Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
One of Cliff's favorites, D. Rasner is on the hill tonight for the Infamous Bronx Bomb Squad. The hapless Orioles are a team simply going through the motions at this point. Wonder if they can muster up the umph to play a competitive game tonight?
Oh, and off-the-topic, if anyone is interested in checking out some of my artwork--or music--check out my souped-up web site. Got some good tunes for the Hip Hop heads out there, as well as series of famous sports tirades (including ones from Goose Gossage, Lee Elia, Earl Weaver and Bobby Knight).
Seventh inning stretch, Dodgers lead 17-11, 13 pitchers thus far, 306 pitches thrown.
Cool tirades, Alex. I only got to the Goose one so far. Just imagine if A-Rod went off like that.
http://futilityinfielder.com/blog/2006/09/grasping-wang.shtml
It might not be what Yankee fans want to hear, but it's an interesting article.
I love Wang. I enjoy his starts the most of any Yankee pitcher. I still have fond memories of that game where he had nine (9!) assists.
But I do think his getting the #1 spot is as much about how Moose and the Unit have struggled as about how good Tiger is. Which isn't good.
Starting pitchers
Mike Mussina
Randy Johnson
Chien-Ming Wang
Starters or long relievers
Cory Lidle
Jaret Wright
Relievers
Brian Bruney
Kyle Farnsworth
Mike Myers
Scott Proctor
Mariano Rivera
Ron Villone
Starting lineup
Johnny Damon
Derek Jeter
Bobby Abreu
Alex Rodriguez
Jason Giambi
Gary Sheffield
Hideki Matsui
Jorge Posada
Robinson Cano
Bench
Melky Cabrera OF
Sal Fasano C
Bernie Williams OF
Miguel Cairo IF
Andy Phillips IF
The only one that's even the slightest bit questionable is Andy Phillips, IMO. There's a chance Joe might go with Wilson or Guiel instead. But probably not. He clearly thinks Andy is the best defender at 1B, so will probably go with him.
Hell, I didn't know he was still on the team.
On the pitching side, do you really need two #4/#5/long relief pitchers? If you're forced to use Wright and Lidle, then you are in a world of hurt anyway.
I don't think we need big bats on the bench. What I want is versatility. Guys who can pinch-run and play good defense at more than one position. Miggy meets that criteria, and I guess Melky does, too. I wish Andy had more going for him that his supposed good glove. He's a terrible baserunner and not that hot at the plate. But then, Wilson and Guiel aren't exactly speedy, either.
Pitching is worrisome. I think we may have to use Wright or Lidle, unfortunately.
couple days before the season ends, and he's got a NO HITTER going.
Wow. A NO HITTER. Michael Kay must be thrilled.
Likewise a back-up IF. Under what circumstances with Cairo actually play? PR for Giambi is possible, but he won't play in the field unless A-Rod, Jeter, or Cano is hurt.
If you want flexibility, then you should bring Wilson (1B, OF, C) or Gueil (1B, OF). I prefer Gueil because he makes a nice platoon with Bernie (not that it would matter to Torre) and he can play a little CF.
Of course, if it were me I'd be tempted to bring only 10 pitchers, at least for the ALDS, and carry 15 position players. Of those 15, Andy would not be one.
Whammy! Whammy! Whammy! (no Big Bucks, no Big Bucks!)
;-)
I figure one of our jinx has to work.
Cairo...he's supposedly the best baserunner on the team, so may get in the game as a pinch-runner. Joe's been known to use pinch-runners not just for Giambi, but for Bernie, Matsui and Jorgie.
I wish we had more speed. We've got a ton of bench players right now, and most of them are terrible baserunners. Kevin Thompson is probably the fastest guy on the team, but we don't need another OFer. Plus there's rumors of attitude problems with him, so I'd be very surprised if he made the post-season roster.
Let's go Yan-kees! No-no and shutout end here...
And if Phillips is going to be on the PS roster, why is he not at third tonight, getting some playing time?
42 Because Joe doesn't really trust Andy anywhere except 1B.
(hey, when all else fails, bring some "Testament" into it, ay?)
To not even make this guy break a sweat (granted, a very good pitcher, but still), might make them realize that they can't just show up and expect any club, even the O's, to roll over. If this no-hitter actually lasts another couple of innings, it will be serious egg on the face of the club.
I don't believe it!
And a SHUTOUT too? Inconceivable!
You know, if Karim Garcia were still on this team, there's no way Daniel Cabrera would be pitching a NO HITTER.
(53 comments and no mention of Karim - I think that one's dead, but it deserved once last blaze of glory.)
Max you have a point. Bringing these guys back down to earth will only benefit the team in the long run.
The Yanks' having only 2 walks is also an indicator of that. He's not even an URP!!!
I'll take it, though! :-D
Are the Orioles' infielders making these errors on purpose or what?
I know in '64 that the Phillies blew the lead, but they still ended up in second place, right? If things go exactly the wrong way the next 4 days, the Cards might be finish in third. Greatest choke ever? I'd say so!
He shall end this
Though I do wonder if his hitting will deteriorate if he's not playing every day. It's not easy to play off the bench, especially for young players.
Honestly, I don't see why its such a big deal. Its not like the Mets lost without Pedro, and its not like he pitched all that well when he did pitch. Sure, he's an experienced vet and all that, but he hasn't been PEDRO in about 3 years, maybe longer. The Mets will be fine without him.
And that just sucked.
I hope they do, actually. By next April, he ought to be back to being good. I hope.
that said, cano ends it in the 9th on a screaming double down the right field line.
think he'll be back?
/sarcasm
Honestly, I don't care if they lose tonight, but for f*ck's sake, just get ONE HIT!!!
In the lineup yesterday: 16 runs scored
Not in the lineup today: 0 hits
And Mauer is 0 for 3 tonight...
56 It'll never die...
56 It'll never die...
i'm sorry, i'm sorry, i'm sorry! i should have used tinyURL. i get it now.
but do i deserve this??
Besides, anything that makes it harder for Tanyon Sturtze to make it back onto this team is a good thing.
Is it wrong to have a man-crush on this guy?
F*CK YOU MICHAEL KAY!
Did I mention that Karim said that it would be Cano-no that broke up the no-no?
not a screaming double, but i'll take it; still, getting one hit is nothing to brag about
"That's all we got is one goddman hit?"
"You can't say goddamn on the air. . ."
"Who cares? No one's listening. . ."
Wow, now Baltimore has 68 wins! Maybe they can crack the 70 mark before Sunday!
When Robbie fixed everything (well, more or less) I knew I had to check in on the Banter. I see that LI yankee (no relation to yours truly) called it.
Minnie fans must be pulling their hair out.
Can't predict baseball.
Oh, you'd rather play the Tigers.
Are you a Duke fan, too?
Also, KC Freaking Bullpen.
I'm out for the night... Go Gamecocks.
And he'd look good in pinstripes.
That's pretty cool, man.
Cub Manager Lee Elia, "The f%cking changes that have happened in the Cub organization are MULTIFOLD. Alright, they don't show because we're 5 and 14. And unfortunately that's the criteria of them dumb 15% m#therf%cking percent who come out to day baseball."
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