CC preps for short rest, but no call made (Updated with Girardi and A-Rod audio)
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Oct 30, 2009 
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The Yankees are on the field stretching and Joe Girardi – who seems to be battling a pretty bad cold – met with the media a short time ago. While Charlie Manuel has announced Joe Blanton as his Game 4 starter, Girardi said the Yankees will wait until after Game 3 to finalize their pitcher. CC Sabathia has been preparing himself to pitch that game “because it would be silly to not do that and then say, ‘Uh-oh, CC, you’re starting Game 4.” Girardi added that A.J. Burnett is also preparing to pitch on short rest for the same reason.
Audio coming shortly.
UPDATE, 4:53 p.m.: Girardi also said that Johnny Damon will start in LF, essentially ending the speculation about Hideki Matsui having to dig through boxes to find his glove. As for who starts in right, Girardi – of course – declined to say. For those looking at the all-important “match-ups,” Hairston is 2-for-10 vs. Hamels and neither Swisher or Hinske has ever faced him. So run that through your calculators and see what it says.
UPDATE, 5:11 p.m.: Chad here. The Yankees are taking batting practice right now, with some additions to the hitting groups. Group 1 was listed in the clubhouse as: Jeter, Damon, Posada, Cano, Pettitte. Group 4 was listed as: Guzman, Pena, Burnett, Sabathia, Gaudin.
If you’re interested in the non-pitcher groups. Groups 2 is Matsui, Rodriguez, Teixeira, Swisher and Cabrera. Group 3 is Gardner, Hinske, Hairston, Molina, Cervelli.
UPDATE, 5:14 p.m.: Here’s the audio from Andy Pettitte.
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And here’s the audio from Joe Girardi.
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UPDATE, 6:38 p.m.: For those who are interested, here’s some audio from Alex Rodriguez. Apparently the key to his success is only swinging at strikes (as he says repeatedly). Take a listen.
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If I was Girardi I would not announce my Game 4 and 5 starters until the day before when he has to. No reason to lay everything on the table now and announce it to everyone.
Game 4 starter?
CC Gaudathian.
I really hope Utley does something about his hair. It’s not pretty. lol
This is all hinging on a Cashman/Chapman bombshell.
Talk about an October surprise!
“Charline”? Sweet typo, Sam!
Why wouldn’t CC start game 4??Wouldn’t you wanne see him against Blanton rather than Lee
“I really hope Utley does something about his hair. It’s not pretty. lol”
if you notice, the gel is more pronounced on one side – to compensate for his bad hip.
No Utley bad throws this series.
Being that AJ can sometimes get amped up for games, him pitching on short rest may not be a bad thing. My concern about this is if they just can’t go deep in the games and the bullpen has to pitch too many innings.
DT – OPPC member
October 30th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
if you notice, the gel is more pronounced on one side – to compensate for his bad hip.
**************
LOL. I hadn’t noticed
Nick in SF
MLB Trade Rumors on Chapman.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....eview.html
Erica,
Wow, the USA Today article was a great description of the concert. Wish I had been there. So many of my favorite artists performed.
I saw Bonnie Raitt perform in a coffee house on campus at American University in 1971 or ’72, before she was famous. It was just Bonnie and her bass player, a guy named Freebo. She was incredible. It would be great to see her again, so many years later.
They linked to a good video from the concert:
http://www.usatoday.com/video/…..7016059001
C.C. on 3 days rest, I am in favor of.
But only him.
I’m not in favor of asking A.J. or Andy to pitch on 3 days rest.
Chad Gaudin might not be a name that puts the fear into hitters, but I believe he gives us a better chance to win, as opposed to A.J. or Andy on short rest.
the FOX obsession with showing closeups of Utley in the dugout was downright creepy.
Don’t get me wrong – the guy is a tremendous talent. But if we found out that he has bodies buried in his basement, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Wolf,
Thanks for catching it. I’m in that sort of “really-tired and kind of delirious” mode. My apologies.
UPDATE, 4:53 p.m.: Girardi also said that Johnny Damon will start in LF, essentially ending the speculation about Hideki Matsui having to dig through boxes to find his glove. As for who starts in right, Girardi – of course – declined to say. For those looking at the all-important “match-ups,” Hairston is 2-for-10 vs. Hamels and neither Swisher or Hinske has ever faced him. So run that through your calculators and see what it says.
*******
Sounds like he is trying to keep the GTLU mystery alive
For those that are interested, EW.com has the full set list from the Hall of Fame concert:
http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/1.....unkel-csn/
Reminder-
Guess the Line Up from 2:30-4pm tomorrow
(I tweaked the normal playing times because the line ups have been getting leaked earlier in the World Series Coverage)
There are very few rounds of GTLU left (minimum three), so please bring your “A” game
I’d be very hesitant to start AJ on short rest. Let’s not forget, as dominating as he was last night, I have a hard time believing he just suddenly figured out how it all works.
Now, if we happen to go down 1-3 after Pettitte and CC go (which I doubt), then AJ has to be the guy on short rest.
If we go up 3-1, I start Gaudin in Game 5 and have a fresher AJ for 6 if necessary. Gaudin and Blanton, IMO, will be a slugfest, a battle of the offenses then bullpens.
Ed H-
I had never seen her live before. She was pretty amazing. I like her a lot.
Jackson Browne’s “Pretender” was also a huge highlight for me. The lyrics to that song are probably some of my favorite song lyrics ever
I’d give Swisher a start against Hamels and see if him sitting down for a game woke him up.
I was at the game yesterday and noticed that Kevin Long flipped out in the dugout before the game, throwing bats and helmets everywhere. Any information on this? Was he trying to get the lineup pumped up? It kinda looked like he wanted to kill someone.
And btw, Girardi is full of you know what if he expects anyone to believe he won’t start CC in Game 4 if CC is ready to go.
Let’s get thru Game 3 and WIN. Then we’ll figure out who stars game 4.
My bigger concern is over working Mariano.
whoops…wait a tick…my logic is messed.
cc would be game 4 vs. blanton
gaudin would be 5 vs. Lee
hmmm. If we’re up 3-1, i still go with gaudin against Lee.
“Nick in SF in Elk Grove
October 30th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
This is all hinging on a Cashman/Chapman bombshell.
Talk about an October surprise!”
Here is how the media will play a Yankee signing of Chapman; 1) they overpaid and flexed their financial muscles, 2) got an unproven talent with #3 starter stuff, and 3) showed how their scouting is subpar to the red sox who backed off at the last minute over concerns about his makeup
However; if the red sox sign him; 1) it was another sign of Theo Epsteins genius; 2) they got a young star in his prime, 3) it makes their rotation ‘that much deeper’ and alows them to trade a AA prospect no one has ever heard of straight up for adrian gonzalez, and 4) makes them the odds on favorite to win it all in each of the next 12 years
CountryClub
October 30th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
For those that are interested, EW.com has the full set list from the Hall of Fame concert:
http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/1…..unkel-csn/
***************
Thanks for that!
Erica, how was “Here Comes the Sun”?
CountryClub
October 30th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
For those that are interested, EW.com has the full set list from the Hall of Fame concert:
*******
Thank you for linking that!!!!!!! That list was much better than my hazy memory. LOL
Although, they left one song out. Bruce performed Rosalita too
Blanton’s #s against the Yanks are atrocious. 8.18 ERA
that way, if gaudin exits early, you might have to use the bullpen extensively, but would have an off day for travel between 5 and 6. I’d really just like to see the Yankees wrap this up in Philly in game 5 though
Alex – his number against the yankee uniform are awful but his numbers versus this team arent so bad. Tex, Al, and Jete crush him…..he has fared well with damon and cano and the other key players all have small sample sizes.
Erin
October 30th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
CountryClub
October 30th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
For those that are interested, EW.com has the full set list from the Hall of Fame concert:
http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/1…..unkel-csn/
***************
Thanks for that!
Erica, how was “Here Comes the Sun”?
******
Really nice.
The audience sing along for “Teach Your Children” was also a great moment. The version of “Love the One Your With” was also amazing.
Glad I am not the person who has to edit this show into a special
They faced Blanton a lot when he was with the A’s.
I don’t think that Hamels is going to last long in his start. If he couldn’t get through 5 innings against the Dodgers and the Rockies I can’t see him doing it against the Yankees.
Erica – always OPPC
October 30th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Glad I am not the person who has to edit this show into a special
*************
The special is going to be on in November, right? Who is performing tonight?
Didn’t mean to rhyme there. I sound like Dr. Suess.
Yeah, but there’s no real reason for Girardi to tip his hand earlier than he must.
Wow – Jackson Browne was at that concert, too. Reminds me of the No-Nukes concert I went to, oh, a few (?) years ago.
Erin
October 30th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Erica – always OPPC
October 30th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Glad I am not the person who has to edit this show into a special
*************
The special is going to be on in November, right? Who is performing tonight?
*******
Eric Clapton was supposed to be there tonight but backed out
Still performing is:
Aretha Franklin with Lenny Kravitz, Annie Lennox
Metallica with Ozzy Osbourne & Lou Reed
U2
My advice to anyone who is going tonight- THIS SHOW WILL NOT END EARLY!
Erica,
IIRC, “Love Has No Pride” was Bonnie’s first hit. My girlfriend in college was a DJ on the campus radio station and introduced me to Bonnie’s music through that song when it first came out. (I think I read that LHNP was the song she performed last night.)
“Pretender” is a great song. I love this verse especially:
“Caught between the longing for love
And the struggle for the legal tender
Where the sirens sing and the church bells ring
And the junk man pounds his fender.
Where the veterans dream of the fight
Fast asleep at the traffic light
And the children solemnly wait
For the ice cream vendor
Out into the cool of the evening
Strolls the Pretender
He knows that all his hopes and dreams
Begin and end there”
Thanks Erica. Sounds like you went on the better night. Aretha should be pretty good though.
So, I just re-watched the video that was shown after the last regular season YES broadcast – Get Ready for the Showdown.
Anyone who needs a little Yankees boost – I highly recommend rewatching that. It’s a great reminder of what an incredible season this was, how many players contributed and just – it’s great audio/video mix.
Ed H.
October 30th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Erica,
IIRC, “Love Has No Pride” was Bonnie’s first hit. My girlfriend in college was a DJ on the campus radio station and introduced me to Bonnie’s music through that song when it first came out. (I think I read that LHNP was the song she performed last night.)
*******
That is the song she performed. I actually didn’t know she had done that song. I have the Linda Ronstadt version of LHNP on my computer
As for the Pretender, I am not sure I could choose a favorite verse
Doreen – can you post the link??? been looking for it…
“if you notice, the gel is more pronounced on one side – to compensate for his bad hip.”
DT-
actually when they throw the ball around the infield after strikeouts or outs, utley slips some gel on the ball.
that’s why philly pitchers have been so good on that first pitch : the old gel pitch.
LOL Why is Guzman taking batting practice. It is amazing how he got on the team. Thank god they took him off the world series roster.
Here is that link. Its great stuff.
http://www.dailymotion.com/vid.....down_sport
Rishi:
Here ya go.
http://www.dailymotion.com/vid.....down_sport
Marshbx22
October 30th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Here is that link. Its great stuff.
http://www.dailymotion.com/vid…..down_sport
=======================
THANKS!!
XLJ October 30th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
LOL Why is Guzman taking batting practice. It is amazing how he got on the team. Thank god they took him off the world series roster.
=================
Getting ready for winter ball???
and to you too, Doreen – google has not been my friend trying to find it!
XLJ, He is taking it so he can maybe hit the little leaguers he plays with next season.
“I was at the game yesterday and noticed that Kevin Long flipped out in the dugout before the game, throwing bats and helmets everywhere. Any information on this? Was he trying to get the lineup pumped up? It kinda looked like he wanted to kill someone.”
maybe he was just looking for his sunflower seeds.
Erica,
If you like Bonnie’s music, check out some of her early stuff, from before she was famous. LHNP is on her second album, called “Give It Up.” This one might be my favorite.
Rishi -
I had put it in my bookmarks way back when it was first linked.
“I was at the game yesterday and noticed that Kevin Long flipped out in the dugout before the game, throwing bats and helmets everywhere. Any information on this? Was he trying to get the lineup pumped up? It kinda looked like he wanted to kill someone.”
=============
That’s interesting.
Rishi -
Your welcome.
i just bookmarked it (and got all excited for more baseball)
“DT-
actually when they throw the ball around the infield after strikeouts or outs, utley slips some gel on the ball.
that’s why philly pitchers have been so good on that first pitch : the old gel pitch.”
I haven’t trusted Utley since he broke up with Brinkley.
here is the gel scoop. It’s LA Looks.
http://tinyurl.com/ychm8qe
To me it looks like Utley fell off the Exxon Valdez.
Rishi, do you think you could post Buster Olney’s blog on game 2 from ESPN? Thanks!
Erica, I went to a Simon and Garfunkle concert a few years ago, when they reunited. It was fantastic, in part because the other act was the Everly Brothers, who I love. My favorite song of S&G is Bridge Over Troubled Waters, but I also adore I am a Rock….eh, I love them all, lol
Betsy
I would figure you’d like “Sound of Silence”
Uncle Ellsworth, I love that…..but is that supposed to be a snarky comment? If so, I’m not going to get into an argument, esp. since I don’t know what I said or did.
betsy
October 30th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Uncle Ellsworth, I love that…..but is that supposed to be a snarky comment? If so, I’m not going to get into an argument, esp. since I don’t know what I said or did.
just kidding around.
betsy
October 30th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Rishi, do you think you could post Buster Olney’s blog on game 2 from ESPN? Thanks!
Erica, I went to a Simon and Garfunkle concert a few years ago, when they reunited. It was fantastic, in part because the other act was the Everly Brothers, who I love. My favorite song of S&G is Bridge Over Troubled Waters, but I also adore I am a Rock….eh, I love them all, lol
******
I saw them then too! At MSG right? I think it was early December 2005
Snark Attack????
I figured that, Uncle….I guess I’m a little sensitive because of all the sniping at me, lol.
Erica, yes..lol. We probably sat next to each other. I never thought I’d have the chance to see them, so I felt very lucky.
Oh Nick, that was not punny at all.
Nick in SF in Elk Grove
October 30th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Snark Attack????
Sorry Besty
S&G are American Treasures and Paul is a Yanks fan!
don’t know about Simon seems like Mets
Hello snarkness, my old friend???
Uncle Ellsworth (much ado about nothing)
October 30th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Nick in SF in Elk Grove
October 30th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Snark Attack????
Sorry Besty
S&G are American Treasures and Paul is a Yanks fan!
*****
I know!!! I was wondering if Paul was upset he was missing the Yankee game too
buster olney new blog post, if someone has subscription please post.
Also, i’m laughing hysterically at the comment of chase utley having bodies in his basement, ROFL.
Under the Heading of “You Learn Something New Everyday”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
Scarborough Fair is an Olde Elglish Ballad
Makes sense – talk about haunting
25 hours and 55 minutes until Game 3!!!!!!!!!!!!
“I was at the game yesterday and noticed that Kevin Long flipped out in the dugout before the game, throwing bats and helmets everywhere. Any information on this? Was he trying to get the lineup pumped up? It kinda looked like he wanted to kill someone.”
==========
Maybe he was looking for Alex’s lucky bat. Man i hope he finishes strong. Im a Peyton Manning fan as well and i was so relieved we he finally ended the not a good qb because he hadnt won anything/choke comments. Hope the Alex choke talk ends as well.
Nick in SF in Elk Grove
October 30th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Hello snarkness, my old friend???
This is why you are the Man.
I would be very surprised if CC doesn’t start game 4.
who broke the blog?
Uncle Ellsworth (much ado about nothing)
October 30th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
who broke the blog?
***************
Not me!!! Not me!!!
Before I’m accused of breaking the blog, let me say this: you come to Elk Grove and try to be funny and THEN judge me.
Have a good afternoon/evening.
Try the veal
Still wouldn’t mind Matsui in right.
Oh, I just heard some Verducci on Cowherd. Rollins told Verducci they’re very confident. Their whole m.o. is to get the starter out by the 6th and the 7th inning on is their time. I think that’s the point where they mentioned getting to a lot of the top closers, blah, blah, blah.
First of all, if a starter lasts until the 6th inning in the NL that means he’s doing well. Otherwise he’d be subbed out for a pinch hitter.
Secondly, the Yankees wake up in the latter innings, too.
We’ll see. But I like how the Yankees let their play do the talking.
Having CC pitch in Philly is a plus. He can swing the bat so the lineup may get an improvement!
Uncle Ellsworth (much ado about nothing)
October 30th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Scarborough Fair is an Olde Elglish Ballad
Makes sense – talk about haunting
*******************
One of the buildings where I went to college was called Scarborough Hall. So I had “Scarborough Fair” stuck in my head a lot.
Cervelli taking BP? I thought he was left off of the WS roster??
Cervelli taking BP? I thought he was left off of the WS roster??
It’s kind of odd that Paul is a Yankees fan as he grew up in Queens. Michael Kay did a Center Stage with him once and it was very interesting…….
I believe the Phillies are confident, but I’m sure the Yankees are, too – they just go about it in a quieter way. That said, the pen is a huge concern.
“Cervelli taking BP? I thought he was left off of the WS roster??”
Just getting him ready for next year’s WS. Same with Pena.
arod 0-4 against hamels with 4k’s. Lets hope for a breakout. I think him not winning alcs mvp has had a detrimental effect since hes obsessed with wanting people to like him.
“m
October 30th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Oh, I just heard some Verducci on Cowherd. Rollins told Verducci they’re very confident. Their whole m.o. is to get the starter out by the 6th and the 7th inning on is their time. I think that’s the point where they mentioned getting to a lot of the top closers, blah, blah, blah.”
————————-
Nice plan by Rollins usually starters tend to come out by the 6th or 7th inning anyway. Mo wasn’t even as sharp as he can be and they still couldn’t score on him for two innings.
” Their whole m.o. is to get the starter out by the 6th and the 7th inning on is their time.”
That’s a lot easier to do in the NL where pinch hitting often determines when the pitcher leaves the game.
I’m starting to hate Rollins.
The agravating thing about him? He’s been correct on his predictions/trash talk (however you see it) a remarkable amount of the time.
Weird.
“I think him not winning alcs mvp has had a detrimental effect since hes obsessed with wanting people to like him.”
More like… it’s unreasonable to expect a guy to mash for four straight weeks against playoff pitching, especially with all the off days.
Not to mention the fact that Lee was nearly untouchable in game 1, and Pedro was very good.
I never expected Alex to hit much in this WS… he had to cool off at some point. I’m just hopeful Tex and Matsui can carry the load.
Rollins can keep running his mouth. He is as bad as Hunter.
My hope is that at the end of the series they show him sitting in the dugout watching the Yankees celebrate. Then let him run his mouth.
iTunes is making a killing off of me after just reading all Erica’s concert posts, lol.
I’m glad you had a great time!
Azaz, I pretty strongly disagree with your comment.
I don’t understand why fans feel the need to come up with some “deep explanation” for every small sample size anamoly.
A-Rod was out of his mind for the first two rounds of the playoffs. But he just wasn’t likely to sustain that level of production. We have thousands of AB’s to prove that Arod does not generally OPS 1.600.
So what we have seen in the first couple of games in the series is a regression to the mean. Just like his ridiculous hot streak in the first tow rounds were a regression to the mean that brought his mediocre playoff numbers more in line with his career averages.
I guarantee you that great hitters can go 13-30 over the course of a couple of weeks and then 2-15 over the course of 4 games. Does it mean that he was in a better “mental place” over the first two weeks? Or that he suddenly forgot to how to hit? No, they’re just skewed numbers from a small sample size.
That’s it. Sometimes there just is no deeper explanation. Actually, most of the time there is no deeper explanation.
I agree completely with Guest.
Angel – A tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing
October 30th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
iTunes is making a killing off of me after just reading all Erica’s concert posts, lol.
*******************
OK, I feel so much better now. I thought I was the only one
Alex had some good swings in the last game. Those swings with the ball going almost straight back gives me a lot of confidence that he is almost there. I wouldn’t count him out. Its not like the Phillies hit all that much last night either.
Lee was pitching really well and the Yankees didn’t seem to have a good approach from the start.
There will be no 3 man rotation.
Check the weather.
Game tomorrow night looks highly doubtful.
A Saturday rainout would mean 5 games in a row without an off day. They could skip Andy and pitch CC Sunday to maintain the ability to pitch him 3 games, but no way to avoid Gaudin in that scenario.
i think this ws will come down to 2 things
can lee shut us down again & will we beat on hamels?
cc pitched almost as well as burnett did
2 runs compared to 1 run.
i think our pitching will be fine.
at least our starters
lee.hamels & the bridge to mo are the keys
lee alone is not enough
I do think Alex has gone cold. However I think tex has been heatng up ever since that big three run double in game five of the ALCS. Tex will pick up the slack.
RSM-I wouldn’t count on no baseball tomorrow. Remember game 2 of the ALCS?
Angel – A tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing
October 30th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
iTunes is making a killing off of me after just reading all Erica’s concert posts, lol.
*******************
OK, I feel so much better now. I thought I was the only one
****************************
Nope Erin. I was in need of some more stuff for my Ipod to listen to at work anyway. Erica posts just gave me a new RnR Hall of Fame Playlist.
Angel-same here!
Okay, anybody else slightly frightened of the conversation between Angel and Erin?
Could also be that as suggested before this series, that the Phillies would look for ways to pitch to A-Rod to neutralize him, just as the Yankees would look for ways to pitch to Howard that would neutralize him.
*makes scary faces at WTTWS*
Sorry, I’m kind of bored.
Cervelli, Guzman, Pena taking BP to stay sharp in case someone gets hurt as one of them could be added to roster I believe. I know that was the rule during first 2 rounds but not 100% on WS.
Game 4 CC
Game 5 Gaudin if series is 2-2 or 3-1 yanks. If we are down 3-1 then AJ
Game 6 AJ or Pettite if we are down 3-2 and AJ pitched game 5
Game 7 CC with everyone behind him
I’d start Hairston in RF and Swisher against Blanton in game 4.
Hopefully we are up 3-1 and Gaudin starts throw away game against Lee and maybe we steal it there. If not then I’d take my chances with AJ in game 6 and CC and Andy in game 7.
Game 3 is the key as a win takes the pressure off game 5 as coming home down 3-2 is not the worst thing in the world.
What is it that’s scaring you, WTTWS?
Halloween, Angel.
Although the Bombers did pretty well the last time there was Halloween baseball.
Cervelli and Pena take bp to stay fresh in case a catcher or infielder goes down they will be added to the roster.
6 strikeouts in 8 at-bats? Either they are pitching him really well (very likely) or he could be trying to do too much.
I haven’t listened to Alex’s audio, but I’m sure he went back and studied his at-bats and saw that he was swinging at a lot of balls (those 2 in the same spot on the inside really stood out) setting himself up for the strikeout. He could be guessing again and just guessing wrong. He said in the first series, “I’m just keeping it simple. Seeing the ball and hitting the ball.” Hopefully he’ll go back to that approach.
Yup, thats true they did. Let’s hope its a repeat.
Yankees might not have to take Pettitte out that early to him having to bat. His 3 years with that Astros may help. If I recall correctly, he can possibly get a bunt down.
Not sure if anyone posted this, but the Daily News has video of the Yankees at Penn Station.
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....adelp.html
Angel – A tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing
October 30th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Angel – A tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing
October 30th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
iTunes is making a killing off of me after just reading all Erica’s concert posts, lol.
*******************
OK, I feel so much better now. I thought I was the only one
****************************
Nope Erin. I was in need of some more stuff for my Ipod to listen to at work anyway. Erica posts just gave me a new RnR Hall of Fame Playlist.
*****
Awww- Angel & Erin..
You guys made me so happy!!!!
Btw Angel-
You did a great job last night. Erica herself would have done nothing differently.
Mr. Pettite doubled once this year.
Wait till the World Series October 30th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Mr. Pettite doubled once this year
lol
________________________________________________________________
Yes, I remember. I also remember him kneeling in exhaustion at 2nd base once he got there
“Unlike the Twins (Joe Nathan versus Alex Rodriguez) and Angels (Brian Fuentes versus everybody), the Phillies do not fear any individual matchups with the Yankees hitters.”
Really? If so, then why did Manuel burn Lee for 122 pitches in a 6-0 game? Why did he let Pedro talk him into going back out in the 7th?
Anyway, a pretty good breakdown of the series by Bryant. He illustrates just how even this series and the teams are. BTW, that bodes well for the visiting team about to play 3 in a row. A good chance to steal a couple of games.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4608482
October 30th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
It’s kind of odd that Paul is a Yankees fan as he grew up in Queens. Michael Kay did a Center Stage with him once and
——————————————-
not really since there were no Mets at the time.:)
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....ts+stories
Sitting on the chair in front of his locker, A.J. Burnett gathered in the small bodies of his two sons.
“You did awesome,’’ one said.
**Pretty much – nicely said, kid
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....ts+stories
Sitting on the chair in front of his locker, A.J. Burnett gathered in the small bodies of his two sons.
“You did awesome,’’ one said.
**Pretty much – nicely said, kid
Oops……..thanks for the correction, Mick.
Guest
October 30th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Azaz, I pretty strongly disagree with your comment.
I don’t understand why fans feel the need to come up with some “deep explanation” for every small sample size anamoly.
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Guest, I’m wondering, are you something other than a fan? Your phrasing sounds like you fall in some other category like executive or media member. Of course, your analysis is spot on too. Am I right?
azaz is an nba afficionado
Bobby Meacham has been hired as the Houston Astros 1st Base Coach.
My Texas baseball fan friend just posted an excited facebook status update. I hope he does better at 1st base than 3rd….
Verducci comments on A-Rod and Ryan Howard struggling
11:32 AM10.30 Posted By: Andrew Perloff SHARE COMMENTS (2)
SI’s Tom Verducci joined the show to discuss the World Series.
Verducci pointed out that Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Howard are making the wrong kind of history. Re: Howard, this is the first time in history that the clean-up hitter has struck out four times in a row. On A-Rod, this was the first time a batter has struck out three times in two straight games since pitcher Jim Lonborg.
Dan and Tom agree that Phillies manager Charlie Manuel should have started the runners before that late-inning double play in Game 2. Verducci said that manager too often fear running against Mariano Rivera because they are so afraid they’ll lose a runner. But they rarely get three hits in a row, so it doesn’t make sense.
Verducci said that in modern baseball, Andy Pettitte is the most experienced postseason pitcher. He said that Pettitte is great in the playoffs, but he has had very bad games in the postseason as well.
Verducci doesn’t know who will start Game 4 for the Phillies. Verducci said Cliff Lee hasn’t pitched on short rest, so that might be risky. “I think right now you have the hottest pitcher on the planet. I think you have to give the ball to Cliff Lee as often as you can,” Verducci said.
Verducci also said “we are one blown call away” from Bud Selig giving up his resistance to instant replay
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....z0VStzfUDF
bobby might be waving them in from 1st, watch out!
An ex-Yankee 3B coach under a first year manager who’s an ex-Red Sock? That’s interesting. Good luck to meachem.
Check out these stats
237 innings
16-9 record
3.83 era
154 K’s
That’s a great season right?
They’re Andy’s postseason stats.
Apologies if this has been posted, but here’s a cool retro look (with synopses) at all the 26 back pages of the Yankees’ previous championships:
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....pages.html
Andy has made me eat MAJOR crow. I didn’t want to sign him, and he put up a great season for the Yanks, w/a typical Andy second half.
m
nice link, thanks
Go Bombers!!!!
m – still around? I can grab that blog for you if you want…
Less than 1 minute into the Celts game on ESPN, the ESPN commentating crew has already begun their 3rd annual lickfest of the Celts. Kevin Garnett (less than 1 minute into the game) “just showed he is athleticly back.”
Thanks, mick.
Who’s the dude pawing Kate? I’m assuming she knows him. Good gallery with a funny picture of melky sticking his tongue out in practice.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....nt.13.html
Mel – still need the blog?
rishi,
I’m here. Was it betsy who asked? But yes, we’d like to see if you’re willin to share.
cr9
lickfest? i like it.
Andy has made me eat MAJOR crow. I didn’t want to sign him, and he put up a great season for the Yanks, w/a typical Andy second half.
_______
Cashman felt the same way before the 2004 season when he thought he was upgrading by replacing him with Kevin Brown. Good think Cashman didn’t make the same mistake 2x.
Buster’s blog
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Friday, October 30, 2009
The leftovers tell us a lot from Game 2
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It has been a World Series of pitching so far, with the inevitable umpiring controversy sprinkled in. Some leftovers from Game 2:
Mariano Rivera is a legend because of the weapon that is his cut fastball, the pitch that veers in on the hands of left-handed hitters. Almost without exception, no matter the opposing hitter, he has looked to bury his cutter inside against lefties at some point.
But for the first time I can remember, Rivera carefully worked around a left-handed hitter in a big spot, doing everything except throw his cutter inside. Chase Utley had homered twice in Game 1 with his frighteningly quick swing, driving fastballs into the right-field stands, and in Game 2, he came to bat against Rivera with the potential tying run on base.
So you figured Rivera would throw cutters inside, right? Pitches that threatened Utley’s thumbs, right?
Wrong. Rivera pitched to the outside corner the entire at-bat, throwing his four-seam fastball and his cutter, and from pitch to pitch, Utley probably kept waiting for that cutter inside — instead, he wound up reaching for a pitch over the outside corner and grounding into what was called a double play.
The Yankees got more of the same from the great Rivera, writes Rich Hofmann. He got a big pair of outs, Mike Lupica writes.
Pedro Martinez turned out to be the losing pitcher, and Charlie Manuel probably made a mistake in sending him out for the seventh inning. But you can understand why managers (Grady Little, for one) tend to have a lot of faith in him. He pitched exceptionally smart, controlling the pace of the at-bats, constantly changing the eye levels of hitters, as Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez all would see.
First inning, Teixeira at the plate: With a 1-2 count, Martinez threw a 72 mph curveball below the strike zone, and Teixeira reached and barely fouled off the pitch to stay alive. The next pitch was a 90 mph fastball up in the strike zone — the fastest pitch of the game by Martinez to that point — and Teixeira popped up.
Third inning, Jeter at the plate: With a 1-2 count, Martinez buzzed a fastball over the strike zone, at 88 mph, to run the count to 2-2. Then, on the next pitch, Martinez quickened his delivery and zipped a fastball over the lowest edge of the strike zone, and Jeter — seemingly surprised by Martinez’s slide-step delivery, as well as his location — just stared at the ball as it crossed the plate for strike three.
Sixth inning, A-Rod at the plate: The first three pitches were fastballs high and inside, and it seemed as if Martinez was just challenging him; the count reached 1-2. But then Martinez threw a perfectly located changeup low and off the plate, and A-Rod awkwardly swung and missed.
But one batter later, Martinez might’ve gone away from his own strategy, throwing off-speed pitches too many times. With an 0-2 count, Martinez threw a 77 mph changeup down, and Matsui took it for ball one. Then Martinez threw a 73 mph curveball down, and Matsui fouled it off.
Would Martinez throw a high or inside fastball next?
No. He threw another curveball and missed his target — he meant to throw it low and away — and Matsui, conditioned to see slow stuff by this pitch, waited on Martinez’s pitch and drove it over the right-field wall to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead.
Pedro was probably left in the game one inning too long, writes Sam Donnellon. This might have been his swan song, writes Bart Hubbuch.
A.J. Burnett just pounded the strike zone, throwing first-pitch strikes to the first 11 batters; the first eight Phillies took the first pitch in their at-bats, and beyond that, the first seven Phillies took the first two pitches in their at-bats. Maybe they wanted to force Burnett to throw strikes, and maybe they were aiming to get him out of the game with a fast-climbing pitch count.
Either way, Burnett used his fantastic breaking ball to take advantage of the ball-strike counts that he got. Ryan Howard struck out three times against him, and in every case, the finishing pitch was a breaking ball — in fact, of the 15 pitches that Howard saw from Burnett, the last eight were breaking balls.
Why Burnett won, from Jeremy Mills of ESPN Stats & Information:
He threw 22 of 26 first-pitch strikes (95 percent), his best total of the season and well above the MLB average of 59 percent — 15 of the 22 were called strikes.
Left-handed batters were 2-for-16 with eight strikeouts, and they missed on nine of 27 swings (33 percent — the MLB average is 19 percent).
His curveball was dominant against lefties — they went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts against it. Burnett threw only one curveball to a right-handed batter all night.
He was more than OK, writes Bob Klapisch. Burnett shined, writes Ken Davidoff.
The blown calls in consecutive innings probably didn’t alter the outcome of the game, but they certainly could have. Brian Gorman misdiagnosed the little line drive that Johnny Damon hit at Ryan Howard, calling it a caught ball — and if the play had been called correctly, the Yankees would have had the bases loaded with one out, and a chance to tack on to a 3-1 lead. And if Gorman hadn’t missed the bang-bang call on a double play in the eighth — if he had called Chase Utley safe — the inning would’ve continued.
In both cases, the calls were extremely difficult. The safe-or-out call on Utley was close, a flip of the coin. And from where Gorman was positioned, there was no way that he could’ve seen whether Howard caught the ball; he was making an educated guess.
But here’s the thing — there is no need to guess. Replays show definitively and quickly that Howard had trapped the ball, and in the time that it took for Joe Girardi to run out onto the field and for him to argue, everybody watching at home knew the call was wrong. The technology is now available to get calls right, and we know this, because anybody sitting at home can see almost all of the time what the correct call is. Only the umpires don’t have access to it, oddly.
At this point, the decision to not use replay is a willful decision to allow incorrect calls to stand. It’s not about the umpires now; it’s about the choice made by Bud Selig.
http://insider.espn.go.com/esp.....ney_buster
Cashman is a moron for ditching Andy P back in 04
my prediction.
Andy will out pitch Hamels tomorrow, Blanton doesn’t have a shot against CC, Lee will take game five, and the Yanks will finish it off in the bronx.
A-Rod is now 6K-Rod
antisocial scrooge…I like the way you’re thinking…really.
joe b…try 6hr-Rod