Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Aug 23, 2009 
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A.J. Burnett, who once pitched well at Fenway Park, hasn’t this season. He and the Yankees were pummeled by the Red Sox yesterday.
Aces clash tonight as CC Sabathia faces Josh Beckett. This notebook also has an update on Johnny Damon.
As Derek Jeter approaches the final year of his contract, it’ll be a sticky situation for the Yankees.
I don’t think it will be as sticky as the press makes it out to be. He’ll do it quietly outside of the press and get something done that makes sense.
You know, everybody keeps saying how difficult the Jeter contract situation will be.
I have a different take.
Jeter always seems to have done the right thing.
People speculate that he wasn’t willing to go to CF (years ago) or 3b (when A-Rod came) – but I think that’s more bloggers with their own ideas on baseball rather than Yankees management ever asking DJ to move positions.
What’s to say that Jeter doesn’t sit down and make a fair contract with the Yankees?
Why does everyone assume he’s going demand huge dollars and many years?
Jeter also wants to protect his Yankees Legacy. That will play on his position.
I think the contact situation will work out well for both sides, with Jeter getting a very fair deal – at probably slightly more than he’d command as a free agent, but the Yankees also being able to pay him a bit more “reasonable” contract than his current salary.
My prediction – it will be a non-issue among Jeter and the Yankees if not in the papers and on the Internet.
I agree that the contract won’t be as sticky as the media thinks because despite some recent Jeter’s comments, I don’t think he wants to play into his 40′s. I see him playing five more years then calling it a career the year he turns 40 mid-season.
Here is my take. Jeter will do what he wants to do.
Jeter signs a 4 yr deal worth around 90 million .He’ll play shortstop for 2-3 more years and DH his final 2.See:Molitor
No problemo
Interesting the timing of his contract end will come very close to his achievement of 3000 hits. Jeter is the Yankees, but you have to expect him to start slowing down. I expect the Yankees and Jeter to get it done, it is waht the fans want.
The article is dead on in many regards. It is difficult because the Yanks are at Jeter’s mercy, even more so than they were to recent Yankees’ living legends. They will have to pay whatever Jeter’s price is and this season is only driving that price up. Unfortunately for the Yanks, they will end up with a 40 something Jeter that can no longer play SS at the end of the deal. If you want a sneak preview of that circumstance, see Jorge Posada in the very near future (although some would argue we are already seeing it).
He is a wealthy young man with much of his life ahead of him. I think legacy and future endorsements are more important than a Alex-like contract that no one can live up. Look for a two-three year deal with a one year option at ~$20M a year. Now if he stays healthy and productive and wants to go after 4000 hits – that will become interesting!
But more important for now is the season at hand – lets hope CC gives them a big game tonight.
It’s reached the point in his age where A.J. needs another pitch in his arsenal to keep hitters guessing. All the good pitchers have done it.
He might be better served to work on a good changeup on the days he has bullpen sessions before his next starts.
Boston needs shortstop who can hit.
Perhaps he wants to join Mr. Torre, the starlets, and the perfect weather in LA.
Looks like Rice is backtracking on his Jeter comments.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....BHeadlines
I have a funny feeling we’ll be 7.5 games up tonight. If that’s the case, the Sox are toast!
Jeter, as always, will do and say the right things. He will seek a fair contract and he will be rewarded.
So let’s see. What can we put out there to get people takling all day? How about something that will occur two years from now but concerns the Yankees most beloved player. Yeah, that’ll get them going!
But how about we gloss over something a lot more relevant or pretend it’s no big deal? Because it concerns one of “our” prize pigs – Jorge Posada?
“AJ Burnett had a fantastic record at Fenway Park and that likely played into the reasons the Yankees picked him up.
However, a disturbing trend cannot be ignored: New England’s living room has turned into A.J. Burnett’s electric chair. If he has to face the Red Sox in the ALCS in Fenway, that could fry the Yankees.
Matched against Japanese rookie right-hander Junichi Tazawa, Burnett never gave the Yankees a chance. He surrendered seven runs in the opening two innings and left after five having been spanked for nine runs and nine hits.
For the third straight game working with Jorge Posada, there were communication problems.
“He was shaking me,” Posada said of Burnett, who balked a run home in his last outing when he was confused as to what sign Posada flashed. “We weren’t on the same page. At times we were and at times we weren’t.”
It was Burnett’s third straight loss. He hasn’t won since July 27 and is 10-7.
The right-hander has been putrid at Fenway. When the Yankees gave Burnett $82.5 million, he was 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA in three Fenway starts. In three games this season, he is 0-2, has a ghastly 14.22 ERA and has given up 22 hits and 10 walks in 122/3 . Six of those hits are homers.”
This is the most relevant part of it, as far as I’m concerned:
“For the third straight game working with Jorge Posada, there were communication problems.”
“He was shaking me,” Posada said of Burnett, who balked a run home in his last outing when he was confused as to what sign Posada flashed. “We weren’t on the same page. At times we were and at times we weren’t.”
God forbid anyone “shakes” Posada. Mel pointed something out last night that now becomes so obviously correct but she was pilloried for it. Burnett said something in his press conference that showed an obvious contradiction – he praised Posada and said that Posada was not the problem; but then he mentioned that he thought that the pitcher needed to be 100% committed to the pitches he threw.
Couple that with Posada’s comment that Burnett was “shaking” him and Posada saying they weren’t on the same page – and then add in that Posada is a hot head and Burnett is prone to emotional meltdowns – and that Burnett has lost three games at Fenway, a place he used to own, if you think Jeter’s future contract is the most chat-worthy topic I would suggest that might not be the case.
I give the reporters a lot of credit because they were all over it last night. Pete, for my money, mentioned it but doesn’t see it as a big deal – but I think it’s could be for the same reason that in the past he’s been all over Arod like a cheap suit. Once he is “committed” to something there is no turning back. And he is unequivocally committed to Posada.
Not a problem, hey Pete? Three losses in Fenway by a pitcher who had under a 1.00 ERA there in the past. True, it’s only the Yankees season we’re talking about.
Let me say this – it is a BIG problem. And I have really gotten well beyond the “which one is the culprit” stage. If there is a problem, you correct it. And make no mistake, there is a problem. I am so tired of hearing that they can’t get on the same page. Neither can Jorge and Joba. Well find a way kids. Your little personality quirks affect the entire team.
I credit Girardi for a lot. I can only hope that he reads the papers – I have to believe he does – and pays attention to this. Because Pete doesn’t think it is a big deal really doesn’t take the day. It appears that Pete is in the minority of reporters here. Three losses at Fenway where the guy formerly owned the place says there’s a problem.
Pete merely follows the Yankees as a reporter. We love the Yankees as our team. I would say our interest in getting this fixed may be a lot more vested. Mine certainly is.
Trisha-
PLease go look at the game logs for AJ’s 5 wins in a row in July of this year. All were wins and all but 1 were caught by Posada. Also what about the August 22nd win at the STadium against the Red Sox. If we are talking about such a MAJOR issues explain how AJ won those games with Posada catching.
The way you talk it is as if Posada had absolutely nothing to do with calling the game in any of those wins and he only has something to do with AJ’s horrible losses in Boston.
To be fair let’s look at who was catching him in each of his losses this year: So is it K
POsada – Apr 25, June 9, June 20, AUgust 1, 17, 22
Molina, May 6
Cash – May 12, May 22
Less pressure with Toronto pitching at Fenway.
Hopefully AJ can curb his anxiety – he’ll need that ability for the postseason.
Posada’s got nothing to do with it.
Yanks 3 Boston 2 this evening.
Here we go again.
If Girardi reads the papers then he should be doing more constructive things to occupy his time then to read about what some paranoid writers and fans have to say about his team.
Also add the word “reactionary” to the paranoid comment.
“Looks like Rice is backtracking on his Jeter comments.”
‘Bout the only direction he could go on that one. The misquoted suggestion is a little funny. I don’t think there was any real malice there, but he was not misquoted. He misspoke. Big difference. He owns those remarks no matter what he meant. Next time Jim Ed, think before you speak.
“‘Bout the only direction he could go on that one. The misquoted suggestion is a little funny. I don’t think there was any real malice there, but he was not misquoted. He misspoke. Big difference. He owns those remarks no matter what he meant. Next time Jim Ed, think before you speak.”
Right, if he just admitted he misspoke about Jeter and didn’t mean to lump him into what’s wrong with today’s players then it would go away fast.
It seems Giambi is getting close to signing with Colorado. That could be interesting.
Abdababdaserser August 23rd, 2009 at 9:47 am
It seems Giambi is getting close to signing with Colorado. That could be interesting.
——————————————–
The Broncos need a good Tight-End
Abda:
Doubt Giambi is anything more than a left handed bat off the bench for the Rox. He’s certainly not going to play much 1B.
Gayle – I am not making this about Posada, I’m making it about the tandem. Seriously. It needs fixing. We can’t afford to have one of these “miscommunication sessions” coming at a critical time – which could happen. I realize AJ is a headcase. But then maybe Posada’s job is to learn how to massage it. I certainly don’t know. I only mention the problems Posada has had in the past with other pitchers because if you bring this up, people immediately seem to get defensive and want to circle the Posada wagons. Then we lose sight of the entire thing. How about this. If the fault resides 100% with Burnett, then Girardi needs to sit him down and get it figured out. My guess is that there is something to be said for both sides, regardless of the percentage of “wrong.” I think you know that I am not a forum knee jerker – actually the opposite. I don’t cry and complain over anything. So the few times I might see something as a problem – and it certainly has been noticed by a lot more than me here (and in the press), I think I might be on to something. All I am saying is, whatever the problem is Girardi needs to take control and fix it.
“If Girardi reads the papers then he should be doing more constructive things to occupy his time then to read about what some paranoid writers and fans have to say about his team.”
While I agree that Girardi shouldn’t concern himself with every-day fan upset, if there is something that appears to be problemmatic, I am sure he would want to take control of it. There isn’t a paper around (at least that I’ve seen so far; I haven’t read Pete’s account…) that hasn’t made mention of the “miscommunication problems” between Posada and Burnett. I don’t think you go on a game-by-game basis and keep your fingers crossed with this. You get to the bottom of it and fix it. My opinion.
We all have our own embarrassment sources I guess. Some people call huge score Yankee losses an embarassment. I don’t. I am never embarrassed by things that happen with games. These are the comings and goings of a season. But I sure am embarrassed by the fact that the best team in baseball has an apparent problem between its catcher and one or two of its catchers. I do not see that with any other team in baseball. If you know of one where the catcher and pitcher(s) have “miscommunication problems” to the extent that it is talked about in the press, please tell me about it. I think it would make me feel better at least by inches to know that that kind of nuttiness isn’t only being played out with the Yankees.
School will soon be in session
http://steinbrenner.mysdhc.org/HOME%20PAGE
“between its catcher and one or two of its catchers” should read “between its catcher and one or two of its pitchers”
“Gayle – I am not making this about Posada, I’m making it about the tandem.”
You could’ve fooled me. You’ve been ragging on Posada all summer long, but it’s not about him.
Trisha,
Why do you conveinently ignore AJ’s good starts with Posada and his ENTIRE career, which features these meltdowns and decide it has to be Posada to blame for any communication issues.
You did the same thing earlier in the year when you were convinced Posada was the reason for Joba’s struggles and Cervelli was a better fit to catch everyday.
For reasons written over and over on here, AJ Burnett has been a tough guy to catch for EVERYBODY his entire career.
I would put more weight on your, “Posada is a problem” belief if AJ has not had similar problems in Toronto and Florida.
When the same guy has similar issues in three different stops, with five different catchers, I tend to think it’s more a pitcher problem than a catcher problem.
So two thirds of Rice’s remark is what he meant to say and one third isn’t … and that fact only comes up AFTER he is confronted by sportswriters? No. IMO, Rice didn’t misspeak. He knew the tape was rolling, he knew what he was saying and that everybody was paying attention. Look, Rice thinks Jeter is “overrated,” hence the comment.
There are a lot of arrogant idiots who play baseball (and write about baseball – Mr. Lupica), just like there are a lot of arrogant idiots who are lawyers and doctors. The fact that Rice had Jeter’s name in his head along with the other two says it all. He just doesn’t think he can be challenged about his baseball pronouncements now that he’s in the HOF. Turn the page.
Statistics and baseball. Friday night there is an insane outburst of offense from both clubs – 31 runs. Last night, there are 14 runs put up by Boston with 13 of them coming with 2 outs. One game is a small sample, obviously, and it’s a snapshot in time only. But it does beg a question. I’d love to know when the last time was that a team scored 13 runs on 2 outs in one game and what those games might have in common: probably nothing really, but it’d be worth a look.
Burnett is hard to figure. He loses focus and lets games blow up, without being able to make in-game corrections. But it’s a matter of degree and different from Bruney Friday night who just seemed not to be really trying. Bruney, live arm and all, got released before the Yankees picked him up. It wasn’t his weight, it was his head.
A win today and it’ll be nearly impossible for the Sox with their pitching to catch up. Go Yanks.
Manny has an opt-out clause at the end of the season and of course Boras (Mr. Opt-Out) is his agent.
I’m surprised writers haven’t been hitting that angle (will Manny opt-out), yet they’re already talking about Jeter and next year’s spring training side-show.
Gayle – Posada has caught the majority of games since the ASB and the Yankees have won most of those games. So this isn’t about Posada not being a good catcher. This is about perhaps personality issues ? between two players that end up potentially having a deleterious affect on the game.
I like to see problems fixed is all.
I don’t see it as a problem in the sense that Girardi can’t juggle the postseason rotation to insure that Burnett pitches at home, where he seems to pitch best. I personally don’t think fenway will be involved in the psotseason anyway. JMO. But you don’t let these things fester.
Anyway, I’m on my way to church, where I am sure I will get the proper perspective again about baseball and life and feel much better about everything. That said, I still see this is a problem that needs fixing.
Alex is the most high-maintenance star in the game? Well, he’s in the top 5, but there’s a guy named Manny who has a lock on the top spot. At least Alex plays hard, and not just when he feels like it.
Girardi and Eiland talk to them after every start.
In Oakland, AJ actually forgot the signs in his windup and balked in a run.
That’s AJ. You take the good with the bad.
If he could change, he would have already.
“Trisha,
Why do you conveinently ignore AJ’s good starts with Posada and his ENTIRE career, which features these meltdowns and decide it has to be Posada to blame for any communication issues.”
It’s Trisha. She always does that, hand picks certain things to bolster her point of view and ignores all else.
When A.J. pitch,Yankees invariably can’t get any score for him.
Poor A.J.
The problem of Yankees is still hitting.
The hitters of Yankees have enough power to defeat mediocre or clumsy pitchers,but often fail to face outstanding or unfamiliar pitchers,and easy to get dizzy with success.
It seem difficult for Yankees to win the championship this year,because they will face opponents’s excellent pitchers absolutely.
“SJ44 August 23rd, 2009 at 10:04 am
Girardi and Eiland talk to them after every start.
In Oakland, AJ actually forgot the signs in his windup and balked in a run.”
It makes me wonder if AJ has attention deficit disorder. That might explain things with him. He wouldn’t be the first person to have it and yet go undiagnosed for all these years.
Trisha,
You have it in for Posada. It’s clear you can’t stand the guy. We get it.
At this point, that’s all I can guess. Because you’re argument is a very flawed one.
Burnett has melted down three times at Fenway this year. He’s been ghastly.
He throws two pitches, fastball and curve. Burnett thought his curve was working yesterday and it was apparent to everyone in America it wasn’t.
The Red Sox crushed his curve all day. That’s on A.J., not Posada.
Again, Burnett has done this his entire career. In Florida, in Toronto.
He’s pitched his best this year with Posada behind the plate. Yet, you ignore this to prove a point you know you can’t prove.
I know one thing: while a Yankee-Red Sox ALCS would be entertaining, I would not want to see A.J. Burnett pitch a “must win” game in Fenway.
One word can sum up his efforts this year in Boston: blech.
If this game gets rained out, which is a possibility, then this could be made up as part of the next Yanks – Red Sox homestand end of September.
Keep the lead above 4.5 games until then.
If certain pitchers tend to get a lack of run support, it might be on the pitchers. Moose didn’t get a lot of run support. He tended to take a lot of time between pitches. That also affects fielding.
Did Swisher hit a fastball or slider out off Bard last night?
Trisha:
AJ’s 12 starts before yesterday featured a 6-3 record (team record 9-3) and an ERA of 2.59. Posada was the catcher in 11 of those starts. That sound like a problem? Like I said yesterday, Posada is always Posada. AJ can be anywhere from Bob Gibson to Sergio Mitre. Yesterday he was Mitre. Prior to yesterday, he had a heck of a run, shaving 1.2 runs off his ERA. Posada was his wingman for over 90% of that run.
Abdababdaserser August 23rd, 2009 at 10:10 am
“SJ44 August 23rd, 2009 at 10:04 am
Girardi and Eiland talk to them after every start.
In Oakland, AJ actually forgot the signs in his windup and balked in a run.”
It makes me wonder if AJ has attention deficit disorder. That might explain things with him. He wouldn’t be the first person to have it and yet go undiagnosed for all these years.
——————————————
could just be elevated anxiety. which can be brought on by something as simple as nicotine and caffeine use. For example, if were going to do presentation at work, even a low stress event, I wouldn’t recommend doing a double latte.
Uh oh according ,to nesn.com,Papelbon has likened bringing Wagner to the RS,to the Gagne movel.The bull pen isn’t happy.
JETER is the face of the Yankees,professional image and great PR appeal,the Yankees know his love of the game and the New York Yankees.They will do right by him,he’s the favorite son.
Given AJ and what seems to be his personality, he had this head issue with Fenway this year. It isn’t the Sox. That doesn’t mean he can’t overcome the problem there.
Is AJ pitching Thursday? I think that is his next start.
I love when sanity wins the day around here. Good job, everyone.
Expect to see Yankees hitter have the power to defeat Beckett.
“So two thirds of Rice’s remark is what he meant to say and one third isn’t …”
Actually, he backtracked on Alex too.
AJ and Posada are similar players. Both have noticeable holes in their games, yet both are high yield players.
AJ is a two-pitch pitcher who is prone to bouts of instability because he’s got few options to go to if the curve isn’t working or he can’t locate the fastball. Yesterday AJ said he was throwing pitches without conviction. Leiter talks about it all the time, he’d rather have a pitcher throw the wrong pitch with conviction than throw the right pitch half-heartedly. But when AJ is on it’s sometimes lights out. And lets not forget that it’s the first year Po and AJ have worked together.
Po on the other hand is not the best defensive catcher although I do not for a minute ever doubt his will to win or to improve and he’s still doing it offensively at an advanced baseball age. He’s a good catcher, just not the best defensively.
As SJ said, you take the good with the bad as to each player. They need to work something out so AJ is not throwing pitches he does not believe in.
Tunnel Man, when you can’t remember which sign was put down a few seconds after you just agreed to it, it seems like much more than just anxiety. Nicotine and caffeine can heighten ADD tendencies as well.
I’m not at all concerned about this. Look at AJ’s history and he’s going to give you a handful of horrible starts each year. The key is to not have a string of them. He doesn’t go from dominant at Fenway to fear of pitching there. It’s just three lousy starts.
I thought he threw some excellent changeups in his last start but not sure he threw any yesterday.
I sure hope they still have 13 pitchers on the roster today. With Damon gimpy a two-man bench is more than adequate, right? Coke pitched once this week (3 pitches), Hughes pitched once (18) and Mariano pitched once (7). Yet they have Hinske in LF and Molina at 3B? bizarre
AJ is in a bit of a slump, which is why it appears he’s not working well with Jorge. He’s been terrific for much of the year………and Jorge was behind the plate. AJ needs to get back on the beam and then everything will be fine.
This, I think, is a very fair article:
http://www.newsday.com/columni.....-1.1387977
” “So two thirds of Rice’s remark is what he meant to say and one third isn’t …”
Actually, he backtracked on Alex too.”
True. IMO, it shows he’s even more of a clown.
Like Alex, Rice should let his career do the talking. To speak without adequate reflection and name names in a very public setting in the backdrop of an important Sox-Yankee weekend is to invite scrutiny and criticism, both of which Rice earned. Jim Rice: Ready, Fire, Aim.
Hinski in Left is not all that fun to watch.
At least not if you are a Yankee fan.
I personally don’t think you can draw a lot of conclusions from single melt down games.
They happen every season with every team. It is true that AJ has done poorly this year at Fenway, but one way of looking at it is that the Sox bats were overdue. In the last month the Sox offense has been woeful and they were due for a game like that.
I hate to admit it but clearly the Yankees have a stronger team right now than the Sox. I think the Sox gained a false sense of confidence early in the season with Tex’s slow start and Arod not playing.
I think the Sox will win the wild card and then we will see what happens.
Nothing to do with fear of pitching at Fenway ,more to do with not being able to pitch under pressure.Burnett folded in 3 starts at Fenway.It happens to be in an almost playoff type atmosphere ,you can’t just dismiss it as 3 lousy starts.
“Tunnel Man, when you can’t remember which sign was put down a few seconds after you just agreed to it, it seems like much more than just anxiety.”
Can’t say you are wrong. But AJ hasn’t pitched in an important game in years, not since the Marlins. This weekend arguably is the most pressure he’s faced in a long time. ADD or nerves, I’m going with the more obvious: Nerves.
I don’t see there being a real issue with Jeter and his contract. I’m sure the people in the media will blow it up and make it seem like a huge deal, but that is their job and nobody does that better than the NY media.
“Nothing to do with fear of pitching at Fenway ,more to do with not being able to pitch under pressure.Burnett folded in 3 starts at Fenway.It happens to be in an almost playoff type atmosphere ,you can’t just dismiss it as 3 lousy starts.”
Yet AJ matched if not outpitched Beckett in such playoff type atmospheric game.
The games at Yankee Stadium had more pressure on the Yankees and AJ than these games this weekend.
Rice’s comments should be a cautionary tale for Gossage.
Lately he seems to think entry into the HOF also gave him entry in Mensa.
Actually A.J. never pitched in post season before having missed most of the 2003 season
“But AJ hasn’t pitched in an important game in years, not since the Marlins.”
Before this season, he’s never pitched in an important game.
Trisha, I thought your above post was the best written post I have ever seen here. I for the life of me do not understand why it seems you are standing alone on an island with your thoughts?
There was much more pressure in his last start against Boston and he was superb. some of you make me wonder….
As for Jeter my guess is a two or three year extension in the off-season with an A-Rod like “bonus” for 3,000 hits. Though three years from now they may need three infielders on the left side!
AJ has changed as much as he can – to his credit. He’s worked hard, he’s changed his routine (and now he’s healthy for two straight years – he hasn’t had so much as an ache or a pain this yaer) and he’s just a plain old better pitcher than he used to be. It’s not easy to do after you’ve been set in your ways – he’s 32, not 22 – so give him credit. That said, human nature is human nature. Part of what makes AJ good is his emotional nature, but that also is part of what makes him inconsistent. AT this point in his career, he has to work around that……..and you accept that, like you accept every players flaws and quirks.
It’s not that AJ isn’t trying out there or that he has a badf attitude or that he doesn’t want to pitch well -as Murphydog said, this isn’t Bruney out there – but he’s just sometimes his own worst enemey.
That said, let’s not overreact. AJ has had a few bad starts, but overall, he’s been very good……he’s given the Yankees plenty of quality innings and provided a nice 1-2 punch behind CC.
“Trisha, I thought your above post was the best written post I have ever seen here. I for the life of me do not understand why it seems you are standing alone on an island with your thoughts?”
Maybe because you’re a Sox fan, you want to think the worse case scenario between AJ and Posada so of course, you agree with her.
Folding under pressure? LOL Yesterday was a pressurized game? Sure – AJ has never come through this year. He pitched terribly against Beckett at home recently, he pitched awful against Tampa in the first game of that series a few weeks ago (on the road)……etc…..I don’t think I need to go on – people just want to make things up based on a bad game that they are upset about.
Cash is King…nope sorry…wrong again, but thanks for playing.
There is a clear problem with those two, who knows why, but to ignore it is a bit silly no? But hey whatever gets you thru the day.
Murphy, I have to disagree with you. How was yesterday’s game any sort of big game or pressurzied atmosphere? I don’t think it’s nerves at all…..
But hey whatever gets you thru the day.
………………….
a 6 1/2 game lead gets most Yankee fans through the day (most of us w/smiles on our faces)
I would like to think the Yankees organization would never let Jeter’s contract turn into a messy affair. If they tarnish Jeter, they tarnish themselves. But then I remember the Bernie Williams negotiations in 1998/1999 when, as I understand it, the organization talked down Bernie’s abilities to the point where Bernie (being the sensitive guy he is) was ready to run to Boston in tears. Now, Scott Boras was involved so there’s a good chance it wasn’t all sweetness and light on Bernie’s side of the negotiations either. But the point is, nobody came off looking good. I realize this is a tough business, but I hope everyone involved has learned from that mistake.
Don’t over anaylze AJ with psychobabble. Next thing you will want to put him on drugs. Jeez. He pitched a bad game. It happens. Ask anyone who has played the game.
I agree Betsy. Like I said he pitched a lousy game. Time to move on… Tonight would be a great game to win.
JJ You are correct.The Yankees pounded Penney who as it seems, was one more bad start away from losing his spot in the rotation.The RS hammered the #2 Yankee starter that will be used in the post season.
Where were the Bats,even when the Yankees won 20 -11 the RS still hit and tried to come back.The Yankees just rolled over and played dead.in two games the Rs scored 25 runs,the Yankees
21.
No matter how you try to dismiss the game as just one loss.You have awaken the fight in the RS.If they make it to post season,all the it’s just one game,cap tippin,will be in their favor.
This season they own the Yankees,and will have home field advantage if they meet up.AJ can’t pitch(at least) this year in Fenway.
So instead of fighting yesterday,against the RS mid season call up pitcher,who shut down the Yankees offense,the Yankees bats went silent.
As a fan it’s hard to admit the RS had a more impressive win against AJ,compared to the Yankees beating Penny,because the sux did fight back.
It is a concern that we got AJ cuz he killed the sox, and in 3 games at Fenway he has sucked. This needs to change or we have a problem.
Ok, Hugh, whatever you say…..
“Murphy, I have to disagree with you. How was yesterday’s game any sort of big game or pressurzied atmosphere? I don’t think it’s nerves at all…..”
IMO a series when you can let the Sox back into the race or put them away is pressurized. It’s not just another game or weekend series in enemy territory. Any Yankee Sox game is pressurized. But forget the sox-yankee issue.
AJ was being slapped around and couldn’t recover. It wasn’t a game where he said he had “nothing,” where he was just “off.” He thought his curveball was good and he said he threw pitches without conviction. It’s only one game. But it points out a problem with a two-pitch pitcher who still hasn’t figured out how to make enough in-game corrections to keep a game from going down the toilet when he’s grinding it.
hugh get a life..
yanks are 31 game above 500, damon and gardner will be back… sept 1 callups in about 5 days…
http://www.northjersey.com/spo....._page.html
This is totally unfair to AJ – Klapisch is dead wrong:
But he’s so far been unable to navigate through his off-days, when the fastball is below-par or the curveball rolls instead of drops. That’s when Burnett
**The whole article is a joke. AJ was upset with himself, which is why he gestured and got upset on the mound. Why does it have to be that he was upset with his catcher? Then, he insinuates that the Yankees and Girardi have serious questions about this guy – when AJ has had a terrific year.
Wow.
We’ll have to agree to disagree, Murphy – and there have been plenty of games this year where AJ has grinded it out. One game does not blot out the rest of the year.
All this AJ-Posada talk reminds me of Beckett’s last outing on Tuesdeay.
Beckett stuck up the joint, giving up 7 runs in 5 innings to a demoralized Toronto. Everyone in Boston immediately jumped on Martinez, saying he called a bad game.
The very next night, Doc Halladay got yanked after yielding 5 runs, 2 homers, and 100 pitches in 5 innings.
Moral of the story: if Beckett and Halladay can stink up the joint in low pressure situations on consecutive nights, so can AJ.
It really didn’t help having Hinski playing left yesterday. He really had no clue as to how to play off the monster.
baseballfab,if the post season games are played in Fenway AJ has some kind of mental block there.We have a problem with ignoring bad outings against teams they have to beat.
Some teams that beat the Yankees,like the Nationals or Seattle,Toronto,Oakland,et al ,won’t get a play off berth.
The RS aren’t in that category,they are a must win the series
team.
I do not see a contract longer than 3 years for Jeter. The economic environment we live in is totally different than when Rodriguez signed his contract. Here are a few reasons why.
1: The Yankees have $40m worth of debt service on the Stadium Bonds.
2: The forecasted ticket sales and dollar amount per ticket, are not what was projected.
3: The value of teams has declined (Can you imagine LESS than a billion for the Cubs AND WRIGLEY FIELD? (Wrigley is a cash cow because it is always sold out).
4: Hal is running things NOT Hank.
5: People have less disposable income than before. Including taxes being raised in NY State (And likely nationally as well.
6: 9.5% unemployment rate.
In addition, we say an example of these cutbacks with a draft budget for the first time, and forcing teams who want to deal with the Yankees pick up player contracts (See Eric Hinske).
Those are the reasons why Jeter will NOT get a monster contract.
“Everyone in Boston immediately jumped on Martinez, saying he called a bad game.”
Everyone but Beckett, who was quick to remind the masses that Martinez successfully caught the AL’s last two Cy Young winners.
FWIW, all of Beckett’s start on Tuesday, and all his starts going forward are anything but low pressure situations. May not be two more guys under more pressure to win than Beckett and Lester right now.
Oops.
Should read “Beckett’s start on Tuesday and all his starts going forward….”
“This season they own the Yankees,and will have home field advantage if they meet up”
points at Hugh and laughs.
what a dunce.
hey genius, home field advantage goes to the team with the best overall record. if they are tied, THEN head-to-head comes into play.
why post on a baseball site if you obviously have a less-than-average baseball i.q.?
See it how you will in being 31 games over 500.They don’t beat the RS and Angels.Two teams they have to get past,if they want to play in the WS.
Stick with the stats,but look at those stats too(losses to RS and Angels this yr).The Yankees must win series against the RS and the Angels.
If CC is dominant today it’s a series win great,if not it’s 10 losses to the RS.
“Two teams they have to get past,if they want to play in the WS.”
Actually, they will only need to get by ONE of those teams.
Move over Jim Pir-one, lohud has a new village idiot.
Wow you people are STILL talking about Burnett and Posada? It’s a non-story, get over it already.
They “don’t beat the Red Sox or Angels”?
Won the series at home against the Angels and have beaten the Red Sox 5 of the last 6 games.
Try again. This time, try actually writing something that makes sense.
May be a stretch for you but, try anyway.
I’m not an ESPN Insider, but Buster Olney has an article addressing the Jeter – Rice comments. Olney defends Jeter, but I couldn’t read the bottom of it.
A.J.’s problems are not Posada’s fault. His problems are to be blamed on one man, and one man only. Who is this man? Well, you guessed it, Frank Stallone!
http://content.answers.com/mai.....6J26G5.jpg
Betsy needs to call AJ’s people and get on the payroll.
His mother doesn’t defend him as much as her.
Patrick, the media is making it a story…..and then when you read garbage from Klapisch, it just makes you roll your eyes. Lies and exaggerations…….lol.
ESPN is a joke website – you have to be an INSIDER to read 95% of their articles.
NYYanksFAN, and you need a seeing eye dog as you are apparently blind……..
Moral of the story: if Beckett and Halladay can stink up the joint in low pressure situations on consecutive nights, so can AJ.
============
Low pressure?
Not for Mr. Beckett.
Halladay yes, and, to a certain extent, even AJ, who’s not unaware of the house money we have to play with.
Halladay’s season is over.
Beckett’s team is scratching and clawing to keep their heads above water.
Ichiro is awesome:
As Suzuki nears a record ninth straight season of 200 hits, he seems little concerned with how his unique approach is embraced by a society that digs the long ball.
“Chicks who dig home runs aren’t the ones who appeal to me,” he said. “I think there’s sexiness in infield hits because they require technique. I’d rather impress the chicks with my technique than with my brute strength. Then, every now and then, just to show I can do that, too, I might flirt a little by hitting one out.”
Indeed, his 30 home runs to lead off a game is tied for 10th in a career.
link: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08.....gewanted=1
I see just fine without AJ colored glasses.
He’s earned the praise when he’s good but deserves the criticism when he’s not.
That’s what comes with being a major league player.
You act like people are trying to hurt his feelings.
It’s not personal. It’s critique of his performance and yesterdays wasn’t good.
Have a nice day.
I’ve no idea what you are talking about NYY, because you aren’t reading my posts. I really don’t know how many ways to say that AJ had a bad game……and that I was disappointed.
“We’ll have to agree to disagree, Murphy – and there have been plenty of games this year where AJ has grinded it out. One game does not blot out the rest of the year.”
We don’t disagree all that much really. I’m not saying AJ is a bad pitcher, or that yesterday’s game blots out the rest of the season. I’m happy he’s on the team. It’s just that to me, AJ’s bad days are based on being a two pitch pitcher and not having a lot to work with when pitches #1 and # 2 aren’t going well.
it has to be on burnett.
burnett looked great with posada lately & gets unraveled once things start going bad & cant get it back.
his pitches are good enough to get anybody out if placed properly.
no way a pitcher like burnett against a japanese industrial league pitcher should let this game be over from pitch one.
NYYanksFan & Betsy should get a room.
This is totally off-topic, but I read that Jeter, A-Rod, Kate, Ortiz, Pedroia, Damon and his wife were out together last night having dinner together at Big Papi’s restaurant. Would have loved to have been a fly on that wall…
Yanks will give Jeter 3 or 4 years at about $20 million per. ( AROD’s contract is absurd ). I don’t think they want Derek to go to the Dodgers, which is about the only team I think he would consider with the possible exception of the Angels, because of the DH role he may have to assume.