09/03: Catching Up with Jim Abbott
Posted by: Patrick
Jack Curry of the Times spoke with former Yankees pitcher Jim Abbott.
Not surprisingly, Abbott, who retired in 1999 with an 87-108 record and a 4.25 earned run average for his career, is trying to help other disabled people these days. Neil Romano, the assistant secretary of labor, contacted Abbott and spoke about the need for the disabled to get job opportunities. Abbott agreed to work with the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.
Posted by: Patrick
This was probably a fairly safe assumption at this point, given how the team has handled Joba, but Ed Price reports that the Yankees will be limiting the work of Joba Chamberlain in 2009.
"He had an innings limit this year that he didn't meet," general manager Brian Cashman said. "Would he exceed that innings limit next year? You wouldn't want to do that, as simple as that." ...
"If someone adds a significant amount of innings from the previous year (to get to) an area where they've never been, history says that those guys either have breakdowns or significant underperformance."
"If someone adds a significant amount of innings from the previous year (to get to) an area where they've never been, history says that those guys either have breakdowns or significant underperformance."
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham has the press release:
You can vote online now.
Johnny Damon today was named the New York Yankees’ recipient of the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award. He is one of 30 Major League Club nominees for the national 2008 Roberto Clemente Award, which is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who combines outstanding skills on the baseball field with devoted work in the community.
The Roberto Clemente Award recognizes those players who best represent the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams. The award is named for Clemente, a 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. This award perpetuates Clemente’s legacy and character by recognizing current-day players who truly understand the value of helping others.
Fans are encouraged to participate in the selection of the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award. From September 3 through October 5, 2008, fans can log on to www.chevy.com/clemente and vote for one of the 30 club nominees.
Damon, 34, is a national spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides programs designed to ease the burdens of severely injured servicemen, servicewomen and their families by smoothing the transition back to civilian life. Rallying as many teammates as possible to join him, Damon is a regular visitor to many veterans hospitals, including Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington D.C., and the Tampa VA Hospital, where veterans with traumatic brain injuries are brought for long-term rehabilitation.
Damon also serves as the Yankees’ Home Run Captain for the Children’s Health Fund, which brings quality health care to the nation’s most medically disadvantaged children in rural and urban areas. He donates money to the organization for each home run the Yankees hit as a team in both the regular season and postseason.
In 2006, he established the Johnny Damon Foundation, which assists local and national programs that provide leadership and growth opportunities for disadvantaged and at-risk children. He hosts the annual Johnny Damon Celebrity Golf Classic, along with the “Johnny Jam” reception, which includes live musical performances, comedy routines and live and silent auctions that raise money for Orlando, Fla., based charities.
During this past offseason, Johnny and his wife, Michelle, were goodwill ambassadors in a U.S. State Department sponsored trip around the world. While visiting Thailand, his mother’s native country, Johnny and his family shared in a luncheon for more than 100 orphans at the Rajvithi Home for Girls. Damon met with children from the International School of Bangkok, instructing them on the game of baseball while also encouraging them to stay in school and stressing the importance of education.
Damon was honored with the Joan Payson Memorial Award for Community Service from the New York Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America in January 2008. His community efforts have also included visits to young cancer patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, as well as supporting the St. Joseph’s School for the Blind with appearances and fundraising. He is also a special contributor to Tanglewood Acres, a Rockland County, N.Y., center supporting children and adults suffering from mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
The fan vote winner will be tallied as one vote among those cast by the selection panel, which includes Vera Clemente, wife of the late Hall of Famer, and Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. Participating fans automatically will be registered for a chance to win a trip to Game Three of the 2008 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award will be announced.
The Roberto Clemente Award recognizes those players who best represent the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams. The award is named for Clemente, a 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. This award perpetuates Clemente’s legacy and character by recognizing current-day players who truly understand the value of helping others.
Fans are encouraged to participate in the selection of the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award. From September 3 through October 5, 2008, fans can log on to www.chevy.com/clemente and vote for one of the 30 club nominees.
Damon, 34, is a national spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides programs designed to ease the burdens of severely injured servicemen, servicewomen and their families by smoothing the transition back to civilian life. Rallying as many teammates as possible to join him, Damon is a regular visitor to many veterans hospitals, including Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington D.C., and the Tampa VA Hospital, where veterans with traumatic brain injuries are brought for long-term rehabilitation.
Damon also serves as the Yankees’ Home Run Captain for the Children’s Health Fund, which brings quality health care to the nation’s most medically disadvantaged children in rural and urban areas. He donates money to the organization for each home run the Yankees hit as a team in both the regular season and postseason.
In 2006, he established the Johnny Damon Foundation, which assists local and national programs that provide leadership and growth opportunities for disadvantaged and at-risk children. He hosts the annual Johnny Damon Celebrity Golf Classic, along with the “Johnny Jam” reception, which includes live musical performances, comedy routines and live and silent auctions that raise money for Orlando, Fla., based charities.
During this past offseason, Johnny and his wife, Michelle, were goodwill ambassadors in a U.S. State Department sponsored trip around the world. While visiting Thailand, his mother’s native country, Johnny and his family shared in a luncheon for more than 100 orphans at the Rajvithi Home for Girls. Damon met with children from the International School of Bangkok, instructing them on the game of baseball while also encouraging them to stay in school and stressing the importance of education.
Damon was honored with the Joan Payson Memorial Award for Community Service from the New York Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America in January 2008. His community efforts have also included visits to young cancer patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, as well as supporting the St. Joseph’s School for the Blind with appearances and fundraising. He is also a special contributor to Tanglewood Acres, a Rockland County, N.Y., center supporting children and adults suffering from mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
The fan vote winner will be tallied as one vote among those cast by the selection panel, which includes Vera Clemente, wife of the late Hall of Famer, and Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. Participating fans automatically will be registered for a chance to win a trip to Game Three of the 2008 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award will be announced.
You can vote online now.
Posted by: Patrick
One thing that I neglected to mention, in last night's recap, was that A-Rod's home run was the 548th one of his career, tying him with Mike Schmidt for 12th on the all-time list.
After he passes Schmidt, the next person on the list is Mr. October, Reggie Jackson, at 563.
After he passes Schmidt, the next person on the list is Mr. October, Reggie Jackson, at 563.
Posted by: Patrick
Mike Mussina scattered 10 hits and 1 walk tonight, over 6 innings in Tampa, as the Yankees topped the first place Rays, 7-2. Mussina allowed both of the runs, lowering his ERA to 3.39 and winning his 17th game of the season.
The Yankees offense was scoreless through 3 until a Jason Giambi sacrifice fly brought home Derek Jeter in the top of the fourth. Xavier Nady followed with a two run shot that scored A-Rod. They added two more in the fifth with an RBI triple by Johnny Damon and an RBI groundout from Jeter.
Mussina started the 7th, but after two consecutive doubles to start the inning, Damaso Marte entered. He allowed a single to the first batter he faced, putting runners on the corners with no one out. However, Marte then struck out B.J. Upton and Carlos Pena. The Devil Rays brought Rocco Baldelli in to pinch hit for Cliff Floyd and Joe Girardi countered with Joba Chamberlain, making his first appearance since August 4. Baldelli grounded out and the threat was over.
A-Rod added an insurance run with a solo shot in the 8th and Joba remained to pitch the bottom half. Despite a walk and a single, Joba came away with a scoreless frame. Dan Giese, activated today along with Joba, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning. It was Giese's first appearance since August 13.
It's good to have Joba and Giese back. Is it too little, too late? Could be. But, we can only take it one game at a time. The Red Sox won tonight, so we remain 7 games back in the Wild Card standings.
The Yankees offense was scoreless through 3 until a Jason Giambi sacrifice fly brought home Derek Jeter in the top of the fourth. Xavier Nady followed with a two run shot that scored A-Rod. They added two more in the fifth with an RBI triple by Johnny Damon and an RBI groundout from Jeter.
Mussina started the 7th, but after two consecutive doubles to start the inning, Damaso Marte entered. He allowed a single to the first batter he faced, putting runners on the corners with no one out. However, Marte then struck out B.J. Upton and Carlos Pena. The Devil Rays brought Rocco Baldelli in to pinch hit for Cliff Floyd and Joe Girardi countered with Joba Chamberlain, making his first appearance since August 4. Baldelli grounded out and the threat was over.
A-Rod added an insurance run with a solo shot in the 8th and Joba remained to pitch the bottom half. Despite a walk and a single, Joba came away with a scoreless frame. Dan Giese, activated today along with Joba, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning. It was Giese's first appearance since August 13.
It's good to have Joba and Giese back. Is it too little, too late? Could be. But, we can only take it one game at a time. The Red Sox won tonight, so we remain 7 games back in the Wild Card standings.
Posted by: Seamus
For all of the good starting pitching performances the Yankees wasted this year, especially from mediocre guys like Ponson and Rasner, the Yankees were sure due to pull out a victory like this one. Sidney Ponson had six runs charged to him and the Tigers eventually put a 9-spot on the board, but the Yankees held on for a 13-9 victory, thanks mostly to the Bombers putting across 11 runs in the first three innings.
The Yankees went ahead early, scoring four runs in the 1st inning, four in the 2nd, and three in the 3rd, as the Yankees led Detroit by a score of 11-2 after three. Detroit would bounce back, however, as they put up six runs in the bottom of the 4th and one in the 5th to make it 11-9, and had the tying run on base in both of those innings. A two-run single for Jeter, however, would make it 13-9 Yankees, and that score would prove to be final.
Alex Rodriguez lead the way, going 3-6 and driving in four runs. A-Rod was also 2-4 with runners in scoring position. Say what you want about him driving in more runs early in the game or with a blowout showing on the scoreboard, but in the end, he did finish the game with 4 RBI and those four runs were the difference in the game.
Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon both had three hits as well, including a solo home run off the bat of Damon in the 2nd. Every Yankee starter with the exception of Jason Giambi had at least one hit.
Sidney Ponson was knocked around, as he allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits in just three full innings. Edwar Ramirez was responsible for the Tigers' other two runs.
Phil Coke pitched in his first major league game and did a nice job, allowing only a single to Magglio Ordonez and striking out both Curtis Granderson and Miguel Cabrera.
Pudge Rodriguez came up to bat in the 2nd inning and received a standing ovation from the Detroit faithful, which was nice to see.
The Yankees will be in Tampa Bay tonight to face the Rays, who are running away with the A.L. East at this point. The Yankees now trail the Red Sox in the wild card by 7 games with 25 left to play, which gives the Yankees an elimination number of just 19. Mike Mussina will be on the mound to face the Rays' Matt Garza. Game starts at 7:10 ET.
The Yankees went ahead early, scoring four runs in the 1st inning, four in the 2nd, and three in the 3rd, as the Yankees led Detroit by a score of 11-2 after three. Detroit would bounce back, however, as they put up six runs in the bottom of the 4th and one in the 5th to make it 11-9, and had the tying run on base in both of those innings. A two-run single for Jeter, however, would make it 13-9 Yankees, and that score would prove to be final.
Alex Rodriguez lead the way, going 3-6 and driving in four runs. A-Rod was also 2-4 with runners in scoring position. Say what you want about him driving in more runs early in the game or with a blowout showing on the scoreboard, but in the end, he did finish the game with 4 RBI and those four runs were the difference in the game.
Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon both had three hits as well, including a solo home run off the bat of Damon in the 2nd. Every Yankee starter with the exception of Jason Giambi had at least one hit.
Sidney Ponson was knocked around, as he allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits in just three full innings. Edwar Ramirez was responsible for the Tigers' other two runs.
Phil Coke pitched in his first major league game and did a nice job, allowing only a single to Magglio Ordonez and striking out both Curtis Granderson and Miguel Cabrera.
Pudge Rodriguez came up to bat in the 2nd inning and received a standing ovation from the Detroit faithful, which was nice to see.
The Yankees will be in Tampa Bay tonight to face the Rays, who are running away with the A.L. East at this point. The Yankees now trail the Red Sox in the wild card by 7 games with 25 left to play, which gives the Yankees an elimination number of just 19. Mike Mussina will be on the mound to face the Rays' Matt Garza. Game starts at 7:10 ET.
Posted by: Patrick
Here are the top 10 search keywords that people used to find YanksBlog.com in the month of August:
1. Yankees Blog
2. Yankee Blog
3. YanksBlog
4. Yankee Blogs
5. Yankees Blogs
6. New York Yankees Blog
6. Yanks Blog
8. Maryann Kaat
9. Jason Giambi Mustache
10. Mary Ann Kaat
1. Yankees Blog
2. Yankee Blog
3. YanksBlog
4. Yankee Blogs
5. Yankees Blogs
6. New York Yankees Blog
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8. Maryann Kaat
9. Jason Giambi Mustache
10. Mary Ann Kaat
09/01: Yankees @ Blue Jays; 8/31/08
Posted by: James
Yeesh. Sorry for the late writeup...but after that game, I needed to get out and do something...and well, let the Labor Day Festivities commence so here's the late recap.
In any case, when you go up against Doc Halladay, you gotta score a few runs and pray that your pitching will hold up. Well, neither happened yesterday. The Jays scored 3 runs in the first and never looked back. With men on first and third with one out, Andy Pettitte gave up an RBI single to Vernon Wells. Rod Barajas stepped up to the plate next and launched a ball to left that Xavier Nady misplayed. Nady initially took a few steps in before getting a better read on the ball and sprinting back for it. At that point, it was too late and Barajas had "coasted" into second with a two-run double. 3-0 Blue Jays.
The Jays added a run in the second on a Rolen HR and a few more runs in the 7th on a double, single and wild pitch. The Yankees added a few runs on solo shots from A-Rod and Jason Giambi...but it was just too little, too late...
In any case, when you go up against Doc Halladay, you gotta score a few runs and pray that your pitching will hold up. Well, neither happened yesterday. The Jays scored 3 runs in the first and never looked back. With men on first and third with one out, Andy Pettitte gave up an RBI single to Vernon Wells. Rod Barajas stepped up to the plate next and launched a ball to left that Xavier Nady misplayed. Nady initially took a few steps in before getting a better read on the ball and sprinting back for it. At that point, it was too late and Barajas had "coasted" into second with a two-run double. 3-0 Blue Jays.
The Jays added a run in the second on a Rolen HR and a few more runs in the 7th on a double, single and wild pitch. The Yankees added a few runs on solo shots from A-Rod and Jason Giambi...but it was just too little, too late...
Posted by: Patrick
The 2008 Yankees Bloggers Fantasy Baseball League has reached the end of it's regular season. Here are the standings:
Aziz and Dan both receive bye weeks while Steven will face James and Mike will face Greg. Good luck everyone (and go James :)).
Rank Team W-L-T Win % GBThe top six teams (the ones marked with an asterisk) will now battle it out in the playoffs. Congrats to Aziz on an incredible season, as well as Dan, Mike, Steven, James and Greg for making it to the playoffs.
*1. Aziz (POTY) 135-71-14 .645 -
*2. Dan (PA) 109-92-19 .539 23.5
*3. Mike (RAB) 106-96-18 .523 27
*4. Steven (M2M) 106-97-17 .520 27.5
*5. James (YB) 105-98-17 .516 28.5
*6. Greg (SIH) 104-99-17 .511 29.5
7. Patrick (YB) 107-102-11 .511 29.5
8. Brent (TBB) 105-105-10 .500 32
9. Ben (RAB) 101-103-16 .495 33
10. Jason (MYBB) 101-106-13 .489 34.5
11. Dave (POTY) 98-113-9 .466 39.5
12. Andrew (SPA) 91-115-14 .445 44
13. Emma (EP) 87-116-17 .434 46.5
14. Joe (RAB) 80-122-18 .405 53
Aziz and Dan both receive bye weeks while Steven will face James and Mike will face Greg. Good luck everyone (and go James :)).
Posted by: Patrick
Joba Chamberlain will return Tuesday, after having been on the DL since August 6, reports Colin Stephenson of The Star-Ledger. Joe Girardi said that he would have been brought back Monday, but that there was no point as he throw too many pitches on Saturday to be used.
