The funny thing about Burnett is he almost always looks like he could dominate. But then he doesn't.

[1] AJ seems to have trouble maintaining his focus throughout some games. Something happens, and it makes it difficult for him to repeat his delivery or maintain his arm slot. His command is affected, and his pitches become hittable.

It wont' happen because he makes too much money, but I think he would be a better candidate for the pen than Joba. His stuff would be dynamite for an inning or two.

[1] Well he's certainly in the right place Hawk, where apparently looks are the among highest of priorities... whether deceiving or otherwise...

: )

Its time for Burnett to be the 82 million dollar man.

[2] Yeah, even then though, I don't see it in his body language. He always pretty much looks the same, so you get the idea he's on an even keel, but as you say he's apparently not. It's like at age 31 (32?) he's matured enough to project steadiness but he still gets rattled in Hughesian fashion (okay maybe not that bad).

AJ really needs to pitch well given this lineup:

Jeter SS
Damon LF
Texeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF
Pena 2B
Cash C

It's weird, even though AJ hasn't been pitching that well, I still feel he's going to be a good signing. Or maybe I just think he's going to be better than the Pavano signing, but I understand that's setting the bar really low. That's akin to saying, Gardner should play in the major leagues cause he can hit better than me.

[7] Speaking of, I'm glad not to see Gardner in the lineup - small doses, please - but I'd rather he be in there than Swisher. The guy needs a break - badly.

[6] "AJ really needs to pitch well given this lineup."

Deja vu...

: )

Its time for Burnett to be the 82 million dollar man.

There isn't a clock that keeps that time.

Or maybe I just think he’s going to be better than the Pavano signing

That's a very, very low bar, indeed, like 27 starts in the next three years.

What's wrong with the line-up? We KNOW the C is going to be bad till Jorge's back. And wasn't everyone in love with Pena a few days ago? Cano can and should get a day off now and again.

Swisher, too ... and his current performance reinforces why I thought the loss of Nady was a big deal and am really hoping he gets back. Swisher is streaky, both ways, Nady seems steadier at decent +. Swish, being an, er, swish hitter, is really useful off the bench, and for spelling Tex at 1st when we want the big guy's bat but want to give him a slight rest (worked yesterday!). Cashman didn't trade either Swish or X in order to give us the bench depth people wanted. And I think he was right. Max value for Nady issues? The reality is Yankees will chase free agents, and we needed the depth for THIS year. The FA signings were meant to try to get us into the playoffs again ... the annual autumn crapshoot.

Team character ... someone posted they see it as 'how does the team win'? But every team swings around and wins in different ways. Big bat Jays won 2-1 yesterday as an unknown kid pitched brilliantly (vs a weak Chisox lineup, mind you). The Rangers of the monster bats are getting shockingly good pitching ...

I think NY, out the gate, was seen to have shifted towards winning on the mound. CC/Wang/AJ/Joba/Andy was assessed as one of the 2-3 best staffs in the league, and maybe only Angels when healthy are better on paper. The bullpen was seen (funny, looking back) as a strength, with lots of young arms ready to contribute. People worried about the batting, but when we landed Tex that was seen as a keep it competitive move ... am I wrong?

So I'd say we were expected to win with top-flight pitching and good enough batting.

I still think that 'character' usually comes down to the manager's personality and his game style.

really nice play by pena

i guess we just have to accept that a lot of baserunners are part of the deal with aj - i am going to call it whip lash

Well that was a great start!

: )

Phew!

[13] That however, wasn't...

Ah, the punch out! : )

much better inning there

look Kay, if the outfielder lazily jogs in to catch a fly ball, it was not 'driven'.

[17] well the top half of the inning :}

Swisher needs to get hats for his bats ...

Let's get possitive. We have a great bench today!

Or even posssitive!

[17] Dare I mention "locked in," Cult?

: )

they keep talking about what a "beautiful spring day" it was for Wells' perfect game. I remember it being humid and overcast that whole day, but what do I know?

[21] While golfing one day, Yogi came to a hole that required a shot to be hit over a large pond. He said as he looked at his feet, "I'm going to hit this next shot into the water." His playing partner replied, "C'mon Yogi! Think positively!" Yogi then responded, "Ok, I'm positive I'm going to hit this next shot into the water!"

: )

Melky, Melky, Melky.

At this pernt, if I were Ron Gardenhire, I'd be afraid to use the restroom, even in the new visitor's clubhouse, out of fear that would be "snakebit," too...

getting a run in from 3rd with less than 2 outs would sure be nice here ...

or not.

Can someone please explain to David Cone what the word "vary" means? How embarrassing for him...

[30] "Vary" a dull moment with these "Mensa Members!"

: )

O Cabrera made a slick play yesterday. Man on 1st, 2 out, a ground ball is hit up the middle. He ranges far to his left and is about to glove the ball, but he won't have time to get the runner at 2nd. Instead, as soon as the ball touches his glove, he bowls it, right from his glove. The ball rolls to the 2nd baseman, and the guy is just out. Very creative.

So... if Holliday is available as an FA, what's the max you would go to get him? Would 5/$80 do it?

You there Hoss? It's a pretty tame thread.

Anyone ever envsion Mauer winding up in NY? His contract is up next year. Just thinkin' aloud...

maybe this is the inning the yanks score some runs.

[36] or not ...

OK, off to mow the lawn. Sure would hate it if the Yankees scored a bunch of runs while I was not watching. . .

[38] Oops, meant to have posted that about 45 minutes ago. Good to see the Yankees taking my advice.

Back out to do some edging. . .

walking Nick Punto...

love that 2 seamer that starts inside and darts back over the corner ...

Man, it's like he's spinnin' a wiffle ball. Nice.

ugh.

fugh.

crap. but that pitch to span was fuggin' beautiful. we gotsta get to slowey...

christ almighty.

double fugh.

[35] A lot depends on if Montero is the real deal or not.

[43] i'll second that.

i will enjoy seeing less kevin cash in my life.

well, let's hope albie doesn't feel like being a firestarter today

[35] it's been mentioned a lot that mauer is HUGE on boston's radar and that he'd be a $20-$25 mil player. i think he's gonna be injury prone and too expensive. i say...pass.

BIG K there.

c'mon, let's get something going here against Slowey

It seems odd to me that a run can score from a wild pitch and passed ball but it's still considered earned.

[50] Agreed, the offense is tempting but I do not see him at catcher his whole career

[51] exactly. it's not like Slowey's "Outman" from the A's! ; )

Go Wanger.

Um, ya know Yankees if you want to score about 4-5 runs while I'm finishing up outside, it is ok with me.

per pete abe:

Chien-Ming Wang dominated today in Scranton in the first game of a doubleheader. 7 innings, 4 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strikeout. 75 pitches / 49 strikes, 12 of the 21 outs on the ground. He has thrown 13 scoreless innings in AAA. Be interesting to see what the Yankees do next with him.

Brian Bruney is expected to start the second game to get his inning in.

BOOM

Word. Goddamn.

c'mon Alex - cut this defecit in half!!!

hey, he did it!!!

WAHOO!!!

c'mon Mats - match him!!!

tie this fucker up!!!

hell yeah! we BEST tie this up...at least.

nice piece of hitting by Mats!

i'm all about trying to catch a foul ball. But if the A-Rod homer is coming at me in left, I am definitely not putting my hands up. Ha. Nice one, Matsui.

if we don't get this run in now, i'm gonna be super pissed...

Okay this is getting weird. A Rod has, what, five hits? And four of them have had a real impact on momentum in the game.

Nice throw, dude. Yikes.

whew! my lord, matsui looked HORRIBLE running. i'm glad he made it : )

wow, all that play did was prove that Denard Span has a worse arm than Johnny Damon

anyways, NICE

holy hell - poor matsui looked in awful pain - but run scored!!

Man on 3rd, 1 out, and we score?
Holy smoke! Nice catch.

Hmm. Does that mean the coaches actually have a gameplan?

[65] dare we call him..."clutch"?!

wow, that was a NICE catch!

[66] good thing that was a crap ass throw, it wasn't that deep and lord knows matsui can't run

[65] 5 hits... 7 RBI?

got the cubs-stros game on during commercial. hunter pence is a firecracker. crazy fast throw from center and swing at the plate. he's a bucket of energy with a crazy look in his eyes...

Wow I loved that shot of Melky and Matsui talking in the dugout. Just a funny pair ... I think Melky was busting Matsui's chops, cause Matsui had a bemused look on his face and responded to something Melky said by saying "I'm slow ... that's right" and then Melky ran in place to illustrate.

Will Mauer really get $20m+?

i think that was a strike!

that walk is on cash. what a dick.

I'd like to see a foot race between Matsui and one of those new Japanese robots. I mean, they have the same running style.

[72] Absolutely! He can do it, he did it all year in '07. Uh, except in the post season. But still.

cash sucks ass...

we best keep it tied here...

good lord Kevin Cash does nothing right ever

[77] I think so, young catcher who hits like that? Hard to come by

BEAUTIFUL!!! : )

well that play was 90% luck but I'll take it

Nice play by Albie. I saw that play going all to hell.

Let's keep Cervelli in there. I'm mystified as to the upside with Cash, honestly.

Is Cervelli too old to play a few games in a row? Seriously. Is there some sort of platoon. Good on ya'l, Albie.

that was a nice pitch. albie's a big dude.

a yankee pitcher making a good throw to 2nd base??

cash is completely useless. is this 2 games in a row? where's frankie cervix?!

nicely done, albie.

well, that play at 2nd was huge. please get out of this with the game tied...

is that like the first time in his career that gomez has back to back hits?

darling and wells are good. caray, just sucks.

[91] less cash, more cervix!

On a side note, from the Boston Globe:

Ortiz said that, physically, he's "better than ever," but he also hinted at a personal issue. "People don't know," Ortiz said. "Sometimes they think we just come here to play baseball and that's it. We're human beings like everyone else. We have things to worry about. Sometimes that gets in the way. It's hard to have that free open mind you need to play this game. There's no way you can play this game with a busy mind. No way."

Hmm, that sounds suspiciously unmeasurable. I call bull****!

; )

" ... but Cash didn't see it"

Quote of the day.

[95] Caray is terrible, and not even a charming terrible like his grandfather. Just terrible terrible.

this strike zone is adorable

don't go to veras!!!!

Mauer is a great player. He'll be 28 going into 2011. Certainly he has a number of good years left, but he has had back problems, and as a big catcher, I wonder how long he can play the position.

BRETT T?!!!!!!!! Oh Lord!

tikki-tikki-tomko

[97] Did Hostess stop making Twinkies?

Thank goodness, I thought I was the only one who didn't know why Cervelli isn't starting and Cash is. WHY o Why o why???

oh boy, tomko time.

The Yankees bullpen has tried hard as hell to lose every game against the Twins, will they succeed today? Leave it on YES and we'll soon find out.

[99] every time i hear his voice i get awful flashbacks to the cle alds series

DP, thank you please!

the natives are getting restless ... 2-0 tomko

Alby didn't do so badly there, it seemed to me. He had some good pitches called balls, and that can make all the difference. As it did.

way to throw strikes......

I smell disaster

[104] No, but they DID stop making chocolate pudding pies...

[111] he also gave up a hit to one of the worst hitters in the league, then walked the bases loaded

[108] i live in atlanta, i've heard his voice WAAAAAAY too much. : /

wow

clap, clap, clap

That was Andy Phillipsesque!

holy crap!

i hope giambi sees that highlight! ; )

yeah - a first baseman who can field!!

Wow what a great play. This team is doing some good things lately.

wow.

slick sick play by the Bum!

Tex!!! holy shit!!!

No big deal. Giambi makes that play.

[118] steve howe!

[115] Alby didn’t do so badly there, it seemed to me. He had some good pitches called balls, and that can make all the difference. As it did.

Huge. Atta boy, Brett.

i was 79% sure cash would not make that catch

this is a sign - tomko pitches well and ken f'n cash does something right

There's a bridge called Tomko in the Bronx.

wow, cash makes himself useful.

now...let's WIN!!!

[115] i'm not gonna give him too much crap for the hit, gomez hit a pitch off his shoe tops ...

Good thing Teix happened to be there to make a daring dive and throw, huh?

[130] i mean kevin - but he sucks too much to get the vi

We have underrated the importance of Defense for a long time. Nice to be going back in that direction.

[127] i agree he wasn't as bad as the results, particularly since the first batter should have been a k except that cash caught the 3-2 pitch like an idiot. but he wasn't good either.

Notice Robbie almost always takes the first pitch now?

yay! less cash, more cervix!

[136] We've been saying defense was important for a while, Cashman just never got anyone good enough to provide on both ends at the same time. He loves himself some platoon players, though...

[129] i was right there with ya!

good fell - dj special bloop

Jeter just has great Karma....

[137] yes, that first batter was definitely struck out.

me likey those two hits.

i'm all for the double steal here...

dink and dunk attack!

how did he not get to 3rd there?

C'mon. Let the good times roll.

[142] jeterian bloop!

[143] true - but that's also where not being a strikeout machine helps you

it's up to the "Boras Boys"

[146] probably should have been, given how deep the OF's were playing

c'mon BUM!

shit. do it again Alex!

just missed really getting it

always comes down to alex

Hey TeixBob, wanna lift some weights?

alright bizarro alex - this your time

If Tex doesn't get ya', I will.

or godzilla.

i think i would rather have had alex be able to hit there.

we better score...

i didn't think that hit him.

i hope it's Breslow again...

YES loves repeating the same commercials

[160] No argument from anyone, tho... I suppose with the way Alex is coming on, hitting him was the high-percentage move, huh?

PATIENCE!!!!!

i'll take that HBP now!

[164] halfway there...

i hope i never have to hear michael kay say "mijares" again

boomer is good in the booth.

wow 3-0

takethepitchtakethepitchtakethepitch...

i say take another one...

shutupkayshutupkayshutupkay...

oh man. that was ball 4!!!

damn that was ball 4

That was ball 4

shit

oh, fuck you!!!

Ball four. Shite.

JESUS FUCKING SHIT@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Two balls there to help out the pitcher, sucks!!!

pbbbbbtttzz...

gah.

tomko again? or mo?

Meanwhile, we have Mo, Larry and Curly batting next inning. CHRIST!

tie game, 9th inning, at home. M&M boys up. we best see Mo now...

(Jinx, all of you)

it's...MOSES!

[186] root beer! i'll take a Barq's! : )

I would have said no to Mo, no offense. But lately he appears to have blown tie games more often than not. I hope I'm wrong.

we MUST stop referring to them as "The M&M Boys"

[190] amen!!!!

nice piece of hitting. just setting up the DP...

[190] ron darling did not hear you! ; )

He seems geared up for the inside pitch

Mo's cutter has a lot of nice movement today.

that was gorgeous.

Perfect setup! Morneau POUNDS inside pitches!

it's amazing that no one thinks that pitch is a strike

Where the FUCK was that?

[198] the K-zone didn't think it was a strike, either.

[200] looked like it grazed the edge from the top, but that is from further back

oh no, Veras warming...must win in 9th

I wish YES would put out a ban on showing Veras' face.

I was expecting Cano to tackle Swish on that popup

beautiful! only 14 pitches. i can't see him going 2 again today. let's win now...

uh oh, we'd better win this one in the bottom of the 9th, the crazy firestarter's gonna pitch the 10th.

I think Mo is done.15 pitches.

[203] i'll take that one step further - i wish the YANKEES would simply put a ban on Veras! : )

get on base, nick.

Bring on Lil' G!!

atta boy! love it!

good, good...

OK, I'm back. Time for the Yankees to score a run or two.

make like Jayson Werth!!! : )

wow ... very nice bunt by cabrera

Don't know how Gardner didn't make third on that >;)

[213] i think you missed a spot, go back out! ; )

well, brett BEST steal 3rd...right now!

Why not give Gardy a few pitches to steal?

steal 3rd

deep breaths...deep breaths...

[213] well, i guess we did tie it up while you were away, so you deserve to stick around and watch us win! : )

[208] Yeah, I know. I don't see what's the point of having him pitch. EVER!

Send him. Now, I think.

fuck

WHAT THE FUCK

NO!

FUCK

he should've stolen the bag on that pictch.

oh, FUCK!!! only 1 out. stay at 3rd. idiot.

Damn! Dunno if that was a good idea, Brett.

wow that was a crazy play - damn damn damn

Good play by Mauer. Bollocks.

blurgh

Dammitdammitdammit!

gonna end up paying for that

Did they wave Gardner around?

that was really disheartening...

Cervix should at least be on 2nd base.

alright robbie - save brett's ass and ours by winning this thing

[235] no.

I really think that was a smart play by Gardner, I can't fault him

[235] 'fraid not.

[239] Thanks. Shades of Bubba Crosby passing Jason Giambi on the basepaths...

[240] not remotely smart

this is about to get a whole lot more irritating

Off to do laundry now.

blurgh, that woulda done it.

now we sweat ...

braves game was postponed today. i live maybe 10 minutes from the stadium and there's no rain...

[245] can i throw in some jeans? ; )

I think Brett thought Mauer was going to throw to first. If he does easy score.

[240] Not with one out it's not. At worst you have first and third with one out. Second and third if you figure they guard for stealing home on a throw to second. Bad judgment by Gardner, but nothing to kill him for. Now we're stuck with Veras...

That was a moronic play by Gardner. He got deked by Mauer though I'm not sure Mauer even did it on purpose. But he was not going to throw to first. and Gardner should have known that.

Stupidity > "Heaps of Karma"

No way do Yankees catchers play with such "baseball savvy" as Mauer there in that instance, no way...

: /

thankfully it's not veras. how 'bout a quick, easy, 1-2-3 inning Ace?! keep your pitch count low...

michael kay's incessant rehashing of the play is beyond annoying.

at least aceves and not veras.

[249] he did. that's a GREAT play by mauer ... pump fake to 1st and turn and see if the runner was too far off 3rd

Ohh good, Aceves.

well if we're gonna lose this game, at least it won't have to be with Veras on the mound

I don't think it was an intentional pump fake, Mauer just realized he didn't have a play.

It wasn't that dumb. Very risky, and didn't payoff. But I like to see the Yankees being aggressive, make the other team make the plays, be on their toes.

I think it may also be a case of the "competition" between Gardner and Cabrera getting out of hand.

no wait, it's Gangsta time!

[251] and that there was only 1 out...

[252] are you saying that kevin cash sucks? 'coz i think you're saying kevin cash sucks. if you're not saying kevin cash sucks, i'll do it for you: kevin cash SUCKS! : )

[251] don't think it was on purpose, he didn't even really fake, he just started to go there then realized it would be idiotic.

hey, we got gomez out. bonus!

Aceves makes me think of Ramiro Mendoza...just throwing that out there

With one out and Cano up, I want Gardner staying the **** put. Mauer was way too close to home to pull that nonsense.

There should be little more optimism round here with 4 wins in a row. : D

[259] i think it was dumb, b/c there was only 1 out.

excellent - 11 pitches!

c'mon, top of the order up, let's vulture another win for Al

welcome to the team aceves.

here's a novel concept - use him like mo was used back in the day.

Look at the bright side. The Yanks did not have to fail with a guy on 3rd and less than 2 outs.

[262] heh heh

Not only am I saying that, I'm saying Po and Molina either throw to 1B, or are too slow and lethargic to beat such a runner to the plate from that far away.

I'm reminded of that play earlier this year where Po left the plate vacant to "cover the dugout" because the pitcher tried to field the ball...

[265] i always liked ramiro mendoza!

[267] let's make it 5...

jesus the damn lakers are stomping the rockets (not that i'm surprised)

[268] You have a point. He really should have made sure he threw the ball before taking off.

[271] i'm down.

[272] woulda been better if matsui was the lead runner! ; )

[272] Heh heh

Obviously, you've seen the Yankees play before!

i think Johnny D. will win the game for us...again!

[265] Maybe by results, but he looks very little like Mendoza; as does, say, Edwar...

that was a really good breaking pitch.

jeter ran up the baseline better than i've seen him as of late. maybe he was hurting a bit. he's moving around better on the bases and in the field.

johnny thought about getting that ball at the backstop

[280] Not so much stuff-wise, just as in being able to fill that "utility pitcher" role

We have had plenty of time to think about the play... after the fact. For Gardy, it was a split second, reaction play. It turned out bad, but took a great play by Mauer.

I hate when we make an out, but ya can't do it better then that one.

Johnny Hawaiian is dancing around an awful lot at the dish.

Holy Shit.

WHEW!!!!

: )

Yahoo Damon!

: )

[285] ok, i forgive him. although i still think it was stupid.

Good Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(This team really sucks!)

FUCK AND YES

good call thelarmis!

johnny damon!!!!!!!

WOW!!!

i think my hangover just disappeared!!!

[279] Psychic!

What lottery numbers should I pick?

[279] Thank you madame zelda, aka thealarmis.

[279] As I was watching him swing at that, I thought, "Where do I send that root beer, Thelarmis?"

>;) That felt almost... inevitable!

[293] aw, shucks! : )

3 straight walkoffs...love it