Comments on: Card Corner: Toby Harrah

By: Raf

Raf — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:49:46 +0000

I don’t have a problem with Jeter, never did. I did find the he can do no wrong sentiment amusing, tho’

I thought he should’ve moved to CF or moved to 3b, but I knew it wasn’t going to happen; why kvetch about it?

By: The Mick536

The Mick536 — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:37:53 +0000

Want some fun. Check out the box score for a random game in 1995 (retrosheet), say June 4. Yankees win 11-3. 22,000 at the game. Guess the starting lineups first. Lots of great names for just a game.

I also worked in the Bronx in early 90′s. During breaks in night court, took in a few innings in bleachers. Great fans. Loved the 1994 team.

By: The Mick536

The Mick536 — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:26:19 +0000

Just thinking out loud. Maybe Yankee fans should be divided into those who started with Jeter and those who were on the bench prior to that time. More tweaking could be done back to the oldest who maybe can still remember JoeD’s first game and the 1939 team. I start in the early 50′s. I have seen the ups and downs. Doesn’t give me cred, but it does mean I have seen, read, and heard a lot about a team I root for 365 days a year.

In the late 70′s and 80′s, I went to a ton of games. People gave away early Spring and late Fall tickets. Not many people went to the games, or if they did, they left early. Worked in the Bronx and didn’t fear the subway back to Brooklyn or the streets. I sat all over the place, everywhere but the good seats. Loved the bleachers best. Not going back again. Cannot afford it.

I saw many of those SS’s. Hope you do the 3B’s too. But there were others, less noteworthy that the ones mentioned (even if they played only one game) who can claim to be Yankees: Mike Fishlin, Wayne Tolleson, Paul Zuvella, Randy Vellarde, Jamie Quirk, Carlos Rodriguez, Mike Villego, Dave Silvestri, Kevin Elster, and Robert Eenhoorn (who?).

Anyone have any stories?

By: Rich

Rich — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:50:58 +0000

[8] I think I view Jeter fairly realistically, which has been viewed as bashing by some of his most ardent supporters. Nonetheless, I am of the opinion that Jeter can extend his career by making a position switch because I think playing the OF would likely take loss of a toll on his stamina (no more diving for balls at the edge of his range), and as a result, possibly boost his SLG.

As for Harrah, my lasting memory of him will be his return to the Stadium, after he was traded, when acted out on his bitterness over the way he believes he was mistreated as a Yankee by elbowing the 1Bman (I can’t recall his name) in the face as he tried to beat out a bunt or an infield grounder.

By: monkeypants

monkeypants — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:33:31 +0000

[7] It has been interesting, for me anyway, to watch this growing anti-Jeter tide. Back in the day, the man could do not wrong, but all of us in the know–you know, we read Bill James and Rob Neyer etc–recognized that his defense was not very good, and he was NOT a better hitter than Nomar or A-Rod. Still, even the critics recognized the man was a fine ball pleyer.

Then a few years ago the tide began to turn. I don’t know why–maybe success breeds contempt, maybe being “objective” (which is often the blog code word for hyper-negative) became hip, maybe too many read Fire Joe Morgan without proper catechesis and now have the zealotry of a convert. In any case, Jeter has gone from being a bad defender to a historically bad butcher in the field. He can’t hit, he can’t run. No matter what any numbers say he is now the among the worst, most overpaid players in baseball.

Even better, Jeter-bashing has now slipped into moralizing territory: he’s smug, self-centered, selfish (damn you Jeter, why did you force the YAnkees to move A-Rod to 3B???!!!).

It has been truly amazing to watch the speed and ferocity of this process.

One more thing–this reminds me of the last years of Phil Simms, when he played for the Giants. Many fans could not wait for him to leave–to hand the ball over the Hostetler or draft a new start QB–and I was among the guilty. I remember distinctly watching a game one Sunday and Madden said that “Giants fans are going to miss Simms a lot more than they realize.” And you know, he was right.

When Jeter finally hangs it up or is released–after this season if he really bombs, but more likely in two seasons–there is a very good chance that there will be a huge, gaping hole at SS for years. The critics will of course fault Cashman for not having a plan, etc. But in reality we have all become spoiled by having a HOF quality SS for the last dozen years. That kind of production is just not replaced easily.

By: Dimelo

Dimelo — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:21:28 +0000

[3] Tell me about it!!! The Yankee interwebs are filled with Jeter bashing. It really is getting old, the comments on LoHud are the most hilarious. Especially when Pete throws a ZING at ARod, then that automatically starts all the anti-Jeter talk.

Let’s go Yanks!!!!

By: RIYank

RIYank — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:36:01 +0000

Joba's up to speed. Whew.

By: Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO

Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:32:52 +0000

Alvaro Espinoza..amazing to think of how many craptacular players the Yankees had in the 80s..I remember being convinced that Mike Pags would be our power threat for the next ten years…D’oh!

By: monkeypants

monkeypants — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:17:08 +0000

In spring training news of note (to jump start some banter), I was pleasantly surprised that Tomko did not make the team as some sort of obligatory “long man.”

By: monkeypants

monkeypants — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:15:35 +0000

[2] Yep. But in the meanwhile, avoid Nomaas, River Ave Blues, and others…the last few days have been a Jeter-criticism-fest. I guess when A-Rod is out…

By: Dimelo

Dimelo — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:56:48 +0000

Finally a few nice words written about Jeter.

By: RIYank

RIYank — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:26:41 +0000

Cool, thanks, Bruce.
The years following 1978 are mainly a blank to me. I was in college, and I just didn’t have much attention for baseball.
I definitely remember that Jeter guy, though.