Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : Tell Me Something Good

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Players

25-man Roster:

Infielders:
J. Giambi BR BP E MLB
R. Cano BR BP E MLB
D. Jeter BR BP E MLB
A. Rodriguez BR BP E MLB
W. Betemit BR BP E MLB mi
C. Ransom BR BP E MLB mi

Outfielders:
B. Abreu BR BP E MLB
J. Damon BR BP E MLB
X. Nady BR BP E MLB
H. Matsui BR BP E MLB mi
B. Gardner BR E MLB mi

Catchers:
I. Rodriguez BR BP E MLB
J. Molina BR BP E MLB

Starting Pitchers:
M. Mussina BR BP BC E
A. Pettitte (L) BR BP BC E
S. Ponson BR BP BC E mi
D. Rasner BR BP BC E mi

Relief Pitchers:
M. Rivera BR BP BC E
D. Marte BR BP BC E
J. Veras BR BP BC E mi
E. Ramirez BR BP BC E mi
B. Bruney BR BP BC E mi
D. Robertson BR BC E mi
B. Traber (L) BR BP BC E mi
C. Britton BR BP BC E mi

15-day DL:
J. Chamberlain BR BP BC E
D. Giese BR BP BC E mi
J. Posada BR BP E MLB
C. Wang BR BP BC E
60-day DL:
C. Pavano BR BP BC E mi
J. Albaladejo BR BP BC E mi
A. Brackman BC
H. Sanchez BC mi

Coaches:
J. Girardi (Mgr) BR BP BC
R. Thomson (Bench) BC
Kevin Long (Hit) BR
D. Eiland (Pitch) BR BP BC
B. Meacham (3B) BR BP BC
T. Peña (1B) BR BP BC
M. Harkey (Pen) BR BP BC

40-man Roster:
AAA
S. Duncan BR BP E MLB mi
J. Miranda BR BC mi
M. Cabrera BR BP E MLB
J. Christian BR BP E MLB mi
P. Hughes BR BP BC E mi
I. Kennedy BR BP BC E mi
C. Wright (L) BR BP BC E mi
S. Patterson BR BC mi
AA
F. Cervelli BR BC mi
J. Marquez BR BC mi DL

Select Minor Leaguers:

AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees:
B. Castro BR mi DL
C. Basak BR BP BC E MLB mi
E. Duncan BC mi
N. Green BR mi
B. Broussard BR mi
M. Carson BC mi
C. Moeller BR BP E MLB mi
C. Stewart BR BP E MLB mi
J. Brown BC mi DL
A. Aceves BR mi
K. Igawa (L) BR BP BC E JB mi
P. Coke (L) BC mi
M. Melancon BC mi
J.B. Cox BC mi
S. Strickland BR BC mi
S. Jackson BC mi
E. Milton BR BC mi DL
V. Zambrano BR BC mi DL

AA Trenton Thunder:
K. Russo BR mi
R. Peña BC mi DL
C. Malec BC mi
M. Vechionacci BC mi DL
A. Jackson BC mi
C. Curtis BC mi
E. Gonzalez BR mi
P.J. Pilittere BC mi
J. Jones BC mi
G. Kontos BC mi
J. Nuñez BC mi
B. Smith BC mi DL
A. Claggett BC mi
O. Perez BR BC mi
M. Gardner BC mi
K. Whelan BC mi
W. Arias (L) BC mi

A Tampa Yankees:
E. Nuñez BC mi
C.J. Henry BC mi DL
T. Battle BC mi
K. Anson BC mi
J. Gil BC mi
A. Horne BC mi DL
Z. McAllister BC mi
W. De La Rosa (L) BC mi
C. Garcia BC mi

Low-A Charleston RiverDogs:
J. Snyder BC mi
M. Cusick BC mi
B. Suttle BC mi
A. Romine BC mi
J. Montero BC mi
D. Betances BC mi
J. Heredia BC mi
J. Ortiz BC mi
C. Heyer BC mi

Low-A Staten Island Yankees:
D. Adams mi
P. Venditte mi

Rookie Gulf Coast Yankees:
C. Joseph mi
C. Smith mi
K. Higashioka mi

Key:
BR = Baseball-Reference
BP = Baseball Prospectus
BC = Baseball Cube (past mL stats)
mi = MiLB.com (current mL stats)
E = ESPN (current splits, game logs)
MLB = MLB.com hit charts
JB = Japanese Baseball.com

The Recently Departed

2008 Yankees:
R. Sexson BR BP E MLB
M. Ensberg BR BP E MLB
A. Gonzalez BR BP E MLB mi
K. Farnsworth BR BP BC E
L. Hawkins BR BP BC E

Nady/Marte Trade:
J. Tabata BC mi
R. Ohlendorf BR BP BC E
D. McCutchen BC mi
J. Karstens BR BP BC E mi

2008 Campers/mLers:
C. Woodward BR BP BC E MLB PHI mL
J. Lane BR mi BOS mL
G. Porter BC mi WAS mL
J.D. Closser BR mi SD mL
S. Henn (L) BR BP BC E mi SD
H. Phillips (L) BR BC mi TB mL
S. White BR BC mi

2007 Yankees:
J. Torre (Mgr) BR BP BC LAD
D. Mientkiewicz BR BP BC E MLB PIT mL
A. Phillips BR BP BC E MLB mi CIN mL
J. Phelps BR BP BC E MLB STL mL
M. Cairo BR BP BC E MLB SEA
K. Thompson BR BP BC E MLB mi PIT
B. Sardinha BC mi SEA mL
W. Nieves BR BP BC E MLB WAS mL
R. Clemens BR BP BC E mi
T. Clippard BR BP BC E mi WAS
L. Vizcaino BR BP BC E COL $7.5m/2yrs
M. DeSalvo BR BP BC E mi ATL mL
M. Myers (L) BR BP BC E LAD mL
R. Villone (L) BR BP BC E mi STL mL
S. Proctor BR BP BC E LAD
J. Brower BR BP BC E mi CIN mL
C. Bean BR BP BC E mi ATL mL

2007 Campers and mLers:
E. Durazo BR BP BC E MLB mi
A. Cannizaro BR BP BC E MLB mi TB mL
A. Chavez BR BP BC E MLB mi LAD mL
K. Reese BR BP BC E MLB mi
R. Chavez BR BP BC E MLB mi PIT mL
O. Santos BC mi BAL mL
T. Pratt BR BP BC E MLB
T.J. Beam BR BP BC E mi PIT mL
B. Kozlowski (L) BR BP BC E mi Japan

Molina Trade:
J. Kennard BC mi

Abreu Trade
M. Smith (L) BR BP BC E mi PHI
C. Monasterios BC mi PHI
J. Sanchez mi PHI

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Tell Me Something Good

2008-07-01 12:58

by Alex Belth

Our Man Joba is on the hill tonight. This is the first really good hitting club he's faced since becoming a starter. Let's hope the Yankees' maddeningly uneven offense puts it together against Kevin Millwood and tells us something good.

Let's Go Yan-Kees.

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Comments (538)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2008-07-01 14:18:30

1. tommyl

The Yankees will be playing with six homegrown players tonight: Cano, Melky, Jeter, Posada, Gardner, and Joba. Wow.

Let's hope Brett has a few walks or hits tonight and a couple of steals. Man that kid is fast. When I saw his first AB last night I thought they should paint CGI flames on his feet, like they used to do for hockey pucks one year.

2008-07-01 14:31:11

2. Peter

1 We only get five tonight. Jeter has the day off.

2008-07-01 14:33:07

3. tommyl

2 Ah, shoot, you're right. Still, pretty amazing.

2008-07-01 15:13:05

4. ieddyi

LIPS 'N HIPS

2008-07-01 15:15:39

5. JL25and3

GodDAMN, how bad does Melky have to be before he grabs a little pine, even for one friggin' day? I know he's not the only problem, but come on, since the first 3 weeks of the season, he's batting so far below replacement level it's not even funny. And the longer the "slump" goes, the worse he gets.

2008-07-01 15:24:11

6. Cliff Corcoran

4 No doubt. Vintage Chaka. Good stuff, Alex.

2008-07-01 15:24:18

7. JL25and3

With all due respect to the babes photographed with Pete Abe and Will Carroll, Chaka Khan is sexier than either of them - without even being pretty.

2008-07-01 15:26:24

8. cult of basebaal

sorry mehmattski, i've got bitch about the lineup tonite ...

melky still in the lineup, so you can play betemit at SHORT??? the man plays the middle infield like a drunk falling down stairs, fer chrissake.

you wanna sit jeter, how about doing joba a favor and replacing him with someone who can field ... like The AG?

unless the yanks are lying about an injury, like usual and damon can't really play the field ... damon in left, gardner in center, betemit at 1st, giambi at DH (or swap those two) and AG at short. IS IT THAT FUCKING HARD TO FIGURE???

2008-07-01 15:38:11

9. ChrisS

Pasta Diving Betemit?

Alrighty, Joba line prediction:

7IP 2BB 8K 2R and the coveted W.

2008-07-01 15:38:19

10. Zack

7 Yeah, in another league entirely...

2008-07-01 16:27:10

11. cult of basebaal

wow ... joba start with only 10 comments, everyone must be tired from last night

2008-07-01 16:27:33

12. Alex Belth

Jeez, those were two cruddy at bats by Bobby and Alex in the first there. C'mon, guys, for crying out loud.

2008-07-01 16:29:00

13. OldYanksFan

Bobby, Bobby, Bobby... we were counting on you.

2008-07-01 16:30:31

14. Alex Belth

I just get the feeling that Joba is going to throw a TON of pitches tonight.

2008-07-01 16:32:51

15. Eirias

8 Wouldn't a drunk be almost uniquely skilled at falling down stairs?

2008-07-01 16:32:54

16. Alex Belth

Dude, he's got NO command. Two straight walks to start the second.

2008-07-01 16:33:52

17. Alex Belth

Horrible play by Betemit.

2008-07-01 16:34:44

18. cult of basebaal

17 didn't see that coming!

2008-07-01 16:35:07

19. bobtaco

Even with a good throw I don't think he would have gotten him.

2008-07-01 16:35:12

20. randym77

Anyone need a first baseman? The Mets DFA'd Andy Phillips.

2008-07-01 16:35:45

21. Alex Belth

Um, this smells bad.

2008-07-01 16:36:26

22. Alex Belth

Hey, Joba throw it right down the c* and that's what's gunna happen, sport.

2008-07-01 16:36:34

23. Eirias

That was a NICE throw.

2008-07-01 16:36:42

24. randym77

Melky does have a nice arm.

2008-07-01 16:36:52

25. Mattpat11

17 Redundant.

2008-07-01 16:37:21

26. cult of basebaal

21 i think it's gonna smell giese pretty soon ...

2008-07-01 16:38:57

27. Alex Belth

No way, A rod tagged him..

2008-07-01 16:39:23

28. Alex Belth

Good sales job

2008-07-01 16:40:15

29. bobtaco

strange inning.

2008-07-01 16:40:34

30. Alex Belth

The good salesmanship hides a very poor choice by Betemit. I think you are right, even a good throw wouldn't have nailed the runner at the plater earlier in the inning.

2008-07-01 16:40:44

31. cult of basebaal

27 or, no way arod tagged him.

2008-07-01 16:41:55

32. Alex Belth

All considered, the Rangers base running and a fortunate ump call got em out of it only down 2-0...not horrible.

2008-07-01 16:42:01

33. randym77

Phantom tag if ever I saw one.

2008-07-01 16:43:00

34. cult of basebaal

24 unfortunately, that 1 out for our team will probably lead to about 60 more outs for other teams

2008-07-01 16:43:24

35. bobtaco

It seems to be a very Hughes-like, vintage 2008 performance so far. Perhaps Joba is over thinking and giving the Rangers too much credit. Was he trying to paint corners and that was giving him bad command?

2008-07-01 16:44:44

36. Mattpat11

30 What is Betemit's alleged "natural" position?

2008-07-01 16:44:48

37. SF Yanks

Joba currently at 47 pitches.

2008-07-01 16:46:21

38. Alex Belth

Way to go Round Boy!

2008-07-01 16:46:41

39. Alex Belth

No dp, no dp...Posada, bunting?!?! Wha?

2008-07-01 16:47:08

40. Mattpat11

Did Jorge Posada just offer a bunt?

2008-07-01 16:47:18

41. cult of basebaal

SHIFT THAT!

2008-07-01 16:48:14

42. OldYanksFan

I think Joba is trying to prove he's a 'pitcher' and not just 'a hard thrower'. He may indeed be going overboard in trying to be 'not just overpowering'.

Again, experience will take care of this. I admire his maturity. He will find his way in time. He is just too talented.

2008-07-01 16:48:20

43. cult of basebaal

41 stupid mlb.tv delay

2008-07-01 16:49:24

44. Mattpat11

That was quite the AB.

2008-07-01 16:49:24

45. Mattpat11

That was quite the AB.

2008-07-01 16:49:45

46. Mattpat11

stupid double posts.

2008-07-01 16:50:02

47. bobtaco

Come on Robbie, it's July 1st now...

2008-07-01 16:51:18

48. williamnyy23

If you were hoping for a bounce back game, the early returns aren't very good.

2008-07-01 16:51:49

49. JoeInRI

I'm watching on Gameday, what's the injury delay?

2008-07-01 16:53:08

50. williamnyy23

49 Cano grounded out off of Milwood's leg.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2008-07-01 16:53:19

51. cult of basebaal

man ... it's a good thing i'm already drinking tonite, this game sucks and blows.

on the other hand ... the home plate ump is totally rocking a "Megan's Law" 'stache!

2008-07-01 16:54:17

52. williamnyy23

We want Seattle!

2008-07-01 16:54:46

53. SF Yanks

Betemit isn't very good. At least that's what my eyes tell me.

2008-07-01 16:54:47

54. Alex Belth

Betemit you ain't no treat.

2008-07-01 16:55:40

55. bobtaco

Tampa's up 1-0 on the Sox.

2008-07-01 16:56:25

56. JoeInRI

Millwood's looking like Scott Feldman tonight . . .

2008-07-01 16:56:44

57. Mattpat11

53 I really, really don't like watching him play the baseball.

2008-07-01 16:57:18

58. bobtaco

56 and the Yankee offense is looking like Marty Feldman.

2008-07-01 16:57:25

59. Alex Belth

G**damn Kings of Comedy out here...

2008-07-01 16:57:41

60. JoeInRI

Maybe I should sell my Saturday tix . . .

2008-07-01 16:57:46

61. williamnyy23

I think that throw confirms Posada's shoulder is far from healthy. I have a feeling there is going to be a lot of Molina behind the plate in the future.

2008-07-01 16:57:53

62. Alex Belth

56, that is AWESOME. (Too late!)

2008-07-01 16:58:12

63. JoeInRI

58 Don't dis Marty like that . . .

2008-07-01 16:58:16

64. Alex Belth

I say Joba doesn't make it through the fourth.

2008-07-01 16:59:16

65. Mattpat11

Jorge is really on a roll.

2008-07-01 16:59:25

66. JoeInRI

Damn . . .

2008-07-01 17:00:08

67. williamnyy23

Ponson to avoid a sweep heading into the Boston series...talk about exactly as you draw it up.

2008-07-01 17:00:19

68. cult of basebaal

jesus, joba couldn't the plate if you gave him a guide dog, a sherpa and a fucking map ...

2008-07-01 17:01:37

69. JoeInRI

Keep piling on the pitch count . . .

2008-07-01 17:01:48

70. bobtaco

Here comes Polter Geise...

2008-07-01 17:02:45

71. Eirias

K or no K, 63 pitches is "urgh" after only 2 1/3.

2008-07-01 17:03:10

72. JoeInRI

70 Oh my . . .

2008-07-01 17:03:21

73. williamnyy23

Chris Britton is off the DL by the way. If LaTroy Hawkins remains employed much longer at the expense of Britton, then they should just release him and allow him to get going in his career.

2008-07-01 17:04:02

74. Eirias

67 Ponson to the rescue? Whatever happened to:

There once was a knight from Aruba,
Whose body was shaped like a tuba,
He talked trash to the Yanks,
And twice he was spanked,
Have another twinkie, you goober.

2008-07-01 17:04:52

75. williamnyy23

Kay raised the notion of whether the extra day is affecting Joba. I said it at the time and will repeat it again: whether it's a valid excuse or not, why the hell did Joba throw 114 pitches in a blowout anyway?

2008-07-01 17:06:25

76. Alex Belth

I'm going to throw something if he lets Byrd get a hit here

2008-07-01 17:06:33

77. bobtaco

Would you send him back out for the 4th if he gets out clean here?

2008-07-01 17:07:34

78. williamnyy23

77 Why wouldn;t you? If this bullpen has to get 6 innings, you might as well take the team off the field and go home.

2008-07-01 17:07:49

79. JoeInRI

77 I don't see how you can't . . .

2008-07-01 17:08:46

80. JoeInRI

Phew

2008-07-01 17:09:34

81. bobtaco

Because Geise is warm and Joba is struggling, also to keep his total inning count down for the year...

but he probably will come back out for the 4th i'd imagine.

2008-07-01 17:12:28

82. JoeInRI

Melky pops out a lot . . . or is it just me . . .

2008-07-01 17:13:47

83. Eirias

DO NOT BUNT GARDNER.

2008-07-01 17:13:52

84. Alex Belth

Dude, at least Johnny is here to play. C'Mon get his ass home now!

2008-07-01 17:15:10

85. cult of basebaal

johnny, en fuego!

2008-07-01 17:15:56

86. cult of basebaal

83 already 1 out, with no outs, i'd put money down in vegas on a bunt ... fuckin' joey joe joe jr

2008-07-01 17:16:31

87. Alex Belth

Welcome to the big leagues, kid.

2008-07-01 17:17:42

88. JoeInRI

C'mon Bobby, turn on one.

2008-07-01 17:18:08

89. cult of basebaal

when michael kay questions the strategy of bunting in the 1st inning ... and is right ... it's time to rethink said strategy

2008-07-01 17:18:28

90. Alex Belth

Man, Bobby looks lost against Millwood.

2008-07-01 17:19:40

91. Alex Belth

D-R-A-G

2008-07-01 17:20:32

92. Mattpat11

90 When someone has something like a 3-1 K/Ball ratio, I'm not a fan of taking the first three pitches. Chances are you're going to be in a hole.

2008-07-01 17:21:04

93. cult of basebaal

91 D-R-I-N-K

2008-07-01 17:24:55

94. cult of basebaal

totally off topic, but has anyone played the new Out Of The Park Baseball? Is it worth getting?

2008-07-01 17:27:04

95. bobtaco

Actually this is looking more like a Kazmir start from 2 years ago.

2008-07-01 17:27:08

96. OldYanksFan

Well... now for the good news:
2 runs down is not that bad against Texas.
Joba is terrible tonight but has 6 Ks in 4 IP.
I have some Raspberry Chip ice cream left. Getting it... now!

2008-07-01 17:30:46

97. cult of basebaal

okay boys, how 'bouts some runs!

2008-07-01 17:31:26

98. OldYanksFan

Joba at 91 pitches. Does he come out for the 5th?

2008-07-01 17:32:48

99. bobtaco

98 Doubt it

2008-07-01 17:33:30

100. monkeypants

98 Yes. He threw 100 and 114 pitches in his last two starts. he should at least start the fifth.

Show/Hide Comments 101-150

2008-07-01 17:35:48

101. cult of basebaal

100 why? why push it tonite?

at least that was a hard

2008-07-01 17:36:26

102. monkeypants

I agree that Jeter could use a day off, but unfortunately that still leaves Melky in the line up. Maybe Girardi should think about using Jeter more at DH, with Damon in LF and Gardner in CF, at least for now to see if that jump starts the offense.

2008-07-01 17:36:40

103. cult of basebaal

101 grounder from arod ... never mind ... stupid D-R-I-N-K!

2008-07-01 17:37:39

104. Eirias

Giambi sprayed on the ball repellent.

2008-07-01 17:38:43

105. monkeypants

101 What's being pushed? the kid has shown he can throw 100 pitches. I don't think that it's wrong to try to get five out of your starter, especially in a 2-run game. If he's efficient, let him finish the inning. if he gives up a hit or labors to the first couple of batters, then yank him. he's gone for the 6th anyway, so someone should be warmed.

2008-07-01 17:39:05

106. cult of basebaal

dammit, how many pitches are we going to just miss ... grrrr!

2008-07-01 17:39:37

107. cult of basebaal

105 see 103

2008-07-01 17:39:53

108. Alex Belth

OK, no more "yankee" bad luck here, time to score a freakin run.

2008-07-01 17:40:04

109. bobtaco

105 If they score here, I'd say fine, let him pitch. Otherwise, keep his overall inning limit down. He's thrown some high stress innings tonight.

2008-07-01 17:40:34

110. Just fair

Posada, laces ones off the Sony sign. C'mon Cano. Do something REAL NICE.

2008-07-01 17:40:47

111. Alex Belth

Why do I feel that Robie will hit into a dp?

2008-07-01 17:41:23

112. Alex Belth

No! Tough strike.

2008-07-01 17:42:05

113. cult of basebaal

C'MON RIPPER!!!

2008-07-01 17:42:27

114. Alex Belth

Hey, whatta ya say!

2008-07-01 17:42:35

115. Just fair

Robbie and the Cano's.

2008-07-01 17:42:47

116. Alex Belth

The softest hit ball of the inning and it goes for a base hit.

2008-07-01 17:43:17

117. bobtaco

The spell has been broken

2008-07-01 17:43:38

118. monkeypants

109 Maybe...maybe...you don't send him out for the 5th for the sake of his innings limit. But really, does one inning make a difference? This can't be made up elsewhere, like if he is pitching with a big lead?

Naw, I've got to think that part of developing as a starter is, well, pitching at least 5 innings and throwing 100 pitches.

2008-07-01 17:43:41

119. rbj

Something good. Hm. Well, I am back from a week visiting family. First up was my parents' 50th wedding anniversary (in Virginia). Then came a family reunion with the cousins in Patterson. My one cousin (once removed) had a birthday, so there was ice cream cake -- no Fudgie the Whale, but better was that it was a Yankees theme.

And just like that the Yankees score.

2008-07-01 17:44:18

120. Eirias

.277 OBP. Now that is what I like to see in my Yankees hitters.

2008-07-01 17:44:57