Wrapping it up from Toronto
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- August
- 5
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This will be quick. I need to catch a ride to a hotel out by the airport, nap for a bit and then fly back to New York early in the morning. Seems as though the Yankees are playing some sort of important game tomorrow.
A few notes:
• Had Johnny Damon not homered in the ninth inning, Mariano Rivera was coming in. So instead of going into Boston with Mo having pitched two days in a row, he has pitched once in the last three days. Big lift there.
• That Alfredo Aceves fanned three of the seven batters he faced is big. He appears to over his shoulder woes. Phil Hughes will not be available tomorrow and Aceves could be the set-up guy.
• I don’t blame Mark Teixeira for saying this because it’s how he was programmed by the Scott Boras Corporation. But he sounds silly when he says the games against the Red Sox aren’t any more important than any others. “You guys (the media) are making a big deal out of it,” he said. “Not us.”
Right, the media and roughly 15 million baseball fans in the Northeast. He’ll learn.
• Nick Swisher is starting to get locked in again. He is 11 of his last 34 with six extra-base hits including four home runs. Forget about his batting average (.243) and focus on the 18 homers, 55 RBI and 53 runs scored. He’s a nice fit in this lineup.
• A-Rod has gone 61 at-bats without a homer, his longest streak as a Yankee. Now would seem like a good time to break that drought. He has played only three of the eight games against Boston this season, going 1 for 10. His impact this weekend could be significant, or at least that is what the Yankees hope.
• The Yankees were 2.5 games up when they left home and 2.5 games up when they return. Given the ups and downs of the road trip, that’s a good accomplishment.
• Eric Hinske: 24 at-bats nine RBI. Jerry Hairston Jr.: Four games, three hits, two walks, two runs, two RBI and some nice defense. Brian Cashman hasn’t made any flashy moves this season but the bench is a lot better today than it was in April and Ramiro Pena will be back soon.
OK, back it it tomorrow with lots of stuff. Thanks for reading. The next four days are going to be a lot of fun.
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on Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 at 11:50 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Going to NYS for the first time today. I want to go the museum. Anybody have advice on how early to get their also any tips on what to eat and stuff. BTW i bought the tickets via stubhub what happens if the game is rained out.
Good stuff.
Something else to consider:
I just picked up “Baseball Between the Numbers” the other day. In one of the first chapters they mention that in season x a team going into the bottom of the ninth down by one run with two outs won just 2.5% of the time.
Consider that.
Then consider that the Yankees have nine walk off wins this season–already.
I can’t remember how many of the walk offs involved being down with two outs, but there are at least two–Melky vs Twins and Luis Castillo vs the Mets.
Puts things in perspective, don’t it?
How is Jorge Vasquez doing????!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gonna be cool
Rebecca-
Thats why I always scratch my head when a naysayer says the comeback wins aren’t impressive.
Yes, in a perfect world the Yankees would always have a lead. But its nice to know that when we don’t, this team plays all 27 outs!!!
Btw- I said this like 3 times tonight and no one responded so I am saying it again. Our bench was awesome tonight. Two pinch hitters each with a RBI. No idea when the last time that happened was. Bench guys that know their roles were a big tradeback of the championship 90’s teams
Azaz
Early for mon Park 1.5 hrs at least
Museum is open all game .5 hrs before is good
garlic fries
I hope the next 4 days doesn’t give me an ulcer.
Note to Joba: do not plunk Youkilis! Just beat his arse.
This is important stuff that we should be talking about…..
(from Pete): “Phil Hughes will not be available tomorrow and Aceves could be the set-up guy.”
I would argue that Hughes/Rivera combo has been one the most important aspects of the team since the 2nd game in Atlanta. Not using Bruney with a 3 run lead (despite his recent woes) was a mistake and could come back to hurt us. If he got into trouble I understand Girardi going to Hughes. But a 3 run lead is a nice cushion to have.
thnx but anybody know what hapens if the game gets rained out since i bouht my tickets through stubhub.
I’m looking forward to a Boston massacre like we did in ‘06. I was there and it was great.
Scorpio: follow-up note to Joba:
WORK QUICKLY and LISTEN TO YOUR CATCHER!
Now that Nick Swisher’s OPS is only a few points off of Nady’s aberrant 2008 mark, I’m hoping that SJ can remind us why the team would be even better off if he only played two or three times a week. Something about energy only being good in certain spots?
“I just picked up “Baseball Between the Numbers” the other day. In one of the first chapters they mention that in season x a team going into the bottom of the ninth down by one run with two outs won just 2.5% of the time.”
When the yankees fell behind tonight 2-0 the yankees probability of winning the game feel to 34%.
People really do underestimate how difficult it is to come back – even from modest deficits early in the game.
Now with the yanks this data may be a bit skewed in the sense that it is generally true that the team that is “better” is the team that will be in the lead.
But the yankees patient approach of wearing down pitchers and getting into the pen coupled with their power hitting makes them disproportionately dangerous late in games.
It’s a great team to watch and root for. We’re very lucky as fans.
Nothing was more insane than the 2006 Boston Massacre.
5 games in 4 days. One was the longest 9 inning game ever and another was extra innings. By the end of the 4 days I was so tired you would have thought I played
Rainout depends on makeup date/logistics. Even though it’s divisional rivals who play often, it’s late enough in the year that they’re probably loath to reschedule for a different series. I was able to resell my Wrigley Field tickets earlier this year (couldn’t make the makeup date) and the proceeds covered better seats for the next day’s game.
““YOu first write non-sense implying any one can protect a 3-run lead given a chance using Robertons’s name as an example.”
Teams with a 3 run lead in the 9th inning win 93% of all games regardless of who is pitching.
So you’re right. It’s remarkable to hold a 4 run lead in the 9th.
How could I say it doesn’t require magic to do so.”
CB, do not twist things by picking only half of what people write. You wrote nonpsene first and you have problem accepting it. Fine with me.
Good night.
Azaz, Where you bought the tickets is irrelevant. Now they are yours. If it’s rained out, your tickets will then be for the make-up game, whenever that is.
I know It’s unlikely, but how nice would a 4 game sweep be? That would just deflate and bury Boston!
This has been a fun summer so far, is a sweep too much to ask for?
I am off to bed! Good night Yankee people!!!
“But the yankees patient approach of wearing down pitchers and getting into the pen coupled with their power hitting makes them disproportionately dangerous late in games.
It’s a great team to watch and root for. We’re very lucky as fans.”
It’s like we’re getting to live the late nineties all over again, only this time we aren’t sacrificing the farm system in the process.
Great situational hitting, never say die, a rotation that’s good enough that any one pitcher (okay, except Mitre) can be the stopper that’s needed, a bullpen that can completely shut down the other team…
What I like most is how the team bounces back–if they go on a losing streak, they respond with a winning streak that’s even better.
This is a team that doesn’t stop till all 27 outs are made. How many other times do you see players refusing to run hard on ground outs or otherwise giving up?
“Play today, win today, das it”
I believe that this team can take 3 out of 4. I don’t expect a sweep but a sweep would be great. I think now is the time for the Yankees to put the Red Sox in their place.
BBFan,
You need to get a grip.
I have no idea why you become so emotional about Joe Girardi or why you are constantly trying to make an issue out of nothing with me on this subject.
Dozens of people had a concern about the bull pen usage.
Take it up with them as well.
It’s only a question of managerial strategy. Why do you get so bent out of shape?
Robertson did a good job tonight he kept Mo out of the game. There were many times this year in 9th when the yanks are winning by 4 or more runs that either Veras or Albaledejo were in the game and Mariano was forced to come in and save the game. They might of won those games but they were forced to bring in Mo.
I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.
4 for 4. Nothing less
Mitre is the *new* Greatest Yankee ever (still undefeated)
Aceves is 7-1 in only 52 innings pitched.
Hughes has more strike outs than innings pitched (can we finally get him back in rotation? Even if he goes only 5 innings each start, that’s still twice as many as Mitre)
Just left the McCartney concert at Fenway. He rocked. I put a hex on the field. I had great seats and rubbed my Yankee foot in the infield dirt.
A great Macca concert in enemy territory and the Yanks go up 2.5 in the standings. Not a bad night.
Sorry guys. I live in Red Sux nation and just want to shut up the 8-0 crap I hear every day.
garlic fries sound like more of a side than a meal is johnny rockets any good.
While the coming series is important, I am thinking a bit longer term.
In the remaining 55 games:
The Yankees play Seattle 7 times, Oakland 3 times, KC 3 times, Toronto 9 times, and Baltimore 6 times. That’s 28 games against sub .500 teams. 19-9 or 18-10 is realistic.
They play the White Sox 3 and Texas 3, both at home. They play 7 against the Red Sox at home. They play 4 against the Rays at home. They play 1 makeup against the LAA at home. That’s 18 games against contending teams. Given their home winning percentage, 12-6 or 11-7 is realistic.
The “tough” away games are Rays 3, Angels 3, and Sox 3. Say they go 4-5 in these.
We are looking at around 97-98 wins for the Yankees, barring a major disaster. If that does not take the Division this year, I don’t know what will.
Man, lot’s of hostility here tonight…..Bombers win, BoSox lose, up by 2 1/2 and there’s negative vibes…..One thing is for certain, the culture here is ever changing at an alarming rate….And the team’s in 1st place…..
Evan D.
You mentioned that if Bruney came in he wouldve have “only let up one run”
Well letting up 1 run means its a SS and then Mo is brought in. Forget about Hughes, Mo would had to have been called to get the save.
Would you rather Hughes not available for 1 game or Mo for 1, possibly 2? or Mo pitching back to back to back to back, etc etc?
There are complications and reprcussions to every actions taken. Its not cut and dry as you seem to think, or believe, it is.
“You need to get a grip.
I have no idea why you become so emotional about Joe Girardi or why you are constantly trying to make an issue out of nothing with me on this subject.
Dozens of people had a concern about the bull pen usage.
Take it up with them as well.
It’s only a question of managerial strategy. Why do you get so bent out of shape?”
CB, you are the one who needs to get a grip.
This particular chain was not necessarily direclty relaed to Girardi. I like Girardi, you make snide comments about Girardi and we both are within our rights to comment without calling names. You criticise Girardi quite frequently like many others here, I do not bother about it. If I have to say something positve about Girardi I state it.
On this particular topic, you are the one who made the comment any one can succeed protecting 3-run lead if given a chance. I think that is a stupid (I am using this word for the first time)statement. Some body else and I questioned (at the same time) that is not correct giving you some example names. What do you do in response? Twist things and continue to defend undefensible.
While I want a sweep or 3/4, let’s just start with one game (tomorrow) and go from there, given the prior record this season. If the yankees win that, they’ll still be in 1st place on monday.
Wow. Such a negative vibe on the blog. So someone said something stupid. That’s nothing new.
Don’t worry, be happy.
A win tomorrow will go a long way of lifting a heavy burden off the Yankees’ shoulders. 0-8 is not an insignificant stat.
“They get nothing else!”
“On this particular topic, you are the one who made the comment any one can succeed protecting 3-run lead if given a chance. I think that is a stupid (I am using this word for the first time)statement. Some body else and I questioned (at the same time) that is not correct giving you some example names. What do you do in response? Twist things and continue to defend undefensible.”
And I will explain again – you can think it “stupid” but that doesn’t change the facts.
A team that is leading by 3 runs in the 9th inning wins 93% of the time. That is across all pitchers pitching the 9th inning.
How much plainer can this be put. I am not twisting anything.
It’s remarkable that you think facts are “undefensible”
And it’s particularly remarkable that you do so while providing no facts to back your own assertions up.
You think it’s “stupid.” That’s fine. I could care less. That’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it.
But your opinion doesn’t change the facts and it never will.
Oh, Pat M.
Stop lifting my material.
I don’t think Teix’s comments reflect being Borasized. I think it’s merely an attempt by him to keep the game in perspective for himself.
As a neutral overserver here who wanted to see Melancon in the game tonight but is happiest with the win, I’m going to have to say that CB got the best of it tonight.
Glad I could settle that.
“A team that is leading by 3 runs in the 9th inning wins 93% of the time. That is across all pitchers pitching the 9th inning.”
Again it is cherry picking and using the stats not correctly.
Typically in the ninth inning, with 3-run lead, teams use better pitchers to nail down the win.
It does not mean any pitcher can protect the lead given a chance. Certainly we have seen a few of them on the yankee staff over this year.
I happened to catch a little of Sterling tonight (driving, no alternative), and I heard this little segue gem (paraphrasing):
“…and Jeter’s going for third. He slides, and he’s safe! Hey fans, if you want to keep your family safe, make sure to get in touch with your local New York Life insurance agent. New York Life, it’s the company you keep.”
I would have to say doing spots mid-play is the bottom, there can be no lower. I’m still dumbfounded.
“It does not mean any pitcher can protect the lead given a chance.”
You are really piling on the straw men arguments on top of the ad hominem attacks.
I never, ever said “anyone” could do it.
Those are your words which you are trying to assert are my argument.
And they aren’t.
But again, you can have your opinion but that doesn’t change the fact.
A team winning by 3 runs in the 9th inning has a 93% chance of winning a game.
So no, it wasn’t an earth shattering even that Dave Robertson could hold a 3 run lead in the 9th inning.
No matter the degree of cognative dissonance this might cause you, it’s still a fact.
And you can’t change that.
And with that I’m going to bed.
Lohud is really becoming crazier by the day…
You missed this earlier in the game:
“…and earlier today untility player Cody Ransom was designated for assignment. Hey fans, if you want to keep your family safe without paying a king’s ransom, make sure to get in touch with your local New York Life insurance agent. New York Life, it’s the ompany you keep.”
I agree with CB.
Another common thing from Sterling is mixing up players names on plays. He catches himself….most of the time.
I got a big tee-hee when my daughter said, “I don’t like her voice”. Guess who she was talking about.
Teixeira is right. The media does make too much of these games against the Red Sox.
This isn’t like football. They don’t play each other once or twice a year. They play 18-19 times a year.
I personally hate these series because of the sheer stupidity and nonsense spewed is magnified 100 times over.
I guess Richie didn’t like my Sterling story.
either that, or he’s a New York Life agent.
I don’t know, you really can’t go with the “what if” arguments.
But, I don’t think Hughes in tonight’s game was an egregious or negligent move.
Boy, oh boy, though. I hope that Phil takes some of that strikeout voodoo with him when he goes back to starting.
I heard the Sterling thing, and that was not really how it happened. He called the play, explained the situation, and then described Jeter’s slide afterwords. When describing the slide, he finished with “and slid in safely” and segued. Really not that bad.
m, sorry about that, however we’re on the same page……I’m not going to get sucked into this debate, as CB seems to have things in control……However there is a need for 2 reliable arms for the bullpen as we make the turn into the final 1/3 of the season…..Maybe the arms are there and Giradi is just to uneasy to realize that they’re there……I guess the situations have to manifest itself before he’s comfortable…….You can compare 1996 all you want, but the team today are better than the few good teams from that era….I have deep concerns about how effective the bullpen will be come October at it’s current rate of use……
If I’m not mistaken, the Yanks did beat TB 2 of 3 last week and Mo and Hughes only combined for one appearance in the entire series.
Cody Ransom’s Ghost
I actually heard Sterling say that during the game and laughed. It followed his nightly distribe against anyone who uses stats.
m
Egregious? That’s a little strong. I would call it ill advised and unnecessary.
I don’t think Tex looks silly. When he’s quickly become one of the leaders of the clubhouse, he can say anything he likes.
And Jeter’s said the same thing series after series, year after year.
Tex’s quote was a benign, bland comment designed to not stir up anything.
And I can’t believe that people believe that Girardi means every word he says. He’s proven over and over again that he won’t crap on a player even if they play like poo. It’s manager speak, that’s all it is.
Well at least Jason Bay is out for the first two games of the series. But Jason Bay has sucked for a while at the plate.
“I don’t like her voice”. Guess who she was talking about.
——————————
Avril Lavigne?
distrade = diatribe
Duh!
Pat M,
I was joking. You said the same thing I said, you just said it 2 minutes earlier.
Everybody just needs to chill out.
Lohud is nuts.
Wanna talk about Deja Vu, Pedro struck out 11 Yankees tonight
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....x_reaaax_1
I’m not going to make too big a deal out of it, but since when is a four game series against your main competitor in your division not a big series? Oh, and by the way, you’re 0-8 against them this year!
I don’t want this to be another year where we beat up on the minnows and then flame out against the top teams. That doesn’t bode well for October.
Having said that, it’s been a long time since we last played the Sox. I think the table’s will be turned this time.
Does anyone actually believe Teixeira when he said it’s not a big series?
You know he wants to punch John Henry right in his Twitter.
ML,
The Yanks have beaten quite a few good teams this season.
The problem is the media and the fans often tend to ignore those games because they didn’t happen against the Red Sox.
“Teams with a 3 run lead in the 9th inning win 93% of all games regardless of who is pitching.”
This may be true, but in practice we can guess that the person pitching in most of those 9th innings was the tesm’s closer. So, it’s perhaps more precise to say that teams with a 3 run lead in the 9th inning have won 93% of all games, with the closer pitching most of those games.
Pre-Sox Tension? PST?
The games all count the same, as has been mathematically and scientifically proven, but of course this is a huge(yuuuuge) series. Now it’s August. We’re in a close race. The number of remaining games is dwindling.
I love it. Bring ‘em on!
They just need to win a game and get that 800 lb gorilla off their backs. They would/will face the same thing in the playoffs. Win a round, and they can relax and let their ability take over.
Pat M: since you aske me to let you know and I have no other means of contacting you–I’m going to do another live chat tomorrow, 5.30 PM EST till just about first pitch, if you are interested =)
This may be true, but in practice we can guess that the person pitching in most of those 9th innings was the tesm’s closer. So, it’s perhaps more precise to say that teams with a 3 run lead in the 9th inning have won 93% of all games, with the closer pitching most of those games.
__
That’s true, but he didn’t use the closer in the 9th, but had him standing by in case he was needed. He could have done the same thing with Hughes standing by for Melancon in the 8th.
Rebecca, I should be home by then and I’ll be there……….Nick in SF, Pac 10 football on the horizon…..Man I just can’t believe it’s already August 6th….
The Yanks spanked the Sox just about every year ’til 2004. Then Ortiz led the comeback, triggering an era of relatively equal footing between these teams.
Now that the Emperor has No Clothes (Big Papi exposed as a cheater), will be interesting to see how the Sox play. Has to be a psychological blow.
So here are the matchups:
Tomorrow – Chamberlain vs. Smoltz
Friday – Burnett vs. Beckett
Saturday – Sabathia vs. Bucholz
Pettitte – Pettitte vs. Lester
The Yankees are 2.5 games up going into this series, but I think it’s important to use this series to increase that lead. Boston’s schedule is a bit easier down the stretch since they don’t have to go on any more west coast road trips.
As upset as people are about Hughes pitching today, the Yankees’ bullpen is in better shape than the Red Sox. Delcarmen and Okajima both pitched today, and they emptied their bullpen on Tuesday.
BOLD PREDICTION:
The Yankees win 3 of 4 and go 4.5 games up. There will be 1 walk off against Paplebon, probably on Sunday.
Pat M: I can’t wait. Sept. 5 at Memorial Stadium revenge against the Terps will be at hand. ESPN 7:00 pm PDT game, everycan can enjoy.
Everyone can enjoy, that is.
I’ll be there.
A few quotes on the upcoming series.
Tex: “All the best teams we have to play well against, these are the team we’re going to, hopefully, be playing against in October. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves but at the same time we have to step it up against the best teams in baseball.”
Jeter: “We need to play well against them this time but you can’t change what happened earlier in the season. It’s over with, it’s done with. We’re playing a lot better than we were early on.”
Alex: “We have to beat them at some point. This week is a good time to start.”
Johnny: “We’ve shown signs of being really good lately. They are always a test for us to see where we are. I’m sure it’s going to be a great series. Our goal is to get that first one (victory) out of the way and start going for No. 2.”
Joe Girardi: “You want to get that zero, that goose egg out of there. We’re going to be asked about that goose egg as long as it’s there, so you want to get that out of the way as soon as possible.”
Dave Winfield: “If Boston were to sweep that series — it’s highly unlikely as it’s in New York — if that were to happen, that would really take the wind out of the Yankees’ sails.”
I wonder why the Yanks didn’t take a chance with Pedro?
I’m sure there were a myriad of reasons, but give the man his due: he’s an ultra-competitor. Was it the $$$? $1M wouldn’t seem too cost-prohibitive considering it would represent about 0.5% of the payroll.
A few wins down the stretch would, for all intents and purposes, justify the salary.
Is it the fact that he’s only likely to go 5 or 6 innings per start? How does that differ from Mitre?
He knows the league, and if shut down the Red Sox a couple of times that itself would be invaluable.
18 hours to the first pitch.
If anyone is going to these games the next 4 days.. please chant 1918 and show Ortiz the same kindness that Red Sox Nation has shown some our players. Thank you.
Cody Ransom,
No, it was Suzyn Waldman’s voice. The funny thing is this particular daughter also has a nasally voice. But she doesn’t have that Boston/Bronx accent.
pedro struck out 11 AA batters whiptydoo.
Mitre had a below 2 ERA in AAA.. 2 different worlds. Neftali Perez forgot that major leaguers can hit a 97 mph fastball, adam kennedy took him yard. how often that happen in AAA?
hardly ever….
John Henry hasn’t Twittered in August. Something must have happened last week.
They didn’t “go in” on Pedro because he’s old, he sucked with the mets, and because he’s Pedro!
And that’s how Chamberlain views Thursday — just another start. It’s the old baseball cliché, but one that holds even more merit for a player who has struggled against the Red Sox as much as he has. For the fans and the team and the standings, this might not be “just another start.” But for Chamberlain, it has to be.
“You have to take it like that,” Chamberlain said. “You can’t try to blow it out of proportion. There’s going to be a tension already, because the race is so close and because of the record that we’ve had in the first half against them — this, that and the other thing. We’ve got to finish strong and just continue to play baseball the way we have been playing.”
================================
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....p;c_id=nyy
I’m optimistic that we can win at least one of these four games… Gotta keep modest expectations after what has happened this season.
John Henry hasn’t Twittered in August. Something must have happened last week.
————————
Maybe he overdoses using Viagra
Azaz:
Best food – and most expensive – at The Stadium are Lobel’s sandwiches. Worth every penny of that $15 though.
Johnny Rockets is mall food; you can get that everywhere.
Still a good option if you want a burger.
If you’re looking for something a little more authentic, try Mike’s Deli in the Food Court. Great Italian subs, Arthur Ave.-style.
As for The Museum, plan on getting in line the second you walk through the Hall. And even then you’re going to wait 1.5 hours easily.
Enjoy the game!
Well, if you’re not jazzed enough about this series, this will get you revved:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/notebook?page=bbtn
BTW, Mussina was the last pitcher to beat the Sox.
i think what Tex said is silly, too, but at the same time it’s what Jeter’s been saying for years when it comes to the rivalry.
Hi and greetings from Germany,
I think Teixeira is absolutely right when he says that the Red Sox games are games like any other. It is just a media game. The media hope that there is a brawl or some trash talk during the games so they have more to write about it. I don’t like the Red Sox either but a win is a win! You don’t get a bonus when you beat them.
Let’s go Yankees
Oh _ my_ god! as Suzy Waldman would say! The Red Sox did it to us again! They just signed Paul Byrd!
That Theo is such a genius! Why didnt we pick Byrd up? Theo knows that as age 38 and not having pitched a game in 11 month Paul Bryd is the well rested Missing Link. Shame on Cashman. Man, that Theo is such a genius!
Drive,
Are you suggesting we should counter NY signing Clemens mid-season?
NY = by
(new blackberry’s been doing that a lot lately
)
Pete’s right…absolutely nothing to be gained by bringing Joba back for another inning……(rocco in springfield)
“Silly.” With that word, Mark Teixeira is ridiculed and frozen out by the author. In perpetuity he is scorned. He is not silly, nor does his particular view of media hype around Red Sox Yankee games come from Scott Borus necessarily because many hold the same view. But mention Borus, oh wow, everybody hates him so that must be right. Baseball writers have chosen a hugely duplicitous was to make a living. Then they expect players and fans to help them do their job and get publicity for them. The game belongs to the fans, not newspaper employees.