Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
Chien-Ming Wang had a rough first inning. His pitches were up, his control was off and the Angels scored three runs. He was terrific over the next seven innings. The Angels didn't score again, but wouldn't ya know it, they already had more than enough to beat the Yanks, 3-1. Kelvim Escobar, and then the dynamic duo of Shields and Rodriguez were in fine form, the Yankee offense left 758 runners on base, and New York finished the day 11.5 behind Boston, who won again.
The Bombers staged a two-out rally in the ninth but Bobby Abreu struck out looking to end the game. The final pitch was not close to a strike, but the Yankees can't complain about a poor call spoiling the game, although they did anyway. According to Anthony McCarron in the News:
"The sad part about it is that you stand there at home plate and take strike three and it's in the other batter's box," Torre said of home plate umpire Jeff Nelson's call. "We'd like to at least be able to determine our own fate. There's no excuse for it and then (Nelson) has the nerve to argue back at Abreu."..."I'm not saying (Nelson) cost us the game," Torre said. "The next pitch, he may have popped up. I'm saying I'd like to have that 27th out. That's why the game is what it is. I just don't think it was there for us because he never had a chance to swing at the pitch.
"And I'm not saying we don't swing at pitches over our heads or in the dirt, okay? I'm not one to go harp on umpires, that's part of the game, but this just got me because it was the end of the ballgame with two men on base and at least you want to give your hitter a chance to swing at a pitch."
As frustrating as the ending was--and I came close to throwing and breaking something---the fact of the matter is the Yankees simply did not hit. No excuses, they did not hit. And the Angels did what they do best: beat the Yankees.
I guess we have, but still...
i hope we see the good moose today.
When there's a fast guy batting ninth, they say it's like having a second leadoff hitter. With Melky at leadoff, it's like having a second ninth hitter.
Just as much fun as blind pessimism.
What the hell do they expect him to do?
Bud is useless on things he has control over. He can't do anything here.
The Yanks do have a number of issues. You're not the only one aware of that. Why not respect that not everyone who sees it feels the need to express their concerns as repeated pessimism.
Whatever. I'm gonna go read.
Well, this is as good a day as any to begin winning, huh? Moose looks really good -- you can tell he's got intensity, taking this game seriously. Money game.
Can we hit today, though? With Melky and Nieves? Might need a long ball or two...
Today's not the day for signage, though. Win any way possible.
(Let's hope the chef doesn't substitute Pasta Divingjeter.)
Who else thought "Just stay at 1st, Wil, even if it rolls to the wall!!!"
I gotta go, banterers. I gave you the lead, now win this thing!
(i overuse the !. sorry)
But now I do have to go, dammit.
honestly, I agree that we could use a beter BUC. But I don't thnk it is anything close to being our problem.
But at the same time, the Yankees are in really, really bad shape right now. They have very little chance of having a successful season this year. For that to happen, not only is everything going to have to break our way healthwise this year, but the Yankees are going to have to start playing ridiculous baseball RIGHT NOW. (Frankly, we had to do it three weeks ago)
Trudging along at this pace isn't going to cut it. Sitting patiently and waiting for the Pirates to come into town is not going to cut it. We have 11 games coming up counting today against LAA, TOR, Boston and Chicago. We have to win nine. Not eight. not seven. Not four. We have to, at some point this year, sweep Boston.
But even if they do that, the Yankees have sucked to the point where their season is no longer in their hands. If Boston even plays at a normal pace for a first place team, we will never catch them. The Yankees have to pull their heads out of their asses AND pray Boston falls apart.
People here find that negative. Apparently this blog is for saying "Come on Johnny, get a hit!" and "I'm sure this will be the day the Yankees get going (I mean it this time!)
No one wants me here. I'm not going to pretend the season is in any kind of good shape or that we're a win away from making it one. No one wants me here and I don't see any reason to stay.
Nice hit Cano!
holy stinking hot Nieves!
Still no one who has the YouTube link to Torre's f-bomb display from back in the day? I saw it here on the Banter, but can't find it on the search...
29 Thank you for speaking up. 'Highjacking' was a very appropriate word.
Oops... shit. Halo's get one.
75 The problem is not that you are negative. The rub is you are repetitive, repetitive, repetitive, repetitive, repetitive, repetitive, repetitive, repetitive,
repetitive,
repetitive,
repetitive,
repetitive,
repetitive,
and unbelieveable repetative.
We heard you.
Enough old news until tomorrow. OK?
Personally, I like to follow along with the banter while watching (or listening) to the Yanks for 2 reasons... to heighten my knowledge of what's going on, and to have some fun in addition to watching.
Baseball is not life or death. We're all fans and therefore we're not happy concerning the Yanks and their performance in 07 thus far. And yes, even though I tend to look on the bright side, I still open the paper and see the standings everyday and think 'fuuuuuuuck'. But the Yanks are still my team. I'm not gonna run off to a winning team just cause the Yanks probably won't win the division.
Sometimes it's better to acknowledge the problems that have occurred, then move on. Yeah, in life we have to fix our mistakes of get ready for em again... but I know personally there's nothing I can do to make this team any better. The performance of the team is out of my hands. So what's a fan to do? Either focus on the good things looking forward, and accept the lot they're in.. or point out all the bad shite that's happened (and continues to happen) and get more upset. I choose the former.
I'm guessing that that's the vibe you're feeling here.
It was here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LNzW2bixCA&NR=1
MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!
As much as I'd like to pin this on Torre, Proctor really screwed the pooch.
Think the O can put up a 10 spot on the Angels' pen? Me neither.
When is Torre going to realize that this isn't 1996?
It's about wins. Not saves. Or bolstering the stats of an individual player.
glad jeter can still hit.
History shows us that you'll lose more than 50% of games not won. I know it's hard to accept, fellas, but it's mostly true.
This team needs a hitting coach, I'm sorry.
I've had enough.
190 Agreed. Someone should have made a courageous decision during the off season.
But I hate that there is a double standard between the expectations for the players and for coaches and management.
Over and over we are told that "this is a business" and "there is no place for sentimentality." No player, not even Mo, can expect a contract extension before the end of the final contract year. Bernie? Thanks for the memories, but no guaranteed contract.
Look, that's all well and good, but why am I then expected to support Torre for his successes 5-10 years ago? Torre is clearly making this team worse, not better, with his panicky mis-management. Why do feel like a traitor for pointing it out?
1) Fire Kevin Long (fair? probably not, but as Cashman said earlier in the year, perception sometimes overtakes reality).
2) Vizcaino is released; Britton recalled.
3) Cabrera is demoted; The hottest OF'er in the minors is recalled.
Its gone poorly. I hope that wasn't too negative.
But in a positive way.
Not one Yankee on the top step?
I guess this is another low point. I really hope Torre doesn't use the "we didn't quit" speech.
ok, i'm off to try and forget about another tough loss. i suggest that others do the same. it is too nice weekend.
Wouldn't want to be negative.
The flippin' Halos always do this to us.
Losing blows.
4-8.
But I'm sure they just need some more time. We need to be patient.
And if we just give them some time, I'm sure they'll figure it out eventually. Its only June after all.
Rant over.
Oh well?
274 Come on, it's the Captain. The Yanks could be mathematically eliminated and he'd want to play every day, trying to win.
What the hell is there to talk about with this team other than the fact that they've been a massive disaster and a huge embarrassment?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnf_-ApECkc
I've been reluctant to question this team's "fire" and "desire" just because we don't know what happens in the dugout/clubhouse. But now I think it's just true. Those teams had a passion that this one doesn't.
Jose contributed.
I also "bring up old news"
Somehow the team losing is old news.
Both of those at-bats should have been like the one today. He did all he could.
As to Melky, I still believe in him.
And it's really no mystery to me why the team is loosing.
Go back and look at the tape and you'll notice that the team in general tries to pull that outside pitch way too often and it costs them.
Matsui did it with risp and grounded weakly to first and Melky did it earlier, I think also with risp.
If they'd both tried to hit those balls the other way, they'd have significantly increased their chances of success.
So frankly, I don't know what it takes to get hitters to stop trying to pull the outside pitch, but I'm fairly confident that they'd win a lot more if they could learn to do that.
From my observation, it's the major reason they're not hitting.
If they're going to change managers, I'm putting my money on Bowa.
However, for those of you who qualify in the "testy" category, I will point out that the Toaster Code of Conduct, newly updated, is currently on the "Hot from the Toaster" sidebar on the top of the page, and may be useful to help people remain friends in these trying times.
There may be no positive way, but there's no need to overload on the snide and snark, then doing it again and again and again. No one's asking you to be a Pollyanna, but there's no need to respond sharply to everyone who expresses a sentiment you don't share. And there's certainly no need for words like "shithead" and "asshole" and "fucked."
280 "...one thing I'd note is the 2 or 3 posters who condescend to everyone with their "if you're not positive, you're ruing the banter" diatribe are not here now..."
I happen to agree with those "2 or 3 posters who condescend" to remind other folks here, folks who haven't been around very long, that there's a difference between expressing criticism and disappointment and being smug. I don't have a problem with negativity or pessimism, but I am ticked off by insensitivity to the sensibilities of the other people, some of whom have already told you what they object to about your behavior. As a two-year lurker, I have come to respect many of the regulars here, and I am dismayed at how casually you dismiss their criticism of you.
And Moose pitched a good game, too. They pitch and don't hit. They hit and don't pitch.
What really has me worried right now is that Cashman actually has a plan to get the Yanks back on top. Perfect its not (what is?), but the basic premise - rebuild through draft and development, stockpile great young players, supplement with young free agents - makes an awful lot of sense. A re-building/course correction, if you will, was an almost inevitable part of that plan.
However, if George turns back into the idiot "win at all costs" Boss of the 80s, that flushing noise we'll hear is almost certainly the first common-sense plan this franchise has had since Stick in the early 90s going down the drain. In which case, we'd all better get used to this frustrating awfulness, because if history is any guide, it will get a lot uglier before it gets any better.
What really sucks is that Boston has kind of gone through a year like this already - last year. They don't just have young, nearly-ready good pitching in the wings, they have some young, nearly-ready good position prospects too. The good position prospects the Yanks have are at least 2 years away. And sadly, there aren't many of 'em. At least not yet. That's why I hope coolheaded-ness prevails. Because the Yanks could be on the verge of something great, and I for one would gladly forego a couple of years of the Yanks not winning to get there.
I hope George can be persuaded to see things that way as well.
Seems to me that that's just the kind of retrograde desperate flailing around that'll make it harder for fans to accept a couple of years of rebuilding.
Because if now it's Clemens, a couple of years down the road it'll be, I don't know, say, Manny or Piazza to assume the DH duties from Giambi.
And who knows, maybe even a final go-'round for RJ in a couple?
Same here. I didn't think there was a need for an out-and-out rebuilding phase since the budget allows for significant free-agent signings, but the team has started so badly this year that that just may be the way to go. Plus, the prices of FAs went through the roof this offseason, which makes plugging holes a lot more expensive. But then, this may be actually have a benefit: the Yanks can at least get some value if they trade away a few of their still-productive vets (like Sheffield and Unit).
Yes, the team is "on the verge of something great" indeed, if the owner only has the patience to see it through. Is George the only one left who thinks you can buy a championship?
310 The Clemens signing doesn't strike me as desperate. It cost the team nothing but money: no young guys traded for fading vets. And it's just a one-year deal, so no long-term albatross contract. What's not to like? If the team still has the glimmer of a chance when he joins the rotation, then a run at the WC may still be forthcoming. And when Hughes comes back, even better.
Like all of you, I feel awful right now, but I haven't given up hope.
And that's why most fans hate the yankees and red sox. No other organization can make that statement. Signing clemens cost almost as much as some organizations complete payroll, yet here it's "just money".
Abreu and damon were young free agents? Your comment has nothing to do with reality.
Clemens is a still-effective HOF pitcher, the Yanks will be on the hook for less than a year, and they didn't give up anyone to get him. Wouldn't Boston have made the same deal had they not been beaten to it?
315 They weren't, not when they were obtained (though they're playing like geriatrics right now). Besides, I said "significant" free agents, not necessarily young.
Well, I just think it's unseemly.
But then, I thought it was unseemly getting him the first time around. Same with Giambi and Arod, but at least those were long-term contracts.
I don't know, I'm old-fashioned; I don't like high turnover and I certainly don't like high turnover involving one big name after another.
It gets boring, imo.
RF Ichiro (my guess for Abreu's replacemnt)
SS Jeter
LF Matsui
DH Giambi
3B Free Agent? (assuming Arod walks)
2B Cano
C Posada (assuming he's resigned)
CF Damon
1B Eric Duncan??
And the team better hang on to Arod.
Agreed on Arod, but at this point, could you blame him for jetting off to LA? Better weather, younger team.
I ended up watching the game at Uncle Woodrow's and not acquiring dementia as planned, but I noted how complacent we had become concerning this team. We expected Proctor to blow up Mussina's good start and lose the game for us, and we anticipated the failed rally in the end, though we were satisfied with the fact that at least the went down fighting. Give Torre some credit in the end, the guys who came through were the guys you wanted in those situations, and Jeter's battle in the end was exciting, even on TV. At least he gave it a ride in the end, as opposed to looking at a called third strike. Exactly the person you wanted in that situation.
I was going to rant about how we seem to be whining too much lately, but it's really no use. I don't really expect us to become like typical Red Sox fans, bemoaning our fate as though it were a sacred rite of passage. I honestly feel bad for anyone who has emotionally invested themselves in this team so much that they have to release their pent-up frustrations on others in cyberspace or in a bar, or worse on their own family. I 'm discovering things about myself that need addressing in that regard, so forgive me if I sound like a raving lunatic from time to time, think about the alternative. People used to worry that I would blow up, and believe me I have plenty of reasons to do so in my lifetime, but I choose not to.
Are any of us dying of an incurable disease within the next year? Please tell me if you are, because I would like to pay my respects and say that I understand your frustration with not being able to see your team be competitive before it's all said and done.
If not, then take a deep breath and prioritize.
We can only hope that the people in charge make some sound decisions and then hope that those decisions pan out. But to blow up over something I have no control over is a habit I hope to fully break in my lifetime. I do believe it will replace the years I've lost for other reasons.
Meanwhile, relax, folks. It's a long season and unpleasant so far, but it's not over. If the Twins can come back and compete consistently, and Oakland, too, then the Yanks stand a very god chance of doing the same. If not, well the future looks bright enough, and patience is a fine life-skill. I hope to continue to provide a little laughter to ease the trauma and fend off the trolls and vultures that inevitably come. Honestly, I do care. And I hope others lurking about will sense that it's okay to express yourself, just be real to who you are and respect each other. G'night, all. >;)
(...zzzzz hmmm... maybe this is dementia zzzzz...)
Ha ha! Hey, you're right. We're such bad boys and girls. :)
Thanks for keeping things loose. You're a good clubhouse presence. There's definitely value in that!
Well said by 324 — thanks for the dash of reason. This joint needs it.
Yesterday Joe said: "We've been bad early in other years, but not this late."
Compare that with the title of this thread. Joe is this year's Yogi! And you wouldn't fire Yogi Berra, right?
Losing close games is very draining, I must say. I still believe the Yankees will win more games starting now than the Red Sox will, but I no longer believe we have any realistic chance of catching them for the division.
I give Joe credit for sticking with Melky, but generally, he's not the guy I want developing younger players.
So as a long-term strategy to get younger, Joe has to go.
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