Andy Pettitte takes the hill this afternoon looking to send the Yankees home with a win. Pettitte was fantastic against the Royals on Friday (7 IP, 1 R, 6 K, just four baserunners). In his last start against the Rays, last July, he was even better (8 IP, 0 R, 5 K, four baserunners), though that came at home and his results in three previous starts against the Rays were more mixed.
Johnny Damon, who missed yesterday’s game due to the flu, returns to the lineup this afternoon, bumping Derek Jeter back into the leadoff spot and Brett Gardner down to the seven hole. Damon takes the place of the ailing Xavier Nady who is out indefinitely due to a tear in his right elbow (more specific news is still pending as Nady waits to see the team doctors). The rest of the lineup is the same as last night’s with Jorge Posada at DH and Ramiro Peña at third base.
That lineup will face 26-year-old righty Andy Sonnanstine, who had a rough outing against the Orioles last week (4 2/3 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 2 K) and last faced the Yankees a year and one day ago, also at the Trop, and was even worse (3 1/3 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 3 HR). Of the three Yankees who homered of him in that game, only Damon is in today’s lineup (Alex Rodriguez and Morgan Ensberg were the other two).
Everyone’s wearing number 42 today in recognition of Jackie Robinson day. Whereas wearing the number was elective in past years, this year it’s manditory for everyone.
Yahoo! says the game is being delayed. Is it raining inside the Trop?
/snark off
[1] I'm guessing it's due to some kind of Jackie Robinson related ceremony?
Either that or Swisher rolled a ball into the Drays dugout and they're brawling right now.
[2] Thanks, knuckles. Despite Czar Bud's best efforts, I forgot it was Jackie Robinson Day. (And would someone please tell Seligula that when its a couple of players who request to wear #42 to honor him, its a nice gesture - but when he makes everyone do it, it comes off as contrived bs? Bud is pretty good at contrived bs, though.)
I bet Swisher could take on the whole Rays team, and the actual rays they keep in that tank in the OF, by himself.
Agreed on the #42 thing Shaun. It loses the impact when it's mandatory.
Still, nice to see everyone honoring Mo today.
My whole thing is this: Someone like Brett Myers, who was parading his kid around in a confederate flag t-shirt during spring training, is going to "honor" Jackie Robinson? Seriously?
the delay was due to some power outage caused by yesterday's storms.
is wakefield really throwing a freaking no-hitter thru 5?! i'm allowed to speak of this when it's NOT our team...right?! : )
yeah, i think the whole 42 thing is a bit much. the clemente kick of retiring 21 is also. i do wish Larry Doby got more credit, credibility and was talked about more often...
I have great respect for Clemente, but I don't get the "Retire 21" thing at all.
Anyone with TWC have a blank screen, but sound? I do.
I think the pointless number retirement that can't be topped is the NHL with 99. What was Wayne Gretzky's lasting social impact? That cartoon he did with Jordan and Bo Jackson?
Never mind, it's back
Doby deserves more credit. So does Minnie Minoso. The idea of retiring 21 for Clemente seems crazy.
wake has a no-no thru 6. i've gotta go teach. go A's - get some hits!!!
Let's GO YAN-KEES !! !!!
[8] [12] agreed.
have a good game y'all...
[13] The YES guys keep saying he's got a perfect game going, but Boston has an error on the board.
Retiring any more numbers MLB-wide, to me, just dilutes the tribute of retiring 42 MLB-wide to honor Jackie Robinson. Its a great honor because its done for only one guy. Its like the everyone wearing #42 today thing.
Any suggestions for possible OFers to be had?
Swisher has a big "X" on the inside of his left forearm. Is that a previously existing tattoo, or a magic marker tribute to Nady?
I agree... but maybe a future retired number for the first openly gay player?
j/k.
[18] Piazza?
OYF, how about Damon, Gardner, and Swisher? The Yankees don't need a starter, they need bench guy, preferably a righty. Hmmm. Shelley Duncan anyone?
OYF @ 18: Why just kidding?
[20] That assumes Matsui is an effective DH. That is still to be seen.
The Yanks missed it. Yaki slid OVER Homeplate and never touched it. The Ump did NOT call him safe. If the Yanks tagged him, we have a scoreless inning.
[21] Nah... they wouldn't retire his number. The shower room maybe...
Canobiwan!
Oh, of course, because it's Robinson Day (as Flash reminds us).
Dontcha know???
[5] Sure, why not? Repping the stars and bars does not automatically make one a racist.
[8][12] Given the reverence Clemente has around Puerto Rico and hispanic players in general (I've played in leagues dedicated to Clemente), it doesn't seem that far-fetched. I don't have a dog in this fight, and it doesn't matter to me one way or the other, I'm just sayin...
[16][20] A bench guy, a part time player. If a FA is signed or if Shelly's called up, another roster move will have to be made, as I think the Yanks are at their limit, unless a trade is made. But it looks like Melky takes Nady's spot on the bench.
God, that was actually a really nice play by Pena.
Send the runner already! Jesus they have one fast guy. Let him run!
See they waited too long.
Crud.
Cone couldn't relay that signal down to Girardi in time, huh? ;-)
Hmm. Pettitte doesn't look too sharp. Still, I don't think the Yanks are done scoring.
3-2, top 5th. How was Cano's tater??
I hope Cashman brings up Jackson and we don't go down the Geoff Jenkins-retread route..
[33] Crushed.
The problem with bringing up Jackson is that if he doesn't play every day, it retards his development. Is that the plan, play him every day? It could be pretty frustrating watching him learn on the job, in the Bronx.
[34] Tanks!
if A-Rod is back, can't the O survive with a light-hitting OF?
If the OF is Swisher, Damon and Gardner most of the time, Nady's absence won't be that big of a deal. I think if Swisher goes back to his typical (read: not last year) line, then he's a suitable replacement. It's just on those off days things might get a little weird.
[35] Yes, but in that case why not just stick with what we have now? We *have* a couple of good-fielding, weak-hitting OFers to go with Damon and Swisher.
The Rays' running game has not been effective, it seems to me. I think they've given away a whole lot of outs with it.
[32] Seems like he's not especially wild, but everything he pitches comes back the other way as a line drive...
What a cool shot of Andy talking to himself.
Gardner, Pena and Molina all in the lineup will not lead to many runs.
Just turned the game on. All the 42s look incredibly stupid. Can Bud go away now?
Joe Nelson looked REALLY good there.
[42] P.S. Bud made me make that comment in honor of Jackie.
Who is going to be the next Commish?? Wonder if Suzyn Waldman is interested..
The bottom of this lineup is way too weak to run out there with great frequency. Nady's injury may be the catalyst, but I think the Yankees need to make a move before Arod returns.
Should have pinch hit for Molina!
(Scans bench.)
Never mind.
Molina vs Balfour..this is not going to lead to a run.
At least Matsui's walk cleared the pitcher...I mean the Molina.
Well, Matsui's walk did achieve one thing: cleared Molina, and we get to start with Jeter in the eighth.
[48] Genius!
[48] Bada-bing!
Is David Justice still available to join the bench? Richie Sexson??
I think it's time for a little AJax! Gardner had a nice game yesterday, but aside from that he has shown very little with the bat. The Yankees can't afford to have a black hole in CF and 3B, especially on days when Molina is in the lineup.
listening to Sterling right now, he seems to have toned down the schtick a bit. Waldman though..sigh..
only 82 pitches for Andy so far. The staff (except Wang) has really been impressive so far this season. Better than the 4-5 record would suggest.
[48] [49] Heh heh heh heh.
[53] I was thinking the same thing. The pitching has the feel of at least 5-4 and even 6-3. The three blowouts are understandable, but the bullpen giveaway and the sleeping offense today (if it doesn't awake) are losses that you'll think about for a while.
This would be an annoying loss.
[35] Assuming....
We have no other major injuries?
Cano and Po continue to perform?
JD can play 80% of the time?
The Yankees made statement this offseason. This is a Win Now year. We need OFers for the future anyway. Why gamble with the season... and the fortune we spent on this team.
Next year, Mo, Po, ARod and Jeter are a year older. Matsui and JD are gone. Normally I'm a 'stay pat' guy... but this year we have to pull out the stops.
Look at this game. A quality+ start and we may lose due no poor offense.
I thought that might have triple potential...
[56]Yes, they have to beat twirlers like Sonnanstine as Garza/Shields/Kazmir will get their wins.
Captain Jeter with the O!
Upton looked silly there
[57] The problem is that players wont be available until June or July. I think the time might be right to give AJax a shot. I like Gardner's speed, but he isn't an everyday player. With Arod you might be able to get by, but three outs in the lineup is too much.
I say trade some pitching talent on the farm for a young but proven OFer. Any ideas? William?
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOO-HOO
Yessssss! Everybody do the Rufus Thomas Funky Chicken!
[62] Young, but proven OF'ers are kind of expensive...they usually require young, but proven pitchers. I don't think an IPK, for example, gets that done. I think a lot of guys will eventually be made available, but it's too early now.
[62] I think if Matsui is healthy, we can get by as is.
Lucky break there.....
Cmon Tex..let's get some clutchy clutchiness here
Foul ball?
[67] Any indications yet that Mats is healthy?
What is Teixeira doing today!
What could have possibly been waiting for?
FUCK!!!
3 TIMES caught looking for Tex. CRAPOLA!!!!
[74] All on fastballs down the middle...I can't imagine why he'd be so passive.
[71] I'd wait it out with him or bring up Jackson before I trade for a so so replacement.
Dear ARod,
We are all very sorry.
The point is proven.
Please come back soon.
OldYanksFan
[77] A-Rod had his share on infuriating baclwards Ks.
Usually when he was sitting breaking ball.
[76} What will AJax give us THIS year. A .750 OPS if he does well???
Isn't that basically what you'd get out of Milledge?
You can't leave Damon on 2B...Posada has to come up big.
[80] I'd rather see a AAA non-prospect or a guy like Jim Edmonds or Frank Catalonotto rather than start AJax's arb clock and slow down his development by sitting him on the bench.
He's -- by consensus I understand -- the only position player on the farm with a position, yah?
I'd take Jim Edmonds.
Think how much it would suck if they'd had Damon bunt Jeter to third. Then two strikeouts...
I would walk Cano too.
This is a big AB...if Cano fails, the Yankees likely wont have a scoring chance until the 10th, which means they'll need 3 shutout innings from the pen.
Nah, you can't walk Cano here, even with Gardner on deck. For one thing, you add a run to the potential single. For another, you give the Yankees the lead with a HBP, BB, or WP... or, fairly likely, an infield hit.
What about the Cardinal ex-pitcher?
Swisher, Cano and to a lesser degree Posada are basically carrying this offense.
DeJesus from KC for AAA pitcher(s)?
[87] Cano is such better than Gardner that I'd still do it.
[90] But why would they do that?
The ol' man on second, no outs, leave him stranded trick. Bah. Cack. And Bollocks!
That's a huge lost opportunity.
[92] That's the key. We can do all sorts of fantasy trades here, but it has to be something that has some appeal to the other team.
Via RAB, it doesn't seem like AJax is a good option right now:
http://tinyurl.com/c4q8t6
Beane likes young and cheap. What does it take to get Holliday... who is a 1 year rental for the A's anyway?
I'm still trying to figure out what Teieixera was looking for.
[97] The A's added payroll to compete. If, and only if, they drop out of it will Holliday be traded.
[98] Teixeira has been struggling, which has kind of been masked, although I am not sure by what.
[75] Maybe because, batting RH, he's hurt worse than anyone admits?
[20] [27] If Nady is really hurt, then he will go on the 60-day DL, which will open up a spot on the 40-man. Duncan makes sense as a stopgap, since he can play 1B and 5th OF.
[15][18][20] et al. I really don't like that MLB retired #42, though the sentiment is laudable. It only opens up the door for more identity politics, as each group demands its own representative, #21 or otherwise.
This years absurdity of having everyone wear #42 is, I suspect, really a marketing ploy, so that the White Sox and Rays and Diamondbacks, etc, can make some more scratch by selling commemortive home (and away and alternate) #42 jerseys.
[10] Why is honoring Gretzsky so ridiculous? It is in any case that Robinson had real, lasting social impact (was he more the catalyst or the product of social change?). Be that as it may, why must a league-wide number retirement be tied to social or political impact? Gretzsky was (arguably) the greatest player in NHL history and a huge ambassador of the game. If the NHL wishes to honor their greatest, so be it. Frankly, I would rather see #3 retired in the MLB--Ruth is still the greatest and most influential figure in the game, and one could argue that he also had enormous social influence (though not in obvious areas such as changing racial attitudes).
JD is almost playing in foul territory...
Teixeira was looking to not be hurt and that's why he's just standing there, looking. Even in the dugout he's still just waiting to not be hurt.
[57] The Yankees made statement this offseason. This is a Win Now year.
Why do you say this? They signed four stars to lucrative, long-term deals. If anything, the statement more that the franchise has built a core for the future rather this is a must-win season.
A nice game by Andy. Maybe incentives work?
It only opens up the door for more identity politics, as each group demands its own representative, #21 or otherwise.
That makes sense only if you think that Jackie Robinson is being honored as some kind of representative of black people. Which is obviously not what this is about. Integrating baseball was probably the single most important even in the history of the game. Roberto Clemente was a great player and a great guy, but his career did not change baseball forever.
Wow. Brian Bruney, very impressive.
[106] I have no problem with retiring the number...but it seems like they do the #42 every year, which really waters down its significance.
I don't like turning it into a publicity event, no. Or a marketing scheme, or whatever.
Brian Bruney, very impressive. Okay, that's getting to be an understatement.
Damn, Bruney.
[101] I think we should just do away with league wide retired numbers period. Stupid idea.
This is an example of a wise pitching change...Andy was dealing, but Upton looked great against him. Hopefully, Girardi doesn't feel the need to mix and match. Bruney should (hopefully) take the game to Mo.
[106] He need not be a representative of black people only for this to be about identity politics. Look no further than Cliff's response about the first openly gay player having his # retired. The precedent is set that any player who is important in some way to the game should be honored by having his number retired.
[104] If we lose JD and Mats, and Mo, Po and Jeter have an additional year of 'decline', what will it take to make us better in 2010? In 2011 we need both a C and a SS, two premium positions we have had covered for a while... not to mention the impossible... replacing Mo.
This IS the year.
[108] I agree.
[111] I agree even more.
The game is tied going to the 9th inning and Murdered Row is coming up: Gardner, Ransom, Molina.
Maybe if Swisher can pitch, a pinch-hitter could pinch hit? Mo probably has a home run in him.
[114] Yes, this IS the year, for the reasons that you mention. But that is independent of the "statement" that the Yankees made in the offseason. Right conclusion, wrong evidence!
One nice thing about the #42 uniforms is it allows me to have the illusion of living one of my dreams: having every Yankee player be as efficient in their role as Mariano.
DONT SWING!
[116] Depending on the tactical situation, I would PH Melky for Molina, move Posada to C, lose the DH and worry about the subsequent lineup problems later.
Well, Ransom's due.
Gardner swung at ball four for the second straight time. That was an awful one handed swing by Brett.
[119] Gameday shows that was a strike on the black, or JUST off. Was it close? Did he have a real choice not to swing?
[120] Is Melky that much better?
[123] The 3-1 was a strike. The 3-2 looked like it was low and inside.
BB Poll:
How many articles: "Will Tex step up in ARod's absence? Not yet!" will we see tomorrow?
What are the chances that Ransom or Molina hit the lottery and go deep?
[113] I'm lost, then. I don't understand your point. You said you were worried about each group demanding its own representative. Now you say it doesn't matter whether we think of Jackie as a representative of black people. If he's not supposed to be a representative, then why does retiring his number mean that other groups can demand their own representative?
I don't mind retiring the number of any player who is (a) a great player and (b) changes baseball the way Jackie Robinson did. I don't believe there will ever be another, but if there is, I'd have no problem retiring his number.
DONT SWING X2!
For Cody, that was the lottery!
HANDSOME RANSOM!
[129] OK fine...as you were.
[128] What about Ruth? The game is probably irrelevant by the time Jackie comes along if not for Ruth,
I say no to both, for the record.
Come on Jose...lean into that one.
I actually find it disconcerting that all the Yankees look like Mo, from behind, today.
Told ya.
Didn't see that coming...
Damn.
If Molina got a hit I would have advocated retiring his number.
Can Ransom score on a single?
Having no PH for Molina is painful..
I want to see the real Mo...lets go Jetes!
[139] You made me spit up my mueslix with that one
Will Jeter ever pull the ball again?
Derek Jeter!!!!!
WHOO!
Captain Clutch!!!!
Thank me later guys.
YaYYYYYYYYY!
I take back everything I ever said about Clutch hitting. It's a immutable, obvious (but yet intangible) talent that you're born with. Derek Jeter has it.
I am going to steal someone's line from yesterday...
First you get the GRIT
Then you get the CLUTCH
Bad play to throw home there.
How very Jeterian!
Now we sees some Mo.
Only fitting to see a real #42 today.
I nominate #45 to be retired in honor of all people who have bilked millions of dollars from insurance companies. And fragile pitchers, of course. FWIW, I truly think finding fault in honoring Jackie Robinson is a waste of time. Nice job, Jete.
Here comes the real 42.
So... has the number of the greatest Jewish player been retired yet?
[156] By the Dodgers, yes.
[156] Actually, I think I'd go with Greenberg over Koufax for that honor.
[128] Because his importance is solely because of the issue of racism, which is inherently bound up with identity politics (one has to accept that are groups [i.e.races] that can be defined, coherent and have some importance--whether one group calls another by that name or whether it is self-identification). We can be high-minded and claim that honoring Robinson is about a generic ideal of equality, that he satnds for all of us ("today, we are all Jackie Robinson"), but in reality his significance is about the historica, and unfortunate, relationship between two categories of Americans, "white" and "black."
And once the precedent is set by honoring a player whose significance is entirely bound up in those categories, then retiring the first/best Latino player, "Asian" player, gay player, Jewish player, Catholic player, woman player, etc is naturally to follow.
I agree with Mattpat on this one [133], scrap the whole practice.
And for the record, I am not convinced that Robinson changed the game forever. Once teh decision was made to play him, the game was at that point changed.
[158] I immediately thought 'Greenberg', but it's a tough call.
Here comes
thea real 42.FTFY, just to avoid angering the baseball gods.
[156] Guess I'll have to wait for those two Indian pitchers in the Pirates "organization" to make the majors before there can be a "greatest Indian player" :)
[124] Probably not, but now a "mute" point.
[151] MLB should retire the number of the grittiest player of all time?
[160] I'll give Greenberg credit for the war years and bestow the honor upon him.
I had hopes for this game. It's the kind of game they lost a lot last year. I'm taking it as a litmus test. Winning these types of games gets you far, methinks.
[159] This doesn't make sense to me.
He is being honored, of course, because of his role in breaking open racism in baseball, yes. How does that open the door to having the greatest Jew honored? It doesn't.
Once teh decision was made to play him, the game was at that point changed.
Oh that's obviously not true. Other black men had played in MLB before Jackie. Why didn't the decision to play them change the game? It had to be the right guy, a guy with the guts and the stones to do what he did. (And the bat, I hasten to add.)
Wow...Melkman for Swisher...very good move by Girardi...but one I don't think you can make behind any other pitcher but Mariano.
[158] I agree. A career OPS of over 1.000. A very underrated player.
Good Win. Time to go home.
Mo is absolutely, positively delicious!
Ahhhhh.
Well, no dissent among present company about the Real 42 today, anyway.
In Mo we trust.
See everybody for opening day tomorrow!
I like the reaction from Girardi...pump that fist Joe.
Good win and a good trip all things being equal. The last two games are games that this team probably doesn't win last year...this is good
In God we trust. Snatched victory from the jaws of defeat today! Nice game.
FWIW: Jackie's playing in MLB may have had a greater effect on society outside of baseball, then on the game itself. That is why I dont think anyone will every be in that position again.
Some love for the Brew too...from Pete Abe:
Bruney has retired 14 straight, 10 by strikeout. He has fanned the last five batters he has faced.
Great game. Bruney, Jeter, to Mo. Feels great.
[166] No doubt about guts and all that. But really, the change was going to happen anyway--it's not like the Dodgers were the ONLY organization considering such a move. And obviously whatever black player was promoted would be a good player, else the move wouldn't have been made. The winds of change were already blowing.
Robinson was brave and a heckuva player, no doubt.
If you do not see how retiring #42 and calls to have #21 retired (and by extension, players who in some way represent other identity groups), then I guess we will have to agree to disagree.
[178] We will no doubt have to agree to disagree! :) But am sure we can agree to agree about the greatness of Mo and the solid 5-4 road trip to open the season?
This team has fight.
It was funny how Girardi's machinations kept winding up with Molina at the plate.
If you do not see how retiring #42 and calls to have #21 retired (and by extension, players who in some way represent other identity groups), then I guess we will have to agree to disagree.
Not sure what that means, but in any case I am quite happy to agree to disagree with you. Let's plan to continue to disagree tomorrow.
[177] Small sample size, and I have not had a chance to *see* any games, but it is nice to see Jeter playing pretty well. Yes, still lots of ground outs, but he also has a couple of doubles and a couple of HRs, and even a few fly outs today. Hopefully he can keep it up and we see a rebound in his XBH this season.
[182] What it means is quite simple: there would not be a movement (albeit small) to have Clemente's number retired league wide had #42 not been retired first.
But yes, we can disagree about this or something else tomorrow!
Kyle Farnsworth picked up a loss today.
From LoHud today:
UPDATE, 1:47 p.m.: We just spoke to Nady. He didn’t want to say too much until he sees team doctor Chris Ahmad in NYC tomorrow. But he indicated that the MRI showed a tear and surgery will be needed.
UPDATE, 2:47 p.m.: Joe Girardi said the news on Nady was bad but they’re hoping that the team doctor says something different. But the MRI wasn’t good. Nady will be going on the DL tomorrow. No word yet on who will get called up.
=========
So...If everyone knew he was going on the DL, why wait until TOMORROW and play a bat short today?
Great victory and a solid road trip.
Hate to be a grouch but reading on LoHud about the schedule for tomorrow's Opeing Day..Kelly Clarkson to sing the anthem? In the media capital of the world they have an American Idol contestant open the new Stadium? And again with the fighter-jet fly overs..is it mandatory to have a military presence at a sporting event?
At least there is Yogi to throw out the first pitch..
I have to say, is it just me, or is Cano a *lot* stronger than he was?
I just saw his two-run shot and off the bat it didn't at all look like it was going out. It looked like a double, so sweet and effortless was his swing.
Anyone else notice anything?
[188] The story is that he worked out tirelessly in the off season, so I wouldn't be surprised if he's just stronger. There's no doubt that *something* has improved since last year, anyway.
[187] Did you see that the guy who (claims he) was thrown out last August for trying to go to the men's room during "God Bless America" is suing? I think he's suing the NYPD, but maybe the Yankees too. (Your comment about the flyover made me think of how I don't like enforced patriotism, which made me think of the suit.) Guy's name is Bradford Campeau-Laurion.
[189] I hope it was just working out for Cano and nothing else..
Never heard if that story was verified or not but have the Yankees made any comment? Enforced patriotism leads to facism. I wish sports could really be an escape from politics, alas..
[188] [189] "Forced patriotism" is hardly an accurate portrayal of the incident. I mean, no one is really forced to attend a baseball game, so abiding by the established rules is not exactly tyranny. Personally, I wish the Yankees would put an end to God Bless America in the 7th inning, but I don't think there actions are leading down the path of facism. I also don't think singing GBA is a political issue.
The Yankee spokeswoman declined to comment.
[190]
Of course it's a political issue. They don't ask us to sing "God Save the Queen" or "O, Canada" or "Advance, Australia Fair". Do you think it's just a coincidence that the song they tell everyone to sing is "God Bless America"?
And the fact that nobody forces you to go to a baseball game doesn't mean that everything that happens in the stadium is by definition unforced! That's ridiculous. Nobody forces you to live in New York, either, but once you live in New York you're forced to pay taxes. If the NYPD really did arrest the guy for trying to go to the bathroom during "God Bless America", that sure is a step in the direction of fascism.
[191] It is quite obviously a political act. Have you paid attention to the words used to introduce the song? Monkeypants and I are actually in agreement about this (!) Take all the politics out of sports please. Someone is bound to be offended no matter what you do..