Yes, in fact, the Melkman delivers
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- August
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Melky Cabrera has hit .293 with three homers and eight RBI in the 11 games since Brett Gardner went on the disabled list. He has a .990 OPS and has struck out only twice. He also has played every inning in center field.
I have to admit, I was dead wrong about Melky. I thought when they sent him down last August that he was cooked as an everyday player. But he worked on his right-handed swing, got in better shape and he has been a new man this season.
It’s forget he’s actually younger than Gardner.
Now, don’t get me wrong, the Yankees need Gardner back. He has a lot of value. But there is no disputing the great job Melky has done.
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on Friday, August 7th, 2009 at 3:10 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Yeah Melky is the man
My line contest results
Jeter ss
Damon lf
Teix 1b
Arod 3b
Po DH
Cano 2b
Melky cf
Swisher rf
molina c
Its fun to watch Melky do well. The Yankees can definitely use his power and he makes some nifty catches. Go Yanks! One down, three to go!
Leche!
Agree wholeheartedly Pete.
Baha Men
August 7th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
McCartney was all “Red Sox…Good team!” at the Fenway shows. Hopefully, he replaced the curse that Bruce lifted when he played there in Autumn, 2003.
***
He sure didn’t help the Mets when he played there last month. In fact, they got stinkier
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
Arod 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Melky CF
I sharted
August 7th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
***
You must change your handle. I am not typing that over and over again
Cabrera’s surprised us all.
Yes! The Melkman rocks!!
And he is so cute. Last night I was at the game and when he made that great catch early in the game and then made a good throw back to the infield so that the runners could not advance, Melky stuck his tongue way out so that it almost touched the bottom of his chin and he was laughing to A-Rod and Jeter — like he was saying ” Ha ha, those Red Sox runners are AFRAID OF ME. Afraid of my arm.”
Boy, we are going to have way to many outfielders once Gardner comes back and if they decide to bring up Austin Jackson. Guess it is not the worst problem in the world, but I wonder what will be the fate of all these guys next year. Who do you keep? They are all contributing…
*except for bodhi
Here’s who is in so far for “Guess the Line Up”
No submissions after 3:40
*Fran, Ramey, Patrick, Upstate Kate, Benfica356, David, CM, NYY626, YankeeRay, Henner, Melissa C, Dan the Man, Albany Yankee, Tom from Worcester, Justin, UK, BBB (all the same)
*Rebecca, Roger (Live From Amsterdam)
*Nick, Yankee Trader
*Dr. Cox
*Adam
*William Buckner
* Hensley Muellens
11 game sample. He’s had 2 decent months, 1 out of this world month, and 1 unbelievably poor month. All while playing league average defense according to UZR. Still looks like a 4th OF to me.
NOT to Imply anything about Melky at ALL -
but these bobble head dolls in the era of steroids always crack me up – don’t roids make your head larger?
Melky is certainly a streaky hitter. Hopefully he stays hot all weekend.
There’s a reason he’s Clutch McClutchbrera
You will be rebuked, m.
Thanks again for keeping track of this Erica:
Jetes ss
Your PBF lf
Texy 1b
A-Rod 3b
Matsui dh
Posada c
Cano 2b
Swishy rf
Melky cf
11 game sample. He’s had 2 decent months, 1 out of this world month, and 1 unbelievably poor month. All while playing league average defense according to UZR. Still looks like a 4th OF to me.
—
4th OFers don’t post positive UZR/150 while OPSing over .800 for a season. Not every player OPS’s the same as their season total month by month. Melky can be kind of streaky but he is far superior to his previous seasons this year.
No doubt, Melky has been great all season,so far. If he can hit like this, then he will be an everyday player for a long time.
No problem SA-
And thanks to the people who remember to thank me. There are a few of you out there and I appreciate it
Nick,
I know. Hopefully, he’ll totally gloss over my remarks and zero in on Reno’s remarks.
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
Arod 3B
Jorge DH
Cano 2B
Melky CF
Swisher RF
Molina C
Jeter- SS
Damon- LF
Tex- 1B
ARod- 3B
Matsui- DH
Posada- C
Cano- 2B
Swisher- RF
Melky- CF
it is eerie here on our cape cod main street.
i have not see a red sox hat in hours.
eerie is beginning to grow on me
m – I definitely insist on being exempted from the “surprised us all” list!
My level of ardor for Da Melk has been there from day one and certainly rivals Erica’s for Johnny. ‘Ceptin I think of Da Melky as my BFF as opposed to my PBF.
About tonight’s game. I am going to totally disagree with anyone who is expecting a slugfest, beanbrawl, with one caveat. IF Beckett should do it, it would be nothing more than an element of strategy, albeit a brilliant one. He would have accomplished hitting a Yankee player and staying in the game while at the same time taking the inside away from Burnett. Short of that, I truly believe that both of these guys realize that these games have enough meaning that you don’t screw with them in any way shape or form. I also think that Beckett is enough of a professional and takes the game seriously enough that his only focus tonight will be outpitching Burnett and winning the game for his team. Messing around with the kids games could certainly serve to torpedo that!
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
Arod 3B
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Melky CF
Molina C
major props to Pete for eating crow on Melky.
Now please do us all a favor and make sure we never have to hear again from the pathological liar that calls herself ‘Chrisina25′.
Lying about having a son w/autism in despicable.
You’re not alone in your assessment of Melky last year, Pete. I thought the same thing, primarily because he had regressed at the plate and, given his struggles hitting righty last year, was becoming a marginal switch hitter–Wilson Betemit with less power. Yet he has been terrific this year, and appears more focused. No more plays that he botches because he’s waving during the roll call. Yes, he’s a little too enamored with his arm at times and should hit the cut-off man more; no question. But he’s been money at the plate of late, and very good in the outfield.
He’s become more integral to the team’s success this season than I thought possible late last year. Please pass the platter of crow to The Heartland.
Are any of you guys concerned about the Yankees facing the White Sox or Tigers in a Division Series?
*’Christina25′
And Melky has played in 90% of games this season in some capacity. He is essentially a full time playing putting up an .800 OPS.
Melky has a 111 OPS+, which is last on the yankees ( not counting gardner ) and would be good for THIRD on the Red Sox.
Trisha-
That does not seem possible!
I predict lineup same as yesterday
I agree with a couple of other posters. While I hope his good play lasts, I have a feeling Melky’s fooling a lot of people (again) into thinking he’s something he’s not.
Remember the scout last year that said he would soon be playing in the Mexican League.
I wasn’t expecting much from Melky this season.
Glad I was wrong.
And I’ll happily eat crow.
I believe he has the 5th highest OPS of any centerfielder in the majors, and he’s within a point of two of two of the guys ahead of him.
All told, he’s an above average center-fielder, if production compared to the league average factors into how we determine what “above average” actually is.
GardnerBelongsInCenter
August 7th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I predict lineup same as yesterday
***
You must list one out
“randy l.
August 7th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
it is eerie here on our cape cod main street.
i have not see a red sox hat in hours.
eerie is beginning to grow on me”
you just gave me a Stephen King moment
lol, trisha. I forgot about your love for leche.
How about this? No one gets beaned tonight?!
And didn’t Christina look in her crystal ball and say she felt Joba was going to do something stupid last night?
These players aren’t juvies in a youth gang. If they kept plunking each other because the other team did it. You’d have 18 suspensions.
The madness has to stop at some point.
Are any of you guys concerned about the Yankees facing the White Sox or Tigers in a Division Series?
—
No. This team is too good to let the Tigers or White Sox be a factor in the postseason.
Our pitching matches up with both those teams. Our offense is light years ahead of both those teams. Our bullpen is superior to both teams by varying degrees.
Anyone can get hot in the playoffs, but if we make it in I have a good feeling about this team. I think they’ll make it to atleast the ALCS
i saw melky last night around 1am last night in a restaurant in north bergen eating.
What it shold be…
Jeter
Damon
Tex
Posada
Cano
A Rod
Matsui
Melky
Swisher
I predicted A Rod with 3 hits this series….A Rod went 1-4 against last night…won’t get a hit against Beckett tonight…and 1-4 for on Sat and Sun….that will be his 3 hits. He should move down to at least 5th if not 6th in the order. This line up gives them R/L throughout the whole line up which is very good…
Like to see Gardner come back soon … he’s doing pretty good, at least better than anyone woulda thunk. Neither he or Melky’s perfect at this stage but they both do contribute a lot.
Next year there’s no Demon, no Sushi, no X (currently X marks an empty spot) and hopefully no need to start Swisher, but Swisher could be a backup if he’s not traded. Swisher as a backup OF/1B is fine with me. The outfield will have a somewhat different look next year but for this season we need both Melky and Gardner to keep doing what they do.
Melky is young and a switch hitter with power potential! He has a great arm too boot, although like a lot of youngsters he overplays his arm and that needs to be toned down. When he gets the ball in the OF, runners think twice about going to the next base. That can’t be said for Damon or Gardner.
Erica, thanks for recognizing the grateful. I’m sure they appreciate it.
I’ll jump in for lineup daily:
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1b
ARod 3b
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2b
Swisher RF
Melky CF
Erica –
Yeah I adopted Da Melky as soon as he was called up the first time. On the other forum where I post we have a Yankee Roster every year where we claim players as our own. Da Melky has always been my territory.
Anyway, in the least I can say I never doubted him. I did think he and Robby were getting carried away with their success and the move to separate them was done for that very reason. But he went down and continued to work hard.
He has been and always will be my DA MELK!!!
Nick in SF in San Rafael
August 7th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Erica, thanks for recognizing the grateful. I’m sure they appreciate it.
****
I always make an effort to applaud good manners. There is so little of it in this world
I was pretty down on Melky but he has really worked hard and improved this season. I’m happy to have been wrong on that one.
Tom in N.J.
I wasn’t expecting much out of Melky either (or Gardner) but I’ve been pleasantly surprised too. It’s easy to imagine them both stepping up even more next year and playing different positions in the same outfield, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. This year has to play out first. As does the off season circus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtcU1qqMzb8
Its in Japanese…not hard to understand though
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
Arod 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Melky CF
Thanks Erica.
Let’s not forget that Melky’s average would be much higher if he didn’t give himself up so often to move a runner over. Melky’s value goes way beyond numbers when you factor his clutch hitting, productive at bats and excellent fielding. These are things he’s been doing ever since he’s been a Yankee.
GAME THREAD UP :ARROW:
NO NEW LINE UPS HERE
Gardner has also exceeded expectations. Let’s hope both he and Melky can continue to get better and play side-by-side next season.
I love Melky.
It’s great to see him doing well. I caught my first foul ball at a game ever off of a ball that Melky hit in Fenway.
“How about this? No one gets beaned tonight?!”
mel, I am so there. I think some posters have minds and bodies that are nonstop exploding electrodes and are always anticipating anticipating anticipating – usually things that don’t happen, by the way.
I truly believe that both teams are going to play ball due to the seriousness of these games. While the elfchild may be sitting there jonesing for someone to assuage his hurt feelings, I don’t think Beckett is going to get down in the weeds just to make the kid happy. Maybe I’m giving Beckett too much credit. I don’t think so though. If he messes around, then he is just a pathetic loser who can’t win on his own talent. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s who Beckett it…
And maybe all of this is wishful thinking on my part and it will be brawl city. But I really really really don’t think so.
Gardner has a role to play as well with his speed. That said, come playoff roster time it will be interesting if the Yanks carry an extra bat or an extra arm. Gardner might get edged out due to Hairston’s speed and versatility. I think Joe will cary the extra position player in Gardner.
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
ARod 3B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Matsui DH
Melky CF
I should have just said: I agree with ANSKY.
It would be dumb for Beckett, or any Red Sox pitcher, to hit a Yankee player tonight.
First off, they can’t handle a suspension to their pitching staff right now.
Second, Mark Melancon has had trouble throwing strikes since he has been in the majors.
Granted, everything should have been middle away the rest of the night.
The kid has no control. At least not yet.
If the Red Sox want to make something of it, AJ is the perfect guy to have on the mound for that kind of activity.
I think the Red Sox are more worried about winning tonight’s game than getting “revenge” on a fringe, rookie pitcher.
Hinske won’t be on the playoff roster
I wasn’t referring to Pete, m. I’m sure you get it now.
If Melky keeps it up, my “got melky?” shirt might have a rendezvous with the Tightwad Coliseum in Oakland.
“I think the Red Sox are more worried about winning tonight’s game than getting “revenge” on a fringe, rookie pitcher.”
Abso-flippin-lutely.
Your imposter showed up last night and really said some purile and outrageous things in your name. I REALLY wish you would let Pete grab his IP and off him for good, if that is indeed possible.
Hinske will be on the playoff roster. He’s a solid PH to have off the bench.
No way he won’t be on the playoff roster.
Jeter, Cano, Arod, Hairston, Tex, Posada, Damon, Molina, Matsui, Melky, Gardner, Swisher, Hinske. 13 position players and 12 pitchers.
Melky is still young and has as boatload of upside. However, he still lacks some of the basic fundamentals (keeping runners from advancing, telling Posada to slide, bunting, etc.) to be great. As such, he has vastly improved over last year and with the veterans around him, he can only get better.
Pete’s got a bit of a love/hate thing for the Melkster.
like the old Motown song…Make-up to break-up…1st you love him…then ya hate ‘em…that’s a game for fools!
I have a feeling Hinske’s in the lineup tonight for his ability to crush a fastball.
How would that fallen thru Twins trade look today. Santana for Hughes, Kennedy, Melky look today.
I like CC, Hughes, Melky with the Yanks today and Johann with the Mets.
to 44Allthe way,
in 2007 , Melky was one of the best at bunting….I think when he can’t bunt,something is in his mind,maybe he wants to hit or something….I don’t know…but I remember melky was on the top list about bunting….
http://www.baseball-reference......me01.shtml
Sacrifice Hits
2007 AL–10–5th
so I don’t think he can’t bunt! but he did fail in some fundamentals.
Where can one purchase one of those awesome bobble heads?
my thoughts exactly! i liked melky last year but with no power how could anyone think that this is our centerfielder of the future. i’m still not sold on him as an everyday CF for years to come but am very happy for him and hope he continues on the roll he is on.
my thoughts: Melky is a baseball player and Gardner is a very important role player for key situations
Pete, glad you finally came around on melky. After having to sit through a season of “he’s not major league caliber” type commentary from everyone and their grandma it’s nice to see him getting some recognition.
He’s not afraid of that wall, that’s for sure.
Credit Kevin Long and Tony Pena for constantly staying on Melky until he realized that in fact, he’s an important piece of this team.
He’s been involved in some big moments this year and seems to thrive on it.
SJ,
You were very high on Melancon last year – still think he’s on track and just having MLB adjustment issues, or has his stock fallen?
Excellent points, TG. (3:34)
It’s nice to finally read a positive post about Melky on this blog for a change.
First 4 yrs of two switch hitting center fielders, one of whom has a much better arm than the other.
Games/HR/Avg/OBP/SLG/OPS
1991 NYY
85 3 .238 .336 .350 .686
1992 NYY
62 5 .280 .354 .406 .760
1993 NYY
139 12 .268 .333 .400 .734
1994 NYY
108 12 .289 .384 .453 .837
2006 NYY
130 7 .280 .360 .391 .752
2007 NYY
150 8 .273 .327 .391 .718
2008 NYY
129 8 .249 .301 .341 .641
2009 NYY
102 11 .286 .348 .460 .808
Really similar. Melky will be 25 this week. Bernie was 26 in 1994.
That bobblehead looks nothing like Melky.
Good for you Pete, welcome to the Melky bandwagon.