Posted by: Patrick
In Tuesday's game, Bernie collected hits number 2,214 and 2,215. This moved him into 4th all time on the Yankees hit list, behind Lou Gehrig (2,721), Babe Ruth (2,518) and Mickey Mantle (2,415). He is now right above Joe DiMaggio. Impressive. I can see him getting ahead of Mantle, if he manages to play two more years, which I don't believe to be impossible. I don't think it's likely, but it's possible. I don't see him reaching Babe, though.
Via Brian MacMillan.
Via Brian MacMillan.
Posted by: Michael
The media are calling Small "Cinderella" now. I believe we know why that name is so fitting.
The Yankees lead the Red Sox by one game in the AL East. They lead the Indians by one game in the AL Wild Card. We are heading into the last weekend of the regular season with the Red Sox on the horizon. I would assume that none of us saw just how much Aaron Small would mean to the team right now, when he took the mound in July. I mean, if it wasn't Small last night, it would have been Wright. Think about it.
Aaron Small improved to 10-0 last night pitching a very effective game lasting 6 2/3 innings and giving up 2 runs on 4 hits.
He was helped along the way as Jason Giambi hit his 32nd Home Run of the season in the first to put the Yankees on top 3-0. The offense did a great job putting men in scoring position, with A-Rod stealing twice last night to raise his season total to 20.
Sturtze came into the game and promptly gave up 2 runs. Torre then had to use Gordon to finish off the eighth, then brought in Scott Proctor to finish the ninth.
I have some reservations about this upcoming series. I'll fill you in on them now.
Obi-Wang pitches tonight to start the series against the Sox. Then Randy Johnson pitches tomorrow verses Wakefield. Who does that leave for Sunday? Mussina. Oh boy. I see game seven of the ALCS all over again. Let's hope Moose can last longer than his last start going 1 2/3 innings. I don't want to see our post season hopes lying in the hands of a patchwork bullpen consisting of Wright, Leiter, Wayne Franklin..... yes, it gets that ugly.
Shawn Chacon goes on Monday at Yankee Stadium if there is a playoff game. If there is one bright spot about the rotation, then I guess that is it.
It's going to be a great series. Tonight Obi-Wang (8-4, 4.02 ERA) goes against David Wells (14-7, 4.47 ERA). Game time is 7:05pm ET on ESPN at Fenway.
The Yankees lead the Red Sox by one game in the AL East. They lead the Indians by one game in the AL Wild Card. We are heading into the last weekend of the regular season with the Red Sox on the horizon. I would assume that none of us saw just how much Aaron Small would mean to the team right now, when he took the mound in July. I mean, if it wasn't Small last night, it would have been Wright. Think about it.
Aaron Small improved to 10-0 last night pitching a very effective game lasting 6 2/3 innings and giving up 2 runs on 4 hits.
He was helped along the way as Jason Giambi hit his 32nd Home Run of the season in the first to put the Yankees on top 3-0. The offense did a great job putting men in scoring position, with A-Rod stealing twice last night to raise his season total to 20.
Sturtze came into the game and promptly gave up 2 runs. Torre then had to use Gordon to finish off the eighth, then brought in Scott Proctor to finish the ninth.
I have some reservations about this upcoming series. I'll fill you in on them now.
Obi-Wang pitches tonight to start the series against the Sox. Then Randy Johnson pitches tomorrow verses Wakefield. Who does that leave for Sunday? Mussina. Oh boy. I see game seven of the ALCS all over again. Let's hope Moose can last longer than his last start going 1 2/3 innings. I don't want to see our post season hopes lying in the hands of a patchwork bullpen consisting of Wright, Leiter, Wayne Franklin..... yes, it gets that ugly.
Shawn Chacon goes on Monday at Yankee Stadium if there is a playoff game. If there is one bright spot about the rotation, then I guess that is it.
It's going to be a great series. Tonight Obi-Wang (8-4, 4.02 ERA) goes against David Wells (14-7, 4.47 ERA). Game time is 7:05pm ET on ESPN at Fenway.
Posted by: Patrick
The Red Sox traded two bodies for Mike Stanton. He can pitch in the final 4 games of the season, but not in the postseason.
According to Jim Bowden, they are "two young pitchers with good arms." Let's assume that's half true - how is Stanton's 4 game value that high?
Via Steve Lombardi.
According to Jim Bowden, they are "two young pitchers with good arms." Let's assume that's half true - how is Stanton's 4 game value that high?
Via Steve Lombardi.
Posted by: Patrick
In a comment over at WasWatching.com, Jen brought it to attention that Mo was leading the Cy Young Predictor at ESPN.com.
Take a look. Neat. He's got a bit of a lead over Colon. It was right last year. Could it be right this year? We'll see.
Take a look. Neat. He's got a bit of a lead over Colon. It was right last year. Could it be right this year? We'll see.
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees are in command now in both the A.L. East and wild card races as they moved a game ahead of both the Red Sox and Indians after defeating the Orioles 2-1 at Camden Yards. Shawn Chacon pitched another gem as he gave up a run on only four hits in 6 and 2/3 innings. The Birds got off to an early lead after Javy Lopez launched a solo shot to left field in the 2nd inning. The Yankees tied the score in the 6th with A-Rod's 47th home run of the season. Derek Jeter put the Yankees on top in the 7th with a base hit that scored Jorge Posada. Mariano Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning to record his 43rd save.
Of course as is always the case in late Septemper and early October, the stars have aligned themselves in a way in which the Yankees could move ahead via the Red Sox getting destroyed at home by the long-since-done Toronto Blue Jays and the Indians losing a 1-0 game at home against the Devil Rays, who have one of the most horrid pitching staffs in baseball. Somehow I feel like even if every Yankee player went blind for the last week of the season, we'd still find a way to prevail in the end.
This win is significant because as I mentioned to Patrick, if the Yankees win just 2 of their remaining games, the Sox and Indians would both have to sweep the remainder of their schedules to knock us out of the postseason before Monday. Patrick pointed out that would be impossible since if we won 2 games, that would mean that the Red Sox would have to lose one because of the head-to-head this weekend. So 2-2 the rest of the way and the worst that we can do is have to play a tiebraker game. Also, last night's win guarantees we won't be trailing the Red Sox going into that final series at Fenway Park.
Tonight Aaron Small will try to become the first 10-0 pitcher in Yankees history and the Yankees will try to hold on to their lead in both the A.L. East and wild card races. Erik Bedard will be on the mound for the O's.
Of course as is always the case in late Septemper and early October, the stars have aligned themselves in a way in which the Yankees could move ahead via the Red Sox getting destroyed at home by the long-since-done Toronto Blue Jays and the Indians losing a 1-0 game at home against the Devil Rays, who have one of the most horrid pitching staffs in baseball. Somehow I feel like even if every Yankee player went blind for the last week of the season, we'd still find a way to prevail in the end.
This win is significant because as I mentioned to Patrick, if the Yankees win just 2 of their remaining games, the Sox and Indians would both have to sweep the remainder of their schedules to knock us out of the postseason before Monday. Patrick pointed out that would be impossible since if we won 2 games, that would mean that the Red Sox would have to lose one because of the head-to-head this weekend. So 2-2 the rest of the way and the worst that we can do is have to play a tiebraker game. Also, last night's win guarantees we won't be trailing the Red Sox going into that final series at Fenway Park.
Tonight Aaron Small will try to become the first 10-0 pitcher in Yankees history and the Yankees will try to hold on to their lead in both the A.L. East and wild card races. Erik Bedard will be on the mound for the O's.
09/29: Congrats to A-Rod
Posted by: Patrick
With his home run last night, A-Rod set the record for most home runs in a year by a right hander. From the article at MLB.com:
"... almost like a cartoon character." Not sure how people will take that one. But, I'm sure he meant nothing bad.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, if anyone deserved/deserves that contract, it was/it's A-Rod. Consistent performance. Looking at his numbers this year, if his batting average finishes where it is now (.319), that'll be his highest batting average in a season. Same for his OBA (.421). His OPS (1.031) would be his second highest. Last year was great, this year is incredible. He has delivered and then some.
"Joe DiMaggio is such an icon, he's almost like a cartoon character," Rodriguez said. "I have so much respect for him. When it's all said and done, it's something you can look back on and say that you're proud to be mentioned in the same sentence as Joe." ...
Back in the late 1990s, Rodriguez belonged to the same Miami Beach club as DiMaggio. One week, A-Rod spotted DiMaggio on five consecutive days, though he never introduced himself to the Hall of Famer.
"I kept trying to build up the courage to walk up to him, but I never did," Rodriguez said. "He was always in a suit, he looked very serious. It's one of my biggest regrets. I'm Joe D.'s biggest fan."
Back in the late 1990s, Rodriguez belonged to the same Miami Beach club as DiMaggio. One week, A-Rod spotted DiMaggio on five consecutive days, though he never introduced himself to the Hall of Famer.
"I kept trying to build up the courage to walk up to him, but I never did," Rodriguez said. "He was always in a suit, he looked very serious. It's one of my biggest regrets. I'm Joe D.'s biggest fan."
"... almost like a cartoon character." Not sure how people will take that one. But, I'm sure he meant nothing bad.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, if anyone deserved/deserves that contract, it was/it's A-Rod. Consistent performance. Looking at his numbers this year, if his batting average finishes where it is now (.319), that'll be his highest batting average in a season. Same for his OBA (.421). His OPS (1.031) would be his second highest. Last year was great, this year is incredible. He has delivered and then some.
Posted by: Patrick
From Tom Verducci's mail bag:
The recent breakdown of Boston reliever Keith Foulke, and the breakdowns in the past of closers who have had extensive work in the postseason (John Smoltz, Robb Nen, Trevor Hoffman and Mark Wohlers, etc.) further illustrates the brilliance of Mariano Rivera. This guy has been the best in baseball for over a decade and every year he pitches every day for an extra month longer than anyone else. He has essentially pitched for two full extra seasons over the past 10 years, not to mention coming on in the eighth inning in pressure games more often than not. You can argue that there has been no more valuable player in baseball, including Bonds, over the last 10 years than Rivera. -- Seth, New York City
Interesting take. Your argument gains strength when you consider he's been a huge factor on world championship teams; Bonds has not. Everyday players influence more games in more ways, but in no way can I diminish the importance of "the ultimate weapon," Rivera. What makes him so unique among closers is his year-to-year reliability, his workload (as you mentioned, pitching an extra month every year), and his efficiency with pitches and outs, which enables him to shut down games in the eighth inning as well as the ninth when the Yankees need it. On top of all that, Rivera, the man and the player, is as respected by his peers as anybody who wears a uniform. You certainly can't say that about Bonds.
Interesting take. Your argument gains strength when you consider he's been a huge factor on world championship teams; Bonds has not. Everyday players influence more games in more ways, but in no way can I diminish the importance of "the ultimate weapon," Rivera. What makes him so unique among closers is his year-to-year reliability, his workload (as you mentioned, pitching an extra month every year), and his efficiency with pitches and outs, which enables him to shut down games in the eighth inning as well as the ninth when the Yankees need it. On top of all that, Rivera, the man and the player, is as respected by his peers as anybody who wears a uniform. You certainly can't say that about Bonds.
Posted by: Patrick
Perhaps you've noticed this. Bernie is hitting .251, as we all know. Not very good. But, he's hitting .297 with a .370 OBA when there are runners on. He's hitting .305 with a .385 OBA with runners in scoring position. He's hitting .339 with a .464 OBA with runners in scoring position and 2 outs. Men on, 2 outs? .300 with a .422 OBA. Bases loaded? .333. Man on third, less than 2 outs? .304. 30 of his 64 RBI have come with men on and 2 outs.
On the flip side, he's hitting .222 with no one on and no one out and .196 with no one on and 1 or 2 outs. He's hitting .206 with the bases empty.
It's funny (and quite odd to me) that he can be that bad when no one is on, yet that good when people are on. One thing is clear: you don't want to pitch around people to get to Bernie. He gets it done with people on base.
On the flip side, he's hitting .222 with no one on and no one out and .196 with no one on and 1 or 2 outs. He's hitting .206 with the bases empty.
It's funny (and quite odd to me) that he can be that bad when no one is on, yet that good when people are on. One thing is clear: you don't want to pitch around people to get to Bernie. He gets it done with people on base.
09/27: The Chosen 25
Posted by: Patrick
If the Yankees end up making the playoffs, here is what I would like the postseason roster (25 man) to consist of.
Posted by: Michael
The Yanks continued to do their victory dance on the doormats of the AL East, the Baltimore Orioles, in winning 11-3. It took until the fourth inning before the Yankee bats put six runs on the board. They tacked on another five in the sixth.
Leading the way offensively was A-Rod and Jason Giambi. A-Rod was 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs and 2 walks. Giambi connected on his 31st Home Run of the year and scored 3 RBIs of his own.
Randy Johnson tallied his 16th win of the year. He pitched six innings of shutout, before handing the ball over to Proctor, Felix Rodriguez, then Alan Embree pitched the last inning and gave up four hits and three runs.
Embree was kicked to the curb earlier this year by Boston, and quickly picked up by the Yankees. During his time with the Yankees he has sported a 8.31 ERA. In 13 innings pitched for the Yankees, he has given up 14 runs. That is just plain embarassing when the runs you give up are more than the innings you pitch.
Tonight the visiting Yankees play their 15th straight game. Mike "The Moose" Mussina (13-8, 4.20 ERA) takes the mound against Bruce Chen (12-10, 3.60 ERA). Game time is 7:05pm ET at Camden Yards.
Leading the way offensively was A-Rod and Jason Giambi. A-Rod was 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs and 2 walks. Giambi connected on his 31st Home Run of the year and scored 3 RBIs of his own.
Randy Johnson tallied his 16th win of the year. He pitched six innings of shutout, before handing the ball over to Proctor, Felix Rodriguez, then Alan Embree pitched the last inning and gave up four hits and three runs.
Embree was kicked to the curb earlier this year by Boston, and quickly picked up by the Yankees. During his time with the Yankees he has sported a 8.31 ERA. In 13 innings pitched for the Yankees, he has given up 14 runs. That is just plain embarassing when the runs you give up are more than the innings you pitch.
Tonight the visiting Yankees play their 15th straight game. Mike "The Moose" Mussina (13-8, 4.20 ERA) takes the mound against Bruce Chen (12-10, 3.60 ERA). Game time is 7:05pm ET at Camden Yards.
