Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : Let's Go Moose

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Let's Go Moose

2008-09-28 08:50

by Alex Belth

You Gotta Believe. That's the order of the day for the Mets who get to play an enormous game in the season finale at Shea. Talk about tension. For Yankee fans, there ain't much at stake, but You Gotta Believe Moose can win 20 games for the first time in his career. Personally, I don't think he'll do it. Something will happen. He'll pitch great but lose 2-1, or get bombed early or pitch well and have a 5-0 lead only to have the game called in the fourth inning. Something always happens. But even if he doesn't get the win, Moose has been one of the best things about the Yanks this year and he gets props over here.

Comments (367)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2008-09-28 09:39:27

1. weeping for brunnhilde

Well, here we are.

Six months of heartache and it ends not with a bang, but a whimper.

2008-09-28 09:40:54

2. Mattpat11

If Mussina doesn't win the first game, and Tubby is winning the second game in the fourth inning, pull the fatass and put in Moose.

2008-09-28 09:41:18

3. unmoderated

history tells us that moose will come THAT close, and miss.

but screw history. i mean, they just closed Yankee Stadium. if that can happen, moose can get 20.

last crazy prediction of 2008:

moose: 6 IP 7 H 3 ER 4 K 1 BB
dice: 7 IP 5 H 4 ER 1 K 5 BB

gardner: 2-3 2 BB 1 RBI 2 SB
A Rod: 3R HR
Molina : Sac Fly 1 RBI

Final: 5-3

2008-09-28 09:58:29

4. OldYanksFan

Moose has some pretty weird Karma. You can't get any closer to a perfect game then being ONE STRIKE away. Jeez.... I hope and pray he gets 20. He really deserves it.

2008-09-28 09:59:38

5. weeping for brunnhilde

4 Oh, God, you had to bring that up?

2008-09-28 10:06:01

6. OldYanksFan

I don't think they will get in 2 today. My guess is that's why Moose is going against Dice-K in the first game.

Dice has great junk, which he rarely throws for a strike. Even with 3 balls, he throws junk.

I know this sounds easy... but you have to let him walk you. You have to be VERY selective. If you swing at the junk, he will beat you. I think you literally have a better chance of beating him if you don't swing at all... until he has walked 2 men. I have to admire that he doesn't give in, and he knows he's going to walk guys. It doesn't bother him.

You have to take a strike... meybe 2. If you play his game, he is VERY very tough.

2008-09-28 10:10:05

7. Mattpat11

6 This sounds like one of those games where Matsuzaka is going to have 8 Ks, six looking in five innings.

And I rip my hair out.

2008-09-28 10:17:41

8. ms october

6 i agree - i think only one game gets played, so i just want moose to pitch whichever game has the better shot of getting in. i'm about 5 miles or less away from fenway and no rain now - actually looking fairly clear.

i also agree with you on matsuzaka - he throws crap and most hitters fall for it and they have to make themselves lay off of it.

according to petey, girardi says they are leaning to joba as a starter next year and will find a way to manage his innings. to me that implies they won't mess with putting him in the bullpen to start the year, which i think will make things easier on him, plus the yanks get him as a starter for the bulk of the season.

2008-09-28 10:25:11

9. Shaun P

7 No, I think OYF has it exactly right. Francona couldn't care less about these games. His #1 priority is to keep his guys healthy. So, the more pitches Dice-K throws, the faster he's out of there, and the quicker the JV relief corps come in.

Dice-K has the most walks in the AL, and the 6 guys trailing him have all thrown between 20 and 60 more innings. He walks 5.1 guys a game, by far the league leader.

There is no one in the AL with a greater discrepancy between his actual ERA and what his ERA should be based on his component stats, than Dice-K. (Real ERA 2.80, xFIP (expected fielding independent ERA 4.86.)

I think the Yanks crush him today, and Moose wins #20 with ease.

(The funny thing is, most of RSN thinks they are golden in the postseason with a top 3 of Beckett-Lester-Dice-K. They may be in for a very rude awakening.)

2008-09-28 10:25:54

10. OldYanksFan

Well, it's raining hard at Fenway.

2008-09-28 10:41:33

11. OldYanksFan

Topics for todays 'this game don't mean a shit, just get Moose a win' game:
1) Gardner - 13 for last 40: Real or pretender?
2) Cashman - To be or not to be
3) Giambi - If we don't sign Tex, who is a better alternative

2008-09-28 10:47:14

12. williamnyy23

11
1) Role player who can be useful in the right spots.
2) I think Cashman is walking. This isnt the kind of job you take if you aren't 100% sure. If Cashman still hasn't made up his mind, I doubt he is coming back. My first call would be to Billy Beane (if the As allow it).
3) Tex should be a target, but after him 1B falls into place based on what else you bring back.

2008-09-28 10:51:19

13. Max

4 That is one of those games (the near-perfecto) that I really will never forget. About as dominating a performance as you'll see -- nothing remotely flukish about it -- and then Everett gets a pitch in his wheelhouse after being clueless all game (and all season).

That hit by Everett is still as clear as day in my mind...crazy. And it still felt more like a perfect game to me (or at least, what one should be) than other successful attempts. But that's the story of Moose.

2008-09-28 10:54:45

14. yankster

11 3) Money is a bigger deal at first than at any of the other positions in play. If Giambi is willing to come back for $10 million for each of 2 years including the buyout (not likely), the Yanks have to take it.

What's the point of talking to Teixeira at $20 mil/per when he only gives you a small bump over Giambi. It's possible that there just won't be anyone else available at first for Giambi's $/vorp $/OPS+. Finally, you know he can deal with NY and with the clubhouse. That certainty has real value.

2008-09-28 10:56:11

15. Shaun P

12 2) Beane has an ownership stake in the A's, and IIRC, in whatever MLS team the A's owners also own. So I don't think he's going anywhere.

11
1) That's what Spring Training is for figuring out!
2) Cashman stays.
3) Too early to even guess at alternatives.

2008-09-28 10:57:44

16. Mattpat11

Tom Seaver got old and fat.

2008-09-28 11:00:21

17. Shaun P

14 Because Tex is 29 and plays excellent defense at 1B, and Giambi will be 38 next year. I don't trust the Giambi's body could handle 150 games at 1B and no time at DH - which could well happen, as Matsui and Posada already have a stranglehold on the '09 DH job.

2008-09-28 11:21:18

18. Mattpat11

Any word?

2008-09-28 11:26:40

19. Shaun P

18 PeteAbe says first pitch at 2:30.

2008-09-28 11:27:47

20. Mattpat11

Here we go

2008-09-28 11:36:35

21. JL25and3

10 "It was raining hard at Fenway
I needed one more fare to make my night..."

Sorry. That just came out.

2008-09-28 11:41:02

22. Shaun P

Hmm, Damon didn't get the memo.

BTW, how psyched are Twins' fans that, instead of facing likely Cy Young Winner Cliff Lee, instead the ChiSox get washed up failed prospect Bryan Bullington?

2008-09-28 11:44:29

23. ms october

22 but damon threw someone out - that has to be a good sign

2008-09-28 11:46:22

24. Shaun P

23 Even better, it was Scrappy Dustid Pedroistein!

2008-09-28 11:52:31

25. Mattpat11

Trying to think of something I love more than watching a player stare at strike three right down the middle.

2008-09-28 11:53:43

26. Mattpat11

I just hope the Yankees get a hit. Sorry Mike.

2008-09-28 12:02:19

27. Mattpat11

They both have 24 pitches through two.

2008-09-28 12:12:28

28. Mattpat11

25 I may have found one. Taking that same pitch early in the count for no other reason than taking a pitch.

2008-09-28 12:17:23

29. ms october

well moose is doing his job.
now getting him a run!!

2008-09-28 12:17:37

30. Mattpat11

33 pitches through three for Mussina. 37 for Matsuzaka.

2008-09-28 12:17:37

31. Shaun P

Hmm, both New York teams playing a pitchers' duel . . .

2008-09-28 12:23:50

32. Mattpat11

Come on. Two run bomb.

2008-09-28 12:25:08

33. Mattpat11

That's one loud peanut vender.

2008-09-28 12:26:56

34. Mattpat11

Are we sure we wanted Abreu in scoring position with these two coming up?

2008-09-28 12:32:37

35. ms october

thanks xavier!

2008-09-28 12:32:52

36. rbj

X-man!
Now just two more shutout innings by Moose, then let the skies open up.

2008-09-28 12:33:32

37. Jeb

Love that X-man!

2008-09-28 12:33:32

38. tommyl

Was that a clutch RBI? I do not understand. Oh wait, I do, it was by Nady, who hasn't been around long enough to have the stench of RISP problems get to him yet.

2008-09-28 12:33:43

39. OldYanksFan

A HR literally by 3 inches. A RFer with any speed would have caught that.

2008-09-28 12:34:26

40. thelarmis

X-Man delivers!

make it stand Mikey Moose!!!

2008-09-28 12:35:49

41. Just fair

39 And then decapitated himself by flipping over that little wall. Ah, Robbie, what could have been?

2008-09-28 12:38:18

42. OldYanksFan

After that Ransom hit, Dice-K at 70 pitches.

2008-09-28 12:41:09

43. Mattpat11

Come on Moose. Just hold on

2008-09-28 12:42:46

44. Mattpat11

Oh no

2008-09-28 12:44:50

45. rbj

I'm not liking this.

2008-09-28 12:44:51

46. Mattpat11

This is not good.

2008-09-28 12:45:05

47. OldYanksFan

shitfuck.

2008-09-28 12:46:29

48. Mattpat11

DP time Moose.

2008-09-28 12:48:54

49. rbj

48 As you requested.

2008-09-28 12:49:08

50. Mattpat11

He heard me.

Now lets get through five.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2008-09-28 12:49:10

51. OldYanksFan

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!

2008-09-28 12:52:20

52. ms october

moose made it a little interesting but still going well.

has anyone figured out why bladness is so highly correlated with scrapiness? dusty is going to have to re-grow that hideous neck beard and transplant it to his head pretty soon.

2008-09-28 12:52:57

53. Mattpat11

52 Bubba had hair and he was not just scrappy, but spunky.

2008-09-28 12:53:18

54. Mattpat11

Dennis Martinez is watching this game closely.

2008-09-28 12:55:51

55. Mattpat11

I'd say Mariano Rivera is pretty damned spectacular.

2008-09-28 12:58:48

56. Mattpat11

I want more runs. Jack one Alex.

2008-09-28 13:00:22

57. OldYanksFan

A Hit now would be very nice....

2008-09-28 13:01:27

58. moismycopilot

56 I'm also feeling greedy. I'd like some insurance runs.

2008-09-28 13:04:09

59. OldYanksFan

57 Jeez... that's not really what I meant. When you talk to God, I didn't think ya had to be so specific.

2008-09-28 13:12:08

60. Mattpat11

Where the hell was that pitch?

2008-09-28 13:13:39

61. Mattpat11

A little late, but good enough.

Also, if he pitches 2/3 of an inning, he'll hit 200 IP for the first time since 2003 (He topped out at 197.3 in 06.

2008-09-28 13:14:50

62. Just fair

Love them caught lookings.
Atta boy, Moose.
BTW, when I was real little,5 or 6, whenever an announcer said that the batter went down looking, I thought he got called out for peaking back at the catcher. Ignorance is bliss. : )

2008-09-28 13:16:08

63. Mattpat11

More runs. Make this a laugher. As much as I love Mo, I don't want to see him today. Moose can actually go the distance.

2008-09-28 13:16:12

64. dianagramr

Wes Helms PH homer off of Schoenweis, 3-2 Florida top 8th.

2008-09-28 13:16:42

65. OldYanksFan

Ladies and Gentlemen.... we have 5 IP. Can we do the Banter rain dance?

2008-09-28 13:17:06

66. RIYank

Hey yall.

I think Mo could pitch the ninth even if we have a seven run lead, actually.

2008-09-28 13:17:29

67. Mattpat11

65 I wouldn't mind see Moose get over 200 IP. But if it means the win for him, I'll gladly start dancing.

2008-09-28 13:18:09

68. OldYanksFan

Holy smokes, the sun is out in NH. AT least I think it's the sun... I looked it up.

2008-09-28 13:18:17

69. Mattpat11

Nice play

2008-09-28 13:18:22

70. dianagramr

Meanwhile, the Jets lead 56-35 with 2 minutes left.

yes, 56-35.

2008-09-28 13:18:29

71. RIYank

The rain has let up here, fyi. Sometimes the weather goes from my house to Boston.

2008-09-28 13:18:57

72. OldYanksFan

If Moose wins this one, can you imagine the lineups in tonights game?

2008-09-28 13:19:21

73. Just fair

Mets losing 3-2 in the 8th. Brewers tied at 1 in the 8th with C.C. at the bat. He just came out of his shoes twice trying to jack one out. Then goes down looking. : (

2008-09-28 13:20:42

74. RIYank

Okay, now it's pouring again.

2008-09-28 13:20:49

75. Mattpat11

72 To be honest, I don't really get the point of resting the regulars in the last game with no playoffs.

But I see your point. It will look like a beer softball league.

With the fatass pitcher to boot.

2008-09-28 13:21:45

76. OldYanksFan

Not much hussle there by Molina....

2008-09-28 13:22:35

77. Mattpat11

2008-09-28 13:22:43

78. seattleyank

Molina is just a putrid hitter.

2008-09-28 13:23:54

79. Just fair

3-1 Brewers on a 2 out 2 run homer in the 8th by Braun. Wow.

2008-09-28 13:25:55

80. Mattpat11

Don't walk Varitek.

2008-09-28 13:25:56

81. dianagramr

Willie Randolph might be grinning just a wee bit?

2008-09-28 13:27:52

82. Mattpat11

Kay scared me with that DEEEEEEEEP BS.

2008-09-28 13:29:31

83. OldYanksFan

I think Gardner may be a better defender then Melky

2008-09-28 13:29:52

84. RIYank

Oooh, no batting title for Dusty.

2008-09-28 13:30:00

85. Just fair

Molina just gave Moose the ball. 6 and done?

2008-09-28 13:30:10

86. OldYanksFan

Wow.... Moose up by 3 after 6. This is pretty exciting. I really want this for Moose.

2008-09-28 13:30:33

87. RIYank

83 He doesn't have Melky's arm, though.

2008-09-28 13:31:37

88. OldYanksFan

85 Jeez.. I hope not. Moose is dealing. Let him control his own fate. While our BP has been good, everyone but Mo can implode anytime.

2008-09-28 13:32:30

89. RIYank

88 How about Joba for two?

2008-09-28 13:33:23

90. dianagramr

Uggla homers .... 4-2 Marlins .... bottom 8th.

2008-09-28 13:34:03

91. OldYanksFan

I don't know who else is pitching, but right now Moose has the 5th best ERA in the AL, behind Lester, Dice-K, Lalladay and Lee. FIFTH best! How amazing is that?

2008-09-28 13:34:19

92. rbj

Brewers win

2008-09-28 13:34:25

93. OldYanksFan

Make that Halladay and Hee.

2008-09-28 13:35:09

94. Just fair

Delgado up with 2 on and and 2 out down by 2. Arthur Rhodes coming in. Look out Apple.
C.C. with another complete game win. He's been a beast.

2008-09-28 13:35:33

95. OldYanksFan

Are you telling me the Mets are going down in flames? Again? Gee... that's too bad.

2008-09-28 13:37:57

96. JimCobain

Arthur Rhodes looks to give another gift to NY, Delgado hammered it right at the left fielder... that's a shame...

2008-09-28 13:38:18

97. Just fair

HIt hard, but a line out to left.
95 I agree. too bad... too bad... hehheheheh

2008-09-28 13:38:19