Bonds was incredible, too, obviously. I was never so impressed by the distance he hit the ball as by the fact that he was never, ever, ever off-balance, never fooled.

Fucking amazing.

Reyes is fun to watch.

I kind of enjoy Thome, too, though as a big beefy slugger guy, he's really not my type. But something about him...

On other teams, Vlad (not as much vs NY) and Howard.

He makes me want to pull my hair out and scream and throw things at him.

I really, really, really hope he'll learn to avoid these month-long slumps.

And yeah, Vlad's swing is something else.

http://tinyurl.com/6emnfw

This one's good too:
"I'm not even sure how this, what do you call it, 'wild card?' Right…how this wild card even works," said Yankees shortstop and team captain Derek Jeter, who made "air quotes" gestures every time he uttered the phrase. "Can a team even make it to the World Series from such a position? Seems like charity to me. And the Yankees are nobody's charity case."

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/yankees_decline_wild_card

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27656

4 as you say vlad is something to watch

i like to watch rios (again not against the yanks) too - and justin upton is going to be a monster

i hope oyf is sitting down when he finds out matsui is in lf and damon the dh

actually another thing on jeter - many have commented on his seemingly improved range this year - which i concur with - whether it is improved positioning or a quicker first step or a combo of things - but his throwing has been pretty dismal - has anyone who has watched closely or been to a game picked up on anything - is he not getting his feet set? is it too much to get to the ball up the middle and make a good throw? i don't know - maybe i should just be grateful for the improved range and not complain.

Since then, they've actually only gotten two out of the five guys featured in the photo.

Something's got to give.

Would be like if in the National League they called the bases "primary," "secondary," "tertiary," and "domicile dish" for no good reason.

i think we all realize that just stick player x at 1b does not always work - but i do wonder why more serious thought to trying matsui out at 1b over the winter/st was not done - it would provide a little more insurance there - especially since it seems betemit is not going to be an option there; shelley's really not a good 1b and is the person who is going to get sent down whenever tjere is a roster situation; and it would help create a little more flexibility with the dh spot

I just wanted to clarify on Floyd above that he was the fourth overall pick in 2001 draft, which happened to be the Phillies' pick. I worded that poorly.

from petey:

UPDATE, 6:57 p.m.: RHP Brian Bruney is not available because of what the Yankees are saying is a sprained mid-foot. He went for an MRI and will see a specialist in New York tomorrow. (Dr. Martin Van Nostrand perhaps?) Bruney was injured Tuesday night in the seventh inning when he was trying to cover first base. He was wearing a knee-length boot today and was in the trainer's room all afternoon. Given that it's his push-off foot, it seems almost certain that Bruney will go on the disabled list.

Griffey still has a beautiful swing.

Griffey still has a beautiful swing.

I fucking love it.

Domicile dish.

That last thread ("The Greatest") was great. I just wrote three friends to let them know that Mo will be taking the career ERA+ title by storm round about the All Star break. Very cool.

How retro!

Did what's his name die, though?

And what about 99? Will she be in it?

Don something?--was that his name?

Anything at all?

Now it seems like, if he has to start running full tilt, the result is not going to be a happy one.

UPDATE, 8:23 p.m.: They're pulling the tarp off the field now. Then it'll take a little bit to clean up the field.

UPDATE, 8:36 p.m.: Umphrey's McGee is doing the anthem. Great band.

O'Neill just cracked up as Derek grounded out on the first pitch: "When you're hitting after Derek Jeter, there's no finding your gloves or anything, you better be ready to step into the batter's box and hit."

This Sox hurler looks mucho hittable. If Phil can get out of the first couple we should be in good shape!

You had him 0-2!

Put him away, Phil!

sorry that was rude. I shouldn't do that to the actually retarded.

Nice catch, Melkele!

He really covered some ground out there.

In the past, I'd have to say Reggie, Donnie, winfield and Oscar Gamble (I loved him living on top of the plate) for the Yanks and Yaz (particularly the leaning tower), Pops, Brett, Rose and Carew for other teams.
Decent work by Phil in the first but he needs to get ahead a bit more. Nice D by phil and melky. Looks like a long night offensively so let's hope Phil is sharp for 6 and Joba and Mo get in.

Jason caught the ball!

balls below the waist on throws (check) pop ups (nope) throws (nope) ground balls (nope) batting average (nope) speed (nope) most of your hits home runs (check) less than five hits on season (check) GDIP (check)

Yeah - good move...pause...not.