The thing I'll always remember about Kaat was his baseball card when I was a kid (born at the very end of 1969, started following basbeball in 77 or so).

Iirc his ml career started in 1959, so that by the late 70s the type on his stats on the back of the card was absolutely miniscule. I thought it was so cool, and can still remember when the 80s hit and he'd played in4 decades.

I wasn't a big card collector, so I don't recall what his card looked like in 83, his last season, but I suspect by then a magnifying glass was needed.

1 I couldn't find a picture of the back of a Jim Kaat card from the 70s or 80s, but here's a picture of the back of his rookie card. Sabermatricians would probably point out that his 1958 season at Chatannooga had a low 71:64 K:BB ratio, despite his apparent 19 K game that season. The bid for this card on eBay is $19.99.

http://biobasicsglobal.com/EBAY8/DSC08958.JPG
(sorry, TinyURL is blocked at work)

I couldn't disagree more. Kaat's incessant misinformation was infuriating to a lot of Yankee fans. Everything from shortstops and catchers not hitting before Bench and Ripkin. (The guy played in the same era as Ernie Banks, Yogi Berra, Smokey Burgess, Elston Howard, and on the same team as Zoilo Versalles and Earl Battey fer cryin out loud) to how the radar gun and pitch counts were hurting young pitchers to "you know, a team with 9 Ozzie Guillens would win a lot of baseball games" (no, they wouldn't score enough runs to break even), Kaat is the anti-Kubek.
(Tony actually tried to understand things before he gave his opinion on their usefulness.

3 do people just come to blogs to hate? I don't get it. There is noone in the world who could commentate as long as Kaat has and not infuriate someone. get over it.

As a non-New Yorker, what was the story about Rizzuto not attending Mantle's funeral and why was it such a big deal? Or was it a big deal?

3 Kaat did have his weak points when it came to those sorts of statements, but I always felt that his overall skill and aplomb as an announcer far outweighed that throwback mentality. I only wish Kaat was finishing his run beside Ken Singleton, as those two--one a sabermetricly minded hitter, the other a throwback pitcher, both intelligent, charming, with deep pleasing voices, as Alex said, easy-going senses of humor, and a deep well of experience from which to draw insight and anecdotes--as a duo, without intrusion from anyone else, formed the ideal announcing team. Adding to that is that both were fiercly objective, neither having had their glory days in New York. Kaat especially should be comended for his willingness to take the team and even the owner to task when he saw fit.

We'll miss ya, Kitty. Enjoy.

If I recall correctly, Scooter wasn't allowed to take the day off from the broadcast to attend the funeral. Now, Scooter has always seemed like a meek personality, and I wouldn't be surprised if some suit told him he had to work, he didn't want to riff about it and just did what he was told. But if Scooter really wanted to go to Mantle's funeral, then I'm sure he would have, and could have. Could you imagine if he had taken that story to the press? He would have been completely supported.

That's my take, but I don't recall the particulars all that well. 'Lil help...

seamus
I'm not allowed to have an opinion? I know of quite a few other Yankee fans that can't stand Kay, Sterling, Waldman, and Kaat. Some of them refer to Kaat as "Uncle Stupid" because of the ridiculous reamrks he makes. His obvious dislike for some Yankees and hero worship for others is unprofessional (not having to hear how "Jeter's compact swing generates more power than Arod's, which is too long." any more is just fine with me.)

I grew up listening to Mel Allen and Red Barber. Then Scooter, Frank Messer, Bill White, Tony Kubek, etc. Guys who didn't try to psychoanalyze players, but reported on the events in the game (or in Scooter's case, were entertaining enough to not do so.)
Singleton is most like them,though he gets dragged into the psychobabble from time to time.
In any case, I think I'll reserve the right to criticize who I please. And I'm the guy that defends players far more often than criticizes them.

1 "Iirc his ml career started in 1959, so that by the late 70s the type on his stats on the back of the card was absolutely miniscule"

Yes! in my card-collecting days of the late 70's, I always loved seeing the amount of stats the "old-timers" had on the back of their cards, and Kaat's was always some of the smallest type I'd ever seen.

I'm not that big a Kaat fan, either. He's OK, but in recent years he's grated on me more and more. A lot of it is the throwback thing - back when pitchers were real men and threw 300+ innings a year and you finished what you started.

I also find him too McCarverish - his observations sometimes come out as pronouncements, calling attention to himself as much as to the observation.

Singleton is my current favorite. The game he did solo was an understated tour de force - I didn't realize for several innings that he was alone.

8 You predate me by a few years - I don't remember Allen. The first team I remember was Rizzuto, Coleman and Barber, joined later by Joe Garagiola. By that time, I think Barber was losing interest in the whole thing; or maybe I was just too young to appreciate his understated style.

8 I am OK with it.

It reminds me having lunch with coworkers and one of the guys said he just saw Forrest Gump and thought it was the dumbest movie he ever saw. Another guy pipes in and says maybe he didn't understand the movie cause he happened to like it.

I think maybe he just didn't like the movie.

I know I didn't like the movie Chicago, though others clearly did.

Sometimes it is OK to agree to disagree.

7 I don't know what the parameters on posting 10-year old articles here are, but here's the most comprehensive Rizzuto story I could find from August 19, 1995:

"Phil Rizzuto, a Yankees broadcaster for 39 years, a member of the Hall of Fame and perhaps the most popular announcer in New York, said Friday he has quit his job.
Rizzuto, 76, decided to resign after he missed the funeral of Mickey Mantle in Texas on Tuesday. At the behest of station executives at WPIX-TV, Rizzuto stayed in Boston and broadcast the Yankees-Red Sox game.
He left the booth after five innings, too distraught to continue, and left the stadium.
"After I saw the funeral on television, I said, `This is terrible.' I'll never be able to make up for that. If I had a little more get-up-and-go, I would have just gone on down to the funeral and let the chips fall where they may.
"I think I've definitely made up my mind, even though everybody keeps telling me I can't do this," Rizzuto said.
WPIX executives asked Rizzuto to reconsider his decision, "and he said he would," station vice president Michael Eigner said.
The next WPIX broadcast is Sunday from Anaheim. The station broadcasts 41 Yankees games a year; the rest are on cable. Rizzuto said he has an open-ended ticket to California in case he changes his mind.
"I've been there for 39 years and I'm not tired or anything, but I had relegated my family to the background, and when I saw what Mickey said about that, I thought it was about time," Rizzuto said.
Eigner said WPIX did not forbid Rizzuto from going to the funeral but wanted him to broadcast the game Tuesday because Yankees fans would want to hear Rizzuto's voice on a tribute the station had prepared.
Also, fellow announcer Bobby Murcer was a pallbearer at the funeral, and the absence of Murcer and Rizzuto would have left only one announcer in the booth.

13 Thanks Travis, I had remembered it as the WPIX people had refused to give Phil permission to go. I guess this makes more sense. I suppose he would have quit outright and gone anyway had they simply told him he "couldn't" go. Either way it started the ball rolling toward the Scooter ultimately leaving the following year. Boy do I miss the sound of his voice.

I never really warmed up to Kaat in the way I did to the Scooter. I guess it's the difference in growing up with one and listening to the other as an adult. I didn't always agree with Kaat's opinions or follow the logic of his arguments but I did always respect him and feel that he did the games as honestly as he possibly could.

I hope Kitty has a great time seeing the country in that RV of his. Take it easy big guy, we'll leave a light on and a bowl of milk on the porch for you.

13 That's ridiculous - you mean to tell me that something couldn't be worked out on PIX should there have only been one announcer?

They could have simulcasted the radio broadcast or something, no?

8 i overstated my frustration with your post at 3. Sorry about that. But I never stated you couldn't have an opinion. Your original post, however, was full of embellishments. I also think that a lot of folks who criticize announcers have NO idea how hard it is to maintain conversation for the length and shifts in a ballgame and keep it interesting. The fact that announcers sometimes say things that are ridiculous or that differ from what you think should always be very high.

13 That sounds right. It was a sad thing all around. Thanks for digging that article up, Travis.

FWIW, I would pay a lot of money to hear Scooter and White call a current Yankees game. Doesn't matter who the 3rd guy is, Seaver, Murcer, Messer, or even if there is one. Wait, I take that back. I don't think I could bear to listen to Kubek or McCarver or Joe Morgan ruin it for me.

I too won't miss Kitty's crazy talk about pitch counts etc - but because he's generally pretty even-minded about everything else, I can ignore his tragic flaw. Unlike, say, "All the radar guns are wrong! I know a 102 mph pitch and that wasn't it" Joe Morgan, who's tragic flaw, his broadcasting career, is sadly impossible to ignore if one likes watching baseball with the volume on as I do.

For those who might still have a tiny bit of worry deep in their souls:

BP Postseason Odds
Yanks:
AL East - 99.99630
Wild Card - .00010
Overall - 99.99640

Red Sox:
AL East - .00330
Wild Card - .04928
Overall - .05258

17 Or, to put it another way: with 18 games left - 17 for the Sox - the magic number is 7. If the Sox were 14-3 down the stretch, the Yankees would only have to go 4-14 to clinch the division. Stranger things have happened, I suppose, but not much stranger.

Sweet.

14 I concur. Growing up with Scooter in the booth was just wonderful. Kitty couldn't replace that, but I don't think there is anyone who could. Most announcers have flaws, but after listening to so many others, I've come to appreciate Jim Kaat & John Sterling.

One guy I never could care for is Vin Scully. For some reason his voice and the way he announces (his stories, et al.,) just rub me the wrong way. The fact that it is Dodgers' games he's announcing doesn't help, either.

17 Better still, those are the Postseason Odds before yesterday's games. I would imagine the Yankees' current odds are much closer to 100%.

I just ran across a gem from Morgan that I scribbled down during the last Yanks-Sox series: "One thing about Red Sox fans, they know when it's a big moment. And they give their support at the right time."

Embellishments? What's wrong with embellishments?

I don't care how hard announcing is. It's apparently not too hard for some people and much too hard for others.
I agree that Morgan and McCarver are worse, but the constant "this whole thing where a catcher has to hit, that started with Johnny Bench. I don't care if a guy hits 100 if he can do a good job behind the plate." He says that pretty much every game (along with several other absurdities) and it's idiotic. For one thing, there have been excellent offensive catchers since the dead ball era, including Steve O'Niell, Mickey Cochrane, Wally Shang, Hank Severeid, Johnny Bassler, Bubbles Hargrave, Frank Snyder, Gabby Hartnett, Mickey Cochrane, and Bill Dickey (all who played in the 1920s) right through to the present. Saying it all started with Bench one time is excusable. Saying it every other broadcast is nails on a blackboard to anyone that's even midly interested in baseball history. And I can't imagine many pitchers really not wanting a guy that drives in 90 runs as opposed to a guy hitting 100 in the line-up no matter where they play.
Ditto Power hitting shortstops, another silliness he often injects into his broadcasts.
Along with pitch counts, radar guns, throwing breaking balls,and over-analyzing a players psyche (another field he knows zero about but talks about at great length.)
If you're going to be making pronouncements game after game, at least try to learn if there's a lick of accuracy in them.

Too many games on TV now. Too many opportunities to hear the same comments, the same war stories, the same jokes. I don't mind, 'cause I'd much rather have the games to watch than not. There isn't a broadcaster alive or dead who wouldn't get stale doing as many games as the YES guys do. I can't think of another set of announcers I'd rather listen to six or seven times a week.

22 i'm not sure if you are responding to me, but the pressure on catchers to be hitters in order to start on all teams is a fairly new trend. Kaat isn't saying that catchers never hit, but that it is much more of a prerequisite to being a mlb starter anymore. Same thing goes for infielders with power.

What is wrong with embellishments? When they are used to ignore the merit in what someone is saying or the value of their contributions they serve only one purpose - to make yourself feel better about yourself.

8 If Kaat is "Uncle Stupid", I'm dying to hear the nicknames for Sterling, Waldman and Kay...

I very much enjoyed listening to Kaat over the years, and missed him a lot when I was living in L.A. in the late 90's/early 00's, as I had to catch the radio broadcasts on the computer.

You're never going to agree with an announcer 100% of the time.

For me, the best ones are not intrusive, but are easy on the ear, and offer relevant observations. Kitty was all that, and then some, providing fun and insightful baseball stories which were almost always relevant to the game situation.

At least that's how I heard him.

Great work, Jim Kaat. I'm gonna miss you.

Thankfully, we still have Singleton.

Sterling's nickname could be "Baseball is the most unpredictable sport." Or maybe just Harold Moskowitz.

Jim Kaat, we will miss you. I'll always remember your pure humbleness and great stories of the game. And I'll always remember your terrific pitching insight.

22 Umm, no Joe - if anything, catchers hitting more than their weight started with one Lawrence Peter Berra. ;-)

I've had the Extra Innings package for the last three years and MLB.TV for the last two. One thing I have discovered during that time is that the Yankee announcers are head and shoulders above what most teams try to pass off as "announcers". Not to mention the ESPN and FOX crews that are forced upon us due to blackout restrictions.

Of course if you want you can always find something about any announcer that you don't like (someone earlier even said that they didn't like Vin Scully). With three hours of time to fill in a sometimes slow game, it has got to be difficult to be fresh and creative every night.

Overall, I think Kaat does a great job and I will surely miss him. Those who don't like him should try listening to Hawk Harrelson, Joe Morgan, Tim McCarver or Tom Paciorek on a regular basis.

29 and third basemen hitting less than their weight started with one Dale Anthony Berra. ;-)

30 Ron Santo makes Jim Kaat sound like a hybrid of Winston Churchill and Casey Stengel.

We've got it way, way better than most Yankee fans realize, not that there's no room for improvement.

30 32 I agree with you about the Yankee TV announcers being generally much better than those for most of the league, but I firmly believe that Sterling and Waldman are among the worst radio duos in the history of baseball. Announcers from the 1930's who recreated road games were probably more descriptive.

As per Torre on WFAN, Wang was bumped to tomorrow because of the weather, and Karstens will start tonight.

33 Please don't start a Sterling/Waldman bash-session. I don't think the server can take it.

34 I was hoping they'd bump him to the Sox series regardless of the weather. Not that the Sox series is any more meanigful, but they're a better team/challenge for Wang to face as he begins to tune up for the playoffs.

Are we going to get this game in? Weather Channel says 70% chance of rain all night. It'll be sloppy but I figure they'll try to squeeze it in.

30 100% agreed. Heck, I'd take the YES guys over most of the national announcers. Kay is the one that I find annoying, but he's much better than the idiots we usually get on ESPN or Fox.

I always liked Kitty. They've been talking about his retirement for weeks now, but I still find it hard to believe he's really going. I guess I can't blame him for wanting to retire, though. I know I would if I could!

Any chance Karstens could take Lidle's postseason spot? Most certainly not, but unfortunately, it seems to be a fair question at this point.

30 I could not agree more with 'Bama. These days, if the EI game is not the YES telecast, I will mute the game and put Sterling and Waldman on the internet. It requires having Tivo and pausing the TV so that the internet audio can catch up. I would rather go through all that trouble, and listen to Sterling and Waldman (whom I don't really like) than have to deal with Hawk "he gone" Harrelsen and his ilk.

All of you locals to the NY area have no idea how good you have it, regarding announcers. I will miss Kitty, I think he is the best of the TV pack, and wish it was Kay who was the one who is leaving.

I like Kaat (and will miss him), Singleton (a lot), and sort of Murcer.

Kaye is lousy.

I've always had a soft spot for Sterling -- his enthusiasm for baseball just makes me smile, no matter how inane or repetitive. I wish he'd drop his stupid home run calls ("robbie cano, don't you know ..." etc). Waldman is ok.

Up here in Boston, Orsillo and Remy on TV are both excellent. But Castiglione and Trupiano on the radio are like nails on a blackboard ...

29 I don't think either Bill Dickey or Mickey Cochrane weighed 300 pounds or more. ;-)

40 Paul, I agree with you about the NESN guys. Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo are very solid announcers, not the "homers" that you find on most networks. They even criticize the Sox on occasion and are even sometimes open minded about the Yankees (not the constant complaints about payroll like you hear from most crews).

So now with Wang going tomorrow night, and Unit, Moose, and Wright already scheduled to pitch this weekend, the Yanks' most likely playoff starters will face the Red Sox.
The Ghost Sox are probably the closest thing the Yanks will see to a playoff opponent until next month, so it will be a nice tune up series for the starters.

No Wang tonight, and probably rain? Good thing I'll be at the Mudhens' game. Governer's Cup series is tied up 1-1, best of 5.

And FWIW, the Mudhens' announcers (spilt between radio and tv) are pretty good.

I don't know if they'll get the game in...it was beginning to clear up, but got much darker again. Keeping fingers crossed.

The Rays aren't scheduled to be back in NY, and I'm sure the Yanks don't want to waste one of the last few off days making it up, so they'll probably push for it tonight.
Score early, Yanks!

Staten Island's game tonight has been called because of rain. Uh oh. It's raining down here in the DC area and Baltimore. No movement tonight. May have to repeat the "masacre" to clinch with the Sawx in town.

Has anyone got a lineup for tonight yet?

44 Caught some of the Mudhens radio broadcasts when they played the Clippers. I thought they were pretty good, too.

Tommy John is one of the Charlotte Knights' color guys. He annoyed me at first, because he's a real chatty Kathy. Talks constantly - to the point that the play-by-play guy can't get a word in edgewise (which means sometimes you're left wondering what the heck is going on in the game). But he kind of grew on me. He was interesting. At least he talked about baseball, if not about the game being played. Unlike the ESPN guys, who talk about things not remotely related to baseball.

Well - I'll miss Kittie, but maybe less for some of the reasons others have stated.

While I don't have the knowledge of the game that many do here, I often suspected some/much of Kaat's analysis was BS, but I enjoyed him on an more elemental level, just the tone and cadence of his voice seemed to work well for baseball broadcasts. That voice also seemed to contrast well with both Singleton's and Murcer's. I grew up with Rizzuto and White, and I consider the current crop (minus Kaye, though I don't dislike him as strongly as some here) pretty comparable to them.

Kaat also had some of the best "ex-player" stories among broadcasters.

And one on level it pains me to say it, but as someone with the Extra Innings package who watches a LOT of baseball in addition to the Yanks, Remy and Orsillo are the best broadcasters I've listened to. Knowledge of the game, good voices for broadcasting (especially Orsillo's) and while they clearly root for the Sox, they are always quick to give credit and respect to opponents when due.

I know people love Vin Scully, but listening to his meandering stories about what the shortstop does in the off-season up in his hunting cabin in Montana drives me nuts. I suspect the Royals guys are often drunk (though watching 162 games of KC ineptitude might drive me to the bottle), and the White Sox crew I find the most openly partisan. The SF guys aren't too bad, but for some reason Giants home broadcasts really cut the crowd noise, so they sound like they're in some small room across the Bay watching it on TV.

I'm also slightly embarrassed to admit I've been enjoying the Met broadcasts with Hernandez and Darling. They're a little goofy but generally entertaining (kind of like the Mets, I guess...)

Oh, boy. I think the rain has dictated the lineup...

Bernie
Jeter
Cano
A-Rod
Giambi
Jorgie
Matsui
Guiel
KT

Karstens P

Bernie is leading off? Say what?

51 are you pulling our legs randy?

I guess I should listed the positions, given how odd this lineup is:

Bernie CF
Jeter SS
Cano 2B
A-Rod 3B
Giambi 1B
Jorgie C
Matsui DH
Guiel RF
Thompson LF

Karstens P

All the starting OFers are getting the night off.

51 That's a spring training in September lineup. Bernie leading off?

53 I'm not kidding. That's the lineup, according to both YES and USA Today.

jalexei-I agree about a lot of the other announcers, especially Scully and his clone Jon Miller.
My favorite is Jim Palmer-very well spoken and one of the smartest (is it odd that two of the best announcers came from Earl Weaver's O's? I don't think it is.)
I've never understodd the animosity to homers. If Hawk Harrelson wants to openly root for the Chisox, why shouldn't he? I'd rather listen to somebody root for the team they cover than pretend to be impartial.
I agree with whoever lumped Kaat with McCarver and that group. And I agree that he's light years better than Kay and Waldman (and they're both much better than the god-awful Joe Morgan.)

Wow, it's official. The Columbus Clippers will no longer be the Yankees' Triple-A team:

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=212440

I have never understood the hatred of John Sterling. He's not like that doofus in St. Louis (Mike Shannon?) who actively cheers for home runs ("Get up, Get up, GET UP!!!!") or that imbecile in Chicago ("he gone!!!").

Sterling has a great voice, calls the game well, and yeah he gets excited win the Yanks homer or win, but when the other team homers I hear excitement in his voice as I did last night when Baldelli homered.

Waldman is terrible. Maybe she is the problem -- bring back Charlie Steiner?

57 I don't mind announcers rooting for their hometown teams. What bugs me are the ones who discount what the opposing players are doing. (And it would bug me if the Yankees announcers did it, too.) If someone hits the ball well or makes a great catch, admit it. Give him his props. Don't start moaning about the "terrible luck" that took away the hometown boy's hit.

I meant "when" the Yanks hit a homer

I'm surprised Fasano isn't going tonight. He's a mudder. Well, he always appears to be running in mud.

56 wow. is there a possibility of a rainout? I guess Wang starts tomorrow?

Yes, Wang will go tomorrow.

58 Shrug. I bet Cashman is looking for a place with more convenient direct flights than Columbus.

65 Or even so close flights aren't required. Like Scranton, PA.

===
It is believed that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman wants his triple-A team closer to New York. Scranton, Pa., approximately 120 miles west of New York City, is available since the Philadelphia Phillies allowed their contract to lapse. The team currently known as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barrons will play in Allentown in 2008, and Philadelphia is rumored to be planning to play its top minor-league team in Ottawa for the 2007 season.
===

58 Wow, sorry about that. Scranton/Wilkes Barre is a haul from South Central Ohio and from Northern Virginia. Oh well, they'll still come through VA Beach and Richmond I hope.

Good news on the Liriano kid at ESPN.com. Lefties who can throw like he does are a gift from god. Gotta root for him getting back on the field in one piece.

57 I guess my problem with an announcer rooting for his hometown team (especially the over the top guys like Hawk) is that is just seems unprofessional. I mean, they are being paid to tell us what is going on during the game and add analysis (usually from a former player's perspective - which makes me wonder why they chose Waldman). If they want to root for their team, they should buy a ticket and sit in the stands.

I guess I understand why the announcers on local networks are homers, since their games are usually only seen by fans of the local team. But with a national network and with the advent of EI and MLB.TV they should realize that some people might be watching the game and actually rooting for the other team.

To me it's kind of like watching a game in your living room with a fan of another team. Would you want to watch a Yankees-Red Sox game with a Boston fan openly rooting against you in your living room? If you are at the game or in a bar it's understandable, but if he does it in my living room that Boston fan would probably leave with more than a bloody sock...

YES said the original lineup had Melky resting tonight (finally!). Damon was in CF, Abreu in RF, and Bernie in LF.

Joe, worrying about the wet outfield, decided to bench all the first stringers. Which mean moving Bernie to CF, and putting Guiel and Thompson in the corners.

Arrghh. I know it doesn't matter now, but jeez...Bernie? You've got Guiel, and Thompson, and Wilson, who are all adequate corner OFers, and it's Bernie he puts in?

(small voice) I kind of like Hawk Harrelson. I don't know why.

I hate to say it, but the best local TV announcers I've watched this year are the Mets guys when Hernandez is there.

Worst, without question: the Nationals. Way too homerish, in a fake way, and without an ounce of insight.

70 You have got to be kidding re: the Hawk. "the good guys"? "he gone"? the man is atrocious.

71 Hawk's an idiot, but he knows it. I'd take him over Joe Buck any day.

72 joe buck is a really good announcer. those of us who revil in being super knowledgeable may not understand it, but he is phenomenal at what he does.

69 If Mr. Torre wants to give GOB a night in CF with an 11.5 game lead on September 14 with the D-Rays in town I won't complain.

70 Travis, boy did you nail those Nats broadcast clowns to a T. You cannot listen to the broadcast, believe me I've tried. Talk about phoney baloney passion, it's a freakin nightmare. All that sturm and drang about the NESN broadcast rights and they give us this dreck? Oye.

I was still posting over at Ho Hum for some reason. ;) Wondered why I was the only one there...

Had this to say:

Bernie leading of and Matsui batting 7th means that at this point in the season Joe feels more comfortable with GOB hitting more in a game than he does Godzilla....stunning.

How about:

Jeter
Cano
A-Rod
Giambi
Posada
Matsui
GOB
Guiel
Thompson

Doesn't that make more sense?

73 Good at selling Budweiser? Fine. Personifying the FOX brand? Yeah. Calling a baseball game in an enjoyable, informative way? Not so much.

73 Seamus would you mind explaining exactly what it is "he does"? Thanks!

72 You do realize how little you're saying, right? I'd take nails on a chalkboard over Joe Buck.

72 Frying pan or fire? tought call between those two clowns. I'm still sore over having to hear Joe Buck calling the last out of last year's world series everytime I logged into MLB.TV this season. "over the head of Jenks . . ." ugh.

Oh cripes - what is it with Baldelli and leading off the game?

Bernie triple?

75 Yeah, your lineup makes more sense, but swapping Damon for Bernie requires less thought (they have the same arm), and Bernie's been asking Joe about his role going forward, so it's mostly Joe throwing him a bone. I have no problem with that

74 it wouldn't bother me to see Bernie start in center field tonight, if I didn't think Joe will do the same thing in the playoffs.

Melky and Godzilla are both experienced center fielders. Joe has defined Melky as purely a left fielder. He has said the Matsui will only DH. When Johnny Damon doesn't start in a post-season game, I think Bernie will start in his place.

i think damon has a stronger arm then bernie

79 Beats the call you had to hear when you had to log in to MLB.TV last year.

84 Not by much.

83 "it wouldn't bother me to see Bernie start in center field tonight, if I didn't think Joe will do the same thing in the playoffs."

Exactly. I also think he'd start Bernie in the corners first, if any of the starters can't play.

Ohhh yeah, that was a Bernie triple. I swear every time he's in the filed, he looks worse than the day before. Painful...

It was interesting to read his comments in the Post (?) today about his general unhappiness about playing time. I mean, wasn't his role supposed to be PH-ing, DH-ing and spelling the OFers occassionally? The only reason he got more playing time is because of all the injuries...and now he's bitching? C'mon!

Meanwhile, 23, baby!

Oh Captain, you and your streak...

Trails Mauer by 2 points.

Ohhh yeah, that was a Bernie triple. I swear every time he's in the filed, he looks worse than the day before. Painful...

It was interesting to read his comments in the Post (?) today about his general unhappiness about playing time. I mean, wasn't his role supposed to be PH-ing, DH-ing and spelling the OFers occassionally? The only reason he got more playing time is because of all the injuries...and now he's bitching? C'mon!

Meanwhile, 23, baby!

Urgh, sorry for the double post...

::shakes fist at the stupid internet connection::

83 I see. Who is it that you see making the PS roster that should spell Damon in CF in the playoff's? With a 2 days on one day off format how many games is Damon going to sit? I really don't think we have to worry about it.

Next time Bernie bitches about his playing time someone should tack his lefty/righty splits to his locker.

If he's still complaining, then put together a little best of dvd of his outfield play over the last 2-3 seasons.

I love you Bernie, but you're an old fart.

The captain's hitting streak goes on. I enjoyed Bob Ryan's article supporting Derek for the AL MVP. I was uncertain before, but Ryan's "winning player" looking beyond the stats argument has convinced me. MVP! MVP!

Papi, take another look. Cap'n is making too strong of a case.

Is the Boston game being rain-delayed?

96 No!

88 Not only that, but Bernie can't play very often. He sucks when he does.

When Damon was having his back problems, and Bernie played CF two days in a row, he went 0 for 5 the second day. He gets visibly tired after playing CF, or even DHing two or three days in a row.

Joe will give Bernie as much of a shot at the PS as possible... so he won't let him get too rusty. Last year, when Bernie lead off, he actually did pretty well.

I grew up on The Scooter, Coleman and Joe G. They were more entertaining then most sitcoms... for a Yankee team that stunk. I was to young to know if they were 'any good', but I loved them.

But even Scooter told some stories over and over, and had his own schtick (sp?). No announcer is perfect, and they do have to fill an incredible amount of time. All in all, Kitty was one of the best, and I will certainly miss him.

Is Leiter his replacement?

Will Karstens be on the post season roster?

Is this Shields person another Cy URP?

Gotta say the Bernie bashing around here bums me out. You don't want to see Bernie play anymore? Do me, and Mr. Williams a favor, and don't cheer for him when he comes through for the team. Call him a ghost, laugh and lament how his game has diminished, because that's what Bernie bashing baseball geniuses do best. I'm over it.

GODZILLA!!!!

Oh HELL yes!!!!!!!!!

Godzilla is a beast! Matsui-san rocks!

I don't mind Bernie at the plate, in the right situation. I don't want to see him in the outfield any more. As someone else said, it's just painful. I don't want to remember him that way.

I was just thinking that Matsui didn't look that comfortable at the plate.

It's like Matsui never left. I can feel all the screams from Japan. mikeplugh, back me up.

This is just silly isn't it? ZILA!!!!!

Woot! Go-Go Godzilla!

I swear, he's even better now than he was before he broke his wrist.

I still can't believe he just comes back like this. To think we might have another one in a few days. Insanity. I would hate not to see Melky playing everyday (and he finally has the day off), but at this rate, Matsui will be back in front of that Japanese ad in no time.

That was an absolute moonshot...beeeautiful!

102 Like 106 says, Bernie with the bat is fine. Bernie with the glove, not so much. I love him, he's one of my favorites, but I also look at things objectively. Bernie in the field at this point is detrimental to the team. Not bashing him, just stating the obvious. If you don't agree, that's fine, but let's call a spade a spade...

I have what might be a dumb question. If the Clippers are no longer going to be the Yankees AAA affiliate, what happens to the guys like Hughes & the Kevins, who we are expecting to come up to the Yanks sometime?

I also like the line-up. Smart? Not really. Fun? Yeah! Bernie leading off... Cano batting third (a look into the future?), KT in the game.

For Mr. Steady, Joe Torre, this is like 'winging it'. And we're still gonna win the game.

Lets have some fun. Maybe we will even see Donnie PH.

115 And Gator out of the bullpen late in the game? Hell yeah!

yah ha ha

102 Bernie vs right-handed pitching:

.255/.298/.380

I mean, c'mon dude, that Womackian territory.

We can beat up on Torre for playing Womack, but we can't when he does the same with Bernie cause he used to be a great player?

Apparently, many people wants that LF job. Nice catch by Thompson.

110 Remember when he hurt his left ankle last year and it forced him to keep his weight back? I wonder if he's got the same thing going now?

Nice play KT!

WTF? Effin' Baldelli...

113 They'll go to the Yankees new Triple-A affiliate. Whatever that is. (The Scranton Red Barons?)

nice play jeter

I wasn't venting 102 at anyone in particular.

Just please respect Joe's relationship with Bernie, and accept that he's going to play him from time to time, especially if he knows or thinks this might be Bernie's finall weeks.

I don't think Joe will put Bernie in a situation where he will hurt the team in October. In other words, as wsporter posted above, it's very unlikely he'll be put in the field next month, unless it's in a blow out.

121 Thanks. But then what happens to Columbus?

124 There's several ml teams without a AAA team at the moment, including the O's.

yah nd look how they are turning out to be

119 They said something about him being forced to use his right hand/arm more, which is the arm that generates the power for a lefty batter.

124 What are you talking about? The O's ARE a AAA team...

117 You may be right in theory, but Bernie is no Womack, and he would never be in the minds of Yankees fans and Torre. He may be the ghost of Bernie from time to time, or the good old Bernie a few times, but he is no Womack.

who do you gust think will start game one in the playoffs??

124 Columbus will try to court a new Triple-A team. They're building a new stadium, so they kind of have to.

Moose or Randy, I would think. Even though Wang would probably be the better choice.

123 I brought it up last night (unsuccessfully) for discussion. Bernie says he wants to play next year. Do we sign him? Or see him in the uniform of a lowly team?

124 The Yankees are still in privity of contract with the players in their system including those that were lodged with the Columbus Clippers.

Columbus remains a city in Ohio, beyond that who knows. ;-)

132 moose is going to start because of past experince in the post season in my opinin wang deserves more than both of them

how do you underline that number nd put it in blue?

133 I think Torre will keep him on the team as long as he wants to be there. He was talking about not only next year, but a couple of years after that.

Cashman might be more hard-headed. I'm hoping he'll convince Bernie to sign on as a coach or something instead.

133 Looks like Kevin Thompson is saying "What about me?"

136 Put the # in []

yo guys how do you underline the number that you are referring to nd put it in blue?

ahhhh thanks monkey

133 I'd rather see a kid come up and get the at-bats, but Bernie still provides enough bang for a million bucks. And he's still worth a helluva lot more than 1/200th of the Yanks payroll. That said, I hope he decides to retire, and makes the decision easier for the Yanks.

139 just makin sure it works

131 OH. I get it. Thanks.

133 I don't see Bernie playing elsewhere.

144 that was kind of delayed lol

134 Columbus: a pee break on the way down to Cincinnati.

133 How about Bernie as a player coach, give him some atbats as a dh against lefties.

And promise him headliner status at a nightclub in the new Yankee Stadium from 2009.

Gaaahhh! Definitely an URP...

Bernie would probably retire rather than play for another team. The Yankees already have a full-time DH. I think this will be his last year as a Yankee.

133 Suddenly, we may have an over crowded off field. As much as Bernie is loved in NY, there is no place but the bench for him next year. And he can't even be the first bench guy (there are barely enough seats), we still have a guy named Cairo and perhaps Melky next year as well.

95 Papi-gate should have played itself out by now, but it is really a textbook case on how NOT to handle the media in ravenous markets like Boston and New York.

I was listening to an interview with Papi this afternoon on one of the baseball shows on XM, and I didn't expect much, but he started going off on how the media was blowing up his comments out of proportion because of the coming series with the Yankees, and how unfair and "low" it was for "the media" to make it appear that he didn't respect Jeter.

In other words, it's all a media creation, and of course, Papi went on to suck up to the Cap about how great a player he is, how everyone in baseball loves to see him play, bla bla bla.

I really think Ortiz is a good guy who got caught being a little too honest in front of the mike, and he definitely said a couple of really dumb things -- anyone as media-savvy as him should never be caught saying anything like "come hit in this lineup, and see how you do". But he's between a rock and a hard place now -- he can't be too candid about how dumb his comments were, because that would imply that he did have less respect for Jeter's credentials relative to Dye or Morneau or any other big bopper, even if he's apologetic and remorseful post-brainfart.

Major media simply doesn't let stars off the hook that easy with comments like that, and you wonder what Jetes himself thinks and how much of a grudge he's going to hold.

So Ortiz is now crying about being a victim of "the media". It sounds pretty bad, though...really insincere whining, honestly, and very uncharacteristic of him. I think he's better off saying he's spoken to Jeter privately, and that he won't talk about the matter any more.

The Clippers used to be the Pittburgh Pirates' Triple-A team. So they've been through this before. Columbus keeps the "team" - but only the name, logo, uniforms, stadium, etc. The players all belong to the Yankees, and will go to Scranton or wherever the Yanks' new Triple-A team is.

Columbus will now try to get the Mets or some other team to make the Clippers their Triple-A team.

151 I thought Cairo was only signed for this year, no? And I can't see Melky going anywhere unless he gets traded.

151 And of coourse, I meant Out field.

154 I somehow think Cairo will be back. Melky is most likely getting benched next year. Hopefully, he gets some alternate days to play in order to rest all the "veteran" guys, in other words, old guys.

147 I suggest combining that pee with a stop at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. You can satisfy two inescapable urges with one satisfying visit.

Mauer grounds out, down to .347

152 The Big Pouti thing will get plenty of play over the weekend, but I suspect it will blow out to sea by the time the Sox leave town. His hissy fit was out of character, but he's charismatic enough that it will probably be forgiven soon, if not forgotten.

....Kaat just said Torre put Karstens into the lineup without finding out what his throwing schedule was. What the...?

I gotta say, Wang now looks like an Ace just sitting in the dugout. He no longer hides in the corners (except on his pitching days), he now enjoys his time talking and chilling out with other players.

152 The less Pouti says about it at this point, the better for everyone.

160 Torre obviously was more concerned about Wang's case.

3 outs on 4 pitches? ::weeps::

I don't think Wang was ever as quiet with his teammates as he was with the press. Even early this season, I'd always see him at the dugout rail, usually with other recent Columbus escapees. (Bubba, Andy, Reese, etc.) Talking, laughing, and eating sunflower seeds. :)

162 Agreed. Like I said, it's over as far as I'm concerned...he's a great hitter and personality, and I don't need to see the guy taken down a few notches. I do like him, but I was struck at how...ungraceful....he sounded in making his case. He needs to lay low and let people forget his words as quickly as possible.

What is this obsession with Bernie here. We had some of the same posts last year and now again this year. Someone would think he's out in the outfield with a walker and a stump for an arm. The guy's been extremely valuable this year with all the huge injuries especially in the OF. The guy can still play. Is he still great, no he's mediocre at best as a starting outfielder on the Yanks. And that's why he's not. But he's an excellent option to use when needed. We were talking about maybe Bubba as the starting CF before we got Damon. These guts are all aging and hurt and need some rest and Bernie was a great option to have and he could be next year as well if both sides want it.

I have a feeling the winning streak will end at 5...again.

That was un-Jeter-esque

152 It's absoluely amazing how powerful the words "I'm sorry" are. If Papi has said "I'm a little frustrated about my health and the teams health, and I didn't intend to belittle Jeter in anyway"... this would mostly go away. There would still be reaction to his 'HRs and RBIs make an MVP' concept, but at least the put-down aspect of this might go away.

However, in the 'throwing teammates under the bus' category, in his 'apology', he stated he wanted to be square with the media and "not be like Ramirez". Poor schmuck.

Baldelli again. Snakes on a flippin' plane.

Argh! Not again!

Question: did something happen to Rasner again?

Baldelli vs Karstens looks like Arod vs Colon

Man, I forgot about Rasner, he's looked good in his 2 appearances.

Rasner's warming. He's alive after all.

173 You can't really blame Kaarstens. He was notified he was pitching an hour before the game.

173 Ahhh, thanks to YES for answering the question!

168 I was just about to say 'not so fast' before Rocco B. got up again... But still, no excuses to tank this one from an offensive standpoint, however. Even with a half-Clipper lineup, there's enough firepower to overcome the Rays. I know this is meaningless, but I'd like to see 100 wins.

177 I'm not blaming him at all. I was just wondering why Torre put him in instead of Rasner...especially considering, as Kaat pointed out, Karstens might have just had his throwing session yesterday and thus may be tired. Ah well. Gotta appreciate the kid taking one for the team regardless. And he'd be fine if not for the freakin' Baldelli!

180 Maybe because he's coming off an injury and Kaarstens isn't. I have no clue otherwise.

The rain is coming down.

Go rain, go!

Twinkies will probably win tonight...I'm hoping for a massive 3-way tie in the Central, so they have to play a playoff game and beat the crud out of each other ;-)

Seriously, they are now worried that Matsui is going to steal a base?

Idiotic...

That's why they're the D-Rays...

KT goes deep here...

Why not have KT bunt here? Torre makes Abreu bunt, but not him?

187 Or, you know, strikes out...Either or.

Can KT put down a bunt?

Bernie walks, Jeter hits a walk off grand slam in the 5th

O's staging a comeback, trying to help us shrink the magic number...

189 Errr, I meant deep in the count ;-(

191 Or, you know, strike out.

Yarrrgh!

C'mon Captain, our last hope!

Capt. Clutch comes through again.

M. V. P.

195 And Cap'n Clutch always does it.

Wow, maybe clutch does exist. Yeah, Jeter.

MVJ! MVJ!

Cap now tied with Mauer at .346.

Jeter and Mauer tied at .346. Mauer is 0 for 2.

Cano can hit the walk-off here...

202 You're jinxing them!

202 How bad is the rain? Cano might give Arod the pleasure to hit a Grand Slam.

Speed kills...

ALRIGHT Robby! Tie game!

202 Good job ;-)

Yeah, Robbie! Whew, I thought Carl had that one.

Yeah, Robbie!

But how did Crawford drop that?

CATCH THAT CRAWFORD!

As of now, Jeter is leading by 0.0002

203 He jinxed Cano into a double rather than a HR.

204 No way. Robbie is a greedy bast*rd ;-)

208 I don't think Crawford ever really had it...looked more like he took a swipe at it and just missed...

208 I bet the ball is more than a little slippery.

Ooooh...Karstens without his hat, no so pretty -_-

*not

213 No, it was one he usually gets. If anything, he overran it. It bounced off the heel of his glove.

He may have been looking at the wall instead of at the ball.

Why does Morneau bat 5th, behind Michael "My OPS is 104 points lower" Cuddyer?

hmm. looks like i didn't miss a whole lot...

216 "no so pretty" is good. Is pretty good. No?

Boston's losing...almost makes you feel bad for them. Wait, scratch that.

Now it's pouring.

Cano with RISP, pre-injury: .227, 23 RBI (17 for 75)
Cano with RISP, post-injury: .420, 37 RBI (21 for 50)

How 'bout them O's. No so pretty bad. :-)

Man, the rain is looking pretty bad.

220 Is pretty ugly is what I meant, I guess ;-)

Hmm...they'll probably lose Rasner if there's a rain delay. Which will be annoying.

218 To split the lefties Mauer and Morneau.

Totally dry here on the UES...weird...Probably heading my way, the rain is.

223 Cano has had 37 RBIs with RISP in a month and a half? Wow.

Good move by Torre not to subject Wong to this miserable weather and possible game delays.

Oh great, now the D-Ray pitcher has gone and hurt himself...no delays!!! Let's win this baby!

Shields slipped on the mound and knee may be hurt

Convenient time to get cramps...

Man, you could almost see whatever spasm or cramp Shields suffered in the replay of his last warmup pitch. That was wierd...

231 Which might have cut his start short as well. Torre wasn't going to waste Wang's start.

Now there's a delay?

Yah, good job by Torre.

Sooo....exit URP starter, enter URP reliever?

They've decided Cy Shields can't pitch any more.

237 Delay is because of the pitching change.

The answer to the word scramble is STILL Esteban Loaiza.

240 Yea, and the rain is better now.

241 No, it's "Estaban Loiaza."

This is silly to risk injury in a virtually meaningless game. Call the thing off.

241 ?

PH Wilson for Giambi!

244 It could end any minute now.

244 I have to agree. Much as I want to see baseball tonight, I don't want to see anyone hurt.

Yah, I don't see the point of this either. If this game is critical to the standings when the season ends and they need to, they can play it. Otherwise, why risk it?

Suzyn just read the regulations and a tie game that is official is called a tie and has to be re-played in its entirety unless the league president decides it will have no bearing on things. Get some fukn runs please.

Is it supposed to rain through the night?

I believe so, yes. Unfortunately.

249 This game has no bearing on things...does it?

250 Likely until around midnight.

252 Only home field advantage, possibly.

So would this not extend Jeter's hit streak?

255 It would. It's an official game, and all the stats count, even if it ends in a tie.

231 Shame Torre didn't think of that when he threw a 40 yr old with creaky knees and a bad back out in the teeming rain in game 3 last October.

(Tho everyone blames RJ for spitting the bit in that game, it was tough to ask him to pitch in those conditions. I knew at the time that he wouldn't be able to stride into his pitches, and would leave the ball up therefore.)

I think in a tie, the stats still count. I could be wrong.

this forced pitcher change looking like a big boost to TB.

254 Forgot about that.

256 258 Or what Travis said.

245 On mlb.tv, they have a sequence of dumb things between innings, like promoting their online radio show, the Tom Petty album, their fantasy leagues. And at one point it has a word scramble: NETBSEA AZLAOI. Hint: He plays in the American League West.

And screw you, MLB.tv... I am going to win my Fantasy League, I'm no liar! Ryan Howard, Bobby Abreu, Carlos Beltran and Justin Verlander have powered me to victory!

257 If the Yankees could have gotten a hit in Game 5 with RISP, RJ would be a Yankee hero right now for his (now forgotten) 4-1/3 shutout innings in relief on 2 days rest.

We're slowing replacing all the regulars to prevent injury. Where's effing Womack when we need him?

I hope Rasner and Bruney both make the PS roster. Lidle I can do without.

Watch out, Nolan Ryan.

Hey, did they finally get Rocco "Ted Williams" Baldelli?

262 Yeah the commercials talk to you. Weird.

No, Teddy Ballgame is 3/3.

Whoops. Rocco up now. Eek.

265 Bruney will make it for sure barring injury, don't know about Rasner.

264 Remember there was also a guy named Siarra?

Bernie would never have gotten to that...

Yahoo, Rocco's out!

That was close.

They DID get him! Yay!

rasner just struck out 4/6 batters and retired the one d-ray who's been going off all night.

with all due respect to our man brian bruney, he's making a STRONG impression to make a last-ditch attempt at the PS roster.

btw. . .anyone else going to root for these d-rays next year? i feel like they can all get better together.

Rasner pitches in the rain like Gene Kelly sings in it, apparently. I'd like him to get some more looks before October.

273 Bernie looked like he didn't think he was getting to it. The expression on his face! :-D

Kevin Thompson has a .970 OPS in 23 AB this year. Small sample size, yeah yeah.

277 I'm with you, I've been watching these kids at Durham for a few years. I hope they spend more on quality pithcing and don't waste the prime years of Crawford and others. I'd be thrilled if they contended for the wild card next year. With the Yanks winning the division, of course.

279 Exactly. My heart stopped for a second there, too '-)

Bernie, nice!

Nice KT, nice!

gee that decrepit old man is useless

Man. Baldelli has an arm.

A poor imitation of the Jeff Nelson move...

281 Duh. And the Blue Jays can finish in third, and the Orioles can finish in fourth (or just be demoted to AAA, whatever).

Honestly, though, if the Devil Rays play the 2007 lineup that Cliff mentioned, and can get Jae Seo back to last year's form, they might be competitive with another one or two pitchers. Any thoughts on who's worth pursuing for our friends over in Tampa? Obviously no Zito for these guys. . .but what about someone like Jason Jennings?

F'n Shawn Camp, Captain could've had the lead.

Dammit. Come on Cano.

That was way outside. Now we have to do it the hard way, but I'm thinking Robbie gets the job done...

Nice at bat by Robbie who is hitting everything.

Cano really is greedy fast.

Rockin' Robbie! Good hustle, my man...

Cano has 11 RBI in the last 4 games.

All right, call the game, whether it's raining or not. Safety first.

I remain convinced. ROBBY!!!!!!!

I think it's gonna be very apparent next year that Cano is not a #8 hitter.

I will look forward to seeing #22 retired at Robinson Cano Day at the new Yankee Stadium in 2022.

May the skies now open in Biblical proportions...

Oh no he didn't

Good job, A-Rod. The crowd going crazy. Very nice.

More useless RBI from Alex. I hate that guy ;-)

More useless RBI from Alex. I hate that guy ;-)

Of course, A-Rod only gets RBIs in 7-4 games. All 112 of those RBIs are completely meaningless. What a stat padder.

I don't want to jinx it, but I think Cano is going to have a monster year next year. I'm thinking avg over .325, 30 homers,100 rbis, ops near 1.000.

[303-304] Sorry. Sorry.

Now they are awake. Looks like the rain is ok now too, but the wet field presents some dangers.

299 I'll see you there.

Oh yes he did!
Just tuning in, on the road so I can't watch. Except this is watching.

Here we go, Yankees, here we go!

30 & 304...so nice you had to say it twice???
;-)
301...oh yes he did!!!

a comeback lead AND Boston is losing to Baltimore again (as of right now). Pretty good night in my book!

...i meant 301...not 30

306 He may be at that level right now (since the injury anyways)

You know, even if A-Rod were somehow physically only capable of driving 'em in when the Yanks were already ahead, that'd still be incredibly useful. Just bat him 5th or 6th, let Giambi or Matsui (or CANO, apparently; yikes) get a one-run lead and then apparently A-Rod will blow it open.

"Padding the stats", eh? I mean, I'll take it.

306 I agree.
Does anyone know what the numbers are for typical increase in batting production for a guy Cano's age? I think it's gotta be huge. On average.

311 Boston has a baseball team?

Whoa, just noticed: Rasner is looking good, huh?

316 Yeah, I thought the Braves had left Boston and moved to Milwaukee!

316 Technically it's Pawtucket, but they call them 'Boston'.

Old friend James Hoey in for Baltimore to blow it versus the Sox.

Lets go Melky, little hit baby!!!!!!

Uh oh.
What happened to Jorgie???

Mauer still 0-2 w/2 BBs - leads Derek in OBP by 11 pts.

315 I'm really interested for the PECOTA comparisons after this season, but baseball-reference.com has the list of most similar players at Age 22. Some highlights:

Fred Dunlap
Tony Lazzeri
Paul Molitor
Billy Herman

Those last three are HOFers...

And Melky ends up having to work even on his day off.

325 and a lot of work it was.

322 Jorgie got hit on the elbow and couldn't shake it off.

322 Hit on the elbow, big time owie.

How did he get hit? Did he actually foul it off his elbow? I guess he must have.

324 Ah, thanks. Very interesting. I'll take Tony Lazzeri, thank you very much.

324 I'd take a Fred Dunlap 1884-type performance from Cano. Who cares that it came in a AA quality league?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/dunlafr01.shtml

Is there any word on when Sheffield is likely to be activated?

Dye leads Ortiz in OPS by a few points, but Manny leads 'em both by 25 points. How come Manny isn't even mentioned in the MVP discussion, when Ortiz is in the middle of it?

Thank you, Travis, you saved me from a "Who is Fred Dunlap?"

332 You have to ask that question? You don't live in New England. Ortiz is the hearthrob; Manny is his supporting cast.

329 No. Though A-Rod thought it was a HBP and went to 2B. The umpire told him to get back to 1B.

Jorgie swung at the pitch, missed with the bat...but didn't miss with his back elbow.

I vote for a moratorium on triples. (Until the Tampa outfield leaves town.)

Very nice, big K for Rasner, though. And he gets TyWig, too.

334 Ouch.
I'm yammering. (Just trying to make up for lost time.)

Is everybody loving Rasner at this point. I saw him pitch for the Nats last year and can't believe they gave up on him. He reminded me of Eddie Figueroa then and he still does. He and Bruney are great pick ups. Ca$hman is the man.

337 Well, he's doing well against Tampa - I'd like to see him a few more times down the stretch before I pass judgment.

337 Well, he's doing well against Tampa - I'd like to see him a few more times down the stretch before I pass judgment.

Ack! Double post!

333 I live in New Hampshire. Since Manny is Manny, it's good to have a good guy like Ortiz to worship. But everybody knows Manny is a better hitter. If Manny batted in front or Ortiz, the numbers would be even more swayed.

341 Not to mention that Manny is NOT a DH.

Mauer next up in Cleveland. Let's hope he makes an out. That way cap'n will be up by a fraction.

341 Now I get it: you were asking a rhetorical question! (I know, really, you meant: is there any good reason for Ortiz to be getting all the love and Manny just an afterthought.)

339 pistol, that little number he did on the tTinkies was imporessive. This guy is the goods.

333 Wow, didn't he just get out of the hospital for that?

345 tTinkes = Twinkies. Don't ask me how but it does. Oh My.

Our magic number will be 6, and this could be the first 6 game winning streak in '06

330 Dunlap only had 29 walks in that season. Clearly he's not patient enough at the plate. I just included him since he was first on the comparison. It would be weird if there were PECOTA comparisons for other professions, and they had a website that showed me that the most comparable scientist to me at age 22 had been dead for 115 years...

346 Ooooh.
Yeah, bad choice of words.

346 Very nice.

I'm getting sick of Clifford Shwyer the mountain climber & Mt. Sinai hospital.

Love these Yankees though!

With apologies to Eric B: Rasner for President.

349 I know you're being sarcastic, but Dunlap's 29 walks in the 1884 Union Association were the 3rd most in the league. The UA leaderboard is ridiculous:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/UA_1884_t.shtml

Here we are nearing the end of Jim Kaat's broadcasting career. Despite the announcer bashing at the beginning of this thread, I thought I'd bring that up again. Love him or hate him (or indifferent him), he was around for a long time, and he is to be respected. Good luck in whatever you're doing next, Kitty. Tip of my hat to you, sir.

347 I'm just always a little wary of castoffs. He could just be this year's Chacon. And we all know how that fairy tale ended.

Lefty Juan Lara in to face Mauer. Got 'im!

I know it's probably too soon to be thinking such things, but I'd rather have Rasner than Lidle. Or even Wright or Villone.

mauer just flew out.

Jeter .346
Mauer .345

Mmmm, a good night all around. Maybe not for Karsten's, I guess.

Nice, 3 hour win...now go home guys and rest of for your weekend beatdown on Boston!

Doubleplusgood news: Mauer lines out in Cleveland. As of now, Cap'n leads the batting title race. If, that's a big if, Indians retire the side in order he will not bat again tonight.

Jeter is up on Mauer by .00033

356 I don't know, Rasner is young and he actually strikes guys out and doesn't walk them- at least so far!

359 to add, because he probably will qualify by the end of the year...

Jeter .346
Mauer .345
Cano .339

356 Chacon's peripherals were always pretty poor. That's why he was the Jedi master. Rasner's look pretty good so far.

I think this is the first time Jeter ends the game with the better average. He's passed Mauer mid-game before.

366 I hear ya, but it might be too late in the season for him to be considered for the post. Too bad, because he seems like he would be an ideal long man to come in for either Lidle or Wright...

Lets Go O's.... HOLD THE LEAD!!

Scanning the comments, didn't see more than a word or two re: Bernie's hit-and-run single, which sent the go-ahead runner to third.

It wasn't a home run, but that worked out okay, right?

Props to Bernie and Joe.

I think the Twinks need three baserunners over the last two innings for Mauer to bat. His out ended their half of the seventh.

356 Your right he could be but I don't think so. He's younger and has better stuff. Besides if he gives us what Chacon gave us last year I'll worry about next year when it happens.

The Nats let him go because they thought they had roster issues. They did have issues but they let the wrong guy go. If he gets the shot I think he'll do the job.

Boston just tied it with a couple of bloops.

5-5 in Baltimore, top 8 — 2 on, 1 out. Papi up...

I don't envy Joe the job of having to pick a postseason roster out of this bunch. Some tough decisions looming.

375 A good problem to have, given the lack of bench depth in the last few post seasons. But, yeah, it's going to be very interesting to see how it shakes out...

Lets hope Jorge is OK.

Pena and Lowell, like all Sox hitters not named Ortiz or Manny, come up unclutch. Still 5-5, middle of the 8th.

After Papi walked to load the bags, Lowell lines out to Roberts at second. 5-5.

Wow, John Flaherty's got a serious case of ears...

Wang and Beckett tomorrow

Two 26 year olds. One getting paid 4.5 million and has an ERA over 5, the other getting paid 350K and is 17-5.

380 Probably nothing he hasn't heard before...

We've got a 6-game win streak!!! Woohoo!

::happy dance::

Bananas is a very funny movie.

382 Niiiiice!

383 The last time we had a 6-game streak was exactly a year ago.

381 Gotta give those small market, low payroll teams their just due for superior scouting and exceptional development of minor leaguers... Wish we had those qualities going for us. We just buy everything. Hopefully that will change.

A walkoff homer by Kevin Millar would hit the spot right now

370 Well, there was 285 which was spoken in all good natured sarcasm, I'd imagine. For the most part, I agree with you re: Bernie. I said some hot headed things here back in July/August when this team was struggling for the division lead, and I regret them. Bernie has been one of my favorite players of all time. I have no problem with him playing every day in some capacity from now until the end of the regular season. That said, I really, really hope he hangs it up after this season, and I wish he would announce his retirement in the next couple of weeks, so that Stadium fans can properly congratulate him. As great a player he has been, he is clearly not what he once was, and it would be the shame of shames to see him get cut in Spring Training next year, or something like that.

My next choice would be for him to fulfill his need to play baseball with another franchise. It didn't sully the reputation of Tino Martinez in the Bronx, and I don't think anyone would hold it against him. Then maybe he can come back and sign a ST contract with the Yanks and retire, like the 49ers did with Jerry Rice. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I hope the end of Bernie's career is blessed with as much grace as he showed in his prime, in covering centerfield at Yankee Stadium.

388 In the 8th?

388 Let's not get greedy....a bases-loaded double would work just as well.

390 He's due up in the 10th, if it gets that far.

390 Only Papi can do that.

Looks like Mauer gets another shot after all. Twinks are smacking it in the eighth.

Rodrigo Lopez in to pitch the 9th for the O's. To their credit, Chris Ray pitched the crucial 8th, and I guess they have no one better in their pen.

Lopez walks the first 2 batters, but stays in the game.

ESPN2 has the Boston game as bonus coverage. Looks like O's are doing their best to blow it. Pathetic.

Rodrigo Lopez is not a good pitcher. (He had some trouble throwing strikes, let's just say.)

Ortiz is the best defensive DH in the League hands down. Case closed. I can't count the number of runs he saves every game. A true stud muffin in every sense of the term.

Pedroia is batting well below the Mendoza line at .122

How good was this guy supposed to be?

Why in the world would you intentionally walk Alex Cora under any circumstances with the top of the order coming up?

396 Hey, thanks! Owe you one for that.

Mauer up

Mauer to the plate...

401 No problem. Although I can't guarantee that you'll like the ending of this one :)

Camden Yards has a serious RSN infestation problem, doesn't it....

Fuck, Mauer takes the lead back

Mauer singles!
Hats off.

Jeez, thank God football season started, huh?

I mean, the Red Sox started sucking and ESPN had nothing to lead off SportsCenter for a good 2-3 weeks there...

Yooooooooooook!

367 D'oh!

Argh! Mauer singles to up his BA to .347

Feckin' Loretta....

Rodrigo Lopez is not a good pitcher.
Ah, of course. ESPN2 is all done now. Schmucks.

Well, no matter. Either way (Sox W or L), we clinch by taking three of four, and not by splitting. So.

411 Amen to that - he's a fargin' icehole!

Whaaaaaa....? They're cutting off the game to show effing' Quite Frankly?

Whatever happend to (N)ESPN?

Jetes ought to fatten up on Sawx pitching this weekend, though. Who do the Twins have?

Bruce Chen in for the O's. Has there ever been a worse 9th inning, tie game righty-lefty combo than Lopez and Chen?

415 Lousy Tribe pitching, I'm afraid....Carmona (Eek!), Sabathia and Byrd are scheduled.

416 Tim Redding and Sean Henn?

Twins will be just a game back from Detroit if they hold on.

Having Chen versus Ortiz is like throwing rocks at a man with a machine gun, to quote Rowdy Piper.

416 And yet, Papi fails. Funny game.
417 Dang. Maybe Mauer gets the day off against Carmona?

Meh. Sawx can still blow this. Their bullpen has been quite impressive this year.

Mr. MVP with the pop up, but it doesn't matter, because the Sox are up 1 and Mr. Zero himself, Mike Timlin, is coming in to close.

Heck, if Papi had Matsui and Cano in his line-up, he would have doubled.

Ka-lutch. Papi is soooooo Ka-lutch. Classic Ka-lutch.

Why not leave Foulke in to close?

416 Even Joe Torre wouldn't use Redding and Henn in a tie game on the road. Jeff Weaver, on the other hand ...

"Quite Frankly", what a show.
"If Liriano comes back, the Yanks have absolutely no chance to beat the Twins in the playoffs."
Baseball genius.

427 OMG, seriously he said that?!

Yeah, Smith did.

Kapler misreads a Mora ball over his head; leadoff double.

427 Stephen A. Smith is the man who thought a team could miss a field goal on 3rd down and get the ball back.

Mora, Markakis, Tejada up for the O's. There's still hope...

Mora doubles. Hang on to your hats, kids.

Mike Timlin doing his thing! (Mora doubles, but I figure everyone still here is tracking it.)

Mora tags up on a short fly to center, off-line throw by Kapler to 3rd.

429 Wait, Smith said that tonight?

And right on cue, Mora double. Well done.

IBB to Tejada.

430 How are you following the Boston game? Cool.
Huh, so Smith's talents extend beyond baseball.

C'mon, Ramon - keep the ball in the air.

At least that makes some sense, walking Tejada. Here's hoping it bites them in the butt, though.

Tejada IBB...hmmmm look who's on deck

Hernandez owes us

Walkoff slam by Millar...you heard it here first!

438 I live in D.C., so I get the game on my local cable channel.

Ugh, easy DP ball by Hernandez, game over.

438 "Talents" is being used loosely there, I hope.

Nooooo!....

Stupid Angelos.

ugh.
Nice try, LI yankee.

438 MLB TV & Comcast Sports

O's blow

CRIPES. Oh well, we still would have had to beat Boston 3 times to clinch anyway...

I HATE Tejada and Hernandez. They KILL us, but turn into crap against the Sawx.

447 Deadspin reader?

452 First thing every morning!

444 Sage Steel is definately worth missing.

To be fair, Tejada got an IBB, not much he could've done there...

Hernandez took huge cuts at the first two pitches and fouled them off. Not great hitting, when a weak fly to any of those outfielders ties the game.

446 Loosely, or ironically, take your pick.

Well, we couldn't get any help tonight, but the pinstripes did their job. The real fun is coming up soon.
Have a GOOD night.

No biggie, but I wouldn't finishing the job this weekend.

God how badly I want another sweep.

A good night all around, despite the O's continued suckage.

'night, y'all!

If the Yanks minor league squad only take one game versus Boston I hope they get Wang the win so he can get to 20 quickly.

Wonder if Manny will play this series? The last time he played was on Sept. 9th.

461 I'm pretty sure I heard somewhere today that it's unlikely he'll play.

Hope we get it in manana. It would be great to finish things this weekend. A good night and good thoughts to all.

So Peter Abraham and Steve Lombardi are running questions on nicknames for Phil Hughes. Steve suggested Orange Crush. Meh. I suggested "The Avaitor" or just "avaitor." Might as well start up the discussion here too...Shoot away...

"The Chosen One"

"The One" — inspired by yankz, of course ;-)

153 Thanks again for all the info.

157 Damn, and all the time I lived in Cincy, I had no idea there was fun stuff in Columbus.

467 re:157 I don't want to get too carried away; one can pee almost anywhere and that was the best part of the stop!