Matsui and Damon both on the bench today. I guess they'll enter the game if/when a right-handed reliever comes in to pitch? If the game is still close, anyway. Man, Berroa and Gardner in the same line-up.
So now, of course, they'll score eleven runs in the first five innings...

Can't complain about the defense today, anyway.

Bold Prediction. Berroa will boot the World Famous Yankee errorless streak (b.s.) to the curb. It's a pity he's playing over Pena.

bad news from Petey:

UPDATE, 5:33 p.m.: Jose Molina re-inured his strained left quad today in an extended spring training game in Florida and is likely to return to New York to be examined. The Yankees had hoped he might return this week. Not now and probably not any time soon.

Meanwhile, Xavier Nady started a throwing program today, felt discomfort in his right elbow and stopped throwing. He’ll try again tomorrow. Nady was diagnosed with a torn ligament in April but both parties agreed to try a course of rehab and experimental platelet injections in hopes of avoiding surgery. Today’s setback does not necessarily mean surgery will ultimately be required. But it’s certainly not good news for Nady.

Looks like Frankie Brains is gonna be sticking around a while longer

i can't believe Berroa is starting over El Nino. ridiculous. Swisher batting 2nd. according to Pete Abe, Molina re-injured himself and is headed back to NY for tests. looks like Brains will be with us awhile. i'm cool with that. Nady, meanwhile, felt discomfort throwing and shut it down.

the game is on ESPN. i'll be on a gig. part of me wants to see it, the other part doesn't wanna be distracted.

how 'bout a win for the Birthday Boy!? Happy Birthday, Alex!!! Thanks for everything here at Bronx Banter!!! : )

[3] always tryin' to one-up me, man. i swear! ; )

I'm not happy Molina's hurt but I'm glad Cervelli will be with the big team for a while longer. I have a feeling he's going to come plummeting back to earth at the plate, but hopefully not.

Nady thing is bad.

How about Cabrera, is he back or what?

[6] Apparently so

[0] I hope you get to have something special for your Birthday Dinner, Alex!

Joba had better "come correct" tonight!

[1] If ever Nick Swisher is in the OF, there is at least one defensive liability there...

[3] Jose Molina is now "Jose MRI"...

[2] Another amazing fact in the "Yankee Record Department"...

Today "marks" the first time in New York Yankees History that Mark Teixeira will start at 1B and bat third for the team in June!

: )

[8]

"Your 2009 Yankees .... less Molina, more "Cervix""

Ladies and gentlemen ..... Frankie Cervix and the Plancenta Fielders!

[6] Playing left field.

Molina: I'm pretty sure this has something to do with Carl Pavano.

[8] Swisher: he had a plus UZR until last year. Dunno what it's like this year, but that would be a very small sample size anyway (esp. for a defensive stat).

[8] Don't go to Outback, that's for sure. I will show you exactly what they served me for my b'day in a few minutes. If that's their new menu, I'll never go there again.

angel berroa at 3b pretty much negates any chance for a good defensive alignment - and pretty much assures that i for one will complain at his first booted ball

what the hell has poor frankie c done to some of you to garner such awful nicknames?

[8] yes, joba had best come correct tonight - i want the series win

[12] Swisher is to the OF what Giambi is to 1B. I'm pretty sure that both have something to do with Oakland. If I see one more "rainbow" from Swisher, I'll start calling him "Spanky McSkittles!"

I'm just sayin'...

: )

I HIGHLY doubt Alex has ever WILLINGLY set foot in an Outback.

I don't think I could say "The Prog" in public.

The Yankees better score like 9 runs off of Sowers. He is so bad! Having all those automatic outs in the lineup-- Berroa, Gardner, Swish- will make that goal difficult though.

I agree that the errorless streak ends tonight with some kind of easy play messed up by Berroa, who still has only played 36 innings at 3B in his major league career, (plus 15 games in the minors).

ah thankfully the indians are continuing to trot cabrerra out to ss

Hit number 2599 for Jeter. 122 away from Lou.

[19]

and that's an improvement over Peralta.

If Gardner ran backwards, and Matsui ran forwards, who would win a 40 meter dash.

Bad result, but good sign.
(For Swish.)

The Indians could rent their stadium out as an insectarium ....

[22] Matsui might stay with him for 40 yards. That's like a spring to first with a wide turn.
If they went to second, Brett would smoke him.

[22] Matsui because Gardner would fall down laughing after leading through 30 meters...

: )

[24] Oh, is there a lot of demand for insectaria?

Woohoo for the "Portuguese Prince!"

[21] i know - sad - also puts all the bitching about jeter in more of a context

well thank god tex's bat did not realize it was june

oh goody - there are some real asshats at the game tonight

[27] I've gotten a lot of success by shining a black light at a big white sheet, hung in the middle of the woods. Brings in all the bugs for like two miles. It's awesome, if you like bugs.

[31] I bet Joba never does that.

[31] I like Bugs! That "Baseball Bugs" eposide with the Gashouse Gorillas is one of my favs!

"What's with the 'Carrot League Baseball' today?"

: )

Hm. Jorge and Alex didn't get the news that Sowers is easy for righties.

There will be a strong correlation between my blood pressure, my alcohol intake, and the number of innings the Yankees don't score off Sowers.

[32]

Possibly because he'd get pulled over for DUI if he did that in Nebraska.

Jeremy "Whiskey" Sowers ...

And there's one assist!

That was an awesome pitch sequence from Joba... 78 mph curve drops for a strike... 88 mph slider fouled off... 96 mph heater chopped easily to third.

If they were playing in the Bronx, would the crowd be chanting, "de-FENSE!"?

Martinez was totally sitting curveball there on 3-2. Which is odd, since if Joba threw the fastball, he would have been waaaaay behind.

Who was that pitching for the Yanks?

: )

i get all squiggly when joba throws his changeup for strikes ...

well that looked solid off the bat, but fortunatley the progressive or whatever the hell cleveland's stadium is called these days has been where long flies go to die this series

overall nice 1st inning for joba

Good speed on the fast ball and break on the off-speed. This is what Joba needs to do to solidify his spot in the rotation.

One thing he needs to be able to do, however, is challenge hitters with the fastball when he goes to 3 balls.

[16] Diane, I swear I will never willingly set foot in one ever again, especially after this...

C'mon, mate, can't ya go for some good Aussie tucker??

My decimated $$$ roto team needs a healthy Melkman ....

[44] Apparently its "The Prog"

Unless its one of those stupid, slightly embarrassing terms Kay made up like "The New House" or "Generation Trey"

[46]

wow .... that is one SAD-looking plate ....

[46] What a tragic excuse for "food"...

Thanks for the warning, Chyll Will!

Feh! WTF Offense?

[47] Oy, I'd have a go if I could find some!!

I am so glad that Angel Berroa "plays baseball" for my favorite team.

That may be the hardest hit ball Angel Berroa has hit in years.

Also, for a man that claims to be 31 years old, Angel Berroa looks alarmingly like Mickey Rivers 2009.

Would I be violating posting guidelines by stating that I think Joba will be "special" tonight?

Wow, that's not fair, Jeter using his magic powers like that.

i really hope today's game is angel berroa's farewell party - you know thanks for warming up the pitchers the last month, and chit chatting with whoever didn't play today, and getting the extra gum - now off to scranton

[56]

31 Berroa Years = 62 Rivers years

That ball up the middle was not pastadavingjeter! Jeter is quietly second in the American League in RZR, as calculated by Hardball Times (.837, trailing only Elvis Andrus).

Brett "Just Watching" Gardner.

Hey Kay .... perhaps he has 3 GIDPs because he's a GB-hitter and hits with a lot of slow guys on 1st?

[61] It doesn't surprise me that Jeter's zone rating would improve with more power pitchers. Guys that throw hard usually do a better job dictating where the hitter will hit the ball. It is alot easier to position yourself when your pitchers hit their spots with overpowering stuff.

[63] Wow, how many slow guys on first? No wonder he hits into a lot of DPs.

OK, this is weird, usually I can only get the Indians RSN feed of the game, and ESPN is blacked out. Tonight I get ESPN (oh joy, Steve Philips) and they're not showing the listed game on the Indians channel.

Awesome. I love it when a lefty walks Gardner, that just makes me happy.

3 GDIP in 127 PA is not really all that bad.... Cano has 6 in 218, Cabrera 4 in 147, Posada 3 in 103. No idea how many GIDP opportunities each hitter has, though.

Run.

Good boy.

haha - that's how you do it brett!

I wish Kay would stop talking about yesterday's game...it took all day to put that one behind me!

Damn Brett...that's what we needed yesterday!

Small ball!

Hit number 2600 for Jeter

They should sell that tape to youngsters.

"The Perfect Bunt" by Derek Jeter.

Trying to earn back some lost change, I bet. Scooby Snack for Brett!

# NAME TEAM LG YEAR DP DP% NETDP
1. Robinson Cano NYA AL 2009 6 18.8% 2.56
2. Cody Ransom NYA AL 2009 3 30.0% 1.93
3. Melky Cabrera NYA AL 2009 4 16.0% 1.32
4. Xavier Nady NYA AL 2009 2 28.6% 1.25
5. Derek Jeter NYA AL 2009 5 13.8% 0.89
6. Jose Molina NYA AL 2009 3 18.2% 0.82
7. Jorge Posada NYA AL 2009 3 13.6% 0.64
8. Angel Berroa NYA AL 2009 1 20.0% 0.46
9. Brett Gardner NYA AL 2009 3 12.5% 0.42
10. Francisco Cervelli NYA AL 2009 1 16.7% 0.36
11. Kevin Cash NYA AL 2009 1 16.7% 0.36
12. Alex Rodriguez NYA AL 2009 2 12.5% 0.28
13. Ramiro Pena NYA AL 2009 1 7.1% -0.50
14. Hideki Matsui NYA AL 2009 3 6.1% -1.54
15. Nick Swisher NYA AL 2009 2 5.6% -1.87
16. Mark Teixeira NYA AL 2009 3 5.6% -2.80
17. Johnny Damon NYA AL 2009 2 4.3% -3.05

Brett has hit into a DP once every 8 opportunities.

[72] his dwelling on a previous game/play/person/etc is one of his most annoying qualities to me

least a run scored but damn these dps

Well that inning fell apart.

If the Yankees keep letting Sowers off the hook, they'll regret it. Meanwhile, it would have been nice to see Jeter on the move.

Swisher hitting second was bound to be a rally killer. Hurry back, X.

bleh.

1 run from 1st and 3rd, nobody out.

well, earlier in the year, we wouldn't have managed that, so i guess i'm not complaining

Viagra and Blimpie .... that's SOME demographic cluster to shoot for ...

Take that, Angel skeptics!

how slow is swisher? how did he not beat out that play?

I thought the streak was done on that play.

[86] I was surprised by that too...Swisher isn't slow, but he simply doesn't get down the line.

[84] I'm highly disturbed with any drug that causes "flushing!" I would actually have to take drugs to go to Citi Field though, so there you go!

: )

de-FENSE!

Ugh... what the heck was Joba thinking, kicking his ankle out towards the path of that grounder? Jeter with another play up the middle-- who is this shortstop, and what has he done with the Cap?

He took forever to call strike two on Shoppach. I was getting worried.

Why does the most storied franchise in American sports have such poor lead play-by-play men? Kay is doing a commercial for his radio show while a game is going on in the background. Flaherty seems like he wants to walk out of the booth.

[89] If you take the drug in Flushing, you'll be at Citi Field before you know it!

[57]

I still think he is special tonight ....

Best innings of the year for Joba:

1. Third inning tonight
2. Second inning tonight
3. First inning tonight

Sweet. Once he starts spottin' that fastball a little better, look out!

[57]

I'm all for Kay plugging his show as long as it gets under the skin of "that other one" that YES insists on dedicating 5 hours a day to

I've decided I like Kay better when I can see him. I'm not sure why that is.

David Pankin sounds like Joe Pesci ...

[93] Flaherty never sounds happy to be with Michael Kay.

Where have you gone Jim Kaat-io? A fanbase turns its lonely eyes to you.

All this team needs is a booth of Kaat, Singleton and maybe an alternating third guy. Kaat and Singleton could even alternate PBP and color duties.

[93] Kay has been hyping his show during gamecasts a lot lately. It's not special, that's probably why. I don't blame Flaherty, but I have to wonder when YES will actually say something to him about it...

[94] Good looking out in last thread about Mr. Morgan. I hate when my fingers and brain don't mesh.

[102] Flaherty never sounds happy period.

[94] Badumching!

http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/153272/?tag=City%2520Wok

i think flaherty is great, probably the best guy they have now, although i like singleton's voice

[100] Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?

Jesus, that sea gull thing is freaking weird.

When the booth is Kay, Leiter and O'neil its very good. Kay may ask an interesting question or two and both Leiter and Paulie have a lot of fun with him.

man, this ump loves the ankle-high strike

Hey Tokyo Jazz...looks like you'll have access to games for the next six years. From MLB.com:

"The renewal with Dentsu will run through the 2015 season and will make the television and radio rightsholder in Japan the longest-running MLBI media partner. Television networks that will air MLB games in Japan during the 2009 Championship Season per rights granted through sub-licensing agreements with Dentsu include Japan Broadcasting Corporation, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television Inc., Fuji Television Network Inc., TV Asahi Corporation, TV TOKYO Corporation and J SPORTS Broadcasting Corporation".

I bet Joba hired those birds.

They need one of them bird dogs or two out there. I'd rather see a couple of romping hounds in the outfield than seagulls.

The seagulls are descending upon right field because the stadium is built on either a landfill, or a seagull burial ground.

[107] Singleton does well with better company.

[10] No problem. He irritates me almost in a Stepin Fetchit way, but I cannot be sure because I don't watch him often enough to say that with confidence. Being that he's from the Bronx, I'm sure he's a swell guy >;)

Again, the Yankees will seriously regret not pounding Sowers.

Nice takeout slide there by A-Rod...

[116] that was for [104]

[113] Hired the gulls to eat the midges.
[114] Wants dogs to chase away the birds.

I don't like where this is headed. A few more games and we'll have Siberian tigers being chased off by velociraptors...

[118] At this point, I don't want Arod doing anything like a hard slide to break a DP.

[120] Don't forget the robots...

[122]

Futurama "Blernsball" anyone?

Wow, Joba has them kinda scared.

Cabrera bunts the ball poorly and then jogs to 1st...if I was an Indian fan that would absolutely infuriate me.

All part of the plan. : )

that pitch just proved that Joba has to be in the pen

Hysterical.
Where's Youkalis???

Someone should send that tape to Youkilis.

Wheeewwwww. (On the breaking ball K)

I like Gardner better now that I heard him speak with a southern accent, for some reason.

Michael Kay's call on that fly ball in the first was funny.

The announcers seemed to be pimping for Joba to the pen early on. Not so much now.

I noticed during another game that Joba always seems to be talking to Sabathia and Hughes to Pettitte. Seems about right.

Yeah, Joba and Jorge are on the same page, except for both times Jorge has called for 3-2 fastballs, and Joba shook him off.

Pop goes the weasel.

OK .... kinda special ....

The location on that pitch was ... unfortunate.

Damn.

I really don't like the way this game is playing out.

[132] At least we now why now...

Flaherty is fooling himself to think that the location was not that bad. Oy.

[139] It wasn't good, but it wasn't out over the plate -- inside edge.

Not a very good throw from Posada...Joba can't unravel now.

Yikes...that was an AWFUL slider.

DeRosa is a key batter, for sure.

The fastballs to Peralta were all 91mph...hopefully not a bad omen.

When Flaherty said "... then you give up a bunt base hit..." I did a double-take -- I was sure, for a moment, that he called it a "butt-faced hit".

NASTY.

I guess Joba's okay. Nothing like a backward K to spruce up a pitcher.

Nice... but am I seeing things or does the ump have a wide zone tonight?

I really, really hate Melky bunting with Berroa and Gardner coming up.

[140] It looks like it got more of the plate than that. It was on the inside part, sure, but it caught more plate than just the edge.

[148] Looks pretty legit to me.

Whats with all the bunts? Does the infield have unusually high grass or something?

Has Melky ever gotten a bunt base hit? I mean I like the idea in theory but geez.

If the Yankees lose a close it game, Berroa being in the lineup will be even harder to swallow.

These are the types of games you HAVE to win.

I'd like to see the Yanks not lose two in a row, in general.

cripes

Pastadivingrobbie

this is about to get annoying

Melky has 6 bunt basehits in 24 non-sac bunt attempts in his career

[156] Yeah, me too. A team that never loses two in a row is probably going to win 120 games.
I guess that's not realistic, though.

Can't quite understand the slider when Carroll was way behind the fastball. This what makes Joba frustrating at times.

wow what a play

Wowzers!

that was awesome/unbelievably terrifying

Please tell me he didn't dislocate his shoulder!!!

Byootiful!!

Whewwwwwwwwww (exhaling that Joba gets up from that without a shoulder injury)

Jim Kaat and all his Gold Gloves is smiling somewhere ....

I had visions of Cone in KC back in 2000

That was an awesome play, but the best part was Jorgie screaming at Joba to get up and throw.

When Mariano did that he looked way more athletic.

[166] no doubt - or concuss himself when his chin bounced on the field

Wow, Joba! What a catch! What a play!

Now that's what I call a belly-flop...

This kid has pitched VERY few innings of HS/College/Professional ball. He is going to be a great pitcher! (And great catch!)

I think the groundscrew may want to check the turf where Joba landed, between innings .... make sure its OK. :-)

I'll give that dive a 9! Too back the Red Sox judge gave it a 6.5...

: )

WOW.

bad even

Hopefully that inning, combined with the top of the order due up in the 6th, will get the Yankees going.

granted it was a throw-out but bice throw jorgie -
now please score some runs off this guy

Thank goodness, he didn't hurt himself. He will be sore tomorrow.

If CC had done that, a sinkhole would have spontaneously formed.

When Kelly Shoppach came up bunting, how many people believed that Cabrera could possibly lead off next inning?

I think I just felt the earthquake here.

[177] Worm Killer Jr.?

I felt the Earth shake from here in Tennessee!

: )

Here we go.

Just what they need... another lake in Cleveland!

: )

[184] Fat Man & Little Boy! The Bronx Project! Atomic Bombers (this is fun!)

Beautiful.
Here we go.

It was SuperJoba flying.

Promising start to the inning.

[186] A 5.4 on the Joba scale.

Greetings all, how does Joba-licious look today? I see his pitch count is not out of control..

Dare I say this is a big AB for Alex?

[196] Three spectacular innings, then a mistake to Martinez in the fourth, and a wonderfully spectacular diving play on a bunt to squash a rally in the fifth.

[196] Very, very good. Perfect through three, then Martinez went yard and a bunt hit and a walk looked like trouble, but really good since.

well, this appears to be a promising inning

c'mon alex!

Boy, this is fun.
It reminds me of Kyle Farnsworth!

[196] I believe you will see for yourself on BBTN. Can you say Webgem?

Aw, leave him in. I haven't soured on Jeremy yet.

of course, it always comes down to alex, but tonite it is especially befitting ...

all you punners out there have really missed out on a lot of sours quips here

[196] hi ok jazz - joba has looked good - had a pefect game through 3 2/3 - then made a mediocre pitch to martinez for a hr, then had a bit of a interesting inning last inning when he had some runners on base til he made a crazy belly flop ctach of a bunt and doubled up the guy at 2nd

If A Rod comes through here, I'll be stoked. If he hits into a DP or strikes out I will worry that his rebirth as Mr. Clutch was but an illusion ... It's been a while since one of his Arodian big hits.

[196] You missed Joba pastadiving last inning, only it didn't get pasta him and he started a great double play, thinks to Jorge yelling at him...

And if Joba doesn't make that catch, it's bases loaded, no out. BIG play.

There's that swing and miss I know so well

If they don't score...

Ouch.

horseshit call

[205], see [203].

Dang, A-Rod.

well at least it wasn't a DP

I thought A Rod was over swinging at breaking balls low and outside? Apparently not.

Shit. That pitch fooled me too.

No problem. This is a Jorge Situation.

i dont think he threw a real strike in that at bat

Oh Christ...

Un-f%^&ing, believable.

Frak!

this is feeling very Aprilish

[217] Or not.

[213] nicely done

for chrissakes you have got to score this inning team

How was that not a DP?

I guess Jorgie didn't juice one there..

Perfect situation for Rob.

Wow. Jorge's DP yesterday suddenly seems like part of a trend. What a terrible job.

Or not.

jesus that was an awful 3 abs

(no words)

I really freakin' hate wasted bases loaded, no outs situations.
^&#%@&!@#^$@!(&@!#!@$#!!!!

Love the first pitch swinging by Posada and Cano, with a wet behind the ears kid on the mound and the f***ing bases loaded.

The momentum in this game has been careening all over the place...and now it is squarely back in the Indians court.

That's just an awful job by the Yankees...this game should have been won in a blow out and now they will have to battle to get a win.

That was...disappointing.

[230] No... Robbie hit that really well. He seems to always center the ball.

[233] A-Rod should have swung at his first pitch, actually.

Jorge and Posada made A Rod's AB look brilliant.

Awful, terrible, anemic, ridiculous, [insert inept analogy here]...

crepe...

[234] I don't think you understand the concept of 'momentum'.

[233] Er.... Greg Aquino is 31 and has been in the majors for five years, including part of a season spent as the D-Backs' closer.

Lame.

[235] I elect you our official spokesperson.

[241] Explain it then.

[238] Jorge and Posada, both?

[234] Momentum??? I thought that went out with strikeouts-are-worse-than-regular-outs, team chemistry, and the like.

[237] Maybe. The problem wasn't that pitch, it was the second strike.I say take pitches with the bases loaded and no outs. Don't help the pitcher.

omfg.

No other comments necessary.

[245] 'Momentum' means that a team doing well keeps doing well. That's why they call it 'momentum'. When the teams flip back and forth doing well, that means there's no momentum.

[247] Have the robots taken over already?

well joba's got some extra giddyup tonight

[248] I know what you mean. Still, A-Rod hurt himself by taking that first pitch.

Tex! Marvelous play.

[244] If nominated, I refuse to run. If elected, I refuse to serve.

[233] So they should have swung at the first pitch???

[253] That's the problem sometimes with having "a plan" - you can miss opportunities.

Huh. Even the blind squirrel occasionally finds the nut.

[250] That's fine...I have no problem with that. But, I don't agree that momentum can sway. There are two sides to the game after all.

ESPN says that last pitch was 97. Joba doesn't even look like he threw that hard.

[236] you are right oyf - robbie had a good swing, but poor outcome - i was just pissed at the sequence and arod and po's abs were crap

[251] I don't know about robot, but I do think the concept of "momentum" in sports is at best over-referenced and at worst silly. If by "momentum" you mean that the Indians made the last big play, then I guess the Indians have it. For whatever that is worth.

[257] Totally agree.
[259] Don't follow you.

[62] Good pitching!

ToastandingJeter.

DEFENSE > offense. Weird.

After tiptoeing around Martinez the first two, giving up two long fly balls, Joba goes right at him with some serious cheese. Attaboy.

[262] It might be over referenced, but it sure isn't silly. I know these guys are professionals, but you can't tell me that the events of a game don't impact what's to come, even if only slightly. For example, if the Indians score 2 or 3 runs, I wonder if Sowers nibbles around the top of the order?

[259] Absolutely. Momentum changes, otherwise no-one would ever notice it. The Yanks had it after Joba's gymnastics, then completely gave it back with three crappy ABs. This is not scientifically defined momentum, it's sports momentum. It does what it wants.

Hey look at Joba go! Keep him in the rotation!!!

[260] Wow, Gameday pitch f/x says 98, 98, 97, 96 on the four fastballs to Martinez.

[269] well it is almost the 8th inning

[263] You seem to be saying momentum only exists if is long and sustained. I think it can go back and forth, especially because you have a defense and an offense.

angel berroa best not be on deck

"Jeter is quietly second in the American League in RZR"
I know UZR... but not RZR. But really, if Jeter is 2nd, I have questions. Not a rank on Jetes... but 2nd? In range?

[273] Look at the list of AL shortstops.

well flash just said the momentum shifted :}

Hasn't that big Asian batboy graduated from college, yet? I still remember Randy Johnson sweeping the dugout for him. Assuming they're the same person. : )

I believe in momentum more in a situation like a playoff series than I do in one game

[262] Agreed.."momentum" sounds very Phillipsian to me.. (Steveie SilverHair is my new nemesis..watched the dodgers-cubs game yesterday morning here, he was just shockingly putrid as an analyst..)

Run

[271] What does 'momentum' mean to you?
To me, the whole point of calling it 'momentum' is to draw on the analogy with physics. The team that's doing well tends to keep doing well. If it keeps flipping back and forth, that's by definition not momentum.

Where was this last inning? Oh wait, the Yankees swung at two first pitches.

alrighty, ramiro to run ... damon to hit?

please???

[273] Yeah I guess RZR has its problems, but it's the first fielding metric I check. fangraphs.com has UZR/150. Jeter is middle of the pack in that, which is still much better than every other season.

Q: Why are quantum physicists so poor at sex?
A: Because when they find the position, they can't find the momentum, and when they have the momentum, they can't find the position.

Okay, Girardi is a genius ... Starting Berroa so that he can PH with Matsui, then pinch run with Pena? Brilliant!

Is that a mocking, Daryl-style "Gardner" chant?

[280] potential momentum

[280] Even in physics, momentum can be reversed suddenly, so I am not sure why it can't in sports psychology? To me, momentum in sports is a "good feeling" that is more condusive to doing well. I think that good feeling (or lack of a bad feeling) can impact the next play, but that doesn't mean it can't be reversed.

[284] You so CRAZY!

[287] Pomentum?

I'm sure glad we sent in a pinch-stand there.

Please run on this pitch.

Oh, okay, if you don't intend 'momentum' to be anything that affects the play of the game, then I have no problem with it.

Pena deprived of his steal!

[284] LOL.

And why don't Southern Baptists believe in having sex standing up?

It might lead to dancing.

[291] Now maybe Girardi will put on the hit-and-stand-there for Jeter.

[293] Everything that takes place on the field affects the play of the game, so I am not sure what you mean.

Take a strike...then send the runners.

[280] See 268. It explains everything. You do realize you are challenging term very widely used in sports? It's not like william made it up, a lot of people buy into it. If your challenge is purely on semantic grounds, I'd say this is the English language, and this is sports terminology (or whatever passes) ... Just walk away ; )

[296] He usually reserves that for a slow guy on the bases and a big strikeout threat at the plate.

[297] Huh? Momentum takes place on the field of play?
I don't know what *you* mean.

Here comes a double play.

wow can we please have a different outcome this inning fellows

OK, bases loaded, one out. You have to score here. It's a must.

Well, anyway, since momentum has a mass component, Joba can affect it a lot more than a normal-sized pitcher.

When at first you don't succeed......C'mon, Swish. Find a gap somewhere for cripes sake!

the correct answer to the question "what is momentum" as it regards baseball is AJ Burnett.

[301] oh shit will, you gonna let him keep that momentum???

[299] I don't follow you.
I know what 'momentum' means. It means that the team that's doing well tends to keep doing well. This is what I've said about three times now. This is what it means in sports language.

Why does it matter that lots of people believe in it?

[301] I'll sum it up this way...if the Yankees don't score this inning, I will propel my fist with incredible momentum.

Isn't there a Fire Department "maximum occupancy" for the mound? :-)

[310] Into whom?

[310] With you on that.

[312] To be determined.

[307] why, are cream pies involved in momentum?

A handy water cooler, maybe.

They should call in Dave Winfield to deal with the seagulls.

Ben Francisco is in Birds. Get him a phone booth

Gap. Wall. Whatever.

That was a momentous hit by Swisher!

It's a Swish swat!

oh swisher - thank you you goofy goofball

Wow, that was amazingly cathartic.

lf deked me out

Woohoo!

That's good for us...

oh ye of little faith ...

and alex gets another chance.

Ohhhhhh.....

Make them pay, Alex.

[310] that was perfect..still trying to guess your secret identity William. down to these choices:

Rudy Guiliani
Ludacris
Patti Lupone
Keith Olbermann

Swish missed a granny by about 12"

[324] You and Michael Kay.

[321]

Carefully how you pronounce that.

YayyYYyyyyYYY Swish!!

Attaboy Spanky!

[329] That's some group...don't think you'd see them in the same room at once, so I guess I could be all four of them. Schizophrenia can be very liberating.

[315]
Momentum? Momentum is the next day's starting pitcher.

- Earl Weaver

smart guy, that Earl ...

oh boy vizcaino

[336] Or, the next pitcher to come out of the bullpen.

merely a hit here, alex.

nice and easy.

[332] LOL. Michael Kay might butcher it, but I shan't.

if vizcaino doesn't give up a grand slam, momentum is back with cleveland

[338] Which leads me to the ultimate definition of MOmentum...Mariano.

[336] d'oh - of course - except that momentum is not so thrilling as cream pies

[342] Amen.

That wasn't "just" outside. It was in the other batters box.

[309] I would push this definition further: in sports language "momentum" means more than that the team doing well tends to keep doing well. Rather, there seems to be the belief that there is some vague force, some invisible hand--momentum--that actually makes a team do well. Thus, the losing team must "seize momentum" to prevent the other team from continuing to do well, and of course to allow themselves to play better.

Seizing momentum usually means making a good play or scoring or the like. So, when one looks at it, momentum basically boils down to playing well. Ergo, translating sports language yields "playing well helps a team play well."

Thus, my claim that momentum (in sports language) is essentially a meaningless term.

yeah my friend asdrubal

Clutch!

Stupid base running, but I'll take it.

Pastadivingadsrubal!!!

Yay, A-Rod!
D'oh, Tex!

Damn Arod...even when he gets a hit with the bases loaded he still manages to make an out.

Tex throws a wrench in the momentum machine.

Am very happy right now.

we could use a little Po-mentum here

[347] Pasta Divingasdrubal. Hmm.
No thanks, I'll just have that spaghetti bolognese, please.

[349] [355] Oh. man, mehmattski. Too quick for me.

His ass is drubbling behind him ...

[346]

Having said all that, this robot is quite satisfied that the Yankees appear to have seized the momentum.

[358] As a robot, you'll need to start focusing on controlling the velociraptors [120] , [122].

[359] Very gratifying. My comments have a reach of well over 200 future comments. This is what I strive for but rarely achieve.

[360] Was the comment made that long ago? I guess the momentum of this thread really picked up when we started discussing, well, you know.

[309] I just mean that if you don't think the sports version of momentum hews closely enough to the physics version, you are fighting an uphill battle. And as I said back in [268] momentum in sports is all about who has it, but no-one always has it, so by definition there are momentum changes large and small, within a game and over a series. The only reason momentum in sports is a topic is because momentum changes.

And the original statement by william was just an observation of those changes within this particular game. Nothing controversial there, especially with Joba doing the belly flop, etc.

That was a "veteran" play by Pena.

Another hallucination of Youkalis batting.

[335] I think you mean "multiple personality disorder"

[362] Fine, but what precisely is IT? Is sports momentum a force that compels a team to play better? If it is constantly shifting, what is shifting exactly? How does one get it? Can one make a conscious effort to get it, or does changing momentum just happen?

Or, is the term simply (as I have argued) just a short hand for "one team plays well for a while, then the other team plays well for a while"? If so, then the term itself is historical (describing what has happened) rather than predictive (suggesting what will happen), and as such it's not very useful.

[365] What are you talking about? I didn't write [335].

[363] Not in sports language. In sports language it's "schizophrenia". We aren't psychiatrists.

;)

[368] Damn, that was supposed to refer to [365].

I missed much of the game. Are we still errorless?

[366] momentum is a wonderful predictor ... in hindsight

[368, etc] Youse all too deep for me..my cat's breath smells like cat food..

Great job Joba, now let's see...someone...then Mo close it out!

[370] Only on the field. Teixeira made a bone-headed error on the base paths...

[366] I'll explain it from my playing experience. Momentum is created when on team starts doing a lot of things well or a few things extraordinarily. That creates confidence, which leads to less pressure which leads to being able to perform without distraction. The momentum can change, however, if the other team starts doing things well, or if you start doing things poorly. It isn’t exact…it isn’t measurable…but it is a feeling you have and it can definitely impact your performance.

[368] Right. We are Legion...

10 walks, welcome back to the way we used to win games. Great game so far.

Melky has had some very good swings/ABs. It looks like there are no ill effects from the time off.

[370] If they wanted to go for an obscure pun, and who doesn't, they could have Jordin Sparks throw out the first pitch after they break the record...

[366] Well the idea is that you create momentum for your team or yourself by changing whatever the status quo currently is, whether the other team has momentum, or the game is just bogged down in a kind of stasis. The first comment by william is indicative of the nature of it, and I've explicitly stated it as a follow-up: Momentum is generally talked about at or in reference to the moment that it is grabbed by one team or another. It's the change in momentum that's of interest.

And I think what it is - to answer your question hahaha - is sort of what you say, that it basically means playing well, but it's more about getting that one good play that sets off a series of other good plays. I think it's a matter of confidence increasing based on some exceptional moment and all that goes with that - usually continued success (until the next change).

You see this in basketball all the time, when teams go on runs, back and forth.

I'd be losing my mind if my team issued eleven walks.

[374] If this is the case in ay meaningful sense, shouldn't it be measurable and observable (empirically)? Also, as you describe the process, how can you tell that the good feelings/confidence is encouraging subsequent good play, rather than simply good play itself leads to good feelings?

The way you describe it sounds a whole lot like "team chemistry".

Hey.. We got 4 runs on 1 hit... a single. Now, the 11th walk.

[374] Jinx!

[378] Ohhhh.... I get it.
Took about sixty seconds.

That was stupid

[378] I don't know about that particular pun, but I would have Chuck Knoblauch throw out the first pitch....

BUT WHO WILL PITCH THE 8TH????

[382] Swisher's double doesn't count??

[381] Of course it's measurable, but the brain is a complicated thing, even more so a group of brains working to one common goal. I don't think science has figured it out yet, but I'm not up on my neuroscience either. Maybe this has all been laid out nice and empirical already.

[381] I don't see why. Is confidence real? Is love real? Can we really quantify those things?

Your second part lost me...Good play leading to good feelings is what I am saying.

i didn't think we would still be talking about momentum fter i stepped away for a few minutes, but since we are - i think hawk hits on a lot of points in [379]

to me basketball is the most likely sport (at least that i watch regulalrly- maybe you see it in a back and forth game like tennis too) to see momentum shifts - such as someone hits a buzzer beater at the end of the 1st quarter and then the team swcores a lot of points to begin the 2nd quarter, etc.

Please tell me someone missed a sign again.

[379] My last swat at the dead horse--

I don't see how a bb team that goes on a run has "momentum." A "run" is simply a series of good plays by one side. In a game like bb, with a whole lot of possession, this is bound to happen. And indeed, the good plays may be related (you score, which allows you to set up a press, which leads to a turnover, etc.). However, I don't see that there is any force that urges subsequent good play. There is no "thing" to be held or seized by one side or the other. I still contend that "momentum" boils down to little more than a description of past events.

[387] Swisher...

That bunt play was amazing. Either Girardi is losing it or he has lost control of his young players ... Rebellion!

[390] That reminds me, anyone remember Digital Underground's "Sex Packets"?

joba will pitch the 8th you moron :}

[393] It just seems crazy to discount people's mental state directly affecting their performance. I mean literally, kind of nuts - no offense!

To back up [393], I think basketball is actually a great illustration of how watchers of sports can see patterns that aren't really there. Everybody, and I mean everybody, who watches basketball thinks that players sometimes get a "hot hand". But it's not true. Player's are not better at shooting given that they've made eight out of their last ten, than they are given that they've missed six in a row.

That was really a bad inning.

JOBA IN THE 8TH!

Midges!!!

Mike Francessa gets his wish!!!!

Joba's going to be pitching his own eighth innings from now on.

Who's that kid at short?

Jeter is having a great all around game

Showoff...

[399] Again, I disagree. I think a "hot hand" is confidence, which leads to better execution. A shooter who makes a couple of shots will usually catch and shoot immediately, whereas one who has missed a couple might hesitate, giving the defender time to close or perhaps putting his shot off balance. In this example, past performance has impacted future results...in other words, momentum has been created.

I think the disconnect is you seem to defining momentum has a "super natural" force, while the Pro-Mo crowd is simply defining it as a force of human emotion.

i'm sure the yanks would much rather return to their bandbox than stay at animal planet

[381] We may or not be able to quantify love, etc. but IF good play leads to good feelings which in turn leads to additional good plays, that should be empirically observable and measurable.

I did not make my point about good feelings clearly. You seem to be making the case, from your experience playing, that good feelings lead to subsequent good play (this = momentum). I question whether you are confusing cause and effect--do good feelings actually *lead* to good play?

It's the same argument applied to team chemistry. Do teams win BECAUSE they have team chemistry, or do they have (allegedly) good team chemistry because they are winning?

[391] Again, surely such events are measurable. Has anyone done a study on teams making shots in the last few seconds of a quarter, followed by going on a big run in the subsequent quarter? I suspect that such events are anecdotal, and a legitimate study would show no such correlation.

[409] I have to say, I've never been to Cleveland, but it certainly looks like some Biblically plagued city at this point.

The Yankees are playing great defense...and Mark Teixeira has been a huge part of it. The upgrade from Giambi really can't be underestimated.

Those midges would be enough to keep me from signing in Cleveland.

[408] Oh, but it's just empirically false. This isn't something that can be settled by intuition. It's an empirical question.

[390] Is Israel real?

[412] Absolutely. Tex creates defensive momentum.

wow, petey said joba has never pitched more than 7 innings
very good night for one joba chamberlain

[403] It's not the most effecive use of personnel!!!! He has a gift. UGH!

Man, Tex is sooooo freakin' good.

Sweet D.

Teix is real!

Hopefully this ends the Joba-to-the-bullpen talk forever.

nice to see Joba pitch like that, not even the midges could bother him tonite ...

[422] Only to the next start, OYF...

Sorry I'm late guys, but I just have to say that Joba's catch is one of the best, funniest things I've ever seen from a Yankee...That was beyond belly flop. Absofugginlutely awesome. I will NEVER tire of watching that.

Oh, and eight strong for Joba...suck on that Mike Franseca.

[422] merely a setback. soon enough everyone will see the light.

So Joba for the ninth, or just turn it over to Mo?

[410] I just don't think you can "measure" human emotions, so this is probably a fundamental philosophical difference.

[408] Perhaps. But this starts to sound like clutchiness.

For the record, I do not deny that past events influence subsequent events (that guy struck me out on a slider, so I looked for it the next AB and caught by a fastball). However, I think that it is misleading to call such cause-and-effect "momentum," since the term brings with it, wanted or not, connotations from physics.

Never mind, Mo's warming up.

[399] I don't understand that at all. No one amends their general opinion of a player based on a series of made shots. Saying some has a hot hand means they're doing particularly well at at that moment. They could just as well say "player x is shooting exceptionally well the last five minutes" but instead they say "hot hand" ... or whatever. Anyway I was talking about team runs.

[414] I have no idea how you can make that claim, so I'll have to refer you to [428].

[428] One doesn't need to measure human emotions, only the outcomes of those emotions. If "momentum" exists even as you describe it, there should be some measurable effect.

FYI, here's the story about the illusion of the hot hand (from the Frontal Cortex blog).

I'm glad I don't have my names backwards like Jensen Lewis.

Welcome back Swish

If Swisher could get hot....

Swish is a strong dude.

let's hope this means swisher has some momentum going!!!

[422] He has to go the pen though...assuming he is really on an innings limit...but, I know what you mean.

Lewis is trying to issue walk number 12.

[430] You could've said, "Never mind that shyt, here comes Mo!!" >;)

I was talking to Cliff the other day and he said that Teix coming to the Yanks was huger than huge. Said if he had gone to Boston it could have kept the power of the division with the Sox for years to come.

[432] Okay, well, you can read the science in the link I gave.

[443] The Seven Years of Famine thing, yeah... >;)

[443] would have made a huge difference for them for sure. they could have shifted youk to 3rd and assuming they didn't trade lowell platooned him with ortiz at dh

youkilis isn't going to be able to shift to 3rd much longer

I'm so out of it..Mike Francessa is one of the "Joba to the Pen" crew?? He's even a bigger blowhard than I thought..does anyone ilsten to him now that Mad Dog left??

So AB .... do you have good birthday momentum going?

[428] Don't undercut your own argument dude. Of course you can measure human emotions. All of these things can be measured, there is empirical data at the end of the rainbow! It's just that either A) No-one here reads about it (nor reads my posts about not reading about it) or B) No-one's bothered to do a neurological study of confidence on performance because ... well, it's obvious already it has an effect.

Seriously though, if they haven't done studies, they will someday but I gotta say it would be a little redundant for the purposes of this discussion.

[447] He is, by far, his own worst fan...

What happened to taking advantage of scoring opportunities?

Go Mo, make me forget about these lost chances ...

[433] Love leads to a better relationship...so how to we measure a better relationship? Minutes holding hands? Kisses? Number of arguments? I guess you could choose anything. The same could be said for measuring momentum, I guess, but I don't think it would be an worthwhile attempt because the impact is too pervasive.

[434] Interesting, but not convincing argument. In fact, the comments have some better points.

[450] Mad Dog has his own show now on the FAN? jeez, that would be a tough listen for more than 5 minutes...

Mariano..bring it like a Philly Joe Jones rim-shot!

[443] Considering the plight of Big Papi and the upcoming FA market, I think that is a spot on analysis.

Oh shit!

damn he is a gazelle

not too many pitchers can get their glove there that fast

Anyone's heart just skip a beat? Jeez, that was scary.

[452]

I believe the answer to the measure of a relationship is the square root of 69, namely ... eight something (ba-dum-bum).

That first pitch to Martinez was 96 on the YES gun, but 93 according to Gameday. Makes me feel a little less confident in Joba's velocity tonight.

OK T Jazz...

The DOg has his own show on Satalittle radio. Fat guy Mike is by himself and has been obsessed with the Joba to the pen thing. He's out of his bird and actually starting to sound like a bona fide nutter.

In other news, I got the beats, kid! Yo da MAN.

[459] "Love means nothing." -Rafael Nadal

[454] Uh. Okay. I think the data are pretty compelling, and the comments I read that disagreed are confused.
Besides Jonah Lehrer, there's Amos Tversky, who is most certainly the world's leading genius on this topic (he makes Bill James look like Joe Morgan). There's no such thing as a hot hand. It's an illusion.

[460] PitchFX had Joba at 93-97 all night. It has Mo had 93mph consistently. I think that's excellent velocity for both pitchers.

[459] Wow...

[452] That's a weak analogy. Sports present pretty clear criteria for measuring. But perhaps it is as you say: pervasive and unmeasurable, thus essentially undetectable, which would seem to bring the whole discussion more or less back to my original point. We'll just have to agree to disagree: you can choose to invoke the invisible, unmeasurable, all pervasive entity. I will not.

Momentum is just what you did in your last AB, inning or game.

No doubt about this Mo, anyway.
Buenos noches!

jesus what a sight

mo is unreal

Yay!

That's a nice Mo-Bow on the Joba start. CLappity-clap.

[465]

That one has been around for a while .... its a math geek joke.

Mo be praised.

Yay! First place again :). I'm almost scared to say I feel good about this team. Working walks, great pitching, great fielding. Dare I say this team looks more like the dynasty teams than any we have seen since 2003 or 2001?

this game was delicious

Wooo! Good game all. My momentum is carrying me to bed. p=mv ftw!

[463] The biggest problem with that study is it likely treats all events as being equal, which is what one would assume if they didn't think human emotion came into play. For example, I would not consider a shooter hitting three shots over 8 minutes in a blow out to be the same as a shooter draining three straight shots during an 10-0 run. There are tons of more variables to consider. In other words, as presented in the linked article, the argument is far from convincing.

Dare I say this team has taken off since A-Rod returned, and thus gave Tex some protection in the lineup?

Now, THAT's how to end a game in style. VERY slick, Mo.

It's my birfday, it's my birfday.

LOL

Now, for my just desserts...(exisit Groucho stage left)

[466] I will say - for the third time - it absolutely is measurable, and what's more has probably been measured. If not, it will be at some point, once the technology is there. Brain functions are physical and thus measurable, each and every last one of them.

Wow. Those teams on that list aren't exactly world beaters.

Meanwhile in Arizona, the D'back cleanup hitter tonight is Stephen Drew, he of the .211, 2 HR, 15 RBI line.

[461] won't be podcasting either Mike or the Dawg, that's for sure..

Nice, in time for the B-day, enjoy!

First Place..how sweeet it is!

[480] I dunno... did you mean to read like you were yelling there?

[480] I agree that such emotions are measurable. I am simply conceding to William's definition of "momentum", which is that it is not measurable or detectable, yet all-pervasive.

[483] I've never listened to Russo's show, but I can't imagine its anything less than a total trainwreck.

At least Fat Mike has some sort of base of knowledge to work with. Russo's show must be his shtick with golf and tennis sprinkled in, because he's useless at anything else.

Woohoo! Great series win!

G'night all!

: )

[485] Well I told him he shouldn't say that cause it undercuts his argument, but he didn't listen to me. Speaking of which that's why I used bold because I have been giving you guys gold - gold I tell you! - for the better part of two hours but I keep reading posts that seem ignorant of this fact! So no, [484] it's just to et attention.

[477] It doesn't "treat" the events as being equal. It tests the hypothesis that they are equal.

If the shooter's draining three shots in a row over a 10-0 run did make it more likely that he'd make the next one, that would show up in the data. But it doesn't show up. So it doesn't make it more likely.
There is a very powerful illusion at work. It's very hard to shake. Once you learn about it, it should make you very wary of trusting your own 'common sense' or 'intuition' about these things.

[466] I think it's a perfect analogy, but I don't expect you to agree. That's fine with me...I am comfortable accepting that the human condition can't be reduced to statistical analysis, but am not fanatical about it.

With that, I just hope the Yankees can carry this momentum into tomorrow's game!

[490] And I want to see 500 comments before heading to lunch..it's the little pleasures in life, ya know?? First place, 500 comments and a take out from Omar the Turk around the corner...ahhhh....

[488] Hey, I can always use gold, Mr. Rockefeller. Back up the truck!

Just back from seeing the game at a bar. Very nice win.

One thing I notice: Joba seems to be using his slider to keep guys off balance rather than to put them away with a swing and miss. It seemed an extremely effective technique for him tonight.

500 comments? I'll help us get there.

[485] [488] Some human emotions are measurable now (like fear, for instance). Many, however, are not. When I say confidence can't be measured, I don't mean to suggest that will always be the case. But, it is the reality now, and that's the only one that is relevant at this point.

[489] But that's not momentum, nor is it what I consider a hot hand. Besides, hitting three shots in a row is a pretty impressive accomplishment, and in and of itself can represent a "hot hand". Also, by this definition, hitting three, missing one, hitting three, and missing one wouldn't be a hot hand.

Oh, and another thing: How fucking great is it to have a real first baseman, after all these years?

It's so nice to see someone at the position who's more like Mattingly and Tino than Steve Balboni.

It would be fun if the 500th comment turned out to be something immortal , like "Holla at ya boy, Jete!" If I recall, that was 100 spots from the 1 millionth comment on Toaster...

[496] re: First base defense.

Around a billion years ago, at the dawn of the internet, I posted a comment on the Yankees usenet group that one could argue convincingly that 1st base defense was more important than 3rd base: Same position geographically, but involved with so many more plays during putouts. For some reason this view was immediately dismissed.

In short, I agree with you -- a good 1st baseman makes a huge difference.

One problem with that article that was linked is right off the bat it ignores the fact that by hitting six shots in a row, the "hot hand" is already on display. When people make that reference, they're talking about what has happened more than anything else - it's not a prognostication: Hey this guy just hit six shots in a row therefore We can expect him to hit at least three more.

Holla at your boy, Jazz! >;)