The road goes on forever
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on May 09, 2011 
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It’s time to go home, and after a seven-day road trip that felt much longer, it’s a good day for an off day. Regardless of the actual time it takes to go from first pitch to last pitch, sloppy games always feel longer, and there were a few sloppy games on this trip: Base-running and fielding mistakes in Detroit, bad starting pitching in the second game here in Texas, head-scratching moments in the first three innings or so yesterday.
Despite winning just three of seven on the road, though, I think the Yankees should feel pretty good about themselves after these 16 games in 16 days (the offense breaking out in the last one helps quite a bit). The biggest concern seems to be the lineup, but the biggest problem there is inconsistency not inability. At one point or another, everyone in the lineup has been hot and cold.* The heart of the order kind of went cold all at once on this trip, and that led to some problems, but it seems premature to get too worried about Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixiera and Robinson Cano (especially considered they’ve also shown flashes of MVP-type performances this season).
A few other things I’m thinking about before I get on this plane:
• Bartolo Colon struggled on Saturday, but otherwise, this rotation is holding itself together pretty well. And that’s without Phil Hughes. Even when these guys have struggled, they’ve given the Yankees veteran-type outings to finally give some much-needed distance. The emergence of Ivan Nova might be the Yankees biggest plus right now.
• Francisco Cervelli cracks me up. He said when he hit his grand slam yesterday, he didn’t realize the bases were loaded until he got to the dugout. I’m sure he knew when he came to the plate — how could he not? — but he completely lost track of that fact while he rounded the bases. Also, he hit the home run with his normal bat, having given up on the pink bat after two at-bats. He said it just didn’t feel right. What ever works, Francisco.
• Joba Chamberlain looked good last night. He wasn’t perfect, but I thought his stuff looked pretty good. That fastball is getting up there at 95, 96 pretty regularly now. I’m not positive, but I feel like that wasn’t the case at this time last year.
• Kevin Long said he started watching video of Russell Martin yesterday and went to work on some minor mechanical tweaks. For reasons Long probably understands much better than I do, Martin’s bat has faded a little bit.
• I heard Robert Earl Keen on the radio while I was driving to the ball park on Saturday. That doesn’t happen too often on my way to the Bronx.
• Speaking of people from Texas, can you imagine how cool that must have been for Lance Pendleton to pitch in that stadium yesterday? He was long gone by the time the media got into the clubhouse, probably off to say hello to his friends and family who had been in the stands. Must have been awesome.
• I’m not sure what role Ramiro Pena plays on this team, but I’m also not sure who else would have been a good call-up candidate. Jesus Montero made no sense if the Yankees truly believe Jorge Posada’s at-bats have been significantly better than his results, and Jorge Vazquez has cooled down. If Eduardo Nunez can keep hitting, he’ll be a solid spot starter at short and third, leaving Pena as the backup infielder on those days. More significant than the addition of Pena — or anyone else — is the loss of Eric Chavez. The bench is much weaker than it was a week ago. Much weaker.
• Let me officially change my prediction from earlier this season: I believe Mariano Rivera will break the saves record this season.
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* The one exception to the hot-and-cold theory might be Nick Swisher. He’s taking his walks and he’s finally started hitting some home runs, but he hasn’t really gotten hot this season.
Nice Robert Earl Keen reference, Chad. And the party never ends….
“For reasons Long probably understands much better than I do, Martin’s bat has faded a little bit.”
My best guess is that its because he has caught a ton this year….hopefully these two days off refresh him.
Against All Odds May 9th, 2011 at 8:48 am
That very well may be. For me though being a NorCal guy I can’t stand any of the sports teams in L.A., especially The Dodgers and The Lakers. Very easy for me to root against, just like The Sux.
Nice Allman Bros “Midnight Rider” reference too
Another Monday….sigh.
Not exactly the prettiest game yesterday, but a win’s a win. Cerv’s grand slam was the highlight for me. I didn’t even realize that he wasn’t using his pink bat.
I agree that Joba’s stuff looked good…but he desperately needs a haircut. Get a haircut today Joba.
BTW–Allman Bros had that lyric in song before Robert Earl Keen had it in his
@Vineyard Yankee I understand where you’re coming from. Not everyone buys into the big name teams in a certain city.
“For reasons Long probably understands much better than I do, Martin’s bat has faded a little bit.”
He’s Russell Martin? There’s no way he could keep up that start to the season, but it was fun while it lasted.
Erin May 9th, 2011 at 9:07 am
I agree that Joba’s stuff looked good…but he desperately needs a haircut. Get a haircut today Joba.
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Everyone has been telling Joba what to do and how to live since he arrived…good for him if he wants to rebel a little.
“Players/hitters like Carew, Aaron, Ted Williams and Musial were quite productive into their 40s because they were smart enough to adapt and change things like cheating on a pitch, rather than just reacting. Other than not being a home run hitter, Jeter’s like that.”
GB7 – If you read this today: Like you (I think?), I’ve been a baseball fan and a Yankee fan since about 1952 and saw all of these guys play on TV and in person (less of Stan “the Man,” once the Dodgers and Giants moved out of town – loved seeing him destroy the Bums at Ebbets but was never happy to see him play the Giants – my “2nd team.”) From a quick look at their stats, the problem with your analogy with Jeter is that none of those players had the kind of off year that Derek had last year at age 36/37.
At 36/37 Williams hit .356/.345, Aaron hit .298/.327, Carew hit .319/.339 and Musial hit .351/.337. And, in any case, all but Williams basically trended downward after that. Williams had a “last hurrah” in his final year after hitting .254 in his next to last season.
In my two weeks every year back in the States, I’ve seen Jeter play every year since he first came up. And a concern that I have with Jeter is that he reminds me more of a free swinging Yogi Berra (without Yogi’s power of course) than he does any of the players you mentioned. In my mind, at least, all but perhaps Aaron were far more of what one might probably term scientific hitters who made constant adjustments. I never had that impression of Derek during ,admittedly, small sample sizes. Again, in any event, even if Jeter followed those guy’s career histories, we’d still be seeing a downward trend. Whether or not he can minimize that trend is now the $64,000 question since, as we all know, he’s going to be around, barring a devastating injury or decision to retire, for at least another 2 1/2 years.
Also, in fairness to JF and LGY, (and Rich in NJ), they are obviously as big a Yankee fan as you or I, or as any of us other old-timers, and obviously want Jeter to succeed just as much as us. I know that you vehemently disagree but, as for myself, I very much appreciate the fresh look they bring to the game with their analysis of the stats – right or wrong as they may eventually prove to be, they certainly add a new dimension to my (distant) view of the game.
Responding to previous thread, always thought Michael Jordan’s defense separated him a bit from the other greats. Offensively, Kobe’s pretty close. Defensively, not so much, I don’t think.
Joba has looked really good stuff wise. Velocity and slider tilt are back…..maybe its the hair?
From the previous thread….I actually think getting Jeter going is pretty important. They can overcome it if he doesn’t but its a much much better offense when he is hitting and getting on base consistently.
‘but he desperately needs a haircut. Get a haircut today Joba’.
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Erin, LOL. He also needs to learn how to wear his cap including molding (bending) the bill of it. He looks like a dork.
Kobe is a really good defender in his own right but Jordan was one of the best on the ball defenders ever at the guard position because of his quickness, length, and want to. The Bulls won those championships with defense as much as anything…..Jordan and Pippen were both lock down guys.
# BoJo May 9th, 2011 at 9:09 am
Erin May 9th, 2011 at 9:07 am
I agree that Joba’s stuff looked good…but he desperately needs a haircut. Get a haircut today Joba.
________
Everyone has been telling Joba what to do and how to live since he arrived…good for him if he wants to rebel a little.
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Exactly plus the long hair worked for Hughes last season and so far it’s working for Joba as well.
Jeter has never been a guess hitter…..he’s a see it and hit it guy. Alex has always guessed in certain counts so that adjustment likely wont be as difficult for him when he has to start doing it more.
That doesn’t mean Jeter can’t adjust …..just means it might take him longer to figure it out. His timing has been much better lately.
JM May 9th, 2011 at 9:12 am
Agreed. MJ was really good at crunch time, Kobe as well.
blake May 9th, 2011 at 9:14 am
Joba has looked really good stuff wise. Velocity and slider tilt are back?..maybe its the hair?
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LOL well, I guess if it’s the hair that’s making him pitch well I shouldn’t complain.
Anybody think Jackson will come full circle and try to get the Knicks a title before hanging Uhm up for good.
Erin,
Agreed….it does look pretty rough though.
Don’t forget Rodman too, besides being the best rebounder ever, he was a pretty damn good defender.
Yup Rodman was a beast defensively as well.
blake,
It’s hard to know with Phil. He has been suffering from a bunch of physical maladies the past few years so he may really be ready to ride into the sunset this time. But if the Knicks came knocking….
Funny story about Phil. A very good friend of mine worked for the Knicks for awhile in the ’80s. Phil was coaching for the Albany Patroons in the CBA at the time, desperately trying to get a coaching job in the NBA. He came to the Garden to interview for a Knicks job that he did not wind up getting (they thought he was too unconventional, too much of a flake, apparently). He had taken the train down from Albany. Later he asked my friend if he could please get $150 in expenses for the train trip and some food he had eaten on the train. He was totally broke. The Knicks didn’t want to pay but my friend knew the comptroller who liked Phil and Phil got his $150. He sent my friend a very nice note.
Now of course Phil is worth multiple millions. Funny how things work out.
“That park killed some of his best shots. I’m just looking at where these guys hit the ball more than style or technique. All had different styles, same results. Same with Boggs, I’d guess.”
gb7-
you remember carl taylor. he also threw the pre game BP from 1990-1996 for the yankees. he swore that boggs could go upper deck in BP any time he wanted too. boggs had tremendous power if he chose to use it.
with all the talk that people are doing about jeter and mechanical changes, one thing that people aren’t talking about is that a hitter can simply decide what he’s trying to do. sometimes they decide on the wrong thing to do. or rather they choose something that isn’t optimal.
boggs chose to get 200+ hits a year rather than 30 homers a year. once the decision is made , a swing follows to accomplish what the hitter is trying to do. lou pinella once said that one difference between him and reggie was that reggie could strike out 4 times in a row and sleep like a baby, but that lou would toss and turn all night if he did the same. lou said he had to get his hit a day or he’d be a head case.
so pinella and reggie had two different swings based on how they handled failure. this whole thing that all jeter is going through his mechanical changes isn’t necessarily what’s at the root of what’s going on . he might simply be in between what he’s trying to do.
i would say he’s probably gone to the well too many times over the years dumping in the right field hits which is what almost all pitchers give to any right handed hitter by pitching away most of the time. jeter was smart going there for a while, but maybe he overdid it and got in some bad habits and pitchers adjusted and don’t always give him that outside pitch anymore.
so maybe jeter has to simply decide to turn on more balls and even pull them with authority. just doing that will create all kinds of mechanical changes.
this, as jeter says, takes time. it’s a process. but deciding what you want to do comes before the mechanics used to do whatever is decided. just ask reggie or lou.
the bottom line is that jeter will decide on and settle into a way to hit that works and we’ll see more days like yesterday.
Well, I guess I need to put my 2 cents worth on Jeter. As I have been saying for some time now, (years), Jeter is going to be fine. He is a hitter! As much as I’d like him to pull the ball more and power up as well he is the epitome of a team player. He goes for singles & gap doubles seemingly always trying to go to right. He is a big guy and could easily be a pull hitter. Part of his success was his ability in past years to go inside out on balls inside. Now he can pull those or even just step into the pitch more and hit for more power. He has the strength and the pounding of inside pitches he sees would allow him to be able to turn on them & hit for more power. (Now that his standstill stance is gone!)
I agree Randy!
BTW, did anyone else get a phone call last week from FBI? Just wondering why I got singled out about a former poster here!
JM,
Cool story.
Randy,
Agree.
ray vt-
i don’t mean to laugh at a serious subject, but can you imagine FBI agents in an office reading this blog looking for clues who the crazy one is.
someone has to write a book or make a movie about this blog. seriously.
# blake May 9th, 2011 at 9:22 am
Anybody think Jackson will come full circle and try to get the Knicks a title before hanging Uhm up for good.
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If they get Paul, a big man, and fix the bench then I can see him in NY. Phil is a competitive guy and it’s only a matter of time before he gets the itch to coach again.
“someone has to write a book or make a movie about this blog. seriously.”
Who would play GB7? Chuck Norris?
randy l. May 9th, 2011 at 9:42 am
LOL! I am wondering if they called me because I work in their building and I know some of them pretty well. A couple are Yankee fans even. LOL!
I sure wouldn’t want to decide who was sane! LOL! But crazy might be easier! LOL!
I liked your Jeter thoughts as they were spot on with what I was thinking albeit 1 minute later.
blake May 9th, 2011 at 9:22 am
Do you think that Dolan has ‘that much’ money to entice Jackson into that circus arena ? ?
blake May 9th, 2011 at 9:44 am
They could call the movie “LoHud on the Edge!”
randy l. May 9th, 2011 at 9:42 am
someone has to write a book or make a movie about this blog. seriously.
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LOL that’d be one hell of a movie.
blake May 9th, 2011 at 9:44 am
?someone has to write a book or make a movie about this blog. seriously.?
Who would play GB7? Chuck Norris?
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I get nervous when I am approached by the FBI or Gov’t in general! LOL! When I was in college I flew to Chicago with a GF whose Dad was with the CIA. We both got a phone call from CIA. Her’s from her Dad asking if she wanted to go to a baseball game in Chicago& I got one asking if I preferred the Cubs or White Sox from someone else. She was so mad as she was the pilot of the private plane & her Dad was following her every step!
Against All Odds May 9th, 2011 at 9:43 am
‘If they get Paul, a big man, and fix the bench then I can see him in NY’
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Anything else on the wish list > A pretty tall order. LOL ! What about Jackson and Isiah ? Do they mesh or are they like oil and water ?
Who would play GB7 ?
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Charles Durning
I understand Jeter is a team first guy but would it kill him in the Kim Jones interview to just say yea it felt good to have a power day at the plate and hopefully I can build on this or something to that effect
He said at the end of the interview “i’d be lying if I said I didnt feel good”
Vineyard,
I really have no clue as far as that goes….if he decided to do it then I would think it wouldn’t be about the money though.
“Do you think that Dolan has ‘that much’ money to entice Jackson into that circus arena ? ?”
They probably have a better chance of getting someone like Rivers. I think Jackson is done for real.
blake May 9th, 2011 at 9:56 am
Sorry if I confused, my meaning (sarcasm) was that it would take truckloads of dough to entice Phil to get in there and clean up that mess.
NYY626 – Retire 46,
Yea I caught that. True that was the most he has ever said about his own performance ever
SI_JonHeyman jeter might have to be dropped from the leadoff spot. as @dkobler pointed out, after today it might be to cleanup
I will say this for Heyman….he’s one of the few guys out there that hasn’t been chomping at the bit to write Derek’s obituary.
#betterthangranderson?
Clean up what mess? They have 2 superstars and might be able to add a third after next year
I was so happy for Jeter yesterday. That must have felt pretty good to silence his critics (for one day at least)
Jackson is done it’s off to Montana. He doesn’t need the money and I think New York would have zero appeal to him.
FYI – there is a large hate the Lakers contingent in Los Angeles.
blake-
i’m sure you know i play golf a lot. i play right handed, left handed, dominant right hand on the right side swing, dominant left hand on the right side, all this vice versa on the left side. i’ve played 400 yard holes with a driver and a lob wedge and with also two seven irons. i have a right handed putter and a left handed putter . sometimes i play for a week with nothing , but my pitching wedge and a putter.
i have a thousand and one ways to do my weight shift. i can stay on my left side or really go back on my right side. you want a freddie couples swing with a pause at the top. piece of cake. or a nicklaus fade with a release of the clubhead just like on a draw. no problem.
but at some point i have to decide what it is i’m trying to do in golf if i’m going to get good. likewise, any baseball hitter has to decide what it is they are trying to do. yes, it depends on body type, athletic ability, and psychological make up, but even within these limitations a hitters has multiple choices available on how to hit.
i once went 0- 8th grade because i was trying to hit a house way past the right field fence that i once hit in BP. i once didn’t hit a home run for three years on a semi pro team when my father watched a series of games where i was on base 12 straight times with walks and singles when he said that was great , but maybe i should try to swing a little harder.
that kind of ticked me off( old father/son baseball coaching battles), but i let it rip the next week and hit three home runs. deciding what you want to do is huge in baseball.
i think that’s maybe rothschilds strength as a pitching coach from some things he’s said. he seems to have burnett deciding what to do better than last year.
the point i’m making is it’s not simply lifting a foot or holding on with two hands that makes a hitter. it’s critical what the hitter is trying to do in the first place. is he trying to hit the house in right field every swing or is he trying to get a hit a game.
yes hitters get old and lose the physical ability to hit.
is that jeter?
not even close.
i think it is fair to say there has been a lot of frustration, which drives up negativity..
However, only a ‘fake’ fan would be HOPING for Jeter to not get better.
Triple Short of a Cycle May 9th, 2011 at 9:59 am
NYY626 – Retire 46,
Yea I caught that. True that was the most he has ever said about his own performance ever
_________________________________________________________________
Pretty much. Thing is if you watch interviews from his early days, he basically says the same thing. Not sure why people get so aggravated about it, it’s oddly comforting to me lol. When Jeter starts getting analytical about his own performance, I’m going to be worried.
Biggest story in NY right now is Jeter yet Evan and Joe open with the Lakers. What a complete joke they are. I’m sure in Boston they are opening up with the Lakers right now. Pathetic
Clean up what mess? They have 2 superstars and might be able to add a third after next year
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Next CBA will make it unlikely that they can add a 3rd superstar, but it’s really not a mess anymore. They find a way to add a functional center and something more than the D-League depth they have on their bench, then they should have a team that can win a couple rounds in the postseason.
“Who would play GB7? Chuck Norris?”
i’d go with sean connery if he could lose the accent.
plus hes 80, so he’d be perfect
NYY626 – Retire 46,
You can be guarded but still be more human. Rivera and Pettitte are 2 examples
“I’m sure in Boston they are opening up with the Lakers right now.”
Heard ‘EEI this morning. They opened with the Lakers. Even before discussing Rondo and the Celtics.
Triple Short of a Cycle May 9th, 2011 at 10:01 am
IMO the Knicks are shall we say a bit dysfunctional at the present time. Basketball is a team game and Amare and Carmelo need several pieces to get where they need to. The Celtics (an aged team) swept them right out the door.
They have to contend with Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Orlando and Philly. Too boot the new ‘savior’ Isiah doesn’t have a great track record.
Mell,
Is that a national show at that time?
Trip:
No. I’m in the Boston area for a family event this weekend and to check in on my son at school and was listening this morning.
Randy,
Good stuff….I really don’t see how you can play both sides. I have enough problems righty…..of course these days I’m about a once a month golfer as I just don’t have the time. My handicap suffers for it…….I think Connery could lose the accent
I have the hardest time keeping the baseball out of my golf swing…..especially when I haven’t played in awhile….
Vineyard Yankee,
Needing pieces to suurpund with Stat and Melo does not equal dysfunction. Nobody said the Knicks were better than the Celtics plus the Knicks were without Chauncey and Stat for most of the series.
They have to contend with Miami and Chicago period. Once Howard leaves Orlando you can cross them off the list. First you call the Celtics an aged team to disparage the Knicks but then you count them as a team to beat. So which is it. Forget Philly and Atlanta as well.
Isiah is no where near this team so I don’t know where you get him being a savior from.
You obviously seem to have an agenda as far as the Knicks are concerned
cgrand14 happy 51st birthday to Tony Gwynn, possibly the greatest left-handed hitter in baseball history! He hit .338 for his CAREER
cgrand14 happy 51st birthday to Tony Gwynn, possibly the greatest left-handed hitter in baseball history! He hit .338 for his CAREER
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Youngsters……
# Vineyard Yankee May 9th, 2011 at 9:52 am
Against All Odds May 9th, 2011 at 9:43 am
‘If they get Paul, a big man, and fix the bench then I can see him in NY’
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Anything else on the wish list > A pretty tall order. LOL ! What about Jackson and Isiah ? Do they mesh or are they like oil and water ?
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A lot of ppl have a problem with Isiah so it wouldn’t surprise me if the Phil doesn’t like him either
West Coast Yankee Fan May 9th, 2011 at 10:03 am
Bankers hours again ? ?………………LMAO !
Triple Short of a Cycle May 9th, 2011 at 10:11 am
NYY626 – Retire 46,
You can be guarded but still be more human. Rivera and Pettitte are 2 examples
__________________________________________________________
Mo and Andy are not even on the same planet as jeter when it comes to being famous. Nobody really cares about their every move. Jeter has always tried to protect the little privacy that he has, and I’m fine with that. It’s hard to judge him IMO because no one knows what it’s like to be the face of baseball and the most famous person in NYC. His “human side” comes out when talking about people other than himself. I though he was great when the Boss passed away and he actually gave a decent interview last week when Osama was killed.
T. Gwynn was great but not close to the greatest LH hitter in history. (Maybe as a straight contact guy)…Ruth, Williams, Gehrig, Bonds, etc…..happy bday nonetheless to him though.
“The Road Goes on Forever”
….And the Party Never Ends…
Biggest story in NY right now is Jeter yet Evan and Joe open with the Lakers. What a complete joke they are. I’m sure in Boston they are opening up with the Lakers right now. Pathetic
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A Lakers sweep is way more newsworthy than one good day at the ballpark for Derek Jeter in early May.
cgrand14 hey all – RELAX. I said “possibly” #readthewholetweet
“IMO the Knicks are shall we say a bit dysfunctional at the present time. Basketball is a team game and Amare and Carmelo need several pieces to get where they need to. The Celtics (an aged team) swept them right out the door.”
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The Celtics swept Carmelo + scrubs.
Both Amare and Billups were hurt. What if the Celtics lost Allen and Garnett?
A healthy Knicks team kills the Celtics missing two of their best players.
Phil isn’t coming to NYC. He is 65 (66 in September) and he moves like it.
If it was up to me Mark Jackson would get the job and Chris Paul would tell the Hornets, “I’m going to play for the Knicks. It might be in 2012-13 or it could be in 2011-12. It’s up to you.”
Against All Odds May 9th, 2011 at 10:25 am
# Vineyard Yankee May 9th, 2011 at 9:52 am
Against All Odds May 9th, 2011 at 9:43 am
‘If they get Paul, a big man, and fix the bench then I can see him in NY’
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I was just thinking that the above is alot of ifs and a pretty long laundry list for an NBA team. If I was Jackson with 11 rings and a bunch of money why would he do it ? A challenge ? The money ? To have something to do ? With the grind and the travel of an NBA season ? I just can’t see him pulling the trigger on that deal.
LGY,
If the Lakers are such a big story in NY then why did all 3 papers have Jeter on the back pages and none had the Lakers
Chad, save situations are so irregular, that I doubt that having a lot of saves in the first 32 games is all that great a predictor of having a lot of saves at the end of the season. On the other hand, scoring is down, and lower scores almost certainly means more save opportunities if you are on a good team. So yeah, I agree with you. I think Mariano has a good chance to break Trevor Hoffman’s all-time saves record this year, but my main reasons include that scoring is down, which should result in more games that the winning team is 1 to 3 runs ahead entering the ninth inning, that the Yanks seem to have a good enough team to be ahead in the ninth inning quite a bit, as well as Mariano having 12 saves in the Yankees first 32 games.
“I really don’t see how you can play both sides. I have enough problems righty”
blake-
i’m a natural righty, but my father being a die hard yankee fan turned me around as a little kid to be a left handed hitter for the short porch in old yankee stadium. so my baseball swing has a few million reps as a lefty, but i could always hit righty when i wanted too.i played hockey left handed too.
when i took up golf at age 47, i didn’t want to screw up my baseball swing (a baseball swing is sacred. you never know when you might need it), so i learned golf right handed which is how i mostly play now.
starting golf as late as i did , i will always speak golf with a baseball accent. at the moment i am essentially ambidextrous. i can screw up right handed or left handed
If the Lakers are such a big story in NY then why did all 3 papers have Jeter on the back pages and none had the Lakers
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Newspapers always tend to be a little more provincial then talk radio.
The Lakers are the biggest story in sports today nationally and understandably so. Playoffs. The defending champs getting swept, the greatest coach in NBA history ending his run, the two flagrant fouls at the end of the game. It’s just a day and then it’s gone.
LGY,
If the Lakers are such a big story in NY then why did all 3 papers have Jeter on the back pages and none had the Lakers
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It shows you why the newspaper is a dying industry
What are the guys on the radio supposed to say about Jeter? One good game is not much of a talking point.
If it was up to me Mark Jackson would get the job and Chris Paul would tell the Hornets, “I’m going to play for the Knicks. It might be in 2012-13 or it could be in 2011-12. It’s up to you.”
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Doubt it will be 2011-12 because the Knicks don’t have the trade pieces, having sent them all to Denver.
LGY,
They opened up with the Lakers because they are Met fans. That is the bottom line. Last year when someone complained about their coverage Joe said we open up with what is on the back pages of the local papers. A week after he said that the Yankees were playing the Red Sox and the Mets were playing the Nationals. All three papers had the Yankees on the back pages and they opened with the Mets.
If Jeter was on the Mets they no doubt would have opened with the Mets
Triple Short of a Cycle May 9th, 2011 at 10:23 am
No I don’t have an ‘agenda’ with the Knicks. To clarify:
** Isiah is not a savior he is a cancer. IMO Dolan is not too bright giving him a second chance.
** Pointing out the obvious that the Celtics are an aging team and that they swept the Knicks is reality, injuries or not.
** IMO right now those teams I listed are better than the Knicks minus your ‘if’ list.
** You say Isiah is no where near this team ? Didn’t Dolan rehire him ? Will Donnie Walsh most likely leave (or be forced out) because of Dolan’s meddling and Isiah’s rehire ? Come on now Isiah is ‘very near’ this team and has Dolan’s ear apparently.
** You continue to list alot of ‘ifs’ If Howard leaves, if the Knicks get Paul, if they get a big man, if they get a better bench than CBA scrubs etc. Like saying ‘if’ I hit the lotto.
Let it play out and then get back to me ‘if’ and when the ‘ifs’ come to fruition.
Trip:
Francessa’s a Yankees fan. Wouldn’t bet on him leading with the Yankees today though.
** You say Isiah is no where near this team ? Didn’t Dolan rehire him ? Will Donnie Walsh most likely leave (or be forced out) because of Dolan’s meddling and Isiah’s rehire ? Come on now Isiah is ‘very near’ this team and has Dolan’s ear apparently
======================
Based on some recent statements coming from the Dolan camp, this particular point you’ve made is 100% false.
Mell,
Francessa is the only Yankee fan on that station and he goes out of his way to not openly root for them or give them the majority of the coverage like the other guys do
# Vineyard Yankee May 9th, 2011 at 10:42 am
Against All Odds May 9th, 2011 at 10:25 am
# Vineyard Yankee May 9th, 2011 at 9:52 am
Against All Odds May 9th, 2011 at 9:43 am
‘If they get Paul, a big man, and fix the bench then I can see him in NY’
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I was just thinking that the above is alot of ifs and a pretty long laundry list for an NBA team. If I was Jackson with 11 rings and a bunch of money why would he do it ? A challenge ? The money ? To have something to do ? With the grind and the travel of an NBA season ? I just can’t see him pulling the trigger on that deal.
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He would probably come back because like most guys on his level it’s hard walking away although Phil has walked away more than once lol
Great feel-good stuff in your report, Chad.
I’m also hoping we get to see Mo experience that moment this season. Class act, all around. We’ve been so fortunate to see him play. I hope the Yankees organization has some terrific plans in store to honor him when he does. Now THAT’S a ticket in Yankee Stadium I’d pay a bundle for! I saw Roger Clemens 3000 strikeout (I stayed through some miserable rainy weather,) but who cares now that we know what kind of individual he is??
Enjoy the day off, everyone — though I honestly hate their days off because I would watch the Yanks 24/7 if I could…of course, I’d never get anything else done, but whatevah….
Triple,
I really doubt that is the case in this situation.
This Lakers stuff is a very big story. I really don’t see how one game of regular season baseball even compares.
This isn’t like some minor basketball news taking over. The Lakers getting swept and going down like punks at the end of the game is a big deal in the sports world.
Correction: that was Clemens’ 300th win and 4,000 strikeout — all in the same game.
Vineyard Yankee,
When did I call Isiah a savior? He is no where near this team so what you said is not true at all.
How is Philly a better team then the Knicks right now when the Knicks had a better record then them?
So according to you the Knicks will do nothing and add no pieces in the next 2 years.
Just out of curiosity what team do you root for?
Walsh is making sure he has complete control before signing the 2 year extension Dolan has on the table. He has Dolan by the balls right now making sure the next 2 years will be run how he wants things run.
As much as I despise Kobe, Phil and the Lakers they’re clearly the #1 sports story around the country today. Anytime a reigning champ goes down like that, in an embarrassing, classless display, you can bank it will be covered by everybody as the lead story.
That foul by Bynum was unreal. It’s one thing to hard foul in the playoffs, it’s another to do what he did, especially at that point in the game. The fact that nobody took a swing at that chick bleep guy is shocking.
# Mell May 9th, 2011 at 11:03 am
** You say Isiah is no where near this team ? Didn’t Dolan rehire him ? Will Donnie Walsh most likely leave (or be forced out) because of Dolan’s meddling and Isiah’s rehire ? Come on now Isiah is ‘very near’ this team and has Dolan’s ear apparently
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Based on some recent statements coming from the Dolan camp, this particular point you’ve made is 100% false.
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yes Isiah is not as big of a factor as he once was
The Celtics swept Carmelo + scrubs. ************* So you’re saying Amare is a scrub ? ? I guess the laundry list of needs is longer than you thought huh ?
Both Amare and Billups were hurt. What if the Celtics lost Allen and Garnett? **** Not for the whole series they weren’t, ‘if’ Allen and Garnett were hurt ? Not.
A healthy Knicks team kills the Celtics missing two of their best players. ******** If’s, Ands and Buts don’t cut it.
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More maybe’s and if’s. The Celtics swept the Knicks, Shaq and Jermaine were hurt as well, injuries are a part of the game and can’t be predicted. Get back to me when Isiah puts his ‘new’ stamp on this team.
LGY,
If the Yankees had won without Jeter doing what he did then i would agree. Jeter’s offense has been a big story since the start of the season and he hits not one but 2 homers after not hitting one in over 200 at bats. That is big news IMO
BTW they finally started talking about Jeter after 1 hour. 20 minutes ago they were talking about college football
Against All Odds May 9th, 2011 at 11:05 am
Agreed.
I’ll say it again. If the Lakers were such a big story in NY why aren’t they on the back of any paper here?
Mell —- It’s true the Knicks don’t have much, but if Paul makes it clear he’s committed to the plan of Amare, ‘Melo and him playing together than the Hornets might take the best they can get rather than lose him for nothing. It all comes down to how much they value one more season with a guy who they can’t keep.
Vineyard Yankee,
So what basketball team do you root for?
86:
Knicks have nothing to give them. The Hornets choice is lose him for nothing next year or lose him for nothing the year after…….or trade him to a team that actually has something to offer.
Randy,
That’s awesome…..im a righty all the way. My dad tried to make me hit Lefty when I was young but he said it just didn’t work….I would always turn around after like 2 pitches. Its actually pretty amazing how bad I am anything throw or swing related left handed.
Mell,
and if Paul says he will only sign with the Knicks?
Basketball.. ugh.
and if Paul says he will only sign with the Knicks?
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Then he does it as a free agent after next season……if the new CBA allows for it.
Vineyard,
I can barely make out what your 11:11 post even says.
Your comparing Jermaine O’Neal and Shaq to Amare and Billups. Jermaine who wasn’t even hurt?
Amare was barely playing. They said he was playing at like 20% when he was actually on the floor.
What are you even talking about in regard to Isiah? He is not with the Knicks in any capacity.
Did you even watch the Knicks-Celts series or follow the Knicks at all???
The Knicks have a chance at Paul if the Hornets want to dump Okafor’s contract along with CP3.
Other than that, unless the Hornets absolutely love who the Knicks draft they will likely have to wait until the offseason.
LGY,
He has an agenda against the Knicks
New Post: The Yankees biggest hitter
Triple Short of a Cycle May 9th, 2011 at 11:07 am
‘When did I call Isiah a savior?’ Did I misinterpret that ? My bad, sorry.
I never said the Knicks would do nothing, I just don’t think that Isiah as Dolan’s guy ( advisor, confidant) will help get the job done. IMO, having Isiah around will only hurt this team and undermine Walsh.
Don’t think it’s physically possible to take on both Paul and Okafor’s contracts. That’s $ 28 M plus… all the guys the nicks have under contract not named Amare or Carmelo total just $ 23 M.
That’s the other hidden “cost” of the Carmelo trade… the Knicks don’t have those modest contracts like Galinari, Chandler and Mozgov to work with.
It’s why I would have waited for the off-season to make a run at ‘Melo with a ton of financial flexibility to work with for a second piece.
LGY May 9th, 2011 at 11:27 am
No my reference was that O’Neal and O’Neal were also hurt ( not playing ) both teams had injuries. Yes I did follow the series and here is a current link regarding Isiah and Dolan.
http://bleacherreport.com/arti.....ames-dolan
“Don’t think it’s physically possible to take on both Paul and Okafor’s contracts. That’s $ 28 M plus… all the guys the nicks have under contract not named Amare or Carmelo total just $ 23 M”
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If you include their draft pick from this year and Turiaf (because he will very likely pick up his player option) I believe there is enough.
You can take back more than going out. I think it’s 125%.
Of course all those rules could change with the new CBA.
Triple Short of a Cycle May 9th, 2011 at 11:31 am
LGY,
He has an agenda against the Knicks.
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Yeah right, pointing out the obvious. Isiah has Dolan’s ear which will undermine Walsh at some point. Isiah ran the team into the ground both as a coach and as an executive.
Keep drinking that Knick ‘kool aid’, time will tell when Isiah meddles to much and then it will be back to square one………YET AGAIN.