Posted by: Patrick
From Yahoo!:
Via Steve.
The 2007 All-Star game is scheduled for July 10 in San Francisco and the 2008 event is likely to be played at New York's Yankee Stadium, which is slated to be in its final season.
Via Steve.
01/16: Gary Sheffield's Book Club
Posted by: Jason
According to an article in today's NY Times, Gary Sheffield is about to request that we shell out about $20 for his new book, "Inside Power." Let me say that I liked Sheffield and his idiosyncratic behavior...he sees himself as Detective Shaft, a maverick independent who must tell it "like it is." Among the dimes that Gary will drop:
1) The "cream" that he received from BALCO on Bonds's recommendation was understood by Gary to be a topical ointment that promoted fast healing of cuts, scrapes and in Gary's case stitches that had come loose. This is plausible, particularly because circumstantial evidence tells us (in my opinion) that neither Gary's production nor his physique appreciably changed after the steroid ban.
2) According to the NYT, Gary portrays Joe Torre as an "Enigma." You struck the nail squarely on the head, Sheff. But: Joe is our Enigma.
3) Gary felt disrespected that Torre wanted Vladimir G. over him. News for you Sheff: If I conducted an online poll right now as to who the Yankees Universe would have wanted, I believe you would be disrespected by the results. Had "C-money" Cashman been in total control of the front office during the 2003 free agent season, you likely would never have worn pinstripes, in my opinion.
1) The "cream" that he received from BALCO on Bonds's recommendation was understood by Gary to be a topical ointment that promoted fast healing of cuts, scrapes and in Gary's case stitches that had come loose. This is plausible, particularly because circumstantial evidence tells us (in my opinion) that neither Gary's production nor his physique appreciably changed after the steroid ban.
2) According to the NYT, Gary portrays Joe Torre as an "Enigma." You struck the nail squarely on the head, Sheff. But: Joe is our Enigma.
3) Gary felt disrespected that Torre wanted Vladimir G. over him. News for you Sheff: If I conducted an online poll right now as to who the Yankees Universe would have wanted, I believe you would be disrespected by the results. Had "C-money" Cashman been in total control of the front office during the 2003 free agent season, you likely would never have worn pinstripes, in my opinion.
01/14: Weekend Hits
Posted by: James
David Pinto over at Baseball Musings points out some interesting things from around the web. To start, the 2007 Marcels (from Marcel The Monkey Forecasting System) are out and have been posted out at The Hardball Times. Marcel is a projection system that was put together by Tangotiger and you can learn more about the procedures here. As Dave points out, getting through the stats is a little unwieldy at this point but if you're looking for batting projections, Pinto's done you a solid and pasted the 2007 Yankees into his (very interesting) Lineup Analysis Tool.
Pitching projections are also up though outside of Mariano (he's #2 in ERA), no other Yankee shows up in the top 50 for ERA until Andy Pettitte 12-10, 3.95 ERA and Chien-Ming Wang at 14-7, 3.95 ERA. I think the system might be depressing wins a little bit as the high winner for both leagues is Johan Santana with 15 wins, followed by Josh Beckett (14-9, 4.28 ERA).
Also, if you really want to get an idea of how the Roger Clemens media circus is going to play out, I would strongly suggest reading Pete A's forecast for the next year.
Finally, Dave Pinto also pointed out a quick post over at a Harvard Baseball blog, Sons of Bart Bush, details one Harvard player's recollections on facing Ross Ohlendorf in Ross' freshman year. It's always interesting to me to see what these guys were like when they were young and learning the game.
Heh. I worked a Ross and Marcel the monkey reference into a post for all you Friends fans out there.
Pitching projections are also up though outside of Mariano (he's #2 in ERA), no other Yankee shows up in the top 50 for ERA until Andy Pettitte 12-10, 3.95 ERA and Chien-Ming Wang at 14-7, 3.95 ERA. I think the system might be depressing wins a little bit as the high winner for both leagues is Johan Santana with 15 wins, followed by Josh Beckett (14-9, 4.28 ERA).
Also, if you really want to get an idea of how the Roger Clemens media circus is going to play out, I would strongly suggest reading Pete A's forecast for the next year.
Finally, Dave Pinto also pointed out a quick post over at a Harvard Baseball blog, Sons of Bart Bush, details one Harvard player's recollections on facing Ross Ohlendorf in Ross' freshman year. It's always interesting to me to see what these guys were like when they were young and learning the game.
Heh. I worked a Ross and Marcel the monkey reference into a post for all you Friends fans out there.
01/13: Spring Training Invitees
Posted by: Patrick
The Yankees non roster invitees to Spring Training are RP Jeff Nelson (who retired, yes), INF Andy Cannizaro, C Francisco Cervelli, INF Angel Chavez, C Raul Chavez, RHP Tyler Clippard, C Ben Davis, INF Eric Duncan, OF Brett Gardner, RHP Phil Hughes, RHP Steven Jackson, LHP Ben Kozlowski, INF Ramiro Pena, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, C Peter Pilittere, C Todd Pratt, C Omir Santos, OF Jose Tabata, INF Marcos Vechionacci, RHP Kevin Whelan and RHP Steven White.
Here is a full rundown from the press release:
Here is a full rundown from the press release:
01/12: Jeff Nelson Retires a Yankee
Posted by: Patrick
I did a double take in my feedreader just a moment ago as Jeff Nelson has apparently signed a deal with the Yankees, so that he could retire as a Yankee.
"I enjoyed a fulfilling 15-year major league career, and each season brought experiences and friends that I will cherish forever," the 40-year-old relief pitcher said in a statement released by the Yankees.
"But being able to be a part of four world championship teams with the Yankees, while playing in a place like Yankee Stadium in front of the greatest fans in the world -- that time will always hold a special place in my heart."
"But being able to be a part of four world championship teams with the Yankees, while playing in a place like Yankee Stadium in front of the greatest fans in the world -- that time will always hold a special place in my heart."
01/12: Pettitte Introduced
Posted by: Patrick
From the official site:
And about Clemens:
It had been more than three years since Andy Pettitte had set foot in Yankee Stadium. Not much had changed.
The ballpark was colder than Pettitte had been accustomed to, perhaps, but the painted blue line still led to the Yankees' clubhouse; the photo on the scoreboard, an image of the left-hander donning his old "NY" cap, seemed just right.
"I definitely missed it," Pettitte said on Thursday, as he was officially reintroduced as a Yankee. "It's just a special place to play and to pitch. Now just thinking about it, this is where it all started for me.
The ballpark was colder than Pettitte had been accustomed to, perhaps, but the painted blue line still led to the Yankees' clubhouse; the photo on the scoreboard, an image of the left-hander donning his old "NY" cap, seemed just right.
"I definitely missed it," Pettitte said on Thursday, as he was officially reintroduced as a Yankee. "It's just a special place to play and to pitch. Now just thinking about it, this is where it all started for me.
And about Clemens:
Andy Pettitte's sense is that Roger Clemens will decide to pitch in 2007. If it happens, Pettitte wants it to be as a Yankee.
"Would that be great," Pettitte said. "Does he know that I would love that? Of course."
"Would that be great," Pettitte said. "Does he know that I would love that? Of course."
01/11: Humberto Sanchez
Posted by: Patrick
The New York Daily News talks about his yearly visit to South Bronx High.
Humberto Sanchez made his annual appearance at South Bronx High School late last month to provide some of the Phoenix baseball players with perspective and instruction from a professional pitcher.
It's something Sanchez, who starred at South Bronx from 1997-2000, has done every year since he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2001.
It's something Sanchez, who starred at South Bronx from 1997-2000, has done every year since he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2001.
01/10: Murcer Tumor Cancerous
Posted by: Patrick
From the official site:
Not the news we'd hoped for. We'll be keeping him in our thoughts.
"As we begin a new year, I find myself facing a new challenge [--] the biggest of my life so far," Murcer said. "Pathology reports have revealed that the brain tumor removed was malignant. I'm not having to battle this alone, but am fortified with the most loving family, an abundance of wonderful friends and fans and the very best class of physicians.
"I'm gaining confidence that with God and my faith leading the way, we will as a team put up an incredible fight. Please continue to send up prayers. That's all I can really ask of you at this time." ...
"Bobby Murcer represents the spirit of the Yankees, and above all, he's my dear friend," Steinbrenner said. "I know Bobby very well. He has true grit, is a fighter and our entire Yankee organization offers our prayers to him and his family for a big win in this battle."
"I'm gaining confidence that with God and my faith leading the way, we will as a team put up an incredible fight. Please continue to send up prayers. That's all I can really ask of you at this time." ...
"Bobby Murcer represents the spirit of the Yankees, and above all, he's my dear friend," Steinbrenner said. "I know Bobby very well. He has true grit, is a fighter and our entire Yankee organization offers our prayers to him and his family for a big win in this battle."
Not the news we'd hoped for. We'll be keeping him in our thoughts.
01/10: The Pen vs. Lefties
Posted by: Patrick
There is a little concern, I know, due to the fact that we only have one lefty in the pen (and that lefty rarely gets more than 1 or 2 outs), so I thought I'd take a look at how the probable players in our pen have performed against lefties. The "career" OBAA and SLGA numbers are taken from the Baseball Musings database and are from 2000 on (so, if a pitcher pitched before 2000, then it's not their actual "career" numbers). WHIP and BAA are for the entire career, though, even if they have pitched before 2000.
Chris Britton
2006: 1.79 WHIP, .301 BAA, .378 OBAA, .384 SLGA
Career: 1.79 WHIP, .301 BAA, .378 OBAA, .384 SLGA
Brian Bruney
2006: 1.27 WHIP, .115 BAA, .343 OBAA, .115 SLGA
Career: 1.82 WHIP, .233 BAA, .404 OBAA, .380 SLGA
Kyle Farnsworth
2006: 1.01 WHIP, .215 BAA, .263 OBAA, .355 SLGA
Career: 1.42 WHIP, .251 BAA, .328 OBAA, .411 SLGA
Mike Myers
2006: 1.22 WHIP, .257 BAA, .297 OBAA, .443 SLGA
Career: 1.16 WHIP, .210 BAA, .287 OBAA, .322 SLGA
Scott Proctor
2006: 1.08 WHIP, .204 BAA, .269 OBAA, .354 SLGA
Career: 1.40 WHIP, .244 BAA, .322 OBAA, .424 SLGA
Mariano Rivera
2006: 0.81 WHIP, .194 BAA, .224 OBAA, .233 SLGA
Career: 1.01 WHIP, .207 BAA, .244 OBAA, .243 SLGA
Luis Vizcaino
2006: 1.07 WHIP, .163 BAA, .281 OBAA, .288 SLGA
Career: 1.28 WHIP, .228 BAA, .308 OBAA, .394 SLGA
Chris Britton
2006: 1.79 WHIP, .301 BAA, .378 OBAA, .384 SLGA
Career: 1.79 WHIP, .301 BAA, .378 OBAA, .384 SLGA
Brian Bruney
2006: 1.27 WHIP, .115 BAA, .343 OBAA, .115 SLGA
Career: 1.82 WHIP, .233 BAA, .404 OBAA, .380 SLGA
Kyle Farnsworth
2006: 1.01 WHIP, .215 BAA, .263 OBAA, .355 SLGA
Career: 1.42 WHIP, .251 BAA, .328 OBAA, .411 SLGA
Mike Myers
2006: 1.22 WHIP, .257 BAA, .297 OBAA, .443 SLGA
Career: 1.16 WHIP, .210 BAA, .287 OBAA, .322 SLGA
Scott Proctor
2006: 1.08 WHIP, .204 BAA, .269 OBAA, .354 SLGA
Career: 1.40 WHIP, .244 BAA, .322 OBAA, .424 SLGA
Mariano Rivera
2006: 0.81 WHIP, .194 BAA, .224 OBAA, .233 SLGA
Career: 1.01 WHIP, .207 BAA, .244 OBAA, .243 SLGA
Luis Vizcaino
2006: 1.07 WHIP, .163 BAA, .281 OBAA, .288 SLGA
Career: 1.28 WHIP, .228 BAA, .308 OBAA, .394 SLGA
01/10: Ohlendorf
Posted by: Patrick
MLB.com has some quotes from new Yankee Ross Ohlendorf:
"The last several days have been strange, but it does feel really good to know that I'm going to New York and that there is closure. I always had to stop and think that it wasn't for sure [yet], so I'm feeling very excited about everything."
"I'd like to pick up where I left off last year and continue to improve," Ohlendorf said. "If I'm going to make it to the Majors, I need to work on several things -- getting my off-speed over for strikes more, and being more consistent with my off-speed and fastball. That's really what I'm focused on -- trying to get better." ...
"There's so much history with the big cities, especially New York," Ohlendorf said. "It's such a unique city and you're not going to find very many places like that, so I think it would be nice to spend some time around there."
"I'd like to pick up where I left off last year and continue to improve," Ohlendorf said. "If I'm going to make it to the Majors, I need to work on several things -- getting my off-speed over for strikes more, and being more consistent with my off-speed and fastball. That's really what I'm focused on -- trying to get better." ...
"There's so much history with the big cities, especially New York," Ohlendorf said. "It's such a unique city and you're not going to find very many places like that, so I think it would be nice to spend some time around there."
