Baseball Toaster Bronx Banter
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Dive or Thrive (which one of these?)
2006-10-04 16:22
by Alex Belth

Believe it or not, it's even warmer and muggier in the Bronx tonight than it was last night. But there it is, strange things sometimes happen. Like Mark Kotsay's inside-the-park home run this afternoon in the A's, Twinkies game, or two Dodgers getting tagged out at the plate by fomer Dodger catcher Paul LoDuca (Yo, Paulie, you know, Paulie) in the course of about ten seconds. Kotsay hit a sinking line drive to center field. Torii Hunter charged the ball which took a late, vicious curve down and to the right--the TV analysts on ESPN said it "knuckled." Hunter, a highlight reel centerfielder and all-around infectiously aimable dude, dove and it got past him. Kotsay didn't get a great jump out of the box but when he saw the ball get past Hunter he started to book his ass off. After he scored easily, Kotsay popped up from his slide and thrust his fist in the air. Hilarious. As for the Dodgers, I still don't know what they were thinking there. One of the guys, especially the trail runner, J.D. Drew, has got to try and run LoDuca over. Still, I am pumped for Carlos Delgado, and I think it's great that CliFFFloyd hit a bomb.

In the bowels of Yankee Stadium there is a cafeteria for the writers. During the playoffs, the room is converted into the press room where the pre-and- post game interviews are conducted. Through the far end of the room is a door which leads to the downstairs press room, a large, windlowless concrete room lined with tables and chairs and lots of men (and some women) typing away on laptop comupters. The sound of all of all the fingers tapping away on keyboards sounds like the patter of gentle rain on a tin roof. It is extremely active this evening, three hours before the game. The Yankees are on the field taking bp. Reporters are writing their stories.

I go upstairs to the main press box. The first person I see after the security guard lets me in is a middle aged woman wearing a Yankee hat and a navy blue Yankee polo shirt. She is holding a clear plastic box of chocolate chip cookies. "Hey, you wanna cookie?" she says to me opening the box and holding it toward me. "Do I?" I say and grab a large, doughy cookie. I turn right and hit the head. As I'm peeing, I eat the cookie and I hear the woman out in the hallway offering everyone she sees a cookie, the same way she asked me. And they say nobody is nice a Yankee Stadium.

This would be a money game for the Yankees to win tonight. It's a Must game for the Tigers. Mike Mussina is a big ticket pitcher; he's expected to win these kind of games. I've always liked him, so you know I'm pulling for him to come up big. Justin Verlander is a very good young pitcher too. He struggled in the second half (he was awful in August), but had a couple of strong starts late in the year and you just got to love his stuff. He seems like he's going to be a real pitcher and not just a thrower. If the Tigers can get a two or three run lead going into the seventh, they can snake out a win for sure and then we've got ourselves a series. Part of me thinks the Yanks are going to continue the pound-a-thon and just roll, while the other part of me thinks that A Rod will blow and Sheffield will make a crucial error, Verlander and the pen will be great and the Tigers will find a way to win. I'm a twin, what can I tell you? I see both sides of the cern.

Yo, if they are going to hit dingers off Mussina, let's just hope nobody is on base when they do, that's all I'm saying.

Hope everyone enjoys the game but in order to do so you are going to have to wait around for awhile it seems. They played the anthem and the crowd waited for the Yankees to take the field. But they never did and the fans didn't know for why? Well, evidentally, there is threatening weather a-comin' this way with the quickness, or so says the doppler radar. The rain is supposed to hit between 8:15 and 8:30 and keep up for a good hour-and-a-half. Yikes. Luckily, I brought some good reading material. Too bad I forgot my gollaches. Kind of funny to see the game called before it starts to rain. People are just scratching their heads, going, oy. Call the babysitter, we're gunna be here awhile.

Irregardless, as they like to say in the Bronx, Let's Go Yan-Kees!

Comments (127)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2006-10-04 16:55:38
1.   BklynBmr
I'm on top of the world!

What's up with the rain delay. Any news?

2006-10-04 16:55:51
2.   Mick S
Mick hitting leadoff two days in a row. I'm awesome!
2006-10-04 16:56:14
3.   Mick S
1 Doh!
2006-10-04 17:03:42
4.   yankz
The reason the Yankees pounded Verlander last time is because he had a blister. Let's hope his still fatigued and gets knocked around early.

BTW, I read somewhere today that Captain Clutch (I still think I thought of that nickname first) has hits in his last seven (7) postseason at-bats. Here's to him making it 12 tonight.

2006-10-04 17:04:49
5.   BklynBmr
3 Sorry for the pinch-hit ;-)

Yikes, this sounds like it could be a long one...

2006-10-04 17:07:36
6.   3rd gen yankee fan
I found a pub with internet, w00t. What's the word on a rain delay?
2006-10-04 17:07:44
7.   rbj
I'll repeat my comment from below

An hour? crap on a cracker.

I do not think I'll be staying up for this one.

2006-10-04 17:10:24
8.   randym77
Well, at least the rain delay is before the game, instead of during.

But I'm really finding these late starts annoying. Some of have to work for a living, ya know...

2006-10-04 17:11:15
9.   mehmattski
Shouldn't they, like, put the tarp on the field or something?

There's a storm front comin (mood indigo)
White water runnin and the pressure is low
There's a storm front comin
Small craft warnin on the radio:

http://tinyurl.com/robs5

2006-10-04 17:11:47
10.   yankz
Joe Morgan: "That'll be the best thing that could happen to us- we could do all the games in one place!"

So that's what the innermost circle of hell is like.

2006-10-04 17:11:59
11.   3rd gen yankee fan
7 Thanks.
2006-10-04 17:13:17
12.   rbj
I bet you it's because God doesn't want to hear Joe Morgan do two games in one day.
2006-10-04 17:15:18
13.   LI yankee
Argh!

Where is the rain though?

2006-10-04 17:15:57
14.   randym77
12 So why not quick, simple lightning bolt? :-P
2006-10-04 17:16:03
15.   mehmattski
13 see 9
2006-10-04 17:16:26
16.   C2Coke
5 Really? Why did I get 830 start from ESPN?
2006-10-04 17:16:45
17.   mikeplugh
This does suck. My morning here in Japan is free and I'm sitting in a dead silent teacher's room, at my desk, waiting for the game to start. I had it all planned out.

No class in the morning, Gameday in the bottom right corner of my laptop screen, and a cup of coffee poised just in front of my left hand. All the teachers who sit around me are in class and I can freely follow the game, browse the results of other games, and post here.

With the rain delay, the early part of the game will take place while I'm in class for an hour. I'll probably miss the 2nd, 3rd, and part of the 4th inning depending on the circumstances. Fortunately, the middle of the day is open and the game should wrap up before I have to bolt for my busy afternoon classes.

Here's to a swift ending to the delay, and a ringing Yankee victory.

2006-10-04 17:18:44
18.   LI yankee
16 ESPN's on field reporter said it might rain steadily for one and a half to two hours. Before that though sportscenter said 8:30.
2006-10-04 17:18:59
19.   C2Coke
12 It makes perfect sense.
2006-10-04 17:20:03
20.   randym77
Two hours??!!!

Good gravy.

2006-10-04 17:20:17
21.   rbj
10 pm? m_therf_cker!
2006-10-04 17:20:27
22.   BklynBmr
Could start as late as 10:00pm EST!
2006-10-04 17:20:57
23.   rbj
14God doesn't want to take it too easy on the rest of us.
2006-10-04 17:21:30
24.   C2Coke
18 Great, more waiting, like the past 20 hr plus was nothing...but LI yankee, thanks for the update.
2006-10-04 17:22:05
25.   yankz
Are you kidding? There is no way I can wake up tomorrow morning.
2006-10-04 17:23:20
26.   mehmattski
It is quite a large system coming in. My amateur meteorology sense says that 2 hours is indeed a good prediction.

"Yankee Reign Delay"

Awesome.

2006-10-04 17:23:28
27.   Schteeve
I'm stuck at work indefinitely cooking up a dog and pony show presentation for a client on less than 24 hours notice. So this is doubly aggravating for me, although I might actually get some work done between now and when the game starts.

Cripes.

2006-10-04 17:23:53
28.   rbj
Why not just postpone the game until tomorrow. Say noon or 4 pm. So you call in sick to work, have the kids skip a day at school.
2006-10-04 17:23:55
29.   C2Coke
25 Let's hope God is kidding...

I don't know when the game's going to start, I just have a weird and confident feeling that Can_oo_ will have a great night.

2006-10-04 17:24:42
30.   randym77
23 Wasn't 2004 enough suffering?
2006-10-04 17:25:41
31.   C2Coke
28 Where to have it? I think the Yankees are planning to leave for Detriot tonight or at least they were...
2006-10-04 17:27:13
32.   rbj
Hey, ESPN's using Cap'n Clutch now.
2006-10-04 17:27:20
33.   mehmattski
31 The plan is for a 1 PM start tomorrow in the event of a rainout. It's not like it's a cross country trip for the teams, and the 1 PM slot is open tomorrow for the games.

I guess I'll have to take a long lunch.

2006-10-04 17:29:04
34.   rbj
30 It's for all of baseball, not just Yankee fans.

31 Fly out to Detroit after the game tomorrow. Unit's already there, doesn't matter for the rest of the players.

2006-10-04 17:29:44
35.   C2Coke
Update: This will for sure drag on for another 1-1.5 hr before they even decide whether to play the game or not.
2006-10-04 17:29:44
36.   mikeplugh
10 Yeah, but think of how easy all the advanced metrics will be without Park Factor.

;)

2006-10-04 17:31:13
37.   joe in boston
Rain delay ? Crap.

Time to shave/shower/lay out tomorrows clothes/make lunch.

2006-10-04 17:31:31
38.   rbj
Well, I'm going to sign off for the night. Rass and frackle.
2006-10-04 17:32:15
39.   LI yankee
I just hope this doesn't throw off Moose.
2006-10-04 17:33:43
40.   C2Coke
33,34 But isn't NYC expected to rain tomorrow as well?
2006-10-04 17:37:29
41.   mehmattski
40 Weather.com says mostly sunny, high 64˚F.
2006-10-04 17:38:00
42.   rbj
Ah, cool. courage the Cowardly Dog is on cartoon network.

Good night.

2006-10-04 17:40:04
43.   efb
Apologies for covering the same subject, but my sister is at the Stadium and asking me for advice on whether she should stay or come home. What is the opinion, please shout out anyone who has a guess, start time in:
A) half hour
B) one hour
C) 1.5 hours
D) two hours
E) more than 2 hours or tomorrow.

I appreciate it if you share your opinions. Thank you all.

2006-10-04 17:40:57
44.   yankz
36 Worst silver lining, ever. ;)
2006-10-04 17:41:18
45.   mikeplugh
It's times like this that we need our man on the inside to dig out the official scoop. Alex are you out there. (Not a Pink Floyd reference).
2006-10-04 17:41:44
46.   mehmattski
43 Based on the weather map, my guess is D/E.
2006-10-04 17:41:49
47.   randym77
I vote E.

Unfortunately. :-P
2006-10-04 17:43:51
48.   efb
mehmattski and randym77 - thank you.
2006-10-04 17:44:19
49.   joejoejoe
It's always a good idea to check the weather before entering the Stadium. It's cheaper to wait out the delay at Stan's (or that bowling alley bar, I forget the name) then inside the park. As as they say give the go ahead you can be in your seat in 5 minutes.
2006-10-04 17:48:21
50.   Magoo1000
43 Is your sister hot???
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2006-10-04 17:51:02
51.   capdodger
26 "Yankee Reign Delay"

Yep, that's going on six years by my count.

(I kid, I kid. Hope they get the game in and good luck to the pinstripes. They're the best team money can buy.)

2006-10-04 17:51:06
52.   mikeplugh
44 Yeah, and imagine trying to explain that to Morgan.
2006-10-04 17:52:59
53.   efb
50 No. Although she is wet, at least at the moment. :-)
2006-10-04 17:54:11
54.   BklynBmr
EPSN: Possible 9:30 EST start!
2006-10-04 17:55:39
55.   C2Coke
54 If that's true, that ain't bad. Let's hope the weather is one thing ESPN can predict...
2006-10-04 17:55:46
56.   mikeplugh
54 I don't trust EPSN any more than I do ESPN. ;)
2006-10-04 17:56:30
57.   randym77
The radar doesn't look good to me. If they do start at 9:30, I don't think they'll get the whole game in without another delay.
2006-10-04 17:57:40
58.   Mike T
This is lame, although it's only 6pm out here in Vegas so I don't have to stay up until 1am watching baseball like you guys do.
2006-10-04 18:00:48
59.   C2Coke
57 I was worried about that as well, and I would really rather they play tomorrow if that's the case. Powerful as the players may be, only one in the lineup is considered young and we have Moose pitching.
2006-10-04 18:03:52
60.   mikeplugh
I don't care if the game is played on Antarctica or in the Sahara. I think we will beat them on a plane, or in a train. We will beat them in a box. We will beat them with a fox. We will beat them in a house. We will beat them with a mouse. We will beat them here or there. We will beat them anywhere.

Put the players on the field at 4am, and watch us smack the shit out of them.

2006-10-04 18:05:17
61.   C2Coke
60 Man, you crack me up! I can sense that frustration all the way from Japan.
2006-10-04 18:06:36
62.   Sliced Bread
Looks to me like it depends what the 2nd storm around Scranton, PA is going to do.

The one that's hanging over the Stadium now should be over soon.

Lasted less than an hour out here in Joisey. Stopped about half an hour ago.

Play ball, damnit!

2006-10-04 18:07:10
63.   mehmattski
60 Careful there, Sam I am.
2006-10-04 18:08:24
64.   3rd gen yankee fan
wcbs is saying maybe a 9:30 start.
2006-10-04 18:10:05
65.   mikeplugh
63 sorry. I'm itching to see what Jeter does as a follow up. Could be an 0-fer, but it's the Best Show on Earth.
2006-10-04 18:10:22
66.   Mike T
Here's a link for anyone who wants to follow the radar:

http://wwwa.accuweather.com/radar-local.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&site=KNYC&type=R1&anim=0&large=1

2006-10-04 18:10:46
67.   Sliced Bread
64 sounds about right. I'll go with the over. They'll need to rake the infield, Sterling will have to blow dry his hair again, let's say 9:42pm first pitch.
2006-10-04 18:11:19
68.   Stormer Sports
51

Maybe the Tigers can run into a triple play at home tonight, then you won't feel so bad about Nomar playing golf by Saturday.

2006-10-04 18:12:31
69.   C2Coke
66 tinyurl.com is our dear friend.
2006-10-04 18:14:36
70.   Mike T
The second band of rain which is currently over PA appears to be quite a bit heavier than the current band over the stadium.
2006-10-04 18:14:51
71.   Flip Play
Why can't I be paid to babble into the camera and repeat the same crap over and over on ESPN?
2006-10-04 18:15:38
72.   randym77
I wish overgrown URLs were auto-truncated. I'd rather cut and paste URLs together if necessary, than have the screen stretched this way. :-P
2006-10-04 18:17:15
73.   yankz
71 You're not in the HOF!
2006-10-04 18:17:34
74.   seamus
i must confess - i hate tiny url.
2006-10-04 18:20:23
75.   Sliced Bread
Uh oh. Thunder & Lightning out here in Joisey, and I'm not talkin' strippers.
2006-10-04 18:21:11
76.   randym77
74 Well, there's MakeAShorterLink.com, if you prefer to see where a link is taking you.

Weather.com radar doesn't look good:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?I11D237ED

2006-10-04 18:23:30
77.   singledd
Yowww... the front in PA, directly west of the Bronx is about 5 times larger then the current one. I can't see there being 3 hours between the 2. If they do start this, unless the PA front blows South, I can't imagine getting in 9.

Hate to say it, but better off playing tomorrow.

2006-10-04 18:24:24
78.   Flip Play
73 Oh right. DAMNIT!
2006-10-04 18:24:56
79.   mehmattski
76 tinyurl also allows you to see where it's taking you... just go to tinyurl.com and you can change the settings. just be aware that it resets to default (immediately going to link) if you empty the cache, clear cookies (not the ones Alex was getting near the bathroom), or do other nerdy things.
2006-10-04 18:28:03
80.   seamus
76 ah, yes, one of my main issues with it is that i cannot see where i am going.
2006-10-04 18:28:35
81.   AbbyNormal821
67 Hilarious!!! Reminds me of a line from "Steel Magnolias"...
"You just tease it and make it look like a big brown football helmet"

Sterlings got that poofy hair goin' on, y'all! HAHA!

2006-10-04 18:28:38
82.   randym77
Oh, great. An hour between storms.
2006-10-04 18:30:59
83.   randym77
They said "maybe at 10pm." They'll have an hour to play before the second front comes through. They're hoping those storms will go north of NYC. But they might not, so they still haven't decided if there will be a game tonight or not. :-P
2006-10-04 18:33:47
84.   mikeplugh
I haven't decided who it affects more, Moose or The Verlander. Moose is a vet and he might get tight or something. Verlander is a rookie about to pitch his first post-season game in Yankee Stadium against a fearsome lineup with a 1-0 deficit in the series. A rain delay is a bit like a coach calling a time out to ice the kicker.
2006-10-04 18:34:09
85.   3rd gen yankee fan
WCBS is reporting the grounds crew pulling the planks off the tarp. :-) Mama mia. Yes, still need to rake it.
2006-10-04 18:34:37
86.   JeremyM
At the risk of being doomed to eternal baseball hell, why exactly are they not having a retractable dome in the new Yankee Stadium? The rain was a culprit in the Yankees 2004 collapse in my opinion, not that I want to relive that by talking about it:(
2006-10-04 18:36:15
87.   C2Coke
67 Sliced, looks like you were right on for the first pitch. Now, please tell me they won't have to stop in the middl.

ESPN interviewing Jorge right now.

2006-10-04 18:37:36
88.   C2Coke
84 So far, it seems to affect us, aka the fans more...
2006-10-04 18:37:59
89.   rsmith51
86 You don't have to remind me.
2006-10-04 18:38:05
90.   Mike T
Unless that second band breaks up over Jersey, I don't see them getting in nine before it gets to the Bronx.
2006-10-04 18:38:06
91.   Sliced Bread
84 I can see your point about it affecting Zoolander, but I think it takes more of a toll on Moose.

Tarp's off!

2006-10-04 18:38:08
92.   seamus
84 I think it helps Verlander because the crowd will be affected and because Moose is so damn finnicky.
2006-10-04 18:38:11
93.   mehmattski
This Chevy commercial can go to hell. Directly to hell. Words cannot describe my pure anger at this commercial.
2006-10-04 18:39:24
94.   randym77
86 I agree. Having a retractable roof would be a big advantage over the Sox, IMO. (Or if they get one and we don't, it would be a big advantage for them.)

Global warming is supposed to make the northeast rainier, so a roof would be a good investment.

The Boss decided against it because of the expense. Maybe if we all chipped in? Come on, buck a man...

2006-10-04 18:39:32
95.   3rd gen yankee fan
Guess what, ESPN radio is replaying game 7 of the 2004 ALCS. Nice of 'em, huh?
2006-10-04 18:40:03
96.   C2Coke
10pm it is.
2006-10-04 18:41:21
97.   RIYank
84 For the record, I've heard kickers say that those time-outs don't bother them at all. Well, it was Vinatieri, who may have colder blood.
2006-10-04 18:42:56
98.   C2Coke
94 Even if just the ones who go to the Stadium who chip in, that's easily 4 million a year, and we'll have more than 10 by 2009. We can always ask Trump to cover the rest, isn't he a huge Yankee fan?
2006-10-04 18:43:50
99.   randym77
97 I've heard that, too. Doesn't bother them at all. Some of them even like having the extra time.
2006-10-04 18:45:18
100.   randym77
Supposedly, the new stadium is being built so that a retractable roof can be added later.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2006-10-04 18:45:49
101.   C2Coke
I know it will never happen, just throwing the idea out: how about have Lidle pitch for 2-3 innings and see how the weather goes, then put in Moose if game can be continued?
2006-10-04 18:49:30
102.   pistolpete
I thought the deal with Moose is that he had warmed up first, and then the rain came - difference between then and now is that Moose hadn't warmed up yet as of 8pm tonight...
2006-10-04 18:51:19
103.   randym77
101 I like it. Unless Lidle gives up a ton of runs early and puts Moose in the hole.

I gotta say, looking at the radar, I don't see how that second front is going to miss the Bronx.

2006-10-04 18:55:59
104.   AbbyNormal821
Game postponed
2006-10-04 18:56:33
105.   randym77
Game banged.

Should I call in sick at work tomorrow...?

2006-10-04 18:58:03
106.   mehmattski
Crap.

Well, looks like it will be a "long lunch" tomorrow. ;-)

2006-10-04 18:58:07
107.   AbbyNormal821
aaaw, i feel bad for the kids who are there!
2006-10-04 18:58:47
108.   C2Coke
Game tomorrow.
2006-10-04 18:59:19
109.   pistolpete
Verlander warmed up, Moose didn't. Hmmmmm....
2006-10-04 18:59:45
110.   Sliced Bread
Just started pouring again out here in NJ, (lightning too)no way they were going to get the game in uninterrupted.

Bummage.

2006-10-04 19:00:12
111.   yankz
Dammit.
2006-10-04 19:00:16
112.   C2Coke
It's official. It's Joe Morgan's fault.
2006-10-04 19:00:39
113.   3rd gen yankee fan
noooooooooooooooooooo
2006-10-04 19:00:42
114.   Sliced Bread
107 truly sucks for the kids.
2006-10-04 19:02:04
115.   mehmattski
Well, at least there's a new South Park on.
2006-10-04 19:02:38
116.   C2Coke
114 ESPN just showed some kids in the Stadium. Those kids look more than disappointed.
2006-10-04 19:02:56
117.   RIYank
Good idea about Lidle, though.
Only, remember 2001, the fourth game against Oakland? That was the division series where Rocket and Pettite got beat (Andy 2-0), and we had to go to Oakland with backs against the wall, and then Moose and Mo shut them out and Jorgie popped a dinger off Zito. And then in game four, we rocked their starter. Now what was that guy's name...?
2006-10-04 19:03:05
118.   singledd
Well, after $60 worth of parking, hot dogs, bear and raincoats, fans get to call in sick tomorrow and take in a day game.

I guess there was no easier way to do this.

2006-10-04 19:04:58
119.   singledd
Actually, the bear is cheaper then the beer.
2006-10-04 19:05:43
120.   LI yankee
Supposedly the Tigers are angry because they sent out Verlander to warm up and didn't know about the decision.
2006-10-04 19:06:15
121.   Schteeve
This is horseshit.
2006-10-04 19:07:20
122.   yankz
117 That game (Moose's gem) was The Flip Play.
2006-10-04 19:10:05
123.   C2Coke
118 Yesterday and today, it may be different, both ain't easy.

120 The Yankees knew better perhaps because they've been to PS for the past decade consecutively?

2006-10-04 19:10:49
124.   randym77
120 I don't blame them. If it was the other way around, I'd be steamed.
2006-10-04 20:29:29
125.   JeremyM
120 That's not right, and now the Tigers will have a chip on their shoulder and a "us against the world" mentality. I'm not saying it wins ballgames, but you never know.
2006-10-05 07:35:27
126.   capdodger
Awww... 68
For how easy it's been to be a Yanks fan over the last dozen years, you're awfully thin-skinned.
2006-10-05 07:45:54
127.   capdodger
Addn:126
And Nomar injures himself playing soccer. But it doesn't really matter because the LAAoA will sign him to DH over the winter. They love LAD hero/castoffs.

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