Setup by Rivera, Monahan closes BBWAA dinner in style
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jan 22, 2012 
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At last night’s BBWAA New York chapter dinner, retired Yankees trainer Gene Monahan received the final award of the night. Honored for his longtime service to the game, Monahan was introduced by two different people: His close friend Kevin Harvick — a surprise guest — and his closer, Mariano Rivera. When he spoke, Monahan was as gracious as ever with a fitting sendoff. Here’s his acceptance speech, which started with a look toward the heavens and promise to his late friend George Steinbrenner.
“I promise Boss, I won’t talk too long.
‘I miss The Boss very much. Kevin, I don’t know what the hell you’re doing here, but I love you and I love your team and all that stuff. Mo, six years you’ve never worn a grey uniform in spring training. He’s never pitched a road game in spring. Every bus ride, he’s never there. He pitches his eight, ten innings and he’s ready to go. Season opens up, bingo, 42 saves every year. It’s crazy.”
“I have a couple of notes, but I don’t know if I’m going to be able to get through them. Obviously I respect and love all of these people. It’s going to be tough. I’ll start with my Mom and Dad, and my sisters and brothers, and my daughters Kelley and Amanda. The love of my life Liz, she’s at table 37 somewhere. We have a lot of families in our lives. Sometimes it’s immediate family, sometimes it’s extended family. My extended family is the Yankee family. It’s been my family since 1962. Once we got that all together with me and Mr. Steinbrenner, it took us three or four years before we finally figured each other out. He decided he loved me, and I knew I loved him. I loved his family, and I’ll always be there for you people no matter what, even though I’m done working. It’s time, you know? One member of my family, who has his own family, who is now my successor, is Steve Donohue, and he’s somewhere in this room. He’s the new head trainer for the Yankees, and he’s my brother and I love him very much. I told you this wasn’t going to be easy, so let me try to get through this, and I’ll try to be brief because I know the old man’s looking down at me and saying, ‘Get off the stage.’
“Some of you writers can go back to Bob Fishel, Dick Young, all them guys way back then. Those are the guys that taught me how to be and how to act along with our ownership and the organization. They really drove home that we have nothing but class here in New York, and that was the New York Yankees, and they all taught me one thing: The athletic trainer doesn’t give out any information. He doesn’t talk about player and all that stuff. That’s up to the front office, the Brian Cashmans, the ownership, the Mr. Steinbrenners and all that stuff. That wasn’t our department, and it had nothing to do with us. But I want to tell you something, all of those years, all of those 39 years I was here in New York, the city I love and I’ll cherish forever – I wept when I flew in her yesterday – and I will tell you one thing about you all writers, I know you’re out there all over this place. I’ll tell you right now, the last year and a half, with my personal stuff, the things that you showed me, gave to me, embellished my family and did for me, I will never, ever, ever forget. You were kind, supportive, and willing to support our organization, what I did for this team, and what it means to be a successful athletic trainer. And I’ll never forget that, and I appreciate it every much. I’ll never forget it.
“You know, we have a lot of changes in our lives. I just went through a big bunch of changes. Sometimes they’re good. Sometimes they’re not so good. What you have to do sometimes, you have to fight through it and make it right. Make it go. Make it important to you. Make it successful, because if you don’t, you go into a depression, you don’t do good. There were times when I wasn’t doing so good the last month or so, but I tell you right now, if you – no matter what it is that’s going on — you have something that you have to face and make changes for, and you find it in your will and your way to make it successful. If you wake up in the morning, maybe you’ve got a new puppy dog, maybe you’ve got a new car or truck, maybe you’ve got a new whatever, you fight through those things and you make them work for you. It’s all successful. We have to do what we have to do, no matter what our changes are.
“I will miss this game so much that is unbelievable. I entered this game in 1962. I knew who Don Newcombe was and is (Newcomb was at the dinner). I know who Don Zimmer was and is. I know all the people up and down the line. I was a young kid who grew up in Pittsburgh. My dad used do drive in his little ’41 Ford. We would see the lights of the stadium at Forbes Field, and I knew in my heart, some day, no matter where I grew up or where I’d be, I wanted to be somewhere involved with this game that I love and cherish so much. And somehow it worked out.
“The last thing I want to say is, and this is really important: When I was a youngster in high school, in 1960 or 1961… I read an article in a magazine called Sport Magazine. I think it was 1961. It was an article about Brooks Robinson, and Brooks Robinson said, ‘To be able to do what you do the best and love the most, that is the real definition of true happiness.’ So I cut that little piece out at the bottom of that article, and I put it in my wallet. I was a high school kid, and it stayed with me through all of my minor leagues, 10 years in the minor leagues. I went to the Major Leagues and all of a sudden, I guess it was worn out or whatever, but I’ll never forget it. ‘To be able to do what you do and love the most, that’s the definition of real success.’ I put a footnote to that a year and a half ago when I decided it was time for me – for whatever reason – I needed to do something else, I’ve got to make some changes.
“To be able to do what you do the best and love the most, and make a little bit of difference, that’s what happiness is really all about. Thank you all.”
beautiful
The Sux probably will be finishing fourth or worse.
Let’s talk about things that matter, shall we?
Am I selfish for wanting the longest tenured Yankee employee to stay?
Just won’t be the same.
#standingovation
Made me cry. It’s going to be odd not to have Geno with the team.
Monahan is about as classy as it gets.
Ah paisan!
That would be Joe Flacco.
Will miss Gene. Hope he enjoys his retirement with his friends and family.
Touchdown touchdown touchdown boys!
You make the touchdown, we’ll make the noise!
Ravens take the lead!!!
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???????????????????
Good God almighty, the good guys are winning!!!
Yankees I miss in no particular order: Randolph, Gator, Nettles, Rickey, Munson, Goose, Rags, Pettitte, Posada.
On another front, shortstop, David Eckstein, who didn’t play in 2011, says he hasn’t retired and would play again if the right situation arises. Have to think that Boston will be checking it out. If he goes to Boston, that would be the smallest DP combo on any league, including little league.
Not to defile this thread further with Pats talk, I’ll go back to the previous thread to make continue my, er, monologue.
LOL @GB!
Hard not to miss what effort that Dave Winfield and Jimmy Key put on the field every time out, too.
Bernie!
PittsburghYankeeFan January 22nd, 2012 at 11:23 am
“…So you hit 30 HR, but how does a 20% CS rate and 30 passed balls affect your team? We are about to have Seattle run that experiment, thank you…”
=============
As much as I LOVE defense (in ALL sports, hence my cheering for a Ravens/Niners SB
) this blogger provides some evidence that less than stellar catching MAY not affect as much as most would think…
http://tinyurl.com/8xfsy5r
Players in pinstripes that are missed are endless, from the old days to Mel Stottlemyre to Catfish Hunter to Roy White to Murcer and Mattingly. The all brought different things to the team including hustle and talent, but, mostly class.
LGY January 22nd, 2012 at 12:25 pm
“…If you are going to talk about Montero’s hitting prowess and his ability to hit for power please don’t compare him to guys approaching age 30 in AAA….”
============
Here’s some analysis comparing successful ML hitters who spent time in AAA before/during age 20 season…
http://tinyurl.com/876tt6v
This ^^^^^
Meant that for what GB said.
Yes, don’t know why I forgot Winnie and Key. Both were class acts and winners.
You know what, endless is right, because I’m remembering more and more.
GB7,
Bobby Richardson, Moose Skowron, Hank Bauer, and on, and on, and on. . .
Hell, I remember Enos Slaughter as a Yankee. No infielder was safe with him on the bases.
Hate Brady – regardless though – Giants or 49er defense will knock him around if he advances – and Hollywood Tom who throws five yards passes and lets his TEs and defacto RB/WR Welker do all the work will get smacked around. The same Tom Brady who gets the ball to the 25-30 yard line and let Vinatieri be the one to really win those SB with his leg. . . .
Poe just screamed from his grave.
Bronx,
Then said, “OK, where’s my brandy?”
Shake it off Rice. . . . .
Brady is one of the greatest QBs of all time.
Nice. I leave the thread not to defile Geno’s moment and Stoneburner does it anyway.
Okay, game on.
Game.
Unless there’s a miracle.
Hope the Giants absolutely eviscerate those cheating bast*rds.
Fall of the House of Flacco ?
JonHeymanCBS Jon Heyman
millwood deal is minor-league deal but has good chance to make team. wedge & p. coach carl willis were w/ “wood” in cleve
11 minutes ago
Cashman should have made Jack Z take AJ if he was getting Montero.
More like the Mask of the Blue Death.
If the Belicheats don’t fall today, they will in a few weeks.
It’s not over until it’s over.
Masque misspelled for obvious reasons.
Please Flacco – please
Yogisms in proper English lose some flavor.
Boy this is one hell of a game!
OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Flacco to Boldin – I am loving it – please do it Ravens
Oh gosh darn it
exiled, just for you. It ain’t over til it’s over. Better?
THAT”S A TOUCHDOWN<had possession!
Oh well. A FG ties it.
the booth is asleep
omfg
Insane
I don’t believe it!!!!!
F#@*K!
I feel sick. . . . .
Just a few minutes to the game that really matters today – go Giants!!!!
That’s why Mo makes the big bucks.
That’s Harbough’s fault for going for it on 4th & 6.
Oh wells.
Go Giants!
Those lucky cheating skunks.
Now the Giants better beat the holy crap out of them.
The Pats back into the superbowl. How sweet.
Poor Billy Cundiff. I’d hate to be him right now.
That was a touchdown. Lack of review is so bogus.
I expected a booth review and Baltimore with a win.
Unless the ball was moving in his hands beyond what we could see, that’s a TD.
Crock of —–
Flacco was great.
Damn!!
Robert Kraft is a pig.
I can’t believe they never showed that replay.
Looked like he had control to me before it was knocked out….shocked they didn’t review that. Anyway….Spring training almost here!
Poor play calling the whole game for Balt. OK I’m over it. GO GIANTS!!!!!
Should have used their last time out and not rushed the kick.
GO MARIO MANNINGHAM!!!!
He helped put me over the top last year when I played fantasy football. I’m counting on him again.
And before anyone makes comments about me asking very fundamental football questions and playing fantasy football, I played as a favor to a former lohud poster who was on a league where they needed another owner. I did a lot of studying and with some luck added in, I won the league!!!
GO GIANTS!!!!!!
Can’t wait ’til the Foxboro cheats aren’t playing on their own home field.
ne was stupid but balt stupider….call a timeout with the clock running down, he rushed that fg
why was brady throwing for a td with 7 mins left after they intercepted flaaco
almost had an immaculate interception when bmore intercepts in the end zone to no avail
Can’t stand to watch the postmortem.
Channel switch. Local weather is better than seeing the lucked out pigs gloat!
Let the Scott Norwood comparisons begin.
ESPN must be having wild sex right now with its interns. Nothing like a Boston-oriented win to get their juices flowing.
blake January 22nd, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Looked like he had control to me before it was knocked out….shocked they didn’t review that. Anyway….Spring training almost here!
///
I thought so. That stupid 2 minute rule cost Baltimore a rightful SB berth. What a travesty.
with 7mins left you run down the clock not throw for the td on 1st and 10, surprised at that call
love to see a rematch go jints!
Repost
Compass Rosy
It took a bit, but I got the link.
For the record, I loved the trade. It was fair, and addressed both teams needs. It is the rare ballsy trade in MLB where one team wasn’t trying to rip the other one off. I think both teams will benefit from it.
Let me paste the conclusion to Dr. D’s three part series:
“If Montero were going to be -10 runs in each aspect of the game, I think that Zduriencik and Cashman and Wynegar would not be telling us that he can catch. You can gingerly rule that out.
Pitchers are likely to be quite fond of Montero. He’s a humble, mature kid, coachable, self-effacing. You’re not talking about Ben Davis here. Montero is a lot closer to Tim Tebow, personality-wise, than he is to Michael Irvin. Or at least he’s closer to Edgar than to Ben Davis. ;- )”
The Yankees manager is a catcher. The Yankees bench coach is a catcher. They have probably one of the top farm systems for catching right now in the majors. The focus of the opinion on Butch Wynegar’s evaluation when there are a lot of other catching evaluators in the Yankee system is interesting, to say the least. In such a catching focused organization right now, of course catching defense will be considered very important, despite advanced sabermetrics.
I think Montero will be a passable catcher for some years, but I think the worries about defense, followed by the concerns with injuries with a frame as big as his (look at Mauer 1000 miles to your east in Minneapolis), slightly mitigate his enormous upside at the plate. Very similar to Pineda’s very high upside being slightly mitigated by the development of a change. That’s why it is a great trade.
I think Mike Piazza is an interesting comp to Montero, as do a lot of people.
I remain convinced that it was a good trade for both sides.
@ Mick they got greedy on 1st and 10
Repost 2
As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, all I can say is wow. Couldn’t happen to a nicer club.
This will rank up there with The Fumble. End of the game field goal strategy may change, just like end of the game formations changed after 1978.
Miss a 32 yarder to lose the AFC Championship? Has something like this ever happened? At least the Norwood field goal to lose the SB to the Giants was from 40-45 +, wasn’t it?
went for the surprise
That’s just a bungling of epic proportions. Wonder if Harbaugh complains about it in the post-game.
embarrassed to be a jets fan but GO GIANTS!!!
if the 49ers are wild and loose they will win.
I don’t care who wins as long as they end up kicking the Pats from here to China.
J Al, I’ve checked a few sites where people are also wondering why that catch wasn’t reviewed.
why didnt harbaugh call a TO the clock had a sec on it…it was rushed
ESPN=Exclusive Sox Patriots Network….lots of fist bumping going on in the studio..
im glad they won…bmore is a bore
The call would have been upheld. He didn’t have control.
Mason Williams a big Pats fan. Telling people to stop trying to tell him to root for the Giants. Says he will never root for the Giants. He needs a lot more seasoning in the minors i guess. LOL
“The call would have been upheld. He didn’t have control.”
may not have been enough evidence to overturn it….but it certainly looked like a catch and fumble to me
Clearly you people are placing blame on the wrong people. I blame Cashman, Girardi, Hal Steinbrenner, Phil Hughes and Alex Rodriguez equally. Their ancestors are to blame for The Great Flood and Krakatoa.
There was not enough to overturn.
I would have run on 3rd down, then used the timeout.
PittsburghYankeeFan January 22nd, 2012 at 6:26 pm
“…I remain convinced that it was a good trade for both sides….”
========================================
I remain hopeful that you are correct.
Kristin Chenoweth is no Steven Tyler!
THANK GOD!
Didn’t realize that the Gints colors were red and white. I should have gone for the Mask of the Red Death!!!!
Much better anthem in SF.
Compass,
you guys got a good ones both in Montero and Noesi….don’t know how much you saw Noesi throw but he’s got a chance to surprise some folks next year.
I hadn’t heard this….but Pineda in 2011 was the only rookie pitcher in MLB history who threw 150 inning and had a K/9 rate over 9 and a BB/9 rate under 3.
http://online.wsj.com/article/.....hare_tweet
Mason is from RI and his dad played for the Pats.
Kristin Chenoweth is no Steven Tyler!
————–
She has a winning Glee voice. He wouldn’t even make the first cut on Idol.
Undercover police officers in the stands in Giants gear looking for unruly Niners fans.
Lots of happy Redsocks fans tonight.
Oh well, they have two weeks to enjoy it before it comes crashing down — we hope.
21 Jump Street looks like a funny one.
Mason only needs to be loyal to the Yankees.
All Red Sox fans have is the Patriots
Blake-
Pineda’s 9.11 strikeouts/9 was the most by a rookie since 1955-Herb Score with the Indians.
“She has a winning Glee voice. He wouldn’t even make the first cut on Idol”
Apparently you missed my meaning. Unless you didn’t.
trisha – true pinstriped blue January 22nd, 2012 at 6:31 pm
J Al, I’ve checked a few sites where people are also wondering why that catch wasn’t reviewed.
///
Yeah, trish, that’s a catch. That’s just outrageous. They can’t leave reviews to the officials if they’re asleep. This was just too big a game to make such a colossal mistake.
They sent the wrong team to the Super Bowl.
Have to think getting stripped on the would be game winning touchdown and missing an easy FG has more to do with the Ravens loss than the officials.
Steven Tyler should have stopped singing and retired after his first audition tape. The only decent thing that he helped create was Liv.
What? No, that was a touchdown. He got stripped after the fact. He had possession. The officials didn’t do their job.
NFL referees may be the worst of all officials, and that’s saying a lot.
9ers are flying around…no giant mystique tonite…9ers in a blowout
“Dude looks like a lady” was OK though.
no catch…play was not finished
J. Alfred — Biggest money game with part time officials. Makes no sense at all. Get rid of the lawyers and college profs. and get full time refs.
GB7,
He can barely take credit for that! How could he he not see himself in her face?
Trader,
Its pretty rare to see a kid at 22 who throws that hard with command….that’s why barring injury I feel pretty good about him even if he can’t add a plus 3rd pitch (which he has plenty of time to do)…..he’s got a chance to be a stud
9ers to the supe…the better harbaugh will rock bostons world
exiled, agree. The renaissance ref is very played out.
chenowith sang an opera out there…tyler moved it along
My 3rd choice scenario would have had the two Harbaugh brothers in the Super Bowl. Probably would root for the West Coast brother.
Where the heck is Odds? I’ve mentioned Joba like 10 times and he hasn’t shown.
Odds?
Check in, will you?
The official tempo of the National Anthem is the military one: 128 beats per minute. Listen to any military band play the song, that’s the proper tempo. If she’d kept to that, she would be among the best anthem singers of the year.
brady was crap today by his own admission…he missed quite a few open guys
Kevin Harwick is a NASCAR driver, no? Geno loves his NASCAR. I wonder how they became friends.
And did Braun speak? Or was that another event?
slick ball will hurt the gmen tonite
Trisha-
I got your drift on Tyler.
Blake-
While I had high hopes for Montero as a Yankee, I’m ready to move on. Will Fielder sign this week?
blake ~
I look forward to cheering on Jesus and Hector as we work toward calling them our own.
But, I will miss Michael immensely…
as much for his character and the intangible benefit it brought as his talent talent on the mound.
Make a point to listen to the radio after a game (as opposed to watching the TV interview) and tell me if you agree you can “hear” his smile…
Trader,
I think so….its almost February and teams that are untreated should start getting serious. Nats or Dodgers please (if not Yankees).
Compass,
Ill do that ….Ill still be pulling for Montero even if he’s a Mariner (so long as they aren’t playing the Yanks)
I may have to watch mire Mariners games next year….they have a Tarheel and now Montero and Noesi.
What the hell is Coughlin doing?
Pass on third and one but go for it on fourth and one???
RUN ON THIRD AND INCHES!!!
‘Not looking good so far – GO GIANTS!!!
Compass, I watched an interview on Youtube, and I did right away sense his good nature.
Cano is our version of born with an inner smile.
Jesus, you’ll find is a bit contemplative. Must be all that time he spent in the desert
.
Joe Buck is so hard to listen to.
There are rumors out there the Dodgers might be looking to sign Fielder, but I think they’ll wait for new ownership and look to bring Hamels next offseason.
Trader,
They coukd do both. Kemp/Fielder ….Kershaw/Hamels. That would be kinda good.
Id like to know what the offers are that are out there for Prince now…..there have been very few leaks in that regard on this…..coukd that suggest the bids just aren’t where Boras wants them? If he doesn’t have close to Tex money in hand…..I wont be shocked if he decided to go short term and wait….Boras will push that if so I think.
If the Dodgers signed both might see a Dodger/Yankee WS next year.
Agents always leak offers when they are good to try and drive up prices…..the lack of that with Prince has me wondering what he actually has on the table.
blake ~
They actually have two Tarheels (Ackley and Seager).
)
I’ll look forward to hearing your cheers from afar for Dustin, Kyle, Hector and Jesus (when they aren’t playing the M’s of course
—-
J.AP ~
I can live with contemplative (since it could be used to describe ‘Gar as well)
Compass,
Hey that’s right……I forgot about Seager
There we go!!!
Nice drive for Eli.
The name Bear Pascoe sounds like it should be Paul Bunyan’s arch-enemy.
Checking in
Rosy, why did Seattle let Pineda jump a whopping 92 innings in the minors from 2009 to 2010?
J.P.P. being held on every play.
Against All Odds January 22nd, 2012 at 7:42 pm
Checking in
///
There you are! You were MIA for a couple of weeks, I think. Good to see you.
Ouch. 92 innings’ jump?
Well, Pineda pitched 171 in 2011, and was pretty healthy but still…
Rays only let their young pitchers increase their innings yearly at @20%, although Hellboy was around 34%, I believe.
Good to see you as well JAP. I’ve been here lurking posting here and there.
Rosy,
How is Pineda’s English?
Joba of course had a @50% increase from year 2007 to year 2008 and had to be shut down in early August. Can’t wait to see him back and healthy.
I get the feeling Pineda will be explosive and dominant, sort of Roger-esque. He’ll have those strike out 8-10 guys nights in the Stadium and then give up a a 3-run jack late to fall behind 3-2.
bronx jeers, from the article in the daily news that was linked to earlier today, it seems that his english is good enough. there was no mention of translation, though i could be mistaken in this.
in my experience, most international folks know a lot more english than they let on. may be wrong on this one, though.
Interesting SI story during the 2011 season on Pineda and some of the pitches he has been trying to incorporate. In the story it says that Pineda’s pitching coach insisted Pineda learn English, Jeers.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....index.html
For further comparison sakes – King Felix in his first taste of minor league baseball only pitched 69 IP – and then went up to 149 innings the next year – an increase of 80 innings and more than the Rays prescribed 20% – and he turned out okay. . . .
http://www.baseball-reference......obile=true
Against All Odds January 22nd, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Good to see you as well JAP. I’ve been here lurking posting here and there.
///
Must have missed those posts. I recall discussing the trade briefly with you. Pitchers and catchers just around the corner. You pumped? Not as psyched as I’ve been in past seasons, but baseball is baseball.
I get the feeling Pineda will be explosive and dominant, sort of Roger-esque. He’ll have those strike out 8-10 guys nights in the Stadium and then give up a a 3-run jack late to fall behind 3-2.
———————————————————————————————
And then we’ll cry over the loss of Montero as we watch the middle of our lineup go limp in the late innings.
Pineda and Mariners’ use Rosette Stone language program.
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/.....k/?print=1
“I’ll just keep it low,” says Pineda, switching to English briefly as he stands near the driveway of his home. “Keep it low and everything will be fine.”
yeah lefties in general are really bad at hitting low pitches especially when the pitcher tells them what he’s going to do.
LMAO, yankeefem.
The increases are curious though. Less laborious pitch counts are more relevant than innings pitched, but still very curious. What is Seattle’s philosophy in bringing along pitching prospects, Rosy?
Bronx, very like.
Pineda’s got a terrific arm, but it’s just the plight of RH power pitchers at the Stadium.
Atta boy, Eli.
Victor Cruz is like Chrebet, only faster. Local guy and all.
10-7.
eli manning is one heck of a football player, and the giants most valuable player this season.
and it wasn’t that many years ago when too many people were calling for him to be traded/released.
J. Alfred Prufrock January 22nd, 2012 at 7:57 pm
I get the feeling Pineda will be explosive and dominant, sort of Roger-esque. He’ll have those strike out 8-10 guys nights in the Stadium and then give up a a 3-run jack late to fall behind 3-2.
————————————————————————————————————————-
Wishful thinking so you can let everyone know that you told them so?
yankeefeminista January 22nd, 2012 at 7:56 pm
Joba of course had a @50% increase from year 2007 to year 2008 and had to be shut down in early August. Can’t wait to see him back and healthy.
///
I haven’t checked his tweets lately. Last, sounded like they’ll have to lasso him, he’s so hard on the comeback trail.
Joba_62 Joba Chamberlain
@
@brendaajean busy day! Now watching the #GMEN
22 minutes ago
————————————————————————————————————————-
Wishful thinking so you can let everyone know that you told them so?
///
Oh, yeah. That’d be me.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
YF ~
I believe MP had an injury in 2009 (his 2010 innings were about the same as 2008)
—
Bronx ~
It was a bit rough, but improving last season. He’s determined.
LOL, it’s hard to find a Joba tweet that is not about the NY Rangers.
Its Rosetta Stone.
More I hear about Pineda, more I like him.
Cruz is getting $450,000 as an undrafted free agent. Underpaid is putting it mildly.
Hernandez pitched winter ball his first year so it wasn’t an 80 inning jump.
GB7,
Do you ever come up to Augusta to watch the River Dogs play the Green Jackets? Let me know if you do, and I’ll meet you there. Nice little ballpark.
YF ~
As to overall philosophy…
I think they look at make-up as much as strength/talent – try to ensure the pitcher is emotionally ready as well as physically able to handle 150+ innings in the bigs….
(just don’t look at Brandon Morrow as an example of “how to do it”
. Alfred Prufrock January 22nd, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Against All Odds January 22nd, 2012 at 7:54 pm Good to see you as well JAP. I’ve been here lurking posting here and there. ///
Must have missed those posts. I recall discussing the trade briefly with you. Pitchers and catchers just around the corner. You pumped? Not as psyched as I’ve been in past seasons, but baseball is baseball.
————–
Yea I’m pumped it feels like forever since the season ended. You’re still upset about Montero being traded it’s going to go a long time for you to forgive Cashman which probably won’t happen. I understand why you feel the way you do
Odds, I expect you’re right. Probably won’t happen
.
But I am looking forward to MLB baseball and watching the kids in Trenton.
Thanks, Pitt. And it’s “it’s” not “its.” (returning the favor)
Malkin’s playing out of his mind, btw.
Odds, I am getting emails from my “rep” inviting me to Select-a-Ticket day. They think I’m displeased with my seats.
Rosy, thanks!
Rosy, I read some of those boards and those Ms fans turned on Morrow like they turned on Chamberlain here.
No, Pruf, it’s b/c they are getting killed on season ticket drops. Even breaking up long time full season seats into partials b/c people are dumping off because Yankees are putting their own seats on stubhub for less than STH are paying.
tomingeorgia January 22nd, 2012 at 8:18 pm
GB7,
Do you ever come up to Augusta to watch the River Dogs play the Green Jackets? Let me know if you do, and I’ll meet you there. Nice little ballpark.
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Tom, not too often, but, I’m trying to schedule some time to make that tri[.Finances will be tight this year with all of the remodeling and repairs on the house. I’ll let you know when I can make that run in plenty of time to coordinate a meet-up?
Blake,
when verlander was 23 how many plus pitches did he have and did he command all of them?
***some time to make that trip***
Per KGW-TV in Portland, Oregon coach Chip Kelly is close to a deal to coach the Buccaneers
Charleston’s definitely the Yanks milb team to see in 2012.
verlander had a change and a curve when he was 23 that he threw 20 percent each
J. Alfred Prufrock January 22nd, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Odds, I expect you’re right. Probably won’t happen
.
But I am looking forward to MLB baseball and watching the kids in Trenton.
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You still have the other kids to look forward too. You can definitely take some joy in that.
PittsburghYankeeFan January 22nd, 2012 at 8:17 pm
“…More I hear about Pineda, more I like him….”
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Someday, you’ll learn to take my word for it (at least where M’s / exM’s are concerned)
YF, yeah there are some pretty unhappy people getting d’d around by them. I have a friend who sits up in 300s.
They wouldn’t give him seats in the strike zone, where he’d sat for years across the street. They told him they couldn’t do it, so he got pushed out down the 3B line. He grudgingly accepted.
Well he told me the seats they said they couldn’t give him are now being used to sell partial plans. He’s not happy.
J. Alfred Prufrock January 22nd, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Odds, I am getting emails from my “rep” inviting me to Select-a-Ticket day. They think I’m displeased with my seats.
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Tell them you’re displeased with Cashman maybe he’ll call off the trade there is still time.
You still have the other kids to look forward too. You can definitely take some joy in that.
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Thanks, Odds. Sure I can, but the way things are going, I’m going to have a whole lot of ex-Yankees to root for
GB7,
I’d be happy to put you up for a couple of days. I do run an inn, after all. Plenty of room for you.
Benny,
Verlander was 23 during his first full season….back then he was pretty much a 3 pitch guy and he threw fastball about 2/3 of the time and pretty much split the other 1/3 between curveball and CU. If you look at his percentages today…basically he’s just added a slider that he throws 8-10% of the time while keeping his CB and CU percentages about the same.
He’s always had plus pitches…but recently he’s started to command them and has started pitching more and not trying to throw the ball by everyone.
He may have the best pure arm since Nolan Ryan….but at age 23 he had a 1.328 WHIP and was kinda that guy until he was 26 or so.
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Tell them you’re displeased with Cashman maybe he’ll call off the trade there is still time.
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LOL. I’ll tell them, put Joba back in the rotation and I’ll think about renewing (buying a new plan; I’m sure my seats will be or are already, gone).
Count me among the ever-growing legion of former season ticket holders. It wasn’t an act of protest, just tired of wasting money on crap seats.
Still, I get the sense that stubhub won’t be the buyers market it’s been this coming season.
Prufrock
How long did you have those season tickets for?
tomingeorgia January 22nd, 2012 at 8:38 pm
GB7,
I’d be happy to put you up for a couple of days. I do run an inn, after all. Plenty of room for you.
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Thanks, Tom. How far away are you from Augusta? Will the Little Lady trust you enough to be out of her sight long enough to go to a game?
LGY, they’ve been in the family since the early 70s. We used to have more but we downsized in the 90s.
as great as Verlander’s stuff is ….for their first full seasons…Pineda struck out about 3 more per 9 while walking about the same number per 9…gave up less homers, and gave up about 50 less hits
GB7,
About 40 miles from Lake Olmsted Park, and she’d be glad to get rid of me for a couple of games.
J. Alfred Prufrock January 22nd, 2012 at 8:38 pm
You still have the other kids to look forward too. You can definitely take some joy in that.
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Thanks, Odds. Sure I can, but the way things are going, I’m going to have a whole lot of ex-Yankees to root for
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That’s the nature of the beast unfortunately. I would have loved to see Jesus mash for the Bombers.
Uh oh.
J. Alfred Prufrock January 22nd, 2012 at 8:39 pm
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Tell them you’re displeased with Cashman maybe he’ll call off the trade there is still time.
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LOL. I’ll tell them, put Joba back in the rotation and I’ll think about renewing (buying a new plan; I’m sure my seats will be or are already, gone).
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The minute you mention Joba and rotation Cash will break out in hives.
Blake, but verlander put up a 120 era+, was pitching in a different era at a time when the al central had more than a few strong teams.
Odds, they can’t trade everybody, I guess.
The hope is with Rothschild intercepting the pitching prospects now instead of Eiland, there will be more successes, especially as people need to recognize or learn, the development continues in the majors as well.
Jeers, Stubhub will still be a buyer’s market for at least the foreseeable future. Esp with the surplus in the market place, and the myriad Sat. and Sunday night games. Add in the early cold weather and the ever present rain these days. Tix just aren’t as hard to get as they used to be. Who would have thunk you could get seats behind the plate at a discount on a 9 game plan even. Never could before. It’ll be interesting to see what Yanks come up with in terms of new marketing approaches/perks b/c right now multitudes are dropping seasons.
Odds, I’ve sat near him at AA games and have been tempted to just casually ask about that (he’s a different guy down there) but I’d rather just “overhear” conversations within earshot.
J.AP ~
re: Morrow
You’ll have to excuse M’s fans when it comes to Morrow…
They have never forgiven Bavasi for taking Morrow over “hometown Timmy” (Lincecum). Couple that with how he was handled (anointed closer with very little time in the minors) and how he himself was wishy-washy with where he felt comfortable (starting/closing)…
http://tinyurl.com/3rsx2pd
it was basically a nightmare.
tomingeorgia January 22nd, 2012 at 8:45 pm
GB7,
About 40 miles from Lake Olmsted Park, and she’d be glad to get rid of me for a couple of games.
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That’s not a bad drive, Tom. I used to have to go to Gordon for school and had friends in Elberton that I’d go see. Would go to Royston and to the Cobb Museum and stuff. Really strange that so little is dedicated to him. Nice museum, though. It was about 10 years ago that I found out that old Yankees pitcher, Spurgepn (Spud) Chandler was from Royston.
Pruf, similarly I know people who were long time holders who went from 46 game plans in OYS to 41 plans in NYS, also got shoved out to right field, and then lost Opening Day, and then 50% of their playoff games. Now they have dumped their plans for stubhub or have moved to 20 game partials with far better seats than that whole relocation travesty. I really love the new stadium in its way, but aura and mystique was left across the street. It is what it is.
*were* left
J. Alfred Prufrock January 22nd, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Odds, I’ve sat near him at AA games and have been tempted to just casually ask about that (he’s a different guy down there) but I’d rather just “overhear” conversations within earshot.
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That’s the best way to play it my friend.
“as great as Verlander’s stuff is ….for their first full seasons…Pineda struck out about 3 more per 9 while walking about the same number per 9…gave up less homers, and gave up about 50 less hits.”
If doesn’t get you excited about pineda’s potential, I dont know what else will.
JF,
yea true….just saying that Pineda struck out more and gave up quite a bit fewer hits in his first full season….some of that is due to the run scoring environment I’m sure….but either way we are talking about comparing him to one of the best pitchers in baseball at a similar age.
Verlander FIP in 2006 was 4.35 and xFIP 4.42. Pineda’s last year was 3.42 and 3.53….Verlander didn’t beat those numbers until 2009.
new post ->
CompassRosy January 22nd, 2012 at 8:53 pm
J.AP ~
re: Morrow
You’ll have to excuse M’s fans when it comes to Morrow…
They have never forgiven Bavasi for taking Morrow over “hometown Timmy” (Lincecum). Couple that with how he was handled (anointed closer with very little time in the minors) and how he himself was wishy-washy with where he felt comfortable (starting/closing)…
http://tinyurl.com/3rsx2pd
it was basically a nightmare.
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What a neat blog, Compass! Kudos! I’ve got you bookmarked now
. Listen, these things are in-house, “in-family” type stuff. I understand that. Despite missing out on Timmy, your pitching future is looking bright, I’d say.
GB7,
C’mon up to see us. I know all those places. Royston’s practically a ghost town, and Elberton’s struggling, too. Bad times here in East Nowhere, Georgia.
Against All Odds January 22nd, 2012 at 8:57 pm
J. Alfred Prufrock January 22nd, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Odds, I’ve sat near him at AA games and have been tempted to just casually ask about that (he’s a different guy down there) but I’d rather just “overhear” conversations within earshot.
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That’s the best way to play it my friend.
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Yeah and I keep it under my hat, for the most part. You never know what motivates a comment.
What I found amusing though, was how scouts trash MoneyBall.
tomingeorgia January 22nd, 2012 at 9:01 pm
GB7,
C’mon up to see us. I know all those places. Royston’s practically a ghost town, and Elberton’s struggling, too. Bad times here in East Nowhere, Georgia.
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Elberton existed for the granite cutters, I guess. Never was a lot there.
Jeers, Stubhub will still be a buyer’s market for at least the foreseeable future
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I hope that’s the case because we were sort of banking on it when we decided not to renew. We were paying the yanks 50$ for seats that were consistently selling for 10$ and under. And I hated the seats.
I really think the Yankee brass needs to go to other parks and experience for themselves what it is like for the average fan. IMO the fan experience at Yankee stadium has gotta be near the very bottom of the league.
J. Alfred Prufrock January 22nd, 2012 at 9:03 pm
Against All Odds January 22nd, 2012 at 8:57 pm
J. Alfred Prufrock January 22nd, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Odds, I’ve sat near him at AA games and have been tempted to just casually ask about that (he’s a different guy down there) but I’d rather just “overhear” conversations within earshot.
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That’s the best way to play it my friend.
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Yeah and I keep it under my hat, for the most part. You never know what motivates a comment.
What I found amusing though, was how scouts trash MoneyBall.
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What type of things do they say?
Play of the game right there!