Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
The first home run was satisfying, a waist high fastball punished over the fence in left center field. It was a poor pitch and Rodriguez teed off on the sucker. You could hear it through the TV; it just sounded great. And the Bombers had an early 3-0 lead. The second shot was impressive because the pitch looked inside and Rodriguez was able to just turn on it; this one went into the vistor's bullpen. Really quick hands there, and it gave Pavano back the two runs he gave away via the walk in the top of the inning.
I got really anxious during Rodriguez's third at bat. It was clear that Colon was just about done. How could you not be aware that Rodriguez had a chance to have a special night? Colon fell behind 2-0 and then Rodriguez took a huge cut on a fastball and got that Gary Sheffield/Fat Joe "Lean Back" on his follow-through. Another ball and then Colon reared back and gunned a fastball up around Rodriguez's shoulders. It's the toughest pitch for Rodriguez--and most righties, for that matter, to lay off; you can't hit it, but it's tough to resist. Swing and a miss, full count. Nuts, I thought. That was ball four. Then Rodriguez got a good swing on a fastball and fouled it off before he crushed the next pitch over the wall in straight-away center. Third dinger (and according to Jay Jaffe, who was at the game and later called in, during the commerical break Rodriguez took a second curtain call).
Hot Dog. Rich Lederer, 3,000 miles away, was listening to the game on the radio. He called me from his car phone and I gave him the recap. Rodriguez's next at bat was impressive too, when he lined an 0-2 pitch into center field for an RBI single. Again, he took a page out of Sheff's book, and didn't try to do too much with the pitch, down 0-2. In his final at bat, Rodriguez roped a line drive to center. It was caught, but he hit it well. With one monster night, Rodriguez is now tied for the league lead in home runs and RBI (and oh, he's second in the league in runs scored).
Terrific night for Rodriguez and the Yanks, as they roll over the Angels, 12-4. Andy Phillips started at first again, barely missed hitting a homer off a flat slider in his first time up, then later tanked a double into the deepest part of the ball park. And Colter Bean, he off the wide arse, and the frisbee sidearm breaking ball, pitched the final two innings.
Keith Foulke blew the save while David Wells is headed for the DL and is likely to miss about a month. Hey, things are tough all over; it's not just the Yanks who are struggling.
1) Pavano - he got himself into trouble a couple of times but was able to bare down and get out of them w/o much damage. The run scoring hits weren't exactly lasers. Nice job and refreshing to see a Yank pitcher hang tough.
2) Phillips in for Tino vs. a righty. Very interesting. I was VERY surprised given Torre's proven affection for Tino. Phillips continues to hit balls hard (even the outs) and he's also pretty quick. He made a routine out at first a close play in the 2nd inning. Looking forward to seeing how this plays out.
3) (incidental) Heard the radio and TV calls of A-rod's HR's on the way home from the game. They stunk. I'm simply amazed that Michael Kay has sustained such a cushy job given that he's essentially unlistenable. He compounds his lack of baseball knowledge (consistently corrected by Kaat and Singleton) w/ those lame 'See ya' HR calls. I can deal w/ Sterling though he's the ultimate ham and often embarrassing but at least he makes me laugh (at him) occasionally. Though his calls were equally as poor last night.
4) (even more incidental) $8.00 for a 16 oz. Heineken??? Geez Louise!!!
Re:#2, Tino has lousy number vs. Colon. And I'm not sure what you mean about Torre's affection for him. Joe didn't have a problem benching Tino during the '96 series when he wasn't producing.
Tino is 4-for-6 against Washburn and Giambi is 6-for-26 so we may see Andy DH tonight.
By the way, is Rodriguez so well known that you don't have to refer to him as "Alex" or do you have the exclusive on that name? ;-)
Great recap, pal.
But I still haven't been able to come up with a nickname for him. I don't call him Alex I guess cause it just feels weird. But thinking about it, when I watch him play, I usually call him "Alex" or "A Rod."
I'm up for suggestions, so long as they are positive. I'm not down with calling the dude "Slappy" or "Bitch Rod" or anything like that.
Alex in Wonderland? Or A-Z (the first letter of his first name and the last letter of his last name)?
Mr., Sir, Your Honor all work, too.
Also, Gammons said on ESPN this morning that Wells may have a torn ligament and may be out until September.
I never want to wish injuries on any team and I am actually rather upset that Wells is injured. As for Schilling, as long as the guy continues to open his mouth and spew his garbage, he will never get my sympathies.
What this all proves is exactlly how difficult it is to repeat in this game. If Wells and Curt are out for a lengthy period of time, Boston's pitching staff is in some serious trouble and the team's chances of repeating are slim to none.
It just makes us appreciate the 1998-2000 Yankees that much more.
Don't know if this is much of a wonderland though...
As for A-Rod I don't have problem with it it's been his nickname since Seattle.
Just going with "Alex" doesn't work for me because I think of other guys named Alex (like Mr. Belth, for example).
How about "The Czar"? Let's call Alex Rodriguez "The Czar" from now on.
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