Posted by: James
I thought the following article on the MLB website was interesting, especially since Octavio hasn't even thrown a pitch in the Bronx yet.
Never to early to campaign for a new contract, huh?
Pitching for the Mets, Astros and A's during a seven-year big-league career, Dotel has enjoyed his time with the Yankees more than any other team, even though he hasn't appeared in a game.
"To be honest, even though I haven't done anything for the Yankees, I love being a part of this team," Dotel said. "The way that the front office, the trainers and the coaching staff treat their players, it's something that you really love to see. It's better than being with any other team I've been with. I'd love to stay here -- not for one more year, but for three or four years." ...
While Dotel has not contributed on the field, his attitude has been a breath of fresh air in the Yankees' clubhouse. Dotel, who always seems to have a smile on his face, has had an infectious impact on his teammates, something that hasn't escaped Cashman.
"I love him as a person," Cashman said. "I love what he was when he was healthy and I hope he can be that again for us."
"I'm glad they like my attitude in here, the way I am as a person," Dotel said. "From the first day I walked into the clubhouse in Spring Training, it's been great. I don't know how many years they want to keep me here, but as long as it is, I'll love it."
"To be honest, even though I haven't done anything for the Yankees, I love being a part of this team," Dotel said. "The way that the front office, the trainers and the coaching staff treat their players, it's something that you really love to see. It's better than being with any other team I've been with. I'd love to stay here -- not for one more year, but for three or four years." ...
While Dotel has not contributed on the field, his attitude has been a breath of fresh air in the Yankees' clubhouse. Dotel, who always seems to have a smile on his face, has had an infectious impact on his teammates, something that hasn't escaped Cashman.
"I love him as a person," Cashman said. "I love what he was when he was healthy and I hope he can be that again for us."
"I'm glad they like my attitude in here, the way I am as a person," Dotel said. "From the first day I walked into the clubhouse in Spring Training, it's been great. I don't know how many years they want to keep me here, but as long as it is, I'll love it."
Never to early to campaign for a new contract, huh?
06/29: Vote Or Die
Posted by: James
No, seriously, Puffy will hurt you if you don't vote.
It saddens me to no end that the current starting catcher (Varitek) for the AL All-Star team is the guy who comes in second to last in OPS among qualified catcher. What's worse than that? The guy behind him (I-Rod) in the voting is third to last. Wow. Come on people, show the guy hitting .392/.458/.538 some love! And if not him, I can think of two other guys, at least, who deserve your vote.
If you haven't filled out your ballot, I strongly suggest you read this post by Cliff over at Bronx Banter. Mr. Corcoran outlines each position and all the major candidates and spells out who's the best of the bunch. Definitely worth the time.
Finally, if you can, go vote for Cano as your starting 2B. Fans across the country might (and probably will) stop voting for him now that he's hurt and due to a late surge, someone else could be announced as the starter. Let's make sure that doesn't happen.
It saddens me to no end that the current starting catcher (Varitek) for the AL All-Star team is the guy who comes in second to last in OPS among qualified catcher. What's worse than that? The guy behind him (I-Rod) in the voting is third to last. Wow. Come on people, show the guy hitting .392/.458/.538 some love! And if not him, I can think of two other guys, at least, who deserve your vote.
If you haven't filled out your ballot, I strongly suggest you read this post by Cliff over at Bronx Banter. Mr. Corcoran outlines each position and all the major candidates and spells out who's the best of the bunch. Definitely worth the time.
Finally, if you can, go vote for Cano as your starting 2B. Fans across the country might (and probably will) stop voting for him now that he's hurt and due to a late surge, someone else could be announced as the starter. Let's make sure that doesn't happen.
06/29: That Was Sweet, Lou
Posted by: James
For all the fire he showed on the field and in the dugout, Lou Piniella comes off as a great guy in this Daily News article about his meeting with A-Rod.
Take a look - it's a good read.
According to Piniella, who happened to be at the Stadium Tuesday night to do promotional work as a guest in one of the suites, the meeting with A-Rod was entirely coincidental - although it quickly evolved into an intense hour-and-a-half mind-clearing session on hitting and self-confidence back at Rodriguez's Park Ave. condo.
"I was leaving the park myself when Cynthia came up to me and said Alex would really like to see me," Piniella said yesterday. "I've felt terrible for him, seeing what he's been going through. You have to remember, he was our 'baby' in Seattle. I watched him grow up in the big leagues. I've always felt very close to him and I'm very proud of all he's accomplished and if there was anything I could do to help him, I would."
...
"Basically, I just told him to trust himself. We talked about mechanics, staying confident, being positive. This was nothing new. He needed a friend to talk about hitting and I was glad to be there. That's all. I wouldn't want Donnie (Mattingly) to think I was interfering or anything."
At the mention of Mattingly, I had to remind Piniella that whenever "Donnie Baseball" would get into a slump he, too, would reach out to his first hitting mentor with the Yankees. "Yeah, I guess he did," Piniella said with laugh, "but I'm still employed by the Devil Rays and I don't want to get into any trouble here. I just care a lot about Alex and he wanted to talk."
...
'It's funny," said Piniella, "my wife and I went to a Broadway show (yesterday afternoon) and as we got out of the theater, I said to her: 'I wonder how Alex did today?' We got back to our hotel just as Giambi was drawing the walk in the 12th inning. I can't remember ever feeling better for anyone than I did when I saw Alex hit that ball out."
"I was leaving the park myself when Cynthia came up to me and said Alex would really like to see me," Piniella said yesterday. "I've felt terrible for him, seeing what he's been going through. You have to remember, he was our 'baby' in Seattle. I watched him grow up in the big leagues. I've always felt very close to him and I'm very proud of all he's accomplished and if there was anything I could do to help him, I would."
...
"Basically, I just told him to trust himself. We talked about mechanics, staying confident, being positive. This was nothing new. He needed a friend to talk about hitting and I was glad to be there. That's all. I wouldn't want Donnie (Mattingly) to think I was interfering or anything."
At the mention of Mattingly, I had to remind Piniella that whenever "Donnie Baseball" would get into a slump he, too, would reach out to his first hitting mentor with the Yankees. "Yeah, I guess he did," Piniella said with laugh, "but I'm still employed by the Devil Rays and I don't want to get into any trouble here. I just care a lot about Alex and he wanted to talk."
...
'It's funny," said Piniella, "my wife and I went to a Broadway show (yesterday afternoon) and as we got out of the theater, I said to her: 'I wonder how Alex did today?' We got back to our hotel just as Giambi was drawing the walk in the 12th inning. I can't remember ever feeling better for anyone than I did when I saw Alex hit that ball out."
Take a look - it's a good read.
06/28: Yankees 4, Braves 3
Posted by: Jason
Alex Rodriguez homers in extra innings to win the game for the Yankees.
I repeat: Alex Rodriguez homers in extra frames to salt the victory.....
To the boo-birds, media, etc.: There's a reason they called him "The Natural" when he was coming up through the Seattle organization...
Was that Glenn Close who rose to her feet about 20 rows back in the first deck today in the bottom 12th?
I repeat: Alex Rodriguez homers in extra frames to salt the victory.....
To the boo-birds, media, etc.: There's a reason they called him "The Natural" when he was coming up through the Seattle organization...
Was that Glenn Close who rose to her feet about 20 rows back in the first deck today in the bottom 12th?
Posted by: James
ESPN is reporting that the NHL is looking at the possibility of having the New York Rangers play the New York Islanders in a regular season game at Yankee Stadium.
That would certainly be an interesting piece of marketing. While the rest of the country might not care all that much, I'm sure NY would be buzzing about it.
"A request has been made to use the stadium for an NHL game in the 2006-2007 season," Yankees spokesman Rick Cerrone confirmed to Newsday. "The matter is under discussion."
"Everybody likes the idea," a source told Newsday. "But there are some obstacles. The question is whether the stadium will be usable at that time of year for that purpose."
One of the obstacles could be the plumbing and water pipes, which would require maintenance to create and maintain the ice surface.
"Everybody likes the idea," a source told Newsday. "But there are some obstacles. The question is whether the stadium will be usable at that time of year for that purpose."
One of the obstacles could be the plumbing and water pipes, which would require maintenance to create and maintain the ice surface.
That would certainly be an interesting piece of marketing. While the rest of the country might not care all that much, I'm sure NY would be buzzing about it.
06/28: Yankees/Braves Live Blog
Posted by: Jason
MLB.tv is up and running, pardon the late start but I will be liveblogging today's game from work. I am risking being caught red-handed, but fortune favors the bold!!!
We're now joining the game in the bottom 3rd, with the top of the Yankees order coming up:
Damon pops out to 3rd...
Cabrera grounds out to short...
Jetes grounds out to short after a good battle...end of 3rd still 0-0.
Top 4th:
Renteria doubles...
Chipper grounds to Jetes, Renteria to 3rd...
A. Jones doubles, 1-0 Braves.
McCann grounds to Jetes, Jones to 3rd...
Francoeur grounds weakly to Jetes...Braves 1-0
Bottom 4th:
(I realize with MLB TV that I miss the Avacor hair replacement adds on YES...)
Jason flies out to center....
Alex goes opposite field for a single...I think Smoltz thought he was facing Soriano with that pitch selection...
Bernie swinging sac bunt, Alex to 2nd
Andy lines to 2b Giles...Braves 1-0
Top 5th:
Laroche grounds to Cairo...
Betemit weakly to first....
Langerhans routine grounder to Cairo...Nice inning, Tiger. Braves 1-0
Bottom 5th:
Miguel pops out...
Speed Merchant Stinnett attempts a bunt!!...and K's looking...
John Damon: flies to center Braves 1-0
Top 6th:
Giles Ks..
Renteria weak grounder grabbed by Kelly...
Chipper singles...
A. Jones singles, Chipper to 3rd....
McCann in Chipper, Braves 2-0.
Francouer grounds to Jetes....
(MLB TV on the fritz, sorry about the delay)
Bot 6th:
Melky singles...
Jetes Ks...
Giambi 1B, Melky to 3rd
Alex back to Smoltz, Melky scores, Braves 2-1
Bernie flies out to right...it had a chance.
Top 7th:
Laroche lines to Alex...
Betemit to Jeter...
Wang easily disposes of Langerhans (and the side)...
Bottom 7th:
Andy triples... a budding Troy Glaus, Jr?
Cairo grounds out...Let's see what that bunt-attempting fool Kelly does
Jorge pinch hitting for Stinnett...
Renteria makes a great catch to rob Jorge...
John Damon walks...
Melky Ks, showing his youth with huge cuts at pitches in the dirt...Braves 2-1
Top 8:
Giles grounds to Cairo
Renteria grounds out off of Wang..no damage.
Chipper with a single...I guess he's been there forever for a reason.
A. Jones out by a leaping catch by Jetes, Braves 2-1
Bot 8:
Ken Ray replaces Smoltzie....
Jetes hits a bullet right at the RF...
Jason hits his 23rd....the game is tied 2-2...fantastic!!!!
Throw Ray a lifeline Bobby...Alex BB 4 pitches...
Bernie walks....
(Just got busted by our sys admin...I told him I would break his legs if he told anyone)
Chad Paronto replaces Ray...
Andy Ks...
Come on Miguel...you are an offensive machine!!!!
Cairo down, guns blazing, Yankees 2, Braves 2
What's that I hear? (MVP, MVP, MVP) I don't want to hear one word about JG's batting average...
Top 9:
El Presidente is on the mound...
McCann weakly grounds to MR...
Francoeur singles...
LaRoche K's looking..
Betemit grounds to Jetes...tied at 2...
Bottom 9:
George Ks..
John pops out...
Melky walks...come on Jetes...
Melky steals 2nd...
Jetes IBB...
Macay McBride replaces Paronto..
Giambi lines to Jones in CF. Tied 2-2
Top 10th:
Mariano Ks Langerhans
Giles BB...
YES!!!!! Giles caught stealing...
Renteria grounds to Cairo.... still tied 2-2
Bottom 10th: Ladies and Gentlemen, work is calling, I'll post a short recap after the game....GO YANKEES...
We're now joining the game in the bottom 3rd, with the top of the Yankees order coming up:
Damon pops out to 3rd...
Cabrera grounds out to short...
Jetes grounds out to short after a good battle...end of 3rd still 0-0.
Top 4th:
Renteria doubles...
Chipper grounds to Jetes, Renteria to 3rd...
A. Jones doubles, 1-0 Braves.
McCann grounds to Jetes, Jones to 3rd...
Francoeur grounds weakly to Jetes...Braves 1-0
Bottom 4th:
(I realize with MLB TV that I miss the Avacor hair replacement adds on YES...)
Jason flies out to center....
Alex goes opposite field for a single...I think Smoltz thought he was facing Soriano with that pitch selection...
Bernie swinging sac bunt, Alex to 2nd
Andy lines to 2b Giles...Braves 1-0
Top 5th:
Laroche grounds to Cairo...
Betemit weakly to first....
Langerhans routine grounder to Cairo...Nice inning, Tiger. Braves 1-0
Bottom 5th:
Miguel pops out...
Speed Merchant Stinnett attempts a bunt!!...and K's looking...
John Damon: flies to center Braves 1-0
Top 6th:
Giles Ks..
Renteria weak grounder grabbed by Kelly...
Chipper singles...
A. Jones singles, Chipper to 3rd....
McCann in Chipper, Braves 2-0.
Francouer grounds to Jetes....
(MLB TV on the fritz, sorry about the delay)
Bot 6th:
Melky singles...
Jetes Ks...
Giambi 1B, Melky to 3rd
Alex back to Smoltz, Melky scores, Braves 2-1
Bernie flies out to right...it had a chance.
Top 7th:
Laroche lines to Alex...
Betemit to Jeter...
Wang easily disposes of Langerhans (and the side)...
Bottom 7th:
Andy triples... a budding Troy Glaus, Jr?
Cairo grounds out...Let's see what that bunt-attempting fool Kelly does
Jorge pinch hitting for Stinnett...
Renteria makes a great catch to rob Jorge...
John Damon walks...
Melky Ks, showing his youth with huge cuts at pitches in the dirt...Braves 2-1
Top 8:
Giles grounds to Cairo
Renteria grounds out off of Wang..no damage.
Chipper with a single...I guess he's been there forever for a reason.
A. Jones out by a leaping catch by Jetes, Braves 2-1
Bot 8:
Ken Ray replaces Smoltzie....
Jetes hits a bullet right at the RF...
Jason hits his 23rd....the game is tied 2-2...fantastic!!!!
Throw Ray a lifeline Bobby...Alex BB 4 pitches...
Bernie walks....
(Just got busted by our sys admin...I told him I would break his legs if he told anyone)
Chad Paronto replaces Ray...
Andy Ks...
Come on Miguel...you are an offensive machine!!!!
Cairo down, guns blazing, Yankees 2, Braves 2
What's that I hear? (MVP, MVP, MVP) I don't want to hear one word about JG's batting average...
Top 9:
El Presidente is on the mound...
McCann weakly grounds to MR...
Francoeur singles...
LaRoche K's looking..
Betemit grounds to Jetes...tied at 2...
Bottom 9:
George Ks..
John pops out...
Melky walks...come on Jetes...
Melky steals 2nd...
Jetes IBB...
Macay McBride replaces Paronto..
Giambi lines to Jones in CF. Tied 2-2
Top 10th:
Mariano Ks Langerhans
Giles BB...
YES!!!!! Giles caught stealing...
Renteria grounds to Cairo.... still tied 2-2
Bottom 10th: Ladies and Gentlemen, work is calling, I'll post a short recap after the game....GO YANKEES...
06/28: Meh
Posted by: James
I think that's the word that can describe the situation right now.
Before last night, the Yanks had won 5 of their last 6 and with a win today, will have won their third straight series. So why does everyone feel like the sky is falling? Well, I guess it's just awfully discouraging when the team ahead of you just keeps piling up wins. I can't imagine the players are liking the feeling either. Going into every game knowing a loss means losing a game in the standings can't be a good time.
Nevertheless, it isn't as if the Yankees are limping into the last week of the season. There is still a lot of time left and the Red Sox will inevitably cool off. Outside of Schilling, Wakefield and Lester (he's been a godsend for that team), they don't have consistent starting pitching and outside of Papelbon and Timlin, their bullpen is average, at best. They will come down and the Yankees will get hot. Heck, with Pedro and Glavine starting tonight and tomorrow (and skipping the Yanks series), the Mets have a great shot of taking that series. Combine that with a Yankees win today and the deficit gets cut to 2 games, hardly an insurmountable lead.
So Yanks fan, I get it; the team hasn't looked great the last few weeks. The big hitters aren't really doing their jobs. The bullpen is giving up runs when they're at a premium. 3 of the starters (1 HOFer, 1 All-Star and 1 soon-to-be All-Star) are on the DL. But don't hit the panic button yet - maybe soon - but not yet.
Before last night, the Yanks had won 5 of their last 6 and with a win today, will have won their third straight series. So why does everyone feel like the sky is falling? Well, I guess it's just awfully discouraging when the team ahead of you just keeps piling up wins. I can't imagine the players are liking the feeling either. Going into every game knowing a loss means losing a game in the standings can't be a good time.
Nevertheless, it isn't as if the Yankees are limping into the last week of the season. There is still a lot of time left and the Red Sox will inevitably cool off. Outside of Schilling, Wakefield and Lester (he's been a godsend for that team), they don't have consistent starting pitching and outside of Papelbon and Timlin, their bullpen is average, at best. They will come down and the Yankees will get hot. Heck, with Pedro and Glavine starting tonight and tomorrow (and skipping the Yanks series), the Mets have a great shot of taking that series. Combine that with a Yankees win today and the deficit gets cut to 2 games, hardly an insurmountable lead.
So Yanks fan, I get it; the team hasn't looked great the last few weeks. The big hitters aren't really doing their jobs. The bullpen is giving up runs when they're at a premium. 3 of the starters (1 HOFer, 1 All-Star and 1 soon-to-be All-Star) are on the DL. But don't hit the panic button yet - maybe soon - but not yet.
Posted by: Seamus
Jaret Wright defied the laws of his previous performances last night, as he made it through the 6th inning, giving up only a run on 5 hits, but the Yankees fell short as the offense was shut down by Horacio Ramirez and the Braves defeated the Yankees 5-2. The loss puts the Yankees 3.5 games behind the Red Sox, who defeated the Mets in Boston last night.
Ron Villone began the 7th inning by giving up a solo shot to Adam Laroche as he went on to give up two runs in an inning and a third. Kyle Farnsworth gave up three runs as he recorded only two outs in the 9th and walked into the Yankee dugout to a serenade of boos. The Yankee offense looked incompetent for the third straight game, as Melky Cabrera brought in the only two runs, one on a home run and the other on an infield hit that really should've been scored an error by Chipper Jones.
With the performance that Jaret Wright had last night, there was really no need for the Yankees to use six pitchers. He threw only 90 pitches and showed that he was good enough to at least go out and start the 7th (he threw his hardest fastball, 96 mph, in the 6th inning). I know this guy has a reputation for not being able to go long into games, but if he has the stuff - keep him out there. He kept them in a game that most pitchers would not have kept him in and yet the Yankees had two guys warming up in the pen before Wright even began the 6th inning.
The Yanks will try to take the rubber game of this interleague series this afternoon at 1 ET. The pitching matchup will be Chien-Ming Wang against John Smoltz. The Bombers have a tough set coming up againt the Mets this weekend and they have already fallen 3.5 behind the smoking hot Red Sox, so let's hope that the bats wake up a little and the Yankees can take two out of three from Atlanta.
Ron Villone began the 7th inning by giving up a solo shot to Adam Laroche as he went on to give up two runs in an inning and a third. Kyle Farnsworth gave up three runs as he recorded only two outs in the 9th and walked into the Yankee dugout to a serenade of boos. The Yankee offense looked incompetent for the third straight game, as Melky Cabrera brought in the only two runs, one on a home run and the other on an infield hit that really should've been scored an error by Chipper Jones.
With the performance that Jaret Wright had last night, there was really no need for the Yankees to use six pitchers. He threw only 90 pitches and showed that he was good enough to at least go out and start the 7th (he threw his hardest fastball, 96 mph, in the 6th inning). I know this guy has a reputation for not being able to go long into games, but if he has the stuff - keep him out there. He kept them in a game that most pitchers would not have kept him in and yet the Yankees had two guys warming up in the pen before Wright even began the 6th inning.
The Yanks will try to take the rubber game of this interleague series this afternoon at 1 ET. The pitching matchup will be Chien-Ming Wang against John Smoltz. The Bombers have a tough set coming up againt the Mets this weekend and they have already fallen 3.5 behind the smoking hot Red Sox, so let's hope that the bats wake up a little and the Yankees can take two out of three from Atlanta.
06/27: Cano Placed on DL
Posted by: Seamus
Yet another Yankee has gone down, this time Robinson Cano, who pulled his hamstring running to second base Sunday night against the Marlins. Cano was placed on the 15-day DL today and Nick Green has been called back up to take his spot on the roster. Yesterday, he became the 9th and final starting position player for the Yankees to miss a game due to an injury. The Yankees were just 73 games into the season.
The All-Star game is July 11th so Cano will probably miss that one as well. Hopefully he'll be back for a tough series at home against the White Sox on July 14th.
The All-Star game is July 11th so Cano will probably miss that one as well. Hopefully he'll be back for a tough series at home against the White Sox on July 14th.
Posted by: Jason
There should be an element of sadness and nostalgia when a long-successful thing is in decline. St. Jerome was in Jerusalem in 410 and when he heard that the Visigoths had sacked Rome, he wrote: "What is safe if Rome perishes?"
Atlanta's dominance did not endure as long nor stretch as far as Rome's, but 15 consecutive division titles is amazing. Atlanta: It's difficult to be a Yankees fan and not think back to the '96 WS and the 0-2 obstacle that the Bombers conquered to win 4 straight. Atlanta: The prototype granite pitching staff of Glavine/Maddux/Smoltz.
I could not help but feel a bit of pity for Bobby Cox and Atlanta (even Ted... CNN is out of his control, Jane is gone, now the Braves are in decline) last evening as they were dominated by a certain tall lefty who has been a concern this year for the Yankees universe. Could it be that Randy Johnson still has "it"? Let's review: 4 inconsequential hits. 95-96 fastball. 9 strikeouts. A slider that cut in and down like a serrated blade. This was Johnson's 4th fine start of his last 6.
The post K fist pump last night to end the inning? Ladies & gentlemen, RJ's still got "it."
Unfortunately, the Braves got 9th inning life from another aging Atlanta perennial: Chipper Jones turned a Proctor curve that was hanging like a ripe orange into a 2 run bomb. Our man (for better or worse) Torre brought in the finest closer ever, who crushed this flicker of hope.
The offense, you ask?
I can only imagine what went through Jason Giambi's mind in the hours after he discovered he had a tumor, until the tests returned indicating that it was not malignant. Add this potentially grave bad fortune to his then ongoing, self-created PED media storm. Last evening Jason Giambi had 2 HRs and 5 RBIs, creating 100% of the Yankees offense. He now has 22 HR's on the season and his line is: .271/.432/.624. Why his success given the huge obstacles?
"It is the perfection of man to find out his own imperfections." -St. Augustine
Atlanta's dominance did not endure as long nor stretch as far as Rome's, but 15 consecutive division titles is amazing. Atlanta: It's difficult to be a Yankees fan and not think back to the '96 WS and the 0-2 obstacle that the Bombers conquered to win 4 straight. Atlanta: The prototype granite pitching staff of Glavine/Maddux/Smoltz.
I could not help but feel a bit of pity for Bobby Cox and Atlanta (even Ted... CNN is out of his control, Jane is gone, now the Braves are in decline) last evening as they were dominated by a certain tall lefty who has been a concern this year for the Yankees universe. Could it be that Randy Johnson still has "it"? Let's review: 4 inconsequential hits. 95-96 fastball. 9 strikeouts. A slider that cut in and down like a serrated blade. This was Johnson's 4th fine start of his last 6.
The post K fist pump last night to end the inning? Ladies & gentlemen, RJ's still got "it."
Unfortunately, the Braves got 9th inning life from another aging Atlanta perennial: Chipper Jones turned a Proctor curve that was hanging like a ripe orange into a 2 run bomb. Our man (for better or worse) Torre brought in the finest closer ever, who crushed this flicker of hope.
The offense, you ask?
I can only imagine what went through Jason Giambi's mind in the hours after he discovered he had a tumor, until the tests returned indicating that it was not malignant. Add this potentially grave bad fortune to his then ongoing, self-created PED media storm. Last evening Jason Giambi had 2 HRs and 5 RBIs, creating 100% of the Yankees offense. He now has 22 HR's on the season and his line is: .271/.432/.624. Why his success given the huge obstacles?
"It is the perfection of man to find out his own imperfections." -St. Augustine
