Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : Oh, Wouldn't it Be Nice?

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B. Bruney BR BP BC E mi
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A. Brackman BC

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K. Reese BR BP BC E MLB mi
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B. Kozlowski (L) BR BP BC E mi Japan

Molina Trade:
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Oh, Wouldn't it Be Nice?

2008-06-09 09:22

by Alex Belth

If Mike Mussina becomes the first pitcher in the American League to reach ten wins? (Considering how well he's been going, perhaps that's pushing our luck. The Royals aren't a good offensive ball club, but considering how hot it is out there, I don't exactly expect a pitcher's duel today, do you?)

So, wouldn't it just be nice if the Yanks win? If Jorge, Giambi and Rodriguez keep mashing?

If we could find old quotes (Joe Posnanski on Johnny Damon) as good as this one?

Or how about, if we could all stay cool?

You Gots to Chill.

Let's Go Yan-Kees!

Comments (245)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2008-06-09 09:34:13

1. Alex Belth

Bama Yank is in the big house today. Let's hope he gets to see a game worth remembering!

2008-06-09 09:49:59

2. Sliced Bread

What's up with no Po in the lineup. Don't wanna break up the Moose-Molina battery?

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Molina C
Cabrera CF

lineup courtesy Pete Abe

2008-06-09 09:51:01

3. Sliced Bread

By the way, Alex, great summer in the city shots you've been putting up.

2008-06-09 09:52:01

4. Schteeve

Anybody think Giambi will make the All Star Team?

2008-06-09 09:53:38

5. Shaun P

4 Maybe; he seems to deserve it. Damon too.

2008-06-09 09:54:13

6. Raf

2 He's caught back to back games, may as well give him a rest.

2008-06-09 09:56:09

7. Sliced Bread

6 normally I wouldn't question it, but Po got plenty of rest on the DL.
No big deal... nice switch-hitting bat to have on the bench.

2008-06-09 10:15:33

8. Shaun P

Moose is looking sharp. Now, can Damon keep it up?

2008-06-09 10:15:38

9. rbj

7 I think they're still being a bit cautious with the Po.

4 Amazing that we're even talking about Giambi, Damon and Moose and the All Star Game.

2008-06-09 10:17:27

10. Schteeve

Damon and Giambi lead their positions in VORP I believe. That's crazy.

2008-06-09 10:18:48

11. cult of basebaal

9 the all shoulda-been-DFA'd in april team?

2008-06-09 10:23:40

12. Sliced Bread

scanning the crowd for a "Bring Back Andy Phillips!" poster, on the chance that Bama Yankee makes his YES debut.

2008-06-09 10:25:45

13. Yankees Brasil

Another bad call against the Yankees. That was way low.

2008-06-09 10:26:08

14. dianagramr

Happy Birthday to Dave Parker, Randy Winn ... and me!

Give me a win Moose!

2008-06-09 10:27:40

15. Yankees Brasil

What a play.

2008-06-09 10:28:46

16. Jeb

Let's go Bama-Yank!

Roll Tide and Go Yan-Kees!

2008-06-09 10:29:45

17. Jeb

2 Girardi said that he didn't want to play Posada on consecutive days his first few games back.

2008-06-09 10:31:29

18. Sliced Bread

hey, happy birthday, dianagramr!

Cy Moose gets the double play!
Nice d by the middle infielders.

2008-06-09 10:31:54

19. RIYank

Whew, needed that. (GIDP, that is.)

2008-06-09 10:32:23

20. Yankees Brasil

Nice DP. Some great D early on.

2008-06-09 10:32:27

21. cult of basebaal

17 considering how much jorge means to this team, i've got no problem erring on the side of caution, we need jorge for the whole season if we're gonna have any chance

2008-06-09 10:33:35

22. Jeb

21 agreed.

Robby Cano - Don't ya know! Great play (at least based on what I heard).

2008-06-09 10:35:57

23. RIYank

22 Jeb, you can see the play on the Gameday site already. (That's a nice feature.)

2008-06-09 10:35:58

24. RIYank

22 Jeb, you can see the play on the Gameday site already. (That's a nice feature.)

2008-06-09 10:40:56

25. RIYank

Yuck. I liked Matsui's at-bat, and I guess Jason a good pitch, but let's get something going next inning, guys. Hochevar should be very hittable on a day like today...

2008-06-09 10:41:42

26. Jeb

23 that's awesome. I have a MLB.TV account but can't watch it at work. Apparently someone meeting my description brought the server down two years ago watching a Spring Training game. So I've got my XM radio cranked up.

2008-06-09 10:42:54

27. Yankees Brasil

25 Abreu and Giambi just missed hitting a HR. The problem is we are 0 for 3 with RISP.

2008-06-09 10:45:33

28. RIYank

DO NOT WALK JOEY GATHRIGHT, PLEASE.

2008-06-09 10:47:47

29. RIYank

I didn't mean to get so anxious. Moose is actually pounding the strike zone.

2008-06-09 10:49:51

30. Shaun P

28 Which Yankee pitcher walked Tony Pena Jr for the first time all year? Wasn't that Moose?

My gosh is Moose working it.

2008-06-09 10:57:53

31. RIYank

It's obviously too hot to hit. Maybe too hot for Banterers to post today.

2008-06-09 11:03:25

32. dianagramr

I blame global warming for melting the Internet.

2008-06-09 11:04:23

33. RIYank

Wow.
Efficient, too. Can Moose go deep today?

2008-06-09 11:04:46

34. Shaun P

31 If it wasn't so hot, I'd wonder if everyone was outside.

Good thing Hochevar was the first pick in the entire draft a couple of years ago, or this game would have "URP" written all over it.

Bama will feel lucky - at this rate, he'll be out of the Stadium well before rush hour.

2008-06-09 11:05:04

35. OldYanksFan

The Dancin' Bear?
Gotta luv the big lug!

2008-06-09 11:05:35

36. tommyl

Mike Mussina, the ace of the 2008 Yankees. I'm not sure if that's a positive or negative statement.

2008-06-09 11:06:13

37. Shaun P

32 Happy birthday! Can you wish us up some more comments? =)

2008-06-09 11:06:22

38. tommyl

Way to work that count DJ

2008-06-09 11:11:49

39. RIYank

"Johnny, how was it out on the base paths?"
"Man, it was hot."
"Yeah, looks it. Guess I'll stay off them today."

2008-06-09 11:13:59

40. Just fair

The dancing bear
The mystifying Moose. He's too smart to sweat.

2008-06-09 11:14:08

41. tommyl

39 Hurry, run off to Sharper Image and get them all those personal air conditioners! We'll be the best team in the league! Or just switch to cotton uniforms ;)

2008-06-09 11:16:19

42. tommyl

Man, Moose is amazing this year.

2008-06-09 11:16:38

43. RIYank

This is not exactly the game Alex predicted.

2008-06-09 11:16:47

44. Just fair

Mattingly's having trouble running the bases. Their uniforms seem to be shrinking.
Who was that familiar voice doing that call on Seinfeld?

2008-06-09 11:20:05

45. rbj

Have the bats all melted?

2008-06-09 11:23:45

46. RIYank

The shocking thing is that Hochevar has thrown twice as many balls as strikes, and we have not one walk.

2008-06-09 11:24:09

47. Just fair

I laugh out loud each time Cone says "dancin' bear."
I am easily amused.

2008-06-09 11:24:17

48. RIYank

Oh. Nope. He's thrown twice as many strikes as balls.

Doh!

2008-06-09 11:25:55

49. RIYank

Robinson!
Yeah, Rob likes the heat.

2008-06-09 11:25:58

50. Shaun P

A hit! 14 outs later, a hit!

C'mon Molina!

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2008-06-09 11:27:55

51. Shaun P

49 So far this year, Robbie likes the day games:

.324/.354/.486 during the day
.188/.235/.269 at night

2008-06-09 11:28:06

52. RIYank

Wow, not even close.
I was hoping the incentive of not having to put all that armor back on would spur Jose to smack a line drive.

2008-06-09 11:28:37

53. monkeypants

With three C on the roster, might that have been a good spot to PH for Molina?

2008-06-09 11:28:39

54. RIYank

51 Yikes. That's quite a difference.

2008-06-09 11:29:08

55. OldYanksFan

A pitchers duel!
(wow... typing all that was tiring. Must rest now...)

2008-06-09 11:31:50

56. RIYank

I'm finding it difficult to muster my usual scorn for a fifth inning sacrifice bunt.

2008-06-09 11:34:18

57. Shaun P

56 The Yanks tried that, or KC?

53 Maybe, but would you want to have Posada's bat for later? I assume you'd PH him, then have Moeller go in to catch so that Posada actually gets some rest.

2008-06-09 11:35:18

58. monkeypants

57 I would have PH Betemit and saved Posada.

2008-06-09 11:35:28

59. Raf

56 KC tried and executed the bunt in the 6th

2008-06-09 11:35:57

60. RIYank

And before you can say, "Grudzielanek", Moose is out of the inning.

2008-06-09 11:37:00

61. RIYank

59 Sixth, that's what I meant.

2008-06-09 11:38:28

62. rbj

Dear Mike Mussina,

I hereby formally apologize for thinking your career was over and wanting you shipped off to San Diego.

2008-06-09 11:38:56

63. Just fair

So.... who wants to explain Robbie's day/night discrepancy. Has he suddenly become afraid of the dark? Didn't he hit much better at night last year. I recall people claiming he did not perform well in the day because of his nightlife. Has he begun clubbin' in the afternoon? : )

2008-06-09 11:39:11

64. Shaun P

58 Hmm. An interesting idea. I would have done it, too.

59 61 Thanks. The way this game is going, I can't find fault with it.

It sure would be nice to see some pitches this inning.

2008-06-09 11:40:25

65. RIYank

64 Melky doesn't agree. (With your last sentence.)

2008-06-09 11:41:18

66. Shaun P

63 Small(ish) sample size, or fluke. In his career, the splits are almost identical (.310/.341/.479 during the day vs .300/.335/.466 at night).

If Cano keeps having trouble at night, maybe its a vision problem?

2008-06-09 11:41:26

67. JL25and3

14 Hey, me too!

2008-06-09 11:42:30

68. Shaun P

67 May all your wishes for dumb Sheffield comments come true. ;)

2008-06-09 11:43:04

69. RIYank

Yeah, nothing like a 9-pitch inning to sock it to the opposing pitcher.

We need Bobby to work an eleven pitch walk next inning to make Hochevar burst into flame.

2008-06-09 11:43:36

70. Sliced Bread

67 that's the mystique of birthdays.

2008-06-09 11:44:03

71. tommyl

Gameday is a bit off right now. It says that Melky grounded out on both the first and third pitches of his AB. That's pretty impressive, I guess we've reached a new level of sucking on offense?

2008-06-09 11:45:54

72. RIYank

71 Melk on the first pitch, and Damon flied out on the third pitch (I think).

2008-06-09 11:48:38

73. RIYank

ARGH!
It was too good to last.

2008-06-09 11:49:14

74. Sliced Bread

ah, fack...

When the Yanks return from the field it's got to be Shut Out Intervention time.

2008-06-09 11:49:22

75. Just fair

Yikes. Nothing you can about that. Sitting on a curve ball can benefit a hitter.

2008-06-09 11:49:37

76. RIYank

I'm starting to rethink the patience thing. First pitch swinging seems to be very effective.

2008-06-09 11:51:17

77. Shaun P

69 An 11 pitch walk might give the Yanks the soft, chewy underbelly of the KC bullpen. I'd take it.

2008-06-09 11:51:20

78. buffalocharlie

Moose really struggles in the 7th inning

2008-06-09 11:52:22

79. rbj

Gah!

2008-06-09 11:52:27

80. dianagramr

re: Cano's possible vision problems:

PAs per K in night games:
2005: 8.3
2006: 8.0
2007: 8.3
2008: 14.1

PAs per BB in night games:
2005: 41.5
2006: 30.0
2007: 15.3
2008: 21.1

Ergo, I don't think its a vision problem ...

2008-06-09 11:52:55

81. Raf

Any particular reason Moose is still in there?

2008-06-09 11:53:12

82. Shaun P

76 Joey Gathright begs to differ.

2008-06-09 11:54:10

83. RIYank

So, two doubles, a homer, and a single, and no double-play, and Moose threw 12 pitches that inning.

2008-06-09 11:55:46

84. williamnyy23

Moose makes one bad pitch and this team is going to wind up with a split against the Royals at home that they had to absolutely battle for. Everytime you think this team has turned the corner, they lay an absolute egg and turn in a poor effort in a game they should win easily. More and more it looks like this team can't great distance from .500 because it is a .500 team.

2008-06-09 11:57:56

85. monkeypants

81 Because he only threw about 80 pitches, and only one of those hits was really smacked.

2008-06-09 11:58:09

86. dianagramr

In other news, The Mariners decided that one of their problems could be solved by firing their hitting coach.

(funny, I thought it was mainly cause they still have Richie Sexson on their roster)

2008-06-09 11:58:19

87. Sliced Bread

A-Rod's due

2008-06-09 11:58:19

88. Just fair

[84} 9 outs to go.

2008-06-09 11:58:23

89. 51cq24

80 it seems like a lot of the time he's just not lining the ball up and hitting weak ground balls. so i don't think that data is conclusive one way or another. it does seem to me like he's just swinging at the wrong place a lot of the time. that's very hard to quantify though.

2008-06-09 12:00:20

90. Sliced Bread

A-God!

2008-06-09 12:00:33

91. Just fair

87 Indeed. Dope!

2008-06-09 12:01:00

92. monkeypants

85 ...and with a little luck here, Moose might be in line for a deserved win.

2008-06-09 12:01:05

93. RIYank

KA-BOOOOM.

2008-06-09 12:01:12

94. tommyl

84 Or you know, Alex could do that

2008-06-09 12:01:15

95. rbj

Now that's what the doctor ordered!

2008-06-09 12:01:24

96. ChrisS

How unclutch.

Thanks a lot, A-rod. Loser.

2008-06-09 12:01:33

97. Sliced Bread

Mussina owes the thirdbaseman a root beer.

2008-06-09 12:01:36

98. Just fair

I wish I had given up after Moose's 1 bad p