Wrapping it up from the Bronx
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Aug 07, 2009 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
A few assorted things:
• Jorge Posada played with a No. 15 decal on his mask in honor of Thurman Munson, whose funeral was 30 years ago today. “Just something I wanted to do,” he said. “He means a lot to me.”
Posada is reading Marty Appel’s new book on Munson.
• Joe Girardi was in a weird mood after the game. He refused to say why he went to the mound to speak to Joba Chamberlain in the first inning. According to Chamberlain, it was to get the signs straightened out. I suspect it was more to keep Chamberlain and Posada from killing each other. Then Girardi actually said he thought Chamberlain pitched pretty well, which obviously is silly.
• Hideki Matsui has 15 RBI in his last 21 games.
• John Smoltz is stumbling around out there, like Steve Carlton at the end of his career. He has an 8.32 ERA and has allowed 59 hits and 19 walks in 40 innings. Asked what Boston planned to do, Francona didn’t pretend everything was OK. “I know why you would ask that,” he said. “But I don’t think that five minutes after a game is the right time to come to a conclusion on that.”
• Jed Lowrie fouled a pitch of his arm and felt tingling in his fingers, which is why he left the game. His status is uncertain.
• Johnny Damon is 13 of his last 27 with seven RBI.
• A-Rod has gone 66 at-bats without a homer. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it’s his longest streak within a single season. He went 77 ABs from 1997-98 and 102 at the start of his career in 1994 to 1995.
• The Yankees walked 12 and won a game for the first time since August 29, 1967 when they beat Boston 4-3 in the Bronx. How in the world did they walk 12 and allow three runs?
• Boston has lost three straight and 11 of 18. “We’re playing like (garbage) right now,” Dustin Pedroia said. “That’s obvious. We went into Tampa and they beat up on us. We came here and haven’t played very good. We have to play better. We’ve hit a stretch here where we’re playing the best teams in the division. We need to win.”
————
I broke up the game post tonight for the first time at the request of some readers. Please let me know how you feel about that, whether it’s helpful in terms of keeping the conversation going. I’m willing to do whatever makes it better for the community.
We had 3,800+ comments in 24 hours on Thursday, a new record. Thanks to everybody for reading and being a part of this.
UPDATE, 12:50 p.m.: Forgot this. Mark Melancon denied all intent when he hit Pedroia. “Why would I do that?” he said. Pedroia was steamed because the first pitch was over his head. “It was kinda surprising,” Pedroia said. “It goes over your head — that’s not something to mess around with obviously. I don’t know why they’d be throwing at me if they were, especially in that situation where it’s a blowout.”
Being that it was Red Sox-Yankees, folks were looking for any blood in the water. We’ll see what happens tomorrow. Not sure Melancon was doing it, but I do think making the Red Sox less comfortable is a Girardi strategy.
Pete, nothing on Melancon hitting Pedroia? Did Pedroia say anything?
Great game tonight. Stadium was electric in that 4th inning.
Can someone please explain to the pitchers that its okay to throw strikes. Walking 12 guys is unacceptable and I’m sure it was discussed at length on this board.
It was obvious that Melancon did not intend to hit Pedroia.
The 4-3 win over Boston in ’67 was a 20 inning game, explaining the 12 walks.
And on the positive side, as John Flaherty said on Postgame, as bad as Joba was he was still able to get some huge strikeouts and a big double play from Ortiz.
Nice job limiting the damage but he has to improve his trust in his catcher, his “working quickly” and keep attacking the strike zone. 7 walks cannot happen again but nice job limiting the runs and keeping the team in the game early and the lead later on.
Pete: Part of the reason I post on RAB game threads is because they do break the threads up when they get to too many comments. Makes the conversation much easier to follow.
Good night to be a Yankee fan, bad night to be a pitching fan.
>I broke up the game post tonight for the first time at
>the request of some readers.
>Please let me know how you feel about that, whether it’s
>helpful in terms of keeping the conversation going.
>I’m willing to do whatever makes it better for the community.
I agree with game spillover threads.
It’s way easier to refresh.
Joba and the rest of the Yankees young pitchers (Hughes and Kennedy) need to stop talking like their pros and pitch.
Joba shaking off Posada was horrible.I guess unlike Verlander and Lincencum we have to wait 5 years for Joba to get he’s act together.
Breaking up the thread:
Doesn’t make a difference on a computer but on a mobile? Those comments are a nightmare to scroll through.
I wish there was a way to refresh on the bottom of the thread that would lead you to the same spot.
Yes Pete love the break up of the game threads. Just noticed Doc pitches for the Jays Sunday, so the Yanks won’t see him, I know the Yanks beat him last time out, but anytime we don’t have to see the Doc is good news.
Girardi was in a weirdish mood, i thought it was maybe him reminding Joba that now wasnt the time to play around and hit youk
Love all the comments on the blog. I was at the game and my phone couldn’t handle all the data and wouldn’t allow me to post.
Thanks for the blog Pete! Love it!
I don’t mind making a new post, but let us know. I kept refreshing, wondering why everyone stopped posting!
I also noticed Halladay scheduled to pitch on Sunday but no one is listed for Monday. Any chance Halladay could be pushed back as to give him an extra day off and skip someone else in their rotation?
halladay vs. Mitre doesn’t seem very fair.
“I do think making the Red Sox loss comfortable is a Girardi strategy.”
I don’t understand what that means?
Well Joba wasn’t going to continue to pitch to a under 1 era. Bottom line is Chamberlain is 4-0 since the allstar break.
Joba problem tonight were the walks. You cant get on him for those 3 runs those were two pretty cheap right field yankee stadium homeruns. He limited the damage and got the win.
Great win and now everyone can end all the 0-8 talk and that they cant beat the red sox.
Joe Girardi was in a weird mood after the game. He refused to say why he went to the mound to speak to Joba Chamberlain in the first inning. According to Chamberlain, it was to get the signs straightened out. I suspect it was more to keep Chamberlain and Posada from killing each other. Then Girardi actually said he thought Chamberlain pitched pretty well, which obviously is silly.
—–
I believe this has more to do with Girardi’s suspicion of the Red Sox stealing signs. He is/was pretty serious about that before
” Pedroia was steamed because the first pitch was over his head. “It was kinda surprising,” Pedroia said. “It goes over your head — that’s not something to mess around with obviously.”
Dude, you’re a tree stump. They could bounce the ball in and it might go over your head. Relax. No one’s going after your pot of gold.
“I wish there was a way to refresh on the bottom of the thread that would lead you to the same spot.”
What kind of device do you use? If I hit R on my blackberry it refreshes at the same spot and I can continue to scroll down from there.
Pete, I’m not sure if you heard about this (doubt you have since you were at the stadium since 3-ish), but Outside the Lines had a feature about Munson’s death. Bob Ley brought in the pitcher who gave up the gw hit to Murcer, and when he was with the Yankees, he recalled a specific instance with Munson who was trying to help a player on the opposing team extend a hit streak (then 30-games) by calling a fastball down the plate, knowing it was the hitter’s job to get the hit, but was giving him a better chance at it. The pitcher, whose name escapes me at 12:53 in the morning, threw two curveballs to Murcer, getting him down 0-2. He then flashed back to Munson and threw a fastball down the plate, knowing it was Murcer’s job to hit it.
Personally, I think that story brings out another side of Munson; not only was he willing to go all out for his team, but he wanted to help players on the other team too. I just felt like sharing that tidbit with you since you mentioned Munson and Posada.
Anyway, back to present day, I can see the Yankees sending down Claggett for Pena tomorrow (or later today) and than Mitre for Gaudin. Mitre has struggled terribly with the Yanks and his impact during the stretch run will be minimal at best.
“I believe this has more to do with Girardi’s suspicion of the Red Sox stealing signs. He is/was pretty serious about that before”
Yep he got in a yelling match with there 1st base coach the last series at the stadium. I’m sure Girardi didn’t want to announce to the media that he thinks the red sox steal signs.
Good line from vasgersian on MLB Network tonight-
Rob Thomson waving them in. He’s going to need rotator cuff surgery after this game tonight.
Mark Malusis just opened his program w/ Eddie Murphy’s Coming to America…”Good Morning my neighbors!” line LOL yes the whole bleepin’ line.
Whether melancon meant to hit the sprite or not, it certainly ruined the mood.
They’ll probably be warned tomorrow, and if Boston retaliates they won’t get fined or suspended.
Even though the Red Sox have initiated the attack lately, and the Yankees have usually paid with games and fines.
But anyway, the 800 lb. gorilla is buried in concrete.
I sort of like one game thread, that way I can just go to the time something happened to see what everyone said. Going through 1,500 comments is no easier than going through 3,000. It’s your blog though so it’s up to you Pete.
That pitch wasn’t that close to Pedroia’s head its not like Pedroia had to hit the ground to get out of the way. The little guy needs to stop crying so much.
Ahhaha.
So according to Indians’ Prospect Insider, the Indians offered Cliff Lee straight up for Buchholz, and the Sox turned them down.
Now Posada knows how Crash Davis felt when Nuke Laloosh kept shaking him off despite having success listening to his catcher. I hope it doesn’t take Jorge tipping pitches to hitters to get Joba to smarten up.
If the Yankees can beat Beckett tomorrow, I think that would send Roid Sox Needle Nation into a panic.
Wouldn’t the scrolling problem be fixed if Pete could just change the blog settings so that newer posts are at the top instead of all the way at the bottom? Seems like an easy fix to everybodys problems.
My mood was in no way ruined.
Glad you got a win for your birthdays, Evan D and Carl.
“Good line from vasgersian on MLB Network tonight-
Rob Thomson waving them in. He’s going to need rotator cuff surgery after this game tonight.
”
Will Carroll thinks I hurt my labrum. I feel like such a baseball player!
Coming to America classic, Mr. Randy Watson, love that movie, but still think I like Murphy better in Trading Places.
I’m using an Iphone.
Maybe I can do it but just don’t know how.
Help me somebody!
Bronx Jeers,
did the mobile site disppeared on you?
“Coming to America classic, Mr. Randy Watson, love that movie, but still think I like Murphy better in Trading Places.”
The fire escape line was a classic welcome to NY line.
“Joba shaking off Posada was horrible.I guess unlike Verlander and Lincencum we have to wait 5 years for Joba to get he’s act together.”
This is his first full year as a starter cut him some slack. He isn’t going to be CY young in his first year.
Verlander was 11-17 with a 4.84 era last year
“Will Carroll thinks I hurt my labrum. I feel like such a baseball player!”
How many pitches did you throw?
“So according to Indians’ Prospect Insider, the Indians offered Cliff Lee straight up for Buchholz, and the Sox turned them down.”
Wow the Sox are really dumb. You have to make that trade.
pat: Wasn’t counting, but my friend says about 60 on Sunday…and then I made the real mistake of throwing more on Monday. I pegged it around 30 or so, may have been a little less.
At any rate, the fact that I threw more than, say, 10, was probably a bad idea.
My arm doesn’t hurt so badly that I’m screaming in pain or anything, it’s just sore. Better than it was, but still really stiff if I try to move it backwards.
iphone… I don’t know about that. Is there an app that makes it think it’s a blackberry?
Help me out guys. Read through Game Thread, Parts I & II? Or “War & Peace”?
Yeah there was a new mobile version but it’s not here any more.
1-8 feels so much better when the 1 win was tonight and not back in that first game in April.
m: War and Peace is probably less dramatic.
“1-8 feels so much better when the 1 win was tonight and not back in that first game in April.”
Indeed.
If Pedroia wasn’t a smurf…the pitch would have hit him in the butt.
No one’s expecting for Joba to win a Cy Young. But if he listens to his catchers, he might just get one some day.
Girardi was probably pissed because of the stealing signs. But it isn’t something new they go threw this every series with the Sox. I remember a couple of games last season when a runner got on 2nd base Posada would run out right away to the pitcher. At least they are prepared for it and know to keep changing them.
Rebecca,
Or everyone here could just indulge me by staying up and talking baseball.
Do we like a
AJ Burnett? I think we do!
I keep thinking tomorrow’s saturday.
Okay, so on the east coast tomorrow IS Saturday, but that’s not the point.
Girardi was in an “interesting” mood because this was a slow and painful game. 12 walks? Starter barely makes it through 5 when he has a big lead and has to burn 4 relievers?
From a managers perspective, this was a grueling game to manage.
Actually I guess I can just post something and that’s the only way I can refresh and return to sort of the same spot.
So expect a lot of pointless drivel from me if I’m mobile.
In other words, expect more of the same.
In a weird way, Joba not being able to go deep into games is probably working out better for the Yankees.
If he averaged 6.5 innings per start he would have already hit his limit by now. And even though it’s nice to have starters go deep into games, the team is 15-6 in his starts so his short outings have hardly been a detriment.
Girardi was ticked off that we played such a sloppy game. How do you walk 12 guys? Most of them after we had a 6+ run lead?
A Red Sock getting plunked and him having to answer for it could certainly kill the mood for Girardi.
We need to beat Beckett tomorrow, and I think we will. Getting the first win out of the way should begin a massive correction. The Yanks are more than 3.5 games better than the Sox.
Friday, Saturday, either way the sun will come up tomorrow and Joba will still have his job. Not everyone who woke up a Yankee yesterday can say that.
As for AJ, I don’t think he’ll be mad (unless he’s thinking back to his previous outings vs. Boston this season). Whatever happens, he’s going to be on a first place team when this series is over. The only question is the margin.
WTH is up w/ Nadine when she calls WFAN, queen of the obvious and stutters like Damon.
RS,
It helps Joba, but it doesn’t help the team. It’s a long night for the bullpen when he reverts to his old form. What the hell happened tonight? Walks the bases loaded? With a 9-3 lead?
“If Pedroia wasn’t a smurf…the pitch would have hit him in the butt”
LMAO.
I find it odd how do the yankees expect Chamberlain to keep a good rhythm when they will start skipping some of his starts. Him pitching on all the time on 7 or 8 days rest will not keep him sharp.
The reason that I think that Melancon had (as the perps I used to represent say) “no intent” is that he was throwing 96 mph, which I have never seen him throw before. So I think he just got too psyched up and lost his command.
He’s starting to pitch very well. I hope Joe G. gives him a larger role. I would think he trusts him more than Bruney.
just watched the tivo’d game.
my observations.. posada may be the worst baserunner in baseball and has been terrible baserunner for years. and this is not about being slow.
melancon did not hit Pedroia intentionally. Melancon has a chance to move up the pecking order, he is suppose to have great control he has to get better. Joba was apinful tonight.
Boston is hurting right now take 3 of 4 or sweep and they are in trouble…..
The game was fine until we got a 9-3 lead. Then it become tedious. Guys couldn’t find the plate with a 6 run lead we’re hanging on the edge of our seats every inning for the next 4 innings. This should have been a laugher but it wasn’t.
The difference this time is the Sox were white, and I think (hope) that Burnett will step like he did after his last shellacking and go on a tear.
Okay, so I started reading backwards in Part II and stopped at Aardvark…
“If Pedroia wasn’t a smurf…the pitch would have hit him in the butt”
LOL I’m surprised it didn’t hit his knee cap.
If you want a bit of analysis on Joba’s start, check out the link provided in my name.
Bototm line–Daryl Cousins refused to call anything in the bottom 15% of the strikezone a strike.
How many times have we gotten on players for “leaving the ball up”? Cousins was refusing to let Joba use the bottom of the zone–and I’m not talking about a few pitches. See for yourself, and let me know what you think.
For what it’s worth, he was squeezing both sides. Just keep it in mind when judging Joba’s performance.
Will,
Thanks. Will check it out. Noticed right off the bat that Smoltzie (join the senior tour, but not until you get in 7 more starts) got a called strike that was not granted to Joba.
So the pitchers were dealing with a slurpee straw-sized strike zone, huh?
Girardi didn’t use Rivera, Hughes, Aceves and Bruney and won the game. I dont see how he could be very upset. The bullpen did a good job Robertson, Coke and Melancon all pitched well. Robertson has 45 strikeouts in 30.2 ip.
In a way it was good that Joba only pitched 5 innings. It gave Robertson and Melancon a chance to pitch. With Robertson they never know if he will have good command or not. So maybe pitching a little more will help. Melancon only gets to pitch in blow outs so there aren’t a lot of opportunities for him. Hopefully if he shows good command he will a chance in a closer game.
So did Security lift Pedroia up so he could reach the door handle of the Yankees’ clubhouse?
I just checked out Becketts road #’s for this year. He’s not nearly as good on the road as he is at home. On the road his ERA is just below 4.00. He’s given up 73 hits in 73.1 innings and a not too great 20 BB in those 73.1 innings. His BAA is 50 points higher on the road vs home. Maybe something to look forward to.
From my seat, Joba was not as sharp as he was during his other post-ASG starts. Part of that could have been due to the extra rest, the strike zone, the wily Sox game plan, and the fact that he’s just not going to be perfect every time out.
Whatever, he was still closer to the bend-but-don’t-break Joba of earlier in the season. The only runs he gave up were on the two cheapies. No Joba panic is needed.
I don’t think Posada thought that throw was coming home. A slide would have been nice.
Couldn’t see if Melky was indicating slide or not. Maybe he was thinking about eating peanuts in his hotel.
Will Moller
August 7th, 2009 at 1:39 am
If you want a bit of analysis on Joba’s start, check out the link provided in my name.
Bototm line–Daryl Cousins refused to call anything in the bottom 15% of the strikezone a strike.
How many times have we gotten on players for “leaving the ball up”? Cousins was refusing to let Joba use the bottom of the zone–and I’m not talking about a few pitches. See for yourself, and let me know what you think.
For what it’s worth, he was squeezing both sides. Just keep it in mind when judging Joba’s performance.
——————————————————
Even Paul O’Neil said before the game started that Cousins has a very small strikezone and is a great hitters umpire.
“Girardi didn’t use… Bruney and won the game.”
I noticed that too!
I think Pedroia uses a pogo-stick to reach higher areas by himself.
I felt Joba was getting squeezed several times.
Re: 77315–
Small strikezones are not uncommon. Generally these are expressed left to right, though–as in pitches off the edge of the plate aren’t called, or are, depending on the umpire.
But simply deciding that the strikezone bottoms out at mid thigh rather than at the knees? That’s not a “great hitters umpire”. That’s a guy not doing his job.
My posts aren’t showing up.
PeteAbe Tex got angry with a Boston scribe. Asked whether the @John_W_Henry “MT curse” was over, Tex grimaced. “Next,” he said then walked away.
about 1 hour ago from web
BloggingBombersClearly, Cody Ransom’s presence on the 40-man roster was the reason the Yankees couldn’t beat the Red Sox. Good job by Cashman.
about 1 hour ago from web
Sorry, Dustin getting steamed was hysterical. Mark not pitching forever, not having great control, what message does he send???? Posada’s homer sent enough. Either way, if he did it on purpse, which I doubt, I like Mark more, some nastiness to this team. If it was the Sox ESPN would say clean and hard. Who cares???? Tex has shown me a ton this year with his attitude and desire. He has a fire I never thought he had. If some of these other guys have the same then I am all for it. Joab wants to intimidate Youk, good. Tonight was good. I was worried for a bit, but what better way to send a message that we are here then destroying them in game 1.
also if the sux did not trade buckholtz for lee and that trade was offfered straight up the yare morons.
lee has another year on his deal and he is a very good pitcher…he is better then burnett but not as good as CC…
Lee gives you 6 innings in his sleep…………
I missed the first inning — what was the situation that prompted Girardi to go the mound and speak to Joba?
Well…would Yankee fans give Hughes straight up for Lee?
I wouldn’t.
Gaudin could be useful. He has 9 Quality Starts this year.
C.C., Andy and Joba have 11 each.
Six of Gaudin’s 20 starts have been awful though (5+ ER). 9/20 starts have been 6+ innings.
Does anyone know the song that Nick Swisher comes up to bat to? I think it is also played prior to the start of the game.
The extra rest did Joba good when he went back to Nebraska.
Personally, I think he got geeked out just a bit about facing his idol. Perhaps shocked at Smoltzie’s performance and totally lost the plate in the 5th?
Okay, I know, I’m grasping at straws…
hey i was at the game today. First time at NYS i loved the yankee museum and the stadium in general. Anyone know of the door on the concourse big wood door that says yankees offices and theres a secuiry guard there. Is that where Cashman and stuff hangs out?
MoBoy August 7th, 2009 at 12:53 am
I guess unlike Verlander and Lincencum we have to wait 5 years for Joba to get he’s act together.
====================================================
Verlander is 26 Joba is 23. If you look at Verlander’s numbers from 3 years ago he and Joba have an almost identical ERA and the K/BB ratio is pretty close too. Joba’s K/IP is actually better.
Lincecum is 25, his ERA (4.00) from 2 years ago was higher than Joba’s current 3.73 ERA.
http://s996.photobucket.com/albums/af88/pak14life/
ne 1 want to identify these legends for me thnx feel free to use as wallpaper.
Marris Berra Mantle the others are too small.
Pete love the thread break up,it was killing my browser,before.
A picture paints a 1000 words.
Stroll over to http://www.yankees.mlb.com The first picture with the Yankees congrats,look who’s looking in the background!
Great pic from the game tonite
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/200.....072320.jpg
Stroll over to http://www.yankees.mlb.com The first picture with the Yankees congrats,look who’s looking in the background!
——————
Okay, I get up. Who’s in the background?
Here’s a good on of fans heckling Alex:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/c.....9/sizes/o/
RS catcher!
The Yankees aren’t using a rookie reliever, who has hardly been used by Girardi to throw at Pedroia in a blowout win in order to make the Red Sox players uncomfortable. That’s just silly. Just look at how Melancon was pitching tonight with max effort and some command issues.
Pete will be on Wfan this morning.
I think the long inning rest Joba got hurt his control. He was jumping up and down for some time during that layoff, and when he came in his control was off.
He and Smoltz were being squeezed by the umpire. That turns a good pitching performance into “nibbling”.
He was probably amped up as you could see when he ended some of the innings. That doesn’t help control. A lot was riding on him because of being the first pitcher to go against the “undefeated” RS. They were definitely in the Yankees heads.
Melancon did not intentionally pitch at PEDroia. He was pitching up and in and it got away. At that point there was nothing to be going after him for. PEDroia loves to extend his swing. You take that away by going up and in. His being shorter than most ballplayers also puts the ball near his head when on most batters it would be chest high.
PEDroia is a good player, but he rubs me the wrong way with his constant whining. That and the stupid face stretch thing that he does all the time.
If you ask me, Girardi’s been a little “off” the last few games, since Chicago.
But, as for last night, it’s not too difficult to find a reason why he might have been a little weird. It was a weird win. Great offense, lousy pitching. Not one of the pitchers in last night’s game had command of the strike zone. When you score 13 runs, your stomach shouldn’t be churning. They got away with a lot last night. The Red Sox were really cold last night.
I don’t think Melancon was throwing at Pedroia, but he’s got to have better control than that, no? I won’t be surprised by a message pitch by Beckett today, and I think the Yankees just have to accept it, as long as no one gets hurt.
Pete, splitting up the game thread was fine.
If you ask me, Girardi’s been a little “off” the last few games, since Chicago.
But, as for last night, it’s not too difficult to find a reason why he might have been a little weird. It was a weird win. Great offense, lousy pitching. Not one of the pitchers in last night’s game had command of the strike zone. When you score 13 runs, your stomach shouldn’t be churning. They got away with a lot last night. The Red Sox were really cold last night.
I don’t think Melancon was throwing at Pedroia, but he’s got to have better control than that, no? I won’t be surprised by a message pitch by Beckett today, and I think the Yankees just have to accept it, as long as no one gets hurt.
Pete, splitting up the game thread was fine.
yanks’s w/l currently projects to 99-63! not too shabby
Doreen the pitching wasn’t great. Funny how that usually happens when the umpire has a poor strike zone. It happened in the White Sox series and it happened last night.
When you throw strikes and have them called balls it leads to more walks and more hits because you have to get off your game plan.
That isn’t excusing the pitching, the good pitchers should be able to adjust.
I don’t think that Melancon’s pitch hit PEDroia on purpose, per se.
That being said, I absolutely believe that those pitches were designed to send a message to the Red Sox. Even being up that much late into the game, I bet Girardi said to Melencaon, “Listen, don’t go 100% but if you want to throw it in a little, I wont be mad at ya”
Remember, they have completely embarrassed us, a 1st place team. These arent the push over Yankees you have seen of the mid-2000′s.
And with Becketty/Burnett going tonight, Burnett better throw at someone quick and conjure up the warning so that if Beckett retaliates, he and Tito will be the ones tossed.
Strategy, my friends.
Roger Maris– Speaks the truth. Sometimes it hurts.
August 7th, 2009 at 1:11 am
Wouldn’t the scrolling problem be fixed if Pete could just change the blog settings so that newer posts are at the top instead of all the way at the bottom? Seems like an easy fix to everybodys problems.
———–
I agree with this idea.
Abdababdaserser -
I guess some nights it’s easier to make the necessary adjustments than others.
I am glad the first one is out of the way. I don’t get MY9, and MLB had on the Seattle/KC game, so I had to rely on the blog and game day. Way too stressful. I went to bed after the 6th and recorded the post game and hoped 8 runs were enough of a lead- woke up to find out it was
dtv
August 7th, 2009 at 3:14 am
Stroll over to http://www.yankees.mlb.com The first picture with the Yankees congrats,look who’s looking in the background!
——————
Okay, I get up. Who’s in the background?
—————
Cant you see… just above the Boston Catcher…it’s Wang in the stands!
“I don’t think that Melancon’s pitch hit PEDroia on purpose, per se.
That being said, I absolutely believe that those pitches were designed to send a message to the Red Sox. Even being up that much late into the game, I bet Girardi said to Melencaon, “Listen, don’t go 100% but if you want to throw it in a little, I wont be mad at ya”
Remember, they have completely embarrassed us, a 1st place team. These arent the push over Yankees you have seen of the mid-2000’s.
And with Becketty/Burnett going tonight, Burnett better throw at someone quick and conjure up the warning so that if Beckett retaliates, he and Tito will be the ones tossed.
Strategy, my friends.”
Are you kidding me? No way, Girardi told a rookie reliever such rubbish.
burnett is a good guy to have going tonight just in case beckett goes up and in. where in the past the yanks never came up and in.
A lot of things go over Pedroia’s head- He’s 5’8″ in heels.
He is a challenging target to hit being so small and scrawny
he is one of a few sox right now tearing up the yankees he did need to move his feet , and i love to see the yanks taking care of it.
DT -
The background is all blurred. I don’t see anyone besides the players clearly.
DT -
The background is all blurred. I don’t see anyone besides the players clearly.
this is a different year jason bay gets it in the back, now the midget.
Great game on a offensive standpoint, but lousy game for the pitching. I can see where Girardi gets a little bit “weird” in the post game. 12 walks by the pitching was not good at all and you can’t let that happen for the rest of the series. But, they finally got that monkey off their shoulders,so I’m pleased with that.
just watched pedroia getting hit.
pretty nasty.
if i were the red sox i’d have to retaliate just in case it was intentional.
“Are you kidding me? No way, Girardi told a rookie reliever such rubbish.”
Yes, because a manager has never told a rookie pitcher to hit someone??
:cough: Ozzie Guilen cough: Joe Torre cough:
Listen, Im not saying Joe G said that, obviously I have no proof. Im just saying that I wouldn’t be surprised, thats all.
And maybe he didn’t say it, then It could have been Melencon’s way of solidifying his role for his first, and possibly only, taste of the rivalry.
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/i.....e2_650.jpg
the only person who knows is the pitcher but remember the pitcher needs to own the plate, and earn the respect of his teamates.
“I suspect it was more to keep Chamberlain and Posada from killing each other.”
I think there was a totally different reason for Girardi’s visit to the mound in the top of the first. He went out to tell Joba that if he hit Youk, Girardi would yank him. I don’t think it had anything to do with the feelings Posada and Joba were having for each other.
I’d feel differently if it were any other batter, but it was Youk. For some reason, Joba has a thing for throwing near his head. I don’t know if it is a mechanical issue, where he is trying to throw a certain pitch and it gets away and it is more likely vs. Youk, since Youk is such a good hitter and Joba feels he needs to make the perfect pitch, which requires max effort, increasing the likelyhood of an error and that error ends up being up and in to a right-handed batter.
Or, maybe, Youk’s grandfather stole Joba’s grandfather’s milk money?
How’s the view from the Terrace Section 227B? Got some seats in Row 10 there for next Wed’s game against the Toronto BJ’s.
““Are you kidding me? No way, Girardi told a rookie reliever such rubbish.”
Yes, because a manager has never told a rookie pitcher to hit someone??
:cough: Ozzie Guilen cough: Joe Torre cough:
Listen, Im not saying Joe G said that, obviously I have no proof. Im just saying that I wouldn’t be surprised, thats all.
And maybe he didn’t say it, then It could have been Melencon’s way of solidifying his role for his first, and possibly only, taste of the rivalry.”
Still rubbish regarding Melancon’s role in the rivalry. Us fans take this rivalry stuff much more seriously than these players.
Pedroia’s upset because the Sox were losing and they have been losing. Anyone that thinks Melancon was throwing at a Sox on purpose, up 13-4, is insane. Unfortunately, Beckett is going to retaliate and Burnett won’t be able to……or else he’ll be ejected. AJ’s going to have to keep his emotions in check and forget about some silly revenge.
In the post-game interview (which I just watched on YES.com) Joba said the first inning visit was about signs.
“Still rubbish regarding Melancon’s role in the rivalry. Us fans take this rivalry stuff much more seriously than these players.”
I wouldn’t be so sure of that when it concerns the farm hands and minor league players. They are brought up on the rivalry and these young kids LOVE it, even at AA and AAA levels. My sister’s ex-boyfriend plays in the Red Sox minor league system and he says that its instilled in them as soon as they get there.
But I guess we can just agree to disagree.
Plus if you don’t believe Melancon
Great game…the Yankees need to make a statement this weekend and it can be 2005 all over again with the Sawx upcoming schedule.
I was wondering if anyone else notices how the Sawx us the Dl as a taxi-squad. I guarantee that Smoltz will come up with some shoulder injury so they do not have to release him.
I hate AJ pitching on extra rest – he never pitches well.
I wish we could have a separate game thread for the trolls, so we wouldn’t have to deal with them….
“Pedroia’s upset because the Sox were losing and they have been losing. Anyone that thinks Melancon was throwing at a Sox on purpose, up 13-4, is insane. Unfortunately, Beckett is going to retaliate and Burnett won’t be able to……or else he’ll be ejected. AJ’s going to have to keep his emotions in check and forget about some silly revenge.”
Betsy,
Or perhaps AJ throws at the Sox first in the top of the inning. He doesn’t need to hit anyone, just hard, up and in and conjure up a warning…
That way if Beckett comes back at us, him and Tito will be TOSSED.
Like I said before and in the words of Dubya: Strategory.
Dr. Cox has a vivid imagination.
A win is a win, but an ugly game to watch. 49,000 is a sellout ? I thought there were supposed to be 52,000 seats ? Great that the Yanks got that hospitality award, no doubt for reasonable ticket and concession prices.Ali is now a corporate shill ? Were there any ” fans ” left in the concrete moat after the 7th inning ? I love Posada but he has to be one of the worst baserunners of all time.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....8;c_id=mlb
Believe
“Dr. Cox has a vivid imagination.”
Having a little fun with it.
Betsy
August 7th, 2009 at 8:17 am
I wish we could have a separate game thread for the trolls, so we wouldn’t have to deal with them….
Now I understand why Pete doesn’t want registration…I would bet that advertising is based on page views and comment numbers add to the overall package…trolls or not.
Yanks/Sox during Shark Week? Coincidence?
Girardi is not looking to send messages in a blowout game.
He’s especially not going to do it with a rookie who has had trouble finding the strikezone in his time in the majors.
He just couldn’t locate because he was too amped up. Similar to Joba last night in that regard.
To me, it was evidence that the entire team was feeling the effects of 0-8. The pitchers were pitching as if every hitter was Barry Bonds.
To me, that’s a sense of being tight.
I think the team will be a lot more relaxed the rest of the weekend now that the monkey is off their backs.
It’s nice to get one, finally!
Another big game tonight.
Be sure Beckette will buzz someone early.
Let’s hope AJ doesn’t and stays in the game for 7 strong…
Vader, true…….I just skip the “OMG, we’re losing, the team stinks” posts, but there are so many of them…….and they never show up after the game, so post-game threads are the best.
Hey, you know its a big series when my impersonator comes back! lol
Let’s face it, Yankee-Red Sox series brings out all the whackos in here. That’s just the terrain of all blogs that are Yankee-centric these days.
Last night, we had folks declare the game, and the season, “over” when it was 1-0. And those were Yankee fans! lol
My advice is to just go with the flow this weekend and the blog will be back to normal on Monday.
Let’s hope for a quicker game tonight. These 4+ hour games are gutt wrenching.
I’d love to see a 4-2 Yankee win in under 3 hours but that is probably too much to ask for.
Hey SJ,
What do you think of the pitcher the Yanks just got.
Is he better than the #5 they have now?
SJ,
Was that you last night during the game or your imposter?
Good read on Hughes:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....ref=sihpT1
Dr.Cox,
By the 5th inning, I was done. I’m too old to multi-task so I stopped posting and watched the rest of the game.
Chad Gaudin is a no risk move. If you get the Chad Gaudin of 2007 for 6 weeks, he helps. I’d rather take a shot on him that a lot of other guys that hit the waiver wire.
Pena will get called up for Claggett and I’d imagine they send Melancon down for Gaudin.
They will probably give Mitre one more start. If he can’t get it done, they will slide Gaudin into his spot.
SJ…read some of your comments last night…boy it sounded like you might have had one too many…JK
For some reason I cannot post during the game threads…it is just too absurd at times…however, I can’t seem to stop reading them.
I hope AJ has a vintage game against the Sawx…when he came here I thought he had great numbers against them.
Vader,
Last night was especially funny…..up to a point.
Dr. Cox was “takin’ names and numbers”, of folks who decided the game and season were “over” as soon as Boston took a 1-0 lead.
It was fun until the 5th inning and then I ran out of steam.
I checked in a little later, saw my imposter was in high gear, and decided that was it for me for the night.
Dr. Cox I was just going to ask that. Lohud really needs to get someone to monitor the blog during the soxs/yankees games. It gets out of control.
I agree with SJ, no way to Joe tell Mark to hit Dustin. Why start anything?
Today will be interesting to see if Joshy decides to plunk anyone. Although the soxs have had plenty of chances to hit our guys, and magically when they have a manager that isn’t afraid to have his guys pitch inside or hit someone if need be Yankees aren’t being hit with such regularity.
Boy, now I feel old. I was at the game 30 years ago (the day of Thurman Munson’s funeral). In fact, Bobby Murcer’s home run sailed just a few feet over my head.
I think with the way the Sox are going right now, the last thing they need is Beckett getting suspended for hitting anybody. You lose Beckett for a start, that’s not smart business for the Sox.
Plus, they are smart enough to know Melancon is not trying to hit anybody. He just had no idea where the ball was going last night.
Good Morning –
SJ – before I started thinking that you were being impersonated last night – after all, it was past your bedtime – I wondered if you had hit another bottle of something or what….
Pete….In regards to the new posts, I love it. When im going mobile, its impossible to even open up the comments when it gets that big. The page takes forever to load….sometimes it completely freezes up my BB. The more posts the better!! Especially game posts.
I don’t know who this DT poster is in this thread – but it isn’t me. Maybe they could pick a different username?
“Boy, now I feel old. I was at the game 30 years ago (the day of Thurman Munson’s funeral). In fact, Bobby Murcer’s home run sailed just a few feet over my head.”
Clay Buchholz Loves Laptops-
Um, you may have been sitting next to my dad and uncle.
Pete,
That game in 1967 that had 12 walks? It was 20 innings. It also amazingly had 12 hits given up by Yankees pitching and they committed an error. 6 of those, walks, however, were intentional.
The Red Sox were 1-12 with RISP and left 17 men on base. Sounds like the Yankees earlier this season…
http://www.baseball-reference......8292.shtml
Anyone know when the Ortiz Press Conference is?
It’s supposed to be schedule later today at NYS but dunno the time.
Pete is going to be on WFAN next.
Did anybody ever get an explanation about what happened to the mobile version of the blog? It was on for a few days and now its gone.
Pete!!
Thanks again for listening when I asked for the new thread. I have found that after around 1000 comments on a thread things get really slow. At that point last night we were over 1200 comments and it was the 4th inning.
But thats just a testiment to how popular this blog has become!
hey kelvin says
August 7th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Anyone know when the Ortiz Press Conference is?
It’s supposed to be schedule later today at NYS but dunno the time.
***
I thought it was Saturday at 3:30
SJ,
That was funny last night with that list, huh. haha.
The best part was the 90% of that list DISAPPEARED once the Yankees took the lead. And it was also making some people man, which of course was the point.
I might make that a regular thing.
hey pete..just heard you are going to be on the FAN with kim and bull…ask her out for a date-she is a knockout
So he’s waiting for the national media to get there to say. Like I said in Feb I must have drank a shake from the DR that had steroids in it.
Yeah I read wrong Erica, It’s on Saturday.
Thanks
Dr. Cox
Does it surprise you that those idiots went away with their tails between their legs once the Yankees took the lead?
BTW printed the picture of the guys with the 1-9-1-8 shirts and have it hung next to my computer.
Should be an interesting presser. Ortiz is going to have the new Union head by his side. I wonder how they’re going to play it. My guess-the new boss plays the Ortiz was victimized card.
Everywhere I read it says the Ortiz excuses will be given on Saturday.
I doubt that he will admit to anything. He will blame over the counter GNC products and so on, and that will be it. Gammons will pronounce his honesty and clarity and give him forgiveness.
BTW, I have heard tons of people talking about the list and saying that now it could have been any supplements that were banned. All I heard before Ortiz was outted was the screenings were for steroids and if anyone was on the list it was only for steroids.
I thought the list was hysterical!
I get the fact that some folks are paranoid about everything Boston.
However, its ok to have some common sense. If you have watched this team all year, you would realize being down 4 runs in the 7th, the game isn’t “over”.
1-0 in the third? That’s too crazy.
I thought it was great to playfully call some out on it.
SJ44 August 7th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Did anybody ever get an explanation about what happened to the mobile version of the blog? It was on for a few days and now its gone.
=============
Yeah, it’s not active any more.
Pete? Where u at?
sj44-
i don’t think beckett will be the one, but the red sox if the game allows it will take a shot at someone.
they kind of have nothing to lose and everything to gain because they are playing so bad.
i was in a showalter led dugout the next day after a game where some yankees were hit and the team had a clubhouse meeting and decided to hit mo vaughn with a steve howe pitch if the opportunity presented itself.
the game was too close( yankees won) and it never happened, but the buzz all game had everyone all amped up. from the red sox point of view, the idea would be to use pedroia getting hit as a rallying point.
it doesn’t matter for that purpose if it was intentional or not. there will likely be a plan to hit someone, but it may not happen because of the score and circumstances.
the game within the game.
Dustin is going to be on wfan at 10:10. Why must the NY media continue to perpetrate this nonsense that Mark was intentionally trying to hit him? He had NO control! The NY media in general likes to start things!
hey i know this is kinda out there and random, but i just read an article talking about how the mets might be open to trading billy wagner. is it worth making a push for him?
Jennifer,
not in the least. I just wanted to call them out because this blog is getting out of control with these “fans” who come here, bad mouth, stir up and then just leave. Its incredibly frustrating as a fan, amongst you all, who want to watch and discuss actual baseball.
Are there bad moments during the season, absolutely, it wouldnt be exciting if there werent. But who in their right mind would call a game over when it’s 1-0 in the 2nd or 3rd inning??
Oh well haha.
Tom in N.J.
August 7th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Should be an interesting presser. Ortiz is going to have the new Union head by his side. I wonder how they’re going to play it. My guess-the new boss plays the Ortiz was victimized card.
***
Thats a load of crap. He wasn’t standing next to A-Rod when he was hung out to dry.
One other thought, since this list is supposed to be a sealed document- can’t the players who are on it and “leaked out” sue for libel? Or would that be an admission of guilt somehow
Jennifer..
Do you have a link to the picture?
Bronx Jeers August 7th, 2009 at 12:53 am
Breaking up the thread:
Doesn’t make a difference on a computer but on a mobile? Those comments are a nightmare to scroll through.
I wish there was a way to refresh on the bottom of the thread that would lead you to the same spot.
=============
Yes. Pete, please have whoever’s designing the thing to keep that in mind. Refreshing and scrolling to the bottom makes it not worth it.
Otherwise, I don’t see a reason to split the game thread.
Geez, for a throwback player Pedroia sure does whine a lot. The guy has killed the Yankees this year and already had a HR in the game what exactly was he expecting? He should take a lesson from his idol Jeter and shut up and play the game like a man. If he really felt Melancon was throwing at his head then he should have charged the mound instead of running behind his mother’s skirt to cry.
Dr Cox-
I was thinking about that problem last night. I think I had a genius idea. LoHud should charge a tiny fee for the right to register and post on this blog. Nothing huge, just maybe $5 a month.
1) People who really love this blog and enjoy intelligent talk about Yankee basebnall would happily pay it
2) LoHud makes money (hopefully Pete gets a cut)
3) Trolls and 10 year olds up past their bedtime (without credit cards) will be eliminated
I wish Kim Jones would shut up about little guy being the MVP
Stultus….
Because when you open up the comments on a 1000+ post on a Mobile device, it takes days to load and sometimes never does.
Thats why you split it up.
Kim Jones is great on the FAN. They should give her a show.
And they have Pete Abe on next followed by Dustin Pedroia with Joe and Evan. That should be a great listen.
This is fantastic.
I’m not working today and am spending the morning doing some house maintenance. Now I know I’ll be thoroughly entertained.
“Thats a load of crap. He wasn’t standing next to A-Rod when he was hung out to dry.”
************************************
Erica,
That’s because there seems to be a different standard for Alex. Also after Alex’s name came out the Commissioner was investigating disciplinary action. Didn’t hear that about Ortiz.
Yes. Pete, please have whoever’s designing the thing to keep that in mind. Refreshing and scrolling to the bottom makes it not worth it.
Otherwise, I don’t see a reason to split the game thread.
==========
I think this could be fixed by offering users an option to have posts show up as newest first as opposed to oldest first. I know some message boards offer that. Also has anyone had any success being able to post comments from a mobile phone? My phone allows me to post but they never show up in the comments. I think it would really add a lot to the experience if people could post from their seats in the stadium during games.
Erica:
You could be on to something. I sure wouldn’t mind paying a $5 a month, especially if Pete put it towards a charity of some sort.
I think some of the masses might be upset though.
But still, those are probably the ones who Pete would want to push out anyway.
Worth a shot.
Hey Pete, here’s a thought… can you break up the posting page into pages? Page 1 of… Does anyone think that would be better or worse? That way you don’t have to break up a post, and the comments section is limited to 20 or so posts per page making it easier for everyone to view.
Melancon didn’t have “no control”, he was consistently up in the zone in that appearance, sometimes (as in the Pedroia AB) being way way up and out of the zone–even when he was getting strikes there were a lot of pitches mid-to-upper part of the strike zone. The outs that he did record were on pitches that he actually managed to get down. Seemed like he was definitely overthrowing, but at least the results in his outing last night were better than the last time he faced Boston at Yankee Stadium.
That said, no chance was he throwing at little Dusty intentionally, and I agree with the sentinment that Pedroia was just griping for the sake of “rallying the troops”. Even after his pop-up home run you could tell he was trying to get the dugout fired up (didn’t work so well when his team’s SP decided to throw BP). I think Dustin is a smart guy and realizes their team is fading a bit right now, so he took it on his own to decide that Melancon would be an easy target.
#23 Hitman August 7th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Stultus….
Because when you open up the comments on a 1000+ post on a Mobile device, it takes days to load and sometimes never does.
Thats why you split it up.
==============
I’m aware of that, but I’d say split it only when it gets nuts like last night, for a regular game getting 900-1100 posts, no need to split.
Plus, not everybody is viewing from their mobile devices (the cube…)
What a beautiful morning!
Dr Cox-
I was thinking about that problem last night. I think I had a genius idea. LoHud should charge a tiny fee for the right to register and post on this blog. Nothing huge, just maybe $5 a month.
—
No one is going to pay $5 dollars a month to post on a blog. There are forums that are pay to register that are $10 ONE TIME that people are loathe to join despite the thousands of active users and topics.
So is Melky Cabrera a clutch hitter or what?
Jerkface-
Paying $5 a month is a number off the top of my head. I am sure LoHud employs intelligent people who could figure out things like price point in their marketing department.
The point I am trying to make is, if people really enjoy posting on this blog they are going to do it despite a small fee for the priviledge. Anyone who would scoff at a small amount probably doesn’t really care much to begin with
The point I am trying to make is, if people really enjoy posting on this blog they are going to do it despite a small fee for the priviledge. Anyone who would scoff at a small amount probably doesn’t really care much to begin with
–
Definitely not true. I make more than enough to support myself as a young male with no children, but you’re talking $60 dollars a year to post on a BLOG. In this economy? Even $1 would be pushing it.
I could understand having registration, but any kind of pay system beyond a one time fee would be a disaster.
You’d have about 5 posters, and I bet a troll would still pony up the $5 bux to troll you guys.
Jerkface
August 7th, 2009 at 9:55 am
The point I am trying to make is, if people really enjoy posting on this blog they are going to do it despite a small fee for the priviledge. Anyone who would scoff at a small amount probably doesn’t really care much to begin with
–
Definitely not true. I make more than enough to support myself as a young male with no children, but you’re talking $60 dollars a year to post on a BLOG. In this economy? Even $1 would be pushing it.
I could understand having registration, but any kind of pay system beyond a one time fee would be a disaster.
You’d have about 5 posters, and I bet a troll would still pony up the $5 bux to troll you guys.
***
I said I was speaking off the top of my head with $5 a month. We can make it a $5 one time fee if you want since this is totally hypothetical. LOL
Alright I’ve paypalled you $5 dollars. That is what you call NEGOTIATING.
Surprisingly there are still over 1500 tickets available on StubHub for tonight’s game.
Yesterday at this time there were about 500 left for last night’s game.
That’s a pretty big difference. Maybe you’ll be able to get a decent deal later this afternoon.
Thursday’s game more popular than a Friday game with great weather? Interesting.
I do not understand Girardi. We keep hearing that Coke struggles when he gets too much work. Yet he’s going to a lefty-lefty matchup for a .223 hitter (Ortiz) in the 6th inning of an 11-4 game. I really do not understand that. I mean Chamberlain killed you that you needed 4 innings out of your bullpen in the first place and I thought Robertson could’ve finished up that inning and gone maybe one more.
On the good side, he didn’t have to use Ace, Hughes or Mo.
The only thing I take from the Pedroia beaning last night, and all of his yapping that followed, is yet more respect for Derek Jeter who has been hit a ridiculous number of times by Red Sox pitchers over the past 12 years. In close games, in blow outs, on his wrist, on his hand, on his arm, on his leg. Not once has Jeter so much as looked out at the mound following a beaning. Not even after the time he was sent to the hospital by Pedro after Pedro had already beaned Soriano. You understand why a guy on the wrong side of a blowout would be pissed for getting hit by a pitch so late in the game, but just shut your mouth and take your base.
Re the Posada and Joba drama…..I love Joba, but he needs to grow up. Posada is a pro, Joba is a baby-pro. He has so much to learn. Hopefully he won’t be another Yankee head case like A-Rod. It’s not about talent, its about emotional maturity.