Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Today in the Journal News on Apr 22, 2010 
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Phil Hughes was fantastic last night as the Yankees won their sixth straight game. Making the night even better for Hughes was the fact that his mom and dad came up from Orange County to see him dominate. Chad’s got the story from Oakland.
Joba Chamberlain has taken hold of the eighth-inning role, something we all pretty much expected would happen. The notebook also has items on Boone Logan, Randy Winn and – GTLU folks take note – a potential second straight start for Brett Gardner against a lefty.
Hughes to Joba to Mo : a formulaic win, at least for this season.
Howdy GB I see you are taking on the intellectuals around here for a change. B)
damn. i left gardner out of my lineup.
GreenBeret7 April 22nd, 2010 at 10:51 am
I don?t see Johnson DHing today
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Sure, now you tell me GB. Can I blame you if I lose??
“Why push him in his first start of the year? Your 162 game example is exactly the reason you don’t push Hughes in his first start of a year where he is on an innings limit.”
No, it’s not. Because sometime during this year Joe Girardi is going to feel the need to push Hughes. He simply choose to do it in his first OFFICIAL start of the year (he has thrown over 100 pitches in his EST starts). I think he was sending Hughes a message, which is ANOTHER task a manager has to factor into his decision-making.
The logic, that sometime in 2010, Joe Girardi is going to wish he had that ONE inning back, is classic self-important hyperbole.
“yet a bad mistake is still a bad mistake.”
Time-management is a flawed analogy. The negative result is there to see and analyize.
What negative result did Girardi’s decision lead to?
“According to you Girardi should have been gone because the Yanks lost. Now I guess after winning it all Girardi is great? ARod was a choker until he played great right?”
No, you’re not following along well enough if that’s your conclusion.
First of all. Alex Rodriquez’s struggles has nothing to do with decision-making, so that a total swing and miss and I’m beginning to understand why this blogger appeals to you if that’s your best effort at a counter-argument.
Second of all, I think Girardi managed just fine in 2008. The Rays just happened to play better that year.
Honestly, if that really your interpretation of my argument?
repost:
Watched the archived game last night (hoping to hear Flash talk about ?X being proud of his fastball?). I watched only Phil?s half innings, but fell asleep before the 5th.
I?m going to check out the site that Guru recommended. I?ll say a couple of things, though. There have been and will continue to be very few things that are perfect. As long as the team wins, I can?t be concerned about little things like Gardner not stealing earlier in the game. You think he didn?t want to? The pitchers know he?s going to go, so they try to throw him off rhythm by looking over, stepping off, or (shock!) throwing over to 1B. so, it?s good that the writers & bloggers (amateur & paid) put for their opinion, but that?s all it is, their opinion. The most important thing is the W-L record.
Also, I don?t know what Cashman?s credentials have to do with anything. He?s got the one that counts, the title of GM. He earned his stripes working his way up for years. And it?s not like he?s never picked up a bat & glove. As far as I?m concerned, Cashman and Girardi have both bought themself a lot of equity with the fans?and the writers/bloggers.
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I read that Phil’s parents almost never came to the game. He said it’s quite a drive, but he was really happy he could give them a good show.
As for GGBG, with an outfield this big I’d like to see him in the lineup. But I wouldn’t bank on it. Just when you think you’ve got Girardi figured, you don’t. He’s one competitive guy, that Girardi.
Seems like Gardner’s stock has risen early in the season. Girardi & Posada gushed about his hit in the 9th last night for the insurance run, and his performance has obviously been there. Makes sense he would have him in the lineup again today, Braden is not an overpowering lefty by any means.
“Second of all, I think Girardi managed just fine in 2008. The Rays just happened to play better that year.”
The Po, Matsui, and Wang injuries were killers.
Doreen, Phil was hyped up to be this great young pitcher. He comes up, nearly throws a no-hitter, suffers two serious injuries and struggles in August of that year. Kay said at the time (August) that he saw nothing special in Phil (nevermind that he was still basically rehabbing from those injuries) and, since then, the only image of Phil he has in his mind has been one of a pitcher with mediocre velocity and control. IMO, Phil disappointed him in 2007 and Kay has never “forgiven” him for that.
tex’s friend -
I don’t think Gardner is going to be in the lineup today, no matter what Girardi says he “may” do.
Adding on to what I said, of course there are things to be concerned about. Let’s just thank our lucky stars that people are talking about GGBG not stealing instead of an 0-9 CS!
I inadvertently injected a superfluous apostrophe in my last post in the previous thread.
I regret the error.
Phil’s pholks drove 7 hours to see him – now that’s parental love, lol. I loved seeing Phil tip his cap to them – sweet moment – and seeing him greeted in the dugout. My favorite image of Phil from last night is seeing him on the dugout bench, smiling and looking awfully proud of himself.
Nick,
I will forgive you because I know you are still giddy from Young Master Phillip’s performance. How was that shake you had in his honor ?
“Phil’s pholks drove 7 hours to see him – now that’s parental love”
I’m not a sentimental person, just the opposite, but their reactions were priceless.
Jesus….was that a screwed up cut and paste. Sorry about that. Disregard that and try the next one.
Bronx Born April 22nd, 2010 at 10:57 am
Howdy GB I see you are taking on the intellectuals around here for a change.
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Morning, Bronx. How’s the book coming along? Hope all is well for you.
Yeah, I woke up cranky (there’s a real shock) and decided to see what silliness was being spewed. I’m never disappointed.
That was as dominant a 7+ inning game as you’re likely to see from anybody last night. I don’t care if it was Oakland or not. Hughes is one of the few yankee pitchers that has been able to control suzuki in 3 years, and, in a close game, that says something. He was trying to get hitters out and match a fine pitcher like sheets. I’d say it was a complete success.
Anyone knows what Colin Curtis is doing at AAA?He had a good spring and I’m curious if he’s keeping this up?
Hughes’ mom’s facial expressions during the 8th inning were pretty hilarious. Also love the fact that his dad jumped into the “Huuuuughes” chant as he was walking off the mound. Not often you get to chant your own last name, but then again, it’s not often your son almost throws a no-hitter in the majors and you’re sitting front row.
Erin April 22nd, 2010 at 10:59 am
GreenBeret7 April 22nd, 2010 at 10:51 am
I don?t see Johnson DHing today
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Sure, now you tell me GB. Can I blame you if I lose??
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sure you can Erin. For some more cookies.
Betsy, the shake was great and I broke down and got a burger too. Just a single, no phries.
For the record, the amount of food consumed at In-N-Out after Phil’s wins will not reflect his particular performance level; the tribute is in being there. It was really meant to be a one-time thing for Phil’s phirst win… Pat M has it in for my arteries…
The following people have submitted lineups for today’s GTLU:
Erin
upstate kate
Erica
Patrick
teddy gbu
NYYROC
Phil Columbus
NYY626
RayVT
Fran (the original)
tex’s friend
Dave F
SportsGeek
MTU
Mike_Boston
If you submitted a lineup and don’t see your name listed, please let me know.
Sam/Chad/Jeff, can you guys delete those fouled up cit and pastes, please? They’ll just be in the way and slow responses. thanks
Nick,
Do you cook at all?
GB- Hughes was the man and it does not matter how you take it apart. He dominated and he won and we should be happy.
Book is coming along – proofing is a chore, not as much fun as the writing but should be done today. Did you get the cover shot I sent you?
GreenBeret7 April 22nd, 2010 at 11:14 am
sure you can Erin. For some more cookies.
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It’s a deal. I’ll whip up another batch and send them right over. If they don’t arrive by this afternoon, Cookie Monster probably intercepted them somewhere along the way.
yeah in 2008 the yankees actually had the 4th best record from what i remember. 89 wins is a good year with two pitchers and missing two middle lineup hitters in Po and Sui.
I think he did just fine and Tampa just had a great year.
Roger, both Curtis and Russo are off to really slow starts. here’s Curtis’ numbers as of last night. He has done better in his last few games, though.
http://www.baseball-reference......rtis001col
m, not if I can help it.
“Seems like Gardner’s stock has risen early in the season. ”
Somewhere, writing on a wall is being edited.
i saw that ball hit hughes last night and all i could think of was, crap hurt again in a near perfectly pitched game. glad it turned out ok for Phil because he is looking damn good so far.
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/.....4k312gF8XI
Phil v. Pelfrey? I don’t think that should even be a question, never mind an interesting one. I wonder how Pelfrey would do in the AL East (and I’m one who was showering him with praise a day or so ago.
If Phil is already a #2 or #3 (WAY too early to say that), then the Yankees should win more than 95 games. Not only that, but that would just mean Phil has made incredible progress.
NYPost_Kernan NFL DRAFT BREAK: A scout tells me the biggest difference in #Yankees CC Sabathia this season is he is selling changeup with more force.
Rich, it was a really nice moment for them. Despite the fact that Mr. Hughes grew up a Sox fan, he seems like a nice guy, lol.
Roger and GB – although Donnie Collins, who took over from Chad, has raved about Curtis’ defense. I believe his quote from a day or two ago was “the guy who is much better defensively than I previously thought and can play all the outfield spots really well.” Curtis apparently has made some outstanding defensive plays already this year.
Yankees would have qualified for the wildcard in 2008 with 89 wins had the Rays not broken through that year.
To suggest because Joe Girardi could only manage the 2008 team to 89 wins means he made bad decisions and therefore needed to be fired is a complete misunderstanding of the points being made earlier.
The other outfielder playing well right now is Golson.
Can anyone tell me if he is a legit prospect?
Yes I did, Bronx. Great photo cover. Those eyes remind my of the old prints of the little kids with those huge, sad brown eyes. Can’t remember who did those but, every picture was the same eyes.
Nick,
lol. I’m going to assume that you don’t have kids. Otherwise, they’d starve.
stuckey,
I (try to) believe in all the Yankees, but I’m drawn to the underdogs. Phil & GGBG fall into that category. I’m glad that Phil & GGBG have gotten off to good starts. I’ll just enjoy that for now. Phil’s not going to sport a sub 2.00 ERA, and GGBG might not be an everyday outfielder. That’s okay! But being in their corner from the get-go makes times like this extra enjoyable. I just hope that more people give players a chance before judging them.
Margaret Keene. Creepy eyes.
Nick, I can’t blame you for breaking down; those burgers are supposed to Phil-nomenal. I understand and will not hold your consumption level against you; last night, after downing so many dogs, I understand that you had had your phil of phood.
M, who knows? Phil may sport an under 1 ERA, lol. Really, whatever ERA he ends up with this year isn’t as important as the potential he’s showing. The Yankees don’t even think he’s fully developed yet……
Are there Phive Guys in Cali? If so those burgers would be Phitting of Phil’s performance last night.
Betsy,
lol. Lessons learned. Phil will learn not to leave inherited runners.
Five Iron, Curtis’ problem were never his defense or base running…just the bat. His 2006 and first half 2007 were fine, but, as he earned promotions, it never got better, just worse. he was outstanding in the AFL and ST, so, I thought he was on his way, but, he’s shown nothing as far as driving the ball, yet. Maybe it picks up. Golson has really stepped up, though, as has Winfree, though I’m a little disappointed in /winfree’s defense. I was expecting better.
“Stuckey, let’s just leave as I don’t agree with you and you don’t agree with me,”
No thank you.
“if you feel Girardi pushed Hughes in his first start to “send a message” That is ridiculous.”
The point is, however, what *I* feel is irrelevant. What is likely objectively ridiculous, however, is the notion that this one inning will somehow wind up a tipping point in the 2010 season of Phil Hughes, and I believe you’re bowing out the discussion only to hit-and-run with that last weak rebuttal leads me to conclude you realize this as well.
I propose we write the “ph” sound every 5th day. On Hughes Day. Kind of like ‘talk like a pirate’ day.
Underdog Phil? The first rounder phenom? That Phil?
Gardner, sure.
Yes, thank you, Mel. Never thought they were creepy. Just sad. Like war orphens.
***orphans***
Thanks GB. I thought the designer really captured what I was saying in words with that photo. Did you mean Keane?
http://www.margaretkeane.com/
M, he should be ashamed of himself. First he messes up by not being able to find the ball, then he walks Gross. He will never phulphill his potential at this rate.
Blake, I love Phive Guys (M, I agree, lol). After his last start, I went the next day to Phive. I may not be able to go until the weekend, but I think Phil would understand.
phil is not an underdog… he was one of the highest rated prospects in baseball only a few years ago, and now he’s becoming… exactly what he was supposed to be.
“Phil’s not going to sport a sub 2.00 ERA, and GGBG might not be an everyday outfielder. That’s okay! But being in their corner from the get-go makes times like this extra enjoyable. I just hope that more people give players a chance before judging them.”
Agreed. I’ve somehow been pinned as drinking the GGBG koolaid, but in fact, I do not. As I’ve said previously, I wouldn’t be enormously surprised if he begins the 2012 season as the firstbase/baserunning coach for the Staten Island Yankees.
But I believe in history, trends and patterns, and his trending history has a pattern of defying odds and learning enough to hang at the next level.
One can make the argument Gardner doesn’t have the tools and AAA was his ceiling (and they might be right). I’m merely allowing for the possibility that he’ll develop them, as he’s done time and time again.
Doesn’t make me right, I think it just makes me a little less arbitrary.
Betsy,
There is a phive guys in the same building as my office…I have to limit my visits or I’d eat there every day.
I agree with you Stuckey, Gardner has shown the ability to rise to the occasion and defeat the odds against him. You have to give him props for persistence at the very least.
Stuckey hearts Gardner….blake is starting to.
Nick,
We could count on 1 hand the people on this blog that truly believed that Phil was still the pitcher he is.
He’s had to overcome a lot. Injuries, inconsistency, and being leapfrogged on the depth chart.
Like I said, there was a lot of lingering doubts about Phil (and about the Yankees, some writers have been quite pointed in their criticism of the Yankees’ ability to develop pitchers).
So, in my mind, yes, he was a bit of an underdog. Some more performances like last night, we can start to dub him something else. But that’s a little premature.
I’m more than pleased with Hughes progress….less base runners than innings, no homers allowed in the two starts. It’s not all going to be tea and roses, but, he has made great strides in correcting his issues. He learned how to be a “pitcher” in the pen. I’d say that that Rivera guy is a pretty smart character. It will be more proof of his Svengali like control if he can straighten out Chamberlain. That’s why I hope he’s still around when the next wave of young arms come to NY and work their first year in the pen.
Greg Golson appears to be the 1st OF called up if needed but first Girardi has to figure out what to do with Thames and Winn.
GB7,
lol. Those pictures can creep out a little kid growing up.
GB – thanks.
Although from what I read it seems the next big thing Yankee outfielder (from their system and not a trade) is probably Almonte or Heathcott. Almonte has played really well so far. Heatchott would be nice to see at Charleston in a month or so.
GB7— I won’t double post.. but, please see my post near the end of the previous thread…
blake April 22nd, 2010 at 11:39 am
Betsy,
There is a phive guys in the same building as my office?I have to limit my visits or I?d eat there every day.
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I went past one of those yesterday and I was driving home last night. Its a burger joint right?? On a scale of 1-10 how good is it???
How did the east coasters get through the game last night? Since Hughes was flirting with a no hitter, I hope most of you did not mind staying awake past midnight.
Hughes looked great. I didn’t realize he had a no-no going until the 7th. Weird huh?
Losing a no-hitter is never easy to take, but the hit last night could easily have been an out.
Oh well, nothing can be done to change that.
Was great to see Hughes pitch so well. The number of swings and misses on his fastball last night surprised me.
I really thought after last night’s Yankee win, and after Phil’s great outing that there would be a sense of unity bliss here today at The LoHud……..Wrong…….I should have known better ( hey that’s a Beatle song )……..GB doing his General Patton impersonation which keeps most in line and sets the stage for the day…..Or at least I can only hope……..Betsy, it’s nice to see many here giving you your props as there well deserved……..Also, I can only say that you were remarkably in control of your emotions during the game last night, well done…..
Warning Track Power April 22nd, 2010 at 11:45 am
How did the east coasters get through the game last night? Since Hughes was flirting with a no hitter, I hope most of you did not mind staying awake past midnight.
Hughes looked great. I didn?t realize he had a no-no going until the 7th. Weird huh?
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The game was so exciting I didn’t even feel tired last night. Going to sleep was not an option
Am with you Pat, it was a beautiful win.
Props to Girardi and Cashman for their judgements in establishing Phil as the #5 starter and Joba as a set up man and sometime closer. The plan is working.
Have to like the way Gardner has learned how to punch the ball to left field. Without power it’s to his advantage to use that method as a way to get on base.
Blake, that’s hard – phive is really good and their phries are phenomenal. I’m sort of in the mood to go there for lunch now, lol.
M, I’m going to post the link here to an article on Phil/Joba that was posted a week or so ago. Given your comments about Phil’s ups and downs, I think it’s only appropriate.
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/0.....sing-joba/
Remember when Phil Hughes was the Yankees’ number one prospect? Somewhere along the line, after Hughes’ experienced some injury problems, Joba Chamberlain became the center of attention. It was easy to forget back then that Chamberlain was once considered a far less safe commodity than Hughes, with scouts having real concerns about his conditioning, long-term health, and ability to maintain his stuff.
Hughes, on the other hand, was known as the complete package. As time went on, however, it was Chamberlain who received the hype and praise while Hughes was pushed to the back burner. Now, almost three years after each player debuted in the major leagues, the projections scouts made seem to be coming to pass. Thursday, a night which Phil Hughes showed front-of-the-rotation type stuff, was just a small example of that.
*** I won’t soon forget Phil’s comments about how he sometimes had sleepless nights in 2008, wondering what the heck was going on and thinking he had to pitch hurt to show that he wasn’t making excuses.
I just saw Kim’s interview with the Hughes’. What really sweet people. Nice interview.
Warning Track: 4 hours of sleep and I’m wide awake!!! Great game by Hughes and a Yankee win will do that for you!
Pat M. April 22nd, 2010 at 11:47 am
??.I should have known better ( hey that?s a Beatle song )
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I doubt anybody besides me will find this cool, but that song was just on my ipod a few minutes ago.
In the real world beyond this blog I don’t think Phil qualifies for underdog status but I guess that’s the semantic privilege of a loving mother.
And the ‘count on 1 hand’ thing is a little bogus.
I’ve always believed Phil was going to be a great pitcher but there’s no need to build up a false mythology about him, like saying he’s always pitched great when healthy. The real Phil will be awesome enough, hopefully.
Gardner’s ceiling potential is that of Juan Pierre/Brett Butler, and if he reaches that level, he’ll be plenty valuable to the Yankees, whether as a left fielder or center fielder. It’s up to him to realize that he’s a slash and dash player and not a thumper.
Beautiful win is right!
Perfect!
From the pitching performance to the RISP hitting by Cano, to the speed for consecutive triples, and to what nobody is mentioning, a key insurance hit by Gardner in which he, like a hitter who understands his role, slapped hit to left beautifully.
Victor the Predictor April 22nd, 2010 at 11:43 am
Greg Golson appears to be the 1st OF called up if needed but first Girardi has to figure out what to do with Thames and Winn.
Thames is doing okay! He never owned a glove. Winn hasn’t shown much and appears to be about done with opportunities.
Gardner has played much better than I’ve expected, so that is good. I’m not a believer still. LOL!
Pat M, I was trying to emulate Phil, lol. He was under control, so I had no business not being that way.
It ‘s really just one poster trying to throw cold water on last night- well, it’s not working, lol. No one is saying he’s going to win the Cy Young this year, but if you can’t get gushy about seeing a young pitcher developing right before your eyes and showing that he has dominating stuff, then why even watch the sport? This is what it’s all about……and Phil is also a very good kid who is easy to root for.
I really like Gardners approach at the plate this year. He’s going the other way a lot and hitting the ball on the ground, exactly what he should be doing.
Erin April 22nd, 2010 at 11:49 am
Pat M. April 22nd, 2010 at 11:47 am
??.I should have known better ( hey that?s a Beatle song )
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I doubt anybody besides me will find this cool, but that song was just on my ipod a few minutes ago.
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I am amused by it. I’ll be sure to let you know if/when it comes on mine!
Nick, I agree about the false mythology, but I also think it’s important for people to stop looking at that 5.22 ERA he had as a starter coming in. Phil has had several dominating starts in his career and 2008, IMO, is a complete throwout due to the rib problem. I think last year as a starter he was fine – a few great games, some good ones, one real stinker and some ok ones. In other words, Phil was a normal 22 year old pitcher (normal that is for an extremely talented 22 year old).
Erica, the burgers are very good; they aren’t really thick, but they’re good. The phries are phantastic.
“Phil is also a very good kid who is easy to root for.”
And Joba is not?
Kidding.
The start Buchholz gets tonight will be telling. He has to have a good quality start or fall below Phil for those using comparisons of the two and it diminishes his value as part of a trading chip for Boston to get another bat in the middle of their lineup.
Betsy,
I can see why people want to temper expectations. There are the Three Amigo t-shirts being worn in third world countries.
But did you see Sweeney’s twitter from last night?
Out of Hughes’ 30 ML starts, he’s given up 4 hits or less in at least 6 innings in 10 of those starts.
I’d like to see GGBG drive the ball into the gaps and down the line once in a while to take advantage of his speed. But he certainly has learned to cut down on his Ks and put the ball in play. He’s doing a good job for the team.
Off topic:
I am gonna be gone to a remote part of the G-DZone for several days (not that anyone cares) but I will unable to see any games, or to post (hooray). If you all are lucky I won’t return.
But I’m confident that the Yankee steamroller is gonna keep Phlattening out the competition.
Signed,
Temporarily unavailable MTU.
I’ll be taking lineups for GTLU until 12:30.
There have been no new submissions since my last update.
Betsy – Hughes rules (Pleading the Fifth) April 22nd, 2010 at 11:54 am
Erica, the burgers are very good; they aren?t really thick, but they?re good. The phries are phantastic.
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This good to know. I drove by one in Merrick last night I never noticed before and I have been racking my brain trying to figure out who is always raving about them
I’ll be very disappointed if Texas doesn’t take 1 game. The Sox have played as badly as they could 7 ER from the starters 2 games in a row (but they couldn’t knock out the starter) and they lose both in extra innings. That’s just wrong, dawg.
thames has done what he was asked to do. Winn is the back up fielder and baserunner. Since he looks overmatched on FBs, this will likely be his role as long as our OFs are not hurt.
Sabathia (2-0, 2.84 ERA) entered this year with a 12-12 record and 4.51 ERA in 37 April starts over nine seasons. He endured a sluggish opening month last year – his first with the Yankees (11-3) – going 1-2 with a 4.73 ERA
Yanks: http://rotoinfo.stats.com/mlb/.....t=teamhome
Underdog?
He was Born on third and fans think he hit a tripple?
Take care MTU wherever that is you are going.
im surprised sox didnt skip buchholz and hold him for the orioles series, since more than half his wins are against the orioles.
m
There’s a movie of Keane’s life being made and the October good luck charm is playing her.
I am so over-caffeinated this morning that I can feel my heart beating in my ears. Is that a bad thing?
Phil was phantastic last night.
Winning has kept this team as loose as they were playing last year. I caught bits and pieces of the rebroadcast this morning and noticed more of the dugout stuff going on this time instead of being just focused on the game like last night.
Thanks Bronx.
I hate to gush over Phil’s brief career as a SP, but it’s obvious he is a stud in the making, while it’s also just as obvious that Clay Clubine Buchholz is a traveshamockery.
With Granderson on 3rd base and Gardner on 2nd base with Jeter at bat means just one of Jeter’s normal inside/out hits through the right side to the outfield is a guaranteed 2 runs.
pat,
lol. I’m getting slow. Took me a split-second, but are we talking Goldie’s little girl?
As for the team, it’s like “when is the bottom going to fall out?” I hope it doesn’t. Wins lead to chemistry, but I guess purging some of the players who did a lot of talking behind the back did wonders for the clubhouse. Of course, not discounting the contributions of CC, AJ, Tex, and Swishy-fishy.
But, this year’s starts makes you look back and remember the horrible April we had last season. And it makes me appreciate this hot start even more.
I’m the kind of guy that just enjoys the game of baseball. I tend not to put ballplayers on pedestals or have them as role models or idols. I just like the game and like to see good baseball being played. It cuts down on disappointments to a degree (although I hate losing). I just like to watch the game being played and playing it when I have had the opportunity. I probably enjoy great defense over great offense but love small ball to a great degree. Simultaneously, I love home runs, especially in clutch situations. I suppose this flies in the face of my love bunts and base running but who cares I love the game.
m posted an outstanding stat last night…In 1/3 of Phil’s satrts that went 6 innings or more, he’s surrendered 4 hits or less in those outings…….Think about that ….
have a great time MTU
I am heading into enemy territory this weekend, going to see my 2 red sox lovin’ sisters in MA, along with my Ray’s fan Mom…how many WS Tshirts/sweatshirts do I need to bring?
my favorite non-Phil moment last night was Robbie w/ his tounge hanging out after that triple.
are people here complaining? c’mon, take it easy. 1 game at a time people.
Hughes pitched great.
Two consecutive triples.
Gardner with a clutch hit for an insurance run.
Joba in the 8th, Mo in the 9th
Remember the last time Phil pitched like this? A Zeus-like showing indeed!
Unfortunately he flew too close to the Texas sun and began to melt then some one shot an arrow into his Achillies hamstring. Ouch!
But lucky for us he kept pushing that rock to get back to the top of the hill.
Bronx Born April 22nd, 2010 at 12:04 pm
I?m the kind of guy that just enjoys the game of baseball. I tend not to put ballplayers on pedestals or have them as role models or idols. I just like the game and like to see good baseball being played. It cuts down on disappointments to a degree (although I hate losing). I just like to watch the game being played and playing it when I have had the opportunity. I probably enjoy great defense over great offense but love small ball to a great degree. Simultaneously, I love home runs, especially in clutch situations. I suppose this flies in the face of my love bunts and base running but who cares I love the game.
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Do you have some numbers to back this up?
“my favorite non-Phil moment last night was Robbie w/ his tounge hanging out after that triple.”
kate
I loved it too! That’s why Robi’s hotness factor is through the roof!! :lol
Have a great time!
“Stuckey hearts Gardner….blake is starting to.”
lol… honestly, I don’t even like him that much. I do, however, have an admitted character flaw in which I enjoy seeing people who rather enjoy reveling in his shortcomings get taken to school.
I don’t mind that people don’t think much of Garnder, I think find it unseemly how absolutely certain some people are, and how much some of them seem to enjoy it.
Phenom’s phans phired up
Silver Spoon to Underdog
mixed mythologies
M, you mean out of 30 starts, Phil has gone at least 6 innings 10 times and give up 4 hits or less? That tells you that he’s got very good stuff, but we could see that even in games last year where he wasn’t great.
Erica,
Their burgers are about an 8 but the fries are an absolute 10.
I’m not concerned about Winn. He’s had 10 at bats in 3 weeks. Pretty difficult to hit like that after spending your career as a regular. Mantle, Posada and Bernie Williams were not good pinch hitters. Posada’s also not a very good DH. Winn is a good pinch hitter, but, that was mostly because he had consistant playing time. He’ll come around and he’s still the 2nd best defensive outfielder on the team.
Nick – the bard of this blog, lol.
blake April 22nd, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Erica,
Their burgers are about an 8 but the fries are an absolute 10.
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This is very good to know
upstate kate April 22nd, 2010 at 12:07 pm
my favorite non-Phil moment last night was Robbie w/ his tounge hanging out after that triple.
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Mine too!!
I still don’t think its likely that Gardner will be a longterm solution in the Yankee outfield but do I think he can help the 2010 win and play a big role this year…yes I do.
Jeter SS
Johnson DH
Teix 1B
ARod 3B
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Grandy CF
Cervelli C
Gardner LF
Well Maine statistically speaking I have been a Yankee fan all my life. I was born in the shadow of Yankee Stadium and according to my doctor I have pinstripes in my blood. I am still waiting to hear about my UZR as a fan.
Jeter SS
Swish RF
Teix 1B
ARod 3B
Cano 2B
Grandy CF
Thames DH
Cervelli C
Gardner LF
I don’t know why people are so pessimistic about Gardner. Even when he’s playing well, people say “they’re not sold on him yet.”
It’s like he can’t ever win in their eyes.
Folks, you’re not even seeing the best Gardner yet.
Dude also hit line drives into gaps and in front of outfielders that if they misplay and lets the ball get by them, singles turn into triples and inside the park homers, very easily.
If Girardi and the Yankees let him play regularyly, the dude can get 80+ or even 100 SB’s very easily.
When was the last time any Yankees did or can even do that?
Gardner is a essential part of this team. Can you imagine him being out and they have to play Thames and Winn regularly. They would be an inferior team.
Guru Man …. Thanks for your comment on that other thread. Chuckles a little- there may be some truth to what you say… He hasn’t seen fit to reply to my request for an apology yet…
FYI- I have enjoyed reading your comments… and have started looking for them…
Jeter-SS
Johnson-DH
Tex-1B
ARod-3B
Cano-2B
Swisher-RF
Thames-LF
Granderson-CF
Cervelli-C
m
Yes, her and Thomas Haden Church starring.
I give Girardi and his coaches alot of credit for the attitude adjustment. They set the tone and the players embraced it.
Less Verducci in the clubhouse probably helped too.
“No, I do not feel one inning will tip any scales,”
Then why was it a mistake?
Thanks for the heads up on the Keane movie Pat.
Bronx Born April 22nd, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Well Maine statistically speaking I have been a Yankee fan all my life. I was born in the shadow of Yankee Stadium and according to my doctor I have pinstripes in my blood. I am still waiting to hear about my UZR as a fan.
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I’m convinced.
pat April 22nd, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Yes, her and Thomas Haden Church starring.
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That should be a pretty good movie.
Hey Maine, GB,
Maybe we should be independently rated as fans!
GB you could just out trump us all with the highest UZR fan rating on the blog what with your knowledge of baseball lore, the minor leagues, etc.
GreenBeret7 April 22nd, 2010 at 12:17 pm
That’s good to hear about Winn. I just thought with all the candidates in AAA, that Winn might be moved. He needs some playing time, but others have had hot hands.
Before the season started I thought the key number for the yankees was going to be 32 – 33
I was hoping that the starting rotation could give the yanks on average at least 32 (hopefully 33) innings each turn through the rotation. That’s 71 – 73% of the total innings through a 5 game turn (assuming no extra innings). That would mean the pen would only have to make up 11- 12 innings each turn or around 27-29% of the teams innings.
Bull pens can usually tolerate workloads of around 33-34% of the teams total innings. Once you get over that they tend to start to break down unless you can refresh the pen with new arms e.g. from the minors.
Now over the past few seasons the yankees pen has gone way over 33-34% of total innings.
If I remember correctly in 2008 the yankees pen threw around 39% of all innings. That’s an enormous work load – it was highest in baseball. Last year the yankees pen threw 36% of total innings. Still a huge workload.
Now the only reason the yankees pen didn’t collapse the past two years (especially year 2 coming off that large workload) is due to the yankees depth. In effect, they handled the workload by calling new arms up from the minors. Both season they wound up reinventing the pens on the fly due to ineffectiveness but that gave them new arms to support the load.
This last time through the rotation this season, the yankees staff threw 34 innings. And that includes the rain shortened game CC went all 6 innings. So the yankees rotation gave them 34 out of 42 innings which is 81% of the total innings.
That is just phenomenal. 81%. Forget 27% of all innings. Last time through the pen only had to throw 19% of all the yankees innings. That’s almost half as much as they would throw on an average turn through the rotation in 2008!
Now of course this is only one turn through and there was that rain shortened game. But this time through the rotation is the first time where all of the pitchers made at least one prior start. It’s also the first time through where you felt Javy was settling in some.
This is poised to be a fantastic staff that is hopefully going to give the pen very little to do.
And if Hughes throws even close to what he did last night it’s going to become a circular pitching staff where every member is really a 1 or a 2.
I have to agree. The less time our players have to spend around Red Sox smoochie Verducci is all the better for them.
I am sure that SJ, Pat M, Doreen, Erica, Erin, Trish, Stuckey, Bodhi, Betsy and several others would have high Fan UZR ratings as well. You could even ignore posters with low UZR if you so desired.
GB’s UZR rating is thru the roof, but his WAR rating is even higher! LOL!
Bronx Born April 22nd, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Several of the REI websites I use have ratings to help see how the skills of the poster relates.
But I think CB would have the highest of em all!
Fan UZR rating would have to be determined how much each Yankees loss (game or season) affects the individual’s everyday life and how each Yankees win (game or season) affects the individual’s everyday life.
GTLU is now closed. The following people have submitted lineups:
Erin
upstate kate
Erica
Patrick
teddy gbu
NYYROC
Phil Columbus
NYY626
RayVT
Fran (the original)
tex’s friend
Dave F
SportsGeek
MTU
Mike_Boston
David in Cal
antisocial scrooge
Warning Track Power
If you submitted a lineup, but don’t see your name, let me know.
Lineup is up.
CB April 22nd, 2010 at 12:30 pm
That’s great info CB. I always thought the Yankee BP pitched too much in recent years and especially in the March/April time frames. This year the SP has been great. Thanks for the insight!
IF Phil can do what he did last night even some of the time and just be mostly solid the other times, the staff could be fantastic. LOL I think the pen has been somewhat rusty from disuse (which is a good thing, don’t get me wrong) lately. That is an amazing stat, CB – the SP threw 34/42 of the innings? That’s going to be nearly impossible to keep up as clearly pitchers will go into slumps (hopefully not at the same time, lol); also, Phil has the innings limits on him and while they will not be severe, there are going to be times when he’s removed from the game prematurely.
Great idea CR
Good Points RayVT
Bronx Born April 22nd, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Hey Maine, GB,
Maybe we should be independently rated as fans!
GB you could just out trump us all with the highest UZR fan rating on the blog what with your knowledge of baseball lore, the minor leagues, etc.
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I’m afraid that you might have an internet fistfight trying to convince a few of the “more intelligent” posters of my all-star qualifications, Bronx. What I really do enjy is the history of baseball on general and the yankees in particular. I had the good luck to grow up in the “Golden Age Of Baseball” and in an area surrounded by the White soxm Cubs, Tigers and Indians and a grandfather that loved baseball and played in the semi-pro leagues of southern Indiana.
He played with and against Tommy John’s father and an Indians/St. Louis Browns middle infielder named Johnny Berardino, who had a fair career, but, retired because of a leg injury, and went into acting. He was in a couple of The Adventures Of superman shows with George Reeves and a few weekly shows. His biggest was on “General Hospital as “Dr Steve Hardy”. anyway, that’s how I got my love for baseball and history. Still, there’s a few that would probably wish that I’d just go away. I’m like an old sneaker smell, though….I ain’t never disappearing.
Ahhh GB we grew up at the same time, we love the game for the game. I don’t care what anyone says – you are a good guys. I would want you at my back.
Betsy, Joba became the #1 prospect over Hughes when he was throwing 98 consistently with a devastating slider. Every since his injury he hasn’t hit 97 once and usually is around 93-94. I would love to see him consistently be at 95+ and hopefully he can get there.
I also am not so sure about this Hughes in the pen helped him start better deal. When he was in the pen he only threw fastballs and curve balls and I think learning the cutter has been the difference maker. I also believe having a change to throw when needed will be helpful. he is just maturing and possibly dealing with late inning pressure helped, but it is hard to say for sure.
Stuckey, I have to admit I am with you on Gardner…maybe we just butted heads over the other issue.
GB7, I would worry about Winn, he didn’t hit last year and I am not sure how he is a better defender than Gardner or Granderson (you say he is the 2nd best). I think Winn will be released for Golson or someone else later this year. i didn’t understand the signing at the time and while it is early I don;t like it now