Calm before the storm
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Sep 04, 2010 
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After playing long toss — basically home plate to medium-depth right field — Alex Rodriguez is now taking ground balls at third base. He started with sharp grounders in on the grass, then moved to regular depth, and now he’s taking grounders near the line and throwing to Mick Kelleher covering second as if starting a double play. Rob Thomson is doing the hitting.
I tried to take an iPhone picture from the press box, but unless you like tiny dots on a baseball diamond, it wasn’t going to do you any good.
This feels like the calm before the storm, just some routine fielding drills before Rodriguez faces Andy Pettitte in a simulated game that will quite obviously be the pregame main event here at Yankee Stadium.
UPDATE, 9:40 a.m.: No lineup in the clubhouse, and Joe Girardi is now on the field so I doubt there will be a lineup posted any time soon.
Rodriguez wrapped up his fielding drills by taking some bunts, and he’s now moved into the cage for some early BP. Chad Moeller has joined the group wearing shin guards. I’m guessing he’ll be catching the sim game.
If any other Yankee is looking for some coaching, they’re probably out of luck. Pretty sure every member of the staff is out here, including Dave Eiland who’s in the bullpen with Pettitte, who’s getting loose. This really does feel like a big event.
UPDATE, 9:50 a.m.: Word from my inside source — Greg Golson himself — is that Pettitte will be facing a lineup of Rodriguez, Golson and Ramiro Pena. Still no sign of Pena. Moeller is catching.
UPDATE, 10:03 a.m.: First inning for Pettitte lasted 15 pitches, eight strikes. Golson had one loopy single to right. Rodriguez had one at bat and grounded to second. Golson got three of the four first-inning at-bats. Pena just arrived in time for round two.
By the way, calling balls and strikes is umpire Reggie Jackson.
UPDATE, 10:15 a.m.: Second inning, Pettitte got three outs on 12 pitches, so he threw three extra to Pena before sitting down after another 15 pitch “inning.” Rodriguez hit twice. He grounded to second and lined a clean single to center. Pena and Golson each struck out.
Pena, by the way, is batting left handed to give Pettitte a look at a lefty.
UPDATE, 10:30 a.m.: Looks like that’s the game. After a 20-pitch third inning, Pettitte is now taking ground balls. He got two strikeouts in the inning, allowed two singles and had a 2-2 count on Greg Golson when the inning ended. No sign of injury. Rodriguez struck out and singled in the third inning.
I hope Alex plays tomorrow.
Good morning, all –
Interesting how it can turn so quickly in baseball. Just a week ago, they’re scuffling, just playing .500 ball, staying in 1st place only because the mighty Rays are essentially doing the same thing. Key injuries to Alex and Andy Pettitte keeping them back, uncertain pitching, blah, blah….
Then, back to back wins in Chicago to win that series. Then, against an Oakland team that was starting terrific young pitchers, all with sub-4.00 ERAs, where some sub-geniuses were afraid of losing 3 of 4, they sweep. And, now they clobber the Jays despite the B team lineup, and they’ve suddenly won 7 straight, and all is well in the Universe.
Oh, and Alex Rodriguez will likely be back tomorrow.
And, as others have said previously, Wally Matthews is just noise. I wouldn’t believe him if he wrote that Christmas comes in December. Why pollute your mind with his column?
Bronx Born – if you’re reading this – I was unable to connect to that link about your book review (my laptop has problems). Can you give me the name of your book, so that I can look for it in my local bookstore? Thanks.
Joe -
I was unable to connect to the link, as well.
You should Ustream the big event
I don’t even bother reading Luella Rona Parsons-Matthews. He writes more fiction than Jules Verne and HG Welles did…and less believable.
I could open Bronx Born’s link.
See if this works for you.
http://archives.quillandparchm.....eview.html
GB – don’t insult Vernes, Welles, and legitimate writers like that.
I would like to see Golson play today if Swish can’t.
Hope that Alex and Andy come through the simulated game feeling good.
Thanks, pat. That link worked.
Bronx Born – what is there to say? I congratulate you.
eboland11 ARod hard grounder toward second. Ran to first with no discernible problems, though wasn’t going full sprint
Joe, Matthews only writing “talents” belong in Hollywood writing for rumor and scandel magazines. He’s worse than Walter Winchell, Dick Young and Jimmy Cannon ever were.
Good morning,
Just getting around to checking in this morning. Hopefully, we will sweep the Jays and continue our excellent playing. Unfortunately, with the Rays playing as well as we are, it is hard to get even farther ahead in the division race. All the Yankees can do is continue to win. The last week has been a pleasure to watch.
pat – thanks, that worked.
Boy, that’s some pretty heavy book! Bronx Born, that’s something I’m definitely looking for. Hopefully, I can get it at a real bookstore this weekend.
Thanks for the updates Chad
Joe
I bought Bronx Born’s book (tongue twister) from his publisher. They are overseas (England ?) but using Pay Pal it was easy and came quickly. I highly recommend it.
I don’t know if this has been discussed before, (I just noticed it last night)
When Bautista charged the mound last week the first person to get between him and Nova was Joe G. He beat everybody to the spot. I know it seems minor, but his players have to respect the hell out of stuff like that. I know I do.
Reg-gie has a very slim strike zone.
eboland11 ZAAAAAAAALLLESSSSS presents, the simulated Yankees Fan Marqueeeeeee
Exactly who are we routing for in this game?
I hope “health” wins.
Girardi had flashbacks of vazquez starting,that is why he was the first one too get between nova & bautista.
Sounds great so far!
Anyone know of any Yankee friendly bars in Newport R.I.?