"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Let’s Chill

The Scream by Edvard Munch, 1893

No, that was not a pun or self-reference (it’s too obvious for one… >;)  

It’s more of a declaration or a plea.  The Yanks have been very sucky, as in inconsistent. They won the season opener the way everyone envisioned they wudduh-cudduh-shudduh with a 7-2 easy win over the lowly Orioles, then proceeded to streak like a naked drunk at old Yankee Stadium across several games, losing two of three to both the same Orioles and the wow, there’s a worse team than them Tigers. At home, no less. In front of a whole lot of impatient NYers who already don’t like that the Yanks skipped out on two young All-Stars and a potential one to complement the suddenly rickety rotation.  So naturally, they go away to home-away-from-home Camden Yards and beat the crap out of the Orioles to return the favor and then some (they swept them there, so)… but they either left their bullpen prowess at the depot or the Orioles infected them with their Orioleness because now the bullpen sucks and is infecting the some of the rotation (Paxton) and fielders (Frazier, because Gary was already like that).

So here we are on an off-day in April standing at 5-7 with almost half the starters on the injured list and the accountant I mean manager having to make pep talk for the media because God knows basically every decision he’s made lately has been betrayed him faster than ketchup at a dive bar.  It’s all his fault, of course, because he was so eager to listen to whatever Cashman told him to do, which is why he got the job in the first place, right?

Yeah, um.  Let’s stop right there, because this is panicking for panicking’s sake.  Good for headlines, but not for watching baseball.  It’s been hard for me personally to follow sports in general because of the micromanaging that analytics has wrought and will continue on until someone manages to figure out how to merge the glory days with the innovations. No more bunts or steals because they aren’t productive; now three or five blasts over a shifted infield, that’s the ticket! Yeah, fun.  But whatever, it’s here and in all sports, so I’m rolling with it better than most; particularly the kids who don’t really care for all the standing around doing nothing. And the people who are mad at players who are upset that owners only want to pay several millions as opposed to several more; of course no one says anything about the owners themselves pocketing the millions upon millions they get from TV contracts and revenue sharing, but that’s another rant for another day…

The Yanks are built to last; so to speak as they obviously can’t stay healthy long enough to dominate as envisioned.  I mean, if they had Didi, Giancarlo, C.C., Dellin. Miggy, Luis, Hicks and hell, why not Troy and Jordan Montgomery and maybe even Ben Heller and– nah, not him. But if they had at least four of these guys back and in good playing shape, it probably wouldn’t be this bad, would it? Well, that’s one thing. The players can hit when left to their own devices, and they’re talented enough to overcome some of their own missteps. Plus it’s early… 12 games does not a season make.  Yet I see people freaking out as though the team just missed the playoffs. Let me remind you all that this is not the team the Yanks intended to start with, and as I had commented during Spring Training, if they falter they pretty much have a built-in excuse: injuries, resulting in playing time for fairly unseasoned youth (just like last season!) who basically have to hold the fort until the starters come back.

Of course it’s easier said than done, but it is what it is, and we see that this team can hit. I worry more about coaching and managing missteps than about the players being able to deliver, and honestly unless they are the reason the players are getting themselves hurt, then there’s really not much to get up in arms about. One could say that Boone, for example, is not really responsible for the decisions he makes because they probably aren’t even his to begin with. The Yankees aren’t all that big on autonomy these days, after all.  But they have a helluva lot of talent and youth to spare, regardless of how much of the farm they’ve pawned off in recent seasons.  There, another good thing to bear in mind is that the Yanks are not compelled to throw their prospects at other teams right out the gate for a quick pick-me-up.  When the previously wounded return to battle, there’s likely going to be a bump in win percentage.  And if they don’t, well by that time some of their bluer chips might be primed and ready to throw some support their way. As recent highlight-reliever-making-his-Yankee-debut Joe Harvey would say, it’s gonna get real and it’s gonna be pretty dope.

I wish I had something far more compelling to console you with, but we see the same thing year in and year out.  The team stumbles out of the gate and people get all Edvard Munch paintings on you. Please chill.  There are plenty of things to be up in arms about right now, but the Yanks being sub-500 after two weeks in April is definitely not one of them.

Wait until mid-May for that…

Categories:  1: Featured  Baseball Musings  Chyll Will  Yankees

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173 comments

Show/Hide Comments 1-100
1 rbj   ~  Apr 11, 2019 7:50 pm

There was a team that started out 0-3 and 1-4 and then a part of the stadium fell. First year I got the MLB package. The 1998 Yankees turned out to be fairly decent.

2 Chyll Will   ~  Apr 11, 2019 8:18 pm

[1] Yah think?? >;)

What I remember most about the 98 Yanks was how angry and determined they were to come in and win it all after being tossed by Cleveland in 97. The bad start and with George already breathing down their necks made them even more so, and the rest of the league suffered for that. Those poor Padres...

3 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 12, 2019 12:34 am

Thanks, Chyll. Fantastic piece. Equal parts of hilarity, grit and truth. (True Grit the Comedy?). Love it.

4 Chyll Will   ~  Apr 12, 2019 9:33 am

[3] Mel Brooks beat me to it...

5 Greg G   ~  Apr 12, 2019 12:26 pm

Thanks Will. I share the optimism and also frustration. It would have been one thing to be blown out by the Stros but all of those games seemed winnable and that I think was the sore spot. Getting swept in 3 games that could have gone either way.

I like the makeup of this team a lot and adversity in April can serve them throughout the rest of the year. It is good that some of these young guys are getting tested early. Maybe they end up as trade bait at the deadline, or come back to help later in the year?

6 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 12, 2019 1:37 pm

And Gary Sanchez to the "IL". Guy finally starts to hit. Described as a calf strain, but can't help but wonder whether it was that shot to the boys that's the real issue.

7 rbj   ~  Apr 12, 2019 4:40 pm

Set back for Dellin. Oy

8 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 12, 2019 6:04 pm

Not good, Bob

9 rbj   ~  Apr 12, 2019 6:31 pm

Oof, Bird

10 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 12, 2019 6:31 pm

Better than a GiDP, I suppose.

Bird needs a trip to AAA

11 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Apr 12, 2019 6:34 pm

[0] Great stuff Chyll!

Bird is just a zero..

12 rbj   ~  Apr 12, 2019 6:35 pm

DJ! And another base running blunder.

13 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 12, 2019 6:36 pm

DJ!

14 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 12, 2019 6:37 pm

[11] Safe to say, he is not the word.

Well, not a word you want to use around children, at least ...

15 rbj   ~  Apr 12, 2019 6:54 pm

Second and third no outs, how are they going to not score here?

16 rbj   ~  Apr 12, 2019 6:56 pm

Huh, a RISP hit.

17 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 12, 2019 6:59 pm

[0] Truth! Opposite field gap double. Smash up the middle. Sac line drive. Hmmmm......

18 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 12, 2019 6:59 pm

Line drive sac fly from Judge ... amusing.

19 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 12, 2019 6:59 pm

Hope they can get this one in

20 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 12, 2019 7:29 pm

Romine know he's a catcher, right?
Goodie. I love walks and 2 out hits. Fucking Bollocks!

21 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 12, 2019 7:37 pm

Just made it!

22 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 12, 2019 7:45 pm

I was reading before the game about how terrible the White Sox have been.

23 rbj   ~  Apr 12, 2019 7:46 pm

Can we just play five and have it cut short by rain?

24 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 12, 2019 7:50 pm

The vaunted BP lives!

25 rbj   ~  Apr 12, 2019 7:53 pm

Grrr.

26 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 12, 2019 7:59 pm

Awwwwww, c'mon. Went downstairs to make dinner and we're up 5-3.

Now it's 7-5???

WTF???

27 rbj   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:08 pm

Now it’ll get called on account of rain.

28 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:09 pm

Yankees would damn well deserve it

29 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:21 pm

I like this Frazier kid!

30 rbj   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:30 pm

There’s one back.

31 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:36 pm

Just dropped in. Are they really playing in that downpour?

32 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:40 pm

Use the force, Luke. Or up the middle. Whatever drives in a run.

33 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:44 pm

Have to figure the tarp is coming out.

And that may have been our last shot, since the heavy stuff is supposed to arrive around now.

34 rbj   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:45 pm

Shit

35 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:49 pm

Field like that is an injury waiting to happen

36 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:49 pm

He's a big dude.

37 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:49 pm

Blech

38 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:50 pm

Shoulda put the tarp on ...

Remember when the Yankees bullpen was good?

39 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:50 pm

Thought the BP was supposed yo be our strength

40 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:51 pm

Really?

41 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:52 pm

So now the tarp comes on. See ya tomorrow

42 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:52 pm

The white sox were on a 3 game losing steak and are 3-8. Oi!

43 rbj   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:53 pm

Horror show of a bullpen

44 rbj   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:54 pm

I’m out. Gotta help dad on the garage floor in the morning.

45 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:55 pm

To transmogrify the OG Joker ... this team needs an enema

46 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 12, 2019 8:59 pm

Beautiful spring morning in Tokyo. I thought I'd watch the Bombers blast the White Sox while sipping my coffee. WTF!

Green is absolutely cooked. He's got nothing.

Without Sanchez there's not much pop in this line up.

Calling Mike Stanton, think you could play some baseball for a change?

Aaron Hicks get your ass out of the sticks.

(I know they are being cautiuos but this is CODE RED, FFS.)

47 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 12, 2019 9:07 pm

I dunno, Judge seems to have a little pop now and then.

The problem (really, truly) isn't the offense, they're averaging 5 runs a game so far ... it's the pitching.

Starters aren't going deep and the bullpen has somehow become populated with arsonists.

48 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 12, 2019 9:26 pm

[47] I did say "not much" meaning not much else.

But yeah, the starts excluding Tanaka are not doing much.

49 yankintexas   ~  Apr 12, 2019 9:29 pm

Yeah it's the pitching. We knew that last year and the year before too. Cashman doing Cashman things is what put us in this mess. Resigning a couple of old starters (i.e. Happ and CC) thinking they'll just keep producing for you late into their 30s is just dumb from a team building / winning perspective, but it helps save money for Hal's yacht.

50 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 12, 2019 9:47 pm

Looks like the game was called. Good night, all.

51 monkeypants   ~  Apr 13, 2019 6:13 am

Win, lose, injuries. Whatever...it’s a long season, and sometimes the season just doesn’t go according to plan. I'm ok with that.

But paragraph three in Chyll's piece is where it’s at for me. For the last few years building and certainly now, for the first time in my life, baseball bores me. Or at least the baseball product sold by MLB and its MiLB affiliates.

52 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 13, 2019 12:58 pm

I essentially watch no baseball that isn't Yankees baseball, even in the playoffs. I much prefer watching European football.

53 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 13, 2019 1:11 pm

I love watching LeMahieu hit. Glad to see he wasn't just a creation of Coors Field.

54 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 13, 2019 1:17 pm

On the other hand, I'd rather have a root canal than watch Greg Bird "hit" ...

55 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 13, 2019 1:19 pm

Bird's at bats are perfect for doing anything else than watching baseball.

56 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 13, 2019 1:20 pm

He's completely lost; frankly, he needs to go down to AAA and regain something resembling confidence (if he can).

57 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 13, 2019 1:28 pm

Seriously?

Taking CC out after 62 pitches??

FOR THIS BULLPEN???

58 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 13, 2019 1:35 pm

Actually, German might actually be a good choice here.

59 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 13, 2019 1:38 pm

That works.

60 rbj   ~  Apr 13, 2019 1:45 pm

Just got in. I guess C.C. was good?

61 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 13, 2019 1:54 pm

Yup. Looked sharp, kept them off balance.

62 rbj   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:04 pm

I guess Bird will take that

63 rbj   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:08 pm

Luuuuuuke!

64 rbj   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:10 pm

Acceptable, Higgy

65 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:13 pm

Hey, Tyler Wade did something positive with the bat!

66 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:16 pm

Don't get cute here, Booney, German is cruising.

67 rbj   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:25 pm

Judge!

68 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:28 pm

ALL RISE.

NYS RF special!

69 rbj   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:34 pm

One down

70 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:36 pm

two

71 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:36 pm

Got back to see Judge enter judgement. Nice to see him play catch with the kid. Sounds like CC had a nice start.

72 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:37 pm

three

73 rbj   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:37 pm

Nice win

74 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:39 pm

Good win. Now, let's go CAPS

75 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:39 pm

And tiger, too

76 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 13, 2019 2:40 pm

Nice quick game, see y'all tomorrow!

77 rbj   ~  Apr 13, 2019 3:04 pm

And hey, Chris Davis finally got a hit.

78 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 13, 2019 8:42 pm

[77] He got 3 and 4 RBI. Gotta feel good for him.

79 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 13, 2019 8:46 pm

Lots of feel good stories today. CC the stoppah, once again.

Let's keep it going with Tanaka tomorrow. He needs some runs this time. Early and often, please.

80 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 14, 2019 11:25 am

Hey, I like the line-up today. Finally. Put the best hitters at the top of the line up. That a novel approach. Why did it take so long for that to happen? I'm asking you, Mr. Boone.

Of course, 7,8 and 9 are automatic outs, but beggars can't be choosers.

81 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 14, 2019 12:15 pm

Hey now, Higgy's batting .500!

HE'S BREAKING OUT!!

82 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 14, 2019 12:23 pm

[80] Gardner against LHP is pretty weak as well.

83 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 14, 2019 12:29 pm

Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke!

84 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 14, 2019 12:35 pm

Nice start, could been more, but we'll take it. Something to build on.

85 rbj   ~  Apr 14, 2019 12:55 pm

Nailed him!

86 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 14, 2019 12:57 pm

Nice break. Weird play.

87 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 14, 2019 12:59 pm

let's get Tanakasan some more. btw, Tiger is up 2 strokes with 2 holes to go.

88 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:07 pm

Runs without home runs. Love it.

89 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:14 pm

Gotta snooze. Go Yanks. Go Tiger.

90 rbj   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:17 pm

Yup, out. Motion fora double is denied

91 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:17 pm

Judge brought the gavel down on Moncada!

92 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:26 pm

Grrrrrr ... how about some outs here Tanaka-san?

93 rbj   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:29 pm

Wrong time for #obligatoryhomer

94 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:29 pm

Bad fucking time for the #OBLIGATORYTANAKAHOMERUN

Shit.

95 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:30 pm

Well this blows.

96 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:30 pm

What a shitty inning.

97 rbj   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:34 pm

Congrats, Tiger

98 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:35 pm

Meh

99 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:42 pm

Mountain Top - Rock Bottom - Montain Top. Rather crazy journey for Tiger.

100 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:49 pm

Feels like this season is getting late early ...

Show/Hide Comments 101-173
101 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:53 pm

What the hell happened to Tanaka in this game???

102 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:54 pm

From cruisin' to bruisin'

103 rbj   ~  Apr 14, 2019 1:56 pm

Nice, Judge

104 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 14, 2019 2:14 pm

What the hell, Booney?

What was wrong with leaving Cessa out there??

What's with bringing in Tommy "White Flag" Kahnle???

105 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 14, 2019 2:16 pm

Well, at least I have the new GoT to look forward to in less than 6 hours.

106 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 14, 2019 2:26 pm

Screw this game, I'm going to go putter about in the garden.

107 rbj   ~  Apr 14, 2019 3:26 pm

Tanaka is due for the occasional bad inning. Just wish the offense would show up.

108 rbj   ~  Apr 14, 2019 3:31 pm

Feh

109 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 14, 2019 11:49 pm

This Yankees organization is failing on so many levels now, it's near impossible to stay optimistic.

Ownership
Management
Coaching
Fitness
Play

The empty luxury seats at every home game are the living example of corporate greed in action, taking fans for granted, refusing to give just a little extra to add the world's best players to support an exciting young core.

I think it is time to panic or even turn away.

110 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 15, 2019 4:57 am

Of course, I'm certainly going to keep watching, because I'm weak.

[Sorry for the rant]

111 Chyll Will   ~  Apr 15, 2019 2:39 pm

If they're doing everythjing by the book, then I think maybe they have the wrong book...

112 Chyll Will   ~  Apr 15, 2019 3:03 pm

Off topic, but wowzers this is kinda interesting; Mariners reliever Rob Whalen retires at 25 to deal with his mental health, also claiming that the team didn't support him as much as they say. Check out the interview that accompanies the article.

You can draw your own conclusions, but it's not a stretch to think that some of these organizations identify their players more with commodities than with humanity, and quantifying everything they do while leaving inexperienced coaches to "manage" them by a notebook may need some second thoughts.

113 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 15, 2019 7:19 pm

[111] Good one!

Hey, speaking of that, the Red Sox dropped another to the Birds. Digging their hole deeper. So that's one bright spot in this bleak season so far (if you enjoy rooting for the Sox to lose).

114 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 15, 2019 9:20 pm

[112] Great point.

Mental health is the forgotten step-child in many industries and walks of life (especially in Japan!). Hearing that the MLB is behind the curve is not a surprise.

115 rbj   ~  Apr 16, 2019 10:05 am

In shocking, unexpected news, Greg Bird does to the DL. Doesn't sound short term either.

116 Greg G   ~  Apr 16, 2019 10:45 am

(115) Bird was limping noticeably in the game a few days ago. I was wondering if he was trying to hide it, so he didn't seem like he was fragile.

Bird's injury is not surprising, but this is not the same team of old guys that they were fielding 8 or 9 years ago.

I wonder if the strength and conditioning guy is going to lose his job?

Thankfully most of the AL East isn't heating up aside from the Rays, and I know we have a lot of depth and we will be getting back some of these guys in the next few weeks, but it takes some time to gel and get in the groove. I hope they can start adding these pieces back in over the next month and stop subtracting.

Not losing much in Bird but Voit is not exactly tearing it up average wise. Perhaps this will allow him to settle in as he is now clearly the starter.

117 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 2:27 pm

[115] Damn, beat me to it ... torn plantar fascia. He ain't coming back for a while.

Come on down, Mike Ford.

At least he can't be any worse than Bird ... can he?

Not sure what this will do for Voit, if anything, he hasn't been starting at 1st, but he's been in the lineup pretty much every day.

118 Chyll Will   ~  Apr 16, 2019 2:35 pm

[116] Yanks and other teams have run through strength and conditioning coaches like tissue. There's only so much you can do for a guy before he either has to do some things for himself or call it quits. Bird getting hurt all the time is indicative of a deeper issue that I bet no coach can fix.

That said, other players getting hurt so much and perhaps so easily does not bode well for either him or some of the other coaches and instructors. A lot of these guys are playing fundamentally sloppy baseball, and while most of that belongs to the players themselves, part of coaching is to help correct bad habits and behavior. You have to wonder if the coaching/coaches are:

A. Not effective
B. Not respected
C. Incompatible with the player's skill sets
D. Undermined by powers that be
E. Dealing with bad players or combatting entrenched bad habits
F. Just a helluva lot of bad luck
G. ...and?

We can't say what kind of atmosphere the clubhouse actually has, whether the manager or the coaches are allowing players more or less freedom and whether or not their poor fundamentals are born from an organizational or coaching philosophy (I would have to speculate that Boone's lack of actual coaching experience plays a role), not to mention the dearth of championship experience as CC and Brett are the only players on the roster who've actually been to the World Series, much less having rings to show for it.

But you can't ignore this many injuries and you definitely can't ignore the bad fundamentals. Is it that the players are actually not that good or are they ill-prepared for their games and why? Why such a lack of intensity and focus when they have been a playoff contender for a few years now? Hmmm...

119 Greg G   ~  Apr 16, 2019 4:39 pm

(118) Yeah, I wasn't specifically thinking of Bird and his strength and conditioning, but this many players, after a while you say, maybe it isn't just bad luck.

I understood it when the Yanks had all the grizzled vets, but this is a team with a lot of young guys. Bettances, Andujar, Severino, Sanchez are not old. Hicks and Stanton are both 29.

And when is this Ellsbury guy going to be ready? I'm so glad that the Yanks invested in him instead of Cano.

120 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 4:55 pm

Greg Bird = Nick Johnson 2.0 Electric Boogaloo

Thing is, I'm not sure how many of Bird's injuries can be blamed on the staff. Take a look at his major injuries:

https://www.nj.com/yankees/2019/04/handle-with-care-yankees-greg-bird-no-stranger-to-injuries.html

None of those are really training staff related. He just appears to be both a) made of glass and b) unlucky.

Anyway, this gets him out of the lineup, which can't possibly be a bad thing ... I hope.

121 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 5:45 pm

Let's send this Sale chump to an early shower.

122 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 5:47 pm

Urshela-Gardner-Romine-Tauchmann ... a real "murderer's row" for the Yankees 6-9 ... ugh.

123 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 5:56 pm

Damn, Pax!

124 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:01 pm

Current injury list:


Miguel Andujar (shoulder)
Dellin Betances (shoulder)
Greg Bird (foot)
Jacoby Ellsbury (hip surgery)
Didi Gregorius (Tommy John surgery)
Ben Heller (Tommy John surgery)
Aaron Hicks (back)
Jordan Montgomery (Tommy John surgery)
Gary Sanchez (calf)
Luis Severino (shoulder)
Giancarlo Stanton (biceps)
Troy Tulowitzki (calf)

125 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:03 pm

Of course, tonight would be the night that Sale un-fucks his mechanics ...

126 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:15 pm

Meet the Feebles (aka that swing by Tauchmann)

127 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:17 pm

What a wonderful piece of hitting by DJ!

128 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:19 pm

Love watching DJ hit.

129 rbj   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:20 pm

Ok, done with dinner, dog walked.

130 rbj   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:21 pm

Luuuke

131 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:21 pm

Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke!

132 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:24 pm

Two at bats, two balls barreled up.

110mph and 109mph.

133 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:29 pm

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR ... NO. LEADOFF. WALKS.

134 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:31 pm

Blech ... Judge should have played that better.

135 rbj   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:37 pm

Maple!

136 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:39 pm

Paxton escapes!

And is topping out at 99! tonight.

Damn ...

137 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:40 pm

SYNDROME!

138 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:41 pm

Be still my heart!

139 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:45 pm

Hell yeah! Loving it!

140 rbj   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:46 pm

Hot diggity! Man a back up catcher scores on that

141 rbj   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:48 pm

Looked high to me

142 rbj   ~  Apr 16, 2019 6:59 pm

Judge with the steal.

143 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:04 pm

Bah.

144 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:12 pm

Was listening on the walk to work, is Sale really cooked this year?

How is Big Maple Leaf, BoSox radio announcers are raving about him.

145 rbj   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:12 pm

Quality start.

146 rbj   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:13 pm

Maple looks great tonight. So Boone will pullhim early and the Vaunted Bullpen will implode.

147 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:14 pm

[144] Sale seem to have the velo tonight, but not the location.

148 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:15 pm

[147] There's a 'That's what SHE said' joke somewhere in there but I can't quite find it..
[146] Better not!

149 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:19 pm

Not much for plays ... but I'd bunt Romine here.

150 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:20 pm

That's fine.

151 rbj   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:21 pm

Tauchman!

152 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:22 pm

That was a beaut. Congrats on the 1st homer!

153 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:23 pm

Mike Tauchman...wow.

Where is thelarmis, he will love this run differential beating we're giving the Sawx.

154 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:28 pm

Alright Paxton, 1 more inning and then even *our* bullpen probably can't fuck it up...

155 rbj   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:30 pm

Double digits — in strikeouts

156 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:31 pm

Damn fine start.

157 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:37 pm

Gleyber!

158 rbj   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:38 pm

Yeeeouch!

159 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:40 pm

Wow. Everything is rolling tonight. Uh-oh, did I just jinx the bullpen?

160 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:40 pm

[157] Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy!

161 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:40 pm

[160] That's what she said!

162 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:42 pm

Sterling: Tauchman the Sockman!

Sorry John, that's a bit weak. How about "that's what I'm Tauching about!

163 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:42 pm

[160] SWEEP THE LEG!

164 rbj   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:43 pm

An even dozen in Ks.

165 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:43 pm

"I love it when ya call me Big Maple..."

166 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:47 pm

GREAT game from Paxton

167 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:48 pm

Dare I say, this is a game even Boone can't fuck up.

168 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Apr 16, 2019 7:55 pm

[166] If he can bring it like that most of the season, until Severino gets back..

169 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 16, 2019 8:03 pm

Good win. Cheers, y'all.

170 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 16, 2019 8:03 pm

Well, *that* was a pleasant change ...

171 rbj   ~  Apr 16, 2019 8:03 pm

Great game! Nice new extension for 0-4 Sale

172 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 16, 2019 8:05 pm

[171] Yeah. What the hell were they thinking? The writing was on the wall at the end of last year.

173 Greg G   ~  Apr 17, 2019 11:01 am

As they like to say, This was the day Paxton became a true Yankee. Gave a nice rest to the bullpen and now the Yanks got to keep the Red Sox down and put their foots on their throats and not let them off the mat. Every win we get now is one less we need at the end of the year and the Yanks need to play with urgency.

Sale was limited in his innings in the Spring, and could heat up. I wouldn't write his obituary so soon.

Big Red with the dinger was great, and I like the fire that Frazier brings. Judge taking a base and getting an extra on the throwing error was excellent. Wondering why we don't see Gardner making noise on the basepaths anymore. He needs to use his speed until his bat starts talking.

Let's go Yang-Keys!

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