Pregame notes
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Apr 04, 2010 
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With the first pitch less than two hours away, the Yankees are on the field at Fenway Park, going through stretches and waiting for their turn to take batting practice. The stadium is playing a Jay-Z song right now.
For almost all of the Yankees, this is familiar ground. Even most of the new guys have been here with the Yankees in the past. Javier Vazquez has done it. Nick Johnson has done it. Marcus Thames never played in Fenway with the Yankees, but he came up in the organization and certainly experienced at least a little bit of the rivalry.
For Curtis Granderson, it will be something entirely new.
“I could sit in Joe (Torre’s) office as a coach and have an idea of what it was like to manage the New York Yankees, but you really don’t know exactly what it’s like until you go through it,” Joe Girardi said. “Those guys have probably seen many times the Yankees and Red Sox play, but until you actually go through it, it’s probably a little different than what you imagined.”
Here’s Girardi’s pregame media session.
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• Nick Johnson is in the lineup and Girardi expects him to stay there, but he’s going to check with him against after batting practice to make sure his knee still feels fine.
• Cervelli will run today and Girardi called him “catchable” for tonight’s game. Cervelli called himself, “better than yesterday.”
• With a lead, who would pitch the eighth inning tonight? “It’s going to depend on where they are in their lineup tonight,” Girardi said. He would like a definite setup man to emerge, but said that remains up for grabs.
• Because there are so many days off early in the season, Girardi said he plans to keep Nick Johnson and Jorge Posada in the lineup without needing to give them games off to rest.
• Girardi has not settled on a lineup against lefty Jon Lester on Tuesday, but it’s at least possible Marcus Thames could be there. “He’s had a lot of success in his career against left-handers,” Girardi said. “We have not made a lineup for Tuesday, but that was one of the reasons we went and go thim because of his success against left-handers.”
• Alfredo Aceves is fine and available out of the bullpen. Girardi said he will have to check with Damaso Marte after he plays catch to make sure he’s available to pitch.
• Girardi got a pregame phone call from Yogi Berra. “He said, ‘I’ll be watching,’” Girardi said.
UPDATE, 7:12 p.m.: Throwing out the first pitch tonight is World Series Game 2 and Game 6 losing pitcher Pedro Martinez.
UPDATE, 7:16 p.m.: Among those taking batting practice with the Red Sox was rapper Dr. Dre, who apparently hit one off the wall at some point. The AP has a shot of him in uniform.
After finishing BP, Sam saw him wearing massive headphone with Red Sox logos while watching the Red Sox take BP. His jersey number was 808.
That’s an Associated Press shot of Alex Rodriguez during pregame warm ups.
I’m all for a preemptive beaning of Yuckilis and Ortiz.
not a flattering pix of Arod.
Win it for Yogi.
With the way he’s pitched this spring & how effective he was last season, isn’t CHP the logical choice to start the season as the 8th inning guy?
Why Joe Torre’s office?
repost:
I like seeing all three of Boston’s pickups this winter batting 7th, 8th and 9th
#Beltre, Cameron and Scutaro
“I got your Stuckeys right here!”
How many bases are we gonna steal against the dynamic duo ?
Answer:
As many as we feel like.
# Leaping Tom April 4th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Why Joe Torre’s office?
Because its Joe G saying that.
ESPN just confirmed their homerism to the Red Sox. Nomar AND Curt Schilling on ESPN? Stay classy and objective…
“I like seeing all three of Boston’s pickups this winter batting 7th, 8th and 9th
#Beltre, Cameron and Scutaro”
———————————————————————
lol. In the meantime, Swisher bats #8 for the yanks
and some people are worried about our lineup?
Schilling. Even the mute button isn’t enough because I have to look at him on the wide camera shots. I guess it’s too much to ask to be able to watch Baseball Tonight in peace.
Al Leiter is so good on MLB Network.
Leiter, or Harold Reynolds, or Joe Mcgrane, needs to replace Rex Hudler on MLB The Show (PS3), as soon as possible
timo April 4th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Schilling. Even the mute button isn?t enough because I have to look at him on the wide camera shots. I guess it?s too much to ask to be able to watch Baseball Tonight in peace.
==========
My recommendation would be to watch the MLB network – anything on BBT can’t be any good
is Dave Windfield still on Baseball Tonight?
timo
Agreed. I rarely even turn on ESPN anymore, except for a game. Just looking at Curt Schilling makes me sick to my stomach.
Nomar actually did a great job during the Twins/Yanks game last week
ESPN is what the “mute” button was invented for.
I can see Thames in the lineup vs Lester. How quickly we forget Randy Winn. Unless he DH’s Thames but I doubt that.
Washington has placed CM Wang on the 60 Day DL after shoulder surgery, though it’s officially listed as a strained right shoulder. I’m afraid that the end may be near for him. What a pity, because he was an outstanding pitcher for the Yankees.
Thames number vs. Red Sox lefties:
Lester – 1-2 (.500), HR, 2 RBI
Okijima – 2-2 (1.000), 2 RBI
Schoenweiss – 4-8 (.500), double, 2 RBIs
Nick – thanks for sneaking me into GLTU, most kind!
If you and me are tied first at the end of the season, i’ll do the honorable thing…
The Barca thing looking less likely now, so I guess I’m spared the agony; however a ticket to the H game vs Man City is mine, and it’s a late kickoff so there’ll be a good few beers pre-game!
CB – nice link to the NY Times article, thanks. I thought for a moment it was a link to “our” Times over here – no chance of anything nice being written in there about the Arsenal. It’s a Murdoch paper, and hence is heavily pro Man United (his sports channel Sky still part owns a chunk of Man United and is heavily biased)..
Let’s go Yanks!
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Chienner!!! Soooooooo sad.
Poor guy. Oh well, at least he got his WS ring with us!
GB7: Are you suggesting that Wang had another shoulder surgery? It seems like they just put him on the 60 day because he is going to continue his rehab
GB,
Sorry to hear that about Wang, but looks like Cashman knew what he was doing by letting him go.
GB-
“What a pity, because he was an outstanding pitcher for the Yankees.”
Absolutely.
GB7,
Not surprising he got put on the 60 day. I don’t think there was ever a doubt he wasn’t going to be ready until late May or early June.
harold reynolds just picked the Red Sox to win the East and the Yankees to fall into 3rd place because they will miss Damon and Matsui.. and I AGREE.. Cashman really messed up.
Reynolds had the Yankees in the playoffs. Not third place.
Oh, ok.
That makes sense.
No Poor Wang then!
The replacements, CG and NJ have to do some serious baseballing to prevent missing Damon /Matsui. Serious baseballing.
“Washington has placed CM Wang on the 60 Day DL after shoulder surgery”
—————————————————————————-
GB: you mean the same Wang, Cashman was crucified mercilessly on this blog for not re-signing for 5 million dollars, in the off-season?
say it aint so
Cashman continues to show he’s the #1 GM in the AL
“Erica, it would have been easier to list who wasn’t correct.
*************
Umm- that would be Tarheelyank ”
Hey what did I win.
I can’t believe I am the only one who thinks Alex should bat third. Oh well 0-162 here I come.
Yeah, they’re really going to miss a guy who’s knees are a ticking time bomb. Defensively, they won’t miss Damon, and if NJ stays healthy & is his normal self at the plate, JD won’t be missed too much either.
Alas Rishi, no MLB network for me. I do have mlb.tv though.
Pregame show starting on YES.
Is the game going to be blacked out on ESPN2 for viewers in the New York area?
Gammons likes the Angels in the West?
why??
anyway, Gammons likes the Redsox to beat Colorado in the World Series
My one complaint about everyone picking the red sox or whatever over the yankees, is that they usually end up picking the Phillies or something to go to the world series.
So the phillies are going to back-to-back-to-back world series, in a much closer league, but the yankees are either winning the wild card then get knocked out of the playoffs, or not make the playoffs?
Hope Wang can come back.
Fran (the original) and OPPC member April 4th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
GB,
Sorry to hear that about Wang, but looks like Cashman knew what he was doing by letting him go.
———————————————————————————————————————-
Yeah, sadly, Cashman probably was correct in his as-sessment on wang. One can only imagine what the rotation would do with a Pre-Houston Wang in there and Chamberlain/Hughes in the pen.
The reports that I read wasn’t real clear as to whether this was another new injury from surgery rehab or part of the same one. He was fun to watch, whether he piled up the strikeouts or not. Batters just had no chance of lifting the ball. The perfect pitcher in YS, like another left hander as far as keeping the ball in the park.
goddamn this YES intro is dramatic
It’s been a LOOOONNG wait but it’s finally here and, for someone that didn’t post much over the winter, it’s good to see all the usual suspects back here again.
Tarheelyank, if I may be so bold, the GTLU contest is geered more towards predicting the actual lineup that Girardi sublits rather than the lineup that LoHudders THINK he should submit. But hey, there is a certain nobility to fighting for a lost cause, and who knows, G.I. Joe may come around to your way of thinking.
Dano: I am not a GTLU player, so no worries.
Who cares what the “experts” think. It’s all entertainment. They are on TV remember? Anyone can make a prediction, the more outrageous, the more entertaining.
GB7: I scoured the internet and Wang did not have another surgery, he is still coming back from the rehab he started in december. Trying to get back into his old shape.
Gawd Almighty!
Can you believe ESPN hired BOTH Schilling and Nomar.
Sigh.
If you want to watch the pregame show you have to put up with that.
What a laugh. And EPSN insists they have no red sox bias.
is the game blacked out for espn2 if you are in the ny area?
Phillies are the best team in the NL.
I predict another Yankee Phillie World Series.
“is the game blacked out for espn2 if you are in the ny area?”
Yes
Just play the game. Forget the talking heads. Who needs em?
I believe that I am part of a multi-LoHudder tie for biggest non-Taiwanese Chien-ming Wang fan on this board, but I did not think it was wrong for Cashman to non-tender him, however non-tender it was. And it was pretty non-tender.
Let’s please be careful with the broad brushstrokes.
anyone know when they are going to activate the mlb.tv channel for the roku box?
“Just play the game. Forget the talking heads. Who needs em?”
agreed. I’m watching ‘Jets Nation’ on SNY
Had to turn on Kim Jones, couldn’t wait. Why is that?
Schilling and Nomar are just another reason I have switched to MLB TV.
Take a look at the Champs baby
Watching the Yanks on anything other than YES is like not watching the Yanks.
I didn’t say that Wang had a new surgery since Nov/Dec, only that he had a reported shoulder strain.
Here is a daily update on his throwing sessions.
http://www.rotoworld.com/conte.....038;id=331
# mick April 4th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Had to turn on Kim Jones, couldn’t wait. Why is that?
======================================
Great boobs.
mick April 4th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Had to turn on Kim Jones, couldn’t wait. Why is that?
———————————————————————————————————————-
No taste?
never seen her close-up, evan.
LeBron James at the game
Ravech interviewing him and Dr.Dre.
you don’t like her GB?
can’t watch MLB TV now either.. now they added Gammons and Smoltz to go along with Yankees hater Mitch Williams and Sean Casey.
the only thing I can watch now is YES.
Hate to tell you all this but it very difficult for either of these teams to dominate the other over the long haul.
They usually play each other pretty close.
Where the Yankees really make their living is grinding up the weaker members of the baseball fraternity.
And by winning series. After series.
That’s where the season is really decided not by satisfying the emotional craving for Red Sox blood.
Although ………..
whatever April 4th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
can’t watch MLB TV now either.. now they added Gammons and Smoltz to go along with Yankees hater Mitch Williams and Sean Casey.
=================================
Everybody hates the Yankees, you know that. But they still are America’s team.
# mick April 4th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Watching the Yanks on anything other than YES is like not watching the Yanks.
===================================
problem is if you’re out of market, YES is blacked out cause it’s a national game
mick April 4th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
you don’t like her GB?
———————————————————————————————————————-
she doesn’t appeal to me in the least. all of the potential to be the newest addition of being Kirsty Alley, right down to the bleached hair.
“can’t watch MLB TV now either.. now they added Gammons and Smoltz to go along with Yankees hater Mitch Williams and Sean Casey”
—————————————————————
do they even have satellite at Bellevue ??
Just went to ESPN to see the interview but was late, and instead I immediately see “the human stain”…..no, not the movie…. Buster Olney.
GB
All teams seem to have one like her. A Rona Barrett to bring the gossip and such. Plus guys rather look at a woman.
UPDATE, 7:12 p.m.: Throwing out the first pitch tonight is World Series Game 2 and Game 6 losing pitcher Pedro Martinez.
Maybe for old times sake, we can brink back Hideki to hit a home run off Peter Martinez, at Fenway Field.
Pedro could be their 5th starter, I hope. They bring back all their trash. Millar could be next.
Rishi, sounds like some great memories there. May it be a harbinger for 2010.
These headphones that Dr.Dre is marketing tonight cost $400, BTW.
Should have brought Matsui to Fenway to stand in the batters box.
Millar and Pedro cant help them any longer, unless they find the newest drug on the market, one undetectable by current drug testing.
lol what is up with that Arod picture?
They will be sorry for batting Ortiz 5th tonite vs CC.
I’m not interested in Jones and her gossip and her attempts to either be part of the story or try to start something…much like she does with Rodriguez and Cano. Then, there is that “nails on the chalkboard voice”.
Why is ESPN making this broadcast so Red Sox-centric?
Highlights of Nomar?
Dr.Dre promoting Red Sox headsets?
God I hope we smoke them tonight.
“Why is ESPN making this broadcast so Red Sox-centric?”
—————————————————————–
it’s what they do
Why would ESPN do any differently?
Why would they show the defending WS Champions?
That would make too much sense. It would also require professionalism and integrity. Something ESPN clearly has none of (besides Rob Parker).
who cares what shilling or nomar thinks about anything ?
She is the female version of Michael Kay. Someone decided we need to be “entertained” with gossip and speculation. Could you imagine Mel Allen and Red Barber, even Scooter pulling that crap.
Why is ESPN making this broadcast so Red Sox-centric?
*****************
Because it’s ESPN.
Welcome the pitcher that could not get Hideki Matsui out, Pedro Martinez.
It’s so great that Nomar had to come crawling back to them, like the piece of sh** he is.
I wonder how well his giant nose fits in the Red Sox (insert body part here).
So sick of these Boston homers on ESPN
At least bring in John Kruk… he is a homer, but a Phillies homer, not a Sox one.
YES should have kept Michele Beadle around instead of letting her go to ESPN.
Randy-
“who cares what shilling or nomar thinks about anything ?”
I’d rather hear it from a cigar store Indian.
At least, I could get a good cigar out of it.
Beadle had too much class for that job.
Beadle was HOTT! But not Jeter HOTT!
unless Peter Gammons is a direct descendant of Nostradamus, his prediction have zero effect.
although I don’t recall hearing of a predilection for mid-day Tanqueray and tonics w/Nostradamus.
lol.
Terry Francona wonders how Cashman operated under the radar, and was able to land Javier Vazquez
Cashmoney.
Anyone have a butterfly net?
So far, so good for me. I think I’ve come to the realization that this is a game, not war.
Rockks,
I noticed the same thing. You would think we were watching the opening of the new Yankee Stadium, coming off a World Championship, with how Red Sox-centric this coverage is. So much coverage of the Fenway and irrelevant things nobody cares about. We know what Fenway looks like, you don’t need to take on a tour of the park.
Would be nice if you mentioned the Yankees… with the exception of a 2 minute highlight of Teixeria lifting weights with some guy.
Beckett should have thrown 100 pitches by the 5th . Nick could see 20 of em.
“Beadle was HOTT! But not Jeter HOTT!”
————————————————
ummm. Okkayyyy
At least Goon Phillips is off ESPN. Hershisher is cool.
The girl that 1050 hired to cover the Yankees now, Meredith Marakowitz, is pretty hot too.
Too bad she won’t get much face time.
So far, so good for me. I think I’ve come to the realization that this is a game, not war.
===============================================
Out of LF, Betsy?
Betsy,
Good for you. It’s a long season. You’ll be fine and so will the Yankees
Is it really necessary to discuss Kim Jones’ looks?
Did I miss a link to an article CB posted?
Phillips has actually been pretty positive about the Yankees the last couple of years. He is clueless, but he doesn’t slob on the Sox. He’s going to be on with Francessa once a week this year FYI.
as you well know there are no boundaries in here, didn’t you more than once comment on AJ’s looks?
Kim Jones > Beadle
vinnyb
Come on, even straight men can admit the stunninng beauty of men like Jeets, or Henrik Lundqvist!!!!!
Ledger_Yankees PR staff warning those in press box that there will be a fireworks show. They’re offering earplugs #nyy
4 minutes ago via TweetDeck
It is not necessary to discuss Kim Jones’ looks, so that’s just a value-added bonus.
lol isin’t that typical ESPN tonight?
making time to interview Dr. Dre, who is trying to promote $400 headphones.
Hershiser is good at performing his first name on the Red Sox!!
I once spoke about Kim Jones’ looks and Pete sent me an angry email.
Not really, Mick. I just decided that I don’t feel like giving myself a daily ulcer over a sporting event. I don’t know how successful I’ll be because I know myself. I know my first inclination will be to think “Beckett’s going to have a great year ” or “we will never be able to beat this rotation” …even though I have all the confidence in the world in the Yankees. I just have to squelch my initial emotion and then I’ll be fine. It couldn’t get any worse than 0-8, so I also need to look at it that way. The game threads aren’t always healthy for me because there are lots of panicky posts, lol.
Fran, I think I’m making progress. I KNOW the Yankees will be fine. I mean, if they aren’t going to committ hari kari over a few losses, why should I?
“They’re offering earplugs”
and all are free to call you ‘Andy Rooney’ if you choose to wear them.
(no offense to the great Andy Rooney.)
Wow, has Schilling gained weight or what…..
Mick, I suppose that’s a good point, but it just seems a bit unseemly to be talking about a professional reporter’s looks like that when we don’t talk about Bob Lorenz (for example).
Betsy, ever try a tranquilizer? It might help.
Ledger_Yankees PR staff warning those in press box that there will be a fireworks show. They’re offering earplugs….. I covered the 2008 Orioles and that pitching staff put on fireworks shows just about every night. So you can keep your damn earplugs.
2 minutes ago via TweetDeck
Staying up til 2am to watch a baseball game.If that’s not a yankee fan…
I think we should talk about the posters’ looks.
Fran, I think I’m making progress. I KNOW the Yankees will be fine. I mean, if they aren’t going to committ hari kari over a few losses, why should I?
***************************
There you go Betsy. It’s a long season.
LMAO @ the new Baseball Tonight crew. Talk about pro Sox. Ravich, Schilling, Nomar.
No Redsock earplugs will help when the Yanks bring their own fireworks.
just kidding, lol
Go Roger!!! Loyalty!!
Schilling ate too much ketchup
Bob Lorenz is hot too.
There, now there is some balance.
“Is it really necessary to discuss Kim Jones’ looks? ”
Boys will be boys, they never grow up.
EA April 4th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
The girl that 1050 hired to cover the Yankees now, Meredith Marakowitz, is pretty hot too.
Too bad she won’t get much face time.
Funny part is she use to work for the Iron Pigs, and she is a BABE!!
“Come on, even straight men can admit the stunninng beauty of men like Jeets, or Henrik Lundqvist!!!!!”
————————————————————-
cept we don’t view them as hot. Smooth or cool looking dude. But not hot
Verne Lunquist, really? To each their own
That’s right, Fran – hey, I’m looking forward to next week unless a freak storm hits, lol
Hey, they forgot to say “World Champion New York Yankees” – what a shock.
Roger – you are a true fan.
The World Champion New York Yankees, you tool.
# Tom in N.J. April 4th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
I once spoke about Kim Jones’ looks and Pete sent me an angry email.
=========================================
he sounds like a jealous fanboy.
“I once spoke about Kim Jones’ looks and Pete sent me an angry email”
————————————————————————-
LOL
Hey does anyone know where to watching this online (other than MLB.tv)?? I’m blacked out by ESPN2 and live in Tristate area so have blackout on MLB.tv
Thank You!!
“Verne Lunquist, really?”
I hope you were joking
They are among the top 10 hottest men in the world. Without doubt. Cool looking, smooth, and ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!
On the other end of the spectrum, Buster Olney is the fugliest human being.
Vermont Air National Guard doing the flyover.
It may or may not be unseemly to discuss a professional reporter’s looks, but given that her looks could have been a factor in her hiring and in the amount of air time she gets, is it such a shock?
Bob Lorenz, knock yourself out. He has a happy smile and looks like a guy who would buy you a drink at last call and lend you cab fare home.
Love the new layout of your site! (Hope the “girlie” ads are gone for good!) Where’s Pete? Retired? Will he be posting at all? Abby @ aperfectgame.mlblogs.com
Dr. Dre is a BOS fan? That explains his crappy music.
Listen to the hand for MO!!
John – Out there?
Betsy – Hughes rules (pleading the Fifth) April 4th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Is it really necessary to discuss Kim Jones’ looks?
===================================
what’s wrong with that, she’s hot. it’s not like we’re putting her down (notwithstanding ole angry GB).
Besides, I don’t know a single female yankee fan who doesn’t comment on the guys.
Listen to the boos for Jeter. That means respect.
It’s Don Orsillo!!!!!!!!!!!!
Betsy is just a lightening rod for controversy. Call her the Howard Cosell of the blog.
“Dr. Dre is a BOS fan? That explains his crappy music”
——————————————————–
Dre was ok in the day. But his acting, straight up sucks
FYI Ravech has always been a Yankees fan….
oh man – the guy announcing the Red Sox has a TERRIBLE voice – nails on a chalkboard
massage therapist, interpretors, my god.
I think it’s Joe Castiglione. Might be wrong though.
What’s with all of the massage therapists and bat boys they are introducing?
Johnny Pesky oh boy
Equipoise folks.
Catch you all for the post mortem.
Hopefully, on the corpse of the Red Sox.
I wonder how many Rings Johnny Pesky won??
Oh, that’s right. ZERO!!!!
Pesky moves faster than Papi.
Can ESPN Hire a few more Ex Red Sox???
Betsy,
The long range outlook for next Sunday is nice
Why is there this much coverage for a wild card team’s home opener?
Will we see similar hype when the Colorado Rockies open up tomorrow afternoon?
its actually kind of sad to hear Lowell be a reserve, and not a starter
Mike Lowell gets the loudest ovation. Shows they know Boston mgmnt sucks.
Game Thread up
“I wonder how many Rings Johnny Pesky won??
Oh, that’s right. ZERO!!!!”
I’ve never understood the love BOS has for this guy.
# baseballfab April 4th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
FYI Ravech has always been a Yankees fan….
=================================
oh please. He blew his top and cried when Tex stiff armed “the nation”
So is there a consensus– Trolls ignore or pounce?
Dr. Dre has been promising a new album since 2000.
It is 2010. His last work was the Chronic 1999.
I guess he is trying to get back into the loop after people forgot about him for the likes of Lil Wayne….
CR9 April 4th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
I wonder how many Rings Johnny Pesky won??
Oh, that’s right. ZERO!!!!
But the best part of all is that TEDDY Ball Game WON the same amount of Rings. 000000
So glad I don’t have to watch this on ESPN!!!!
Switched over for a minute and it’s just terrible…
will go on a limb:
if Biff Tanner was the PA announcer, he would introduce Jason Varitek as ‘Butthead’
RS fans sound down. Frontrunners.
Twenty-Seven Sails!
Green-eyed monster, setting sun
Sullen sox nation
Marvelous. The start of another 6 minute rendition of the National anthem done at 6 octive levels.
Let’s Go Yanks!!!!!
Time to play ball.