Post-game audio: Girardi, Tex and Pettitte
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The interview room was full of Yankees tonight. Here is Joe Girardi:
Andy Pettitte:
and Mark Teixeira:
A few notes: The Yankees have won seven straight. That includes winning games started by Mark Buehrle, Roy Halladay, Josh Beckett and Jon Lester. … Boston is now tied with Texas in the wild card. Joe Girardi has gone a great job. But Ron Washington should have a statue built in his honor. … Yankee starters had an insane 1.32 ERA in the series. … Boston had scored 14 runs in its last 64 innings.
The four games drew 194,253 to the Stadium and they were loud and involved. Now let’s see if it stays like that, at least reasonably so. Or will we go back to the wine-and-cheese, let’s-visit-the-museum crew? The players noticed the difference as they nearly all commented on it. It shouldn’t take the opponent to make the place loud.
Andy Pettitte since the break: 33.2 innings, 25 hits, 7 earned runs, 9 walks, 33 strikeouts. His emergence has been a tremendous factor and should make you feel a whole lot better about what is to come.
Overall standings
Yankees 69-42
Dodgers 67-45
Angels 65-44
It doesn’t mean a darn thing. But it’s worth noting, regardless. Here is what I can’t forget, however: Tampa Bay has a +81 run differential. I think when it’s all said and done, the Yankees will have to withstand a charge from the Rays, not the Red Sox.
————
Thanks to everybody for reading these last four days. It was tremendously fun.
Be here tomorrow at 10 a.m for our reader Q&A with Yogi Berra. It came out great.
On Monday at 4 p.m., A.J. Burnett, Ramiro Pena and Nick Swisher will greet fans entering Yankee Stadium through the Great Hall.
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iTunes
Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
good times in the Bronx
*REPOST*
JFC why is Lori Rubenson on tonight
, she’s making this night damper for me right now and I should be ecstatic.
She’s in the yeh the Yankees swept BOS so what mode. Where is Moose !
August 10th, 2009 at 1:05 am
Boston in fULL mELTDOWN
http://www.nesn.com/2009/08/ba…..d-sox.html
flip threw the bilious comments.
————————————————————
When you open the link and read the posts, you’ll find a pleasant surprise. If you change the names, they’re almost word for word what gets posted on here. It makes you wonder if the same people just run from board to board, acting stupid.
So now we know that the M in MVP didn’t stand for ‘magic’.
“: The Yankees have won seven straight. That includes winning games started by Mark Buehrle, Roy Halladay, Josh Beckett and Jon Lester. …”
This team may very well be unstoppable.
They’ve beat bad opponents and good, good pitching and bad, slugfests and pitcher’s duels.
They’ve come back in the ninth, and they’ve blown out other teams early.
After this weekend series, even if they’d been playing say the Tigers or the Rangers and not the Red Sox, it’s hard not to feel like this team could be special.
It is.
2 threads or so ago, raymagnetic posted:
“It’s amazing how people are worried about the best team in the league having a ‘brutal’ upcoming schedule.
If I’m the other teams in the division I’m worrying about playing the Yankees.”
Exactly! It will be brutal — for them!
Bummed that Andy’s postgame interview audio was cut short. He was at 32 “youknows” and had shown no sign of stopping.
It will be fun to meet Burnett and Swish, but how am I going to distinguish Ramiro Pena from the bat boy? Seriously.
Thirty-one zeroes…
Pedroia’s pauciloquy…
The sweet sound of “SWEEP!”
Kudos to Cashman for the Hairston pickup. Today in a big game totally seamless. It’s the small things that make up the big picture. Then there’s the Gaudin, Mitre, Hirsh, Ortiz pickups. Now that’s attention to detail.
Wow what a weekend
Can’t wait for the Yogi Q&A.
Betsy,
You need to get a ticket for tomorrow’s game so you can stalk, er, meet A.J.
Brandon – Malusis comes on at 2 AM
Brandon,
Here’s an idea. Call your GF!
“Listen, the Red Sox had our number,” Swisher said, “but we changed cell-phone providers.”
Colin Cowherd has actually grown on me
Thanks for everything, Pete! With the big, bad typhoon here (didn’t amount to much in Taipei at least), work was cancelled and I was inside watching, reading and posting more than I’ve ever been able to before.
Your blog makes life as a Yankees fan that much more fun!
I could only imagine how quiet the plane ride home is…I hope Ortiz didn’t forget his vitamins at the stadium.
girardi audio isn’t working after like halfway thru???
Swisher is great, nice to have a joker on the team
lloyd,
I noticed that, too. I don’t know if it’s different audio, but Pel had some up in the game thread and the one after that.
Prize Comment from Boston Blogs:
“I think it’s time for that consecutive home field sell-out streak to end. Ownership is getting every dime they can out of the nation while trying to sell us a bill of goods with a bunch of Opie-looking mediocre ball-players.”
Yes, Boston fans are calling for a boycott of Fenway.
Francessa will have to eat his words. What will he say about his precious Red Sox and Bard. LOL The Sux are not the greatest organization, and I’ve been saying since the season started that the Yankees are better then the Sox.
Sorry, I just had to lift this from The Pride of the Yankees blog:
Before this series started, I said that this was a big series and it was time for the Yankees’ starting pitchers, whom I consider the best starting four in baseball, to come up big in a big situation. Joba was a bit shaky, but overall you cannot be unhappy with the results– AJ Burnett, CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte threw a combined 22.1 innings of shutout ball. No matter what the Yankees said going into this series, it was clearly an important four games for them, not just because they inexplicably have been 0-fer-8 against the Red Sox, but because the season is now in its final one-third, and the games are now taking on greater importance. It was important for the Yankees to put greater distance between themselves and the Red Sox, especially now, as the Sox are hurting and slumping. Hey, that’s what good teams do. It’s called ‘the killer instinct’, and that’s something that many of us have felt has been lacking in Yankees teams in recent years. As I watched the Yankees congratulating each other after completing their sweep of the Red Sox, I had a feeling that this Yankees ballclub had just completed a metamorphosis that began in spring training 6 months ago. And just as a beautiful butterfly emerges from its cocoon, what has now emerged right before our eyes is a very special team, quite possibly the best Yankees team since its great 1996-2003 run. The Yankees have now proven that they can win pressure-cooker games with their hitting, pitching, fielding or any combination as needed. They can win in the late innings. They can play small ball, they can hit HRs, they can ‘come-from-behind’ plus they still have the best closer in baseball. The message the Yankees delivered this weekend is not just meant for the Red Sox, but for all of baseball– 2009 may just be the Yankees’ year.
CAVEAT: There is still a lot of baseball to play. I count 50 games and so many things can happen. The only people who think the Red Sox are dead are their own fickle fans. They’ll be back, you can count on it. We have a lot of great baseball ahead of us yet. I for one am looking forward to it.
http://blog.nj.com/yankees/200.....vered.html
I couldn’t care less what Red Sox fans are saying right now. It’s nothing different than the nutjobs say on this blog say when the Yanks aren’t playing well.
Worry about the Red Sox again the next time the Yanks play them.
Until then, keep the good times rolling and win every series possible.
If people think that the Red Sox are finished, or, that Bard isn’t one of the finest young pitching talents in baseball, you don’t have a clue. I’d take Bard on the Yankees, any time. NYY and Boston still have 6 games lefy, head-to-head, and those will be dogfights.
Just think what Hairston & Heniske are thinking about their fortunes have changed in the past few weeks…….
Andy Pettitte pitched well, Phil Coke didn’t.
Andy didn’t get the win, Phil Coke did.
There has to be a category for pitchers who pitched 7 or more innings without giving up a run (or no more than one run).
It could be called WE (for winning effort) or PE (for pitching effort).
Looking at a pitcher, it would show what the pitchers really worth.
For example if a pitcher pitches three games and gives up no runs on seven innings and his team loses them all or wins but on runs that are scored after another pitcher was brought into the game, the win or lose would go to the other pitcher, who might or might not deserve credit, while the starting pitcher gets nothing.
With this category the starting pitcher would have 3 WCs (or PEs).
When it comes to evaluating a pitcher what needs to be looked at is how many times did the pitcher give the team a chance to win, not how many games the pitcher has won, or where the pitcher’s ERA is holding.
That’s why it should be an official category.
End Case,
Tom (added by Mobile using Mippin)
Pete thanks for the new break up of the game thread,much better.
I’m loving this team right now. Just crossing my fingers that Pettitte and Burnett can remain healthy and keep dealing and I’m still a lil worried about our #5 and about Joba’s IP limit. All concerns aside things are good in Yankee Universe.
Pete thanks so much for all the great coverage. You really do a hell of a job enhancing the fan experience and keeping us up to the minute with all things Yankees.
If the Sox farm system is so good, why did they need to sign Smoltz and Penny instead of bringing up a pitcher, sign Martinez instead of bringing up a bat and put in a waiver claim now on Guzman instead of bringing up an infielder?
Hey Wang IS Taiwan, some of the photos of that typhoon are just brutal. I was in Taiwan when Krosa hit in October 2007 (the same time Hurricane Cleveland was hitting the Yanks) and then I saw some of the damage around the island and particularly up in the mountains near Taroko Gorge, but this one looks much worse.
Glad it wasn’t bad in Taipei. I miss it there!
If the Yankees can put a little distance between themselves and Tampa & Boston, then they can worry about skipping Joba’s starts or giving the others an extra day. Suzyn was talking with Peter Botte about how having Gaudin might help them do that.
Lots of work to be done, and they need to keep the foot on the gas pedal. If we’re going to the playoffs, I want to have HFA throughout. I don’t want any games 1,2,5,&7 in Anaheim.
Tunnel Man
August 10th, 2009 at 1:56 am
Prize Comment from Boston Blogs:
“I think it’s time for that consecutive home field sell-out streak to end. Ownership is getting every dime they can out of the nation while trying to sell us a bill of goods with a bunch of Opie-looking mediocre ball-players.”
Yes, Boston fans are calling for a boycott of Fenway.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wow. And they say Yankee fans are harsh.
“Listen, the Red Sox had our number,” Swisher said, “but we changed cell-phone providers.”
LMAO, oh swish
I’m not saying that the Sox are done but they aren’t taking the division. At this point in the season with a 6.5 or more game lead based on history shows that the yanks have always won the division. Plus they have a series today where they will face Edwin Jackson, Porcello, and Verlander. Then after that they face Texas, and Texas has dominated the Sox this season. It’s not lookig good for them.
Nick in SF
August 10th, 2009 at 2:08 am
Hey Wang IS Taiwan, some of the photos of that typhoon are just brutal. I was in Taiwan when Krosa hit in October 2007 (the same time Hurricane Cleveland was hitting the Yanks) and then I saw some of the damage around the island and particularly up in the mountains near Taroko Gorge, but this one looks much worse.
Glad it wasn’t bad in Taipei. I miss it there!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was seriously a little ticked off that my work was cancelled because there was so little rain and no wind. That is until I picked up a newspaper and watched some broadcasts here of the mess down south. Then I felt bad about it. That’s just way too much water at one time.
I typically love the typhoons as well as the earthquakes — as long as they don’t hurt anybody, of course. No, that typhoon in 2007 was worse, believe me. I’ve been back here since 2005 when I left NYC.
Some folks died in this one though because they were in the wrong place/wrong time. I think we get a little blase about the typhoon warnings (the last couple haven’t shown as much strength as forecast).
We honestly needed the rain. The reservoirs were extremely low. It’s a shame we can’t have the rain come down more modestly, though.
BTW, always love the witty comments you post. They make me laugh.
It will be interesting to see how Bard recovers from this game and the Tampa Bay, Longoria homerun game. Games like this can ruin a pitcher( see Byung Yung – Kim). This is when you’ll see what this kid is made of.
Tidrow –
That’s what a lot of the Boston fans are posting about now. Was reading through some of their blogs and enjoying their misery just a tad. Their gloating when they whipped our “behinds” left a bad taste in my mouth.
Yanks need to just keep rolling, and the lead will continue to build for the Yanks this week. I mean look at these pitching matchups for the Tigers Sox series:
Jackson vs Penny
Porcello vs Tazawa
Galaraga vs Beckett
Verlander vs Buchholz
Google Translate, Spanish to Japanese:
Sergio Mitre = Kei Igawa
Great run though!
Go YANKS!
Thanks for the compliment, I appreciate it.
You would know better than I would, but why was the 2007 typhoon worse? Did it hit more of the island? I guess Taipei itself was hit harder in 2007? This one seems more localized in the south, but I don’t remember any 6-story hotels falling into any rivers back in 2007!
BTW, when the typhoon hit in 2007, I was staying with a buddy and his family in Dajia Town, near Taichung. It was faily mild there compared to lots of places but there were still lots of small trees and branches blown down. Driving all the way through Taroko and over the mountains right after was a big mistake, but I somehow survived it. Absolutely gorgeous scenery.
Oh and NIck in SF — I have no idea what line of work you’re in, but advertising would be well-suited to your talents. You have a way with words. I hope you’re some type of writer, at least.
Nick — In 2007, the wind was much, much stronger, along with the torrential rain. This typhoon was primarily about a slow-moving storm that was dumping rain on the south. Not much wind to speak of. In 2007, I couldn’t really go out of my house. A roof across from me on an older one-story fell, along with several big trees (and I live on a very big, main street called Heping East). There’s a lot more damage if you get the wind/rain combined.
Actually, there was a resort hotel that fell into the river just recently. Can’t be certain it was 2007, but last year’s typhoons were pretty basic.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4386253
Neyer, Simmons, Amy Nelson, Stat Guy, Stark all had a live chat/tweet during the game.
Some good stuff. There were like 150+ plate appearances without a Boston XBH.
They were making an all Boston/Yankee team. And someone said, don’t forget ex-Yankee and current best Boston player Nick Green. lol.
Although Jeter said the Yankees had not discussed the future with him, the team has discussed Jeter’s status internally. The Yankees want to re-sign Jeter, 35, so he can collect his 3,000th hit with them and presumably retire as a Yankee. Jeter, who has 2,674 hits, cannot envision playing elsewhere.
“Have I thought about doing that?” Jeter asked. “Nope.”
Although the Yankees would prefer to sign Jeter to a two-year extension, they realize that they might have to add another year to the deal. The Yankees are also unsure if Jeter will finish his career at shortstop or if he will need to switch positions, as the Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. did.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08......html?_r=1
GreenBeret7 August 10th, 2009 at 2:02 am
If people think that the Red Sox are finished, or, that Bard isn’t one of the finest young pitching talents in baseball, you don’t have a clue. I’d take Bard on the Yankees, any time. NYY and Boston still have 6 games lefy, head-to-head, and those will be dogfights.
—————————————
Boston isn’t finished. But they’re close to finished. They’re 8-14 since the All-Star break and Penny and Bucholtz aren’t cutting it as their 3rd and 4th pitchers. Smoltzie was a disaster and now they’re gonna try 23 yr old rookie Junichi Tazawa as the 5th starter.
The reason the Yankees record is better than the Rays (+81runs) is Mariano Rivera
Boston is not close to being finished.
The dumbest thing Yankee fans could do right now is rest on their laurels and underestimate that club.
Girardi is not going to let that happen.
Not saying it will happen but last time the Yankees swept Boston in 2006 late in the year they faded into oblivion. They had injuries then like they have now.
Very interesting. I guess the moral of the story is, you don’t want to be staying in a cheap hotel next to a river in Taiwan during any kind of rainstorm. Contractor kickbacks…
I’ve posted this many, many times, but on the off chance that you never saw it, a little photo essay from my 2007 trip with an emphasis on Wang fans:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9.....451651434/
You should read Boston Burial http://www.sports.yahoo.com
Dustin is under the impression that the RS are still leading the wildcard.
Good game Pictures http://www.newsday.com
Tidrow August 10th, 2009 at 2:43 am
Not saying it will happen but last time the Yankees swept Boston in 2006 late in the year they faded into oblivion. They had injuries then like they have now.
———————————————
Oh, please — don’t be silly.
2006 starters: Wang, Moose, Johnson, Wright
2009 starters: CC, AJ, Andy, Jaba
jaysonst: Even the Nationals have scored 21 runs since the last time the Red Sox scored a run!
———————————-
9:55 ESPN Stats and Information: We have a unit here that breaks down what is known as “Pitch F/X” data (for those unfamiliar…pitch data from games).
Someone was asking about Pettitte’s curve. He’s thrown 11 curves tonight, 9 for strikes. Fastball averaging 89 MPH, curveball averaging 75
———————————-
10:00 ESPN Stats and Information:
As of 10 pm Sunday, we can tell you…
248 players have scored a run in a major league game since play began Friday.
None of them are Red Sox.
Thank you, Elias Sports Bureau.
————————————
10:05 jaysonst: What do we think of Bill Miller’s strike zone? 5 of the 9 strikeouts tonight were looking.
———————————–
10:29 robneyer: RT @KenDavidoff Typical A-Rod, piling on. After all, the Yankees were already winning this game, 0 to -6.
———————————-
10:54 ESPN Stats and Information:
Looking ahead: Rivera is 44 for 56 career in save chances vs Boston
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10:59 jaysonst: The Red Sox have taken 3 leads in this series. The Yankees have scored the next half-inning after all 3.
11:01 jaysonst: So not only could the Red Sox get swept in a 4-gamer. They could do it without holding the lead after a single inning — all 42 of them.
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11:15 ESPN Stats and Information: Quick answer for someone asking…47 percent of the Yankees runs at home this season have come via the HR
———————————-
11:24 jaysonst: Crazy weekend. 3 weeks ago, I think I had LA, Bos & Phila. 1-2-3 in my power ratings. They went 0-9 Friday, Saturday & Sunday this weekend
———————————-
11:28 [Comment From LB ]
SWEEP! Would love to hear how you guys in Bristol are going to spin this one. Here’s a suggestion, “The Yankees are a better ball club. The past 4 years were a fluke. All is right again in the universe. GO YANKS!”
Tweet to Boston Owner John Henry:
Cure of VM?
Mr. Franco, I agree with you that the season still has lot’s of twists that need to be played out…..Such are the 2 West Cost trips, and the schedule in September which has some serious challenges…As for Boston, what they do in the next 10 days could determine their playoff hopes…..Falling behind both Tampa & Chicago makes October baseball dicey……..Nick in SF, This weekend paid off like a playoff in October……
Hey Giuseppe Franco, how’s that Mark Teixeira guy doing? You know the guy you said we didn’t need last year because he wasn’t that good of a player. He’s been one of the huge differences between the us and the BoSox.
Let me edit that post:
Curse of VM?
Now, now, Goodkat. No need to embarrass anyone. All 3 people who said we didn’t need Tex have already done their mea culpas.
(what’s vm?)
Boston isn’t quite this bad and no, we aren’t quite this good but they are not a factor any longer unless we collapse. 6.5 games with 50 to play is simply too big a lead
If we play .500 ball we end up with 94.5 wins (yes i know it won’t be 94.5…) they’ll need to play 0.625 ball. Both are possible but the combination is higly unlikely
In fact the Rays would have to play .657 ball to catch us.
Lets put it another way: if we miss the post season we really deserve to do so
As per fox sports Sweep News http://msn.foxsports.com
m: Victor Martinez.
aka: the difference maker.
Meant Sweep Revenge at foxsports
m, there where only a few who adamant about them signing him…..
Sweeping Statement http://www.espn.go.com
Nick — Oh, yeah. I did look at your photos. I remember them. Had to take another look. I was just at Din Tai Fung for dumplings last week. I do enjoy them, but I do take-out. Those lines are ridiculous.
Do you speak Mandarin?
Pat M: I give you full props for being one of only about two or three who not only recognized the need for Tex and the potential he would bring but also believed we would actually get him.
I can’t even remember what I said about Tex at the time, but I totally bought into the hype that if we got CC then we wouldn’t get Tex, and I was pro-CC from way back.
Ah, love that Tex.
Tex = definitively > Martinez*
* Although I’m sure VM is a fine young man
I never thought we’d get Tex — I thought he was a goner to Boston for sure. Best sly move Cash has ever made — at least in my book.
I don’t even know what the hell that Goodkat is talking about.
I didn’t think they’d sign Teixeira but I never said they couldn’t use him.
Goodkat must be smoking something strong.
Practically no Mandarin at all, to my great regret. When I was an English teacher there years ago everyone wanted to practice their English on me. I should have stayed longer and learned.
I don’t even teach English and they still want to practice their English with me. It can be annoying.
But the Taiwanese are great folks.
ChinesePod.com is a good site if you still have interest.
The Yankees are this good. They showed their full potential for the past couple of series.
Nick in SF, I recall your concern about him going to Boston and how that would put them in the drivers seat for years to come….
Bard could be one of the best young pitchers in the game but he could easily be the next Kyle Farnsworth. As Pete said earlier having great stuff doesn’t necessarily make you a great pitcher…having watched Bard now on a few occasions I find him to have a great fastball but he is also wild as an Indian at times…if he reigns it in, he’ll be nasty…if not he’ll be another overhyped pitcher with a live arm but pitchers that are spit upon by batters.
According to http://www. mlbtraderumors.com several teams are interested in Smoltz,did they pay attention this weekend?
I’m sleepy that link is http://www.mlbtraderumors.com
Pat M: As if! I never said that!
Or did I?
You did Nick in SF….
“… wine-and-cheese, let’s-visit-the-museum crew?”
haha..yea go to the museum you sissies! maybe eat some freedom fries pete?
Pat,
Those were passionate times.
I wasn’t so worried about Tex going to Boston, and don’t recall Nick being worried about that or anything at all really.
The fear I had was A.J. to Boston. Crisis averted. Times two because they coveted Tex much more than we did. This is twice that Cashman has gotten the last call after Boston did all the dirty work. Damon & Tex. Ahh..
BTW, Kurt Rambis? Good for him, but he could’ve waited another year to see if the Laker job was his.
I can imagine myself saying that I didn’t want Boston to get him, but not saying anything about them being in any drivers seat for years. Not my style. I plead Not Guilty.
@ Pete’s tweet on Vince Young.
I hate that clown, ever since the national championship.
Anyone see his Esquire comments (what is it about that stupid rag that makes stupid athletes say stupid things)? Vince said he’s going to be the next black athlete to win a Super Bowl and he’s going to the HOF. Huh?
He’s a freaking backup QB to Kerry Collins. Kerry Collins. Get your job back before you start lippin’.
Anyway, heard he had a bad night.
TLVP
August 10th, 2009 at 3:07 am
Boston isn’t quite this bad and no, we aren’t quite this good but they are not a factor any longer unless we collapse. 6.5 games with 50 to play is simply too big a lead
If we play .500 ball we end up with 94.5 wins (yes i know it won’t be 94.5…) they’ll need to play 0.625 ball. Both are possible but the combination is higly unlikely
In fact the Rays would have to play .657 ball to catch us.
Lets put it another way: if we miss the post season we really deserve to do so
————————————————————
6.5 games behind means nothing. 1978, Boston had a 9 game lead after 115 games. How did that end up? In 1964, Philadelphia had a 6.5 game lead with 12 games left. The ended up in second place, 1 game out. Anything can and does happen. Feel comfortable when the Yanks have a 2 game lead with 1 game left.
Josh
August 10th, 2009 at 3:33 am
Bard could be one of the best young pitchers in the game but he could easily be the next Kyle Farnsworth. As Pete said earlier having great stuff doesn’t necessarily make you a great pitcher…having watched Bard now on a few occasions I find him to have a great fastball but he is also wild as an Indian at times…if he reigns it in, he’ll be nasty…if not he’ll be another overhyped pitcher with a live arm but pitchers that are spit upon by batters.
————————————————————
Sounds like Chamberlain in 2009 or Hughes in 2008, doesn’t it?
Don’t you just love the way Francona brought in Ortiz,to rattle MO.(like David did in 2004?)
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/s.....p-of-BoSox
The bandwagon is starting to fill up.
Let’s hope the Yankees ignore all the hype and keep playing good baseball.
Once you remember who’s starting tomorrow, any overconfidence quickly dissipates.
M I linked that site above on this thread.
haiku,
You sure you’re not sleepy? You linked the homepage of Fox Sports.
m your right my bad.
Ramiro Pena = The Bandit!
He looks like a young Joe Di or Derek Jeter when they first came up.
Siwsher turned a corner with that 2 RBI swing. He shortened his swing up, pointed his bat not so far in toward the field or dugout and got a great base knock!
Lets hope he keeps that swing.
All in all, this was the best Yankee Team victory that Ive seen in a long long time.
Girardi is a slick genius too, despite guys named “Cuban Yank” His not uwing Hughes in gm 2, allowed for game 3. His bringing in Mo without a lead also helped the cause too (Thurs night)
Mo certainly likes to keep it interesting when playing the Sox, doesnt he? I was a little surpised Joe didnt go to Hughes and then decide whether to leave him in or not–but a wins a win, baby!
And a test passed is too!
haiku-man
August 10th, 2009 at 4:03 am
Don’t you just love the way Francona brought in Ortiz,to rattle MO.(like David did in 2004?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I scoffed at that move. Does Big Poopi scare ANYONE these days?
GB7
Just because something could happen doesn’t mean that it is likely to happen. You bring up 2 examples over the last 45 years… on the other hand we can point to a huge number of examples where the team that was 6.5 games ahead actually won the division
Life is full of uncertainties, i worry about those that are likely to be relevant – for instance how will we deal with Joba’s inning limit? How do we avoid injuries to key players in general? How do we act to keep A-od, Matsui, etc fresh through the post season, etc. How do we make sure that CC doesn’t repeat his post season meltdowns.Red Sox catching us this year? Not so much…
The 6.5 games number is by itself compelling butif you on top of that include the current form (NYY 18-5 since ASB, RS 8-14), no way I’ll worry about the Red Sox right now.
GB7
By the way – you’re saying anything can and does happen? So I guess that would mean that are going to become a Red Sox fan by the end of the season? I mean it could happen and apparently therefore it does happen?
“I’m not saying that the Sox are done but they aren’t taking the division. At this point in the season with a 6.5 or more game lead based on history shows that the yanks have always won the division. Plus they have a series today where they will face Edwin Jackson, Porcello, and Verlander. Then after that they face Texas, and Texas has dominated the Sox this season. It’s not lookig good for them.”
Maybe so, but let’s remember that no team lost a playoff series when up 3 games to none until 2004 and we know what happened there. History currently is on the Yankees side with this division lead, but they still have 51 more games to play including two west coast trips and six more games with the Red Sox.
Yankee fans can’t afford to get too cocky because the Yankee team has too much work to do this season before all is said and done.
“Anyone see his Esquire comments (what is it about that stupid rag that makes stupid athletes say stupid things)? Vince said he’s going to be the next black athlete to win a Super Bowl and he’s going to the HOF”
for ‘good’ college qb’s, vince young had the most/worst unnatural mechanics i’ve ever seen in a QB. He will never be regular starter in the NFL
“I’m not saying that the Sox are done but they aren’t taking the division. At this point in the season with a 6.5 or more game lead based on history shows that the yanks have always won the division. Plus they have a series today where they will face Edwin Jackson, Porcello, and Verlander. Then after that they face Texas, and Texas has dominated the Sox this season. It’s not lookig good for them.”
Maybe so, but let’s remember no baseball team has every lost a playoff series when up three games to none until 2004 and we know what happened there. History is on the Yankees side when it comes to the division lead, but that doesn’t mean history has to stay true for the Yankees as they still have two west coast trips and six more games against the Red Sox.
I understand that Yankee fans are confident right now, but a lot of work still remains for the rest of this season and anything can happen in baseball as 2004 will attest to that possibility.
“Maybe so, but let’s remember no baseball team has every lost a playoff series when up three games to none until 2004 and we know what happened there”
point taken.
except when you consider the differences in the 2 RedSox teams, you’re comparing apples with oranges
I’d like to see the yanks feast on some weaklings till we face the sawx again, it’d be nice to sustain this momentum
When all is said and done the magic number is 43 to finish ahead of the Red Sox and they’ll play 52 games and we’ll play 51 games – I like those odds
Any team can win 4 straight against anyone – but to outperform by 6.5 games over a 51-52 stretch is much more difficult and frankly i don’t see the Red Sox pitching holding up for that.
“except when you consider the differences in the 2 RedSox teams, you’re comparing apples with oranges”
Not really, when the Yanks were up 3 games to none, I never thought that Red Sox team had a chance to come back. But, they did and that’s baseball and we should never forget that as some of us attempt to cover dirt over this current Red Sox team.
Massarotti just conceded the division title to the Yanks on WFAN.
“Not really, when the Yanks were up 3 games to none, I never thought that Red Sox team had a chance to come back”
that 2004 RedSox team resembled this year’s NYY team. Walkoff after walkoff, come from behind wins etc. A very special team, in regular season play. The 2009 RedSox are dead
“that 2004 RedSox team resembled this year’s NYY team. Walkoff after walkoff, come from behind wins etc. A very special team, in regular season play. The 2009 RedSox are dead”
If you want to think that go ahead, but I’ve seen too many crazy things happen in baseball over the last 50 years for me to make that assumption right now.
“If you want to think that go ahead, but I’ve seen too many crazy things happen in baseball over the last 50 years for me to make that assumption right now.”
I agree 100%.
I dont count anything in the regular season over until that magic number is hit or game 162. Look at the 2007 and 2008 Mets, but especially 2007. NOTHING is over yet.
Althoough we as Yankee fans have alot to be happy about right now, don’t forget the 2004 ALCS. How many of us we calling it after game 3,4,5,6, AND 7.
If you want a good laugh this morning, check out the comments section of the NESN website. It seems a lot of folks want Francona’s head on a platter. I can’t see where the manager did anything to cost them any games this weekend.
Francona is stuck with a roster of mismatched DH/1B/C. The roster Theo handed him is so screwed up they had the play Youkalis in left field and start a 42 year old, washed up John Smoltz. Tonight’starting pitcher is Bad Penney. The state of the Red Sox is the Boy Wonder’s doing, not Francona.
http://www.nesn.com/
After 2004, no Yankee fan should EVER take anything for granted again.
Always keep a healthy “fear” of your opponents.
I don’t think the Yankees themselves sound like a team that’s going to coast. They look (and sound) focused and purposeful. I’m really not concerned they will get complacent at all. So, I don’t think they’re going to be beating themselves, generally. (There will still be some sloppy games, dontcha think – the Chicago and LA series aren’t all long ago). But this team is resilient and doesn’t seem to allow a few bad games take over their collective psyche.
Drive 4-5 -
That’s really a shame that anyone is saying Francona didn’t do a good job this weekend. With the exception of Thursday night’s game, the games were close and the RS got good starting pitching. A raw rookie lost the game Friday night. And while Sabathia dominated Saturday, Buchholz wasn’t awful at all. Last night just seemed “magical.” The Red Sox don’t look good offensively, but they’re not over and out. I think their next couple of series will tell a lot.
And the Yankees need to keep on keeping on.
Man, I wish I could be at Yankee Stadium today, lol……..
I wish Adam the Bull and Kim Jones would come on at 10 am, not 6 – I missed all the good Yankee stuff.
This race isn’t over – the Yanks will eventually cool off adn they do have a tough schedule. I also respect the heck out of the Sox. However, I’m just staying in and enjoying the moment. I’m thrilled that they’ve won the games the way they won them – going toe to toe with their two top guns. This is what we signed up for when whe signed all these guys in the off-season. I’m so used to big FA signings turning out badly – at least in the last few years. We couldn’t have signed better people and pitchers than CC and AJ……….and Andy has surprised me with his second half. I really thought he was done. AJ battling toe to toe with Beckett really did set the tone……neutralizing their ace was incredibly important. I love how our starters are engaging in this ongoing competition – they are all thriving now.
Dr Cox
I’m pretty sure no one was calling ALCS 2004 for NY after game 7. I also think that most were smart enough to be worried after game 6.
Don’t get me wrong i’m not saying it couldn’t happen, we still have to play the games, the work has to be done, etc but 6.5 games with 51-52 games left is quite comfortable
Drive 4-5
Absolutely agree – the real funny thing is how the media and everytone else somehow assumed that the Red Sox pitching was so much better than ours going into the season – look we’ve 4 starting pitchers in Wang, IPK, Hughes and Aceves, and we ahven’t really missed a beat yet – we haven’t spent any money to upgrade during the season.
M, I’m sobbing inside that I won’t be there. As a consolation, I can meet Phil on 8/31 as he will be in my neck of the woods. I’ll probably blather on mindlessly……and if I met AJ, I would undoubtedly do the same. I envy anyone going there, though…..
Kim Jones mentioned this, this morning and I had forgotten.
The two previous back to back games that Hughes pitched for 50 plus pitches. She though that had a lot to do with him not using Hughes as well.
I agree that the Rays are the team to watch out for, not the RoSox.
Betsy -
I didn’t mean to downplay how great the Yankees played. And I’m loving every second of this!
Just trying not to go overboard on the Boston bashing, ya know?
M, thanks for posting – that is a wonderful blog post. This is the team I envisioned in ST – the fact that they have come together so well is marvelous. They’ll have their bad moments again, but man – this is a good team.
The Yanks are locked in right now.
Have the Yanks bunted on Schilling yet?
It wasn’t over when the Germans Bombed Pearl Harbor and it’s not over now.
Still, this is a pretty nice place to be sitting especially with Boston having 22 straight games against teams in contention for post-season play.
Damon and Pettite sure seem to be playing their way into the Yankees plans for 2010, don’t they?
Doreen, I posted my post before you posted yours, lol……
I am not thinking about what may or may not happen in the future, I am just enjoying what we are seeing now. Why worry about things? Sure, the Yankees have a tough schedule, but they’ve always been very good on the road. I just want to take it one game at a time…..and for right now, we are up six and a half games. Sweet.
My goodness. It really doesn’t matter that some fans have buried the Red Sox and feel the AL East race is over. The people who matter know its not over and they play the game.
I’ll take glee over bridge jumping every time. Enjoy the winning folks. Its been a while since we’ve had the pleasure of watching a team like this.
Not using PH almost cost the NYY, but it good to see that Joe is interested in the long term, not just the right now. He was protecting a player who figures to be a very valauble part of the team for years to come. Especially impressive for a manager whose job probably depends upon winning now.
The Yankees cannot allow a trap series with Toronto before the west coast trip to Seattle and Oakland and finishing up with a 3-game series in Boston.
The team should be in a “step on their throats” mode.
Boston now faces Detroit, a team holding a slim lead in the AL Central Division then on to Texas for a critical series.
you can never take anything for granted in baseball but the Yankee strong starting pitching makes it very unlikely that they will go into the kind of extended slump needed to miss the playoffs. That’s the difference between this team and other teams like the ‘64 Phillies or ‘51 Dodgers that blew huge laste season leads. Also, with the wild card, two teams would have to play lights out for the rest of the season to make it even close and that is very unlikely.
I’m just going to enjoy watching this team play the rest of the year, if they win only win 27 or 28 out of 50 (which will seem like a slump after the last month) they will be safely in the playoffs, the pitching staff will be well rested, and the post season should be much more enjoyable than in the recent past.
My joy about the series sweep is definitely tempered by tonight’s starting pitcher. I know some folks say the pennant wont be determined by the 5th starter, but having Mitre in the rotation puts pressure on the rest of the staff to win 3 of every 4 starts to maintain a .600 winning percentage.
But that sobering thought won’t wipe the smile off my face here in Mass:)
I know there is a lot of baseball left, but I just want to enjoy this happy moment right now. This is a brief fleeting opportunity to feel like all is right in the Yankee Universe.
New thread
86w183
when the German’s bombed Pearl Harbour? Hope you history professor didn’t see that one, hehe
The Rays have a +81 Run Differetial….
The Yanks have a +94!
Enjoy the lead but they have to keep it up. Like the ‘98 team, every time you step on the field, you have to expect to win.
Let’s Go Yanks!
Yankees are on a great roll. Great pitching and timely hitting. Keep it going and don’t look back.
Drive 4-5
yes Mitre sucks but we have actually won 3 out 4 games that he’s started – just saying his starts are not automatic losses (although they tax the penn)
TLVP go rent Animal House… it’s worth the $ 5 bucks
I don’t know why everyone seems to think the Yanks have such a tough schedule. Toronto without Halladay followed by pitching thin Seattle and Oakland looks pretty favorable to me.
“My joy about the series sweep is definitely tempered by tonight’s starting pitcher.”
with the other 4 starters on a roll, the fifth starter problem is really diminished because you don’t have the whole team thinking about it for 4 days . the other starters don’t feel the weight on them to produce as much .
the big lead gives the yankees time to try out different guys. if the four main starters stay healthy, i think the fifth spot will not be a problem though it’s a good idea to be proactive and get it fixed asap because you never know when another starter may go down.
86w183
fair enough, haven’t seen Animal house for about 30 years so my bad