Well, what can you say? At least the winning run didn't reach base via the walk.
Extra inning road games are always dicey, but you'd expect the Yanks could score more than two runs against the White Sox, who look staggeringly old. What happened to those guys?
They won, sure, but what a wretched lineup.
Carlos Quentin is a former MVP candidate, he's hitting .213. Jim Thome's hitting .250. The 2B, SS combination is hitting and .263 and .228. And Mark Kotsay, when did he get there? is hitting .232. But in the AL Central, that's good enough for a winning record, apparently.
Speaking of awful, A-Rod wowed the crowd last night with the following: 1st inning fielder's choice, 4th inning looking strikeout, 6th swinging strikeout, 9th inning swinging strikeout. Can't suck any more than that.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
I was positive ...
And so too was David Ortiz. Bam!
Called it.
Called it.
Called it.
Shouldn't we now just assume everyone except DereK Jeter was doing it and move on?
Called it.
Called it.
Called it.
Shouldn't we now just assume everyone except DereK Jeter was doing it and move on?
Empathizing with Wang
Joba Chamberlain threw eight innings ... in one game! Woo hoo!
To be fair, Chamberlain was about as nasty as I've seen him. Eight innings, three hits. Didn't count the obnoxious fist pumps. Can't ask for more.
Stellar pitching aside, the highlight of the game was the first-inning single by Mark Teixeira. I've never seen three infielders, in, on the same side. What's the point? For a game that relies so heavily on statistics and probabilities, the odds overwhelmingly show bringing the infield in improves a hitter's chances. So, instead of crippling two infielder's, you've crippled three.
Headline of the day: "Posada empathizes with Wang's pain." Don't we all? Am I right guys? Guys ...?
And from mlb.com, the Yankes acquired this guy from the Rockies: Jason Hirsh, 27. He has not pitched in the Major Leagues this season. He was 6-7 with a 6.66 ERA in 20 games (16 starts) for Triple-A Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League. In 101 1/3 innings, Hirsh allowed 130 hits and 78 runs (75 earned) while walking 35 and striking out 59.
He's sure to help.
Brian Bruney's 1/3 of an inning last night was less-than inspiring. You have to wonder if his arm is still hurting. He's lied once before to get back, it's likely he's trying to play through lingering pain, or, he caused a different problem trying to compensate for the elbow trouble he's been suffering. Either way, this isn't the guy we've seen.
Can't believe George resurfaced. I honestly thought he was dead, and the Yanks were just keeping quiet. It's so strange to have him gone, and want him back. In hindsight, it was nice to have an owner who was out there, who had personality/ Hank and Hal can try, but they won't be their dad, they'll always just be acting like him.
A-Rod watch: 1 for 5, two groundball double plays, swing strike out, pop out, bloop single.
To be fair, Chamberlain was about as nasty as I've seen him. Eight innings, three hits. Didn't count the obnoxious fist pumps. Can't ask for more.
Stellar pitching aside, the highlight of the game was the first-inning single by Mark Teixeira. I've never seen three infielders, in, on the same side. What's the point? For a game that relies so heavily on statistics and probabilities, the odds overwhelmingly show bringing the infield in improves a hitter's chances. So, instead of crippling two infielder's, you've crippled three.
Headline of the day: "Posada empathizes with Wang's pain." Don't we all? Am I right guys? Guys ...?
And from mlb.com, the Yankes acquired this guy from the Rockies: Jason Hirsh, 27. He has not pitched in the Major Leagues this season. He was 6-7 with a 6.66 ERA in 20 games (16 starts) for Triple-A Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League. In 101 1/3 innings, Hirsh allowed 130 hits and 78 runs (75 earned) while walking 35 and striking out 59.
He's sure to help.
Brian Bruney's 1/3 of an inning last night was less-than inspiring. You have to wonder if his arm is still hurting. He's lied once before to get back, it's likely he's trying to play through lingering pain, or, he caused a different problem trying to compensate for the elbow trouble he's been suffering. Either way, this isn't the guy we've seen.
Can't believe George resurfaced. I honestly thought he was dead, and the Yanks were just keeping quiet. It's so strange to have him gone, and want him back. In hindsight, it was nice to have an owner who was out there, who had personality/ Hank and Hal can try, but they won't be their dad, they'll always just be acting like him.
A-Rod watch: 1 for 5, two groundball double plays, swing strike out, pop out, bloop single.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
A-Rod: the greatest of his generation
They say baseball is a game of failure, which explains why Alex Rodriguez is the highest-paid player in the game.
For the remainder of the season, I will do my best to chronicle the failures of A-Rod. As the Yankees win, it will undoubtedly be in spite of his efforts.
Last night, riding a wave of stellar starting pitching, the Yankees were cruising yet again, up 5-1 on the strength of another solid, seven-inning start from AJ Burnett.
In his first first four at-bats, A-Rod grounded into a force play to end an inning; walked; went down looking with two on and one out (he argued the call but it's where to ball crosses, not where it's caught, jerk) and flew out to right with two on and two out, ending another inning.
When Rodriguez took his fifth at-bat (fourth official) the Yanks were in cruise control and any more scoring was insurance. And so, A-Rod doubles in two runs. Which were immediately answered in the bottom of the inning.
Of course, the Yanks tacked on four more in their ninth, making the game a rout, but it was over in the sixth.
Once again, A-Rod's failures were overshadowed by brilliant pitching, and frankly, a Tampa team playing to its potential.
Last year was a fluke. James Shields, "Big Game James" indeed, pitched the way he should. Nine hits and five runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Final thought about the Rays: Check out the S.I. article about Carl Crawford and his "phonebook" thighs. Really? Went with "phonebook" as the adjective ... I would have gone in a different direction.
For the remainder of the season, I will do my best to chronicle the failures of A-Rod. As the Yankees win, it will undoubtedly be in spite of his efforts.
Last night, riding a wave of stellar starting pitching, the Yankees were cruising yet again, up 5-1 on the strength of another solid, seven-inning start from AJ Burnett.
In his first first four at-bats, A-Rod grounded into a force play to end an inning; walked; went down looking with two on and one out (he argued the call but it's where to ball crosses, not where it's caught, jerk) and flew out to right with two on and two out, ending another inning.
When Rodriguez took his fifth at-bat (fourth official) the Yanks were in cruise control and any more scoring was insurance. And so, A-Rod doubles in two runs. Which were immediately answered in the bottom of the inning.
Of course, the Yanks tacked on four more in their ninth, making the game a rout, but it was over in the sixth.
Once again, A-Rod's failures were overshadowed by brilliant pitching, and frankly, a Tampa team playing to its potential.
Last year was a fluke. James Shields, "Big Game James" indeed, pitched the way he should. Nine hits and five runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Final thought about the Rays: Check out the S.I. article about Carl Crawford and his "phonebook" thighs. Really? Went with "phonebook" as the adjective ... I would have gone in a different direction.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
It's the pitching, stupid
Pitch well, win games.
Pretty simple, but the Yankees lost their way for a long time.
Despite the team's success, there are a few things I'd like to see change:
Jose Molina is great, but he isn't going to be around long. Francisco Cervelli may have been playing above his ability, but he deserved a a chance to stay with the big club. Trading Molina isn't likely, and Cervelli will be back, but I wonder what being demoted, through no fault of his own, will do to him when he gets back.
More Brett Gardner. But who sits? JD is the weak link defensively, but he's productive at the plate. Swisher is the weakest link across the board, but has the intangibles the Yankees need. He takes walks, play OK defense, can hit from both sides. Melky is streaky at the plate, but has proven to be the best of the three starters. Gardner, one way or another, should be in every game, and that doesn't happen. Fortunately, speed doesn't slump, but again, what good is he on the bench for nine innings?
Seven innings seems to be the cut-off for Yankees starters. Why? CC and AJ are more than capable of finishing what they start, while Pettitte, because of his age and Joba, because of his inability to consistently finish hitters, aren't. And the fifth spot in the rotation is always a question. Those two to four innings CC and AJ surrender to the bullpen will add up in the long run, and probably won't affect them. And at this point, I'm sure Mo wouldn't complain about a giving up some saves in exchange for more rest. Plus, complete games are fun and nostalgic.
Not complaining of course. Whatever the Yankees are doing is working well, but if you can't bitch about something - which you can't change and have absolutely zero effect on anyway - why exactly was the Internet invented?
Pretty simple, but the Yankees lost their way for a long time.
Despite the team's success, there are a few things I'd like to see change:
Jose Molina is great, but he isn't going to be around long. Francisco Cervelli may have been playing above his ability, but he deserved a a chance to stay with the big club. Trading Molina isn't likely, and Cervelli will be back, but I wonder what being demoted, through no fault of his own, will do to him when he gets back.
More Brett Gardner. But who sits? JD is the weak link defensively, but he's productive at the plate. Swisher is the weakest link across the board, but has the intangibles the Yankees need. He takes walks, play OK defense, can hit from both sides. Melky is streaky at the plate, but has proven to be the best of the three starters. Gardner, one way or another, should be in every game, and that doesn't happen. Fortunately, speed doesn't slump, but again, what good is he on the bench for nine innings?
Seven innings seems to be the cut-off for Yankees starters. Why? CC and AJ are more than capable of finishing what they start, while Pettitte, because of his age and Joba, because of his inability to consistently finish hitters, aren't. And the fifth spot in the rotation is always a question. Those two to four innings CC and AJ surrender to the bullpen will add up in the long run, and probably won't affect them. And at this point, I'm sure Mo wouldn't complain about a giving up some saves in exchange for more rest. Plus, complete games are fun and nostalgic.
Not complaining of course. Whatever the Yankees are doing is working well, but if you can't bitch about something - which you can't change and have absolutely zero effect on anyway - why exactly was the Internet invented?
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
That's better
Sergio Mitre, huh?
All right, why not? The Yankees were facing Rich Hill, who was tossing 89 mph fastballs and 71 mph curves and lasted three innings.
Actually, Mitre didn't look horrible. He hung a curve to Melvin Mora and paid for it, but otherwise, he threw strikes and didn't hurt himself.
If only the Yanks weren't 0-8 against the Sox this season.
How about A-Rod, though? Helping the Yanks build a run without the benefit of a hit. Boy, makes up for the dozens of times he's failed to hit a sac fly, or a groundball to the right side to move a runner.
I have two new peeves:
First, the word "piece" when referring to a player. It's up there with "stud" and saying "position" after you say the position. We're talking about chess, we're talking about people ... mostly.
Second, the new-age, agent-created "hold," which is relevant only to said agents to toss out when negotiating contacts. A team could have a 10-run lead, and a reliever could give up nine runs and still be credited with a hold.
All right, why not? The Yankees were facing Rich Hill, who was tossing 89 mph fastballs and 71 mph curves and lasted three innings.
Actually, Mitre didn't look horrible. He hung a curve to Melvin Mora and paid for it, but otherwise, he threw strikes and didn't hurt himself.
If only the Yanks weren't 0-8 against the Sox this season.
How about A-Rod, though? Helping the Yanks build a run without the benefit of a hit. Boy, makes up for the dozens of times he's failed to hit a sac fly, or a groundball to the right side to move a runner.
I have two new peeves:
First, the word "piece" when referring to a player. It's up there with "stud" and saying "position" after you say the position. We're talking about chess, we're talking about people ... mostly.
Second, the new-age, agent-created "hold," which is relevant only to said agents to toss out when negotiating contacts. A team could have a 10-run lead, and a reliever could give up nine runs and still be credited with a hold.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Skip Bayless hates fun ... and A-Rod
Despite Skip Bayless' funny line on ESPN First Take about Hideki Matsui being encouraged to toss his helmet so Yankees players could catch it like a bridal bouquet, how can he complain about the Yankees' enthusiasm?
He complains the Yankees (Berra's and Mantle's and Williams' and O'Neil's) would never celebrate in such a manner. Really? Winnign is fun. It's about time the Yankees starting acting like they enjoy it, because that sort of thing is contagious ... despite naysayers. Need I point out the Red Sox of 2004 and 2007 actually enjoying/celebrating winning and *GASP* winning?
Oddly, Jorge Posada, who didn't appreciate the pie to the face he took, was in the middle of this homeplate party, encouraging Matsui to toss his helmet.
Then Bayless, who actually knew Mickey Mantle, goes and agrees with me (I'm assuming inadvertently ... you reading this blog Skip?) about how unpleasant it is for Man-Ram to pass Mickey Mantle on the HR list.
Oddly, Mick and Manny represent wasted talent ... just in vastly different ways. Still, Mantle's dedication to his team was never questioned ... I'm not entirely sure what Manny is dedicated to ... except himself. And probably his hair.
And yes, I've flipped on Ramirez.
He complains the Yankees (Berra's and Mantle's and Williams' and O'Neil's) would never celebrate in such a manner. Really? Winnign is fun. It's about time the Yankees starting acting like they enjoy it, because that sort of thing is contagious ... despite naysayers. Need I point out the Red Sox of 2004 and 2007 actually enjoying/celebrating winning and *GASP* winning?
Oddly, Jorge Posada, who didn't appreciate the pie to the face he took, was in the middle of this homeplate party, encouraging Matsui to toss his helmet.
Then Bayless, who actually knew Mickey Mantle, goes and agrees with me (I'm assuming inadvertently ... you reading this blog Skip?) about how unpleasant it is for Man-Ram to pass Mickey Mantle on the HR list.
Oddly, Mick and Manny represent wasted talent ... just in vastly different ways. Still, Mantle's dedication to his team was never questioned ... I'm not entirely sure what Manny is dedicated to ... except himself. And probably his hair.
And yes, I've flipped on Ramirez.
Manny being an idiot
Manny Ramirez hit home run No. 537, putting him ahead of Mickey Mantle.
I'm always bothered when a modern player passes Mantle on the home run list, not because most of them are likely PED users, but because Mantle's career was played mostly on one leg, thanks Joe D (you self-righteous sack of garbage), and mostly while Mantle was drinking himself in a stupor. Thanks Mick.
Th lasting image I have of Mantle is a photo from the Yankeeography (yes, it's self-important Yankee propaganda) of Mantle on a training room table with almost his entire leg bandaged - ankle to mid-thigh it seemed, although maybe memory colors it a bit. He played like that, was was still better than 98 percent of the guys on the field.
I'm always bothered when a modern player passes Mantle on the home run list, not because most of them are likely PED users, but because Mantle's career was played mostly on one leg, thanks Joe D (you self-righteous sack of garbage), and mostly while Mantle was drinking himself in a stupor. Thanks Mick.
Th lasting image I have of Mantle is a photo from the Yankeeography (yes, it's self-important Yankee propaganda) of Mantle on a training room table with almost his entire leg bandaged - ankle to mid-thigh it seemed, although maybe memory colors it a bit. He played like that, was was still better than 98 percent of the guys on the field.
Erin Andrews' privacy violated
Some perv apparently filmed the ESPN reporter undressing in her hotel room.
I hope she sues. I hope she takes this ... person ... for everything he owns or ever will own. And buries him. Whoever it is, and if he can be found.
Not surprisingly, a Google search of Andrews returns mostly photos ... but the top hit is a story from the LA Times titled "Is it possible to let Erin Andrews just do her job?" Good question. Hopefully the answer is yes.
Check it out:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/07/is-it-possible-to-let-erin-andrews-just-do-her-espn-job.html
It's one thing to agree to do a photo shoot for Maxim or Blender or whatever. But Andrews, to my knowledge, has never put herself out there as a sex symbol (like others have), just a reporter, a sports reporter, who happens to be attractive.
And "The Early Show" keeps playing blurred version of the video. Unbelievable.
I hope she sues. I hope she takes this ... person ... for everything he owns or ever will own. And buries him. Whoever it is, and if he can be found.
Not surprisingly, a Google search of Andrews returns mostly photos ... but the top hit is a story from the LA Times titled "Is it possible to let Erin Andrews just do her job?" Good question. Hopefully the answer is yes.
Check it out:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/07/is-it-possible-to-let-erin-andrews-just-do-her-espn-job.html
It's one thing to agree to do a photo shoot for Maxim or Blender or whatever. But Andrews, to my knowledge, has never put herself out there as a sex symbol (like others have), just a reporter, a sports reporter, who happens to be attractive.
And "The Early Show" keeps playing blurred version of the video. Unbelievable.
Jamming on the 2-1s
Didn't think the Yanks could win this way, but boy is it enjoyable, despite my inability to watch every inning.
Woke up this morning, checked my phone and, yes, Yankees win again. Thanks Hideki Matsui. Thanks for your cooperation with team tradition, tossing your helmet and "forgetting" about the cream pie inbound for your strange, angular grill.
Of course, the MLB.com writer goes to great pain to describe Melky catching Hideki's lid, then A-Rod snatches it from him and parades it around the infield. Nice.
I expect nothing from Joba, (except high-quality meth) but I've always been a fan of Andy Pettitte. The guy knows how to pitch, if he sometimes battles himself. Seven-plus of one-run ball is more than you could reasonably expect from him.
If there's any doubt about what a great guy Derek Jeter is ...
Here he is receiving his MetLife Player of the Month award and shaking Snoopy's hand. He did this twice, despite the fact Snoopy is in fact some jerk making $7.50 per, and a fixture in the local theater community, probably high, too.
So good for you Derek ... even if you did stand several feet away from, I assume, everyone's favorite comic canine, while the he and MetLife rep got very, very close for the picture ... ick.
Also, Charles Schultz sucks. Sorry, it's true. Classic Peanuts is a sham and I won't stand for it.
A-Rod is crap report: Reason No. 3,446,784,234,564,456,198 why A-Rod sucks. First and third, one out, goes down looking, again. This stuff is forgotten when he's running around with the hero's helmet.
Woke up this morning, checked my phone and, yes, Yankees win again. Thanks Hideki Matsui. Thanks for your cooperation with team tradition, tossing your helmet and "forgetting" about the cream pie inbound for your strange, angular grill.
Of course, the MLB.com writer goes to great pain to describe Melky catching Hideki's lid, then A-Rod snatches it from him and parades it around the infield. Nice.
I expect nothing from Joba, (except high-quality meth) but I've always been a fan of Andy Pettitte. The guy knows how to pitch, if he sometimes battles himself. Seven-plus of one-run ball is more than you could reasonably expect from him.
If there's any doubt about what a great guy Derek Jeter is ...
Here he is receiving his MetLife Player of the Month award and shaking Snoopy's hand. He did this twice, despite the fact Snoopy is in fact some jerk making $7.50 per, and a fixture in the local theater community, probably high, too.
So good for you Derek ... even if you did stand several feet away from, I assume, everyone's favorite comic canine, while the he and MetLife rep got very, very close for the picture ... ick.
Also, Charles Schultz sucks. Sorry, it's true. Classic Peanuts is a sham and I won't stand for it.
A-Rod is crap report: Reason No. 3,446,784,234,564,456,198 why A-Rod sucks. First and third, one out, goes down looking, again. This stuff is forgotten when he's running around with the hero's helmet.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Maybe I'm wrong
I read an interesting article in SI this week, about Earl Weaver and how he set the ground work for "Moneyball" and sabremetrics, the brainchild of Dr. Evil, I mean Bill James. James, for those who don't know, is the modern pioneer of stat-sdriven baseball, the philosophy of no bunting, no steal attempts, matchups, OBP/OPS, etc etc.
I hate this sort of baseball. Specifically because I witnessed a less-talented 2003 Marlins team beat the Yankees in the World Series with speed and sacrifices ... oh, and Josh Beckett, who pitched, it seemed, every excruciating inning of every excruciating game.
But after last night, maybe I need to change my thinking. I prefer smart, hustle baseball, but maybe the Yanks just can't play that way. I'm beginnning to question whether they ever did.
I witnessed a one-out, first and second situation get erased by baseball's most over-rated player because he thought a line drive HIT RIGHT AT THE SECOND BASEMAN was going through. He was almost standing on second when the fourth tenor caught it. And Ass-Rod just hung his head and touched second. Ooops. A Little Leaguer knows to freeze on a line drive. Coaches screamed at my teams for years "make sure the ball goes through."
I watched the Yankees turn a lead-off double into Jorge Posada getting thrown at at home on a two-out single to left, because at that point, you have to send the tying run home and make the other team get the out. Posada was out by 20 feet.
Then Mark Teixeira hits a three-run home run in the seventh and everyone forgets the Yankees should have lost ... because the Yankees are dumb, but boy, can they hit homeruns.
So, from now on, forget first to third on a single to right, I'm cheering for three-run homeruns.
And I'm cheering for Phil Hughes ... who's doing what Joba should be doing. Feels pretty good, right Phil? Keep up the good work.
I hate this sort of baseball. Specifically because I witnessed a less-talented 2003 Marlins team beat the Yankees in the World Series with speed and sacrifices ... oh, and Josh Beckett, who pitched, it seemed, every excruciating inning of every excruciating game.
But after last night, maybe I need to change my thinking. I prefer smart, hustle baseball, but maybe the Yanks just can't play that way. I'm beginnning to question whether they ever did.
I witnessed a one-out, first and second situation get erased by baseball's most over-rated player because he thought a line drive HIT RIGHT AT THE SECOND BASEMAN was going through. He was almost standing on second when the fourth tenor caught it. And Ass-Rod just hung his head and touched second. Ooops. A Little Leaguer knows to freeze on a line drive. Coaches screamed at my teams for years "make sure the ball goes through."
I watched the Yankees turn a lead-off double into Jorge Posada getting thrown at at home on a two-out single to left, because at that point, you have to send the tying run home and make the other team get the out. Posada was out by 20 feet.
Then Mark Teixeira hits a three-run home run in the seventh and everyone forgets the Yankees should have lost ... because the Yankees are dumb, but boy, can they hit homeruns.
So, from now on, forget first to third on a single to right, I'm cheering for three-run homeruns.
And I'm cheering for Phil Hughes ... who's doing what Joba should be doing. Feels pretty good, right Phil? Keep up the good work.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Commander-in-weak
The Associated PressSo, Obama can't throw a baseball, but when he's wearing a bulletproof vest, it's probably not as easy as it should be.
C'mon ... a full jacket zipped to the neck? Really?
This is the first year I didn't watch the All-Star Game, and I don't feel at all bad about it.
Fans shouldn't vote, every team should not be represented and it should be after the World Series, not mid-season ... yeah, I know. You can shut up, too.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Chicks dig the longball ... and conclusions
I, on the other hand, do not.
I told myself I wouldn't watch the home run derby last night, for a variety of reasons. Here are a few:
Chris Berman
State Farm
The children in the outfield
The children along the baselines
The children on the other side of the outfield wall
"Ball tracker"
Chris Berman
Joe Morgan
Chris Berman
St. Louis "the baseball capital of the world" indeed
Josh "Converting the Masses" Hamilton
Brandon Inge
At least world's cutest sideline reporter Erin Andrews was on hand to ask the hard-hitting questions. She's turned marginal reporting skills and hot-girl-next-door looks into a cottage industry, Way to go Erin.
Mark Weinberger of Pennsylvania was the State Farm Call Your Shot home run contestant, with Albert Pujols trying, I assume, to hit a home run where our buddy Mark told predicted. I was a little unclear, but needless to say, Big Al didn't come through. I don't know Mark Weinberger, but jeepers, if he isn't whitest man in America ... I actually thought he was the "Jump to Conclusions" guy from "Office Space." I'm still not convinced he wasn't.
I told myself I wouldn't watch the home run derby last night, for a variety of reasons. Here are a few:
Chris Berman
State Farm
The children in the outfield
The children along the baselines
The children on the other side of the outfield wall
"Ball tracker"
Chris Berman
Joe Morgan
Chris Berman
St. Louis "the baseball capital of the world" indeed
Josh "Converting the Masses" Hamilton
Brandon Inge
At least world's cutest sideline reporter Erin Andrews was on hand to ask the hard-hitting questions. She's turned marginal reporting skills and hot-girl-next-door looks into a cottage industry, Way to go Erin.
Mark Weinberger of Pennsylvania was the State Farm Call Your Shot home run contestant, with Albert Pujols trying, I assume, to hit a home run where our buddy Mark told predicted. I was a little unclear, but needless to say, Big Al didn't come through. I don't know Mark Weinberger, but jeepers, if he isn't whitest man in America ... I actually thought he was the "Jump to Conclusions" guy from "Office Space." I'm still not convinced he wasn't.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Doing my best to pretend the Yankees didn't play the Angels
A haiku: part 1
Joba in bullpen
Makes sense to everyone but
clueless Steinbrenners
A haiku: part 2
Does Joe notice it?
How could he not, when Joba
can't make it through five
A haiku: part 3
Can't even take one
From that left coast heaven nine
Loaded, no outs, zilch
A haiku: part 4
I hate you A-Rod
If it's clutch, you'll choke on it
I hate you A-Rod
Joba in bullpen
Makes sense to everyone but
clueless Steinbrenners
A haiku: part 2
Does Joe notice it?
How could he not, when Joba
can't make it through five
A haiku: part 3
Can't even take one
From that left coast heaven nine
Loaded, no outs, zilch
A haiku: part 4
I hate you A-Rod
If it's clutch, you'll choke on it
I hate you A-Rod
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I like Terry Francona
There, I said it.
I'm doomed to listen to EEI every morning, unless I want to hear the same six songs - really, there's a song called "Birthday Sex"? I guess it was only a matter of time. But, whenever Francona is on, he has something insightful or interesting to say, even when you don't believe him.
You know he heard Beckett mouthing off. But he would never admit it.
Of course, when we first came on the radar as a managerial candidate, I thought, Who's next, Rance Mulinicks? Camaro Barbee? Joel Skinner? ... oh, right ... Why do these mediocre players make such good managers and front office guys ...
Probably the same reason star players don't.
I'm doomed to listen to EEI every morning, unless I want to hear the same six songs - really, there's a song called "Birthday Sex"? I guess it was only a matter of time. But, whenever Francona is on, he has something insightful or interesting to say, even when you don't believe him.
You know he heard Beckett mouthing off. But he would never admit it.
Of course, when we first came on the radar as a managerial candidate, I thought, Who's next, Rance Mulinicks? Camaro Barbee? Joel Skinner? ... oh, right ... Why do these mediocre players make such good managers and front office guys ...
Probably the same reason star players don't.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Is there a doctor in the house?
Should the Yankees try to get Roy Halladay? Yes.
Could they realistically get Roy Halladay? Yes-ish. While it's unlikely Toronto would trade inside the AL East, there is precedent. Toronto did trade Roger Clemens to the Yankees for David Wells and Homer Bush (and Graeme Lloyd) in 1999.
But the bigger question is who would the Yankees trade to get the best pitcher in baseball?
In terms of Major League-ready talent, Phil Hughes is the most-likely candidate, again, considering how dominant he's been coming out the bullpen. Maybe Joba Chamberlain. Ian Kennedy? But it take much more than that, obviously. But how much? Five players, six? And at various positions. Probably three pitchers, at least two starters ... and so on.
Admittedly, I have no idea who's in the Yankees' system, so the likelihood of Halladay in pinstripes is as remote it gets. But, the Yankees can pay him, and he does want to go to a winner.
Stranger things have happened.
Could they realistically get Roy Halladay? Yes-ish. While it's unlikely Toronto would trade inside the AL East, there is precedent. Toronto did trade Roger Clemens to the Yankees for David Wells and Homer Bush (and Graeme Lloyd) in 1999.
But the bigger question is who would the Yankees trade to get the best pitcher in baseball?
In terms of Major League-ready talent, Phil Hughes is the most-likely candidate, again, considering how dominant he's been coming out the bullpen. Maybe Joba Chamberlain. Ian Kennedy? But it take much more than that, obviously. But how much? Five players, six? And at various positions. Probably three pitchers, at least two starters ... and so on.
Admittedly, I have no idea who's in the Yankees' system, so the likelihood of Halladay in pinstripes is as remote it gets. But, the Yankees can pay him, and he does want to go to a winner.
Stranger things have happened.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The best defense is a good defense
So close ... thanks Eric Hinske. Not sure Who looked worse in that inning. You waving half-heartedly at a 3-1 dirtball, or Jason Frasor, who was clearly caving.
Or, we could point to Nick Swisher swinging at the first pitch he saw after DJ worked a walk to force across the 4th Yanks run. Swisher just missed ...
At least the Yanks are consistent in their inability to hit a guy they've never seen. Apparently Hinske didn't get that memo. One run in six innings, ouch.
Or, we could point to Nick Swisher swinging at the first pitch he saw after DJ worked a walk to force across the 4th Yanks run. Swisher just missed ...
At least the Yanks are consistent in their inability to hit a guy they've never seen. Apparently Hinske didn't get that memo. One run in six innings, ouch.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Jerky Joba
Been awhile. No good reason ...
But the Yanks have been hot, and that's a good thing. Just one game back, leading the Wild Card, which, let's face it, no Yankees fan is interested in.
The wife likes to watch the post-game show, which I find excruciating. What I found shocking after yesterday's game, however, was the holier-than-thou attitude Joba Chamberlain copped with the media.
I'm the first person to hate on reporters, especially beat writers who, under penalty of death, must ask the most mind-numbingly stupid and obvious questions, but Chamberlain acted as if he pitched a great game. He got two outs in the fourth and got yanked. Granted, five of the eight runs he gave up were unearned, but when you surrender five hits after an error is made, that's your fault, not the guy who committed the error.
Joba's 4-2, and he stinks at home. He's a reliever, nothing more. He should be pitching the 7th and/or 8th innings, and gassing batters. Instead, he's pitching maybe 4 innings and looking like any other middling starter. And with Wang out, Joba's return to the bullpen becomes less likely. Bleh.
Dumbest question of the post-game goes to Kim Jones. To Derek Jeter, All-Star starter, she asked, and I paraphrase: You're down by 4 and Hideki Matsui hits a three-run home run. How big was that? Really? That's the question you ask. If DJ had beaten her with her own microphone, it would have been fully justified. And hilarious.
Most heinous moment was some dope asking Mo Rivera if he thought DJ deserved to be the AL's leading vote getter. That's not a completely loaded question. Rivera's response? DJ deserved whatever votes he received. Translation: You're an ass and that's a stupid question deserving a non-answer.
Best moment of the post-game (if there was one): Unknown reporter during same Rivera interview asks if Rivera's 10th selection to the All-Star team is more special, to which Rivera responds, "ask the rest of the question: Because I'm old, right?" Everyone laughs awkwardly, Rivera gives some barely decipherable non-answers yet again.
Maybe there's a bin outside the locker-room marked "Reporters leave brains/commonsense here."
But the Yanks have been hot, and that's a good thing. Just one game back, leading the Wild Card, which, let's face it, no Yankees fan is interested in.
The wife likes to watch the post-game show, which I find excruciating. What I found shocking after yesterday's game, however, was the holier-than-thou attitude Joba Chamberlain copped with the media.
I'm the first person to hate on reporters, especially beat writers who, under penalty of death, must ask the most mind-numbingly stupid and obvious questions, but Chamberlain acted as if he pitched a great game. He got two outs in the fourth and got yanked. Granted, five of the eight runs he gave up were unearned, but when you surrender five hits after an error is made, that's your fault, not the guy who committed the error.
Joba's 4-2, and he stinks at home. He's a reliever, nothing more. He should be pitching the 7th and/or 8th innings, and gassing batters. Instead, he's pitching maybe 4 innings and looking like any other middling starter. And with Wang out, Joba's return to the bullpen becomes less likely. Bleh.
Dumbest question of the post-game goes to Kim Jones. To Derek Jeter, All-Star starter, she asked, and I paraphrase: You're down by 4 and Hideki Matsui hits a three-run home run. How big was that? Really? That's the question you ask. If DJ had beaten her with her own microphone, it would have been fully justified. And hilarious.
Most heinous moment was some dope asking Mo Rivera if he thought DJ deserved to be the AL's leading vote getter. That's not a completely loaded question. Rivera's response? DJ deserved whatever votes he received. Translation: You're an ass and that's a stupid question deserving a non-answer.
Best moment of the post-game (if there was one): Unknown reporter during same Rivera interview asks if Rivera's 10th selection to the All-Star team is more special, to which Rivera responds, "ask the rest of the question: Because I'm old, right?" Everyone laughs awkwardly, Rivera gives some barely decipherable non-answers yet again.
Maybe there's a bin outside the locker-room marked "Reporters leave brains/commonsense here."
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