"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles

2008 Record: 68-93 (.422)
2008 Pythagorean Record: 73-88 (.451)

Manager: Dave Trembley
General Manager: Andy MacPhail

Home Ballpark (multi-year Park Factors): Oriole Park at Camden Yards (103/104)

Who’s Replaced Whom:

  • Cesar Izturis replaces Juan Castro, Alex Cintron, Freddie Bynum, Luis Hernandez, and Brandon Fahey
  • Gregg Zaun replaces Guillermo Quiroz
  • Matt Wieters will replace Ramon Hernandez, though for now Chad Moeller has his roster spot.
  • Felix Pie and Ryan Freel replace Kevin Millar
  • Ty Wigginton replaces Jay Payton
  • Robert Andino replaces Luis Montanez (minors)
  • Koji Uehara replaces Daniel Cabrera
  • Mark Hendrickson replaces Garrett Olson
  • Adam Eaton replaces Brian Burres
  • Alfredo Simon replaces Radhames Liz (minors) and Chris Waters (minors)
  • Chris Ray replaces Chad Bradford (DL) and will soon replace George Sherrill as closer
  • Danyz Baez replaces Lance Cormier

25-man Roster:

1B – Aubrey Huff (L)
2B – Brian Roberts (S)
SS – Cesar Izturis (S)
3B – Melvin Mora (R)
C – Gregg Zaun (S)
RF – Nick Markakis (L)
CF – Adam Jones (R)
LF – Felix Pie (L)
DH – Luke Scott (L)

Bench:

R – Ty Wigginton (UT)
R – Ryan Freel (UT)
R – Robert Andino (IF)
R – Chad Moeller (C)

Rotation:

R – Jeremy Guthrie
R – Koji Uehara
R – Alfredo Simon
L – Mark Hendrickson
R – Adam Eaton

Bullpen:

L – George Sherrill
R – Chris Ray
L – Jamie Walker
R – Jim Johnson
R – Danys Baez
R – Matt Albers
R – Dennis Sarfate
R – Brian Bass

15-day DL: LHP – Rich Hill

Projected lineup vs. RHP:

S – Brian Roberts (2B)
R – Adam Jones (CF)
L – Nick Markakis (RF)
L – Aubrey Huff (1B)
R – Melvin Mora (3B)
L – Luke Scott (DH)
S – Gregg Zaun (C)
L – Felix Pie (LF)
S – Cesar Izturis (SS)

Projected lineup vs. LHP:

S – Brian Roberts (2B)
R – Adam Jones (CF)
L – Nick Markakis (RF)
L – Aubrey Huff (1B)
R – Melvin Mora (3B)
R – Ty Wigginton (DH)
S – Gregg Zaun (C)
R – Ryan Freel (LF)
S – Cesar Izturis (SS)

Notes: There are 26 players listed for the O’s 25-man roster because fifth starter Adam Eaton, who was signed to a minor league deal this offseason, won’t be added until just before his first start next week.

While the Yankees’ pennant chances are driven by their impressive starting rotation, the Orioles’ starting rotation is the primary reason that Baltimore is all but guaranteed to turn in a twelfth-straight losing season. Best described as Jeremy Guthrie and staff, the Baltimore rotation is among the worst in baseball. Newcomers Mark Hendrickson and Adam Eaton are well-established last resorts, neither of whom made 20 starts last year. Alfredo Simon is a soon-to-be-28-year-old rookie on his fourth organization who spent most of 2008 in the Mexican League after being dropped by the Dodgers in spring training. Japanese import Koju Uehara is 34 and made just 12 starts over the last two seasons for the Yomiuri Giants, in part because he was their closer in 2007.

On top of that, Guthrie, who starts today, had an awful spring, giving up ten runs on 14 hits in just 3 2/3 innings for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, then yielding 18 more runs on 24 hits in 15 1/3 innings in Orioles camp. Given the (admittedly limited) history of starting pitchers struggling coming out of the WBC, Guthrie and the Orioles could be in for a rough season.

That’s unfortunate, because the O’s have made positive strides elsewhere. The bullpen is getting Chris Ray and Danys Baez back from Tommy John surgery, and the former was flat-out dominant in camp. Rays reemergence should allow George Sherrill to slip back into a lefty specialist role, thus improving the pen in two places.

Behind them, the O’s have improved their defense, which was roughly league average last year according to defensive efficiency, by signing an actual major league shortstop in Cesar Izturis and acquiring Felix Pie from the Cubs and making him the strong-side of a left-field platoon. Izturis and Brian Roberts will cover a ton of ground in the middle of the infield, and Pie, Adam Jones, and Nick Markakis give the O’s a superior defensive outfield.

On the other side of the ball, the Orioles had an offense roughly equivalent to the Yankees’ in 2008 and are hoping that toolsy youngsters Pie and Jones will help compensate for the likely regression of  Aubrey Huff, who at 32 is unlikely to repeat his production spike from 2008, and 37-year-old Melvin Mora. Ty Wigginton should form a strong DH platoon with lefty-hitting Luke Scott, something Jay Payton failed to do last year, as well as provide solid insurance at the corners. Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis are stars at opposite ends of their primes, and überprospect Matt Wieters should take over as the starting catcher before midseason and rake from Day one, resulting in a  lineup that looks like this:

S – Brian Roberts (2B)
R – Adam Jones (CF)
L – Nick Markakis (RF)
R – Matt Wieters (C)
L – Aubrey Huff (1B)
R – Melvin Mora (3B)
P – Scott/Wigginton (DH)
P – Pie/Freel (LF)
S – Cesar Izturis (SS)

There’s certainly potential there, but it won’t much matter if that offense has to score six runs a game because of the team’s utter lack of reliable starting pitching.

Categories:  Cliff Corcoran  Series Preview

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396 comments

Show/Hide Comments 1-100
1 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Apr 6, 2009 3:40 pm

Lefty-hitting Scott is starting over righty Pie against the lefty Sabathia today and hitting seventh in front of switch-hitter Zaun. Righy Mora is hitting fourth in front of lefty Huff.

The Yankee lineup is the same as in the two games against the Cubs.

2 Shaun P.   ~  Apr 6, 2009 3:52 pm

Hooray! A game thread! Is the game going to start on time, or is the rain holding things back?

3 MichiganYankee   ~  Apr 6, 2009 3:53 pm

I see that Texas has torched Cliff Lee for 7 runs. It took Lee until May 18 to give up that many last year.

4 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Apr 6, 2009 3:54 pm

Ceremonies are starting now. So maybe a 15-min delay, tops.

5 Cliff Corcoran   ~  Apr 6, 2009 3:55 pm

Hmm, maybe not even that. Might be right on time.

6 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 6, 2009 3:55 pm

Is this??

can it be??

it is!!

GAME THREAD!!!

7 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 3:56 pm

R - Adam Jones (CF)
L - Nick Markakis (RF)
R - Matt Wieters (C)

is mighty nice.

Happy Baseball! Whoo!!

8 MichiganYankee   ~  Apr 6, 2009 3:58 pm
9 knuckles   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:04 pm

This is kinda high school pep rally-ish, no?

10 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:14 pm

Not getting shown on ESPN. Is it raining or not?

Peter's site seems to be down at the moment.

11 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:16 pm

i think it's delayed a little, isn't on gamecast either.

12 Bobtaco   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:20 pm

Clap - Clap - Clap !!!

13 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:23 pm

I never thought I'd be so happy to hear Suzyn Waldman's voice

14 Alex Belth   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:24 pm

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

Let's Git This Party Started RIGHT

RIGHT ON

15 MichiganYankee   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:25 pm

mlb.com Gameday is still reporting "warmup" status. Probably just some pre-game ceremonies.

16 MichiganYankee   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:26 pm

Spoke too soon.

17 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:27 pm

[10] Damn Muts game taking too long. i'm missing Opening Day. Boo!!!

18 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:27 pm

there we go...

19 MichiganYankee   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:29 pm

Jeter's taking this leadoff thing seriously. Works the count to 8 pitches, then gets one down the pipe.

20 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:30 pm

is anyone else using ESPN gamecast and getting this "Advertisement: GameCast will continue in ..." mess?

21 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:34 pm

Heard the Jeter AB on the radio. Sounded good.

22 MichiganYankee   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:34 pm

GameDay's doing fine. It's just not showing enough Yankee hits. :-(

23 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:34 pm

[20] yes! frustrating as hell!!! : /

24 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:36 pm

In case anyone wanted to know what Kay's annoying Sabathia story is, going to be, its going to be the complete games. If he pitches 35 games, we'll hear it 140 times.

25 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:37 pm

This could be going better.

26 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:39 pm

mlb.tv sucks today.

hard.

27 zack   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:39 pm

I signed up for mlb.tv premium this year, with the promise of high def and it being cheap, and thus far its nearly unwatchable. At least extra innings is doing its free preview!

28 zack   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:40 pm

Wow, CC looks huuuuge

29 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:42 pm

Isn't this supposed to be on ESPN? I'm not seeing it here at work.

Oh well, quitting time in 20 minutes, then walk the dog (short block today) and catch the last half.

30 RIYank   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:44 pm

mlb.tv looks pretty good to me. Maybe because I wasn't expecting much.

Ohhhhhh crud.

31 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:44 pm

Oh boy

32 RIYank   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:45 pm

Ah, nice play. Whew.

33 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:45 pm

a-who?

34 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:45 pm

A-who?

35 RIYank   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:45 pm

Best 3B-man in the business, no doubt about it.

36 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:46 pm

I can't handle 6 months of this

37 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:46 pm

uh oh why is he looking at his fingers?

38 RIYank   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:46 pm

And our superb defense comes through!

Man, I have jitters, seriously. That was a tough couple of outs for me.

39 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:47 pm

[29] it's on now. commercial break. it's john & joe, so you're not missing much! mute button is your friend...

40 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:47 pm

2 wild pitches already? It's gotta simply be Opening Day jitters. Yeah, that's it, Opening Day jitters, nothing more.

41 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:48 pm

I like that CC got through that. Hopefully it puts the jitters to bed.

42 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:49 pm

c'mon ripper!

43 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:49 pm

Are we talking about Michael Kay?

44 RIYank   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:49 pm

[40] That last one was Posada's fault, actually.

45 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:51 pm

[40] I'd say so. He's got 2.66 strikeouts for every walk in his career, and last season only had 2 WP all year.

46 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:51 pm

[44] i think there's some fault to go around when a fastball is 3 ft from its location, but i agree he could/should have caught that

47 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:52 pm

we want swisher!

48 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:52 pm

I just don't like watching Nady play baseball.

49 RIYank   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:53 pm

[46] True. It was a pretty wild pitch, even if the advance was Posada's fault.

50 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:53 pm

[48] he just personifies "meh" to me

51 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:54 pm

The whole Nady over Swisher decision makes me question Girardi's thought process.

52 RIYank   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:56 pm

These are the Orioles announcers on mlb.tv, right?

53 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 4:58 pm

[51] while i expect swisher to eventually replace nady, i think girardi's thought process was pretty simple and not crazy: nady had a better year last year and neither of them showed anything special in spring training.

54 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:00 pm

[52] you can choose home or away feed.

55 RIYank   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:01 pm

Very nice inning for CC.

56 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:01 pm

[51] [53] There's also the issue of Nady's type-A FA status. Presumably Nady wouldn't be able to garner type-A status as a part timer, hence the decision to start him. So it may be choosing between starting swisher vs starting Nady + draft picks. I believe Nady was a type-A last year; i think RLYW had a bit on this.

57 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:02 pm

So, the Cardinals are opening up against the Pirates, and LaRussa is protecting Pujols in the lineup with ... Khalil Greene.

58 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:02 pm

i agree on Swish over X-Man.

this time, CC looked at his glove and not his throwing hand. more betterer!

59 RIYank   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:04 pm

[54] Oh, thanks!
How? (That is, now that I'm listening to the O's announcers, how do I switch?)

Hey, that's my extra lead-off guy! Go, Brett!

60 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:05 pm

slappy!

61 Alex Belth   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:06 pm

Yeah, Brett! Dag, I've got split from woik and will miss the remainder of the game. But I'll be sure and come back through and dig em smack yer comments to see wha' happen.

Go Git 'em Boys!

62 RIYank   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:07 pm

Small ball!
Where's Weeping For B. today?

63 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:07 pm

[59]

go to audio/video off the main mlb.com page.

should be able to get to the broadcast options (audio & video)

select the YES feed.

64 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:08 pm

Man Derek Jeter sure is washed up.

65 knuckles   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:08 pm

Did Jeter hit that right where the SS was before he broke to cover 2nd? Looked like it.

66 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:09 pm

What is Luke Scott thinking with that hairdo

67 RIYank   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:09 pm

Oh, come on, they weren't gonna get Brett anyway.

68 RIYank   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:10 pm

[65] Yes, it was a perfect DP ball... or would have been.

Oh, they love Teixeira here.

69 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:10 pm

i really don't understand the tremendous booing for Tex. i know he's a Baltimore native and all that, but it's not like he's evil and dragged them through offseason negotiations...

70 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:11 pm

Imagine the nerve of Tex for not taking $30MM less to play for a crappy team. The nerve!

71 RIYank   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:12 pm

[63] Thanks, cult, got it.

72 The Hawk   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:18 pm

[68] It may have been the perfect DP ball; the SS wasn't there cause Gardner was running - but then again Jeter was swinging cause Gardner was running. Neither the ball nor the hole may have been there if the baserunner wasn't on the move.

73 zack   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:20 pm

CC ain't got it today, eh?

74 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:21 pm

carp.

75 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:21 pm

ugh

76 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:22 pm

hmmm ... their CF leads ours, 3-1

77 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:22 pm

Nady thought that ball was going out so he started fucking looking up and jogging as the ball landed three feet away from him.

78 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:23 pm

Watching our ace get slapped around by one of the worst teams in baseball isn't much fun. Let's hope he turns it around.

79 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:24 pm

see what i mean about nady?

80 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:24 pm

[77] i don't think that's true

81 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:26 pm

also Adam Jones may be on a crap team, but he's got some skills. CC hasn't really had his command today but i would say they've slapped him around. Nady coulda got to that ball.

82 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:26 pm

wouldn't.

83 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:26 pm

Look at it this way bartap. We know Sabathia will bounce back. Indians fans are going to have to slowly accept that this is probably closer to the real Cliff Lee than last year was.

84 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:27 pm

[80] If you ahve a better answer for why he stopped running and let the ball drop, I'm, listening.

85 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:29 pm

[84] it would have been a very good play. normally when a ball is going to bounce against a wall and the outfielder knows he won't catch up to it he backs up a little bit. the ball then took a very high hop off the wall making it all look weird. i don't think many outfielders make that catch, it was a well hit ball in the gap.

86 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:31 pm

Hey look, Nady walked

87 MichiganYankee   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:32 pm

[56] Furthermore, Nady has the extra incentive to give his all every day.

88 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:33 pm

[83] I studiously avoided Lee in all my fantasy baseball drafts this year, sure that last year was a fluke. One game isn't going to prove that, but there's really no way he's contending for the Cy Young again.

89 tommyl   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:36 pm

Ugh...I thought we spent all this money to stop watching our pitchers throw a million pitches and give up hits.

90 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:40 pm

[89] Anything less than 30+ perfect games = wasted money.

91 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:41 pm

CC really does have poor fastball command today - missing small, missing big, missing for a ball, missing down the middle...

92 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:42 pm

Jeez, I guess I better not walk the dog anymore. When I left, it was 1-0.

Sorry, Sparky.

93 tommyl   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:42 pm

[90] I know its a long season, but I was really hoping to come out of the gate better than last year (though we did win the opener last year in a beautifully pitched CMW 3-2 game).

94 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:42 pm

[91] He's not missing many of the bats. Hey, Koufax had bad days, right?

95 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:43 pm

inducing a GIDP from the 9 hitter would be nice right now

96 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:43 pm

yrrrrrr welllllcome!

97 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:44 pm

Game Thread! Got on mlb.audio, hope to watch the archived game tonight (if it ever starts working..) How does CC look? 35 strikes, 32 balls..yikes.

98 tommyl   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:44 pm

[94] Just remember how badly CC started last year and how amazing he was down the stretch. He's allowed a so so start.

99 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:44 pm

well, he got outta that jam. ty cobbington does not score!

100 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:47 pm

[97] He looks like he's got some jitters. Poor fastball command, and a lot of bad misses down in the zone. All that said, he's given up 3 ER. If he gets into the 7th without giving up any more runs, I'll be happy with it.

Show/Hide Comments 101-200
101 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:48 pm

The CC injury speculation is starting to scare me a bit.

102 ms october   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:48 pm

oh wow - 1-0 when i was in the car - now 3-1.
i take it cc's control/command is not so sharp.

[98] yeah he said he was a bit pumped to start the year last year - am sure he is quite pumped today too - should settle in soon.

103 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:49 pm

Adam Jones, you are no Willie Mays.

104 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:49 pm

c'mon Tex. now's your time!!!

105 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:49 pm

Three-bagger for Johnny D! The pride of Thailand comes through with the XBH!

106 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:49 pm

[101] I'm on the orioles feed, what speculation?

107 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:49 pm

Jerk one out Tex!

108 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:50 pm

So why the hatred for Tex?

109 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:51 pm

that's a strike

110 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:51 pm

wow, that pitch was too close to take.

111 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:51 pm

At least the ump has a tight zone for both pitchers

112 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:52 pm

terrible, Mats. just awful.

113 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:52 pm

O's announcer just said "O's fan continue to get on Tex, and he continues to not get it done" as Matsui pops out with Tex on first...

114 ms october   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:52 pm

oh matsui!

am finding greg zaun even more annoying as an oriole.

115 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:54 pm

Greg Zaun is Rick Dempsey's nephew or something. Believe he came up with the Os.

116 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:54 pm

[112] You're in mid-season shape already my friend! I hope we won't be seeing a whole year of Popsui..oh Hideki, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you over here..

117 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:54 pm

old friend Tony Clark has hit 2 homers for the Snakes today.

118 MichiganYankee   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:55 pm

According to GameDay, Damon's triple was right at the 410 mark in dead center. Did he crush it?

119 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:55 pm

[106] YES has had a couple of shots of CC applying a hot water bag to his ribs in between innings. Kay and Singleton have been talking about whether this could mean a possible injury. Singleton points out that when CC's right, he's striking people out, and he doesn't have a single K yet.

120 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:55 pm

christ, another leadoff man on base. i hate that.

121 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:55 pm

oh no, Leatherface!

oh no, CC!!!

122 tommyl   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:55 pm

So far the 2009 Yankees look a lot like the 2008 version. Crappy starting pitching and inability to hit with RISP.

123 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:55 pm

These guys are just absolutly teeing off, have there been any swings-and-misses? Velocity seems fine... WTF

124 ms october   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:55 pm

damn brian roberts picked up from last year.

125 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:57 pm

[119] I have to believe that if there was even the slightest inkling that something was wrong with CC, they would have yanked him faster than you can say "highest paid pitcher ever."

126 ms october   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:58 pm

[123] joe morgan thinks there is not much movement on his fastball.

127 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:59 pm

anyone warming in the BP? all these throws over...

128 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 5:59 pm

[127] no

129 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:01 pm

bollocks.

130 monkeypants   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:01 pm

I'm listening on the radio.

Scuffling Yankees + extended interview with Wild Joe Biden = radio turned off.

Seriously, I tune into opening day and I get John Sterling asking Biden about America "voting for a black man."

131 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:01 pm

Not happy with this game so far....

132 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:02 pm

back to back infield singles to short? can someone 'splain?

133 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:02 pm

[130] on espn, Biden said the words "hell" and "man" umpteen times.

134 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:02 pm

CC just looks uncomfortable out there today.

135 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:02 pm

albaladejo now warming in the pen...

136 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:03 pm

[130] Only good thing about mlb.com, listening now to the Orioles radio team!

137 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:03 pm

[132] one was a ball off ransom's glove, the other was when jeter was covering 2nd on a hit and run

138 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:04 pm

oh man

139 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:04 pm

three frigin straight infield singles...

140 tommyl   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:04 pm

Boo, A-Rod sucks! Its all his fault!

141 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:04 pm

and another off ransom's glove. unfrickin-believable...

142 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:05 pm

well, this is certainly a shitty start to the season

143 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:05 pm

[139] should be error

144 mehmattski   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:06 pm

Hey everybody! Just got back from work in time to fire up mlb.tv Premium! Oh wait, I still live in Durham, which is still inexplicably "Oriole Country." So, audio it is... currently complete with vice president Joe Biden... Is CC Sabathia punishing me for drafting him in fantasy baseball?

145 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:07 pm

Every game we lose this year I take out on the cat.

Hear that, Yankees? Don't win for me. Win for the cat.

146 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:07 pm

joe should probably go get him.

147 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:08 pm

Sabathia, 90 pitches, 48 strikes. that ain't right.

148 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:11 pm

aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

149 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:12 pm

go get 'em, joe.

well, *that* was a fugly start.

150 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:12 pm

christ almighty.

151 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:12 pm

Chompin' at the bit to come to this. Bollocks indeed.

152 tommyl   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:13 pm

Phil Hughes, come back! All is forgiven!

153 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:13 pm

wow. walked in a run. very not groovy.

154 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:13 pm

Ugh. All right offense, time to step up.

155 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:15 pm

[154] That's the spirit. I think Joe shoulda yanked CC after the Markakis AB.

156 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:16 pm

Maybe we should have signed that pitcher that was so good for the Brewers down the stretch last year...

157 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:16 pm

SLAPPY!!!

158 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:16 pm

On the other hand, Gardner's looking great out there.

159 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:16 pm

Way to go Brett!

160 mehmattski   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:16 pm

Guess we didn't need Melky's arm in center after all...

161 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:16 pm

Booya Gritty Gutty brett Gardner!!!!!

162 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:16 pm

nice job, gardner! albaladejo, too. i didn't realize how big he was...

163 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:17 pm

not sure about that call

164 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:17 pm

I'm not gonna put any stock in one clunky start. But the lack of Ks and the almost total lack of swinging strikes does have me a bit perplexed. I can only remember one swinging strike.

165 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:18 pm

[152] i was thinkin' more about Moose...

166 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:18 pm

[i]not sure about that call[/i]

i'm sure the ball beat the runner, other than that ... ssssssh!

167 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:19 pm

Atta boy, Jorge.

168 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:19 pm

HIP! HIP!

169 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:19 pm

Nice shot by Jorge.

170 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:19 pm

Hip Hip!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Two steps by Jones, fugedaboutit

171 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:19 pm

And Posada rewards my fantasy baseball faith in him (and helps the real Yankees too)...

172 tommyl   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:19 pm

Hey, welcome back Jorge! 4 more runs boys, lets go.

173 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:19 pm

nice swing Jorge ...

174 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:20 pm

Sabathia looked so bad that if he isn't injured I'll consider it a moral victory.

175 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:20 pm

[163] Yeah, on the replay, Mora was clearly safe.

176 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:21 pm

Randy Marsh ..... should stick to "South Park"

177 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:21 pm

[174] It does sort of lend a bit of credence to the idea CC doesn't command his emotions (and therefore pitches) in big games...

178 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:22 pm

A walk by Cano! That's another silver lining.

179 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:22 pm

Cano walked! They must with a game in which CC starts and both Cano and Nady take walks... (and also when Georgie Juices One)

180 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:22 pm

[177] I don't know...I watched Sabathia pitch in a lot of big games down the stretch last year and he did ok.

181 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:22 pm

[179] errrr "with" = "win"

182 tommyl   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:22 pm

3 runs

183 mehmattski   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:23 pm

Yay! Some offense!

184 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:23 pm

6-3 is much better than 6-1.

185 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:23 pm

fan should be shown out of the park ...

186 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:23 pm

X marks the spot!

187 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:24 pm

That shmuck fan interfered and didn't even get the ball.

188 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:24 pm

A fan did the same thing last night during the Atlanta-Phillies game.

189 tommyl   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:24 pm

So wait, the Orioles get rewarded for one of their jackass fans grabbing the ball in play?

190 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:25 pm

[188] You're right, I remember that - and he was playing it like he didn't do anything wrong...

Teams should really have a staffer walk up and down the lines reminding people not to screw around.

191 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:25 pm

Slowly coming back. . .

192 tommyl   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:25 pm

Are we missing A-Rod yet?

193 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:25 pm

Not a great opener for Ransom.

194 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:25 pm

[189] Umps didn't call it, actually.

195 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:26 pm

dammit, slappy.

pushups!

196 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:26 pm

OK Cap'n. Clutch time.

197 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:26 pm

Good thing they didn't send Cano back to 3B.

[192] Yes...or should I say HA!

198 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:27 pm

[190] After the fan interfered last night they put a ball girl with a chair right in front of him.

I've never sat in seats where I could reach down and grab a ball in play, but I would hope that I would be able to restrain myself.

199 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:28 pm

wow, CC had an in-game WHIP of like 3.00. yikes!

c'mon Cap'n...

200 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:29 pm

Sabathia threw 50 strikes and 46 balls.

Show/Hide Comments 201-300
201 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:30 pm

WTF?!?!?!?

202 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:30 pm

that just fuckin' blows.

203 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:30 pm

Nady, Nady, Nady.

Yeesh!

204 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:30 pm

Nady jackass

205 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:30 pm

Are you effin'' kidding me?

206 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:31 pm

what happeend with the X-man?? mis-read the play??

207 ms october   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:31 pm

that's not the way to end the inning!!

208 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:31 pm

Bobby Meacham is smiling somewhere ...

209 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:31 pm

pastadivingje ... oh wait, jeter was at the plate.

the Xman giveth, the Nady taketh away.

210 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:31 pm

I can understand being caught there, but how do you wind up simply standing still awaiting a tag? Is Nady not interested enough to try a run down? That was pretty awful.

211 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:32 pm

why do i have to press "show all" every time the comments hit 50-100? shouldn't pressing it once suffice?

212 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:32 pm

He could have at least tried to run.

213 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:33 pm

[211] yeah, that's been frustrating since the move from the toaster. glad someone brought it up!

214 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:34 pm

nice curve!

215 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:34 pm

Did the 3B coach tell him to stop/get back?

I'm just trying to figure out who's to blame for that foul up.

216 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:35 pm

wow, i just got a "word press error". said: 'Whoa, you're posting comments too quickly. slow down.' WTF?!

roberts is a freaking pest...

217 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:36 pm

Baltimore's Pedroia. Roberts pisses me off.

218 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:36 pm

Swisher woulda put Zaun into the first row.

219 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:36 pm

[216] Are you serious? I haven't been a big fan of Word Press, but that would be another story altogether...kind of like restricting access to the Field Level ;)

220 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:37 pm

[216] perhaps it didn't like you bringing up our previous home

221 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:37 pm

[218] I don't think Swisher would have quit on the play...I can't fathom why Nady decided to just stop.

222 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:38 pm

[219] yeah man. it was weird.

that was a nice fastball by A'lejo. we need a nickname for him. great location.

beautiful thing picking off that little runt!

223 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:38 pm

Wow...a Yankee 1B who didn't throw the ball away on a run down!!

224 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:39 pm

A well executed pickoff and pickle! It's always so embarrassing when they jack that up

225 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:39 pm

[223] i think that's what roberts is thinking

226 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:39 pm

[220] ah, must be! i brought up the toaster yesterday too, methinks. word press is onto me!!!

227 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:40 pm

From a roto POV, Jones' 3 for 3 pleases the owner of "Homer Bailey and the Bailouts"

228 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:41 pm

wordpress blows.

also, these orioles hitters are not bad.

229 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:42 pm

More annoying commercial:

GEICO googly eyes wad of cash ... or ...

Precocious red-haired "a very SMART girl" in Howie Long's Ford pitches

230 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:44 pm

[229] I am just happy we wont be seeing Giuseppe Frano anymore.

231 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:45 pm

The "money you could be saving" campaign is atrocious. i hate it almost as much as I hate the Baby teaching me how to invest with e-trade.

232 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:46 pm

have a coke ... and a smile!

233 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:46 pm

[229] Can I vote for the ridiculously homoerotic Quiznos commercial?

"Put it in me scott."

"Say it sexier."

Weird.

234 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:46 pm

[231]
The e-trade commercials are at least funny .... for the most part.

235 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:47 pm

[229] Generally I like the Geico ads (hate the e-surance ones), but yeah, the wad of cash ones stink

C'mon, three measly runs this inning, Yankees.

236 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:47 pm

[232] I've been high on coke since late last season.

237 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:47 pm

[229] That red haired girl is the pits. I hope her folks aren't on here reading this. : )

238 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:47 pm

[233]

Well .... you DID remember the company .... so it did its job, right? :-)

239 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:49 pm

[234] I don't find them funny, primarily because I hate babies. Also, given the current state of the world's finances, maybe I don't want to joke around about best practices when it comes to investing.

But I am for sure in a minority on both those things.

240 The Hawk   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:49 pm

Wow I hope most of the Chicken Little comments are tongue in cheek ... It's one game guys! Does anyone really think Sabathia's gonna pitch like this all season? Maybe opening day at the stadium and every playoff game and every other game where he feels a little pressure but not every game! ... I'm just kidding. I think he'll be fine. I was hoping he'd dominate right away but I had a feeling he'd have a rough start, based on last year.

Oh I also love the "if A Rod were here, none of this would be happening" sentiment. Hilarious!

241 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:49 pm

Could have used a big hit from Tex there.

242 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:50 pm

[241] Matsui picked him up!

243 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:50 pm

BANZAI!!!!!!

244 tommyl   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:50 pm

Godzilla!

245 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:50 pm

hell yeah!

246 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:50 pm

Godzilla!!!

247 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:50 pm

GODZILLA!!!!

248 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:50 pm

Set your Ray to 2 run hr.

249 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:50 pm

That blown call on the play at the plate is starting to loom large.

250 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:51 pm

[239] Hate babies??!! I agree with you about how those commercials epitomize everything that is wrong with the brokerage industry.

251 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:51 pm

Right back in it! Now here's some fight!

And the goats in this game are:
CC - who will get better for sure
Nady - replacement at the ready if he doesn't get motivated
Ransom - to be replaced by the best at his position soon enough

This could be a memorable 'scrappy' win

252 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:51 pm

i'm happy that mats and jorgie have gone yard and that cano walked...

253 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:51 pm

Sweet. Let's see if Cano can get us another.

254 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:52 pm

Chris Ray always brings back happy memories of Arod's walkoff in April 2007.

255 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:52 pm

does Tex have some blonde frosting in his hair? i sincerely hope his lips don't all of a sudden become purple...

256 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:52 pm

Will the Swish hit for Gardener?

257 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:52 pm

[239] I hate "talking" babies. Just really gets on my nerves. I also hate using babies to sell things that aren't for babies. Like that old tire commercial that used a baby. Implication that if you didn't by this particular brand of tires then you want your kids to die in a car crash.

258 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:53 pm

[250] I don't really hate them, but I hate how everyone sucks up to them like they're so cute an awesome. They never say anything interesting, and they cry when they don't get what they want, and they crap their pants all the time. I would never be friends with a baby.

259 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:53 pm

[251] well put!

260 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:54 pm

[258] Sounds like a lot of adults I know!

261 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:54 pm

[258] I'm a bit grumpy about babies, but that commercial where the baby answers the cellphone: "yo girl can i hit you back" is hilarious. Not that it would encourage me to put my money with a company that's so cavalier about it...

262 The Hawk   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:56 pm

Keep in mind CC might have gotten away with having given up 3 or 4 runs with a little luck ... He was terrible but might have fought through it without all those infield singles.

263 The Hawk   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:56 pm

Also, how is Nady a goat? He hit an RBI double when they really needed it.

264 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:57 pm

the baby is cute but all i think about is the tool whose voice we hear

265 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:58 pm

If Cano had walked twice in a row, I would have started heading for higher ground.

266 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:58 pm

DY-NO-MITE!!! Cano looks comfy up there.

267 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:58 pm

[261]

Well .... e-trade is NOT AIG, in that e-trade isn't providing customers with the opportunity to take on mortgages they (know they) can't afford ....

but I digress ...

My fave commercial of late is the Cingular one where the daughter puts her stuffed monkey in daddy's briefcase, and daddy takes pictures of the monkey in the different cities on his business trip

268 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:58 pm

I've enjoyed Cano's last two PA more than I can say.

269 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:58 pm

Will the Swish hit for Gardener?

i'd pinch hit here for Nady, or for Ransom.

270 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:59 pm

[263] You're probably right, I'm just annoyed by the lackadaisical fielding on the hit to the wall and getting caught on the bases. Mostly the latter.

271 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:59 pm

[262]

a little luck ..... you mean that "midget" on the NY Lottery commercials? :-)

272 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 6:59 pm

[267] You old softie!

273 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:00 pm

[267] Guess again...E*Trade does have a mortgage division.

I like that Cingular commercial too...I also like the rollover minutes yard sale.

274 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:00 pm

[269] We'll find out soon enough how Joe handles his toys on the bench.

275 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:00 pm

[267] Cingular has some great ads. There was one a few years ago, similar theme to the one you're talking about. There was a guy in a business meeting and he got a text message and got up and did the whole "planes trains and automobiles routine" and then raced into the hospital to meet his pregnant wife. And when he walked in the wife looks up at him with this unbelieveable look of love and relief on her face, and all the while Melissa by the Allman Brothers is wailing in the background.

Choked me up everytime.

276 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:01 pm

i hate all commercials. why should we ever listen to the people selling the product to find out whether we should get it or not? but aside from that, there are really never any actually funny commercials, which is kind of weird but i guess if you can actually think of funny ideas you wouldn't be making commercials.

277 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:01 pm

That pitch was well off the plate...that's a killer.

278 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:01 pm

if we're handing out goat horns, Tex and his 0fer are in the running. Then again we still have a bit of baseball left to go.

279 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:02 pm

[276] Yeah but babies are way worse than commercials.

280 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:03 pm

just back from morning activities, Matsui with the tater!!!

281 tommyl   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:03 pm

Swisher......

282 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:03 pm

Like I said, goat....

283 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:03 pm

ugh

284 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:03 pm

Rally killer...hopefully Girardi will be more willing to play match-ups with Swisher sooner than later.

285 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:04 pm

Also, how is Nady a goat? He hit an RBI double when they really needed it.

Xman hit that double.

Nady got caught off third, misplayed the flyball AND just hit into that double play.

286 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:04 pm

One run down and nothing standing in their way but Baltimore's lousy bullpen. They've still got a shot at this...

287 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:05 pm

[278] He gets a pass in my book for not throwing the ball into the outfield during the rundown... Hopefully he'll get a chance to turn the tide soon enough

288 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:05 pm

Why does it seem all the old sitcom husbands worked in advertising? Maybe I just watched
too many Bewitched reruns.

289 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:06 pm

I hear John Denver's "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" in the background of the radio broadcast..did Baltimore become a small country town since I've been away???

290 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:07 pm

[289] That's been a Baltimore staple for some time now.

291 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:08 pm

[289] By the way...thanks for the intro to Paco earlier this morning.

292 The Hawk   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:08 pm

[285] No fair bringing up the DP that happened after my post!

293 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:08 pm

[290] Beginning to understand my father's reluctance to ever leave NYC..

walking Melvin Mora?? yuck...

294 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:08 pm

just lovely, a lead off walk.

295 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:09 pm

[291] Sure, glad you liked it! He's amazing for sure.
Double Play, no pasta in sight!

296 51cq24   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:10 pm

and what do people think when the yankees play "cotton eye joe"?

297 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:11 pm

[295] Yep...nice to have some musical middle ground. Jeter is 3-3 and playing a good defensive game. Maybe we should keep him around for another year or two after all.

298 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:11 pm

Alright. Score 5 here. No one wants to lose on Opening Day.

299 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:11 pm

[296] Or YMCA...I am not a big Pete Abe fan, but I agree with him that the Yankees between inning entertainment is pretty weak.

300 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:12 pm

looks like swisher is warming to hit this inning.

it should be for ransom, but i bet it'll be gardner, which is sub-optimal.

Show/Hide Comments 301-396
301 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:12 pm

Thank god they didn't try to force a long reliever onto the team and just went with the best pitchers regardless of pigeon hole.

302 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:13 pm

[299]

G-d Bless America is SO 9/11-ish .... let it rest already.

303 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:14 pm

[301] Yep...a long reliever would have probably wrapped this game up in the 5th.

304 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:15 pm

Yes, Swisher!

305 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:15 pm

Line drive smash down the line. Real nice.

306 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:15 pm

I love Nick Swisher's energy...he needs to play more...and I am very sure he soon will.

307 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:15 pm

Joe Girardi is a genius!!

308 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:15 pm

Swish!!!

309 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:15 pm

Yep…nice to have some musical middle ground. Jeter is 3-3 and playing a good defensive game. Maybe we should keep him around for another year or two after all.

DIDN"T YOU SEE THE WBC!?!?!?! LOOK AT THAT BAT SPEED!!! SLOOOOOOOOOOW!!!
CAN"T YOU SEE?!?!!?

/ early leader for the most annoying meme of the '09 season.

meanwhile, little joe listens to me and bammo!

the swish!

310 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:16 pm

I know he advanced the runner this time, but I just don't like the bunt and never will.

311 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:16 pm

[299] Amen. It went from a touching moment to jingoism very quickly, and that scratchy Kate Smith recording is dreadful. I usually mute it.

312 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:16 pm

3-run homers are nice, but small ball is fun too ...

313 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:16 pm

I approve of this smallball - with the bottom of the lineup hitting, and out BP way better than theirs, JoeG couldn't have drawn this up much better. Now Jete get the man on 3rd with less than 2 out home!

314 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:16 pm

This ump's zone is freakin' tight. Holy smokes.

315 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:17 pm

Two run homers are the reason this game is close.

316 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:17 pm

At least it wasn't GIDP...

317 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:17 pm

Who does Jeter think he is ... A-Rod? :-)

318 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:17 pm

ugh.

captain, oh my craptain.

319 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:17 pm

Captain Clutch fails to get it done.

Also, Pena looks like he's 14.

320 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:17 pm

Yuck...not cashing in those runs with a man on 3rd is a theme I'd like to leave in 2008.

321 SteveAmerica   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:18 pm

jeter's not clutch.

322 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:18 pm

[319] While Greg Zaun looks like he's 50.

323 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:19 pm

I'd love to see Pena double-switch with Jeter for the rest of the game.

324 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:20 pm

redemption time fo sho

325 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:20 pm

C'mon, Tex. Get it done.

326 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:21 pm

damnit!

327 bartap   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:22 pm

Carp.

328 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:22 pm

Grrrrrrrrrrr.

Grumble grumble grumble.

329 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:22 pm

not a good day for the new guys.

330 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:22 pm

DId the O's fans boo Tex as much when he was with the Angels? Or Rangers? Mopes.

331 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:22 pm

Well the big money imports aren't having the best opener so far.

332 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:22 pm

Not scoring against Jim Johnson kind of feels like a major wasted opportunity. The bunt isn't always a bad play, but against a pitcher like Johnson, I'd really hate giving away outs.

333 The Hawk   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:24 pm

Holy shit, gotta get rid of Jeter ASAP. He's obviously lost it and oh yeah he was never that good to begin with.

334 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:24 pm

well, that Mohegan Sun commerical ought to get annoying quickly.

335 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:25 pm

[332] Having Jeter up with a man on 3rd, 1 out, with a 1 run deficit ought to have turned out differently...

Coke has a nice and easy delivery doesn't he.

336 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:28 pm

Fuck.

337 Just Fair   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:28 pm

Instant replay.

338 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:28 pm

Frak! Freaking frak frak!!!!

339 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:29 pm

izturus? christ. game over. i can't stomach 6 months of this shit...

340 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:29 pm

well, that turned to shit in a hurry.

341 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:29 pm

Ya know I was going to post that after getting Scott out Coke should be relieved.

How do they not use reply on this, where clearly the fans interfered!

342 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:29 pm

That fan definitely interfered.

343 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:29 pm

Jeffrey Maier's alter-ego ..... ?

344 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:29 pm

Ok..they're even now.

345 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:30 pm

Girardi probably pushed Coke too far. I think he also left CC in too long. Some hiccups from Joe today.

346 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:32 pm

I just don't understand how they're not looking at the replay.

347 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:33 pm

[346] The replay wouldn't have changed anything. It is too hard to tell whether Damon's glove was over the wall or not.

348 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:34 pm

sigh..time to head out to the office. bummer to start a sunny day like this..Izturis?!?!?!

349 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:35 pm

[347] O's broadcast had a shot from behind the fans that seemed to show pretty clearly a fan impersonating Jeff Maier

350 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:37 pm

The worst part of an Opening Day loss is that damn day off that follows.

351 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:38 pm

Looked to me like Damon's glove went a bit back into the stands.

352 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:40 pm

sloppy sloppy sloppy. me no likey.

353 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:41 pm

Yikes...didn't this team roar through Spring Training? It's getting ugly out there.

354 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:42 pm

evidently, BBruney has returned.

lovely.

355 ms october   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:42 pm

i really hope brian bruney has not reverted to bb - as st was not very promising and today he has not been sharp.

356 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:44 pm

[355] If he has, then the Yankees should be prepared to dip into their righty reliever depth.

357 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:45 pm

holy jesus. this fucking sucks ass.

358 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:45 pm

Well that's the ballgame.

359 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:45 pm

Uh oh...2008 Marte is in the building. I have a feeling that Marte is not going to be a reliable member of this pen.

360 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:45 pm

say g'nite gracie.

pitching implosion a nice way to start the season.

361 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:46 pm

catch the fucking ball, jorge!

362 The Hawk   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:46 pm

[339] Is your name short for "the alarmist"?

; )

363 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:46 pm

What, are the Yankees reverting to spring training form?

364 nemecizer   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:47 pm

Well, a few years ago we started the season with Carl Pavano on the mound and won. I'd rather have this team. Still, my hopes of going 162-0 for the regular season are probably dashed.

365 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:47 pm

[359] i thought that signing was dumb. in other news, i found an old Buddy Rich CD in my collection that has "Frim Fram Sauce" on it! i haven't listened to that disc in many many years. don't recall that version at all. i'll have to spin it, at some point...

366 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:48 pm

Jorge, Matsui and Cano all had very good ABs, so there is a silver lining.

Tex saves Jetes and error...nice scoop.

367 ms october   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:48 pm

all the "experts" who contended that the yankee bullpen would be problemtaic must be gloating on day 1.
agreed william - cashman and girardi have to treat the pen as a performance based, what have you done for me lately area.

368 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:48 pm

wow, Tex saves some more disgrace there. jeter can't throw, jorge can't catch, pitchers can't throw strikes, nady can't run the bases. looking forward to another 161 games! : /

369 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:49 pm

[364] my hopes for the Shit Sox going 0-162 are still alive! unfortunately, the Muts ruined that for me today...

370 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:49 pm

[365] Never heard that version either...it probably can't beat the Nat King Cole version, I would think.

371 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:50 pm

Marte is going to be the new Farnsworth. I can feel it in my bones.

372 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:50 pm

Marte and Nady are going to be this season's whipping boys, mostly because they are miscast in their roles.

373 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:51 pm

Final score will be 10-8.

374 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:52 pm

[370] oh, i've heard it. it's just that it was probably 18 years ago and i didn't even know that tune then! i know - and love - the diana krall version. her tribute album to nat king cole is really terrific.

375 Diane Firstman   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:53 pm

Tigers down 4 to Halladay in 2nd .... consider that a loss.

376 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:54 pm

[375] Consider that a reoccurring theme.

377 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:54 pm

and Sori has gone yard.

looking forward to the King Felix - Liriano matchup later. should be a doozie!

378 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:55 pm

Cano walking for a second time gives me chills.

379 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:55 pm

another walk for robbie. color me impressed...

380 rbj   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:55 pm

Just remember, in 1998 they started out 0-3 plus a chunk of concrete fell off the old stadium.

381 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:55 pm

Hey look, Cano walked again. golden lining.

382 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:55 pm

Oh well...hopefully the Yankees didn't use up their wins in Spring Training. Now everyone will have two days to panic...should be lots of fun!

383 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:56 pm

well, that sucked.

384 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:56 pm

[372] I sort of think it would be easier to just have neither guy.

385 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 6, 2009 7:57 pm

well. that blew.

386 Rich   ~  Apr 6, 2009 8:10 pm

It was great to see some SLG from Posasa and Matsui, and some OBP from Cano, as well as Jeter's offense.

But they really need to move on from thinking Nady and Marte can play key roles.

387 monkeypants   ~  Apr 6, 2009 8:25 pm

[386, etc] Sorry, I tuned out after the Joe Biden show began. I see that I missed the Banter shaping up into midseason form already in the first game. I probably agree with you, but do you think that one game might be, perhaps, too early to write off players.

388 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 6, 2009 8:38 pm

Ugly first loss for sure..some good points: Matsui dinger, Cano with the "goodeyegoodeye", Jeter with the bat, Jorge with the dinger..

CC will be there over the course of the season, no worries about him. It's all about the bullpen today..

389 Rich   ~  Apr 6, 2009 8:42 pm

[387] I'm basing it on their respective careers.

390 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 6, 2009 9:01 pm

[387] haha, was Biden that bad? I don't mind the occasional politico dropping by the booth. The cross-promotion of tv shows with a "star" in the booth is much more annoying.

btw..why IS there aa day off after Opening Day??

391 monkeypants   ~  Apr 6, 2009 9:13 pm

[390] Maybe b/c there are so many rainouts early in the season?

392 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 9:19 pm

Big G back to wearing # 16 w/ the Green & Gold...

393 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 9:20 pm

[390] Clifford Brown's great! listening to him right now w/ an all-star cast - Lou Donaldson, Elmo Hope, Percy Heath & Philly Joe Jones.

394 thelarmis   ~  Apr 6, 2009 9:32 pm

Junior laced a liner off Liriano right over the baggie in Minny. it was beautiful seeing him in a Seattle uni, wearing #24 and hitting a homer. good for him! too bad it wasn't in the pacific northwest. that's #612 on his career. i love the Kid!!!

395 monkeypants   ~  Apr 6, 2009 10:02 pm

Meanwhile, the polite Canadian fans at the Rogers Centre are close to causing the Blue Jays, up by 7 runs in the 8th inning, to forfeit by throwing stuff on the field. Sweet.

396 3rd gen yankee fan   ~  Apr 6, 2009 10:44 pm

I just wanted to say hi to everyone. I got busy when the misery began and got home to find out just how uglee it was. Well, um, oh well! Not what I expected but I'd still lay money on the Yanks to take #27 this year!

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