09/24: Yanks Shutout by Devil Rays
Posted by: Seamus
In a game that featured Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez Robinson Cano, Gary Sheffield, Randy Johnson, Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui and Bernie Williams, the star of last night's game was...J.P. Howell!? Yes, the Yankees were blanked by a guy who doesn't even have a photo on his player page. The 23-year old lefty threw 7 shutout innings and outdueled Randy Johnson as the Rays beat the Yankees 8-0 in the second game of a four-game series.
Johnson had a shaky outing, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings. Jose Veras gave up two runs and Octavio Dotel allowed a run (thankfully we didn't need him as much as originally thought) as well. Dotel has allowed 9 runs in 10 IP this season.
Not much to say about the Yankee offense, which recorded only four hits in the game. Gary Sheffield was 0-2 and is still looking for his first hit since coming back from his wrist injury. He made his first error at 1B as well. Cano and Jeter were each 1-4 and now trail Joe Mauer by 5 and 6 points, respectively, in the batting race. Cano can be eligible for the batting title after today's game if he gets five plate appearances (you can divide his would-be 481 PA by 155 team games played and get a number just over 3.1 or you can save yourself the trouble and just trust my math ;) ).
Well, the good thing about these games that are played after the Yanks have already clinched the division is that I can watch a game like this and when it's over I can just tip my cap to the young lefty Powell for a job well done. Nothing really significant to point out about the game besides the fact that everyone made it out in one piece and the Tigers have inched to within a half game for home-field throughout.
The Yanks and Devil Rays will resume the series this afternoon at 1:15 E.T. Mike Mussina will be on the mound to face Brian Stokes.
Johnson had a shaky outing, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings. Jose Veras gave up two runs and Octavio Dotel allowed a run (thankfully we didn't need him as much as originally thought) as well. Dotel has allowed 9 runs in 10 IP this season.
Not much to say about the Yankee offense, which recorded only four hits in the game. Gary Sheffield was 0-2 and is still looking for his first hit since coming back from his wrist injury. He made his first error at 1B as well. Cano and Jeter were each 1-4 and now trail Joe Mauer by 5 and 6 points, respectively, in the batting race. Cano can be eligible for the batting title after today's game if he gets five plate appearances (you can divide his would-be 481 PA by 155 team games played and get a number just over 3.1 or you can save yourself the trouble and just trust my math ;) ).
Well, the good thing about these games that are played after the Yanks have already clinched the division is that I can watch a game like this and when it's over I can just tip my cap to the young lefty Powell for a job well done. Nothing really significant to point out about the game besides the fact that everyone made it out in one piece and the Tigers have inched to within a half game for home-field throughout.
The Yanks and Devil Rays will resume the series this afternoon at 1:15 E.T. Mike Mussina will be on the mound to face Brian Stokes.
09/24: Rivera Feeling Good
Posted by: Patrick
From the official site:
Many wondered how Mariano Rivera would feel the day after he pitched for the first time in more than three weeks. Everyone, in fact, except Rivera.
"I knew right away by how I felt [after the game]," the Yankees closer said. "I feel normal, and it makes me feel great." ...
"I'll pitch Sunday," Rivera said, "And the playoffs will be normal. I'll do whatever I have to do."
"I knew right away by how I felt [after the game]," the Yankees closer said. "I feel normal, and it makes me feel great." ...
"I'll pitch Sunday," Rivera said, "And the playoffs will be normal. I'll do whatever I have to do."
09/23: Pavano Hires New Agent
Posted by: Patrick
According to Jim Baumbach:
lol. It's a good thing for him that he's not signed to a contract that allows us to be that strict with him.
Also, he hired Gregg Clifton as his new agent. If you recall, he fired Scott Shapiro as his agent a year ago and told the union he was doing so because Shapiro did not follow through on his promise to get him a four-year, $40-million deal. Pavano, of course, signed for four years and $39.95 million.
lol. It's a good thing for him that he's not signed to a contract that allows us to be that strict with him.
Posted by: David
Mariano Rivera returned for the first time since August 31st and saved the game for Chien Ming-Wang with a three strikeout performance.
The Devil Rays jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a Baldelli home run. Robinson Cano tied the score at 1 with a homer. The Yankees took the lead in the seventh with a two run homer from Aaron Guiel and an RBI double from Melky Cabrera.
Wang pitched seven strong innings. Proctor pitched the eighth and Rivera closed out the contest. The game also saw the return of Gary Sheffield to the lineup and his career debut at first base. The series resumes tomorrow night in Tampa Bay.
The Devil Rays jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a Baldelli home run. Robinson Cano tied the score at 1 with a homer. The Yankees took the lead in the seventh with a two run homer from Aaron Guiel and an RBI double from Melky Cabrera.
Wang pitched seven strong innings. Proctor pitched the eighth and Rivera closed out the contest. The game also saw the return of Gary Sheffield to the lineup and his career debut at first base. The series resumes tomorrow night in Tampa Bay.
09/22: Sheffield in Fenway?
Posted by: Jason
The speculation has already begun on Boston's version of the FAN, WEEI.
The word is that Sheffield can be had for 2 years, 18 million and the Yankees will "undoubtedly" release him at season's end...
The word is that Sheffield can be had for 2 years, 18 million and the Yankees will "undoubtedly" release him at season's end...
Posted by: Patrick
According to the official site:
The New York Yankees reached an agreement Thursday to make the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons their Triple-A affiliate, after ending their relationship with the Columbus Clippers earlier this year.
Posted by: Jason
Today is a day for celebration. That title has a nice ring to it, don't you think?
The Yankees won the AL East for the ninth straight time last evening. As a fan, I would like to thank the entire Yankees organization for its commitment to excellence.
How many other organizations (in any field) explicitly proclaim that any outcome other than #1 is a failure?
And it seems like yesterday that it was June 1st and "another outcome" seemed quite probable. The loss of Godzilla and Detective Shaft. The 1,000 runs scored hype dashed. As I've written before, I live in Boston and I heard the "Yankees are done!" taunts many times in the early summer.
But the Yankees demanded to be relevant. Mussina, Jeter and Giambi carried the team in the first 4 months of the season. A jerry-rigged outfield rotation of rookies, career minor leaguers, Kansas City castoffs and a pretty good jazz guitarist :) held the line, and the Yankees stayed on the AL radar screen.
Suddenly, Cashman struck like an angry rattlesnake at the deadline. Bobby Abreu was the catalyst that propelled the team for the last 60 days. Also, don't forget Damon. Remember Damon, the big gamble? The jealous protection of Phil Hughes? Brian Cashman is the best GM in baseball. I am remarkably comfortable typing that.
Yes, Boston's 5 game Waterloo (With the Yankees playing the Duke of Wellington) will remain in the forefront of everyone's mind, and rightly so. Please do not lose track of the other 80-odd wins that were not against Boston. Recall those huge early sweeps of Detroit and the White Sox?
So: Be magnanimous in victory. Shake a Boston fan's hand and wish his team good luck next year. A famous Ancient Roman once wrote: He conquers twice who in the hour of conquest, conquers himself.
And go Yankees in the playoffs!
The Yankees won the AL East for the ninth straight time last evening. As a fan, I would like to thank the entire Yankees organization for its commitment to excellence.
How many other organizations (in any field) explicitly proclaim that any outcome other than #1 is a failure?
And it seems like yesterday that it was June 1st and "another outcome" seemed quite probable. The loss of Godzilla and Detective Shaft. The 1,000 runs scored hype dashed. As I've written before, I live in Boston and I heard the "Yankees are done!" taunts many times in the early summer.
But the Yankees demanded to be relevant. Mussina, Jeter and Giambi carried the team in the first 4 months of the season. A jerry-rigged outfield rotation of rookies, career minor leaguers, Kansas City castoffs and a pretty good jazz guitarist :) held the line, and the Yankees stayed on the AL radar screen.
Suddenly, Cashman struck like an angry rattlesnake at the deadline. Bobby Abreu was the catalyst that propelled the team for the last 60 days. Also, don't forget Damon. Remember Damon, the big gamble? The jealous protection of Phil Hughes? Brian Cashman is the best GM in baseball. I am remarkably comfortable typing that.
Yes, Boston's 5 game Waterloo (With the Yankees playing the Duke of Wellington) will remain in the forefront of everyone's mind, and rightly so. Please do not lose track of the other 80-odd wins that were not against Boston. Recall those huge early sweeps of Detroit and the White Sox?
So: Be magnanimous in victory. Shake a Boston fan's hand and wish his team good luck next year. A famous Ancient Roman once wrote: He conquers twice who in the hour of conquest, conquers himself.
And go Yankees in the playoffs!
Posted by: Patrick
With last night's Red Sox loss, we've clinched a division title for the 9th straight season. This ranks 2nd behind only the Braves run of 14 which has now come to an end. One at a time...
From Mark Feinsand:
From MLB.com:
Also from MLB.com:
Finally, from the New York Daily News:
Congratulations to everyone involved.
From Mark Feinsand:
You just haven't lived until you've heard the following line from Gary Sheffield:
"You guys look too dry. I'll be back." ...
As it turns out, Sheffield was just messing with us, but I did get my fill of cheap champagne on my clothes, in my hair and in several other places.
"You guys look too dry. I'll be back." ...
As it turns out, Sheffield was just messing with us, but I did get my fill of cheap champagne on my clothes, in my hair and in several other places.
From MLB.com:
"I think the front office deserves a lot of credit," Rivera said. "We thank George Steinbrenner for the opportunity that he gives us to put a good team on the field. It all starts from there. The coaching staff, Mr. T [manager Joe Torre], the players, they're all tremendous." ...
While young players like Melky Cabrera and Jose Veras were taking their first taste of the postseason, you might think that celebrating a division title would no longer be a big deal to the veteran quartet. After all, this is a group that has a combined 11 World Series rings among them.
The ecstatic look on Jeter's face as he walked through the clubhouse -- both spraying and being sprayed with champagne -- said otherwise.
While young players like Melky Cabrera and Jose Veras were taking their first taste of the postseason, you might think that celebrating a division title would no longer be a big deal to the veteran quartet. After all, this is a group that has a combined 11 World Series rings among them.
The ecstatic look on Jeter's face as he walked through the clubhouse -- both spraying and being sprayed with champagne -- said otherwise.
Also from MLB.com:
"There's so much togetherness here; we support each other, and I hope I can be a part of helping this team win a championship," Damon said. "I want to get a championship for Giambi, get a championship for A-Rod, get a championship for Donnie Mattingly and whoever else has never won one. There's a lot of work to be done."
Finally, from the New York Daily News:
That's why there seemed to be a little more giddiness to this postgame party than in years past. As Yung Joc's anthem, "It's Going Down," blared, Torre and Derek Jeter shared a beer-soaked embrace. At one end of the room, Melky Cabrera and Octavio Dotel danced in the middle of a circle as teammates poured cans of Labatt's Blue Ice on them.
Congratulations to everyone involved.
Posted by: Patrick
According to Zap2it:
Oliver Platt will play George Steinbrenner, John Turturro (I'm very sneaky, sir) will play Billy Martin and Daniel Sunjata will play Reggie Jackson. It's slated for July 2007.
Via Steve via Monsters and Critics.com.
Based on Jonathan Mahler's well-regarded bestseller "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx Is Burning," the eight-party telefilm will look at the summer of 1977, when the Son of Sam was terrifying New Yorkers, a blackout struck the city and the Yankees were feuding their way to a World Series title.
Oliver Platt will play George Steinbrenner, John Turturro (I'm very sneaky, sir) will play Billy Martin and Daniel Sunjata will play Reggie Jackson. It's slated for July 2007.
Via Steve via Monsters and Critics.com.
Posted by: Jason
At the behest of compelling comments from both Alex B. at Bronx Banter and Steve L. at Was Watching, I surfed on over to SI.com to read Verducci's latest and was immediately confronted with this beauty:
1) If you were the youngest person to hit 400 home runs IN THE HISTORY OF BASEBALL, would you not be proud of that achievement? (Spare me in advance all the "winning is all that matters" sentiment, because you know you'd be proud).
2) If you were having a job interview and wanted to make a good impression that you were going to be a polished, professional employee, wouldn't you wear a tie? Regardless of the time? If a person is wearing a tie at 1AM, that would signify to me that he cares enough to make an extra effort, something that I'd want in an important employee.
Verducci conveniently omits when he received that "impression" from Red Sox brass. Was it after they lost Alex and had embarked on an effort to downplay both a) their mistake and b) his talent? (I live in Boston...I heard this campaign on sports radio and other outlets with my own eyes/ears).
I stopped reading the article after that point. Tom Verducci is not a mind reader. His attributions of the motivations and mindset of Giambi, Torre, Alex and other Yankees may or may not be true. One thing is true: They are Verducci's opinions varnished with the gloss of Sports Illustrated and his "intimate access" and "extensive journalistic experience."
In other words, almost 100% meaningless blather. If some schmoe (me) writing for a blog can identify 2 massive holes in his "portrait" of Rodriguez in the first paragraph, the whole thing is not worth your time.
One aspect of this is important to point out, however: if you're not important, they don't talk about you.
For 11 summers Rodriguez had been the master of self-sufficiency, a baseball Narcissus who found pride and comfort gazing upon the reflection of his beautiful statistics. His game, like his appearance, was wrinkle-free. Indeed, in December 2003, when the Red Sox were frantically trying to acquire Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers, several Boston executives called on Rodriguez in his New York hotel suite after 1 a.m. Rodriguez answered the door in a perfectly pressed suit, tie knotted tight to his stiff collar. The Red Sox officials found such polished attire at such a late hour odd, even unsettling.
1) If you were the youngest person to hit 400 home runs IN THE HISTORY OF BASEBALL, would you not be proud of that achievement? (Spare me in advance all the "winning is all that matters" sentiment, because you know you'd be proud).
2) If you were having a job interview and wanted to make a good impression that you were going to be a polished, professional employee, wouldn't you wear a tie? Regardless of the time? If a person is wearing a tie at 1AM, that would signify to me that he cares enough to make an extra effort, something that I'd want in an important employee.
Verducci conveniently omits when he received that "impression" from Red Sox brass. Was it after they lost Alex and had embarked on an effort to downplay both a) their mistake and b) his talent? (I live in Boston...I heard this campaign on sports radio and other outlets with my own eyes/ears).
I stopped reading the article after that point. Tom Verducci is not a mind reader. His attributions of the motivations and mindset of Giambi, Torre, Alex and other Yankees may or may not be true. One thing is true: They are Verducci's opinions varnished with the gloss of Sports Illustrated and his "intimate access" and "extensive journalistic experience."
In other words, almost 100% meaningless blather. If some schmoe (me) writing for a blog can identify 2 massive holes in his "portrait" of Rodriguez in the first paragraph, the whole thing is not worth your time.
One aspect of this is important to point out, however: if you're not important, they don't talk about you.
