Did that just really happen?
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Sep 19, 2009 
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Take it from somebody who once covered a team that had Armando Benitez closing, Mariano Rivera is the best friend a beat writer ever had.
He comes in, the game is over. You can send your story back to the newspaper before he’s done pitching 99 times out of 100.
Tonight was that one time.
With two outs and nobody on, pinch hitter Mike Sweeney smacked a double to center. Then the great Ichiro Suzuki lined a pitch into the stands in right field. After getting picked off twice in the game, he was suddenly a hero.
“Mike Sweeney created an opportunity for us and I just went with the flow he created,” Ichiro said. “It was an at-bat where I went with my emotions.”
Mo had converted 36 straight saves and given up one run in his previous 33 innings.
“It just shows that he is human,” Joe Girardi said. “When it happens, you’re somewhat surprised. But no one is going to be perfect in this game.”
It was the first walk-off Mo has allowed since Marco Scutaro beat him in April of 2007 and only the fifth in Mo’s career. The others belong to Bill Selby (2002), Bill Mueller ( 2004) and Vernon Wells (2006).
Rivera was, as always, stoic in the face of disaster.
“Two pitches cost us the game,” he said. “That’s why I’m there. I’ve been there before and you know you those games are going to happen. You move on. You can’t change it. You come back tomorrow and play hard again.”
The Yankees lost a game off their lead in the East and allowed the Angels to creep within 5.5 games. The sudden disaster also overshadowed a strong performance by A.J. Burnett.
Nick Swisher shook as head as he walked out of the clubhouse. “That’s something you don’t see very often,” he said.
Pete I guarantee Paps won’t be that friendly when he blows a game. Hopefully you will get used to it lol
Neither will Beckett…
bahhhhhh
Come on Yankees…
Paps is “no Rhodes Scholar” either, so he may be completely incomprehensible to boot after blowing a game.
We take the next 2
How did no one seem to ask Joe why he didn’t pinch hit for Molina in the 7th? That’s just inexcusable.
LOL Yes this is very true @Beckett and Papelbon…
…just remember, Papelbon “isn’t exactly a Rhodes Scholar”, according to Theo Epstein. Quote of the year.
Oh God, the immortal Bill Selby. Remember that one against Cleveland? I sure do.
Hey — how about taking control of Pete’s new blog in Boston and just making it Yanks-dominated (at least by posters). We’ve got to retaliate somehow for Boston stealing him before the playoffs.
haha Wang beat me to it lol
I would love to know Girardi’s answer for not pinch hitting for the pitcher. What were the chances Molina was going to score the run? 1% at most?
I was listening to Singleton rattle off all the info about how Mo had converted 36 saves which was his career best record, as well as how since 2008 the Yankees had only lost once when leading after 8 innings.
At the time the whole “jinx” theory never crossed my mind. Now, I solely blame him and YES for causing Mo to make 2 bad pitches back-to-back.
Well, not really, but that was frustrating to watch. It helps that CC is pitching tomorrow night, though. Hopefully the taste is quickly washed out.
Omir Santos, of the loser Mets, hit a HR off Papelbon
He also blew a 3 run lead to last place Oakland at home.
Not everyone lays down for him
I hate that tomorrow’s not an afternoon game. Now I have to sit on this all freakin day long. Ugh. I feel sick.
From the other thread -
Matt
September 19th, 2009 at 1:38 am
Such ridiculous comments by the so called “smart regulars.”
Yes, you are so smart, proclaiming yourself to be smart and then whining about how smart people are leaving the blog. Anyone whose opinion you like, plus yourself, is “smart,” and everyone else is a “troll.”
The blog police is out in full force. Nobody is allowed to voice an opinion that is entirely non-critical and completely positive in nature, or the blog police will hunt you down and drive you away from the blog. Who said you were even one of the “smart” posters yourself?
====================
Matt, nobody is telling you you cannot voice an opinion, at least I never have. My problem with you is you rarely comment when the Yanks are playing well. You consistently comment when they have had one of their rare losses. That is what is annoying. You have some very good opinions, but you also go into panic mode at the drop of a hat, that’s not good.
Look, I don’t give a rats left ear lobe whether the Yankees win the division or not, they’re in the playoffs, and that’s all that matters. Winning the division is nice, so is winning home field. Those are worthy goals, but they guarantee nothing when the games start. My concern is that the Yankees don’t let something like what happened tonight get in their heads, and effect their play on the field going into the playoffs. I’ve watched, played, and coached enough sports to know all it takes is one little crazy misque to cause the whole thing to start to unravel. That’s my only concern. The rest is just window dressing.
==============
Matt
September 19th, 2009 at 2:00 am
What ridiculous comments you make. I don’t sit on the computer and post here every night when they lose just because they lost, or only come here when they lost just to bother you.
The lead was 6.5 games on Tuesday after they really spit the bit against Toronto and I was also starting to sweat a little, but I didn’t come here and post it because, what a shock, the blog isn’t my entire life.
Posting it on the blog is not the only way for something to be true. Just because I don’t post on the blog doesn’t mean I’m waiting for them to lose so I can pounce. Maybe there is no point in posting about a game they easily win, or a game they easily lost? Maybe there’s nothing very interesting to discuss?
What a thrilling posting experience. The Yankees won 13-3, their pitcher was great, their offense was great. So much to discuss!
====================
You didn’t say who that was directed to, but I’m going to assume it was me, since I’m the one who commented previous to your post.
Look, partner, I wasn’t attacking you, I merely pointed out a pertinent fact – you rarely post when the Yankees win.
Get over yourself, nobody’s out to get you.
Molina this year, is hitting 1.000 with a man on 3rd, less than 2 outs.
He is hitting .310 with RISP
He has gotten it done in the big spots.
You feel sick? lol. Its one game in September. You’ll be ok.
Jim Pir-one:
As I would like to enjoy my final days on this job, please stop commenting. I have received, so far today, 10 e-mails from people seeking to ban you because of your unbalanced comments.
I’m with them. Your nuttiness used to be funny. Now it’s just tedious. Go find other people to bother.
Pete, have you been following the posting since the dinger landed in some Mariners lap…..As always when the Bomberslose, it takes all of 10 minutes and the complextion of the LoHud changes with such fury…..Rushing in are the zealots who proclaim that the Yankee sky is about to fall upon all those who believe in their team from the Bronx…Acttacking all that is pro Bombers and even our Moderator gets called onto the carpet, as to question your motives and alliance’s……There is concern by many of us you enjoy being associated with the best baseball blog in the US….It just happens to be a NY Yankee blog whose members are die hard yet baseball savy Yankee fans…..Maybe being you gave birth to this institution, you can devise a way to salavage what you created….Several times to night , several of us are exchanging e-mails so we have an option to stay together in the evnt the LoHud implodes after your departue…..Big request from us Pete, however you may be the only person with a logical approach to this concern….Are you going to the Anahiem series ??? If so I’ll send up some food from the have’s area,,,,,
Matt September 19th, 2009 at 2:09 am
GF,
They were 6 outs away from being 2-4 in their last 6 games and the lead being down to 4 in the loss.
—————
Matt,
I can take small samples to make any point I want as well.
Coming into tonight, they had won 7 of their last 10 games. That’s .700 ball.
They’ve also played over .700 ball since the ASB.
This is not a team that’s suddenly going to morph into a sub .500 team over the last 14 games. It’s just not going top happen.
Two words:
Oh well.
Lets do it again tomorrow.
Really, how much does it effect you when Mariano gives one up?
I’m in Seattle and I swear I barely looked up from my pasta.
Pete I just sent a long winded post pleading to you if there is someway to save the Great LoHud that you built….Many tonight have asked to exchange e-mail addresses in the event upon your departure things spin out of control……Maybe off the record, you can guide either CB, SJ, Randy, Rebecca, GB, Mr. Fanco in how to save the place so many of us enjoy……It would be a shame for the legacy of the LoHud and for you as well for this place to wither away
I understand that Jose Molina is the devil tonight but he’s always been a good fundamental ballplayer.
He’s not a good hitter. But he does do a good job of playing small ball, moving runners over, getting the bunt down, etc, etc.
It sucks that it didn’t work out tonight but Molina is unnecessarily getting a lot of rotten tomatoes thrown at him right now.
Bronx Jeers, my mad notion of driving up to Seattle to see the Yankees play is dead. I won’t finish my business in Eureka early enough to even think about it. Oh well, probably for the best. But enjoy the game!
It’s hogwash, GF. Hogwash!
Wow, 2 AB’s with a guy on 3rd and less than 2 outs and 29 AB’s with RISP. Should we find a smaller sample size to use? Look at his entire career, he is one of the worst hitters in the history of baseball and there is no reason he should’ve been hitting there.
Pat,
How about we keep the ball in the park next time? Then what happened earlier in the game would be inconsequential.
m September 19th, 2009 at 2:25 am
It’s hogwash, GF. Hogwash!
———–
LOL.
Take this for what it’s worth…
I live out in Orange County. Last year the Angels won their division by 21 games. 21. When the playoffs started they were as stale as month old bread. The local media went nuts when the Angels were out in 4 games.
Yes, yes, yes…we want HFA and we want the pitchers properly rested and aligned, but there’s something to be said about going into the postseason in “playing shape.”
I think the Yanks clinch against KC.
Mij,
Oh, you’re harmless enough. But Pete’s fuse is short nowadays.
Just stop shouting from the rooftop!
Nick,
i just hope this blog lasts long enough that someday East will someday meet West.
At this point I’m just hoping that Pete’s replacement has a similar sense of humor and is 3/4 as committed to keeping us informed.
If that’s the case then I’m sure there will be another opportunity.
We Shall Overcome!
Jim,
Okay, now you’re just pissing me off. Get off Molina’s case.
They were all taking hacks. That’s how you get to guys like Beckett and Hernandez.
It’s not selfish, it’s not lack of effort, it’s not because he doesn’t care. The results were not what we wanted and that’s it.
If you can’t see the value of Molina, I can’t help you. But let’s just start with how he handles the staff. Excellent. How he frames a pitch. Like an master carpenter. And how he blocks that curve in the dirt. Like a brick wall.
Weak hack. Give me a break. Don’t be so myopic.
Why would anyone be mad at Jose Molina?
He’s not good at hitting. He’s one of the very worst.
Don’t take it personally.
It has nothing to do with the homer. A managers job is to put his team and players in the best position to succeed. Pitching Mo in the 9th is doing that. Hitting Molina in the 7th is not, regardless of either outcome.
No PH for Molina? 1st base open, No IW for 200+ hits 360. Ichiro? Mo’s the greatest but that contest should of been avoided.
I swear to God, he’s got to be The Missing Link. Either that or the elevator just doesn’t go all the way to the top.
Being a good situational hitter means absolutely nothing in that spot when you are as bad a hitter as Molina. He could of went with Hinske or Gardner since he most likely won’t hit into a DP. He had options and he let the worst one hit. There is no excuse to let Molina hit in that spot no matter what Girardi’s reason was.
Jim,
OMG. I can figure out your code. Just stop shouting so much and people won’t complain to Pete. Which is why you got banned. Though I guess he didn’t ban your ISP address.
And what are you talking about? Because he’s a backup he’s going to go in and start swinging away? They had a game plan and he was following it.
Talk about the other three mistakes that cost us the game. The more obvious ones. Jesus Christ.
What is with all the controversy with Molina??
Baseball 101: You do NOT EVER put your final catcher into the game unless you absolutely, positively have no other option whatsoever. Of course Joe doesn’t really want Molina up there at that point, but what if you pinch hit and then Cervelli gets injured behind the plate later in the game? Is that really how you play with a 7 game lead?
Nick,
I’m not taking it personally. We lost because of Mo. That’s it. But rather than state the obvious, people want to talk about Molina hitting into the DP.
Jose Molina is a bad hitter but one of the worst of all time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I called that hyperbole..
Mo blows a game or 2 per yr. relax clowns….
AJ pitched very good, that is the important thing…
Nick,
And for that matter, are you joining them by agreeing that we lost the game because Molina’s a bad hitter?
Oops, Nick. Were you talking to someone else? If so, my bad.
It’s not called “everyone was up there taking hacks all night”, it’s called “Felix Hernandez is one of the best pitchers in the game and he throws a lot of strikes; if you stand around with the bat on your shoulder long enough, you will get called out on strikes.” Yankees had chances against King Felix but he did the bend but not break routine, sucks but they still could have won had Mo located to one of the last 2 guys.
I’ll say this much, Safeco Field probably saved King Felix from getting knocked around pretty early in the game.
He was lights out after the 4th inning or so, but he was very hittable early on and the Yanks were hitting rockets all over the place.
Gutierrez covered a ton of ground out there as well.
A few of those rockets (Swisher, Teixeira, and another one I cannot recall who hit it) would have left Yankee Stadium – just not the Grand Canyon that is Safeco.
Forget the Angels, the Red Sox are just 5 games back in the loss column.
Meanwhile the Twins look like they could win the division after all. Honestly – I’m rooting for a Yankees vs. Pavano playoff game at the Bronx…
Darrin, I to live in Orange County, are you going to any of the games ????
Mij,
lol. Love the new name, dahling!
It’s just senseless to trash the players. And you were doing it.
It’s crazy to question the mind of Girardi, and the heart of the players.
Normally, I let crazy talk go. But it was a “what can you do about that?” kind of game. And to nitpick like this is just ridiculous. Good game, bad result. That’s all.
m, I wasn’t talking about you. I meant, why would anyone feel personally insulted by Jose Molina’s crapitude with the bat?
It’s just sad that AJ didn’t pitch well enough for us to win… yet again.
Pat – not sure. I’m thinking about maybe Tuesday night. Unfortunately it’s supposed to be 100-105 degrees early next week. Yuk.
Nick,
It’s only sad to you! I see all the little sides you sprinkle amongst your little nuggets of wisdom.
Jimmy1138, Beware of what you wish for….For the Twins to overtake the Tigers two things must happen…..Tigers need to continue to play give away, and then the Twinkies get hotter which signifies that the Yanks get a red hot Twins team in the ALDS……Is there some benefit for the Yanjs in that other than no Verlander ????
Besides Safeco Field saving Felix Gutierrez saved him twice in the game. A CFer with less range and the Yanks would of had 2 or 3 more runs on the board. Swisher’s ball definitely would of been out of most ballparks. Or if Melky or Gardner were playing RF the Yanks win. But it didn’t happen and hopefully they can win the next 2 games…
That’s cool, Jim.
I think a lot of us were shocked tonight. The sad thing is I saw it on Gameday first because the YES feed lags for me.
And I think it’s my fault. I was thinking that I wanted to see more of Hughes.
Actually, m, being serious for a moment, it sort of is Molina’s fault that we lost by your previously stated logic.
But I do not blame him.
Nick in SF in Eureka September 19th, 2009 at 2:47 am
It’s just sad that AJ didn’t pitch well enough for us to win… yet again.
————
Ah, Nick. You do make me chuckle on occasion.
I think one of your best was a couple of weeks back and you added that Francesa had the respect of the fans. LOL.
I know the commercial says so, but people still complain about how awful he is and yet still listen to him almost every day.
I don’t know why I thought it was funny. Maybe because it was so absurd.
I’m going to Monday nights game, first row, rightfield foul pole area…..Wendesday’s a business man special….Getaway game starts at 12;30….And yes the temps are to get in the warmer zones…I live in Newport and the weather people are saying upper 80′s….Too hot for my liking….
Pat M. September 19th, 2009 at 2:49 am
Jimmy1138, Beware of what you wish for….For the Twins to overtake the Tigers two things must happen…..Tigers need to continue to play give away, and then the Twinkies get hotter which signifies that the Yanks get a red hot Twins team in the ALDS……Is there some benefit for the Yanjs in that other than no Verlander ????
————
I don’t fear the Tigers at all, but I’d still rather face the Twins.
Crede is now out for the season as well as Morneau.
I’d take my chances against the Twins anytime.
I really dont think the Twins have enough starting pitching to over take the Tigers. The Tigers will probably barely hang on until the last week. They might be falling apart but they still have Verlander and Porcello pitched good tonight. The Twins don’t have anyone they can really count on. Unless you count Pavano lol
Anyone but Verlander. Although, I did like the smirk on his face when the balls were flying out.
If this game was at NYS, we would’ve score at least 5 off of Hernandez. They had some decent hacks off him.
Everytime I hear that commercial, even though I know that he’s saying “you can’t import new arms”, I still thinkh he’s saying “you can’t import new orleans”. It’s a brain tic.
How? MVP Mauer to the rescue. I would hand deliver the trophy myself if we didn’t have to face Verlander.
I fear the Twins for one reason only: statistical regression. The Yankees swept the Twins 7-0 this season, with 6 of those games being toss ups. For all intents and purposes, the Twins played the Yankees even this season, but the Yanks got every conceivable bounce and break.
There is precedence for this fear (see: Cleveland Indians, 2007).
I had that thought, too. But two things.
Yankees ’09 > Yankees ’07
Indians ’07 > Twins ’09
m September 19th, 2009 at 3:01 am
I had that thought, too. But two things.
Yankees ‘09 > Yankees ‘07
Indians ‘07 > Twins ‘09
————
No question about that.
Let me also add…..
Yankees ’09 > Yankees ’06
Tigers ’06 > Tigers ’09
Therefore:
Twins ’09 > Tiger ’09
(Didn’t we run through the Tigers one season, too? Only to be thwarted by Pine Rogers?)
Darrin: maybe, but I’d rather think of it as a brand new coin flip each time with the Yankee side of the coin still having far more weight. A team with sick momentum can be dangerous… but then so can a team that limps in.
Where in Orange County?
We’ll see. If the Twins sweep this series, they’ll only be one back. That’s a big difference from being 4 up on a team.
m –
Good points, and I agree with your assertions. Unfortunately, postseason baseball (especially 5 game series) often don’t cooperate with such things.
Trust me: If the Baltimore Orioles are capable of blowing the Yankees out of YS in two consecutive games, then it’s perfectly reasonable to believe that a hot, lucky, chip-on-their-shoulder Twin team can take out an overconfident Yankee team.
Darrin,
Exactly. Which is why I don’t fret. Anything can happen. But life is MUCH nicer when the glass is half-full. I’d much rather not have some Yahoo try to knock the glass over just because he wants others to be miserable, too. (Disclaimer: Yahoo does not refer to anyone specific)
Darrin are you crazy? How can you call blowing it out when one game lasted about 7 hours and had TWO rain delays and was pitched by edwar and marte. Im sure joe wouldn’t of went with Marte from the beginning of an inning or edwar for so long if the game meant something.
The twins and yanks have played a bit in the playoffs and the twins didn’t win any of these playoffs series. The yankees have always been superior to the twins and its not just this year, the twins seem to have horrible problems playing at yankee stadium plus the yanks are good in the dome. Very confident the yanks win that one in 3 or 4.
Nick – Irvine
I’ll do one better:
Yankees ’09 > All Yankee teams since 2001
But it still doesn’t mean anything in the playoffs.
Clearly, the Yahoo is a composite.
Yes, we could call a sketch artist in. But Matsui’s a little busy. And I wouldn’t know where to begin.
“But it still doesn’t mean anything in the playoffs.”
It doesn’t mean anything in the playoffs that this is the best Yankee team in years?
Better said: it doesn’t guarantee anything in the playoffs.
I was just down in the Irvine/Newport area in July.
m,
As you know, I’m a big Michigan Football fan. So I often listen to the Ann Arbor ESPN affiliate in the mornings during the week to hear the latest info on my Wolverines.
These guys who host the show are not your typical nutjobs who say nonsensical things to get ratings.
These guys have gone on the last several days how much the Tigers are in huge trouble. They haven’t played well at all the last 20 games or so and they can’t seem to win at the Metrodome.
Edwin Jackson is not the same pitcher he was earlier in the season and Washburn has now been taken out of the rotation after his latest stinker (boy, what a great trade that would have been for the Yanks, eh?)
And the Tigers’ pen is taking a lot of abuse lately since the starting pitching has stunk up the joint quite a bit the last few weeks.
Never mind that the Tigers’ offense is also VERY inconsistent.
Now I won’t say I’d be surprised if the Tigers pull this one out and win the Central. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they collapsed at this point, either.
Ard – no I’m not crazy, but thanks for asking.
But I don’t put much stock in playoff series that occurred 5 and 6 seasons ago. I also think the Yankees SHOULD beat the Twins. The statistics disturb me though.
BTW, back in ’07 most fans were “very confident” that the Indians couldn’t win.
Folks:
Please ignore the trolls and the crazies. They’re just looking for attention.
The ’09 Yanks have a pitching staff that the ’07 Yanks didn’t have.
Mr. Franco, The word is that Washburn’s right knee is a scope waiting to happen….He’s having trouble with weight support which is leaving everything up in the zone…..Edwin Jackson still is an issue in my eyes….Pen is trash…..Yanks need to sweep at The Stadium and then split in The Motor City
Wasn’t Jarret Wright on that team?
Nick: I’ll bow to your correction. (Still, it’s the same difference
)
Despite what seems like a pessimistic attitude, I actually feel great about this team. I’ve already mentioned this a couple of times tonight, but I see a parallel with the ’07 Red Sox.
Darrin,
And you didn’t get banned for that? Huh.
The ’09 Yankee pitching staff is the best they’ve had since 2003. If they show up, good things will happen.
Sometimes really good staffs go bad, like in 2002 when they were terrible.
Pat M. September 19th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Mr. Franco, The word is that Washburn’s right knee is a scope waiting to happen….He’s having trouble with weight support which is leaving everything up in the zone…..Edwin Jackson still is an issue in my eyes….Pen is trash…..Yanks need to sweep at The Stadium and then split in The Motor City
————
That would make sense. Washburn was great in Seattle this season and he completely collapsed once he got traded.
In a sense, the Tigers and M’s were similar teams. Neither scored a lot of runs (although the Tigers certainly have more weapons) and both play in huge ballparks.
It wouldn’t shock me at all if his free fall came down to an injury. Hard to believe a veteran would collapse like that otherwise.
lol, I thought you meant he was a nibble. yuck. He looked like Rosie O’donnell out there. Only thing, she had better stuff.
m,
I mentioned yesterday how I can’t wait until the Globe blog readers find out that Pete picked the Yanks over the Sox in the ALCS.
Contreras?
Looks like the closest race is now the NL wild card.
Rockies messed up tonight. They could’ve gained on the Dodgers. Instead, they lost a game in the standings to the Giants.
Wouldn’t be terribly shocked if the Giants and/or Twins sneaked in.
Oh and how can we forget – Jeff Weaver (yesterday’s Sergio Mitre)
some stats against the twins
since 2001:
Yanks are 43-18 in the reg season against them
6-2 in post season
24-5 at Yankee Stadium
16-13 at the metrodome
The twins have won 0 reg series in new york
sorry thats 19-13 at metrodome
The Metrodome is a tough place to play. I would imagine most teams will be thrilled not to play there again.
That is, until they play at Minnesota next April in blizzard-like conditions.
Both the Twins and the University of Minnesota have gotten new digs. All three franchises (Twins, Gophers, and Vikings) used to play in the dome. The Gophers just played their new stadium opener last weekend.
It looks like the Vikings will soon be the only one left.
The Gophers are in for a world of pain in about 8 hours.
The Gophers are in for a world of pain in about 8 hours.
Indeed. Cal is going roll all over them.
And Florida is going to clobber Tennessee and make Kiffin shut up for once.
Meh, who am I kidding?
Kiffin doesn’t know how to shut up. Kind of like Rex Ryan.
And Notre Dame is going to beat Michigan State by two scores.
I read a theory today that Kiffin mouthed off with full knowledge that his team is going to get demolished but wanted to build more notoriety for the program and… um… something about the pain of the butt-whooping building them up to better things next year and beyond and… well, the author of that theory also posited that Kiffin might just be a clown too.
Yeah, I have to agree with the latter.
Kiffin really doesn’t need the rainbow colored hair, big red nose, size 20 shoes, and squirting flower to reveal himself for what he is.
It’s pretty sad because Tennessee has a long tradition and a proud football program that he’s screwing up each and every day with his nonsense.
Wow, it got late early.
Goodnight and good luck against the Eastern Michigans.
And don’t anyone say mean things about Jose Molina overnight. Zero tolerance!
DT – OPPC member (blood type – Positive) September 19th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Sweeney was the key guy there…
======
Agreed.
_______________________________
Jack September 19th, 2009 at 12:56 am
MO needs to stop being so arrogant.
He is the GOAT, we all know that, but there is no excuse to not follow basic strategy like walking Ichiro to face a mediocre Jose Lopez.
=======
Well, if you call 90rbi (10 of which are of late inning variety) mediocre…
________________________________
Matt September 19th, 2009 at 12:57 am
Seattle and Baltimore, 2 teams with nothing to play for, …
====
It’s called heart and character and pride. So glad to see my team seems to have finally recaptured those qualities. There may be no post season this year, but things are light years better than last season and the future is looking bright.
John Sterling was saying it on the radio call.
You have to walk Ichiro there
Girardi better learn how to manage before the playoffs, lol
Ichiro is not Pujols, he is not known for his power.
If you let Ichiro hit, the worst should have been runners on 1st and 3rd, with 2 outs. It is same with 1st and 2nd with 2 outs, if you had walked him.
But then who knew Ichiro can hit bomb also?
This is baseball… totally unpredictive.
Mo does not like to intentionally walk anyone. He never has.
He has earned the right to make that decision.
It’s not a big deal. They’ll win the next two and win the series.
This team is resilient.
Giuseppe Franco September 19th, 2009 at 5:37 am
Mo does not like to intentionally walk anyone. He never has.
He has earned the right to make that decision.
It’s not a big deal. They’ll win the next two and win the series.
This team is resilient.
Yep!
Makes one wonder why Ichiro doesn’t go “with [his] emotions” more often. He clobbered that ball. Dude could probably hit 30 out a year and sacrifice no more than 20 points off his average.
Regardless, forget the loss. The important things are that Burnett pitched quite well, and that we’re still 5 1/2 up on both the Angels and the Sox. My guess is that the Sox won’t finish that far behind, but I do think we’ll still pull out the division and home field.
Six on the Sox. Mea maxima culpa.
The loss is Jorge’s fault – if he had not been so stupid to get suspended he would have played and there might have been more runs.
It’s actually pretty widely known that Ichiro has power to use if he wants to, but he’s more concerned about his personal hits record than bringing in runs (that’s my take anyway). There have been several articles on how Ichiro hits them out of the park during batting practice but then reverts to his singles show during the game.
Wang IS, that’s exactly how Ty Cobb was, back in the day. Cobb actually shares a record for most HR on one day. [Yes, the record for one game is four, and not him]. In a doubleheader one day, the Peach hit three in one game and two in the other; five in one day, no one has done better.
Smacketh,
Interesting. Had never heard that.
I was actually comparing Jete, another lead-off hitter to an Ichiro fan today. Look at their respective RBIs — amazing differential. Jete does what it takes to help his team win; Ichiro does what it takes to keep his record hits piling up. Different approaches to the game; one is selfish, the other is all team.
I actually like when guys who have be soo good actually give up a run or two BEFORE the playoffs.
No one is perfect and you are bound to lose a game, give up a home run or not pitch as good as you normally do from time to time. So do it NOW and get it out of the way.
If Mo and Hughes had picture perfect dominance without a blip in the radar going into the Post Season you know something would go awry eventually.
Mentally the pitcher can now relax, re-evaluate and get straight a new streak
Mo hadn’t pitched much recently. I was thinking yesterday that Giradi should have given him an inning or two. Mo does get a bit rusty at times when he doesn’t pitch consistently (who doesn’t?).
@Yeah:
Probably because Ichiros approach worked pretty well for him the past 15 years? Why would someone change something that’s always worked for him? If he gets slower and doesn’t hit tons of infield singles maybe he’ll hit for more power.
“Six on the Sox” – Nope, actually it’s five. It’s the loss column that matters. And if you consider that the Red Sox need only one more game to win the Season Series against the Yanks (and given that Sergio Mitre possibly pitches next weekend against Boston that’s a given IMO) it’s actually 4 games.
Now that the Yankees have to go to LA (with Sergio Mitre pitching a game) while the Red Sox play teams like Baltimore (2x), Kansas City (4x) and after facing the Yanks, Toronto (3x) and Cleveland (4x). I’d be surprised if they’d lose more than 2-3 games against those teams.
Conclusion: the series against the Red Sox next weekend will be pretty big, the Yanks can’t afford to give up any games like the one today.
I’m just glad we have Jeter. Intense intangibles, and the dude can hit pretty good, too!
Mo really did not cost the game by himself although Ichiro gave everone a lesson in situational hitting – maybe he is one of few who can do it – but others will try
the game was lost in the 7th — no yankee fan would have let Molina hit needing at least one run — gut instinct or sabrematics – only posada was not an option
dumb – for all the Girardi appreciators in Yankeeland — I am one – that is still tactical blunder 37 for this season – many he has been rescued from but in a short series i am worried
can’t afford to lose the well pitched sabbathia or burnett games
!
So it did happen and it wasn’t some nightmare that I had last night.
mmmhm
September 19th, 2009 at 6:43 am
off topic, but it’ll be nice when this red sox fan stops reporting on the yankees
————————————————————
we can get a yankee fan that takes over the blog & he/she cant touch pete with a 10 foot pole
i dont know if pete respects or likes the yankees but one thing i know for sure is he knows that the yankees are on top of the moutain alone as far as number of fans,blog traffic & sheer madness like no other team.
what other blog on the planet generates instant messaging almost 24/7 year round because of the team involved ???
none.
other blogs are hard to navigate & the format is all wrong.
as long as this blog is still here we will survive if the same people contribute
There is NO WAY you walk ichiro there. You can’t put the go ahead run on base especially one with ichiros speed. That wouldve given the mariners a bunch more ways to tie and win, not that what happened was any better
Not walking Ichiro with first base open? Stupid. Not having Molina bunt seeing as he is slower then Congress & a double play waiting to happen? Also stupid. I often think the team wins in spite of Girardi.
Bru is right-on. Pete loves the game and respects the Yankees. I would much, much rather have that combination than some nitwit Yankee fanboy that’s not worth his [or her!] salt at investigating/reporting/blogging. I like Mark Feinsand, Chad Jennings, and Mike Ashmore, and I like the various LoHud teammates who pop on from time to time, but Pete has set the standard. Until someone surpasses that, Pete is The Man. Let’s hope this site does their homework.
“Hey — how about taking control of Pete’s new blog in Boston and just making it Yanks-dominated (at least by posters). We’ve got to retaliate somehow for Boston stealing him before the playoffs.”
Pete’s new bosses will be very happy about it and Pete too.
The reality is these blogs are commercial.
The more hits/posts they get more proft they make.
So, I am sure Pete is hoping that many of us will visit his new blog and post there. I do not think he cares it turns into Yankee dominated.
I always believed and stated on this blog that Pete really does not dislike A-Rod or Girardi. Pete knew there are many supporters of A-Rod and Girardi here and by posting negetively about them, Pete was getting many more posts/hits.
if we go 7-7 the rs have to go 14-2 just to end up with the same record
not happening
As far as I am concerned, Mark Feinsand is a lazy bum. He hardly posts one entry a day on his blog. He hardly interacts with the posters, even in the blog, as Pete does. It is day and night difference between Pete and him.
Once Pete leaves from this blog, the best blog to follow is RAB, unless they replace Pete with someone like Ashmore here.
if the rs did not get a gift wrapped win the other night they need to go 15-1
I would trust Mariano to get anyone out in that situation. It was one of those very rare times when he did not get the job done. The Yanks will move on-CC is pitching tonight.
Actually, Feinsand has great opportunity here. If he follows the lead of Pete on how to manage the blog, he could easily steal the traffic from here given his assoiciation with the Yanks and his participation on the radio during the game.
You can argue walking Ichiro either way. Many despise the idea of putting the winning run on base. However my rule of thumb has always been not to let the other guy’s best hitter beat you with a base open.
I would have had Gardner hit for Molina. You’re going to bring him in for defense anyway. I don’t buy the “what if the backup catcher gets hurt” garbage. How often does that happen?
Can we get a new post? This is killing me.
With Rivera on the mound I just do not see how any manager would consider walking any one. It is easy to second guess after the fact. Once in a blue moon, such things happen. No harm done. We will still end with best record in the AL, unless we take a 1007/2008 Mets like swoon and that is not happening.
****2007/2008 Mets******
it was nice to see burnett pitch well & pettitte felt good,no pain after his bullpen session
i also think joba will pitch great in a big game
he seems to like big games
he will be in the pen for the first series hopefully making our pen better for that series so we dont have to use bruney,marte & others as much
ace
joba
hughes
mo as much as possible & robertson,coke a little
i do not know if this has been suggested but how about chad jennings getting an opprtunity here?
He seems to be as dedicated as pete.
New Post
i dont like the format on Feinsands blog or other blogs
we will keep this blog alive & strong
just keep posting as much as possible within reason & we shall overcome
we will work with the new blog moderator to make it work
cb
sj
gb
erica
betsy
trishia
miggs
86w183
m
& everybody else hopefully stay here because all the planets aligned to make this the best blog in the world
pete was the frosting on the cake
we are the cake
yankees rule
Mariano is not human, and Girardi slurred him by saying otherwise.
The team may have lost – but, hey AJ did quite well. That is a positive. Melky should have been in right field.
With CC and Joba the next two games the Yankees will get back to their winning ways.
This board can continue after Pete leaves. There are many good posters here. And, many of you who “lurk” and hardly ever post but did sign on to say farewell to Pete — join in. The more the merrier.
And P L E A S E, no more gossipy stuff, OK? Baseball is the name of the game.