One thing about his previous home-run deficient seasons is that he did rip a fair amount of doubles (24 & 23 in 426 and 481 ABs respectively) and if there's one thing that's been drilled into my head it's that as young hitters age, doubles turn into home runs, often quickly. So, I don't think it's entirely unexpected. A lot of the early reports I've seen on him all raved about his tools and that it was just a matter of maturation.

What's the deal with Damon at DH two games in a row? Is he hurt?

I wish there was an over/under for Toronto 1st-to-3rds tonight. Easy money on the OVER!

I personally think its one of the stupidest things about the whole Extra Innings package. That, and that you usually only get the home announcers. We ought to have a choice between home and away announcers, so we can get the YES feed when the Yanks are on the road.

anyway, given that baseball is THE most unpredictable game, I suppose the yankees will win tonight with a strong effort by Proctor.

You see, with Wright against Halladay, the Yanks almost certain to lose. So Torre is cleverly resting as many good bats as possible so that they will be fresh tomorrow. Then presuming the series is tied 1-1 after tomorrow, he will start enthusiastic Miguel Cairo at 1B on Sunday, thus clinching the series victory.

You see, sometimes you have to sacrifice for the greater good rather than seek instant gratification.

What an unfortunate story for a guy who had his share of hardships, even with the great fortune of being blessed with a Major League arm and a Yankee career.

http://tinyurl.com/psbb7

those are some pretty bad outfields...

Rios should play every day. That kid is too good and will never build his confidence against righties if he sits against bums like Wright.

Thanks Canada.

And I am pissed that the game isn't on E.I. Not even the Blue Jays feed. Grrr. It is digital cable fer cryin' out loud. And I'm in Toledo, I'm not going to impact WOR. Detroit vs. Minn is scheduled, but that is blacked out. As is the Cleveland game. And the Cincy game.
(Minor rant, in light of what Howe's family is going through.)

Check.

Wright on the mound?

Check.

Stinnett catching?

Check.

No feed from Extra Innings?

Check.

Does Wal-Mart still sell tranquilizing darts? I could self-applicate.

(That was a joke by the way)

3...2...1...

Pete Gray

http://tinyurl.com/hz7hn

I would say the Redsuxs one have very limited range in all positions but at least has decent arms.

The Yanks one has a rangy CF as brockdc points out, the worst arms in the AL.

Offensively, I think it would be a tie.

I do believe we have ourselves a modern-day Pete Gray playing RF for us this very instant. Ain't history grand?

I was thinking yesterday that A-Rod needs to be more boring, like Jeter, to give the critics less fuel to stoke the fire.

Just reply to every interview, "It's a 162 game season. I don't get hung up on the day-to-day. Let's go back out there tomorrow and win. That's all."

If he said that, win or lose, in every interview people would stop to a degree.

Someone does not want me to hear or see this one. Maybe it's for a good reason...

True Cliff. He's boring. But he tends to be self-depricating and it adds to people's impression of him as a failure. He says, "It was all my fault.", or, "I played like a dog."

If he'd just stick to the Jeter-isms that I listed in 47 he'd be better off.

I was just about to type that Bk. Great minds.

And then there was that bizarre tomato juice rant from a couple weeks ago

63 tomato juice?

It sort of went all the way downhill right after lemonade. Thats the last thing that made any sense.

Like when he dissed Jeter. His talking about going through psychotherapy. (Not that there's anything wrong with that...but why give people that kind of ammnunition?) Then there was that threatening to sue MTV if they aired a tape of a prank they played on him. I just can't imagine Jeter doing that.

That was my original point randym77. Thanks. I like A-Rod a lot. I was lukewarm about him coming to the Yankees at the beginning, because I thought it was overkill and that he would end up a distraction.

Now, I'm solidly in his camp. He's not Pujols, in that he doesn't exude that nuclear energy, but he's one of the top players in the history of the game and you have to appreciate how much he cares.

If he would just stick to the old Jeter cliche machine, he'd be okay.

Look, can you please not repackage Red Sox snipes at Yankees players in this way? I can vaguely understand you being annoyed at Arod striking out, and I can understand people being jealous of his success and salary and the publicity he gets when he saves a kid from getting run over, but your comment is just stupid.

Believe me, I understand. The Yankee game is on tape delay in about 3 hours in Japan so we can see the M's take on the O's. With Wright on the mound, I'd rather know now and not waste my beautiful Saturday afternoon.

http://tinyurl.com/zcbnz

Is Wright, um, righting the ship?