08/26: Pavano Ready?
Posted by: Patrick
Well, according to the New York Daily News:
Well, I know pretty much everyone has low expectations for this, but with the injury to Moose, it seems like as good a time as any to get him a couple (2) of starts and see if he might be able to help us in September or (dare I say it) October (don't hurt me).
Carl Pavano allowed two runs and eight hits in six innings for Triple-A Columbus last night in what might have been his final rehab start.
Although Pavano has only thrown 16-2/3 innings in the minors since May surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow, the Yankees are considering bringing him up to make his season debut.
Although Pavano has only thrown 16-2/3 innings in the minors since May surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow, the Yankees are considering bringing him up to make his season debut.
Well, I know pretty much everyone has low expectations for this, but with the injury to Moose, it seems like as good a time as any to get him a couple (2) of starts and see if he might be able to help us in September or (dare I say it) October (don't hurt me).
08/25: King Chien-Ming
Posted by: James
There's a quick little article over at ESPN from the AP about Chien-Ming Wang and how loved he is at home (Taiwan). Most people have gathered that from the Taiwanese flags and supporters that show up for Wang's games (both in the Bronx and on the road) but the article repeats the point.
Coach, if you can remember where these players that are than Wang are...you let the Yankee brass know!
I'm just glad that the guy is on our team. He's young, confident, funny and stays out of trouble. Throw in the fact that he's a huge figure in a foreign country (meaning increased international merchandise sales and more importantly, a better talent pipeline into Taiwan) and things certainly have come up roses for the Yanks and Wang so far.
...Twelve year old pitcher Nien Wen-Fang explains what it means to have Wang as a role model.
"I absolutely idolize him," he said. "I want to be just like him."
...
The team practices five days a week, two hours a day under the watchful eye of coach Liu Yong-Song, a personable 53-year-old who has been at the school for 20 years -- including the time in the late 1980s and early 1990s when Wang was on the squad.
"Wang donated the statue in the courtyard," Liu says. "He comes here during the offseason to give our players tips. He's a big presence in our program."
...
"From the time he was in third grade I knew he had talent," he said. "But even more important was his personality. He was quiet, self-contained and he didn't horse around with other kids." Still, Liu says, he had no idea that Wang was destined for stardom in the major leagues.
"The truth is," he said. "I've coached better players."
"I absolutely idolize him," he said. "I want to be just like him."
...
The team practices five days a week, two hours a day under the watchful eye of coach Liu Yong-Song, a personable 53-year-old who has been at the school for 20 years -- including the time in the late 1980s and early 1990s when Wang was on the squad.
"Wang donated the statue in the courtyard," Liu says. "He comes here during the offseason to give our players tips. He's a big presence in our program."
...
"From the time he was in third grade I knew he had talent," he said. "But even more important was his personality. He was quiet, self-contained and he didn't horse around with other kids." Still, Liu says, he had no idea that Wang was destined for stardom in the major leagues.
"The truth is," he said. "I've coached better players."
Coach, if you can remember where these players that are than Wang are...you let the Yankee brass know!
I'm just glad that the guy is on our team. He's young, confident, funny and stays out of trouble. Throw in the fact that he's a huge figure in a foreign country (meaning increased international merchandise sales and more importantly, a better talent pipeline into Taiwan) and things certainly have come up roses for the Yanks and Wang so far.
Posted by: Patrick
Wagner: Winning the most important:
At the end of the day, that just seems really lame to me. I know the reason for the lack of criticism, though. Postseason numbers:
Mariano Rivera: 24 postseason series (team record: 17-7, 4 world champions), 72 games, 111.2 IP, 8-1, 34 saves, 0.81 ERA.
Trevor Hoffman: 5 postseason series (team record: 2-3, 0 world champions), 11 games, 12 IP, 1-2, 3 saves, 3.75 ERA.
Billy Wagner: 4 postseason series (team record: 0-4, 0 world champions), 5 games, 4.2 IP, 1-0, 0 saves, 7.71 ERA.
Yes, I realize there are team factors, but regardless, when your that good, most criticism is short sighted.
Wagner also likes to take a jab or two at the cult of Mariano Rivera worshippers. Any time Rivera blows a save, which doesn't happen often, Wagner will make some sort of comment within earshot of reporters. It's not a rip on Rivera, just the aura of infallibility that surrounds him.
"I'm jealous," Wagner said. "As a player, that's where you want to be, to be put in his situation. He's been great and winning cures a lot of things. I mean, if you win, it's awful hard to get criticized very much, and he's won championships and he's proven himself like nobody else in the game has besides Trevor [Hoffman].
"I'm jealous," Wagner said. "As a player, that's where you want to be, to be put in his situation. He's been great and winning cures a lot of things. I mean, if you win, it's awful hard to get criticized very much, and he's won championships and he's proven himself like nobody else in the game has besides Trevor [Hoffman].
At the end of the day, that just seems really lame to me. I know the reason for the lack of criticism, though. Postseason numbers:
Mariano Rivera: 24 postseason series (team record: 17-7, 4 world champions), 72 games, 111.2 IP, 8-1, 34 saves, 0.81 ERA.
Trevor Hoffman: 5 postseason series (team record: 2-3, 0 world champions), 11 games, 12 IP, 1-2, 3 saves, 3.75 ERA.
Billy Wagner: 4 postseason series (team record: 0-4, 0 world champions), 5 games, 4.2 IP, 1-0, 0 saves, 7.71 ERA.
Yes, I realize there are team factors, but regardless, when your that good, most criticism is short sighted.
Posted by: James
Both teams were without their starting third basemen as A-Rod continued to recover from a throat infection and Adrian Beltre had to sit out due to a stiff-neck.
Jarrod Washburn looked like he had his good stuff going last night as after a leadoff walk to Damon, he struck out both Jeter (who's slumping right now), Abreu and got Giambi to fly out to center. Facing a Seattle line-up that was depleted of one of their better hitters in Beltre (say you what you will but Adrian had been pretty hot since the break...and his replacement was Willie Bloomquist), Randy got into trouble early allowing a leadoff double to Ichiro. After a groudout advanced him to third, a Jose Lopez single brought Ichiro in with the first run of the game. That run was actually the first that Randy had ever given up at Safeco. Luckily, Johnson was able to settle down and get out of the first without any further damage.
Still, the fact that Johnson gave up a run so quickly was enough to scare me a little bit. The Seattle line-up is hands-down one of the weakest in the majors, though they do play at a pretty extreme pitcher's park. Still, even in any context, this is a pretty bad lineup and then when you take Beltre out of that line-up - well, it hurt me physically looking at it. It reminded me too much of the Alvaro Espinosa, Pat Kelly and Kevin Maas days (though that was the first time we all got to see Bernie).
After cruising through the first two innings, the Yanks got to Washburn in the third with singles by Craig Wilson and Johnny Damon. With one out (a Nick Green K), Derek Jeter's single tied the game and put runners on first and second. However, Washburn was able to right himself and struck out both Abreu and Giambi.
The bottom of the third started off much like the first for Randy. The leadoff man in the inning, Chris Snelling, led off with a double and advanced on a goundout by Ichiro. A swinging bunt by Willie Bloomquist put runners on first and third (the runner didn't come home as the hit was a very slow dribbler to first). A RBI single by Jose Lopez (he was down in the count 2 strikes) put the Mariners back on top and a Richie Sexson double (also, down in the count 2 strikes) cleared the bases, put Sexson on second with one out and gave the Mariners a 4-1 lead. Randy got out of the inning at that point thanks to an Eduardo Perez strikeout and a Kenji Johjima groundout.
In the top of the 4th, Posada was hit by a pitch followed by a single by Cano (who's hitting quite a bit better with runners on since he came back from his injury) put runners on first and second with no one out. Washburn was able to strike out Melky (his 8th strikeout of the game) to get the first out and was gifted the second out as Robbie Cano was picked off first by a snap throw by Kenji Johjima. That was a huge out in the game as it seemed to let all the air out of the rally. Still, the inning wasn't quite over as Craig Wilson worked out a walk and Nick Green was hit by a pitch. This loaded the bases with 2 outs for Johnny Damon who lined out to left. It was a disappointing set of events for an inning that had started out well but at the least, Washburn's pitch count had hit 80 after 4 innings.
However, that lost opportunity would be it for the Yankees as Washburn ended up pitching two more solid innings before allowing a second Yankees run on a solo home-run by Damon (who is making a serious push for player of the month) in the seventh. The home run would have been more meaningful had Nick Green been on base but Ichiro, playing center, made a really good grab on Green's shot to the wall. The Seattle bullpen then came in and contributed 3 scoreless innings of work to seal the win at 4-2. For his part, Johnson did end up settling down and pitching a complete game for the Yanks, giving a tired bullpen some much needed rest. Still, the Red Sox who beat the previously unbeaten Jered Weaver, did gain a game in the standings so the Yankees go into a series with the (always troublesome) Angels on a sour note, having lost 2 of 3 and with only a 5.5 game lead in the standings.
Jarrod Washburn looked like he had his good stuff going last night as after a leadoff walk to Damon, he struck out both Jeter (who's slumping right now), Abreu and got Giambi to fly out to center. Facing a Seattle line-up that was depleted of one of their better hitters in Beltre (say you what you will but Adrian had been pretty hot since the break...and his replacement was Willie Bloomquist), Randy got into trouble early allowing a leadoff double to Ichiro. After a groudout advanced him to third, a Jose Lopez single brought Ichiro in with the first run of the game. That run was actually the first that Randy had ever given up at Safeco. Luckily, Johnson was able to settle down and get out of the first without any further damage.
Still, the fact that Johnson gave up a run so quickly was enough to scare me a little bit. The Seattle line-up is hands-down one of the weakest in the majors, though they do play at a pretty extreme pitcher's park. Still, even in any context, this is a pretty bad lineup and then when you take Beltre out of that line-up - well, it hurt me physically looking at it. It reminded me too much of the Alvaro Espinosa, Pat Kelly and Kevin Maas days (though that was the first time we all got to see Bernie).
After cruising through the first two innings, the Yanks got to Washburn in the third with singles by Craig Wilson and Johnny Damon. With one out (a Nick Green K), Derek Jeter's single tied the game and put runners on first and second. However, Washburn was able to right himself and struck out both Abreu and Giambi.
The bottom of the third started off much like the first for Randy. The leadoff man in the inning, Chris Snelling, led off with a double and advanced on a goundout by Ichiro. A swinging bunt by Willie Bloomquist put runners on first and third (the runner didn't come home as the hit was a very slow dribbler to first). A RBI single by Jose Lopez (he was down in the count 2 strikes) put the Mariners back on top and a Richie Sexson double (also, down in the count 2 strikes) cleared the bases, put Sexson on second with one out and gave the Mariners a 4-1 lead. Randy got out of the inning at that point thanks to an Eduardo Perez strikeout and a Kenji Johjima groundout.
In the top of the 4th, Posada was hit by a pitch followed by a single by Cano (who's hitting quite a bit better with runners on since he came back from his injury) put runners on first and second with no one out. Washburn was able to strike out Melky (his 8th strikeout of the game) to get the first out and was gifted the second out as Robbie Cano was picked off first by a snap throw by Kenji Johjima. That was a huge out in the game as it seemed to let all the air out of the rally. Still, the inning wasn't quite over as Craig Wilson worked out a walk and Nick Green was hit by a pitch. This loaded the bases with 2 outs for Johnny Damon who lined out to left. It was a disappointing set of events for an inning that had started out well but at the least, Washburn's pitch count had hit 80 after 4 innings.
However, that lost opportunity would be it for the Yankees as Washburn ended up pitching two more solid innings before allowing a second Yankees run on a solo home-run by Damon (who is making a serious push for player of the month) in the seventh. The home run would have been more meaningful had Nick Green been on base but Ichiro, playing center, made a really good grab on Green's shot to the wall. The Seattle bullpen then came in and contributed 3 scoreless innings of work to seal the win at 4-2. For his part, Johnson did end up settling down and pitching a complete game for the Yanks, giving a tired bullpen some much needed rest. Still, the Red Sox who beat the previously unbeaten Jered Weaver, did gain a game in the standings so the Yankees go into a series with the (always troublesome) Angels on a sour note, having lost 2 of 3 and with only a 5.5 game lead in the standings.
Posted by: Patrick
Steve posts some interesting numbers in support of the Derek Jeter for MVP campaign. Basically, it contrasts Jeter's and David Ortiz's OBA when down by 1, 2 or 3 runs. Jeter is ahead in all 3 of those categorizations (.489 vs .298, .516 vs. .476 and .500 vs. .324).
08/24: The Very Unique Chien-Ming
Posted by: James
The always interesting Dave Studeman checks in with weekly "Ten Things I Didn't Know Last Week" and the Yankees show up twice on the list. The first point is about how the Yankees have pulled away from the Red Sox (I love looking at that graph and seeing the two teams diverge). The second point refers to Obi-Wang and what he might accomplish this season:
Hmmm, neither of those guys bear much resemblance to Chien-Ming's pitching profile so it will be especially interesting to see how Wang develops.
Finally, Dave points over to TriplePlay's blog where he's compiled how each team in the majors has put together their 25-man roster. Ben Kabak of Off the Facade did this a little while ago as well for the Yanks and is one of the sources for TriplePlay's Yankees page.
I found out that he's (Wang) on track to do something that hasn't been accomplished for 17 years: finish the season with fewer than three strikeouts a game and an ERA under 4.00.
The last pitchers to pull off that feat were two lefties: Baltimore’s Jeff Ballard and Toronto’s Mike Flanagan in 1989. Ballard had a classic “fluke” year in 1989, when he finished with a record of 18-8 and an ERA of 3.43, despite striking out only 62 batters in 215 innings. He never approached that level of success again. Flanagan was a 37-year-old crafty lefthander at the end of a fine career, relying on guile, control and placement. Freakishly, he had as many walks as strikeouts in 1989 but he still managed to post a 3.93 ERA.
Of course, it was harder to score runs in the 1980s than it is today, so I doubt that there are many valid comparisons in recent baseball history to what Wang is doing this year.
The last pitchers to pull off that feat were two lefties: Baltimore’s Jeff Ballard and Toronto’s Mike Flanagan in 1989. Ballard had a classic “fluke” year in 1989, when he finished with a record of 18-8 and an ERA of 3.43, despite striking out only 62 batters in 215 innings. He never approached that level of success again. Flanagan was a 37-year-old crafty lefthander at the end of a fine career, relying on guile, control and placement. Freakishly, he had as many walks as strikeouts in 1989 but he still managed to post a 3.93 ERA.
Of course, it was harder to score runs in the 1980s than it is today, so I doubt that there are many valid comparisons in recent baseball history to what Wang is doing this year.
Hmmm, neither of those guys bear much resemblance to Chien-Ming's pitching profile so it will be especially interesting to see how Wang develops.
Finally, Dave points over to TriplePlay's blog where he's compiled how each team in the majors has put together their 25-man roster. Ben Kabak of Off the Facade did this a little while ago as well for the Yanks and is one of the sources for TriplePlay's Yankees page.
Posted by: Jason
...is how Joe Torre described Chien-Ming Wang to the media yesterday after another strong performance into late innings at Safeco Field. Really, Joe? Perhaps 2 months ago he was still a surprise, but now we must expect performances like this. Wang's best will be necessary to sustain a run deep into October.
Wang's fine effort was complemented by the Yankees offense, who spread 9 runs around the lineup with the now familiar on base + hit for power formula. Cano, Damon, Giambi and Posada all contributed RBIs. What was not expected was the ease in which the Yankees solved the Mariners' young gun Felix Hernandez. He lasted into the 4th inning and was bounced by Mike Hargrove with the Yankees holding a commanding 7-0 lead. A disappointing start for the Seattle faithful given Hernandez's past performances.
I don't know about you, but the low-pressure atmosphere of the famously relaxed Safeco crowd has been great for my nerves after pacing around for most of the 5 games in Boston. Hopefully the players/coaches feel the same way.
During this game, I was also reminded that SEA and NYY are the 2 major players in the Daisuke Matsuzaka sweepstakes that is already underway. (and his famous, mysterious "gyro" pitch that's freaking everyone out...it's like the secret "Caterpillar drive" in the Hunt for Red October) Hopefully Jean Afterman and her Yankees Asia/Pacific colleagues are successful. The Yankees pitching staff is solid right now. In 2007-2008, it could dominate the AL...(Wang, Matsuzaka, Hughes, Zito?...oh my)
The ex-Angels hand Washburn faces the Unit tonight in the series finale. One more night of relative relaxation (I hope) until the team goes into the Angels' lair...always a tough place for Torre's Yankees.
Wang's fine effort was complemented by the Yankees offense, who spread 9 runs around the lineup with the now familiar on base + hit for power formula. Cano, Damon, Giambi and Posada all contributed RBIs. What was not expected was the ease in which the Yankees solved the Mariners' young gun Felix Hernandez. He lasted into the 4th inning and was bounced by Mike Hargrove with the Yankees holding a commanding 7-0 lead. A disappointing start for the Seattle faithful given Hernandez's past performances.
I don't know about you, but the low-pressure atmosphere of the famously relaxed Safeco crowd has been great for my nerves after pacing around for most of the 5 games in Boston. Hopefully the players/coaches feel the same way.
During this game, I was also reminded that SEA and NYY are the 2 major players in the Daisuke Matsuzaka sweepstakes that is already underway. (and his famous, mysterious "gyro" pitch that's freaking everyone out...it's like the secret "Caterpillar drive" in the Hunt for Red October) Hopefully Jean Afterman and her Yankees Asia/Pacific colleagues are successful. The Yankees pitching staff is solid right now. In 2007-2008, it could dominate the AL...(Wang, Matsuzaka, Hughes, Zito?...oh my)
The ex-Angels hand Washburn faces the Unit tonight in the series finale. One more night of relative relaxation (I hope) until the team goes into the Angels' lair...always a tough place for Torre's Yankees.
08/23: The 3 Headed Monster
Posted by: Patrick
Some pitchers moving around today. Moose hits the 15 day DL, Brian Bruney is brought back up for his spot and Sidney Ponson has been released.
Via Jim Baumbach.
Via Jim Baumbach.
08/23: Stan the Man
Posted by: Jason
In 1952, 11 years into Musial's solid gold career, he had a "down" year:
Year HR RBI
1949 36 123
1950 28 109
1951 32 108
1952 21 91
Whoa...do you think in STL they thought that Stan was in trouble, and perhaps should be traded?
Year HR RBI
1953 30 113
1954 35 126
1955 33 108
I'll let you draw your own conclusions.
Year HR RBI
1949 36 123
1950 28 109
1951 32 108
1952 21 91
Whoa...do you think in STL they thought that Stan was in trouble, and perhaps should be traded?
Year HR RBI
1953 30 113
1954 35 126
1955 33 108
I'll let you draw your own conclusions.
Posted by: James
Not much more to say than that. After a exceptionally strong series against his old team, Johnny Damon won AL player of the week.
You know it was a good week when 3 out of the 4 offensive candidates for the award were Yankees!
In fact, the center fielder rose to more than one occasion this week, torching his former team for two home runs, three doubles, a triple and eight RBIs and hitting .435 (10-for-26) as New York swept Boston in five games to take a commanding 6 1/2-game division lead over its American League East foe.
Perhaps the storied rivalry inspired him, but the 32-year-old Damon was just as strong at the beginning of the week as he was at the end. During the week ending Aug. 20, he hit .390 (16-for-41) with four doubles, two triples, four home runs and 12 RBIs, collected 36 total bases and bragged a slugging percentage of .878. For his efforts, he received American League Player of the Week honors, as presented by Bank of America.
...
Also considered for the award this week were the Yankees' Bobby Abreu (.483 batting average, four doubles, thee RBIs, 10 walks) and Robinson Cano (.306, three doubles, two homers, 13 RBIs) and Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero (.407, three doubles, one home run, nine RBIs).
Perhaps the storied rivalry inspired him, but the 32-year-old Damon was just as strong at the beginning of the week as he was at the end. During the week ending Aug. 20, he hit .390 (16-for-41) with four doubles, two triples, four home runs and 12 RBIs, collected 36 total bases and bragged a slugging percentage of .878. For his efforts, he received American League Player of the Week honors, as presented by Bank of America.
...
Also considered for the award this week were the Yankees' Bobby Abreu (.483 batting average, four doubles, thee RBIs, 10 walks) and Robinson Cano (.306, three doubles, two homers, 13 RBIs) and Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero (.407, three doubles, one home run, nine RBIs).
You know it was a good week when 3 out of the 4 offensive candidates for the award were Yankees!
