Postgame notes: Where you want to be on September 1
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Sep 01, 2010 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
August was a not an easy month for the Yankees. Alex Rodriguez and Lance Berkman went on the disabled list, Andy Pettitte did not return as soon as expected, road trips to Toronto and Kansas City didn’t go as expected, A.J. Burnett didn’t win a game, and Curtis Granderson got off to such a bad start he decided it was time to rework his swing.
But the Yankees will begin September in first place in the division, having won their last four games of August to finally break an eight-day tie with Tampa Bay.
“That’s what August is all about,” Mark Teixeira said. “It’s the dog days. You’re going to have injuries. You’re going to have bumps and bruises. Guys are going to get tired. And we came out of it still in first place, which is where we want to me. We’d love to be 10 games up, but this division’s too tough.”
First place on September 1 doesn’t mean a whole lot, especially not when the second-place team is a game back, with seven head-to-head games remaining. But it beats the alternative.
“I thought our guys played really hard and found a way to have a winning month, in our division that’s extremely important,” Joe Girardi said. “It doesn’t really mean a whole lot. One game ahead with a whole bunch to go still, and we’re going to meet them a bunch of times. Obviously you’d rather have the lead than be the other way. As far as a lot of significance right now? No.”
Here’s Girardi’s postgame.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
• Just a guess on the 40-man move for Chad Moeller: Damaso Marte has been on the disabled list retroactive to July 8. There’s no chance he’s going to pitch before September 8. Moving him to the 60-day should be easily done.
• Mark Teixeira is the sixth player to hit at least 30 home runs in his first two seasons with the Yankees. He has 10 homers in his past 18 games at Yankee Stadium, including the past two. “I’ve been getting some pitches to hit, and I give Robinson Cano a lot of credit for that,” Teixeira said. “Guys don’t want to walk me. You don’t want to walk anyone in our lineup, because our lineup has been clicking on all cylinders the last few games.”
• Nick Swisher’s 25th home run of the season was his second career homer on a 3-0 pitch. “I’ve never been that type of guy,” Swisher said. “I’ve never gotten the green light. When you’re in a situation like that, all you’re trying to do is make good contact… I get excited, I can’t lie. In a situation like that, you really have to try to calm down the situation.”
• Jorge Posada’s 10th career triple gave him 1,014 career RBI, passing Bob Meusel for sole possession of 11th place on the Yankees all-time list. He’s batting .351 in his past 10 games.
• Brett Gardner had his second multi-steal game of the season, and his first since April 18. He’s been successful in 14 of his past 15 attempts.
• Girardi on Derek Jeter’s ongoing struggles: “He’s went through this before this year and guys are going to be up and down. They’re going to put really good streaks together, and they’re going to have streaks that aren’t so good. I’m not too concerned about his at-bats. We’d love to have him hot like some of the other guys, but he’ll get hot again.”
• Phil Hughes wasn’t good tonight. He got the win and limited the damage, but he also walked five batters for the second game in a row. “I was embarrassed for myself so I can only imagine how frustrated it must have been for our guys who were battling at the plate to have to sit out there and watch that,” Hughes said. “I just told them to keep battling and I’ll try to fix whatever’s going on.”
• For what it’s worth, the Yankees seemed proud of Hughes for battling. No one in the building though Hughes was at his best, but he allowed just two runs through five innings. That’s enough to win, obviously. “Phil didn’t have his best stuff, and I’m sure he’d tell you that,” Teixeira said. “But he went out there and he battled. We gave him a lead, and he didn’t give up many runs. That’s all you can ask.”
• Another solid night from Chad Gaudin, who allowed one run on two hits through three strong innings.
• Dave Robertson pitched a hitless ninth.
• Lance Berkman went hitless in what is expected to be his final rehab outing.
• Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees won the waiver claim on Ted Lilly before the Dodgers pulled him back.
• The Yankees have already announced Romine, Laird, Joseph, Kontos and Heyer for the Arizona Fall League. The roster, though, includes two open spots assigned to Yankees pitchers, so there should be some names added to the list eventually.
Associated Press photos of the Yankees outfielders, Teixeira and Gardner. Austin Kearns needs to get some elevation for that postgame celebration.
In-n-out, double double with cheese & grilled onions….Just outstanding Young Master Hughes
He wasn’t good, but he wasn’t bad because he only gave up 2 runs……….
Phil has no reason to be embarrassed because he’s picked his teammates up more than once, but he does tend to be hard on himself………that’s good in a way, though, as it shows he’s not satisfied………….Tex is always the go to guy for quotes about Phil, lol. I missed the shot of Phil waiting to thank his teammates, but that’s very cool and a big deal, I’d think, among his teammates. Skip him a start due to fatigue? Of course he said in his post-game comments that it’s not fatigue, but what else is he going to say?
Gaudin’s done a nice job…………and I still think Jeter will have more than one big moment this late summer and fall. I’m looking forward to Berkman’s return as I also think he’ll contribute.
Stinks about Marte..
Pat M, that sounds GOOD…I don’t even really eat cheeseburgers (only green chile cheeseburgers), but grilled onions? Yum…………
Pat,
Now that sounds good. I will try it when we get to AZ.
Phil also said tonight his mechanics were out of whack; does that happen when pitchers get tired?
SAS…….They are the best
Betsy
Thanks for the tip on 5 Brothers. Just looked at their website to find one near me and it said coming soon, but didn’t say when. Guess I’ll just listen to all of you and drool. ” Grumble” What did you say……..Oh that was my stomach. sigh
We go back to AZ the 24th. My husband loves burgers so I don’t imagine I will have trouble getting him there.
Hopefully, the weather will be a bit cooler by then.
KPB, where do you live?
SAS
I read earlier your in NY, you and all the other posters on the upper east coast please be careful around Friday. It looks like the hurricane will be close to you guys.
Nick in SF How was the Vanilla Shake?
Also, I heard from someone that the fans at the Stadium tonight actually Booed Thames after his 4th at bat? Please tell me I was lied to.
Betsy
Baton Rouge. Speaking of which, will ya’ll be having a hurricane party or is that done just down here?
Berkman went hitless in tonight’s rehab game. Sounds like he’s in MLB-form. All kidding aside, I think he is going to make some sort of positive impact in October.
KPB
Betsy lives closer to the coast than I do. I will be careful however. We have been fortunate in not having a bad hurricane in a long time. Hope our luck isn’t running out.
KPB, I actually haven’t paid much attention to the weather; as of now, it’s supposed to skirt the East Coast. I guess a lot can change between now and then………….I hope not, lol…..
Chad, has Cashman or the Yanks given a reason about why they feel so good about Craig Heyer, who’s a reliever/swing man? Almost 25 years old in High A doesn’t really scream prospect. He was ok in Charleston but not that impressive.
When Po hits the Yankees usually win.
I have never heard of a hurricane party where we live. Snow storms can be fun with neighbors.
I think I read the craziest thing the other week. Florida (Dade County?) or New Orleans, I think it was Florida. Wants to ban the sale of liquor during a hurricane. People were all riled up. “What about our hurricane parties?” Someone said that, but it was more like a tradition than they actually needed it.
We are no longer here in the winter. We are most fortunate and have a place in AZ also
Snow storms sound kind of fun, considering we don’t get it here. Two winters ago, we got some and it piled up to maybe half an inch on the cars. I was so exited I was able to make about a 3 inch snowman.
“Snow storms sound kind of fun, considering we don’t get it here.”
The problem is that the snow doesn’t go away as soon as the snow stops falling.
“Micro-analyze problems and uncertainty.”
Such an unjoyful lot to be around. Wish there were an insanity forum for those who need to equate ever each and every play with the potential demise of the season!
Rich
I hear what you’re saying. I was just talking about how I wish we’d get more than half an inch every 5-10 years.
Phil is obviously beyond frustrated:
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....8;c_id=nyy
“It’s probably mechanics,” said Hughes, although unsure of any further specifics. “Standing over the rubber, it feels like — tonight especially — everything was different on every pitch. I couldn’t get in a groove. The couple times I did make a couple of good pitches in a row, it left me and I had to try to find it again.”
Both Hughes and Girardi said that it is not a fatigue issue.
Aside from surrendering a sacrifice fly and an RBI groundout, though, Hughes was able to hold Oakland off the board. The A’s were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position against him.
“He knows he didn’t have his ‘A’ stuff tonight,” said Nick Swisher, who hit a two-run homer in support of Hughes. “The one thing about it is — and what makes all of us extremely happy is — he went out there and grinded it out, every pitch and every batter. That’s what you want. You want heart from your pitchers.”
Hughes, in other words, battled. Although he’s getting kind of sick of it.
“It’s never fun to pitch like that,” Hughes said. “You’d like to go out and have an easy one. Everyone says, ‘Way to battle.’ Well, I don’t want to battle every time. I want to get a good one every once in a while.”
****
This reminds me of the game in Baltimore when his mechanics were out of whack, he gave up only 1 run and the pen blew the gam
I hate snow………..well, nice fluffy white snow is ok, but this past winter I had enough of it. It snowed almost every day it seemed – not only was it depressing, but it’s dangerous to drive in
So Phil has pitched 149 2/3 innings and he has 5 or 6 starts left. With only 25 or so innings left on his innings limits, he can only pitch 4 or 5 innings at a time? They need to skip him once.
Yankees go up one game, and there was an 11 % swing in our chances of winning the division. I wish it were as simple as that.
I read about all the snow you got and sat there in amazement, both at how much (record breaking I think) and wishing I had a little of it.
Good news. The magic # is 30. The bad news? There are 30 games left.
The rs made a huge set of mistakes in signing becket,lackey long term.
If they did not sign them they have a great 1-2 punch in lester & buchholz.
If they could sign a lee type pitcher in addition they have a nice foundation with a ton of money too spend.
We can complain about burnett but becket,lackey & dice are ugly contracts & 2 of them are just starting their contract terms.
m
It is as simple as that. Haven’t you learned anything during game threads?
Believe me, I wish we could have sent you some of it, lol
I don’t think Lackey will be this bad going forth. I don’t know what his splits are, but he’s been historically bad at Fenway.
Josh is pitching well since coming off the DL, but he’s getting like no run support.
haha.
I don’t see how Laps can sustain his current level. Lucky or not, he is pitching very well.
As far as the magic number goes doesn’t it change if the other teams start losing more as the season comes to a close?
KPB, yes……..
Betsy
I appreciate the offer, but by the time it gets here I’m sure it’d be melted. We get plenty of water as it is.
proofreading is a lost skill in today’s world…
Yes, KPB. If TB cooperates the magic number goes down more quickly. I really don’t want the WC or even a tie for the division. Tie breaker is the season head-to-head record.
We have a modest 4 game winning streak. I didn’t even notice because stupid Tampa was keeping pace. Hopefully, we’ll get some separation. And soon.
“proofreading is a lost skill in today’s world…”
Tell me about it! Kiids nowadays.
LOL KPB
Well, time for bed. I need to destress something fierce.
Night all!
Goodnight everybody. Thanks for the conversations.
Erica and Erin
This is for you. Since I’m never around during the mornings, I hope you find this a good way of starting your day. Here’s some Muppets news I came across.
http://www.masslive.com/entert.....o_smi.html
And this time for real, goodnight.
Dear Red Sux fan:
Dead, buried, toast, whiners, losers! Great pitching? HA! – Great defense? HA! – Finely conditioned athletes? HA! Smirk wiped off Pappelpukes face forever? HA! Johnny Damon telling a begging Ortiz, Varitek and Boston fans to shove it? HA! HA!
Yours truly,
Bucky Dent
Hughes only has 5 starts left. They can pitch him normally and then give him a shadow for his last game.
Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?
Good for Aroldis on his debut. He spurned his agent – the Red Sox fan that tried pushing him to the Red Sox for less $$$$ – for a chance for more $$$$! And he went to the National League. Good for him.
Will you be saying the same thing during a Yankee-Reds World Series? ; p
Nick in SF,
While you were downing your burger, Betsy and I were worrying how the In and Out got started.
I’m just glad that Phil threw more curves and a few changeups. It’s the only way they will get back to where they were a few years ago, or even better than they were, and I am very, very confident that they will.
I would love a Yankees-Red World Series….as long as the Yankees win.
Hi SAS.
Last season — our #27 championship season — I got in the occasional habit of making a victory vow, usually involving some kind of ethnically-appropriate meal. Such as “I will dine on ramen tonight if Matsui gets an RBI!” or something like that.
This year, I decided I would honor our new phenom Phil with a meal for his first win. I wanted it to be something appropriate for his Orange County background and someone — I think Betsy herself? — suggested In-N-Out Burger. Then Pat M decreed that an In-N-Out trip must be made for EVERY Phil win this season, not just the first. Pat M pays the same tribute, so I could not refuse.
I have now made 16 In-N-Out trips (plus another for Phil’s All-Star Game appearance) and I expect to make more.
“Josh is pitching well since coming off the DL, but he’s getting like no run support. haha.”
m
Beckett’s (I assume that’s who you mean) August ERA is 6.82.
Nick in SF September 1st, 2010 at 2:04 am
I have now made 16 In-N-Out trips (plus another for Phil’s All-Star Game appearance) and I expect to make more.
———————————————————————————————————
Those are good burgers, Walter.
Well, Nick, I hope you have enjoyed everyone of them, and I hope there are more to come. I am going to try N’and Out when I we get tp AZ in late September. I hope they are as they sound.
Maybe we can find a few more food runs we can find for you as the month goes along, i.e. BBQ for Andy and Berkman.
Rich,
That’s too bad.
Every time I saw him pitching, he was giving up 1, 2 runs. But come to think of it, Francona would leave him in just a tad too long. I don’t know why he didn’t trust his bullpen. It’s not like he has a terrible bullpen like the Yankees.
good night all
Selig was on Dan Patrick. Says he’s working towards true world series. Has had two mtgs with the commissioner this year already. What would it be? There’s only two sanctioned major league associations, no? And would the winner of the AL/NL play the foreign entity? Sounds like a paper champion to me.
Selig called the Mitchell report extraordinary considering that he got zero support from the players. Stands by it 100%.
Feels good for the Yanks to be alone again in first this morning…hopefully its for good this time.
Tonight is about as good an opportunity as AJ will have to throw well. Let’s hope he comes out, gets ahead of the A’s hitters and has a good outing. A win tonight would be a big bonus because it would put the Yanks in position for the sweep tomorrow with CC throwing.
Phil walked 5 yesterday again but he wasn’t really wild at all…very tight strike zone with virtually no corners and no down in the zone strike calls. Actually the only strikes that were called seemed to be up and middle of the plate (not really helpful for pitching success)…..he struggled with his command but not as much as the boxscore would indicate.
I’m not in a position where I can look this up but I’d be curious to know the Yankees record when Posada catches and drives in a run….I bet its good.
It’s a happy day in LoHud Land!
So it is written, so it shall be done.
Boston’s “tragic” number stands at 22.
good morning early birds…and I would like to take this opportunity to say how much I enjoy Nick’s posts…I just wish he posted in the morning more often
blake -
I think I read this morning that the Yankees ended the month where the started. So all the references to treading water ends up being pretty accurate. All that turmoil, and they’re no worse for the wear. And they start September in a good position, in good spirits, with reinforcements headed their way – returning injured as well as minor league back-ups. Seems like they should be ready for the stretch run.
It’s interesting to me what a difference watching someone speak and reading what they’ve said can make. I watched Phil Hughes’ post-game interview last night, and while he said he was frustrated, etc., etc., if you looked at his demeanor, he was calm and he was actually smiling – did not look like worried man at all. Winning helps, I know. When you read he words in the paper, and the characterization “frustrated,” it leaves you with a different impression of how Hughes reacted after the game. He wasn’t pleased, but he wasn’t a wreck either. This is something that has struck me all season long – not just with Hughes but in general. Between cutting quotes to fit the space (or to direct the reaction) and just the simple difference between reading and hearing, it’s is so much better when you can see and hear the person talking rather than simply reading about it.
Doreen,
I agree and its the reason misunderstandings are so easy in texts, emails, etc…
You can’t fool me that easily, upstate kate.
Or maybe you can; thank you.
It’s not so easy for me to be up at this hour. In this case I was awaiting some news and was restless all night. Now I’ve got it and I’m too excited to sleep. Though I’m not exactly fully awake either.
Let’s play 20 questions.
Ok, is it an animal, vegetable, or mineral?
Animal.
Is it Phil Hughes?
Yes.
Orlando reportedly in talks to move minor league Tampa Yankees to town
http://www.abcactionnews.com/d.....es-to-town
Yes Doreen, they actually gained 1.5 games on the Sox and remained the same with the Rays. Not bad for a team whose rotation isn’t as good as either of those teams or whose offense is inconsistent.
The Daily News has an article this morning that says the Yankees still hold out hopes to get Lilly and have him eligible for the post-season roster. Aren’t I correct that once a player, such as Lilly, is claimed and then removed from the waiver wire that he cannot be traded?
I told myself I wasn’t going to read any articles, then last night I read Davidoff ripping Phil to shreds, lol.
Rich, I agree with you. Joe called Phil out in public about not using his pitches, so maybe that’s what spurred him, but either way, it was good to see. Too bad he didn’t have good command. I do think he’s got the ability to throw a good change as he’s done it before. I wouldn’t know a good from a bad change, but the YES guys mentioned that Phil threw some nice ones. He’ll have to work hard on this and the curve during the off-season.
I finally saw the highlight of Phil waiting to thank his teammates- very cool. Flaherty and Tino were impressed as that’s the kind of thing a veteran might do.
Phil is always composed in the post-game, but clearly he is frustrated. He has no reason to be embarrassed, which he said he was, but I think it’s just that he knows he can be better and wants to get back to where he was at the beginning of the season. He just can’t figure out whe he’s not been able to pitch at that level. You can hear his frustration when he said that he’s tired of battling, he just wants to have some easy games
I think tonights game is on ESPN so perhaps we can be given some expert insight on AJ from Rick Sutcliffe…..that is if he even knows who is pitching or what teams are playing….
If the Yankees were to trade for Lilly, putting him on the PS roster would all hinge on this:
“Even though the deal could happen Wednesday or later, the Yankees believe there is a loophole that because they were awarded the claim before the first of the month, they could use Lilly on their postseason roster”
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....z0yHQSV8D3
The Lilly Loophole?
The furor would rage from Boston to Bristol!
Betsy,
He threw some good changeups but between getting squeezed and being off in his command a bit he just wasn’t in a lot of counts where he could throw more of them. I’m not one to complain about umpires in general but despite not having his best stuff I think Phil may have faired better with a different ump last night….that said he still only gave up two runs and battled enough to get the win. I know reporters watch the games but its much easier to just write about the boxscore because that’s what in front of the readers face as they are reading their articles.
The Dodgers don’t want the Yankees getting their hands on Lilly or else they wouldn’t have pullled him back.
Lilly would replace Phil, I think – I don’t think Phil starting in the playoffs is the lock everyone thinks it is
September is Robinson Cano month!! Best Month Ever.
I guess the Yankees don’t feel they have a solid 4th starter for the playoffs. Or they want insurance.
oh Betsy you better than to read those articles
Phil didn’t have his best stuff, but “grinded it out” in the words of Swish. He was able to limit the damage, and Gaudin was able to eat some innings.
It was nice to see Toronto take it to the Rays. the espn guys were all over the rays fans (or more acurately lack of same) for not coming out to the game.
And probably they don’t think they should put Ivan Nova on the post-season roster if they don’t have to?
Nat
Interesting possibility of the Tampa Yanks moving to Orlando but more interesting would be Yankees spring training moving there.
I believe they sell out ST games currently but the fans would have a better destination vacation in Orlando than Tampa.
Now what would Jeter do with his really big house?
I think Lilly would be Pettite insurance more than anything else. It would give them another experienced starter in the event Andy can’t go. I don’t think it would effect Hughes.
Blake, I did think he got squeezed some in the 5th – but like you, I am hesitant to blame umps for a pitcher’s performance. 6 or 7 last night is fine; I’d be somewhat concerned about his FB and command. The A’s basically said he he didn’t have either at all last night (at least not his good FB/command).
Davidoff’s point was that Phil got lucky this year and Joba was unlucky in terms of the implementation of the “rules” (Wang’s injury last year didn’t help things).. Also, that had he not faced a weak team like the A’s last night, we wouldn’t be talking about how he grinded it out (implying that he would have gotten crushed and removed from the game earlier). Just overall, the implication was that Phil has been fortunate ..um, very lucky.
I just got a special offer from Derek Jeter, inviting me to use his fitness club for 2 weeks for free…what a guy
Kate, I’m so bad, lol……………..
Swish and Tex had nice things to say about Phil; that’s a lot more important than what some of these mediots have to say. Ok, no more for me, lol.
Blake, good point. I don’t see anything happening, though…………
Here’s hoping that September is also ‘Good A.J.’ month.
And on that note, goodnight.
pat, I’m not sure but do the NY Yankees have a contract or something that would keep them in Tampa, at least right now?
It all seems like a lot of speculation but it would be interesting.
Lilly could replace any of Pettitte (if he has a set-back), Javy (who is not a lock to start) or Phil (fatigue?). They won’t replace AJ, unless he has as bad a September as he had June and August.
if you recall, earlier in the season the sports reporters were saying that CC could only beat the Orioles…how did that turn out? Nobody gets to 16 wins on the basis of luck alone.
LOL Swish is funny:
NEW YORK — Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes was apologetic as he approached right fielder Nick Swisher after last night’s game.
“Sorry, Swish,” said Hughes, who labored through five innings to pick up somewhat of an undeserving victory. “I just didn’t have it tonight.”
“No kidding,” Swisher replied, jokingly.
“But he battled out there,” Swisher added. “He kept us in the ballgame and gave us a chance to win.”
However, an undeserving victory?
http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde....._five.html
Come on, that’s not fair
good night Nick!
I couldn’t get the Orlando story link to work. We go to Orlando often – are they talking about the venue in Disney, where the Braves currently have ST, or some other venue?
Good morning everyone.
The Yankees offense seems to back on track. And tonight Berkman comes back and Alex on Sunday.
Now if only they could get AJ straightened out. Seems to be the only weak link on the team right now.
Blake, to what would you attribute Phil’s greatly diminished strikeouts? He had been up there around 9 a game, but now he’ down to less than 7.
Kate, exactly right………….LOL at the criticism of CC
Doreen here is the small report:
TAMPA – For many baseball fans in Tampa, the Tampa Bay Rays are not the home team. The home team is the Tampa Yankees.
Now, WFTV is reporting Orlando may be a home wrecker.
According to the report, the city of Orlando is in talks with the Steinbrenner family to move the minor league Yankees to Orlando.
The station also speculated that the New York Yankees could move its spring training operation to Orlando as well.
The city has scheduled a major announcement for tomorrow.
However, Orlando mayor Rich Crotty refused to confirm what the announcement will be — only that it involves a major baseball family.
Stay tuned to ABC Action News and abcactionnews.com for more on this developing story.
I was always skeptical about a burger place called “In & Out” if you know what I mean.
Nick up at sunrise may confirm my suspicions.
Doreen,
I got the link to work but it took a little while for it to come up.
What are you going to do with all of your spare time not that GTLU is over?
Betsy,
He was off in his command and didn’t have his best stuff. His stuff was much better in the Toronto start…that was just a bad matchup for him in that ballpark.
I don’t think anything will happen with Lilly either.
Betsy
Stop reading the paper!
Pat, I’m trying to wean myself away from doing so!
Blake – thanks!
Nat -
Thanks.
It would be interesting, though. Who would play in George M. Steinbrenner Field?
Fran -
TBD.
New Post: Hughes: ?It’s certainly not a strength or a fatigue issue?
Betsy,
We must remember that Phil is starting to get into new territory with innings this season. He has thrown this much in awhile and he’s still learning. Could be just a little lull that every pitcher goes through or he could be starting to tire a bit. He has an outside shot at 20 wins….run support or not ill take it.
Last night is one of the few times that the Yanks scored that many runs when Hughes was actually still in the game. The blowouts have mostly come towards the end of the games after he’s out. will there be apologies for the outstanding games he’s pitched and they didn’t score? How about the four games that Pettitte pitched and he was stiffed because of no run support. That’s the most useless stat going…..one of many useless stats.
West Coast Yankee Fan
September 1st, 2010 at 1:23 am
Dear Red Sux fan:
Dead, buried, toast, whiners, losers! Great pitching? HA! – Great defense? HA! – Finely conditioned athletes? HA! Smirk wiped off Pappelpukes face forever? HA! Johnny Damon telling a begging Ortiz, Varitek and Boston fans to shove it? HA! HA!
Yours truly,
Bucky Dent
====================
Don’t try and fool us, you are really Theo in drag voicing your Sux frustrations aren’t you ? Are Pukelis and Pappelpuke your next door neighbors ? Ha ! Ha !
Nice to see the bats coming alive against a pitching staff that has a very good reputation.
I stayed in Orlando last year for Spring Training because hotels were cheap and it was easy to get a cheap flight. The ride to Tampa was about 45 minutes-all highway.
My guess is that the Yankees would build their own complex if they move.
The Yankee complex in Tampa is so nice. It is hard to imagine that they would want to move, but money talks.
Yes, In-N-Out burgers are hands down the best fast food fare out there. I wouldn’t get too attached to them though. The most popular Double-Double has 670 calories – 370 calories from fat and 120 mg of cholesterol.
As far as Hughes is concerned – I could hardly be less concerned. Why? He is young, has a great arm and mechanics, is poised, mature, polite, humble and appropriately stoic. He has a live fastball and a great 12-6 curve ball, a cutter and a change. I believe his change and cutter will improve with time and experience.
IMO, when he was getting hit hard the last few months it was the cutter that was the main problem. He threw it too much, it became predictable and it was not Mo’s. Hitters were sitting on it. Lately he has stopped throwing it as much and is doing somewhat better.
His problem lately and last night is a good example is fastball command. He needs to get ahead in counts so hitters aren’t sitting on his fastball. 0-2 or 1-2 he can throw a curve in the dirt or a change off the plate. Also changing speeds more and moving hitters eye lines would help Hughes get more swinging strikes and keep his pitch count and foul balls down.