Yankees likely to meet with Chapman
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Oct 21, 2009 
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It should come as no surprise, but it seems the Yankees could be on the verge of a meeting with top international free agent Aroldis Chapman, a 21-year-old left-handed pitcher out of Cuba.
There is a report that Chapman is coming to the United States to meet with several teams next week, with the Yankees “expected” to be one of the suitors. I talked to Brain Cashman briefly this afternoon, but Cashman wouldn’t comfirm whether a meeting is scheduled.
“It’s not in my best interest to talk about it,” he said.
It seems a good bet, though, that the Yankees will be involved. Chapman is one of the most highly touted prospects to hit the international market, and the Yankees have already been significant international bidders this year. In July they signed Dominican catcher Gary Sanchez for what was reported to be a $3 million bonus, the largest the Yankees had ever given to a position player.
way to ruin our perfectly good discussion on the Muppets with a guy who can throw a paltry 100mph at the age of 20.
Question #1: Mr. Chapman, are you actually 21 years old?
I just caution the Yankees do go into this with their eyes wide open. Don’t forget Jose, and what happened with him.
Haha that Halo’s Heaven blog is HILARIOUS !
who cares how old he is…. Can he pitch under pressure? Just ask Mr Contreras how hard it is!
Who did the yanks miss out or pass over Kendry Morales, who’s now playing 1st for the Angels? He was a cuban defector as well (2004).
Get Yer Damn hands Off Of her!
October 21st, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Haha that Halo’s Heaven blog is HILARIOUS !
***********
What are they whining about today?
How did the yanks miss out or pass over Kendry Morales, who’s now playing 1st for the Angels? He was a cuban defector as well (2004).
All the reports say he has a great arm with huge potential. He would be a great addition to the minor league system, albeit at a huge cost compared a high draft pick. But, he might be able to move up to the majors faster than a comparable prospect due to the experience pitching professionally and internationally he has already.
People will scoff at the amounts of $ thrown around necessary to sign him, but he would be low risk (for the Yankees since money is not as risky as it is for other teams)/high reward type signing.
The Contreras comparison is a good caution but Aroldis is much younger and appears to have an even higher upside than Contreras did. The days of the fake birth certificates are over thanks to your Patriot Act or whatever act came around post-9/11 that caused the clampdown on bogus birth certificates.
Erin, everything obviously.
I was just reading their “spitball” threads. Truely funny, they’re calling for Mariano’s head.
Geez if this guy is as advertised the Yanks rotation would be set in cement for the next 4 or 5 years with young studs: CC(29), AJ(32), Hughes(23), Chamberlain(23), Chapman(21), Wang(28)
Pettitte may also be around another 2 years as well to warm Chapman’s spot if he needs some seasoning. Not to mention the entire farm system.
Not getting ahead of myself but…… maybe Mr. Chapman would like to take in a game next week.
“”We win three in a row. Write it down. Griffin says so,” Angels coach Alfredo Griffin said, disappearing into the coaches’ room as reporters were allowed into the Angels’ clubhouse following the game.”
————-
sure ya do
repost
“Good God. I can’t see why any woman would want Steve Phillips, but, dating Selena Roberts? Gnaw your arm off at the shoulder and run away, Phillips.”
Now here is an interesting proposition. If ESPN allows Steve Phillips to keep his job, Harold Reynolds might be tempted to make a prima facie case of racism. However an employee at ESPN allegedly filed a complaint of sexual harassment against Reynolds. At this point in time it doesn’t appear that this female has taken that step (though she certainly has done a lot more on her own.) Unless ESPN has some kind of dating policy in place, they might have a difficult time firing Phillips – well they can fire him but he might be able to fight it. It all depends on their written policies.
Get Yer Damn hands Off Of her!
October 21st, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Erin, everything obviously.
I was just reading their “spitball” threads. Truely funny, they’re calling for Mariano’s head.
************
LOL I figured as much.
this is what hte Halos Heaven blog is saying”
“Umpires Greenlight Yankees Game 4 Victory”
“So two Yankees are tagged not standing on a base, what happens? One is called safe. This is just one of many instances this postseason where the most ratings-friendly team in baseball located in a favorable media market is being gifted more opportunities to score and to wear down the opposing pitcher.
Numerous calls that should have gone the Angels’ way and a strike zone the ignored the knees and letters to an Angels starter, Scott Kazmir, who lives on the outer limits of the plate can only add to the frustration as anyone with an historical appreciation of the game can practically smell a media-industrial complex version of Arnold Rothstein collaborating to celebrate the 80th birthday of the Chicago Black Sox in corrupt style.”
————–
it only gets worse.
one thing that concerns me about chapman is he’s 6’4″ tall, but only 180 lbs. That’s alot thinner than the already rail thin Tim Lincecum who’s 5’11′ and 170 lbs.
“Umpires Greenlight Yankees Game 4 Victory”
Seriously? Wow.
if you read Halos Heaven, you’d think the Yanks won 1-0 on a bad call at the plate.
not a 10-1 thrashing in which the blown calls didnt seem to have much effect at all on the outcome.
According to Jose Arangure Jr. (ESPN), Chapman could receive a deal in the $40-60 million range. That’s a tremendous contract.
Make it happen, Cash.
BD, a link to that hellish site, please!
Halo Heaven never had a good grasp of reality or knowledge of baseball anyhow – judging from their misunderstanding of what a spitter really is
http://www.halosheaven.com/
one thing that concerns me about chapman is he’s 6?4? tall, but only 180 lbs. That’s alot thinner than the already rail thin Tim Lincecum who’s 5?11? and 170 lbs.
——————————————————–
They don’t feed ‘em too well down there in Cuba. He’ll put on some weight when he starts eating American food.
“But John Lackey faces A.J. Burnett on Thursday night and 6 teams in baseball history have come back down 3 games to 1 to win a 7 game series, so the ALCS may be far from over. If only the phone records and bank statements of the umpiring crew could be more closely scrutinized prior to Thursday evening.”
————-
wow, just pathetic.
“This is just one of many instances this postseason where the most ratings-friendly team in baseball located in a favorable media market is being gifted more opportunities to score and to wear down the opposing pitcher.”
That’s awesome. So the Angels who are in (ahem) ‘Los Angeles’ aren’t in a favorable media market? And why are the Yankees the most ratings-friendly? Because most people will actually watch, whether to see them win or lose. No one would care if the Angels were in the WS.
Yet the Dodgers, who are actually in Los Angeles COUNTY, are down 3-1…
I love the tinfoil hatters!
I guess MLB isnt paying the umpires enough in the Dodgers series since LA vs NY with Torre coming back would be in their best interestes.
I don’t think his deal with be that high, but I do think the Yanks are planning on signing him.
Not too strong in logic either
“The Contreras comparison is a good caution but Aroldis is much younger and appears to have an even higher upside than Contreras did. The days of the fake birth certificates are over thanks to your Patriot Act or whatever act came around post-9/11 that caused the clampdown on bogus birth certificates.”
Sorry but I have to make 2 points.
1. “Appears to have even a higher upside than Contreras” isn’t overly impressive.
2. I don’t think Cuba technically falls under the umbrella of laws laid out in the Patriot Act.
Their site is laughable. Why go there and give them traffic? That’s what they want you to do.
Phil,
what do you predict Aroldis signs for?
I can see it getting pretty high. I’ll guess he signs with the Yanks for 5/$45M.
Strasburg would have gotten more, IMO, if he was a free agent.
Bronx Jeers,
I tend to agree but pitchers with the upside of Chapman dont come along often as free agents.
Then consider he is just 21. Then remember he is a lefty.
Yikes.
trisha – OPPC lifetime member and a true believer in the AJ-Molina tandem and Chad Gaudin’s effectiveness
October 21st, 2009 at 4:58 pm
repost
“Good God. I can’t see why any woman would want Steve Phillips, but, dating Selena Roberts? Gnaw your arm off at the shoulder and run away, Phillips.”
Now here is an interesting proposition. If ESPN allows Steve Phillips to keep his job, Harold Reynolds might be tempted to make a prima facie case of racism. However an employee at ESPN allegedly filed a complaint of sexual harassment against Reynolds. At this point in time it doesn’t appear that this female has taken that step (though she certainly has done a lot more on her own.) Unless ESPN has some kind of dating policy in place, they might have a difficult time firing Phillips – well they can fire him but he might be able to fight it. It all depends on their written policies.
————————————————————
I would think that they have a morals clause written into the contract, along with doing anything that would disgrace (how it’s any different from what’s they’ve become over the years is anybody’s guess?). I can’t see him being kept on. Maybe he moves on to Fox or MLB.
I actually found a pretty nice one when I went there:
“Weird game tonight as far as the umpiring, but Sabathia pitched his ass off and the Angels were never in it.
Congrats. We’ll be waiting for you on Thursday!”
Awwww. There are always one or two fans who manage to take the edge off your feelings of enmity!
But their site isn’t user friendly and I got bored quickly.
Seems to me to be a great way to invest money.
GB, according to ESPN they already disciplined him (suspended him for a week) and said they will have no further comment. He has asked for a leave of absence to take care of his affairs (so to speak) and they have granted it.
Not all contracts have morals clauses, though you would think there is some language in there about bringing discredit to the organization.
It will be interesting to watch this one play out.
What’s worse?
A. Losing your family and possibly your job for a few orgasms
or
B. Seeing those pictures of the girl in some major newspaper and realizing that the world knows that you sleep with psychopathic trolls.
“I would think that they have a morals clause written into the contract, along with doing anything that would disgrace (how it’s any different from what’s they’ve become over the years is anybody’s guess?).”
I believe it’s the 90th anniversary of the Black Sox scandal. Oh heck, why let reason or facts get in the way of a good rant.
Bronx Jeers -
LMAO!!!
I am thinking the second is the killer!
Rob in Vt. October 21st, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Make it happen, Cash.
=============================================
Will he be another El Duque or will he be a Contreras/Irabu/Igawa type?
i think ESPN should keep Steve Philips. Simply because I stopped watching ESPN on January 1st
I’m actually a little out of the loop on the Steve Philips thing. He dated a co-worker? that’s wrong at ESPN?
Happy birthday to “The Chairman Of The Board”, Whitey Ford, who’s 81. A happy birthday to Robinson Cano, tomorrow.
What’s worse?
B… I would also add on that the entire world now knows about Phillips Birthmarks.. to add insult to injury
“Will he be another El Duque or will he be a Contreras/Irabu/Igawa type?”
————-
He is the only one on that list that is left handed, can throw 100mph and is only 21.
Contreras was 31 when he signed with NY.
It’s a HIGH risk but MONSTROUS reward deal.
hopefully Aroldis feels the same way Jose did (“For me, it’s an honor to play for the Yankees”)
“Lucchino said the Red Sox’ efforts to sign Contreras were ”sincere, intense and substantial,” then added, ”But it takes two to tango, and the Yankees are formidable adversaries, make no mistake.” The Red Sox were said to have offered about as much as the Yankees and were prepared to go higher, but Contreras wanted to play for the Yankees.
”For me, it’s an honor to play for the Yankees,” Contreras said in Nicaragua, where he has established residency. ”I really sacrificed some money to play for the Yankees, but for me they were the team I wanted to be with.””
# Jim the VT Yankeefan October 21st, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Rob in Vt. October 21st, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Make it happen, Cash.
=============================================
Will he be another El Duque or will he be a Contreras/Irabu/Igawa type?
————————————————————–
I’d settle for somewhere between El Duque and Contreras.
ESPN’s Keith Law on Aroldis Chapman:
“I talked to a longtime scout – I mean, been at this 40 years – in the spring who said he was the best young LHP he’d ever seen. On good days he’ll touch 100 with a slider in the upper 80s, but he hasn’t been that guy every time out – I talked to another scout who saw him last year, I believe in Beijing, who had him topping out around 90 – and there are all kinds of rumors as to why. The upside probably puts him into $40-50 million territory, if not more …”
If I was Steve Phillips attorney I would argue that my client has done nothing to disgrace or tarnish the image of ESPN as the company is already well known to be the nation’s leading network of slime and scum.
“GB, according to ESPN they already disciplined him (suspended him for a week) and said they will have no further comment. He has asked for a leave of absence to take care of his affairs (so to speak) and they have granted it.
Not all contracts have morals clauses, though you would think there is some language in there about bringing discredit to the organization.
It will be interesting to watch this one play out.”
If they don’t fire Phillips after the Harold Reynolds thing then I have to wonder what’s going on. This Phillips situation has to be very embarrassing for ESPN/Disney, especially after the Letterman situation. Phillips doesn’t have the pull that Letterman has so I think he’s gone sometime before next season.
Saucy, it’s only wrong if the co-worker turns into something resembling the character that Glenn Close played in Fatal Attraction and the letter she writes to the co-workers wife, outlining everything about their affair, including anatomical description, gets front page press coverage.
Some good stats from the New York Times:
Sabathia, Burnett and Pettitte have combined to go 4-0 with a 1.89 earned run average while holding hitters to a .193 average. At a time when some pitchers are winded from the long season, the Yankees’ starters are sturdy.
Extraordinary would be a better word. With Sabathia, A. J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte, the Yankees have opened the postseason with seven quality starts in a row (at least six innings, no more than three earned runs). They have never done that before, not with Wells, Cone and El Duque, not with Catfish, Guidry and Figueroa. Never.
Letterman belongs to CBS, but ESPN doesn’t want one of their on-air personalities becoming a major story like Letterman has been for CBS.
“If I was Steve Phillips attorney I would argue that my client has done nothing to disgrace or tarnish the image of ESPN as the company is already well known to be the nation’s leading network of slime and scum.”
Stop! You’re killing me!!! (no comments of approval necessary…)
Boston Dave,
I think it could be in the 25M-35M range. I base that on the fact that Strasburg didn’t sit out for a vastly lower sum than he has originall sought. In other words, I still think there’s some proportionality in the young amateur market. We’ll see, though. There are some desperate teams out there. Still, the Yanks seemed to change strategies the minute Chapman’s defection was announced. I think they plan on getting him.
They’ve gotten it down to some kind of science now. Their doing tests to determine their actual age. I don’t know much about it, but they just busted some Latin “kid”.
Regarding the Phillips/Reynolds thing, it’s my understanding (without going back through and re-researching it) that the Phillips thing is basically a consensual relationship that turned sour. The Reynolds thing was supposedly unsolicited/unwanted advances (or at least that’s what the claim was).
While the Phillips thing is more salacious, it probably doesn’t violate any employment clauses, while the Reynolds thing was a reported sexual harassment accusation. I don’t know if anything ever actually came of the accusation, but that’s supposedly why Reynolds was let go.
And they think the Yankees have too much money!
Check out the first item on the Russian SUV(mildly sickening)
http://www.marginalrevolution......evolution/
craw, again it will be interesting to see how it plays out since there are some things that distinguish one case from the other – especially the actual complaint of sexual harassment in the Reynolds case. In this case it is apparent from the comments of both parties that the affair was consensual. So if they wanted to hang their hats on that aspect, they could. Don’t know what they will do.
“Regarding the Phillips/Reynolds thing, it’s my understanding (without going back through and re-researching it) that the Phillips thing is basically a consensual relationship that turned sour. The Reynolds thing was supposedly unsolicited/unwanted advances (or at least that’s what the claim was).
While the Phillips thing is more salacious, it probably doesn’t violate any employment clauses, while the Reynolds thing was a reported sexual harassment accusation. I don’t know if anything ever actually came of the accusation, but that’s supposedly why Reynolds was let go.”
I’ve seen executives in my company let go after having an affair with junior personnel.
In the AFL today, Brandon Laird is 0-3.
Colin Curtis is 2-3 with a triple and a run scored.
Austin Romine isn’t playing.
The Other Phil – exactly what I just posted.
3 things here.
a. Is the 100 mph on an american radar gun or japanese? Irabu was supposed be a fireball thrower when coming here.
b. Does he have control of that faster than the speed of light fastball?
c. Can he conjur up enough saliva for the playoffs?
“craw, again it will be interesting to see how it plays out since there are some things that distinguish one case from the other – especially the actual complaint of sexual harassment in the Reynolds case. In this case it is apparent from the comments of both parties that the affair was consensual. So if they wanted to hang their hats on that aspect, they could. Don’t know what they will do.”
However, I don’t remember any such complaint taken place about Reynolds. If so then how come he got a settlement from ESPN and was hired by MLB before that settlement when he worked with mlb.com before going to their baseball channel? Something about the Reynolds situation just didn’t feel right to me when that situation came about and what transpired to settle it.
d. Can he beat Edwar in a hotdog eating contest?
trisha: jinx!
crawdaddy: I hear ya. I’m not saying it’s right. (One of the reasons I don’t date at work. Oh, and no one will go out with me…
) But I can see ESPN cutting that line. It does make me curious to know what actually resulted from the Reynolds case, since he’s on MLBN now… I may actually go look that up.
mel,
Where should i go?
“I’ve seen executives in my company let go after having an affair with junior personnel.”
And where I used to work, knowledge of affairs with co-workers (both parties married) were widely known and totally ignored. I suppose in the case of a superior-subordinate it could get sticky but otherwise it wasn’t a problem.
too bad the CF for the Cuba team is not available (forget his name?)
if it were between him and Chapman, would rather have the OF’er
All talent contracts at ESPN have morals clauses.
However, they are very non-specific in nature, unless one negotiates a more specific clause.
He wouldn’t get fired over having an affair. Believe it or not, that doesn’t fall within the boundries of general morals clauses in broadcast contracts.
He could get fired for messing around with a subordinate (a PA), which is really frowned upon at ESPN.
He’s suspended for a week right now. He’s in Year 2 of a 5 year contract.
I’m sure their lawyers will look at the contract if they are looking to fire him.
It won’t be easy though unless the morals clause is specific about what constitutes amoral behavior.
“And where I used to work, knowledge of affairs with co-workers (both parties married) were widely known and totally ignored. I suppose in the case of a superior-subordinate it could get sticky but otherwise it wasn’t a problem.”
Trisha,
One major difference is those affairs aren’t being plastered on the front page of the New York Post and is all over the internet with other publications picking up the story along with radio chatter. Not a good position for ESPN which is why I think they’ll act once the noise calms down later this winter.
Craw, absolutely there was a complaint against Reynolds! It was front page news. Settlements are part of a company deciding they don’t want to pay what it will cost to go through a court trial and that is what it will take to get the person to go into the night.
Hey guys!
Just checking in from Savannah! GB, from what I’ve seen it’s a beautiful city. We flew to Charleston (nice, easy 1 1/2 hour flight) and drove to Savannah. We went to Temple Mikveh (very intersting, but my parents were more interested in it than I was- I’m SO not a good Jewish girl) and then we went to the Andrew Low house, which was spectacular.
Mrs. Wilkes was FANTASTIC! OMG – the vegetables. Collard greens black eyed peas, mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pickled beets, buttered beans…and the best fried chicken ever.
I’m here at my inn where I am thrilled there is a computer. I’m exhausted, having gotten up at 6 am. Now, I’m going to go back and read the other threads.
Chapman will meet with us next week and be wined at game 1 of the World Series. Maybe he will throw out the first pitch.
“Can he beat Edwar in a hotdog eating contest”
Edwar looks like one of those people who could win it. Those rail-thin types will fool you
Harold’s case involved hugging an intern. His case was settled out of court and he did VERY well with it.
The Phillips case is an entirely different deal.
I was reading some of the previous posts with and I have to say that I enjoyed reading the Mummets comments. Totally unexpected since I am relatively new to the site. Muppets bring back memories. Anyone remember the muppet babies? LOL
As far as the whole Phillips thing…Isn’t ESPN owned by Disney? I thought that they had a strict policy on that sort of thing.
“All talent contracts at ESPN have morals clauses.
However, they are very non-specific in nature, unless one negotiates a more specific clause.
He wouldn’t get fired over having an affair. Believe it or not, that doesn’t fall within the boundries of general morals clauses in broadcast contracts.
He could get fired for messing around with a subordinate (a PA), which is really frowned upon at ESPN.
He’s suspended for a week right now. He’s in Year 2 of a 5 year contract.
I’m sure their lawyers will look at the contract if they are looking to fire him.
It won’t be easy though unless the morals clause is specific about what constitutes amoral behavior.”
SJ44,
I would think ESPN knowing Phillips past history in this regard would try to protect themselves with specific language, but who knows except the parties involved.
If having an affair were sufficient to get someone fired the unemployment rate would be a lot higher than 10%…
3,
All! But Oahu and maui are the most popular ones.
“It won’t be easy though unless the morals clause is specific about what constitutes amoral behavior.”
And therein lies the dilemma.
If the person was his subordinate it would be an entirely different case because her co-workers could file a hostile environment claim (alleging that she got special treatment from him because of their sexual relationship). Those things have teeth. Absence of any kind of relationship where he could affect her employment in any way, it’s just another case of inter-organizational dating.
“The San Diego Padres are moving closer toward hiring Jed Hoyer, an assistant general manager with the Boston Red Sox, as their next general manager, according to major league sources.” espn
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4582667
josh byrnes was also hired to be a gm with the diamondbacks after being an assistant gm under theo epstein.
what’s up with no assistant gm from the yankees getting a gm job somewhere ?
“Chapman will meet with us next week and be wined at game 1 of the World Series. Maybe he will throw out the first pitch”
lmao. The Evil Empire…
“Craw, absolutely there was a complaint against Reynolds! It was front page news. Settlements are part of a company deciding they don’t want to pay what it will cost to go through a court trial and that is what it will take to get the person to go into the night.”
That’s not addressing the issue you brought up about affairs in your company might be ignored, but this type of public revelation for an on-air personality for ESPN is a total different type of situation in which the company might act by cutting it’s losses. Hell, who knows what this person might say that may cause further embarrassment like ESPN condoning this situation.
BWAAHAHAHA, get him Cash.
s.o.s. changed names to ’3′? why?
now when i do searches for your posts, i get about 30 time stamps in between actually finding one of your posts
Curtis is now 3-4 with 2 runs scored, a triple and a 2 run homer. Hitting .379.
Laird is 0-4. Hitting .393.
Romine isn’t playing. Hitting .400
craw, I agree that it may end up with ESPN firing him (or buying out his contract to make him go away, more likely, unless they have tight enough language to make a firing stick.) You mentioned that someone in your company got fired and my response was just to show you that not all companies are alike.
“Can he beat Edwar in a hotdog eating contest”
Edwar looks like one of those people who could win it. Those rail-thin types will fool you
=========
Maybe so vinny. But i know one person who would take the cake. Igawa, with his front teeth advantage. Its no contest.
Steve Phillips is a dog. He’s married with 4 sons. He also had affairs while he was GM of the Mets. He has no morals.
Steve Phillips and Selena Roberts will be the perfect match once his divorce is finalized.
“craw, I agree that it may end up with ESPN firing him (or buying out his contract to make him go away, more likely, unless they have tight enough language to make a firing stick.) You mentioned that someone in your company got fired and my response was just to show you that not all companies are alike.”
I don’t know how large your company is, but mine is one of the largest and with ESPN/Disney being another large corporation, something tells me they do not condone this type of in-office behavior and will take major stept to prevent this practice due to liability issues.
Has anyone mentined that pitching guru Rick Peterson signed a 2 yr. contract with the Brewers?
Randy,
Billy Eppler of the Yankees is (was?) also in the running for the S.D. job.
:Steve Phillips is a dog. He’s married with 4 sons. He also had affairs while he was GM of the Mets. He has no morals.”
But apparently he’s consistent. Consistency is a virtue. Or so I hear when it comes to umps, at least.
“Steve Phillips is a dog. He’s married with 4 sons. He also had affairs while he was GM of the Mets. He has no morals.”
And the women who knew he was married are just as guilty.
if it comes down to Yankees versus Boston (for Chapman), maybe this time we can get video footage of Theo breaking the furniture
now when i do searches for your posts, i get about 30 time stamps in between actually finding one of your posts
========
saucy,
Not sure what 30x stamps mean. Didnt know i had a stalker. Im flattered. Blame it on GB7. The sos was being misinterprited for the help code. Rather than the bambino. Let me know what your stalking hours are and i will go morris code on you.(dont know morris code)
Anyone remember the muppet babies?
====================
My favorite was Baby Animal. So cute
Considering that Jorge is Yanks leading hitter vs. Lackey (.414)…and Swisher is batting .116 vs. Lackey, with 17 ks…think there’s any consideration for sitting swish and matsui (or God forbid)…Molina?
OR…do we stay with what’s been working?
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Surprise Rafters infielder Brandon Laird (NYY) and Peoria Javelinas first baseman Russ Mitchell (LAD) are the Arizona Fall League’s week one co-players-of-the-week.
Brandon Laird, Surprise Rafters
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Laird, who has appeared at first and third base, leads the Fall League in hitting (.625, 10-for-16) after the season’s first week. His impressive start included four- and five-hit efforts (9-for-11) in his first two games. He also registered seven RBIs.
Laird spent 2009 at Class A Advanced Tampa, batting .266 in 124 games with 20 doubles, 4 triples, 13 home runs and 75 RBIs. In three Minor League seasons, he has hit .281.
The Cypress, Calif. native was the Yankees’ 27th-round pick (844th overall) in the June 2007 Draft out of Cypress (Calif.) Community College.
3, ‘time’ stamps = the date and time on the top right of every post
Re: Aroldis Chapman
The always stealth Brian Cashman will continue doing what he always does, never tipping his hand.
“Steve Phillips is a dog. He’s married with 4 sons. He also had affairs while he was GM of the Mets. He has no morals”
in other words, the typical guy.
don’t have a problem with women calling him out. However, i hope the men who are calling him out (ie this includes media/sports writers) have a squeaky clean house
Another thing, once Phillips situation is quite different because now, very senior executives have knowledge of this affair with their legal department very much involved which might be quite different than those that have knowledge of your company affairs. Once this became a very public relevation, this type of affair has become quite a different situation for ESPN/Disney. Remember, we’re talking about Disney.
“Anyone remember the muppet babies? ”
—
my sister liked that more than me. skeeter seemed weird.
do they even have saturday morning cartoons anymore? or are kids today hungover early on saturdays?
“Considering that Jorge is Yanks leading hitter vs. Lackey (.414)…and Swisher is batting .116 vs. Lackey, with 17 ks…think there’s any consideration for sitting swish and matsui (or God forbid)…Molina?”
Wow, the Nickster has a .464 OPS in 51 career plate appearances against Lackey.
I’m a big Swisher guy but maybe give Gardner a shot tomorrow?
Too bad for Steverino. I hope he doesn’t get fired.
Becasue out of the crack ESPN baseball team of dumb, dumber and dumbest, Phillips was merely dumb.
“Maybe so vinny. But i know one person who would take the cake. Igawa, with his front teeth advantage. Its no contest”
lol SoS. Maybe he could unseat Kobee-ashi (spelling)
10 more days before Theo Epstein breaks out with his gorilla costume.
saucY
October 21st, 2009 at 6:00 pm
“Anyone remember the muppet babies? ”
—
my sister liked that more than me. skeeter seemed weird.
do they even have saturday morning cartoons anymore? or are kids today hungover early on saturdays?
***********
If they do have cartoons they are probably not like the ones I had back in the day!
“I don’t know how large your company is, but mine is one of the largest and with ESPN/Disney being another large corporation, something tells me they do not condone this type of in-office behavior and will take major stept to prevent this practice due to liability issues.”
One of the largest $$$exual harassment cases that I remember was lodged against one of the attorneys at a prominent law firm, with offices all over the country. Unfortunately that type of “in-office behavior” is more-often-than-not ignored. If someone isn’t complaining, you have no complaint. Believe me I was involved in employment law and that kind of crap was swept under the rug so much I wanted to scream. But there were also unions where I worked, and unions are there to protect their members.
What liability issues are you talking about? There is no liability for the company if both parties are willing participants. And unless the company knew or should have known about behaviors that are actually illegal or against policy, the company has no liability.
If you mean ESPN might like it to all go away, that’s one thing. If you mean ESPN actively disapproves of affairs between co-workers I’d have to read their company manual and rules and policies before I would pass any judgement on that.
Not one mention about the calls against the Yankees,or how no Yankees runs were gained from bad calls,somehow the game corrected itself.
As far as the spitball-gate.Alex created a serious void of real stories to write,so they’ve been reduced to conjecture.(made up guess)
Anyway, time will tell how it all plays out. Since it’s Phillips’s problem and not mine, I think I will just enjoy the rest of my evening and hope the Phils end the deal tonight!
Later y’all.
Going to cook my Mom’s birthday dinner. Be back later for more insight and camaraderie.
Pujols had bone chips removed by Dr Andrews for 2nd year in a row.
Dr Andrews concluded he doesn’t need ligament-TJ surgery!
whew.So that’s why he stopped hitting before postseason started,ans why the Cards lost a ton of games at the same time.
Why are some people worried that Molina is going to go to the Red Sox? If they want to waste their games putting a guy who can’t hit in their lineup, more power to em. He is a great guy, but slow as heck and his defense is slipping. Let the new blood fill in.
They most likely won’t be able to do much because Varitek will exercise his player option.
Betsy,
Enjoy your trip in the southland.I can do without the Collards, Butter Beans, and Pickled Beets.
Be sure and have Grits for breakfast. If you were here in NC or even upstate SC, you could try Livermush. It is great, just dont let the name turn you off first.
Never went to Savannah but have been to Charleston several times. Check out the old market there
Personally, I want the Phils/Dodgers to go 7 games! I hate the Phils & their fans are lunatics.
Check photos of the women he was having an affair with — it’s shockingly bad!
http://theproducers.weei.com/s.....ver-learn/
Anyone remember the muppet babies?
****************
I used to love the muppet babies. Baby Fozzie was adorable.
How old are Steve Phillips sons? Did I read somewhere that this woman contacted them?
“Billy Eppler of the Yankees is (was?) also in the running for the S.D. job.”
tom in nj-
thanks for that info.
i found a very good nyt article on eppler and a semi history of the present yankee hierarchy
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03.....ppler.html
Erin – I read he contacted them on Facebook…creepy
Thanks Rishi. Very creepy. She’s seen Fatal Attraction too many times. LOL
HOLY COW! (no pun intended)!
How could steve phillips throw everything away for sumo wrestler????????????????
I just got here…what’s going on with Steve Phillips?
Why are Yankees fans cheering for the Phillies?? They hate NY, and I’d love to see a Joe/Joe world series.
Valerie G.
Steve Phillips had an affair with a 22 year production assistant. She seems to be a bit-nutty.
Read here:
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/n.....LU4ZDXvvDO
Do I need to stay in SoCal to ink Chapman?
‘Cos I will.
Evan,
I enjoyed the “Slump Buster” comment.
Valerie G.-
Steve Phillips was screwing his production assistant from ESPN. he broke off the affair. she freaked out and began harassing phillips wife. phillips wife filed for divorce. ESPN has suspended phillips. Phillips is being raked ove the coals on the front page of the NY Post. There’s a photo link a few posts above, and apparently Phillips has a big fat crush (pun intended) on women who look like Ricki Lake.
If he gets anywhere near the $40M which is being reported I say pass. We really don’t know enough about this kid, who could well end up as a reliever not a starter. Why not just sign Gonzalez from Atlanta this winter instead?
Sorry, just have to defend AJ here.. I see there was some discussion about him/Molina in one of the other threads. M, I think you and I are the only ones that like this guy, lol. He’s been an outstanding teammate – I don’t think anyone can dispute that. Unfortunately, there’s no speaker on the computer, so if anyone can summarize what AJ said, I’d appreciate it. Thanks!
They are both nuts.
Bronx Bombers Girl
October 21st, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Going to cook my Mom’s birthday dinner. Be back later for more insight and camaraderie.
***************
What are you making for your mom?
Betsy,
Go do something.
I like AJ.
There, I said it.
I told myself not to look ahead, but a wave of emotion just came over me as I thought about the preparations being made to get George up to NY for Game 1. I may be having a breakdown.
Jeremy
October 21st, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Some good stats from the New York Times:
Sabathia, Burnett and Pettitte have combined to go 4-0 with a 1.89 earned run average while holding hitters to a .193 average. At a time when some pitchers are winded from the long season, the Yankees’ starters are sturdy.
Extraordinary would be a better word. With Sabathia, A. J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte, the Yankees have opened the postseason with seven quality starts in a row (at least six innings, no more than three earned runs). They have never done that before, not with Wells, Cone and El Duque, not with Catfish, Guidry and Figueroa. Never.
———————————
I dont think Burnett and Pettitte are really getting enough credit with how well they pitched so far in the postseason.
Yay, Nick!
Tom, I love Charleston – been their twice and am going again after Savannah. I love grits, but livermush? I used to eat chopped liver when I was young, but I won’t go near organ meat now. Gross,lol
liver =
Hi Guys -
Was out all afternoon, well, from 11 o’clock, so some of the morning, too. Betsy – go hve some fun! Nice of you to check in. Hope you have a great time.
Yankees Magazine on YES is showing the fans t the “televised” game at the Stadium the other day. People are so cool! So happy to be there. What a great thing the Yankees did. Really.
I’m looking for Rebecca. No luck so far.
Steve Phillips is getting an inordinate amount of attention here today, no?
So, in the car today had Rob Dibble’s XM show on and he says, in his inimitably pompous way, that the reason ARod is hitting is because no one is executing a good game plan against him, that he’s hitting fastballs down the middle. Opinions? (He thinks the ARod’s in a good place story is bunk).
I say, does that mean that for the last several post seasons teams were able to execute flawlessly against him?
I think there’s probably a middle ground. But you can’t underestimate the pressure one puts on oneself to excel and how it works 100% AGAINST your chances of success. I have personally experienced that.
organ meat?
Betsy -
I like AJ, too. He makes me nervous sometimes, with his all-of-a-sudden loss of control, but I didn’t really expect to like him at first, and I find that I do, tattoos and all!
But you can’t underestimate the pressure one puts on oneself to excel and how it works 100% AGAINST your chances of success. I have personally experienced that.
Doreen-
When did you play ball?
“If he gets anywhere near the $40M which is being reported I say pass. We really don’t know enough about this kid, who could well end up as a reliever not a starter.”
————-
If Strasburg were a FA instead of the unanimous #1 pick, would you pay him $40M for 5 years?
it’s the same principle.
you are getting a #1 overall draft pick quality player without neeeding the #1 overall pick.
how much is that worth for a big market winning team?
Brian M October 21st, 2009 at 6:33 pm
If he gets anywhere near the $40M which is being reported I say pass. We really don’t know enough about this kid, who could well end up as a reliever not a starter. Why not just sign Gonzalez from Atlanta this winter instead?
===============================================
Exactly.
$40 mill is a lot of money for an unknown.
Highly touted prospect and first pick in the draft Stephen Strasburg received a record $15 million deal.
Why not save the $40 million as a down payment for Doc Halliday when he comes on the market after 2010.
Nick, are you going to tomorrow’s game? And did you deflate any thundersticks last night?
So let me get this straight:
1) The guy walked 11.8% of batters in 2009
2) This was equal to 11.8% in 2008 (i.e. no improvement).
3) He supposedly has dominant stuff.
4) His control must be fairly bad.
5) Low homeruns are nice – I have no idea if this is park driven or hitter driven though.
6) Strikeouts are nice at 25.2% and 24.7% in 2008 and 2009 but not off the charts (also, no improvement).
7) He’s skinny and already 21 which means that he could have durability issues.
control is as much of a skill as speed – you don’t just learn it. You need to be able to throw within 3-6 inches over 60 feet 6 inches – not an easy thing to do. The minors are littered with guys who could throw hard but had poor control.
Sounds like a lefty Cuban version of Dellin Betances. Dellin k’d 27.3% and walked 11.9% in 2008 at low A. The Yanks paid $1 million for him – fair money for a high ceiling, low probability signee.
Anyone who wants to pay this kid much more than that is nuts, imho. Guys that are worth that much (Strasbourg) actually have decent control.
And yes, I know that Chapman is a free agent and Americans aren’t so that Chapman can get more money in a true free market. Still, I don’t think that given the risk, he is worth anywhere near $40-$50 million.
Doreen, and thank goodness no nipple rings!
“Highly touted prospect and first pick in the draft Stephen Strasburg received a record $15 million deal. ”
————
Strasburg could only sign with 1 team.
If Strasburg were a free agent, he would have gotten $50M.
next year with cc aj andy joba and hughes, where will wang fit in?
mick -
I have not played ball. I experienced the feeling of putting pressure on myself to have to be perfect in a few particular situations, only to fail at the very things that I wanted to excel at, things that were important to me.
Ballplayers aren’t the only people who feel pressure to perform.
Doreen-
Dibble has a history of psychological problems.
Steve Phillips had a Fatal Attraction affair,she’s the kind that cooks the rabbit!!
actually, Strasburg as a free agent might have gotten $70. Who knows…
but to say he “only” got $15M without mentioning the different circumstances between being a draft pick and being an unrestricted free agent is foolish
Betsy -
EW!! Please, do NOT go there!!
still don’t understand starting swisher and matsui with their horrendous #s vs lackey.
i’d gamble with gardner and posada.
after all isn’t joe playing it by his book?
“And yes, I know that Chapman is a free agent and Americans aren’t so that Chapman can get more money in a true free market. Still, I don’t think that given the risk, he is worth anywhere near $40-$50 million.”
———–
depends on what scouts you listen to.
as Keith Law said, a scout who’s been at it for 40 years and Law respects said he’s the best young lefthanded talent he has EVER seen
EVER (as in, over 40 years)
and I’m sure there are scouts who aren’t that high on him.
so if your scouts say he is the goods, he’s easily worth $40M.
Dibble is just pitching-centric, I think. He also said the same thing about Pujols – that the reason he wasn’t hitting was that pitchers were executing against him. The he quickly and quietly added something about him having bone chips and maybe that affected him a little, too.
doreen
pressure to perform can be bad.
Betsy its me not Nick, Just dont let the name Livermush turn you off first
Angel, I haven’t left the Southland yet, so I’m not sure. Maybe two games is enough, I shouldn’t get greedy.
On the other hand, it would be nice to visit the Nixon library in Yorba Linda. Hmmmmm.
The thunder sticks seemed to be deflating on their own, I didn’t hear too many after the 7th inning.
“Sorry, just have to defend AJ here.. I see there was some discussion about him/Molina in one of the other threads. M, I think you and I are the only ones that like this guy, lol.”
Uh, what?
There are a whole host of people here who like AJ. I think it might get mixed up with the Posada-Molina debate. In any event, I didn’t get the notion that people disliked AJ expcept perhaps as it affects Posada’s chances to get into the game!
Steve fiasco should be a lesson to men,you stray,you pay!
It’s cheaper to keep her(your wife.)
Betsy,
Sorry I did not read the whole comment
mick -
embarrassing, sometimes, too, I’ve heard.
“next year with cc aj andy joba and hughes, where will wang fit in?”
He’ll fit right in with the Tigers or Orioles. Unfortunately, I just don’t see him coming back.
The Yankees have 3 options:
1. Work out a deal (unlikely since they haven’t been able to do this in previous years)
2. Go to arbitration (in which I believe he has to get at least a 10% raise (or take no more than a 10% pay cut, I cant remember which)
3. Nontender him and hope to re-sign him as a free agent, instead of being held to the arbitration-eligible player rules.
# Boston Dave – 5 wins to go! October 21st, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Strasburg could only sign with 1 team.
If Strasburg were a free agent, he would have gotten $50M.
=================================================
I think we should learn from Bust-K and Kei Igawa and jose Contreras and Hideki I-rub-u, no big contracts to unproven players.
That’s why I have no problem saving the dough and spending as part of the deal that will land Roy Halladay.
the yankee budget is limited. we have to pick our spots. I would rather focus all that loot on proven players.
Also at the risk to starting a war—–BBQ is pork
“On the other hand, it would be nice to visit the Nixon library in Yorba Linda. Hmmmmm. ”
It’s worth the visit… and let me recommend Tony’s Pizza in nearby Placentia. Excellent deep dish.
“next year with cc aj andy joba and hughes, where will wang fit in?”
———–
right, because no team ever needs 6 starters over the course of a season.
Joba and Hughes will probably both still be on innings limits somewhat. Wang wouldn’t be back for opening day anyway.
They need to keep Wang. If everything works out perfectly, he’s trade bait.
If not, they’ll thank their lucky stars they have a quality starter to fill in (assuming the great Sergio Mitre isn’t around).
I am a fan of AJ, but pitchers are always quirky.
Ask people in the military about how they think of fighter pilots. They love em, but think they are nuts.
Its the same thing with most pitchers.
I enjoy seeing how much AJ enjoys playing in pinstripes. I like the pies and that he is always there for the team. I get frustrated with his sudden meltdowns, but love the stuff he throws when he is going right.
Overall the pitchers have been doing a great job in the post season. At the very least you want to see them keep the team in the game. They have pretty much done that. Aceves, well, its not like he has been pitching a lot lately, and I wonder if there is some lingering matter from when he had been shut down. (He really hasn’t been quite the same since that spot start).
doreen
funny how a loosey goosey swisher is failing to perform under pressure.
he definitely needs a day off to collect his thoughts. some quiet time in the corner if you will.
why wouldn’t joe give gardner a shot tomorrow?
When Molina is gone,no more AJ/Posada,Cerevelli will be the new AJ Favorite!
So, quick poll, do the Dodgers stand a chance to bring this series back to the west coast? Or does Philly take it tonight? Those Philly people are crazy!!!
haiku-man October 21st, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Steve fiasco should be a lesson to men,you stray,you pay!
It’s cheaper to keep her(your wife.)
———————————————-
or atleast use a call-girl
“I think we should learn from Bust-K and Kei Igawa and jose Contreras and Hideki I-rub-u, no big contracts to unproven players. ”
————–
so you dont think the Yanks should have signed Strasburg, the “top pitching prospect ever” had he been a free agent.
the problem with signing “proven players” is that most are 31 by the time the Yankees can get them and past their prime.
To be able to get a 21 year old who is one of the top arms in the world, and a lefty, could be a once in a generation chance for the Yanks.
That obviously doesn’t mean he’ll be any good. But these chances don’t come very often, if ever, for teams not named Tampa, Washington, Pittsburgh, etc.
$40M over 5 or 6 season is what #3 starters in the National League make.
We’re not talking Daisuke money.
wang will have no trade value coming off his injuries.
mick -
Don’t know. Joe’s theory seems to be the colder a guy is, the closer he is to breaking out. But don’t let “loosey goosey” fool ya – those are the most high strung people.
Swish’ll be okay. Gardy right now is a role player for better or for worse.
We might get some interesting banner ads if we discuss perforance issues more.
It’s not AJ’s fault he’s been mismanaged. I mean, not totally.
Look th Bosox paid Dice-K $100 million over 6 and that isn’t looking so great. Why would you pay Chapman half that for the same number of years when he isn’t nearly as polished as Dice-K (and that $100mm for Dice isn’t looking so brilliant after this year).
AJ Burnett, only got $90 million over 5 and he has the best pure stuff in the majors according to published data AND he had a lot less risk that Chapman.
Save the money and sign Lackey for 5 years and $90 million. Much less risk and he’s a gamer.
“still don’t understand starting swisher and matsui with their horrendous #s vs lackey.
i’d gamble with gardner and posada.
after all isn’t joe playing it by his book?
”
Matsui vs. Lackey
.286/.344/.464/.808 OPS in 32 plate appearances
Hardly horrendous.
Swisher does have awful numbers, and he’s faced Lackey more than any other pitcher.
Matsui will DH because he doesn’t appear to have trouble against Lackey (at least not historically). He did get 1 hit off him in game 1 (2 if you count the missed popup).
Posada will ride the pine until Molina’s spot comes up in the 6th or 7th innings. Posada can’t DH because then you can never get both Matsui and JoPo in the lineup at the same time. I’d rather have Matsui get 5 ABs, Posada 2 ABs, as opposed to Posada 5 ABs, Molina/Cervelli 5 ABs.
doreen
just thinking gardy needs to get going on the bases and why not vs lackey the righty?
really would like to see posada at Dh , his #s vs lackey are good and swish and matsuis stink.
“Aceves, well, its not like he has been pitching a lot lately, and I wonder if there is some lingering matter from when he had been shut down. (He really hasn’t been quite the same since that spot start).”
I think the fact that he hasn’t pitched a lot has to do with why he isn’t pitching well.
Aceves pitched a lot until August and then Girardi started using him sparingly. At one point I remember he didn’t pitch for 8 days, and he looked very rusty after not playing for so long. Since then he hasn’t been used as often.
Of course, the reason why he hasn’t been pitching as often could be due to injury. But he’s definitely not pitching as well as he did earlier in the season when he would pitch in games more frequently. I think all that rest in August harmed him rather than helped him.
lol the Yankees budget is not limited… they say that constantly and then they sign Tex for almost 200 mil… total they have spent about a billion dollars on this team… combined with huge revenue coming from the new stadium, YES, and the possibility of another title coming up…. money is absolutely NO object for the Yankees…. their budget, baseball wise, is literally limitless
Doreen, he used to have them, lol- he got rid of them in Toronto, thank god
Nick in SF -
Can’t be any worse than the number of performance related ads we have to sit through during a televised game.
mick -
They’re not going to have Molina and Gardner in the starting line up at the same time.
Has anyone read the letter by Steve Phillips “mistress.”
Apologies if I was late to the party.
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/13.....ley-Letter
Evan
Wouldn’t advise it,big mistake,why get married in the first place,Stay single.
good points vin.
I think Wang will be an interesting story this off season. Coming from Taiwan, he might feel an obligation to the Yankees for the time he wasn’t able to play. It may make working out the contract easier this year. He is also having to reference past performance with no real contribution this year. He could point to the rehabilitation issues that were part of the issue, but his shoulder surgery is a reoccurring event now, which weakens his side.
I really liked having him pitch for the Yankees. Until his injury, you felt fairly comfortable with him taking the mound and quietly getting wins. Having him in the rotation gives a different look to it, which helps in series, especially in the post season where different types of pitching can help keep batters a little off.
I think keeping him, rather than non-tendering him, would be the way I would go. He would be a back up pitcher, but with Joba and Hughes that would be wise. Pettitte is also on a one year deal. There is no guarantee he will be back next season (though I think he will.)
Boston Dave – 5 wins to go!
so you dont think the Yanks should have signed Strasburg, the “top pitching prospect ever” had he been a free agent.
====================================================
$15 million is a lot more reasonable than $40 mill.
you still have to recognize Doc goes on the market in 12 months. Wouldn’t you like to add Doc and 20 wins to the 2011 roster. I don’t think you can do both, sign Doc and chapman.
The difference between having Wang as your ace vs CC is frightening.
What a difference an Ace makes (and a staff).
Other than Molina, I doubt Girardi will change any other starters in a potentially pennant clinching game.
“you still have to recognize Doc goes on the market in 12 months. Wouldn’t you like to add Doc and 20 wins to the 2011 roster. I don’t think you can do both, sign Doc and chapman.”
hypothetically, why couldn’t they?
“you still have to recognize Doc goes on the market in 12 months. Wouldn’t you like to add Doc and 20 wins to the 2011 roster. I don’t think you can do both, sign Doc and chapman.”
hypothetically, why couldn’t they?
PHIL-Swisher has been killing us.
“Look th Bosox paid Dice-K $100 million over 6 and that isn’t looking so great. Why would you pay Chapman half that for the same number of years when he isn’t nearly as polished as Dice-K (and that $100mm for Dice isn’t looking so brilliant after this year).”
Dice-BB and Chapman don’t compare well. One is a hard throwing lefty, the other a “kitchen-sink” righty (with good velocity).
Matsuzaka was the best pitcher in his country for years, and was 26 when he signed with the Sox.
Chapman is the best prospect in his country (maybe 2nd or 3rd best in the world), and is only 20.
Japanese pitchers only pitch once a week. But when Dice-BB pitched, he would go 140+ pitches. His arm was conditioned more for that style, as opposed to the once every 5 days, 100 pitches guys throw here.
Chapman’s so young that his arm hasn’t been conditioned to any particular regimen.
A guy like Lackey is NOT a safe bet or sure thing. He’ll turn 31 in two days. Has had elbow problems the last couple years. He might be a good signing for the right price, but not for the money he WILL get.
mick,
Giradi’s mentality seems to be “these are my guys and they’d been doing it for me all year” so I doubt he benches Swisher tomorrow. Tex has been killing us, too, on O, and I’m sure he believes both can snap out of it as suddenly as Melky did yesterday or Damon did earlier in the week.
mick,
Have you said the same thing about Teixeira? He’s batting third, not eighth. I’m more worried about him than I am someone batting eighth.
“hypothetically, why couldn’t they?”
Because the Dodgers will trade for him. That’s my bold prediction of the day. A guy like Doc in LA would be like a right-handed Koufax. He would OWN that league in that ballpark.
The Dodgers need a lock-down ace before Manny moves on/retires.
Halladay/Kershaw/Billingsly (if healthy) would be the best 3 man rotation in the game.
phil
true, you are right about girardi staying with swish. he has all year. both melky and tex seem to have broken out last night.
“They’re not going to have Molina and Gardner in the starting line up at the same time.”
Yep, you hit the nail right on the head. If Gardner was going to get a start in this series, it would’ve been against Jeff’s kid brother. Now that Melky’s bat is waking up, the Gardner starting ship has sailed.
epic
tex is indispensible. his glove alone is worth him playing. he looks to be snapping out of it. they seem to have been suffering from playoff-itis. once swish breaks out they will all be ready for the Series.
24 hours and 33 minutes until Game 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“tex seem to have broken out last night.”
Um, what? He was 1-5 with 2Ks That’s breaking out to you?
muppet girl is back.
the one was a hard shot to left.
Well there’s that aspect too vin. There’s no guarantee Halladay even sniffs the FA waters.
Has the ‘don’t sign Chapman because then we can’t get Halladay’ become the ‘don’t sign Teixeira because he’ll block Montero’ of the 2009 off-season?
mick
October 21st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
The difference between having Wang as your ace vs CC is frightening.
What a difference an Ace makes (and a staff).
————————————————————
Yeah. It was terrible having a two time 19 game winner with sub-4.00 ERAs in your rotation. He got wins, he got outs, seldom walked batters or gave up home runs. If NYY had had Wang all of 2008, they would have been in the post season again. I don’t care what his strikeout totals were. He got ground balls.
gb7
what I said was “as your Ace.”
big difference to what you are talking about.
Plus Wang never came up big in the playoffs.
He was not a #1 pitcher.
Was forced to be due to our lack of pitching.
Hence the playoff losses.
Wang, and nobody else, could not and did not do what CC has done already.
Ace….clutch…choke….great….all have one thing in common. They’re the most overused and misused words repeated by media and fans. Most of whom don’t have a clue in the first place.
Wang was on his way to another great season in 2008, I never understood the indifference he gets from some fans.
Innings eater who would just win games.
I hope he comes back to the Yanks and if not I hope he succeeds wherever he ends up pitching.
Chapman? Eh. If he’s really 21 I wouldn’t break the bank for him.
Wang hatred rubs me the wrong way.
I hope they can work something out with Wang. He’s always been one of my favorites.
ok, forget words, let’s use #’s.
I ask you, was Wang a #1 pitcher?
Or, is he in CC’s class?
If Halliday is traded I would be shocked if he didn’t go to FA. He has always talked about how much he wanted to stay with the Blue Jays, but told them he was going to test FA which is why he was nominally on the market this summer.
Being traded and working for another team makes it easier for him to test the market, get a very good deal and allows him to pick a team that he wants to play with.
Regarding Wang, yes, CC is better, its also a different pitching style. Wang would be a number one starter (before his injury) on many clubs. On the Yankees he would be a number 2 starter behind CC.
Think about even this post season rotation if they had Wang…
CC, Wang, AJ, Pettitte. (Though given the hand they pitch with AJ and Pettitte would probably swap). That is a lot stronger than what they have now.
@Mick
I bet some Cleveland fans wouldn’t have called CC an “ace” after his postseason struggles. He’s doing awesome now though.
The point is, who’s to say Wang wouldn’t have done better if he had been healthy last year or this year?
mick
October 21st, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Plus Wang never came up big in the playoffs.
He was not a #1 pitcher.
Was forced to be due to our lack of pitching.
Hence the playoff losses.
Wang, and nobody else, could not and did not do what CC has done already.
————————————————————
Never? You must be basing that fallacy one the same post season series that Sabathia wasn’t “big”.
That’s the same BS thought process that said that Rodriguez was a choker in the post season. Take a peek at his numbers in the post season before 2005. Take a look at the numbers of another noted “choker”, Mickey Mantle, from 1961 thru 1963. Almost to the at bat that Rodriguez had in his post seasons from midway in the 2004 ALCS and 2005-2007.
“I think it might get mixed up with the Posada-Molina debate. In any event, I didn’t get the notion that people disliked AJ ”
i don’t like or dislike burnett . how he handles the postseason will be what makes up my mind for me about him. he’s so inconsistent during the regular season he has to be a clutch post season performer to justify his salary.
so far so good this postseason with him.
“Wang hatred rubs me the wrong way”
Me too. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I believe CC is the superior pitcher.
Always thought he was a fine pitcher but too much pressure was put on him and it showed in the playoffs.
Not knocking Wang, just thought that due to our lack of pitching, he was forced into a position he was uncomfortable with.
Would love to see him come back maybe as a #2 or 3.
I think Wang comes back. The Yankees will let him do his rehab/work at Tampa and pitch his way back into the rotation when he’s right.
I’d like to start the season with:
-CC
-AJ
-Andy
-Hughes
-Joba
and end with:
-CC
-AJ
-Andy
-Wang
-Joba
With Hughes to the pen due to IP limits. If Joba starts in Scranton to iron out any issues then I would use Aceves as the 5th starter.
(yes, I know we’re on the verge of going to the world series, but it’s still fun to talk about!)
mick, CC is one of the top starters in the game. Comparing the two CC is better, but you need to put him up against the number 1 starters of the rest of the league, and he looks much better.
There are better pitchers out there than Wang, but once CC was signed he moved back to a number 2 slot.
Forget the damned strikeouts. Wang did the same thing as Sabathia. He went into the 7th and 8th innings and almost always kept the team in games. Wang did quite well in his PS games before 2007.
Why does it matter now if Wang is an ace or not? Someone’s mixing up history and reality.
I hope CMW is back with the Yanks next season
Imagine what Wang would have done if he was “comfortable”. I never saw him crying and shaking on the mound.
I do know this: Chien-Ming Wang won a lot of ballgames when he was healthy. Whether he was an ACE or not is a moot point.
Oh no, not the “is CMW an ace?” discussion again. It feels like December ’07 all over again.
If Wang was his usual self for all of this season – then the Yanks would’ve won 110 games.
I love him, and hope he comes back. But in a do-or-die game, give me the equally talented strikeout pitcher.
You can’t really compare him to CC though. CC has 4 above average pitches, and has dominated the AL more than CMW. They’re not really in the same class.
CMW was great for this team, but he’s never been on the same level as a guy like CC, Halladay, Carpenter, Grienke, Felix, etc.
I think grits and fried okra are the scariest things ever.
vin
thanks again.
some people are just ready to pounce.
talk about haters.
An interesting thing to think about… Ted Williams, who I don’t think many would think of as being over rated with his bat, was considered “soft”. It was felt that he never stepped up in the big moments, wasn’t clutch.
let gb7 have cmw in a do or die game, i’ll take cc.
and i’ll win.
I’m a x-new jersey’n living in SoCal. Just got hooked up with tix for tomorrow’s game. I’m gonna bring the noise tomorrow and punch that monkey in the face.
Could this be Joe Torre’s last game?
Opinions?
We get a little riled up here about Wang. Like Nick said, CC is the superior pitcher. Doesn’t necessarily mean the Yanks wouldn’t be where they are with Wang instead of CC.
My personal preference would be for a guy who can get a strikeout when he needs one, instead of a groundball pitcher.
I think the groundball style of pitching is better valued over the course of 162 games, and not necessarily in a 5 or 7 game playoff series. A walk, a bloop, and a couple of well-place groundballs and a rally is brewing. In the playoffs, that may very well be enough to turn the tide of a game.
vin,
you’re totally right. if wang was the number two or three on this team, 110 easily. perhaps even 115. and a really well-rested bullpen. this conversation bores me.
ace, soft, etc are media driven words that are just silly. hes a ball player. and the team would be better with a healthy wang than a healthy sergio mitre.
abdab
williams played in only one postseason.
seems like a lot of players get playoff jitters the first time around.
I want Wanger back, too. I know it’s business, but something feels distinctly wrong about him not being a Yankee. Besides, despite everyone’s obsession with K totals, Wang is capable of striking guys out. He’s just more efficient pitching to contact.
I mean, if AJ could momentarily turn into Wang during one of his pyscho episodes, he could induce that bowling ball and erase the guy he walked or HBP
.
“Could this be Joe Torre’s last game?
Opinions?
”
Doesn’t he have a contract for next year? Even he doesn’t, I can’t see him hanging ‘em up yet.
Abdababdaserser
October 21st, 2009 at 7:54 pm
An interesting thing to think about… Ted Williams, who I don’t think many would think of as being over rated with his bat, was considered “soft”. It was felt that he never stepped up in the big moments, wasn’t clutch.
————————————————————
Idiots might think that. Where do they think Boston would have finished all of those years without him? Boston, in a lot of those years finished a close 2nd to NYY. They did it with a lot less overall talent. No player averages a “soft, unclutch” 35 homers, 125 walks and 125 RBI a year.
Gary,
Nah, the Dodgers could win. They have an AL pitcher on the mound.
Seriously, Torre manages the last year of his contract. And I bet he re-ups.
Tom in N.J.
October 21st, 2009 at 7:45 pm
“Wang hatred rubs me the wrong way”
Me too. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
=========
Me three. How can anybody hate that kid? Suspect. Weird.
Wang yes I do remember him. Funny I tend to not think about him in future plans, but he still is out there. Shows how when things are going well you just focus on the future.
So long ago, but didn’t this all start from a base running injury?
I thought I heard somewhere that Torre was leaving after the 2010 season.
vin, I agree with wanting a SO pitcher over a ground ball pitcher, mainly because so much can go wrong with having to make more fielding plays.
The thing is, look at how CC has been pitching in the post season. He is striking out less batters and pitching to contact more. It helps keep him economical with his pitches. Burnett is more of a SO pitcher.
Even though some think Ace is overrated, we haven’t had one in years and that is why we haven’t won.
Imagine if we didn’t have CC on 3 days rest, no less, yesterday.
I think I just heard Ron Darling use the word Ace just now, maybe he should have said “dominant pitcher”, oh he just did, my bad.
Torre is under contract through 2010. He said he was coming back but would not be looking to manage after this contract is finished.
“They are keeping the ball out of the hitting zone,said Figgins. ” That’s what the pitchers try to do.There objective is to keep me off base,Right now they’re doing it,because I’m going i’m going to come out fighting always.” Bwahahah!
1.Yea,all pitchers try to keep the ball out of the zone Chone.
2.Is this war,or baseball,I can’t tell?
Soutce mlb.com,”Halos staying positive.”
Scoscia wants them to score early,since they haven’t all series,and he knows the Yankees will come out determined to not have a repeat of 5 yrs ago.
I say let’s get it on!!
torre has 1 more year on his contract
he will be back
If Wang returns to the Yanks and performs somewhat near the old Wang then that would be a pleasant surprise, but with that type of injury then who knows!
meant their
m October 21st, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Gary,
Nah, the Dodgers could win. They have an AL pitcher on the mound.
Seriously, Torre manages the last year of his contract. And I bet he re-ups.
Probably right, I wondered when he signed with LA what else he needed to accomplish. Didn’t need the money, Hall of Fame member when he finally calls it quits, health issues. I guess it’s like a number of elected officials they just don’t know what else to do.
Tom in N.J.
October 21st, 2009 at 7:45 pm
“Wang hatred rubs me the wrong way”
Me too. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
___________________
Why do I get the feeling that this is more of a play on words than it may first appear?
bodhisattva – Destiny Wears Pinstripes
October 21st, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I want Wanger back, too. I know it’s business, but something feels distinctly wrong about him not being a Yankee. Besides, despite everyone’s obsession with K totals, Wang is capable of striking guys out. He’s just more efficient pitching to contact.
I mean, if AJ could momentarily turn into Wang during one of his pyscho episodes, he could induce that bowling ball and erase the guy he walked or HBP .
————————————————————
I think back to that Met’s game at Shea when he allowed one run and 1 walk while striking out 10 batters, while throwing about 3 sinkers. Everything else was 95-96 MPH fastballs up and in and sliders down and away. Nobody ever did explain why he changed styles of pitching in that game. Not sure if the sinker wasn’t sinking in warm-ups or not.
I like Wang, I think a lot of people forget about how he played such a major part of the rotation before this season. Once he injured his foot at Houston last season, I knew the Yankees wouldn’t make the playoffs. It’s hard to replace a 19 game winner.
I think it’s too early to judge Wang’s postseason performance. He only started 4 games in the playoffs. If I remember correctly, his starts in 2005 and 2006 were pretty decent but he was awful in 2007, but one of those starts was on 3 days rest. The jury is still out on him.
I hope Wang is able to overcome his injuries and regain his 2005-2008 form. We’ll have one heck of a rotation next season if he’s healthy and becomes effective once again.
I don’t feel the CC love in here.
Wonder why that is?
There will be a lot of questions with how CMW will be after all this. I still think he should be given a chance to show what he can do. Like I said, this will be a very interesting story to follow this off season, in regard to how the Yankees will handle it, and then to see how he does coming back.
“Wang hatred rubs me the wrong way.”
nick in sf-
it seems there’s a lot of player hatred in the yankee “fanbase”.
wang,posada, cano, melky, wang, and jeter are some players i’ve always liked who have been bashed on this blog repeatedly.
our buddy,mac daddy, regularly goes after jeter during the playoffs. is he really a yankee fan? he appears to root for them , but how does someone dislike jeter and consider themselves a yankee fan ? i really don’t get it.
the bashing of posada also strikes me the same way. i think there are yankee fans and then there are yankee fans. it is clearly not a monolithic group. some are so far out there i really question why they consider themselves yankee fans.
i guess it’s a similar situation to democrats and republicans both considering themselves to be americans , but feeling very differently about what being an american is.
it’s almost like yankee fandom is split down similar lines. posadagate being a prime example this summer.
I read today that the big FA lottery will be for Matt Holliday. Yanks mentioned as in the mix along with the usual other teams, Mets, Sox’s ect.
How serious would the Yanks be to get him?
Yanks I would think have to be shopping for an outfielder
mick October 21st, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I don’t feel the CC love in here.
Wonder why that is?
_______________________
?
This moved to a discussion about Wang. What does that have to do with giving CC the loving? Everyone has been singing his praises most of the season.
mick,
Are you kidding? Everyone loves CC. Why are you making this an either/or?
Wang stole a lot of our hearts with his hard work and humility. The fact that he was the winningest pitcher in baseball over a 2.5 season span is irrelevant, of course.
Wang is a blog favorite, there’s room for both CC and Wang on the Yankees.
Gary, I think a lot of what the Yankees end up doing will have to do with Damon, Hideki, and how far along they feel Jackson is.
abdab
Dunno. Just seems like nothing being said today about the job he did last night.
“The thing is, look at how CC has been pitching in the post season. He is striking out less batters and pitching to contact more. It helps keep him economical with his pitches. Burnett is more of a SO pitcher.”
That’s what is so beautiful about CC. He doesn’t care how he gets the outs, as long as he gets them. Fortunately, he has the ability/stuff to get K’s, but unlike AJ, he’s not too stubborn about it.
CC kind of reminds me of Halladay and (wait for it…) Greg Maddux. Those guys have great stuff, and can locate like nobody’s business. Yet when the time is right, they can get the strikeout.
What makes (made) those guys great is that their location, movement, change in speed was so good that they could let batters hit the ball because the ball wasn’t going anywhere hard.
m October 21st, 2009 at 8:11 pm
mick,
Are you kidding? Everyone loves CC. Why are you making this an either/or?
Wang stole a lot of our hearts with his hard work and humility. The fact that he was the winningest pitcher in baseball over a 2.5 season span is irrelevant, of course.
Wang is a blog favorite, there’s room for both CC and Wang on the Yankees.
Can Wang again be the pitcher he was? Yanks will be more than glad to have him, but his effectivity and his health are really the big questions right now.
Wang will be resigned. They will work it out. Upside is too great for the financial risk involved. If they arb him he’ll make about $4-5 million, assuming he gets 10% less. This team took on Kei Igawa, Octavio Dotel, and the American Idle for more $$$. When do Wang’s arb years end? 2011? 2012?
Torre has one year left on his contract. He’ll stay for the $$$, but the nasty divorce of the McCourt’s is really going to mess up the Dodgers.
wang will be out for most of next year & should not be in our plans
once he starts rehabbing then worry about it
he has a massive uphill battle to even be halfway decent after a year off & his injury wich is major
hr dodgers
m
you are correct. there is room for both cc and wang.
my only point is that CC is the difference.
without him, we do not win, as has been shown since 2000.
Cole Hamels is so overrated. The guy is a one hit wonder.
In two full season, his half a season in 2005 and half a season in 2008, with 54 wins and a sub-4.00 ERA, I’ll take that from a #1 or a #5 pitcher every time. I doubt he even cares whether he’s a 1,2,3,4 or 5 pitcher, as long as he was pitching. It’s equally doubtful that Pettitte, Burnett or Sabathia care, either.
vin
thanks again.
you left off one thing called “temperment.”
CC could care less. nothing rattles him. you can see it in his interviews. it’s his personality that makes him great. and his arm , of course.
I have to remember to avoid the espn mlb page on wednesdays. Everytime I see Neyer’s “Wangdoodles” I think of Chien Ming Wang.
Anyway, an interesting Abreu/Damon Smackdown:m
http://espn.go.com/blog/sweets.....n-vs-abreu
Randy, there are always those who latch on to a team as a fan till the next best thing comes along… most of them have no idea of the history of the team, nor seem to be appreciative of historically good players.
hamels does not have enough pitches
1 or 2
Abdababdaserser October 21st, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Gary, I think a lot of what the Yankees end up doing will have to do with Damon, Hideki, and how far along they feel Jackson is.
True, but I don’t think you pass up the opportunity to get the best players for some of the guys we have today. Age and physical condition have entered into the equation on a few players and that has to be a consideration to Hal, Brian and the gang.
GreenBeret7
October 21st, 2009 at 8:06 pm
bodhisattva – Destiny Wears Pinstripes
October 21st, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I want Wanger back, too. I know it’s business, but something feels distinctly wrong about him not being a Yankee. Besides, despite everyone’s obsession with K totals, Wang is capable of striking guys out. He’s just more efficient pitching to contact.
I mean, if AJ could momentarily turn into Wang during one of his pyscho episodes, he could induce that bowling ball and erase the guy he walked or HBP .
————————————————————
I think back to that Met’s game at Shea when he allowed one run and 1 walk while striking out 10 batters, while throwing about 3 sinkers. Everything else was 95-96 MPH fastballs up and in and sliders down and away. Nobody ever did explain why he changed styles of pitching in that game. Not sure if the sinker wasn’t sinking in warm-ups or not.
=======
http://www.40chienmingwang.com.....d=20070617
One thing Yankee scouts loved about Wang was not only him being a horse, but that his velo would often rise in the later innings.
Guy is a helluva pitcher, and if he can get back on schedule, our rotation goes from the sublime to the ridiculous
.
we care if he’s a 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
7th game World Series. Who’s your pitcher?
I thought so.
I’m almost positive that Wang’s abritration years ends after 2010.
The Yanks always fought him tooth and nail in arbitration. And I know he wasn’t crazy about how the Yanks handled his injury this year. I just see them parting ways, and allocating that money elsewhere.
What’s interesting is Brandon Webb is in a similar predicament. Very successful sinkerballer, injured, may not be offered a contract for financial reasons.
mick,
I don’t know what you’re after. No one is comparing the two or disrespecting CC. There’s no question who the ace is which is why I don’t know what your point is.
If you want CC love, go back and read all of last nights comments. It’s all there.
Doreen – re the craziness of Philly people –
My wife is from Philadelphia, grew up in a working class part of town. Whenever we go back to visit her relatives, it is an experience for me.
Anyway, she was telling me that, in talking to her sister who still lives there, she learned that the wonderful Philadelphia baseball fans had taken to staking out the Dodgers’ team hotel and “serenading” the team as they walk out to their bus to go to the ballpark.
I’m hoping that none of our guys get batteries thrown at them – or worse.
mick
October 21st, 2009 at 8:22 pm
we care if he’s a 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
7th game World Series. Who’s your pitcher?
I thought so.
———————————————————
anybody girrardi wants
does not matter
Erin
October 21st, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Bronx Bombers Girl
October 21st, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Going to cook my Mom’s birthday dinner. Be back later for more insight and camaraderie.
***************
What are you making for your mom?
***************
Erin,
I made white rice with green peas, pork chops with my own Portuguese flair LOL and a mixed green salad on the side
mick, please recall what happened last season. Wang went down and that killed any chance of the post season. Despite the lesser pitching that the Yankees had, Wang produced very well. It takes more than one pitcher to get a winning season.
In terms of wins, CC replaced Wang. Adding AJ and CC is where the key lies with how this season has turned out so far.
Fear not, mick, there was no shortage of love and respect for CC last night from Yankee fans inside Angel stadium last night.
At least in section P239.
Lotsa love for CC and Wang
webb would be nice
his injury was not that bad they found out when they went in
bru
hope he doesn’t go to Aceves.
Yeah Hamels only has two pitches. The change and the fastball. And his fastball tops out around 92.
The guy had one great year but other than that he is overrated. Lee is the Ace of the Phillies rotation.
gotta love the CC
Abdababdaserser
dont forget pettitte & tex
I never pay attention to the NL, but these Philly fans are a loud bunch.
Wow, Padillia can’t find the strike zone.
He won’t get very far in this game if he keeps trying to pitch around the batters.
Dodgers are done !
Ouch. I think I just heard the Dodger’s death knell.
m
There’s no question who the ace is which is why I don’t know what your point is.
———————————————————–
You just made my point.
Both those Homers just jumped out to right field, is this stadium another launching pad?
Padilla not helping keep my dream for a Game 6 in LA alive.
Wow does Philly look good. Werth is a beast. Helped me win my fantasy league this year
Padilla has the 2 out heebie jeebies in bottom of 1st
2 out, 2 walks, 3 run homer by Werth
this might be mean, but i enjoy watching padilla get rocked
philly-ny could be a shoot-out.
an american league team playing in the national league.
i like that.
Gee, so the Dodgers’ season comes down to Vincente Padilla….
If Hamels has problems with lefty hitters, can’t wait to see Matsui go up against him.
Gary
Citizens Bank Ballpark plays small. It’s a hitters park, gives up a lot of homers.
What happened to the Torre magic?
when will padilla start hitting people?
So, I’m kind of thinking that I don’t want the Phillies anymore. Werth’s postseason #s must be off the charts.
bru, absolutely not.
The thing is, while you can talk about a pitcher making a difference, which it does, you can’t truly separate what the rest of the team brings to the whole equation.
Just thinking about Wang and his sinker with Teixeira boosting the infield defense… wow!
how much does paul make on these “all you need is love” ads?
bodhisattva – Destiny Wears Pinstripes
October 21st, 2009 at 8:21 pm
GreenBeret7
October 21st, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I think back to that Met’s game at Shea when he allowed one run and 1 walk while striking out 10 batters, while throwing about 3 sinkers. Everything else was 95-96 MPH fastballs up and in and sliders down and away. Nobody ever did explain why he changed styles of pitching in that game. Not sure if the sinker wasn’t sinking in warm-ups or not.
=======
http://www.40chienmingwang.com…..d=20070617
One thing Yankee scouts loved about Wang was not only him being a horse, but that his velo would often rise in the later innings.
Guy is a helluva pitcher, and if he can get back on schedule, our rotation goes from the sublime to the ridiculous .
————————————————————
I’m hoping that Wang can return by mid-season and put up the type of numbers he did in the last half of 2005 or frst part of 2008. You’re talking about getting a top of the line starter given to you for nothing. He wasn’t a flashy numbers pitcher, but, I doubt than many hitters enjoyed facing him. He was just the type of pitcher that you enjoyed watching pick apart lineups. I think that it was because the numbers (strikeouts) weren’t flashy, it seems like he was the same as you and me…that we could do that too. We already know that we can’t throw in the upper 90s. For old time fans, he was a lot like the ’63-’64 version of Jim Bouton or Mel Stottlemyre.
That’s the Vincente Padillia everyone knows and loves.
He’s an average pitcher, always has been.
That’s why taking a small sample size of games in the postseason and suddenly declaring him an ace is silly.
That being said, the Phillies have a perfect lineup. It will take a Herculean effort for either the Yankees or Angels to beat them in the Series.
Jeter and Arod will love hitting in the Phillie’s ball park.
“What happened to the Torre magic?”
He spent it all on Aaron Boone.
Padilla threw all fastballs,and got tagged by a .071 #5 batter for 3 runs unbelievable.
This could be a 19-18 game tonight.
Jeremy October 21st, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Gary
Citizens Bank Ballpark plays small. It’s a hitters park, gives up a lot of homers.
I’ll say another one rockets out
rconn23 October 21st, 2009 at 8:34 pm
That’s the Vincente Padillia everyone knows and loves.
He’s an average pitcher, always has been.
That’s why taking a small sample size of games in the postseason and suddenly declaring him an ace is silly.
That being said, the Phillies have a perfect lineup. It will take a Herculean effort for either the Yankees or Angels to beat them in the Series.
I’d say the same of our team, didn’t we have the best record in baseball?
“Padilla threw all fastballs,and got tagged by a .071 #5 batter for 3 runs unbelievable.”
Jayson Werth is a very good hitter. He is not an .071 hitter. Basing someone’s worth on a handful of postseason games is silly.
I guess Mark Teixiera is a .100 hitter then.
Padilla is way off tonight,I think he’s beat mentally. 4 runs already in the 3rd inning,jeesh!
Joe from Long Island -
I had heard about what the Phillies fans were doing, which is exactly what prompted me to write that they are crazy!
Plus, my husband and I were fortunate enough to go the Super Bowl a few years ago between the “Iggles” and the Patriots. We are fans of neither team, but ended up going for the Patriots because the Eagles fan base was, well — let’s just say the were green and the Patriots fanbase was more subdued!
If the Yankees are fortunate enough to get to the WS and Philly is the opponent, I surely hope they’ve got armored cars or something.
Yanks’ scouts had a meeting with that Japanese high school kid, Yusei Kikuchi the other day along with 7 other MLB teams and 12 NPB teams. Unfortunately he seems to be interested in playing for the Dodgers. On the other hand his baseball coach and his parents have reportedly advised him to remain in Japan.