Today in The Journal News
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- October
- 18
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The game ended just a few hours ago, and when it did the Yankees beat the Angels 4-3 in 13 innings to earn their 17th walkoff win of the season and second of these playoffs. Alex Rodriguez hit the tying homer in the 11th and Jerry Hairston scored the winning run in the 13th on an error.
The Yankees showed a familiar resolve, writes Sam Borden, winning in dramatic fashion to pull ahead 2-0 in the ALCS.
No matter the situation, Mike Scioscia will pitch his four starters and not turn to John Lackey on short rest, Rick Carpiniello writes.
My notebook includes Joe Girardi explaining why it was a tough decision to sit Jorge Posada and start Jose Molina. It also mentions the October struggles of Chone Figgins, why A-Rod — charley horse or not — has become more aggressive on the bases, and more.
Sam and Chad will have more from sunny California later today.
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on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 6:22 am by Josh Thomson.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
A couple of things that impressed me with this game.
First, there was AJ. Yes, he had the yips as he is prone to getting in some games, especially when he been grooving and then someone gets on. Still, he got his act together and resumed to pitching well. 2 runs isn’t bad.
Hairston deserves some kudos for keeping his attention on the situation and breaking for home after seeing the throw. His being aggressive helped Figgins bobble the pick up of the ball. Had Figgins gotten hold of it he had a good chance at making a play at home plate.
Alex simply amazing to see him locked in so well.
The whole pitching staff was really good, but with the lack of hitting I was puzzled at the short outings from some of the pen members.
Being that it was a walkoff on an error, maybe Izturis should have gotten the pie, but Hairston deserved it because that win was from his heads up play following a good hit to get it all started.
Santana was not very good. As a starter you would think that he should settle down in his second inning enough that he wouldn’t get so many on.
Gardner did great with that bunt. It is something that the Yankees really need to have every one of their players learn how to do well. You never know when the situation can call for making a bunt late in the game, and having one of the bigger bats do it will catch the opposing infield off guard. (After all the Mick bunted, and did it really well, and it seemed to be rarely expected of him.)
Very civilized time to watch the game here in Australia, on an easy going, pleasant Sunday afternoon. I want more 8PM ET starts and 13 inning games. Suits me just fine.
Another thing… I enjoy MLB network, but sometimes, even though these guys are generally former players (I think there are one or two who haven’t played) they sometimes act as if they never blew a game or failed to execute.
They have very set opinions and fall over themselves at times to use a small situation to bolster their opinion without caring about things contrary to their view.
I think its a good start to a network, but they need to have some moderating talking heads on there that can tone down the good ol’ boy testosterone driven drivel.
Adrian, just curious, how did you become a fan of the Yankees? I checked your link and saw you lived in NYC for a number of years. (Nice site you have there BTW)
@adrian – lucky you. The gametime here? 2am to 7am. And yeah, I watched all of it.
The normal fundamentally sound Angels are straying away from their game. Weather can be blamed for just so much of it. The majority of pressure they feel comes from the aggressive Yankees and their fan support.
Let’s take 2 in L.A. and start the World Series at the Stadium.
Epic. Win.
I don’t know why Hairston was not pinch hit in the bottom of the 11th after A-rod hit the home run.. I was expecting that move particularly with the momentum back with the yanks and fuentes being a lefy.. AJ pitched a good game but the game belonged to the bullpen.. When Mo was pitching I had all the confidence that he would keep the angels from scoring.. It was when aceves, marte etc came on to pitch when you know that something is bound to happen.. D-rob was great and got thru’ 2 key innings (even though he pitched only 1-1/3)… Hope Tex starts hitting soon which will propel the offense..
I love Jerry Hairston. He’s been a great acquisition, and players like him have been missing from the Yankees bench for a while. Was great watching him savor the pie!
I am Now changing my prediction from Yankees in 6 to Yankees in 5. I really think they will take 2 of 3 in Anaheim. I havent been at all impressed with the Angels- they are not playing good baseball. BTW, Guerrero is not a clutch hitter. Ive seen him fail more often than not in Big Games. Reminds me of A-Rod before this year.
SO happy for Jerry Hairston. How thrilling it must have been for him.
Alex is just locked it. Amazing.
What a game. I think my heart stopped beating a few times. Just love this team.
i actually just found a photo in an old chest in the attic of mariano being mobbed after getting the 3rd out in the final game of the 2009 world series. it’s beginning to fade a bit.
funny, you can also see a youngish brett gardner when he still had hair.
Not taking anything for granted in California.
But I do expect that the Yankees will hit in the warmer weather.
And I don’t expect that the Angels will play as poorly as they did in NY.
I love that the Yankees were able to capitalize on the Angels’ mistakes.
The thing about HFA in baseball is that you only have it when you’re on your own home field. So for 3 days, the Angels actually have HFA. Which is why if the Yankees only take one there, I’ll be happy. (Well, not during the actual 2 games that means the Yankees would lose, but OVERALL).
It’s also why, when you are home, it’s imperative to win. And YS “magic” did not fail last night.
I have no complaints of how Girardi used the bullpen last night. Yes I do admit my heart skips a beat whenever Marte comes in, but Joe abandoned his formulas, e.g. letting Mo go 2 1/3 because of low pitch count and the situation.
I love this bunch and feel good about our coming back from LA with the ALCS trophy
Not to mention the picture of that lonely man Chad Gaudin sitting out there all alone and wondering how many innings he might have to pitch.
Jerry Hairston Jr. has proven several times that Cashman made a wise aquisition in late July.
Any questions ?
Hello Cody Ransom …. have a nice day.
The Angels may have HFA, but they also have more pressure on them. I am sure they will play better at home, but I doubt Robbie and Jeter will have any more errors.
I am so happy for Jerry Hairston, glad he got the pie. I liked how the FOX guys kept cutting to the banner that said WE WANT PIE.
I’d like to see a Fox banner that says “We eat Crow”
“As has become a weekly tradition here, my Sunday Insider can’t be found on the Web. A quick recap: According to a person in the loop, Matt Holliday’s top choices in free agency are: 1) Yankees; and 2) Mets. The Oklahoma native is apparently not intimidated by New York.
As of now, I’d say the Yankees don’t want to make another large purchase like that, in the wake of last winter’s shopping spree – and if they win it all, then the pressure from the yakosphere (trademark Neil Best) to get Holliday should alleviate.
The Mets? Based on Jeff Wilpon’s words from a few weeks ago, they’ll consider anything and everything. Of course, many industry folks are very skeptical that the Mets will actually do so.”
http://www.newsday.com/sports/.....-1.1278117
Doreen-
what kind of dessert are you making for Andy?
upstate Kate -
I have a couple of ideas.
One is an Almond Praline (line peanut brittle but with almonds), which I thought fit in with Andy’s southernness.
The other was Apple Pie topped with ice cream and crumbled Almond Praline.
The last was Almond Paste cookies (amaretti in Italian), that could also be crushed and put on ice cream-topped Apple Pie.
The cookies goes along with the whole cookie theme and are definitely easier. Fortunately I have a day off to mull over the options! Maybe I’ll make all three if I’m really ambitious.
(I’m giving this far, far too much thought, but it’s been a fun exercise. )
Doreen,
Keep that lucky DVR working
For a 13 inning game, the Yankee bullpen wasn’t really overworked. The rest today will do Mariano, Robertson, and Aceves some good. Seven Yankee relievers threw 116 pitches. Four Angel relievers threw 97 pitches.
I predicted Yankees in five, so I’m so glad to see them well on their way. I think they’ll take two of three in LA.
The crowd actually sounded rather loud last night on the television, but that could just be strategic microphone placement. Was anyone there last night?
Doreen
they all sound good. I was thinking pecan pie.
are you just loving your DVR? We were telling some friends last night that you will never watch TV the same. The ability to rewind certain plays, automatically record programs, not to mention watching all your favorite shows w/ no commercials.
If anyone has the game taped go the replay of Hairston celebration at the plate you can see a rare sight – Matsui jumping around like a little kid. So great to see.
Thanks Ghost, I will have to look for that-poor Hairston looked like he was getting pounded.
Hairston had 4 hands to aim at for that high five and missed all four.
upstate kate -
Pecan pie would be perfect, but I’m sticking to the initials theme. CC cookies, AJ cookies, which is why I’m leaning heavily toward AP (almond past) cookies.
The Yankees played a better game 1, and dinner that night was Chili con Carne. So lot’s of C’s to support the cookies.
Last night I didn’t have the supporting cast ( sauerkraut, baked beans & Bratwurst) and the game itself was a little shaky.
So, what about Arroz con Pollo for Andy’s game??
The DVR is great. Tomorrow, when no one is home except for me, I plan on getting really familiar with the features.
Ghost,
Have to watch that again (gladly). I saw Hairston on the ground covering his face and the guys all over him.
The Ghost -
That high 5 was hysterical. He jumped so high after touching home plate he completely missed everyone! Then he got knocked to the ground and it looked like they were attacking him. Very funny. (as long as he didn’t get hurt!)
the yankees just announced that all field levfel seating and the “great hall” will be open to view tommorows game
Doreen,
When you set your DVR for the games, add on time at the end. If you set it by the program guide and the game is scheduled for 3 hours your DVR will shut after 3 hours. And as we know, most Yankee games take longer than that. I always add 2 hours to the end time just to be sure.
Doreen,
I hope for game 4 that you have more CC food, instead of being forced to eat Cinnamon Granola!
Mark in Tampa -
LOL!
(I have enough chili and CC cookies leftover – I’d love a replay of Game 1!)
Doreen
I forgot your initials theme, I was just thinking southern. You should continue this for the post season, i see a cookbook in the making
Watching the Fuentes reaction to Arod’s HR. It’s amazing the absolute explosion of anger and disbelief these pitchers display on these first row Yankee stadium HRs. Off the bat they all believe it’s just a fly ball that will be caught because in any other stadium it will. Then when it sails over the fence they just erupt.
Fran -
I have been paying attention when everyone here talked about that during the season, fortunately. On Friday night I got it just right for the game on Fox, with 10 minutes to spare, but missed the first 10 minutes of the postgame on YES. So, I have to find out if I can overlap recording two programs.
Do the Yankees EVER play a game only 3 hours long???? You’d think the people at YES would just give in to what we know is true and schedule 3 and a half hours to the broadcast!
No Apple Pie?
Hey guys, great game last night. I was sitting in the bleachers and the stadium was literally shaking. Very cool.
I DVRed YES from 10:00 pm to 1:00 am to try and get the postgame but of course, missed the whole thing entirely. Anyone know of a place I can watch it online maybe?
I know it’s very fashionable to be anti-Aceves around these parts lately but he deserves credit for keeping the damage to 1 run in the 11th. After the Figgins hit it was still 1st and 2nd with one out and he induced a double play to end the inning. I still love the guy and think he’s going to play a very important role before these season is over. He is just a guy who is used to being worked like a mule and when he isn’t he’s just not as sharp.
Kat
the post game will be replayed at 11:30
what a great game to see in person
Kat they are replaying the post game at 11:30am on Yes.
I got pied in the Bar Last night…it was awesome!!!!
“Off the bat they all believe it’s just a fly ball that will be caught because in any other stadium it will. Then when it sails over the fence they just erupt.”
You know, that HR may have been ‘cheap’, but it would’ve been out of other parks. I think it would’ve been out in the old stadium.
Pitchers have to take things in every stadium into account. Teams still try to avoid throwing LH in Fenway.
Fuentes is a mediocre closer, at best. That’s what mediocre closers do.
After Arod hit the home run, as he ran past Hairston, I thought Hairston had a batting helmet on, and a bat in his hands. Then he didn’t come in, Guzman came to bat. Anybody else see that, or was I mistaken? But if it was a good idea to pinch hit him down one, wouldn’t it still be a good idea with the game tied? Maybe Girardi didn’t want Guzman’s speed out of the game, but there was no way he was going to get on base to use it. Luckily, everything worked out in the end, but that was questionable decision making.
Fuentes had no business throwing Alex a pitch he could hit w/ an 0-2 count, his mistake plain and simple
It’s playoff baseball. You can’t get caught up if a guy has a bad night or two. It happens.
I agree re: Ace. He got big outs last night after giving up the hit to Figgins.
It’s truly a TEAM. Everybody contributes.
Something the bridgejumpers and crybabies on here can’t comprehend.
Awesome, thanks so much guys. Mark, i saw that as well – we were all freaking out at the game bc girardi let guzman hit when hairston was on the bench. Even cervelli would have been a better option at that point (although it would take away the 3rd catcher option). As you said, it ended great, but not sure what girardi was thinking.
William Buckner I wasn’t calling the Arod HR cheap, and yes I’ve seen closers have the same reaction at the old stadium it’s just the Yankees have done it so many times this year I just have come to anticipate the pitchers reactions showing their disbelief that what is seemingly a fly ball off the bat ended up going out – Fuentes didn’t disappoint – but my favorite this year was Josh Beckett. It’s really no different than opposing players shaking their heads and looking out to death valley (like Guerrero did in game 1) when a ball doesn’t go out.
good morning yankee people
how does it feel to be up 2-0 ?
if the dodgers win today it gets interesting
Doreen,
I can record 2 programs at the same time if the TV is off. If the TV is on and I want to record 2 channels,I have to be watching one of those channels.
Mark -
You can’t definitely say there’s “no way” Guzman would get on base to use his speed. There’s always a chance – even Molina had a hit last night!
I agree about Aceves – he hasn’t had as much work lately, so wasn’t AS sharp as usual, but still limited the damage. And ARod certainly picked him up. It’s a lot easier to try and pick up one run to stay in the game than multiple runs.
Did the Yankees leave for the west coast early this morning or are they flying out later today?
Fran -
Thanks for that advice. So I would have been okay since I was watching/recording the game on Fox if I then starting taping YES about a half hour before I thought the game would be over. I’m going to try all this out tomorrow.
2 things really quick. What happened to the 90% chance of rain through the entire game lol and also, a little more serious now. I don’t know about you guys, but every time I see a closer blow it out(and we all know Fuentes blew it big time by pitching to Arod when he had 2 bench players after him and was down 0-2), this really makes me appreciate how lucky we are to have Mo in that bullpen. Just thinking about life after Mo scares me.
Does anyone know if they flew out last night post game? I keep seeing the clip of Joe saying “I’ll sleep on the plane ride.” But I wasn’t sure if that meant today/this am or last night?
The Yanks must have left right after the game. Several players, including Alex were in suits and ties.
“William Buckner I wasn’t calling the Arod HR cheap”
Ghost,
I know you didn’t. I did. I put it in quotes because I don’t buy into the fallacy. If it leaves it’s a HR. And as a player, own it. Don’t blame the park.
I also enjoy pitchers response to them. Though my fav is a tie between Verlander and Halliday.
Doreen,
He is as close to no way as there is. Guzman was 2 for 12 with no walks against ML pitching since the start of 2007. Also a .223 hitter in the minors this year with a .272 OBP. In fact, the last two years he has gotten on base twice of his own accord and scored 4 times. He is a career pinch runner, if there is such a thing.
Don’t get me wrong, I like him on the roster, but not with a bat in his hands.
Mark in Tampa
I understand your point. But, Alex had just led off the inning and tied the game. Guzman is in essence leading off a tie game. He’s realy fast, an infield hit or anything is possible. If anybody was on base, or we were still losing Jerry would have came to bat. I have no problem with that gamble on Joe’s part. It sure turned out OK.
Josh, Chad, Sam – great job as usual, thanks!
Jerry Hairston’s post-game interview regarding his grandfather was extremely touching – I was so happy for him. The look on his face as AJ was approaching was priceless -and you could hear on MLB network as AJ said “BOOM!”..
AJ was long gone by the time the game ended, but he was dominant outside of one inning. I’m not going to ask any pitcher to be perfect, nevermind one who is a post-season newbie. Whether he gives up a walk/hit and a HR or the way it happened, 2 runs is still 2 runs. It has to be mechanical with him – which means they can work on it. If he was felt the pressure and couldn’t handle it, he would have come out there and bombed.
I’m a convert – I think Joba should be in the pen next year. Hughes should be in the rotation. I’m not looking forward to another winter of this debate but there you have it.
David Robertson, this kid looks cool as a cucumber in high stress situations.
What is Francesa blabbering about? He’s taking the Angels perspective.
Betsy,
MLB network had a good discussion about Burnett, and his mechanics in the stretch-Doesn’t stand as tall, collapses on his back leg, leg kick is not as high; so he can’t control the breaking ball as well, he tends to miss left or right out of the stretch. Sounds fairly simple to fix, but it probably isn’t at this point in the postseason.
Oh, and Fuentes absolutely should have intentionally walked Alex in that spot. You walk Alex and even if Guzman bunts him over, you’ve got Fuentes, a lefty, against Gardner cold, then Cano you can either walk or pitch to and leave it up to Melky from the weaker side.
I have seen AJ described as “effectively wild”. He was able to keep that bad inning to 2 runs, and not have a melt down. He came back in and pitched well.
Tarheelyank,
Yeah, that had to be Joe’s thinking, I just thought it was odd. Guzman already had strike two on him by the time I thought-where is Hairston, didn’t I just see him with a bat?
Trevor –
Francesa can’t stand this Yankee team.
Doesn’t like that the organization parted ways with Torre or Bernie.
Doesn’t like the new stadium
Doesn’t like the way the team handled Joba
Doesn’t like AJ Burnett.
He wants the same business-like team that won in the 90s.
I have a question. How come Hairston got the pie in the face instead of Melky Cabrera?
Chip, there shouldn’t be any debates or fighting about what Joba should do in the off season because the goal is to win a championship. When the Yankees win, there should be constant celebration, not who should do what.
Hairston scored on an error.
Yeah but there will be – just as there are Yankee fans calling up to complain about the way the Yankees won.
Whether he gives up a walk/hit and a HR or the way it happened, 2 runs is still 2 runs.
________________________________________________________________
Betsy, I agree. 2 runs is 2 runs. However it just stings a little bit more when they score on a “free pass” so to speak. Regardless, AJ pitched VERY well. Can’t really complain too much about a bad inning. I think he’s handled himself pretty well considering all the pressure he’s under.
Now its up to big game Andy to really keep the momentum going!
My opinion will be that Hughes goes back to the rotation, Joba goes back to the pen, if Andy wants to come back for a reasonable contract – great. And sign Rich Harden.
“BaBa Booey
October 18th, 2009 at 11:15 am
I have a question. How come Hairston got the pie in the face instead of Melky Cabrera?”
credit goes to KSV for finding this out –
when in doubt –
“pie goes to the runner”
Melky hit a routine grounder, pie was for Hairston getting the leadoff hit (hit in his post season debut) and scoring on the error.
Also it would have been in bad form to smash a pie in Izturis’s face.
DT
that was funny
who got the pie in the game w/ the Castillo error?
Kate -
I believe that was pre-pie.
Morning people.
Reading through some of the articles this morning, it is paining some writers to have to change the script from Alex can’t do anything in October. Fun to read.
Last night was a Team win. Alex took everyone off the hook for all the gaffes for everything that happened before the 3rd pitch of the 11th inning and Hairston’s legs, Melky’s clutchiness (he does always seem to be in the mix of these things) and an error took everyone off the hook for the gaffes after the 3rd pitch of the 11th inning.
Guys picking each other up, from the starter, to the regulars, to the bullpen and including everyone down to the 25th guy on the bench.
Good times. No worries until Monday at 4.
“DT
that was funny
who got the pie in the game w/ the Castillo error?”
Upstate Kate – that was a great line. It just wasn’t mine!
KSV came up with that gem.
I don’t remember who got pie for the Castillo error – it should have been Tex for his great hustle.
I love watching Tex hustle, he works so hard.
The pic of Alex and Mo trying to grab the pop-up. Pretty funny.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....=291017110
“How come Hairston got the pie in the face instead of Melky Cabrera?”
Melky’s reluctance to speak in English had him in the clubhouse instead of standing on the field doing interviews waiting for a pie delivery.
Hairston having his postseason moment was nice and his comments were heartfelt and wrapped up the night well.
NYY626 -
Good pic.
But didja notice their box score? It was wrong. It showed NYY with only 1 run in the 1st.
I don’t think the Yankees will give up on Joba as a starter so soon. It just seems so premature, and while he does look better coming out of the pen, you have to recall that he threw a lot more this year than he is used to and has had a lot of rest. If it doesn’t look different next season then they may go that way, but they will give him every chance to start.
Hairston was the one to get the pie because Melky didn’t really drive him in. It was heads up baserunning and being aggressive that forces Izturis to to make the throwing error AND bobble by Figgins that led to Hairston scoring the run.
Melky put the ball in play, but it was almost a tailor made out without driving in a run.
Doreen – that site is questionable. Check out the caption on this one.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....=291017110
Ha, fell asleep before SNL and before Josh got his “coming up” posted. But it was worth waiting for, thanks guys. Chad should’ve blew off the wedding. He missed a classic.
I said in the other thread, the “little” guys had their fingerprints on this one. Gardner, Molina, Hairston with hits. Gardner with the nice bunt. The end of the bullpen getting it done (great job by the quietest guy on the team-Robertson). Even the Underdog had a big hit.
Can’t believe we’re going to Cali up 2-0. We came back twice in that game. Angles stranded 16, we stranded 12. That game could’ve gone either way, any number of ways, but our guys found a way to do it.
Haven’t read any articles or columns. Am I going to read about how the Angels gifted us? Or how the Yankees wouldn’t go away?
CB would love it. Gammons on the telly saying the critical moment of the game is Mariano coming in the 8th. Yeah for throwing out the managers’ manual! (personally, I think Hughes could’ve gotten out of the inning given the chance).
Great to be off to a 2-0 start and to have the off day for travel purposes.
Question is if the Yanks win Monday to make it 3-0 do you go with Gaudin in four and keep the big three on regular rest or do you go for the jugular in game four and throw Gaudin in game five if there is one? Or does everyone work on short rest?
“But didja notice their box score? It was wrong. It showed NYY with only 1 run in the 1st.”
they tricked you Doreen.
They started the box score in the 3rd and lopped off innings 1 and 2.
How about the AL reigning saves leader (48),Fuentes blowing the laead?
How great was the way JOBA attacked Vlad’s at bat?
The Angels were banking on their history with the Yankees,losing game 2.
The 2-0 advantage means the Yankees are in the Angels head.
What do they have to do to beat them?
I for one hope vintage postseason,Andy shines in Anaheim!
I was so pumped after this game it was hard to sleep.
The pic of Alex and Mo trying to grab the pop-up. Pretty funny.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/…..=291017110
————
Just another in a pantheon of examples of Mo not being denied. I bet he even anticipated the contact.
Almond Pecan cookies Doreen!
That name screw up on that pic is deplorable.
I guess HOFer’s need to wear name tags!
86w183 you stick to the plan up 3-0 or not and finish with CC. You don’t let a team like the Angels off the mat.
I think it was nice that they put it to a vote. Melky would’ve been out and Hairston at 3B, had Izturis took the sure out.
Joba? I think he deserves a chance to start. But he needs to get into condition and strip and rebuild his mechanics. He can’t do that in the majors. But it helped Clay Buccholz. Halladay. Cliff Lee. I know it’ll hurt, but Joba should start in the minors. He needs to build up to the point where he can consistently give 6 quality innings. If Joba really wants to be a starter, then he’ll sacrifice and do what they tell him.
Either way, looks like we need another starter. How about CC/AJ/Andy/Hughes/Aceves? I think we could win some games that way. Joba could come up and spell Hughes and Hughes could go to the bullpen when he approaches his IP ceiling. Wang could be back, too.
i’m not going to be able to watch the game live tomorrow! NO!
DT – OPPC member (blood type – Positive) October 18th, 2009 at 11:40 am
That name screw up on that pic is deplorable.
I guess HOFer’s need to wear name tags!
________________________________________________________________
I know! How do you not know what Reggie Jackson looks like?
Dave Winfield is a little shorter than I remember.
“Did the Yankees leave for the west coast early this morning or are they flying out later today?”
Landed in LA at 8:20am ET.
One of the most telling things about Alex’s late inning heroics both this post season and for much of the regular season is where he’s been hitting his home runs.
Center field to right field. I think everyone of his playoff shots has been to that sector of the field.
Fuentes is not particularly good. And he threw a terrible 0-2 pitch.
But pitchers can often get away with that kind of mistake because he missed up and out. Now he didn’t miss up and out enough but the ball was still over that section of the zone.
If Alex tries to pull that ball – it is a weak ground ball to short.
But he didn’t – and he hasn’t all season.
Instead, Alex put a swing on that ball that was almost reminiscent of Jeter’s swing. With 2 strikes on him Alex pulled his hands in, shortened his swing and tried to take that pitch the other way.
And he’s just so talented, so strong, and generates so much bat speed through his hips that he’s still able to take the ball and drive it.
His approach at the plate is so sound right now that there is almost no way to pitch to him.
And this isn’t just the fluke case of someone being “hot.” That is part of it but not the big picture. Alex’s mechanics and approach at the plate are just phenomenally balanced right now and coupled with his talent its producing tremendous results based on substance and skill.
It’s just amazing to watch.
Thank you, Kate Hudson. Don’t know what you’re doing (and probably don’t want to), but keep it up. Great win and really nice to see Hairston grab the spotlight.
I will never, ever criticize Alex Rodriguez for not being clutch ever again ever. This is the single most “clutch” performance over the span of not one game, not one SERIES but throughout the postseason thus fa that I am in awe. It’s amazing to watch.
Did any reporter ask Gardner why he didn’t run on any of the 4 pitches he had to go on in the 7th? Did anyone ask why Girardi didn’t hit and run? These would have been pretty big questions today if Alex didn’t bail everyone out, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get asked. Did any reporters pose these questions?
CB,
Nice analysis. My daughter was a little surprised. She said (when Alex tied it up)”He doesn’t usually do that right?” [come up with the big hit]. I told her, he’s a new person and he’s not playing with the weight of his secrets anymore.
I know that sounds hokey. But Alex has said all season when asked about his clutch play, and all he says is, “I’m in a good place right now”. Something tells me it’s a lot deeper than him squiring Ms. Kate around.
This is the player that Alex always was, but certain things on his mind weren’t always letting him be that player.
Did anyone notice on the YES postgame when Kay and Cone were discussing the game Cone kept referring to Sanders as Tony?
Craw, I believe they left last night -
Oops. I think I misspoke earlier. We only came from behind one time, huh?
CB, I think you have pinpointed the main reason Alex has been a post season failure for such a long stretch. I get the feeling he always wanted his big moments scripted in his head before they happened and in that script he pulls the ball into a majestic arc. It’s only now that he has given up that idea that he has allowed the pitches to come to him and use his massive strength to flick balls out over the plate over the wall in right. Yeah, pulling a HR is better visually but it counts just the same.
AJ explained why Hairston got the pie……….good choice. Again, I was really happy for him – it meant a lot to him, you could tell.
Mark, I saw that segment – good stuff. I taped the first part of the game and the Angels did nothing with Burnett until that inning and then nothing afterwards. Mechanics can be fixed, but you’re right – that will have to wait until the off-season.
Ghost,
I think Gardner is not yet a polished basestealer. He seems to have a lot of trouble reading lefthanders(as does everybody). Right now he is as good as anybody running on RHP, but he doesn’t appear confident taking his lead against any LHP. The next step in his development will be to develop the abilities and confidence to be able to run against all but the toughest lefty moves.
The Ghost-
You’re right. Those questions should have been asked. But then again Kimberly Jones isn’t exactly the Edward R Murrow of the sports world.
A couple of thoughts from last night’s game.
1. It has to go down as one of the most difficult games to watch, I can’t imagine how tough it was to play.
2. AJ did recover well after a bad inning,, he contained the damage. He did good.
3. Damon is getting hot, he played good D and had a couple of key hits.
4. Strange decision in my mind, taking out Hughes with two outs facing Figgings. I know it is Mo coming on, but Hughes was really sharp, why take him out?
5. David Robertson is Mr. Cool, the Crimson Tide has us a big weapon in the post season.
6. Hairston. Imagine staying on the bench virtually the entire post season except for a brief cameo appearance as a PH. He stayed prepared, stretched out and ready to contribute if needed. And he did in a big way.
7. Thompson 3B coach. He knows when to be agressive and when not to,, if Figgins picks up that ball cleanly Hairston might have been a dead duck, but Thompson has an instinct similar to Bowa, what an upgrade over Meacham!!
8. Arod. When great hitters are locked in they cannot be stopped. He has really stepped it up.
It’s hard for one man to carry a team in baseball, but Alex is doing precisely that. On the other hand, we’ve gotten contributions from everyone on the roster………and the pitching has been incredible. I still can’t believe where the pen is NOW compared to where it was earlier in the season – literally, it’s the difference between night and day.
Crasnick with a nice recap. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4573383
I love how Swisher keeps digging at the writers. Reminding them they should be writing good stuff.
Read the part about Castillo’s dropped popup. It’s an interesting theory.
JERRY BLEEPIN’ HAIRSTON!!!!!
I just keep remembering how the New York astrologers said that there were nothing but good vibrations around the new Staidium. Hey if I believe in baseball karma and not talking about a no hitter until after the 5th inning, why not New York astrologers?
I of course would be believing in this season without them. But I thought it was a cute addition to an otherwise dreary day – weatherwise that is. The sun is shining brightly in my baseball world!
I would have stayed with Phil as well – but it was really good news that he got back on the beam. I was shocked when Jeter made that error – I can’t recall the last time he fumbled a ball like that.
This is working out just like I said it would. I said that we’ll win the first two here and home, get one in LA and come back and win it at the Stadium.
I like how all of the Angels apologists are blaming the weather for their errors. What exactly about the weather made Izturis throw the ball past 2nd base? These errors are due to the constant pressure that the Yankees have been applying since the series started.
But know this, LAA will definitely play better in their own park.
Was at the game last night. Difficult to watch on TV? Oh boy, sitting there was no picnic.
I’ve seen Al do it on TV but not in person. It was amazing to see that ball actually leave the park – the wind was holding the ball up all night. Some of the guys sitting around me were calling it but I know even they were shocked when he actually did it.
As a mere mortal it’s tough to get my mind around how he managed to capitalize on that mistake pitch, down 0-2 in the count, with his team behind and into that wind. Only an elite athlete, or a very lucky one, can do that. And I don’t think it was luck last night. Without that HR, there’s no walk-off error, no win, no 2-0 in the series.
Like I’ve said before, Rodriguez deserves “Comeback Person – not Player – of the Year.”
Doreen – that site is questionable. Check out the caption on this one.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/…..=291017110
*************************************************
In what lifetime does Reggie Jackson look like Dave Winfield? LOL idiots.
Does anyone know where there is any David Robertson audio from last night?
Mark, that is definitely true, but he has to know that his speed combined with Saunders long delivery and Napoli’s horrid CS% makes him almost a lock to steal even with a bad jump and wet track. Watching the replay of Cano’s AB you can even hear Kelleher telling him that he’s going to steal the base on the catcher, not the pitcher so make sure he’s going home – but still no attempt. Makes me think that maybe Guzman is going to be a better choice as a first option moving forward because this isn’t the first time Gardner couldn’t pull the trigger in a big spot – it almost cost the game.
“6. Hairston. Imagine staying on the bench virtually the entire post season except for a brief cameo appearance as a PH. He stayed prepared, stretched out and ready to contribute if needed. And he did in a big way.”
AJ said that’s why he pie’d him. He said he asked some of the other guys and they all said “do it to J.Hair”. Funny nickname.
“But Alex has said all season when asked about his clutch play, and all he says is, “I’m in a good place right now”. Something tells me it’s a lot deeper than him squiring Ms. Kate around.”
m,
It might be deeper. But that’s not something we’re ever going to know.
Personally, I think there’s a lot of things going on with Alex.
But I think it starts with issues of game substance rather than psychology per se.
Alex now has a better swing and better hitting mechanics than he’s had since he came to New York.
To me – that’s the bottom line.
Alex’s biggest problem in the past wasn’t pressure or the post-season, etc.
It was his swing getting very long.
And now his mechanics are so sound that his swing just doesn’t get long.
Go back and watch that home run that he hit last night. What was remarkable about that shot to me was his lower half mechanics. Alex barely picked his front foot off the ground. He had almost zero stride.
It’s just amazing comparing that swing and stride to what Alex has done in the past. Alex has always had a very pronounced front leg kick he’s used as a timing mechanism. That kind of leg kick is fine if everything else is locked in but there were times when Alex wasn’t getting his front foot down in time and that was forcing his swing to get based on his arms rather than his lower half which is when he’s at his best. In turn he would lunge at the ball (especially off speed pitches) and his swing would get very long.
That’s why I just can’t get over that swing last night. Not only is the leg kick almost completely gone – he’s barely even picking up his front foot.
He’s gone from a pronounced front leg kick to no stride.
And that’s a key reason for why his swing has stayed so short and why he’s been so good with 2 strikes.
The idea that a player who has been as successful as Alex would be willing to put in the hard work to change his approach like that, to have the desire to want to improve and the skill to do so is just amazing.
And ironically it was probably the hip injury that forced him to reconceptualize his approach at the plate. And its a much more robust approach, especially for the post season where you see better pitching.
I have to say I stopped believing in karma after the “mystique and aura” we had surrounding the Yanks in 2001 didn’t help much. But hey, I do hope the astrologers are right.
Booby got closer to the wall on A-Rod’s bomb than at anytime during his 2 1/2 years or so in Pinstripes.
Check this out! I found the article.
“Thorne sees interesting times ahead for individual players. “Derek Jeter will make his team proud (in 2009)…especially from August on,” she says.
Alex Rodriguez and Mariano Rivera, she says, will both overcome slow starts next season to finish at the top of their games, while Robinson Cano, after a poor 2007, “will be full of fiery surprises for the fans.”
Most interesting of all? “I see (Joe Girardi) moved to tears,” she says. “I hope it’s for a good reason.”
******************************
PRETTY INTERESTING, HUH?
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....adium.html
CB; excellent points about A-rod’s swing. What is interesting to me is this is a guy who has been one of the league’s premier hitters over the last decade and he still has that burning desire in him to take it to the next level and improve. There is no questioning this guy’s work ethic and we are really seeing the results this year. Additionally it also speaks well of Kevin Long who undoubtedly, has been a key factor in Arod stepping up.
“radiance and star-crossed history that will always bring (the Yankees) great good fortune”
Wow. Too bad some of that radiance didn’t rub off on Randy Johnson and Kevin Brown in 2004.
Ghost —
You only gave have an answer/opinion. IF CC throws game four and there is a game five does Gaudin start or is it AJ on short rest?
The mindset of trying to finish it is fine, but not one I agree with. Torre tried to win game four in 2004, using Gordon and Mariano two innings each. How did that turn out?
You make a good point on the lack of strategy with Gardner entering the game. There’s no reason to pinch run if you aren’t going to steal or put some sort of play on. The DP made that move a complete waste.
I also would like an explanation of using Joba for one batter when a game is tied. I would have let him pitch the eighth because the chance of extra innings was pretty high.
Oh well, nothing like picking at nits.
CB,
Thanks for the very detailed breakdown. Just another example of how Kevin Long is a very good hitting coach. Some have said, too, that not trying to be the hero is actually conducive to Alex being the hero.
I still think that he’s in a good place mentally, and that allows his body to do what it’s been trained and conditioned to do. All the things are in place for him to get to the “see ball, hit ball” phase he’s going through. Ironically, he did say something profound last night. “I know you guys want me to say something profound, but I’m just in a good place. I see the ball and hit the ball.”
But if he wasn’t in that good place, maybe he reverts to ‘07 when he was swinging at anything and everything late in that season.
Anyway, really appreciate your breakdown of Al’s hitting mechanics.
Obviously, Girardi’s moves have worked out very well so far. But with the pen on the road, I sort of want him to stick with Joba for more than 1/3 of an inning. Playing on the road is different, so I think you have to go to mo later in the game, and let Joba/Hughes go longer, together they should be able to give you anywhere from 9-12 outs. Again, not second guessing Girardi because it has worked out so far, but a long game like this on the road may be a different ballgame. I’m just glad the Yankees didn’t have to go to Gaudin because there was no one left, and if he gets hit with a ball or something and can’t pitch long, we’ll I dont know what would have happened.
David Wells is truly special.
http://deadspin.com/5384259/da.....-functions
CB
Thanks for the insightful post on ARod’s mechanics. You and SJ44, as well as a few others, make this blog a great place.
Thanks.
VERY nice article on Hairston. And an explanation as to why Hairston didn’t pinch hit for Guzman in the 11th.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4573233
“I have to say I stopped believing in karma after the “mystique and aura” we had surrounding the Yanks in 2001 didn’t help much.”
2001 was a very strange year. I think I have a way of finding the light in everything – oftentimes I’m the only one to whom it makes sense I’m sure – but what happened at the Stadium was so for the people of New York.
The thing I remember about 2001 that helped me put it in as okay a place as you can is hearing Mariano Rivera say he believes that it happened that way to save Enrique Wilson. Wilson changed his plane reservations after the last game, to go home sooner. Had the Yankees won it all, he would have been on the plane that crashed on its way to the Dominican Republic. Mariano and Enrique were very close friends.
Prime-
I agree. Joba has demonstrated confidence coming out of the pen that he has never had as a starter. He is also consistently throwing 95mph, something that I never thought I would see him do again. He deserves to be left in longer than 1/3 of an inning.
I don’t have a problem with Joba coming out so much as Phil because I trust Phil over Joba, but Joe wasted Phil by taking him out (although I suppose Mo would have come in in the 9th anyway). Joe did not have a good game last night and he did get bailed out by Alex. You can not continue to pinch run for guys and end up with a lineup including Guzman and Gardner.
Trisha-
I had never heard that. wow
Joe could have brought in Phil in the 7th and 8th, then went to Mo and after Mo, let Joba pitch.
check out pete and the chowderheads take on the series:
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....tra_bases/
‘98 Revisited -
“New York Yankee infielder Enrique Wilson was scheduled to be on the flight. However, when the Yankees lost the 2001 World Series to the Arizona Diamondbacks and there would be no victory parade, Wilson flew home a few days earlier and was not on the flight.[28]”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.....Flight_587
I just got here & was not here last night at the end (was watching the postgame) but I would like to know if the “neighborhood” call in the 10th has been discussed and what are your thoughts on it.
Why did the ump call him safe at 2nd last night and WHY is this a situation where the ump rarely calls the runner safe when the fielder does NOT touch 2nd base.
It’s a umpire custom that I have never understood.
Just when we thought the Joba in the pen debate was over, it has reared it’s ugly head. The MLB Network guys said last night that Joba’s performance during this postseason proves that he belongs in the pen. They said that Hughes belongs in the pen as well. Clearly, this is proof that just because you used to play baseball doesn’t mean that you know anything about the sport.
Their assumption is stupid. Just because a pitcher does well out of the bullpen, that doesn’t mean that’s where he belongs. I’m sure that CC would do well as a reliever as well. Should we move him there for the World Series?
The only way this debate will end is if Joba ends it next season by pitching better. Here’s hoping that happens.
jonathan
Peter has been exiled to Philadelphia, he is not allowed to go to Anaheim, his comrade Nick gets that plum.
Trisha-
Tragedies like that really make you put things in proper perspective don’t they.
Thats why its good to have guys like Hairston, Jr & Pena, both can contribute.
I would of liked to see Robertson get the pie though.
The problem with having Guzman and Gardner is when they don’t do what they are there to do. They are brought in to steal or make the pitcher frazzled. When they don’t do that (and the bats behind them are still cold), then what is the point of them being there (though gardner brings a slight upgrade at defense).
They need one of Hughes, Joba and Mo to be able to go beyond the 9th or 10th inning. Mo can pitch a maximum of 2 innings, Hughes probably the same. Joba I’d say up to 3. Unless they are pitching with a lead, you can’t give those guys less than 1 inning all the time. It’s worked out because their other relievers and AROD have done their part, but you want your top 3 as long as possible.
CB if Alex is so great at the plate, then EXPLAIN why he didn’t come through with the bases loaded in the inning prior to jerry hairston scoring the winning run. Explain why did he pop-out.
Jonathan-
There is nothing more enjoyable listening to NESN online after a big Yankee win or a Red Sox loss. I highly reccomend it.
recommend not reccomend. Damn, this blog needs spell check.
cb, nice analysis.. When A-rod hits to center and right center, thats when he is at his best.. All the 3 home runs he hit (Nathan, Pavano and Fuentes) have been to right center or right field.. I feel that the ball didnt carry enough yesterday because of the weather.. Otherwise it would have been a no-brainer… Looks like, If Jeter hits a homerun in the 3rd inning, A-rod has to hit one out to tie the game in the late innings
Has happened twice this post season already..
Frank, the neighborhood play has always driven me crazy. I can say that I am happy that the game didn’t end with the Yankees winning that inning because the speculation and criticism would have been merciless. I only got to watch the very end of the game, but they did announce that on all of the other DPs, Aybar had touched the bag. It was very apparent that he did not, on that play, and so I didn’t have difficulty with the Layne saying Melky was safe there. He was certainly consistent during that game.
Laura, MLB has done a fantastic job, but those were ridiculous comments……especially about Phil. Oh well – he’s going to the rotation and he’s going to be a stud. Since I think he’s going to struggle some next year, be prepared for another long, drawn-out, boring debate.
86w183 Gaudin hasn’t exactly been Aaron Small this year although he does have one thing in common with him – the Yankees haven’t lost any of his starts, but he has been very erratic and should only be used in an emergency. If CC loses they have an off day so AJ pitches on regular rest.
Pete Abe’s bias to and dislike for A-Rod continues on catering to a much more receptive audience….”It’s hard to believe the guy who was disgraced in spring training is a hero seven months later. But a few hits at the right time have a way of doing that.” (link in any earlier post)
Good riddance.
“Trisha-
Tragedies like that really make you put things in proper perspective don’t they.”
Absolutely they do.
Will some of you stop being obsessed with Peter and the Red Sox Nation. Your team is playing for another WS championship, that’s what you should be talking about instead of what some former Yankee beatwriter and his new readership thinks about the Yankees.
Umpires making their own rules drives me nuts. A base runner must touch all other bases especially first.
What’s different about 2nd? Why are umps interpreting the fielder’s action and when it’s incomplete, they “finish” it for them!
So, if the fielders intent was there and he got close as “in the neighborhood,” some umps will give the nod to the fielder. In essence, the ump completes what the fielder failed to do.
Ridiculous.
Didn’t Joba all but admit he likes coming out the pen better because he doesn’t have to think? I remember Francesa chiming on that one for a couple of days. I think being a true ML starting pitcher takes years to develop because in order to go nine (and a reason why so few can make it past 7 these days) is because one has to pitch 3 separate games for each time around the lineup. So the pitches one throws in the 2nd inning are meant ot set up a player for their AB in the fifth. That takes a lot of thought and even more confidence because of the fact that the pitcher has to use his 2nd and 3rd pitches more often and earlier than he would probably like.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4573204
Article on how Angels defense has cost them…Nelson talks about how the Angels pitching has been good…and how they were bad with RISP…but I’m still waiting for somebody to write the real story…how the Yankees pitching and defense has throttled the Twins and Angels with RISP.
“Did the Yankees leave for the west coast early this morning or are they flying out later today?”
“Landed in LA at 8:20am ET.”
Thank you as I was wondering with the game going so late.
Bobby abreu was such a crybaby in last night’s game. How many times does he have to go back in the dugout, after striking out or called out. And complain about an unfair call to his teammates.
ROFL @ him pretending the home-run ball wasn’t a homerun. i swear that is the first time i’ve ever seen him that close to a wall in my life. Where was that when he was a Yankee?
The thing is, even though the “neighborhood” play happens, it was the only time last night that Aybar didn’t touch the base when turning a double play.
It was brought up during the game and McCarver and Buck were going on about it. When they came back from the break one of them said the technician there checked all the double play tapes from the game to that point and each time he touched the bag except for that one. He said he was wrong about it on air.
Even MLB talked about that call and said you have to at least kick dirt up on the plate. He was never closer than 4 inches to the bag.
Crawdaddy,
If I choose to note Pete’s negativity, that’s my decision. It is not an obsession, simply an observation, a most relevant one. Deal with it or move on.
anybody have espn insider. gammoms wrote something on rivera
It’s an obsession, ariel…deal with that.
Just watched that run and hit between Guzman and Gardner last night, such a thing of beauty. Joe is so good at managing small ball and he has had nothing but good results with it that it had me scratching my head all night how he pretty much refused to go to it all night.
Raymundo, as Michael Kay said last year right before Halloween, “if you want to frighten Booby Abreu, “dress up as a wall and ring his front doorbell”.
Anyone else irritate with Bobby Abreu’s smug mug on each and every pitch that’s called a ball? I don’t recall him doing that when he was a Yanqui, lol.
teddy – I can bring it over…
“Crawdaddy,
If I choose to note Pete’s negativity, that’s my decision. It is not an obsession, simply an observation, a most relevant one. Deal with it or move on.”
You’re the one that needs to move on as it appears that some of you feel like a jilted lover by Peter leaving to cover the Red Sox. Stop playing into that obsession and be happy about your team’s play.
“CB if Alex is so great at the plate, then EXPLAIN why he didn’t come through with the bases loaded in the inning prior to jerry hairston scoring the winning run. Explain why did he pop-out.”
Are you new to baseball? Let me explain how it works. When pitchers execute their pitchers and throw balls that are to a hitter’s weakness, they are successful. When they make mistakes, good hitters capitalize on those mistakes. Fuentes made a mistake pitch to Alex that was high and slightly outside. That is in his wheelhouse; he has power to all fields, but especially to right and right center. His weakness are balls that are inside (either low or high) because he can’t extend his arms and put a good swing on the ball. The ball that was thrown to him when the bases were loaded was inside. He couldn’t get his arms out and ended up popping up to short center. Got it?
Gammons on Rivera
=============================================
Rivera just keeps on ticking … and dominating
——————————————————————————–
The job is like being a steeplejack. We’ve watched Brad Lidge go from World Series hero to suspended animation to three straight postseason saves. We have seen All-Star closers such as Joe Nathan, Jonathan Papelbon, Huston Street and Ryan Franklin have their exit moments. It’s proof — like Kirk Gibson’s home run off Dennis Eckersley — that closers live their lives two inches from the ledge.
Rivera
Which is what makes Mariano Rivera so astounding. For the 13th time in 14 seasons, he will pitch in the seventh month of the season, so his recovery period is less than most anyone else in his era. OK, Bill Mueller slapped a single through the middle off him in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS to score Dave Roberts. OK, he lost the lead in the ninth inning to the Diamondbacks in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, but he broke three bats in the rally. There is luck, and there is bad luck. Sandy Alomar Jr. also hit an opposite-field homer off Rivera in Game 4 of the ALDS in 2007.
That’s all of his blemishes in the playoffs. This will be the 28th postseason series of Rivera’s career, and his postseason record stands at 8-1 with a 0.74 ERA and 76 hits allowed in 121 innings and a 100/17 strikeout/walk ratio. He’s coming off two regular seasons in which he’s had 1.40 (2008) and 1.76 ERAs (2009), and in that time has allowed a total of 89 hits in 137 innings pitched with a 149/18 strikeout/walk ratio. He will turn 40 on Nov. 29, which given the weather in New York may be right about the time the World Series ends.
Given his risky business, given the workload, given four world championships and his 526 career saves, one can make the argument since he pitched in the steroid era that Rivera may be the most dominant figure of the past 15 years. One can also argue that he has been the most distinguished.
Those are debates for mid-November. But given his reliability and the volatility of his position and how that volatility has impacted so many other good teams with very good closers, as the ALCS between the Yankees and Angels begins while the Dodgers and Phillies battle it out in the NLCS, the single most important reason the Yankees start the second stage of this postseason is because of Mariano Rivera.
Oh, guys. The Pete thread is that way. <—
I am so enjoying reading the recaps of the game this morning and what I’m loving most is how the Yanks are being described as “tough”. I enjoy that more than I do reading about how talented they are, to be honest. There are a lot of talented teams (maybe not as talented as the Yanks, lol), but few (if any) are as tough and resilient as this bunch.
“You’re the one that needs to move on as it appears that some of you feel like a jilted lover by Peter leaving to cover the Red Sox. Stop playing into that obsession and be happy about your team’s play.”
Crawdaddy, I think what annoys some people is that even though Pete left, he’s still covering the Yankees. This is probably because BOS got swept. It does seem strange that the Boston Glove would want to devote so much attention to a team from another city.
That being said, I do agree with you. I think that people need to forget about Pete and concentrate on the wonderful things going on with our team. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a team this good, this talented and this much fun. We need to enjoy it while it lasts. Here’s hoping the magic lasts all the way through the World Series.
Kinda looking forward to this Giants/Saints game. I’m amazed that the Giants are undefeated given all their injuries. But the Saints might be tough to top.
Rishi, thanks! There is no one like Rivera and there never will be. When he retires, it will be sad for the Yankees, but also for the game. He is honestly worshipped and admired around the game – worshipped for what he does and admired for who he is. I’m going to have to start borrowing from a foreign language to describe Mo because I’m bored with callin him remarkable, not human, fantastic, machine-like…….he’s beyond the English language at this point.
mike francessa has to take the contrarian side (red sox, mets, angels) because he needs to provide a voice that will get yankee fans fired up enough to listen and call in. once mr mad dog left, there was no one to provide that.
Bobby abreu was such a crybaby in last night’s game. How many times does he have to go back in the dugout, after striking out or called out. And complain about an unfair call to his teammates.
ROFL @ him pretending the home-run ball wasn’t a homerun. i swear that is the first time i’ve ever seen him that close to a wall in my life. Where was that when he was a Yankee?
————————————————
I never had a problem with Bobby. Terrific player. Who cares what happened. The Yankees won, just be happy
“when pitchers execute their pitchers”
THAT BALL seemed to be UP over the PLATE, I figure I would get an INTELLIGENT response from CB. Not, “pitcher executed his pitch” comment
Bears/Falcons tonight…….it’s probably too much to ask for that the Bears win, coming off of the Yankee win, lol
trisha…take your karma and shove it where the sun don’t shine
Pete Abe posted:
“It’s hard to believe the guy who was disgraced in spring training is a hero seven months later. But a few hits at the right time have a way of doing that.”
How is that any different from what he would have written when he was the majordomo here? And he’s right: A-Rod was disgraced in S.T. – just goes to show how far he’s come. If someone had told me last March that A-Rod would be hitting clutch in October, I would have chuckled.
Look, it’s called “giving the devil his due” and Mr. Abe, to his credit, is doing so, in his trademarked cynical and world-weary way.
Did anybody notice how quiet McCarver got when Jeter was called out at 1st on that DP.
He was clearly safe. Why didn’t he harp on that like he did in game 1?
I mean he didn’t say a word for the rest of the inning.
I think we can all finally exhale and live alex alone. He’s done so much to help this team win.
The neighborhood play is akin to that ump telling Jeter, “the throw beat you so you’re out.”
Their SS cheated to get the DP. Simple as that. Mccarver lauds that? Even Buck had enough sense to let that go.
I think saying “a few hits at the right time” definitely minimizes what Arod has done.
Dashing out of my hotel for brunch.
Still feel the chill of the two days in the Bronx. Messy, but beautiful, finish last night. We were high-fiving and embracing people we’d probably never recognize in the light of day.
And I must say: fundamental Angels baseball strikes again!
.
Another reason to love owning a DVR. I am watching the YES postgame (fell asleep during it last night) and I’ve already watched the bottom of the 13th several times.
Yipee!
“trisha…take your karma and shove it where the sun don’t shine”
I’m not worried about my karma. But I might suggest that you have reason to be worried about yours!
See ya now cowboy. (That means you’ve been dismissed.)
Giants game online?
SOSH quotes about Rivera (SOSH is a Sox board):
i cannot wait until rivera retires and the mfy are forced to use a human being as their closer.
Get old already. What the f**k?
F**king Rivera will just dominate until he’s 62.
***************
LOL priceless…..
bodhi
Fundamenta means fun for us, mental for them,duh.
betsy, as they say about bucky f’n dent and aaron f’n boone altho mariano never hit a walkoff, he’an honorary member of the f’n club.
what did buster post? anyone an insider?
Thanks for those Rivera quotes Betsy. WOW lol.
mariano did hint in a postgame show he wanted to be here as long as Jeter.
Get that new contract ready yanks.
sorry f’n rs fans.
Coney kept referring to Saunders as “Tony Saunders” – even after Michael kay kept referring to him as Joe Saunders.
mariano did hint in a postgame show he wanted to be here as long as Jeter.
________________________________________________________________
I have no problem with either of those two playing in wheelchairs.
could you imagine mariano and jeter retiring together.
In about 10 years.
CB — it’s good to have you back. I wish we knew when to expect your pop-ins. Like some sort of “CB Schedule”…
If you’re still out there, what’s your take on Girardi’s handling of the bullpen? So many guys in and out, it gets a bit scary. What factor do you think Girardi is mainly taking into consideration when he puts in a certain pitcher?
NYY, you’re welcome! I love the 2nd one the best, lol.
Mick, true…..although I think even Sox fans respect Mo.
In his “Sunday Conversation” on SportsCenter, Rivera said he would retire when he’s no longer efficient and competitive. I took that to mean he’s never retiring.
would love to see mo at 50.
VERY LONG Buster Entry on the game…
========================================
Game 2 of ALCS filled with regrets, redemption
——————————————————————————–
The Yankees and Angels played through 13 innings, 432 pitches and 310 minutes (not to mention 6,980 meetings between Yankees catcher Jose Molina and his pitchers) Saturday night, creating a canvas of baseball that the participants will think about for the rest of their lives. For some — such as with a leap — there will be a feeling of measured pride for the moments of redemption, while for others, there will be regret.
Top 10 moments of regret and redemption from Game 2:
1. Regret: Brian Fuentes allows a home run to Alex Rodriguez with no balls and two strikes in the bottom of the 11th inning.
The Angels had scored in the top of the 11th, and the left-hander came on for the save chance in the bottom of the inning. He quickly moved ahead of A-Rod with an 0-2 count. At that moment, Fuentes was in complete control; he had gotten ahead of 47 batters with an 0-2 count during the regular season, and they had mustered an OPS of .489 with 16 strikeouts.
Fuentes tried to throw a fastball high, with the thought that A-Rod might chase the pitch. Instead, he threw a pitch over the outer half of the strike zone, allowing A-Rod to extend his arms and drive the ball over the right-field fence.
When the ball carried over the wall, Fuentes stormed around the mound in a rage. It was hard to tell exactly what his anger was built on in that moment — perhaps the fact that Rodriguez’s short drive to right field was a classic example of a new Yankee Stadium home run. But one way or another, he had only himself to blame for that pitch.
Excellent work by the Angels’ bullpen was wasted, writes Bill Shaikin.
2. Regret: Maicer Izturis throws the ball away in the bottom of the 13th to allow Hairston to score the winning run.
Let’s make this clear: The weather conditions were awful, the players were bundled up like toddlers being sent out to waddle in the season’s first snowfall and most of the position players stood out there for about twice as long as they normally do. If they weren’t guilty of an occasional mental or physical lapse under those circumstances, we’d have to drug-test them to make sure they weren’t cyborgs.
But when Izturis decided to attempt a difficult throw to second base in the 13th inning after grabbing a ground ball hit by Melky Cabrera, it’s unclear exactly how the Angels could have benefited in that risk/reward analysis. There was already one out, but there was no chance for a double play, because the ball was hit to Izturis’ left and Cabrera easily would have beaten a pivot-and-throw to first. Robinson Cano, who was running to second base, really represented nothing important, because the score was tied in extra innings and the only thing that mattered at that moment was preventing Hairston — who was moving to third on the play — from scoring. No, it was a no-brainer for Izturis to just throw to first for the second out of the inning. Instead, he attempted a half turn-and-throw with the highest degree of difficulty given the conditions, and tossed the ball into short left field, ending the game.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia told reporters after the game that Izturis “was trying to make a little too much of that play. You’re not going to turn two. If we get an out on any base, we’re in good shape. It’s a way out of the inning. I think he just reacted thinking that he had his mind going to second base. But obviously, in that situation, the force isn’t really an advantage. If it’s another time of the game it might be. But you just want to get an out there. Izzy just tried to do too much.”
3. Redemption: Rodriguez hits another game-tying home run with the Yankees facing defeat.
A-Rod clubbed a two-run homer off Joe Nathan in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 2 of the American League Division Series, and he did it again by hitting a solo shot in the bottom of the 11th Saturday night on an 0-2 pitch. During the regular season, A-Rod started 74 plate appearances with an 0-2 count, and in those, he batted .208 with two extra-base hits. With one perfectly measured swing, he dug himself and the Yankees out of a hole.
“You are certainly not thinking home run after you’re down 0-2,” Rodriguez said afterward. “You are just trying to get on base. You definitely don’t want to make the first out in that inning. And he made two tough pitches on me. Got me in the hole 0-2. I finally got a pitch I could handle and hit it well.”
Some notes from Jason Paradise of ESPN Stats & Information on the recent history of the fastball for Fuentes and Rodriguez:
A. Fuentes has given up seven home runs this season, all on fastballs.
B. A-Rod had faced Fuentes one other time this season, July 12, and Fuentes struck him out on a fastball.
C. Rodriguez went 1-for-6 with a homer on Saturday, and the final pitch of each at-bat was a fastball. Fifteen of the 18 pitches he saw were fastballs.
4. Redemption: Chone Figgins breaks through his October oh-fer and contributes.
The Angels cannot beat the Yankees without some help from Figgins, and maybe he relieved some of the internal pressure he had been feeling with his showing in Game 2. Figgins got his first hit of the postseason with a run-scoring blooper that gave the Angels a one-run lead in the top of the 11th, plus he drew a couple of walks. Maybe this will jump-start Figgins, and he, in turn, can jump-start an Angels lineup that mustered four runs in the first 22 innings of this series.
Scioscia told reporters before the game, “It just takes that one hit, that one bloop, that good at-bat to get him back onboard.”
Maybe that bloop in the 11th served that purpose, because up until then, Figgins had had a run of 0-for-4s in the first four games of the Angels’ post-season.
5. Redemption: Kevin Jepsen pitches two outstanding innings in relief.
Some of the scouts who trailed the Angels recently had real doubts about Jepsen and whether he had the confidence to attack the strike zone with his fastball in a big moment. But Jepsen came up big in the eighth and ninth innings, throwing two scoreless innings. The Angels didn’t come away from Game 2 with a win, but from the department of small rewards, they were able to glean from defeat some assurance that Jepsen can be the same kind of weapon in October that he was during much of the regular season.
6. Redemption: Home plate umpire Laz Diaz works almost flawlessly for more than five hours.
Oh, sure, there was the occasional gripe aimed at Diaz from both dugouts, the intermittent double-take from the hitters and pitchers, but that occurs in every game. In the midst of what has been a brutal October showing for the umpires, Diaz had an excellent game under very difficult circumstances. The players got to return to the dugouts between innings and towel off and warm up; I cannot imagine how soaked Diaz and the other umpires must’ve been when they returned to their room after the game. Hopefully, they have uninterrupted travel today, with their feet thawing out in first class.
7. Regret: Mike Scioscia writes Guerrero’s name into the cleanup spot in the Angels’ lineup.
Guerrero has had an incredible run with the Angels, and he is probably destined to be inducted into the Hall of Fame some day, but in Game 2 he was the weakest link in the Angels’ lineup; Scioscia watched from the dugout as the Yankees’ pitchers went after him the way a pack of lions targets a limping wildebeest. Guerrero is struggling to catch up to inside fastballs, falls behind in the count and then flails at every breaking ball within two time zones of home plate. Guerrero went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, striking out a couple of times.
He has excellent career numbers against Andy Pettitte, the Yankees’ Game 3 starter, with nine hits in 23 at-bats. But Pettitte is going to try to pound him with cut fastballs inside, and if Guerrero has it rough again in Game 3, Scioscia presumably would consider moving the slugger down in his lineup, as he did during the regular season.
8. Regret: A.J. Burnett bounces a curveball in the dirt with a two-strike count on Vladimir Guerrero, allowing the Angels to tie the game in the top of the fifth inning.
There were two outs and a runner at third, and when Burnett — who was exceptional in the first four innings — got ahead in the count 1 ball and 2 strikes, he and Jose Molina appeared to disagree on pitch selection. They met briefly in front of the mound to discuss the options. Earlier in the game, Guerrero had flailed at a breaking ball on a two-strike count. But with the runner at third, the risk for a wild pitch was real, and in the fifth, Burnett had lost command of his curve, hitting Chone Figgins with the breaking ball and bouncing several other pitches well in front of the strike zone. Burnett could have thrown a fastball inside to Guerrero, as he had most of the night.
Instead, Burnett opted for the curveball, and he bounced one that got away from Molina, allowing Erick Aybar to score the game-tying run.
9. Redemption: Johnny Damon throws out a couple of hits.
After performing miserably in the AL Division Series, he appears to be getting his swing back, bit by bit, which does not bode well for the Angels’ pitchers as the series moves on.
10. Redemption: Mother Nature
For all of the time spent fretting over what might be and what could be and what might have to happen, the rain held off for eight innings and Major League Baseball was able to get Games 1 and 2 played in their entirety, and avoid a scheduling collision with the National Football League. The very best thing happened on this night, writes George Vecsey. It became survival of the fittest, writes Bob Klapisch.
Jerry Hairston tried to stay prepared, writes David Waldstein. Girardi’s crew keeps finding ways to win, writes Mike Vaccaro. Derek Jeter homered through the wind, writes Ken Davidoff.
The Angels found only misery on the New York stage, writes Mark Whicker. The Angels are in a deep hole, writes Mike DiGiovanna. They suffered on a cold Bronx night, writes Ian O’Connor.
More on Mariano Rivera, from Mr. Paradise:
A) All eight of the at-bats against Rivera ended on inside pitches. 21 of the 25 pitches from Rivera were located inside.
B) The Angels went 0-4 with runners on base against Rivera. Angels hitters saw nine pitches and swung at seven of them.
C) Three of the 8 at-bats ended with pitches out of the zone. The one hit against Rivera was located middle-in.
D) Hitters went 0-3 on the first pitch of an at-bat and 0-4 when Rivera was ahead in the count. Vladimir Guerrero’s hit came when he was ahead in the count.
Rivera has cut a place in history, as Ken Fidlin writes.
i really think that’s a major reason why joba was taken from the pen.
if mo were close to being done, joba would have been the next closer.
Don’t know if you all have seen, but the Yankees are opening the Stadium for game 3 for fans to view the game.
Pretty awesome.
I think Girardi is brilliant as a manager. I guess you have to figure that an engineering major at Northwestern definitely has the ability to look at complex situations and simplify them.
I feel nothing but confidence when he puts a pitcher in or takes him out. If it falls apart, I think it is nothing more than poor execution on the part of the pitcher.
Leaving Gaudin til the end? Brilliant of course since Gaudin has enough innings to be a starter. With a day off why not use your entire pen if you have to – and use it the way you think is most likely to get a win?
I never trusted Torre’s managing of the pen. With Girardi I don’t break a sweat. The guy always knows what he’s doing.
JMO
don’t git your angora’s in a hissy fit. oh, on closer look you are not wearing chaps … just haven’t shaved your legs lately. gross
girardi has had the magic touch of late. much like torre in his early winning years. he plays to win right now. imagine if gaudin wasnt sitting in the bullpen.last night was the reason he was on the roster, even if never used. why try stretching joba and hughes when you have a rested loaded pen.
Rish, thanks for posting! Great job by Buster……….I’m sorry AJ had that hiccup because he really was dominant for almost all of his innings. I missed it when he left the 7th because I stupidly answered a phone call instead of just letting it ring – did he get a nice ovation when he left?
26 hours and 14 minutes until Game 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anybody think it’s unfair that hairston got the pie and melky didn’t?
Can we get through one thread without bringing up what Pete is doing?? The guy must sit around laughing that people continually bring up his name. I dont get why people care.
There was a lot of second guessing of Girardi, including by me. But I have to give him credit. The Yankees went 13 innings without burning anyone out (Rivera only threw 24 or so pitches in his 2 1/3rd, so he’ll be fine for Game 3 especially with the off day today).
Personally, I think Girardi’s just lucky. After the postseason, he should fly to vegas because some of the moves he’s made wouldn’t have worked out in years past.
girardi’s managing did seem a bit off yesterday, but the bottom line is: he won and the yankees won. in the end, the W is all that counts.
karma is my bi$tch
E-gawa, you look like a genius when your roster is filled with all stars at almost every position. Put Girardi on the Pirates and see what he does. It comes down to the talent on the field. Give me good players over a good manager any day. Im not knocking Girardi. Hes a good manager. But the players decide who wins games.
Ken–I disagree. Yes, the players are 80% of the outcome, but without the manager, you’d start losing pretty fast.
“girardi’s managing did seem a bit off yesterday, but the bottom line is: he won and the yankees won. in the end, the W is all that counts.”
The quotes Girardi and Eiland gave before the series (all the “We’re covered if any game goes into extra innings” talk) makes me think this was the game plan all along. Manage to win, and if it’s still tied after 12+, just ride Gaudin.
JasonR–That may be true, but I doubt the plan was to have absolutely no one left in the pen. What if Gaudin had been hit by a line drive? Or pulled a hamstring? Who do you bring in to pitch…cervelli?
why would melky get the pie? Harriston was the only one in that inning that got a hit and knew when to run. Pie for jerry 99.9999% of the time in that situation
if guadin had to pitch yesterday, i would imagine that Joba would have started game 4
farr and howe
why not stick with cc in game 4?
“JasonR–That may be true, but I doubt the plan was to have absolutely no one left in the pen. What if Gaudin had been hit by a line drive? Or pulled a hamstring? Who do you bring in to pitch…cervelli?”
In that unlikely and outrageous scenario, Pettitte would have pitched and they would’ve worried about Game 3 on the plane ride to Anaheim.
Yes AJ got a standing ovation and tipped his cap to the crowd. When he was throwing 1st pitch strikes last night he was virtually unhittable.
I thought the crowd really got into the game, especially in the extra innings when the weather was unbearable.
jasonR–outrageous and unlikely it is not. they had no one left. imagine if the game had gone 18+.
I think Joe is managing a little scared here. Yes we’ve won all the games, and I am thrilled. You have to take into account that it is his first post season.
The Yankees are in a great position now. they have 5 games to win 2. Of course you want to take care of business while in Cali. Hopefully the next time we see the Yankees it will be in the WS!
if the game goes 18? then why not carry a few more pitchers, all hands on deck.
mick, CC is plan A, Gaudin is plan B and I guess Joba would be plan C. But yeah, go with CC in Game 4
joe is not scared at all, he’s going with what he feels is right at that moment.
Time for the Giants to actually make the Saints punt.
“jasonR–outrageous and unlikely it is not. they had no one left. imagine if the game had gone 18+.”
You can’t manage based on fears that Chad Gaudin might possibly get hit by a ball and taken out of a game when it hasn’t happened all year. Girardi managed to win the game, not to protect Chad Gaudin from a line drive to the chest or face.
And they didn’t have “no one left”. They had Pettitte, and in the absolute worst case disaster scenario, they would have gone back to CC.
JasonR–and then there’s no one to pitch game 3!!!!!!!!!!!!
one big miss that I saw was I would have pinched hit Harriston after Arod’s homerun. But I thought when they took Matsui out of the game they took the bat out of Arod’s hands, but luckily he batted with the bases loaded and 1st batter of the inning, so it didn’t affect us.
I would carry Hinske over Pena in the WS, just my thoughts
swisher could pitch game 3, lol.
Girardi was fine and so far is doing a better job than Scioscia. The bullpen in terrible conditions did its job except for Aceves who gave up the go ahead run by walking the 1st batter he faced.
Weather in LA will be sunny 80, and 0% chance of rain.
Farr and Howe–BTW, it’s Hairston not Harriston.
mick–he pitched a scoreless inning before
hinske over pena…when did pena make the roster?
hinske will be there as a pinchhitter on the road.
The thing that amazed me the most was Bobby Abreu jumping for a ball at the wall trying to rob A-Rod’s homerun. When I saw him jump at the wall I was like
“JasonR–and then there’s no one to pitch game 3!!!!!!!!!!!!”
It’s not an ideal scenario, but they would have gone to Joba in Game 3. You play to win the game you’re playing.
That said, none of the apocalyptic scenarios you’re mentioning didn’t come close to happening, the Yankees won when they needed to win. All this doom and gloom when the Yankees are 5-0 in the postseason with a relatively fresh bullpen and rotation is a little absurd.
If Pettitte had to pitch yesterday, they would have gone bullpen by committee for game 3. It’s worst case scenario, but if pettitte had to pitch yesterday, I would have pitched him. You manage to win the game you are playing not the game you are gonna play
Any DVR people – can you download saved programs onto a DVD from a DVR?
JasonR–just saying…
pena, i mean guzman. my bad
Man what a brutal call against the Giants. That wasn’t pass interference. Not looking too good for the Giants today.
so far the great bobby has done nothing as predicted here.
for his calm demeanor, i think he is a ball of nerves inside.
doesn’t sound like the stadium has turned on him, but he is hearing voices in his head after opening his mouth.
Scrolling through last nights comments.
You guys managed to fill 4 game threads WITHOUT me. Very impressive
murphydog -
I will add my 2 cents to yours. I agree that Pete is not saying anything at the Globe that he wouldn’t have said here. All of it. The Alex stuff, the empty seats stuff, the crack about no windows relative to the cost of the stadium. It’s all too familiar.
(It’s the stuff I skimmed over when he wrote it here.)
But if it bothers people, why are they going over there to check it out?
I’ll never get tired of reading about how great Mariano Rivera is and has been. Never.
I have no interest in anything Joba-related except for what he’s doing on the mound right now to help this team get wins. It’s a tired subject for me. I do understand why people keep jumping on and off the two opposing bandwagons, however.
Is the rain going to stop so the game in Philly isn’t a total mess tonight?
Ken,
He didn’t look good last year. I don’t know if I agree with that completely. Sure, the players are doing the work but he chooses what players to play and when to play them. That’s really what I tend to focus on. Not the performance of the player.. for example taking Pettitte out at 80ish pitches for Joba.. Why? It worked out fine but what was wrong with Pettitte? Or last night with Hughes for 2/3.. It’s a tie game, he looked fine, why take him out?
When Chone Figgins got all excited after his hit i asked “doesn’t he know he is going to lose today?”
Karma sucks Chone
Erika–where were you?
Girardi wasn’t going to lose that game lightly last night. I do think he was a little too lavish with pitching changes though.
Sorry. Incorrect spelling on my part.
Erica–where were you? lol
Nice job by the Giant defense showing up. Saints have yet to punt.
trisha yes you need a program to do it though. I’ll shoot you an email.
jasonR
the gloom and doom is because those ages 10-20 have witnessed losing post-seasons their entire childhood.
remember 2000 was our last WS victory.
having been around for decades I can tell you I’ve seen my share of losing SEASONS, forget the playoffs.
Imagine that! Not making the post-season for 12 and then 15 years.
Valerie G.
October 18th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Sorry. Incorrect spelling on my part.
Erica–where were you? lol
****
Atlantic City. I watched the game from a sports bar. I was thinking of my Yankee people the whole time! LOL
Jen, YAY! and thanks.
Remember I am now at verizon.net
Erica–wow!! i was wondering where you went. the blog wasn’t the same without you
I hope no one (in particular, no Yankee) got hurt playing in that weather last night.
If the Yankees win game 3. You still pitch CC. You go for the jugular. Don’t take anything for granted. You wrap it up.
trisha- oops think i sent it to the wrong email. shoot me one and I’ll reply.
Valerie G.
October 18th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Erica–wow!! i was wondering where you went. the blog wasn’t the same without you
****
Thanks Valerie-
I have been scrolling thru the comments laughing. I sure missed an interesting game. Its also really touching to see people missed me
“having been around for decades I can tell you I’ve seen my share of losing SEASONS, forget the playoffs.
Imagine that! Not making the post-season for 12 and then 15 years.”
Very true. I think anyone who remembers the Stump Merrill era is more than willing to cut Girardi some slack for whatever bad bullpen moves he made in 13 inning ALCS game that they won.
i am visiting peteabe’s new blog at extra bases. he gets maybe 15- 30 comments per blog. slightly down from 3000.
something other than having a useful blog that reaches many fans must have been the attraction point for pete to the globe.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/s.....TE=DEFAULT
Man we live in an F’d up world.
Keep in mind that we scored the winning run on an error last night.
Somewhat gotten lost in all this is how effective the Angels’ bullpen has been. Everyone said the yanks would have a definite advantage in the bullpen. It hasn’t been that way. So far, the Angels actually seem to have a better and a far deeper corp of relievers. They still had 3 or 4 guys left while Gaudin was our last man.
Given that, now with Weaver going for game 3, Lackey neuralizing CC, Saunders being better than AJ, I still anticipate the Angels to take the series in 6 or 7 games.
trisha–thanks for posting. that’s really sad…and they didn’t catch him yet…scary.
The Stat of The Day……….Yanks / Angels have played 22 innings so far…..I believe the Angels have had the lead for 1 Inning so far……Also the Yanks have taken 5 of the last 6 games, and are on a 5 game Postseason winning streak……Very Good indicators as to how well the club is playing
Sciosia and Girardi used their bullpens differently. The fact that Sciosia had more guys available is not because they are better or deeper.
That being said, the Angels have been getting good pitching all around, as have the Yankees. Good series, better since the Yankees are up.
I felt the team who made the fewest mistakes, or who were best able to capitalize on the opponent’s mistake would win games/the series. So far, that’s exactly what’s happened.
“Somewhat gotten lost in all this is how effective the Angels’ bullpen has been. Everyone said the yanks would have a definite advantage in the bullpen. It hasn’t been that way. So far, the Angels actually seem to have a better and a far deeper corp of relievers. They still had 3 or 4 guys left while Gaudin was our last man.”
Somewhat gotten lost in your post is that the Angels bullpen is still anchored by Brian Fuentes and the Yankees is anchored by Mariano Rivera.
what does neuralizing CC mean?
And, ultimately, their bullpen gave up 2 runs, while the Yankees bullpen gave up 1, the difference in the game.
Jen, I emailed you through our fantasy league account!
Valerie, I wish I had seen you earlier in the week because I set up the chart for the CLS Predictions and since you were there for the DS I figured you’d want CLS also.
If you can try to figure out what you would have predicted without knowing the series leads to date, I will put you on the chart! I am a trusting individual.
http://members.cox.net/lsdorgan/CLS.pdf
And yeah if anyone else wants to join up, feel free. I will put an asterisk near your name just because we are 2 games into both series.
If you want to join up, please put my name in the post.
trisha–that’s super nice of you but i really don’t trust myself to make a prediction given i know two games in what happened. if i had to, though, i’d say the yanks win in 5–they lose the next game and win the next two.
Scoiscia trusts 2 people out of his bullpen Jespen and Oliver. Notice how after those 2 he went to his 5th starter? He isn’t planning on bringing in any of those other guys unless he absolutely has to. Their bullpen is not good at all outside of those 2.
ipo October 18th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Keep in mind that we scored the winning run on an error last night.
Somewhat gotten lost in all this is how effective the Angels’ bullpen has been. Everyone said the yanks would have a definite advantage in the bullpen. It hasn’t been that way. So far, the Angels actually seem to have a better and a far deeper corp of relievers. They still had 3 or 4 guys left while Gaudin was our last man.
Given that, now with Weaver going for game 3, Lackey neuralizing CC, Saunders being better than AJ, I still anticipate the Angels to take the series in 6 or 7 games.
________
No one will confuse you with someone that is delusional.
Interesting from Yankees.com. The Yanks are opening the stadium for free tomorrow for fans to watch the game on the big screen. I guess it never hurts to make more money.
“The Yankees announced on Sunday that they will open the Stadium Field Level and Great Hall to the public to watch the Yankees face the Angels in Anaheim as New York tries to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the ALCS. Turnstiles between Gates 4 and 6 will open at 3:30 p.m. ET for the 4:13 p.m. game — broadcast on FOX — and fans can watch it in the Great Hall or in the open sections of the Field Level.”
100 pitches…how much does it cost?
Anyone remember which Angels relievers pitched game 1?
Valerie G.,
It’s free to get in. They are obviously looking to make money off the beer and food that people will buy. It’s pretty cool.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....p;c_id=nyy
Giants Defense = Yuck
Scoiscia trusts 2 people out of his bullpen Jespen and Oliver. Notice how after those 2 he went to his 5th starter? He isn’t planning on bringing in any of those other guys unless he absolutely has to. Their bullpen is not good at all outside of those 2.
=====================================
Bulger and Palmer? 2.1 innings, 3 K, 1 H on Friday?
Chris
October 18th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Anyone remember which Angels relievers pitched game 1?
=====================
Bulger and Palmer.
100 pitches–thanks. that’s a great idea…
100 pitches, I don’t see anything wrong with the Yankees doing that. So what if they make some money, plenty of people like to go out to bars to watch the games, why not in the stadium setting?
3 people on the blog and no new posts since 6am? ouch.
Did anyone see Russo on Mike Francesa Friday? Just saw the clip today and put it on my blog. Very cool to see them back together. I dont have Sirius radio or whatever it is, and I almost forgot for a second how looney Chris truely is.
Abdababdaserser, I was joking. It’s a great idea. Why shouldn’t they be the ones to make the money since it’s their team that everyone is watching.
I sure wish I lived closer to the Stadium. What a great idea.
Trust me, The Angel bullpen is not this good..In the course of this series, it will gradually deteriate as the innings mount….I’ve seen them play 60 games this season if not more…..Scoscia will conitnue to press his starters to deep into their starts…He’s burning the candle at both ends….
Christina, Yeah it was funny. Much more entertaining than when Francesa is on by himself. He definitely needs a sidekick. Francesa went on Russo’s show also but I don’t have Sirius either to listen to the interview.
Scoiscia has been lucky so far that his starters have given him so much length in both series. The only game he had to go to the bullpen early was Kazmir against the Sox. Also the Yanks lineup hasn’t exactly been hitting like they should or could.
Yankee Trader, thanks! I’m glad AJ got a nice ovation – he must be feeling pretty good.
I’m going to have a great time on my vacation, but boy did we pick the wrong time to go. I’m going to miss games 5,6 and maybe 7. I know I am going to go through blog withdrawal if the Yanks win while I am away…….
Farr and Howe-this post brought to you by W.B. Mason October 18th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
When Chone Figgins got all excited after his hit i asked “doesn’t he know he is going to lose today?”
Karma sucks Chone
============================
I thought his reaction was over the top for a professional. I fist pump or two would have been OK but after that, it became too much of a show-boat, look-at-me. I know he was excited to get his first post-season hit but…..
i know this was mentioned before, but I don’t think this was actually touched upon- during the postgame on the mlbnetwork, one of the reasons why the analysts thought that joba and hughes BOTH belonged in the pen was that their stuff was only average and ordinary and wouldn’t translate into good starter material, but when they were moved into the bullpen their stuff became above average. I feel like this is another product of seeing their success in the bullpen and proclaiming it to mean that they cannot succeed as starters, because weren’t they both highly regarded prospects?
yanks take my mind of giants
Betsy the way this series is going theres not going to be a game 6 or 7. Theres even the possibility we dont see a game 5. The Angels had a defeated look at the end of last night. I highly doubt this series makes it back to the Bronx. As far as Im concerned, bring on Torree.
My reasons for wanting Torree are 2-fold.
1) I love Torree and want to see the drama unfold of him returning to the Bronx.
2) I feel the Phillies could actually beat the Yankees. I dont fear the Dodgers.
For those 2 reasons, it is imperative that LA can knock off Philly. Im pulling for Joe in this series.
Giants looking like the Raiders today.
While AROD was the hero last night, the guy who really bailed Girardi out was Mariano. Who would have thought he would have been able to 2 1/3 innings? If he only goes his normal 1 or 1 1/3 that is another inning possibly from Gaudin.
While it did work out b/c Mariano went for long I do not think it was smart to bring Joba in for 1 batter. He should have just brought Hughes in and let Hughes go out there the next inning, saving Joba.
Also, Ace before DRob? The advantage of Ace is that he can give you 3 innings. So you go to DRob first, then you save Ace for those 3 innings in case the game goes that long.
Basically what I am just saying is Mo bailed Joe out with his many strange bullpen decisions
the MLB guys were ridiculous. Phil and Joba have fantastic stuff – they clearly don’t remember Phil’s later starts this year OR Joba’s starts last year. Boring and moot argument, though – they both are going to be in the rotation next year.
Ken, this series is far from over……
Hughes should have finished the 7th and pitched the 8th. Then, Mo for however long and then Joba……..
Valerie G,
I don’t know if anyone answered you, but I don’t think it was “unfair”.
Jerry had a clean hit to lead off the 13th. Melky hit into a forceout. The true hero was Izturis, but I don’t think he would’ve appreciated a pie in the face.
Also, Gardner has no business being in the game if he does not run. How many times this year have we seen this? Waits 4 or 5 pitches and then DP.
If he can not get a read off lefties, well then stay on the bench with a LHP on the mound.
How about not picking on Gardner for not stealing a base, and look at the other guys who had all night to hit with RISP and didn’t?
Or how about not worrying about it since $#!& happens and someone has to win. And thanks to the Yankees gutting it out, we’re going to Cali up 2-0?
AND Gardner did have a hit after pinch running. AND he did put down a good bunt on a hard thrower to put Hairston in scoring position.
Gardner did have business being in the game, as did all the players who did their part to contribute. Even Teixeira who contributed greatly with his glove, even if his bat was silent.
Gardner pinch running is about more than stealing 2nd. It’s also about going first to third or scoring from first on a double.
“Trust me, The Angel bullpen is not this good..In the course of this series, it will gradually deteriate as the innings mount”
Jepsen has a pretty good arm, though. I wonder how long before he’s closing out games and Fuentes is setting him up – ALA Jimenez taking his closer spot in ‘07.
Does anyone know how I can find the bullpen ERA rank of all the teams? I went to MLB.com, Espn.com, etc., all I see is the total team ERA.
m,
My point is really for the future. I could care less about it last night because they won. That is why I waited until today to say it. But, if he is not going to run you can not say that he has business being in the game over guys like Swish, Matsui, and Posada.
He did get a hit and he did lay down a good bunt but you can not say it was a good decision just b/c it worked out. Most of the time there are 9 other guys in the lineup who are better hitters than him and if he is replacing them he needs to run. That is what he was brought in for.
Some people have said he can not get a read off of lefties and that is why he is hesitant at times. Well all I am saying is that if that is the case I sure as hell do not want him replacing the big hitters in our lineup when a Lefty is on the mound.
dave c.
http://www.baseball-reference......2009#sprel
You have to go to the pitching splits for each team. Not sure how to see them all together, compared to one another.
dave c. -
fangraphs.com
Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, Angels
thanks vin
thanks Jesse
So, Gardner couldn’t get a good read on the pitcher last night. It happens.
What I thought ended up being a bit weird is Guzman and Gardner being back to back in the lineup after entering as pinch runners. That made the lineup a little to easy to navigate right in the middle of the order. I mean, Rodriguez, Guzman, Gardner. Not too formidable
Shrug.
All’s well that ends well.
As m said, the team gutted the game out and that’s why they ended up winning.
Team Reliever ERA
——————-
Dodgers 3.14
Giants 3.49
Athletics 3.54
Reds 3.56
Cardinals 3.67
Braves 3.68
Padres 3.75
Red Sox 3.8
Mariners 3.83
Twins 3.87
Marlins 3.89
Mets 3.89
Yankees 3.91
Phillies 3.91
Rangers 3.95
Brewers 3.97
Rays 3.98
White Sox 4.06
Blue Jays 4.08
Cubs 4.11
Astros 4.13
Tigers 4.34
Angels 4.49
http://www.fangraphs.com/teams.....mp;month=0
yeah Im ready for a new thread now
Betsy take it to the Bank – this series is over. Angels dont have the weapons. Do you honestly think the Angels are a better team than us ?? Im taking the Yankees in 5. I dont think this series even makes it back to the Bronx at this point.
The Team Reliever ERA is interesting, but I wonder if it’s possible to find out the ERA of the Yankee bullpen as currently constituted.
Those stats above include Veras, Edrwar, Bruney, etc., right?
The bullpen we have in the ALCS has to rank higher, no?
Dave thanks for the list — who would have thought the Angels had the worst bullpen in the majors? I really questioned letting K-Rod go last year. Also didnt realize the A’s bullpen was so good.
Nick Id love to see Marte dealt away. Marte is great in the NL but he has shown he is not any good in the stronger American League. I hope Cashman tries to move him to Kansas City for Soria.
“I hope Cashman tries to move him to Kansas City for Soria.”
LOL hahahahas, video game trades doesnt mean it will happen in reality.
lets go yankees,
Sorry, if I went off. But when you said Gardner had no business being in the game that set me off.
Guess who else didn’t steal? Willits. It happens. Inserting a pinch runner doesn’t guarantee you a stolen base, just as leaving a slow runner with a big bat in doesn’t guarantee you a big hit.
The annals of baseball is littered with bad decisions. Some worked out, some didn’t.
But I misread your intentions about Gardner having no business in the game, especially since he did contribute and he didn’t cost us the game (you wouldn’t be able to argue otherwise, anyway).
So, if you feel strongly enough that a missed stolen base opportunity is worth lamenting about, then please continue to do so (even though some would think it’s nitpicking to the smallest degree).
Gardener sucks. Hes really nothing more than a glorified pinch runner. He cant hold Melky’s jock in my eyes.
Hi All – It’s been a busy day, what with grocery shopping, laundry, and paying bills –
1. Pat M – I know, you’ve been saying for a while that the Angels’ pen will be exposed. Jepsen did look good, however, but can he keep it up?
My bet is that if the Yanks score a couple early off Weaver tomorrow, Scoscia will be forced to take him out early. If Pettitte pitches even semi-decent, Scoscia will be looking at CC in a potential elimination game on Tuesday, so he will be forced to make moves that he otherwise might not. I know the term is tossed around too lightly, but tomorrow’s Game 3 is really a must win for the Angels.
2. Doreen – I had the same thought, it’s too bad I work on LI, otherwise I might be tempted to head to the Stadium, despite the weather. I bet it would be an experience to remember.
3. Giants really stunk, but I guess they won’t be undefeated. Now hoping my Jets get it together. Sanchez and Ryan realizing it ain’t that easy.
“I hope Cashman tries to move him to Kansas City for Soria.”
No way they make that trade.
Maybe if they throw in Greinke.
Why would anyone want melky’s jock in their eyes?
The Saints are a really good team and they seem to have it all going together right now. The Giants defense was disappointing today. Sometimes these type of losses can work out for the betterment of the team though.
I’m really ticked off at how CBS cut off the end of the Viking/Raven game with 2 minutes left to play to go the beginning of the Jets/Bills game. That can be the most intense 2 minutes in a game that is as close as that game was. To me that is incompetence.
“I hope Cashman tries to move him to Kansas City for Soria.”
“LOL hahahahas, video game trades doesnt mean it will happen in reality”
lol. put the controller down
“He cant hold Melky’s jock in my eyes.”
“M
Why would anyone want melky’s jock in their eyes?”
LOL. I bet Shelly could.
Each station must use its own discretion, I saw every glorious second of that last minute.
I even invoked the “shankapotomus” line from the creepy baby e-trade commercial before the kick.
Oh, and Farve (why the heck did he have his helmet on?) didn’t watch, he had to ask Tavares Jackson if he missed it.
If Marte can’t pitch in the American League, then the Royals wouldn’t want him either. Trade him to the Cardinals for Franklin. Or Pujols. Whoever.
m, I guess so. Granted I am in Syracuse and there is a big Bills and Jets fanbase here, but still, they normally keep the game on that is on to its completion then go to the other game. The first few minutes of the game are not usually the make or break of the game.
Being that I don’t really root for any team, I like following certain players. Favre is one I enjoy watching, even with all the drama with him. Its great for us old guys seeing he keep on playing.
When are the Yankees holding their press conference?
Abdababdaserser
Hi from Monday morning.
I became a Yankees fan because I lived in Harlem for seven years and I worked in Washington Heights. Not too many Mets fans up in the Heights.
I like the Marte for Soria idea. We should also see if we can move Ramiro Pena to the Cardinals for Pujols. Pena would give The Cardinals more flexibility as far as the number of positions he can play.
Maybe Gaudin for Haren………the 2010 lineup is starting to look pretty good!
“SJ44 wrote:
Hey Pete,
How about coming clean about Joba?
All season long you subjected us to incessant claptrap about how he must be a starter. His postseason performance has been stellar, unrivaled by his substandard starting duties.
I hope to see Joba groomed as a Rivera successor.
Next year we can sign a starter in his place and ramp up the pen.
The results speak for themselves. The Yanks would not be in the ALCS without the pen.”
SJ, is that really you on Pete’s blog or is it the imposter from this blog? It sure doesn’t sound like you. I could have swarn that you were adamant all year about Joba being a starter.
Fellow Yankee fans, I am not much for superstition, but sometimes you can’t deny the omens in front of you.
Last night I saw one of my favorite indie bands, Yo La Tengo, play a great show down in Santa Cruz. Noticing the number on my ticket, it was impossible not to draw a powerful and happy conclusion:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9.....023016711/
Betsy – I just got back from my little vacation with the family, I was just able to read ALL your comments from today. I don’t know what makes me happier, seeing the Yanks win or reading your analysis. I know, I know, it’s a toss-up.
If I had a lot of money, I would stay home all-day, eat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets (20 piece, w/ honey mustard dipping sauce) and wait for your comments to appear.
What do you think of tomorrow’s match-up? I think that Weaver will have a stinker. I think the Weavers’ pitch worse when they are under a lot of pressure. I also think the Yankee scouting needs to be commended. Please, give me an update on any new Yankee related thoughts you’ve had.
Adrian, Hi back at ya! That must have been an interesting 7 years. I read some of the posts on your blog. I enjoyed the content. I’ll have to see about finding a copy of your book to read.
Jeter’s Edge, that isn’t SJ44. Just someone who signed up under that name and trying to BS as if they are him. He even stated it here a few days ago.
Nick… I’d take it! lol.
new post
Nick in SF
Your ticket is 27th of 999, therby indicating (if your omen is correct) a few more titles after 27.