Posted by: David
After losing an absolute heartbreaker yesterday, the Yankees rebounded with four home runs and a solid pitching effort from Chien-Ming Wang to defeat the Twins 9-3 on Sunday afternoon.
Jason Giambi started it off with his first of two homers, a shot deep to center field to put the Yankees ahead 2-0. The Yankees added another run in the inning to extend the lead to 3-0. Robinson Cano pitched in with an opposite field homer just inside the foul pole in left and the Yankees piled on another run in the inning to extend the lead to 5-0. Giambi then homered again, an upper deck shot to right before A-Rod blasted a two run shot to left to finish the Yankees scoring.
Chien-Ming Wang was impressive only surrendering two runs (one earned) in seven innings. He had the sinker working all day with most of the balls that were hit were gound balls. He also struck out seven in gaining his first win of the season.
The Twins threatended late but Mike Myers was able to strike out Justin Morneau to end and further damage.
The Yankees will now travel to Toronto where they have off tomorrow before starting a two game series against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night with Randy Johnson on the hill for the Pinstripers.
Jason Giambi started it off with his first of two homers, a shot deep to center field to put the Yankees ahead 2-0. The Yankees added another run in the inning to extend the lead to 3-0. Robinson Cano pitched in with an opposite field homer just inside the foul pole in left and the Yankees piled on another run in the inning to extend the lead to 5-0. Giambi then homered again, an upper deck shot to right before A-Rod blasted a two run shot to left to finish the Yankees scoring.
Chien-Ming Wang was impressive only surrendering two runs (one earned) in seven innings. He had the sinker working all day with most of the balls that were hit were gound balls. He also struck out seven in gaining his first win of the season.
The Twins threatended late but Mike Myers was able to strike out Justin Morneau to end and further damage.
The Yankees will now travel to Toronto where they have off tomorrow before starting a two game series against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night with Randy Johnson on the hill for the Pinstripers.
04/16: Carlos Pena and Jesus Colome
Posted by: Patrick
We've signed both of them. Pena is a career .243 hitter in 489 games and is 27 years old. His Baseball-Reference.com page has an ad stating: "New England Loves Carlos Pena - Let's make him a member of the Red Sox. And please check out the highly touted Red Sox blog at Baseball Thinking." You don't think...
Colome is 28 and has a career ERA of 4.73 in 186 career games.
Neither of them is particularly interesting, of course, but I really don't mind these signings. I don't really look at it as desperation... I look at it as one thing I enjoy about being a Yankee fan. We go out, sign people, make moves, etc. We're active, always trying to get better. It may or may not be my opinion that signing these people makes us better, but signing more people, giving yourself more options is rarely going to be a bad thing. Sometimes things can work out for you. Sometimes really well (Aaron Small). Cases like that are probably 1 in 50 or more, but you don't get that 1 if you don't take that 50.
Via SG.
Colome is 28 and has a career ERA of 4.73 in 186 career games.
Neither of them is particularly interesting, of course, but I really don't mind these signings. I don't really look at it as desperation... I look at it as one thing I enjoy about being a Yankee fan. We go out, sign people, make moves, etc. We're active, always trying to get better. It may or may not be my opinion that signing these people makes us better, but signing more people, giving yourself more options is rarely going to be a bad thing. Sometimes things can work out for you. Sometimes really well (Aaron Small). Cases like that are probably 1 in 50 or more, but you don't get that 1 if you don't take that 50.
Via SG.
Posted by: David
Mussina and Baker battled for six innings with the Twins leading 2-1 and then in the seventh Juan Castro battled Mussina and singled after fouling off several pitches to extend the Twins lead to 3-1. The Yankees had a chance to tie the score in the fifth when Posada reached on an error and took second on the overthrow. He moved up to third on a fly ball and then Bernie Williams hit a drive to right which Lew Ford timed and threw a one hop strike to the plate to nail Posada. The replay looked like Posada avoided the tag but he was called out by the umpire.
In the eighth the Twins extended the lead to 5-1 when after two outs Torri Hunter blooped a double to right which fell in front of Bernie Williams. Justin Morneau then singled to left to score Hunter. Farnsworth couldn't get the second out and another run scored.
In the eighth the Yankees had a chance to tie the score when by trailing by only two they got the first two men on base but Bernie then hit into a double play and the next batter was retired without the Yankees scoring.
The series resumes tonight with Jaret Wright facing Twins ace Johan Santana.
In the eighth the Twins extended the lead to 5-1 when after two outs Torri Hunter blooped a double to right which fell in front of Bernie Williams. Justin Morneau then singled to left to score Hunter. Farnsworth couldn't get the second out and another run scored.
In the eighth the Yankees had a chance to tie the score when by trailing by only two they got the first two men on base but Bernie then hit into a double play and the next batter was retired without the Yankees scoring.
The series resumes tonight with Jaret Wright facing Twins ace Johan Santana.
Posted by: James
Another win against the Kansas City Royals (who were outscored 30-15 in the series) has the Yankees over .500 (5-4) and 1 game back of the division leading Red Sox.
Randy Johnson pitched very well for the most part but had to leave the game after 5 innings. There was a lot of mystery surrounding Randy's sudden disappearance from the game as the radio announcers were pretty confused as to why he was taken out so quickly. For those who were wondering, his pitch count was at 87 for the game, which is a reasonable amount.
According to MLB.com,
Johnson had this to say about what happened:
I don't know about you guys but something seems a bit off here (and I don't just mean that the preceding story makes a point of mentioning his right shoulder while the MLB.com story specifically mentions the left shoulder.) I always get nervous when pitchers, esp. older pitchers, have to leave the game after 5 innings so maybe I'm thinking too much about it. I guess we'll see what happens in Randy's next start.
Randy Johnson pitched very well for the most part but had to leave the game after 5 innings. There was a lot of mystery surrounding Randy's sudden disappearance from the game as the radio announcers were pretty confused as to why he was taken out so quickly. For those who were wondering, his pitch count was at 87 for the game, which is a reasonable amount.
According to MLB.com,
Torre decided to make the pitching change because of a conversation Johnson had with pitching coach Ron Guidry after the fifth inning. Guidry talks to every starter after every inning.
"I don't think it was anything structural," Torre said. "He's just on schedule. He'll pitch whenever his day comes up. It's just a freak thing. He threw the ball real well. I was a little suspicious in the fifth inning because he dropped down on his slider, which hadn't been the case earlier in the game."
"I don't think it was anything structural," Torre said. "He's just on schedule. He'll pitch whenever his day comes up. It's just a freak thing. He threw the ball real well. I was a little suspicious in the fifth inning because he dropped down on his slider, which hadn't been the case earlier in the game."
Johnson had this to say about what happened:
Johnson initially scolded reporters for getting the story wrong, but then admitted to some stiffness — sort of.
"Just a little tired, stiffness in the shoulder, if you want to call it that," he said, adding a disclaimer that seemed to amuse him. "The right shoulder."
"I don't need to go out there every time and pitch seven, eight innings because you might like it," he said. "I might like it, but I also realize that the innings and the pitches that are going to be mostly counted on from me are going to be late in the year.
"So as much as I want to get my arm where it needs to be — that's what spring training is for — there's a time and a place to go out there and throw innings and pitches."
"Just a little tired, stiffness in the shoulder, if you want to call it that," he said, adding a disclaimer that seemed to amuse him. "The right shoulder."
"I don't need to go out there every time and pitch seven, eight innings because you might like it," he said. "I might like it, but I also realize that the innings and the pitches that are going to be mostly counted on from me are going to be late in the year.
"So as much as I want to get my arm where it needs to be — that's what spring training is for — there's a time and a place to go out there and throw innings and pitches."
I don't know about you guys but something seems a bit off here (and I don't just mean that the preceding story makes a point of mentioning his right shoulder while the MLB.com story specifically mentions the left shoulder.) I always get nervous when pitchers, esp. older pitchers, have to leave the game after 5 innings so maybe I'm thinking too much about it. I guess we'll see what happens in Randy's next start.
04/13: The Big Picture
Posted by: Patrick
The big picture is important. Seeing the big picture is one of the things that makes a good leader. Seeing the big picture is a big reason that Joe Torre is the tops at what he does.
As Yankee fans, sometimes we fail to see the big picture. We focus too much on little details, failing to recognize that different people have different opinions (Torre is a person, yes - with 4 rings, nonetheless). For example, as to the talent of one Andy Phillips. Some feel he should be getting X amount of time and some feel that he shouldn't. Seriously, whatever. It's Andy Phillips. That doesn't make either side wrong or stupid, but I think when such things are a point of contention, this kind of perpetuates the thought of spoiled Yankees fans. Oh my gosh, Torre put Cairo at 1B instead of Phillips! He's crazy! KILL HIM! How must a Pirates or Royals fan be thinking of us right now? "Look at those crazy people."
If they got a Jeter at short stop, that'd make their year. They wouldn't care if they had 2 year olds at the rest of the infield positions. Same for Mo. If they got Mo, it'd make their year. They wouldn't care if they had no infield. Yet, we spend time talking about how clutch Jeter isn't or downplaying his greatness because the media may or may not play it up. Why do we allow ourselves to be influenced by the media to the point where we fail to enjoy having a player like Jeter and instead try to prove that he is less "clutch" than others? Similar with Torre. We haven't won in 6 seasons, so what? We've been in the playoffs every year that he has managed. That's awesome, I don't care what your payroll is. He has given us 4 rings as manager. I'm still getting over the fact that we won at all. To try to say that anyone could have done that or that so and so could have is incredible to me. I'll take the 4 in the hand (or whatever he ends up with) over the 10 or whatever in the bush. Are we fans or what? Enjoy it and bask in it. We're lucky, folks. Lucky. Don't lose sight of this because one day, it'll be gone. All good things must come to an end.
As Yankee fans, sometimes we fail to see the big picture. We focus too much on little details, failing to recognize that different people have different opinions (Torre is a person, yes - with 4 rings, nonetheless). For example, as to the talent of one Andy Phillips. Some feel he should be getting X amount of time and some feel that he shouldn't. Seriously, whatever. It's Andy Phillips. That doesn't make either side wrong or stupid, but I think when such things are a point of contention, this kind of perpetuates the thought of spoiled Yankees fans. Oh my gosh, Torre put Cairo at 1B instead of Phillips! He's crazy! KILL HIM! How must a Pirates or Royals fan be thinking of us right now? "Look at those crazy people."
If they got a Jeter at short stop, that'd make their year. They wouldn't care if they had 2 year olds at the rest of the infield positions. Same for Mo. If they got Mo, it'd make their year. They wouldn't care if they had no infield. Yet, we spend time talking about how clutch Jeter isn't or downplaying his greatness because the media may or may not play it up. Why do we allow ourselves to be influenced by the media to the point where we fail to enjoy having a player like Jeter and instead try to prove that he is less "clutch" than others? Similar with Torre. We haven't won in 6 seasons, so what? We've been in the playoffs every year that he has managed. That's awesome, I don't care what your payroll is. He has given us 4 rings as manager. I'm still getting over the fact that we won at all. To try to say that anyone could have done that or that so and so could have is incredible to me. I'll take the 4 in the hand (or whatever he ends up with) over the 10 or whatever in the bush. Are we fans or what? Enjoy it and bask in it. We're lucky, folks. Lucky. Don't lose sight of this because one day, it'll be gone. All good things must come to an end.
Posted by: Michael
The Yankee bats woke back up from a sound sleep as they pounded the Kansas City Royals. The Yanks took the second game in the series for the win 12-5.
It was a rough start for Shawn Chacon who gave up three runs in the first to start things off. The Yanks answered in the bottom of the first with a soaring home run from Gary Sheffield. Before that homer, he floored 3rd base coach Larry Bowa (who was standing wayyy too close to the line. Remember how Sojo always stood in the stands??). There was a BIG smile on Sheff's face, and according to him, this loosened him up for the soaring blast.
There was some wild pitching on behalf of the Royals, who gave up 15 hits for the day. Chacon lasted six innings and gave up 7 hits and 5 runs. The Royals tried to stay in the game, but the Yankees offense was just too much for them and their pitchers.
Bernie Williams made his first start in right field since '92, and played a decent game I thought. Miguel Cairo played for Robinson Cano at second, and had a stellar day for his rare start, getting two hits and driving in a run. He also made a great grab to end the inning in the eighth. It's great to see that Cairo can step in when needed and the quality is still there. Myers, Farnsworth, and Villone mopped up the rest of the innings with no trouble.
It was the third straight win for the Bombers, who now stand at .500 for the season. Game ball goes to Gary Sheffield who had three hits and four runs batted in. He was the DH for today.
Tomorrow Randy Johnson (1-1, 2.40 ERA) takes on Denny Bautista (0-0, 1.50 ERA) at Yankee Stadium. Game time is 1:05pm ET.
It was a rough start for Shawn Chacon who gave up three runs in the first to start things off. The Yanks answered in the bottom of the first with a soaring home run from Gary Sheffield. Before that homer, he floored 3rd base coach Larry Bowa (who was standing wayyy too close to the line. Remember how Sojo always stood in the stands??). There was a BIG smile on Sheff's face, and according to him, this loosened him up for the soaring blast.
There was some wild pitching on behalf of the Royals, who gave up 15 hits for the day. Chacon lasted six innings and gave up 7 hits and 5 runs. The Royals tried to stay in the game, but the Yankees offense was just too much for them and their pitchers.
Bernie Williams made his first start in right field since '92, and played a decent game I thought. Miguel Cairo played for Robinson Cano at second, and had a stellar day for his rare start, getting two hits and driving in a run. He also made a great grab to end the inning in the eighth. It's great to see that Cairo can step in when needed and the quality is still there. Myers, Farnsworth, and Villone mopped up the rest of the innings with no trouble.
It was the third straight win for the Bombers, who now stand at .500 for the season. Game ball goes to Gary Sheffield who had three hits and four runs batted in. He was the DH for today.
Tomorrow Randy Johnson (1-1, 2.40 ERA) takes on Denny Bautista (0-0, 1.50 ERA) at Yankee Stadium. Game time is 1:05pm ET.
Posted by: Patrick
Next up is Steve Lombardi of WasWatching.com.
When you're not blogging about the Yankees, thinking about the Yankees, talking about the Yankees, reading about the Yankees or watching the Yankees, what are you doing?
These days, it seems that I'm at work - or in the car going to or driving from work. Three months ago, I got a new assignment at work that's required a tremendous amount of commitment from me. Tack on the fact that I have a 50 mile commute to work, each way, and, well, like I said, it seems like I'm always doing something work related these days. Outside of work, I try and spend every second possible with my wife and kids (who are ages 2 and 4). So, these past three months, it's been a trick to find time to blog.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
April 20th of this season will be the one year anniversary for WasWatching.com.
When you're not blogging about the Yankees, thinking about the Yankees, talking about the Yankees, reading about the Yankees or watching the Yankees, what are you doing?
These days, it seems that I'm at work - or in the car going to or driving from work. Three months ago, I got a new assignment at work that's required a tremendous amount of commitment from me. Tack on the fact that I have a 50 mile commute to work, each way, and, well, like I said, it seems like I'm always doing something work related these days. Outside of work, I try and spend every second possible with my wife and kids (who are ages 2 and 4). So, these past three months, it's been a trick to find time to blog.
How long have you been blogging about the Yankees?
April 20th of this season will be the one year anniversary for WasWatching.com.
04/12: 2,067 and Counting...
Posted by: Patrick
A discussion at SportsForums.net got me thinking about consecutive game streaks and how Ripken has such a big lead over anyone else. So, I thought about Matsui and decided to look up how many games he was up to now. 494. Then I remembered hearing that he had a consecutive games streak in Japan, as well. So, I looked that up. 1,573. 494 + 1,573 = 2,067. The MLB consecutive games streak is going to be safe for quite a long time and even though Matsui's streak doesn't count for any records, you cannot help but be very impressed by it. I know that there has been some talk of him taking a couple days off this year, so it may come to an end. Nonetheless, impressive.
04/11: No Bob Sheppard Today
Posted by: James
For the first time since 1951, Bob Sheppard will not be at the Yankees home-opener.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery Mr. Sheppard.
Bob Sheppard, the legendary "Voice of Yankee Stadium," will miss today's home opener at Yankee Stadium and the remainder of this homestand after throwing out his left hip at his home on Long Island last night. Mr. Sheppard is doing fine and is expected to return to Yankee Stadium for the Yankees game vs. Baltimore on April 21.
During his absence, Mr. Sheppard will be replaced by his long-time backup, Jim Hall.
"I am very disappointed that I will miss my first Opening Day at Yankee Stadium since I began this job in 1951," Sheppard said. "I am optimistic that I will return to the Stadium for the next homestand."
During his absence, Mr. Sheppard will be replaced by his long-time backup, Jim Hall.
"I am very disappointed that I will miss my first Opening Day at Yankee Stadium since I began this job in 1951," Sheppard said. "I am optimistic that I will return to the Stadium for the next homestand."
Best wishes for a speedy recovery Mr. Sheppard.
04/11: The Yankees Lineup
Posted by: James
Peter Abraham of the Journal News posted the Yankee lineup for the home opener over at The LoHud Yankees Blog. Here's how it stands right now.
1) Johnny Damon CF
2) Derek Jeter SS
3) Gary Sheffield RF
4) Alex Rodriguez 3B
5) Hideki Matsui LF (Edit: MLB.com has Giambi here and Matsui 6th)
6) Jason Giambi 1B
7) Jorge Posada C
8) Robinson Cano 2B
9) Bernie Williams DH
So, here are a couple of questions. How long of a leash do you give Bernie before you start giving Phillips some ABs at DH? (or do you think that Torre will even do that for fear of not having a replacement for Giambi at 1B?) Also, do you think that this is a good lineup, i.e. is it a good use of the players that the Yankees have on the roster? I personally wouldn't mind seeing this change made to the heart of the order.
3) Jason Giambi 1B (not hitting yet but still has a .423 OBP)
4) Alex Rodriguez 3B
5) Gary Sheffield RF
6) Hideki Matsui LF
1) Johnny Damon CF
2) Derek Jeter SS
3) Gary Sheffield RF
4) Alex Rodriguez 3B
5) Hideki Matsui LF (Edit: MLB.com has Giambi here and Matsui 6th)
6) Jason Giambi 1B
7) Jorge Posada C
8) Robinson Cano 2B
9) Bernie Williams DH
So, here are a couple of questions. How long of a leash do you give Bernie before you start giving Phillips some ABs at DH? (or do you think that Torre will even do that for fear of not having a replacement for Giambi at 1B?) Also, do you think that this is a good lineup, i.e. is it a good use of the players that the Yankees have on the roster? I personally wouldn't mind seeing this change made to the heart of the order.
3) Jason Giambi 1B (not hitting yet but still has a .423 OBP)
4) Alex Rodriguez 3B
5) Gary Sheffield RF
6) Hideki Matsui LF
