Not sure what prompted the change, but Joba Chamberlain looked as if he were pitching an eighth inning, every inning last night against El Tigres. He was throwing gas and his breaking stuff was better than at any point this season.
Maybe he just figured, screw it, I'll go as hard as I can, as long as I can. It paid off.
17 runs in two innings ain't bad either.
But Nick Swisher won't carry this team all season.
11-10. It could be worse.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Mediocre again
So, of course, I packed it in last night after watching Phil Hughes dominate (with a brief struggle in the fourth) and missed all the excitement, meaning I haven' seen the Yankees win a game in more than a week.
The most important part of the box score is Hughes' six innings, combined with a scoreless inning from each subsequent pitcher, the formula the Yankees used to great success years ago, when the bullpen wasn't overexposed every night and Jeff Nelson and Mike Stanton looked superhuman.
No word as to whether swine flu has hit Detroit.
The most important part of the box score is Hughes' six innings, combined with a scoreless inning from each subsequent pitcher, the formula the Yankees used to great success years ago, when the bullpen wasn't overexposed every night and Jeff Nelson and Mike Stanton looked superhuman.
No word as to whether swine flu has hit Detroit.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Asleep at the wheel
So, I missed the big weekend series, but I'm pretty sure the Yanks took at least two of three. After that thrilling win against Oakland, they had good mojo. Let's just check the box scores ...
Game 1: Rivera blew a save with two-outs. Damaso Martee gives up the game winner ... oh, to a right-handed batter, I see.
Game 2: Blew a six-run lead. Jason Varitek, with his hefty .210 batting average hit a grand slam. Yanks lose, giving up 16 runs in the process.
Game 3: Scored one run. Ellsbury steals home. Lose to Justin Masterson?! Great. Just great.
In all honesty, I suffered through about 90 percent of these games ... oddly, I missed Varitek's home run. All that stuff happened in a span of about 10 minutes, it seemed. But I did catch Ellsbury's game-tying blast. And his stumbling, bumbling steal of home.
These games are harder and harder to watch. The baseball is awful and they last FOREVER.
I keep asking myself if this is how baseball is played elsewhere ... I don't watch as much of the other teams as I once did, but I can only assume it's better.
And they lost last night too, to ... oh, I don't know.
AND, despite who awfully embarassingly the new Dumpium is, ticket prices are going. What the hell is happening to this team?
Game 1: Rivera blew a save with two-outs. Damaso Martee gives up the game winner ... oh, to a right-handed batter, I see.
Game 2: Blew a six-run lead. Jason Varitek, with his hefty .210 batting average hit a grand slam. Yanks lose, giving up 16 runs in the process.
Game 3: Scored one run. Ellsbury steals home. Lose to Justin Masterson?! Great. Just great.
In all honesty, I suffered through about 90 percent of these games ... oddly, I missed Varitek's home run. All that stuff happened in a span of about 10 minutes, it seemed. But I did catch Ellsbury's game-tying blast. And his stumbling, bumbling steal of home.
These games are harder and harder to watch. The baseball is awful and they last FOREVER.
I keep asking myself if this is how baseball is played elsewhere ... I don't watch as much of the other teams as I once did, but I can only assume it's better.
And they lost last night too, to ... oh, I don't know.
AND, despite who awfully embarassingly the new Dumpium is, ticket prices are going. What the hell is happening to this team?
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Melky Way?
So, Cabrera hits his second home run of the day/evening and the Yanks walk off happy.
So did several thousand fans.
Listening to the radio broadcast is always a different experience from TV ... I know, a mindblowing assertion.
But Sterling and Waldman did a second Daily News Fifth in the 14th inning, which I thought was pretty funny, during which time, Sterling says, "I'm getting loopy."
Then, once Melky won the game, Waldman hustled down to interview ... Nick Swisher ... because he speaks English. And he did walk 10 times in 15 games. So there's that.
While CC was pretty awful, and usually is in April, the bulllpen was stellar, even human stink-piles Phil Coke and Damaso Martee. But Jose Veras was the star, going 4, count em, 4 innings, retiring 10 in a row after walking the first batter he faced.
Don't be surprised if Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon find themselves jockeying for space on the bench while Melky, Brett Gradner and Nick Swisher get more starts in the outfield. Oddly, those three can run AND throw AND catch. Go figure.
So did several thousand fans.
Listening to the radio broadcast is always a different experience from TV ... I know, a mindblowing assertion.
But Sterling and Waldman did a second Daily News Fifth in the 14th inning, which I thought was pretty funny, during which time, Sterling says, "I'm getting loopy."
Then, once Melky won the game, Waldman hustled down to interview ... Nick Swisher ... because he speaks English. And he did walk 10 times in 15 games. So there's that.
While CC was pretty awful, and usually is in April, the bulllpen was stellar, even human stink-piles Phil Coke and Damaso Martee. But Jose Veras was the star, going 4, count em, 4 innings, retiring 10 in a row after walking the first batter he faced.
Don't be surprised if Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon find themselves jockeying for space on the bench while Melky, Brett Gradner and Nick Swisher get more starts in the outfield. Oddly, those three can run AND throw AND catch. Go figure.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Bonus baseball
Although I'm pretty sure Joe Girardi is trying to lose games.
Phil Coke AND Damaso Martee pitched in this game.
CC's 7 runs don't exactly inspire, though.
Phil Coke AND Damaso Martee pitched in this game.
CC's 7 runs don't exactly inspire, though.
And despite all this ...
... the Yanks could be 9-6 by the end of today's game, with three horrendous starts from Wanger.
I guess it could be worse.
I guess it could be worse.
No pitching ...
... and awful defense.
Is stupidity contagious? Yes.
In the span of three minutes, I saw Johnny Damon turn a routine pop fly into a two-base error and Derek Jeter, instead of ending the inning on a Jack Cust comebacker to the mound, went home instead of to first.
Only, the closest person to home was Jason Giambi.
So, instead of returning to the dugout down one, they return down two and sinking that much closer to Bad News Bears pre-Amanda Wulitzer/Kelly Leak status.
I wonder if Chico's Bail Bonds would buy a Yankees' sponsorship. Or at least a few seats. There's plenty available. And by plenty, I mean nearly all of them.
Is stupidity contagious? Yes.
In the span of three minutes, I saw Johnny Damon turn a routine pop fly into a two-base error and Derek Jeter, instead of ending the inning on a Jack Cust comebacker to the mound, went home instead of to first.
Only, the closest person to home was Jason Giambi.
So, instead of returning to the dugout down one, they return down two and sinking that much closer to Bad News Bears pre-Amanda Wulitzer/Kelly Leak status.
I wonder if Chico's Bail Bonds would buy a Yankees' sponsorship. Or at least a few seats. There's plenty available. And by plenty, I mean nearly all of them.
Pitching ...
... and defense!
It works.
Seven innings from Andy Pettitte, two of spotless relief.
I can't believe they played last night. In fact, I thought I heard the game was a wash out. Guess not. Had I watched that game, I would have enjoyed it. Sigh.
You heard it here first (probably not): Brett Gardner = Rookie of the Year.
It works.
Seven innings from Andy Pettitte, two of spotless relief.
I can't believe they played last night. In fact, I thought I heard the game was a wash out. Guess not. Had I watched that game, I would have enjoyed it. Sigh.
You heard it here first (probably not): Brett Gardner = Rookie of the Year.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Shell-shocked, but not blind
I have lots to say about the new Yankee Stadium, but it boils down to the follow:
If there is a God, he'll prove his existence by going Sodom and Gomorrah on it. Seriously, I'll avert my eyes, as will every sane Yankees fan. The rest of you jerk can turn to huge piles of salt ... looking at you Little Steinbrenners.
Chien-Ming Wang, if he isn't curled up in a ball in his locker, should sue the architects of this joint.
Remember the good ole days when Fly balls to right and left center would happily land in Bernie Williams' glove? Now they land 20 rows back ... in the only seats people can afford ... have you noticed the seats near home plate and baselines are spotted with fans and outfield and upper levels are jammed? I have.
Who puts a glass-enclosed bar in dead centerfield? Don't tell me it isn't distracting. Jorge Posada already asked that some concrete be painted out there. There was a very good reason that entire section in the old place was blocked off and painted black. But wait, that space wasn't doing anything but helping batters see ... it wasn't selling booze and food ... except, the Mohegan Sun bar doesn't appear to be doing that either. Unless you can sell concessions to tumble weeds and very bored looking employees. But that may be fear ...
After the absolute drubbing the Injuns hung on the Yanks, you couldn't escape the highlights reels. Historic, brutal, you'll never see this again ... Fine, I get it.
Skip ahead to the next day and AJ Burnett gives up three hits, two homeruns, shocker, and three runs in 7 innings. Another great start. He left trailing and Yanks scratched out a run, then got a huge pinch-hit blast, complete with controversy, to take the lead. They piled on an excuse-me double from no-hittin' Cody Ransom with the bases choked and sealed the game.
I watched SportsCenter for 30 minutes and didn't get a sniff of those highlights. The show even did a Major League roundup and conveniently left out the Yanks righting the ship, sort of. Then, when the Yanks finally came around, the game highlights were prefaced with? You guessed it ... images from the previous day. Makes sense.
Yankees hating is alive and well and painfully obvious.
If there is a God, he'll prove his existence by going Sodom and Gomorrah on it. Seriously, I'll avert my eyes, as will every sane Yankees fan. The rest of you jerk can turn to huge piles of salt ... looking at you Little Steinbrenners.
Chien-Ming Wang, if he isn't curled up in a ball in his locker, should sue the architects of this joint.
Remember the good ole days when Fly balls to right and left center would happily land in Bernie Williams' glove? Now they land 20 rows back ... in the only seats people can afford ... have you noticed the seats near home plate and baselines are spotted with fans and outfield and upper levels are jammed? I have.
Who puts a glass-enclosed bar in dead centerfield? Don't tell me it isn't distracting. Jorge Posada already asked that some concrete be painted out there. There was a very good reason that entire section in the old place was blocked off and painted black. But wait, that space wasn't doing anything but helping batters see ... it wasn't selling booze and food ... except, the Mohegan Sun bar doesn't appear to be doing that either. Unless you can sell concessions to tumble weeds and very bored looking employees. But that may be fear ...
After the absolute drubbing the Injuns hung on the Yanks, you couldn't escape the highlights reels. Historic, brutal, you'll never see this again ... Fine, I get it.
Skip ahead to the next day and AJ Burnett gives up three hits, two homeruns, shocker, and three runs in 7 innings. Another great start. He left trailing and Yanks scratched out a run, then got a huge pinch-hit blast, complete with controversy, to take the lead. They piled on an excuse-me double from no-hittin' Cody Ransom with the bases choked and sealed the game.
I watched SportsCenter for 30 minutes and didn't get a sniff of those highlights. The show even did a Major League roundup and conveniently left out the Yanks righting the ship, sort of. Then, when the Yanks finally came around, the game highlights were prefaced with? You guessed it ... images from the previous day. Makes sense.
Yankees hating is alive and well and painfully obvious.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Truly baffling
So, the Yanks did the "legends" intros in alphabetical order, so Jesse Barfield was standing next to Yogi Berra. Who was missing from this illustrious group that made me say "who" more often than not?
Well, Joe Torre and Don Mattingly. Yeah.
Who else, though? How about Steve Sax, Alvaro Espinoza, Steve Balboni, Ron Kittle, Dan Pasqua, Mel F-ing Hall, Joel Skinner, Butch Winegar ... I can go on. Oh, you want me to?
Ed Whitson, Danny Tartabul, Roberto Kelly, Luis Polonia (I think he's in jail), Kevin Mass, Brien Taylor (ha ha), Tony Fernandez ... I mean, this list is endless, considering who they actually got to show up.
Also, Jorge Posada is cold cold cold ...
Well, Joe Torre and Don Mattingly. Yeah.
Who else, though? How about Steve Sax, Alvaro Espinoza, Steve Balboni, Ron Kittle, Dan Pasqua, Mel F-ing Hall, Joel Skinner, Butch Winegar ... I can go on. Oh, you want me to?
Ed Whitson, Danny Tartabul, Roberto Kelly, Luis Polonia (I think he's in jail), Kevin Mass, Brien Taylor (ha ha), Tony Fernandez ... I mean, this list is endless, considering who they actually got to show up.
Also, Jorge Posada is cold cold cold ...
It's Bernie
Now musician Bernie Williams is out there. With a real guitar.
Why does the baseball player have the guitar and the musician have the bat-hybrid thingy?
Also, where the F is Paul O'Neill on drums?
We live in a strange world.
Why does the baseball player have the guitar and the musician have the bat-hybrid thingy?
Also, where the F is Paul O'Neill on drums?
We live in a strange world.
Weird little instrument
John Fogerty is playing a guitar shaped like a bat.
Or maybe a bat turned into a guitar. Either way, it's scaring me.
Oh yeah, it's OPENING DAY at the new Yankee Stadium. It's impressive, but it still sucks.
Or maybe a bat turned into a guitar. Either way, it's scaring me.
Oh yeah, it's OPENING DAY at the new Yankee Stadium. It's impressive, but it still sucks.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Not so close
It's amazing how fast, and easy to watch, a well-pitched game is, even when Yankees starter AJ Burnett looked as if he were unraveling in the seventh inning after throwing six no-hit innings.
Winning is nice, too.
Brett Gardner is going to be huge for the Yankees if he can keep that slashing swing. Base running is such an important thing, and something the Yankees haven't done well, with few exceptions, in years.
Winning is nice, too.
Brett Gardner is going to be huge for the Yankees if he can keep that slashing swing. Base running is such an important thing, and something the Yankees haven't done well, with few exceptions, in years.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
It's early?
Here's what I've seen of the Yankees in the past week.
Joe Girardi makes inexplicable pitching changes and allows Phil Coke to choke up a slim lead with two outs in the eighth to the hapless Royals, turning a sweep into ... well, a not sweep.
Pat Burrell hits a solo bomb of Edwar Ramirez to give the Rays a 12-2 lead in an eventual 15-5 victory.
The guys on EEI said the season was only 4 percent complete and despite how horrible the Yanks and Red Sox have been, they'll be in the hunt when it's the dust settles.
I think I've become a horrible Yankees fan. Or maybe a typical one, I'm not sure.
I'm OK with losing if it isn't embarassing. What the Yankees are now, is embarassing, clueless ... apparent ace Nick Swisher is a breathe a life into an otherwise bloated, dare I say it, corpse of a team. But watching this parade of horrible relievers and baffling moves by Joe Girardi is slowly driving me insane. I shouldn't yell at a TV. I shouldn't. It's unhealthy, to say the least. And I like my TV. And I want it to like me.
Sure, the Yanks twitch every so often, but maybe it's time to let this body die and be reborn.
Maybe it's become evident that imported players cannot succeed as home-grown players can. Or maybe the Yanks just hit on something and now that something is done. Sadly, if that's the case, it was by their own hand.
I'm looking at you Carl Pavano, Jason Giambi, Raul Mondesi, Randy Johnson ...
Joe Girardi makes inexplicable pitching changes and allows Phil Coke to choke up a slim lead with two outs in the eighth to the hapless Royals, turning a sweep into ... well, a not sweep.
Pat Burrell hits a solo bomb of Edwar Ramirez to give the Rays a 12-2 lead in an eventual 15-5 victory.
The guys on EEI said the season was only 4 percent complete and despite how horrible the Yanks and Red Sox have been, they'll be in the hunt when it's the dust settles.
I think I've become a horrible Yankees fan. Or maybe a typical one, I'm not sure.
I'm OK with losing if it isn't embarassing. What the Yankees are now, is embarassing, clueless ... apparent ace Nick Swisher is a breathe a life into an otherwise bloated, dare I say it, corpse of a team. But watching this parade of horrible relievers and baffling moves by Joe Girardi is slowly driving me insane. I shouldn't yell at a TV. I shouldn't. It's unhealthy, to say the least. And I like my TV. And I want it to like me.
Sure, the Yanks twitch every so often, but maybe it's time to let this body die and be reborn.
Maybe it's become evident that imported players cannot succeed as home-grown players can. Or maybe the Yanks just hit on something and now that something is done. Sadly, if that's the case, it was by their own hand.
I'm looking at you Carl Pavano, Jason Giambi, Raul Mondesi, Randy Johnson ...
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
No time for blog, Dr. Jones
Spring Training Yankees had me excited for Opening Day, but for some reason, the Orioles always, always give me that “so me on the doll where he touched you” discomfort.
No matter what the Yankees do, the O’s give them fits, and you just expect something stupid/bad to happen.
To that end, I present exhibits A and B:
C.C. Sabathia can’t throw a fastball for a strike. Two wild pitches in the first inning?
Mark Teixeira was lustily booed, which was pretty funny, especially with the Imperial March music in the background. What wasn’t funny was the weak grounders and pops he offered for Yankees fans.
Obviously, they’re pressing. They’ll say they aren’t ...
Exhibit C: Johnny Damon playing a double into a home run.
I understand baseball is 162 games. But for a moment, I felt this was 2008, and these Yankees were that bumbling group of underachievers.
When Nick Swisher doubled to lead-off the eighth and Brett Gardner moved him along, I thought “this is the kind of baseball we need.” Then Jeter rolled out to short and Damon ... you know, at that point, I was playing Gears of War 2, so I’m not sure what happened.
Obviously, I’m in mid-season form.
OK, so, it’s a long season ... the Yankees have good pitching. A solid lineup, speed, a pretty good bench.
Deep breath ... they’ll win 90. I just hope that’s good enough.
No matter what the Yankees do, the O’s give them fits, and you just expect something stupid/bad to happen.
To that end, I present exhibits A and B:
C.C. Sabathia can’t throw a fastball for a strike. Two wild pitches in the first inning?
Mark Teixeira was lustily booed, which was pretty funny, especially with the Imperial March music in the background. What wasn’t funny was the weak grounders and pops he offered for Yankees fans.
Obviously, they’re pressing. They’ll say they aren’t ...
Exhibit C: Johnny Damon playing a double into a home run.
I understand baseball is 162 games. But for a moment, I felt this was 2008, and these Yankees were that bumbling group of underachievers.
When Nick Swisher doubled to lead-off the eighth and Brett Gardner moved him along, I thought “this is the kind of baseball we need.” Then Jeter rolled out to short and Damon ... you know, at that point, I was playing Gears of War 2, so I’m not sure what happened.
Obviously, I’m in mid-season form.
OK, so, it’s a long season ... the Yankees have good pitching. A solid lineup, speed, a pretty good bench.
Deep breath ... they’ll win 90. I just hope that’s good enough.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
