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Detroit Tigers
2006-05-29 08:46
by Cliff Corcoran

After dropping the opener to the Royals at home, the Yankees beat up on the majors' worst team on Saturday (a 15-4 victory) and during the first two innings of Sunday's game. They then went down in order (save a Johnny Damon single erased by a caught stealing) over the final seven innings of the series, squeezing out a 6-5 win in the finale.

Today they're in Detroit for a Memorial Day afternoon special to open a four game series with the best team in the majors. The Tigers have a strong offense, which some of us saw coming, but have been winning with dominating pitching, which few if any of us did. This afternoon's contest features the two disappointments of the two rotations, Randy Johnson, about whom more need not be said, and Jeremy Bonderman, who was the Tiger hurler ticketed for a breakout and, through an odd twist, the only one who hasn't experienced one.

That's all I've got for you right now. It's a gorgeous day and Becky and I are going for a picnic. Enjoy!

Detroit Tigers

2006 Record: 35-15 (.700)
2006 Pythagorean Record: 34-16 (.674)

Manager: Jim Leyland
General Manager: Dave Dombrowski

Home Ballpark (2005 Park Factors): Comerica Park (98/98)

Who's Replacing Whom?

  • Curtis Granderson inherits Nook Logan's playing time
  • Chris Shelton takes over Carlos Pena's playing time
  • Placido Polanco and Carlos Guillen take playing time from Omar Infante
  • Magglio Ordoñez takes over Rondell White's playing time
  • Marcus Thames is filling in for Dmitri Young (DL)
  • Ramon Santiago replaces John McDonald and Jason Smith
  • Jack Hannahan replaces Ramon Martinez and Tony Giarratano
  • Justin Verlander replaces Sean Douglass and Wilfredo Ledezma
  • Kenny Rodgers replaces Jason Johnson
  • Ramon Colon inherits Troy Percival's innings and is filling in for Mike Maroth
  • Todd Jones replaces Kyle Farnsworth and Ugueth Urbina
  • Joel Zumaya replaces Franklyn German
  • Jason Grilli inherits Matt Ginter's innings
  • Bobby Seay replaces Craig Dingman

Current Roster

1B – Chris Shelton (R)
2B – Placido Polanco (R)
SS – Carlos Guillen (S)
3B – Brandon Inge (R)
C – Ivan Rodriguez (R)
RF – Maglio Ordoñez (R)
CF – Curtis Granderson (L)
LF – Craig Monroe (R)
DH – Marcus Thames (R)

Bench:

R – Omar Infante (IF)
R – Ramon Santiago (IF)
L – Jack Hannahan (IF)
R – Vance Wilson (C)

Rotation:

R – Justin Verlander
L – Kenny Rodgers
R – Jeremy Bonderman
R – Roman Colon
L – Nate Robertson

Bullpen:

R – Todd Jones
R – Fernando Rodney
R – Joel Zumaya
L – Jamie Walker
R – Jason Grilli
L – Bobby Seay
R – Chris Spurling

15-day DL: S – Dimitri Young (DH), L – Mike Maroth
60-day DL: R – Troy Percival, R – Craig Dingman

Typical Lineup

L – Curtis Granderson (CF)
R – Placido Polanco (2B)
R – Ivan Rodriguez (C)
R – Magglio Ordoñez (RF)
S – Carlos Guillen (SS)
R – Chris Shelton (1B)
R – Craig Monroe (LF)
R – Marcus Thames (DH)
R – Brandon Inge (3B)

Comments (145)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2006-05-29 09:26:05
1.   Dimelo
YANKEES lineup today.

Johnny Damon CF
Derek Jeter SS
Gary Sheffield RF
Jason Giambi 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Terrence Long DH
Melky Cabrera LF
Randy Johnson LHP

2006-05-29 09:31:23
2.   seamus
the things we are doing with the DH position are impressive in their own unique fashion.
2006-05-29 09:36:11
3.   tocho
2 very own, intimate, unique fashion.

you have 4 options (bernie, cairo, phillips, long) and you go with the worst.

Now, having said that, it would be fitting for Long to have an amazing day. 3-5 with 2 hrs

2006-05-29 09:38:00
4.   sam2175
Posada at catcher is good. Giving up outs from DH is bad. As is generally Randy Johnson this year.

Andy Phillips should just beg Brian Cashman to release him. If only he had a clause like Carlos Pena.

2006-05-29 09:38:12
5.   Rob Gee
fsayigf Terrence rtycbhgd Long dgaskjed awASDHGDC
2006-05-29 09:47:09
6.   Dimelo
I read that Long is 6 - 13 vs. Bonderman, so that's why he's the DH today.
2006-05-29 09:48:29
7.   rilkefan
I seem to recall Cliff liking Polanco, but he's having a bad year. Leading off with his 0.313 OBP...
2006-05-29 09:52:41
8.   joe in boston
I'm going to ask Joe if I can DH tomorrow
2006-05-29 09:55:55
9.   rilkefan
Looks to me like Bonderman's allowing fewer HR, hits, BB than last year, but has the exact same ERA. Wonder about his FIPS etc.
2006-05-29 10:00:44
10.   Zack
Sometimes I just can't stand Joe Torre. This Long obsession has to go! I think its his goal to find new and painful ways to not play Phillips...
2006-05-29 10:00:49
11.   rbj
8
No Joe, Unit's DHing tomorrow.

I've got my ticket for tomorrow's game: Small-Colon. Now is it going to be a gut wrenching performance or will the Yankees have the intestinal fortitude to win?

2006-05-29 10:08:04
12.   joe in boston
You know rbj, have a great time. I can't make it to many Yanks/Sox games anymore. Too much trouble - our kids are little.

I'm hoping for the big bats to show up

2006-05-29 10:14:48
13.   rbj
Oh this is frickin great. Game's not on EI, because I'm supposedly in the Detroit market. Fine, Fox Sports Detroit should have it, and they do, at 7 pm. In the meantime they're showing an English League soccer game -- from Aug 20, 2005.
Yes, a live game is shunted to later in order to broadcast a repeat of a foreign game.
2006-05-29 10:15:59
14.   rbj
Well that's nice. No sooner do I post that than the Yanks - Tiger game comes on.
And a nice 1 2 3 inning by the Unit.
2006-05-29 10:16:34
15.   tocho
did RJ really finish the 1st inning without giving up runs?
2006-05-29 10:16:37
16.   Dimelo
Wow...an easy inning for the big Unit. I really can't remember last time I saw him have an easy 1st inning.
2006-05-29 10:17:34
17.   seamus
13 i'm impressed that they would even broadcast English League soccer. Only reason I don't follow it is that I can never watch it.
2006-05-29 10:20:06
18.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
Wow, Unit makes it thru 1 w/o giving up a dozen runs. 7 pitches no less.

I was just about to chime in, that tho the Tigers are hitting .280, good for 5th in the league, they don't take very many walks. Guillen at ss seems to be the only regular who does. First inning shows it.

(They seem to be making up for it with an oustanding sluggiung % however -- .474, 2nd only to the Jays and far ahead of our .448.)

2006-05-29 10:26:55
19.   rbj
Sheff!
2006-05-29 10:27:35
20.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
Why do they have Polanco leading off? dude has 1 walk -- yes, one -- in 179 plate appearances.

Makes Cano look like Giambi and Thome.

2006-05-29 10:30:59
21.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
And a .233 obp against lefties in 15 games this season.
2006-05-29 10:33:04
22.   Zack
Long trying as hard as he can to hit into a DP
2006-05-29 10:34:50
23.   tocho
fsayigf Terrence rtycbhgd Long dgaskjed awASDHGDC
2006-05-29 10:36:06
24.   rilkefan
Melky makes up for it though.
2006-05-29 10:37:13
25.   rsmith51
The Melk-man!
2006-05-29 10:37:49
26.   rsmith51
Why is Long batting ahead of Melky? They like Melky leading off innings?
2006-05-29 10:44:52
27.   rilkefan
Are those fly balls going out one of these days?
2006-05-29 10:46:48
28.   Jen
27 I was thinking the same thing. Is Randy on today, or is he benefiting from the ridiculously large Detroit outfield?
2006-05-29 10:47:55
29.   Zack
I'm thinking its a combo of both, being more aggressive and a huge park. Of course, now that he walked a guy, lets see what happens...
2006-05-29 10:48:41
30.   rabid stan
Hey, one of the Tigers just had an AB!

Unit threw more pitches to Inge than he did to Polanco, Thames and Pudge combined.

2006-05-29 10:49:35
31.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
Walking the number 9 hitter. Not being able to put away the guy who's struck out 41 times in 157 abs. Double plus ungood.
2006-05-29 10:50:22
32.   rsmith51
Is it just me or was Bonderman getting those calls?
2006-05-29 10:50:34
33.   rabid stan
And now the fun begins?
2006-05-29 10:50:46
34.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
And just like that Polanco gets his 2nd walk of the season.
2006-05-29 10:51:09
35.   JeremyM
That would be Polanco's second walk of the year.
2006-05-29 10:51:45
36.   JeremyM
Remember Thames' first ML at-bat?
2006-05-29 10:54:12
37.   yankz
I remember. On the first pitch he ever saw...
2006-05-29 10:59:26
38.   rsmith51
Anybody notice a pattern with Cano swinging on the first pitch?

Crap, Long is up...

2006-05-29 11:01:51
39.   Dimelo
Long...I never lost faith. Way to work a walk.
2006-05-29 11:05:10
40.   rsmith51
Well, he smoked it this time.
2006-05-29 11:06:55
41.   kdw
36, 37 Followed by shaving cream in the face during the post-game interview on the field?
2006-05-29 11:10:46
42.   tocho
a-rod with the arm there!! man, is he clutch or what?...
2006-05-29 11:11:37
43.   tocho
Impressive inning by RJ.
2006-05-29 11:13:26
44.   yankz
41 I believe so.
2006-05-29 11:15:26
45.   rabid stan
If MP11 were here, he'd give Johnny what for!
2006-05-29 11:18:34
46.   BklynBmr
36 41 Can anyone recall the trade Thames was included in?
2006-05-29 11:23:37
47.   rabid stan
Man, and Jer was almost out of that one.
2006-05-29 11:24:38
48.   rilkefan
45 - he'd be too busy ignoring A-Rod's RBI there.
2006-05-29 11:25:49
49.   dpmurphy
Wow. Just checked the box score. RJ's throwing a no hitter, huh?
2006-05-29 11:26:41
50.   rbj
Ah, a nice two out, no one on rally. And nothing hard hit, just good singles.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2006-05-29 11:27:24
51.   rbj
49
Shut up, dpmurphy.
2006-05-29 11:27:32
52.   rilkefan
46 - Ruben Sierra, maybe straight up.
2006-05-29 11:27:45
53.   rabid stan
48 And really, why shouldn't he ignore it? It's not like you're likely to start a rally with a 2-out RBI. Too little, too late. The innnings practically over. So un-clutch.
2006-05-29 11:27:52
54.   tocho
49 if you're a yankee fan, you have to take a few laps around your house/room to get the effects of that out.

If you're a tigers fan, well, good job

2006-05-29 11:28:52
55.   tocho
Jeter is out of the game... the bizarro version of him is in.

WTH!! no more injuries please...

2006-05-29 11:29:04
56.   BklynBmr
52 Thanks, rilke....

Jeter's out, replaced by Ciaro!

2006-05-29 11:29:07
57.   Dimelo
Why was Jeter taken out of the game?
2006-05-29 11:29:26
58.   yankz
Why is Jeter out of the game?
2006-05-29 11:29:52
59.   JeremyM
Oh crap, what's wrong with Jeter?
2006-05-29 11:30:12
60.   kdw
46 Looks like Thames was traded to Rangers for Sierra (ESPN).
2006-05-29 11:30:28
61.   BklynBmr
No word on Jeter yet. (Watching the Tigers feed on EI).
2006-05-29 11:30:55
62.   tocho
they did not say why. i did see him whince after a play a few innings ago
2006-05-29 11:31:07
63.   rabid stan
He's a Sox fan 54. Not to be confused with murphy(a Yanks fan), or the Drop-Kick Murphies, or any other murphy who inexplicably goes with the name murphy.
2006-05-29 11:31:47
64.   Simone
What is wrong with Derek? Any news? Crap! Not another injury.
2006-05-29 11:32:30
65.   yankz
dpmurphy is the same person who thought the Yankees payroll is double the Sox payroll. So, his/her comments aren't exactly worth reading.
2006-05-29 11:33:26
66.   BklynBmr
60 Thanks, kdw...
2006-05-29 11:34:06
67.   tocho
49 63 nice of him to be spending his holiday following the yanks game here at the banter.
2006-05-29 11:37:44
68.   kdw
Jeter jammed his hand sliding into 2d. Precautionary is the description.
2006-05-29 11:37:52
69.   tocho
jeter jammed his hand sliding into 2nd base in the 3rd inning
2006-05-29 11:38:23
70.   JeremyM
So how badly does Nick Green or Felix Escalona want Jeter to be hurt? I can't even fathom losing him for any significant time after all the other losses.
2006-05-29 11:38:32
71.   rabid stan
Think Bonderman will come back out?
2006-05-29 11:38:50
72.   yankz
68,69 any chance he misses any time? that would suck
2006-05-29 11:39:46
73.   rabid stan
I hope it's not some kind of Coco Crisp thing. No breaks please.
2006-05-29 11:42:03
74.   Chucksax
That's all we need - Jeter to have a jammed/sprained wrist bothering him for a couple of months. Particularly when he's hitting .350... this would be a great year for him to run for the batting title.
2006-05-29 11:42:06
75.   MattinglyHOF
When Bubba comes back Long will go.Idve kept Reese over Long.
2006-05-29 11:42:21
76.   rabid stan
RJ gets his nemesis, Brandon Inge.
2006-05-29 11:43:47
77.   Chucksax
Most of us would have kept a bucket of balls or a case of bats of T.Long... talk about a waste of space. Let's stockpile another ballplayer with NO upside, like Long and Erickson, instead of someone who MIGHT have a good/great year.
2006-05-29 11:45:31
78.   rbj
71 Tough call. Bonderman's at 99 pitches on a hot/muggy day. But the Tigers had to call up a minor leaguer for tomorrow's game. Ideally the Tigers would want a long man available for tomorrow. Plus Bonderman hasn't been hit hard. Still, he has pitched 6 innings.
2006-05-29 11:46:15
79.   kdw
Hope the hand doesn't throw Jeter off -- some of the analysts have speculated that this is the first time in a couple of seasons that his hands haven't been hurting which is one of the reasons he's off to such a good start.
2006-05-29 11:46:25
80.   Dimelo
Crisp broke a finger.
2006-05-29 11:46:29
81.   tocho
73 its unlikely it was not a head-first slide. I saw the replay and couldn't see what happened...
2006-05-29 11:48:13
82.   tocho
the no-hitter's gone
2006-05-29 11:48:47
83.   rbj
Ah well.
2006-05-29 11:48:54
84.   rabid stan
Screw you, Pudge.
2006-05-29 11:50:01
85.   Simone
The no-hitter is gone.
2006-05-29 11:52:07
86.   rbj
Still a very good outing so far by RJ.
2006-05-29 11:53:01
87.   rilkefan
Actually it's good that he gave up a hit, so Torre can take him out (say after next inning) having thrown a great game and not too many pitches.
2006-05-29 11:53:53
88.   kdw
73 81 Announcers said it looked like he hit his hand on the dirt as he was sliding into 2d.
2006-05-29 11:56:45
89.   rabid stan
87 Yeah, he probably would've had to throw >120 pitches to get the no-no. Still, hate to see it go. Nice job, RJ.
2006-05-29 12:00:52
90.   yankz
Baseball Musings says Jeter jammed his knee.
2006-05-29 12:02:01
91.   Simone
Is something wrong with Jason as well? What is going on?
2006-05-29 12:05:42
92.   yankz
For people with TV's, how has RJ managed to pitch so well? Good slider, or his velocity's back, or what?
2006-05-29 12:12:16
93.   Dimelo
Good job by Torre to take out RJ when he did. Don't want the Unit to suffer from the confidence gained in this good outing. Grant it we don't want to go to the bullpen so early, but I think Torre is thinking long term.

GREAT JOB BY ANDY!!!!

2006-05-29 12:14:05
94.   rbj
91 Defensive replacement. And Andy was needed on that last foul out.

92 Slider, I think. He's also been more aggressive this game, he actually went high and tight to someone earlier in the game, knocking the batter on his butt.

2006-05-29 12:14:51
95.   kdw
91 Think it was straight up defensive replacement because Giambi had just batted. Then Andy made a really nice play so it's worked out so far.
2006-05-29 12:17:41
96.   tocho
90 from the replay, that makes more sense.

92 94 agreed, the slider was working very well, also I noticed that he was able to locate his fastball in all 4 quadrants (sitting at 92-92 mph). I think it all boils down to command. I also liked the up and in to Pudge and to another batter I don't remember. Very good outing by RJ

2006-05-29 12:17:54
97.   rabid stan
Why on earth was RJ on such a short leash?

What's with Joe yanking pitchers with low counts when they are doing well? Hey, I'm sure if he'd given up a three-run bomb in the third, they'd have left him in to settle down, and he probably would've pitched through the 5th even if he continued to fall apart, but a double in the 7th? Time to go.

I really didn't think Bonderman would wind up outlasting Randy today.

Ride that pen like a rented mule!

2006-05-29 12:21:23
98.   Chucksax
96 - it was Carlos Guillen.

97 - most likely, Joe wants to get Proctor & Farnsworth another inning of work - Lord knows they've been underused lately. I'm surprised Villone is in - I didn't know Joe was aware he was on the 40-man roster.

2006-05-29 12:21:59
99.   rabid stan
Go Robbie.
2006-05-29 12:22:32
100.   tocho
97 I had no problems with the short leash. Its a really hot and humid day. He hasn't pitched well his last starts. Get him out of there with the shotout, 2 hitter and let him rest for the next start.

Villone was very good in the 7th. I would probably start him in the 8th., and then use Myers even Erickson if there's no one on. Then, for the 9th. you have to play it by ear.

Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2006-05-29 12:23:02
101.   Dimelo
97 So you don't think the Yanks will be better off in the long term if RJ is able to get his confidence and stuff back to where he wants it? You think Torre should have left him there and maybe he gives up a run, or two or three...for the simple reason not use the pen?

I love you too, Terrence F'ING LONG!!!!

2006-05-29 12:24:04
102.   tocho
sdajtkl terrence asdklñtlkherlñ long htoañeoiha why aoweinaoseih not oweihovasieh pinch-hit hoawehgaioseho him oweihaoise for him aowenvoiaseo with oinwoiehs< a lefty pitcher paoienñoi<fe
2006-05-29 12:29:35
103.   tocho
100 check that, I wouldn't use Myers today, with no lefty's on the lineup.
2006-05-29 12:30:51
104.   tocho
Villone is making his best audition for Torre. I hope he's paying attention there.
2006-05-29 12:31:52
105.   rabid stan
I gotta give Villone credit, but my beef is this: We all know that Joe, like a lot of managers, will tend to leave even a struggling starter in for five innings, barring a complete meltdown. Why? To save the pen. Not a bad idea, that.

So why pull a guy in the seventh, working a two-hitter on 91 pitches? So he gives up a lead-off double. The run probably scores (and again, kudos to Ronnie Villones for preventing that), but they're up 4-0. If saving the pen from the fifth inning is a good idea, so is saving it from the seventh, if possible.

Now I see they're going to try to squeeze a few more outs from Villone, but they'll probably end up using three relievers anyway, instead of two, and if they only use two, those guys are that much less likely to be available tomorrow.

2006-05-29 12:36:41
106.   randym77
I was listening to the game on ESPN radio, and they said Randy's velocity was the best they'd seen in years. 96mph. And the slider was deep.

It's 93F in Detroit today. (I had personal experience of it. Yech. It's incredibly hot, humid, and muggy in the Midwest today.) Randy has always said he doesn't pitch well until it gets hot.

If so, today was tailor-made for him.

2006-05-29 12:38:26
107.   rabid stan
So everything works out, probably in the best possible fashion, but I think RJ is smart enough to know when he's had a good outing, regardless if it's somewhat marred at a certain point. He was able to look past his otherwise poor performance against the Sox to the 8 K's and the last three innings pitched. He would've seen this game as progress even if the Tigers did get a few runs off him.
2006-05-29 12:43:20
108.   MattinglyHOF
Hope Randy can use this as a springboard for the rest of the season.Joe mightve wanted to yank him on a positive note.Villone looks good and Farnsworth is starting the 9th.
2006-05-29 12:43:36
109.   tocho
farns in to get 3,4 and 5 hitters.
2006-05-29 12:50:20
110.   rbj
Woo hoo! Nice 4-0 win.
2006-05-29 12:51:34
111.   singledd
This game just shows me how badly we need RJ to be RJ. We need to be able to have pitchers win some games and take the pressure off the offense. If we can have more games like this, it makes winning the penant seem a lot easier.
2006-05-29 12:51:51
112.   rabid stan
Tomorrow is the battle of the minor-league scrubs. Good to win this one.

Anyone know this Colon guy?

2006-05-29 12:53:03
113.   Simone
Good win. Hopefully, RJ continues this turn around.
2006-05-29 12:55:49
114.   wsporter
Man that was what the Doctor ordered.

They said at the Yes site that Jeter jammed his hand and they took him out so he could ice it. Any word?

2006-05-29 12:58:29
115.   singledd
Michael K. said he should be OK... and NOT be out of the lineup. Doesn't look like it can be too bad.
2006-05-29 13:08:47
116.   rbj
Colon started the season the DL list for the Mudhens. Activated on May 1, he started 2 games, 6.2 IP, gave up 4 hits 2 BB, 5 unearned runs (0.00 ERA) with 6 Ks.
Recalled to Detroit on the 11th, he pitched 10 innings in 3 games, 3.60 ERA 10 hits, 5 BB 7 Ks. Haven't seen him pitch, so I don't know what stuff he has, but I suspect Leyland is going to have to piece together 9 innings by using the bullpen a lot.
Basically, it is going to be emergency starter vs. emergency starter.
2006-05-29 13:10:24
117.   Simone
At least, the news about Derek's hand is good so far.
2006-05-29 13:13:00
118.   Harley
One thing worth noting, I'm not sure Farnsworth threw a single slider today. Gas, gas, gas.

And a good result.

2006-05-29 13:13:03
119.   wsporter
115 Thanks, Yeah but you know him it'd have to be broken, dislocated or missing to keep him out. Hope its ok.
2006-05-29 13:17:18
120.   Zack
Jeter wouldn't let himself be out of the lineup anyways.

I have to say, I am glad in many ways that RJ didn't get the no-no. It somehow seems easier to chalk that up to a freak occurance, as opposed to a two hitter, which usually signifies darn good pitching. From my tiny mlb.tv screen, I saw a fastball that hit spots, and interestingly, seemed to change speeds a lot. Maybe a Moose influence? I also saw a nasty slider that actually hit the dirt rather than staying up to be hit. And as already mentioned, I saw an aggressive, nasty Randy who went after hitters rather than letting them go after him. There was also the benefit of a huge park, but not many of the balls were to the warning track...

Build of that Johnson, because a team with Moose and you pitching like that is in another world of better....

2006-05-29 13:24:26
121.   Harley
Jeter made it clear he didn't want to come out of this game, let alone miss the next. (On YES.0
2006-05-29 13:34:47
122.   randym77
Sigh. What is it with all the injuries this year? :-P

And please, tell me that Torre is not seriously considering sending Bubba down in favor of T-Long...

2006-05-29 14:38:12
123.   wsporter
122 randy, I read Bubba was being sent out to EST then to a couple of MiL games. He's out of options. If Long is viewed as a preferable option they'd have to DFA Bubba if they want to try to keep him . Long is viewed as a preferable option only if this is a Bizzaro World. Right? Please say right.
2006-05-29 14:58:58
124.   randym77
Rotoworld says that the Yankees are expected to send down either Long or Crosby when Crosby comes off the DL.

And MLB.com has this quote from Torre:

>>The Yankees will have to make a roster move to make room for Crosby, but Torre has liked what he's seen so far from Long in the past week.

"He's a pro," Torre said. "He's easy to like in the clubhouse; everybody seems to be very comfortable with him. He's been in the fire before, with Oakland when they were winning divisions and getting in the playoffs, he was there. You can never discount that experience in my mind."<<

Um, Joe, what about how he plays? Doesn't that count for anything?

2006-05-29 15:03:00
125.   yankz
124 Haha good joke, but please stop faking quotes.

(That quote was fake, right? Nobody would actually want T-Long on their team.)

2006-05-29 15:08:04
126.   randym77
I hope it's fake, but if it is, I'm not the one who made it up:

http://tinyurl.com/encs9

2006-05-29 15:17:48
127.   yankz
Bubba's been to the playoffs, too. And he can actually play defense. It makes no sense.
2006-05-29 15:40:26
128.   Zack
Once again, the power of the Joe Torre "warrior," which is more often than not based on nothing, trumps all else. Stats you say, ha! Actual experience, please. Clear talent level, I don't buy it! Proven histories, nonsense! Don't you understand that these guys have "been there?" That's all that matters, they have a big heart, so even if they actually totall suck, they will still demand to pitch or hit, and that makes all the difference. Who cares that when they do "battle," they get clobbered, its about the desire.
2006-05-29 15:42:46
129.   Zack
With quotes like that, we can officially kiss goodbye to Kevin Reese, Thompson, or any other AAA outfielder every making it up this season...Don't we all know that if Matsui comes back that Long will STILL stay on the team?
2006-05-29 16:01:32
130.   markp
(Sometime in September):
"Long needed some at bats to stay sharp, so we gave Melky the week-end off. Melky's a good kid, but he hasn't been through a pennant race before."
2006-05-29 16:07:54
131.   randym77
130 Don't give him any ideas. Please. 0_o
2006-05-29 16:39:22
132.   brockdc
...In related news, Yankees manager Joe Torre was recently spotted in a downtown Dayton, Ohio bar courting former Oakland Athletic backstop Sal Fasano.

"He's a winner - a proven winner," said Torre. "There's a certain IT about him."

Acknowledging his team's current need for depth at catcher, Torre added, "I've never actually seen Fasano play in my life. But, according to BaseballReference, he was on those Oakland playoff teams in 2000 and 2001, so I'm sure knows how to handle himself in the fire, if you know what I mean."

When reminded that Fasano is no longer playing organized baseball, Torre scoffed. "At the bare minimum, I've got three guys on my roster right now that have no business playing in the big leagues. And yet, somehow, I've got all the faith in the world in them."

2006-05-29 17:23:16
133.   randym77
LOL. You just know Melky's going to find himself riding pine in the post-season, no matter how well he does. Even if Magellan is gone, Bernie will be there.

And don't look now, but Boston's down 0-6 in Toronto.

2006-05-29 17:29:43
134.   Dimelo
I'm loving Matt Clement...

I'm fascinated at the doom-and-gloom here, despite the Yankees win. You all putting too much in what Torre is saying. What's he suppose to say, "Terrence Long is a bum and we are only using him right now till we get a better option. I definitely don't want to play him."? From hearing the pre-game yesterday, it definitely seems like the organization is leaning on playing Melky over anyone else till Matsui comes back.

Unless that manager is Ozzie Guillen, Torre is not of the ilk to say his true feelings to the press. The only time I've ever seen Torre visibly upset was when Jose Contreras was sent to single A by Billy Conners and/or Tampa, despite Torre and Mel telling Contreras that he was going to triple A.

2006-05-29 18:18:32
135.   Rob Gee
D -
dwuhv Terrence fugzl Long wqudgo hccghl
2006-05-29 18:22:31
136.   JeremyM
Man, I really thought that was a fake Torre quote- it reads like something from the Onion if they were spoofing Torre. Yikes. On the plus side, he did recognize that a left-handed pitcher (Villone) can pitch to righ-handed batters. And yeah, I get that he has to say that stuff, but it does seem to be the way he thinks.

Fasano is actually on a ML team now--maybe the Reds?

2006-05-29 18:23:50
137.   JeremyM
I just looked and Fasano's on the Phillies for those who care.
2006-05-29 18:32:15
138.   kdw
134 So do you think that the combo of Clement/Wells/DiNardo make Boston attractive to Clemens? Seems like he could have definite impact there, where pitching is a problem but they have the offense.
2006-05-29 18:46:01
139.   randym77
Dammit. Just when I thought they were safe. Manny struck out, Trot popped out. Then Varitek hit a three-run homer.

6-6 tie now. :-P

2006-05-29 19:01:18
140.   Yu-Hsing Chen
Damn you blue jays bullpen.

Anyway good win for us today, hopefully RJ can keep up the turnaround.

Cliff I got a question for you, looking at the Tiger's stats, they are striking out like crazy (most in the AL) and pretty much not walking at all ( only more than the Royals Mariners and Angels...) they are also having the fewest SBs while having the most CS at the same time!!

That seems like a pretty toxic combo, they are pretty much reling solely on .AVG and SLG to get things done, they have a pretty darn good SLG and AVG right now and still are only middle of the pack offense, isn't AVG and SLG very prone to ups and downs ? is the Tiger offense really ok?

While striking out a ton and stolen bases aren't a huge deal, it's obviously not a plus, and getting so many CS is definately not a good sign, while low walks are always pretty bad in general I thought.

So here's the question, you really think the Tigers offense is around where it should be? or is it due to sink back sooner or later?

2006-05-29 19:13:10
141.   randym77
The Jays scratched out a run, and BJ Ryan made it stand up. Sox lose.
2006-05-29 19:14:37
142.   Yu-Hsing Chen
Whew Toronto won,
2006-05-29 19:23:54
143.   wsporter
Nice to see RJ with a good game today especially against those guys. It would have been ok against say KC but against a decent hitting club like Detroit .... good game.
2006-05-29 19:42:32
144.   rilkefan
Do the BoSox have no better choice for a tie game in the 8th than a guy with a 9.00 ERA?
2006-05-29 19:56:26
145.   Yu-Hsing Chen
144 no cause he hasnt torn his rotator cuff yet....:P

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