Sticking with what works (and quite often doesn’t)
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Oct 19, 2010 
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When the Yankees broke from spring training, Jorge Posada was catching A.J. Burnett. Posada caught Burnett’s first four starts, and those starts went pretty well. The Yankees won three of them, Burnett had a 3.20 ERA and Posada was hitting .316 with five home runs in his first 15 games.
Then Posada was hit by a pitch in Baltimore. The next day, Posada was available in an emergency only, and so Francisco Cervelli caught Burnett’s eight scoreless innings against the Baltimore. In so many ways, that was the first step that led the Yankees to tonight’s game.
“It was a day to give Jorge off,” Joe Girardi said. “I think Jorge was hurt a couple of days, and we went with Cervi, and we stuck with Cervi. It was just a day to give him off. It seemed to work out pretty well. We had a rotation, and I just stayed with it.”
Since April 23, Posada has caught Burnett four times. There were back-to-back starts in June when Burnett didn’t pitch beyond the fourth. There was August 2, when Burnett allowed eight runs in 4.2 innings. And there was September 17 when Posada came off the bench to catch Burnett for one inning, and Burnett promptly allowed a home run.
“Maybe Cervi has a better idea, in a sense, what to do in a certain situation,” Girardi said. “I’m a big believer in the catcher-pitcher relationship because I went through it. It’s one thing that I understand. I don’t understand the relationship between a shortstop and second baseman, or a second baseman and first baseman, or the outfielders. But I do understand that (catcher-pitcher) relationship, and I think it’s important to have consistency.”
Sticking with a catching rotation made some sense in the regular season. Posada was banged up so often in the early months, it made sense to give him regular days off, and it made sense to make those regular days off line up with the same pitchers. Last postseason, it made sense to stick with that catcher-pitcher matchup because Burnett and Jose Molina clearly found a rhythm together.
This year, it hasn’t mattered which catcher has been behind the plate. Burnett hasn’t found consistency with anyone. Girardi said his decision would not have been different even if Posada were hitting in the playoffs.
“I don’t think so because the focus is always preventing runs,” Girardi said. “If you shut a team down, you can win a game 1-0. That’s not anything against Jorge, but these two have been together a lot more and I want to keep that together.”
Associated Press photo
Posada doesn’t catch 3 days in a row.
Do you want him to catch AJ or CC?
Philly is the last team of the final 4 I want to win the WS
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Believe me I really don’t like the Phillies but I can never root for a team that beats the Yanks. I have to go with the NL team. If the Giants come out of that series I would root for them.
“Posada doesn’t catch 3 days in a row.’
He has caught 3 days in a row on multiple occasions this year. I’m sure Jorge thinks he can catch three days in a row. The decision is on the Yanks and Girardi, not Jorge, and I don’t think the 3 straight games or day game after night game thing has much to d with it.
A lot of things that happen in the regular season don’t apply to the post season. Particularly rest.
3 days in a row has nothing to do with it.
All hands are on deck in the playoffs. If Jorge is physically incapable of catching 3 days in a row right now he should be out of baseball
# Wave Your Hat October 19th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
“Posada doesn’t catch 3 days in a row.’
He has caught 3 days in a row on multiple occasions this year. I’m sure Jorge thinks he can catch three days in a row. The decision is on the Yanks and Girardi, not Jorge, and I don’t think the 3 straight games or day game after night game thing has much to d with it.
I bet Posada thinks he could play everyday.
3 days with a day game tomorrow. Don’t do it. He looked terrible in the top of the 9th last night.
It’s not just 3 days in a row, but tomorrow is a day game so the rest turnaround is gone. I’d rather Cervelli play today than tomorrow. If it helps AJ’s fragile psyche, all the better.
We need a Good AJ sighting badly.
I’m sorry, I’m so done with Joe. AJ has been god-awful this year, so how exactly has Frankie helped him? Hey Joe, maybe if you had had Posada catch AJ, there would be some consistency. I detest this decision
If the Yankees weren’t in the WS (and I still think they will be) I would root for the AL team, as long as it wasn’t the red sox or angels, neither of which even made the post season. I would also be happy to see the Giants make it. But the Phillies, NO WAY. That would mean them winning the WS in 2 of the last 3 years…that kind of tradition is reserved for the Yankees!!!
Right, Joe, because Cervellii has been great at preventing runs………..
Betsy, you’ll get over it. Or you won’t. Either way.
But as has been mentioned before, if Cervelli is the pivotal player in the lineup, there is something seriously wrong with the line up.
And Joe threw Jorge under the bus with that comment about Cervelli knowing what to do. Jorge is a near HOFer – think he knows what he’s doing? Livid.
this is why i hate burnett. not only does he suck but he has a personal catcher and still sucks..
the personal catcher is not a much better fielder then the 39 yr old first string catcher also. cervelli has 11 errors……
aj deserves to give the yanks a refund…regardless of what happens to aj tonight his season has been the worst for a yankee starter in over 30 years, sports fans that is worse the irabu, rogers, and whitson.
if after the game a loss aj gives us some drivel he should be run out of town……………..
Phil, that’s your defense of Cervelli in the lineup? LOL OK
Girardi is a funny guy.
cain is cruising.
If AJ had command, having Posada catch him wouldn’t be a problem.
Posada has struggled with CC and Hughes.
watching him and AJ would be pure comedy.
Posada: 238 career postseason hitter. Plenty of sample size. Worse, over a longer duration, than arod ever was in october, but nobody says a word about it. Its the right decision, posada is not at the plate in october and his defensive skills are putrid.
?How to tell a Yankee fan from a troll….
Those who seem to be more interested in being proven right about decisions made than the Yankees succeeding?
Speaking only for myself, this is false. I would be thrilled to post tonight that Cervelli contributed to a win.
Rich
The only way that would be false then is if you are a troll because a Yankee fan would want to be wrong and have the decisions (whether you agree with them or not) work out.
No, Betsy, my ‘defense’ is Posada should be in tomorrow’s day line up and needed a rest some time. JoPo is a professional and has been for a long time. If his feelings are hurt by Joe G’s comments, well, tough. I’m sure he’ll be just as happy to get a W whether he played in the game or not.
My point, as many others have made as well, is the line up should be good enough to not have the catching position be the be-all-end-all for whether they win. If it helps AJ with Cervelli in there, then Cervelli should be in there.
These are the playoffs, Phil – I don’t know who said it, but I agree. If Jorge can’t play a few days in a row, then he should retire right now.,
I also do not agree with your point about the lineup; I want my best lineup out there…… and exactly what has Cervelli done to help AJ? They’ve been awful together.
As I said earlier…if a mistake was made then it was made back in the regualr season by not allowing Posada to catch AJ more often….now you’ve come to a point where its a big game and you don’t want to have an already fragile pitcher throwing to a catcher he’s not comfortable with. If they knew all along that AJ would make a playoff start then there is no reason why he didn’t occasionally catch him during the season.
“Betsy October 19th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
These are the playoffs, Phil – I don’t know who said it, but I agree. If Jorge can’t play a few days in a row, then he should retire right now.,”
While nine players caught more than 100 games at age 37, only five did so at age 38* — and only three have done it since 1940.
The end is near for Posada.
Betsy, we will have to disagree on this. You’ve made your hate of Girardi and his decisions perfectly clear, so they will be judged through that cloud.
I hope you enjoy the game.
If CC, Andy or Hughes were pitching tonight Posada would be catching. Him not catching has absolutely nothing to do with how many days in a row he caught. He doesn’t catch AJ, it’s very obvious. I really don’t get why people are so surprised that Posada isn’t catching. He barely caught him all year and Girardi isn’t changing anything now. Girardi knew months ago that AJ was going to start in the post season so he had plenty of time to have Posada catch him during the regular season and he never did it.
I really can’t believe how everyone simply turns a blind eye to how bad posada has been in the playoffs and for how long this has been the case. He had one meaningful hit in this series and singlehandedly gave up one run with a boneheaded play in Game 2. Why is everyone so fixated on him being in the lineup when he simply doesn’t do a heck of a lot once the september page is ripped from the calendar.
Carl, 2011 is his last year……..it has to be, at least with the Yankees. I still don’t want Cervelli here. Blake, I agree- and that was a huge mistake. Joe, lol……….
“Posada: 238 career postseason hitter. Plenty of sample size. Worse, over a longer duration, than arod ever was in october, but nobody says a word about it. Its the right decision, posada is not at the plate in october and his defensive skills are putrid.”
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393 at bats doesn’t have sample size issues???
0 Days, 2 Hours, and 6 Minutes until Game 4 of the ALCS
ok time to walk the dog and then make dinner before the Yankees win tonight
E-Utley.
Oh get off your high horse Phil……..but when you, be careful that you don’t hurt yourself.
3-0 Giants. You know Fox execs are absolutely cringing at the thought of a Giants – Rangers world series, perish the thought. That might set the all-time record for abysmal ratings.
Unless the Yankee offense explodes I don’t expect Cervelli to get two AB’s. Girardi is showing some stones but I think it’s the right move.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Cervelli got a hit or two tonight. It would surprise me if Teixeira did the same.
# Betsy October 19th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Carl, 2011 is his last year……..it has to be, at least with the Yankees. I still don’t want Cervelli here. Blake, I agree- and that was a huge mistake. Joe, lol……….
If Posada was 28-29-30 I would agree.
He’s 38. day game tomorrow. Hasn’t caught AJ since August 2nd (Go look up the game if you want a laugh).
Are u serious? 393 post season at bats isn’t enough of a sample size? Then I guess there are no good or bad postseason performers since the sample sizes don’t get much larger than that.
Go SF!! If we get knocked off our perch, I want Philly falling with us.
come on A.J., win it for Tom Bosley!
(hell, win it for Bosley Medical, I don’t care — just win the damn game!)
What happened to Utley’s gold glove defense? He has 3 errors in the post season this year. Cano better win the gold glove this year, he is without question the best defensive 2nd baseman in the majors.
High horse? Hardly. If you state “I’m so done with Joe” and that you’re “livid” about Joe “throwing Posada under the bus” then it’s pretty clear you don’t like him, so you’re not going to agree with what he does. Those are your statements. Live with them.
pat
Then I misread your post. My bad.
Captain Clutch October 19th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
What happened to Utley’s gold glove defense? He has 3 errors in the post season this year. Cano better win the gold glove this year, he is without question the best defensive 2nd baseman in the majors.
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Different league, so there’s no direct competition between the two. Unless you were using it as a bridge to a different subject, then never mind…
“Are u serious? 393 post season at bats isn’t enough of a sample size? Then I guess there are no good or bad postseason performers since the sample sizes don’t get much larger than that.”
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Very serious.
I said sample size “issues” which can definitely stem from 393 at bats especially when they are spread over 15 years.
“Oh get off your high horse Phil??..but when you, be careful that you don?t hurt yourself.”
What did Phil say to elicit that response? I thought he was polite agreeing to disagree?
Questions:
about last night — does Joe Girardi not ever want to give Derek Jeter the bunt sign?
about tonight — if AJB gives us 4 decent innings, does Joe G let him go out and start the 5th?
- – - – -
My answers:
1 – apparently, he don’t give no bunt signs to Jete.
2 – I would pull AJB after 4 good innings – and praise the lord! But I will bet that Joe doesn’t.
Posada’s overall average in the postseason is not necessarily a good representation of how he contributed to this team in the postseason.
For example, in 1998, Posada’s first “real” postseason, he hit .227.
But he got on base at a .414 clip and slugged at a .500 clip. That was a very good postseason.
If the Phillies lose today then they will face a tough lefty tomorrow in Bumgardner with Blanton on the hill(unless they throw Halladay on short rest)….with Lincecum waiting for Game 5.
Johnny Bench could be catching Burnett and it wouldn’t make a difference. Burnett is who he is, with a pitching motion / mechanics not friendly toward giving a catcher a chance to throw out runners. Combine that with only a fastball and a part time curveball that bounces in front of the plate and everything has to be perfect for his having a chance at a quality start.
If he remains a Yankee for the duration of his contract, his mechanics need to be rebuilt from square one next spring or sooner.
LGY October 19th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Very serious.
I said sample size “issues” which can definitely stem from 393 at bats especially when they are spread over 15 years.
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I would agree with that. It’s akin to those that state X Team has never beaten Y Team. Different players, different years, different scenarios. It makes for some fun trivia talk, but mostly it’s meaningless.
Pat: Through my years on this blog, I think the basic answer to that would be “Betsy being Betsy” and leave it at that.
How have you been? Maybe I’ve just overlooked your posts but don’t recall seeing you here recently. Though that may be due to my spotty log ins as well…
LOL about “sample size issues”.
So I guess all the credit Captain DP gets for his “post-season heroics” can now be discounted due to “sample-size issues”. Can’t have it both ways people. Either 15 seasons of post-season history establishes “clutchiness” or it doesn’t.
You’re gonna need someone athletic to catch AJ. You call for a curve ball down and away and it will end up at the hitters feet.
AJ doesn’t know where the hell the ball is going half the time.
I hope today is different.
Carl October 19th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
You’re gonna need someone athletic to catch AJ. You call for a curve ball down and away and it will end up at the hitters feet.
AJ doesn’t know where the hell the ball is going half the time.
I hope today is different.
==================
He’s become Nuke LaLoosh!
“Hit the bull!”
“LOL about “sample size issues”.
So I guess all the credit Captain DP gets for his “post-season heroics” can now be discounted due to “sample-size issues”. Can’t have it both ways people. Either 15 seasons of post-season history establishes “clutchiness” or it doesn’t.”
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That is not at all what I was talking about.
Jeter has had 200 more postseason at bats than Posada. 200 more.
In Jeter’s case he is much less susceptible to issues like having one year drag him down where he was just off when October rolled around or was playing through injuries for example.
Jeter has posteasons where he has been absolutely awful. Those don’t show up as much in his overall numbers though because he has had so many at bats in October.
Posada plays the toughest position on the field and has been a warrior for this team.
If someone doesn’t think he hasn’t been a huge part of their postseason success over the past 15 years, then they haven’t been watching the same team as me.
Watching Cody Ross brings to mind a rarity in baseball. A position player that bats right and throws left. Rickey Henderson did the same. Many players bat left and throw right.
I love Posada for all the great years he’s had for the Yankees, but, the fact remains he’s not been a good PS hitter, and quite frankly, Cervelli is not a bigger defensive liability than Posada at this time.
2010 – Posada SB allowed 72, CS 13, 15%
2010 – Cervelli SB allowed 55, CS 9, 14%
In 2009 Cervelli played only 40 games at C, and his CS was 43%. To me that shows he’s best fitted as a part time back-up catcher, and when he starts too many games his numbers suffer.
Posada BA is .248 for 2010
Cervelli BA is .271 for 2010
Posada is batting .200 against Texas, so his bat will not be missed tonight.
I have no problem whatsoever with Cervelli being in there. I’ll also admit that a win tonight would surprise me. Mister 5.5 ERA does not engender any confidence.
Over/Under on hit-batsmen is set at 2. I’ll take the Over.
“Posada BA is .248 for 2010
Cervelli BA is .271 for 2010″
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Why are you putting the entire argument on BA?
The Yankees are not going to win hitting singles tonight.
Tommy Hunter gives up a lot of HR.
They need to hit the ball out of the park with AJ on the hill.
The Yankees need to bash the Rangers head in. They don’t need a bunch of singles.
The immortal and unbeatable Philies with their 3 ace starters are in danger of going down 2-1 to a team with Pat Burrell as their cleanup hitter.
I wonder why so many people believe the Yankees will have a field day with Hunter tonight. Hunter is 13 – 4 with an 3.73 ERA.
# BIG AL October 19th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
I wonder why so many people believe the Yankees will have a field day with Hunter tonight. Hunter is 13 – 4 with an 3.73 ERA.
Haven’t heard that at all. What I did hear is that if they DON’T have a field day with him, this series will be over.
PeterBotte Posada “It’s tough not to play, period. But it is what it is…I’m ok. Get a win, that’s it.”
Long live the Darth Helmetis! I believe Joe simply couldn’t say no to the man behind those pale blue eyes.
Over 1182 at bats Jorge Posada is a career .294 hitter with an .877 OPS in High Leverage spots.
Over 1677 at bats Jorge Posada is a career .280 hitter with an .890 OPS with RISP.
Over 853 at bats Jorge Posada is a career .291 hitter with an with an .874 OPS in Late and Close situations.
Jorge Posada is one of the most CLUTCH hitters this team has had this generation and certainly one of the most CLUTCH catchers this team has had.
Lgy – I respect ur opinion because u are rational and level headed. That being said, we are not going to see eye to eye here. The bottom line is, jorge has had many chances to be a big game player in october and he simply hasn’t been one and given his hitting this year and his deplorable defense, I have no problem with the manager going the other way in an effort to help burnett tonight.
Posada is also a HOFer imo.
Still don’t mind him sitting today.
“I wonder why so many people believe the Yankees will have a field day with Hunter tonight. Hunter is 13 – 4 with an 3.73 ERA.”
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He doesn’t strike anyone out and gives up more home runs than just about anyone else in baseball.
His peripherals are atrocious this season. Worse than AJ’s.
He stinks.
LGY -
You’re right, I didn’t post all the numbers, and when you look at SLG, Posada is at .454 to Cervelli’s .335, OPS Posada is at .811 to Cervelli’s .694, OBP Posada .357, Cervelli .359. So yes, Posada does have better power numbers, but that has been absent in the PS, and this year his BA has dropped as well. Posada is hitting .200 against Texas, not a big bat to take out of the line up for 1 game. The rest may actually help him. To be honest, #1 – #4 has done very little in this series, and those bats need to wake up now.
Pre-game tension breaker.
http://www.entertonement.com/c.....city-girls
The Yankees aren’t hitting well enough to have a field day with anyone……..
Carlo and Big Al,
To be honest I really don’t care that Posada is not in the lineup tonight.
I just love Posada has a player and tend to get a little sensitive about the topic with all the hatred thrown his way this season.
Just trying to back up my boy
LGY -
I pray you’re right, nothing would be greater than a Yankees win tonight. It’s happened in the past, the pitcher the team was sure to destroyed killed us, and the guy we were not expected to be, we ran out of town, except last night.
I’m a lady of leisure until November 1 (perfect for me), so I have no one to watch the game with tomorrow. Anyone know of any good bars in NYC that might be hopping tomorrow at 4? I’m good at meeting people.
The Yankees are going to have not just a field day, but the party of the decade with Hunter tonight
I have no problem with a guy standing up for his guy. If u ever spoke a bad word about hensley muelens back in the day I would have been all over you.
Big Al,
I hope so too.
I keep saying he stinks over the past 24 hrs hoping it comes to fruition. Positive thinking
He is a pitcher the Yankees should hit very well given his pitching style.
just tried to watch a little bit of the end of the nlcs game. then i remembered i have cablevision. thanks a lot ruppert murdoch and james dolan. hope you two go to baseball hell
LGY -
I get that, as I said, I love what Jorge’s done for this team year in and year out. It’s a sad truth, when players get near the end of their career, the numbers fall. I followed The Mick throughout his career, and I felt so sad for him watching him play his last season. Champions like The Mick deserve to go out on top of their game.
We’ll see, LGY…….
Forget a field day….ill settle for one more run than the Rangers score.
xcv -
Dolan started his career in hell, he’s just visiting us for a short time.
Tonight we watch with PFOF Playoff Pride!
Each hit/run/RBI for Cervelli deserves something — maybe kiss an Italian?
Multo bene!
LGY -
I like positive thinkers, and positive fans even more. Let’s all think positive, and may all our dreams for the Yankees come true, starting tonight.
Nick in SF -
Welcome back. Are you looking for a Yankees – Giants WS?
Everything will be fine! AJ will get us 5 an a 1/3 Innings! Posada will gez 2 AB! and we WIN!
Is it too early to say “Game Over, Rangers win” ?
Sending positive vibes toward the Bronx…
Someone must have flushed, here comes all the crap.
Hey Nick – good to see you.
Great win for the Arsenal tonight – here’s hoping it rubs off on AJ (gulp).
Liverpool fans across the UK are googling for John W Henry facts after NESV purchased them this week (in a friendly sale from Tom Hicks: you Americans sure showing us how to do business!).
Anyone care to give me some good negativity about Henry with which I can dismay them even further?
“The focus is on preventing runs”. That’s the idiot meme that the red sox were spouting all year. Look where it got them. Joe G is truly unqualified to manage anything above Little League.
Oh, thanks Big Al!!
Lady of leisure?
Cool. I’ve been waiting for the day when this place becomes like Craigslist.
Ruby Tuesday October 19th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Is it too early to say “Game Over, Rangers win” ?
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Naturally, dimwit.
…and have you, ‘Oscar’ & ‘Felix’ stopped bawling about Hamels taking the L?
Sending positive vibes toward the Bronx…
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And she’s psychic! (You are a she?)
Happy to amuse you!
Lady of Leisure in Manhattan?? The Yankees would prefer Mystique & Aura in the Bronx. Who am I kidding? They’ll take a cheap hooker if she can bring about a win tonight.
Bronx, I am not affiliated with Ruby. Sorry.
Happy to amuse you!
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Is this more code? Don’t worry sister, your secrets safe with me.
Hoe about them GIANTS ! 3 – 0 Final in game # 3……………Yes !
Thank you! <3
Paul O’Neill said that if the Yankees lose tonight, that’s the series.
Good going “warrior”
Yeah, I’m sure when he was playing that’s exactly what he would have thought if the Yanks were in the same situation. Hey Paul, psst! Take a lesson from Terry Francona. Remember that series* He counseled one game at a time.