Yanks look to stay hot this afternoon against the Jays. It is a blazing summer day here in New York. Joba is on the hill for the New Yorkers. He will look to be more efficient this time around.
Let’s Go Yan-Kees!
Monday
January 6, 2025
Since 2002
"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver
--Earl Weaver
Albaladejo called up. So that means the replacement starter is someone already on the 25 man roster, no? But who--Hughes, Aceves or Tomko?
[1] or they make a 2nd move before the start ... they could dirt nap Tomko and bring Mitre up, fer instance
urge ... to ... kill ... rising
[3] that's Girardi, as relayed by Petey
Shoulder Bursitis is not a good diagnosis for Wang or the Yankees... not at all...
[3] I see no problem with anything Girardi says there. Folks really like to rail on him for his bullpen usage but the pen has been lights out which is an indicator of good pen management.
[6] Well, except that Hughes is the best starting pitching option that you have right now, for this year AND next. And what Girardi is saying in that statement is that not only is Phil Hughes NOT going to make his innings mark this year, they've essentially thrown the plan out the window for next year as well.
Very disappointing.
[3] [4] Yes, the words I hear coming from the Yankees, at least as reported by Pete Abe, are certainly causing my temperature to rise. I try not to be conspiratorial, but it makes you wonder if the repeated under-use of Hughes (two of last three appearances under 10 pitches) was designed to eliminate the possibility of moving him back into the rotation.
Whatver the case, with a rotation that includes Wang (well, not anymore), AJ, Andy Pettitte, and Joba (on innings limit), it now looks nearly impossible for Hughes to be worked back into the rotation.
This despite this from a report by Kepner on June 3:
Tex wins!
[9] He beat Youkilis by over 200,000.
[7] He didn't say anything about next year. I don't even see a hint of what he plans for Hughes next year.
The way the Yankees have things set up is kind of weird. They are 7 starters deep in the 25-man roster, yet will likely need to dip down for a Mitre of, heaven forbid, Igawa. If that's a long-term solution, it could be a problem.
Meanwhile, with the bullpen doing well and Wang on the DL, it almost seems absurd to even suggest that Joba should be in the bullpen.
[11] It wasn't said explicity, but Hughes stays in the pen and only gets 70-80 innings, you can throw out any chance of him making a significant amount of starts.
3-2 slider to the lead off hitter...ugh!
[11] The way they have handled Hughes this year has been bizarre (in my mind) especially considering how carefully they stuck to the plan with Joba.
[13] Yep. Hughes' permanent-temporary banishment to the BP is setting him up to be a ML starter...in 2011.
I can't take my eyes off the Wimbledon final. Just checked in briefly to see what Joba's doing -- I'll be back later.
In case anyone's interested:
Federer leads 14-13 in the fifth set.
Johnny Damon and his magical, magnificent left field routine.
[18] i get scared on fly balls to left now. what is up with him?
[16] i have game on laptop on mute. plus wimbledon on tv. engaging.
[19] I have no idea. I mean, he used to be a pretty credible CF, no?
Meanwhile, Joba just threw a 95 mph heater on 0-2 (according to the Rogers Sports gun). Yes, forget the slider once and a while and just throw the damn fast ball.
It seems like Joba has no control of a fastball over 91-92 mph. It could be that Joba is going to need to learn how to pitch without a great fastball, which is something he has probably never done before.
Hm A lot of pitches from Joba, who will probably go only 5 innings of so. Since Hughes was cleverly used only for only 8 pitches yesterday, he should be fresh for 2+ innings today. Then perhaps he could be used for 3+ on Thursday and thus be stretched out for his next time through the rotation.
That's the plan, right?
Championship point for Federer...
Federer wins!
Long single.
Federer wins! what a match!
[21] Pitch FX had that at 93.
[22] that very well could be.
[23] Aceves is probably first man out. Even though he has only throw a handful of pitches, I am sure they wont go with Hughes for 3 straight days.
[23] well, except that yesterday was the 1st time Hughes has pitched on consecutive days, I kinda figure they don't want him going 3 days in a row
then again, they seem to be throwing the plan out the window as they go along, so we'll see ...
[28] Ah.
Joba's command of number one so far this season for the most part has been, shall we say, "lacking?"
Congratulations on your first Yankees ASG start, Mark!
: )
[31] That's true (about consecutive days). Of course, if they had used him for two innings yesterday...
A right fielder with an arm like Rios is a great weapon.
Speaking of Russle Branyan (as are the Jays announcers), hittracker estimated his restaurant HR at 451'. That was a blast.
[34] That was part of the point I was making yesterday. Not only did it make sense to use Hughes for two innings to extend your coverage in the ongoing game, but it also would have preserved your bullpen for a Joba start. As it turned out, 12 innings would have used up the bullpen anyway, but we didn't know that in the 9th inning.
Greetings from Montana, Team!
I see we're on a bit of a hot streak. That's something.
It's nice to be in Montana, where it's blazing hot, too, and see that iconic image of the fire hydrant in summer and be reminded of where my home is. It's amazing here, but it's not home.
Has the game started yet?
Joba could use some runs.
Hey look, it's NOT Cano!
=)
Hey Weeping! Just how big is that sky there, anyway? : )
Zip - zip so far... Yanks have bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the first!
I am suprised the Captain didn't get a better read. That's Adam Lind out there.
1-0
: )
well, looks like we gave them a gift in return
blech.
Why the hell would they send Teixeira? I wonder if he did that on his own. Either way, it's an awful decision.
[35] Yeah, but his 92 OPS+ is not very weaponlike.
I get a lot of Jays up here, obviously. I think that Ricciardi is a pretty bad GM. At teh same time, they seem to be snake-bitten. Every time it looks like they have noce player (like Rios or Wells), he flakes out, and it makes it difficult for the team to get a critical mass of players having good seasons at the same time. For example, this season Wells in 30, Rios is 28 and Hill is 27. Had their careers gone as predicted, this would be a pretty nice line-up with the addition of Lind and good seasons by Rolen and Overbay.
2-0
=)
2-0
: )
[39] Your wish is the Yankees command
[45] unacceptable!
Wow...what an awful call by the umpire. He has to notice the ball wasn't in the glove.
[45] Maybe he felt that it had been too long since the last boneheaded Yankee baserunning blunder.
Bad call. Ump is blind!
i see robi is in his rightful 7th place
Umps are teh suk...
[46] I'd definitely take a gamble on Rios, but his regression is curious.
[52] probably, as it has been far too long
C'mon Robbie!
Nasty, scary, evil ducks, eh Robbie?
Pfft!
meh.
[59] Yes, but no DP!
[54] Girardi claimed he was just trying to split the lefties and repeated the incorrect notion that he has been hitting in bad luck. By defiantly keeping Cano in the 5th slot for so long, Girardi has now created a dragon that Cano has to slay.
i'm with you on this mk - tomorrow should be a night game
i can olny imagine what coney has been up to
Is that the second Blue Jay runner picked off this series, in the same way?
Ha! Joba!
thanks, Vernon!
good job, JoPo!
joba is not mentally all the way there yet as a pitcher - which is not surprising - he is a young pitcher - i believe that is a lrage part of what we are seeing with him game-to-game
[38] Hey Weep, don't ask me how, but if you see a tall, lanky brotha calling himself Big Chan, tell him Chyll Will says whassup!
(Figure that as big as Montana is, there can't be too many places for people to be at unless they're mountain folk or militia >;)
Wells having his Ellsbury "moment"... with a bit of a different result of course...
: )
[67] for your consideration
Cody Ransom swings at 2-0 regardless of where the ball is.
[70] I saw that on RAB earlier in the week. I think it is a legitimate cause for concern.
Jetes!
I do like it when Jeter turns on the occasional pitch.
[70] thanks. that is telling - and by no means am i discounting the shoulder injury and the decreased velocity. but i also think there is something off with his approach - which of course could well be tied to the shoulder.
but he does seem unaware of what is going on sometimes.
Afternoon folks!
LOL @ "Granpa Captain Derek."
He's the oldest starting SS in the ASG since Luis Aparacio in 1971.
His pinstriped Rascal Scooter is on backorder...
: )
Hey //// Wakefield made the AS team .... good for him!
"Get offa mah lawn!" - Granpa Jeter
*shakes old decrepit fist*
[77] I don't know whether he "deserves" to start, but he is certainly a deserving all-star, notwithstanding reports of his demise.
Posada is cleaning up!!
HIP HIP!
Yay Po!
4-0 Weeping...
: )
jorgie making good use of the 5th spot
[82] some persistent dude was doing the hip hip chant the whole way from the 300 level concourse until we/he got outside yesterday
[80] Well if "60 is the new 40," we're in for some "treats" in terms of the quality of play in a decade or two...
: )
Yankees wind up with only three All Stars.
Lind can hit. In the outfield he is not so graceful.
Nerts. Missed it by thatmuch.
yoinks, 50+ pitches for Cecil, already ...
Swish can make this one a bit of a laugher early.
A blowout today would be most acceptable!
: )
Rats!
Nothing like a crisply players, briskly paced ball game.
How could Swisher take such poor pitches? Sometimes he "works" the count too much.
well, *that* was unacceptable
off to get coffee, i entrust this game into y'alls capable hands until i return
Oh well...
Let's see if Joba can get some length to this start.
*shrug*
This game is going to be agonizingly slow, isn't it?
I'm gonna watch the Williams Women, and probably comment over in the other thread.
Go Joba.
Later.
[94] ...played...
now you know why coney has been extra hyped up lately pj!
Joba's velocity is now at the 94-96 mph level.
[101]
must be the red cap
[101] Interesting...the Rogers Sports gun is reading basically the same speeds as before, certainly no uptick. I wonder if any of these speed guns can be trusted.
[101] But still nibbling.
[103] Pitch FX isn't a gun, but a series of measurement by camera. I think it is by far the most accurate instrument.
Codychrome .....
Joba can't let the Jays back in the game, especially by haning breaking balls. I just don't get why he doesn't take advantage of the lead and really pound the fastball. It's both frustrating and bewildering.
Um, I do not like the way this is going now.
this is not a godamn laugher path anymore
Just awful pitching by Joba...this game should be a blowout, but once again Joba has shown that he simply doesn't know how to pitch.
[107] Maybe that's why he doesn't keep pounding the fastball.
[107]
good call :-)
only 3 all stars? so Jeter, Tex, and Mo? No CC?
Joba was throwing 95 until a man got on base...then he started nibbling by throwing breaking balls and 92 mph fastballs. The Yankees need to get to the bottom of the problem.
[114] That sounds like windup v. stretch.
[111] That's what happens when you pitch carefully to everyone, but the one real power threat. Besides, it was a 92 mph fastball, not the 95 he was throwing two batters ago.
[114] No, the fastballs to Delucci were 92-93.
[100] Heh heh yep!
: )
[115] Maybe...then the Yankees need to figure out a solution. I think it's a confidence/fear issue. When he was up 4-0, he started letting it fly, but as soon as a man reached base, he retrenched. Whatever the reason, Joba needs to pick it up. Otherwise, it might make sense to swap Joba and Hughes sometime after the All Star break.
[117] Chavez was 94, 95, 96.
[119] Look, that's just wrong. Dellucci was the first batter he faced in the inning, and he was throwing 92-3mph fastballs to him. It's not a man-on vs. bases-empty thing.
[113] That's just for the starters. Though I thought pitchers and reserves were chosen by the all star managers, do I'm confused as to Mo being in there.
[120] Maybe he just didn't respect Joba so he simply was firing over the plate? In any event, it doesn't make sense why his velocity and command would vary from batter to batter unless the problem is in his head.
It never fails... Swisher could have "stepped on their throat" with a mere single on the two-out RISP AB last time making it 6-0, and now we have a ballgame...
Feh!
Joba is about fragile in the dome, really. He got way too deflated after hanging the breaking ball that made it 4-1. Is he so afraid of contact that he feels he has to nibble?
Wow!
[121] Maybe it's not that...so then, what explains why his velocity spiked to Chavez? I'd hate to think that's the only hitter he thinks he can overpower.
[122] The whole team has been announced...Yanks just have 3.
Okay, sorry, I'm not really paying attention, so I shouldn't be making confident-sounding pronouncements. I'm still watching the Williams sisters. But speaking of getting in someone's head, I see that Robinson is still just fine with the bases empty and still hopeless with RISP. How about hypnosis?
[122] Imperial Decree by Seligula?
Not running on 3-2? Why?
[128] et al.
I view the ASG sort of like I do the WBC: I don't care one whit about it, and only hap that players from my team don't hurt by participating.
[126] Ah, thanks. Didn't realize they did that all at once.
[130]...don't get hurt...
[172] "A duck once bit my sister... Mynd you, duck bites Kan be pretty nasti..." - Robbie Cano
: )
[127]*
i really don't think i can take hearing one more snetnce about this joba debate
[135] Turn the sound off. I've got it off at least until the tennis match is over (which could be very soon).
Sweet Jesu, watching this Joba is excruciating
Off to mow the lawn. Be back in an hour, so it'll be what, the 6th inning?
[136] i know - i should, but i like hearing coney.
now if they want to talk about why joba ends up in so many damn 3-2 counts, i would love to hear coney's take on that.
jd + sun = extra adventures
[137] I think we all need to seriously dial down our expectations for Joba. He simply no longer has ace stuff.
jesus christ - ransom is just absolutley NOT a major leaguer - poor guy i feel bad for him but he is not adequate
Ransom can't play 3B...why is he on this team?
oh dear, this has "one of those games" kinda feeling about it ...
Not Cody Ransom's finest game. Then again, playing defense behind the two starters today, it must be nearly impossible to keep concentration.
Okay, the Williams sisters have won, so I'm back. I get the impression from the comments that I may not be happy about it...
[140] I made my peace with that several games ago, but it's still excruciating to watch.
[143] sure the hell does
Yep.
There's no more tennis on, though...
[140][146] These are two separate observations. Whether Joba is destined to be an ace or a #3 or #4, he needs to speed up the pace and throw strikes. It's the pace and nibbling that is excruciating.
He hangs another slider to Chavez for god sakes. It's getting to the point that I hope Joba is injured because otherwise he simply isn't anything more than a 5th starter type. In this entire inning, he has pitched as if he is scared to come anywhere near the plate with his fastball.
[150] because otherwise he simply isn’t anything more than a 5th starter type.
That seems to be an exaggeration.
[149] I am quickly coming to the conclusion that Joiba nibbles because he knows he doesn't have the same stuff. Maybe if he does "just throw strikes" he'll wind up getting battered. It could be that his bend don't break quality is only made possible by his nibbling.
holy hell 3-2
whose throw day is this - burnett, cause we may well see him
Hm, the entire defense is sleepy.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yipes.
I think I'm going to go do something outside now. Hope we've got a big comeback in us today, but I won't be watching. It's too beautiful a day to watch this garbage.
for fuck's sake this is ridiculous
[151] A five inning pitcher with an ERA around 4.00 is a fifth starter in my book.
The Yankees have to stop being in denial about Joba. He isn't the pitcher he was in the past. At this point, I am more interested in establishing Hughes as a top of the rotation pitcher instead of Joba as a 5th starter.
oh my fucking god. this is just brutal. when i checked in, we were up 4-0. i've been catching up on all things baseball. Joba is killing me. christ almighty.
I was hoping Joba could milk his way through five, but that might be the end of the line there.
he has just completely lost it
This kind of start has been coming all season. Joba has somehow skated by despite some very troubling peripherals, but it has finally come him to bite the Yankees. With Wang down, I think the Yankees have to prep Hughes for the rotation and return Joba to the bullpen...not because he is better there but because he isn't good enough to start.
[158] A five inning pitcher with an ERA around 4.00 is a fifth starter in my book.
I guess your book is different from the book the rest of the league is reading.
Aaron Hill has 20 homers?
yes, let's get Hughes in the rotation...somehow. and get rid of Cody. bring Pena back, or something...
joba has already put 10 jays on base. : /
[163] Not the rest of the league, but good teams that consider themselves serious contenders.
and here's Albie...
OMG. i missed that fucking homer. jesus fuck! this is infuriating... : /
Joba could definitely use a nice hardy round of boos. He needs to get past his arrogance and figure out how to pitch.
8 runs, only 3 earned? cody's error proved deathly. maybe we should've let A-Rod play against the lefty and rested him tomorrow...
[170] Or just have Pena on the roster instead of Ransom.
Time to watch Tiger at Congressional...
Have a good afternoon everyone.
[164] and Adam Lind has 18. who knew?! : /
i liked your "Codychrome" name from before. GREAT song, terrible baseball player!
[171] i'm down with that.
Looks like the Yankees are about to throw in the towel in the fourth inning of a game they were winning 4-0.
[173] Adam Lind can hit. He has added a bit of pop this season. [164] Aaron Hill is playing out of his mind this season.
[175] well, let's give the offense a coupla frames to do their thing and try and get us back in this muthafucka...
So, does Joba spitting the bit mean the Yankees go into a shell against Brett Cecil?
[178]
Oh my goodness ... are you referencing this?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Turtle
It's Cheap HR Derby!
GODZILLA!!!!!!!!!!
yeah godzilla is on one of his streaks
Dammit Matsui...stop throwing in the towel.
[179] Very nice.
[180]
: )
[181] i thought it, i swear! shoulda typed it...
MATSUI-SAN!!!
Morrow got out of a jam in Beantown. M's still up 4-2.
william - check out my post in [177]. we can do thees!!! : )
[184]
well then ... well-played!
sweet Matsui!!!
omg what is up with that puppet?
Now remember Robbie, no one is one base.
[183] nice, mp!
wow, this game isn't even half over...
[190] que si!
I can't believe Gaston is sticking with his young starter...oops, here he comes.
We're headed for a 4.5 hour game here, arent we?
[183] Matsui doesn't pitch.
[186] The problem is we are probably 2 innings away from Ace, so the Jays are no lock to stay at 8.
[196] Ah, so when you say "Yankees about to throw in the towel," you really mean "Yankees pitchers'?
Checked the score and it was 4-0. Then 4-4. finally I get to watch and it's 4-8! Yanks hanging in there now 7-8, but how did it get to 4-8? Was it all Joba? I'm almost hopeful it was; he needed to take beating for once ...
OK, I'm back, lawn is mowed but still need to do the trim. I left in the top of the fourth, Yankees up 4-3, now it's only the bottom of the fourth, Yanks down 8-7?
Oy vey!
When did Cano get the lobotomy?
WTF with Cano running? Hasn't he been gunned down a couple of times recently?
man, you sure poked a badger with a spoon over at RAB, william ...
wtf was robbie thinking?
[203] please explain. are both you guys posting over there as well?
shit. sox w/ their 3rd solo shot. they're within 1 run also. 4-3 M's, bottom 6 (2 outs)
[198] No, I actually mean that Albaledejo was the "towel".
[205] of course ... and over at BBTF sometimes as well ... i'm afraid i'm just not programmed to be a Banter monogamist
Hm. Add defense to the towel-throwing brigade?
Wonder if this guy gets paid in shrubbery ...
http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=547820
Rios wasn't even running hard out of the box...it should have been a triple anyway.
jesus. what's with all the brain freezes? : /
[209] Damn dude you are a one-man sarcasm brigade!
Albaledejo, bringing the cheese and throwing int he towel!!
GREAT JOB, Towel thrower!
nice to hold them scoreless albie
Albaledejo pitched that inning like Joba should have...here it is, hit it.
Albie gently folding clean towels and gently placing them in the linen closet!
[214] Make that one-man battalion!
A 2-week vacation for Kay???? Yay!!!!!
Screw it...hit Arod now.
[214] i don't think you can bring cheese and throw in the towel at the same time
[213] We are all called to do our part, each to his own abilities.
wow, ball 4 looked right down broadway on gamecast. i guess Melky's AB from last inning doesn't count, but he saw a decent amount of pitches then, too. good job, Leche!
[222] Unless it's cheese cloth...yuk-yuk-yuk.
[220] amen to that -i could use a little mk break
it hurts *my* shoulder just to watch Ryan throw
and i'm right handed.
i really don't wanna see Cody here now...
[225] hardy har har and i knew you were a marxist at heart [223] :}
The only towels Albie is throwing are cold ones on the Jays offense!
[219] Usually RIYank is around with reinforcements, but he he seems to have retreated to Wimbledon.
coney and his "brain muscle"
=)
least no dp
poor cody is just pretty useless
Thank you for sending the runner.
c'mon Cap, tie this bitch up!
[233] Indeed, yes.
hell, i think i might send Melky here. prolly dumb, but what the hell...
The wind is blowing out today, I guess!
[235] TIE THIS!!!
Jeter Meter!!!!!
yes cap!!! more ys hrs!
I think the Yankee Stadium HR caper has been overblown, but this game has featured three balls that wouldn't have been out of the old place by simple distance alone.
i LOVE my Captain!!! : )
[232] I should have said "division"... Led astray by an ex-Marine no less
wow. 21 hits, 17 runs. only 1 out in the bottom of the 5th...
This game really brings home the point that there is no clock in baseball.
great AB, johnny!!!
my how far bj ryan has fallen
Some more runs here would be nice so the Yankees can try to skate by with one more inning from Albie before using their Ace in the hole.
[248] The Jays announcers just said the same thing more or less, in a bit nicer way.
[248] When he was a free agent, I recall people advocating the Yankees signing him so he could setup at the beginning of the contract and then take over for Mo by the end. Here we are all the time later and Ryan is a mop up guy and Mariano is still the best closer in the game.
[210] shrubbery?
I've seen him pitch here in Toledo, not bad, could be a decent middle relief guy + he's from Taiwan.
OK, it's now been an hour and it seems I was optimistic that we'd be in the sixth inning.
Why does it seem like only Teixeira's balls don't carry?
did Tex just miss that?
[254] Must have...I thought he got it.
[254] yeah
[251] yep, just really shows how amzing mo's longevity of greaness is
the jays have been employing a very extreme shift for tex - i haven't seen that that often - was i not paying attention before or is that new/just they jays?
man, I'd rather that Bill the Butcher was a friend of Steinbrenner's
yuck ... a "Boston Sucks" chant
[257] Some teams have employed a shift, but nothing as dramatic as the Jays. They do keep the OF straight away, however.
nice hit po and damon scores!!
Nice jump by Damon.
HIP HIP!!!
Damn really motored around there...both Rios and Hill have very good arms and there wasn't even a throw.
[263] Ah, there was a little bobble.
yeah, that Damon sucks, 4th OF is teh suck!!!111!!1!
HIP-HIP!!!
[257][259] I hadn't noticed a shift before the Jays, but I don't get too many games on TV.
Up 4-0
Down 8-4
Up 10-8
streaky game here
This game is shaping up to be a timeless classic.
[268] diane you know perfectly well that you just can't predict baseball :}
fat papi ties the game at 4. : /
[271] HR?
we're really making these Toronto pitchers work. me likey.
jesus christ why would you send po?
that is one of the first time i have questioned thomson
OK, I would have sent Posada with two outs, so I don't have a real problem with him getting thrown out. But that was one fugly play at the plate.
If Cano wasn't on deck, I'd get on Thompson for that send.
Caray and Buck Martinez as a team on TBS are completely unlistenable.
[269] if by timeless you mean it is 4pm est and this game is only through 5 innings then definitely
meh, not sure about *that* send.
[276] swisher, no?
did Kay just say ... "that was so phony ... it turned me on?"
or did i mishear that?
Early to the Ace? Hmmm...sounds like Bruney is the closer today.
[280] yep - and they were hitting that guy hard
[280] Right...darn you Thomson!
[272] no. he had a solo shot earlier in the game, as did dusty & ellsbury. they have the bases loaded now, 2 outs, ellsbury up... still tied...
uh...it's not tied anymore. 5-4 scumbags.
[285] Big Papi has really salvaged his season. He seemed a game or two away from being benched. Looks like a walk to plate the go ahead run...M's helped out twice so I can't get upset.
[278] Yes, that is what I meant. Most (in)definitely.
Johan w/ another tough luck loss. gave up 2 solo homers - rollins, utley - and lost 2-0. muts got swept by "Philthy" (Animal Taylor)
[289] The Mets are poised for a free fall.
Vulture!
Looks like the Red Sox lead in undeserved All Stars.
Yes! Ace throws in the towel big time there!
ugh, they're blowing it open in the 7th. 7-4, and counting...
M's pen is nothing short of brutal...
i'm really enjoying Ace. and watching him before and during the games in the outfield and bullpen, here in Atlanta, he seems like a genuine good guy who is absolutely thrilled to be playing major league baseball.
[293] Whoaaaa....Ace is NOT a towel. He is more like Bounty.
[295] I've noticed that too...but nothing compares to how Swisher interacts with the fans. He seems genuinely thrilled to be a major league baseball player.
With Edwin Jackson pitching so well, I wonder if the Rays have pretty much given back the advantage in the Garza trade. I just know I'm glad that Jackson isn't in that TB rotation now.
[295] 2 years ago he was pitching in the Mexican league ... I'd be walking around with a giant grin all day too, in his situation.
Yikes, that was ugly.
[296] yeah he is the quicker picker upper
[297] swisher is also very unrestrained
8-4, inning finally and mercifully over...
Please, let's not get too deep into Cone's history in the bullpen!
PH for Ransom? I guess not, since that would mean Hinske in the field.
[304] That's why I was hoping to keep Pena around, but with the way Girardi has developed a quick hook, the Yankees need the extra man in the pen.
that melky can actually hit rh this year is great
[304] that's what i was thinking. still a coupla more hours left in the game. um, i mean...innings.
That was a pathetic swing. I do hope Peña masters CF in short order, so he can be brought back up.
Rolen has been trying to reach the short porch all series.
Weird...i don't remember the grounds crew doing the YMCA gig when I went a game last month, during the week. Maybe I was in line, or is that now reserved only for the weekend games?
wow ... 2 pitches, 2 outs ... thanks Jays!
i LOVE these 1-pitch outs! : )
VULTURE!!!
very nice performance by ace - can he go 1 more?
Getting six hitters out in a row? Is that allowed now?
[310] Sadly, no...it is still done at every game.
terrific job, Ace!
[314] He has to...only Bruney and Tomko are available, I would think.
[314] He might have to, no? Who is realistically available today?
Hey folks. I went out and played some actual sports myself. Come back, and we're winning (I left just when Joba was leaving, if you see what I mean.)
Man, Rolen is really good.
beautiful play by Rolen there.
some times, gold gloves go to the right people ...
Has Jeter ever had a multi-HR game?
[320] what did you play? i miss playing paddleball up north...
You *knew* Jeter was going to run after that ball was fouled of the catcher's hand.
caray/martinez, were just making fun of new YS and, of course, pining for Joba to go back to the bullpen...
shit sox won...
dammit, Teix.
more runs, please. let's make this Tomko-proof...
Man that inning felt like runs.
[323] Soccer. Makes my body very tired, and also I'm not very good. But it's fun.
So is there any word on who else is available to pitch? Bruney?
[331] There has been no mention, but the tea leaves point to Bruney in the 9th if Ace gets through this inning.
Check that...Bruney isn't available and Mariano is, which I can't believe.
Never mind, Kay just explained it.
more Vulture...
Yeah, that's very odd. Mo has pitched four times for Bruney's one, so you'd expect BB to be available.
Hey, good play! I think 4 out of 5 pitchers go to first on that.
[325] They make Michael Kay sound coherent.
I didn't realize Bruney was also out...kind of makes it more curious why they went to Aceves so soon.
uh, that wasn't Aceves decision, that was all JoPo calling the throw to 2nd.
Oh, credit to Posada for that play!
I'm glad I came back, this game is kind of fun. Relaxing.
[336] Could Bruney be injured again?
kay said hughes, bruney and someone else were unavialble pretty early in the game
[340] But it was Aceves pinpoint throw, which a good many pitchers probably bounce or send into CF.
[343] Coke...he just repeated it.
Where can I get my Aceves jersey?
Gold glove, baby!
[345] ah of course - though who knew edpcy was ever unavailalble
great great outing by ace
[346] No kidding. What a hero.
How many pitches has Aceves thrown? Maybe best to get him to close it out, since he's probably lost for a couple of days anyway.
[345] No Cokey?!? I don't want to live in that world.
3 innings, 34 pitches. great work, ace!
[350] It was 22 entering the 8th, so probably between 35-40. I think having Ace at least go batter by batter is the best plan.
Man, it feels weird to say it, but I don't think I want to see Mo in the 9th ...
[354] I don't either, but not because I think he wont close it...I just don't want him worked that hard.
Yep, I'd stick with Ace, too. I don't see why not. Mo in the wings, of course.
brandon inge has 19 homers...
No activity, so Ace is coming out.
hmm coney thinks ace is going back out
And Cone is confirming out plan!
Looks like Aceves is coming back for another one, nobody up in the bully
Kay says it's only 34 pitches for Aceves.
I'm cool with him coming out again.
[357] He was much more deserving than Michael Young.
Hysterical! ("That's it?")
Aceves is moving up my list, for sure.
Okay, so, who are the worst All Star choices this year? Starters first, American League.
No contest, gotta be Pedroia. That one's a joke. The others are all plausible.
I'm sorry to make my first post here a complaint, but I have been very disturbed by what I see as the misuse of the term "vulture."
Singleton, at least in my opinion, misuses it all the time. Of course, Singleton has no idea what "representative" means either, so this would be unsurprising.
But being in the latter half of my 30's, I have heard the term "vulture" used for quite some time. I was irritated to read another blog commentator suggest that this was a new term of recent circulation. That, I am certain, is flat out wrong.
My understanding has always been that a vulture win is one thing and one thing only - a relief pitcher enters a game with the lead, surrenders that lead, and benefits from a subsequent rally to pick up the win.
Aceves, in my opinion, then, has been the furthest thing from a vulture in most of his wins. He's just been the perfect middle reliever (and a guy who, amazingly, can fit the bill in other situations).
Just something that has been bugging me.
wow, more Ace!
swish is definitely thought of as the outfield's poorest defender
[365] Wakefield is a nice story, but he definitely doesn't belong. Young was also a mistake. I think Beckett is also very debateable.
[366] I agree.
Did Aceves just break out the Mo cutter? Maybe it was on loan?
[363] ya mean, last year's gold glove winning shortstop?!
[366] eh, it's a mute point
[366] Yup. This is definitely not a vulture win. It's an anti-vulture win.
[369] Agreed. Among pitchers, Wakefield's the worst choice. I like the guy, and he's got ten wins, but he's nowhere near one of the best dozen pitchers. And if he pitches, there are going to be a whole lot of passed balls....
[372] He's the one.
Woo hoo! Aces up!
Wow!
Ace is the hero!
Awesome. He should get the W, no doubt about it.
wow - what a way to end the game - aceves desrves tons of kudos for that performance
very nice o today too
That guy is so good, it's insane. I think he may be the actual real deal, as well. What a find.
Dropping the Hammer!
Just what we needed today!
Great job by Ace...he has been incredibly valuable to this team.
4 innings, 43 pitches. Ace!!! he was like a throwback fireman today!!! : )
"only" the save for Alfredo? That's not right.
[384] Up to the official scorer, I believe.
Good one, cult.
Rbj, exactly, right? I mean that's just what I'm getting at. He's the opposite of a vulture, as I've always understood it.
They seem to have given the W to Alba, which seems wrong. I guess they could still change it.
Why is he called 'vulture' anyway? I figured it had to to with his name, not his role.
[385] Yeah, but with 4 scoreless innings after the starter imploded, I'd be inclined to give it to AA as he really helped the Yankees win.
[387] I think that was the right call. Albie stabilized the game, which made Aceves 4 inning save possible.
i think Cult dubbed him "Vulture". whether it fits exactly right semantically or not, it's kind of a cool sobriquet!
RI, I think it's just because Singleton has some weird infarctions that pop up from time to time.
[391] yeah, I gave it to him in the beginning of the year, 'cause I really don't like "Mexican Gangster", which is the sobriquet that RAB gave him.
I'm aware of the use of the term in a baseball sense, but I kinda meant it as a compliment, Aceves being the one that cleans up others' messes and restores order to the Yankees universe ...
Think of it in an "ironic" sense
=)
[391] Yeah, I like the sound of it. You just have to ignore the "vulture win" connotation.
[393] Considering the level of violence among the Mexican Mafia and other gangs south of the border, "Mexican Gangster" seems to be a very tasteless nickname. Anything would be better than that one.
When you think about it, Vultures essentially take something that is left for dead and turn it into a positive (a meal). That's exactly what Albaledejo did today, and what Aceves often does.
[395] exactly. when they first gave it to him last year, i was kind of okay with it, but as things have gotten worse down there, it just seems in terrible taste.
[395] Yeah.
[393] I think we can consider the name officially purged of the negative connotation.
this is cool:
Ace threw exactly HALF the pitches Joba threw (and got 1 more out)
Ace's ERA is exactly HALF of Joba's 2.02:4:04
33 of Ace's 43 pitches were strikes...
Time to give Girardi some credit...
1) He trusted Aceves.
2) Went to Albaledejo instead of Tomko.
3) Realized that with Brett Cecil starting, it was a perfect game to sit Arod.
4) Moved Cano down, even if he pretended it was just to split the lefties.
in one of my old bands, we had a song called "Vulture Dream"
[400] Which begs the question, should Aceves be in the rotation?
Think of it in an “ironic” sense
Or, I should say, in a Jeffersian sense
I had walked since dawn and lay down to rest on a bare hillside
Above the ocean. I saw through half-shut eyelids a vulture wheeling
high up in heaven,
And presently it passed again, but lower and nearer, its orbit
narrowing,
I understood then
That I was under inspection. I lay death-still and heard the flight-
feathers
Whistle above me and make their circle and come nearer.
I could see the naked red head between the great wings
Bear downward staring. I said, "My dear bird, we are wasting time
here.
These old bones will still work; they are not for you." But how
beautiful
he looked, gliding down
On those great sails; how beautiful he looked, veering away in the
sea-light
over the precipice. I tell you solemnly
That I was sorry to have disappointed him. To be eaten by that beak
and
become part of him, to share those wings and those eyes--
What a sublime end of one's body, what an enskyment; what a life
after death.
Vulture
Robinson Jeffers
Alright, as long as it's not in the Singletonian sense. His use of "representative" gets me every time. The baseball sense of vulture has never been quite a perfect metaphor, but follows nature's basic concept - the idea being that you eat someone else's kill. It's imperfect because it's like you revive the body (give up the lead), only for it to be killed again, but it works better than what SIngleton thinks it means...
Anyway, what is for sure is that Ace is awesome. I'm inclined to think he may be for real in a way that other sudden wonders - Chacon, Small, Edwar, at first - were not. I hope I'm right.
Well, I hate to make the call in the warm glow of his great performance today, but sure, I'd give him the first Wang replacement start.
[405] If he's as real as Aaron Small (that is, a one season wonder), I'd be perfectly happy with that.
I want more. Call me greedy, but I'd like to see him be a cog in our pitching staff for a number of years!
[408] Well, I wouldn't complain!
But I guess I mean, if he contributes a bunch this year and then fizzles, I wouldn't be disappointed.
I hear you. He's just not only effective, but he's fun to watch. Forgive the blasphemy, but while the positive comparison has usually been El Brujo (one of the better Yankee nicknames of recent vintage), he almost seems a little El Duque-esque in his ability to mix his pitches, out think the hitters, and generally always stay one step ahead of the opposition. Maybe he's the real El Duquecito... Now I'm just talking crazy, though.
I have a real problem with Joba's attitude in the post game. He actually said he did a good job, but the Jays have a good lineup. He also bristled mightily about the boos.
Joba has ALOT of growing up to do, and part of that comes from accepting responsibility and realizing that you have a lot of work to do. I don't think Joba gets that. Maybe his burst upon the scene gave him a big head, but I think that's now as much a part of the problem as his lower velocity.
Someone on this team needs to get through to Joba fast because his attitude really stinks.
[411] Doesn't bother me.
As you say, he's very young. And there's something to be said for being the kind of guy who just doesn't worry about the last game, lets it roll of his back. I would definitely rather he said, "Yeah, I really stunk, I'm going to have to do much better." But if he just puts it behind him instantly, that's probably good.
[410] heh, you're not the only one ... he's *very* el duque like in his command of his pitches, his confidence in throwing any of them at any time and his ability to tweak little things here and there to throw hitters off balance.
very mature pitcher
[411] I'm with you William, I thought that interview left a lot to be desired.
I think ignoring his performance is not the way to learn.
I also think if his velocity doesn't bounce back up to where it was before the shoulder issue last year, he is going to have to get used to failing more or better learn how to pitch with reduced stuff, like Jim Kaat always talks about...
cult, I'm glad that doesn't seem totally out there. Because I was thinking after I posted that I should have clarified that I meant a mortal version of El Duque!
from the Daily News game story:
"Chamberlain's nine decisions through his first 28 career starts are the fewest in major-league history"
So, it looks to me like Aceves is the starter for Thursday, right? He went 4 today, and can have three days rest. Then send him out on Thursday for 5.
Diane, you know you're old when not one, but two MP and the Holy Grail references go completely over the heads of today's contributors to the game thread...
Just to let you know, I got the "Ni/Shrubbery" reference, as I trust you got my "Duck once bit my sister" one for Robbie...
LOL!
Way to pick up the Joba implosion guys! His inability to properly handle adversity is quite alarming indeed! I'd suggest less screwin' around with Burnett and the face pies and more preparation for anything out of the ordinary within what little of a brain he's got! At least I saw Aceves finish his multi-inning "Save" in the ninth, as Tiger won for the Veterans and Servicemen and Women at Congressional in a most solid and "ho-hum" fashion!
Now, for the four-game sweep against the Bad Jays tomorrow!
: )
Another win to wake up to, i like it! It takes some of the edge of the stifling, energy-sucking humidity that is summer in Tokyo..looks like a bad Joba start though, he's a bit worrying..
Maybe old news to some but does Pete Abraham at LoHud Blog have a serious problem with A-Rod? He seems to cut on him in almost every post, very annoying. We got it man, A-Rod did steroids..
Sean Casey announcing on the Sox game here this morning..did someone actually say he was good in the studio at mlbTV? Cause he sucks as a color-guy..every player is "such a gamer" and "one of the best guys in the game" and "really knows how win", etc etc..cliche after cliche + he just said Mike Sweeney was not only one of the former great run-producers in the game but the nicest guy he ever met in baseball...hyperbole in the 1st inning is hard to listen to..
I was wondering if Girardi was killing two birds with a stone today, leaving Aceves out there ... that's the stretching him we were talking about after Wang went down ... the issue of who starts opur 5th starter games. The problem is, if my math is right, it is only 3 days rest to Thursday, so he'd really be stuck on 3 innings, unless they were insanely efficient. Still, Aceves looks a lot like the best option short term, assuming they are leaving Hughes where he is, 7th and 8th inning while the Sultan of Bruney gets it back together. Is there an eta on Marte? Anyone know?
Strong as I've been in the 'Joba helps way more as a starter than as a 60 innings reliever' there is at least the possibility his mental make up is not a starter's but a pumped-up 1 or 2 innings guy. I say he's too young, it is too early to make the call, but the issue's at least out there I think.
[420] Very old news, but his job is to drive traffic and simply mentioning Arod is the easiest way to do that.
[421] He's awful on MLBN. In fact, I have been very dissappointed by the player hires at MLBN. Half of them are as inane as what ESPN gives you.
[422] I agree that it's way too early to come to a final verdict on Joba, but his continued lack of maturity really has me worried about his future development.
Count me in the "concerned about Joba" group ... I thought with the bullpen problems he was a cinch to plug back in the 8th inning, but the pen has been a lot better of late. I'd still rather have an intimidating force out of the bullpen than an average starter, but now I'm wondering if he's even capable of being the guy we once knew coming out of the pen. Is it his shoulder? His head? A combination of the two? If his shoulder really is an issue, I feel he may be lost to mediocrity however you slice it ... Really a sad thing if that's the case.
With Wang on the DL and starting to look like a permanent source of trouble and Chamberlain a big question mark, I'm starting to really appreciate that they signed Burnett. Of course it helps that he's been dazzling of late, but the whole idea of that signing "blocking" the young pitchers coming up has taken on some water with Chamberlain's struggles. I agree it's still too soon to tell but there does appear to be a "bird in the hand" quality to signing Burnett right now.
I sure hope Hughes continues to progress and will one day be the rotation stud he was thought to be. The dream of the two young aces seems to become ever more hazy as Chamberlain becomes more and more questionable.
On the bright side the team is playing really well of late. At any rate, as well as they should be playing. Pettitte and Sabathia are coming off of poor starts; here's hoping they both come out strong this week.