Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : Game On

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B. Abreu BR BP E MLB
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X. Nady BR BP E MLB
H. Matsui BR BP E MLB mi
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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
C. Pavano 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
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:
J. Albaladejo BR BP BC E mi
A. Brackman BC
H. Sanchez BC mi

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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

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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
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S. Patterson BR BC mi
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F. Cervelli BR BC mi
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Select Minor Leaguers:

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J.B. Cox BC mi
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C. Garcia BC mi

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M. Cusick BC mi
B. Suttle BC mi
A. Romine BC mi
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J. Heredia BC mi
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C. Heyer BC mi

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

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C. Joseph mi
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Key:
BR = Baseball-Reference
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H. Phillips (L) BR BC mi TB mL
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D. Mientkiewicz BR BP BC E MLB PIT mL
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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
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R. Clemens BR BP BC E mi
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O. Santos BC mi BAL mL
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B. Kozlowski (L) BR BP BC E mi Japan

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Game On

2006-06-28 09:29

by Cliff Corcoran

It's as close to sunny in downtown Manhattan as I've seen it in what feels like at least a week, so the Yanks and Braves should be taking the field in about a half an hour. Alex, in a blatant attempt to make our Wednesday workdays feel even longer, is at the game, which pits young Chien-Ming Wang against veteran John Smoltz, a pitching match-up I'd love to see. Alas, I'll be watching it on Gameday with the rest of you working stiffs. Those in front of a TV or even a radio please help with details and descriptions.

Melky Cabrera, coming off a 3 for 4 day that saw him drive in both of the Yankees runs, one via his second career homer, is back up in the two spot. Bernie's in right batting sixth, followed by Phillips, Cairo and, in the day game after night game, Stinnett.

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Comments (494)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2006-06-28 09:42:55

1. randym77

Continuing the conversation from the old thread...

Yeah, when is Joe going to listen to me and put A-Rod in the two-hole? It would give him some protection in the lineup and take some of the pressure off.

2006-06-28 09:50:27

2. Cliff Corcoran

I don't know about the two-hole, but I do like the idea of putting Giambi behind him for protection, so you get:

L - Damon
R - Jeter
R - Rodriguez
L - Giambi
S - Posada

Of course, Torre did that in the ALDS last year with Jeter, Rodriguez, and Giambi hitting in order one-through-three and the Angels still pitched around Rodriguez, which supports all of the statistical analysis which says that line-up protection doesn't have a meaningful effect (though every time I see Papi at the plate with Manny on deck or think about Roger Maris's 1961 season I beg to disagree).

2006-06-28 09:51:25

3. mickey1956

Crazy as it sounds I'd agree. I'd go

Damon
A-Rod
Giambi
Jeter

I know Jeter isn't typical cleanup. But I like High OBP in front of contact guys. Maybe get some more runs across. I don't think this is ideal just a shake em up kinda thing.

2006-06-28 09:51:43

4. BobbyBaseBall

For those of us stuck at work, try to download something called TVU. It streams ESPN (and a few other channels) over the internet in a stand-alone application. It buffers quite a bit, but its better than Gameday.

This is one of the only times I'm actually happy to get an ESPN feed.

www.tvunetworks.com

2006-06-28 09:52:14

5. nyctarheel87

1. Yeah it doesn't make much sense putting in Melky who feels more pressure at the two-hole than his previous spot, instead of A-Rod who seems to feel less pressure hitting 2nd than Clean-up or 5th.

2006-06-28 09:53:04

6. mickey1956

2 Maris in 61 was intentionally walked zero time. Will there be a time when people forget the Mick. I still say I'd rather have Mantle then Mays.

2006-06-28 09:55:43

7. randym77

A-Rod in the two-hole would be a temporary thing, like in 2004, to help calm him down a bit. Maybe he'd remember to just take the walk instead of swinging at bad pitches.

2006-06-28 09:57:42

8. nyctarheel87

I really never understood why Cano was never put in the two-hole. Was it his lack of walks?

2006-06-28 09:59:54

9. randym77

8 Yeah, I think so. OBP too low.

2006-06-28 10:08:58

10. Bama Yankee

6 I agree with you about Mantle. If his knee had held up imagine the numbers he would have put up...

Also, from the last thread: I'm a 1992 University of Alabama grad. Man, I sure was not happy to see y'all get Spurrier (hey, it's only 66 days until kickoff).

2006-06-28 10:11:04

11. randym77

Yeah. Wanger strikes him out on four pitches.

2006-06-28 10:11:18

12. Bama Yankee

7 Plus he would see more fastballs when Damon was on base ahead of him.

2006-06-28 10:12:20

13. mickey1956

10 Most of these Yankee fans have no idea what a real rivalry is until you experience SEC football. If Mantle came up today he probably would stick at shortstop. Imagine those numbers at short unbelievable.

2006-06-28 10:14:12

14. BklynBmr

Nasty, 95mph sinking fastball strike three for first out... one pitch ground out on a sinker to Jetes for number two... high pop to shallow left snagged by Jeter for out number three. Nice 11 pitch start for Tiger...

2006-06-28 10:15:54

15. mickey1956

14 Where did Wang's strikeouts go. I know he is effective without them, but why didn't his minor league strikeouts translate?

2006-06-28 10:18:38

16. Cliff Corcoran

13 This is a huge sequence of ifs, but, assuming Mickey was going to stay at short, he wouldn't have been given a shot in 1951 because Scooter was coming off his MVP season. If he was called up anyway and played in RF as he did, the injury in the '51 series would have ended his days as an infielder anyway. This is a long shot, but does anyone recall reading about Mickey's defense at short? Was he any good? Putting aside for a second that Mantle was one of the five best hitters who ever lived (Babe, Ted, Barry, Lou and Mickey are my top five), that kind of production out of CF is a pretty big deal as well.

2006-06-28 10:21:13

17. nysports05

Does anyone think Smoltz is a hall of famer?

2006-06-28 10:21:30

18. randym77

Yeah, Jeet! Goes the other way for a double.

2006-06-28 10:21:35

19. Cliff Corcoran

Melky's looking a little hacktastic recently, no? His pitches per PA are taking a tumble. Could he be reverting to his minor league ways? If so he could be hacking his way toward a trade.

2006-06-28 10:22:55

20. rbj

13 I worked at South Carolina for a few years, I was astounded by the Carolina - Clemson rivalry, and that's with them being in different conferences.

I agree that Giambi should hit behind A-Rod, give him some better pitches to see.

2006-06-28 10:23:32

21. Cliff Corcoran

17 Tough call. I think he has a case, one made stronger by both Eckersley's induction and the fact that he's come back strong in his second stint as a starter. He'll have to wait until Glavine gets in, though. I put him in that group with Moose and Schilling just above Kevin Brown and David Wells. Brown and Wells are not HoFers, the other three I'm undecided about.

2006-06-28 10:25:10

22. Bama Yankee

13 You're right. The other night the Nats announcers said the crowd at RFK was like a SEC game when the Yanks were in town. 56K fans might be like a Kentucky/Vandy game, but there is nothing like 100K fans for a huge rivalry game like Alabama/Auburn or USC/Clemson. It's like a game seven atmosphere.

2006-06-28 10:25:21

23. Cliff Corcoran

Two out two on for Rodriguez. My heart sinks in these situations, out of sympathy rather than frustration.

Props to Jeter and Giambi for making Smoltz work hard this inning, by the way. 22 pitches and counting.

2006-06-28 10:26:31

24. bp1

Might have to start calling him A-LOB (you know - "Alex - Left On Base")

Ok ok - bad joke. In times like this, whattyagonnado?

2006-06-28 10:26:41

25. Cliff Corcoran

Hey at least he drove the ball. That's a nice change of pace.

2006-06-28 10:26:50

26. randym77

Put A-Rod in the two-hole already. He can't deal with that kind of situation right now.

2006-06-28 10:27:22

27. yankaholic

23 watching ARod.. i remember the emphasis going into 2005 was a concerted effort to take the ball the other way and shorten the swing and get HRs off the short RF..

i think he has forgotten or abandoned that strategy..

his swing is long and he is pulling everything..

i just feel if he starts dinking balls to RF with short swings he will be fine..

2006-06-28 10:27:42

28. mickey1956

16 Funny you should ask. I was saying that if Mantle came up today he would of stayed at short, Coleman would of been replaced by scooter at 2nd, and maybe no Billy Martin. That is the move someone like Stengel would of made even with Scooters MVP. My dad met Mantle in 1974 and asked him about playing shortstop, and he answered he wasn't half as good as defensively as scooter. I have this old picture of my dad staning next to Mantle, and something always bugged me about it. When I was about twelve I realized that my dad was taller than the Mick. My old man was born in the Bronx in 1938, and after hearing all of the Mantle stories I expected him to be 8 feet tall.

2006-06-28 10:29:30

29. mickey1956

22 I will say that I think the 12 hours of tailgating have something to do with it. Do you got to many games. I go to all of the home games, and 2-3 road games a year. I love going to Alabama, even with our record there.

2006-06-28 10:31:05

30. C2Coke

I was watching TBS for the game and have found more announcers I can't really stand. But they are way better than ESPN and FOX for that matter though.

I do not understand why people are still booing Arod. Even with a Stadium not all full you can still hear the boos loud enough.

I don't know if anyone noticed. TBS has mentioned that Jeter is hitting .319 in the second and .409 in the third hole. That might explain why Torre seems to be constantly finding someone to bat second.

2006-06-28 10:34:05

31. mickey1956

30 .409 in 44 at-bats.

2006-06-28 10:35:25

32. C2Coke

Which might be why Torre feels like he should continue to try it until it doesn't work, no?

2006-06-28 10:36:23

33. yankaholic

I will get high blood pressure if Braves win today.. Sox and Yanks have been playing th NL for a while now.. fairly the same teams i think.. we are .500 they are on a 10 game streak.. we gotto lap up the weak teams..

2006-06-28 10:36:47

34. nysports05

Great hussle by Cairo but we can't afford another player to go down.

2006-06-28 10:36:57

35. randym77

Wow. Great play by Miggy. Bunt along the 1B line, slides in head first to avoid the tag.

Miggy's 7 for 13 against Smoltz now.

2006-06-28 10:39:01

36. mickey1956

32 No what I'm saying is that Torre shouldn't make any decisions based on 44 at-bats. That's why Phillips sat. Plus Jeter's good enough to hit anywhere, and his place in the lineup doesn't matter.

2006-06-28 10:39:01

37. C2Coke

So that was the best backup catcher the Yanks can get? It's been months and still not answer.

2006-06-28 10:40:14

38. mickey1956

37 If he gets to 3 balls Stinnet should always have the take sign.

2006-06-28 10:41:40

39. C2Coke

32 Don't get me wrong, I am completely with you! If only Torres thinks the same way.

33 When looking at that 3.5 game difference, there are so many different emotions it's indescribable.

2006-06-28 10:42:02

40. domvjr

(4) thanks for the tip, able to watch the game.

2006-06-28 10:47:20

41. randym77

The Wanger special: GIDP.

2006-06-28 10:50:35

42. Schteeve

Johnny Damon's having a nice June and nobody talks about him.

2006-06-28 10:50:37

43. monkeypants

34 I never wish injury on any player, but why can the Yanks not afford Cairo to go down? Is he appreciably better than Green? And, couldn't possibly, finally, maybe, possibly force the Yankees to call up someone productive or at least interesting?

Heck, it took a rash of injuries just to get Melky and Thompson called up, and to get Andy in the lineup.

2006-06-28 10:51:43

44. BobbyBaseBall

I hate when these softball "in-game interviews" are over the game action.

2006-06-28 10:52:31

45. Cliff Corcoran

28 "he answered he wasn't half as good as defensively as scooter" Well, Scooter was an outstanding defensive SS, so that's not terribly informative. If Mantle was a wizard at short he would have stayed there. The question is was he solid or was he just awful as Bobby Murcer often claims he was.

2006-06-28 10:54:07

46. randym77

43 "Is he appreciably better than Green?"

Hell, yes. Cairo's a good utility guy. Very solid on defense, and much better than Nick ".077" Green on offense.

2006-06-28 10:54:53

47. nysports05

Cairo is a proven good utility player and we can't afford to call someone up and wait to see if they can produce

2006-06-28 10:54:59

48. Cliff Corcoran

45 To clarify, as Murcer claims he himself was.

42 Damon, Jeter, Posada and Giambi have all exceeded expectations thus far this year. Cano has as well, but to a lesser degree as his lack of power has been disappointing.

2006-06-28 10:56:15

49. Cliff Corcoran

47 Thank you, Mr. Torre.

More hacking by Melky. Me no likey.

2006-06-28 10:56:49

50. nyctarheel87

Why are we the Houston Astros all of a sudden? Can't give our pitchers any support.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2006-06-28 10:57:05

51. mickey1956

48 I meant more along the lines of that team in todays atmosphere of offense first. Even if he was poor at short he would of stayed there.

2006-06-28 10:58:11

52. randym77

I don't know why they put Melky in the two-hole. He seems to stress out when he bats that high up in the order.

2006-06-28 11:00:51

53. Cliff Corcoran

51 Ah, but Scooter was Captain Intagables, that still flies, plus he was coming off a season of legitimate production at the plate. Also, in today's atmosphere, the Yankees would have let Rizzuto play forever on the Good Old Scooter plan.

2006-06-28 11:01:26

54. randym77

Leiter thinks Wang is overthrowing a bit. The radar gun is reading 96-97 mph, and the ball usually doesn't move as much when you throw that hard.

2006-06-28 11:02:01

55. Cliff Corcoran

"Andruw Jones doubles (15) on a line drive to right fielder Bernie Williams. Edgar Renteria scores."

A double on line drive to Bernie? Was Bernie somehow at fault here TV/radio/streaming video folk?

2006-06-28 11:05:29

56. JeremyM

28 I've read that Mickey was awful at shortstop and couldn't make the throw to first to save his life. Can you imagine if he would've put up those numbers at short during that era?

2006-06-28 11:05:57

57. randym77

55 I don't know if I'd say he's at fault. It was hit hard along the line into the corner.

He didn't play it all that well, though.

2006-06-28 11:06:11

58. C2Coke

55 Not really, Damon was closer and he definitely was going for the ball just couldn't reach in time. Don't think Bernie should be blamed.

2006-06-28 11:06:14

59. singledd

Taking our current pitching staff, including Dotel and the farm, do people here think our current offense (including Cano) is enough to win the division? I don't.

2006-06-28 11:07:14

60. randym77

59 I do.

And it's a base hit for A-rod!

2006-06-28 11:08:45

61. nyctarheel87

59. Yes, the Red Sox are overachieving

2006-06-28 11:09:04

62. yankaholic

59 its all predicated on if/how well Matsui heals.. I have given up on Sheff.. i think sheff will take it slower because he wants to be fit next yr and is confident his track record will get him dough..

with Matsui.. his sheer work ethic.. i think he will be back by september.. will he effective.. i donno..

2006-06-28 11:09:05

63. C2Coke

59 One of the missing puzzles has to be Arod. It's pretty much July. He can't get away with "it's early in the season" anymore.
All-Star break can really do them some good.

2006-06-28 11:11:08

64. C2Coke

I know at least Arod is hitting again. But he's gotta find his consistency back. I have confidence he will be back soon!

2006-06-28 11:13:22

65. C2Coke

62 Effectiveness is too difficult to predict. He return in September or maybe even late August ought to be optimistic.

2006-06-28 11:13:29

66. randym77

I think it's really striking, how A-Rod regressed when he got back to Yankee Stadium. He's suddenly slumping again (that base hit notwithstanding). And not just on offense. He didn't have any errors on the road trip. Get back to his home turf, and it's another error.

2006-06-28 11:14:58

67. Alvaro Espinoza

My favorite part of ESPN's Gamescast is how it animates a pop-up to 2nd base yet the graphic below reads:

"So-and-so lines out to 2nd base"

So which one is it???

2006-06-28 11:17:28

68. Cliff Corcoran

57 Says it was in the corner. 58 Says Damon was closer. Which was it?

2006-06-28 11:20:22

69. Cliff Corcoran

Man, this one's really living up to the billing. Three hits and a walk per team. Wang has thrown just 52 pitches after five and has gotten 13 of 15 outs on the ground. Great stuff.

2006-06-28 11:21:16

70. yankaholic

62 right.. well i always felt Matsui runs out of gas towards October coz of his streak of games..

this extended break and future periodic breaks may help him

2006-06-28 11:21:34

71. mickey1956

68 It was in the corner. It would have been a double anywhere.

2006-06-28 11:23:48

72. standuptriple

Good job Cairo. Where can I get the same rose-colored glasses that Joe is watching him with? Maybe he should just try bunting.

2006-06-28 11:25:17

73. randym77

Renteria's hit went into the gap. I think that's the one 58 was talking about. Andruw's went into the corner, and scored Renteria.

I think...

2006-06-28 11:26:47

74. Cliff Corcoran

70 I'd prefer Matsui not break anything else.

Wrist injuries are tough for hitters. Keep your eyes on Derrek Lee who just returned from the same injury as Matsui for some indication of how Godzilla might do once he returns in what could be late August.

2006-06-28 11:30:51

75. C2Coke

71 Where was Bernie then? I only saw Damon picked up the ball. But you are right, it was a solid double.

Watching Smoltz, all that went through my mind was that, "hey, at least it's not a no-name minor leaguers anymore." But I do envy Alex, who is surely enjoying what is turning out to be a dandy pitchers' duel.

So remind me again, why is Smoltz still pitching a "scoreless game"??

2006-06-28 11:31:54

76. Cliff Corcoran

75 Because the Braves are at the plate.

2006-06-28 11:32:51

77. randym77

75 I think the one Damon picked up was Renteria's fly into right center.

Damon really has a lot of real estate to cover with Bernie in right.

2006-06-28 11:33:25

78. C2Coke

73 Thanks for clearing that up. My mind was obviously somewhere else thinking why Smoltz with 73 pitches through 5 innings is still having a shutout so far.

2006-06-28 11:34:28

79. C2Coke

76 I am just thinking ahead for the next inning, that's all.

2006-06-28 11:36:07

80. randym77

Wang's slider is definitely not his best pitch.

2006-06-28 11:37:01

81. rbj

79 Ah. Otherwise someone might think you are trying to jinx Smoltz, who is throwing a shutout.

2006-06-28 11:37:22

82. yankaholic

74 well the culture of under-performance maybe getting to Lee..

the healing powers are different.. and i have agut feel Matsui may be back relatively quicker

And any updates on Pavano or Dotel??

i think Hughes pitches today.. if nothing else thats one thing i like to look at..

2006-06-28 11:37:59

83. Max

Bad play by Damon...completely faked out by Chipper. The way we're hitting, that run is going to hurt big time.

2006-06-28 11:39:28

84. Zack

Does anyone else get annoyed when Bernie does his patented "I knwo I can't get to this ball but I am going to stick my arm up and sort of wave at it to pretend I am closer to it than I am" play?

2006-06-28 11:40:18

85. Zack

And man oh man is our offense in a slump...We are at the point where as soon as Wang gave up a run I was thinking "oh geez, how are we going to get that run back?"

2006-06-28 11:40:27

86. Mattpat11

I look at Francoeur's swing and cannot figure out how he ever makes contact.

2006-06-28 11:41:25

87. Cliff Corcoran

83 Explain how Chipper faked out Damon.

84 Yes.

2006-06-28 11:41:46

88. randym77

Don't bunt, Jeter.

2006-06-28 11:44:43

89. Mattpat11

A-Rod breaks through here. 3 run shot.

2006-06-28 11:44:54

90. randym77

Oh, no. A-Rod coming to the plate with RISP.

2006-06-28 11:46:12

91. mickey1956

A-Rod will walk here.

2006-06-28 11:47:17

92. mickey1956

What's Bobby complaining about that was ball 3.

2006-06-28 11:47:48

93. Mattpat11

eh. i'll take it.

2006-06-28 11:48:25

94. randym77

Don't bunt, Jeter.

2006-06-28 11:48:27

95. mickey1956

For those without TV. A-Rod hits one hard up the middle that hits Smoltz, and bounced to Giles. Tough luck for him. Should of been a hit.

2006-06-28 11:48:47

96. vockins

nice. not a 3 run hr, but nice.

2006-06-28 11:49:26

97.