Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Today in the Journal News on May 17, 2010 
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The Twins finally got a win at Yankee Stadium last night, getting a Jason Kubel grand slam off closer Mariano Rivera. Brian Heyman has the story of a most unexpected Yankees loss.
Tonight the Yankees begin a two-game series against the Red Sox, and Javier Vazquez will be available out of the bullpen. Brian’s notebook also has some information on the rotation and the latest on Curtis Granderson’s groin injury.
Granderson takes next step: Besides doing some straight running, throwing, stretching and cage hitting, Curtis Granderson took batting practice outside and took fungoes from third-base coach Rob Thomson for the first time since suffering a strained groin on May 1. He said he didn’t feel anything. He thinks it’s possible he could return at the end of the month if all continues to go well.
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Good news.
Joba reverted to “bad” Joba, almost like “starting pithcer” Joba where he nibbles and doesn’t attack the strike zone. He has to just trust his stuff and attack the strike zone.
Yes, Doreen – I did write that and I stand by my comments.
William Buckner, I am not a chicken little and I don’t appreciate that comment.
Erica, thank you!
Erin
Very good news. CG’s return will help lengthen the line-up!
Good news on Granderson; I can’t wait until he comes back as this lineup really misses him.
Cervelli is one of my favorites, I love his enthusiam and personality, he is a joy to watch…however, where are the stats that suggest he is a better catcher than future HOF Posada? In this young season of limited tries for both catchers, Posada has a CS% of 19, and Cervelli has a CS% of 14.
Swisher is on Rachael Ray.
LOL! Glad to see we’re debating the merits of the Wild Card here today at LoHud!! I really do love you guys, you all always provide me with a good baseball topic to muse over. Personally, I actually think there should be more teams that make the playoffs in baseball.. but that could be cause I’m a hockey fan and have become accustomed to half the teams in the league making it
Trevor May 17th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Swisher is on Rachael Ray.
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That means my DVR is busy.
upstate kate May 17th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Cervelli is one of my favorites, I love his enthusiam and personality, he is a joy to watch…however, where are the stats that suggest he is a better catcher than future HOF Posada? In this young season of limited tries for both catchers, Posada has a CS% of 19, and Cervelli has a CS% of 14.
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The pitchers don’t like pitching to Cervelli so they’re trying to make him look bad by not holding runners on.
Betsy -
That’s fine. I’m not asking you to not stand by your comments. I never said you said the Yankees should/would be disappointed in a WC. My comment was strictly about what you said, about the WC being a second rate way of making the playoffs and you said you never said that, but you did, and now you’re saying you stand by that. I’m a little confused, I guess.
I would imagine that not winning the division outright is a disappointment, everyone prefers to win, but you don’t get the wild card because people feel sorry for you, and it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be in the playoffs. How many times have sub-par teams gotten to the playoffs with a mediocre record because they play in a mediocre division? Ideally, the best 4 teams should make the playoffs, but that’s not how it’s set up anymore.
Cervelli is one of my favorites, I love his enthusiam and personality, he is a joy to watch?however, where are the stats that suggest he is a better catcher than future HOF Posada? In this young season of limited tries for both catchers, Posada has a CS% of 19, and Cervelli has a CS% of 14.
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In a similiar amount of innings only 7 stolen base attempts have been made against Cervelli while 21 have been made against Posada.
Also half as many wild pitches. and 0 PB to posada’s 3.
GB7
maybe the pitchers get mesmerized by Cervelli’s dreamy eyes and forget about the runners
BTW, I enjoy your updates on the minor league players. I don’t have enough time to follow them closely, but like at least knowing who they are and what they are doing.
I just wrote a long sermon like post. It was on the last thread, and because I am computer ignorant, I don’t know how to repost it. If interested you can read it there…lol
upstate kate May 17th, 2010 at 10:48 am
GB7
maybe the pitchers get mesmerized by Cervelli?s dreamy eyes and forget about the runners
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Who could blame them????
Glad to hear Granderson is making progress.
SAS -
Good post on the last thread.
It seems that the Yankees are converting Savannah native, Ryan Pope into a reliever.
Doreen,
Congratulations again on your daughter’s graduation. I hope a wonderful weekend was had by all.
Anyone going to the game tonight?
I’ll be by Gate 4 on elevator 7, would be nice to meet some Lohud folks while the yanks put a beating on the Red Sox!
Thanks, SAS. It was a great weekend.
Doreen, I never said I didn’t say that. I did say that – and I do feel that way.
and because I am computer ignorant, I don?t know how to repost it. If interested you can read it there
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Copy and paste, you may have heard of it.
Kelvin,
I am jealous, and I hold you personally responsible for a Yankees win!!!
SAS, you can just copy and paste it.
Betsy,
I am embarrassed to tell you I don’t know how to do that. I tried the copy part one day and didn’t do it right. I am ‘computer illiterate.
SAS, click on your post and highlight it. Then, hit control + C at the same time, then come here and hit control + P to paste it…….
SAS-
I just wanted you to know that I responded to your e-mail question.
SAS just highlight with the mouse and then right click and hit copy.
Followed by right clicking again and “Pasting” it anywhere you want. Sounds like magic, eh?
lol.
upstate kate May 17th, 2010 at 10:48 am
GB7
maybe the pitchers get mesmerized by Cervelli’s dreamy eyes and forget about the runners
BTW, I enjoy your updates on the minor league players. I don’t have enough time to follow them closely, but like at least knowing who they are and what they are doing.
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The Yanks two newest young sluggers are coming along fine. Trenton third baseman, Brandon Laird had a 3-5 day yesterday with 2 more homers and 7 RBI. He’s 1 homer behind the league leader with 7 and leads the league in RBI with 36. David Adams is 3rd in runs scored, 2nd in hits and first in doubles in the Eastern League (Trenton). For that haven’t noticed, those kids on the Trenton team all have speed. Daniel Brewer is 2nd in the league in steals with 16, 2 behind the leader.
Charleston’s Luke Murton is 3 homers behind the Sally League with 6. Both leagues are pitchers leagues.
MTU
I got it and thanks again.
Gtlu
Jeter ss
swisher rf
Tex 1b
Arod 3b
Cano 2b
Posada c
Miranda dh
Winn rf
Gardner cf
Vazquez needs to be the backup / long man this week. They should not carry 13 pitchers with so many guys nicked up. This is the right way to go…
GB – and what an auspicious debut (this year) for Pope as a reliever – 4 strikeouts and six retired in a row. If he can pump up the MPHs out of the bullpen he can see Scranton pretty soon and be on the way.
So who goes down with Park being activated today??
“William Buckner, I am not a chicken little and I don’t appreciate that comment.”
Sorry Betsy, meant no disrespect. Poor choice of words.
I, for one, am too optimistic. We all have our view of the state of the team. As I said, I respect your POV and enjoy your take.
SAS May 17th, 2010 at 10:48 am
I just wrote a long sermon like post. It was on the last thread, and because I am computer ignorant, I don’t know how to repost it. If interested you can read it there…lol
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At least you aren’t ignorrant on the computer.
SAS, just ask one of the regs on here if you have question on how to do computer functions. I’d advise asking Doreen, pat, Betsy, Erica or Erin. They have the patience. Don’t ask me. I can give you spelling lessons, though. Don’t ask Randy. He’s crotchety and will probably forget what you asked any way…..either that or he’ll fall asleep half of the way through answering.
Kelvin
I got the copy part to work, but not the paste. I only did the one sentence I sent to MTU for practice. I am sort of slow with this stuff. I have learned a few things, like how to refresh the thread.
I am utterly fascinated by this.
GB:
lmao…I can help with spelling lessons, but often I think your mistakes are typos rather than misspellings.
If Girardi doesn’t start Vazquez on Friday then this is the kinda move that can blow up in a managers face and cause him to lose veteran’s in his locker.
Vazquez was on of the majoe acquisitions of this team in the offseason and is a respected veteran in the clubhouse. The starter’s job is his.
Mitre is a spot starter and a long man that is it. If Joe allows his mancrush for Mitre to cloud his better judgement by moving Mitre into the ‘ro and Vazquez into the ‘pen I think the vet’s will see it for what it is Girardi trying to get too d a m n cute with his managing and imo making himself the story when he should just get the h e l l out of the way and let the talent that Ca$h accumulated be the story not the manager.
I sense some Larussaism creeping into to Joe that if he’s not careful or is not reined in will eventually be his downfall.
Ca$h should step in here and put an end to this idiocy and make it clear to Joe that friday’s start is Vaz’s and enough playing games with him and focus more on building him up and getting him right.
On another note kudos to Noesi with the promotion if he continues throwing as well as he’s been he may make Scranton by season’s end.
I wonder if Banuelos now takes Noesi’s spot in Tampa? I hope that that’s the case.
GB-
“I can give you spelling lessons, though. Don’t ask Randy. He’s crotchety and will probably forget what you asked any way…..either that or he’ll fall asleep half of the way through answering.”
Shure u kan GB. Annnd typin too.
Betsy -
I re-read the exchange. Perhaps you were responding to someone else in the second part – if so, my mistake.
I do have to ask though, if the Yankees make the playoffs via the wild card, will you feel they were a second-rate team? Sometimes I think the teams that actually win their divisions are second-rate.
I agree winning outright is preferable. But the WC isn’t always “backing into” the playoffs. It totally depends on the situation. In any event, one might be relieved or even elated if one’s team got to the playoffs as the 4th team. I know, I know, it’s how you feel.
I just think it’s too early to say what one’s emotions about making the WC would be in any definitive way, since we don’t know what the situation is going to be several months from now.
For instance, if the Yankees keep having to overcome injuries for the duration of the season and manage to win a WC spot in spite of it, I would feel really happy about it. If they were leading the division, but fell off and ended up with the WC, I would be disappointed, but not entirely because they’ve still got a chance to win the WS.
As long as they need 4 teams to make the playoff system work, the WC is just as valid a way to get into the playoffs as the other way. I’d be for some other system, but I don’t think they’re going to do realignment, or make another division or take away a division any time soon.
And that’s just how I feel.
Had the pleasure of watching Andy pitch. I hope he never retires, or goes 2 more years at least !
Little off topic, but has anyone seen J. Montero yet this season? The numbers are a bit ugly as SWB nears the quarterpost. Doesn’t seem to be striking out with much frequency, but isn’t walking a lot either. Bad at bats? Bad luck? Some of both? Ridiculously high expectations weighing on him?
William Buckner, thanks for clarifying – I know you didn’t mean anything by it. I appreciate your posts as well, so keep posting away LOL
5 Iron, I figure he’ll get back up to 93-94 MPH like in school. He throws 2 fastballs, a 12-6 curve and change-up. On occassion a slider, but not his best pitch. That’s plenty good for the bullpen.
Jerkface
it is a small sample size for both, do you think it is significant?
could be who the pitcher is, who the team is, and other variables I am not thinking of
“I wonder if Banuelos now takes Noesi’s spot in Tampa? I hope that that’s the case.”
Thought he was assigned to Tampa to start the season, but has been on the DL from the get go.
AS May 17th, 2010 at 11:14 am
GB:
lmao…I can help with spelling lessons, but often I think your mistakes are typos rather than misspellings.
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That does sound better. Sounds like I’m educated but keyboard challenged.
Doreen, the reason why I said “it’s just how I feel” is because, to be honest, I don’t feel like I can post my thoughts on this board without having to worry about the reaction. I would love to have this conversation via e-mail if you wouldn’t mind giving me your address (through Chad, of course). My opinion is strictly my own, but I think you can understand why I would not want to post it here. I’m in no mood to be ridiculed for my thoughts and I honestly feel that that is what would happen if I continued this conversation.
Interesting morning in Lohud-Land, people learning how to cut and paste, people questioning the legitimacy of the wild card, people thinking that Vazquez won’t start Friday…
GTLU
SS- Jeet
RF- Swish
1B- Tex
3B- ARod
2B- Robbie
C – Jorge
DH- Miranda
CF- Gardy
LF- Winn
SP- Phranchise….6-0 may throw a no-hitter tonight
“So who goes down with Park being activated today??”
Probably Nova.
Granderson must to close to some rehab games then be activated before the end of May.
Patrick from CT May 17th, 2010 at 11:09 am
So who goes down with Park being activated today??
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My guess is Nova.
Doreen,
You are absolutely right about the WC. There have been many years when the WC comes out of the AL East, and that team has many more wins teams in the Central or West. It seems to be a fair way for that ‘odd man team’ to be rewarded, and if I am not mistaken, the WC team has won the WS more than once.
SAS-
I saw you wondering about this last night. So just to finish the topic since I went to bed-
I am not afraid to admit this-
I loved Johnny Damon as a Red Sock. In 2003, I announced that one day he would be a Yankee. Naturally, my family thought I was insane. The Yankees signed Johnny the day after my 25th birthday and I always joked that he was the Steinbrenner present to me.
It broke my heart a little when we didn’t sign him this offseason
I thought Noesi was pitching in extended spring training….
Betances by the way supposedly looks very strong already in extended’s up to 95mph already with a much smoother delivery….very encouraging!
champ javy isnt losing his job. This is out of urgency right now. They may need a long man and javy is the freshest. Truthfully i dont see Hughes and CC struggling to the point they need to use Javy but it is insurance. They arent telling him he sucks, they are saying they may need him sooner. Hopefully it doesnt come to that and Javy will start friday in a HUGE ballpark that even he cant give up too many homeruns, against a national league team with hitting problems.
WYH-
You think that’s something ?
I don’t know if you saw it but Bret was in here yesterday just to let us know that the Hopi think the world will end in 2012.
I am making my bucket list up right now.
MTU (aka GBURL) May 17th, 2010 at 11:16 am
GB-
“I can give you spelling lessons, though. Don’t ask Randy. He’s crotchety and will probably forget what you asked any way…..either that or he’ll fall asleep half of the way through answering.”
Shure u kan GB. Annnd typin too.
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I’ll think up a smart ass remark for you after I finish my Super Sugar Crisp.
SS Derek Jeter
CF Brett Gardner
1B Mark Teixeira
3B Alex Rodriguez
2B Robinson Cano
C Jorge Posada
RF Marcus Thames
DH Juan Miranda
LF Randy Winn
Banuelos has his appendix removed. Should be starting the slow road back this week.
I still think they need to do away with the divisions and just say the best 4 teams in the AL/NL go to the playoffs.
Right now, 4 teams in the East are better than all teams in the AL West. The Sox would be right at first place in the AL west right now, but 4th in the East. Doesnt seem right.
Betsy -
I understand. Please understand that I am having conversation with you – not trying to argue or make you feel defensive. It’s so hard to get across here sometimes.
Actually, I think we can both agree that talking about the WC is premature, and I’m shaking my head at myself because I can’t believe I put so much thought into it on a random May morning!
What is the singular form for a Red Sox player?…should you say Pedrioa is a Red Sock or a Red Sox? Or just say Pedroia plays for Boston?…always wondered that.
MTU-
Did Bret clarify whether the world was going to end before or after the 2012 World Series? Because it would make a difference in Jeter’s, Mo’s and Jorge’s next contracts…
Is Swisher ok to start tonight? He has been a HUGE part of this lineup (especially with johnson and granderson out).
Betsy – as an avid reader and an extremely sporadic poster I’m sad to hear you say that. I won’t respond with the usual ‘you just need to ignore negative people’ because a lot of people throw that advice around and you’ve heard it all before. You do get a lot of grief on here but I would hope you also feel that people value your input.
I kind of look at the blog like a(n extremely dysfunctional) family at a pot luck dinner. Everyone seems to bring something different to the table and the mix is what makes people keep coming back. Some people on here are legitimate baseball folks and others are just the most die hard fans you could imagine (who else makes habits of guessing the line up?!), each with totally different personalities that create some really good baseball talk. Sometimes the discussions get personal, and that is just a shame. I hate the idea that there are people that wouldn’t want to share their thoughts and opinions because others can’t be more respectful about their responses and I hope you don’t take these things personally.
That’s really all I had to say, I’m now, officially, off my soapbox.
Montero is very young for AAA and is facing failure for the first time in his very brief career. Personally, I think it’s good for his long term development. I’m sure he’ll turn it around this yearr and if he doesnt, he’ll still only be 21 playing in AAA next year.
blake May 17th, 2010 at 11:28 am
What is the singular form for a Red Sox player?…should you say Pedrioa is a Red Sock or a Red Sox? Or just say Pedroia plays for Boston?…always wondered that
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Singular form of Red Sox = enemy
blake May 17th, 2010 at 11:28 am
What is the singular form for a Red Sox player??should you say Pedrioa is a Red Sock or a Red Sox? Or just say Pedroia plays for Boston??always wondered that.
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I have been told that its actually “Pedroia is a Red Sox”, but I tend to make things up as I am going along. I prefer the better grammar
AHHHH!!
I did NOT open GTLU yet.
12:30 to 3:00 for a night game.
WYH-
“Did Bret clarify whether the world was going to end before or after the 2012 World Series? Because it would make a difference in Jeter’s, Mo’s and Jorge’s next contracts…”
Lol. He did not nor did the Hopi.
New thread
Pitching match ups
New Post w/pitching matchups
GB,
I like that…pedroia is an enemy.
Erica, I make it all up as I go.
Is the new post with pitching matchups on the board, yet?
Blake-
“What is the singular form for a Red Sox player?…”
I believe it is
Suxo, or
Suxer.
Just ask Trish.
CountryClub:
I agree with you re: going toe to toe with some adversity being a potentially good thing for Montero’s (or anyone’s) development. I’m not in a state of panic or anything. Was really just interested in what anyone may have seen or what the word is on what’s not going well right now.
i thought “Banuelos” not Noesi..
That “(Pleading the Fifth)” extension to the name sure is a little ironic, isn’t it?