Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
Jason Giambi's bat has been ice cold, and he was 0-5 last night when he hit a solo home run in the top of the 13th inning last night to help boost the Yankees to a 4-3 win over the A's. Alex Rodriguez hit his seventh homer of the year, Jorge Posada had a huge pinch-hit double, and Robinson Cano banged out three hits.There was more sloppy fielding for the Yanks--four errors in all, two more by Derek Jeter--but the bullpen was outstanding. Starter Darrell Rasner allowed three runs in the first and then settled down. He was relieved in sixth and the Yankee bullpen, seven pitchers in all, allowed zero runs on just two hits. At this rate, it's a good thing that the Bombers have some off-days, because the pen sure is getting its work in.
I watched most of the last two games in Oakland, stayed up as long as I could before my eyes just couldn't stay open any longer. Dude, I'm a lightweight. Not that I've got anything on my mind. I'm only getting hitched.
Em and I are leaving tomorrow for the Bahamas, where we'll be spending the next week enjoying our Marrymoon. We're actually getting married on the beach, just the two of us, no family, no friends ("No Roger, No Re-Run, No Rent"), just a minister, a photographer and us, this coming Thursday afternoon at 1:30. The Yankees and Indians should be in the second inning, weather-provided, so raise a cup to us at some pernt during the game. I won't be rushing to check the score--which is why we're getting married in the spring and not the fall--but will check in on the Banter periodically.
Cliff and company will be holding it down around these parts, as the Yanks host the Tribe and then take on the Red Sox for the first time this year. You're in good hands, as the old commerical used to go.
Hey, how about a nice send off from the Yankees today as Andy Pettitte goes against Oakland's ace, Rich Harden.
And dang, Bruney is fast becoming a favorite -- from my perch it seems he's not afraid to fail, he just goes after hitters and if they beat him, they beat him.
Huge boost from Jorge with the stick last night.
Or maybe get one of the staff-written stories that invariably start off with the woman saying that she had just about given up on the idea of getting married.
Make sure you do some snorkeling.
And on that note, how's the storm going back there folks? The newspapers here are reporting it like its the apocalypse
Zack, it's windy and rainy (here in southern New England). I actually wouldn't mind it at all, except we've had practically no real spring this spring. {sigh}
My wife and I did almost the exact same thing as you, but 10 years ago and in Hawaii - got married halfway through a 2-week trip, on the beach, no family.
Best of luck to you and Emily!
Have a great time, Alex.
Here's wishing you and Emily a long, wonderful life together.
For what it's worth (absolutely nothing) the Yanks got smacked around by the Indians on my wedding day (June 15, 1996), 10-3, but we somehow managed to enjoy ourselves. Heh.
Wish you and Emily Bai Nien Hao Ho -- a Chinese blessing for the newly-weds which means literally 'a hundred years of good combination=joining=mating'. :D
And hello to everybody on Bronx Banter!
You guys have a nice party going on here which seems a lot of fun!
Yankz, I dunno. A rain day wouldn't be so bad right now.
I hope Torre takes note of what happens if you leave Giambi in the late innings of a close game.
Joe Judge - 1b
Jake Flowers -2b
Jim Brideweser - ss
Pete Rose - 3b
Jim Rice - lf
Bill White -cf
David Justice rf
Frank Bliss - c
Royce Ring - lhp
Buddy Groom - lhp
Eddie Priest - rhp
John Boozer -rhp (there's one at every wedding)
umpires: Fred Abbott, Wally Bell, Jon Bible, Homer Bishop
manager - Bobby Wine
Mazel Tov to you both from the Holy land!
16 Welcome, Fingers.
Andy is career 8-4 / 3.18 vs the A's, but hasn't won in Oaktown since '97. Hopefully that'll change today...
http://tinyurl.com/2sfomh
Wang due back in nine days? And what about Karstens?
Oy vey regarding Carl & Moose.
We could use Rocket right now, then let him spend July on the DL to get rested up for the post season.
And, if you will note, somehow Minky is still in today's lineup...trying not to get angry...
Bring it on.
From The Star-Ledger:
Cashman has barred Miller from doing interviews. But Miller recently told The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post: "I'm in charge of all on-field and off-field conditioning programs, like anything you see them doing on the field, anything that they've been doing in the weight room. ... I've been able to come in here and really kind of change this whole department around."
http://tinyurl.com/2agrl8
I say 9
Over/under on abs until Minky's next hit out of the infield.
I say 14
"According to The Baseball Injury Report (TBIR), there are 30% more players starting this season on the disabled list than there were last season... The injury list of the 2007 New York Yankees serves as a great example of guys who have trained improperly."
http://tinyurl.com/2m8unn
Now if only Minky could pull a hammy..
From 'another' Yankees Blog
Headline: Brian Bruney calls the A's Travis Buck "Classless"
Actual quote: Bruney... said.... "it wasn't very classy."
This hit a nerve of mine. Writters who intentionally sensationalize, distort and inflame.. and have the balls to quote the line that contradicts them.
There is a big difference between criticizing ONE act a person makes or one thing they say, versus criticizing the person (hope all you parents know this).
/Rant
My main focus players to root for today:
Abreu, Giambi, Melky and er... Dougie the Automatic Out Machine. No, scratch that. Dougie the Extra Base Hit Machine.
...My gameday is stuck.
How did Arod do?
14 pitches for Harden...
Sigh, why are we always rushing the early innings these past few days?
Come on, Andy. Keep us in the game.
99 I'm in NY and I've only been blacked out this series.
A streak would be nice.
For some reason, watching and listening to this series on YES has been an unual pleasure. I can't quite put my finger on it...
Yay! Arod!
Yay! Arod!
Now, let's score some runs.
As for thsoe being ready, any of the AAA guys are more ready than Wright is. Remember when Sean Henn was called up? Just like Wright, he was a hard thrower coming off a few good starts in AA, and got shelled, got injured, got his confidence shot etc. Just because they don't want to rush Clippard or Hughes doesn't mean they SHOULD rush Wright. he MAY be a big time pitcher one day, but this isn't the way to get him there. Check out riveraveblues.com, they say it better than I am...
Minky, you're gonna stink up the joint some more later.
Abreu, you suck big time.
Jeter's AB was awful. If not for Arod, the Yankees would be 2-8. If not for Jeter, they'd be 7-3.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TpdyxTWjwpk
A bad break, really.
Andy's been on a Rasner-like roll, as well...
That is simply not true. If Harden is blocking the path to the plate, he's fair game. If you don't want to get hit, stand aside the plate, not on top of it. The Catcher/Pitcher has the option not to block the plate if they don't want to get hit.
And Tex was right to do it. Completely clean play.
The reason the runner is permitted to bounce the Catcher/Pitcher is because he owns the path to the plate. Its a legal play. Like I said, if you don't want to get hit, stand aside and try to apply the tag that way. A runner shouldnt have to give up on the play simply because a player is in the base-line which he owns. I don't want it to happen to our guys either, but that's baseball, not tee-ball.
Get this party started!
We don't count on Minky and Pavs to lead us to the promised land.
A-Rod just doubled, and Harden has been pulled.
243
If Harden doesn't want to get hurt, stand aside. Whether he blocks the plate is entirely up to him.
Exactly! He had every right to run right over him, and should have! It was Arroyo who was in the wrong place, not Arod, and he had a legal right to run him over.
Yay, Giambi!!!!
Nice! (Giambi singled off Kennedy.)
This is good. Though it would have been a lot better if those two hits had come at the end of last inning. :-(
Pick up your duck, Robbie.
"And Giambi holds at third." Way to go, Wheels!
;-)
The punter is exposed and has no choice as to be where he is with his leg up in the air. That is why the rule is in place. It has nothing to do with injuries. The Catcher/Pitcher have a choice as to how to apply the tag. The player isn't trying to hurt the Catcher, he is simply taking a path to the base that is legally his. Dirty and legal are two different things e.g. Belle.
Posada es en fuego!
This is just like the "we don't play that kind of baseball" that kept us from bunting on a gimpy Curt Schilling in game six.
If it wasn't on purpose, then yes, it was perfectly fine. Its part of the game.
Agree to disagree?
288 Here is the sac-fly you wanted.
We don't see a lot of innings like this one. Very pleased.
WHOOOOO
And the line between trying to hit a guy so hard you knock the ball lose and trying to hurt him is pretty damn slim if you ask me.
And listening to Sterling and Walydman claim that Minky has good at bats and should bat against lefties as he promptly strikes out is just plain insane
Pettitte is pitching much better than his line would indicate. And his line is very good.
Also, no where in the rules does it permit runners barreling into players with the ball. If a pitcher/catcher is blocking the plate WITHOUT the ball, they are guilty of obstruction...there is no need to throw shoulder blocks. Personally, I think baseball should start enforcing both rules: both intentional collisions AND bolcing bags without the ball should be strictly prohibited.
It shows Ball, Ball, Called Strike and then it's stuck.
Yeah, Proctor and Myers. And maybe Henn.
A-Rod's primed for a truly great year.
Trust me, I play rugby, I know all about running into people without padding...
Remember, these are pitchers we are talking about. A butt bruise can put them out for a season :)
I'd send Andy out for the 8th, on a short leash.
Do I restart the program?
back to baseball...
Of course he should. 2 innings in a week? Is he Joe's girlfriend or something?
363 Entourage and that hot new agent
The Yankees are treading lightly on Mo, just like with Hughes. But that's not to say we won't see him tonight.
And it also shows 220.
How many pitches exactly did Damon take?!?
Looks like the team is having a second helping of bullpen. Eat up boys.
I bet he walks, actually.
And almost WWWOOOOWWW!
baseball isn't football and isn't rugby. It isn't won by how hard youhit someone or whether or not a runner crashes into a pitcher. its won by hitting, pitching, and fielding...
Is there some reason we shouldn't offer him 3 years/30 mil.? This is Mariano Rivera after all. Give him what he wants. There is no reason to think he cant close for 5 more years, and what's more, we owe him for being rock solid, class, and a steadying influence on the club. He's in better shape and more athletic than 90% of the every day players in the game. Even entertaining letting his walk is lunacy.
The have other stud arms in the BP.
Andy was great. I think he's probably the P of the G so far.
Scott Proctor in April: hard to beat.
I agree, but I gave up.
NOTE: The catcher, without the ball in his possession, has no right to block the pathway of the runner attempting to score. The base line belongs to the runner and the catcher should be there only when he is fielding a ball or when he already has the ball in his hand.
Yankee bean, Yankee bean, oh how I love Yankee bean.
THis is going to sound weird, but I'd pinch-run for Jorgie here. He won't bat again (knock on wood) and Nieves could play the ninth.
Oops, too late.
He doesn't have one from the A's.
Don't bother. I think they would be happy if the rule was that the runner is automatically out if the ball reaches the base before the runner, therefore avoiding all contact, then getting a glass of lemonade, a gold star, and a lolly from your mommy.
And, I imagine if you polled most baseball players, they would say that there is no place in baseball for Ryan Howard to be crashing into Tom Glavine, and were he to do so, there would be consequences. And were Glavine to survive at all, I am quite sure he wouldn't be making his next start...
Very appropriate the last regular #42 wearer gets in a game today.
470 Cano.
470 Cano.
And better job by Walker, damn.
(Is that how it's spelled)
My.
God.
That's depressing.
497 Get back to you after we see how Wright pitches on Tuesday.
Godda*()&#@@)&$#&&@#EH(&!$!!
And THIS is why Mientkiewicz should have leveled Harden. It would have been a tie game.
Doesn't happen often.
Against any pitcher.
Did we deserve this?
Where is that Mo Changeup I've heard so much about?
That AB from Kendal, where the Ump was all over the place didn't help either.
I was prepared for a happy evening. What a waste! Argh.
and it is true to a certain degree....
However, what does depress me is that this weekend reinforced that Joe Torre's bad tendencies have only increased
it is not so much a matter of being done but he is no longer automatic....he is the best closer in history...but not the best closer in baseball today....
The high pitch works armpits and above, but when it misses, like that one, its dangerous.
Un-fuckin-believable.
I will feel like shit for 2 days now.
Eh, I blame bad karma. Bachi, my grandma would say. We started gloating and making fun of Scutaro's lousy hitting too soon.
But for the relatively low cost, signing the best closer in the game wouldn't have been a terrible idea, even if he was hurt at the time. Buy low after all, something the Yankees havent done so much recently. I think he'll be fine, and after watching him here in LA, I hope he is. No one is even in his league when he's on.
I'm gonna focus on the positives from this game. Pettitte's strong start and our dependable pen. Oh, and congrats to Dougie for hitting again. Even for a short while.
I wouldnt have brought him in there, of course. But if healthy, he is the best, no doubt about that.
Two is always better than one. Especially of you live in Utau.
the best closer in history...
he is no longer the best closer in the game(see K-Rod, Nathan)
It's a long season. This time last year, who would have thought that Melky would be so valuable, or that we would lose both Hideki and Sheffield, yet still win the division? Two years ago we started 11-19 and had Tony Womack on the team. Who would have predicted that Wang and Cano would be playing today? Three years ago Jeter started in a terrible slump, going (I think) something like 0 for 30+ at one point.
The minor league system is much, much deeper than it has been for years, and maybe games like today are a good thing in that they force us to consider going to younger players who have a chance to step up. Who would have thought Scott Proctor would be so valuable last year?
I had my panic attack during game 1. Now I am ready to see how the season pans out. This is a team that can win 10-12 games in a row, can afford to make major acquisitions, and has a lot of pitching depth throughout the system.
Let's just see how the season goes. Tough loss today, but it's baseball.
BTW, it is going to suck for awhile to see Mo with a 3+ ERA on the box score, but that should correct itself in due time.
I would agree, but considering the teams that K-Rod faces regularly, hard to say he is as good as MO. And defensively, not enen close. K-Rod is in the dugout after each pitch, not in a position to field the ball. I like Joe Nathan, and would take him over Franky boy.
I agree. Some youth would be a nice change of pace. With Wimpy Smurf in Center, Clumsy Smurf in Right, Mendoza Line Smurf at First, and Fragile Smurf X 3 Pitching, we could use some youngsters.
This regular season is a marathon, not a sprint. (The post-season on the other hand ... but I am not going to worry about that now, there is plenty of time to plug the few holes that we do have).
Yea, it's a long way until Joe starts our worst starter in a game 5 or 7, simply because that is the guy with the most rest.
To give the blog a life, I would point out that the teams the Red Sox faced so far this year have put up the following numbers:
KC .229/.294/.359
LAA .264/.323/.360
SEA: .214/.265/.344
TEX: .233/.315/.388
Total: .238/.290/.364
(Stolen from a comment by SG over at RLYW)
Also, this is Manny Ramirez' batting line so far: .194/.310/.222
3 of our starting pitchers are on the DL, Jeter has looked really bad so far, Mo blew a save against a hitter he should have fanned, and Dougie Eyechart hits worse than my grandmother (who is dead). That's bad.
None of the pitchers on the DL need surgery and some of them are probably only on the DL so we can bring up younger players. Jeter will correct himself and is still doing well offensively. Unless he is injured (and better now than late in the season) Mo will be Mo. That's all good.
This team will be fine and should win 95+ games.
My only worry is Joe Torre. I am finally climbing aboard the bandwagon that his management of pitching staff takes way from his strengths. Maybe it will soon be time for him to go.
Here are the final minutes of the game at the Stan household:
rabid stan: Second walk.
Big Stan: At least it's the 9-hitter coming up.
rabid stan: It's not fair, is it? Mo against Scutaro.
ball in the air, idiot manchildren simultaneously lean left, ball hits fairpole anyway
silence
Mom: Did he hit a home run? Why is the other team celebrating? Is it over?
As one: Yeah.
Mom: What happened?
Mark: We lost.
Mom: But they were ahead a few minutes ago.
silence
Mom: Was it the ninth inning?
Mark: Yeah, it was the ninth inning.
rabid stan: That really sucked.
Big Stan: I think I'll turn in now.
Mo is good for a couple of blown saves per season, and we saw one of 'em today. While we woulda/shoulda/coulda swept this f'in series, this one will be footnote.
576 I love the .132 BA — and am eagerly anticipating his first 'Sheff moment'. I hope Leyland didn't quit smoking...
T Walker 1B .217
J Kendall C .157
M Scutaro 2B .095
Still hurts, though.
Not only was the location just a bit off, he also didn't seem to have the same zip on his pitches.
http://www.firejoemorgan.com/2007/04/joe-chats-with-no-one.html
584 I said it before, I'll say it again: Marco Scutaro is more clutch that Papi. That was his NINTH GW hit since he's an A. Geren is smart, and left him in because of that.
586 Mo's control was off, that's all. The biggest reason for his success is not his velocity or cutter, both which are quite good (and still were this game), but his impeccable control. When he loses that, it's a problem.
Every year there are questions about Mo, and everyone panics, and every year he's the friggin' man, and I don't want anyone else closing but him. I rue the day he's done.
Plus, they gave us Scott Proctor, so they can't be all bad. ;-)
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