A game between friends
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on May 07, 2010 
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This morning is the start of a two-game series between the New York media and the Boston media. You probably remember reading Pete writing about this in the past.
The reporters who cover the Yankees and Red Sox play two baseball games against one another each year. Actually, there was apparently only one game last year, but we’re back to two this season. One at Fenway. One at Yankee Stadium. And we’re opening at Fenway at 8:30 this morning.
I haven’t played anything resembling baseball since I hit lead-off and played shortstop for my college intramural softball team. The last time I played actual baseball was well before that. I have no idea what position I’ll be playing, or what my role will be — or whether I’ll be any good at all — but I’m looking forward to the experience.
That said, after this week’s series of minor Yankees injuries, this is absolutely the first time in my life that I’m happy I haven’t been on the cover of Sports Illustrated recently.
Good luck Chad. Don’t tear your ACL.
Chad-
To prevent injury I suggest your wear one of these :
http://www.geekologie.com/2007/01/15/halo-suit.jpg
Chad,
Swing hard in case you hit it!
Betsy-
This one’s for you.
A comforting thought regardless of what PH does tonite against Boston.
“Rest-of-season projections that use this knowledge of home run rates predict that Hughes will put up about a 4.3 ERA from here on out. This sounds like a big letdown, but it would still result in an ERA around 3.70 for the year. If you told a Hughes owner that he would get a 3.70 ERA with a WHIP under 1.3 and almost one strikeout per inning from his pitcher by the end of the year, he’d be thrilled. ”
Enjoy.
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....illed.html
Sabathia exudes pure relaxation on the days he starts, something Hughes admired. Earlier in his career, similar ease eluded Hughes when he was “so wide-eyed and – I can admit it now – just scared to death to come in here as a 20-year-old or whatever and I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. It’s almost like I had to throw a shutout every time just to feel like I belonged.
“Now, after last year, I have that confidence, like I know I’m here to stay. I feel a lot better when I go out there relaxed. Some guys want ammonia in the nostrils, want to get fired up. But when I’m out there, natural nerves and adrenaline will take over and I don’t need any extra stress or emotions going through my head.”
MTU, that’s from an article that I would prefer not to even think about, but thank you!
Hughes average FB velocity thus far this season has been 92.4 mph with movement and command.
Let’s see if you can hit that Sux.
Phil is gonna put one right up your wazoo.
Yee Hah !
Here’s phil new motto:
I can cut it.
I can spot it.
I can sink it.
Or
I can just blow it by you.
Chad – have a good game, say Hi to Pete, and don’t get hurt.
MTU – you got that right!
Off to work….
Have a good game Chad
Tonight is probably my most anticipated game of the season thus far (Hughes v beckett at Fenway) and I’m not even going to get to watch..taking the wife on a little getaway..
Thanks heavens for DVR’s….don’t tell me what happens
Blake-
You’re kidding, right ?
Chad
Hydrate, stretch and then stretch some more.
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/.....-rotation/
Now it’s Vazquez, not Hughes, who’s on the lam at the back of the rotation — and that presumes he’ll start winning again. In the meantime, this is the chance Hughes has been waiting for, the one the Yankees projected all along.
Their timetable might not have been this hasty, but Hughes accelerated his development last summer when he learned a cut-fastball from Mariano Rivera, the patent owner. The great closer taught Hughes how to slide his thumb under the ball slightly to the right, creating just enough of an imbalance upon its release to result in a subtle, late break.
“If you trust it and throw it right, it moves just enough,” Hughes said. The results have been devastating. According to Fangraphs.com, hitters swing at nearly a third of Hughes’ pitches out of the strike zone, which is another way of saying they’re getting fooled by the cutter.
What fuels his arsenal is old-school velocity — the fastball sits at 93-94 mph. That makes Hughes one of the game’s hardest throwers in a year when gun-readings are down across the board. One theory suggests the drop-off is due to the strict ban on stimulants this year; without chemicals, pitchers are working without the artificial adrenaline rush.
The ones who can still light up the radar gun are the one who were blessed with natural heat and didn’t need the boost. Hughes is among the blessed, and he’s used that weapon with great success. That’s why Hughes is hardly intimidated walking back into Fenway.
Without bravado, he says, “I’m looking forward to it.”
MTU,
Sadly I am not…anniversary so kinda a have to sorta thing.
Side note: in this information driven world we live in, isn’t it nearly impossible to tape a game and then actually make it to the point of watching it without someone or something telling you the score….you either overhear it, or accidently see it on a website or TV…its really a tough thing to do.
Happy annivesary, Blake!
P. Abe will be used as a pinch running specialist. He’s been watching the speed moves of Phat Ortiz.
In the tradition on Nick from SF I have decided to so honor PH.
For every win that Phil gets this season I will dedicate another 500 feet of climbing to him.
Since I start @ 3500 ft. If Phil wins 15 games I must be climbing above 11,000 ft. by the end of the season.
How’s that for sacrifice ?
@ mtu: That projection assumes Phil only pitches another 81 innings this entire season, for a total of 106. So, yeah, if he only gives you another 81 innings at a 4.30 ERA, he ends the season with a 3.65 ERA. That would be pretty bad, IMO, not because a 4.30 is bad, but because only 106 IP from Phil this year would leave the Yankees pretty thin in the rotation.
Mor realistically, if Phil gives you another 150 IP this year (175 in all), but at about a 4.30 ERA clip going forward, his ERA for the season would be more like 3.91.
Thank you Betsy
Blake-
I guess Love conquers all.
I hope Phil dedicates another great win to your anniversary.
Blake:
You want to dodge the score, you should be in Boston. Up for college pickup this weekend and all the buzz on sports radio is centered around their winter sports teams, who both play tonight. Next to nothing on the Yankees/Red Sox.
MTU,
I hope so as well…my tentative plan is to DVR tonights game, then somehow attempt to make it until tomorrow without receiving any information on the game, watch tonights game in the morning and then the Saturday day game…tough feat to pull off but here’s for hoping.
Betsy – Hughes rules (pleading the Fifth) May 7th, 2010 at 8:22 am
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo…..illed.html
Sabathia exudes pure relaxation on the days he starts, something Hughes admired. Earlier in his career, similar ease eluded Hughes when he was “so wide-eyed and – I can admit it now – just scared to death to come in here as a 20-year-old or whatever and I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. It’s almost like I had to throw a shutout every time just to feel like I belonged.
“Now, after last year, I have that confidence, like I know I’m here to stay. I feel a lot better when I go out there relaxed.
***Some guys want ammonia in the nostrils, want to get fired up. But when I’m out there, natural nerves and adrenaline will take over and I don’t need any extra stress or emotions going through my head.”***
———————————————————————————————————————-
It looks like Hughes has forgotten about what Clemens showed him about the best way to prep for a game. First thing: Go see the trainer. Second thing” Don’t forget to snort to get full affect.
Blake-
“my tentative plan is to DVR tonights game, then somehow attempt to make it until tomorrow without receiving any information on the game, watch tonights game in the morning and then the Saturday day game…tough feat to pull off but here’s for hoping.”
If anyone can pull it of it’s you.
You’re a smooth operator.
GB-
“It looks like Hughes has forgotten about what Clemens showed him about the best way to prep for a game. First thing: Go see the trainer. Second thing” Don’t forget to snort to get full affect.”
I hope Phil sees Red and the Sox wave the white flag.
Not that Cervelli has been disappointing or anything, but is Posada still expected back this evening?
Morning all,
Did you guys see that nonsense in The Post about Dallas Braden wanting to fist fight Arod?? I was laughing so hard I think I gave my stomach a work out.
Happy anniversary Blake
I have already trash texted my sister, telling her that little winning streak is ovah!!! She is so happy her sox are over .500, I didn’t have the heart to rub it in that they are only in 4th place.
Kate-
You should join me in my PH honorarium.
See my post @ 8:39 .
Billy D May 7th, 2010 at 9:10 am
Not that Cervelli has been disappointing or anything, but is Posada still expected back this evening?
*********************
I believe so.
I think Braden is forgetting that unwritten rule about young players respecting the veteran players. I also think players on other teams should walk over “his” mound to get a rise out of him
Thanks Kate,
The trash texting between me and my college roomate (big sox fan) actually started last night..he’s going to be at the Sunday night game.
Ever seen a dog “mark’ a fire hydrant ?
I think that is what A-Rod should do to Braeden.
treat him like a fire hydrant and “mark” him.
Looks like they’re off to a good start:
Ledger_Yankees Mid 1: NY 3, BOS 0. @TylerKepner warming up.
MTU
maybe I will just run an exra mile for Phil for each win. Otherwise I will be too far behind. Our Adirondacks aren’t really fit to hike until mid summer, between the mud and black flies.
Blake
my sister will be at tonight’s game. She says Beckett is favored, altho she doesn’t know why he should be.
GB, hopefully Phil has forgotten a few other things that Roger may have showed him………:)
Kate-
Any kind of tribute is good.
For instance, GB could add another slice of pizza or add another beer
for each win.
Or Randy could hurl an extra insult at each troll in honor of Phil’s success.
Things like that.
I think it’s ok to root for Jorge to be back, but we won’t know anything until after he tries some baseball activities this afternoon.
My favorite quotes: (talking about what will happen the next time he faces the Yanks) “There’s things that are going to have to happen,” said Braden. “Out of respect to my teammates, out of respect to the game.”
and: (talking about how he taught Arod a lesson) “I think he’s probably garnered a new respect for the unwritten rules and people who hold them close to their game,” Braden said Wednesday.
“But I think you’re right, we don’t do much talking in the 209 [an area-code reference to Stockton, Calif., where Braden went to high school],”
There?s things that are going to have to happen,? said Braden. ?Out of respect to my teammates, out of respect to the game.?
***********************
Is he serious?? This is too funny.
Ledger_Yankees nice job by @TylerKepner to manage damage. 3-1 NY after threw a pretty 0-2 curveball.
The whole article is hysterical. I highly recommend it for anyone that needs a good laugh this morning: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....j36coSp6OM
New Post: Media game update
The end of an ERA in Oakland.
The Raiders released JaMarcus Russell.
Maine-
I always hated guys with reversable names anyway.
Dallas Braden should just add another ‘s’ at the end of his first name.
i’m just wondering if all people in the 209 area as afraid to go to the dentist as braden ?
Was that intramural experience on the pristine Hinkson Field, Chad?
randy
Whats the mood of the RS fans on the Cape?
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BlogsSportsBlogging The BombersLoginRegister Blogging The Bombers
by Mark Feinsand
May 7, 2010 11:00 AM Post Your Comments
The Music Men ?
By Mark Feinsand
One of the questions that appears most frequently in my inbox is what song players have chosen to walk to the plate or warm up to. This became quite an issue when Nick Johnson started using Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” this season, a choice many people found quite amusing.
Since I don’t know some of the songs chosen by the Yankees (or haven’t paid close enough attention, in some cases), I figured I would go right to the source: Mike Bonner, the man behind the Yankees’ fantastic scoreboard.
Thanks to Mike, I now present a list of music currently chosen by the Yankees’ hitters and starting pitchers. He does point out, however, that players tend to change their music at times during the season, so you’ll have to excuse us if you hear something different at the Stadium.
Hitters
Derek Jeter: ?Candy? – Cameo
Nick Johnson: ?Party in the U.S.A.? – Miley Cyrus
Mark Teixeira: ?I Wanna Rock? – Twisted Sister
Alex Rodriguez: ?On to the Next One? – Jay-Z
Robinson Cano: ?Run this Town? – Jay-Z
Jorge Posada: Unknown Song (supplied by Jorge on CD)
Curtis Granderson: ?Lookin? for the Perfect Beat? – Africa Bambaataa
Nick Swisher: ?Beat Street? – Grand Master Flash
Brett Gardner: ?On the Run? – Pink Floyd
Randy Winn: ?Just Chill? – Jon Young
Marcus Thames: ?You?re a Jerk? – New Boyz
Francisco Cervelli: Unknown Song (supplied by Francisco on CD)
Starting pitchers
CC Sabathia: ?Big Poppa? – Notorious B.I.G.
A.J. Burnett: ?I?m a Man? – Black Strobe
Javier Vazquez: ?Until the Whole World Hears? – Casting Crowns
Andy Pettitte: ?La Grange? – ZZ Top
Phil Hughes: ?King Nothing? – Metallica
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blo.....z0nG24bgly
What’s with catcher’s and unknown songs!!