Oh Andy, Well You Came And You Gave Without Taking…
Posted on Sep 27, 2009 10:43 pm
By Emma Span
With one 4-2 win this afternoon, the Yankees clinched their division, wrapped up home field advantage, swept the Red Sox at home, and did their part for the struggling champagne industry. Good thing it stopped raining.
Andy Pettitte was on on the mound today and had one of those now-familiar starts wherein he doesn’t seem to have particularly good stuff or control, but still pitches resourcefully enough to keep things in hand. With the Sox putting together a double, two walks and a single in the first (including a comebacker off Pettitte’s leg), and loading the bases with no one out in the third, it’s impressive that Boston only scored one run in each of those innings. Pettitte righted himself and bore down after that, throwing very well in his last few innings, and leaving after six innings with the Yankees trailing the Sox 2-1.
Meanwhile, I don’t know how Paul Byrd does it – repeatedly over the last few years he’s completely baffled the Yankees’ hitters, despite the undeniable fact that he’s Paul Byrd. On a typical day Paul Byrd couldn’t baffle my labrador retriever. But he did it again this afternoon, shutting out the Yanks for five and two thirds, except for one Melky Cabrera laser shot into the right field stands. But in the sixth, Teixeira and A-Rod managed two-out singles off him, and when Terry Francona brought in Takashi Saito, the Yankees broke through: Hideki Matsui knocked in both runners with a little dunker into right field to make it 3-2. Later in the game, Teixeira’s homer provided a little bit more insurance.
In other encouraging news, Brian Bruney looked great today, locking down five outs in the seventh and eighth. This really hasn’t been Bruney’s year, and I can’t say I have much confidence when he trots out to the mound, to put it diplomatically – but when he’s right, Bruney can be very very good, and if he somehow does get things figured out in time for the playoffs, well, that’d be a hell of a bullpen.
Mariano pitched the ninth, and things did not go entirely smoothly, but eventually he fielded a little grounder to the mound and threw to Teixeira for the much-anticipated last out. Everyone started high-fiving, and hugging — and I can report that in addition to his other good qualities Andy Pettitte seems to be a really excellent hugger, warm and confident and full-bodied, not one of those stiff back-patter types — and breaking out the Division Champion hats and shirts, and then spraying booze all over each other.
I’m always a sucker for a champagne celebration, and this one was fun to watch, but not quite all-out – because the Yankees want to keep the focus on their playoff goals, and maybe also because winning the division has been nearly a foregone conclusion for weeks now. I think every single player interviewed followed the script: this is great, BUT… we’ve got a great team, BUT… well, we’re really happy we met the first of our goals.
And that makes sense – for the Yankees, it’s not really an honor just to be nominated. Everyone expects more from them, so why go nuts? But personally, particularly after last year reminded me just how much it sucks when neither the Yankees or Mets get to the postseason, I’m happy just to have October baseball in New York – yes, even if that only means watching the Yankees get swept by the Tigers in the ALDS. I was entertained all the way through the season this year, and maybe that’s not all I ask, but it’s all I need.
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[0] It’s that Three-Finger Brown windup by Byrd that baffles people…
I am super happy too, more than I thought. 100 wins is a great achievement. The series against the Tigers/Twins doesn’t worry me, but LA or Boston…
This must have been a rotten Weekend in New England. Come Daybreak, I wonder what the Boston papers will say about their Sox. Oh well, Looks Like We Made It.
[1] Except that his ERA going into the game was 6.04, with 37 hits and 11 walks in 25 innings!
Of course he’s coming out of retirement, so maybe he just finally shook off the rust. Even the last few seasons, though, he’s been pretty mediocre overall.
[2] Heh, thanks, Diane – I Can’t Smile Without You.
[2][4] Hey guys, this ain’t the Copacabana at the Banter but you both sure got that New York City Rhythm…
[5] i’m errand boy for rhythm…send me!!! : )
WAHOO, am i a happy guy!!! YAN-KEES!!!!!!!
i love the Yankees soooo much, i think it might not be normal.
100 wins, swept the shit sox, tied the season series, division champs, home field advantage, avoiding those motherfucking scumbags celebrating on our field and in our clubhouse, bruney throwing 5 strong outs, cokey striking out Fat Liar, Andy gutting it out (again), captain leading off w/ another hit, matsui coming thru, robbie’s 200th hit, A-Rod w/ a great at-bat and on and on and on.
man, i love this team!!!
Todd Drew is smiling today. i hope he smiles quite a lot more in the near future! : )
I don’t know what I like more about the banter. The brilliant writing (thanks Emma, you never disappoint) or the bonhomie amongst the posters. In that respect a perfect tribute to this version of the yankees ~ 1 cab/25 guys and they can play the game. Ah, music and passion are always in fashion…..
[7] i think this where i take the “bonhomie” and turn into “bonham” and go on Led Zep rant! ; )
[8] thelarmis, just read about the Japanese jazz piano trio who ONLY play Zep covers..can’t wait to see them..btw, Bonham or Keith Moon? I gotta go with Moon..(to be played by Nick Swisher in the “Which Yankees are like famous musicians game?”)
[8] Well, then, I’ve got a whale of a tune for you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdJWPgzS_lQ
[10] At the risk of angering my good pal thelarmis..i don’t really like “drum solos”..(Elvin Jones excpeted)..I prefer hearing it in the flow of the music..
[9]
When this team is Ten Years Gone, I suspect we’ll still have a good feeling about them.
[9] bonham. hands down.
and i totally dig keith moon and the who. still…bonham. it’s a no-brainer.
there’s a jazz singer in town here and she put out an entire album of singing Zep classics as jazz standards.
[10] nice! Joe Jackson mention’s Earls Court in one of his songs from 1989.
[12] there’s going to be a Rush movie/documentary coming out next year or the year after! supposedly, it’s going amazingly well, thus far… : )
[14]
Maybe we’ll see “Joe-Tor(re) and the O Dog” in the series?
[15] nice!
good god, kim jones looked hot as hell in the clubhouse. the dousing of champagne was a good look for her!!! ; )
i’ll never grow tired of hearing Mo speak. after all, it’s the voice of god. (NO disrespect to bob sheppard!)
[16]
Teixeira in his goggles was cute …
I wonder if the Boss still has enough awareness to acknowledge the division title..I guess some days he’s here and others he’s not..
[17] ick.
[18] irony: i got a call tonight from one of my old students. he’s got an audition on tuesday and needs to take a lesson tomorrow to prepare some tunes. he said there are some “bonham triplet like” fills i need to teach him! should be fun!!!
I loves me some Bonham
[17] Teixeira in his goggles was cute …
He sort of looked too hip for the room.
[20] TooL actually covered No Quarter. yeah man, Bonzo rules!!! i teach all my students Bonham grooves.
1973 was a terrific year! ; )
Where are the Girardi haters now? Hard to believe that not five days ago the sky was falling and the Yanks were going to be lucky to get the wild card. But I’m sure they’re waiting for a hypercritical post-season in which every move is under their insane microscope.
“On a typical day Paul Byrd couldn’t baffle my labrador retriever.”
Even though it is easy to baffle labrador retrievers. At least the ones I’ve met.
Ah, a week of spring training baseball during Oktoberfest.
And in honor of the late William Safire, next year in Jerusalem.
I’ve enjoyed this season more than any other I can remember.
A great bunch of guys, playing their hearts out every night.
Let’s hope they can maintain the intensity over the next week and enter October with a little momentum.
[24] I’m actually kind of sad we will miss out on Zach the Great, no other reason to watch the Royals…
Ah, William Safire. Always such a joyous occasion when Richard Nixon has another buddy join him downstairs! :)
[23] i’ve been wearied by the girardi negativism all year, but surely you’d agree that october is the proper time to put him under the microscope. i’m looking forward to finally seeing him manage in a postseason series. and if he does anything wrong, i will join the “haters.”
[27] Yeah, I can’t get too worked up about the “haters” on a baseball blog..I mean, let people rant, it’s funny. Also, I agree with those who think a manager rarely wins games but can often lose them..I hope Girardi loses his bunt fetish and doesn’t screw up the bullpen in the playoffs..if he’s ok there then #27 is on the way!
Slumber time..not so exciting to wake up to the Royals..maybe Edwar and Shelly will get in the game at least..
The Yanks finish the maraton with a muscular sprint! Legs and arms pumping they take 2 of 3 aganst the Angels. Still gaining speed… 3 of 3 against the Red Sox. Usain Bolt is in the house as the Yanks cross the finish line finishing the 100 victory dash! I love it!
I would now be inclined to give Joba a Division Series start, but that would still depend on him not regressing this week.
I would now be inclined to give Bruney some work in a close game, but that too would still depend on him not regressing this week.
I would now be inclined to start AJ in Game 2, but that too would still depend on him not regressing this week. Andy’s reliability is not something I take lightly or for granted. He probably deserves the Game 2 start, but I’m inclined to split up the lefties, and go with the 1-2, left-right power punch to start a series. Plus, AJ’s been the #2 all season. Why mess with his head?
The games are meaningless this week but there are important things to watch for.
Amid the joy, can’t shake this thought:
Somewhere, a village populated exclusively by idiots is missing its Joe Morgan.
Resume joy… now.
“It’s an ill wind as blows nobody no good, as I always say. And All’s well as ends Better!”
I’d raise a pint to that, if it wasn’t 9:55 in the morning.
[26] I like Safire. He did repudiate Nixon (whom I never liked) and growing up, the last thing I would read Sunday nights was Russel Baker’s column and then Safire’s On Language column in the NYTime’s Sunday magazine.
Soooo, AAA lineup tonight?
[26, 32] I appreciate Safire strictly from a politcal dork standpoint. It’s like when Novak died, ideologically I couldn’t stand him but that doesn’t mean he didn’t have his fun moments.
Irving Kristol on the other hand I have serious issues with only because I think the philosophy he spent the last 30+ years publicly espousing resulted in a whole lot of people needlessly getting killed.
I’m wearied by the weariness of the Girardi negativism. The $60+ million payroll disparity is an incredible regular season advantage. I truly think that almost any manager could win 100+ games with this team. If he wins the WS this season, I would be willing to rethink. If not, nope.
Safire was a rational conservative, something that is in short supply now.
[32] Yes, except I’m not sure they have enough people to take everyone’s place, even if Hairston wasn’t hurt. If I had to guess, Jeter and Cano will start, so that Pena plays 3B, with Hinske in LF and Shelley in RF, either Melky or Gardner in CF, Miranda at 1B, and Cervelli behind the plate. No clue who DHs – maybe Damon?
Why not put Hinske at 3B, Pena at SS, and Guzman in LF?
[36] I figured that there’s no way the Captain sits this game out – he’ll rest tomorrow, is my guess – and so Pena plays 3B, which puts Hinske in LF.
I also thought that Hairston wasn’t available, but PeteAbe’s post on who might play today suggests that he is. So Hairston could play 3B with Pena at 2B.
[24] Yes, god knows I love my dog – and she is the sweetest creature on the planet – but over the years I have seen her baffled by infants, squirrels, squeaky toys, and socks.
[27] Does anything wrong? When actions are only judged after the fact based on the results? Specify for me here and now what it would mean, based on everything you’ve seen from him in over 300 games, what he could possibly do “wrong”.
He doesn’t go crazy with bunts. But then I think first and second with no one out is a fine time for it. Perhaps the only time. Better that than the double play.
Two years running the guy has built a bullpen from spare parts. If they succeed in October it will be because of that foundation. Look at the names they’re relying on. Doesn’t he get significant credit for Hughes, Robertson, Coke, Aceves, and even Bruney. Hell, it wasn’t last week that folks were bemoaning the use of Bruney. And now he’s contributing valuable innings again.
First and foremost the players have to execute. The offense hasn’t been hitting that well. Whose fault is that if it carries over the post-season? Or if Burnett implodes? Those to me are the biggest question marks, not the manager.
I’m one who thinks the manager has a very small role to play. But based on Girardi’s record in winning close games and in outperforming their Pythag, he’s more than capable of helping the team in October. What’s he going to do to really hurt their chances? Bat A-Rod eighth?
[34] Wait, so 2008 was his fault. But 2009 isn’t? Both years had $200 million payrolls. Seems like you’re trying to dance away from the weariness you help to propagate (and with little supporting evidence in the first place).
Seriously, someone give me an aggregate stat for managers. Cause in a sport where great players fail 70% of the time, I truly want to know how often great managers fail. Without that, all I hear is alot of hot air….except, curiously, for the last five days.
I mean, seriously, where are the folks who thought the sky was falling last Wednesday?
Of course, if you believe October is a crapshoot, then it doesn’t matter what the manager does.
[39] +1
[39] He doesn’t go crazy with bunts. But then I think first and second with no one out is a fine time for it. Perhaps the only time. Better that than the double play.
It depends on the inning. According to Tangotiger’s run expectancy data (admittedly for 1999-2002), the run expectancy for 1st and 2nd and none out is 1.57, with 2nd and 3rd and one out it’s 1.47. Therefore, bunting in that situation actually lowers your run expectancy (because it cuts down on the odds of a big inning), though it may (I don’t have the data) increase the chances of scoring a single run.
So, bunting early in the in the game is probably a bad strategy, unless you have someone up like Molina. Bunting late in a tie game, when the one run is more crucial, might make more sense.
[40] Thanks. Speaking of which…
Alex, Cliff, Diane, Emma, Will, Bruce et al. –
Have you guys seen the sites where you can vote up comments? I know of two plugins – IntenseDebate and Disqus. Seems like it could be much more interesting to track relevant threads. The only downside is the comments are no longer linear. Obviously that wouldn’t work for game threads. But I wonder if it could be made to work on all other posts. Arguing with minority opinions is often a waste of time. But simply voting them down is a helpful way to frame debates toward more productive directions.
So, bunting early in the in the game is probably a bad strategy
Wait, you end with your preferred conclusion but without looking up all the relevant data? You really think that’s kosher?
Scoring a single run off a guy like Verlander or Beckett, especially in the early innings and with a Sabathia on the mound, should exactly be the strategy, even with Jeter at bat (with how many double plays he grounds into).
[39] Hell, it wasn’t last week that folks were bemoaning the use of Bruney. And now he’s contributing valuable innings again.
well, let’s not get too excited. His last five appearances, going back to Sept. 13:
Sept. 13: 2 outs in a 13-3 win
Sept. 16: 0 outs, 2 hits and run in a close win (5-4 win over Toronto)
Sept. 19: 3 outs, 2 hits, 0 runs in a 10-1 win
Sept. 21: 3 outs, 2 hits, 1 run in a close loss (2-5 vs LAA)
Sept. 27: 5 outs and all zeros in a close win over the Sox, after the division race was essentially decided.
I’m not sure that one good outing in a non-blowout, with an average of an appearance once every three days, warrants the iterative use of the verb (“is contributing”), nor am I convinced that the innings can be described as “valuable.”
Still, it will be a boon if they have righted Bruney in time for the playoffs.
[43] Why not. You confidently stated your conclusion without citing ANY data whatsoever. And for the record, I am not convinced at all that going a single run in the early innings against Verlander is the right strategy at all. You could argue that, given his excellence, such opportunities to put up a crooked number are rare and it is better to go for it than sacrifice an out. In fact, I would suspect that the Verlanders of the world tend to get out of 2nd and 3rd, one out more often than most pitchers.
So no, I would not bunt early in the game with a player who has a .400 OBP, even if it’s Jeter and he hits into a goodly number of DPs. I don’t take the bat out the hands of one of my best hitters.
[42] You seem really angry.
[13] I wrote on another forum a while ago that Keith Moon was an amusing bombastic clown on the drums. It’s like listening to a wind up monkey drummer that never runs down. There’s value in that. The guy was a very good drummer – no doubt. A couple of steps below Mitch Mitchell. That’s still real, real good.
John Bonham was a genius. A superior, groundbreaking genius.
Just going back to our Safire comments for a moment, Gawker put this up and it is fascinating/eerie/completely bizzare to read.
http://gawker.com/5369364/william-safires-finest-speech
[46] He was angry as Bum’s Rush as well.
[49] Indeed, yes. I remember.