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Chicago White Sox
2008-04-22 13:00
by Cliff Corcoran

Chicago White Sox

2007 Record: 72-90 (.444)
2007 Pythagorean Record: 66-96 (.406)

Manager: Ozzie Guillen
General Manager: Ken Williams

Home Ballpark (multi-year Park Factors): U.S. Cellular Field (104/105)

Who's Replacing Whom:

Orlando Cabrera replaces Tadahito Iguchi and Danny Richar (DL)
Joe Crede returns from the DL to replace Josh Fields (minors)
Nick Swisher replaces Scott Podsednik and Darin Erstad
Carlos Quentin replaces Jerry Owens (minors) and Luis Terrero
Alexei Ramirez replaces Rob Mackowiak
Brian Anderson replaces Andy Gonzalez and Alex Cintron
Gavin Floyd inherits most of Jon Garland's starts (John Danks inherits the rest)
Scott Linebrink replaces David Aardsma, Ehren Wassermann (minors) and others
Octavio Dotel replaces Ryan Bukvich, Andrew Sisco (minors), Mike Myers and others

25-man Roster:

1B - Paul Konerko (R)
2B - Juan Uribe (R)
SS - Orlando Cabrera (R)
3B - Joe Crede (R)
C - A.J. Pierzynski (L)
RF - Jermaine Dye (R)
CF - Nick Swisher (S)
LF - Carlos Quentin (R)
DH - Jim Thome (L)

Bench:

R - Alexei Ramirez (UT)
R - Pablo Ozuna (UT)
R - Brian Anderson (OF)
R - Toby Hall (C)

Rotation:

R - Javier Vazquez
L - Mark Buehrle
L - John Danks
R - Jose Contreras
R - Gavin Floyd

Bullpen:

R - Bobby Jenks
R - Octavio Dotel
R - Scott Linebrink
L - Matt Thornton
R - Mike MacDougal
L - Boone Logan
R - Nick Masset

15-day DL: L - Danny Richar (IF)

Typical Lineup:

S - Nick Swisher (CF)
R - Orlando Cabrera (SS)
L - Jim Thome (DH)
R - Paul Konerko (1B)
R - Jermaine Dye (RF)
L - A.J. Pierzynski (C)
R - Carlos Quentin (LF)
R - Joe Crede (3B)
R - Juan Uribe (SS)

In 2005, the White Sox emerged from a quartet of middling finishes to win 99 games and the franchise's first world championship since before the Black Sox threw the World Series. That winter they added Jim Thome and Javier Vazquez to their championship roster, but were passed by the Twins and the surprising Tigers, winning nine fewer games and finishing third. Last spring, Baseball Prospectus's PECOTA raised eyebrows by predicting the largely unchanged Sox to win just 72 games. Amazingly, PECOTA nailed it, as the Sox reversed their record from the previous year by going 72-90.

I still can't figure out how PECOTA saw it coming, but the White Sox, who had the third-best offense in baseball in 2006, had the third worst last year as everyone stopped hitting all at once. Only Jim Thome and Paul Konerko were meaningfully above league average and even Konerko had a worse year than any of his previous three. Jermaine Dye, who was an MVP candidate in 2006, lost 61 points of batting average and an additional 75 points of slugging. A.J. Pierzynski and Tadahito Iguchi, who were just a tick below league average in 2006, lost about 30 points of average each. Perhaps the biggest disaster, however, was the performance of the bench. In 2006, the White Sox reserves hit .284/.327/.396 (.246 GPA) in 1082 at-bats. Last year, in more than 50 percent more at-bats (1681), the Sox's bench hit a dismal .230/.291/.330 (.213 GPA).

That's not to say that the pitching was without blame, but the White Sox run prevention had already regressed after their championship season, going from the third-best ERA in the majors to the 21st. Last year they dropped a few more spots, but the difference was negligible compared to the huge drop in offense.

Given that their greatest need was on offense, the White Sox's first few moves this past winter made little sense. Second baseman Tad Iguchi was dealt to Philadelphia at the end of last year to help the Phillies cope with the brief loss of Chase Utley as they jumpstarted their comeback in August. After the season ended, GM Ken Williams quickly re-signed incumbent shortstop Juan Uribe, then pushed him over to second by dealing starter Jon Garland to the Angels for shorstop Orlando Cabrera. The net result was an improved defense up the middle, but at the cost of some offense.

Williams' next move was to deal low-minors first base prospect Chris Carter to the Diamondbacks in return for young outfielder Carlos Quentin. Quentin was a first-round pick in 2003 and hit .348/.413/.527 in parts of four seasons in the minors, but in what was supposed to be a breakout year for him last year, he was slowed by injuries and hit a dismal .214/.298/.349. The Sox bought low on the 25-year-old as the D'Backs had installed the younger Justin Upton in right field in Quentin's place. So far, so good, as Quentin is hitting .241/.379/.519 as the Sox's regular left fielder. His four home runs this April are one shy of the number of dingers departed left fielder Scott Podsednik hit in his entire three-year White Sox career. Podsednik, incidentally, was released less than a week before the trade for Quentin.

Williams biggest move came just after New Years as he took advantage of the A's rebuilding to land Nick Swisher in exchange for a pair of pitching prospects and bubbling-under outfielder Ryan Sweeney. The two pitchers Williams surrendered (lefty Gio Gonzalez and righty Fautino De Los Santos) could well come back to haunt him, but Swisher was exactly what his team needed. A young, reliable, established, high-on-base bat that can be used at any of the three outfield positions or at first base. With Jermaine Dye resurgent in right field in the early going (.344/.403/.563) and Quentin fulfilling his promise in left, Swisher has slotted into center thus giving the Sox a tremendous upgrade over 2007's duo of Darin Erstad (.248/.310/.335) and Jerry Owens (.267/.324/.312). As Cabrera is the only Chisock likely to steal a base, Swisher has been slotted in as an unconventional leadoff man and currently leads the AL in walks, posting a .421 OBP despite the fact that his bat has yet to heat up.

Add to that a resurgent Joe Crede, who is back from a year largely lost back surgery and leading the team in homers (tied with Thome), slugging, and RBIs and the White Sox, at least at this early stage, have the best offense in the league, though the largely overlooked bench is likely to undermine the starting nine as the season progresses.

The Sox also have the makings of an impressive bullpen, and have gotten strong performances thus far from young starters John Danks, Gavin Floyd (who starts tomorrow), and emergent ace Javier Vazquez, who will face Phil Hughes on Thursday. After three years in the wilderness, Vazquez rediscovered his old Expos form last year and seems to have picked up where he left off in the early going this year by striking out 27 in 25 2/3 innings against a mere 6 walks and no home runs allowed after four starts.

Thinking about Vazquez got me to contemplating the mess of pitchers the Yankees employed in the wake of the 2003 World Series. Certainly the story of the Yankees of this decade starts with the departures of Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens and David Wells after the team's World Series loss to the Marlins and follows the course the team has plotted in its attempts to replace those pitchers, first through a series of blockbuster trades (for Vazquez, Kevin Brown, and Randy Johnson), then through ill-advised free agent signings (Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright), and finally through growing their own (Chien-Ming Wang, Phil Hughes, etc.). Of all the moves they made prior to coming to their senses, the deal that sent the fragile Nick Johnson, Juan Rivera and marginal LOOGY Randy Choate to Montreal for Vazquez now looks like the best. If only they had the organizational sense or coaching skill at the time to focus on Vazquez's strong first-half performance in 2004 (3.56 ERA, 95 K, 32 BB, 118 2/3 IP, 10-5) rather than panic after his dismal second half (6.92 ERA) and flip him to Arizona for an aging Randy Johnson. Of course, we've been over this a million times on this blog before, but for all the abuse "Homer Javy" took in New York, he now looks like the one that got away, though perhaps that's just by comparison to the rest:


PitcherRuns Saved Against Average 2005-2007
Chien-Ming Wang44
Javier Vazquez20
Mike Mussina11
Jose Contreras11
Randy Johnson8
Jon Lieber2
Carl Pavano-3
Orlando Hernandez-5
Brad Halsey-7
Esteban Loaiza-11
Jaret Wright-16
Kevin Brown-17
Jeff Weaver-59

Tonight the Yankees send Chien-Ming Wang to the hill to face ex-Yank Jose Contreras, who was terrible last year, but is coming off a dominant outing against the Orioles.

Comments (509)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-04-22 14:03:00
1.   tommyl
Wow, I knew Jeff Weaver was bad, but wow -59 is really bad. I think the Hughes vs. Vazquez matchup is the most intriguing of the series. I can't decide if I'm excited or nervous for it. Probably a bit of both.
2008-04-22 16:05:53
2.   williamnyy23
This is kind of a "big stretch" coming up. Having to face Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit 17 of the next 20 games has the potential to either put the Yankees in another early season hole, or set them up nicely for the summer.

Unlike last year when the team was beset by pitching injuries and a good amount of bad luck, this year's team is fortunate to be .500. The bats need to awaken and Kennedy and Hughes have to at least be competent, other wise it could require another torrid pace over the past 4 months to make up for a poor start.

2008-04-22 16:57:08
3.   tommyl
Where is everyone tonight? Two comments on the pregrame thread 10 minutes before first pitch?
2008-04-22 17:10:57
4.   OldYanksFan
3 Early season Yankee baseball:
Not for the faint of heart.
2008-04-22 17:15:56
5.   Just fair
It's obviously too bad that Contreras did not work out for the Yanks. Watching someone with such good stuff struggle so mightily was painful to watch. Oh, well. I hope he gets hammered tonight.
2008-04-22 17:16:44
6.   OldYanksFan
ARod and Cyn had a baby girl today.
ARod MAY be back by Thursday.
Boston down 5-1 to those pesky Angels of SomewhereOnTheWestCoast
2008-04-22 17:18:05
7.   OldYanksFan
Oh my... Gotta listen to Hawk and friend on MLB.TV.
2008-04-22 17:20:40
8.   Emma Span
3 Maybe watching PA primary results?
2008-04-22 17:23:20
9.   OldYanksFan
by the by... David Pauley is a last minute replacement for Beckett, scratched with a stiff neck. Anyone got the lowdown on Pauley?
2008-04-22 17:25:20
10.   Just fair
Oh Robbie, why do you torment me so?
2008-04-22 17:29:16
11.   monkeypants
I have the Jays v. Rays on here in the People's Republic...where in the hell is this game being played. I think it might be the Disney Sports Complex, but if so, the stadium only holds about 10,000 people. i really hate that MLB seems to be turning into some sort of barnstorming carnival act.
2008-04-22 17:31:03
12.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
7 ouch...all together now on Cano, "He Gone! Good Guys down by one"
2008-04-22 17:33:53
13.   wsporter
Quite simply, I can't listen. The volume is all the way down.
2008-04-22 17:35:06
14.   Marcus
Wang bringing the heat tonight: consistently 95-97 on Gameday.
2008-04-22 17:38:42
15.   Just fair
Official scoring really kills me sometimes. Melky makes a perfect throw, gets a bad break by hitting Thome and get error. Harrumph.
2008-04-22 17:41:25
16.   wsporter
He gone! Good guys up by one! :-)
2008-04-22 17:41:48
17.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
pitch count worrying already..praying for some more dp's and a complete game..
2008-04-22 17:42:34
18.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
16 makes one appreciate Kay, Singleton, etc.. i think there is a "heave the Hawk" website still out there somewhere..
2008-04-22 17:43:08
19.   weeping for brunnhilde
8 Yes, Emma, only there are no real results yet.

I did manage to see Cano strike out, though.

That was a joy.

2008-04-22 17:43:43
20.   monkeypants
15 Another reason for my radical argument that all errors should be eliminated.

As it stands now, if there is an "extra base" it has to be scored an error. i wonder, though, why the scorer can't simply record the base as "advanced on throw."

2008-04-22 17:44:39
21.   weeping for brunnhilde
O'Neill's stumped.

Kay: "At what point does Giambi take a free base hit to the left side? He's hitting .109."

Hey, look at that!

As I speak!!!

The Big Lug that he is.

2008-04-22 17:44:41
22.   monkeypants
17 Wang was one pitch from a 9 pith inning, an all of a sudden he's at 20 or so. Yikes.
2008-04-22 17:45:05
23.   tommyl
Booya! The Giambino hits an opposite field home run!
2008-04-22 17:46:24
24.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
think Gameday a bit slow this morning..
21 Rob Neyer wrote about simply releasing Giambi at this point, then platooning Bonds and Frank Thomas at DH..we can dream...
2008-04-22 17:46:42
25.   ms october
7 13 18 i had never experienced them before - holy hell though.
2008-04-22 17:47:12
26.   wsporter
Now that's all we're talking about go with the pitch and take it the other way. Giambi, yes, big fella, take it to the tin! That's my Bill Raftery impersonation BTW.
2008-04-22 17:48:20
27.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
26 Hawk gets points from me for wearing Nehru jackets back in the 60s
2008-04-22 17:49:10
28.   weeping for brunnhilde
26 You think he can do it again?
2008-04-22 17:50:29
29.   fansince77
Forced to watch this on MLBTV. These Chic announcers are the worst when it comes to bias. Between the "he gone," "the good guys coming up," and the dead silence on Giambi's homerun- don't broadcasters have standards?
2008-04-22 17:50:44
30.   wsporter
27 Hawk gets nothing from me but cab fare if he'll agree to leave early!!! It's not even what he says anymore, it's the very sound of his voice that gets under my skin. Ahck!!!!
2008-04-22 17:51:17
31.   wsporter
28 Tonight?
2008-04-22 17:51:25
32.   Just fair
I had to share this in lieu of Giambi b/c I heard it on the radio today. Rob Deer hit 179 for the tigers in 1991. He had 448 ab's and 25 hrs. I know the stat heads aren't a fan of batting avg, but I 'm too lazy to list everything else. His obp was a lttle over 300.
2008-04-22 17:52:35
33.   weeping for brunnhilde
31 Ever.
2008-04-22 17:52:39
34.   OldYanksFan
30 He might be the only guy on earth that makes you wish you were listening to Joe Morgan. Hey! Bad guys 2-0!
2008-04-22 17:52:49
35.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
32 Rob Deer! He was my generations Kong Kingman..(though that may be unfair to big Dave, he DID hit more than 400 hrs..)
2008-04-22 17:54:40
36.   wsporter
33 Let me think.
2008-04-22 17:55:56
37.   fansince77
Wang getting smacked around early- everything-- this doesn't look good.
2008-04-22 17:56:57
38.   OldYanksFan
The Sox are absolutely scarey about coming back. Now 5-5.
2008-04-22 17:57:43
39.   fansince77
Wow that inside pitch to Uribe was way off target- As I write this another horrible pitch to a guy 0-2, WTF WTF WTF CMW?
2008-04-22 17:58:02
40.   mehmattski
33 Sure, why not? Part of the infield shift plan is pounding him inside on nearly every pitch. When a pitcher leaves one out over the plate like that, he drives it to left center. This is nothing new from Giambi, he's been doing that for three years now. He is only a dead-pull hitter on the ground.

See: http://tinyurl.com/5rek77

2008-04-22 17:58:17
41.   Just fair
Not going to get by with meatballs right down the pipe. Cripes, Wanger, rule #1 is to shut down the other team the inning after your team scores.
2008-04-22 17:58:19
42.   OldYanksFan
I feel sick.
2008-04-22 17:58:24
43.   Zack
38 Ahh, the glories of Fenway
2008-04-22 17:58:58
44.   wsporter
Anyone tell what he's hanging up over the middle of the plate? Is that his two seamer?
2008-04-22 18:00:01
45.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
38 I hate Youkilis..thankfully he will be down to .275 by summer, but we can't lose many more games in the standings now...
2008-04-22 18:00:02
46.   monkeypants
38 OYF, you're going to have a long season if you keep scoreboard watching the Sox starting in April!
2008-04-22 18:00:48
47.   mehmattski
44 Yeah the pitch to Uribe looked like a sinker that never sank.
2008-04-22 18:02:13
48.   Just fair
38 These comback stories of theirs are getting old. Damn them. The only good thing is that they certainly can't keep doing it much longer.
I can't much take Yankee starters reaching 50 pitches by end of the 2nd inning. Imagine if your bat broke like that in a huge spot. Yikes.
2008-04-22 18:02:43
49.   wsporter
Wow, a broken bat, foul tip, strike out. I don't think I've ever seen that before.
2008-04-22 18:04:08
50.   Just fair
49 His bat never touched the ball. The end of his bat snapped on the swing.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-04-22 18:04:43
51.   wsporter
That was nice work pulling it back together right there I think.
2008-04-22 18:04:50
52.   3rd gen yankee fan
That was freakin funny.
2008-04-22 18:05:48
53.   wsporter
50 No way, really? Wow, termites?
2008-04-22 18:06:09
54.   williamnyy23
Why exactly does Wang need to mix up his pitches? He's been beaten twice on the slider already in this game. Quite frankly, I don't mind him only throwing the sinker.
2008-04-22 18:06:13
55.   fansince77
49 I know...I was just waiting for the superballs to start flying everywhere! That wuz bizzare!
2008-04-22 18:06:45
56.   wsporter
50 Not sure I've ever seen that either.
2008-04-22 18:08:51
57.   fansince77
Wow that was a meatball that Abreu missed with two strikes.
2008-04-22 18:09:51
58.   monkeypants
50 Hmmm...did superballs come bouncing out the end?
2008-04-22 18:09:59
59.   Zack
I forgot just how deeply I hate the White Sox announcers. The level of homertude far surpasses even Sterling...
2008-04-22 18:11:13
60.   wsporter
That Dye still has a howitzer from out there. He gets to the ball when he feels like it too.
2008-04-22 18:11:42
61.   williamnyy23
Not exactly an inspiring response to losing the lead.

Ellsbury goes deep...Sox have turned another big deficit into a lead. 2008 isn't exactly turning out as hoped early on.

2008-04-22 18:14:33
62.   fansince77
59 They are the worst...I counted three girlish squeals that inning...Crede's play- girlish squeal! Dye's throw- vaginal yelp, final out of the inning on an unnecessary dive- swinelike ejaculation!
2008-04-22 18:14:44
63.   Jeb
I was in Chicago about 10 days ago and saw them play the Twins (they got killed). Their ballpark is better than most people say it is, but it's located in the middle of nowhere (unless you count the interstate running by). I walked around Wrigleyville too and was (understandably) more impressed by the atmospher, and the Cubbies weren't even in town.
2008-04-22 18:15:17
64.   Zack
61 You and OYF needs to relax! Remember, the Sox have played a ton of games at home thus far and they always do this kind of crap there...Their offense is tailored for that park...
2008-04-22 18:17:48
65.   mehmattski
Yikes. Not a good pitch, Wang.

The slider is decidedly less slid (slud?)

2008-04-22 18:17:51
66.   williamnyy23
64 It's not a matter of relaxing. I was hoping that the Yankees would get off to a hot start and see early signs from their kids. Instead, they are mired in medocrity and their young arms have been awful. Meanwhile, the Sox are off to a hot start and Ellsbury and Buccholz have show nice flashes.

I am not suggesting it's time to look to the wild card, but I do miss the days when the Yankees were the front runners instead of looking up early in the season.

2008-04-22 18:18:04
67.   fansince77
WANG IS scaring the shit out of me!
2008-04-22 18:18:11
68.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
64 yep, and a four game sweep of the Rangers is not impressive...
2008-04-22 18:18:25
69.   Just fair
2 fat pitches in a row. Not good.
2008-04-22 18:18:43
70.   williamnyy23
65 He keeps getting hammered on the slider. Again, why does he have to throw more than his power sinker?
2008-04-22 18:18:44
71.   Jeb
"STRETCH...STRRRETCH!!! Not enough as Damon catches it at the wall"...and they say Sterling's a homer!
2008-04-22 18:18:53
72.   wsporter
67 He's using the whole park isn't he?
2008-04-22 18:19:34
73.   williamnyy23
68 It is impressive when you overcome a couple of big leads.
2008-04-22 18:20:42
74.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
73 contra el torro-pen de Tejas??
2008-04-22 18:20:57
75.   fansince77
72 Imagine if we were at Fenway tonite?
2008-04-22 18:21:36
76.   williamnyy23
74 Against anyone...the ability to wipe out big leads, like tonight, isn't commonplace.
2008-04-22 18:21:49
77.   wsporter
75 No, I can't, I have to get some sleep.
2008-04-22 18:22:43
78.   Jeb
Apparently Wanger has caught "Phil Hughes Kennedy" disease with his pitch count.

OH and HE GONE!

2008-04-22 18:22:56
79.   fansince77
What's Wangers count now - like 75?
2008-04-22 18:23:16
80.   wsporter
Lazarus Wang strikes again.
2008-04-22 18:23:54
81.   Zack
73 Think of it this way. The Sox pitching has generally been bad. Worse than the Yanks. The offense can't keep doing that for so long. Buchholz has looked "ok," but hes also 24, and Lester has looked like his normal poop self...
2008-04-22 18:24:01
82.   Just fair
I just don't like A. J. Piersomethingski.
Sox better look into a new forest. His bat also splintered when he struck out. He did, however, slam it one handed down on the plate. HA,
2008-04-22 18:24:37
83.   williamnyy23
79 65 pitches. Instead of simply overpowering hitters with the sinker, Wang keeps getting ahead and then seemingly experimenting with other pitches. He may get a few more strikeouts, but the approach seems counterproductive.
2008-04-22 18:24:41
84.   mehmattski
Hey, the 2001 Yankees started 11-11, and were 4 games out on April 26. If only there were bloggers and bloggers' commenters back then to freak out.

Hey, Robbie!

2008-04-22 18:24:49
85.   Just fair
That's the one to get Robbie going. Right? Right?
2008-04-22 18:25:01
86.   ms october
i think the white sox have cheap bats - aj just broke his when he struck out

it's going to be interesting to see wang all year - is he a different pitcher now - one who gets more k's and fly balls but also gets less groundres and gives up more hits or are these starts not indicative of him?

2008-04-22 18:25:22
87.   Jeb
Robby Cano! Don't ya know!
2008-04-22 18:25:29
88.   fansince77
A real Robinson Cano sighting!
2008-04-22 18:25:59
89.   williamnyy23
81 Again, I am not conceding anything. I would just like an April in which the Yankees jump out to nice lead. Think of it as having my cake and eating it too.
2008-04-22 18:26:37
90.   Zack
Oh God these announcers are so bad
2008-04-22 18:26:56
91.   fansince77
This may sound NUTS! but I would love to see Giambi push a bunt to third here for an easy basehit.

Oh well.

2008-04-22 18:27:06
92.   wsporter
84 Weren't we at the other place Alex started back then before we got to the Toaster? When did that start? I've completely lost track.
2008-04-22 18:27:31
93.   Just fair
Ensberg looks like he'd rather be doing anything else other than playing baseball for a living.
2008-04-22 18:27:43
94.   fansince77
and the booth explodes with ejaculatory glee on Dye non assist!
2008-04-22 18:28:32
95.   tommyl
93 Its all A-Rod's fault!
2008-04-22 18:28:58
96.   ms october
wsporter - tnt switched to the raptos/magic game for a minute and raftery was on - no mention of giambi to the tin - but you were spot on with everything else
2008-04-22 18:29:17
97.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
yawn..sleepy game so far...ok, Hawk vs. McCarver, anyone willing to break it down? I think TM was pretty good back on Channel 9 doing Mets games, but now he's unlistenable..
2008-04-22 18:29:37
98.   fansince77
93 or "Mr Ho Hum" is not a good match up with Contreras- he pulls off of everything and Contreras throws right to left.
2008-04-22 18:29:59
99.   Just fair
95 That's what his wife said. : )
2008-04-22 18:31:16
100.   tommyl
99 LOL, just remember that the next time we bemoan a bad AB from Alex. The alternative is Morgan Ensberg. Who would you like to see at the plate more?
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-04-22 18:31:40
101.   wsporter
93 He's been reading Was Watching and has become laconic. It's very fashionable.
2008-04-22 18:32:28
102.   fansince77
Melky is so...so...FIDO! Good boy Melk, good boy!
2008-04-22 18:32:37
103.   Just fair
Where lead off doubles do to die. BLEHHHH.
2008-04-22 18:32:40
104.   tommyl
Still a good AB by Melky. I'm impressed with him so far this year.
2008-04-22 18:33:19
105.   williamnyy23
If only the Red Sox never found Okajima!
2008-04-22 18:33:19
106.   fansince77
Bad boy FIDO!
2008-04-22 18:33:36
107.   tommyl
103 It would help if Giambi could hit a line drive now and again. How many non HRs does he have this year?
2008-04-22 18:35:03
108.   tommyl
On the plus side, we could be the Dodgers at 8-11 (about to be 8-12) looking up at the Dbacks.
2008-04-22 18:35:46
109.   fansince77
I know it is WAAAAAAAAAAAY early but for some unexplainable reason this game feels like one we have to win.
2008-04-22 18:36:16
110.   tommyl
107 I'll answer my own question. Giambi currently has 6 hits, 3 of which were HRs.
2008-04-22 18:37:06
111.   williamnyy23
109 I think so too...with Moose and the kids not exactly lighting it up and the schedule pretty tough, dropping this one could be tough, especially with the Sox on their way to another come from behind victory.
2008-04-22 18:37:32
112.   cult of basebaal
shit ... lousy finish to that at-bat

but it was amusing on the mlb.tv feed ... some drunk on the audio feed kept yelling at melky and calling the upcoming pitch ...

"melky. Melky. hey, MELKY!!!"

"fastball"

repeat, several times (at one point melky even looked over)

pitches,comes ... it's a fastball

"hey, MELKY! i was right, wasn't i, melky?"

"HEY MELKY!!! MELKY! FORKBALL!!! gonna be a FORKBALL, this time, MELKY!"

repeat, repeat ... pitch comes ... it's a forkball!

it would have been annoying ... but he kept being right ... and kept telling melky about it

more ammo for my ALL GAME SOUNDS, NO ANNOUNCERS audio feed ... cause lord knows that was more interesting than listening to Hawk Fucking Harrelson ...

2008-04-22 18:37:35
113.   tommyl
One hell of a shaky 1-2-3 from Wang. Phew.
2008-04-22 18:38:30
114.   mehmattski
72 pitches through 4... I think he can go 6. Let's score some runs!
2008-04-22 18:39:41
115.   williamnyy23
Looks like C.C. is warming uo for his weekend start against the Yankees.
2008-04-22 18:40:54
116.   fansince77
I see a light flickering on in Damon.
2008-04-22 18:41:37
117.   tommyl
Ball 4 Johnny, Ball 4.
2008-04-22 18:41:39
118.   williamnyy23
Damon swung at ball four there.
2008-04-22 18:42:52
119.   tommyl
David Cone, continuing to talk about how pitch counts aren't important. A man who is lucky to still have a right arm is complaining about pitch counts.
2008-04-22 18:43:11
120.   williamnyy23
When did the Yankees abandon their patient approach? A growing free swinging style seems to be at the root of this early season offensive malaise.
2008-04-22 18:44:17
121.   tommyl
120 Not so sure about that. They've been free swinging against some pitchers, but those guys were dealing strikes. Conteras is up above 70 pitches. Melky had a 9 pitch AB, Johnny just went to a 3-2 count.
2008-04-22 18:44:28
122.   Just fair
1,2,3 goes 1,2,3. Just brilliant.
2008-04-22 18:44:33
123.   williamnyy23
Ball 4 Abreu...two walks exchanged for outs.
2008-04-22 18:45:16
124.   fansince77
Bobby chases ball 4 or at best a pitchers pitch. Ugh.
2008-04-22 18:46:37
125.   williamnyy23
121 But no walks...Melky, Damon and Abreu, at least, have all made outs on ball 4. For the season, the Yankees have a meager 65 walks. For three weeks now, the Yankees have been decidely impatient. That is more troubling than the general lack of results.
2008-04-22 18:47:12
126.   fansince77
Sometimes I think Bobby is too patient early in the count. Case in point- Contreras threw him two high fastballs that he could have mangled...balls yes- but Bobby rarely gets under the high pitch- wouldn't mind seeing him aggressive on the second/third pitch sometimes.
2008-04-22 18:47:35
127.   fansince77
Where the fuck was that pitch?
2008-04-22 18:48:08
128.   Just fair
Capitals vs. Flyers. Game 7 going into overtime. I'll guess I'm the only one hear who enjoys hockey, but little in sports gets better than this. (ducking tomatos and egg shells)
2008-04-22 18:49:07
129.   fansince77
That last pitch was so GoodWanger. Hard and low and unliftable.
2008-04-22 18:49:43
130.   tommyl
125 Be fair with Melky. He fouled off a slew of pitches before King.
2008-04-22 18:49:47
131.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
128 Dad, what's hockey?
2008-04-22 18:50:43
132.   fansince77
There are few players I dislike more than Orlando Cabrera who is apparently a homeboy of the Chi announcers who prefer the nomenclature of his street identity "O.C."
2008-04-22 18:51:23
133.   fansince77
Meworrieswith Tome up!
2008-04-22 18:51:32
134.   tommyl
132 Like that show in SoCal? Maybe he can be on the Hills after his playing career is over.
2008-04-22 18:51:40
135.   williamnyy23
This inning kind of feels like the one where the game gets away...it seems like the 5th/6th inning is where the Yankees have lost a lot of games.
2008-04-22 18:51:46
136.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
132 oh god...that is just so, so wrong...hearing Hawk say "O.C." would make me nauseous...
2008-04-22 18:52:36
137.   Just fair
131 Just imagine Thome trying to swing a bat while on ice skates. Or, maybe not.
2008-04-22 18:52:49
138.   tommyl
Gotta say, looking at Gameday, Wang is really getting squeezed low in the zone. If that's the case, its really hard for him. That Thome AB 2 of those balls were strikes on Gameday.
2008-04-22 18:53:19
139.   fansince77
Oh fuck- what a non-gem by the wangster.
2008-04-22 18:53:20
140.   Zack
Well, sure looks like the Yanks are gonna lose this one. The dead offense continues
2008-04-22 18:53:36
141.   williamnyy23
135 Sadly predictable...even more sad is with this offense, any more runs here and it's game over.
2008-04-22 18:53:45
142.   Just fair
Cut off men, who needs cut off men? This game blows.
2008-04-22 18:54:21
143.   tommyl
Does Derek Jeter ever look unhappy playing baseball? He looked like a little leaguer there.
2008-04-22 18:54:25
144.   fansince77
IS WANG FUCKING THROWING BATTING PRACTICE! THOSE PITCHES SUCK! SUCK! AND NO ADJUSTMENTS WHATSOEVER! WORK DOWN DUMMY!
2008-04-22 18:55:14
145.   williamnyy23
Wang leaves another flat slider of the middle of the plate. Why doesn't he just throw the damn sinker!!!!
2008-04-22 18:55:37
146.   pistolpete
Looks like our 'ace' isn't going to make things easy this time through the rotation.. eesh.
2008-04-22 18:56:17
147.   pistolpete
145 Because I don't think too many guys are swinging at it.
2008-04-22 18:56:38
148.   pistolpete
147 I happily stand corrected.
2008-04-22 18:56:42
149.   Just fair
1 run is manageable, 3 not so much. C'mon wanger. A.J. kicks puppies. Good.
2008-04-22 18:56:58
150.   williamnyy23
Nice recovery by Wang, but wow, that 1-run deficit seems like a mountain.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2008-04-22 18:57:12
151.   tommyl
Man, whatever Eiland says during those mound chats seems to work everytime.
2008-04-22 18:58:15
152.   tommyl
144 Dude, he doesn't have his best stuff tonight and he's getting squeezed down in the zone. He's threw 5 giving up 3 runs. He can pitch the 6th if they want him to. He's kept the team in it. Relax.
2008-04-22 18:58:30
153.   williamnyy23
147 I haven't noticed them laying off it...Wang doesn't seem as if he is throwing it anywhere near enough.
2008-04-22 18:59:18
154.   tommyl
Hey offense, remember that 15 run game against Boston? Channel that.
2008-04-22 19:00:33
155.   Just fair
Holy wiffle ball. Look out Matsui.
2008-04-22 19:00:38
156.   williamnyy23
154 Absent that game, the Yankees have averaged 3.7 runs per game.
2008-04-22 19:00:55
157.   Zack
So Contreras should be suspended for that right? Actually, if he had MISSED Hideki, then he would have been...
2008-04-22 19:01:37
158.   williamnyy23
157 I'll take the baserunner anyway they get it.
2008-04-22 19:01:58
159.   Zack
156 That is just so atrocious. There is no way this team can win like that. In fact, there aren't too many teams that could
2008-04-22 19:02:01
160.   Emma Span
For those of you not watching YES, Wang and the trainer have been paying a lot of attention to his finger in between innings -- seems like maybe he has a blister or some other sort of problem. That might explain things a bit...
2008-04-22 19:03:30
161.   williamnyy23
That's a brutal, awful, horrendous AB for a 2-1 pitch.

Besides, why not hit and run there. The ineffectiveness of this offense has transcended results...the approach is also poor.

2008-04-22 19:05:15
162.   fansince77
Seriously, did anyone who has watched the whole season thus far NOT think or know that Jorge was going to hit into a double play? So fucking predictable.
2008-04-22 19:05:32
163.   williamnyy23
159 And, they haven't faced many good pitchers. Considering that Girardi changes the lineup every night, you'd think he'd stumble on one good combination. Then again, maybe he is changing things too much?
2008-04-22 19:06:38
164.   williamnyy23
162 I was kind of hoping Girardi would be a little more creative than Torre, but so far, he seems to also be on autopilot. If a situation cried out for a hit and run, it was that one.
2008-04-22 19:07:31
165.   Jeb
Dear Mr. Girardi:

The Yankees hitters fucking suck. If we get a runner on first, just fucking bunt even though bunting is statistically not recommended because that's better than a fucking double play. Also, please turn over a table in the clubhouse tonight and take away the hot water in the showers.

Sincerely,

One very disgruntled Jeb

2008-04-22 19:08:22
166.   tommyl
How about, bring back Shelly Duncan? Platoon him with Giambi at first and Abreu/Damon in the OF.
2008-04-22 19:08:48
167.   cult of basebaal
156 i don't know ... 3.7 runs per game was probably pretty damn good ... back in 1967
2008-04-22 19:09:27
168.   pistolpete
165 Even a hit and run would be something...
2008-04-22 19:09:59
169.   mehmattski
166 Duncan never should have been sent down.
2008-04-22 19:10:27
170.   williamnyy23
166 How about leading off Jeter, moving Damon to the bottom and stacking your best hitters at the top. Right now, the only chance to score would be to have Jeter, Melky, Abreu, Arod and Matsui in the first five slots and hope they can sustain some offense. Right now, Posada, Giambi, Cano and Damon are brutal.
2008-04-22 19:10:30
171.   fansince77
What disturbs me about Wang tonight is not the three runs but the amount of runs that should have been scored based on his SFPI - (Super Fat Pitch Index)He seems to be guessing where the ball is going to go rather than driving it to the glove.
2008-04-22 19:10:34
172.   tommyl
Where have you gone Alex Rodriguez? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you. Woo woo woo.
2008-04-22 19:11:12
173.   Jeb
168 anything other than the DP. I don't know what team leads with DP's as a team though I was surprised that Papi was #1 individually with 7, but I just have to think that the Yanks are #1 as a team.
2008-04-22 19:11:31
174.   fansince77
a hanging slider, hmmm. Maybe that'll get em?
2008-04-22 19:11:32
175.   pistolpete
Ok, where's Tanner and Lupus? That play looked familiar.
2008-04-22 19:11:34
176.   Just fair
Dear Jeb,
I have already taken away candy. What else do you want me to do?
Regards,
Joe II
From deaspin
further proof that Joe Girardi is the Frank Burns of AL managers; he has forbidden the Yankees to eat candy or gum. Yes, that should turn the tide. New York would have four or five more World Series trophies if not for the evil of Skittles. Girardi is being really strict about this.
2008-04-22 19:11:56
177.   Jeb
I hate the Hawk. What a fucking dick.
2008-04-22 19:12:09
178.   williamnyy23
Incredible...this start actually feels worse than last year.
2008-04-22 19:12:34
179.   fansince77
Girardi getting his ass out-managed here.
2008-04-22 19:13:00
180.   tommyl
Joba, please bring in Joba for this jam.
2008-04-22 19:15:17
181.   Jeb
hawk is crying...
2008-04-22 19:15:27
182.   williamnyy23
Another 8th inning rally for the Red Sox. They are playing with so much life that it's pretty depressing to turn back to the Yankee game and see what looks like zombies playing baseball.
2008-04-22 19:15:30
183.   pistolpete
Now pitching, Chien "Mylanta" Wang...

F*CKING SOX take the lead AGAIN.

2008-04-22 19:15:38
184.   SF Yanks
That strikeout pitch that Wang just threw has to be my favorite pitch in baseball. The inside fastball that tails back over the inside corner. Moose has perfected that pitch.
2008-04-22 19:15:42
185.   cult of basebaal
finally, a nice fucking pitch in a big count
2008-04-22 19:16:15
186.   fansince77
Does anyone have a stat on how many times the Yanks have gotten the lead baserunner on and NOT scored this year? It seems way too high.
2008-04-22 19:16:21
187.   Jeb
please please please please score 2 runs!!
2008-04-22 19:16:33
188.   Zack
179 I'm not really sure how that is the case. The Sox have managed to do jack squat with tons of chances, whereas the Yanks simply aren't hitting. Sure, he could hit and run a little, but that still wouldn't do much for what is, essentially, a dead in the water offense
2008-04-22 19:17:17
189.   williamnyy23
Yankees record when trailing at the start of the 7th inning: 0-10. Disgusting.
2008-04-22 19:17:48
190.   Just fair
184 Moose has also perfected the 500 ft. gopher ball to Manny. Oy, Giambi.
2008-04-22 19:18:04
191.   pistolpete
who wants to wager on a Manny 3-run jack right now?
2008-04-22 19:19:02
192.   williamnyy23
191 Overkill now...Angels wont score off Papelbon.
2008-04-22 19:19:20
193.   cult of basebaal
god, how i hate hawk harrelson
2008-04-22 19:19:23
194.   mehmattski
Man, that must be frustrating. Right in his wheelhouse, a double for almost every other hitter....

It's not like he should take that pitch, right? And no left-handed hitter can hit that pitch the other way. Just sucks all around. It's been a good night for Giambi, but with just one positive result.

2008-04-22 19:19:34
195.   Jeb
here comes the DP
2008-04-22 19:20:39
196.   wsporter
Sometimes I wonder if Giambi even realizes there's a shift on. He always looks back to the field after he's hit into the teeth of it with a look of absolute amazement that someone came out of nowhere to catch that last one.
2008-04-22 19:20:49
197.   williamnyy23
194 At some point, though, he needs to be able to hit a ball to the opposite field. It's not like he needs perfect placement either. Giambi is simply not going to be productive if he refuses to adjust his approach.
2008-04-22 19:22:00
198.   Just fair
Boone Logan?
Will he or will he not make Damon look silly? Gut feeling not so good. Hope I am wrong.
2008-04-22 19:22:26
199.   cult of basebaal
194 logic??? we don't need your steenkin' logic ...
2008-04-22 19:23:05
200.   mehmattski
197 Did you see where that pitch was, though? Waist high on the inside corner. Take it, it's a strike... and a lefty is going to pull that pitch 100% of the time. Giambi's best hope to hit the ball the other way is when he's pitched over the plate. And if he can murder the ball to right when that happens, what's the sense in trying to poke it to left?

On the rare occasion that the pitcher makes a big mistake outside, Giambi showed tonight that he can do something with it. But there aren't many hitters who can go the other way with a waist-high inside pitch.

Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2008-04-22 19:23:27
201.   williamnyy23
This is where'd you'd love to have Duncan.
2008-04-22 19:23:36
202.   cult of basebaal
198 sure would like to have frankenshelly on the bench to make the question irrelevant ...
2008-04-22 19:23:47
203.   fansince77
Holy shit that was outside!
2008-04-22 19:24:21
204.   pistolpete
Ok, NOW here comes the DP- after all of our hopes are up as high as they can be...
2008-04-22 19:24:47
205.   fansince77
This ump made Damon swing at that pitch and good for us that he beat it!
2008-04-22 19:24:52
206.   williamnyy23
200 You don't need to swing at every pitch. He can patiently wait for pitches he can take the other way or move off the plate a little.
2008-04-22 19:25:45
207.   cult of basebaal
SPEED KILLS!!!
2008-04-22 19:26:33
208.   Just fair
I may have to put my laptop down until after this inning is over. Not scoring here would be uber-shitty.
2008-04-22 19:26:49
209.   Jeb
Yay, Jeter gets to hit into the DP now...Let's be Democratic and spread the DP's around before sinking quietly into the night 4.5 games behind the Sux.
2008-04-22 19:28:13
210.   Jeb
please just squeeze and go for the tie. The worst result is 1 out and abreu up.
2008-04-22 19:29:26
211.   Zack
I hate this offense so much
2008-04-22 19:29:39
212.   williamnyy23
Pathetic...Sox cap off another gutty win...and the Yankees are on the verge of wilting yet again.
2008-04-22 19:29:42
213.   mehmattski
You'd think Octavio Dotel would be more thankful that the Yankees paid for his rehab. How rude.
2008-04-22 19:30:03
214.   Jeb
bright side --- no dp
2008-04-22 19:30:19
215.   pistolpete
Fantastic, Derek.
2008-04-22 19:31:03
216.   Zack
Thank God!!!!
2008-04-22 19:31:04
217.   williamnyy23
Thank you Bobby!
2008-04-22 19:31:06
218.   Just fair
DOPE.
2008-04-22 19:31:12
219.   pistolpete
Wow, never saw that coming.
2008-04-22 19:31:26
220.   mehmattski
213 That's better.

PS: !!!!!!

Salamis for everyone!!!! Make mine Genoa!!!!

2008-04-22 19:32:00
221.   Jeb
ABREU....HE GONE YARD....FUCK YOU KEN HAWK HARRELSON...FUCK YOU FUCK YOU FUCK YOU AND FUCK YOUR MOTHER HAWK....FUCK YOU!

HE GONE MOTHER FUCKING YARD

2008-04-22 19:32:05
222.   fansince77
Note to Hawk: "it gone"
2008-04-22 19:32:08
223.   wsporter
We'll that's more like it. Think I'll have waffles for breakfast.
2008-04-22 19:32:15
224.   williamnyy23
220 It's Passover...I'll take Jewish.
2008-04-22 19:32:20
225.   Just fair
Abreu is finally a Yankee. : )
2008-04-22 19:33:01
226.   Chyll Will
I got home just in time to see that... was that an "excuse me" swing?
2008-04-22 19:33:15
227.   Schteeve
So, all those people who wanted to not pick up Abreu's contract...how would you like your crow?
2008-04-22 19:33:18
228.   pistolpete
221 Seriously, what was Harrelson's reaction?

Vomiting, I hope?

2008-04-22 19:33:19
229.   Adrian
Booooobbie AbraaaaaaayooooooO!
2008-04-22 19:33:23
230.   cult of basebaal
GOD DAMN YOU ABREU, WHY WON'T YOU FAIL US!?!?!?!?
2008-04-22 19:33:31
231.   fansince77
Note to Hawk: "It gone you big dick!"
2008-04-22 19:33:57
232.   williamnyy23
Amazing...Abreu hits a grandslam, and now Wang pitched well. Had he flied out, it would have been a dissapointing start.

Also, it should be noted that this rally started with a walk...the Yankees first of the game.

2008-04-22 19:35:04
233.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
Falafels here for lunch, afternoon beer on the way after the grand salami!! I love out team again :)
2008-04-22 19:35:10
234.   Adrian
In retrospect, "Boobie touches 'em all" might've been more in keeping with the "totally tits" moment I just had.
2008-04-22 19:35:17
235.   pistolpete
232 And some nice hustling by Damon...
2008-04-22 19:35:21
236.   mehmattski
227 With Salami!

Actually I wanted the Yanks to pick up the option. But Salami on crackers, with crow! Deeeeelish.

My mood has improved considerably.

2008-04-22 19:36:02
237.   Jeb
If Hawk had been in Goodfellas he would have been:

a. Spider

b. Billy Batts

c. Maury

d. Frankie Carbone

I vote for Maury because Hawk's got more bluster than Spider (and usually doesn't pay for it), he's not a made guy like Batts, and he couldn't have a part in Luftaansa like Carbone. He's just an idiot who whines and eventually disappears.

2008-04-22 19:36:04
238.   monkeypants
232 Kind of like if Hughes got pulled after 5 it would have been a god start and possibly his first win, but after 5.1 and some atrocious BP help...
2008-04-22 19:36:13
239.   wsporter
This used to be a family site.
2008-04-22 19:36:57
240.   fansince77
What's wrong with the volume on my mlbtv? I can here the ejaculatory exclaimations and snide one liners and shitty little remarks...what's wrong with my volume? Oh it is set to Grand Salami!
2008-04-22 19:37:14
241.   mehmattski
The Hawk home run call:

"That ball hit high to left. Dye under it... back, back back....." (five second pause) "A grand slam homer. And the Yankees lead it, six to three."

Priceless

2008-04-22 19:37:30
242.   Chyll Will
No, that wasn't "excuse me"... Bobby had the BIGGEST GRIN on his face when he saw that pitch >;)
2008-04-22 19:37:31
243.   cult of basebaal
239 we can't say "totally tits" anymore???

or was it all the references to salami???

2008-04-22 19:38:02
244.   Jeb
228 Pistol, he said, "OH NO!" much like Tommy D when he was shot in the back of the head in Goodfellas.
2008-04-22 19:38:09
245.   williamnyy23
238 Actually, I had posted before the 6th that I thought Hughes had pitched poorly, but I agree that would have been the storyline.
2008-04-22 19:38:28
246.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
237 deinately Maury!
that and 241 ..am doubled over in laughter now...
2008-04-22 19:39:15
247.   Just fair
232 And if the Yankees hold onto this one, and win 9 games in row when trailing after 7, they'll even up at 10 and 10.
2008-04-22 19:39:40
248.   Jeb
239 243 all the FUCK YOU's directed at the Hawk perhaps?
2008-04-22 19:40:56
249.   cult of basebaal
248 someone wasn't here last post-season, when we earned the "black sheep of the baseballtoaster community" label!
2008-04-22 19:41:01
250.   Jeb
246 "so come in today for a personalized fitting."
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2008-04-22 19:41:08
251.   mehmattski
246 I didn't even do the call justice.... he blurted out "Hit high to left!!!!" as if he was sure the White Sox would get out of the inning, tried to will it with his "Dye under it!!" and then just dead silence as the ball bounced around behind the fence. The "A grand slam homer." was in CSPAN monotone.
2008-04-22 19:41:51
252.   Chyll Will
243 I don't like salami myself. I'm more of a turkey and roast beef kinda guy...
2008-04-22 19:42:01
253.   Jeb
239 exactly what "families" come here and blog?

What did you do last night? Well, it was Christmas so me and the whole family sat around the computer and posted on Bronx Banter. It was great until someone said "FUCK"

2008-04-22 19:42:17
254.   pistolpete
251 Awesome.
2008-04-22 19:42:24
255.   wsporter
248 Yeah I'm sure he heard all of em. I'll bet you hurt his feelings. Maybe he'll quit. Let's see. Nope, still there.
2008-04-22 19:42:56
256.   Jeb
249 no doubt! I got temporarily banned for comments about a certain unnamed lady (Suzyn Waldman)
2008-04-22 19:43:00
257.   williamnyy23
251 You mean "Quentin under it"?
2008-04-22 19:43:40
258.   williamnyy23
That's awful!
2008-04-22 19:44:38
259.   mehmattski
244 I thought Tommy was shot in the face so his mamma couldn't give him an open casket?
2008-04-22 19:44:53
260.   pistolpete
256 Ah yes, good times.

Why do I get the feeling this isn't over?

Paging Mr. Chamberlain....

2008-04-22 19:45:08
261.   Jeb
255 obviously he didn't hear them. People post all kinds of messages to players and managers that will never be read or "heard". Cussing is allowed on this site, but I could recommend some to you where it's not allowed.
2008-04-22 19:45:38
262.   williamnyy23
259 I think he was killed with a bullet to the back of the head. The face shot came later and wasn't seen.
2008-04-22 19:46:02
263.   Jeb
259 they shot him in the back of the head. Either the bullet came out of the front or they shot him again. As Vinnie said, "and that's that."
2008-04-22 19:46:05
264.   Adrian
Is Farnsworth serving his suspension? Please say yes.
2008-04-22 19:46:35
265.   Bags
239 Amen, my friend. I miss that place.
2008-04-22 19:46:46
266.   Jeb
wow nice ERA on Mr. Bruney.
2008-04-22 19:46:51
267.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
does anyone actually still listen to Suzyn and Sterling??
2008-04-22 19:47:00
268.   monkeypants
So, how long will the Yankees continue top trot out ineffective LOOGYs? Answer: as long as they insist on wasting a roster spot carrying a LOOGY.

I'm not saying Traber has been all that bad overall, but I'm not convinced he has been particularly effective at the thing he is supposed to do.

2008-04-22 19:47:20
269.   wsporter
261 What?
2008-04-22 19:47:55
270.   pistolpete
267 Only when forced to in my car.
2008-04-22 19:48:01
271.   mehmattski
262 You know, I actually was thinking about that incongruity just the other day, because it wouldn't make any sense that Tommy thought he was gonna be "made" as he walked in the room, and was clearly shot from behind. Your explanation makes sense. Another movie mystery solved!
2008-04-22 19:48:15
272.   Jeb
265 there's still a number of similar places (and I'm being serious not sarcastic) if you'd like a reference.
2008-04-22 19:48:28
273.   Chyll Will
253 There was dead silence... suddenly, the baby's head began to spin in counter-clockwise motion. Mother screamed and little Billy began to laugh. Molly pulled out an Uzi sub-machine gun and sprayed the family cat with hot metal death. Time was called and the S.W.A.T. team was called in. Panic arose and the dollar fell. Pandemonium reigned until Jimmy Carter was called in to mediate. Peace at last...

Now on the second day of Christmas... >;)

2008-04-22 19:48:54
274.   monkeypants
268 Con't.

And really, is the best place to use Mr. LOOGY when you have a three run lead, a LH leading off, followed by a RH. If he is so specialized, shouldn't he be used, say, in a tight spot--maybe a couple guys on and Thome batting?

2008-04-22 19:49:06
275.   Jeb
269 read it again....slower.
2008-04-22 19:50:00
276.   Jeb
271 that's why he said, "oh no." Why would they kill a good earner like that?
2008-04-22 19:50:02
277.   mehmattski
275 What..... does..... a..... yellow..... light.... mean?
2008-04-22 19:50:53
278.   Just fair
There no better way to hold a 3 run lead than to walk the first 2 batters of an inning. BRAVO
2008-04-22 19:51:03
279.   Jeb
273 Beauty-ful (as someone in Goodfellas said).
2008-04-22 19:51:47
280.   Jeb
277 ok that's just fucking funny as hell Mehmattski....er....Reverand Jim
2008-04-22 19:51:53
281.   Schteeve
I'm gonna be getting off the Billy Traber bandwagon at the next stop.
2008-04-22 19:51:59
282.   williamnyy23
Nice...the Yankees are intent on giving this game right back. I am sorry, but I will never trust Brian Bruney in a big spot.

If this isn't Joba time, then it truly is a waste to have him in the bullpen.

2008-04-22 19:52:11
283.   monkeypants
Right. And they can't use Joba against the heart of their order, because the 8th inning guy. And he has an innings limit this year too.
2008-04-22 19:52:27
284.   Adrian
Goddamnit, man, use Joba.
2008-04-22 19:52:57
285.   cult of basebaal
ah, the joys of a BB appearance!
2008-04-22 19:53:01
286.   pistolpete
282 I say he gets out of it, 6-4.
2008-04-22 19:53:13
287.   monkeypants
282 See 283 . The eighth inning is Joba time, remember?
2008-04-22 19:53:43
288.   Adrian
So here's how we're going to do things: we're going to load the bases and THEN use Joba. Because, come on, anything less would be uncivilized.
2008-04-22 19:54:04
289.   williamnyy23
Not sure what Girardi is thinking here. In contrast, when the Red Sox need to lock the game up in the 7th, they went to Okajima.

It's early, but Girardi has not yet represented the clean break from Torre that I had hoped.

2008-04-22 19:54:08
290.   Jeb
284 right after this three run homer and Hawk wetting his pants (and I'll say FUCK YOU Hawk, and someone will get on me, we'll debate, he won't understand me, I'll tell him to read it again only slower and Mehmattski will make me laugh).
2008-04-22 19:54:33
291.   mehmattski
That strikeout pitch had some naaaaaasty movement on it.... started over the plate and ended up on Dye's hands.
2008-04-22 19:55:17
292.   monkeypants
289 Dammit, William, you beat me to it. I was going to post something along the same lines.
2008-04-22 19:55:19
293.   wsporter
275 Oh it's "allowed" Jeb. Over the years though most posters here have had enough comfort with the idiom that they hadn't found it necessary to populate their posts with with run on F bombs. To each his own I suppose though. Good luck with all that. Make sure you get all your lithium. Happy trails Einstein.
2008-04-22 19:55:35
294.   Adrian
Look, I think we can all be thankful that we don't have Heilman on our team. What's the correlation between "games Heilman has pitched in" and "games the Mets have lost?"
2008-04-22 19:55:50
295.   mehmattski
Ummmm, Brian? Was he trying to slide-tackle the runner on his way to first? What happened there, big guy?
2008-04-22 19:55:52
296.   pistolpete
Jesus, GIambi dove and I don't think he had to.
2008-04-22 19:55:55
297.   monkeypants
Hmmm...1st and 2nd and LH up. Isn't this the time to employ the LOOGY? Oh, right, I forgot.
2008-04-22 19:55:57
298.   williamnyy23
The Giambi experiment is failing ... he is awful at 1B. If I had $20mn laying around, I'd eat the damn contract now.
2008-04-22 19:56:37
299.   Just fair
Gotta cover first, Bruney. Frickin' inexcusable.
It's the Big Leagues!!
2008-04-22 19:56:37
300.   Adrian
Joba now plzkkthx?
Show/Hide Comments 301-350
2008-04-22 19:56:41
301.   pistolpete
228 Holy crap you're right.
2008-04-22 19:57:11
302.   Chyll Will
Did BB just do the [wacky dance] trying to cover first?
2008-04-22 19:57:33
303.   fansince77
Does Giambi know he's allowed to let the ball into the pocket of the glove? You don't have to kill it before you pick it up.
2008-04-22 19:57:35
304.   mehmattski
296 Well, even if he doesn't dive, there's not going to be an out at first, given the "effort" Bruney was making at getting to the bag.
2008-04-22 19:57:42
305.   Jeb
293 Well, you're allowed to cuss, but you're not allowed to insult someone. So kindly apologize so we don't take this any further. THank you.
2008-04-22 19:57:55
306.   Adrian
288 Cue Charles Barkley.
2008-04-22 19:58:15
307.   monkeypants
How many days until Duncan can be recalled? One or two, right? Now that Posada is catching, they should DL Molina or send down Moeller, and bring up the big goofy kid and stick him at first.
2008-04-22 19:58:17
308.   williamnyy23
When the Yankees hit, they don't getting starting pitching. When they pitch, they don't hit. And now, when they get some runs and a solid start, their bullpen implodes. That's the formula for a .500 team.
2008-04-22 19:59:40
309.   mehmattski
IT'S PEANUT BUTTER JOBA TIME! PEANUT BUTTER JOBA TIME!

/caffeine.

2008-04-22 20:00:06
310.   wsporter
305 I will if you will. What do ya say? Come on. For the Banter. Let's be mature.
2008-04-22 20:00:08
311.   williamnyy23
Joba's velocity has been down since coming back...hopefully he can dial it back up.
2008-04-22 20:00:32
312.   pistolpete
307 From what I heard today, Moeller can't be sent down again - he'd have to be let go.
2008-04-22 20:00:42
313.   Adrian
Look, cursing is as much a part of sports as alcohol. I have it on good authority that Socrates knocked back some wine and then dropped the (theta) bomb on numerous occasions in the Agora.
2008-04-22 20:01:12
314.   mehmattski
Hmm... Wang's slider not breaking at all... Joba's slider breaking too much....

Where's Goldilocks when you need her???

2008-04-22 20:01:52
315.   pistolpete
Thanks, ump.
2008-04-22 20:02:16
316.   mehmattski
Seriously, though.... Joba's slider = filthy tonight.
2008-04-22 20:02:29
317.   Schteeve
Strike out pitchers are good mmmkay?
2008-04-22 20:03:00
318.   Jeb
305 I am not sure what I'd be apologizing for because I didn't say that you take lithium or derisively call you "einstein", but sure I apologize.
2008-04-22 20:03:52
319.   pistolpete
Oof. Right down Broadway and Crede's busy looking at the big tall buildings.
2008-04-22 20:04:15
320.   Adrian
"And to ye I shall pitch not but sliders, and to ye not but fastballs, and ye shall all be out" -- The Book of Joba, 13:22
2008-04-22 20:04:33
321.   Chyll Will
317 Boys, Joba's bayad... and by bayad I mean guud, mmm-kay? >;)
2008-04-22 20:04:58
322.   Jeb
wow Hawk's getting excited.
2008-04-22 20:05:00
323.   williamnyy23
Oh crap!
2008-04-22 20:05:13
324.   williamnyy23
Joba doesn't have the easy gas tonight.
2008-04-22 20:05:40
325.   Just fair
If he can sustain that for 6 innings at time, well hot damn!
Could have done without the walk.
2008-04-22 20:05:42
326.   Jeb
easy Joba...just get one more out....easy big fella
2008-04-22 20:05:54
327.   williamnyy23
This is case in point why you don't wait until the bases are loaded to bring in Joba. You basically took his slider away on 3-2.
2008-04-22 20:05:56
328.   pistolpete
Ok, no harm no foul - that was Traber's run.
2008-04-22 20:06:07
329.   mehmattski
Hawk: "Aww, he got a cookie and he popped it up!"
2008-04-22 20:06:26
330.   Jeb
phew
2008-04-22 20:06:35
331.   Adrian
320 Gospel undergoing modifications, please stand by.
2008-04-22 20:06:42
332.   Schteeve
324 The guy was away from the team for a few days, and I'm sure he wasn't throwing. This isn't surprising.
2008-04-22 20:07:00
333.   fansince77
This is really sad that we have to put Joba in this spot but oh well...if we only got two pitchers we only got two pitchers.

Oh look who just woke up in the booth.

2008-04-22 20:07:10
334.   SF Yanks
Is Wanger in line for the win?
2008-04-22 20:07:22
335.   Jeb
305 318 boys I've been suckered...LOL...does he get money for that or something?
2008-04-22 20:07:50
336.   cult of basebaal
good enough ... i'll take it!
2008-04-22 20:08:26
337.   Schteeve
I tend to like Traber, but nothing irritates me more than when the Loogy walks the one guy he's brought in pitch to. Give up a home run if you must, but don't walk him. You don't need a loogy to do that. Shit, I could walk Jim Thome.
2008-04-22 20:08:30
338.   williamnyy23
332 Not suggesting it was surprising...just observing.
2008-04-22 20:08:42
339.   Jeb
so do we bring Joba back out for the 8th or try to get 2 from Mo? Or, do we go with Ohlendorf (who I think hasn't pitched since Saturday)?
2008-04-22 20:08:52
340.   monkeypants
333 Now, let him pitch the 8th (and maybe the 9th???) to start s-t-r-e-t-c-h-ing him out for the inevitable.
2008-04-22 20:09:07
341.   Adrian
Now, if some mad scientist could somehow fuse together the BAs of both Cano and Giambi, we might have one somewhat reliable hitter. Although not a .300 hitter, you understand.
2008-04-22 20:09:24
342.   SF Yanks
339 2 for Jobs, imo.
2008-04-22 20:09:29
343.   wsporter
318 "Read it slower" was unkind and I don't think you meant that in the nice way.

Me too. I'm sorry I compared you to a genius and the medication thing was uncalled for. I won't do it again.

2008-04-22 20:10:21
344.   Schteeve
339 This is Farnsworth time, no? He didn't pith yesterday, nobody is on base. If you're ever gonna put him in, now's the time.
2008-04-22 20:10:23
345.   williamnyy23
Robbie...you are allowed to walk!
2008-04-22 20:11:06
346.   SF Yanks
Is Wanger in line for the win? No, right?
2008-04-22 20:11:17
347.   Just fair
Nice job, Cano. You saw about 8 balls. And no, that is not what she said.
2008-04-22 20:11:20
348.   Schteeve
Why is Giambi still getting killed on here tonight? He homered for pete's sake and it wasn't even against Timlin.
2008-04-22 20:11:41
349.   Jeb
by the way, I've noticed that you can hear individuals yelling at Yankee batters. This happened when I saw the Sox Twins game -- some idiot in right field kept yelling at their rightfielder, Kubel (I think). So Kubel hits a grand salami and the Sox fans yell, "YOU STILL SUCK" when he gets out to right field. Brutal people.
2008-04-22 20:12:22
350.   pistolpete
339 Nah, leave Ollie in the pen - he might have to go 2-3 innings in the next few days with Moose & Hughes.
Show/Hide Comments 351-400
2008-04-22 20:12:42
351.   Jeb
343 I was actually being serious since I didn't think you understood and didn't want to retype the comment, but since you apologized, we're cool.
2008-04-22 20:12:55
352.   pistolpete
348 Have you watched him try and field tonight?
2008-04-22 20:13:37
353.   williamnyy23
348 That pitch he just took was tailor made to take the other way. That's why he is still getting killed.
2008-04-22 20:13:39
354.   SF Yanks
(3rd times a charm) So.... Is Wang in line for the win?
2008-04-22 20:13:52
355.   Jeb
348 my guess is that even with the homer, people want him to use the whole field because they're tired of the shift and hearing that idiot Hawk say "He gone"
2008-04-22 20:14:23
356.   Schteeve
348 No, living in Chicago and not subscribing to Comcast means no game for me tonight.

But it's Giambi, I expect him to be terrible in the field, but it's 1B so I can't get too worked up about it.

2008-04-22 20:14:25
357.   Just fair
354 Yes, he's looking at 4-0.
2008-04-22 20:14:29
358.   wsporter
Tough pitch to hit especially if you're looking to pull.
2008-04-22 20:14:33
359.   williamnyy23
354 Yes!
2008-04-22 20:15:22
360.   wsporter
351 That's just how I feel.
2008-04-22 20:16:03
361.   SF Yanks
357 359 Thank you! I know it can be tough to type three letters but thank you anyways.
2008-04-22 20:16:03
362.   Schteeve
353 Yeah, I get that people want him to magically start shooting doubles into the left center gap, but I don't think any of us know enough about his swing, or strategy to really determine if that's viable. At least, I don't, so I don't preach it, because I would have no idea what I was talking about.
2008-04-22 20:17:22
363.   fansince77
Whoever said it earlier was dead on. Ensberg looks like he just left his copy of the Wall Street Journal on the Metro North and is contemplating how to get out of going to the PTA meeting and his kid's soccer game this weekend.
2008-04-22 20:17:54
364.   williamnyy23
362 What is magic about using all fields to hit? Lots of hitters are able to do it...heck, no one did it better than Giambi when he was with Oakland. In fact, he was very successful doing it in the Spring. It's not like he is being asked to do something unique.
2008-04-22 20:17:55
365.   Jeb
I like Ensberg
2008-04-22 20:18:28
366.   pistolpete
Does anyone else think Betemit may be losing his spot on this team if Ensberg can hit every so often?
2008-04-22 20:19:43
367.   williamnyy23
366 Perhaps, but Betemit is a very good lefty hitter, so it would be nice to have him and Ensberg, especially if Giambi gets hurt or continues to falter.
2008-04-22 20:19:45
368.   Jeb
365 he even slides well.
2008-04-22 20:19:46
369.   Jeb
365 he even slides well.
2008-04-22 20:19:51
370.   monkeypants
362 I normally agree with your line of argument, but my patience for Giambi is starting to fray. Yeah, he hit a HR tonight, but he seems like he's becoming a circus act: walks and the occasional HR surrounded by innumerable Ks and ground outs to the shift. He really is not helping the team right now. Maybe he'll heat up; we'll see.
2008-04-22 20:20:18
371.   Jeb
368 368 I gotta go get the papers....get the papers.
2008-04-22 20:20:25
372.   SF Yanks
366 Whose Betemit?
2008-04-22 20:20:42
373.   cult of basebaal
man, some dude is just BUSTING melky's balls tonite ...
2008-04-22 20:21:27
374.   Just fair
If Chicago was in Los Angeles, this game would be ending at 2 in the GD morning. (I Hope) Holy crap. That puts a nice a bow on things.
2008-04-22 20:21:27
375.   cult of basebaal
372 our betemit! at least since last summer ...
2008-04-22 20:21:35
376.   williamnyy23
That ball flew out of the park!

No, let's give Joba a rest.

2008-04-22 20:21:41
377.   pistolpete
Wow, JD with the hot stick.

Hawk's reaction, please? I need to hear it...

2008-04-22 20:21:57
378.   SF Yanks
Johnny starting to come to life? Lets hope.
2008-04-22 20:22:00
379.   monkeypants
366 No, because Ensberg can't play 2nd or 3rd. If Betemit loses his spot, it's because Gonzalez has hit well and played 2B one game. All will become clearer when Duncan is eligible to be called up.
2008-04-22 20:22:07
380.   Jeb
Hawk is sobbing now.....(psssst...fuck you Hawk)
2008-04-22 20:22:40
381.   claybeez
What did that imposter do with Johnny Damon?
2008-04-22 20:22:44
382.   mehmattski
Hawk:"That ball is deep to right." (five second pause) "And it is nine to four. That dreaded leadoff walk."

PUT IT ON THE BOOOOOOOOOOOOOARD..... YESSSS!

2008-04-22 20:22:54
383.   monkeypants
Yay JD, prove me wrong!
2008-04-22 20:23:09
384.   fansince77
As stated earlier: Flicker of light now a full-fledged burn.
2008-04-22 20:23:41
385.   cult of basebaal
376 dammit! you people ruin everything for us with mlb.tv! i demand you hold every post for at least 2 minutes!!!
2008-04-22 20:23:42
386.   wsporter
326 370 For years in Oakland he was renowned as a hitter who used the whole field. Have his swing mechanics changed so irreparably that he can no longer take an outside pitch the other way to left? He allowed that home run ball to get deep in the zone and still managed to hit it with good power the other way. I just get the sense he's too stubborn to adjust at this point.
2008-04-22 20:23:50
387.   Jeb
379 Gonzalez has hit well? CHILL OUT MAN

;o)

2008-04-22 20:23:57
388.   monkeypants
379 Of course, I meant 2nd or SS.
.
.
I am an idiot.
2008-04-22 20:24:04
389.   SF Yanks
375 I know of no Betemit and either does Girardi apparently. I can't even remember the last game he's been in.
2008-04-22 20:24:04
390.   pistolpete
379 I was just going to add the condition about Gonzalez. I suspect he may have turned some heads his last time up.
2008-04-22 20:24:05
391.   OldYanksFan
377 Just said the score. Did NOT say Home Run. Couldn't bring himself to do it.
2008-04-22 20:25:01
392.   wsporter
386 Err . . . that's 362 and 370
2008-04-22 20:25:05
393.   monkeypants
387 Hey man, I didn't drink the kool-aid, I just reported what I saw at the compound.
2008-04-22 20:25:29
394.   williamnyy23
Here's one positive note...the Yankees have outscored their opponents 35-19 from the seventh inning on. The negative side to that is this would be the first game they win when behind starting the 7th.
2008-04-22 20:25:36
395.   Chyll Will
So, is Farnsworth serving his time or what? I'm hoping with a combination of a suspension and a five-run lead, we can safely consider the possibility that this game is perhaps Farns-proof...
2008-04-22 20:25:52
396.   fansince77
"deep to right...(pause) and it is nine to four....alright we'll be back"

Same exact tone as:

"Rufus was a good puppy...sorry to see him die....alright I'll bury him in the back."

2008-04-22 20:26:53
397.   wsporter
Johnny Damon???? Wow he finally got the memo. It'll be nice if he wakes up.
2008-04-22 20:27:20
398.   mehmattski
396 You forgot about the "those dreaded leadoff walks," which is straight out of the Michael Kay playbook.
2008-04-22 20:27:21
399.   fansince77
Jeter - been very girly tonight.
2008-04-22 20:27:34
400.   pistolpete
394 That's some insane stat - how have they never won a game after the 7th inning (in 10 chances) and still outscore their opponents 35-19?
Show/Hide Comments 401-450
2008-04-22 20:28:26
401.   Jeb
393 Just remember who the prophet is now Monkey......That's why I get to have 200 beauty-ful women.

(It was Paulie who said "Beauti-ful" when looking at the food that Henry got for them in the joint...)

2008-04-22 20:29:30
402.   williamnyy23
400 For one, that includes tonight, so it was 28-18 before tonight, but still, you'd think they would have pulled at least one other game out. I think it speaks to the dreaded combination of very bad starting pitching and very bad offense in the games that they lose.
2008-04-22 20:29:31
403.   JimCobain
Why is Joba out there? Did they run out of other pitchers? I'd rather see Hawkins. With Moose and Hughes coming up Joba would be good to have tomorrow and the next day.
2008-04-22 20:29:39
404.   Jeb
396 398 he also said (in a sad voice) "that will clean out some seats".
2008-04-22 20:29:43
405.   Schteeve
364 & 386

First of all, when Giambi was in Oakland, he was a totally different player, younger, better eyesight (allegedly,) and less injury ravaged.

More importantly maybe is that when he moved to Yankee Stadium, he became more pull conscious, because the gaps in left and right center are big, (you may be familiar with the term Death Valley) so the easier way for him to hit home runs, was to pull to dead right, and put it out over the short porch in right.

Thoroughly changed his approach, comparing him to the way he hit in Oakland is like comparing him to someone else.

2008-04-22 20:30:10
406.   fansince77
OK - someone help me with this. Why is Joba still out there?
2008-04-22 20:30:13
407.   wsporter
This expectation that outs are comming with Joba on the mound is pretty neat. Kind of like Mo.
2008-04-22 20:30:29
408.   mehmattski
Joba's out for the eighth because of JIGITS, right?
2008-04-22 20:30:35
409.   Jeb
403 because Girardi is the new Torre and Joba is the new EDSP.
2008-04-22 20:31:17
410.   williamnyy23
More good news bad news.

Bad news: The Yankees have not overcome a lead greater than two runs.

Good news: The Yankees have not blown a lead greater than one run.

2008-04-22 20:31:25
411.   pistolpete
Ummm, black cat?

Super. ESPN will be ALL over this.

2008-04-22 20:32:06
412.   JimCobain
409 Shit.
2008-04-22 20:32:27
413.   Schteeve
I think it's a mistake to have Joba in there now. Unless they are a man short in the pen due to Farnsworth serving his stretch, but I thought he was appealing it??
2008-04-22 20:32:31
414.   williamnyy23
405 Points granted, but he did do a nice job using the opposite field this Spring. Also, it might be hard work to alter his mechanics, but I don't think it would require "magic".
2008-04-22 20:32:49
415.   cult of basebaal
arm??? fuck you both ... like both of you douchenozzles are mechanics experts?!?!?

asshats.

2008-04-22 20:33:11
416.   wsporter
That was just unfair
2008-04-22 20:33:30
417.   pistolpete
Have a nice little jog, Orlando?
2008-04-22 20:34:15
418.   cult of basebaal
gorgeous curve ... nice!
2008-04-22 20:34:22
419.   JimCobain
413 5 run lead. I'd put Hawkins in there. Even if he stinks and you have to bring Mo in wouldn't you rather Jaba/Mo for 1 inning each for the next three games than Joba not available tomorrow?
2008-04-22 20:34:42
420.   Adrian
"That space between the white lines, that's my office. That's where I conduct my business." -- Early Wynn
2008-04-22 20:35:18
421.   Jeb
Hawk: "That ball hit deep...get on back there...STREEEETTTCHHHH! and caught."
2008-04-22 20:35:31
422.   williamnyy23
413 With Joba pitching Saturday, Sunday and tonight, I'd imagine he was getting tomorrow off anyway. That's the only thing I can think of.

Having said that, I really don't want to see Mo tonight. I could root for the Dodgers if I wanted to see that kind of bullpen management.

2008-04-22 20:36:09
423.   mehmattski
For a second there it looked as though Melky was going to throw the ball into the stands and then pulled the ball back- psyche! But then I replayed it and he did throw the ball in the stands.
2008-04-22 20:36:12
424.   cult of basebaal
stretch THIS hawk!
2008-04-22 20:36:23
425.   Chyll Will
415 That reads like Sandy Cheeks talking in her sleep, only all PG13ey >;)
2008-04-22 20:36:34
426.   fansince77
Did this weasle of announcer just say "deep...get on back there...scratch?"

If he did I refuse to picture the prison scene he was reliving.

2008-04-22 20:37:06
427.   Schteeve
414 I'll try to be more precise with my language?

And why don't we petition Pete Abe to ask Giambi why he isn't looking to go the other way to take back the outside corner?

2008-04-22 20:38:06
428.   wsporter
405 Sure, granted but it's time to change his approach again unless he likes hitting line drives and short hops at that short fielder in shallow right. Is the guy a professional hitter or not? He's adjusted in the past. If he's not able to do it now there may be better options.
2008-04-22 20:38:21
429.   JimCobain
422 Good point about Joba pitching the weekend. That's probably it.

I'm not saying I want to see Mo tonight, either, just saying that you can't be afraid of of caughing up the 5 run lead that you "waste" Joba with said lead. But like you said, maybe he was getting the day off anyway.

2008-04-22 20:38:54
430.   Schteeve
428 Like Frank Thomas?
2008-04-22 20:40:00
431.   Chyll Will
426 Yeah, well thanks for making us do it!
2008-04-22 20:40:26
432.   pistolpete
427 You might actually have some luck submitting a question to "The Joe Girardi Show" on YES - I've actually seen some pretty interesting (and direct) questions from the viewers.
2008-04-22 20:40:28
433.   JimCobain
428 430 Of Barry Bonds... I kid, I kid...

The answer is Shelly Duncan, probably.

2008-04-22 20:40:40
434.   williamnyy23
430 Between Bonds and Thomas, there are 1,300 HRs available for the taking. Could you imagine that as a DH platoon?
2008-04-22 20:40:55
435.   Schteeve
I just noticed that Mats OBP is .423! That's tits!
2008-04-22 20:42:13
436.   fansince77
Let's see Jorge do something other than hit into a double play. We already know he's got that covered.
2008-04-22 20:42:28
437.   mehmattski
The difference is that, in ten days, Frank Thomas costs as much as Shelley Duncan. Bonds would cost considerably more....

I'd rather not sign either, but just sayin.

2008-04-22 20:43:01
438.   wsporter
430 Like Shelly Duncan, Morgan Ensberg, Posada, me, you, that idiot Harrelson's dead dog, etc.
2008-04-22 20:43:40
439.   Schteeve
In the grand scheme of things, I'm 147x more worried about Posada than I am about Giambi.
2008-04-22 20:44:06
440.   williamnyy23
Tuck your shirt in Robbie!
2008-04-22 20:44:14
441.   pistolpete
FARNSWORTH?!
2008-04-22 20:44:14
442.   JimCobain
Would any team pick up Giambi if he was cut? Would there be two teams out there willing to pick up Giambi? If so would this team give up a warm body or two if the Yanks picked up Giambi's tab?
2008-04-22 20:44:33
443.   fansince77
435 Of course for our "Pleasantville" posters TITS stands for TOPS IN THE STATS.
2008-04-22 20:44:44
444.   Schteeve
And 110x more worried about Cano.
2008-04-22 20:45:33
445.   fansince77
Did Robbie just get off a bus to Guadalajara?
2008-04-22 20:45:49
446.   Schteeve
442 The Sox would pick him up, bring him into game 7 of the ALCS and he'd hit a 3 run shot off of Billy Traber.
2008-04-22 20:46:26
447.   Chyll Will
395 (Sigh...)
2008-04-22 20:47:01
448.   Schteeve
435 of course.
2008-04-22 20:47:11
449.   JimCobain
446 My crystal ball says the homer would be Kei Igawa. ;)
2008-04-22 20:47:25
450.   Adrian
Oh. Fuck.
Show/Hide Comments 451-500
2008-04-22 20:47:40
451.   wsporter
446 And we win 4-3? :-)
2008-04-22 20:47:50
452.   cult of basebaal
ah baby, it's the farnswacker!
2008-04-22 20:48:08
453.   Schteeve
Almost perfect time to bring Farnsy in.
2008-04-22 20:48:15
454.   fansince77
If I were the pitching coach I would be like "OK Kyle go in there and throw this ball as hard as you can. Each pitch has to be one MPH faster than the previous or you are coming out."
2008-04-22 20:49:25
455.   OldYanksFan
AG with a GREAT arm... and accurate.
2008-04-22 20:49:25
456.   pistolpete
See? The pitchers in the media get the whole Farnsworth/Manny thing, why can't Steve 'Hairdo' Philips and Peter 'Deadball Era' Gammons?
2008-04-22 20:50:15
457.   SF Yanks
I love it!
2008-04-22 20:50:19
458.   Chyll Will
aaaaaaannnd...
2008-04-22 20:50:29
459.   mehmattski
Oh, come on... Farnsworth had retired his last 8 consecutive batters. That was bound to happen.
2008-04-22 20:50:31
460.   williamnyy23
Farnsworth is hilarious...I am glad this is the type of game that we can laugh with/at him.
2008-04-22 20:50:56
461.   wsporter
Farnsworth!!!!!!!!!!
2008-04-22 20:51:01
462.   Schteeve
Are you shitting me? Pierzynski??? Gah.
2008-04-22 20:51:09
463.   JimCobain
Oh joy.
2008-04-22 20:51:11
464.   Adrian
Oh, Kyle. Can we take you out back and shoot you yet? Are we at that part of the book?
2008-04-22 20:51:57
465.   fansince77
Wow fireworks for 9-5? Low bar for pyrotechnics.
2008-04-22 20:52:08
466.   JimCobain
463 would anyone pick up Farnsworth if we cut him...

;)

2008-04-22 20:52:10
467.   Schteeve
and now the requisite, post home run, "hold me I'm scared" free pass.
2008-04-22 20:52:10
468.   Adrian
"No, Brian, Kyle's my dog." -- Joe Girardi
2008-04-22 20:52:13
469.   cult of basebaal
ah ... farnworthless ... so ... true ...
2008-04-22 20:53:08
470.   pistolpete
If I see Mo warming up, I've officially lost faith in anything changing from last season.
2008-04-22 20:53:30
471.   Schteeve
this guy should get released before I ever read one more word about getting rid of Giambi.
2008-04-22 20:53:41
472.   bartap74
470 Don't look...
2008-04-22 20:53:58
473.   mehmattski
"Now, be careful, Fry. And if you kill anyone, make sure to eat their heart to gain their courage. Their rich, tasty courage."

Oh, wrong Farnsworth. Good news, everyone....

2008-04-22 20:54:02
474.   fansince77
Didn't see the tater...please don't tell me it was on a slider?
2008-04-22 20:54:08
475.   Jeb
HAWK: "If you're just joining US they're leading US 9-5"....He doesn't even pretend does he?
2008-04-22 20:54:24
476.   Schteeve
If I were Girardi, I would make Farnsworth stay in there through Uribe at least. If you can't get Uribe out, you suck.
2008-04-22 20:54:32
477.   Adrian
Can't we just appoint Kyle our "Plunker Designate" and have him constantly suspended? I really don't see a downside to him hitting Manny in the face with a 100MPH fastball.
2008-04-22 20:54:43
478.   Chyll Will
Does Mo like Farns for pushing him closer to 500 saves, or does he hate him for making him get up?
2008-04-22 20:55:50
479.   fansince77
Wouldn't mind giving up another HR here. Seriously. More evidence for Worthlessness and Mo can get another save.
2008-04-22 20:56:01
480.   mehmattski
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070729142900AARmdDn&show=7
2008-04-22 20:56:09
481.   SF Yanks
478 That's a quality question.
2008-04-22 20:56:21
482.   Jeb
464 It's time to "make" Kyle just like tommy D in Goodfellas.....Take him to the house into the basement and shoot him.
2008-04-22 20:56:22
483.   williamnyy23
Even in victory, Farnsworth is horrible. Nice job.
2008-04-22 20:57:07
484.   fansince77
The only guy looking less interested than Ensberg is Ozzie Guillen.
2008-04-22 20:57:21
485.   JimCobain
Tomorrow it's Moose for 4, Olendorf for 3? Then the usual suspects?
2008-04-22 20:57:31
486.   Schteeve
good win, although reading these comments I'm sure nobody would think they won this game.
2008-04-22 20:58:20
487.   Adrian
Wow, only 1 HR and 1 wild pitch! A red-letter day for Kyle!
2008-04-22 20:58:26
488.   Mattpat11
Farnsworth's ERA is back where it should be.
2008-04-22 20:59:07
489.   wsporter
This just hurts. I can't watch . . . There. The man is a genius, a baseball savant. Farnsworth, a giant among men.
2008-04-22 20:59:39
490.   Schteeve
488 6.66?
2008-04-22 21:00:31
491.   wsporter
Night all, sorry for the crankiness.
2008-04-22 21:00:48
492.   mehmattski
486 Don't forget the salami!
2008-04-22 21:00:54
493.   fansince77
Got to get to 500 folks so here's one:

WHY DOES VICTORY 2008 FEEL LIKE WE ARE BACK IN THE late 1980's. IS IT BECAUSE WE ARE SO WARY OF LAST SEASON'S FRUSTRATING START? I FOR ONE THINK THAT MUST OF US WENT THROUGH SO MUCH EMOTION LAST YEAR...HANGING ON A BY A THREAD, WILLING OUR TEAM TO HANG IN THERE AND COMPETE THAT WE FULLY EXHAUSTED OURSELVES. I THINK THE IMPATIENCE OF THIS YEAR'S BANTERERS IS THE HESITATION THAT WE CAN DO THAT AGAIN...I AM STILL EMOTIONALLY DRAINED FROM LAST SEASON...

2008-04-22 21:00:55
494.   Schteeve
night, it's all good.
2008-04-22 21:01:08
495.   Chyll Will
490 Now that's quality snark >;)
2008-04-22 21:02:26
496.   fansince77
Gotta get to 500 before Manny Does!
2008-04-22 21:03:14
497.   fansince77
OK
2008-04-22 21:03:23
498.   fansince77
If
2008-04-22 21:03:32
499.   fansince77
You
2008-04-22 21:03:40
500.   fansince77
Wont
Show/Hide Comments 501-550
2008-04-22 21:03:53
501.   fansince77
I will
2008-04-22 21:04:07
502.   Mattpat11
Hopefully this puts an end to the Farnsworth praise
2008-04-22 21:05:40
503.   Chyll Will
Wow, only Krazy-Ass Kyle can suck the life out of a Yankee win where they hit a Grand Slam, not to mention a 3-run HR from GOJD, after an extended team hitting slump.
2008-04-22 21:05:46
504.   tommyl
502 But he's got such great stuff ;)
2008-04-22 21:07:03
505.   Adrian
502 Man, is there a Farnsworth equivalent of the Anti-Masonic Party? If so, I'd totally vote non-Farnsworth in '08.
2008-04-22 21:08:23
506.   SF Yanks
503 Are you kidding? Did you actually want him to do good tonight? In my mind he did PERFECT. He looked like garbage just enough not to get Mo up. Bravo to Worthless!
2008-04-22 21:09:51
507.   SF Yanks
That should have read:

He looked like garbage, but not enough to get Mo up. Yeah, something like that.

2008-04-22 21:11:10
508.   mehmattski
505 What about the Know-Nothing Party. I guess that would be Cashman...
2008-04-22 21:56:12
509.   tommyl
507 Close enough to not get our grammar checker up ;)

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