05/03: Bowa on Jeter's D
Posted by: Patrick
The Pinstriped Bible has some quotes from Larry Bowa on Jeter's D:
I've always been happy with Jeter's defense. When a ball is hit to Jeter and the game is on the line, I fully expect him to make the play. If there is anyone on the field I want the ball hit to, it is Derek Jeter. I think that's probably one of the biggest complements you can pay to a fielder. It doesn't get hit to Jeter and I think "Oh no, we're screwed!" And not once during Jeter's tenure have I wished that we had some other shortstop for the life of Jeter's career. How many teams would kill/would have killed to have Jeter as their shortstop? I'm just glad he's on our side.
Via Alex.
On Jeter's Defense:
"I think he's a very good defensive player. This kid has a great work ethic. When he goes out there for pregame, he just doesn't take grounders to get loose. He goes right, he goes left. He asks me every day, 'If you see something, let me know.' Or if there's a play, he'll ask, 'Did I play that wrong?' This guy's a professional. He's a leader out there. It seems like the tougher the situation, he thrives on that. He's a great player." ...
Where Jeter can improve:
"One area we've talked a little bit about is playing more to his right on some ground balls. But for the most part, he follows our game plan. When we say straight away, he's there. When we say, 'Pull,' he's there. I think what happens is people, they're used to him making every single play, and if he just misses a ball, it could be the pitch. A lot of times when you're playing shortstop, and location's away, you're mentally saying, 'Okay, the pitch is this way, it's going to be hard for this guy to pull.'
"I think he's a very good defensive player. This kid has a great work ethic. When he goes out there for pregame, he just doesn't take grounders to get loose. He goes right, he goes left. He asks me every day, 'If you see something, let me know.' Or if there's a play, he'll ask, 'Did I play that wrong?' This guy's a professional. He's a leader out there. It seems like the tougher the situation, he thrives on that. He's a great player." ...
Where Jeter can improve:
"One area we've talked a little bit about is playing more to his right on some ground balls. But for the most part, he follows our game plan. When we say straight away, he's there. When we say, 'Pull,' he's there. I think what happens is people, they're used to him making every single play, and if he just misses a ball, it could be the pitch. A lot of times when you're playing shortstop, and location's away, you're mentally saying, 'Okay, the pitch is this way, it's going to be hard for this guy to pull.'
I've always been happy with Jeter's defense. When a ball is hit to Jeter and the game is on the line, I fully expect him to make the play. If there is anyone on the field I want the ball hit to, it is Derek Jeter. I think that's probably one of the biggest complements you can pay to a fielder. It doesn't get hit to Jeter and I think "Oh no, we're screwed!" And not once during Jeter's tenure have I wished that we had some other shortstop for the life of Jeter's career. How many teams would kill/would have killed to have Jeter as their shortstop? I'm just glad he's on our side.
Via Alex.
Posted by: Patrick
There is an article on recordonline.com that discusses the possibility of Jeter and Mo playing for the Red Sox and both of them being unable to fathom it. It's a good read.
"I can't imagine it," he said a day after Red Sox fans had to swallow the sight of Johnny Damon in a Yankees uniform. "I never even thought about it. It never crossed my mind." ...
"I can't imagine that," Rivera said. "I can't put myself in that situation." ...
"New Yorkers would chase me all over New York state," he said. "Oh, forget about it." ...
"Why?" Jeter said, when told he could have at least tested the free agent market before signing a 10-year deal in 2001. "I didn't want to go anywhere."
"I can't imagine that," Rivera said. "I can't put myself in that situation." ...
"New Yorkers would chase me all over New York state," he said. "Oh, forget about it." ...
"Why?" Jeter said, when told he could have at least tested the free agent market before signing a 10-year deal in 2001. "I didn't want to go anywhere."
Posted by: Michael
Boston fans let Damon know what they thought of him last night, constantly booing Damon anytime he was at the plate, or was running down fly balls in the outfield. Damon went 0-4 for the night, and perhaps the BoSox fans did get to him a little. Who knows for sure?
The end result was a Yankee loss clearly from their lack of hitting with a team total of 4 hits for the evening. In fact, the entire offense for the night came in the fourth inning alone. Bases loaded, Matsui hits a weak RBI producing grounder to first to tie the score. Posada tries the same move, but this time we have Giambi on third who always looks like he has weights tied around his ankles. Then Cano, who is batting in the 7th slot hits a grounder right up the middle to add an addtional 2 more runs. That was all the offense for the evening folks.
Fast forward, tied in the eighth with men on second and first for Boston, Torre decides to yank Small and insert none other than Tanyon Sturtze. Sturtze then proceeds to give up a grounder up the middle from Loretta and giving the Red Sox the lead for good. Sturtze is yanked for Mike Myers to face Big Papi who then puts the game out of reach stroking a three run homer to seal the deal. Papelbon comes in an closes the door. Did we really expect a rally with that homer from Ortiz?
Some thoughts:
Does anyone have the feeling of strike out rather than home run when A-Rod comes to the plate now? Clearly a non-clutch hitter. I still admire his fine defense in the field, and hopefully the home runs will come to reverse my thinking.
Has Sturtze lost it? Does he have what it takes to be our guy in these situations? I believe so. In as much I was actually asking the TV...why not Proctor? Why not Villone? Then the run scores to put the Sox in the lead.
In the news this morning it is all over about how Big Papi continues to haunt the Yanks. Does he? I didn't think the Yanks could come back even from one run down. Did anyone watch the game to see that when Ortiz hit that home run in the 8th that the Sox were already in the lead???
Lastly, I disagree with Torre last night playing Cairo at first. Now, I'm not slamming Cairo and his abilities, but I'm a big fan of Phillips and giving him a chance. Give the guy a chance to get some ABs. Please!!! Crosby looked good in right defensively and made a remarkable sliding catch in the first. But at the plate he looked horrible. Another sign that lack of ABs will diminish your plate skillz.
We are back at Fenway tonight at Shawn Chacon (301, 4.56 ERA) takes on Josh Beckett (3-1, 4.50 ERA) in what will amount to another intense game decided upon pitching, strong defense, and come on guys...a few more hits would be ideal! Game time is at 7:05pm ET.
The end result was a Yankee loss clearly from their lack of hitting with a team total of 4 hits for the evening. In fact, the entire offense for the night came in the fourth inning alone. Bases loaded, Matsui hits a weak RBI producing grounder to first to tie the score. Posada tries the same move, but this time we have Giambi on third who always looks like he has weights tied around his ankles. Then Cano, who is batting in the 7th slot hits a grounder right up the middle to add an addtional 2 more runs. That was all the offense for the evening folks.
Fast forward, tied in the eighth with men on second and first for Boston, Torre decides to yank Small and insert none other than Tanyon Sturtze. Sturtze then proceeds to give up a grounder up the middle from Loretta and giving the Red Sox the lead for good. Sturtze is yanked for Mike Myers to face Big Papi who then puts the game out of reach stroking a three run homer to seal the deal. Papelbon comes in an closes the door. Did we really expect a rally with that homer from Ortiz?
Some thoughts:
Does anyone have the feeling of strike out rather than home run when A-Rod comes to the plate now? Clearly a non-clutch hitter. I still admire his fine defense in the field, and hopefully the home runs will come to reverse my thinking.
Has Sturtze lost it? Does he have what it takes to be our guy in these situations? I believe so. In as much I was actually asking the TV...why not Proctor? Why not Villone? Then the run scores to put the Sox in the lead.
In the news this morning it is all over about how Big Papi continues to haunt the Yanks. Does he? I didn't think the Yanks could come back even from one run down. Did anyone watch the game to see that when Ortiz hit that home run in the 8th that the Sox were already in the lead???
Lastly, I disagree with Torre last night playing Cairo at first. Now, I'm not slamming Cairo and his abilities, but I'm a big fan of Phillips and giving him a chance. Give the guy a chance to get some ABs. Please!!! Crosby looked good in right defensively and made a remarkable sliding catch in the first. But at the plate he looked horrible. Another sign that lack of ABs will diminish your plate skillz.
We are back at Fenway tonight at Shawn Chacon (301, 4.56 ERA) takes on Josh Beckett (3-1, 4.50 ERA) in what will amount to another intense game decided upon pitching, strong defense, and come on guys...a few more hits would be ideal! Game time is at 7:05pm ET.
05/01: Minors Report
Posted by: James
Mike A. over at In George We Trust has the minor league report for April up. Check it out for an good overview of the Yankees system and an in-season top 10. Def. worth the read.
04/30: Redemption
Posted by: Jason
Giambi's fantastic start is, IMO, inspirational. To see him overcome the massive obstacles of the last 36 months and continue his hot '05 second half through the first month of '06 is astonishing and improbable.
Erasmus wrote: "The most difficult battle a man must face is with himself." It appears that Giambi has done everything right for the last 2 years while dealing with the unfortunate consequences of his actions.
That being said, if he is still using PEDs I hope he is exiled to the uncharted island where McGwire is currently hiding.
I hope not. I hope Giambi is demonstrating that redemption is possible. Even in New York.
Erasmus wrote: "The most difficult battle a man must face is with himself." It appears that Giambi has done everything right for the last 2 years while dealing with the unfortunate consequences of his actions.
That being said, if he is still using PEDs I hope he is exiled to the uncharted island where McGwire is currently hiding.
I hope not. I hope Giambi is demonstrating that redemption is possible. Even in New York.
Posted by: David
In a game where both managers were ejected by home plate umpire Adam Douty, the Yankees had a little bit more timely hitting and clutch pitching to take two of three from the Jays by winning Sunday afternoon 4-1.
The Jays got a run early as Mussina nemesis Frank Catalanotto lined a double over the head of Bernie Williams to stake the Jays to a 1-0 lead. The Yankees got the run back in the fifth when Andy Phillips hit his first homerun of the season. The Yankees got another run on a bases loaded walk to A-Rod to force in a run. This was the call that got John Gibbons tossed by the umpire. Previously, Joe Torre got tossed for arguing in between innings on calls which Mussina looked like he clearly threw for strikes.
Jason Giambi extended the Yankees lead to 4-1 with a two run shot of Pete Walker off the facing of the upper deck. Kyle Farnsworth worked the seventh and two outs in the eighth looking very impressive. He only surrendered a two out double to Lyle Overbay. He hit 100mph on the radar gun and the fans went wild!
Rivera entered with two outs in the eighth and got Greg Zaun to end the inning. Mo then worked a perfect ninth to earn his 4th save of the season.
The Yankees now head to Beantown starting tomorrow night for a two game series vs. the Red Sox. Chien Ming-Wang will face Tim Wakefield in the opener.
The Jays got a run early as Mussina nemesis Frank Catalanotto lined a double over the head of Bernie Williams to stake the Jays to a 1-0 lead. The Yankees got the run back in the fifth when Andy Phillips hit his first homerun of the season. The Yankees got another run on a bases loaded walk to A-Rod to force in a run. This was the call that got John Gibbons tossed by the umpire. Previously, Joe Torre got tossed for arguing in between innings on calls which Mussina looked like he clearly threw for strikes.
Jason Giambi extended the Yankees lead to 4-1 with a two run shot of Pete Walker off the facing of the upper deck. Kyle Farnsworth worked the seventh and two outs in the eighth looking very impressive. He only surrendered a two out double to Lyle Overbay. He hit 100mph on the radar gun and the fans went wild!
Rivera entered with two outs in the eighth and got Greg Zaun to end the inning. Mo then worked a perfect ninth to earn his 4th save of the season.
The Yankees now head to Beantown starting tomorrow night for a two game series vs. the Red Sox. Chien Ming-Wang will face Tim Wakefield in the opener.
04/30: George Sat Here!
Posted by: Patrick
auburnpub.com has a story about Steinbrenner and some kindness he recently showed an Auburn, NY family:
Via Steve.
“My wife and I went down to the lobby and all of a sudden a guy came in and he looked familiar,” Sean Sr. said of his first encounter with Steinbrenner. “I looked down at his hand and saw the (World Series) rings and knew it was him. I went over and introduced my son and daughter and he immediately was taken by them.” ...
The next morning, the day of the Yankees' opener against the Kansas City Royals, Steinbrenner was once again in the hotel lobby. When he saw the Lattimores get off the elevator, Steinbrenner signaled for Sydney and Sean Jr. to come over to him. That's when he offered up his own personal seats.
The Auburn family quickly accepted the exclusive tickets.
The next morning, the day of the Yankees' opener against the Kansas City Royals, Steinbrenner was once again in the hotel lobby. When he saw the Lattimores get off the elevator, Steinbrenner signaled for Sydney and Sean Jr. to come over to him. That's when he offered up his own personal seats.
The Auburn family quickly accepted the exclusive tickets.
Via Steve.
Posted by: Seamus
Randy Johnson didn't bring his best stuff to the Bronx earlier today, but it didn't matter as the Yankees just toyed with Blue Jay pitching as they lit up the scoreboard en route to a 17-6 victory to improve their record to 12-10. Johnny Damon went deep twice and Jason Giambi launched a moonshot into the upper deck in the 1st inning for his 8th dinger of the year. Jorge Posada homered as well. The only Yankee starters without hits were A-Rod and Derek Jeter, who went 0-4 to drop his average to a dismal .388. Johnson lasted only six innings as he gave up six runs on six hits while striking out just two. The Yankees' bullpen was solid today, as a tandem of Tanyon Sturtze, Ron Villone, and Matt Smith pitched a total of four scoreless innings.
Is it me, or does Randy Johnson really seem to have a problem facing the Blue Jays? He was lit up for 7 at Rogers Centre in his last outing against them a couple weeks ago, and I can't back this up at the moment, but I do believe he had a number of rough outings against them last year as well. Could just be me, but either way it doesn't really matter. We didn't really need him anyway. He was just a prop today with the way they were hitting. I think a team of James Varghese, David Williams, Michael Black, Jason O'Connell and Patrick O'Keefe would've done just fine today.
Mike Mussina will look to continue his good start to the season at 1:05 tomorrow against Gustavo Chacin. Chacin somehow is 4-0 this season despite an E.R.A. of 5.11. With the way Mussina's been pitching lately, I have the feeling that Chacin isn't going to be 5-0 after tomorrow if he allows five runs.
Is it me, or does Randy Johnson really seem to have a problem facing the Blue Jays? He was lit up for 7 at Rogers Centre in his last outing against them a couple weeks ago, and I can't back this up at the moment, but I do believe he had a number of rough outings against them last year as well. Could just be me, but either way it doesn't really matter. We didn't really need him anyway. He was just a prop today with the way they were hitting. I think a team of James Varghese, David Williams, Michael Black, Jason O'Connell and Patrick O'Keefe would've done just fine today.
Mike Mussina will look to continue his good start to the season at 1:05 tomorrow against Gustavo Chacin. Chacin somehow is 4-0 this season despite an E.R.A. of 5.11. With the way Mussina's been pitching lately, I have the feeling that Chacin isn't going to be 5-0 after tomorrow if he allows five runs.
04/28: Steve Howe Dies
Posted by: Patrick
Former Yankees Reliever Steve Howe died in a car accident today. He was 48.
04/28: Hughes Train Stops At AA
Posted by: James
I'm not sure how I missed this but apparently Phil Hughes has been promoted to AA. (Update: The NY Post says the same - scroll to the end.)
Update 2: NJ.com has Hughes making a few more starts in Tampa before being promoted around May 4.
I knew it was coming soon but wow, that was quick. Now, get my buddy Brett Gardner up there (as soon as he can start cutting down a little bit on the Ks) and I'll be even happier. Mike A. points out Gardner now has an 11 game hit streak, and leads the league with a .403 BA (leads by over 40 points) and .545 OBP (88 points). Not bad for your speedy CF/leadoff hitter, huh?
The Yankees have already promoted Philip Hughes to Double-A Trenton, and the possibility exists that we'll see the 2004 first-round pick debut as a 20-year-old in the second half of the year.
Update 2: NJ.com has Hughes making a few more starts in Tampa before being promoted around May 4.
"They told me he is going to get two more starts down there (at Class-A Tampa)," manager Bill Masse said of Hughes, who could arrive in town as early as Sunday. "So, we're probably looking at May 4 (against Reading at Waterfront Park) before he pitches for us."
I knew it was coming soon but wow, that was quick. Now, get my buddy Brett Gardner up there (as soon as he can start cutting down a little bit on the Ks) and I'll be even happier. Mike A. points out Gardner now has an 11 game hit streak, and leads the league with a .403 BA (leads by over 40 points) and .545 OBP (88 points). Not bad for your speedy CF/leadoff hitter, huh?
