Posted by: Patrick
One time Yankee Dock Ellis is in pretty bad shape, according to the Post.
The article goes on to say that Ellis doesn't have insurance. But, friends of Ellis have stepped up and are helping him. Those friends include David Reich (the son of Ellis' former agent), the Baseball Assistance Team (including Joe Morgan and Jim Martin) and the Yankees, as it is stated that Randy Levine has told Ellis that the team will help. Ellis is hoping to get on a liver transplant list soon.
Our thoughts are with them.
... Since being diagnosed the day after Thanksgiving, Ellis has deteriorated rapidly. He spends most of his days lying in bed or on the couch of his Apple Valley, Calif. home. He no longer can drive and the disease has wiped him out.
"He's fatigued at all times and he's lost his appetite," Ellis' wife of 23 years, Hjordis, said. "I've watched my husband lose over 60 pounds since November. He has very serious bouts of delusion. He's very emotional and he cries a lot. That's something I never thought I'd see."
"He's fatigued at all times and he's lost his appetite," Ellis' wife of 23 years, Hjordis, said. "I've watched my husband lose over 60 pounds since November. He has very serious bouts of delusion. He's very emotional and he cries a lot. That's something I never thought I'd see."
The article goes on to say that Ellis doesn't have insurance. But, friends of Ellis have stepped up and are helping him. Those friends include David Reich (the son of Ellis' former agent), the Baseball Assistance Team (including Joe Morgan and Jim Martin) and the Yankees, as it is stated that Randy Levine has told Ellis that the team will help. Ellis is hoping to get on a liver transplant list soon.
Our thoughts are with them.
Posted by: Patrick
Thanks to last night's rain out, Darrell Rasner's turn in the rotation will be skipped and Andy Pettitte will pitch tonight against Johan Santana, Peter Abraham reports. He'll be followed by Wang on Sunday and Moose on Tuesday. Rasner will go on Wednesday with Kennedy throwing Thursday. The Yankees are off on Monday.
Mark Hale reports that Rasner may get a little time out of the pen, according to the Rasner and Joe Girardi.
Mark Hale reports that Rasner may get a little time out of the pen, according to the Rasner and Joe Girardi.
Posted by: Patrick
The opener of the Subway Series tonight was postponed due to rain. Peter Abraham says that the game will "almost certainly be part of a two-stadium doubleheader on June 27, 28 or 29."
05/16: Girardi Named All-Star Coach
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham reports that A.L. All-Star Manager Terry Francona has selected Joe Girardi as one of his coaches for this year's All-Star Game.
05/16: Yankees @ Rays; 5/15/08
Posted by: James
I waited to post this recap until I had a chance to go through the game myself. By now, everyone knows the outcome; 5-2 Rays win. Well, here's how it went down and I have some thoughts afterward.
The Yankees were behind early as IPK gave up a leadoff homer to Akinori Iwamura on his 4th pitch of the game. It didn't get a heck of a lot better as the game went on either. It looked like Kennedy would settle down as he got into the third without any trouble. However, in the third, he filled the bases with no out (single, HBP. walk). In what could be interpreted as a good sign, he did battle through the inning (sac fly to shallow left, ground out, K) to give up only one run (which really was the fault of Johnny Damon's arm...or lack thereof). The same happy thoughts can't be derived from the rest of the game though as with 2 out in the 4th, IPK gave up a double Eric Hinske and then a 2 run HR to Shawn Riggans. He gave up another run in the 5th as the Rays played small ball to get a run home off of a leadoff double by Iwamura and that was the game for Kennedy as Girardi went to the pen.
As for the Yankees offense, they were able to scratch out 2 runs off of Gary Glover in the 7th but overall, did very little with the opportunities that they got off of Scott Kazmir.
Now, following this start, there is quite of bit of talk on how to look at this start from Kennedy. Ben over at RAB has a very good post on dissecting what Kennedy showed yesterday as does Steve Lombardi over at WasWatching. As for me, well, my thoughts tend to be between the two points. Was he as agressive as last year? No. Was he more agressive than his earlier starts this year? Certainly. I believe in Kennedy and I think that he will eventually succeed. However, I am not blind to the situation that Girardi and Cashman find themselves in...and it is not one where rookie pitchers are allowed to post 9 ERAs and continually lose games. I believe he will turn it around...and for his sake, I hope that it is sooner rather than later.
By the by, read through the comments in both posts. There are some interesting comments on Kennedy though at times they do seem a bit shrill. I think people forget how to be civil and rationally consider another person's viewpoint. Nevertheless, there are some good points in there so check it out.
The Yankees were behind early as IPK gave up a leadoff homer to Akinori Iwamura on his 4th pitch of the game. It didn't get a heck of a lot better as the game went on either. It looked like Kennedy would settle down as he got into the third without any trouble. However, in the third, he filled the bases with no out (single, HBP. walk). In what could be interpreted as a good sign, he did battle through the inning (sac fly to shallow left, ground out, K) to give up only one run (which really was the fault of Johnny Damon's arm...or lack thereof). The same happy thoughts can't be derived from the rest of the game though as with 2 out in the 4th, IPK gave up a double Eric Hinske and then a 2 run HR to Shawn Riggans. He gave up another run in the 5th as the Rays played small ball to get a run home off of a leadoff double by Iwamura and that was the game for Kennedy as Girardi went to the pen.
As for the Yankees offense, they were able to scratch out 2 runs off of Gary Glover in the 7th but overall, did very little with the opportunities that they got off of Scott Kazmir.
Now, following this start, there is quite of bit of talk on how to look at this start from Kennedy. Ben over at RAB has a very good post on dissecting what Kennedy showed yesterday as does Steve Lombardi over at WasWatching. As for me, well, my thoughts tend to be between the two points. Was he as agressive as last year? No. Was he more agressive than his earlier starts this year? Certainly. I believe in Kennedy and I think that he will eventually succeed. However, I am not blind to the situation that Girardi and Cashman find themselves in...and it is not one where rookie pitchers are allowed to post 9 ERAs and continually lose games. I believe he will turn it around...and for his sake, I hope that it is sooner rather than later.
By the by, read through the comments in both posts. There are some interesting comments on Kennedy though at times they do seem a bit shrill. I think people forget how to be civil and rationally consider another person's viewpoint. Nevertheless, there are some good points in there so check it out.
Posted by: Patrick
Sir Ian is back... and the Yankees needed to make room. So, they've opted to send Kei Igawa back down to the minors after just one start.
05/15: A-Rod on Track for Tuesday
Posted by: Patrick
Bryan Hoch reports that A-Rod is on track for a Tuesday return after being cleared for rehab this afternoon.
... He will go through a light workout Friday and would play third base on Saturday at the Yankees' Minor League complex, logging four to five at-bats.
The Yankees do not have an extended Spring Training game on Sunday, so Rodriguez would simulate that action before playing in one more game on Monday -- a final test before his possible activation on Tuesday vs. Baltimore.
The Yankees do not have an extended Spring Training game on Sunday, so Rodriguez would simulate that action before playing in one more game on Monday -- a final test before his possible activation on Tuesday vs. Baltimore.
Posted by: Seamus
Mike Mussina has been caught in quite a few pitchers' duels so far this season, and surprisingly enough to some, he's been the one outdueling the other starter more often than not. Mussina put together another good start Wednesday night as the Yankees won in Tampa Bay by a score of 2-1, snapping their two game losing streak and pulling to within 3.5 games of the Rays for first place. The win by the Yankees also snapped a six game winning streak by Tampa Bay.
This game was all about the pitching as Mike Mussina put together yet another impressive start, giving up only a run on 5 hits in 6 and 1/3. Ross Ohlendorf, Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera (11th save in 11 tries) combined for 2 and 2/3 scoreless innings to close the game out. The bullpen has NOT been a problem for the Yankees this year, as they are currently third in the American League in bullpen E.R.A.
The Yankees couldn't muster much offense themselves, even against the one Rays pitcher who hasn't been able to solve the Yanks throughout his career (0-4, 8.58), as James Shields coughed up only 2 runs in 7 and 1/3. Robinson Cano was the one bright spot, however, as he went 4-4, and as James mentioned, finally got out of the interstate. Fortunately for the Yanks, his RBI single in the 4th and an RBI double by Bobby Abreu in the 5th was all the offense the Yankees needed.
The Yankees will close out this four-game set a little early today (4:10 E.T.), as it is a travel day for both teams, which brings up this question I have: I thought this weekend was supposed to be "rivalry weekend" as far as interleague play goes, so why are the Rays playing the Cardinals? Oh well...anyway, Ian Kennedy will be making his return to the big leagues today and will be facing Scott Kazmir as the Yankees try to salvage a split in this series.
This game was all about the pitching as Mike Mussina put together yet another impressive start, giving up only a run on 5 hits in 6 and 1/3. Ross Ohlendorf, Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera (11th save in 11 tries) combined for 2 and 2/3 scoreless innings to close the game out. The bullpen has NOT been a problem for the Yankees this year, as they are currently third in the American League in bullpen E.R.A.
The Yankees couldn't muster much offense themselves, even against the one Rays pitcher who hasn't been able to solve the Yanks throughout his career (0-4, 8.58), as James Shields coughed up only 2 runs in 7 and 1/3. Robinson Cano was the one bright spot, however, as he went 4-4, and as James mentioned, finally got out of the interstate. Fortunately for the Yanks, his RBI single in the 4th and an RBI double by Bobby Abreu in the 5th was all the offense the Yankees needed.
The Yankees will close out this four-game set a little early today (4:10 E.T.), as it is a travel day for both teams, which brings up this question I have: I thought this weekend was supposed to be "rivalry weekend" as far as interleague play goes, so why are the Rays playing the Cardinals? Oh well...anyway, Ian Kennedy will be making his return to the big leagues today and will be facing Scott Kazmir as the Yankees try to salvage a split in this series.
05/14: Hello Mendoza!
Posted by: James
Robbie hits the .200 barrier first. For the last week, it looked like Giambi would get there first (heading into tonight at .194) but tonight's 0-for-3 (with a walk) drops him back to .188 while Robbie has gone 3-for-3 (so far) to put him at .200 (give or take).
Hey, with the way the Yankees offense has been hitting, I'll take any accomplishment (however small it is).
Update: Make that 4-for-4! .205 now...woo-hoo!
Hey, with the way the Yankees offense has been hitting, I'll take any accomplishment (however small it is).
Update: Make that 4-for-4! .205 now...woo-hoo!
Posted by: Patrick
It's awfully hard to win games when you only score 1 run in 11 innings. The Yankees offense was held to a whisper thanks to Rays' pitchers Edwin Jackson (4.04 ERA coming in, 7 innings pitched tonight), Dan Wheeler (1.35, 1), Troy Percival (1.93, 1) and J.P. Howell (2.88, 2). Pitchers throwing the ball well right now, no doubt, but you have to get some runs across. In the odd circumstance where the Yankees actually had runners in scoring position (like the 6th when Jeter tripled with 1 out), they'd strand them (Abreu followed that Jeter triple with a ground out to shortstop - just about the worst thing he could do - and then Matsui popped out). If Matsui didn't homer in the top of the 9th, this game would have been over after 9, most likely.
Instead, it went into extras with with the Yankees going 1-2-3 and Mariano pitching a scoreless 10th. Another 1-2-3 in the top of the 11th (though, not the traditional 1-2-3: line out, walk, double play) for the offense brought Mo back out for his second inning. And that's where it all ended. Cliff Floyd led off with a single and Johnny Gomes pinch ran for him. Gomes proceded to steal second, helped by a poor throw from Jose Molina. And then Gabe Cross singled in him. Game over. Yankees lose, 2-1. Mo's consecutive streak over - 14 games and 15 innings without allowing a run to start the season.
If anything pains me as a Yankees fan, more so than simply losing, it's seeing Mo lose. Just because we're so accustomed to him closing games out. So, during the odd times when he blows one, it's such a let down. But, it was bound to happen and it'll happen again. Awesome run to start the season for Rivera, though. He still hasn't walked anyone. 15 games, 16 innings, 0-1, 10 saves, 0 blown saves, 9 hits, 13 strikeouts, 0.56 ERA, 0.56 WHIP, .164 BAA.
Chien-Ming Wang started this one and logged yet another great game, allowing just 1 earned run over 7 innings. He struck out 2 and walked 3. Joba Chamberlain pitched a scoreless 8th and Kyle Farnsworth did the same in the 9th. The way our starting pitching has been, it stings to waste Wang starts.
The Yankees offense put together 6 hits and 3 walks. Giambi had a good day: 2 for 2 with 2 walks. The other Yankees to collect hits were Damon (1 for 5), Jeter (1 for 5, 1 triple), Matsui (1 for 5, 1 home run) and Melky (1 for 4). The 7-9 hitters (Cano, Gonzalez, Duncan, Ensberg and Molina) combined to go 0 for 12... with not even a walk between them.
We'll get another chance at the Rays, tonight at 7:10 PM ET. Mike Mussina (5-3, 4.36 ERA) will face James Shields (4-2, 3.14).
Instead, it went into extras with with the Yankees going 1-2-3 and Mariano pitching a scoreless 10th. Another 1-2-3 in the top of the 11th (though, not the traditional 1-2-3: line out, walk, double play) for the offense brought Mo back out for his second inning. And that's where it all ended. Cliff Floyd led off with a single and Johnny Gomes pinch ran for him. Gomes proceded to steal second, helped by a poor throw from Jose Molina. And then Gabe Cross singled in him. Game over. Yankees lose, 2-1. Mo's consecutive streak over - 14 games and 15 innings without allowing a run to start the season.
If anything pains me as a Yankees fan, more so than simply losing, it's seeing Mo lose. Just because we're so accustomed to him closing games out. So, during the odd times when he blows one, it's such a let down. But, it was bound to happen and it'll happen again. Awesome run to start the season for Rivera, though. He still hasn't walked anyone. 15 games, 16 innings, 0-1, 10 saves, 0 blown saves, 9 hits, 13 strikeouts, 0.56 ERA, 0.56 WHIP, .164 BAA.
Chien-Ming Wang started this one and logged yet another great game, allowing just 1 earned run over 7 innings. He struck out 2 and walked 3. Joba Chamberlain pitched a scoreless 8th and Kyle Farnsworth did the same in the 9th. The way our starting pitching has been, it stings to waste Wang starts.
The Yankees offense put together 6 hits and 3 walks. Giambi had a good day: 2 for 2 with 2 walks. The other Yankees to collect hits were Damon (1 for 5), Jeter (1 for 5, 1 triple), Matsui (1 for 5, 1 home run) and Melky (1 for 4). The 7-9 hitters (Cano, Gonzalez, Duncan, Ensberg and Molina) combined to go 0 for 12... with not even a walk between them.
We'll get another chance at the Rays, tonight at 7:10 PM ET. Mike Mussina (5-3, 4.36 ERA) will face James Shields (4-2, 3.14).
