Comments on: If This Is Wang I Don’t Want To Be Wright http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/ Development site for Bronx Banter Blog's upcoming look and feel Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:25:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Adam B http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47157 Adam B Mon, 02 May 2005 05:46:24 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47157 <p><b><a name="16" rel="nofollow"></a>16.</b>  I love the title also.</p> <p> As for the Yankees, yeah, coaching is killing them. Put Neil Allen as the pitching coach. I'm sure there's someone in the minor leagues who can coach rationally, unlike Torre these days. Quantrill in that situation is wrong. Gordon in 2 straight? What happened to Felix Rodriguez? Quantrill's K/9 is down miserably, which is probably a combo of the knee injury from early last year, age and Mel Stottlemyre. For those who don't know what I mean about Mel, read: http://futilityinfielder.com/blog/2005/04/mystery-stottlemyre-theater.shtml</p> <p> What's funny is that the Red Sox and Yankees both are getting on base well, but slugging way below their norms. And both teams are struggling to do well. With the Yankees it looks like it's mostly Sheffield's, Matsui's, and Jorge's lack of power that's hurting the lineup right now. This is not a team that can win with a bunch of singles and walks. Maybe the Yankees are hoping that they can trade Stanton if he looks decent numbers wise, and as such want to get him a bunch of innings to minimize the impact of a few bad outing on his ERA?</p> <p> Well, atleast at this rate Mo will have a restful year. Jorge needs more rest than he's getting so that his legs will tire less and he'll have the drive from them. But once again, Torre's mismanaging that. </p> 16.  I love the title also.

As for the Yankees, yeah, coaching is killing them. Put Neil Allen as the pitching coach. I’m sure there’s someone in the minor leagues who can coach rationally, unlike Torre these days. Quantrill in that situation is wrong. Gordon in 2 straight? What happened to Felix Rodriguez? Quantrill’s K/9 is down miserably, which is probably a combo of the knee injury from early last year, age and Mel Stottlemyre. For those who don’t know what I mean about Mel, read: http://futilityinfielder.com/blog/2005/04/mystery-stottlemyre-theater.shtml

What’s funny is that the Red Sox and Yankees both are getting on base well, but slugging way below their norms. And both teams are struggling to do well. With the Yankees it looks like it’s mostly Sheffield’s, Matsui’s, and Jorge’s lack of power that’s hurting the lineup right now. This is not a team that can win with a bunch of singles and walks. Maybe the Yankees are hoping that they can trade Stanton if he looks decent numbers wise, and as such want to get him a bunch of innings to minimize the impact of a few bad outing on his ERA?

Well, atleast at this rate Mo will have a restful year. Jorge needs more rest than he’s getting so that his legs will tire less and he’ll have the drive from them. But once again, Torre’s mismanaging that.

]]> By: JeremyM http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47156 JeremyM Mon, 02 May 2005 00:46:40 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47156 <p><b><a name="15" rel="nofollow"></a>15.</b>  Hey, Gordon needs all that work to get his confidence back. He didn't fall apart last season because of overwork, it was his confidence. And Karsay is still working his way back from injury, he needs his rest, come on. And Sojo is just trying to stretch out some legs, that's why he keeps sending runners to impending doom. He's just whipping them into shape for the stretch run. (Rumor is the Boss is impressed and wants him to help guide his Kentucky Derby entrant.)</p> <p> Joe Torre has outlived his usefulness as the manager of the New York Yankees. I hate to say that because I respect the hell out of him as a person, but he's regressed terribly. I was really hoping Girardi would be a good influence, but I don't see it. </p> 15.  Hey, Gordon needs all that work to get his confidence back. He didn’t fall apart last season because of overwork, it was his confidence. And Karsay is still working his way back from injury, he needs his rest, come on. And Sojo is just trying to stretch out some legs, that’s why he keeps sending runners to impending doom. He’s just whipping them into shape for the stretch run. (Rumor is the Boss is impressed and wants him to help guide his Kentucky Derby entrant.)

Joe Torre has outlived his usefulness as the manager of the New York Yankees. I hate to say that because I respect the hell out of him as a person, but he’s regressed terribly. I was really hoping Girardi would be a good influence, but I don’t see it.

]]> By: markp http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47155 markp Sun, 01 May 2005 22:29:36 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47155 <p><b><a name="14" rel="nofollow"></a>14.</b>  Gordon and Stanton have appeared in 12 out of 25 games. That comes to 78 games in a 162 game season. Meanwhile Karsay has appeared in the same amount of games as Tanyon Sturtze. When Stanton is in twice as many games as Steve Karsay...</p> <p> But that's just one of a host of things of equal illogic. For a while he wasn't horrible. But what appears to be dementia to me has escalated in recent seasons. From leading off Soriano (and having Jeter sacrifice a lot of the time if he managed to get on base) to the horrific use of Benitez (2 innings for three games in a row followed by a day off and then do it all again) and subsequently trading him for a washed up Jeff Nelson (because he couldn't handle NY), Uncle Joe has gotten away with one incomprehensible decision after another unlike anyone I've ever seen. </p> 14.  Gordon and Stanton have appeared in 12 out of 25 games. That comes to 78 games in a 162 game season. Meanwhile Karsay has appeared in the same amount of games as Tanyon Sturtze. When Stanton is in twice as many games as Steve Karsay…

But that’s just one of a host of things of equal illogic. For a while he wasn’t horrible. But what appears to be dementia to me has escalated in recent seasons. From leading off Soriano (and having Jeter sacrifice a lot of the time if he managed to get on base) to the horrific use of Benitez (2 innings for three games in a row followed by a day off and then do it all again) and subsequently trading him for a washed up Jeff Nelson (because he couldn’t handle NY), Uncle Joe has gotten away with one incomprehensible decision after another unlike anyone I’ve ever seen.

]]> By: JohnnyC http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47154 JohnnyC Sun, 01 May 2005 21:49:16 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47154 <p><b><a name="13" rel="nofollow"></a>13.</b>  Oh, hell, why not? Let me bash Stottlemyre one more time. Apparently in his and Torre's dream world, a pitcher can essentially use the same pattern or approach to every batter, every inning, and every game. Pavano was not sharp today but...no pitcher who ever lived brought his best stuff to the mound every single time. You grind it out, improvise, cross your fingers and most importantly avoid the batters' strengths. If you face the same team within living memory of the last time you faced them (I suppose Stottlemyre thinks the Blue Jays short term memory stops at 10 days), you pitch them differently, maybe even backwards, changeup instead of fastball in fastball counts, curves instead of sliders, etc. In short, don't be predictable. Pavano, simply put, was predictable and the Blue Jays had a game plan. Ricciardi didn't fire his hitting coach for no reason this week, pardner. Some people in management actually work. George, you should have your people look into that concept. </p> 13.  Oh, hell, why not? Let me bash Stottlemyre one more time. Apparently in his and Torre’s dream world, a pitcher can essentially use the same pattern or approach to every batter, every inning, and every game. Pavano was not sharp today but…no pitcher who ever lived brought his best stuff to the mound every single time. You grind it out, improvise, cross your fingers and most importantly avoid the batters’ strengths. If you face the same team within living memory of the last time you faced them (I suppose Stottlemyre thinks the Blue Jays short term memory stops at 10 days), you pitch them differently, maybe even backwards, changeup instead of fastball in fastball counts, curves instead of sliders, etc. In short, don’t be predictable. Pavano, simply put, was predictable and the Blue Jays had a game plan. Ricciardi didn’t fire his hitting coach for no reason this week, pardner. Some people in management actually work. George, you should have your people look into that concept.

]]> By: rbj http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47153 rbj Sun, 01 May 2005 20:09:15 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47153 <p><b><a name="12" rel="nofollow"></a>12.</b>  Even I was screaming not to send A-Rod then. It was a long single but not more than that. </p> 12.  Even I was screaming not to send A-Rod then. It was a long single but not more than that.

]]> By: brockdc http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47152 brockdc Sun, 01 May 2005 19:45:24 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47152 <p><b><a name="11" rel="nofollow"></a>11.</b>  I agree. Yet again, abysmal game management by Torre. Admittedly, there were few options at that point, but everyone and his mother knows that Quantrill comes into every game averaging more than a hit an inning. I think Quantrill can still be effective as a mop-up guy but no longer as a conduit to Rivera. </p> 11.  I agree. Yet again, abysmal game management by Torre. Admittedly, there were few options at that point, but everyone and his mother knows that Quantrill comes into every game averaging more than a hit an inning. I think Quantrill can still be effective as a mop-up guy but no longer as a conduit to Rivera.

]]> By: seamus http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47151 seamus Sun, 01 May 2005 19:27:48 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47151 <p><b><a name="10" rel="nofollow"></a>10.</b>  torre is driving me mad. how could he bring in Quantrill of all people in that situation? Quantrill can be productive in the right situation but bases loaded and no one out is not it. I don't get it. </p> 10.  torre is driving me mad. how could he bring in Quantrill of all people in that situation? Quantrill can be productive in the right situation but bases loaded and no one out is not it. I don’t get it.

]]> By: JohnnyC http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47150 JohnnyC Sun, 01 May 2005 18:39:31 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47150 <p><b><a name="9" rel="nofollow"></a>9.</b>  "The mismanagement of every facet of this team is becoming more obvious every day. What will it take for anyone in the front office or even the media to see it?" </p> <p> markp, that's what happens when you spend the last 5 years living off 4 WS championships in 5 years. As Michael Kay pointed out yesterday (even he's subtly turning against the Great Pretender), the foolproof thing about having the same 3 guys pitch out of the bullpen every day is that the minute they fail, all the blame lands on those 3 guys...not on your idiotic use of them in the first place. So, it's tak, tsk, the bullpen's old and used up. Well, who did the using? And who hates pitchers under 35 so much that good arms from the farm system don't even have a shot at being properly developed. Yhency Brazoban, anyone? Today: why does any sane manager leave Pavano out there until bases are loaded and nobody out? After being scored on in the 3 previous innings and basically acting like a pinata for the Blue Jays? Why does any sane manager believe that the best pitcher to bring into such a hopeless situation would be Quantrill whose K's per 9 IP is south of Cy Young's? Even John Gibbons would have chosen to take the starter out BEFORE a bases loaded situation, picked the best match up out of 6 relievers available and then mixed and matched from thereon. Considering this was the last game of a terrible homestand and the rubber game in a series against a division rival, I would have used everyone. Remember, outside of Gordon, no one had been used much in the last week. They were all available. But, this leads us back to Torre's "Culture of Trust," the thing that will make 2005 an even more painful rerun of the past four seasons. On the other hand, we can always hope that the team will start to "play smarter" soon. Any day now. </p> 9.  ”The mismanagement of every facet of this team is becoming more obvious every day. What will it take for anyone in the front office or even the media to see it?”

markp, that’s what happens when you spend the last 5 years living off 4 WS championships in 5 years. As Michael Kay pointed out yesterday (even he’s subtly turning against the Great Pretender), the foolproof thing about having the same 3 guys pitch out of the bullpen every day is that the minute they fail, all the blame lands on those 3 guys…not on your idiotic use of them in the first place. So, it’s tak, tsk, the bullpen’s old and used up. Well, who did the using? And who hates pitchers under 35 so much that good arms from the farm system don’t even have a shot at being properly developed. Yhency Brazoban, anyone? Today: why does any sane manager leave Pavano out there until bases are loaded and nobody out? After being scored on in the 3 previous innings and basically acting like a pinata for the Blue Jays? Why does any sane manager believe that the best pitcher to bring into such a hopeless situation would be Quantrill whose K’s per 9 IP is south of Cy Young’s? Even John Gibbons would have chosen to take the starter out BEFORE a bases loaded situation, picked the best match up out of 6 relievers available and then mixed and matched from thereon. Considering this was the last game of a terrible homestand and the rubber game in a series against a division rival, I would have used everyone. Remember, outside of Gordon, no one had been used much in the last week. They were all available. But, this leads us back to Torre’s “Culture of Trust,” the thing that will make 2005 an even more painful rerun of the past four seasons. On the other hand, we can always hope that the team will start to “play smarter” soon. Any day now.

]]> By: singledd http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47149 singledd Sun, 01 May 2005 18:15:46 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47149 <p><b><a name="8" rel="nofollow"></a>8.</b>  P.S. The Yanks just bit the bullet again... blowing a 3 run lead. And, they just couldn't come back. Last year, 2 runs down was nothing. Now it looks like 20. </p> 8.  P.S. The Yanks just bit the bullet again… blowing a 3 run lead. And, they just couldn’t come back. Last year, 2 runs down was nothing. Now it looks like 20.

]]> By: singledd http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47148 singledd Sun, 01 May 2005 18:12:11 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47148 <p><b><a name="7" rel="nofollow"></a>7.</b>  OK Cliff, be honest. When you came up with "If This Is Wang I Don't Want To Be Wright" you danced a little jig (very, very clever)! </p> 7.  OK Cliff, be honest. When you came up with “If This Is Wang I Don’t Want To Be Wright” you danced a little jig (very, very clever)!

]]> By: markp http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47147 markp Sun, 01 May 2005 17:41:16 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47147 <p><b><a name="6" rel="nofollow"></a>6.</b>  Why is Stanton, at best a LOOGY, get to pitch to righties and lefties?</p> <p> Why is Gordon being used so often? Torre said in ST that Flash was overworked last year, but he continues to use him in every close game.</p> <p> Why is Sojo still the 3B coach? He has to be the worst 3B coach in Yankee history. How many times do guys he's waved home have to be thrown out by huge margins before making a change?</p> <p> The mismanagement of every facet of this team is becoming more obvious every day. What will it take for anyone in the front office or even the media to see it? </p> 6.  Why is Stanton, at best a LOOGY, get to pitch to righties and lefties?

Why is Gordon being used so often? Torre said in ST that Flash was overworked last year, but he continues to use him in every close game.

Why is Sojo still the 3B coach? He has to be the worst 3B coach in Yankee history. How many times do guys he’s waved home have to be thrown out by huge margins before making a change?

The mismanagement of every facet of this team is becoming more obvious every day. What will it take for anyone in the front office or even the media to see it?

]]> By: MikeK http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47146 MikeK Sun, 01 May 2005 15:27:37 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47146 <p><b><a name="5" rel="nofollow"></a>5.</b>  Wonderful headline AND a bonus Jabberwocky reference will make my Sunday everytime, even if I do have to watch the Yanks via Yahoo Gamecast...while I'm at work...on a glorious afternoon.</p> <p> "Callooh! Callay!" </p> 5.  Wonderful headline AND a bonus Jabberwocky reference will make my Sunday everytime, even if I do have to watch the Yanks via Yahoo Gamecast…while I’m at work…on a glorious afternoon.

“Callooh! Callay!”

]]> By: rbj http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47145 rbj Sun, 01 May 2005 14:34:57 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47145 <p><b><a name="4" rel="nofollow"></a>4.</b>  Great headline.<br /> Caught part of the Mudhens - Clippers game last night. Colter Bean still looks great. </p> 4.  Great headline.
Caught part of the Mudhens – Clippers game last night. Colter Bean still looks great.

]]> By: Matt B http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47144 Matt B Sun, 01 May 2005 11:43:23 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47144 <p><b><a name="3" rel="nofollow"></a>3.</b>  Great headline - makes me want to listen to Luther Ingram (or at least the Faces' cover version). </p> 3.  Great headline – makes me want to listen to Luther Ingram (or at least the Faces’ cover version).

]]> By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47143 Alex Belth Sun, 01 May 2005 10:21:41 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47143 <p><b><a name="2" rel="nofollow"></a>2.</b>  Best Headline of the Season. </p> 2.  Best Headline of the Season.

]]> By: Paul http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47142 Paul Sun, 01 May 2005 08:23:45 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2005/05/01/if-this-is-wang-i-dont-want-to-be-wright/#comment-47142 <p><b><a name="1" rel="nofollow"></a>1.</b>  Cliff, great title. And despite the Gordon hiccup, wonderful to win a close one. </p> <p> Wang was economical, but no K's? Granted, not too many balls hit hard off him (lots of broken bats), but Baseball Prospectus would have a grand time projecting how well he will pitch based on this, esp with the Yank's defense. For a #5 starter, I'll take it, though! </p> 1.  Cliff, great title. And despite the Gordon hiccup, wonderful to win a close one.

Wang was economical, but no K’s? Granted, not too many balls hit hard off him (lots of broken bats), but Baseball Prospectus would have a grand time projecting how well he will pitch based on this, esp with the Yank’s defense. For a #5 starter, I’ll take it, though!

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