Postgame notes: The embarrassment of Javier Vazquez
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Apr 25, 2010 
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Hard to imagine anyone being more disappointed in Javier Vazquez’s first four starts than the guy who had to answer questions about them this afternoon.
“I’m not doing a good job out there,” Vazquez said. “And it’s kind of embarrassing the way I’m throwing the ball.”
Vazquez was fine through the first three innings this afternoon. He wasn’t great, but he did enough. Bobby Abreu has owned Vazquez in his career, so the third-inning homer was hardly a surprise, but Vazquez otherwise struck out the side that inning. Then came the ugly fourth inning when he hit a batter, walked a batter, allowed two singles and gave up a two-run double.
“At times he gets under the ball, and that’s something that we’re working on correcting,” manager Joe Girardi said. “When he’s on top he’s very good. To me it’s more mechanical than anything.”
Girardi said he doesn’t believe it’s a mental issue with Vazquez. He sees Vazquez lowering his arm angle — not staying up top — and that’s causing a lack of control and velocity on his fastball.
“I’m not locating at all,” Vazquez said. “That’s been my most important pitch my whole career.”
Here’s Vazquez talking about today’s start and his rough first four starts this season.
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• Robinson Cano has five home runs this season. Three of them have come off Scott Kazmir, who he’s faced six times.
• Speaking of Cano and Kazmir, Girardi said he didn’t think the second hitting HBP was intentional. “I don’t necessarily think he was trying to hit him,” Girardi said. “He might have been trying to make him uncomfortable.”
• After a double and a walk this afternoon, Marcus Thames is hitting an even .500 with an .857 slugging percentage.
• And speaking of Thames, both Girardi and Vazquez indicated that the ball to left field — the Brandon Wood two-run double — was harder to catch than it might have seemed. It had some top spin on it, which made it drop quickly. Frankly, if he’s going to keep hitting .500, it’s probably worth the occasional defensive downgrade.
• Kendry Morales was 1-for-3 in his career against Damaso Marte. Juan Rivera was 1-for-1 in his career against Dave Robertson.
• Tomorrow’s White House visit includes only the guys who were with the team last season. The new guys won’t go. That’s Curtis Granderson, Marcus Thames, Nick Johnson, Javier Vazquez, Boone Logan and Randy Winn. Granderson said he’ll be doing regular “off day stuff,” including seeing some family in the Baltimore area.
• This was Francisco Cervelli’s first start without a hit.
• Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager Dave Miley presented Cody Ransom with his World Series ring.
• Prospect Christian Garcia had a second Tommy John surgery.
Associated Press photos.
It seems so easy to fix mechanics, but it never proves to be that way. We’re going to need Javy, so I hope he is healthy and that he corrects the problems.
2nd TJ surgery for Garcia? That’s too bad, but obviously not unexpected.
Betsy
I know that’s why you get shivers. And thats why I wont voluntarily read something like that.
Just the other day, I came across an article about a puppy, Mila, in I think Serbia, who had her 4 paws hack sawed off my some effing sicko. IT RUINED MY WHOLE DAY. I literally got sick and lost my appetite for the day.
And the only positive part about the story, is that the dog has a strong fighting will, and refuses to give up. If that dog were here in FL, I’d adopt her as quick as possible, and show her the best happiness she could have with no paws.
Jeremy
I know you’re a big Yankees fan….
But the media can deny that Ortiz and Pedro and Schilling and Manny used with the Red Sox, I can deny that the other 3 used with us
But, to use facts to support my case, Clemens had his worst years with the Yankees. Even his Yankees Cy Young year was not anything like a typical Clemens dominating year.
CR9,
Dude just because a story ruined your day does not mean you have to ruin ours!
LGY
Misery loves company!
That’s why Red Sox fans troll here!
That’s it, Kitty Genovese. Let me tell you if I was at either place I would have ended up dead. I have a tendency to jump into situations when I see bad things happening. I was driving and saw two guys hitting each other and actually stopped the car and tried to get in the middle of them to stop them. Very stupid. The worst is when I see people beating on little kids and the little kids crying. It is absolutely none of my business but there’s something that takes over and I have to make it my business. Some day I am going to get slugged. One situation I will never forget happened a long time ago. I was on my lunch hour and was walking through the city and saw an old man lying on the ground. I didn’t know if he was dead or if he had a problem. So I stopped and tried shaking his shoulder. It turns out he was drunk, but I tried to help him up anyway and he started crying and wiped his tears on my hair and thanked me for helping him and said he had been lying there for a long time but nobody would help him up. I never forgot that day and also never forgot how important it is to look out for other people.
More vazquez excuses. He’s just not a NY player
Cool fact about Cervelli being able to go that long before having a hitless start.
Side note: I know JMK and there is no way the person on here is really JMK. His comments are never anything like that.
“It turns out he was drunk, but I tried to help him up anyway and he started crying and wiped his tears on my hair and thanked me for helping him and said he had been lying there for a long time but nobody would help him up. I never forgot that day and also never forgot how important it is to look out for other people.”
Trisha
And that’s precisely why I wonder why anybody on this blog could have even 1 negative thing to say about you.
However, you ought to be a little bit concerned about your safety. If you’re going to get involved in situations, at least have 911 on the line.
Betsy,
pitching mechanics are like a golf swing. Even world class folders sometimes lose their mechanics.
It’s not as uncommon as you might think.
He just has to keep working on it. It’s the only way to solve the problem.
Pelfrey’s ERA down to 0.72 now
Golfers, not folders. Sorry for the typo.
CR9 – you’re right about 911. Thankfully we have them to call in all threatening situations.
26. We have the honor of rooting for the team that is the most storied franchise in the history of baseball. We should never let our disappointment in any temporary stumble overtake our appreciation of the privilege we?ve been given in being able to root for the New York Yankees.
He’s going to get a nice reception at the stadium. I wonder if Guillen will provide any pre-game motivation for him.
Pat M
Thanks. Watched w/dad today and his description was pushing it. Hoped it was just 1 problem and not 3 different ones!
CR9
Yeah I’m just not going to make any excuses for the Yanks but the media has given the Red Sox a pass. If the same Red Sox players that were using roids were on the Yankees the media would have uncovered the information on them a long time ago.
Ortiz-Arias is the biggest phnoy becuase the guy was a nobody and then he becomes a power hitter out thin air.
its amazing how he didnt have these issues in the NL. He was lights out in the NL
Pelfrey looks like a different pitcher. The guy was a big time headcase and now he is pitching like an ace. Well it seems like the Mets have found their number 2.
Remember, Ortiz had a player rep from MLB on hand at his press conference basically telling the world not to believe the list of 103 and implying that Ortiz was clean.
Where was that for A-Rod?
Selig says A-Rod “shamed the game” yet he congratulated McGuire for coming clean and said he was proud that he came clean!!! WTH????
“Pelfrey looks like a different pitcher. The guy was a big time headcase and now he is pitching like an ace. Well it seems like the Mets have found their number 2.”
Have you been watching? (I don’t mean that rudely) He was great his last two starts, but he’s been terrible this start. We’re not even through five innings and ten men have gotten on base, and he’s thrown 100+ pitches. The Braves’ offense just cannot buy a hit with RISP.
Jeremy – Pelfrey found a split finger fastball. It’s made all the difference for him.
Mets are going to be contenders in the NL
Their bullpen is very good… lots of nice late inning options. Obviously have a goof closer.
Their top 3 is solid… Santana, Pelfrey, Niese.
Their lineup is good, especially once Beltran comes back and Bay starts hitting.
I hate them and hope they collapse, but they are as good as most of the teams in the NL not named Philly and maybe STL. They have a solid team
Hopefully, Javy gets straightened out. If not, I can hear the boos from the Yankee “fans.”
Obama should partake in some batting drills or something…batting cages at the White House?
Alan Selig is a Red Sox crony. He facilitated the deal for John Henry to own the Sox. He actively pursued George Mitchell for his report.
What an unprofessional that Michael Weiner looked like. It looked like he rolled out of bed, unshaven, unkempt, unbuttoned shirt…
And then after the press conference, ESPN went to Eduardo Perez who said “I believe Ortiz” and then ESPN immediately went to a replay of a Home Run Derby…
eerily similar to a Simpsons episode about steroids and dingers, dingers, dingers!
My Washington Nationals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0. And the Dodgers are second in the majors in offense!
Ortiz and Manny did serious juice and the curse would still be alive if they didn’t. Funny how George Mitchell’s report had no Red Sox on it but plenty of Yankees. Mitchell was on the Red Sox board. What a joke. There were plenty of juicers and the Sox had their share. Ortiz is finished, he looks like Giambi did the last few years.
Off Topic:
Upon consulting an Anthropology textbook after today’s game it became clear to me that a new species of Man had invaded the blog.
I looked for a classification.
The name.
“Homo non-Sapiens”.
An offshoot of the Dunderhead branch of the tree of life.
Don’t worry though.
They’ll go extinct shortly. Room temperature IQ’s. They have been known to walk off steep ledges thinking they were on solid ground.
trisha,
The more losses for Torre, the better
correction-Ortiz-Arias is the biggest phony becuase the guy was a nobody and then he became a power hitter out of thin air.
“Ortiz is finished, he looks like Giambi did the last few years.”
Giambi, 2006-2008: .247/.386/.509/.894, 131 OPS+, avg. 37 HR/162 games
That’s seriously better than Ortiz right now.
As long as Torre doesnt get a WS ring without the Yankees, I’ll be okay with him.
However, if it ever came to the Dodgers and Red Sox in the World Series, Im going with Torre 100%!
Mitchell’s sources for his report for NY area dealers (Radomski, Mcnamee, mainly). Mostly Americans on the list. I’d imagine most of the Latin players get their “shakes” down in the DR. Mitchell’s report covered the domestic steroid ring.
I think Mitchell did a very reputable job based on what he had to work with. He was objective and made sure to cross-check his names.
The funny part of that press conference was that it took place at Yankee Stadium, a night after the Sox lost that 14 inning game.
I’m glad Ortiz is finished couldn’t have happened to a better guy. Or more like a fat piece of crap. I never liked Ortiz more so than Manny.
Without Ortiz and his juiced up homeruns the Red Sox still would be looking for another championship.
LOL @ Lemon. Thanks for that! I need a good laugh!
Objective. HAHAHA. He was a director of the Red Sox. You actually believe he did not know that Papi was a juiceball?
While researching for his report, he was seen on numerous occasions on the field at Fenway prior to games, getting autographs from Papi and Manny, among others, for his grandchildren, or great grandchildren.
I feel bad for Tim Wakefield. Like an old horse being put out to pasture.
Jeremy
Exactly. I despise Ortiz more than Manny.
Manny at least had great talent/career prior to juicing. He was always a great hitter.
Arias/Ortiz went from a nothing to a sensation overnight.
Ortiz still said he was going to get to the bottom of the positive test result just like O.J. said he was going to find the killer LMAO !
Jeremy……..I understand that Ortiz was a Yankee main in the behind, however guys in the game all say that Ortiz is a real good guy, and does great work with charities……We shouldn’t be blinded by the uni …….Just one guy’s opinion, which doesn’t mean squat
Manny was the only Red sock I liked
He was hilarious.
I hate Anthony Wiener so much. That was the most disgraceful press conference ever. A Red Sox star gets outed for steroids and MLB feels they need to lash out against the person(s) who had the audacity to out a Red Sox player for steroids. So they decided to say the 103 names were fraudulent.
Yeah good job Anthony Wiener and MLB… wait for Clemens, A-Rod, Pettitte, Chuck Knoblauch, David Justice, etc. to come out, then start taking action! Of course, they have to protect Big Papi, the loveable teddy bear of baseball.
Makes me sick.
Pat M
I agree, to some extent. I always appreciate a guy who does a lot of charity work for those less fortunate. Honestly, who knows if he really did even use steroids, or use steroids intentionally.
(That’s as objective as I will EVER BE!)
After A-Rod took steroids, Ortiz said anyone who gets caught with a positive test should be suspended for a year.
A-Rod and him are good friends too.
Lamar
It was not too long ago that Derek Jeter and David Ortiz were the MLB proclaimed face of baseball.
That annoyed me more than anything.
The ambassador of the game that Jeter has been for a decade and a half, and Ortiz was being put on the same level as that after a few years.
“Manny at least had great talent/career prior to juicing. ”
Then why Juice?
A cheater is a cheater, talented or not.
Jeremy, I was referring to myself
RMS
Pretty simple. A couple reasons.
He is human, like everyone else. Maybe he felt the need to do better than he was. Maybe he wanted to lift the Red Sox curse, and felt the pressure.
2nd reason, the more likely one: He was told by Red Sox management that the Red Sox have an agreement with MLB, and that no Red Sox player will ever suffer any consequence of cheating. Boston’s motto is something along the lines of “Win at all costs” Cheating does not matter to them.
Pat M
Yeah Ortiz is a nice guy but he will always be the biggest phony in my eyes. The guy becomes a power hitter out of thin air while doing nothing prior to being with the Sox.
Also he said that anyone who is caught positive should be suspended but he didn’t follow is own advice. The guy is such a hypocrite.
I don’t know why, but I feel reassured after hearing from Javy & Girardi. I just hope Javy figures it out sooner than later.
“2nd reason, the more likely one: He was told by Red Sox management that the Red Sox have an agreement with MLB, and that no Red Sox player will ever suffer any consequence of cheating. Boston’s motto is something along the lines of “Win at all costs” Cheating does not matter to them.”
lol
Pat M
Yeah. I don’t hate Ortiz but I’m no fan at all.
I’m sorry, I cannot and will not separate the player and person. By that logic, everyone is probably a good guy.
Donovan McNabb has a charity. Tom Brady has a charity. Kevin Garnett has a foundation. Youkallis and Pedroia seem like nice guys and have been complimentary of the Yankees. Papelbon has a charity back in Mississippi. Boston Olney gave away copies of his book to some hospital here in NY some years ago. Gammons overcame illnesses and is a very easy guy to root for. I’m sure even Bill Belichick has done some good things for the less fortunate.
I will not separate the person of he uniform. When I mock them, I will be mocking the uniform, NOT the person. I cannot and will not separate the uniform from the man. I respect the man that is behind all of the uniforms but I cannot speak of the man when I am mocking the player (or coach, tv personality). I am under the impression that all of them are good guys and I do not intend to disparage the person. Again, I cannot and will not separate the two because it is hard to do. I will mock the uniform, not the person.
CR9……..Roids was a competitive epidemic……..$$$$$$$$$$$$ had an influence on poor judgement decisions
Chad can you or someone else tell me what the requirements are to recieve a 2009 World Series Ring. Such as how many games do you have to play etc. I realize now that more players must recieve a ring then those who were just on the 25 man World Series Roster. Any information from anyone on this would be greatly appreciated.
# Pat M April 25th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
CR9……..Roids was a competitive epidemic……..$$$$$$$$$$$$ had an influence on poor judgement decisions
Not to mention their were no rules to prevent ball players from using. Pretty sad. One should have been in place years ago.
Speaking of Wakefield how old is he ? 50, 60. The guy is so old that his Social Security number is in the 100′s.
Though I will admit that Wakefield is a nice guy.
unKnown,
I read somewhere that everyone on the active roster got a ring (in a blurb about Steven Jackson getting his).
Pat M
It seemed to me that Joe G had a rough series. What’s your take.
Pat M
Yes. $$ are the obvious.
I like to look for the human aspect, though. And in the case of ARod, he already got his $252 million from the Rangers before using. According to ARod, he then began using because he felt the pressure to live up to the contract.
IF Javy goes to the pen (I know, very unlikely), it’s hardly being exiled. Zambrano seems to have accepted the assignment willingly and I’m sure Wakefield (in wake of his not-so-pretty start) will do the same.
m
What?!!! Carlos Zambrano is in the bullpen???
RMS
I thought someone might appreciate that!
m,
Javy is in a contract year. He has millions of dollars on the line this year.
Gals & Guys who should start if the Yankees bech Javi?
Wakefield is so old that he is already collecting his Social Security checks.
Alright I’m going to be serious for a moment and say that Wakefield can’t be much worse than Dice-k. Dice-k has to be one of the biggest failures for Boston. The guy can only go 5 innings, 100 pitches and he walks the park.
I read this quote the other day. It is from the former major league player, coach and manager George Bamberger and was said decades ago about things like corked bats and spitballs but the mindset in the steroid era was probably not much different.
“We do not play baseball. We play professional baseball. Amateurs play games. We are paid to win games. There are rules, and there are consequences if you break them. If you are a pro, then you often don’t decide whether to cheat based on if it’s ‘right or wrong.’ You base it on whether or not you can get away with it, and what the penalty might be. A guy who cheats in a friendly game of cards is a cheater. A pro who throws a spitball to support his family is a competitor.”
CR9,
Yup, he’s supplanted Rivera as the highest paid reliever. All their other starters are hovering around a 2 era and Lilly came off the DL. They’ve already blown a few saves in the short season and they wanted a “veteran” presence in the pen.
And he’s not even closing. He’s the EIG.
Yeah Zambrano is a headcase. The guy just couldn’t get it done in the rotation.
Unknown,
From what I’ve read and been told in the past, there are no rules. Ownership pays for the rings and decides who gets one.
Unknown,
I believe the organization decides whether someone gets a ring or not. I don’t think stats have anything to do with it.
Pat M.,
Don’t sell yourself short. Your opinion means a lot around here.
At least to the regulars who appreciate sensible baseball discussion – not the whiners, fly-by-nighters, or trolls who infest this place on a near daily basis.
Tarheelyank…..Yeah the Yanks had quick leads in both losses……And it really came down to Morales and his 2 yard shots……Giradi has had a few rough / 2nd guess decisions when he’s in Anaheim ( remember leaving Andy in and yanking Robertson last October )……But I have to say, and Derek is my favorite ballplayer, but after he bounced into that fielders choice with the bases loaded, it seems that the club went flat after that…..Cano went yard, but a poor Angel pen kept the Bombers at bay……The key to beating the Angels is taking advantage of the weak bullpen….Yanks didn’t really take advantage of that Friday night or today………All season ( short as it has been ) Giradi has yanked his relievers too soon at times, today he stayed to long with Marte….3-3 West Coast swing is fine…..I’m concerned about Camden Yards
OMG, Poor guy Zambrano is!
Geez, I really dont follow baseball like I used to!
I used to know who got moved where for every team.
Now, all I follow is the Yankees and Red Sox!
LGY,
Then it’s in Javy’s best interest to get it together quickly. They Yankees can’t give away wins his turn through the rotation (exaggerating here). The Yankees don’t give a hoot about his next contract. They’re in the business of winning games.
I say give him time, but we can’t wait the whole season.
Alex was so stupid to take steroids because he never needed them. Bonds is another one. They were both set for life, “made-men” in the game so to say, future Hall of Famers. They got greedy and it was an unnecessary risk when you consider the benefit compared to how much their names and legacies have been tarnished.
If I was a guy like Ortiz though pre-steroids it would have been very tempting. Put yourself in these guys position and how much you could gain with a boost in performance.
Pat M.-
“I’m concerned about Camden Yards”
Hope the Yankees don’t come in there flat because the Orioles have to be hungry after so many loses, and they can’t keep losing forever.
m,
I agree. Was just saying I cannot imagine Javy being so content with the transition.
m – re: Vazquez figuring it out – To me, these guys – Vazquez, Girardi, Eiland – are professional baseball guys, and they hope to win another WS, and Javy’s contract is up after this season. They have all the reasons in the world to figure it out, and a lot more incentive than we can probably imagine.
Giuseppe Franco
I know. I like what Pat M has to say and I like talking to him. Everyone should be able to voice their opinions unless it’s crazy. And I will admit that I haven’t been perfect.
“I’m concerned about Camden Yards”
Me too. I was glad they got a win in Boston to possibly combat at least part of the “due to win a game” factor.
I think that Wake was a reliever for the Bonds / Bonilla Pirates club in the early 90′s……..Mr. Franco, thank’s….Tough crowd here, more so since the Yanks won the WS
one word for this game: forgettable
Pat M
I wondered Fri. why he didn’t start Marte in the 8th against Matsui and Morales. And today (from the TV angle) he knew Morales was going to be swinging 3-0, it should have been a no-brainer to give him ball four. Live and learn– and one thing I like about Joe is he doesn’t seem to make mistakes like that twice.
But your right the whole team was kind of flat against thier pen. All in all a very good road trip.
.500 on the road is good
Right now Tampa Bay concerns me a lot more than either the Sox, or the Halos.
Price pitched a complete game shutout today. He seems to be coming into his own this season and that’s not good (for us).
Yankees will get good pitching and whip Baltimore.
Was someone criticizing Pat M? Ridiculous – Pat is one of the very best posters here; besides being extremely knowledgable, he’s very nice. At one point or another, all of us end up with targets on our backs
The Yanks are not intimidated by Anaheim Stadium – that I firmily believe. They just struggled offensively the last few games (even in Phil’s game) despite the 7 run outburst yesterday. Maybe they’re tired – I don’t blame them. I respect every team they play – baseball is not like football where talent can overwhelm. Most of the games will be dependent, like usual, on the SP. Let’s hope we get good pitching and take it from there.
If Javy is hurt, he’d better tell the Yankees – I would be pretty angry if he doesn’t. Assuming he’s not, then if he can’t work this out in a few more starts, I guess send him to the pen? However, I just don’t see how that’s going to help the team; he wouldn’t be any more reliable out of the pen than in the rotation. I hope it’s just a mechanical issues with him; he should not be tired at this point.
Betsy
No. Nobody attacked Pat M. Pat M put “Just one guy’s opinion, which doesn’t mean squat” talking of himself.
He was indeed selling himself short, as his opinion is greatly valued on here.
The AL East is going to be a dogfight with Tampa; the Yankees are not going to run away with this. Price is 9-1 vs the AL East – that’s pretty darn impressive.
Oh, ok, because I won’t let anyone talk bad about Pat M……….
Watching Sports Center – Jose Molina threw out 4 TB runners trying to steal –
MTU – coming into the season, we knew TB and the Sox were going to be tough. While I think the Sox won’t be nearly as good as they’re cracked up to be, they will hang around.
TB is showing their strength in starting pitching here in April. I think their challenge will be staying healthy thru the year, same as everybody. Will they be willing to add payroll mid-season? I think that may be $64Million question.
Betsy-
“he should not be tired at this point.”
he may not be tired but he may not be at full strength either.
There’s a difference.
Last year JV said he felt great coming into the season because he played winter ball and also in the WBC.
This year he didn’t do those things.
Maybe that has contributed to his current problem(s) ?
Yeah I agree. I’m more concerned about the Rays then the Angels and the Sox. I think they are the one team that could be scary in the playoffs. The Angels are good but not as good as last year, and the Sox are just pathetic against good teams.
“I’m concerned about Camden Yards”
Pat M.,
You’re only as good as next game’s starting pitcher… and the yanks have a good one going Tuesday.
I understand what you mean about things needing to turn for the O’s but I really do think the matchups are very bad for the O’s against the yanks.
I think they’ll do very well in Camden Yards.
Mr. Teixweira is off to the worst start of his entire career. But he’s getting close – at least from the right side.
Hopefully he won’t struggle going back home. They really need his bat.
Right now the Sox have more holes than a good piece of Swiss cheese.
MTU, but what about previous years? The WBC was only last year…Did Javy have these problems in 2008? 2007? 2006? If not, then what’s different this year? Maybe he’s just tired from the accumulated work load for his career or maybe the WBC/winter ball efforts are affecting him only now………..
I want Tex to shut those loser O fans up who booed him like crazy last year because he had the nerve to not sign with the O’s.
MTU, I hate swiss cheese and I hate the Sox, lol
betsy-
I don’t know how to answer that other than to say that Javy seemed to imply that last season was related to having done both the Winter ball as well as the WBC.
I respect the Rays as well, but they have already played 12 games against mediocre teams:
- 6 against the O’s
- 3 against Toronto
- 3 against ChiSox
The Rays are a great team and they are streaking at the moment. But they will come down a bit when their competition gets tougher.
Wow, and then compare their schedule to the Yankees:
3 vs Rays
3 vs Sox
3 vs Rangers
3 vs Oakland
6 vs Angels….
The Yankees are 12-6 without Tex, Johnson or Javi performing like they do every year. Last year the Yankees started out 11-10 in April.
The Yanks 12-6 have lost only one series. Playing the Sox, Rays, Angels 2, Tex and Oak.
The Rays 14-5 have played, Baltimore 2, the Sox, Chi sox, and Toronto. Not the same level of teams the Yanks have.
So lets not go crazy!
The Yankees still need to play Baltimore, Chi Sox, Toronto, not to mention the Royals.
Joe-
People “hang around” pool halls and bars but it doesn’t meant the finish in the money in a pennant race.
Can’t stand the Rays, too arrogant. Also didn’t care for the way Cervelli was run over at the plate in ST a couple of years ago.
RMS-
Liking them and respecting them are 2 different things.
I tried to post this earlier, but it’s still “awaiting moderation,” so I’m assuming it caught a spam filter.
—-
First off, I’m not actually sure why anyone here would have taken the initiative to steal my handle and say (from what I hear from others) racist, insensitive and perhaps worst of all, stupid things. It’s a mystery to me as to why this occurred. Goodness, if you’re going to do such things, couldn’t you at least type out “you” instead of “u”? That’s what really hurt. It’s not too much of a strain to type out two additional letters. It’s like getting trolled by the Mets.
Anyway, I hardly ever visit the commenting section here at LoHud (it’s been since last year’s playoffs), but I’m quite known at RAB and some of the other Yankee blogs — in addition to my own blog, which is linked in my name here — so I take this seriously. A reputation is critical; for those that know me (as well as one can through a blogosphere), I may be edgy but what was portrayed is certainly beyond anything I’d ever uttered in private or on the internet.
I apologize to any folks who were upset at whatever this childish impostor had written under my handle. I’ve written an e-mail to Chad in the hopes this sort of issue doesn’t pop up again, though considering the nature of the internet, I don’t have great expectations.
Still, I hope this serves some function. If you’d like to get in touch with me you can ask me something on Twitter at http://twitter.com/JMKTheOvershare
Have a good night, folks.
GF-
True about the Rays competition… but they also completed a 10 game road trip on which they went 9-1.
That’s got to be one of the longest road trips of their entire year.
And another thing – I don’t know if you saw what David Price did today but it’s really not good news for the AL East.
9 IP 4H 0R 0ER 1BB and 9k’s.
That’s his first complete game shut out.
His stuff looks phenomenal. If he’s emerging that really is a staff that is 5 deep.
The yankees need Javy to perform at the level expected.
RMS
Longo is a classy guy. He is also a Red Sox killer. He is also Smoking HOT!
SJ, can you answer question for me? If Joe saw that Javier had bad mechanics today why not just get him out of there before he started getting into trouble. Surely, if you saw that he had bad mechanics on TV, Joe and Dave saw it too… What do you think?
I meant that question for CB too…
Personally, I wouldn’t mind if the Yankees sent JV to the team Physician to have his shoulder checked out.
Yeah, I’m not to thrilled about Price either, lol…but then, I figured he’d be good. Even if ends up being up and down, the Yankees need to get Javy straightened out because they counted on him to provide quality innings and there is simply no way to replace them if he can’t give them to us.
Who the hell would go to one blog, take someone’s handle, and then troll under it on a different blog?
What is wrong with people?
MTU, I would do that as well…..the questions I asked before were rhetorical; I knew you couldn’t answer them. I think they need to be answered by the Yankees
Twenty-Eight-
The only way you fix the problems he’s having is to throw at game speed. Having a quick hook with him before he got into real trouble would only perpetuate the problem.
He’s a guy they need for the long haul of the season. They need him to be better. He’s got to fix this out on the mound. They can work on it in side sessions and bull pens. But he’s got to be able to take what he’s doing there and execute it at game speed.
JMK
No problem. Figured that it was an imposter playing yet another trick. Well he left when everyone caught on to him. Like I said before I’m sure he had to run to because he had to clean his white sheets since he is a member of the Klan.
CB,
I did see what Price did today and that’s certainly not good news for the Yanks.
However, the more often the Yanks see a guy like Price, the more likely they will make adjustments and start getting to him. That’s happened numerous times against pitchers they’ve seen a lot like Beckett, Schilling, and Pedro (Roy Halladay notwithstanding).
By no means am I trying to disrespect the Rays and their start this season. But a lot of things can happen during the 162 game grind and I don’t believe the Rays are as deep as the Yanks.
mtu – as a physician, I can tell you that a doctor can’t do anything if the patient is not honest. If Javy is, once again, concealing pain, there’s little that can be done. There are a myriad things that can be problematic, without necessarily showing up on an MRI.
And it’s not necessarily even part of his arm. With a pitcher, almost any part of the anatomy can throw off mechanics. Look at Wang and his hip and lower extremity issues last year.
On the postgame, Javy was again asked if anything was hurting. He again denied it – “I feel good.”
What’s frustrating about that is that, in the meantime, Javy will be putting the team in a hole that they may not be able to come out of. This is like the Wang situation, though not quite as bad.
Cool, makes sense. Thanks!
JMK
Thanks for clearing that up. I know Chad and Sam will get rid of that idiot.
The Actual JMK,
That’s terrible. Sorry that happened to you.
As for my own comment, I thought it was you who said (in the RAB comment section) that they didn’t like Asians. If it wasn’t you, then I apologize. If it was you, then it’s not really a big deal. I, for one, was not offended in the least.
Rays also have a easy cushy April schedule. Yankees won the series with them too.
Cano has really adjusted to his new batting spot.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04.....ref=sports
Nice article on Mo……I like that description “calm violence”. Also, Mo should be fined for stealing the lotion, lol. Reggie has it right:
Rivera, 40, has been so good for so long that Reggie Jackson ranks him not in the category of the bullpen specialist but in the transcendent grouping of sports icons.
“For what he does, he’s maybe the most dominant athlete other than Bill Russell that I know,” Jackson said. “But it’s also in the way he does it. Quiet. Humble. Mariano is regal, baseball royalty.”
“However, the more often the Yanks see a guy like Price, the more likely they will make adjustments and start getting to him. ”
GF-
That is undoubtedly true. I’m not even so much referring to the head to head match ups.
It’s what the impact his performance could have over the division race. The yankees are still the better team by a good margin – but if he really is going to throw this way then that cuts the margin.
When he was drafted he was considered to be the best college pitcher to have pitched in several years.
And I have to say – his fastball has played up since that time. It looks great this year in particular.
Price just cuts the pad that the yanks have in talent. The Rays bull pen is really bad. But they are otherwise an extremely talented team.
Joe-
I can appreciate what you are saying and respect your experience.
But I still wouldn’t mind seeing the Yankees rule out some of the more severe things, and also instituting a strength testing regimen.
Big believer in preventative side of things in so far as they are possible.
I don’t think the situation with Vazquez is ANYTHING like the situation with Wang last season.
Wang had three consecutive starts where he couldn’t get out of the 2nd inning and the bullpen was a complete disaster.
Their rotation is deeper now, and because of that, the pen isn’t being taxed (well, except when Vazquez starts, LOL).
As long as he’s healthy and the problem really is mechanical – Vazquez will turn it around and the Yanks will be fine.
Someone must really not like JMK. Sorry to you.
This JMK imposter took trolling to a whole new level.
GF-
But that’s the 64K question.
Is it just mechanical, or is it health related ?????
The team that should be most worried about Price’s performance today is the Sox.
So far, the Yanks and Rays looks to be on a different level and much better teams than the Red Sox. Even if they improve, they may not even have enough to overcome those 2 teams.
I know we’ve owned them in the past but the Twinkies are looking very sharp right now as well.
“As long as he’s healthy and the problem really is mechanical – Vazquez will turn it around and the Yanks will be fine.”
I agree. Javy will be an innings eater. Just don’t expect the same numbers he put up in the NL.
GF, it’s not close in the sense that Wang was barely giving us two innings and, in those innings, was givin up 7-10 runs, but if Javy has to be removed from the rotation, I don’t see how that isn’t good. Now, assuming he’s healthy, he’s going to be fine…….but until he does work the issues out, it’s a problem for the Yankees. The rotation is deeper now because Javy is in it, but I still see it like this:
2009:
CC, AJ, Andy, Wang, Joba
*became CC, AJ, Andy, Joba, Mitre
2010:
CC, AJ, Andy, Javy, Phil
*could become CC, AJ, Andy, Ace, Phil
Clearly the 2010 rotation without Javy is better than 2009′s without Wang because Ace is much better than Mitre, but the pen would be weakened.
I don’t think Javy is in danger of losing his spot, though, so it’s moot for now.
Sounds like Boston needs to trade for Jose Molina.
Hey guys,
Thanks for the support. If I had said something in RAB that could be interpreted as racially insensitive, I promise it was of a facetious nature. Race is a silly thing to quibble over — there are more than enough characteristics worthy of derision for folks of all creeds. I’d prefer to rally against anti-intellectual, hyperbolic bridge-jumpers; race isn’t a factor in that. However, I do write satirical articles (and comments at RAB) which often bring those points to the forefront. I may not be a choir boy, but I have little interest in stooping to the lowest common denominator, so again, if someone took that from one of my comments, apologies all around.
Trolling happens — it’s the nature of the beast. It’s just a shame when it happens to you. But thanks again, you guys have been awfully cool about it. Hopefully Chad resolves this in due time.
Betsy-
I don’t think Ace is a candidate for the SR because of his back issues
regardless of what transpires with JV.
Mitre woould be the likely replacement for JV.
Of course, all this is premature to say the least.
MTU, I forgot about Ace’s back issues……Well, let’s hope we don’t have to cross that bridge. Javy will be fine as long as he’s healthy.
They will stick with Javy unless he gives them no choice but to make a move IMO…If he’s not hurt then I am confident he will get it together because he is simply a better pitcher than he’s shown thus far.
Blake-
“Sounds like Boston needs to trade for Jose Molina.”
Quiet. don’t give them any ideas. I love running at will on them.
Javy has every reason to be truthful about his body. This is the last year of his current contract. If he’s not totally healthy, and puts up bad numbers because of it, it very directly impacts upon him and his family. So, it makes no logical sense for him to hide anything. It will come out. If he thinks something is minor, and he can work thru it, well, he can just look back to 2004 and see how that worked out.
And on that note, I’m calling it a night. Have to get up at oh-dark-30 tomorrow. Good night all. Let’s hope for a Yankee win on Tuesday, and a couple of nights free of trolls.
Mets-Braves called a final b/c of rain….what are everyone’s thoughts on retractable roofs, I understand tradition rich franchises like the Yankees wanting to keep the new park looking like the old one but sometimes I find it ridiculous how new ballparks can be built without retractable roofs in cities NY, Minnesota, and Tampa that have more weather issues like rain, thunderstorms, cold, etc…. Really the only place I wouldn’t build a retractable roof for a new ballpark is in southern California
MTU, me too…
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/s.....uite-a-hit
1. Phil-harmonic Yankees chase history: As Yankees manager Joe Girardi said this weekend while the Yankees Express visited the Angels in an ALCS redux, had Phil Hughes simply looked down instead of up last Wednesday night in Oakland, he very well could be the author of a no-hitter.
3 to watch
Danny Knobler
Mariners-Royals. Phillies-Giants. Tigers-Twins. Six teams sporting Cy Young candidates battle this week — except none of these elite arms will actually face off against each other. Read more
No matter, things are looking up, way up, for both the Yankees and their fifth starter. When Hughes takes the mound Tuesday in Baltimore, given the loads of talent behind him and the unlimited future in front of him, you wonder whether it will be the next step in a breakout season.
Hughes is 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA, as good a fifth starter as there is in the game. The confidence he developed as an eighth-inning specialist last year is part of it, as is his latest near-miss of a no-hitter, in Oakland last Wednesday (Eric Chavez busted it up to start the eighth with a hard one-hopper up the middle that bounced in front of Hughes as the pitcher looked up and then behind himself).
Derek Jeter says he’s seen Hughes just as dominant before — back on May 1, 2007, when Hughes no-hit Texas for 6 1/3 innings in just his second big league start before having to leave with a hamstring strain. Difference between that dominant Hughes and this dominant Hughes, however, is substantial.
“I have more confidence in myself now,” Hughes says. “I’m not afraid to fail. I’d say that’s the biggest difference between then and now.”
The curveball Mike Mussina helped him develop in 2006 is better than ever. The cut fastball he learned with the help of pitching coach Dave Eiland at the end of ’08 has developed into a serious weapon. Where he didn’t get a chance to use it much setting up closer Mariano Rivera last year, he threw “probably 15 to 20″ cutters out of 101 pitches in Oakland.
“It gives hitters something else to look at,” says Hughes, 23. “I picked the right spots. Every time I felt they were looking for an aggressive fastball, I threw the cutter.”
Hughes is one of four active pitchers to have held teams hitless through six innings twice in their first 30 career starts. (AP)
Result: Jam-shot fly balls, and ground balls from lefties. Often, the befuddled A’s made it appear as if Hughes, whose fastball settles in between 92 and 94 mph, was throwing harder than he was.
“I really trusted my stuff,” Hughes says. “I wasn’t afraid to attack the strike zone.
“I’ve learned that if that happens, it seems like I hit more spots than when I’m trying to hit my spots by being too fine.”
Girardi counts the cutter as a huge step in Hughes’ graduation from set-up man to key starter.
“As a starter a couple of years ago he had no cutter or change,” the manager says. “He really was a two-pitch guy. And as a starter a couple of years ago, he didn’t throw as hard. He’s physically stronger now.”
As for the cutter, as Girardi says, “I think anybody who walks through our clubhouse door is going to want to throw the cutter because of Mo [Rivera].”
Hughes’ emergence behind CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte would be a substantial boost to the Yankees as they try to win their first back-to-back World Series titles since 1998-2000, especially in light of Javier Vazquez’s clunker of a start. After surrendering five earned runs in just 3 2/3 innings to the Angels in Sunday’s 8-4 loss, Vazquez is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA and you can already hear the boo-birds warming up in Yankee Stadium, where he next will start this weekend against the White Sox.
This weekend was the Yankees’ first series loss of the year after opening with five consecutive series wins, making them the first World Series champion since the 1922 New York Giants — and just the third ever — to start a season after winning the title with five straight series victories.
There are all sorts of reasons the Yankees are clicking even despite Mark Teixeira’s .119 start. And many of them have to do with a pitching staff that ranked fourth in the AL with a 3.43 ERA going into Sunday’s game despite the weak link that has been Vazquez.
As for Hughes, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is one of four active pitchers to have carried a no-hitter through six innings twice in their first 30 career starts, joining Jamie Moyer, Derek Lowe and Hiroki Kuroda. And the way things are going, maybe he’ll get one yet.
“I hope so,” he says. “It’s tough to do. You look at how there are so many great pitchers who never got one. Any little thing can happen. …”
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With all the talk of the change up being key to Phil’s future as a starter, this article talks about the cutter….
“# MTU (aka GBURL) April 25th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
I know we’ve owned them in the past but the Twinkies are looking very sharp right now as well.
”
Their offense can be scary w/ a healthy Morneau who was injured last postseason
One last thing – blake – yeah, let boston try to deal for Molina. Let’s see, Anthopoulos can start asking for Bucholz, Bard….
Too bad about the shortened game; I hate when that happens, even if it’s favorable to the Yankees. The Mets are getting very good pitching…………
No to retractable roofs. Ok, sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate, but that’s life. The idea of a retractable roof on YS is not appealing at all (I feel much more strongly about it than that). Any team in Florida needs one, though – that I agree with.
ooh, I would hate Molina being traded to the Sox…..The Jays hate the Sox, though not quite as much as they hate the Yankees.
“Alex was so stupid to take steroids because he never needed them. Bonds is another one. They were both set for life, “made-men” in the game so to say, future Hall of Famers. They got greedy and it was an unnecessary risk when you consider the benefit compared to how much their names and legacies have been tarnished.”
We can excoriate the players who have used steroids on the grounds that they’re cheaters or are setting bad examples, but it’s hard to argue that it wasn’t a smart decision in terms of money.
If Arod was hitting 35 HR a year, do you think he’d be earning $30m/season?
i still dont get this javy is an innings eater thing. 4 starts and has yet to make it through 6 innings. You dont eat innings pitching 4-5 innings per start.
Now i also believe he is better than he has showed (not NL better), but the team cannot be confident when he starts that they are going to win, and that isnt good for anyone.
wow, ben sheets is lookin kinda good right now…he’s got an ERA of 2.74 in 23 IP, Vasquez has got a 8.27 in 16.1 IP, with a WHIP of 1.714. hopefully Javi gets his mechanics together soon or people are gonna really second guess goin back to this guy.
If Arod was hitting 35 HR a year, do you think he’d be earning $30m/season?
_
If we take him at word that he only used in his time in texas, he was hitting more than 30 / year in Seattle and he has had years of well over 30 in NY. So i think he was destined to be the highest paid player…
well if you look at Seattle’s retractable roof ballpark, I’ve never been but from T.V. when it’s open it looks completely open air by design when open more so than say Milwaukee’s ….I just think w/ todays advances in architecture it makes no sense to not have one on a new ballpark in any place outside of southern california(where it never rains). I also think it helps attendance throughout the league when you are guaranteed to have first pitch no matter the weather….tonights Mets game was a good example, half the crowd didn’t bother coming
Does the Jose Molina Happy Meal come with a side of Brandon Marrow and the Blue Jays pitching staff’s ability to hold runners close?
Only if the Cy Kelly is included in the trade.
As I recall, it was also a “mechanical” issue in June/July the first time around, so said Mel Stottlemyre at the time; and good old Mel was fraught with frustration since he could not remedy the situation. hopefully, the present staff will have more success.
Betsy
Did you know that Cy Kelly has a career record of 379-84?
Also, did you know that he has 9 plus pitches, and a devastating knuckleball?
Speaking of Jose Molina, he threw out 4 Tampa Ray runners today, Carl Crawford twice……..Still real quick on his feet and his release is as fast as ever……..
Tampa, Safeco is really gorgeous (I would love to see it in person), but I admit that I am a very conservative person it comes to these things. If ypu have rain outs or bad weather conditions, so be it; baseball has survived for along time without domes, retractable or not. That said, I understand your POV and it’s a very valid argument
I saw that Pat M – and his response to a question about those 4 throw-outs was that he had a bad day because his team lost. Good on ya, Jose…………
Let’s waive the rule that says a player has to play in at least 1 major league game before becoming eligible for the HOF; let’s just induct Kelly now
David Price’s career record against the AL East:
9-1
tex’s friend
I see no reason not to take Alex at his word. He is an honest man.
ask katie couric about his honesty
tampayank
Everybody is entitled to make mistakes. Does not mean he is not honest. He honestly felt like he did nothing wrong. I feel for the guy.
lol, tampayank. I was just thinking about Katie Couric. What kind of vile person could lie to her face? haha.
Anyway, back to Hughes. He won’t be dominant day in and day out, but he set the bar in the AL East. Laptops tried his best to follow up Phil’s last game. Price with the CG shutout today.
I like AROD but I’m done worrying about him being honest or doing something else……but I’m not going to assume he’s completely honest just b/c I’m a Yanks fan…..I hope he was honest when he finally spilled the beans last Spring. Let’s just hope nothing else comes out to further tarnish him or hurt what this team has going so far
“i still dont get this javy is an innings eater thing. 4 starts and has yet to make it through 6 innings. You dont eat innings pitching 4-5 innings per start. ”
I think the “Javy is an innings eater” thing comes from the fact that he’s averaged 216 innings/season over the past 10 years.
set the bar for young pitchers, that is. lol.
Didn’t Price flirt with a no-no when he first came up?
The AL East has a lot of talented young pitchers. I can’t worry at this point about Price or Buchholz or whomever. I just hope Phil develops into the pitcher we know he can be and if that happens, then all’s right with the world, lol. He’s still a baby – younger than Price, younger than Buchholz. He’s not even fully developed, so we’re watching the evolution of Phil. I find this fascinating, actually.
tampayank
LOL. I am just playing the ESPN game, but in favor of the Yankees. It’s obvious that Alex came completely clean last year, as you can see the weight is lifted off his shoulders.
Sometimes, people need to feel comfortable in their own skin and be honest with themselves before they can be honest with everyone else. Alex, now, is a truly honest and great man, great leader, and great American/Dominican.
I don’t think seriously, M…..Darn, Phil is unlucky. He really had true no-hit stuff that night….It’s easy to say that he’ll get another chance, but some great pitchers have never thrown one; a lot of it is luck.
I’m trying to catch up here. A JMK imposter maligned Orange-Americans???
Hughes has been great, is he on an innings limit this season?
Innings limit, yes. Hopefully won’t be a factor.
Tampa, about 170-175 innings; it won’t be severe like Joba’s.
Is Vazquez healthy, seems something is wrong, no velocity lousy curve, he’s pitching worse than the 2nd half of 04 when was supposedly hurt, what’s up?
After David Price got his first win of the season, a Rays fan promised to dine on lobster in celebration. Or at least crawfish. Or was it chunk tuna fish?
Anyway, that fan actually strapped on his bib, forgot any talk of “innings limits” and found the best all you can eat crawfish/ starkist joint in the greater Tampa metro area.
He delivered.
Success ensued for Mr. Price, both mechanically and spiritually.
If only the yankees had such a fan to satiate the higer powers lingering over Javy.
Hi all…is anyone still on here. I just got in from a long day. Too bad about the Yanks lose. I hope the East Coast suits them, and that Baltimore can hold off getting there act together for a few more games.
Thank god for the off day and the week off from L
ST, that gives extra time to save Javy’s season.
Otherwise it’s Night Falls On Nick in SF.
SAS-
Javy just didn’t have it today. Not a good day. He’s dropping his shoulder and getting under the ball. Marte was a mess as well – no command. Cano and Posada continue to look great at the plate. Cano’s swing is locked in again and he’s doing damage.
3-3 on a west coast road trip is fine. I think they’ll do well on the road trip to baltimore.
In the game thread – or post game thread Carl posted a great youtube clip of The Mick knocking two out in 1956. Great stuff.
Also, if you’re interested, I wrote a longish post this morning comparing Mickey’s season in ’56 to the MVP seasons of other players. If you’re ineterested take a look. I mention it because they were some follow up thoughts I had to our conversation last evening about mantle.
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/201.....nt-1314073
This team is not going to go into losing streaks because the starting 5 is deep. With javy I think it’s a dead arm issue, at times today his FB was hitting 90-91, just not commanding it very well.
CB I think David Price is the wild card for tampa. If he has a pretty good season, the rays are making the playoffs.
CB thanks so much. I will look at it right away, but I wanted to catch you and thank you before you turned in.
CB..you write so well, it is always interesting regardless of the subject matter. “Those were the days my friend”.
We have wonderful players today and over the years, but being a Yankees fan back then was the best even if I was a kid, and a girl to boot.
Is Melky’s BA of .153 = to Vazquez’s 1-3 & 9.00 ERA? What you all think?
No, not equal.
Nick
Just watched the LOST episode from 2 weeks ago, the Hugo one…Good stuff!
I recomment the one after that too.
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Nick
Have they explained the ending of the Hugo episode, with Desmond and Locke? If not, do u know why Desm. did that?
ummm, well first, have you watched the most recent episode?
No, not yet.
You should. And trust that Desmond did what he did for a reason.
Thanks, Nick. Shall do.
The reason might be a stupid one, of course, given that he’s a fictional character in a ridiculous but addictive TV show created by sadists. But that’s neither here not there.
LOL
Nothing can be stupider than the ridiculous storyline I saw in the previews for the show Brothers and Sisters tonight
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Brothers and Sisters is recycling the exact same storyline with the exact same character that they had 2 years ago, with one of the kids wanting to join the service. Ridiculous!!! If you’re going to recycle a storyline, use it with a different character at least!
I was given access to the LA Angels pitching report and scouting breakdowns to Javy Vasquez performance,,,,,,,,Early in the game, Vasquez was going with breaking ball establish his fast ball……The pitch sequence to Irstarus required 12 pitchers and that gave the Angels a pretty idea what to expect the 2 nd around and the Angel hitters wer right the pitching sequence,,,Besides this, Vasquez failed to bring his 92 mph heater,,,,,,So it going to be a challegenig outing for him,,,,,he was getting awy for a time, but
CONT…hE WAS GETTING AWAY WITH THE SMOKE AND MIRRORS, UNTIL HE NEEDED HIS SPOTTING FASTBALL, AND IT ONLY CAUSED MINOR DISTRACTION
Great stuff, Pat.
Pat M, it looked like Javy was tossing slop from the get-go… not an encouraging outing after he had shown improvement in Oakland. Now he has an extra day to get it together before facing the White Sox and his old pal Ozzie.
hE’LL GET ALL THE SEGMENTS AND NECESSARY PARTS IN ORDER REAL SOON AND THEN HE’LL BE FINE
He has to. He’s too good and consistent a pitcher throughout his career not to right the wrongs.
I HOPE he doesnt get booed at home!
Vasquez will boumce back…….As long as there isn’t any physical issues and everybody close indicate that’s not the case……Most had patirnce with CC last April, Javy deserves the same grace peroid…….I don’t who awaits him when his turn rolls around……
Some are just venting because of Javy’s past history, some are venting because getting Javy cost us TEH MELK, some just vent for its own sake. I think he will be ok too, too much past history to indicate otherwise.
The national league is easier, yes, but changing leagues shouldn’t cost 3-4 mph on Javy’s velocity… so not to worry and be thankful there is something to vent about while the Yankes are winning at a steady clip.
I got killed on here when I initially said that I didn’t like the Vazquez trade. I didn’t want to touch the guy. He is an NL pitcher who chokes under the spot light. He was bad the first time around and hasn’t looked any better this year. We should have went after a guy like Pineiro or Sheets. Either guy would have been a better 4th option than Javy. The good thing is that Hughes is ready to step up and become a big time pitcher, so Javy stinking it up isn’t going to matter as much. Hughes is going to become our #2 starting eventually. The guy has nasty stuff and is not afraid to challenge hitters. I think we should all be really excited about Phil Hughes.
I’m not going to kill the Yankees for making the trade for Vazquez. We didn’t have to give up too much, although I do think that Vizcaino has a ton of potential. Melky really wasn’t much of a player though. I actually prefer Gardner. He is an underrated hitter and he could steal close to 50 bases for us this year. Plus he covers a ton of ground in the outfield.
Too early to kill trades in April. Too much baseball left to be played.
Last year at this time, CC and Tex were “bust” FA signings according to some fans.
It’s tough to do but, you can’t make instant decisions in baseball. It’s more of a long view sport.
Melky really wasn’t much of a player though . . .
Still might be over rating him a bit there
I loved sheets as well but the reason they didn’t go after him wasn’t because of what he’s doing now, they didn’t go after him because they were unsure if he could stay healthy all year and thought Javy was safer bet in that regard…and track records show that.
Just back from a weekend in enemy territory, complete w/ gloating from my Rays fan Mom, up from FL. I watched a few red sox games w/ my sister. The Os could have easily swept that series.
I was too scared to read thru the game threads but I hope people keep in mind that the Yankees are 12-6 in a young season that had a west coast trip. The schedule lightens up from here.
I love how people judge players depending on how they’re doing after just a few weeks of the season. If a player is off to a hot start, he’s great – what a trade it was, what a signing it was, etc.. If he’s off to a cod start, he’s awful – what a terrible trade, etc… Then, when it turns around and the hot player slumps, it becomes “I knew he was overrated” (this is happening with Granderon already); when the cold player becomes hot it becomes “oh yeah, I was wrong’ I’m glad we made the trade”
LOL Kate, you’re mom is undoubtedly the best, but considering the fact that the Yankees took 2/3 in their home park and that the Rays have won nothing, she shouldn’t be gloating; I hope you took her to task!
12-6 with the schedule they have played really isn’t bad at all. Every team they have played thus far should be a contender and most of their games have been on the road.
Betsy
My parents retired in FL, about 1/2 hr from the Trop. My mom (and dad before he died) were original Rays fans, and lived thru a lot of bad years, so I let her gloat
They have to finish it up with 2/3 in Baltimore for a 5/4 road trip. I didn’t realize the Rays had gone 9-1 on their road trip, though – that makes the Yankees look like slackers, lol.
Blake,
That’s what the reactionary children on here don’t get. Here is a dominant hometeam (the best home record in baseball since June 15 of last year) and they have only played SIX home games.
They opened with the toughest schedule of ANY of the contenders in the AL and have won 2/3 of those games.
That’s an EXCELLENT start, considering they have gotten little out of Johnson and Tex and nothing out of Vazquez.
Its also impressive considering this is usually a slow starting team.
If they stay healthy, they are the best team in baseball. Health is going to be the key.
Ok Kate, she’s allowed for now…..:)
blake April 26th, 2010 at 8:20 am
12-6 with the schedule they have played really isn?t bad at all.
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blake, I watched the game with my brother yesterday and afterwards he said (I’m paraphrasing) if you had told me a month ago that the Yankees would have a 12-6 record to start out the season with the schedule they have, I would have told you to get off the drugs. LOL
Yep, no reason to complain at all (though harmless venting about a loss is acceptable; we’re fans, not saints, lol).
The O’s SP has not been bad at all, at least the ones we’re going to face….
SJ,
Yup they have won 2/3 of their games against good competition and the lineup is nowhere near full strength yet. They have got virtually nothing from the #2 and 3 spots in the lineup and Arod has been good but not Arod level yet. That’s unlikely to continue..they are in good shape right now with the schedule about to ease up.
New Post: Today in The Journal News
The Westchester Toyota ad that moves the whole page down and then back up while you’re trying to read the page is the most annoying internet ad I have seen.
No mystery with Javy. He is just a journeyman mediocre pitcher. What did we expect. Pretty much failed when with Yanks previously. What did they think they were getting years later. Just another pitcher that can be effective in NL but can’t cut it in AL. Watching him pitch it looks like many of his pitches are teed up for the batter. Not sure whom is bigger disappointment Javy or Joba. Don’t get me started on Joba.
Vazquez got seriously squeezed by that Ump at the plate. No corner calls at all. Not the same zone Kazmir was getting (see Swisher’s aAB where two strikes called after he was headed to first base for the walk)
Thames botches another play in left that Gardner makes in his sleep. This guy has killed us twice.
test test