Postgame notes: “I’m never really surprised, but I am thrilled sometimes”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes on Oct 16, 2010 
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Tonight was a reminder of everything the Yankees have done, and everything they’re capable of doing again. This stadium was loud, a rowdy Texas crowd celebrating the first ALCS in franchise history. The Rangers were young team that had knocked out CC Sabathia after four innings and had C.J. Wilson dealing against the mighty Yankees. Why shouldn’t this stadium have been rocking?
In all of that bedlam, the visiting dugout was calm. The Yankees knew the situation. They’d been in this hole before, and they knew the way out.
“Coming over here from spring training on and them talking about going to the World Series last year and winning it, one of the things they talked about was just never giving up,” Dustin Moseley said. “Always playing every out, playing the game the right way. We came out and did that today.”
The Yankees reestablished themselves as the team to beat in these playoffs. They did it with Robinson Cano, their MVP candidate, driving in the tying run. They did it with Derek Jeter, their veteran shortstop, putting to bed an early 0-for-3 to double in his last two at-bats. They did it with Marcus Thames, their last man on the roster in spring training, driving in the game winner on a broken-bat single.
And they did it with Moseley, the Triple-A call-up, getting the win on his wife’s birthday.
“I know the attitude in there,” Joe Girardi said. “They stay on each other about grinding out at-bats. That’s what they talk about, and chip away. You know, there’s a talented group in there that plays the game with a lot of passion. So like I said, I’m never really surprised, but I am thrilled sometimes.”
As Thames said, this stadium “got a little quiet” after his go-ahead single. It was the end of seven straight Yankees reaching base, more than had reached base in the first seven innings combined. The game changed and the series changed, but the Yankees never did.
“You don’t concern yourself with one or two at-bats or any given play,” Alex Rodriguez said. “You’re looking for one or two moments to make an impact in the game, and for me, that was bases loaded, no outs. You obviously wanted to keep the line moving. We had three or four good at-bats before me, and we talked about keeping the line moving… They have got to get 27 outs. And until that last out is recorded, we have the utmost belief that we are going to win every game.”
• The play that jump-started that five-run eighth was Brett Gardner’s sprint and dive on an infield single. Gardner’s hand paid the price, and he was OK with it. “I knew when he stepped on my hand that my hand was on the base and his foot got there after the hand,” Gardner said. “So that was a good feeling.”
• Speaking of paying the price, Thames guessed that he broke three bats today, none bigger than the one that cracked on his go-ahead single. “My bat died a hero,” he said. “I’ll take that any day.”
• CC Sabathia was not sharp. He said he felt strong, he just couldn’t throw his fastball where he wanted. “I just had no command,” he said. “You have a game plan that you have a way that you want to attack the team, and you can’t even get to it because you can’t throw the ball over the plate.”
• Ultimately, that play at the plate in the first inning made a huge difference. “When it comes up and he’s got dirt all over, you worry,” Girardi said. “But if there is a collision at home plate, CC is going to win most of them.”
• Sabathia on the Yankees rally: “I think I was more nervous in here watching that eighth inning than anything. The way these guys came back and battled was incredible.”
• Big game from Moseley, who pitched two perfect innings with four strikeouts. “I don’t know the last time I struck out four batters in two innings, if I ever have,” he said. “I had a good fastball working. I had command of all four of my pitches, so it worked well.”
• Of course, the win was kind of the icing on top of the cake for Moseley. “It’s my wife’s birthday today, so what a great gift for her. And I haven’t seen my son in about a month. I got to see him last night, so this has been wonderful.”
• Girardi said pulling Sabathia in the fourth inning was not a decision based on a possible Game 4 start: “Not necessarily, no,” he said. “I think he had 92 or 95 pitches through four. He worked extremely hard, so we thought, I had Joba up (for) if I needed Joba to get him out of the fourth inning, and that’s why I went to Joba in the fifth because he was hot. I wasn’t going to sit him down and not use him. Mo did a good job, Woody did a good job, big pick off move with Kinsler. Our bullpen was great.”
• In 40 previous ALCS matchups, the Game 1 winner has gone on to win the series 24 times. In six of the past 10 ALCS, the losing team in Game 1 has gone on to win the series.
• The Yankees have won 10 straight playoff games against the Rangers, tied for the second longest winning streak of one team against one opponent behind Boston’s streak of 11 straight wins against the Angels, a streak that ended in 2008.
• This was the largest deficit the Yankees had ever overcome in an ALCS game. The last time the Yankees overcame a five-run deficit in the playoffs was Game 1 of the 1997 ALDS against Cleveland.
Associated Press photos. The bottom two are Teixeira and Cano.
Hey Carl!
Sup Carl!
Lol anybody see Rob Neyer’s writeup of the game. Basically gave no credit to the yanks and even said that Washington should have used Frank Francisco in the 8th…. The funny thing is that Francisco isn’t even on the ALCS roster due to injury. Also stated that Michael Young had a chance to catch Jeter’s double… That was a rocket down the line. All the comments are calling him an idiot. He corrected part of it but what a dope.
Big win after CC stumbled a bit huh Carl?
Huge win. The Yankees have no quit in them. Predictions for tomorrows game Carl?
Yankees are going back to the Bronx up 2-0.
Night Carl!
Theeeeeeeeeeeeeee yankees win
night lil buddy.
Moseley sounds like a legitimately nice guy. He just sounds so happy and grateful to be a Yankee. It’s fun to root for guys like that.
The Yankees rarely give away outs and they make teams pay for giving away outs…………that’s been their MO for years. The Angels and the Twins in 2009 are perfect examples of that.
I really don’t think the Rangers’ inexperience is a big deal – talent is what counts – but I do think experience helps (IF you have the talent). This Yankee team, particularly the core, has been through every possible thing you could think of – so nothing scares them.
Thames’ comment about how quiet the stadium became reminds me of a comment I think Clemens made once (I could be wrong). He said that he liked it when he was able to take the other team’s home crowd completely out of the game.
Moseley – I’m so happy for him. He’s been a very good pickup by Cash – he did a fine job while Andy was out and now he came through in the biggest game of his life. He hasn’t seen his son for a month? That’s really rough – maybe seeing him inspired Moseley tonight. Either way, it’s a wonderful story.
Tyler, no – but given how snarky and annoying he’s been recently, I have no plans to read Neyer.
GB,
Is you there?
Hilarious:
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tum.....o1_500.jpg
Hey Bets,
We did it. A few more gray hairs than a few hours ago, but it’s worth it for the win.
You are right Betsy, hilarious. Where do you find these things?
• Of course, the win was kind of the icing on top of the cake for Moseley. “It’s my wife’s birthday today, so what a great gift for her.
—————————————
Cake trumps chicken?
SAS October 16th, 2010 at 1:58 am
GB,
Who do I want to see play? Scottsdale is very doable.
———————————————————————————————————————-
SAS, all of the Yankee kids are playing for Phoenix. If you need the name and location of the Scottsdale park, let me know.
They probably play at the same stadium the SF Giants do during Spring Training.
Anyway, so much for their road woes – which I thought was always overstated
Betsy, do you still do not believe in Brett Gardner?
I can google Scottsdale Scorpions…thanks…the biggest problem is we only have one car here until we drive back after Thanksgiving in NY. So……………
SAS, someone posted this on another board. I like Ryan, so I sort of feel bad, but…………..not really!
Hey SAS
The gray hairs are worth it, lol
LOL. Thames’ bat died a hero’s death.
Brett was the spark plug, but Jeter’s double was huge. And then the turnstile just kept going. Was really hoping that Brett could get on a second time in that inning.
Cano came up huge tonight. He slayed the lefty dragons they threw at him.
The gray hairs are worth it, lol
———————-
I like Bugs Bunny too.
KPB, nah – I was Daffy Duck fan!
I haven’t read the Neyer piece, but did the Yxnkees win it or did the Rangers lose it?
When you give up 6 unanswered and lose by 1, I think you lost it. Why let Wilson stay in to face Jeter? Why stay with Oliver? Heck why use Oliver? I’m only sad because we won’t be seeing him tomorrow. Why put in newbs over your best pitchers in the 8th. THE 8th!
The Yankees won it….not fair to not credit them for a hard-earned victory
Casper the Friendly Ghost fan…Little Lulu….more than the animals.
Watching Washington manage, I will not complain about Girardi.
Yes, his players messed up. Yes, the Yankees took advantage.
But he sped the game up when it needed to be slowed down IMO.
Your despicable! (spit flies as saying this)
m,
Those questions make too much sense. I have never liked Ron Washington as a manager, but before I say too much, we have 3 more games to win.
You saw tonight that one big advantage the Yankees have over almost every other team is that they have 3 and 4 power hitting switch hitters in the line-up every night. That makes matching up really tough for the opposition.
SAS
I liked Casper also. Felt bad when they picked on him, but liked the way they came around at the end of the episode.
i like the tweets saying – George W. Bush probably shouldn’t have posed with that Mission Accomplished banner in the seventh inning.
SAS,
Lol. I won’t complain about the hospitality. They’re right friendly down in Texas.
Ok, night!
No one gets by the big guy
http://photos.nj.com/star-ledg.....mblog=3689
Goodnight all. Sweet dreams of victory tonight and reality tomorrow.
m,
I think it’s time for me to say good night too. See you in the morrow.
I keep forgetting that you can never give up on the Yankees, but thankfully they almost always seem to remind me.
Man, Great win by the Yanks. Everything seem lost through the first 6 innings, but this team is relentless. I don’t care what people write about how the Yankees were handed this win because it wasn’t handed it was earned with hustle and mental focus.
7 mo wins. Night
tyanksfan36 October 16th, 2010 at 2:32 am
Always remember! Always believe! BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Goodnight SAS.
Poll question at espn on who is most responsible for the result of game 1.
35% Yankees offense
35% Rangers relievers
50% Washington
30% Washington
I feel the need to repeat it one more time before I hit the hay…
Always believe!! NEVER STOP BELIEVING! They are our New York Yankees! Always and Forever! Til Death do us Part!
This one goes in the books more than just a plain Game One victory. In general I think you have to throw the books and numbers out the window, but especially after winning a game in this fashion this goes down as way more than just a Game One victory.
Baseball players are not robots and this game will have a pyschological effect on the Rangers creating a positive effect on the Yankee players minds. Also this will be a game that the Yankees can look back on in the World Series and feed off of it.
Unreal game.
By the way what is up with Alex’s new street clothes look. The white tee and bomber/leather jacket. Alex that guy kills me. Haha. Love how clutch he has become as the years of him being a Yankee have continued on. No doubt he was coming up with a knock there with the Bases Loaded in the 8th.
I’m still in shock. If you guys weren’t sleeping, you’d prolly still be in shock, too.
M- I am still in shock. I didn’t stay up to watch the post game, but I am too excited to sleep in, so I am watching it now.
This has to be a horrible loss for TX. if they had just lost to CC, they hey, they are facing the Yankees ace. But to lose a game you thought you had won…well Betsy pix of Nolan Ryan says it all.
hi, kate.
I’m still up, browsing the sites and watching highlights since I missed most of the game (at least I got to see the good parts live).
Here’s O’Connor’s piece. He says no way we win #28 if we get more of the same from CC. Couple of things, first CC can only pitch better. He’s a battler. Second, we have other pitching besides CC. Hughes continues his breakout season. Andy is, well he’s, Andy. AJ is hit or miss, but as we’ve seen, we merely need him to keep us in the game. And should any of those guys falter, we’ve seen the bullpen come to the rescue. Mosely probably can spot start or at the very least will be the one to stabilize any dire situations that arise. Still got Mitre.
Anyway, I’m posting it because it also has postgame with Perez and Chris Singleton. Good stuff. Look for the stat from Singleton re: the Rangers bullpen. I did not realize that it was such a question. But they gave up 8 or 9 ER in 13 innings in the Rays series and already gave up 3ER in 2 innings of work in Game 1 against the Yankees. Looking forward to some more soiled Ranger reliever unis.
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-.....id=5690247
oh I am not worried about CC. He has barely pitched lately, and struggles when he is too strong. OTOH, what a great outing by Joba and Mosely to keep the Yankees in the game.
great writeup from si.com.
the funky strikezone in the first is mentioned.
and washington was worse than i thought.
the OF helped us out, too
i hope this guy is right– that it’s just not texas’ time yet
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....index.html
TX got away w/ some of that reckless base running vs the Rays, but the Yankees don’t get rattled. I think their confidence causes otherwise good teams to make errors, like we saw when they played the Angels last year. If Phil wins, it will be a big hole for TX to climb out of.
I had to go to bed last night in the 7th so I could get up for work this morning and when I found out the Yanks came back, I was so thrilled!!!!!!!!!! I was expecting my day to be the worst at work, but they came back and Alex got a big hit and Mo closed it out!!….. I wish I could have stayed up later…. Damnit!
Good morning everyone. What a great comeback by the Yanks last night.
And who thought that the winning pitcher in Game ! of the ALCS would be Dustin Moseley!
Post-Season ALCS Guess The Line Up is Now Open for Business!
Remember – players and their positions, no changes once lineups are submitted.
I will accept lineups until the official lineup is posted (Twitter) or 11 am whichever occurs first.
Good luck.
Who ever gave up on this team last night should be ashamed of themselves.
GTLU
SS Jeet
CF Grandy-man
1B Tex
3B Alex
2B Robbie
RF Swish
C Po
DH Lance
LF GGBG
thanks Doreen!
It is 0 days, 7 hours, 43 minutes until Game #2 of the ALCS.
Good Morning !
I can’t believe I am up ! Great win last night ! The game thread was getting nuttier by the second, I actually avoided for my own sanity for the first time ever!
Go Yankees!
Later ppl!
Sad part about the game thread was the CC namecalling and the “He’s not an ace” nonsense.
Memo to those who are either too stupid or too emotional to think clearly….
He had a bad game. It happens to everybody. Deal with it like an adult.
If you can’t, perhaps following baseball isn’t your thing.
If the Yankees biggest worry is CC, I’d say things are good.