Posted by: Patrick
Yeah, I'm making fun of this whole thing a little bit. The truth is, though, if you are going to bring up the original gossipy story as I did, you also need to bring up this story (with picture):
I'd like to hope that this would be the end of that plot line. But, I know better.
Via Tony Gicas.
New York Yankees player Alex Rodriguez was seen strolling the streets of Boston hand-in-hand with his wife.
I'd like to hope that this would be the end of that plot line. But, I know better.
Via Tony Gicas.
Posted by: Patrick
From the AP:
While rounding the bases on a home run? Life happens, I guess.
Edit: Kevin Thompson has been promoted.
Via Yahoo! via KFFL.
Jason Giambi will be sidelined at least three weeks and possibly far longer after tearing tissue in his left foot while rounding the bases on a home run. ...
While the best-case scenario likely would have Giambi returning in three to six weeks, Cashman couldn't rule out that Giambi could miss the remainder of the season.
While the best-case scenario likely would have Giambi returning in three to six weeks, Cashman couldn't rule out that Giambi could miss the remainder of the season.
While rounding the bases on a home run? Life happens, I guess.
Edit: Kevin Thompson has been promoted.
Via Yahoo! via KFFL.
05/31: Just Do It
Posted by: James
Memo to the Yankee Brass:
We get it. He's good. He's dominating the league. Promote Kennedy already.
While you're at it...you might want to keep this guy in the back of your mind as well. He's loosening up in Tampa and Joba will be ready for that trip to AA real soon.
Also, speaking of double-A, not too shabby tonight ...and all season, Jeff. Not too shabby at all.
Oh, and anyone discouraged that the Yankees pick so late...well, those #1 picks don't always pan out...
We get it. He's good. He's dominating the league. Promote Kennedy already.
While you're at it...you might want to keep this guy in the back of your mind as well. He's loosening up in Tampa and Joba will be ready for that trip to AA real soon.
Also, speaking of double-A, not too shabby tonight ...and all season, Jeff. Not too shabby at all.
Oh, and anyone discouraged that the Yankees pick so late...well, those #1 picks don't always pan out...
05/31: Fun With Gamelogs
Posted by: James
Let me state right here that I love Baseball-Reference.com. I always have...but they have forced my love to a higher level. The additions of the play index, splits, gamelogs, etc. have essentially moved BR to my home page.
In any case, I just wanted to throw up some interesting streaks - make of them what you will.
A-Rod in his the first 18 games: .400/.453/1.053/1.506 with 7 2Bs, 14 Hrs and 34 RBI.
A-Rod in the next 33 games: .225/.345/.383/.728 with 4 2Bs, 5 HRs and 11 RBI. Can you imagine how much heat he'd be taking right now if he hadn't had such a hot start?
Robbie Cano over the last 13 games (coming off his lowest OPS point of the year): .346/.358/.615/.973 with 7 2Bs, 2 3Bs and 1 HR. Of course, this was all done mostly batting 8th or 9th - way to ride the hot hand Joe.
Bobby Abreu through the first five games: .348/.448/.478/.926 with 1 HR and 6 RBI.
Bobby Abreu in the following 44 games: .213/.293/.264/.557 with 1 HR, 16 RBI, 20 BB and 39 Ks.
Melky over the last 18 games (the last time his AVG was under .200): .273/.349/.455/.804 with 2 2Bs, 1 3B and 1 HR over 64 PA. I know it's not awesome but it is certainly a lot better than his first 24 games: .190/.235/.203/.438 with 1 2B in 87 PA. Still, it's encouraging...especially if with Giambi down, Damon sees more time at DH and you see a lot more of Melky in the field.
In any case, I just wanted to throw up some interesting streaks - make of them what you will.
A-Rod in his the first 18 games: .400/.453/1.053/1.506 with 7 2Bs, 14 Hrs and 34 RBI.
A-Rod in the next 33 games: .225/.345/.383/.728 with 4 2Bs, 5 HRs and 11 RBI. Can you imagine how much heat he'd be taking right now if he hadn't had such a hot start?
Robbie Cano over the last 13 games (coming off his lowest OPS point of the year): .346/.358/.615/.973 with 7 2Bs, 2 3Bs and 1 HR. Of course, this was all done mostly batting 8th or 9th - way to ride the hot hand Joe.
Bobby Abreu through the first five games: .348/.448/.478/.926 with 1 HR and 6 RBI.
Bobby Abreu in the following 44 games: .213/.293/.264/.557 with 1 HR, 16 RBI, 20 BB and 39 Ks.
Melky over the last 18 games (the last time his AVG was under .200): .273/.349/.455/.804 with 2 2Bs, 1 3B and 1 HR over 64 PA. I know it's not awesome but it is certainly a lot better than his first 24 games: .190/.235/.203/.438 with 1 2B in 87 PA. Still, it's encouraging...especially if with Giambi down, Damon sees more time at DH and you see a lot more of Melky in the field.
05/31: Hughes Not Coming Back Soon
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham reports that, according to Cashman, Phil will need 4-6 weeks of rehab. Allowing for time to get his arm ready to pitch, Abraham says we shouldn't expect him back before 8-10 weeks.
Posted by: Seamus
If you scratched out all the names in Wednesday night's box score and just looked at the numbers, you'd probably have no idea you just saw the same Yankee team that you've seen the first two months of the season. If this was "fill in the blank," You probably wouldn't have wrote "Robinson Cano" next to 4-4 with 3 doubles to Robinson Cano, and you probably wouldn't have guessed to put Jason Giambi next to the 3-4 and 3 RBI if you were guessing solely based on the rest of this month's games. And I suppose you wouldn't have put two runs and 3 hits in just over an inning with Brian Bruney, either.
But that's how the Yankees ended their 5-game losing streak, by getting help from players who, well, haven't been helping them much at all the last month or so. The Yankees got something else that I thought was crucial that they haven't been getting, which was an early lead as Johnny Damon led the game off with a home run and the Yankees tattooed rookie Jessie Litsch for 5 runs in the first as Litsch failed to record more than two outs in his first career start against the Yankees.
Tyler Clippard pitched 5 innings, was dominant for the first two and then started to get a little rattled in the next three. Clippard gave up two runs in the third and one in the fourth inning as the Blue Jays started to creep up on the Yanks and Yankee fans who were watching thought "Uh oh, here we go." In the end, though, Clippard's performance was really not that bad with a line of 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 strikeouts.
Brian Bruney inherited a 6-3 lead in the 6th and pitched a good 6th inning but gave up a two-run shot to Matt Stairs in the 7th that brought the Blue Jays within a run before Scott Proctor came in and stopped the bleeding. Proctor was a little shaky, however, in the bottom of the 8th and Mariano Rivera came in with two outs in (gasp!) a save situation. Mariano Rivera got Lyle Overbay to ground out with runners on 1st and 2nd to end the Jays' threat and preserve the 6-5 lead.
The Yanks blew it open in a very strange 9th inning. After already scoring a run on a base hit by Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees scored again on what looked to be a routine popup to third. Turns out A-Rod shouted something as he was rounding the bases, distracting Blue Jays' 3B Howie Clark, and the ball dropped in for an RBI single by Jorge Posada. It still only got worse from there for Toronto as Jason Giambi followed that up with a two-run single to put the Yankees up 10-5. Rivera pitched a scoreless 9th to pick up his 4th save of the season.
Say what you want about what A-Rod did there, but I was kind of glad to see it. You have to grab a win any way you can get it, especially in a season where you're losing games like the one they lost against the Mariners. Also, the play prompted a few Blue Jay players to throw a few words at A-Rod which actually got a somewhat fiery response (I read some lips; words not YanksBlog.com appropriate), which I think in a way is actually a good thing. It was good to finally see a Yankee show a little bit of fire and emotion, even if he did cheat a little bit.
Another thing I liked about this game was the way the Yankees hit with two outs. They have been missing opportunities all season, but today scored a total of 6 runs in the game with two outs in a game they won by 5. I think two-out hitting so far has been the main difference between this lineup and other recent Yankee teams.
The Yanks will get today off before heading to Boston for a three-game set. They could cut the Red Sox' lead to 10.5 games or could leave Fenway behind by as much as 16.5 (OK, I probably made that sound like 10.5 games is nothing). Probably best for the Yankees to approach this as three one-game sets as opposed to a three-game series.
But that's how the Yankees ended their 5-game losing streak, by getting help from players who, well, haven't been helping them much at all the last month or so. The Yankees got something else that I thought was crucial that they haven't been getting, which was an early lead as Johnny Damon led the game off with a home run and the Yankees tattooed rookie Jessie Litsch for 5 runs in the first as Litsch failed to record more than two outs in his first career start against the Yankees.
Tyler Clippard pitched 5 innings, was dominant for the first two and then started to get a little rattled in the next three. Clippard gave up two runs in the third and one in the fourth inning as the Blue Jays started to creep up on the Yanks and Yankee fans who were watching thought "Uh oh, here we go." In the end, though, Clippard's performance was really not that bad with a line of 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 strikeouts.
Brian Bruney inherited a 6-3 lead in the 6th and pitched a good 6th inning but gave up a two-run shot to Matt Stairs in the 7th that brought the Blue Jays within a run before Scott Proctor came in and stopped the bleeding. Proctor was a little shaky, however, in the bottom of the 8th and Mariano Rivera came in with two outs in (gasp!) a save situation. Mariano Rivera got Lyle Overbay to ground out with runners on 1st and 2nd to end the Jays' threat and preserve the 6-5 lead.
The Yanks blew it open in a very strange 9th inning. After already scoring a run on a base hit by Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees scored again on what looked to be a routine popup to third. Turns out A-Rod shouted something as he was rounding the bases, distracting Blue Jays' 3B Howie Clark, and the ball dropped in for an RBI single by Jorge Posada. It still only got worse from there for Toronto as Jason Giambi followed that up with a two-run single to put the Yankees up 10-5. Rivera pitched a scoreless 9th to pick up his 4th save of the season.
Say what you want about what A-Rod did there, but I was kind of glad to see it. You have to grab a win any way you can get it, especially in a season where you're losing games like the one they lost against the Mariners. Also, the play prompted a few Blue Jay players to throw a few words at A-Rod which actually got a somewhat fiery response (I read some lips; words not YanksBlog.com appropriate), which I think in a way is actually a good thing. It was good to finally see a Yankee show a little bit of fire and emotion, even if he did cheat a little bit.
Another thing I liked about this game was the way the Yankees hit with two outs. They have been missing opportunities all season, but today scored a total of 6 runs in the game with two outs in a game they won by 5. I think two-out hitting so far has been the main difference between this lineup and other recent Yankee teams.
The Yanks will get today off before heading to Boston for a three-game set. They could cut the Red Sox' lead to 10.5 games or could leave Fenway behind by as much as 16.5 (OK, I probably made that sound like 10.5 games is nothing). Probably best for the Yankees to approach this as three one-game sets as opposed to a three-game series.
05/30: A-Rod Story in the Post
Posted by: Patrick
I normally wouldn't talk about nonsense like this, but I guess it's going to be a story, so let's get it out of the way. The New York Post has this:
I guess I'd be interested to see the photos (not just the one on the cover - who hasn't walked behind a woman into an elevator?!), not that they would mean a lot necessarily, but really, when it comes to stuff like this - everyone needs to check themselves. With stories like these, I always issue caution. No one should jump to believe this. No one should be passing it along as some sort of absolute truth. Maybe if you're a fan of gossip, this is your cup of tea. But, gossip is gossip - it's not fact. The two can align sometimes, but they aren't mutually exclusive. The first reaction to something like this should be suspicion. This is a serious thing that impacts people's lives and it should be treated as such. It should not be something that you simply believe because of one news report, a questionable photo or two and some whisperings.
Recognize what you're reading. At this stage, you're reading gossip. I don't know if there is a list of gossip qualifiers out there, but here's one: you might be reading gossip if the write up contains terms like "mysterious, busty blonde", "gal pal", "cozy duo" and "snug pair of blue jeans". So, while I'm not saying it couldn't have happened (who knows), this is something that should be taken carefully.
Via Mike.
Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez stepped up to the plate with a mysterious, busty blonde in Toronto, as these intimate, exclusive photos reveal.
The cozy duo dined with two pals at a pricey steakhouse late Sunday night, then headed to a glitzy strip club before making their way to his hotel, where the pair ducked into an elevator and headed upstairs just after midnight.
The cozy duo dined with two pals at a pricey steakhouse late Sunday night, then headed to a glitzy strip club before making their way to his hotel, where the pair ducked into an elevator and headed upstairs just after midnight.
I guess I'd be interested to see the photos (not just the one on the cover - who hasn't walked behind a woman into an elevator?!), not that they would mean a lot necessarily, but really, when it comes to stuff like this - everyone needs to check themselves. With stories like these, I always issue caution. No one should jump to believe this. No one should be passing it along as some sort of absolute truth. Maybe if you're a fan of gossip, this is your cup of tea. But, gossip is gossip - it's not fact. The two can align sometimes, but they aren't mutually exclusive. The first reaction to something like this should be suspicion. This is a serious thing that impacts people's lives and it should be treated as such. It should not be something that you simply believe because of one news report, a questionable photo or two and some whisperings.
Recognize what you're reading. At this stage, you're reading gossip. I don't know if there is a list of gossip qualifiers out there, but here's one: you might be reading gossip if the write up contains terms like "mysterious, busty blonde", "gal pal", "cozy duo" and "snug pair of blue jeans". So, while I'm not saying it couldn't have happened (who knows), this is something that should be taken carefully.
Via Mike.
Posted by: Patrick
From MLB.com:
Hampered by a bone spur and plantar fasciitis in his left foot, Giambi has been unable to push off and drive the ball while batting, which has landed the 36-year-old slugger in a 4-for-24 funk entering Tuesday's game.
With that in mind, Giambi has successfully lobbied for the Yankees' medical staff to allow him to receive a cortisone injection, tentatively to be delivered during the team's Thursday off-day in New York.
With that in mind, Giambi has successfully lobbied for the Yankees' medical staff to allow him to receive a cortisone injection, tentatively to be delivered during the team's Thursday off-day in New York.
Posted by: Jason
With their 3-2 loss last evening in Rogers Center, the Yankees wasted another great start by Andy Pettitte, who is easily one of the 5 best pitchers in the AL so far this year.
In the bottom first, Alex Rios was awarded second on Jeter's throwing error, a great play to stop the ball in the infield then a poor throw from #2's knees that sailed by Mientkiewicz. Rios then stole third, Posada had plenty of time to throw him out but dropped the ball on the transfer. Vernon Wells hit a deep grounder to Alex and Rios scored, 1-0.
(Offbeat plays like the above dominated this game....read on if you have an iron stomach)
Giambi reached on an infield single (!!??!?) in the top second, then stole second and went to third on a throwing error...this freakish game was just warming up.
For the next 5 full innings, Pettitte was simply dealing. He got out of the bottom 2nd and 3rd with double plays. All of his pitches were working but with a 91-92mph fastball, he was deadly. (Meanwhile, the offense was feeble, 1-7 with RISP)
Until the top 7th, when Giambi went the other way with authority to tie the contest 1-1. That's when the game became a Kafka short story and we all turned into insects....In the bottom of the 7th, Aaron Hill was on 1st and Frank Thomas on second. Jason Phillips grounded to Alex, who touched third for out #2 and then made a terrible throw to Phelps at first, it got away, and Hill took third base.
To review:
1) Phillips's ground ball was clearly going to go foul.
2) Alex missed an easy throw for the double play.
Then, with Pettitte focused on Royce Clayton, Hill crept off of 3rd and stole home: 2-1 Toronto. At that point I left Kafka and entered a David Lynch movie-like trance, because stealing home in the AL is pure surrealism. Bravo John Gibbons, an audacious move.
Once again, the Yankees did not fold the tent. Both Jetes and Alex reached on fielding errors. (totally out of character for this game, I know) Jorge's bloop just cleared the second baseman's glove and plated Jeter, 2-2. Giambi and Abreu could not deliver Alex from second.
Torre inserted Proctor into the game in the bottom 8th (not Bruney!!??!) and Toronto scored the winning run after a double and two sacrifices.
That was it. Hopefully tonight's game can be salvaged.
In the bottom first, Alex Rios was awarded second on Jeter's throwing error, a great play to stop the ball in the infield then a poor throw from #2's knees that sailed by Mientkiewicz. Rios then stole third, Posada had plenty of time to throw him out but dropped the ball on the transfer. Vernon Wells hit a deep grounder to Alex and Rios scored, 1-0.
(Offbeat plays like the above dominated this game....read on if you have an iron stomach)
Giambi reached on an infield single (!!??!?) in the top second, then stole second and went to third on a throwing error...this freakish game was just warming up.
For the next 5 full innings, Pettitte was simply dealing. He got out of the bottom 2nd and 3rd with double plays. All of his pitches were working but with a 91-92mph fastball, he was deadly. (Meanwhile, the offense was feeble, 1-7 with RISP)
Until the top 7th, when Giambi went the other way with authority to tie the contest 1-1. That's when the game became a Kafka short story and we all turned into insects....In the bottom of the 7th, Aaron Hill was on 1st and Frank Thomas on second. Jason Phillips grounded to Alex, who touched third for out #2 and then made a terrible throw to Phelps at first, it got away, and Hill took third base.
To review:
1) Phillips's ground ball was clearly going to go foul.
2) Alex missed an easy throw for the double play.
Then, with Pettitte focused on Royce Clayton, Hill crept off of 3rd and stole home: 2-1 Toronto. At that point I left Kafka and entered a David Lynch movie-like trance, because stealing home in the AL is pure surrealism. Bravo John Gibbons, an audacious move.
Once again, the Yankees did not fold the tent. Both Jetes and Alex reached on fielding errors. (totally out of character for this game, I know) Jorge's bloop just cleared the second baseman's glove and plated Jeter, 2-2. Giambi and Abreu could not deliver Alex from second.
Torre inserted Proctor into the game in the bottom 8th (not Bruney!!??!) and Toronto scored the winning run after a double and two sacrifices.
That was it. Hopefully tonight's game can be salvaged.
05/29: Minors Notes
Posted by: James
Steven White made his first start of the year at High-A Tampa after coming off the DL earlier this week. 6 and a third, 6 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk and 6 Ks. Let's hope his arm stays healthy because when he's going well...he can be pretty good...trading chip good.
Also, Mitch Hilligoss got a hit (a 2-run double) in his final at-bat to tie the SAL record by hitting safely in his 35th straight game. Not too shabby, eh?
Finally, my guy Eric Duncan (and I say that because it seems like I'm the last guy who still likes Duncan as a prospect) went into tonight's game with a .234/.345/.339/.683 line. First off, that's not a bad OBP for such a bad average, especially with his problems against lefties (take a look at that .111 BABIP though). In addition, he's had a very encouraging 13 BBs and 4 Ks in his last 20 games so I fully expect the hits (and power) to start coming soon. I mean, he was named the Yankees' "Best Power Hitter" by Baseball America at one point for a reason, right? Well, hopefully, tonight will be the start of a good streak for the kid/trading chip. If nothing else, his 3-for-3 performance with 2 HRs makes his season line look quite a bit better: .252/.362/.402 for a .763 OPS (and I expect that SLG line to end up north of .450). It's not great...but it's getting better for the kid in his age 22 season at AAA.
Also, Mitch Hilligoss got a hit (a 2-run double) in his final at-bat to tie the SAL record by hitting safely in his 35th straight game. Not too shabby, eh?
Finally, my guy Eric Duncan (and I say that because it seems like I'm the last guy who still likes Duncan as a prospect) went into tonight's game with a .234/.345/.339/.683 line. First off, that's not a bad OBP for such a bad average, especially with his problems against lefties (take a look at that .111 BABIP though). In addition, he's had a very encouraging 13 BBs and 4 Ks in his last 20 games so I fully expect the hits (and power) to start coming soon. I mean, he was named the Yankees' "Best Power Hitter" by Baseball America at one point for a reason, right? Well, hopefully, tonight will be the start of a good streak for the kid/trading chip. If nothing else, his 3-for-3 performance with 2 HRs makes his season line look quite a bit better: .252/.362/.402 for a .763 OPS (and I expect that SLG line to end up north of .450). It's not great...but it's getting better for the kid in his age 22 season at AAA.
