"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

New York Mets II: Drop It While It’s Hot

The Yankees were lucky to take two of three from the Mets two weekends ago. Literally. Only Luis Castillo dropping a pop up in the first game—one of the flukiest plays I’ve ever seen giving the fact that it turned the last out of a Mets win into the last play of a Yankee win in the course of the ball falling six feet to the ground—prevented the Mets from winning that series.

Since then, the Mets have gone 5-5 and added Carlos Beltran to their list of key players on the DL (along with Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado, John Maine, Oliver Perez and J.J. Putz). That means more major league exposure for 20-year-old top prospect Fernando Martinez, who enters the series on an 0-for-14 bender and is hitting .167 on the season. It ain’t pretty, but it should make Mets fans appreciate the .336/.425/.527 line Beltran put up before hitting the DL.

Tonight the Mets send 25-year-old sophomore groundballer Mike Pelfrey to the hill tonight. Pelfrey had a great run of seven starts from late April through the end of May in which he posted a 2.96 ERA while the Mets went 6-1, but he’s been unimpressive since, even tossing out his stinker against the Pirates on June 4.

The Yankees counter with CC Sabathai, who left his last start in the second inning with discomfort in his left bicep, but has reported no further problems since. The injury interrupted a streak of eight-straight games in which he completed seven innings. Sabathia was 6-1 with a 2.92 ERA over that stretch. The Yankees noticed Sabathia was hurting his last time out because he wasn’t finishing his pitches and was leaving everything up. Look out for that in the early going today.

Melky Cabrera, who missed yesterday’s game with the flu, is in right field tonight as Nick Swisher takes a seat. Brett Gardner, who has hit .342/.432/.513 since May 13, seems to be winning the center field job back. Francisco Cervelli, who hit his first major league homer on Wednesday night, will catch Sabathia for the seventh time this season.

New York Mets

2009 Record: 37-34 (.521)
2009 Pythagorean Record: 36-35 (.507)

Manager: Jerry Manuel
General Manager: Omar Minaya

Home Ballpark (Park Factors): CitiField (100/99)

Who’s Replacing Whom:

  • Nick Evans (minors) replaces Carlos Beltran (DL)
  • Argenis Reyes (minors) replaces Wilson Valdez
  • Patrick Misch (minors) and Elmer Dessens (minors) replace Ken Takahashi (minors) and Jon Switzer

25-man Roster:

1B – Dan Murphy (L)
2B – Luis Castilla (S)
SS – Alex Cora (L)
3B – David Wright (R)
C – Omir Santos (R)
RF – Ryan Church (L)
CF – Fernando Martinez (L)
LF – Fernando Tatis (R)

Bench:

R – Nick Evans (1B)
R – Gary Sheffield (OF)
L – Brian Schneider (C)
L – Jeremy Reed (OF)
S – Argenis Reyes (IF)

Rotation:

L – Johan Santana
R – Mike Pelfrey
R – Tim Redding
R – Livan Hernandez
R – Fernando Nieve

Bullpen:

R – Francisco Rodriguez
L – Pedro Feliciano
R – Robert Parnell
R – Sean Green
R – Brian Stokes
L – Patrick Misch
R – Elmer Dessens

15-day DL:

CF – Carlos Beltran (bone bruise in knee)
SS – Jose Reyes (hamstring)
OF – Angel Pagan (groin)
IF – Ramon Martinez (dislocated finger)
RHP – John Maine (shoulder fatigue)
LHP – Oliver Perez (patellar tendonitis)
RHP – J.J. Putz (bone spur in elbow)

60-day DL:

1B – Carlos Delgado (torn hip labrum)
LHP – Billy Wagner (TJ)

Typical Lineup:

L – Alex Cora (SS)
L – Dan Murphy (1B)
R – David Wright (3B)
R – Fernando Tatis (LF)
L – Ryan Church (RF)
R – Omir Santos (C)
L – Fernando Martinez (LF)
S – Luis Castillo (2B)

Notes: Nick Evans has temporarily supplanted Dan Murphy at first-base, while Brian Schneider and Omir Santos continue to split the catching duties.

Categories:  Cliff Corcoran  Game Thread  Series Preview

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384 comments

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1 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 6:09 pm

They gonna play the game? Severe thunderstorm warnings. And raining like cats and dogs here (upstate).

It's official: Andy Phillips is a Hiroshima Carp. He's getting $400,000. Less than half what Aaron Guiel got, but then, the season's half over.

Tokyo, if you're around, how's Guiel doing in Tokyo? I read that he hit a grand slam a couple of weeks ago.

2 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 6:18 pm

[1] aaron guiel? wow, i *completely* forgot about that guy. how 'bout Charles Gipson?!

3 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 6:25 pm

CC had better stand for "Come Correct" tonight! We don't need no stinking bashes every time a Mets hitter swings a bat!

Gatorade Tiger Focus, CC...

It really works!

: )

4 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 6:30 pm

[2] Hey, I like keeping track of former Yankees!

Sir Sidney tested positive for a stimulant during the WBC and is banned from international competition for two years.

Bronson Sardinha has been unable to get a job anywhere. The guy was our first round draft pick in 2001. We gave him a million dollars as a signing bonus. He's only 26. And he can't even get a job in the independent leagues.

Kevin Reese is now a scout for the Yankees.

Kevin Thompson signed with the Newark Bears this spring, but was released after only three weeks. Not sure what happened there. He seemed to be playing well enough.

5 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 6:32 pm

Jeter's out of the lineup. He's sick. Pena is playing SS.

6 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 6:35 pm

[4] oh, i know and i think it's great! : )

yeah, i mentioned that about Sir Pontoon on an earlier thread today.

keep us updated!!!

hopefully we play tonight. we play tonight, we win tonight.

(we drink lotsa beer, either way!)

7 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 6:36 pm

[5] too much pre-partying in the Atl, i imagine. something tells me i shouldn't feel bad for him...

or, maybe = 35 is really OLD! ; )

(personally, i think it's a fabulous age, ahem)

8 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 6:37 pm

they shoulda stayed here - it's 90+ degrees and sunny...

9 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 6:39 pm

[7] They said it's a respiratory problem. He's got a really bad cough. It's been going around the clubhouse. Same thing Melky had, I guess. Kim Jones said a lot of the players have been sick.

I find it hard to believe that Jeter is 35...

Posada is out of the lineup just because the game was so long, and the temps so hot and humid yesterday. Girardi just wanted to give him a day off.

10 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Jun 26, 2009 6:39 pm

Wind and rain has led to several brief blackouts on my block in north Jersey, but it looks to have blown over. It's 6:40pm as I type that.

11 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 6:46 pm

[9] i find it really hard to believe that i'm 35! : ~

12 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 6:49 pm

I just hope that CC is OK.

13 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 6:50 pm

Pete Abe reports:

It’s not just raining. Waves of rain are hitting the stadium like a high pressure hosed was turned on and there are high winds. There are six carts parked on the tarp to keep it from blowing away.

Obviously we will not be starting on time tonight.

He also reports that Nady tore his liagament and will need TJ surgery. He's out of the year, and may miss next year, too.

14 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:02 pm

I feel for Nady. He had a career year in '08 and was headed for a nice free agency payday, but this could totally derail his career and he never got that contract. As for the Yankees, it would have been nice to have him back as a bench bat, but they'll survive without him, and now there's no risk of them being the team that overpays for him.

15 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:02 pm

[11] I got socks that old, Thelarmis!

: )

16 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:02 pm

Still not raining here. I think they'll be fine in Queens shortly.

17 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:06 pm

[14] Gotta give X credit. He tried like hell to come back and play this year, even though it probably would have been best for his career if he just had the surgery done when the injury happened.

18 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:07 pm

[14] I look at this way: the Yankees' relative depth at OF allowed them to absorb the injury to Nady (Swisher went from supersub to starter). Meanwhile they have been able to work in more ABs for Melky/Gardy. I was skeptical that they would work out, but the combo has been ok. And, if Nady had come back, either Melky or Gardner would not be on the 25 man roster. So In the end, losing Nady hasn't really disrupted things very much.

That said, I do I feel bad for him, of course.

19 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:10 pm

[18] or Brett Tomko was gonna take a dirt nap. I don't think either Gardner or Melky were going *anywhere*.

Mute point now ...

20 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:10 pm

[14] That's kind of what happened to Craig Wilson. He had chronic shoulder pain (I think that's why didn't hit as well for us as expected). Shoulder tendinitis and bone spurs. He had surgery the next year, but never really recovered. (Most major league players don't, it seems.) They were expecting him to sign a multiyear contract worth at least $5 million a year once he finally escaped Pittsburgh. Didn't work out that way.

21 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:15 pm

Funny, Randy, because Craig Wilson was the comparison I made when the Yankees traded for Nady. Check the last few paragraphs here.

22 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:15 pm

[19] Maybe. I think that it's pretty cleary they would keep back-up two infielders. matsui at DH. Two catchers. Add in the starters and Melky/Garnder and I get 14 position players.

You think they would have gone with only 11 pitchers?

If X came back, either Ransom/Pena goes or Melky/Gardner goes, I'm pretty sure.

23 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:16 pm

[17] Cult, I disagree. TJ would have (and now has) wiped out his season and his contract. If he had come back and hit in the second half, it would have benefited him as much as the team. Not that I don't give him credit for trying to come back, just that I don't think it was a completely selfless act.

24 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:21 pm

[22] of those 2 sets, one of Ransom/Pena would be far more likely.

They can't send Melky down and Gardner is clearly a game changing late inning runner, even if he's not starting.

Neither of those 2 were going anywhere.

So it becomes a question of Rikki-Tikki and the 2nd inf.

I suppose I'd bet on the 2nd INF, just because that's the way things seem to shake out, but with Hughes AND Aceves, I think you could easily go with 6 relievers. They could always use the Scranton shuttle to cycle somebody in if there was an emergency at some point.

25 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:22 pm

[21] Wow, that's kind of uncanny.

I do think Nady has a better chance of staying in baseball than Wilson. Elbow surgery is almost routine. It's shoulder surgery that's a total crapshoot. That's why they try to avoid shoulder surgery if at all possible. For ordinary people, impingement surgery is pretty routine, but baseball players don't use their arms like normal people. It's not routine for them.

Bubba Crosby is another one who never came back from shoulder surgery.

26 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:27 pm

[23] well, except for the fact that even if he came back, he had a ticking time bomb in his arm, a bomb that might blow up and wreck a season for whatever team signed him next year. Nobody really knows with these platelet procedures and though he certainly would have gotten a look if he'd come back and played to level in the 2nd half, there's no way that he'd get the same contract as if he'd never gotten hurt. Mid-level corner OF is not a position of leverage right now.

If he'd had the surgery when it happened he'd be that much closer to recovery (TJ, even a 2nd one isn't that scary for a fielder); he'd probably have to take a 1 year deal to prove his health, but there's a very good chance that's what he was looking at this year if he'd come back for the 2nd half.

27 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:30 pm

[11] pffffff... I got Luds older then you!

28 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:34 pm

petey says start at 8

29 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:38 pm

[25] Bubba Crosby never came back from hitting like Bubba Crosby.

30 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:41 pm

[29] He might not have been all-star material, but several teams were interested in signing him as a reserve infielder or AAA insurance. He couldn't pass the physical.

Which is what happened to Wilson, too. He was released the first day of spring training, when he couldn't pass his physical.

31 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:42 pm

[30] Arrgh. That's reserve outfielder, of course.

32 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:52 pm

Looks like we're getting baseball. Gameday has switched from "delay" to "warmups," and the pregame coverage has started on My9.

33 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:53 pm

[11]Hey, that's MY line! :)

[1] check here for stats http://tinyurl.com/orm7hl
I havn't seen my Yakult Swallows yet this season, but hope to catch a game soon. $15 dor general admission seats, not a bad deal as it's such a small stadium you can see from anywhere.

34 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 7:57 pm

[33] Thanks! Holy cow. Guiel's on fire. .290 is a pretty high average for him.

35 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:02 pm

For some odd reason they have Braves-RedSox on tv this morning, despite no Japanese players on the field this game...so GameDay for me to follow the Subway Series

36 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:03 pm

Yay Gardy!

37 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:03 pm

Gardner does it again...

38 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:05 pm

[37] Yeah, doesn't run right away...

Bleh

39 tommyl   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:05 pm

Well at least that wasn't a GIDP

40 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:05 pm

[39] Yay?

: )

41 tommyl   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:08 pm

Let's see what A-Rod can do with it.

42 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:09 pm

A-Rod walks. It's up to Cano.

43 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:11 pm

Feh

44 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:12 pm

Cano with the weak groundout.

I wonder if his wrist is the problem.

45 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:14 pm

Watching Josh Beckett..why is he so unlikeable? I keep hoping for the Braves to charge the mound for no reason..

46 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:16 pm

[45] b/c he's a douche. I share your disdain. : )

47 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:18 pm

[46] He just whiffed Larry to end the 3rd, no score there..ok, time to break the fast..

thelarmis: nice shout out to Ali Akbar Khan! You know your music my friend, am sure you know a lot of great Indian percussionists.

48 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:18 pm

Wow. Johnny almost dropped that one.

Nice catch.

49 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:19 pm

Good first inning for CC, that!

: )

50 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:21 pm

good sign of no bicep issues

51 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:22 pm

Citi Field kinda looks like a bland cardboard box compared to all the bells and whistles of New YS.

52 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:23 pm

[47] thanks, man! none better than Zakir Hussain. he might actually be the BEST musician alive on the planet today! (sorry, herbie hancock. i did say might)

Zakir just did a wonderful series of Indian Classical music at Carnegie Hall the end of April. one night even had my favorite drumset player, Steve Smith on board. unfortunately, i missed it, but i'm sure there'll be a dvd...eventually!

we'z the same age, bro! : )

53 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:24 pm

C'mon Ramiro!

54 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:25 pm

Woohoo!

55 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:25 pm

Mr. Pip!

56 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:26 pm

CC with the single!

57 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:26 pm

nice hit big man

58 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:26 pm

Carsten Charles IN CHARGE!

59 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:26 pm

And again!

: )

60 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:26 pm

Alright, C.C., now get picked off.

61 seamus   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:28 pm

sweet cc! nice job by the AAAA lineup there!

62 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:28 pm

I guess Pelfrey is just sucking. Everyone's hitting him.

63 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:29 pm

My God! Could Brett actually be a major league player?

64 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:29 pm

[60] No! HR so he can jog in...

65 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:29 pm

mets a mess

66 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:29 pm

speed.

kills.

67 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:29 pm

Ah, the Mets; : D

68 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:29 pm

Pelfrey is not getting much help from his fielders.

69 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:30 pm

[64] Or that...

70 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:30 pm

Aren't you supposed to throw the ball to your teammates, as opposed to at the opposing runners?

71 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:30 pm

C'mon Tex!

72 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:31 pm

oh man. that's one of the worst plays i've ever seen.

73 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:31 pm

Oh Lord, this is sick!

74 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:31 pm

jesus that is more than a mess

75 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:31 pm

Wow!

Mets sucking is acceptable!

: )

76 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:31 pm

Unreal.

77 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:31 pm

Deja 1964 Vu.

78 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:31 pm

[52] Same indeed!

Do the Mets just really stink??

I can vouch that Jeff Francouer REALLY stinks..he just swung at a pitch low and outside even Soriano would lay off..

79 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:32 pm

Leiter said the first baseman was just called up from AA, and doesn't usually play 1B.

80 tommyl   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:32 pm

Well, thank G-d I'm not a Met fan. Wow.

81 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:32 pm

As I posted the last time they played the Mets--no matter how bad it gets, just look across town.

82 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:32 pm

[58] Nicole Eggert!!! ; )

83 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:33 pm

holy crap! the rest of the infield trying to make castillo feel better! ; )

84 NickL   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:33 pm

I was gonna post and say Gardner easily passes CC on a double....
....and they make a THIRD error as I type!
/threestooges

85 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:34 pm

[70] It depends. Are you playing kick ball?

86 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:35 pm

hey Robbie, how about you sweep the leg here?

87 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:35 pm

sweep the leg, robbie! nice n early, let's do it!!!

88 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:35 pm

Nice how A-Rod gets his "In Game Rest" not having to swing and all...

89 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:35 pm

[86] you really ARE trying to Pipp me! damn you, son!!! : p

90 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:35 pm

Common Robbie.... break it open so the Mutts can relax...

91 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:36 pm

THEY CAUGHT ONE!!!!!

92 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:36 pm

LOL @ Cheer of Castillo!

93 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:36 pm

Good approach from Cano there--hit it at their fielders. It just didn't work out that time. Get 'm next time, Robbie!!

94 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:36 pm

[86] great minds drink alike! it'll still be a few hours before i can get my drunk on...

95 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:37 pm

let's go leche!!!

more runs, pleeze!!!

96 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:37 pm

[82] Nah, if you're going there..how about Erika "something" from the original Baywatch?
But for me it's always going to be Sherilynn "Audrey" Fenn from Twin Peaks!

Braves get baserunners but no runs off the Grinch..

poor Pelfrey, feel bad for the guy..

97 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:37 pm

C'mon Melky!

98 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:37 pm

who does pelfrey keep looking at in the dugout after every ball call? does he want manuel to come out and argue balls and strikes?

99 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:37 pm

Nice four spot!

100 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:39 pm

Being a Met's fan right now would be...unacceptable.

Show/Hide Comments 101-200
101 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:39 pm

[96] hmmm ... i'd go Fenn > Eggert > Eleniak

mmm, sherilyn fenn

102 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:40 pm

[96] i never watched babewatch or twin peaks. i was remember nicole eggert from charles in charge. my god, she was gorgeous!!! : )

103 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:41 pm

kay just said "the amazins were E-mazin' in that inning." am i missing something? what does that mean?

104 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:41 pm

Melky should be held somewhat accountable for swinging at ball 4. : )

105 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:41 pm

They rarely play her up in the movies she's done, but I loves me some Zooey Deschanel. http://tinyurl.com/o2entq

106 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:41 pm

[101] Sherilyn..dark hair with green eyes..did you know she dated Prince at one point? (yes, I had a huge crush on her)

Big Poo-Poo just homered, Sox 1 - Braves 0

107 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:42 pm

[103] It means Kay makes worse puns than my father even..

108 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:44 pm

[106] guess the idea of gritner out-homering papi is officially over

109 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:44 pm

[107] but what does it mean? did he mean to say "f-mazin" or "d-mazin" or something? e doesn't mean anything. in elementary school we got e's instead of a's.

110 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:44 pm

[102] 10 years ago in Colorado I convinced a girl I had been on a Charles in Charge episode. How I got to that point I'll never know. Let's just say it was in a bar past midnight. lol.

111 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:45 pm

wow the mets just can't catch any breaks

112 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:45 pm

First one, yes. That check swing? Nope.

113 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:46 pm

[109] e for error?

114 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:47 pm

[113] oh haha that makes sense, still stupid though

115 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:48 pm

[110] That is hysterical for so many reasons..a buddy of mine tried that by saying he was the original Balki on Perfect Strangers..

116 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:48 pm

[113] [114] and i was about to make fun of leiter for being slow in understanding what cone was talking about with checked swings

117 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:48 pm

[100] Being a Mets fan at any time is unacceptable.

118 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:49 pm

[110] i don't know who should be more embarassed - you or her :}
though i am embarassed to admit i liked scott baio back then

119 seamus   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:50 pm

[109] e = error

120 seamus   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:51 pm

[105] mmm. beautiful. Kat!

121 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:52 pm

[118] we all had out crushes back then..i think had a Madonna "True Blue" poster when i was 13..

Tokyo morning: already up past 30C degrees here, BoSox on tv, Mets radio on the web, lady and junior napping, i'm hanging laundry and Bantering..randym77, the weather is making me think it's time for a family trip to Jingu Stadium tonight for a Swallows game!

122 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:52 pm

Yay Ramiro!

123 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:52 pm

[118] My wife is into Buddy Lembeck.

124 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:52 pm

pena looking quite adept at the plate tonight

125 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:53 pm

You can only home to contain him...

126 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:54 pm

Damn...I thought he had another hit up the middle.

127 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:54 pm

good thing they were shading CC to pull!

128 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:54 pm

[123] :}

cc is loving hitting

129 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:55 pm

[121] Cool! Take a photo of ガイエル アーロン for me! ;-)

130 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:55 pm

[12] I'm loving pitchers hitting

131 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:55 pm

[110] that rules! i take it it worked...

132 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:56 pm
133 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:56 pm

that would have been impressive

134 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:56 pm

gritner is getting bolder out there

135 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:56 pm

[129] Damn, they're away at the Giants tonight, at the Tokyo Dome..no indoor baseball for me! In two weeks at home against Yokohama Baystars then, will try and talk to Guiel-san and get some thoughts on his years here. Your katakana is right on!

136 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:57 pm

[132] OK, that was meant for [128]

Screw me..it wasn't even an interesting comment.

137 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:57 pm

[121] i think i still have a crush on Heather Locklear! : )

138 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:59 pm

[137] I still like Traci Lords...

: )

139 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 8:59 pm

i still like jessica rabbit

140 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:00 pm

where's mattpat? - i would have thought news on pontoon would bring him to the banter

141 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:00 pm

[135] Is it common for fans to talk to players over there, or are you a member of the media or something?

142 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:01 pm

[139] Was she modelled on Rita Hayworth? Recently saw "Gilda" from the 1940s..my god..Rita Hayworth!!!

143 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:02 pm

[142] wikipedia: "Jessica was based on Lauren Bacall, Rita Hayworth in Gilda (1946), and Veronica Lake (noted for her famous "Peek-A-Boo" hairstyle)."

144 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:04 pm

[143] nice, thanks!

[141] Not really, and I'm not in the media. Just easy to get near the foul line and shout out in English, sure to get any gaijin players attention. My buddy from Venezuela had a running dialogue with some of the latin players when we were at a game last year

145 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:08 pm

pelfrey's "curveball" looks like a 75 mph straight throw

146 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:09 pm

Cone has to be fired. He just dared to say that Girardi is doing a great job managing the bullpen. Unacceptable evaluation.

147 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:10 pm

[146] then he could take over for eiland.

148 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:10 pm

1-2-3 inning???

UNacceptable!

149 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:10 pm

Opinion poll--

Alex and Joey Cora are the worst pair of brothers ever to play in MLB?

150 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:10 pm

[114] Interesting.

One day, I want to go to Japan and go to a baseball game.

151 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:11 pm

Sweet Lou admits he "once smoked pot"..methinks Lou came of age in the 60s and 70s, it was more than "once"...wonder if Soto gets suspended for that?

152 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:12 pm

Actually Yvonne De Carlo (Lily Munster) was prettier to me than the Jessica Rabbit basis’s, as were Lena Horne and Rita Moreno...

153 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:14 pm

Leiter v. Cone. Funny.

154 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:15 pm

[152] Rita Moreno? "The Electric Company"? "Hey, you guys!!!" Was she a sex symbol?

155 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:16 pm

[151] people don't believe me most of the time when i tell them about never being stoned. hell, i've never even tasted coffee before!

i read that article though, kinda funny. : )

157 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:17 pm
158 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:18 pm

[152] yvonne de carlo is really sexy without the lily munster stuff on.

[155] pot and coffee are both delicious. but good for you, you're better off without either.

159 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:19 pm

It's refreshing to hear players who seem to have some historical sense of the game...certainly more than the non-player in the booth.

160 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:19 pm

alex looking better in the field tonight too

161 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:19 pm

Watching Cervelli behind the plate, it's hard to believe this kid was in AA ball last year. Very mature.

162 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:19 pm

CC Rider!

Black Sabbath-ia!

Carsten Nielsen!!! (ooh, sorry. underground reference to the original drummer and co-founder of Denmark's first thrash/speed metal band Artillery!!!)

163 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:19 pm

[154] I don't know the link codes whatsoever. So bear with me. If you go to youtube and type in Easy Reader the first clip is a classic Morgan Freeman-Rita Moreno clip. Speaking of stoned, they were ALL stoned. : D

164 seamus   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:21 pm

[161] honestly, i keep waiting for him to start sucking and it keeps not happening.

165 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:22 pm

[158] i hate the way they both smell. i get my caffeine from Barq's root beer! i can't stand smoke of ANY kind. i used smoke evil cancer sticks though. loooong time ago. i did try pot in high school. it was AWFUL. did nothing for me. then again, i barely tried it. i have zero interest in drugs... (sorry OYF!!! i'm a disappointing musician, i know...)

think i'll stick with beer! mmmm, beer. : )

166 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:23 pm

[163] Maybe after taping, but not while teaching kids to read.

"Easy Reader, that's muh name! Uh, uh, uh..."

: )

167 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:23 pm

Damn Beckett throwing a shutout again..will we ever catch up to the Sox?

Oh, 165+ comments in, must be time for a "Fire Girardi!" post

168 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:25 pm

[167] "Clearly since CC is pitching while injured tonight, this is yet another Girardi managerial firing offense!"

: )

169 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:26 pm

[166] During taping. Nobody can convince me otherwise. "When I itches, I scratches, when I'm bored I read matches." "Wait a minute, Easy! You don't smoke!" Kills me.

170 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:27 pm

damn you sheff!!

171 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:27 pm

well ... there went that idea!

172 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:28 pm

I hate Michael Kay!

173 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:28 pm

[165] wow i can understand not liking either for their effects, but you don't like the smells? coffee is one of the best smells in the world.

174 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:28 pm

we're really letting Pelfrey off the hook. i mean, Bats in the Pelfrey, and all. ugh. i should stick to my day job. wait, i don't HAVE a day job. oy vey! : ~

175 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:29 pm

I hate the smell of coffee, too.

176 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:29 pm

Bollocks. damn. the Iron Sheff strikes.

177 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:30 pm

I'm going to send Duct Tape to YES for the next time a Yankee hurler has a perfecto past the first time through the order so they can apply it to Kay's hole!

178 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:30 pm

Frankie, He's throwing 95+ for the love of Pete. bleh.

179 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:30 pm

[175] strength in number! wahoo!

[173] i can't stand incense, either. stuff makes me ill...

180 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:30 pm

[167] Did you see that bomb by Sheff? CC is clearly gassed...why roll the dice with him pitching with a sore arm. Girardi is totally panicking. He's managing tight. And he's asleep at the switch. If the Mets didn't commit those errors we'd be LOSING right now. Is anyone accountable?

181 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:30 pm

leiter has weighed in on sliding versus running through the bag - verdict running through!!

jesus mk stfu

alright settle down big man

182 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:31 pm

maple bats gonna kill somebody ...

183 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:31 pm

[175] Blasphemy.

184 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:32 pm

mmmmmmm....... Coffee.......

185 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:33 pm

Evans may not have a good glove at 1B, but he can hit.

186 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:33 pm

[180] LOL Nice.

187 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:34 pm

[180] cashman's the one who signed the fat guy!

188 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:35 pm

[187] Win or lose, Girardi and Cashman have to go.

189 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:37 pm

isn't that a dead ball when it hits his foot?

190 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:37 pm

ok

191 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:37 pm

The cruelest of outcomes for a batter. Sucker.

192 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:38 pm

[191] The Mets really do bring the odd and embarrassing.

193 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:39 pm

All I can think of is My Heinous a%$#.

194 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:41 pm

In "Kay's World,"

One Solo Shot = A Rough Inning

Shoot me now!

195 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:42 pm

i'm out. need to run to the studio for a short while. gotta get a little prak in and pick up my drums. game may very well be over by the time i get back, but i'll check in later...

have fun, play nice and...

GO YANKS!!!

196 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:43 pm

[194] I liked when he asked if any "angst" was creeping in when CC gave up a couple of hits, followed by painful silence from the former pitchers in the booth. Then he quickly changed the topic.

197 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:43 pm

"Every Krap Begins with Kay!"

198 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:43 pm

[180] Hmmmm....Me thinks that horse might be a bit dead.....

Hey thelarmis,

How lucky are those damn Bosox fans getting a whole weekend in the ATL. If the Yanks were there, I'd go to every game. I got in at 1a.m. last night and I was a zombie at work all day.

199 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:45 pm

[198] I like Zombies. Very good drink, those...

200 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:46 pm

[198] Maybe...except..[167][168][186][187]

Show/Hide Comments 201-300
201 thelarmis   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:49 pm

[198] i just hope i don't see those 2 asshole fans in full Boston unis at my watering hole later! bravos getting shutout 4-zip. : (

i'm out. be back in an hour/half or so.

rock on, y'all

202 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:49 pm

Gardner 3 for 4.

203 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:50 pm

Peas Thelarmis!

204 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:52 pm

[202] His AVG is higher than Damon's now...

: O

205 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:53 pm

[202] That Gardy..I like the cut of his jib...

206 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:56 pm

man even the mets grounds crew sucks

207 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:56 pm

This is a serious question--what "rights" does a pitcher have to demand that the grounds crew fix the mound? Does the umpire have to give his consent? Or the head groundskeeper?

208 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:58 pm

Or because Wilpon is trying to will his team to become the Brooklyn Dodgers?

209 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 9:59 pm

castillo seems to complain about every strike call. those first 2 pitches were right down the middle.

210 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:00 pm

[208] ?? Are you referring to the Ebbets Field type design of the new ballpark?

211 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:01 pm

Gardner has a ridiculous .430 OBP this month. He's gotta come back to earth sometime, but it sure is fun while it lasts.

212 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:03 pm

[207] idk the actual rule - but it seems the pitcher lets the ump know the mound is not right and the ump calls the grounds crew out. it doesn't seem like pitcher ever communicates directly for the grounds crew to come out.

213 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:03 pm

[210] Sorry about that...while there was a short delay, Kay, Cone and Leiter were opining about why there were no mets colors at all in the new stadium. They posited various light-hearted theories.

And to answer your question: yeah. Jackie Robinson rotunda? In a Mets park?

214 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:04 pm

[212] just to follow-up i think the ump gives automatic consent unless he feels the pitcher's bitching goes overboard.

215 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:05 pm

[206] LMAO

[207] I would argue that any pitcher can ask for the mound to be "reset" if he's uncomfortable with it, especially with the landing area so as to not get injured.

216 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:05 pm

[213] Ah, gotcha. Yeah, very odd..especially when you think that the two Mets championship teams were easily two of the more memorable of the last 40 years..wouldn't you want to highlight those teams a bit more?

217 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:05 pm

[211] He’s gotta come back to earth sometime..

I don't know about that..he's got a lot of grit!

More seriously--you're right, he's a blast to watch when he's going good.

218 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:05 pm

[207] don't see anything in the rules about it. but did anyone know that this is actually a rule (part of 3.09): "Players of opposing teams shall not fraternize at any time while in uniform"?

219 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:07 pm

I hope the Yanks tack on a few more runs, then give CC a couple of innings off.

220 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:07 pm

Ya know, one of the downsides of these early-leads-that-looks-like-a-win, is the ensuing rather polite and bloodless thread. I mean, can't somebody insult someone? Do I need to speak about traditional oriental sexual customs? If this keeps up, people like Hoss are going to start participating in the threads again. And you know what that means. Even more moderate and intelligent conversation.

We don't want that, do we?

221 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:07 pm

[218] Sadly, I did know that rule existed.

222 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:07 pm

[218] How much of a "tab" has Jeter run up for Kangaroo Court because of that?

: )

223 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:08 pm

[201] no kidding. Why would someone put on a full Boston uniform, right down to the stirrups and go to a Yankees Braves game? BTW, end of the game I was down in left-center. I was yelling John-ny Da-mon, hoping he'd turn and there was a 45 year old man with his 10 year old son. Anyway, every time I'd yell that, he'd yell "Sucks!" What a fine example he is for his child.

224 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:09 pm

[217] yeah, since it has been so long (or at least seems so long) since the yanks had a true speedster gardner is a fun weapon to have when he is getting on-base. after gardner's no-go when he was supposed to run he has been a lot more aggressive (and succesful) running.

[218] pj knows that rule! :}

225 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:10 pm

PH? I would.

226 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:10 pm

Wow... Cano hussle! Next up... smow in June.

227 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:10 pm

[218] Maybe they can enforce this next Sox-Yanks series, sparing us all the french-kissing between Jeter and Youkilis..

[223] an adult in stirrups needs to be dealt with, and dealt with harshly..

228 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:10 pm

[223] Now you know why Atlanta was set ablaze during the mid-1860's...

: )

229 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:11 pm

poor guy - never going to be a good pitcher with that name

230 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:11 pm

[224] Damn straight!

: )

231 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:12 pm

[207] i suppose rule 3.10(c) is the applicable rule: "The umpire-in-chief shall be the sole judge as to whether and when play shall be suspended during a game because of unsuitable weather conditions or the unfit condition of the playing field..."

232 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:13 pm

Cervelli ALMOST made me eat my words. Almost.

233 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:13 pm

[231] Aha! That would do it. Thanks.

234 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:14 pm

[227] [228] the guy yelling "sucks" wasn't the one wearing the Boston uniforms. They were just a couple of dweeb-asses trying to stir up trouble. But I do think the older guy was a Sox fan.

Most of the Atlanta fans were pretty cordial. There were two drunk guys standing near us and one of them kept turning to me, and seeing my Yankee jersey, and yelling "Yankees Suck". I thought for a moment he was going to hit me or something. Geez, takes all kinds I guess. I guess if he'd ended up being someone's "friend" in jail and knowing he had a Yankee fan to thank for the privilege it might make him hate us even more.

235 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:15 pm

If you can't laugh at youself.......

236 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:16 pm

[235] yourself. Youself for Joe Pesci I guess.

237 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:16 pm

[235] thing is he might drop another from laughing

would have been nice to tack on a few there

238 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:21 pm

For all of Sheffield's faults, I liked him on our side. He was (is) an intimidating dude in the box.

239 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:23 pm

good evening folks ...

240 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:23 pm

I wonder if we might be able to get Milton Bradley in a salary dump now. Yes, I realize he's a lunatic, but when he's on he can be a dangerous hitter; given Nady being done, Matsui hanging by a string, Swish being so-so for awhile now, and our lack of depth on the bench, I wonder if Cash would even consider it.

241 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:24 pm

[239] Hiyas Diane!

: )

242 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:24 pm

[239] Hola, Diane

243 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:25 pm

What language does Russ Salzberg speak? I don't think it's English.

244 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:25 pm

[238] i like sheff flaws and all. and definitely initmidating.

245 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:25 pm

[240] I would pay good drachma to see a conversation between Joe Girardi and Milton Bradley..

Papelbon gave up a homer and double in the 9th but still closed it out.

time to pack up and head out for a Jerk Chicken and Carib Lager lunch, Let's Go Yanks!

246 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:25 pm

well, so much for CC throwing fewer pitches tonite.

247 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:26 pm

[243] loud

[239] you missed some egregious puns from mk

248 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:26 pm

I probably would have hit for CC and sent in someone to finish the last two innings.

249 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:26 pm

[243]

It was much worse when he sat next to excessively blonde and not too bright Cora Ann Mihalik.

250 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:27 pm

Wow. Just. Wow.

251 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:27 pm

Gritty Gardner

252 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:27 pm

Look at, Papi. Holy smokes. The lil' G!

253 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:27 pm

Brett! Gonna catch up with Big Papi eventually! ;-)

254 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:27 pm

BIG SLAPPY!!!!!

255 RIYank   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:27 pm

Wow! Good night for Brett!

256 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:27 pm

LOOK OUT BIG POOPI!

257 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:27 pm

watch out papi - maybe gritner's power stroke is coming back!

258 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:27 pm

You can only hope to contain...Gardy!

Look over your shoulder, Big Papi.

259 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:27 pm

Swisher just reminded me of this... I'm paraphrasing of course...

Circle, circle, dot, dot. Now here is my cooty art!

Woohoo Gritner!

260 seamus   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:27 pm

wow, what a game for Gardner!

261 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:28 pm

[249] Oh yeah. I remember her from her days on Ch. 5.

262 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:28 pm

making the official loss of nady even less of a loss

263 RIYank   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:28 pm

Just checking in at the Banter.
I was supposed to fly to the UK tonight. But I was flying out of Newark. Couldn't even get into Newark. (Bet you never heard of someone disappointed not to be able to get into Newark, huh?)

I'll try again tomorrow. In the mean time,

GO YANKEES!

264 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:28 pm

[252, 253. 254, 256, 257, 258]

Sweet.

265 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:29 pm

[245] No question. Milton's personality, at times, reminds me of Sheff....It would be nice if he could find the right home and just focus on hitting. He did have a 163 and 153 OPS+ the last two seasons, so he could be huge in our lineup (and in our park). Of course he is on his 7th MLB team in only 10 seasons for a reason....

266 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:29 pm

He's baaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

267 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:30 pm

you god damn stat padder!

268 RIYank   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:30 pm

Boy, this is fun. Yeah. This is better.

Early June doesn't count, I call.

269 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:30 pm

[243] I think that's Bob Cousy-ese complete with inserted marbles...

Woohoo Alex!

Passes Reggie!

: O

270 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:30 pm

Tack-on-Alex : o

271 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:30 pm

Damn! That looked like a lazy flyball to RF. Man, ARod must be strong!

272 RIYank   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:30 pm

[266] Text Buster Olney, Rich.

273 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:30 pm

like i saids last night, alex is hitting the up the middle and the other way ... and that's a VERY GOOD thing

274 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:31 pm

So Citi Field is obviously a bandbox, huh?

275 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:31 pm

Elmer's Glue ...

276 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:31 pm

Now we can rest CC.

277 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:31 pm

[263] that stinks riyank - least you get to enjoy this game

278 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:31 pm

Cute-cute-curecutecute!
mmmmmm... Kate Hudson.

279 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:32 pm

[272] Heh.

280 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:32 pm

[276] you'd think so, but joey won't ...

281 RIYank   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:32 pm

[277] Thanks, yeah.
Oh well, assuming I do get to Edinburgh, I'll probably enjoy it all the more.

282 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:32 pm

[273] yeah that seems to correlate pretty well with alex being on

283 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:32 pm

[240] Bradley can slug, no doubt. The only problem, which we were discussing near the beginning of thread, is that with A-Rod hurt, the team will probably want to carry two BU IF. If they carry 12 pitchers, that means there is no room for another OF.

Now, if they had the balls to carry only 11 pitchers or one BU IF...

284 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:32 pm

[272] Buster Olney has sucked royally since he left the NY Times for ESPN..

GO GO ALEX!!! Passing Reggie..wow...

gnite everyone, it's great to beat the Muts in their new identa-kit retro park!

285 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:33 pm

[272] and we ensure that Mo doesn't have to pitch so he's available tomorrow and sunday.

286 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:33 pm

[263] was there a massive mj vigil in your way or something?

287 RIYank   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:34 pm

The Mets should use gloves, like other teams.

288 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:34 pm

And a balk, as the Mets work their way through every sort of error in the rule book.

289 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:35 pm

man ... could you imagine William as a Met fan right now?

290 RIYank   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:35 pm

[286] Ha.

I guess it was the lightning.

291 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:35 pm

[281] Bleh! No Yankees in Edinburgh, unless you take your laptop...

Have a safe trip RYI! Taking golf clubs perhaps?

: )

292 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:36 pm

[283] true but they were going to bring back Nady (and I don't think they were going to unload Swish). I get the point, I'd just like to have that bat and that OBP. Damn can you imagine that lineup. And really, now would be the time to strike because the Cubbies have pretty much had enough of his act.

Would it be too mercenary to obtain him and then invent a reason to DL Matsui or even release him?

And I think you'd have to hire a team shrink to room with him. Maybe I'm too seduced by his OPS+

293 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:36 pm

I picked a great inning to get home...after listening to Sterling, it's nice to actually see what's going on.

Just scanning the game thread...seems as if a dominant C.C., a sloppy defense and some late power has monkeypants declaring all is well in the Yankees world! :)

294 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:36 pm

better watch out for lil miss trouble parnell

295 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:37 pm

Cervelli = animated

296 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:38 pm

[293] even you have to admit things look up when alex is swinging the bat well

297 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:38 pm

[289] If I was a Met fan, I'd take a look at the roster and be grateful this was a somewhat close game for 8 innings. I lived through 1989-92...my expectations are never irrational.

298 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:38 pm

Kevin Thompson got in trouble for "fraternizing" with the other team. He was playing in the minors, after he left the Yankees. I don't know if the umpires said anything, but his own manager pulled him from the game and suspended him or some such thing. The manager was plecked off about other infractions, or I doubt he'd have done that. Players fraternize all the time. If you show up really early at minor league games, you'll see players in different uniforms hugging each other, talking, patting each other on the butt, etc. A lot of them have been traveling from team to team for years. They're old friends, and act like it.

299 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:38 pm

[291] I played today for the first time this year. Didn't hurt anybody. I only used 4 balls and yelled "FORE" once. Par for the course is the idiom I would choose. : D

300 RIYank   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:38 pm

[291] Thanks!
I will have my laptop, and I'm pretty sure no games are blacked out in Scotland.
I hate golf. Too bad, I guess. Actually, I might like the Scottish kind, it seems more like a sport.

I guess that's it for me. I'll check in tomorrow, from Newark...

Show/Hide Comments 301-384
301 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:39 pm

[293] and William, I'm trying to work out a deal to get you some extra OBP....[240]

302 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:40 pm

[296] Absolutely...when C.C. dominates and Alex rakes, the Yankees better look great, especially against an inferior opponent. The key is how do they finish the weekend and finish up the second half. TB and Boston are now winning with regularity, so the Yankees can't be content to play win one; lose one.

303 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:40 pm

[292] I agree entirely. We were discussing earlier who would have been sent down/released had Nady come back.

[293] Well, I did express some mild displeasure that there was no PH for Cervelli the inning before, so I was trying at least to keep the flame burning for you. ; )

304 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:40 pm

[280] i stand corrected. thank you joe.

305 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:41 pm

A Tomko-proof lead?

306 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:41 pm

[300] Golf in Scotland is played along the ground, grit-style...

Latas!

: )

307 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:41 pm

Wow. Love me some South Beach.

308 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:41 pm

As good a D as I've seen Alex play in a while.

309 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:41 pm

man, alex is en fuego at 3rd tonite.

310 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:42 pm

A few days of rest and we have a new ARod! Mets announcers VERY impressed with ARods D.

311 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:42 pm

[300] good luck.

arod looks good on both sides. his arm is looking as good as ever these days. remember how shitty his throws to 1st were in 06?

312 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:43 pm

[301] Milton Bradley? I don't mind head cases, but Milton Bradley might go a step beyond.

Has Arod been making these plays all game? John Sterling was going ba-n-an-as, but that could mean he fielded a one hopper right at him.

313 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:43 pm

[310] they're not the only ones. he's made more good plays at 3rd tonite than he has combined since he's come back.

314 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:43 pm

[305] Is Tomko the new "run fairy" now that Veras is gone or (gasp) is that Wanger's burden for the rest of 2009.

William, what do you think of the idea of Milton Bradley being acquired on the cheap from the Cubbies who've already had enough?

315 NickL   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:44 pm

Girardi finally reads the "Brett Tomko: Instructions for Use" manual....

316 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:45 pm

[303] Believe it or not, I had no problem with that because I hate to break up a battery when the pitcher is rolling. I did think Pena should have been hit for, however, especially with Ransom back on the roster.

317 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:45 pm

just to rain slighlt on the alex parade - he looks great tonight - this could lead to the conclusion is fine and doesn't need off days beyond yankee off days - i would rather the conclusion be the rest seems to have really helped him let's continur to give him the scheduled off day for a bit longer

318 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:45 pm

[312] that's true, William, if he's got his head screwed on anyone would love to have him....the question is whether the Yanks could do that for him. He "seemed" to be relatively normal in Texas though I don't think we could ever know that for sure. Perhaps hypnotherapy or medication might help...

319 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:46 pm

[299] "I only used 4 balls..."

There have been many days where I would deem that quite an accomplishment for myself, Just Fair!

I have posted 40 rounds so far this year into the handicap computer with nary a blue screen.

: )

320 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:46 pm

I'm expecting to read that Alex will be getting a day off due to rope burns sustained at the hands of Kate Hudson.

321 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:46 pm

[312] i think Milt gets more crap than he deserves, but ... he's a genuinely unbalanced person ... there's just no other way to put it.

and somehow, i think NYC is the *last* place he should be playing ... for everyone's sake.

322 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:46 pm

Wow..did Leiter just say "my concern is that he goes into the BP and rots for 7 to 10 days," in reference to developing young pitchers?

I don't get to see the YES feed very often, and I am amazed how much basically frank and smart stuff Leiter and Cone have said tonight.

323 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:47 pm

[314] He is owned $30mn over 3 years, so I'd have to pass. Bradley is esssentially an injury prone DH and the Yankees have enough of those guys. Also, while I am not a Girardi fan (as a manager), I wouldn't want to make his life that much more difficult.

324 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:47 pm

[321] probably true.

325 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:48 pm

[322] they are both very blunt and don't read the yes talking points.

[321] i do too. he kind of reminds me of ron artest - i don't think they mean to flip out and rgeret it after they do, but they don't have much control of theri actions or emotions.

326 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:49 pm

[320] Hasn't he been playing with his hands tied long enough, Diane?

: )

327 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:50 pm

[322] Cone is a breath of fresh air...he combines a love of the games history with a player's perspective AND an openess to sabermetric concepts. He is also very funny.

328 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:50 pm

I love Leiter. He can be shockingly frank sometimes.

329 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:52 pm

[325] yeah, that's pretty much it. i think he's generally a decent fellow, but there's *NO* control in the heat of the moment ... and so, it doesn't matter how long Milt goes being a wonderful teammate and well behaved model citizen, he's always one random triggering moment away from going batshitcrazynuts.

330 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:52 pm

i also like that yes is willing to pair cone and leiter together too rather than believe that the booth can't have 2 pitchers
they are both great and they do well together

331 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:52 pm

Clap clap clap

332 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:52 pm

HOLY CRAP, 5 HITS FOR GRITNER!!!

333 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:52 pm

that would be a cycle if cc hadn't been on base for one of those singles

334 NickL   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:53 pm

words. fail. me.

335 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:53 pm

Did Gardner just hit for the cycle? Nope, I guess he missed the double.

336 randym77   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:53 pm

Holy crap! Triple! That's 5 hits for Gardner!

337 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:53 pm

Yup... this kid is a AAAA player at best.

338 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:53 pm

Number 11 in your program and number 1 in your heart. Lil' G.

339 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:53 pm

Let me get this straight:

Ellsbury is an up and coming star, but Gardner is a 4th OFer????

340 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:53 pm

Gardner seems to have forgotten those defensive miscues from last night....

341 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:53 pm

Rays are 15-7 in June now (Yankees are 12-11). I hope the Yankees have the ship righted and some of these losses against weaker competition doesn't come home to roost.

342 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:53 pm

[333] That's it! That's why I thought he had a 2B [335].

343 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:55 pm

If Sabathia wasn't on base ahead of him in the second inning, Gardner would have had a cycle.

I am very happy to admit that I was dead wrong about Gardner. I know it's early, but I didn't think he could sustain an OPS+ over 100 for this long. If he can keep this up, he is a bonafide weapon.

344 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:56 pm

OK, so now give A-Rod the rest of the night off and move Swish to 1B. Yep, Matsui in to PH.

345 Just Fair   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:58 pm

Judge Mo will order C.C to pay 2 steak dinners for costing Gardner his cycle double. Or maybe C.C. will just pat him on his head.

346 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:58 pm

[343] I too was skeptical, my skepticism tempered only by my utter loss of faith in Melky. I figured Garder was the lesser of two eveils, but he has played above my expectations so far. As you say, can he keep it up?

347 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 10:58 pm

[339]

Ellsbury OPS+ 93
Gardner OPS+ 97

Clearly Jacoby is a superstar.

348 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:00 pm

[347] Ellsbury wished he had Gardner's speed...

349 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:00 pm

[347] It's that damn Boston hype machine AKA ESPN.

350 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:01 pm

[346] well, does he *have* to? i mean, on a constant basis. right now, we've got the luxury of being able to mix-n-match with gardner, melky and swisher.

play the hot ones, nobody gets over-exposed, keeps the fire lit under them all ...

351 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:01 pm

[347] Gardner is also two weeks young. Interestingly, Ellsbury's 18th birthday was 9/11/01. Talk about coming of age.

352 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:01 pm

[348] gardner wishes he had 1/2 the idea of playing D that ellsbury does ...

353 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:02 pm

With Sabathia pitching very well and Melky and Hughes both contributing, can we now conclusively say that not making the Santana trade was the right move?

354 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:02 pm

jesus damon

355 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:03 pm

[350] "play the hot ones, nobody gets over-exposed, keeps the fire lit under them all"

Hey I've said that at least once this year...

: )

356 51cq24   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:03 pm

[353] i'll wait on that, but it's certainly looking better than it was a year ago

357 seamus   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:03 pm

let's not declare Gardy a success while he is hot. Just as we shouldn't write off players just because they are in slumps. I like Gardy and hope he succeeds but we need to see him sustain solid play over an extended period before we know for sure. I do like what I see and love watching him play.

358 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:03 pm

[352] That's true...both the arms are weak, but Ellsbury does seem to be a much better defender...at least to the naked eye.

359 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:04 pm

[353] It was always the right move, imo, if Hughes was involved.

360 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:04 pm

[350] Sure, if it works. There may be something to what you're saying--maybe Melky/Gardner produce better as semi-starter?

361 ms october   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:04 pm

good start to the series team

362 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:05 pm

til tomorrow ....

363 Evil Empire   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:05 pm

I would guess Brett's OPS+ might be 100 or 101 by tomorrow...

364 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:05 pm

By the way, that's an example of why Tomko can have a role on a good team. I would hate to use a Melancon in the role of mop up man. The only problem is you need to trust that the manager will never use him in a key spot.

365 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:06 pm

This season UZR/150

Ellsbury: -6.8

Gardner: 10.4

366 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:07 pm

[357] I agree...but I was so critical of him to the point that I didn't think he could ever hit a lick in the majors...not for a week, month or three.

367 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:08 pm

[357] depends again on how you define success.

if it's key cog everyday starting CF on a playoff team, yeah, we're nowhere near that.

if it's good enough to start for periods, not an automatic out (the way he was when he 1st came up last year) and always a threat off the bench ... i'd say he's a success.

i mean, with the way he looked at first last year, everybody who thought he'd ever hit 3 homeruns ... in his *ENTIRE* career ... raise their hands!

'cause it weren't me, i'll say that.

he (and kevin long) deserve a TON of credit for being willing to change and working hard to make the changes stick ...

368 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:08 pm

[352] I've seen the only major leaguer in history named Jacoby botch a few in the "cavernous" Fens CF, including ridiculous routes. Haven't seen many bad routes by Gritner...

369 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:08 pm

[365] UZR really only has value over a large sample, but still, that finding surprises me.

370 Rich   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:09 pm

[369] I'm not saying Ellsbury can't be good, only that there really isn't a lot of evidence to think he is that much better than Gardner.

371 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:10 pm

Wow...just seeing those Mets errors now...they were just as bad as they sounded.

372 PJ   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:10 pm

Yay Yanks!

Beat those Mets again tomorrow!

G'night folks...

: )

373 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:11 pm

Besides the Mets of course, it would be nice if the NL Least could pick up a few wins. The Rays really scare me.

374 seamus   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:12 pm

[371] some of the worst baseball i;ve seen in a while.

375 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:12 pm

[368] i dunno, i see gardner misread and misplay balls quite often.

376 NickL   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:15 pm

[373] me, too....given the combination of youth and $, the 3 best teams in the AL will be in the East for the next five years, I think....

377 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:18 pm

[376] I would hate to miss the playoffs because the Yankees went 2-4 against the Nats/Marlins while the Rays went 6-0. I know you can't look at things that way, but still...

378 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:23 pm

Getting NESN, I watched a number of Sox games on TV. Ellsbury appears to be an outstanding fielder. Like with Bernie in his GG days, speed makes up for lesser judgement/poorer routes, so Brett ultimately is an excellent fielder also. But IMHO, Ellsbury is better.

[367] Put it perfectly. We are not expecting Brett to be a stud. But with the Yankees payroll, it's very important to be able to field some minimum wage players without compromising the team too much.

If Gardy can post a .700 OPS, he is borderline successful. At .750, he is more then anyone expected. Given his speed and D, thats not bad for the teams 'worst player'.

While I don't expect him to keep 'this' up, last year, we were watching a scared kid. Now we are watching a guy who is building confidence, helping the team, and beginning to look more like the real Brett.

379 NickL   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:23 pm

if we come third in the division, I guarantee there'll be some unpleasant stuff to look at
;<)

380 NickL   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:24 pm

[378] BG: 303/374/441
current Gardner OPS: 815!

381 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:26 pm

meanwhile, good thing it was a good day at the ML level ... down below things weren't quite so hot ... Kontos and Cox to the DL, Garcia done for the year with elbow surgery

382 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:33 pm

[366]

but I was so critical of him to the point that I didn’t think he could ever hit a lick in the majors…not for a week, month or three.

I have a hard time believing this.

: )

383 monkeypants   ~  Jun 26, 2009 11:39 pm

[370] I’m not saying Ellsbury can’t be good, only that there really isn’t a lot of evidence to think he is that much better than Gardner.

To be fair, Ellsbury's minor numbers (.313/.389/.425/.814) were a good bit better than Gardner's (.291/.389/.385/.774), especially his power numbers. And he looked a lot better in MLB at age 23 and 24 than Gardy looked last year at 24. But this year? Not so much.

384 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 27, 2009 9:58 am

Methinks Ells bury is better, but if it turns out close, all the better for us. Ellsbury was a hot prospect for the Sox, Gardner was not high on our list.

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