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The Devil Rays VI: This Time It's Personal
2005-09-13 15:43
by Cliff Corcoran

There are twenty games remaining on the Yankees regular season schedule, one more than the Red Sox and two more than the Indians. The Red Sox added a half-game to their division lead yesterday by defeating the Blue Jays in eleven innings thanks to yet another game-winning home run by guess who while the Yankees enjoyed their final off-day of the season. The Yankees will make up that game next Thursday when the Red Sox are idle, thus that frightening extra half-game that will stick to the Red Sox AL East lead over the next week and a half is illusory. The opportunity still exists for the Yankees to match the Sox win-for-win to keep the Boston lead at three games entering the final three games of the season in Boston. Should the Yankees then sweep that series, a single-game playoff between the two teams would be played at Yankee Stadium to decide the division.

The Indians, meanwhile, were shut out by Dan Haren and a quartet of relievers last night, thus dropping their half-game advantage in the Wild Card race. You see, while the Indians still lead the Yankees by a full game, that game is the result of the Indians having won two more games than the Yankees. The two teams are even in the loss column, which, by a certain strain of logic, means they are actually tied. Thus the opportunity still exists for the Yankees to match the Indians win-for-win over the remainder of the season, win the two extra games in their schedule, and finish the season tied with Cleveland. If that happens, a single-game playoff between the two teams would be played at Jacob's Field to decide the Wild Card.

So, technically, the Yankees are still in control of their own destiny, even if that destiny now includes a one-game playoff win. Merely forcing such a playoff game against either the Indians or Red Sox, however, will be a monumental task for the pinstripers. To begin with, needing to sweep the Red Sox at home over the final three days of the season is a frightening thought, even though the starters for that series currently project to be Aaron Small, Randy Johnson and Shawn Chacon (though Chacon's start could go to Mike Mussina as I'll explain in a moment).

What's more, the Indians have been the hottest team in the American League over the past week. Last night's loss broke a seven-game winning streak that saw them sweep the Tigers and Twins, including a 4-2 win over Johan Santana this past Friday.

Meanwhile, the Yankees find themselves in Tampa tonight to play their final three games of the season against the Devil Rays team that has, er, bedeviled them all season. At this point it should no longer be necessary for me to recap the Devil Rays' success against the Yankees this season. And any analysis of the overall success of the Devil Rays' pitchers against the Yankee hitters is statistically obscured by the two 13-run innings the Yankees have dropped on the D-Rays this season (yes those innings can be factored out, but I lack the time, the patience, and the stomach to do so right now). That said, it is informative to note that the Devil Rays have outscored and flat out-hit the Yankees head-to-head even with those 26 runs in two innings included on the Yankees' side:

D-Rays: .293/.367/.451 (.278 GPA), 102 R
Yanks: .280/.343/.474 (.273 GPA), 98 R

In addition, consider the fact that the Yankee starter and the two Yankee hitters who have performed best against the Devil Rays this season, Mike Mussina, Tino Martinez and Gary Sheffield, have all been sidelined with injuries of late. The good news is that Sheffield (.322/.349/.678, 6 HR, 22 RBI vs. TB this year) will start tonight at DH. Sheffield missed the entire Boston series with a mysterious muscle pull in his upper leg (it's been variously reported as a quad, a hamstring, and a groin). As Alex and I were discussing on the phone this afternoon, you know that had to eat Sheffield up inside. The guy played all of last year with a muscle separation in his shoulder and a torn ligament in his thumb and almost won the MVP award. Do you think he would have missed the entire Boston series if that leg injury wasn't something we should be concerned about? Hells no! Do you think he wasn't going absolutely crazy having to sit through those last two games in which the Yankee offense produced a total of three runs? You bet your sweet bippy he was!

Having Sheffield at DH could actually be a plus for the Yankees in this series as it opens up right field to the team's best defensive outfielder, Bubba Crosby, who, to Joe Torre's credit, will indeed start there tonight, his second consecutive start in right field. Playing on the slick Tropicana Dome turf over the next three games, the Yankees would be well advised to dispatch Bubba Crosby to the outfield in all three games, even against the left-handed Mark Hendrickson tomorrow. Now that we've all had a good look at Matt Lawton's defensive shortcomings, I can't imagine anyone would disagree that the Yankees cannot afford to run him and Bernie Williams out there on turf against this fast and aggressive Tampa Bay team, and Gary Sheffield, particularly Gary Sheffield with a bum leg, would only be a marginal improvement.

To that end, having Sheffield at DH also keeps Jason Giambi in the field, where his bat has heated back up, producing two of the three runs the Yankees scored in the final two games of their weekend series against the Red Sox. Giambi has spent all of September in the field thus far thanks to the rib cage injury which has kept Tino Martinez out of the line-up for the entire month. According to Torre's pre-game press conference, Tino could return to game action this week, which is actually an item of some concern as anything that pushes Jason Giambi to DH is a blow to the Yankee offense. Thankfully Sheffield will block him for the time being. I for one could deal with seeing the likes of Bubba Crosby, Matt Lawton or Ruben Sierra in the line-up in place of Tino as long as it kept Giambi in the field.

As for Mussina, the last of the Yankees' injury brigade, he threw 45 pitches in the bullpen today and, though he's still not 100 percent, will take another bullpen turn later in the week, and could eventually slot into Chacon's spot in the rotation if the latter continues to struggle. That would make Mussina, not Chacon, the starter for the final game of the season in Boston. Myself, I'm nervous about a potential Mussina return, as the Yankees can't afford to sacrifice a single game to get the rust off of him, even if it would make their rotation stronger over whatever portion of the season remained.

As for the Devil Rays themselves, their roster is unchanged from last week and they'll be sending Doug Waechter to the mound to face Jaret Wright tonight. Waechter has a 3.38 ERA in three starts against the Yankees (21 1/3 IP, 20 H, 3 HR, 3 BB, 11 K), while Wright, eliminating his April start against Tampa as I believe he was less than healthy during that part of the season, has posted the following line in two starts against the Rays since returning from the DL:

14 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 1 HR, 5 BB, 4 K, 1.21 WHIP, 3.86 ERA

That's good but not great. Still, it accounts for two of the Yankees five wins against the Rays this year.

Given some of their comments after Sunday's remarkable 1-0 win over the Red Sox, it seems the Yankees are finally ready to not only take this Devil Rays team seriously, but approach this series as if it were against the Red Sox themselves. It's about time, as there's no margin for error and no room for a let down follwing the Boston series.

Comments (248)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2005-09-13 16:14:50
1.   BklynBomber
No prisoners tonight! Let's go Yanks!
2005-09-13 16:16:04
2.   randym77
Good start, Jete!
2005-09-13 16:19:35
3.   randym77
GIAMBI!

Torre's new lineup is already paying off.

2005-09-13 16:20:00
4.   BklynBomber
That's what I'm talkin' about! The Giambeeeeeno! 3-run blast.
2005-09-13 16:20:35
5.   marc
I feel good with Sheff in the line-up, hope he has a good nite Holy sheet-Giambino lauches one!
2005-09-13 16:20:41
6.   Cliff Corcoran
Sweet Jesus! They really needed that.

These guys mean business this time. No mercy.

2005-09-13 16:20:47
7.   BklynBomber
Was hopin' that when I saw A-Rod in the 2 spot...
2005-09-13 16:21:23
8.   BklynBomber
Oh, yeah — everybody hits!
2005-09-13 16:22:15
9.   no2ss
'bout time, isn't it?
2005-09-13 16:22:38
10.   marc
Shit, sheff must be a cripple on that leg.
2005-09-13 16:22:42
11.   BklynBomber
Cliff, so far your headline is on the MONEY, lad!
2005-09-13 16:23:11
12.   vockins
This bodes well.

I'll extend the movie metaphor made in the the title and suggest "JASON... Jason... jason... KILL... Kill... kill..." for the wrapup blog post after the (here's hoping) win.

2005-09-13 16:24:28
13.   randym77
Happy birthday, Bernie!!!

But jeez, Sheff looks really gimpy.

2005-09-13 16:24:31
14.   KJC
Damn, is Giambi back on the juice?
2005-09-13 16:24:37
15.   BklynBomber
We're slappin' Waechter around like he owes us money. I'm lovin' it! I hope everyone is invited to the party...
2005-09-13 16:25:11
16.   Rich
How big a lead do the Yankees need to take Sheff out?
2005-09-13 16:25:20
17.   Schteeve
Cy Waechter is off his game.
2005-09-13 16:25:32
18.   Rich
Yeah, orange juice.
2005-09-13 16:25:49
19.   Schteeve
KJC Clam up.
2005-09-13 16:26:34
20.   marc
I wish I was watching the game. Bizarre stuff already. Maybe I'll pay for the last month of MLB TV but I didn't like it that much, I preferred to listen to Sterling and watch if it's on ESPN.
2005-09-13 16:26:37
21.   Rich
I freakin' hate those juice comments.
2005-09-13 16:27:27
22.   Rich
Best way for Sheff to score.
2005-09-13 16:27:44
23.   no2ss
Waechter pitches 0.0 innings. Nice.
2005-09-13 16:27:52
24.   JVarghese81
Now they need to run ration...get as many as you need tonight...and save the rest for tomorrow ;)
2005-09-13 16:29:14
25.   Schteeve
If i'm a major league hitter and I see Dewon Brazleton ambling towards the hill, i lick my proverbial chops.
2005-09-13 16:29:18
26.   KJC
You'd think with such a thrashing by the Yanks, you'd be in a better mood...
2005-09-13 16:29:32
27.   marc
All right, Sheff can walk home and wait for his next at-bat to put weight on his leg. I imagine if we're up 6 or 7 they'll pull em immediately
2005-09-13 16:30:32
28.   Rich
Don't smear Giambi without evidence, dude.
2005-09-13 16:30:42
29.   Cliff Corcoran
I'd like to see the Yanks wear out the Devil Ray bullpen tonight if they can. Gives them an advantage over the next two games.
2005-09-13 16:30:43
30.   BklynBomber
What was Brazleton suspended for? Juice?
2005-09-13 16:31:01
31.   randym77
Don't feed the Red Sox trolls, please.
2005-09-13 16:33:53
32.   vockins
I hope they see everyone in the bullpen.

Three pitch at bats aren't going to make that happen, Cano.

2005-09-13 16:34:14
33.   BklynBomber
Great point, Cliff, but hopefully we won't see Baez tonight — which would probably mean a tight game where Flash or Mo has to work, too... here's hopin' Jared is Wright.
2005-09-13 16:34:52
34.   Stormer Sports
Happy Birthday Bernie!
2005-09-13 16:35:26
35.   marc
They badly need one more hit
2005-09-13 16:35:34
36.   Stormer Sports
Brazelton looks tough, good thing we scored.
2005-09-13 16:35:55
37.   Stormer Sports
Come on Jete, keep em movin.
2005-09-13 16:36:18
38.   Stormer Sports
or not.
2005-09-13 16:36:43
39.   randym77
Well, at least Jeter worked the count full. Now that they're up by 5, maybe they'll relax and have a little more patience at the plate. Make 'em throw a lot of pitches.
2005-09-13 16:38:13
40.   Stormer Sports
Hey, here is where the rubber meets the road, it's Wright's to lose or win. Can't ask for much more than this as a pitcher.

If history is a predictor, if we score 8 or 9 tonight, we'll score 2 tomorrow, lets go Jaret!

2005-09-13 16:40:45
41.   Stormer Sports
Ok, this game is too important, I'm going to settle in to watch and/or listen . . . have fun guys, positive energy all around, Lets Go Yankees!
2005-09-13 16:41:21
42.   BklynBomber
If I heard correctly earlier, these bastards have overcome leads 6 times against us this year. Five ain't enough, we need to work counts, move runners and keep the heat on!
2005-09-13 16:41:49
43.   marc
I hope we get out of the 1st with a lead
2005-09-13 16:45:26
44.   JeremyM
I'm still not confident in Wright.
2005-09-13 16:46:44
45.   vockins
Is it me, or does Johnny Gomes look like he just finished a quarter ounce in his headshot on Gameday?

Why'd you walk him, Wright? The dude's obviously stoned out of his mind!

2005-09-13 16:46:51
46.   Stormer Sports
JeremyM

Five run lead and he still can't throw strikes, I can't imagine why.

2005-09-13 16:46:53
47.   rilkefan
Toronto draws first blood against Boston.
2005-09-13 16:47:13
48.   Rich
Worst thing that could have happened.
2005-09-13 16:48:27
49.   JeremyM
I suppose Wright is hurt again. Well, we know who the odd man out is if Mussina comes back, if there's any justice, and if Aaron Small's carriage doesn't revert back to a pumpkin.
2005-09-13 16:49:45
50.   Stormer Sports
Fuck you Jaret, 100% your own fault. It's the triangular shaped object directly in front of the hitter.

Strikes, take that tough guy caw out of your mouth, stop worrying about how cool you look and throw a Goddam strike, Jesus!

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2005-09-13 16:49:56
51.   Rich
We need more runs.
2005-09-13 16:50:02
52.   marc
Srrrrike 3
2005-09-13 16:50:46
53.   randym77
Don't give up on Wright yet. He was shaky in the first inning last time, too, but settled down.
2005-09-13 16:51:06
54.   Stormer Sports
That inning made Kevin Brown look like Cy Young.
2005-09-13 16:51:52
55.   JeremyM
That's true randym77. Hope he settles down.
2005-09-13 16:52:14
56.   rilkefan
Toronto 5, Boston 0 after 2.
2005-09-13 16:52:24
57.   JeremyM
No, that was a Kevin Brown inning, except he forgot to throw a wild pitch and plunk a batter.
2005-09-13 16:53:17
58.   Stormer Sports
I can handle giving up runs if I don't see 2-0, 2-0, 3-1. He better settle down. I'm just a purist, if you can't throw strikes, and you aint Pedro, or Johan, or Chris or Randy, you aint got business in this game.
2005-09-13 16:54:21
59.   Stormer Sports
JeremyM,

How dare you! You left out telling Mel, "I am keeping the ball down, aint you watching!"

2005-09-13 16:54:22
60.   randym77
Actually, it did remind of Kevin Brown, if only because Brown always has one really awful inning. Even when he's pitching well, there's one inning where he sucks.
2005-09-13 16:54:40
61.   Rich
If Torre takes Giambi off 1B when Tino comes back he should be shot.
2005-09-13 16:55:11
62.   Rich
OBP
2005-09-13 16:56:45
63.   Stormer Sports
Ok Ken Rosenthal, Giambi doing ok today? Yea, you go ahead and give that award to Mark Ellis.
2005-09-13 16:57:45
64.   Rich
Sheff gives new meaning to the phrase "clogging the bases."
2005-09-13 16:58:07
65.   Stormer Sports
Rich,

You see Giambi's numbers as DH vs. 1B? I could not agree with you more, although shot, hmm, how bout something a little slower than that?

2005-09-13 16:59:05
66.   Stormer Sports
We could force him to watch every St. Louis Cardinals loss while he was manager there, consecutively, a la A Clockwork Orange style.
2005-09-13 16:59:15
67.   marc
walk in a run bitch
2005-09-13 16:59:46
68.   vockins
Jeez, the score is going to look like a Bucs/Giants game if this keeps up.
2005-09-13 16:59:55
69.   Rich
I'm fine with anything that would remove Torre's decision-making authority.
2005-09-13 16:59:59
70.   Stormer Sports
Rich,

The Irony Is, He's Not all that Much Slower Now than He is Normally.

2005-09-13 17:00:16
71.   randym77
Beimel's warming now. Instead of counting pitches, we can count pitchers. ;-)
2005-09-13 17:00:46
72.   Stormer Sports
Pickin up bones

Pickin up bones

I'm Gary

Just pickin up bones

2005-09-13 17:01:27
73.   Rich
Mat with a gapper.
2005-09-13 17:01:43
74.   BklynBomber
A gappa! Sheff did clog 'em up!
2005-09-13 17:01:51
75.   randym77
Godzilla!
2005-09-13 17:03:07
76.   BklynBomber
Bernie Baseball!
2005-09-13 17:03:18
77.   Rich
Bernie singles...
2005-09-13 17:03:34
78.   randym77
Happy birthday, dear Bernie...
2005-09-13 17:03:38
79.   Stormer Sports
Sheffield stops at third, holy Christ, I'm literally rolling on the ground with laughter.

Pickin up bones

Pickin up Bones

Hey there, I'm Gary

Just pickin up bones

Pickin up bones

You really want to see me loaf?

Just pickin up bones

2005-09-13 17:04:40
80.   randym77
Holy crap!

And still no outs.

2005-09-13 17:04:59
81.   Stormer Sports
Kaye said Posada loafs to second, is he confused?
2005-09-13 17:05:19
82.   Rich
I want to see a consistent offensive attack during the entire series, not just a spike on a graph.
2005-09-13 17:06:32
83.   BklynBomber
We're on a pace for about 40 runs tonight... maybe we give Tanyon-Flash-Mo the night off. Or maybe not
2005-09-13 17:08:32
84.   Rich
Mo maybe. Tanyon will probably pitch two innings.
2005-09-13 17:08:41
85.   marc
come on Lou, throw a shit fit and bring Baez in until his arm falls off
2005-09-13 17:09:03
86.   Rich
Are they letting Crosby use an aluminum bat?
2005-09-13 17:09:06
87.   BklynBomber
Holy Moley! That was inches from a slam for Bubba!
2005-09-13 17:09:26
88.   randym77
Wow, Crosby almost did it.

And the damn Bosox came back, I see.

2005-09-13 17:09:31
89.   rilkefan
"I want to see a consistent offensive attack during the entire series"

I want Waechter and Brazelton to pitch during the entire series.

2005-09-13 17:12:04
90.   Stormer Sports
Shefield on First, here comes Giambi.

Its a hard hit ball to Center,

its back,

back,

back,

that ball is gone,

See Ya!

What's this, Gary Sheffield is asking the second base umpire if he can skip running the bases--

"Can you do that Kenny?"

"I've never seen that before Michael, it's a little befuddling, I guess he really doesn't want to run the bases."

The Umpire is irate, Gary Sheffield and the Umpire at posturing, it's ugly out there folks--

"I've never seen anything like it Michael."

"Me either Kenny."

"That's not going to make Yankeeography."

I don't believe it!

2005-09-13 17:13:49
91.   randym77
What's the record for the most at-bats in one game?
2005-09-13 17:15:57
92.   BklynBomber
Ohhh, for a second there I thought...
2005-09-13 17:16:52
93.   Rich
Here's a site with records, but:

http://baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_atba1.shtml

2005-09-13 17:18:04
94.   Stormer Sports
They're chanting steroids in Tampa/St. Pete, I've been to Tampa, they should be chanting . . .

WIC Check! WIC Check! WIC Check!

Oy Oy Oy . . .

Pabst on tap!

Oy Oy Oy . . .

. . .

Or as Homer would say . . . "Dental Plan . . Dental Plan . . .Dental Plan . . ."

2005-09-13 17:18:50
95.   Rich
Just throw strikes.
2005-09-13 17:19:07
96.   marc
good thing I was looking at MLB Game Day and saw Giambi made out before I heard Sterling screaming :There it goes to deep right, is is high it is caught
2005-09-13 17:19:09
97.   Stormer Sports
Ok Jaret, is this enough?

Please say yes.

2005-09-13 17:19:57
98.   rilkefan
"Just throw strikes."

Just get outs.

2005-09-13 17:20:51
99.   Stormer Sports
Sterlimg is something else. . ."It's going, It's a hard hit ball, there it goes, oh no, it's snagged by the shortstop."
2005-09-13 17:22:26
100.   blue
i am really tired of sterling referring to Gathright as a "little lefty hitter." seems condecending and oddly racist, but i may be oversensitive.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2005-09-13 17:22:33
101.   BklynBomber
OK. Let's get 5 more!
2005-09-13 17:22:47
102.   Rich
I truly think that Sterling is going blind.
2005-09-13 17:22:50
103.   Stormer Sports
2005 is indeed a new year. It's 10-2 and I am afraid to turn in off.

eats time.

have fun!

Go yankees.

2005-09-13 17:23:03
104.   randym77
Wright seems to have settled in.

But now we have Sheff batting first.

2005-09-13 17:24:45
105.   Stormer Sports
blue,

He keeps telling him after the game, "Hey, there is an extra 5 in it for ya if you get me my car back quick, ok Alfalfa."

"Oh your a ball player, who would a thought it."

2005-09-13 17:27:21
106.   randym77
Hmm. USA Today was showing the Red Sox with 5 runs, but they took it back. Must have been a mistake.

Cleveland is losing, too, if their score is accurate.

Take Sheff out already. He can hardly walk.

2005-09-13 17:28:39
107.   BklynBomber
I'm worried...
2005-09-13 17:30:38
108.   BklynBomber
5-1 Toronto, bottom 5...
2005-09-13 17:32:07
109.   BklynBomber
WTF is Wright nibbling for???
2005-09-13 17:32:28
110.   Rich
Jeez, he walked him with an 8 run lead. :(
2005-09-13 17:33:43
111.   Rich
Love it.
2005-09-13 17:33:49
112.   BklynBomber
The dead arm lives!!!!! Great throw, Bernie!
2005-09-13 17:34:01
113.   randym77
Tsk. Bernie may be old, but he ain't dead!
2005-09-13 17:36:50
114.   marc
What torment does Lou have ready for Crawford back in the bullpen after he gets thrown out on a stupid stretching attempt with an 8 run deficit
2005-09-13 17:45:02
115.   randym77
Toronto's up 6-1 now.
2005-09-13 17:47:36
116.   vockins
What happened in the A's/Indians game? It says:
"Delayed: Power" on Gameday.
2005-09-13 17:48:35
117.   randym77
They said that on YES, too. I assume the power's out.
2005-09-13 17:48:55
118.   yankz
They've always had the ability to throttle the D-Rays. The 13 run innings prove it. They just chose not to show up for 11 games.
2005-09-13 17:49:26
119.   BklynBomber
2-zip Oakland. 2 out, top of the 6th...
2005-09-13 17:52:05
120.   marc
I flipped over to the Boston Game day for a second and surprise surprise Ortiz just hit a blast making it Toronto 6-2 now over the Sox in 6th. Iguess Toronto still has a chance to hold on. Oy, Manny just got a base hit. I'll come back to them later. No point in souring a pleasant Yankee game
2005-09-13 17:53:21
121.   vockins
Don't get me wrong: I am pulling for the Yankees 100% to win it all.

But if the A's won, I'd be OK with it. They have had an insanely weird year.

2005-09-13 17:53:57
122.   randym77
Still no power in Cleveland. Jeez, yesterday half of the LA was dark, tonight it's Cleveland.
2005-09-13 17:54:10
123.   BklynBomber
Power outage @ Jacobs, looks like just two light towers are out... starting to come back on now...
2005-09-13 17:54:47
124.   Rich
Yo Torre, take Sheff out.
2005-09-13 17:56:36
125.   Rich
That power outage was a scam.
2005-09-13 17:56:56
126.   randym77
Play has resumed in Cleveland.

Yeah, definitely take Sheff out. We've got an 8-run lead. Make him sit his butt down already.

2005-09-13 17:58:20
127.   randym77
It's 6-3 Toronto now.
2005-09-13 17:58:57
128.   Mattpat11
I fear after a 10 (+?) run game, our next two games will have a grand total of 4 runs.

But, that shouldn't stop us from beat the tar out of Tampa tonight. Come on, I want 20!

2005-09-13 17:58:59
129.   Rich
Sox are getting too close.
2005-09-13 18:04:16
130.   Mattpat11
yep. And you can put money on their most mediocre pitcher pitching to Ortiz.

Hell, I don't know why Scott Downs did it. There's a reason you're Scott Downs and he's David Ortiz. Maybe you should consider it.

2005-09-13 18:06:00
131.   Rich
When will teams start throwing at Ortiz? I don't get it.
2005-09-13 18:07:36
132.   randym77
Holy crap! Bernie's playing like the Bernie of old.
2005-09-13 18:07:41
133.   Rich
Bernie would have caught that.
2005-09-13 18:07:47
134.   BklynBomber
Hey, who's this Williams kid in CF?
2005-09-13 18:08:12
135.   Mattpat11
I genuinely believe its out of stubborness. they firmly believe that they can get the man out with just the pitcher and his good looks, and they refuse to admit they cant.
2005-09-13 18:09:17
136.   tocho
As much as I hate losing to the DRays, its hard to hate them.

They are a bunch of guys that play hard and aggresive baseball vs. the Yankees.

My countryman Cantu is having an amazing season, I hope a good team picks him up.

2005-09-13 18:09:19
137.   vockins
Let's see three more guys from the bullpen, Yanks. Hendrickson going to be tough tomorrow.
2005-09-13 18:11:15
138.   Mattpat11
Another valid point regarding Ortiz is that Manny scares the hell out of people (and rightfully so) The best thing would be to hit ortiz, walk Manny and take your chances on whomever's next (especially good news if its Millar)
2005-09-13 18:11:30
139.   tocho
Hey Cliff, who is that pitching?
2005-09-13 18:14:03
140.   Rich
Cano's back.
2005-09-13 18:14:57
141.   JeremyM
So, is it because Sierra's back? Or is Bellhorn pushing him? Or just the end of a bad slump?
2005-09-13 18:15:46
142.   randym77
Cano always hits better on the road.
2005-09-13 18:17:09
143.   Rich
He hit like .500 on the last homestand.
2005-09-13 18:17:44
144.   tocho
I think its the best thing that the Bellhorn pick up brought. It lit a fire under his butt.
2005-09-13 18:18:10
145.   Rich
I think he just ended a slump. Maybe he made an adjustment to the opposition pitching him inside more as well.
2005-09-13 18:18:18
146.   tocho
Who said this lineup would deprive Arod of RBI opportunities.
2005-09-13 18:19:14
147.   Rich
The pitches weren't even close to the plate.
2005-09-13 18:19:16
148.   yankz
Haha, I'm sure this has been said before, but Tim Corcoran's pitching.
2005-09-13 18:21:36
149.   marc
Cleveland just tied the game with Oakland
2005-09-13 18:21:54
150.   Rich
Save some runs for the rest of the series.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2005-09-13 18:23:18
151.   Stormer Sports
Giambi could have 90 RBI by the end of the game . . . no Joe.
2005-09-13 18:23:29
152.   tocho
C'mon Cliff's relative get it together!!
2005-09-13 18:23:54
153.   Rich
Pinch run please.
2005-09-13 18:23:57
154.   randym77
7-3 Toronto, with a man on 3rd.
2005-09-13 18:24:25
155.   tocho
Toronto's up 7-3
2005-09-13 18:24:37
156.   Stormer Sports
Cleveland tied it? Jesus, lets go Oak-town, "Just Win Baby!"
2005-09-13 18:26:41
157.   Rich
Mat singles.
2005-09-13 18:27:38
158.   vockins
If anyone is in the mood to watch Keith Foulke disintegrate, turn to the Jays/Sox game.
2005-09-13 18:27:58
159.   randym77
Matsui's out, Lawton's in.
2005-09-13 18:28:12
160.   Stormer Sports
That gives Giambino 79 RBI? Holy Cow Phil!

He has an outside shot at 100, if that isn't Comeback Player of the Year, they will literaly have to dig up babe Ruth and send him out there to accept the award, now that would be a comeback!

2005-09-13 18:28:23
161.   Rich
Yet another hit for Bernie.
2005-09-13 18:28:30
162.   tocho
Now this seems more like the Yanks typical September, with our B team out there. Good times.
2005-09-13 18:28:52
163.   Stormer Sports
I am always in the mood to watch Foulke disintegrate!
2005-09-13 18:29:07
164.   JeremyM
Memo to Torre: this is when you use Wayne Franklin. And get Mendoza some work.

And in what kind of bizarro world does Sierra pinch-run for anybody? I guess a world where the Rays beat the pants off of the Yankees all season.

2005-09-13 18:29:29
165.   randym77
8-3 Toronto, and they got out of the inning without any more damage.
2005-09-13 18:29:50
166.   yankz
This is fucking beautiful.
2005-09-13 18:31:00
167.   yankz
Birthday Boy (Bernie): 3-5, RBI, R. Nice.
2005-09-13 18:31:00
168.   randym77
Jorgie! He's hitting well all of a sudden.
2005-09-13 18:31:01
169.   Rich
Seems so simple, Jeremy.
2005-09-13 18:31:01
170.   BklynBomber
No let up, Yanks! Keep pounding these F's.
2005-09-13 18:31:21
171.   Stormer Sports
Ramiro! We hardly Knew Ye!
2005-09-13 18:31:32
172.   Mattpat11
disintigrating Foulke is lovely
2005-09-13 18:31:44
173.   tocho
Memo to Torre: you should never use Wayne Franklin, its always too dangerous...
2005-09-13 18:32:03
174.   randym77
Man, this just seems cruel. Can they invoke the mercy rule? ;-)
2005-09-13 18:32:10
175.   Stormer Sports
Have the Yankees ever scored 30 in a regular season game?
2005-09-13 18:32:52
176.   Stormer Sports
randym77

Shut it!

2005-09-13 18:33:28
177.   Stormer Sports
Wayne Franklin is sleeping in Torre's garage.
2005-09-13 18:34:08
178.   marc
What a bizarre stadium. When cano hit that foul I was listening to the Tampa feed on XM for a second and they said that's going by the B-ring and now the C-ring and foul.
2005-09-13 18:34:25
179.   Stormer Sports
Disintigrating Foulke is like a warm Spring morning, birds chirping, water rolling.
2005-09-13 18:37:00
180.   Stormer Sports
Marc,

The only worse than the inside of that place, is the outside, I get chills just thinking about it.

Are we sure they didn't bring that team in, in the dead of night, where was I?

Why is Wright still in, Joe can Juuuuuuuust about get there, but seems incapable of doing the obvious.

2005-09-13 18:38:30
181.   Stormer Sports
Now if Mike Timlin can just take a liner to the head, we'd be there. With our luck they'd bring up their version of Frankie Rodriguez.

A Mike Vento Sighting!

2005-09-13 18:38:46
182.   Rich
Most runs in a game: 25

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nyy/history/single_game_records.jsp

2005-09-13 18:39:37
183.   randym77
I think that was probably the last we'll see of Wright tonight. F-Rod is warming. He'll probably pull Posada out, too. Everyone else is out except Cano.
2005-09-13 18:41:01
184.   Stormer Sports
Rich.

We should get 26 tonight, seriously, something else to make these guys feel like they did something together, as silly as that may sound.

2005-09-13 18:43:38
185.   BklynBomber
9-3 Jays, bottom 8
2005-09-13 18:45:19
186.   Stormer Sports
Please please please tell me they can score tomorrow, please please!
2005-09-13 18:45:40
187.   Stormer Sports
Please please please tell me they can score tomorrow, please please!
2005-09-13 18:48:48
188.   randym77
Oakland and Cleveland still tied.
2005-09-13 18:50:30
189.   JeremyM
Boston one out away from losing.
2005-09-13 18:50:33
190.   randym77
Jeez, Wright is still in. Though Jorgie's done for the night.
2005-09-13 18:52:44
191.   JeremyM
I just realized Womack is still on this team. My God did he fall off the map.
2005-09-13 18:53:06
192.   randym77
Bosox lost, 9-3.
2005-09-13 18:53:18
193.   Stormer Sports
So we are 3.5 out right now, correct? That doesn't seem right, but that's what MLB.com is saying. I could have sworn it was 4.
2005-09-13 18:54:06
194.   Stormer Sports
Cleveland, 3 run shot!
2005-09-13 18:54:52
195.   BklynBomber
We're 2.5 out if we hold this lead...
2005-09-13 18:54:55
196.   pmarcig
We should be 2 1/2 out. Cleveland up 5-3 on ANOTHER homer by Big Ben.
2005-09-13 18:55:55
197.   Max
Not to be a party pooper, but in case anybody needed reminding:

April 19: Yanks 19, D-Rays 8
Response: Tampa wins 5 of next 6 games, and scores 11 runs two different times

June 21: Yanks 20, D-Rays 11
Response: Tampa wins 5 of next 6 games, with no less than FOUR Yankee bullpen meltdowns, including two from Mo.

2005-09-13 18:56:10
198.   Mattpat11
Oakland is useless
2005-09-13 18:57:17
199.   BklynBomber
Who will be the first jerk on SportsCenter tonight to make a football reference to the score?
2005-09-13 18:57:44
200.   randym77
Hopefully, they won't be useless when they play Boston next.
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2005-09-13 18:58:00
201.   Stormer Sports
Bklyn,

Ok that makes more sense. I thought it was either 3 or 4, but knew we had played one less game.

This may sound odd, but I actually think we have a better chance of catching Boston than we do of winning the Wild Card, anyone agree?

With Cleveland at KC and a waining White Sox club, the loser (second place) of the East could miss the playoffs.

2005-09-13 19:00:22
202.   BklynBomber
Max — this is September, with a re-focused Yankee team. I wouldn't bet on that pattern holding...
2005-09-13 19:01:36
203.   Rich
Is Vento a junkie or something?
2005-09-13 19:02:41
204.   marc
Sterling is cracking me up. First he says it's about as quiet as a library then he notes how pathetic the 14,000+ crowd is, and imagine what they'd draw if it wasn't the Yankees.
2005-09-13 19:04:00
205.   Stormer Sports
Bklyn,

Ill make you a bet, I bet Stuart Scott from the Suburbs will make a reference intimating he hangs with Hip Hop Stars and they can actually stand him, my rattling off some lyrics from Jay Z about Bernie or Sheffield first, deal?

Am I the only one who grows tired of his entirely disingenuous routine.

I actually watched the other night, and he and what's his name, some white guy, actually went 1 for 1 for the length of two segments, neither of them calling a play from a player outside of their own race, well, Scott took the Latinos. I wonder if that is planned.

It went Rap reference-Rock reference-Rap reference-Rock reference-Rap reference-Counrty reference, it was rather disturbing.

2005-09-13 19:04:39
206.   Alex Belth
Well, at least Ventu will never forget his MLB debut. Yeesh, how embaraskin.
2005-09-13 19:04:45
207.   Stormer Sports
I take back everything I ever said about Mike Vento!
2005-09-13 19:04:54
208.   BklynBomber
Storm — I still like our AL East chances big time, and whatever the push for that produces will be probably be enough to secure the Wild Card. I'm not sure The Tribe can keep up their lights-out play for another 20 games...
2005-09-13 19:05:39
209.   randym77
That was even worse than Cano's little adventure in baserunning.
2005-09-13 19:07:15
210.   JeremyM
What happened to Vento? I already feel sorry for him.

This is actually a good time to use F-Rod. This guy needs work to be effective in my opinion. Although I was hoping he'd let Franklin spin the last 4 innings to effectively remove him as an option for Torre for a day or so.

2005-09-13 19:07:59
211.   yankz
I'm with you guys- where is Mendoza? Franklin?

I guess it's good that F-Rod gets some inings.

2005-09-13 19:08:56
212.   Stormer Sports
I agree Bklyn,

Can I really get my hopes up again? 2.5 back. Eeeks, only from the mind, of Mylanta!

Cleveland is absolutely En Fuego!

2005-09-13 19:11:57
213.   Stormer Sports
I think Torre has made up his mind to leave Frankin off the post season roster, go with two lefties, Lieter and Embree.

Pettitte, Pettitte, Et Tu Andy, Et TU! I would trade my girlfriend for Andy in that rotation right now!

2005-09-13 19:13:05
214.   Stormer Sports
Ventu needs to grab the green smock and hunker down at Starbucks . . . good going Jete, that's why you da Cap!
2005-09-13 19:17:53
215.   Rich
Bubba is making a statement!
2005-09-13 19:18:35
216.   BklynBomber
Bubba dogged that... should've been on third ;-)
2005-09-13 19:19:04
217.   marc
I wonder if Manny ever walked off 1st thinking it was 3 outs the way Vento did. Then again I guess everyone's bored to death and not concentrating with the score what it is
2005-09-13 19:19:46
218.   Rich
Pettitte didn't want to be here. Good riddance.
2005-09-13 19:22:43
219.   BklynBomber
Speaking of 'Stros hurlers — did we ever get our Hummer back from Rocket, that non-retiring SOB?
2005-09-13 19:23:58
220.   Stormer Sports
Rich,

You seem like a nice guy. I don't feel there is any reason to bad mouth Andy, he'll always be a Yankee in my mind, we raised him, and he moved on, well unless the Astos are in the Series against us, what, whoa, Astros in the Series, did I actually say that? I must be smoking what Vento is?

2005-09-13 19:24:51
221.   tocho
Finally, we needed a game like this a long time ago
2005-09-13 19:25:16
222.   randym77
What I want to know is if the Rocket got his Hummer back. Last I heard, it was stolen.
2005-09-13 19:25:47
223.   Stormer Sports
Bklyn,

You know what, that's a pretty good point, I mean not about the money--well not that I wouldn't like it--but on principle, I am interested to find out if he kept it.

2005-09-13 19:26:41
224.   BklynBomber
Yeah, that was solved within a day. Can't recall the specifics, but he did get it back...
2005-09-13 19:27:31
225.   rilkefan
I thought the front office hadn't tried to keep Pettitte.
2005-09-13 19:28:24
226.   rsmith51
I will always like Pettite, but Rich is right. The Yanks offered plenty of money to Andy, though a little later than he would have liked.

Now Clemens, I never really liked. He was always my least favorite Yankee. Though if he was on the team this year, Womack would have had that honor. Now not liking somebody and realizing how incredibly good somebody is are two entirely different things(see also Bonds, Barry).

2005-09-13 19:28:38
227.   Shaun P
I'm guessing a win has been a foregone conclusion for a while - but WOO-HOO anyway! Looking forward to reading back over tonight's comments, and seeing the highlights later.
2005-09-13 19:29:16
228.   BklynBomber
Storm, yes — he kept it, but never heard anything (at least in the media) about any sentiments Rocket had about it all. I mean, that was a pretty quick 'retirement', then 'unretirement' period...
2005-09-13 19:29:54
229.   Rich
Stormer,

I'm merely pointing out the following facts:

His last offer to the Yankees was for four years at $52 million, but then he offered to sign with the Astros for three years at $30 million.

Does that sound like someone who wanted to stay with the team that drafted him, developed him, surrounded him with enough talent to win four rings, and made him a multi-millionaire?

Unlike Bernie, he did ask George to make him a comparable offer to the one he was about to sign so that he could remain a Yankee.

2005-09-13 19:34:12
230.   Stormer Sports
Bklyn,

I really respect Rocket's pitching but he should not have kept it, it's just wrong!

rilkefan

Actually, cashman offered him more than he is currently being paid by the Astros, and a longer term deal, as well! He wanted to go play with Roger, and the reality is, if they are really as close as they say, can we really hold that against him, no matter how many games he won for us. I just wanted to see him get to 300, a number he has absolutely no shot at, pitching in Houston. Bible thumping aside. Further, his wife is fugly, gotta respect a ball player who doesn't trade his wife in for the hottest thing available.

2005-09-13 19:34:48
231.   randym77
He kept the Hummer. Gave it to his kid when he was accepted to Texas. Kid drove it to school, left the keys in it, and someone took it for a joy ride. They found it later in a parking lot nearby. (I just Googled it.)

I guess Longhorn orange Hummers aren't exactly inconspicuous.

I wonder how they got the money to buy him a Hummer. Did George foot the bill, or did they do what they usually do for retirement parties, hit up the employees? "Buck a man, to buy Roger a goodbye gift. Come on, don't be cheap..."

2005-09-13 19:36:00
232.   yankz
Rich, I hadn't heard those numbers before. If so, that really changes my opinion on Andy. I remember reading this ESPN article after he signed, claiming he felt neglected by the FO and players and wasnt ever really wooed like Mussina had been. I always liked him, he was definitely a big game pitcher.
2005-09-13 19:36:33
233.   BklynBomber
While the Yanks were hesitant about Andy's arm that year (which proved right when he DL'd for the season around June), but they also offered him comparable $$$, albeit not fast enough for his liking. The vibe then was Andy had his rings, his place in NY history, his money, etc. and just wanted to go 'home'.
2005-09-13 19:38:28
234.   Stormer Sports
Rich,

I can understand your feeling. I never thought for one second he was going to stay, that was his Agent blathering about offers to try to get a little more outta Houson, but it wasn't about money to Andy at all, and I have a hard time holding it agaist him, not after all he did for the New York Yankees. He did about as much for us, as we did for him.

2005-09-13 19:40:28
235.   Rich
yankz,

Reportedly, the Sox offereed Pettitte $52 mil and he wanted the Yankees to match.

Pettitte's legitimate complaint is that the Yankees made no attempt to sign him before his final season with the Yankees began.

There have also been rumors that Pettitte's wife wanted him out of NY because he may have had um, a wandering eye.

2005-09-13 19:41:21
236.   Rich
Stormer,

You have a valid point, but rightly or wrongly, I resent players who don't want to be a Yankee for life.

2005-09-13 19:45:13
237.   Stormer Sports
Rich.

Agree to disagree. But not everyone is Derek Jeter, or Bernie, or MO, some guys just can't do it for life.

2005-09-13 19:45:32
238.   Shaun P
Pettitte was my favorite Yank - for my 22nd birtday, I got a #46 jersey, wore it around Boston - you can imagine the reaction that got. He clearly had priorities beyond cash, and I can't blame the man for wanting to be closer to his family. I'm glad he's doing so well, though I wish he was still a Yank.
2005-09-13 19:48:17
239.   Stormer Sports
Shaun P.

I agree, and I still wear mine, without a single reservation.

2005-09-13 19:49:12
240.   Stormer Sports
Ok Ok, A Yankee win and the Daily Show coming on, not a bad night.

Good night guys.

2005-09-13 19:50:59
241.   BklynBomber
Rich — same here... Andy was a Yank from Day One. How the hell (especially during this era) anyone can want out is beyond me — unless it's purely selfish. The 'going home' thing really makes me laugh. Shit. You have the rest of your life to be 'home'. You only have so many seasons to make your mark with the greatest franchise is the history of organized sports. Each one is precious. Both he and Rocket blew it — with the sole exception that they help the Astros to a title this year, and both win 2 games each in the World Series.
2005-09-13 19:51:16
242.   JeremyM
Or maybe she's just one of those wives like Doug Christie's. I've always figured Pettite's Bible-thumping was sincere. But who knows? And not to be mean, but I noticed his wife was a dog too!

As far as the kid losing the hummer, this sounds like something AJ from the Sopranos would do. Just shows you how a life of entitlement can turn your brain into mush. OK, I'll probably regret writing that later!

2005-09-13 21:26:58
243.   rilkefan
"He wanted to go play with Roger"

Roger having retired.

Google gives a variety of NY sportswriters saying at the time that the Boss was indifferent to Andy and that the FO hadn't done much to try to retain him until it was too late.

Don't get me wrong, I thought he was a great Yankee, and he won a lot of important games, and he was the guy in '97, but I also seem to remember a fair number of 4+ ERA seasons from him (not that these days that wouldn't seem ok) and some playoff games where he got bombed, and I can see the FO wondering about his elbow, and I can see him getting the hint that he wasn't going to get asked back.

2005-09-13 21:34:15
244.   Schteeve
Pettitte was obviously drinking the Clemens Kool Aid. He wanted to follow his mentor. Plain and simple.
2005-09-13 22:20:16
245.   Zack
I always liked Andy, a farm kid who came up right when Mo and Jeter did, the start of the run. He was never as great as people made him out to be, but he went 13-5 with a 3.01 era against those nasty, ugly boys to the north east, and has a career winning percentage of .654 (just edging out Gator for # 25 on the all time list), with two 20 game seasons ( I know, wins are rather arbitrary but still). Plus he had that cigar store Indian face and all those damn t's in his name...
2005-09-13 22:29:46
246.   Schteeve
The best thing about Pettitte aesthetically was the way you could only see his eyes over his glove and below his hat brim. Very gunslingerish.
2005-09-14 04:57:08
247.   Nick from Washington Heights
I've heard the rumors about Pettitte's womanizing as well. The story is that he was such a dog that he became a born-again to try to save his marriage. And still that didn't work completely. So, his wife made him leave New York altogether to get to a more god-fearing wholesome place. Just a rumor, but a very believable one. My female and gay friends all agree that Pettitte was the best looking player of the bunch (even better looking than Jeter) during the 1995-2000 run.
2005-09-14 13:54:01
248.   randym77
Mmm...no. My female friends all thought Jeter was better looking than Pettitte, if a bit on the skinny side. In fact, they loved to tease me about how wide Pettitte's hips were. They thought he had hips (and lips) like a girl.

But I don't think it matters what Pettitte looks like. If you're a pitcher with a major league team, you're a stud. Even if you haven't won any World Series rings and look like Randy Johnson, the women will be all over you. I suspect it's pretty hard for anyone to be a good Christian in that situation. Like trying to stick to your diet while all around you is a free all-you-can-eat buffet. ;-)

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