An addendum–

The only reason that anyone was talking about Gardner is because Melky had regressed for two straight seasons and was shit awful last year. All any reasonable person expected was for Gardner to be better than Melky 2008, and so far he has been.

That Melky 2009 has been even better–perhaps because the organization lit a fire under his ass??–is even better for the team.

Good heavens, man, what do you want? If you have heard all of the talk, then you would know that he is a marginal prospect with a couple of strong assets (OBP and speed). He is hitting about .730 OPS, which is just about the best that could be hoped for, and he’s stolen 9 out of 11 bases.

I didn’t see the game, nor did I hear his comments, so it is hard to read the context of what he said. I don’t know how much leeway the Yankees staff gives to players to “opt out” of signs depending on the situation–is the steal sign 100%, or does it mean steal unless you see the pitcher make a move to 1B? If he screwed up, I assume that he will be talked to and or chastised. If not, that is on the coaching staff.

From my vantage–i.e., in another country and not following very closely the last couple of weeks–this entire discussion seems a bit overwrought.

For the record, BTW, I am not convinced either Melky or Gardner should be starting, and neither can be considered the “best option.” But I guess someone has to start.

I’ve been intrigued by all the Brett Gardner talk. The baserunning issues over the past week have been questionable (trying to score on that late play, I blame Rob Thomson more than Gardner). I’m still waiting for him to hit a ball out of the infield on the fly. I’m sick of all the announcers touting his speed and how he makes a ground ball to second base close. Enough already. I didn’t think I’d believe that Melky Cabrera was the best everyday option in any of the three outfield positions, but that day is here. Brett Gardner is Dave Roberts … wait, Roberts would have run in that situation.

Well, what about the 9th inning tonight? The more things change….

He was probably just waiting for the right moment, and waited too long.

And if the “good” is that he can run, and the “bad” is that he’s afraid to run, that’s sort of hard to live with.

I’d start CMW for Hughes in the next start, keep Phil around as a long relief to piggy back Wang until CMW proves he’s ready to go 6-7 every time out.

Then Gardner failed to steal second as ordered in the ninth inning. He saw the sign, he just didn’t run. Gardner explained he was worried about being picked off.

Sweet Jesus, “picked off” by Kerry Wood?

Are you kidding me?

Bad, bad case of HUA by Gardner there.