Wrapping it up from Fenway Park
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- June
- 10
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The irony, of course, is that when the Yankees signed A.J. Burnett, they couldn’t stop talking about how well he had pitched against the Red Sox in his career.
Two starts against Boston this year: 7.2 innings, 13 hits, 11 earned runs. That’s a 12.91 ERA.
Burnett fell behind 12 of the 18 batters he faced tonight and threw only 40 of 84 pitches for strikes. This is the A.J. Burnett so many people feared, the guy with the great talent and frustrating lack of consistency. The only strike he throws regularly are with those pies.
“It’s embarrassing, it’s very disappointing,” Burnett said. “But obviously I’m not going to kill myself. I’m not going to go and try to figure out what went wrong or this and that. I’m going to get back out there. The confidence is there.”
He’s not going to figure out what is wrong? He has a 4.89 ERA. Figuring out what is wrong might be a good idea. Burnett was asked how he views his 12 starts with the Yankees.
“Terrible,” he said. “Glimpses of greatness but I’m not very consistent right now. I’m not a negative guy, so I’m not going to beat myself up over it. But when I do get on that run, it’s going to be impressive. I promise you that.”
Brave words. But in New York, that sort of talk can get thrown back in your face if you don’t back it up. Presumably he knows that.
Meanwhile, it has been five days short of a year since Chien-Ming Wang last won a game and he drags a 14.46 ERA to the mound tomorrow as the Yankees try and beat the Red Sox for the first time this season.
Can the fans of a team in first place be in a panic?
————-
Didn’t get a chance to update the draft. The Yankees took a catcher in the second round, a young man from Florida named John “J.R.” Murphy. He hit .627 with 56 runs, 17 doubles, six triples, 11 home runs, 66 RBI, 13 stolen bases and only four strikeouts in 2009 as a senior with Pendleton High School in Bradenton, Fla. Baseball America rated him as the fifth-best catcher among the 2009 draft class. The publication also rated him as having the second-best strike-zone judgment among high-schoolers in this year’s draft.
The Yankees sure have a lot of promising catchers in the organization. That is never a bad thing.
Meanwhile, here is what Damon Oppenheimer had to say about Slade Heathcott:
“We’ve been scouting Slade for two years, and we’re excited about selecting him. We really liked his combination of tools, athletic ability, performance and grit on the field. He’s a versatile hitter and has good speed in addition to possessing an above-average arm.”
I’m fairly sure that Slade called me “sir” about a dozen times during the interview we had tonight. If bring polite counts, he’s in good shape. Burnett said he remembered meeting Slade briefly via his agent but didn’t recall any details.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
“Terrible,” he said. “Glimpses of greatness but I’m not very consistent right now.”
Doesn’t that sum up Burnett’s entire career? This season thus far is just a microcosm of it.
JR Murphy is raw but what a bat, he can run as a catcher too, has a knack for hitting big hits, Zachery Heathcott has the potential to be a star. This is the type of player the Yankees never draft.
Brandon, the last “all-star” they drafted was Jeter sadly. lol
Heathcliff – five tool star
Power, average, great arm, speed, everything.
How long before Josh Hamilton JR is in the majors?
“Brandon, the last “all-star” they drafted was Jeter sadly. lol”
I thought it was Georgy ? but yeh I know. This kid has all the tools, only reason he wasn’t top 15 off field issues which some ppl made to much of, his parents aren’t the greatest in the world and he made one mistake, stupid but a mistake no less.
Az Four, depending on how his development goes? I’m giving him 2 years at least.
Wang will pitch a good game tomorrow
5 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Yanks win 9-7
“How long before Josh Hamilton JR is in the majors?”
Hopefully 2-4 yrs. if he’s really good.
Brandon,
Didnt Jeter and Posada both drafted at the same time? Probably you right though.
Burnett will turn it around and go on a huge run like he did last year.
“Hopefully 2-4 yrs. if he’s really good.”
I would be shock if he turns into Matt Wieters/Evan Longoria in the minors, and have him up next season.
Five more years.
I can’t get excited about any of our draft picks until they sign. I’ve learned my lesson thanks to Cole.
As for AJ, it was a poor performance. And I don’t think he could’ve pitched any worse if he tried. It happens, and I look forward to a good effort from him next time.
I refuse to be angry with players and take their bad performances personally.
Murphy reminds me of Russell Martin with less power
“I would be shock if he turns into Matt Wieters/Evan Longoria in the minors, and have him up next season.”
Me too. Although he’s not missing much from the bat, as a young kid he first learned to hit the other way b/c he was a shorty trying to use his speed to his advantage, then he learned to pull, hence power to all fields.
m
I refuse to be angry with players and take their bad performances personally.
__
I’m not mad either because I realized before they signed him that AJ is a tease.
brandon is heathcott the type of player you were talkin about a week ago..you know, the athletic, defense and bat outfield type that we dont have
…glad to see your happy about him…he seems like a rock solid pick at 29..hopefully he progresses nicely
Burnett will be ok. Look at his 2nd half numbers.
Remember when everyone hammered IPK after his comments last year?
Should I expect the same hammertization for AJ’s asinine commments tonight?
He doesn’t even want to figure out what’s wrong and what went wrong
I also wonder if Johnny Damon will have any comments about how veteran pitchers need to give the team a chance and stop the bleeding at 3 runs
So much for Curt Schilling part 2. By the way, Curt Schilling was ALWAYS a better pitcher than AJ. ALWAYS.
Yes RalphieD. Someone who can develope ML ready before 26 and add to the future of this roster, now if only the Yankees could land FAs or trade for players like that using thier SP talent.
Scouting report from BA on slady ( i got the joe g nickname already)
“Scouting Report: Heathcott is an enigma for scouts. He’s a legitimate second-round talent as both an outfielder and a lefthanded pitcher, but he has DHed for most of the spring. He was out until mid-March recovering from November surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, then jammed his throwing shoulder diving for a fly ball in his second game back. When healthy, he’s an athletic outfielder with five-tool potential. He swings a quick bat from the left side and has strength and power in his 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame. He earns plus grades for his hitting and his speed, and he has good range and above-average arm strength in the outfield. Heathcott was selected for the Aflac All-American Game last summer as a pitcher, and some clubs like him more as a lefty with an 88-92 mph fastball that touches 94 and a promising curveball. There’s effort in his delivery because he approaches pitching like he does everything else: full speed ahead. Heathcott hasn’t pitched this spring because of the shoulder injury, however. His makeup also is a concern for several clubs, so it’s uncertain where he’ll fit in the draft. He’s committed to Louisiana State.”
It will take me years to get over Slade heathcott’s name.
Too bad Schilling’s not a Yankee.
Rebecca, how come? lol
Somebody said Pavano’s better, too. Too bad he’s not here either.
Exactly, Ray
Burnett is an injury prone, mediocre 32 yr old 2-pitch pitcher.
Nowhere close to Schilling.
FYI, Murphy is a Red Sox fan too
BRADENTON — John Ryan Murphy has been a Boston Red Sox fan for most of his life. On Tuesday, their archrivals came calling.
The New York Yankees selected the Pendleton School graduate with the 76th pick in the second round of the Major League Baseball 2009 First-Year Player Draft.
http://www.bradenton.com/sports/story/1499241.html
He’s a strong built athletic freak, played RB for his HS, high upside.
http://i40.tinypic.com/29p5jqh.jpg
Also an animal lover.
AJ showed no guts out there at all
Funny how people want to take Andy out of the rotation, yet want AJ to stay in there. Andy has more guts in his pinky than AJ has in his entire body.
Sure AJ… don’t try and figure out what is wrong. You pitched great tonight
Can we stop drafting Sox fans?
Seesh…. I would rather draft fake Yankee fans like Gerrit Cole who said he grew up idolizing Scott Brosius, O’Neil, and Jeter.
The good thing about AJ is that he’ll be here for the next 5 years.
Nick Green is out hitting our entire team during these Yankees/Sox games
Why did we suddenly turn into pumpkins when we play the Sox? We are becoming what the Angels were. Dominated everyone else, found ways to lose to Boston and get dominated in every fashion.
When is this team going to say enough is enough and start kicking Boston’s behind? Someone needs to throw some water coolers or curse these guys out or something. They are playing with NO passion
ray,
Give him a chance. He just might grow on you!
We could’ve gotten Lowe too. Man, I liked Lowe.
I would love if Burnett actual devoloped a good changeup. I know he has one but he doesn’t use it. Burnett is similar to Wang. They are both different type of pitchers but they rely on basically 1 or 2 type of pitches. If those pitches aren’t working they are in trouble.
Thats why putting Joba in the bullpen is a dumb idea. Joba has 4 plus pitches. Show me anyone in the bullpen with 4 plus pitches.
“The good thing about AJ is that he’ll be here for the next 5 years.
”
Worst. contract. ever.
What in the world was Cashman thinking? Didn’t he preach that he was going to stay away from these types of contracts now that he had full control? There was maybe about 5% of the population who thought this was a good signing. You could see this coming from a mile away.
Mel,
Hopefully he does grow on me. Hopefully he turns it around and wins 12 games in a row.
I’ve always thought he was overrated however.
No, I’m pretty sure that Pavano was the worst. contract. ever.
Ray,
Who knows? It might end up with a happy ending.
UnKnown June 10th, 2009 at 1:18 am
We could’ve gotten Lowe too. Man, I liked Lowe.
———————-
You wanted to sign a 36 year old to a 4-year 50 mil+ contract in the AL East?
Have we all not learned anything from the last decade?
m writes: “I can’t get excited about any of our draft picks until they sign. I’ve learned my lesson thanks to -Cole- Nick in SF’s joke in the last thread where he said that Heathcott has to be a signy new toy before he can be a shiny new toy.”
Thanks, m!
Lowe does something AJ doesn’t know how to— Compete.
Lowe also has a proven track record in big games and as a clutch performer. Also extremely durable and a workhorse. Doesn’t pitch 5 innings and throw 100 pitches and walk 6 guys.
If we were going to hand out a terrible contract, smart money says Lowe was the one to hand it to. Not the injury prone, underperforming Burnett, who has no experience in big games or pressure atmospheres.
“Can we stop drafting Sox fans?
Seesh…. I would rather draft fake Yankee fans like Gerrit Cole who said he grew up idolizing Scott Brosius, O’Neil, and Jeter.”
Are you this stupid, you think our scouts first question to scouted players is…”So kid did you grow up a ~RedSox fan ?”
Heathcott has the tools of a raw Josh Hamilton meets Johnny Damon..only thing is he has a better arm than both.
JR Murphy hit .627, an extra basehit every 3 ABs, you think I give a damn what team he rooted for growing up ?
“I cannot be any more excited,” said Murphy, a catcher who has trained at IMG Academies the past four years. “We (heard) the name being announced, and we went crazy right away.”
*Murphy worked out for Yankees scouts Saturday in Tampa and was dressed in a New York T-shirt and ballcap when he witnessed what he had dreamed of most of his life.
“I’m pretty sure we woke the neighbors up,” he said.*
Burnett just can’t win big games.
He’ll be fine in non-pressurized games. When he faces the Baltimores and Minnesotas of the world, he’ll be pretty good.
Sadly, his next start is against the Mets, another “big game”, but after that we only play big games against Boston. As long as he doesn’t pitch in them, he’ll be fine.
Better arm than Johnny Damon? Pinch me.
Plus he seems to not being too all that bad with the Braves. He is a gamer, AJ just puts on a big front with his dumb Budda statue at his locker with a smile face and a mad face. Freaking step up.
“Better arm than Johnny Damon? Pinch me.”
is it better than Melky’s too?
m wrote: “I can’t get excited about any of our draft picks until they sign. I’ve learned my lesson thanks to Cole.” before she read Nick in SF’s joke in the last thread.
But it was a good one!
I feel a little better after reading it, because AJ’s no longer a shiny toy and people want to put him in the stuff to donate to Goodwill.
Phil Hughes was a Red Sox fan
What big games has CC won?
Opening day – flop
Opening day of the stadium – flop
Philly – no decision
Tampa (if that is a big game) – 5 runs
Face it… CC has been just as big a disappointment as AJ, ERA aside. Atleast AJ makes 1\2 of what CC does
A.J. can go watch the movie 300 a thousand more times and it would’nt help. Get it going you are not in playing with funny money anymore North of the Border.
“is it better than Melky’s too?”
Yup.
Carl Pavano was a Yankees fan.
I’ve seen better pitchers than pitchers than Burnett have worse starts to a season and worse games. CC Sabathia equally as bad last year.
AJ is a donation no own would accept at this point. He will have a looooooong time to get things right. I still think he wins some -big- games for us this season.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....p;c_id=nyy
Brandon, wassup with your bracket? Cena as in John Cena?
Jesus Montero was a Sox fan too
In 2004, Venezuelan teenager Jesus Montero cheered when Boston won the World Series. Since then, the population of Red Sox nation has decreased by one.
Montero’s loyalty shifted in 2006 when the New York Yankees showed they had enough faith in his potential that they were willing to invest a $2 million signing bonus on a 16-year-old catcher with top-end hitting power.
“I liked Boston before. Now, I like the Yankees all the time.” he said.
http://riverdogs.com/news/head.....le_id=1368
Derek Lowe last couple of years in the AL East were not good. Lowe would get hammered if he came back to AL East. Burnett numbers showed he can handle pitching in the al east and dominated the yankees and red sox. Lowe pitches to contact and the yankees defense isn’t the greatest. I still think he was the better choice than Lowe.
“Carl Pavano was a Yankees fan. ”
Could have fooled me.
no *one* would accept.
“Brandon, wassup with your bracket? Cena as in John Cena?”
Yes.
Brandon, ok give me details. why you going up against him? lol
Most of us were skeptical about AJ to begin with and he has done nothing to erase that skepticism.
Take out the Yankees and his ERA balloons to over 5 in his “career year” last year.
He got his absurd contract because he dominated us. The organization didn’t bother to look what he did against everyone else.
Does this Slade kid (can’t bring myself to use his last name) really have 5 tools?
“Brandon, ok give me details. why you going up against him? lol”
He’s afraid of me.
Isin’t it funny how even after out spending spree and projection to have the best pitching in baseball… our rotation is still in shambles?
CC has been solid
Wang is a mess
AJ is disappointing
Andy is hit or miss
Joba is still a young pitcher with ups and downs
Hughes has been inconsistent
We need Wang to get figured out in the worst way.
I don’t even care that we lost. I was much more upset after that Tampa game.
The Tampa game hurt because we caught up and our most reliable pitcher (who shouldn’t have been pitching) gave it up.
What hurts about today is we couldn’t touch Josh when we normally rock him.
I think we’ll see the offense show up in a big way tomorrow.
lol
I understand bashing AJ is the trendy thing to do right now. However, did some of you people watch the game or look at the box score? We got shutout on 2 hits.
Burnett could have pitched a great game and we could have still lost. Beckett was unbelievable tonight.
How about the offense step up one of these games and win us a game?
Better off signing guys who didn’t grow up Yankee fans because Yankee fans are too whiny to be good major league players.
I will bookmark this post for later use.
“Does this Slade kid (can’t bring myself to use his last name) really have 5 tools?”
His real name is Zachary or Zach, Heathcott, yes has the tools, I don’t want to compare him to Josh Hamilton b/c that’s just you know ? I’ll go w/ Blalock build/power and really a more athletic and canon armed Damon. I expected him to go to the Red Sox, never did I really believe he’d land on our team, RS didn’t take him, big mistake
Mariano and Burnett both set the tone for this series
Mariano blows the first game of the season series
Burnett blows a 6-0 lead the next game. We had the fight to battle back and take the lead twice, and we still lost the game. The pen gave up 8 runs in the final 3 innings of that game.
Since then, we have had a glass jaw when we faced this team. They give us a punch, we stay down.
Brandon,
Who did Boston take? Good picks or not?
Zachary or Zach Heathcott sounds like a good professional name. I would prefer him to use his real name.
I dont like Slade it doesn’t sound very yankee like to me.
Does Francessa know who Sledge Heathcott is? Will he mention him tomorrow?
Srsly… we’ll score 8 runs tomorrow and Wang and the pen will give up 12
that’s the way this season series has gone for us
Somebody should start keeping track of how many hits he gives up on fastballs. I know he can throw hard, but his best pitch is not his fastball. I have no clue why he doesn’t throw his curve more, especially on two strike counts. Case in point: David Ortiz’s AB. He threw him one breaking ball. Ortiz was clearly sitting fastball, and Burnett obliged by throwing five or so. I’ve never seen a pitcher hang fastballs (didn’t even know it was really possible) as often as Burnett does.
As for the “panic” question, don’t be silly. If there was one game that was probably going to be lost in this series, it was this one, given that Beckett has been sharp as nails for the last month and Burnett has been dodgy. I expect lots o’ runs with Wang v Wakefield, but if I’m Girardi, I have Wang on a pretty short leash. You have Aceves and Hughes both ready to rumble should something happen with Wang. So yeah, no individual game is worth panicking over, and as much as it sucks to be 0-6 against Boston, that’s not worth worrying about either. If the team was considered a good one Monday, it’s not suddenly a bad one because of one game.
“I dont like Slade it doesn’t sound very yankee like to me.”
It’s no Catfish, Goose or Melky but you’ll get used to it.
Boston took Brian Fuentes, the cousin of Carlos Beltran. A 6′1 OF
They took Renfore with their 2nd pick who is a very good looking SS, like Tulo. A lot of people here wanted him
I have faith that CC will be pitching for a series win.
“Brandon,
Who did Boston take? Good picks or not?”
Ramon Fuentes, Carlos Beltran’s nephew, no arm, good speed, good range, Soriano bat control.
Ca Vz,
You’re kidding? There’s another Brian Fuentes?
And they really need shortstops. Actually, doesn’t everyone? There’s very few good, offensive shortstops in all of baseball.
“They took Renfore with their 2nd pick who is a very good looking SS, like Tulo. A lot of people here wanted him”
I wanted him for rd. 2 but we picked JR Ryan. He won’t sign w/ the Red Sox they drafted him as a P and he doesn’t want to pitch, he’ll go to college.
“Better off signing guys who didn’t grow up Yankee fans because Yankee fans are too whiny to be good major league players.”
ietc…lol too good
Ca Vz
June 10th, 2009 at 1:56 am
Boston took Brian Fuentes, the cousin of Carlos Beltran. A 6’1 OF
They took Renfore with their 2nd pick who is a very good looking SS, like Tulo. A lot of people here wanted him
————————————————————
If he ends up being another Tulowitzki, there won’t be anything to worry about. Look at his numbers after his rookie season. He’s quite likely not much more than Joltin’ Joe Charboneau.
Burnett will be fine, Like someone else pointed out, if he allowed two runs over seven innings, still a loss. Next time if Ortiz swings with his eyes open, AJ is still in the ballgame. Everyone who wants to run him out now also was crying 6 months ago that Cano, Melky and Hughes were worthless. Hey, you throw money around to sign big free agents, they’re not all gonna be home runs, that’s part of the game the way our Yankees play it. They had no faith/patience in Hughes, or even Joba, so they signed Burnett. Live with it. Can’t have it both ways – you either stick with Hughes to develop him or throw money around (Burnett).
In a hangover from the Torre years, Boston is clearly in the Yankees head. There apparently hasnt been enough turnover in the roster to lose it. Give credit to Beckett. He pitched great. But the Yankees effort last night wont go down as another chapter in Profiles in Courage.
I like Burnett’s confidence. He looked awful and words mean nothing but I can appreciate his towering arrogance/confidence.
i would appreciate it if he would show us why we are paying him 16 million a year & pettitte 5 million.
he is just not getting it done right now.
The reality of the situation is, the Yankees are tied for first place. Even if the Yankees win the next two games, they are 2 games out of first, and would still lead the Wild Card.
The Red Sox offense isn’t playing well enough to beat up on the other teams. They have won 6 games vs the Yankees, and lost 0. And all they have managed is a tie for first place? They’ve got a lot more games vs the other teams than they do vs the Yankees.
You win in the regular season by beating up on the teams you should beat up on.
you mean if they lose the next 2 games they are 2 out.
if they win the next 2 they are 2 games ahead.
i agree but aj needs to pitch better.
I know the Yankees were shut out for the 1st time, but did they even have anyone get as far as 3rd base???
Yeah, actually, I’m okay if they only win one in Boston. I sincerely hope they take the next two, but if they take one, they come out of there the same as they went in. Sometimes, in some circumstances, that’s not all that bad.
bru, I certainly agree with you and, oh, just about everyone else here, that AJ needs to step it up. Whatever he needs to adjust, he just needs to do it. I’m a pretty patient person in most instances, especially where baseball is concerned and I’m not going to panic. A lot of things converged to contribute to last night’s horrible performance. But I think, barring any more rainouts which upset the rotation, the Yankees pitchers will settle into a routine which will get them, AJ included, back on track. Not that they are off track, but AJ sure was, both mechanically and physically out of his rotation slot.
People sure get crazy when it’s a game against the Red Sox. Skimming the posts from after the game last night, and also during the game, it’s quite the entertainment! Thanks to Dynasty and Destiny and Nick in SF for trying to break the mood with a little Haiku. Very creative.
And thank to CB (and others) for the rational input! And Trisha for urging perspective.
Off topic a bit. I watched the end of the Mets game last night. KRod got the save. Now, when the Yankees played the Angels, of course they showed KRod’s antics post-game, but they often cut away to go to the booth. Well, the Mets being the home team, they stuck with showing KRod for an extended time after the game. His post-save histrionics went on and on (and on)! It’s amazing that anyone else gets any criticism (including Papelbon) after watching KRod’s display. I mean, it lasted until he was off the field, a good 5 minutes! Now, I don’t really care that he does what he does – what amuses me is that anyone else (Joba) has to take any heat for a couple of fist pumps.
nothing you can do.becket pitched a gem.
turn the page & smack wakefield tonight.if we can’t beat wake i don’t know what to say.
we are tied for first no matter what happened up to this point.
we win tonight & we are guaranteed to be tied for 1st place after the boston series or 2 games ahead.
people have a problem with joba because he is young & unproven.
lets go out & win the next 2.
Hey SJ44, congratulations to your nephew. No. 4 overall by the Pirates is awesome!
Boy the Yankees stunk last night!
Let’s hope Wang does better than AJ and the bats come alive…
I didn’t listen to the post-game show, so this is the first time I’m hearing anything from AJ. What dumb comments – and usually he’s very good in the post-game.
He’s not going to try and figure out what’s wrong? Hmmm, ok there. I don’t think it would be a good idea to beat himself up about yesterday either – I don’t want him (or any player) to get down on himself – but if you don’t acknowledge what’s wrong, you can’t fix it. Silly comment about him not killing himself – sounds kind of defensive to me. I’m reading between the lines, but between that comment and the “I’m going to go on a run and it will be impressive”, it sounds to me as either in denial and that he’s trying to put up a brave front for everyone. By denial, I mean that I think AJ is worried – he’s just not going to let everyone know that.
Good morning all from 1st place…..
SJ,
Congrats. Amazing time for you.
“Brave words. But in New York, that sort of talk can get thrown back in your face if you don’t back it up.”
So true Pete, so true…AJ stop yakking and start PITCHING! It’s not the loss that is embarrassing, it’s the manner in which it has been served up by AJ. Blown 6 run lead the first game and batting practice yesterday.
Good luck Wang. I have faith in you (*fingers crossed*).
I do not think the Sox are in the Yankees’ head – come on, their SP was horrible last night and took them out of the game. As to Beckett, he would have shut down any team last night – it happens.
AJ should be killed for his comments……
That’s 7 in a row for the Red Sox dating back to last year.
Most of the lineup looked like terrible last night, it was like watching last year’s team all over again.
If you think these games mean nothing, stop drinking the kool-aid! These games build character, they are intense and give a glimpse of what a playoff game might look like.
Beating up on the Rangers is great, even the Rays. But, these are the guys you face for all the marbles.
Boy!
How good did the packed seats look behind homeplate on a rainy Tuesday night?!
Oh, nevermind, it wasn’t in NY…
I still don’t understand why the Yankees drafted yet another catcher……..
This is the only quote of AJ’s that I like:
“It’s disappointing to everybody,” Burnett said. “I think the toughest thing is you come out of a game like that and you’ve got to look all of those guys in the face when you come in. That’s a feeling you don’t want to have.”
“I still don’t understand why the Yankees drafted yet another catcher……..”
They draft who they deem is the best available prospect at pick time, irrespective of what the teams’ needs are. Future trading chips.
Don’t- worry- I’m- happy- with- my- bank- account- Burnett is the dog he was against everyone but the Yankees last season.
http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde.....o_the.html
Can the Yankees be THIS stupid? This has nothing to do with this year and EVERYTHING to do with next. They have tried their level best to ruin Phil – if they leave him in the pen……..just wow
“If he’s lights-out in the bullpen, do you make a change? I don’t know,” Girardi said. “That’s something that we’re going to have to continue to evaluate. But we do like having him down there right now.”
Of course, the Yankees keeping Hughes around as a reliever comes with a heavy price. In the long term, a relief stint could hinder the pitcher’s growth as a starter. And in an immediate sense, they’d be forfeiting the starting pitching depth they enjoy. On a staff that features an injury-prone A.J. Burnett, an aging Andy Pettitte and a shaky Chien-Ming Wang, the extra starter is a comforting luxury.
“I still don’t understand why the Yankees drafted yet another catcher……..”
Some questions exist as to whether he can catch professionally. He’s a recent convert. Think he may have been drafted more for being a pretty advanced hitter for a high schooler.
bary bonds’ wife filed for a sepparation or divorce.
I like how Pete says Joe’s post game comments last night were bizarre.
Joe just elevated himself more in the clubhouse. He took a bullet that he didn’t have to. Saying it was his fault, his guy was pitching on a lot of rest. He did it to alter the rotation. The players notice things like that. AJ was pitching on 7 days rest! Go look at stats of other pitchers pitching on long rest it isn’t easy.
I started reading through last nights post game thread and it was pure garbage. Amazing how many people come out of the wood work when the Yankees lose and are no where to be found when the Yankees win.
Betsy:
I think some argument can be made for using Hughes in the capacity discussed above FOR THIS SEASON. May not be the best thing for his development, but I don’t see it as destroying him either.
STeve, thanks!
Jen, I agree with you…I didn’t like the move to hold AJ for Boston, but that’s besides the point. He absolutely took a bullet for his pitcher even though no one believes that it IS his fault. AJ appreciated it and every other appreciates it too, because Joe will do the same for them. Interestingly, AJ walked off the mound before Joe got there……and Joe understands that display of emotion as he was a former catcher. He understood when Phil didn’t initially shake his hand in the Texas game and he understands now. I don’t have a problem either as AJ was clearly annoyed at himself and absolutely not trying to disrespect his manager (he’s not like that).
We get the idea that the Joba/Phil starter/bullpen stuff is unique and it isn’t. Throughout the history of baseball many pitchers have bounced back and forth with little if any deteriment to them physically or emotionally.
We’re just in an era where babying pitchers has become the standard to the point of absurdity.
As for JR Murphy, he is absolutely targeted to be a catcher. He hasn’t been behind the plate long, but he quickly moved past several other very good catchers in Florida to be the first one drafted. The Yankees may now have the best catching talent top to bottom in all of baseball. Very nice assets indeed.
Did I ever tell you the story of how I won rookie of the year in 1898?
Steve, I don’t think it will destroy Phil, but it would be (IMO) a huge setback for him. There would be the lack of innings AND the fact that he won’t have had the chance to develop his 3rd pitch. He could be a real stud with a 3rd pitch – and I’m confident he will.
“He took a bullet that he didn’t have to.”
we understand what Joe G was trying to do but he didn’t take a bullet for AJ because no one was buying the extra rest excuse. Yes, pitchers are creatures of habit and adding 2 days btwn starts is not a good thing but AJ hasn’t pitched well consistently so far. That’s the bone of contention not who should take the blame.
“Joe just elevated himself more in the clubhouse. He took a bullet that he didn’t have to.”
And probably shouldn’t have for my money. AJ’s job is to be ready and he wasn’t. Wasn’t Girardi’s fault. Wasn’t Posada’s either. It was all Burnett. Don’t expect Joe G to go all Ozzie on him, but I don’t see covering for him as the best course of action either. At the very least, I’d hope the private conversation between the two is of the “you’ve got to get your shyte together” variety.
Pete asked an important question: Can fans of a first place team be in a panic?
The answer is absolutely not. No way. No. First of all let’s assume we never win a game vs. the Sox; as long as we finish ahead of them in the standings it doesn’t matter. Second, you we’re going to win tomorrow anyway, so we WILL win. Third, so what if we’re not in first? First has been become an overvalued commodity what w/the wild card, which has proven to be no roadblock whatsoever to teams in the playoffs.
So no Pete, not worried. We have a great team, you’ll see.
However, if we’re going to win the series there is tremendous pressure on Chien Ming Wang.
Actually, if you think about it our bullpen did pretty well yesterday.
Dempster’s infant daughter has rare disease
by FOXSports.com
June 8, 2009
As one of the aces on the Chicago Cubs’ staff, Ryan Dempster is used to the limelight. Now the right-hander is going public with a very private issue that’s affecting his family.
Dempster’s infant daughter Riley, who was born on April 1, suffers from DiGeorge syndrome, a rare disease that prevents her from swallowing and digesting food. Riley has been in a specialized Chicago-area hospital for the last seven weeks, and has undergone several procedures that have kept her alive as she learns to swallow on her own.
“The biggest thing with her is it affects her swallowing and secretions,” Dempster told the Chicago Tribune. “She secretes a lot of fluid and can’t swallow. She had surgery (on May 11) to have the trachea put in and a feeding tube inserted, where they tie her stomach around her esophagus, so it stops stuff from coming back into her.”
While the situation takes up much of his time and focus, Dempster has tried to keep his baseball life separate — or at least as separate as possible.
“I don’t take it out to the field,” Dempster told the Tribune. “I don’t think it affects me.”
Despite the severity of the situation, Dempster said he did not seriously consider taking a leave of absence from the team.
“I’ve had unbelievable support from my teammates, from (manager) Lou (Piniella) and (pitching coach) Larry (Rothschild) and (GM) Jim (Hendry) and everybody, (giving me) days off,” he told the paper.
While Riley is not out of the woods yet, Dempster calls her prognosis “really good.”
“We’re fortunate, both financially and professionally, where we can make an impact on her life, and hopefully the lives of others, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
You we’re is you KNOW we’re.
“Sutcliffe said on the air that A-Rod had been feeding Teixeira verbal signs from the on-deck circle, giving his teammate a heads-up on the catcher’s location before the pitch was delivered. Teixeira and A-Rod pulled Sutcliffe aside when they saw him in the clubhouse last night, expressing their displeasure with his charges.”
Teixeira wouldn’t comment any further on the tone of the conversation, although he and Rodriguez were clearly upset with Sutcliffe’s words and let the former All-Star know it. Sutcliffe will be part of ESPN’s broadcast team for tonight’s game.
“You can ask him about it,” Teixeira said.
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....S6VI&D
Beckett is a good pitcher who had no hit stuff last night. While AJ’s effort was disappointing, it would not have made a difference unless he had been in the same zone.
The inconsistetnt strike zone did not help either. Beckett was getting strike calls on pitches 3 to 4 inches off the plate.
The key to beating the Sox is to pound the strike zone. You can’t give them free passes. They are very opportunistic.
You also can’t make mental mistakes like the one that A-Rod made. As soon as he bobbled the ball in the 2nd he should have gone to first. Be sure to get one out. That is little league stuff and Alex should know better.
It is one game, however.
I was at the April game last year when Wang dominated the Sox. The conditions were similar to those that they will be playing in tonight: cool and damp. Let’s hope that Wang has the same stuff and that the Yankees will be patient with Wakefield.
AJ Stunk and said too much.
He needs to kick it up a notch in his next start, no excuses!
The Yankees had better give Wanger some runs to work with tonight.
Hughes will pitch tonight and if he gets enough work to be ready to start, he needs to stay with the big league club. If he does not get in a game or two per week for 2-3 innings at a time, then Phil goes back to AAA. He has not gotten enough work since being moved to the Pen. No way should they convert him to a short reliever anytime soon. Maybe for the playoffs, but you got to get there first.
If they are able to send Phil back to AAA, then the other 5 starters are healthy and doing there job. That would be a good thing.
I’m kind of surprised Dempster is still w/the team, but it’s his life and I’m sure he has it taken care of.
I think we’re complaining too much about the strike zone. Burnett had a couple strikes that were balls too. No excuses.
Today’s game is really fascinating. Will the Wanger come through in the clutch? If he does he becomes a hero to the NY fans.
Congrats to Pat Venditte, Hector Noesi, Melky Mesa, and Daniel Brewer of the Charleston Riverdogs. All were named to the Sallie League Southern Division All Star team yesterday.
I like how being down 0-6 to the Sox is no big deal. If it was the other way around we would be crowing how we are unbeatable and going to win the WS. These games do matter, bigtime. Head to head is huge and the sox pitchers are coming around. Beckett looks like the Beckett of old and Lester is looking very sharp after a slow start. Facing them in the playoffs would kill us especially as they are in our heads. You cannot say these games don’t matter.
If Burnett keeps underperforming he’ll be on the DL w/ a phantom injury soon, and then it’s up to Phil Phranchise.
So Betsy wants AJ killed for his comments and thinks Phil is being destroyed. My goodness. Off to a great start there! Everyone else seems to be handling one loss pretty darn well. Congrats, group!
Weather permitting, we’ll win tonight!
Sam-I-Am, um, it’s NOT a big deal if we’re in first at the end of the year. Did the Mets cry about how much better they were than the Phillies when the Phils won the WS?
Let them yell about how invincible they are. The higher they are, the harder they fall.
WE’re playing tonight guys. Only 10% chance of showers.
Glad Tex and Alex told off Sutcliffe. What a jerk.
“If Burnett keeps underperforming he’ll be on the DL w/ a phantom injury soon, and then it’s up to Phil Phranchise.”
This is what Burnett is. He’s inconsistent. Always has been. Last year’s 2nd half was the exception rather than the rule of his career. Look at his 12 starts. 3 really strong ones. 3 clunkers. 6 that fall somewhere in between. That’s what he does. Yankees are 7-5 in his starts, which is about right.
Facing US in the playoffs didn’t kill the BoSox in 04′ despite owning them in the regular season.
Good Morning all,
Everyone please relax. The Sox played a great game last night. Beckett was lights out, and they got some timely hits. Burnett was garbage last night, no question, but please, lets not go there with the yank him out of the rotation posts.
The great thing about baseball is, unlike football, you don’t have to wait a week to go out and play again.
It was a rough one, no doubt. But I have complete confidence that we’ll bounce back to win tonight and tomorrow to win the series and have a 2 game lead in the AL East.
Sutcliffe said on the air that A-Rod had been feeding Teixeira verbal signs from the on-deck circle, giving his teammate a heads-up on the catcher’s location before the pitch was delivered. Teixeira and A-Rod pulled Sutcliffe aside when they saw him in the clubhouse last night, expressing their displeasure with his charges.
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....AcOm&D
How exactly would he hear these verbal signs if he is in the BOOTH??
June games don’t matter.
It’s not football. There were years playoff Yankee teams that had losing records to 90+ loss teams.
Fans continuously overreact to Yankee-Red Sox games. Wins as well as losses.
They stunk last night. Turn the page and move on. That’s what the players do. Try doing the same.
Steve B, hopefully he’ll have a strong second half.
Beckett was good, Burnett wasn’t. Happens. Get over it and watch the Wanger at work.
Thank you SJ for providing some sanity.
“Facing US in the playoffs didn’t kill the BoSox in 04’ despite owning them in the regular season.”
Good point……..at least to the extent that going 8-11 against a team constitutes ownership.
My thoughts and prayers are with Dempster and his family. As a parent there’s nothing more devastating than a serious issue with your kids.
Perfect game tonight would be Wang for six and Hughes for three. Then, perhaps Hughes goes back to Scranton to start but we shall see.
Nothing wrong with Girardi trying to take some heat for Burnett. That’s what managers do when appropriate.
Steve B, seriously I really remember beating them all the time…guess I’m wrong lol…how about owning them for 86 years?
Sam I Am
The advantage the Sox have by going 0-6 is bragging rights for their fans.
The disadvantage is the Sox played 6 games worse against everyone else they have played and they play those people 144 times in the season and the Yankees only 18 times.
Thanks Coach.
It was an amazing last couple of days.
Over 13 hours of simultaneous negotiations with 3 teams, leading to getting this pick done.
I’m beat! LOL
BTW, I really like the Yankees pick. Absent Purke falling to them, he can really play. Well done Damon and the staff.
I don’t see the Yankees winning tonight either. You don’t know what Wang will bring and Wakefield usually kills us. Last night was just a poor performance by Burnett, so no worries there. Could seven days rest have something to do with it? He is too good to pitch like this the whole season. Hopefully we can pull one of the three and leave still tied for first,
NYYanksFan, excellent point.
I disagree, being down 0-6 is ridiculous and they have the BEST starting pitching and look at their bullpens ERA. They have not been pitching well until recently and their record over the rest of the regular season will show that.
Wakefield practically NEVER kills us.
I think tonight is either a shootout or a Yankees blowout.
Smart move by Girardi resting Aceves.
Sam-I-Am, let them brag. Mets look pretty stupid bragging about that to the Phils though.
What on EARTH are you talking about? You have a reading comprehension problem, OH PLEASE. I specifically said Phil was not being destroyed. You must have forgotten to read those few words in between “I” and “destroy”.
I do think AJ should take responsibility for his dumb comment about not trying to figure out what was wrong. I suspect he was just trying to say (like he said later) that he wasn’t going to torture himself about it, but it sounds bad.
“Glad Tex and Alex told off Sutcliffe. What a jerk.”
For a minute there after reading “they pulled him aside” I thought they were going to jump him
I could just see Tex and A-Rod in black suits and sunglasses pulling Sutcliffe aside and starting it off with, “This is a warning”.
This forum would be 1000 times better if we had more true Yankee fans and alot less bridgejumpers and fair weather fans who can’t wait to bash away like no tommorrow every time they lose a game. Such a shame.
This forum would be 1000 times better if we had more true Yankee fans and alot less bridgejumpers and fair weather fans who can’t wait to bash away like no tommorrow every time they lose a game. Such a shame.
Everytime the Yankees lose a game, this blog goes bi-polar.
When they lose to the Red Sox, it goes to a different level of looniness.
They are games over the course of the season where your starter gives you mo chance to win. Last night was one of them.
Turn the page and move on.
The thing about it is they are not bragging! That’s what scares me. All games matter SJ, all games. That is not a very smart statement from you.
I hope we win today though. If we do, barring anything paranormal happening tomorrow, we should win the series, CC vs. Penny isn’t even debatable, CC is better.
All games matter, but there are 162. We’re gonna lose a good 40 something more times if we have a great year.
So they’re not bragging. whatever. It’s who’s higher in the standings at the end ofthe season, which last I checked is still going.
“It’s embarrassing, it’s very disappointing,” Burnett said. “But obviously I’m not going to kill myself. I’m not going to go and try to figure out what went wrong or this and that. I’m going to get back out there. The confidence is there.”
==============================
Not really loving this entire quote, but whatever. Game sucked last night. Moving on. World not ending.
So, Wang today. I am very nervous about him, which means he will probably go out there and give a great performance tonight. All my nervousness will be for nothing
“I could just see Tex and A-Rod in black suits and sunglasses pulling Sutcliffe aside and starting it off with, “This is a warning”.”
Almost expected them to say “Don’t mess w/ ‘La Familia’ you got that ?!”
Look at it this way: If A.J. is going to suck, as the River Ave. Blues blog puts it, it might as well be on a night we couldn’t score anyway.
If Wang does well today he becomes a conquering hero again.
No, all games don’t matter. They play 162 games.
Don’t transfer your neurotic feelings onto everybody else.
It’s IMPOSSIBLE for ALL games to matter because it’s such a long season.
What seperates players from fans is perspective. They, unlike too many fans, realize it’s a long season and you can’t get caught up the results of every game.
Just because he’s telling Teixeira the location of the pitch doesn’t mean the pitch is going where it’s suppose to.
This notion that the 0-6 is no problem because all it means is the Red Sox are doing poorly against everyone else is a little misguided. Anyone check their schedule? No more trips to the west coast. Already played the Rays 10 times. They’re in the middle of 12 straight vs. 1st place teams (5-2 thus far). Their schedule hasn’t been easy, but they’re 18-8 against the AL East (42% of their schedule is against the AL East) and tied for 1st.
Ok look, last night sucked but it’s the next day, the game is over. There’s no point in having angst over a loss, there’s nothing we can do about it.
There are no “big games” in June. We can’t evaluate yet if Burnett/Sabathia/whoever is a big game pitcher, it’s just silly.
I’m a bit troubled that Burnett doesn’t want to look at what he’s doing wrong but I kind of understand where he’s coming from. He doesn’t want to dwell on the bad outing but I sure hope he tries to learn from it.
This year is shaping up a lot like 2008 for A.J. He had a terrible first half last year and followed it up by being the best pitcher in baseball in the second half. Hopefully it’s a repeat performance. I’m looking for A.J. to pitch lights-out next time.
The Yanks can still take 2 out of 3 but I’d be satisfied with 1 out of 3. If we get swept…that’s another story.
Any game vs. the Sox is iportant because we compete against them all year.
But one loss is NEVER a big deal.
iportant is important.
If the Yankees win the next two, they leave Boston in the same position they went up there in.
Well, maybe these games with Boston don’t count any more than with any other team, but as a fan, loosing to them is worse!
Starting of 0-6 against Boston really, really, sucks!
Say what you want, but they are the better team right now regardless of what the standing say.
AJ has sucked against the Sox and his record against them was a big reason he got 82.5 mil. He needs to dial his game up for sure.
Jennifer -
If they win the next two, they’re actually better than before they went in. They started out one game up, now they’re tied. If they win two, they’re two up. If they win one, they stay tied. If they do the other thing I won’t even think about, they’re two down.
jennifer, that’s wrong actually. We leave two games up.
http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....ent-423085
Interesting article on the stadium.
Patrick from CT, it’s a good thing you’re not commissioner or the Phillies wouldn’t have won the WS since the Mets beat them more often than not.
AJ pitches better with a pie in his hand.
Steve and Patrick, If you listen to SJ’s opinion , we could lose all 19 games to the Sox because they DON’T MATTER!
DOREEN-
Oh duh!!
you are right. 
See it isn’t that bad.
i’ve seen some posts saying this is a huge game for wang.
no it isn’t.
it’s his second start, building his innings base back up.
if he gives up less runs than innings he’d making progress.
there’s one other little thing.
his wife id due to have their first child in the next week.
i think wang will go out just trying to build on his last start.
the fact the red sox didn’t put some distance between themselves and the yankees while the yankees were a mess this early spring, is the bigger story going.
red sox fans can focus on the 6 wins in a row, but the reality is the yankees are right there with the red sox in the standings and in the process of getting stronger with each passing month.
the Yanks are hoping this year’s first-round pick doesn’t run, run away.
If they don’t sign Slade Heathcott, they will not receive a compensatory pick next yr. They’ll make him the godfather offer.
Sam-I-Am, dude…he said games in June don’t matter.
Anyway, they really wouldn’t matter if we’re ahead in the standings.
Congrats to your nephew, SJ. Going number 4 is awesome. Best of luck to the young man.
Separate issue: Don’t think Slade Heathcott is going to work out. I mean, what would Sterling use as his HR call?
“That one is Made in the Slade”
“Oh, Slade, you made the grade!”
“It’s a Slade-raid”
“When it’s hit by Slade, it doesn’t fade.”
“If the Yankees win the next two, they leave Boston in the same position they went up there in.”
Actually if they win the next two they leave Boston 2 games up, not 1. If they win 1 of the next 2 they leave Boston tied for first place.
randy l., it’s not huge for Wang as a pitcher, but for us to win the series Wang most likely can’t stink.
“Steve and Patrick, If you listen to SJ’s opinion , we could lose all 19 games to the Sox because they DON’T MATTER!”
Well, that’s not what he’s saying. He’s saying the season doesn’t hang on how this series in June plays out. He’s right about that.
“Interesting article on the stadium”
It’s exactly what I said before; the curvature of the RF wall that was at old YS isn’t in the new one. And that’s a big reason why so many more HRs.
Every game matters. A game in June is the same as a game in September.
Games against the Red Sox matter more than other games because they are the most likely (other than the Yankees) to win the division.
Being 0-6 vs the Sox really sucks but it’s not the end of the world. My guess is they will end the season at around .500 vs the Sox like usual.
A game in June isn’t the same as one in September. In September you have much less chances to lose and still do well.
For example, right now we can lose forty something more times and have a terrific season. In September when we’re battling we may be able to lose only, say, five more times. Huge difference.
Slade Heathcott. Sounds a little adult filmish, doesn’t it?
The Red Sox had there own problems with No SS, Papi not hitting and Lester and Beckett not pitching good. It appears to me that THEY are the ones getting stronger and the Yankees did not take advantage while they were down.
if boston is better it is only because of their pen imo.
bru, I think we’re pretty much even or close since our lineup is better.
“Slade Heathcott. Sounds a little adult filmish, doesn’t it?”
AS if any of us here would know
Here’s an interesting point
June 10th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Patrick from CT, it’s a good thing you’re not commissioner or the Phillies wouldn’t have won the WS since the Mets beat them more often than not.
==========================================================
The Commissioner? What? You make no sence…
Look, I’m an unhappy Fan this morning. My Yankees are 0-6 against the Red Sox this year. Right now they are the better team. Yes, I do understand last night was only one game but…
They come back and win today, I’ll be happy tomorrow. If they win the next two even better. If they loose the next two, well that would be a vary bad thing…
“In September you have much less chances to lose and still do well.”
If this is an issue in September, it is so in part because of games lost in June.
francona had no fear in pulling becket early when he was pitching lights out because bostons pen is great & 6 or 7 deep.
Patrick from CT, I meant the Commissioner of the league. If that’s too specific, the big guy up who makes baseball decisions.
Our linup is better until we come up against a good pitcher, case in point last night!
Steve B, if you look at it that way you must drive yourself nuts whenever they lose, because it WILL happen.
“francona had no fear in pulling becket early when he was pitching lights out because bostons pen is great & 6 or 7 deep.”
That still surprised me a little. They’re big on babying their pitchers, and Beckett had a couple long waits, but he was only at 93 or so pitches and Boston will undoubtedly need to tap into their pen the next couple nights.
Well DUH Ricky Bobby! And their bullpen is better until they have a bad night! What point does that make?
We have an Ace too you guys, he just wasn’t pitching last night.
I’ll take our Ace over Boston’s.
Last night will never be seen as the game that got away or the game they should have won.
Beckett was good, the Yankees weren’t. Those are the ones that make it easier for me to to turn the page.
I wish we’d stop drafting kids who are Sox fans. This Slade kid says that now, he’s a Yankees fan. Well, I don’t buy that. You can’t turn off your emotions that easily. Do you think any of us could stop being Yankees fan just like that? Could you just snap your fingers and be a TOR fan? I couldn’t and I’m sure this kid can’t either. He’ll wear the pinstripes, but deep down, he’ll still be rooting for the Red Sox.
Since the Red Sox and the Yankees are tied in the standings, and since each team has had its issues to this point, I think it is more fair to state that it’s an accomplishment for both teams to be atop the standings in their division, and that neither one lost ground to the other.
Each team has handled its adversity very well. Both teams are championship calibre. Both teams have their work cut out for them.
pat, I agree.
*PETE asked, can the fans of a team in first place panic* ?
Yes,when even the Ace is capable of giving up a lot of runs,too!
One could say *Joba and Phil* are less scary to watch,at this point.*They’re rookies and you know what your’re* *getting* .
Has the Ace of the YANKEES,given a performance like Beckett
since being a Yankees? Every pitcher in the Yankees rotation
has issues to some degree. *Except MO,he’s self correcting*.
Yankees won’t win Every game granted,but it’s how they lose,that mind blowing,Beckett almost had a no hitter,against this offense.
If the Yankees fail to make the WS,Cashman has thrown enough people under the bus already, never accepting the blame for the teams he fielded over the years,Now it’s his turn~
Really, with Beckett’s playoff record and all vs Sabathia’s?
Um, Laura, you’re reading way too much into it.
Deep down hes a ballplayer.
It’s not a big deal. It’s really hardly worth mentioning.
“Do you think any of us could stop being Yankees fan just like that?”
For a million bucks or so and an opportunity to make a living playing baseball? Yeah, I think I could do it.
“I wish we’d stop drafting kids who are Sox fans”
So you want to give Hughes & Montero to the RS?
Laura -
The kid is not going to root against the team that is paying his salary and funding his development. That’s just silly. Once these guys put on a uniform, whatever uniform that is – that is their team, the team they root for. On their own time, I really don’t care who they grew up being a fan of.
If the Yanks can take just 1 of the next 2,
they leave Boston in first place.
They’ll be fine.
Hughes was a Red Sox fan too.
June games don’t matter?!?!? So the yankees could lose the rest of their games this month AND still think they can make the playoffs. How many games did they give up on and lose in April, May and June last year – I’d say at least 6 or 7 – how many games were they behind in making the playoffs?….nuff said…ALL GAMES MATTER….
just because they play 162 games and not 16 doesn’t make any game less important than others – especially if you miss the playoffs by one game….
Laura – Win together, strike out alone!
that has been happening in baseball since the start of time.
it doesn’t only happen to the yankees.
silvio, CC HAS had a fantastic start against a good hitting team vs. the Orioles. a four hit complete game shutout.
Ricky Bobby, yep. First of all it’s not the playoffs anyway and second I think that CC is just a better pitcher and the postseason problems will fix themselves.
pat -
By the way, I agree. It’s easier to accept a loss in games like last night’s.
“I wish we’d stop drafting kids who are Sox fans”
——-
Yanks need to get back to winning in the playoffs and put an end to all these new fair weather Sox fans.
Here’s an interesting point,
That makes no sense dude. One game in June is the same as one game in September. It’s just one game in the standings boss, it’s not like they are weighted more in September.
Laura,
If the Red Sox give me $2 mil (about what Slade will get) and a chance to play in the big leagues I’d gladly become a Sox fan.
“June games don’t matter?!?!? So the yankees could lose the rest of their games this month AND still think they can make the playoffs.”
——–
are you an imbecile?
Laura
If Coke was your favorite drink but Pepsi offered you a $3 million dollar signing bonus to come work for them, think you could develop a taste for it?
You know what . .YES Burnett Sucked . .But i was equally TICKED off at our offense . Best offense in Baseball and yet we couldn’t touch Beckett.
I know you have to give Credit to Beckett. But its not like he’s unbeatable. Man i knew it was going to be a long night when the Ump was giving him that outside pitch !!! .
Whatever. . Tonight We better EXPLODE off Wakefield and finally win in Boston . . Enough is Enough
sab, so you’re telling me it’s worse to miss the playoffs by one game than ten? “Especially if they mss the playoffs by one game.”?
EVERY game matters but OBVIOUSLY the later in the season the more important the games. If you go through every game sleepless wondering how the Yankees will make up lost games than you’ll drive yourself crazy.
Every game matters is absolutely correct. A win is much better than a loss. How can anyone say that any game does not matter. That’s absurd!
Last night on MLB’s awful draft coverage the studio guys compared Heathcott to Josh Hamilton and I’ve seen him referred to in that way a couple of places since now by fans.
Can we please just stop that. Would you keep repeating some randomly stupid thing that John Kruky said on ESPN?
Anyone who thinks that Slade Heathcott is even remotely like Josh Hamilton at that age simply has no idea what Hamilton was when he was drafted or is prone to complete hyperbole.
Hamilton was a better athlete-ball player than Alex Rodriguez was. Alex probably had better baseball skills but Hamilton was other worldly. The closest thing we’ve recently seen to Hamilton has been Justin Upton – and Hamilton was probably still more gifted.
Slade Heathcott is not even remotely close to that stratosphere. Stop with the Hamilton comparisons because they are not going to help the kid.
Donovan Tate drafted at 3 isn’t close to Josh Hamilton.
Patrick, they’re ABSOLUTELY weighted more in September because by then you know what you need to do to make the playoffs.
I’m sorry, I don’t buy that each and every game is a disaster if we lose because it just might be the game that puts us out of the playoffs. You can’t think like that.
Beckett’s been on a roll lately. Very tough against everyone.
Boston Dave,
Yes he is. Don’t you realize by now, everytime they lose, they will lose the rest of their games in the month.
Let’s face facts. We have a TON of good posters, and good people, on this blog. Its made it what it is, the best Yankee blog anywhere.
We also have a bunch of children who overreact to every game, win or lose, and have no understanding that over 162 games, regardless of the competition, you will have bad nights.
EVERY player on EVERY team in baseball has bad nights.
Unfortunately, some of the folks on this blog have no understanding of that, don’t understand that baseball isn’t football, and aren’t interested in realizing that simple fact.
You take the good with the bad on here. After losses, especially to the Red Sox, it will be bad all day in here.
“Slade Heathcott is not even remotely close to that stratosphere.”
To piggyback that thought, those who are suggesting he could be with the big club in as soon as two years are beyond out of their minds.
New thread.
Who cares if they were sox fans, they are members of the Yankees family now(or at least will soon be).
SJ,
Can you give us your take on what you’ve heard about Heathcott? Good to hear that you liked the pick.
At that point in the draft it was either select Heathcott or take a huge flier on Scheppers.
boston dave – why am i an imbecile for saying that if the yankees lose the next 20 games in June their chances of making the playoffs are probably zero? I would think thats a pretty intelligent assessment – you’re an imbecile if you think otherwise.
Heres an interesting point – yes i’d be more bummed if they miss the playoffs by one game than if they miss it by 10 – if they miss it by 10 then the 3 or 4 games they slept through in june don’t mean as much – if they miss it by 1 then those games DO become more important…
i would rather the lose games 20 – 0 then 2-1 – with the 2 runs coming in the bottom of the ninth against rivera..no?
sab, if you really think it’s better to miss out by ten games than one, more power to you. There is absolutely nothing I could do to convince you of my point of view.
“EVERY game matters but OBVIOUSLY the later in the season the more important the games.”
That’s simply not true
“If the Red Sox give me $2 mil (about what Slade will get) and a chance to play in the big leagues I’d gladly become a Sox fan.”
On the surface, but your heart would always bleed pinstripes.
Laura,
Honestly if I was good enough to play pro ball I wouldn’t be as big a Yankees fan. I think part of the reason we are such die-hard Yankee fans is because we have no shot of ever being in the big leagues. My love of baseball draws me to the Yankees but if I could play every day for a living I wouldn’t really be following the Yankees as much.
Patrick, yes it is.
If the players go thorugh every game saying, Big game today guys. If we lose this we might miss the playoffs!”, their heads would explode.
Games in September are way more important.
The later in the season, the less room for error. That’s all.
The sox pen is better than the Yanks right now, but things can change. They are all pitching great now, but most of them are young, largely unproven guys. As volatile as bullpens can be, they can be just as bad in the 2nd half as they are good now. I don’t think the sox or their fans fully trust Delcarmen or Okajima. They are happy to be riding their good pitching now, but are probably holding their breath for the end of the ride.
I think most of the sox pen is actually better than the Yanks outside of Mo, but I don’t think they are as good as they have been to this point. I am looking forward to their eventual implosion.
Sorry, but I’m sure for the amount of money this kid is getting I could get my heart to bleed Red Sox red and green (I guess only green since the red’s already there.
)
Sj44 – nice passive aggressive comment – i was nice enough not to say anything when YOU went overboard (by the way never did i say the season is over because of last nights loss – i was only commenting that June games mean as much as every other month)
1) when you said this was a “no excuses” year and went on a sissy fit tirade about it
2) suggested that joba should go to the bullpen during the same period you probably missed your medication and suggested this was a no excuses year
3) suggested the yankees would have been 2-3 wins better with alex cora
4)think a hughes for shin choo soo is a great straight up
deal FOR THE YANKEES
I guess you have to be am imbecile to know one….
Draft info for those that care…..
Monday night, Pittsburgh contacted us to enter into negotiations at #4. At the same time, the Royals at 12 and a “mystery team” (Scott Boras expression) inside the Top 10 (I can’t say who it is) also talked about taking him.
All 3 teams had him evaluated as the third best player in the draft behind Strasburg and Ackley.
Before folks say, “that can’t be”, you need to understand what’s happening in the game, and the recent history of where the top catchers in the ACC have gone in the draft.
A lot of teams are placing greater emphasis on run prevention. In fact, teams like Tampa, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, even the Yankees, are starting to evaluate players as much for their ability to save runs as they do their ability to deliver runs.
To that end, Tony was far and away the best defensive player in this draft.
In the last 2 years, Matt Wieters (’07) and Buster Posey (’08) were the top 2 catchers in the ACC. Both guys were drafted in the Top 6. Tony is better defensively than both guys. He’s not as polished offensively.
Yet, when you add both grades together (offense and defense) he was closer to Posey (Wieters graded out higher than both kids) than folks realize.
That put him in play with a number of teams.
More on the Pittsburgh talks in the next post….
Wow, winking smiley face got messed up. I’ll try it here.
sab, I’d like to point out on game threads it’s a troll SJ, not the real SJ.
At least Veras wasn’t used in a critical situation and Girardi used Tomko to eat up innings during a laugher.
Robertson can be used again along with Aceves and Mo.
Here’s an interesting point,
You are completely missing my point.
I’m not saying that we should freak out after every loss. Read my post from about an hour ago, I’m saying the exact opposite. The game is over, who cares.
My point is that one game in June is the same as one game in September. That’s simply a fact, there’s no way around it. A loss in June counts the same as a loss in April, May, July, August or September.
This nonsense about September games being “big games” is a fallacy perpetuated by idiotic fans.
“Honestly if I was good enough to play pro ball I wouldn’t be as big a Yankees fan. I think part of the reason we are such die-hard Yankee fans is because we have no shot of ever being in the big leagues. My love of baseball draws me to the Yankees but if I could play every day for a living I wouldn’t really be following the Yankees as much.”
There may be some truth to that. Look at Erik Bedard; he doesn’t even like baseball. He’s a Hockey nut. And didn’t someone tell a story about how back when Alex and Derek used to have their sleepovers, Alex was amazed to find that Derek didn’t have any sportschannels set up on his TV? Alex was looking to watch some games, but Derek didn’t seem interested. It makes sense when you think about it. Baseball is a job for these guys.
Patrick, there we disagree. Games in September have to be bigger games. Ask any ballplayer in the world. That’s where you have a chance to make up for, if you want use that, a lot of your losses. You have to lose games, so better in June, when you have plenty of time to atch up, than in September.
heres an interesting point:
we all have our opinions (of course we aren’t allowed to voice those opinions because the mightier than thou posters will call us bad names) but i would rather be 10 games out of the playoffs and KNOW that the yankees still need to do some work in terms of tinkering with the roster – then missing the playoffs by 1 game and being naive enough to think that this team will get better next year..
and this has nothing to do with last nights game – I didn’t post yesterday because much to the chagrin of rest of the posters here i think (minus a few games) beckett HAS been pretty good picthing against the yankees and kind of expected last nights outcome…yes its only one game (in june) and it doesn’t mean the season is over – but if they lose the 3 games againt the Nationals next week – THOSE games will come back and bite us in the rear come september.
so yes june games do matter if you lose the ones you are expected to win….
For Heathcott, coming back from ACL surgery after only 3 months is just stupid. i know this guy is athletic but an ACL usually takes about 6-8 months to fully heal. This guy is doing more damage by playing on it. mark my words, he will probably tear his other ACL. this is usually what happens when a person tries too hard to compensate for a weak leg by putting more pressure on their other knee. but thats just the pessimistic yankee fan in me.
AND I live in MA and am forced to watch these games on NESN. DENNIS ECKEERSLY IS TERRIBLE! I thought Joe Morgan was an arrogant broadcaster but this guy is worse. Eckersly is now on my list of most hated announcers. so pompous…
“That’s simply not true”
that depends on you define” true”
as long as the yankees stay close or slightly ahead, they have time to adjust to early season losses.
i think considering how bad this team was the first month, they are in an amazingly good position right now . we had no idea if arod was coming back. teixeira was beyond horrible. wang was lost in the bermuda triangle. posada has issues.
a lot of 50/50 things have turned out well. melky and gardener playing well. cano back to being himself. hughes stepping up,etc.
i hate losing to the red sox, but barring injuries, the yankees are the better team moving forward.
i’m staying on the big picture and in that view the yankees are in very good shape.
“My point is that one game in June is the same as one game in September. That’s simply a fact, there’s no way around it. A loss in June counts the same as a loss in April, May, July, August or September.”
patrick-
where’s the context ?
let’s take this to an extreme.
which game would you rather lose- an elimination game at the end of the year or the first game of the season ?
all losses do not have equal consequences.
i know there is a fake SJ44 out there – and my aplologies if the real Sj44 didn’t say the 4 things i mentioned (it would be nice if the real one came out and admitted if it were him though) – but it still doesn’t take away from the fact that these are our opinions – it doesn’t make anyone more intelligent or dumber if they voice what they feel and think – i happen to think the OPPC is a childish, sophomoric, idiotic idea that only 12 year olds come up with – BUT i respect everyone who believes in it and is man/woman enough to be proud to show it – and for that i kept my opinions about the OPPC to myself – minus what i just wrote about it to prove my point – (i may not agree with what you say or think but i will fight to the death your right to say/believe it… )
Sam I am is back?
Let me see if I got this right. The right field dimensions are making balls fly out to left field? Because the numbers are double in left, too.
I catch baseball highlights all the time on espnews, and they never fail to blame NYS home runs on the “launching pad”. It’s lazy reporting and poor journalistic efforts when they don’t even bother to differentiate between the no-doubters and the NYS specials.
When are people going to understand that not every homerun in a Yankee home game is a NYS gift?
lets beat this dead horse one more time…
the yankees are tied for first as of today – so for all intents and purposes the season starts today – this is a 3 team race (yanks, sox, rays)..but for the purpose of this scenario lets just say its a 2 team race and the wildcard doesn’t count
if the yankees lose 5 out of 6 to the mets and nationals (in june) – and the redsox win 5 out of 6 vs the phillies and marlins(in june) -and then they both go win for win until september – then the yankees need to make up those 5 games in september – so their loses in june do make a difference – now yes you can come back and say see the games in september are more important because they KNOW they have to win – but had they WON the games back in june that they were supposed to win then they can mess up a bit in september and lose a few without the pressure mounting – and we all know how good they are with the pressure on …
thats all i’m saying – i’m not one to bridge jump when they get beaten in one game in june (even if it was the redsox)but if they get beat 20 out of 28 games in june then you really have to be a optimistic person if you don’t think that will effect the rest of the year….see i’m not as much of am imbecile as people think….
is Wang still a big ? in everyone’s minds tonite?
what is OPPC?
Every player has a bad night huh?
what happens when the whole team has a bad night?
Stop making excuses for this $200,000,000 dollar team.
Why does Cashman need so much money to field mediocre ball players,who don’t live up to their stats, when they become a Yankee?
Ridin this wave OPPC,
women that think they own this blog,and act like brat high school mean girl bullies,when you disagree. MAN UP!!
muy macho – SJ44 from what i’m reading is a man though – so if he acts like a brat high school mean girl then he has more issues than I care to address – but yes I agree at times he gets up on the pedestal he has set up in his honor and tell us how we should think and act…disregarding all of the unintelligent things he says at times…trust me I’ll man up when need to but I don’t waste my time calling people dumb or children unless provoked
i’m not one to judge – unless someone judges me (without knowing me) i don’t think any less of people who say that George W. Bush was a great president – they are absolutely diluted if they do but they have every right to think what they like..without me telling them how wrong they are..
Do like I do when you see oppc,don’t read, skip the post,your’re not missing a thing!