Joba wins — and gets a diving gold medal
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 01, 2009 
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The Yankees weren’t overly impressed that Joba Chamberlain went eight innings and allowed two runs. They were still laughing about his belly-flop dive in the fifth inning to catch that popped-up bunt by Kelly Shoppach.
“I think he went straight up in the air,” said Derek Jeter, who was still chuckling.
When Chamberlain gathered himself, he looked around and didn’t realize that the runner on second — Ryan Garko — was nearly at third. Jorge Posada had to tell him. “The rest of us were still laughing,” Jeter said
Andy Pettitte was laughing so hard in the dugout that Joba had to step off the mound and compose himself before getting the last out of the inning. Even Joe Girardi had a smile.
“I think Joe underestimates my athleticism,” said Joba, who proudly slung the WWE belt over his shoulder as he conducted his post-game interview. Commissioner Johnny Damon said it was an easy call to give Joba the title.
“I thought about Nick (Swisher), but he has enough toys,” Damon said.
Jeter usually takes a pass when asked about records. But he was pleased with the Yankees setting the MLB mark with 18 consecutive errorless game.
“It’s quite an accomplishment. It’s something that a lot of people deserve credit for,” Jeter said. “That’s a complete team effort. We’ve been pitching real well as of late. But when you pitch, you have to play defense behind them and we’ve been playing pretty consistent. We’ve had routine plays and spectacular ones. We’ve made all of them pretty much.”
That’s 15 of 19 for the Yankees as they come home for seven games. They’re 30-21. As Joe Torre used to say all the time: get five over and then get 10 over. Keep leaping ahead.
This team has been chewing up ground lately. It’s not a stretch to say that the best team in the American League again resides in New York
Woooooo 1st place stays with us!!
Exciting game tonight. Great for Joba, I’ve always been on the Joba-Starter camp so…take that Francessa!
Joba’s comments about the attack of the midges was priceless.
Great post, Pete – I love how the Yankees are just having a grand old time out there….laughing on the field? When is the last time a Yankees team did that?
Good quote from Jeter and I completely agree with him..
For one night at least Joba was ale to please all the people who want him to pitch the 8th inning.
“This team has been chewing up ground lately. It’s not a stretch to say that the best team in the American League again resides in New York”
That is the greatest line you have ever written. It’s been a long time since the Yankees were in the discussion.
“This team has been chewing up ground lately. It’s not a stretch to say that the best team in the American League again resides in New York”
That will be settled next week in Fenway. Should be fun.
we need to beat the Sux first before we’re considered better than them
On paper yeah but we need to settle it on the field when we go to boston
Damn, I missed 880′s post-game! I wanted to hear Sterling’s call on the diving Joba play.
I miss the days when Mike and Chris Russo would howl while playing Sterling clips.
even when they lose the yare in the games. the early season blowout losses area long time ago.
8 innings pitched for the set up guy tonight….not bad…….
Article/blog post on Austin Jackson.
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/.....ting-game/
Great job today by Jobber
One of the key’s to the Joba’s game tonight was his approach.
He had great stuff but wasn’t overly focused on trying to strike guys out. As such he didn’t throw a lot of pitches out of the zone trying to set guys up and didn’t run deep counts.
He had a great fastball tonight and road it, especially why he got that lead. He was just blowing the bat out of the Clevaland hitters hands.
That’s what allowed him to be so effcient.
At times he becomes too dependent on his slider. That’s been his “out” pitch so far in his career but when he reduces himself to a 2 pitch pitcher he really hurts himself.
When he’s mixing in his curve like he did tonight it’s close to impossible for hitters to maintain their balance. The velocity differential between his fastball and curve tonight was close to 20 mph. Forget it.
I’d still like to see him throw his change up more. It’s a very good pitch. The change he threw to martinez in the first inning was phenomenal.
He’s the whole package. I don’t think there are five other pitchers in the game with the kind of stuff we saw tonight.
No Jobber talk on the FAN tomorrow
Instead, it will be “break up the core”.
Although i’m glad we won the game, it wasn’t a comfortable win. Leaving the bases loaded with no outs is nothing to be proud of. We need to improve on situation hitting. We sacrifice to get the runner to 2nd or 3rd so often, but we can never get that runner home.
“He’s the whole package. I don’t think there are five other pitchers in the game with the kind of stuff we saw tonight.”
Absolutely. He is such a stud. Finally we are developing a stud pitcher.
23 yr old flamethrower throwing 98 MPH deep in the game
What a treat to watch. So rewarding when our crown jewel dominates like this.
Thanks, S.A…….great article. Jackson seems like such a good kid – I love reading about him. It’s exciting to follow his progress – when he’s ready, he’s ready. If it’s next year, great; if not, then so be it.
Evolution,
you are correct. luckily we faced a bad team with a terrible bullpen and got the opportunity to redeem ourselves.
we do that against a team like boston (leave the bases loaded, no outs), they score 3 runs the next inning and shut us down the rest of the game.
must improve the situational hitting.
Joba starter vs Joba setup. So who do you really wnat? Joba pitching into the 8th inning or Joba pitching the 8th inning?
The Yankees have done just fine over the course of 18 games – their BA with RISP since Alex has returned has been much, much improved. I don’t see how they need to apologize for a win…..
so nice to finally have a pitcher live up to the hype
98 MPH approaching 100 pitches? are you kidding me!!
a complete stud
I don’t think I’ve had the feeling that I was watching a 1st place team for several years even when the team was in 1st for brief moments.
I think a lot of it had to do with the pitching staffs and knowing the team was winning despite them.
This year, I know I’m watching a first place team and it’s very fun again.
Joba was awesome tonight and the team? What else could you say.
In the past it would be over after having an inning with bases loaded and no one out and not plating a run. The game would be over. The team would be listless.
Not this year. They come back. They’ve proven to themselves and to their opposition they can come back at any moment.
Totally different team than what we’ve been watching here the past few years.
I love it.
Hey guys…
Difference between this year and last year?
This year, the Yankees make that belly-flop play and they can laugh about it because, hey, they made it.
Last year they don’t make that play, for whatever reason.
Evolution – Agree. If Joba wasn’t unbelievable tonight, that could have been so deflating. They still try and do wayyy too much with RISP.
“8 innings pitched for the set up guy tonight….not bad…….”
Mariano threw 8 shutout innings and struck out 11 in one of his early starts.
Biggest difference between this year and last year
CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Joba, Pettitte, Hughes, Wang
vs.
Mussina, Pettitte (who was 2-7 after the ASB), Ponson, Rasner, 1\2 a season of Wang, Pavano, Kennedy, Hughes, 8 starts from Joba
People always talk about Chamberlain’s potential, but, just needs to get the innings in. Look at Hughes number of MLB starts and innings…..Almost identical. People that deride or ignore what he’s down are making a huge mistake. Does he have Chamberlain’s pure stuff? No, but, who does? Maybe 5-6 pitchers in the majors? Hughes is about where Santana and Halladay were at the same age, with the same stuff. Will he become as good as they are? Who knows? I wouldn’t bet against him, though.
DMan: Yeah, but that goes without saying =P
People that deride or ignore what he’s ***done*** are making a huge mistake
GLove, I agree completely……..There are a hundred ways to skin a cat and there are as many ways to win a game. Some days, everything will look perfect – pitching, hitting, defense. Some days, only one or two of those things will look good…..and others, maybe only one of them. The idea is just to win and that’s all the Yankees have been doing. There are no style points – just get the job done. I’d rather win ugly than lose pretty…..Tonight they bounced right back from that bad 6th. Just as Melky made the first out in the 7th, Flaherty wondered if there would be a let down after the 6th………apparently not, lol.
I think this team expects to come back – even in a loss like yesterday’s, they came back late – and their confidence is sky high. They have been through so much this year that I believe that it actually has served them well and brought them closer together. The chemistry is very tangible with these guys – and they are having fun.
I can’t say enough about the new guys……they have all contributed in different ways, and they are all great guys. As for the vets, I’m particularly happy for “old man” Jeter, who people were putting out to pasture….The guys just appear rejuvenated.
Evolution
“but we can never get that runner home.”
Writing in superlatives like “never” is silly. They may not get them home often enough for a fans liking but in tonights case, they did get them home the next inning.
“I think a lot of it had to do with the pitching staffs and knowing the team was winning despite them.”
Agreed. In the off season they went out and changed the fabric of the team.
It’s a pitching first team now. It’s why you couldn’t be too upset with the bumpy start because you knew the pitching staff was going to come around.
4 starts of 5 they are getting very good performances now. Night after night they have the edge compared to the starter the other team throws out there.
CC is a rock. He’s had that slow start but he’s just been phenomenal. No question he’s one of the top 5 pitchers in the game. Just wonderful to watch.
Wang goes down and in years past that would have been a huge problem. Now – Hughes steps in and does a reputable job, with some flashes of brilliance. How many teams could afford to have Hughes as their 6th starter?
And finally Wang looks like he’s getting back to being Wang.
If AJ gets on a roll then this staff becomes a steam roller. They’ll have 4 guys with dominant stuff in the rotation and Andy as the 5th best starter.
In conjunction with the pitching the defense is markedly improved. They are have been at least an average to slightly above average defensive team and are showing potential to be a pretty good defensive team. Last year they were one of the 3 worst defensive teams in the game.
Starting pitching wins. This team has a lot of it. And that inspires a lot of confidence.
In years past they don’t score with the bases loaded good change the pitcher goes out and gives up a bunch of runs compounding the mistake.
This year they blow that inning but Joba gives up nothing. They’re able to get right back at it and score in the next inning.
The offense has much more room to make mistakes because the staff is so stingy giving up runs.
What an empty feeling it must be for Gammons and the rest of the BBTN crew that the Yankees aren’t in turmoil. The suits must be wringing their hands. They can’t possibly talk about the Yankees winning and having fun.
GB, you know I agree with you about Phil. With all that he’s been through, he’s still just 22 – a baby. I honestly think the struggles he’s gone through in his short career will make him a better pitcher.
“so nice to finally have a pitcher live up to the hype
98 MPH approaching 100 pitches? are you kidding me!!
a complete stud”
ATTROCIOUS !!, JUST ATTROCIOUS !!!
I don’t like BBTN but Dave Winfield shows the Yankees love all the time.
Hey, does anybody know how old Phil Hughes is?
“Hughes is about where Santana and Halladay were at the same age, with the same stuff. Will he become as good as they are? Who knows? I wouldn’t bet against him, though.”
Based on what?
think we need to beat boston a few times before we can talk bout being the best in the AL
Angel Berroa -62.7 UZR/150 at 3B this season through yesterday.
Actually Peter Gammons called the Yankees the best team in baseball yesterday
phil is 22
Andy as the #5 starter, lol……
That’s a great point about the Yanks in the past wasting scoring opportunities and then letting the game get away from them in the opposing team’s half, CB. What I also like this year is that we are not only NOT giving teams 2nd chances (thanks to rock solid D), but we are, in fact, taking advantage of 2nd chances that other teams give us. That was in part why the dynasty Yankees were so great – they were suffocating in that sense.
Nick,
I had to look it up myself 5 minutes ago – 22 will be 23 later this month for anyone who is curious.
“I don’t like BBTN but Dave Winfield shows the Yankees love all the time.”
Is Winfield really on that show? I had no idea.
EV- tell the phillies that…they did take 2 of 3 from us and easily could of had the 3rd
Gardner, btw, for everyone who keeps hating on him, is a team high +19.3 UZR/150 in CF for the season.
The only thing comparable with Halladay and Hughes at 23 is the number of innings they’ve thrown.
And Santana.. there is nothing.. they both throw 90+. I don’t know if that constitutes a comparison.
Phil is just 22???
How come no one ever mentions that when he’s discussed? That’s young!
“This guy does belong as a starter, I hope they don’t HAVE to move him to the 8th, because that creativity and all the different stuff that he used really showed how good a pitcher he can be.” -Peter Gammons
Sums it up pretty well
22*
Don’t know if this has been brought up before and if it has forgive me. But Derek Jeter is one of five players to have 2,600 hits, 1,000 RBIs and 200 home runs in their first 15 seasons.
The others: Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle and Al Simmons.
Yeah, Jeter is only about intangibles. What a joke.
He’s one of the top five offensive shortstops in the history of the game.
Unlike some captains (I’m looking at you Varitek) he actually puts up numbers.
Betsy
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:00 am
GB, you know I agree with you about Phil. With all that he’s been through, he’s still just 22 – a baby. I honestly think the struggles he’s gone through in his short career will make him a better pitcher.
————————————————————
It’s really difficult to know whether these are blips with Hughes and Chamberlain or whether they are on the learning upswing. Obviously, I’m hoping they are learning while getting better. I would think that by the game 81 mark, we’ll all have a better idea.
The real issue is that they’ll both hit their innings limits about the same time. Do they split starts and keep them tuned up from a couple of bullpen innings? Sending either one to the minors is silly because, right now they both deserve the starts and Wang is getting back to that “deserves to start” area, too. Hughes/Chamberlain to the minors does no good for NYY, because they would reach the limits. Majors or minors? It’s going to be interesting. They need the innings, Yanks need all three of them pitching well to win. I’m happy that I don’t have to decide. Luckily, we have 2/3rds of the media and Francessa to point the way to the promised land.
Mussina, Pettitte (who was 2-7 after the ASB), Ponson, Rasner, 1\2 a season of Wang, Pavano, Kennedy, Hughes, 8 starts from Joba
============================
I still can’t believe Pavano even made some starts for us last season. Very weird season last year.
To be considered the best in the AL, the Yankees must go through the Red Sox. As much as it pains me to say it, I really feel as though the Red Sox are still the best team, until we can somehow overcome the mini-curse we have brewing right now.
Well if Peter Gammons says it…. then you know the opposite is true.
Actually Peter Gammons called the Yankees the best team in baseball yesterday
____________________________________________________
Just like his old classmate George Washington, he cannot tell a lie.
What I’d like to know is Angel Berroa’s age. I’ve heard anything from 31 to 301. Maybe Pete can do some investigative journalism.
come September he will also be the All Time Yankee Hits leader.
E-gawa
June 1st, 2009 at 11:49 pm
“8 innings pitched for the set up guy tonight….not bad…….”
Mariano threw 8 shutout innings and struck out 11 in one of his early starts.
——————————————————–
Luckily Joba has two more pitches than Mo did. Otherwise some might suggest Joba would be better off in the bullpen as well.
>Mariano threw 8 shutout innings and struck out 11 in one of his early starts.
Good for him.
“Teixeira paying off handsomely for Yankees”
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/s.....or-Yankees
You betcha!
Santana has the best changeup in baseball
Hughes doesn’t have a pitch close to that
Joba’s slider is closer to Santana’s changeup than Hughes’ curve is.
Good evening GB.
I just noticed your messages from earlier this evening. I had posted and then had to be away from the computer. I hope you are doing well.
This morning I heard reports from Minnesota that Mauer wants 200 million for probably ten years from the Twins.
And that is supposed to be the home town discount!
Someone like the Yanks or Soxs and it would be 225-250 million.
Do the Yankees or Sox go for him, and do you keep him at catcher for the length of the contract of move him to first?
Even Varitek is better this year, all I know is that the Sox need to do some planning for the future in regards to the catcher position.
“To be considered the best in the AL, the Yankees must go through the Red Sox. As much as it pains me to say it, I really feel as though the Red Sox are still the best team, until we can somehow overcome the mini-curse we have brewing right now.”
You’re going to get blasted for saying this, but I agree 100%.
Big series next week.
This team has an opportunity to call themselves better than Boston– by winning a series from them next week
vince is my new echo
GB, the decision with Phil is going to be difficult. I really don’t like him in the pen for a long period of time because he needs to work on his other pitches…….but he’s obviously not going to stay in the rotation with Wang soon to return. I thought for a long time that he should go back to AAA, but I’m now convinced that he will learn more in the big leagues, facing great hitters, than he ever could in AAA. Joba’s easy – he gets put in the pen as soon as he comes up against his innings limit.
Everyone has an opinion on what to do with Joba/Hughes, but the only opinion that counts is the Yankees’….I don’t even listen to the “debates” anymore. I hear Joba/pen and I shut the radio off, lol. The Phil “problem” is much more interesting……
The reason Boston is probably better is because Boston has the best bullpen in baseball, we have one of the worst.
When healthy and in mid-season form, both rotations are pretty even.
Our offense is moderately better than theirs, though they will undoubtedly add a hitter soon via trade if Ortiz doesn’t turn it around. Still we have the edge.
But their bullpen is 10x better than ours.
I wasn’t around the computer for the game but a great job all around (minus not scoring off of three consecutive walks) and great to see Joba pitch so well for so long…. can’t wait to hear fatcesca tomorrow
Great article on Tex – thanks for posting!
ray (sox fan)
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:18 am
Good evening GB.
I just noticed your messages from earlier this evening. I had posted and then had to be away from the computer. I hope you are doing well.
This morning I heard reports from Minnesota that Mauer wants 200 million for probably ten years from the Twins.
And that is supposed to be the home town discount!
Someone like the Yanks or Soxs and it would be 225-250 million.
Do the Yankees or Sox go for him, and do you keep him at catcher for the length of the contract of move him to first?
Even Varitek is better this year, all I know is that the Sox need to do some planning for the future in regards to the catcher position.
————————————————————
There are probably about 5 teams needing catchers that have money that’s even close to that. Boston, Yanks, Mets, Cubs and maybe the Dodgers. I can see 21-22 mil a year, but, not 10 years for a catcher. I just don’t think there’s a team that will that that sort of risk. You’re also talking about a big guy, that had kidney surgery this past year. That’s some scary money at scary years.
This will be a strange reversal of roles.
A few Yankee fans arguing that until the Yankees beat the Sox, the Sox have a better team.
But I as a Sox fan have to admit that right now the Yankees are playing better baseball than the Red Sox.
Will be interesting what happens to the Sox. I don’t see them giving Ortiz much more than a couple weeks to start to produce and then he will magically have an injury and go on the DL.
Smoltz is supposed to come up mid June. The rumors are that Brad Penny will be traded, and if Smoltz doesn’t pitch well then Bucholtz will be brought up who has been pitching very well at AAA this year.
HAHAH:
UPDATE, 8:02 p.m.: Joba perfect though three innings. Meanwhile, in Long Island, the Francesa family dog is dodging cans of Diet Coke.
whats your beef with MIKE FRANCESSSAAAAAA (in Joe Benigno voice)
ray…yanks may be better but cant say it until they beat them atleast once this year
Hughes’ month of June starts are:
vs. Tampa Bay
@ Boston
vs. Washington
@ Florida
@ NY Mets
We have an off-day before the Nationals series, so that might be the time they slot Wang back in. I doubt they bring him back in Boston.
awais, francesa never shuts up bout how he wants joba in the pen…he literally never shuts up about it
The way to be considered ‘better’ than Boston is to finish higher than them in the division and go deeper in the postseason – if they both make it. It would be very unusual to accomplish this without beating them a few times, but it’s possible. Consider the relative positions of the two teams tonight.
And no, I’m not saying the games vs Boston don’t matter for a number of reasons. But the W/L record is the final arbiter. They’re not going to a BCS Bowl ahead of us without earning it on the field. And vice versa.
“ray…yanks may be better but cant say it until they beat them atleast once this year”
That’s my feeling on it too.
Tarheel
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:17 am
Santana has the best changeup in baseball
Hughes doesn’t have a pitch close to that
Joba’s slider is closer to Santana’s changeup than Hughes’ curve is.
————————————————————
Hughes is a smart kid. He can and will improve the curve ball and his changeup. I still think in the end, Hughes will be comparable with those two.
*paging Mike Francesa*
“Gardner, btw, for everyone who keeps hating on him, is a team high +19.3 UZR/150 in CF for the season.”
Jordan, bodshattava I can’t remember that SN, anyway he’ll be w/ you shortly
Who were the announcers on ESPN today?
Any video of Joba & the belly-flop?
I like good baseball, I enjoy watching good baseball but that demonstration by the three yahoos with bases loaded was pathetic. They are professionals, there should be some pride, some competitive spirit. There was nothing, no plan, no smarts, no performance. I was embarassed for them. These are professionals? These are three All Stars that can’t compete, don’t put themselves in a position to compete. Yes the team won the game but they failed the situation. No guarantee that a situation arises again. Joba is diving off the mound for a pop up and they top ice cream with dung.
The lefty was using the same approach over and over and the team never adjusted. Two strikes low and away and then a slider in. 72 pitches after 5 innings. If he doesn’t implode they get whipped by a kid sporting a 7 ERA.
joba catch- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hprux2SHoYw
ahh Nick gotta bring up the BC$
Sorry, JoeT. I feel dirty now for having said it. I don’t like it either.
The difference between Melky’s 16.4 and Gardner’s 19.3 is not particularly significant.
It’s all about staying out of the pen for at least 7 innings. The problem hasn’t gone away; they won because Joba gave them innings and the incendiary crew didn’t make an appearance.
Yanks have one of the best rotations in the league now and one of the worst pens. Seeing lots of the former and little of the latter is the key to success. Still, they need to improve on the dreck in the bullpen.
“Any video of Joba & the belly-flop?”
espn.com, go to the game recap. They’re nice enough to auto play it for you.
I want to see CC dive for a ball like Joba did today. But I don’t know who would take the worst of the dive him or the poor ground? I will go with the ground. The ground crew would probably have to do a lot of maintenance before the game can continue.
As we wait to see what the Yankees do regarding Wang/Hughes here’s a little something to ponder: If there had been sports radio in 1925 do you think the talking heads would’ve been yelling that Miller Huggins should put Wally Pipp back in the lineup every time that Lou Gehrig didn’t have a good game?
Thanks Mac & PFJ.
Rachel
I want to see CC dive for a ball like Joba did today.
__
It’s actually illegal for any pitcher over 300 lbs to do that lest the risk of an earthquake would be unacceptably high.
“It’s actually illegal for any pitcher over 300 lbs to do that lest the risk of an earthquake would be unacceptably high.”
Good one lol
“There were like, what, 8,000 seagulls out there? Come on, this ain’t even the beach – it’s Cleveland!” — Nick Swisher
Swish told Kim Jones that he felt the ground shake when Joba dove for that ball. Too funny.
So, let’s see. We’re the best team in baseball, but the Red Sox are better than us? Got it.
“so, let’s see. We’re the best team in baseball, but the Red Sox are better than us? Got it.”
what clown said this? had to have been gammons.
“As we wait to see what the Yankees do regarding Wang/Hughes here’s a little something to ponder: If there had been sports radio in 1925 do you think the talking heads would’ve been yelling that Miller Huggins should put Wally Pipp back in the lineup every time that Lou Gehrig didn’t have a good game?”
Are you really comparing Wang to Pipp and Hughes to Gehrig?
Wang is a proven 2 time 19 game winner who goes deep into games.
Hughes has gone past 5 innings twice this season.. out of 7 starts..
“Are you really comparing Wang to Pipp and Hughes to Gehrig?
Yea that seems a little suspect.
Although I think he was just asking the question to spur conversation not to draw comparison.
But yea, I like where your heads at.
Bad news for Cinncy pitcher, Edinson Volquez. He left tonight’s after one inning with numbness in the ring finger of his pitching hand. Hopefully, this isn’t a repeat of Ian Kenndy’s aneurism. Baseball needs good young pitching and Volquez has a chance to be a very good one.
Dr. Cox,
LOL. No, that’s a new postulate that’s true until proven to be false.
Gammons said we’re the best team in baseball. Some here are saying the Red Sox are better than us.
Right now, our starting pitching is winning us games. It’s coming together like we drew it up (well, they didn’t draw up Wang in the bullpen). We have a good road record. We’re overcoming injuries. And Mariano’s keeping the ball in the park (cough-Papelbon-cough). We’re playing good defense.
I’m not even thinking of the Sox or comparing us to them. I’m pleased that we’re taking care of business. We’re eventually going to get to the point where we control our own destiny. That’s the goal.
this is not the yanks bullpen, this is there bullpen now.
there bullpen if no injuries by august will be; mo, bruney, melancon, robertson, coke, aceves, and 1 other guy.
if melancon turns into what he should be then this will be a good pen.
the yanks offense is much better then the sux and there starting pitching is as good if not better……………
btw hughes is better then santana by far at the same age look it up clowns. hughes is 22……
hughes is not Joba but there are very very few pitchers with Jobas stuff, he has a chance to be phenomenal….
The Yankees are at the point where they control their own destiny right now.
Yeah, but their destiny is only in their hands for the next 111 games. After that, it’s in God’s hands.
Maybe m doesn’t consider the Yanks to be in control of their own destiny until Wang has returned to the rotation?
Controlling our own destiny means having a big enough division lead only the Mets could blow.
AL starters will eras under 4
era
1.10 Greinke
2.30 Jackson
2.36 Weaver
2.48 Bedard
2.63 Halladay
2.71 Buehrle
3.16 Lee
3.23 Millwood
3.26 Saunders
3.41 Hernandez
3.46 Sabathia
3.48 Porcello
3.50 Richmond
3.50 Blackburn
3.53 Shields
3.63 Braden
3.63 Verlander
3.67 Garza
3.71 Chamberlain
AL starters will eras under 4 & K/9 over 8
k/9
11.68 Verlander
9.66 Greinke
9.13 Chamberlain
9.08 Hernandez
8.94 Bedard
8.06 Garza
Chamberlain is pitching like a #2 in the AL east @ 23 years old…
Francessa is an idiot!!!
You and your island sayings…
When Madame Pele speaks, it’s best not to ignore her.
if wang pitches like he did yesterday he will be in the rotation real soon regardless of how good hughes does. hughes is 22 if he goes down to SWB for 8 weeks it is not the end of the world. we all know hughes can pitch in the majors it is just time.
having to many starters is a temporary problem.. these things usually get resolved one way or another. btw pettitte is 36 and will not be back next year…..
Since the Cashman incident, the Taiwanese media have commented more on the positives that Wang can take out of the situation. Since things are going well, it is only to be expected that the team will want to leave well alone. Local team managers have spoken out for the Yankees, asking fans to ignore comments on business matters and saying that it is an organization with a long history and knows what it is in its best interest.
TW: I don’t know anything more than anyone else, but I think, despite some sloppy and silly comments, that the Yankees would like to put Wang back in the rotation just as soon as they have the confidence that he is really back to his old self. I think that time is getting very close and I think it’s the most logical thing to do. But I can understand them not rushing it while the team is doing well.
But I would be very, very surprised if Wang is not given a start within two or three weeks (pending some unfortunate development).
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4223242
Joba & Yanks-Sports Center highlight of the night.
Yeah, I agree with Nick.
If Wang pitches continues to do what he’s been doing the last couple of outings, he’ll be back in the rotation within the next week or two.
Gotta wonder if that makes Hughes a reliever, though.
I sure hope not.
I don’t like seeing the kids switch roles back and forth like they did Joba last season and Hughes isn’t exactly known for his durability the last two years.
I think Phil could do it. His issues have been with his legs and ribs, not elbow and shoulder. However, that’s not utilizing him the right way, nor does it take care of the main problem. Which is building up innings.
Mike Francesa got a 106 pitch suppository tonight.
I would most prefer to see Phil in a position from which he could seamlessly return to the rotation if necessary. At some point it probably will be.
Chien Ming Pipp?
Agreed, Nick. Phil’s role is the understudy right now.
However, I wouldn’t mind him in the bullpen in a hypothetical postseason scenario.
Just a light snack after eating up all those innings. Chomp..chomp..chomp…
Web Gems…
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4223359
Postseason, that’s a whole new ballgame! All hands on deck, as they say. By then we’ll control our own destiny.
Nick in SF, that’s what the Taiwanese media think too, but they have been careful not to raise people’s hopes too high. The fans here are torn. We want the Yankees to do well, and that includes Hughes pitching well too, but of course we’d love to have Wang back in the rotation.
Interesting matchups tomorrow.
Including Matsuzaka @ Porcello. I hope Matsuzaka takes a walk on the wild side and the Tigers tee off on him when he actually finds the plate.
Yankees have a chance to wrest best record in the league from the Rangers.
As good as I feel about being in 1st, that 0-5 against the Sox still bothers me. We need to win that series coming up.
Ouch. Grady Sizemore may need elbow surgery.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4222831
If that’s the case, hello fire sale.
Too bad. Sizemore is one of my favorite non-Yankee players in the bigs these days.
nyybxbombers89@aol.com June 2nd, 2009 at 2:59 am
As good as I feel about being in 1st, that 0-5 against the Sox still bothers me. We need to win that series coming up.
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Oh, good grief. Who effin’ cares?
Worry about the Red Sox when the Yanks play them in another week. Just enjoy the way the team has played since A-Rod’s return.
If the Red Sox play to form – under .500 on the road – we should be in good shape by the time we head to Boston.
TW: yeah, it’s a little tricky, because we Yankee fans have been hearing about Hughes for years and want him to succeed too. It’s a major silver lining that he’s had this chance to have all these starts and the experience should pay dividends down the road (and now as he continues to perform well).
But I think getting Wang back on track is more important for the team’s success going forward this season, so I don’t feel conflicted at all in hoping he gets back to his old self. If that makes sense.
Nick Swisher has the pretty much the same stats as Giambi last year. Slugging OBP OPS. If he can become a .270 hitter at the bottom of our lineup wow. I like his new approach at the plate. Going up the middle/opposite field. I think he could do it.
Puckett hit no home runs in 583 at-bats as a rookie in 1984, but two years later, he ripped 31 on his way to a Hall of Fame career.
comparing him to ajax.
Viper 77
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:21 am
The reason Boston is probably better is because Boston has the best bullpen in baseball, we have one of the worst.
When healthy and in mid-season form, both rotations are pretty even.
Our offense is moderately better than theirs, though they will undoubtedly add a hitter soon via trade if Ortiz doesn’t turn it around. Still we have the edge.
But their bullpen is 10x better than ours.
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maybe bostons rotation 1-3 will be as good as the yankees midseason but after that no pitcher has shown anything for them.
becket for almost a full year & a half has been inconsistent,dice k’s walks & pitch count will catch up to him if it didn’t already & lester is not yet the same pitcher as last year.
the pitching & pitching debth has reversed & favors the yankees instead of boston.
even if lester,becket,dice come around they need 3 other pitchers to come around to equal the yankees as far as debth.
the bullpen is where they have a huge edge.if they ever fix their starting rotation look out.
they will probably bring up buchholz soon & trade penny.
the yankees need to fix the pen to head off a potential disaster.
i forgot about wake
we need to trade for bullpen help.
#1 in ESPN’s Power Rankings!
EvoLuTioN June 1st, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Although i’m glad we won the game, it wasn’t a comfortable win. Leaving the bases loaded with no outs is nothing to be proud of. We need to improve on situation hitting. We sacrifice to get the runner to 2nd or 3rd so often, but we can never get that runner home.
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Some ppl are just never happy.
90% of baseball is 70% exactly when do you play them.
“And Mariano’s keeping the ball in the park (cough-Papelbon-cough). We’re playing good defense.”
Do you realize Mariano has given up 5 HRs this year, as compared to 3 by Papelbon? Lol, some people on these boards just say things that make no sense whatsoever.