“Same as it’s been, just a few more people”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Apr 08, 2012 
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After two months in Tampa, I kind of feel like ended this day on a positive note. Thankfully, David Phelps can help with that.
After he’d gotten loose in the bullpen, been called into the game, thrown his warmup pitches on the mound and let Russell Martin take one practice throw to second base, Phelps walked to the back of the mound to get ready for his first big league appearance. It was Derek Jeter who stopped him and jogged over for a few quick words.
“Same as it’s been,” Jeter told him. “Just a few more people.”
Phelps major league debut was a short one – a strikeout and a groundball to second – but it was a good one. In a weekend full of negatives for the Yankees, Phelps provided a positive moment.
“This game is all about first impressions,” he said. “So you want to go out there and do the best you can, the first time out especially.”
Mission accomplished.
“The kid came in and threw strikes with all his pitches,” Joe Girardi said. “It’s not a situation he’s used to coming into, he’s used to being a starter and he came in and did a nice job.”
In the past three weeks – less than that, actually — Phelps has become a father for the first time, made his first big league roster and made his big league debut. His parents, brother, wife and newborn daughter were all in the stands today. His wife, Maria, is flying home to Pittsburgh tomorrow and would have missed his debut if it hadn’t happened tonight.
“They’ve been here all three days, hoping I’d pitch,” Phelps said. “I was really hoping I would get in these three games because she really didn’t want to miss it. To have it on Easter, you can’t ask for anything more.”
Associated Press photo
Good job Mission Impossible Man.
Keep it up.
Hooray for David Phelps ! ! !
Keep up the good work, glad his family got to see him put down the Rays and get out of the inning.
Howdy Mike, long pretty much of a boring off season huh ?
Glad it’s over and real Baseball is underway.
Im good. Is WCYF around? I always enjoyed his commentary.
Josh Norris ? @jnorris427
Charleston pitching this weekend: 27 innings pitched, 1 R, 6 H, 8 BB, 28 SO #Yankees
VY-
Yes indeed.
How are things up Your way ?
Good one Phelpsy!! I hope is the start of a long and very successful career!
yankees fem, i agree.
Lets just hope the yankees brass are serious bout trimming that 2014 payroll, then we will see the Minor leaguers get a nice shot at being the backbone of the team, not the bloated FA pickups.
GB-
I’m sorry your good buddy passed on.
I know you would have gone to a lot of games especially with as stacked as the River Dogs are this season.
Hope you can still find your way clear to seeing a few in person.
also I like the jeter quote.
tho I hope the quote after the game set in Baltibore isn’t ‘same as its been just a few less people’.
versonine April 8th, 2012 at 10:05 pm
Im good. Is WCYF around? I always enjoyed his commentary.
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Answered you on the last thread.
MTU April 8th, 2012 at 10:08 pm
GB-
I’m sorry your good buddy passed on.
I know you would have gone to a lot of games especially with as stacked as the River Dogs are this season.
Hope you can still find your way clear to seeing a few in person.
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Thanks, MTU
I’ll get there as soon as possible. This house restoration is eating up all of the pennies. It has to come before the fun. I’m getting there, though….just slowly.
MTU April 8th, 2012 at 10:06 pm
Spring is here after lots of rain in March. Been dealing with a very sick pup which has taken up lots of time.
Saw your latest batch of pix, excellent as always. Thanks for sharing.
I want a minimum of 2 out of 3 from the O’s.
And I don’t give a “shift” how they do it.
Just so they get ‘er done.
MTU,
I won’t settle for less than a sweep. We need to get back to 500 in a hurry.
Great piece, Chad! Thanks!
GO DAVID!!
GB-
I bet that boat ride was a real blast.
Glad to hear things are getting there on your home even slowly.
So sorry you had to go thru that.
VY-
I’m hope the pup will be OK. Mine have never been sick yet. That would probably scare me.
Can’t believe a grown Man could love 2 little dogs as much as do. It’s embarassing.
Glad you enjoyed the photos. My pleasure.
Congrats to Bubba Watson….well done.
I just watched the game….my fast forwarding got more and more accelerated as it went. I hated the game, hated the series, hate TB, hate Carlos Pena, Hate Matt Joyce….that’s all I really have to say.
Phelps looked good.
Luis-
Did anyone ever tell you you’re greedy ?
Also Buttholtz got rocked…..so theres that as a silver lining.
I thought Hughes looked ok….his stuff was good….he threw some good curveballs….some good cutters, and some good CU’s….he just couldn’t make pitch to Pena..,…Ibanez predicatedly probably cost him an out and a few pitches in the first….and the Yankees didn’t score any runs anyway…..I think he can build on that start….still night and day better than this time last year.
Blake-
Are the Sux off to another 0-6 start ?
Coupla’ more loses and Bobby V is gonna feel like he’s back with the Mutts.
Blake-
When are people gonna learn not to challenge Pena with FB’s ?
The guy is weak on on off speed stuff.
He loves turning around FB’s.
MTU,
I can’t make fun of Boston until the Yankees actually win a game
MTU April 8th, 2012 at 10:19 pm
GB-
I bet that boat ride was a real blast.
Glad to hear things are getting there on your home even slowly.
So sorry you had to go thru that.
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It was a lot of fun. A 25 foot cruiser up the coast was considerably cheaper and shorter ride than over the road. he was a good guy as were the rest of his family. he came from a family of 12 kids and had 5 of his own. His oldest brother was killed in VN at the age of 18, and three of the brothers were career military, all retired Command Sergeants Major. quite a family.
MTU April 8th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Luis-
Did anyone ever tell you you’re greedy ?
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GB-
Yeah. I’m sure it was really, really great.
Sorry you lost him.
I did a multi-day run up the Colorado in my friend’s boat. It was an absolute blast and we weren’t even headed to a ballgame.
Blake-
Let’s hope that’s tomorrow.
sounds like the Mitchells pitched very well down on the farm tonight……11 innings and zero runs between DJ and Bryan
Luis-
I’ll tell ya’ a little secret. It’s just between me and you.
I’m greedy too !
Please don’t tell anyone on the Blog.
I was right about how dumb Girardi was to start Ibanez in RF today, unfortunately, as Ibanez’s defense cost the Yanks a run.
I would not underestimate the Orioles if I were the Yankees. It’s a new season, the Os are off to a good start and they can do their part to ef up the Yanks chances of winning the division even by just winning one game (2-4 Yanks.)
Tampa Bay has drawn first blood and is one step closer to forcing the Yanks to start CC in the wildcard game thus start Game 3 of the ALDS after that if they advance to the ALDS.
By sweeping the Yanks this weekend, the Rays need to play only 7-8 ball against the Yanks the rest of the season to win the season series and secure the tiebreaker for the division title in case they finish with the same record as the Yanks. This also means the Yanks have to play 10-5 / .667 / 2 wins out of every 3 games ball to win the season series from the Rays and secure the tiebreaker for the division title in case they finish with the same record as the Rays. I just don’t see that happening with Shields/Price/Hellickson. That goes out to all you “it’s only the first three games” idiots.
This series was a very early eye-opener. Tampa Bay clearly has a better rotation than the Yanks, the best rotation in the AL, and quite possibly the best rotation in MLB. The Yanks need to do something to match up better than them. The Yankees need to acquire an ace, ace-like #2, or solid #2 starter if they want a prayer of a chance to win the World Series, and I think they will have to trade the so-called “Killer B”s and one from Hughes or Nova if not both to get one. I am sick of Cashman hording pitching prospects and trading chips and not landing a big man to complete/create a 1-2 punch with CC. You have to give up something to get something and the Yanks are not getting that something with midlevel prospects. Pineda is not that big man. He is not a #2, besides not being anything right now but a mistake until he returns healthy, stays healthy, and pitches somewhat like he did last season. Pettitte is not a #2 anymore. Kuroda was never a #2 and probably won’t be one this season.
All you “We can’t trade Banuelos and/or Betances” people can go @#$ yourselves. The ONLY Yankee prospects who have amounted to anything with other teams after being traded from the Yankees in the last quarter-century have been Doug Drabek and Al Leiter. I will include Ian Kennedy if he has another solid season this season, but that’s only two seasons. While Drabek was the ace for three straight Pirates division winners, he never was part of a World Series winner. Leiter was on only one World Series winner as a starter the year between Yankee World Series championship seasons, so the Yanks were not hurt by trading him for Jesse Barfield cuz they won a WS before and after Leiter won.
The Yanks would not be trading for Rick Rhoden (Drabek) or Jesse Barfield (Leiter) here, so put a fork in it with the Killer Bs being untouchable.
Hey. Here’s the good news.
The last time the Yankees started a season 0-3 they won 114 games.
I’d settle for a cool 100.
Yeah, just 159 more steps to go and the Yankees are toast.
Seems like this is the same story being told around the Boston campfires last year and every season since Babe Ruth built a House.
Correction: The Yanks need to do something to match up better WITH the Rays.
HUGHES, NOVA, BETANCES, BANUELOS FOR FELIX HERNANDEZ.
Sign Hamels in the offseason for three aces.
@#$% the 2014 payroll.
Worse, we have to trade the farm for another pitcher!
GB-
I still want to see us seriously kick some a*s real soon.
Baltimore would be a nice place to start.
MTU,
I wont tell anyone! Your secret is safe with me
MTU April 8th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
GB-
I still want to see us seriously kick some a*s real soon.
Baltimore would be a nice place to start.
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I only have concerns about the yankees if they get down 2 games with 1 to play. until then, it’s too early.
Thanks Luis.
For a minute I was afraid the secret would get out.
I don’t want to ruin my image as a magnamous Philanthropist who prefers giving to receiving.
Comprendo ?
GB-
I don’t have concerns at all but I just want to take out some of my frustrations on somebody.
And Baltimore just happens to be next.
Hope the Yankees feel the same.
MTU April 8th, 2012 at 10:51 pm
GB-
I don’t have concerns at all but I just want to take out some of my frustrations on somebody.
And Baltimore just happens to be next.
Hope the Yankees feel the same.
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You can always find a way to release the frustration. I always found that beitch slapping a cobra works wonders…..once.
luis April 8th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Worse, we have to trade the farm for another pitcher!
————————————
“The farm” huh? First off Hughes and Nova are already MLB pitchers thus not on the farm.
Second you have to give up something to get something – Banuelos and Betances are that something.
The Yanks should trade for Hernandez then sign Cole Hamels for a Sabathia/Hernandez/Hamels front three. Pettitte most likely returns to join that triumvarate if he has a good and enjoyable enough 2012. Who cares who the fifth starter is with that front four.
But you keep citing by the start stats for “The Killer Bs” and fantasizing about them being the next Shields-Price, Linececum-Cain etc. they will most likely never be BECAUSE HISTORY SHOWS IT.
GB-
Not one of your brighter moves I bet.
Alchohol and testosterone can make a young Man do some funny things. I think I’ll pass on that one.
Maybe Randy would be interested ? He likes a challenge.
Damned. Some people on here have been beaten senseless with a dumbass stick.
I was watching some of the Rangers game.
Glad to see they seem to have lost that stupid “Antler and Claws” thing.
That was some dumb sh*t.
Gave the animals a bad name.
MTU April 8th, 2012 at 10:57 pm
GB-
Not one of your brighter moves I bet.
Alchohol and testosterone can make a young Man do some funny things. I think I’ll pass on that one.
Maybe Randy would be interested ? He likes a challenge.
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all it takes to do that is quick reflexes, a large amount of anger and being stupid….all at the same time. Thing was about 6 feet long and fangs like a sabertoothed snake. Not sure who was more stunned..me or the snake.
Anywho.
It’s time to part company.
To dream of the better tomorrows.
Have a good evening.
Stay thirsty my friends.
Let’s start getting dangerous again.
MTU April 8th, 2012 at 10:59 pm
I was watching some of the Rangers game.
Glad to see they seem to have lost that stupid “Antler and Claws” thing.
That was some dumb sh*t.
Gave the animals a bad name.
————————————————————————————————————————-
teams that have to rely on gimmicks, don’t last long.
GB-
Next time try the music thing first.
It’s supposed to be easier that way.
MTU April 8th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
Anywho.
It’s time to part company.
To dream of the better tomorrows.
Have a good evening.
Stay thirsty my friends.
Let’s start getting dangerous again.
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Mosquitoes won’t bite true Yankee fans out of respect.
MTU April 8th, 2012 at 11:04 pm
GB-
Next time try the music thing first.
It’s supposed to be easier that way.
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A sure way for me to get bitten by anything is for me to sing or play anything but my banjo
“Mosquitoes won’t bite true Yankee fans out of respect.”
Your words are so heavy they would break a normal Man’s jaw.
Luis, I’m sorry, but we really disagree again. It’s completely moot because if Phil is not starting for this team in a couple of years, he will not be on the team – he won’t be a closer. However, it’s unfair to say he doesn’t have the mentality. How do you know Robertson has it until he actually closes games? As good of a year as Robertson had last year, Phil was tremendous in the pen in 2009 – until a late season collapse. He seemed awfully nasty to me in the pen last year in the playoffs.
Duh,
I understand your frustration. But giving up the B’s won’t solve our problem. Out of the B’s, DePaula, Pineda and Marshall we will have that elusive number two. Even Hughes or Nova may turn out to be that number two.
The pitching won’t be our problem….Our offense will. It is getting old, and those that are not old are swinging for the fences, not a good recipe for success.
Even if we could get Felix, i wouldn’t like the trade, because he has to many innings on that arm, he will start his decline way before he hits 30, if it hasn’t started already.
Then you have the new CBA, it makes it too prohibitive to go above the cap if you don’t restart the clock. They have to go below the cap in order to gain flexibility going forward.
And even if you could do it, you will end up with so many long term expensive contracts that you basically could end up like in the mid 00′s.
Also getting those types of prospects is going to be very hard to get because of the new way the draft is structured, and we no longer have the IFA to compensate.
We are in a transitional period whether we like it or not. We need to get younger, but not at the expense of our prospects. That would be self defeating. And our mayor concern is not the pitching side, is the offensive side we need to address. Unfortunately there aren’t many options to fix that problem.
Hughes closed games out in 09.
Jerkface, yes he did – just a few, but he did. My point was that it seems silly to say he doesn’t have the mentality for it. Well actually, until you have to close regularly, you don’t know if anyone has it. You have to have a short memory, for one – and you don’t know it until you do it.
“The at-bats have been consistent and pretty solid, swinging at strikes,” Alex Rodriguez said. “Everything they did worked out perfectly. Everything we did worked out imperfectly.”
“That’s a defense I’ve never seen before,” Nick Swisher said. “I don’t think anybody has ever seen that, especially to everybody. You’re talking about everybody from Curt to Al, Cano, Tex, myself. I can even think of a hard-hit ball Tex had last night, man, takes that run away. Curt hit two lasers up the middle yesterday and (Sean) Rodriguez was standing right behind second base. We can’t get frustrated because we’re not getting results because we are putting great at-bats together. We’re doing things the right way. We just haven’t picked up that first W yet.”
Said Mark Teixiera: “That’s why I like hitting home runs, because they can’t catch it when you hit home runs. You can score a lot of runs that way. But if you’re not hitting home runs, you’re at the mercy of the balls falling it. I thought we swung the bats well all weekend, we just didn’t have much to show for it.”
It’s sad that Prince Fielder is smarter than the middle of our lineup.
Betsy April 8th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Luis, I’m sorry, but we really disagree again. It’s completely moot because if Phil is not starting for this team in a couple of years, he will not be on the team – he won’t be a closer. However, it’s unfair to say he doesn’t have the mentality. How do you know Robertson has it until he actually closes games? As good of a year as Robertson had last year, Phil was tremendous in the pen in 2009 – until a late season collapse. He seemed awfully nasty to me in the pen last year in the playoffs.
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Hi Betsy
So we disagree. I honestly don’t think Phil has the mentality to close. Closing is a different trade. You could tell that Drob can do it by the way he performs when he gets in trouble. On the other hand, Phil doesn’t have the put away pitch that Drob has ( nasty CB ). I just don’t see it. But one thing we agree, if he ends up in the pen, he is not a Yankee when he hits free agency.
The story on Bryan Mitchell’s game.
http://www.milb.com/news/artic.....=news_milb
Got lost in a wrinkle in time!
Repost:
I feel bad fir Melancon. Aceves not so much. He’s said some bad blood kind of stuff. But Melancon didn’t ask to be traded to the Sox.
I like the blown saves, but as an ex-Yankee farmhand new to the team he’s being put in tough situations.
I know he had some success in Houston, but so far he’s batting zero in Boston. Might just have a Carl Crawford start to the season where everything is compounded.
Also, good job by Phelps.
You really want your closer putting himself in trouble all the time? I just remember Phil being lights out for most of his time in the pen in 2009 – not sure why he should be penalized for that, but oh well.
It’s sad that Prince Fielder is smarter than the middle of our lineup.
——————-
Amen, it’s called bat control.
Pena did the same thing in game 1.
How does prince fielder hitting a lazy ground ball off the end of his bat make him a genius, jacksquat?
Betsy April 8th, 2012 at 11:23 pm
You really want your closer putting himself in trouble all the time? I just remember Phil being lights out for most of his time in the pen in 2009 – not sure why he should be penalized for that, but oh well.
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Bets,
Drob does get in trouble. He needs to work on that. I am not penalizing him, i just don’t think that he has the mentality for that. Besides, i think he is more valuable on the rotation.
“We didn’t have much to show for it”, Well because you didn’t hit.
“we didn’t have a bad series”.
Let’s see:
Jeter: .231
Tex: .111
Martin: .000
Cano: .231
Grandy: .267
Swisher: .273
Arod: .300
BG: .287
Ibanez: .111
If that doesn’t qualify as bad, than I am not sure what does.
Luis, I’m not saying he should go in the pen. In fact, I think that would be a horrible waste. I have no idea if he has a long rope or not given that Andy is a lock and Pineda may be back. I just know that if I see one more article saying that he is a prime candidate to go in the pen, I’m going to scream, lol.
I hope you had a happy Easter!
Honestly, there were a few good at bats without good results, but there also were some pathetic at bats too. Overall, it’s nothing knew. This offense is what it is, streaky at best.
“This offense is what it is, streaky at best.”
Yep. And the solution is batting cleanup in Seattle right now.
I’m hope the pup will be OK. Mine have never been sick yet. That would probably scare me.
Can’t believe a grown Man could love 2 little dogs as much as do. It’s embarassing.
Glad you enjoyed the photos. My pleasure.
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Mike, very scary stuff, ingested some type of poison which couldn’t be pinpointed so they treated it symptomatically instead of specifically which makes it tougher, 4 days at the Pet Hospital. Recovery is 2 weeks to 2 months then it is what it is. She gets a bit better each day which is good, lots of TLC and home cooking by me to go with the meds.
Been watching the Betances outing on triple A. The kid has a nasty CB that he can throw for strikes or out of the zone at will. His FB looks very good, i wonder how is it going to look when hes is on.
Yanks78 April 8th, 2012 at 11:39 pm
“This offense is what it is, streaky at best.”
Yep. And the solution is batting cleanup in Seattle right now.
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Smoak is the answer?
Betsy April 8th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
Luis, I’m not saying he should go in the pen. In fact, I think that would be a horrible waste. I have no idea if he has a long rope or not given that Andy is a lock and Pineda may be back. I just know that if I see one more article saying that he is a prime candidate to go in the pen, I’m going to scream, lol.
I hope you had a happy Easter!
==============================
I did! i hope you had a good one as well
I don’t want him to be in the pen either. In the case of Pettitte coming up or Pineda, I think Garcia is the first casualty. Then you could start to worry, because the one that is pitching the worse out him and Nova will be demoted. 
How does prince fielder hitting a lazy ground ball off the end of his bat make him a genius, jacksquat?
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Because if you watch it, he purposefully goes with the pitch to hit to the completely vacated left side of the infield. He is looking that way the entire time. Pitch 1 and 2 were both away, and he gets a pitch up and away and goes oppo on purpose.
Duh Innings April 8th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Correction: The Yanks need to do something to match up better WITH the Rays.
HUGHES, NOVA, BETANCES, BANUELOS FOR FELIX HERNANDEZ.
Sign Hamels in the offseason for three aces.
@#$% the 2014 payroll.
————————–
Couple things
1. The Ms are not trading Felix to the Yankees
2. Felix doesn’t even want to be a Yankee.
Good night everyone
2014
Pick
Group A:
Nick Swisher (15 million)
Russell Martin (10 million)
Brett Gardner (7 million)
Group B:
Melky Cabrera (10 million)
Miguel Montero (10 million)
Adam Jones (12 million)
Those prices are off. Montero won’t be a 10 million dollar player if he keeps it up, neither will Melky.
Jerkface April 8th, 2012 at 11:45 pm
How does prince fielder hitting a lazy ground ball off the end of his bat make him a genius, jacksquat?
–
Because if you watch it, he purposefully goes with the pitch to hit to the completely vacated left side of the infield. He is looking that way the entire time. Pitch 1 and 2 were both away, and he gets a pitch up and away and goes oppo on purpose.
—
Yes, it’s called smart hitting.
From the Yankee players we get comments like the ones that were posted. A-Rod says (paraphrase) “I don’t care about shifts, I just like to grip it and rip it”, which is disappointing coming from a guy that is generally considered baseball smart. Tex says shifts are why he likes to hit homeruns. Tex is always commenting about just wanting to “hit it hard”.
Fortunately there is enough talent in the lineup they will probably still do well with that mentality.
Although if every team employed shifts as deftly as the Rays did, I wonder where the Yankees would end up.
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Because if you watch it, he purposefully goes with the pitch to hit to the completely vacated left side of the infield. He is looking that way the entire time. Pitch 1 and 2 were both away, and he gets a pitch up and away and goes oppo on purpose.
———-
Seems like a good idea instead of trying to yank every pitch
I don’t care about shifts, I just like to grip it and rip it
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WTF he’s not a Qb playing for Steve Spurrier.
The Yankees should be okay during the season, although the Rays look stronger than expected. Come the playoffs, with their approach, they’re in trouble. Any pitcher with a CU destroys the lineup, as in today, and most of last season. They feast on lower level pitching as in middle relief, if a good starter goes long, the results are not there.
My major beef with their approach to hitting is winning is secondary to personal stats. Today, men on second and third Swisher’s job is to get at least one run in. If you get a pitch to drive the ball great, otherwise even a sac fly is acceptable. His performance is not. It’s not only Swisher, the three others are as bad.
“Same as it’s been, just a few more people.”
What the heck does that mean?
“His performance is not. It’s not only Swisher, the three others are as bad.”
It’s basically what we saw in the postseason, and it was/has been their biggest problem, not pitching, not defense.
From the Yankee players we get comments like the ones that were posted. A-Rod says (paraphrase) “I don’t care about shifts, I just like to grip it and rip it”, which is disappointing coming from a guy that is generally considered baseball smart
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Instead of “paraphrasing”, post what he said, not what you thought he meant by it.
“The at-bats have been consistent and pretty solid, swinging at strikes,” Alex Rodriguez said. “Everything they did worked out perfectly. Everything we did worked out imperfectly.”
The paraphrase is from a quote chad posted after game 2 or 1, obviously not the exact quote in the same post.
Morning everyone…..is today the day the Yanks actually win a game?
Good Morning
Not necessarily a good day after a third straight loss, but it is a new day and beating the O’s to make Bucky Boy’s skin crawl would be sweet and get us on the right track.
I think Joe ought try Phelps in an Aceves like utility pitcher role….I think he could do it….I think he’s tough enough and has the pitches…..his curveball was nasty yesterday and if he’s gonna throw 92+ out of the pen then he can get some Ks and get guys out.
I thought Hughes was ok yesterday…..think he pitched better than his line and the long counts did him in. His CU looked good and the CB was better than its been all spring to me…..lefties continue to give him trouble though.
Can we all agree that Ibanez shouldn’t really ever play outfield? I just didn’t get him being out there yesterday at all
The Tigers are gonna be tough …..Fielder changes that offense……Miggy is their best hitter…..but now you have to pitch to him
Yankees 0-3 and the Mets 3-0…….you just can’t predict baseball Suszyn
Mornin’ Blake.
I’m ready for it.
VY-
Hope the pup gets better real soon.
Blake-
The Tigers look like they have the new Manny-Ortiz combo.
Maybe better.
That’s scary.
By the way, If Montero turns out anything like Cabrera I’m gonna puke.
MTU,
I think they might be better
I think Phelps has a lot of potential.
Thing I like most about him is his command of the strike zone.
Doesn’t walk a lot of guys. Doesn’t hurt himself.
The FB should play up even more out the pen.
The Yankees could use a few more Abreu/Matsui type hitters.
MTU,
I agree…so if they are gonna carry him id like to see them use him in a way where he can have value…..he seems pretty tough mentally to me….I think they could use him in a lotnof different spots.
Blake-
You might be right.
There are a going to be a lot of good offenses in the AL this year.
Rangers and Tigers look very strong offensively.
Here’s a little fact to lift spirits.
The last time the Yankee started the season 0-3 I believe was…….1998.
Blake-
I posted that last evening.
That is correct.
I’ll settle for an even 100 wins.
I see a little Mike Mussina in Phelps.
Especially if his velo continues to increase.
Here’s another for you. 21 of the 27 WS titles have begun wth the Yanks losing or getting swept in the season opening series.
Good morning.
Abreu is still available. I’m sure the Angels would eat a majority of his remaining 9M.
I didn’t see the Ibanez play live, but reviewed the tape. I think Swisher would have made a sliding catch on that ball 9 times out of 10, and Ibanez should NEVER be placed in the OF. I don’t care that he has 5 RBI’s already.
Little surprised at Teixeira comment about going for the homerun-sounds like he’s going to try and pull everything. He had zero homeruns last year from the left side out to LF. Giving up so soon on trying to hit the other way. Well Tex, enjoy the exaggerated shift.
“I see a little Mike Mussina in Phelps.”
Yea….stuff isn’t as good as Moose but he has some bulldog about him and he can throw strikes with all his pitches. I like him….have liked him.for awhile.
YT-
Not sure I want the current version of Abreu. Probably still gives ya’ a tough AB though. Some of the other skills may have fallen off. Haven’t followed him much since he left.
As far as Tex goes. I hope he got the memo. He needs to try and go the other way from the left side.
And he definitely needs to get that avg. up. Someone should give some of these guys a book on situational hitting.
“Can we all agree that Ibanez shouldn’t really ever play outfield? I just didn’t get him being out there yesterday at all”
blake-
i agree.
losing three games doesn’t freak me out.
but girardi over managing and trying to do too much doesn’t make me happy.
The Rays put the Yankees in the hole all 3 games by the end of the 1st inning and all 3 were potentially avoidable:
1st game, top of the 1st-Had Granderson bunted to 3rd against the shift, his speed would have left him on with Jeter on 2nd and both Cano and A-Rod had hits to follow. He hit into a DP.
2nd game-Nunez error on the 1st batter, Jennings, led to runs and Kuroda throwing about 20 more pitches if you count the numerous times he threw over to first.
3rd game-Ibanez misplay. Had it been caught, maybe the runner on 1st doesn’t score and better yet maybe doubled up.
I’d be surprised if the next few managers we face don’t deploy more shifts against the Yankees, until they show they can go the other way, without having to try for the 3 run homer!
MTU-
Abreu no longer hits for average or power- his remaining asset is speed. But he clobbered the Yankees last year for a 1.233 OPS in 27 ABs
YT-
I don’t give “shift” what they do !
I just want a win.
“The Tigers are gonna be tough …..Fielder changes that offense……Miggy is their best hitter…..but now you have to pitch to him”
big deal. what did mantle and maris ever win?
we all know “PITCHING WINS”
but seriously, there’s something about teams that have two monster hitters back to back. not just good hitters, but great hitters.
for example,the red sox haven’t been the same since manny and ortiz were at their peak.
the yankees don’t have it now. cano needs another player to team up with him. granderson could be that guy if he has another year like last year, but he’s got to do it twice to say last year was for real.
montero was the guy to team up with cano.
YT-
What I’d like is a somewhat younger version of Abreu, Matsui, or Damon.
Can you help us find one or two please ?
I think Hunter Pence is doing pretty well for the Phils.
Maybe we should have tried for him ? Seems like a pretty solid all-around ballplayer.
Randy-
Let’s send A-Rod to Dr. Purita, or Dr. Ponce deLeon so he can be that guy for a while longer.
“but seriously, there’s something about teams that have two monster hitters back to back. not just good hitters, but great hitters.”
I think it stresses pitchers out…..because they are all the time thinking about those two guys so they make mistakes to other hitters…..I agree….two great hitters back to back can almost make an offense.
Randy-
What qualifies as a monster hitter? 40 homerun potential or just great OPS or both?
Come on. Let’s not make Fielder out to be some hitting savant. He couldn’t do anything else but hit the ball to left field. The ball was off the outside corner of the plate, just like every pitch was.
What’s wrong with Cano followed by Alex ?
You telling me pitchers won’t fear Alex anymore if he gets it goin’ and stays healthy ?
“I think it stresses pitchers out…..because they are all the time thinking about those two guys so they make mistakes to other hitters…..I agree….two great hitters back to back can almost make an offense.”
blake-
as mtu said, if alex could get it back , the yanks woud have two, but i think alex is past the point of no return as far as being an offensive superstar.
granderson had an amazing season last year, but he flies so far under the radar that he’s not creating that tag team fear yet that gets in pitcher’s heads. it also doesn’t help if girardi separates cano and granderson.i think the hitters have to be back to back to create the fear.
Cubans in Miami are planning to boycott the Marlins because Ozzie was quoted in yesterday’s Sunday magazine as saying how he “loved and respected that ***** Castro.
Rodriguez has been on base 7 times in 14 plate appearances. 3 hits and 4 walks. He’s not washed up, yet. Perhaps if the others got on base in front of him, he might be able to knock them in….once he wakes up from his nap.
Isn’t it a little too soon to figure their all washouts? some of you are worse than Red Sox fans, or maybe you really are closet Red Sox fans after all.
Cano and Alex is a good combo if Alex can stay healthy…..the only other issue is that Alex is 37 years old.
I still think the Yanks are the best team in the division….
Still asking the question. What constitutes a monster hitter? If it’s 40 homerun potential with OPS >1.0 there aren’t many in the game today who can do that.
figure ***they’re*** all washouts
Randy-
I’m not sure Alex is past the point of no return just yet.
He seems to be moving a lot better so far this season. Sprayin’ the ball to all fields.
He may not be a complete monster anymore but I can see him putting up a .300/30hr season
with lot’s of ribbies.
And when he’s hot I think he can still carry a team.
We’ll see.
“You telling me pitchers won’t fear Alex anymore if he gets it goin’ and stays healthy ?”
mtu-
my father is 90 years old. he’s been watching the yankees closely since ruth and gehrig.
when he visits in the summer and we watch games, he gets up and takes bathroom breaks when alex is up with men in scoring position.
he doesn’t rag on alex. he just figures that’s a good time to make sure he doesn’t miss anything.
so while i think alex will be better, i don’t think he’ll be great again.
I agree, A-Rod is not the problem. His defense was terrific at 3rd on the concrete covered dirt infield. He stays healthy and he’s a richer Six Million Dollar Man!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071054/
“Still asking the question. What constitutes a monster hitter?”
I think OPS is probably the best indicator we have….. .950+ OPS guys are elite hitters for the most part. I think Cano is a bit of a special case because his OBP is usually strongly made up of batting average and……he’s basically a .950 OPS guy minus a few walks….he has everything else……..also I think abiktiy to hit both lefties and righties effectively is a requirement
I think Alex coukd still win an MVP if he can stay healthy…..that’s the key.
Pretty cool that the owner of the original General Lee from Dukes of Hazard now has a green jacket.
Last time. What constitutes a monster hitter? How many homers, what OPS?
I definitely don’t think Alex is past the point of no return. I think he’s not lost anything ability wise, but his health is a huge concern.
Randy, how can your dad be younger than you? I assume you meant your “son”, Livan.
Jeers-
The more I hear about Guillen the more I dislike him.
I always thought he needed to be fitted for a straight-jacket but now I see he also suffers from foot-in-mouth disease.
He probably loves Hugo too.
He is a shameless self-promoter who just loves throwing his own players under the bus.
Reminds me of Bobby V only w/o the brains, or any dignity.
A real buffoon.
“Rodriguez has been on base 7 times in 14 plate appearances. 3 hits and 4 walks. He’s not washed up, yet. Perhaps if the others got on base in front of him, he might be able to knock them in”
alex is not fielder or cabrera right now.
he could be really good again, but i think scary good is a thing of the past.
Thanks Blake. Do they need to have 40 homer potential? I’m trying to ask because I wonder if any team really has the equivalent of the M&M boys back to back in their lineup. Miguel Cabrera has 40 homerun potential, although his high was 39.
Throw out some names of current guys with 40 homerun potential combined with OPS > .950
Jose Bautista
Miguel Cabrera
Albert Pujols
Randy-
I respect your Dad a great deal and I hope he lives to be 100 but I think he needs to start changing the timing of his bathroom breaks this year.
At least I hope so.
Trader,
Most guys that can OPS. 950+ have 40 homer potential…..doesn’t mean they’ll hit 40 every year….but they could……usually hit 30 though.
“Randy, how can your dad be younger than you? I assume you meant your “son”, Livan.”
gb7-
what’s livan up to latey?
is he still pitching?
remember the good old days 4-5 years ago when i drove everyone crazy saying he was a really good bad pitcher?
i think he was my first big success of stress testing the blog.
i will always remember him fondly. without the lessons i learned from livan, i couldn’t push people over the edge with my prognostications. the trick is picking something that appears absolutely ridiculous on the surface and having everyone tell you how stupid you are.
then whammo, let em have it right between the eyes when the player comes through.
Blake-
Gerry “Bubba” Watson had probably one of the most spectacular saves from the pinestraw thru the trees, with a hook to get him to 25 feet from the pin on the 2nd playoff hole and a win at the Masters. And to top it all off, they reported that he doesn’t take lessons nor work with a coach!!
Randy-
Scary good is a matter of degrees IMO.
I think Alex can still be scary enough to put fear in a pitcher’s mind.
I doubt he has 40 hr. power any longer but he’s still a very complete hitter with very sound knowledge of the game.
IMO his skills have not diminished to the point where he is not considered dangerous.
Livan was snapped up immediately by the Braves the day he was put on Waivers.
Maybe Randys dad just had to pee because A-Rod hit .305 with RISP last year.
“And to top it all off, they reported that he doesn’t take lessons nor work with a coach!!”
Nope….Bubba is good out of the trees….when both guys hit poor tee shots I knew it was advantage Bubba.
“I respect your Dad a great deal and I hope he lives to be 100 but I think he needs to start changing the timing of his bathroom breaks this year.”
mtu-
if alex turns back the clock to his heyday again. i’ll have my father do that european treatment alex did.
i would do it , but i’m too young.
maybe we could try it on gb7. if he started “speeling” better than a fifth grader we’d know we were on to something.
Blake-
I don’t follow golf.
Isn’t there a golfer named Bob Watson ?
Are those 2 related ?
For interests sake. Who are the best current monster hitters at each position?
1B- Pujols
2B-Cano
SS-Tulowitski
3B-Cabrera
RF- Bautista
CF-Granderson
LF-?
C-Anybody
Randy-
I hope it works because the next step for Alex is to get him back to just the right Hollywood starlet.
After that I’m fresh out of ideas.
MTU-
Although they are not related, they are in one aspect-both Tom and Bubba Watson have won green jackets at the Masters.
“Nope….Bubba is good out of the trees….when both guys hit poor tee shots I knew it was advantage Bubba.”
oosthuizen’s ball bounced off a tree or something and bounced back in the fairway.
he had a straight forward 230 yard shot to the green.
that should have been an advantage. for him to leave it way short was a really bad shot.
but that’s what pressure does to you.
that’s why watching a gold playoff in a major is about as good as it gets in sports.
YT-
Next one to win will be an Englishman or a Scot named Holmes.
New Post—->
Have to go. Everyone have a great day. Will check back later.
Alex is already #14 in all time Yankee RBI’s even though he’s only been here for half of his career. And although I doubt he’ll crack the top 5, I’d say it’s safe to say that Randy’s father has missed a few runs scoring.
Can you name the top 20 all time RBI Yankees?
I got 16 out of 20 and I’m sure one of you guys can get em all.
Give it a shot here:
http://www.sporcle.com/games/o.....bi-leaders
“Livan was snapped up immediately by the Braves the day he was put on Waivers.”
he’s younger than jeter.
my prediction five years ago was he’d be still pitching when jeter retired.
hopefully jeter really pushes livan on that one.
randy l. April 9th, 2012 at 8:42 am
“Randy, how can your dad be younger than you? I assume you meant your “son”, Livan.”
gb7-
what’s livan up to latey?
is he still pitching?
remember the good old days 4-5 years ago when i drove everyone crazy saying he was a really good bad pitcher?
i think he was my first big success of stress testing the blog.
i will always remember him fondly. without the lessons i learned from livan, i couldn’t push people over the edge with my prognostications. the trick is picking something that appears absolutely ridiculous on the surface and having everyone tell you how stupid you are.
then whammo, let em have it right between the eyes when the player comes through.
————————————————————————————————————————-
LMAO. I came close to tracking you down and beating you into fertilizer. I’ll give your your due, though. You were finally able to run Pete off from here. If he had any hair on his head, he would have pulled it out.
plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose