Postgame notes: A “personality win” for A.J.
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Sep 01, 2010 
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Joe Girardi remembers how his old manager, Don Zimmer, used to talk about “personality hits.” If a guy was particularly scuffling at the plate and his confidence was down, one hit – just one – could be enough to turn his outlook around. Along those lines, tonight was a “personality win” for A.J. Burnett, Girardi said, as the righthander got his first victory since July 28.
Now obviously Burnett pitched well at points during that stretch – eight innings of one-run ball against the Royals most notably – but there’s something to be said for feeling like you’re a part of the team’s success, and even Burnett admitted it felt good to finally get a win.
“It helps – it’s a good win for the team,” he said. “My job is to go out and do what I did tonight. I’m going to pitch well and now’s the time to do it.”
That was a common theme, as both Burnett and Derek Jeter talked about the importance of forgetting their less-than-appetizing season statistics since all that matters now is what happens over these next four weeks or so. “I don’t look,” Jeter said when asked about seeing his numbers on the scoreboard. “I’d love to be hitting .350 but that’s not the case.”
Does he care? Of course. But he cares more about contributing, and tonight Jeter went 1-for-5, reached on an error and scored two of the four Yankee runs. Knowing Jeter, he’ll take that and a win every time.
Here’s the Girardi audio:
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• What stood out about Burnett’s performance? His curveball and change-up. If those two pitches are on, particularly the change-up, it makes Burnett’s fastball even more dominant. “If (the change) is a good one, it gives hitters something different to think about,” Girardi said. For those who were watching tonight, you might have noticed the change-up with a particularly nasty dive to it; Girardi even likened it to a splitter. “I attacked,” Burnett said.
Here’s some of Burnett’s audio:
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• Mark Teixeira now has 50 RBI in his last 53 games going back to July 1, though even he admitted his hits tonight weren’t exactly thunderous blasts. “Two of the hits were actually lucky,” he said. “Ground balls with eyes.”
• Assuming he feels OK tomorrow, Andy Pettitte will throw a simulated game on Saturday. If all goes well, he could be headed on a minor-league rehab outing after that.
• Jorge Posada definitely had a legit gripe over the strike three call from Dana DeMuth in the eighth, but Posada is lucky that he threw his fit tonight instead of yesterday. Since rosters had expanded, the Yankees had Chad Moeller available to come in and catch the ninth. Girardi said he was “really glad” he had Moeller since Eduardo Nunez was already out of the game and Ramiro Pena – who is the emergency catcher – was set to go to third base.
• Nice work out of the bullpen, with Joba Chamberlain getting into and out of trouble in the seventh and Boone Logan, Kerry Wood and Mariano Rivera following him to close the game out. Asked about Logan and Wood, Girardi said, “They’ve meant a lot. They’ve given us options. They give us a nice group of guys down there that can get big outs.” For the record, Logan has retired 27 of the last 31 lefties he’s faced while Wood has allowed just one earned run in 13 1/3 innings since coming to the Bronx.
That’s it for tonight. Back at it tomorrow with CC looking for the sweep. Thanks to everyone for reading.
Nova, Nunez on incredible journey together
“I’ve been a Yankees fan since I was a kid. My favorite player has always been Derek Jeter,” said Nunez, 23, whose natural position is shortstop. “You have that dream since you’re a kid, and knowing that I have the opportunity to play with him, its like a dream. It really is.”…
In December 2008, the Padres claimed Nova from the Yankees in the Rule 5 Draft, but were forced to return him to New York when the right-hander failed to remain on San Diego’s roster for the entire 2009 season
“When they sent me back to the Yankees, I would say I was somewhat sad because I didn’t make the team,” said Nova. “But once I was reunited with the guys again, it was like I was back with the family.”…
“He’s like my brother. The first time they called me, that he was still [in the Minors], we would talk every day. I would always tell him, ‘Keep working hard,’” said Nova. “I would talk to [fellow Dominicans Robinson] Cano and Damaso [Marte], but with the rest of the guys, I didn’t have that trust. It was hard.”
When prompted to describe their friendship, Nunez echoes Nova’s sentiments.
“We’re better friends off the field than on the field,” said Nunez. “We’ve always lived together. He’s like my brother.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=nyy
Cano and Melky Posse Par Deux?
From Girardi’s perspective, that’s the best way to spin it. Confidence is critical, and if they’re lucky, AJ just may believe it.
I just don’t trust AJ, so while his start was an improvement, I’m not going to go overboard. Even if he gets on a role, you know that he’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Logan has been a revelation and Wood has been great; I couldn’t be happier with them
Great news on Andy; I’m sure he won’t be sharp upon his return, but he’s something like a security blanket – good old reliable Andy.
CB,
I was just wondering if you could expand on saying that Sanchez does not have Montero’s upside?
Betsy,
Back to the last thread…Santa Fe is only one hour from Albequerque. I don’t know if you drive or not. The food is supposed to be and it is supposed to be an awesome place. We haven’t gone because we have the dog when when we drive through.
Whitey Herzog first implemented stealing bases when up/down by a lot of runs as a way to manufacture runs.
No issue at all. Morgan was trying to steal a run and make it 13-5
SAS, I would have taken the train; I was also planning on spending time in ABQ and Taos, but until there’s a direct flight from NY to ABQ, I won’t be heading that way.
I love chili and that sort of southwest/New Mexican food; when I was planning the trip, it’s what I looked forward to the most!
Forget the connecting flight, you’re better off just renting your car in Albuquerque and driving.
The New Mexican food is better in Albuquerque anyway.
I would recommend a train ride through the Swiss Alps
Nick, I mean I would have needed a connecting flight from NY (probably Dallas or Minneapolis)………….I just won’t do that. I think Newark airport used to have direct flights, but no more.
I was planning on flying into ABQ, spending a few days there, then taking the new train to SF. I don’t do much driving outside of my own comfort zone where I live, but I would have done for that trip because you need a car in and around SF.
I printed out REAMS of paper on ABQ and Santa Fe restaurants………a ridiculous amount -and it was for naught. There’s a green chili cheeseburger place in Santa Fe called Bobcat Bite that I wanted to try, but alas…..not to be.
I have a pet theory that we still haven’t see the best of Brackman. He was healthy but getting hit all over the place early in the year. Holding back I think.
He’s been very effective the last few months, but not at all dominating. I still think he may be holding back a hair.
I think he lets it go next year and we’ll see a different level.
Train ride????
If you mean elephant ride, I concur.
/Hannibal’d
The Swiss Alps are gorgeous, but nothing is as spectacular as the Colorado Rockies…………..I took a tour of the National Parks there and the beauty is just incredible.
I have been to the Bobcat Bite.
Go soon.
AJ finally won a game and pitched decent have a parade for the overpriced cement head.
3 runs in 6 innings against a crappy offense, give him a medal……..
Good night Yankee people!
LOL Nick………
Erica, did you get my e-mail?
And once again, Franklin Gutierrez shows once again why he is no longer an elite center fielder. The best he could do is rob Howie Kendrick of a game tying homer. He could have at least boosted his defensive matrix by stealing a grand slam.
Nick, if I can borrow an elephant to travel there, I won’t need to worry about connecting flights!
Good night, Erica!
I see that stuart Little is late to the party, but, just as ignorant as always.
Did anyone see Kim Jones and Derk Jeter on the YES post game? I have never seen a more intimidated and tenuous journalist; it was as if she was asking god to explain himself and was steeling herself for the inevitable lightening bolt. First she starts out with a couple of softball AJ questions, but everyone knew what was coming. And man was Jeter ready, he barely let her finish her barely whispered question about his “scuffling” at the plate before he sarcastically and summarily dismissed her after a couple of perfunctory remarks like the scoreboard was all that mattered. Well, yeah Derek. Hard to argue with that. Now about that .268 BA and .332 OBP.
“I was just wondering if you could expand on saying that Sanchez does not have Montero’s upside?”
It’s not a knock on Sanchez in any way. It’s just that Montero has always had amazing hit tools. On top of that Montero always looked like he was going to wing up 6’5 with plus strike zone command.
Montero was and is just an amazing hitting prospect. That’s why he’s getting legitimate comparisons to guys like Frank Thomas, even from commentators who don’t like to say things like that because it’s such a low probability outcome and they can look silly for saying things like that a few years from now.
Montero is close to an ideal hitting prospect. He really is that good.
Sanchez isn’t quite at that level as a hitter. He is however more likely to stay at catcher long term so he has a dimension that Montero’s struggling with.
It is very, very rare for a prospect to legitimately project to have a non-trivial chance to produce at better than an all star level of play. Montero does.
CB, make sure to watch the highlites and see how average gutierrez has become. It’s a must see.
“Did anyone see Kim Jones and Derk Jeter on the YES post game? ”
He was sending a message – if the YES PR machine can’t even induce a gracious response to that question, the other “journalists” shouldn’t even bother.
But Jeter has that advantage and he has every right to use it. I must say, if I were them, I would much rather interview someone friendly and engaging like Giambi.
You can fly non-stop to Phoenix, but that is far from NM. I don’t think there will be a direct flight for a long time because they are being cut back to hubs. We are lucky that Phoenix is still non stop.
Who cares that Jeter didn’t spend 15 minutes answering the same idiotic question about what’s wrong with his swing, for the 50th time? Anytime somebody cuts her off in mid sentence is alright by me. If there is no story, she tries to create one, with her in the middle of it.
GB7-
Guitierrez is simply astonishing. He has a shot to be an all time great defensive CF. He’s the best defensive CF the game has seen since Andru Jones in his prime.
Guti is flat out great with the leather. Very disappointing season at the plate but he’s great in CF.
I’ll make sure to take a look at the highlights.
CB,
Thanks. I knew you weren’t knocking Sanchez, but was just trying to get a read on how good Sanchez can become on the offensive side. His numbers this year are incredible for his age and like you alluded to better than Montero’s at 17, but there is much more to these kids especially when they are so young than the numbers.
If you haven’t been to the Phoenix area, it is a wonderful place with lots to do and eat. Then you can drive or take a bus to Sedona, a must see. You have been to the Grand Canyon.
SAS, I don’t think so either. I’m trying to decide what to do with my 13 days off. I wanted to go to Disney, but I’ve been a nervous flier lately and that won’t work. I would kill to do a tour of Civil War battlefields, but preliminary research has been fruitless. I might go to KY to visit the horsefarms………….
CB, it wasn’t just the catch. It’s where he started from to catch up to it. I see him, and I see Devon White.
SAS, when I was 13, my parents and my younger sister and I went to a dude ranch in AZ. After that, we did go to Phoenix and stayed at a place called the Point. Unfortunately I had swimmer’s ear and could barely take advantage of the nice pool, lol. We did go to the Grand Canyon – still, that was 25 years ago; I’d love to go again. I would not do the Brady Bunch “take donkeys down to the bottom” thing, though!
Matsui hits a 2 run homer to give the angels a 3-2 lead.
SAS, I’ve always wanted to go back to AZ again – and when I planned a dude ranch trip a few years ago, I intended to go there. However, I ended up in CO..
CB,
Both guys sound like they could find themselves in a Yankees uniform.
Hey now, watch it, GB.
That’s PA’s gurrrrrl-friend you’re talking about.
If you come out when we are there, I would love to show you about. We are in Scottsdale. I can get you at the airport. Come during Spring Training.
Jeter has never struck me as overly friendly and engaging. And despite his iconic status and past track record he shouldn’t get a pass when being asked about his poor performance by the press. That’s their job and fans want to know what he thinks and what’s going on. They guy hit .334/.406 last year and he’s fallen precipitously to .268/.332 so far this year and he’s 36 years old in his contract year in a pennant race. The fans have idolized him, the Yankees have paid him over a hundred million dollars – I’d like to see him be a little more forthcoming.
FYI, for those teeny boppers out there.
Today’s date resembles a famous zipcode: 9/02/10
GF, they’d be perfectly suited. The only one that loves Jones more than PA does is Jones. He went ballistic the night that I said her backside looked the size of a ’59 Buick.
baseball is all about scoring runs.
can you guess who’s 3rd in runs scored in all of MLB?
Derek Jeter, that’s who. he’s making more outs than we’re accustomed to seeing, but the man is still scoring runs.
94 runs scored (on pace for 118)
GB….Frankie G is still an elite Centerfielder regardless of flow charts etc….
Jeter isn’t any less forthcoming now than he was last season when he hit .330+ and had an MVP-type season.
He’s always been that way. Doesn’t make a damn bit of difference how much he’s earned.
SAS, I could do that next year……….that would be a lot of fun!
GreenBeret7 – I don’t think it’s an idiotic question at all and it wasn’t about his swing it was about his prolonged and pronounced drop in productivity. It’s a legitimate question, it is being talked about by almost every single Yankee fan and member of the media. Kim Jones was not creating a story – Jeter’s poor performance is the story.
Pat, I can only imagine him patrolling that big YS center field in pinstripes.
Giuseppe he wasn’t having a poor year last year. It’s a legitimate question for the press to ask and he should address it. A lifetime of good will and adulation can go out the window in a heartbeat. I’m not saying Jeter’s reluctance to deal with this is going to result in that, but he would be well advised to be careful.
SAS-
I’m hopeful that both those kids will be the foundation for the next great yankee dynasty.
Sanchez is still far away but he’s immensely talented. I really can’t believe what he’s done this year at 17.
And Montero – just don’t know what to say about him anymore. He’s probably the single best hitting prospect the yankees have had since the amateur draft started.
Not a guarantee that either will make it – but they at least have a shot at greatness and that’s all you can ask from kids who are 17 and 20.
Personally, I don’t care if she asked him about the color of the sun. And his swing is what the problem with his slump is all about.Let her go pimp herself on Francesa…better yet, on the radio. I wouldn’t have to listen to that.
After the question is asked once, why keep asking. If she had any sense, you wouldn’t keep asking, because he won’t answer it, and that’s his right. Neither she, you nor anyone else needs to know everything.
Just seeing the Morgan sequence of events on TV.
From what I saw, I don’t have much of a problem with anything he did up until he started taunting fans on the way off the field.
********************************
Jeter doesn’t need to be careful. The media is afraid of him.
Players should be asked tough questions. Jeter is no different than any other player.
Has anyone seen the new opening to games on NESN? Those stains on humanity actually have Tito throwing the umpire out of the game. The Yankees have championships, Yogi Berra, Dimaggio, Jeter and greatness leading off their broadcasts, and they have some piggy manager throwing out an umpire – an umpire who probably didnt deserve to be argued with.
After seeing the brawl, I kind of feel bad for Nyger Morgan. He got hit once and there was no need to throw behind him after hitting him. And when he went for the punch on Sanchez, he missed and Sanchez decked him. I think Im now a fan of Nyger Morgan.
Betsy,
Let’s get together here and plan the trip after we come back in May. Spring training tix are tough to get if you wait too long. It’s also the height of the season so we want to get you into a good place early. Also, the earlier you buy Jet Blue seats the better, and they are out of JFK.
I don’t walk at all well so that has to be accounted for, but I love the spring training games, museums, etc.
Morgam is a punk want to be thug…….He’ll be thrown at as the word is spreading around the league……The crap he’s pulled the past 3-4 weeks is going to cost him as well as his teammates…….
# GreenBeret7 September 2nd, 2010 at 12:08 am
GF, they’d be perfectly suited. The only one that loves Jones more than PA does is Jones. He went ballistic the night that I said her backside looked the size of a ‘59 Buick.
———-
LOL.
Yeah, he would never let anyone say anything negative about Jones on this blog. He’d either delete the post, write you a nasty email, or try to embarrass you.
Sometimes, all of the above.
“Derek Jeter, that’s who. he’s making more outs than we’re accustomed to seeing, but the man is still scoring runs.
94 runs scored (on pace for 118)”
————————-
big deal. Product of a strong lineup
What has Morgan done in the past 3-4 weeks? I saw him run over the catcher legally yesterday trying to score the go ahead run. It was a fair play.
Montero has every chance to be and do what Frank Thomas did. Intimidate pitchers and absolutely swallow up the batter’s box. As big as he is, he looks so much bigger. and he’s just a baby, yet.
Yeah, Morgan is a marked man.
SAS, sounds good to me……….
I think we have a lot in common and would have a fantastic time. I went to ST a few years ago in Tampa with some Yankee fans I became friendly with on a board and we had a great time. I think I’d have a better time in and about Phoenix because there’s more to do and see
“Players should be asked tough questions. Jeter is no different than any other player.
Fair enough. But Jeter doesn’t not answer questions. He just answers questions about his own individual performance in the same way he always has, good or bad, which is mainly not to talk about his individual performance.
No one should expect or feel as if Jeter should alter what’s been a career-long tact, because somehow he owes someone something more because he’s struggling.
Gee GreenBeret7 thanks so much for your take on what makes good journalism. The reality is that Jeter’s poor performance is a very legitimate story under any circumstances and it’s exacerbated by the fact that this is a contract year. Jones or anyone else has the right to ask him about it. A hundred times if they want to. He does not have to answer but he will have to decide how he does that, how it comes across and deal with any consequences.
They didn’t show the past 3-4 weeks. Just the past 2 days.
Rich
What has Morgan done?
Aside from what he has done, though, it’s not right for teams to throw at him – no matter what he has done. You could kill somebody throwing at them. It’s only right for teams to throw at Red Sox – because they arent human beings
“Montero has every chance to be and do what Frank Thomas did. Intimidate pitchers and absolutely swallow up the batter’s box. As big as he is, he looks so much bigger. and he’s just a baby, yet.”
Then let’s just hope Tampa or Boston doesn’t bring Jeff Nelson out of retirement.
Thomas always looked foolish against him.
“Jeter doesn’t need to be careful. The media is afraid of him”
————————————————
pathetic.
GF, he used to keep that going for 2 days and then tell you to knock it off. It was like the fat kid drooling over the cheerleader and she’s getting him to buy her stuff while she goes home with the football captain. If it wasn’t so funny, it would be pathetic.
Fair enough comment stuckey99 and you are right as to what he has done in the past. But this is different. The drop in performance is huge, he’s 36 and it’s a contract year with rumors that he will want A-Rod money. Things change.
stuckey99
I don’t disagree, and it’s any player’s right not to answer (unlike a politician, for example), but the questions still should be asked. A lot of time the non-answer can be revealing too.
Rich in NJ September 2nd, 2010 at 12:19 am
Players should be asked tough questions. Jeter is no different than any other player.
———————————————————————————————————————-
They have the right to ask him and he has the right to ignore them.
# West Coast Yankee Fan September 2nd, 2010 at 12:13 am
Giuseppe he wasn’t having a poor year last year. It’s a legitimate question for the press to ask and he should address it. A lifetime of good will and adulation can go out the window in a heartbeat. I’m not saying Jeter’s reluctance to deal with this is going to result in that, but he would be well advised to be careful.
———
My point was simply that Jeter is no different with the media this season than he has been throughout his career.
People may think it’s a legitimate question but he doesn’t want to address it. That’s his right and he’s earned it.
I don’t understand why people care so much about what a player says in a pregame/postgame interview. 99% of it is full of old and tired cliche’s we’ve all heard a thousand times before.
Nobody is better than Jeter at speaking a boatload of words without saying anything worthwhile.
Cashman does that very well, too.
Sometimes, the media and fans don’t need to know everything just as GB said above.
CR9
To cite one example:
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/.....-baseball/
“Morgan is currently appealing a seven-game suspension for throwing a ball at a fan in the stands in Philadelphia on Aug. 21.”
On the field, he’s trying to prove that he is bad ass. He needs to chill.
“but the questions still should be asked. A lot of time the non-answer can be revealing too.”
But this is not a “in the public’s interest” situation, where say a Senator’s vote on a bill.
I would never say a sportswriter shouldn’t ask any question, but given the context, to keep asking when the answer is the same to be able to say you kept asking because more about the writer and less about the story.
Oh, ok. I heard about the guy throwing the ball into the stands. Didnt know it was Morgan. I thought the guy that got hit forgave Morgan or something like that.
Anyhow, he doesnt wear a certain uniform that I despise, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. Yankees fans should hate “punk thugs” that wear a certain uniform and not a kid like Morgan!
To be honest, if I were a player and I was in the pig sty known as Fenway Field, I’d probably hurt some fans too – but not make it look so obvious. For example, Id go into the stands for a foul ball and drill sox fans right in the face with my elbow!! Intentionally Unintentional.
It’s just like Graig Nettles said, “If you want a ball player, I’m right here. If you want somebody to talk, hire Georgie Jessel.”
“But this is different.”
For YOU it’s different. No different for me. And I’d appreciate if you don’t play the “I represent the fans” card.Don’t iimply you speak for anyone but yourself when you suggest what you perceive is him not addressing these question will have a negative effect on this image
“The drop in performance is huge, he’s 36 and it’s a contract year with rumors that he will want A-Rod money.”
The last part is an assumption on your part. He needn’t answer to something that has not occurred.
“I would never say a sportswriter shouldn’t ask any question, but given the context, to keep asking when the answer is the same to be able to say you kept asking because more about the writer and less about the story”
Who keeps asking the same question to Jeter? Kim’s question was noteworthy (and laudable) because no one asks Jeter about his slump/bad luck/decline/some combination (choose one).
Jeter gets a free pass from most of the media. Whether that’s because they are afraid of him, like pat said, or some other reason, the fact remains.
We saw it from the former blog host.
If Jeter and A-Rod were asked the same question, and both didn’t give a candid answer, Jeter would be described as being diplomatic, while A-Rod would be characterized as being evasive.
Any unbiased person could see the unfairness in the reporting.
One very important Italian word is ‘birra’.
What happened to Morgan? I thought he was a good guy when he came from the Pirates to the Nationals. Isn’t he a former hockey player? Anyhow, I expect MLB to come down hard on him not so much for the fight, but how he walked off the field.
And, just like always, he gave his answer and it’s still not enough for you or the other gossip hounds.
OK Betsy,
We are on. Just remember that I have a son who is already 39, so I obviously could be your mother…lol
“And, just like always, he gave his answer and it’s still not enough for you or the other gossip hounds.”
You talking to me?
If so, bs. If not, sorry for thinking so.
I wish no Yankees or New York athletes spoke to the media. The Yankees should pay whatever fine MLB doles out for not speaking with the media.
Sir Alex Ferguson has refused to speak with the BBC for about 6 years, and even though the FA will fine him this year around 60,000 GBP – iirc – he still refuses, and the Glazers have decided to pay the fine in advance for the entire season.
If his answer was enough for you, why are you still whining about it?
Rich,
Let’s be fair, for the most part in his career, Jeter hasn’t done a whole lot to deserve tough questions. He’s been pretty non-controversial for a player that’s been in the spot light as long he has and with his resume.
As far tonight’s question, Jones had every right to ask him about his struggles so either Jeter needs to play better or expect such questions to keep coming his way.
It hurts to see you fellow fans bicker while our playoff odds still hover at only 98.3%.
“If his answer was enough for you, why are you still whining about it?”
You are so clueless it’s comical.
I take it that GB7 and Rich don’t like each other.
“It hurts to see you fellow fans bicker while our playoff odds still hover at only 98.3%”
Being as opinionated and argumentative as those two, it isn’t surprising.
Crawdaddy
I never said otherwise, although tough questions are a part of life for everyone, especially those in the public eye.
He is the captain, so even if questions about his own life/performance aren’t germane, there have been many uncomfortable questions about his teammates that he could have been asked because of that leadership role.
You couldn’t possibly expect a player to answer why he’s not able to hit pitches or what’s giving him the most problems do you? If he did, that’s all he’d see. If you can’t understand that, I’m not really surprised.
“I take it that GB7 and Rich don’t like each other.”
I have no feelings about pixels on a screen. I merely respond in kind.
“Who keeps asking the same question to Jeter?”
I thought you were implying the question should be asked repeatedly, if for no other reason to produce a non-answer. If I misunderstood, I retract my response.
“Jeter gets a free pass from most of the media. Whether that’s because they are afraid of him, like pat said, or some other reason, the fact remains.”
I suspect some don’t bother to ask something that will get them nowhere. There is a pragmatism necessary in being a beat reporter. One has to choose what you’re likely to again from a certain approach.
Again, I not suggesting it’s wrong to ask certain questions of certain players, but I think it’s also fair to ask how practical it is.
“If Jeter and A-Rod were asked the same question, and both didn’t give a candid answer, Jeter would be described as being diplomatic, while A-Rod would be characterized as being evasive.”
I can’t argue that, only to say fans and pundits mischaracterizing an A-Rod response isn’t a argument Jeter should handle anything differently, or be handled any differently.
“Any unbiased person could see the unfairness in the reporting.”
But who is REALLY being treated unfairly in your scenario? Jeter or A-Rod?
Rich and Crawdaddy excellent comments on Jeter and the media.
Stuckey – I am obviously like everyone here just giving “my opinion”, it’s my take, and is no more or less valid than anyone else’s.
“I have no feelings about pixels on a screen. I merely respond in kind.”
I call BS, but whatever floats your boat. Anyhow, good night I’ll leave you with GB7 to continue your discussion.
“You couldn’t possibly expect a player to answer why he’s not able to hit pitches or what’s giving him the most problems do you? If he did, that’s all he’d see. If you can’t understand that, I’m not really surprised.”
All I freakin’ said was that it was fair to ask the question.
Quote something I said that is contra to that assertion.
Crawdaddy
“I call BS,”
You’d be wrong.
I have called out any poster that has moronically attacked GB’s service to our country.
I respect it and honor it, but I’m not going to take gratuitous insults or distortions of my posts.
“Stuckey – I am obviously like everyone here just giving “my opinion”, it’s my take, and is no more or less valid than anyone else’s.”
Why can’t someone’s opinion being more or less valid?
I detect a scent of entitlement in your reasoning, as if you’re arguing as a fan you are owed either better performance from Jeter or him to alter his consistent approach to the media and offer you a mea culpa in the form of a public acknowledgment he’s having a bad year.
Would my opinion be valid?
If Cano hit .335 last year and was hitting .268 now, he would be asked the same questions and they would have been much more strident and started long ago. So would any player other than Jeter. Including Mo, Pettitte and Posada.
Let’s be real. If Girardi’s hands weren’t tied, and Jeter wasn’t Jeter, he would be batting eighth or ninth right now with a .332 OBP. Does anyone think this isn’t a stronger lineup 1-5?
Gardner
Swisher
Teixeira
A-Rod
Cano
And Jeter answered the question asked. “Nothing”. He could always do what I did with the media when asked about information that was none of their business. Tell them to shove the mic or just walk away.
Stuckey if that’s your opinion, go for it. I’m here to talk baseball not engage in personal silliness. My opinion again is that Jeter gets a pass from the media, for whatever reason, and he shouldn’t. And when he does answer the occasional question it’s borderline arrogant and sarcastic and I personally would rather Jeter didn’t go there.
WCYF
That’s probably true, but as many veteran players have said, when you’re under 35 everyone calls a bad year a slump or an off year. When you’re over 35, they call it the start of a decline. The CW, however, is often wrong.
“Let’s be real. If Girardi’s hands weren’t tied, and Jeter wasn’t Jeter, he would be batting eighth or ninth right now with a .332 OBP.”
You’re wrong. Joe Girardi doesn’t manage the way a fan would manage his fantasy, or MLB: The Show 2010 team.
Girardi values leadership, veteran presence and doesn’t make changes in responses to slumps.
Teixeira wasn’t moved from the 3 slot when he wasn’t hitting his weight.
You’re simply wrong.
If he was going to throw a ball in the stands, he should have atleast done it in Fenway Field
“And Jeter answered the question asked. “Nothing”
Actually he was more forthcoming.
I’m still waiting for the quotes from my posts.
Great win for the Yanks tonight. I’ll be at the game tomorrow so hopefully they can get the sweep!
“I’m here to talk baseball not engage in personal silliness.”
“And when he does answer the occasional question it’s borderline arrogant and sarcastic and I personally would rather Jeter didn’t go there.”
So are you here to talk baseball or or talk about Jeter’s arrogance and sarcasm?
Or is that “baseball” because he’s a “baseball player”?
Since this is a baseball forum, I think I deserve the same free pass to talk about people’s personalities you reserve for yourself.
You have the right to your opinion Stuckey but I cannot be wrong because you have no clue what Girardi thinks about this. You can only speculate as I do. This isn’t about a fan managing his fantasy team nor is this about Teixeira’s bad start. It’s about a number one or two hitter not getting on base enough all year long. Period.
You want to know what a captain should do IMO. He should walk in Girardi’s office and say boss, I want you to know if you think you should drop me in the order it’s ok with me for the good of the team. Maybe he has and we don’t know it. I don’t claim to know.
You can wait for a long time, because I’m through with your demands to know everything about everybody. You, the media and nobody else except the team has that right to know. Maybe that’s something that you need to know.
“Teixeira wasn’t moved from the 3 slot when he wasn’t hitting his weight.”
Tex has an extensive track record of production, after his early slumps, and he is in his prime.
There is no precedent for this type of Jeter season, nor are we sure that it isin’t the start of a permanent decline.
He can’t live off his career stats forever. The manager needs to do what he feels gives the team the best chance to win. If the guy is as much of a “leader” as he is portrayed as, he will not mind Girardi making an unbiased decision to move a hitter with a .320 down in the order. Same applies to Tex. If his slump lasted into June, July, etc. then it is likely he would have been moved.
Stuckey feel free to talk about me all you want in whatever way you want. It doesn’t matter to me at all.
IMO – Jeter’s arrogance and sarcasm when asked about his performance is relevant to baseball – he isn’t being asked about Minka.
Stuckey, as you stated, there was a large contigent here who wanted to bury Texeria in the bottom of the lineup back in June……Jeter is most likely playing hurt maybe even injuried to an extent…..Derek Jeter is not nor will he be dropped in this 2010 Yankee lineup…….The real question is, when Alex comes of the DL, will he hit 4th or 5th ????
“It’s about a number one or two hitter not getting on base enough all year long. Period.”
What you think Joe Girardi SHOULD and your theories on why he hasn’t are two different things.
You want to argue Girardi should drop him? That’s perfectly valid.
You want to suggest he hasn’t because he can’t, his powers don’t extend far enough to treat Jeter like a member of the team, and you go off the rails.
“I don’t claim to know.”
“Let’s be real. If Girardi’s hands weren’t tied, and Jeter wasn’t Jeter, he would be batting eighth or ninth right now.”
Sounds like you think you do.
You’re all over the map right now.
But you’re very adamant
Patrick,
Bring it home for the Yanks!!!! I am counting on you
West Coast
Jeter can do whatever the heck he wants. As can any Yankee or any athlete.
The arrogance – rather – is on the part of the media – thinking that they have the right to receive answers. That they deserve answers. The only responses that some of them deserve – for example, PA or Chad Finn – are to be spit on.
“Stuckey feel free to talk about me all you want in whatever way you want. It doesn’t matter to me at all.”
Good to know. I shall.
“IMO – Jeter’s arrogance and sarcasm when asked about his performance is relevant to baseball – he isn’t being asked about Minka.”
How Jeter responds to reporters after a game has been played has anything to do with baseball how exactly?
I can’t see Rodriguez hitting anything but 4th, Pat. With less protection behind him than Cano can provide, Rodriguez will either be pitched around, or, he can be pitched to at times. Nobody has any real way to pitch to Cano this year. I might be more inclined to hit Rodriguez 3rd and Teixeira 4th, though.
Right GB – Yankee fans and the New York media have no right to ask anything about Derek Jeter’s poor performance so far this year. Just hush lemmings and watch the game. You must live in Kansas City, that’s not going to happen here. I don’t care if he is Jeter, he is not bigger than the team. If he doesn’t like the questions – he should start hitting again. If he can.
IMO what this is really about is an aging 36 year old starting to lose his skills. It’s inevitable and happens to everyone. Slower bat speed, etc. I love the guy, but, I love the Yankees winning more.
Just one fans opinion.
“Yankee fans and the New York media have no right to ask anything”
West Coast
You got that right.
Also, Jeter is not bigger than the team, and Jeter knows that better than anyone. The media and the fans are not bigger than the team either.
Even if Jeter answers the question politely, it will still be some cliche-laden non-answer, like he always gives. What do you think he is going to say?
This isin’t the pre-2009 A-Rod, who, if you provoked enough, could get a stupid statement from once in a while. Pete Abe was the King of this… remember all the BS he made about the “I’d love to have Reyes on my team” quote, making it sound like it was a slight on Jeter?
The athletes owe the media nothing, especially a non-entity like Kim Jones who contributes nothing to the broadcast.
Pat, I’d hit Jeter first, Gardner 2nd, rodriguez 3rd, Teixeira 4th and Cano 5th.
Stuckey it has everything to do with baseball because the question is not about the game that’s just been played, you obviously didn’t see the Q&A. It’s about his cumulative performance YTD.
Patrick, you see that Lincecum and the Gigantes beat Ubaldo and the Rockies?
Great game.
Have fun tomorrow, I think CC will bring the hammer. And the broom.
GreenBeret7 September 2nd, 2010 at 1:08 am
“You can wait for a long time, because I’m through with your demands to know everything about everybody..”
__
Yet another distortion of reality. But I don’t blame you because you made stuff up and can’t back it up.
“IMO what this is really about is an aging 36 year old starting to lose his skills. It’s inevitable and happens to everyone. Slower bat speed, etc. I love the guy, but, I love the Yankees winning more.”
Yes, this is exactly what this is about. As I said, entitlement. You’re already frustrated that you feel Jeter will be allowed to not perform up to your standards and hold an elevated role with the team not only this year but in subsequent years and your resentment over that fact is being projected onto a irrelevant side issues like how he “arrogantly” handles the media.
You want him humbled.
Am I wrong about any of this?
Jeter is certainly a topic of great interest, not only regarding how he performs the rest of the year in the quest for number 28, but he will be this winter for obvious reasons that don’t need to be repeated. Accordingly, fans will be interested and the beat reporters will ask questions and the editorial writers will speculate. That’s how it should be.
Thanks for the dialogue everyone and have a great evening.
Rich in NJ – GreenBeret7 often pulls stuff out of his you know what. Then, when he cannot back it up, he resorts to childish attacks. As long as he has his clique members back him up, that is all that matters to him.
Stuckey you couldn’t be more wrong about all of that but you are entitled to your opinion. Thanks for the dialogue I appreciate it.
“it has everything to do with baseball because the question is not about the game that’s just been played, you obviously didn’t see the Q&A. It’s about his cumulative performance YTD.”
I did see it. You complained about Jeter’s arrogance and sarcasm in answering a question (which btw is an utter distortion of the exchange).
Unless you’re arguing how he answers a question of Kim Jone’s and how you choose to interpret it somehow affects his performance in the field, then you aren’t talking baseball, you’re talking media and fan relations.
Which is fine, that’s a perfectly valid subject, but I’m not the one labeling the discourse, you are.
Good night all
Stuckey, I totally disagree with you on this topic but that’s ok we can both have differing opinions. Again, thanks for your opinion and have a good night. I enjoyed it.
I don’t think I’ve heard a reporter ask any player outright, “so, um, why are you struggling?”
how do you expect jeter or any other player to answer? If you want self-flagellation (sp) from Jeter, you aren’t going to get it. Nor is it your right to expect it.
You ingrates are lucky you’re allowed to watch Jeter on your televisions.
Anybody get their baseballs from the drawings?
good morning early birds!!
another day in first place, another game off the schedule!
Good morning kate.
Hot enough for ya.
MY
its never too hot up here for me!
I am disappointed to see the cool/rainy weather we are supposed to have this weekend, we were hoping to go camping.
kate
You must have weather like here.
It’s been very hot and humid.
There’s a chance we get some effects from the hurricane that’s coming.
MY
it has been an unusually hot and humid summer, first time in a couple of years that we have actually used the central air
CR9 – I know you’re a Man Utd fan, hence your tendency to quote them and theirs as paragons of virtue…but please don’t make out that Alex Ferguson’s decision not to talk to the BBC is one to be admired.
It’s petty, arrogant and frankly an outrage. Do you know why he doesn’t talk to them?
Long story, but go here if you’re interested.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffi....._son.shtml
Basically the man thinks he’s bigger and better than everyone else.
I don’t see why in such cases the media (in any sport or country) can’t challenge that.
When Alex comes back I’d hit him 4th just as he was before he left. Main reason is because Arod can beneift more from Robbie’s protection than the other way around IMO….Cano is one of those hitters that can hit everything and since he is taking his walks more this season then I like forcing pitchers to pitch to Alex.
The idea of flipping Alex and Tex though I’ve always kinda liked…
Gotta leave Tex at 3 when Alex returns. Cano was raking at 5 before and he’ll rake at 5 when Al returns. Can’t see Joe shaking things up too much.
Another note: if Cliff Lee’s back bothers him from here on out, how much do you think it affects his upcoming contract?
I guess people would rather have Jason Bartlett or Marco Scutaro than Jete.
Or the injured Jose Reyes. Even Rollins is struggling since he returned from injury.
Jeter is still a solid SS. Who cares if he doesn’t hit .340 again? He doesn’t need to do that to help this team win another ring.
blake
When Alex comes back all the pitchers in the AL will have nightmares facing that lineup.
When Posada is in the lineup there’s so much depth it’s almost unfair.
Yeah, I think Robbie goes back to 5th as well…I am guessing he teases Alex about taking the clean up spot. Robbie has really matured this year. He is so much better at waiting for the pitch he wants.
Joe has already said Alex is hitting 4th; he’s not done anything to lose his position in the order.
I don’t get flipping Alex, with either Cano or Tex – I know Cano has had a great year, but Alex is still Alex. I sure don’t want Tex protecting Alex – he’s way too streaky and he’s simply not as good of a hitter
Just one comment on the Jones/Jeter interchange. When Jeter has been going very well, the similar question has been asked of him – and he has answered the same way. I don’t look at the numbers. He cuts off the question, and says he doesn’t think about what he does. He doesn’t like to micro-analyze what he’s doing. Jones knows it, everyone who follows the Yankees at this point knows it. Heck, Tino talked about that for like a full mlnute or 2 the night before last. Jones had the right to ask the question and she more than likely was fully prepared for the answer she got and the manner in which it was given. This is not new or news.
Also, what does anyone expect, really, Jeter to say? First, if he’s hurt, he is NOT going to say so. Second, what is there to “understand?” He’s having a tough time hitting right now and he wishes he wasn’t, but the most important thing is that the team win. That’s it.
I like the post-games, ’cause I like the extra time spent with the game after the game. I have long ago given up on learning anything new or important from any post-game interview.
Now, when I first became a baseball fan and was following the Mets, they had Kiner’s Korner after the games. He spent at least 15 full minutes with the star or stars of the game. That was worth the time. This is hit-and-run stuff now.
*****
Good morning guys. First day of school for my youngest. And for the first time in her school career, the bus came EARLY. Usually, we’re waiting for a half hour past the assigned time for it to show up. I hope that’s a good omen for the year.
It’s a good thing CC has said he likes pitching in the heat. It’s awful out there and it’s only 8 o’clock. Yuck.
The way I see it, is if there is this much time devoted to Jeter, it must mean the rest of the team is doing well.
I like watching the post game. I like watching the highlights, especially if I wasn’t able to watch the game from beginning to end. I like the player interviews, especially the new guys who are so excited when they have a good game.
Yanks got real lucky last night with Posada’s bone head act after striking out. Had there not been the extra catcher, with the call up, they would have been screwed!
Maine,
It really could be. Now that Tex is hitting like himself….the Yanks really can trot a 3,4, 5 out there that is trouble with a capital T…if Jeter ever got going the watch out.
Its why I’ve said all along that this lineup COULD be better than last years if it ever fired on all cylinders….mainly because of Cano. The Yankees couldn’t trot 3 elite hitters in a row out there last year as they could this year if things work out. I’m hoping this team peaks at the right time as they did last season.
Doreen – school starts early in Jersey. You’ll be a lady of leisure.
That’s the thing, it hasn’t fired on all cylinders…………..that’s why the lineup isn’t close to being as good as last years.
Giuseppe Franco September 2nd, 2010 at 12:08 am
FYI, for those teeny boppers out there.
Today?s date resembles a famous zipcode: 9/02/10
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Wow-this totally made my day.
IMO, the issue with Jeter isn’t his lack of production, but more the reasoning behind it.
If it were a slump or a bad month or whatever, that would be tolerable.
But, as many, including SJ44, have suggested, there is most likely some sort of leg/knee injury. That’s where my tolerance wears thin.
If you’re injured and not helping the team, there’s no reason to be on the field except stubbornness.
Will this production be acceptable in October? I can’t imagine the injury getting better between now and then without some sort of rest.
Are the Yankees forces to tolerate Jeter playing through injury in the heat of a division race and heading into October?
And who exactly do you want out there, Ramiro Pena? Blaming Jeter for being competitive? Ouch.
Betsy,
You’re right it hasn’t…but it still could. They haven’t has everyone both healthy and performing at the same time all season….if everyone was healthy then Tex was slumping….if tex was hitting Arod and Jorge were hurt. All I’m saying is that this Yankee could cause some serious damage if all the stars aligned for a couple weeks in October….we can hope
Blake, you’re right – we an only hope. That said, I’m a bit iffy on the offense – they can pile it on at times, but others, they come as dry as the Sahara. Plus, their real issue is the pitching.
Later!
Weird tidbit I was not aware of.
If NY had won the 2012 Olympic bid the Mets would have had to find a temporary home to play in that year and likely would have played at Yankee Stadium.
Better for Alex and Jeter to feel good about their at bats during rhe last 10 games of September and carry it through October.
Thames will now cool off and Berkman will start contributing.
Good morning all.
JoeyA-
Watching Jeter’s play in the field, there’s in no evidence that he has any sort of leg injury, making pivot throws and jump throws accurately to 1st base.
In regards to Burnett, maybe just maybe, if he continues to use the changeup that Eiland has tried for two years to get him to throw more often, he’ll live up to his contract.
They are 33 games over .500.
How they got there is irrelevant.
You are what your record says you are.
They don’t have to be as good, or better, than last years team to win the WS this year.
Re: Jeter…..
Off year st the plate or not, if he can play, you put him in the lineup because his presence helps the team.
He’s also played well defensively so, he’s not hurting the team as much as people think.
Whether he’s hurt or not, sometimes, players have off years. Go back and look at some of the numbers from the 2000 team and that team ended up winning the WS.
Finally, folks have to get off the kick of looking for players, particularly Jeter, to either punish themselves or produce fan mea villas in their interviews.
Derek Jeter knows he’s having an off year. However, mentally tough athletes don’t beat themselves up over it because it affects their play.
Jeter comes to the park today believing today is the day he gets it going. That’s how you have to do it.
If you fall victim to “woe is me”, you never break out of it and that ends up hurting the team.
You just grind thru it and look to get better each day.
That’s all you can do.
BIG AL September 2nd, 2010 at 8:32 am
Yanks got real lucky last night with Posada’s bone head act after striking out. Had there not been the extra catcher, with the call up, they would have been screwed!
—————————————————————
Is it possible that Posada knew they had another catcher so he didn’t hold back?
You rarely see Posada get that heated about a strike call.
He had a legimate gripe.
Is it possible that Posada knew they had another catcher so he didn’t hold back?
*****************************
Good morning everyone.
I thought the same thing. Posada knew Moeller was there. I know Jorge plays with a lot of emotion, but I don’t think he would have argued like that if he was the only catcher available.
I guess I should be used to the media nonsense by now, but this annoys me. Lester gives up 6 runs to the Os on a night he doesn’t have his best stuff, and he is commended for a gutsy performance. Hughes gives up 2 runs on a night he doesn’t have his best stuff, but battles thru, and he is crucified. Why? Phil was better able to limit the damage.
Jeter doesn’t talk about himself when he’s doing well, so why would anyone expect him to talk about himself when he’s struggling?
yeah, Lester hasnt been very good at all since the break.
To Jeter, the season is only a success if they win the WS. They still have a good chance to do that and he still has a chance to contribute to it…season isn’t over yet.
Kate, because the Yankees are supposed to be perfect
Lance Berkman’s late game base hit to right field happened about 15 minutes after the Thunder game had ended. The puny television in the clubhouse was tuned to the game, and Berkman’s knock received a raucous reaction from his former teammates. Berkman was very, very well liked here in Trenton.
http://thunderbaseball.wordpre.....ame-notes/
“Watching Jeter’s play in the field, there’s in no evidence that he has any sort of leg injury, making pivot throws and jump throws accurately to 1st base.”
This week. Last week, he was definitely limping around.
Regarding Berkman and the kids in Trenton: Buying chicken and steak for post game meals will definitely earn you some points!!
Sounds like Berkman is liked pretty much everywhere he goes and is just a really nice guy.
I was happy to see him come in last night and smoke that double…that was a good swing and good plate coverage.
I like Lance Berkman. He seems like a great guy with the kind of sense of humor you need to have to play this game.
I’d love to see him get on a nice run and end up with a ring.
Last nights double off Bailey was a nice step in the right direction.
CountryClub September 2nd, 2010 at 9:23 am
Regarding Berkman and the kids in Trenton: Buying chicken and steak for post game meals will definitely earn you some points!!
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Wasn’t Flash (or maybe Tino) saying he brought in food from Outback Steakhouse? He would have won me over with a Bloomin’ Onion.
Blake-
Thames and Berkman are going to make an excellent platoon pair at DH.
How about the destroyer of tall fixed objects. Almost up to .290 now.
erin-
Bloomin’ onions are delicious. It’s the bloomin’ idiots you have to watch out for.
MTU September 2nd, 2010 at 9:33 am
erin-
Bloomin? onions are delicious. It?s the bloomin? idiots you have to watch out for
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LOL
From what we’ve seen of him, I like Berkman too. A lot of Yankee fans don’t realize he’s a borderline HOF player and the guy hasn’t caused a fuss about playing time or being forced to the DL or anything. I hope he gets hot and helps the team win a ring. Heck, I’ll be happy with a Boggs like walk in a big spot.
Is there some history between posada and the hp ump?? I know the espn guys were saying something but I had the volume down.. Also the hp ump had a smirky smile on his face after the ejection..
Is there some history between posada and the hp ump?? I know the espn guys were saying something but I had the volume down.. Also the hp ump had a smirky smile on his face after the ejection.
————–
Not sure; but I know that if you point to where the pitch was, it’s almost an automatic ejection.
this year team isnt as good on offense as the 09 team. HOWEVER, there is more to that story.
Here is the breakdown for the yankees offense
09-283/362/478/839
10-270/351/444/795
As you can see the yankees are lower in each category than last year BUT if you look at the league averages from both year, you will notices that its the same trend.
Here is the league average
09-266/335/428/763
10-261/328/409/738
The numbers are low on both ends. Although the decrease in production for the yankees is a tad higher than the decrease in production for the average team, it doesn’t mean that the yankees offense is way off.
Compound that with the fact that in the post season you should have a healthy ARod, it doesnt seem so bad going forward.
I like Berkman as well, that is nice when the guys rehabbing take care of the minor leaguers.
I was really struck by Kay’s comments about AJ last night. He repeatedly said what a great guy AJ was. It is too easy to classify someone based on their appearance or their results (all the gutless Javy comment come to mind)
I was expecting Jeter to get today off for some reason. Maybe tomorrow.
Anybody else tired of Kay trying to make who’s pitching the 8th inning into a big deal? This isn’t Joe Torre’s Yankees anymore, Michael. They don’t have to have a designated 8th inning guy. Especially when they have the great options to mix and match that they do now.
The Yanks O is down, but their pitching has been better (believe it or not). Their run differential is well ahead of last seasons.
benshpigel #yankees vs a’s: jeter, swish, tex, cano, thames (dh), posada, kearns, nunez, gardy (cf), cc sp
MTU,
I know, he’s just murdering the ball. If he is ready and certain dominoes fall into place then the 2011 team could be really something.
Kay does make it sound as if the Yankee bullpen is in a state of flux because there isn’t a set 8 inning guy.
Isn’t having 4 options-Logan, Robertson, Wood, and Joba-better than one?
New Post: Today?s Lineup
the outfield defense this season is significantly better than a year ago as well….which also contributes to that run differential.
Jeter will break out of his slump just in time for the playoffs. Mark it.