Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Oct 15, 2009 
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The Yankees had 15 walkoff wins in the regular season and one more already in the playoffs. That experience gives them an incredible confidence late in games, which can become a real weapon the in the postseason (especially during games at the Stadium). Chad Jennings has a look at the never-say-die Yankees.
While the Red Sox will always be the Yankees biggest rival, the Angels have become their nemesis in recent years, and Mike Scioscia’s team always seems to be standing in the Yankees way. For more on how the Yankees will try and finally get past LA, check out my column.
Johnny Damon was the only regular who took part in a simulated game at the Stadium on Tuesday’s off day, and the left fielder is looking to turn around his performance after a woeful ALDS. Josh Thomson has the story.
The Yankees are preparing themselves to handle the Angels aggressiveness. The notebook also has updates on roster questions, rotations for both teams and the men in blue.
I’d bet anything that the Yankees finally get past the Angels (I’ll say five games), and there’s no way they’ll lose to the National League in the World Series.
Good article on CC:
http://www.northjersey.com/spo…..tober.html
A couple of points:
*For a manager to mock a player behind his back, esp. to other players, is disgraceful. Also, who the heck is Jason Giambi to be mocking anyone?
*Just win – I don’t care about comparisons to the 1998 team. I adore this team, but that team was one of, if not, the greatest team in history.
*CC is ultra-cool and a horse; he’s just amazing.
*AJ – now he’s used to it, so no overthrowing. NOt that I can blame him, lol – he’s never been in the playoffs before and never experienced a rush like this.
Nice article by Chad. The Angels have the rally monkey and that’s nice for them, but the Yankees have come back on just about everyone this year – including the Angels. With all the talk about the Angels magic and their date with destiny, the Yankees are going to have something to say about that.
I will have to read the other articles later – I’m looking forward to it.
was completely shocked 3 days ago.
had checked the ESPN baseball page, and *every* ESPN baseball writer (approx 10) picked NYY over the Angels. No one picked the angels.
that said, i believe the angels will win. The two teams are evenly matched (aside from the bullpen). And until it is proven otherwise, the Angels own the Yankees
Unfortunately this entire 3-man rotation is out the window, we probably won’t be playing till Monday at this point.
Huge disadvantage now with weekday home games, Gaudin starting and less off days in between.
Ugh.
why cant they play friday night? they are NOT forecasting downpours. Occasional showers mostly throughout the day, not at night, and of course it will be very cold. Not a wash out. and they can spank their rally monkey for all i care, Go Yanks !
vinny, love the optimistic viewpoint.
The Angels agree with you, after all they never beat Boston, right? Too bad they didn’t beat them this year, oh wait.
Despite the angst about the Angels, this is a different team than those past years. Yes, the Yankees got shelled by them prior to the ASB, but the Yankees look like a different team since then. I expect it to be a battle, it should be, this is going for the Championship.
“that said, i believe the angels will win. The two teams are evenly matched (aside from the bullpen). And until it is proven otherwise, the Angels own the Yankees”
Didn’t everyone say the same thing about Boston and LA?
In 2002 NYY had Clemens in the rotation. In 2005, they had Randy Johnson and Shawn Chacon. I don’t see these past years as being comparable with this one.
vinny-b
Yesterday you signed on, declared this board was in a panic when it clearly wasn’t and said goodbye (I was really sad about it).
This morning you signed on, declared the Yankees will lose. Is it possible maybe you are the one in a panic? Or maybe you are just a troll???
Either way, maybe you should say good bye again
34 hours and 26 minutes until Game 1!!!!
The advantage the Yankees have in the ‘pen is huge and not to be underestimated.
Erica
Maybe your countdown needs to be integrated with the weather report
“The Yankees had 15 walkoff wins in the regular season and one more already in the playoffs. That experience gives them an incredible confidence late in games, which can become a real weapon the in the postseason (especially during games at the Stadium). Chad Jennings has a look at the never-say-die Yankees.”
****
This point right here is the key to the remainder of the playoffs. In every game of the ALDS, Minny scored first. The Yankees came back to win every time. The announcers kept stressing the importance of being the first team on the board, but that the end of the series it was really no help at all to the Twins because the Yanks have unbelieveable comeback power
iiicollies
October 15th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Erica
Maybe your countdown needs to be integrated with the weather report
******
I am not a fan of the “what if” game when it comes to weather. I’ll believe its going to rain that night when its 7:30 and the tarp is on the field. Until then, I will continue counting down to 7:57
Lets Spank the Rally Monkey ! Go Yanks !
Look at what the Yankee hitters do to teams from the 7th inning on:
.293ba .378obp .508slg .887ops.
That’s collectively. Meaning as a team they hit from the 7th inning on like Evan Longoria.
Sal
October 15th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Lets Spank the Rally Monkey ! Go Yanks !
***********
I second that. I hate the Rally Monkey with a passion.
I’m very confident in this team. As long as they keep the approach of grinding and building pitch count they will get to the Angels pen early where they have the clear advantage. Darren Oliver is their setup guy for goodness sake!
Here is tomorrow nights forecast from a good skiing weather site that I trust:
Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain. Breezy with lows in the upper 30s. North winds around 20 mph.
Baseball will be played tomorrow night folks.
There are just 6 players from the 2005 Angels team that are still active-Figgins, Guerrero, Izturis, and Juan Rivera in the field, Ervin Santana and Lackey pitching. From ’02, there is just one-Lackey.
Those series have very little to no relevance to this one.
morning all! just saw this in the ny post in vacarro’s article: “It has been a curious season for Damon, one that began with him having to pull a large knife out of his back plunged there by Joe Torre in his book”
lol, maybe im suffering from a case of amnesia induced by the playoffs.. but what the heck did Torre say about Damon? I remember the Brown stuff.. and the Pavano stuff.. and even the Arod stuff.. but Damon?? If anyone recalls please let me know. I never read that book and probably never will, but I like the drama
How do the Angels “own” the Yankees this year?
They are 5-5 for the season. They have played 4 series (I count the one game makeup as a “series”) and the Yankees won 3 of the 4 series.
Doesn’t seem like being “owned” to me.
Two good teams and it should be a very good, close series.
Neither team “owns” the other.
Torre revealed that Damon wanted to quit baseball before the 2007 season, I believe. That Spring Training he didn’t show up on time and was out of shape because he basically spent the entire offseason hanging out with his kids and he said he didn’t know if he had the fire for the game anymore. The book referenced that other of Damon’s teammates told Torre they “wanted him gone”, although there were no names dropped as to who these teammates were.
I read the book and it was pretty good despite the weirdness of a still active manager revealing inside information about still-active players and what went on inside a clubhouse.
Does anyone know when the game would be played on Sunday, if the Friday or Saturday game gets rained out? Since the game is on FOX I know they will not move their football programming, and TBS has the night game.
Andrew GTLU Bronze Medalist
October 15th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Torre revealed that Damon wanted to quit baseball before the 2007 season, I believe. That Spring Training he didn’t show up on time and was out of shape because he basically spent the entire offseason hanging out with his kids and he said he didn’t know if he had the fire for the game anymore. The book referenced that other of Damon’s teammates told Torre they “wanted him gone”, although there were no names dropped as to who these teammates were.
*****
I do believe that Damon came to 2007 out of shape and considering quitting. I believe he later on even admitted that. However, Johnny said he had absolutely no knowledge of any teammate wanting him gone. That part I think was fabrication by Torre
From the Daily News:
But Torre’s depiction of A-Rod as a self-centered head case universally disliked in the clubhouse and his criticisms of Cashman as a stats-conscious GM who made continuously bad choices with pitchers were not exactly revelations. That is why their portrayals in the book are not nearly as damaging to their character as what the ex-Yankee manager had to say about Johnny Damon.
We all thought the affable Damon was one of the more popular guys in the clubhouse. Not so, said Torre. Rather, he reported, Damon’s subpar play during much of the 2007 season because of nagging leg problems was viewed by the old guard Yankees as a “lack of commitment.”
Torre, the book said, felt Damon “was in the same place he was when he left the team in spring training and not exactly the kind of guy a sinking team needs as its leadoff hitter and would-be catalyst.”
Torre goes on to reveal how several Yankees expressed to him their frustrations with Damon and quotes one unnamed player as saying: “Let’s get rid of him, the guys can’t stand him.”
I don’t know about anyone else, but I read those remarks and I see Greyhound tire tracks all over Johnny Damon’s back. And does Torre honestly believe he didn’t violate any personal trusts or clubhouse codes with all the supposedly confidential conversations he reveals? In the interest of fairness, and because I happen to like Johnny Damon, I asked him if he cared to rebut any of Torre’s charges. And while he wouldn’t go as far as to say he felt betrayed by his former manager, he is clearly hurt.
In regard to leaving the team to go home to Orlando and ponder retirement in spring training 2007, Damon explained: “I was really bummed out by the way everything ended for us in 2006 (losing to the Detroit Tigers in four games in the AL divisional series). (Gary Sheffield) being benched, Alex batting eighth, all of that. We’d worked so hard to have it end that way when I felt we had the best team. And then after Cory Lidle’s death, I started looking at things in a bigger picture, being home with my kids after missing all the years of them growing up.”
As for the insinuations by Torre that old guard Yankees questioned his commitment and wanted him out of there, Damon shook his head sadly.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....z0U0qucCQy
Thanks Andrew! I COMPLETELY forgot about that part!
And NY5, it looks like they would play sunday night and move the monday game to monday night, i think. i also heard talk of them making monday an off day if thats the case but i have no idea how that would work.. lets hope they play the days they are supposed to. until i see lightening on friday at 7:30pm, i wont believe anything different.
The Angels have something special going on this year. I say Bobby A. has a BIG series. Proving to the Yankees that they missed the boat on re-signing him for 2009. Besides, Teixeira was on the Angels last year. On a much better team than that of the Red Sox and they lost in 4. Angels/Dodgers final with your old buddy: Joe T. getting a ring before his old team does. How SWEET would that be for NY fans? More like a New York Nightmare.
SWEEEEEEEET!!!!
FYI- Pete is in the Bronx following the series for the Globe.
It sounds like Damon was having an existential crisis.
“There are just 6 players from the 2005 Angels team that are still active-Figgins, Guerrero, Izturis, and Juan Rivera in the field, Ervin Santana and Lackey pitching. From ‘02, there is just one-Lackey.
Those series have very little to no relevance to this one.”
Great point about the turnover and that the Yankees had similar turnover of personnel since then.
“I do believe that Damon came to 2007 out of shape and considering quitting. I believe he later on even admitted that. However, Johnny said he had absolutely no knowledge of any teammate wanting him gone. That part I think was fabrication by Torre”
Is that what Damon told you?;)
And NY5, it looks like they would play sunday night and move the monday game to monday night, i think. i also heard talk of them making monday an off day if thats the case but i have no idea how that would work..
******************************
There is an off day Wednesday in LA (not a travel day)on which they could play if they decided to make Monday an off day.
Tom in N.J.
October 15th, 2009 at 10:00 am
It sounds like Damon was having an existential crisis.
****
If you recall Cory Lidle was killed in a plane crash right after the 2006 season. In January 2007, Johnny’s wife Michelle gave birth to their first child (he already had twins from his previous marriage). I think for the first time Johnny was really appreciating his family and wasn’t quite ready for the season to start
Here is an article from the Daily News with Damon’s quotes about Torre’s book and the beginning of 2007
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....is_ju.html
The last line from Mo in that article was priceless: “Something happened here. This isn’t the Joe Torre I know.”
Before, honestly I could care less who we met in the WS and obviously we have a really tough series to play before we can even think about it. But now, more than ever, I really hope the Dodgers have to come into Yankee Stadium. A bicostal WS wouldn’t be great on the players as far as travel and stuff, but boy would that series be fun to watch and full of subplots.
My apologies- I didn’t realize Mark in Tampa already posted these same exact thoughts.
Nice, Chad! I was reading the Maddon article nodding (and shaking my head as went through it). I was thinking to myself, why doesn’t anyone write that the Yankees never give up?
And a few minutes later I saw that you did. I like our chances because we’re more likely to give up 3 runs or less, than 4 runs or more. No matter what our starters do, the bullpen’s more likely going to lock it down after that. That gives them a decent chance to get something. If we’re down in the 5th or 6th innings, I used the fingers to count out how many innings we’ve got left. 3 innings to make up 2 runs? No problem I think to myself. And more often than not, the Yankees come through.
I’m beginning to think that the bullpens we face are very aware of what we’re capable of doing in the 7th-8th-9th innings. And it just becomes a self-fullfilling prophecy of doom for the other bullpens.
The part about a player going to Torre about getting rid of Damon “because the guys can’t stand him” has Jason Giambi written all over it. It’s the same deal as Torre relaying to Giambi about a private conversation he (Torre) had with Rodriguez and Giambi blasting it out to an SI slug like Verducci.
Wow, Vinny – you’re picking your own team to lose? The Angels didn’t own the Yankees in September…..and this is a completely different team than the 02 and 05 versions.
Oddly, in a way I think the Yankees are being underrated because of their history against the Angels.
Joe and Evan are right. The Yankees will be far worse off with the rain than the Angels – that will make a huge difference in the series. The Yankees will not be able to make use of the 3 man rotation if there is a rain out. We’ve debated this, but really – do we honestly want Chad Gaudin (or Joba) starting a playoff game? I like what Chad has given us, but I can see him getting pounded early….
They are also right in this regard, which I mentioned earlier. MLB would be much better of cancellng the game instead of starting it and then having the rain come down so hard and so long that both SP will not be able to come back. It’s a shame the weather is going to be so dreadful.
“Great point about the turnover and that the Yankees had similar turnover of personnel since then.”
Yankees have 4 players still here from 2002, and just 6 from 2005 as well. More notable, maybe, is who isn’t here from that team: Randy Johnson, Pavano, Hideo Nomo, Jaret Wright, Kevin Brown, Tanyan Sturtze, Aaron Small, Tony Womack, and Mark Bellhorn.
Hopefully, we won’t be looking back on this crew in 4 years and realizing how under-manned we were. I am sure that will not be the case, though.
Mark in Tampa, that is a ridiculous blurb and I’m sorry, I didn’t read past the first sentence. The DN HATES Cashman and the Yankees……and Alex was not universally disliked. The fact that Torre (per Klapisch in the article I posted this morning) would mock Alex is disgusting and I will never cheer for him again….Giambi? WTH is Giambi to be mocking anyone?
GreenBeret7,
If that was indeed Giambi, that would be crushing to Damon. He was supposed to be one of Damon’s best friends in baseball. Certainly much worse than the fabricated Arod-Jeter GQ garbage.
What the heck did giambi say??
If I’m one of the suits at Fox, and either Friday or Saturday is rained out, there is no way I want Game 2 to be played Sunday night against Sunday Night Football and the NLCS. I’d tell them to play Game 2 in New York on Monday at 4:00, then go out to LA for 3 straight games, playing on the Thursday scheduled off day.
But that only makes sense if TV rules the baseball world.
And it doesn’t, does it?
vinny-b
Is nothing but a troll.There’s no way a Yankees fan would doom his/her own team the way he/she does.Constant negativity in their post.Even the Angels mgr said this is a different team than in yrs past.This season the Yankees and Angels went 5-5.
I gnore the doom and gloomer’s.Our guys didn’t work this hard to get here and not FIGHT.Four of the 7 games are at Yankees stadium,homefield helped the Angels with the Sawx.YANKEES are ready.
Largo
October 15th, 2009 at 10:20 am
If I’m one of the suits at Fox, and either Friday or Saturday is rained out, there is no way I want Game 2 to be played Sunday night against Sunday Night Football and the NLCS. I’d tell them to play Game 2 in New York on Monday at 4:00, then go out to LA for 3 straight games, playing on the Thursday scheduled off day.
But that only makes sense if TV rules the baseball world.
And it doesn’t, does it?
*************
I caught a little bit of Mike and Mike this morning, and they were saying the same thing-have them play game 2 in New York on Monday if there’s a rainout this weekend.
The love for Giambi is downright puzzling, but he’s not here anymore and I’ve not thought of him once. I didn’t care if he was having success in CO and I wasn’t rooting for him.
I remember Johnny’s quote about Torre…..and Mo’s as well. What Torre did was disgraceful – no matter how much we all may have disliked Kevin Brown and Randy Johnson, what happens in the clubhouse stays there. Torre called Michael Kay “Rona Barret” (a gossip columnist)….well, Torre is Rona as well. He’s not papa Joe to me anymore.
betsy – i think even with the rain we’re still going to head into the series with a 3 man rotation. aj has actually pitched really well on 3 days rest and with all the time off i’m sure girardi would still give him the ball in that scenario. besides, it only makes sense given that you will then have chad/ace/(and even joba) in the bullpen in case he (or any of the other starters) blows up in the early innings.
Mark in Tampa-
Aaron Small doesn’t really belong on that list. He wasn’t a high priced free agent signed by the Yankees. He was a career minor leaguer who came up big when their other pitchers all went down. Without Small’s miraculous 10-0, the 2005 team does not win the division
Mark in Tampa
October 15th, 2009 at 10:19 am
GreenBeret7,
If that was indeed Giambi, that would be crushing to Damon. He was supposed to be one of Damon’s best friends in baseball. Certainly much worse than the fabricated Arod-Jeter GQ garbage.
————————————————————
I always got the feeling that Giambi’s best friend, other than writers, was Jason Giambi.
If tomorrow’s game gets cancelled because of rain I don’t know what I’ll do.
It already feels like they’ve been off for 2 weeks!
Again, I highly doubt that happens. Its supposed to be sporadic rain tomorrow night. They played games this year where it was raining the entire time, although it was light rain.
Here are the results from the Division Series. As you can see Sam is in the lead.
http://members.cox.net/lsdorgan/POSTSEASON4.pdf
As I said I would, I will continue these charts through the World Series.
If anyone wants to add LCS predictions I will take them up to the time of the first pitch for the series in question.
Please be sure to put my name in the post so that I can check for predictions that way.
You guys are completely off base regarding who complained to Torre about Damon.
Giambi wasn’t considered the “old guard”…. everyone should know that.
Considering Torre protected them by not using their names, I would assume by the quote it was Posada. Seems like something he would say, and other guys considered “the old guard” like Pettitte and Rivera, wouldn’t say that.
The shocker….. maybe it was Jeter. Most likely Posada, but possibly Jeter.
Hi Trisha,
Good to see you back
The chart looks great even though my results are not!
My ALCS pick – Yankees in 7
My NLDS- Phillies in 7
Thanks.
Erin – The fact that Mike Greenberg and I might think the same way about something worries me greatly.
Trisha,
Yankees in 6
Phillies in 6
Hope you’re doing well!
“Yesterday you signed on, declared this board was in a panic when it clearly wasn’t and said goodbye (I was really sad about it).
This morning you signed on, declared the Yankees will lose. Is it possible maybe you are the one in a panic”
difference between expecting 1 team to win over another, and panicking. If i panic, it will not be due to a baseball game
Thanks for dredging up the Torre dramas, guys. I know there are a lot of people who think he can do no wrong, and thought the little recollections and nuggets he dropped were no big deal. I’m not one of those people. You can be good at what you do, and not be good inside. You know?
Anyway, If I were Damon I would ask Torre straight to his face who told him these things. At the very least Damon would be owed an answer.
Trisha-
It is nice to see you back! Your comment during the past few days has been missed.
Largo
October 15th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Erin – The fact that Mike Greenberg and I might think the same way about something worries me greatly.
************
LOL!! Don’t worry-I agreed with him too, and immediately started to wonder what was wrong with me.
Erica,
That list of players wasn’t meant to be FA busts, but to be players we wouldn’t be comfortable with in key playoff situations. Aaron Small was great in the regular season that year, but didn’t get a postseason start. The Yankees didn’t have confidence in him to put him out there in big situations either. He went 2.2 innings, giving up a few runs in relief.
“that said, i believe the angels will win. The two teams are evenly matched (aside from the bullpen). And until it is proven otherwise, the Angels own the Yankees”
Did they “own” the Yankees during the regular season? In fact I believe the Yankees owned them in the final 4 games they played.
For someone who had to leave the other day due to all the “negativity in here” I find it hilarious that you’re picking the Angels over the team you root for.
“This morning you signed on, declared the Yankees will lose. Is it possible maybe you are the one in a panic? Or maybe you are just a troll???”
btw: i’ve been on this board for 2 years. And have no record as a troll.
at any rate, you don’t matter to me
Trisha
Yankees in 5
Phillies in 7
thanks, and congrats on your AL picks for the last series.
I think HFA & our bullpen makes the difference. I also think too much is being made about the Angel’s running game. Our guys have had plenty of experience dealing w/ the Rays.
Erica-
Did you have a pretend conversation w/ Johnny to get him straightened around in ’07?
Trisha,
“If anyone wants to add LCS predictions I will take them up to the time of the first pitch for the series in question.”
Yankees in 5
Phillies in 4
vinny-b
October 15th, 2009 at 10:41 am
“This morning you signed on, declared the Yankees will lose. Is it possible maybe you are the one in a panic? Or maybe you are just a troll???”
btw: i’ve been on this board for 2 years. And have no record as a troll.
at any rate, you don’t matter to me
****
Its okay-
We are even. You don’t matter much to me either. So I won’t be responding to you anymore.
But if you read other people’s comments too they seem to think you are a troll as well. So maybe you should watch your words a little better
You guys make me giggle like a schoolgirl.
The Angels own the Yankees?
Are these the same Yankees that feature Nick Swisher in Right field, Mark Teixeira at first base, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen (and Aceves/Robertson) and CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett atop the rotation?
No, you say?
Interesting.
I bet these are those same Angels, you know, the ones that have always had Torii Hunter and Bobby Abreu in their lineup and that same Angels team that still has Francisco Rodriguez closing.
Same exact teams, right?
Man, we’re in trouble.
upstate kate
October 15th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Erica-
Did you have a pretend conversation w/ Johnny to get him straightened around in ‘07?
****
Yes, I told him he had to get himself together. And it worked.
He also listened to my pretend yelling on Sunday night and sought lots of extra batting practice this week
vinny-b’s not a troll. But I was surprised at the comment yesterday, it was baseless. There was no panic here.
And he’s just giving his opinion on who’s going to win. The fact that probably nobody else in trisha’s chart is going with the Angels is smacks more of homerism than anything.
But we’re just as good, just as hungry, and just as resiliant as the Angels. It may go down to the end, or it may just turn on a few key plays. Who knows? Certainly no one here.
Hey, Trisha.
Yankees over Angels in 6
Yankees over Dodgers in 5.
“The Angels have something special going on this year. I say Bobby A. has a BIG series. Proving to the Yankees that they missed the boat on re-signing him for 2009. Besides, Teixeira was on the Angels last year. On a much better team than that of the Red Sox and they lost in 4. Angels/Dodgers final with your old buddy: Joe T. getting a ring before his old team does. How SWEET would that be for NY fans? More like a New York Nightmare.
SWEEEEEEEET!!!!”
You must be really sad that your beloved Sox are no longer in the playoffs lol.
Hey, trisha.
I have an incomplete answer:
Yankees vs. Phillies
Trisha,
“If anyone wants to add LCS predictions I will take them up to the time of the first pitch for the series in question.”
Yankees in 6
Phillies in 7
Shame, I really hesitate to throw AJ on 3 days rest. Joel Sherman pointed out today that he did so with the Jays 3 times and has very good numbers. That said, he’s not done so this year and this is not the time to try it out. As it is, he’s going to have extra rest going into game 2 and I don’t think that’s good.
Personally, I hope that we don’t have a game 7. I’d rather not have any pitcher face the Angels 3 times in a series. In fact, I’d rather we win the tilt without having any pitcher face them twice.
I don’t know if “troll” is the right word….
When you claim to be a fan of a team….then criticize others for being negative about that team…..then pick AGAINST your team (who happens to have the best record in baseball)….the word “hypocrite” pops into my head immediately.
If you’ve watched this team all year and especially the games vs. the Angels you realize what happened in the past means nothing.
This team has its own identity. What happened even last year is inconsequential in the least to the results that will be achieved this year.
Erica-
I knew we could count on you to get Johnny straightened around
In fact, I’d rather we win the tilt without having any pitcher face them twice.
****************************
m,
Even if the Yankees sweep, CC would probably face them twice-Games 1 and 4.
I don’t think Vinny is a troll, but I’m sorry – how do you pick against your own team? It’s one thing to be a Twins fan and think they are going to lose, but the Yankees have proven themselves over the course of a long season. To not have faith in them over a team that is AT BEST equal to them (but not – since the Yankees had the best record) – I don’t get that. That said, the Angels can definitely win as they are a very, very good team…..
betsy, i definitely understand your point. but personally, aj having more rest worries me more than him having short rest. the reason i say you throw him out there for game 5 on short rest is simply because aj is the type of pitcher that within the first two innings you can tell what type of stuff he has. if it looks even remotely like he’ll struggle early, you can go right to the pen and not worry because you’ll have guys that are capable of providing long relief. and with all the off days the rest of our pen should be well rested too. it felt like most of them only saw 2-6 batters in the last series.
Fran,
I would’ve pitched Gaudin in Game 4. Especially if we’re up 3-0!
I am also encouraged by how much better the Yankees played the Angels (and the Sox for that matter) later in the season. I am not taking the Angels lightly by any means, but I think we have the better team.
“if you read other people’s comments too they seem to think you are a troll as well. So maybe you should watch your words a little better”
yes. Maybe i may have to
I have no problem pitching AJ on short rest depending upon how taxing his previous start was.
These guys have had plenty of time to rest and judging by Girardi’s quick playoff hook (Pettitte after 80 pitches, using 3 pitchers to get 3 outs, etc.) I don’t think there would be any higher risk of injury.
Its (potentially) a one-time thing and not something to worry about.
Are we playing the “I’m encouraged” game?
I’m encouraged by the fact that the starters bounced back from a pretty bad series against Tampa Bay on the last weekend of the regular season. Andy, in particular, looked great early on.
If the Yankees face the dodgers in the WS should we pick the dodgers because they beat us in ’81?
The point being is that THIS Yankee team is not the same as those who lost twice to the Angels earlier this decade. This yankee team has power arms in the rotation and in the ‘pen. They also have the most complete line-up in all of baseball-it is an absurd collection of power, patience, and yes, speed.
This isn’t a team based upon beating every team with 3 run home runs and mediocre starting pitching and shoddy middle relief. This team can, and will, out pitch, out hit, and out ‘grit’ any team in baseball.
Even if NYY has a 3-0 lead in the series, Sabathia pitching on 3 days notice will depend on how tough a game he pitched in game 1 as far as innings and pitches. I’d even go so far as to start Gaudin until he gives up a couple of runs, and no more than 5 innings, then bring in Chamberlain, followed by the usual cast of characters.
If Gaudin has to pitch, I think it will be OK. He has pitched very well through 4 innings each time out. The fifth has given him trouble, but Aceves(5th), Robertson(6th), Joba(7th), etc., and he doesn’t need to give us a lot of depth. The problem would come in if the other starters haven’t given any depth and the pen is already heavily taxed.
Tom in N.J.
October 15th, 2009 at 11:00 am
If the Yankees face the dodgers in the WS should we pick the dodgers because they beat us in ‘81?
*****
I was in diapers then
As was I Erica-I was born in ’80.
imho, this series is a pick ‘em…
I have no clue who’ll win…but it is time to get that rally monkey off our back…
cill the monkey
C-I-L-L the monkey
At some point during the season, we got scolded for being giddy. I think this was around the second time we passed Boston or something like that.
I posed the question, “If we can’t feel good about this team (which was really rolling at the time), then what should we be feeling?” And we hadn’t even won 103, make that 106 games at the time. But the team was playing better baseball than any Yankee team in the past few years. Like Tom in NJ said, we weren’t bashing our way through games. We were doing it with pitching and defense.
So, again I ask the question, “If we can’t feel good about this team, then what should we be feeling?” I mean, really.
“If the Yankees face the dodgers in the WS should we pick the dodgers because they beat us in ‘81?”
Ummm, yeah. Not to mention the fact that Torre is in the Yankees heads.
Watched the ALCS portion of MLB, and was caught by surprise at the number out outfield assists that the 1974 Yankee outfield. Bobby Murcer with 21, Elliott Maddox with 19 and Lou Pinella with 16. Few people remember just how fine an outfielder Bobby Murcer really was and how good his arm was. Only a few old timers even know who Elliott Maddox was and what a sensational center fielder he really was. Surprisingly, Pinella was a solid outfielder with a fine arm in either corner spot. If you haven’t seen that part….watch it, and in particular the throws by Dave Winfield.
Heck, in some ways I was looking forward to playing the Cards – to wreak revenge for 1964. And, no, I was not in diapers then, though my my voice hadn’t changed yet.
5/5 Season Split ladies and gentlemen. How exactly do the the Angels own the Yankees?
Tom in N.J.
October 15th, 2009 at 11:02 am
As was I Erica-I was born in ‘80.
****
Me too. But the very end of the year. I am a December baby
As bad as the forecast models look for Saturday and Sunday, I’m thinking they are going to try their darndest to get game 1 in tomorrow night.
I’m guessing they play tomorrow in a cold, dreary drizzle and we may very well have to wait until Monday for Game 2.
The good news: out here in so Cal there is no rain in the forecast all next week, and we probably end up playing 3 consecutive days without that stupid off day.
IF they get in the game tomorrow (with CC) that ensures that CC will have no problem at all going in Game 4. In fact, it’s quite possible that he will end pitching Game 4 next Wednesday in Anaheim on REGULAR REST if the weather forecast holds.
Erica – always OPPC
October 15th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Tom in N.J.
October 15th, 2009 at 11:02 am
As was I Erica-I was born in ‘80.
****
Me too. But the very end of the year. I am a December baby
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Luckily, Santa didn’t have a mid-air collision with the stork, huh?
5/5 split w/ the Yankees winning 3 of 4 in Sept, including 2 @ the Angels.
Everyone, thanks.
Frank, thank you.
I definitely want your picks, but you have time!
mel, it is not a problem to just go with a team.
FEI (for everyone’s information):
The points now go up to 3. Correct team = 3; correct # of games for the winning team = 3 more. WS points go up to 5.
You don’t have to guess # of games to be on the chart.
IS IT FRIDAY YET??????????
…though my my voice hadn’t changed yet.
Sometimes my stutter comes back
Gaudin’s numbers against the Angels on 9/22:
Inn 4.2
hits 6
er 2
so 3
bb 2
His whip during the last month was 1.18
i understand everyone seems comfortable with gaudin and i am too, to some degree. but does it worry anyone else that the guy hasnt thrown a pitch in what feels like months now?
Trisha,
Please put me down for:
Yanks in 6 and
Dodgers in 6 too.
Thanks!
I for one think this team has not hit very well against Minny. I feel that if they don’t hit better (albeit the clutch hits got us the W) they won’t succeed the Halo’s as they did Minny.
Pitching was there.. but these guys can hit. We need to be able to score runs early against them, not just come alive in the 7th beyond.
I know we are in for a great series and I still got faith in the Yankees pulling it off, but the bats of late are my biggest concern.
—
With that said, Will Jeter get pied by AJ.. even if he walks off.. how can you pie Jeter.. he is so “business” about what he does.. he’s not one for shenanigans.. Maybe he would willingly trade a pie for a W.. just saying..
How ’bout a sweep guys? Don’t fear the Angels, this is the Year of the Yankees.