Comments on: They say that the road ain’t no place to start a family . . .

By: PJ

PJ — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:32:45 +0000

“If it doesn’t make a big difference, I’d just as soon leave the old men in their traditional spots.”

Just be sure to not have both catchers in the game too often, please…

Can Swisher catch?

By: The Hawk

The Hawk — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:16:40 +0000

[6] Ha! Even better … It’s Girardi and his Merry Band of Internets Experts! World Series, here we come!

I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when Girardi had his Eureka moment … He’s sitting at his desk, poring over charts and graphs, furrowed brow, muscles tensed when suddenly, lightning strikes! “Doh!” he says and slaps his forehead.

(Seriously, I don’t have a major beef, it’s just tradition … #2 in the 2 hole. If it doesn’t make a big difference, I’d just as soon leave the old men in their traditional spots.)

By: RIYank

RIYank — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:04:55 +0000

Hey, cut that out, monkeypants. As I’m sure you will recall, we agreed yesterday to continue to disagree today! We’re off to a bad start.

(And now I’m off to work.)

By: RIYank

RIYank — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:03:57 +0000

It doesn’t make much difference, statistically speaking, which of them bats first and which second. But I’m pretty sure Girardi is right. The higher OBP guy should go first, and the higher SLUG guy should go behind him. (Jeter’s GIDP problem also contributes, but it’s also a very small effect.)

By: monkeypants

monkeypants — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:00:15 +0000

[5] No, Girardi has not been the only one to figure this out. Just about everybody who posts regularly on teh Banter, as well as the site creators themselves, have known for years that Jeter is the better leadoff man. Now, as his power has declined, the choice of him batting #1 is even more obvious.

On the grand scheme, however, the difference is not huge (though it probably gets Jetes an extra 10 ABS or so on the season). So what’s the beef?

By: The Hawk

The Hawk — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:46:34 +0000

I wish they’d put Jeter back batting 2nd. Two 35 year olds have been batting in the wrong spot for pretty much their entire careers? Girardi the Genius is the only one to figure this out?
I suppose it’s possible …

By: Mattpat11

Mattpat11 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:29:50 +0000

Oddly enough, I never felt like this was an extraordinarily long road trip.

By: RIYank

RIYank — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:16:43 +0000

Today’s Stadium-opening line-up (via the Star Ledger)

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Nick Swisher, RF
5. Jorge Posada, C
6. Robinson Cano, 2B
7. Hideki Matsui, DH
8. Cody Ransom, 3B
9. Brett Gardner, CF
CC Sabathia, P

Just a murderer short of murderer’s row, wouldn’t you say?

By: The Hawk

The Hawk — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:52:56 +0000

Of Cano’s four walks, three were in the first three games, I think. I’m sure the Yankees are aware of this, but he needs to be kept on the straight and narrow in that regard or else I suspect he’ll revert back to last year’s form.

By: Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO

Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:26:20 +0000

Great recap, Cliff.

Some banal impressions after watching game 3 vs the Rays:

B.J. Upton..awesome player! The Rays D is really impressive, with speed everywhere.
Cano looks like he’s going to be steady the whole year but if he’s All-Star level it will be huge.
Is Tex healthy? I know he takes a lot of pitches but..to whiff three times looking? Seems overly cautious..
Michael Kay + Cone and Flaherty were really good. Kay seems much less verbose the last few games, hope it lasts. Where is Ken Singleton though?
The cowbells at the Trop…yikes..
Swisher should get 25 dingers this year and be solid in RF. You sure Melky can’t be productive in 250 ABs over the season?