Posted by: David
At the start of the eighth inning it looked as though the Yankees had a laugher on their hands. Mike Mussina was sailing with an 8-1 lead. He surrendered a single to the first batter and was replaced by Aaron Small. Small gave up three hard hits while retiring only one batter and left with the score 8-3. Kyle Farnsworth entered next and was able to strike out Mark Teixeira with the bases loaded for the second out but walked Phil Nevin to make the score 8-4. Rivera replaced Farnsworth and was immediately greeted with a two run single from Hank Blalock and then a RBI single by Kevin Mench to make the score 8-7. Rivera hit Brad Wilkerson with an 0-2 pitch but then retired Rod Barajas on a bouncer near the bag at second which ended the inning. Rivera held on in the ninth with the aid of a slick fielding play from Derek Jeter to save the game.
The Yankees got two runs in the first when Vicente Padilla was wild and threw 39 pitches. A-Rod got an RBI force out and Posada drew a bases loaded walk for the second run. The Rangers came back with a run from a triple by Brad Wilkerson and an RBI groundout from Barajas. The Yankees opened it up with a five run fourth inning which featured a two run single from A-Rod. Jeter added another RBI single later to extend the Yankees lead to 8-1.
Mussina was brilliant through seven innings allowing only two hits and one run, but left after the leadoff single in the eighth. The Yankees bullpen imploded but as stated above got the huge outs when they needed it most. The series resumes tonight with Shawn Chacon on the hill for the Bronx Bombers.
The Yankees got two runs in the first when Vicente Padilla was wild and threw 39 pitches. A-Rod got an RBI force out and Posada drew a bases loaded walk for the second run. The Rangers came back with a run from a triple by Brad Wilkerson and an RBI groundout from Barajas. The Yankees opened it up with a five run fourth inning which featured a two run single from A-Rod. Jeter added another RBI single later to extend the Yankees lead to 8-1.
Mussina was brilliant through seven innings allowing only two hits and one run, but left after the leadoff single in the eighth. The Yankees bullpen imploded but as stated above got the huge outs when they needed it most. The series resumes tonight with Shawn Chacon on the hill for the Bronx Bombers.
05/05: One Year of YanksBlog.com
Posted by: Patrick
Last year, on May 5 (05/05/05), YanksBlog.com launched. So, I wanted to take a moment to make mention of us being one year old and also I wanted to thank David, James, Jason, Seamus and Michael for their efforts which I am very appreciative of in addition to everyone who has been genuinely supportive. We appreciate it.
Thank you for visiting YanksBlog.com.
Thank you for visiting YanksBlog.com.
Posted by: Patrick
Microsoft asked A-Rod what his favorite places were in New York. You can find the results at Celebfavorites.com. He only lists one sports venue (Yankee Stadium, which he also places under Landmarks).
05/05: Home Run Calls
Posted by: James
I started thinking about Sterling's home run calls, if only because a couple in particular were annoying the heck out of me, and I tried to remember all of Sterling's bombastic calls for each player. I couldn't get all of them but these are the ones that sprang to mind.
C: Jorge Posada - Jorgie Juiced One! (I like this one)
1B: Jason Giambi - The Giambino! (Not bad)
2B: Robinson Cano - Robbie Cano, Don't You Know! (Is this current?)
SS: Derek Jeter - ?
3B: Alex Rodriguez - An A-Bomb from A-Rod! (Laaaaame!)
LF: Hideki Matsui - A Thrilla From Godzilla! (Thanks to Joe P. for this one)
CF: Johnny Damon - Absolutley, Positively Damonic!
RF: Gary Sheffield - ?
DH: Bernie Williams - Bernie Goes Boom! (My personal favorite)
How about some calls from the earlier days? I can remember Tino Martinez's call; The Bam-Tino. The rest...are a blur. What can I say? I'm getting old. If you guys can remember some of the current ones that I've missed or some blasts from the past, post them in the comments.
C: Jorge Posada - Jorgie Juiced One! (I like this one)
1B: Jason Giambi - The Giambino! (Not bad)
2B: Robinson Cano - Robbie Cano, Don't You Know! (Is this current?)
SS: Derek Jeter - ?
3B: Alex Rodriguez - An A-Bomb from A-Rod! (Laaaaame!)
LF: Hideki Matsui - A Thrilla From Godzilla! (Thanks to Joe P. for this one)
CF: Johnny Damon - Absolutley, Positively Damonic!
RF: Gary Sheffield - ?
DH: Bernie Williams - Bernie Goes Boom! (My personal favorite)
How about some calls from the earlier days? I can remember Tino Martinez's call; The Bam-Tino. The rest...are a blur. What can I say? I'm getting old. If you guys can remember some of the current ones that I've missed or some blasts from the past, post them in the comments.
05/05: Yanks Sweep Rays
Posted by: James
On a night where the Yanks won despite Randy Johnson's pitching not because of it, they find themselves still in first place in the AL East (percentage points) and not too far off the pace for last year's 95 wins.
It was also a night where Randy reached a major milestone in his career as he became just the third pitcher ever to reach the 4,400-strikeout mark. He's behind Nolan Ryan (5,714) and Roger Clemens (4,502) on the career list and will probably pass Clemens to take the #2 spot sometime next year (depending on what Clemens decides to do this year). While Randy did get the win on this special night, he certainly didn't pitch well enough to deserve it as he was bailed out twice after after giving up the lead. First, a LONG single by Bernie plated Jorge and Cano in the fifth gave the Yankees a 4-3 lead, which Johnson gave up on a Ty Wiggington 2-run home run. In the seventh, a walk to Giambi and a A-Rod HBP both plated runs before Johnny Damon took Dan Miceli (who had to be removed from the game due to injury) deep for a grand slam to effectively put the game out of reach.
By the way, John Sterling's home run call for Damon, "absolutely, positively Damonic" is absolutely, positively stupid. It's embarrassing, annoying and needs to stop. The same goes for the A-Bomb from A-Rod. Is there a petition I can sign somewhere? Please, John, I beg of you, just stop.
I could go on to mention the "interesting" use of Sturtze again but I think that it would be overkill, especially since he did get Johnny Gomes out. Granted, it was a line out but hey, he did get the job done. I could posit on what's wrong with Randy Johnson but Steve Lombardi has already done a fine job of comparing RJ's 2006 start to his 2005 numbers and SG looks at what RJ's done so far. At this point, after last year and considering Johnson's age, I am more or less in line with Mike Plugh from over at Canyon of Heroes; "This is the Randy Johnson we have. Let's learn to live with it." I think at this point, that's all we can do.
Oh, as a side note, the ESPN recap points out that after attracting the two smallest home crowds in franchise history (7,295 and 7,147) against Texas on Monday and Tuesday, the Devil Rays drew 17,059 and 22,164 for the Yankees series. Bad for baseball, indeed.
It was also a night where Randy reached a major milestone in his career as he became just the third pitcher ever to reach the 4,400-strikeout mark. He's behind Nolan Ryan (5,714) and Roger Clemens (4,502) on the career list and will probably pass Clemens to take the #2 spot sometime next year (depending on what Clemens decides to do this year). While Randy did get the win on this special night, he certainly didn't pitch well enough to deserve it as he was bailed out twice after after giving up the lead. First, a LONG single by Bernie plated Jorge and Cano in the fifth gave the Yankees a 4-3 lead, which Johnson gave up on a Ty Wiggington 2-run home run. In the seventh, a walk to Giambi and a A-Rod HBP both plated runs before Johnny Damon took Dan Miceli (who had to be removed from the game due to injury) deep for a grand slam to effectively put the game out of reach.
By the way, John Sterling's home run call for Damon, "absolutely, positively Damonic" is absolutely, positively stupid. It's embarrassing, annoying and needs to stop. The same goes for the A-Bomb from A-Rod. Is there a petition I can sign somewhere? Please, John, I beg of you, just stop.
I could go on to mention the "interesting" use of Sturtze again but I think that it would be overkill, especially since he did get Johnny Gomes out. Granted, it was a line out but hey, he did get the job done. I could posit on what's wrong with Randy Johnson but Steve Lombardi has already done a fine job of comparing RJ's 2006 start to his 2005 numbers and SG looks at what RJ's done so far. At this point, after last year and considering Johnson's age, I am more or less in line with Mike Plugh from over at Canyon of Heroes; "This is the Randy Johnson we have. Let's learn to live with it." I think at this point, that's all we can do.
Oh, as a side note, the ESPN recap points out that after attracting the two smallest home crowds in franchise history (7,295 and 7,147) against Texas on Monday and Tuesday, the Devil Rays drew 17,059 and 22,164 for the Yankees series. Bad for baseball, indeed.
05/05: "John"
Posted by: Jason
Torre has a habit of calling Damon "John." It's meant to signify that he has graduated to a more professional clubhouse (and organization), and deserves a suitable moniker.
IMO, the combination of the Boston game this week and the GS last night was important for JD, and for Yankees fans: It completely destroys the link between Boston and Damon.
Consider:
1) Fenway spits on the man who, just 18 months ago, was arguably the most important link in the WS run.
2) The timing of last night's GS was critical. just hours after Fenway, JD finishes a game that was unstable just 2 innings before. Better yet, he finished this game (and this week) with the most emphatic event in baseball.
When he looked in the dugout camera with that grin after his salami, he became ours. Embrace him properly at the stadium on May 9th.
Any prefixes referring to his status as a former player from another team are dead.
Call him "John."
IMO, the combination of the Boston game this week and the GS last night was important for JD, and for Yankees fans: It completely destroys the link between Boston and Damon.
Consider:
1) Fenway spits on the man who, just 18 months ago, was arguably the most important link in the WS run.
2) The timing of last night's GS was critical. just hours after Fenway, JD finishes a game that was unstable just 2 innings before. Better yet, he finished this game (and this week) with the most emphatic event in baseball.
When he looked in the dugout camera with that grin after his salami, he became ours. Embrace him properly at the stadium on May 9th.
Any prefixes referring to his status as a former player from another team are dead.
Call him "John."
Posted by: Patrick
PLAYERS: JETER OVER-RATED:
I always kind of smile myself when I hear someone say Jeter is overrated. I find the term overrated to be a joke, anyway. Everyone rates him differently and that's... how he's rated. Overrated... underrated... whatever. Various people can spend time debating such a thing, while I'll just enjoy having him. For a lot of people, if player X and player Y are the same, but player X gets more media attention, player X is "overrated" and somehow less a player, as if he somehow has control over what the media reports.
A-Rod doesn't surprise me, either. When people say A-Rod is overrated, they're really saying A-Rod is overpaid. And when they're saying he's overpaid, they're really saying no one in baseball deserves the contract A-Rod got. I always think of it like this: does any player deserve that contract? Uh... I don't know. But, if anyone deserved it and has delivered on it, it's A-Rod. I mean, look at his numbers since he's signed it. He's missed 8 games since he signed it (5+ seasons). He has not had a single "bad" year. His weakest statistical year was his first with the Yankees, 2004: .286 AVG, 36 HR, 106 RBI, .375 OBA. Beside that year, he's had 47 or more home runs in every one. He's off to a slow start this year (on pace for 32 homers at the moment), of course. Did I mention he's no slow poke, either? 96 stolen bases while being caught just 23 times since the deal was signed. So, offensively, he's there.
Then you add in the gold glove caliber defense at both shortstop and third base. Add in the off the field stuff. "Off the field stuff," you say? Yeah, the fact that he doesn't get into trouble. That's worth something. "Everyone should do that," right? I agree, but not everyone does. A-Rod knows he has a responsibility to the Yankees and I believe he takes it very seriously. Since signing the deal, he's been an all-star every year, won 2 MVPs (and finished 2nd in voting once), won 4 gold glove awards and led the league in numerous statistical categories. How do you have that sort of resume and still be considered overrated? The point I'm trying to make here is that A-Rod is just about as "perfect" and well rounded as a position player comes. He literally does it all very well. If he didn't deserve that contract - no one did. But, because he got it, he's overrated. That's bogus, but it's the way it is.
Via Steve.
In a Sports Illustrated poll of 470 players, Jeter was named on 9 percent of the ballots as the most over-rated. Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran was second with 7 percent and Alex Rodriguez was third with 6 percent.
"I don't care, I guess anything I do now is a plus," Jeter said with a grin. "At least I am in good company.''' ...
"Alex doesn't surprise me because there is a lot of jealousy about the money he makes and his talent, but to say Derek is over-rated, that is surprising," Torre said. "I have had players traded here and after six weeks they come to me and say, 'I knew Jeter was a good player but I didn't know how good.'"
"I don't care, I guess anything I do now is a plus," Jeter said with a grin. "At least I am in good company.''' ...
"Alex doesn't surprise me because there is a lot of jealousy about the money he makes and his talent, but to say Derek is over-rated, that is surprising," Torre said. "I have had players traded here and after six weeks they come to me and say, 'I knew Jeter was a good player but I didn't know how good.'"
I always kind of smile myself when I hear someone say Jeter is overrated. I find the term overrated to be a joke, anyway. Everyone rates him differently and that's... how he's rated. Overrated... underrated... whatever. Various people can spend time debating such a thing, while I'll just enjoy having him. For a lot of people, if player X and player Y are the same, but player X gets more media attention, player X is "overrated" and somehow less a player, as if he somehow has control over what the media reports.
A-Rod doesn't surprise me, either. When people say A-Rod is overrated, they're really saying A-Rod is overpaid. And when they're saying he's overpaid, they're really saying no one in baseball deserves the contract A-Rod got. I always think of it like this: does any player deserve that contract? Uh... I don't know. But, if anyone deserved it and has delivered on it, it's A-Rod. I mean, look at his numbers since he's signed it. He's missed 8 games since he signed it (5+ seasons). He has not had a single "bad" year. His weakest statistical year was his first with the Yankees, 2004: .286 AVG, 36 HR, 106 RBI, .375 OBA. Beside that year, he's had 47 or more home runs in every one. He's off to a slow start this year (on pace for 32 homers at the moment), of course. Did I mention he's no slow poke, either? 96 stolen bases while being caught just 23 times since the deal was signed. So, offensively, he's there.
Then you add in the gold glove caliber defense at both shortstop and third base. Add in the off the field stuff. "Off the field stuff," you say? Yeah, the fact that he doesn't get into trouble. That's worth something. "Everyone should do that," right? I agree, but not everyone does. A-Rod knows he has a responsibility to the Yankees and I believe he takes it very seriously. Since signing the deal, he's been an all-star every year, won 2 MVPs (and finished 2nd in voting once), won 4 gold glove awards and led the league in numerous statistical categories. How do you have that sort of resume and still be considered overrated? The point I'm trying to make here is that A-Rod is just about as "perfect" and well rounded as a position player comes. He literally does it all very well. If he didn't deserve that contract - no one did. But, because he got it, he's overrated. That's bogus, but it's the way it is.
Via Steve.
Posted by: Michael
In my last game recap I made mention of how I feel that anytime A-Rod comes to the plate with RISP I'm thinking strikeout. Did he prove me wrong last night! A-Rod actually came up clutch and singled in Damon. The Yankees took the lead 3-2 against Tampa Bay in the top of the 10th. Matsui, who is in a slump of his own, singled in Jeter to give the Yanks a 4-2 lead, and eventually a win against a feisty Devil Rays team.
It was a pitching duel for most of the night. It seems the Yanks struggle against Fossum, and I would suppose he is one of those pitchers that seems to give the Yankees a tough time. Wright pitched another great game, and kept the Yankees in it as he only gave up 3 hits (although one being a 2 RBI Home Run) I was pleased with the results from our #5 pitcher. Villone came in next for a scoreless 7th (where was he the other night in Boston??) Followed by Myers, Farnsworth (Farnsy, you are showing me something!!) and Rivera to close the game in the 10th. I'll also make note that Bernie had a great game at the plate last night going 3 for 5 and accounted for one of the Yankees runs.
Tonight the Yanks take on the Devil Rays as Randy Johnson (4-2, 4.71 ERA) takes on Doug Waechter (0-1, 5.95 ERA) in what I feel will be another dog fight. Let's see if A-Rod and Matsui can keep their bats HOT and knock this Waechter guy out of the game early! Game time is 7:05pm ET.
It was a pitching duel for most of the night. It seems the Yanks struggle against Fossum, and I would suppose he is one of those pitchers that seems to give the Yankees a tough time. Wright pitched another great game, and kept the Yankees in it as he only gave up 3 hits (although one being a 2 RBI Home Run) I was pleased with the results from our #5 pitcher. Villone came in next for a scoreless 7th (where was he the other night in Boston??) Followed by Myers, Farnsworth (Farnsy, you are showing me something!!) and Rivera to close the game in the 10th. I'll also make note that Bernie had a great game at the plate last night going 3 for 5 and accounted for one of the Yankees runs.
Tonight the Yanks take on the Devil Rays as Randy Johnson (4-2, 4.71 ERA) takes on Doug Waechter (0-1, 5.95 ERA) in what I feel will be another dog fight. Let's see if A-Rod and Matsui can keep their bats HOT and knock this Waechter guy out of the game early! Game time is 7:05pm ET.
05/03: CashMoney 4 Realz
Posted by: James
I have to link to this from Peter Abraham's blog over at LoHud. Here's the blurb from Monday's game.
It turns out that NoMaas.org was dead on when referring to Cashman as CashMoney. Well, you know what they say, he does love it when you call him Big Poppa.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was just in the dugout talking about assorted baseball subjects. He said he sat in the stands last night and to block out the jeers from obnoxious Red Sox fans, he kept his iPod in.
I had to ask, what was Cashman listening to?
Turns out Cashman was grooving to the sounds of Nelly, Eminem, Notorious B.I.G. and some other rap.
I had to ask, what was Cashman listening to?
Turns out Cashman was grooving to the sounds of Nelly, Eminem, Notorious B.I.G. and some other rap.
It turns out that NoMaas.org was dead on when referring to Cashman as CashMoney. Well, you know what they say, he does love it when you call him Big Poppa.
05/03: Hot and Cold - April 2006
Posted by: Patrick
Congrats to Jason Giambi on being named AL Player of the Month. It reminded me to check out who was hot and cold in the first month.
Hot
Jason Giambi
22 G, 61 AB, 17 R, 21 H, 4 2B, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 26 BB, .344 AVG, .554 OBA, .852 SLG, 1.407 OPS
Derek Jeter
23 G, 88 AB, 19 R, 35 H, 9 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 19 BB, 2 SB, .398 AVG, .505 OBA, 1.142 OPS
Mike Mussina
6 GS, 4-1, 39 IP, 2.31 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, .230 BAA
Mike Myers
10 G, 0-0, 6.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, .158 BAA.
Gary Sheffield
22 G, 91 AB, 13 R, 31 H, 4 2B, 4 HR, 18 RBI, .341 AVG, .390 OBA, .516 SLG, .906 OPS
Johnny Damon
23 G, 93 AB,22 R, 29 H, 9 2B, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 7 SB, .312 AVG, .400 OBA, .505 SLG, .905 OPS
Scott Proctor
9 G, 1-1, 16 IP, 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, .167 BAA
Ron Villone
9 G, 0-0, 9 IP, 2.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, .182 BAA
Cold
Jaret Wright
3 G, 2 GS, 0-2, 10 IP, 7.20 ERA, 2.30 WHIP, .395 BAA
Bernie Williams
20 G, 60 AB, 8 R, 13 H, 1 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, .217 AVG, .262 OBA, .283 SLG, .545 OPS
Tanyon Sturtze
11 G, 0-0, 8.1 IP, 5.40 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, .281 BAA
Mariano Rivera
8 G, 0-2, 9.2 IP, 4 SV, 3.72 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, .270 BAA
Chien-Ming Wang
5 GS, 1-1, 30 IP, 4.80 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, .277 BAA
Andy Phillips
15 G, 26 AB, 3 R, 4 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .154 AVG, .214 OBA, .269 SLG, .484 OPS
Hot
Jason Giambi
22 G, 61 AB, 17 R, 21 H, 4 2B, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 26 BB, .344 AVG, .554 OBA, .852 SLG, 1.407 OPS
Derek Jeter
23 G, 88 AB, 19 R, 35 H, 9 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 19 BB, 2 SB, .398 AVG, .505 OBA, 1.142 OPS
Mike Mussina
6 GS, 4-1, 39 IP, 2.31 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, .230 BAA
Mike Myers
10 G, 0-0, 6.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, .158 BAA.
Gary Sheffield
22 G, 91 AB, 13 R, 31 H, 4 2B, 4 HR, 18 RBI, .341 AVG, .390 OBA, .516 SLG, .906 OPS
Johnny Damon
23 G, 93 AB,22 R, 29 H, 9 2B, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 7 SB, .312 AVG, .400 OBA, .505 SLG, .905 OPS
Scott Proctor
9 G, 1-1, 16 IP, 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, .167 BAA
Ron Villone
9 G, 0-0, 9 IP, 2.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, .182 BAA
Cold
Jaret Wright
3 G, 2 GS, 0-2, 10 IP, 7.20 ERA, 2.30 WHIP, .395 BAA
Bernie Williams
20 G, 60 AB, 8 R, 13 H, 1 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, .217 AVG, .262 OBA, .283 SLG, .545 OPS
Tanyon Sturtze
11 G, 0-0, 8.1 IP, 5.40 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, .281 BAA
Mariano Rivera
8 G, 0-2, 9.2 IP, 4 SV, 3.72 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, .270 BAA
Chien-Ming Wang
5 GS, 1-1, 30 IP, 4.80 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, .277 BAA
Andy Phillips
15 G, 26 AB, 3 R, 4 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .154 AVG, .214 OBA, .269 SLG, .484 OPS
