What a difference a day makes
The sun is rising in Kansas City, and the Yankees are happy to put Sunday behind them. It’s hard to stomach any loss in K.C., much less a loss when A.J. Burnett pitches a complete game and the mighty Yankees are flummoxed by a guy named Bryan Bullington.
What stood out from the postgame clubhouse comments was the fact Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Lance Berkman — three proven, veteran hitters — each said Bullington was effective because he threw early strikes and worked ahead in the count. That simply was not true. It must have felt that way to the Yankees, but in reality they had no better answers after the game than during it.
They were beaten, and they didn’t know why.
What stood out in the postgame blog comments was a notion that the Yankees were all talk with no action. That after a game like Sunday they needed to work harder and get better. This was a road trip that saw Rodriguez and Curtis Granderson make mechanical changes that showed immediate results. It saw Marcus Thames and Austin Kearns play their part-time roles to perfection in Texas. Previously slumping Jeter had eight hits in four days before yesterday.
If not for the inexplicable goose egg against an unknown pitcher, we’d be talking about what a success this road trip was.
Games like yesterday take a toll, and Sunday turned a successful trip into a failure. It was a bad way to go out, so it’s nice when the sun rises and a new day begins. Especially when that new day is the start of HOPE Week.
The Delta beat writer express takes off in 40 minutes. There is apparently a Continental beat writer express leaving later this morning, but my flight is packed with the Wall Street Journal, ESPN New York, Newsday and WFAN. I love it here in Missouri, but I’m looking forward to getting home.
See you in New York.





does anyone realize the yankees are in first place w/ the best record in baseball. geez…
have a good trip back Chad
“it’s nice when the sun rises and a new day begins.”
Amen Brother ! Gotta get that vitamin D.
Safe trip Chad. Thanks again for all your hard work.
Good post Chad.
The sun did rise today apparently. Safe travels.
Chad,
Have a safe trip. Thanks for all the updates and for a little perspective this morning. Yesterday was not a good game, but you are right – one game turned a successful road trip into a disappointment. One game.
The thing is, they had really a good July and the calendar turned and they’ve stalled a bit. No excuses, but brutal weather can’t help – and really, are there any teams that are going full throttle right now?
Coming back home will help for sure. Here’s to a successful HOPE week. But, I think it’s good to remember that HOPE week is not about the Yankees, but about the people they are trying to help.
Yesterday’s hike.
Cool fun on on a Hot day.
Enjoy.
http://picasaweb.google.com/cy.....raCreek02#
if it is any consolation, neither the Rays nor the sox are playing exceptionally well either.
Have a safe trip, Chad. Great perspective. Tomorrow’s gone, and may serve as the impetus for our 2010 title charge. Much like Cashman’s appearance in Atlanta last season.
Here’s to a great Hope Week for the children, but of course, that’s secondary to a great week for the Yankees!
great pix as always MTU, thanks for sharing
Nothing like some good Home Cookin’
Kate-
You’re welcome, as always.
You’d never know it was 100 degrees out in a place like that.
Following any team is always a mixture of big picture and small picture assessments. A lousy game like Sunday’s is one where the small picture looks awful and some overreact to what it means in the big picture.
Then you get a good night’s sleep and there’s a new (and healthier) perspective that comes with it…. not only for fans but for the media covering the team, too.
I think Jeter is the key to the offense the rest of the way. Everything works better when he gets on base. Wouldn’t bother me if a decent catcher who knows which end of the bat to hold on to would clear waivers.
and the beauty of baseball is that you never have to wait very long for the next game
Yesterday was, to quote m, an “Etch-A-Sketch” game.
And today’s themes comes from the Beatles.
“Here comes the Sun” , and “Obla Di Obla Da”.
So what’s the point? The players lied? They are completely clueless?
Did not know that Virgil Trucks was the uncle of Butch Trucks.
Maybe I did but forgot, big ABB fan, if you know what I mean.
It makes you wonder if Cervelli was playing above his capabilities or has the real player surfaced since May.
He was like a sparkplug in all facets of his game then suddenly he fell off a cliff. Unless he picks it up again, he may not be a member of the 2011 team.
Mick-
So you are a Ramblin’ Man tryin’ to make a livin’ the best you can ?
This thing with bad/unknown or average pitchers has been going on forever with the Yankees. Back in 1952, a pitcher who had a 5-19 record at the end of the season threw a no hitter against the yankees. Odd season, 5 wins, 3 shutouts and two of them were no hitters.
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He won 20 the year after and 19 twice, not so bad a pitcher. Finished his career as a Yankee. Virgil Trucks, grand uncle of Derek.
I think it sucks when people jump on you Betsy but damn come on.
Nat, what are you talking about? I honestly don’t know what to make of those quotes.
They have the best record in baseball, and I don’t think that losing a game or a series in their situation is the end of the world.
BUT, that said, splitting a series with one of the worst teams in the league, and being shutout and 2-hit by a guy with an 0-7 career record going into the game makes this feel like a not very successful road trip. You hope for better when they’re playing a 4 game series against a team like the Royals.
For those interested, here’s a great article on minor league life, mainly dealing with financial aspects. You gotta love playing baseball for a living to go through this as a minor league lifer.
http://thunderbaseball.wordpress.com/
I agree JsDad…also a disappointment when AJ overcomes early trouble to pitch a good game
I’ll mention it again. KC is 2-2 against tampa and 3-4 against Boston. They give all three of the AL leaders trouble.
GreenBeret7 August 16th, 2010 at 8:48 am
I’ll mention it again. KC is 2-2 against tampa and 3-4 against Boston. They give all three of the AL leaders trouble.
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GB7 -
I agree. But I’m sure the TB and Boston fans aren’t thrilled about it either. It feels like a lost chance to pick up some ground, that’s all.
GB-
Thanks for the article. You’re right. Really got to love playin’ if you’re a career minor leaguer. Plenty of hardships. Very little glamour.
thanks for the article GB. I remember seeing an earlier article w/ Shelley Duncan (and others I can’t remember) talking about the long bus rides, the crummy food etc.
Up in our area, we have kids delaying college for their shot at the NHL, it is a very similar experience.
I think a lot of fans (myself included) is aware that the Yankees have the best record in baseball (by one game) but this weekend was supposed to be the weekend where we gain (not lose) ground on the chasers. Losing to KC of all teams and to a nobody pitcher like Bryan Bullington is borderline inexcusable – and to be two hit by him as well is pretty low too. I mean seriously, the Yankees (with the best record in baseball) are suppose to feast on crappy teams like this and gain some ground – not lose two of three. For pete’s sake, everyone was predicting sweep 4 days ago and now we’re all mulling WTF?? I know I am. How do you beat a team like the Rangers with Cliff Lee pitching, striking out 17 times and still win, but lose to a journeyman pitcher like Bullington who 2 hits you? This lose was just horrible – when everyone bemoans when AJ pitches like crap, and he finally pitches well, you have Cervelli lazily walking after balls, throwing them to the four corners of the field, hitters getting beat by a nobody pitcher and Gardner getting thrown out as easily as Vlad was in Tex by Boston. I don’t know what it is, but i have some serious doubts about where this offense is going right now. They seem to be scuffling. Often.
If I’m the team meeting the Yankees in the playoffs, I call up all my AAA pitchers they’ve never seen before and – if they play the way they played last night – I could almost guarantee they’d lose to them all.
This “loss” was…
I’m not saying that teams or fans have to like seeing their teams lose to the KCs and Seattle’s of the world, but it happens. That doesn’t mean that stupidity needs to run ra,pant on sports boards. I’ve seen 5 year olds react better to losing their toys or not getting their way that some of the idiots on here after a loss. He;;, many only wait until the first out before starting.
The problem dates back many years and I haven’t a clue why. . I remember when Andy Sonnastine started years ago for TB and he would do the same thing. 22 yr old Sean O’Sullivan mastered us the first game with the Angels, gets traded to KC, and had a really good start Saturday night until he imploded in the 6th inning.
This team simply gives away too many games that it should win. I believe it will make the playoffs, but I have no confidence in any success once it gets there.
Kate, those kids that play hockey for a living, in the minors and juniors aren’t much more than indentured servants for the parent teams. I’d read articles from years ago that parents were required by some teams to actually pay the clubs for their kids to play. That’s some unreal kind of life.
GB-
I’ve seen dogs chasin’ their tails make more sense. At least they know what their after.
It’s a good thing the Team doesn’t deal with adversity the way some on here do.
You’d think the roof just caved in on their heads instead playing one
lousy series, or failing miserably in one single game, or even group of games.
Last I checked we’re still in 1st place and there’s plenty of games left to go.
mtrico August 16th, 2010 at 9:02 am
This team simply gives away too many games that it should win. I believe it will make the playoffs, but I have no confidence in any success once it gets there
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Not much reason for you to hang around to find out then, is there. Here’s a suggestion? Get your friends together and have a parcheesi tournament and don’t waste your time on the Yankees.
All teams give away games they shouldn’t over a 162 game schedule.. Yesterday was one of those days but it really means nothing big picture. Actually the most meaningful thing from yesterday’s game was AJs performance and the fact that he managed to stabilize himself after the wheels got wobbly…something he hadn’t done very well this year. They really need him to pitch well and he’s shown signs of improvement which is actually more important than the outcome of yesterdays game despite how frustrating it was.
The problem is not this one loss. All teams, even the great ones, will have inexplicably bad games more than once during the ups and downs of the 162-game season.
The concern for me is that this offense has been inconsistent all year. It’s either feast or famine with them. Luckily the starting pitching and now the bullpen have been mostly excellent so they’ve been able to win a lot of games.
But their recent record in one-run games is not good and they have a lot of guys hitting well below career averages. This late in the season it seems unlikely that’s going to suddenly change.
The good thing is, Tampa is not a great team either and of course the Sox, while they have been playing hard, have been decimated with injuries. Hopefully they can put together a little run starting against Detroit but I don’t think they’re really going to separate themselves from Tampa. I think it goes down to the wire and Tampa’s September sked looks a good bit easier than the Yanks’.
MTU August 16th, 2010 at 9:07 am
GB-
I’ve seen dogs chasin’ their tails make more sense. At least they know what their after.
It’s a good thing the Team doesn’t deal with adversity the way some on here do.
You’d think the roof just caved in on their heads instead playing one
lousy series, or failing miserably in one single game, or even group of games.
Last I checked we’re still in 1st place and there’s plenty of games left to go.
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It just never made sense to me to react the way people do on here. “Passion” for the game or team is a load of BS. Stupidity and immaturity are closer to the truth.
2-2 is not a good result for the series in Kansas City…
GB
my son has a few friends going the hockey route, and you are absolutely correct. Its a hard life and the parents are paying their way. We had a local boy, Craig Conroy, make it years ago, so that gives encouragement to the others I suppose.
On a totally non-baseball-related note, saw Paul McCartney in concert last night. Great show, he played nearly 3 hours. Great mix of Beatles, Wings and his solo songs.
GB-
I have no problem with people being passionate. I can understand that perfectly.
What I can’t understand is screwing yourself into the ground after each and every loss, bad series, or bad streak.
Every team goes thru that stuff. Some more perspective is needed IMO.
I’m old. Got plenty of that in my rear view mirror.
Focusing on the negative gets you nowhere but nowhere. Sh*t happens and you need to learn how to let it go I guess.
as soon as the team begins to azz again this will all be forgotten by the brigades. Until the next time. I’m done ridin’ roller coasters.
Can’t come soon enough for me.
Conroy is almost 40. That was many years ago. He has a stunning wife.
It’s not really a feast or famine situation in the scoring by the Yanks. The Yanks have 6 shutouts and been shutout 6 times. In what baseball reference considers a blowout (win or loss by 5 runs or more), NYYs are 26 and 13. Not really a lot, one way or the other. The most runs allowed in one game is 13 and most scored is 14.
“kick azz”. Sorry. early morning brain fart.
Betsy-
I don’t think Chad is implying that it was a teamwide conspiracy to lie to the media. I think he is saying the Yankees genuinely have no idea what went so very wrong yesterday and why they couldn’t hit that guy
But hey… you just can’t predict baseball
JM August 16th, 2010 at 9:20 am
On a totally non-baseball-related note, saw Paul McCartney in concert last night. Great show, he played nearly 3 hours. Great mix of Beatles, Wings and his solo songs.
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Very nice!!!!
I have seen Sir Paul 3 times myself and he never disappoints
JM-
sounds like it was fun.
MTU August 16th, 2010 at 9:20 am
GB-
I have no problem with people being passionate. I can understand that perfectly.
What I can’t understand is screwing yourself into the ground after each and every loss, bad series, or bad streak.
Every team goes thru that stuff. Some more perspective is needed IMO.
I’m old. Got plenty of that in my rear view mirror.
Focusing on the negative gets you nowhere but nowhere. Sh*t happens and you need to learn how to let it go I guess.
as soon as the team begins to azz again this will all be forgotten by the brigades. Until the next time. I’m done ridin’ roller coasters.
Can’t come soon enough for me.
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NYYs haven’t had any losing streaks to speak of. They’re the only team whose longest losing streak in 3 (4 of them). Their longest winning streak is 7. Hey, they screwed up. They didn’t score yesterday. Not likely that it’s going to make me slit my wrists.
Chad,
Thanks for all the great updates. Hope you have (had) a great trip home. I always enjoy the blog more when you are posting.
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MTU
As always, loved the pix…by the way…good morning
Yankees will see some pretty good pitching over the next week. Scherzer has been pitching very well for the Tigers, posting a 2.25 ERA over his last dozen starts. They also see Verlander, Hernandez and slop tossing lefty, Jason Vargas, who has held the opposition to three runs or less in 20 of his 23 starts this year.
Biggest reason behind the Yankees uneven play over the last few weeks (11-11 over their last 22) is that the offense has been painfully inconsistent, scoring 3 runs or less in ten of those games, losing nine of them. At the same time, the pitching has been excellent, as the Yankees have allowed more than 4 runs only six times over that 22 game period. If the bats come around they could be ready to go a sustained run of winning.
Swish, Alex and CC did a nice job on the Today Show this morning.
Some kids are going to be the envy of their friends by getting to play catch with a Yankee this morning.
Personally I think there should have been a fan vote on which Yankees would participate in the Hope Week pool party so we could decide who we would like to see in a bathing suit.
upstate kate August 16th, 2010 at 9:15 am
GB
my son has a few friends going the hockey route, and you are absolutely correct. Its a hard life and the parents are paying their way. We had a local boy, Craig Conroy, make it years ago, so that gives encouragement to the others I suppose.
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I’ve got a cousin that’s a veteran in the NHL and he said that he’s not sure that he could do it if he had to go back and do it again. Brian’s been a star for a long time and he says he loves it now, but, can’t figure out how he could go through that life and not go nuts. He said he spent about 6 years starving to death before he finally saw some light.
Erica,
That was my fifth time seeing Sir Paul. The tickets were expensive so we almost skipped it. But then I thought, hey, he’s 68, better see him while we can. LOL. Very glad I went.
By the second song I had totally forgotten the Yankees got shut out by KC!
NIce shots MTU. Here’s mine to match your hike for YMH. Just a tad different than yours.
http://picasaweb.google.com/10.....tGD_NHHXg#
GB-
Really. I thought we’d just go out and commit suicide together. Sheeet. Now I need to do it alone. Please notify my next of kin, and do me a favor get somebody to clean up the mess.
Thanks.
I was at the game (and the whole series) in KC yesterday. Yesterday was bad. Seemed to me like the Yanks just didn’t show up. No BP prior to the game, no working the count. Was just weird. That said, it’s one game. They have the best record in baseball. Hopefully though, they don’t look this lifeless again the rest of the season though. Also, something to note, if the wind wasn’t blowing in, it’s tied 1-1 after we’re 1 batter into the 2nd inning (ARod’s first AB would have been a HR on most days).
rodg12: I could not believe how many Yankee fans were in the crowd. Has KC become Yankee land ?
JM August 16th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Erica,
That was my fifth time seeing Sir Paul. The tickets were expensive so we almost skipped it. But then I thought, hey, he?s 68, better see him while we can. LOL. Very glad I went.
By the second song I had totally forgotten the Yankees got shut out by KC!
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Yeah, I noticed that pattern with almost every tour this summer. It seems like you can’t pay less than $100 face value unless you want to be a mile away from the stage. And then of course the TM fees add another $20. Its pretty insane.
I am seeing Stevie Nicks and Aerosmith in Atlantic City next week who are two of my favorites and I almost skipped it because its just pricey.
I wanted to see Huey Lewis last month at a small venue (guilty pleasure) thinking that would at least be a reasonably priced show. Bad seats there were $60. I was like, “ummm.. no thanks”
I’m not sure how much scheduling has to do with consistency, but, the schedule this year is the most screwed up that I can ever remember. Never have I seen so many 6 game home stands and 6 game road trips, 2 game series, 3 west Coast road trips in the first half and 2 of them in 2 weeks. Absolutely no routine to settling in at all.
Bob -
It was like that all series. The Yankees fans outnumbered the KC fans. It’s a great place for Yankees fans in the Midwest to go watch the team play. Ticket prices are good, the ballpark is beautiful and demand for the tickets isn’t too high considering the current state of the Royals. Plus, it was a weekend series. They were only in Minnesota during the week.
I’m not sure how many fans can honestly say they enjoyed 2009. I mean the entire season was great. If you waited to enjoy after the final out of the World Series then you missed the ride. A ride that included losing a series to the Nationals and at times an inconsistent offense, bullpen and starting rotation.
JCPD
beautiful pix…and your dog is so cute. Is that Letchworth State Park?
JCPD,
Great pix. Where were you?
GB7 -
I just finished reading that article at the Thunder site. Terrific article and good timing, too, considering some of what you and I were talking about last night. It makes me want to bring a pan of lasagna to the next game I go to.
Yeah, I noticed that pattern with almost every tour this summer. It seems like you can?t pay less than $100 face value unless you want to be a mile away from the stage. And then of course the TM fees add another $20. Its pretty insane.
I am seeing Stevie Nicks and Aerosmith in Atlantic City next week who are two of my favorites and I almost skipped it because its just pricey.
I wanted to see Huey Lewis last month at a small venue (guilty pleasure) thinking that would at least be a reasonably priced show. Bad seats there were $60. I was like, ?ummm.. no thanks?
____________________
The promoter Live Nation is discounting a lot of shows left and right because of poor sales. But for McCartney the demand was great so the seats never really came down in price. The show was in Philly and I didn’t see an empty seat in the place and no one really selling outside. Lots of people looking.
The concert biz is in a state of flux. People have just been saying no to high ticket prices except for very few, top of the line acts. Something’s going to have to change because this biz model isn’t working.
BTW, Saw Stevie Nicks a few years back as well as Aerosmith and they were both great shows.
Before Sir Paul the best show I saw this summer was Alejandro Escovedo at the Stone Pony when Springsteen showed up and played three songs in the encore.
SAS-
My pleasure. It felt good when we got back to the cars and I began to feel my feet again. Even though it’s Summer that water was COLD.
Comes from an underground spring and the canyon is shaded.
Jim-
Absolutely stunning photos. Not surprised with your talent. Where were the photos taken ? Now I know who stole all our water. Believe it or not. my favorite was of the mushrooms (no jokes please).
You REALLY need to come out here so I can learn how to take pictures. Nice pooch. I assume it’s your dog ? WOW. Is all I can say.
Thanks so much for sharing. Please continue to do so.
GB -
How are things going for you? It’s been a while since I’ve been on here and been able to catch up.
Erica
I love going to live shows, but it just gets crazy how much the McCartney, Joel, Journey etc charge for their tickets. I know that their promoters set the price for the most part, but they do have some say. As long as they sell out the venue, it really doesn’t matter though. If you get the chance and want to see a good band for a reasonable price check out O.A.R when they come to your area. Good value, great band.
Upstate Kate, SAS….
thanks for the compliments….. it was at Letchworth State Park in western NY.
MTU
I’ll be kind and spare you the mushroom jokes, even though it is so tempting. Yes, that is Dakota, my “dustmop”
GB7 -
I couldn’t agree with you more regarding the funky schedule this year. Too many 4-game series. Too few extended homestands. No real rhyme or reason, it seems, unless the rhyme and reason was to set the Yankees up with roadblocks along the way, if one believes in anti-Yankee conspiracy (and frankly, it’s getting tougher to argue against!
).
JCPD
my son is a student at SUNY Geneseo, so we have recently discoverd that part of NYS. I thought I recognized the train tracks.
GB7-
Whats with the expanded name?
GB7,
You got a cousin in the NHL? That’s awesome. I think there’s about 2 guys he could be assuming he’s not Canadian. Is he a defenseman or a forward?
Michael Rolston, can you tell your cousin to practice shooting the puck on net this off-season? And maybe also volunteer himself for a pay cut?
Thanks,
Devils Fans
JCPD -
Nice pictures!
JCPD-
I really do want to repeat what you have heard elsewhere. You have talent !
I shudder, or is that shutter, to think what you could do out this way.
If I were you I go to the Fatali School of Photography. Look up his website and check him out. Full name is Michael Fatali. He’s from back east originally. With a little bit more training you could be in his League.
Phil in Columbus August 16th, 2010 at 9:46 am
Erica
I love going to live shows, but it just gets crazy how much the McCartney, Joel, Journey etc charge for their tickets. I know that their promoters set the price for the most part, but they do have some say. As long as they sell out the venue, it really doesn?t matter though. If you get the chance and want to see a good band for a reasonable price check out O.A.R when they come to your area. Good value, great band.
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I really don’t go to concerts as often as I used to. But Stevie Nicks and Aerosmith are two special favorites. I could never, ever skip a Stevie Nicks or Fleetwood Mac show. In fact, I usually try to see them twice on each tour.
The Eagles are another favorite of mine and I know their prices were so high this summer they would up cancelling shows.
Someone with a lame attempt to imposter GB?
Great pictures MTU and JCPD. I absolutely love the outdoors and it’s a real treat to see where other folks get their “fix”. No mushroom jokes
Rob-
You’re quite welcome. My pleasure to share.
Not to beat a dead horse but Damon and Matsui were never fazed by any pitcher.
I’m sure between the 2 of them they would have done something against Bullinger.
Maybe that’s what we’re missing.
rodg12 August 16th, 2010 at 9:45 am
GB -
How are things going for you? It’s been a while since I’ve been on here and been able to catch up.
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Morning, rodg. all is well here, although it appears that I now have some jack ass that thinks he’s clever by posting my name. I just sent emails and this clown will be gone.
Other than that, it’s been a little of a downer with the yanks struggling and not clicking on all cylanders. How are things your way?
Erica
I’ve seen Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles a couple of times back in the late 70′s and 80′s and no doubt those shows were awesome. Best show I’ve ever seen was in Orlando in 76 or 77 and it was the Eagles, Hall and Oates, Jimmy Buffet and Andrew Gold. I think we paid $15 for the show. Wonder what that would go for now.
Hey GB7, I’m sad to hear you aren’t actually a relative of Brian Rolston’s.. I was really hoping someone would pass along my message.
safe trip home
Erica in NY August 16th, 2010 at 9:54 am
GB7-
Whats with the expanded name?
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That isn’t me that sent that, Erica. It’s one of the board stalkers. I’ve fired off a message to Jeff to get it taken care of. I’m pretty sure of who it is, but, I’m about to find out.
mick – matsui is hitting like .250 this year. Do we really need another batter hitting .250 in our lineup??
“I’m not sure how many fans can honestly say they enjoyed 2009. I mean the entire season was great. If you waited to enjoy after the final out of the World Series then you missed the ride. A ride that included losing a series to the Nationals and at times an inconsistent offense, bullpen and starting rotation.”
I enjoyed the hell out of 2009. That’s because I don’t try to decide which games the team “should” win and which games the team “must” win. I think what sickens me the most here is the almost elitist attitude of those fans who think that there are some teams that that Yankees should just walk over, as if the teams have no worth at all and can’t win flippin’ baseball games.
WAKE UP AND GROW UP. You either have short-term memories or don’t understand the game if you don’t remember when the Yankees were owned by Detroit and Kansas City when both were losing teams, record-wise. The Yankees still manage to win the world series years.
And by the way, the Yankees have NOT lost every game this season when they have faced a pitcher they haven’t seen before. So get over that one. It’s part of their legacy but it isn’t etched in stone that it will happen.
The whining and sense of entitlement here is atrocious. The elitism is even more atrocious. Get over yourselves. On any given day, any team can win in the game of baseball. The ones who manage to do it the most over the course of a season make it to the playoffs. Since the Yankees are in first place and have the most runs scored in the majors, I guess their “inconsistency” hasn’t really hurt them too badly.
I, like mel, have every confidence in the world that the Yankees are going all the way. It would take more than a 1-0 loss to KC to shake that confidence. I just can’t bring myself to the level of wringing my hands and feeling depressed and worried when they lose games. Reading some of the posts here, it’s obvious that some of you do. Learn how to move on.
This is just a guess, but I’m thinking Chad is having the same trouble because he’s devoted at least four threads to it.
Doreen August 16th, 2010 at 9:49 am
GB7 -
I couldn’t agree with you more regarding the funky schedule this year. Too many 4-game series. Too few extended homestands. No real rhyme or reason, it seems, unless the rhyme and reason was to set the Yankees up with roadblocks along the way, if one believes in anti-Yankee conspiracy (and frankly, it’s getting tougher to argue against! ).
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Yeah, I’ve never seen any other team with that schedule. They players rely on some sort of rhythm and there is none, here. I thought that piece done in that link was great. Makes you think that the writers scour the blogs to get their information and ideas, huh?
Matsui is 0-2 against Bullington so he wouldn’t have helped.
Matsui is 0-2 against Bullington so he wouldn’t have helped.
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isn’t that what the experts call a small sample size?
Upstate Kate, SAS, Doreen, MTU, Rob_NY
Thanks again….. it will take time to go through, but if you go here
http://web.me.com/dakota1369.....30;…. you can find many more pics and if you search close enough, a baseball slideshow
Bullington was the NUMBER ONE DRAFT PICK IN THE COUNTRY in 2002. He must have known how to pitch at one time or another. Stop acting like the guy is a nothing.
pat August 16th, 2010 at 9:57 am
Someone with a lame attempt to imposter
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yes, pat. I’m so honored to have my own stalker. I sent an email to Jeff since Chad and the boys are flying over Chicago right now.
Phil in Columbus August 16th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Erica
I?ve seen Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles a couple of times back in the late 70?s and 80?s and no doubt those shows were awesome. Best show I?ve ever seen was in Orlando in 76 or 77 and it was the Eagles, Hall and Oates, Jimmy Buffet and Andrew Gold. I think we paid $15 for the show. Wonder what that would go for now.
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I saw the Eagles only once a few years ago. (They don’t really come up north often)… it was a definite favorite show of mine. I have seen Don Henley solo too and loved it. One of my all-time favorite shows was about 5 years ago when Stevie Nicks toured with Don Henley. I broke the bank for that one and got 6th row center. It was amazing.
Funny, but I have actually seen Hall and Oates once. It was a 95.5 listener appreciation show I won tickets to. It was pretty amazing.
“Bully” as he’s been known throughout his illustrious career, has been with 4 different organizations.
shame
do you really think matsui would be hitting 250 with us?
my point was that damon and/or matsui would hardly be traipsing back to the dugout thinking the day is over, I/we can’t hit this guy, time to go home.
one of them would have taken him deep.
O once saw Hendrix,Joplin and the Doors together.
JCPD,
That link didn’t work for me. Thanks for trying.
Mick
if Swish/Tex/Arod/Robbie couldn’t take him deep, why would you think Johnny/Sui would?
lack of results doesn’t equal lack of effort. there were a lot of hard hit balls yesterday.
“isn?t that what the experts call a small sample size?”
Yes but small sample size is all there is and you said Matsui would have helped them beat Bullington.
And isn’t small sample size the issue in question?
The belief seems to be if there was a large sample size, the Yankees could have beat Bullington without Matsui.
He’s a career 0-7 in the majors with a near 6 ERA.
His draft position 8 years ago is meaninglesss.
The more people try to sell this pitcher as someone good, the more they show they know little about the game.
The entire team was !@#@#$ off they didn’t hit this guy.
Don’t make him out to be something he isn’t.
Upstate Kate, SAS, Doreen, MTU, Rob_NY
Sorry, here you go
http://web.me.com/dakota1369
Nobody was taking anybody deep yesterday. I was at the game.
The wind was blowing in the entire game and balls weren’t traveling well.
Matsui and Damon haven’t hit all year.
The argument that, “they would be hitting if they were on the Yankees”, means nothing since it can’t be proven.
Both guys have stuggled hitting this year.
Common sense would tell you that if they are struggling this year they would be struggling with the Yankees.
People act as if Damon and Matsui never struggled with the Yankees.
Damon didn’t hit the entire month of September last year.
Matsui struggled for large chunks of last season before getting hot late in the year.
Neither guy was “on” all the time.
# GreenBeret7 August 16th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Morning, rodg. all is well here, although it appears that I now have some jack ass that thinks he’s clever by posting my name. I just sent emails and this clown will be gone.
Other than that, it’s been a little of a downer with the yanks struggling and not clicking on all cylanders. How are things your way?
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Impersonation is the sincerest form of flattery. Or, something like that.
Things are pretty good here. Had a good trip to KC to watch the Yanks. I got ARod’s autograph on Saturday before he went out and hit three homers. Man, that was a joy to watch live. The rain delay on Friday and the bad showing by the Yanks yesterday put a bit of a downer on the trip though. Biggest downer was that when I got home I found out that the family dog had passed away. He was old (almost 15) and I had a feeling it would be coming shortly, but I’m still going to miss him.
Erica
Nothing better than winning tickets to something. My daughter won 4 tickets to see Tim McGraw front row center this past spring.
Talking about tickets, finally SWB is coming to Columbus. Going to see them Weds and Friday for sure Tuesday up in the air and Thursday taking my youngest daughter to her move in to become a Toledo Rocket. The night before she leaves she wants to spend it with her old man at the ball game.
people seem to forget the intangibles Damon and Matsui brought.
As if that counts for nothing.
I guess if you can’t prove it, it doesn’t exist.
gotta agree with upstate kate here mick..
when you say, “my point was that damon and/or matsui would hardly be traipsing back to the dugout thinking the day is over, I/we can’t hit this guy, time to go home” you lose me. I have a hard time believing that the guys who make $40-60ks per at bat were happy with the results in the first 4 innings and packed it in for the day.
But thats just me, I kinda figured with Damon’s return to the stadium this week we’d be hearing a lot about him and Matsui again.
# SJ44 August 16th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Nobody was taking anybody deep yesterday. I was at the game.
The wind was blowing in the entire game and balls weren’t traveling well.
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I was there as well and totally agree. Where were your seats at SJ? Did you catch the whole series or just yesterday’s game?
Now Bobby Abreu could have helped them beat “Bully”. He was 2-2 against him this year.
Players with 0-fers against “Bully” who wouldn’t have helped the Yankees either:
Pujols, Jose Guillen, Thome, Ortiz, Pedroia, Youkilis
You can be sure Damon will be heard from…
I’d like to applaud Trisha for the post of 10:08 this morning.
The problem with we human beings is EXPECTATIONS. We have them. It’s all between our ears. We can’t control them (sometimes). We expect the Yankees to win the World Series. They still might. We expect the Yankees to win every game vs a bunch of schmoes. They probably won’t.
I have the same problem. I’m expecting Berkman to hit .275 with some clutch hits, Jeter to get back above .300, Granderson to hit more HRs in the big ballpark, Jorge to be healthy, Girardi to think better, CCS to throw back-to-back-to-back Perfect Games, etc., etc. & etc.
There were two noteworthy things about Sunday’s loss, I thought:
a. AJB straightened himself out somehow. Can he sustain this? I don’t know, but it was encouraging! I know, I know — he’s not consistent. Can we at least be positive(!) about an 8-inning, 1-run performance . . . saving the bullpen. There are 10 games in a row to play before the next off day. Had the guy’s back given out in the 3rd inning, or had he gotten hammered, the bullpen would have been used up. If they had to lose, this was a positive outcome!
b. I was stunned when Gardner was thrown out stealing. That’s NOT a reasonable point of view. Why was I stunned? EXPECTATION. I expected the guy to be clutch and steal the base that the NYYs needed at that moment.
new thread
Players with 0-fers against “Bully” who wouldn’t have helped the Yankees either:
Pujols, Jose Guillen, Thome, Ortiz, Pedroia, Youkilis
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You’re joking, right?
Bullington will be heralded as the greatest thing since sliced bread in K.C. then he comes back to Earth. Odds are high that he gets clobbered in his next start thinking he’s now bullet-proof. One great start against the almighty Yankees does not make a pitcher.
I wouldn’t say Bullington is a good pitcher, but, this stuff happens to every team and always has. There’s always a freak game or pitcher. Just like hitters have pitchers that everyone hits but one superstar.
GB7 -
When I first went to the link, I expected a short take, but it was really, really in depth. That piece has been a work in progress for a while, I suspect, so I fear we can take no credit for giving him the idea.
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Off-topic. I was just going through our vacation pictures, and we had gone to the LA vs. Padres game (the one where the catcher got hurt) and I was snapping photos during SD batting practice and a big guy came out and I think it was Dave Winfield. The size and body type made me think it was him immediately, but the one picture I have of his face, I’m not sure. I can’t think of anyone else it could be, since he was a Padre and since just about everyone was coming up to him and shaking his hand and there aren’t too many guys built like Dave Winfield. Maybe it’s just that his face is a little fuller? What do you think?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53065317@N02/
Also, Ken Burns threw out the first pitch that night.
My seats were in the scout section.
I hit the entire roadtrip as a last minute thing. It was hot but, a lot of fun.
mick,
What “intangibles” did Damon and Matsui have with the Yankees? They were both good hitters, awful defenders who helped the team while they were here.
They were neither the cogs of the team nor the guys the team couldn’t live without.
Don’t overestimate their value.
You take Jeter, CC, Mo or Arod off this team? That’s a big problem.
Matsui and Damon? Good players but, not the reason why they win or lose games.
bullington should warm up to the tune “wooly bully”
rodg12 August 16th, 2010 at 10:22 am
# GreenBeret7 August 16th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Morning, rodg. all is well here, although it appears that I now have some jack ass that thinks he’s clever by posting my name. I just sent emails and this clown will be gone.
Other than that, it’s been a little of a downer with the yanks struggling and not clicking on all cylanders. How are things your way?
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Impersonation is the sincerest form of flattery. Or, something like that.
Things are pretty good here. Had a good trip to KC to watch the Yanks. I got ARod’s autograph on
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Rodg, that sounds like a trip well worth the time. I’ve seen bad games before, but, never had a bad time going to see them. Great timing on the Rodriguez homers and scoring on the autograph.
Sorry about the passing of Old Blue, but, that’s a long life and a lot of rabbits tracked. Maybe a few cats scared off too.
Doreen August 16th, 2010 at 10:31 am
GB7 -
When I first went to the link, I expected a short take, but it was really, really in depth. That piece has been a work in progress for a while, I suspect, so I fear we can take no credit for giving him the idea.
****
Off-topic. I was just going through our vacation pictures, and we had gone to the LA vs. Padres game (the one where the catcher got hurt) and I was snapping photos during SD batting practice and a big guy came out and I think it was Dave Winfield. The size and body type made me think it was him immediately, but the one picture I have of his face, I’m not sure. I can’t think of anyone else it could be, since he was a Padre and since just about everyone was coming up to him and shaking his hand and there aren’t too many guys built like Dave Winfield. Maybe it’s just that his face is a little fuller? What do you think?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53065317@N02/
Also, Ken Burns threw out the first pitch that night.
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Great pix of Wifield, Doreen. Hard to belive that he’s almost 60 years old, huh? Him and Guidry.
New ONE==========>>>>>>>>>
Rodg-
My sympathies on your loss.
Rodg,
Sorry about your loss. I feel your pain.