Game 79: Blue Jays at Yankees
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A very happy birthday to Brian Cashman. C-Money is 42 today, although in George Steinbrenner years he is 67.
YANKEES (45-33)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Matsui DH
Cervelli C
Gardner CF
Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (6-4, 3.93).
BLUE JAYS (42-38)
Scutaro SS
Hill 2B
Lind DH
Rolen 3B
Overbay 1B
Wells CF
Rios RF
Dellucci LF
Chavez C
Pitching: LHP Brian Tallet (5-5, 4.47).
TIME/TV: 1:05 p.m., YES.
STATE OF THE ‘STRIPES: The Yankees had their seven-game win streak snapped last night. They are three games behind Boston in the AL East. Toronto is seven games back in fourth place. The Yankees are 2-1 against the Jays this season.
THEY MEET AGAIN: Burnett faced the Jays (and Roy Halladay) on May 12 at the Rogers Centre. He went 7.2 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits with four walks and three strikeouts. He had a no-hitter for three innings before Toronto scored three runs in the fourth inning.
LONG DROUGHT: Mark Teixeira’s last home run came on June 12. He has gone 65 at-bats without one.
CANO’S GOOD: He is 16 of 26 with six extra-base hits in his last seven games at Yankee Stadium.
CANO’S BAD: He has not driven in a run in 12 games.
CANO’S HISTORY: He is 4 for 6 this month. He is a .349 career hitter in July. This from the Feinsand Sports Bureau.
LEFTY KILLER: Left-handed hitter Hideki Matsui has 11 homers this season, seven against LHPs.
RESTED AND READY: Three relievers did not work yesterday who are riding hot streaks: Mariano Rivera (9.1 2 1 1 1 12), Phil Hughes (13 5 2 2 3 16) and Phil Coke (13.1 5 1 1 3 15).
ON THE iPOD RIGHT NOW: Oye Mi Canto by Daddy Yankee.
That’s it for now. Back with more later on.
UPDATE, 11:20 p.m.: Posada has swelling in his left thumb. It’s in the joint. The concern is if he gets hit again. He’s day to day.
UPDATE, 11:27 p.m.: A-Rod may get a day off this weekend.
UPDATE, 1:07 p.m.: Party cloudy and warm as we’re set to get underway. A.J. Burnett warming up to Ladies and Gentlemen by Saliva. Good choice. Welcome to the show, indeed.
UPDATE, 1:09 p.m.: First pitcher is a heater up. We’re underway. Hope you’re off work and enjoying the game.
UPDATE, 1:12 p.m.: The Yankees (and every other team) will be wearing the ridiculous red stars and stripes caps all weekend. Ostensibly it’s for July 4. But in reality it’s to sell different hats.
Burnett (47) and Tallet (45) lead the AL in walks. This could be a very tedious affair.
UPDATE, 1:36 p.m.: A.J. has fanned three of the first five batters he faced. No score to the bottom of the second.
UPDATE, 1:37 p.m.: Cano homers, his first RBI since June 17.
UPDATE, 1:53 p.m.: The continuing misadventures of Johnny Damon in left field.
UPDATE, 2:04 p.m.: Two guys dressed like umpires are sitting in the front row behind the plate mimicking all the calls John Hirschbeck makes. They even have masks on.
Seriously, you have nothing better to do? And you spent $1,250 to annoy the people sitting around you?
UPDATE, 2:10 p.m.: Bases clear, Cano hits ball very hard. People on base, bats are afraid.
UPDATE, 2:12 p.m: Several e-mailers now say the umpire were given their seats and invited by YES. They’re also apparently Blue Jays fans. I still don’t get it.
UPDATE, 2:46 p.m.: First and second, speed on the sacks, nobody out and 2-3-4 up. Time to take the lead.
UPDATE, 2:47 p.m.: Sacrifice for Damon, E-1 loads the bases for Tex.
UPDATE, 2:52 p.m.: A bad call was changed and Damon was given a single.
UPDATE, 2:52 p.m.: Toronto in chaos. Tallet walks in a run, passed ball scores another. 3-1 Yankees. Can Cano get a hit with men on base?
UPDATE, 2:54 p.m.: Man, Cano is brutal with men on base. Just brutal. He is 20 of 96 (.208) with RISP. Good thing he’s not hitting fifth.
UPDATE, 2:57 p.m.: Wait a second, he is htting fifth. How can that be?
UPDATE, 3:07 p.m.: A.J. gives one back. This could be the last inning for Tallet as he is at 87 pitches. Yankees 3-2.
UPDATE, 3:24 p.m.: Nice work by A.J. Burnett. 7 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts.
They’re playing Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochran. Great song.
UPDATE, 3:33 p.m.: Phil Coke to start the eighth.
UPDATE, 3:37 p.m.: Wait a second, isn’t Brian Bruney the eighth inning guy? Now it’s Coke and Hughes.
That makes perfect sense, of course. But when reporters asked about it the other day, Girardi acted like it was a stupid question because Bruney is the eighth inning guy.
Guess not. Big spot for Hughes as he’ll get Rolen and Overbay.
UPDATE, 3:47 p.m.: The Franchise gets the ball to the Sandman. Hughes: 1.31 ERA in relief.
UPDATE, 3:50 p.m.: There he is again, No. 14 for Alex as he goes to right field. He now has 567 for his career. He needs two more to to tie fellow loosey-goosey slugger Rafael Palmeiro for 10th place all-time.
UPDATE, 4:02 p.m.: Here comes Mo with a 4-2 lead to face the bottom of the order. Mely in right. How about Melky in left instead?
UPDATE, 4:04 p.m.: No messing around for Mo. 1-2-3. Yankees win 4-2. Another impressive game for the pitchers.
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on Friday, July 3rd, 2009 at 9:58 am by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
gut feeling is that AJ pitches well tonight and the Yankees get the W…
Hopefully Jorge is well enough to catch. Although I don’t know how much of a difference 12 hours will make.
And hopefully tex gets the day off. seems like he needs an R and R day.
Wang v. Doc? I smell an upset…
Did we buy Chapman for 70 million yet? Can he pitch the next series? Or is he still in Amsterdam buying tulips at the market?
the debate over whether or not rest will help a player break out of a slump certainly comes into play with the Tex situation…it certainly helped in ARod’s case but the situation there was different as his rest was necessary because of injury/recovery from surjery. and then it doesn’t seem that Tex thinks rest is the answer (although I doubt any player would admit it even if he thought he needed the break)…which ever way Joe goes will be unpopular with some and while we have no affect on the outcome I’m just curious what the general opinion on the situation is out there?
A rare Friday afternoon game. Exciting. I wonder what the crowd will be.
Hokie -
Here is the general opinion…
If he doesn’t give him a day off, Girardi is an idiot for not resting him!
The game he does give him a day off, Girardi is an idiot for sending a weaker lineup out there and not wanting to win!
Hokiehill
How many games off has Tex had all year? Not many. I believe the ones he had off were at the beginning of the year when he had the elbow injury. I truly believe that sometimes a day off will rejuvenate a player.
yeah Justin, that will certainly be the truth. Girardi will be right AND wrong regardless of the decision he makes.
Funny side note. I saw that the Mets ran into the same weirdos that the Yankees did last year in Pitt. The ones that dress like stuffed animals. I guess they also had problems sleeping with all the late night partying of the said stuffed animals.
I don’t think Teixiera has had any days off. Other then sitting out an injury which was in April or a team day off. Girardi doesn’t seem big on giving guys days off. Unless it’s Damon or Arod.
Just heard on the radio they are having Lou Gerig day around the league? I didn’t know that. Anyone know when?
Trevor, I don’t believe he’s had a day off in a while…I’m refering to this portion of Pete’s game recap from the “Today in the Journal News” post…
“It was a rough night for Teixeira, who was 0 for 4 and saw his batting average fall to .274. He has gone 65 at-bats without a home run. Girardi suggested he would give Teixeira a rest by using him as the designated hitter sometime this weekend.
“That’s the streakiness of power hitters,” said Teixeira, who disagreed with the idea that he needs a rest. “I hit a bunch for a month there, so because of that I’m not going to him some for a while. I’d love to hit 60 but that’s not me.” “
Tex said he doesn’t like taking days off but likes a DH day now and again.
Tex’s numbers and Matsui’s are both good against Tallet so not sure today would be the best day.
Going by matchups, today would be a good day for Brett to be in CF and a good day for Alex to rest because both him and Melky’s numbers against Tallet are bad ( 2 for 23 combined)
I hear the Yanks flew in the guys who were acting as umpires earlier this season up at the Rogers Centre for this series. I wonder if they’ll make it to today’s game
Word, Pete? Oye Mi Canto? Nice…
Jennifer it is tomorrow in honor of the date of his famous speech. The speech is being read at each ballpark. Not sure when if it is at tyhe beginning of the game or during the 7th inning stretch. It also will highlight ALS
Pete your IPOD or Swisher’s, either way I never figure you guys to have “Oye Mi Canto” on your IPOD.
I was about to say that Tex doesn’t like days off but likes to DH here and there, but someone beat me to the punch. If Posada isn’t playing it may be tough to take Matsui out of the game, but it might be a good day for Gardner and Melky to play the OF with Swisher at 1B and Tex as the DH.
any chance we see Hinske at 1B today if Tex is the DH? Or perhaps Hinske in RF and Swish at 1B?
i guess I should say this weekend, not today…didn’t see the lineup updated…
Guess Posada is hurting a bit, huh?
damn I’d thought we’d give Teix a day off today but instead it’s Melky.
I can’t post the link because it’s subscribers only, but Pinstripes Plus conducted an interview with Mark Newman.
He’s very high on that kid Sanchez – says he combines Montero power with Romine’s ability to throw.
The pitcher, Cabrera, throws 90-94 and is working on a changeup – has the potential for a very good delivery.
Arredondo – switch-hitting SS, plus plus arm, very athletic. Bat is not as advanced as the glove. Newman was asked to compare him to Pena and he raved about Pena (he’s a very good player, Newman said) – said the biggest difference is probably that Arredondo can fly (and probably has more power).
**Me: A stronger, faster Pena? I like having him in the system, but he doesn’t sound like a ML starting SS to me.
Gee, I was really liking AJ with Posada, especially the way he was calling for changeups…….too bad, also for the lineup. I guess that bruised thumb is worse than the Yankees thought.
Betsy,
He’s 16 years old let’s give the kid time to develop as the same thing might have been said about Reyes when the Mets signed him.
I’m sure Cervelli was paying attention to the changeup discussions…
A shame is bat has fallen off lately…curious if that’s a result of him just settling back down closer to his real average, pitchers having more scouting info on his tendancies or some combo of both…
Don’t say that, Betsy. Cervelli is the only catcher who can catch Burnett.
Posada must have gotten lucky. He’s proved after his 15 year career and four rings that he doesn’t know how to catch or call games.
Pete, very impressed you are listening to daddy yankee, if you’d like i could recommend other songs in that genre you would also like, let me know.
Of course, Cash – it’s just the way he was being talked up in here yesterday, I thought he was some kind of super-prospect. We’ll see, though. The Yanks really like all three that they signed – if one of them turns out to be a solid major leaguer, then the signings will have been a success.
Re: Cervelli – it’s not even just about the change, it’s the fact that AJ and Jorge found some kind of comfort zone together. Oh well – maybe next time. In any case, AJ’s success or failure today (like any SP) will rest on his shoulders…..
matsui is 6 for 11 against tallet with 2 doubles and a homer. let’s win this one!
Betsy, that Arrendando kid was clocked under 4.0 to 1B. The kid is a very raw jet. Has more power than Pena had at the same age and is a whiz w/ the glove/athleticism…problem is he is RAW very RAW.
i also think tex could use a day at DH…he’s lost some of his super human defensive skills past few days. we’ve got both hinske and swish now
GF, lol – the whole thing with Posada was a joke and I was starting to feel really sorry for him. People seem not to love his personality at times – I’ve seen folks claim he has few friends on the team and that he always appears unhappy. WTH? LOL The guy is a fiery personality – that’s his nature. It doesn’t make him morose, humorless, friendless………I post on NYYFans a LOT, but I refrain from criticizing Joba because doing so will get you burned over there. It’s Jorge’s fault that Joba shakes him off, it’s Jorge’s fault that Joba is stubborn…..it’s the Yankees fault that they changed his mechanics to try and smooth out his delivery and that they ruined the kid. It’s Jorge’s fault because the pitcher gave up a run. It’s everyone’s fault except the pitcher, lol. Melky is being blamed for not catching the Ichiro ball last night – hmph. That was a hard hit ball and CC pitched lousy last night – I don’t care how many Ks he had. Joba and CC are untouchable in some places while Jorge takes the brunt. It’s sad.
Arte Moreno is pissed at us, he wanted Gary Sanchez badly.
Brandon, I don’t have any problem with raw – my heavens, the kid is just 16. If he’s got the tools, then that’s a good base to start with. I’m rooting for him, rooting for all these kids………
Unfortunately, this hand injury for Posada seems to be an issue that could linger for a while.
Hand injuries for catchers are just very difficult. Hopefully this won’t take too much time. But such is the life of catcher.
It’s a dramatically different line up without Posada in there. I wonder if that’s why Girardi doesn’t feel comfortable using Tex as the DH (Tex needs a rest – he’s dragging a bit – when does he make mistakes in the field like he did yesterday?)
Without Posada they have Cano and Swisher hitting behind Alex. Both Cano and Swisher are hitting around .200 with RISP. It is very tough to have two hitters who generate that few hits lined up after your clean up hitter. Both Cano and Swisher have power and Swisher will draw walks but they just don’t get many basehits with men on base. Hopefully Cano is poised to go on one of his hot streaks after last night. Otherwise Alex is going to get pitched around.
There’s no real way to replace a catcher who can hit 5th in a line up. And Cervelli has been great in his role but he’s starting to look overmatched in his at bats fairly frequently now. Not hitting the ball hard at all. Hopefully it’s a temporary funk but he could be coming down to earth some or the league has found a weakness. Not Cervelli’s fault – he gives them everything he can but he’s just not Posada.
“it’s not even just about the change, it’s the fact that AJ and Jorge found some kind of comfort zone together.”
I agree with that Betsy…it was good to see that strong outing and aparantly good relationship blooming between AJ and Posada after all the anti-Jorgie talk that had been going on here. Of course, I imagine a big part of the new-found love came from the result, as team chemistry is always high when winning…either way, while it’s never a good thing for Posada to be out of the lineup I don’t think it will be detrimental to he and AJ’s future relationship…
“Brandon, I don’t have any problem with raw – my heavens, the kid is just 16. If he’s got the tools, then that’s a good base to start with. I’m rooting for him, rooting for all these kids………”
I agree, just remember IFAs are big shots in the bucket. Some pan out some don’t.
This is the Jays worst pitcher going against our hottest pitcher. With Halladay vs. Wang tomorrow, we need to get this game.
Burnett will probably pitch well… can we score enough for him?
That kid Arrendondo reminds me of Reyes’ scouting report when he was 16.
That type of kid is non-existent in the farm system right now.
You gotta love his tools. Its going to be exciting to see him develop.
You can’t teach what he has in natural gifts. If his work ethic is strong, that’s a great sign.
I like Gardner being in the lineup today. Toronto had real trouble with Tampa’s running game this week.
I think there are times you have to push the envelope offensively against certain teams and be more aggressive on the bases. Toronto is one of those teams.
What are the chances that ARod comes down with a case of “Halladay-itis” tomorrow?
Tallet pitched well against us last time, that was the game CC won 3-2.
SJ are you that sure about him ? I mean Arrendondo to Reyes that’s a pretty big stretch comparison don’t you think ?
Honestly I would be a little down on ARod getting a seat against Halladay…to me that would be a sign that the Yankees are just throwing their hands up and saying “we’re not even going to try to win this one.” While I get that it’s a probable loss with Halladay v. Wang, other than that and possibly protecting ARod’s stats, it’s just not a good choice to sit him, particularly with ground-baller Wang on the mound for the Yanks.
Yankees are wearing RED hats today. Gross!!
Aren’t all 16 year olds really RAW when it comes to MLB skills? I have no opinion about any of the three guys, but I’d be willing to bet at least one of the three will never reach the Yankees and going 0-for-3 is a real possibility.
BUT if one of them becomes a stud it’ll pay off.
As far as Cervelli is concerned, he’s just coming back down to earth as a hitter.
One of the problems of “Posadagate” is folks get too enamored with prospects and smalll sample sizes and they lose all perspective.
As some have called for on here, to call for Cervelli to be the everyday catcher is not even logical because you lose too much with Posada out of the lineup.
Francisco Cervelli is not a good hitter. He wasn’t that great of a hitter throughout his minor league career. Its not a strength of his game.
Yes, he got some big hits in his limited time in NY. However, if you watch his AB’s more closely, you see he is pretty much overmatched against hard throwers.
Its not out of the realm of reality that Jesus Montero ends up being the back up catcher next year.
Why? You can’t teach what that kid can do with a bat in his hands and you CAN teach him to be an adequate backup catcher. Especially with Tony Pena working with him everyday.
I like Cervelli. I like his energy and I think he has a chance to be an ok ML catcher.
Jesus Montero has the chance to be a Hall of Fame ML catcher because of his bat.
If he keeps owning EL pitching, and continues to work hard at his craft, the Yankees have to give serious consideration to him next year as the backup catcher.
That bat for 40-60 games behind the plate and another 40-60 games at DH or off the bench as a PH is a big, big weapon.
A bigger weapon than youthful enthusiasm.
“Yankees are wearing RED hats today. Gross!!”
Ugh, can’t they just pull out the hats with the American flag lettering?
CB, don’t even scare me like that. Poor Jorge – it seems he’s spent half the season on the DL or the bench with some kind of injuries.
I’m sure Cervelli will call a good game today (but again, the game rests on the SP’s shoulders). His hitting? Perhaps it’s water seeking it’s own level – the kid would not have been up here were it not for two injuries to our catchers. He’s acquitted himself marvelously, but now he’s struggling. No big deal – he needs to go back down to AAA or AA (wherever he was), play everyday and work on his hitting skills. Hitting a baseball is such a hard thing to do – no shame in not being advanced enough to hurt MLB pitching. Frankie now knows he’s got a real future with this team, so let him go down and work hard (which I know he’ll do) and he’ll be better for it when he gets recalled.
Brandon,
Go back and look at Reyes’ scouting reports when he was 16.
Skinny body, plus, plus speed, no idea of the bat will make it, excellent hands and arm.
That was the Jose Reyes scouting report at 16 years old.
Same one as Arrendondo today.
You sign a kid like that, forget about him for 4 years, let him develop, and see what you have.
Swelling in his thumb? It must have been bad bruise, like what Nick got when he got hit in the elbow….hope this doesn’t knock Jorge out for awhile. Nick really struggled in the aftermath of that injury.
Jerry Manual did that… he benched all his regulars against Josh Johnson and in the postgame basically said “We had no chance to hit him today anyway even if we had our full lineup out there, so might as well give everyone a day off in a game that is not very winnable”. He didn’t say it like that, but that’s what he meant.
We can only hope.
I want Frankie to be the backup catcher next year – it’s not just about enthusiasm (but I like that). He obviously calls a very good game and the veteran pitchers love pitching to him……For a kid fresh out of the minors who wasn’t even supposed to be here? That’s terrific.
CB,
Like most people, I don’t like Cano behind A-Rod at all but it appears Girardi has no intention of moving him.
And the fact that Girardi didn’t move Teixeira when he was struggling and A-Rod when he was struggling is a very real indication that he has no intention of moving Cano either – which is going to lead to a lot of stranded base runners in critical situations.
In my opinion, Girardi was right not to move Teixeira and A-Rod during their struggles because those guys have long track records of success in those roles. It was just a matter of time before they exploded.
But that is not the case with Cano. He has never been a strong run producer and his career numbers and tendencies do not lie. He just doesn’t hit well with runners on base unless he’s in the middle of one of his freak streaks when he goes on a rampage for a few weeks and nobody can get him out.
When Cano is in one of his ridiculous streaks – he’ll do fine behind A-Rod. But outside of that, I don’t have any faith that Cano can be the run producer that Girardi thinks he can be.
It’s funny how things have changed so drastically from a year ago. Girardi must’ve had 120 different lineups last season with all the injuries and now you can’t make him shift guys around if you point a gun at his head.
Talk about one extreme to another.
Hinske is 6-24 with a HR off Halladay
SJ how about Posada DH/catch some but mostly Montero/Cervelli doing the bulk of the catching next year?
Rest A-Rod against Scott Richmond on Sunday
We need his bat against Halladay and Romero
Hokiehill July 3rd, 2009 at 11:25 am
“Yankees are wearing RED hats today. Gross!!”
Ugh, can’t they just pull out the hats with the American flag lettering?
*******
Because MLB wants to make money. I think the Yankees should boycott and wear their hats with the American flag on the side.
“Jerry Manual did that…”
We’re not the Mets, thank goodness. I get the thought process but don’t understand how you can take yourself seriously as a major league team if you give up like that…Halladay may not lose many games, but he does lose some. And while the odds of us winning may not be great, they only get worse when you sub out your A-team
I don’t think they would carry 3 catchers next year unless one of them can play another position. Teams don’t carry 3 catchers all that much anymore.
I just think Montero’s bat is coming on so strong, as was the case with Miguel Cabrera in 2003, you are going to have to find a spot for him on the major league roster sometime in 2010.
Every organization projects timetables for their prospects.
Some guys, like Cabrera and perhaps Montero now, bust up your timetable in a positive way.
Its just not natural for a catcher to do what he’s doing offensively in the EL. Especially at 19 years old.
Guys like that don’t stay in the minors for long. They are too good.
A-Rod is actually one of the few Yankee hitters that has done okay against Halladay.
He’s a career .286 hitter against him in 63 ABs and so is Posada 42 ABs.
Damon has by far hit Halladay the best – .345 hitter in 84 ABs.
Outside of those three guys, nobody on the Yanks hit Halladay.
i better get some work done before I get sucked into watching game updates!
From Heyman’s Twitter -
if picking early favorite for cuba star #chapman, ive got to go with yanks. thats one area where financial might plays
about 21 hours ago from web
Hinske gets his first NYY start against Halliday. Whether its at 3B, 1B, OF or DH remains to be seen.
Jorge will catch 2/3 of the games until his body or contract runs out. Keeping both Montero and Cervelli is a possibility because Montero could be viewed as the RH half of a DH platoon/rotation.
“i better get some work done before I get sucked into watching game updates!”
same.
Alex should get a day off – it’s important that we think long-term with this guy and not just make every single game armageddon. If we lose a game because he’s not in the lineup, so be it – resting him will help the team win more games in the end.
SJ how about Posada DH/catch some but mostly Montero/Cervelli doing the bulk of the catching next year?
—————————————————-
Montero will be 20 years old next year…thats too young to be an MLB catcher. He simply won’t be ready.
Hinske prbly gets a PH today.
SJ: A lot of the best hitters skip leagues in the minors entirely.
be smart give arod off tommorrow against doc
“Jerry Manual did that… he benched all his regulars against Josh Johnson and in the postgame basically said “We had no chance to hit him today anyway even if we had our full lineup out there, so might as well give everyone a day off in a game that is not very winnable”. He didn’t say it like that, but that’s what he meant.”
It’s actually not a bad strategy, it just looks peculiar when you do it.
teddy I think he’ll get a game in Minny off.
GF,
“Clutch” hitting has been analyzed every which way possible. And it’s been shown pretty strenuously that guys just don’t do outsized things in whatever moment you want to call “clutch” (including RISP). Guys tend to move back towards their overall batting average, etc. Often RISP results are issues of sample size.
So there was zero reason for Girardi to ever move Tex or Alex.
That said, just because there may not be anything such as a player who can systematically over perform with RISP I’m not sure that means that some players at the margins who won’t underperform for systematic reasons with men on base.
And you have to be concerned that Cano is falling into that class of player.
The most extreme guy I remember functioning like this on the yanks in the recent past was Soriano. Trading him for Alex was a phenomenal move, especially given what he signed for. But his at bats with men on base and in the playoffs were horrible. And that’s because he systematically swung at the pitchers pitch because he kept expanding the zone. He was far worse than Cano ever was.
But Cano also swings at the pitchers pitch with men on base far too often. He’s too over anxious to drive in the run and paradoxically that makes him underperform.
He should really be the perfect 5th hitter. If he was this offense would have close to no major problems.
But throughout his career he just hasn’t hit with men on base. And you can see it in his at bats. He systematically takes a different approach with men on base.
And on days without Posada the problem is compounded even more because Swisher is up right after him.
Swisher hits .200 with RISP. And even if you want to say that’s a small sample or whatever even if he “regresses” he’s a career .240 hitter – he’s not going to hit better than .240 with RISP. And that’s bad.
Swisher will draw walks with men on base so he’s not generating outs.
But if he draws a walk today he’s passing the baton to Matsui who varies so much day to day depending on how his knees are and then Cervelli. It’s up to them to drive in the run.
This is an issue for the team. They scoare a lot of runs, but they are not efficient at driving in runs.
The thing that makes Halladay so tough is that you can’t use the “let’s get him out of the game and get to the pen” strategy. He doesn’t come out games. He is such a workhorse and just throw strikes. If you try to take pitches against him, more likely than not, you’ll be down 0-1, 0-2.
He is so good. It’s not like most pitchers where it is easy to work his pitch count.
that could work too
“Its just not natural for a catcher to do what he’s doing offensively in the EL. Especially at 19 years old.”
Yes, but I wonder if he can hit a curve? Everybody here thinks curveballs don’t exist below the major league level. Well, *good* curves, that is.
Its not too early to be a backup catcher in the majors.
His bat is just about ML ready and will be by this time next year. Perhaps sooner.
You don’t keep a bat like that in the minors, even at 20.
there’s something evil about this place…can’t turn away for more than a few minutes….
I hope Gardener batting before Jeter,doesn’t yield to GIDP BY JETER. Tex needs a rest day.
Montero has seen decent curveballs in the FSL. He will see better curveballs in the EL. IIRC, two of his HR’s so far have come on curveballs.
He just seems to be a natural hitter. You don’t make it this far, this quick without being able to hit more than just fastballs.
He is really an exciting guy to watch develop.
Agreed, CB.
Girardi’s faith in Teixeira and A-Rod during their struggles was absolutely warranted.
But I’m afraid Girardi has much more faith than he should that Cano can do a job he’s never proved he can do on a consistent basis.
Posada is the obvious choice to protect A-Rod but he may miss a couple of games.
In years past, Matsui would be the ideal #5 hitter when he’s red hot. But we may never see that guy again with his knees in such bad shape.
It’s a shame too because the guy has always been a very valuable bat and strong run producer since his arrival from Japan.
jesus will go a run that cashman has no choice to call him in september. he major league pitching and hit with power. the 13 million they could save from matsui go get a quality starter if arod still arod in 2011
tex arod jesus thats to potent for pitching staffs to handle on most nights
MLBtraderumors has us watching Diamondbacks closer Chad Qualls. I could see trading Juan Miranda, Johnathan Albaledejo and Shelley Duncan to the D’backs for Qualls. Right now the D’backs only firstbasemen are Tony Clark and Chad Tracy (who is batting .203). That might be a good deal for botyh teams.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....igers.html
I think Cano has from now until the ASB to produce in that slot. If he shows any signs of life, Girardi will keep him in the 5th spot in the lineup most games.
If not, and if Posada is healthy, that’s when I think he will make the switch.
I think Girardi is hoping Cano can find it because he really is the best guy for that spot in the lineup.
However, some guys just can’t hit higher in batting order. Robbie it seems, may be one of those guys.
i like matsui in the 5th hole, though he a streaky hitter as well
jesus will go a run that cashman has no choice to call him in september. he major league pitching and hit with power. the 13 million they could save from matsui go get a quality starter if arod still arod in 2011
tex arod jesus thats to potent for pitching staffs to handle on most nights
—————————————————-
I think we will see Jorge Alberto Vazquez (27 year old 1B @ Trenton) before we see Montero.
Cano had a good day yesterday. 3 for 3 batting fifth?
Let’s give it a chance.
Forecast for today is for thunderstorms (maybe even for some hail), so it would behoove the Yankees to get off to a good start……..
“Montero will be 20 years old next year…thats too young to be an MLB catcher. He simply won’t be ready.”
Ready or not here he comes. Montero is hitting .325 with a .967 OPS in AA as a 19 year old. The Eastern league is very tough to hit in. There are only 4 players with a higher OPS in the entire Eastern league. And montero has gotten around 80 plate appearances now – that’s over 15% of a normal minor league season.
If Montero puts up a .900 + OPS season as a 19 year old in AA then he’s going to be in the big leagues next year and earlier rather than later. And that’s not based on his stats – if you can perform at that level and at that age that means you have a bat that is all world.
The last guy who did anything like what Montero is doing was Miguel Cabrera. But Cabrera did that at age 20. Montero is 19. And to be honest, Montero is performing even better than Cabrera in many ways. Most importantly – he strikes out less.
Montero has 5 HR and 7 K’s right now.
This is against pitcher who are anywhere from 3-5 years older than him who he has never seen before.
Guys like this go on to hit .320 35 HR and 130 RBI’s with .900+ OPS’s in the majors. Not only is that amongst the best bats of any catcher that would be amongst the best bats for any DH in the majors.
If he continues to perform like he is – he’s ready. He’ll be integrated slowly behind the plate as he learns from Posada and Pena and he’ll DH in the meanwhile.
This is a big if – but if he continues to perform at even close to this level in AA – they won’t be able to keep him in the minors because doing so will make the major league team lose games.
thats possiable, howe he doing at trenton
It would greatly benefit Montero to move into Tony Pena’s house over the offseason. No better guy to learn the craft of catching from.
It would be such an enormous lift for the organization to get Montero to catch 40 games in the bigs next season.
The guy is going to mash wherever he plays. I really want to see him improve behind the plate because he’s so much more valuable to the team if he sticks there.
You can’t have such a young everyday DH when you’ve got guys like Jeter, Posada, and A-Rod playing the field everyday at their age along with Swisher who is anything but a strong defender himself in RF.
Cano’s issue isn’t hitting fifth, per se. He’s great hitting with the bases empty. Its hitting with RISP batting 5th.
Its pretty unusual for a guy of his skills to go over 2 weeks without an RBI. Amazing, actually.
He’s getting a big chance. The issue is, how much longer do they stay with him if he isn’t driving in runs from that spot in the order? That’s the big question right now.
thats possiable, howe he doing at trenton
—————————————————
Jorge Alberto Vazquezis hitting .333 with 11 HR’s and 46 RBI’s in 46 games at Trenton. He missed a month with a leg injury but is 100% healthy now.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....pid=477601
Montero will be in the majors sometime next year.
Matsui will not be signed and the DH spot will be open. It will be rotated between Posada and Montero with Montero gatting reasonble amount of catching duties. They can not keep his bat in the minors too long.
CB,
To add on to your points, DH is fast becoming a younger man’s position on many rosters.
The Jays use Adam Lind as their DH, even though he is a young guy, because his bat is too good to keep out of the lineup.
That’s one way the game is changing. Teams are no longer afraid to go younger at DH, if need be.
You are right, there is no way Jesus Montero is in the minors if he continues to hit like this. He’s not yet there but, he fast becoming too good for minor league baseball from a hitting perspective.
Put it another way…..if he was a corner OF, he may already be with the Yankees right now.
That’s how impressive he has been with the bat so far this year.
Let’s go A-rod. Andy & Alex.
anyone know how the weather is in the bronx? I was just sitting in my yard ( in brooklyn) attempting to get some color, and (SHOCKER) it started raining. I hope the game starts on time….
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07.....ref=sports
The Yankees, who have been at the forefront of signing international pitchers, will have discussions about whether they should pursue the left-handed Chapman. He fires a fastball that exceeds 100 miles per hour and is widely considered the premier pitching prospect in Cuba. His age was reported Thursday as 21, but reports in March at the World Baseball Classic said he was 26.
**Jack is sort of lagging behind, since Mark Newman said the Yanks were interested. However, I’m not sure I would be if he’s really 26
At least Girardi is giving Cano a solid chance to prove whether he can bat with RISP with his spot in the line-up. Find out one way or another, then go from there.
“This is a big if – but if he continues to perform at even close to this level in AA – they won’t be able to keep him in the minors because doing so will make the major league team lose games.”
Agree 100%. When a guy is simply dominating like he is, you have to change your game plan.
“Yes, but I wonder if he can hit a curve? Everybody here thinks curveballs don’t exist below the major league level. Well, *good* curves, that is.”
These are montero’s numbers against right handed pitchers:
0.348 0.400 0.478 0.878
These are montero’s numbers against left handed pitchers:
0.320 0.404 0.620 1.024
So in other words he hits right handed pitchers better than left handed pitchers. His slugging % is .130 points better against righties.
He has a reverse plattoon split.
And that’s not an aberation – last year in Charleston this reverse platoon split was even more pronounced.
So not only hasn’t he had trouble with the breaking pitches he’s seen – he’s thrived against them.
And this reverse platoon split will not last. Even this year it’s closed.
Eventually he will hit better against lefties than righties and that is going to be something.
I posted the forecast a few posts up – of course, that’s for Long Island, but I would guess the same basically holds true for the Bronx…..I would prefer to see a rainout rather than lose AJ if there is a long rain delay between innings. This summer sucks, lol
I’d love to keep Montero in the minors for a longer period of time so he can learn to be a better catcher and I don’t want the Yankees to rush him BUT his hitting is pushing the envelope. If he keeps hitting like this the Yankees have no choice but to keep promoting him.
CB did you flip the two numbers in your last post?
Good point though, he dominates RHP right now, it’s only a matter of time before he starts mashing against lefties.
Sorry in my post from 12:14 I labeled the numbers wrong – the top set are montero’s numbers against left handed pitchers and the bottom his numbers against righties.
He’s hitting righties much better than lefties.
m
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Cano had a good day yesterday. 3 for 3 batting fifth?
Let’s give it a chance.
============
Cano’s been in that spot for too long now. I think it’s odd how if Cano goes 2-4 or 3-4 one night, people all of a sudden want him to be there. So far, overall, he’s been bad in that spot, not driving in runs, not protecting Alex, and not working counts. He’s had a decent chance to prove himself and he hasn’t.
If I were Girardi, I wouldn’t wait until the ASB. Do it now, even if Posada is not in the line-up.
Cashman is 42? He’s the Miguel Tejada of GMs then. Looks closer to 50.
“He’s not yet there but, he fast becoming too good for minor league baseball from a hitting perspective.”
At what point to Eastern leauge managers just stop pitching to him? At what point do the pitchers just nibble and walk him?
It’s going to happen.
That’s why it’s at least good they have Jorge Vazquez with him in AA. Vazquez can hit and he can offer montero protection if needed.
But the overall point stands – he’s coming very close to being simply too good for minor league ball.
It’s been this way for him since winter ball.
In this instance, provided he continues to hit of course, I think Montero can learn more catching with the Yankees next year than he would in AAA.
Tony Pena, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, CC Sabathia, etc are better teachers/mentors than anybody he can have anywhere in the minors.
This is one instance where the Yankees may be able to break in a young kid in the best possible circumstances.
If its too much, too soon (doubtful from an offensive standpoint, IMO), they reach down and get Cervelli from AAA.
Its really a perfect situations when you think about it.
I’d love to keep Montero in the minors for a longer period of time so he can learn to be a better catcher and I don’t want the Yankees to rush him BUT his hitting is pushing the envelope. If he keeps hitting like this the Yankees have no choice but to keep promoting him.
——————————————————
I agree. Learning to be a major league catcher is a significant process. I don’t think it can be accelerated and I’m hearing that Montero doesn’t have the natural quickness that a catcher needs. He may require more time than someone like Austin Romine
“Yes, but I wonder if he can hit a curve? Everybody here thinks curveballs don’t exist below the major league level. Well, *good* curves, that is.”
For the record, I was making a joke and a point. I thought it was ridiculous how people were saying you basically don’t see good curveballs in the minors.
In Montero’s case, you do.
In Shelley’s case, you don’t.
Here’s a preemptive statement: Relax, I’m not comparing the two.
And quite frankly, I don’t where I could get info on if a homerun in the minors was hit off a curve or fastball pitch.
Jesus Montero
the LoHud topic du jour
what about his eyes?
“That bat for 40-60 games behind the plate and another 40-60 games at DH or off the bench as a PH is a big, big weapon.”
That is exaclty what will happen next year.
By the time Posada’s contract expires in two years Romine will be ready and Montero and Romine will form that duo. Very apealing.
Guys don’t overrate catching defense. The running game is not that big of a deal and a veteran pitching staff doesn’t need a catcher guiding them through the game.
This kid appears to have off the charts offensive skills and I now fully expect him to spend some time in NYC next year. We could see Montero and Jackson replacing Matsui and Nady (Hinske) in 2010…. that’ll be exciting for fans of all ages.
I still expect Damon to be back. If Damon, Melky, Brett, Swish, AJax and Montero share OF/DH duties you’d have two pretty good guys on the bench and you could still accomodate Cervelli and Pena… a spare bat like Hinske could also be kept with an 11-man pitching staff instead of 12.
Happy Birthday Cashmoney! I bet some days he feels 142.
Replace Hinske?? What?!?!?!
He’s my favorite Yankee.
The yes network’s down on the farm had a great interview with Montero this week. Comes across as very humble and self effacing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKKwRlgALT0
He’s not nearly as bad behind the plate as those who have never seen him, and read reports on him, make him out to be.
In fact, he’s better defensively than some guys on big league rosters right now.
His biggest problem behind the plate is not blocking balls or catching and framing. Its the transfer from glove to hand when throwing.
Tony Pena has worked with him a lot with it and he’s much better than he has been in the past.
At 19, he’s more advanced defensively than Mike Piazza was at the same age, and Piazza is a first ballot HOF.
He’s never going to be Pudge Rodriquez in his prime back there. He’s not a stiff either.
“The yes network’s down on the farm had a great interview with Montero this week. Comes across as very humble and self effacing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKKwRlgALT0”
Thnaks CB for the link.
Yes, he is very unassuming.
Also, unlike many YOUNG latin players, he speaks pretty good english which will help with un the interviews with the media when he arrives to the big clug.
“By the time Posada’s contract expires in two years Romine will be ready and Montero Romine will form that duo. Very apealing”
That would depend on if Romine is just that; a backup catcher. Now if he ends up being better then a backup catcher ex. he can hit, he is going to placed at another position.
Most backup catchers can’t hit. If things workout well with Montero with his defense I can see the Yankees moving Romine to a corner outfield position.
Jesus comes across as awesome in that interview.
Our goal should be to take three out of four from the Jays, with Holladay pitching in the series. Who knows one of the wins may be against him, just like the win against Santana.
“He’s never going to be Pudge Rodriquez in his prime back there. He’s not a stiff either.”
I too read a lot of knock on his work behind the plate. I don’t see it.
Few, if any, are Pudge behind the plate, but if he can continue to hit and can improve the catching OTJ.
Try to think what Tabata was doing at Trenton and compare it to Jesus.
It’s really, really special.
“A very happy birthday to Brian Cashman. C-Money is 42 today, although in George Steinbrenner years he is 67″
Pete: you deserve the Pulitzer Prize, for that one. Very funny
btw: Happy Birthday to my man Brian Cashman
If both are good, they can play half the games each at Catcher and the rest at DH. As catchers, they will get about 20 games rest every season any way.
Guys:
I don’t know how many of you were around in 2007. But those of you that were–
is it me, or is this Montero buzz similar to the way we were all after Joba that year?
yea joba buzz wasn’t all there until he dominate in relief. thats when his hype took off. jesus hype is off the charts
“I don’t know how many of you were around in 2007. But those of you that were–
is it me, or is this Montero buzz similar to the way we were all after Joba that year?”
It is similar.
But Joba made majros that year and contributed.
I doubt Montero will be brought up to majors.
At most they will promote him to AAA.
afternoon,
happy holiday to everyone
any “new” news on Chapman ?
We’re going to split the series this week. At best.
Are you guys watching this 3rd set TB between the two Andy’s?
Montero is getting buzz for those who follow the minors. but doesn’t seem like the media has caught on though. Most of them (media) still think A.Jackson is the number 1 prospect. I think Montero has surpassed him.
Cone who appears knowledgeable of the Yankees system hasn’t never mentioned Montero’s name.
Johnny D.
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
We’re going to split the series this week. At best.
==========
Hmmmmm, at best we sweep, right? At worst we are swept. Or maybe truly “at worst” means we forfeit every game. I don’t know.
Romine has the arm and athleticism to play a corner OF spot.
He’s not doing too badly himself… 21 doubles and 11 HRs so far, hitting .292 in Tampa. Has to start walking more though.
Ugh. Fantastic tennis. Roddick prevails.
There won’t be any new news on Chapman for awhile.
What goes on now is the following….
His people have to work with the US Governament to try and get him temporary asylum in America. There is a program the government has to assist those seeking political asylum entry into the country.
That’s because Chapman, as it is with all Cuban athletes, surrenders his passport to a Cuban Government official when he travels with his team.
Once that paperwork is done, he will be allowed temporary entry into America. At that time, he will go to Miami, perhaps as early as this weekend.
If/when that happens, he will hold a press conference in Miami to “introduce” himself.
We may know then, or perhaps shortly thereafter, who is representing him and what country he will choose as his “residence”.
It will be a country (Costa Rica?) that keeps him away from being subjected to the the Major League Draft system.
After that, he will have to wait a period of time in order to gain residency in that country. MLB will have to clear him and when they do (probably 4-6 months from now), the bidding wooing for his services will commence.
“Try to think what Tabata was doing at Trenton and compare it to Jesus.”
That’s a great point. It’s remarkable when you put it in context.
For another comparison look at what Montero is doing compared to Mike Stanton the Marlins OF prospect.
Stanton is close to the same age as monter (little older). And has followed a very similar progression of advancement so far.
Last year as an 18 year old he hit 39 HR in the sally league. That is phenomenal. This year he was well on his way to being considered one of the top 5 prospects in the game.
He tore up high A just like Montero did. And the marlins promoted him to AA.
Here are stanton’s numbers so far in AA:
.222/ .324/ .433/.757
In 90 he has 5 hr. He’s also struck out 28 times.
Those numbers aren’t surprising at all for a 19 year old in AA. In fact, in some ways they are pretty good as it’s impressive that he’s maintained that much power. So those numbers wouldn’t really concern me that much – it’s only 90 at bats and he’s still getting his feet wet.
But this is a guy who was on his way to being a top 5 prospect.
Compare that to montero:
.325/.395/.571/.967
He also has 5 hr – in 17 fewer at bats.
But the thing that is perhaps most remarkable about Montero is the strike outs.
Stanton has struck out 28 times in 90 at bats – that’s 31%. Montero has struck out 7 times in 77 at bats – that’s 9%.
Now stanton strikes out a lot and likely always will – that’s probably how he generates a good chunk of his power. So even though 31% is not good if I’m the marlins I’m fine with that. What Stanton is doing is what 19 years olds pushed to AA do – they struggle because they are challenged with much better pitching. He’s still a top prospect.
But Montero is just on another planet. 5 hr vs. 7k’s.
Johnny D,
Looking at the pitching matchups, you are probably right. Today, we have a considerable edge, facing their worst pitcher. Tomorrow Halladay has a big edge. Richmond/Joba is a toss-up. Romero has been on fire lately and who knows which Andy shows up.
I’d sign up for a split. Jays can hit too and have a good pen.
Rebecca–Optimist Prime July 3rd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Guys:
I don’t know how many of you were around in 2007. But those of you that were–
is it me, or is this Montero buzz similar to the way we were all after Joba that year?
—————
Yep, I agree. It’s like déjà vu.
It seemed like the Joba buzz was really taken to another level just before he pitched in the Futures Game in SF.
The difference though is that 90% of Yankee fans had never heard of Joba before his major league debut – which is a big reason why those people still want to limit his ceiling by leaving him the pen.
Those who never saw or followed Joba’s career before his major league debut are incapable of understanding just how good this guy could be if they simply left him alone.
With vast increase in minor league coverage these days, there’s a pretty significant increase over the last two years in following prospects and the fans now are just more aware of these guys than they were a couple of years ago.
Truth is it was Hawaii that had folks here on the blog raving about Joba’s potential long before he made his way to the big club. Maybe not everybody but you’re right Rebecca there’s a certain atmosphere around a big time prospect that was there for Joba and IMO is getting even more pumped up for Montero.
While Jackson doesn’t really have the same buzz because noone thinks he is going to be an all world hitter, Jesus’ bat has all of us Yankee fans in a lather. When you look at his body of work and it starts looking comparable to Cabrera how could we not get worked up?
I don’t think I’m the only one who saw that 46:3 strikeout to ball ratio in 37 innings and got REAL worked up about him starting in the Bronx during those 6 months he was a prospect lol
Watched Romero against the Rays… he was just nasty. If we don’t hit him, it’s not because he’s a rookie, it’s because he is good.
that’s funny, I just watched to first set in the break room during lunch and had no clue that wasn’t live…pulling for Roddick because he’s American but almost don’t want him to go to the final just to be embarrased by Federer…it would be a better sports story for the Brit to win it all but as an American I gotta go with Roddick…
“Are you guys watching this 3rd set TB between the two Andy’s?”
Tape delay here. It’s 6-4 first set right now.
SJ44:
thank you for all the details.
go Yankees
and with a name like jesus, is very not to hard get very excired for jesus
I think this first game will help set the tone for the series…hopefully we can start another winning streak and not putz around for the next couple of games trying to get our groove back…but I will be happy with winning the series and not overly upset if we split…
“is it me, or is this Montero buzz similar to the way we were all after Joba that year?”
Joba wasn’t buzz – at least it wasn’t buzz until he got to the bigs and the media circus took over.
When Joba was in the minors and we were talking about him – that was substance. And it turned out to be mostly correct. There was a reason why people thought of him as being so promising before he got called up. What he was doing as he rifled through the minors systematically showed he was far too good for any level of competition he faced.
With hitters its more difficult as it’s tough to know how those tools will translate against higher level of competition.
But this isn’t simply buzz with Montero. He still very well could completely flop. But what he’s doing right now is substance. It’s not just projection or buzz.
“Watched Romero against the Rays… he was just nasty. If we don’t hit him, it’s not because he’s a rookie, it’s because he is good.”
I saw Romero pitch for Syracuse last year. Dude is phenomenal.
CB: Likelihood Montero sees AAA action before the year’s end?
lets hope in Romero’s case that he finds the NY spotlight and the Yankee hitters a little overwhelming
A-Rods first homer in his first spring training game was of Romero
Rumor says Gary Sanchez will start in GCL next week…
…I thought dude was 16?!
man, hopefully AJ wins today because I cant see the yankees winning the last three games.
“man, hopefully AJ wins today because I cant see the yankees winning the last three games.”
way to show optimism!
time to pretend working.
Let’s go yankees
Yes, iPhone’s MLB At Bat let’s me listen the other team’s broadcaster. I love that.
Go Yanks.
here jesus combine numbers so far this year
Minors .346 69 257 35 89 19 1 13 51 149 23 33 0 0 .403 .580 .983
13 hr, 19 doubles while hitting 325 just off the charts
Lets go Yankees!
lets go yankees
rebecca,
I don’t’ know. And I say that because I don’t think AAA is all that important for him.
I think there’s just as good a chance that they keep him in AA for the rest of the year.
The bigger question is whether or not – if he keeps this up – they bring him up to the big club.
If they decide he’s too good for AA it’s not outside the realm of possibilities that they bring him up to the bigs.
If he continues to be so good at AA that he’s too good for level it’s almost just as likely that he’ll be called up to the bigs as it is that he’ll be called up to AAA.
Maybe I’m way off. But if it comes to another promotion – at that point you’ll just know.
oh no. The red hats are back
Do Canadians have to wear ugly red hats too?
for those stuck at work, MLB.com’s Gameday mini is pretty good and very small on the desktop. I’m probably way behind on this but it’s the first time I’ve noticed it.
CB: Heh, maybe it’ll be like Pujols who had all of 3 games at AAA!
Right now I’m kind of intrigued by the Sanchez thing…
Peter, what’s the deal with the red caps? Is this more of Bud Selig’s nonsense?
I see the fake umpires are back. LOL.
that was a pathetic walk come on aj don’t overthrown
Vicki July 3rd, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I see the fake umpires are back. LOL.
They follow the Blue Jays everywhere lol
rebecca,
what’s the source for sanchez going to the GCL? They almost never ever do that with international guys. They almost always keep them in the DSL to start.
I think the last guy they sent right to the GCL was Montero – but even that was delayed some due to his signing bonus issues IIRC.
If that’s true – that they are sending him to the GCL then they think he has a phenomenal bat. They would only do that if they think he’s very advanced and mature.
But they did spend $3M on him so they clearly think he’s very good.
aj fastball overpowering
Yeah, I heard YES flew them in for the series. I guess the Yankees are that desperate for people to fill in those luxury seats.
CB: http://twitter.com/kileymcd/status/2455967064
On RAB someone mentioned that he’d been called a Montero bat with a Romine arm.
what’s w/ those fake umps
the impact may not be tremendous, but everyone here should commit to not purchasing one of those stupid red Yankee hats…at least we’ll make a dent…
I understand why US teams would wear red caps on Independence Day.
but why Canada?
Brandon they follow the Blue Jays
kiley mcdaniels has very good sources and has been on the mark with the international guys. He’s the one who said the yankees had Sanchez locked up a while ago.
I have to say I’m very surprised. If this was another team I’d think they are making a mistake and trying to get a accelerate an ROI on a large bonus.
But that’s not the yankees. They must absolutely love his bat. This is not a move they would take lightly.
vinny-b July 3rd, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I understand why US teams would wear red caps on Independence Day.
but why Canada?
A lot of Americans on the team maybe
How do the fake umpires get those seats?!
Jackson AAA- .323/.387/.444 3HR 29 RBI 14SB
Romine High A- .291/.319/.498 11HR 46 RBI
Montero (Tampa and Trenton)- .346/403/580 13 HR 51 RBI
Things really looking up down on the farm.
Fake Umpires:
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/0.....ht-of-fan/
If I paid to sit in the premium seats and sat behind them, I’d be hissed off.
base hit for Texy
arod just missed it
Stop that first pitch swinging.
These hats are a complete embarrassment for the game. They look ridiculous – especially on the yankees.
What nonsense.
And it’s such a perverse message.
Pretending that crass marketing is somehow equivalent to patriotism.
Bud Selig is a dote.
those fake umps must have a lot of money
It’s pouring right now here in central jersey
pat
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Do Canadians have to wear ugly red hats too?
————————————————————
I have no issies with the red hats for three times a year. The money that they generate goes to a great cause….USO and Wounded Warrior among other military support organizations.
Struck him out 2 times ; /
seriously, the next good PR move for the Yankees should be to reimburse the cost of the ticket for anyone sitting behind those bozos…
where did that pitch miss?
Correction: I have no issues with
Red and White are Canadian Colours.
They wore those hats on Canada Day (July 1st).
AJ looks phenomenal. When he pitches like this he can make it look so easy.
Let’s hope that the rain stays away. To cut short AJ’s outing today would be unfortunate.
didn’t realize that GB7…I retract my request that no one here buy one and would like to replace it with a request that everyone buy 3!
Every time Kay says someone is horrible, they get a hit. Its like clockwork.
Those fake umps are Bay Street stockbrokers. They do have a lot of cash. The stock market didn’t crash as bad up here.
Sometimes, watching AJ pitch can be a thing of beauty
What Rios did to that kid was wrong.
GB
If all the proceeds go to charity, I can deal with ugly better than if it is just lining MLB coffers.
AJ looks like a vanilla ice cream cone with a cherry on top
Like I said, sometimes.
Did the BlueJays hit us last time. B/c that last pitch looked on purpose.
come on AJ
35 pitches for AJ
My eyes hurt from having too look at the hideous red hats. The stars and stripes logo should be sufficient for celebrating holidays.
Nice job by AJ. He was upset but he held it together and got the out.
Earlier in the season he would have let those mistakes fester and it turns into a big inning.
Robbie with a RBI!
yea cano!!…your getting hottt!
Canoooooo!!!
Cano is definitely locked in.
Woo nice hit Robbie.
Burnett looks good but some control problems like usual.
Those fake umps are freaking hilarious.
Bases empty 5-hitter specialist?
pat
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
GB
If all the proceeds go to charity, I can deal with ugly better than if it is just lining MLB coffers.
————————————————————
People can talk about how bad the MLB front office is handled (most of it deserved) and George Steinbrenner, but, that’s one thing they’ve always done is support and give to the military. They must have shipped in a million dollars worth of equipment, wearing apparel and things like footballs, soccer balls and game films along with supporting AFN (Armed Forces Radio and TV Network) with free broadcasts of live games around the world.
Cano should be batting 4th instead because he just got a hit and it was a home run!
That’s sarcasm.
That’s one way to get an RBI
Swisher is like a gift and a curse
35 pitches in two innings is a lot, but I guess that’s just who AJ is. He’s got great stuff today – maybe his best all season. It’s humid today – maybe that helps.
It’s hard to believe that a second baseman could hit a ball like that.
Cano may be getting back into one of those hot streaks.
In the past it’s been late June/ July when he’s turned it on so hopefully that might be the same thing now.
Yay Cano
“These hats are a complete embarrassment for the game. They look ridiculous – especially on the yankees.
What nonsense.
And it’s such a perverse message.
Pretending that crass marketing is somehow equivalent to patriotism.
Bud Selig is a dote.”
Could not agree more. Just dumb. And kind of insulting as it’s a clear ploy to sell product masked as patriotism.
one reason I find it difficult to understand all the hate towards George was his charitable nature…especially after the VT shootings…
Sui
What is it with Canó and July, anyway?
Yeah the red hats are dumb.
I’m okay with the ones that have red white and blue as the Yankee logo but the rest of the hat is dark blue like usual. I can’t stomach these new ones.
cone said montero!
Another useless at bat by Cano there. No men on base! Why was he even trying without a man on base? Get him out of the 5th spot already. He can’t protect A-Rod. If Posada was batting 5th, opposing teams would fear him so much that they would pitch to A-Rod in critical spots with a base open. God what a stupid argument.
“one reason I find it difficult to understand all the hate towards George was his charitable nature…especially after the VT shootings…”
Read up on how he treated Yankee employees. Just awful.
It’s true about his charitable side. He alway goes above and beyond there.
Coney giving Montero some love
I used to have a gray Yankees hat with the American flag logo and that was ok…although the gray on gray would probably not look so great…
25 pitches for Tallet
GB
I like that the Yankees don’t do the alternate uniform thing. It’s not like they are hurting for revenue. The red hat just looks wrong. The blue hats with the flag NY’s while a departure was just less obvious but I guess they were going for obvious.
George has always been philanthropic. Whether it be local causes, the military, schools, childrens charities, the Olympics or wayward ex players. That’s something I always admired about him.
Gray-on-gray violence is destroying the Confederate Civil War re-enactment community, hokiehill. I wish there was more we could do to stop it.
“Read up on how he treated Yankee employees. Just awful.”
I’d be a monster of a boss too if I had employees sleeping under desks and taking forever to bring me calzones…
Cano is so un-clutch. There was no one on and its only the 2nd inning. Lets see him do that in the 9th inning, bases loaded, 2 outs, 3 umps behind the plate, red hats blinding him and hes the winning run. When he comes through in that situation. Then and only then he’ll be clutch.
“People can talk about how bad the MLB front office is handled (most of it deserved) and George Steinbrenner, but, that’s one thing they’ve always done is support and give to the military. They must have shipped in a million dollars worth of equipment, wearing apparel and things like footballs, soccer balls and game films along with supporting AFN (Armed Forces Radio and TV Network) with free broadcasts of live games around the world.”
When I was overseas we mostly had football. I never missed commercials until I went to Europe and only had access to AFN. There are only so many INFOSEC commercials telling me to watch what I say around people you can take.
The long list of charities MLB supports is impressive.
If AJ threw Scutaro a change here he would fall over.
Damon sucks
WTH Johnny
come on damon…geez
Pathetic, Damon………just pathetic
Damon needs to be the full-time DH next year. The guy is an awful fielder.
maybe the Yankees could just make a huge donation to suppliment the revenue that would be earned from selling those attrocious red hats (because they can’t be selling many of them) just so they don’t have to wear them….and whether they are obvious or not, I imagine they would make far more money from selling the blue hats with the flag NY’s than they do from selling the red Yankee hats…
Nick, I had no idea such a travesty was occuring among the ranks of our fake war heroes…such a sad realization
Man Damon is a horrible LF
Damon has never recovered from his CF concussion.
With every pitiful play Damon makes in LF, the chances of him being re-signed get less and less.
What a joke he’s become in the field.
“Cano is so un-clutch. There was no one on and its only the 2nd inning. Lets see him do that in the 9th inning, bases loaded, 2 outs, 3 umps behind the plate, red hats blinding him and hes the winning run. When he comes through in that situation. Then and only then he’ll be clutch.”
Yeah, shame on him for hitting that home run…next time put people on base first Cano!
How many runs is Damon going to cost the Yankees in LF ? He can’t even make routine plays…….granted, Scutaro put in a tough at bat. Go AJ……pick up your teammate
How many misplays is that for Damon this year?
You can’t re-sign Damon, no way. I’m sorry about that because he’s a great guy and a terrific hitter, but there is no excuse for his play in LF.
our defensive outfielder is awful
Oy, 3-0
The funny part is somebody on the Yes boards wanted Damon to play in the All Star game.
It’s kind of inexplicable what’s happening to Damon in the field.
As most players get older in the OF they deteriorate defensively because they lose range. That’s natural.
But with Damon it seems like something else entirely. It’s as if he just can’t track the ball. He gets twisted up turning around and just doesn’t judge the trajectory of the ball correctly.
This becomes particularly bad on ball hit righ at him. It’s as if he can’t tell where the ball is going because he can’t see it well enough to judge depth projection and flight path.
this is a very unreliable source, but according the MLB’s gameday, AJ’s not using his changeup much or at all for that matter…how accurate is that from those who can actually see the game?
Damon once again looks foolish in the OF. It is too bad but they have 2 DHs w/ Damon and Matsui so he will continue to play LF and continue being a joke.
It will be nice next year as both will be FAs.
What a great catch lol
good boy Damon
did he catch it ?
maybe Damon needs eye drops or a milk shake?
Good job by AJ……one more out, AJ. Geez, every FB to Damon is an adventure
Damon catches ball? The broadcaster must be confused.
great job aj, lets go offense
very good job aj…way to pick johhny up!
Great job, AJ………
Nice, lead-off double and nothing for the Jays.
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
I empathize for Jays fans as I recall my pain.
Nice job, AJ.
pat
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
GB
I like that the Yankees don’t do the alternate uniform thing. It’s not like they are hurting for revenue. The red hat just looks wrong. The blue hats with the flag NY’s while a departure was just less obvious but I guess they were going for obvious.
George has always been philanthropic. Whether it be local causes, the military, schools, childrens charities, the Olympics or wayward ex players. That’s something I always admired about him.
————————————————————
I guess I just see these hats and such thungs from a different point of view because I saw the things that they helped accomplish. It’s three times a year…not so tough to deal with.
As far as George Steinbrenner goes, by all accounts, he was a pain to work for, but, he was involved in everything, and expected the same from everyone else. I have a friend whose son worked as an intern for the Steinbrenners at Yankee Stadium who would get fired at least once a week for some infraction, but, they told him to just go home for the day and report to work the next day. Part of his job was picking up VIPs from the airport, like DiMaggio and Mantle. The one thing not allowed was asking for autographs.
What Mr. Steinbrenner has done for the military is inestimatable. Johnny Damon is another whose been unbealievable with the Wounded Warrior Fund, both in free time and a lot of money.
Sultus:
I so read that as “Damon catches balls?” and then I couldn’t stop laughing.
“this is a very unreliable source, but according the MLB’s gameday, AJ’s not using his changeup much or at all for that matter…how accurate is that from those who can actually see the game?”
Don’t think he’s thrown one yet.
Last two games he’s thrown 5 which was an increase from what he’s been doing before.
What is up with those fake umps? Annoying as hell…
Damon is allergic to fly balls when AJ pitches, man – AJ’s thrown a lot of pitches so far, not sure how far he can go in today’s weather.
Didn’t AJ throw more change-ups the last few times out?
dont look now but AJ has a better era than CC…i know its skewed because of last night but just throwing it out there
Yeah, shame on him for hitting that home run…next time put people on base first Cano!
———
Hokiehill,
No only that. But wait till later on in the game(after the 6th)to hit one out. Everyone knows the unclutch rules. Ask Alex.(hope you saw the sarcasm on my initial post)
I remember people saying to resign Damon a month ago when he was hott. He’s 36, batting under 300 now, weak arm, looks like shelley duncan catching balls now on the field and we want to resign him? Unless you want 5 dh’s on the team, i cant see why some would want that.
AJ at 53 pitches
Hopefully they work Tallet a little more
Erica your boyfriend is terrible
“Damon is allergic to fly balls when AJ pitches, man – AJ’s thrown a lot of pitches so far, not sure how far he can go in today’s weather.”
what weather?…its 75 degree
GJ Jetes. Lets get something going boys…
Damon must atone!
Um, it’s pretty humid, Ralphie…….and he’s thrown 55 pitches in 3 innings. That’s not conducive to going 6 or 7 innings, no matter the weather.
What you lose with Damon’s fielding misadventures you more than get back with his motivational work on knucklehead pitchers.
S.o.S., it’s all getting clearer now…
Damon is having a great day!!
He’s getting calls Burnett isn’t getting.
gameday had that ball sooo far off the plate
That’s strike 3?
Why isn’t Jeter stealing here?
Put him in motion. Hit and run. Something.
Rebecca–Optimist Prime
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Sultus:
I so read that as “Damon catches balls?” and then I couldn’t stop laughing.
==============
Could say the same thing for Swisher. I didn’t see the play though but we’ve seen some strange movements in the outfield this season.
Let’s hope Damon is not dizzy.
“What you lose with Damon’s fielding misadventures you more than get back with his motivational work on knucklehead pitchers.”
So true. Damon should be the last person lecturing anyone on their performance.
He looks like he’s 60 out in the field at times.
What you lose with Damon’s fielding misadventures you more than get back with his motivational work on knucklehead pitchers.
==========================
Damon’s like our very own Tony Robbins
and ball is inside too
Hokiehill
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Damon must atone!
========
He didn’t hit into a DP.
Thanks Damon for not making two outs…
Damn Ks!
“Um, it’s pretty humid, Ralphie…….and he’s thrown 55 pitches “in 3 innings. That’s not conducive to going 6 or 7 innings, no matter the weather.”
Come on Betsy. Humid or not its 75 degrees not 90.
Even if he keeps up the current pace with his pitch count he’ll go 6 innings easily.
Ump has a wide strike zone.
Can anyone see Damon doing his immitation of Conseco sometime this year and having a homerun bounce off his head?
If his miss adventures continue, i think he should be allowed to wear a face mask out there. If fans can, why not fielders?
They want Cano…
cano with men on uh oh
Robbie up with men on. Can he clutch again?
“Um, it’s pretty humid, Ralphie…….and he’s thrown 55 pitches in 3 innings. That’s not conducive to going 6 or 7 innings, no matter the weather.”
55 pitches, while not efficient is not exorbitant either…i doubt hes gonna come out after 5 innings 90 pitches
it’s impossible, yet somehow Cano will GIDP here…
Cano terrible with risp
CB, but that’s the point – Damon has lectured players about their performances. I won’t go into whether or not Phil needed that – we’ve been through it all already. It’s just that there is no excuse for not making the easy plays – Damon is hurting his pitchers and hurting the team. He made AJ, for one, expend a lot more pitches even though he didn’t give up a run.
Back to work AJ
Actually, S.o.S., Jeter still leads the team in miss adventures.
Ralphie,
According to the my gameday strike zone it wasnt far out.
Hokiehill
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:09 pm
it’s impossible, yet somehow Cano will GIDP here…
============
Can’t GIDP with 2 outs. But he would have if there had been 1!
I recall Damon saying that he himself needed to play better when he was calling people out…
Oh right, now I get it.
Yes, he did.
Pete, hating on people having a little fun at a baseball game? You really need to lighten up.
i find it so hard to believe that cano is just a worse hitter with risp…hes a fantastic pure hitter and you would think it would have no bearing on whether people are on or not
hence the “it’s impossible”
Dammit Cano!! Why cant mlb allow a ghost runners option? All we would need is around 3 a game. Oh well, at least he didnt ground into a dp.
One of the things Cano seems to do with men on base is become more pull conscious.
Pitchers keep pitching him on the outside half and he keeps hitting the ball to the right side and that results in all of these ground balls to that side.
He needs to relax and take the ball the other way – which he seems to do much more of when there is no one on base.
“Actually, S.o.S., Jeter still leads the team in miss adventures.”
ZING!
That’s what you do. Give A-Rod nothing to hit and pitch to Cano without a care in the world.
“According to the my gameday strike zone it wasnt far out.”
the damon strike 3 was way out on gameday…the tex one was borderline on gameday but the tv showed it to definitly be a ball
Thanks, Robi, now they have to start the next inning with one out.
Cano is an unreal talent, but just does not put up great at bats. He homered which was great on the first pitch, but has seen a total of four pitches in two at bats. I would forgo the random first pitch swinging homers he gets for some more quality at bats.
what’s with the lead-off doubles?
I read that YES Network paid for the umps to sit there, btw
this is a dangerous game you’re playing AJ
This is one of those games where AJ’s just going to have to fight, despite having great stuff…..
eek
come on AJ
Could use a couple of Ks……
remember AJ, just look into his eyes! All will be well, just look into his eyes….
Darn……it was bound to happen, AJ’s struggled most of the game.
1-1 game. Thanks Cano.
Ralphie,
i was talking about Tex’s strike.
I can’t imagine the uproar if posada had been behind the plate and the runner had advanced to third on that pitch.
It’s just not the catcher’s fault. AJ is amongst the league leaders in wild pitches. His curve ball is notoriously hard to catch as it’s so often in the dirt.
But it’s the pitcher who throws the ball in the dirt – not the catcher. And there is only so much the catcher can do to recover.
Cervelli needs to go check the dirt on the back of the mound again…
“Actually, S.o.S., Jeter still leads the team in miss adventures.”
————-
Nick,
Not sure if they are the same miss adventures. But i know of 2 catchers masks that are available for this game.
You are right about damon’s strike. It was way out.
“1-1 game. Thanks Cano.”
You mean because he’s the only one who’s accounted for the yankees scoring against the mighty brian tallet?
Gardner was also up with a man in scoring position and he had an awful at bat.
wow, I think at this point if I were sitting in row I would have punched one of the two “umps” How annoyng must they be the whole game. Looks like they are pounding beers too.
Nice throw by Cervelli
beautiful throw cisco…
Nice throw Cervelli
Nice throw, Frankie!!
AJ losing his control…..
Nice job angel eyes!
You guys are being ridiculous regarding these comments on Burnett.
Its 1-1 in the 4th. Your starter has great stuff today. Enjoy the freaking game. He’s not going to pitch a shutout every time out.
I was hoping for a laid back enjotyable game thread today. Unfortunately its getting pretty bad.
Is it possible that Cervelli was just fooling us all with colored contacts?
(sorry, I meant contacts of color)
Walking Dellucci? AJ may have great stuff, but it’s hard watching him today – everything is a struggle. He’s done a good job minimizing the damage, though
miggs…I haven’t seen anyone being overly critical…alot of goofing off but nothing too crazy…
miggs, can’t agree more. He’s pitching fairly well, had a few nasty pitches, good velocity. Just needs to keep his focus. Yankees offense needs to work some walks though against Tallet, he is right there with AJ on walks allowed this year.
Nick, we all know what you meant, you racist
“Gardner was also up with a man in scoring position and he had an awful at bat”
why was it “awful” though…he made an out, that happens…i think your trying to point out that people other than cano make outs with RISP but nobody cares about that…they just see cano and when he makes an out with a guy on they hate him…correct?
“UPDATE, 2:15 p.m.: So I’m told the fake umpires somehow merited free tickets. Not sure why. ”
This is what bugs me.
Miggs, you’re right – I for one don’t think I’m expecting him to pitch a shutout all the time. The walks are just frustrating, that’s all….I think AJ’s done a fine job……..
“1-1 game. Thanks Cano.”
You mean because he’s the only one who’s accounted for the yankees scoring against the mighty brian tallet?
Gardner was also up with a man in scoring position and he had an awful at bat.
Cano has done this time and time again. Trying to hit a 3 run homer pulling an outside pitch. Hes horrible with RISP and should not be batting behind Alex. Not to mention the balls in the dirt he swung at in that at bat.
Chavez must run like Jose Molina-that ground ball bounced several times, Arod fielded it deep and didn’t even rush the throw and still got it there in plenty of time.
john
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Cano is an unreal talent, but just does not put up great at bats. He homered which was great on the first pitch, but has seen a total of four pitches in two at bats. I would forgo the random first pitch swinging homers he gets for some more quality at bats.
=================
Don’t hold your breath. You’ll be dead.
The fake umps aren’t even Yankee fans. but was given free tickets anyway. I find them annoying not funny.
70 pitches for AJ
miggs,
Your starter? Did you mean our starter? You know that Cervelli is a cant do no wrong gold glover thats being blocked by the very selfish Posada. As some would say the eyes say it all. BTW, when your paid that much money its shutout or bust.
Hows the east treating you bro?
I’d pay about $250 to merit free tickets behind the plate…but I will not dress-up and act like an idiot…
More material for the Yankeeography! And the fake umps are Toronto guys, and I understand they were invited by the Yanks to come down this weekend
“why was it “awful” though…he made an out, that happens…”
Because Gardner’s game is his legs and when he undercuts the ball and hits those pop-up flies those aren’t productive outs for him.
He’s doesn’t drive the ball often when it’s up in the air.
He needs to keep the ball on line drives or on the ground.
When he’s popping up the ball like that on those lazy flies – those aren’t productive at bats.
He saw two pitches that at bat – he got a fastball out over the plate and tried to pull it. That’s not his game.
Stults, no kidding although he did fool us all the beginning of the year. He was actually taking pitches and looked like he was maturing as a hitter. Look at his month to month numbers and they all have gone down hill. The only thing I will say is at least he is still hitting all over the field. He is just a frustrating hitter to watch because he oozes talent. There are a lot of players who should be better though, Rios being another.
They were given free tickets because they’re hilarious, you humorless idiots.
work him swishy
Ok so now he’s through 4 innings. One run, but 70 pitches. Without a few quick innings he’s going to be out of there after the 6th most likely.
Today its the bats that are lagging. We need some runs. Start working this guy Tallet.
At least you knew Swisher was going to work the count….. which makes him a valuable weapon. He’s seen 8 pitches already.
The fake umps are funny to laugh at. Just keep muttering “losers” every time you see them
anyone wonder if they paid Nicholson to come sit behind home plate? if they are willing to pay some stupid Toronto fans I can certainly understand them paying a celebrity to come…more people may be willing to buy $1250 seats if they have a shot at sitting next to a celebrity…but I imagine fewer will be wanting to spend $1,250 if they have a chance to sit next to clowns wearing umpire gear…
Those fake umps were funny for about 5 minutes. Now they are just annoying to me.
“Because Gardner’s game is his legs and when he undercuts the ball and hits those pop-up flies those aren’t productive outs for him.
He’s doesn’t drive the ball often when it’s up in the air.
He needs to keep the ball on line drives or on the ground.
When he’s popping up the ball like that on those lazy flies – those aren’t productive at bats.
He saw two pitches that at bat – he got a fastball out over the plate and tried to pull it. That’s not his game.”
all your points are valid but i think your being a little too hard to gardner…hes not gonna hit the ball on the ground everytime and he can drive the ball in the gaps…
john
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Stults, no kidding although he did fool us all the beginning of the year. He was actually taking pitches and looked like he was maturing as a hitter.[...]
================
I wasn’t fooled, to be honest. I don’t think he’ll ever change. And I didn’t believe it at the beginning of the year.
He does ooze talent though, like you said. That’s the frustrating part, he has unbelievable potential. But I think what we see right now is what we get.
Cano is hitting about .211 with RISP. If he got one more hit every 10 AB’s he be hitting over .300. There is some statistical variation from year to year but with the improvements he’s made this year defensively it’s not out of the question that he can work on his productivity in these situations at the plate in the same manner. I agree he should not be hitting 5th but probably 6th or 7th behind Posada and/or Matsui. But Cano isn’t the one who puts him there, it’s Girardi, who’s also hitting Swisher in front of Matsui for some unknown reason.
Why cant we hit that ugle pitcher named Brian Tallet!
CB – Re: Damon defensive woes.
He’s much heavier (thicker, actually) than he was when he played for Boston. He never got a great jump, but was fluid and had excellent straight ahead speed to mask his lack of “ball skills” (to use an NFL term).
Now, he can’t turn his hips and ends up awkwardly plodding towards wherever his first step is directed. He simply can’t swivel, adjust, or adapt, and has no “makeup speed” (another NFL term).
Finishing the NFL analogy, he started with a cornerback body, but now he’s taking a linebacker body to play the cornerback position.
S.O.S. you crack me up.
East is…. the east. Rain, humidity, etc. I grew up here, I know the drill.
I’ve been tracking the weather out there and it seems mild if I’m correct. Lots of 70s. But sun…. tons of sun. That never changes.
I’m making a trip to northern sd in 2 weeks and I’m looking forward to it. Visit some friends, go down to Mexico for a day, spend a lot of time in the water. I miss that area.
How’s things out there for you?
Cervelli just has this natural gift in his eyes that causes pitchers to throw strikes and unhittable pitches…unfortunately it works against him as well…
“…it’s Girardi who’s hitting Swisher in front of Matsui for some unknown reason”
He loves the lefty righty order. No way he puts 2 lefty’s (cano matsui back to back)
A quick inning would be nice here, have a good feeling Yankees are scoring at least 2 next inning with Gardner leading off with a walk.
“all your points are valid but i think your being a little too hard to gardner…hes not gonna hit the ball on the ground everytime and he can drive the ball in the gaps…”
This is true. But I was applying the same criteria to Gardner’s at bat that people were for Cano’s.
Gardner’s not going to hit the ball on on a line drive all of the time but if he’s trying to pull the ball like that he’s far less likely to do it. He just can’t hit like that.
They both had sub-optimal at bats.
But the only reason the team has a run off of tallet (who really isn’t very good) is Cano’s HR.
Thanks Scutaro, saving the pitch count
SI.com picked up the chapman story and it’s now on CNN.com’s homepage
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....ml?cnn=yes
AJ is throwing the breaking ball far less than in his past couple of starts. When he has that working along with the fastball he is basically unhittable. The rest of the time he has to work harder, even with the 96 mph heater.
“CB – Re: Damon defensive woes.
He’s much heavier (thicker, actually) than he was when he played for Boston. He never got a great jump, but was fluid and had excellent straight ahead speed to mask his lack of “ball skills” (to use an NFL term).
Now, he can’t turn his hips and ends up awkwardly plodding towards wherever his first step is directed. He simply can’t swivel, adjust, or adapt, and has no “makeup speed” (another NFL term).
Finishing the NFL analogy, he started with a cornerback body, but now he’s taking a linebacker body to play the cornerback position.”
All excellent points. He’s also way down in steals and attempts this year. He’s turned into more of a power guy, which is weird at age 35. PEDs?
that was the 2nd great breaking ball he’s thrown today, the other one struck out Wells before Rios tied the game
Kay with his best Sterling impression.
nice play swish…hes stepped up his defense since that bad stretch he had
miggs,
Your a little more spoiled in good weather than i am. Its amazing how the weather changes from temecula(where im at)than 15 miles down the road escondido. They have had 70 degree weather while we’re in the 90’s. But like you said, i know the drill. Speaking of vacations, my family needs one. Im planning on heading to Cancun this December after pop warner football. Never been there, but heard the beaches are great. Not sure if its similiar to puerto villarta(been there). Enjoy your trip.
Good quick inning, AJ may have bought himself another inning and nice catch by Swish.
Now let’s see if things hold, I have 2 runs on the board for the Yankees this inning
“Now, he can’t turn his hips and ends up awkwardly plodding towards wherever his first step is directed. He simply can’t swivel, adjust, or adapt, and has no “makeup speed” (another NFL term).”
Yeah, he’s just lost his skill set as a fielder. It does look like his footwork out there (to continue the CB comparison) is terrible.
He’s really decayed defensively – much more so than offensively (I think he could be an effective DH…)
BTW – any thoughts on why the Sox defense has been so bad this year?
It’s a remarkable turn around from last year. Lowell is clearly a big part of that turn around but he’s not all of it. Green’s made a lot of errors but his range looks ok out there. And it’s not as if Lugo last year was a plus when he was playing.
Never thought the yankee team defense would be better than the sox this close to the mid-point of the season.
AJ gets that quick inning he needed. Now he can possibly get through 7 if keep it around 15 pitches per inning.
Hes at 79 pitches. He could give us 2 more innings. Hopefully the terrible offense scores some runs for him.
Great inning – just what AJ needed. That 3-2 curve to Lind was filthy…..
All this AJ angst but he’s through 5 at under 80 pitches. Maybe one more and then go to Chapman for the 7th and 8th?
“Kay with his best Sterling impression.”
except it was actually what we all said.
I would like to use the football analogy and say Damons always been a field goal kicker. All legs no arms, gets hurt making a defensive tackle.
Damon is probably stealing less because he is batting second, not third, the opposite of Jeter running more.
Damon is hitting more homers because of the porch obviously and tries to pull much more in the stadium.
Age will cut down flexability etc and his shoulder issues over the year hasn’t helped. If anything he seems to have issues with his eyesight which goes back to that weird “caffinee” thing a month ago.
the faux Toronto umps are part of the US/Canadian cultural exchange program.
We are sending them Disco Stu and Cotton-eyed Joe.
Not a bad idea Nick. Maybe have Montero hit for Swisher?
So I predicted the Gardner walk to lead off, now just get me my 2 runs !!!
you got to be an idiot to walk Gardenhoser.
Nick in SF in Sunnyvale July 3rd, 2009 at 2:40 pm
All this AJ angst but he’s through 5 at under 80 pitches. Maybe one more and then go to Chapman for the 7th and 8th?
I like that
“A quick inning would be nice here, have a good feeling Yankees are scoring at least 2 next inning with Gardner leading off with a walk”
correct so far
“SI.com picked up the chapman story and it’s now on CNN.com’s homepage”
rebecca,
I know it may have seemed that SJ and I were going on and on about Chapman but this is going to be such a big deal. This is just the start. It’s going to be everywhere and will be the dominant story of the winter.
it’s time for the hit and run unless Gardner just gets the steal sign.
hit and run. lets go!!
maybe he’ll get picked off, Girardi will go out to argue and get tossed and then the Yankees will win 7 straight?
Sorry, I was assuming that Brian Cashman is actually doing his job today and not listening to “Birthday Sex” in his office.
Why are you hating on the fake umps? They are awesome. I would laughing my ass off if I was sitting next to them.
The more they talk of Chapman the more he looks like Marte in the still pictures. That’s what really scares me. And of course the talk of him being 5 years older than he says he is.
Gardner is way into Tallet’s head…
That walk was because of my man BG
lets go damon.
ight 2 men on 0 outs…lets score a couple!
I notice Gardenhoser has big time trouble stealing off LHPs
Here we go, two straight walks. Would Johnny ever try a quick drag bunt here?
CB: Oh, I believe it. I’m just saying like, “it’s started!”
Double steal!
steal 3rd? double steal?
either Damon or Teix is going deep, I have that feeling after the 2 walks…
Damon!!!!!!!!
beauty damon!
What can I say, I have this inning down
wow!!!!
That’s some real sitch hitting right there.
Damon with the bung ohoh
Beautiful drag bunt! Bases loaded for Tex. I predict some runs!
“Damon with the bung ohoh”
Careful, you were close to stringing together a bannable sentence there…
guy can not throw strikes this inning, be patient texiera!
I agree with Coney – tough error on Tallett
get something from this
“Damon with the bung ohoh”
Careful, you were close to stringing together a bannable sentence there…
________
Thanks you just saved my lohud life
The bases loaded…
Gardner, Jeter and Damon…
Sun despite the clouds…
come on walk!!!
Is anyone feeling a walk here, run scored, Arod grannie?
You know he doesn’t want to throw to Tex but uh he kind of has too. Let him walk you Tex!
nice!
Woooo Tex!
good eyes tex!
all started with Gardner getting on base and putting the pressure on Tallet
If only Gardner could get that OBP up…
The need to walk A-Rod now to get to Cano…
Tallet has to be coming out soon…
If Arod hits a grannie I will be buying some lotto tickets today.
do we credit that run to Gardenhoser ?
let’s see if Arod can stay away from pulling an outside pitch into a DP
CB – Re: THe Sox’ defense – It was indeed dreadful for a while. Lowell looked like he was playing in quicksand, and Green/Lugo were killing them. Even Pedroia had some shaky moments.
But Green has come around (Lugo is rarely allowed to play in the field); Youkilis and Kotsay have been solid at 3rd and ist respectively.
At this point, they’re playing defense comparable to last year. I think that the SS situation was starting to impact the whole team, but Green has really turned it around, even though he’s not a long term solution. (He’s sort of the Aaron Small of shortstops.)
Bay is robotic (but adequate in Fenway), but the rest of the OF defense is very good.
I’ll let this go – don’t want to step on the game thread.
That’s part of what makes Tex such a valuable power hitter.
Coming to the plate he knew Tallet had lost his control completely.
And he stayed patient and let Tallet hang himself.
Alex has done the same thing over his career and especially this year.
They didn’t get the pen up in time.
Jeter = quarterback(gets the head cheer leader)
Damon = punter/field goal kicker
Alex = linebacker
Posada = center
C.C. = tackle
Gardner = running back
Swish = nose
Cano = safety
???
Arod knows he has to throw him good pitches because they don’t want to walk him. Grand slam time?
Niiiice!
“all started with Gardner getting on base and putting the pressure on Tallet
If only Gardner could get that OBP up…”
its .367 coming into today…thats pretty darn good for him
Oooo Alex
Or not…hopefully Cano doesn’t GIDP here.
Oh boy……..not a good at bat by Alex. Now with Cano……..DP coming up
And now Cano great. GL man!
well, Cano gets a chance to redeem himself on the blog…
good job
okk!! take the runs anyway we can
way to get the run in Robbie.
Yes no dp now!
Guess not, with the WP…lol
I’ am now convinced that John Sterling is blind!
Good job Cano!
“Jeter = quarterback(gets the head cheer leader)
Damon = punter/field goal kicker
Alex = linebacker
Posada = center
C.C. = tackle
Gardner = running back
Swish = nose
Cano = safety
???”
I’ve always thought of Alex as cheerleader.
Well, that’s one way for Cano to deliver a run w/RISP! lol
Well got my Gardner walk and two runs this inning. I would prefer to be wrong with my prediction if the Yankees can push two more home.
Hey now he can’t GIDP!
“well, Cano gets a chance to redeem himself on the blog…”
Naturally, that is what he’s thinking…
Niiiiice!
“its .367 coming into today…thats pretty darn good for him”
——
no, i know.
I mean if he could get it up just a little more he could actually hit at the top of the order and be quite a weapon.
Wow he was safe
Wow, Cano………he’s hopeless right now with RISP
Damon could be a grifter w/ those hands.
gameday going real slow…I get the Niiiiice! before the update!
He was safe!
he was safe…
Tex was safe! Ridiculous.
God, good thing the Jays gave us a gift run.
What an odd inning……..
Horrible call and it was not bang bang
Teix was safe on that
now ALL 3 umps behind home plate are useless.
Tex was safe but like they said, when the ball beats him by that much and it’s a close play, the ump’s gonna call him out.
I have no problem with that.
Even though he was called out, that was nice by Tex to slip his hand in under the tag. Too bad the umpire is blind.
A-Rod and Cano are utterly pathetic with runners on base
it is unbelievable how pathetic they are
Tex was safe but like they said, when the ball beats him by that much and it’s a close play, the ump’s gonna call him out.
I have no problem with that.
_________
I thought the umps job was to make the right call.
the good news is that the Yankees scored 2 runs and didn’t get a ball out of the infield.
Sad offense
Cano again fails. With the infield in all he had to do is hit the ball hard and it would likely had found an hole. but of course he hit a weaker when he’s been hitting it hard before.
Can’t make it up.
Damn, well I was right about the 2 runs this inning, but was 3 and should have been more.
The arguement that the ball beats him is a joke. Then why not just make everything a force play?
9 times out of 10 – if the ball beats the runner the ump is going to bang him out.
The bats are still dead – they really were beneficiary of Tallet completely losing the plate, but so be it. Let’s see if AJ can shut the Jays down.
John July 3rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
A-Rod and Cano are utterly pathetic with runners on base
it is unbelievable how pathetic they are
Yeah A-Rod is pathetic because he has Cano behind him!
Tex was safe, horrible call, yet another awful AB with RISP for Cano.
Continues to try and pull everything w/RISP.
Hard to understand why.
Lineup is very short when Jorge is out of it.
Cano and Swisher, 2 non-hitters w/RISP back=end of rallies.
Mark,
then you expect perfection from the umps.
It’s a really close play, the ball beat him there by over a second, that’s the call they most often make.
It happens all the time. The yanks get those calls in their favor as well.
I’d be ticked if I was sitting behind the fake umps. They get up after every strike call. Total BS.
Was listening to a good portion of the game on the radio. John is more of a mess than I thought. Calling runners by the wrong name. Saying the Yankees 1 run was on a hr, than saying it wasn’t. He is really senile, and it reflects poorly on the Yankees.
If it weren’t for errors and walks, we would average about one run a game. We are simply awful with RISP. Awful. Everyone tries to pull everything and hit homers instead of going with the pitch. Brutal.
those two runs may be enough the way AJ is throwing, all he has to do is get some more breaking balls over.
well…wasnt the best inning but it was ok
Does the poor lady sitting behind the fake umps have any recourse to get her money back? Especially if the “umps” were put there for gimmick purposes
Oh please – enough with Alex being pathetic with RISP. I won’t even bother saying anything else.
Cano isn’t the only one not hitting with RISP, but he’s just killing this team. Brutal
87 pitches for Tallet
This is why a team like Boston is better… They score at least 4 runs with a pither having an inning like this… Pedroia, Youkilis and Bay are clutch… A Rod and Robbie and Swisher is not
Yankee fans have no kick coming in that inning. They scored two runs and had one infield hit. They’ve lost plenty of games by doing the same thing, so they were due for an inning like that.
“9 times out of 10 – if the ball beats the runner the ump is going to bang him out.”
——-
might not be the right thing to do but it’s what they do. at least there is a shred of consistency.
I have more of a problem with the horrible and more importantly, inconsistent, strike zones of the umps.
compared to Suzyn Waldman, John Sterling is Vin Scully. When I listen to her it’s like nails scratching on a blackboard plus she feels the need to explain every pitch like she played the game for 20 years.
well based on the comment here, Cano had an RBI but the ump blew the call…rag on the ump, get off Cano’s back already you bunch of nay-sayers!
Teixeira slides, sleight of hand…
Quicker than the eye, Yanks foiled…
Burnett will not fold…
AJ looks to be getting stronger…..nice curve
Mark,
then you expect perfection from the umps.
It’s a really close play, the ball beat him there by over a second, that’s the call they most often make.
It happens all the time. The yanks get those calls in their favor as well.
_________
I don’t expect the umps to be perfect but with your premise that the ball beat him he should be called out then why not make every play a force play.
Arod is “pathetic” with RISP?
You been watching the games lately?
“This is why a team like Boston is better… They score at least 4 runs with a pither having an inning like this… Pedroia, Youkilis and Bay are clutch… A Rod and Robbie and Swisher is not”
Its the truth that some of us on the board do not like to hear
“This is why a team like Boston is better… They score at least 4 runs with a pither having an inning like this… Pedroia, Youkilis and Bay are clutch… A Rod and Robbie and Swisher is not”
Wow, just wow….
Pete you take life way too seriously, those fake umpires are hilarious
SJ44 July 3rd, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Arod is “pathetic” with RISP?
You been watching the games lately?
Of course he hasn’t
“This is why a team like Boston is better… They score at least 4 runs with a pither having an inning like this… Pedroia, Youkilis and Bay are clutch… A Rod and Robbie and Swisher is not”
—–
With their bullpen giving up 9 run leads, I guess they’re not clutch enough. 4 runs won’t cut it.
AJ found his curve ball all of a sudden…
I’d be ticked if I was sitting behind the fake umps. They get up after every strike call. Total BS.
=================================
Agreed, I would be too. Still can’t believe the Yankees got them the seats for free
Burnett has his good stuff today, looks like he’ll get through 7
Nasty change
LoHud Comedy central at it’s best……
or Curve whatever it is
“Arod is “pathetic” with RISP?
You been watching the games lately?”
——-
well, if you take out all of his recent go-ahead late inning HR, then maybe…
the comments were going well for a while, now things seem to be falling apart…the losers and the whiners appear to have finally woken up for the day…fortunately I’m outa here for the weekend! everyone have a safe 4th
A Vernon Wells sighting
Ugh…….bad pitch, AJ.
Listening to John Sterling on the car radio is an accident waiting to happen.
Damn
why not the change up
Couldn’t have another quick inning you ostrich?!
why not go breaking ball?
has pete given any suggestions for who he would like to hit 5th instead of Cano? all he does is kill Girardi for hitting him 5th, but he offers no alternatives. Swisher is a .230 hitter, who is also only hitting .211 with RISP. Matsui is a .250 hitter, .200 with RISP. Posada is the only other option for the 5th spot, but he doesn’t play every day. I’d like to have a 5 hitter who’s consistently in the lineup. I’m fine with either Cano or Posada hitting 5th, but you can’t kill Girardi for hitting Cano there. Especially today, when Posada isn’t playing.
Tex was safe but it was too close to get mad at.
Pretty awful hitting by the Yanks and now it’s a 1 run game. There is no way this game ends 3-2
2-out thunder…
What’s that?
Betsy,
The Arod Rules from Yankee fans are simple…
Hit w/RISP in every AB or you are “pathetic”.
Horrible pitch 0-2 pitch by AJ.
who is a bogger loser with men on base swisher or Cano??
these guys are really hard to root for.
they need to hit at the bottom of the order….
this team is terrible with RISP>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
“Burnett has his good stuff today, looks like he’ll get through 7″
———
nice jinx
I’ll still put my money on the Yanks taking this one.
no worries…
“A-Rod and Cano are utterly pathetic with runners on base
it is unbelievable how pathetic they are”
Swish though was great. Man on first and third nice way to pick the team up by keeping your bat on your shoulder looking at strike three. Nicely done there.
And given what Alex has done over the past few days he’s bound to make some outs with men on base.
Cano and Swisher have been terrible this year generating hits with men on base.
really bad 0-2 pitch, you wonder what happened to wasting a pitch on 0-2 to set up the next one.
MG
You know what is funny he talks about Vin Scully saying that you watch the outfielders to know where the ball is going. Yet he NEVER does!! Calls balls hit to the warning track homeruns.
Sa- Really?!! The Yankees gave them the seats for free! What about ME!!
KP
Posada. Easy.
which team has the better one-two punch?yankees or boston?
sabathia burnett vs beckett lester
Damn. At least we are still up by 1. Time to get to their bullpen. I still believe AJ has his good stuff and won’t let up another run.
Next time up Cano should hit a 6 run homerun maybe that will please you guys.
aj has pitched very well and is at 95 pitches so he prbly goes out there for the 7th
“UPDATE, 2:04 p.m.: Two guys dressed like umpires are sitting in the front row behind the plate mimicking all the calls John Hirschbeck makes. They even have masks on.
Seriously, you have nothing better to do? And you spent $1,250 to annoy the people sitting around you? ”
i have the MLB package and was watching a jays game the other day…they are from toronto area and try to go to every jays game up there and sit behind the plate. the other day they couldnt get those seats so they were by 1st base. the announcers mentioned that right after that game they were headed to NYC for the jays-yanks games this weekend…courtesy of the NYY! the yanks put them there on purpose…for free.
Disppointing that AJ made such a bad pitch as he was in a real groove, but he got the next guy out. He’s pitching well – can’t complain
which team has the better one-two punch?yankees or boston?
sabathia burnett vs beckett lester
until we beat them…..they do
which team has the better one-two punch?yankees or boston?
sabathia burnett vs beckett lester
______
Boston with a slight edge
Hughes will be in the game either in the 7th or 8th in front of Mo.
“which team has the better one-two punch?yankees or boston?
sabathia burnett vs beckett lester”
———–
tough call. depends on whether or not AJ is on one of his streaks.
for now, the bigger question might be Wang, Pettitte Joba vs. Wakefield, Smoltz, Penny
swisher is hitting 237 sports fans..
the guy is going to drive people crazy..
cano is a total meat head it is official, he will never be great…………….
thunderfangabe
They got free tickets
I’d personally bat Matsui 5th, he’s always been solid with RISP even if he’s having a down year. He is showing signs of coming out of it even if he just grounded out weekly to 2nd.
Ignore the Alex haters – they don’t deserve the attention. One more inning from AJ and then maybe Phil? Or Bruney, I guess, lol.
Those bozo’s pretending to be umpires have been pulling this act all year at the Rogers Center. If you hate watching or sitting beside them for this one game imagine what it must be like for the poor dips in the seats behind home at Blue Jay games.
favorable matchup for the Mariners vs. the Sox tonight, Felix vs. Wakefield…
Who should bat 5th? Simple, Posada.
When Posada doesn’t play? Matsui.
It ain’t hard.
I think it’s ok to give Cano until the ASB to see if he can handle it.
But, a guy who is hitting under .220 w/RISP and is hitting under .240 in his career with the bases loaded, is not your ideal #5 hitter.
“swisher is hitting 237 sports fans..
the guy is going to drive people crazy..”
———-
that’s what he does… .240 but he still gets on base at a good rate and gets a decent amount of XBH.
as has been said plenty, he’s a good role player. the problem is they need to play him every day right now.
Jennifer-yup!
someone posted this this link a while ago:
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/0.....ht-of-fan/
“They were planning to visit with Blue Jays players in the clubhouse Saturday in Washington. And next month, when the Jays head to New York for a series with the Yankees July 3-5, Williams and Farrell will be in their customary seats in the first row behind home plate at new Yankee Stadium. Ordinarily those seats, located in the Legends section, would cost more than $1,000, but they were such a hit on a YES Network broadcast last month that the Yankees arranged to have them fake ump the July series.”
I’m jealous!
swisher is hitting 237 sports fans..
the guy is going to drive people crazy..
cano is a total meat head it is official, he will never be great…………….
_______
Blah blah blah, complain,complain, complain. Hy isn’t everyone hitting .500 with 28 HRs and bat .400 with RISP?
This team is pathetic!
thats what i said carl
W
T
F
Why is he running?
thunderfangabe July 3rd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
thats what i said carl
My bad
I don’t think Phil is coming in in the 7th – AJ can go one more inning. He made one bad pitch, but he’s pitching very well.
Cerveli safe on the replay, but it was close.
“swisher is hitting 237 sports fans..
the guy is going to drive people crazy..”
———
remember when the blog was calling for everyone else on the roster to be traded because Swisher was a shoe-in for MVP back in April?
lesson learned – dont rush to judgment on small sample sizes
“Couldn’t have another quick inning you ostrich?!”
lol
Someone please tell Cevelli he runs well…FOR A CATCHER!!!
“I don’t think Phil is coming in in the 7th – AJ can go one more inning. He made one bad pitch, but he’s pitching very well.”
——-
Agreed.
And the thought of Hughes, Mariano coming in to hold the lead is a refreshing one.
Why is he running?
_____
I thin he was trying to steal second base
We just have to get the ball to Mr. 8th Inning, Brian Bruney.
but they were such a hit on a YES Network broadcast last month that the Yankees arranged to have them fake ump the July series.”
*********
Who exactly were they a hit for? See it once or twice it was funny. now it is old.
Toronto has good pitching. The games are going to be low scoring and tight.
That’s why good situational hitting is important in these kind of games.
AJ is pitching fine…. too bad he can’t make any mistakes because the offense is so pathetic and he’ll get a loss or ND.
It is unrealistic to ask the pitchers to have no margin for error.
Stultus Magnus,
Posada is not in the lineup today. He wasn’t in the lineup yesterday. Cano is the only one that can even be considered for the 5 spot when Posada isn’t there. So, killing Girardi for that is a little ridiculous. Besides that, Cano seems to be getting hot again. When he’s hot, he’ll get hits in any situation.
By the way, Cano hit .379 with RISP in May. These things seem to fluctuate throughout the season.
The fake umps are ridiculous. How are people sitting behind them not asking for them to be removed? They stand after almost every call right in their line of vision. If I paid $1000 for my seats I wouldn’t want two idiots sitting in front of me ruining the game.
Hilarious – AJ is pitching well and he gets called an ostrich?
Nick Swisher is on pace for:
87 runs, 30HR, 35 2b, 83 RBI, 104 BB
not bad, right?
so while he’s hitting .237, he’s not the worst hitter in the world.
frustrating at times, but useful.
I hate the red hats. It is so wrong for the Yankees to be wearing them. What would happen if they protested and didn’t wear them? What if they just wore their regular navy hats with the flag on the side.
Almost a great play by Alex.
jetes would have had that
arod purposely missed that so AJ could get the K
Nice K….two more outs, AJ
Hughes or Bruney?
Don’t know whether the steal attempt was called from the bench, whether it was a busted hit and run or if Cervelli was running on his own (doubtful), but, it wasn’t the time for that.
If Alex is dropping pop-ups that means he is almost 100% back.
NYY626 July 3rd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
jetes would have had that
He would have rolled over the rail, and bloodied up his face too.
can’t fault him there, the ball hit the pocket so he over persued it, he looks comfortable going after pop ups this season.
chances are if someone gets on Girardi will make a pitching change, Hughes is warming up
SJ44,
Matsui is hitting .200 with RISP and is hitting 50 points below Cano overall. How is he a better option?
Youuuuuuuuse pitching the 8th?
Does anyone ever mention to Gardner that popping up everything he swings at is not the best way to use his speed? Is Cano coaching him?
When Posada comes back Cano has to be taken out of the 5th spot. I think it was right of Girardi to give him a couple of games to prove he could hit there but unfortunately, despite being a very good hitter, he is not very good in the 5th hole. Move him down in the order and if Girardi wants to he can try the experiment again later in the season, but right now it isn’t working and isn’t benefitting Cano or the team.
Coke and Hughes are warming up. No Bruney
Why Phil Coke?
Cone looks at MLB Game-day premium lol
“Why Phil Coke?”
Adam Lind, Lyle Overbay
AJ is giving the Yankees exactly what they signed him to do after a rocky start this season. He could have a huge second half and win 17-18 games.
we’re good, carl
“Does anyone ever mention to Gardner that popping up everything he swings at is not the best way to use his speed? Is Cano coaching him?”
if cano was coaching him he would make centerfield look soooo easy and swing at a bunch of first pitches….gardy is in a slump since the 5 for 6 game…hell get out of it…i hope :X
Toronto is still in the AL East race despite all their injuries because they have very good pitching. Their offense was obviously going to cool off (no way Scutero, Millar, Barajas etc. were going to hit .300 forever), but their pitching is here to stay.
You are not going to score many runs against this team. Only going to get harder with Halladay and Romero going 2 of the next 3. That’s why you need to capitalize with RISP.
whats with all the dirt curves, AJ?
Coke will come in for the 8th!
Ugh, Alex….
Scutaro with his 2nd gift of the day.
“Ugh, Alex….”
——–
I don’t think he had a chance to get him.
MG, AJ has been terrific…….I wonder what his ERA is now?
Hill is danger don’t hang one!
“Ugh, Alex….”
what there was no play there
“MG, AJ has been terrific…….I wonder what his ERA is now?”
——-
around 3.80
last batter for AJ
I wouldnt mind taking him out immediately
Nice Job AJ!
KP
Anytime Posada is in the line-up, he should be number 5. He catches nearly every game, you make it sound like he catches half of the games. If he’s not injured, he should bat 5th.
If JoPo’s not in, bat Matsui or somebody else. Cano is no good at 5.
GJ AJ!!!!
Very, very solid work against a good hitting team by AJ.
Really getting in a nice groove these last several starts.
Well done!
sigh of relief
good job, AJ…
great job today AJ…lets get some insurance runs!
Great job by AJ – just terrific, and against a very good offensive team. He’s pitching much better at home now, notice….
for all the press that Jason Bay has gotten this year, has anyone noticed his BA is now at .262?
era = 3.83 after 2 er in 7 ip
“Very, very solid work against a good hitting team by AJ.
Really getting in a nice groove these last several starts.”
———-
it took him longer to get into a groove last season…
we’re getting an early bonus of shutdown pitching
Do they go Coke for Lind then Yussssse to finish the 8th, or Coke for the 8th, or Yussssse for the meat of the order.
AJ got stronger as the game went along…….stronger and more efficient
Brandon… I’M AWESOME ! July 3rd, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Do they go Coke for Lind then Yussssse to finish the 8th, or Coke for the 8th, or Yussssse for the meat of the order.
I think they just wanted Coke if AJ couldn’t get those 2 batters out. It will most likely be Hughes for the 8th.
“for all the press that Jason Bay has gotten this year, has anyone noticed his BA is now at .262?”
———–
Youk has dropped off, Pedroia and Bay as well.
If Ortiz and Ellsbury weren’t hitting, their lineup would be struggling even worse than it is.
Still a solid team, but not the wrecking crew that some make it out to be.
AJ’s pitched a terrific game. Can’s ask for much more than what he gave them.
Real tough to pitch with no margin for error.
Once again he threw his curveball for strikes more than 50% of the time (57%). When he does that he’s very hard to score off of outside of a random mistake pitch that gets hit for a home run.
Only threw his change up once but his curve was good enough for him not to need it (though I still like how posada was trying to push him to using that change…)
He was very good today yet again.
Outside of home runs the offense just isn’t very efficient.
Ya know what’s fun? Insurance runs. Let’s get a few of those
Some runs would be nice, no need to play extra baseball today.
And they fake throw the ball back. Enough already with this garbage.
Solid job today for AJ. Give that man some pie
Steve, thanks!
Has anyone notice that the rate of HRs being hit has dropped off in the stadium?
I bring in Tomko for the 8th… he hasn’t had much work lately and looked solid against the Mets last week
Jetes is so consistent when he isn’t playing through an injury.
“If Ortiz and *Ellsbury* weren’t hitting, their lineup would be struggling even worse than it is.”
GOD is hitting ?
It’s amazing how much pitching depth Toronto has.
Marcum and McGowan, Litsch… all out. Marcum looked like an ace for much of last season.
They’ve filled those gaps – not many teams, if any, could have.
Put them in any other division and they are in the playoffs on their pitching alone.
“James
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I bring in Tomko for the 8th… he hasn’t had much work lately and looked solid against the Mets last week”
Hows the weather up in Toronto?
Horrible base running
Dam you Scutaro!
Rare mistake by Jeter.
Whoever pitches the 8th better not blow AJ’s win… Bruney already blew Hughes’ win the other day, they better not blow AJ’s today either.
Coke will come in for the lefties and what, Phil will be left for one batter?
Wow I can’t remember the last time I saw Jeter do that. It really looked like it was going to drop in though so I don’t blame him.
Accardo would be a nice bullpen addition for NYY, down the line. He was exceptional a couple of years ago when he closed in place of Ryan….then he got hurt, but another 94-95 MPH fastball in the pen would look good.
Clearly not an everyday player.
Horrible base running
_________
Because of a great play
“I bring in Tomko for the 8th… he hasn’t had much work lately and looked solid against the Mets last week”
Clearly your joking.
James July 3rd, 2009 at 3:29 pm
“I bring in Tomko for the 8th… he hasn’t had much work lately and looked solid against the Mets last week”
LOL @ JAMES
Are you kidding me?
Hood play by Scutaro but, a bad read by Jeter.
It looks like it will be Coke.
Jays are going to be scary next year with a healthy McGowen and Marcum to go along with Halladay and Romero.
He was clearly joking
Does Joe Girardi think hes Tony La Russa. Just go to Hughes.
No, the offense is not very efficient – they make it very hard on themselves and Joe doesn’t do the team any favors by batting Cano 5th.
Didn’t AJ praise Cervelli two back (or was it 3 back) for calling for the change or overeall just changing patterns up? At least he threw 1 – still looking forward to having Po back behind the plate.
I believe it’s McGowan that the Jays think may be finished. That would be a pity. Great arm.
“It’s amazing how much pitching depth Toronto has.”
It’s true. Unfortunately they push their young pitchers to throw so many innings to fill in the major league roster that they’ve destroyed a generation of good arms.
JP Ricciardi runs that team strangely.
No patience developing the arms. They just throw them out there and are willing to risk them blowing out their arms.
And they have – one after another after another. They’ve ruined a lot of careers up there in the last few years.
Toronto is the Rice University of major league ball.
““If Ortiz and *Ellsbury* weren’t hitting, their lineup would be struggling even worse than it is.”
GOD is hitting ?”
———
from what I’ve seen it seems like he is. I could be wrong.
their offense as a whole slowed down quite a bit… of course it coincided with a major improvement in their pitching staff.
if there is one key difference between the Yanks and Sox so far, aside from 8-0, it’s that their hitting has picked up their pitching when it’s down, and vice versa.
The Yanks get cold as a team. They get hot as a team.
If they make the playoffs and can get on one of their hot streaks…
look out.
“Hood play by Scutaro but, a bad read by Jeter.”
We gansta ?
So is anyone else besides me stuck at work on this beautiful day? It seems like every other office had the day off except for here. Oh well.
I know I am behind on this (been working, yuck) but I wrote a thing on my blog about those fake umpires a few weeks ago. The Yankees hooked them up with free tickets after seeing them on TV when the Yanks played the Jays in Toronto in May. I wish I could score me some tickets like that, and for free nonetheless.
While they are initially hilarios to watch (i was sitting near them during one of the games) their act does get quite old. If you are a fan sitting in their vicinity it gets annoy really quick. And they are more into fooling around than watching the actual game. Jays fans cant stand them at all. Theres a link of it on my blog about it. I’d post it here but I can’t remember it and I cant go on the site at work.
Also listening to the radio completely stinks. You realize how spoiled you are with YES when you have to listen to Sterling and Waldman
Burnett now has a lower ERA (3.83) than Sabathia (3.85)
Um, this is ridiculous……..Phil can’t get lefty batters out? He really, really needs to pitch – and if he doesn’t come in for at least one batter (which is idiotic anyway), that would make 2 games where he warmed up and didn’t pitch. Bogus. Phil is a better pitcher than the other Phil – let him pitch (and Coke has pitched a LOT lately).
Jays are going to be scary next year with a healthy McGowen and Marcum to go along with Halladay and Romero.
________
In 3 years the whole AL East will be scary. Its like all 5 teams are in an arms race, the pitching in the AL east will be extraordinary.
“Rare mistake by Jeter.”
That’s the kind of mistake you make when your team is struggling to score runs.
Jeter was trying to force something that wasn’t there.
If the team is hitting more he doesn’t make that mistake there.
>And they have – one after another after another. They’ve >ruined a lot of careers up there in the last few years.
Yeah, like Roy Halladay.
Jeter should have gone half way. that way he could have gotten to second or first. The way he was going back on the ball, you knew he had a chance.
“I believe it’s McGowan that the Jays think may be finished. That would be a pity. Great arm.”
———
I remember him putting on a clinic against the Yanks (2 years ago?).
Seems like CB is right… they have had an unusually high # of injuries to their pitchers.
They should be treating the fake umpires to free tickets, no one else sits there.
I can’t look did he catch it ?
Girardi overmanaging here?
Over managing again by Joe!
YUUUUUUUUUUSE TIME!
Phil getting a nice round of applause…..
Here we go, 2nd guessers dreams… Yusssssse in a big role.
yussseee!!! nice job coke
Man, Coke is really throwing the ball well. The slider has great tilt.
Hughes us coming in. His 8th inning baptism under fire.
I still can not believe Phil Franchise isnt pitching…its been what, 4 or 5 games? Didnt Phil “Scott Proctor” Coke pitch last night, and the night before that?
“In 3 years the whole AL East will be scary. Its like all 5 teams are in an arms race, the pitching in the AL east will be extraordinary.”
———-
And the farm systems are stocked as well. Tampa has Wade Davis, among others. Boston has Buchholz and Bowden (though I’m not personally that high on him). Yanks have an arsenal of their own.
Then there is Toronto.
Baltimore has a couple solid pitching prospects as well (Tillman, Matusz, Arrieta, etc).
Good thing the Yanks have improved their farm system to compete
8th inning tandem
two Phils for the price of one
Brian Bruney weeps
Youuuuuuuuuse
We all seem to wake up when Youuuse comes into the game
Giradi would use 9 pitchers to get 3 outs if he could.
Boston Dave 2.0 – the kinder gentler version
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:36 pm
“I believe it’s McGowan that the Jays think may be finished. That would be a pity. Great arm.”
———
I remember him putting on a clinic against the Yanks (2 years ago?).
Seems like CB is right… they have had an unusually high # of injuries to their pitchers.
————————————————————
Marcum is another one of the injured young pitchers that drives the Yanks crazy. But, it’s either McGowen or Marcum that Toronto has major concerns about. both had bright futures that would have been trouble for the East Division for years.
“We gansta?”
Is there a mid-season award for comeback bullpen?
I nominate the Yanks.
To think this pen was the laughingstock of ESPN for the first couple months…
take a look at them now
8th inning tandem
two Phils for the price of one
Brian Bruney weeps
=======================
LOL
Hughes needs an entrance song – any ideas?
A different pitcher out of the pen ? Phil was pitching well before he was put in the pen – nice and aggressive. Darn -
Why not a BB Cervelli
These 0-2 hits are killers today. Too many fat 0-2 pitches.
“Yeah, like Roy Halladay.”
Oh please. Give it up.
Halladay is literally the only one who has stayed healthy.
JP has ruined a generation of arms for you guys. What are you talking about.
If you want to lie to yourself that fine.
But Dustin McGowan should be one of the five best pitchers in the AL this year. What was done to him in terms of his work load jump was absolutely criminal.
The jays have been penny wise pound foolish and destroyed one arm after another.
Lets see how long Romero lasts. He threw 163 innings last year.
This year he’s on pace to throw over 200.
Lie to yourself if you want. Your team has been awful in the way its developed young pitching.
Great at talent identification – awful at development.
RT @BloggingBombers “Bruney is our eighth-inning guy.” – Joe Girardi, July 1. Umm….
a DP would be nice here. I don’t ask for stuff often…
Hopefully Phil will learn from that AB vs. Rolen.
A smart hitter like Rolen wont take a 3rd pitch in the same location. Either expand the strikezone og throw a curveball outside to fool him
“Hughes needs an entrance song – any ideas?”
—-
as long as it’s not Walk by Pantera…
some old school Metallica always works
Hopefully, this will stop the crying about hughes not pitching when the fans thinks he should. It’s getting as old as the “Cano/Rodriguez isn’t clutch” crap is.
This is a GREAT test for Hughes. If you want him to be the 8th inning guy, these are the situations you have to get thru.
come on, Coney – Phil definitely tagged Overbay.
“Hopefully, this will stop the crying about hughes not pitching when the fans thinks he should.”
———
of course if Hughes gives up the lead here, or at any point this season, some misguided calls for him to be dropped to the 7th will surface.
no pressure Phil – just dont give up any runs
lol where did he tag him?
Hughes needs to pitch Wells down and away, make him chase a pitch out of the zone
that fast ball set up the curve or slider down and away…
MG,
sounds like you’ve been scouting Wells… sounds about right though
“Hughes needs an entrance song – any ideas?”
well Erica isn’t here, so “I Feel Pretty” is out.
Long time reader, first time poster, but with all this excitement over montero i have a question. Theres been talk that romine is quick enough to play a corner outfield spot or even 3rd base, but wouldn’t he have much more value as a catcher? the yankees are one of the few organizations with multiple good catching prospects, and if theyre going to convert romine to an outfielder, wouldn’t they be better off trading him for a prospect who already plays the OF or an established veteran? Learning the outfield could setback romine’s development a year or even more, and his bat isnt all-world like montero’s projects to be, so why not trade him to a team that could use a catcher.
Hughes!!
Good job Yussssse
YUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEE!
Great job by Phil…..man, he’s throwing 96 AND painting the corners.
Phil looks great
Dave, after the way Wells turned on that fastball on 0-2 the last time you knew he wasn’t seeing another one in the zone.
‘Hughes Rules!’
Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse!
Cano… so lazy.
Pedroia would have charged and dived for that ball and made it look spectacular.
Yet you just gracefully jog over and make it look routine.
blah!
“our 8th inning guy”
what did Joe G leave unsaid?
just Phil in the blanks
Trevor, Phil definitely tagged him….they showed the replay.
This was a test. Joe could have gone to Mo for Wells. He stayed with Hughes because he wants to see if he can handle it.
Coming into the game in the middle of an inning in a one run game against a good team and shutting the door. That’s what you have to do to pitch 8th innings.
He passes the first with flying colors.
Alex aint clutch!!!
Jeff
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Long time reader, first time poster, but with all this excitement over montero i have a question. Theres been talk that romine is quick enough to play a corner outfield spot or even 3rd base, but wouldn’t he have much more value as a catcher? the yankees are one of the few organizations with multiple good catching prospects, and if theyre going to convert romine to an outfielder, wouldn’t they be better off trading him for a prospect who already plays the OF or an established veteran? Learning the outfield could setback romine’s development a year or even more, and his bat isnt all-world like montero’s projects to be, so why not trade him to a team that could use a catcher.
————————————————————
Yankees have plenty of outstanding young catching prospects, but, Romine is the one that has the bat, arm, footspeed and athletic ability to fill a spot that the Yanks are short of in the system.
The most important thing Hughes needs to take away from this experience in the pen when he goes back to the rotation (whenever that is…) is the importance of commanding his fastball in the zone.
He’s dominating hitters and it’s not because of his velocity.
He locating his fastball exactly where he wants it. He isn’t nibbling at all – he is being aggressive in the zone and confident enough in his stuff to not try to be too fine.
damn he made that look easy.
wow alex has been insane lately.
yay-rod!
big deal ARod…
that doesnt help your RISP
you still stink
GO ALex. Man I was gonna call it.
Alex!!!!!!!! That is HUGE
An A-Bomb
Dealer Girardi shows an ace…
Insurance anyone ?
Wow, if A-Rod was a lefty, he’d have at least 127 home runs at this stadium this year.
“Hughes needs an entrance song – any ideas?”
“Tainted Love” by Soft Cell.
if Arod would just forget about left field with RISP he would lead the league in RBI’s for the next 5 years.
That home run is not clutch. The Yanks already had a one run lead. Big deal.
Even if Romero blows his arm you have Cecil and Mills behind him. I really don’t care if they blow arms as long as they replace them.
What arms are we talking about anyways?
Marcum is coming back.
Litsch is coming back.
McGowan — maybe not. But he was injury prone anyways even in the minors.
Even if Romero blows his arm you have Cecil and Mills behind him. I really don’t care if they blow arms as long as they replace them.
What arms are we talking about anyways?
Marcum is coming back.
Litsch is coming back.
McGowan — maybe not. But he was injury prone anyways even in the minors.
CB, it’s a beautiful thing to see. I guess it’s true that there is no better pitch than a well-placed FB. Even though Phil gave up a hit to Rolen, the two FBs that got him to 0-2 were just gorgeous.
That ARod, so “pathetic”.
If he hits the pitches middle away to that part of the field in this ballpark, he will hit 30 HR’s the second half of the year.
Alex!!
“Hughes needs an entrance song – any ideas?”
“Ride the lightning” by Metallica
•Heyman names the Yankees as the early favorites to sign Aroldis Chapman.
the bullpen has gotten so much better since April it’s amazing. And it’s with all home grown arms, that’s even better.
somewhere Buster Olney just pounded his keyboard in disgust
Betsy so you don’t stress out Hughes doesn’t pitch the 9th.
What a pathetic hitter Alex is. That ball should’ve been hit 450 ft.
I really think joe just tells the MSM that Bruney is “his 8th inning guy” because then a) it looks like he has a designated 8th inning guy which of course would be a silly thing to have but is totally necessary according to the NY Post and such, and b) that guy is not Phil Hughes. Joe has shown during his tenure here that he has no particular Torre affliction in terms of having particular guys for particular innings, and also that he has no real problem in fibbing to the media about things like this, since the majority of them won’t even realize for another couple of months anyway that joe doesn’t run his bullpen in a 6th inning guy, 7th inning guy, 8th inning guy kind of way, nor should he. By the time they do realize that Bruney is not specifically the 8th inning guy, i really believe that the setup corps will have proven itself a strong and very versitile group that needs no designated inning people but rather has guys who are good against lefties, guys who are good against righties, guys who can strike people out easily, guys who can get outs regularly but are not suited for the fireman role, and guys who can go multiple innings. Naturally there is overlap there, but joe has shown himself thus far to be very adept at exploiting his bullpen pitchers’ strengths. When they sucked, it was really just because everybody in the pen was struggling at the same time. However, because he still got all of them regular work, they have all progressed into a very reliable if not overly dominant group.
And he passed the test after giving up a hit on 0-2 to Rolen……….Phil’s just an impressive pitcher.
Alex is completely locked in right now.
That slider was a very good pitch from Accardo. It was the first slider he threw him that was a mistake.
That slider was 87 and exactly where Accardo wanted it.
He was probably trying to pitch Alex away to minimize the risk of a home run.
Oh well…
When Alex takes the ball the other way like that he’s just phenomenal.
One of the things I was hoping that right field playing short would do would be to get Alex to take the ball the other way.
It’s unreal that a major league pitcher can put a 87 mph slider exactly where he wants it and for the hitter to be so good he can still destroy the pitch the other way.
“the bullpen has gotten so much better since April it’s amazing. And it’s with all home grown arms, that’s even better.”
——
that’s the best part.
people are running out of things to criticize the Yankees about.
they can’t develop their own guys… oh wait?
“that doesnt help your RISP”
but it does help that close and late thing everyone seems so fond of.
“if Arod would just forget about left field with RISP he would lead the league in RBI’s for the next 5 years.”
you just want to tell him just look at RF and aim.
Nice Job Alex— hitting a HR in the bottom of the 8th when we have MO coming in the game next.
Where was that HR in the last inning when Hughes/Coke could have used an insurance run? MO doesn’t need an insurance run.
““Hughes needs an entrance song – any ideas?”
“Ride the lightning” by Metallica”
———-
sounds good to me. I’m surprised I’ve never heard “Master of Puppets” for any closers. Maybe it’s been done.
“Even if Romero blows his arm you have Cecil and Mills behind him. I really don’t care if they blow arms as long as they replace them.
What arms are we talking about anyways?
Marcum is coming back.
Litsch is coming back.
McGowan — maybe not. But he was injury prone anyways even in the minors.”
I cannot begin to describe how that is an awful, awful attitude to have.
Smart ballclubs do EVERYTHING in their power to keep their guys healthy. Every single pitcher is an investment.
And, besides, you don’t just play with guys’ arms like their robots, or something.
These are actual, living, breathing human beings.
““that doesnt help your RISP”
but it does help that close and late thing everyone seems so fond of.”
———
listen, stop taking away all the reasons to complain about Alex
I say less TV time for the fake umps, more TV time for the Matsui clan.
I don’t think they are moving Romine just yet.
A year from now, if Montero is in the majors, Cervelli is knocking on the door, and the early returns on Higatosha and Sanchez are positive, a corner OF move may take place to accelerate his climb to the majors.
JP Ricciardi needs to read “The Joba Rules”
Every single pitcher is not an investment. Some will be gone in no time. You want to maximize them when they are cheap.
Burnett is now a Yankee, for example. I don’t think they even cared how many pitches he threw last year. The Brewers did the same with CC.
“I don’t think they are moving Romine just yet.
A year from now, if Montero is in the majors, Cervelli is knocking on the door, and the early returns on Higatosha and Sanchez are positive, a corner OF move may take place to accelerate his climb to the majors.”
——–
If Joe Mauer hits FA, they may have 4 new corner OF
My man AJ
I don’t want a theme song for Hughes. Cuz then that means he’s gonna be there forever.
I’m not the world’s biggest Arod fan but what’s to complain about when he gives the Yankees a 2 run lead in the 8th inning?
Re Hughes: this stint in the ‘pen is going to do wonders for him when he’s back in the rotation, he’s really learned how to challenge hitters in the strike zone and his control this year is so much better than last year it’s ridiculous. He’s going to be a top of the rotation starter for the Yankees for a long time along with Joba (hopefully).
“I don’t want a theme song for Hughes. Cuz then that means he’s gonna be there forever.”
——-
true true
thatta boy Mo
wow that strike 3 pitch was sooooo nasty
that cutter really moved on Rios
nice play gardy!!…one more out MO!
2 away. Nice job Gardner
Jeff: They aren’t going to convert Romine until he really fails as a catcher or if they already have a catcher for some reason and feel like they would still want his bat in the majors.
I think if Montero comes up next season ( a strong possibility if he keeps hitting ) they’ll look at Romines catching more closely and he could end up as a centerpiece of a trade
Shame on me for ever letting doubt creep in my mind about Mo.
“Every single pitcher is not an investment. Some will be gone in no time. You want to maximize them when they are cheap. ”
———
sooner or later the well will run dry.
It’s in their best interest to keep some of the guys healthy.
How about that Cervelli today?
I mean bullpen. Of course I want him to be with Yankees. But as a starter.
That was strike 3! Come on!
where the heck was that?
who said Mo was finished or on the decline? He’s what, 20 out of 21 this year in save situations?
even the fake umps got it right.
game over!…mo was just dominant!
I think the ump gave him that call for the mis call on the previous pitch.
Mo and Cervelli do it again!
The old man and the C.
Yankees win. Great start to the series and holiday weekend
Toronto has a secret pipeline filled with fresh arms.
The caribou like to rub up against it for warmth.
Hirshbeck had the think about that one, it was pretty funny…
That was not a strike lol oh well we win!
that strike call was more inside than the first…
oh well. I’ll take it!!
Yanks are back on (the winning) track.
13 games over.
Happy 4th everyone!
“Even if Romero blows his arm you have Cecil and Mills behind him. I really don’t care if they blow arms as long as they replace them.”
Yeah. This pretty much sums up the blue jays. You’d make a good addition to the FO. That’s why I compared your franchise to Rice. Pretty much the same attitude.
And do you follow your own team? What arms am i talking about?
Ok…
First off McGowan was criminal negligence. And you can try to play it off but he had top 5 stuff. He threw in the mid 90’s and had 4 plus pithes as his change up was really developing last year.
He has TJ in 2003. Comes back. Only to have JP say its ok for his workload to go from like 110 innings to 190.
How about Capuano? Innings jumped from 100 to 219. His career is done.
Chacin – trashed
Josh Towers – trashed.
How about Janssen?
Litsch?
League?
Wolfe?
Chulk?
Accardo (he’s come back but of course was hurt)
All of these guys were hurt after large jumps in their work load
Do you follow your own team or do you just not care that your franchise has literally blown out the arms of what should hav been en entire staff for a generation.
But I guess if you don’t care about blowing out Romero’s arm you just really don’t care about the team all that much because the guys are meaningless cogs.
How long has it been since you’ve been in the playoffs?
Do you think having McGowan, Litsch, Marcum, etc might have helped this year?
Yup, Mo is done
Theeeeee Yankees win
The fake umps are great.
Rivera had zero control today. Took 11 pitches to get three outs with 2 strikeouts. A real closer would have struck out the side with only three pitches thrown.
“I think the ump gave him that call for the mis call on the previous pitch.”
not really b/c he went.
Kim Jones looked ticked, was talking to Zillo. I guess she was upset that Suzy got her guy before she did.
“listen, stop taking away all the reasons to complain about Alex”
As I’ve said before, I’m more a fan of early and often than close and late.
“Rivera had zero control today. Took 11 pitches to get three outs with 2 strikeouts.”
==========
John Henry is twittering as we speak.
“At least we didn’t spend $40M on a washed up declining closer”
The great thing about being able to mix and match out of the pen…..no one guy gets burned out.
It also makes it tougher on the opposition because there is no steady usage pattern.
There is no rule that states ONE guy has to pitch the 8th inning.
You do it the way Girardi is doing it, everybody stays fresh, overuse is minimal (unless you have a series of short starts) and teams get different looks throughout a series.
Bad start to trip south
Blue Jays don’t like Bronx visits
the exchange rate stinks
“Kim Jones looked ticked, was talking to Zillo. I guess she was upset that Suzy got her guy before she did.”
———
I thought Michael Kay was her guy. Or maybe Pete Abe is in the picture??
start the rumor!
Mo is the best.
That was was a breeze. No need to wash his freakin uniform as he didn’t break a sweat. Just fold it up and put it his locker for tomorrow. You guys have bees spoiled rotten to watch this guy’s greatness over this many years. Congrats on the win. It is a great feeling to win during the day when everyone else you are competing with plays at night. It takes the edge off.
-dennis
Yussse just changes that BP.
I think it’s advantageous to give guys like hughes joba(i.e. young, had some injuries, thus generally discouraged from throwing too hard out of fear of further injury) through in the bullpen some and gas out some fastballs in-game. Obviously as a starter Joba isn’t gonna be 98-99 all day and hughes won’t be 95-96 all day, but i think having the opportunity to do so teaches the arm how to throw that hard on command, as in, tight spot in the 7th inning, 2 strikes, 2 outs, joba can dial one up to 99 even though he’s been sitting 93-95 all game. Burnett’s good at that and i think that’s something that Joba really had last year after a stint in the pen but hasn’t had this year because he has really just not been allowed to throw his hardest. I wouldn’t support moving him back to the pen, even if for only a couple of outings, but maybe his next bullpen session they should tell him to try to hit 100 a couple of times just to let his arm feel that speed again.
Second time at least I have noticed the red caps. Whats with that anyone? please
Jennifer,
That’s exactly what happened! lol She had Cano lined up and Suzyn took him and she went postal! lol
Catfight at second base!! I think Kim has the advantage since she is a kickboxer.
Cano… so lazy.
Pedroia would have charged and dived for that ball and made it look spectacular.
Yet you just gracefully jog over and make it look routine.
blah!
________
Pedroria would of dove for that groudball and caught it on the fly. That is how griddy Pedroria is.
Pete, do you think the reason that Joba has been throwing low 90’s instead of 95-97 is because that’s what the Yankees have told him to do? Why would they do that unless he’s got a shoulder problem they don’t want to make public?
Sandman silencing…
Corvidae’s cacophony…
A birdsong’s coda…
Pete do me a favor ask hack writer Buster Olney I thought arod was doen. He wrote a column about 2 weeks ago to that affect. He always uses the unnamed scouts perspective.
the ysaid arod looked old and slow.. How can writers get away with writing this slop and not apologize or admit they were wrong?
Please ask the scholar from Vandy about that..
thanks………
“That’s exactly what happened! lol She had Cano lined up and Suzyn took him and she went postal! lol
Catfight at second base!! I think Kim has the advantage since she is a kickboxer”
LOL
“You guys have bees spoiled rotten to watch this guy’s greatness over this many years”
dennis,
you’re completely right. for a closer to be at peak performance for this long is just unprecendented. it’s almost inconceivable to think of the franchise without him or to not assume that the game is over once it gets to the 8th.
His K:BB this year is 12.5.
Last year it was 12.8
He’s almost 40. He’s striking out close to 13 times as many hitters as he’s walking.
No one else was remotely close, IIRC.
dennis-Costanza
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Mo is the best.
That was was a breeze. No need to wash his freakin uniform as he didn’t break a sweat. Just fold it up and put it his locker for tomorrow. You guys have bees spoiled rotten to watch this guy’s greatness over this many years. Congrats on the win. It is a great feeling to win during the day when everyone else you are competing with plays at night. It takes the edge off.
-dennis
————————————————————
Afternoon, Dennis. Hope all is going well for you and Amy up in Moose Tongue, Mass.
It does make it nice when your favorite team has a living legend to ensure wins. It would be like having Sandy Koufax starting the 7th game of a WS. There is just nobody that you’d want. I’d just about put my life on the line in a must game.
“Cano… so lazy.
Pedroia would have charged and dived for that ball and made it look spectacular.
Yet you just gracefully jog over and make it look routine.
blah!
________
Pedroria would of dove for that groudball and caught it on the fly. That is how griddy Pedroria is.”
———
Pedroia vs Chuck Norris
Coming to PPV!
(Followed by Papelbon, Beckett, and Youkilis)
If I was Austin Romine though, I’d ask management to work with me as a corner OF as well as a catcher.
He is athletic enough to play corner OF. His bat also translates to being a good corner OF bat.
I’d do it if I were him to add to his versatility and it could hasten his move to the Bronx.
He’s a very good prospect. However, he may end up being behind a once in a generation prospect (Montero) and a kid who could be a very solid backup catcher (Cervelli).
As a corner OF? He could be in AAA as early as next year.
Just something to think about.
That Mo dude kinda has a grasp on how to pitch.Huh?
of course people are spoiled about Mo.. Think about this, YOU ARE WATCHING THE BEST RELIEF PITCHER OF ALL TIME……………
Today people throw around best and great like candy, with Mo it is true… The BEST OF ALL TIME.. He is the Babe RUth of relief pitchers… To put things in perspective if KROD or Papelbum keep ther performance up for 8 more years they would be close to MO…8 years………………..
SJ- And she is also at least 20 years younger. I think Kim could take Suzy. It will be interesting to see what happens in the future, if Jason will give Kim priority. She does seem to get priority in pg interviews. They always go to her first.
The red caps anyone? please
“Catfight at second base!! I think Kim has the advantage since she is a kickboxer.”
Oh my goodness gracious.
The wily veteran from Beantown versus the young whipper snapper from PA
Maybe the fake umps could officiate.
I got a feeling Yussse is going to touch 97 out of the BP.
My idiot friend (Sox fan) Just said Trevor Hoffman is better than MO!
Hahahahaaha
SJ 44 how is Buster Olneys analysis of the demise of Arod???
How can these hack’s get away with writing this junk????????????
“The red caps anyone? please”
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/200.....ent-886993
The yankees had one of the top 5 pitchers in the AL take the hill last night. And he just didn’t have it.
For most teams when their top guy doesn’t have it their in a bind for the rest of that turn through the rotation.
The yanks?
They throw out AJ and he has been fantastic.
That’s almost unfair. One after another this team throws out a strong starter.
Any one of them happens to be bad the others pick it up.
Let’s hope that Wang continues to progress. When he gets back to being himself he, CC and AJ are just a ridiculous front 3. And that’s with Joba as the 4th guy. Not many staffs can have joba as their 4th.
SJ44
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:20 pm
If I was Austin Romine though, I’d ask management to work with me as a corner OF as well as a catcher.
He is athletic enough to play corner OF. His bat also translates to being a good corner OF bat.
I’d do it if I were him to add to his versatility and it could hasten his move to the Bronx.
He’s a very good prospect. However, he may end up being behind a once in a generation prospect (Montero) and a kid who could be a very solid backup catcher (Cervelli).
As a corner OF? He could be in AAA as early as next year.
Just something to think about.
————————————————————
That’s exactly how I see it and prefer it. For old timers, he would be the Ellie Howard and Johnny Blachard of this generation. That would allow NYY to carry a third catcher if one is Cervelli or they use Montero as a DH for off days.
Johnny Blanchard
GB7.
Afternoon GB7. LOL on Moose Tongue, Mass….We live on an island in Maine for crying out loud and the only Moose sighting would be if I stopped working out for couple of months..
Hope all is well in SAV.
-dennis
yanks 0 for 6 yesterday with RISP.
yanks 1 for 6 today with RISP..
Again who is more frustrating Swisher or Cano????
DT – OPPC member (it’s in our blood)
Thankyou
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....=290703110
This picture makes me sick, its just not right, MO with a red Cap!
YES post-game Booth Report with Lorenz, Kay, and Cone:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/6219155703fc9eff/
A lot of horses down on the farm.
dennis-Costanza
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:26 pm
GB7.
Afternoon GB7. LOL on Moose Tongue, Mass….We live on an island in Maine for crying out loud and the only Moose sighting would be if I stopped working out for couple of months..
Hope all is well in SAV.
-dennis
————————————————————
Living in Maine, huh? I guess I had the wrong end of the moose.
All is well here in The Coastal Empire, except for the rain that you left behind.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....=290703110
Pitchers are freaks
So C.C. had a hiccup. No big deal, he’ll rebound and A.J. looks to be coming into stride.
The bullpen has steadied itself. One game at a time and 95-98 wins should wrap it up for the regular season
stuart
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:26 pm
yanks 0 for 6 yesterday with RISP.
yanks 1 for 6 today with RISP..
Again who is more frustrating Swisher or Cano????
————————————————————
Choice #3. Your constant whining and name calling, Meathead.
Moose sighting:
http://tinyurl.com/nc9tz3
ouch
Stuart,
Here’s the way I look at it…..
They aren’t a good hitting team with RISP or with the bases loaded.
Tampa Bay was actually worse than the Yankees have been in both of those areas last year and went to the WS. Why? Pitching, defense, and doing the little things.
That’s what this team has to do and if they get on a run with RISP, great. If not? Find other ways to win.
Thing is, this team has the ability to do just that and they have been since they haven’t hit with the bases loaded or with RISP with any consistency all year.
I love the fact they have other ways to win now. It makes them a much more dangerous team.
SJ – have the Pirates tried to mess with Tony’s mechanics? Or do they have the policy to let him play as himself for a certain period before trying to change things?
Hey Nick.
You slept well last as you brought your A game today. I just read through the thread and had a LOL on using Chapman for the 7th and 8th.
Hope all is well.
-dennis
Girardi’s YES post-game reaction:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/62191877b79b09f9/
greenberet7.. your last line is classic…
you telling me watching swisher is not painful???THe guy does 1 of 3 things when up at bat; hits a hr., walks, or strikes out. the guy is hitting in the low 230’s..
MEATHEAD…
Thanks Pel
“That’s exactly how I see it and prefer it. For old timers, he would be the Ellie Howard and Johnny Blachard of this generation.”
This is why Romine’s break out power this year has been so important.
It’s getting to the point where he doesn’t only have a good bat for a catcher – he just has a good bat that could actually be a net plus in a corner OF spot.
Romine is now first in HRs amongst players currently in the FSL and second in slugging.
Young guys really don’t often show increased power in the FSL as the ball doesn’t carry.
He’s really becoming an interesting prospect.
go to thank Jerry Lawler for giving them a real championship belt.
Look at the belt behind AJ – is that the real one?
look at that shiny wwe belt…well deserved AJ, well deserved!
GB7 vs stuart..under the the Oneill banner ?
“Look at the belt behind AJ – is that the real one?”
it is, the King sent the Yankees a real one.
I live in Calif. SO I doubt I will make it under the banner… Also no need for fisticuffs…
all I said(many times) is swisher and cano are hard to root for…FOr obvious reasons….
Hi dennis. Thank you, I did sleep well but only for a few hours, I was out very early this morning. I will sleep even better this evening, and for longer.
I finally got back to that book I was reading about the 1978 Sox/Yanks playoff. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who doesn’t know what happened, but suffice it to say that a 2-run lead going into the 7th inning might not be enough.
they are going to talk to bruney after the break…i hope he has the right attitude lol
YES is going to have “Hughes and Bruney” reaction coming up. Why do they need to manufacture a controversy?
Argh. missed another good game.
pat, sorry about the spoiler!! Technically the tape delay won’t start here until 12:00, but I was watching it live online.
I don’t think those umps paid for those seats. Someone said that someone paid to bring them in.
I think they’re hilarious. Why? Because they’re clowns. Just like the real umps.
A.J.’s YES post-game reaction:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/621920826efe5645/
Cervelli’s YES post-game reaction:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/62192131ca053b78/
It’s hard to believe after such a good game so many of the questions girardi has to answer is about the Bruney vs. Hughes pitching the 8th.
Why is the media so fixated on the 8th inning? They just keep perseverating on it.
How is this such an issue.
LOL at Phil……no reaction to pitching in the 8th. It’s just like any other inning and you have to get the job done.
He’s so laid back – great attitude. I don’t know WHY YES has to interview Bruney today – he didn’t pitch. Sheesh, talk about a manufactured controversy.
CB
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:38 pm
“That’s exactly how I see it and prefer it. For old timers, he would be the Ellie Howard and Johnny Blachard of this generation.”
This is why Romine’s break out power this year has been so important.
It’s getting to the point where he doesn’t only have a good bat for a catcher – he just has a good bat that could actually be a net plus in a corner OF spot.
Romine is now first in HRs amongst players currently in the FSL and second in slugging.
Young guys really don’t often show increased power in the FSL as the ball doesn’t carry.
He’s really becoming an interesting prospect.
————————————————————
He was a tough guy to pitch to last year in Charleston. He hit the ball everywhere, hard. Doesn’t walk much, doesn’t strike out much. He has power, but, it’s gap, line drive power. Much like the Alex Rios of a couple of years ago. Make a mistake and it’s going out. Good pitches are singles and doubles. If he isn’t a full time catcher, he could steal 15+ bases a year. He’s not a pull hitter, and that’s where he and Montero are alike, besides the walks and strikeouts. Only saw a few games in Tampa this year, but, nothing has changed, except he looks stronger.
It’s ridiculous – Bruney had nothing to do with today’s game. Fortunately Phil didn’t take the bait and either is Brian….YES, just …..sheesh
wow bruney has the perfect attitude…hes happy the team is winning and it doesnt matter what inning he pitches…great to hear..
theres one role he says and that mo…nobody else is defined…he says he wants a world series ring and seems over exuberant about not having a problem with it..
Good for Bruney. As long as they are getting W’s, he doesn’t care about labels.
Being called a Meathead isn’t so bad stuart!
Michael ‘Meathead’ Stivic, aka Rob Reiner became very famous, right GB!!
Good for Brian, lol saying that it’s ridiculous that he has to answer these ? over and over again. Instead of staying with Phil, they’re spending 20 minutes with Bruney.
some of you people on this blog will NEVER be happy with some players unless they hit 1.000 and have no errors
The only one who should have any concerns is Bruney. And he really can’t say anything. Even though he usually does.
Yussse sounds like a CL in training, Bruneyt had a good answer.
Johnny Blanchard 21 homers in only 275 AB’s with a .305 BA in 1961. Was that a great team or what??!!!!!
Hughes’ YES post-game reaction:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/62192392c8f21127/
Bruney’s YES post-game reaction:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/62192409a5c94fd1/
Girardi absultely MUST get Cano out of the #5 spot in the lineup. Today it looked like the Blue Jays pitched around ARod WHEN THE BASES WERE LOADED.
LOL GF, I got a kick out of that, too – then there was an awkward silence. I think Phil surprised Kim..maybe everyone else in the media. Phil’s very good with the them…
“They have created some magical myth about the 8th inning that only the elite of the elite of the elite of pitchers could possibly handle.
Hughes’ response to such a stupid question was dead on. Good for him.”
It really is remarkable. It’s been completely blown out of proportion.
And I get the feeling that Hughes learned about how to handle these questions (and was probably coached to handle these questions by the organization…) based on the Joba fiasco.
Neither the franchise nor Joba did or really could have guessed the mind numbing nonsense that would result from him going to the pen.
Hughes has taken note of that and that ’s a very good tact.
Master Philip finally uses his prep school polish to his advantage!
Yankee Trader
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Being called a Meathead isn’t so bad stuart!
Michael ‘Meathead’ Stivic, aka Rob Reiner became very famous, right GB!!
————————————————————
i only used the name “Meathead” because that’s one of Stuart Little’s 5 favorite names to call people, along with moron, genius, clown and idiot.
Hello readers:
Please observe the posting guidelines. In discussing a sports event, there is no reason to use curse words (Green Beret) or to call people “retards” (G. Franco). If you can’t express yourself otherwise, please refrain from posting.
The paper is serious about me cleaning this up. Please, no cursing and name-calling. Show some class.
Girardi should never have labeled Bruney the “8th inning guy”.
You have a bullpen – you mix and match. Everyone can do the job. All for one – one for all – rah rah rah hiss boom bah.
He gave the beat writers the opening, they took it. Controversy sells papers.
He may have been coached, CB, but Phil has always been good with the media. I can’t think of anything he’s ever said that’s made me go “huh?”……It might have something to do with the fact that Phil doesn’t listen to sports radio or really read the sports pages (he said this in ST of 2008, when IPK said that he did the opposite). I just think Phil is a mature kid who’s pretty polished. Also, I honestly believe he doesn’t think the 8th is a huge deal – he’s unflappable by nature
Phil,
They aren’t going to do anything with him for a month. After that, they will assess his swing and determine if they have to make changes and when to incorporate them.
So far, he’s 6-22 as a pro and got hosed out of a hit last night on a ball he smoked to the left of SS that was called an error. Only 1 K so far, which is pretty good.
BTW, we just finalized a deal with Topps that will be the largest trading card deal of any draft pick this year. Only Strasburg (if he signs) will get a larger deal.
A nice piece of change for the kid.
One of the perks of going 4th in the draft.
Thanks, Pel.
Listening to Phil now.
Boy, is that Kim persistent.
Pel – as always, thanks for the audio.
It was amazing that about three writers all but called Bruney a liar when he said he didn’t care where he pitches as long as the team wins. 4 or 5 times he said he didn’t care as long as the team wins. He also said he was tired of answering the same crap over and over. I don’t blame for not having a case of the azs. If it continues, don’t be surprised if he goes off on them, verbally, at the very least. Who could blame him?
Media trying to start something with Brian. You think he said enough times that he doesn’t care. The team is winning, that is all that matters! So enough!
Wow! Congrats on the top Tops deal!
“Boy, is that Kim persistent.”
The best part was when she actually asked him whether or not he realized that the 8th inning was later in the game?
What a great question. You are a ball player. You play the game. You are out on the mound. Do you realize the 8th inning is later in the game? Than what? The first inning?
That’s basically tantamount to asking Phil if he knows how to count to 9.
Hello readers:
Please observe the posting guidelines. In discussing a sports event, there is no reason to use curse words (Green Beret) or to call people “retards” (G. Franco). If you can’t express yourself otherwise, please refrain from posting.
The paper is serious about me cleaning this up. Please, no cursing and name-calling. Show some class.
————————————————————
and, where was this “curse word”?
All of this 8th inning talk is crap since none of those pitchers are really established 8th inning guys like Stanton and Nelson were back in the day. How Girardi is handling it now is exactly right, you use the guys that are getting the job done and don’t worry about designating which pitcher for the 8th inning.
Sherman really praising Burnett on Kay’s show
Said his best pitching was done after the 3 mistakes by the defense (Damon’s dropped ball, A-Rod’s missed pop up etc.) when it had the potential to distract him like in the past.
Said we may need to stop judging him based on past scouting reports because he looks like a different pitcher.
CB,
Definitely Top 10 Dumbest Questions.
But Phil knocked her off her game.
I forgot it’s Friday, so I missed Sherman. He’s right about Burnett – thanks for the tip. I will catch listen to the clip later. AJ’s been fantastic and I agree – he did a wonderful job pitching around Damon’s error.
Um, this would be the same Brian Bruney who the other day it would “be ridiculous” if he lost his job in the eighth inning and challenged the notion that he was pitching poorly. He has since not pitched twice in close games in the eighth inning.
So reporters should not ask him about that? Is this Little League?
Meanwhile, I love that you think at at “the very least” he’ll verbally go off on reporters. Do you think he’s going to challenge us to a fight or something? What sort of fantasy world do you live in? This is a professional team, players get questions and they answer them. Nobody gets into fights We’re adults.
What you didn’t see was Bruney chatting quite amicably with the print reporters once the cameras were turned off and the TV types had left. Bruney gets along with the reporters very well, in fact. Sorry to burst your bubble.
This whole 8th inning nonsense started with Joba in 07. Yeah you heard about setup man and how the Yankees need someone to get the ball to Mo. blah blah
But this has completely gotten out of hand. That inning is now glorified by the NY media since Joba came up. Wow!
Phil did knock Kim for a loop, lol – nothing, lol. He sounded so matter of fact when he said it. Should he be shaking in his boots because it’s the dreaded 8th inning? I really do like Kim – but this was so dumb. Who’s idea was it to interview Bruney?
LOL @ the media trying to start a Bruney/Hughes controversy. Bruney didn’t pitch today and he was surronded by reporters. Doesn’t really matter they both are going to play a huge role for the bullpen. And once Bruney gets going the bullpen could become dominant.
I believe I saw the Wave being done yesteday at the stadium. Thats the 2nd time I’ve noticed it being done in the new stadium, whats up with that?
I single handedly stopped 2 idiots in 78 from starting a wave behind home plate. Told them to go over to Shea to do the wave.
That was the game that Reggie got hit in head vs Brewers that started a brawl and a big come from behind win that Reggie said in the post season was the turning point of the season.
My brother made me leave early so he could go to Roosevelt raceway and catch the last 2 races which he hit a $900 triple but we missed the come back. Stll bust his chops about that to this day.
Pete – you can’t pretend to take the high road. YOU KNOW these questions are trying to start something to get some copy.
So far in your last two posts you’ve used three curse words. I’m not going to list them, obviously. Just clean it up.
It is very ridiculous that the media is trying to stir up trouble. The team just had a good win behind AJ. and they are fixated on who is pitching the 8th. Do they think the fans care who the 8th inning guy is as long as he is getting outs. Brian was getting ticked at answering the same questions over and over. How many times does someone have to say they don’t care when they pitch, as long as the team is winning. I guess they were looking for him to snap and say I want to pitch the 8th, it is my job and I am ticked. Well he didn’t fall into their trap and good for him.
Pete, why was it even necessary to interview Bruney? Did he pitch today? That’s just stupid…..How about spending more time on Phil and how he pitched? Think people might want to hear about that?
Exactly, Pete.
People forget that Bruney was the one who added fuel to the fire the other day.
Don’t you guys realize you only see the TV questions? The “writers” Green Beret speaks of didn’t ask any of those questions. Not one. You see 5 percent of the interview tops.
Well, Phil has pitched in the 8th before. As a starter.
No difference to him.
Betsy:
I didn’t interview Bruney. He didn’t play. I don’t know that any of the actual beat guys did. You watched TV, an entirely different medium.
GreenBeret7
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:05 pm
and, where was this “curse word”?
GB – stick to veggie-head, you might offend the carnivores.
Also “moose-tongue” was bordering on risque.
Keep it wholesome please. Now where is that stiletto and lace blog ad again?
“But Phil knocked her off her game.”
m,
I know. I think the simplicity of his answer just kind of blew her mind for a minute.
The notion that pitching the 8th isn’t the same as landing on the beaches of normandy was just too much to compute.
Later in the game….
Your guy AJ is on a role. Last year it took him until the the second half to put it together. Given how tight the AL east is the yanks couldn’t wait that long. He’s been great.
Whenever Pete gets challenge, he goes into condescending mode. Pete, ease up. Look at it from a fan perspective.
Hey Pete,
You may want to consider reading my comment again.
My use of word “retarded” was not referencing a mentally handicapped individual in a derogatory manner.
It was used to describe the hindrance or impedance of logical thought or idea – such as retarding someone’s growth.
You often criticize others when they jump to conclusions regarding your posts and scold them to read the whole thing and understand your point of view.
Perhaps you should take your own advice and do the same thing with the comments on this blog.
What else was there to ask Phil? As it was today, Kim asked him stupid questions just to buy some time.
That is the problem with postgame interviews… sometimes, there is nothing to really ask after a win. Same usual questions we get every day – Are you confident in your new role, have you adjusted to this role, do you notice you are throwing hard etc.
So when there is a controversy, naturally the media will gravitate to it.
Pete, I’m really blaming YES to be honest…not the other media.
Sherman still thinks the Yankees will finish 3rd……hm.
Face it… unless the media is interviewing Nick Swisher or maybe Burnett, most of the interviews are a waste of time….. Same questions, same generic answers
bruney had a good response to the 8th inning nonsense..
they have 5 good arms in the pen(all except Tomko) and they all will get chances to contribute and if they succeed they will get more chances….
media loves controversy real or made up…
i went to a dodger game a few weeks ago, the game against philly (I think) which they scored about 4 runs in the 8th to win anyways ROb Reiner sat about 2 rows from me right behind home plate.. He is a very big wig in the movie biz..
I play gardner and cabrera tommorrow against halladay and rest swisher.. They will need to try to manufacture some runs/speed and give swisher a day off.
tex was safe at home today, man the umps blow a lot of calls…….
the Yankees did win today, right?
Giuseppe:
You said “they’re retards.” That is unnecessary. Don’t call people names, period.
But he did compliment Coke and Phil…..well, at least he’s remained firm in his convictions, lol.
CB July 3rd, 2009 at 5:15 pm
The notion that pitching the 8th isn’t the same as landing on the beaches of normandy was just too much to compute.
—————–
LOL. That’s the best description of this manufactured 8th inning nonsense I’ve heard all season.
Kudos.
By the way, this was a nice clean game thread – not TOO many trolls. Where are the AJ bashers now? He really stepped up big time after CC got bombed yesterday…I hope he can keep it up. Maybe it just needed to get comfortable in pinstripes – as he’s said, it IS different.
“fellow loosy goosy sluggers”
lmfao
Are we allow to use the word “crap” if not intended towards others?:)
CB,
I didn’t realize how good AJ’s been until I read the NYT’s recap.
They really went into detail about Damon’s error in Burnett’s last loss, and how AJ picked Damon up after today’s gaffe.
I never went to Journalism school, so I don’t know the latest ethical mores, but I don’t think it’s a cardinal sin for reporters to ask questions that a fan might not consider in the best interests of the team.
Unless they work in St. Louis, then it might be a Cardinal sin.
Otherwise, while we fans might be all happy about today’s win and not want the boat to be rocked, I can see why someone might think it newsworthy – or at least potentially interesting – to ask why Bruney didn’t pitch in the 8th inning.
>Thanks, Pel.
>Pel – as always, thanks for the audio.
You’re both welcome.
Betsy,
It doesn’t matter what writer picks what team to make the playoffs since they have to play the games anyway. The Rays have a good young pitching staff so we’ll see which pitching staff gets it done.
Tampa has the best offense in baseball and is going to throw out a rotation featuring Kazmir, Price, Shields, Garza, and Niemenn.
Not a stretch at all to say they will make the playoffs. Until Joba finds his missing velocity and shows progress and until Pettitte decides to be consistent, and Wang is back to 19-game winner form they have a better rotation than us. Hell, that rotation is better than Boston’s too.
You could make a case for any combination of 2 of these 3 teams to make the playoffs. One thing is for sure— the team-wide slumps better be a thing of the past if we want to see October.
I blame the whole thing on Independence Day. Everyone is trying to set off fireworks early.
Hey….John cursed. Better knock off that salty language, John.
Trevor
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:11 pm
This whole 8th inning nonsense started with Joba in 07. Yeah you heard about setup man and how the Yankees need someone to get the ball to Mo. blah blah
But this has completely gotten out of hand. That inning is now glorified by the NY media since Joba came up. Wow!
——————————————
It really did ever since Joba came up the 8th inning talk has become over the top. If you have a strong pen you should have a few options for the 8th. It you have 2 or 3 leftys coming up Coke should be used. Same with Bruney and Hughes they both will be used in the 8th. A couple of nights ago Aceves was used in the 8th. I dont think it is that big of a deal. They are all going to get important innings.
M, I read that and oddly, didn’t see that they mentioned AJ much at all. I’ll have to read it again – too bad Kepner didn’t cover the game instead of some newbie. I can see how hard it must be to catch AJ – man, his pitches really move
for anyone who wants a fast mobile version of this site or other use this website and put in the url…it will give you a mobile version that is really fast loading!
http://www.google.com/gwt/n
ill repost it on the next thread to if i get a chance
John definitely cursed. B*st*n should be one of the naughty words that gets stuck in the spam filter.
I completely misread the NY Times piece – good job by Chris Hine not absolving Johnny with some bland piece of writing.
Actually, Pete. This was my exact comment.
It’s amazing how the media has retarded what used to be common sense about the game of baseball.
Only in Pete Abe’s lost world is that use of the word calling people names.
It was nothing of the sort.
GF:
I didn’t realize this was so complicated. You can’t abbreviate curse words either. Again, these are not my rules. This is part of a newspaper’s coverage of the team. I’m not asking for much here, just express yourself without resorting to curse words. That’s all.
John, lol – I’m not counting Price (he’s the same as Joba, anyway). He’s had more mediocre starts than good…….
Cash, good point. I still want to listen to the podcast later anyway as I missed what he had to say about AJ.
In view of the Yankee win and Felix Hernandez going against his Socks, Gammons is working on his 3rd Tangueray and tonic in his luxury suite in Fenway Pahk courtesy of John Henry.
Pete,
What in the world are you talking about?
I never used any profanity or an abbreviation for profanity whatsoever. None.
Either you’re mistaking me for someone else or you’ve had one too many Red Bulls today.
“They really went into detail about Damon’s error in Burnett’s last loss, and how AJ picked Damon up after today’s gaffe.”
m,
In the beginning of the season AJ loses his composure after Damon pulls off more of his slick glove work today.
But today – as he’s been doing – he just shut the door. It was great. A stark difference. But AJ has that kind of stuff – like Joba and CC – to basically pick up the team when men get on base and get out of trouble.
He has been very good over the past 5-6 starts.
The whole goal of the yankee season is to get into the playoffs and then let the other team try to score off of CC, AJ, Joba and hopefully Wang in a short post season series.
But for that plan to work they need AJ to be a shut down guy.
And he’s been that and more.
People killed them for signing AJ in the winter. And right now Cash’s decision looks very good.
If the Principal ( Pete ) returns we’re all going to get grounded…..CB, It appears that the AJ Burnett we hoped for back in Decemeber is rounding into form…..His last 4 or so outings have been strong and the club is playing with confidence behind him…..Watch for the Wang-Man come out tomorrow and chuck his best game of the season…..Pieces are coming together….I still mant another arm for the pen and another RH hitter off the bench….
Jays lefty Brian Tallet on Yankee Stadium: “They spent a billion dollars to build the same ballpark.”
lmao
CB, you and I both agreed that AJ was the key to this staff. I thought at the time that if he was good, the team would be very good/solid and if he was great, this could be a really good team. Well, things have sort of not worked out quite as we hoped and so actually AJ is a bigger key than I’d thought. Due to Wang’s problems, he’s HAD to step up – and he has, big time. The thing is, he’s handled NY beautifully. He’s not had any kind of a problem with the media – and Pete posted just a few days ago that AJ pulled him aside and told him that he enjoys the give and take. He’s been a fantastic teammate and really seems to enjoy wearing the pinstripes – in his interviews from ST, and even to Steve Serby a few weeks ago, it’s obvious how much it means to him. I suspect this might have something to do with his performances against the Sox……
Damon is a horrible outfielder.
I’m nervous every time the ball goes out his way, because I can’t trust him not not make the play. Something needs to be done.
Hmm, apparently I don’t know how to type in English.
What I was trying to say is “I can’t trust him to make the play.”
The Yankees did their due diligence on AJ. Look, the Jays wanted him back and that says something. Whatever immaturity problems he had previous to Toronto, it didn’t affect his relationships with his teammates. Some people in all walks of life are their own worst enemies – AJ seems to have been like that. I don’t think he’s just metamorphosed into a good guy – a leopard doesn’t change his spots – he always had this potential, but just let his temperment get in the way. I like that he’s emotional – as long as he uses it to his advantage. Plus, he seems to be healthy……can’t underestimate how important that is. He really gives this team innings….
Happiness is A-Rod hitting HRs to RF.
CB,
I’m still withholding my praise for the Burnett signing as a genius move by Cashman because he was signed for 5 years and his health has always been shoddy before last season.
His ability when he’s feeling it has never been questioned. It’s just his ability to take the ball every five days.
We’ve still got a long way to go before we can grade the Burnett signing.
“It appears that the AJ Burnett we hoped for back in Decemeber is rounding into form…..His last 4 or so outings have been strong and the club is playing with confidence behind him”
Pat M.,
Agreed. This was the wager the yanks made in the off season. This was the guy they wanted and he’s arrived. Very good to see.
Pretty good to have your #1 guy have an off night and to come back 12 hours or so later and have AJ throwing darts all afternoon.
Giuseppe Franco
We’ve still got a long way to go before we can grade the Burnett signing.
__
Very true.
CB, I clearly remember us getting heat for being pro-AJ, and being called out for wanting AJ rather than Derek Lowe, and of course the biggest push was for Ben Sheets…..You just have to love that arm, and hope the brain catches up…..It seems it has
Well, all that really matters is how the pitchers are pitching NOW. Overall, the starting pitching has been great the last two weeks. Let’s hope the inspiration continues.
Brutal. We have to face Toronto 14 more times.
IMO, given Burnett’s history, there’s nothing wrong with waiting to judge whether or not it was a good signing.
That doesn’t, however, mean we can’t enjoy what he’s done now in the mean time.
Tomorrows game of Halladay vs. Wang is like David vs. Goliath. The question is whether David has his slingshot (control) and the pebble inside it (if Wang has his good sinkerball).
Burnett historically is better in the second half.
“We’ve still got a long way to go before we can grade the Burnett signing.”
GF,
I agree. But the point you make is the salient one. The point of outrage so many yankee fans felt on signing burnett was that he just wasn’t going to take the ball.
And so far he has. Without any problems or complaints.
It’s ironic but his issue to open the season was the one not many put at the top of their concerns list – his effectiveness when he was on the mound.
To be honest – I’m ok with his health. It’s not real common for pitchers to need TJ twice. Shoulders – who knows.
And the probability is that over the length of his contract as it is so long the contract starts to look bad.
But the bottom line is that they absolutely needed a second starter for this season. If they did not sign that second starter after CC they would have no shot at the division. The AL East would have been too brutal for them to absorb wang’s ineffectiveness and it would have been tough for them to absorb joba pitching such short starts.
So you can’t come to many conclusions yet but it is encouraging.
This is the way AJ looked the second half of last season and during that stretch he was arguably the best pitcher in the AL.
m
Brutal. We have to face Toronto 14 more times
__
The Yankees have a better winning percentage v. Toronto than than they do v. the Nats. Just sayin’.
Rebecca,
That’s fair enough. But some people are so childish making certain assumptions about his health and consistency. Like they want him to get hurt, so they could be right.
Silly, why wouldn’t you want a Yankee pitcher to succeed?
I think much of the “outrage” (if you want to call it that) about the AJ signing was the sense that it was Pavano redux.
Those people failed to understand that AJ is a much better pitcher than Pavano when both are healthy.
Five years is also quite a risk. I would have had no problem signing AJ for two yaers with a team option (not that it was possible).
I thought Burnett would be hurt and was against the signing. But if he is healthy for the majority of the time and pitches well, I would be thrilled!
“and of course the biggest push was for Ben Sheets…..”
Pat,
Don’t know if you caught this but it now appears that Sheets will miss the entire season. The whole deal.
It was quite amazing all of the people who were adamant about signing Sheets as that was the safer deal because it was a short term contract. They sign sheets and the season is pretty much done. AL East is way too tough.
And I have no idea what sheets and his agent were thinking turning down arbitration. He threw $14M out the window this season.
As Yankee fans, we should all be ecstatic that Burnett has so far turned out to be the real deal.
But I’m a big believer of using evidence, stats, and tendencies of someone’s past to predict his future, especially someone who is not a kid anymore at the age of 32.
As Michael Kay likes to say, look at the back of his baseball card and that will tell you what what you’re probably going to get out of him.
Burnett has always been nasty. But his health has always been questioned.
If he keeps this up for the next five years, I’ll have no qualms about being wrong about him.
Maybe he really did learn his craft much later than many of his peers.
cb especially since he had to know he was having come health issues.
Steve Goldman is arguing “if you take out the games they won they’re just okay”.
http://pinstripedbible.mlblogs.....tml#_login
He’s also arguing that Cano should be moved down. He’s right about that.
“I think much of the “outrage” (if you want to call it that) about the AJ signing was the sense that it was Pavano redux. ”
Outrage? How about this from Cliff Corcoran on AJ’s signing. I’d write the title of the post but it wouldn’t get through the filter:
“I cannot help but react emotionally to this signing. It is an inexplicably awful, irresponsible, wrong-headed move. I hate hate hate it. It makes me physically sick. Combined with the New Stadium, it is enough for me to question my allegiance to this team. I cannot be consoled. I assume many of you feel the same way. Consider the comments of this post group therapy . . .”
Corcoran is on SNY as commentator and also writes for SI.COM. He is one of the most prominent yankee bloggers out there and usually a rational guy.
Yeah, I’d call that outrage…
http://www.bronxbanterblog.com.....-sandwich/
Hi everybody, good win today. I’ve noticed from a few different sources the idea that the Yanks were looking to start a new winning streak today. (Starting from a tweet from Swisher last night)
Good to see the Yanks came through on their promise. They are playing with confidence again, ARod’s driving the ball and the Bullpen is solid with Hughes.
Let’s keep it up!
btw, I had a feeling AJ was going to go on a roll 3 weeks ago. Even told Trisha to start him over Joba in our fantasy league. He is looking more and more comfortable with every start.
And Toronto has to face us, M…..lol. The AL East is terrifying in it’s quality and depth
“I think much of the “outrage” (if you want to call it that) about the AJ signing was the sense that it was Pavano redux. ”
Outrage? How about this from Cliff Corcoran over at bronx banter on AJ’s signing. I’d write the title of the post but it wouldn’t get through the filter. In fact I can’t even post the true link because it won’t get through the filter and i don’t think pete wants that kind of language on here:
“I cannot help but react emotionally to this signing. It is an inexplicably awful, irresponsible, wrong-headed move. I hate hate hate it. It makes me physically sick. Combined with the New Stadium, it is enough for me to question my allegiance to this team. I cannot be consoled. I assume many of you feel the same way. Consider the comments of this post group therapy . . .”
Corcoran is on SNY as commentator and also writes for SI.COM. He is one of the most prominent yankee bloggers out there and usually a rational guy.
Yeah, I’d call that outrage…
Here is the modified link which you can edit to get the right one:
“I think much of the “outrage” (if you want to call it that) about the AJ signing was the sense that it was Pavano redux. ”
Outrage? How about this from Cliff Corcoran on AJ’s signing. I’d write the title of the post but it wouldn’t get through the filter:
“I cannot help but react emotionally to this signing. It is an inexplicably awful, irresponsible, wrong-headed move. I hate hate hate it. It makes me physically sick. Combined with the New Stadium, it is enough for me to question my allegiance to this team. I cannot be consoled. I assume many of you feel the same way. Consider the comments of this post group therapy . . .”
Corcoran is on SNY as commentator and also writes for SI.COM. He is one of the most prominent yankee bloggers out there and usually a rational guy.
Yeah, I’d call that outrage…
http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2008/12/12/****-sandwich/
“If he keeps this up for the next five years, I’ll have no qualms about being wrong about him.”
GF,
Your setting the bar way too high – so high that it’s guaranteed to fail.
How do you guarantee any pitcher is going to be healthy for 5 years?
Now you can say that this the reason they shouldn’t have signed him but in that case you have to come up with an alternative.
Sheets – useless.
Lowe – I guess but even he got 4 years.
If AJ is healthy for most of the contract that’s fine.
No team signs a pitcher for 5 years without knowing that it’s unlikely he’ll be healthy and effective the whole time.
That’s just the way pitching on the market is. It would have been much better if both Hughes and Joba could have been slotted into the rotation but that wasn’t possible.
If the end if they even get 3 good years out of the 5 that’s fine – the contract for AJ was set up as a migration point for the teams young arms to mature enough for the team to be self-sufficient.
The purpose of AJ contract was to allow the team the time needed to not have to sign any more contracts like AJ’s in the future.
GF, the thing about using the past to predict the future is that AJ is not the same pitcher…..If he really has changed, then previous stats don’t really tell you anything about him or how he will perform in the next few years because that was the old AJ. It’s a matter of taking the leap of faith – which is what the Yankees did. He really has embraced being a Yankee – and some big FA signings have simply not done that. He’s been a mentor to the kids – they rave about him. Thank AJ for Phil’s new curve also…..
I definitely noticed a trend where people were just waiting for AJ to get hurt – to the point where they wanted to make wagers about it. Would they prefer to be right so that they can prove everyone else wrong? I think the answer is yes.
Wow, CB – what a joke. I’ll bet he hasn’t retracted (even partially) that rant, has he?
I’ll take 3/5 healthy, successful years anytime. I think this guy will thrive in big games because he wants the limelight – just hope he can get back on track against the Sox this year.
Why does Joe insist on the Phil/Phil combo?
Coke’s second in the league in appearances.
I have to be honest: After the Red Sox debacles, and those weren’t even particularly pressure packed, I have no faith in A.J. in big games right now. If I’m wrong I’d be thrilled, but I need to see him come through in a big spot as a Yankee.
Why doesn’t Joe just admit that Bruney is not the eighth inning and make Hughesie the eighth inning guy.
I’ll say it again, by Spring of 2011, AJ Burnett will be the best # 5 pitcher in Baseball….
Tampa has a sick rotation now that Kazmir is back and Price is in the rotation
Outside of the bullpen, they are better than last year.
The bullpen is Tampa Bay’s major achilles heel. With that pen and the Yankees’ uncanny ability to come from behind I’ll take the Yanks any day.
How has Kazmir been doing lately?
AJ contract was a risk from the start
5 years to a 32 yr old pitcher with injury problems, control issues, and a track record of mediocrity was not a smart investment.
He was a gamble. By no means was he, nor will he be, a sure thing. CC was a sure thing, his track record and body of work spoke for itself.
“what a joke. I’ll bet he hasn’t retracted (even partially) that rant, has he?”
Blog become monocultures all too often. Like minded people aggregate to one spot.
I’d don’t read bronxbanter on a regular basis so perhaps I’m off but from what I’ve seen the vast majority of people there felt very similar to corcoran about the Burnett signing. Which is fine.
But I have been checking in there after AJ’s starts.
I think they had close to 300 comments on their game thread. I just skimmed them out of curiosity – and I could have just missed the posts.
But I didn’t notice any significant comments on their thread commenting on how well AJ was pitching. If there were positive comments there weren’t many. It was as if the pitcher was invisible.
This place is often crazy and often becomes unpalatable and filled with nonsense but a monoculture it is not…
Saying Burnett has “changed” and declaring the contract a success after a couple of good games is as foolish as those people who wrote him off and declared the contract a bust after a couple of bad games.
We’re still a LONG ways off from determining AJ’s value to the franchise. How does he finish off? Does he rediscover the dominance against Boston? Does he pitch well in the playoffs? Does he age well? Does he gets hurt?
No point in trying to project him, he is too much of an unknown to do that.
so far, AJ been OK. Started out well, went through a rough patch, and now is pitching well again. Just like his career indicates… inconsistency.
At no time has he shown the ability to dominate for an extended period of time. It’s been in stretches. Let’s see where he is at the end of the year before we declare that he has changed.
Damon is a horrible outfielder.
I’m nervous every time the ball goes out his way, because I can’t trust him not not make the play. Something needs to be done.
—————————————————–
You’re right!!! If something isn’t done about LF then I’m afraid we might be in for a “Castillo moment” at a critical time.
Burnett will be judged by what he does against Boston and what he does in big games down the stretch and in the postseason.
That is ultimately what he was signed for. He wasn’t signed as some #5 starter to be an innings eater.
I think you’re noticing only the mistakes. Damon has the ability to make good plays too. Like yesterday even ragarm made an accurate throw to second to nail the runner.
I think Johnny has had about three of those moments in the past month….Wonder if his eyes are right, post concussion type concerns when he runs ……
I think you’re noticing only the mistakes. Damon has the ability to make good plays too. Like yesterday even ragarm made an accurate throw to second to nail the runner.
—————————————————
He had to make that throw because he misplayed the flyball in the first place.
wait,
the games are not won on paper. whichever one of the 3 teams is the streakiest and has the biggest slump will be left out of the dance. talent is irrelevant in such a close division race.
He did have dry eyes around the Boston series.
Joe Girardi can’t be accused of burning out the bullpen. Rarely does a reliever throw more than 2 innings unless it’s an extra inning game or a pitcher just plain needs the work.
Wow. Tough audience.
jpb1973-I have to disagree with you there, he had to make a great day to catch the ball, and I was very impressed when he got the runner out.
dave-What are you referring to? The Goldman article?
OK Yank fans….
You ready to send a little love and luck to Felix and the M’s???
Here’s to “Fenway Felix” continuing his dominance in Beantown.
Click on my name for the stats…
Go M’s!
Mark-Didn’t he try to make Aceves go four innings yesterday? And didn’t Ace get burned?
day is play.
Part of the problem many of you have is you are too Boston-centric on everything.
You can’t handle anybody doing well unless its against the Red Sox.
Unfortunately, its a skewed way of looking at things.
Mariano Rivera has blown more saves against the Red Sox than any other team in his career.
He blew the save that could have wrapped up the ‘04 ALCS.
He blew the save earlier this year when he had a 2 run lead and 2 outs in the 9th at Fenway.
Does that mean Mo can’t pitch against the Red Sox or can’t pitch in “big” games? Of course not.
There are more “big” games on the schedule than the Red Sox.
Today for example was a big game. They lost last night and had a division rival in to start a 4 game series.
It was a low scoring game and AJ pitched great. Believe it or not, that’s a good thing.
Stop acting like Pre-’04 Red Sox fans and believe the only 18 games on the schedule that matter are the Red Sox-Yankee games.
If you do that, you are going to miss out on a fun season.
Girardi manages a bullpen better than Torre ever did.
Guys don’t get overworked and he doesn’t ride a guy until he blows up.
Two years ago, Luis Vizcaino pitched in 13 games in the second half of the year in games in which the Yankees had leads of 4 or more runs. He had nothing left by the time they got to the post-season.
That was a familar theme in each of the last 4 years he managed the team.
Coke may near the top of the league in appearances but, he throws less pitches and innings than any guy Torre rode in his heyday.
Add Hughes to the pen, and now Girardi has a myriad of options in the way he uses guys.
It makes the pen more flexible and less likely to burn out.
This was not a big game. Not at all. Not even close.
If we lose today we have two more games against Toronto. Granted one is probably a loss, but nevertheless the series would be by no means decided.
Yesterday’s loss was not a big deal. We had already won two games of that series. Let’s see A.J. win a pressure packed game.
And I hope he does.
Respond as you will. I gotta split for a bit.
CB, you see that tendency on here as well – esp. in game threads. People post nasty, just plain incorrect stuff about players when they are slumping……..then disappear when they do well. It’s really ok for someone to admit they are wrong, you know? It’s just a blog/message board – no one is going to kill you if you are wrong. People are just so intransigent with AJ – they resent him because he hasn’t lived up to his potential and they think it was a terrible signing. Therefore, when he does well – well, we have to wait and see (and hey – he sucked against the Sox). When he does badly, it’s…….see ? I told you so. The guy actually has a better ERA than CC, by the way……
People gravitate to those with likeminded philosophies. The guys that run the blog aren’t AJ fans, so most of the posters aren’t going to be AJ fans. The fact that the game thread was mostly quiet over there is not surprising…….
Fellow loosey-goosey slugger?
C’mon Pete. You can see the sudden ascent in power numbers in the Palmiero’s statistics. Steriods turned him from a bit better than average into a slugger. It’s not really clear what steroids did for Arod…add a couple of homers a year in Texas…to one of the all time greats. I’m not condoning what he did, but Palmiero doesn’t deserve the comparison.
John Cerra
A 1-game losing streak is the best kind of losing streak to have. Good job on turning it around fast Yankees, I only got to catch A-Rod’s homer at work.
I’m sure 10,000 people have already said this, but those red Yankee caps are simply awful! How hard is it to just put an American flag on the side? I’m pretty sure no fans will question the MLB’s patriotism if they did so.