Game 114: Yankees at Royals
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Gameday Thread on Aug 12, 2010 
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YANKEES (70-43)
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Marcus Thames DH
Austin Kearns LF
Curtis Granderson CF
Francisco Cervelli C
LHP CC Sabathia (14-5, 3.14)
Sabathia vs. Royals
ROYALS (47-67)
Gregor Blanco CF
Jason Kendall C
Billy Butler 1B
Kila Ka’aihue DH
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Alex Gordon LF
Mike Aviles 2B
Mitch Maier RF
Willie Bloomquist 3B
LHP Bruce Chen (7-5, 4.44)
Chen vs. Yankees
TIME/TV: 8:10 p.m. / YES Network
UMPIRES: HP Gary Cederstrom, 1B Ed Hickox, 2B Fieldin Culbreth, 3B Mike Muchlinski
WEATHER: It’s Missouri. It’s hot and it’s humid. Just like I remember it.
NOT WHAT YOU EXPECT: None of the current Royals has ever hit a home run off CC Sabathia, but oddly enough, they’ve hit for a pretty solid average against the big lefty. As a group, the current Royals have a .289 career average against Sabathia and three guys with the most at-bats — Bloomquist, Butler and Kendall — have individual averages of .320, .360 and .381.
EXACTLY WHAT YOU EXPECT: As a group, the current Yankees have a career batting line of .309/.378/.612 against Bruce Chen. Mark Teixeira is coming back at the right time. He’s 9-for-14 with six home run against Chen. That’s a 2.071 slugging percentage.
THREE AWAY: Kerry Wood needs three strikeouts to reach 1,500 for his career.
MORE MILESTONES FOR THE CAPTAIN: With three hits last night, Derek Jeter passed Mel Ott for 38th place on baseball’s all-time hits list. According to Elias, Jeter now has the most hits for any player while playing for a New York team. He needs one more hit to tie Frankie Frisch for 37th all-time.
UPDATE, 9:05 p.m.: Sorry for the lack of updates until now. I’ve been wrapping up early stories for the paper, finally eating dinner and talking to Jason Zillo about hope week. In that time, Curtis Granderson got an RBI single in his first at-bat and Mark Teixeira had a sac fly.
Now Austin Kearns has gone deep, and Granderson has doubled in his second AB. Th Yankees are up 3-0 and Kevin Long is clearly a genius.
UPDATE, 9:18 p.m.: Back-to-back two-out hits have put the Royals on the board. Pretty good throw by Granderson, but he couldn’t beat Gordon to the plate. It’s a 3-1 Yankees lead.
UPDATE, 9:35 p.m.: After botching it the first time, the Royals got a second time to turn a double play and got it done this time. It’s still a 3-1 lead.
UPDATE, 9:37 p.m.: Royals center fielder Gregor Blanco left the game with heat exhaustion and dehydration. He’s expected to play tomorrow.
UPDATE, 10:10 p.m.: Yankees take advantage of an error to build their lead to 4-1. If Sabathia doesn’t pitch a complete game, I’ll be surprised.
UPDATE, 10:42 p.m.: Sabathia is at 100 pitches after eight innings.
Enjoy the game folks.
jeter is hitting over .340 in august no?
something positive…
i still predict he will be .300 or over at the end.
Tex is back!!
Going to games in K.C. is great. Cheap ticket prices, beautiful stadium, and excellent post-game food.
There has been a mini baby boom (Teixeira and Sabathia) immediately after the World Series win.
I guess Yankee players were in a mood to celebrate. Can’t fault them for that, especially being away from the family all summer.
m
No rooting for the KC DH!
All right. I just finished cleaning up after dinner. Grilled tuna, with a nice chardonnay. I have my dog back after he spent a day at the doggie hospital for a lymph node biopsy and bone marrow aspirate to rule out lymphoma. My dear wife’s due back from a business trip later tonight. I’m sipping on some leftover chard, and the only thing missing is a Yankee win.
Let’s go Yankees!
SJ44
Thanks again for the “reality-check” on the Red Sox. I hope today’s loss is one of the final nails.
I will point this out, and hopefully someone can see my point of view.
The last decade’s Red Sox don’t conform to everyday logic. It was unlikely of them to come back against the Athletics from down 2-0 in 2003; to come back from down 3-0 against us in 2004; against the Indians from down 3-1 in 2007; from down 7-0 in Game 5 against the Rays in 2008 and nearly win the series.
Regardless of how good or bad the opposing teams in each instance were, it was still unlikely.
I’d like to see Swish snap his cold streak tonight, but if he stays true to schedule, that won’t happen for about 6-8 days. It looks like we have a rough week ahead for Sir Swish. I can cling to hope though…
I’m really worry about Andy’s setback. I hope its a just a small one because if they don’t have him for the playoffs you are digging a huge hole
I can’t wait to be at the next three games. Going to the Big K is awesome. I will agree with the previous posts.
Sounds good Joe but why no fava beans?
From Rob Neyer:
Red Sox face daunting math
August, 12, 2010
AUG 12
5:27
PM ET
EmailPrintComments
6
By Rob Neyer
They all hurt, a little. But Thursday’s loss hurt the Red Sox a lot.
No, not because the Red Sox blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning.
OK, partly because of that.
But at this point, every loss hurts a lot. Realistically or not, the Red Sox still have designs on October. But the math is terrifying: They can’t afford to lose many more games.
After Thursday, the Sox are 66-50. To have a reasonable chance at the playoffs, they need to win (let’s say) 98 games. That means going 32-14 the rest of the way. But considering the Yankees’ and Rays’ records, 98 wins will be enough only if the Sox knock at least one of those clubs down a notch, too.
The Red Sox have six more games against the Rays, six more against the Yankees. If they take four of six from each of those outstanding squads, they still have to go 24-10 against everyone else. Seems like a tall order.
Especially because the Yankees, even if they lose four of six to the Red Sox, can still win 99 games by going 27-16 against everyone else (and they’ll get a head start this weekend).
The Rays, if they lose four of six to the Red Sox, can still win 99 games by going 28-14 against everyone else.
The Red Sox still have a shot. They just have to play exceptionally well against one or both of their competitors and exceptionally well against everyone else … and hope that one of those competitors doesn’t play brilliantly against everyone else.
Hey, it could happen. But there’s not room for many more games like Thursday’s.
Joe,
I hope your dog is ok. I just finished cleaning up myself but we had baked cod. (she cooks, I clean….I guess thats fair)…and I’m finishing off some Riesling she used to cook with…kinda funny. Go yanks.
Sloppy Joes
Homemade Mac & Cheese
Baked Beans.
Not sure what Swish was doin there.
I think we all know it wouldn’t be easy for the Sox, but the point is that they’ve done a tremendous job dealing with all those injuries; the fact that they are still around is a minor miracle…………If they were healthy, this would have been a 3 team race.
“Sloppy Joes
Homemade Mac & Cheese
Baked Beans.”
nothing wrong with any of that.
If by chance the yanks fall behind early in this game NO Crying!!expect to win no matter what!!! If not expect to win tomorrow
blake August 12th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Not sure what Swish was doin there.
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Neither did he.
Red sox starting pitching keeps them in the mix but they fall short I think
instead of talking about how the Yankees can feast on a lesser opponent, they’re talking about letdown weekends
No chance for Blanco.
“Red sox starting pitching keeps them in the mix but they fall short I think”
No red sox talk!!!! I don’t get the red sox obsession here???
Biggest Yankee win of the year last night and all the idiots on the Fan can talk about is a 500 Met team and a TV show on HBO.
When did the Yanks become the Islanders on WFAN?
I can’t wait for Grandy’s first AB!
“Nick in SF August 12th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
“Red sox starting pitching keeps them in the mix but they fall short I think”
No red sox talk!!!! I don’t get the red sox obsession here???”
Sorry…I did contradict myself. I don’t have an “obsession” just making an observation on the conversation. No red sox talk STARTING NOW!
Triple Short of a Cycle August 12th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Biggest Yankee win of the year last night and all the idiots on the Fan can talk about is a 500 Met team and a TV show on HBO.
When did the Yanks become the Islanders on WFAN?
______________________
I love WFAN…but they only want to talk about the JETS and the METS….drives me crazy
laser by Kearns.
kevin long is a genius.
And the Secret weapon new swing already paying dividends.
Great success!
Look at that!!!
Success for Grandy already
K Long is genius!
Austin Kearns is a very top hand dominant hitter.
Kevin Long – genius!!!!! Grandy had it all the way.
long is a genius
Thank You Kevin Long. He is one heck of a coach.
Thank you K Long.
Just having a little fun, Ken Phelps.
a lot of Yankee fans are preoccupied with the Red Sox, personally i hate them overall as a team but i never want to discuss them at length
i do think there are some Red Sox fan accounts that post here though
nice start to the new swing for Curtis
1-1 for the new granderson
in all actuality- how different did Grandy’s stance and swing look?
Long’s reputation as a genius continues to grow.
I’m no hitting coach, but Curtis seemed a lot quieter at bat, and he did get a single – a bloop, but an RBI-single nonetheless. Confidence is important, too.
Nice work on the “new swing”…………………(I wonder how much the “Bruce Chen” factor should be taken into account
the new swing works!
Triple Short of a Cycle August 12th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Biggest Yankee win of the year last night and all the idiots on the Fan can talk about is a 500 Met team and a TV show on HBO.
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Umm.. what show????
Looks like he closed his stance, and the swing definitely looked shorter.
Ken Phelps August 12th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Nice work on the “new swing”…………………(I wonder how much the “Bruce Chen” factor should be taken into account
**********
Lets be optimistic and call Kevin Long a genius instead!!!!!!!!
K Long should get that RBI.
Kim Jones is so cute
Grandy!!
Kim Jones is not only cute, she has really become a valuable contributor to YES
Erica in NY August 12th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Ken Phelps August 12th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Nice work on the “new swing”…………………(I wonder how much the “Bruce Chen” factor should be taken into account
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Lets be optimistic and call Kevin Long a genius instead!!!!!!!!
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Will do, but in fairness, Erica, I think you can get a hit off bruce chen
Nick in SF August 12th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Just having a little fun, Ken Phelps.
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Didn’t you get the memo.
Game threads aren’t for having fun.
kim jones = not ugly, not cute, just ok
Is Kerns a FA at the end of the season?
Ken Phelps August 12th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Will do, but in fairness, Erica, I think you can get a hit off bruce chen
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Possibly. But I would probably try to bunt for a hit
Fondo Motz,
I really enjoy when she is on WFAN. You can actually listen to Yankee talk when she is on
“Kim Jones is not only cute,”
Really?
Nick in SF August 12th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Just having a little fun, Ken Phelps.
******************
Hey I deserved it! AS soon as I made that post, I said to myself, I have been yelling at people for talking about the red sox, then I go ahead and do it myself
CC is throwing really hard tonight, 96-97…
Boomer and Carton and The guys in the midday, I am not even sure they know there is a team in new york called the yankees..
Erica in NY August 12th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Ken Phelps August 12th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Will do, but in fairness, Erica, I think you can get a hit off bruce chen
*************
Possibly. But I would probably try to bunt for a hit
______________
Why do you have good wheels??
“Is Kerns a FA at the end of the season?”
I believe he is.
Triple –
I’ve heard her on WFAN too. I agree with you.
I heard she was a communications major at Penn State and got started doing football. I think she had a football column before switching to baseball. So she does her homework.
“Kim Jones is not cute.”
Agreed.
Ken Phelps August 12th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Why do you have good wheels??
***********
Nope. But I am certainly not a power hitter either.
But upon further thought, I am convinced I would break a finger if I tried to bunt so I am giving myself the green light to swing away
Sabathia’s having a little problem getting ahead of the hitters. Luckily, KC has lost a few of their bats.
has the number of posters on this blog gotten smaller in the last few weeks?
Oh, untie them underthings.
She’s good looking, but she’s too old to be cute.
Erica in NY August 12th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Ken Phelps August 12th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Why do you have good wheels??
***********
Nope. But I am certainly not a power hitter either.
But upon further thought, I am convinced I would break a finger if I tried to bunt so I am giving myself the green light to swing away
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Okay, just keep your front shoulder in and try to take the ball up the middle
mg, when the weather gets hot, CC’s velocity gets goin
Chen won’t make it all the way through the lineup again, they are going to hammer him…
“She’s good looking, but she’s too old to be cute.”
To each her own…I guess.
One day somebody complained to Beningo about not talking about the Yankees. He said we talk about what is on the back pages of the paper. The next week all three papers had the Yankees and Red Sox and the idiot still opened with the Mets.
I love when a Met fan says well they are the home of the Mets. Then I come back with well they are also the home of the Giants yet they never talk about them. It shuts them right up
Ken Phelps August 12th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
has the number of posters on this blog gotten smaller in the last few weeks?
**********
It seems that way, but I think the content of the posting has more to do with that than anything
CC’s lost his fastball mechanics some a few games ago when he got that loss after the long run.
He’s been getting his fastball back the past two games.
That fastball looks very locked in tonight. Best CC’s looked in the past 3 starts.
Jeter is getting better at placing his GBs.
too old to be cute? She is 40 and looks 35
Oh, untie them underthings.
Why do we have to undress her to agree she has become a seasoned announcer?
CB, it looks like CC is hitting 95 tonight with no effort, last time out he was having a tough time hitting 93 early in the game, his mechanics have rediscovered the groove.
Great baserunning by Jeter there….he can still run pretty well
Triple Short of a Cycle August 12th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
One day somebody complained to Beningo about not talking about the Yankees. He said we talk about what is on the back pages of the paper. The next week all three papers had the Yankees and Red Sox and the idiot still opened with the Mets.
I love when a Met fan says well they are the home of the Mets. Then I come back with well they are also the home of the Giants yet they never talk about them. It shuts them right up
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I guess in fairness it might be easier to talk about the mets, they may be more interesting with all their problems and disfunctions..The yanks win over 60 % of their games, what is there really to say?????
It is annoying though
Good job getting that run in
Nice job Tex. Good baseball by the Yankees there. Going 1st to 3rd on a base hit then getting the sac fly. Nice.
after Lester and Lee in two of the last 3 games seeing Bruce Chen on the mound must feel like batting practice…
Triple – I guess Beningo feels an obligation to balance out Francesca
Well than, maybe Swish will right himself ahead of schedule. Or maybe they’re just playing the Royals. I hope for the former.
It doesn’t sound like there is anyone in this Stadium
Too bad CC can’t pitch everyday in the postseason
Chen got away with one to Alex the first time around…lets see if he does again.
Erica – KC has always been a quiet ballpark.
They’re just used to looking at cattle in that part of the country.
Francessa used to talk more Yankees when Mad Dog was there. He talks more then anyone else on there does but still not enough.
Whats funny is that the Jets are getting more coverage coming off a 9 and 7 season (really 8 and
then the Giants did when they started off the year 10 and 1 the year after winning the Super Bowl.
Triple Short of a Cycle August 12th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Too bad CC can’t pitch everyday in the postseason
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I agree but the game thread against the Sox had him as a choker after the two early runs by the Sox.
Triple Short of a Cycle August 12th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Too bad CC can’t pitch everyday in the postseason
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I agree but the game thread against the Sox had him as a choker after the two early runs by the Sox.
Kansas City really has a beautiful ballpark. it’s a shame they’ve had such a terrible team for a while now. seems like people still love baseball in the area, i hope the royals get their franchise on a better track.
I’d still rather listen to WFAN than Kaye in the afternoon.
Everyone on WFAN is a Met fan except Mike Francesa who talks about the Yankees a lot and he’s on vacation.
======================================
Good for Curtis. He’s a good guy and I hope Long helped him.
Kearns looks pretty good and he is not strictly a platoon player. He does well against righties.
“Francessa used to talk more Yankees when Mad Dog was there. He talks more then anyone else on there does but still not enough.”
If it means keeping that buffoon off the air, I wouldn’t mind if Francesa never talked about the Yankees.
Did anyone else hear that Jeter is tied for 1st in the league w/runs scored? Im trying to figure out how this is possible because hes terrrible and is never on base ever…….
Did anyone else hear that Jeter is tied for 1st in the league w/runs scored? Im trying to figure out how this is possible because hes terrrible and is never on base ever…….
Manny B tonight for Tampa 5 innings 2 hits, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts, he continues to dazzle.
It’s a shame he had his appendectomy thing earlier, he would be in Trenton now if not for that, and really on the radar of everyone in baseball.
Instead he is underrated by most who still think he is not what he is, a special left handed arm.
How the heck does Chen do what he does, he is on what his 7 or 8th team, and yet he somehow does okay.
Good evening folks.
Too bad Max Kellerman left ESPN. Big Yankee and Giant guy
Bloomquist would make the ideal utility player for the Yankees.
Ballet lessons for CC
I looked at the replays of Grandys hit and couldn’t really discern any changes other than his grip. Did anyone notice any change? It still looked like he’s using the weight shift vice the rotational hip.
I like Kim a lot – especially when she’s on the WFAN; the lady knows her sports…… I think she’s attractive, not that it matters
Okay, okay. You guys think she’s cute.
I think she’s attractive, but it’s just a matter of semantics.
(and she does look her age)
I think m has a Kim Jones poster in his room
lol @ Fondo.
I like Kim a lot – especially when she’s on the WFAN; the lady knows her sports…… I think she’s attractive, not that it matters
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Agreed
This will be the last week Butler is starting on my fantasy team
“Did anyone else hear that Jeter is tied for 1st in the league w/runs scored? Im trying to figure out how this is possible because hes terrrible and is never on base ever…….”
It is odd.
Jerkface stopped beating the Jeter drum a while ago…
Joe Gordon is the answer
Did you ever see her H.S. Prom Picture. You wouldn’t know it’s the same person.
One reason is because when Jeter does get on base he knows how to run the bases…as evidenced earlier tonight. Some guys just have a knack for touching home plate.
This is absurd. The strike 3 to Thames and Arod are not strikes!!!!!!!!!!! They are inside!!!
The same pitch location to Billy Butler on 0-1 was called a ball. Why not call it the same for both teams??????????
jakamir,
There’s an email circulating with pictures of people before they were stars.
There’s a school grade one of Tina Turner. You’d think they mixed it up with Ike’s picture.
Kearns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kearns!
Austin BABY
Yay Kearns!
atta boy Kearnsy…. i’m comin around on this guy
sunny615
Curtis looks a little quieter at the plate, a la Swisher
WhooHoo. Hip, hip, Kearns?!
“Austin Power”?! Sterling’s gotta come up with something better than that!
GRANDY!!!!!! What a rip shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kearns is making his mark as a Yankee the past few games-decent outfielder, live bat…
and Grandy is batting 1.000 with his new swing…
What did Sterling say for Kearns?
New Secret weapon swing hit #2! That was a great swing there.
Long should work with the pitchers too.
i love kevin long
GO Curtis! Give KLong a raise!
Curtis Granderson…..interesting.
The stuff about Jeter and his supposed decline has gotten way way out of hand.
Granderson’s avg just went up about 10 points in 2 at-bats.
Austin Power? Ugh.
Has he dubbed Berkman yet?
Chen obviously read the scouting report on the Yankees and the Cliff Lee pitching manual, he’s not exactly pounding the inside corner with fastballs but is locating it pretty well in that spot just like Lee did with a much better fastball last night.
M
Thats hilarious! Ike Turner?
one adjustment Curtis made was firmly having two hands on the bat now griping it. he used to have one hand kind of half on and half off
Only person(s) that would state Jeter is in decline because of a couple of bad months following getting hit in the hand by a Verlander 99 mph fastball is an idiot!
Holy wow. What a swing Curtis put on the ball!
I might be completely wrong as it’s only two at bats but it looks to me as if Curtis hands are set back further and closer to his body. His hands are now starting much closer to a hitter’s traditional launching position. His bat is more fully loaded from rest.
Before he used to pivot his swing around a larger radius as he had hands set out further from his body and higher and didn’t load his hands much.
Yeah small sample size!
Cash’s deadline moves looking pretty good so far.
Joe called Wood “Woody” with Francesca today……oy vey. His nicknames are the worst…..
“Cash’s deadline moves looking pretty good so far.”
But I thought they ruined the club house chemistry and that’s why the team was scuffling?
Thanks CB
CB that’s exactly what Long said they were working on.
I might be completely wrong as it’s only two at bats but it looks to me as if Curtis hands are set back further and closer to his body. His hands are now starting much closer to a hitter’s traditional launching position. His bat is more fully loaded from rest.
Before he used to pivot his swing around a larger radius as he had hands set out further from his body and higher and didn’t load his hands much.
“I might be completely wrong as it’s only two at bats but it looks to me as if Curtis hands are set back further and closer to his body. His hands are now starting much closer to a hitter’s traditional launching position. His bat is more fully loaded from rest. ”
Kinda what I saw as well. Also looks like he might be a little more square in his stance. Just a couple AB’s but certainly positive so far. It would be a huge lift to this team if Granderson started to hit.
I might be completely wrong as it’s only two at bats but it looks to me as if Curtis hands are set back further and closer to his body. His hands are now starting much closer to a hitter’s traditional launching position. His bat is more fully loaded from rest.
Before he used to pivot his swing around a larger radius as he had hands set out further from his body and higher and didn’t load his hands much.
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Great info as always, thanks CB.
It helps when someone who knows baseball explains why a hitter is struggling, and then what he is doing differently to help him get out of it.
Berkman won us the game yesterday with his leadoff walk in the 9th!
” His nicknames are the worst…..”
Are they really nicknames? Girardi, like Torre before him, merely adds an “y” to the end of every name.
CB, Curtis looks more under control, but, Chen’s kind of a soft tosser with a rolling type breaking pitch. I want to see him against a harder thrower and shaper breaking pitch. still, it’s difficult to not be happy with tonight.
CC throwing hard tonight.
Playing the royals always helps a scuffling team.
Nice play Jete
I have always liked kc royals uniforms they have the bedtime hat
WHAT A PLAY!!! And a fair call by the 1B scumpire! Who’da thunk it!
Absolutely no range at shortstop
I love that play…its beautiful to watch.
Rich, I guess not……..either way, Joe lacks creativity in that area.
that Jeter sure is in decline, great play and throw there.
He’s also batting about .330 since mid-July (30-91), he’ll be at or near .300 by the end of the season.
# Betsy August 12th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Joe called Wood “Woody” with Francesca today……oy vey. His nicknames are the worst…..
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The only question about long… If what he said was so helpful to grander son why did it take till august to tell him to do it
Austin. so that’s his first name!
You guys talking food? I never want to see another egg in my life (I exaggerate a bit, but…). When you’re on vacation, the choice is eggs or non-complex carbs like pancakes and waffles with whipped cream. I’m sick and tired of non-home breakfasts!!!!
Curtis Granderson doing pretty good tonight – yay!
Lucky now we got that Jeter play.
# GreenBeret7 August 12th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Absolutely no range at shortstop
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Yeah, we have to find another shortstop real soon this guy has no future as a M.L. shortstop.
“He’s also batting about .330 since mid-July (30-91), he’ll be at or near .300 by the end of the season.”
Wouldn’t surprise me. For all the hand wringing over him, he’s still one of the best SS’s in baseball. He is tied for the league lead in runs and has 4 errors…not a bad down year.
Trevor, I’m surprised he didn’t call him “Kerry-y”………
blake-
Agree – Curtis does look more square in his set up.
He still has toe tap timing mechanism (that would be way to hard to completely eliminate midseason) but he does look more square and with less movement.
He’s got such great hand speed. He can wait a long time before he needs to swing and his bat stays in the zone well.
He’s got all star tools.
Just look at how good that throw he made was. They just missed getting Gordon – not many CF can make that throw.
“that Jeter sure is in decline, great play and throw there.
He’s also batting about .330 since mid-July (30-91), he’ll be at or near .300 by the end of the season.”
Since July 15th:
http://www.baseballmusings.com.....ayerID=826
.299 .353 .402 .755
I think we need a bigger sample size to reach any firm conclusions.
Reminds me of when torre called tan yon sturtze “stutzey” or Aaron small ” smally”
GB7-
Agree – Chen is really bad so it’s difficult to draw any conclusions about curtis (outside of the whole 4 at bats issue…).
That said – Curtis has great hand speed. He has a lot of trouble with junk. And that what Chen throws.
All of Torre’s nicknames ended in a “y”.
CB -
Knowing what you know now about both these players, would you still be for the Granderson for Ajax trade?
Doreen – there are worse things, and places to have breakfast. Believe me, lol!
Ever eat in a hospital cafeteria, and have burnt grease on toast?
“Matty” was the one that drove me nuts. I don’t know how you get from Matsui to Matty.
I never got to comment on the Tex thing so I’m going to do it in this gameday thread. Teixeira gets paid more than 100k per game to play baseball and he see’s his wife and kids every homestand. Its not like he won’t see them until after the season. Its his third kid. He should have been on a private jet to Texas an hour after the kid was born.
When you are being paid 20 million dollars to perform a function you lose certain rights.
“He’s got such great hand speed. He can wait a long time before he needs to swing and his bat stays in the zone well. ”
He really does, which is why its so puzzling that he hasn’t been trusting his hands and has been out in front so often. Hopefully Long can keep him on the ball longer and get him trusting his ability. He’s plenty quick enough to wait deeper.
What if Alan Horne ever made it?
Pepitone August 12th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
# GreenBeret7 August 12th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Absolutely no range at shortstop
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Yeah, we have to find another shortstop real soon this guy has no future as a M.L. shortstop.
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Pepi, last night we were talking about you God Father. Did you ever hear about Mantle and Pepitone’s hair dryer? Pepitone was fresh out of the shower getting dressed in his crushed velvet burgundy suit. He’s getting ready to blow dry his hair.He turns it on and a huge puff of powder comes out, blowing talcum powder all over Joe’s new suit. Mantle had loaded the hair dryer.
That’s a hilarious Pepitone story I never heard.
The KC stadium has aged well.
You have to love those ab by Swisher!
Jerkface,
That’s a good point, but players are given “off” days. So he took two of his in a different city. So what? It’s my understanding that he played in every game up to that point. And even if he didn’t, big deal.
The Pepitone story sounds like something out of “Ball Four.”
Great Eye Nick
Geez Swish, way to turn the plate appearance nights around in a hurry.
Tremendous AB by Swish.
“Knowing what you know now about both these players, would you still be for the Granderson for Ajax trade?”
It depends on what else I could trade AJax for.
AJax is not a guy I’d want to see being the long term CF for the yankees. His game has real limitations that don’t fit in with the yankees way of winning.
In particular – there’s no way you can play Gardner and AJax together. And there’s a real argument that Gardner is better than AJax as is.
So I would have traded AJax for something. He isn’t good enough to be the yankees future CF.
As it stands – I’d take my chances with Granderson. I’d still do that trade over.
Just got a feeling Alex is gonna pop one before this game is over.
Yankees seem on the verge of breaking this open but it’s still close. Chen is walking a tightrope here.
Heck of an at-bat by Swisher..
I think trading IPK was a bigger loss than AJack.
KC’s “defense” has helped a lot.
That was a high school error
YES
makes up for Swisher’s base running mistake earlier
lets capatalize on this
Joe from Long Island -
You’re right. There are worse things in life and breakfast foods, for sure.
*****
I have not weighed in on the Tex “situation” in spite of reading everyone’s opinion. I have a particular disagreement with those who say he’s had other kids, and so, basically, this is nothing special. At least that’s how I’m understanding what you’re typing. Even if you are not parents, if you are a second or third child, perhaps you might find that stance a little disconcerting? Each child is a separate special event.
We can’t always plan exactly when our children are born and sometimes even when we do, we get surprised. He missed TWO games to experience the first few hours of life of his new child. Be magnanimous, huh? Just this once. The child has no concept of what his daddy earns. It’s not relevant. And how does anyone question Tex’s commitment to the team?
that’s one way you get 20 games under .500
capitalize*
IPK had no home here, and I really think he’s better suited in the NL.
The one that got away was Scherzer. But then they got IPK.
It’s so odd, Jackson & Damon are playing well, but the Tigers stink.
IPK didn’t have a future here………I’d have to check, but I don’t think he’s even pitching that great in the NL West. I didn’t mind losing him..
Really Rich? Kennedy hasn’t been all that impressive with the d-backs and he had no spot on this team.
Pepi, last night we were talking about you God Father. Did you ever hear about Mantle and Pepitone’s hair dryer? Pepitone was fresh out of the shower getting dressed in his crushed velvet burgundy suit. He’s getting ready to blow dry his hair.He turns it on and a huge puff of powder comes out, blowing talcum powder all over Joe’s new suit. Mantle had loaded the hair dryer.
———
ROFLOL! Yeah, I remember that story. Mantle just loved to tease ole’ Pep.
——–
Thanks, CB, good information. I had a feeling that’s what you would say. I liked the Granderson trade from the first, but it seemed it may have been a mistake early on. But, I, you, think Granderson is a better long term solution out in CF.
That was out of “Slick And Mick”.
Man. That was just an abortion of commentating this inning with that trivia crap.
“IPK had no home here, and I really think he’s better suited in the NL.”
Going into the season, if you needed a replacement starter, who would you rather have IPK, Moseley, or Mitre?
Ohh. Triple whammy with the IPK had no spot here.
damn. Cano just couldn’t stay back on all that offspeed junk. Yanks have wasted some opps, CC’s gotta shut ‘em down.
Damon is not having a great year – he has 37 RBIs
Yep, I was right – Kennedy is pitching to a mid 4 ERA in the NL…………….not good
“Really Rich? Kennedy hasn’t been all that impressive with the d-backs and he had no spot on this team.”
His ERA+ is still 101. 25 year old league average starters aren’t that easy to come by.
He provided great depth.
So you keep IPK just so he can be a 6th starter if needed?
Be magnanimous, huh? Just this once. The child has no concept of what his daddy earns. It’s not relevant. And how does anyone question Tex’s commitment to the team?
————————
Well said, Doreen.
Tough luck for IPK with the aneurism. Who knows, he might have worked his way to the long man, and we wouldn’t need the Gaudins & Mitres of the world. Moseley’s pretty decent though.
rich, i don’t think it matters what people would have wanted going into the season at this point, over 100 games in. you have to analyze how it’s played out. and honestly i would have picked Mitre on that list you gave. and Moseley has turned out to the best option anyhow, and that’s really all that matters.
Long has been amazingly sucessful and credited in helping hitters find their stroke such as A-Rod, Melky, Cano, Posada, more recently Swisher, Gardner, and now Granderson is having a great game tonght. Maybe he should be the bench coach?
As for 41 yr old Kim Jones the woman is very attractive with the girl next door looks.
What a throw and what a tag.
Owned much?
Rich, before the season i would pick IPK but right now? Kind of a toss up.
NICE throw, and that is a little silly trying for that sb down 2 runs i think, maybe if Posada is catching i’d try it
Cano has the fastest hands at 2nd base since Bobby Grich.
Doreen, I also agree with you about your points re: the children beyond the first and second. I would feel pretty crappy if I knew my father went out of his way to be there for my siblings’ birth but not mine, figuring he’d seen enough. This debate has been raging on other boards and I really can’ t believe there are actually people out there who think Tex did the wrong thing.
“So you keep IPK just so he can be a 6th starter if needed?”
No, I was in favor of the Granderson trade even though his disparate platoon split concerned me, but I regretted losing IPK more than AJack.
“Cano has the fastest hands at 2nd base since Bobby Grich.”
He really does have quick hands and the arm strength allows him to make turns and plays up the middle that I’m just not sure anyone else in baseball can make. He’s come so far defensively.
i made a sarcastic post about it earlier, but honestly if i were Tex i would have missed the game on the day of the birth and flown to Texas for the 2nd game. but it’s not like he missed 2 weeks or something. 2 games, no big deal. players wives’ aren’t having kids everyday.
theREALkevin, Patrick
I think IPK’s success (in relative terms) is more likely to be enduring than Mitre’s or Moseley’s.
Well, I’m not saying the Yankees should have just dumped him……..In any case, even if he goes on to pitch well and have a good career in the NL, it doesn’t mean he’d have the same success in the AL. I don’t think he would be good in the AL, especially the East.
The people giving Tex crap are probably the same who gave crap to Koufax not pitching on Yom Kippur. They are empty shells
Rich, I’m sure that’s true – but where does he fit with the Yankees? As a long man? He wasn’t going to be in the rotation.
Pepi-
Power hitting CF who are also plus defenders are treasures. It’s hard to underestimate how much they mean to a franchise.
It’s not an accident that the yankees have won so many championships and have had so many great multidimensional CF who could get the ball and had pop.
The yankees goal is to be great. If that’s the goal then you do what’s required to be great and you accept the related risks and uncertainties that come from the decisions.
If you can get that kind of CF on the trade market you always do it and you don’t worry about it after.
Very good trivia question on the Royals RSN tonight.
Who are the 6 players who signed as FA’s with the Yankees after playing with the Royals the previous season?
IPK could have been used as trade bait. And I’d like to think he’s better than gaudin mitre etc
Rich I will definitely agree with that. However you can’t hang on to the guy and have him forever be the 6th starter. He’ll eventually run out of options, then what? He would never be our fifth starter unless he became markedly better…
Betsy
I wanted IPK for depth. Pettitte is on the DL. I trusted IPK more than the likely replacements. I don’t think Moseley’s success to date was foreseeable.
Anyone bashing Tex for missing 2 games is moronic
This Royals pitcher was traded to the yankees along with Nick Swisher.
Betemit is playing third base.
Fair point, Patrick.
I agree with Ace in terms of his status as trade bait (possibly at the recent deadline).
It’s not an accident that the yankees have won so many championships and have had so many great multidimensional CF who could get the ball and had pop.
————————-
That’s why I loved Bernie Williams, but I was also a big fan of Mickey Rivers. He had no pop, but he was the fastest outfielder who walked like an 80 year old man that I have ever seen.
Rich, I don’t disagree about Moseley, etc…………but either way, long term, IPK had no real future here even if he was going to be depth.
Hard to believe that a manager would pull his starter in the 6th inning in order to set up a platoon match up for Austin Kearns but I think that’s what KC just did.
“This debate has been raging on other boards and I really can’ t believe there are actually people out there who think Tex did the wrong thing.”
I think part of it as well is who Tex is. If a lesser player had done it, no one would have said a thing. Tex isn’t just anybody. He’s a premier player making 23M. He’s also one of the few Yankees hitting on a regular basis. Those things are what made it a story. Trust me, if Dave Robertson had done the same thing, we wouldn’t have even heard about it.
Curtis’s swing looks very good. I really like what they’ve done.
Kennedy has a 1.27 WHIP and 117/54 K to BB ratio in 139 innings. I don’t have the time to look it up right now, but off hand that appears to be a better strikeout rate than ANY pitcher on the Yankees staff has.
He’s a good pitcher, someone who could turn into a frontline starter in the NL in the near future. Some people read way, way too much into ERAs in the context of a bit more than a half season.
Logistically, it made sense for Tex to just sit out of the texas series since it was only 2 games. I mean why should the guy have to spend the night at the hospital, then fly to texas in the morning, and then fly out again to KC the same night? How good is Tex gunna be if hes flat-out exhausted?
And, if I remember correctly, we won yesterday anyway….
Rich, fair enough but that means forming some definition of success and it’s also assuming he would’ve had that success with the Yankees. which was by no means a guarantee.
Who are the 6 players who signed as FA’s with the Yankees after playing with the Royals the previous season?
——————-
I know Lou Piniella was one. I think another was Ken Brett.
Granderson just missed that .
Rich, Kennedy was awful for the Yankees minus his initial stint replacing Mussina. He is 25 with an ERA+ barely above 100 in the NL West. He would be throwing BP here
That’s probably true, Laura, but as I said before, if the Yankees can’t get by for 2 days without Tex, then they have real problems. He missed 2 games – I just don’t get the freak out. He wanted to spend a couple of days with his newborn – how is it that people don’t understand that? It comes down to the fact that fans are jealous of the $$$ players make; because of that $$$ players aren’t supposed to be human
Wonder if Chen being pulled could have been heat related.
106 heat index they’d pull carriage horses off the street in NYC but ball players take the field.
# Betsy August 12th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Rich, I don’t disagree about Moseley, etc…………but either way, long term, IPK had no real future here even if he was going to be depth.
===============================
If you remember, IPK has his screwed on more crooked than Joba !
This Royals pitcher was traded to the yankees along with Nick Swisher.
Betemit is playing third base.
—
Meanwhile, Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez are pitching in AAA. Not one of Kenny Williams’ finest moments.
theREALkevin
League average for this season would be the bar. Obviously, he doesn’t have Hughes’s stuff or upside, but Hughes’s ERA+ is only 102. But you’re right that it requires some projection that he would be able to do it here.
Pepitone August 12th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Who are the 6 players who signed as FA’s with the Yankees after playing with the Royals the previous season?
——————-
I know Lou Piniella was one. I think another was Ken Brett.
—————————————————–
Sweet Lou was actually acquired via trade and Brett’s preceeding year was in Pittsburgh.
I thought one would be Fran Healy but that was the Larry Gura trade.
“Granderson just missed that .”
He did. He was on that pitch and just missed it.
CB do you worry at all that Sabathia’s strikeout rate is signifantly down from last year (which was down from the year before)?
I can safely say I have no memory of my own birth and could not care less as to whom was present. Its more for Leigh than it is for the baby.
And I didn’t even begrudge him for being there, but then he should have been at the stadium by the 5th at least since the kid was born in the morning and should have definitely been at game 2.
Tex has had DH games, and may not have missed a full game, but the difference between giving him a scheduled day off and what transpired is that the yankees had no choice. Would Girardi sit Tex if he knew he didnt have Posada or Cano?? Bad Timing.
I would have docked Tex’s pay for the 2 games.
pat August 12th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Wonder if Chen being pulled could have been heat related.
106 heat index they’d pull carriage horses off the street in NYC but ball players take the field.
————————————————-
The humidity is brutal.
Gosh, Jeter and Cano work well together. I know that’s not a revelation, I am just continually amazed and appreciative.
I think CC’s gonna be the starter, EIG and closer tonite
We lost Kanekoa to the Mariners in the rule 5 draft, iirc.
Re Tex, the Yankees let him take the days off, and they’re his employer so he certainly had the right, his teammates have no problem with it either.
Also, I want him to stay fresh and healthy so I’m glad he got a couple days off anyway, not to mention keeping his mind clear so when he does play, he has his full concentration on the games
“Meanwhile, Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez are pitching in AAA. Not one of Kenny Williams’ finest moments.”
No it wasn’t. But look at the season Granderson is having with the yanks. Many yankees fans want him dumped for whatever this off season.
Swisher was worse in 2008 than Curtis has been in 2010.
It’s hard to be patient and take the risks associated with patience.
Sweet Lou was actually acquired via trade
——————-
You’re right, I forgot about that.
Ace -
IPK was trade bait.
Maybe you didn’t like the particular trade, but that’s how he was used.
I happen to think IPK will end up being a very good pitcher and I was sorry to see him go. Part of that was a “nostalgic” or “sentimental” feeling – I admit I got caught up in the idea of the Yankees having 3 young homegrown pitchers on staff.
But realistically, it’s not realistic to think that the Yankees can EVER afford to bring along 3 rookie pitchers, or even 2, and still fulfill their mandate each year.
patrick i know you were addressing someone else, but i for one would not worry about CC and strikeouts. just look at the stuff. he’s throwing 97, 98 and he still has that good slider and changeup. the yankees don’t care how many K’s he has. he can pitch to contact or he can try to strike everyone out and throw more pitches. if you’re ever worried about him, just look at his stuff.
I love how CC takes the ball from AROD with his bare hand. Baseball superstitions are so cool but also quirky.
waka flocka
You may recall that he worked on his two seamer in the AFL:
http://www.azsnakepit.com/2009.....nnedy-to-d
Interesting info from Kennedy, who “said he had refined his two-seamer in an impressive showing in the Arizona Fall League and believed that pitch would make a major difference for him next season..” Our new pitcher said, “Before, I couldn’t command my two-seamer; it was always talking off the plate and no one would swing at it…”
___
That, along with maturity, is why I think he would have improved in NY as well.
CC being economical with his pitches tonight. MLB radar gun said he hit 98 and 99 during his BB to Kila
TheREALkevin,
That’s a good point but I think his strikeouts have more to do with command than anything else. Also, unfortunately I’m not watching the game so I didn’t realize how good CC’s stuff looked!
Hey, Tex, what do you think you’re doing pitching for the Royals?
Get back over here!
KC feed had CC at 99-WOW!
They need some tack on runs.
# Jerkface August 12th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
I can safely say I have no memory of my own birth and could not care less as to whom was present. Its more for Leigh than it is for the baby.
And I didn’t even begrudge him for being there, but then he should have been at the stadium by the 5th at least since the kid was born in the morning and should have definitely been at game 2.
Tex has had DH games, and may not have missed a full game, but the difference between giving him a scheduled day off and what transpired is that the yankees had no choice. Would Girardi sit Tex if he knew he didnt have Posada or Cano?? Bad Timing.
I would have docked Tex’s pay for the 2 games.
===============================
Just post as “JERK’
What is considered a good ERA +?
Pepitone August 12th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Sweet Lou was actually acquired via trade
——————-
You’re right, I forgot about that.
————————————
Answer:
Steve Farr
Jamie Quirk
Chili Davis
Danny Tartabull
David Cone
Doug Mienkiewicz (sic)
insurance?
Time to put this game away AROD!
Betsy
100 is league average.
110 is 10% above league average.
90 is 10% below league average.
If you are 120 or better, you are very good.
Thanks, Rich. I don’t even understand how it works, so I just use the traditional stats…….
Steve Farr
Jamie Quirk
Chili Davis
Danny Tartabull
David Cone
Doug Mienkiewicz (sic)
———————-
Chili Davis was the guy I was trying to think of, and I thought they signed Cone from the Blue Jays, and Menkiewicz from the Twinkies.
What did you expect from Phil this year by the way?
jerkface -
Do you know that they DIDN’T dock his pay?
And perhaps you’ve heard of photographs? I don’t know about you or if you have kids, but my kids love looking at their photographs from when they were born and they notice who is in them. And kids do notice the differences from one child to another. And so what if he WAS only there for his wife? His wife, who probably runs their entire family while he’s on the road most of the time, working odd hours and not able to be around for quite a few important occasions. I think it’s the least that he and the Yankees can do – to allow their players some miniscule 2-day paternity leave
And if that doesn’t sway you, what about this? I think it’s good business practice when your company is family-friendly. Would YOU want to play for a team that wouldn’t allow you 2 days off when your child is born, whether it’s the first or 15th child?????
Also, having had 2 children, it can be argued that the father is more necessary when there is another child already there who needs attention, too. the first one is easier in a lot of ways, logistically speaking.
“do you worry at all that Sabathia’s strikeout rate is signifantly down from last year (which was down from the year before)?”
Patrick-
I’m really not. The reason being that his stuff still looks great. He has a ton of life on the ball when his mechanics are locked in. Tonight he hit 99 on back to back pitches.
To me his decreased strike outs are due to him being more inconsistent on a game to game basis with his mechanics than he was from 2007-2008.
This year and last he’s had these streteches where he’s just off and will then get locked in and goes on huge runs. Last year that run started later than it did in 2008. This season he went on that run but then lost his mechanics again.
I’m really not that concerned. He still has great stuff when he’s locked in.
Also – I think he’s using his change up and two seamer more in order to get quicker outs. He’s older and knows he doesn’t need to strike guys out to be effective.
This seems like the kind of season where Alex is doing the little things even if the big things are down.
These are World Series babies that CC and Tex had. Yes, it is nice to have your husband around when you have a baby…and in the case of both CC and Tex, each has other children that need attention.
=========================================
Sweet Lou was traded from KC, and that was a great day for the Yankees in those days. He always did his best. He reminds me of O’Neill a little, but not as good. The same kind of attitude.
Hey uh pretty sure Jerkface is trolling you all pretty hard right now
not crushed, but great job by alex putting that in play. i’ll take that, nice tack on run and now they’re putting another guy on here. i might pinch hit berkman, we’ll see what happens.
Betsy
ERA+ (and OPS+) are park and league adjusted. That’s why I prefer them.
Phil? Like 110.
Thanks CB, good points.
Same question, different pitcher – AJ Burnett
I just want Alex to be healthy – if we have to wait until next season and just deal with things as they are now, so be it.
Why not Berkman for Thames?
pinch hit with a three run lead? really
And if that doesn’t sway you, what about this? I think it’s good business practice when your company is family-friendly. Would YOU want to play for a team that wouldn’t allow you 2 days off when your child is born, whether it’s the first or 15th child?????
Also, having had 2 children, it can be argued that the father is more necessary when there is another child already there who needs attention, too. the first one is easier in a lot of ways, logistically speaking.
————————–
Doreen, I think you’re making too much sense. Jerkface can’t keep up, or maybe he’s just playing with all of us. I hope so, because this is getting real tiresome.
I have 5 children of my own, and I applaud the Yankees, and Tex, for placing things in their proper priority.
Are you the same guys who complain about Joe “over managing”- can’t be
Rich, I still don’t get ERA +. I had this discussion on NYYFans – it apparently takes into account the home park, but that makes no sense because pitchers pitch on the road all the time. I had brought this up because at one point I saw pitchers with a lower regular ERA than other pitchers have a lower ERA+ as well, which didn’t (and still doesn’t) make sense.
Anyway, he’s not pitching to a 110 (and how exactly do they calculate that figure – or even the 102 he now has), so what are your thoughts on his season to date?
Pepitone August 12th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Steve Farr
Jamie Quirk
Chili Davis
Danny Tartabull
David Cone
Doug Mienkiewicz (sic)
———————-
Chili Davis was the guy I was trying to think of, and I thought they signed Cone from the Blue Jays, and Menkiewicz from the Twinkies.
—————————————————-
Mienktiewicz was the deceptive answer. I checked and Cone should not have been on the list as although he played for the Royals in 1994 (winning the Cy Young to my chagrin as I wanted Jimmy Key to) and then for the Yankees via trade with the Blue Jays in 1995, he didn’t actually sign as a “FA” with NY until after the 1995 season.
Note: I still find it amazing that Tartabull came up as a 2B with the Mariners in 1986 when you consider how big he ultimately got.
CC’s fastball is just insane tonight.
man… CC is bring it tonight!! 98!
Pepitone,
I promise, I’m done.
I think most people didn’t have a problem with two days.
Note: I still find it amazing that Tartabull came up as a 2B with the Mariners in 1986 when you consider how big he ultimately got.
————————————-
His dad was a pretty good player in his own right, Jose Tartabull.
Danny never did pan out with the Yanks. He was a Steinbrenner move, and Gene Michael hated it.
CB & Pepitone (and anyone else):
Regarding liking the Granderson trade:
Just curious: Why do you think Grandy is better than Austin Jackson in CF? Austin seems to be a better outfielder defensively, hits for much higher average (so far), and although he doesn’t hit for power, it’s not clear if Grandy will do much of that either. And, of course, Jackson is much, much cheaper for the next few years.
I’m not at all saying I disagree with you, but I’m just looking for more clarity on your thinking about this.
# Doreen August 12th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Pepitone,
I promise, I’m done.
————————
Hey, I hope you don’t think I was criticizing you. Your responses were terrific. I just wished they had made a dent of ole’ Jerkface, but I doubt it.
Pepitone -
No, not at all. I’m tired of it, too.
Pepitone,
So true. Those were some lean years during the Jessie Barfield, Kevin Maas, Danny Tartabull, and Oscar Azocar Era.
Patrick-
I’m a bit down on AJ.
So here’s the thing with AJ. When they first signed him the big concern was his health. I actually felt ok with the health concerns because he had already had TJ, had complications and came back from those problems throwing very well – and did so essentially on Toronto’s dime. And he’s done a great job there with that. He’s taken the ball and provided innings.
Now that said – AJ closed out 2008 throwing the ball better than he had in his entire career. There was a real argument to be made that AJ was the best pitcher in the AL at the end of the 2008 season.
I think the yankees were hoping that he had in fact matured and taken that next step as a pitcher – something like Schilling.
A year and a half later I think we can conclude that he hasn’t. He’s basically the same pitcher he’s always been. He’s not going to throw his change up. He’s not going to mix his pitchers. He gets distracted out on the mound. His mechanics are complicated and easily go out of wack and he doesn’t have the ability to self-correct. The chances of him being a more consistent pitcher moving forward are less than they were at the end of 2008.
Regarding his strike outs – his arm looks good. His velocity is fine. His command just stinks and that’s why he can’t strike any one out.
Last season he had one of the worst command years he’s had in his career over the past 10 seasons. This year he’s been even worse with that command.
easy and boring game
RUN!
Yep, I’m afraid I feel the same way about AJ…….and it’s too bad, because he’s a really good guy and a terrific teammate. He’s just not that good – and the Yankees have 3 more years of this. His velocity is down, I think – that could be part of it.
Just curious: Why do you think Grandy is better than Austin Jackson in CF?
——————————
Speaking only for myself; I liked the trade because I thought Granderson would fare better in New York than Ajax, and I liked his power. Ajax has a lot of tools but he doesn’t have the power Granderson has. I also liked the fact that Granderson has MLB experience.
But, CB’s observations regarding Ajax and Gardner being almost the same player, and Gardner having a slight edge was very insightful.
Curtis looks great at the plate. It’s just a couple of at bats – but it’s a stark change from how bad he’s looked recently.
Even in that walk – he was seeing the ball so much better because he wasn’t bobbing his head up and down and rotating around as much. He tracked the ball very well and because his hands were better positioned he could wait longer before deciding to commit on whether to swing.
Again – who knows. It’s 4 plate appearances. But he’s looked like such garbage recently the change is very striking.
This game is a snoozer compared to the last few. Is there any people in the stands.
CB great stuff as always.
I remember SJ44 and you talking about the Schilling comparison at the time of the signing and I definitely bought into the concept. His struggles are extremely frustrating but who knows maybe he figures it out someday. Good guy, tons of ability, I really hope he can put it all together.
ill say it again. jeter will end the ear at .300 or over.
end the year…
swish 3 run HR
Granderson, instead of twirling the bat is resting it on his shoulder, ala Swisher.
Don’t look now, but Jeter’s now at .281…and getting multiple hit games very often.
Credit to Long of course, but kudos to Granderson for being able to take the fixes into the game with him right away………..
But, CB’s observations regarding Ajax and Gardner being almost the same player, and Gardner having a slight edge was very insightful.
—————————————————————————
I must politely take exception in that Gardner has one skill (speed) that clearly trumps Ajax and thoughout his professional career he has shown excellent patience at the plate. I truly believe that his career could resemble a poor man’s Brett Butler with more speed and a bit more power but a notch below as a hitter.
Conversely, while I bear no ill will towards Ajax, I’m not sure that he will ever hit with enough power or walk enough to be much more than average offensively.
That said, I’m alright with the Granderson trade as long as the expectations are realistic: Granderson is a potent weapon as a 2/3 time player against RHP.
I never played baseball, basketball is my sport, but i want to tell you I would hate having to face CC Sabathia.
What is he 6-8, and 300 lbs or something? That’s bad enough, but then you add on a fastball that’s traveling nearly 100 mph right at you, and well, I would go crying home to mommy.
I’d make an out just so he wouldn’t get mad at me.
Swisher has made a lot of great plays in RF — is Kearns really a better defender in right?
Betsy
ERA+ = 100*(league ERA)/ERA) (with a park adjustment described at this link:)
http://www.baseball-reference......just.shtml
I would give Phil a B to this point. He has a very good fastball that he can command with late life. He has a good cutter, but the command of his curve is inconsistent and as we have discussed, his change is virtually non-existent.
I had hoped that he would have used the offspeed pitches more, but I have been very impressed by the way he has learned to deal with adversity, including high early in the game pitch counts.
The Meat showing some power
Doreen
It’s nice to have the blog mother back.
And I mean that in a good way.
I enjoy your common sense take on things.
4 years ago I really thought C.C. would go the way of his teammate Bartolo Colon, eating his way out of the league. He was always talented but somewhat inconsistent. However, to his credit he really put it together during his last 2 seasons in Cleveland is clearly one of the top 3-5 pitchers in MLB and the most likely to reach 300 wins.
Good jump by CG.
Nice play by Granderson. The outfielders should play in when Kendall is up he has zero power.
“Just curious: Why do you think Grandy is better than Austin Jackson in CF?”
For clarification, I didn’t say I thought Grandy was better than Jackson. I was commenting on whether I would execute the trade again and what my thoughts on Jackson were.
Jackson is a nice playe who has done a good job with Detroit. But the yankees should be able to do better than him.
The Yankees want to be great. If that’s your goal then you have to take risks.
Jackson’s swing mechanics are such that it’s almost impossible for him to hit for any power at all. He’ll make decent contact but he’s not going to drive the ball.
I feel pretty strongly about this – great teams are created by establishing dominance up the middle. Go back to every yankee dynasty – they are loaded with great catchers, CF, 2b and/ or SS.
That’s what the yankees should always set as a goal.
Granderson offer that possibility. He offers that potential. And he has a track record which demonstrates some of those abilities.
Granderson’s bat has much more production potential than jackson’s. There’s simply no comparison between the two. Granderson has amazing hand speed and power for a player his size. Jackson doesn’t.
There’s other stuff as well – Jackson’s numbers now are still highly influenced by that insane start he got off to. Since that initial period his overall numbers aren’t great.
Moving forward to the future I could see him being a .280/ 350/ 400 kind of player. Very good CF but not an elite one. Not a difference maker. And that’s what the yankees should always try to get at every position possible – difference makers.
I do agree with you that he looks to be an potentially great defensive CF. He is excellent with the glove. At the same time though, Curtis is a very good defensive player as well.
Colon was overrated even when he was supposedly good.
I’d make an out just so he wouldn’t get mad at me.
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You make it sound like you’d have a choice in the matter!
I also wanted to pop in and say how good Granderson has looked tonight.
I’m glad he went to Long for help in season instead of putting this off until the off season like so many speculated he would.
Hopefully, this game and this series helps kick start him. He looks like a different player.
Come on ump. He gave Chen off the corner but CC doesn’t get strikes down the middle.
Rich in NJ August 12th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
Colon was overrated even when he was supposedly good.
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I was really rooting for us to sign him and Vlad Guerrero after the 2003 season. Instead, we ended up with Kevin Brown and Gary Sheffield.
I love catches like the one Grandy just made and the one Kearns made last night. Poetry in motion.
Maine Yankee – Thanks.
Let CC finish it?
No – think he is tiring
You make it sound like you’d have a choice in the matter!
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LOL! You’re right, he does have a lot of Bob Gibson in him.
Broxton trying his best to pull a Papelbon.
Thanks for the Jackson-Granderson analysis.
I really wonder if the Yankees are going to make a serious (and, if so, a successful) run at Crawford in the offseason. They’ll have to go very big to get Cliff Lee, I would think, especially with the Rangers having new ownership and a headstart, so I’ve been thinking they may not also go after Carl Crawford too. But I’d love to have him on the team.
i would like cc to finish. give mo a day off. or offense scores a few runs here and breaks it open
Rich, thanks for the link; I’m going to check that out now.
I think I’d agree with you all the way………….the lack of secondary stuff concerns me because he’s 24, not 18. I’m way more concerned about the curve than the change……..it simply should not be this inconsistent. It just seems weird that what was once a plus pitch has become so ordinary. That said, his FB doesn’t seem like it’s as good as it was; we talk about him being a swing and miss guy, but he hasn’t been that way for months now. I admit I’m taking a wait and see attitude………… One thing I’ve learned, though, and that is never, ever get attached to prospects; they’ll break your heart.
CC either starts the 9th or Robertson. I doubt Mo is available since he pitched 2 days in a row and has pitched often recently.
Perlo
I wanted Vlad (as did Cash) and Kelvim Escobar (although I was in favor of getting Vazquez, despite his high abuse points).
Joba is available……………I don’t really want to push CC anymore than necessary. We need the big guy to be as fresh as possible down the stretch.
Let’s Go
Betsy
It’s just a theory, but I think his over reliance on the hard stuff allows hitters to gear up for it without fear of the breaking balls, so they are less likely to swing and miss.
Broxton hasn’t been the same since Torre abused him in the Yankee series.
If you bring in Joba, chances are, he will put a couple guys on and Joe will go to MO anyway.
CC is probably the best shot to get 3 outs without giving up 3 runs.
Jonathan Broxton, what on earth has happened to him?
Torre overuse?
Rich,
What odds do you give the team of signing Crawford and/or Lee?
Broxton is to the Phillies what Joe Nathan is to the Yankees
The guy simply never converts a big save against the Phillies – especially in the playoffs.
It’s Joba time !
As if we need to be reminded how great Mariano Rivera is, watch the Phillies game. Jonathan Broxton, who may have the best stuff of any closer, is in full meltdown mode against Philly right now. He hits a batter, walks the bases loaded, and is absolutely rattled mentally.
There are literally now even a handful of great closers right now. Billy Wagner, Broxton, even Papelbon now simply cannot be trusted consistently in big spots.
Mariano, at age 40, is still on another level.
what kind of luck is that.
CC has 3 strike outs this game. That’s it. He’s had great velocity and life. But you can see that ‘s he frustrated out there because he’s still fighting himself and his command. He’s just off a little.
In turn his fastball isn’t as surgical as it is when he’s locked in. That’s why he’s not striking out a ton of guys. His plus command isn’t there so he’s just working the hitters to get quicker outs.
Now despite the lack of strike outs and his frustrations with himself – has CC every looked to not have mastery of this game? Did he every seem like he was in threat of getting damaged? Not at all. Now part of that is the Royals – they are awful.
But CC just had great presence out there. He really knows how to pitch.
And in a game where Mo has worked the prior two games CC is about to go out to throw a complete game in a save situation and save Mo work.
He was great tonight though he didn’t strike many out. He’s had a number of games similar to this one during this season and that’s why his k/9 is down.
But it’s not loss of stuff.
Casey Blake let a double play ball go right between his legs and two runs scored then Broxton continued on to blow the rest of it.
Yikes, Dodgers had a 9-1 lead going into the 8th and they give up 8 runs in two innings.
My son, who is unfortunately a fan of da Bums, is gonna have nightmares.
pretty amazing that the dodgers lost that game… lesson, always keep on scoring cuz you never know and have Mo as your closer.
Broxton managed to one-up Papelbon – he allowed 4 runs to lose the game. And he didn’t even get an out lol
Perlo
I think Lee is a near definite. Given that they apparently want to keep the payroll at or near $200m, I can’t see them signing Crawford too unless they move salary, which would almost certainly mean trading Granderson, since I can’t see them moving Swisher.
Rich, I know he likes his FB, but he almost has the mentality of a reliever; he likes his FB too much and his other pitches not enough. It’s either that or he thinks he can get by with basically his FB, like he did in the minors. I don’t buy the “I’m afraid to get beat by my 4th pitch” reason for him not throwing the change. I mean, then why get beat by your 2nd or 3rd? Just throw #1 all the time….
“And in a game where Mo has worked the prior two games CC is about to go out to throw a complete game in a save situation and save Mo work.”
That’s what makes CC so great. Aside from the fact that he is a really good pitcher, he consistently gives the Yankees length and allows them to rest their bullpen. That’s huge when you can count on that every 5th day over the course of a season.
Get Robertson up in the bullpen. I don’t think it’s necessary for CC to run high pitch counts in every game.
Broxton’s performance was one of the worst I’ve ever seen. by a closer. He literally couldn’t have been worse.
“Casey Blake let a double play ball go right between his legs and two runs scored then Broxton continued on to blow the rest of it.”
Blake – you mean the wiley veteran Coletti traded Carlos Santana for….?
Didn’t the Cards lose a game earlier this year by blowing a 7 or 8 run lead in the 9th? Ouch.
CC is doing his Mo-like bloop hits impressoin.
ahhhhhhhh 2 cheap hits
blake August 12th, 2010 at 10:51 pm
“And in a game where Mo has worked the prior two games CC is about to go out to throw a complete game in a save situation and save Mo work.”
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he needs two more outs….
“Blake – you mean the wiley veteran Coletti traded Carlos Santana for….?”
What a terrible trade that was. I don’t see how you could possibly make that deal.
These stupid flare hits. Hits like the ones Mo gets dinged on.
This is starting to look like one of those Mo bleeder/bloop innings that drive me absolutely crazy.
There was a time in June when the Royals had the best batting average in the league, but that was with Podsednik, DeJesus, Guillen.
Come on, DRob.
I think I would have let CC finish this one. He had one more out in him.
no CG for CC. NO CG 4 CC
CC and Andy remind me of each other (CC of course with better stuff.)
Both go out there and figure out how to win when they aren’t quite right on the mound. They have the flexibility to make adjustments and come up with plan B’s to make sure they can hand cuff the opposition.
I actually think this is the right move. Let’s see what happens.
Its not about the complete game stat. Joe thinks DR has a better chance against the right hander than CC does. I except that.
Strange move not letting C.C. finish it with one out to go. If you didn’t pull him with two on and one out, why now?
er, accept
That was a strike…
Eh, you could argue either way. I would have stuck with the big man.
rconn- its about right handed vs left handed.
once again , the lesson is learned…always keep on scoring and have Mo to close out games.
why they let him steal the base
Great…He should of let Robertson start the inning.
Ugh. Bloomquist, really?? Out still wins it.
“Strange move not letting C.C. finish it with one out to go. If you didn’t pull him with two on and one out, why now?”
Platoon match up. He wanted CC to face the lefty. But once that happened he didn’t want CC to face the righty hitter even though that hitter was Willie Bloomquist.
this is a JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKE! JOKE! JOKE! The Royals pitches that are inside are called strikes, and CC and now Dave throw it right down the middle, at the knees, and it’s balls.
Put Dave behind 2-0 in the count, and a double is the result.
I would have stuck with CC for one more out.
Must bring in Mo now. Awful job by Robertson falling behind Bloomquist, one of the worst players in baseball.
Luckily that wasn’t a power hitter up at the plate. Bad pitch location.
Robertson needs to compose himself here. I would walk Meat here.
Why is Girardi playing around? PUT IN MO!
But that’s dumb…………CC can pitch against anyone, lefty or righty………….Geez, sometimes Joe just ticks me off
This piece of ….. SCUMPIRE rung us up on strikes when they were clear balls, but he cant even call a strike for us at all. Against the Royals, no less.
Both go out there and figure out how to win when they aren’t quite right on the mound. They have the flexibility to make adjustments and come up with plan B’s to make sure they can hand cuff the opposition.
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They are veterans that know how to pitch, and that can only come with experience.
Give me that veteran experience over the young hot shot any day.
This team just can’t get #9 hitters out.
Another might of a #9 hitter getting on base three times in a game.
Hard to understand.
Perlo,
I would tend to agree that Lee would be more likely. I think whoever signs Crawford to a premium deal (5-$75m) will ultimately feel like they overpaid as his speed diminishes a bit and he doesn’t possess enough power on the corner OF.
What does concern me about Lee is this: If Cashman does give him a 5-7 year deal for $20 million annually, in 2-3 seasons we will have 3 primary starters all in their mid-30′s combining to make $60 million. I have fewer concerns about C.C. who is 30, but as A.J. ages further that 94 mph fastball is going to soon be 91-92 mph. If you think his inconsistency is frustrating when he possesses nasty stuff wait until he is inconsistent with merely OK to good stuff.
While I realize that Lee doesn’t rely on an overpowering fastball, he will be 32 this offseason and this contract will be covering the back half of his career, a high-risk situation to be sure.
I still contend that the best course of action is to attempt to re-sign Pettitte for another season, have C.C., A.J. at the top, a full season of innings from Hughes and look towards the secondary FA market to fill the back half of the rotation for next season until a number of the premium pitching prospects bubble to the top.
Unless you’re concerned about the pitch count I’d rather have CC out there than anyone not name Rivera….regardless of whether the hitter is RHed or LHed.
oy
Please- get the 3rd out! No more 2 out scoring!
I have to think that pitch count was the issue.
he just bobbled the ball. BAD LUCK and BAD UMPIRING in this inning. Cheap strikes, infield hits, and bloops. SICKENING
I think you have to bring in Mo against kendall.
Damn…This stinks..
3 cheap hits d2mm it
i think lee can be had at 4 years for around 84 mil or so….
This is as scripted a save opportunity as it gets. Why is Mariano not in this game?
What the hell am I watching?
Man some cheap hits in the 9th lately. Enough of this crap… Focus robertson
they arent going to use mo after the two games in texas.
good grief. This is awful, just awful.
are you kidding me?
“Unless you’re concerned about the pitch count I’d rather have CC out there than anyone not name Rivera….regardless of whether the hitter is RHed or LHed.”
I know. It really makes little sense.
You’re bringing Robertson into the game with men on base rather than giving him a fresh inning. Just let CC close out Bloomquist.
Wow, Sabathia should have just closed the game.
I think you have to bring in Mo against kendall
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Mo is obviously not available today.
i am gonna assume by this point , Mo is not available.
Rivera has pitched two straight days. He must not be available.
This is as scripted a save opportunity as it gets. Why is Mariano not in this game?
__
Because pitched in both games in tex.
It’s pretty clear that Mo is no available tonight.
Why in hell was CC going out to even start he 9th? Not understanding this one bit.
kendall almost stepped right into that.
That could have really been ugly.
Robertson is not used to pitching in the 9th inning. With Mo not available CC either finishes the game or Robertson starts the inning. You can’t bring him in with guys on base. He isn’t used to this pressure. Bad move by Girardi.
Kendall nearly just murdered himself
Joe doesn’t trust CC against a righty? LOL
KC doesn’t have power, but they do have some decent hitters. Unfortunately.
Better Meat just got lucky with that “hit”.
I like that Robertson pitched up and in like that. Guy leans way too far over the plate.
Come on D-Rob, get it done. CC deserves this win.
DRob!
robertson is used to this. he came in in the ploayoffs last year with the bases loaded and shut them down.
yes
Wow, thank god…………….
Thanks, Joe – thanks a lot.
Thank goodness.
Too bad it didn’t work out for the Yankees. Oh wait…
that curve was sick
Thank the man upstairs! That was way too close there at the end!
CC sweated more than last few batters than he did on the mound in 94 degree weather.
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Take that you Pig Umpire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DROB!
The bottom dropped out of that pitch.
D ROB!
it’s never over until it’s over …. Joe G should have let Drob start the 9th. well we won.
Finally. Holy crap there D-Rob, you are better than that.
It should have been an easier game win for CC.
I wouldn’t blame CC for being happy, but a little ticked that it almost got blown.
Great job by Robertson. I would have kept in CC. Very tough spot for Robertson.
All that said – this was a very good experience for Robertson and will only help him in the pennant drive and the post season.
Kendall is a very pesky hitter who is good at shortening up and taking the ball the other way and back up the middle. He is difficult to strike out.
nice act DROB!
sigh of relief and good job by Robertson to get the job done. I just don’t get pulling CC there for a matchup….he was still throwing 97 mph and gave up a couple of cheap hits, but he was at 110 pitches I guess.. nonetheless…Yankees win and back to 2 full games up.
Bad luck and bad (biased) umpiring be darned, DROB saves the day!
Thank you Robertson, great curveball. He bailed out Girardi.
That’s a lot of chaw, you have there, Kerns.
Kendall is not much of a hitter, but he’s typically one of the toughest to strike out. Nice comeback by Robertson.
Dave Robertson with the strikeout!
Great experience for the kid in a tough situation.
# ac1 August 12th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
robertson is used to this. he came in in the ploayoffs last year with the bases loaded and shut them down.
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He didn’t shut them down tonight, though. That was a rough looking save he picked up tonight. At least a win is a win.
Yankees win and no one was injured. Its allll good.
yanks won, 8 and 2/3 3 er.
sure cc cares about the win.
should let cc finish it though
Whew.
# Doreen August 12th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
Whew.
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yup the palpitation went up a couple beat there.
Kim Jones is a babe.
# backstreets August 12th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Kim Jones is a babe.
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the palpitation went up more than couple beats there.
Kim Jones, another hot outfit, she looks great this year, hot.