New York State Of Mind

Baseball Stuff

2005-12-22T08:45:00.000-05:00

DiMaggio, Mantle, Williams and now..... Johnny?

I can't wait to see him cleaned up. This may take some time to get used to. I was a fan before he moved to the red sux so maybe I can try and forget those years. Maybe. It didn't work for Clemens, Boggs nor Gordon, so I have my doubts. Let's see how it goes.

At least Bernie is still a Yankee. He will still be in pinstripes this year. As a backup center fielder and possibly a DH when needed, Bernie could still be awesome.

I don't usually do this but let's have a moment of silence for one of the class guys of Baseball. Elrod Hendricks passed away yesterday. He had been the Oriole's bullpen coach since 1977. Around these parts he was known as a very well respected coach and man. RIP Elrod.

One more thing, has anyone else noticed the way the Mets are building their team this off-season? I sure have. If you haven't, check it out. They are giving Willie (still a Yankee to me) a lot to work with. With the decline of the Braves and the Phillies they should take that division. I think we could be seeing another Subway Series this year. Hopefully they won't have transportation a strike then. That would be bad. ;)

Congratulations To Chicago

2005-10-27T08:44:00.000-04:00

I guess it would be a bad thing to not congratulate Chicago on their sweep in the World Series. They did a good job kicking the Astros butts. I watched with mild interest mostly because it was Baseball. Not Yankee Baseball, but still...

I do enjoy Ozzie anyway so I'm happy for him. Plus there are a few ex-Yanks on that team. Has to be why they won. ;)

So, congratulations Chicago. Enjoy your championship. It will be fun to take it from you next year.

BTW, I'm still wondering where they got that Contreras guy. He's not the same guy who pitched in New York.

1. Shawn Chacon

2005-10-20T19:31:00.000-04:00

Seemed like a good idea to do a recap of all the players on the roster. And so I started to look at each one, and realized it would take a while.

So I decided to do a little bit about all the pitchers - but that was still too much. Just starting pitchers? Too many for one post.

So here's a little bit about Shawn Chacon, alphabetically the first starting pitcher by last name:

	Pitchers	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	39 Shawn Chacon	R/R	6-3	220	12/23/77

I was born 12/31/77 - but he's made a bunch loads more money. He was born in Anchorage, AK.

Here's what struck me when looking at his stats: the Rockies and Yankees numbers looked very similar. There's a table with his stats compared, as listed by mlb - then a table arranged by percent change. A list of the stats is here (most of them you should know - AO means fly outs).

*Shawn Chacon: 2005*
TEAM	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	IP	H	R	ER	HR	HBP
Colorado Rockies	1	7	4.09	13	12	0	72.2	69	33	33	7	8
New York Yankees	7	3	2.85	14	12	0	79.0	66	26	25	7	6
TEAM	BB	SO	WPCT	TB	BK	WP	IBB	SB	CS	PK	GO	AO	GO/AO
Colorado Rockies	36	39	.125	114	0	3	4	4	0	2	81	96	0.89
New York Yankees	30	40	.700	102	1	3	0	3	3	1	94	100	1.01
TEAM	WHIP	SLG	OBA	AVG	NP	P/IP	K/BB	BB/9	K/9	H9
Colorado Rockies	1.44	.430	.361	.260	1187	16.33	0.98	4.46	4.83	8.55
New York Yankees	1.22	.348	.309	.225	1309	16.57	1.33	3.42	4.56	7.52

*Shawn Chacon: 2005 - Sorted by Absolute Percent Change*
	W	WPCT	L	K/BB	ERA	SB	HBP	ER	BB/9	R	SLG	BB
+/-	+	+	-	+	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Percent Change	600%	460%	57%	36%	30%	25%	25%	24%	23%	21%	19%	17%
	GO	WHIP	OBA	GO/AO	AVG	H9	TB	G	K/9	H	AO	SO	GS
+/-	+	-	-	+	-	-	-	+	-	-	+	+	Nada
Percent Change	16%	15%	14%	13%	13%	12%	11%	8%	6%	4%	4%	3%	0%

I should have just used normalized stats, such as K/BB, ERA, BB/9, SLG, WHIP, OBA, GO/AO, AVG, etc... but I'm too lazy to separate out the counting stats (W, L, H, K, BB, etc). But I did take out a couple of stats that didn't add to the conversation. Something I know that is lacking in these tables is the run support he received, but that's a nice sub 3.00 ERA.

And just what do these tables tell us? They say damn he did well for the Yankees - increasing his winning percentage 460% on the strength of a 7-3 record for the Bombers.

It also says, nice job Shawn on getting your walks down. His K/BB ratio was more favorable to the tune of a 36% increase (and importantly above 1.00). While he gave up the same number of home runs (7) in a comparable amount of innings (72.2 CR/79 NY), he also decreased his BB/9 total by 23% (4.46 CR/3.42 NY). Pair that with a slight increase in K/9 and it was a pleasure to watch him pitch.

Two notes on the previous paragraph: 1. How many of those HRs were at home w/ the Rockies? 2. I screwed up the % change for IP because "72.2" should be calculated as "72 2/3." D'oh.

Moving on.

My first opinion on Shawn Chacon? Goofy hat-wearer.

Second opinion on Shawn Chacon? Good first game. Pitched six solid innings against the Angels - who he would later pitch well against in the ALDS.

Then I kind of forgot about him, he pitched a few games, won most of them - but I didn't really follow him too much. For those of you who had a similar approach to Chacon, here's (another) table - showing some stats from each of his starts for the Yankees. I added a column in the first section labelled "DS," which stands for "Disaster Start." This is when the runs given up is greater than the innings pitched.

DATE	GAME	W	L	ERA	IP	H	R	DS
30-Jul	LAA	0	0	0	6	4	1	N
4-Aug	@CLE	0	0	1.5	6	8	2	N
9-Aug	CWS	0	1	1.42	7	3	1	N
14-Aug	TEX	1	0	2.16	5	7	3	N
20-Aug	@CWS	1	0	1.64	8	4	0	N
25-Aug	TOR	1	0	1.8	7	6	2	N
30-Aug	@SEA	0	1	3.13	6	8	8	Y
4-Sep	@OAK	1	0	3.08	6.2	5	2	N
10-Sep	BOS	0	1	3.72	3	6	5	Y
17-Sep	@TOR	1	0	3.25	8	4	0	N
23-Sep	TOR	1	0	2.89	8	3	0	N
28-Sep	@BAL	1	0	2.76	6.2	4	1	N
		ER	HR	BB	SO	NP-S	GO-AO	K/BB
30-Jul	LAA	0	0	3	4	104-56	5-9	1.33
4-Aug	@CLE	2	0	2	4	104-62	8-6	2.00
9-Aug	CWS	1	1	3	4	120-69	7-10	1.33
14-Aug	TEX	3	1	0	5	88-53	6-4	Infinite
20-Aug	@CWS	0	0	3	5	127-78	7-12	1.67
25-Aug	TOR	2	0	4	6	119-66	8-7	1.50
30-Aug	@SEA	8	1	4	3	113-62	8-7	0.75
4-Sep	@OAK	2	1	3	3	113-70	10-6	1.00
10-Sep	BOS	5	2	3	1	77-42	5-3	0.33
17-Sep	@TOR	0	0	1	1	109-68	8-14	1.00
23-Sep	TOR	0	0	1	3	111-73	9-12	3.00
28-Sep	@BAL	1	1	3	1	91-56	11-7	0.33

Chacon also pitched in relief twice - once against Texas, giving up no runs in 1 inning of work, and once against the Red Sux, giving up 1 earned run in 2/3 of an inning pitched. He didn't pick up a decision in either relief appearance.

Two disaster starts - against the Red Sux, which hurts but can be expected with their lineup, and against the Mariners, who just plain sucked this year.

It must have been a rough time for him in the beginning, as he went 0-1 with a 1.42 ERA in his first three starts, pitching 6, 6 and 7 innings in each, respectively. He went 7-2 the rest of the way, losing only the two disaster starts - and owning Toronto, picking up 3 wins in 3 starts. He gave up 2 ER through 7 IP in his first start against Toronto and then two straight starts of shutout ball through 8 innings. Fantastic.

In the post season against the Angels, he pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up 2 ER while striking out 5 and walking 1 - not too shabby. He dueled John Lackey, but Leiter got the win in relief and Mo pitched 2 innings for the save. Most importantly he kept the Yankees in it to force Game 5. Huge.

Selected Links

Baseball Prospectus PECOTA Card - check out the 5 Year Forecast. Huge fluctuations the past 3 years (sucked, good, sucked) but should straighten out to be a decent pitcher.

Wikipedia entry - "He throws a 88-92mph sinker, a big curveball, a slider, and a changeup."

TSN.ca entry - "Colorado Rockies traded Shawn Chacon to the New York Yankees for Ramon Ramirez and Edwardo Sierra." "Assets: His mid-90s heat mixed with a slider and change-up help him particularly tough on right-handed hitters. Shows some pretty good poise with runners on."

I've been looking for a personal interest story about Chacon, but no luck. Anyone know anything interesting about him?

Later.

I Still Have To Watch

2005-10-18T08:26:00.000-04:00

Let's see, 9th inning, winning the game, your best reliever on the mound, one more guy to get and the series is over. Seems pretty good on paper. Until the hitter decides he doesn't want to go home yet. (Hmm, this feels familiar somehow; Remember 2001?) Anyway, kudos to the Cards and Pujols for pulling that one out of their butts last night. I thought for sure they were done. Lidge usually doesn't allow heroics like that.

I'm bummed for Andy though. No matter what, I still see him as a Yankee and I hate to see his team lose. I want them to get to the Series for 2 reasons really. 1 - Andy Pettitte and 2 - Craig Biggio. One deterrant for me is that bum Clemens is on this team too, but what the hey.

And how did I miss this story? Yanks get permission to talk to Mazzone I don't think I would mind that move a bit. Except for the rocking back and forth all the time, Mazzone is a tried and true Pitching Coach that we sorely need. I wonder how serious they are?

I think whoever wins this series is in deep doodoo against the White Sox anyway. They will be well rested and their pitching kicks ass. BTW, how come Contrearas (sp?) didn't pitch like that in New York? Look at the loser we got for him. Not the best move the Yanks have made in a while, eh?

I thought I would be totally bummed against Baseball after the Yanks lost, but I'm only partially bummed. This series is entertaining. Still, I can't wait until next year. Hey KB, are you keeping the countdown until Spring Training again?

thanks anyway guys

2005-10-11T12:45:00.000-04:00

18 weeks to pitchers & catchers.

xo yall.

Renewed Blog

2005-10-11T08:52:00.000-04:00

So, after last night's debacle I feel OK to post here again. Funny how superstitous Baseball people can be. It seemed to me (way back when) that every time I posted here something bad would happen to the Yankees. So I stopped and they won the division. Weird, I know, but whatever works, right?

So now I will attempt to make this blog something special over the off season so that in the Spring it will be a gem for our boys in pinstripes.

I do want to say that this has been a tough year, but a decent one. After the horrible start, we really don't have a lot to complain about. Although I will. Starting with the stupid-ass umpires in last nights game. Plus, I believe Bubba needs some more experience out there in the field. That or he needs to learn to respect his elders. ;)

So next season we should be in good shape when it comes to the starting pitching. With Chacon, Wang, Small, Mussina, & Johnson the starting is good. Question mark beside Johnson of course. It's the middle relief that we need more of. That and we need Torii Hunter. (I like that rumor. I hope it's real.) Obviously, I would prefer Bernie still being a Yankee but I would also like to see some good defense out there. There are few better than Hunter.

Can you tell I'm already psyched for the 2006 season? Uh huh.

So I will watch some of the remainder of the playoffs with mild interest. Yes, it is still Baseball and I am an addict. I just don't care who wins. The great part is that the bums from boston can't win. That is sweet at least.

So everyone, get ready for next year. I already am. And to all the team members here, any suggestions to make this blog Yankee-worthy, lemme know.

George Is No Yankee

2005-06-30T16:00:00.000-04:00

I no longer believe that George Steinbrenner is a Yankee. Maybe I just managed to delude myself into thinking he was. No more. Here is why:

First, the obvious; he wants to build a new stadium. I think he's lost his mind. Yankee Stadium is the jewel of Baseball. It has seen more championships than any other sports teams' home. It has been home to the greatest list of ballplayers in the history of the game and some of the greatest moments there ever will be. It houses the Yankee ghosts that help us through the rough moments. It is the Cathedral for all of Baseball and should be considered hallowed ground. George wants to leave it behind.

The Stadium is for watching the team play ball. It is not for trying out the latest cuisine, sipping exotic drinks, enjoying a dip in a pool (a la Arizona). It is where real fans come to see Baseball. Not just show up to be distracted by the stadium extras. It is called a "Baseball Stadium" after all.

I've heard people argue that it isn't the original stadium anyway. Keep in mind that it was just renovated, not replaced in 1973 - 1976. The ground is the same ground that the Yankee greats walked and it is to be respected and cherished. The basic building is the same and the facade is still there. It is the home of the Yankees. Period. George doesn't think so.

Yep, the new stadium will bring in lots more money, but that brings me to my second point; why do we need more money? George shouldn't be allowed to get his hands on more money. Spending it on free agents has only destroyed the team. Buying players never works. Look to the current team and see where it gets you. This years team reminds me of the bought teams from the 1980's. All potential, no results. The Yankees need to do things the right way, starting with the farm system. That is the reason for the recent dynasty. A good mix of home grown talent and a few veterans with maybe one or two plug-ins where necessary during the season. That's how the Yankees won so much between 1995 and 2001. Not by bowing to George's whims and becoming saddled with old guys whose salaries are huge. Not to mention the young talent given up in deals leaving the farm system depleated.

More revenue will mean bigger salaries and bigger names. Probably won't mean more championships.

The great Yankee teams were founded on hard work, good management and dedication of the great and sometimes not so great players. The current state of the Yankees is to pay for the name and lose chemistry, lose balance, lose respect and untimately, lose games. Old George never learned this lesson. He keeps trying to buy his way out of losing.

If George was a true Yankee he would respect the game and the legend of the Yankees. He would allow the team to be run properly and let the Baseball people build a team, not field a bunch of high priced names. He would let the team win. George is no Yankee.

Question Of The Day

2005-06-08T13:26:00.000-04:00

Has anyone seen the Yankees? I remember seeing them in early May, but they seem to have gotten lost. If you see them anywhere, please send them back to the Bronx asap because we have a pennant to win and we really should get started on it soon.

Thanks.

YB

For The Record

2005-06-04T09:25:00.000-04:00

The Yankees stunk up Minnesota last night. They are on a 6 game losing streak, have managed to score only 9 runs in the last 4 games and now George is instigating conference calls with the staff. (As we all know, when he gets really involved, things get hairy.) Things haven't been great for the past week.

This morning the first thing I did was go downstairs and grab my big Yankee flag and hung it outside for all to see. I'm a Yankee and I know things will be OK. No giving up in YB's house. No quitting, no crying about it. (There's no crying in Baseball!) For the record, I'm keeping the faith.

Today we start a new win streak. Go Yankees!!!

Ice Cream For Homeruns

2005-06-03T13:46:00.000-04:00

Meritt has a deal with her son; if he hits a homerun, he gets ice cream as a reward. I think she's a genius! I'm going to propose this idea to the Yankees. Something has to help. When you have a stacked team like New York and can't win even one game from the glorified AAA Kansas City Royals, you need some better incentives.
Think about it. A true reward worth playing hard for. Sure, they get paid a lot, but when you were a kid, what better incentive did you have than ice cream for a job well done? None. I think todays ballplayers need to get back to those types of roots. They need to remember that it is a game after all and they need to start acting like it is. They need to feel the satisfaction of playing well and enjoying doing the best they can. They need to remember what fun it is to play ball. As a reward they can have ice cream, the one reward they will remember.
Monetary rewards don't work. How could they care about a few extra hundred thousand dollars after already earning millions for sucking ass all the time? They can't. They act like it's really a job. A chore. To play a kids game, go through the motions and stink up the baseball diamonds. They need real, down home, fun type incentives. Ice cream is the answer. Maybe a Baby Ruth reward for a good defensive play or an Oh Henry! candy bar thrown in there for good sportsmanship too.
Yep, those guys need to remember just what it is they're doing out there. Playing. The Yankees look like they know exactly what they are doing; earning lots of money for a job not so well done.
They need some ice cream.

I Just Don't Get It

2005-06-02T08:33:00.000-04:00

Can someone explain to me why the Yankees can't beat the scrub team from Kansas City? I'd really like to know.

The O's and the sux are busy beating each other up, giving the Yanks a golden chance to move up in the standings but they can't win against a AAA type team? Actually, John Kruk has described the Royals as a good AA team. I wonder how he would describe the Yankees this week?

The Yankees have scored 4 runs in 2 games so far against a stinking pitching staff. 4 big runs. Wow.

Now we're back to 4th place, 5 games out. Yeah, I know it's a long season and this shouldn't mean anything to me. It does though. I hope that in September when I look back on this mini-stretch I don't have a reason to be bitter. The boys should be rolling over teams like this one.

I just don't get it.

One Yankees Hatred Revealed

2005-05-31T08:15:00.000-04:00

I learned something this weekend. I can hate something. Hate is a big, giant, overused word. One that should not be thrown around without serious thought. I realized this weekend that I do hate something. The disgusting B and everything it stands for on the red sux hats. I hate that thing.

I really didn't think I did. On Sunday just before the game I found myself grinding my teeth just thinking about it. Just thinking that disgusting presence was fouling the air in Yankee Stadium was irritating as hell. It has nothing to do with records between the teams or anything like that. The win/loss thing is pretty much even at this point. I just feel like they are the sub-human scum of Baseball.

I really hate it when players I liked (past tense intended) end up there. When I heard about John Olerud signing there I could have cried. I'd always been an Olerud fan. A-hole Wells belongs there. You know he signed there to spite Cashman and George. No other reason. I remember liking Johnny Damon a while back too. Not anymore. The cesspool that is boston can keep the chumps like curtass, millar, ramirez and especially shrek ortiz. Those types belong there. But guys like Renteria, wtf? Had to be money. Or maybe there is a such thing as ballplayers being bandwagoners too. Maybe that's why someone would debase themselves and go there. They win a few games and now he wants to play there. I don't get it. Players want to play in New York because of the history and commitment to excellence. There is no such thing in boston.

This is one reason I never liked seeing jerk-off clemens in pinstripes. He never was a Yankee. Never. I was more than happy when he was gone. It's like a breath of fresh air not seeing that bum in New York. I couldn't care less if he wins every game he pitches, he was no Yankee. Wade Boggs either. He didn't belong. I feel a little of that toward Gordon too. He lived down to my expectations last October.

I do really appreciate it when a player I want to like leaves boston though. When Nomar was traded, I was relieved. Now I can watch him play and not feel the hate. I always wanted to. Of course, he's got the Ken Griffey syndrome; can't stay healthy. But it is good to see him somewhere that doesn't disgust me.

I especially hate this movement to eliminate the rivalries. Have you seen that stupid commercial where the different fans are brought together by fm satellite radio? Freakin retarded. No Yankee would shake the hand of a dork like that sux fan. Not a real Yankee anyway. If you don't like the rivalries, don't watch Baseball. Stop with all the pc bull.

I guess I learned something about myself recently. It's not a rivalry thing with me. It's a hate thing. I hate the sux. Period. Win or lose against them, I hate them. Period.

OK, So Now I Can Post

2005-05-20T13:13:00.000-04:00

Being the honest to goodness Baseball guy that I am, I had this superstition about posting on this blog once the Yankees went on their winning streak. I don't really know how it happened but once it did, I couldn't/wouldn't post. "A player on a streak has to respect the streak." Crash Davis.

In case you missed it (which I doubt) the won 10 in a row. Sweet! Thai after all the blow hards and bandwagoners had left them for dead. Ha!

This became a familiar sight during the streak.

In six games last week, Tino Martinez batted .391 (9-for-23), leading the league with six home runs, 15 RBIs and 10 runs scored. Can you say player of the week?

Even Jason came alive again.

I'm glad. He's been through a lot. Plus, if he gets rolling, he could be good trade bait for some pitching. ;)

Then there's Bernie. Love the guy. It was great to see him get the Grand Slam. This pic is fitting, I think.

All in all, quite the refreshing change after a stinky April. I always knew the Yanks would get rolling. It was just a matter of time. Soon we'll be back on top, where we belong. Then all will be right with the world again.

Stinky old interleague play starts this weekend. It's so irritating to have to play worthless games against teams in another league. It also cheapens the World Series in my eyes. I guess it's the money thing that drives it because the players generally don't like it much either, from what I've read. Some day maybe it will just go away.

I'm looking forward to a new streak starting. Hopefully posting here won't have to be interrupted again, but if so, I'll have no choice. I'm a team guy and a Yankee after all.

Borrowing From Friends

2005-05-06T12:33:00.000-04:00

I bummed this from Lupe. I've been thinking along these lines too and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one. If George would just let the Baseball people do their jobs, we'd be much better off. This team reminds me of the 80's Yankees. Lots of older free-agents, no farm system. Scary.

"hate to say i told you so

That's the price George Steinbrenner is paying for years of chasing older, expensive players. Everyone saw the crash coming - except The Boss. That was never more apparent than the last off-season, when Steinbrenner insisted on acquiring Randy Johnson, when his lieutenants begged him to take Carlos Beltran instead. If ever there was a time for Steinbrenner to flood the market with his millions, it would've been for the free agent center fielder - precisely the player the Yankees needed in the post-Bernie Williams era. If history has taught us anything, it's that the Bombers need a switch-hitting center fielder to win championships, and Beltran would've ensured a smooth transition well into the new millennium. Even more maddening was the revelation that Beltran would've given the Yankees a $10 million discount. All they had to do was call. Instead, Johnson's contract, worth $48 million with a two-year extension, broke the bank. One team insider said Steinbrenner finally reached his pain threshold when he realized the luxury tax would exceed $50 million. Was Johnson really worth it? The point isn't open to debate within the Yankees' hierarchy. As the team source put it, "George had to have him. He wasn't going to budge. That's all he's been talking about for the last couple of years." No wonder the Mets moved so frantically to sign Beltran in the hours after he turned down the Astros' offer of arbitration. GM Omar Minaya was convinced Steinbrenner would've eventually come to his senses, had Beltran been on the market for more than a day. So the Mets negotiated all night, making sure Beltran was theirs before The Boss woke up. [bob klapisch] "

I Can Take the Losing....

2005-05-06T08:57:00.000-04:00

...it's the asshole "fans" that make me want to hurl. Last night, I met up with a friend for a drink after the game. Just as we were ordering our beers at the bar, I see this guy standing next to us, standing up, apparently holding court because the audience of three people sitting around him were captivated. What was he spewing that was so fascinating? Yankee venom. His words, and I quote: "Joe Torre is terrible." And apparently, he got "lucky" in that he was coaching a team of "superstars" from 1996-2001.

That there told me that this guy was not only a jackass, but a bandwagoner. Because any real Yankee fan can tell you that the Yankees never had that "superstar" monniker until at least 1999. In fact, in 1998, the big "problem" the media had with the Yanks is that they didn't have a "superstar" and could therefore not be considered one of the greatest teams of all time. (Yeah, I know.) And let's not even go there with his whole Joe Torre is terrible thing because...ugh.

The thing that got me was that no one in his little captivated group bothered to argue with him. And I was about to open my mouth when I realized something -- this dumbass was the type you couldn't argue with. He was so convinced of his own theory, that I'm sure if I interjected wtih something like, oh, "You don't know what the fuck you're talking about," he would've just ignored me and kept on with his argument. It was one of those pick your battle moments, and that was one battle I was destined to lose -- even though I know I had the better argument.

So yeah, losing sucks ass. But dealing with people like this makes it 1000 times worse.

I Have Figured It Out

2005-05-05T08:27:00.000-04:00

Isn't this pretty?

A.L. East

Baltimore 18-9
Boston 15-12
Toronto 16-13
New York 11-17
Tampa Bay 10-18

When you score 8 runs against the perennial basement dwellers of the A.L. East, normally you expect to win. Not this year. I guess our old pitchers and our young pitchers just aren't up to it so far.

Kevin Brown is losing games in the first few innings but looks great the longer he goes. Maybe he needs to pitch more before the game starts?

No pressure on the new guy Sean Henn, is there? A rookie brought up from AA to replace Randy Johnson. Tough spot.

I have figured it out though. It's all the talk re-surfacing about the proposed New Yankee Stadium. The ghosts are pissed off at the idea. They have been there since the beginning and have carried the Yankees through the rough spots, but when George and his people start talking about giving up their home, they are upset. If we don't protect them, they will show us just how important they really are to the Yankees. Someone get a message to George about this. (He's a very superstitious guy, so it would be beneficial.) We abandon The Stadium, the Yankee heroes abandon us. Simple.

At least that's my current theory. :)

because it's nice to have something to laugh about, finally

2005-05-01T12:17:00.000-04:00

i love how almost every single article about yesterday's game very carefully points out that the kid's name is pronounced "wong." well, daily news, you're not the boss of me and i'm gonna say WANG all i want.

i hope he sticks around long enough for me to get one a them shirts with the name across the back.

We Have Been Waiting For This!!

2005-04-27T10:16:00.000-04:00

ARod kicked ass last night! There is no other way to describe it. He's been hitting lately, but not like this. This story tells the tale. It's got to be satisfying for him. You know he's a better player than we've seen in New York. It was just a matter of time before he got comfortable and became ARod again.

I think all the cry-babies better get ready for some tears. It's starting to look like the Yankees are getting on track. As if it wasn't going to happen.

I think I need another RBI. 10 is a good number.

Looks like a grand salami to me buddy!

One gone, 2 to go!

Slow Start Indeed

2005-04-23T23:14:00.000-04:00

Anyone else tired of this prolonged 'slow start'? I sure am. The Yankees just don't look like Yankees right now. I thought they would at least win one for our Captain today (Karen, not Jeter). You'd think they would have a better showing for her birthday.

Jaret Wright is on the DL. Same old thing, bad shoulder. Kevin Brown seems lost. ARod can't hit unless it doesn't matter. If there are RISP and he's up, well, you know the deal. The strangest thing to see is Randy Johnson giving up runs. A lot of them via home runs. This April is one to remember. Not for good reasons. I hope the boys get going soon. If not, they will be 20 games out by the break.

Hey, maybe we could have another season like 1978. Out by 14 1/2 games and coming back to force a 1 game playoff. That would be cool! Kind of nerve-wracking, but cool.

I'm just babbling here. No one to commiserate with at the moment and I need to let off some steam. I know that the Yanks will get it going. It's just hard to take before they finally get rolling. Let's hope they start tomorrow.

Baseball Purgatory

2005-04-22T08:25:00.000-04:00

That's where this Yankee has been the past several days. While the Yankees were playing somewhere in the world that wasn't covered by any station I could get, the only games available to watch were between the Orioles (hated enemy #2) and the sux (most hated enemy #1). How sad. But at least there is Baseball on again. I can watch and get the Yankee score as the games progress. Imagine, a devoted Yankee forced to get his Baseball fix watching those 2 teams. Sheesh!

It is kinda cool that there is now a team in D.C. They are starting to televise those games too, since it's considered local. Even if it is National League, it's Baseball.

The Yankees are starting to look like they are getting in a groove. Winning 2 from Toronto was great. Moose got his first win this year (should have been #2) and the top of the order is still looking strong. Let's hope Kevin Brown has gotten on track and keeps it going tonight against Texas. His last outing only sucked for the first 2 innings. After that, he looked like the young Kevin. The Bull Pen looked good last night too (I read it here), so maybe things are finally starting to fall into place. We knew they would. It's just hard waiting. Especially for a Yankee living in enemy territory. I can't wait to get some payback when the Yanks are back on top in the A.L. East. That will be a good day.

Not Much To Say Today

2005-04-20T08:03:00.000-04:00

Randy Johnson really didn't pitch all that badly last night. Just a few mistakes and it cost him. When was the last time, if ever, RJ has been plagued by the long ball? He is a notorious slow starter, so I don't worry too much about it. It's just weird to see.

I personally hate to lose to any team, but especially to Hideo Nomo. I've never thought he was all that great. How annoying.

Giambi got another home run. Maybe he's going to stay on his mini-roll. We'd really be hurting without Jeter, Shef and Matsui. Those guys are the only real consistancy in the lineup to this point. I guess Womack is getting on base a lot.

What's up with the Mets? 7 homeruns against a pitcher that usually owns them? I believe it's Willie's presence. (Because I want to believe it, that's why.) I'm not a Mets fan, but I've always been a Willie Randolf fan, so I can't be sad about it.

I was speaking to a friend recently and he reminded me about a conversation 2 years ago in which I was hoping the Yankees would go ahead and acquire Brian Roberts. We needed a full time 2nd baseman and the O's were trying to decide between Roberts and Hairston. I was really disappointed that no deal ever came through even though there were rumors. Now look. The guy is coming into his own. Maybe they are off to the good start because of Lee Mazzilli's presence?

Yep, everything is Yankees here. No apologies for it either. :)

Tonight we get the Jays. Look at the picture on Yankees.com of ex-Yankee pitcher Ted Lilly. It's not really flattering. He looks stoned. Let's hope he gets rocked tonight.

Hold on Tight! I'm Gonna Throw Page 2 a Compliment!

2005-04-19T13:50:00.000-04:00

Awesome column from Page 2 today, discussing what is and isn't a true Yankee. It's weird because the guy seems to be getting on Yankee fans for being so damn fickle and only loving a winner -- and in this case, I absolutely agree with it. Shocker, I know. Because the past two weeks have made me look REALLY deeply at people who call themselves Yankee fans, and I'm beginning to hope that a slump makes some of these jackholes jump ship.

I asked some die-hard Yankees fans for their definition of a "true Yankee." One said, "Not anyone who is playing on the field currently."

Are you kidding me, supposed diehard fan? You don't consider Jeter, Bernie, Posada, Mo and Tino true Yankees? Matsui doesn't give his all out there and isn't worthy of Pinstripes? Are you shitting me?

But I think that's the point of this column. Check out the Are They True Yankees chart and you'll see what I mean. I love that Schoenfield gets all sarcastic here. I really mean that. It's as if he's saying "You have GOT to be kidding me, people."

Loved this in the Not a True Yankee category:
Alex Rodriguez: Doing anything to win might mean moving to a new position, but not slapping the ball away from Bronson Arroyo.

Seriously. Just...seriously.

I Thought This Was Funny

2005-04-19T08:27:00.000-04:00

We have a guy who works part time here in the evenings as a second job. He's a big Yankee fan and we always talk Baseball together. Apparently last Friday night when the Yankees were busy losing 1-8 to the Orioles, when he went out for his dinner break he noticed several Yankee fans (obvious from their attire) and asked them if they knew what the score was in the game that was going on. I guess he didn't have his Yankee hat on and the people he asked mistook him for an Oriole fan being a smart-ass because their only answer was - they mooned him. Big shiny moons as an answer.

I suppose the Yankees down here are short on words when the boys aren't doing so well :)

Should've Expected It

2005-04-17T21:01:00.000-04:00

I just added my comment to the earlier post when I came across this story about how George is pissed about the Yankees 'slow start'. Here are a few excerpts:

"Enough is enough. I am bitterly disappointed as I'm sure all Yankee fans are by the lack of performance by our team," Steinbrenner said in a statement issued immediately after the game.
"It is unbelievable to me that the highest-paid team in baseball would start the season in such a deep funk. They are not playing like true Yankees. They have the talent to win and they are not winning. I expect Joe Torre, his complete coaching staff and the team to turn this around."

Yikes!

"What did you expect him to say, we're playing great? Keep up the good work?" Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said. "We haven't been playing well. It's easy to see. We just have to turn it around. That's basically it."

I like Derek's take on it. You really can't blame George. At least he waited for the Yanks to really get into the basement. I remember in 1998 when the boys were only 1-4 he went off and was rumored to be considering firing Joe Torre.

The one thing I didn't appreciate about all this is the way Joe Morgan seemed to be so happy about it. During his interview on Baseball Tonight he talked about the Yankee troubles with a definite gleam in his eye and said several times how there is a lot to be concerned about.

Hey Joe, The Yankees will wipe that smile off your face soon enough. Count on it.

Just a Thought

2005-04-17T15:56:00.000-04:00

Anyone else think if the pitching keeps being assy for the next few weeks that Mel's head is going to be the first to roll? Especially considering last year (ie, the pitching stakes them to a deficit early on only for the lineup to bail the pitcher out)? I mean, I like the guy and all, but....

WTF?????

2005-04-15T22:00:00.000-04:00

This game bites. This is rediculous! I could have watched The Incredibles. Geez! Maybe they can come back in the 9th? Blah.

Good Game. Bummer Ending.

2005-04-15T07:20:00.000-04:00

Last night's game was at least entertaining to watch. The Yankees didn't win it but the game itself had plenty of fun stuff for all.

I thought that Francona, Ron Jackson and the sux actually had a good argument against umpire Greg Gibson. His strike zone wasn't consistent. I noticed that Bernie and Jeter both looked like they wanted to get on him a little about his calls at points during the game.

The whole Sheffield thing will probably be the story of the day. Shef should get an award for not decking that guy. The big story to me was RJ giving up 3 home runs and Hideki staying on a tear. (I don't want to have to mention how ARod is still pressing and hurting the team though. Let's let that one alone.) RJ won't always let that happen, so it shouldn't be a big concern. The Yankees not hitting with RISP is a concern.

I knew it was going to be a strange night when Womack got an infield hit to start the game and was called out without being tagged. Clearly missed by at least a foot.

Ah well, on to Baltimore for the weekend. Let's hope for better results.

Just Another Day at Fenway

2005-04-14T22:16:00.000-04:00

I seriously don't want to hear it about New York fans. Not sure if that swipe was intentional, but WTF? Also, just saw the replay in super SloMo and the beer "spilling" was actually a dude throwing it at Shef. Not. Cool.

And WTF with the umps for letting that stay a triple? And that phantom tag of WOAHmack?

Gah.

Celebrating In Style

2005-04-14T07:16:00.000-04:00

This morning when I got into my Jeep to get the day started the first song played on the CD just happened to be New York New York a la Frank Sinatra. Now, this might not seem like a big deal but I haven't been in the Jeep for 5 days so I had nothing to do with it being the first music I heard today. How sweet is that? Since I was still pretty high from The Yankees roughing up curtass last night it was a beautiful way to start the day. For a highlight of the Giambi homerun (and the sorry look on curtass' face) go to Yankees.com .

I've decided to celebrate last night's victory with a couple of haikus:

The Yankees whipped the sux,

it was a beautiful sight.

What the heck is a Trot anyway?

Beating curtass is sweet

it makes the day a pleasure

hey curt, where's your sock?

Ok, nothing short of genius, I know. No applause please, just throw money. ;)

Tonight we have Randy "Big Member" Johnson against freak boy arroyo. A good time to be had by all. ESPN is supposed to be carrying it so I may get lucky and see the Yankees again. Something to look forward to.

Random Baseball Stuff

2005-04-13T11:31:00.000-04:00

So tonight we get Curt "I didn't bleed enough in my sock to die" Schilling for the first time this year. (Televised on ESPN2, thank you!) I'm hoping that the bats show up tonight. That last game was not so good but the Yanks do seem to have trouble with that knuckleball.

Jaret Wright gets another shot at becoming a Yankee. He's capable. I hope his head is in the game. My feelings about him have been told so I won't repeat them here.

The beginning of the year is always weird. The Jays in first place? The Orioles with a better rercord than the Yankees? I always have a touch of the impatience bug during the first mont of Baseball Season. Once the Yankees get rolling everything will be right with the universe again.

It's weird seeing Sammy Sosa in an O's uniform. I have to admit to hoping he would hit for the cycle last night. He hit a homer his first at bat and then a triple his second time up. I didn't watch the rest of the game because, well, it wasn't the Yankees. I didn't see any news today about him doing it so I guess he didn't.

Tonight @ 7:05, ESPN 2. Be there or be square.

Must. Read.

2005-04-12T16:32:00.000-04:00

Saw this on Shannon's blog first and just had to spread the love.You guys? ESPN.com hates on the Sux BIG TIME. Not once today, but TWICE.

Go online? Blogs, blogs and more blogs. Boston baseball spawns more amateur sports journalism than Page 2.

I'm starting to get light headed and may need to get some sugar to get myself out of the shock...

A pic I took on friday

2005-04-11T15:14:00.000-04:00

tino's first at bat at the first game I went to this year:

taken with my cameraphone as you can tell from the lack of quality, but it makes a dandy cell phone wallpaper. Wow, was it a beautiful night. (other than the game result)

C'mon Guys!

2005-04-10T15:15:00.000-04:00

OK, now I'm concerned. It's 7th inning stretch time and the pitching hasn't shown up yet. Neither have the bats. I'm hoping the guys realize it's time to get something going. I am having flashbacks to last year when the Yanks had to keep coming back to win. Let's hope this start isn't a preview of the season to come. O's pitching isn't that great. C'mon guys.

I Love It When We Beat The O's

2005-04-10T10:31:00.000-04:00

I really do. Next to whipping the sux, beating the Orioles is the best thing ever. Working in Baltimore, I guess you can see why it's pretty important to me. I hope we whip them again today.

I really didn't have any kind of a panic feeling during yesterday's game. RJ was off and they did hit him, but for some reason I had the feeling that the Yankees would pull it out. After Matsui tied it up with the awesome double (bloops can be awesome too) I had the feeling Ruben would do something nice. Mo looked a little better too. The speculation is that he's hiding an injury. Of course, Jim Palmer will say anything so who can listen to that guy? He is as bad as the FOX guys and I have no choice sometimes but to put up with him. Oh well, it's the price you pay to see the games sometimes.

Looking forward to todays game. The weather is pefect. I just wish I was in The Stadium to see it.

Sheesh!

2005-04-08T21:18:00.000-04:00

Anybody else not enjoying this game?

Nights like this it's tough being a die-hard. I'm in it until the last out damn it!

Let's Go Yankees!!!

It's The Same Everywhere

2005-04-08T09:30:00.000-04:00

MO is for sale on Ebay. Some goofball put Mariano up for sale on Ebay. I have to think that it wasn't a Yankee fan who did this. It had to be a fan of some lesser team thinking they were being funny. If it was a so-called Yankee fan, they obviously have way too short a memory to insult Mo like that.

They also suck no matter who they are.

Things are strange everywhere. I'm sitting here in Baltimore this morning listening to some of the talk about the Orioles. After the first game everyone here was sure they were the sleeper for the Series this year. Now after losing 2 in a row, everyone here is bitching about how they suck and they will be lucky to win 20 games. How strange. I personally think the O's will be OK. I'd expect them to win near to 80 this year, maybe more if their pitching holds up.

I know the Yankees and Mariano will be fine too. There are fair weather fans everywhere I guess. It's a long season and no way will Mo have troubles all year.

BTW, Mo's price started @ $2.00 and quickly went up to $99,999,999.00. Someone out there knows the truth about how great Mariano is.

Opening Day Genesis.

2005-04-08T07:56:00.000-04:00

which tickled me so much i'm posting it everywhere.

And the Lord God formed, from the dust, a collection of elite players in His own image. The Lord God then breathed the breath of life into His creation. God called this creation the National League.

And God said, It is not good for the National League to be alone. The Lord God shall make it a mate. And thus, while the National League slept, God took several of its top players and created the American League.

And God blessed The Game, saying, Be fruitful and multiply. Put teams in every city with deserving fans, God added, even if this occurs at the expense of starting-pitching depth.

From time to time, God understood, The Game would be corrupted by the Serpent. The Serpent was more cunning than any other beast and he would take many wicked forms: the Black Sox, segregation, the Designated Hitter, the Reserve Clause, dead balls, juiced balls, spit balls, corked bats, George Steinbrenner, AstroTurf, the 1981 strike, collusion, lockouts, Pete Rose, the 1994 strike, greenies, cocaine, HGH, Andro, steroids, $20 parking, corporate mallparks, Scott Boras, Donald Fehr, and Bud Selig. [mcsweeney's]

WTF

2005-04-07T10:11:00.000-04:00

Mike Vaccaro of The Post gets on the jackasses who booed Mariano at the Stadium yesterday. I read this after writing my own irate blog post, and it made me feel a lot better for some reason. I guess knowing someone in the press agrees with me as passionately helps.

This line KILLED me:

"There are always about 20,000 Red Sox fans here when we play them," Mariano Rivera said, a half-smile on his face. "Maybe it was only Sox fans who were booing."

But apparently it wasn't. It was people we call our fellow fans, reeming 1) one of the best players to ever put on pinstripes and 2) One of the gentlest souls to ever take the mound.

Sonofabitches.

Gotta Face The Facts

2005-04-07T08:27:00.000-04:00

I blew off work yesterday with one thing in mind, seeing the Yankees whipping the Sux on ESPN. I knew it would be a tough game since Tim Wakefield was pitching. The Yanks have some trouble hitting him. Plus Moose can be a slow starter.

The game went exactly as I had thought; the Yankees scratching out a couple of runs against Wakefield and Moose keeping the game winnable. He didn't look sharp at all, but he still kept getting out of jams. It was a pretty good game.

The beanball that Timlin threw made me stand up and yell at the screen. I thought we were going to have a brawl really early in the season after that. Jeter handled it like a pro though. He knew it wasn't intentional and didn't get crazy. That's why he's the Captain. (I'd bet it would be a different story if it had been intentional.)

Then the Yankees get a run to go ahead and I started to wonder if Joe Torre would bring in Rivera or not. I guess I shouldn't have had to think too much about it. Joe is notoriously loyal plus he would have wanted Mo to get some confidence back after blowing the save the previous game. Well, the best laid plans of mice and men.....

Mo came in and immediately I knew we were in trouble. Everything he threw was up and he was staying outside. Almost like he was too much aware of how the sux had been sitting on his inside splitter. He walked the first batter and the rest is history.

The bobble by ARod may make the news as a major issue, but in that situation, I can see where the nerves would get to him. They shouldn't have been in that position to begin with. Granted, he blew the chance to get his pictcher and his team out of the mess, but still.

It's time to face the simple fact that the sux have seen Rivera so much over the past 3-4 seasons that he is not a mystery to them. He can't intimidate them. Joe needs to have someone ready in the bullpen when Mo pitches against them and also be ready to bring someone else in if/when he gets into trouble. He should consider giving someone else the ball too. That doesn't seem to be an option in his mind right now.

Mo is one of the greatest relievers in the history of the game, but even the best can have a weakness. Get some games and some saves under his belt and then let him take on the sux again. They won't get to him every time, but with that team, it's time to face the facts, Rivera may not be the answer.

random thought

2005-04-06T17:19:00.000-04:00

i missed the game today due to this bothersome having to work thing, and seeing how it all turned out i'm glad i didn't have to witness any of it. nothing pains me more than a mo meltdown. i did have to sate my masochistic curiosity, though, and skimmed a gamethread to see how the gruesome events of an otherwise lovely april afternoon unfurled.

so in essence, mo stank the joint up again. you know, i (loathe facing it but i) know, and mike lupica is undoubtedly doing a happy dance because he knows that mo has a recent pesky habit of letting the sox walk all over him. now call me crazy, but in light of this seemingly obvious problem, is joe torre forgetting that he has not one but TWO closers at his disposal? shuffling things around a little in the pen to get gordon in a save situation against the sox next series can't hurt any more than it does right now.

or, memo to the yankee offense, the lineup could actually try not leaving men on base and avoid the problem altogether. :D

Welcome! But I do not bring good news.

2005-04-06T17:05:00.000-04:00

On the same note as the post above: go ahead. Take a look at Mo's ERA right now. I triple double dog dare ya, and then I'll give you cheese fries on the side if the idea of him seeing Boston another fifteen times or so in the coming season doesn't make you want to cry. And that's not counting the unearned runs from A-Rod bobbling the ball at third, but it doesn't really matter, does it? That number is ugly no matter how you look at it.

YES announcers were talking about this a little, but just for extra tasty humiliation and freaking out flavor, check out these selected Red Sox numbers against Rivera:

Kevin Millar: .364/.417/.727 OPS: 1.144
David Ortiz .500/.500/.500 OPS: 1.000
Bill Meuller .444/.444/.778 OS: 1.222

Granted, these are in really tiny sample sizes -- we're talking ten at bats or fewer in some of these cases, and those Red Sox that've been around for longer have more "normal" numbers against him, but it's still more than a little scary. After all, what those numbers suggest is that 1/3 of the regular Bosox lineup hits Mariano freaking Rivera about the same way that, oh, Barry Bonds hits the pitchers of the national league.

So, question: is Mo making worse pitches than he normally does to the Red Sox? Or is it just that they're calling him on mistakes he gets away with to other teams?

so umm....hi?

2005-04-06T15:34:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the very kind Bisch for inviting me :)

I am not sure how this oligarchical blog thing works...

- if I post on my OWN blog, will it appear here too?
- if I post something HERE, will it appear on my personal blog too?

I shall experiment.

WOULD PEOPLE PLEASE STOP HITTING DEREK! WTF! HONESTLY.

In the meantime, I just want to say that not having YES at work sucks.

I also want to fill in the "Good to be a Yankee" survey:

If You Could Be a Yankee:

Position I would play: on basis of personality, I suppose I would have to pitch. :) I'd probably be a kooky lefty reliever with secret unfulfillable yearnings to be a power righty starter. But athletically speaking I would probably be best as a first baseman.

Number I would wear: 24, obviously.

My at-bat music would be: Probably "Move Your Feet", or maybe "Lovely Day" for day games....

I would befriend: Tino, duh! and Derek. And I would have Bubba for a pet.

I would stay away from: Ruben Sierra (I JUST DON'T LIKE HIM AND I'M NOT APOLOGIZING FOR IT), Tanyon Sturtze, Whiny-Ass Moose

My biggest asset would be: My passion to win. [goes off to practice own Mad Face in mirror]

Sunflower seeds, chew, gum, or other?: Gum

My nickname would be: flash :)

My pregame routine would be: nap & a snack... probably something proteinous

My in-game superstitions would be: tapping home plate with my bat when I step into the box (bottom, top, bottom) a la Scott Rolen. Hey, it seems to work for him.

Suzyn Waldman asks a long-winded question that you have no idea how to answer. You say: "Only __ can answer that." [<= insert randomly chosen teammate]

They would have to let me join because: one word: BLACKMAIL!!!! loooool

Our Captain is Better Than Yours

2005-04-06T12:38:00.000-04:00

And he doesn't need a blatant red "C" on his uniform for everyone to know it, either.

Some of my thoughts during the game, as I am wont to do this occasionally:

-Ugh, of course I'd be getting the NESN feed. These commercials are hilarious. "Last season, the Red Sox made history not only for Red Sox nation, but for the entire nation." Yes, because the Sox are America's team and everybody loves the "underdog" and we're all just a country full of Sox-loving, happy-go-lucky "idiots." Whatever, NESN. *eye-roll*
-SQUEE TINO!!! (as the 1st inning begins) Tino at first base, man, back where he belongs. It just looks so right.
-Nice 1-2-3 inning for Pavano with 2 K's. Welcome to the Bronx, Carl!
-4 straight K's for Pavano...looking filthy already.
-Sweet defensive play by El Capitan! Wow, what a defensive liability he is, right, Dayn Perry? *eye-roll*
-Oh man. Bases loaded for Tino. (speaking of Tino...insert fangirly swooning here. Will this giddy happy feeling I get every time I see him in that uniform now go away anytime soon? I think not) This would be such a magical fairy-tale homecoming moment, but I'm not seeing it. Can't watch... and sigh. Had a feeling that was coming. A sac fly would have been fine, even.
-RentERRORia strikes again! "When the Yankees are in first, and the Red Sox are the worst, Renteria! Renteria!"
-MVP-zilla with his second homer of the season! Godzilla en fuego!
-Ah, I do so enjoy seeing Manny flail helplessly at Yankee pitching. Heh.
-UGH. I hate you with a fiery passion, Shrek Ortiz.
-C-Pav looking a bit unnerved now. C'mon, Carl, settle down...SHEFF with the sliding catch! Thank you, baby ~~Jeter~~ Jesus!
-"Hey, nice C, Varitek!" LOLz, that guy read my mind. It looks so dumb. Really, could it be any more flamboyant and out there? Put it on the sleeve or something, at least. You could see that thing from outer space.
-Oh God...Stanton? Did Tanyon die or something? Why? Why?!
-...Yup, saw that coming. Great. 3-2.
-Praise baby ~~Jeter~~ Jesus for the DP!
-Ahhhh, Ronan. How I've longed for thee.
-NOOOOOOO! Ugh, I hate you, Hester. Aw, Mo.
-I think I almost had a heart attack on that Damon fly-out...looks like George felt the same way. Deep breaths, Boss.
-CAP'N INTANGIBLES!! Nothing's sweeter than Derek Jeter, I'll tell you what. Cue Sinatra!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a game to watch for a certain pitcher. History class? What? ;)

freddy sez!

2005-04-05T15:11:00.000-04:00

Jeter Love From Enemy Territory

2005-04-05T14:14:00.000-04:00

I stole this article from Shannon. It's hard to believe there is this much Jeter love coming from a Boston Newspaper. I guess even some folks in Beantown have it right.

An excerpt:

(From The Boston Herald)

The best player in baseball never has led his league in home runs or RBI, stolen bases or batting average. But he does everything well - especially win - and he does it here, in New York, the grandest stage in all of professional sports.

If there is a better baseball player in the world than Derek Jeter, let him come forth.

Game Time 1:05

2005-04-05T08:35:00.000-04:00

Today we get to see Carl Pavano's Yankee debut. Game time 1:05, EST. I'm looking forward to this one. He had a decent pre-season and if he continues what he started last year, the Yankees will be on a roll.

I was watching the Cubs kicking the crap out of the Diamondbacks last night and was impressed with Rick Suttcliff and Tony Gwynn's take on the steriod policy. They both agreed that the penalties are bogus. Too weak. Rich went so far as to say that the first offense should be a 3 month suspension without pay. Tony agreed. Their point was that a pitcher can get 8 - 10 games for a beanball, which sometimes can be accidental. Taking steroids is not an accident and the person is taking their career in hand by cheating that way. I agree.

I saw that 28 (I believe it was 28) minor leaguers were busted for steriods recently. How can the League think their ploicy is tough enough? This will be an interesting topic this season, for sure.

I knew that ESPN would have to show that damn hit from the 2001 World Series, Game 7 as soon as Gonzalez came to bat. I still couldn't watch it. No matter how bad the end of last season feels, I still feel worse about that Game 7 loss. It bugs me much more for some reason. I still can't stand the Diamondbacks because of that one. Personally, I think they had a great record last year. (51 - 111) Let's hope they do at least that well this year. Can you tell I can hold a grudge?

Anyway, keep an eye on the scoreboard today. I forgot to set up my recorder, so I'll miss the actual game. For tomorrow's game, it's starting to look a lot more like an unexpected illness is coming on *cough cough* so I don't have to miss it too. You know, take one for the team. :)

Not Sure This Will Happen Again, But...

2005-04-04T11:50:00.000-04:00

Just loved this line from Buster Olney's take on last night's game:

There were no formal handshakes between the Yankees and Red Sox before the season opener. Thankfully.

Snerk.

And if I'm not mistaken, there seems to be a tone of slight affection for the Yanks in this article. Rare for ESPN, and rarer for Olney who's seemed to grow so disenchanted with them over the years.

I know one thing -- last night was one of the first games in a long time where I didn't feel even slightly stressed. Maybe because it was Opening Day, but I think it was because we've suffered the worst and we survived. It's like we can just enjoy the game again without having to worry about what might happen if the Sux should beat us. I never really had this problem until 2003, so it was nice to return to "innocence" in a way.

Just worrying about the Yanks and no one else? What a feeling!

A Fine Start

2005-04-04T09:42:00.000-04:00

The opening game of the year couldn't have gone better. (Unless Shrek had gotten beaned, of course.) The Yankee offense is alive and well. 9 runs on 15 hits. Matsui not only giveth, 3 for 5 with a home run, but he taketh away too, robbing Millar of a home run. Randy Johnson was sharp. David 'Turncoat' Wells was not. The Yankees got to him quick and he was so flustered, he even balked in a run. That was a good comedic spot to break the tension. Tino made an awesome defensive play that brought back memories. All in all, it was a good start. You can't judge a season by one game, but when the game is that lopsided and it was against the Sux, it sure does feel special.

Did anyone notice Paul O'Neill in the announcers booth? He looked as intense up there as he did when he was on the field. Paulie is a Yankee and he obviously was way into the game.

Now we have to wait until tomorrow for another game. The early schedule is always a little funny. The Yankees have their next 2 games in the afternoon. Wednesday's 1:05 P.M. start is on ESPN2. I think I feel a 'call-in-sick' day coming around mid week. *cough cough* Or I can just record the game and avoid all people and news until I watch it that evening. Perhaps that would be the grown up thing to do.

First Impressions

2005-04-03T20:50:00.000-04:00

Just some notes from the game in progress. I'm not going to keep this going all game. Just for a while.

RJ looks good! 2 strikeouts to start.

Edgar Renterria looks really strange in that uniform. I remember when I liked that guy. Not anymore.

How come Ramirez's helmet is so messed up already? That was disgusting.

Wells looks retarded in that uniform!

Jeter is batting 1.000. Sweet.

Shef's swing is still awesome. Always a long foul first.

C'mon Ruben. Damn. Wells made you look bad there bud.

Freakin luck shot by Shrek. Man, I can't stand that freak.

Godzilla!!!! Matsui robs the idiot (self proclaimed). Sweet!

Another nausea inducing jerk, Varitek. Boy, I really don't like these guys.

Jay Payton. I remember when he was with the Mets. He was supposed to turn into a great player. Wonder what happened?

Damn! That sucks. RJ needs to get the slider inside more.

Mueller. I also remember when he sat out a bunch of games to win a batting title. Wimp. I wonder if he is of Amish descent? Odd way to spell the name.

C'mon Big Member. No walks!!

Sweet strikeout. Minimal damage. Let's go Yanks!

Sorry, that Nike Pro Apparel commercial is freaky. Don't like it.

I'll bet Lou is pissed about his guy Sanchez getting busted for steroids. The first of many I'll bet.

I keep looking for Willie Randolf. Guess I'll be looking for a while.

Nice Hideki. Back from way behind and getting on.

Geez Jorge. Wait and see a few.

C'mon Jason. Nice baby!!! Way to start.

Bernie! Bernie! Good job. Tied up now.

Tony Womak. Let's see what he's got. Damn. Oh well, good inning.

I'm not keeping this up. Nerves won't let me. 2 innings is enough.

Let's Go Yankees!!!

Time To Make Some Enemies.....

2005-04-03T16:28:00.000-04:00

I was watching ESPN this morning and I saw the story of the 5th and 6th graders who are pushing for the rivalry between the Yankees and the Sux to stop. They want the teams to shake hands after the game and act all buddy-buddy. It was a sweet, sensitive sappy presentation. Oh, I forgot the other 's' word, sickening.

The Commisioner's Office called the idea 'fascinating'. Apparently the Yankee brass think it's a good idea. Again, sickening. Can you imagine the absolute fakeness of seeing the players walking around the field after a tough game, shaking hands and plastering those forced smiles on thieir faces?

Baseball will have to come out and say something positive about this whole idea. The PR machine will insist on it. Mostly because of another 's' word, steriods. They need something to get peoples minds wrapped around other than the steroid scandal. Luckily I don't have to worry about all that. I can freely say that the idea is the biggest load of crap I've heard of in a long, long time.

The rivalry is alive and well. It has been not only a tradition for almost 100 years, it's also not something you eliminate with handshakes. The Yanks and Sux don't like each other because they both want the same thing, The American League East Crown, The American League Championship and ultimately, The World Series Championship. But it all starts with the A.L. East crown.

They are the 2 best teams in the A.L. and that alone lends itself to some anomosity. Add in the feuds over the years and the recent playoff series (plural) they've had and you have not only a geographical rivalry, you have one that borders on bitter enemies duking it out for the 'toughest kid around' title.

As long as there is the possiblilty of both teams going into the post-season and eventually facing each other again (thanks to the Wildcard) there will always be a hightened awareness between the two teams that they need an edge each and every time they face one another. It may be the opening day game or the last possible game in a post-season series. It doesn't matter.

There is also the other angle to consider. The fact that it's a tradition for Yankees to dislike/hate the Sux and vice-verse. Kids who want to screw with the purist elements and traditions of Baseball don't know what they are saying. They haven't realized that things like this rivalry are a part that, first should never be changed and second, never will.

Kids, if you don't like it, switch to something more to your peaceloving, liberal frames of mind, like Figure Skating or maybe Bowling. Those 'sports' should better suit your more sensitive, emotional sides. Leave Baseball's rivalries alone. Come back when you know and understand what you are talking about.

Peace between the Yanks and Sux? Please!!!

Huh?

2005-04-03T16:25:00.000-04:00

WTF is "The Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim" all about? There's a title for a ballclub. Sheesh!

Are You Really A Fan Or Not?

2005-04-03T16:00:00.000-04:00

I took a trip to Subway for a couple of veggie subs today. While walking across the parking lot I noticed a guy coming toward me wearing a black Baseball cap. It looked to be just a black, undecorated hat. I remember thinking that maybe he just liked hats and didn't care if it was plain or anything. Nothing wrong with that.

Then as he got closer, I saw there was something on it, but until he was maybe 3-5 feet away, I couldn't make out what. When he got close enough I saw it actually had a Yankee emblem on it. A black hat with a black Yankee emblem.

Now, as I've mentioned in the past, I don't go anywhere without something Yankee plainly displayed on me. (Except for going to work of course.) It's not a conscious thing. It's just something I've almost always done. This time I had my new "Empire Strikes Back" shirt I got from Paul Katcher's site and my 1998 World Series hat on. I once was told that 'You must be one of those obnoxious Yankee fans'. Nope, I'm not obnoxious, I'm obvious. Well, this guy wasn't.

He walked right up to me and held up his hand wanting a high-five and said "Alright Yankee. Tonight's the night!" I never had seen this guy before, but it is opening day, so I went ahead with the high-five. I felt like Seinfeld when Putty (or Puddy, I'm not sure of the spelling) kept insisting on high fives. I kind of hesitated because high-fives are OK with friends at games, but it is opening day and he appeared to be a Yankee.

Afterward I started wondering about this type of thing. I wondered if he was a Yankee really, or one of those band wagoners who likes the Yanks because of the last decade or so of winning. Those hats to me are more of a fashion thing than a fan thing. I've met people who had the solid colored hats with the barely visable emblem and the ones I've mentioned it to always have said they weren't fans, they just liked the hat. I think this guy was a fan, but was he a true fan? I wish I had thought about all this in time to talk with him to see.

I really don't care for those hats. There is a lot of that type around. Hats colored yellow, pink, orange, black & green. Always the emblem invisible until you get close to the wearer. I've never seen a blue one, which would at least make a little sense. (There probably is one. I've just never seen it.) It's all a marketing thing, I know. But it annoys me a bit. The Yankees have never changed their hats and I prefer the true blue Yankee wool cap with the white interlocking NY on front. Any other version and I wonder where your heart really lies. (The exceptions are the special edition championship hats which I have several of. They are licensed by the league and the Yankees.) Maybe that's too old fashioned for those who aren't purists, but that's the way I feel about it. I guess the fashion world melding with the basball world is another revenue producing thing. That I understand. I just don't have to like it.

Well This Sure Didn't Take Too Long....

2005-04-03T09:55:00.000-04:00

Kevin Brown will miss his first scheduled start of the season for the New York Yankees and could go on the disabled list because of a stiff back.

I saw this story first thing this morning. I guess Jaret Wright won't be on the shelf as long as he first thought. Maybe these early injuries, while not helpful at all for the Yanks, will be even more incentive to unload Brown? Personally, I'm hopeful.

Opening day here in Maryland is cold, damp and very windy. I'm hoping things are clearer in The Stadium tonight because I want the boys to kick ass without the Sux having any excuses to blame it on.

The anticipation is killing me! This will be a long day.

why is a raven like a writing desk?

2005-04-02T20:28:00.000-05:00

tomorrow's projected lineup:

Derek Jeter
Alex Rodriguez
Gary Sheffield
Ruben Sierra
Hideki Matsui
Jorge Posada
Jason Giambi
Bernie Williams
Tony Womack

i understand that big rube's been hot and all, but oh my. cleanup? i'm starting to twitch already.

discuss.

It's Great To Be (Semi)Young And A Yankee

2005-04-02T15:33:00.000-05:00

If You Could Be a Yankee:

Position I would play: I’m a natural 2nd baseman, meaning that’s where I normally play. I’m very far from being a natural though.

Number I would wear: #27. 5 is taken.

My at-bat music would be: Don’t Tread On Me by the Damn Yankees, Rat Race by Child’s Play, Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen (Just cuz I love Bruce)

I would befriend: Bernie – we could play guitar together, and Jeter because all the women like him and I could learn to like being a sidekick.

I would stay away from: Kevin Brown, Mr. Schizo.

My biggest asset would be: My quick wit (for deflecting attention from my errors).

Sunflower seeds, chew, gum, or other?: Sunflower seeds, sometimes. Gum mostly. It always helped with my timing when batting.

My nickname would be: Teflon because I’d have no stick.

My pregame routine would be: I’d binge on KFC and then throw up from the nerves.

My in-game superstitions would be: I’d have to do the YMCA dance evey game on the top step of the dugout.

Suzyn Waldman asks a long-winded question that you have no idea how to answer. You say: I defer to my Captain. (That’s why you’re the Captain, KB.)

They would have to let me join because: No one loves the Yankees more than YB. There are those who are at my level, but none more devoted. (Besides, I’d probably make them tired from all the crying I’d do if they left me out.)

The Bias is in Full Effect

2005-04-02T11:54:00.000-05:00

ESPN.com has ranked their top 100->moments in sports for the 10 years they've existed. Where do you think the 2003 ALCS Game 7 ranks? And were do you think the 2004 ALCS Game 4 ranks? I'm sorry, a series-ending game on an extra-inning home run, where the winning team was down by 4 runs and came back late in the game to win is three spots behind a game where a team came back...with three games left to play? To me (and this is coming from my Yankeefied point of view, I know) the sudden deathness of Game 7, 2003 was FAR more important of a game than one that, while turning the series around, only changed momentum.

In fact, if momentum were more important, what about the Jim Leyritz homer in the 1996 World Series? It's ranked No. 80. Are we surprised?

It's just...I mean...Shut up, ESPN.com

It's Great To Be Young and a Yankee

2005-04-01T23:22:00.000-05:00

So I wanted to post this for some time on my blog, but it seems very fitting for this one. I expect y'all to answer too...

If You Could Be a Yankee:

Position I would play: Um, I have a terrible arm and I couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. But I can run pretty quick, so maybe I could be a pinch runner.

Number I would wear: : 77, as 4 and 23 are already taken. And retired.

My at-bat music would be: Fame, by David Bowie; Sweet Emotion, Aerosmith; Take Me Out, Franz Ferdinand; and Hungry Eyes, Eric Carmen…juuuust to be different.

I would befriend: Bernie – he seems pretty laid back, and Moose, because he might play Trivial Pursuit with me.

I would stay away from: Tanyon. He might try to take me back to the mothership with him.

My biggest asset would be: My speed. Or the cupcakes I’d bring for every game.

Sunflower seeds, chew, gum, or other?: Sunflower seeds, nice and salty.

My nickname would be: Bisch, because it’s close to a bad word and we all know ballplayers love those.

My pregame routine would be: I’d scour my iPod to find a kick-ass song to have stuck in my head all game.

My in-game superstitions would be: I would have to guess the winner in the Dunkin Donuts Subway Race, or else I’d be convinced the team would lose and it would be all my fault.

Suzyn Waldman asks a long-winded question that you have no idea how to answer. You say: “I direct all questions to my Yankee Chicken.”

They would have to let me join because: I own The Good Luck Yankee Chicken. How else will they win?

I Had To Post This First....

2005-04-01T21:26:00.000-05:00

....as my first official post here I had to bring Paulie along for the ride. I don't care how long it's been, it still feels strange without him out there in right. At least he'll be calling some games at The Stadium this year.

C'mon George, it's time to retire #21.

Patience Is A Virtue

2005-04-01T13:42:00.000-05:00

To anyone who happens by, this site is under construction. Stop back in a few days to see the end result.

GO YANKEES!

testing

2005-04-01T12:50:00.000-05:00

testing