A-rod's hammy is not the leading news in NY, it's all about A-rod's wife. Her foul language shirt has people calling for her to be banned from the ballpark. This is all about the First Amendment. Let's not follow the gov't down the path of censorship. After all, censorship is becoming America's favorite past-time. The US gov't (and their corporate friends), already detain protesters, ban books like "America Deceived" from Amazon and Wikipedia, shut down Imus and fire 21-year tenured, BYU physics professor Steven Jones because he proved explosives, thermite in particular, took down the WTC buildings. Free Speech forever (even for A-rod's wife).
Last link (before Google Books caves to pressure and drops the title):
http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-38523-0

1 Hey, its you! Where were you a couple of weeks ago? Folks were looking for you.

John Helyar has a fantastic article up at ESPN.com about the Steinbrenner sons, Hank and Hal, and how succession might play out:

http://tinyurl.com/2onf46

Check out the photos, too.

Pete Abe says A-rod is playing tonight, go figure.

3 Could that be a typo?

nah, take a look at the lohud blog entry prior to the lineups being listed, Pete says A-Rod was taking batting practice.

3 There is A-God!

I just hope he's really ok and not trying to push himself when he's hurt.

2 It is pretty impressive how he manages to link totally random occurrences in Yankeeland to that book.

7 you know how conservative the Yanks are when it comes to injuries, the guy had an MRI today, if there was even the slightest injury, I'm sure he would be scratched till after the all star break.

I was at Silva's last game in YS last September. A-Rod hit two monster HR.

Oh, how times change. OPS at that point last season:

Damon .882
Jeter .904
Abreu .887
Giambi .993
Arod .889
Posada .826
Cano .835
Guiel .782
Melky .776

Now that was a solid lineup.

Does anyone know if Kevin Long batted righty? Looking at the list, it's the lefties (Damon, Abreu, Giambi, and Cano) that have killed us.

Although, Posada is having a reverse split year (Better from the left which is different than his career split).

9 Are they conservative with Jeter? I think a lot depends on the player and his desire to play. Alex is actually a warrior, I can imagine him lobbying to play no matter what.

11 a bruise perhaps, but a pulled anything no way would they take a chance. Jeter usually lobbies to play after getting hit by pitches which is a bruise.

They should just send Igawa out there tomorrow, since they're probably going to lose vs Johan the Great anyway.

12 So far this season Jeter has played with right knee tendinitis and a strained hip flexor. Those are not bruises.

14 you win, A-rod is a warrior and I'm glad he's playing!

8 What do you mean "random" occurances? Didn't you know that all these things are a vast Yankeeland conspiracy to silence Reader11722, but are actually allowing him shamelessly plug his book?
;-)

I'd prefer if they let A-Rod DH on a day like this. But of course that would either put dead-arm Damon in the OF and reduce the BFOG+ quotient by a factor of 30.

Updated: July 3, 2007, 4:16 PM ET

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez was in the starting lineup for the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, a day after straining his left hamstring.

The tense of 'WAS in the lineup' seems off, but the news seems ON. This was update about 1/2 hour ago, and seems official.

I agree with 17. The idea of losing Alex for an extended period of time is SO SCARY, I'd give him the day off to make sure he's sure.

Wow! Like a 2 ton weight has been lifted off my chest!

Actually, Jetes has not been swinging well lately. One of last nights hits was a gift. I would like to see him sit a day or 2.

Ha!!!

13 Nah, we're gonna beat Santana. Here's how it will work. Last night, as you recall, the Twins' bullpen threw a whole lot of pitches. Tonight we knock out the starter again in the sixth inning. Then against Santana, Bobby Abreu sees 48 pitches in the first five innings and El Presidente gets worn down and we shell the remnants of the Minnesota pen for five runs.

16 Actually, our kooky friend may not but that kooky. After reading his comments about 9/11, I'd did some INet research into the 'conspiracy theory'. Has anyone else? I spend 5 solid hours online, reading various sites.

It is the scariest shit I've ever seen.
Someone needs explain to me how a huge airplane can crash into a building and basically 'vaporize'... as there was virtually no remnants of a plane on the lawn of the Pentagon. And the grass was barely scatched. The lawn looked batter than mine.

I won't discuss it here, but I'd love to talk with someone who's interested.

20 "It is the scariest shit I've ever seen."

You missed Ghostbusters, I take it.

21 Um...A Wil Nieves AB with RISP/2 outs??

20 The Alex Jones conspiracy videos are old news.

Cliff/Alex, you guys should totally create some tin foil Yanks hats. That's one of the few versions I've yet to see and based on your viewership you may have some takers.

20 It's amazing the stories you can tell after the fact.

If rogue elements in the governement wanted to pull a Hitler (or Emperor Palpatine) you send a plane (or missile) into the White House or US Capitol building - maximum symbolism with minimal death. The Pentagon meant very little - except if you're trying to declare war on the United States.

Praise be to Lord Bush.

20 I just don't understand the part about how A-Rod's wife was so hot (not sure if he meant mad hot or smoking hot) that she melted the steel in the WTC causing the collapse...

20 You guys are fuckin' crazy. Have you been reading the Protocol of the Elders of Zion, lately.

No, check that. Please don't answer.

Last year I was sure it was A-Rod's fault.
Now I'm feeling like that was too hasty. Right now it's a toss-up between Torre and Cashman.

26 What's weird is I know a few smart folks that believe there's a conspiracy. Call it this generation's JFK. And people forget that didn't work out too well for the hawks. The last six years aren't going to help them much either.

25 All those f-bombs...

I apologize.

21 24 26 I simply ask have you done any research? Seen any of the crash site picture? Or do you simple ASSUME it's ridiculous? Is it ridiculous to believe our government would hire the Mafia to assassinate Castro?

24 They did not want to 'pull a Hitler'. They just wanted to go into Iraq.

While we're at it. Have any of you seen this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mouUUWpEec0

I knew that moon landing was too good to be true...

In baseball news, I noticed that A-Rod is playing today. I can't believe I am going to say this, but I might DH him for the next few days and...play...Cairo...at 3B.

Actually, in my universe (the one where the dominant methods of geo-political analysis is NOT developed by watching the X-Files), Shelley Duncan would play 1B, A-Rd would DH, and Phillips would play 3B.

But assuming the game is played in the unfortunate real world, Cairo would play 3B if A-Rod can't. Right now, I am not convinced that he brings that much less to the plate than perpetually crippled Damon.

30 How'd Iraq work out again? It actually gave more power to Iran (the hawks' enemy #1) and has taken any military intervention there completely off the table.

And trying to assinate a foreign leader (something the CIA has done for years) is equivalent to slaughtering over 3000 of your own citizens?

You are mad.

31 That's nothing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpfvhdmhQy4

OK, OYF and Jim Dean, I know you both love to argue, but keep it baseball related around here. Exchange emails if you wanna discuss that stuff.

31 That's another funny one!

Roswell is the only one I have a few doubts about. But then the fact there has never been anything more substantial tells me I'm mad to even consider the possibility. I mean, if aliens could travel thousands of light years, surely they could hijack a broadcast of American Idol.

35 or at least talk about sun ra for a while.
i hope a-rod is really ok, and not just saying he is ok.

36 Unless they had no incentive to.

38 Well, what's the incentive to travel all those light years? Family vacations to see the fat natives?

40 There's probably some sort of insensitive joke that could be made here...

39 If you believe Billy Meyer, yes.

If you believe a million other conspiracy theorists, to plan something without giving away anything.

I'm not disagreeing with you. I don't think we've ever had enough proof to confirm or deny the existence of aliens. That doesn't mean it's impossible for them to exist.

Also, the Air Force has spent a lot of time debunking Roswell (it was on the History Channel last night).

And, seeing how I'm being kind of hypocritical after 35, I'm done talking about conspiracies. At least until it's only me, cult, and thelarmis left.

36 A little known fact is that Fidel Castro actually sent Jose Contreras over here to get back at George Steinbrenner for making illegal contributions to President Nixon that were to be used to help assassinate the Cuban dictator...

It's true. I read it on the internets...

41 I just look at all those reports and say: Why the hell would they travel here and not make their presence well known? What Star Trek is right and there's some prime directive to not interfere with A-Rod's march to 800 homeruns?

Ok, so otherwise they're planning an Independence Day-style takeover.

Sweet! Tomorrow is July 4th! Or maybe 7/7/07!?

35 We've been trying for weeks (maybe months) to get Jim Dean to talk about something new and now you want him to stop...
;-)
Just kidding with you, Jim.

44 See 42

Well, I wouldn't call them aliens, but there's obviously intelligent life on other planets. Sun Ra was from Saturn.

Funny enough, I looked up "Billy Meyer" on wikipedia and got a baseball player. Then I remembered that it's spelled "Meier."

So, I guess it was topical after all!

45 Actually, I just decided that ET theories are my new favorite topic!

Old saying: Extraordinary claim require extraordinary evidence. And the existence of sentient aliens would be the greatest discovery in the history of mankind.

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

Billy Meyer was a Yankees farm system manager.

49 Not greater than Kevin Long discovering what was wrong with A-Rod

47 And Cashman is from Uranus.

49 Are you saying that John Lennon was killed by aliens ?????

53 He WAS an alien.

I don't know if this is a mistake or not, but here's a little something to get us back on baseball (from rotoworld.com):

"Diamondbacks placed LHP Randy Johnson on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 29, with a sore back.
Johnson showed last year that he can no longer pitch effectively when he's only 85-90 percent, so the Diamondbacks are probably doing the smart thing here. Still, it's looking like they might not get much from the 33-year-old [sic] over the remainder of the two-year extension he signed as part of the trade with the Yankees. Yusmeiro Petit will start in his place tonight."

Discuss.

54 Ah, I see...

Jim, you seem to have it all figured out. Can you tell me this:

Who is Karim Garica?

Gotta go. I'll probably check back in later tonight. If not, everyone have a happy and save Fourth of July.

47 JL - i was talking to Col. Bruce late last nite and told him we've been talking about Sun Ra on this site. he was as impressed as i am! anyway, Col. was fortunate to know Sun and was at his funeral. apparently, Sun told the Col. that he'd be back in April of 2008. so, at least we have that to look forward to next season when craig counsell is our starting 3rd baseman!

55 Speaking of aliens.

Hey, don't talk about Marcus like that.

...and the bartender said to the alien: "Hey buddy, what's with the big pause?"

[alleniversonvoice] Aliens? Aliens?! We talkin about Aliens???.........Aliens?[/alleniversonvoice]

well, if torre is not back next year and Sun Ra is...you see where i'm going with this. how awesome would it be to have Sun as our manager?! i'd love to see him in the dugout leaning on Jeter's bat like a staff. that would rule : )

Huh? What about Sigourney Weaver?

62 April 2008! I'm looking forward to it. Hell, that means we can let ARod walk - Sun Ra can take over at third and bat in the middle of the order. Space is the place!

56 "save Fourth of July"

If the aliens should show their big ole heads.

65 Good catch on that money typo.

I say 6 Ks and 10 GBs in 7 IP today.

67 So far, so good.

Didn't need to see Wang's nail

67 Knock on wood, but the Yankee pitchers tend to own the Twins like Carl Pohlad does. Roger, Mussina, Pettitte and Wang all have awesome numbers.

HA!mmy

I'm glad Bonds hit a HR. The quicker he gets there the quicker he can leave forever.

72 And the quicker A-Rod can get started on catching Bonds. Health-pending, even 35 HR per year gets A-Rod to 775 before he turns 40.

Four worms, one whiff for Wang through two.

I'll have a gin...........

Nice hustle by Bobby, but Bowa did not look happy...

75 I wonder if others are like me - I'm around and paying attention, but it's tough to get enthused by the games. Let's see them go 16-4 this month then I might start getting excited again.

Yeah, Andy. I think we have ourselves a first baseman.

they say it's a foul ball? thanks michael.

did he forget the rules and think the out wouldn't count?

77There was a bit of discussion on this in the last thread, and williamnyy23 made me realize that I was being a bad baseball fan- it doesn't matter whether the Yankees are winning or losing, watching a baseball game is a great way to spend an evening. The big picture problems with the team might dictate what's going on in this individual game, but within it there are still all those awesome things that make this the best sport there is.

Like Abreu and Damon both going first to third on Torii Hunter, for example.

77 I'm just takin' it a game at a time, and paying more attention than I planned to Det., Cleveland, Twins, A's, etc. As LoHud pointed out, we if played something like .500 since the 9 game streak, the division would be in total play. Sawx don't seem to want it, and no one is stepping up to take it...

Yeah, Andy.

Wow - this ump has a huge outside corner tonite- both ways. He's giving like 4 inches or more outside- Wang should have no problem if he stays ahead in the count.

Where's Melky going? Take it like a Melkman!

83 ?

What a freaking hit machine. Pete Rose might have nothing left when Jeter's done.

So... I guess you don't believe in the conspiracy amounst clubhouse attendents to doctor the Yankees pregame buffet with the little know, hamsting degenerating drug, epitheroalbutizine?

And I guess ARods wide DIDN'T get a package of pound cake, flowers and 2 pressbox tickets, with a certain T-shirt to wear to identify her? Sent from the lovely Russian imagrant Oluv Deredzox?

Is Arod going to have a monthly split like Giambi's last year?

88 What the hell are you talking about?

The Reds DFA'd their third catcher Chad Moeller today. (And fired Bucky Dent.) Moeller is really bad, but he's significantly better than Wil Nieves.

87 At his current 162 game average of 208 hits, it will take Jeter just under 10 more seasons to get to 4,256 hits.

92 I'm on the record here saying I don't think Jeter will even get to 4,000, but that would be something.

92 maintaining that average would be damn imp...ressive?

Nice!

87 I think he walks too much. But maybe if he plays until he's 45 too. Just better not be playing SS in 2019. I wonder when he moves to 2B or the OF though.

It better not be that finger acting up.

Given Jeter's apparent concern for his reputation, I don't think he's going to linger just to get a record. He won't want to embarrass himself out there just to pick up a few hits here and there.

I could be wrong about that but it's my gut.

Wang through two pitches to Morneau that were strikes last inning. Earlier I said that this ump has a huge outside corner and now he has went and changed the zone. Frustrating.

Joba with 9 K through 4 IP (0 ER 2 H and 1 BB).

98 I'm with you. DiMaggio retired when he was just 36, though that had more to do with heel problems.

86 83 Was when Andy made a nice play.

Yeesh, Wanger loses the zone. Ugh.
Well, time for a DP.

99 yeah i noticed those corners are shrinking.

100 awesome.

101 And at that point, it's not a lock for Jeter to get to 3000, let alone 4000. He's going to need at least 3.5 seasons to get there, at which point he'll be 37. Which is scary, and I think most people have a hard time believing he's not 23 anymore.

shit that was nice

HA!!!!
Andy with the stretch!

Wow!

Um, A-Rod is good

102 A-Rod to Canoe to A-Phil!

It's no Tinkers/Evers/Chance, but it'll do!

A-rod looks ok to me.

Explain please?

It would really be something, though. I can't believe that in the entire history of the Yankees nobody's done it.

Could lady luck be coming the Yankees way..."Hi sweetheart c'mon in."

111 Arod makes a nice stab, fires a strike to Cano, throws to Phillips who makes a great stretch.

Oh, you wanted me to explain the Kelly-Hopkinsville Alien Encounter...

111 Made a great backhand pick to start a 5 4 3 DP.

111 A-Rod makes stop to his right on a sharp grounder. Sets and fires to Cano, who wheels and fires to Phillips, a bit down the first base line. Phillips made a big stretch and kept his foot on the bag, though the ball kind of ice cream coned. Pretty an ATH double play as you'll see.

Thanks for the reporting for those of us working.

Matsui just keeps rolling over on that ball...MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS!

Thanks 114 115. I decided to turn off Sterling when he started to make fun of the player's music choices.

112 Do you mean 3000 hits?

Abreu is a miss. He's walking out of the box halfway through his swing.

Abreu is also a mess.

Wow. Kaboooom.

I do not understand what is happening. We're pitching well, 2 out RBIs. Where are my Yankees?

Wow I thought Cano got under that thing.

if that ball had been caught i would have been so pissed. i love when they just show a shot of the sky and you have no idea where the ball is.

So, I guess for the Aflac trivia question, the Blue Jays (Aaron Hill has played all 82 games) and Indians (same with Sizemore) don't count? The question said "what AL player has played every game for his team this year," not started. So there are quite a number of answers other than Ichiro, actually.

Poor research, YES... poor research.

125 Same here. Thought the 2B would drift back to get it. How many HRs for Robbie so far?

Robby, baby!

I understand all the arguments for trading Cano. It makes sense.

But he's such a happy guy. He is incapable of maintaining a straight face when he makes a great play. It's very endearing.

127 I was sure it was Proctor.

128 Just four.

128 Four, according to USA Today.

128 That'd be his 4th.

132 Thanks, I can't recall his third...

Wow! That looked like a spring training drill. Heads up by Andy for following through on the play...

Guys, everyone go vote for Pat Neshek if you can. C'mon the guy has a blog about getting autographs and I've been following him since he was in the minors. Plus Okajima is currently leading, we can't let that happen.

136 Just what I was thinking.
But it was another nice play by Robbie. He'd be the Star ot Game if Wang weren't pitching so well.

It's an Andy Phillips Winning Baseball highlight reel tonight.

135 June 1, off Tim Wakefield.

Here's video:
http://tinyurl.com/35qd6l

130 who wants to trade him? that does NOT make sense.

133,134 Thanks. Robbie's shot and that DP almost gives me enough confidence to check out the Boston score...

Joba -- 11 ks thru 5 for Trenton tonite.

Imagine, a Yanke pitcher who throws hard and ks folks.

140 Thanks for the link! I knew it was a while ago ;-)

144 You're welcome. Yeah, one a month so far for Cano. And www.hittrackeronline.com is pretty awesome, links to video of almost every homer over the past three years.

77, 81, 82 I just want the team to get to .500. That is all. And not take the better part of the second half of the season to do so.

120 Yes.

147 I suppose that goes back to the definition of "Yankee" then. Winfield, Henderson, and Boggs all played for the Yankees, but didn't get their 3000th hit with them. And only Winfield could be considered a "Yankee" in terms of his career.

A-Rod should get to 3000 hits pretty easily, too.

More Pete Abe being a jackass...

145 Thank you again, mattski! Wasn't aware of that site, it's sick. I love it...

148 Yeah, I was thinking "as a Yankee." Although, Jeter would also be the first to get all 3k as a Yank.

149 ?

Whew. Big K.

152 Another really snide comment about Edwar on his blog.

150 And now you know that "Tony Clark" is the current answer to the question: "Who has hit the furthest home run of 2007?"

154 Also the comment about CMW pitching the "worst" shut out ever are a little unwarranted. Sounds like he didn't get to smuggle his two diet cokes into the press box tonight.

That at bat to Morneau was the ball game...nice job Wanger.

So, at 91 pitches, Wang starts the seventh but on a short leash. First reliever will be Vizcaino, right? Unless it's Mauer or Morneau, in which case the one guy who's much, much worse against lefties than righties will make an appearance.

The great Torii Hunter!

Where's standuptriple when his number comes up? You there?

That was hilarious.

Wow. We might not see that again for a long time.

159 Oof...although, the 2 base error on Hunter feels just as good.

I KNEW Kay would bring up their fundamentals.

All right, everyone take at least two pitches for the rest of the inning, so Jorge can get some rest...

Ohhhh I see. So if players besides A-Rod, Jeter and Posada hit the ball, we're a good team? Is that the idea?

What'd I say about lefties!

149 He seems to have evolved from a fairly straight shooter to letting a Bronx bias color his posts, but maybe that's just me. He does not seem like a frustrated Bomber fan airing it out — which I would not expect from an 'objective journalist' in the first place — but there's a small slice of hate there. You can feel it...

I think Jorgie will have a good rest, no worries. There's going to be a relief pitcher (Rincon?) shortly.

oh Andy. bring back Miggy Mantle, best .240 hitter in baseball

I swear I wrote that 167 before the trip to the mound.

155 really? longer than the 500' bomb by howard last week?

a hbp with 3 balls should be called a walk since it's a ball before it hits the batter anyway.

Jeez, the vaunted Twins' D looks like crap today.

And Melky has Kyleproofed the game!

THE MELKMAN DELIVERTH!!!

170 There's actually a note about that in the crawler on the banner at that site. One of the things I've learned from checking that site often is that 500 foot homers are mostly a myth. For example, in Yankee stadium you'd have to reach the CF bleachers (to the left of the black seats) to get to 500 feet. Even A-Rod's smash off Glavine last month into the ambulance area in left went 470 feet.

The note about Howards' homer is that eyewitnesses say it landed short of the wall that separates the Hall of Fame plaques from "Ashburn's Alley." And since the back wall of Ashburn's Alley is marked with a "482" sign, 20 feet above field level, in a deeper part of the park, there's no way Howard's homer traveled 500 feet. 455 is a better estimate.

173 we want edwar! we want edwar!

How funny would it be if they win huge and A-Rod goes hitless.

Uh.
This is a big lead. This lead is big like A-Rod is good.
I don't remember a lead this big. I mean, for us.

RISP, 2 outs: Jeter's calling.

173 Make it 12 and I'm with ya ;-)

time to pull arod after this AB, methinks, give him a bit of a break for the rest of the night, specially with a day game coming up tomorrow ...

How the hell is Proctor up in the pen?

176 Proctor and Myers warming, of course.

176 Seriously, I would love to see him pitch, that would make this game complete for me. Well, I'd also like to run through three more Twin pitchers, fry that bullpen for the rest of the series.

Is Boston playing tonight?

175 how long was tony clark's?

don't get used to the sloppy twins play santana's starting tomorrow.

Wow - and Jobe finished 6 IP with 12 K 1 BB 4 H and 0 ER

He could be up next year if he keeps this up.

I believe that's 0 for his last 15; A-Rod really needs to sit.

176 This should be the night we see him.

Unless, of course, Proctor and Myers bring it to 8-6 in a hurry.

187 let's just hope he doesn't get hurt. that's quite a line.

186 Isn't that kind of a personal question?

183 ok, now that's not funny

182 183 Dammit.
Although with the way Proctor's been pitching, maybe this is the right spot for him.

189 if it was anyone but torre, this would be the night we'd see him

though i do appreciate that joe took my advice and called it a night for alex ...

hi all, just catching up on the game thread comments...

yeah, boston is playing and winning. 4-0 dice-k vs. kazmir

i don't think jetes will get to 4,000 either, but passing tris speaker at #5 with 3,514 is certainly a possibility. if not, i'd still love for him to crack the top 10, passing eddie collins who has 3,315. molitor is right there too, with 3,319...

it will be cool that jetes will become the only yankee to amass the full 3,000 hits with the team. i sure hope a-rod's in pinstripes when he ultimately reaches the mark...

i'd like to see edwar tonite... yeah, a-rod should come out of the game and take tomorrow off against supernatural johan my johan. perpaps he should take the A-S game off, as well...

cult, you going to the baked potato tonite for the latin-jazz gig?

C'mon Joe. Scott is clearly tired (and Myers just sucks), you're up 8-0. Maybe Edwar can try an inning or two. Its almost the 8th and you still have this Rivera kid or something in the pen if they manage to score 7 runs off him.

191 LOL! That did bring to mind an old Monty Python skit...

186 If that wall in right field hadn't been in the way, it would have traveled 482 feet.

Just like anything else, of course, homers are affected by the ballpark, in this case because of temperature and altitude. If all 2007 homers were hit at sea level and a temperature of 70 degrees, A-Rod's off Glavine would have gone furthest.

and so i'm in a mood to be generous, i'll just say that myers and EDSP are up for this inning, in case wang needs help, and that he'll let the rook start one of the next two

196 haven't decided yet, i've got to run a couple of errands tonite to get ready for a party tomorrow

12 GB, 3 K, 7 IP for Wang. My prediction 67 was a bit off. But I'll take it.

191 Hilarious.

CMW seems done for the night...

200 Uh. Yeah. Generous.

201 oh, no worries. i'm sure he'll play there again. i can pass along the info if ya want...

Twinks SS would have be in trademark violation if he even attempted that throw...

204 same culprits warming in the bully?

208 No, it's just that Wang was leaving the dugout. He's clearly gone, unclear who's up in the pen.

Ramon Ortiz: the unscary one.

208 No tease yet. YES just showed Wang heading down the tunnel and Guidry on the phone...

Hey, can we teach Andy Phillips to catch?

Only problem is, now I'm greedy. I wanted that Cano shot to go over Hunter's head, and I want to score eight runs at least twice a week.

SIGH.

Not a bad AB by Robbie. Man, I hope he's starting to snap out of it...

what a joke

PROCTOR?! Seriously?

OH FOR FUCK'S SAKE! WTF Joe?

214 Great AB.

And now, Yankess fans, for your viewing pleasure: EVERY, DAY, SCOTT, PRRRRROCTOR!

215 Seriously. Torre is on autopilot.

I'm hallucinating Scott Proctor. Damn Elmer's...

Wow even PeteAbe is questioning Joe here.

I mean seriously, 8-0. Clearly Joe doesn't like Edwar's BFOG.

220 start sniffing the harder glues and you'll start hallucinating NOT scott proctor

jesus, even all-you-can-eat pete is calling joe out on this one (from LoHud)

UPDATE, 9:38 p.m.: Proctor? If Edwar Ramirez doesn't pitch in the ninth, that would be strange. Weird outing for CMW but effective.

In all seriousness, if Edwar does not pitch this game, that is yet another reason to fire Torre. He will not give kids a shot at all.

ummm, WTF just happened there?

i bet it's farnsworth in the 9th.

o'neill's right here, umpires should never throw out a guy just for arguing from the bench. that's such shit.

I can't blame Joe for this one. He's just throwin' EDSP back into the fire. Pun intended.

How frustrating can it be for a rookie like Edwar to be sitting in the bullpen, and watching EDSP go into the game with an 8-run lead?

Then again, Proctor hasn't pitched in an MLB game since Sunday. That's a clear violation of his contract. Maybe Joe is hoping this will make him forget about it.

Cash: Hey Joe, we just called up this kid who's striking out over 2 batters per inning in AAA.

Joe: Thanks, we've got a seat for him at the end of the BP bench. It was getting cold. Now, where's Scotty? and my green tea? and my stories?

228 What's worse is that he will rot for 10 days. Then Joe will bring him in, he'll be totally rusty, walk 2 guys and be sent back down.

230 but by that logic, being sent back down is the best thing for him

227 I think that's right. More precisely, he thinks Proctor has to 'get well' in a low pressure situation.
But Edwar in the ninth, right?
Right?

223 'All-You-Can-Eat-Pete' is Banter-HOF post material ;-)

231 Being traded is the best thing for him, until Joe gets fired. Anyone want to bet that Girardi would have the kid in for the last 2 innings tonight. Give the vets some rest and see what the kid has.

230 that's joe's forte, finding ways to put players who aren't "his BFoG guys" into situations where they're more likely to fail, then banishing them after they do ...

I know these words generally don't belong in the same sentence, but Proctor just mowed 'em down.

231 True, but I hate to see the guy's confidence harmed by such crappy bullpen management. Here's a guy who could be a real big asset to the Yanks - no one else in the pen has a changeup (except Mo, kind of) - and Torre will fritter him away.

Let's see how many times Myers, Villone, and Vizcaino pitch over the next week.

232 That's retarded. Scott is a professional baseball player. Surely he's had a bad stretch before in his life and realized it doesn't mean he completely sucks.

232 Right. Without question, right. If I hear Sandman....

How sad is it that we're up 8-0 and we can't be happy because of this crap?

I bet Joe is going to say something like, "I wanted him to get his confidence back."

i can't believe it!!!

Kay just mentioned Ramirez! Is he up in the pen? please say yes...pretty please....someone there with a blackberry...

232 He's warming...

239 I'm afraid Farnsworth is more likely. Same logic as Proctor. Get him 'straightened out'.

Excellent! Now I'm happy.

YAY! c'mon edwar, mow 'em down ... earn your BFoG wings!

244 Hooray!

That's the second-best news I've heard all day. The best news is that Alan Johnston was released.

MACHINE

233 i wouldn't normal stoop to the juvenile, but pete is being such a douche (when he's clearly in the wrong) over ramirez ... his latest snark?

Meanwhile, our long national nightmare is over. Edwar Ramirez is warming up.

248 Oh, him! For like two minutes I was thinking, "Is he a BUC? Who is he? Who released him?" I googled and saw the story.

249 ...and like a fine wine, at that.

Derek Jeter passing Pete Rose? I think Michael Kay has been reading the Banter...

EDWAR!

So, when Ramirez was in high school, did he play basketball, and did the kids call him "No D"?

give us some eyes, those of you who are watching and not following the game ...

Here it comes, the Bugs Bunny change...

Wow, um, wow

Ohhhhhhh yeah.
Watching, Joe?

holy shit

1,2,3! how's the change?

sweeeeeeeet

Hey Pete, that's a 3-pitch strike out.

256 He's skinny. His uniform is almost hanging off his frame. What's funny is that he's wearing Winfield's old number (31) and if he was wearing one of Winfield's old unis, you wouldn't be able to see him. ;)

First pitch strike!

Second pitch strike!

STRIKEOUT!

256 Struck Cuddyer out with the change! Nasty.

256 gets to 0-2 on 90-91 mph fastballs, throws a disgusting change at 78 that just drops to the ground for a swinging strike

248 Good one, Shaun P! See, we're still crazed here, no matter the standings. Like RIYank, I'm Googling, thinking 'when did we sign this guy, who's he?' ;-) And that is great news...

256 Cuddeyer was out in front of the first pitch, a 90 mph fastball. He then fouled off another fastball, 91 mph up and in. Then a 78 mph change diving down and in and he just looked lost.

Nice change, kid.

So you guys can see the count and everything. But it feels exciting.

ANOTHER K ON ANOTHER CHANGE!!!!

Holy crap.

Okay, I'm hooked. Take that, Mr. MVP!

Gee, but Farnsworth throws soooo much harder

NICE!

This stuff is illegal!

c'mon edwar, 1 more K and pete gets to eat some crow ...

Did Abraham have some disparaging remarks about Ramirez that I missed?

267 251 I listen to BBC World News a lot in the car, so I've been paying a lot of attention to that situation. I'm very glad Mr. Johnston is safe. He does outstanding work.

2 Ks on 2 changes! Awesome!

Ford goes down on another CHANGE!!!!

Unbelievable.

ok i think that even torre paid attention to that. that is a belly full of guts if i ever saw one.

There you go!

Ohhhhh sooooooo sweeeeettt

GIVE EDWAR A CHANCE!

SWEET!

Wow, that was sweet.

275 Yeah, but it wasn't on nine pitches...

And I'm sure showing up some beat writer wasn't on his mind as the Yankee Stadium crowd is on their feet in your ML Debut.

WE HAVE OUR 8TH INNING MAN

I'll bet even Joe will let this kid pitch again.

276 He made a snarky remark about expecting Edwar to strike out the side on 9 pitches.

What's he saying now?

MWAAHAAH!

HA!!!!!
Awesome. Boy, it's good to feel the optimism coursing through the veins again!

Wow, I forgot how thick Cano's accent was...

Eh, I don't know, he struck them out swinging, not looking, what good is that?

286 Now let's see Britton get up here . . .

285 No, but we can enjoy it for Edwar. =)

For the Sun Ra fans: I say we nickname him Edwar "Nuclear War" Ramirez. Because he's a motherf*ucker, and because when he comes in, you can kiss your ass goodbye.

OK, I'm getting ahead of myself. But me like.

His blog tonight: "our long national nightmare is over...Edwar Ramirez is warming up"

I didn't pick up on the sarcasm before I suppose. heh.

dammit, why couldn't this have been last night when the game was on ESPN ... argh!

276 The usual, making fun of the "statheads" who think the kid is great, saying he's older than he claims and that since no one has heard of him he must suck since he bounced around.

i think i'll just call him "the journeyman", ya know, just like petey

Farnsworth has just become extremely expendable.

Dammit, I get in to see its the top of the 9th and Ramirez is pitching, and of course my stpuid computer/conection takes just long enough that by the time I get mlb.tv up and running, the game is just over. F that. I got to see a highlight I guess...

Pete Abe really needs to stick to reporting the news, its what his blog is there for. When he tries to be funny or disparage fans because he thinks he knows better, he only makes himself look like an idiot...

If anyone stills pays attention to BBTN, I'd love to hear their first take on Edwar. Just for historical purposes...

294 Maybe we should shorten it to NW. It just seems strange to type that phrase.

For example, I just typed:

I wonder how often Nuclear War can pitch? The changeup, in theory, isn't very taxing on the arm, right?

And then I read it, and it just seemed wrong. But I'm a Sun Ra noob at best, so I trust you guys.

Wow, he mowed down the heart of the order. I mean mowed them down. No one was even close. That change (which I've heard about but never seen before) is unreal. I mean unreal.

Kay and O'Neil were in awe. Kay goes, "Think that'll work after there's some film on him?" and O'Neil replies, "Oh yeah. Tremendous movement with the same arm slot and speed as his fastball. That'll work anywhere."

288 Now he's saying, "Meanwhile, Edwar Ramierez is truly the man as the changeup from hell mows the Twins down."

The changeup from hell. That pretty much describes it.

297 which is just sheer laziness on his part, since that edwar learned that sick change after he was released by the angels, meaning he's a completely different pitcher now, and one that has had nothing but insane success ever since the change

Don't know if it was posted or not, but Joba pitched tonight and his line? 6 IP, 4 H, 1BB, 12 (!!!) K. Thats two straight starts of 2K/IP. Oh yeah, and a 6-1 GO-AO. Nasty...

302 I'll admit, the phrase is a little disquieting. I'd settle for NW.

299 And as soon as they realize Britton is just as good or close, so will Myers. And then Villone for Henn.

303 thanks for relating that ... that's nice to hear ... i heart changeups!

297 I don't care how old he is. If he pitches like that, he can be 14 or 50.

Holy. #$%&$#!. Sh*t. I'm on eBay right now looking for those glasses ;-)

He really does need to work on his fastball command though. He threw what, 2 balls? maybe 3? Pathetic.

Calling that a changeup ain't right. Its got tremendous downward movement. Bigtime movement.

303 It is an amazing pitch. It's not just the change in speed, but it's got late movement, falls straight down. It sure looked to me like the same motion as the fastball. Apparently, it did to the Twins as well.

314 What was amazing was how awful he made Morneau look. I mean, he wasn't even close. I imagine that's what I'd look like trying to hit a major league pitcher.

306 Yeah, that was posted, but thanks. I know, we might have a really good home-grown bullpen pretty soon, huh? Or will Joba be a starter?

I think Ramirez' nickname should be "No D". Even though it's not technically true.

The best part about Edwar?

The numbers says he's got a chance to be really good.

The scouts say he's got a chance to be really good. IIRC, Kevin Goldstein at BP says some trusty scouts he knows have called NW's changeup a definite 70, maybe even an 80 (on the 20 to 80 scouting scale, where 80 is tops).

The Yanks may have found a diamond in the rough.

As soon as he builds his weight up some, say.. to about 150 lbs, he'll be truly awesome.

315 Oooh, I don't think I'd look like that trying to hit a major league pitcher. I think I'd look like I just pissed my pants, or like I was back in the dugout.

316 My guess is that, unless injuries become a big issue for him, Joba is going to start. He's so much more valuable as a starter. Ditto with Humberto Sanchez, when he's back from TJ. No reason to shift either to the pen, until it becomes clear they can't do it as starters in the bigs. And we're a long ways from that. =)

316 joba's def coming up as a starter (though he might come up and get a few "get the feet wet" innings as a reliever)

320 joba's secondary stuff is better than sanchez's though and sanchez has consistently had problems staying healthy as a starter

Edwarrior

321 And that would be fine. The Weaver way is a sound one.

I simply can't remember when this team had good young pitching. I don't know about our bats, but 2008 and 2009 look to be very exciting.

319 I actually thought about this recently. I'd just square to bunt every single time. No chance in hell I make contact any other way.

That said, I would still strike out on three pitches. I'd be way too scared of accidentally getting my hand in the way of the ball.

Only 11 times since 1957 has a pitcher struck out the side in his first major league inning, most recently Jordan De Jong this year for the Blue Jays.

316 no d is great. especially if he continues to strike out the side.

322 True, but Sanchez is still pretty young (24) himself. If the Yanks end up making Sanchez a reliever, I'd like to see it be in the Mariano mold - let him do pretty poorly as a starter in the bigs first.

And I'd love to see Sanchez, in that case, be groomed to pitch multiple innings at a time. Not as a long guy, but as a 1+ or 2 inning reliever, again like Mo in '96. You figure if anyone can do that, it's got to be a former starter.

319 I could hit in little league. Its about the same, right? ;)

I'd swing, and miss. I do have a decent eye, but I've never hit a really good breaking ball. Now, throw one, yeah, but I've got the chronic shoulder bursitis from that to be thankful for.

316 I love: No D

Ok, next important question, what's his theme music?

323 I like it...

meh, i'm holding off on a nickname 'til something jumps out at me ... hopefully we should have plenty of times to think of one ...

WHERE'S MY EDWAR VIDEO!!!

someone needs to youtube the 9th

I hate to be "that guy." But it would be a damn shame if Edwar really does = Henry Roengardner, and this is too little, too late.

332 Thanks, me too.

So it's either:

A) NW
B) No D
C) Edwarrior

336 let's be honest. the guy strikes everyone out and his name is edwar. it's not even a question.

336 Let's leave them all out there and see which one catches on. And if he has two or three nicknames, no problem.

meanwhile, joba the hut has 48 ks in 27 2/3 AA innings ...

Previously I had only searched pitchers who threw exactly one inning in their major league debut and struck out the side. Of those 11, only 5 struck out the side with no base runners.

Expanding my search, limited to the Yankees this time, only two other Yankee pitchers struck out the side in their first major league inning. Al Leiter struck out the side around 2 hits and a run in the first inning of his ML debut. And Stan Bahnsen struck out the side, 1-2-3, against the Red Sox on September 9, 1966.

So there you have it.

Listening to Suzyn:
Joe was very impressed with No-D. "I know it's only one [something], but it's a great start for him." Either Torre or Suzyn compared him with Trevor H (heater, change), but I couldn't tell which.

The club was shocked to see Torii blow his cool.

Wang's finger nail did have a problem, but they "put something on it".

hahaha baseball tonight focuses on hunter getting ejected and skips any reference to the 9th.

no love from BBTN, looong yankees-twins highlights, but not ever a mention of edwar ... fucking espn

343 i'm not even sure if it's worth it to wait for the "that's nasty" segment. probably won't put him in.

That's why you shouldn't watch that garbage.

The best part of the postgame was when one reporter referred to him as Martinez. Hmmm...Pedro like change.

yeah, maybe they'll mention it at 9 ... hopefully there'll be some video up on YES or somewhere i can see ... at least i'll get to watch all the games against the angels this weekend, and i'd be surprised now if he doesn't pitch in at least 1

k'ing the side on 14 pitches and making some really good hitters look stupid makes even joe torre pay attention

He's being interviewed now. He's like a little kid, he's so excited.

And giving the lineup card to his dad, for sticking with him.

Ok, where can I get a Ramirez uniform?

BTW, Winfield's # isn't retired? wow.

349 should be retired for karsay too

342 343 Uhh, did you think that ESPN would show a recent call-up pitching in garbage time? OK, I agree, BBTN is lame, but you guys are being a tad unrealistic here.

348 The corners of his mouth looked like they were pinned to his ears. It was great.

349 Its not like Winfield and Steinbrenner are (or were) all that close.

Well folks, g'night from here and have a wonderful 4th! Too bad Cliff's midnight radio appearance couldn't have been on a day where the game didn't go by so quickly.

yankz, I imagine we can get a report from you. =)

351 yeah but they focused on some other bullshit and the guy struck out 3 straight on some of the nastiest pitches i've seen

353 Oh man, no work tomorrow? I'll be up laaaate...I'll try to listen to Cliff but I'm not making any promises. I've got a cool DVD...

BTW, if you click the radio link Cliff posted, you get this headline: "Northfield Police Targeting Heroin Problem "

with a picture of a guy shooting up beneath it. Just thought that was funny.

351 That could go either way with the four letter network. Given the pen letdown this season, an objective editor could have given that a 5 second look, given the performance. If he was lit up for back-to-back, even though that wouldn't have effected the outcome, you can bet that would have made the cut, and you can telegraph the headline: "No relief in sight for Yanks"...

350 I also think of it as Ed Figueroa's number. Not to mention Josh Phelps.

Edwar is our gain after the loss of Pavano

359 You can't lose what you never had.

Anyone else listening? I'm getting news...

The WCCO sports guy is named Dark Star. Could you be more badass?

Hey, is this supposed to be 12 AM central time?

Wait, did Cliff mean midnight CT?

363 Doh, I guess so.

Ah, here's Cliff. He's just late.

357 Maybe, but this seems a little too conspiratorial. They didn't show him because he wasn't the story; he wasn't even part of the story, despite all of our myopic joy (and that includes me). The story in the game was a strong start by Wang and a whooping by the bats. They showed the player getting tossed because they always show players getting tossed. And they would have shown back-to-back jacks because they always show them.

Now, if Wang had left the game early and the BP held the other team down for four or five innings in a close game, then I suspect the focus would have been on the BP, and they might have shown Edwar gunning down the side in order.

366 Thanks, I had turned it off.

Dark Star just messed up the URL!

Cliff is mad articulate. Although he just mentioned Jeter in a shower.

370 Pete Abe loitering in front of the showers. Nice image, Cliff.

Well, that's that.

He did it again! It's bronx banter DOT baseball toaster dot com!!

Cliff was awesome. Questions were pretty standard (Can the Yanks turn it around? Will Torre stay?), but it was still very entertaining.

371 LOL! Tell me about it.

People can figure out that it's supposed to be a URL and not an email address.

My only complaint is that Edwar Ramirez (and The Best Change-up Ever) was never acknowledged as the horse on which the Yanks will ride to World Series Glory this year.

For shame, Cliff and Dark Star. For shame.

375 Probably, but it's late, and it annoyed me that someone in this day and age makes that mistake.

376 True, but I could never stay mad at someone named Dark Star. Mostly out of fear.

Postgame interview with Edwar!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=27bTPcFe6jE

Video of Edwar's masterpiece is up on yankees.com

The best part of the highlights, besides the pitch itself, obviously, was O'neil's reaction, openly surprised, impressed, and excited...good stuff

Also don't know if this was posted, but word out on the street is the Yanks signed 10th rounder Carmen Angellini (hasn't been official yet b/c its a big bonus, no surprise). What a name...

Sweet interview. Sweet 9th by Edwar. Maybe for good luck, when KrazyKyle pitches from now on, he can hold him in his teeth like a toothpick. Ah, two game winning streaks are good for the Yankee Soul.