"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Take the Train, Take the Train

The Subway Serious starts again tonight with a little more juice than usual because both teams are playing well. The Yanks want to avoid getting swept and winning two-of-three would be great, of course.

The boys at SNY break it down:

And Cliff has the preview over at PB:

Since starting the season 5-13, the Mets have gone 36-27 (.571), a winning percentage that, over the full season, would put them in first place in the Central and Western divisions of either league and in second-place in either Wild Card race. Prior to running into Justin Verlander Thursday afternoon, the Mets had won six of their last seven, four of those coming against first-place American League teams, and in the four games prior to facing Verlander they scored 52 runs (an average of 13 per game).

So the Mets, despite recent appearances, are no laughing matter. Jose Reyes is having an MVP-quality season. Carlos Beltran has come all the way back, at least at the plate. Angel Pagan has hit .325/.398/.444 since coming off the disabled list in late May. Ronny Paulino has put up similar numbers in wrestling the catching job away from sophomore Josh Thole. Jason Bay has hit .327/.389/.490 over the last two weeks and has become a Russell Martin-like stealth threat on the bases having stolen eight bases in nine attempts this season, including four in as many tries in those last two weeks. As you’ll see below, the three starting pitchers the Yankees will face in this series, Jonathan Niese, Dillon Gee, and R.A. Dickey, have all been pitching well of late.

Never mind the hub-bub:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

[Photo Credit: Joseph O. Holmes]

171 comments

Show/Hide Comments 1-100
1 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 5:45 pm

Jesus, have we been reassigned to the Senior Circuit when I wasn't looking?

It's like three weeks already!

2 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 6:35 pm

Yeah, I know, enough already. Welp, three more games and they'se done for the year.

3 monkeypants   ~  Jul 1, 2011 6:47 pm

[2] Three games then another historic Subway Series ends, and with it the historic 2011 interleague schedule. It's almost too much history for me to handle!

4 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 6:53 pm

Okay, historic faux hatred due to ignite in t minues 15 minutes...lasting approximately 3 days.

5 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:02 pm

Hey, at least we get Cone calling the game tonight.

6 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:12 pm

Nice rope, Swish!

7 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:13 pm

Atta way to start the baseball game, boys!

8 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:15 pm

Ooooh, YES!!!

BEAUTIFULLLLL!!!!

9 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:15 pm

TESH!

That's the way to start the game!

10 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:15 pm

God, what a gorgeous hit!

11 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:16 pm

I have no animosity towards the Mets, just seem more sad to me..my cousin said Citi Field was a disgrace, altar to Wilpon's Dodger love.

Great start tonight, keep up the rally A-Rod, no homers!!

12 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:17 pm

Alex just missed a good pitch to hit.

13 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:18 pm

Drive it into left, Robbie!

14 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:19 pm

Bravooooo!!!!

Yaayyyyy!!!!

15 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:19 pm

SLASHER!

16 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:20 pm

God, this makes me happy!

17 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:20 pm

C'mon Bodie, keep it going.

18 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:21 pm

Hey, Hey, whadda ya say!

19 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:22 pm

So far, the hits are all middle to opposite field and the two outs are weakly pulled grounders to third.

20 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:22 pm

Ok, great fucking inning!

21 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:22 pm

Well, that was a right pleasant way to start the series ...

22 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:25 pm

Omg.

He really, really sucks.

It's like I knew he was going to throw the bass away as I saw him circling and then, sure enough, WHOOOOPS!

23 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:26 pm

I anticipated the ball in the dirt, though, not ten feet over Tesh's head.

24 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:26 pm

[22] Yes! I thought exactly the same thing!!

25 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:27 pm

jeez, Nova

26 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:27 pm

[24] It's really sad when you have to hold your breath every time the ball is hit to your shortstop.

27 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:29 pm

Wow! He swung after the ball was in the mitt.

28 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:30 pm

Fucking hell.

Every time with this man.

Robinson Cano.

Jesus.

29 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:30 pm

Cano is beautiful!

30 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:30 pm

Oh, Robbie. Lovely, just lovely.

31 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:30 pm

Man, Cano made a sweet play.

32 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:30 pm

Did you see that footwork?

33 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:32 pm

Speaking of lovely.

That was wonderfully done.

34 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:34 pm

Wow, Nova got down a decent bunt.

I sure didn't expect that outcome after his 1st 2 attempts at it.

35 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:38 pm

Good comeback inning for Niese.

36 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:42 pm

Ball's popping off the bats on both sides.

37 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:46 pm

C'mon Nova, bear down here.

38 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:47 pm

Nova looks like shit. That was a fucking meatball.

39 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:47 pm

[38] 10-8 game on tap

40 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:49 pm

Nice hook...two more...

41 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:49 pm

Nova's got a pretty good curve tonite.

42 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:50 pm

Beautiful! Two curves in a row does the trick.

43 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:54 pm

"That's a whole different guy, right there."

44 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:54 pm

Uh ... ok.

I'll take it!

45 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:54 pm

Cone is awesome. I'm sure he and Leiter have great arguments in the bar after the game.

46 randym77   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:55 pm

Hah. Slick work there, Pagan.

47 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:55 pm

If Cano bunts he needs to be fined $100,000 by the team.

48 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:55 pm

Oh, Robbie!

49 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:55 pm

Oh Robbie, that was NOT what we needed there.

50 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:56 pm

Damn it. That sucked.

51 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 7:57 pm

Just watched that inning on WPIX. Mex Hernandez said A Rod should have run Tejada over. Cohen says, "At least he didn't slap at it." Funny, but Cohen is just a little bitch ass Mets fan who can do nothing but make little jibes.

52 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:01 pm

[51] "..little bitch ass Mets fan.."
Damn, AB you got the redass on tonight!! BOO-Yah! :)

53 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:02 pm

No, that was smart of Rob to take the sure thing.

54 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:12 pm

Shucks, I'm going to miss the rest of the game..Go Go Yankees!!

55 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:20 pm

Nova needs to put up a quick inning here.

56 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:24 pm

Positively JETERIAN!

57 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:31 pm

Found out the Thai place I wanted to order from went out of business. That kind of sucks

58 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:37 pm

C'mon Nova, hold it together.

59 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:39 pm

Trouble is brewin.

60 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:40 pm

Dag, bases juiced. And with two out.

61 mhoward120   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:44 pm

Nova! On a bagel with a schmear!!

62 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:44 pm

Woo-Hoo!

63 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:45 pm

Uncle Charlie we Love you!

64 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:45 pm

61) Good one!

65 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:47 pm

Nice hit, Robbie.

66 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:48 pm

Ole!

67 OldYanksFan   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:48 pm

Greetings Banterers, Banterees and Monkeypants.
Jeez... aren't major league infielders supposed to get in front of ground balls?

68 OldYanksFan   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:50 pm

Anyone think Andruw will swing as hard as he can here?

69 OldYanksFan   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:53 pm

HE'S NO DEREK JETER!!

70 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:54 pm

Alright ... it's CLETUS time!

71 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:54 pm

Robbie has got to score there.

72 OldYanksFan   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:54 pm

I'd rather see Gritner here.

73 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:55 pm

I take that back. Forgot Robbie was just on second.

74 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:55 pm

Take. The Bat. Off. Your. Shoulder. jorge is stirking out here.

75 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:56 pm

Saw that coming.

76 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:56 pm

That was a winner of an AB

77 OldYanksFan   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:57 pm

OUTSIDE!!!!

78 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:57 pm

[70] or not ...

79 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:58 pm

Jesus, got to score man.

80 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 8:58 pm

Keeping the Mets in it.

81 OldYanksFan   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:01 pm

I guess Robbie WAS on 3rd....

82 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:01 pm

Wait, Robbie was at third. Fucking mo mo.

83 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:02 pm

Throw. Stirkes.

84 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:03 pm

That 2-1 strike was horseshit but glad to see it's called both ways.

85 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:03 pm

If Bay walks, Paulino will hit a game tying homer.

86 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:04 pm

Walk. Just fucking great.

87 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:04 pm

STRIKE, dummy, STRIKES

88 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:07 pm

Okay that's one.

89 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:07 pm

That pitch six feet outside seems ineffective.

Or maybe not

90 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:07 pm

And that's a tough strike, man. Jeez.

91 mhoward120   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:08 pm

Its time to get rid of that dumb bastard Rob Thomson - the boss woulda done it a long time ago

92 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:10 pm

Wow, nice scoop. Play of the game so far.

93 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:10 pm

TESH!

94 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:11 pm

91) Why? Rob was telling him to go. Cano froze on his own there. Thought Reyes caught the ball.

95 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:12 pm

[91] Uh ... what?

Thomson was SCREAMING at Cano to go home ... Cano just had his head up his ass.

96 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:15 pm

Way to go!

97 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:25 pm

Dammit.

98 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:27 pm

Must keep Reyes off the bases.

99 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:27 pm

Good job.

100 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:29 pm

This the the disaster inning waiting to happen.

Show/Hide Comments 101-171
101 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:30 pm

Bad call. But happiness.

102 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:31 pm

Why on EARTH didn't Cano hustle after that ball?

I saw the whole thing unfolding: "G

103 randym77   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:31 pm

Hah. Nice phantom tag, Alex.

104 mhoward120   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:31 pm

Altho A -Wad fucked up

105 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:31 pm

ET THE FUCKING BALL!"

106 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:31 pm

Reyes gets jobbed. He was safe by a mile. Terrible, lazy play by Nunie too.

107 mhoward120   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:31 pm

1 more until D- Rob

108 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:31 pm

Nunez?

Whoever it was, wtf was that lollygagging?

109 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:31 pm

104) Uh, A Rod didn't fuck up. He sold the tag.

110 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:32 pm

Nunez, fucked up. Lazy play by him there. Yanks got lucky.

111 mhoward120   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:32 pm

Get this piece-a shit outta here now

112 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:32 pm

Show it again! Check out how long it took for him to get the baseball!

113 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:32 pm

C'mon Wade. That's terrible. Don't walk the fucking guy.

114 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:34 pm

It's as if he thought Cano would get it or something. THere must be some explanation because that was just crazy.

Like when Knoblauch didn't pick up the ball but argued with the umpire instead.

115 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:36 pm

C'mon Boonie.

116 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:36 pm

114) Oh Gosh, what a memory. LOL

117 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:37 pm

Fucking Vunderbar.

118 OldYanksFan   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:40 pm

How we have played so well with this BP is a minor miracle.
Meanwhile... somehow... the 'Stros are ahead of the Sox 4-1.

119 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:42 pm

Nice play, Murph!

120 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:45 pm

So Brett is going to bunt here, right?

121 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:45 pm

[116] Hahah! I know, that's how it felt, though! You're thinking, "Why isn't he picking up the ball...pick up the ball, pick up the ball...PICK UP THE FUCKING BASEBALL!"

You know, it all happens in what, a second and a half? But I'm running through all the scenarios in my mind..."Hmmm, the ball must be dead, but why would it be dead? Did someone call time? I didn't see it. Does Nunez think Reyes must be winded or maybe he thinks he tripped?"

Hahahah! It's just really surreal to see stuff like that happen, stuff for which there is zero explanation other than "He just didn't give a shit."

122 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:46 pm

Right.

123 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:46 pm

Ok, let's pick up this run!

124 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:47 pm

121) Yeah, and it's easy for us to say watching on tv. But on the field that shit happens so fast.

125 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:48 pm

So I went to get ice cream and missed all the excitement. Deep fly to center, Reyes tags up, Nunez somehow misses the cutoff and just lets it roll, wanders over to it and throws Reyes out on a phantom tag? Whacky.

126 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:49 pm

Christ, if Parnell hits 100 tonight Kay might have to excuse himself.

127 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:49 pm

[124] God, I guess. Man.

128 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:50 pm

Out. Fucking. Standing.

129 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:50 pm

NOONEY!

130 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:50 pm

Maybe Nunez should be the DH

131 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:50 pm

Yaayyy lazyman who can't throw!!!

Yaayyyyy!!

132 mhoward120   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:50 pm

Derek Who?

133 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:50 pm

[130] HHAHAHA HA AHA HAAHAHAHA!!!

134 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:50 pm

Nice lumber jack wood chop hack there too.

135 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:51 pm

Man, having a catch with Bobby Pernell must suck. One of those guys who just has to throw the ball 100 miles per hour all the time. LOL

136 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:52 pm

BOONEY!

137 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:52 pm

Is that Phil Hughes in the dugout? Did he eat Bartolo Colon?

138 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:52 pm

[134] heehehehhe

139 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:53 pm

[135] Hahah! You're killing me, Alex.

140 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:54 pm

[137] Stop it! You guys are making my chest hurt!

141 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:55 pm

That's some serious Chedder.

142 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:56 pm

Hey RI, your boy's in!

143 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:56 pm

Mattpat11 and I will be here all weekend! Actually, I'm taking the wife to the game tomorrow.

144 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:56 pm

Whatever happened to Nick Johnson, anyway, speaking of Raphael Soriano?

145 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:57 pm

[143] Oooh, good for you guys!

146 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:57 pm

[140] I think he may have put on a pound or two.

147 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:57 pm

Fucking Gardner!

Damn, I thought that was falling for sure.

Wow!

148 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:57 pm

Lovely catch. Jones doesn't make that. No way. Not only does he not run fast enough, being lefty makes all the difference there.

149 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:58 pm

[143] I'm playing stickball tomorrow.

150 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:58 pm

[147] I must be used to Gardner. I saw catch all the way

151 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:58 pm

[149] Kick some ass and take no prisoners!

152 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:59 pm

Sweet.

153 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 9:59 pm

Stickball! Cool. Tennis balls against a chalked out strike zone? You got fences?

154 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:00 pm

[151] I'll be representing this great country against the EVIL Irish. (We will then join the Irish for a few drinks)

155 Boatzilla   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:00 pm

"Sounds" like a great game. My G.D. MLB Premium Package won't load, so I've been listening to the FAN.

156 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:00 pm

[153] I haven't a clue, to be honest. I have to assume yes on both

157 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:01 pm

[150] This is really one tight motherfucking defense, we have ourselves. Swisher of course is a little sketchy but improved from a couple years ago and Derek continues to be perfectly solid. Martin is very good and everyone else is outstanding.

158 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:02 pm

Actually Kay, you ignorant slut, you CAN quantify why Robertson's fastball seems faster than the gun reading.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/tom_verducci/04/12/fastballs.trackman/index.html

Why is Robertson so difficult to hit? According to Trackman's measurements taken in one American League park last season, Robertson, with his exceptionally long stride and reach, released his fastball seven feet from in front of the pitching rubber -- the largest average extension Trackman measured in that park. The average MLB fastball extension was five feet, 10 inches.

Imagine if Robertson moves the pitching rubber 14 inches closer to home plate every time he pitches. That's the kind of advantage he gains over the average pitcher by releasing his fastball with so much extension. The radar gun (and Trackman) clocks Robertson's fastball at an average of 93 mph. But because Robertson shortens the distance between his release point and home plate, his "effective velocity" is 95 mph. It looks like 93 but gets on a hitter like 95 -- thus the illusion of "hop."

159 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:04 pm

And speaking of expecting the ball would fall off the bat only to see it snagged by a guy with the speed of a the Flash and the agility of a Spiderman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RHcGWHuThE

160 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:05 pm

[158] Nice.

161 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:05 pm

[159] Fisted.

The "Hmm." makes it.

162 Boatzilla   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:07 pm

[153] [154] You guys ever play halfball?

163 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:08 pm

ALEX!!!

164 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:08 pm

Boy you have to hit it a loooong way, huh?

165 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:08 pm

Did Granderson touch the plate?

166 Alex Belth   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:09 pm

Wow, a so-so 1-4 game, with some bad-looking swings, turns into a 2-5 night with a RBI.

167 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:09 pm

[164] I know! It's really amazing, isn't it?

168 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:13 pm

[164] And high. Its stupid.

169 Mattpat11   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:16 pm

How pathetic is it to have to give up your number to Sergio Mitre?

170 Boatzilla   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:26 pm

This is dragging out a bit too long.

171 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jul 1, 2011 10:28 pm

Mariano Rivera, ladies and gentlemen. Mariano Rivera.

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"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver