"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Lust in the Dust

Yanks’ stirring understudies drop in on the D’Backs for a couple games as the unprecedented number of stars continue their run on the injury list…

Categories:  1: Featured  Game Thread  Yankees

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1 RIYank   ~  Apr 30, 2019 6:05 pm

This is a beautiful title.

2 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 6:11 pm

RAB is done.

Pours one out.

Quoted in full, because Mike fucking EARNED it:

I’m going to let you all in on a little secret. There has never been a moment — not once — where I felt like I deserved the recognition or praise that came my way for RAB. I’m not oblivious to the site’s success and to this day I have a hard time wrapping my head around it, but I don’t feel I’ve earned it.

To me, I’m just a guy who had an internet connection and met the right people at the right time, has a love of dingers and Mariano Rivera frontdoor cutters …

… and a curiosity about baseball. When we launched RAB, it started as a passion project, and I did my best to keep up with Joe and Ben. We’ve added writers over the years to reduce my workload and also to bring different perspectives to the site, and I felt the same way. I’ve just been trying to keep up.

I never expected RAB to become what it did or last as long as it did or lead to where it did, and I feel I played only a small part in that. RAB was at its best with multiple voices and different opinions, and I am only one person. Everyone here made me better. So did all the other baseball bloggers out there, Yankees or otherwise, though they may not know it.

No one pushed me to be better more than you folks though. Through mailbag questions, emails, social media, and our comments (RIP), RAB readers pushed me to be better. You helped me broaden my horizons, helped me come up with post ideas — I couldn’t possibly tell you how many topics I “stole” from the comments or random Twitter interactions over the years — and kept me on my toes.

The Yankees provide great subject matter and a dedicated fan base, and that made RAB all the more fun. More demanding, but also more fun. Building a successful blog is almost impossible nowadays. Building one in the New York media market about this team? I look back and wonder how we managed to do it, and I know I couldn’t have done it without everyone who read. Your passion pushed me.

RAB has led to some pretty cool things, including my current spot with CBS Sports. Eventually I became credentialed — I am forever grateful to Marc Carig for showing an overwhelmed blogger the ropes in a big league clubhouse (you can all Marc thank for talking me into keeping RAB alive as long as I did) — and now I’m in the BBWAA and halfway to a Hall of Fame vote. This was not the plan, but here I am.

The best part of RAB has been the friendships, both the new ones I’ve made and the existing ones that grew stronger. I’ve put a lot of time into RAB and the friendships make it all worth it. There are things I would change if we could go back and do it again — we were jerks to people unnecessarily in the early going, which I blame on youthful know-it-all-ness — but not that. I have friends for life because of RAB.

RAB started as a hobby and evolved into a life-changing journey. I’m sad the site is shutting down but I also know it’s time. Part of me is sad to see RAB go and the rest of me is excited to figure out what’s next. Whatever it is, I know it won’t be as rewarding. Even though I never met most of you, you were part of my life for 12 years, and you helped me get to where I am today.

Thank you for reading, thank you for the thank yous and the stories about what RAB meant to you, and thank you for pushing me to make RAB the best it could possibly be.

3 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 30, 2019 6:20 pm

Thanks for posting. I'm out of the country and did not have access. It's a real loss, part of my usual daily routine. Thanks so much.

4 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 30, 2019 6:20 pm

And congrats to Luke being named AL player of the week.

5 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2019 6:58 pm

CC goes for 3000 Ks tonight.

6 thelarmis   ~  Apr 30, 2019 7:42 pm

Day 1 without RAB has sucked balls, as will all the rest of the days without it. I signed up for his patreon weekly “thoughts” post. Hell, I even joined twitter, just to keep up with Mike’s - and the other writers’ - posts. Unfortunately, Domenic Lanza’s information wasn’t shared. He quickly became my favorite non Mike Axisa writer there.

GO CC!!! GO YANKS!!!

7 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 8:48 pm

Nostra!

8 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2019 8:48 pm

Gah, just realized CC has to hit. Three weak swings each time, please. And can we get rid of pitchers hitting?

9 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 30, 2019 8:50 pm

Hey Guys. RIP RAB. I miss it already. I gotta get those Twitter accounts lined-up.

[8] CC loves to hit. I hope he gets those Ks early, though.

10 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 8:50 pm

[8] Your lips to god's ears, please ... Still remember what happened to CMW rounding 3rd ...

11 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2019 8:51 pm

Nerts

12 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 8:53 pm

I LOVE that CC already has a giant sweat stain on the front of his uni ...

13 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2019 8:55 pm

Not our projected starting infield.

14 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 30, 2019 8:58 pm

Who's the guy in the booth with Kenny?

15 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2019 8:59 pm

[10] Ruined his career. It’s stupid to continue with pitchers hitting, especially whe a hundred years ago they realized pitchers suck at hitting on the professional level.

16 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:00 pm

Camaro Maybin!

17 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:02 pm

[14] No bloody idea

[15] It's just the dumbest thing. It's bad enough in the NL, but asking AL pitchers to hit? Remember that they use the DH in the minors, there are guys who have literally not swung a bat since playing in Little League. Just. Fucking. Stupid.

18 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:03 pm

That's not what you want.

19 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:04 pm

[16] I'm afraid that was a mid-80s Camaro Maybin ...

20 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:04 pm

Sigh

21 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:05 pm

[20] And we have CC leading off next inning!

22 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:07 pm

[17] I hear Kay mention "Nelly" or "Nellie" in his last broadcast. I can only think of Jeff Nelson?

23 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:09 pm

2,998 for the Big Man!

24 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:09 pm

2998

25 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:10 pm

The D-Backs uniform jerseys look like Japanese unis, with the graded tone.

26 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:12 pm

FU Blue

27 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:12 pm

Thanks for nothing, Blue ...

28 thelarmis   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:13 pm

There’s two.

Also: FUCK YOU, BLUE!!!

29 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:13 pm

Party like it's 2999!

30 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:13 pm

Should have been 2,999 ... BUT STILL IS!!!

31 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:13 pm

2999!

32 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:13 pm

[26][27][28] Great minds think alike!

33 thelarmis   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:14 pm

Crap

34 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:14 pm

Gah.

35 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:15 pm

Now that we got the #obligatoryhomer out of the way, one more K please.

36 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:15 pm

Crud

37 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:16 pm

Luke Voit ... a lovely DH playing 1st ... blech.

38 thelarmis   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:16 pm

Damn. I hope Luke is okay

39 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:18 pm

Boo-yah!

40 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:19 pm

3000!

41 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:19 pm

3,000!!!

42 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:20 pm

Next stop, Cooperstown

43 thelarmis   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:21 pm

WAHOO!!!! Yay, CC!!!

44 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:21 pm

[37] He dove way too early.

45 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:22 pm

I loves me some Carsten Charles ... that is all, carry on.

46 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:23 pm

Yes, thank you for striking out

47 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:24 pm

Early morning, night all.

48 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:25 pm

GGBG!

49 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:26 pm

Double doh from Voit!

50 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:31 pm

3,001!

51 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:55 pm

Help yourself, CC.

52 Ara Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:56 pm

My 8 month old lab is named Yogi. He is currently sedated at the ER vet getting a paw sewn along with X-rays for a possible fracture. Sigh. Add one more to the injured list.

53 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 30, 2019 9:58 pm

So that's 6 Ks for CC now. ;>)

54 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Apr 30, 2019 10:03 pm

just tuned in from Lima. Peru. Thank God for MLB TV and the internet. congrats to CC, niw let's try to get him a win with this AAAA team behind him

55 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 30, 2019 10:38 pm

I suppose this is "one of those games."

56 Boatzilla   ~  Apr 30, 2019 11:05 pm

[54] Cool. I remember watching the Yankees on my iPhone during downtime in our trip to Italy last summer. It was both weird and comforting.

57 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2019 11:14 pm

Well, that was garbage.

Wheeeeee!

58 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  May 1, 2019 6:31 am

Well done CC! Love the big guy.
Losing to Greinke is no shame. They'll get 'em tomorrow.

59 cult of basebaal   ~  May 1, 2019 2:48 pm

Well ... bah.

60 rbj   ~  May 1, 2019 3:19 pm

Ah, didn't realize it's an afternoon game.

61 rbj   ~  May 1, 2019 3:53 pm

#obligatoryhomer

62 rbj   ~  May 1, 2019 4:34 pm

#obligatoryVoithomer

63 rbj   ~  May 1, 2019 4:57 pm

Pinella’s tirades were much more entertaining

64 BobbyB   ~  May 1, 2019 5:51 pm

C’mon Gritnet!

65 rbj   ~  May 1, 2019 5:53 pm

Nope

66 BobbyB   ~  May 1, 2019 5:53 pm

Bah!!

67 rbj   ~  May 1, 2019 6:16 pm

And another off day tomorrow

68 rbj   ~  May 2, 2019 10:40 am

When you’re hoping DJLM comes back this weekend, um, I’m not sure.

69 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 6:07 pm

I feel better about hoping for that than feeling glad that Gio Urshela is back in the lineup ... and batting 6th.

70 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 6:10 pm

We’re getting Miggy Jr. back

71 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 6:21 pm

Nice eye from Voit to come back and draw that walk.

72 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 6:24 pm

Terrible eye from Sanchez to flail away at sliders down and away and strike out ...

73 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 6:26 pm

I approve of RISP hits

74 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 6:31 pm

[70] Mike Ford better watch his ass ...

75 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 6:33 pm

[73] I do not approve of RISP hits when they fail to score runs because the 3rd base coach sends Luke "piano-on-his-back" Voit around 3rd to get thrown out by 20 feet ...

Meh.

Nice hitting from Gio, though.

76 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 6:37 pm

[75] Yup.

77 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 6:41 pm

Double play!

78 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 6:43 pm

Sweet turn for TWO!

79 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 6:47 pm

Huh ... Voit isn't actually as slow as I thought he was:

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/sprint_speed_leaderboard

League average for all positions averaged is 27 ft/s.

Voit clocks in at 26.1, which is below average for 1st base and the league, but compared to Greg Bird and Gary Sanchez he's a sprinter.

80 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 6:51 pm

Of course, maybe the sending of Voit was based on ... Mike Tauchman being up next.

81 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 6:54 pm

How about another hit with a RISP this inning?

82 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 6:55 pm

Damn, Buxton redemption.

He can fly.

83 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 6:58 pm

Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke ... and double fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh:

another out on the bases AND Voit came up wincing.

84 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 6:59 pm

Uh oh, why is Voit grimacing?

85 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 7:08 pm

Seems ok ... whew.

86 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 7:10 pm

Big Maple doesn't have his command so far tonight.

87 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 7:17 pm

Could have been much worse.

88 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 7:29 pm

Oh great, injury of some sort to Paxton.

89 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 7:29 pm

Of fuck, Paxton?

90 Ara Just Fair   ~  May 3, 2019 7:35 pm

Seriously. That would be fucking wonderful. Oi!

91 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 7:42 pm

Another good start to an inning. Let's tack some on here.

Bunt here from Wade?

92 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 7:43 pm

I guess Tyler’s bunt is ok.

93 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 7:44 pm

Thank you.

94 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 7:44 pm

A play ... a run!

95 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 7:45 pm

Another run!

96 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 7:45 pm

Bottom 3 has wheels, which is in their favor.

97 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 7:55 pm

Great communication there on the 3rd out. Yeesh.

98 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 7:58 pm

Kraken!

99 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 7:58 pm

Gary goes boom!

100 Ara Just Fair   ~  May 3, 2019 7:59 pm

Kablammo! That slo-mo shot was sweet.

Show/Hide Comments 101-138
101 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 8:01 pm

Bloody Buxton ...

102 Ara Just Fair   ~  May 3, 2019 8:15 pm

Better a knee than an arm I suppose.

103 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 8:17 pm

Leg injury for Big Maple? At least it’s not his elbow

104 Ara Just Fair   ~  May 3, 2019 8:42 pm

I like this Gary kid.

105 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 8:42 pm

Go go Gary

106 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 8:43 pm

Kraken redux!

107 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 8:48 pm

He’s tied Kiner? So in another thirty years he’ll be broadcasting from Kraken’s Korner?

108 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 8:55 pm

Crap.

109 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 8:57 pm

Dammit

110 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 9:11 pm

There’s one

111 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 9:14 pm

Sigh.

112 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 9:15 pm

Gleyber for number two

113 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 9:16 pm

Gleyber redeemed.

114 rbj   ~  May 3, 2019 9:19 pm

Strike three! Night all.

115 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 9:19 pm

Chapman with the gas for 3!

116 Ara Just Fair   ~  May 3, 2019 9:26 pm

Good win. Cheers, y'all.

117 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  May 3, 2019 9:56 pm

nice to catch nice highlights from Machu Pichu. hope we haven't lost another starter but happy about ny boy Gary.

118 cult of basebaal   ~  May 3, 2019 11:53 pm

Mike Ford optioned down for Miggy's return.

119 rbj   ~  May 4, 2019 12:02 pm

And now Paxton on the DL

120 rbj   ~  May 4, 2019 12:12 pm

Good start

121 Ara Just Fair   ~  May 4, 2019 12:28 pm

Oh, Miguel. Welcome back. : /

122 Ara Just Fair   ~  May 4, 2019 1:11 pm

Sweet catch, Cameron. You shoulda had the last one, too! Lol....

123 cult of basebaal   ~  May 4, 2019 1:11 pm

Game saving catch from Maybin!

124 Ara Just Fair   ~  May 4, 2019 2:09 pm

Wheeeeeeeeeeeee......goes Miguel's throw. Fucking Bollocks!

125 cult of basebaal   ~  May 4, 2019 2:25 pm

That was one thing nice about watching Urshela at third, nice, strong, straight throws.

126 cult of basebaal   ~  May 4, 2019 2:29 pm

Take that RBJ ... DJ strikes again!

;)

127 Ara Just Fair   ~  May 4, 2019 2:31 pm

I really dont think i knew wtf DJ LeMahieu was before the Yankees signed him. I'm glad they did.

128 cult of basebaal   ~  May 4, 2019 2:40 pm

That might be it for Voit's streak.

Well, white flag time, Tarpley's in.

129 cult of basebaal   ~  May 4, 2019 2:41 pm

So much for a nascent rally ...

130 cult of basebaal   ~  May 4, 2019 2:48 pm

I've had enough of this for a day.

131 Ara Just Fair   ~  May 4, 2019 2:56 pm

Gary is scary. Wow.

132 rbj   ~  May 4, 2019 3:15 pm

Had to go help my parents clean up their front yard. Looks like I picked the right game to miss.

133 rbj   ~  May 5, 2019 3:34 pm

Good start for German

134 rbj   ~  May 5, 2019 3:51 pm

Thank you Twins

135 rbj   ~  May 5, 2019 4:52 pm

Official game, let the rain come

136 rbj   ~  May 5, 2019 5:39 pm

Good job, German

137 rbj   ~  May 5, 2019 5:51 pm

Call. The. Game.

138 rbj   ~  May 5, 2019 6:09 pm

Bout damn time, Yankees don’t need another injury.

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