This thread was sneaky, ducking in to the middle of the Hot from the Toaster section. So maybe it's only Lukewarm from the Toaster. Anyway... Colon... perfect game.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, California, United States of America, Earth, Milky Way, The Universe!

Did I miss something? I thought Phillips was starting. Any other lineup changes?

Ugh. Angels. Somehow, we just don't match up well with them.

I guess A-Rod's hamstring is fine, huh?

Okay, time for A-Rod to test the "Great defensive play/lead off next inning" cliche.

2 Space is the place!

So Ladies and Germs.... does JD playing in LF has real significance? Are his days in CF basically over? In first base his destination in 2008?

Please note: This is a live horse.
I for one, think Matsui is playing a poor LF.

3 Well, PeteAbe was acidic towards people who complained about Torre's lineup because hitters "match up better" with certain pitchers, and cited a sample size of five at bats or something. So in that spirit, numbers versus Colon:

Cairo: 2-16, 2B, 2 BB, 1 K
Phillips: 0-2

Clearly, Cairo matches up better with Colon. It's bright as day, isn't it?

Juuuuuuuuuuuust missed. By 8 inches.

I did not like the way Alex was running there. The hammy is not 100%, or even 85%.

6 As so often happens!
Given his slugging pct vs Colon, not too surprising.

9 What's up? Just checked PeteAbe:
UPDATE, 6:18 p.m.: Andy Phillips has been scratched because of a stiff neck and replaced by Miguel Cairo. This a day after Joe Torre said he was the everyday first baseman.

No acid there....

12 SI did a cover special about that a few years back, and found, unsurprisingly, that "great plays" were followed by the player leading off the next inning... only slightly more than one ninth of the time.

And their sample of "great plays" was based on newspaper articles that mentioned them. So it wasn't scientific. It's just one of those things that's reinforced by the event occurring (like David Ortiz is Clutch), but not negatively impacted by it not occurring (like his K versus Krazy Kyle last year).

Will Jorge go the other way?

14 Wait, I remember an April Fool story on exactly that topic a couple of years ago. By Roy Blount. He claimed to be investigating the "ASOH" phenomenon, and quoted authorities like "Loof Lirpa" (anyway Loof was mentioned a lot in the article).

16 That was an article in SI, in case I wasn't clear.

13 I didn't mean today, I was talking about two games ago when he wrote:

"I love the people burying the lineup without knowing the facts. Damon is 5 for 24 (.208) against Santana in his career with six strikeouts. Abreu is only 0 for 1. But lefties are hitting .142 against Santana this season. with 37 Ks in 106 at-bats. Torre said he didn't want to screw Abreu up. Cairo is 3 for 10 against Santana, which isn't much of a sample but it's certainly better than anybody else outside of Matsui (6 of 13) or Cano (4 of 6). Meanwhile they wanted A-Rod to DH with the day game after the night game and Posada needed a day off. No, it's not a great lineup. But they didn't pull names out of a hat. Joe and the coaches meet for a long while every day and look at all the numbers."

Cairo is 3 for 10! Which is better than 0 for 1! Start Cairo!

15 I'm glad he didn't.

16 I guess I was duped then... ;-)

This is going well. Now I remember Colon.

Colon could tie in nicely to the previous thread, too.

I think Hideki is fine in LF. His Rate2 is 106.

Ah, Cano.

21 http://www.firejoemorgan.com/2007/05/its-early.html

But at least he handled the bat well on his shoulder.

Damn Andy's stiff neck.

24 Yeah, I remember that one. A particularly disgusting one.

25 He didn't hit into an inning-ending DP, so that's a plus.

49 pitches. We should be in the bullpen early, which I always like in the first game of a series, even though it would be fun to bat against Colon all night, too.

Ooo, someone with fewer walks this season than Cano. And Wil Nieves.

Jeez, what's up with Andy?

typical angel hits against the yankees. Seems like it is going to be like that again.

Okajima wins the AS spot. Damn.

Ok.

What's the deal with these Californias?

Why do they do this Every. Single. Time?

They just always hit.

30 I'm not watching the game (listening in the backyard whilst barbecuing) but I doubt if it's Andy's fault.

These people just hit, is all.

11 You're right, he looks frail.

No way should he play the All Star Game.

Which reminds me, btw. California's performance against us in 2002 is always chalked up to four poor performances by our pitchers, a most unlikely flow of events.

But honestly, I'm not convinced it wasn't rather that they just know how to hit.

18 He didn't play Cairo over Abreu because Abreu was 0-1. He benched Abreu because Bobby was finally swinging well, and he didn't want his confidence broken against a very good lefty named Santana.

Really, really stupid, trying to protect Abreu's confidence. No wonders players hate him. Terrible managing. Fire Torre now (or 2 days ago).

Was anyone else thinking " OK Andy, Cabrera can cover the inside pitch, he CLEARLY can hit the inside pitch. Maybe we should go away a few times? Maybe?"

Btw - Posada was thinking the same thing and was called off several times.

38 Not just inside, but bellybutton high. Just a really bad pitch.

ARod goes to RF twice. Wonder if the hamstring is hampering his swing some.

37 I was making fun of Abraham, not Torre. My problem with the lineup that day was that Torre mailed it in- Cairo, Nieves, Thompson, Phillips all on the same day. And it was the only game of the series the Yankees lost, wasn't it...

I don't pretend to know how to handle superstars, I would hope that their psyches are strong enough to take an oh-fer against the best pitcher in the game. But I do know statistics, and I do know sample sizes, and I do know that there is no evidence that one hitter's prior at bats against a pitcher is any prediction of future performance. Abraham doesn't understand that at all.

Then again, Alex Rodriguez continues to be an exception to the evidence against Colon.

Kay talking with the Chinese baseball commisars, interrupting them with periodic "Uh huh"'s and "Mmm huh"'s is really awkward.

That wasn't very scrappy of you, Reggie. Perhaps Chone Figgins or David Eckstein would have been more scrappy there and made the catch...

That looked incredibly awkward.

I guess Abreu's "let it drop in front of me" tactic ain't all bad...

41 Matt... Unfortunately, over 162 games, with a very weak bench, there will always be a few games where we have a 'terrible' lineup. Nonetheless, we have 25 guys on the team, and they will all see some playing time, sometimes at the same time.

That doesn't mean Torre is 'mailing it in'.
You don't honestly think you want to win more then Torre, do you?

For the first time ever, I actually felt sorry for Michael Kay. Through no fault of his own, that had to be the worst interview I've ever heard.

Fucking Cairo.

Fucking bunt.

See, the Yankees know how to hit too...

8 runs in 4 innings. Consarnit, I was out mowing the lawn and then watering it.

49 My wife read an article that says the best time to water the lawn is between 8:00 and 9:00 am. But certainly evening is way better than mid-day.

Yanks are looking good!

50 Yeah. Problem is I'm busy tomorrow morning, but usually when I water it is the morning. Do get some mushrooms popping up when I water in the p.m.

50 get an in-ground sprinkler system so you don't have to water the lawn.

50 Best time to water is later at night unless it's a cool day. If you water in the AM on a hot day, much of it evaporates. Not much water evaporates after it gets dark.

52 Maybe for the next house, this lot is small and I don't have the $ for one.

Crap, looking like it might be another Twins - White Sox game. Just as long as the Yankees are the Twins.

Mistake by the Melkman.

I am not sure if the game situations bear it out, but Pettitte seems to be developing a pattern of being just good enough to lose. When the Yankees don't score, he holds down the opposition, but when they do, he gives up alot of runs. Sometimes wins and losses do tell a story; that seems to be the case with Pettitte.

i'm in a very good mood today because the yankee store on 59th had 1 bernie t shirt left, and i'd been having a fight with majestic because they wouldn't let me order one using the customized t (some absurd mlb guidelines that i don't even think applied). so fuck them i got a new one anyway.

Bootcheck?
At least his name isn't bedcheck or headlicecheck

Have no fear, Cairo's here!

Unbelievable. That pretty much ensures that the Yankees lose this game by 1 run.

60 in extra innings

I wonder if the HOF waives the 5 yr rule for Miggy. Cano misses the base. Miggy loses his triple. Whens the last time you saw that?

Pettitte HAS to have a shutdown inning here.

i think he touched it but he doesnt seem too upset. but they didnt show his reaction for like 5 minutes.

Gotta take Andy out. He doesn't have it today.

63 Pettitte stays true to form...if you really look deep into the stats, Pettitte is not having a good year and I think he will continue to be a cause for concern going forward.

Btw, Team, when I prophesied in the other thread that this series would be fugly, this is precisely what I had in mind.

Fortunately (knock on wood), we're hanging in there, nevertheless.

66 that really isn't fair. these type of outings are infuriating, but how can you blame him for those low scoring games he could have won had the yankees scored a couple runs?

andy should have caught that

Fugly, folks.

Fugly.

Ugh. Why is always like this with the freakin' Halos?

Frankly, I don't know how this team ever loses a game.

All they do is knock the ball around, hard.

I'm so sick of them.

68 If you look at his game logs, Pettitte seems to have a knack for giving up more runs than the opposition. Pitching to the score can be an art, and Pettitte's entire season has been not being good enough. If you dig even deeper, Pettitte has had a lot of innings in which he immediately gives up runs after the team scores.

71 Always.

Dare I suggest it's because they play a put-the-ball-in-play, aggressive-on-the-basepaths style of ball?

Ooh, it's Edwar!

Muggerfluffer.

Wait, it's a crucial situation and a rookie (at least a guy who's only pitched for Torre 1x) is in?

68 Also, there really aren't that many of the low scoring games you suggest...only 4 by my count. Similarly, the Yankees have lost 4 Pettitte starts despite scoring 5 or more runs.

74 That doesn't explain why Cairo's triple gets revoked because Robby missed the base.

If the Yankees lose this game, it's a pack-it-in type loss.

This kid might be good... if the wind isn't blowing hard.

Shit.

it's like they're daring him to strike the next 2 out

he looked shocked that someone made contact with that

I hate Chone Figgins. He can't even spell his name in some recognizable way.

got damn skone figgins!

Dagnabit. One strike from getting out of it.

Since Andy Pettitte questioned the effort of others he has pitched awfully and could wind up costing the team two games they should have won easily. Sometimes, you reap what you sew, and Pettitte has certainly come up small lately.

Shit! Ya don't gotta hit it hard.

87 he sews? did clemens teach him?

HAH! A little too much aggression on the basepaths there.

89 Sow he does, it seems.

89 It's the reaping that bothers me.

Yanks have to score here...otherwise three-four innings of Shields and K-Rod.

I'm really going to miss ARod

i was actually going to buy a melky t shirt but they didnt have one in my size

94 Sometimes I wonder if he is counting down the days in his head.

No bunt please....10 runs probably wont be enough Joe.

The Yanks have lost at least 2 runs due to bonehead plays. That's gonna bite us.

I want an Edwar jersey.

damnit why didnt they have it in my size?

99 i was wondering how long you have to wait

Damon read that play really badly.

Me thinks this is going to be a Last Man Standing game, Yanks get last licks.

102 seriously how could he not realize that was a hit off the bat?

Hopefully not long. I love the kid, and he's got my build too.

It's gonna take an A-Bomb to get the bad taste of this game out of my mouth. Now's a good time to water the lawn.

Will Joe leave ER in to start the 7th? I thought he looked pretty good under duress in the 6th.

Will Joe leave ER in to start the 7th? I thought he looked pretty good under duress in the 6th.

105 they make jerseys in all different sizes

106 Hopefully you didn't leave before that.

holy shit that was a crazy line drive hr

106 Taste better?

Now that's the way I like to brush my teeth.

106 Holy shitski, you called it.

Hamstring problem? What hamstring?

106 After sundown's not a great time, it does encourage molds and fungi growth
Yay, A-rod!!!!
Give that kid an extension.

Screw it, we gotta turn this into lawn banter

107 I hope so, he didn't throw that many pitches.

Dang, my post got ate.
AS I was saying, I think this needs to turn into lawn banter. As long as someone's out watering their lawn.

Well now that's embarrassing.

The kid gets the win if we hold on.

why do you want a lawn why not just grow some real plants

When ARod has 499, Yankee stadium will be a zoo. The flashbulbs flashing will look like the 4th of July. It will be really cool.

111 That was a crazy line drive homerun.

I'm not sure I've seen anything quite like that before.

Wow nice DP there.

You know what's even more amazing about A-Rod. His OPS this year is only about 110 points higher than his career average. Wow.

34 runs in Minn? That's insane!

123 one of the hardest hit line drives i can remember

125 Thats an average of almost 2 runs EVERY 1/2 INNING. Is that the highest scoring game?

oh man any outfielder should have caught that

121 Lawn is easier, plus it makes a house easier to sell. Weird landscaping can be a turnoff for some buyers.

Are they booing Edwar? ouch, that's quick.

This is an unwatchable "baseball" game.

it IS joe managing

Crap...we'll probably never see ER again. He seemed hyped to face his old club, but still, I liked the way he threw. I'd much rather see him going forward than the usual suspects.

It's a hitting Orgy.

133 like for the rest of this inning

For Joe to bring ER in when he did was very unusual. He must like the kid, and feel he has a place with the team. However, once batters start looking changeup, he going to need some other good pitches. Does he have them?

Sunday I'm going up to the Henry Ford Museum and watch a 19th Cent. baseball game. I think it will be a better played game than what's going on tonight.

136 Trevor Hoffman did ok with his change being his number one pitch. Still, your point is well taken. Only time, and innings, will tell.

127 No. From Wikipedia: "On August 25, 1922, the highest-scoring game in major-league history took place: the Chicago Cubs defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 26–23, a total of 49 runs."

Ah, a zero. So pretty and round up there on the scoreboard.

AGDFEDSP.

Phew.
Except it's Farnsy for the eighth.

139, 137 looks like those old timey folks were playing some really crisp games

141
AGDFEDSP?
I get the last 4 - EDSP.

Poor Andy, he must really wish he played tonight.

Proof that wins are a stupid stat:

Baker's line:

5 IP, 9H, 7 ER. Win, 3-3.

144 here's my guesses:

another game down for every day scott proctor?

AGAIN, got-damn fuckin every day scott proctor?

139 If anyone has an MLB.com account, you can watch the Phillies vs. Cubs MAY 17, 1979 game that ended 23-22 in 10 innings (second most runs in a ML game). The game is under the Baseball's Best section.

So is PeteAbe vindicating his opinion of Edwar yet?

146 I likey: A good day for....

146 The second one sounds about right.

147 sweet! I'm gonna check that out on a night shift sometime.

Like tonight.

-Thanks for the tip.

148 You're about 40 minutes late.

"Meanwhile, Edwar Ramirez gets what he wanted and gets to face his old team. Wait a second, he just walked somebody. How could that happen?"

"The previous high was 26 combined runs by the Mariners and Yankees on May 4."

A great quote by a Chicago player:
"If we hadn't made 5 errors, it would have been a close game".

151 It's really fun to listen...watch out for the Tastycakes commercial as well as a promo for a charity event in the Philly area.

Well... at least we see Mo in the 9th (hopefully not in the 8th).

131 Absolutely. They don't come much uglier than this one. (When was the last time you saw a runner miss a bag, fer crissake?)

But last Saturday I learned that there are worse things than ugly. At least this one is bad enough to be interesting, if only in a train-wreck sort of way.

154 Actually, that's on the audio version. I like the game so much I've both watched and listened it several times.

152 That's right, a rookie had a shaky inning. He clearly sucks, lets ignore his last two years of track record in the minors.

That's what annoys me about Pete. Yes, the kid got released by the Angels. But over the last two years he has been beyond dominant in the minors. When you point that out, he says something like, "Teams don't release people for no reason or watch the games." Its not like we're claiming every random player is a gem.

154 of course, I wish we could watch the ol' timer's game on mlb.com. That would be really cool.

Fine outing for Proctor. Maybe his arm had just been too well rested and needed the work.

Just checking in...nothing like the Angels to get A-God out of his slump!

I'm guessing the Angels had the best scouting report on Edwarrior out there.

158 I don't like Pete being snarky whenever he's challenged. Having said that (and I can't believe I'm saying this), I'm not sure I liked Edwar being brought into tonight's situation for only his second outing. It's a bit much to expect the kid to shine with that kind of pressure in such an emotional situation.

Would have been nice if Joe had given him a few more chances earlier. Striking out the side like he did the first time and then jumping into tonight's pressure cooker...that's a lot.

Shoot, there goes a save chance for Mo.

I love it...giving the Angels a taste of their own poison.

161 I'm just checking back in, too. When I left we were losing 3-2. Did I miss anything?

I love how Melky started to 3rd, but then held up - seemingly rubbing in Skone's baserunning blunder.

Good stuff from the Yankees tonight. Very aggressive.

165 Nope, we're still winning.

Actually, I heard the six run inning on the car radio, but then I was surprised by the 9-9 score. Then I think I heard the rest on the way back home, including the A-bomb.

Edwar pitched badly, or not? I can't quite tell from the Banter comments.

163 Villone's up now. With the way this game is going, Mo could get his save opportunity after all.

um, sub for A-Rod?

166 Skone. Hee.

Hmm, I guess have Mo stretch out, but bring in Bruney to start the ninth?

Gee, it'd be real nice to see another Godzilla-bomb.

169 I don't think he pitched poorly...he walked his first batter, but the hit to Cabrera was a seeing eye single up the middle. In the 7th, I think Damon could have caught the double. He also made Vlad look foolish.

169 Eduardo continues to strike out the Gashouse Gorillas with his Bugs Bunny Curve. Yeah, he did well.

I wish you could set up firefox to automatically reload certain pages any given number of seconds. That would rule.

177 I remember Banterers discussing this last season. Someone asked Ken whether the Toaster could get a doohicky that would do that automatically, on the server end rather than the browser end. I'd use it, for sure.

176 For those of you who grew up on Rugrats and not Looney Tunes, check it out:

http://tinyurl.com/2v2ukl

Geez, Adam Dunn already has 100 Ks. I do not want him on the Yankees.

Ruth never Ked 100 times in a season.

Congrats to Edwar on career win #1

ER with the Win! That has to be about 5 or 6 first ML victories this season. I wonder what the record is?

179 I caught the allusion. Or reference, really.
Last week I took two of my kids to Cooperstown, and I saw the clip of Bugs there, though now I can't remember which part of the Hall it was in. My 14 yr old watched "Who's on First" about eleven times, too, and he was laughing hard the last time. He'd heard it, but never seen it.

It's great the Yankees won today, but what an ugly game. I wouldn't be a baseball fan if they all went like this.

179 Much better is this:

http://tinyurl.com/g4u6w

19 hits = mmmm.

Pettitte = ewww.

Great Red Sox game today, too. It was on the tv at the bar and I saw maybe three innings of Tavarez getting lit up. Including a nice granny.

177 You can do that. Just right click the page and the option should come up. "Reload every"...At least on my version of FF. Actually it might be a plugin but I have to jet right now, I'll check later.

184 Wasn't pretty, but I liked that we won despite horrid Andy (again) and some gaffes...seems like we always come unglued against the Angels in this type of game. We pretty gave it right back to them.

Tomorrow will be more interesting because we won't see the same kind of meatball pitching we saw today.

189 meant to say 'pretty MUCH gave it right back to them".

188 I don't have that feature (I have version 2.0.0.4 for Mac). I guess it's a plug-in. If you can figure out what it's called, let me know, I'd like to get it.

188 Okay - I found it. It is a plugin, available here:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/115

Works with versions of firefox from 1.5 and up. Thanks yankz!

185 Simply stunning. Thanks.
That cartoon was done in 1946? Amazing. It is a terrible thing to see such a high quality of cartooning get lost in modern times. So much of it was ageless. Bugs baseball is now 61 years old, but still plays as fresh as todays game.

192 Thanks! Got it. I like the pull-down menu on the reload button better than the context (right click) menu. But I'll be using it on Banter for sure.

Holy smokes, look at game two of the Twinks/WhSox. 12-0 Minnie. Man the bleachers in Chicago must have heard some choice words today.

Anytime! I love Firefox.

Oh come on, it's not even midnight on a weekend. Am I really the only one around?

Eh, I should go do stuff. Peace out guys.

I'm around Yankz! Although I am having massive problems with firefox 2.0.0.4, which won't seem to let me login, some cookie issue, which I hope I fixed

197 Hey man, just dropped in to say whassup; don't feel so bad, I've got to get up at 4 in the morning EST to babysit a giant jib for the latest film I'm PA'ing on. Hmm, that Bugs Bunny analysis was brought up by standuptriple last season, I believe, which reminds me; I'm working on an extremely dangerous experiment combining LOL humor with sabermetrics so that I can take part in the serious destruct... um, discussions. Or would that be like Shaolin-type training (or maybe a sign of the apocalypse)? If you don't see me for a while, assume that I have my head immersed in 10W-40 trying to absorb why the difference between a good and a bad hitter is normally about 13 ABs or something like that >;)

Any (free) reference material would be greatly appreciated...zzzzz...

198 ...zzzzz I meant 196, but you're invited too, Zack. G'night zzzzz...

196 Hey, yankz, I'm around!

But I missed a good deal of the game.

Nice we won, eh?

199 Well, I see how it is. I'm that guy who you accidentally let slip around that there is a party and then HAVE to invite, despite really really really not wanting to. Whatever. I'll make sure you regret being so mean to me throughout high school...wait, sorry, I think I got carried away there...

Anyone see this Man vs. wild show? I can't decide if I think its the worst thing on tv, or the best...

All quiet on the Banter this morning, huh? Everyone must be getting ready for Old Timers' Day. Whoever said they should broadcast it on mlb.com (or yesnetwork.com) is right. I'd watch.

Has anyone pointed it out yet how appropriate it is that Roger is pitching today?

What's sad for me is how I used to wonder what it was about all the old guys playing today. Now? I'm seeing guys like O'Neill and the realization is I'm going one of those old guys sooner or later. It will be especially tough when Jeter plays in the first game - potbelly and all.

Jeter? Potbelly? Nah, never happen...

Wow, Homer Bush is retired and playing at Old Timers Day? Weird...

203 My kid sister (the youngest of us) turned 21 this year. That's got me feeling old.

204 IIRC, Steve Sax and Jesse Barfield will be there, too. I wonder if Jesse still has a cannon of an arm?

I love Old Timer's Day! Anyone know if the Scooter will be there? How's he doing nowawdays?

Anyone know what time the festivities begin?

I thought I'd heard 1 o'clock, but YES has the magazine show on. The OT Game will be televised, won't it?

Yankees sign Erubiel Durazo to a minor league deal.

Andy Pettitte has given up six or more runs in three of his last four starts.

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Yankees right-hander Jeff Karstens threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings Saturday in his first minor league rehab start since breaking his right leg two months ago.

Karstens allowed three hits, one walk and struck out two in the Gulf Coast League game against Philadelphia minor leaguers. He is scheduled to join Class-A Staten Island for his next start.

208 "Yankees sign Erubiel Durazo to a minor league deal."

Haven't we been down this path before? I like the idea of Durazo, but he hasn't been in the bigs since 2005, and he was kinda stinky then. Still, maybe he could be turn out to have a little LH gas in the tank.

210 Erubiel Durazo is one of those stathead favorites that remind us of the limitations of statistical projections. He's Hee Seop Choi, only older.

211 Yeah, but unlike Stinky Minky (career OPS+: 98), Durazo can hit (career OPS+: 125). Even better than Josh Phelps (career OPS+: 108).

Durazo also ranks much higher on the BFOG scale than Phelps, having played regularly for a few years, for teams that Torre is likely to remember ('01 D-backs, '03 and '04 A's), and actually producing for them. Also, Durazo is over 30 (33).

A platoon of Andy (vs LHP and as LIDR) and Durazo (vs RHP, but DH when groundballers Wang and Pettitte pitch) could be tasty.

One of my early baseball memories (though not my first) was Old Timers Day 1966. It was celebrating the 25th anniversary of the first Yankees-Dodgers World Series. For some reason I particularly remember that Tommy Henrich was there - maybe my dad made a point about him, or maybe I just liked the"Old Reliable" nickname. I think Dimaggio still played in those days, though I can't swear to it.

They also introduced Mrs. Babe Ruth and Mrs. Lou Gehrig. These two unbelievably old ladies, ancient beyond my powers of comprehension, stood up in the stands and waved. As it turns out, Claire Ruth was 65 and Eleanor Gehrig was 62. Ah, youth...

207 They should be on now, weeping. Anyone who actually gets YES instead of Extra Innings care to provide occasional updates to those of us far from NY? =)

212 All true. Unfortunately, Andy's BFoG+ is much higher than Durazo's - I'm not sure if Andy has quite reached Warrior status, but he's close. And Andy's now 30 as well.

ah, the ruby dude. who knows, perhaps, if he makes it to the big club, we can get a coupla weeks a la cust/carlos pena. highly doubtful, but no harm, no foul. then again, we should just give shelley duncan a try.

a buddy of mine from school is at the stadium for old timers day. i'll make it to NY a day late. 206 yeah great ? - how is scooter doing?

karstens pitched; hughes on monday. hopefully we'll have a slammin' 2nd half...

knuckles, if you're reading - i loved the caption at the end of the new comic strip w/ captain & mats! : )

212 Just think: Andy's taken the first base job away from Cairo! How BFoG can you get?

213 My first game at the Stadium was Old Timers Day 1991, vs the California Angels. With two of the Yanks I had idolized when I first became a fan (Donnie and Winfield, an Angel at this time), and DiMag and Mantle all there, it was the thrill of my young lifetime. Reggie was there too, and as my mom hated him (she was a huge Munson fan), we booed him a couple of times for her.

In the game, the Yanks won a slugfest that the bullpen tried to give away, 12-10. Leary and Howe gave up 6 runs, and Farr was called on in the 8th for the save. Some kid just called up named Williams played CF and went 3 for 4. We sat way up in the upper deck in RF and watched Nokes golf a bomb that landed about 5 rows in front of us. Good times.

ESPNClassic is showing game 7 from 2003 ALCS. I'm still expecting Grady Little to pull Pedro.

214 Thanks, Shaun, I found it.

Pretty moving stuff, despite the typically overblown Sterling/Kay/YankeesInc. act.

High point, I think, was Scotty, followed by Paulie.

Ah, memories...

Ha ha!

Paul Blair grounds out to second, and still manages to limp the whole way to first base.

Memo to Reyes...

218 That year, the Old Timers team could probably have beaten the regulars.

222 Hmm...now that I think of it, that was probably true in 1966 as well.

What a delightful game to watch. Lighthearted and poignant.

Murcer was out in left interviewing O'Neill when a ball was lofted his way.

"Uh oh!" he cried, mid-interview, and started towards the ball.

How fun is that?

This was the first Old-Timer's Game I got to watch in a long time. I'm still carrying a big old grin ear to ear. I feel really fortunate and very happy to be a fan of this organization.

I really wish it had been on MLB.tv.

Clemens is starting to dominate again, Joe? Really?

Hey, does anyone know what that semi-catchy tune was they went to the commercial on after Brenneman and Girardi were opening the game?

227 I missed the first minute.

god, i hate fox - i have the damn braves game on. boomer on the bump for the pads. ugh. i was sooo looking forward to watching the yanks today. aaarrrggghhh!!!

217 Or has he? What's up with the lineup today?

229 where do you live? I live in Fla, at work and have Tivo recording the Fox game. Thought that was the national game b/c of the Rogcket!

not national game.

I'm in Iowa and we have Twins and WSox

231 i'm in atlanta. it really pisses me off, 'coz braves games are always on, all the time. tbs is a national superstation - they should never be the game of the week on fox (unless, of course, they're playing the yanks!). i don't have any fancy tv or computer stuff, so i can only follow the game via the scoreboard, espn crappy gamecast and the great comments here at the banter...

230 I think I heard that Andy has a stiff neck.

Abreu doubles in Matsui (for you guys who have to wait for Gameday. Ground rule.

233i gather info from mlb.com: with the gameday, plus the boxscore/scoreboard on mlb.tv has a refresh rate. I'v got it set to 30 secs. My best way is to put the gameday from mlb.com. It gives thorough info. I did do the mlb's radio cast. It was pretty good combining the gameday with radio. Kinda like being in the 1940's.

)

Wow, Miggy singles too hard, Abreu cannot score.

234 Yeah read that. Damon is crippled and plays most every day. Andy wakes up with a stiff neck and rides the pine. Therefore, we can conclude Andy still has a long way to go in the BFOG department.

238 We all need to ponder that statement.

Dang.
The Angels have to be reasonably happy with the way that inning turned out. Just one run, and Lackey has only thrown 34 pitches in two innings. A Damon single would have plated two more, and even a walk would have likely run Lackey's count up, even if Melky couldn't get the hit.

236 thanks, bob! i'll try mlb again. i tried it last year but my little laptop kept overheating. worth another shot...

keep the slim lead, mr. rocket!

Urgh, lead-off double for Anderson. Ground rule, though the announcers don't seem to have noticed that part.

Freaking Garret Anderson, the guys washed up yet always seems to kill the Yanks.

And he advances to third on a grounder to Miggy.

You guys are missing great commentary. We just heard Joe say five different ways that the Angels are "fundamentally sound". The Yanks may as well concede this run. The Angels are too sound.

Ooooh.
Infield playing in, grounder hard at A-Rod. If A-Rod fields it perfectly, he gets Anderson at home, but he doesn't pick it up cleanly. Almost. He did get the batter, two away. And grounder to Robbie ends the inning.

Yanks are going to score more than one run today, so giving that one up isn't going to matter.

248 Hm, didn't look like it that inning.

6 out of 9 out by virtue of the whiff. great.

Joey Buck is , in my opinion, clueless about baseball. How can such a uneducated person get a job ?

251 Good hair.

{249] Ya gotta have hope.

251 His Dad?

Whew, Matsui's mistake does no harm.

Even Yankee except Damon had swung at that curve inside, in the dirt. If they don't lay off that pitch, this game is over.

ARod tried, but check-swing out. If they can't pick it up, don't swing at anything low until 2 strikes.

255 Very true.
Remember: in the Angels' scoring inning, they got one double and scored the run on outs. In our scoring inning, we got two doubles and a single, but scored only the one run. I hate that.

253Vince

Interesting, Lackey's effectiveness plummets after 90 pitches or so. Pitch count is going to be really important. He's at 63 now.
And down goes Abreu on the same breaking ball in the dirt!

1-4-3 DP!

As the batting coach, is there anything you can do? We have 8 guys striking out, almost all on curveballs that ane NOT strikes. We make life very good for Lackey as long as we cooperate with him.

Soooooooooooooooo RIYank.... waddaya doing after the game?

hip hip, jor-ge, hip hip, jor-ge

Dum da dum dum. Sure is a nice pitching matchup today.

Wow, quiet here today huh? Thought I'd break up the OlYanksFan/RIYank party a bit too...

jorgie! make it stand up - get him home!!!

Anyone anticipate a Bobby A bunt here?

shit, a bunt woulda been better. ugh...

Terrible. Just awful. If the Yanks leave Jorge on 2nd/3rd, I will..well, do something terrible

Ugh, Viz and Farnsworth up, how confident we are!

268please elaborate , I need a laugh ,b/c I'm at work, please

fuuuuuuck! that's 10 k's today... : /

Lackey's gotta be at 90 pitches now.

How the hell can the Yanks not anticipate/see that breaking ball coming? Its not like its close to being a strike

Well, there we go, even worse...I give up...

269 clemens has a low pitch count. if torre doesn't send him out for the 8th, i'll...i'll...i'll...guess i'll wait to see zack's egregious act and try and top it ; )

Anyone want to take money on Farnsworth coming in and giving up the game?

oh god. where the hell was jorgie???

just 80 pitches for rocket. he shouldn't even be on a short leash...

268 Technically Jorgie wasn't left on base. . .

that's probably it for roger. he pitched a heckuva game. we best win...

according to pete abe, cashman said he has not signed durazo...

Mo or Edwar for the 9th if they don't score here?

C'mon Melky, just get on base

This game cries for 2 innings of MO.

How bad does playing the infield back look now?

282 Mo it is.

264 HEY! This is invitation only!

Use your closer in a tie game in the ninth at home? My god, Torre is brilliant.

Uh-oh

The stage is set for.....
THE A-BOMB!

This game screams A-God

How many pitches did Mo throw? Can he do the 10th, if necessary?

mo should absolutely pitch the 1oth...if it gets to that. i'm dying for the walk-off win here in the 9th!

i think it was 9 pitches

Stupidity by Jeter...I wish Torre would address the bunting problem on this team.

What the? Why Cap'n?

9 pitches for Mo. He pitches the 10th -- he's got 3 days off coming up.

Shit. Now we have to go 11.

Groundzilla strikes again

c'mon derek. damn you!

yay, free baseball.

Dammit Cairo, I thought you were an all-star defensive 1b!

Geez...what a time for Cairo to make an error.

Id pitch around kENDRICK...GREAT OP FIELD HITTER.

303 Also very good at slow grounders up the middle...only Cano's arm made that play.

With a proper lobotomy, followed by a horse kick to the head, Cano could be a HOF 2nd baseman.

Mo threw 5 pitches that inning.. to 4 batters. I guess we see him start the 11th.

MO for three? This team doesn't look capable of hitting good pitching.

at 14 pitches, w/ the break looming, joe should definitely throw mo again. here's hoping we score and it doesn't come to that...

308 Agreed...no brainer. The Yankees have to win this game. I still can't believe Joe played the IF back, Posada got picked at 2B and Abreu couldn't score from 2nd on a single with two outs. I guess that's why this is a .500 team.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

D'OH!

game will be over. dammit. why can't mo go 3 - just 'coz the amount of innings? bollocks. he only threw 14 friggin' pitches. after tomorrow, there's a break. jeesh, joe...

Oh well...guess Joe doesn't sense the same urgency. Farnsworth's control problems matches the Angels speed real well.

Abreu has shown a few times this year an inability to score when he should...

I really don't want to see the BP blow this game...

"I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened."

Well, by blow, I mean steal the blame from the offense

Great ...SB...base hit...FROD...game over...dinner plans for Joe.

here it comes...

Farnsworth is also very slow to the plate. With Willits and Figgins due...why Joe...why would you bring in Farnsworth.

Oh God, not the mighty CHone FIggins, he of the .900 BA against the Yanks and .100 against all else

Well, Figgins did us a huge favor there

definitely don't want to face vlad this inning...

Incredible...I figured he'd blow the game...but not that way.

whewww....please score....last year, Damon hooks one into the upper deck.

way to help yourself out there, worthless...

ok, ok, we're gonna do it here. lets go fellas...WIN!!!

I was just typing 'LEAVE THE GUY AT FIRST ALONE!' as Farns beats me too it. Christ, I could just smell that. I thought he could work his shit out, but he seems to always take the stupid route. We are lucky to survive that inning.

Yo, rbj, 248!

Here we go, Jeter gets on, we're in bidnez.

324 This year's version pops up feebly. I think it's time to send Damon to the DL or the 9-hole. Assuring one of you worst hitters the most ABs makes no sense at all.

We can't go anywhere with a .250, 700 OPS leadoff man.

Or Melky gets on. Better.

Alright Melky!
Can Jetes hit one out of the infield?

see, scioscia sends shields out for a 3rd inning w/ 24 pitches. mo only had 14. just sayin'...

c'mon leche!

Hey, how many pitches can Shields throw in a game? He must be tiring right?

don't bunt! ; )

Carp.
Jeter is way off today at the plate. Caaarrrrrp.

Jeter's AB were awful today...can they survive another inning from Krazy Kyle?

I guess not.
Game is now Vlad vs. ARod.

Our offense sucks

crap, i just saw the dp lowlight on fox. gamecast is s l o w. i hate this game...

Good, I think a second inning of K-Farns would have been a mistake.

Oh shit...viz...cover your eyes.

Whew. That was Vizcaino's Farnsworth imitation. Scary.

whew, vlad's outta the way. now let's get HGH sarge jr.

Ugh, I don't like this -- Anderson has been killing us.

Now can we score?

I love Robbie.
So now we could get another inning out of Dizzy Vizzy if A-Rod doesn't homer. Just in case he doesn't.

At some point Joe is going to find it necessary to bring out Myers, so we better score soon...

well, our offense is certainly sputtering, but ya have to admit, we sure have pitched pretty well today, thus far for a game and a third...

i need to go to work here in a minute and i'm gonna miss tomorrow's game, due to flying to NY, so i'd really appreciate the yanks winning right here & now...

Shields is really a weapon.

Maybe the baseball gods heard banterers complaining yesterday about the 'ugly game' and decided that we would enjoy losing a 2-1 game in fifteen innings.

Has Rodriguez ever blown a save or lost a game to the Yanks? I hope today's the day, if he hasn't.

353 i think he has. no time to check though...

351 I think he is a huge reason for LAA dominance over the Yanks in recent times. I wish the yanks could pry him away from the Angels.

353 Yes...a walkathon last year i think.

356 You're right, I vaguely remember that.

353 356 July 30, 2005.

and let's start a walkathon 07 style. win. now. thank you, please!

This guy has the weirdest pitching stance I've ever seen.

Ye gods and little fishies. The bottom of the 12th??

I think everyone should sit on the curve and try to yank on.

i'd love a patented posada double right now

A walk-a-wild-pitch-athon?

I'd settle for a Bill Buckner

No way Posada gets a hittable pitch with 1B open.

Ball 4! Damn.

Whoa, that's a new pitch by K-Rod. Damn. (The change, I mean, that fooled Jorgie.)

Do something Abreu!

Do something Abreu!

Do something Abreu!

367 It was, but you can't really blame him. Curve, fastball, curve, fastball, curve, fastball... change-up.

I only mean that once...sorry!

369 370 371 I fourth that.

372 No blame intended...that was a nasty pitch.

Something good x 3.

That was the hanger...Abreu had his pitch to hit.

He did nothing.

Ooooookay. Does K-Rod pitch a second inning? He threw 22 pitches. And I assume we get The Vizcount again.

Another hanger...and Abreu just rolls over it. If Arod doesn't hit, this lineup seems to go dead. Now we need to tempt fate yet again.

fuck. i gotta go to work. go yanks! be well, all...

Man, yesterday must have taken up all the runs for this series.

Yankees still have one more in them, to win in the bottom of the 13th.

378 I'm sure he'll be back for another inning. Games like this (heck, seasons like this) make you really appreciate the job Tom Gordon did for two seasons.

Uh oh.
Schmendrick.

And the clock strikes 12.

Well, this game is 100% on the offense, can't blame anyone else really.

385 On offensive miscues...Abreu and Posada particularly.

Can we blame A-Rod for not hitting and therefore killing the rest of the lineup to? It's all A-Rod's fault...

Typical

Hm. I'd have to say that it's no longer entirely on the offense.

(If you aren't watching: Cairo made a diving stop and tossed the ball behind Viz. to the bag, the run scored. Cairo didn't lead him!)

Two big errors for Cairo today, though one was rescued by the awesomeness that is Mo...oh well, I'm out

This is nail in the coffin...the Yankees forfeited the right to lose games like this. I think this game makes clear that the playoffs are a pipe dream.

389 But Cairo gets a pass from the broadcasters because he's "not used to" having to lead a pitcher. So when he does something right, he's God's gift to baseball. When he plays like the mediocrity he is, it's not his fault.

Uh.
That was a brilliant tactical move. Bunt and don't send the runner to third????

Don't blame Cairo...blame the men who put him there.

Cano-Cairo-Damon...as easy as 1-2-3...for FROD that is.

Wow, good thing Molina didn't advance on the bunt.
Okay, let's get Cabrera and then score!

392 Joe did just point out that Miggy has made three errors today. It can be hard to ignore.

394 I agree, although Phillips won the job before his "stiff neck."

This is it, boys. Who do we have to pinch hit for Cairo?

Oh.

If I am Cashman, this is the game that makes me confident about turning the page to 2008 and trying to unload whatever I can.

398 Nieves, bay-by.

Cano was the only hope...when did he forget to go the other way?

396 Kinda tough. That ball is probably past Phillips for a hit and a run. Instead Miggy make a great stop and ends up with 2 errors on the play. An excellent diving catch, a 20' toss, and 2 errors.

Miggy delivers! Wow, how could he not make it to second on that hit, though?

Please...2006 Damon...not 2007.

Nice roster construction.

yanks might have got a break there

K-T was on the bench, but can't complain about the result!

I'd love to see a squeeze here...Frod is very hard to hit.

Oh yeah!
We are definitely getting breaks.

Come on Johnny...

Man of 3rd...ONE OUT!
LET'S GO JD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wouldn't mind a Damon walk, not at all.

412 Any other requests?

Huge AB for Melky...this could really catapult his season if he comes up big.

JD knows how to take a curveball.
Do we send JD and stay out of the DP?

Excellent.
Now we have a shot at winning this damn thing.

415 Send him if the infield is in. Otherwise no.

I'd have him TAKE a strike

415 Molina can throw...i dont know.

Man, I leave for half an inning and the Yanks are down? I say the Yankees have 2 runs left in them, to be cashed in right now.

I'd love a squeeze!!

Ooooh. Maybe K-Rod will balk...

Yeah, I think the Angel's are playing this smart with the infield back.

Squeeze?

418 With 4Ks in the back of his mind...I don't know.

421 I think we could all use a hug about now.

Oh, I see. Never mind.

DAMN IT...I hate 2 strike counts!

Melky, grrrr.

Ouch, Melkman, very ugly day.

Okay, here we go, Captain Clutch!!!!

Wow! Melky K's FIVE Times!

Me5Ky Cabrera.

5 Ks for Melky today, not a good day at the office.

I knew that was coming...I really think Joe made a huge mistake not squeezing. With 4Ks in the bank...that outcome was apparent.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK

Carp.

See youse tomorrow.

Wow, Jeter and A-Rod O-fer today.

They're due!

...Or not. :-P

Frak! Muggerfluffer!!

That's a horrible loss...I think Joe should take some heat for not being creative in the 9th...Cairo for playing for defense...Abreu for not scoring on a single with two outs ...and Jeter for having particularly bad ABs. In other words, it was a team effort in a game that I think closes the book on 2007.

I hate to be a whiner or overdramatic, but that was the nail in the coffin.

Our 1-4 batters: 1 for 19. Won't even count the strike outs.

436 Torre has been completely uncreative all year. He manages every game like a 12-game winning streak is right around the corner. There is absolutely no sense of urgency in anything he does anymore, other than the couple times he put Andy and Roger in the game from the bullpen.

Torre in 1996 was not like that, I know they're different teams, but he's over-the-hill.

I disagree that the team lost the game though, the pitching was awesome; Clemens is a freak. The offense lost the game- just terrible.

437 Not being dramatic at all...I really hope Cashman is busy over the All Star break and some trades follow shortly thereafter. I also would like the Yankees to have a sit down with Joe over the break, explain that he isn't coming back and see if they can convince him to resign with full pay.

The more I think of it...why wouldn't you try to bunt in that situation. Melky was having an awful day and Krod is called Krod for a reason. Torre has to realize the situation and put his team in the best chance to win. A bunt with the infield back would have been Melky's best bet.

439 400 Please read 438 and stop blaming Torre and Cashman for everyone's elses failures.

442 Once again, a good manager proves his worth when things are firing on all cyclinders. If you just wait back for 1-4 to mash, well, that's how you lose games like this one. Before the play I said squeeze and after the play I feel the same. If you disagree fine, but I see this game as another loss in which Torre contributed.

You know what makes no sense?

Joe suicide squeezed last night with Jorgie running, of all people.

I can't recall what the situation was, but we had already scored a bunch of runs and that one run wasn't particularly critical, iirc.

Yet today--when that one run was as critical as a run can be, and a faster Miguel Cairo on third, and a Melky at bat who not only had already had a bad day, but you wouldn't expect him ever to do much with Rodgriguez and that filthy slider of his--no squeeze.

I don't get it.

443 should read: Once again, a good manager proves his worth when things aren't firing on all cycliners

There are 29 AL first basemen with more than 35 ABs. Yankees 1B ranked by OPS.

#16 - Phillips .771
#21 - Phelps .692
#25 - Doug M. .671
#26 - Cairo .598

Today's first baseman has a lower OPS than the SLG% of the top 1B, Carlos Pena of Tampa Bay (.287/.393/.601), who the Yankees gave away for nothing.

442 You're right of course, OYF. You can't win when you don't hit, of course.

Yet it is Torre's job to figure out how to win despite the non-hitting. At least a squeeze there would have given them a chance.

I honestly don't know what Joe was expecting out of Melky in that scenario. It was an inauspicious matchup for the Melkman and our beloved Yanks.

And Derek, btw, I think was smart to swing at that first pitch. He almost got it through the infield.

Sigh...

352 No kidding, RI.

It's just that kind of season, huh?

446 Jeez. I didn't realize Pena was doing that well. Wow.

248 Thanks for the jinx, rbj.

I'm checking the AL rosters and the Yankees are the only team with 8 relief pitchers, most have 7, and plenty have only six.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/rosters.htm

I understand that the Yankees have fewer players that they need to pinch hit for but I think the roster construction (and usage) is about as stupid as you can get in professional sports. The highest payroll in baseball gets you a bench of Kevin Thompson, Wil Nieves, and Andy Phillips with Miguel Cairo starting at first base? It's comical.

447 Having men on 1st and 3rd, with one out is a good chance. If Melky makes contact, there are a number of ways we can score. FRod has a wicked curve, which is hard to bunt, and Melky has shown a couple of times he's not a great bunter. If he misses, the 2nd out is made at the plate.

Torre had tried the Suicide Squeeze twice in the last week, so he is obviously not adversed or unaware of it. He didn't think this was the time.

Was the squeeze the right call?
Do you believe there is an absolute correct answer here?

Melky was 1 for 5 with 4 K's. Also...
"Melky Cabrera has played ever day since May 30. He has hit .344 (43 of 125) with 17 RBI and 11 extra-base hits in 34 games."

I myself sort of wanted the bunt, but was also scared shitless of the matchup. A chopper, a weak grounder, a decent fly ball or a good JD AB. It was a horrible loss.

If Lou was our manager, he would have killed somebody by now.

452 Good old Lou.

:)

Speaking of which, I just watched Game 1 of the '77 Series. It's such fun, both for the nostalgia trip and to see how the game has changed.

I notice, for instance, that everyone stands way the hell off the plate, compared to now where everyone just digs in, leans over the dish and defiantly offers up his chin to Mr. Nice Guy on the Mound who wouldn't dream of taking the bait.

Also, Steve Garvey laid down a nice bunt and an incredibly skinny Willie Randolph stole the show with a solo shot and came around to score the winning run in extras following his
lead-off double.

Anyway, as to more current matters, you're right, there was no sure thing here, especially as you point out that the slider that's so hard to hit would be just about as hard to bunt. Good point.

Melky's an interesting case, btw. Just as last year, it seems that when he's at his best, he manages a lot of seeing-eye singles up the middle or perhaps through the holes.

Strange, because I've seen him get a couple of hits recently that I didn't think were hit hard enough to make it through, yet they did.

If he could get himself straightened out (i.e., increasing his skills of contact) he really could be a .300 hitter. It's like there's a hump I can foresee him making it over.

I think a lot of it with him is confidence, though. Earlier in the year he just looked defeated stepping up to the bat, the poor thing.

At least the Papelboner just gave up the game winning hit in Detroit....

I was at this atrocity.

Well, I'd never witnessed one team make five errors in a game before. It was a novelty.

See, I can be positive.

455 You're funny, Mattpat, and I appreciate your sunny optimism, but really, I'd hardly call this game an atrocity.

I kind of fell in and out of the game, but what I take from it is that we were stymied by some excellent pitching, particularly by the vicious, vicious breaking stuff of Lackety and Rodriguez. I kind of slept through (literally) Schields' performance so I don't know what he was throwing, but I hear he's pretty tough too.

Still, of course, the team should have managed to eke out one extra lousy run somewhere along the way, and that's frustrating.

But compared to so many other of our sideshow debacles this season, I can live with this one.

At least it was a respectable baseball game.

Sorry you had to sit through so much agony, though, I can appreciate your pain.

Hmmmm...I just had an ingenious idea.

From the school of If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em, how about replacing Joe with Sosia?

What do we think of Sosia as a manager and does he receive credit for beating us on a consistent and humiliating basis?

And what if we'd just got Jorgie in from second?

Is there a stat somewhere for the team with the highest percentage of runners scored from second base with no outs?

It's helpful not to get picked off of second base, I realize...

Jorgie being Jorgie.

456 We are so far past the point of accepting moral victories in lieu of real ones.

I'm also fucking sick and tired of "giving credit to the other pitcher" This team needs to start scoring runs regardless of how nice the other pitcher might me. The team as presently constructed, doesn't do anything else well, so they have to stop tipping their god damn caps and starting beating good pitchers, like good teams are allegedly able to do.

And any game with five errors, two of which cost them the game, is not respectable.

457

I'll always remember Mike Scioscia as the man who cost his team the 2004 playoffs when he made a move seemingly for the sake of it.

459 Yeah, well, what do you want me to say?

You're right, we suck.

I'm just being kind of stoical about how much we suck, taking solace and pleasure where I can.

I'm long past the point of expecting this team to win a game like today's that I feel a bit detached, resigned.

What was Sciosia's move, btw? I don't recall.

In short, you are what your record says you are.

461 He pulled the best pitcher on his team to bring in a man that happened to throw with his left hand.

David Ortiz was not impressed with the shitball Jarrod Washburn threw.

461 I disagree that we, the yanks, suck. We definitely have some holes,first and outfield/centerfield, and fifth starter. We are performing below expectations. Plus, take into account the numerous injuries to the rotation:Mussina, Wang(small spring training), Andy Pettite, Karstens, Rasner and Hughes, too. We just played a tough game and the hole of a legit first baseball bit us in the butt. Also, the night before we did what we had to do by kicking the crap out of the Angels middle relief and starter. Hello, the Halos are in first!!

464 "Suck" is obviously a relative term.

How about "rankly mediocre due to exasperating inconsistency?"

464 Obviously, the Yankees don't suck like the Pirates suck. On the other hand:

2b: .272/.312/.414
cf: .276/.332/.387
rf: .260/.349/.370
dh: .248/.338/.348
Cairo, who's in the lineup almost every day: .255/.302/.306

With Posada and Rodriguez no longer hitting at an otherworldly pace, it gets tough to make up for that much suck.

We know about the bullpen, though it's gotten better. The fifth starter's spot has been a disaster, of course, and Mussina is OK, though on again, off again. Pettitte isn't looking like any sure thing these days; in his last 7 starts he's given up 56 hits and 33 ER in 40.2 IP, for a 7.30 ERA.

Before Jim Dean jumps in, I'll say that the roster construction is as bad as the individual performances. 1b and the bench are inexcusably weak. With an old team they needed to think ahead and have a couple of decent backups - and, obviously, they didn't. (WHY IS WIL NIEVES STILL ON THIS TEAM???????)

You see, the holes and the suckiness are starting to add up. Sure, a lot of those players are should be better than they're playing now. But half a season in, this team is sucking pretty bad.