Postgame notes: A big win for the big man
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Sep 19, 2010 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
All of the Yankees seemed to know the number. They all knew this was win No. 20. They knew CC Sabathia was the first to get there this season. But not everyone realized the significance of this win in Sabathia’s career.
“I didn’t know this was his first time until after the game,” Derek Jeter said. “I just assumed he’d done it before. You feel good for him. Winning 20 games is not easily done. A lot of things have to go right.”
That’s true, a lot of things do have to go right, and that’s largely the reason the statistic is often dismissed and obviously flawed. But in the career of great pitchers, a 20-win season means something. One win might be a fluke. Twenty is a sign of consistency.
“Maybe after the season I can sit back and enjoy it a little bit more,” Sabathia said. “But right now I’m just thinking five days ahead to who I’m pitching against next.”
The Yankees would expect nothing else from Sabathia, and in a lot of ways, that’s what’s made him so perfect for this team. The pressure of this franchise and the weight of each moment seem to have no affect. Sabathia smiled tonight when he was asked what it meant to win 20, then he quickly said it meant no one would ask him about it any more.
The win statistic is a weird one in baseball, but it might be meaningful that on the night Sabathia became the Major’s first 20-game winner, the Yankees became the first team to win 90 games.
“Around here,” Nick Swisher said, “it’s all about the wins.”
Here’s Sabathia’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.
• Robinson Cano hit his 28th home run, giving him 101 RBI for the season. Cano, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira are the first trio of Yankees infielders to have 100 RBI in the same season.
• Nick Swisher said he feels like he could play the field tomorrow. After two strikeouts and a ground out, he ended his night with back-to-back hits, including a double. “It felt great man,” Swisher said. “First three at-bats I didn’t really get to run much.”
• Brett Gardner had three hits for the sixth time this season. He was one of five Yankees with multi-hit games.
• Great play by Cano going behind the bag at second for the first out of the game. Joe Girardi called it a play that might have changed the game, shutting down an early rally before it started.
• Jeremy Guthrie’s first pitch hit Derek Jeter. Guthrie hit Mark Teixeira in spring training, and hit Jorge Posada in April. In his career, Guthrie has hit 37 batters, 10 of them have been Yankees. “Too many,” Girardi said. “Just too many. I don’t really understand it and I know he likes to pitch inside, but it’s just too many.”
• Jeter, of course, first jokingly asked everyone if replays showed the ball actually hitting him this time. “He’s what do you call it? Effectively wild,” Jeter said. “I don’t think it was on purpose. I don’t why it would be.”
• Jeter had two hits, two runs and two RBI tonight. He’s looked a little better at the plate in the last week or so. “We’re making progress,” he said. “Getting toward the end, so hopefully we’ll keep making strides in the right direction.”
• Robert Andino is a light-hitting Orioles infielder who’s played in six major league games this season. He had a home run on Friday and came a triple short of the cycle tonight. He was the only guy to have an extra-base hit off Sabathia. What is it John Sterling says?
• A win tomorrow would give the Yankees four wins in the last five games of this nightmarish road trip. Still not a great trip, but that would take away some of the sting heading into the Rays series. “It was tough the first two cities we went to and we have a chance to turn it around,” Girardi said. “Tomorrow’s a big day for us because Andy’s going. We’d like him pitch well and come out of it healthy. That would be a big plus.”
Associated Press photos of Sabathia, Rodriguez with Cano, and Jeter
Love that CC got to 20 wins this season. The Yankees are right in the mix of this thing and everybody better be careful when trying to throw dirt on the defending World Champions just yet.
GO YANKS.
Congrats to CC, of course, who’s been a horse in carrying this team, but congrats also to Robby, who broke the 100 RBI mark for the first time.
Joe’s right about Guthrie – we’re just lucky no one got hurt tonight.
Swish has been missed – I’m so glad to have him back. I wouldn’t push him, though……….
Nice to see Brett with 3 hits; hopefully the effects of the cortisone shot last at least though the playoffs
A sweep of the O’s would be sweet. The Yanks could put the rotten trip behind them and just look forward to finishing the season strongly………….
Sab is going into the hall with a Yankees cap.
Didn’t get to see the game tonight as I was at the Mizzou game but sounds like it was a fairly comfortable win?
Congrats CC
“You can’t predict baseball”.
-John Sterling, at least 37 times a game
“What makes these plateaus so remarkable is that they come from infielders. The outfielders are always knows as the heavy bats, but the Yankees don’t operate that way. All four infielders slot into the first five lineup spots. That’s a pretty remarkable feat. What makes it more insane is that all three of the Yankees’ outfielders are among the top 11 AL outfielders in WAR. The offense might have sputtered lately, but it’s tough to question a group this stacked with top players.”
From RAB.
Insane, indeed. Cano and Alex’s importance goes without saying. But a healthy Gardner & Swisher are also key. As well as a productive Jeter & Teixeira.
The Yankees might still have the best record in baseball, but I think the more impressive record of any team belong to the Twins.
They offcourse have two of the worst teams in the AL in their division, but their W-L record is still pretty impressive.
The Twins have had a good yr, especially since their 2nd best player has been out for a long stretch. But what the Yanks and Rays are doing in the AL East is much more impressive.
some encouraging signs from the last 4-5 games:
-Arod looks like he is getting right and locked in. (very important if the Yanks are to repeat)
-Jeter has swung the bat much better really since the Cliff Lee game. He’s still not there yet totally but he’s keeping his weight back and looks much more like himself of late.
-Gardner and Swisher hopefully are healing up a bit. As we saw last night…this is a different offense with those two than it is without.
-AJ has pitched better….still not great but he has given hope that he could turn a corner soon. His last start was the best I’ve seen his stuff look since early in the season.
-the bullpen continues to look like a strength and the trio of Drob, Wood, and Joba could really shorten games in the playoffs for the Yanks.
-Cano appears to be on fire again after a little lull there.
-Despite last night, Berkman has really swung the bat well since his return and is looking like he could be a real asset the rest of the way.
-Posada has shown he still has gas left in the tank and that he can still play and catch at a high level (he needs to catch every game in the playoffs….that gives the Yankees the most positional advantage and they need his experience behind the plate).
Sure there are still questions…Teixera’s health, the rotation (though I’m hoping we get at least one answer there today)..but there is reason for optimism and reason to believe the Yanks can still get this thing done.
Blake-
It’s really pretty simple.
Pitch and hit.
“The Twins have had a good yr, especially since their 2nd best player has been out for a long stretch. But what the Yanks and Rays are doing in the AL East is much more impressive.”
I disagree, I think the Twins have been more impressive with them losing one of the best players in MLB, who by the way was having a monster 2010 season and then having injuries too in their starting staff without missing a beat and opening up a lead of ten games.
MTU,
It is a simple game…you throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball…and sometimes it rains…:) you bringin your broom today?
Blake-
I do smell sweep.
Congrats CC! Congrats Cano! Congrats Blue Jays! Congrats Jose “performs against both Yanks and Red Sox but only has the courage to attack our rookie Nova” Bautista on his Jay’s record HRs.
Just for a laugh, the opening to the Red Sox broadcast prior to Friday night’s game was
5 and Alive?
Like I said, Twins have had a good yr. But, IMO, if they played in the AL East they wouldnt have the same record.
How about Cano being only the 3rd AL 2nd baseman since 1900 to bat .300 with at least 25 hr’s and 100 rbi’s?
I’m pumped for today’s game.
Just let me see Andy go 5-6 strong today and I’ll declare us ready for the playoffs.
He’s the key post season.
CC will match up against our opponents best starter and duel him.
It’s our game 2 and 3 pitchers who will decide any post season series.
If this is Andy’s last hurrah, let’s see him go out like he pitched earlier this season.
The Twinkies are a good ball club, but I wonder what their record would be if the schedule was balanced and they weren’t playing so many games against teams that aren’t all that good.
The only team that seems close to competing in the Central is the WS. It has been this way for a while now.
CC-
That’s pretty freakin’ impressive but then again so is Cano.
You can add to that he’s the 1st to do all that AND win the GG in the same season.
Cano is having a phenomenal year. And not only has he done it in the 5 spot, but when they needed him in the #4, he answered the call as well. He has matured a great deal as a player. It’s fun to watch him play, at bat and in the field.
Congratulations to CC o his first 20-win season!
Looking forward to Andy’s start today.
Morning MTU. Saw you’re tribute for #20 last night, so I’ll add mine to the fray this morning.
http://picasaweb.google.com/10.....9DAtLGAEA#
Cano has had a fantastic season…I don’t know if he will win the MVP or not but given the amount of time that Hamilton has missed and the fact that Cano may be the first 2nd baseman to ever win both the gold glove and silver slugger then I think he should be strongly considered…..
Sweep?
What we should be hoping for is at least 5 good innings from Andy.
JCPD-
Those are beautiful and unique. I froze just looking at them.
It’s seems like we have the end of the world covered.
I say “Fire”, and you say “Ice”.
Thanks for sharing.
YANKEES September 19th, 2010 at 12:47 am
Sab is going into the hall with a Yankees cap.
*****************************
Thanks, I’ll accept your offer, although I’ve never actually played a game for them, I have managed from my couch for the last 30 years or so…..and…I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night
I’m just like Col. Kurtz from the movie “Apocalypse Now”.
And I quote, “I love the smell of sweep in the morning”.
Glad you enjoyed them MTU. PLENTY more where they came from. This area is loaded with falls.
JCPD-
I always enjoy your stuff. Now if we can just get YMH to cooperate.
The only thing that annoys me with YMH is his penchant for giving up the long ball. It’s the same thing that used to bother me about Ralph Terry. But I’ll never criticize. I figure any Yankee or any player for that fact, even in their absolute worst slump, is far, far better at doing what they do than I could ever dream of being.
JCPD-
I wasn’t criticizing Phil either. Not in the slightest. He has had a Phenomal season. His future is as bright as the Sun. He’s still just learning the fine art of Pitching but he definitely has the goods IMO.
I just meant that I have continuing tributes waiting for his wins.
It’s a quid pro quo sort of thing between me and Phil.
Nice victory, I too like the smell of sweep in the morning.
MTU, I completed my 43 hike up Katahdin last weekend and have #23 (Cannon Mtn) in my sites for the 48 4000 footers in NH. What is your plan to celebrate CC’s 20th?
Let’s hope Andy gets the run support today that C.C. got last night. If Andy pitches 6 solid innings he’ll be happy and it will be another uplift for the team in general.
The bullpen threw only 22 pitches between Chamberlain and Gaudin and is well rested to take over after Andy gets his innings in.
Noreaster-
Congratulations on your notable accomplishment.
I posted portions of it above in my 8:10 post.
It’s already “in the can” so to speak.
Enjoy.
MTU, I knew you weren’t criticizing YMH. I was just making reference to all the rants in here about how players suck when they’re in a slump. However, I will be critical for lack of effort.
MTU, I guess I’m a little slow this morning…Anyway enjoy the celebration! The dog is waiting for the morning jog so I’m outbound. Can’t wait to see Andy pitch today.
Noreaster-
I’m not expecting the world from Andy today just the best he can offer.
Hoping that the offense shows up early and gives him a cushion.
The object is to get him back on track for the playoffs.
If he wants to start off with a gem, or exceed expectations I won’t try to stop him.
I don’t think 20 wins is that overrated a statistic, at least with respect to CC. The two reasons he won 20 this year are that he has pitched consistently and effectively and that he pitches deep into games. The reason so few pitchers today get to 20 and that it sometimes is a fluke is that few starters complete 7 innings per start, much less 8 (as CC often does). When CC pitches 8, it gives the Yanks more chances to give him run support and come back if necessary. By contrast, if a starter goes 6, even if he turns in a so-called quality start, he leaves the game in the hands of middle relief, which often turns into a crap shoot. So congratulations to CC and thanks for two great years and being a great team presence.
MTU and JCPD,
Great pictures. Thanks. Hope we have many more celebratory tributes to look forward to
Congratulations to CC. Looking forward to Andy pitching today. Yanks need a healthy Andy for the playoffs.
Stottlemyre68 -
I think that’s a very good point about CC.
CC has been worth every penny, a true ace who manages to give the team length in games almost every start, even when he doesn’t have his best stuff.
King Felix is an amazing pitcher but you have to give CC some serious props for the season he’s having in the toughest division in baseball, in the midst of a very tight pennant race.
MTU and JCPD, thanks for the wonderful pictures! Appropriate tributes for the big ace.
Doreen,
How did everything go with your daughter’s move and all of the deliveries? Is she all set?
Fran the original, JM……… my pleasure sharing. I definitely have plenty more to share for the appropriate tributes.
Fran/JM and any others-
You’re welcome. It pleasure was all mine.
Off to the beach. Plenty of big swells from the hurricane.
Enjoy the game, everyone! Fingers crossed for a strong performance from Andy.
Sorry. typo. “The pleasure was all mine”.
Fran -
Thanks for asking. She’s about 90% set as far as the apartment goes. Her furniture is all delivered, and the only thing left is to finish hanging her stuff on the walls.
The apartment could use another seating option in the living room, and I’m looking at chair-and-a-halfs. Her roommate provided these two oversized chairs which are fine, but it’s really not enough. However, the chairs are so big they make any other option a problem.
She’s in heaven – like a bird outside the cage. She loves being able to walk everywhere. The situation she’s moved into is a bit complicated and I don’t want to get into it here. The next step (which would normally be the first step, right?) is to find a job. Then we’ll consider her settled.
Doreen,
Glad she’s enjoying her apartment. I’m sure that the job will come. It’s hard to find jobs and apartments so at least she’s got one thing done.
I have the M&Ms sitting in the refrigerator. The problems is that I want to keep looking at them so I keep going into the refrigerator. And then of course once the refrigerator is open I need to have a snack!
Fran -
I got myself a bag of those M&M’s too. I’m holding onto them until the playoffs!
Good idea Doreen. Hopefully they can be the World Series winning bags of M&Ms
Twins have been impressive, but as others have said, it would be different story if they played in the AL East – where even the 4th place team is a good team. That really doesn’t matter, though, because the Twins are very dangerous – and I don’t care if the Yankees have beaten them like a drum before. All the games with the Twins recently have been very close – it’s not like the Yankees have dominated them. With Liriano and Pavano, they’ve got 2 excellent pitchers to match up with the Yankees……………
Can won’t get the MVP; I think his recent slump ensured that.
If the Yankees win the division, they will get Texas first round, and i think despite the sweep, they can take care of Texas…
Good morning –
It’s amazing how a couple of good wins will change the disposition of this place. Just imagine if they sweep.
Joe-
Funny you should sat that.
I wasn’t thinking how relatively “subdued” this place was considering the magnitude of last night’s win.
I guess that’s what makes the world go round.
I’d rather play Minny. Not that I think they’d be easy to beat, I’d just rather have nothing to do with Cliff Lee.
I think they should sit Tex again today. Get him back in there vs TB.
“say” not “sat”. Can’t type this morning. Sorry.