Posted by: Patrick
According to Jim Baumbach, Matsui will take today off, work out on Monday and be ready to play on Tuesday.
I know that our outfield of Abreu, Damon and Cabrera is terrific, but for anyone who might have forgotten, this is man whose first 3 years in New York amounted to 299 runs, 121 doubles, 6 triples, 70 home runs, 330 runs batted in, a .297 average and .370 OBA. In 33 postseason games, he's hit .319 with 22 runs, 12 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs, 25 runs batted in and a .377 OBA.
October lineup: Posada, Giambi, Cano, Rodriguez, Jeter, Matsui, Damon, Abreu and Sheffield with a bench that includes Fasano, Wilson, Melky and Bernie. We can't get ahead of ourselves with this much time left in the regular season, but with this in mind, the ducks seem to be edging toward a row.
Drool.
I know that our outfield of Abreu, Damon and Cabrera is terrific, but for anyone who might have forgotten, this is man whose first 3 years in New York amounted to 299 runs, 121 doubles, 6 triples, 70 home runs, 330 runs batted in, a .297 average and .370 OBA. In 33 postseason games, he's hit .319 with 22 runs, 12 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs, 25 runs batted in and a .377 OBA.
October lineup: Posada, Giambi, Cano, Rodriguez, Jeter, Matsui, Damon, Abreu and Sheffield with a bench that includes Fasano, Wilson, Melky and Bernie. We can't get ahead of ourselves with this much time left in the regular season, but with this in mind, the ducks seem to be edging toward a row.
Gary Sheffield took 40 swings off a tee Friday and finished with "a grin from ear to ear," said Gary Flink, the physical therapist who has supervised the slugger's workouts at his Bergen County facility.
"He could not have felt better. He couldn't be stronger right now. [Friday] was a huge step," said Flink, who added that "all indications are yes," that Sheffield would return at 100 percent this month. After another tee session today and Sunday, Sheffield is expected to begin regular batting practice Tuesday.
"He could not have felt better. He couldn't be stronger right now. [Friday] was a huge step," said Flink, who added that "all indications are yes," that Sheffield would return at 100 percent this month. After another tee session today and Sunday, Sheffield is expected to begin regular batting practice Tuesday.
Drool.
Posted by: David
Cory Lidle had been both very good and very bad. On Friday night in Baltimore, he was very bad. Lidle only made five outs before departing. He gave up four runs on six hits and was followed by Veras who came in with the kerosene can and gave up a three run homer. Lidle was taken deep by Melvin Mora in the first and also allowed a two run single to Yankee killer Miguel Tejada. Veras surrendered the bomb to Jay Gibbons and Sean Henn was touched up for a dinger by David Newhan.
With the Yankees behind by a large score for most of the game, Torre pulled most of his regulars early and basically conceded to Baltimore. However, with the Red Sox losing their fourth straight contest against the Royals, the Yankees magic number is reduced to 14.
Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak to 18 games and Craig Wilson hit a two run homer in the ninth.
With the Yankees behind by a large score for most of the game, Torre pulled most of his regulars early and basically conceded to Baltimore. However, with the Red Sox losing their fourth straight contest against the Royals, the Yankees magic number is reduced to 14.
Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak to 18 games and Craig Wilson hit a two run homer in the ninth.
Posted by: James
Derek Jeter, currently second in the AL batting race, was named as a finalist for the AL Hank Aaron Award. the award recognizes the best offensive performer from each league.
Just wanted to get the word out and once the voting is underway at MLB.com, don't forget to cast your vote for The Captain.
The final phase now will be conducted on MLB.com through Sept. 30, and again fans will choose one player from each league. Those two players with the most votes will be announced at a presentation ceremony during the World Series.
...
Yankees manager Joe Torre always talks about how consistent Jeter is for his team. But Torre said he's noticed even more offensive consistency from Jeter this season.
"The consistency that I noticed, beyond his statistics, is the fact that he comes here with the same intensity every day," Torre said.
...
"I think sometimes people lose sight when they talk about baseball players, that hitting home runs makes them great, and if you don't hit home runs, then you're not," Jeter said. "Home runs get all the highlights -- you see them on 'SportsCenter' and all that. But there's more to the game than just home runs."
And those are the things Jeter excels at.
...
Yankees manager Joe Torre always talks about how consistent Jeter is for his team. But Torre said he's noticed even more offensive consistency from Jeter this season.
"The consistency that I noticed, beyond his statistics, is the fact that he comes here with the same intensity every day," Torre said.
...
"I think sometimes people lose sight when they talk about baseball players, that hitting home runs makes them great, and if you don't hit home runs, then you're not," Jeter said. "Home runs get all the highlights -- you see them on 'SportsCenter' and all that. But there's more to the game than just home runs."
And those are the things Jeter excels at.
Just wanted to get the word out and once the voting is underway at MLB.com, don't forget to cast your vote for The Captain.
Posted by: Jason
Randy Johnson's difficulties were well-documented during the middle third of this season. After last night, the case can be made that he is much closer to the Arizona form that the Yankees envisioned. Since the All-Star break, Johnson's ERA, home runs allowed and walks allowed are trending in the correct direction. Enter last night: A much-needed rubber match against a Royals team that has graduated from "pathetic" to "irritating" in the last 6 weeks with series wins over the Red Sox, White Sox and Twins.
Johnson reminds me of an aging bullfighter that has lost a touch of skill with age, but still commands great respect. Ironically, last night a bullfight crowd would have bathed the Unit in boos for killing the bull too ruthlessly without providing the proper drama. The "torero" must expose himself to potential injury from the horns with a daring, flamboyant style in order to win favor.
The southpaw coldly dissected a KC lineup that had already been weakened by Mark Teahen's season-ending surgery. It seems that an important factor in RJ's success is his ability to hit the outside corner against righties...last night he did, and he dominated. His fastball had fine location/velocity and his slider was customarily vicious. Even though he walked one hitter, an immediate double play insured that he faced the minimum number of batters through 6 innings.
DeJesus broke up Johnson's no-hitter in the 7th with a triple, but he strayed too far from third and was picked off by the other Yankee hero of last night, Jorge Posada. In addition to the fine throw to third, "Jorgie" (as Joe Girardi called him when he was in the YES booth) hit two 3-run bombs, contributing 75% of the Yankees' 8 runs with his bat.
The lead in the AL East is 9 games. The magic number is 15. Mariano can now be rested until he is 100%.
The Yankees Universe can rest easy, for now.
Johnson reminds me of an aging bullfighter that has lost a touch of skill with age, but still commands great respect. Ironically, last night a bullfight crowd would have bathed the Unit in boos for killing the bull too ruthlessly without providing the proper drama. The "torero" must expose himself to potential injury from the horns with a daring, flamboyant style in order to win favor.
The southpaw coldly dissected a KC lineup that had already been weakened by Mark Teahen's season-ending surgery. It seems that an important factor in RJ's success is his ability to hit the outside corner against righties...last night he did, and he dominated. His fastball had fine location/velocity and his slider was customarily vicious. Even though he walked one hitter, an immediate double play insured that he faced the minimum number of batters through 6 innings.
DeJesus broke up Johnson's no-hitter in the 7th with a triple, but he strayed too far from third and was picked off by the other Yankee hero of last night, Jorge Posada. In addition to the fine throw to third, "Jorgie" (as Joe Girardi called him when he was in the YES booth) hit two 3-run bombs, contributing 75% of the Yankees' 8 runs with his bat.
The lead in the AL East is 9 games. The magic number is 15. Mariano can now be rested until he is 100%.
The Yankees Universe can rest easy, for now.
09/06: Thunder Take Series Opener
Posted by: James
The AA Trenton Thunder opened up their playoff series against the Portland SeaDogs with a 3-1 win tonight. Of greater interest to Yankees fans, Hideki Matsui made his first rehab appearance and struck out, lined out hard to right, was intentionally walked and then singled home an insurance run the seventh inning.
The other major story of the night proved to be the always entertaining Phil Hughes. who didn't get the win but struck out 13 batters, one short of the franchise record, in six innings.
The other major story of the night proved to be the always entertaining Phil Hughes. who didn't get the win but struck out 13 batters, one short of the franchise record, in six innings.
Posted by: Patrick
Cano is the Yankees nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. Congrats.
When Cano was a child, he said he idolized Clemente as a talented baseball player. But as he's gotten older, Cano has gained a new respect for Clemente.
"The way he helped the kids and poor people was unbelievable," Cano said. "I want to do that."
Now the word is getting out about the kind of role model Cano is. Negron's book entitled "The Boy of Steel" tells a true story about Cano meeting a child named Michael Steel who was diagnosed with cancer.
"The way he helped the kids and poor people was unbelievable," Cano said. "I want to do that."
Now the word is getting out about the kind of role model Cano is. Negron's book entitled "The Boy of Steel" tells a true story about Cano meeting a child named Michael Steel who was diagnosed with cancer.
09/05: Memo to: Alex Rodriguez
Posted by: Jason
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly...
-Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
-Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
Posted by: Jason
During last night's series opener in Kansas City, many Yankees fans were likely muttering a familiar question:
Why do journeymen pitchers seem to perform well above expectations against the Yankees?
A relevant question, as for 7 innings Luke Hudson rose to the level of his competition and held the New Yorkers to a lone run. The Yankees stranded at least 9 baserunners as Hudson's fastball found late movement and his curve was sharp.
As he sips a cup of coffee this morning and prepares himself for the day, Royals' manager Buddy Bell might be reconsidering his decision to pull Hudson in the top of the 8th last night. The Yankees laid waste to the Royals' bullpen as home runs by Posada and Cano combined with RBI hits by Damon, Abreu and Posada (again) totaled 10 runs, stunned the Royals faithful and effectively ended the game.
Chien-Ming Wang was cruising until the bottom 6th, when "Moneyball" darling Mark Teahen and Emil Brown both hit RBI singles. In the bottom 7th, Ron Villone might have exhibited some wear-and-tear from his many previous appearances as he surrendered a walk and an RBI double. T.J. Beam relieved Villone and gave up the 5th Royals run on another double.
Thankfully, the top of the 8th rendered the Yankees' bullpen problems irrelevant. These problems should not go unaddressed, however: perhaps Villone needs an extended break similar to Rivera's.
Tonight Mike Mussina's performance will be under the microscope as he retakes the hill after his stint on the 15 day disabled list - against Jorge De La Rosa, another Kansas City journeyman pitcher...
P.S.: The Yankees' magic number stands at 17 after last night's game.
Why do journeymen pitchers seem to perform well above expectations against the Yankees?
A relevant question, as for 7 innings Luke Hudson rose to the level of his competition and held the New Yorkers to a lone run. The Yankees stranded at least 9 baserunners as Hudson's fastball found late movement and his curve was sharp.
As he sips a cup of coffee this morning and prepares himself for the day, Royals' manager Buddy Bell might be reconsidering his decision to pull Hudson in the top of the 8th last night. The Yankees laid waste to the Royals' bullpen as home runs by Posada and Cano combined with RBI hits by Damon, Abreu and Posada (again) totaled 10 runs, stunned the Royals faithful and effectively ended the game.
Chien-Ming Wang was cruising until the bottom 6th, when "Moneyball" darling Mark Teahen and Emil Brown both hit RBI singles. In the bottom 7th, Ron Villone might have exhibited some wear-and-tear from his many previous appearances as he surrendered a walk and an RBI double. T.J. Beam relieved Villone and gave up the 5th Royals run on another double.
Thankfully, the top of the 8th rendered the Yankees' bullpen problems irrelevant. These problems should not go unaddressed, however: perhaps Villone needs an extended break similar to Rivera's.
Tonight Mike Mussina's performance will be under the microscope as he retakes the hill after his stint on the 15 day disabled list - against Jorge De La Rosa, another Kansas City journeyman pitcher...
P.S.: The Yankees' magic number stands at 17 after last night's game.
Posted by: Patrick
The YanksBlog.com Fantasy MLB 2006 league has reached the playoffs. Here are the final regular season standings (playoff teams marked with asterisks (*)):
Me and Hip Hip Jorge! are looking at first round byes, while Mill will play Joseph (with the winner playing me) and Mike will play Big Catz (with the winner playing Hip Hip Jorge!).
Good luck everyone.
Rank Team W-L-T Pct GBCongratulations to me (Patrick), Hip Hip Jorge!, Mike (In George We Trust), Mill, Joseph (The Sporting Brews) and Big Catz on making the playoffs.
*1. Patrick 136-71-13 0.648 -
*2. Hip Hip Jorge! 125-78-17 0.607 9
*3. In George We Trust 122-86-12 0.582 14.5
*4. Mill 115-91-14 0.555 20.5
*5. The Sporting Brews 105-98-17 0.516 29
*6. Big Catz 102-106-12 0.491 34.5
7. Damons Monkeys 93-104-23 0.475 38
8. Curry Monsters 96-107-17 0.475 38
9. Green Day 98-110-12 0.473 38.5
10. Dog Pound 94-107-19 0.47 39
11. Evil Empire 80-123-17 0.402 54
12. Osprey 59-144-17 0.307 75
Me and Hip Hip Jorge! are looking at first round byes, while Mill will play Joseph (with the winner playing me) and Mike will play Big Catz (with the winner playing Hip Hip Jorge!).
Good luck everyone.
Posted by: David
A-Rod is on a tear. Sunday afternoon in the Bronx, he hit two more homers which gives him five in the last four games. His five RBI game along with six strong innings from Darrell Rasner propelled the Yankees to a 10-1 victory. The Yankees won another series and have moved nine games ahead of the Red Sox in the AL East. The magic number for the Yankees now stands at 18.
Bobby Abreu also chipped in with three doubles and Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak to fourteen games with a double in his last AB. The Yankees benefited from the big lead by not having to use Mariano Rivera again. Torre had stated that he would not be available for the series due to a muscle strain below his elbow. The MRI revealed no damage but Torre is taking every precaution and trying to rest Mo as much as possible down the stretch.
Garza started for the Twins and was OK early but tired due to a high pitch count and couldn't get out of the fifth inning. He recently joined the Twins from Fresno State and is touted by them as being a future star.
The Yankees now go on the road to Kansas City for a three game series. Chien Ming-Wang trys to become the major league's first 17 game winner tonight. Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson will pitch the other two games of the series for New York.
Bobby Abreu also chipped in with three doubles and Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak to fourteen games with a double in his last AB. The Yankees benefited from the big lead by not having to use Mariano Rivera again. Torre had stated that he would not be available for the series due to a muscle strain below his elbow. The MRI revealed no damage but Torre is taking every precaution and trying to rest Mo as much as possible down the stretch.
Garza started for the Twins and was OK early but tired due to a high pitch count and couldn't get out of the fifth inning. He recently joined the Twins from Fresno State and is touted by them as being a future star.
The Yankees now go on the road to Kansas City for a three game series. Chien Ming-Wang trys to become the major league's first 17 game winner tonight. Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson will pitch the other two games of the series for New York.
