Quick notes: Jeter, Rodriguez, Saunders
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes on Oct 11, 2012 
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A few very quick updates.
• Derek Jeter is considering day-to-day after fouling a ball off his foot. Joe Girardi would not commit to whether Jeter will play tomorrow. This is not the same ankle bone bruise, this is a new one on the top of his foot.
• Alex Rodriguez said he doesn’t think he’d been legitimately pinch hit for since “maybe high school.” I’m sure his pride is a little bit wounded, but in his postgame interview, Rodriguez could not have handled the situation any better. He said he understood Girardi’s decision and wasn’t upset by it. He said he will come to the park tomorrow fully expecting to play.
• The lefty Joe Saunders is starting for the Orioles tonight, which means Rodriguez will almost certainly be in the lineup, and could be batting third again.
• Several players not named Raul Ibanez said this was the best baseball moment of their careers. Imagine how Ibanez must feel right now.
Yahoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s good that Jeter didn’t break anything but an additional bone bruise is brutal. Played on it all night and hit a huge RBI triple. He’s a legend.
Rauuuuuuuuuuuuuuul
Alex does not lack grace. Derek dh tomorrow.
Tomorrow they must pound Saunders. Don’t let the orioles even think about winning tomorrow. I want to see a dozen runs scored tomorrow.
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen anything like that before. I guess it’s never happened before, so there’s that. Reminiscent of the BH Kim games, and kind of just as crazy.
Raul is unreal. What a beast. Such a likeable guy, too.
Wow. I am still out of breath.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to see some pretty amazing things at Yankee Stadium old & new.
2001, even though we lost the series, was probably 3 of the greatest Yankees moments any fan can ever witness for many reasons.
What happened tonight ranks right up there with those. While it didn’t have the drama of being in the shadow of 9/11 and what the fans were feeling those nights in 2001, this was perhaps one of the most shocking comeback wins we’ll ever see.
You saw a manager who lived by the binder finally put it away and go with his gut.
That’s not a small admission by that man. We’ve lived with him and his style since 2008 and I don’t think I can remember a moment when he flew in the face of his own convention like he did tonight.
He took a player whose ego he was carefully massaging and gave the shot to the player almost all of us were clamoring for to start as DH.
Ibanez is reminding me of Jorge from last year. There’s a thing that happens when they won’t be allowed to be defeated in these situations. Jorge was doing that last year, Raul is doing it now.
To see a manager finally go with his gut in a game where the rest of the offense predictably went to sleep was one of the greatest things to witness because it was completely out of character.
I’m hoping that tonight’s events are a sign of a new Girardi. A Girardi that can feel what’s happening with the team and game in the moment and isn’t solely relying on the binder.
The manager who made that move in the 9th tonight is a manager I can finally be proud of. It’s not just giving him platitudes for bullpen management.
It’s giving him a standing O for having the stones so many of us prayed he would in that situation.
Great win. Legendary win, in fact.
What a night.
Arod will be fine, to his credit he gave Raul a big hug in the dugout. He’ll be right back in there tomorrow vs the lhp with a better chance.
Drew probably cost the a’s a run. Would have been a man on second with no outs. A’s better pull that magic out of their hat. only 7 outs to go…
Actually, Binder says both Ibanez and Chavez are better options vs a rhp at YS. Joe just finally had the stones to not go with Arod anyway.
DH Jeter play Arod at 3rd, and sit Granderson
I will ask again…
Where would the Yanks be without their old, ex-M’s?
Is there an ALDS MVP? If so, methinks his name has 7 U’s
I think the Girardi handled the ego issue as well as he possibly could have, and I salute him for that. I also think Arod handled it like a grownup.
But you can’t let the whole team down because of worrying about someone’s ego.
Which is more important: A-Rod’s feelings or the team’s winning? Rodriguez is definitely past his prime and he has been performing at sub-par levels even for a mediocre player. Ibanez has come through more often in clutch situations. So have several others on the team. The one player I would least like to see at bat when it really counts is A-Rod, because he is almost certain to disappoint. He should warm the bench for the rest of this series.
the offense is still a big problem
Glad a good representation of LoHudders were in the ballpark for this fantastic win.
Tar, I was never with the kommisars, you misunderstood me!
ADud continues to blow and girardi continues to use his pokemon binder to justify hitting him 3rd. yankees won in spite of of both these jokers
Not good…
——————
HaleMark: Same foot, different spot for Jeter. Had an x-ray. Wouldn’t reveal the result.
nick – your laptop lives to see another day!
HOPEFUlly bats show up tomorrow err today
I just got back from the game. I cannot believe what I saw in person. I have no voice. I cannot believe it. I have a permanent smile.
For one night, you can’t knock Girardi.
He literally went against himself and made the move that won the game.
I hated his lineup because I wanted Raul and Chavez in it over either Arod or Swisher.
He could’ve handed this win to Baltimore but instead found the gumption to make a difficult move that if they lost would’ve blown up in his face.
In my eyes, the man became human tonight. It was amazing to see.
Granderson does look like he’s swinging at a wiffle ball in a tornado. Hard to sit him in YS though.
How many times ibanez would need to save girardi before he gets the nod to play everyday. Ibanez should have been playing instead of chavez bec. he is batting great lately. Anyway, he should be there tomorrow hopefully as the dh if jeter can play the field.
DanBarbarisi Nick Swisher could be heard from the shower yelling “EXCITEMENT OVERLOADDDDD!!!!”
Yankeesource?@YankeeSource
If Joe Saunders is pitching tomorrow, starting Ibanez as DH would be a good move. Career vs. Saunders: 8 for 23 (.348), 2B, 2HR, 6RBI
Hey, I didn’t catch all the game (just in time for the walk-off), but some perspective. Ichiro, Tex, and Cano didn’t have hits either tonight. It’s not all about A-Rod.
Great night for Raul
This town rocks. The throw-back vet signed low priority on a paltry salary pinch hits in the bottom of the ninth in place of the Alex Rodriguez and endears himself to fans with 2 swings of the bat. Raul became immortalized in the flash of a camera. Alex has been striving to make the imprint of a Yankee legend for nearly a decade now.
Baseball can be brutal in NY. The fans go with their gut. The numbers fly out the door. It’s a whirlwind of triumph and tragedy. The most lasting memories are made in the shortest of time.
This moment is a capstone on Ibanez’ career and a heart-breaking reminder to Arod that he may never reach that glorious place.
JM October 11th, 2012 at 12:15 am
DanBarbarisi Nick Swisher could be heard from the shower yelling “EXCITEMENT OVERLOADDDDD!!!!”
———————————————–
As much as I’m annoyed with him right now, that is pretty funny. Have to win 1 more though.
Bret-
A-Rod had quite a few huge homers in 2009. I think it is the weight of his contract and expectations that will never allow him to reach “that glorious place”. Fans expect something from him that he never will be again. People rip on him because he makes 30 million and isn’t worth it (but really who is?). He was integral in 1 World Series championship.
Granderson does look like he’s swinging at a wiffle ball in a tornado.
——————–
So accurate.
Here are the prediction chart updates. I’ll do the A’s later tonight or tomorrow.
REDS V GIANTS
NATS V CARDS
Reminded me of 2001 when I was in the left field bleachers for game 4 of the ALCS vs Seattle and Bernie tied it up and Soriano won it.
New York Yankees?@Yankees
“Being a part of something like this, this team, and all the legends that have come before you is an extraordinary feeling.” – Raul Ibanez
Take either swisher or Granderson out of the lineup tomorrow
BobbyJones October 11th, 2012 at 12:35 am
Take either swisher or Granderson out of the lineup tomorrow
——–
Swisher had one more hit than either Ichiro or Cano…
Tyler,
I truly feel this chapter is very much a part of the fabric of Arod’s Yankees tenure and a part of the tragedy that has kind of shadowed his superficial successes in the game. The HR chase was supposed to be the hallmark of his career, yet the steroid abuse diluted that. He downplayed the value of Derek Jeter before he began his career and now that he’s nearing the end, Jeter is looking like every bit the legend Alex wished he would become in joining the team. Alex’s story is very much about short-lived celebration and lingering letdowns. He has had his moments, but so have many players, like Matsui who with the 2009 WSMVP award, overshadowed Arod’s most memorable playoff series. Alex Rodriguez is never going to be a Yankee legend and when he was a young ballplayer, he failed to recognize just how special Derek Jeter is to the game, to the Yankees and to the fans. I think Alex sees it now though and the letdown must feel so crushing. When you’re an athlete, you have to compare yourself to your peers. Arod’s is truly a sad story being written.
…and this is why Girardi is a mad genius and we merely fans on a roller coaster.
Thud go the A’s.
“Swisher had one more hit than either Ichiro or Cano…”
Ichrio provides speed and good defense. Cano plays 2B. Swisher is just a scrub in the postseason, he is 1-33 with RISP and the one hit didnt even score a run
New York Yankees?@Yankees
“Watching Jeter grind through that was inspiring. He is one of the greatest players ever. He’s got the heart of a lion.” – Ibanez on Jeter
If Jeter has to DH tmw, where does Raul fit in?
Maybe he’s just more valuable on the bench.
Bret–
Sad but well said. And, he has probably become a good guy if he wasn’t at the outset.
mick,
If Girardi is managing with his gut, you may see Raul in LF and Ichiro in CF and Grandy on the bench against the lefty.
Just a thought.
g love
i’m thinking joe is way ahead of us and had this scenario planned all along.
he could also just sit swish and play raul in rf
jete said joe had the xray results…anybody hear anything?
with the lefty Granderson would be the odd one out
sitting grandy is a definite possibility
Bret,
Great post about Arod. I have a hard time feeling sorry for someone who will get paid the most money in baseball history. You want that paycheck, you have an obligation to go out there and earn it.
I do think the PED abuse and the fact that he can’t use them anymore are going to make the final chapter of his career very ugly.
Girardi tonight did the right thing and it’s something that will linger around Arod even though it seemed on the surface that he supported it in his own way.
What Arod needs going forward are low expectations. No more “best shape of his life” nonsense in the spring. No more “he’s putting on a show in batting practice” hype.
Once you’re pinch hit for in the bottom of the 9th of the playoffs and the move worked, you’re hype starts to hollow out.
I don’t know if it’s truly hit Arod what happened tonight. At least he appears to be completely supportive of it.
If Jeter can play SS I can definitely see Ichiro in CF, Ibanez in LF and Granderson sits. Considering the fact that so many bats are ice cold I don’t think they can afford to sit Ibanez tomorrow. Especially since he has really good numbers against Saunders.
Jeter looked really bad, he may not even DH tomorrow. Let Ibanez DH and Nix can play SS.
if jeter cant play, u DH Nunie Ibanez LF ICHIRO CF Nix SS
I hope everyone cheers for AROD tomorrow when he comes up to the plate
i dont want to see another 3k from granderson anymore its really getting old
mick,
As much as I’d support him sitting Swisher, he won’t against the lefty Saunders.
Grandy on the other hand could be given a night off. I’m just not sure it’s the right thing to do to put an OF of Ichiro in CF with Ibanez and Swisher flanking him out there.
That being said, if that worked, you have Grandy and Gardner to play as defensive replacements if we take a lead.
It’d be a bold move although not bolder than pinch hitting for Arod in the bottom of the 9th of the playoffs.
i can see them getting all worked up if jeter has to sit and winning it for the Capt.
dh nuney, sit grandy, raul in lf, ichiro cf….i like it.
now we need a lineup.
ichiro
swish
wait, A’s planning a miracle…
A’s with their backs against the wall vs. the Dancer.
Hits by Reddick and Donaldson to open the bottom of the 9th, 2nd and 3rd, none out.
I would turn this one on if you aren’t watching already.
CMON OAKLAND!
Drews base running blunder looming LARGE
Go A’s!!! Hopefully they win tonight so Verlander has to pitch tomorrow. Whether the Yanks advance or not I would love to see Verlander have to pitch again and miss game 1 of the next round. If they advance.
TIED!!!!!!!
@MarcCarig: Jeter had an xray but didn’t reveal result.
——–
So Derek has a broken foot. Like, why not tell everyone if the xray was negative? The only reason to hide it is because he doesn’t want people to talk about it. I love Derek. He’s gonna try to keep playing on a broken foot.
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!
A’s smack around Valverde the clown. lol
My prediction of the a’s winning three in a row at home is still possible!!! lets go A’s!!!! beat valverde
arod
cano
tex
raul
nunez
martin
nix
A’s tie it up….love PS baseball!
Time for this team to step up for Jeter. If there was ever a time…
Wow, A’s come back against Valverde. Epic come back. Really didn’t think that was going to happen when they blew the chance in the 8th.
I guess he won’t be dancing tonight.
There’s gonna be no dancing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KbP7VMLVg0
Walk off please, A’s!
This is so cute! The A’s look like a team of Davids.
It’s great to see Valverde blow the save. Now the A’s have to finish it off.
LETS GO As! Man this is a great night for baseball.
Girardi did say Jete had a bone bruise.
Wow why isn’t he bunting? Stuid move.
G. Love,
Thanks that means a great deal to me coming from you as I believe you are to writing what CB is to baseball acumen.
We all have our own unique lens watching the Arod saga unfold.
Mine is colored by the friendly, unspoken sibling rivalry that goes on between brothers. I have 3 brothers. Even though I want them to do well and succeed in life, I derive great pleasure when I can return home to the Thanksgiving dinner table and wow my father with tales of my own victories.
I can’t help but notice that same brotherly tension between Arod and Derek Jeter. A fifteen to twenty year competition between them, both invisible and subliminal to most, has appeared very real to me throughout it.
So it’s easy for me to follow how this has been unfolding in Arod – and I see an unavoidable pain. I do feel sorry for him. He’s like that brother you beat so thoroughly and completely you apologize and vow to yourself to never tell anyone about it because you feel too embarrassed for him. The difference is, Derek’s success juxtaposed with Arod’s struggles is public for all the world to see.
It’s an amazing story, the extent of difference in their ultimate fates but as sad as it is triumphant.
leave it up to the AGGIE pennington! lets go cliff. Gig’em
U probably see Jeter in the lineup tomorrow, theres no way hes gonna miss a postseason game.
it would probably be
Jeter
Ichiro
Arod
Cano
Swisher
Tex
Ibanez
Martin
Nix
Go A’s!!!!
Go A’s … Good to see Valverde sweat
one out, you can’t bunt here
What a night of baseball. What a Yankee win. So glad the Lord made me a Yankee Fan!!
Please I hope no one ever questions Kuroda again. Before you do step away from your keyboard and smack yourself in the face.
damnit! its alright cliff! aggie nation still loves you.
And Cereal Boy does it.
OVER!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Fruit Loops!!!!
WOOOOOOO
YES YES YES A’S
Woo hoo!!!
That’s what I’m talking about!!!! Wooo hooooooooooooooooo!
The dream lives.
Everyone do the Benny
Absolutely unbelievable. They think they’re the Yankees!
Hee hee hee.
Take that dancing puppet.
DESTINY!!!!!!!!!
They beat Verlander tomorrow….
Fun seeing Valverde blow the save, then blow the game. Couldn’t happen to a nicer clown.
Yogi Mantle October 11th, 2012 at 12:37 am
Thud go the A’s.
~
You were saying?
Yay, A’s!
And Coco is doubly absolved for his Game One sins.
Man, that Oakland team is easy to like.
YES!! what a day!!!!!
Coco a factor every game..
Take that Dombrowski you clown and it couldn’t have happened to a bigger idiot then then the dancing QUEEN Valverde
Who was that gaunt looking family the camera just panned in on? One of them looked like a Selig clone. And they all looked depressed. Maybe it was Selig and he had bet on the Tigers?
Or were they Game Two sins.
I will absolve him of ALL sins (aside from being a Redsock).
I am happy that the A’s won… But man, they are going to beat Verlander tomorrow night, and then they become (hopefully) the Yanks’ headache …
What a great day for baseball!
Looks like my prediction might come true!!!!
stuff
I wonder if any of their players got hurt in that mob scene after the walkoff.
Oakland team reminds me so much of the Giants team in 2010.
Sorry though A’s, it all comes to a crashing halt if you advance and play the New York Raul’s
Suck it Valverde. A**hole.
Good news for the Yanks. IF they advance Verlander can’t pitch until game 3. He would only pitch twice if the game went to 7 games. But the Yanks have to advance first and it didn’t help them last year.
Wooohooo! That dancing loser Valverde.
Hey Nick, I hope it gets A’s and Yanks in ALCS so you can enjoy 2 Yanks wins in Oaktown.
that was tiger gm dombrowski and wife
Good thing I didn’t fiddle with the prediction chart before the final out!
Nice of AJ to baptize Coco. We could have used him at our game tonight!
“that was tiger gm dombrowski and wife”
They had that smug, elitist “I think I smelled something bad” look to them.
Tigers have to throw Verlander tomorrow. Great to see.
trisha-
I never got to make my predictions ” official” to make your chart. But i have been saying for a couple of days that the A’s would win all THREE in oakland. 2 for 2 so far!
Peter Gammons lining up to interview Coco. His first question: How much did your Red Sox experience prepare you for tonight?
They had that smug, elitist “I think I smelled something bad” look to them.
=======================
now you know how nolan ryan feels
“the New York Raul’s”
~
“Hey Nick, I hope it gets A’s and Yanks in ALCS so you can enjoy 2 Yanks wins in Oaktown.”
Thanks, ye of many names, but are you really already thinking sweep? Or are you conceding one of the games in Oakland?
Wish it was off al alburquerque
Alburquerque will have to settle for kissing their collective ass.
A’S V TIGERS
Captain Clutch October 11th, 2012 at 1:02 am
Good news for the Yanks. IF they advance Verlander can’t pitch until game 3. He would only pitch twice if the game went to 7 games. But the Yanks have to advance first and it didn’t help them last year.
Xxxxxxx
The Tigers will not win tomorrow …
Tabbert – you can get your predictions in once we start the CLS charts.
What a perfect night!!!
The Yanks take a 2-1 lead in the ALDS so they have two chances to advance to the ALCS and tomorrow isn’t a must win in that they won’t be eliminated if they lose.
The As force a Game 5 and Verlander pitching it which means Verlander can’t pitch Games 1, 4, and 7 and the earliest he could pitch is Game 3 (2 if the ALCS could start earlier if the Tigers and Yanks win tomorrow) if the Tigers win the ALDS. This also means the As have to throw their ace and can’t start him for Games 1, 4, and 7 either if the As win the ALDS.
This means nothing if the Yanks don’t advance to the ALCS and the Game 1 matchup means nothing if the Yanks have to play a Game 5 cuz then Sabathia can’t start Games 1, 4, and 7 of the ALCS either, I’m just saying if they did.
I want the Tigers to win their ALDS for two reasons:
1. Revenge for 2006 and last season.
2. The Yanks don’t have to fly to California once possibly twice (Yanks vs. As then Giants.)
Ideally the Nats, Reds, and Tigers win their ALDS and it’s Yanks-Nats so the Yanks can take Amtrak to and from DC and the only flying they have to do is from New York to Detroit and back before that.
This should be a fan watch with Wells and gang.
Glad it went to game 5. Optimally now the Yanks win tomorrow and if they play Detroit, no Verlander in game 1.
I’m not sure I’d want to play the A’s, they seem even more a team of destiny than the O’s this year.
what a day tmw…opens and closes with elimination games.
Duh Innings – I have quoted your wishlist as being a worthy one (along with your reasons) a few times now.
Valverde 0-3 6.58 era in the playoffs. OUCH
Trust me, folks, if the Yanks come to Oakland, I’ll change up my routine and the Yanks will TCB.
okay… for everyone still in here. Lets get tomorrow’s predictions.
Cards Win
Giants Win
Yanks Win
A’s Win
Thank god Rual wasnt so clutch during 2009 WS
Tabbert, it looks like you just cut & pasted from today’s predictions.
But I’m right there with you on all of them — again.
The bad thing about playing a west coast team is if the game starts at 7pm out there, it’s like starting the game at 10pm for our guys.
I went to Ole Miss… So its was AWESOME seeing Seth Smith get the game tying hit.
Dusty Baker went to my highschool.
And two A’s, and Davey Johnson went to my beloved Texas A&M.
SCHOOL PRIDE!!!!
If the playoffs were a 162 game season A-Rod would hit 30hr 100rbi
Nick- We can’t help that were the smartest people on here. lol.
There won’t be any 7pm local starts out here for the ALCS, it will all be in the 5pm or earlier range for east coast TV.
Im always hoping Yankees sweep. I hope you only get 2 Yanks wins in 2 games in Oakland. I think you probably feel the same way. There’s only so much more stress like tonight I can handle.
TheDA53 So does Valverde jump around and do all his antics when he blows a save? #sotired Great finish
—————–
Leave it up to Aardsma to burn Valverde. This night just keeps getting better.
I got the Reds, Cards, Yanks, A’s in my heart, Tigers in my brain. I hope my heart wins.
I needed today so bad. After being depressed for 48 hours about brian cushing tearing his acl… is really need a get me up kind of day.
But the Yanks havent closed out this series. And Im not one to assume anything.
Aardsma, that is great …
Nick-
I hope the Yanks, and A’s advance. That would be too cool for you to be able to go to those games. I was pretty bummed out that the rangers didn’t advance because that meant i could not go see the Yankees play. I would possibly fly to to one of the NL cities if we make the world series.. but i spent most of my money on spring training. I hope that your able to make it to some Yankees playoff games. That would be too cool.
It’s could be very tough for the Giants tomorrow. They’ll need Cain to be really sharp. Mat Latos has pitched them very tough, dating back to his days as a Padre.
I don’t want to have to bust out my awful “Latos intolerant” pun tomorrow. I really don’t.
Thanks, Tabbert. I’ve got the tickets, so I did my part. Now it’s up to the Yanks and A’s.
Nick-
I became a pretty big giants fan this year. Most of their games started right after the Yankees games… and i had melky, scutaro, posey, and matt cain on my fantasy team. I will never forget the week that i beat my opponent because of matt cain’s perfect game. I was undefeated in fantasy at the time, and EVERYONE wanted me to lose. Looked like i was on the ropes, and then cain got me a PERFECT game. This came after i already got a Johan No hitter. LOL.
Nick-
Please post as many pictures as you can. I know we have not talked much on here…. I have followed lohud for years and just started posting a lot this season. But.. I have always checked out your photo albums… they are awesome. Keep up the good work brother.
Thanks…. I have been extremely remiss in not posting more pics on the old flickr page. I still take a ton of them, but I rarely take the next step of uploading them. I’ll try harder if I see baseball in Oakland next week.
New Post
tonight, proves once again the greatness of a player who has only recently stopped becoming underrated – Mariano Rivera. Tonight two elite closers got beat in the playoffs. During the regular season, since Rivera has been in the league 67.1% of save opportunities get converted. During the playoffs, the number is just a little lower at 67%. However, this is remarkable because these are the top teams, who usually have an elite closer – of course, they are facing top offense under intense pressure, after a long season. Rivera has saved 42/47 or 89% of his save opportunities in the postseason, many of them multiple innings. Think of it then – in the playoffs, on average a closer will blow 1/3 save situations – Rivera only 1 in 10.