injury problems. Cashman needs to be proactive.
————————————————————
It’s hard to believe that there aren’t 29 other MLB teams looking for that, too, huh?
I just don’t have a lot of faith in the internal options. I like Robertson’s talent, but he’s green and he’s going to struggle. For those that wanted him up here, well – he’s here. Now those folks need to be patient during his struggles – what else did they expect? It’s the same with Melancon. Kontos? I don’t know that much about him, but I really don’t want to see anymore youngsters come up and try to pitch this team to a pennant – I can’t see it happening. Coke is a problem, too – I’m disappointed in him, but he can’t be sent down because we’ve got no one to take his place. This could be an exceptional team – they are, in fact, that – but I fear the pen could derail their hopes. Everything I said earlier still goes – the Yanks are in first place, deservedly, and the Sox have their flaws as well (as does every other team) – but the pen is scary. I think Marte will help (he’ll be healthy – he clearly wasn’t before) and obviously so will Bruney. Aceves is fine, Mo is Mo……So what do we have? Mo, Bruney, Aceves, Marte….Coke and Robertson are unreliable (though I’m fine with giving the latter a shot – I’m just not expecting much). It’s just bad……
Wang is going to be amazing for us this year. I would love to see him make a start in Boston.
South Coast May 31st, 2009 at 11:30 pm
The Bullpen has a 5.17 ERA.
=================================
I though it was 5.12-That has been for the regular season
Past 30 days: 4.21 ERA (in the middle)
Past 7 days: 3.27 ERA
What the heck is on the bowl on Mike’d up?
Let me guess – he’s killing the Yankees because they lost a game. No sports radio for me tomorrow, lol
“Yuuuusse, we know he can pitch. He’s up and down and in and out”
Let me guess – he’s killing the Yankees because they lost a game. No sports radio for me tomorrow, lol
========================
Not really actually. Pretty much the usual.
Bullpen is a disastah. Thought Yuuuse pitched okay(doesn’t want him going back to AAA) and Wang should be back in the rotation and Jobber..do I even have to say it?
Heard recently that Francesa’s brother committed suicide. No off color jokes, please. Anyone out there to confirm?
If that’s true, it may, in part, explain his dourness.
Any way, I see he’s back to his disquieting obsession. Where’s that remote…
Thanks, S.A.!
Doesn’t sound too bad except he didn’t give the Yankees any credit for winning 2/3 in Texas and 2 out of the first 3 in Cleveland….not a surprise, though. He usually focuses on the negative.
Bodh, yes, one of his brothers did commit suicide several years ago.
We don’t know how Kontos or Garcia will do out of the pen.
Garcia is still in AA. Dunn also is still in AA and hasn’t been great.
There is no sure-fire internal option. You can’t put this team in the hands of young unproven kids to save the pen. Cashman has to go out and get some help.
Ironically, in the last 7 days, the bullpen has recorded our last 3 losses
Franny looked ahead at the schedule– Texas, Tampa, Boston, Mets, didn’t do much recapping of the previous week.
Wikipedia says his brother killed himself in 1990.
Joba was 5 years old at the time.
Garcia just needs to bump his velo back up. He’s only in AA because of injury history; the guy’s ETA is 2009.
Dunn has looked great whenever I’ve seen him. He’s a good fielder, too.
I don’t know about Kontos, as I said, because I haven’t seen him for myself.
This notion that a callup is going to “save” the pen in some kind of vacuum is kind of and melodramatic, isn’t it?
Of course Melancon will improve the pen – he doesn’t have to “save” it.
We add a quality arm, we’re going to improve the pen.
Garcia and co. may be options down the line, but we need help fairly soon.
We also don’t know if Garcia can stay healthy. And Kontos isin’t a lock to be a good reliever. Everyone thought Steven White’s stuff would translate well to the pen but he looked terrible. He admitted he tried throwing as hard as he could and lost the zone. You need a certain mindset to relieve.
Melancon is the only realistic option at this point. And even he may not be lights out in his rookie year. Everyone’s adjustment period is different.
Can’t keep playing with fire every night. We’re going to need some stability pretty soon.
Bodh, yes, one of his brothers did commit suicide several years ago.
=====
Miracle people live through such trials.
The thing is… does Cashman view Kontos and Garcia as BP options?
I said it in Spring Training and I’ll repeat it now: Bret Gardner is a subpar centerfielder and has nowhere near Melky’s glove. Factor in that he throws like a girl, strikes out in bunches and now apparently can’t get a jump off a slow-to-the-plate galoot like K. Wood, and what value does he have exactly?
Also, that Posada AB was 5 pitches long. How does the first base coach not get in his ear after pitch 2 and order him to start stepping? Weird.
Girardi’s pulling Wang after 40 some odd pitches, for the always iffy Phil Coke, was also nuts and cost us the game. The Tribe probably would have brought out Woods for another inning, but they had no one of quality left after that. When you tie a game late you have to play to win and worry about Wed. when it comes. Besides, Aceves and Tomko can’t give you 6 innings? Crappy job by Joe G.
Harper M,
Cashman, and the whole organization, view Garcia as a stud, front-end-of-rotation starter.
The problem has been injuries.
This guy is the stuff king of the Yankee system. If he can stay healthy enough to build him arm back up, I’m pretty confident he would be an asset no matter how he gets to the mound.
randyhater
May 31st, 2009 at 11:59 pm
I said it in Spring Training and I’ll repeat it now: Bret Gardner is a subpar centerfielder and has nowhere near Melky’s glove. Factor in that he throws like a girl, strikes out in bunches and now apparently can’t get a jump off a slow-to-the-plate galoot like K. Wood, and what value does he have exactly?
===================
He’s had problems with reads going back to last year; it’s nothing new.
The irony is, Melky has been dubbed the guy who gets bad jumps; Melky has been dubbed slow.
Amazing, isn’t it, how a guy with neither speed, nor reading ability gets to nearly everything?
I have had this argument for what seems like years, now. And I’ve concluded that people do not really get what getting a good jump means – or they get what it means, but can’t recognize it. So I’ve basically given up, but I agree with you, for what it’s worth.
It’s really nice to have some pitchers in the farms that we plan on keeping and growing into front-line starters
A bullpen of
Rivera
Bruney
Melancon
Marte
Aceves
whoever
whoever
isin’t really that bad. Not to mention you’ll have Garcia, Joba, Hughes, etc. for the stretch run (the latter two as they reach their innings limits)
The key is Bruney/Marte getting healthy. If they don’t stay healthy, then I agree… we have a real problem. If they do, we’re fine until the stretch run.
That’s hilarious… Gardner painted over Bruney’s action figure LOL
Bruney’s reaction was awesome
JoeT 28 in 10!! OPPC Click Here!!!!
June 1st, 2009 at 12:07 am
It’s really nice to have some pitchers in the farms that we plan on keeping and growing into front-line starters
=============
It’s thrilling, really. I admit I’ve become a Garcia groupie.
The guy is just disgusting. And nobody in the mainstream has any idea that he lurks.
He has laugh out loud stuff.
You don’t know when Bruney and Marte are coming back. Get ready for the NY to Scranton shuttle. Guys who do not pitch well will not stay.
Mo and Aceves are the best of the group. Give Robertson a little more time.
Not worried about Melancon one bit
He is a stud
Albaladejo and Edwar will be back soon
We’ll keep rotating guys until we find our 8th inning man
Veras stays because he throws 95 and those guys dont grow on trees
ralph
June 1st, 2009 at 12:13 am
Not worried about Melancon one bit
He is a stud
=====================
Agreed.
People “worried” about Melancon have barely seen him.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t waste their “worry” on such a cool customer.
I would definitely love to see Melancon back up here … from what I hear about him and the flashes I saw when he was up, he can definitely be someone that can help us win some ball games
I’ve always liked Bruney and when most on here wanted to bury him last spring I preached patience. But let’s not make him out to be some world-beater.
He’s had spurts of brilliance, yes. But he’s also always injured and has spurts where he can’t throw stikes for love or money. I think he’ll help if he gets healthy, but he’s not going to solve all our problems.
If Joba’s not in the pen down the stretch I’ll be shocked.
I really feel bad for Bruney, he really worked hard and slimmed down before last year, he was pitching real well and had the foot injury, now everything with the elbow
Melancon is going to be great. He’s won me over.
Veras walks too many batters. If he can’t throw strikes what does it matter that he throws 95?
No more Edwar or Albaladejo. They are terrible. I would rather give Melancon another shot.
Randyhater, It’s always good when you visit….Unless the pen gets fixed by the break, Joba will be the answer down the stretch……I also liked Bruney, and when he came to camp in great shape you had to think the ailments were a thing of the past…..
Thanks, Pat M. I enjoy your posts too.
I like posts from lots of people; the ones that want to move Joba to the pen next week, not as much.
Nick prediction on Joba tomorrow?
On a bright note… Zach McAllister continues to mow down AA batters to the tune of a 1.84 ERA. Last night, 6-2/3IP, 1ER, 5H, 3BB, 10K’s
He’s quickly becoming the Yankees best minor league SP prospect.
“I like posts from lots of people; the ones that want to move Joba to the pen next week, not as much.”
You mean that is not a good idea? lol
Uh, 5.2, 2 ER?
Maybe I’ll be optimistic and say 6.1.
BTW, Uncle, a buddy of mine from high school randomly asked me if I had a recording of the MF 2004 show in NY at which Claudia sang “I Thought You Were My Boyfriend”. I don’t, can you ask your buddy if he’s got it?
Nick in SF
June 1st, 2009 at 1:39 am
Uh, 5.2, 2 ER?
Maybe I’ll be optimistic and say 6.1.
I’m goin with 7 innings of “I’m a eefn starter!”
Yes that is WITH Posada catching. The glass is 3/4 full for tomorrow
Nick in SF
June 1st, 2009 at 1:42 am
BTW, Uncle, a buddy of mine from high school randomly asked me if I had a recording of the MF 2004 show in NY at which Claudia sang “I Thought You Were My Boyfriend”. I don’t, can you ask your buddy if he’s got it?
I will ask – good chance he does
Posada? Catching Joba?
No way.
I read in the LoHud Yankee Blog comments section that young pitchers are too intimidated by Jorge’s fiery personality and gravitas to shake him off. They’d rather throw slop over the plate!
No thank you.
Posada? Catching Joba?
its true I can’t make this stuff up.
Posada? Catching Joba?
its true I can’t make this stuff up.
Nick in SF, I say this again, I too believe that Joba has the potential of being an outstanding starting pitcher….My point is, unless the bullpen gets straighten out to the point in can contribute torwards a 2009 Championship run, Cashman will not run the risk of falling short of this objective…..If that means shifting Joba back to the bullpen, that’s what going to happen….Besides, he going to get there due to inning limitations……The NY Yankees are not going into August with this bullpen……
I know this is unlikely to happen but … why can’t Hughes go to the bullpen? It won’t be a big deal if Cashman says it’s just temporary. Joba to the pen would be too much of a stressful circus, and probably would mess with his head too much.
Put Wang back in the rotation and have Hughes in the pen. That way with him and Aceves, you have TWO guys who can pitch two or three innings. Rivera pitched two innings almost every outing in 96, it hasnt hurt him.
Sorry, I am old but I HATE how managers overmanage every single game, needing 6 pitchers to get through a 5 to 3 ballgame. Seeing Aceves and Wang each go three innings out of the pen made be long for the days of REAL relief pitching. It can happen again. Think about it – not just the Yankees but EVERY MLB team – they use their worst pitchers more than ever. Teams used to only carry 10 pitchers, and the 10th guy was barely used in mop-up. Now there are 12 or more pitchers. The last two guys are always STIFFS that get into 60-70 games a year!
Let’s say Burnett goes six innings, then aceves or hughes come in to pitch two then Rivera? lefty-righty crap is overrated. In Texas, Coke faced two lefties, and gave up a sac fly and a home run.
i know it will never happen because every manager manages by the book with using 3 crap relievers every game.
but that would solve a few problems – (temporarily) end the joba debate, keep Hughes in the bigs and limit the time these other stiffs are on the mound.
Obviously Bruney’s not very bright. If he thought Gardner was acting like a preschooler, then he should’ve known that the paint will wash right off.
I don’t think Bruney was really mad. And if he was, then that’s really sad. Like he doesn’t have bigger worries?
Wang returning to vintage form is going to help the bullpen be more effective because they’ll pitch fewer innings.
I don’t like the idea of putting Hughes in the pen for the same reason I didn’t like Joba’s role reversals last season.
Let’s not forget that Hughes is not exactly a bastion of durability given that he hasn’t pitched a full season since 2006.
I don’t want to see them risk his health by moving him back and forth the way they did Joba last season and I believe that was a big reason why his shoulder gave him issues in August.
I’d prefer to see Hughes remain a starter for the entire 2009 season and get sent back down to Scranton when Wang is ready to come back to the rotation.
Any starter can go down at anytime and Hughes will be ready to go and slot back into the rotation if he’s needed at some point.
Speaking of babies. Did you guys see LeBron explain why he didn’t shake hands with Orlando after the game? Amazing.
Anyway, he was rocking a nice grey Yankee cap. He said, “The Cleveland fans *were* great.” And then catching himself he said, “The Cleveland fans have always been great. What happened last night doesn’t change the situation any.”
Hard to figure that cat out. I can’t tell if he’s staying or leaving. It would be one heck of a story if he ends up a Knick.
Did you guys see the article in one of the papers about CC asking one of the writers about prep schools for his 6 yr. old son? He knew which ones were good sports schools and everything. Sounds like CC might be thinking about sticking around for awhile.
It was very frustrating to see the Indians score twice on sac flies, and yet we couldn’t get it done.
Re: Hughes. Would be nice if he could pitch without someone looking over his shoulder. But it is what it is. There’s just no room for him right now. If and when he goes back to Scranton, he can rest assured that he got everyone’s attention. And that with time, experience, and the opportunity, he’ll be a fine addition to any rotation, even the Yankees.
Re: Wang. It was nice to see Wang pitch. And back to form for the most part. It was also great to see Wang pitch out of trouble, something he hasn’t always done. I can understand why they didn’t send him out for one more inning, but dang those kids gotta stop pitching scared.
since there is a need to limit the innings of hughes and joba, why not pitch them in the same game? say 4 innings each, or whoever is hot, or whatever the circumstances call for. they would also be ready if one of the other starters went down. u would accomplish limiting their innings, u would not waste highes’ 09 innings at aaa, and u would provide rest for the bullpen. it seems like the best way to go.
i dont understand why managers often bring reliever’s in one inning at a time. it makes more sense to use a guy for 2 or 3 innings if u see he has his stuff. the way they stuck with aceves the other night. the other way, all u need is for one guy to be off, and u r cooked.
i get it when u want to bring in one guy to specifically face an ortiz/morneau type, but i don’t see why u would routinely go to 3-4 guys each night.
my vote for current overused expression that’s got to go: “not so much”
My father said this a bunch of years ago, I’ll borrow it from him.
Every time you go to the bullpen you need another guy to be “on his game”.
Case in point: Pavano yesterday. He was lights out against us. He gave up an infield single and they took him out at 90 pitches. Bullpen comes in and promptly blows the win for him.
That happens ALL THE TIME these days because managers are slaves to L/R matchups. Problem is, every time that bullpen door opens, the dice roll. Will he be good? Will he be bad? If he’s bad, the door opens again and the dice roll again.
In order to win like that you need to keep rolling winners. As the saying goes, it’s a dicey proposition.
testing
June 19th, 2009 at 7:17 am