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Good and Gettin' Better
2008-04-19 08:58
by Alex Belth

Exactly one year ago, Emily and I got married together in the Bahamas. After the ceremony, right when I had her on the five yard line, Alex Rodriguez hit a game-winning grand slam at Yankee Stadium. Today, another gorgeous spring affair in New York, we are headed off to a hotel in Manhattan to celebrate our first anniversary, so we'll miss the game, though I'm certain there will be plenty of scoring. I know it's too much to ask Rodriguez to perform those kind of heroics again, but a good, old-fashioned "W" would do just fine.

Let's Go Yan-Kees!

Comments (133)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-04-19 09:05:51
1.   Mattpat11
Happy Anniversary!
2008-04-19 09:39:55
2.   Raf
0 Happy anniversary!

Thought the "scoring" bit was cute :)

2008-04-19 10:49:51
3.   joe in boston
Alex, Congrats to you and Emily. The years go by fast (we're up to 7 years this July). I predict a big win tonight by the Bombers to help you celebrate ! Hey, just curious .... what was your wedding song ? (Ours was "It had to be you" from When Harry Met Sally ....) corny I know ....
2008-04-19 13:12:14
4.   rsmith51
I'm thinking about going to Tuesday's game in Chicago. Anybody have any insights on the best way to get tickets?
2008-04-19 13:14:13
5.   rsmith51
Oh and Congrats Alex and Em! Interesting following your lives through the blog. Hope you have a great time today!
2008-04-19 13:40:57
6.   Matt B
Congratulations you two....have a blast.
2008-04-19 14:20:02
7.   Jon Weisman
Happy anniversary, you two!
2008-04-19 15:18:58
8.   Jeb
Happy Anniversary, Alex.

I just have this feel that the Yanks are going to blast Bal'mer tonight.

2008-04-19 15:40:44
9.   Patrick
Happy Anniversary. :)
2008-04-19 16:09:36
10.   weeping for brunnhilde
Happy anniversary, Alex and Emily.

And hello, Team!

Nice running, Johnny!

2008-04-19 16:10:22
11.   weeping for brunnhilde
Nice play, Markakis!
2008-04-19 16:12:38
12.   weeping for brunnhilde
What is with Alex?

What the hell kind of 3-0 swing was that?

I'm so frustrated right now.

2008-04-19 16:13:10
13.   weeping for brunnhilde
Jorgie's going to do it!
2008-04-19 16:13:54
14.   weeping for brunnhilde
Nope. FC 6-4.

sigh

2008-04-19 16:18:01
15.   Just fair
A walk, 2 hits, including a triple and no runs. What's the big deal? Damn right that was strike 3. Nice.
2008-04-19 16:22:36
16.   weeping for brunnhilde
Anyone know what's up with Jorgie at first?

Has Joe discussed this before or is this a one-time deal type thing?

2008-04-19 16:24:04
17.   weeping for brunnhilde
God, he got away with one there.

3-1 to Millar was a big fat 87mph fastball down the pipe.

Millar popped it up.

Crisis averted.

2008-04-19 16:24:17
18.   SF Yanks
Is it just me or is this game mooovving verrrry slooooowwlllyyyy?
2008-04-19 16:24:46
19.   SF Yanks
Throw strikes dammit!
2008-04-19 16:26:17
20.   SF Yanks
21 pitches, 7 strikes, 14 balls...so far...
2008-04-19 16:27:07
21.   SF Yanks
Kennedy looks pissed.
2008-04-19 16:27:28
22.   Just fair
Kennedy, you have got to be effin kidding me!
2008-04-19 16:27:54
23.   weeping for brunnhilde
All juiced up.

Come on, Ian, you can do this!

2008-04-19 16:28:52
24.   SF Yanks
Kennedy owes Melky about $10,000 for that one.
2008-04-19 16:28:53
25.   weeping for brunnhilde
Oh, Melky.

God, thank you, Melkele, thank you!

Jesus, that was close.

2008-04-19 16:29:17
26.   Eirias
Urgh. Far too close.
2008-04-19 16:31:13
27.   ms october
18 it's not just you. i watched the suns/spurs ealier so i thought maybe i was thrown off from baseball - but i think it really is slow. i never noticed that kennedy can work so slow at times too.
2008-04-19 16:33:34
28.   Max
This feels like it's going to be one of THOSE Yanks-O's games...what a way to ruin Saturday night, whether we win or lose. Alex's metaphor of the rotten melon couldn't have been more descriptive or more apt.
2008-04-19 16:34:47
29.   weeping for brunnhilde
Oooh, nice smoked linedrive up the gut for Ensberg.

You think, just maybe, we might be able to bring him around to score?

Oh, Robby's up.

Maybe not.

2008-04-19 16:36:45
30.   OldYanksFan
Wow... tuning in after 1 inning of a 0-0 game and it appears the Banter is hot already. 2 hits including a triple and a walk and NO score. Is that physically possible? Where's Tommy?
2008-04-19 16:36:55
31.   weeping for brunnhilde
God, what is he doing up there?

Why is this guy so bad sometimes?

Ensberg nearly got thrown out trying to go to third.

I screamed at my television set: "NOoooo!"

Thank God he got back.

2008-04-19 16:37:26
32.   weeping for brunnhilde
Hey, look, Robby walked!

That's something, right?

2008-04-19 16:37:38
33.   weeping for brunnhilde
Ok, Jose's gonna get it done.
2008-04-19 16:38:52
34.   weeping for brunnhilde
Just shoot me now.
2008-04-19 16:40:18
35.   SF Yanks
34 I only have one bullet and I'm using it on myself.
2008-04-19 16:41:37
36.   weeping for brunnhilde
35 :)
2008-04-19 16:44:17
37.   weeping for brunnhilde
Oh, stop it, Michael Kay.

It's way too early to go into panic mode re: Hughes and Kennedy.

2008-04-19 16:47:24
38.   weeping for brunnhilde
Jorgie was over around second base on that play!

Did anyone see that?

Weird.

2008-04-19 16:48:06
39.   Just fair
37 I'll actually give M. Kay credit. He laid out how bad things have gone for the Yankees so far and said it's pretty amazing that they are actually 9-9. I tend to agree with him. No excuses, just sayin'.
2008-04-19 16:49:22
40.   weeping for brunnhilde
Why is the ball right over the middle of the plate?

God help us.

2008-04-19 16:49:55
41.   weeping for brunnhilde
39 Oh, yes, absolutely.

Agree 100% with that.

2008-04-19 16:50:12
42.   Just fair
Isn't illegal in most states to throw the 9 batter a change-up. Cripes.
2008-04-19 16:50:19
43.   SF Yanks
I feel like I'm gonna freak out any second now. My brain is hurting watching Ian and Phil pitch. I want so badly for them to do good, which makes it tough to watch when they struggle... aaaaaand another hit... C'mon kid, get it together!
2008-04-19 16:51:56
44.   weeping for brunnhilde
43 Don't sweat them. Really, I think they'll be just fine.

I really want them to do well too, but I give them an extremely wide berth.

The fucking "offense," however...

2008-04-19 16:52:22
45.   OldYanksFan
42 Yup... Jim Palmer called it. His bat was slow so IPK helps him out by throwing the change. On IPK or Molina?

And is Posada at 1st a telling of the future? Instead of being a DH in 2010 and 2011, is he our 1st baseman?

2008-04-19 16:52:49
46.   Just fair
3 walks in 1 1/3 innings, 40+ pitches. Holy christ, Fahey. That wasn't very good baserunning.
2008-04-19 16:52:59
47.   weeping for brunnhilde
I was just about to groan as Ian went into the old fake here, fake there move, but hey, what do you know, he threw out the runner!
2008-04-19 16:54:18
48.   Just fair
2 pitch outs in a row. This is refuckindiculous.
2008-04-19 16:55:09
49.   SF Yanks
44 I'm sure they'll be fine too. Frustration is kicking in is all.
2008-04-19 16:55:15
50.   weeping for brunnhilde
48 What say we go with the old eephus pitch here?
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-04-19 16:56:57
51.   weeping for brunnhilde
Btw, what in the fuck kind of screwy lineup is this?

Is Alex already exhausted from his April travails that he can't play third?

Oh, thank God, at least Joba's back.

2008-04-19 16:57:34
52.   SF Yanks
That looked like a splitter, weird.
2008-04-19 16:58:29
53.   ms october
51 does seem like a really weird lineup.
and isn't arod going to miss some time when mrs. arod has the baby (unless that happened and i missed it somehow).

at least ipk got the strikeout.

2008-04-19 16:59:51
54.   SF Yanks
"2K, I said 2K, K?" God I HATE that part of the commercial. It makes me want to pull my ears off and throw them at the tv.
2008-04-19 17:00:27
55.   Just fair
I am just not sure if the Yankees will be able to compete tonight against the likes of Brian Burres.
2008-04-19 17:00:59
56.   SF Yanks
Leadoff batter on. What do ya say we do some scoring here, huh? How bouts it?
2008-04-19 17:01:42
57.   SF Yanks
55 He's pitching the game of his life, didn't ya know?
2008-04-19 17:02:59
58.   weeping for brunnhilde
Hit and run here.
2008-04-19 17:04:22
59.   Just fair
57 Game of his life. Are you kidding me? If this kid doesn't win a couple of Cy Young's I'll eat my hat. : )
2008-04-19 17:04:49
60.   weeping for brunnhilde
Ok.

If Melky doesn't score I'm going to...I'm going to...I'm going to do such things, what they shall be, yet, I know not, but they shall be the terrors of the earth!!

2008-04-19 17:05:42
61.   Just fair
I just don't like Kevin Millar.
2008-04-19 17:07:31
62.   weeping for brunnhilde
Pass the razor blades, please, extra sharp.
2008-04-19 17:08:49
63.   Just fair
Every picthers/catchers meeting vs. the Yankees should include the following. "Walk the lead-off batter, let them get to 2nd base, and simply watch the next 3 batters flail away."
It's foolproof I tell ya.
2008-04-19 17:10:18
64.   Just fair
On the hitters end of it, "If their pitcher doesn't have at least 80 pitches by the end of the 3rd inning, you guys just aren't paying attention.
2008-04-19 17:11:58
65.   SF Yanks
Wow, I called that one. As a matter of fact, who didn't?
2008-04-19 17:12:03
66.   Just fair
Please see 61 Cowboy up you A-Hole.
2008-04-19 17:13:50
67.   weeping for brunnhilde
Excruciating.
2008-04-19 17:14:25
68.   Just fair
Dear Bullpen,
The All-Star break is right around the corner.
Sincerely,
IPK and Phil
2008-04-19 17:18:32
69.   Just fair
Against this dangerous O's line-up, I can understand why Kennedy's being extra careful. OYYY. This is simply brutal.
2008-04-19 17:19:02
70.   weeping for brunnhilde
Here comes Joe, mercifully.

He leaves him in...

2008-04-19 17:19:42
71.   weeping for brunnhilde
Ball one.
2008-04-19 17:20:17
72.   weeping for brunnhilde
Big fat pitch, thankfully fouled away.
2008-04-19 17:21:05
73.   weeping for brunnhilde
Thanks for swinging at that, Jones.
2008-04-19 17:21:46
74.   Max
27 Suns-Spurs was amazing...like reading Rilke or watching Richard Pryor in his prime. This game, in contrast, is like being forced to endure an Opie and Anthony marathon.
2008-04-19 17:21:55
75.   OldYanksFan
Both Phil and IPK are command pitchers. I think these walks are a sign of youth and the pressure of the situation. They both know they have to be good for the Yankees to play in October.

That's a lot of pressure.
We shouldn't forget playing in NY has humbled accomplished vets.
These boys have a tough row to hoe.

2008-04-19 17:23:03
76.   Just fair
Misery apparently does not enjoy company tonight. To quote the Chinese guy at the beginning of Major League, "This guys are shitty." Simply unbearable. Why am I watching?
2008-04-19 17:23:19
77.   weeping for brunnhilde
Why is this happening?
2008-04-19 17:23:58
78.   OldYanksFan
P.S. Lester has allowed 3 ERs, 8 hits in 4 IP so far.
2008-04-19 17:24:47
79.   SF Yanks
I'm really mad right now. I don't want to be mad right now. I want to be happy right now. I WAS happy, now I'm mad. Ugh.
2008-04-19 17:24:55
80.   weeping for brunnhilde
75 Agreed.

Sure would have been nice if the offense had spotted the kid a couple of runs.

2008-04-19 17:26:28
81.   ChrisS
78

The difference is that Lester didn't have quite the same level of success that IPK and Phil had in the minors.

I never thought much of Lester as a bonafide ML starter. Nice story, but his minor league numbers don't really stack up.

2008-04-19 17:26:35
82.   Just fair
74 Opie and Anthony make me laugh, what can I say. This game, however, is bullocks. Paging Dr. Igawa, you're needed in the BIGS. Yikes, I can't believe that is remotely possible.
2008-04-19 17:29:10
83.   weeping for brunnhilde
Nice hit, Jorgie.

He's going to have another great year.

2008-04-19 17:29:52
84.   ChrisS
What is infuriating though is that the Yankees offense can't get more than 3 hits off of a guy with nothing more than pedestrian numbers.
2008-04-19 17:31:09
85.   ChrisS
oops, 4 hits. Thank you Jorge.

As an aside, it's kinda weird to keep seeing Jorge at 1st.

2008-04-19 17:31:53
86.   Just fair
I am going to go sit with my head in the oven for a while.
I'll probably check back @ 11 p.m. when it's the 7th inning.
2008-04-19 17:32:33
87.   weeping for brunnhilde
Aggggghhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
2008-04-19 17:33:38
88.   weeping for brunnhilde
Robby's at a buck seventy-one.

A buck seventy-one.

2008-04-19 17:33:47
89.   ms october
74 yeah that was a great game - and as you say this is certainly not - poor kennedy even looks a bit like opie from andy griffith since you brought up opies - i think i am headed back to the nba

75 i think you are right oyf - they both seem like they are trying to make the perefct pitch all the time and are overthinking

michael kay is right that they need to be split up or the bullpen will go the way of last years. though the workload is being distributed over more pitches and cashman is making good use of suttling pitchers back and forth

2008-04-19 17:34:32
90.   weeping for brunnhilde
Whew, a mighty pop by Cano!
2008-04-19 17:35:57
91.   Adrian
It just keeps happening, over and over again. I feel like I'm watching Clockwork Orange.
2008-04-19 17:36:18
92.   ChrisS
Well, I guess I can probably watch the UFC tonight and not worry about missing a gem of a Yankee game.
2008-04-19 17:37:27
93.   Adrian
The New York Yankees -- we make your pitchers look good.
2008-04-19 17:40:13
94.   SF Yanks
Cano just made me laugh, he's so funny. That Cano, what a comedian.
2008-04-19 17:40:14
95.   weeping for brunnhilde
I just heaved a roll of toilet paper across the room.

It hit the window.

I can't take it.

2008-04-19 17:41:18
96.   OldYanksFan
81 Another difference is the Sox are scoring, so even when Buchholz and Lester are crap, they are still in the game.

Might our boys throw more strikes if they actually had a lead? Might they feel more confident if they knew our offense had their back?

Frankly I'm not near as concerned about our kids as I am JD, Giambi and Cano.

2008-04-19 17:43:23
97.   weeping for brunnhilde
96 Yes, yes, and yes.
2008-04-19 17:43:36
98.   ChrisS
96 I'm less concerned about Cano. I think that he's just not able to get going in the spring. If I were the GM of a warm weather club (TB, Houston, etc.) I would think about trying to steal Cano from the Yankees.
2008-04-19 17:44:07
99.   SF Yanks
96 I'm not worried about Cano. This is what he does, suck in April and May. He'll come around.
2008-04-19 17:44:15
100.   Adrian
That's it, Cano, you're voted off the island. A recent poll of Yankees fans has revealed that 25% would like to see you fed to sharks and then rebuilt. We have the technology. 40% will settle for benching you for the Attorney General.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-04-19 17:45:07
101.   ChrisS
And I think that Ohlendorf with a bit more experience can be a vital member of the 'pen. He's got the live arm to go long innings, and the sinker will help a lot more than hurt with inherited runners in the long run.
2008-04-19 17:45:32
102.   OldYanksFan
95 Toilet paper? Can tampons be far behind?
2008-04-19 17:48:33
103.   weeping for brunnhilde
102 Ha ha.

And ftr, I'm not worried about Cano, I'm just pissed at him.

How come he gets to take the first two months off?

His team needs him.

2008-04-19 17:54:36
104.   OldYanksFan
I'm so mad a crushed a pucky.
WITH MY BARE HAND!!
2008-04-19 18:05:59
105.   weeping for brunnhilde
I'm outta here.

Good luck, clowns.

2008-04-19 18:08:05
106.   Just fair
Well, the oven kicked me out b/c I was being too negative. it's good to see that Brian Burres is still the second coming of Sandy Koufax. I KNOW that Cano will come around, but it's like watching Michelle Pheiffer taking a crap or something.
2008-04-19 18:09:53
107.   SF Yanks
Cy Young pitched an excellent game there.
2008-04-19 18:10:16
108.   Adrian
Are we seriously getting shut out by the Orioles? God, I've never wanted to Hulk out more in my life!
2008-04-19 18:30:05
109.   williamnyy23
I am not sure what's worse: another awful start by Kennedy, or the fact that the Yankees are being shutout by a pitcher who didn't throw much better than he did.

Cano is at the point of giving away ABs, and Johnny Damon is close to an automatic out. If Girardi continues to lead him off, he is contributing the miserable offense.

2008-04-19 18:35:46
110.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
Just checking in. Umm...is this another game to skip on mlb.com Archive then?? how many more chances does Kennedy get?
2008-04-19 18:38:29
111.   JeremyM
So far this season has been playing out as a worst-case scenario: Girardi hasn't managed particularly well in my eyes, many of the offensive players look old and done, Cano starting off slow again, the young pitcher look totally overmatched, etc.

Girardi has certainly rode Ohlendorf too long tonight, there's no reason to stretch him out this far in my opinion.

2008-04-19 18:43:47
112.   Just fair
I just don't like Aubrey Huff. I don't like this game so much, either.
2008-04-19 18:44:26
113.   vockins
What's with this team and April?

The Orioles - unbelievable.

2008-04-19 18:45:01
114.   Jeb
This really feels like the 3rd game of the 7 game losing streak we had last year. I'm mad, I'm disappointed, I'm pissed and I just don't like this team or Girardi's spin the wheel-pick a lineup strategy. Cabrera and Burress are suddenly Bob Gibson and Warren Spahn. Just catch the plane to Cleveland tomorrow and fuck it: FORFEIT - we're going to lose anyway and then get swept by cleveland. FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK.

On the other hand, Ohlendorf is about 2 innings away from being a better starter than Hughes and IPK (both of whom should be spending time in Scranton real soon).

2008-04-19 18:47:22
115.   Jeb
I'm glad to know that we'll Intentionally Walk Ramon Hernandez when we're losing 6-0, but INSIST only only pitching Manny Ramirez down the fucking middle in a close game.
2008-04-19 18:48:56
116.   JeremyM
Good point Jeb. I don't blame Girardi for everything, but I gotta say, he hasn't helped things.
2008-04-19 18:49:31
117.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
115 yep...not thrilled with master strategist Girardi so far....
2008-04-19 18:52:56
118.   Jeb
117 I was glad to get Girardi and guess I still am because 19 games is a little early to want someone else, but I want the Yanks to show some fire or something. A big fucking comeback in a game we're supposed to lose would be nice.
2008-04-19 18:53:17
119.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
at this point, why would you ever throw a strike to Manny??
2008-04-19 18:55:13
120.   Jeb
119 I wouldn't. I'd just bean him in the back and walk him.
2008-04-19 18:55:54
121.   JeremyM
So he brings in Joba now, rather than when there was an opportunity to keep the game close? Not saying the offense would get it done, but why not give your team the best shot? Oh right, the 8th inning is more important than two guys on in the 7th inning.
2008-04-19 18:58:18
122.   Just fair
Damn you, Girardi. You have instructed Phil and IPK to basically throw 4 starts straight into the garbage. Not to mention telling all the batters to space out in Charm City and get shut out by the effin O's starters, who are now minus Bedard. Geez, if he was going tomorrow, we'd be in a heap of shite.
2008-04-19 18:59:44
123.   JeremyM
122 A sarcastic response to legitimate and fair criticism is always nice.
2008-04-19 19:00:51
124.   OldYanksFan
121 Joba could be rusty. Not a bad idea to have a look-see when a game is not on the line.
2008-04-19 19:03:18
125.   JeremyM
124 Dude, it's Joba. If he would simply look at my truck, he would scare the rust right off of it.
2008-04-19 19:04:40
126.   Just fair
Joba needs work. The way these clowns are swinging the bats (or lack thereof) it isn't worth getting worked up whether he's in at 6-0 or 4-0, but I see your point. A 3 pitch K, though, is always nice. : )
2008-04-19 19:11:44
127.   OldYanksFan
Jeez... Joba walk a guy? Maybe he needs some time at AAA.
2008-04-19 19:12:55
128.   Adrian
Here comes our 6-run 9th. At this point, I'd settle for just getting on the scoreboard.
2008-04-19 19:13:43
129.   Just fair
If we are 6 out from the Sox in about a week, well, I am going to be a bit irked. 6 months of winter for this, bleh!!
2008-04-19 19:49:47
130.   Zack
Once again, fat lot of good it does to have an "8th inning guy" when your offense can't do diddly and your starters can't get past the 3rd. Once again, the value of a good starter is proven...And, of course, of an offense that isn't completely incompetent...Man am I glad I didn't watch this game
2008-04-19 21:03:51
131.   dianagramr
I know I'm late to the party ... but congrats on the anniversary!
2008-04-19 21:27:00
132.   wsporter
The reception Joba rec'd as he ran down the third base line during batting practice was pretty cool. We hadn't heard that he was back yet. As has been usual for the last few years the field was ringed with Yankees fans with only a few O's fans around as the Yankees took BP but as the roar rose the O's fans began to move toward the field and cheer as well. It was a wonderful thing to see.

Joba just seems to have that special something, that little spark of difference that allows him to stand out and yet be accepted by the mass of people at such an event. He seems absolutely comfortable and self assured and yet somehow aware and grateful as he soaks up the cheers. I was thinking as he was capering around in the left field corner that I'm really glad he's ours. I think he's going to be a special one.

I'm really glad he's back. Now if we can just get him a game in the 8th with a lead.

2008-04-19 21:33:37
133.   wsporter
BTW Alex I hope you and Emily had a better night than the Yankees did. Getting shut out in Charm City, boy oh boy that's hard to do.

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