Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : Finish Line

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R. Cano BR BP E MLB
D. Jeter BR BP E MLB
A. Rodriguez BR BP E MLB
W. Betemit BR BP E MLB mi
C. Ransom BR BP E MLB mi
J. Miranda BR BC mi

Outfielders:
B. Abreu BR BP E MLB
J. Damon BR BP E MLB
X. Nady BR BP E MLB
H. Matsui BR BP E MLB mi
B. Gardner BR E MLB mi
M. Cabrera BR BP E MLB mi

Catchers:
I. Rodriguez BR BP E MLB
J. Molina BR BP E MLB
C. Moeller BR BP E MLB mi
F. Cervelli BR BC mi

Starting Pitchers:
M. Mussina BR BP BC E
A. Pettitte (L) BR BP BC E
P. Hughes BR BP BC E mi
C. Pavano BR BP BC E mi
A. Aceves BR E mi

Relief Pitchers:
M. Rivera BR BP BC E
J. Chamberlain BR BP BC E
D. Marte (L) BR BP BC E
J. Veras BR BP BC E mi
E. Ramirez BR BP BC E mi
B. Bruney BR BP BC E mi
D. Giese BR BP BC E mi
C. Britton BR BP BC E mi
P. Coke (L) BR BC E mi
D. Rasner BR BP BC E mi
S. Ponson BR BP BC E mi
D. Robertson BR BC E mi
H. Sanchez BC mi

15-day DL:
C. Wang BR BP BC E
60-day DL:
J. Posada BR BP E MLB
J. Albaladejo BR BP BC E mi
A. Brackman BC

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J. Girardi (Mgr) BR BP BC
R. Thomson (Bench) BC
Kevin Long (Hit) BR
D. Eiland (Pitch) BR BP BC
B. Meacham (3B) BR BP BC
T. Peña (1B) BR BP BC
M. Harkey (Pen) BR BP BC

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AAA
S. Duncan BR BP E MLB mi
J. Christian BR BP E MLB mi
I. Kennedy BR BP BC E mi
C. Wright (L) BR BP BC E mi
J. Marquez BR BC mi

Designated for Assignment:
B. Traber (L) BR BP BC E mi

Select Minor Leaguers:

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B. Castro BR mi DL
C. Basak BR BP BC E MLB mi
E. Duncan BC mi
N. Green BR mi
B. Broussard BR mi
M. Carson BC mi
C. Stewart BR BP E MLB mi
J. Brown BC mi DL
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M. Melancon BC mi
J.B. Cox BC mi
S. Strickland BR BC mi
S. Jackson BC mi
E. Milton BR BC mi DL
V. Zambrano BR BC mi DL

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K. Russo BR mi
R. Peña BC mi DL
C. Malec BC mi
M. Vechionacci BC mi DL
A. Jackson BC mi
C. Curtis BC mi
E. Gonzalez BR mi
P.J. Pilittere BC mi
J. Jones BC mi
G. Kontos BC mi
J. Nuñez BC mi
B. Smith BC mi DL
A. Claggett BC mi
O. Perez BR BC mi
M. Gardner BC mi
K. Whelan BC mi
W. Arias (L) BC mi

A Tampa Yankees:
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C.J. Henry BC mi DL
T. Battle BC mi
K. Anson BC mi
J. Gil BC mi
A. Horne BC mi DL
Z. McAllister BC mi
W. De La Rosa (L) BC mi
C. Garcia BC mi

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J. Snyder BC mi
M. Cusick BC mi
B. Suttle BC mi
A. Romine BC mi
J. Montero BC mi
D. Betances BC mi
J. Heredia BC mi
J. Ortiz BC mi
C. Heyer BC mi

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

Rookie Gulf Coast Yankees:
C. Joseph mi
C. Smith mi
K. Higashioka mi

Key:
BR = Baseball-Reference
BP = Baseball Prospectus
BC = Baseball Cube (past mL stats)
mi = MiLB.com (current mL stats)
E = ESPN (current splits, game logs)
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JB = Japanese Baseball.com

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J. Karstens BR BP BC E mi
R. Ohlendorf BR BP BC E
D. McCutchen BC mi

2008 Campers/mLers:
C. Woodward BR BP BC E MLB PHI mL
J. Lane BR mi BOS mL
G. Porter BC mi WAS mL
J.D. Closser BR mi SD mL
S. Henn (L) BR BP BC E mi SD
H. Phillips (L) BR BC mi TB mL
S. White BR BC mi

2007 Yankees:
J. Torre (Mgr) BR BP BC LAD
D. Mientkiewicz BR BP BC E MLB PIT
A. Phillips BR BP BC E MLB mi CIN
J. Phelps BR BP BC E MLB STL
M. Cairo BR BP BC E MLB SEA
K. Thompson BR BP BC E MLB mi PIT
B. Sardinha BC mi SEA mL
W. Nieves BR BP BC E MLB WAS
R. Clemens BR BP BC E mi
T. Clippard BR BP BC E mi WAS
L. Vizcaino BR BP BC E COL $7.5m/2yrs
M. DeSalvo BR BP BC E mi ATL mL
M. Myers (L) BR BP BC E LAD mL
R. Villone (L) BR BP BC E mi STL
S. Proctor BR BP BC E LAD
J. Brower BR BP BC E mi CIN mL
C. Bean BR BP BC E mi ATL mL

2007 Campers and mLers:
E. Durazo BR BP BC E MLB mi
A. Cannizaro BR BP BC E MLB mi TB mL
A. Chavez BR BP BC E MLB mi LAD mL
K. Reese BR BP BC E MLB mi
R. Chavez BR BP BC E MLB mi PIT mL
O. Santos BC mi BAL mL
T. Pratt BR BP BC E MLB
T.J. Beam BR BP BC E mi PIT mL
B. Kozlowski (L) BR BP BC E mi Japan

Molina Trade:
J. Kennard BC mi

Abreu Trade
M. Smith (L) BR BP BC E mi PHI
C. Monasterios BC mi PHI
J. Sanchez mi PHI

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Finish Line

2007-09-30 09:27

by Alex Belth

Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Johnny Damon all had the night off, but that didn't stop the Yankees from out-sluggin the Orioles, 11-10. Andy Pettitte was clobbered--he allowed eight earned runs over five inning--but still got the win.

Kei Igawa gets the start today. The regular season began with Carl Pavano and is closing with Igawa (there's a joke in there somewhere).

Rodriguez is in the line-up today, gunning for homer #55 and RBI #156. I like the sound of a double-nickel, don't you? Posada will serve as manager, Mike Mussina will be the pitching coach.

I watched most of the game last night but count me as almost completely distracted by the happenings in the NL East. We've got more than enough time to talk about the Tribe in the coming days. Today gives dying time for the Phils or Mets, unless it doesn't and they are forced to play a playoff game tomorrow. Aw, man, imagine if it comes to that? On Friday, the Mets played scared and yesterday it looked as if the Phils were ascared. How will it all end? I'm just glad I don't have a direct emotional investment. I'd be ready to throw-up if I rooted for either team right about now.

It's absolutely gorgeous in New York today. Slightly overcast but still sunny, cool and crisp. A great day for playoff baseball. I still say the Mets win the division--the Phillies will find a way to lose, right?--but ya never know.

Let's Go Base-Ball!

Comments (214)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2007-09-30 09:51:58

1. ihrtstrayrod

I mourn the fact that this might be the last time we see Giuseppe Franco in a long time

2007-09-30 09:58:17

2. Bob Timmermann

Andy Pettitte was the fifth pitcher since 1957 to be the winning pitcher with a Game Score of 14 or lower.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/qVU4

2007-09-30 10:22:39

3. 3rd gen yankee fan

Ugh, 4-0 Marlins... poor Metsies.

2007-09-30 10:29:34

4. Raf

oof... 5-0 mets. bases loaded one out

can't find the phils game on ESPN; damn

2007-09-30 10:32:42

5. Eirias

Glavine gave up 5 runs (so far) and left with a bases loaded. He recorded one out. This is unbelievably brutal for Mets fans. I mean, wow.

2007-09-30 10:36:52

6. Raf

7-0 Marlins

2007-09-30 10:43:49

7. Eirias

Nice triple by Jeter.

2007-09-30 10:51:17

8. rufuswashere

6 It pained me to watch that first inning. If you put yourself in the place of the team and fans for even a moment, you feel their agony. You put so much into a team for the ful season, and for it to end this way...

Of course the Phils have to win.

(p.s., Betemit can't hit right handed.)

2007-09-30 10:54:26

9. Simone

The Mets have got some bad luck.

2007-09-30 10:57:51

10. Raf

8 Had a flashback to 2004. Hopefully Sosa will do better than Vazquez?

2007-09-30 10:58:46

11. Raf

was Igawa scratched from his start? Henn started.

2007-09-30 11:08:02

12. JeremyM

What a disastrous start from Glavine. Wow. It'll be interesting to see what the Phillies do-I'd love to see a one-game playoff, or that mass tie scenario would be even better.

2007-09-30 11:08:26

13. Mattpat11

Willis looks awful.

2007-09-30 11:11:52

14. Eirias

Come on Nugent. Buffalo must infect kickers.

2007-09-30 11:16:54

15. JeremyM

13 The Mets must look worse.

2007-09-30 11:17:16

16. Mattpat11

Its sort of interesting to see a Yankee game thread where everyone is talking about some other game.

2007-09-30 11:17:41

17. Mattpat11

15 Glavine did.

2007-09-30 11:19:54

18. JeremyM

I'm kind of surprised Henn got the start, you'd think someone like Clippard would've got it. Oh well.

2007-09-30 11:20:53

19. Mattpat11

Carlos Delgado broke his hand

2007-09-30 11:22:34

20. Mattpat11

18 It really doesn't matter.

The only minor surprise for me is they didn't make Wang the number two starter so he could go for 20 today.

2007-09-30 11:26:13

21. JeremyM

20 No it doesn't, but I think Henn is worthless so you might as well give someone else a shot.

19 Well, his season was over anyway.... Unbelievable collapse.

2007-09-30 11:27:50

22. Mattpat11

Bases loaded 1 out for Chase Utley

2007-09-30 11:29:00

23. Mattpat11

21 I don't think an outing against an awful team on the last day of the year should have any real bearing on future decisions

2007-09-30 11:30:48

24. Mattpat11

Utley popped up. Howard up

2007-09-30 11:33:39

25. BklynBmr

Melky is going to get a little talkin' to...

2007-09-30 11:35:32

26. JeremyM

25 What did he do?

2007-09-30 11:37:13

27. JeremyM

Willis out, bases loaded for Lo Duca.

2007-09-30 11:41:57

28. BklynBmr

26 A-Rod scored from first on a double to left by Betemit. As Alex was rounding third, Melky (on deck) gave absolutely no signal to Alex ("stand up or slide"), and the relay throw almost got him. A-Rod was blowin' a bubble and actually slowed his pace for the final few feet, thinking since Melky didn't make any gesture, there was no throw coming. A-Rod was pissed and let Melky have it there.

2007-09-30 11:45:32

29. JeremyM

28 Interesting, thanks.

2007-09-30 11:52:24

30. BklynBmr

So if the Mutts lose, Philly and San Diego win, the Mutts are out, correct?

2007-09-30 11:56:23

31. JeremyM

30 Even if the Pads lose, the Mets are gone if they lose and Philly wins.

2007-09-30 11:57:04

32. JeremyM

That makes 100 RBIs for Abreu on the year, for those who care.

2007-09-30 11:58:20

33. BklynBmr

31 Thanks. Simply incredible.

Wow. Wagner blasts Willie and Rick Peterson in a New York Magazine article (via NY Post):

http://tinyurl.com/2y827d

Should be an interesting winter for Mets fans...

2007-09-30 12:05:22

34. JeremyM

33 I wonder if Willie is going to take the fall? I thought that Wagner's quotes were a little lame, as far as a defined role isn't coming in and getting outs enough of a role? It's pretty tough to give a guy a defined role in the pen other than the closer and maybe a LOOGY.

2007-09-30 12:11:35

35. Mattpat11

Still 8-1 FLA and 3-1 PHI

2007-09-30 12:18:09

36. Mattpat11

End of the fifth in Philly

2007-09-30 12:19:25

37. Mattpat11

End of the fifth in Shea

2007-09-30 12:21:30

38. BklynBmr

34 I'd be surprised if Wille gets the axe, but my following of them is pretty much limited to glancing at the NL standings once a week, I have no idea what happened to that club. But, man, the fall was stunning.

In other non-Yankees related stuff, just read today that Tampa Bay will drop 'Devils' next season and just be the 'Rays'...

2007-09-30 12:22:24

39. Mattpat11

Belliard singles on a line drive to second baseman Chase Utley, deflected by right fielder Shane Victorino.

I don't know what that could possibly be.

2007-09-30 12:22:28

40. BklynBmr

37 'Fan-Cam' at Shea must be pretty entertaining today...

2007-09-30 12:23:57

41. Mattpat11

3-2 on Zimmerman, 1 on no out

2007-09-30 12:24:21

42. Mattpat11

strike three

2007-09-30 12:24:38

43. Chyll Will

34 I have think that if anything, yesterday's game revealed where the big problems are; bullpen and certain position players' attitudes. If Willie takes the fall, it will show how very close-minded the Mets front office actually is; what with Willie not being allowed to assemble his own coaching staff and Wilpon singling him out in front of the players and media (IIRC). I had previously mused about Minaya being such a good GM, but I have serious doubts considering how this badness has been handled and almost funneled towards Willie.

When Torre was being sized up for a new necktie, Cashman stood by him publicly and risked his own job in the process. I don't see Omar doing that, and I have to wonder if he even wanted Willie in the first place. I may be crazy on that count, but their posture begs the question.

Meanwhile, if Willie becomes available, he'd be wise to come back and learn a thing or two more before accepting another manager position, like make sure you can choose your own coaches, and make sure your pitching coach is not a renowned genius, and if your superstar players don't hustle, shut him down immediately. Stuff like that helps.

Willie should take the blame for not doing certain things that would have impressed the importance of focus and teamwork, and I don't know if that has to do with him being a relatively new manager or pressure from above or if he just doesn't have it in him to be a hardass sometimes, but if he leaves, he should take a lot from this experience.

2007-09-30 12:24:40

44. Mattpat11

Dmitri Young up.

2007-09-30 12:25:22

45. Bob B

Wagner is a Putz and I'm not referring to JJ, whose twice the reliever BIlly Wagner is. The man makes 10.5 Million dollars a year, you'd think he'd hire someone to remind him to keep his stupid comments to himself instead of embarrassing himself . The Mets won't make the playoffs because of their 74 losses and I guarantee you Willie Randolph was not the culprit in 99% of those. Willie could take the fall because he's the manager and they're always the easiest targets. On the other hand, Wagner was inside the lines and blew saves and lost games. It makes you appreciate what it is like to have a Mariano Rivera who makes no excuses when he lose's and doesn't throw his manager or teamates under the bus.

2007-09-30 12:26:51

46. Mattpat11

Young singles. first and second no out. Moyer's leaving.

2007-09-30 12:28:56

47. Mattpat11

Flash Gordon is in

46 * One out

2007-09-30 12:29:39

48. Mattpat11

1-1 on Kearns

2007-09-30 12:30:03

49. Mattpat11

2-1

2007-09-30 12:30:19

50. 3rd gen yankee fan

43 You'da thunk that Willie would know this after playing in the Bronx Zoo.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2007-09-30 12:31:03

51. Mattpat11

Double play

2007-09-30 12:32:26

52. BklynBmr

9-2 Scranton over Baltimore, bottom 5...

2007-09-30 12:33:27

53. Chyll Will

50 No, it's nothing like Shea. Two different animals in the same cage.

2007-09-30 12:37:15

54. OldYanksFan

In other non-Yankees related stuff, just read today that at SeaWorld in Orlando, the aquatic creatures formerly known as 'DevilRays' will be called 'Large Winged Flying Bats' next season, or just 'Flying Bats'.

2007-09-30 12:38:31

55. Mattpat11

1st and second no out for Philly.

2007-09-30 12:39:46

56. Mattpat11

2-0 on Nunez

2007-09-30 12:39:54

57. Chyll Will

54 In Tampa Bay, relievers are called "guanos"...

2007-09-30 12:40:25

58. OldYanksFan

43 There was a breakdown in communications as Omar Minaya was excited when he heard the Mets were hiring a manager named 'Willie Randolphez'.

2007-09-30 12:41:02

59. Mattpat11

sac bunt. second and third one out.

2007-09-30 12:42:02

60. JeremyM

If it wasn't for Willie and the fact that I work with a die-hard Mets fan who has been near-suicidal (not too many in Omaha), I would be loving the Mets stuff right now.

Is Sardinha really playing third right now?

2007-09-30 12:45:18

61. JeremyM

Phillies up 4-1 now.

2007-09-30 12:45:22

62. Mattpat11

4-1 Philly.

2007-09-30 12:48:03

63. OldYanksFan

Soooooooooo....
In this year of a virtually historic Yankee comeback, with team members unanamously saying Torre held the team together, can we at the Bronx Banter send a little love Joe's way?

Look at the Mets. Willie is a good man, but there is a lot to the job. Once again, bad onfield moves and all, Torre showed me that he is uniquely qualified, and is the man for this job.

Anyway... kudos to Torre and bigtime Kudos to Cashman, for turning an aging team with no future into a young, vibrant team that should be the foundation of the next dynasty!

And Stink earns his ways into the cleanup spot in the PS.

2007-09-30 12:49:01

64. JeremyM

Make it 5-1 Philly, on a Rollins RBI triple.

2007-09-30 12:49:05

65. Mattpat11

Rollins triples. 5-1.

He's the MVP.

2007-09-30 12:49:44

66. Bags

63 Agree. Joe deserves to come back no matter what happens in the playoffs.

2007-09-30 12:50:45

67. Mattpat11

end of the sixth in Philly.

2007-09-30 12:52:12

68. JeremyM

63 We'll talk after the playoffs:) He's had a lot of trouble managing in October lately, with bizarre moves like batting A-Rod 6th and then 8th, Jeff Weaver, Kevin Brown, and so forth. But right now, I don't really see a better candidate for the job-I like Girardi but I'm not sure he's a fit. Right now, I'd say bring him back, but let's wait and see.

2007-09-30 12:52:15

69. Mattpat11

63 Torre should be manager of the year. He does things that infuriate me, but so do all managers. And he kept this team together.

2007-09-30 12:53:31

70. Mattpat11

68 Batting A-Rod low was something he tried that worked with Giambi in 03

2007-09-30 12:53:59

71. Mattpat11

Shea sounds like a morgue.

2007-09-30 12:55:03

72. Mattpat11

one out in the top of the seventh in Philly.

2007-09-30 12:56:11

73. JeremyM

70 Yeah, but in game one he put him 6th and Sheffield 4th (who was not hitting well), which started playing games with his head right away, in my opinion. Giambi was slumping and hurt at that time while if I remember right, A-Rod was swinging the bat well. But it's water under the bridge...

2007-09-30 12:57:18

74. Mattpat11

73 He was swinging the bat well? In the 06 playoffs?

He looked at least as bad as Giambi did in 03.

2007-09-30 12:57:42

75. Mattpat11

one on, one out in Philly.

2007-09-30 12:58:05

76. JeremyM

74 I'm talking about game one, coming into the series he had a hot September.

2007-09-30 12:59:22

77. Mattpat11

two outs, one on in Philly and Shea.

2007-09-30 12:59:52

78. Mattpat11

end of the seventh in Shea.

2007-09-30 13:02:14

79. Mattpat11

going to the bottom of the seventh in Philly. 5-1.

2007-09-30 13:05:03

80. JeremyM

I can't believe Tony Batista is still in the league.

2007-09-30 13:07:03

81. Mattpat11

Going to the bottom of the 8th at Shea

2007-09-30 13:08:03

82. Mattpat11

one out in the seventh in Philly.

2007-09-30 13:09:29

83. Mattpat11

Howard homers. 6-1

2007-09-30 13:10:10

84. OldYanksFan

Batting ARod 6th and 8th in my opinion was nuts, but we complain about Torre and his 'formulas'. At least it showed he is willing to take a chance and shake things up.

Giambi happened to hit 2 HRs, ARod happened to hit poorly. I think it's a mistake to hold a manager accountable for OUTCOME... that's up to the players.

Torre is judged here for his in-game managing, which every knowledgeable baseball person says is by far the smallest part of the manager's job. I give the team players credit for this year's comeback, but everybody (and I mean EVERYBODY!) wrote this team off at the ASB, and it would have been easy for us to fold.

The character this team showed the last 3 months had a lot to do with Joe Torre and his style of leadership.

And I love the fact that he cries on camera!
Really... would Lou Pinella ever cry on camera?

2007-09-30 13:11:40

85. rbj

Pinella would make the camera cry.

2007-09-30 13:12:38

86. JeremyM

84 Can't argue with any of your points, especially about Torre crying.

2007-09-30 13:17:25

87. Mattpat11

End of the seventh in Philly

2 outs in the 8th at Shea

2007-09-30 13:18:35

88. Mattpat11

going to the ninth at Shea.

2007-09-30 13:19:48

89. alasky

I really know about the sample sizes, but with Giambi fizzing these days and Doug. M looking reasonably hot at the plate, is there any question who should be starting at 1st in the playoffs?

Giambi 2007 OPS: .792
Doug M. 2007 OPS: .794

2007-09-30 13:21:26<