"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Beasts of the East

Uehara pitching for YomiuriThe Yankees look to rebound from a disappointing Opening Day tonight against the Orioles and veteran Japanese right-hander Koji Uehara. Uehara is making his major league debut tonight, but he already has some history with the Yankees’ two Asian players. When Uehara joined the Yomiuri Giants as a 24-year-old rookie in 1999, Hideki Matsui was already established as the Giants hitting star. Matsui is just six months older than Uehara, and the two were teammates for four seasons and remain friends. Their time together climaxed in 2002, when Matsui won his third Central League MVP award, Uehara won his second Sawamura Award, and the Giants won their twentieth Japan Series championship. Matsui joined the Yankees the next year, and the Giants haven’t won a championship since.

In 2004, Uehara pitched for the Japanese Olympic team in Athens. When Japan faced Chinese Taipei, the starting pitchers were Uehara and Chien-Ming Wang, then a Yankee prospect who had just made his Triple-A debut. Uehara and Wang matched each other into the seventh. Uehara gave up a three-run home run to the Dodgers’ Chin-Feng Chen in the third. Wang blew the lead by allowing Japan to tie the game in the sixth. Ultimately, the game was decided by the bullpens as Japan won 4-3 with a run off the Rockies’ Tsao Chin-Hui in the bottom of the ninth. Current Dodger Hiroki Kuroda got the win.

Uehara also pitched for Japan in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and was the starting pitcher in Japan’s game against the USA. Derek Jeter went 1-for-3 in that game. Alex Rodriguez went 2-for-5. Johnny Damon struck out in a pinch-hit at-bat, I assume after Uehara came out of the game.

So, Uehara isn’t a complete unknown to the Yankees, at least not to Jeter and Matsui. The scouting report on the 34-year-old righty is that he’s a finesse pitcher with outstanding control. His fastball tops out in the low 90s, but he compliments it with a cutter, slider, splitter, and forkball. In his ten seasons with the Giants, he walked an incredibly low 1.20 men per nine innings and had an equally impressive 6.68 K/BB ratio. He has, however, suffered from some leg injuries and spent 2007 as the Giants’ closer in part to stay healthy. Last year, he made just 12 starts against 14 relief appearances and posted a 3.81 ERA in just 89 2/3 innings, though his peripherals remained outstanding.

The most famous walk Uehara issued came in his rookie season of 1999. Matsui and Venezuelan slugger Roberto Petagine were neck-and-neck in the Central League’s home-run race that year. With Matsui a home run behind the gaijin late in the season, Uehara was ordered by to intentionally walk Petagine in a game against Petagine’s Yakult Swallows. The Swallows had been walking Matsui all game, but Uehara wanted to pitch to Petagine and broke down in tears upon carrying out his orders. It was all for naught, as Petagine out-lasted Matsui, 44 homers to 42. In 2003, Petagine joined the Giants as Matsui’s replacement.

Wang pitching in the 2004 OlympicsGetting back to tonight, while Uehara brings some interesting history to the mound, my eyes will be on Chein-Ming Wang, who is making his first regular season start since breaking his foot while running the bases in Houston on June 15 of last year. Wang had an inconsistent spring, posting a 4.15 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP, and most alarmingly, allowing three home runs (he allowed four in 15 starts last year). In his last start of the spring, in the first game ever played in the new Yankee Stadium, he gave up four runs in five innings and didn’t get a ground-ball out until the third inning. Wang’s foot is not my concern. What concerns me is the rust on his arm and his mechanics, as well as the fact that, when he hit the DL last year, his numbers revealed career-highs in ERA (4.07), walk-rate (3.3 BB/9), and WHIP (1.32). None of those figures is alarming, they were combined with a career-high strikeout rate (5.1 K/9), and Wang is no longer being relied on to be the Yankees’ ace, but after an eight-month layoff from mid-June to mid-February, he has something to prove this month.

The Yankee line-up is the same as Monday’s. The Orioles have moved Luke Scott to DH and replaced him in left field with Felix Pie, putting Ty Wigginton on the bench.

In other news, Dan Giese was claimed off waivers by the A’s.

283 comments

Show/Hide Comments 1-100
1 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:09 pm

I'm at the game, its cold and empty

2 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:10 pm

The camera shot that shows the pitcher and looks over his shoulder into the first base stands shows a whole lot of empty seats. What's with that??

3 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:10 pm

Uehara was a great pitcher for the Giants but he's been injury prone recently, and has a LOT of innings on his arm..prognosis is not good for his Oriole career I think.

4 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:10 pm

[1] [2] Oh, that answers my question! Cool.
And, cool that you're posting from the game.

5 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:11 pm

Now that is one of the worst pick-off moves I have ever seen in my life.

6 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:17 pm

I have no cable and it's killing me!

I want to watch the game!

7 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:19 pm

[6] No mlb.tv for you? That's what I'm watching on.

It's definitely not as good as watching the television, but I'm reasonably happy with it.

8 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:19 pm

I really REALLY don't like the inaugural season patch on the back of the caps

9 rbj   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:21 pm

So nice to have an athletic 1Ber.

10 Eirias   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:21 pm

Gameday Premium is just absurd. It is like live pitch f/x.

11 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:22 pm

Man, that dude is a good hitter. He hasn't made an out yet this season.

12 rbj   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:22 pm

And this is weird. EI is showing the Tigers & Reds games, even though they should be blacked out here in Toledo. The Yankee game isn't listed, but I'm getting the game on YES, which I didn't last year.

13 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:23 pm

whoa nice Spaldeen reference, is my dad calling this game?

14 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:24 pm

Hooo, boy.
Bad Wanger.

15 rbj   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:24 pm

Um, shouldn't those be ground balls?

16 Eirias   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:25 pm

[12] I cannot remember if discussion of blackout workarounds is taboo. Is it?

17 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:26 pm

Glug.

18 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:26 pm

Uh oh...maybe the Yankees do need a long man afterall.

19 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:26 pm

I'm starting to wish this game was blacked out by me...and I live in Manhattan.

20 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:27 pm

listening on Mlb.Audio now..is Wang getting smashed around the park?? O's announcers are saying all his pitches are up in the zone..could be a long night..

21 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:28 pm

Cody Ransom, Aubrey Huff. Aubrey, Cody.

22 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:28 pm

[20] they've been making legit contact, he's up

23 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:28 pm

[20] Yes, they are hitting the ball very hard.

24 rbj   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:29 pm

[16] I don't see it in the comment guidelines, just don't use all capital letters. I've got Extra Innings though, which usually blacks out Tigers, Indians & Reds games here, though I get them on their RSNs.

25 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:29 pm

[20] They aren't all up, but a lot of them are. Uncharacteristically high in the zone.
I wonder whether it's partly the weather?

26 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:31 pm

Boy, that pick-off saved at least a run.

27 ms october   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:33 pm

[18] i kinda think it would have been good to start the year with one until the pitchers settled in a bit and the weather warmed up.

28 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:36 pm

Now there's a bright spot.

29 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:36 pm

Important Notice:
MLB Extra Innings is offering ALL GAMES FREE until the 12th.
So if you have cable, and your provider offers EXTRA INNINGS, you can see the Yankee Games FREE until/through Sunday.
They also are offering a $30 discount ($169 vs $199) if you sign up for extra innings by Sunday.

Anyone currently signed up for Extra Innings? Is it worth $169 for the season? Are any games (aside from Saturday day games) blacked out?

30 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:38 pm

that is a mind boggling piece of trivia on Nady

31 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:39 pm

Is there a reason the XMan is starting, vs. Swisher, against a RHP???

32 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:39 pm

[29] I definitely think it is worth the $169. There are very few blackouts aside from the teams in your home market, but you probably get that RSN anyway.

33 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:39 pm

[31] Yes. Because he is the Starter™.

34 ms october   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:40 pm

oyf - i had it last year and would have gotten it again this year but am moving into yes territory.
i don't remember any other games (beside sat 1oclock games) blacked out - except for espn and nesn games which you will get anyway.
i liked being able to watch on tv rather than the computer since i spent so much time at the computer all day, so that to me was worth it - plus if you ask they will bill you in 3 installments.

35 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:40 pm

Ha ha. Our 3B beats your 3B.

36 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:41 pm

[29][32] I would definitely pay for Extra Innings...if it were offered in my area. I don't think MLB.tv is worth it, however. I played around with it on the free day, and the quality was still too choppy.

37 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:42 pm

Jeez, the way Brett stroked that it looked so good coming off the bat.
Ah, well. Plenty of innings left, assuming Wanger settles down.

38 rbj   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:43 pm

[29] I've got it, to me it's worth it, it's the only way I can get Yankee games.

39 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:48 pm

[36] Mlb.tv is so cheap, though.
It's definitely worse than a real broadcast (I can't get a baseball package right now because there's some weird problem with FiOS which they are promising to fix "soon"). But I'm thankful for it.

40 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:53 pm

this is getting a little old here Tex

41 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:55 pm

Thanks mucho for the quick feedback folks.
Man... Jeter has good karma. Maybe it's my imagination, but it seems he gets a LOT of cheap hits.

Man... there are still dolts on Lohud that think we are better off without ARod. He 'ruins our team chemistry'. Get well soon Mr. Rodriguez.

42 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:56 pm

[39] I had MLB.TV Premium last year and the picture quality and broadcast were great. As good as TV or better certainly. Do you have the premium package? It's FAR better then the 'old' MLB.TV.

43 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:57 pm

[39] With me, though, it's the non-money costs. I don't want to watch on my laptop, so I have to run the computer through my TV. Thus, I'm gumming up both my computer AND the TV. Then, if I want to check my email or the Banter, I have to steal my wife's computer. Now, occupying both computers AND the TV at the same time = very unhappy wife. Add in the cost of MLB.tv (admittedly small) + the fact that my internet provider (a local monopoly) has recently imposed a download limit for my high speed package (thus possible overage charges) = potentially very, very mad wife. Finally, combine unhappy wife + poor stream quality = no Monkeypants subscription!

44 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:57 pm

This is shaping up to be a frustrating game.

45 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:58 pm

From PereAbe:
The Oakland A’s claimed right-handed pitcher Dan Giese off waivers from the New York Yankees and optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento, the club announced today

46 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:58 pm

I'm running out of patience.

47 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:59 pm

There are more red sox fans here than orioles fans

48 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 7:59 pm

[42] I had the premium package two years ago, and I checked out the free sample a few days ago (for the Yankees-Cubs exhibitions) and I never got the high quality advertised. it would look great for half a game, then the server would get gummed up, making the picture jump or freeze. By the end of the Cubs-Yankees game I had reduced the quality to one of the lowest settings just to keep the stream, and it looked like crap.

49 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:00 pm

I just want to watch the Yankees and not have ridiculous blackouts.

I may have to just start springing for YES again in a couple of months. I just can't afford it right now.

If only we had some real broadcasters (like the Mets do), I could comfortably listen on the radio. As it is, I'll still listen, but won't expect to hear an actual ballgame being called.

Sigh.

50 ms october   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:01 pm

let's go wanger

51 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:01 pm

Yes, walk Brian Roberts on four pitches. There's a plan.

52 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:02 pm

[49] you mean you don't want to listen to Sterling's boozy Gilbert and Sullivan renditions during a 4 hour game in KC?

53 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:03 pm

Did he fall down?

54 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:03 pm

nice play

55 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:03 pm

Wow, Jorge!

56 ms october   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:03 pm

yeah po

57 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:05 pm

What'd Jorgie do?

58 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:06 pm

[57] His throw to second was so strong that Roberts turned around and tried to head back to first. A real gun.

59 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:06 pm

He threw Brian Roberts out by about 50 feet.

60 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:06 pm

Nice!

61 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:07 pm

Did he throw from the squat, or from his feet?

62 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:07 pm

Wang does not look good.

63 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:07 pm

[61] He stood.

64 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:08 pm

Melvin Mora sextuplets story in 5,4,3,2...

65 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:08 pm

Oh, and speaking of throwing from the squat, what ever happened to Pudge? Where'd he end up?

66 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:08 pm

Houston

67 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:09 pm

The YES gun said that sinker was 55 mph. (The second strike, the swinging one.) I'm guessing that's wrong.

68 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:10 pm

Trying to look at the bright side again: they've stopped hitting Wang, and Posada really looks strong.

69 randym77   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:12 pm

I could never get MLB.TV to run well live. The archived games were nice, though, if you watched them off-peak.

I would buy a subscription just for the archived games, except their customer "service" is nightmarish. Especially billing. (Word to the wise: use a credit card. Do not use a debit card. If they accidentally bill you 10 times for one subscription, and overdraw your account, they will not pay the overdraft fees.)

70 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:15 pm

[69] It might be a matter of how fast your internet connection is. I did have some short periods when the streaming was kind of jerky two nights ago, but for the most part it's smooth.
Not as good as tv, for sure, but not bad.

71 Dimelo   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:16 pm

[69] Have you or anyone heard anything (positive/negative) about the streaming audio being offered by MLB to mobile phones?

I want to get it because the client I'm working has us on a subnet that allows jack shit for streaming. I need to figure something out.

72 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:19 pm

nice

73 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:19 pm

Finally.

74 ms october   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:19 pm

cody ransom!

75 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:19 pm

Jones did what I thought Nady did the other day.

76 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:19 pm

Yay Cody.
.
.
.
God I hate Sterling.

77 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:20 pm

Hey, Yankee fans in the bleachers.
Wait, that's not you ny2ca2dc, is it?

78 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:20 pm

You could be listening to Kay. If I have to hear one more boring, pointless oft repeated anecdote for whomever happens to be at the plate, I'll smash my head against the wall.

79 Shaun P.   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:20 pm

If you have the cash, Extra Innings is definitely worth it, IMHO.

I read somewhere that, if you have an iPhone or an iPod touch, you can download the MLB At-Bat application (for $9.99) and you get Gameday Audio with it for no extra chance. I don't know if you get a choice of broadcasts, like on mlb.com, or not. I also don't know if, depending on your iPhone plan, something like that will result in extra airtime fees - but if not, that sounds like a sweet deal. Its made me think about getting an iPod touch - I'd rather give Apple my money than XM/Sirius right now, because I'm fairly certain Apple will still exist in two years' time.

Go Ransom!

80 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:21 pm

Ok, so I'm "watching" on Gameday. Would someone be so kind as to describe Ransom's double?

81 Shaun P.   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:22 pm

Mattpat, how long did you laugh after reading what Farnsworth did to the Royals last night?

82 randym77   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:25 pm

Sorry, I don't have a mobile phone. I'm probably the last person in the known universe to not own a cell phone. I just hate phones.

However, I have subscribed to Gameday audio in the past, and it worked much better than MLB.TV. You can listen to Gameday audio for minor league games for free, if you want to see how well it works before shelling out any money.

83 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:25 pm

(77) nope but there are a LOT of us in the upper deck

84 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:25 pm

Shaun, I enjoyed that quite a bit. I wonder how long the Royals front office will pretend the Farnsworth experiment is working.

85 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:26 pm

Luke Scott needs a haircut.

86 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:28 pm

Wang is fucking awful tonight.

This game is pissing me off.

87 rbj   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:28 pm

[82] I'm also without a cellphone. Landline only, with answering machine to screen calls.

88 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:29 pm

I'm going to be VERY annoyed when this team loses the series to the fucking Baltimore Orioles.

89 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:29 pm

[80] Booming. Almost left the park.

90 ms october   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:29 pm

crap - yes very hittable

91 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:29 pm

Jeez, I was really hoping Zaun would bunt.

92 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:31 pm

[91] Me too...nothing like a rally killing bunt to get a pitcher out of a jam.

The Yankees really need to get off to a good start...0-2 isn't the best way to do that.

93 rbj   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:31 pm

Good news is that there's a new Mythbusters on tonight. 2 hour demolition derby. Which will remind me of CC & CMW outings.

94 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:31 pm

And just to make my mood that much better, I get to look forward to AJ Burnett some how not hurting himself tomorrow.

95 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:32 pm

A lot of doubles to the track, if it were not so cold they might have been homers

96 randym77   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:32 pm

[87] I don't even have a landline. I use voice over Internet if necessary. Dumping the landline and going with "naked DSL" dropped my Verizon bill from $65 to $25 a month.

97 bartap   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:33 pm

Well, the 1998 team started off 0-4, right? Maybe this is just a repeat.

98 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:33 pm

Did anyone notice our 3Bman jog out of the box on his almosr HR, and turn a triple into a double?

99 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:33 pm

[95] Hey, that's not you in the bleachers, is it? We saw some Yankee fans out there on YES.

100 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:33 pm

[94] this quote (via PeteAbe) will surely put your mind at ease

He said he expects to be a little anxious before his first start as a Yankee tomorrow. “There will be some butterflies floating around in there,” he said. “There better be.”

Show/Hide Comments 101-200
101 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:33 pm

New episode of Lost is calling...

102 Dimelo   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:33 pm

This really sucks.

103 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:34 pm

This team has already exhausted the patience I had for them this year.

104 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:34 pm

[97] I hope we don't have to keep comparing this team to other seasons when they didn't start out well.

105 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:34 pm

[98] He was probably listening to Sterling, bellowing "it is high..."

106 rbj   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:35 pm

[97] 0-3, then 1-4. That was the first year I got EI, and I was grumbling about how that was a waste of money.

107 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:35 pm

Ug
Ly

108 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:36 pm

vrfgynjhuy bmtytyjnrmtuh

109 RagingTartabull   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:38 pm

this is cute

110 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:38 pm

Ve
Ry
Ug
Ly

111 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:38 pm

Ooooooh.
That was real bad. I guess this game is over now.

112 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:39 pm

Anyone know other options besides Extra Innings (unavailable here) or the wretched Mlb.com TV package? I have mlb.com now but the quality and service stinks..somone told me about "Slingbox" which will "sling" live tv shows to your laptop anyeher in the world..No idea how this works but sounds intriguing. Will have to Google for it..

39 strikes, 33 balls for Wang..yikes.

"Hey Wang, I hear this club is restricted, don't tell anyone you're Jewish!"

113 ms october   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:39 pm

jesus christ - this is really ugly

114 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:39 pm

ygrhioperhgtnbtwr srhrtgeartfgewQRG

115 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:39 pm

It kind if sucks that the Yankees already have a "big" game on April 9.

116 Shaun P.   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:39 pm

monkeypants I've got to finish watching last week's - I better get on that! Thanks for the reminder. I can always put the game back on after Lost.

This game's not over yet, and even if the Yanks do lose, two losses to start the year isn't a worry to me. If it gets to eight or ten in a row, then I'll worry.

(Off topic - why does the box score page for this game on Yahoo! sports invite me to listen to WFAN online live? Doesn't the FAN carry the Mets, in which case, since the Mets are playing right now, if I tried to listen to the FAN online right now, I'd get nothing?)

117 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:40 pm

Oh no! Markakis can stroke it..ah well, maybe will do some actual work this morning. Not sure the boss here is happy that baseball season has started again, negative production at the desk of OK Jazz-san..

118 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:41 pm

I
ll
I'll punch the first person that tells me that April games don't count or whatever the hell people say to excuse this team from shitting the bed every year in April.

119 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:42 pm

[112] I think Slingbox can only send your laptop stuff that you can already receive, in some way, on your television. That is: whatever you can watch on your tv, you can also Slingbox to your computer over the internet, wherever your computer is.

120 rbj   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:42 pm

[116] Maybe because the Mets are playing a competitive game (only down 4-2) rather than this turd.

121 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:44 pm

Nothing drives me up a wall more than walks. Which is why I;m going to have so much fun with Burnett this year, I presume.

122 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:44 pm

I think I'll watch the Sox-Rays game for a while.

123 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:44 pm

oops. No, I will not, it's blacked out, I forgot.

124 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:45 pm

So how do the Yankees piss away the rest of the game? Swing at every first pitch and pop everything up or take EVERYTHING and strike out looking 9 times?

125 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:45 pm

[116] Glad I could help! I'm enjoying this season, but I have to say that I miss the first two, which was a real adventure in mystery and discovery.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, I argued strenuously against the team keeping a long reliever. Who knew they would desperately need one...because of CC and Wang? Brett Tomko, where are you?!?

126 randym77   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:45 pm

Sigh. I remember one of Wang's early games against the Orioles. He had a great night, against Bedard. Had ten assists, or something ridiculous like that. His pitches were sinking so much the Orioles actually considered asking the umpire to check and see if he was cheating.

This game is not as much fun. :-P

127 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:47 pm

Man.... if AJ blows tomorrow, how many "250 million doesn't buy what it used to" articles will we see?

At least the Rays up by 4 over the Sox.

128 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:47 pm

[118] Of course they count. They count the same--no more or no less than any other games. Just like wins and losses against Baltimore are the same as wins and losses versus any other team. It doesn't matter how or when you get your 95 wins (or whatever it takes) to win the division.

129 rbj   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:47 pm

[123] It's on ESPN2.

130 rbj   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:48 pm

Bonk!

131 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:48 pm

Yes, that's what I'd want to watch. Joe Girardi's take on these debacles. I'm not even sure what he could say to TRICK EVERYONE but I'm sure there's something.

132 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:49 pm

I am not sure what is more frustrating...the awful pitching or the lackluster offense. This is not why I was looking forward to the baseball season.

133 randym77   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:51 pm

[112] As I understand it, the Slingbox allows you to view programming from your home cable or DVR remotely. So if you can't watch it at home, I'm not sure Slingbox would help.

There are other options, but they aren't legal.

134 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:52 pm

OK, I'm outta here until at least 10pm.

135 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:53 pm

[128] I'd rather this team beat the doormats of the league than be forced to beat contenders to stay alive. Because they proved incapable of that last year when they rolled over for the likes of Texas, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh last year and wern't able to make it up against teams like the Angels.

136 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:53 pm

[132] Oh, I can answer that. The pitching is much worse.

137 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:55 pm

[135] I don't concern myself with against whom wins and losses come. Over 162 games that is just too taxing (and in my mind, a bit silly).

138 Just Fair   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:55 pm

It's obviously all A-Rod's fault. Man. Two games in a row I'm psyched to finally be able to tune into the game and all I can is Fuck. : (

139 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:55 pm

It's a classic second guess, but I think Girardi waited too long for the hook once again.

140 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:56 pm

I expected the offense to be bad. I think it was a situation that was either ignored completely by the Yankees front office, or someone decided that Mark Teixeira was good enough to make up for like four players.

141 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:56 pm

[137] Well, come on, beating the Red Sox is both better (in the sense of more enjoyable) and more important (in the sense of increasing the playoff chances).

[138] All you can is Fuck? That's an unusual disability.

142 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:56 pm

[137] I think if a team is given a gift that they refuse to take, they deserve to lose.

143 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 8:59 pm

I have the Royals in my 13 run pool. If they score 2 runs tonight my tonight my evening is totally ruined

144 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:00 pm

[142] I have no argument with that. Of course, that is irrelevant to my point, which is that I refuse to concern myself with rpecisely where wins and losses come from.

[141] Not for me, to be honest. I get tired of the "more enjoyable" to beat the Sox thing. In anycase, the Yankees have faired pretty well against the Sox head-to-head in the last 10 years, for whatever it's worth. As for increasing playoff chances? I'm not sure how winning a game against the Sox increases playoff chances any more than beating someone else. All that matters is total wins, not wins against specific teams, or strength of schedule, or style points.

145 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:01 pm

[133] But then to get YES. would have to set it up with a tv in the US..then sling it over here..seems too complicated. Oh well, am stuck with radio and then archived games at night I guess. Something tells me I won't be watching this one when I get home this evening..

146 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:02 pm

[144] I have very little reason to think this team is good enough to beat the good teams with any regularity. So they would have to beat the bad ones.

147 Just Fair   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:03 pm

[141] I am currently on the 15 day dl for dropping f-bombs, but my rehab is not going so well. Hopefully Mr. Burnett can set me back on schedule.

148 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:03 pm

[144] Really, you don't enjoy beating the Red Sox more? I do. By a wide margin.

Here's how winning a game against the Sox increases the Yankees' playoff chances more than winning a game against the Orioles does: because it's also a Red Sox loss, and the Red Sox are going to be the competition for a playoff spot, and the Orioles aren't.
You're mistaken, it's most definitely *not* just a matter of total wins. The competitors' total wins is also important.

149 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:05 pm

Boy, Posada and Cano are the two bright spots in a dark game.

150 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:06 pm

Kay is even more irritating in losses.

151 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:07 pm

I must [149] be prescient.

152 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:07 pm

Cano with the goodeyeggoodeye is really impressive..taking pitches then smacking the mistakes!

153 Just Fair   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:08 pm

At least Cano is raking.

154 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:09 pm

[153] HUgely important for Cano to start the season this way..now if we could only get Swisher into the lineup instead of Nady..

155 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:11 pm

damnit.

156 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:12 pm

A clinic in how to avoid getting a runner in from third.

157 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:12 pm

I really wanted Manny Ramirez.

158 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:13 pm

It's very early, but this team has the same vibe as last year.

159 Just Fair   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:13 pm

2 for 16 with risp. C'mon Gardner, ya' little pest.

160 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:13 pm

Well, that was familiar

161 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:14 pm

[158] What would you estimate to be the Vibe Above Replacement Index for the Yankees?

162 randym77   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:14 pm

The Mets game is pretty good. Mets just took the lead on a couple of bad plays by Alex Gonzalez.

163 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:16 pm

awful..the bottom of this lineup is going to kill us till A-Rod gets back

164 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:17 pm

Brett can go get em. Its way too early to talk about vibes. And the best player in the league is on his way.

165 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:18 pm

[164] We traded for Dusty McScrapalot??

166 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:20 pm

[148] Yes, competitors' wins matter too. But look at it this way, you are saying that beating the Orioles (who are somehow NOT competition in your model) counts less than beating the Sox. But, if the Yankees beat the sox and lose to the Os, they are 1-1. If the Sox lose to the Yankees but beat the Os, they too are 1-1. So, no advantage for the Yankees for beating the Sox.

Now, if you argue that the Yankees should beat the Os (because they are bad) and the Sox (because they are good), then you are just saying in a roundabout way that the Yankees ought to win the most games possible. If that's what you mean, I agree.

167 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:23 pm

[166] Huh?
Look, suppose God gives you ten wins and ten losses for the Yankees. You are saying that you wouldn't use the ten wins against the BoSox and the ten losses against (say) some NL team, instead of the other way around? That's obviously wrong.
What if there were only twelve games left in the season and we were two games behind the Red Sox for the Wild Card. In that case do you think it doesn't matter whether we beat the Sox and lose to the O's, or vice versa?

168 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:25 pm

[146] If they can't beat good teams, then what difference does it make in the end? Piling up wins against Baltimore just to lose in the playoffs against the Sox, so you can bitch about the "failed season"?

Good lord, a win is a win and a loss is a loss.

169 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:25 pm

So we're planning a trip to Toronto for the Yankee series in September. There is much debate on whether or not you need a passport to go to Canada. Anyone know for sure?

170 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:26 pm

RISP?
RISP?
Where forth art thou RISP?

Nice to have a CFer with good wheels!

As bad as starting off 0-2 is, seeing how strong Po is this early, and watching Robbie have patient, quality ABs, is a very good sign for this season. And the issue with our offense is not OPS... but RISP. But it's still very early... lets not head for the cliffs yet.

171 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:26 pm

Wow, Adam Jones is going to be a great player. Maybe he already is.

172 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:27 pm

I need a drink.

173 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:28 pm

"Good lord, a win is a win and a loss is a loss."
----------------------------------------------------------------
What kind of crazy logic is that???

j/k!

174 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:28 pm

I think Teixiera misunderstood what was meant by having to pick up the slack for Arod.

175 jimcobain   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:30 pm

[169] You need a passport for sure. I had my bachelor's party up there a couple of years ago and it was mandatory.

176 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:30 pm

[167] You make a mistake in 1] assuming that wins "count more," and 2] that you can isolate certain wins seperate from the season as a whole. Again, look at it this way: if God gave me 100 wins for the season, it wouldn't make any difference who they were against--100 wins wll win the division. It doesn't matter if the Yankees go 0-15 v. the Sox, if they go 15-0 against the Os and Rays, etc.

Your example of 12 games left in the season is bogus, because you have already made the Yankees two games behind the Sox. In other words, the games at the end of the year against the Sox only *seem* more important because the Yankees dropped two more games earlier in the season (perhaps against some NL team--it doesn't matter).

Baseball is simply not a game where you can isolate individual games as more important. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

177 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:30 pm

GREAT NEWS!
At the end of tonight, we should only be 1/2 game behind TB and a 1/2 game behind Boston.
Man! I feel good about this season!

178 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:30 pm

Prediction: In the post game show, Girardi tries to TRICK EVERYONE into thinking the Yankees are 2-0.

179 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:31 pm

[177] I like the way OYF thinks!

180 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:31 pm

[175] Okay. I figured as much.

181 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:31 pm

[169] I live in Canada. You definitely need a passport to fly. In theory you need one to drive across the border, but they often allow some leeway. My advice, just get a passport.

182 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:32 pm

[176] I'll take a win against the Orioles right now and worry about Boston when the Yankees hit Fenway.

183 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:32 pm

"It’s a marathon, not a sprint."
----------------------------------------
What kind of crazy logic is that???

184 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:33 pm

Cano looks to be in All Star form...now, the question is whether any pitchers would like to join him.

185 Emma Span   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:34 pm

Oh boy. I guess the Yanks forgot to smear lamb's blood over their bat rack tonight.

186 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:34 pm

Monkeypants,

"Again, look at it this way: if God gave me 100 wins for the season, it wouldn’t make any difference who they were against–100 wins wll win the division. It doesn’t matter if the Yankees go 0-15 v. the Sox, if they go 15-0 against the Os and Rays, etc."

No, that's wrong.
The Red Sox are much more likely to get 101 wins and bounce us from the postseason, so it's much more important to beat them than the Orioles. (Obviously if you're going to win 100 games, you are almost certain to make the playoffs, so this is not a great example -- make it 93 wins.)

I'm very surprised you are disagreeing with me about this. It seems so obvious.

187 Eirias   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:35 pm

I'm back. Anyone want to spring for a bounty on Sterling's vocal cords?

188 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:35 pm

[185] I knew there must be a logical explanation.

189 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:36 pm

At least were winning in the lob column

190 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:37 pm

[186] I agree with you...if you could bank wins, you'd definitely take them against your main competition because not only should those game be harder to win, but it also tags a loss on your foe. Put another way, the Yankees are much more likely to go win the division if they go 19-0 against Boston than if they go 19-0 against the Orioles. Having said that, if they don't beat the Orioles, then monkeypants is right...it doesn't really matter what they do against Boston.

191 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:37 pm

Down 7-2...3-1 count...leading off an inning...is swinging really worth the risk of an out?

192 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:39 pm

[190] Okay, I'll buy that.
Losing to the Orioles is a bad *sign*, even though it isn't as bad a *thing* as losing to Boston.

193 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:40 pm

They're as bored with this as I am. Royals still have one run. I'll be happy when they hit 3.

194 Eirias   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:40 pm

Nice to see that Gameday Premium has "changeup" as both Cano's favorite and least favorite pitch.

195 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:41 pm

[194] I believe Cano is a big Dickens fan.

196 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:42 pm

[195] Hey, hey, this is a family-oriented list.

197 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:44 pm

[196] Must be a dysfunctional family then.

198 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:44 pm

[196] So no references to how dissapointed I am about our Wang getting pounded tonight then? Sigh..

The O's can rake though, pretty good lineup. Let's get AJ out there for a no-hitter tomorrow and all will be well. BoSox lineup just as weak tonight which is comforting.

199 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:45 pm

Man.... Lester with a 9.00 ERA. The Sox will be lucky if they don't lose 100 games.

200 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:46 pm

[198] It's not quite comforting, because they looked weak against a very strong pitcher.

But if we're looking at bright sides, we can add that our bullpen did not suck this evening.

Show/Hide Comments 201-283
201 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:46 pm

[198] I am not so sure I'd say the O's have a pretty good lineup. I just think the Yankee pitchers have been pretty bad.

202 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:49 pm

Who in the world is Dennis Sarfate?? and why will we go 3up 3down against him??

203 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:49 pm

Oh christ they have two runs.

204 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:51 pm

Lots of pop-ups off Yankee bats tonight.

205 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:52 pm

I'm more surprised when the Yankees don't pop up.

206 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:53 pm

[203] See krazy kyle give up the dinger to Jim Thome the other night? A friend sent me a really long rant by a Royals blogger about it, guy went off on Trey Hillman..when will people learn??

207 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:53 pm

Another great AB by Sisher...very refreshing after seeing Matsui and Nady hack away while up in the count.

208 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:54 pm

[206] You should point out that he does throw in the high 90s. So he might turn out to be very good.

209 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:54 pm

I saw it and cackled. I don't need the Royals to win to get my credit.

210 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:55 pm

Gardner and KLong may need a few refresher lessons. He appears to be weakly slashing away again.

211 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:56 pm

Well, that's encouraging.

212 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:56 pm

Okay, that's encouraging. Jeter showing a little power is something to take out of this.

213 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:56 pm

I miss the days when a declining Derek Jeter was the Yankees biggest concern ;)

214 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:57 pm

Is baseball reference supposed to start updating daily tomorrow? I thought I saw that.

215 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:58 pm

[214] It's updated now.

216 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:58 pm

Come on Tex...WWAD!

217 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 9:59 pm

Ah. Good.

218 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:00 pm

So what do you guys think of the new look of BR? I'm getting used to it. I really like the new features.

219 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:01 pm

It always comes down to ARod.
Oh....
jeez....

220 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:01 pm

My mood is much improved.

221 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:01 pm

Huh.
I guess you just never know.

222 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:01 pm

Pitching Change: George Sherril replaces George Sherrill..good to see Gameday is back with the philosophical games of last year!

223 Eirias   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:02 pm

Stop making me care, Yankees!

224 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:02 pm

Yes!! I heart Tex!

225 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:02 pm

Shut up Kay.;

226 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:03 pm

Oh well. At least they battled.

227 RIYank   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:03 pm

Come on, Tex. A *real* Yankee would have yelled "HA!"

Oh well. The finish was certainly better than the middle and start.

228 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:04 pm

Pop up to end the game...very fitting conclusion.

229 randym77   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:04 pm

Well, that was annoying.

230 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:04 pm

The Sox score 1 in the 8th but leave the bases loaded. 6-2 TB, after 8.

231 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:05 pm

6Now I need the Royals to score.

232 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:05 pm

[227] That was the answer to [216].

233 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:07 pm

OK, back from Lost...I see the boys made it close. I also see that washed up, old man Jeter is keeping up his hot start.

Still, a frustrating game, no?

234 bartap   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:20 pm

What exactly does being "geeked up" mean and why can't Kay stop saying it?

235 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:23 pm

[234] Bonus point with watching archived games on mlb.com, no Michael Kay! Unless they areplaying the White Sox I will usually take the vopponents broadcast. Kay is dead to me since his bizzare, racist diatribe about China last year during the Olympics.

236 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:28 pm

[235] Kay is dead to me because he's an idiot. But you and the racism thing again...

237 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:29 pm

I always thought geeked up meant high.

238 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:32 pm

[236] Sorry MP but if you heard what he said..it wasn't even so much "racist" as being just exceedingly strange..He said "How can we give the Olympics to a country where the people don't have freedom, there is so much air pollution and it's a culture where people use the street as a bathroom?" Does that make any sense? I never like his annoucing but thought as a journalist, at least he would have some clue about the outside world..

239 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:33 pm

[238] Excuse the usual horrible typing/spelling errors. My point should be clear anyways; not a big M. Kay fan.

240 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:35 pm

[238] It makes perfect sense to me, at least the first part. The Olympics are politicized (as are all international sports). It makes perfect sense not to "award" the games to certain countries. The Olympics should not have been awarded to Nazi Germany.

In any case, I'm glad you have backed off the "racist" tag--that's a pretty ugly word, and one thrown around far to easily.

241 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:36 pm

God damned royals scored two runs

242 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:39 pm

[240] Olympics have always been a sham and a farce, IMHO. Every country has its skeletons so why pick on one? Yes, "racist" the wrong word. I suppose "ethnocentric" would be more appropriate? Besides, anyone who rode the NYC subway in the 1980s would know that public urination is not unique to China!

243 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:45 pm

[240] Yes, every country has skeletons. Not all of them are totalitarian regimes. Really, to not see the profound lack of basic western freedoms in China is to not look. Is that ethnocentric? Well, if by that you mean favoring certain political systems? Then yes, I'm ethnocentric.

As for public urination--I'll take your word for it that's what he said. I don't know enough to comment on how acceptable the practice is in China. If it is widespread and accepted, then the comparison to NYC subways (in the 1980s!) is flawed. But this is beside the point.

244 randym77   ~  Apr 8, 2009 10:48 pm

The Mets game is still going on. They started at the same time as the Yanekes.

245 Shaun P.   ~  Apr 8, 2009 11:13 pm

Hey, the offense will be just fine: hat tip to Pete Abe on this one:

"UPDATE, 8:12 p.m.: The Yankees have played 12 innings this season and have left at least one runner on base in every one of them."

As long as they are getting guys on base, the runs will start to come. Also worth noting: 3 walks, only 1 K for the Yanks' hitters. The O's pitchers' "success", such as it is, is bound to disappear soon enough.

Hopefully Burnett will be decent or better tomorrow.

monkeypants, Lost is sure getting really interesting this season. Its about time they started really answering some of the mysteries. I think that has peaked my interest in this season more than anything else. There's still so much I want to know, though - I hope they cover everything in a realistic way by the end.

246 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 11:18 pm

[243] I would challenge you on the term "basic Western freedoms" (is Guantanomo in the "west") but we'd be veering into political territory..so let's just say that Michael kay should stick to ranting about sports on his radio show and leave it at that! :)

Btw..never seen "Lost".Is it worth the time investment? I still havn't watched the Sopranos yet and have heard that should be at the top of the pile! But with baseball season here..tv time is minimal.

247 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 8, 2009 11:18 pm

I didn't know China was "a culture where people use the street as a bathroom". However, I do know there are many American homes with a telephone and a TV next to the toilet.

248 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 11:28 pm

[246] Again, you take the extreme example (Guantanamo Bay, where people who fall through the cracks of international law because they do not fight under a national flag), which is pretty much the exception in one place, and compare it to a nation with systemic abuses of basic western freedoms--to a nation where freedom of speech is curtailed as government policy; where freedom of religion is curtailed; where just the other day a Catholic bishop was arrested for not conforming to the state run "Catholic" church. If Guantanamo is worthy of scorn, then China is worthy of having heaps of scorn.

Yes, this is veering into politics. I am easily drawn into such conversations when I overhear/oversee a sloppy accusation of "racism." I simply cannot accept that Michael Kay deserves criticism for having the audacity to say that China should not have received the Olympics--nor do I think this is a racist opinion.

My main point is that some who post here are far to quick to drop the "R" word.

249 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 11:31 pm

[245] Yeah, once they stated that the series would end after a fixed number of episodes, they have really sped up the narrative and provided many more answers than questions. i still miss the feeling of the first couple of seasons, but I guess you can never really go back. It would have been too contrived to continue only having mysteries for more than a couple of seasons.

I preferred the old days when their were more main characters. They were brave to kill off so many beloved characters (and usually catching me off guard), but now they have fallen into the dangerous position that we have a handful of stars who you don't sense will ever die. meanwhile, everyone else who is introduced is a red shirt, if you know what I mean.

250 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 11:34 pm

[248] For every example you give about the lack of freedoms in China (all true), I can easily provide a similar list of abuses committed at "home" in the US. Using a term like "western freedoms" is itself offensive to people outside the West, as if the freedoms are somhow more profound or deep.
Michael Kay deserves heaps of criticism for being culturally ignorant. Criticizing the selection of China to host the Olympics on grounds of human rights abuses is a valid and worthwhile point. Saying it is "a culture that accepts public urination" is ignorant, insensitive and ethnocentric. It reveals his lack of knowledge about the outside world and the infrastructure problems in many countries in Asia. As a "journalist", he should think and prepare before spuouting such nonsense.

I have no hesitation to use the word "racist" if it applies. I was wrong to use about Michael Kay, and acknowledged that. His words were, however, offensive, ignorant and insulting to a culture that goes back 4000 years, and does not need to be lectured to by a baseball announcer.

251 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 11:35 pm

[246] Is it worth investing in Lost? Who knows. I never saw an episode until last year, when I saw a few reruns on Sci Fi and got totally hooked. We then rented the first four seasons and watched them voraciously. We caught up to the series and now follow the live airing of the fifth season. At this point I cannot tell how much I really like the show, and how much I am simply addicted and want to see the mysteries unravel.

By contrast, most of my friends and colleagues who watched the show in the first few seasons have long ago given up on it.

Maybe it is easier or better to attack the show via DVD, rather than one week at a time. At least until you're hooked.

252 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 11:37 pm

[250] For every example you give about the lack of freedoms in China (all true), I can easily provide a similar list of abuses committed at “home” in the US.

Except that you can't--not in scale, or not in this century. remind, what is the state run church in the US? Which church is illegal in the US (like the non-state run Catholic church is, technically, in China)? How many cardinals and bishops have been imprisoned in the US?

253 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 11:45 pm

[252] Monkey-san, I'l gladly reply at length (baseball, jazz and politics I can argue all day) but I do not want to viloate the Banter rules any further than we already have..click my name and you can find my contact details on the site. More than happy to continue via email if you so wish. I will just say here that living outside the US for 11 years now has completely changed my view of our country..for good and for bad.

On tv: too many programs that have missed and people keep recommending. Not interested in 24 and Lost sounds a bit weak..will stick to baseball and "Desperate Housewives" (my lady likes it..)

254 monkeypants   ~  Apr 8, 2009 11:50 pm

[250] I also defy you find a US parallel to the one-child policy, and the attendant enforcement mechanisms.

That Chinese culture goes back 4000 years is irrelevant to the discussion. If what he said was offensive (and I grant that the "bathroom" comment was insensitive--I cannot vouch for its accuracy), it was offensive on its own merits, not because of the antiquity of the culture that he offended.

As for Kay's political pontifications as a baseball announcer--well, that's the deal with international sports, the very sort of competition that I (as you know) despise. Since the sport aspect and the political aspect of the Olympics are so intertwined, then sports announcers are drawn inherently into making political statements. The fault is not Kays'--it's the fault of mixing sports and politics through such nonsense as the modern Olympics.

In the end, though, I would agree with you. No mixing sports commentary with political commentary. That would include: no comments by Kay about teh Olympics, but no Joe Biden in the booth during the baseball game, no Curt Schilling spouting off from the right, but no Carlos Delgado refusing to stand for the national anthem as a protest against the Iraq War, and so on.

I would ALL for that!

255 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 8, 2009 11:59 pm

[254] Yes, I would agree too about ZERO politics in sports! The problem is that "generally", the right side of the scale gets a free pass "God Bless America", fighter-jets over the stadium, honor the troops nights, etc..but the other side (where I obviously reside) "generally" does not...

256 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:00 am

OMG, are the Mariners still letting Carlos Silva start games for them?? Just looking at the scores..why don't they just eat his contract??

257 monkeypants   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:08 am

[255] That's interesting that you consider "God Bless America" and "honoring the troops" to be a "right" thing? So, by extension, you are saying that overt patriotism is "right wing," meaning that "left wing" is...anti-patriotic? "Left-wing" doesn't honor the troops (or dishonors the troops)? Interesting...

More to the point, I see it the other way, at least reading sites like Bronx Banter. Most print journalists, including internet journalists, lean pretty heavily to the left. The most scandalous and offensive things can be uttered from the left side of the spectrum without comment. Abrasive analysis rooted in, essentially, left-leaning assumptions are the norm. Just look at the commentary on the funding for the new Yankee Stadium--only William has exerted the energy to challenge the standard liberal narrative of the bad corporate Yankees stealing taxpayer dollars to line their greedy pockets, while shunning the poor working man (heck, even I have argued against William on this one).

258 monkeypants   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:11 am

[256] The real question: looking at his numbers, why did they sign him in the first place, for 8 million in 2008 (I don't know what his remaining contract looks like).

259 Start Spreading the News   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:14 am

[254] "That would include: no comments by Kay about teh Olympics, but no Joe Biden in the booth during the baseball game, no Curt Schilling spouting off from the right, but no Carlos Delgado refusing to stand for the national anthem as a protest against the Iraq War, and so on."

Actually, I would disagree a bit here. I don't want announcers injecting politics into baseball when they are supposed to be announcing the game. So, no to Kay talking about the Olympics or how the public should fund a new Yankee Stadium.

Though I don't think much of either person, I have no problem with Joe Biden or Rudy Guiliani in the booth talking baseball. I also have no problem with Schilling shilling for Bush or Delgado not standing for the national anthem. The players are still playing baseball as they are supposed to do. If they use their fame to push their opinions, then that's their right and their business. No one is forcing you to go to Curt's blog. But we do have to listen to Kay if we want to hear the Yankee broadcast.

260 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:15 am

[257] No, I was unclear in that post. Obviously the "Left" honors the troops..I would like to think we honor them more by not sending them to other countries at all and keeping them safe at home!
Honoring veterans at a baseball game for "protecting our freedoms out there" is an explicitly political statement. I personally go to a game to watch baseball and NOT be told to honor someone whose work I do NOT support. Try saying that at your average sports stadium in the US and see the reaction you get..it is ugly and frankly UN-American. If we have true freedom, then I should be allowed to NOT honor an institution that commits what I view to be a crime...
Perhaps the mainstream media in the US is as you say, left-biased. I really have no idea not being there. But in the sports world..it is very, very RIGHT.

261 Start Spreading the News   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:20 am

[257] "Most print journalists, including internet journalists, lean pretty heavily to the left. The most scandalous and offensive things can be uttered from the left side of the spectrum without comment. Abrasive analysis rooted in, essentially, left-leaning assumptions are the norm."

Wow. Generalize much?

Since you mentioned the Banter as an example, if you can give me examples of "the most scandalous and offensive things" that have been uttered without comment here on this site, please produce them.

262 PJ   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:25 am

I'll be headed for the DL with bleeding ulcers like Ichiro if these starters "hurl" five klunkers in a row and head home 3-6 or worse!

First C.C. and his belly warmer, now Wang and his neck brace from all the whiplash! And the lineup? Wow! When I asked for seven runs per game, I meant our offense, not theirs! Bonk!

Mr. OK Jazz, you should have told us Uehara was Sandy Koufax! He seemed like another Igawa-esque puffballer to me. Pretty pathetic for the lineup to be beat by 88 MPH crap and changeups. Makes me wonder what other, more "locked in" AL East lineups will do against him.

: /

263 Rich   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:28 am

[261] I think the Dixie Chicks might take issue with the idea that "[t]he most scandalous and offensive things can be uttered from the left side of the spectrum without comment."

All they said was that:"We're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas," and their careers were temporarily ruined.

264 monkeypants   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:36 am

[263] Without comment within most print media. Their careers were ruined by consumers--and mostly by retailers--who took offense at what they said, not because the NY Times was offended, which they weren't.

265 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:39 am

[262] Uehara used to deal it when he first came up! Since his injuries am sure he's more a finnesse pitcher now..didn't see him much last year as he was in the bullpen and I don't follow the Yomiuri Giants much (the Yankees of Japan!)

[264] Depends on your perspective my friend..to me, the print media in the US is awfully conservative...the "liberal media" thing is pretty much a myth..

266 Rich   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:46 am

[264] Who do you think disseminated their comment? The mainstream print media along with the talking heads on cable news offering their disapprobation.

Clear Channel refused to allow their radio stations to play their music. That kind of stacks the deck against consumer decisions operating in a free market.

Why should anyone be offended by what they said? Far worse has already been said about Obama, and I don't see anyone being punished for it (not that they should be).

267 monkeypants   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:46 am

[261] This site is pretty low key; Goldman's political commentary is (or at least was) more overt and abrasive, such that I tired of the site and stopped reading.

However, i distinctly remember a discussion thread on the banter in which most everyone made fun of the Rockies for--gasp--the players' religiosity. I found about 70% of the comments on that thread to be offensive, and frankly unthinking (certainly poorly informed from a theological perspective).

Not meaning to pile on poor Tokyo, but the ease with which the "R" word is whipped out is another example. Announcer X mentions Barry Binds and steroids and is instantly accused of racism, at least by several posters on these threads.

As for abrasive, left-leaning assumptions undergirding commentary: I already sited the analysis of the new stadium, especially with regard to financing. William has been the only person, between the authors of the site and the comment section posters, to challenge critically the accepted left-leaning narrative of bad corporate Yankees sticking it to the common man, "stealing" parkland, "stealing" taxes, etc.

268 monkeypants   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:47 am

[265] to me, the print media in the US is awfully conservative…

This does not surprise.

269 monkeypants   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:50 am

[266] Why should anyone be offended by what they said?

I don't know, maybe because they expressed "shame" over their president. In general I can imagine that being a sore spot for a good many folks who--agree or disagree--feel that the office should be respected.

And why they were offended is irrelevant. Thems the risks when you make political commentary, no?

270 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:52 am

[267] But Monkey, you already acknowledged that you yourself did NOT agree with William! When the Economist magazine (hardly a left-wing rag) comes out with critical comments on the stadium then I don't think you can claim its a bias issue..

As for Bonds, not sure what incident you are referring to. From almost ALL accounts, Bonds is a major-league ###hole. That still doesn't explain his obvious blackballing from the game when he could still have been a productive player..and the coverage of him vs someone like Pettite (an admiited juicer)..well, I won't claim racism but it does seem a bit suspicious how the religious, folksy white player gets a pass while the surly black player does not..or to bring up the NFL, how Kurt Warner is "feisty" and a "leader" when he barks at his OC on the sidelines, while Anquan Boldin is a "malcontent" and "dispruptive"...you think that is fair coverage?

271 Start Spreading the News   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:54 am

[264] "Without comment within most print media."

Correctly so, the comments were ignored by the media (including Fox News). Geez, if every outrageous comment by musicians, ball players, etc... were to get coverage, there would't be enough reporters to cover the actual news.

It wasn't until radio stations picked up on the comments that the controversy started. At that point it became "newsworthy."

[265.2] You are right when you mention perspective in terms of liberal and conservative.

I have to constantly "defend" the US policies when I am traveling abroad. It seems that everyone in the world is more liberal than the "liberals" here. In fact, the term "liberal" is so tainted that the libs here hide under the term "progressive."

272 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 9, 2009 12:57 am

BTW, quick baseball note amidst the forbidden politics posts..you all might be enthused to know that the new stadium for the Hiroshima Carp is called "Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium"...seriously....

just humor to keep us from burning down the Banter..

273 Rich   ~  Apr 9, 2009 1:04 am

[269] So they were ashamed. They didn't say he pals around with terrorists; they didn't say he was a socialist; they didn't say he is making America less safe.

I think we need some context to fully understand how benign their comment was in comparison to much of the discourse directed at the current POTUS.

Not to mention that Bill Clinton was accused of being a murderer in a videotape distributed by those affiliated with Jerry Falwell.

274 Rich   ~  Apr 9, 2009 1:05 am

[272] I forgot about the ban.

My apologies.

I'm out.

Let's win today!!!!!!!!!!

275 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 9, 2009 1:07 am

[274] hey, me and monkey have violated it about 35 times each tonight so don't worry..maybe need a hockey-style penalty box for us? slow afternoon here so it's the Banter and some jazz sites on the desktop at the moment..

276 The Hawk   ~  Apr 9, 2009 1:09 am

[251] I love Lost and I've watched it from the beginning. It had a rough patch here and there but for the most part it's been great. It's changed, is the thing, and I think that turned off a lot of people were into what it started out as. I always figured that early iterations were unsustainable and have been pleased that their modifications to the initial model have been so effective.

That all being said, I thought tonight's episode was kind of hokey and slightly disappointing. Which is still a lot better than the Yankee game.

Ah tomorrow: Will Burnett begin to fulfill my half-assed prediction that he would be the best pitcher on the team this season?

277 Start Spreading the News   ~  Apr 9, 2009 1:09 am

[267] Your experience on this blog is skewed because NYC is a left leaning city. "Reading sites like Bronx Banter" doesn't allow you the data to infer that ALL the media is lefty-biased.

I think that if you followed a Dallas Cowboys blog that you would have a different perception. They would have responded differently to the Dixie Chicks and the religious Rockies. They still may have agreed with this blog on public financing of stadiums, however (even though you seem to think this is a partisan issue).

278 monkeypants   ~  Apr 9, 2009 1:30 am

[277] Perhaps.

[270] When the Economist magazine (hardly a left-wing rag) comes out with critical comments on the stadium then I don’t think you can claim its a bias issue...

I disagreed with William inasmuch as I felt that the new stadium as catering to a wealthier client base at the expense of more modest fans. I have generally agreed with him that the financing of the stadium is not an obvious swindle, as it is often posited. More germane to the point, ONLY William has been willing to even challenge the dominant assumptions--the dominant narrative--which have been largely accepted uncritically here. And yes, I think this is a product of partisanship, since the dominant narrative (bad corporation hurts kids and steals parkland) ill tend to be more plausible to one side of the aisle.

[276] always figured that early iterations were unsustainable

Yeah, I agree. the writers have always claimed that they envisioned a sort of three act narrative arc. Taking them at their word, it looks like we are in act three, resolution.

I don't entirely agree that tonight was hokey, but I really want SOMEONE to just pop Ben and be done with it. The only guy who seems to have figured this out is Jack, and ends up looking like a bad guy! At the risk of giving away too much for those who might yet watch: I was very disappointed that they went the whole time-travel route..I tend to really dislike time travel based sci fi narratives. So I was a bit irritated early in season 5, but I've come to terms with this.

279 monkeypants   ~  Apr 9, 2009 1:31 am

[278] Goddammit--U really need to be more careful with tags. OK, off to bed.
.
.
.
I apologize for breaking the rules and antagonizing others. Hopefully O will not wake up tomorrow banned from the banter.

280 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 9, 2009 1:51 am

Just to let MP, Mr. OK and others know....
I completely enjoyed the political Banter.
I love the Yankees....
but it was well past game time,..
and we have intelligent people here,..
and there was no 'Yankee talk' goin' on...
and it was past midnight.
So.....
TO HELL WITH THE RULES!
(Don't tell Alex I said that)

There's nothing like late night political Banter.
Too bad we couldn't all be in the same room with a few joints being passed around.

281 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 9, 2009 1:56 am

[280] Thanks,OYF! Hope we don't get DFA'd from the Banter for our debate!
(would love the late night Mary Jane/political chat/jazz music session but being in Japan "Land of the Insanely strict drug laws" I'm afraid those days are long gone for me..)

282 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 9, 2009 2:18 am

Back to baseball if anyone is still out there! Does the idiocy ever cease?? Check out this quote from a "scout", from Jason Stark's article on espn.

"To me," said one scout, "the Yankees feel more like a bunch of stars who happen to be playing together than a real baseball team."
"With the Yankees, you always wonder about their chemistry," another panelist said. "If you think that's been one of their problems in the past -- and I do -- you can see where it might not be a good situation this year. And wait 'til A-Rod shows up. At some point, that black cloud is coming back. And how will they handle that?"

283 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 9, 2009 2:28 am

[282] He may as well write "I think the Queen of England has big tits... but does the Duke apprecitae them?"

I guess that would generate some hits and some buzz.

Actually, Considering XMan, Swish, Brett in CF and all the unknowns in the BP, we are less 'starlike' they we have been in a while. I guess Stark and his ilk think that the richest team in MLB should pick up bottom feeders instead?

This is New York Mr. Stark. Get with the program!

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"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver