Winning games and cracking jokes
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Podcast on Aug 16, 2009 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
There are approximately dozens of Japanese reporters covering this series. Having Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui in the same series is a certified Big Deal for Japanese baseball fans.
Matsui didn’t play tonight, so the attention was focused on Ichiro. He went his customary 2 for 5 but inexplicably tried to steal third with two outs and a 2-0 count on Russell Branyan in the seventh inning with his team down 4-2.
The dumb play helped the Yankees as Phil Coke got to face Branyan again in the eighth inning. So instead of facing a lefty and two righties, he got two lefties and a righty.
The Japanese media sent a strong force into the Yankees clubhouse to quiz Jose Molina on his having gunned down Ichiro. Jose, who has a good sense of humor, looked over the crowd gathered around his locker and grinned.
“Ichiro sucks!” he said.
Everybody laughed. That’s how it’s going for the Yankees these days. Seattle lets a fly ball drop in during the second inning and four unearned runs come across. Ichiro makes a mistake and a possible rally is thwarted.
Then there’s Sergio Mitre, who allowed one earned run in 5.1 innings. He’s 2-1 and the Yankees are 4-2 in his six starts. You’d like to see him go a little deeper and give up a few less hits. But you can’t ask for much better from the No. 5 starter.
Without further ado … Sergio Mitre audio!
Follow this link: http://lohud.com/audio/yankees/Mitre0815.mp3
Sergio Mitre audio? What has the world come to?
Thanks for hanging in there tonight. Yankees go for the sweep tomorrow with Jobamania on the hill. It’s an afternoon game, so come hang out.
“Ichiro sucks!”
Hahahhahahah, name that Molina!
So who’s looking forward to Mitre’s next start ?
The guy doesn’t pitch well enough for anyone to like him and he doesn’t pitch bad enough to get knocked out of the rotation.
He’s like a day old slice of pizza.
I just need him to get one more out before giving up a run.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBxdp8wCKrg
Bunch of head hunters Roid Sox almost killed Ian Kinsler, tonight.
That is funny.
I think Ich was trying to force the action because his team is struggling, and found out that Molina doesn’t suck.
7 and a half
As well as the Yanks are playing right now does anyone think that we would stand a chance against the Angels in the playoffs? 2002 and 2005 left me with very little confidence.
Best part of the audio on Mitre is “Juicy” playing in the background haha.
I like it when the Yankees play after the Sox are finished. It’s like a tasty dessert.
Sergio did put a lot of baserunners on, and, yes, the mariners are a bad offensive team.
But he did what was asked of him. As long as he doesn’t sniff the playoff roster (or Boston), we’ll be fine with him pitching.
And why in the world would people be lamenting over Tabata when we’re having a great season?
Things happen. People blow ligaments, relievers don’t pan out.
Please, please, please, stop mourning the loss of Tabata and enjoy what’s happening in the Bronx.
Yankees win and Boston lost. Nice work!
The following is from YES post game.
Since June 1st, the Yankee bullpen performance in AL:
Wins 17 1st in AL
Saves 28 1st in AL
ERA 3.21 1st in AL
Opp Avg. .209 1st in AL
S/O 210 1st in AL
Mitre pitched into some bad luck tonight and still didn’t get off his game and give up any jacks. I thought he showed a lot of progress.
Jeter hit another homerun. Wow. Must be that notorious Seattle outfield jet stream.
“And why in the world would people be lamenting over Tabata when we’re having a great season?
Things happen. People blow ligaments, relievers don’t pan out.
Please, please, please, stop mourning the loss of Tabata and enjoy what’s happening in the Bronx.”
Because some people love being negative when they have nothing else to complain about.
Oh, and I know Sergio’s not the best man for the job.
But kudos to Girardi for limiting Sergio’s damage (and yes, there’s been a lot of damage). We’re 4-2 in Sergio’s starts thanks to the offense, and the magic hook by Girardi. Gotta depend on the bullpen on his days, but the other starters are pulling their own weight so the bullpen’s not being overworked.
8 years without a championship has left me a lot to be negative about. I am not a Met fan and therefore not used to losing.
Cash is King,
Ding, ding, ding! You are the winner. I asked a “why is the Boston bullpen better than ours?” question in an earlier thread and you’ve given (repeated) the best answer yet.
Thank you. Good to see the ol’ ocular method still works.
’98 Revisited
Dude, I endured from ’78 to ’96. Eight years isn’t that long.
I think it’s valid to acknowledge that the end result of the Nady/Marte trade is bad for the Yankees. That doesn’t diminish the incredible success they’ve had so far this year.
I know that many Yankee fans hate to hear anything negative from the rest of the fanbase but what’s the problem with analyzing past trades that could have an effect on current and future team?
I’m not happy that Cashman made a bad trade, at the time it looked okay. I am happy that Tabata is doing well for the Pirates.
Think about it. If the prospects New York trades flourish elsewhere that says a lot about our minor league system. It could help if Cashman wants to make trades in the future. The GM’s he deals with can look back at the guys we’ve traded and realize we have a lot of talent. Maybe that makes them more willing to accept deals.
Finally!
Molina is a great caller. By the sounds of the post game–HE GOT A GREAT HIT. lol OH NO.
Mitre is good. He told the truth. It is a great team. His heart is in the right place. Sorry Sergio. But you get the point, right?
Contrary to twits, “Phil did NOT coke up Jr.” He struck him out. Maybe Jr got sit down because of the things he has said against the Yankees. Aint karma a beach?
By the way…
Was that Biggy in the backround?
Way to go Biggin!
Holy cow!
lol
Great write up Abe. Your work is great.
Phil
August 16th, 2009 at 2:38 am
Mitre pitched into some bad luck tonight and still didn’t get off his game and give up any jacks. I thought he showed a lot of progress.
————————————————
Yeah the second run he gave up was on a ground ball that hit the plate. That is going to happen with sinkerball pitchers. I thought he pitched well he didn’t blow the lead and he got into the 6th.
Richie,
I know man, Ilm just kidding around. We Yankee fans are very spoiled comparitively speaking. However, losing to far inferior teams year after year in the playoffs can be infuriating. Don’t you agree?
Molina really does a nice job framing pitches. No doubt it was Molina who got the called third strike from the ump for Robertson.
I was always someone who defended Posada’s defense. However watching Molina play really demonstrates what we are missing when Jorge is out there.
Patrick,
You’re absolutely right. But the tiny violin act is getting old. It’s been rehashed and rehashed.
And I know it’s not a popular thing to do, but I prefer to look at Cashman’s entire body of work instead of dwelling on the ones that didn’t pan out.
It’s over, whatcha gonna do? Can’t do anything about it, so it’s done. History.
“I think it’s valid to acknowledge that the end result of the Nady/Marte trade is bad for the Yankees.”
Maybe, but only if what they gave up comes back to bite them. So far, I haven’t seen that happen.
Quick question:
Who’s the best catcher in baseball?
It’s one of the Good Years, everything is working. It’s payback for last year. Thank the Baseball Gods and move on. All the old folks are playing very well. The pitching is awesome. The BP is otherworldly. Matsui and Damon are hitting out of their minds. Jeter is in the top three SS defensively, I kid you not. Guiterez drops a ball, we get a strike call from Buckner and Ichiro makes a baserunning mistake – all in one game. The Yankee offense disappears for large chunks of the last two games and they still win. The Seattle batters make even Mitre look good. It’s the Norns, I tell you.
The best catcher is Mauer by a mile
“I know that many Yankee fans hate to hear anything negative from the rest of the fanbase but what’s the problem with analyzing past trades that could have an effect on current and future team?”
I think that’s hyperbole! Most Yankee fans on this board have made some negative comments about the Yankees because that’s what fans do, but there is a certain segment of Yankee fans that live in negativity which is quite different than your assertion.
To further cheer up the locals – Texas had eight(8) stolen bases tonight against Penny/Varitek – Snikees.
Hang out? Sure.
I’ve been at the last two games, and I’ll be there tomorrow. I have yet to see the Yankees lose when I’m at the game, so here’s hoping the streak doesn’t end tomorrow.
1- i studied the video of ichiro’s attempted steal of third base last night. it seemed to me to be another case of the ball getting there before the runner, so he’s automatically out.
it certainly “appeared” in the video that alex actually tagged him “after” he had hit the base with his foot and thus was technically safe. apparently there was no big argument over this, (a la jeter’s 3rd base affair) so i reckon it just falls in with baseball tradition.
2- is there something special about wearing a thick chain around your neck? is this a NY yankee habit, a baseball player habit or something all USA folks are doing lately?
Bo Knows,
Boston actually leads the league in stolen bases against them with 110 on the season, and they have the worst caught stealing percent by far – 15%!
http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/t.....order/true
bardos,
IDK if it’s because I watch the Yankees exclusively, but I’ve noticed a lot of the Yankees wear heavy jewelry.
Funny thing, though, I noticed the other day that A-rod had a delicate book shaped pendant. He had just slid into a base, and he stood up. He yanked on the chain, and slipped it under his uni.
There are two generations of my family at a Blacked Eyed Peas concert. One of my daughters and my mother are there, but not together.
Totally irrelevant, I know. But I wish I was there.
Bardos,
The ball seemed like it got there about 25 minutes before Ichiro reached the bag, so I guess it is an example of the case you described.
Secondly, men have been wearing gold chains in this country for 40 years. I don’t know where you have been.
I am appalled. First, our backup catcher throws out one of the best base stealers in baseball. Then the yankees are 4-2 with their number 5 starter out there (who, without a catastrophic error against toronto, would have this team on a 12 game winning streak). Then the yankees have the nerve to attain the best home record and second best road record in the AL. The yanks are 23-6 since the break. How is this possible? They should be 29-0. I know, it’s all Girardi’s fault.
This winning is absurd. Fire Joe Girardi! This cannot stand any longer. How much longer can we sit around as fans as he continues to make the right moves. How do the Steinbrenners put up with him and his reckless win streaks.
(this is how ridiculous people sound when they’re calling for a manager’s head in may)
“Boston actually leads the league in stolen bases against them with 110 on the season, and they have the worst caught stealing percent by far – 15%!”
I know it’s easly to blame Varitek, but those Red Sox pitchers aren’t good at holding runners on and are very slow to the plate.
Ack. Black Eyed Peas.
M,
Have mercy on my weary mind. I don’t want to think about Will I Am and Fergie when I am disscussing Yankee baseball. Next thing you know we will be talking about Britney Spears new haircut.
Is the haircut that bad?
Can’t be as bad as her Sinead O’connor look.
Lol,
And you know what’s really sad. I bet she can pitch better than John Smoltz these days
The only thing I take away from the Marte/Nady trade at this point is that Cash shouldn’t employ a similar thought process in making a trade again.
Now back to 2009.
Even after this fantastic run we better not get rewarded by facing daddy aka the angels in round 1. I have to say this even though season is far from over…best yanks team since 98!!!
Okay this is how bored I am, checked out John Henry’s twitter page. No a tweet since late July, did they lose a game in extra innings with lots of things going wrong?
I remembered people mentioning his wife has an account, too. So I figured she’s one of the 6 people he follows. She’s a very nice looking young lady (emphasis on young), and quite chatty.
Two things, she tweeted a lot about Papi. Not Big Papi. Papi. Makes sense, though, wouldn’t she call her husband “Big Papi”?
Second, she spelled “Buchholz” wrong. I’m sure there’s a laptop joke in there somewhere.
Big Rob, You are absolutely right. As well as we are playing, it is very likely that the Angels will continue to beat us like a rented mule in the playoffs. It is depressing.
The Angels can suck it…if we are rolling they can’t touch us.
I’ll say this much, the only thing that could derail this team from running away with the AL East crown is an injury to a major contributor in the rotation like Sabathia, Burnett, or Pettitte.
I’m not even thinking about the postseason. That’ll come in due time.
Worry about getting to the postseason first. Focus on winning one game at a time.
’98 Revisited August 16th, 2009 at 3:45 am
Big Rob, You are absolutely right. As well as we are playing, it is very likely that the Angels will continue to beat us like a rented mule in the playoffs. It is depressing.
————-
Sounds like the Angels are in your head more than they are in the Yanks’ heads.
Maybe you should take a pill for that.
Good health = Great success!
Kudos to Mitre for pitching a solid game, but I’d give the belt to Robertson for those two crucial strikeouts with the bases loaded — outs that changed the tenor of the game and made it smooth sailing for the Yanks.
“How does Seattle have a winning record? This team stinks.”
========
I’ll address the question first…
-The fact that they have the lowest team ERA in the AL (despite pitching pretty poorly of late) has contributed pretty heavily to that winning record.
-Typically stellar outfield “D” (unfortunately, UNstellar last night) has contributed significantly to that low ERA
-Some great bullpen arms have contributed greatly to a record of 28-14 in one-run games
As for the comment….
The ‘team’ doesn’t stink – they just seem to be playing stinkily at the moment. Of course the fact that they lost both their all-star short stop AND their gold glove third baseman in the 14-inning game that immediately preceded this series with the Yanks has a bit to do with that.
Now, if you’d said “the offense stinks” – on that point, I would agree
Remember, this team lost 101 games last season.
Baby steps…
Relax, Abner Doubleday, I was commenting on the Ichiro play and their general ineptness the last three days. I know the stats.
m
“IDK if it’s because I watch the Yankees exclusively, but I’ve noticed a lot of the Yankees wear heavy jewelry.”
98 Revisited
“…men have been wearing gold chains in this country for 40 years. I don’t know where you have been.”
In post I was referring to thick, heavy dark-ish chains, they don’t appear to me to be gold, although i could be mistaken. Even Kevin Long was wearing one.
Re where i have been: Yes, I have noticed the gold chain thing. I have lived outside of the US for almost all of my adult life with occasional visits to the USA. It was the dark think chains which caught my attention and prompted my question to knowledgeable forum folks.
Congrats on the series win, Yank fans.
I’m hoping my M’s can salvage a win while I’m in attendance tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how Mr. Fister responds after his impressive starting debut vs. the White Sox last week. He didn’t get the victory (and neither did the M’s) but he did go six strong innings and only allowed one hit and zero runs.
Oh – a bullet point I forgot for the list in my previous post defending my “stinky” team …
-M’s only have a losing record against 5 teams:
NYY (duh!)
TEX (nothing new)
CLE (really?)
KCR (go figure)
So that means .500 or better vs. the likes of: LAA, LAD, BOS, CHW, DET, TB, MIN
It’s a damn shame that Wang had such a disastrous and forgetful season.
It would be hard to imagine how good this team would be if Wang was healthy pitching like vintage Wang.
Hell, even the 2009 version of Wang in June and early July would be an enormous upgrade over Mitre.
He was clearly progressing and pitching much much better before his shoulder crapped out on him.
Sigh.
Well, congrats on the series win Yankee fans.
Here’s hoping my guys can salvage a win tomorrow when I am in attendance.
Don’t let that 0-0, 0.00 ERA for Mr. Fister fool you
He actually made his ML starting debut last week vs. the White Sox. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the victory (nor did the M’s) but he did record 6IP – 1H – 0ER
Tabata still stinks.
ISOP of .089
doesn’t walk.
He is still young and can turn it around but he hasn’t yet.
Pete, apropos your comment about Mariano Rivera having 103 saves in his last 107 save opportunities (now 104 of 108), I thought you’d like to know that I am pretty sure that 104 of 108 is the third best streak ever with four blown saves.
Eric Gagne had 133 saves in 137 save opportunities from late 2002 to late 2007, with 100 saves in 102 save opportunities from 2003-2004.
Trevor Hoffman had 105 saves in 109 save opportunities from late 1997 to early 2000, with 93 saves in 97 save opportunities from 1998-1999.
The research is my own, but I am pretty sure I didn’t miss anyone.
Two more bits:
Mariano Rivera has converted his last 58 saves when he comes in for a 3 or fewer out save, 55 of which have been 3-out saves. I believe this is the second longest consecutive streak of converting saves of 3 outs or fewer. Eric Gagne converted 74 consecutive 3 or fewer out saves from late 2002 to early 2004.
Mariano Rivera has 114 saves of four outs or more, the most saves of four outs of more since Lee Smith recorded his 169th four or more out save in 1996. No pitcher who started his major league career in 1981 or later has as many as Rivera’s 114 saves of four outs.
btw ~
when Mo came in from the pen, I turned to the Yankee fan sitting beside me and said,
“The Mariners should have just let the Yanks score another run or two in the top of the 9th so they wouldn’t have to face Mo in the bottom of the 9th.”
Interesting tidbit: With Jeter’s homer last night there are noow 8 Yankees with 15 or more HR’s. Hot, Hot.
CompassRosy: You have been a great poster prior to and during this series. However, Joba is my favorite and I hope your presence at the game doesn’t jinx him !
We had planned to drive from deepest Idaho to Seattle to see Joba pitch. Then the rotation was changed so he would not pitch. Then changed again so he WOULD pitch on Sunday. Too late for us to plan the trip and it is about an 9 hour drive.
I love Molina catching Joba. He caught Joba’s win last year over Beckett in Boston 1-0 and caught him early in the season while Posada was on DL. I saw Molina’s RBI hit but left and did not see him throw out Ichiro. Must have been a good play. Molina is a keeper.
one of the semi-tough NYY front-office decisions this coming winter pertains to josé molina. letting him go is like giving him a ticket for Fenway Park.
come winter, the Sox will see their need and feel desperate for any defensive help behind the plate.
“Was that Biggy in the backround?”
yes, Juicy
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08.....184823.htm
Mariano Rivera q&a ^^^
Several Yankees are sporting blue and white necklaces that house titanium and are supposed to improve blood flow to joints.
“Relax, Abner Doubleday, I was commenting on the Ichiro play and their general ineptness the last three days. I know the stats”
LMAO
carl, it makes the weed stronger?
Deliver the fatal knockout blow in Fenway next weekend.
Rock legend Bob Dylan was treated like a complete unknown by police in a New Jersey shore community when a resident called to report someone wandering around the neighborhood.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.s....._bran.html
The police officer drove up to Dylan, who was wearing a blue jacket, and asked him his name. According to Woolley, the following exchange ensued:
“What is your name, sir?” the officer asked.
“Bob Dylan,” Dylan said.
“OK, what are you doing here?” the officer asked.
“I’m on tour,” the singer replied.
A second officer, also in his 20s, responded to assist the first officer. He, too, apparently was unfamiliar with Dylan, Woolley said.
The officers asked Dylan for identification. The singer of such classics as “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Blowin’ in the Wind” said that he didn’t have any ID with him, that he was just walking around looking at houses to pass some time before that night’s show.
——————————-
isn’t patrick in his twenties?
just kidding patrick
I would think that this has already been posted, but any way…SJs nephew Tony Sanchez was listed number one on BAs Prospect Hot Sheet for the week ending Aug 14.
http://www.baseballamerica.com.....68713.html
Congratulations and keep up the good work.
SJ if you had anything to do with his development, good job.
Randy I.-
The problem is Bob Dylan no longer looks like Bob Dylan
http://showclix.com/blog/wp-co.....-dylan.jpg
how cute is David Robertson Pete? i can’t believe this guy is a baseball player.. he should be a male model for fruit of a looms.
The reason most athlete’s wear the big heavy chains is because,it’s called a “Mr T Starter set,” a statement saying
They make a lot of money,see.
I can’t remember the last time we won 3 in a row on the start of a west coast trip (I am sure there are plenty of examples)…nicely done.
That being said, Seattle is sleepwalking. If they don’t get excellent pitching, their lineup and defense are very weak
A lot in this Saturdays Game:
Cano got a tough error in the 1st inning on a ball he had to charge with Ichiro running. But, the part that had me more ticked off was the laziness on Melky in CF. The groundball was hit on the 2nd base side of up the middle and was a fairly well hit medium chopper (so Cano was running hard toward 3rd base and had to field it on his backhand). When the ball went off his glove and dropped in the middle of SS, 2nd base and CF, Melky was caught flat footed instead of charging hard the whole way and it allowed Ichiro to easily get to 2nd base. Jeter didn’t move toward the ball either, but I blame Melky more for this. Either way, the entire idea of backing up is just in case something happens and it is simply lazy to not do it. The catcher runs down to first base on most grounders just to be close to the play in case a bad throw happens. The catchers do this even though most bad throws get down the right field line anyway…no excuse for Melky who may be sulking because he has been hitting terribly and needs a day off.
Mitre did pretty well (against a weak lineup), but had a bunch of infield hits against him that went off the plate. Jeter also could have turned two on a play but he held the ball.
If you remember I talked about first basemen and the way they field throws from pitchers and catchers and I don’t why they don’t take the throws just like they do from everyone else; stretching toward the thrower? I made this comment a few times in the blog where it didn’t hurt us, but in the 6th inning it did. Texiera didn’t stretch toward the thrower (in this case Mitre on a dribbler) and the runner was just barely safe. If Texiera stretches toward Mitre he is out and this gave the M’s bases loaded with one out instead of 2nd and 3rd and 2 out. To get a picture in your mind, Texiera has his left foot on the bag and his right foot is in the baseline from 1st to 2nd base instead of stepping his right foot forward and stretching. You lose at least 3 feet this way. Also, you can pick up a few inches if your right foot is on the bag and you stretch with your left foot forward (as a righty), but in this case it does limit your ability to field an errant throw and the few inches are not as important as 3 feet. I said it before, I just don’t get it.
Robertson did an excellent job coming in with bases loaded and 1 out and striking out Wilson on a fastball up and CENTERED on the plate. If that pitch was up and in or up and away he might not swing…big pitch and in the correct spot. The bullpen struck out 8 in 3 2/3 innings.
Thank you Seattle…your dropped fly to CF led to 4 runs and Ichiro’s inexplicable boneheaded play gave the Yankees the win. For those of you who didn’t catch this terrible play…The Yankees had been sitting on their 4-1 lead which was now 4-2 in the 7th inning. There were 2 outs and 1st and 2nd with their power hitting first baseman Russell Branyan is at the plate. Coke had fallen behind Branyan with 2 balls out of the strike zone (both curve balls). This is a critical pitch in the game. Coke has to try and come in with a strike and Branyan who has 27 HR’s will be looking to give Seattle a one run lead. Coke throws a fastball (as is expected) but the pitch is outside for ball 3, but Ichiro tries to steal 3rd and is easily gunned down by Molina to end the threat??? If I were a Seattle fan, my head would have exploded. This was one of the worst fundamental errors in judgment I have seen in some time.
Rivera was not sharp in either of these saves and I hope this funk with his arm goes away. A better hitting team would not let him get away with his lack of pin point accuracy he usually shows. To his credit, the Genius Maker found a way to save the two games, although saving a 3 run lead in the 9th is very easy to do.
7.5 up over the Red Sox is great.
Clearly, David Robertson and Phil Coke have made their bones in Girardi’s “circle of trust”.
Bruney is gaining, Aceves is there and of course Phil Hughes and the mighty Mariano.
The way Girardi has used them all is outstanding.
From Bardos: “1- i studied the video of ichiro’s attempted steal of third base last night. it seemed to me to be another case of the ball getting there before the runner, so he’s automatically out.
it certainly “appeared” in the video that alex actually tagged him “after” he had hit the base with his foot and thus was technically safe. apparently there was no big argument over this, (a la jeter’s 3rd base affair) so i reckon it just falls in with baseball tradition.”
You obviously didn’t study any video on this as it wasn’t even close as ARod tagged Ichiro and then slid the tag up his leg WAY beofre Ichiro touched the bag.
NJ Steve
“You obviously didn’t study any video on this as it wasn’t even close as ARod tagged Ichiro and then slid the tag up his leg WAY beofre Ichiro touched the bag.”
hard to say, really. the angle of vision is not all that good. as i said, it “appeared” to be a late tag. i could be wrong.
you be the judge:
http://web.yesnetwork.com/medi.....id=6124147
looks like the tag hit the knee before Ichiro’s foot hit the bag.
My head…gee I don’t know have you seen games the last 16 years when we play in anaheim… how we get murdered by lazy ground ball singles that add up to a 4 spot. The games all look like replays, I mean I feel like we should put the shift the other way on every batter. I had to stop listening to michael Kay on yes cause all he talks about is how the angels are the best at everything.. But the John and suZyn on the radio just keep telling you how the games look like a bad rerun. I don’t think is only my head!!! What pill are you taking
LOL Molina