Postgame notes: Not the happy zone
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Jun 04, 2010 
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A.J. Burnett did little to hide his frustration tonight. He had allowed just four home runs through his first 11 starts this season. Tonight he allowed three.
“Fastball counts and they end up in the happy spot,” Burnett said. “That’s what they’re going to do with them.”
This Blue Jays team has proven it can hit home runs up and down the lineup, and no one in the major leagues has hit more than Jose Bautista. Even so, Burnett was frustrated because he didn’t pitch all that poorly except for the three home run balls. “My pitches pretty much stayed where I wanted them to expect for those three,” he said.
All three were fastballs that leaked over the middle of the plate, to nearly the exact same spot each time. Edwin Encarnacion’s home run was a two-seamer that didn’t get down enough, and Bautista’s second home run was a four-seamer that ran a little bit to the middle of the plate. But the one that bothered Burnett the most was Bautista’s solo shot in the second inning. With a full count, Burnett went two-seamer. He wishes he had gone four-seamer down and in.
“I think 3-2 in that situation, you’ve got to go four-seam,” he said. “If you miss off you walk him, but less chance of leaking over into the happy spot.”
That was his frustration. Three pitches left over the middle of the plate. Here’s Burnett talking about it postgame.
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• Robinson Cano’s 17-game hitting streak came to an end with an 0-for-4 that included two strikeouts against Blue Jays starter Brett Cecil. “It’s just weird because we lost the game, not because I went 0-for-4,” he said. “Just start a new one tomorrow. Today is already over and just move on.”
• Speaking of Cecil, that guy deserves a lot of credit tonight. This Yankees lineup came in hot and he shut them down with an especially good changeup that the Yankees were expecting based on their scouting reports. “Even if you know what a guy has, if he’s executing his pitches, that’s execution over selection,” Curtis Granderson said. At 23 years old, Cecil is the youngest player on this roster. He’s also 6-2 with a 3.43 ERA.
• Can’t leave out Sergio Mitre, who had another strong outing in relief. Granted, not a high-leverage situation, but for a guy who seemed like an afterthought heading into spring training, he’s done very well this season.
• Hold on to those World Series rings everyone. Here’s a rather bizarre story from the lower levels of the Yankees minor league system. Apparently the Staten Island pitching coach has lost his ring and believes it was stolen under … umm … interesting circumstances.
• The Rangers still owe Alex Rodriguez a lot of money, and he’s going to play a role in their bankruptcy case.
• For anyone guessing a lineup tomorrow, don’t forget that Girardi has indicated that he was likely sit Granderson and play Francisco Cervelli tomorrow. Just something to keep in mind.
Associated Press photos of Burnett and Jeter.
“That’s the game game Mo saved Enrique Wilson’s life.”
Fallacy of the pre-determined outcome?
Bautista’s power this year is amazing.
He already has more HRs this year in 55 games than he has had in any year of his career playing 140+ games.
Hmmm, I hope this stolen WS ring story doesn’t interfere with Patrick Daneker’s shot at replacing Mike Harkey as interim pitching coach.
“Bautista’s power this year is amazing.”
Drug test him.
“Drug test him.”
Not what I was implying. It is definitely an outlier year for him though.
A 27 pitch 4 run 4th inning isn’t pitching good fool. You stunk country fool!
The abuse that Daneker would take in a ML clubhouse after they heard that story!
Interim unemployment and not interim coaching could be in his future.
“Just start a new one tomorrow. Today is already over and just move on.”
Joba ghost-tweeter?
“Not what I was implying. It is definitely an outlier year for him though.”
I didn’t mean to suggest that you were. My post was solely intended to indicate my skepticism.
” Fallacy of the pre-determined outcome?
”
More like a rationalization, to the umpteenth degree.
Still, IMO, the worst Yankee loss in the modern era. I’ll never forget the exchange.
Wife: “What’s wrong?”
Jeers: : ” The Yanks just lost the World Series”
Power off, go to bed….
I had to go to work Monday morning anyway.
Cut the drug rest crap
From LA Daily News-
The last time I saw the finest basketball coach of all time was at a baseball game a few years ago. The Encino resident went to Anaheim for an Angels-Yankees game because he admired managers Mike Scioscia and Joe Torre (typically, Wooden liked how they “accept ups and downs and don’t get carried away”).
Before the game he walked with a cane into the Yankees clubhouse, where a remarkable scene unfolded. Wooden sat on a chair in a hallway, and Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Mike Mussina sat on equipment trunks across from him.
I couldn’t hear what was said in the five or 10 minutes they spent together, but I remember the three zillionaire baseball stars’ postures. Bent forward, hands folded between their knees, they were little boys awed by the presence of real greatness.
I’m guessing Mrs. Jeers isn’t much of a baseball fan, but she wasn’t even watching the 9th inning of Game Seven 2001???
That’s committed non-interest.
pat, very nice story, thanks.
I hope this does not come across as crass (because the only positive I’ve ever held on to from 2001 was Enrique Wilson still being alive):
I would have sacrificed Wilson’s life for that, or most any World Series. With that said, I would have sacrificed my own life for that, or most any World Series!
I don’t think advocating human sacrifice is crass. Barbaric, but not crass.
Chad
the Daneker story was on the first thread, Damon blogged it this morning. Does anyone read the comments in you threads.
Cano’s stats said he hit .800 against Cecil, what happened 0-4?
Married May 30th, 2001.
Futbol is her native sport. Ecuador. We really hate David Beckham.
As far as Yankees, now she can name players based on buttock profile only. She says Jorge is the easiest to name.
“name players based on buttock profile only. She says Jorge is the easiest to name.”
Hey, so can I! Alex, Jeter, and Mitre are the easiest!
Rich, lol!
I was about to ask you to refrain from discussing Yankee buttock profile while CR9 is within commenting distance, but I see I’m too late. So I refer once again to my pic of Mo and Mike Harkey:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9.....542047081/
Is Mrs. Jeers aware that there is some type of international soccer competition starting in a few days? Ferdinand out for England! Drogba out for the Ivory Coast!
BTW, Bronx Jeers, I had a very late dinner at Katana-Ya last night and the girl sitting next to me at the counter was talking up a ‘much better’ ramen place down in San Mateo called Santa Ramen. I might have to take a trip down the peninsula and check it out — Millbrae is on the way.
How good can a noodle place named after a sword be?
Can you repost your Hughes celebratory homage? I need a pick me up.
m
Aw, what’s wrong?
Here’s a better “pick-me-up”
http://rodonline.typepad.com/......970c-popup
20 ways to get good Karma:
Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
Follow the three R’s:
- Respect for self,
- Respect for others and
- Responsibility for all your actions.
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Spend some time alone every day.
Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and
think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.
Be gentle with the earth.
Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
lol, CR9.
I don’t know what’s weirder.
A) Hideki staring at the whole scene.
B) Girardi hitching up his pants like Erkel.
C) Alex grabbing Jete’s behind.
or
D) Jeter clapping.
The pick me up is to forget about the loss tonight. It wasn’t bothering me so much before.
Probably because I need to reserve a table for 12 for tomorrow night at a restaurant I have yet to choose. I’ve kind of narrowed it down to PF Chang (which I haven’t tried), a very good ramen place (which I haven’t tried), and a grill which I haven’t been to since my nightclubbing days.
Bautista is absolutely on some kind of PED. It’s not even a question.
Bret
You forgot the 21st way to get good Karma. Grabbing Jeter’s delicious rump!
____
m
lol. Never noticed Girardi doing that before. Thanks! Just pick one and hope for the best! Good luck!
CR9,
Take a cold shower, my friend. Seriously.
m, upset about tonight’s Yankee game or the island girls? Can’t feel too bad, the ghost of Wooden was with UCLA.
Here you go:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9.....670563704/
P.F. Chang is boring in Charlotte, would it be less so out there? Hard to say.
On the way out the door, later!
Nick,
Wow! How did you end up in the same In-N-Out as Moose?
Nick-
Just looked at your photos on Flickr, good stuff!
Upon further review, that looks like Carl Pavano.
Talking to my mom has not helped much. We’ve expanded the choices to include yakiniku, teishoku, and chop suey!
Going to fast until tomorrow night. Yum.
Good night, Yankee fans.
yakiniku
Let’s start the morning off on a positive note especially after the trash heap that was last evening’s postgame thread.
The Rays lost to Texas and we did not lose any ground.
We’ve got 2 more chances to kick Toronto’s butt and take the series.
Are you feeeling me ?
MTU,
The sun came up today…who woulda thunk it.
Blake-
Tonite let’s return the the favor, and to borrow a line from Jim Croce let’s teach Toronto that “You don’t pull on Superman’s cape”.
MTU,
With the Jays you have to get ahead in pitch counts and then expand the zone and get them to chase…I feel pretty good about Andys ability to do that.
Blake-
I feel like a vampire and I’m hungry for some blood- BlueJay blood.
Not to take anything away from Cecil but I have seen corpses with more life than I saw from the Yankees last night.
THAT needs to change today.
Last night’s game had all the indicators of a trap game throughout the Yankee lineup. Look for them to play with a sense of urgency today after realizing they could have gained a game on the Rays that played in the wilting heat of Texas.
Blake-
Andy can usually keep us in the game but the Offense needs to show up today.
It’s pretty easy to beat up on weak teams.
Time to dance.
I agree with rick about yesterday being a trap game…day game Thursday, have to go up and go through customs and all that jazz…they looked flat.
I also think they will come out guns a blazin today behind Pettitte….at least we hope.
I just realized last night that baseball is now only 2 stadiums away from ridding itself of the awfulness that is indoor baseball.
unfortunately both left are in the AL east….it just looks so sterile on TV.
The owners of this Blog better get with it.
Some of the comments made to posters last night should not have been tolerated in any public forum, and without a doubt violated the term of use.
Mr. Marx. If you are not too busy sleeping find a way to put a stop to it or you risk losing what has kept you employed.
It was disgusting.
And your inaction is disgusting.
There must be things you can do.
Take care of it !!!!!
MTU,
Its pretty obvious that the number of comments have dropped off recently (which is what they are after…high numbers) and its most likely due to the foolishness that goes on around here.
Regular posters are either avoiding threads all together of splitting at the first sign of nonsense..its going to continue and the quality of conversation is going to continue to erode I fear of something is done.
An the yankee lineup was hot against who….The Orioles and the Indians.
MTU, Unfortunately you post could be written every morning. It’s the new normal around here.
Wells and Bautista will be Pettitte’s biggest challenges, today. Stay up and in on them and the other right handers. Overbay and Lind will be the only left handers. John Buck hits Pettitte well, too.
Tom-
You’re right.
However, it should not be tolerated, and hopefully wont be.
I now favor registration, or whatever other reasonable means would be required to put a stop to it.
It seems as though the responsible parties are either asleep at the switch, or worse seem indifferent to the cries.
Pretty soon there won’t be any refuge the way it’s going, and that’s sad.
MTU,
well said.
I’ve cut down my posting here due to the imposters and nonsense. I know of others who have done the same. Just not worth it.
Sometimes, you just get beat and no further analysis is necessary. Last night was one of those nights.
All you can do is turn the page and move to the next game.
Sorry for the late start, but for anyone who is interested,
GTLU is Open for Business
I’ll take lineups until the first one is out on Twitter.
# MTU (aka GBURL) June 5th, 2010 at 8:53 am
The owners of this Blog better get with it.
Some of the comments made to posters last night should not have been tolerated in any public forum, and without a doubt violated the term of use.
Mr. Marx. If you are not too busy sleeping find a way to put a stop to it or you risk losing what has kept you employed.
It was disgusting.
And your inaction is disgusting.
There must be things you can do.
Take care of it !!!!!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
And I thought last night was pretty mild. Can you show me an example of some of the worst? Was on a good few hours and don’t remember it getting as bad as you say.
jeter ss
swish rf
tex 1b
al 3b
robbie 2b
po dh
thames lf
cervy c
gardy cf
MTU, you can just list the times, I will go back and check, Thanks.
SJ-
I feel particularly bad for people like yourself who are long time posters.
I am a relative newbie here.
My investment must not be as great as yours.
The passivity in the light of all this is a mystery.
It’s almost if they don’t care.
I have had a very long fuse about it all but last night was particularly
vulgar and over the top.
Doreen, I’ll give it a shot today:
Jeter-SS
Swisher-RF
Teix.-1b
Alex-3b
Cano-2b
Posada-DH
Thames-lf
Cervelli-c
Gardner-cf
Thanks.
50 comments since last night? This blog is starting to slip.
I wrote last week, one reason is the updates don’t provoke much quality conversation. The other is quite honestly management of the site.
# SJ44 June 5th, 2010 at 9:29 am
MTU,
well said.
I’ve cut down my posting here due to the imposters and nonsense. I know of others who have done the same. Just not worth it.
Sometimes, you just get beat and no further analysis is necessary. Last night was one of those nights.
All you can do is turn the page and move to the next game.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Why impersonate? Lack of self-esteem? At least be good at it or funny. Get a life.
Jeter SS
Swisher RF
tex 1B
A-Rod 3B
Cano 2B
Posada DH
Granderson CF
Cervelli C
GGBG LF
Mick-
Some of the things said to Erica in particular have absolutely no place on this board.
They were vulgar. plain and simple. I am not going to spell it out any more than that. you can check back for yourself and see.
A lot of it was just childish moronic crap but some of it was well….. you know. You wanted to grab the person and …….
MTU
I saw the stuff to erica and that was , of course, the work of an imposter.
It was after the game for a short while on the AJ choke page.
It’s the immaturity of some “twits” that gets me.
Otherwise it was actually a “tame” night.
Maybe you should post more during and after games to add some credence.
Erica, did you not read Chad’s note?
• For anyone guessing a lineup tomorrow, don’t forget that Girardi has indicated that he was likely sit Granderson and play Francisco Cervelli tomorrow. Just something to keep in mind.
I generally stay away from in-game posts because it can become so inane. If they win, I might come on afterwards, but rarely after a loss at which point this place becomes idiot central.
But that’s the nature of blogs and I don’t think it’s something that needs to be “fixed”. I just limit myself to day of game chatting, draft/player development commentary and trade speculation.
Once the game gets going there’s too much irrational, over the top nastiness for me.
To each his/her own.
That said is it impossible to find a fourth OF who knows how to play defense. I can’t stand seeing Marcus “Michael Jackson” Thames out there.
You know, a guy who wears a glove on his left hand for no apparent reason.
Tom in NJ-
Nope. Didn’t see that. LOL. This morning is pretty much “wake up, submit line up, go to beach”
Cervelli sat yesterday!!!!!! No fair.
MTU
I’m also with you. Things need to change around here. I was one of Pete’s biggest critics. But he did do somethings right, Such as monitoring the comments section. Have a nice day everyone.
Doreen — here’s my entry to MTLU — I’m playing MAKE the lineup instead of guessing it cuz it’s more interesting!
CF Gardner
SS Jeter
1B Teixiera
3B Rodriguez
2B Cano
DH Posada
RF Swisher
LF Thames
C Cervelli
MTU (aka GBURL) June 5th, 2010 at 9:44 am
Mick-
Some of the things said to Erica in particular have absolutely no place on this board.
**********
Thanks MTU.
Just for the record, I have no idea what that person’s deal was. The part that really bothers me is that if you read the comments its clearly a person who follows the comments with regularity. I really just don’t understand why someone would do that.
However, I have contacted Chad and Jeff the IT Guy. I know they are trying to come up with ways to fix these problems.
When Pete was here, there was also some rather disgusting posting going on aimed toward a one-time regular who no longer posts here. It has happened before, it’s not due to the new regime.
When Pete was here, there were trolls.
When Pete was here, the game threads began to deteriorate.
I happen to think Sam and Chad do post enough to drive conversation, but most people kind of just continue conversations from prior threads these days. Also, I don’t know that the inciting comments by Pete re: anything to do with Yankees admin/the new Stadium/ARod qualify as good conversation starters. Sure, they tended to drive up posts, but I’d submit it didn’t guarantee quality.
Pete did post more updates, but theyd idn’t all have to do with the Yankees. Often it had to do with music, movies, whatever. Which I did like, not complaining about that. But that was Pete adn his personality and his view of what this blog is/was. Chad and Sam didn’t create this, they inherited this, and it is an evolving medium.
What is making this place difficult for me is the almost constant bickering, oneupmanship and a sometimes generally unfriendly atmosphere, including the impostering. Seems to be more of a problem than it has been for the first couple of years I have posted here.
I miss some of the regulars who no longer post here because you just get tired of the constant battle. There seems to be more to warrant ignoring than ever before. The scroll button has become my friend.
It also used to be that you could count on the atmosphere during and after wins to be like a refreshing rain. Now, the cloud hovers even after good things happen. And the storms duriing and after losses are more severe.
Anyway, that’s my take.
Off to the beach. Will not be back until late tonight
Hope everyone enjoys the day. Happy Yankee watching!
Erica-
I like you very much. You are intelligent and witty. Much more than just blog fluff.
You deserve to be respected (as most do), and I think I was probably was more upset at what was said to you last night than you were. The person who said those things needs a good slap upside the head, or a foot in the azz, and that would just be for starters.
The changes, if any, to fix things can’t get here soon enough !
Unless the team goes on a serious forward roll soon , Cashman is eyeballing a bat and a bullpen arm as he gets ready for what will shake out at the 7/31 trading deadline.
At this point, the White Sox and Royals are heading toward being in a selling mode. NL teams are Plan B thoughts.
The Yankees are playing .618 baseball. How much more of a roll do they need to be on? That’s roughly 102 wins.
“I happen to think Sam and Chad do post enough to drive conversation, but most people kind of just continue conversations from prior threads these days. Also, I don’t know that the inciting comments by Pete re: anything to do with Yankees admin/the new Stadium/ARod qualify as good conversation starters. Sure, they tended to drive up posts, but I’d submit it didn’t guarantee quality.”
For the most part your right… It was about two weekends ago during the Mets series that almost 24 hrs went between posts. That was rough.
I agree with your take about Arod or stadium re Pete, but one thing I was really excited about Chad taking over, in Scranton (my home) he was tied into minor leagues, guys on the come. Chad is GREAT at this.
I guess my main complaint would be between Yankee info – line up, pre and post game, I would love some filler of prospect info, trade talk, thing of that nature.
Between the team itself and that kind of conversation was when this blog was at it best.
But to the spirit of your post Doreen, I think we both agree this remains a really good place to discuss the Yankees with a lot of smart fans.
I can’t see the Yanks investing heavily in set up arms. Joba looks back on track and Robertson’s back seems okay.
A fourth OF who can play defense would be a nice addition. There’s been much speculation about DeJesus here, but his salary is not insignificant and who knows what the Royals would seek there.
However if the White Sox want to talk about Thornton I’d be all years.
I’ve wanted Ty Wigginton for three years. Ideal utility guy who crushes most LHP
Doreen
I don’t consider myself a regular but I have started posting less because even when I post a different opinion it leads to confrontation which I’m tired of.
Doreen, Good morning.
Jeter SS
Swisher RF
Teixera 1B
Arod 3B
Cano 2B
Posada DH
Granderson CF
Cervilli C
Gardner LR
Thanks a million!
MaineYankee June 5th, 2010 at 10:17 am
Doreen
I don’t consider myself a regular but I have started posting less because even when I post a different opinion it leads to confrontation which I’m tired of.
———————————————————————————————————————-
sorry, but, I don’t agree with this at all.
Should I even ask whether the usual garbage went on during the game last night…I think I got the picture, and it makes me feel bad for all of you since I am a relative newcomer. I enjoy the blog during games when I get an even better perspective of what I have seen from people who get the nuances of that I won’t see left to my on devices.
When it gets frenzied on here with the riffraff , I leave the blog because I don’t need to see good people get dumped on. So to all of you whom I have grown to admire for your knowledge, I am truly sorry. I may not even ask you a question but I am still absorbing what you say and appreciate itl
“sorry, but, I don’t agree with this at all.”
gb7-
sorry, but you’re both full of it