Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : Hit List

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Players

Major Leauge Roster:

Infielders:
J. Giambi BR BP E MLB
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

Coaches:
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

40-man Roster:
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:

AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees:
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
K. Igawa (L) BR BP BC E JB mi
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

AA Trenton Thunder:
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:
E. Nuñez BC mi
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

Low-A Charleston RiverDogs:
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)
MLB = MLB.com hit charts
JB = Japanese Baseball.com

The Recently Departed

2008 Yankees:
R. Sexson BR BP E MLB
M. Ensberg BR BP E MLB CLE mL
A. Gonzalez BR BP E MLB mi WAS
K. Farnsworth BR BP BC E DET
L. Hawkins BR BP BC E HOU
S. Patterson BR BC mi SD

Nady/Marte Trade:
J. Tabata BC mi
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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Hit List

2008-04-15 15:26

by Alex Belth

I haven't mentioned it yet, but I can't let the seventh anniversary of Jay Jaffe's seminal baseball blog Futility Infielder pass without comment. Jay was the first person connected with the blog world that I ever met in person. It was right around this time, the spring of 2003. We had lunch at Christine's, a polish diner on Second avenue just south of 14th street that I frequented often as teenager with my friend Mary Lou, who lived right around the block.

Jay and I have remained friends ever since. We generally go to a couple of games at the Stadium every year, and we watch a handful more together at our respective cribs (Brooklyn, Bronx). Jay is one of the all-time baseball conversationalists. I always come away from our conversations knowing more, curiosities satisfied, others stimulated. And we never fail to have laughs. A spontaneous schtick that we did watching Paul LoDuca late last season has forever altered my ability to take LoDuca seriously ever again. I can't not laugh at Paulie when I see him, read about him or hear his name.

And more than just that, respect due, cause Jay is strictly OB: Original Blogga. He's one of a small group of guys, which include Geoff Young, whose Ducksnorts started in 1997, that is still around. And even if he doesn't blog as frequently as he has in the past, Jay's writing--particularly the work he does at Baseball Prospectus--is better and more prolific than ever. He's polished when talking in front of audiences at bookstores, he knows his s*** when talking on the radio. He's a pro.

Anyhow, I'm happy to call him a pal, and I'm really impressed with how he's developed and honed his work over the years. And I wanted to say as much.

Now, come on you guys, let's git 'em!

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Comments (268)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2008-04-15 16:08:05

1. ny2ca2dc

mlb.tv taking a dump again tonight.

2008-04-15 16:13:31

2. Eirias

1 Indeed, though I've somehow managed to the mlb.tv radio deal to work.

2008-04-15 16:14:31

3. rbj

I get to hear Jeffe every Wed. afternoon on the local ESPN station, talking baseball. He always has something intelligent to say, which is unusual on radio.

2008-04-15 16:18:05

4. williamnyy23

1 It's working for me tonight.

2008-04-15 16:20:46

5. ny2ca2dc

MLB.tv came around for me during Jeter's AB.

2008-04-15 16:21:19

6. OldYanksFan

1 Didn't work 5 minutes ago but working for me now.

2008-04-15 16:21:58

7. ny2ca2dc

What's with Cano's socks?

2008-04-15 16:25:23

8. Schteeve

I just found out that I got tickets the the Yanks White Sox game next Thursday.

If the rotation lines up they way I think it lines up, Hughes is pitching! I'm fired up.

2008-04-15 16:26:56

9. Schteeve

And as for tonight, I hope it's not too much to hope that they can put a dent in Cy Jackson.

2008-04-15 16:28:01

10. Alex Belth

Godzilla!

2008-04-15 16:28:55

11. ny2ca2dc

Ziller sure seems to hit well in this dome. Feel free to make parallels to the domes in Japan.

mlb.tv's audio is going bezerk!

2008-04-15 16:29:12

12. SF Yanks

I can see Giambi start to get hot...hopefully that happens.

2008-04-15 16:31:09

13. SF Yanks

Cano's taking better swings it seems.

2008-04-15 16:31:58

14. ny2ca2dc

8 Good stuff, but you sure Hughes lines up? I think you get Kennedy.

I got tix to Yanks at B-More this Friday, where Hughes will be pitching. Lower deck seats even, can't remember the last time I had that!

No comments on Cano's socks?! It's really quite a big deal.

2008-04-15 16:35:51

15. Knuckles

I just logged on...is Edwin Jackson wearing #42 for the Jackie Robinson anniv? Is anyone else (besides Mo, natch)?

2008-04-15 16:36:43

16. fansince77

was that last pitch low to Melk? I hate when the umps take ab's away from guys when they are working it.

2008-04-15 16:38:32

17. OldYanksFan

Wow... MLB.TV audio dies, and they switch to the YES broadcast. Cool. And Singleton too... nice!

2008-04-15 16:40:06

18. OldYanksFan

There has been VERY little word on Bobby Murcer. I hope no news is good news.

2008-04-15 16:42:45

19. rbj

15 The entire Devil Rays team is.
I'm surprised there isn't an ESPN game tonight focusing on Jackie.

Andy "Houdini" Pettitte escapes! The Rays do have some good young hitters, they aren't cupcakes anymore.

2008-04-15 16:43:22

20. SF Yanks

Whether the bases are loaded or just men on base, I don't sweat it when Andy's pitching. First inning, didn't sweat. Even right now, I said to myself, "He'll get out of it." That's a good feeling to have, let me tell you.

2008-04-15 16:43:22

21. fansince77

Bad news- rap, bap, smack and whack!
Good news- double play ends the inning.

2008-04-15 16:44:11

22. OldYanksFan

They must have homeplate miked because the hits Andy is giving up sound like cannon shots.

2008-04-15 16:45:57

23. ChrisS

I just signed up for a single month of mlb.tv/premium only to find out (what I should have known) that Syracuse, NY is in the Yankees' home TV market, so the games are blacked out.

The reason I signed up for MLB.tv was so I could watch the games when I travel to the mid-west and west (75%/month), but the blackout is based on my billing address. Thus, I can have MLB.tv while in sunny CA, but not be able to watch the Yankees because of my NY zip code.

2008-04-15 16:46:26

24. williamnyy23

Of all the slumbering bats, Damons' is the only one that worries me. I think at some point he'll need to be moved out of the lead off spot.

2008-04-15 16:47:23

25. fansince77

That's a great inning of swinging the lumber.

2008-04-15 16:50:57

26. ny2ca2dc

23 I think they actually do the blackouts based on your IP address location, so when you're traveling you should be in business.

2008-04-15 16:57:00

27. ny2ca2dc

24 Agree, his old guy skills are lacking. When his power and speed start to go, as they have, you can't live with the faltering ave & obp... So what's left of the guy? Ziller, at least, can still hit, as can Abreu. I think the guy needs to be traded (for LHRP, maybe, or some prospects, hard as it is to imagine getting any kind of blue chip positional prospects in return, even when eating half/most the salary) in the worst way. Brett Gardner could probably approximate Damon. Just let Hideki play Left and LIDR Gardner, and run a DH/1B rotation with Betemit, Duncan, Giambi, and Ensberg.

What I'm really worried about, actually, is next year. Sure, the team will struggle this year with the young pitchers, but it's not like next year they'll all be 100% good to go - they'll still struggle. And next year the offense could fall off some goodly amount. And that's even assuming they go out and get Tiexiera, which would seem to be a requirement. Dunn might be nice too for DH.

2008-04-15 16:59:59

28. fansince77

That was a terrible 0-2 pitch up at the chest - that's more than a couple that Pettitte has gotten away with...Hope he comes down in the zone.

2008-04-15 17:01:17

29. williamnyy23

Awful pitching by Pettitte tonight. The Yankees have to start winning a few games in a row.

2008-04-15 17:02:24

30. fansince77

Yeah, he really doesn't look very good. Alot of hard hit balls. This with the combination of Yankee giveaway at bats worries me.

2008-04-15 17:05:48

31. 51cq24

27 i really don't want to watch matsui in left field. we might just have to endure it, but it will not be fun.

2008-04-15 17:05:56

32. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

26 ALL live games blacked out on MLB.tv here in Japan, for reasons unknown..can only watch on archive...still trying to find out why...

2008-04-15 17:12:07

33. ny2ca2dc

OK boy-o's, keep it coming.

2008-04-15 17:13:38

34. rbj

I believe the mlb.tv problems are due to Bud Selig & MLB's cunning plan to shoot itself in the foot. They certainly do not want a younger generation raised on computers etc. to access any game they want to after having paid for the access. They only want us old farts who only watch on tv.

2008-04-15 17:13:55

35. fansince77

Great result from HIDEKI's "chopsticks" swing

2008-04-15 17:14:37

36. ny2ca2dc

worm turning

2008-04-15 17:14:49

37. ChrisS

26 Cool, if that's the case then I can watch day games at the office because my office's IP is Baltimore.

Nice ARod!

2008-04-15 17:14:49

38. ChrisS

26 Cool, if that's the case then I can watch day games at the office because my office's IP is Baltimore.

Nice ARod!

2008-04-15 17:15:06

39. fansince77

I love to see that hustle from AROD - no hesitation / totally focused on the game.

2008-04-15 17:19:51

40. RIYank

Not a lot of gametalk today, huh?

2008-04-15 17:21:58

41. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

40 Everyone watching Law & Order on TNT? I heard they show that sometimes..

2008-04-15 17:23:50

42. Chyll Will

40 Nah. Just tired...

2008-04-15 17:24:02

43. ChrisS

40 I'm hesitant, for some reason I've been putting in an awful lot of double posts lately.

2008-04-15 17:27:43

44. RIYank

The Toaster seems a little rusty, too.

2008-04-15 17:28:21

45. rbj

40 , 41 It wouldn't have anything to do with today being Tax Day now would it?

2008-04-15 17:29:52

46. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

45 what is this "Tax" you speak of?

2008-04-15 17:30:43

47. rbj

46 Income

2008-04-15 17:30:50

48. RIYank

45 Not in my case. Mine were done a while ago.

2008-04-15 17:30:51

49. Schteeve

14 Nah, I think it's Hughes, there's an off day mixed in there

The rotation is:

Wang
Moose
Hughes
Kennedy
Pettitte

Pettitte tonight
Wang 4/16
Moose 4/17
Hughes 4/18
Kennedy 4/19
Pettitte 4/20
Off Day 4/21
Wang 4/22
Moose 4/23
Hughes 4/24

2008-04-15 17:34:24

50. williamnyy23

I hope Jeter is ok...he was jogging into 2B there.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2008-04-15 17:34:52

51. rbj

Yeah, I got my refunds back months ago. I was actually able to tuck a few dollars into my savings account. Sadly, most went to pay off Christmas.

2008-04-15 17:34:57

52. SF Yanks

I'll say, "Yay!" for everyone here.

2008-04-15 17:35:45

53. ChrisS

my goodness, a 2-out RBI?

Who are these guys?

2008-04-15 17:36:13

54. RIYank

That was such a beautiful AB. God, I love that. Must drive Jackson insane.

2008-04-15 17:36:24

55. SF Yanks

"Yay!" again for everyone.

2008-04-15 17:36:51

56. ChrisS

TWO 2-out RBI!

I like it.

2008-04-15 17:36:53

57. 51cq24

50 looked fine there

2008-04-15 17:37:11

58. ny2ca2dc

Hey, I DO recognize these guys. They've been the Yankees all along?!!!!11!1!11!

2008-04-15 17:37:49

59. 51cq24

where are you going bobby?

2008-04-15 17:38:36

60. RIYank

53 No kidding. And scoring two runs with a walk and two singles???

2008-04-15 17:39:05

61. ny2ca2dc

Check out Pete Abe's post, does he not know the score?!?! Talk about confirmation of the beat writers snoozing. (also, gross CS Bob)

"UPDATE, 8:33 p.m.: Nice at-bat by Jeter there, working nine pitches then driving in Damon. … Jackson is not long for this tilt as he's at 90 pitches. … Andy Pettitte has put nine runners on base in four innings and somehow allowed no runs."

2008-04-15 17:39:16

62. ms october

50 57 yeah - i mean i think he's being careful - but could go harder if needed

51 ugh - i filed a few months ago - but i'm still bitter about oweing ma state taxes

2008-04-15 17:40:21

63. RIYank

Damn. Just having to pitch to Godzilla might have finished Jackson. Think he'll start the sixth?

2008-04-15 17:42:10

64. ms october

62 i mean owing

61 saw that too - i was trying to think if somehow it was an unearned run and that's what he meant (but it's not) - but yeah beat writers snoozing - or being hypnotized by those blooming cowbells

2008-04-15 17:43:29

65. RIYank

Wow, two really good innings for Andy.

2008-04-15 17:44:35

66. RIYank

So 62 64 why are you bitter about that?

2008-04-15 17:46:42

67. RIYank

Whoa. Great pitches. Location.

2008-04-15 17:50:04

68. ms october

66 i guess i shouldn't be because i am a person who believes in a lot of gvt programs - but every tax season i have had to pay a lot of state taxes - and since i am still a grad student and don't make that much money yet, i am not sure why i always owe

2008-04-15 17:52:25

69. RIYank

Oh, I get it. You just mean MA has high taxes. But they're lower than ours. Small comfort?

Sign of a dull game: Banterers are more interested in talking about taxes.

(Only it's a pretty good game. So maybe it's a sign of April 15th.)

2008-04-15 17:53:25

70. 51cq24

pretty nice play there

2008-04-15 17:53:35

71. ny2ca2dc

That man Carlos Pena.

2008-04-15 17:54:53

72. rbj

68 Welcome to the real world. Personally I want less government and less taxes

2008-04-15 17:55:05

73. mehmattski

I'm here, just watching on and off between reading papers. And the Yankees only seem to score runs when I'm not watching, so maybe I should just turn off the game...

2008-04-15 17:55:53

74. Schteeve

If the Yankees lose this game, I'm not watching baseball ever again.

2008-04-15 17:55:56

75. ms october

69 sorry riyank. guess someone always has it worse. i thought gas in ma was high until i was in california last week - good god.

71 oh what could have been

2008-04-15 18:01:48

76. tommyl

Apparently Hawkins has switched to 22. Those fans should be ashamed of themselves.

2008-04-15 18:02:26

77. RIYank

Okay, Andy, one more for us, please.

2008-04-15 18:04:04

78. Schteeve

76 Wait a minute, Hawkins has the temerity to wear Clemens' and Cano's old number??? BOOOO! BOOOO!

2008-04-15 18:04:22

79. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

72 More govenment programs, less defense spending please! And money for pubilc baseball fields..i remember when my local field was closed down because there was no govt funding available..

2008-04-15 18:04:28

80. SF Yanks

Is it just me or did it look like Jeter was running in sand?

2008-04-15 18:04:42

81. rbj

76 Wow. That's just Red Sox fan level of stupidness. I really like Paul and all, and there's a decent argument for retiring 21. But don't act like @ssholes to your own team. (Unless it's something like Pavano)

2008-04-15 18:05:15

82. RIYank

Ugh. Damnit.

2008-04-15 18:05:39

83. ny2ca2dc

75 Don't even bring up the fact that the Yanks just missed Pena's breakout. Oops. Damnit

Now I'm really wondering why ARod went to second on the previous groundout instead of third....

76 That's a damn embarrassing shame...

2008-04-15 18:06:47

84. Schteeve

I like lots of government programs that are run efficiently, and have actual measurable objectives and KPI, and aren't influenced unduly by lobbyists and special pleading. So in other words, I hate all forms of govt programs.

2008-04-15 18:07:23

85. monkeypants

72 79 et al.

How about less potentially contentious talk of politics, and more baseball banter?

2008-04-15 18:07:43

86. RIYank

I'd let Andy start the seventh, he looked strong. The walk was bad, but the rest of the inning he deserved to do better. (If Joba were in town I'd have a different view.)

2008-04-15 18:08:52

87. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

81 where is ol' Carl anyway these days?
84 good point! just funny how all the pols who rage against "big government" oversaw such a massive increase in spending the last 8 years

2008-04-15 18:09:34

88. Mr OK Jazz TOKYO

85 You got it. Let's tell Pavano jokes..can anyone start??

2008-04-15 18:10:30

89. ny2ca2dc

85 Here here, replacing "potentially" with "likely".

86 Andy at 89 pitches, so I would agree, Given no Joba and possibly tired Mo, and no Bruney (or Traber?)... Yikes.

2008-04-15 18:10:36

90. monkeypants

My math skills are failing me: I can't figure out who replaced Jo