"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Tie Breaker

Andy Pettitte takes the hill this afternoon looking to send the Yankees home with a win. Pettitte was fantastic against the Royals on Friday (7 IP, 1 R, 6 K, just four baserunners). In his last start against the Rays, last July, he was even better (8 IP, 0 R, 5 K, four baserunners), though that came at home and his results in three previous starts against the Rays were more mixed.

Johnny Damon, who missed yesterday’s game due to the flu, returns to the lineup this afternoon, bumping Derek Jeter back into the leadoff spot and Brett Gardner down to the seven hole. Damon takes the place of the ailing Xavier Nady who is out indefinitely due to a tear in his right elbow (more specific news is still pending as Nady waits to see the team doctors). The rest of the lineup is the same as last night’s with Jorge Posada at DH and Ramiro Peña at third base.

That lineup will face 26-year-old righty Andy Sonnanstine, who had a rough outing against the Orioles last week (4 2/3 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 2 K) and last faced the Yankees a year and one day ago, also at the Trop, and was even worse (3 1/3 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 3 HR). Of the three Yankees who homered of him in that game, only Damon is in today’s lineup (Alex Rodriguez and Morgan Ensberg were the other two).

Everyone’s wearing number 42 today in recognition of Jackie Robinson day. Whereas wearing the number was elective in past years, this year it’s manditory for everyone.

Categories:  Cliff Corcoran  Game Thread

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193 comments

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1 Shaun P.   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:14 pm

Yahoo! says the game is being delayed. Is it raining inside the Trop?

/snark off

2 knuckles   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:17 pm

[1] I'm guessing it's due to some kind of Jackie Robinson related ceremony?

Either that or Swisher rolled a ball into the Drays dugout and they're brawling right now.

3 Shaun P.   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:21 pm

[2] Thanks, knuckles. Despite Czar Bud's best efforts, I forgot it was Jackie Robinson Day. (And would someone please tell Seligula that when its a couple of players who request to wear #42 to honor him, its a nice gesture - but when he makes everyone do it, it comes off as contrived bs? Bud is pretty good at contrived bs, though.)

I bet Swisher could take on the whole Rays team, and the actual rays they keep in that tank in the OF, by himself.

4 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:26 pm

Agreed on the #42 thing Shaun. It loses the impact when it's mandatory.

Still, nice to see everyone honoring Mo today.

5 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:29 pm

My whole thing is this: Someone like Brett Myers, who was parading his kid around in a confederate flag t-shirt during spring training, is going to "honor" Jackie Robinson? Seriously?

6 thelarmis   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:32 pm

the delay was due to some power outage caused by yesterday's storms.

is wakefield really throwing a freaking no-hitter thru 5?! i'm allowed to speak of this when it's NOT our team...right?! : )

7 thelarmis   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:34 pm

yeah, i think the whole 42 thing is a bit much. the clemente kick of retiring 21 is also. i do wish Larry Doby got more credit, credibility and was talked about more often...

8 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:37 pm

I have great respect for Clemente, but I don't get the "Retire 21" thing at all.

9 The Hawk   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:40 pm

Anyone with TWC have a blank screen, but sound? I do.

10 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:41 pm

I think the pointless number retirement that can't be topped is the NHL with 99. What was Wayne Gretzky's lasting social impact? That cartoon he did with Jordan and Bo Jackson?

11 The Hawk   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:42 pm

Never mind, it's back

12 Alex Belth   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:44 pm

Doby deserves more credit. So does Minnie Minoso. The idea of retiring 21 for Clemente seems crazy.

13 thelarmis   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:46 pm

wake has a no-no thru 6. i've gotta go teach. go A's - get some hits!!!

Let's GO YAN-KEES !! !!!

[8] [12] agreed.

have a good game y'all...

14 bartap   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:52 pm

[13] The YES guys keep saying he's got a perfect game going, but Boston has an error on the board.

15 Shaun P.   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:53 pm

Retiring any more numbers MLB-wide, to me, just dilutes the tribute of retiring 42 MLB-wide to honor Jackie Robinson. Its a great honor because its done for only one guy. Its like the everyone wearing #42 today thing.

16 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:55 pm

Any suggestions for possible OFers to be had?

17 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:56 pm

Swisher has a big "X" on the inside of his left forearm. Is that a previously existing tattoo, or a magic marker tribute to Nady?

18 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:56 pm

I agree... but maybe a future retired number for the first openly gay player?
j/k.

19 bartap   ~  Apr 15, 2009 4:58 pm

[18] Piazza?

20 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:00 pm

OYF, how about Damon, Gardner, and Swisher? The Yankees don't need a starter, they need bench guy, preferably a righty. Hmmm. Shelley Duncan anyone?

21 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:02 pm

OYF @ 18: Why just kidding?

22 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:08 pm

[20] That assumes Matsui is an effective DH. That is still to be seen.

The Yanks missed it. Yaki slid OVER Homeplate and never touched it. The Ump did NOT call him safe. If the Yanks tagged him, we have a scoreless inning.

23 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:10 pm

[21] Nah... they wouldn't retire his number. The shower room maybe...

24 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:17 pm

Canobiwan!

25 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:17 pm

Oh, of course, because it's Robinson Day (as Flash reminds us).

26 The Hawk   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:17 pm

Dontcha know???

27 Raf   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:18 pm

[5] Sure, why not? Repping the stars and bars does not automatically make one a racist.

[8][12] Given the reverence Clemente has around Puerto Rico and hispanic players in general (I've played in leagues dedicated to Clemente), it doesn't seem that far-fetched. I don't have a dog in this fight, and it doesn't matter to me one way or the other, I'm just sayin...

[16][20] A bench guy, a part time player. If a FA is signed or if Shelly's called up, another roster move will have to be made, as I think the Yanks are at their limit, unless a trade is made. But it looks like Melky takes Nady's spot on the bench.

28 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:19 pm

God, that was actually a really nice play by Pena.

29 The Hawk   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:20 pm

Send the runner already! Jesus they have one fast guy. Let him run!

30 The Hawk   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:21 pm

See they waited too long.

31 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:21 pm

Crud.
Cone couldn't relay that signal down to Girardi in time, huh? ;-)

32 The Hawk   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:29 pm

Hmm. Pettitte doesn't look too sharp. Still, I don't think the Yanks are done scoring.

33 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:29 pm

3-2, top 5th. How was Cano's tater??
I hope Cashman brings up Jackson and we don't go down the Geoff Jenkins-retread route..

34 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:31 pm

[33] Crushed.

The problem with bringing up Jackson is that if he doesn't play every day, it retards his development. Is that the plan, play him every day? It could be pretty frustrating watching him learn on the job, in the Bronx.

35 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:35 pm

[34] Tanks!
if A-Rod is back, can't the O survive with a light-hitting OF?

36 The Hawk   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:37 pm

If the OF is Swisher, Damon and Gardner most of the time, Nady's absence won't be that big of a deal. I think if Swisher goes back to his typical (read: not last year) line, then he's a suitable replacement. It's just on those off days things might get a little weird.

37 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:38 pm

[35] Yes, but in that case why not just stick with what we have now? We *have* a couple of good-fielding, weak-hitting OFers to go with Damon and Swisher.

The Rays' running game has not been effective, it seems to me. I think they've given away a whole lot of outs with it.

38 BrianLevy2020   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:40 pm

[32] Seems like he's not especially wild, but everything he pitches comes back the other way as a line drive...

39 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:40 pm

What a cool shot of Andy talking to himself.

40 tommyl   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:47 pm

Gardner, Pena and Molina all in the lineup will not lead to many runs.

41 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:54 pm

Just turned the game on. All the 42s look incredibly stupid. Can Bud go away now?

42 BrianLevy2020   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:55 pm

Joe Nelson looked REALLY good there.

43 BrianLevy2020   ~  Apr 15, 2009 5:55 pm

[42] P.S. Bud made me make that comment in honor of Jackie.

44 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:02 pm

Who is going to be the next Commish?? Wonder if Suzyn Waldman is interested..

45 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:07 pm

The bottom of this lineup is way too weak to run out there with great frequency. Nady's injury may be the catalyst, but I think the Yankees need to make a move before Arod returns.

46 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:11 pm

Should have pinch hit for Molina!

(Scans bench.)

Never mind.

47 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:11 pm

Molina vs Balfour..this is not going to lead to a run.

48 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:12 pm

At least Matsui's walk cleared the pitcher...I mean the Molina.

49 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:13 pm

Well, Matsui's walk did achieve one thing: cleared Molina, and we get to start with Jeter in the eighth.

50 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:13 pm

[48] Genius!

51 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:15 pm

[48] Bada-bing!
Is David Justice still available to join the bench? Richie Sexson??

52 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:17 pm

I think it's time for a little AJax! Gardner had a nice game yesterday, but aside from that he has shown very little with the bat. The Yankees can't afford to have a black hole in CF and 3B, especially on days when Molina is in the lineup.

53 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:18 pm

listening to Sterling right now, he seems to have toned down the schtick a bit. Waldman though..sigh..

only 82 pitches for Andy so far. The staff (except Wang) has really been impressive so far this season. Better than the 4-5 record would suggest.

54 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:22 pm

[48] [49] Heh heh heh heh.

55 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:22 pm

[53] I was thinking the same thing. The pitching has the feel of at least 5-4 and even 6-3. The three blowouts are understandable, but the bullpen giveaway and the sleeping offense today (if it doesn't awake) are losses that you'll think about for a while.

56 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:26 pm

This would be an annoying loss.

57 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:28 pm

[35] Assuming....
We have no other major injuries?
Cano and Po continue to perform?
JD can play 80% of the time?

The Yankees made statement this offseason. This is a Win Now year. We need OFers for the future anyway. Why gamble with the season... and the fortune we spent on this team.

Next year, Mo, Po, ARod and Jeter are a year older. Matsui and JD are gone. Normally I'm a 'stay pat' guy... but this year we have to pull out the stops.

Look at this game. A quality+ start and we may lose due no poor offense.

58 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:28 pm

I thought that might have triple potential...

59 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:28 pm

[56]Yes, they have to beat twirlers like Sonnanstine as Garza/Shields/Kazmir will get their wins.

Captain Jeter with the O!

60 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:30 pm

Upton looked silly there

61 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:31 pm

[57] The problem is that players wont be available until June or July. I think the time might be right to give AJax a shot. I like Gardner's speed, but he isn't an everyday player. With Arod you might be able to get by, but three outs in the lineup is too much.

62 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:31 pm

I say trade some pitching talent on the farm for a young but proven OFer. Any ideas? William?

63 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:32 pm

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

64 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:32 pm

WOO-HOO

65 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:33 pm

Yessssss! Everybody do the Rufus Thomas Funky Chicken!

66 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:33 pm

[62] Young, but proven OF'ers are kind of expensive...they usually require young, but proven pitchers. I don't think an IPK, for example, gets that done. I think a lot of guys will eventually be made available, but it's too early now.

67 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:34 pm

[62] I think if Matsui is healthy, we can get by as is.

68 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:35 pm

Lucky break there.....

69 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:35 pm

Cmon Tex..let's get some clutchy clutchiness here

70 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:35 pm

Foul ball?

71 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:36 pm

[67] Any indications yet that Mats is healthy?

72 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:36 pm

What is Teixeira doing today!

73 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:37 pm

What could have possibly been waiting for?

74 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:37 pm

FUCK!!!
3 TIMES caught looking for Tex. CRAPOLA!!!!

75 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:37 pm

[74] All on fastballs down the middle...I can't imagine why he'd be so passive.

76 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:37 pm

[71] I'd wait it out with him or bring up Jackson before I trade for a so so replacement.

77 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:38 pm

Dear ARod,
We are all very sorry.
The point is proven.
Please come back soon.

OldYanksFan

78 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:38 pm

[77] A-Rod had his share on infuriating baclwards Ks.

Usually when he was sitting breaking ball.

79 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:39 pm

[76} What will AJax give us THIS year. A .750 OPS if he does well???

80 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:40 pm

Isn't that basically what you'd get out of Milledge?

81 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:42 pm

You can't leave Damon on 2B...Posada has to come up big.

82 BrianLevy2020   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:42 pm

[80] I'd rather see a AAA non-prospect or a guy like Jim Edmonds or Frank Catalonotto rather than start AJax's arb clock and slow down his development by sitting him on the bench.

He's -- by consensus I understand -- the only position player on the farm with a position, yah?

83 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:43 pm

I'd take Jim Edmonds.

84 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:43 pm

Think how much it would suck if they'd had Damon bunt Jeter to third. Then two strikeouts...

85 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:43 pm

I would walk Cano too.

86 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:44 pm

This is a big AB...if Cano fails, the Yankees likely wont have a scoring chance until the 10th, which means they'll need 3 shutout innings from the pen.

87 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:45 pm

Nah, you can't walk Cano here, even with Gardner on deck. For one thing, you add a run to the potential single. For another, you give the Yankees the lead with a HBP, BB, or WP... or, fairly likely, an infield hit.

88 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:45 pm

What about the Cardinal ex-pitcher?

89 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:45 pm

Swisher, Cano and to a lesser degree Posada are basically carrying this offense.

90 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:46 pm

DeJesus from KC for AAA pitcher(s)?

91 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:46 pm

[87] Cano is such better than Gardner that I'd still do it.

92 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:46 pm

[90] But why would they do that?

93 Just Fair   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:47 pm

The ol' man on second, no outs, leave him stranded trick. Bah. Cack. And Bollocks!

94 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:47 pm

That's a huge lost opportunity.

95 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:48 pm

[92] That's the key. We can do all sorts of fantasy trades here, but it has to be something that has some appeal to the other team.

96 BrianLevy2020   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:48 pm

Via RAB, it doesn't seem like AJax is a good option right now:
http://tinyurl.com/c4q8t6

97 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:48 pm

Beane likes young and cheap. What does it take to get Holliday... who is a 1 year rental for the A's anyway?

98 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:49 pm

I'm still trying to figure out what Teieixera was looking for.

99 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:49 pm

[97] The A's added payroll to compete. If, and only if, they drop out of it will Holliday be traded.

100 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:50 pm

[98] Teixeira has been struggling, which has kind of been masked, although I am not sure by what.

Show/Hide Comments 101-193
101 monkeypants   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:51 pm

[75] Maybe because, batting RH, he's hurt worse than anyone admits?

[20] [27] If Nady is really hurt, then he will go on the 60-day DL, which will open up a spot on the 40-man. Duncan makes sense as a stopgap, since he can play 1B and 5th OF.

[15][18][20] et al. I really don't like that MLB retired #42, though the sentiment is laudable. It only opens up the door for more identity politics, as each group demands its own representative, #21 or otherwise.

This years absurdity of having everyone wear #42 is, I suspect, really a marketing ploy, so that the White Sox and Rays and Diamondbacks, etc, can make some more scratch by selling commemortive home (and away and alternate) #42 jerseys.

[10] Why is honoring Gretzsky so ridiculous? It is in any case that Robinson had real, lasting social impact (was he more the catalyst or the product of social change?). Be that as it may, why must a league-wide number retirement be tied to social or political impact? Gretzsky was (arguably) the greatest player in NHL history and a huge ambassador of the game. If the NHL wishes to honor their greatest, so be it. Frankly, I would rather see #3 retired in the MLB--Ruth is still the greatest and most influential figure in the game, and one could argue that he also had enormous social influence (though not in obvious areas such as changing racial attitudes).

102 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:51 pm

JD is almost playing in foul territory...

103 Yankster   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:53 pm

Teixeira was looking to not be hurt and that's why he's just standing there, looking. Even in the dugout he's still just waiting to not be hurt.

104 monkeypants   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:54 pm

[57] The Yankees made statement this offseason. This is a Win Now year.

Why do you say this? They signed four stars to lucrative, long-term deals. If anything, the statement more that the franchise has built a core for the future rather this is a must-win season.

105 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:54 pm

A nice game by Andy. Maybe incentives work?

106 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:55 pm

It only opens up the door for more identity politics, as each group demands its own representative, #21 or otherwise.

That makes sense only if you think that Jackie Robinson is being honored as some kind of representative of black people. Which is obviously not what this is about. Integrating baseball was probably the single most important even in the history of the game. Roberto Clemente was a great player and a great guy, but his career did not change baseball forever.

107 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:55 pm

Wow. Brian Bruney, very impressive.

108 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:56 pm

[106] I have no problem with retiring the number...but it seems like they do the #42 every year, which really waters down its significance.

109 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:57 pm

I don't like turning it into a publicity event, no. Or a marketing scheme, or whatever.

Brian Bruney, very impressive. Okay, that's getting to be an understatement.

110 Just Fair   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:57 pm

Damn, Bruney.

111 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:57 pm

[101] I think we should just do away with league wide retired numbers period. Stupid idea.

112 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:58 pm

This is an example of a wise pitching change...Andy was dealing, but Upton looked great against him. Hopefully, Girardi doesn't feel the need to mix and match. Bruney should (hopefully) take the game to Mo.

113 monkeypants   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:58 pm

[106] He need not be a representative of black people only for this to be about identity politics. Look no further than Cliff's response about the first openly gay player having his # retired. The precedent is set that any player who is important in some way to the game should be honored by having his number retired.

114 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:58 pm

[104] If we lose JD and Mats, and Mo, Po and Jeter have an additional year of 'decline', what will it take to make us better in 2010? In 2011 we need both a C and a SS, two premium positions we have had covered for a while... not to mention the impossible... replacing Mo.

This IS the year.

115 monkeypants   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:58 pm

[108] I agree.

[111] I agree even more.

116 BrianLevy2020   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:58 pm

The game is tied going to the 9th inning and Murdered Row is coming up: Gardner, Ransom, Molina.

Maybe if Swisher can pitch, a pinch-hitter could pinch hit? Mo probably has a home run in him.

117 monkeypants   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:59 pm

[114] Yes, this IS the year, for the reasons that you mention. But that is independent of the "statement" that the Yankees made in the offseason. Right conclusion, wrong evidence!

118 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 6:59 pm

One nice thing about the #42 uniforms is it allows me to have the illusion of living one of my dreams: having every Yankee player be as efficient in their role as Mariano.

119 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:00 pm

DONT SWING!

120 monkeypants   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:01 pm

[116] Depending on the tactical situation, I would PH Melky for Molina, move Posada to C, lose the DH and worry about the subsequent lineup problems later.

121 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:01 pm

Well, Ransom's due.

122 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:01 pm

Gardner swung at ball four for the second straight time. That was an awful one handed swing by Brett.

123 monkeypants   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:02 pm

[119] Gameday shows that was a strike on the black, or JUST off. Was it close? Did he have a real choice not to swing?

124 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:02 pm

[120] Is Melky that much better?

125 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:03 pm

[123] The 3-1 was a strike. The 3-2 looked like it was low and inside.

126 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:03 pm

BB Poll:
How many articles: "Will Tex step up in ARod's absence? Not yet!" will we see tomorrow?

127 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:04 pm

What are the chances that Ransom or Molina hit the lottery and go deep?

128 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:05 pm

[113] I'm lost, then. I don't understand your point. You said you were worried about each group demanding its own representative. Now you say it doesn't matter whether we think of Jackie as a representative of black people. If he's not supposed to be a representative, then why does retiring his number mean that other groups can demand their own representative?

I don't mind retiring the number of any player who is (a) a great player and (b) changes baseball the way Jackie Robinson did. I don't believe there will ever be another, but if there is, I'd have no problem retiring his number.

129 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:05 pm

DONT SWING X2!

130 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:06 pm

For Cody, that was the lottery!

131 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:06 pm

HANDSOME RANSOM!

132 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:06 pm

[129] OK fine...as you were.

133 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:06 pm

[128] What about Ruth? The game is probably irrelevant by the time Jackie comes along if not for Ruth,

I say no to both, for the record.

134 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:07 pm

Come on Jose...lean into that one.

135 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:07 pm

I actually find it disconcerting that all the Yankees look like Mo, from behind, today.

136 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:07 pm

Told ya.

137 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:07 pm

Didn't see that coming...

138 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:07 pm

Damn.

139 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:07 pm

If Molina got a hit I would have advocated retiring his number.

140 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:07 pm

Can Ransom score on a single?

141 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:07 pm

Having no PH for Molina is painful..

142 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:08 pm

I want to see the real Mo...lets go Jetes!

143 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:08 pm

[139] You made me spit up my mueslix with that one

144 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:09 pm

Will Jeter ever pull the ball again?

145 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:09 pm

Derek Jeter!!!!!

146 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:09 pm

WHOO!

147 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:09 pm

Captain Clutch!!!!

148 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:09 pm

Thank me later guys.

149 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:09 pm

YaYYYYYYYYY!

150 BrianLevy2020   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:10 pm

I take back everything I ever said about Clutch hitting. It's a immutable, obvious (but yet intangible) talent that you're born with. Derek Jeter has it.

151 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:10 pm

I am going to steal someone's line from yesterday...

First you get the GRIT

Then you get the CLUTCH

152 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:10 pm

Bad play to throw home there.

153 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:10 pm

How very Jeterian!

Now we sees some Mo.

Only fitting to see a real #42 today.

154 Just Fair   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:10 pm

I nominate #45 to be retired in honor of all people who have bilked millions of dollars from insurance companies. And fragile pitchers, of course. FWIW, I truly think finding fault in honoring Jackie Robinson is a waste of time. Nice job, Jete.

155 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:10 pm

Here comes the real 42.

156 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:11 pm

So... has the number of the greatest Jewish player been retired yet?

157 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:12 pm

[156] By the Dodgers, yes.

158 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:12 pm

[156] Actually, I think I'd go with Greenberg over Koufax for that honor.

159 monkeypants   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:13 pm

[128] Because his importance is solely because of the issue of racism, which is inherently bound up with identity politics (one has to accept that are groups [i.e.races] that can be defined, coherent and have some importance--whether one group calls another by that name or whether it is self-identification). We can be high-minded and claim that honoring Robinson is about a generic ideal of equality, that he satnds for all of us ("today, we are all Jackie Robinson"), but in reality his significance is about the historica, and unfortunate, relationship between two categories of Americans, "white" and "black."

And once the precedent is set by honoring a player whose significance is entirely bound up in those categories, then retiring the first/best Latino player, "Asian" player, gay player, Jewish player, Catholic player, woman player, etc is naturally to follow.

I agree with Mattpat on this one [133], scrap the whole practice.

And for the record, I am not convinced that Robinson changed the game forever. Once teh decision was made to play him, the game was at that point changed.

160 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:13 pm

[158] I immediately thought 'Greenberg', but it's a tough call.

161 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:14 pm

Here comes the a real 42.

FTFY, just to avoid angering the baseball gods.

162 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:14 pm

[156] Guess I'll have to wait for those two Indian pitchers in the Pirates "organization" to make the majors before there can be a "greatest Indian player" :)

163 monkeypants   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:15 pm

[124] Probably not, but now a "mute" point.

[151] MLB should retire the number of the grittiest player of all time?

164 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:15 pm

[160] I'll give Greenberg credit for the war years and bestow the honor upon him.

165 The Hawk   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:15 pm

I had hopes for this game. It's the kind of game they lost a lot last year. I'm taking it as a litmus test. Winning these types of games gets you far, methinks.

166 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:16 pm

[159] This doesn't make sense to me.
He is being honored, of course, because of his role in breaking open racism in baseball, yes. How does that open the door to having the greatest Jew honored? It doesn't.

Once teh decision was made to play him, the game was at that point changed.

Oh that's obviously not true. Other black men had played in MLB before Jackie. Why didn't the decision to play them change the game? It had to be the right guy, a guy with the guts and the stones to do what he did. (And the bat, I hasten to add.)

167 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:16 pm

Wow...Melkman for Swisher...very good move by Girardi...but one I don't think you can make behind any other pitcher but Mariano.

168 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:17 pm

[158] I agree. A career OPS of over 1.000. A very underrated player.

169 Just Fair   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:18 pm

Good Win. Time to go home.

170 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:18 pm

Mo is absolutely, positively delicious!

171 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:18 pm

Ahhhhh.

Well, no dissent among present company about the Real 42 today, anyway.

172 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:18 pm

In Mo we trust.

See everybody for opening day tomorrow!

173 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:19 pm

I like the reaction from Girardi...pump that fist Joe.

174 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:19 pm

Good win and a good trip all things being equal. The last two games are games that this team probably doesn't win last year...this is good

175 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:20 pm

In God we trust. Snatched victory from the jaws of defeat today! Nice game.

FWIW: Jackie's playing in MLB may have had a greater effect on society outside of baseball, then on the game itself. That is why I dont think anyone will every be in that position again.

176 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:21 pm

Some love for the Brew too...from Pete Abe:

Bruney has retired 14 straight, 10 by strikeout. He has fanned the last five batters he has faced.

177 Yankster   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:22 pm

Great game. Bruney, Jeter, to Mo. Feels great.

178 monkeypants   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:23 pm

[166] No doubt about guts and all that. But really, the change was going to happen anyway--it's not like the Dodgers were the ONLY organization considering such a move. And obviously whatever black player was promoted would be a good player, else the move wouldn't have been made. The winds of change were already blowing.

Robinson was brave and a heckuva player, no doubt.

If you do not see how retiring #42 and calls to have #21 retired (and by extension, players who in some way represent other identity groups), then I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

179 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:25 pm

[178] We will no doubt have to agree to disagree! :) But am sure we can agree to agree about the greatness of Mo and the solid 5-4 road trip to open the season?

180 Rich   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:26 pm

This team has fight.

181 The Hawk   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:34 pm

It was funny how Girardi's machinations kept winding up with Molina at the plate.

182 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:34 pm

If you do not see how retiring #42 and calls to have #21 retired (and by extension, players who in some way represent other identity groups), then I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

Not sure what that means, but in any case I am quite happy to agree to disagree with you. Let's plan to continue to disagree tomorrow.

183 monkeypants   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:42 pm

[177] Small sample size, and I have not had a chance to *see* any games, but it is nice to see Jeter playing pretty well. Yes, still lots of ground outs, but he also has a couple of doubles and a couple of HRs, and even a few fly outs today. Hopefully he can keep it up and we see a rebound in his XBH this season.

184 monkeypants   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:43 pm

[182] What it means is quite simple: there would not be a movement (albeit small) to have Clemente's number retired league wide had #42 not been retired first.

But yes, we can disagree about this or something else tomorrow!

185 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:50 pm

Kyle Farnsworth picked up a loss today.

186 monkeypants   ~  Apr 15, 2009 7:54 pm

From LoHud today:

UPDATE, 1:47 p.m.: We just spoke to Nady. He didn’t want to say too much until he sees team doctor Chris Ahmad in NYC tomorrow. But he indicated that the MRI showed a tear and surgery will be needed.

UPDATE, 2:47 p.m.: Joe Girardi said the news on Nady was bad but they’re hoping that the team doctor says something different. But the MRI wasn’t good. Nady will be going on the DL tomorrow. No word yet on who will get called up.
=========

So...If everyone knew he was going on the DL, why wait until TOMORROW and play a bat short today?

187 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 8:53 pm

Great victory and a solid road trip.

Hate to be a grouch but reading on LoHud about the schedule for tomorrow's Opeing Day..Kelly Clarkson to sing the anthem? In the media capital of the world they have an American Idol contestant open the new Stadium? And again with the fighter-jet fly overs..is it mandatory to have a military presence at a sporting event?

At least there is Yogi to throw out the first pitch..

188 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 15, 2009 8:55 pm

I have to say, is it just me, or is Cano a *lot* stronger than he was?

I just saw his two-run shot and off the bat it didn't at all look like it was going out. It looked like a double, so sweet and effortless was his swing.

Anyone else notice anything?

189 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 9:06 pm

[188] The story is that he worked out tirelessly in the off season, so I wouldn't be surprised if he's just stronger. There's no doubt that *something* has improved since last year, anyway.

[187] Did you see that the guy who (claims he) was thrown out last August for trying to go to the men's room during "God Bless America" is suing? I think he's suing the NYPD, but maybe the Yankees too. (Your comment about the flyover made me think of how I don't like enforced patriotism, which made me think of the suit.) Guy's name is Bradford Campeau-Laurion.

190 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 9:21 pm

[189] I hope it was just working out for Cano and nothing else..

Never heard if that story was verified or not but have the Yankees made any comment? Enforced patriotism leads to facism. I wish sports could really be an escape from politics, alas..

191 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 15, 2009 9:49 pm

[188] [189] "Forced patriotism" is hardly an accurate portrayal of the incident. I mean, no one is really forced to attend a baseball game, so abiding by the established rules is not exactly tyranny. Personally, I wish the Yankees would put an end to God Bless America in the 7th inning, but I don't think there actions are leading down the path of facism. I also don't think singing GBA is a political issue.

192 RIYank   ~  Apr 15, 2009 10:03 pm

The Yankee spokeswoman declined to comment.

[190]
Of course it's a political issue. They don't ask us to sing "God Save the Queen" or "O, Canada" or "Advance, Australia Fair". Do you think it's just a coincidence that the song they tell everyone to sing is "God Bless America"?
And the fact that nobody forces you to go to a baseball game doesn't mean that everything that happens in the stadium is by definition unforced! That's ridiculous. Nobody forces you to live in New York, either, but once you live in New York you're forced to pay taxes. If the NYPD really did arrest the guy for trying to go to the bathroom during "God Bless America", that sure is a step in the direction of fascism.

193 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 15, 2009 10:03 pm

[191] It is quite obviously a political act. Have you paid attention to the words used to introduce the song? Monkeypants and I are actually in agreement about this (!) Take all the politics out of sports please. Someone is bound to be offended no matter what you do..

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"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver