Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
With the Yankees having already taken the series by winning the first three games against the Blue Jays, this afternoon's finale lacked much punch. Indeed, the game itself was rather listless. Bobby Abreu doubled home a pair of runs against Dustin McGowan in the first inning. Chien-Ming Wang retired the first 11 men he faced before Vernon Wells doubled with two outs in the fourth. There was a brief downpour in the third. Otherwise, nothing much happened until the seventh when the Blue Jays broke through with three runs off Wang on a leadoff double by Matt Stairs, an infield single off Wang's shin (he was fine), a fly out that moved both runners up, an RBI groundout, RBI triple by Aaron Hill that shot past Melky Cabrera in the right field gap, and an RBI single by Gregg Zaun. The Yankees went down in order in the seventh and eighth against McGowan and reliever Casey Janssen. Alex Rodriguez lead off the bottom of the ninth with a flair single to right, but Hideki Matsui popped out, Melky grounded out, and Robinson Cano flied out to end the game. 3-2 Jays.
Other items of note: Wil Nieves caught the day game after night game, so Posada will catch Mussina tomorrow night. The two catchers will likely split Saturday's double header. Melky Cabrera appeared to tweak a stomach muscle while at bat in the middle innings, but stayed in the game and showed no further discomfort.
The double header on Saturday is gonna be pretty.
The economy of that recap -- brevity in motion -- was a thing of beauty.
On the shlep home today, a friend described (thump!) hitting a turkey in flight with his car (Pacifica to be specifica), as he pulled out of his driveway; how the staggered bird continued on, wobbling into the woods.
Just like Damon, cracked I.
No, Damon's worse, noted he.
Meanwhile, Edwar sits in the bullpen, wasting away. Anyone remember when he last pitched? It was July 6.
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That was sarcasm.
The question isn't whether the young guns are talented. That seems to be a moot point. The only question is whether the team will Give Joba Chamberlain and Ohlendorf any chance to pitch this season. And if history is any predictor, the answer is no.
Chamberlain, Britton, Ohlendorf, Ramirez, and Henn vs. Villone, Myers, Proctor, and Farnsworthless. Seems like a no brainer, which is why Joe won't want any part of it. Most every other team would be preparing these guys to pitch this season, given the state of affairs in our middle relief and a 7 or 8 game deficit. The Yankees need to get with the program and realize you don't have to wait until guys are 25 before you use them!
I'm sick of this, its almost certain the team will make some stupid deal for another overrated player with "veteran presence." Like I said before, if we were losing with the kids and the best team out there that would be one thing. But losing with subpar players just because they've "been there before" is maddening. There are better players in our own system, and they are cheap and readily available.
The one aging, overpriced immobile veteran that I'd have to consider trading for - provided the price isn't too high - is Mike Piazza. Before the howls of derisive laughter descend, let me just say: he's a righty with maybe a little power left, he's a better DH than Damon, and he's a better BUC than Wil Nieves. And no, I don't care how bad a catcher he is, once or twice a week he's a huge improvement over "Snowy" Nieves.
No longer a great player, but he's the kind of part that might actually fit well.
I'd still rather give Shelly a shot first. There's still time to do it before the deadline.
I don't care if they see some giant hole in his swing that won't translate in the bigs. Who cares? He could hit lefty and be better than Damon. Get rid of a pitcher and call him up. (But then, who gets taken off the 40-man? Could they, at this point, move Rasner to the 60 day? Is he already there?)
I'd still rather give some AB's to Duncan. It really is shocking that with how well he's done and the Yanks' gaping pit of a bench, we haven't seen him yet. Then again, when you're paying 13 mil to Damon, it's not a surprise.
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