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Buck Buck Goose
2008-04-12 09:26
by Alex Belth

I was in 10th grade when the Mets and Red Sox played in the 1986 World Serious. It was the first and last time that I ever rooted for the Sox. They were the American League team, I figured, but the real reason I pulled for them--even after they beat my second-favorite team, Reggie Jackson's California Angels--was because I knew more Met fans than Sox fans, had more of a daily battle cooking with them than any Sox fans.

I had always liked Bill Buckner. We had WGN and so I watched a lot of Cubs games after school during my middle school years. Buckner was a grinder, much like my hero, Don Mattingly. In the mid-80s, Tom Boswell wrote a piece on Mattingly and mused that "He's Wade Boggs with power. Eddie Murray with hustle. George Brett but younger and in a home run park with Rickey Henderson on base and Dave Winfield on deck."

None of these parallels charm Mattingly much. "I appreciate it...but it doesn't help me on the field. So let it go. I'd compare myself more to Bill Buckner. He's consistent, hard-nosed, good in the clutch. I love the way he plays. If it's biting it takes, then it's biting; if it's scratching, then scratch...I'll take a ground ball off the chest, get my uniform dirty."

Of course, Bucker isn't best remembered for being a very good player, he's remembered in a single image--that of a feeble old man letting a slow ground ball dribble through his legs. It is an unfair way to remember the man but sometimes that's what happens in sports. Awful moments coexist along with the wonderful ones. Bad things can happen to anyone. But I sure don't know anyone who ever blamed Buckner for them losing that game.

Still, when Billy Bucks threw out the first pitch on Opening Day in Fenway earlier this week, my initial reaction was, That's nice. Followed shortly by a more cynical one, Jeez, took 'em long enough--funny how they reached out to him now that they are a winning club. But I was off on my thinking. Red Sox fans have in fact given Buckner love for a long time. He received a standing ovation on Opening Day in 1987, and another one in 1990 when he had another brief stint with the tam. Check out this piece The Hub Hails its Hobbling Hero, by Peter Gammons from the SI Vault (November 10, 1986).

As much as I like to moan about Sox fans, they can be pretty great. Remember the ovation they gave Joe Torre back in '99?

Okay, enough love. I can't let one beautifully pitched ballgame--and I won't be surprised if Wang's performance last night turns out to be the finest of the season for a Yankee starting pitcher--get me all mushy. Especially with Mussina v. Beckett on tap this afternoon. I don't know about you, but I can't stand Yankee-Sox games that are broadcast on Saturday afternoon on Fox. I think the Yanks have an okay record against Boston on Fox Saturdays but it feels as if they don't. These are the blowout games, the ones that last four hours.

Who knows, maybe we'll be in for a surprise? Stranger things have happened...but I wouldn't count on it.

Comments (560)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-04-12 12:32:47
1.   unmoderated
it seems that way to me, too. always a long game... of course, i don't know if it's the actual game, the fact that it is on FOX with its whooshes and zaps and McCarvers, or if the commerical breaks are extended...

but they always seem long and intolerable.
if fact, i have given up on more than a few to go work on the yard, if memory serves.

lets 'buck' that trend today. against all odds, mussina goes 7, 3 ER, 6 H and Mr Achy-Breaky Back goes 4 innings, 5 ER 10H 4 BB 0 K.

ok, ok... lets just hope for a win.

2008-04-12 12:36:33
2.   monkeypants
1 Joba is available for two (hopefully), and Rivera for one. If we can squeeze 5 innings out of old man Moose, then there is only one other inning to account for. Maybe Moose surprises and goes 6 or (as you hope) 7!
2008-04-12 12:36:39
3.   SF Yanks
Amen! Hopefully the Sawx won't know what to do with an 85mph fastball. Sorta like an ephus (sp?) pitch on every pitch. Just might work.

And if anyone happens to be living in or near San Francisco right now, enjoy this weather while it lasts. This has to be the nicest day in years! Too bad I'll be stuck inside watching the Yanks. That's baseball for ya.

2008-04-12 12:42:02
4.   unmoderated
3 if the game wasn't blacked out, you can take your laptop outside and tune in. i did that a lot last summer.
2008-04-12 12:52:40
5.   chris in illinois
Bucker isn't best remembered for being a very good player, he's remembered in a single image--that of a feeble old man letting a slow ground ball dribble through his legs

In a perfect world Buckner wouldn't be known as a "very good player" either. Surrounded by Cub fans growing up, I was mystified by the love given Mr. Mediocre. I always assumed that people loved him the way people love 'the Matrix'---the best of a bad bunch.

The guy was wa-a-a-a-y better than me, but he 'slugged' .450 twice in 18 seasons and had a .350 OB% twice as well. He had maybe two seasons that wouldn't have embarrassed Mark Grace----is this 'very good'?

Sorry to be so strident, but I still haven't gotten over the shock of a Strat draft in 1982 where he went #2 overall behind Mike Schmidt.

2008-04-12 12:55:36
6.   rsmith51
Like Alex, I also followed Reggie to California and they were my second favorite team. I really liked Bobby Grich and Brian Downing as well. I cooled on the Angels once Reggie retired, though. I was pretty excited when Reggie tied for the HR crown.
2008-04-12 12:55:41
7.   monkeypants
He's super-slow, but wouldn't it be better to bat Posada #2 rather than #6?
2008-04-12 13:00:48
8.   weeping for brunnhilde
6 Wow, I had no idea others did that too! I was devastated when they lost three in a row to Milwaukee.

I remember Game 5, I was punished for some reason and so couldn't watch the game, but had to listen to it on the radio.

I remember Vin Sculley in the ninth: "Here's one of the toughest outs in baseball." It was Rod Carew, of course, who made the last out by (iirc) grounding to short.

2008-04-12 13:04:18
9.   Jeb
6 what bugs me about Buckner is that it seems to me that the perception is that if he had made that play at first the game would have been over and the Sox would've been world champs. The game was already tied when he missed that ball.

Granted the Sox could have won the game in extra innings, maybe they'd have had a 40-45% chance and I'm sure they'd have preferred to have that chance, but the horse was already out of the barn. Also, they blew a game 7 lead. Buckner made the error but got a seriously disproportionate share of the blame for the collapse.

2008-04-12 13:05:38
10.   monkeypants
Sean Casey was s-m-o-o-t-h reading that lineup. By the way, the sports anchors on Rogers Sports Net have started calling Manny Ramirez "Man-Ram." I'm not sure what to make of that...
2008-04-12 13:07:54
11.   Jeb
OT: Since we're talking a bit about Buckner - I have a question. I "think" that in the 1982 playoffs a fan reached over into the playing field to cause a homerun that hurt either the Brewers or the Angels. I remember them having they guy's picture on the front page of the newspaper, but I cannot remember anything else about the Bartman style incident. Can someone help me out with the details and a link because it's been bugging me for a couple of years (although I remain calm).
2008-04-12 13:10:27
12.   monkeypants
God I hate watching Mussina pitch these days. Maybe-shoulda gotten a K on Elsbury, then gives up a bounder through the right side, then a two strike IF hit off the glove. Then a HR and before you know it...
2008-04-12 13:12:37
13.   Jeb
phew.
2008-04-12 13:13:06
14.   monkeypants
God I love watching that wily veteran Moose pitch these days...
2008-04-12 13:14:03
15.   Jeb
12 14 calm down dammit! ;o)
2008-04-12 13:15:30
16.   51cq24
what was that pitch down the middle that manny just missed? it was like between a fastball and change.
2008-04-12 13:15:35
17.   Jeb
another OT question: Does anyone own the Yankees fleece sweatshirt like the players wear? If so, can you give me some advice on getting the lint off mine (lint brushes and rollers do not worka).
2008-04-12 13:16:06
18.   Jeb
16 that's an absurd pitch. ;o)
2008-04-12 13:16:34
19.   51cq24
18 a bit, yes.
2008-04-12 13:16:42
20.   rbj
So, does Moose own Pepto-Bismo stock?
2008-04-12 13:18:12
21.   weeping for brunnhilde
14 Heheh heh heh heh.
2008-04-12 13:19:02
22.   weeping for brunnhilde
16 I missed it, but from your description, it sounds like Mike's fastball.
2008-04-12 13:20:09
23.   bartap74
Only Tim McCarver could make me miss Bobby Murcer in the booth. Just plain painful to listen to.
2008-04-12 13:22:09
24.   51cq24
22 yeah but it was clocked as 84 on fox, so you assume it was around 82.
2008-04-12 13:25:44
25.   Bruce Markusen
Chris, being a little nitpicky? Good, versus very good, not very much of a difference there. To characterize Buckner as a good player seems a fair assessment to me. He was a solid, line-driver hitter with occasional power who ran pretty well in his Dodgers' days. He was never going to be a high OPS guy because of his lack of power and walks (let's also acknowledge that the game was different in the 70s and eighties, where no one ever talked about OPS), but he did pile up 2700 hits, did a good job driving in runs with the Cubs, was very hard to strike out throughout his career, and generally was applauded by teammates for his willingness to play hurt.

So there were some positives here. Let's not be too revisionist with Buckner, who was no Hall of Famer, but who made the most out of his limited physical talents.

2008-04-12 13:25:51
26.   Jeb
11 17 anyone...anyone...little help...
2008-04-12 13:27:29
27.   weeping for brunnhilde
Well, it should come as no surprise, it's going to be that kind of game.

We'll win it, though.

Won't be easy, but we will.

2008-04-12 13:28:00
28.   51cq24
that's sick
2008-04-12 13:28:04
29.   Jeb
Robby Cano! Don't ya know!
2008-04-12 13:28:10
30.   weeping for brunnhilde
Look at that Robby Cano!

See, even when he's not hitting he brings something to the table.

Thanks, Robby!

2008-04-12 13:28:16
31.   rbj
Sweet Cano
2008-04-12 13:28:37
32.   monkeypants
Ah, they're falling into Moose's evil trap of letting men on base and getting DPs. This time on the ol' hot shot to 2B.
2008-04-12 13:29:13
33.   51cq24
where the hell was that pitch
2008-04-12 13:29:52
34.   monkeypants
That's two letter high straight pitches that the ump has not given Moose (oops, make that three).
2008-04-12 13:30:04
35.   51cq24
thanks varitek
2008-04-12 13:30:08
36.   weeping for brunnhilde
Nice running there, Varitek!
2008-04-12 13:30:32
37.   51cq24
34 i think the curve was probably high, in that grey area
2008-04-12 13:30:36
38.   rbj
Way to hustle a single into an out, Captain Varitek!
2008-04-12 13:30:42
39.   monkeypants
That's the kind of hustle that earned the captain that 'C' on his jersey.
2008-04-12 13:31:06
40.   Jeb
just 4 more innings for moose and we can go with Joba and Mo....PLEASE SCORE SOME RUNS.
2008-04-12 13:31:22
41.   monkeypants
37 Dude, calm down about the grey area.
2008-04-12 13:34:33
42.   51cq24
had a real good shot at cano at first? tough error?
2008-04-12 13:35:54
43.   51cq24
41 true, but it was a good illustration of what i was saying.
2008-04-12 13:36:09
44.   monkeypants
42 I heard that too...funny stuff as usual from McCarver.
2008-04-12 13:37:29
45.   51cq24
yikes watch your fingers
2008-04-12 13:37:34
46.   monkeypants
Stop sliding into first...
2008-04-12 13:40:15
47.   monkeypants
43 Yeah, I was just joking around from last thread. Still, grey area or not, I find it hard to believe that umps can't be more consistent on the high pitch. Plus Moose is throwing about 63 mph, so they have plenty of time to get a good look at the pitch!
2008-04-12 13:41:00
48.   Mattpat11
How does Mussina look?
2008-04-12 13:41:19
49.   Mattpat11
Did that say 81 MPH?!
2008-04-12 13:42:37
50.   monkeypants
49 or the last curve at 66!
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-04-12 13:43:41
51.   Jeb
48 LUCKY...absurdly lucky.
2008-04-12 13:43:48
52.   Mattpat11
Why is Matsui sitting?
2008-04-12 13:44:02
53.   51cq24
50 it was a pretty nice curve. 47 they could definitely be more consistent on the high pitch, and the low one.
2008-04-12 13:46:34
54.   Mattpat11
Francona is babbling.
2008-04-12 13:46:55
55.   Jeb
53 no doubt. Moose has thrown some beauties that were called balls.
2008-04-12 13:48:02
56.   monkeypants
51 Yep--it's "good Moose," that is lots of base runners and DPs, as opposed to "bad Moose' (lots of base runners and HRs).
2008-04-12 13:48:15
57.   Mattpat11
Look at that sky.
2008-04-12 13:48:35
58.   monkeypants
Are both these teams in a hurry?
2008-04-12 13:48:48
59.   Mattpat11
Josh 36 pitches through four.

Mussina 35 through three.

2008-04-12 13:50:15
60.   RIYank
59 That's an okay number for Moose. But yeah, we really should be working Beckett's pitch count, get into that bullpen, esp. after giving the relievers a workout yesterday.
2008-04-12 13:51:13
61.   Mattpat11
Pedroia Big Fatty and Manny
2008-04-12 13:51:52
62.   Jeb
58 last night was 2:59 which has to be a record for these teams. Maybe they're trying to stop playing 4 and 1/2 hour games.
2008-04-12 13:52:06
63.   monkeypants
I truly hate the "interview the manager during the inning" bit. Whose fault is this, FOX or ESPN?
2008-04-12 13:52:24
64.   Mattpat11
60 Its a really good number for Moose. Josh is just better
2008-04-12 13:52:43
65.   RIYank
Papi suffering deeply.
2008-04-12 13:52:59
66.   Mattpat11
63 I think they said it was during the break.
2008-04-12 13:53:46
67.   Jeb
63 ABC and Bobby Bowden's.
2008-04-12 13:53:47
68.   Mattpat11
81 mph.
2008-04-12 13:55:00
69.   RIYank
Uh.
Manny is the most ineffective hitter in baseball with two strikes?? Is that true, or is McCarver hallucinating?
2008-04-12 13:55:31
70.   Mattpat11
damnit.
2008-04-12 13:55:32
71.   rbj
Sigh. To be expected though.
2008-04-12 13:55:37
72.   Jeb
Hi, I'm bad moose. Nice to meet you Mr. Ramirez.
2008-04-12 13:56:05
73.   chris in illinois
Bruce,

I agree that I m-i-g-h-t have overdone it, but I am old enough to remember 70's ball---Brian Doyle anyone?? Even adjusting for the ERA he was a completely average hitter for his entire career and that's figuring in all of the Mark Belangers, Fred Stanleys and Tom Veryzers of the league. As a first baseman he likely hurt his team almost every year he played.

He lived on his batting average...If he hadn't gotten injured, he might have been a different player. I guess I don't think I'm being revisionist to state that a first baseman who had on on base % of .321 and barely slugged .400 for his career not only wasn't very good, but probably wasn't good either (but still w-a-a-a-a-a-a-y better than me, but not Greg Brock).

2008-04-12 13:56:42
74.   51cq24
they say hanging breaking ball but really he went down and got it. had he whiffed on it they'd say it was a good hook.
2008-04-12 13:57:43
75.   RIYank
74 Just what I was thinking. It broke, but Manny was sitting on that break.
2008-04-12 13:57:50
76.   monkeypants
72 That's "Man-Ram" to you, sir.
2008-04-12 13:58:39
77.   Jeb
get a cheap run here. hope for a 2 hour delay and let the pens decide things. I'll take my chances with that.
2008-04-12 14:00:16
78.   51cq24
they gave cano a hit on that?
2008-04-12 14:00:48
79.   RIYank
Damn. Bad result, though a pretty good sign (despite what Buck and McC are saying).

But we have to work the count, dammit.

2008-04-12 14:01:16
80.   monkeypants
Yankees baseball, it's hack-tastic.
2008-04-12 14:02:13
81.   51cq24
his fastball is down to low 90s now, and that's fox's gun
2008-04-12 14:02:26
82.   RIYank
He's throwing strikes, so I guess they don't have much choice.
2008-04-12 14:02:39
83.   Mattpat11
78 I have Cano in "beat the streak" so I'm glad.
2008-04-12 14:03:46
84.   51cq24
yeah it is unhittable, 7" off the plate
2008-04-12 14:05:23
85.   Mattpat11
81 there must be something wrong with Fox's gun. I'd like to think Mussina isn't throwing 81 mph fastballs.
2008-04-12 14:05:56
86.   williamnyy23
Is Buck watching the game? Why doesn't he realize that Beckett is unhittable today because the umpire is giving him about 5-10 inches off the plate? The reason he is unhittable is because the pitches being called for strikes are unhittable!
2008-04-12 14:06:25
87.   Mattpat11
47 pitches through five.

Same for Mussina through four.

2008-04-12 14:07:30
88.   Mattpat11
Beckett is getting the old Tom Glavine strikezone.
2008-04-12 14:08:29
89.   Jeb
Bright side -- Moose will eat 6 innings and maybe we'll get to their pen.
2008-04-12 14:08:36
90.   Mattpat11
nice curve.
2008-04-12 14:09:22
91.   Mattpat11
McCarver doesn't think Varitek going into his homerun trot is bad baserunning?
2008-04-12 14:09:50
92.   monkeypants
So now McCarver claims that Varitek made a good base running play by getting thrown out by 15'.
2008-04-12 14:09:56
93.   RIYank
Keep talking, Tim. Eventually it will have to make sense.

(This is when he's going on and on about how Tek didn't really make a bad baserunning play.)

2008-04-12 14:10:22
94.   joejoejoe
McCarver talking about what a great baserunning play Varitek made earlier. Keep it up Tek!
2008-04-12 14:10:29
95.   Mattpat11
54 pitches through five for Mussina.
2008-04-12 14:10:49
96.   51cq24
89 isn't the bright side that he's only given up 1 run?
2008-04-12 14:11:00
97.   Jeb
I love McCarver apologizing for Varitek, explaining that he had the right thought but the wrong speed. If Varitek was such a great thinker, wouldn't he know that he lacked the proper speed?

Most baserunning mistakes are made when players don't try to take the extra base? Holy batshit. Did he really just way that?

2008-04-12 14:11:04
98.   RIYank
91 92 93 Excellent.
2008-04-12 14:11:15
99.   monkeypants
89 True. In many ways, this is the best we can hope from Moose this season. Heck, if he escapes the big guns next inning they might squeeze seven out of him.
2008-04-12 14:11:58
100.   RIYank
Ah, and also 94 and 97 . Hee hee.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-04-12 14:12:07
101.   Jeb
96 that's one bright spot. But since we're not going to score on Beckett, I figure the real bright spot is not eating up our pen today so that we can stay fresh for tomorrow and beyond as the Yanks continue this long road trip.
2008-04-12 14:13:42
102.   RIYank
Our secret weapon begins the inevitable destruction of Beckett.
2008-04-12 14:13:56
103.   Jeb
With McCarver's logic we'd go to war with made up intelligence estimates and it would be okay because we had the right thought...oh wait...right.
2008-04-12 14:14:01
104.   Mattpat11
MOLINA!

A REAL HIT!

2008-04-12 14:14:31
105.   RIYank
Yipe, H&R. Not a good way to work the pitch count.
2008-04-12 14:14:51
106.   51cq24
i've given up on mccarver and buck, listening to beatles for sale instead. i suggest something similar for all of you. they're more than a bit absurd.
2008-04-12 14:14:55
107.   williamnyy23
103 Politics...boring.
2008-04-12 14:15:01
108.   Mattpat11
good job there alberto.
2008-04-12 14:15:12
109.   Andre
I LOVE JOSE MOLINA - starting a fan club. anyone want to join?
2008-04-12 14:15:15
110.   monkeypants
Hopefully AG just strikes out here, instead of a DP.
2008-04-12 14:15:35
111.   williamnyy23
110 FC would be ok.
2008-04-12 14:16:05
112.   Jeb
106 calm now.

107 just an analogy.

2008-04-12 14:16:06
113.   williamnyy23
just missed?? It was low AND outside!
2008-04-12 14:16:35
114.   RIYank
I actually find McCarver to be an entertaining idiot. Buck is dull as dishwater, predictable, etc. But I always want to know what McC is going to come up with next.

Aha! No way the Sox can let Varitek get away next year. Because he puts down the right fingers.

2008-04-12 14:16:42
115.   monkeypants
What can't Varitek do? How can the Sox ever afford to part ways with their captain?
2008-04-12 14:16:45
116.   williamnyy23
Hmmm...think Varitek deserves the credit or Pedro and Schilling?
2008-04-12 14:17:02
117.   Mattpat11
he gets 8 inches off the plate for cano and nothing for gonzalez
2008-04-12 14:17:35
118.   Jeb
Well, I am not going to be calm about the former AG now because we needed that hit.
2008-04-12 14:17:40
119.   RIYank
Oh ye of little faith!
How d'ya like that closing argument?
2008-04-12 14:17:43
120.   monkeypants
OK, fit Jeter for that LF glove. ; )
2008-04-12 14:17:52
121.   rbj
Hot diggity, I think we have a gen-u-ine rally going here.
2008-04-12 14:17:55
122.   Mattpat11
It figures that our only real hits are AG and Molina.
2008-04-12 14:18:03
123.   williamnyy23
115 I hope the Red Sox feel the same way and sign him to another 4 year deal. He isn't half the hitter Posada is right now, so imagine at 40.
2008-04-12 14:18:14
124.   Jeb
114 yes, he's never made the mistake of puttingdown his toes
2008-04-12 14:18:38
125.   Jeb
120 right on!
2008-04-12 14:18:54
126.   Mattpat11
Okay. Now hit it to right field, Melky.
2008-04-12 14:19:08
127.   williamnyy23
The bunt is a bad call here. You have to have confidence Damon wont ground into a double play situation. Unlike yesterday, you aren't playing for one run here. That move is very disturbing.
2008-04-12 14:19:12
128.   monkeypants
I usually do not like the bunt, but I can agree with it there. Now come on Melky.
2008-04-12 14:19:22
129.   Jeb
how about squeezing here and running over the genius behind the plate?
2008-04-12 14:20:04
130.   RIYank
123 Yeah, but no way that happens. Theo isn't a fool.
2008-04-12 14:20:13
131.   monkeypants
127 That's funny--we saw that totally differently! Right now I have no confidence in Damon or Melky getting a hit.
2008-04-12 14:20:29
132.   Jeb
130 good point.
2008-04-12 14:20:52
133.   Jeb
131 I'm with you, I liked the bunt.
2008-04-12 14:20:57
134.   Mattpat11
Beckett lost the Glavine strikezone
2008-04-12 14:21:53
135.   Jeb
the Melk Man Delivers!
2008-04-12 14:22:02
136.   monkeypants
NIce AB by Melky!
2008-04-12 14:22:07
137.   rbj
Woo hoo
2008-04-12 14:22:09
138.   williamnyy23
Did Ellsbury need to flop there?
2008-04-12 14:22:29
139.   RIYank
Good job, Melk!

Now, how did Varitek let that happen? His fingers let the pitch stay up in the zone. Good thing he moved Ellsbury so quickly to his right.

2008-04-12 14:22:30
140.   Mattpat11
Molina runs like me.
2008-04-12 14:22:40
141.   weeping for brunnhilde
Melky gets the job done!!!

Sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, game tied!

I love it.

Love it.

2008-04-12 14:22:55
142.   RIYank
Yeah, Girardi is a genius.
2008-04-12 14:22:59
143.   Jeb
monkey -- how 'bout that baserunning?????
2008-04-12 14:23:05
144.   Mattpat11
WHOO
2008-04-12 14:23:10
145.   williamnyy23
That's a great job by AG.
2008-04-12 14:23:24
146.   weeping for brunnhilde
Excellent!

2-1!

2008-04-12 14:23:30
147.   monkeypants
I'm confused--McCarver said that was outstanding base running by AG. But he was safe? I don't get it...
2008-04-12 14:24:04
148.   williamnyy23
Melky has two Sac Flys plating Molina. Those should count for two RBIs.
2008-04-12 14:24:06
149.   rbj
Ahh, and the "Yankees suck" chant starts. Way to stay classy, Boston.
2008-04-12 14:24:07
150.   SF Yanks
I'm starting to like this AGon kid.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2008-04-12 14:24:19
151.   monkeypants
143 See 120
2008-04-12 14:24:19
152.   Mattpat11
147 AND he was running hard. It doesn't add up with the great Varutek baserunning
2008-04-12 14:24:22
153.   Jeb
147 ha!
2008-04-12 14:25:09
154.   Jeb
151 I know I know.
2008-04-12 14:25:45
155.   rbj
Derek who?
2008-04-12 14:26:23
156.   Mattpat11
ack.

Come on Moose.

2008-04-12 14:26:23
157.   Jeb
Moose for the 6th
Ohlendorf/Traber for the 7th
Joba-Mo for the 8th and 9th
2008-04-12 14:26:44
158.   51cq24
155 that isnt even funny
2008-04-12 14:27:20
159.   RIYank
Man, we got two singles and then plated them both without another hit. Gotta love that.
2008-04-12 14:27:23
160.   Jeb
Actually, I will say this - I'd let Farnsworthless pitch to Papi. Only Papi.
2008-04-12 14:27:33
161.   JimCobain
3 more outs, Moose. Don't do your usual give the lead right back thing. 3 outs, no runs. Make it happen.
2008-04-12 14:27:39
162.   Mattpat11
157 depending on how the sixth goes, I may want Mussina in for the seventh
2008-04-12 14:27:55
163.   Jeb
158 they're starting to believe 51cq...
2008-04-12 14:28:00
164.   williamnyy23
160 Why? Feel sorry for Ortiz?
2008-04-12 14:28:01
165.   Mattpat11
160 No.
2008-04-12 14:28:31
166.   RIYank
157 I was going to say, Moose starts the seventh. But now I'm leaning your way. Why wait for him to put a guy on? Let Ohly start with a clean slate.
2008-04-12 14:28:38
167.   SF Yanks
160 Never.
2008-04-12 14:28:55
168.   51cq24
163 they all need to calm down!
2008-04-12 14:29:11
169.   Mattpat11
He wrote the punchline too small to read.
2008-04-12 14:29:15
170.   JimCobain
IF the Sox go 1-2-3. Then you have to bring Joba in for the 7th to face the heart of the order.
2008-04-12 14:29:19
171.   williamnyy23
166 Assuming he makes through the 6th?
2008-04-12 14:30:11
172.   Mattpat11
Cashman with a bad comb over.
2008-04-12 14:30:46
173.   Mattpat11
don't walk lugo
2008-04-12 14:30:50
174.   monkeypants
Cooky crazy strike zone this inning.
2008-04-12 14:31:18
175.   RIYank
171 Yes, I'm assuming so.

Oh, another smooth move by the AG.

2008-04-12 14:31:29
176.   51cq24
it's hard to get used to not expecting a hit on every ground ball up the middle
2008-04-12 14:31:33
177.   williamnyy23
Hey...the ump is helping the Yankees out now!
2008-04-12 14:31:46
178.   Jeb
164 165 167 Because Ortiz is 0 for 7 against Kyle lifetime. In his current slump he wouldn't expect to do much better. Also, considering that he's been facing 70-80 MPH moose slop, how's a Farnsworth 98 MPH Fastball going to look to Papi?
2008-04-12 14:31:59
179.   SF Yanks
Lugo does this really creepy thing with his eyes while he's waiting for the pitcher to pitch.
2008-04-12 14:32:02
180.   Mattpat11
174 But consistent for both guys.
2008-04-12 14:32:24
181.   williamnyy23
178 Like a big jelly donut.
2008-04-12 14:32:36
182.   51cq24
174 indeed
2008-04-12 14:32:41
183.   Mattpat11
178 Farnsworth's suck knows no "numbers"
2008-04-12 14:33:03
184.   williamnyy23
180 Not really...he seems to be randomly calling balls strikes and strikes balls.
2008-04-12 14:33:15
185.   Jeb
They need to get Ross up NOW.
2008-04-12 14:33:15
186.   Mattpat11
181 Or a cookie.
2008-04-12 14:33:21
187.   51cq24
179 yeah i noticed that, very weird
2008-04-12 14:33:44
188.   SF Yanks
178 Like I said before, I wouldn't trust Worthless to pitch to Will Nieves.
2008-04-12 14:34:00
189.   Jeb
pull him now pull him now..now now..
2008-04-12 14:34:11
190.   Mattpat11
184 I meant its not big for Josh and little for Moose any more.
2008-04-12 14:34:17
191.   RIYank
Damn.
Infield in?
2008-04-12 14:34:21
192.   williamnyy23
175 That's why you don't assume!
2008-04-12 14:34:26
193.   JimCobain
Moose being Moose. He's giving it right back.
2008-04-12 14:34:27
194.   monkeypants
McCarver: "So, the plucky Pedroia..."

Gag

2008-04-12 14:34:29
195.   Mattpat11
oh crap.
2008-04-12 14:35:03
196.   SF Yanks
The wheels are slowing coming off...
2008-04-12 14:35:13
197.   Mattpat11
do you really "zip" a 75 mph fastball?
2008-04-12 14:35:31
198.   51cq24
that's a clear strike
2008-04-12 14:35:33
199.   Mattpat11
197 *85.
2008-04-12 14:36:17
200.   rbj
They're called strikes because they're right in the strike zone.
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2008-04-12 14:36:47
201.   RIYank
Strange. Usually Ortiz is my least favorite guy to see with men on in a close game. Today, he's my favorite.
2008-04-12 14:36:55
202.   51cq24
how the hell did he catch that?
2008-04-12 14:36:57
203.   Jeb
Good K on Papi...Now Eiland visit the mound....walk manny intentionally...visit the mound...and put in Ohlendorf.
2008-04-12 14:36:59
204.   williamnyy23
That Molina is very fancy.
2008-04-12 14:37:04
205.   Adrian
MOLINA!
2008-04-12 14:37:06
206.   Mattpat11
Good job Moose. Now do it again.
2008-04-12 14:37:13
207.   monkeypants
Do you let Moose pitch to Man-Ram?
2008-04-12 14:37:29
208.   Mattpat11
Mussina passes Cone, BTW.
2008-04-12 14:37:32
209.   Jeb
visit the mound....CHECK
2008-04-12 14:37:39
210.   51cq24
201 i wouldn't go that far, i was holding my breath
2008-04-12 14:37:39
211.   williamnyy23
203 Except he isn't warming. Bruney is...as good as Bruney has looked, you cant bring him in with the bases loaded.
2008-04-12 14:37:56
212.   cult of basebaal
Big Papi, meet Uncle Charlie!

C'mon Moose, 1 more!

2008-04-12 14:38:03
213.   williamnyy23
207 No...he pitches to Youkilis.
2008-04-12 14:38:28
214.   Mattpat11
crap.
2008-04-12 14:38:30
215.   RIYank
Damn. Flake can still hit.
2008-04-12 14:38:34
216.   Jeb
why the fuck wouldn't he walk Manny with first base open?????
2008-04-12 14:38:35
217.   51cq24
what the fuck??
2008-04-12 14:38:37
218.   rbj
Muggerfluffer!
2008-04-12 14:38:41
219.   williamnyy23
That's just stupidity.
2008-04-12 14:38:42
220.   cult of basebaal
dammit ... 4 wide to manny was the way to go moose ... damn, damn, damn
2008-04-12 14:39:01
221.   SF Yanks
Don't pitch around him or anything.
2008-04-12 14:39:07
222.   Adrian
-sigh- Bruney? Really?
2008-04-12 14:39:30
223.   Mattpat11
Hey. That's the pitch that we always throw to Manny. The chest high fastball. And we're always shocked when he hits it.
2008-04-12 14:39:41
224.   monkeypants
Whatever I think about AG in the long run, that they have depth to carry Molina as BUC, AG and Betemit as BUIFs is a damn sight better than the days of Cairo and Nieves.
2008-04-12 14:39:55
225.   JimCobain
Another Mike Mussina masterpiece. Has any other pitcher in recent memory been more "almost" than this guy?
2008-04-12 14:40:50
226.   RIYank
223 Wait, the homer was around his knees.
2008-04-12 14:41:16
227.   51cq24
can a situation dictate what you should do any better than that one did? manny hit a ridiculous bomb his last at bat. that was as dumb as it gets. why let mussina decide whether to pitch to him or not? there's no way he should have been hitting.
2008-04-12 14:41:18
228.   williamnyy23
That's an inexcusable mistake. Girardi has to take the decision away from Moose there and walk Manny. Youkilis is really only a threat to knock in 2 runs anyway, so there was no reason to pitch to Manny. If the Yankees lose 3-2, you can call this a Girardi loss.
2008-04-12 14:41:35
229.   monkeypants
Pulling Moose now doesn't make much sense. If you trust him to pitch to Manny and he has only thrown about 72 pitches, then why not stay with him with Manny on 2nd and two outs? If you think he's out of gas, why pitch to Manny--pull Moose or at least have him issue a IBB.

I have a hard time believing that single pitch to Manny was the critical evidence.

2008-04-12 14:42:20
230.   Jeb
225 You know something though. Moose pitched okay today and the fact that Girardi didn't walk Manny isn't Moose's fault.
2008-04-12 14:42:20
231.   monkeypants
228 Hey, we agree this time!
2008-04-12 14:43:23
232.   monkeypants
228 Hey, we agreed that time!
2008-04-12 14:43:27
233.   RIYank
228 No, I'm sure you're wrong. It's definitely wrong to give an IBB in that situation.
2008-04-12 14:43:41
234.   williamnyy23
229 Excellent point...this is a botched inning for Girardi.

230 Moose was great...no shame in only gettign beat by Manny.

2008-04-12 14:43:53
235.   cult of basebaal
lovely, just fucking lovely ... what a crappy half-inning ... blah
2008-04-12 14:43:57
236.   monkeypants
232 Sorry about that sort of double post.
2008-04-12 14:44:42
237.   JimCobain
230 I'm not just talking about today. For the last 4-5 years you could count on Mussina giving up runs after the Yankees take a lead. He is a pitcher that NEVER knew how to step on an opponents throat. There was the Detroit playoff game in 2006. And all the near no hitters he's thrown.
2008-04-12 14:45:12
238.   RIYank
With two outs you can't walk the bases loaded. It doesn't make sense. You give up too many runs that way. If Youk were a terrible hitter, maybe.
2008-04-12 14:45:56
239.   rsmith51
I agree, either Moose is good for both or neither. I would have walked Manny, but I am generally not a fan of IBB.
2008-04-12 14:46:01
240.   williamnyy23
237 I don't think that's fair. Moose won his share of big games for the Yankees.
2008-04-12 14:46:29
241.   51cq24
238 or if he were half the hitter manny is
2008-04-12 14:46:43
242.   monkeypants
237 OK, so you're going to hold almost no-hitters against Moose?
2008-04-12 14:47:18
243.   williamnyy23
238 Why doesn't it make sense? If Youkilis singles or doubles, you still only yield two runs. Manny is so much better than Youkilis that you take the chance of adding a baserunner to avoid Manny. To me, it's as close to a no-brainer as you can get.
2008-04-12 14:47:27
244.   Mattpat11
242 Clearly.
2008-04-12 14:47:58
245.   Max
Tough to expect a 2-1 lead to hold up this early, but wow, pitching to Manny...this was just too predictable.
2008-04-12 14:48:10
246.   Mattpat11
243 A double might be three runs.
2008-04-12 14:48:20
247.   Jeb
a walk to Arod. A "thinking" Arod would continue walking to second and get thrown out. McCarver is delicious.
2008-04-12 14:48:34
248.   RIYank
238 Depends what you mean by "half the hitter". Youkalis is very good. And walking Manny means a walk is an rbi, too.

And speaking of walks...

2008-04-12 14:48:49
249.   williamnyy23
243 It might be, but with the big wall and Manny running, it's not likely. Also, pitching to Manny could be three runs.
2008-04-12 14:49:01
250.   Jeb
237 you're right about the past, but today is on Girardi, not Moose.
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2008-04-12 14:49:20
251.   JimCobain
240 A guy with his talent should have won a few more big games.

I think Moose is/was a very good pitcher. He was missing something that could've made him great- a Hall of Famer.

The problem though is the Yankees always treated him as a GREAT pitcher.

He always reminded me of the fussy old man who sends back his soup three times at the deli.

Less I digress, this game is far from over...

LET'S GO YANKEES!

2008-04-12 14:49:31
252.   RIYank
243 Just for the obvious reason. Every free base runner you give the other team is a potential free run.
2008-04-12 14:49:41
253.   rsmith51
238 Of course you can... The choices are Manny with runners at 2nd and 3rd or Youk with the bases loaded. I don't understand why you give up too many runs that way. The only thing you are adding is a possibility of a walk scoring a run.
2008-04-12 14:49:58
254.   williamnyy23
248 I think you overrate Youkilis. His OPS+ is 110 for his career. Manny is MUCH better.
2008-04-12 14:50:44
255.   51cq24
good hustle by giambi there
2008-04-12 14:50:49
256.   weeping for brunnhilde
I'm so sick of this Giambi.
2008-04-12 14:51:06
257.   williamnyy23
251 I think he was a great pitcher and very close to a Hall of Famer.
2008-04-12 14:51:12
258.   RIYank
ARGH.
And that means Beckett will pitch the eighth inning, too. We needed a rally, both for the runs and to get to the pen.
2008-04-12 14:51:13
259.   monkeypants
McCarver: "Youkilis can do it all..."

My God, how can the Yankees compete with this roster of supermen?

2008-04-12 14:51:41
260.   williamnyy23
Geez...not a great approach from Giambi.
2008-04-12 14:51:59
261.   bartap74
Maybe somebody should tell Giambi to try hitting the other way when they put that shift on.
2008-04-12 14:52:01
262.   monkeypants
251 Uh oh...
2008-04-12 14:52:21
263.   RIYank
253 Huh?
Every base runner is a potential run. What do you mean?
2008-04-12 14:52:29
264.   williamnyy23
If the ump had called the strike zone correctly from the start, Beckett would have gone 5 innings.
2008-04-12 14:53:13
265.   RIYank
I'm half-listening to the bozos. Why, exactly, did we use ten first base coaches last year???
2008-04-12 14:53:49
266.   Jeb
261 FUCK YES!
2008-04-12 14:53:55
267.   RIYank
Oh, man. That Giambi grounder looks costly now.
2008-04-12 14:54:02
268.   williamnyy23
263 Every base runner isn't a potential run. That assumes the absence of variables. When many is at the plate, runners on base have a lot more potential to score than when Youkilis is up.
2008-04-12 14:54:14
269.   JimCobain
242 I hold it against him only in that it is symbolic of a pitcher who doesn't have a killer instinct. Mussina's stuff was hall of fame worthy. But he never knew how to demoralize a team and step on their throat and that kept him from being an all time great.
2008-04-12 14:55:11
270.   JimCobain
Let's get one back here, Robbie...
2008-04-12 14:55:22
271.   williamnyy23
269 I guess I have no idea what you are talking about. In his prime, Moose definitely knew how to demoralize a team.
2008-04-12 14:55:27
272.   Jeb
A smarter baserunner would have gotten thrown out by Tek.
2008-04-12 14:55:28
273.   monkeypants
{269] I don't even know what that means. This is baseball, not WWF.
2008-04-12 14:55:38
274.   weeping for brunnhilde
261 Gee, you think?
2008-04-12 14:55:42
275.   Mattpat11
251 I think a guy that, in the AL East during the steroid era, reaches 21 all time in strikeouts, 44 all time in wins, with a .633 winning percentage, 122 ERA+ and 1.189 WHIP is a great pitcher.
2008-04-12 14:55:49
276.   weeping for brunnhilde
Wow, Robby actually got a hit!
2008-04-12 14:56:13
277.   JimCobain
Would that have been out in Yankee Stadium or an out?
2008-04-12 14:56:15
278.   weeping for brunnhilde
Come on, Molina, be a hero again, please!

We're begging you...

2008-04-12 14:56:41
279.   51cq24
269 i agree. that bloop hit by carl everett was only because mussina is a wimp.
2008-04-12 14:56:44
280.   monkeypants
272 No doubt.
2008-04-12 14:57:12
281.   RIYank
Nice, but now I'm really annoyed about Giambi's out.
2008-04-12 14:57:17
282.   monkeypants
279 Actually, I think it was a lack of moral fiber.
2008-04-12 14:57:33
283.   51cq24
277 i think hr
2008-04-12 14:57:49
284.   cult of basebaal
way to go, cano!
2008-04-12 14:58:25
285.   monkeypants
281 Yep, if it weren't for Posada's bad base running by not getting thrown out at second, this could have been one of those frustrating innings with walks and hits (including an XBH) but no runs.
2008-04-12 14:58:26
286.   williamnyy23
281 Everything changes! Let it go.
2008-04-12 14:58:57
287.   weeping for brunnhilde
281 You and me both.

But here's Jose...

2008-04-12 14:59:16
288.   RIYank
Wow, what sight is uglier than Josh Beckett sitting and biting his nails?
2008-04-12 15:00:05
289.   Mattpat11
271 I also remember Mike Mussina snuffing out a bases loaded, no out rally in game seven of the ALCS. That had to be demoralizing.
2008-04-12 15:00:28
290.   cult of basebaal
279 and that game 7 back in 2003 when moose came in on relief on short rest and totally let the red sox pull away and win the series, yeah, he totally didn't step up big time then, either ...
2008-04-12 15:00:37
291.   51cq24
289 1st and 3rd
2008-04-12 15:00:41
292.   weeping for brunnhilde
Agggghhh!
2008-04-12 15:01:44
293.   monkeypants
291 Weakling.
2008-04-12 15:01:56
294.   dianagramr
288

Watching men sitting around singing "Viva Viagra" ....

2008-04-12 15:03:45
295.   Mattpat11
290 Or when he outdueled Josh to give the team a 2-1 lead in that world series.

Little known fact-the Yankees lost the next three games (That Mussina never appeared in) because Mussina is a wimp.

2008-04-12 15:04:43
296.   Mattpat11
291 Yes. I think the point still stands.
2008-04-12 15:04:57
297.   williamnyy23
Not to turnt his into a love fest for Moose, but I also think he handled himself very well when he was awful last year. A gutless wimp wouldn't have accepted responsibility as readily as he did.
2008-04-12 15:05:25
298.   Jeb
I think that Moose was a fine pitcher who was a borderline HOFer. There's lots of guys like that in the history of baseball and certainly nothing wrong with it. And it doesn't have a damn thing to do with grit, etc. Non-gritty people don't win 250+ games.

That being said, Moose has aged poorly. It's not because he has bad moral character, hygiene or anything else that he can't hit 88 on his fastball anymore, it's just the way his body aged.

He pitched okay today. Not great, but he was effective. Girardi fucked up not having him walk Manny. As for 2006, I'd just say that was a product of his age. Yeah, he had a 3-1 lead, but he couldn't hold it and that's life. How come the Yanks scored no more runs that day? Is that on Moose too?

Is it Moose's fault that in game 5 of the 2005 ALDS Bartolo "Harpo Marx" Colon got hurt right before the Yankees were about to grind him into a fine powder?

2008-04-12 15:06:19
299.   dianagramr
and Moose does crossword puzzles .... that gets a little more love in my geek book ...
2008-04-12 15:06:33
300.   RIYank
294 Touche.
Show/Hide Comments 301-350
2008-04-12 15:06:48
301.   JimCobain
289 That is a good example. And I'm not saying he NEVER demoralized another team.

All I said was that in the 3-4 years he seemed to give leads up right away. And that throughout his career, he was almost great. I chalk it up to bad luck, maybe out smarting himself on the mound, whatever, it is an intangible feeling, call it an opinion.

Mock away.

2008-04-12 15:06:48
302.   williamnyy23
298 I don't think he has aged poorly...he has just aged. It's not like he has been a putird pitcher after age 35.
2008-04-12 15:07:04
303.   51cq24
298 he did let crosby and sheffield misplay that fly ball
2008-04-12 15:07:47
304.   williamnyy23
301 It has been thoroughly mocked...we can move on :)
2008-04-12 15:08:25
305.   williamnyy23
303 That play bothers me as much as almost any other in recent memory.
2008-04-12 15:08:51
306.   rsmith51
303 Actually, it was the walk to Finley immediately preceding the misplay that was the killer. Finley couldn't hit anything that season, but could pick up a walk against Moose. That was infuriating.
2008-04-12 15:09:01
307.   RIYank
I think we can all agree:
If Moose had Varitek as a catcher, he'd be a lock for the Hall.
2008-04-12 15:09:11
308.   Mattpat11
302 And to be honest, I thought he was pretty good today.
2008-04-12 15:09:55
309.   williamnyy23
308 He did...Manny was just better.
2008-04-12 15:10:05
310.   JimCobain
I never said wimp. I said killer instinct. But like I said, mock away.
2008-04-12 15:10:24
311.   Jeb
302 by poorly I mean that he seems to have aged a bit faster than others. But that's possibly just a product of him not being a high heat guy who slows to 90 and then learns other pitches.
2008-04-12 15:10:47
312.   williamnyy23
Why...why...wouldn't you throw a fastball to Ellsbury on 3-2? Why?
2008-04-12 15:10:48
313.   Mattpat11
305 The worst part of that play was that it seemed to be moving in slow motion. You could see it coming for what felt like minutes.
2008-04-12 15:11:28
314.   Mattpat11
The return of BB?
2008-04-12 15:11:44
315.   williamnyy23
311 Or, not being a guy who dipped into some artifical supplements. Not many pitchers stay strong after age 35. Also, at age 37, Mussina had a very, very good season.
2008-04-12 15:12:25
316.   RIYank
312 You gotta expect a little of that when BB pitches. It's his Achilles heel.

Whoa. Pedroia takes a full swing. That's admirable, Tim!

2008-04-12 15:12:25
317.   Mattpat11
Lightning flashing in the distance signals a Farnsworth appearance.
2008-04-12 15:12:26
318.   monkeypants
And the inevitable McCarver pontification about how Joba is more important in the 8th inning slot ithan starting. And the mystery: just how can they transition Joba to starting? It's not like the Twins did it with Santana?

Does McCarver even remember anything about the way pitchers were used when he player?

2008-04-12 15:12:36
319.   Zack
Why are announcers and media types like Ken Rosenthal such morons? Listening to them blather on and list all sorts of awful reasons for why Joba "can't" become a starter, it makes me realize just how much time and energy they are going to spend insisting that Joba is most valuable as "the 8th inning guy," which as far as I can tell is their way to make a second closer??
2008-04-12 15:12:51
320.   Zack
And I see the old bruney as emerged
2008-04-12 15:13:05
321.   JimCobain
311 I think Moose would be highly effective in the National League and I expect him to sign with a team in the NL next year.

His stuff as it stands doesn't match up to the AL East right now, for sure.

2008-04-12 15:13:34
322.   Mattpat11
Nice teamwork there.
2008-04-12 15:13:38
323.   williamnyy23
Bruney wasn't very happy about that little collision.
2008-04-12 15:13:43
324.   RIYank
318 I can't see how they'd do it. Let's get three geniuses together and see if they can figure it out. Hmmm. Send him to the minors?? No, crazy. Stretch him out in the majors? "Even then..."
2008-04-12 15:13:57
325.   monkeypants
Come on boys, communicate out there. That was Abreu's ball.
2008-04-12 15:13:58
326.   weeping for brunnhilde
That's it.

I swear to God, I'm going to fucking kill someone!

Cano and ABreu need to deal with this!

Enough!!!

That's Abreu's ball!!!

God, it kills me to see this happen day in, day out!!!

2008-04-12 15:14:17
327.   domvjr
Can someone explain to me all this man-love for Pedroia. It makes me want to throw up! Plucky, yech!
2008-04-12 15:15:03
328.   Jeb
316 he did but he really was putrid last year. If he can eat 175 innings this year and have a 4.50 ERA, I will be delighted with him. He's at 4.15 right now which is just fine.
2008-04-12 15:15:32
329.   williamnyy23
327 Yes...announcers/media types love players closer to them in height.
2008-04-12 15:15:40
330.   Mattpat11
319 The Yankees can "go out and get someone" you see. Maybe Kyle Lohse. Clearly he has "turned the corner."
2008-04-12 15:16:08
331.   RIYank
He's plucky. Duh. What are you, blind?

(And welcome, by the way.)

2008-04-12 15:16:16
332.   williamnyy23
328 An ERA+ of 87 is NOT putrid.
2008-04-12 15:16:41
333.   51cq24
what makes him effective is his effectiveness
2008-04-12 15:17:23
334.   williamnyy23
AG is not the automatic out he was in his breif stint last year.
2008-04-12 15:17:25
335.   Mattpat11
Where is Hideki Matsui?
2008-04-12 15:18:11
336.   Mattpat11
JD Drew caught the ball and fell down.
2008-04-12 15:18:40
337.   RIYank
Ugh. This one's not in the cards for us. A game of inches...
2008-04-12 15:18:55
338.   monkeypants
Buck mentioned the Sox' early season defensive woes?!? What is he talking about--these are the Boston Übermenschen.

Don't worry, McCarver corrected him: "Defense all day long--first Lugo and then Drew,"

2008-04-12 15:19:07
339.   JimCobain
336 He tripped on his cape. A team of Supermen.
2008-04-12 15:19:44
340.   Zack
Wow, McCarver REALLY likes Okajima
2008-04-12 15:20:13
341.   monkeypants
Too bad Duncan is not available to PH for AG or Damon vs. the lefty.
2008-04-12 15:20:24
342.   Jeb
332 he looked pretty damn putrid to me when they benched him. AND I don't think that 87 is anything to write home about and neither is the 1.47 WHIP. His K's were way down too relative to his innings.

Let's agree to disagree. I think that Moose was putrid last year and I acknowledge that you don't. I don't know how you define putrid, but I'm curious how you'd define Mike's season if it wasn't putrid.

2008-04-12 15:20:58
343.   bartap74
335 He's in the clubhouse, sketching a mistress so he can cheat on his pretend wife.
2008-04-12 15:21:09
344.   Zack
This inning is very frustrating...inches from a big one
2008-04-12 15:21:13
345.   monkeypants
Francona has to go to Papelbon here, no?
2008-04-12 15:21:14
346.   weeping for brunnhilde
Please, Alex.

Please.

Please...

2008-04-12 15:21:28
347.   Mattpat11
Buck sounded so disappointed.
2008-04-12 15:21:28
348.   williamnyy23
This is what they want...this is what they pay for!
2008-04-12 15:21:53
349.   bartap74
Here comes coin slot.
2008-04-12 15:22:04
350.   JimCobain
Pap -smear in. Rain falling. Arod at the plate. Deja vu, anyone?
Show/Hide Comments 351-400
2008-04-12 15:22:09
351.   Jeb
If Arod gets a hit off Papelbon I'll....I don't know what I'll do.
2008-04-12 15:22:19
352.   dianagramr
Paps adjusts his cup, fist bumps the security guard .... and goes to work ....

gotta love him .... :-)

2008-04-12 15:22:30
353.   Mattpat11
343 I see.
2008-04-12 15:22:31
354.   bartap74
348 Have you been playing WWE Smackdown?
2008-04-12 15:22:39
355.   Zack
Too bad its 2008 A-Rod and not the 2007 Mecga-Rod
2008-04-12 15:22:51
356.   monkeypants
How long before we are reminded that the Sox foolishly tried to make a starter out of Papelbon, before learning their lesson?
2008-04-12 15:23:21
357.   Mattpat11
352 At least he's wearing pants.
2008-04-12 15:23:40
358.   51cq24
342 i think "putrid" is a pretty accurate description of his performance for most of 2007
2008-04-12 15:23:50
359.   Mattpat11
Oh crap.
2008-04-12 15:23:52
360.   williamnyy23
342 Moose had a putrid stretch of games, but his whole season wasn't as bad. I'd say he had a below average season, but 11-10 with an ERA+ of 87 is far from putrid. Putrid? Think Kei Igawa!
2008-04-12 15:24:04
361.   monkeypants
This is a joke, right?
2008-04-12 15:24:08
362.   Jeb
ok, so if we have a 1 hour delay, what does this do to Papelbon?
2008-04-12 15:24:11
363.   weeping for brunnhilde
Pssst, hey, Alex, remember, you're the stud!

You're in the driver's seat.

Easy does it, nice, sold contact.

Don't guess, just put the bat on the baseball...

Oh my God, now they're taking out the tarp?

2008-04-12 15:24:23
364.   JimCobain
Interesting. Right after they wonder out loud if Pap had enough time to warm up, the tarp comes out.
2008-04-12 15:24:27
365.   Zack
Wow that is sure convenient since Papelbon didn't have enough time to warm up...
2008-04-12 15:25:25
366.   domvjr
Thanks 331, Im more of a lurker, than a contributor! I just don't get this love for everything Red Sox, by the media
2008-04-12 15:25:25
367.   williamnyy23
How do you put the tarp on here? Has Papelbon returned to the pen to warm up?
2008-04-12 15:26:18
368.   bartap74
364 365 I was going to say the same thing but then I was thought I was just being paranoid. Guess not. Isn't it the home team that decides to put the tarp on?
2008-04-12 15:26:18
369.   cult of basebaal
305 i always put most of the blame for that play on torre and his continuing coddling of bernie in CF ... the miscue happened because sheff and crosby weren't used to playing together, specifically, sheff wasn't used to playing with a CF who had the range to go to the wall in the gap and run a ball like that down ... bernie wouldn't come within 20 feet of that ball

and sheff wasn't used to playing with bubba, because torre didn't reliably sub crosby in for bernie in the late innings of games that year ... hell, even when he did get subbed in, more than half of the time it was into left or right, meaning he and sheff still didn't get a chance to get used to playing together ...

2008-04-12 15:26:28
370.   Jeb
a 5+ ERA is at LEAST somewhere between putrid and below average. Give me that.
2008-04-12 15:28:24
371.   williamnyy23
368 Nope...once the game starts it's the umps' call.
2008-04-12 15:31:24
372.   JimCobain
The Giants/Cardinals game is 5-5 in the bottom of the 8th. And FOX puts on a 10-1 game.
2008-04-12 15:32:01
373.   williamnyy23
370 Sure...I'll give you that.
2008-04-12 15:33:30
374.   Jeb
371 given the strike zone they've given the Sox, I can understand why the umps would be concerned about Pab's effectiveness.
2008-04-12 15:34:02
375.   Zack
372 The Rockies made it to the WS last season, OF COURSE we want to see them all the time!
2008-04-12 15:36:51
376.   Jeb
I want a long rain delay.
2008-04-12 15:44:42
377.   Mattpat11
369 I think Bubba Crosby showed a real knack for running into teammates regardless of the play, player or managerial move.
2008-04-12 15:49:40
378.   williamnyy23
This delay is a joke.
2008-04-12 15:49:46
379.   51cq24
they stopped play in the 8th inning because there would be heavy rain in about an hour?
2008-04-12 15:50:44
380.   williamnyy23
379 This week the Yankees have played through rain and sat through delays waiting for it to rain.
2008-04-12 15:53:42
381.   Jeb
why is Jeannie Zelasko trying to look like Farrah Fawcett from that poster?
2008-04-12 15:55:03
382.   Zack
Yeah, seriously, they couldn't finish that one AB and THEN go into a delay for the bottom of the 8th? Or, perhaps, think that the last 1 1/2 innings won't take longer than an hour?
2008-04-12 15:55:25
383.   JeremyM
What a load. There better be really heavy rain to delay the game in the 8th inning. And then the highlights are only Sox highlights, no Yankee scoring at all.
2008-04-12 16:07:11
384.   OldYanksFan
Is B.J. Upton the new Gen Griffey Jr.?
2008-04-12 16:07:42
385.   OldYanksFan
K e n G r i f f e y J r
2008-04-12 16:10:56
386.   51cq24
J u s t i n
2008-04-12 16:12:56
387.   Mattpat11
tarp off.
2008-04-12 16:15:45
388.   Zack
How was the "other window" not enough time to get the game in?
2008-04-12 16:16:53
389.   Zack
Oh God, an interview with Papelbon, I can't watch
2008-04-12 16:17:24
390.   Mattpat11
Again, at least he wears pants.
2008-04-12 16:17:48
391.   monkeypants
And now a feature spot on Papelbon. What I really like about these FOX interviews is how natural and unscripted they are. Keepin' it real, man.
2008-04-12 16:19:22
392.   monkeypants
And the deep, probing analysis that suggests an ace pitcher has an advantage over a great hitter. Really? I thought all great hitters batted 5.00 or .600.
2008-04-12 16:20:15
393.   OldYanksFan
386 That's what I said
2008-04-12 16:24:26
394.   OldYanksFan
Tiny sample size, but Justin has 5 HRs in 41 ABs, with a 1.250 OPS. Tiny... but the kid seems good.
2008-04-12 16:24:50
395.   williamnyy23
These FOX drones are awful! Are you telling me there aren't three more qualified people?
2008-04-12 16:28:39
396.   OldYanksFan
395 Yes, there ARE... but they are all Blogging!
2008-04-12 16:29:23
397.   rbj
395 ESPN has Joe Morgan on Sunday night. It's a sad state of affairs. If FOX had any brains, they'd hire Harold Reynolds.
2008-04-12 16:29:24
398.   Mattpat11
ohforchristsakes
2008-04-12 16:30:06
399.   williamnyy23
This is an absolute joke. MLB needs to ban the use of radar once the game begins. You play until the conditions get bad...period!
2008-04-12 16:30:21
400.   Zack
These Boston weather people/umps are clearly morons
Show/Hide Comments 401-450
2008-04-12 16:30:57
401.   rbj
Oh good. Yo-yoing Paplebon.
2008-04-12 16:32:09
402.   monkeypants
401 Yep. Every cloud has a silver lining!
2008-04-12 16:33:04
403.   dianagramr
397

Well ... Bryant Gumbel and the NFL Network have decided to go their separate ways for the 2008 season, so there is always hope for ESPN and Morgan ...

or perhaps not ... :-(

2008-04-12 16:34:29
404.   monkeypants
My wife and I have just started a "Papelbon" drinking game...
2008-04-12 16:34:35
405.   SF Yanks
402 What's the one for Boston winning the World Series (twice)?
2008-04-12 16:36:41
406.   monkeypants
405 Not having to hear about the curse, er, well...ok, you got me there.
2008-04-12 16:37:43
407.   williamnyy23
405 They still have a loooong way to go to catch the Yankees.
2008-04-12 16:38:16
408.   Adrian
FOX has got to be better than SoxTalk, filling the radio waves in Beantown.

Caller: People shouldn't boo Big Papi, he's been great for us.
Host: I agree, he's been on two, TWO WS teams. Next caller.
Next Caller: People shouldn't boo Big Papi, he's been great for us!
Host: I agree, he's been on two, TWO WS teams. Next caller.

And so on.

2008-04-12 16:42:22
409.   OldYanksFan
Do you remember when fox had that infantile cartoon ball to explain baseball 'concepts'? Just an amazing embarassment! It seems they are not targeting educated fans, but rather potential new fans... kids.

And new, young, uneducated fans have no idea how bad Mac, Joe Morgan, etc al are.

Imagine, an entire well visited website (FJM.com) is based on criticizing baseball's '#1' announcer. It's a joke, but I guess MLB figures 'morons' have lots of disposable cash that they want in on.

2008-04-12 16:47:57
410.   OldYanksFan
Is ARod in the 'back' in the batting cage? I can't imagine him just sitting around.
2008-04-12 16:51:29
411.   monkeypants
409 The stupid ball might have been more sophisticated than these clowns. Seriously though, what I hate the most about FOX (and most any contemporary sports broadcasting) is that they don't trust t he product (the game), with all its inherent beauty and drama, to sell itself. Instead, it's constantly overshadowed by stupid shit.
2008-04-12 16:51:41
412.   SF Yanks
406 Hehe... I'm always looking for the silver lining myself, but I also can't seem to find one there. Maybe a false sense of hope, idk.
2008-04-12 16:52:39
413.   SF Yanks
Wait, is FOX still going to air the end of the game? If not, will anyone air it?
2008-04-12 16:54:28
414.   dianagramr
A public service announcement ...

Doug Mientkiewicz is in the starting lineup for the Pirates tonight .... at THIRD base.

2008-04-12 16:55:13
415.   Jeb
guys what's going on? Is the game over? has it been called? I ran out with the kids and fucking nascar shit is on now.
2008-04-12 17:00:50
416.   rsmith51
Chris Meyers just said that they would show the Yanks/Sox game when they resume.
2008-04-12 17:01:12
417.   rbj
415 Rain delay.
2008-04-12 17:03:59
418.   SF Yanks
416 Cool, thanks.
2008-04-12 17:12:35
419.   rbj
8:25 pm restarting time, per Peter. Right when my muffins come out of the oven.
2008-04-12 17:22:00
420.   kylepetterson
419 I'm not sure I get the sexual innuendo there, but LET'S GO A-ROD!

(PS Further sexual innuendos not intentional)

2008-04-12 17:26:00
421.   rbj
420 No innuendo, I actually have chocolate chip muffings baking for breakfast tomorrow.
2008-04-12 17:27:33
422.   Mattpat11
Baseball's back!
2008-04-12 17:30:14
423.   monkeypants
Notice how Varitek came running in with Papelbon--that's why he's the captain.
2008-04-12 17:30:54
424.   williamnyy23
Is FOX joking? Moving the baseball game to FX?
2008-04-12 17:31:29
425.   weeping for brunnhilde
All right, here we go...
2008-04-12 17:31:34
426.   williamnyy23
Do they think anyone in NY or Boston gives a damn about NASCAR?
2008-04-12 17:32:29
427.   rbj
426 Driving in NY or Boston is more dangerous than NASCAR.
2008-04-12 17:34:22
428.   weeping for brunnhilde
Damn it.

Ok, Alex, nice short stroke..

2008-04-12 17:34:26
429.   Mattpat11
426 The NASCAR folks made some NASCARy joke that totally went over my head.
2008-04-12 17:34:40
430.   monkeypants
McCarver: In situation such as this Papelbon usually pours the heat.

Like what? The eight inning after a rain delay? And looky there, he went with an offspeed pitch.

2008-04-12 17:34:46
431.   weeping for brunnhilde
Fuck.
2008-04-12 17:34:48
432.   Mattpat11
That sucked.
2008-04-12 17:35:04
433.   Zack
Well, that was a big shocker
2008-04-12 17:35:11
434.   monkeypants
Well, that was not as exciting as it could have been.
2008-04-12 17:35:28
435.   rbj
Well that was anti-climactic.
2008-04-12 17:35:38
436.   Zack
See folks, thats why Joba's fist pump etc is unneeded
2008-04-12 17:35:56
437.   SF Yanks
Glad I waited for that...
2008-04-12 17:36:27
438.   ms october
i can't believe i endured a half-hour of nascar just to see a 3 pitch strike out
2008-04-12 17:38:07
439.   Mattpat11
come on Hawk.
2008-04-12 17:38:14
440.   williamnyy23
Now we know Ortiz is in a huge slump.
2008-04-12 17:38:36
441.   monkeypants
I'm not sure I like the choice of Hawkins here. I hope this is not indicative of Girardi's use of BP in late/close/non-lead games.
2008-04-12 17:39:19
442.   SF Yanks
Nice lil slider there.
2008-04-12 17:39:21
443.   cult of basebaal
this is awesome ... game is back on FX, but not the announcers ... just game sounds ... sweeet!
2008-04-12 17:39:47
444.   williamnyy23
Back to the Arod AB...I wonder if he went up there thinking he would swing at every pitch and not give Papelbon a free strike.
2008-04-12 17:40:31
445.   williamnyy23
443 My FX has sounds...too bad.
2008-04-12 17:40:52
446.   Mattpat11
Good inning Hawk.
2008-04-12 17:41:03
447.   monkeypants
444 The second pitch was key--tough splitter really put A-Rod in the hole.
2008-04-12 17:41:10
448.   rbj
443 Too late, they're on there now. Rats.
2008-04-12 17:41:28
449.   Adrian
Man, A-Rod, you made us wait HOURS for a three pitch strikeout? Thanks, guy. Thanks a lot.
2008-04-12 17:41:37
450.   williamnyy23
It would be a shame if they can't pull this one out. That Manny AB pretty much was the game.
Show/Hide Comments 451-500
2008-04-12 17:41:44
451.   SF Yanks
I say swing for the fences here and hope for the best.
2008-04-12 17:41:50
452.   Jeb
Giambi walks. Pinch run Betemit
2008-04-12 17:43:43
453.   Mattpat11
Come on Jason.
2008-04-12 17:44:13
454.   monkeypants
I rarely support the idea, but I would love to see Giambi bunt to the left side.
2008-04-12 17:44:18
455.   cult of basebaal
448 not for me ... i can hear the massholes chanting "steroids" at giambi

this is almost worth the interminable wait

2008-04-12 17:44:42
456.   SF Yanks
This isn't looking very promising.
2008-04-12 17:45:11
457.   Mattpat11
You can swing whenever you like, Jason.
2008-04-12 17:45:41
458.   monkeypants
Buck just said that that pitch "almost caught a lot of the plate." What does that mean?
2008-04-12 17:46:08
459.   OldYanksFan
ARod was just way way WAY over anxious.
Not cool.
And Giambi goes down... and so do we.
2008-04-12 17:46:14
460.   Zack
This offense is such garbage
2008-04-12 17:46:21
461.   Mattpat11
The flaw in intentionally going 0-2.
2008-04-12 17:46:54
462.   Zack
Nothing like hearing announcers orgasm over velocity
2008-04-12 17:47:20
463.   OldYanksFan
458 Buck has been hanging with Mac too long.
2008-04-12 17:47:30
464.   Jeb
we'll see if this effects Pap going forward
2008-04-12 17:47:33
465.   SF Yanks
Papalugly has the fakest death stare I've ever seen. I hate him with a passion.
2008-04-12 17:48:11
466.   OldYanksFan
Must be hard to get your timing back after 2 hours...
2008-04-12 17:48:39
467.   Mattpat11
465 Whats with the kissy face?
2008-04-12 17:48:53
468.   OldYanksFan
ARod ain't talking to the press after this one.
2008-04-12 17:49:26
469.   OldYanksFan
And definitely no sleep-over.
2008-04-12 17:49:50
470.   Jeb
come on...bloop and a blast.
2008-04-12 17:50:08
471.   Mattpat11
something about this at bat is screaming "backwards k."
2008-04-12 17:50:28
472.   OldYanksFan
Too bad. I didn't expect a Moose/Beckett game to be this close.
2008-04-12 17:50:43
473.   Zack
Straight fastball right down the middle and this team simply can't catch up. Sign of the times
2008-04-12 17:50:54
474.   cult of basebaal
wow ... this no announcer feed is just awesome ... after jorge fouled a tough pitch off there ... you could actually hear his exhale ... i wish every game was broadcast this way
2008-04-12 17:50:54
475.   Jeb
465 me too. Maybe the sox will regret this....
2008-04-12 17:51:02
476.   Mattpat11
well, at least he swung.
2008-04-12 17:51:08
477.   monkeypants
Not a bad AB by Posada, but that has been the story of this game: close but no cigar.
2008-04-12 17:51:25
478.   OldYanksFan
Is Robbie looking to tie it?
2008-04-12 17:51:40
479.   Jeb
if only girardi walked manny
2008-04-12 17:52:26
480.   monkeypants
Papelbon can cure cancer, and dance the flamenco.
2008-04-12 17:52:37
481.   OldYanksFan
Do we have a PH on deck?
2008-04-12 17:53:00
482.   OldYanksFan
That was ball 3.
2008-04-12 17:53:03
483.   monkeypants
If Cano gets on, surely you PH for Molina?
2008-04-12 17:53:14
484.   Jeb
Robby -- this would be a great slump ender...
2008-04-12 17:53:49
485.   Jeb
483 who?
2008-04-12 17:53:54
486.   weeping for brunnhilde
483 Absolutely not.

Dude's locked in, why would you ph for him?

2008-04-12 17:53:58
487.   OldYanksFan
Should have been ball 4. F'n Cano can't take a walk.
2008-04-12 17:54:03
488.   bartap74
483 Isn't he the hottest hitter on the team?
2008-04-12 17:54:31
489.   monkeypants
Betemit or Ensberg; I would go with the former given his splits.
2008-04-12 17:54:36
490.   Jeb
betemit? Ensberg? Jeter?
2008-04-12 17:54:39
491.   OldYanksFan
486 Ensberg?
2008-04-12 17:54:52
492.   Jeb
matsui?
2008-04-12 17:55:05
493.   weeping for brunnhilde
NIce swing there, Robby!
2008-04-12 17:55:23
494.   monkeypants
488 Maybe, but I don't put much stock in "hot" from a BUC. I'd rather go with a LH.
2008-04-12 17:55:57
495.   Mattpat11
AHHHHHHHHHHH
2008-04-12 17:55:58
496.   weeping for brunnhilde
ummm...hello1!!

Fucking baseball???

2008-04-12 17:56:00
497.   Zack
Yup, right down the middle. And holy crap they JUST switched over to racing and the game isn't over!!!
2008-04-12 17:56:08
498.   OldYanksFan
Wallball does NOT score Robbie from 1st. Need one OVAH the wall. COMMON ROBBIE!
2008-04-12 17:56:08
499.   rbj
Well, maybe Cano can wear down Paps enough that he won't come in tomorrow's game.
2008-04-12 17:56:23
500.   monkeypants
I forgot about Matsui.

Well, they just cut to Nascar, and I do not have FX here in the people's republic of Quebec. Enjoy the last out, folks.

Show/Hide Comments 501-550
2008-04-12 17:56:33
501.   Zack
Holy crap I can't believe they just did that
2008-04-12 17:57:02
502.   OldYanksFan
WTF! Did the game end? WHAT THE FUCK IS UP WITH FOX????
2008-04-12 17:57:07
503.   weeping for brunnhilde
Jesus. I had to scramble frantically to find FX on my tv.

And that's that.

2008-04-12 17:57:27
504.   rbj
500 That sucks, it was a weak grounder 4-3.
2008-04-12 17:57:33
505.   SF Yanks
501 It was on FX, but be glad you missed it.
2008-04-12 17:57:33
506.   Mattpat11
get em tomorrow.

I can not fucking believe that Fox did that.

2008-04-12 17:58:00
507.   Zack
God this offense is dreadful. And now we have to hear about how Papelbon went so out of his way there to do his job. The Sox should be ashamed to barely win such a mismatch
2008-04-12 17:58:40
508.   Zack
Fox is seriously acting as if Beckett somehow really outpitched Moose.
2008-04-12 17:59:12
509.   nemecizer
I got the same thing. FOX fucked me!
2008-04-12 17:59:17
510.   weeping for brunnhilde
507 Actually, in this case, I think Boston got good pitching.

I'm ok with today's loss.

2008-04-12 17:59:21
511.   Zack
Now if Papelbon gets injured b/c of this, is it such a kiss ass wonderful move, Fox announcers?
2008-04-12 17:59:43
512.   Adrian
Beckett did outpitch Moose. Moose got lucky.
2008-04-12 17:59:58
513.   Zack
210 I'm okay with it, but just in that 9th inning along, there were a bunch of FBs right down the middle. Straight ones...
2008-04-12 18:00:32
514.   monkeypants
507 The offense is certainly awful right now, and it's not being helped by Girardi's lineup (Damon/Cabrera 1-2, for example). But this too shall pass, we hope. The bats will come around; it's a long season.
2008-04-12 18:00:38
515.   Jeb
maybe papelbon's 26 pitches and the up and down nature of today will keep him from pitching tomorrow. The key is to win series. We win tomorrow, we take the series. I didn't expect to be in this game considering the pitching matchup. Maybe we can get to the greatest pitcher who ever lived - Dais-SUCK tomorrow. I really hate that piece of shit.
2008-04-12 18:00:42
516.   OldYanksFan
Freakin Cano HAD the BB. Christ! I wish he could lay off bad pitches.
2008-04-12 18:00:47
517.   nemecizer
That was bullshit. I was in the middle of the game. I watched all of Fox's fucking commercials, NASCAR, and other bullshit. I get cut out of the end of the only game I wanted to watch.

This is bullshit!

2008-04-12 18:01:26
518.   monkeypants
508 He did out-pitch Moose.
2008-04-12 18:01:33
519.   Zack
512 How is that? Up until that last inning, Moose had done a damn fine job. Lots of double plays
2008-04-12 18:02:28
520.   monkeypants
515 Shit, I forgot that the greatest pitcher of all time is starting tomorrow. Damn, how does this squad from Boston ever lose a game?
2008-04-12 18:02:35
521.   OldYanksFan
Does anyone think JD is just slumping? I think he's done. Hasn't hit the ball hard all year. His hits have mostly been cheap bloops. I don't know if we can stand him at lead-off.
2008-04-12 18:02:41
522.   Mattpat11
516 I also sort of wish Giambi swung at strikes one or two.
2008-04-12 18:02:43
523.   Zack
518 I know he outpitched Moose, thats not hard to do these days, but they acted as if he "seriously" outpitched him. As in "behind the great work of Josh Beckett, the Sox win"
2008-04-12 18:03:39
524.   Mattpat11
I'm still trying to get over Fox flipping to fucking racecars in the middle of a full count.
2008-04-12 18:04:12
525.   OldYanksFan
Moose has looked solid this year, and the old guy has pitched in a lot of bad weather. It's a good sign at least.
2008-04-12 18:04:51
526.   ms october
510 mmmm, myabe i'm okay with it, but not fully. bad decision to picth to manny. and arod's strategy wasn't good either - i can kinda see swinging at the first pitch - but then that 2nd pitch splitter was a crappy pitch, and i think it would have been wiser to take then anyway.
514 how much longer can damon be the leadoff and giambi be in the lineup?

but we witnessed a miracle - no pitcher has ever gotten up 4 TIMES to warm up and then did what paplepoo did.

2008-04-12 18:04:51
527.   OldYanksFan
Who watches this racing crap?
2008-04-12 18:04:57
528.   Jeb
520 last year at Yanks Fan-Sox Fan the Sawx fans had a "haikku" contest when they won him. How retarded.
2008-04-12 18:05:18
529.   Mattpat11
525 I really thought he was pretty good today.
2008-04-12 18:06:01
530.   Jeb
527 rednecks that live in Alabama. They don't understand me and I don't understand them
2008-04-12 18:06:04
531.   monkeypants
{519] Well, he pitched only 5.2 innings as opposed to Becket's 6.2. He gave up more hits and had fewer strike outs; he gave up runs on a HR and hard double, not a sac fly and wild pitch. By almost any measure he was out pitched. More DPs implies more base runners. And really, if you give him a pass for his last inning, then you have to do the same for Beckett.
2008-04-12 18:06:05
532.   Mattpat11
527 Jeff Foxworthy.
2008-04-12 18:07:15
533.   ms october
530 seriously - i godamn left alabama and yet i still manage to have nascar crammed down my throat when trying to wtach a baseball game
2008-04-12 18:07:50
534.   monkeypants
525 529 He wasn't bad. If they can get this sort of performance out of regularly, that's not bad at all. He was very efficient, so with a little luck he might of gone 7 innings.
2008-04-12 18:08:55
535.   OldYanksFan
If Moose is our worst SP, we are in good shape.
2008-04-12 18:09:37
536.   monkeypants
526 On any other team , what Papelbon did would be a miracle. But on the Sox, he's just one of 25 real American heroes.
2008-04-12 18:11:17
537.   monkeypants
526 I had naive hope that Giambi would hit a little this year and play some decent 1B. His glove has been adequate but he looks cooked at the plater. Even if he stays in the lineup, he simply can't keep batting ahead of Posada.

I am convinced that the bell has tolled for Damon.

2008-04-12 18:11:41
538.   OldYanksFan
Unfortunately, that was just about ARod's worst AB this year. Getting behind 0-2 on a ball in the dirt was his demise. I'll bet he's kicking himself good.
2008-04-12 18:13:34
539.   Mattpat11
535 agreed.
2008-04-12 18:14:54
540.   ms october
537 agreed on both - someone decent needs to be hitting behind arod - not sure who that is at this point - matsui?
2008-04-12 18:16:10
541.   Mattpat11
538 A-Rod's AB doesn't bother me as much as Jason's. I can accept taking strike one. Sort of. But strike two was infuriating. Did he want a god damn tee?
2008-04-12 18:16:43
542.   Mattpat11
540 I'd say Matsui
2008-04-12 18:18:07
543.   OldYanksFan
Melky
Jeter
Bobby
ARod
Matsui
Posada
Giambi
Robbie
Damon
2008-04-12 18:19:24
544.   monkeypants
542 What happens with Damon? Do we insert scary Matsui in LF, or keep him at DH and move Damon way down in the lineup. Or, are we paging Dr. Gardner? Or paging Dr. Duncan to play OF (yikes!).
2008-04-12 18:19:41
545.   Mattpat11
543 Three lefties in a row at the end.
2008-04-12 18:21:21
546.   monkeypants
How about:
Jeter
Posada
Abreu
ARod
Matsui
Robbie
Giambi
Damon.

Four straight lefties at the end of the order, but I would like to get Posada more ABs.

2008-04-12 18:22:45
547.   ms october
544 i think at some point (not sure what that point is exactly) we page dr. gardner to play lf and bat leadoff - so we can actually steal a base; and get shelley more 1b abs - might just have to cut loose one of them (damon or giambi).

and by the way why i had just gotten back from the airport and hadn't turned my computer on yet - so myabe this was in the earlier comments - but why was farnswacker warming up - was the hope that the lightning would strike the tallest thing around

2008-04-12 18:24:43
548.   rsmith51
546 Nice in theory, but Joe G. would never go for Po at 2. Where's Melky?

How about

Jeter
Abreu
ARod
Matsui
Posada
Cano
Giambi
Melky
Damon

2008-04-12 18:26:14
549.   monkeypants
548 Ooops! Yeah, that looks good. really, the bottom three are probably interchangeable right now.
2008-04-12 18:27:31
550.   Zack
521 As I said, I know he outpitched him. But to either say Moose got lucky or that Beckett seriously outpitched him like they were making him out just isn't true. 2008 Moose, pitching in Fenway, against their #1greatestpitchereverplaysthegameright starter, well, that was hardly a dominant start
Show/Hide Comments 551-600
2008-04-12 18:39:11
551.   OldYanksFan
Matsui has already hurt us twice, if not 3 times in LF. If he hits, he's a fine DH. As much as I think JD is an average bat (at best), his defense in LF is our best option... unless we bring up Brett. But can Brett outhit/outOBP JD?
2008-04-12 18:41:18
552.   monkeypants
551 That is the question. I doubt it, to be honest, but I wonder when they give it a whirl?
2008-04-12 18:42:05
553.   Shaun P
551 Don't know. And its only April 12th; Damon may look cooked, but may not be. Ditto Giambi.

So FOX switched over to NASCAR in the middle of an AB, because the game had run too late thanks to all this rain? Damn. Protest letters, anyone?

2008-04-12 18:44:02
554.   monkeypants
553 True, but it took Damon half a season to get his act together last year. Will they wait that long again? And even so, how long does he bat leadoff?
2008-04-12 18:59:55
555.   Shaun P
554 Also true. But if Damon sits, unless they do bring up Gardner - and I agree with you in 552 , I doubt he is ready - who bats leadoff? Jeter has the OBP skills to do it, but I seem to recall there being an issue there. Melky, maybe? If he keeps hitting like he has?

The only other guy is Abreu, but then does A-Rod hit 3rd? Seems silly to hit the only two righties (Jeter and A-Rod) back-to-back. Giambi, Posada, and Matsui are all poor 3-spot hitters, IMHO, because of the GIDP possibility. That leaves Cano. In an ideal world - aka post-June 1st - Cano hitting 3rd makes lots of sense. Right now though? No thanks.

2008-04-12 19:30:57
556.   monkeypants
555 I don't put much stock in traditional characteristics for #3/#4 hitters, and I am not much concerned about DPs. Right now they need high OBP guys in the tops slots and high SLG (ideally high OPS) guys in the 3-5 slots.If there are only two righties, it doesn't matter much(to me) whether they are back-to-back or separated, especially if they are only going to be separated #2/#4 (for example). A-Rod, as the best hitter overall, probably should be the #3 man anyway, but somehow Abreu has some svengali hold on that spot.
2008-04-12 19:59:16
557.   monkeypants
Meanwhile, Duncan has been absolutely mashing at Scranton. Gonzalez has been fun to watch, but I can't wait to get Duncan back on the bench.
2008-04-13 06:03:37
558.   horace-clarke-era
Not sure how much it matters if Beckett 'outpitched' Moose or not. Fox is a pain (in SO many ways, but really...?) There were a lot of hard hit balls that resulted in uncharacteristically good D for Boston. Not a usual strength. Even Lugo made a terrific play. Casey behind the bag, three OF catches. I think it is at least as hard to come out of the tunnel after rain and face a serious ace and get a hit as it is to warm up and cool down and warm up. Yes, Alex was fooled on the splitter. Long line up of people for that. Beckett's a jerk but can pitch. (Schilling's a massive jerk and can't currently pitch.)

WHAT are the Red Sox doing with someone as nice as Sean Casey, I ask you?

Mussina gives me some hope actually. I think if this turns back into a 6-7 runs a game offense, he will be all right. Did anyone else notice that his curve yesterday was at 67-68?? Is that an all-time low?

And I'm firmly in the back-off-Johnny D camp. WAY too early. April elicits strangeness, even here. Do we drop Cano too? Is Big Papi toast in Boston? Is Sabathia finished?

2008-04-13 06:20:03
559.   monkeypants
558 "And I'm firmly in the back-off-Johnny D camp. WAY too early. April elicits strangeness, even here. Do we drop Cano too? Is Big Papi toast in Boston? Is Sabathia finished? "

You're probably right. However, I pretty confident that Cano at age 25 is going to come around. Plus, who would play 2B? Damon at 34, on the other hand, I am not so sure about. And even if he does start to warm up, he will barely hit his position in LF. Plus, the Yankees do have some OF options, though admittedly not that attractive.

I don't know if Big Papi is toast, or if Sabathia is finished (after 241 INN last season, it's not inconceivable). But after last season's performance, my patience with Damon is limited. Whatever the case, he should not be batting lead-off right now.

2008-04-13 06:45:06
560.   Shaun P
558 559 Just to get us to an even 560:

I'm calling it now. If CC ends up sucking until, say August, come the offseason, we'll be debating whether he's toast or not - in terms of, should the Yanks give him a long term big money contract?

I hope, for our sakes, because there's no answer to that question, that CC either sucks all year, or ends up signing to stay in Cleveland.

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