Postgame notes: “We’ve gone through some difficult struggles at times, but I believe in Jorge”
Posted by: vmercogliano - Posted in Misc on Sep 22, 2011 
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I have to say, that was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. After having no celebration when the Yankees clinched a playoff spot earlier today, there was sheer pandemonium in the clubhouse after the Yankees’ second 4-2 win of the day over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees clinched their 12th AL East title in 16 years, and they completely let loose after the win.
“It’s been a tough ride, but it’s the day-by-day that keeps me going,” said Jorge Posada, tonight’s hero. “Days like today keep me going. I’m having a bunch of fun still, and hopefully we can continue this ride.”
The moment was even more special for all of the players in the locker room because it was Posada — whose trials and tribulations have been well-documented this year — who came up with the clutch game-winning hit. In a move that had many people scratching their heads, manager Joe Girardi pinch-hit Posada for rookie sensation Jesus Montero in the bottom of the eighth with two outs and the bases loaded.
“I just felt that it was the right time to go to Jorge,” Girardi said. “I like him in the situation, I liked the matchup, and as much as we’re trying to win the game, I thought that Jorge is used to DHing and used to having time in between at-bats, and those other guys don’t pinch hit much.”
Even with big name hitters such as Alex Rodriguez available on the bench, Girardi said his gut told him that this was the right situation for Posada. As bad as Posada has looked at times this season, he seems to still have that flair for the dramatic.
“You couldn’t have written it any better,” Curtis Granderson said. “You had Jeter with the 3,000, you had Mariano with the 602, and Jorge Posada was the final piece.”
After deciding to intentionally walk Robinson Cano when the count went to 3-2, Rays manager Joe Maddon brought in the right-handed Brandon Gomes to face Montero.
“Joe told me before the inning started,” Posada said. “He told me, ‘If they bring in a righty for Montero, you’re going to hit.’ ”
Posada stepped up and laced a two-run single to right-center field to break a 2-2 tie, and Rafael Soriano came on to close out the game in the ninth. Another storybook ending for the Bombers.
“I’m sure it meant a lot to him,” Girardi said of Posada’s hit. “This is a guy who’s been a great Yankee, had a wonderful career, and a lot of big hits in his time. Just to get another one to clinch the division has to mean a lot to him. We’ve gone through some difficult struggles at times, but I believe in Jorge.”
• Lost in all of the Posada madness was the combined pitching performance out of CC Sabathia, David Roberston and Soriano. CC gave the Yankees 7 1/3 strong innings, allowing two runs while striking out six. He gave up the game-tying homer to Sean Rodriguez in the seventh, but Girardi still brought him out for the eighth. CC loaded the bases in the eighth with one out, prompting Girardi to bring in Robertson. He ended up throwing a whopping 127 pitches. “I felt good, but I know Joe told me that our ultimate goal is to try and win a championship,” Sabathia said. “He went to Robertson, and if there’s a guy who you want to have the ball with the bases loaded, it’s him. He’s been unbelievable.”
• Houdini, as many of his teammates refer to him, aka Robertson got the job done again — as he has so many times this season. One pitch, double play, inning over. “I’m out there and I’m really stressed out trying to figure out a way to get out of it, and tonight was the quickest one that I’ve had in along time,” Robertson said. “I just do everything that I can to try and help this team win ball games. It doesn’t matter how. When Joe puts me in, I’m just trying to get outs.”
• Here’s some highlights from the bottom of the eighth, leading up to Posada’s big hit. Girardi really pressed all of the right buttons in this inning. Nick Swisher pinch-hit for Brett Gardner, and doubled to left-center. After Granderson flew out to right for the second out, Maddon brought in RHP Juan Cruz to flip Mark Teixeira around to the left side, where he has struggled immensely this season. Tex drew a walk, leading to another pitching change. Maddon brought in lefty Cesar Ramos to face Cano, before eventually deciding to walk him. One more pitching change, and then Posada took care of the rest.
• Girardi talked about the perception that the Yankees were the underdogs in the division this year to the Red Sox, and why that made this division title so much sweeter. “It’s not often that we’re considered the underdogs, but I understood with the moves that they had made,” he said. “Our season didn’t start off real good with the way that we played against them, and it seemed to turn a little bit when we went there on our last road trip. This group has a lot of pride, and this group has been through a lot.”
• On a team filled with older players who many felt were getting into the over-the-hill range, it really is incredible to think about how some players who no one expected anything out of have stepped up big. “Some of the veterans that we brought in to step into the rotation and help us out — whether it was Freddy or Bartolo — I think people had kind of written those guys off, and forgot that these guys have been successful and know how to pitch,” Girardi said. “They’re a big reason why we’re here.”
• I know that Girardi has taken a lot of heat for over-managing at times, and it’s difficult to find reasons to give him credit with such a star-studded roster, but this has probably been his best regular season managing job. He got the best out of both old and young players, and navigated through many untimely injuries. “I think Joe does an incredible job, and I don’t think he gets enough credit,” A-Rod said. “For me, he’s obviously the Manager of the Year. I was telling the guys earlier, we lost our seventh inning guy, our eighth inning guy, we lost our third baseman, our shortstop, we lost Phil Hughes, and overall he’s been the one constant.”
• I would be remiss to forget about the Orioles’ 6-4 comeback win over the Red Sox which made clinching the division possible for the Yankees tonight. After going down 4-1, Baltimore rallied behind two home runs from Mark Reynolds. Vladimir Guerrero broke a 4-4 tie with a two-run single in the eighth. Yankee fans can address their thank you notes to Buck Showalter. The Red Sox currently have a 2.5-game lead over the Rays for the wild card. They’ve lost seven of their last ten.
• A funny side-story on a personal note: I’m completely drenched in champagne. All of the reporters rushed into the clubhouse after the game, and it was a mad house. After taking some video of the players celebrating, I began to make my way to the press conference room to talk to Girardi. As I’m heading for the door, Cano comes up to me and yells, “Where are you going?”, promptly spraying champagne all over me. It was both exciting and somewhat awkward to try and ask Girardi questions while bubbly dripped down from my face. It’s been a long day, but it was a fun way to end it.
Associated Press photos
I LOVE A-Rod’s huge support of Girardi.
This team is so incredibly close and has so much fun together. It’s been such a special season to be a Yankees fan.
This has been an awesome summer and seeing Boston fans squirm his been priceless. Let’s try to keep to going!
Was great to see that hit by Po.
But please stop with the Girardi praise. He left CC in too long for him to get a personal achievement, he loaded the bases, and Robertson saved Girardi’s ass. Posada was an obvious call. Girardi is a mediocre manager with a very good team. That said, Maddon wasn’t very genius pulling Hellickson too early either.
Still a very nice day.
Anything to report from the enemy field?
Posada may have hit his way onto the post-season roster tonight.
Montero hasn’t exactly been tearing it up, 2 for his last 15 with 8 Ks.
This FakePeteGammons guy is hilarious:
FakePeteGammons Fake Peter Gammons
Mariano Rivera may have the saves record, but Craig Hansen & Manny Delcarmen were the 2 best RP’s I’ve ever seen. This is Peter Gammons.
FakePeteGammons Fake Peter Gammons
Don’t fear #Redsox Nation. If we miss playoffs, I’ll spend off season comparing Jason Middlebrooks to Mike Schmidt! This is Peter Gammons.
FakePeteGammons Fake Peter Gammons
Really think Theo is being unfairly criticized for Lackey & Crawford & Jenks & Cameron & Drew & Dice K & Millwood & Weiland & Bowden & Wheel
Hmm. Alex is such an astute student of the game. Yet, no mention of Montero being in Girardi’s doghouse in those comments.
jacksquat September 22nd, 2011 at 1:07 am
Was great to see that hit by Po.
But please stop with the Girardi praise. He left CC in too long for him to get a personal achievement, he loaded the bases, and Robertson saved Girardi’s ass. Posada was an obvious call. Girardi is a mediocre manager with a very good team. That said, Maddon wasn’t very genius pulling Hellickson too early either.
Still a very nice day.
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You’re totally misnamed. Add “I Don’t Know” to the front of your name.
Montero’s not in a doghouse. He’s a rookie with less than 50 ML at bats. That’s a tough spot for any rookie. Tampa pitchers throw a lot of change-ups. Montero is just now seeing what ML change-ups look like. He’ll figure it out. Not many players did just a whole lot off of Hellickson’s pitches. Posada did have one at bat off of Gomes…a grand slam.
Speaking of Javy Vazquez, he now has a 3.77 ERA on the season.
He has given up only ONE run in 22 innings in September. One!
_____________________________________________________
Javy’s hitting a steady 92-93 on his fastball these days. At least that was the radar when they showed him on ESPN during the Yankees rain delay.
He’s on the Aceves “leave the Yanks and gain 5 mph on your fastball” program. Of course, people make similar observations about Bartolo, so I’m not pointing a finger.
(Some) people think that Girardi has a personal problem with Montero catching right now. Something about being biased against offensive catchers. That’s the doghouse I’m referring to.
Saw it on the news, but Derek Lowe is the anti-Javy right now. Really stinking it up in September. ERA of 8+ this month.
All the Boston fans who gloated over “Steal of the Century” Aceves probably not loving him too much lately.
From Extra Bases:
“Beckett was finally pulled in the eighth inning. With the score tied, 4-4, he had put runners on second and third with one out. In came Alfredo Aceves, who was given specific instructions not to throw a strike to free-swinging Vladimir Guerrero.
He threw strike one and Guerrero, amazingly, took it. He threw another strike and Guerrero rifled it into center field, driving in two runs.”
Good Morning.
Yesterday had a kind of story book ending to it.
Hip hip Jorge !
And to the Man – D-Rob.
And thank you O’s.
One more thing left to do.
Beat the tar out of the BoSux so that they finish out of the money.
Oh and one other I forgot to mention.
Secure HFA.
Morning, all. Great night last night, sorry I couldn’t hang around to celebrate with you. Had to be up at 4 AM this morning. Hope Colon looks good today as we rest up for the Sox.
Mornin’ Tom.
Me too. Colon needs to show something today.
” (Some) people think that Girardi has a personal problem with Montero catching right now. Something about being biased against offensive catchers.”
He pinch hit one offensive catcher for another one.
MTU, in the previous thread, Trisha lamented that you and I and JAP, among others, weren’t around for the festivities. Nice of her.
Tom-
Trisha has a big heart. Very sweet of her. She’s good people.
I do not do game threads because of the insanity that has reigned there in the past.
I am tired and happy today!!
Great team effort yesterday all the way around. Can’t even complain about the rain delay, as it allowed the Yankees to win, rather than waiting for the sox to lose.
Good morning everyone.
What a great way to win the AL East title yesterday. Timely hitting against the best starting staff in the AL, great defense, superb relief pitching, a great effort by CC topped off by Posada’s 1st hit as a pinchitter-the gamewinning, pennant clinching hit!!
YT-
You said it daddy-O !
YT-
Nice to beat the annointed ones.
We knocked off the Sux.
Now how bout we pulverize the Phillies and put an end to their dreams ?
Last night was beautiful…..I was so happy for Posada in particular that I jumped up off the couch. I’ve said several times that I hoped Jorge had another moment in the sun at the stadium before the end of the year and the division clinching hit probably qualifies ……just a great job by the Yanks of taking care of business and getting things wrapped up……now they can line things up for October while Boston fights and claws to fend off Tampa and now the Angels.
I also agree about Girardi…..he can drive you nuts sometimes but he’s done a fantastic job this year overall IMO
Quick thing about Montero…..what you’re seeing now is exactly why so many wanted him up sooner……he came up and starters off hot…..then he’s gotten advanced scouting done on him and the league has adjusted…….problem is that now he’s running out of time to.adjust back…..
Congrats Yanks….
We owe Texas a beating too !
Blake-
When you jumped up off the couch did you hit the cieling ?
Congratulations to the 2011 American League East Division Champion New York Yankees.
It is only fitting that Jorge knocked in the pennant clinching runs after this season of turmoil for him.
And congratulations to the core group of true Yankees fans on this blog who understand that a baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint, and that the normal ups and downs of a season are not a true indication of the quality of the player OR the team.
Now let’s go get #28, guys…
MG-
I think we are witnessing the beginning of another dynasty time.
No other team can match our combination of experience, money, and Farm IMO.
MTU,
Almost
I’ve lost a step though
Hopefully the Yanks wont take their foot off the pedal just yet and they’ll swap the Sox.this weekend
Well they can’t really line things up because CC either has to go on short rest if he wants to start in game or he has to be skipped.
MTU, I hope you really don’t believe that, lol………..expecting a dynasty from any group of athletes is expecting way too much.
Texas and Detroit are tied now…..
Further comments from A-Rod in today’s NY Post:
“For me, he’s obviously the manager of the year,” Rodriguez said. “We lost our seventh-inning guy, we lost our eighth-inning guy. We lost our third baseman. We lost our shortstop. We lost Phil Hughes. And overall he’s been the one constant that floated over the water. He’s just been terrific.
“He does a fantastic job with our veteran players, communicating with us,” he added. “A lot of his great leadership things you guys will never know about. That’s what makes him so special.
“I think Joe does an incredible job and I don’t think he gets enough credit.”
Blake-
Ripping out Boston’s heart and destroying their hope for for a WC spot would be kinda like showin’ Pedro who his Daddy was.
And I love sticking it to Henry and Epstein because they have over inflated opinions of themselves and the Sux.
They are not the Yankees and never will be.
Betsy-
I’m not expecting anything.
I’m just saying we have the organization and the talent to make another run at it.
nice job by the Yanks this year…..
just me but if I could get a solid SP for JM I’m doing it…
According to Peter Gammons, the emergency meeting in Bahhstin has been held already and results are expected.
http://nomaas.org/2011/09/red-.....y-meeting/
Well as they say in France, MTU, chacon a son gout – to each his own, lol. I hope you’re right, but one day, one year at a time for me.
The day in pictures
http://www.daylife.com/topic/N.....tos/1/grid
I began to make my way to the press conference room to talk to Girardi. As I?m heading for the door, Cano comes up to me and yells, ?Where are you going??, promptly spraying champagne all over me.
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Love it.
AL East Champs!!! I’m so happy for Posada-that was incredible.
Betsy-
They also say, “Let the good times roll”.
Angels and Rays are tied are tied at 85-70. Angels play their final 3 at home against the Rangers, while the Indians play at Tiger stadium.
It might very well come down to the last series for all the teams vying for the WC, to find out who’s going to be the WC and who the Yankees will play at home next Friday.
MTU, yes they do……….so that’s what I’m going to do. No worries, no fretting – just enjoy the moment for now. This was sweet………
Alex having Girardi’s back like Girardi has the players backs but probably a bit of comparison bias involved.
YT-
Whoever the Yanks draw a few things need to happen :
1 CC, Colon, and Nova at a minumum need to be rock solid.
2 Our O has to produce.
3 Our BP has to be lights out.
Do that and it won’t matter who it is.
MTU, the SP scares me – it’s just not that good. CC has not been very strong for the last month or so and Colon has been mediocre. I think they are going to need to lean on their pen, and that means beyond Soriano, Robertson and Mo.
We’ll see about the O – they tend to be all or nothing, so IMO what they need is at least one guy to step up and carry them the way Alex did in 2009
Right now…..I think Cano and Grandy should be co-MVPs…….and Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Gonzo should finish in a 3 way tie for the COY award (choker of the year)
Sirens wailing this morning in beantown…..only reason they are stil in the playoffs is because of the Yanks.
Good morning all.
I read Boston fans booed their team off the field last night. I’ll be surprised if some heads don’t fly during the off season.
I’d play all the AAA players today, and next week in Tampa, and all the starters against the RS. If that added to the RS down fall, then I’d smile another smile.
MTU-
Colon can start by pitching well tonight and locking down #3 in playoffs.
CC will probably be going for #20 on 3 days rest on Sunday and have a reduced pitch count, to prepare him for game #1 ALDS. Hopefully the offense will give him a big lead so at least he comes out after the 5th, not pleading the 5th!
Garcia gets Boston on Friday and AJ on Saturday, unless Hughes is ready to go. If Hughes is healthy, all 3 are fighting for a playoff spot in the ALDS
Betsy-
I thought you were gonna enjoy the sweetness of the moment and not fret.
You do raise some valid concerns IMO. I’m hoping that some of what you said was caused by the 6 Man. It had it’s plus side and it minus side.
That is why I said that CC and Colon in particular need to pull it together. I believe they will.
The O has never really hit full stride this season. Now would be an excellent time.
I am not concerned about the Pen as long as our starters do their jobs.
YT-
Good line. Out in the 5th instead of pleading the 5th.
I always knew you were clever.
Al-
Elimination of Boston from post-season competition would be a baseball orgasm.
Blake-
If Girardi had his way, Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano would be co-MVPs of the American League.
“They’ve both had fabulous years, and I think they’re both deserving,” Girardi said. “It may come down to the last week.”
Granderson is hitting .271 with 41 homers, 119 RBIs, 133 runs, 24 stolen bases and a .945 OPS. Cano, who belted a game-winning two-run double in the Yankees’ 4-2 victory over the Rays in Game 1 yesterday, is hitting .305 with 26 homers, 115 RBIs, 100 runs scored and an .885 OPS.
Those numbers are after game#1 yesterday
the first 10 mins of last nights Red Sox post game Gammons was so upsey by the Sox loss he had a hard time speaking
Looks like Valdes is going to be given every opportunity now to lock down a spot as the 2nd lefty option out of the bullpen.
From same article in NY Post:
Girardi sounds intrigued with left-hander reliever Raul Valdes, something to remember as the playoff roster takes shape. The Yankees could use a second lefty in the bullpen to pair with Boone Logan. Valdes and Aaron Laffey also are contenders.
“He’s got a little funk to him,” Girardi said of Valdes after he threw 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in yesterday’s first game. “There’s something about his wind-up that looks like the ball just jumps at you.”
Girardi also said he intends to use the former Met more during the season’s final week.
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I want to add that he also struck out 3 batters in his appearance in game #1 yesterday.
Joeman-
That is because it it very hard not to when your foot is so far down your throat and your head is so far up your a*s.
YT-
“A little funk” ?
MTU -
The only player I feel sorry for in Boston is Carl Crawford. I like him as a ball player, and always thought he’d been a much better player with the Angels. He just doesn’t seem to be a fit with the RS. Theo signed players, but, he did not create a team, huge difference as to how Cashman put together the Yankees. Teams win championships, not players, IMO.
MTU-
” a little funk”
I’ll plead the 5th on that one!
GreenBeret7 September 22nd, 2011 at 1:50 am
jacksquat September 22nd, 2011 at 1:07 am
Was great to see that hit by Po.
But please stop with the Girardi praise. He left CC in too long for him to get a personal achievement, he loaded the bases, and Robertson saved Girardi’s ass. Posada was an obvious call. Girardi is a mediocre manager with a very good team. That said, Maddon wasn’t very genius pulling Hellickson too early either.
Still a very nice day.
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You’re totally misnamed. Add “I Don’t Know” to the front of your name.
—
Go tell that to your good buddy SJ44 who also doesn’t like Girardi.
MTU September 22nd, 2011 at 8:51 am
Joeman-
That is because it it very hard not to when your foot is so far down your throat and your head is so far up your a*s.
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Jim Rice tells it like it is….Sox are in trouble
Al-
The Sux remind me of the Yankees of a few years back.
Underperforming, overpriced contracts.
A decimated Farm system.
Limited options.
You’re right I think. Heads should and will roll.
When you are the annointed ones and you slide into the PS on your backside that ain’t very good.
Unless of course, you’re a Yankee fan watching it unfold.
MTU-
I’d like to see the photo again that JCPD posted yesterday of the longest suspension bridge in the world, in Arkansas, to see if any more RS fans are on it contemplating………………………
GB7, your 1:50 AM post, the ‘misnamed’ post, had me almost spitting out my coffee this morning.
Jacksquat, first, you set your own self up with your choice of name; second, that’s your defense? That someone else agrees with you about Girardi? Really?
As for our team, as others stated previously, what’s left is sorting out the starting rotation.
Go Yankees!
YT-
The Sux have been a total embarassment to their Fans.
They needed everything to go just right with their SP.
It didn’t and they’re left hold a sh*t sack because they lack our depth.
Nice planning Theo.
Let’s not forget, winning the east is just step one. We still need to win 3 series to capture #28. Perhaps the next annointed ones, the Phillies, will be the next team to fail,
New thread –>
New Post: Scenes from a celebration
Not a very exciting magic number photo but it is reality.
http://img.alibaba.com/wsphoto.....ipping.jpg
I squeezed a Billy Martin photo in last night before Jorge’s heroics but honestly this has been the quickest magic number countdown I can remember. It’s like they went into Fenway 3 weeks ago and just stole the Sox’ mojo.
We always say how the Yanks are rolling and then the Sox come in and win a series and BAM! , the team starts struggling. The Yanks totally flipped that on them.
A rest night for most regular players and a AAA lineup to face the Rays.
If the Rays happen to win it shouldn’t affect the HFA. The Angels are hanging on by a thread and meet up with Texas one more series next week.
Girardi is a hard guy to like–always with the spin, doesn’t like to be questioned by the media.
Good move to put Posada in last night after pissing all over him when not letting him catch
Mo’s record setting save–Girardi is not a bad manager but he is the ultimate company man!
I think Girardi left CC in there (a) because his pen was short from Game 1, (b) because he wanted to win Game 2 and clinch at least a tie for the division, and (c) because CC wanted to stay in and had been doing pretty well so far. CC can get plenty of rest now before Game 1 ALDS. He’s a pro and a warrior and can go to much higher pitch counts than other pitchers before wearing down — a real throwback.
Glad to see Posada ge that hit, and note that he has always done well with the bases loaded — for whatever reason it makes him a smarter hitter than in other situations. He’s contributed alot in his career. At the same time, let’s not go overboard — he’s never been a good defensive catcher and, even as an offensive player, he’s the fifth best hitting catcher in Yankee history — behind Dickey, Yogi, Elston, and Thurman. He’s never been a middle of the order hitter and he would not have played ahead of any of those others. And this year, I don’t think the Yanks would be where they are without Russell Martin — I hope they keep him around!
Ha, let’s not even consider Posada’s contributions from C as a switchy with power who made a good lineup one you could barely pitch to. Underrate his offense from that position much? Underrate the circular lineup much?
I’ll take Posada’s career .273/.374/.474 triple slash and his +6 WAR in two different seasons and 5.7, and +3′s in others, but let’s ignore the stats. SMH.
Oh, ad an addendum to earlier, love that Sori closed it out. *Everyone* contributed.
There’s a reason Posada never got to bat 3-4-5 — he was a streaky hitter who was erratic to put it kindly in terms of baseball smarts, especially on the basepaths. You may or may not remember Thurman Munson, but he was a killer clutch hitter with close to a .300 lifetime BA AND an excellent defensive catcher. He was an MVP, as was Howard (whose stats suffer from playing part time and from a late start to his career because he was black) and Yogi was a 3-time MVP who batted 3-4 with Mantle. Dickey is considered by many to be the greatest catcher of all time.
I don’t belittle Posada’s offensive contributions, but he sits behind all of those guys. I’d give him a 50-50 chance to make the ’61 Yankees ahead of John Blanchard.
As a catcher, he’s had public problems with alot of successful pitchers (El Duque, Randy Johnson, Mussina, Pettitte), not just Burnett. You have to weigh that as well against his offense. He NEVER blocked the plate — I’ve seen alot of runs score when they could have been stopped if he had been doing what a catcher is supposed to do.
Putting stats aside, if you watch games, notice how many hitters Russell Martin makes a fool out of. The best example was Adrian Gonzalez at the end of the last series at Fenway, but he did it several times earlier with the Red Sox during that series. There are times when you have the sense that he’s a step or two ahead of the hitter.