Yo, that puppet of Gargamel is genius!

I join others on the record now: I don't like the Hairston move. No problem with Molina (He'll only get two ABs most likely.)

Mad rush to get up and out of here so can get to my desk at work for first pitch!

[0] petey is not going to like this headline

so what's the strategy against him - be patient and make him throw strikes or be aggressive and jump on his "fastball"

[1] Yes, it is genius. I almost called him Gilgamesh, btw.

[0] awesome iron man vs hulk pic alex. one of my all time favorite issues.

in that fight, iron man channels all power into that punch, ends up overloading and fusing every circuit and becomes trapped inside the armor w/ no air supply and means to escape. but it works - it stops the hulk's rampage. i refuse to draw any parallels to the game, but an unheralded reserve super-hero named scott ends up being the guy who saves the day...

I never knew Joba was so hood

4) Do you recall who the artist for that issue was? Who is that? Neil Adams? John Buscema?

[4] i mean "named ant-man" (scott lang being his secret identity)

um. onto baseball now i think.

if you guys wanna talk Star Wars I can probably go strong for about 4 hours with it....please don't judge me.

I'll be watching from my couch, but haven't been feeling all that well since this afternoon. Dunno if I'm getting a second round of whatever's been going around or not. Probably won't banter all that much, I do know that a Yankee win would go a long way to curing what ails me.

If they don't win tonight, this aint coming back to New York.

Nice head, Joe Buck.

great now I'm not gonna be able to concentrate till I listen to some Oingo Boingo, thanks Fox

i have to leave for my gig now. gonna miss all the action. please, oh please, let the Yankees win. just fucking...WIN !!!

LET'S GO YAN-KEES !! !!!

Yeah, I don't know why he didn't start Hinske. My only guess is Swisher will be benched for half the game and might need Hinske's bat. But then he's blown his only backup infielder.

Meh, but why?

I'll take a 10-9 win, I'll take a 1-0 win...I just want a win

I'm sure I'm a party of one here, but I both like and respect Pedro... even when he was a Sox. I don't like that he hits people, but many great pitchers (especially in decades earlier) claimed the inside of the plate, and a few extra inches to boot.

Really, Tim? Best curve in the game? Really? Really?

Good start

[16] I love Pedro, say what you will about him but baseball is much more fun when he's involved. He's a heel of Iron Shiek-like proportions

[14] Possibly...but for whom would he need Hinske's bat? Not Molina, because Posada will PH for him.

[15[ No... I don't want just a win... I want a slaughter. I want to send these red-capped jamokes back to Philly scared.

Just arriving (kids) but damn, that fastball looks hot.

[16] i like pedro too sans the headhunting

[16] I neither like him nor dislike him...I definitely do not harbor a particular animus toward him. And in his day, he was good as the game has ever seen.

Good AJ so far!

Does AJ's fastball usually move this much?

Good job, AJ.

that was a nice start aj

oh man, they should show him coming out to the mound

this is gonna be fuckin fun....

[26] I know, it's pretty sick looking. I think I've seen it do that before, but tonight it looks particularly sharp.

Damon sure does look funny when he settles under a fly...sort of like a little leaguer zeroing in on the ball.

[17] I missed it. Who has the best curve in the game?

[30] When AJ can control his stuff, he's close to unhittable...

[24] Top 5 all-time?

[28] Looked sharp, that's for sure. But he's had a couple of these, where he comes out like gangbusters and then burns out by the sixth inning. Actually, I would take that!

I know there's nothing new I can say, but man, Hairston AND Molina?

[24, 33] without looking up the numbers, Pedro '98-'01 has gotta be right there with Koufax '63-'66. Especially once you factor in the league, steroids, DH, all that fun stuff.

Now that's an NL lineup. Ugh.

here we go

[35] I'm trying not to comment on it either..

[33] Tp 5...I don't know. But damn, he led his league in ERA five out of seven years. There have been very few, if any, runs like that (Maddux comes to mind).

Always loved the jeri curls.

[35] I was in meetings all day. When did the news hit?

Oh man, they're gonna give Pedro that for a strike (third pitch)?

Make him work..make him work. Gotta get into the pen tonight.

[36] Koufax was ridiculously good, but that was a pitchers era for sure. Pedro did that during the steroids years..insane!

Got to get that pitch count up high real fast guys..

That looked disturbingly familiar.

That was a meatball Jeter missed

5 years ago did you ever think you'd be seeing this scenario right here?

damn just foul

Gameday showing a lot of movement on his pitches..

[45]

Koufax, career: 131 ERA+
Martinez, career: 154 ERA+ (!!)

holy jesus i will not be able to take a bunch of ks tonight

Have I mentioned that I hate philadelpia AND Pedro martinez?

My day? Aced my Block 2 medical school exams (though I couldn't remember which derivatives of which brachial arches lead to the formation of the palate and how this is disturbed in cases of cleft palate).

Make my day even better, Yankees.

Pedro looks pretty good.

All-time career ERA+

1.Mariano Rivera 202
2. Pedro Martinez 154

well that wasn't fun

[51] Crazy..peak Pedro and RJ better than Koufax & Gibson.

well, 17 pitches at least..

[54] nice - can you please pass on some competence to the bats?

Well, that was particularly feeble.

Looks like the offense is going to have to rely on Hairston and Molina, because the rest of the regulars have looked like shit so far this series.

AJ v. Howard. Hoo boy.

Of course the crowd is quiet. They're scared.

Good AJ!

wtf does beckett have to do with shit?

[61] be a little nice to the cap

I'm glad beckett has such good control tonigh.

Hey buck. Get your Fucking head in the Fucking game you example of nepotist incompetence!

[66] Yeah, but how the FUCK did he swing through that cookie?

[66] A little, but it's not like he killed the ball yesterday (nice double, though). But he has been the best of the bad lot, to be sure.

[69] Wow, tough room - the guy has 3 hits against a guy having a lights-out brilliant night and you say "it's not like he killed the ball yesterday?" Ouch.

Has there ever been a team that led the league in Runs that did NOT also lead the league in RBIs?

Wooo! Smoke 'em inside, AJ

Aggggh.

ah horsehit bloopy double

Fucking Ibanez

Danger Will Robinson

those guys knew what they were talking about

breaking news alert all - only 7 guys play behind a pitcher and they can't be everywhere

Has Matt Stairs always been this...round?

[70] I love Jeter, and I'm usually his biggest defender here. My main point is that the bats have been absolutely feeble so far this WS...when the nearly the sum total of the offense is one player who hit a double and two flare/grounder singles, that does nothing to contradict what I've said.

Matt Stairs looks older than my father, who is 65..

Oh, mother of God.

Matt Stairs? Holy .194 Batman

matt stairs looks more hideous than usual

wtf was that alex?

Oh Christ.

fucking really???

Fucking A-Rod. Well, this is depressing already.

They gave him a hit?

[80] They were pretty feeble in the ACLS, too.

Very disappointing ABs in the first inning, particularly Jeter completely missing a hitable fastball. Teixeira also has to snap out if it.

The last thing Arod needed was an error before his AB.

I’ve never seen a Yankee team look so overmatched and overwhelmed.

Really a hit? I think that was an E on Arod.

This is not helping me feel better. Though I do have to say that AJ is pitching well.

Dammit! Are we going to get swept?

Good.

Now LET'S FUCKING SCORE SOME RUNS!

ok lets have our first positive inning since Sunday

Well, AJ could have melted down after that, so at least it is a good sign he didn't...

nice recovery aj - but how in the hell did arod miss that

Nice Play Alex you dumb bastard.

Isn't the scouting report for Stairs to never throw him a fast ball?

[90] agreed but we've only had 10 at bats so far.

[98] Whoaa!!! Easy there. Arod needs about 10 more of those before he becomes a villain.

[80] No argument about the feeble bats - just saying the guy who went 3-4 isn't the guy to pick on!

It would be much nicer if we could actually get a rally going! That I know we agree on!

[92] AJ is pitching well...a flare for a double and an error, er, clutch base hit by Stairs. Yet once again the Yankees are behind.

[96] MOLINA!

Matt Stairs is also a dead pull hitter, that was something of a fluke.....1-0 is OK, 2-0 and the pants pissing will begin, cause this lineup is not capable of a big inning.

The Phillies look like the championship era Yankees, and the Yankees look like the teams they used to beat.

How does Joe buck talk with pedro's balls in his mouth?

That strike 2 swing by Arod is the official red alert for this series.

its no out, no one on, we're down by 1 and down 1-0 in the series....why in the fuck should the crowd be "loud" right now??

Why is Alex late on these?

Sigh. Damon's rag arm didn't help. I think I'd send a Galapagos tortoise on his arm.

good make his ass work alex

[108] Because it's the, um, World Series, and it's only 1-0, and the team is only down 1 game to 0.

The pessimism around here seems a little extreme for a team that is in the World Series for the first time in six seasons.

Good eye, Alex.

Oh, fucking fuck.

[114] Good eye --> good bye.

9 pitch AB, good job A-Rod

[109] Same thought popped into my head. We really can't expect Arod to stay so hot for so long. Eventually, the other guys have to get going. Unfortunately, I have seen no signs that is forthcoming. If Arod isn't a monster, the Yankees will be lucky to win a game.

107--the swing on the 0-1 pitch? yeah, I had the EXACT same thought....I'm gonna shut it down for a while on the "if you can't say anything nice..." principle.

Damn, that 2-2 pitch was a beauty.

We look so, so, so screwed.

Hm. Anyone have anything to say about A Rod's at-bats?

No hitter broken up!!!

that curve is slow as hell

nice hit mats

Yeah! There's the start of a rally!

show Chili's home run!

[120] See [119], [118], [109], etc.

[120] My only thought is can Tex, Posada, Matsui, Cano, etc. pick up there share of the slack?

Pedro montage--my heart races, my stomach churns!

[113] we haven't had 2 runners on yet and I think people would like to see a lead. I'm totally freaked out. We're at home. If we go down 0-2 to this team we are in major trouble.

Good job, Hideki.

[118] It sure would be nice if we got some help from the rest of the crew. Public Enemy Number One right now is Teix, though at least his glove is worth A LOT. Still, he needs to hit the baseball.

[107] yeah he did it yesterday but I wanted to withold judgment till tonight. Ruh roh!

Also, that run scored on his error, to hell with the official scorer.

[126] well not posada for at least awhile tonight

[128] Wasn't there two on in the ninth last night?

More bad swings from Robbie.

Yanks are hittiing scared. Playing right into Pedro's hands.

Fucking bullshit. LET'S GO.

Come on, Robbie...no DP. We have to get Hairston up!

see HOW does he miss that? HOW? Now, here comes the breaking ball...

i know i am getting perturbed as i have lost any ability to tune these two fucking dipshits out

That's an 87mph fastball on the corner and Cano doesn't come close. This team looks overmatched...more by the moment than by the pitchers.

[134] Yo, Alex! We seem pretty gloomy here tonight. What's your outlook?

[136] Your wacky Canadian-style humor is not translating... :)

of course...fucking of course

OH, fuck your mother, Ibanez. Fuck your mother.

Fuck.

Nice play. I didn't think that would carry that far.

DAMNIT

and fucking ibanez actually looks like a real of out there

[132] I don't think so.

Dagnabit! At least Matsui got back in time this time.

140) Outlook is good, but plenty pissed at the current reality.

Well, Cano didn't strike out, or hit into a double play. So he's got that going for him, which is nice.

[141] Must be because it's in metric.

alright jh jr - time to shine man

and now the three automatic outs are up..thanks Joe G!

Time for Hairston to knock one out.

So, Does Pedro go after Babe Hairston, or pitch around him and go after Molina?

If Ibanez is going to make good defensive plays, then this series is over.

The bottom line is it looks like the Phillies are playing with complete confidence, and the Yankees look very tentative. After beating their nemesis in the ALCS, I don't understand why this team looks so tight.

Shut UP, Buck!

Hairston, Melky and Molina...yuck.

Didn't know Hairston was from Des Moines.

that was not a strike blue

[160] Go Hawks.

Yeah, making references of Hairston's numbers against 1999-2004 Pedro are as irrelevant as citing his numbers against any random pitcher instead.

[159][156] Whoops, I forgot about Melky.

and another big inning for the '99 Braves

Horseshit. They are playing like a bunch of pussies.

Another hittable pitch that a Yankee batter swings feebly at. This has the makings of just glad to be here series for the Yankees.

Once again, the Yankees look like they are in a wait-'em-out game. If Molina really has the magic, he needs to do his thing to make sure AJ keeps it close. At least Pedro has thrown a few pitches, so maybe he's gone by the sixth.

I didn't watch the series in 1976 but this must be what it felt like.

[165] Great comparison. This Yankee team definitely looks like they are intimidated by the moment.

Sitting Swisher is a fine idea but not on Molina night.

Good start, AJ. Nice.

[171] Swisher was so good on the road, that if you sit him, it might as well be a home game.

That swing and miss by Rollins was better than 90% of the Yankees swings over the last 11 innings.

[170] Also, I have to think having a manager as tight as Girardi is a real problem now that the Phillies have started strong. Torre had plenty of faults, but sometimes having the "Eh, we'll play better tomorrow guys" mood in the clubhouse is a real help to staying loose in a short series.

I want AJ to hit utley in the ribs

OH, FUCK YOU, blue!

god damnit ump

*Sigh*

god damnit aj

[175] If that was really an issue, they couldn't have won the ALCS (one reason I was so pessimistic). I don't think Girardi's tightness is an issue. Rather, I just think that most of these hitters have been overwhelmed.

Once again we walk a man with a .296 on base percentage. Inexcusable.

Damn it these Phillies look like the old Yankees.

Forget about the gorram runner and pitch.

[184] Agreed.

[181] Yeah, but they never were behind in the ALCS. They always had a game to burn.

Let's see if Molina can earn his pay and throw Rollins out.

mc #1

this is getting tough to sit through

Bad aj just arrived.

[186] That's true...but I think the idea of blowing a big lead can sometimes create more tension.

Also, let's not forget that CC, Andy and Arod really overshadowed a lot of poor performances in the this post season. Without them, this could have been another early exit.

Again, Victorino is having the kind of AB the Yankees used to have.

[191] Derek, too.

C'mon, AJ big out here...

[193] I kind of put Jeter aside because he feels like a constant (even though he doesn't always have good series). I also don't think the moment ever has an impact on him.

That's six throws over to first base. And one pitch way off target because of a slide-step. AJ really needs to forget about baserunners.

[191] Agreed - that rally in Game 5 was the only big inning I can think of.

Jesus, keep your HEAD man.

[195] Understood.

And there's another pitch where AJ let the runner affect him, even though Rollins did the start-stop thing. Get out of your own head, man.

Okay, got to get Chase.

Thank God. After all that, Jimmy's on 2B and there are two outs. Now, let's keep Utley in the yard.

I feel like I'm gonna be better off just not turning the tv on Sunday

[197] We don't even need big innings. A picket fence would suit me just fine.

Even in something as subtle as having a man on 1B, the Phillies seem to be completely dictating the action in this World Series. This Yankee team has been so good, that when it struggles this way, I usually get very frustrated, but the more this series goes on, the more it looks like the Phillies may very well just be better, particularly in the moment.

[197] Um, the Yankees won game 4 10-1...

JOE BUCK SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT FOOTBALL

i hope these pitches mean they are pitching around him

(I'm a fucking basket case over here, btw. My right leg can't stop shaking.)

We've all seen this kind of World Series before...but just not on this side.

So, AJ is hurt, no? It looks like his hand is bothering him.
.
.
.
Oh, I see, the IBB for Howard.

Oh fuck

tex has been walked to face alex timmy you fuctktard

[206] Oh, I know, but if you recall, that was 2 runs here, 3 runs there - and hey, don't get me wrong, I'll take it! - but this is a team that could and should string together some "big innings" ala the 6 run 7th in game 5.

[209] I have an odd calm, but that's not a good thing. I get more nervous as my expectations rise. Right now, the Yankees need to show me something to make me think they will make this a series. Right now, I have some very serious doubts.

My heavens, we could be looking at Gaudin time.

Fuck, he got away with one there.

Fuck.

Does the 3 run homer come first or the wild pitch?

nice pitch - get him here

actually they showed up at 9:03pm et

Have they called a check swing strike on the Phillies yet? (Yeah, I know, that was not a swing.)

Whew.

good work aj -

[221] no, only teams with a high payroll go around on a check swing

Nice work AJ!!

Oh where, oh where did my Score Truck go?
Oh where, oh where can it be?

Yankees cannot waste such a fine performance by AJ.

How many pitches is Pedro up to?

Howard, good as he is, doesn't scare me nearly as much as Utley. Utley's their best player by far.

Unfortunately, momentum is the next inning's scheduled batters.

[223] Of course, because they are so selfish! You remember all the little stuff about the game that I forget!

[225] 43 pitches. Which sounds like Score Truck time.

That's it. This ends now. Cabrera and Molina start the rally.

Game Over Man. Game Over.

Let's Go Yankees!!!!!!

[225] At least 35 or 40...he had 26 last inning.

"OH, fuck your mother, Ibanez. Fuck your mother."
Wow.... I mean fucking a goat in the asshole is one thing but this....

[226] Yeah, that ball he ripped foul just before the first homerun was uncanny. Right under the hands, fastball, and he somehow got to it. That was some prodigious ability.

[215] You know, as much as we have differed in the last few days, I'm the same way. I think its that I refuse to invest my nerves if this isn't going to be a fight.

That said, I still think the Yankees will catch fire at some point. TONIGHT, PLEASE!

Who's our Daddy?

God I hate this

5 pitch inning?

[232] :)

What can I say. I was mad and I'm from Yonkers.

PH for Molina now please

FUCKING MOLINA. I'm so tired of seeing this black hole backup catcher in a POSTSEASON lineup.

wow nice Charlie Kerfield reference

People in Boston must be having a great time.

What is Molina doing at the bat?

Why is he here?

[237] I would give Molina the take sign for the entire AB, just to make Pedro throw at least three pitches.

I feel something big happening on 3-1 here.

[229] Thanks. C'mon, beat up Pedro.

He's got the right idea. DON'T SWING.

he's throwing nothing but changeups..

[244] Classic!

Wow! A walk!

pinch run!

Jose Molina: Yankee Hitting star

And Molina says: "Fuck you, Monkeypants."

Monkeypants responds: "Pinch runner?"

Pinch runner please!

FUCK!!!!

C'mon Derek how about a repeat of last night?

[248] Well, that's what Gameday is calling it, but can Pedro actually throw any faster than 88?

0-2.

It feels like the score is 6-0 Phillies and the series is 3-0.

I'm not saying it now but if this was the 5th in a 1-0 game and molina walked I would pinch run gritner.

WORK THE COUNT BOYS !!!!!!

[260] no one would argue with you

[260] And tonight, I would agree with you.

What the FUCK is your PROBLEM, Derek?????

Fuck!

this is a slow tortuous type of pain

Christ.... that looked like a meat ball

Captain, oh my captain! Not good.

WHAT was Derek looking at ther??

I woke up this morning giving Cliff Lee more credit, but after watching these 3 innings, I am back to my original opinion. It's not good pitching, but really, really bad hitting.

I hope the Yankees are embarrassed. Disgusting,

This.

Is.

Mother.

Fucking.

Cock.

Sucking.

Goat-in-the-ass.

Fucking.

Horse.

SHIT>

about as as basd as it could get so far.

Yankee star of the game so far, Jose Molina.

So, Pedro for 110 pitches...we have a shot in the 8th inning, provided the score remains close.

These starters are not going to pitch deep into this game. Just keep us at 1-0, A.J.

Pedro: 58-36
AJ::::: 61-36

This is really a fucking shit show so far.

[269] Sutcliffe claimed that Jeter was fooled because Pedro quick-pitched him. Whatever.

[272] You forgot tits (and tits is such a nice word).

[270] well i still think lee was great last night, but this is pretty pathetic. i don't know what jeter is doing taking a fastball down the middle like that with 2 strikes.

[272] yep.

You even got the Horseshit vs Bullshit part right.

It's annoying that there is no one to blame! The entire team is simply getting outclassed. It almost seems more worthwhile to root for some Phillies to screw up than Yankees to come through because it really seems like this Series is the Phillies to lose.

[279] Timmy was saying the same thing.

[279] McCarver said the same thing. It did look that way a little.

[270] I hope the Yankees realize that if they lose this series, the whole season is going to be a colossal bust. I really don't want to hear about how much of an accomplishment it was to "just make it!" Twenty-ninth and final loser. Nothing more.

[283] i blame you

Here it comes.....

Jesus fucking Christ...throw strikes.

[281] He has now struck out on 3 very hittable pitchers. Arod, as we know, has been bad. That is a recipe for a sweep.

[272] Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel.

[275] I'm sure Hughes and Bruney will get in the game, so probably not.

[286] You would have said the same thing in 1976, I guess?

Some people aren't happy unless they're miserable...

[279] McCarver said the same. Whatever.

Great, lead off single.

Lovely.

[287] :O

Wow Sutcliffe and O'Brien are talking about the best dancer in baseball (Rollins v. Howard). Is the Series this boring to them already?

"Just out of the reach of Alex."--Girardi.

[286] I disagree. Winning the ALCS took care of a lot of demons, and I always consider it an accomplishment to be playing on the last day of the season. I would prefer if the Yankees didn't just look happy to be here, but as a fan, I kind of am.

this just isn't fun

now girradi is saying the quick pitch too

[280] Teat-sucking horseshit.

Forget the fucking runner and pay attention to the batter!!

Only the other team can cut down on their swings.

OH, FUCK YOU, FUCKHEAD!

MOLINA!!

wow I didn't realize we were allowed to catch breaks

POSADA !!!!!!!!!!!

YEAH, BITCH!

i don't think the yanks are just happy to be here or as a tea are intimidated - they just basically aren't hitting and not pitching as well as the phillies to date

Can that fire them up? Pretty please.

And was that not a swing???!!!

You've just earned your keep, Molina.

All this and a walk, too.

[293] I'm happy when they win. When they lose, I'm not happy. Its pretty simple.

but how was that not a swing?

That 0-2 was as much a swing as a swing can be.

Good deal, AJ.

Good deal.

[307] ; )

baserunning errors have been the yanks best friend

good work aj

Weeping... did you say you were Oriental?

OK, a long AB resulting in a BB and now knocking Werth off first. Molina's earned his playing time tonight. Him & AJ and. . . um,. . .er. . . ah. . . I'll get back to you.

[286] for what it's worth, i agree. and i think it's a good thing to have that attitude. we're the yankees; 2nd place means shit.

Lets score some fucking runs.

Let's Go now, LET'S FUCKING GO!!!!!!!

[312] And since the offense is hopeless, he should be safely in the game for another three innings.

momentum swing time

great line from Joel Sherman on twitter:

@nyp_joelsherman This game has taken so long that Pedro just declared free agency in the dugout, no truth to rumor Mets offered 4-yr deal.

The Yankees will score this inning.

[309] Maybe I am reading too much into things (which wouldn't be the first time), but it's not just the end results. It's the way these ABs are completely breaking down. Everyone looks completely overmatched, and I can't just attribute that to Lee and Pedro.

Get some goddamn runs and get Pedro outta there! LETS GO YANKEES!

[321] also, the only thing worse than hearing that the yankees bought a world championship is hearing that they couldn't even win with their $200 million payroll.

[319] Never said any such thing. I'm black as the ace of spades.

well we compared the last series to the 2000 alcs vs seattle. i'm hoping that this one gets more like it (except that i don't want william to die between now and the 8th inning).

SCORE TRUCK!!!!

OH fuck yes, Teix!!!

THANK you!!!!!

THERE WE FUCKING GO!!!

Good start. Keep it going

hell ya mother fucking score truck time

That's a Tex-bomb!

HE'S CUT! THE RUSSIAN IS CUT!

Yeah that was not a strike.

Pedro looked pretty emotionless after that

What is Alex looking at?

[339] Nice.

Hmm. Not a lot of excitement in the dugout. Jeter with a simple fist pump. Cano blows a bubble and stays seated.

Damn, A-Rod's swing fooled me. I though he had that.

Fun OldPoll:
Pujols will be 31 when he is a FA after 2011.
What will be the highest contract offer he gets?
6/$144m ???

Wow, it looked like he killed that

[345] I know, me too. Must have been off-speed.

by the way, earlier in the game joe buck pointed out some old guys in the stands as if we should know who they were. anyone have any clue who they were? not that i care, it was just funny that my dad and i both looked at each other and said "who?"

[341] jheri curls make you tranquilo

No shit. I went to get my hat to change our luck, put it on and BAM! I promise to wear the rest of the series!

Hideki, remember that double you hit that time?

You can hit this clown.

someone looks sleepy and tired

[346] if the cards don't lock him up before that, they deserve to be contracted.

nice ab matsui

Come on Cano, nice AB now.

Pedro is such an idiot. Gawsh!

Pedro is especial.

Oh, Frosty, come on!

Matsui: our Professional Hitter (TM icon please, monkeypants!)

[351] Or maybe you need to keep changing hats? ; )

Love those big swings.

[360] Professional Hitter™.

Jerry who?

whats Pedro's pitch count?

OK, Babe...let's see some two-out magic.

[360] no one says that about him though - that's not cool

ok thanks Buck

[365] 74

[360] it's option-2 on a mac ™

jh jr is getting pretty frisky

looked like hairston got screwed on 2 pitches there

Pujols will get a contract (incl. bonuses & advertisement deals, Cards will make that happen) north of $200 mil.

[354] Yeah. Then taken out and shot.

Yankees swings looked more confident there. I credit Molina.

Oh, Lord.

Well, at least we plated a run.

Yep, I see this Hairston strategy is really paying off.

I guess Jerry doesn't like fastballs.

[349] They were FOX executives.

[370] Dammit, you gave away my secret!

So it's now 6-3 Phillies.

Hairston might have gotten screwed...funny how Fox is not really going to that graphic with the batter's box too much.

[376] If I wanted to watch a guy take a called strike 3, well, c'mon, no one is better than Swisher for that!

Teix really killed that rally.

[382] exactly!

pc:

burnett -73
pedro - 75

[377] I think you gotta pinch hit form Jerry, Jr. He looks overmatched out there.

hairston, please use 2 hands to catch the ball. you are not an outfielder.

The homer did seem to take some of the deadness out of their eyes though. 75 pitches through 4 for Pedro.

[382] gardner is great at that too - swisher likes his strikeouts swinging i think

[389] Nah, Swisher takes so many close pitches, he watches a lot of called strike 3s to go with his nice walk total.

davey lopes beard is weird - clyde frazier and keit need to save him

Fuck.

If Burnett could ever manage to avoid making so many mistakes with his fastball, he would be ridiculous.

Monkey I will wear backwards now.

These guys need Cashman to show up and light a fire under their ass

[390] true - he is a k expert to go with his walks

how are these shitbirds getting hits?

Seriously, how long does martinez stay in the game? His pitch counts in his starts during the regular season were all over the map:

99, 38, 90, 25, 87, 119 (!), 130 (!!), 56, 84

[391] I can't believe how much Lopes aged..was Milwaukee that bad?

Joba Time??

[391] I is over the I don't give a F*&% age.

[395] or me and thelarmis.

[397] And he's thrown zero ground ball outs - that can't hold up forever in this park.

[388] Yankees need to work Pedro in the fifth. 25 pitch inning. 100 and he's toast.

[397] Weren't several of those real low ones due to weather?

AJ could sure use a better umpire.

[399] I is learnings to write. I meant to say Davey is over that age.

oh aj you are so maddening

Right, but Cano went yesterday.

Fuck the umps.

[403] Don't know.

YESS!!

nice pitch - good for molina holding on to it too

[397] leaving him in for 130 vs the Mets in September was insane

please get fucking victorino out. and umpire, please use the same strike zone for both pitchers.

[408] I'm almost positive that two or three of his starts had long rain delays

The 0-2 pitch was a low strike. Why doesn't timmah question that?

GOOD.

Hah!

I feel the breakthrough inning coming...

good work aj

more runs - the score truck is fully fueled up

[414] he said it dipped out of the zone, as fox showed it within their strike zone. not that i trust the up and down on that zone, but the 3rd strike to hairston was about 2 inches further down.

[411] too bad he didn't require TJ

AJ & CC..no complaints at all. Now, let's get this Score Truck Party started RIGHT!

[412] yep the zone is inconsistent as hell

AROID LOOKED SHAKY ON THAT FLY BALL HE NEEDS A DOSE

[417] Melky and Molina start the inning, so I'm not hopeful. And no, I'm not trying to beat a dead horse---AJ is dealing and I would not rock the boat with Molina yet. But that means he bats this inning.

Okay Yankees, BUST THROUGH THE GODDAMN DOOR! Let's go - get something going and knock this arrogant so-and-so outta this game.

Alex, I think you forgot to lock the back door

Wow, thanks [423]. You registered to this site just for that. Enjoy your empty life.

[426] yeah but it will hit his ass on the way out

Nice ab, Melky.

Hey Melky, Nice swings you fucking HACKER

that was quite an AB

The amount of ABs that have just been given away by the Yankees is very disturbing.

Is it time to PH for Melky?

Christ on a pogo stick.

Sawx lurker alert!

these are such bullshit at bats, man.

Who gave Molina the swing sign?

I didn't say the breakthrough inning was coming THIS inning

don't let pedro's bullshit fool you here derek

Thanks, Cap.

Thank you.

Why do we have to hear this shit about cliff lee?

Nice!

Nice.

[433] With whom?

Oh I got it! Pinch hit Phil Hughes for Melky, and have Brett Gardner pitch the eighth!

thatta boy derek - now get him home jd

ok, gotta fix the lineup so that our best hitter isn't hitting after shit

[439] And so he did not.

FUCKING REALLY?!!?!

You're a fucking clown, Johnny.

Fuck you.

what the fuck johnny?

Dammit, Damon!

Was that AB for real?

Do I remember correctly, that Johnny has swung and made out on the first pitch the last two ABs.

how much hate would these assholes have for pedro if he was pitching for the yanks?

Serenity now! SERENITY NOOOOOOOOOW!

Well that sucked. Thanks JD. Ugh.

that was basically a swing that can only result in a pop up

My f,u,c, and k bttons are being qite stbborn tonight. Hopelly they will be ba in bsiness later.
This is in ridilos. : (

The good thing is they really worked the count and drove up Pedro's pitch total...

I feel like they don't actually do that in Boston

[453] Yes. I think. We need to wear down Pedro and Johnny looks like he's got a hot date and wants to get outta here ASAP

[453] yep - last time he pooped up the 1st pitch to centerfiled

[455] What are you, the fucking Buddha over here?

At least I didn't come home to a big Phils lead. C'mon boys. BTW hey Banters.

Damon is useless at this point. I wouldn't give him a minor league contract.

[459] What's the difference though? With swings like these, they aren't going to hit anyone.

[441] I didn't think it was a bad story.

[458]

Nice.

+2

[460] They do when Papelbum ensures a quick exit from the playoffs, so that it's the only sport left in town.

it really sucks that the studio decided to give away the money shot of Paranormal Activity in the commercial

On a serious note, AJ-Molina can pretty much finish the game now, provided AJ keeps his act together.

Somebody at VISA should be fired. It's the freakin' WS and they put on a commercial "Go Football" "We only do this for Football". I'ma football fan but get a clue. What a bunch of dumbasses. They paid good money to alienate a unch of baseball fans.

[464] evening

[467] for some reason i remember reading a rich lederer story about when he came to ys (i think last year) and he saw cliff lee on the train then too - so even with my intense hatred for timmy and buck i didn't think it was a bad story either

That hook is philthy.

beautiful pitch - howard has no clue with aj

Well, it should make some folks feel better that somewhere, a Philies fan chat has a bunch of people cursing out their best hitter.

[467] yeah it was a decent story, and as much as i hated him last night, there's something very likable about cliff lee

great inning - have to give the maddening man credit - very, very good through 6

Fire up the Score Truck and use the nitrous!

guys please...I'm begging you here.

hey thats a pretty girl, I wonder if she dates one of the YANKEES??

I hope Cliff Lee sprains his ankle.

[472] FOX approves the commercials, and one of their biggest investments is football, so I am sure they love that commercial. It's really not a big deal. MLB is a much bigger thing for RSNs, so the networks (especially ESPN) are always going to over promote football.

One more inning for AJ? Hopefully he's pitching with the lead.

[463] No, Frank Costanza:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5513mXmQbw4

We go ahead...NOW

[481] That could help...for sure.

Cliff is a likeable guy. I thought it was funny the way he one-handed the lazy popup. It wasn't arrogant, it was just silly

I ditto that Alex!

[483] It's tough...AJ always seems to pitch better without the lead. Also, the bullpen has been crap. Between the pen and the bats, this really isn't the Yankee team I know, so it is really hard to figure out strategy.

Burnett at 97 pitches. One more inning I guess, especially if you want him to go on three days rest in game 5. Of course, if someone in the bullpen blows the game, there may not be a Game 5...

I want runs

Someone is going deep this inning. I call it.

[487] Imagine if Cano caught a pop up like that? Oy! He'd be crucified.

Another brutal AB by Tex...he is approaching Soriano like status with his inability to lay off pitches out of the zone.

[494] Ouch!!

The Yankees have missed so many pitches in this game.

[493] not if he were pitching a shutout.

No more dickin' around A Rod! Do something!

[479] I haven't done that stuff in over 20 years.

Work the freaking count, guys.

Rudy always seems to need cheering up

Damn...A-Rod just missed that.

All this "whose your Daddy" stuff looks idiotic in a 1-1 game where Martinez looks so good...I wish they'd stop.

A-Rod has looked really bad in these two games.

Criminey sake. Freakin' A!

8 strikeouts - fuck that bullshit

[492] I might be wrong, again.

he carried us for 2 rounds so I'll keep my mouth shut, but goddamn A-Rod...

A-Rod basically got the team to the WS. Time for someone else to step up. Anyone.

well that was a nice sequence but if it were last week that foul back would have been hit to the left field bleachers.

[493]
See I imagine the opposite happening, because Cano plays everything so nonchalantly.

...Unless he dropped it

The Arod gravy train is over. The rest of the team can no longer just stand around and watch anymore.

Arod was huge in getting the Yankees here, but like in the past ALDS, it seems like when he fails, no one is willing or able to pick him up.

The irony is that everyone always thought Arod was the problem, but the reality is it has always been everyone else.

[505] yeah we're really his Daddy....good chant

OH MY GOD A LEAD!

MATSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUI

[506] wimp!

[506] Ha-ha...I was right after all!

Sayonara!!!!!!!

best commercial

way to go matsui

way to go mp

Thank you Godzilla!!!

THANK YOU GODZILLA!

YES!!! FUCK AND YES.

I'll bet Pedro wants that back....he had Matsui dead on the outside corner.

Matsui-San!

[506] No sir. That's one for each of us.

MATTTTSSUIIIIIi

Bout fucking time.

[519] jINX!

[518] fuck i didn't even spell beast right

Matsui comes back, Damon goes somewhere else...

[520] I owe you a beer!

[511] He's 0-7...Do sample sizes mean nothing?

松井！！！！！
愛してるGodzilla!!

More runs! Give us more runs!

(Hi everyone - sorry I'm late - had a birthday to celebrate. =)

Ok I have to say I hope Joe puts AJ on an exceedingly short leash.

Has Cano always laid off the first pitch and flied out this much?

[528] : ) That's ok, I totally forgot...

BEAST COMMERCIAL!!

I'm kinda remnded of this kids book, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad (first 2 games of the World Series) Day"

It's so weird how Cano takes strike one sometimes. It's as if the only way he knows how to take a pitch is to decide to do so before he steps in the box.

pc:

pedro - 99
aj - 97

Cano's AB are usually effortless, but in a good way. In this post season, however, they are suffering from a lack of effort. He is has become a hackmaster.

that first pitch to cano wasn't close to a strike. pedro has gotten a pedro sized strike zone tonight.

Make sure the Score Truck is all gassed up and ready for more. bury these fuckers.

AROID IS PISSED KATE LEFT HIS ROIDS IN CALIFORNIA

[531] Right. 0-7 means the gravy train (i.e., a hit in every AB) is over. That's not a knock on Arod.

[534] I would go to AJ for the 7th (short leash), with Mo in the wings for two innings if needed. And the black hole brigade at the bottom of the lineup simply has to be pulled: Swish back in RF, and PO bats for Molina.

If the game is close, you have to think about Gardner in CF, with Melky to LF.

The Yankees desperately need to get this game to Mo.

Well I was right about game 1 being an L and I was right about Oedro not being the easy mark so many seemed to assume he'd be. I want this Yankees team to start proving me wrong ... In the right ways.

[540] Cano's always been prone to give away ABs at times. It's particularly frustrating because he's such a talented player.

[544] Ok I gotcha....I just don't want to read --- if we win 2-1 --- dammit our run differential is negative, how are we tied at 1?

We need three outs to Mo.

[533] Happy Boithday!

[543]馬鹿やろう！出って行け！

OK AJ, keep it up.

[530] I'll have a Virgil's root beer tomorrow night!

A Rod, please go take a dump or something and get out of this fucking slump.

WHAT THE FUCK IS UP WITH THIS UMP THAT IS TOTAL BULLSHIT

Hairston should be out of the game now.

[543] is pissed left his brain at work.

WOW that was some fucking cheeeeeeese by AJ........Day-yum!

Unhittable.

[530] whatever you want!

I HATE Matt Stairs.

Yanks may be doomed by A Rod, this time because he was so great they have no idea what to do when he stinks. ( hint, Yankees: pick up the slack!)

I think Matt Stairs has gained weight since the beginning of the game.

cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeee....more cheeeeeeeeeeeeessssee AJ!

sit your ass down matt stairs -

Pinch hit Gardner for Hairston, or wait to see if Hairston gets on base? I'd like to see Brett get some ABs...

And then PH Jorgie for Molina!

Wow. This is the best I've ever seen Burnett as a Yankee, and I know that goes without saying.

Ahh...but now the strike zone expands low, and I like it!

Suck on that Phils!!!

Forgetaboutit.

[566] I would definitely think about PH Hinske for someone (Hairston presumably) if there is a RHP. Then make defensive changes.

WAKE UP MO!

i would seriously consider aj for the 8th now

Fuck yeah!

We got a good AJ tonite!

BIG GAME AJ. : D

great job aj - great job

and nice play jete

[573] me too

Ladies and gentlemen.... "Good AJ"

Wow, great stuff. Should they stick with AJ for at least the start of the 8th??

I am digging AJ right now.

Am I crazy or should they let Burnett start the eighth?

[551] Thanks! I'm hoping to get an awesome gift. I gotta say, AJ has done his damnest to deliver it for me.

[567] "We are NOT going to lose this game" is what his pitching is screaming at me. I like it.

GREAT INNING AJ!!!!

Now...RUUUUNNNNNSSSSSSS!!!! WE NEED RUNSSSSSS!!!

I'm surprised it took this long for Morgan Freeman to play Nelson Mandela in a movie.

Isn't Burnett gonna start on short rest? He's at 108 pitches.

AJ thru 7: 108-68
Should he stay or should he go?

I'm gonna hold off on my "should AJ start the 8th" decision until after this frame

Wear them the fuck out. DOMINATE with prejudice...in the extreme.

Just wait until this team starts hitting. Maybe Saturday when it's nice and warm and the sky has stopped falling.

6 outs, folks...but did I mention that WE NEED RUNNNNNNNNNNNNSSSS?

[585] :)

[589] i'm glad you aren't intimidated anymore

[590] Or they get all the regular starters back in the lineup...

Dear A. J. Burnett,

I take back every bad thing I've said about you. I apologize.

[586] Only if we go with a 3 man rotation... otherwise Game #6 on regular rest.

wow...just um...wow

[593] Can't afford to anymore

That was fucking stupid

i think i deserve a little credit for aj tonight:

1228. ms october
October 28th, 2009 at 11:36 pm

[1219] oyf = oldyanksfan

i fell surprisingly confident in my boy aj and someone besides just derek will show up tomorrow

that may have been the stupidest thing fox has ever done. well, besides scooter.

Christ. Put in Gardner!!!!!!!!!!

Never mind. Go with Mo for 2

If you told me this morning that Pedor would be into the 7th with only 2 runs allowed I would have had a bad day. Still time to knock him around boys. SWING THE GODDAMN BAD JERRY.

[601] Oh God, Scooter! Hi kids!

Truly, why is Hairston batting for himself here?

[601] Yes. Scooter's number has been retired by all 30 teams.

[600] Props. +1

[606] why was he batting for himself all night?

[606] Great question....first time I disagree with Girardi this series.

Should they have Hairston playing RF in the late innings? It seems like a very bad idea.

ok AJ for the 8th? Dare we dream?

[601] obviously i'm only talking about stupid things fox has done in its baseball broadcasts

If you pinch hit Hairston for Hinkse, shouldn't Hinske have just been playing in the first place?

This is perplexing...Posada and Hinkse and Swisher and even Gardner on the bench, and Hairston is batting because he had a few hits against Pedro in 2004?

Didn't you guys hear? Scooter got run over by DJ Hero.

[608] thanks - seeing that he usually drives me mad i feel a little good about that one

Does it factor in that Hairston's the emergency catcher and Molina probably leaves the game when Burnett does?

[612] I don't think so. Hand Mo the ball with the lead. If AJ had less than 100 pitches...

[585] I can't imagine they even auditioned anyone else.

[611] well i believe he's only up now for his bat against pedro. if he's in the field next inning i'll be pissed.

RUN.

GIRARDI = GENIUS : )

well that was nice jh jr

Girardi's a genius

Jerry says "HAH!" to his critics....

Might I now suggest Gritner?

Hairston says: "Fuck you, Monkeypants."

OK, pinch run gardner please

Should I admit that I kinda liked Scooter (The Fox thingie, obviously the Yankee's Scooter is beloved).

[614] I can see being afraid of Hinske's defense with a right flyball pitcher on the mound and several lefty sluggers.

That worked out perfectly for Girardi...

Gardner express...all aboard!!

[614] Yes. I argued that earlier.

But if you believe that Hairston is a better defender, I can see starting him, but waiting to use Hinske late.

In any case, Hairston has to come out for defensive purposes.

Dear JHJr,
The entire Banter apologizes.
Yours truly,
OldandStunned

Wow I called my shot on Gritner! Woo hoo! Steal Gritner on the first damn pitch...Just go young man

Why are we considering pinch hitting Posada for Melky... We have to PH for Molina

So, Why PR for Hairston, who can run...unless you SEND GARDNER BEFORE THE BUNT.

Yes!

Can someone tell me what the Fox Scooter thing was?

nice swing melky -

Melky!

Hit-and-run!

Hairston!

Molina!!!

NOW send Posada to the plate!

Why the hell can't Swisher go into Right?

this kind of 7th inning from Pedro is making me all kinds of nostalgic

IN THE AIR, JORGE

Go Go Yankees Go!

WE NEED RUUUUUNNNNNSSS!!!!

Okay Po, Pomentum time!

BURY THEM ... THOSE FUCKERS.

We finish them here and take game 3 and then we'll see where things stand.

[639] a talking baseball - i'll refrain from giving my opinion on it lest i hurt anyone's feeling yes you rbj :}

[639] Some kind of talking baseball that told kids what a curveball and stuff was. They gave him a terrible voice, and the first time he appeared they had a big technical glitch as well.

Here we go Score Truck, here we go!

[636] Hinske and Swish could have PH for Molina. It doesn't matter who PHs for whom, because the defense will still end up Gardner/Swisher for Hairston in RF and Posada for Molina at C.

Hoot! Hoot!

[639] A graphic of a baseball, who would tell you what each type of pitch was (fastball, curve, slider, etc.)

Did Manuel just get a phone call from Grady Little?

How about a Melky steal here?

Ok NOW we can yell, "WHOSE YOUR DADDY" because we're ahead with 2 on and nobody out...see now it makes some sense.

that was weird

I really like Pedro because he seems to really love baseball.

I have to say Pedro was impressive. And I only say it cause we have the lead.

I love how they booed when he pointed to the sky. Awesome.

The fans are on Pedro, but he pityched great.
Just not quite as good as AJ.

[652] Good call.. I had defensive replacements worked out all wrong in my head

Hey Jorgie, how about NOT hitting into a double play, okay?

[650] Spongebob voiced him

Later Pedro, thanks for playin'.

I love how he smiled. Motherfucker til the end. He was fabulous tonight.

True story...when Chad Bradford played for the Braves I went with his brother to the ATL to catch a game and we met up with him afterwards. I was standing in the tunnel and Pedro Martinez walked by. I didn't want his autograph or anything (I was just being friendly) and I said, "good pitching Mr. Martinez"...He hadn't pitched that well, but I was being sincere....

He sneered at me.

I kind of liked that reaction somehow.

[663] Even that would work.

>|, on the other hand...

I'm definitely with Mr. Belth on that!

[663] From your keyboard to Posada's ears!

Hopefully Girardi will send Melky.

[663] I am not sure you should be even having that suggestion.

[667] not FOR the Braves -- Chad was playing FOR the Muts, they were playing against the Braves.

Scooter (on Fox):

http://tinyurl.com/yk9wkg2

Nothing Pedro can do will make me like him. Unless of course he took me out for steak like he mentioned the other day. That'd be cool. But other than that. Hit the showers old head.

[666] The cat LOVES to play the villain. In a weird way, I love him. I mean, I love to hate him. I sure as hell know I will really miss him. He's a great character and part of baseball history.

please light up chan ho park

Posada has GOT to get a deep fly ball here.

again, I really don't think I've ever seen a Korean gentleman pull off facial hair like that

i like pedro and always have. schilling, on the other hand, can suck a dick.

[667] Nice story, and he must have known he pitched poorly and didn't want to have smoke blown up his ass!

It would be nice to get 2 or 3 here, and allow Phil to pitch the 8th.

Jorgie..please juice one. Please!

[652] why waste Hinske or Swish? They're faster than Po, but that's kind of relative. Why not save them for extra innings should that happen?

Send Melky? They won't throw through, would they?

[675] Ditto. After we all tell our grandkids about watching Mo pitch, the next guy we'll tell them about is Pedro.

[678] i've rarely seen any try

there is something compelling about pedro - and he really does know how to pitch

[679] Schilling is Pedro with absolutely none of the wit or charisma

Dear Jorge,
Please help provide a stress free 8th and 9th.
Thanks,
Me and the gang.

Oh Christ. Here it comes

Posada with another take on a pitch down the middle.

nice job po

Jorge!

All right! Buck sounded crushed.

He was obviously setting that up...good job Jorge.

Well, that was much better than what I was expecting.

WORD. Atta boy Jorge.

YEAH. The bats are finally doing something!

Thanks for that Po!

Score truck finally replaced the popped clutch.

[687] and half the pitching talent

that scooter thing sounds awful...anyone remember when This Week in Baseball had a claymation Mel Allen. THAT was in horrible taste.

NO BUNT.

We're going bcak to Phily 1-1, I can feel it!

[683] To PH for whom? One of them would already be in for Hairston, who is the only player you're going to PH for.

Also, I would put Swish in the game anyway, because he's a better defender than Damon (Melky would go to LF and Gritner to CF).

WE NEED MORE RUUUUUUNNNNNNNSSSSS! Go Derek go!

Need a little Captain in us now!

Swing Jetes!

Dude, it's Chan Ho. Don't give him an out.

Damon's just going to swing at the first pitch and pop up anyway.

c'mon cappy

Posada's going to get nailed at 2nd if Jeter bunts.

Why are you pulling back on that?!?!!

What is Jeter doing?

what the fuck is he doing bunting????

What was that? Either bunt or don't...dont give awaya pitch.

Normally I would not agree with the bunt, but in this case it's not a bad move (IMO).

No way I have Derek bunt here.

Awful. Just awful.

what the fuck was that?

Holy SHIT

that is quite possibly the worst postseason AB Jeter has ever had

[701] That was an abomination.

Um, Cap'n?

pukinginmouth boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

WTF Jetes?