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Almost Perfect
2007-05-05 23:39
by Cliff Corcoran

Chien-Ming Wang retired the first 22 Mariners he faced yesterday afternoon before losing his perfect game, no-hitter, and shutout all on a single swing when Ben Broussard poked a homer just over the wall in the gap in right field.

Jeff Weaver, meanwhile, had his first solid start of the season allowing just one run through five innings before melting down in the sixth. Bobby Abreu led off the bottom of the sixth with a bunt single (yes, he finally got one), Alex Rodriguez followed with a ground ball up the middle, Jason Giambi walked, and Weaver nailed Hideki Matsui in the thigh to force Abreu home (Matsui was fine and played the rest of the game, making a key running catch on a warning-track shot by Ichiro Suzuki to keep the perfect game going in the top of the seventh). Jorge Posada followed Matsui with a single off the end of the bat to plate the third Yankee run. After Robinson Cano struck out and Doug Mientkiewicz (who was 2 for 4 and briefly got his average above the Mendoza line) hit into a fielder's choice that forced Giambi at home, Weaver walked Melky Cabrera to plate another run and Derek Jeter finally delivered the knockout blow by doubling in two more to make it 6-0 Yankees. They'd add another run in each of the following two innings to make the final score 8-1.

As for Wang, the scary thing was he didn't really look that dominant. He went to four three-ball counts and gave up four fly ball outs through the first five innings. The Yankee Stadium crowd really came alive after Wang got two strikes on Jose Lopez with two outs in the sixth. Lopez worked the count full, fouling off a couple of pitches, but then grounded out to Alex Rodriguez, who had made a nice backhanded stop on a hard hit ball down the line by Lopez to end the third. With two out in the seventh, Wang fell behind Raul Ibanez 3-0, but poured in two perfect strikes low in the zone to run the count full, then, after a foul, struck him out on a sinker in the dirt. The pitch that Broussard hit out of the park was supposed to be another of those sinkers at the knees, but stayed up thigh-high and right over the plate. It was the only bad pitch Wang would make all day. He gave up a single to Jose Gillen after the home run, but erased it by getting a double play in the only opportunity he had for one in this game. All totaled, Wang threw 103 pitches (63 percent strikes), struck out four, and got 14 of his remaining 20 outs on the ground. Brian Bruney pitched a perfect ninth.

The Yankees have now won four of their last five and five of their last seven. In the first game of that smaller stretch, Phil Hughes took a no-hitter into the seventh. He and two relievers limited the Rangers to just 29 batters. Yesterday afternoon, Wang and Bruney combined to face just 28 Seattle Mariners. The Yankees have scored 19 runs in the first two games of this series and have finally won starts by Wang, Andy Pettitte, and Mike Mussina in the same turn through the rotation.

Johnny Damon didn't start yesterday after pulling up lame with a calf cramp in his final at-bat on Friday night. Joe Torre said that Damon could have played yesterday, and one expects he'll do so today. Alex Rodriguez was hit on the elbow leading off the seventh inning yesterday. He played the field in the top of the eighth, but came out for a pinch-hitter after Wang lost the perfect game. The pitch hit him on the elbow pad, but might have triggered his funny bone. There's likely no cause for concern, after all, the Yankees had a six-run lead in the eighth inning when he came out of the game. Carl Pavano is back with the team, but despite rumors of Tommy John surgery, the Yankees have not made an official announcement about his meeting with Dr. James Andrews. Cashman was supposed to speak to Andrews yesterday and could give some information today. Phil Hughes finally had his MRI and Cashman has suggested that his hamstring tear may not be as severe as originally thought, though he'll still likely miss the expected four to six weeks. Finally, Darrell Rasner, who starts today, takes Colter Bean's place on the roster. Word is Rasner will be optioned out on Monday to make room for Matt DeSalvo, whom the Yankees hope will be able to stick as the fifth starter.

Meanwhile, the availability of Mariners' reliever Julio Mateo is in question following a police investigation.

Comments (299)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-05-06 01:43:00
1.   Ali Nagib
I'm more shocked that there's been no response to Mark's flagarant (and successful) jinx in his Kentucky Derby posts. I thought that would have brought more ire, but the lack of comments on even this post make me think that perhaps everyone else is busy doing other things.
2007-05-06 03:28:09
2.   Yu-Hsing Chen
1 come on, a million people watch the game anyway and even people on other team's board talk about it, i certainly see the reason behind superstition in sports but blaming particular person seriously is just dumb, espically if it's a blogger or something, if u thought he was jinxing, what about Fox showing the Cone / Wells Perfect games just moments before Wang blew it?

Anyway, with Myers and Wang's effort the pen is actually got some reasonable rest over the last couple of days. and we're (hopefully) on track again. seriously Wang's good outtings since he came up have almost all been huge for us one way or another.

2007-05-06 04:59:33
3.   murphy
jinx schminx. sterling mentioned it seemingly every other pitch starting in the top of the fifth.
2007-05-06 05:22:44
4.   C2Coke
Perfection or not. Wang is the perfect Ace the Yanks' got.
2007-05-06 05:25:51
5.   Jim Dean
Second trip to the stadium and it was a thing of beauty to watch that game. Great to have the Wormburner back. But man, the stadium cleared out after the Broussard homer. The traffic is ugly, but still.

Since I didn't get a chance to point it out, and it's never too late for an "I told you so":

Unit was his 2006 varitey on Friday night - 7 IP 7 K 1 BB 5 ER. Of course, he's still overpriced, but with that performance the Yanks easily win the ballgame on Friday night and spare the bullpen in doing do. Indeed, Unit has averaged 6 IP in his first three starts, and that's coming back from major surgery.

Instead, they got a crappy reliever. Worse, of the ten arms that will have started for the team by tomorrow, exactly ZERO were acquired in that deal. Oh, and they spent three times what they owed Unit on a AAA Japanese lefty.

But at least Mfghdgbf and Nieves are still on the team.

Ok, I'll stop now...except, I told you all so.

2007-05-06 06:31:30
6.   seamus
5 You cannot isolate a single game and say, "We scored ten runs in that game, therefore would have won with the unit." That simply doesn't work. Given those numbers in a NL game, we probably would have lost the game.
2007-05-06 06:36:58
7.   seamus
It is just great to see our rotation getting healthy. We can survive an inconsistent #4 or #5 if we can have a healthy 1-2-3 of Wang, Moose, Pettite. That said, it would be nice to see more consistency in our #4 and #5. We'll just have to see.
2007-05-06 07:05:08
8.   yankz
The pitch Broussard hit out was a changeup, Wang's first of the game.

http://tinyurl.com/2vt29j

2007-05-06 07:25:41
9.   Blogcat
Hey, the Marlins threw Anibal Sanchez down to the minors--can we get in on this???

They need outfielders, we've got outfielders. And hell, they can have Carl Pavano back for free. Make it happen, Cashman!!

2007-05-06 07:57:51
10.   rsmith51
9 If they are smart, they will talk to the Devil Rays. Which OF were you referring to? Melky? Shelley Duncan? Kevin Thompson? Or one of the $13M+ men?
2007-05-06 08:00:00
11.   Simone
Fun game. I'm glad that I got to see it on Fox. Wang didn't know that he was pitching a no hitter:

"Whether Wang knew what was going on, that's another story. He insisted he did not realize he had a perfect game going until Posada told him after the eighth. "I wondered why no one was talking to me," he said."

http://tinyurl.com/2exlup

I'm excited for Matsui to get his 2000th hit to become a member of Meikyukai (the association of great players). Hopefully, it happens today.

2007-05-06 08:01:25
12.   yankz
That's HILARIOUS, Simone. I can imagine Wang thinking, "Does my breath reek? Is everyone mad because I accidentally called him Doug "Stinkiewicz"?
2007-05-06 08:31:31
13.   Max Nomad
YANKEES
Damon CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi DH
Matsui LF
Phelps 1B
Cairo 2B
Nieves C
Rasner RHP

Phelps! But Cairo too...

2007-05-06 08:57:06
14.   Jeteupthemiddle
Everyone is using my blog's name sake for their post titles today. lol

I have my own account of the game up there. In a little bit, I'll have pictures and such as well.

jeteupthemiddle.blogspot.com

2007-05-06 09:10:13
15.   Count Zero
11 LOL - That's just so...Wang.
2007-05-06 09:56:05
16.   randym77
The Marlins have a lot of young pitching talent, but they don't see willing to trade any of it. They desperately need a centerfielder who can cover their cavernous outfield. Preferably a power hitter. They wanted Baldelli, but according to the local paper, they wouldn't give up even a young bullpen arm for him. They were interested in Chris Denorfia, too, but again, refused to give up young pitching for him, and he ended up on Oakland.

I just don't see a match with the Marlins.

2007-05-06 10:09:16
17.   Jeteupthemiddle
Peter Gammons seems to think that the Giants want Melky Cabrera, but the Yankees would not accept Noah Lowry in exchange for him.
2007-05-06 10:14:06
18.   bartap74
I understand that Posada needs his rest, but why would Torre choose to rest Cano on the same day, leaving us with both Nieves and Cairo in the same lineup? Isn't one black hole a day enough?
2007-05-06 10:19:00
19.   OldYanksFan
Washburn is tough on lefties, so maybe a good day to rest Robbie.

Jetes is finally starting to pull the inside pitch... with very good results.

2007-05-06 10:21:57
20.   bartap74
But if Cairo is the alternative, are the Yankees really gaining anything by resting Cano?
2007-05-06 10:23:11
21.   Jim Dean
20 Exactly.
2007-05-06 10:27:21
22.   bartap74
Man, it's quiet in here today.
2007-05-06 10:36:35
23.   yankeemonkey
With all the fragile players on the team, I can't imagine Yanks dealing Melky for another fringe NL pitcher. He's not great, but it's not like either of the Kevins are good longterm sub options...
2007-05-06 10:37:18
24.   randym77
Torre wanted Cairo in the lineup. Cairo apparently has great numbers against Washburn. (Yeah, yeah, I know. Small sample size. But that's what Torre does. He looks at the batter vs. pitcher numbers when he makes up his lineup.)
2007-05-06 10:38:14
25.   OldYanksFan
By definition, when you rest a starter, you get an 'alternative'... no? And no Minky today, so Phelps balances it a little.

Guys need periodic rest. Myself, I would bench Cano once in a while, for swinging at so many bad pitches... and tell him so.

There are 25 guys on the team. You're gonna see our worst players... sometimes 2 at a time. This is the nature of the game. You'll see it with every team.

Cairo is batting 0.000, yet his OBP is only 0.070 below Cano's, or 1 onbase every 14 ABs. Cairo knows how to take a BB. I would point this out to Cano.

2007-05-06 10:41:08
26.   JeremyM
I really want Nieves to get his first hit.
2007-05-06 10:41:24
27.   randym77
Aw, c'mon, Ichiro. Give Nieves a break! Just one hit. Is that too much to ask?
2007-05-06 10:42:43
28.   bartap74
I wonder when the last time was that the Yankees' starting lineup included two hitters hitting .000 this late in the season.
2007-05-06 10:47:39
29.   bartap74
25 It's precisely times like this that make you wonder why the team with the biggest payroll in baseball has such a terrible bench. Yes, there are days when the back-ups will play, and nobody expects them to be all-stars, but replacement level is a distant goal for Nieves/Cairo (and Scrabble, for that matter.)
2007-05-06 10:49:51
30.   yankeemonkey
To Scrabble's credit, he seems to have picked it up a bit lately. Compared to Cairo/Nieves, give the dude a Silver Slugger!
2007-05-06 10:49:52
31.   bartap74
Just so I don't come across as all negative, Rasner looks really good so far.
2007-05-06 10:52:31
32.   JeremyM
31 I was just going to ask how he looked. If he keeps it up, Igawa needs to be sent down, not Rasner, since they've already committed to keeping DeSalvo up.
2007-05-06 10:54:26
33.   OldYanksFan
Cairo, batting 0.000, has all of 10 ABs.
2007-05-06 10:59:31
34.   randym77
I think the reason the Yankees have such a thin bench is because they have such a huge payroll.

One, spending that kind of money on the starters probably makes the bean counters reluctant to spend a lot of players who won't play often.

Two, players who are kinda sorta decent don't want to play for the Yankees. They want to play for a team where they have a chance to start.

People diss Cairo, but he could have made more money and started at 2B for the Mets. He preferred being a bench player for the Yankees. But I doubt you'll find many players like him, especially if they are better players than he is.

2007-05-06 11:00:07
35.   Zack
Well just checking in. Missed all of yesterday's game b/c of camping out in Anza-Borrego, and just got back now. Yesterday looks awesome, though its never good to allow Weaver to last through 6 innings. Thank goodness we fixed that up. Now, if we could just score some runs today!

How's Rasner looked thus far?

and 5, nothing liek thinking short-term, eh? Thats it for debating for me for the day, way too nice here...

2007-05-06 11:01:29
36.   Eirias
Boy, do the Mariners suck or what?
2007-05-06 11:02:14
37.   Eirias
Also, why are the Yankees so sure that DeSalvo is ready to come up?
2007-05-06 11:02:42
38.   randym77
32 Peter Abraham says Rasner is being sent down no matter how he does today.
2007-05-06 11:05:13
39.   Zack
Rasner seems to be one of those guys who has not and probably never will earn Torre's trust. Don't know why, just is.
2007-05-06 11:05:55
40.   zanderthegreat
Boy, do suck mariners the what or?
2007-05-06 11:06:35
41.   zanderthegreat
39 The opposite of Ruben Sierra, you mean.
2007-05-06 11:11:47
42.   JeremyM
38 I read that, but it doesn't make it any better. It's a stupid decision.
2007-05-06 11:11:47
43.   Zack
39 Exactamundo. And Minky...
2007-05-06 11:12:11
44.   Zack
Wow, I just referenced myself, awesome. i meant 41
2007-05-06 11:13:47
45.   bartap74
So one guy in the lineup hasn't homered in 2 years, the next guy hasn't had a hit in 3.
2007-05-06 11:14:45
46.   yankeemonkey
38 I wonder if Igawa needs to give his consent and/or go through waivers to be sent down, though. Anyone in the know? If that's the case, that might be why they aren't just shipping him down there.
2007-05-06 11:15:06
47.   zanderthegreat
44 Thats easy to do with so little posts. We my get below 100 today. that would be a first.
2007-05-06 11:15:17
48.   Zack
5 And by the way, funny you should mention that trade the day after Ross Ohlendorf pitches 6.1 innings of shut out ball...
2007-05-06 11:17:54
49.   Zack
Yeah, talk about lazy sundays on the Banter, huh?
2007-05-06 11:18:29
50.   randym77
46 I think Igawa is just a normal rookie, as far as the transaction rules go. There was talk that he might start the season in Scranton earlier this year.

Still...given the money we paid for him, I think they'll be hesitant to send them down. It would be like admitting they screwed up.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-05-06 11:18:58
51.   Jim Dean
Wow, Nives at 3-0 and he still couldn't reach base.
2007-05-06 11:21:40
52.   zanderthegreat
Cap. comin through!
2007-05-06 11:21:58
53.   bartap74
Phelps continues to contribute in limited playing time.
2007-05-06 11:22:00
54.   Jim Dean
48 He's getting his GO but 21 K against 19 BB with 32 H in 33 IP is not a good sign.

But I'm still rooting for you Dorf!

2007-05-06 11:22:47
55.   Zack
Shouldn't that prove to Torre that Phelps has the ol' Belly Full of Guts (TM)
2007-05-06 11:23:45
56.   bartap74
55 He still needs a walk-off grand slam to show that he's a TRUE YANKEE.
2007-05-06 11:23:52
57.   randym77
Oh, man. Are you ready for some football? Phelps is!
2007-05-06 11:24:31
58.   zanderthegreat
wow, john and suz are really arguing, ive never heard that.
2007-05-06 11:25:22
59.   Zack
Phelps did appear to not really need to do that, but I guess he really needs Torre to notice that he's on the team. Alright Bobby!
2007-05-06 11:27:38
60.   Zack
Arod seems to be pulling off the ball more of late, no?
2007-05-06 11:27:43
61.   yankeemonkey
That play by Phelps WAS completely uncalled for. But maybe he really didn't know where the ball was. The last thing we need is to start vengeful plunkings...
2007-05-06 11:29:31
62.   bartap74
Wonder how the long half inning will affect Rasner. ( ;
2007-05-06 11:30:19
63.   kdw
58 About whether Phelps should have plowed into Johjima?
2007-05-06 11:33:19
64.   SpoonG91
How long will Torre let Rasner go?
2007-05-06 11:34:43
65.   Zack
I have a feeling Joe will employ his patented "not in my circle of trust" quick hook with DR today...
2007-05-06 11:34:55
66.   Peter
Proctor's warming up.
2007-05-06 11:35:20
67.   yankeemonkey
Meanwhile in Minny, Sir Sid strikes out the side in the 2nd....And wow, does Joe have Rasner on a short leash or what. I don't get it.
2007-05-06 11:38:12
68.   bartap74
Rasner pitched very well into the 6th. He's thrown only 80 pitches and this is the first sign of trouble he's seen, but even with two outs, Torre won't give him a chance to work out of trouble. Does Joe have some kind of contract clause tied to the number of pitching changes?
2007-05-06 11:39:15
69.   Zack
I was reading the recap of yesterday's Twins-Sox game, and it talks about how Tavarez (how the heck can he be pitching well, come on!) outpitched Santana. Who'd ever expect to see that in print. Except that Santana allowed less runs but in one less inning...
2007-05-06 11:40:35
70.   Zack
68 like I said, Rasner hasn't earned Torre's "trust.." And Kay will talk about how Torre HAD to go to the BP here, as he always does, as if there was no choice, like Rasner FORCED him to..
2007-05-06 11:41:06
71.   Zack
And, let's juse hope he lets Bruney pitch next inning too, instead of doing one of his bring in a new pitcher to face a lefty type moves...
2007-05-06 11:41:13
72.   JeremyM
This is ridiculous. I did think the bullpen was getting a little underworked though.

69 I saw that too, very sibjective definition of "outpitched."

2007-05-06 11:46:43
73.   SpoonG91
Nice catch! and he had sunglasses on, as did Johima
2007-05-06 11:47:44
74.   randym77
Payback.
2007-05-06 11:48:15
75.   yankeemonkey
Theeeere we go. Give Washburn credit for not throwing at Phelps' head.
2007-05-06 11:48:20
76.   Zack
See Joe, Phelps can get on base in all sorts of ways! He continues to do what he has done all year, just get on base, how is he not playing more!
2007-05-06 11:48:52
77.   bartap74
Ponson v. Schilling? No buffet is safe.
2007-05-06 11:48:52
78.   SpoonG91
Phelps deserved it....that was a pussy move on Johjima
2007-05-06 11:49:12
79.   randym77
Yeah, Miggy! Make them pay.

He's so clutch. ;-)

2007-05-06 11:49:13
80.   Zack
What a fitting first hit for Miggy :)
2007-05-06 11:51:05
81.   yankeemonkey
78 Absolutely.
2007-05-06 11:52:20
82.   zanderthegreat
wow, this inning is full of mistakes.
2007-05-06 11:52:21
83.   JeremyM
Didn't Johjima get nailed last year on kind of a cheap play as well If I recall correctly, the catcher getting run over never happens in Japan.

How did Phelps take his payback?

2007-05-06 11:52:28
84.   bartap74
Why not pinch hit for Nieves there with Posada? If you don't want him to catch, move Phelps behind the plate and bring in Scrabble.
2007-05-06 11:52:35
85.   seamus
is this the bad news bears?
2007-05-06 11:53:22
86.   JeremyM
Wow, they're bringing someone in to face Nieves? Washburn could probably throw it underhand and get the out.
2007-05-06 11:53:53
87.   Zack
78 Careful, there are thsoe here who advocate plowing into people no matter the situation to guarantee being safe
2007-05-06 11:54:21
88.   randym77
83 I think he expected it.
2007-05-06 11:54:41
89.   zanderthegreat
63 yeah. i just got back, and my radio is screwed up, what happened that inning?
2007-05-06 11:54:55
90.   yankeemonkey
83 Took it like a man. He knew it was coming.
2007-05-06 11:54:55
91.   cult of basebaal
84 But Wil was due, due I says!

I mean, how much more due could you be than O 'fer the ENTIRE YEAR?!?!?!?

And the answer is, none really, right?

2007-05-06 11:55:58
92.   Zack
Not just O for this year, O for three years!
2007-05-06 11:56:38
93.   Zack
And, as expected and keeping with Joe's flagrant BP burning, Proctor is in after Bruney comes in to pitch to one batter...
2007-05-06 11:58:25
94.   yankeemonkey
Oh crap.
2007-05-06 11:58:47
95.   Zack
Oh good grief, this is just silly
2007-05-06 11:59:14
96.   rbj
Well, that's one way for Proctor to get the rest of the day off.
2007-05-06 11:59:15
97.   Knuckles
why don't the bullpens just brawl out in leftfield?

it'd save them all some running...

2007-05-06 11:59:31
98.   Zack
Good thing we now have to burn another pitcher
2007-05-06 12:00:33
99.   Zack
Bettincourt didn't really need to raeact like that nor did the team. Suck it up, our guy did...
2007-05-06 12:01:18
100.   Zack
I'm all for Proctor throwing at the guy (not the head of course) or at least throwing inside, but couldn't Bruney have done it and gotten himself taken out to start the inning rather than wasting two relievers in effect?
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2007-05-06 12:02:57
101.   yankeemonkey
93 Proctor came in for Rasner, so Bruney is still available. This whole thing is just dumb.

97 They're trying to get a workout in at the same time?

2007-05-06 12:03:24
102.   zanderthegreat
97 it would be cooler too.
2007-05-06 12:03:36
103.   rbj
100 Yahoo doesn't show Bruney having pitched today.
2007-05-06 12:04:16
104.   cult of basebaal
92 Well ... my point exactly ... to the extreme!

Just because the universal principle of "dueness" didn't work out this time, doesn't mean it's not an immutable law of baseball, if you don't believe me, just ask Michael Kay ...

Question not the decisions of the mighty Torre, young disciples, just bask in the glow of his reflected wisdom

2007-05-06 12:04:28
105.   kdw
97 That's a great idea. According to Giambi over on LoHud we'd have a leg up with Farnsworth.

89 Washburn hit Phelps as payback for the Johjima incident. Next inning Proctor threw behind Bettancourt and the benches emptied.

2007-05-06 12:04:42
106.   Zack
Oh damn your right, maybe if I had shut my yapper and checked the box score i wouldn't look like such a tool.

In that case, way to go Scotty!

2007-05-06 12:07:02
107.   cult of basebaal
we get any real action in this brawl?
2007-05-06 12:08:08
108.   yankeemonkey
Basebrawls are so lame. Lots of shouting and handwaving and nothing ever really happens (the Yanks-Sox broohaha nonwithstanding). If you want to fight, fight, don't just do the macho posturing crap.
2007-05-06 12:08:30
109.   kdw
107 Not other than the pitchers getting in their running by coming in from the bullpen.
2007-05-06 12:09:44
110.   Knuckles
holy sht
2007-05-06 12:09:51
111.   yankeemonkey
WHAAAA????
2007-05-06 12:09:56
112.   rbj
WOW!
2007-05-06 12:10:23
113.   Alvaro Espinoza
Not sure I liked the way that was announced.
2007-05-06 12:10:26
114.   yankeemonkey
no f*king way.
2007-05-06 12:10:37
115.   claybeez
Hell Yes!
2007-05-06 12:10:43
116.   randym77
Holy crap!
2007-05-06 12:10:44
117.   JeremyM
What's going on? Clemens?
2007-05-06 12:10:47
118.   zanderthegreat
ROGER! HES BACK!
2007-05-06 12:10:49
119.   BklynBmr
Did I hear right?
2007-05-06 12:10:57
120.   seamus
holy roger!
2007-05-06 12:11:01
121.   Zack
HOLY CRAP!!!!!
2007-05-06 12:11:56
122.   Alvaro Espinoza
Clemens announced he is back over from the owner's box over the stadium PA in btwn innings.
2007-05-06 12:12:01
123.   Zack
Roger in the house. Holy crap, what a staff we will have when Hughes and Clemens will be together, and what a teacher for the little Rocket!
2007-05-06 12:12:21
124.   rbj
So, Wang, Moose, Pettitte, Roger and then a cast of thousands.
2007-05-06 12:12:27
125.   seamus
dude. someone get ibanez new glasses.
2007-05-06 12:12:27
126.   BklynBmr
Somebody up there likes the Yankees today...
2007-05-06 12:12:28
127.   zanderthegreat
yeah baby!!!! Wow, i'm actually floating right now! I'm really in the air :D
2007-05-06 12:12:40
128.   Zack
Not even on ESPN already

And man, that sun is KILLINg Ibanez

2007-05-06 12:12:44
129.   Raf
oh boy
2007-05-06 12:12:53
130.   Jim Dean
I swear to God, I was just on YF vs SF calling out a SF saying I was fine with Rasner, DeSalvo, and Igawa until Clemens and Hughes showed up again.

Who knew I was that good!?

2007-05-06 12:12:58
131.   Jersey
When everyone gets healthy:

Clemens
Wang
Pettitte
Mussina
Hughes

Unreal.

2007-05-06 12:13:01
132.   AbbyNormal821
I know there's been various opinions about it, but I'll take the chance w/having Clemens back! YAY!
2007-05-06 12:13:16
133.   yankeemonkey
Guess that's why Rasner was heading down no matter what, eh?
2007-05-06 12:13:59
134.   Zack
Man, is Roger ever a media whore or what :)
2007-05-06 12:14:07
135.   JeremyM
128 espn is totally in the dark right now, I love it.
2007-05-06 12:14:07
136.   zanderthegreat
133 good point.
2007-05-06 12:14:56
137.   bartap74
Man did I pick the wrong time to go take a shower! I missed the brawl and the Clemens announcement. When is the encore?
2007-05-06 12:14:57
138.   rbj
Man, ESPN is going to be so bummed.
Tee hee.
2007-05-06 12:15:38
139.   Raf
The USS Mariner game thread is hilarious
2007-05-06 12:15:46
140.   BklynBmr
135 Heh-heh. The day is getting better and better...
2007-05-06 12:15:55
141.   zanderthegreat
Ow, i floated so high i bumbed my head on the cieling, matsui= 2,000 hits.
2007-05-06 12:16:13
142.   yankeemonkey
There's that run support Roger will be hoping for....
2007-05-06 12:16:37
143.   Simone
ESPNews is reporting that Clemens is coming back to the Yankees. Anyone else reporting this?
2007-05-06 12:17:16
144.   bartap74
Uh, Simone, look up.
2007-05-06 12:17:17
145.   Jim Dean
143 Read above.
2007-05-06 12:17:20
146.   zanderthegreat
143 Roger Clemens at yankee stadium.
2007-05-06 12:17:41
147.   Simone
Damn. Roger makes the announcement at the Stadium? Wow!
2007-05-06 12:18:18
148.   Raf
143 Clemens is coming back to the Yankees?
2007-05-06 12:18:21
149.   zanderthegreat
Cano gave up 22 for clemens, thats why he came! thanks robbie ;-)
2007-05-06 12:18:27
150.   Simone
I never thought I would be happy to see that guy again.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2007-05-06 12:19:28
151.   Raf
147 Funny, YES was in a commercial break, and they abruptly cut to the middle of Clemens' speech. Guess they didn't know either.
2007-05-06 12:19:46
152.   3rd gen yankee fan
150 Yeah, I kinda feel... I dunno
2007-05-06 12:20:00
153.   Simone
Congrats to Matsui-san on his 2000th hit and becoming a member of the Meikyukai!
2007-05-06 12:20:30
154.   Zack
150 I agree, and the way he did it kind of pissess me off b/c its so totally confirming his attention-whorish nature, but on the other hand, who better to tutor Hughes and stabalize the rotation?
2007-05-06 12:20:55
155.   Simone
Roger is having a press conference afterwards and it will be on ESPNews.
2007-05-06 12:21:45
156.   yankeemonkey
I wasn't in favor of this signing before the season began, but with all the injuries, better him than Igawa, that's for sure. And it doesn't cost anything except $$ and gives the kids in the minors time to develop. Now let's just hope hes' not completely washed up for AL East!
2007-05-06 12:22:34
157.   Raf
I wonder what the contract terms are. Guess it's a good thing Cashman trimmed so much payroll last offseason, eh?
2007-05-06 12:22:58
158.   Ramone
Man, I can't stand Clemons. If only we didn't need him so bad....
2007-05-06 12:23:04
159.   BklynBmr
Rocket is in the booth now with Kay...
2007-05-06 12:23:05
160.   atc
How long before the Sox trolls (and the Sox fans who aren't trolls) start arguing that this signing isn't that big a deal because his numbers won't translate to the AL East?
2007-05-06 12:24:01
161.   Zack
Rockett looks pretty good
2007-05-06 12:24:04
162.   zanderthegreat
Yeah mink. I just made a hole in the cieling.
2007-05-06 12:24:08
163.   Alvaro Espinoza
154 That was my knee jerk reaction too. I even posted it above somewhere. Then I remembered that we didn't find out anything new today. Yankee haters will still hate the Yankees and Clemens is all about Clemens. So now I don't really care about how the announcement will play. Had the Yanks issued a nicely worded press release and kept it low profile, it wouldn't have changed anyone's opinion.
2007-05-06 12:24:42
164.   Ramone
Maybe the Yankees could work out an arrangement where Roger only pitches away games.
2007-05-06 12:24:53
165.   BklynBmr
160 We won't need Sawx trolls for that thread ;-)
2007-05-06 12:24:58
166.   Zack
160 I give it one hour. Although I could make that argument too, it doesn't matter. he's better than our #4-5 right now, so its an upgrade, period :)
2007-05-06 12:24:58
167.   rsmith51
I am sure I am in the minority, but I HATE the fact that Rocket is coming back. It is going to make this season less enjoyable for me. Oh well.
2007-05-06 12:25:00
168.   Raf
When Clemens' hammy acts up again, will we still be blaming Marty Miller?
2007-05-06 12:25:17
169.   rbj
160 That'll be the theme on BBTN. "Can Roger still compete in the AL East?"
2007-05-06 12:26:13
170.   williamnyy23
150 I LOVE the way they did it! Simply getting to watch one of the greatest pitchers EVER is more than enough reason to love this move. The fact that the Yankees desperately need him make it even better. The cherry on top is now Phil Hughes will be exposed to Clemens' worth ethic. What a perfect day in Yankeeland.
2007-05-06 12:26:55
171.   rsmith51
The good news is that this idiotic media stuff is settled now.
2007-05-06 12:27:03
172.   Jim Dean
156 I'm with you. Even if Hughes had been healthy, it probably wouldn't have been necessary. But now it's a perfect confluence of factors.

And I with Hughes being hurt, I really like that they can showcase guys like Rasner and, hopefully, DeSalvo for mid-season upgrades. Even Clippard might get a few starts if Igawa continues to shit the bed.

2007-05-06 12:27:31
173.   zanderthegreat
160 theyre doing it right now probably. "oh yeah, we could have gotten him if we wanted to."
2007-05-06 12:27:31
174.   Zack
167 I don't hate him, but I never really loved him either. He is what he is; hes not a terrible person. Selfish and money driven yes, but who isn't? You know? His ego is big, but hes a gamer and hes a good presence on the team. So I can't be too upset. I see it as a one season assignment to groom our future ace and stabalize the team until next year when we have a double headed monster of Hughes-Wang...
2007-05-06 12:27:42
175.   rbj
Even Cairo's fired up.
2007-05-06 12:29:06
176.   Zack
Hughes doesn't need Rocket's work ethic, he's got that already, what can't hurt is learning from one of the best about how to pitch...
2007-05-06 12:29:22
177.   Zack
Ugh, my mlb.tv is crapping the bed right now
2007-05-06 12:29:33
178.   yankeemonkey
169 To be honest, with this run support he just needs to be better than Igawa and he can probably manage that.
2007-05-06 12:29:44
179.   cult of basebaal
Igawa plunking Ichiro!, Phelps leveling Johjima, Proctor hitting Betancourt, now Clemens coming back, it's about time this team starting acting a little more red ass ...
2007-05-06 12:30:53
180.   atc
I have a shirt from his 300th win that I put in my closet after he went to Houston and haven't touched since. I don't know if I can bring myself to wear it again, but like was said above, he is so much of an upgrade that none of our personal feelings for the guy matter.
2007-05-06 12:30:54
181.   Simone
Peter Abraham said that the Yankees put out a press release that Roger signed a minor league contract. First the Alex Rodriguez trade and now Roger, Cashman can keep a freaking secret.
2007-05-06 12:31:14
182.   yankeemonkey
And Nieves is STILL 0-fer-'07.
2007-05-06 12:31:45
183.   williamnyy23
176 At 20 years old, Hughes most certainly will have something to learn from Clemens worth ethic. I am not suggesting he doesn't already have a solid base, but Clemens will have a positive impact on Hughes.
2007-05-06 12:31:47
184.   JeremyM
I like the announcement, sure it's a bit of showmanship but what's wrong with that? It's fun. Clemens is once-in-a-lifetime pitcher, so might as well enjoy it. I don't expect him to be a savior or anything, but I think he'll be solid.

Only thing that would make this day better is Nieves getting a hit here.

2007-05-06 12:32:05
185.   rsmith51
174 I like your level-headed assessment, Zack. I hope it work out, too. I have a feeling Yankee fans will become insufferable. And I am a Yankee fan.

Let's hope the Yanks get back to 1st place before he comes back.

2007-05-06 12:33:04
186.   Jim Dean
I would have been critical if they didn't obviously need him. Even if Roger is back to his Yankee self (read: not Houston) he's a LAIM. And he has the potential to be much better.

It does make the Igawa signing look like a complete waste of cash though. After that, I'm not sure they saved any cash.

2007-05-06 12:33:10
187.   cult of basebaal
why is Doug Out in this game?

we've got a 5 run lead for christ's sake.

why, joe, why must you torment me so???

2007-05-06 12:33:18
188.   thelarmis
only bad news in yankeeland is frank torre is back in ICU w/ pneumonia...

welcome back, Rocket!

2007-05-06 12:34:00
189.   Ramone
167, 174

I never liked Clemons very much before he went to Houston, but his behavior since has been truly repulsive. This whole "I'll sit out until I feel like playing" schtick makes me sick.

And I have no idea how people can get on Pavano's case for "not wanting to play" without killing Clemons. He's a Yankee now? Can I now blame him for not being there when we needed him last month?

2007-05-06 12:34:17
190.   rbj
188 Yeouch. Get well, Frank.
2007-05-06 12:35:46
191.   Zack
I think Kay is in danger of just freaking out and giving Clemens a big awkward hug and kiss, at which point Roger slowly backs out of the booth...
2007-05-06 12:35:58
192.   Simone
188 Not good.
2007-05-06 12:36:09
193.   Ramone
176 Clemons has such an inflated ego that I wouldn't put it put him to give Hughes bad advice.
2007-05-06 12:36:11
194.   cult of basebaal
185 "become" insufferable?

186 well, it's clear he's no Randy Johnson ...

2007-05-06 12:36:17
195.   Jim Dean
189 He's old. He can't pitch the whole season if you want him to pitch in October. See 2005 and 2006 for evidence.
2007-05-06 12:36:33
196.   williamnyy23
189 Clemens WASN'T a Yankee until today...Pavano has taken a weekly paycheck to do nothing for three seasons. Comparing the two pitchers doesn't seem like a very credible argument.
2007-05-06 12:37:22
197.   JeremyM
189 You forgot to mention him torturing kittens and gleefully running over school children in his orange Hummer:)
2007-05-06 12:38:38
198.   Zack
Another dominant start today from my boy Peavy. 7 IP, 1H, 2BB, 10K, 0ER. Just nasty...
2007-05-06 12:38:42
199.   cult of basebaal
for some reason, wil nieves reminds me of what richard dreyfuss' character had to say in Jaws ... except, well, he's a perfectly evolved out making machine ...
2007-05-06 12:39:00
200.   williamnyy23
193 It's Clemens...not Clemons.
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2007-05-06 12:39:01
201.   zanderthegreat
Rocket says cashman told him to announce it. John and suzyn are interviewing him right now.
2007-05-06 12:39:10
202.   JeremyM
193 Definitely, he really drove Schilling and Pettitte's careers into the ground.
2007-05-06 12:39:19
203.   Simone
I bet part of the reason that Roger is back because he thinks it will help him get into the Hall of Fame with a Yankees hat. Nope, you are stuck with that Red Sox hat or a hat with a $ sign, Roger.
2007-05-06 12:39:31
204.   3rd gen yankee fan
Clemens is on with Sterling & Suz right now... says he'll probably be ready to go by June.
2007-05-06 12:40:09
205.   Ramone
Can someone explain to me how Torre manages to use 5 relievers in a game in which the starter doesn't give up a single run?
2007-05-06 12:40:31
206.   3rd gen yankee fan
says Jetes was on him (to come back) (!!!) wow "what are you waiting for, let's go"
2007-05-06 12:41:37
207.   rsmith51
203 I chuckled at that one.
2007-05-06 12:41:58
208.   Jim Dean
Roger says Jeter has been on him over the phone and via email.

And Roger blurts out a "beautiful" with the final out.

2007-05-06 12:42:16
209.   bartap74
"Kim will be working the clubhouse furiously..."

Sounds kinda dirty.

2007-05-06 12:42:17
210.   Zack
Nice day indeed, two good days in a row, and the Yanks are on a good role, lets keep it up boys!

Matty D, you're on tomorrow! (Maybe we should send Igawa down instead, won't happen tho)

2007-05-06 12:43:30
211.   Simone
I'm watching Roger on ESPNews. I'm so freaking happy. Andy is laughing in surprise.
2007-05-06 12:43:42
212.   Zack
The thought of Jeter texting Roger somehow cracks me up...
2007-05-06 12:43:55
213.   bartap74
205 In a shutout no less.
2007-05-06 12:43:55
214.   Raf
Wiki has the Phelps play listed already...

http://tinyurl.com/24b48v

2007-05-06 12:45:00
215.   Raf
205 Well, to be fair, Proctor was ejected.
2007-05-06 12:46:32
216.   Raf
USS Mariner post #277

"If Clemens waited until September it might be too late. The Yankees are at the bottom of the AL East. Even assuming they get all their starters back off the DL and they're effective again, they've got a hole to climb out of — and they're not all coming back tomorrow, so the hole may well be deeper by then. And Clemens may need a few weeks to get into pitching shape, too. I am suprised he didn't wait until June, but the Yankees may have made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Will he be carried to the mound on a palanquin borne by oiled bat boys? Will they get a Concord out of mothballs to fly him out to NY from Houston for his starts? Will there be a separate staff of trainers, masseuses, and dietitians following him around? A uniform hand-woven from Imperial Chinese silkworms and a cup made from the fur of endangered snow leopards? Organic hydroponic sunflower seeds and a supermodel to crack and feed them to him in the dugout?"

2007-05-06 12:47:37
217.   Eirias
198 Peavy IS my fantasy team.
2007-05-06 12:50:09
218.   claybeez
The Clemens hate is ridiculous. He was never one of my favorites, but this negativity towards him is ridiculous. When we need a SP desperately he steps up. He does this rather than going full circle to Boston or staying close to the wife and kids. Right now I like Roger more than I ever have. We really need help and he's coming - on a white horse, with a reality TV crew behind him, with wads full of cash falling out of his cap - who cares? Geez. Some guys around here can spin anything negative.

The sun is shining. Our team won again today. The team just got great news. Be happy. Damn!

2007-05-06 12:51:06
219.   Eirias
218 I agree, though I must admit I would hate him with a burning passion if he went to the Sox.
2007-05-06 12:52:07
220.   Yu-Hsing Chen
Wow, just wow
2007-05-06 12:52:57
221.   Ramone
196 Obviously the situations aren't direct parallels, but the point is that WHATEVER team Roger signed with would have been better off having him for the entire season.

To me, it isn't about the money. I wouldn't care if Pavano was faking injuries even if he wasn't getting paid. And I won't begrudge him for taking a paycheck if the injuries are all legit.

It is about character. What if ClemEns had signed a contract in February for the same amount of money (presumably pro-rated for a partial season) and said, "I am signing for less money on the condition that the Yankees don't make me play for the first few weeks"? Would that be okay?

2007-05-06 12:53:25
222.   Simone
Awwww, the Yankees' pitching injuries played a role in Roger's decision to return.
2007-05-06 12:53:25
223.   Raf
220 Yeah, that Rasner is really something, isn't he? :)
2007-05-06 12:56:52
224.   Jersey
LOL Yeah kinda sucks for Rasner that Rajah announced today after his great start...
2007-05-06 12:59:34
225.   rsmith51
218 Funny, I was thinking the same thing about the Clemens Love. He is what he is. A hall of fame pitcher who may or may not be able to get AL lineups out. He will most likely help this team. It will definitely be worth watching. AND I will be cheering on the Yankees.
2007-05-06 13:00:23
226.   JeremyM
221 Did you know DiMaggio, the Yankee Clipper, held out for more money and showed up after the season had started before? It seems to me that the team, the guys he plays with and has to answer to, are perfectly fine with this, so that's good enough for me.
2007-05-06 13:01:08
227.   williamnyy23
221 Clemens was a free agent. I have no problem with him taking time to make a decision. Clearly, Clemens feels he'd be at his best pitching 4 months instead of 6 months. Until his name was on a dotted line, I don't buy the argument the he had an obligation to any team.
2007-05-06 13:02:07
228.   rbj
Ah, yes, Karl Ravitch "Does he (Clemens) have anything left."
2007-05-06 13:02:43
229.   williamnyy23
226 Exactly...I think some people just resent greatness. The same underlying current exists with the A-rod hate.
2007-05-06 13:02:46
230.   BklynBmr
ESPNNews' first question: "Does he have anything left?...
2007-05-06 13:03:56
231.   Ramone
225 While I admit that I can't stand the guy, I don't let that cloud my evaluation of him as a player: The greatest starting pitcher in MLB history.

Unless the wheels fall off the wagon (or the HGH deliveries get intercepted), I am confident that he will be very successful for the Yanks this year.

2007-05-06 13:04:23
232.   BklynBmr
228 Funny now EPSN didn't ask that when Rocket was being courted by everyone...
2007-05-06 13:07:34
233.   BklynBmr
$4.5M a month for Rocket...
2007-05-06 13:07:35
234.   Eirias
Holy Christ, that is a lot of money.
2007-05-06 13:09:03
235.   BklynBmr
234 I think I heard that right. Something like $28 mil pro-rated...
2007-05-06 13:09:33
236.   Eirias
235 You heard it correctly.
2007-05-06 13:09:47
237.   Ramone
226 I don't expect Clemens to play for free. If the Yanks wouldn't pony up the cash, as they apparently wouldn't for Joe D, I wouldn't begrudge him holding out.

But in Roger's case, no amount of money would have gotten him on the field. I suspect that Joe D would have caught more flack had he simply said, "Me and Marilyn are going to chill in the Bahamas for a couple of months. See you in June. Don't be too far out of first when I get back."

Also, major league athletes are cool about a lot of things that I'm not.

2007-05-06 13:10:11
238.   Simone
Damn, that is a hell of a lot of money! Olney also said that Derek knew that Roger was coming back. He seems to be the only player that knew.
2007-05-06 13:11:00
239.   Zack
218 I tried to say much the same earlier: while I'm not a Clemens fan per se, hes is 100% what we need right now in many ways.

And think of it this way, once again, the Sox get the shaft, and no matter how their fans/media try to spin it, they were DYING for him :)

2007-05-06 13:11:02
240.   BklynBmr
Someone just broke it down to about $75K per pitch...
2007-05-06 13:14:24
241.   williamnyy23
On two occassions Clemens has hinted that a conversation with Steinbrenner was a factor...I wonder if the Boss confided with Clemens about his health status and expressed an urgency to win one more time.
2007-05-06 13:16:19
242.   Zack
I'm sure the media will spin the deal to give the Yanks all sorts of flak, but its not liek the Sox or Houston was planning on paying any less...

So much for that reduced payroll, eh?

2007-05-06 13:16:32
243.   BklynBmr
241 That's interesting, good thought...
2007-05-06 13:16:55
244.   Simone
241 I was thinking the same thing when Clemens said that Steinbrenner confided moving words to him.
2007-05-06 13:18:05
245.   pistolpete
Welcome back Rocket.

We'll also most likely be in 2nd place by the end of the day - good day to be a Yankees fan.

2007-05-06 13:18:49
246.   Jim Dean
BTW: I love how the rotation sets up as four different pitchers with entirely different stuff.

Sucks, that they're firmly back in "Anything but a ring is a failure" territory.

2007-05-06 13:21:18
247.   williamnyy23
246 They may be back in that territory, but I'm in the "now I get to watch one of the greatest pitchers ever" territory.
2007-05-06 13:23:15
248.   seamus
I wasn't wanting the Yanks to sign Clemens, but I also didn't want Boston to sign him. But, I was only partially watching the game (watching Nets) and saw them flash up that "Clemens is a Yankee" thing on the scoreboard and I was crazy pleased. It was exciting and I'm looking forward to a rotation of Wang, Clemens, Moose, Pettite, and Igawa/Hughes/Rasner/whomever.
2007-05-06 13:23:25
249.   Zack
you know, its amazing that the Sox, for all ESPN etc's talk of being the best team, hasn't been able to pull away from the Yanks more. 5 GB really ain't that much at this point, and kind of reminds me of two years ago where they did the same thing.

i'm not saying the Yanks can/will make it up, but things could be a lot worse standings-wise

246 What do you think, Wang, Clemens, Pettitte, Moose, Hughes?
I think I would do, once all is set, Wang, Clemens, Pettitte, Hughes Moose. For the most diversity, no?

2007-05-06 13:24:42
250.   RIYank
I was 'listening between the lines' during the interview with John and Suzyn, and I thought maybe there was a hint that he'd like to be in on the debut season of Hughes.
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2007-05-06 13:24:55
251.   Simone
Clemens talked to Pavano in Spring Training. Didn't help.
2007-05-06 13:25:55
252.   williamnyy23
249 Five games IS alot at this point, but the one thing about the Sox that makes me suspicious is Schilling, Beckett and Wakefield have all been pitching ridiculously well. Will that continue? It's not like the Sox have 5 pure aces. Things have just been breaking right for them. Hopefully, the Sox will have some of the Yankees April luck and that lead will be whittled down
2007-05-06 13:26:38
253.   Count Zero
Called. Roger taking the opportunity to play the hero was inevitable.
https://bronxbanter.baseballtoaster.com/archives/648728.html#27
2007-05-06 13:28:30
254.   Zack
252 Don't forget Tavarez pitching above his head as well.

I don'tthink 5 games really is that much considering we still have like 13 games against them and like 14/16 of the season left. Think of it this way, the Yanks gain just one game a month starting today and they tied at the end of the season :)

2007-05-06 13:29:51
255.   Simone
I have to hand it to George. He walks the walk when it comes to doing anything to win.

George Steinbrenner, the Yankees' principal owner, said in a statement: "As I pledged just a few years ago, I will do everything within my power to support Brian Cashman, Joe Torre and this team as we fight to bring a 27th championship back to New York.

"Roger is a winner and a champion, and he is someone who can be counted on to help make this season one that all Yankees fans can be proud of. The sole mission of this organization is to win a world championship."

http://tinyurl.com/2oyvx2

2007-05-06 13:29:52
256.   Jim Dean
249 I think there's something to that second order.

And I know it's enitrely premature, I'd rather have Hughes in the playoff rotation than Moose, but I can't see it happening. Injuries could change things of course.

2007-05-06 13:31:56
257.   Zack
Minn within one, 4-3, against Boston in the 8th
2007-05-06 13:32:14
258.   Jim Dean
252 I have a hard time believing the Sox make it through the whole season without an injury, especially with the histories of Beckett, Schilling, Wakefield, and even Lester.
2007-05-06 13:35:34
259.   Harley
We should all be so lucky to do what we love, and to be paid immense amounts of cash to do so, and to be able to do so many years longer than most who do this same thing....

Cripes. The Roger-Hating is as foolish as it is shortsighted.

2007-05-06 13:40:32
260.   Mattpat11
Roger is discussing Pavano on the interview on ESPN. He despises the man.
2007-05-06 13:41:21
261.   Mattpat11
I'm frigging giddy. I thought it was going to be another two weeks before we heard anything.
2007-05-06 13:41:28
262.   rbj
259 Absolutely. And who amongst us wouldn't switch allegience to the Red Sox for $20 mil/year. It's not whether you sell out, but for what price.

BTW, David Cone always had the reputation as a hired gun, but he seemed to find a home in the Bronx.

2007-05-06 13:45:05
263.   Raf
237 What about Guidry in '87? He didn't start until May.

258 Yes, it's still early. Last year they were hit with injuries late in the season.

2007-05-06 13:45:16
264.   RIYank
I think the Sox' rotation is plainly pitching above expectation and therefore should be expected to cool off. Though I fear Beckett is going to be really good, dammit.

Hey, the Yankees have scored twice as many runs as the Cardinals this year. (This is a little misleading because I checked when the Cards' runs for today hadn't been recorded officially yet, game still in progress.)

2007-05-06 13:47:34
265.   RIYank
I've been listening to sports talk radio (here in southern New England) and it really is incredible: it turns out, according to callers, that Clemens is pretty much washed up, will not help the Yankees because he can't throw more than five innings, will be horribly overpaid, etc., etc., etc. Even the host is getting exasperated.
2007-05-06 13:54:45
266.   Mattpat11
265 Well, naturally.
2007-05-06 13:55:21
267.   OldYanksFan
Clemens making $28m/yr?
ARods CURRENT contract calls for him to make (the greater of) $5m/yr or $1m/yr more then the highest player.

Fortunately, Clemens contract does NOT effect this, and ARod will still be due $32m/yr for 2009 and 2010.

ARod cost the Yankees $112m over 7 years, or exactly $16m/yr. Add $10m extra for 2009 and 2010 and average it out over 7 years, and ARod (if he does not opt-out and gets his $5m raise) costs us $17.43m/yr

Giambi costs us $17.14m/yr (average over contract)
Jeter costs us $18.9m/yr (average over contract)

In other words, the ARod deal, EVEN with the 2009-2010 raise, IS A STEAL! (Soriano is now making $18m/yr for 7 years!)

Unless there is total insanity, I don't think ARod can make more money leaving the Yankees. He is due (with raise) $91m over 3 years (2008-2010, costing us $17.43m/yr).

Even if he was offered $150m/7 yrs, we would only need an extension of $59m/4 years to match it. Money won't be the issue. It will simply be where ARod WANTS to play (and lets hope it's not in Queens... and let's really hope it's NOT in Boston)

(Geez... If ARod did play in Boston, how many HRs and Doubles might he get in one year?)

Cashman deserves a statue in CF for this deal.
And now Roger is back.

Cashman: "...AND?"
Jeter: "2 text messages, 3 Emails and I'm calling him tonight"
Cashman: "Did you tell him about the money? Tell him thats about $7,500 PER PITCH?"
Jeter: "Yeah... I did"
Cashman: "...AND?"
Jeter: "It's close... very close"
Cashman: what's it gonna take to close the deal?"
Jeter: "Well... he said something about 2 Jessicas on the QT"

2007-05-06 14:00:18
268.   Mattpat11
I think Roger is actually making about 24. Its 28 mil minus a month and such.
2007-05-06 14:13:55
269.   seamus
how we got there, i have no idea. But it is amazing with all of our struggles that we are in sole second place.
2007-05-06 14:23:18
270.   JL25and3
252 Five games is nothing in early May. I mean, it's a lot if you look at how quickly they lost that ground, but not in terms of making it up over the rest of the season. Jeez, in two days that can become 3 games back.
2007-05-06 14:24:24
271.   Ramone
263 I don't recall the Guidry situation, but if he pulled the same crap that Clemens is, yes, I would hold it against him.

BTW, just to make clear. This is obviously a great move for the Yankees. If I was in Cashman's position, I would have made the same move. Despite their deficit in the standings, I now see the Yankees as the favorites to win the division. I also stated earlier that I think Clemens is the best starting pitcher in the history of baseball.

I just don't like the guy. He is a selfish, money-grubbbing, publicity hound. I don't think he cares about winning first -- as a team. Although I think he fights as hard as anyone in every single start he makes and cares as much about winning the games he pitches as anyone who has ever taken the mound.

Do I think that he was overpaid? Let's put it this way. If you knew last year, before the trading deadline, that Lidle would get killed, Pavano would be a zero, Igawa wouldn't set the world on fire, Mussina and Wang would suffer significant injuries to start the season, Karstens would break his leg on a freak play, and Hughes would be unavailable even if you wanted him, then you could have probably spent $24-28M over the next several months and gotten more than Clemens for part of the season. But right now, it is money well spent.

2007-05-06 14:26:31
272.   OldYanksFan
Wow... On AApril 29th, we are in last place, 6.5 games out. Then Hughes is injured and out or 2-3 months. Then Karstens is out for a min. of 6 weeks.

Now, we are in 2nd place, 5.5 games out. Hughes should be back before 2 months, Moose looks good, Wang looks great and Rasner has shown he can pitch effectively in MLB.

And now Roger is a Yankee.
I'm psyched!
Anyone who things 5.5 games is a lot, check out Minn, Houston and Oakland at the ASB over the last few years.
And we get to see Roger, at Fenway, in a Yankee uniform. How cool is that.
And maybe Abreu is back.
And Cairo gets a hit!
The baseball Gods are smiling at us.

2007-05-06 14:34:37
273.   OldYanksFan
271 I totally agree. I used to HATE Clemens passionately. When he won some big games for the Yankees, I rooted for him, but still disliked him.

Then I saw a TV special that showed Roger's daily workout. I was blown away. My muscles ached just watching what he did. It seemed like torture. And I realized this guy doesn't just pitch. He works! And works brutally hard.

Maybe, like Bonds, it's takes an ego to punish yourself on a daily basis, and keep focused on a goal (Bond's workout, some years ago, was as brutal as Clemen's).

So while he IS a self absorbed asshole, I respect the guy a real lot.

So for today? I <3 Roger. (Yes... I guess I'm a bit of a whore... but a YANKEE'S whore!).

2007-05-06 15:20:08
274.   Max Nomad
267 That info about A-Rod's contract isn't 100% accurate. His contract says that he is entitled to OPT OUT if he's not the highest paid player, not that he MUST be paid more in case someone else is given a bigger contract. If the Yanks don't give him the money all it means is that he has another chance to opt out again. Cashman has said that he won't tack on the extra, but that's the same talk as the no-extension talk, so it might happen.
2007-05-06 15:44:52
275.   Jim Dean
From Hendricks: Turns out both Boston and Houston preferred him in late June/early July. Only the Yankees said "Whenever you're ready".

Roger knew he'd be ready at the end of May/early June. So it was silly to wait another month.

2007-05-06 15:49:29
276.   Jim Dean
And there was no negotiation. Hendricks made one offer last year, and listened to the other teams. He made one offer this year, and listened to the other teams.
2007-05-06 15:54:15
277.   Simone
LOL! Peter Gammons is bitter with his grudging admission that Roger can help the Yankees.
2007-05-06 16:20:16
278.   rsmith51
265 Before you take too much stock in that. Think about the New York air waves IF Rocket had chosen the Red Sox.
2007-05-06 16:23:41
279.   OldYanksFan
One smart Red Sox fans says: "I don't know about anyone else, but I feel like Clemens just flipped RSN the bird in a big way."

274 Sorry.. yes... that's what I meant. The Yankees HAVE to pay if that IF they want to guarantee he can't opt-out.

2008 season: $27 million ($3 million deferred with 3% interest)
At the end of 2008 season has the right to void seasons 2009 and 2010 and become an unrestricted free agent unless Rangers increase 2009 and 2010 salaries by the greater of $5 million or $1 million above the 10 largest salary of any position player.

2009 season: $27 million plus the greater of $5 million or $1 million above the then largest salary of any position player. ($3 million deferred with 3% interest)

2010 season: $27 million plus the greater of $5 million or $1 million above the then largest salary of any psition player. ($3 million deferred with 3% interest)

2007-05-06 16:36:29
280.   OldYanksFan
I have no wonder how much Cashman was banking on this. If Iggy isn't absolutely needed to perform this year (and that looks to be the case now) then we have 5 years of a (hopefully decent) lefty at a luxury-tax-adjusted salary of under 7m/yr. Really a decent deal if he is anywhere near league average. (I don't know why people talk about how much we are paying for him. The Sox are just barely at the threshhold, so Dice-K IS costing them over $20m/yr).

With Roger and Phil in the rotation, it makes Cashman 'building for the future' trades look pretty smart.

I think Cashman is crazy. Crazy like a fox!

Oh... and 2 months ago I said Cashman wasn't done and he would fortify the team if needed. Does getting Roger and bringing up Hughes count in this regard? (Jim?)

Also... I may be wrong, but it seems to me that a number of pitchers, if they rehab correctly, come back from TJ surgery stronger they before they had it. Is this true? Do we have some percentages of pitchers over the last 5 years who have gone this route?

Not that I wanted Sanchez to go down, but if this is true, it could be a very good, and very cheap SP in 2009 (and beyond). Am I wrong?

2007-05-06 17:02:27
281.   BklynBmr
This may be the most rational thing out of Steve Phillip's mouth in a long time:

"No way The Rocket comes here if Torre was fired"

2007-05-06 17:06:35
282.   seamus
281 actually, that aspect of this makes me wonder about how what the whole buzz last weekend around Torre might have influenced Clemens.
2007-05-06 17:33:24
283.   Jim Dean
Old -

You said Cashman wasn't done with his work before the season. Big difference. And it's dishonest to now suggest otherwise.

Everyone knew Roger was still on the table. And if you had taken a poll here this morning, I'd say 80% expected Roger to sign with the Yanks. Indeed I called it not ten minutes before the announcement on YF v SF and not one person argued with me. Everyone knew it was coming. The only surprise is the timing.

And Sanchez will be 26 in 2009 with 9 career starts under his belt at AAA. That's barely a prospect - if that.

People wonder why I go mental with all the accolades for Cashman. Yes, this move solidifies the team for 2007. But he was the only one standing at the auction - see what Hendricks said. It was a no-brainer getting Clemens in 1999 and it is now.

Otherwise, it changes nothing about the off-season moves. Indeed, it makes them look more idiotic in light of Mfghidkj, and Nieves, and Cairo as well as Igawa and Pavano. Tomorrow they will have drawn SIX starting pitchers (Wright, Hughes, Rasner, Karstens, DeSalvo) from the minors this year, and ALL were in the system last year.

If they were going to dump Unit, they should have gotten a 1B and some bench help. I'll maintain that until my dying days, even if Mgfhdjk pulls a Boone. Instead, they got four AAA scrubs.

But I'm still rooting for you, Dorf!

2007-05-06 18:22:36
284.   randym77
280 I think most experts will say that the reason some pitchers come back stronger from Tommy John surgery is that the workout program is really intense when you're rehabbing from that kind of surgery. If you don't do it, you don't come back at all. For some pitchers, this is harder than they've ever worked. Others, who worked out hard before the surgery, won't see that kind of improvement.
2007-05-06 18:27:03
285.   Zack
I refuse to get sucked into the eternal Cashman debate. Let's just enjoy the awesomeness of a move that so clearly improves us and so clearly stuns the Sox and their fans :)
2007-05-06 18:49:42
286.   Max Nomad
285 YESSS
2007-05-06 19:03:19
287.   BklynBmr
285 Hear! Hear!
2007-05-06 19:10:50
288.   seamus
anyone here at the game? I'd love to hear stories about the buzz that must have created (seemed to just by watching on tv).

Anyone have video of Clemens whole announcement? All the clips I've seen are just the last part.

2007-05-06 19:15:32
289.   LI yankee
288 It's on the YES network site.
2007-05-06 19:19:50
290.   BklynBmr
288 Secondhand info, but just talked with a bud who gave up his seat (directly below The Boss' box) today to a friend — who said the buzz was crazy. Everybody was pumped. I'm waiting on some cel-phone photos right now...
2007-05-06 19:22:20
291.   seamus
289 thanks. Is that all he said?

290 cool. I got excited just sitting on my couch. thanks!

2007-05-06 20:13:26
292.   LI yankee
291 Yeah, just him saying anything had the desired effect.
2007-05-06 20:35:00
293.   yankz
Imagine when Clemens pitches vs. Mike Piazza and the A's.
2007-05-06 21:13:20
294.   kevpaq
271, 263
Guidry was a free agent after 1986, was not offered arbitration by the Yanks, and then didn't get offers from any other team. Under the old rules, he couldn't sign back with his old team until May 1. Same thing happened with Tim Raines and the Expos during those collusion years.

284 I think why a lot of post-TJ pitchers seem to be stronger than before when they come back is that they were probably pitching for a while with some type of damage in their elbow before finally having surgery. Once they come back, the elbow should be back to full health, so they pitch the way they would have before the injury caused them to decline. We'll have to see how Sanchez looks when he gets back.

Nice weekend--Two nice pitching performances and the Clemens announcement has me feeling good about our chances right now. Playing the M's and Texas doesn't hurt, either..

2007-05-06 21:33:44
295.   Chyll Will
Don't hate me, but I have (quiet) reservations about this. Roger pretty much made it clear if he was going to pitch, it would be here. The circumstances were perfect for him to ride in as Our Lord & Savior... but what I want to know is this:

A.) Will Roger have any impact on the other pitchers? I mean, he already has Andy, who I believe is Roger's wingman in all senses of the word when it comes to who and what he's playing for. Andy provides a legit-humane excuse for his coming here..."That's my BOY right there!" (Even though his other Boy is stuck over in Houston without his Daddy)... but I digress. Will his Legendary Workout™ and competitive nature rub off on Igawa, Henn, Proctor, Bruney, Bubblebean, Viz, Wang, and... and...

B.) Will Roger kick Pavano's ass? - Lord, if you're up there, please give Roger some steel-toed boots. Can you dig it? Roger automatically negates the presence of Pavano, so if he decides to bend him like a flexi-straw (or a strand of uncooked spaghetti)that's all right with me, we're having Pavacotti with Meat Sauce while watching Basically Tonight on E@$%... By the way...

C.) Would kicking Carl's ass on E@$% make him Peter Clemenza, Paulie Walnuts or Liberty Vallance? (Hello, Carlo...)

D.) Did we save any kind of money in this, or did we save money FOR this? A legitimate question. Please forgive me.

E.) If something happens to Clemens, who gets the blame? Marty, Torre, Cashman or A-Rod? Better question, if he makes it through the season and through the playoffs, can we hire him permanently as our new Director of Performance Enhancement? THAT's gotta be worth $28 mil at this point...

F.) And suitably, the last question... can anyone spare a quarter? (coughcoughMILLIONcoughcough) Seriously, I'm telling myself I will receive ten grand this month for something good that I do, and so far I landed a $75 1-day PA gig at the last minute, a free Mac laptop and zoom lens film photo camera. Uncle Woodrow says a 1000 mile journey starts with the first step, so who knows? >;) G'night all...

2007-05-06 21:42:03
296.   Chyll Will
...zzzzz and before dianagramr says it, If Roger Decides To Kick Carl's Ass On E@$%, yehhh, it means he will Bend It Like Beckham zzzzz...
2007-05-06 21:45:59
297.   Chyll Will
295...zzzzz too tired, forgot C.) Sonny Corleone, or James Caan what's the diff zzzzz...
2007-05-07 02:41:46
298.   Jim Dean
295

D - No, not after the 50 million to Igawa.

E - An excellent suggestion.

2007-05-07 06:13:32
299.   AbbyNormal821
Man, people over at Joy of Sox are chompin' on some bitter pills this morning. The venom that is being spewed by some...

Unreal, seriously!

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