Perhaps the Yanks should just stay home
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Sep 25, 2009 
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ESPN.com has a feature called “Baseball Tonight Clubhouse.” I assume it’s a parody because here is what John Kruk wrote:
Who is going to pitch for the Yankees? How does their rotation set up? Overall, A.J Burnett has been awful, excluding some of his recent starts, and besides CC Sabathia, which arms can the Yankees call on? Can you deem Andy Pettitte healthy after having to miss a start or two because of his shoulder? What they’ve done in monitoring Joba Chamberlain’s workload has been unbelievable, but he’s not even in the equation to start.
Let’s examine this passage sentence by sentence, shall we?
Sentence 1: Who is going to pitch for the Yankees?
CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte, A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes, Mariano Rivera for starters. Joba Chamberlain will get a shot. You’ll probably see Phil Coke, David Robertson and Alfredo Aceves. According to the statistics on — well, glory be, ESPN.com — the Yankees are first in the league in strikeouts and second in opposing batting average. So presumably they have some pitchers.
Sentence 2: How does their rotation set up?
CC Sabathia will pitch Game 1. It’s likely that A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte will follow him. That’s how.
Sentence 3: Overall, A.J Burnett has been awful, excluding some of his recent starts, and besides CC Sabathia, which arms can the Yankees call on?
Burnett has not been great. However it’s a stretch to say that he has been awful. He is eighth in the AL in strikeouts, 11th in innings pitched and only 13 pitchers in the league had more victories. In fact, he was one of the best pitchers in the league during the months of June and July when he was 7-2 with a 2.27 ERA. Beyond Mr. Burnett, the Yankees will call on Andy Pettitte. He is 13-7 with a 4.15 ERA and is 14-9, 3.96 in 35 postseason starts.
Sentence 4: Can you deem Andy Pettitte healthy after having to miss a start or two because of his shoulder?
Well, he missed one start. Not two. One. Then when he pitched against the Angels on Monday, he went six innings, allowed three runs and said his shoulder felt fine after throwing 91 pitches. It was in all the papers.
Sentence 5: What they’ve done in monitoring Joba Chamberlain’s workload has been unbelievable, but he’s not even in the equation to start.
He’s not? Since then? There’s this guy who manages the Yankees named Joe Girardi. Pleasant fellow, actually. Twice a day he lets these guys called “beat writers” ask him questions. These “beat writers” have asked him whether he plans to start Joba in the playoffs and the answer was, “Yes, I do.”
Obviously plans can change. But it does seem that Chamberlain is, in fact, in the equation to start.
Friends don’t let friends drive drunk. And ESPN.com should not let John Kruk write for them.
lol I read this post from Kruk last night and laughed nice replies Pete hahaha
Kruk wrote it for god sake (in crayon I’m sure); of course it’s a parody.
“A.J Burnett has been awful, excluding some of his recent starts”
By the same token, he has been great, excluding his bad starts!
Sentence 2: How does their rotation set up?
CC Sabathia will pitch Game 1. It’s likely that A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte will follow him. That’s how.
Classic lol
I read this yesterday too, and you didn’t even post the most ridiculous part. He said that all of the teams have flaws except for the Red Sox. He even said something along the lines of them being able to count on Dice-K. Yeah, okay…
And this is the wit I am going to miss so much. Pete’s not John Kruk’s!
Kruk is a tool. I always remember that he once said on the radio that he doesn’t beleive half the things he says. His producers make him say them…
Whether it is on shows like Baseball Tonight or on national broadcasts of NYY games (FOX, ESPN), these national guys really know very little about the teams they talk about. It seems they get briefed on a few points or watch a few highlights to develop talking points. Although the broadcasters on YES or other teams’ regional networks may be “homers” they generally have great inside info, have seen the team play many games and whether or not you agree with them, have informed opinions. I never put much stock in what Joe Morgan, Kruk, McCarver, Buck or any of those guys say.
Haha, nice work Pete. I hope your replacement has a similar sense of humor.
Funny how that “truth” thing punches holes in his theories…
Yeah I was gonna say – do we really think John Kruk wrote that? The only guy on that show who I trust to cobble together a paragraph is Gammons, and that’s only a side gig for him. The rest of them are teleprompter jockeys and nothing more. MLB Channel has rendered Baseball Tonight completely obsolete. MLB Channel = Google, Baseball Tonight = AOL
he raised concerns about Pettitte’s shoulder, which I guess would be legitimate had he not given Dice-K a free pass despite missing most of the season with shoulder problems
Please guys, let’s take off our Yankee-colored glasses (yeah, I am a Yankees-fan). While Kruk’s point is certainly not well-presented (and he does exaggerate), there are definitely concerns with the pitching staff. AJ is hit or miss it seems, Joba seems to have lost it lately, Andy might be hurt (1 start does not a healthy starter make; missing a start is cause for concern though). The Sox are definitely better set up in this regard as everyone apart from Wake seems to be healthy and playing well.
Also, Pete, love your work and will sorely miss you, but judging a pitcher by wins? What’s next, Greinke doesn’t deserve the Cy because he doesn’t have enough of them? And AJ is also among the league leaders in WPs and walks.
Hell Yeah, Pete.
I read this yesterday morning and I was pretty annoyed, but I had to let it roll off my back because I know how much of a moron John Kruk is. I’m glad you said something about it.
God, of all the people I hate on ESPN he’s right up there with the worst.
Kruk said the Red Sox are all dolled up for the post season. I guess they are breaking out new uniforms or something.
ESPN is under the assumption that they have a couple of mandates. 1) bash the Yankees, 2) praise the Red Sox 3) enhance the slightest down turn on the Yankees 4) enhance the slightest glimmer of anything positive the Red Sox do 5) bash the Yankees.
Kruk did this crap on the show, I was saying pretty much the same things that Peter said. My wife was laughing and asked me how did he even get this job, she knew that about Pettitte, Burnett, and threw in the small addition that the Yankees had the best record in baseball, how did they do that with such poor pitching. (My wife watches about 10 minutes of a baseball game and is out like a light).
Haha, you da man Pete! Tell it like it is, brother…
AMEN
I have no idea why people get into a lather over Kruk and Phillips and McCarver and Buck and all the others.
The only thing all these pundits and announcers have in common is that they are irrelevant.
Nipping at his heels for biggest blow-hard know-nothings: Buck and McCarver. Perhaps Garagiola was worse, but hardly. The thought of having to listen to these two call Yankee games through ALCS and WS is enough to make we want to hear Joe Morgan criticize Texiera’s batting stance again.
Allright, Pete Abe!
Get those shots in before you go up to Boston, and call out ridiculous analysis when you see it.
Kruk went on in that article to say that the Red Sox are essentially “set up” for the postseason, with no questions. Oh really?
And I once saw Shawn Chacon match zeros with John Lackey in the 2005 ALDS.
As a very wise man once said, “You just can’t predict baseball”
I thought Kruk was just a novelty act. Are we supposed to take him seriously?
Just wait until that nitwit bridge jumper (whose job Pete should be getting) Joel Sherman, speaks up. He’ll make Kruk look Socratic.
ChrisAutriche, then shouldn’t the Red Sox have big concerns for their “number 1″ Beckett who has been having more struggles than Pettitte? Dicey-K was out all season and comes back for a couple of starts and is pronounced “perfect”?
Every team has their problems, but while pitching is important it isn’t the only thing that wins games. Look at the Giants. Great pitching, but they can’t score runs.
I hope we pound Lester and Dice K this week to shut ESPN up
Kruk + Words = Bad.
Who knew?
“Friends don’t let friends drive drunk. And ESPN.com should not let John Kruk write for them”
LOL… beautiful…
Pete,
Are you becoming a Yankee fan after all?
Brilliant Pete. Just brilliant.
This type of post is what keeps me coming back to this blog 175336266548 times a day LOL LOL LOL
Killshot, Abraham. Nicely done.
Kruk should spend his time more wisely. Instead of writing bogus stories about the Yankees, he should be visiting his local physician. The guy looks like he’s a week away from a major cardiac event.
It’s ESPN and Kruk…that’s about what I expect from.
Nice Fisking, Pete!
Hey Pete, thanks for giving Kruk the business here. I read the garbage article he produced yesterday and it amazes me that ESPN would allow him to actual sit at a computer and produce a written work. He is bad enough on TV, but his written commentary is simply atrocious.
I particularly enjoyed how the Krukster glossed over the Red Sox and their porous middle relief citing that despite the Sox’ weakness with their middle relief they have no weakness…
Look at his photo. Does anyone really expect any insightful analysis from this guy? I wouldn’t trust him to do a good job filling up my gas tank. Kruk is on ESPN because people thinks he’s cuddly. It’s hard to have cuddly come through the written word. Pete comes close. Yes, I think Pete’s cuddly! I said it and I regret nothing.
Man, I can’t wait to watch ESPN when the Yankees win it all. How will they spin that?
Is this the same guy that was sporting a mullet in 2001?
Pete – it is becasue of posts like this that you will be sorely missed by Yankee fans. Kruk has become a caricature of a caricature. He’s Karl Ravich’s pet slob.
Kruk is absolutely one of the worst analysts out there…and one of the reasons that MLB Network was a welcome change!!
ESPN = Exclusive Sox Patriots Network……..what do you expect?????
Pete, it is because of these posts that I will miss you as a yankee writer. For years I have been tired of espn “analysts” who think they know everything about baseball when they don’t even know what the facts are. I understand its their job to critique but sometimes they only dig their own shallow grave.
My God I’m gonna miss you Pete.
What a great response to Kruk! Factual and funny as hell.
Kruk never fails to show his disdain for the Yanks on Baseball Tonight what can we expect from him.
Only thing as awful as having to listen to Kruk is to have to listen to Buck do a game. Thank God for mute buttons.
Thanks for the great chuckle this morning.
Here is all you need to know: in a game that is so humbling to predict, these pundits continue to do so brashly. This exposes them as the empty vessels that they are. It’s entertainment for the masses – and very low quality at that. It’s true for ESPN in their coverage of all sports. Ever see Lou Holtz?
So even though John Kruk (and all his ilk) knows darn well that the post-season is a total crapshoot, he’ll continue to pop off these cocksure predictions, and of course, will not be held accountable for any of his putrid analysis.
This is the reason why I don’t watch any ESPN “news” programs, and why I watch all my baseball games with the audio turned off and the radio turned on.
somehow despite the terrible pitching the Yankees have managed to have the best record in baseball…amazing. How are AJs struggles any worse than Beckett’s?
It is hard for me to believe that anyone still listens to John Kruk. He is never, but never, right. He is ESPN’s Smiley Burnett (Gene Autrey’s sidekick in those old b-grade westerns)likable but inept.
Charlie Foiles
Kruk has a fine writing career ahead of him — with “The Onion”.
Now, if only he had a fine writing career behind him …
Seriously take a second or two and look at his picture, then I’m sure when you start reading things will make more sense.
Well said, this is lazy writing by Kruk. I’ve basically given up on reading espn.com.
The MLB writers at yahoo sports are much better, and then there is the great writing from Pete and the gang over here, so I don’t see a reason to waste time (or money for that matter) at espn. Of course, that could change when Pete skips town and leaves us to pick up the pieces.
Pete,
I’m going to miss you! I’m so sad the red sox fans are going to be able to enjoy your awesome insight, and we won’t. Bummer.
Haha!The team with the best record in baseball is the underdog for the playoffs! Good, I love being the underdog.
Anymore totally biased commentaries like that and we’ll send Randy Johnson out to get this reincarnation of Chris Farley.
NYYROC
September 25th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Whether it is on shows like Baseball Tonight or on national broadcasts of NYY games (FOX, ESPN), these national guys really know very little about the teams they talk about. It seems they get briefed on a few points or watch a few highlights to develop talking points. Although the broadcasters on YES or other teams’ regional networks may be “homers” they generally have great inside info, have seen the team play many games and whether or not you agree with them, have informed opinions. I never put much stock in what Joe Morgan, Kruk, McCarver, Buck or any of those guys say.
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That’s well said. Agree, these guys are by definition, generalists prepped for soundbites.
The national guys rarely do any real homework.
YES guys do a good job, as does the much-maligned Suzyn Waldman when it comes to keeping up with the league. Her pre-game Around the League stuff, or whatever its called, is always worth a listen, and her interviews – often with the opposition – are always good because her prompt questions are well researched.
In Suzyn’s case, she will never get much credit, however. Primarily because there’s a general hostility toward middle-aged to mature women even have a voice at all – part of our American culture that despises people for aging, women moreso – but also because she behaves like someone’s crazy aunt fawning over the Yankees.
Just a general note: I like Leiter, Cone and Flaherty a lot. The latter doesn’t seem to inspire the viewing audience, but I appreciate his observations on pitching/catching dynamic, and his under rated wit. Leiter is fabulous – always present and earnest, always trying to find the right expression for what he wants to communicate, and he DOES want to actually communicate something organic – NOT just hear his own voice.
Cone is also thorough and Kay, incidentally, is at his best with these guys because although he is shrill and moralistic with Singleton (who is lovely, but just doesn’t interject enough), he beautifully defers to the pitching gurus when paired with them and the viewer wins.
John Kruk just got faced! Nicely done Pete.
I can’t remember the last time I watched ESPN for baseball highlights. Thanks MLB Network for crapping all over that unwatchable garbage.
Peter,
Excellent response….quite “lawyer-like”.
This is exactly why Yankees fans are going to miss you, Pete. Informative analysis with sarcastic wit.
@bodhisattva
I agree Flash is pretty good now. A little rough around the edges when he first started, but he’s good now. I still remember when he first went into the booth and he got Derek for an on-field interview following an Opening Day win. DK was messing with him the whole interview and it threw off Flaherty’s whole presentation. Funny interview lol.
This makes me miss Fire Joe Morgan so much.
yea, definitely gonna miss the wit Pete. There’s still time to change your mind lol
MLB Network has done a great service in destroying my desire to watch BBTN. The few times I do catch it (after big yankee wins to see what asinine reason they will come up with for it to actually be a yankee NEGATIVE) I see that they are trying so very hard to mimic MLB Networks fun and engaging stage presence.
It seems there is a much greater propensity for nicknames and hooliganism now on BBTN than ever before, because the MLB Network hosts/analysts work so well together in a much more natural setting (greatly helped by ESPN castoff Harold Reynolds).
Wow I’m pretty shocked you went after Kruk so hard but good job Pete, funny read.
Speaking of baseball writers ripping former players that comment on the current game, check out this blog entry by Joe Pos – http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlo.....-eyes-see/
Yes, Jim Rice put his foot in his mouth again. That blog entry by Joe Pos is a great explanation on why stats are valuable and you can’t always trust your eye.
ESPN is so full of blow hard idiots that become “experts” because the used to play the game that it’s ridiculous. IMO they are killing themselves by focusing too much on former players and failed general managers. Reporters/Journalists who went to school to do those things are much more qualified than former athletes who probably go through a couple weeks of “training” to prep for television. One-nut Kruk is just a glaring example of why their model is driving knowledgeable fans away.
Another thing on the Kruks of the world:
These guys are legends in their own minds, and think they can get by as “personality” guys.
What they don’t realize is no one finds them endearing, or originally quirky – they come off as cliches trying to project an individualism by shouting louder.
Kruk is the ultimate cliche – his gimmick is playing the unpolished, rough-around-the-edges by straight-shooting ex-player who scoffs at the cerebralism because he’s been in the trenches.
What he doesn’t get is he is just such a cliche and he comes off as a cliche of that type. In his way, Mitch Williams on MLB-TV plays the same card.
Kruk has zero credibility. The quintessential ESPN Boston “homer” from overexposure to the likes of Gammons, Phillips, et al.
If not for being an ex-jock he’d be somewhere in the hills of West Virginia floundering around aimlessly.
I always thought that Kruk was just there as eye candy. He can write too?
Seriously how did he ever get a TV job?
@Mr Clutch
I’m not saying the Sox are perfect, but aren’t you exaggerating Beckett’s struggles? He was aweful the second half of August, but has been ok since. Giving up 12 hits against the Royals is certainly not ace-caliber, but he limited the damage just fine.
The Yankees have no clear-cut #2 after CC; that is the main issue I have, and is the one thing that has me worried. The lineup will be fine, but especially in a short series it is not always enough to carry a team.
bodhi
I agree, the YES guys are so well prepared. Leiter and Flaherty are my favs, especially when they are together. I don’t really care for O’Neill, he doesn’t seem to add much. Leiter’s sock demo was classic, he is a born teacher.
OT: if you are looking for some good insight into where NYY youngsters might play in 2010, including what impact they may have on the NYY, check out Chad Jennings SWB blog. He has a good recap on 2009 and looks ahead for 2010, position by position.
Kruk’s an idiot. Remembering the argument he used against Burnett, he claimed Dice-BB is good to go because of his last two starts. ERA+ of 106 for the season – horrible. ERA+ of 69 for the season, coming back from months on the DL – hey, two good starts! And one was kind of mediocre against a mediocre opponent.
I know it bothers you to hear the truth with your Yankee colored glasses on over there, but Krukie is absolutely, 100% correct! Did he mention the part about how the Sox have already knocked your only definite, around the play-offs in 2007?
No pitching = No Championship in 2009
Bash the bad teams all you want to pad your wins number….it doesn’t mean a thing when you end up being bounced in the first round. Haven’t ya’all learned anything the past 10 years??????
Might an ESPN insider be so kind as to share what the scouting report on Alex and Robbie says?
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb.....%3d4501237
His analysis of the Red Sox isn’t much better. He says they are best suited for the playoffs because their rotation doesn’t have any holes.
Huh?
I guess Beckett’s August and September stats aren’t being considered because when you give up 12 hits to the Royals through 6 innings a red light should go on.
Matsuzaka has made two starts after taking a 4 month vacation at a camp for fat kids and has already been anointed as the savior of the Red Sox.
Pete well said, Its these logical breakdowns of statistics that make you such a valuable analyst to NY fans. You will be missed.
ESPN = Exclusive Sox Patriots Network……..what do you expect?????
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its the true…what else can you say…i would not worry about Kruk….I would just win games
Kruk Seems to take everything the yankees do personally, I dont know…. He might be a little slow
It’s like anything in this country,Go to where the most hate is,feed beast(their readers)get the desired response,Yankees haters.
ESPN,is the srlf appointed,wannabe MLB Yankees haters.
Kruk’s not exactly a Rhodes scholar.
Proving ESPN values getting ratings over being right.
Great post Pete.How do the Kruk’s of the world still have a job as a baseball reporter
EricVA, “This makes me miss Fire Joe Morgan so much.”
Absolutely. Great tribute to Ken Tremendous and Co, Pete.
But, to be fair, if FMJ did this article they’d find a way to crap all over Jeter, too.
Who is this Kruk you speak of?
Corey
September 25th, 2009 at 10:40 am
@bodhisattva
I agree Flash is pretty good now. A little rough around the edges when he first started, but he’s good now. I still remember when he first went into the booth and he got Derek for an on-field interview following an Opening Day win. DK was messing with him the whole interview and it threw off Flaherty’s whole presentation. Funny interview lol
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I don’t recall that but I can totally see it. Yeah Flash has relaxed a great deal from when he started, and now he actually brings an interesting irony that Kay plays well off of. He’s really a riot when he starts talking about the Jets – is a season-ticket holder, as you may know, and just surrenders to the giddy fan in himself, LOL.
Don’t know if you remember, but O’Neill was god-awful when he started; always so stiff and vanilla, afraid to make a mistake or offend someone.
When he finally relaxed, it was like the satisfaction you get seeing one of your tightly-coiled friends drunk – liberating! After that, he was GENUINELY quirky (not like these guys who work at it) and boy, is he off the charts quirky! Again, Kay plays awesomely off him – and their discussions about food, and everything else, are just refreshing and hilarious. O’Neill being O’Neill – nothing like it!
Haha, you da man Pete! Tell it like it is, brother…
nothing should be a surprise, I boycott NESPN whenever possible. They steal stories , cover others unfair and are very much biased because if you read the same baseball section they touted Bostons rotation as the best while last time i checked Beckett has stunk it up as much as the waste treatment plant on the west side. They went gaga over the Kobe contreversey in Colorado, yet went out of their way to shove the rothlesberger issues under the carpet since they had a huge investment in him. Also check most of their stories start with source said, and I admit im not a journalist but when i take the time to do research and find out others such as john heyman, and tom verducci to name a few have broken a story before them, yet it still says source said because they cant take the time to give a journalist credit if it means they lose money.
Sentence 4: Can you deem Andy Pettitte healthy after having to miss a start or two because of his shoulder?
Well, he missed one start. Not two. One. Then when he pitched against the Angels on Monday, he went six innings, allowed three runs and said his shoulder felt fine after throwing 91 pitches. It was in all the papers.
——————————————————
Pete, You forgot something…Kruk can’t read!!!
sorry, but flaherty is still way too stiff and dry and oniell is a joke in the booth. and to make matters worse, when oniell is in the booth kay gets even worse than he normally is, the two of them think its a joke fest and lose the game.
the yankees announcers overall are and have been so bad for so long (remember frank messer?) that fans take anything as a sign of improvement.
John Kruk is a bum. Total ownage by Pete! Well done, gonna miss you man.
O’Neill’s personality in the booth kind of betrays the “warrior” personae he had as a player. Which is fine by me. I like my protagonists to be a little off.
Bravo Pete!
ESPN has the classic , ‘Here is a story, alleged by a real journalist, which ESPN has now confirmed is accurate! Thus ESPN REALLY broke the news”
well done! i started reading that hand had to stop – apparently he’s been sitting at the BBT desk and not actually paying attention to the Yankees
kay: this is a similar situation to what heppened the other night, right paulie?
oniell: sorry michael, i didnt watch that gaem, i took the kids to the movies, cost me over 50 bucks!
kay: oh, it must’ve killed you shelling out that much
oniell: yeah, but the popcorn was great
kay: what movie did you see
oniell: you know, the one with that guy, where the girl gets kidnapped and he has to get her back, i think
kay: well, well have to get back to that as the inning is over
I agree with Ham Fighters, Kay totally slacks off when O’Neill is there, it’s annoying. The only combos I like are Ken Singleton and Flash, or Ken Singleton and Cone. If Singy is absent, it’s “mute” time.
Kruk, it’s hard to imagine he was once a baseball player. He looks about as athletic as Norbit.
I LOVE that Kruk is feeding the underdog thing. The Yanks will eat this up. I am actually grateful that the Yanks are being dismissed like this–take some of the spotlight off and let the team “do its thing”.
Let them all talk. The truth is, this team is relentless–it finds ways to win. In spite of what Kruk might consider a thin rotation, the team is close to the top of the league in some important pitching stats, and the team has the best record in baseball. Granted, the bullpen has been used to supplement the efforts of the starters, but the team has still won those games (and not primarily by running up the score). The bullpen is a major strength AND the offense is powerful and the most balanced in MLB. They have beaten great pitching all year. Besides, as everyone knows, success in the postseason does not come from the empirical quality of the team’s strengths. Postseason success is more a function of how the matchup allows the team to play to their own strengths (and how the opponent is matched up to the team’s weaknesses). I think the Yanks match up pretty well with the other teams that will probably join them in the playoffs.
What I want to see at the playoff games that ESPN is hosting:
Signs that say:
John Kruk…You SUCK.
I’ll always associate Kruk with the opening game of the 2007, which he did on ESPN. He introduced the guy playing first base for the Yankees by discussing his world-class defensive ability and that the Yanks got him for his glove and any offense would be a bonus.
And he would have been right it the player had been Doug Mientkiewicz, who was expected to be the regular first baseman. But due to the pitching match-up Torre actually started Josh Phelps–a terrible defensive player who theoretically was the “offensive” option at first.
It’s clear that Kruk had gotten his 3-by-5 card briefing on Mientkiewicz and applied it to Phelps because he didn’t actually know the difference.
The play-by-play guy (forgot who it was) had to try and smoothly correct Kruk by saying something like “…and of course the Yankees other first baseman, Mientkiewicz, is an even better defensive player.”
Kruk simply does not know what he is talking about–he is about as knowledgeable as any random caller to a radio talk show.
@Ham Fighters
Thats exactly what would happen! LOL nice one
Flaherty makes me think once or twice evry game, if it’s as easy as you make it sound, why didn’t you do it when you played.
The distinction between knowing what the right play is and thinking every player is capable of doing it everytime sometimes seems lost on him.
upstate kate
September 25th, 2009 at 10:46 am
bodhi
I agree, the YES guys are so well prepared. Leiter and Flaherty are my favs, especially when they are together. I don’t really care for O’Neill, he doesn’t seem to add much. Leiter’s sock demo was classic, he is a born teacher.
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Hahaha, I saw that! Leiter was priceless. Have you seen him on those MLB Network pitching tututorials? He is SOOOOOO animated and earnest. His intensity of purpose is hilarious. He’s just a genuine guy – quirky as hell and endearingly so – and very, very bright.
This article right here is exactly why I’m such a big fan of yours Pete!!
John Krock is the biggest joke of an analyst out there. The day ESPN fired Harold Reynolds and gave the primary analyst job to John Krock, is the day I stopped watching Baseball Tonight. Thank god for the MLB network, at least now we can get some actual baseball analysis.
John Krock doesn’t just suck because he clearly hates the Yankees, he sucks because he has absolutely nothing intelligent to say. Listen to him speak about ANY team, and it’s just an embarrassment that the man is allowed on television.
Can we get a petition going to get John Krock fired?? If there is one already, where can I sign??
“But, to be fair, if FMJ did this article they’d find a way to crap all over Jeter, too.”
FJM only craps over the god-worship Jeter gets. They do give him credit where his actual credit is due. Likewise, they were one of the few sources defending A-Rod when the meme was “A-Rod’s a choker!” based on approximately thirteen playoff games.
O’Neill has some Rizzuto in him, no question.
Of course, nothing will ever come close to White and Rizzuto. Never was there a more perfect, complementary yin and yang.
I think of Bill White’s big warm, river laugh and it brings me back.
hahahhahahahhahahahahhahahahhahahhahahahahh
Kruk is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fat!
Brilliant!
pat
September 25th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Flaherty makes me think once or twice evry game, if it’s as easy as you make it sound, why didn’t you do it when you played.
The distinction between knowing what the right play is and thinking every player is capable of doing it everytime sometimes seems lost on him.
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Eh, I can see why he may come off as a little haughty at times… I like him, though.
Evan
September 25th, 2009 at 11:12 am
hahahhahahahhahahahahhahahahhahahhahahahahh
Kruk is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fat!
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Right…
This comment is for the ladies ( sorry boys). I just have to say that for a 40-something year old man, Girardi looks really really good ( see NY Times picture).
Stultus,
Kay is generally annoying, but when with O’Neill they enter into a bond that’s obviously genuine. I prefer that to Kay getting on a moral soapbox every five minutes.
I agree, it’s best when Kay is just not even there. Some of those road trips, it’s like a gift when you realize Kay hasn’t made the trip. I think his worst offense is never letting the game breathe. Also, reiterates a story that every local has known about for a week, as if he has to update the national audience. It’s mind-numbing.
But one skill he has is getting others to talk. He does shut up when it’s Cone or Leiter.
i loved bill white doing games, i think steinbrenner wanted him out b/c he didnt worhip at the yankees altar.
same for kubek and kaat, they’d rather have second rate shills than real knowlegable announcers
Between Kruk and Steve Phillips, you would think the Yankees had the Nationals record. I’ve never heard either one of them say anything positive about the Yanks the entire time they’ve been on ESPN. Thank God for the MLB Network providing a reasonable alternative to the jokers on Baseball Tonight.
hilarious post
bodh
I don’t dislike him.
I heard Sean Casey on MLB Network one night say when he got the job there and his dad reminded him to never forget how hard a game baseball is to play on the field and how much easier it looks from an analysts chair.
Flaherty could have used the same advise.
Pete unless you want to scare people away from this blog today,remove that uuuuugly mug from the story.Reading his CHEAP trash hit job,is one thing,but we shouldn’t have his stain on this blog!
Here’s the real facts Jack!
1.Yankees were the 1st team in majors to win 90 games this season,the 3rd time in the last 45 years they have been basesballs first team to 90 wins in a season.
2.They are a Major League- best 46-19 since the All Star Break.
3.Yankees lead the majors with 867 runs scored.
4.Yakees lead the majors with a .285 team avg.
5.Yankees tied with Sawx for most wins at home(52)
6.Teixiera leads AL with 118 RBI.
7. CC leads the AL with 18 wins.
Now chomp on that Jack!!
TIme to head north.
Parting thought: I would not have known what Kruk said if not for this blog.
Take that however you want to
.
Pete. That was awesome.
pat, remember Girardi was fond of bringing that up…it looks easier from up here, etc…
Enjoy the games (BTW, you & your mom rock – never will I forget your comment that night).
Hope the blog survives the weekend. GO YANKS!
As much as I hate John Krock, and many others at ESPN, they do have a few very good/great writers working for them.
Unfortunately there are only a few.
1. Peter Gammons
2. Buster Olney
3. Keith Law
Steve Philips, I don’t hate as much as most people seem to, but man oh man I cannot stand John Krock!!!
jon, i like all 3 of those writers, but it is interesting that gammons is from boston, olney grew up in vermont and law went to harvard
Typical ESPN – Extra Sox Programming Network. As Hal Steinbrenner said it is Red Sox and ESPN pumping/pimping Red Sox Nation. It figures they employ all Red Sox Fans. Remember that is all you have up in New England where they are located.
Pete, I think you should start a new blog called firejohnkruk.com instead of going to the Globe. Just saying.
Ham Fighters:
That is a brilliant comment. So Keith Law was supposed to turn down Harvard because it was in Boston and maybe someday dimwits would think he was biased toward the Red Sox. Is that what you are suggesting?
Never mind that he, you know, worked for the Blue Jays as a paid employee.
This just in: Of the nine people who regularly cover the Yankees, one was born in New York. Does that disqualify everybody else?
This whole idea of where were born somehow keeping you from doing your job professionally is so ridiculous.
None of this surprises me. I have disliked Kruk on that show for several years now.
He exaggerates greatly, blows topics/incidents out of proportion with his big mouth and tends to make very little sense while on the air.
Shrek>Kruk
pete, i did start the comment by saying that i liked all 3 writers didnt i?
that hit a little close to home?
and i have never held you being from boston against you, you are an excellent writer. and i have never inferred that espn is biased, in fact i have regularlly mocked those who do.
again, best of luck in boston
Kruk is just full of Kruk. Its amazing that the Yankees have the best record in baseball and I have to assume that they got some of them…with pitching! Of course, ESPN is located in Connecticut, home of so many red sux cheerleaders.
Yanks in 09!
i was only pointing out that 3 (4 counting you) of my favorite baseball writers all have a new england connection.
@Hamm Fighters
I doesn’t really bother me that much if John Krock roots for the red sox, it bothers me that he is so unbelievably stupid yet makes a ton of money to offer his useless opinions on air.
I don’t agree with everything Peter says on this blog, but he is obviously very good at what he does and I respect his opinions whether I agree with him or not.
I read that article yesterday and it seemed so biased it made me mad. Either that or he’s a complete moron. Burnett awful? Come on…
ESPN should change their name to NESN2. You’d almost think that Phillips and Gammons draw a Red Sox cheque some times. And now Kruk, once a buffoon alway a buffoon.
Perhaps someone should ask Lenny Dykstra what he thinks.
I do like Keith Law and Buster though.
now as far as u being from boston, did u see the afl show on showtime the other day? the patriots started playing on friday nights when the league started b/c they knew they couldnt compete with the giants on tv on sundays. sounds about right, to me!
im hoping the pats make the super bowl again this year so the giants can totally our physical them once again!
Ahh yes, I remember now. He was saying all the teams had flaws except the Red Sox. We’ll, except for maybe the bullpen, he then mentions. That’s not really a flaw, right? Nah, not enough of a flaw to call it a flaw in an ESPN article. Who needs a bullpen in the postseason?
bodh
Unfortunately, I’ve been where you were that night. Glad the words helped. She’s still “working the beads”, as we call it, everyday for your friend and many others.
Wow Pete, where’d you ever manage to dig up such factual information!?
Hey John look, Pete actually did some RESEARCH before commenting. Try it some time. Rumor has it the information may also be available on the ESPN website. You know, that place you “work” for.
I really like Olney and Law, but having people like Kruk author pieces really brings down the average IQ there. When you factor in Cowherd on 1050 Espn radio, it really becomes an idiot-fest.
I love that ESPN just launched an ESPNBoston.com website. Why bother? Isn’t that basically what ESPN.com already is? Why not launch ESPNnot-boston.com if they wanted to do something different?
Nicely done Pete. Kruk is poorly informed. Burnett’s last two starts have been very good and Andy did very well his last time out. Unlike previous years when CC was overworked going into the postseason, CC should be well rested for October this year,
If Joba goes to the pen for the ALDS, you have Joba, Hughes, Ace, Robertson, Marte, Coke and Mariano in the pen. That is pretty strong.
Great job Pete. I hope this gets back to Kruk…
Oh I guess you all haven’t heard. If you read ESPN or Fox Sports, it appears that the Red Sox are going to win the whole thing.
Someone mentioned that Kruk was close to a cardiac event. Maybe he needs to do Nutrisystem like the rest of the ESPN team like Golic and Berman… LOL.
Peel back the hyperbole an Kruk asks legitimate questions.
Which AJ shows up in the post season ? Mr June-July 7-2 or Mr. 5+ ERA post AS break ? Didn’t Pete A link to a story by Sam Borden concerning this issue ?
I tend to think Pettite will be OK, but again he had to miss a start due to shoulder issues. He pitched well against the Angels, but the true test will be his next start on regular rest.
Joba is an enigma. His fastball velocity has been as erratic as his command. By all accounts he is stubborn (good), but possibly unwilling to listen to instruction (bad) and maybe turning into a head case (worse). How he has been handled this season probably did not help either. Well tonight is a big game for him…Sox, late season on national TV, sort of post season dress rehersal. Will his cap be pulled low and will he fist pump after key strike outs, or will he put pedestrian meatball pitches in the heart of the plate ?
While we all may think that ESPN is anti Yankee, even a realistic Yankee fan has to understand that these are legitmate issues.
great post Pete. ESPN is all about the moment and most of their baseball guys are lazy – not all Gammons, Oly and Stark are strong because they do their home work and actually go to games!
Thank you so much!!! I have hated John Kruk for as long as he has been on TV, and I could never understand how ESPN got away with having a guy spew pure idiocy every night and call it expert analysis. I have ranted and raved about how terrible he is, but no one ever seems as upset about it as me. So thank you for finally making it clear to me that I am not crazy, and that other people can also see that John Kruk is a big fat idiot!
John Kruk is one of the main reasons I don’t watch Baseball Tonight anymore. Where do they find these clowns?
Steve Phillips?! Good God.
Karl Ravech really adds nothing.
The worst thing ESPN ever did was force Reynolds to step down. Of course, I realize it was sexual harassment and thus their hands were tied, but still.
THANK YOU PETE!!!! Someone had to say it, and I’m glad it was you! I read this article and felt the same way about every sentence. How does the editor read this and not say “Maybe I should have him rewrite it”? That section sounds like something one of my RedSox friends would post on my facebook page (after a night of drinking) in a wall to wall argument.
john kruk is a bloated sloppy idiot… the ONLY team he knows anything about is the Phillies because he’s obsessed with them… every single baseball tonight Kruk gets to do his little segment on the Phillies no matter how irrelevant or meaningless their game was that night… u would think 75 percent of the country was Phils fan from the amount of Phllies content on baseball tonight… Bottom line John Kruk is a biased fool who was lucky to play in the MLB when he did because he would have NO CHANCE IN TODAYS GAME… too short, too fat, too unathletic, not enough power… he had good timing when he played that’s about it, and now he has brought his suckiness to ESPN… but what’s new ESPN sucks left and right
Today ESPN.COM has a poll on their main page regarding Joba.
Check it out and vote.
Wow. Harsh criticism for your brother. He is your twin brother, right?
Classic Has Been Player, now ESPN jock.
The only credential any of them have is that they put on a uniform. Problem is almost none have done the research that even bad reporters do.
I agree with Peter’s comments. This was an atrocity of an article – usually the BBTN posts show some kind of editorializing (at least) and sometimes some ghostwriting. And some of the wirters/baseball players from ESPN are actually good – Chris Singleton is my favorite of this kind. But this article was just awful and poorly thought out to boot. Even the folks at the post/dailynews wouldn’t publish something so reactionary after the yankees manage to only play .500 ball for a stretch of meaningless games.
Why do fans still pay attention to espn, its horrific. We now have the MLB network, which is much better, when you want to hear analysis.
In addition, there are blogs such as this one. ESPN is irrelevant … they gave Roy Smalley a job a few years ago.
i don’t see the poll
Thanks for writing this up, Pete.
I read this the other day and became infuriated at all the crap he was spewing. Bashing the Yankees is one thing, but at least make sense when you do it.
HAHA yeah I saw this yesterday on my way out to school.I read the first paragraph and pictured Kruk sweating beads trying to come up with something at 3 AM while on his way home from Wendy’s. They should really get someone to proofread or ghostwrite his “Articles”. This was a case of the annual Yankee-Bashing that ESPN likes to do before the playoffs. What a Joke.
I’m so happy you wrote about this. I saw this on espn.com yesterday and thought it was ridiculous. He has NO IDEA what he’s talking about….
^—- Stands up and applauds…..
This is by far one of the best things I have ever read on this board. John Kurk is a joke and does nothing but jump on whatever team is the hottest bandwagon. And right now thats probably the Red Sox….Last month he was creaming himself to the thoughts of the Yankees and jelley donuts.
I remember in 2006 Kruk said the best closer in baseball and guy he would want getting an out if his life was on the line was Bob Wickman.
Listening to Colin Cowherd last week, he totally admitted that ESPN is a network dominated by RedSock fan employees.
He said the RedSocks could neeeever come close to having the huge fan base the Yankees have. The only reason the Socks are as widely followed nationwide is due to the fact that they are PUSHED by ESPN since MOST OF THE PEOPLE WORKING AT ESPN ARE RED SOCK FANS.
Of course, this is common knowledge. It’s just not something you hear a national broadcaster admit. Ever.
Mr. Kruk, I believe you just got owned.
Singleton and Cone are definitely the best combo. Cone has great insight and I think will be a pitching coach somewhere at some point. Sometimes he does seem to forget that kids are watching though and makes some pretty questionable comments. And you are guaranteed to hear at least one comment about his drinking plans for the night.
I can tolerate Flash, but he’s a little too preachy sometimes and seems to forget that while he was a major leaguer, he really wasn’t very good.
O’Neill and Kay are like a couple of little school girls when they get together. It can be endearing at times, but mostly its annoying.
Agreed! Ever since Harold Reynolds left Baseball Tonight John Kruck has been exposed! ESPN and Baseball Tonight are a waste of time to watch. T-VO them and then watch the Yankee highlights. That way you don’t have to listen to Steve Philips and Peter Gammons. Try it. It really does work!
Kruckie’s Mom – “Did he mention the part about how the Sox have already knocked your only definite, around the play-offs in 2007?”
Is this English? Oh, right, a BloSux fan…
Perfect Pete, I am truly going to miss quality posts like this. I would certainly like to make this a reply to that new article. ESPN have some of the stupidest people in the sports industry working for them.
I mean, they really think Joe Morgan is good at calling a baseball game?
thank you so much for that Pete….I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve thought that when I read somthing Kruk wrote. He’s incompetent at best, I’m glad someone could finally take him to task.
lol, good one Pete.
Great article Pete, we sure know NESpN is always rooting for the boston. Awesome reply, we sure gonna miss your humor pete.
take care
Thanks for saying it. John Kruk, for what ever reason, is the biggest Yankee basher on ESPN (besides maybe Skip Bayless). No matter what the circumstances are you can always count on Kruk having something negative to say about the Bombers. Hes a moron and this article proved it. Nice post.
PETE – YOU’LL NEVER GET ANYPLACE IN YOUR PROFESSION … YOU LET THE FACTS INTERFERE WITH THE STORY.
check out this post on MLBTR by Santana/Beckett FTW
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....l#comments
Kruk lives in my neighborhood. He’s almost hit me in his pickup (because of course, a retired baseball player needs a pickup) at least 3 times. He’s the worst.
very sharp
Why do people think just because you played the game you know everything about it. Kruk has always been a Yankee hater. Nice response! The only thing Kruk should write about is Cheeseburgers and Busch beer.