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2007-08-04 23:09
by Cliff Corcoran

Where to start?

Here's what happened yesterday:

1) Phil Hughes made his third major league start for the Yankees after more than three months on the disabled list.
2) Alex Rodriguez hit his 500th career home run after 37 homerless plate appearances.
4) The Yankees beat the Royals 16-8 extending their streak of scoring seven or more runs at home to eight games.
5) The Yankees closed within 1.5 games of the Wild Card lead as Cleveland, Detroit, and Seattle all lost.
5) Barry Bonds tied Hank Aaron's all-time home run record with his 755th career dinger.

I'll take the second part first. After Johnny Damon grounded out leading off the first inning, Derek Jeter singled, and Bobby Abreu walked on four pitches to bring Alex Rodriguez to the plate with one out and two on. Kyle Davies' first pitch was an 89-mile-per-hour fastball right down the middle and Alex jerked it down the left field line, a high looping hook shot that managed to stay fair, landing in the left field stands toward the back of the main boxes behind the Canon sign where it was caught by a still-anonymous Rutgers student. Rodriguez, unsure if the ball would go foul, stood at the plate, bat in hand. As the ball approached the stands he began to trot, still watching, toward first. Speeding up, he thrust both fists in the air when the ball landed, gave first base coach Tony Peña a high-ten, and proceeded to jubilantly round the bases "like a goofball," as he would say after the game. Rodriguez was greeted behind home plate by the entire Yankee bench, which congratulated him with high-fives and hugs. Once settled in the dugout, Rodriguez wore an ecstatic grin of exhilaration and relief and was seen repeatedly saying "I'm glad it's over" to buddies Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon. Me too, Alex, me too.

For his part, Phil Hughes picked up where he left off in the early innings, dominating the Royals with the laser-guided control and late movement of his fastball in the first and second innings. Hughes pitched a 1-2-3 first, striking out Mark Grudzielanek swinging on four pitches and reaching only one two-ball count. In the second he walked leadoff hitter Billy Butler after getting ahead 0-2 do to a tight strike zone by home plate ump Jerry Meals, but rebounded by striking out the next three men, again only reaching one two-ball count.

Things didn't go quite as well in the third. Joey Gathright lead off by flaring an 0-1 pitch into left field that Hideki Matsui was so convinced landed foul that he initially failed to pursue the ball, but still managed to hold the speedy Gathright to a double. Hughes threw his next pitch past Jorge Posada to put Gathright on third anyway, but got Jason LaRue to pop out to hold the runner at third. When the lineup turned over, however, David DeJesus hit a groundball single up the middle to plate Gathright and, after Grudzielanek moved DeJesus to second on a groundout, Mark Teahen flared another double to shallow left to plate DeJesus, cutting the Yankee lead in half at 4-2 (the Yanks had added a fourth run in the first after Rodriguez's homer on a Matsui double and a Cano triple).

Hughes had better luck in the fourth, erasing a Ross Gload single that whizzed past his head with a double play grounder and then ending things with his fifth strikeout. Through his first four innings, Hughes had recorded his twelve outs on five strikeouts, five groundballs (including that double play), and a pop out. The two doubles he allowed were flares down the left field line, and of the two singles he allowed, one was a well-placed ground ball. Gload's line-drive single leading off the fourth was the only hard hit ball he had allowed. Hughes had also thrown 70 percent of his pitches for strikes through the first four innings and walked just one man, but he hadn't been especially efficient, throwing 71 pitches through those first four. Between the sweltering heat and humidity and the excitement and pressure of returning to the major leagues, it seems Hughes, who had topped out at 91 pitches on his rehab assignment, simply tired early.

Hughes started the fifth by walking Gathright on five pitches. Jason LaRue then hit the first fly out of the game off Hughes. DeJesus, in his third look at the Yankee rookie, followed by jerking a two-run home run down the left field line, a shot that likely traveled little more than 320 feet, but a hard hit line drive nonetheless. Fortunately the Yankees had plated two more in the bottom of the fourth and thus maintained a 6-4 lead, but after Grudzielanek flared an out to right, Teahen singled on a bounder up the middle, and Butler laced a double into the gap in right center to score him to make it 6-5. With Hughes at 92 pitches and throwing his low-90s fastball in the high-80s, Joe Torre ended his outing there.

Hughes' final line greatly resembles his line from his debut:

4/26: 4 1/3 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 HR, 91 pitches
7/04: 4 2/3 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 92 pitches

In both cases, Hughes was making a pressure backed debut at Yankee Stadium, and in both games he appeared to fatigue quickly. While there may have been less pressure on Hughes in yesterday's game, the heat and the gradual workload increases of his rehab stint made his fatigue even more understandable. Early in the game, Hughes looked every bit like the phenom who was no-hitting the Rangers in his second major league start. His fastball was low-90s with late movement and pinpoint location. His curve was high-60s with a nasty break and similarly precise location, allowing him to drop it into the zone for called strikes or have it dive into the dirt for swinging strikes, while contact with the curve almost always resulted in a groundball. He later mixed in his changeup which split the difference at around 80 miles per hour. To that end, I would say that Hughes actually pitched better yesterday than he did in his debut. What did him in was the fatigue, which saw him lose location and velocity on his fastball, which began to stay up (DeJesus's homer was an 88-mile-per-hour fastball that floated up in the zone). Prior to that, however, he didn't seem to be particularly effective in mixing his pitches, which allowed the Royals to do more damage against his fastball the second time through the order, and more still the third time through.

I would expect Hughes, Posada, and Guidry to improve the pitch selection for Hughes next start, and would also expect Hughes to be stronger, both because he's now had two consecutive 90-pitch outings, but also because the nerves and sweltering heat that accompanied yesterday's game are unlikely to follow him to Cleveland.

Back to the game, facing Mike Myers, Yankee Killer Ross Gload doubled home Butler to tie the game at 6-6, but the Yankees took the lead right back with a run off reliever John Bale in the bottom of the inning. Brian Bruney then struck out the side in the top of the sixth and the Yankees, perhaps noticing that Kyle Farnsworth was warming up in a one-run game, dropped a four-spot in the bottom half on a leadoff home run to dead center by Bobby Abreu and a series of two-out hits by Robinson Cano, Wilson Betemit (who played first base for the first time in the major leagues yesterday), and Melky Cabrera following a two-out walk by Jorge Posada. Good thing, too, as Farnsworth did indeed give up that one run in the seventh.

Zack Greinke started the bottom of the seventh for the Royals and failed to retire a batter, allowing a double to Derek Jeter on his first pitch followed by three straight singles and a four-pitch walk to Jorge Posada. Coming on in supposed relief, Jimmy Gobble gave up a single and a double before getting an unusual 9-2 double play when Meals ruled that Robinson Cano failed to touch home plate attempting to score on a fly out to right (the replays were inconclusive) and striking out Johnny Damon to end a nine-pitch battle.

It was subs in at that point as Luis Vizcaino, who must have been warming when it was a "tight" four-run game, worked a scoreless eighth and Ron Villone rounded out the scoring by allowing a run in the ninth driven in by, who else, Ross Gload. Gload is now 11 for 19 with four doubles and six RBIs against the Yankees this season.

Today the Yanks look for a sweep in a rematch of this game.

Finally, here's an update on impending call-ups Joba Chamberlain and Jason Giambi from Pete Abe. For those too lazy to click, in four relief innings, Chamberlian has faced the minimum 12 batters, one singled and was caught stealing, one of them made some other kind of out, and ten of them struck out. Giambi, meanwhile, not only has one homer and a .481 OBP in his rehab assignment, but has been playing solid defense per the first update here.

Comments (163)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-08-05 01:30:17
1.   Yu-Hsing Chen
Karsten goes for Joba and Miguel goes for Jason, it's pretty simple, if they hadddd to keep a scrappy Miguel on the bench then i wouldn't be too unhappy to see Phillips back down. he's been doing well, but the numbers aren't convincing me that he's giong to sustain it.
2007-08-05 04:54:28
2.   OldYanksFan
Before the Yanks got ARod, I didn't particularly like the guy. Of course, that's mostly from the media. Choker, Small Game player, selfish, self absorbed, overpaid, etc. And while I liked the idea of him being a Yankee, I was bummed to lose our 'home grown' Soriano.

Now, I've had a front row seat for 3+ years for both the media and fan shitstorm. It's been really disturbing. In the past, even here, even when Alex winning us games and posting excellent to great numbers, there were haters. People who wanted him gone.

For me, someone who's been in a minor depression since Mickey retired, I really, really have grown to like ARod. While I've seen a guy with his foot in his mouth, I seen basically a decent, dedicated, hard working guy. And a guy who wants to win. And now I realize, I'm also seeing a truly historically great player.

For me, part if being a Yankee fan was having the greatest all-time players on the team. It seems right. New York is New York, and having great players is simply part of our tradition.

I like ARod in Pinstripes. It just seems natural. At this point, seeing him in anything BUT Pinstripes, breaking records for anyone other then the Yankees, will make me sick. (Lets not even speak about his going to Boston).

This man MUST retire as a Yankee. Must go into the HOF as a Yankee. Must have his legend and his number as part of Yankee history. It is beyond money now. Beyond his numbers. Beyond business.

Alex Rodriguez MUST remain a Yankee.
I hope Cashman knows this, and does what must be done. If for some reason the Yankeess lose ARod, it will replace the Sox letting Ruth go, as the all-time stupidest move in basebasll history.

2007-08-05 05:55:24
3.   D4P
2
Yankee fans don't deserve ARod. They need a True Yankee at 3B, like a Scott Brosius or an Aaron Boone.
2007-08-05 05:56:02
4.   dianagramr
Congrats to A-Rod on #500. Here's to many more .... in pinstripes.

I think A-Rod would be a bit more likable if he didn't have Scott Boras as his agent. If A-Rod were making just slightly more than the next highest paid player, I doubt people would bitch as much. But Boras pushes for (and often gets) such a premium for his players .... (I'll blame this all on Tom Hicks)

OK .... 500 HR at age 32. Let's say 12 more homers this year, and 35 homers for the next 6 years ... gives him 722. Would he want to play past 38? Would he want to leave NY for a stadium that is better suited to right-handed batters (if the HR record really matters to him)?

2007-08-05 05:59:28
5.   dianagramr
3

And didn't one World Series clincher end with a catch by 3B Charlie Hayes?

(tangential thought .... a lot of big moments in Yankee history have ended with pop-ups to 3B .... Nettles in the 77 one-game playoff ... Brosius in the Cone no-no, Hayes in the 98(??) Series)

2007-08-05 06:05:19
6.   D4P
I think (Insert Name) would be a bit more likable if he didn't have Scott Boras as his agent
2007-08-05 06:09:11
7.   randym77
My guess is Shelley Duncan will be sent back down. He's got options. He won't be in Scranton for long. Rosters expand soon, and when they do, he'll be back.
2007-08-05 06:24:05
8.   Simone
There is no "must" about Alex remaining a Yankee if he opts out and is serious about making $30 million per year for 8 years. The Yankees would be crazy to agree to that contract. That money would help pay for both Zambrano and Santana if they became available.

In any case, based on the moves that Cashman has made since George's health started to decline it is clear that his mandate from the Steinbrenners is to keep the team competitive while reducing the Yankees' payroll more manageable so they can pay less luxury tax, etc. I expect that trend to continue.

About the Scott Boras comments, the reason that players chose him to their agent is because they want lots and lots of money so it is the players that you don't like.

2007-08-05 06:44:19
9.   D4P
I have less problem with Boras than with the moronic GMs who get so easily duped by him. It's one thing to pay a premium for legitimate superstars like ARod. It's another to pay for overrated mediocrity like Barry Zito.

At some point, at least in theory, giving additional money to one player reduces your ability to sign other players. At that point, one player's "greed" can actually hurt the team. As fans, we'd like to think that players on our favorite teams care enough about winning to do what's in the team's best interest when it comes time to negotiate the salary. But I think we all know that's probably the exception rather than the rule.

2007-08-05 06:44:25
10.   Cliff Corcoran
Oh yeah, there was so much to write about yesterday's game that I forgot to share my reaction to Rodriguez's 500th:

Holy Crap, this guy's barely 32 years old! He has 500 career home runs? That's just absurd!

Seriously, I didn't find the moment particularly magical or anything, but somehow it didn't really hit me until he actually got there. Five-hundred homers at his age (he's younger than Posada, Damon, Matsui, Jeter, Abreu, Cairo, Giambi, Mientkiewicz, and Molina, younger than Clemens, Mussina, Pettitte, Mo, Vizcaino, Myers, and Villone) is just ridiculous.

2007-08-05 06:48:21
11.   Cliff Corcoran
10 And writing that comment it impressed me that the Yankees have two starting regulars, two starting pitchers, two solid bench bats, and two relief pitchers, that's eight men on the 25 man roster, who are in their 20s, and that doesn't count 30-year-old Andy Phillips.
2007-08-05 07:06:30
12.   pistolpete
11 Yeah, this is definitely a more well-rounded team than when we first started this season. Makes me think we'd have a lot better chance going into the offseason.
2007-08-05 07:09:53
13.   pistolpete
12 In regards to the bench, that is. We finally have a serviceable BUC who can handle the bat, a utility infielder with some pop and a pure masher in the vein of a Daryl Strawberry.
2007-08-05 07:24:52
14.   Shaun P
8 Ah, but I think the whole point of the Yanks developing all this young pitching is to not need to go spend oodles of money on free agent pitchers - even guys like Zambrano and Santana. This way they can afford to pay ridiculous money to A-Rod.

And what makes you think Santana isn't going to go after $30M/year when he's a free agent? Dude is the greatest pitcher in baseball by far - and if Zito can get $18M/year . . .

11 Next year it could be almost half the roster, if they work in Joba, Kennedy, Britton and Edwar. The Yanks are re-tooling very nicely.

Here's to seeing A-Rod's 600th home run in pinstripes sometime in late 2009 or early 2010.

2007-08-05 07:36:18
15.   tommyl
10-13 Yeah, but what happens when Giambi and Mink the Stink come back? Hopefully its Cairo being DFAed, but I hope they just release Minky. I'd much rather see Phillips out there everyday.
2007-08-05 07:41:18
16.   RZG
9 One player's greed doesn't hurt the team unless the team agreed to a contract because they were being extorted or threatened by a player or agent.

As far as I know no one is holding a gun to the head of the owners or GM's.

If a player doesn't get the money I don't think a team is going to lower its ticket prices, they'll just keep the money. That's why I don't understand why people get upset with Arod's (or anyone else's) large contracts.

2007-08-05 07:53:18
17.   DougP
15 I agree with tommyl that I'd much rather see Phillips out there every day.

1 What numbers are you looking at? Phillips hit over .300 in the first half of last year, and it's been well-chronicled that his slump in the second half coincided with his wife's medical problems.

A lot of people think Phillips is on the Yankees for his defensive abilities (and that may well be the case when it comes to 1B), but in the minors, Phillips was regarded primarily as an offensive threat (for average, not for power) and not as a particularly stellar defensive player.

2007-08-05 08:09:28
18.   yankz
I'd just like to thank Cliff and Alex again for this awesome blog. The thing about the internet is that everyone gets a voice, which makes everyone an "expert." But you guys don't act like that; all your posts stick to the facts, and the few places where you inject your own opinions are well backed up by facts. Thanks.
2007-08-05 08:19:48
19.   Hank
Cliff -- thanks a lot for the detailed analysis of Hughes's performance. With nothing but the boxscore to go by (thank you, Fox blackout), I was worried about what had happened in that fifth inning.

One more thing -- recently I've been thinking (jinx alert) that this has the potential for being one of the most rewarding Yankee seasons since '98. The team has gotten younger, cheaper, more versatile, and better. Go figure! One of my favorite things about watching this team over the past month has been seeing how much the players are all enjoying themselves. When I look back at this season, I'll think about the big things, like A-Rod's 500th HR (and hopefully a World Series victory), but I'll also remember the pure joy of Robinson Canó and Melky Cabrera, the "I can't believe this is happening" smile of Shelley Duncan, and the dead-on impression Jeter did in the dugout of A-Rod's full body spasm after getting plunked in the ribs last week.

I know the first few months were miserable, I know the season isn't over, and I know this team isn't currently in a playoff spot, but it's still pretty damn fun.

2007-08-05 08:39:03
20.   joejoejoe
Yay-Rod! The guy is flat great and it's been a privilege to watch him in NY.
2007-08-05 10:14:37
21.   Mike T
It occurred to me last night while watching Sportscenter that ESPN is going to be devastated if A-Rod stays with the Yankees after this season. They already have him with one foot out the door.
2007-08-05 10:39:43
22.   OldYanksFan
8 "There is no "must" about Alex remaining a Yankee if he opts out and is serious about making $30 million per year for 8 years."

Some Topics for conversation:
1) What does VORPD, RC, WinShares, and other 'new fangled' stats say when comparing ARod's value to Santana's or Zambrano's?
2) Boras can say what he wants, but I can't believe ANYONE will go $30m for 8 years.
3) Remember, Texas STILL owes the Yankees something like $27m on ARods current contract. This is a pretty big discount if we sign him to an extenstion.

I personally believe that ARod producing career average numbers is more valuable then ANY Pitcher (who starts 1 game in 5, at best)

4) A Financial analysis might show that ARod actually generates a lot of or even more then his salary. On a pure business move, it's not just what we pay for a player. That's why Matsui was a no-brainer (for the Yankees) at $13m.

There is no pitcher who can generate seat sales (home AND road) like ARod. Merchandise too.

5) History. What's that worth to us/the Team?

6) Competition. You want the Angels or Sox to have ARod? This alone could be the difference between winning PS and WS series.
Think of: Yankees withOUT ARod
Playing: Red Sox/Angels WITH ARod.

Even at $30m per/8yrs, that makes our cost about $26.5m per year.

2007-08-05 10:40:36
23.   Bob Timmermann
When Betemit was traded last year from Atlanta to L.A., he started out 5 for 9 with 2 doubles and a homer.

He likes to make a good first impression.

2007-08-05 10:41:10
24.   Shaun P
21 ESPN also questions whether A-Rod will play long enough to go past Aaron/Bonds. I'm not sure where that story came from, but it doesn't make much sense to me. He does not seem to be the kind of guy who would retire early, hundreds of millions of dollars in the bank or not.
2007-08-05 10:45:14
25.   OldYanksFan
There is the 'Good' Melkman. Line drive, opposite field.
2007-08-05 10:49:56
26.   Shaun P
25 Just you and me here, OYF?

Meche's control seems lost. It'd be nice if Abreu could bust this wide open.

2007-08-05 10:51:53
27.   OldYanksFan
26 OK. Any other requests?
2007-08-05 10:52:18
28.   Shaun P
27 If you're asking, how about number 501?
2007-08-05 10:55:06
29.   OldYanksFan
29 Later. Say around the 7th inning? OK with you?

Simone... you still around? I had fears you were driven from the Banter by people who mistook this site for 'Bronx Battering'.
Any response to 22?

Hello?
Hello?

2007-08-05 10:59:54
30.   Shaun P
29 I guess so. Now I'd like to see Moose get out of this inning.

I see where Simone is coming from in 8, and in some ways, I think she is right . . . but the Yanks need offense, and A-Rod (even in an off year) is pretty much the best available.

2007-08-05 11:08:08
31.   Shaun P
30 Well, I seem to be alone, but Moose did get out of the inning. Moose is at 12 pitches/inning, so maybe he can get through 6+ today.
2007-08-05 11:09:58
32.   Shaun P
Go Godzilla! (he shouts out in the quiet wilderness)
2007-08-05 11:10:45
33.   RIYank
Hey, good job holding down the fort by yourselves, Shaun and OYF.

Good game, too. Now we know the offense isn't an illusion: Meche is a real pitcher and we're still raking.

2007-08-05 11:11:37
34.   Shaun P
Boston/Seattle hasn't started yet.

Cleveland starts soon.

Tigers down 1-0 in the 3rd - and Sheff's shoulder is hurting, so he's sitting.

2007-08-05 11:11:41
35.   OldYanksFan
I'm here for 9 innings.
How how responding to each line in 22?
We seem to have the floor.
Matsui is on quite the tear.
2007-08-05 11:12:40
36.   Shaun P
33 Thanks, RIYank. I guess I'm playing seamus's part now, instead of both your guys' parts (as OYF seems to have disappeared). =)

It'd be nice to see a sweep, wouldn't it?

2007-08-05 11:13:10
37.   Shaun P
36 I didn't speak soon enough!
2007-08-05 11:22:11
38.   seamus
hi, thanks for keeping the team in the lead Shawn and OYF!

my softball game just got rained out (Pittsburgh). So I'm here for the rest of the day...

2007-08-05 11:22:47
39.   seamus
36 thanks for pinch hitting! :)
2007-08-05 11:23:05
40.   seamus
38 doh. shawn = shaun.
2007-08-05 11:27:46
41.   Mattpat11
55 through four for Mussina.
2007-08-05 11:27:48
42.   RIYank
You guys get a heap of credit for Moose's four shutout innings! If the Banter had gone quiet, I don't think Mussina could have handled it.
2007-08-05 11:30:05
43.   RIYank
41 Nice, he could go eight!

Let's knock Meche out now, score six more runs, and let Mike Myers finish the game.

I'm gonna go take my kids to see Underdog.

2007-08-05 11:31:49
44.   seamus
Moose looks great. He seems to have settled in these last couple of games.
2007-08-05 11:33:10
45.   OldYanksFan
What... do I have to DEMAND that you guys respond, LINE BY LINE, to 22?
Do I have to get Nasty?
Do I have to start telling Mantle stories?
2007-08-05 11:34:30
46.   Shaun P
I'm away from the TV . . . Gameday say "injury delay". What's up?

45 You make some good points OYF, but I don't want to steal Simone's post. =)

2007-08-05 11:35:43
47.   OldYanksFan
Man... Is Detroit shitting the bed, or what?
Have I told you my Mantle #500 HR story yet?
2007-08-05 11:37:27
48.   seamus
abreu is on fire. I really like this team. :)
2007-08-05 11:37:31
49.   OldYanksFan
46 Common Dude! Cat (or Jim Dean Or Willaim) got your tongue?

Jeter hit in the hand by a pitch.
Still in the game, but it hurt.
Single for Bobby. Jetes on 3rd, 1 out, ARod up.

2007-08-05 11:38:16
50.   Shaun P
47 I am not sad to see Detroit faltering some.

OK, I'll bite - what's the Mantle #500 story? Please tell me it doesn't have anything to do with your parents' bed. ;)

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-08-05 11:40:39
51.   seamus
another RBI for a-rod in his chase to average 1 rbi per game!
2007-08-05 11:43:01
52.   OldYanksFan
I'll spare you. But while I've been to the stadium less then 10 times, I was there for Mickey's 500th. Literally a 10 minute standing ovation! Not easy to stand, clap and make noise for 10 minutes. They delayed the game for about 5.

I was actually disappointed in ARod's ovation. For all the shit NY has given him in the last 3 years, he deserved a bigger ovation.

Another RBI for ARod.
This is the Yankees 111th game, and ARod has 101 RS and 109 RBI. Pretty amazing.

2007-08-05 11:44:38
53.   OldYanksFan
46 And don't worry about Simone. I mean... she's only a girl.

Hello? Hello?

2007-08-05 11:46:00
54.   OldYanksFan
Lets hope that's not the start of Moose's patented 5th inning break down...
2007-08-05 11:49:40
55.   seamus
54 worked out ok. detroit is really shitting the bed too. I don't get it, but I'm cool with it.
2007-08-05 11:52:40
56.   bob34957
3 can you please elaborate, provide more details?
2007-08-05 11:52:43
57.   Shaun P
54 Me too.

53 OYF, that's not very nice.

1) A-Rod is probably more valuable in that pitchers have the greater likelihood of getting injured.

2) I bet A-Rod will get whatever he wants - even over $30M.

3) Only thing is that the Yanks only have 10 days or so to sign him to an extension and still get Texas's dough, and Boras may well want to test the market.

4) As jersey revenue and that stuff is split between all teams equally, no gain or loss here. BUT - see 5).

5) Probably doesn't matter in the big picture; though certainly helps puts butts in the seats. Even with the new stadium, A-Rod's pursuit of 600, then 700, then 7__ (whatever Bonds gets too) will pack 'em in.

6) I'd usually say "Big deal" but not when talking about an all-time great player. Better the Yanks have him than any other team.

2007-08-05 11:53:50
58.   Eirias
Just turned it on, saw someone's arm was hurt. Who was it?
2007-08-05 12:01:33
59.   OldYanksFan
53 Just seeing if Simone is still around. Anyway, I like girls.
2007-08-05 12:06:20
60.   Shaun P
58 Jeter got hit in the arm by a pitch, but I guess he's OK.

Wonder if we'll top 100 comments today?

2007-08-05 12:07:22
61.   OldYanksFan
I'll have my PastalurchingJeter with a side salad.
2007-08-05 12:11:25
62.   Mattpat11
You would never know Ross Gload sucked.
2007-08-05 12:11:42
63.   seamus
damn. crap.
2007-08-05 12:14:58
64.   Mattpat11
wheels are coming off.
2007-08-05 12:19:26
65.   joejoejoe
Is it me or is it weird to have A-Rod at DH, Betemit at 3B, and Damon on the bench against a RH pitcher? If Damon isn't going to play against RH pitching when IS he going to play?
2007-08-05 12:23:03
66.   OldYanksFan
Wow.... what are the odds of that happening?
Maybe Torre is getting JD's ass used to the pine?
2007-08-05 12:23:51
67.   joejoejoe
Leche! 2-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Got Melk?
2007-08-05 12:24:28
68.   Mattpat11
Do you let Mussina start the seventh with a five run lead?
2007-08-05 12:25:17
69.   OldYanksFan
68 better that then Farns. How many pitches does Moose have?
2007-08-05 12:26:39
70.   Mattpat11
69 92

I'd let him start.

2007-08-05 12:28:30
71.   Mattpat11
I wasn't here when he hit it, but that was Matsui's 100 career MLB HR. I believe he has 432 overall.
2007-08-05 12:29:18
72.   OldYanksFan
Watching hit after hit, run after run, is getting pretty boring.

Meanwhile, Cleveland down 1-0 after 4, Detroit down 3-0 after 7.

2007-08-05 12:32:51
73.   joejoejoe
66 Yeah and Giambi is due for a call-up any day. I can see Damon getting buried behind Giambi at DH vs. RH pitching but not to get Betemit starts in the field. It's odd. Obviously it's working as the Yankees are scoring a zillion runs but I wonder sometimes what Torre is thinking. 'Gut' to me seems a lot more like making things up as you go along.
2007-08-05 12:36:45
74.   OldYanksFan
Actual, seeing different lineups and JD sitting is a very good sign that Torre is getting a little flexible.
2007-08-05 12:36:54
75.   seamus
Our offense is so ridiculously deep right now with everyone hitting and what not. As players go into slumps, I think things will generally make more sense. Damon and Betemit seem to be filling the same role right now (providing the starters with DH/rest opportunities). The interesting thing is how Melky has unseated Damon in center.
2007-08-05 12:42:30
76.   OldYanksFan
We always knew that Melky had a far, far superior arm then JD (and who doesn't?) but it's a surprise that he seems to out-field him now also. Add that he's now out-hitting JD, and it becomes a no-brainer.

We have become a very well balanced team all-of-a-sudden, and not that old. Add Joba to the mix, and we are really looking good.

2007-08-05 12:45:17
77.   OldYanksFan
Magglio with a tater. 3-1, bottom of the 8th.
2007-08-05 12:52:17
78.   OldYanksFan
Myers trying his best to give Mo a Save situation.
2007-08-05 12:52:50
79.   joejoejoe
I agree the CF job is Melky's. I'm just trying to figure out what role Damon has on this team moving forward. He looks like he'll be lucky to get as much playing time as Aaron Guiel last year moving forward. Probably less because JD doesn't play 1B. A $13 million dollar 4th OF? No wonder other teams hate the Yankees.
2007-08-05 12:54:16
80.   OldYanksFan
HELLO (ELLo... ELlo... Ello... ello)
HELLO (ELLo... ELlo... Ello... ello)
2007-08-05 12:58:58
81.   OldYanksFan
He may learn 1B in the offseason.
If we don't resign Bobby, he may be in LF, Mats in RF.
He might replace Andy at 1st or he might be traded. The big question is if Andy can really be an .780-.800 OPS guy or not.
The Yanks are not about to DFA JD, and they won't give him away, but I'm sure they would trade him if a reasonable offer is made.
2007-08-05 12:59:40
82.   randym77
17 I don't think that's true. IIRC, Bethany Phillips' medical problems started around Christmas and were worst in spring training and early in the season. By the time Andy went into that slump, she was out of the woods, and even coming to games.

I like Andy, but I agree with Yu-Hsing that he will likely cool off. I don't think it was his wife's problems that led to his slump last year I think it was scouting. That, and the usual "American Idol" anxiety young players feel with the Yankees. He was so anxious to hit that he was swinging at everything. He went something like 20 games without a walk. Torre told him to be more patient at the plate, and he walked twice that very day.

2007-08-05 13:05:33
83.   seamus
I think Damon will ultimately be traded. Or he will be a great left fielder. But the Yankees don't really need him anymore if we keep Abreu. I think that if we try, we could pick up some pitching in a good deal involving Damon over the off season.
2007-08-05 13:13:20
84.   3rd gen yankee fan
Thank whatever diety for Mariano.
2007-08-05 13:14:03
85.   OldYanksFan
83 Agreed. We may eat a bit of JDs salary, but what we save will help offset Abreu. However, I also agree that Phillips's odds of being our 1st baseman going forward are very small.

I believe JD would make a decent 1st baseman. He is limber and athletic enough. The questuion is if we can find a better one via FA. Although Betelit at 1st?

It's actually pretty cool that there are a lot of options. The dynamic of this team has really changed in just 2 years.

And Betemit looks like a great pickup.

2007-08-05 13:15:54
86.   Shaun P
65 Its a Sunday day game vs the worst team in the AL, there's a day off tomorrow, Yanks have won the first two games - HOUSE MONEY!

I wouldn't read too much into Damon sitting.

2007-08-05 13:16:27
87.   OldYanksFan
Detroit loses!
Cleveland still down 1-0 after 7.
Sox game just started.

Really. Did anyone think we would be this close to the WC by the first week of August? Amazing!

2007-08-05 13:18:56
88.   Shaun P
85 Damon has little to no power (last year was a fluke) and not a whole lot of patience - I think he's a poor fit offensively at 1B. If his bat is off, CF is really almost the only place he can be carried, because the glove is good - and even that is negated somewhat by the arm!

I'm not sure which team would take Damon, but I think he's destined to be a part-time player at most over the two years left on his contract - and he's almost certainly a bench player by year 4.

2007-08-05 13:21:18
89.   seamus
since detroit lost, i'm liking the looks of things...
2007-08-05 13:22:11
90.   yankz
I know that we make up a lot of offense by having the best player in the world at third and Cano hitting like crazy as our 2B, but Damon and Abreu will never combine to hit 50 HR, Jeter's power is disappearing by the year, and we can't expect years like this out of Posada (and to a lesser extent Matsui) going forward. I would love to see them deal Damon and get a slugging 1B, with a bench of Andy, Wilson, Molina, and an OF (Gardner?). Unfortunately, I doubt that such a 1B will be available. Betemit's young, maybe he can do the job?
2007-08-05 13:25:05
91.   OldYanksFan
88 Let's say there is no FA 1st baseman worth getting. Who's on first next year? You would take Andy over JD? Minky? I know he is not 'good for the position', but when he hits, he's a valuable leadoff man, and his speed is still an asset.

Miggy's probably gone and Andy and Betemit are BUIFs.

It seems Cashman would rather go with an inhouse, non-great at a position, rather then overpay or trade quality for a position.
And maybe that's a good thing.

2007-08-05 13:25:14
92.   rbs10025
86 Tomorrow is not a day off. Yanks play a day game in Toronto.
2007-08-05 13:25:33
93.   yankz
Great play by Betemit.

When Mo's on, he really does put on a clinic.

2007-08-05 13:25:50
94.   OldYanksFan
Wow... I blinked and almost missed the 9th!
2007-08-05 13:27:44
95.   seamus
88 damon will start for someone. He is a good hitter, though without power.
2007-08-05 13:28:11
96.   rbs10025
93 Jeez. 11 pitches, 9 for strikes. 4 outs. But only 1 strikeout, because as we know, strikeouts are fascist.
2007-08-05 13:29:16
97.   Shaun P
92 Whoops. Still sounds like a "house money" game to me.

91 If a decent young 1B is available via trade, I'm sure something could be done. But of all the positions that are easy to fill, 1B tops the list (in theory). Of course, Joe won't play some no-name guy . . . but Joe might not be around.

Game, set, Mo - and we didn't hit 100. Everyone must be enjoying the weather.

2007-08-05 13:40:07
98.   seamus
Unbelievable how teams are falling towards us. This Toronto series is big. Toronto is actually pretty good. If we can win this series, we're in real good shape.
2007-08-05 13:44:04
99.   seamus
one out away from a cleveland loss in Minnesota. Yankees are looking to be no more than 1 game behind any of Seattle, Cleveland, and Detroit. Even the Angels might fall behind us. Boston and Toronto seem the be the hotter teams.
2007-08-05 13:46:26
100.   seamus
damn, single puts tieing run on first.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2007-08-05 13:47:04
101.   seamus
And the Twins win! Cleveland is now only 1 game ahead of us and they are battling Detroit still. Love it!
2007-08-05 13:48:33
102.   OldYanksFan
Stunning! Amazing! Yankee magic at its best!
2007-08-05 13:57:11
103.   seamus
To update, we are now on pace to score 962 runs. I'd like to see us break 1,000.
2007-08-05 14:59:46
104.   RIYank
Huh, I left when it was 6-0. You guys seem to have lost your concentration, but you managed to hold on and win, so, okay.

"Underdog" was fun. A lot of the on-location stuff was in Providence, which was cool for me.

So, maybe Joba is going to come and save our bullpen. Because I think the bullpen is all that stands between us and the play-offs.

2007-08-05 15:22:26
105.   rsmith51
103 I figured about 5 days ago that we would need to average 7 runs a game. Not real easy...
2007-08-05 15:23:20
106.   rsmith51
Is there a list of which players cleared waivers? I am guessing Damon will be put on waivers to see if he clears.
2007-08-05 15:27:24
107.   seamus
105 Actually, I calculated it. We need to average 6.667 runs per game to hit 1,000. We've averaged 5.94 per game so far this year.
2007-08-05 15:42:56
108.   rsmith51
107 I stand corrected... I want the playoffs more than 1000, but I can't imagine them missing the playoffs when scoring 1000 runs.
2007-08-05 16:12:33
109.   randym77
106 As I understand it, the waiver wire is secret. You never find out until the transaction goes through.

I was in Providence earlier this year. They chased me out of Swanpoint Cemetery because I had a camera. I wanted to take a picture of Lovecraft's grave, but apparently it's not allowed. Sheesh. They've got million rules posted on their web site, but nothing about cameras. How was I to know?

2007-08-05 16:30:38
110.   rsmith51
109 Why is it secret? So somebody could slip through waivers? I could understand 20 years ago, but now I am sure all teams are all over it.
2007-08-05 16:37:39
111.   yankz
Mystique and aura: Not letting us down yet!
2007-08-05 16:45:55
112.   RIYank
109 That's weird. I didn't know you couldn't bring cameras in there.
I used to go running right by that cemetery almost every day. None of the movie was shot near there, except maybe Molly's house.
I think I'll get the old cartoons from Netflix.
2007-08-05 16:48:50
113.   Mattpat11
Seattle's on the verge of losing big.
2007-08-05 16:50:50
114.   RIYank
I think 6 2/3 runs per game is doable.

Sox win. We're zero games behind Seattle in the WC, behind by % points. Wow, the Yankees caught up fast. Tiggers tanking didn't hurt.

2007-08-05 17:02:58
115.   thurmtheman
109 110 I don't know if it is secret but earlier on BBT Olney said Piazza cleared waivers and could be traded anywhere. How does he know that?
2007-08-05 17:06:25
116.   Vandelay Industries
I wish they would stop saying that Glavine will be the last 300 game winner. Johnson will pitch for Tampa for league minimum if that is what it takes, and Moose might do the same. But Johnson will definitely do whatever it takes to get to 300. If Wang stays a Yankee (assuming the Yankees dont tank after George goes), and stays healthy, he could do it. There is also a possibility that teams will eventually wake up and depart from having six shitty relievers in every pen and go back to a four man rotation.
2007-08-05 17:07:48
117.   Vandelay Industries
115

And Chicago Sox claimed Tejada but a deal couldn't be worked out. How do they know that if it's secret, or does it become public knowledge only after a player is either claimed, or clears?

2007-08-05 17:14:28
118.   Mattpat11
116 I think Wang entered the party too late.

If you want to be liberal and say he finishes the year with 20, that would be 47 career wins. If you want to give him 15 wins a year, he's need to play another 17 seasons. He'd have to be good until he's pushing 45.

2007-08-05 17:16:33
119.   thurmtheman
I remember once it was a backpage story that the Yanks asked for waivers on Reggie, either 77 or 78, back then the trade deadline was in June and no one would ever clear waivers strictly because their salary was too high. Now most teams place a large part of their roster on waivers to see who gets through in case a trade can be made. Salaries have prevented teams from blocking with a claim as the team might dump a bad contract(Randy Myers, Jose Canseco). I think they don't publicize it becasue they don't want the players to get insulted, but it has to be someplace if these names keep leaking through.
2007-08-05 17:16:55
120.   Raf
116 With the $$ being thrown around, I think the 4 man rotation is a thing of the past.
2007-08-05 17:19:07
121.   OldYanksFan
A mere 25 days ago, at the ASB, there Yankees were:
1 game under .500
8.5 games out of the WC
In 5th place for the WC

Now, we are:
11 games over .500
0.5 games out of the WC
Tied for 2nd place for the WC

I wonder If someone here On July 10th predicted that by Aug. 5th, we would be where we are now, what the reception would have been. I dare say there are few, if any, who would have believed it.

With Cleveland and Detroit going head-2-head for 8 games, I wonder if the real 'enemy' is Seattle?

We have: 3 against Cleveland, 3 against Seattle, 8 against Detroit left (and 6 against the Bloody Sox).

RCNB + Yankee Magic = October Baseball!

2007-08-05 17:29:10
122.   OldYanksFan
RJ needs 16 wins for 300, which is basicaly a good, full season. He is having back surgery again. I don't know how many back surgeries one can have and still play baseball, or for that matter, walk upright when you are 50.

I think RJ does NOT get there.
Wang? Seriously? I could say that's 15 years of 20 wins, but how many pitchers win 20 these days? When's the last time a pitcher won 20 three years in a row, no less 15?

For the best pitchers, 300 wins means 16 wins/yr for 19 years. I can't see it. Glavine WILL be the last (short of a medical science that can keep pitchers from getting arm injuries).

2007-08-05 17:30:51
123.   Vandelay Industries
120

I agree. But the five man rotation is to blame for that money being thrown around for mediocre pitchers. In my heart of heart I hope it changes at some point. "Specialization" of the bullpen has been horrible for baseball, and its fans.

2007-08-05 17:33:31
124.   Vandelay Industries
122 I think we'll see a few more 300 game winners. Baseball has evolved before, and will evolve again.
2007-08-05 17:41:58
125.   RIYank
I think Sabathia has a shot. Maybe Buehrle.
2007-08-05 17:52:56
126.   OldYanksFan
Projecting out this year, Sabathia would have average 30+gms/yr over 7 years, for 102 wins, or 15 wins/yr. He's 27. If he pitches 12 years more, at 16 wins/yr, his total will be 294.

It's really a case of longevity. If a great pitcher can pull a Clemens, and pitch well for over 20 years, they have a shot.

Buehrle has close to identical numbers, with one year more under his belt.
Note that both pitchers have had 15 wins or more 3 times (including C.C. for this year). So all-in-all, it's a pretty daunting task.

But good call, RIYank.

2007-08-05 18:14:05
127.   RIYank
So, WC chances now:

I think Seattle is pretty much toast. They've scored fewer runs than they allowed. They should be expected to play .500 ball from here on, which I figure puts them maybe seven games out at the finish.

If the Yanks play at a .600 clip, then we'd need either the Indians or the Tigers to be merely "pretty good". As 121 notes, they have eight games against each other. If one of them dominates those eight games, that would make the Yankees heavy favorites to win the WC.
If the Yankees play anything close to the kind of ball they've been playing the last ten games, then they'll coast to the play-offs. That would be very satisfying, but really unlikely. They'll stumble at least one more time in these last fifty games. I fully expect someone at the Banter to declare them dead at that point :-) (I remember someone just recently saying that if they didn't win the final two games against the Orioles, the season was over. Well, they didn't, and it wasn't.)

2007-08-05 18:14:07
128.   monkeypants
126 et al.

When I was younger, I heard that there would be no more 300 game winners, at least after the spate who retired in the 1980s. And there none in the 1990s, but here we are with three or four in the 2000s.

If you look at all the 300 game winners who have retired in teh 1970s or later, they have all played at least 20 years (and so averaged 'only' 15 wins/year. OYF is right--the real issue is longevity. But I think that we'll see another 300 game winner sometime. Maybe no one who's in t he league now, but someone ho comes up at 21 or 22 y.o. and has a few big seasons early.

2007-08-05 18:41:43
129.   markp
300 winners and the five man: If you look at the number of starts guys in the 1920s were getting normally, it's obvious the 5 man was used by most teams then.
The fewer number of decisions relates more to IP per start, which declined through the 30s, jumped up a bit in the war years and in the high-mound/huge strike zone 60s, but has been otherwise decreasing a bit each decade.
I think that's a double edged sword: careers are lasting longer, making 300 wins more likely, but pitchers are getting fewer decisions per start which makes it less likely.
2007-08-05 18:47:37
130.   Peter
Pete Abraham is reporting that Mike Myers was DFA'd.
2007-08-05 18:51:40
131.   monkeypants
130 Wow--I would never have guessed this move. A final attempt to "Torre-proof" the roster.
2007-08-05 18:58:53
132.   JeremyM
Thank God, I was so sick of that guy coming in and letting inherited runners score at well.
2007-08-05 18:59:21
133.   RIYank
Funny, they've DFA'd the best ERA in the pen... and it's a good move.
This has to be for Joba, right? RIGHT??
2007-08-05 19:01:21
134.   RIYank
132 It really was irritating to have him come in and walk a lefty, or give up a hit to the one and only batter he'd face. And it goes to show you what a lousy stat ERA is for a reliever, and especially for a LOOGY. It's an almost meaningless statistic for Myers.

I have to admit that he was useful for long relief. But, it's a small price to pay.

2007-08-05 19:07:56
135.   Raf
131 Not unless they DFA Miguel Cairo...
2007-08-05 19:14:04
136.   monkeypants
135 Touché!

Let's see, Joba clearly replaces Myers on the roster (with Villone or Henn becoming the LOOGY?). Giambi is supposed to join the roster Monday or Tuesday. THEN we'll see if Cairo or Duncan or Phillips takes the fall.

Or will they really rock the boat an carry only 12 pitchers?

2007-08-05 19:21:19
137.   Raf
Is it me, or has Kerry Wood lost a lot of weight?
2007-08-05 19:25:49
138.   Vandelay Industries
136

I wish. They have to carry at least six bad relievers. With Joba and Mo, that would leave only five. If I were Cash I would accept a deal for Farny through waivers for any decent prospect under tewnty three, and DFA Villone or Henn. The added offense gives the team the option of going with starters longer, resting every day players, and using relievers for more than one inning, but what do I know? Rosters expand soon so I guess its not the end of the world, but we do not need thirteen pitchers.

2007-08-05 19:28:20
139.   thelarmis
glavine's wife is HOT!!!
2007-08-05 19:31:13
140.   Max
"I remember someone just recently saying that if they didn't win the final two games against the Orioles, the season was over. Well, they didn't, and it wasn't."

Someone here might have said that, but so did Steve Lombardi over at Was Watching. I found the alarmism annoying myself.

2007-08-05 19:34:31
141.   seamus
wow, myeres DFAd totally took me by surprise. Not that I'm complaining...
2007-08-05 19:35:01
142.   monkeypants
140 Hey, at least if he was busy sounding the alarmist call, he took a post or two off from complaining about A-Rod.

Find the good in everything.

2007-08-05 19:40:14
143.   monkeypants
141 You can see how the team is really dragging their feet on what position player will go down. They really could activate Giambi tomorrow--in fact, they could have temporarily gone with one fewer pitcher for one or a few days to get Giambi on the roster and ease him back into the line-up.

Delaying until Tuesday makes me wonder if there isn't some sort of internal discussion or debate over what the 'final' (before Sept. 1 call-ups) roster will look like.

By the ay, am I the only one who thinks that September call-ups/expanded rosters are sort of a sill, antiquated relic from the old days? To be honest, I find it a bit irritating that the penant races are decided by teams playing with bulging benches.

2007-08-05 19:56:16
144.   yankz
139 Hell yeah, lucky dude.
2007-08-05 20:17:05
145.   randym77
From Wikipedia:

===

The waiver "wire" is a secret within the personnel of the Major League Baseball clubs; no announcement of a waiver is made until a transaction actually occurs. Many players are often quietly waived during the August "waiver-required" trading period to gauge trade interest in a particular player. Usually, when the player is claimed, the waiving team will rescind the waiver to avoid losing the player unless a trade can be worked out with the claiming team.

===

Obviously, there are going to be leaks, since every team in the league has access to the information. But you aren't going to find websites with lists of all the players that have been put on waivers and whether they've cleared or not. There are a few leaks, but usually only about big-name players.

2007-08-05 20:43:41
146.   tommyl
I am beginning to wonder if they are also considering bringing up Ohlendorf. He has pitched very well since being moved to the pen and was excellent again tonight.
2007-08-05 20:46:59
147.   tommyl
I am pleasantly surprised that Myers was DFAed (though I liked the guy's personality and willingness to pitch mop-up). I think its clear with this move and the Proctor trade that Cashman is no longer doing what Joe asks for. He's taken away two "BFOG veterans" in the last week. Wow. Its clear they are trying to force Torre's hand. Now the real test, does he send down/DFA Cairo when Giambi is activated?

Or perhaps, they activate Giambi to take Myers roster spot. Without a LOOGY you can go with one less pitcher. Then you can choose to bring up Joba/Russ for Cairo or simply another pitcher depending on whether you want to go with a bigger bench or BP.

2007-08-05 20:49:29
148.   tommyl
135 I dunno about that. Torre has played Betemit a lot this week to see what he has. He's played multiple defensive positions and hit very well so far. Cairo hasn't seen any game action except to play SS in a 12 run blowout in the eighth or something. Then again, its not as if Betemit is the bunter and hustler that Cairo is...
2007-08-05 21:20:38
149.   Yankees Brasil
Seems like Myers is being replaced by Jim Brower..

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spybox0608,0,2521691.story

Looks like no Joba for now..

2007-08-05 21:37:14
150.   tommyl
149 That's a bit of a weird move, since Brower doesn't seem likely to stick long term. I wonder if they are considering whether to bring up Giambi for Brower or Cairo when the time comes? You'd have to think Joba has shown he's ready if they want to go that way. He's basically struck out every batter he's faced in relief (well, ok, one got a hit, and one other grounded out or something). Ohlie is also pitching well. Me=confused.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2007-08-05 21:51:24
151.   yankz
Maybe they got cold feet and decided to protect Joba from the wheel of guts?
2007-08-05 21:54:39
152.   Yankees Brasil
150 There was talk of Joba pitching back-to-back days before being called up, so maybe this Brower experiment is temporary, but who knows.

I dont agree with it though, if they wanted a temporary fix they should just have called up Edwar again..

2007-08-05 21:55:32
153.   seamus
This is mistifying to me. It must be planned for a very brief stay with the big club. Maybe they didn't want to use up Edwar or Joba's options?
2007-08-05 21:55:37
154.   Schteeve
I have just decided that I am going to take a sabbatical from reading Yankee blogs for the next three weeks. I'm quite sure that the Yankees offense will not continue to score runs as prolifically against Toronto and Cleveland etc. And that offensive "slump" will coincide with Giambi coming back. As a result I predict the blogshpere will be inundated with conversations about how Giambi is screwing up the chemistry of the team, and how it's better to have scrappy young guys, and how Giambi sucks. Blah blah blah.

And I frankly just can't take it.

So, go Yanks! I'll see you all in September.

2007-08-05 22:03:48
155.   yankz
154 Joe Morgan has a blog?
2007-08-05 22:05:23
156.   Schteeve
155 Apparently he has lots of them, and comments at several others under witty nom's de plume.
2007-08-05 22:20:52
157.   yankz
Myers seemed like a great guy; Pete's post confirms that for me. Tough to let guys like that go, but if it's for the good of the team, so be it.
2007-08-05 23:38:18
158.   yankz
Apologies if this has been posted, but the interview with Joba is one of the cooler things I've read lately: http://tinyurl.com/35d2pm

My favorites-

"Q: Three dinner guests.
A: Martin Luther King; Babe Ruth; Roger Clemens. "

and

"Q: Favorite actress?
A: Jessica Biel. "

Maybe the Captain can introduce them.

2007-08-06 03:23:53
159.   OldYanksFan
No Kudos for Moose (6 IPs. 2 ER, 3Ks, 0 BBs)?
I thought B.Bruney would help, but he's been FarnsJunior. He needs to go for now.
2007-08-06 03:50:16
160.   RIYank
Congrats to Tom Glavine!

Boo! to Brian Cashman (for leaving Joba in Scranton).

Hey, guess whose post-All-Star OPS is .965?

2007-08-06 04:03:21
161.   OldYanksFan
160 Might to be Robbie, could be Bobbie, but seems like Godzilla-ie.
Easy on Cashman. Myers DFAed. Shelly and Andy up. Hughes up. Joba soon. It's all coming together, but Cashman can't just jump into everything at once.

Look at our 25 man roster on April 1st and look at it now. We have a different club. With Giambi up, we should have have a very good bench (JD, Shelly, Betemit, Molina hopefully).

Not to mention being 0.5 games out of the WC.
I said it before. We WILL make the PS, but how far we go will be determined by our pitching, and Hughes and Joba will be probably have the most impact in terms of how 'improved' we are.

2007-08-06 04:34:14
162.   RIYank
161 Nope, those three guys are all much higher.

It's the Yankees. How sick is that?

2007-08-06 07:05:18
163.   OldYanksFan
162 Yikes! Well, due to the RCNB, we all know the Yankees were grossly underperforming early on, although their Pathag record was reasonable. Now, against these weak teams, they are now overperforming.

The bottom line is we are now doing battle with 3 teams. In order to make the PS, we have to post a better record then Seattle and either Cleveland or Detroit. So it's not how many games we win as much as how we play compared to these 3 teams.

There is still an outside shot at Boston, but as I said earlier, we will probably have to take 5 of 6 from them to have a shot.

I think we need to give kudos to ManOfCash.
Maybe his moves were slower then we would have liked... maybe they were obvious... maybe bringing up the kids won't count as 'moves' to Jim Dean... but LOOK AT THIS TEAM!

Put Giambi and Joba in there and LOOK AT THIS TEAM! We had a really shitty bench in April. Now, if Torre plays it right, our bench is Damon, Shelly, Betemit, Molina and maybe Cairo. This is a great bench, is it not?

Our BP is still questionable, but it is with most teams. Gag-me would have been nice, but I agree the price was to high for a rental. I think next year, the Sox move Papsmear to the rotation.

But right now, the Post Season is ours to lose!

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