07/17: Yanks Sign Chris Farley
Posted by: Patrick
Posted by: Patrick
This is my weekly recap of the performance of the YanksBlog.com teams in the Yankees Bloggers Fantasy Baseball League.
Last Week
This was a short week with the All-Star break putting a 3 day gap in the schedule.
The 3rd vs. 4th battle between James and Ben (River Ave. Blues) ended up being the most lopsided game of the week (barely - see below) with James winning both the offensive and pitching sides. Both offenses were very good with runs, runs battled in, stolen bases, average and strikeouts all being very close. Ben's offense was led by Albert Pujols (5 R, 4 HR, 5 RBI, .429 AVG) and Jimmy Rollins (5 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, .429 AVG). Chone Figgins chipped in 4 stolen bases, as well, which was more than James' side put together. Ivan Rodriguez hit .500.
James also had a .500 man in Mark Teahen, who scored 4 runs as well. But, his offense was led by Brandon Phillips, who scored 4 runs, hit 2 homers, drove in 8, stole a base and hit .438. Chipper Jones hit .455.
Pitching wise, they both had 2 wins but James had 5 saves while Ben had none. James' wins came from Ted Lilly and Chad Billingsley with his saves coming from Billy Wagner (3), Bobby Jenks and Jose Valderde. Ben's wins came from John Lackey and Bob Wickman.
Up one week, down another. I fell to EJ (Pinstripe Potentials and Pending Pinstripes) in the second most lopsided game of the week, 7-3. My team actually played pretty good, but that's just it - pretty good. Not, good enough because EJ's team was on fire. They hit .359 with a 2.82 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. The only categories I managed to win were home runs, wins and saves.
My offense was led by Hideki Matsui (4 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI, .333 AVG) and Derek Jeter (2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1 SB, .278 AVG). EJ's offense was led by Carlos Pena (6 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 1 SB, .400 AVG), closely followed by Jermaine Dye (5 R, 3 HR, 5 RBI, .412 AVG). Jhonny Peralta hit .455.
My pitching wins came from Andy Pettitte, Joe Borowski and Justin Verlander with saves coming from Mo (2), Borowski and Octavio Dotel. EJ got wins from Johan Santana and Jeremy Bonderman and saves from J.J. Putz (2) and Eric Gagne.
Finally, Seamus beat Aziz (Pride of the Yankees) in a close one, 5-4. Out of the 20 team stat category totals, there were 3 zeros in this one and 2 ones. The zeros came in stolen bases for Aziz and wins for both Aziz and Seamus. Seamus had 1 home run and 1 save. But, thanks in part to his 11 stolen bases and 2.75 ERA, he was able to win the week. Gary Sheffield led his offense with 4 runs, 1 home run, 4 runs batted in, 4 stolen bases and a .467 AVG. Eric Byrnes hit .413 with 3 runs, 1 run batted in and 2 stolen bases. Bobby Abreu led Aziz's side with a 3 R, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .375 AVG week.
As mentioned, the two staffs combined for 0 wins and 3 saves. Those saves came from Todd Jones for Seamus and Francisco Cordero and Takashi Saito for Aziz. Brandon Webb picked up 10 Ks on Seamus' side.
Top 3 teams in the league:
1. Mike (River Ave. Blues) (88-57-5)
2. James (78-63-9)
3. Dave (Pride of the Yankees) (78-64-8)
This Week
James (2nd, 78-63-9) vs. Jen (NoSenseWorrying.com) (9th, 59-80-11)
Patrick (T7th, 67-77-6) vs. Aziz (T7th, 68-78-4)
Seamus (10th, 58-82-10) vs. Joseph (River Ave. Blues) (5th, 70-68-12)
Last Week
This was a short week with the All-Star break putting a 3 day gap in the schedule.
The 3rd vs. 4th battle between James and Ben (River Ave. Blues) ended up being the most lopsided game of the week (barely - see below) with James winning both the offensive and pitching sides. Both offenses were very good with runs, runs battled in, stolen bases, average and strikeouts all being very close. Ben's offense was led by Albert Pujols (5 R, 4 HR, 5 RBI, .429 AVG) and Jimmy Rollins (5 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, .429 AVG). Chone Figgins chipped in 4 stolen bases, as well, which was more than James' side put together. Ivan Rodriguez hit .500.
James also had a .500 man in Mark Teahen, who scored 4 runs as well. But, his offense was led by Brandon Phillips, who scored 4 runs, hit 2 homers, drove in 8, stole a base and hit .438. Chipper Jones hit .455.
Pitching wise, they both had 2 wins but James had 5 saves while Ben had none. James' wins came from Ted Lilly and Chad Billingsley with his saves coming from Billy Wagner (3), Bobby Jenks and Jose Valderde. Ben's wins came from John Lackey and Bob Wickman.
Up one week, down another. I fell to EJ (Pinstripe Potentials and Pending Pinstripes) in the second most lopsided game of the week, 7-3. My team actually played pretty good, but that's just it - pretty good. Not, good enough because EJ's team was on fire. They hit .359 with a 2.82 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. The only categories I managed to win were home runs, wins and saves.
My offense was led by Hideki Matsui (4 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI, .333 AVG) and Derek Jeter (2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1 SB, .278 AVG). EJ's offense was led by Carlos Pena (6 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 1 SB, .400 AVG), closely followed by Jermaine Dye (5 R, 3 HR, 5 RBI, .412 AVG). Jhonny Peralta hit .455.
My pitching wins came from Andy Pettitte, Joe Borowski and Justin Verlander with saves coming from Mo (2), Borowski and Octavio Dotel. EJ got wins from Johan Santana and Jeremy Bonderman and saves from J.J. Putz (2) and Eric Gagne.
Finally, Seamus beat Aziz (Pride of the Yankees) in a close one, 5-4. Out of the 20 team stat category totals, there were 3 zeros in this one and 2 ones. The zeros came in stolen bases for Aziz and wins for both Aziz and Seamus. Seamus had 1 home run and 1 save. But, thanks in part to his 11 stolen bases and 2.75 ERA, he was able to win the week. Gary Sheffield led his offense with 4 runs, 1 home run, 4 runs batted in, 4 stolen bases and a .467 AVG. Eric Byrnes hit .413 with 3 runs, 1 run batted in and 2 stolen bases. Bobby Abreu led Aziz's side with a 3 R, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .375 AVG week.
As mentioned, the two staffs combined for 0 wins and 3 saves. Those saves came from Todd Jones for Seamus and Francisco Cordero and Takashi Saito for Aziz. Brandon Webb picked up 10 Ks on Seamus' side.
Top 3 teams in the league:
1. Mike (River Ave. Blues) (88-57-5)
2. James (78-63-9)
3. Dave (Pride of the Yankees) (78-64-8)
This Week
James (2nd, 78-63-9) vs. Jen (NoSenseWorrying.com) (9th, 59-80-11)
Patrick (T7th, 67-77-6) vs. Aziz (T7th, 68-78-4)
Seamus (10th, 58-82-10) vs. Joseph (River Ave. Blues) (5th, 70-68-12)
Posted by: Patrick
Steiner Sports has listed a diary used by Joe DiMaggio's from 1981 through 1993 with a starting bid of $1.5 million. From the AP:
The diaries reflect the demands on the Yankee Clipper and some of the pressures of his 56-game hitting streak.
"If I thought this would be taking place," Joe DiMaggio laments in a diary entry about the public relations frenzy, "I would have stopped the hitting streak at 40." ...
How does [Whitey] Ford think DiMaggio would feel about his diaries being made public? "I don't think he would be too tickled about it."
"If I thought this would be taking place," Joe DiMaggio laments in a diary entry about the public relations frenzy, "I would have stopped the hitting streak at 40." ...
How does [Whitey] Ford think DiMaggio would feel about his diaries being made public? "I don't think he would be too tickled about it."
07/17: Yanks Take Opener From Jays
Posted by: Seamus
There's still a long up-hill battle for them to climb, but the Yankees might finally have something going here as they beat the Blue Jays 6-4 in the opener of a four-game set, giving them victories in 4 of their first 5 games since the All-Star break and 8 out of their last 11 overall. The victory keeps them 9 games behind Boston and brings them within 7 of the Indians in the wild card race (Mariners are one game out, Twins are five behind).
The first 4 runs for each team all came via the home run. Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano each hit solo shots in the 2nd to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Troy Glaus tied it in the 3rd with a two-run homer, and Alex Rodriguez broke the tie with a two-run shot, his 32nd of the season and the 496th of his career. Glaus brought the Blue Jays within a run with another dinger in the 5th and Alex Rios tied it in the 6th.
The Yankees finally went ahead for good with some good two-out hitting in the 6th inning. Posada hit a line-drive single to right, followed by a double off the wall by Cano, putting runners on 2nd and 3rd for Andy Phillips. Phillips was able to get the end of the bat on a low pitch, sending it into shallow center, scoring both runners and giving the Yanks a 6-4 lead. That would turn out to be the final score as the next three innings went scoreless and Mariano Rivera pitched a scoreless ninth for his 14th save and his third in as many days.
As for the Yanks' starter in last night's game, Kei Igawa was not great but was good enough to keep the team in the ballgame, which Igawa needs to realize that's all that is really going to be asked of him or any other Yankee pitcher. He walked down into the dugout in the 4th inning looking like he was about to cry, even though the Yanks were still leading by a run. He did give up 3 runs on 7 hits in five innings, but he still pitched good enough to win and if he can't hold his head up high after a game like this, he's never going to gain any confidence.
The Yankees will attempt to do something they haven't done very well this year, which is continuing hot hitting against the game's elite pitchers, as the lineup will be getting another look at Roy Halladay. Andy Pettite will take the mound for the Yanks.
The first 4 runs for each team all came via the home run. Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano each hit solo shots in the 2nd to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Troy Glaus tied it in the 3rd with a two-run homer, and Alex Rodriguez broke the tie with a two-run shot, his 32nd of the season and the 496th of his career. Glaus brought the Blue Jays within a run with another dinger in the 5th and Alex Rios tied it in the 6th.
The Yankees finally went ahead for good with some good two-out hitting in the 6th inning. Posada hit a line-drive single to right, followed by a double off the wall by Cano, putting runners on 2nd and 3rd for Andy Phillips. Phillips was able to get the end of the bat on a low pitch, sending it into shallow center, scoring both runners and giving the Yanks a 6-4 lead. That would turn out to be the final score as the next three innings went scoreless and Mariano Rivera pitched a scoreless ninth for his 14th save and his third in as many days.
As for the Yanks' starter in last night's game, Kei Igawa was not great but was good enough to keep the team in the ballgame, which Igawa needs to realize that's all that is really going to be asked of him or any other Yankee pitcher. He walked down into the dugout in the 4th inning looking like he was about to cry, even though the Yanks were still leading by a run. He did give up 3 runs on 7 hits in five innings, but he still pitched good enough to win and if he can't hold his head up high after a game like this, he's never going to gain any confidence.
The Yankees will attempt to do something they haven't done very well this year, which is continuing hot hitting against the game's elite pitchers, as the lineup will be getting another look at Roy Halladay. Andy Pettite will take the mound for the Yanks.
07/16: Jesus Makes An Appearance
Posted by: James
I was thinking of making a second coming reference or something but I'll leave the one-liners to Mike A. In any case, Jesus Montero made his Yankee debut (outside of extended spring training). The kid (17 years old until December) went 1 for 4 with a homer and 2 Ks for the GCL Yankees. He's now listed as 6' 4", 225 lbs (he was listed 6-foot-3, 230 lbs as of his signing last year). This is from the release when he was signed:
This is me praying; please don't turn into Jon Poterson, please don't turn into John Poterson, please don't turn into John Poterson...
While two scouts from National League organizations said they believed Montero's future lies elsewhere on the diamond, Garrett said the Yankees have confidence he can remain a catcher as he moves up the ladder. And Garrett enjoyed hearing one of the two scouts had touted Montero's raw power as pegging the 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale.
One of the NL scouting directors said of Montero, "He was hitting home runs to center field in Valencia, which is pretty tough to do. The question is where does he play? The body is pretty maxed out. He looks like Travis Hafner at age 16."
One of the NL scouting directors said of Montero, "He was hitting home runs to center field in Valencia, which is pretty tough to do. The question is where does he play? The body is pretty maxed out. He looks like Travis Hafner at age 16."
This is me praying; please don't turn into Jon Poterson, please don't turn into John Poterson, please don't turn into John Poterson...
Posted by: David
In a wild game on a Sunday afternoon in Florida, the Yankees escaped with a win vs. the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 7-6.
The Devil Rays jumped out to an early 3-0 lead vs. Mike Mussina as he was clearly frustrated with home plate umpire C.B. Buckner. At one time during the game, Buckner went out to the mound to warn Mussina about complaining about ball and strike calls.
The Yankees were able to come back with a four run outburst with the aid of some shoddy fielding by the Devil Rays. Robinson Cano led off with a bloop single and Andy Phillips followed with a hard hit line drive to center which B.J. Upton overran, allowing the ball to get past him for a run scoring triple. Phillips would score and then Derek Jeter put the Yankees ahead at 4-3 with a two run homer to right center.
Tampa Bay struck back against Ron Villone with Carlos Pena bombing a two run homer deep to right to give his team the lead at 5-4. The Yankees struck back for three in the eighth with A-Rod getting the inning started with a double and scoring the tying run on a sacrifice fly from Cano. The Yankees would add two more runs highlighted by a two out single from Andy Phillips to plate the seventh run for New York.
Kyle Farnsworth gave one run back in the eighth with doubles from B.J. Upton and Ty Wiggington but was able to avoid any further damage.
Rivera pitched the ninth and surrendered a bloop single to center to Iwamura and Carl Crawford was awarded first base on catcher's interference from Posada. With the winning run on, the Devil Rays attempted to sacrifice but Brendan Harris failed and eventually hit into a double play. Pena, the hero earlier, was the last hope with the tying run at second but Mo got him to pop to third to end the game.
The Yankees return home tomorrow to start a series vs. the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Devil Rays jumped out to an early 3-0 lead vs. Mike Mussina as he was clearly frustrated with home plate umpire C.B. Buckner. At one time during the game, Buckner went out to the mound to warn Mussina about complaining about ball and strike calls.
The Yankees were able to come back with a four run outburst with the aid of some shoddy fielding by the Devil Rays. Robinson Cano led off with a bloop single and Andy Phillips followed with a hard hit line drive to center which B.J. Upton overran, allowing the ball to get past him for a run scoring triple. Phillips would score and then Derek Jeter put the Yankees ahead at 4-3 with a two run homer to right center.
Tampa Bay struck back against Ron Villone with Carlos Pena bombing a two run homer deep to right to give his team the lead at 5-4. The Yankees struck back for three in the eighth with A-Rod getting the inning started with a double and scoring the tying run on a sacrifice fly from Cano. The Yankees would add two more runs highlighted by a two out single from Andy Phillips to plate the seventh run for New York.
Kyle Farnsworth gave one run back in the eighth with doubles from B.J. Upton and Ty Wiggington but was able to avoid any further damage.
Rivera pitched the ninth and surrendered a bloop single to center to Iwamura and Carl Crawford was awarded first base on catcher's interference from Posada. With the winning run on, the Devil Rays attempted to sacrifice but Brendan Harris failed and eventually hit into a double play. Pena, the hero earlier, was the last hope with the tying run at second but Mo got him to pop to third to end the game.
The Yankees return home tomorrow to start a series vs. the Toronto Blue Jays.
07/14: Saturday News
Posted by: Patrick
Giambi met with Mitchell yesterday:
Phil Hughes had his second rehab start on Friday night:
Finally, it looks like Matt DeSalvo will get the call for one of the Devil Ray games being played next Saturday.
Via Steve.
Yankees slugger Jason Giambi met with former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell and members of his law firm, DLA Piper on Friday, Commissioner Bud Selig announced in a press release. No other details of the meeting were provided.
Also in attendance were Rob Manfred, MLB's executive vice president of labor relations and human resources; Mike Weiner, the general counsel for the players association; plus Giambi's agent, Arn Tellem, and his personal attorney, Brian O'Neill. The Associated Press reported that no other meetings between Giambi and Mitchell are planned.
Also in attendance were Rob Manfred, MLB's executive vice president of labor relations and human resources; Mike Weiner, the general counsel for the players association; plus Giambi's agent, Arn Tellem, and his personal attorney, Brian O'Neill. The Associated Press reported that no other meetings between Giambi and Mitchell are planned.
Phil Hughes had his second rehab start on Friday night:
Phil Hughes took another step on the road back to the Yankees in a familiar spot -- Mercer County Waterfront Park.
Hughes pitched three scoreless innings Friday for Double-A Trenton, which squandered a five-run lead and had an 11-game winning streak end in a 6-5 loss to New Hampshire.
Hughes pitched three scoreless innings Friday for Double-A Trenton, which squandered a five-run lead and had an 11-game winning streak end in a 6-5 loss to New Hampshire.
Finally, it looks like Matt DeSalvo will get the call for one of the Devil Ray games being played next Saturday.
With the Yankees needing an additional starter for one of next Saturday's two games against the Devil Rays at Yankee Stadium, it appears DeSalvo is going to get the nod.
"Right now Matty DeSalvo is pitching the best by far at Triple-A. If we have a need at the major league level, Matty DeSalvo is that need right now,'' GM Brian Cashman said yesterday.
"Right now Matty DeSalvo is pitching the best by far at Triple-A. If we have a need at the major league level, Matty DeSalvo is that need right now,'' GM Brian Cashman said yesterday.
Via Steve.
Posted by: Seamus
From ESPN.com:
Of course there is no place for racism in baseball, and I don't doubt that it might be an issue in some clubhouses, but considering the account of some of the other minority players who've played for Torre, I think I'd give the Yankees' skipper the benefit of the doubt here. I don't sit in the Yankees' dugout everyday, so I could be wrong, but considering the relationships he's had with guys like Darryl Strawberry, Derek Jeter, Tim Raines, and Doc Gooden among others, that just doesn't seem like Torre to me.
I like Sheff, and it is unfortunate if he truly feels that way, but I think it is time for him to move on and just worry about the Detroit Tigers. He is somewhat of a shock jock with his mouth, and considering the amount he talks, I think if this was really an issue he'd have said something already and not waited until 8 months after he was traded.
Also, I like how this is the first story up on ESPN's website as if this guy doesn't open his mouth everyday. Way to go.
"He had a message to get across to the whole team, so he used me to get the message across." Sheffield said Torre didn't use the same method with white players.
"No ... I'd see a lot of white players get called in the office and treated like a man. That's the difference."
Sheffield said he doesn't consider Torre a racist. "No. I think it's the way they do things around there," he said. "Since I was there I just saw that they run their ship different."
"No ... I'd see a lot of white players get called in the office and treated like a man. That's the difference."
Sheffield said he doesn't consider Torre a racist. "No. I think it's the way they do things around there," he said. "Since I was there I just saw that they run their ship different."
Of course there is no place for racism in baseball, and I don't doubt that it might be an issue in some clubhouses, but considering the account of some of the other minority players who've played for Torre, I think I'd give the Yankees' skipper the benefit of the doubt here. I don't sit in the Yankees' dugout everyday, so I could be wrong, but considering the relationships he's had with guys like Darryl Strawberry, Derek Jeter, Tim Raines, and Doc Gooden among others, that just doesn't seem like Torre to me.
I like Sheff, and it is unfortunate if he truly feels that way, but I think it is time for him to move on and just worry about the Detroit Tigers. He is somewhat of a shock jock with his mouth, and considering the amount he talks, I think if this was really an issue he'd have said something already and not waited until 8 months after he was traded.
Also, I like how this is the first story up on ESPN's website as if this guy doesn't open his mouth everyday. Way to go.
Posted by: Patrick
From Mark Feinsand:
According to a source, the Yankees are quietly reaching out to the agents for [Rivera and Posada] in an attempt to wrap up new contracts for the pair before the end of the season. ...
Rivera seemed open to the idea of discussing a new deal during the season, though Posada was firm in saying he wanted to become a free agent for the first time in his career.
Rivera seemed open to the idea of discussing a new deal during the season, though Posada was firm in saying he wanted to become a free agent for the first time in his career.
07/13: A-Rod Contract Details
Posted by: Patrick
From Joel Sherman:
Via PSD.
The language in Rodriguez's record-breaking contract says that for the 2009 and 2010 seasons, A-Rod will receive $27 million plus the higher of $5 million or $1 million greater than the annual average value of the non-pitcher with the largest annual average value package. Thus, Boras explained, even if Rodriguez does the minimum and agrees to give up his free-agent rights to stay with the Yankees for the next three seasons, he would be guaranteed $32 million in each of the final two of those years.
Via PSD.
