Postgame notes: Too good to be true
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Jul 27, 2010 
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In every which way, tonight’s ninth inning would have been the perfect time for home run No. 600. It was Alex Rodriguez’s birthday and the Yankees were down to this last out, needing a home run to tie it.
“Those are the best at-bats,” Rodriguez said. “You want a situation where you have to think small. Probably the worst at-bats are the wide-open ballgame, two outs, nobody on. Everybody stands up and is expecting one thing.”
That picture at the top, that’s the shot of Rodriguez’s final swing, a ground out to short that ended the game with the Yankees taking the loss and Rodriguez staying at 599. But this wasn’t a loss to hang on A-Rod’s shoulders.
CC Sabathia didn’t have his best outing, but literally every Indians run could be attributed to a Yankees mistake.
First run: Fourth inning, no outs, runners at second and third. On a grounder to third, Rodriguez’s throw home was in time, but Francisco Cervelli dropped the ball on the tag.“I could see it,” Sabathia said. “He slid right onto his mitt. There was really nothing Cervi could do about it.”
Second run: Fourth inning, one out, runners at first and second. Robinson Cano stepped off the bag trying to start a double play. Both runners were called safe — Joe Girardi seemed much more disappointed in the call at first — and the next batter hit a sacrifice fly. “I assumed he was out (at second),” Sabathia said. “I just worried about the runner at first. I thought he was out too. I had no idea until Alex told me he called him safe at second.”
Third run: Sixth inning, no outs, bases empty. Curtis Granderson nearly made a running catch in deep center field, but the ball hit the heel of his glove and bounced out. Any chance of a juggling catch ended when Granderson slammed into the wall. That runner scored two batters later. “He made a great attempt,” Sabathia said. “That’s what you expect out of your teammates, to go hard.”
Fourth run: Sixth inning, one out, bases loaded. Having intentionally walked Jason Donald to face No. 9 hitter Chris Gimenez — a career .149 hitter playing his fourth big league game of the year — Sabathia walked in a run on a 3-2 changeup. “He fought off a couple of fastballs,” Sabathia said. “I was just trying to make a pitch, get a strikeout right there. I tip his cap to him. He did a good job putting a good at-bat together and taking a changeup.”
More so than on at-bat in the ninth inning, those moments made the difference in the game. Here’s Rodriguez talking about his night and his on-going pursuit of 600.
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• Can’t overstate how well Josh Tomlin pitched in his major league debut. He allowed no hits through three innings and faced the minimum through six. “He threw the ball extremely well,” Rodriguez said. “First time we saw him. He threw a lot of cutters. Kept working ahead of guys. Pitched backward a little bit. For the most part, I don’t think we had any good swings on him.”
• The Yankees have lost each of their past six games when facing a starting pitcher making his major league debut. The only other debut they saw this season was Jake Arrieta in Baltimore. That was a 4-3 loss.
• Sabathia hadn’t lost since May 23. “I felt like it was so-so,” Sabathia said. “I had good stuff, just didn’t make the pitches I needed to. I felt like I had a good fastball. The changeup was better than last time. It just didn’t work out today.”
• Girardi said he was surprised but had no problem with Cano being called off the bag. “If he’s right, he’s right,” Girardi said.
• Asked about the back end of the double play, though, Girardi only nodded his head to acknowledged that he’d seen the replay. Girardi wouldn’t comment, but it was pretty clear that he considered that a blown call.
• Mark Teixeira’s on-base streak came to an end.
• On a night of defensive mistakes, it’s easy to forget Brett Gardner’s great throw and Cervelli’s great block of home plate in the first inning. At the time, that seemed like a good sign for the Yankees.
• Girardi on what he was thinking during Rodriguez’s last at-bat: “This would be a real good time to hit one. But in that situation you’re just talking about keeping the line moving.”
• Derek Jeter was 2-for-4 and is a career .351 hitter against Cleveland, higher than against any other American League team.
Associated Press photos of Rodriguez, Cervelli, Girardi and Tomlin
Rich-
I’m sure they will. In fact, I’d rather they do that and try to mess with the Yanks than actually improve their ballclub which has plenty of holes. Theo is slowly being knocked down from his pedestal.
stimulus package saved 8mil jobs!
And just like that the Angels choke again against the Red Sox thanks to triple A Juan Rivera.
It’s getting ridiculous that Sux just can win almost every game vs. LAA.
Just not a good game all around. It happens. And they usually bounce back very quickly.
Good luck to mosley tomorrow.
As for the Sox? This was the bridge year. It remains to be seen if that comes to pass.
But I don’t see the Sox blocking the Yankees much in any serious way. They got burned on Gagne, and they got obliterated on Tex.
It’ll be interesting to see if they continue to be content with the Yankees scraps. Lackey may end up being better than AJ over the course of their contracts, but AJ’s already helped them to a WS in his first season. In the past few years, the Yankees have gotten the best FA 1B, 3B, C, SP. hope to add the best CL, SS & SP from the upcoming class.
My 9 chokes again.
Lackey is better than AJ if his elbow holds up…big if.
JobaTipsHisCap
You would think that the Angel players would be tired of it. But it seems like they show more effort against the Yankees and just roll over for the Sox.
So McLouth was optioned to AAA.
lol Jeremy. Juan the fat toad Rivera again! It’s actually become amusing. I can’t believe for the life of me how the Angels beat the Sox last year in the postseason, while not even trying to win! Goes to show how bad the Sox really were. lol at Ortiz scoring from first. i cant wait for the day that Scioscia finds himself out of a job. 5 years from now, perhaps.
The Angels never hit the Sox’s pitching. It’s actually pretty funny. They have tons of confidence against the Yanks and almost none against the Sox. The Angels were just lucky to beat them in the play offs last year.
CR9
lol ! Yeah I just saw Ortiz scoring from first pathetic ! And once again Triple A Juan Rivera took his time and took the wrong route.
The only reason why the Angels beat the Sox last year was because of offensive woes on the road. The Angels have a history of choking against the Red Sox.
Thank god the Yankees traded Juan Rivera. The guy shouldn’t even be in the majors.
Just came back from watching a Connie Mack Elite League game in Costa Mesa……Just love baseball at the grass root level……It was an opportunity to see some old baseball guys that I met back in the late 90′s early 2000 when I was involved in the league as a coach…….Some interesting chatter about player movement in the next few days……..Kept hearing how the Yanks are keeping an eye on Adam Dunn with the concern about him going to Tampa…..Another name, Brandon League is getting lots of attention…..One thing is that there are so few sellers, many on the fence, and a few clubs looking to add the big piece to October’s puzzle………At least 15 cross checkers at tonights game…..Amazing how good 16-17 year old kids play the game today
As the Angels homer announcer says big fly!!!
With regard to the trade deadline, I don’t want to hear that the Yankees traded Montero, Betances, or Brackman, and probably Romine too. The Montero rumors are beyond nauseating.
Rich in NJ
I agree. Those prospects should be off limits.
Jeremy
I know all too well about the Angels history v the Sox. It is sometimes rather entertaining, though, to see the Angels flop like the bums they are. I am so sick of hearing about what a great manager Scioscia is. The guy is a loser. As is Rivera. Juan Rivera is what I see when I have a bowel movement!
Let’s see Willits stand with cement in his shoes on first base as the tying run like he did last night!
And when are the Angels going to finally get a real LF’er and get rid of Triple A Rivera ? You would think a large market team like that would have moved on by now.
CR9
It is kind of funny watching the Angels lose to the Sox. Last year when Fuentes blew the save at Fenway (thanks to the ump) and Juan Rivera allowed the winning run to come across. The Angels are such a joke. And Mike Scioscia is an overrated manager. He only has one world Series ring to show for all of those playoff runs. On top of that they lost to the Red Sox in 2004, 2007, and 2008.
Jeremy……Angels have Carl Crawford on their Christmas list
And they knocked out the Bombers in 02 & 05
Jeremy
Why would the Angels get rid of Rivera? When Scioscia has a player that shows no effort against the red sox, that player is there to stay! Funny part is, Rivera does not fit their “system” at all. I have system in quotes because I think everyone should know that their system is losing to the sox. But back to their “system,” he is fat, slow, doesn’t give full effort, and is a waste of a bat who doesn’t hit for much average or power, and doesnt get on base a lot. The anti-Scioscia, Rivera continues to stay for one reason – he dont try v the red sox!
Jeremy
Yep. I will take some minuscule amount of pleasure out of Scioscia beating the Sox last year, but not much. It was a long time coming. Worst part is, the Angels lack of effort in 1986 cost their then-closer his life. As the closer for that Angels team could not live with having helped blown the 3-1 lead to the sox. A real shame.
The only way the Yankees get Crawford is if they trade Granderson, although I’m not saying I would endorse that move yet. I need to see more, and see what kind of contract that Crawford will get.
Look at what they just did. The 2nd baseman had NO Chance of getting Ortiz there, but he decided to throw the ball away anyway and cost them a run.
He puts that in his pocket, it’s only bases loaded with no run scoring. This from Kenrick, the Yankee Killer. LOL
I know it is a shame CR9.
Pat M.
You think the Angels will go in hard for Crawford ?
And yeah they did beat the Yankees in 2002 and 2005.
CR9……Donnie Moore was hurt down the stretch, however the pitch that Dave Henerson hit was a good pitch …….It was headed for Boone’s mitt, give Dave his due….He did the same thing in the WS vs. The Mets……Donnie was never the same guy after that…..Mauch over used him in September
Jermy, I expect the Halos to go hard after Carl……They have plenty of bank to spend……
CR9
Kendrick will only step up his game against the Yankees once the Red Sox come around he takes off his uniform and puts on a skirt. The only Angels showing some backbone in this series are former Yankees Abreu and Matsui and Weaver.
Pat
Im not blaming Donnie or taking any credit away dave. I feel like it’s a shame that his teammates could not pick him up in the rest of the series, and now, the guy is no longer living because of it. I hate to sound crass, but I truly believe that the Angels beat the Red Sox last year to avenge the death of Nick Adenhart, partly due to being disrespected by the Sox only a couple days after the death of Adenhart. If that’s what it takes for the Angels to show up versus them – getting disrespected by a red sox after losing a family member (Adenhart), I guess I’ll take it, because that’s the only time the Angels are showing up versus them.
Weaver I mean’t to say is the only original Angel showing some backbone.
Jeremy
Yep. Cant ever question the Matsui-san or Abreu. 2 classy guys that always give full effort!
I knew what you meant. Weaver pitched a good game, but got cost by defensive positioning and poor defense by Toad Rivera!
CR9
I forgot what did the Sox do to the Angels last year to make them upset ?
Only a couple days after Adenhart’s untimely passing, scumbag Beckett threw right at Abreu’s head……..because Abreu “dared” to step out and call time.
Sound familiar, like that game this year against the Yankees in which our guys kept stepping out and he kept drilling us.
sox game over! gotta love scioscia! have a great night jeremy, pat
abreu might be classy but his production is on the way down like matui’s..
frist and 3rd no outs in the 9th, swisher, tex, and then arod did zilch. not even a ball hit to the outfield with any juice on it.
the defense lost this game and the angel game tonight.
tampa DP with bases loaded in the 9th.. Defense matters.
cervelli has really slowed down at the plate and when he is making defensive errors it hurts that much more……………….
CC looked good to me, the team let him down……….angels look like toast…
Oh yeah ! I forgot about that. Yeah Beckett is a piece of garbage.
Yeah good night !
CR9, Remember the Angels still had the series lead after that game……Doug DeCines left something like 10 runners on base in the finale game….They had every chance to win that series…….Mauch did his usual el-foldo just like he did in 64 and in 82 vs The Brewers……The Little General was always called a baseball genius, but man did he have rotten Octobers
Didn’t know that Jeter had such a good career average versus the Indians. I would have guessed his highest average against a team would be Baltimore, he seems to own them.
I saw this written on another forum, and it pretty much sums up my feelings about the Yankees and rookie pitchers:
At least they give these guys a nice story to tell their kids and grandkids one day. “Here’s a video of me mowing down a bunch of Hall of Famers!”
You know, those Yankees are always so congenial.
In a more serious vein, it does seem like something that could be addressed in some way. They certainly don’t go out there without at least looking at a scouting report and watching whatever video is available. I know Singleton is always saying that until you actually face a pitcher, though, it’s tough to get a read on him. But second and third time through the order, there should be more improvement, no? And most of these new guys seem to do it with smoke and mirrors or “pitching backwards.” Shouldn’t they be looking to change their approach a little?
However, you can’t dismiss that these rookies are certainly focused. Here is an opportunity for them to show what they’ve got and they’ve stepped up. The kid last night had excellent control. The Indians have to be very happy with him.
As I said last night about Cano’s error – the call may have been the right call and you really can’t argue it – if he’s not on the base, he’s not on the base; however, it was not the expected call and how is a fielder to know when an umpire is going to be disinclined to call the neighborhood play at 2nd on a DP ball? I suppose the way to deal with that is to tell your infielders to get on the bag whenever possible, and leave as little daylight when they can’t.
Poor ARod. The longer it goes, the more it seems like he’s pressing, even if he isn’t. I just want it over with.
Doreen
I had the same thought about that rookie pitcher, what a debut!
I was really hoping Alex would get #600 in that last at bat, what a Hollywood ending it would have been. Oh well, hopefully we get good AJ today.
Doreen
That play at second is like letting your kids do something and then out of the blue punishing them for it.
I think how the Yankees do versus rookie pitchers is only made a big deal when they lose. If it was consistently a problem that’s all they would face and they wouldn’t be in first place.
I hear the RS announcers saying they have trouble with pitchers they haven’t faced before so it isn’t just the Yankees.
Good morning upstate kate.
It sure would have been a storybook ending! Ah, well, ’twas not to be. You know he’s going to hit it, I mean there’s 2 months left to the season. But you never want to walk away from the television set during his at bats right now, so it feels even worse than it is.
Doreen
I know what you mean about not wanting to miss the big moment. Our cable package has MY9 on channel 1027. My kitchen TV only gets up to channel 99. So I am trying to cook dinner, and keep track of Alex’s at bats on the big TV. I am glad the next few games are on YES. I know it will be shown a million times once he hits 600, but there is something special about seeing it happen in real time.
Kate
You just need to get take out on the MY9 nights.
upstate kate -
The other day the picture froze up on YES right in the middle of one of Alex’s at-bats – no picture, no sound. It came back and it he was still up at bat, but I was SURE he would hit that HR while the picture was out.
My mom is hoping he waits until Sunday to hit it – she’s going to be at the game in Tampa. I told her NO! That’s way too long to wait for it!!!
Doreen,
Good morning.
I think its maybe a little of both regarding the whole Rookie pitcher struggles the Yanks seem to have. To these pitchers its the biggest game of their lives to face the Yankees and they are going to be as focused and prepared as possible. Likewise the Yankee lineup (for the most part) is filled with very cerebral and patient hitters….they try and set up counts and work the pitcher and when they have never faced a guy before they get a little out of sorts it seems.
I think its probably those things with a little coincedence mixed in….they could face that guy again next week and score 9 runs off him…just one of those things.
As for the “neighborhood play”…its ridiculous to make that call unless its just completely obvious. Middle infielders are taught to protect their legs on those plays and the umpires need to realize that and make the call as they have for decades unless they want to risk a bunch of broken ankles. JMO.
Maine Yankee -
The Yankees need to take out MY9!
They NEVER play well (almost never) on MY9.
I think its probably those things with a little coincedence mixed in….they could face that guy again next week and score 9 runs off him…just one of those things.
**********************
Good morning everyone,
That’s what happened last week with O’Sullivan. He made them look silly when he beat them as an Angel Tuesday and then the Yankees beat him on Sunday.
I also hope Alex gets #600 tonight. Think he is starting to press a bit.
blake -
True. Cano wasn’t all that far off the bag. I’ve seen the play called when the 2nd baseman was a couple of feet away.
“Worst part is, the Angels lack of effort in 1986 cost their then-closer his life”
CR9, you’re an idiot ten times over.
Maine Yankee
that is a great suggestion! I am sure my guys wouldn’t mind. How was your trip?
I really thought the Yankees would be able to get some hits the 2nd or 3rd time around. I don’t understand they didn’t take more pitchs (Jeter, I am talking to you) the first time around.
and I also thought that neighborhood play was wrong. Cano was definitely in the neighborhood, sometimes they get the call and they aren’t even in the same zip code.
I agree with socia being an overrated manager. Yes he pretty much makes playoffs every year but look at that division it is garbage. And they consistantly lose to the soxs. How does Ortiz score from first!
Doreen,
True. He actually looked farther off in live speed than on the replay to me…I’ve seen that happen to Cano before, his feet are so fast and he moves his upper body first so it actually looks worse than it is. I still hate that call…
Good Aj throws tonight!
Gotta love the Star Ledger! On the front page, top:
“A-Rod Goes Hitless in Yankees Loss to Indians”
and on the sports page:
“Rookie Keeps ARod Silent”
Fine and dandy, but as I recall, the rookie did pretty well against EVERYONE in the Yankees lineup. Sigh.
Thank heaven for minor league options. At this point, and without them, the opposition would just bring up 3 or 4 rookie pitchers to face the Yankees in each series and we’d be 0-162.
Would have been sweet for Alex to connect in the 9th.
Today is another day. Enjoy it all.
Kate
We had a nice time. Weather was a bit iffy but it cleared enough so we could see the sites. Cadillac Mtn. was really something.
We rented a cabin and that was a nice experience. Would have been better without all the tourists.
I don’t buy the idea that these rookies do well against the Yankees because they are so focused – as if they wouldn’t be focused against other teams when making their debuts. It’s either due to poor scouting (which I am hesitant to believe) or just plain old poor execution. This has gone on for several years – it’s not just an issue with this team. Perhaps the Yankees are overconfident and expect to thrash these rookies – then go up being aggressive and overswinging. Either way, it’s annoying – and last night was just a brutal game in every way. Teams are going to have those nights and you move on. It’s just too bad that Joe had to push CC out there because he has no faith in AJ giving us innings and feels the need to keep the pen rested for his and Moseley’s outings. On a night when CC had little and had to work hard, I really would have preferred that he not throw 123 pitches.
Also, can we please drop this crap with the Angels and the Red Sox? First of all, every team has a team they can never beat – and the Angels have a hard time with the Sox (except for last fall). Enough with the Angels aren’t trying garbage – it’s embarrassing. Blaming the Angels for Donnie Moore’s suicide is beyond ridiculous.
Betsy -
Good morning. You’ve started the day with both barrels loaded!
I had a bad feeling as soon as the game started last night. I don’t know what it is with this team and rookie pitchers. LOL
Oh well. Hopefully they’ll have a nice bounce back game tonight. I’m excited because I actually get to watch the last two games of this series on YES-no more Cleveland announcers!!! This is a very good thing.
Doreen, lol – I’ve eaten my Wheaties, lol. I’m sorry – CR hasn’t been anything but nice to me – and I hate the Red Sox, too – but this obsession is beyond annoying. Frankly, I think it pollutes the blog almost as much as trolls did.
CR9 and Jeremy, I just want to tell you both that you guys are pathetic. Why anyone would be so concerned about a third place ball club is beyond my comprehension.
Thank you and carry on.
Have a great day!!!!!
I don’t have a problem w/ leaving CC in there. The game was not out of reach and I really thought that by the 2nd or 3rd time thru, the Yankee batters would have figured this kid out. CC is a work horse and is used to throwing a lot of pitches, altho 123 may have been a bit much.
and Betsy, I totally agree about the sox/angels thing. It does seem like every team has another team they have problems with, usually at the other team’s home, for example:
Yankees w/ Angels
Tampa w/ Cleveland
Twins w/ Yankees
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....ZMwv2rgL7H
After the Diamondbacks asked for Chamberlain to be part of a Dan Haren deal, a source who has knowledge of what the Blue Jays want for lefty reliever Scott Downs said Toronto requested Chamberlain.
That stays true to the industry believing the Blue Jays’ asking price for a 34-year-old reliever who can become a free agent is far too high.
When the Red Sox contacted the Blue Jays about Downs, Toronto asked for highly regarded infield prospects Casey Kelly or Jose Iglesias.
Like the Red Sox, the Yankees aren’t interested in meeting demands that are considered high throughout the industry.
“You can ask for anything,” an NL talent evaluator said. “That doesn’t mean you are going to get it. Let’s see where it goes Saturday.”
If the price on Downs falls, the Yankees may meet it because, with Damaso Marte on the disabled list with shoulder woes, Boone Logan is Joe Girardi’s lone lefty in the pen. And while Logan’s control has been better lately, it’s been an issue throughout his career.
*********
Ok, this is beyond ridiculous. Joba for a reliever? I’m actually surprised the Jay actually are demanding a lot from the Sox as well – Casey Kelly? For a reliever? I don’t think so.
Betsy -
I agree. I generally just skip over when he posts that kind of stuff.
lol raymagnetic! Im not concerned nor obsessed about a 3rd-place team. I have a hatred for an organization named the Red Sox and manager named Scioscia. Maybe you’ve heard of them! And I call it as I see it! When I see the Angels flop time and again v the sox, I’ll say it. I guess fans of the sox could say the Texas Rangers flopped versus the Yankees in the 90s – that may be a fair assessment. And yes, without a doubt, Moore would still have his life if the Angels won that ’86 series. It’s been documented that he committed suicide because of that series.
Also, as for the 3rd place team, we should thank our lucky stars for the injuries to Beckett and to a lesser extent, Buchholz. We should also be thankful for their slow start to the season and offensive injuries! So for all the anti-Red Sox and Yankees fan on here, THANK YOU GOD for putting the 3rd place team behind the 8 ball with all the injuries!
you would think the Jays would have learned from their mistake in the Halladay dealings
lol raymagnetic! Im not concerned nor obsessed about a 3rd-place team. I have a hatred for an organization named the Red Sox and manager named Scioscia. Maybe you’ve heard of them! And I call it as I see it! When I see the Angels flop time and again v the sox, I’ll say it. I guess fans of the sox could say the Texas Rangers flopped versus the Yankees in the 90s – that may be a fair as-sessment. And yes, without a doubt, Moore would still have his life if the Angels won that ’86 series. It’s been documented that he committed suicide because of that series.
Also, as for the 3rd place team, we should thank our lucky stars for the injuries to Beckett and to a lesser extent, Buchholz. We should also be thankful for their slow start to the season and offensive injuries! So for all the anti-Red Sox and Yankees fan on here, THANK YOU GOD for putting the 3rd place team behind the 8 ball with all the injuries!
Chad neglected to mention this, but if you read the NY POst story I linked to, Jorge mentions that he has a cyst on his knee
Good morning everyone. Took the media a long time to find out Soria has a partial NTC and has the Yankees on that list. Toronto asking for Joba for Scott Downs.
Expect things to go down to the wire on Saturday.
GB7- Glad everything turned out OK
a cyst on his knee….ugh, great. shoot, maybe that’s karma for being happy about the injury to Kendrick Perkins costing the Celtics the 2010 title. I take it all back, God. Of course Im not happy *wink wink* Please heal Jorge’s knee, and quickly.
Betsy –
The cyst has been there for the last couple of years, it’s chronic not something that is a problem.
NY Post is also reporting that the asking price for Scott Downs is Joba Chamberlain.
let me sum up my thoughts on this: NO CHANCE IN H. E. Double L
I know Joba’s value is down, but there is no way Brian is moving him for a 35-year old left handed relief pitcher/free agent to be.
Why does this lineup have problems with pitchers who throw a lot of off speed pitches? Tomlin last night, Sean O’Sullivan when he was with the Angels, Niemann on TB a few weeks ago (who was getting hit when he threw his fastball but went back to the soft stuff). Obviously its a great lineup, but a steady diet of pitches around 78mph or a little faster just befuddles our hitters.
We are not desperate for Downs. Let Joba grow up a Yankee ! Growing up might be the key as is patience as Leiter once said. I look at his maturity factor and that could be part of the reason for some of his issues. He also looks out of shape. I do not have this same view of Phil Hughes who seems more mature than his age.
I guess Toronto is hoping the Yankees are fed up with Joba. They may be, but they’re not giving him away. Also, I think Toronto simply does not want to deal with the Red Sox and the Yankees, period.
Yankee Trader -
I said the same thing – such crackerjack reports, didn’t even do the their homework. It was DAYS into the Soria rumor before the no-trade was reported. I would think that’s a slightly important piece of that story, no???
Looks like the asking price is still too high for most of the players being made available except for players like Miguel Tejada, Kerry Wood, Jose Guillen, Kosuke Fukudome.
You really have to question the Yankees advance/minor league scouting when they repeatedly look lost and hopeless against run of the mill shlubs making their MLB debuts.
Just look at O’Sullivan… couldn’t touch him on first look, pounded him six days later. Someone is doing a horrible job of preparing the team for these guys and I’d love to know who that is.
Can you imagine the uproar we would have heard if Alex had raised his foot while sliding into home the way Cabrera did against Cervelli? It would have been off the charts.
As for Soria, my guess is the teams in his no-trade all have established closers and he wants to be able to block any move to make him a sey up man. If that’s the case, only a wink-wink promise of Mariano’s impending retirement would get him to waive it.
I like the way Robertson and Logan are throwing right now. Maybe having those guys out perform him will get Joba to compete harder. The guy has not thrown a decent fastball on the inside part of the plate in a year.
Chip
Thanks for the info on the cyst. Also, completely agreed on Joba for Downs. LOL! A 24 year old with the potential to turn things around for Downs, it’s funnier every time I think about it.
Doreen-
Surprised the weasel Kenny Rosenthal didn’t add that tidbit to his many rumors.
Give me Tim Kurkjian to give more of an unbiased take on rumors.
Interesting note — Albaladejo tossed 1 2/3 innings last night to get a save. He threw 33 pitches. Might be an indication the Yanks will try and stretch him out the next two weeks to see if he can handle that kind of role. He’d be pretty much a one inning guy all year, but did go past one inning in one of his two outings in NYC.
New Post: MLB teams with Stand Up To Cancer
86w183 -
Very interesting about Albaladejo – perhaps gives some rhyme and reason as to why he was sent down after his promising showings.
“Moore would still have his life if the Angels won that ‘86 series. It’s been documented that he committed suicide because of that series”
Well documented? No, it’s not. Moore died nearly three years after 1986 postseason. He suffered from depression after his career had ended due to injury/ineffectiveness in 1989. He was in financial trouble. He was in a deteriorating marriage. He suffered from alcoholism.
Things like that are never as simple as they seem. You, on the other hand are as simple as you seem.
Bill D — you are right, but you don’t have to be catty about it
I think it’s important to note that the Jays are asking for Casey Kelly or Jose Iglesias. Jys are smoking some serious doobage.