Three weeks ago, the Yankees headed to Chicago to face the first-place White Sox coming off yet another dispiriting series loss to the Devil Rays. Having been spared their performance in that series in Tampa due a long weekend away from electronic media of all kinds, this is how I sized up the Yankees chances at that point in the season:
What I see when I look at the standings is that the Yankees are four games behind the Red Sox in the AL East with six games left to play against Boston and one and a half games behind the A’s in the Wild Card race with three games left to play against Oakland. That means the Yankees’ destiny is in their own hands. If they are able to match just one of these two clubs win-for-win over the remainder of the season and sweep their head-to-head confrontations, the Yankees will make the playoffs for the eleventh consecutive season.
Here’s how those three teams have faired since then:
Red Sox: 13-7
Yankees: 13-7
Athletics: 10-9
The Yankees didn’t sweep the A’s head-to-head, but they did take two out of three while otherwise outplaying the A’s by a game and a half (removing that head-to-head series, their records over that span are NYY: 11-6, Oak: 9-7). So, despite yet another just-completed dispiriting series loss to the Devil Rays, the Yankees have thus far accomplished what I said they would need to.
There are only two problems:
The first is that my initial analysis failed to mention the Cleveland Indians, who at the time trailed the Yankees by a game in the Wild Card hunt. Since then, the Tribe has gone 14-5, a game and a half better than the Yankees (the half game, by which the Indians currently lead the Wild Card race, is thanks to a rain-out against the Tigers), leapfrogging both the Yankees and A’s to take the Wild Card lead. With no head-to-head match-ups with the Indians remaining, the Yankees, who fell a half-game back with last night’s loss, no longer control their destiny in the Wild Card, despite getting the job done against the A’s.
The good news here is that 12 of the Indians remaining 22 games are against winning ballclubs (three each against the Twins and A’s and six against the White Sox), while the Yankees six games against the Red Sox are their only remaining contests against a team with a winning record. Of course, the Yankees still have three games against those @*#$# Devil Rays, but then so do the Indians.
Elsewhere, the A’s have fourteen games left against winning teams (three each against the Twins and Indians, four each against the Red Sox and Angels), while the Angels, who are playing hot potato with the A’s over the AL West title, have just seven (those four against the A’s, and three against the White Sox). Of course, if the Angels outplay the A’s, they’ll be eliminated from the Wild Card chase by virtue of winning the division. Besides which, the Angels also have a three-game set remaining against the Devil Rays, who it seems are destined to decide the remaining American League races.
Cluttered and confusing as this all may be, it seems to me that the Yankees can afford one last 1-2 series loss against the Devil Rays in Tampa next week (which seems like a forgone conclusion at this point) if, if, they’re able to make hay against the Red Sox this weekend and again in Boston over the final three games of the season.
That’s the second problem, but it’s not necessarily more daunting than the first. As the records posted above show, despite the just-completed series loss to the D-Rays and last week’s split in Seattle, the Yankees have matched the Red Sox game-for-game over the past three weeks (thanks in part to the major league’s worst team, the Kansas City Royals, who took two of three from the Red Sox in Kansas City, then got swept by the Yanks in the Bronx).
In addition, the Yankees are 7-6 against the Red Sox thus far this season, most recently taking three of four from the Sox in Fenway to open the second half of the season (you might remember something about an Alex Rodriguez game-winner off Curt Schilling and Al Leiter’s last hurrah). They’re also 3-3 against the Sox at home and 4-3 against them at Fenway, proving that what feels like a huge home-field advantage for the Crimson Hosers has thus far been irrelevant.
As for what to expect this weekend, let’s take a quick look at the expanded Boston roster before we get into the nitty gritty.
Boston Red Sox
2005 Record: 82-57 (.590)
2005 Pythagorean Record: 78-61 (.563)
Manager: Terry Francona
General Manager: Theo Epstein
Ballpark (2004 park factors): Fenway Park (106/105)
Who’s replaced whom?
Gabe Kapler replaced Adam Stern (DL, call-up)
Tony Graffanino replaced Mark Bellhorn (Yankees)
Roberto Petagine replaced John Halama (Nationals)
Keith Foulke (DL) replaced Wade Miller (DL)
Jon Papelbon replaced Alan Embree (Yankees)
September Call-ups
R – Kevin Youkilis (IF)
L – Adam Stern (OF)
R – Kelly Shoppach (C)
S – Alejandro Machado (IF)
R – Manny Delcarmen
L – Lenny DiNardo
R – Chad Harville
L – Matt Perisho
Current Roster
1B – Kevin Millar
2B – Tony Graffanino
SS – Edgar Renteria
3B – Bill Mueller
C – Jason Varitek
RF – Trot Nixon
CF – Johnny Damon
LF – Manny Ramirez
DH – David Ortiz
Bench:
L – John Olerud (1B)
L – Alex Cora (IF)
R – Doug Mirabelli (C)
R – Gabe Kapler (OF)
L – Roberto Petagine (1B)
R – Kevin Youkilis (IF)
L – Adam Stern (OF)
S – Alejandro Machado (IF)
R – Kelly Shoppach (C)
Rotation:
R – Matt Clement
L – David Wells
R – Curt Schilling
R – Tim Wakefield
R – Bronson Arroyo
Bullpen:
R – Mike Timlin
L – Mike Myers
R – Chad Bradford
R – Keith Foulke
R – Jeremi Gonzalez
R – Jon Papelbon
R – Manny Delcarmen
L – Lenny DiNardo
R – Chad Harville
L – Matt Perisho
DL:
R – Wade Miller
R – Matt Mantei
Typical Line-up
L – Johnny Damon (CF)
R – Edgar Renteria (SS)
L – David Ortiz (DH)
R – Manny Ramirez (LF)
L – Trot Nixon (RF)
S – Jason Varitek (C)
R – Kevin Millar (1B)
S – Bill Mueller (3B)
R – Tonny Graffanino (2B)
For all the talk about the Red Sox outslugging their shaky pitching, both the Sox and Yankees have scored a total of 27 runs in their last seven games (an average of just 3.86 per game), but the Sox have gone 4-3 over that stretch, while the Yanks have gone 3-4. The way I see it, this series–like any truly competitive, play-off level series, which I hope this turns out to be–will come down to pitching. With that in mind, here’s a quick look at the starters in the first two games:
Tonight’s Red Sox starter, David Wells, is coming off three straight wins in which he’s posted the following combined line:
21 IP, 21 H, 4 R (3 ER), 0 HR, 2 BB, 16 K, 1.29 ERA, 1.10 WHIP
In his last start against the Yankees (against the infamous tag-team of Tim Redding and Darrell May), he held the Yankees to one run on five hits and no walks while needing just 85 pitches to get through seven innings.
In contrast to that, here is Saturday’s starter Curt Schilling’s combined line in his three starts since returning to the Boston rotation:
17 1/3 IP, 27 H, 15 R, 1 HR, 5 BB, 13 K, 7.79 ERA, 1.85 WHIP
On the flip side, here are Aaron Small’s numbers in his five Yankee starts this season:
35 IP, 27 H, 8 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 16 K, 2.06 ERA, 1.06 WHIP
And Shawn Chacon’s in his eight Yankee starts:
51 2/3 IP, 45 H, 18 ER, 4 HR, 22 BB, 34 K, 3.14 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
I refuse to even think about making any predictions here (though I expect the Red Sox to win at least one game by brutalizing the Yankee bullpen). I just hope we all get our money’s worth this weekend. If the Yankees fail to make the playoffs this year, these remaining six games against the Sox will be the closest we Yankee fans will get. Enjoy them.
1. It could be a long weekend, so I had to keep it light, to avoid unneccesary premature stress.
Tyson a Red Sock?
Bring it On!
More than three month's have passed since Curt Schilling and the Boston the Red Sox completed their latest bean-ball bonanza with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and I believe I've finally heard it all. The Pantalone Press reported today that murderous-malevolent-malcontent Boxing Promoter Don King has announced Red Sox proselytizing pitcher Curt "Bloody Sock" Schilling and Tampa Bay Devil Ray skipper "Sweet" Lou Piniella are set to square off in what's being called the "Bean-Ball Brawl" at Donald Trump's new Pompadour Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The details were evidently "leaked" sometime last evening. That's right folks; I've confirmed it with both camps, this fight is for real. The battle royal was apparently fueled by raging-Republican-rant man Schilling's public comments following the fracas between the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Boston Red Sox at the turf toed concrete egg miniplex known as Tropicana Field in Tampa, Florida in April, which resulted in several fines and suspensions.
Mr. Schillings comments following the April 24 melee were:
"The problem is when you're playing a team with a manager who somehow forgot how the game is played, there's problems [sic]. This should have been over a little bit ago. Lou's trying to make his team be a bunch of tough guys, and the telling sign is when the players on that team are saying, "[T]his is why we lose 100 games a year; because this idiot makes us do stuff like this," they said that on the field."
Yes Mr. Schilling, "there's problems" alright. This new Shill-ing episode drudged up the following response which was recently published once again by a Seattle reporter who has been stomping his feat and jumping up and down to the national media for years to come clean concerning what baseball insiders have known for years regarding Mr. Schilling:
During the past few days, the country has discovered Schilling's little secret, the one baseball insiders have known for years but has rarely surfaced into the mainstream. Schilling is something of a con man, someone more intent on polishing his personal image through whatever means possible.
The Associated Press Reported on April 28, 2005, "[t]his little dagger was fired not last week, but on Nov. 4, 2001 - the day that Schilling was to start Game 7 of the World Series for Arizona against the Yankees. The author, Arizona Republic columnist Pedro Gomez, now with ESPN, is said to have been privately congratulated by many Diamondbacks players and staffers for taking on Schilling publicly. The point is, Schilling is not universally loved by his peers, many of whom regard him as a shameless self-promoter who can't keep his mouth shut. "
It appears Lou Piniella would like to shut it for him. Given Mr. Schillings balsa-wood body and the fish stringer full of catchers body parts Piniella keeps on his desk to this day, I'd be running to the nearest microphone to make Robert McNamara's Viet Nam mea cupla look like a mid-western husband bringing home a bouquet of roses following a boys night out. Somehow I don't think he'll listen.
"Sweet"-cigarette-smoking Lou Piniella fired back;
Forget how the game is played? I have forgotten more baseball than this guy knows, on the idiot subject, I'm appalled he would actually say something like that. He's questioning my character and integrity and that is wrong. He's never played for me, never really spoken to me, so he really doesn't know what I stand for. If I were Curt, I would be really embarrassed at the cheap shot he took and get the story correct. I'll tell you, I've always admired his pitching ability and competitiveness, but I can honestly tell you I've lost a lot of respect for him. I'm looking forward to talking to Curt myself and get this matter cleared up.
Translation: "I'm going to send his ass back to Boston in a duffle bag." Has Mr. Schilling not watched any tape of Mr. Piniella's rants? I'd lay 2-1 on Piniella against Holyfield any day.
It appears as if it will require a tad more than talking to satisfy Red Sox skipper Terry Francona, who was reportedly livid when Piniella's remarks were conveyed to him. Red Sox Senior Vice President Vinny Lie-a- Lot, torn away from his full time research ripping Alex Rodiguez told me, "Francona was as jumpy as Steve Howe on an all night bender." "My pitcher goes to Church-Church I tell ya!"
The Piniella camp is insisting we refer to Mr. Schilling as "Glass Jaw," the moniker recently planted upon him by Piniella's trainer, Sammy "the Cork" Sosa.
I was able to track down the belly busting bean bag late last night in beantown. He was on his way to an all night buffet, Big Gulp in one hand, mirror in the other. Also waddling along was fellow self-promoter David Wells, whose gout was making it difficult for him to keep up, but he'd rather die than miss that buffet. He looked more like Spanky chasing the gang to grab that crème puff than a major league pitcher, chanting the whole way, "wait up, wait up., I hear they got crab legs!" Rounding out the fearsome threesome was Wells' bodyguard who told me, "gotta watch out for those 5'2"-150 lb. busboys, they'll stick you man; how's he supposed to look like a tough guy is Urkel's kicking his ass?" When I carefully approached the gaggle of guts, Mr. Schilling was very clear in his intentions concerning the upcoming bout. "I gotta keep my name in the news man, gonna run for President someday." "Did ya see me in congress, did ya, did ya, did ya?" "I'm going on Celebrity Poker next, and then maybe Nascar Nation, yea, they have tons of gullible, I mean wholesome fans I can cultivate." He then put on his "game face" and said sternly while spewing saliva about, "Sweet Lou I'm comin for you man, my style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable, and I'm just ferocious, I want your heart, I want to eat his children, Praise be to Allah!" He continued, "you're sweet Piniella, I'm gonna make sure you kiss me good with those big lips, I'm gonna make you my girlfriend."
Wow I thought, this guy's lost it. Could it all be a calculated PR campaign?
"Sweet" Lou Piniella, not be outdone by the youngster, addressed the press this morning, "[m]y biggest weakness is my sensitivity; I am too sensitive a person." "You see me out there shaking ump's hands, bringing flowers for player's birthdays." "That's how I end up in these situations; I give and give and give." Has "Sweet" Lou Changed? This seems wildly at odds with the conventional wisdom, considering that following his reinstatement from a long suspension some years ago, and preceding a scheduled fight with another catcher he nearly decapitated, he said:
I want to rip out his heart and feed it to him, I want to kill people, I want to rip their stomachs out and eat their children. When I was in prison, I was wrapped up in all those deep books. That Tolstoy crap - people shouldn't read that stuff. He then fired a hard right at the Red-Sock-ringleader while my assistant Lucy questioned him saying, It's no doubt I am going to win this fight and I feel confident about winning this fight. I normally don't do interviews with women unless I fornicate with them, so you shouldn't talk anymore . . . unless you want to, you know. When asked how Mr. Schillings' comments made him feel, he responded, I was as hopped up as Vida Blue with a stack of hundreds, an off day and an eight-ball.
Well, clearly the pre-fight banter Americans expect is off and running and unlikely to disappoint.
Mr. Don King, fresh from burying gold bouillon under Benny Binion's ranch was also available for comment this morning. As expected, Mr. King made complete sense. He opined, quite clearly:
"I'm a promoter of the people for the people and by the people and my magic lies in my people ties. I'm a promoter of America. I'm American people. You know what I mean? So therefore, uh, do not send for who the bell tolls 'cause the bell tolls for thee."
Huh, what? I then pushed him for an answer as to how on this earth he was able to arrange this ground-breaking fight and how it got leaked:
"I can't believe that having said what I said was interpreted as having been what I said when I said it, because I said it where I said it, when I said it, and who I said it to . . . ," and, "I can't believe what I said about myself. What I said in my own private conversations with myself to an ESPN producer are my business, and I had no business saying them to someone else."
Clearly Mr. King is as lucid as ever and reluctant to divulge the details-and quite frankly--I like breathing so I aint gonna push it--of what brought us to this point in American boxing history, but I'd get some security crews out to the Meadowlands end-zone ASAP. He does understand one American tradition as old as apple pie . . . the plea bargain. With power comes influence, and with influence in Mr. King's case, apparently comes gibberish. I posit his reasoning for "fixing" up this bout is quite similar to what was said by this same promoter many years ago while shaking one of his prize fighters by the leg in an effort to make sure there wasn't any money left in his pockets; "Martin Luther King took us to the mountain top: I want to take us to the bank, God Bless America . . . and God Bless . . . um who is it . . . the actor . . . he's President now . . . no freakin way, we're rich!"
Mr. King attempted to bolster the red carpet appeal of the bout by offering me a list of players who will be attending the event. They include; so long as someone else picks up the tab I presume, Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez, Texas Ranger pitcher Ferguson Jenkins, Padre outfielder Alan Wiggins, Royals first baseman Willie Aikens, Royals outfielders Willie Wilson and Jerry Martin, Mets outfielder Darryl Strawberry and pitcher Dwight Gooden, as well as Atlanta pitcher Pasqual Perez. Several other players have expressed interest including Joaquin Andujar, Dale Berra, Enos Cabell, Jeff Leonard, Dave Parker, Tony Phillips, Jason Giambi, Barry Bonds, Ricky Henderson, Tommy Lasorda, Alex Sanchez, Mark McGuire, Lenny Dyksrta, Pete Rose and Lonnie Smith.
"Look at this list," Mr. King said, "you can't question these players integrity!" "Come one come all; see my latest creation, Barnum and Bailey aint got nothing on me." "This is miraculous, it's stupendous, it's fabulous, it's superfluous, it's any adjective with more than two syllables, and it's downright amazing."
Mr. Schilling's trainer, Sammy "the Cork" Sosa, could not be reached for comment but did issue a statement;
Mr.Schilling does not regret making his statement and will show that ex-pinstriped-punk Piniella what he's made of at the fight in May. He's a warrior, and a hero to every fan in Boston. You see, this is why I don't tell nobody I speak English, congress woulda chewed me up, I just smile and act cute, say bery bery a lot, works every time. Mr. King taught me that. My only regret is that those lousy umpires didn't let "Bloody Sock" grab that peanut Pienella on the field and give the fans a fight preview. I'd like to stuff a cork in him myself, and if I know anything, its cork.
Well, I suppose if I want to keep both my legs I won't question Mr. King any further. However, I do look forward to not only the upcoming pre-fight hype and the jiggly weigh in buffet sponsored by Krispy Kreme, but to every crazy gimmick along the way. Mr. King never disappoints his customers. Trump's Pompadour and Why-the-Hell-is-Anyone-Still-Paying-Attention- to-Me hotels and casinos opened today with the line showing "Sweet" Lou Pienella a 5-1 favorite over his arch rival Curt "Bloody Sock" Schilling. Lets get ready to . . . ah . . . rumble? It's sure to be one for the ages; the Thrilla in Manilla, the Rumble in the Jungle, Patterson, Foreman, Marciano, Ali . . . and October 25th, the Bean-Ball Brawl. God help us all. If only Mr. Schilling had been more . . . um . . . curt!
2. Cliff, your hopeful optomism inspires me. Nonetheless, I wish these 3 games were here at Fenway, and the season ended in the Bronx, instead of the other way around. If those last 3 games have any playoff implications, I'm going to hate being here.
Hope Paul was/is able to get a good seat for tonight's game . . .
3. By the way, one might expect Bellhorn to get the start tonight against his old mates with a lefty on the mound, but checking the Yankees' individual numbers against Wells:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp?playerId=1912&teamId=10&sort=OPS
It would seem make more sense for Torre to go with Cano at second.
Meanwhile, those numbers suggest Sierra at DH and Bernie in CF (Small throws just enough ground balls for that to be an acceptable decision). But one has to remember that Bernie and Sierra likely amassed a great deal of their numbers against Wells in the '90s, while both have struggled from the right side of the plate this year.
An additional difficulty is the situation with Gary Sheffield's strained thigh muscle. At best, he'll be able to start at DH tonight, which might tempt Torre to put Sierra in right.
It's a downright rotten situation as Lawton is both a poor fielder and a lefty, as is Tony Womack (ack!) and while Bubba Crosby can play the field, he too is left-handed and would likely get carved up by Wells.
I wonder if Joe would consider starting righties Mike Vento (a right fielder in Columbus) or Andy Phillips (who played two innings in left field earlier this year) in right tonight. Not that I necessarily think he should. Then again, if Sheffield can't play at all, Vento or Phillips just might be the way to go.
All of which is something to think about before jumping all over the Yankee manager upon seeing his line-up tonight.
4. Joe will go with Andy Phillips or Vento, but more likely Phillips in right, I think he trusts him, and Sierra at DH, I believe anyway.
I actualy think it makes sense, with the Red Sox lineup, we need good defense, especially with Mats in left, I don't think Torre would dare move Mats to right and capture Phillips defensive attributes in left, but nothing would surprise me at this point, as much fun as it is for me to watch Sierra in right, I actually do enjoy it for some twisted reason, I think Torre will chose defense over offense tonight.
I think he'll go with Bellhorn at second, almost certainly, especially against an experienced pitcher like Wells. I personally think it's foolish to play Bellhorn considering Wells will likely eat him alive, not to mention Cano's defense is on par with Bellhorn's, and I like Cano's double, HR and line-shot potential, not to mention Bellhorn's almost certain not to even put the ball in play in 2 at-bats tonight.
Just one man's opinion.
And further, I can't jump on Joe's lineup, I can't even keep up with it to get close enough to jump.
5. Bellhorn actually has more HR pop than Cano, but a big part of Bellhorn's game is working the count and taking walks. That won't happen with Wells, who throws strikes, which is why Cano's a better choice. Wells pitches to contact, which favors Cano, who is a contact hitter.
Meanwhile, I'd be flat out stunned to see Phillips or Vento in the line-up.
6. Bellhorn's going to be disappointed if he's not playing. He says he's been eagerly looking forward to playing against his former team since he became a Yankee.
7. Shaun P,
Heading up there now -- will let you know how it turns out ticket-wise. Thanks to all who offered their advice.
Go Yanks, it will be nice rooting for the home team for a change!
8. randym77
Just another reason Joe will put him in, I just think Wells will make him look foolish.
Cliff
That's what I meant, about Cano. Hey, I can be optimistic, maybe Bellhorn will get hold of a fastball or hanging curve, who knows.
9. But I do see Vento or Phillips, who do you DH if Sierra is in right, Bernie in center and Sheff can't play, Bubba, Escalona, Pavano, Cano?
10. Well, I'm off. I will grab a 12 pack just in case it gets ugly.
Lets go tonight boys! Lets meke it a September to remember!
11. With Giambi's OBP, doesn't it make sense to bat him in FRONT of ARod instead of after?
No Sheff in tonight's stew. Hope his injury is not worse then reported.
12. It's a weekend treat for me and Paul
13. Great start, Lawton totally boots an easy fly out
14. and a first pitch strike...er, ball called by the ump for some weird reason
15. What happened with Lawton? I just turned it on.
16. Damon hit a gimme fly out to right and Lawton completely misjudged it, he didn't even glove it. It dropped in front of him for a single.
I've been without my laptop for a week due to a shot power cable. The new one arrived just in time for this game.
17. Can Joe make up his mind concerning the 2 hole already!
18. On my tv (widescreen) its set to justify, where it takes the edges of the screen and stretches it a bit so that it fits a normal 4:3 broadcast, and Wells just looks absolutely rotund
19. As Sterling said, Small got 5 tough outs in the 1st
20. Amen, Ole Golden Throat.
I can understand dropping Matsui today, he really struggles vs. Wells.
21. I just unmuted the TV. Bobby Murcer!? I'd forgotten about him, cripes how many announcers does YES have? Kay, Kaat, Kenny, Paulie, Justice, Bobby . . . anyone I forgot?
22. Wells is not exactly svelte even on my non-widescreen TV. I don't think the Boss would have been happy if he looked like this when he was a Yankee.
23. The ESPN guys really stink, total man crushes on the Sox...But they were just talking about how much 'heart' Boomer has. No mention of the '02 series...
24. '03 series, but yes.
25. I think they have already seen more pitches than they did in 3 last night.
Keep it going!
26. Right, that one...
Indians up 2-0 on Santana
27. The Indians made a deal with the Devil, there has to be an explanation for them, no?
28. Oh hell yes, Giambi, good at bat!
29. Although I about dropped my beer when I saw him go in head first, why does he do that?
30. That was weird. Was he expecting Boomer to cover 1st?
31. I think they've seen more pitches this inning than they saw the whole game last night. :)
32. ESPN announcer just called Wells "Athletic?"
33. no2ss
Very funny.
34. What happened? Sportsline is calling it a single and a throwing error
35. Why wouldn't Boomer cover first, he is "Athletic" after all. He is training with Lance for the Tour I hear.
36. They ahd the Giambi shift on and Millar went after a bloop to second (well, where second was playing) but coudlnt' get back to first in time, and Boomer didn't cover
And as I write, Sierra swings at the first pitch to ground out!!
37. Did Sierra forget that "swing at first pitch day" was yesterday?
38. Am I the only one who think the Red Cross on the helmets of the Yankees could not be a more appropriate commentary on the year?
39. When did Manny and Varitek become Ichiro? Beating out infield singles?
40. Those balls couldn't have been placed on the grass any better.
41. I like how pitchers (other than maybe Moose or Mariano) never even try to catch pop ups
42. Oh God here we go
43. Uh oh, Oh boy, juiced.
44. Dp ball, I can smell it! Smell it I tell you!
45. Oh God Lawton is awful
46. It's an ESPN damon Sox love fest!
Oh no, I can't even watch, 3 already. On a good pitch no less.
Hey Lawton is doing his best manny impersonation out there tonight. Phillips, I said Phillips god damn you!
47. I think Womack would be better than Lawton. Lawton just has no eye for the ball.
48. Gotta go with the veterans, eh Joe? How's that workin out for ya?
49. Woemack sucks too. Kevin Reese needs to play, but he has no experience, so Torre doesn't know his name.
50. It will take 10 runs to win this game, whichever team can get there.
51. Vento, Vento, Phillips, Phillips, at least they can catch the ball!
52. Here we go, we're behind, let the first pitch swinging commence.
53. JORGE!
54. Wells has been hit much harder than Small, and they're still losing.
55. All right, Jorgie!
56. Wow Jorge crushed that ball
57. Vento, my bad.
58. Everyone can make mistakes but Lawton has proved he had ABSOLUTELY no right to be in our outfield. CRIPES he is BAD.
I guess we try and get something out of our trades, but he is useless.
DUMP HIM JOE!
59. Cano sucks when he forgets to use LF.
60. Matt, Redeem, Redeem!
61. It's staggering that the Yankees were able to add an OF who is worse defensively than they OFer they already had.
62. Lawton kind of has a Leyritz type stance
63. Man, I butchered that post.
Come on, Jeter.
64. Cano sucks when he fails to hit the ball in the air.
65. Nah, he when he goes the other way, he hits well.
66. He should yank Lawton, but he absolutely positively, will not.
Like I said, we're behind, how many pitches Wells throw that inning, even with the HR?
It's awfully predictable.
67. I'm fairly sure I saw Sheff collecting money for tonight's bet, he is laying three to one that they can only see 3 pitches in at least one inning.
I'd take that bet
68. Can we send Lawton the f**k back? I tried watching ESPN, but I think NESN may be less biased. So, I've put on WCBS on MLB audio, which is on about a 45 second delay, then hit pause on the Tivo to let the audio catch up. Just one decent tv announcer and none of this would be necessary.
69. Sutcliff has said that Damon's year last year was better than Ichiro's, and now claims that Jeter "covers so much ground"
70. I agree, Lawton should get pulled from the game right now. I'll take Bubba's instant outs for some OF defense after that display. Besides, Bubba can bunt, and this game might come down to that sort of thing.
72. And all this in the midst of Manny's yearly September purposful lay-down.
73. Ichiro is horribly overrated, Sut might have been right about that one, plus that was a rangy play by Jeter, even if it was unusually so.
74. Look at that dugout, it's quiet and dreary in there, yikes!
75. Imagine.... we replace Sheff with a guy who (we know can't hit and) is actually worse on defense.
76. Joe will not pull Lawton. He already has his dear-in-the-headlights look he usually gets around the 6th.
77. Arroyo's throwing great Sut, 4.50 good these days?
78. singledd,
Easy man, he's a veteran. Joe only brings in rookies in middle relief, aint you been watchin?
79. Up yours Vagitek.
80. Gotta love Svuem! Nice job by Jorge blocking the plate and holding on.
81. Unnessesary Varitek, I hope we get a chance to Ray Fosse his ass later in this game. He was out by 10 feet!
82. "Ichiro is horribly overrated"... maybe, but he is an excellent hitter, excellent fielder, has an A+ arm and is excellent on the bases. He is not a high OPS guy, but he is everything else. Imaging him on our team, leading off. It would be Rickey ++
83. Cliff, I agree that Ichiro is overrated, but then again, last year he did hit .372 with a .414 obp and Damon hit .304 with a .380 obp...And oddly enough, all of a sudden last year his numbers around the board skyrocketed, along with his physique, hmmmmm...
Great play by Jeter, and whimpy collision by Varitek (that will get into Jorge's head) and then he just walks away and doesn't help him up, jerk!! haha
84. Nice! It was looking bad there for awhile.
I shudder to think of what would have happened if Lawton were playing LF.
85. Ichiro's arm is the best part of his game.
86. Actually, Lawton is a useful OBP guy, but he's got the disadvantage of facing a lefty, playing part time, and was in a slump when the Yanks picked him up.
87. I'm taking wagers. How many pitches in this half inning coming up, 7, 9?
Man I hope I'm wrong.
88. Nice at bat Bernie.
89. That collision was fair game by Varitek. I would have wanted Jorge to bowl him over.
90. I would diss him no matter what he did.
91. Sutcliff really really has a man crush on Varitek
92. Varitek for MVP??????
93. MVP of what?
94. That's the MVP!
95. AROD, there we go!
96. AROD, there we go!
97. AROD.. now he's an MVP!!!!!!!!!!
98. Baseball is oriented to let fielders get their shot. Going down to first, a runner is supposed to run in foul territory so there is a clear throw from the catcher to first. I never understood why catchers are allowed to physically block the plate (can a 1st baseman block 1st?) or why guys can come into home like football players. No attempt to score, just kill the catcher and knock the ball loose. I think both should be illegal. Remember Fosse?
hoooooooooooooo.... AROD!!!!!!
99. Yes A-Rod, even though my fantasy playoff opponent has you, I love it!
100. He's just a front runner like everyone else on ESPN, last night Salisbury Steak said Belichek is now the best of all time, after 1 win, 1 win, after the very first game.
101. G goes the other way.
102. Another Rodriguez homer that looks like an easy fly out. Tie game!
And Jason singles to LEFT!
103. Man.... I wish ARod could win the MVP and Triple Crown just so I could hear Sox fans say how they are better off without him. We should never forget how ARod was almost the face of the enemy
104. I just want A-Rod to win the WS.
105. Lawton's a decent enough hitter, but his fielding is wacky. He's got good speed and makes some great catches. But it's almost like he grew up on a planet where the laws of physics were different. The ball doesn't do what he expects it to, so he's often in the wrong place, despite his speed.
And A-Rod ties it up! C'mon, Yanks!
106. Cripes, it's only the third inning? We've seen so much stuff already and we're up to 103 posts.
Good lord!
107. If we could just get more than two guys hot at the same time.
108. I never want to see Lawton in the OF again.
109. randym7
He literally foloowed that ball right to the base of the wall and followed it like a cat and a ball of string.
110. Hey Rich. Joe does and that's all that matters . . . it's too much. I say again Vento Vento, Phillips Phillips. It might be a little different if Lawton wasn't slumping so bad.
111. ROFL! That's a great image, Stormer. And pretty accurate, alas.
112. If he had done that, he could have stopped the ricochet, but he didn't he was a good five feet toward center from where it hit.
113. With the high pitch count for both pitchers, tts going to be a battle of the bullpens tonight.
Who has a better chance? thoughts?
114. Sut is calling Mike's cell phone, he can't be serious.
115. tocho,
Bullpens, who has a better chance? Did you watch last nights game, or for that matter any game this year . . . I would leave Small out there no matter what the pitch count so long as he's keeping us in it.
116. well yeah but the Bosox bullpen has also been terrible this year.
117. Lookit Jorge tonight!
118. If Po can remember who is was down the stretch it would be huge.
119. I guess it could be worse, we could be listening to Fabio's younger brother, Joe Buck and Tim "AnI not talking, no seriously I'll talk some more, hear me I'm talking, I have nothing to say but I'm talking, hear me, hear me" Mcarver
120. Wells athletic ability ha ha ha...
121. When did Cano learn to bunt?
122. Man, Posada's hitting well tonight. Is he finally heating up again, or does he just know Boomer too well?
123. Torrance, no wonder.
124. So he's an alcoholic Sut, and that's funny, that's funny to you. I'm sure all the kids watching will appreciate that.
125. That was a strike?
126. There we go Jeet!
127. The incredibly clutch DJ singles.
128. Clutch! ;-)
129. Go-ahead RBI single with two outs and a man in scoring position. So very very sweet. Thanks, Cap.
130. Hey Bernie didn't swing at that, wow.
131. Now Bernie has to time one these hangers...
132. Jete! And Posada scores from 2nd.
Bet Tampa would have caught that one, though.
133. Run Forrest Run!!!!!
134. Bernie has credited (blamed) Mattingly for his newly found lack of plate discipline.
135. randym, you could not be more right. If we had played these guys when we had that series against the white sox, we would have scored 20.
136. Run Jeet RUN!
137. Maybe he can call Francona's cell phone and discuss it with him.
138. Bernie has seen more pitches in this AB than he has in all his ABs of the last few weeks.
139. Look at Jete, almost to third on the foul, gotta love that kid.
140. When was Bernie's last hit. I love the guy but what's up?
141. I miss Melky! Though we hardly knew ye.
142. Sept. 7
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/gamelog?playerId=2538
143. Fucking Red Cross, I know I know, but God Dammit what do you pay taxes for if not to fund something like this, get off my damn back!
144. Rich, thanks
So 4 hits the last 10 games, batting second, hmm.
Exactlt Sam Ryan, bug some fucking spoiled brats and get them off us regular folks for crying out loud.
145. OK, it can rain now. ;)
146. Food time!
147. Sorry if this has been discussed, but what's the latest on Sheff?
148. Sheff
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spynotes094418008sep09,0,7854142.story?coll=ny-yankees-print
149. Cool — thanks, Rich
150. No way.
151. What the hell is going on with Cleveland, all of a sudden they are the '98 Yankees... c'mon lose one already...
152. Small better not lose the plot here...
153. Phew.
154. My sentiments exactly...
155. Blame Kay for Cleveland's lead tonight. He said they had no shot v. Santana.
156. Small, the $360,000 dollar man!
157. Stormer — was just thinkin' that... Small and The Unit should have switched paychecks for the last month or so...
158. Kay can't pull his head out of Stein's ass long enough to see what's going on.
159. Small's PC is 87. Embree sucks. 'Nuff said.
160. Bklyn,
It sure would be a good idea!
161. I could have sworn Gene and Bob Watson put those teams together, God what a putz.
162. When is the last time Po had three hits?
163. Now Po can retire happy.
164. Don't forget Buck.
165. Small would gladly throw 150!
166. Good pitch, Cano wont see another fastball.
167. Cano baby! Thanks Damon.
168. Posada is golden tonight.
169. Wow, what was that throw by Rentarea??
yay Robbie, wheres all that love for Damon now Sutti?
170. PH for Lawton.
171. There we go!
I sure hope Stien saw that! No Danmon, chant it loud!
172. I fear that the Yankees will trade Duncan for Pierre.
173. How much do you want to bet Posada wanted there to be a play at the plate so he could run over Varitek in exchange for the earlier play?
174. Okay Lawton, just a flyball
175. Maybe this is what we needed to snap us straight, a big series with Boston. Let's hope they keep it up!
176. I HATE him.
177. ARRRRRGGGGGGGHHHH!!!!
178. If Torre ever starts Lawton again he is truly the idiot I think he is.
179. Like Seinfeld once said: "We root for cloth."
180. Dude, hate? I know he blows lately, but his family is homeless, well, they lost their home.
181. Lawmack Woeton needs to sit.
182. Do it Jete!
183. OK, I hate him in uniform.
184. Sut just admitted that it's his nature to root against the yanks. As if that wasn't obvious...
185. I mean, against his nature to root FOR the yanks. Typing too fast...
186. Cloth it is then Rich.
My god I just agreed with Sut, I don't know Sut, maybe they could have spent some of the 200 mil. on a lead off man, huh, maybe, you made it sould like they had no choice.
187. No reason for Lawton's family to be homeless for long:
Matt Lawton of
4 years/$27M (2002-05)
* $1M signing bonus
* 02:$5M, 03:$6.5M, 04:$7M, 05:$7.5M
* Cleveland paying portion of 2005 salary, with Pittsburgh paying the same amount toward Arthur Rhodes' 2006 salary
* $50,000 All Star incentive
* 1 year/$3.9M (2001), plus $0.1M in incentives (at-bats)
* agent: Levinson brothers
* ML service: 8.169
188. Bernie!
189. Yes Bernie!!
190. Bernie baby!
191. Nice job Bernie !
192. I see Bernie in the Ruben role next season.
193. Time to hang my Yankee flag back on the garage
194. Wells must be PISSED !!!
Isn't it great !
195. This board updates faster than sportsline.com
196. The non-strike call before A-Rod hit the HR killed him.
197. Clutch!
198. Bet they wish they'd left Wells in.
199. Can we swap the future D-Rays games for more with the Sox? I'm sure some team would be willing to trade us, right?
200. Francona, the anti-Little.
201. I like the Yankees' chances against any team...except the @#$% Devil Rays. It's just uncanny, how they have our number.
202. Send Small back out there?
203. Love it.
204. Yes, I would definitely send Small back out.
205. We haven't gotten a bounce like that all year. Thank you jesus.
206. Tease.
207. Rich.
If Joe pulls Small and they score 7 runs off relief, I will personally choke the life out of him myself.
208. Alright, 206 posts and counting!
209. The story of the Yankees this year:
BA with RISP and 2 outs: .227, worst in the league.
Tonight, 4 for 8... and thus, 8 runs.
210. And funny, no Red Sox trolls tonight. ;-)
211. If we get to the PS, and as long as Tampa Bay or Kansas City are not there, I like our chances...
212. atc,
You nuts, you have a better option? I would put a lock on the bullpen till the 8th every game if I were Girardi, and tell Joe you lost the key.
213. Sutcliff is trying his best to jinx us, right after saying Wells will get his 7th loss, Damon leads off with a hit
214. Ugh.
215. Nice play Cap.
216. No I don't have a better option. At 6-3 though (as it was when I typed that), 4th time through the order, long wait, it just makes me nervous.
217. Cliff, is Alex at the game tonight? (Not that you would nec. know)
218. Embree is warming? Please don't tell me that, blow me then Jesus, I've prayed for Embree to never play on this team again, See prayers don't do shit!
219. Noooooooooooooooooooooooo
220. God Damn you Joe! Fuck you! Fuck you! The pen better not blow it you fucking moron. God dammit!
221. oh no, Embree!
222. God Damn you Joe! Fuck you! Fuck you! The pen better not blow it you fucking moron. God dammit!
223. I dont give a shit whether we win the world series in the most exciting series ever. Joe must go! I love him, but he's gone senile!
224. It's Tanyon, not Embree. For now.
225. Stormer, you have a lot of anger my friend
226. UGH! Manny KILLS Tanyon!!!
227. how many HRs has many hit off of Sturtz in his career?
228. He's right on these pitches.
229. I think Small had to come out. He was clearly tiring. No sense in wearing him out, especially when he wasn't pitching that well any more.
230. Ok Sturtz do it!
My point is, Embree, should not even be warming! Is Lieter the gardner out there or is he a pitcher Joe, even I would choose Lieter over Embree, God you're a dunce!
231. damn it....
232. Uh oh.
233. This game isn't over, thanks to Maury Torre.
234. Thanks Joe, here we go. Again, Fuck you!
235. Something smells very, very bad!
236. God no, Torre, you jerk.
237. That totally looekd like it hit Mannys bat, but because ESPN sucks, no replay
238. Alex didn't mention to me that he'd be at the game, though you never know.
Joe in Boston, you can't be front-running with the flag on the garage, man. I mean, I know you're not a front-runner, but you've gotta stick with it regardless of how they're playing.
239. Tanyon hit Manny with a pitch. Embree's coming in now, to face Nixon.
240. Small would not be in this situation. God I really am starting to hate him.
241. fuck you tanyon
242. He has a Boston Flag hidden away just in case, don't worry. :)
243. Handedness over ability. It's the Torre way.
244. Good thing we have a five-run lead and not a four-run lead.
245. Come on, Embree. I want to be wrong.
246. Oh God I can't look!
247. God, even Emree should be able to get Nixon!
248. Thanks Kay, so it's three strike....
249. Twins get lead off man on in 9th, down 4-2
250. If he gets him it changes nothing!
Why couldn't Joe be vacationing in New Orleans?
251. CANO!
UGH
252. That's right Sut, and that's exactly why Boston dumped him!
253. ARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!
254. Shit
255. unreal
256. how many BIG errors has Cano made in the last week? SHIT!!!
257. Dont do it guys, don't blame Cano there. It was hard hit and it never should have come to this!
258. Oh, gawd. Cano caught napping again. I think he tends to lose concentration.
Flash is coming in.
259. So now Gordon will come in and pitch two innings??
We really need to start replacing Cano for defense
260. Torre looks PISSED. Anyone see Jeter slap Torre on the chest trying to get him to calm down?
261. GD Cano! He's a choke fielder, I'm now convinced. I really worry about playing him in the postseason. Embree, who was surely waiting to get Nixon ever since the Sox release him, must want to murder young Robinson.
Gordon in. That's good. Now it's four runs. That's bad.
262. Bellhorn made an error this week too.
263. This is Joe's fault, plain and simple. Maybe Small gives up one, but not this mess.
264. ok, I'm now on a business trip in Atlanta, staying at a phat hotel, and I'm wasting my Friday night watching was it about to become a bightmare of a game? why?
265. This is where 'closer' mentality sucks. Bring in the best. The game is on the line... a game we can NOT blow. Bring in Mariano for the 7th and 8th, and let Gordon close.... hopefully with a few run lead.
266. Gordon will end it here.
267. Stormer, you need to stop with the Katrina-related cracks. This is an official warning from your host.
268. indians win
269. Bellhorn's error came at the end of a blowout and was meaningless.
270. Embree has only one pitch, and it aint that good, why on God's green earth would he be in there?
God Joe you better be pissed and if you want to know who at, grab a mirror and your precious "Kevin Brown in Game 7" playbook. Sit the fuck down Joe.
271. Anyone notice we've gotten a lot of 2 strike counts tonight, but have had trouble putting guys away?
272. That doesn't mean that Bellhorn is a sure-handed fielder.
273. Ah, that's how to do the DP.
274. Cliff,
You got it, sorry bro.
275. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.
276. Cano will be fine.
277. Thank you Gordon!
278. Cano redeemed himself nicely with the DP there. $$$
279. Cano non-chalanted that one too - but I'll take it
280. Umm, Embree did his job there, that was a DP ball.
281. Ok Ok. Lets get a couple more and get out of this.
282. I think Cano will be a great player...when he grows up a little.
283. I don't think it's non-chalant, I really think he's got some nerves.
284. You know, it is amazing, but I really dislike watching these games, I simply can't relax. I have a major major major examination on Monday that I should be studying my a@@ off for, and yet I can't turn this thing off. I always have this horrible, doom feeling in my gut, and it doesn't go away until the last pitch...I used to enjoy this, but not for a few years now, sign
285. I was feelin' ya, Rich, good call... no f'in way we are going to lose this game.
286. That Lawton play is still cracking me up, chasing the ball, not where the ball would be. I still say he reminds me of a kitten and string out there most days.
287. Zack, I was lucky. The Yankees sucked when I studied for the Bar exam. Good luck.
288. With Tek batting lefty, I was sure that was a hit up the middle. Cano was playing surprisingly close to 2nd, leaving a big hole. Was this intentional positioning? Wow, I'm glad we got out of that. A loss now would blow my entire weekend.
289. Come on Ruben.
290. Lawton was not our best acquisition. I thought that was a steal, but I guess not.
291. atc, I read that as soft hands, he got the ball to Jeter in a blink of an eye, picture perfect DP.
Jeremy, you got it. I think Embree dug down for that one, grudge-match stylee.
By the way, getting out of that mess, and doing it via a nicely turned DP started by Cano was huge on many levels. Imagine the effects on a young player, or on Joe "Trust" Torre had that error turned into a big inning. Cano acts cocky, but I think that could have crushed him. Just think of how hard the fans would have ridden him over it.
292. When was the last time we scored 8 or more?
293. So damon is not only growing his hair, he's highlighting it too, yikes.
294. Giambi last 7 days:
.316 .458 .684
Tino's injury has been a blessing in disguise.
295. Francona goes to the call-up portion of the pen having failed to cash in that big inning.
296. This would be just what we need right now, to really get Jorge going, we need him down the stretch to balance out that lineup. Come on Jorge.
297. Rich, as I'm sure you're implying, it's all about playing the field, I'm so completely convinced at this point.
298. Hey all, I just got here and for a moment I thought I had clicked "Dodger Thoughts" instead - 291 comments, damn! - it'll take me some time to read all these.
Glad to see we're winning, and that Small pitched well and Jorge is hitting tonight. Not happy to see Sierra playing - and making outs - AGAIN. Though I am glad Giambi's at 1B . . .
BTW, I have to listen to Remy and Co - Remy just said the ball Cano flubbed (ugh!) "probably wouldn't have been a double play". Any thoughts on that one? =)
299. Hmm. So, according to Sut, we have to give credit to Cashman for not taking credit for Small and Chacon. Ah, the logic.
300. Definitely, Cliff.
301. Tino will do anything we need, not only a great ball player, a great teammate and mentor. Props to Tino.
302. Cano adds a hit for good measure.
303. Cano is mentally tough.
304. I just think Cano's bat makes it worth it. His defense has been so bad lately it's tough to talk about the ofense, but a lot of his hits have been in important situations, whether we ultimately win or lose the game.
305. Word, Rich. If Cano can learn to take just 50 walks a year, he'll be a money player.
306. Nice hit, Cano!
307. Come on Matty, look over here, I have string, here you go, nope, here you go, nope, ok ok, nope, here kitty, just playing with ya, nope.
308. Yeah, I think Cano will come through just fine. He's still young. Given the position he's been put in this year, I think he's done a great job.
309. Sierra and Lawton are 0 for 8, Yanks are up 8-4. Imagine if Sheff was healthy.
310. I like Cano. I agree he will be fine. If anything we should have called up our stud infielder from Trenton, that's playing in the Arizona Fall League now, what's his name?
We might even be able to position him in the outfield I'm told.
311. So, if Gordon pitches two tonight, and presumably Rivera will pitch the 9th, we better hope to win by a lot tomorrow with no Gordon!
312. Lawton would have gone back to the track on that short fly to Matsui
313. See though, now we have to tax Gordon, this is what happens when you yank starters for no good reason Joe.
314. Joe must think he has Dennis Eckersly and Goose out there, maybe it's his medication.
315. With a four-run lead, is it worth the risk to try to avoid Mo tonight in case you need Mo for two tomorrow?
316. It was back to the love for Damon for a bit there
317. I must say, with Gordon and Mo he pretty much does have a pair of Eckersleys, though no one who can pitch Goose innings.
318. Problem is Cliff, who else would you throw out there, Mendoza?
319. After reading some of the early comments, I'm glad I'm stuck with Orsillo and the Rem-dog and not ESPN. In fairness, they (Orsillo and Remy) really aren't too bad. Of course Remy just said Matsui was a great LF 'cause he'd only made 1 error this year . . .
Friggin' Mueller. I'll be glad when he's gone from the Sox next year. Reminds me of Mike Macfarlane in the early 90s - always a Yankee Killer.
320. If this is the new "philosophy of baseball" then they should start molding middle relievers in the minors, knowing that will be the role, teach them well, and then pay them more, and starters less, if they will never or rarely be expected to go that deep. Otherwise we have what the league has now, rejects in the bullpen who suffer blame and anger when they don't come through, it's a period they will talk about someday as being "transitional."
321. Mo's up in the pen - sigh. But I guess Torre has no choice . . . unless: is it worth having Gordon pitch 2 innings to save Mo?
322. That's 23 pitches for Gordon. Damn.
323. Shaun, this is alrady his second inning, well he got one out last inning
324. See See Sut just said it. Asking Chacon to go 8 is "asking a lot." Why the hell is it asking a lot, he is a starter who goes once every 5 days. Why is this the current thinking?
Please, someone enlighten me as to why and when asking a starter to go 8 or 9 became "asking a lot?"
Jack McKeon has done ok not adhering to the philosophy.
325. Nice
326. Well, at least Gordon can get guys out. Unlike everyone else in the pen.
327. I mean seriously I need a coherent reasonable explanation.
328. I don't think the MSM has accepted how good Chacon may be away from Coors Field.
329. so Gordon threw 26 pitches I think. I guess he can do one inning tomorrow.
330. Chacon tends to throw a lot of pitches, Lieteritess without the severe case
331. But overall in baseball, when did this happen? Why is it so prevalent. I know factually there is no medical eveidence that pitch count correlates to injury. It's specific to the player and the number of stressful game situations.
I still think what I said above has got to be the way to do it. If you plan on having to use guys almost every day.
Find good ones, mentor, train, mold and then pay!
No starter should ever be paid more than 5 mil. if asking them to finish games is "asking a lot."
It's very frustrating because I just know it has no basis in fact or medicine.
332. Thanks, Zach. That's what happens when I come in late. =)
Maybe if the Yanks score a couple runs here, Torre will get someone else up? If things start to go bad, he can always go to Mo then.
333. I mean seriously, we have to collectively treat them like every one else on the team and pay them.
Middle relief are treated like garbage afterthoughts, paid nothing and blamed consistently, but are used more and more and have become just as important as every other aspect of the game in contemporary baseball.
334. Run Bubba RUN!
335. HA! MVP my ass!
336. C'mon, A-rod!
337. Some people blame pitch counts on LaRussa's obsession with bullpen specialization.
Similar to the shift from a four to a five man rotation, it's merely a matter of whatever is au courant thinking.
338. How can you not root for a kid named Bubba, I mean seriously. I know it's not his real name but Bubba, I mean come on, run boy run, ma's calling y'all.
339. I couldn't root for Bubba Trammell. ;)
340. Stormer, just because the man pops up with a guy on 3rd doesn't mean he's not the MVP. If its not A-Rod, who do you think it is?
OK Giambi, your turn!
341. Rich,
I hear ya, but don't you think they should be given greater training, specialization and money, if, indeed, there are going to be asked to work every day and starters are not even expected, let alone demanded, to actually pitch and own the games they pitch.
The obverse should be true considering your reasoning right? If one more day of rest then why not more expected.
I just feel like baseball is lost with this and it's hurting the quality of the game.
342. Hit a HR so Mo doesn't have to pitch.
343. Shaun,
Easy there killer, I was talking about Varitek's moonshot throw to center!
344. The Sox announcers have spent half Giambi's at bat talking about Schilling and tomorrow's game. Think they think its over?
345. My bad, Stormer - BTW, what nutcase was talking about Varitek for MVP?? Geez, not even the Sox announcers have said that tonight!
346. Rich I was trying to be funny, now my feelings are hurt, thanks man, thanks a lot.
347. 4 run game, Mo has to come in.
348. Shaun, one guess Rich Sut . . .
349. Stormer, I think that has been happening. Street, Hansen, Cox and others are being drafted earlier in the amateur draft because they have closer potential, and as a result, are signing for more money.
350. How can someone who was such an effective pitcher be such a dummy in the booth? Sigh . . .
351. Sigh. You'd think with a man on 3rd and A-rod and Giambi batting, he wouldn't be stranded.
Four runs sounds comfortable, but against the Sox, it ain't.
352. This makes no sense, now he uses Mo. Joe is a contradiction wrapped in burrito sauce. Again, this would not have happened if he hadn't knee jerked with Small.
Catch Bubba catch!
353. Most managers use closers using a cookbook protocol rather than exercising their brain to think outside the box.
354. Getting Oritz out was nice...
355. Just for the hell of it - players named "Bubba" according to baseball-reference.com:
Name Years Played Given Name
Bubba Carpenter 2000-2000 Carpenter
Bubba Church 1950-1955 Emory Nicholas Church
Bubba Crosby 2003-2004 Richard Stephen Crosby
Bubba Floyd 1944-1944 Leslie Roe Floyd
Bubba Harris 1948-1951 Charles Harris
Bubba Morton 1961-1969 Wycliffe Nathaniel Morton
Bubba Phillips 1955-1964 John Melvin Phillips
Bubba Trammell 1997-2003 Thomas Bubba Trammell
3 of the 8 have played for the Yanks at some level (Bubba Carpenter was in the minors for years, apparently)
356. Now Mo is going to have to throw a bunch. Again, Fuck you Joe!
Rich,
"Closer potential" Not to quibble but I was speaking of the guys that have to work the 6th 7th etc. I understand what you're saying.
However this is what the halfwits like Gammons should be talking about, instead of Barry Barry, please let me touch you Barry.
357. Oh sheesh Sut, now he's got his dick in manny's mouth. Has he no shame.
358. Not a one hall of famer on that squad, you'd think he was watching the 27' Yankees.
359. Another nervous looking Cano play, this one much tougher I guess
360. So, does that mean that Bubba Carpenter's mom really put "Bubba" on his birth certificate?
361. Cliff, what you were saying before about Cano is starting to look prophetic - that was the end of the game . . .
362. Lol, it's been known to happen in the south. Bubba is their "John."
363. Stormer, I think, perhaps, you should lighten up a little on the language....
364. Man, if my name was Wycliffe, I would totally go by it
365. Stormer,
The 6th or 7th their whole career? Because most relievers who are effective in the antecedent innings become closers later in their careers, like Mo or more recently, BJ Ryan.
Alternatively, the Yankees have "overpaid" Karsay and Gordon to fill set roles. Consquently, there is some apperciation for their skills.
366. And no Cliff, I will not apologize for making fun of the South. Cut me some slack, I gotta have some fun.
367. MO!!! Yes!!!
368. Set UP roles.
Build on it. We need to sweep.
369. Way to go, Mo! Wish you didn't have to pitch, but I'm glad to get the win.
randym77, Bubba Carpenter was born in Dallas . . . http://baseball-reference.com/c/carpebu01.shtml . . . I have no idea how common a name "Bubba" actually is, in the South or elsewhere.
370. 17pitches for Mo, just low enough for 1 inning tomorrow
371. Rich,
I gotcha. Maybe what I'm arguing is impossible with a 5 man rotation and salary constraints. I still have no idea why they moved from 4 to 5 anyhow.
Maybe, picking my own argument apart, the answer is to, at the very least, expect starters to pitch longer and throw those clickers in the trash.
372. Fine Shaun,
Maybe it's not that common, but the fact remains that somewhere, somehow, someway, someone is sitting in a hospital--or trailer--right now pondering and percolating whether or not "Bubba" is the right choice for their new baby boy, and it frightens me, frightens me quite a bit.
373. Post season seems almost bleaker than ever. I don't think we catch Boston or I'll say unlikely. But Cleveland is telling us to take a hike. They beat Johan Santana tonight and the biggest part of their schedule is against KC. At least if we can take 2 out of three from Boston and do well from there we'll stay in the WC hunt but it's Cleveland's to take if they're up to it. I wonder if we might see Bellhorn late in a winning game as a defensive replacement some time in the next two games
374. One major point. In defense of Cano, please, everyone, let's remember, he's a rookie. I want him to grow and mature and blossom into a great ballplayer and the price for that is to put up with and absorb rookie mistakes, both mental and physical. He's the last person anyone should point fingers at.
Patience, Cliff, Unpopster and everyone. Cut the kid some slack.
Oh, and Cliff, are you saying you think Cano per se is a choker? Because I think that many a rookie would choke in such a spot. It's quite common, isn't it?
375. weeping, I agree with you on Cano. That double play ball to him was smoked. At this point they might want to consider Bellhorn as a defensive replacement at times but I'm not slapping Cano. As to others all I keep thinking is Rodney Dangerfield saying "tough crowd, tough crowd"
376. I don't think he's a choker. I think he just loses focus (another common rookie trap). Because he always plays great right after making a mistake. You can count on him to redeem himself after screwing up. If he were a choker, the pressure of having failed would make it even worse, you'd think.
377. Hey Alex/Cliff, would 400 posts be a record? I think we can do it...don't make me start reciting lines from Bull Durham to make it happen, I swear I'll do it, anything to avoid work!
378. Yeah marc, I'm all for defensive replacements, nothing wrong with that.
My biggest concern is that as fans we can't have it both ways. We can't lament the fact that our team is an inorganic assemblage of veteran superstars (faded or otherwise) on the one hand, while displayin no patience for rookie mistakes, on the other.
If I'm going to lose, I'd MUCH rather lose because of inexperience than because of being over-the-hill and without passion.
At least the promise of inexperience blossoming gives us something to look forward to. I mean, who knows if this kid's not the next Bernie or Jeter?
379. No problem on 400. If Matsui can do it between Japan and the US, so can we. I've got the Japan side covered and you guys man the fort back home.
Big win. Small is a real hero. I think he deserves a post-season start if we can get ourselves in....(I predicted as much a couple of days ago).
Hope Sheff gets back quickly. We need him. I also hope we see Bellhorn tomorrow. Love to see him hit against Schilling, the way Schilling has pitched anyway.
Let's go Chacon...here we go!!!!
380. That's what makes Jeter so special. He didn't choke, he stepped up big.
381. I agree with Weeping - I'd rather lose due to Cano's error than because Bernie can't get to a fly ball. At least it really seems like Cano's trying his hardest - he's just young, very tired and in the middle of a tough pennant race. Granted, I'd love to see him work his P/AB up closer to 3.5, but I'm content to wait another season or two.
Don't forget - Bernie was NEVER a good defensive outfielder. The first steps he got on balls were absolutely horrendous - he just had the speed to make up for a lack on instincts. Now he doesn't have the speed to make up for it.
382. randym77, yeah, Sori was exactly like that.
Remember that big error he made in the postseason? God, can't remember when it was or who against (Oakland? California?), but he made an error on a routine play in late innings in a pretty big spot and the next play the ball found him again and he made the play with grace and guts.
I don't get to watch games often so I can't say with Cano, but Sori really did lose focus. He's just forget to see the ball into the glove. Tonight, anyway, Cano didn't lose focus so much as try to do too much. He tried to turn two on play that was hard hit and by no means routine.
I think losing focus and trying to do too much are two separate issues. What do you think?
383. Further, I agree, lets be patient with Cano.
384. Chucksax,
Bernie win those gold gloves on personality and good looks?
385. Sori is the worst kind of ball payer, the absolute worst kind. Why? Because he states over and over that he will not move to the outfield becuase he is worth a higher salary as a second baseman, it's disgusting, and I don't give a rats ass if it's his agent, he's a grown man, but clearly, not a second baseman.
386. Oh yeah, and mikeplugh, thanks for reminding us about Small, whose efforts might easily be overlooked given the circumstances of his departure.
He really did come up big and we should all feel really pleased with his performance.
This was the first time I've gotten a chance to see him and I must say, I wasn't that impressed. What's his secret? Yes, I saw him change speeds effectively (he threw some really sweet offspeed pitches in big spots) but otherwise, I can't account for his success. His stuff was all right, but I kept expecting Boston to explode.
Is the changing speeds basically the key to his success?
387. Yes weeping, it is. It is also his pace, he works faxt and gets guys off balance. I was mystified as well, but he is 7-0 with an era around 3.00. You just can't argue with that.
Further, Joe had some nerve yanking him at that point, a coulple bad luck plays and a great hit of a very good pitch. No excuse to yank him there, and we had to overuse Flash, and use Mo for no good reason as a result.
388. If he and Chacon have 2 or 3 more good starts, no doubt they are my co-mvp's of this team, hands down, with a dash of Giambi for good measure.
389. And I'll tell you something else. One huge element in his success is humbleness. Baseball humbleness, he almost never, and I mean never, shakes Posada off, he and Chacon both.
Many pitchers have forgotton who calls the game, and many lose games due to nothing more than testoterone and insecurities, by shaking their god damn heads too much. Watch the best ones, you'll see.
390. Small threw up and in to Ortiz, which none of our pitchers ever do!
391. yes but they keep throwing it away from Renteria. what's up with that? he's an opposite field hitter. his power is to right field. but we keep pounding the ball over the outside part of the plate. just where he likes it. he's got an extremely closed stance. whaddya think? likes the ball away from him. Mel! do you hear me?
392. One thing people may not have noticed was the great throw Cano made to Jeter at second on Varitek's (I think it was Veritek, maybe Damon?) bloop down the RF line, to make sure to limit it to a single. But TWO booted double play balls?? Maybe he is a choke fielder Cliff, but he's often really slick. I wonder if he's starting to feel fatigue from the length of the season. Didn't the Minor League season end a couple of weeks ago?
393. 393, almost there!
394. Oh boy. No more Cano bashing!
395. Holy crap! These game threads are getting longer every day. Or maybe they're just proportional to the length of the games?
396. Anyone care to summarize the last 250 posts?
397. Summarize them....ugh...
Great game. Small rocked. Cano is a rookie and some want to bash him for not concentrating well, while others think he should be given a longer leash. I can't go back and read them all again....tired....
I think we should be pleased that Giambi is in the 4 hole now. It means that he's hitting, and it means that Torre is confident that he will keep hitting there. Sheffield's absence hurts, but I think we should consider plugging him in elsewhere if it means Giambi higher in the order. I propose:
Jeter
Matsui
A-Rod
Giambi
Sheffield
Sierra
Bernie
Posada
Cano
398. I should have pointed out that the above lineup staggers the hitters righty-lefty from top to bottom....your 2-6 guys all can mash, and both Bernie and Posada have timely power from both sides of the plate. Jeter at the top and Cano at the bottom run well, and handle the bat with confidence to both fields.
399. On the way to 400....did anyone else notice that Small is a vocal leader on top of everything else?
When Torre came to get the ball from him, Small was surrounded by appreciative Yankee players. Guys who make salaries in the 10's of millions all patting him on the back and sicerely expressing their appreciation. Small stuck out his prominent chin and barked his thanks back to them and you could see his pep talk as he pumped his fist. He was rallying the troops to keep those inherited runners from scoring, and he was urging his All-Star teammates to bring the herd home.
I love this guy. He's humble enough to know his role, but strong and confident enough to urge his famous teammates to play with passion and focus. That's a guy I want with the ball in a playoff game.
400. 400...we did it....
I know I made the last several posts, but someone needed to vault this thing over the top!
It's a testament to Cliff and Alex that this forum has grown to be as interesting and prolific as it is, and post #400 is dedicated to their skill, dedication, and loyalty to team.
Excelsior!!!
401. Stormer Sports -
Keep in mind that the same people that give out the gold gloves are the same people that gave one to Raffy Palmiero for playing 34 games in the field.
Bernie was a wonderful outfielder, but he's never had good instincts. He's just been able to outrun his mistakes - something that he hasn't been able to do this year.