The magic number is …
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Sep 14, 2009 
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Let me tell you, it took a long to find a shot of Andy Phillips’ back.
The Yankees (93-52) now lead the Angels (86-57) by six games in the quest for home-field advantage. Tonight had the feel of a playoff game, didn’t it?
Three things that struck me about this game:
• Mark Teixeira looks ready for postseason pressure. He was 3 for 4 with two RBI and several nice plays in the field. His presence really changes the balance of power.
• That play by Derek Jeter in the seventh inning was perhaps the best play he has made over the middle in several years.
• Brett Gardner is a serious weapon off the bench. And Joe Girardi is already talking about Freddy Guzman like he’ll be there for the first round.
Here’s where facilities make a difference: Gardner told us that starting around the sixth inning, he was looking at video clips of the Angels relievers and how they held runners, whether they had pickoff moves, etc. He was literally watching tape of Darren Oliver a few minutes before he took the field.
The new Stadium has a state-of-the-art video room that is literally two steps from the dugout entrance. After a while, little things like that add up.
Come on Pete-
You couldn’t find a shot of Wade Boggs on the back of the horse????
Quick thought about this game…
I think Girardi may have inadvertently broken the curse of the Angels. Removing Tex in that situation is pretty much indefensible, but it’s a move that Mike Scoscia WOULD make, and it worked. So the Yankees beat the Angels at their own oddly lucky brand of baseball. I think this bodes well for potential playoff series.
William: Not until the Angels are beaten in Anaheim.
All we proved is what we already knew: the Yankees can claw and scratch out a win vs. the Angels in the Bronx. Now let’s do it in Los Angeles of Anaheim.
dennis-Costanza
September 14th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
GB7,
LOL.
I hear you. I do hope for a Sox/NNY ALCS. That will be electric as well as I can sell a few seats to make some $ to offset my playoff ticket purchase.
Hope all is well with you.
Bronx Jeers.
First, I enjoy your posts. Also, I agree, I think we are headed in that direction.
-dennis
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Yeah, electric. As gut wrenching, interesting, often times historic and fun, I think I’d rather have a seat in Sing Sing’s electric chair. Anyway, best of luck to the rest of your other teams. I have no rooting interests in those sports.
I am looking forward to getting together with PAT M, you and Ms amy. I’ve already told PAT that we could talk with, gawk at, and even drool around Amy, as long as we did it at another table. We understand that she has style and breeding, though, she must have slipped into a coma on at least one day.
Hard to believe people actually believe in curses in the first place – much less breaking the so-called curse by installing his speediest base runner in the game and letting him do what he does best – run like the wind.
It’s easy to tell Pete has only been following the Yankees for a few years. Andy Phillips? How about Boggs on the horse?
you mean you couldn’t find a picture of Joel Skinner? Ron Bloomberg? Dave Revering? Ron Hassey? Torey Lovullo? Denny Neagle when Torre took him out in the middle of the inning so Cone could face Piazza in Game 4 of the 2000 World Series?
nice note on the video room. good stuff.
and just because my simple mind still doesn’t get it – why is Mitre still here? I’d rather take my chances with Towers. Nevermind Tomko (who shut out the Rangers tonight) was never given a chance but Mitre gets chance after chance.
how come no love for Wade Boggs?
“Erica – always OPPC
September 14th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Come on Pete-
You couldn’t find a shot of Wade Boggs on the back of the horse????”
I’m just thankful he didn’t use Tom Brady….
or a pic of Tom Brady in that Yankee hat. I can live with that
The new Stadium has a state-of-the-art video room that is literally two steps from the dugout entrance. After a while, little things like that add up.
I trust the visitor dug out does NOT have the same?
Even though the homer record at the old Yankee Stadium was surpassed tonight with eight more games to played at home, I don’t think the new Yankee Stadium is the launching pad that the MSM tried to tag it with. If you make quality pitches, you can succeed there and it’s nowhere near as bad as Coors Field.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....index.html
post season magic number Mickey Mantle
im waiting for the chuck knoblaugh (sp?) pic
Patrick Swayze dies at 57
Man, there has been a lot of celebrity deaths this year.
Pancreatic cancer.
Guiseppe,
The “curse” comment was supposed to be tongue-in-cheek.
Also, you make it sound like inserting Gardner was a good idea–but no matter how fast he is, Napoli’s throw beat him by at least 5 feet, probably closer to 10. The only good thing about Girardi’s move there was that it “put pressure on the defense”, which is a baseball neologism meaning “a ridiculously misguided, aggressive baserunning play that miraculously happened to work”.
I”m waiting for Billy Martin/Bobby Murcer one.
Even though Alex treats the film room like a monastery, I thought Pete said the video room never got used? Was that in the old stadium?
soriano?
It turned out to be a great sports day for me. Thrilling wins by Del Potro, the Yankees, and the Patriots. Was MNF on in the press box, Pete? Just watch the last 5 minutes, the rest was rubbish as a defensive touchdown by the Bills, a defense with no Mayo, and a dink and dunk offense had them behind the whole game.
Hopefully tomorrow we skip right to the Scooter
eric September 14th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
im waiting for the chuck knoblaugh (sp?) pic
————————————————
I’m waiting for Billy Martin!
I love when Pete, from his bird’s eye view in the press box, lectures Captain Clutch on baseball strategy.
I wonder if Pete has some pointers for him on how to get with the ladies, too.
GB7.
I look forward to it as well. I really like Pat M’s posts so I look forward to meeting him as well. Amy is not only easy on the eyes but a very kind person which is more important IMO.
I out kicked my coverage hooking up with Amy!
Quick story.
We met 15 years ago (married for 10) at a pub. When people over the last 15 years asked how we met I joked we met in the Peace Corps…(instead of saying a bar)I always told the truth after and got a laugh..That ended last summer when I said that to a couple here on the island that met in the Peace Corps in Sudan as they were both building water stations.
Really awkward moment. I set the land speed record to get a gin and tonic!
Congrats on a great Yankee win today.
-dennis
You’re right Randyhater. Next thing you know Pete will be telling Damon how many outs there are from his perch in the press box.
One thing struck me about this game.
Both teams sacrificed and both times it lead to runs. I’d like to see the stats on bunting because all the stats I’ve seen are too general to use to draw any conclusions. All runners on base situations are not the same. It strikes me that some people are like Earl Weaver and some people more like Dick Williams. No one way is always right or always wrong and I’d prefer and offense that’s adaptable versus one that only waits for the relatively rare big inning.
off topic but does anyone know why boston gets their own espn website like they are special or somthing?
Has anyone sat in the bleachers at NYS? I’m going to my first game this year and I was wondering what it’s like out in RF.
dennis-Costanza
September 14th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
GB7.
I look forward to it as well. I really like Pat M’s posts so I look forward to meeting him as well. Amy is not only easy on the eyes but a very kind person which is more important IMO.
I out kicked my coverage hooking up with Amy!
Quick story.
We met 15 years ago (married for 10) at a pub. When people over the last 15 years asked how we met I joked we met in the Peace Corps…(instead of saying a bar)I always told the truth after and got a laugh..That ended last summer when I said that to a couple here on the island that met in the Peace Corps in Sudan as they were both building water stations.
Really awkward moment. I set the land speed record to get a gin and tonic!
Congrats on a great Yankee win today.
-dennis
————————————————————
LMAO. Great story, Dennis. I don’t suppose that I’d have much luck using that line, either. I would try the old “I’m a deep sea treasure hunter”, but, around here, that could get tricky if they really are and want to go diving. Just my luck, because I can’t swim. They would figure that out when my body washes up on shore, though.
jay,
They’re the second city (lol) so far. Chicago was the first. Would’ve made sense to make Boston the first city since they’re the heart of ESPN nation. And Chicago’s known as the second city.
William,
A lot of people here actually believe in curses.
If you’ve been reading LoHud for awhile, you know what kind of insanely crazy theories people here come up with.
What I saw tonight was just another example of this team’s ability to beat anyone regardless of what kind of game they play – pitcher’s duels, slugfests, bullpen vs. bullpen, NL small ball, etc, etc.
It’s why I don’t fear any of the Yanks’ potential playoff opponents.
I caught the last inning on Fox West, and after the game they talked about how it was a duel between the two managers. And the double steal was the difference in the game. I hope we win a lot more games, so Girardi can win MOY in only his second year in the AL.
Hey Mel.
Good Pats win. It is all about the long snapper.
Hope you are well.
-dennis
m
September 14th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
I caught the last inning on Fox West, and after the game they talked about how it was a duel between the two managers. And the double steal was the difference in the game. I hope we win a lot more games, so Girardi can win MOY in only his second year in the AL.
————————————————————
I’m betting on Ron Washington getting that award.
off topic but does anyone know why boston gets their own espn website like they are special or somthing?
*****
I’m still wondering how it’s any different than regular espn.com
I was at the game tonight. Not sure if it was reported but Teix was pissed that the 3rd base coach held him up on that triple. It seemed like he would have made it easy. He gave him a stern talking to. Pretty fun little side thing in the game. Probably one of the only chances he’ll ever have for an inside the parker.
dennis,
How did he look?
GB7,
GRRR. Girardi’s managing all that star talent. Wasn’t that what Torre was known for?
saucY,
It’s like a one stop shop for sports news. If you live in Chicago, you can set the chicago espn page for your home page. That way you get Chicago-centric news instead of the other headlines & highlights.
Pretty cool if it’s your city, but understandably underwhelming if your city doesn’t have a page. They’re planning 6 or so? Probably: Chicago, Boston, LA, NY, Dallas, Miami?
Noseeum, I hate to tell you this, but Teix was upset because the catcher hit his bat on the swing, not because of the stop sign.
saucy September 14th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
off topic but does anyone know why boston gets their own espn website like they are special or somthing?
*****
I’m still wondering how it’s any different than regular espn.com
I think they are “eyeing” NY to do the same.
I thought the Patriots were cursed NY those throw back uniforms. (they were horrible when they wore those, right?)
Tex was griping all the way from home plate. Probably would’ve been waved home if he wasn’t signaling over his back the whole way around.
just got home from the game – it was A LOT of fun – the Gardner/A-rod double steal was VERY reminicent of the Justin Christain/Melky double steal…same situation (i believe) and same result!!!
M,
I was attempting a joke about espn.com only reporting on Boston teams
Clerical question – is Freddy Guzman eligible for the postseason roster? I’m unfamiliar with the process, but thought I read somewhere in the past that a player had to be put on the 40-man roser by Sept. 1 to be eligible for the playoffs.
I fail.
“Noseeum, I hate to tell you this, but Teix was upset because the catcher hit his bat on the swing, not because of the stop sign.”
really? See that’s the difference when you don’ watch tv. I like my story better. That’s the one my kids will hear. LOL.
I don’t know why we don’t double steal more often. Can’t throw out both runners.
“How did he look?”
He looked great and he was probably the difference between winning and losing.
You meant Tully Banta-Cain, right?
m
September 15th, 2009 at 12:09 am
I don’t know why we don’t double steal more often. Can’t throw out both runners.
———————–
esp if you have a fast lead runner (a la Gardner or Christian)– I was at that other game too – someone faked a bunt and got Figgins all confused. Craziness and “exciting” baseball
“I’m still wondering how it’s any different than regular espn.com”
they used the word “wicked” more.
example: the Saux did wicked good last night. Youk is a gawd.
So, I missed most of the game.
-Joba looked good? Just one mistake?
-What happened to Phil Hughes?
-What was the situation when Jeter bunted? Did it fail? You know who didn’t seem happy about it. Was he bunting for a hit?
Jeter says he’s always trying for a hit. And if it doesn’t work, you move the runner over at any rate.
It shouldn’t go without saying that Joba giving up only 1 run to this lineup was good.
Why do you think Joe used both Ace and Phil on the same night,with Halladay tomorrow?
Nice win, but I’m still not impressed.
I need to see them win a series out in Anaheim before I praise them.
Wow Scott.
The Yankees have the best record in MLB.
Do you hold yourself to the same high standard?
-dennis
Andy Phillips?
come on, Pete~
you has no love for Wade Boggs,Gil McDougald,even Alfonso Soriano….
Does the Texas loss tonight mean the Yankees have secured at least a playoff spot tonight with the win? They do hold the series with the Rangers.
ESPN has the NYY at 100% for the post season.
Backbench,
No, they’re not showing it with the symbol.
163-(93+63)=7
That must be 99.9999999 rounded up.
Not impressed,you’ll wait to they beat them in LA?
They beat them with the BACK OF THE ORDER Pitcher,Joba in lieu of his recent pitching woes!
I LOVE ANDY PHILLIPS! where is he now?
Samantha, Andy Philips is (or was) in the Pittsburgh Pirates system. He also played for the White Sox AAA team in Charlotte this season.
“I need to see them win a series out in Anaheim before I praise them.”
They do not have to to win the AL Pennant.
For “11″, I’d suggest Knoblauch or Doc Gooden. Although if you want to impress, I’d find a Fred “Chicken” Stanley picture.
“nice note on the video room. good stuff.”
Agreed.
11 should be Brett Gardner.
Only fair to use current players where aplicable because they are the ones who are helping make the numbers “magic”.
Nah, old players. The fabric of history and all that.
Eleven? How about Hector Lopez????
Pete that is certainly interesting about Gardner watching the pick-off moves of Angels relievers but it didn’t really help him. He got a bad jump, the catcher made a good throw and if Figgins can catch the ball he would have been out.
Great play by Gardner but it’s not like his ability to read the pitcher helped him there.
Andy isn’t doing so well in Japan.
Andy Phillips (Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Japan):
G 56, AB 206, BA .286, Runs 28 HR 11, RBI 40, K 38
just got back from the game
we were a few rows back off the angels dugout
great seats,great game
Congrats bru, that was a great game to see live.
man is gardner fast
Patrick
September 15th, 2009 at 1:29 am
Congrats bru, that was a great game to see live.
thanks
my friend knows an usher so we bought the cheapest tickets in the house,slipped the user 20 bucks each & we were up front
80 bucks to the usher & 4 tickets for like 20 bucks each
4 of us up front for 160 bucks total
Verlander had a shaky night. Gave up two homers and 5 runs in 7 innings to Toronto at home. Tigers had to come back in xtrata innings.
UPDATE, 8:20 p.m.: They’re playing “Match Game” on the scoreboard and the guy had to find Edwar Ramirez. How is anybody supposed to know what Edwar Ramirez looks like?
————————————————————
he was the only player to have his picture in 2 of the slots so when they showed all the players briefly i remembered his 2 slots
Whomever was saying that Gardner did a poor job on the lead steal.
Check out the video. Flash says he gets a great jump and if you watch the video, even if Figgins scoops that ball, no way he tags Gardner. Even if he scoops that out of the dirt, he still has to swipe Gardy who was on his way to touching the bag.
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.....9146646831
yanks have the 3rd best record ever after these many games in the 2nd half for the 2nd half of the season. I think they only have 15 losses so far….
Oh, and the throw was bad. Close enough timing wise to almost get Gardner and it was up the line, but it was in the dirt.
Andy Phillips? Why?
My vote was Soriano.
11.. Doc Gooden
Retired Numbers should go to their rightful owners
6.. Joe Torre
2.. Bobby Murcer
Playoff like atmosphere tonight. At least for one night I could pretend that the Yanks could beat the Angels in a playoff game.
“They’ve got a fire, some kind of fire I’ve seen in their eyes,” Hunter said, before he lost his shoe and the Angels lost the game. “It’s totally different.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09.....f=baseball
Sacrifices DO make sense. When you have a runner at 3rd and one out, count how many ways he can score compared to a runner at 2nd and no outs.
You always have to look at match ups, but the math is simple and runs are not as easy to come by when facing a tougher pitching staff.
I feel some October magic in the air.
Did Bobby have an arm like that when he was with us?
Also, JD’s hilarious.
Also, Joba’s cap is at least two sizes too small.
Also, Shoeless Torii.
Finally, someone’s going to need to explain to me how that was bad baserunning by Melky. I don’t see how he could’ve avoided both the ball and Figgins–and hitting either would have the same result. Was he not supposed to run on the play? (Anyway, I believe Melky was called out for interference, not obstruction, PA. “Obstruction” connotes fielder misconduct.)
I really don’t get PA’s disgust over Jeter bunting with runners on first and second and no outs. As someone else pointed out, Cap grounds into a lot of DPs (which is one reason why he’s batting leadoff this year, remember?). Plus trading a first out for two bases and eliminating the DP doesn’t seem like a bad idea to me.
Maybe PA has some actual evidence that shows that players with Jeter’s numbers shouldn’t bunt. If there is, PA, could you please share it?
Hes batting .143 off of Weaver for his career. He was 0-3 last night. I think he knows what hes doing.
I’m not the biggest fan of Jeter bunting, either. At least, not in most cases.
However, it is imperative we take into account how Jeter feels against a certain pitcher.
If he’s not getting good swings all night against the guy or he doesn’t feel all that comfortable against him – then Jeter should do whatever he thinks is best.
I wouldn’t recommend bunting if Jeter was a lifetime .350 hitter against Weaver. But a lifetime .143 hitter against Weaver changes the dynamic a bit and I don’t have a major problem with his decision.
I think to make a blanket statement that bunts are not the way to go, especially if you have a good hitter up, is not accurate. Each situation has to be evaluated singly. Chances were, against the Angels, that the Yankees were not going to put up a big inning. So each single run would be vital. Jeter also happens to be a very good bunter, good at reading situations, and can turn a bunt into a basehit if it is a very good bunt.
Haven’t the Yankees played Toronto like every week this season? It sure seems that way!
I hope the shaky Doc Haladay shows up today.
“Gardner told us that starting around the sixth inning, he was looking at video clips of the Angels relievers and how they held runners, whether they had pickoff moves, etc. He was literally watching tape of Darren Oliver a few minutes before he took the field.”
And even with all that, he was out if the catcher makes a good throw, and/or Figgins was in the right position to make the catch. Gardner couldn’t have gotten a great jump, if he does, there is no way there is even a play on him.
As to Jeter’s bunting, I think he does it on his own mostly, it is unfair of Pete to criticize Girardi for it every time, unless he knows differently.
literally?
Many successful steals are the result of poor throws. It’s also just tougher to steal 3rd. Sure, a good throw could have gotten him. That’s true most of the time except for the Ricky Hendersons of the world.
Why not just celebrate that it got done? Any play in baseball can go so many ways. It’s a game of inches. When it breaks your team’s way, it’s a time to be happy, not to grouse that it could have gone the other way. Of course it could have; the point is, it did not.
I heard theYanks have picked up a few Predator Drones from the Air Force to circle the opposing teams Bull Pen too. You can never have too much technology…
Doreen,
I am not grousing about him nearly getting caught, merely pointing out that I don’t see how the video equipment gave him such an advantage. I am quite happy he made the attempt, whether he had made it or not I think it was the right play. I was always a base stealer when I played, so I appreciate that part of the game.
Patrick
September 15th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Pete that is certainly interesting about Gardner watching the pick-off moves of Angels relievers but it didn’t really help him. He got a bad jump, the catcher made a good throw and if Figgins can catch the ball he would have been out.
Great play by Gardner but it’s not like his ability to read the pitcher helped him there.
Mark in Tampa
September 15th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Gardner couldn’t have gotten a great jump, if he does, there is no way there is even a play on him.
———————————————–
more wisdom from the arm chair managers. Gardner had a great jump, he was a third of the way there by the time the pitch was released.
That last comment would actually hold water if we were talking about 2nd base here but since 3rd base is closer to home plate and harder to steal it doesn’t and is a baseless claim in this case. Besides, even if Figgens had fielded the ball Gardner is probably still safe
Mark in Tampa -
I’m sorry. I misunderstood your post.
Video has it’s advantages, but it is just another tool – it doesn’t guarantee success. I agree.
“That last comment would actually hold water if we were talking about 2nd base here but since 3rd base is closer to home plate and harder to steal”
Not off a lefthander, it isn’t.
The double steal is my favorite offensive play. Two on and less than two outs – send em! I was a little surprised because with a left handed batter up, Napoli had a clear shot at third. Perhaps girardi anticipated he would buck the throw – what a strategic genius!
The Sawx vs A’s possible playoff matchup:
Lackey LHP vs Dice-k(8.23)
Saunders vs Byrd (6.08)
E.Santana vs Beckett
*Beckett won #15 because of rain,umps called game.
Dice-k has 1 win on the season,first game back
Byrd is 1-1
Should be fun to watch.
To make a real statement, the Yankees need to take 2 of 3 in L.A. next week. Very doable with these Yankees.
“Guerrero’s homer was the 216th at the first-year Stadium, breaking the record for homers at the old Stadium set in 2004. The Yankees have eight more games to add to that total at their $1.5 billion launching pad.”
I took the above excerpt out of Jack Curry’s article linked earlier in this thread. If the new Yankee Stadium is such a launching pad than how come the homer record wasn’t broken many games ago with just eight games left to be played there?
IMO, the new Yankees Stadium is nowhere near the launching pad some of the MSM is making it out to be. It’s certainly not another Coors Field.
Geez people chill with the complaining of who Pete puts up as the ‘magic number’ it is all in fun.
“To make a real statement, the Yankees need to take 2 of 3 in L.A. next week. Very doable with these Yankees.”
I disagree with you. The Yankees need to play good baseball when they’re there next week and not get swept like they did the last time.
There’s a reason Derek Jeter doesn’t drive in 85 runs a year. Of Derek’s 192 hits, only 45 are for extra bases (23%). You don’t bunt with a power hitter like Tori Hunter with 38% of his hits in an off year going for extra bases or Tex (47%). You certainly do bunt with a singles hitter at the plate when there are runners on 1st & 2nd. His base hit might.. and with as good an outfield as the Angels have the word certainly is might…score 1.
Unless Johhny Damon is in the outfield, you can’t score from 2nd on a fly ball, ground ball,passed ball, error, wild pitch or balk as you can from 3rd base.
Bunting with the right hitter at the plate is an appropriate play when your team is down by a run at home or tied. There simply are far more ways to score from 3rd than there are from 2nd.
OK, so who do we pull for in upcoming R Sux vs Angels series?
Statements are made next month in October, not next week in Anaheim.
Can we put to rest that Gardner would have been out had it been a good throw? The reason why the throw was bad was because the catcher had to rush to even get the ball there on time. This is like arguing that if the 3rd baseman didn’t drop the ball on a swipe tag a runner would have been out – Gardner’s speed made the catcher rush and the 3rd baseman take a bad risk. This is what good base stealers do. If you have watched a lot of good base stealers throughout the years you’d notice that the really good ones force a lot more bad throws than the high percentage guys who steal 20-30 per year precisely because they depend on their speed more than good jumps or picking the perfect pitch to go on. This tricks the catcher into thinking he has a shot – but somewhere in between getting out of his crouch and throwing the ball he notices the abnormal acceleration and it forces him to alter his mechanics to compensate – ergo the bad throw.
once the yankees put in in other teams minds that gardner will steal third in risky situations, the hitter will gets more fastballs when gardner is on second base .
hitters can sit on fastballs.
how do you measure the benefit of that?
the threat itself changes what happens.
same with jeter bunting.
you can’t just look at the stats with him actually bunting because there will be times that the third baseman and first baseman will be playing in closer anticipating the possibility of the bunt.
..but jeter won’t be bunting most of the time and he’ll have the infield corners in most of the time.
that’s an advantage that no one measures when they throw out stats why bunting is just giving away outs.
sometimes it is, but other times the possibility of a bunt opens up the field more for the hitter to hit.
in other words,how many hits does jeter get a year because the infield has to worry about the bunt?
.., how many runs are driven in with gardner on second because the hitter knows he’s getting a fastball and drives gardner in from second?
Jeter only makes that play because of Tex. Last year that would have been an E-6.
Next week in LA will make a good statement,if the Yankees win the series.The A’s have owned the Yankees FOR 6 yrs.
In the playoffs you NEED that psychological edge of knowing
you can beat them.You don’t want to wait for the ALCS,to see IF you can beat a team that has dominated you.
i.e…..
When the Yankees opened with the Orioles,the scout report said CC owned them.CC lost,Wang lost the next day,finally AJ won game 3.Last week,Orioles(who were playing for nothing but pride only)came in town and snaked the first 2 games from the Yankees.
My point is the Orioles had the same confidence at the end,that they left with in Yankee stadium.H
Having beaten Their Ace,and # 2Wang.That’s exactly how they played the Yankees this past weekend.
This time CC lived up to his stats,but AJ(who beat them last time)was defeated.
The Orioles this season beat the Yankees #1 CC,#2 Wang,and #3 AJ,they have bragging rights,and nothing else,though!
So this team that limped in to Yankeestadium ,34 games out,and the worst team in all the majors,took 2 from the Yankees,the best in the majors again! They had eveey reason to believe they could beat the Yankees,They Did It Before.
Of course their total record against the Yankees this yr,is lousy.
Yesterday’s game put the Angels on notice.Next week will give them something to think about,if the Yankees win the series.
Every sports writer I’ve read said Yankees need to prove to themselves,that they can beat the Angels team in a series at the Angels stadium,BEFORE the ALCS.
Even Pete alluded to this on his game thread,when he stressed how important Yesterday’s game was.
Andy was always a favorite of mine. Great picture, Pete.
m
September 15th, 2009 at 12:05 am
Tex was griping all the way from home plate. Probably would’ve been waved home if he wasn’t signaling over his back the whole way around.
——
Tex was griping about the catchers interference. He should have known that he would have been awarded 1st base instead of the triple if the ump had called it. Just keep your mouth shut!! In the heat of the battle he probably forgot!
DT – OPPC member (blood type – Positive)
September 15th, 2009 at 12:13 am
“I’m still wondering how it’s any different than regular espn.com”
they used the word “wicked” more.
example: the Saux did wicked good last night. Youk is a gawd.
-0—-
thanks DT
God, I never realized how much fun buying a championship could be! Hopefully MLB doesn’t make up any salary cap rules too soon. You know, so we can maybe buy a few more!