The Royals have had just one winning season (props, Tony Peña) since 1994, so it’s easy to write them off as a bad team. They are a bad team, and they’re not getting better, but they’re not remarkably bad the way they used to be. Sandwiched around that 83-win season in 2003 were four 100-loss campaigns. In the four years since then, the Royals winning percentage hasn’t dipped below .400 and if the standings stay the way they are, 2010 will be the third straight season in which they finish above last place in their division. Those are pathetically low standards, yes, but they’re also a reminder that, while the Royals are bad, they’re not awful.
Better yet, K.C. has played nearly .500 ball since Ned Yost replaced Trey Hillman as manager on May 14. That’s a little more than two months of break-even baseball, which is a big deal for this ballclub. The Royals went 9-4 under Yost over the remainder of May, then outscored their opponents in June (though they were still just 13-14 on the month).
Things have cooled off a bit in July. The Royals are again just a game under .500 for the month (7-8), but they’ve been outscored by 37 runs, a bigger run deficit in 15 games than they had in 23 games while going 9-14 under Hillman in April. Chalk that one up to three lop-sided losses (11-0 to the Angels, 15-5 to the White Sox, and 13-1 to the Blue Jays) all three coming in games started by Anthony Lerew, who will face Phil Hughes on Sunday.
Playing the Royals is an advantage in and of itself, but the Yankees luck out by facing them for four games yet avoiding defending Cy Young award winner Zack Greinke. Instead the Yankees will face, in order, Bruce Chen, Brian Bannister, Kyle Davies, and Lerew. That Yost has been able to keep this team around .500 with those guys making up 80 percent of the rotation is both startling and a sign that the Royals likely won’t keep it up, at least not without getting an effective Gil Meche back from the disabled list (he started a rehab assignment on Wednesday).
Indeed, only the Pirates and Orioles have a lower rotation ERA than the Royals’ 5.12. The same is true with Baseball Prospectus’s win-expectancy based SNLVAR, only the Bucs and O’s have had worse rotations by that measure. The Kansas City bullpen is closer to average thanks to lock-down closer Joakim Soria, ex-Ranger Robinson Tejada, and, get this, ex-Yankee Kyle Farnsworth and Kanekoa Texeira, the reliever acquired by the Yankees in the Nick Swisher trade then lost to the Mariners as a Rule 5 pick in December. Farnsworth has allowed just two home runs in 41 innings this year and is walking just 2.2 men per nine innings. Texeira, who was plucked off waivers in June, has walked just 1.6 men per nine as a Royal and boasts a 2.38 ERA in 22 2/3 innings for Kansas City.
I’m not about to go yearning for Farnsworth’s return, but it’s a bit galling to see those two helping the Royals’ bullpen to a performance not far removed, and in fact slightly superior, to that of the Yankees’ pen. The Yankees have a slight edge in ERA, 4.22 to 4.26, but the Royals’ pen has contributed nearly 40 more innings, which increases their advantage over the Yankees in the cumulative win-expectancy-based WXRL.
As for the offense, it’s probably enough to point out that this lineup makes the 34-year-old Scott Podsednik look valuable, and that their worst hitter, 36-year-old catcher Jason Kendall, is not only replacing one All-Star catcher (John Buck) and another who was more deserving of that honor (Miguel Olivo), but is hitting second. First baseman Billy Butler, 24, is the featured hitter, but his power is still a bit lacking (.467 slugging). Center fielder David DeJesus, now 30, is having his finest season, but with only an option remaining on his contract, is a top candidate to be traded. DH Jose Guillen, a 34-year-old in his walk year, is also trade bait. Can’t miss prospect Alex Gordon is back in the minors, but raking at Triple-A. Then again, he’s 26 already, and after Butler, the youngest man in the major league lineup is 28. That’s not encouraging for a team that’s theoretically rebuilding.
Tonight CC Sabatha faces Bruce Chen, the well traveled Chinese-Panamanian lefty who was a top prospect last century and is now with his tenth major league club at the age of 33. Chen flirted with a perfect game on July 3, but otherwise has been decidedly average and prone to short, though not disastrous outings. Since joining the rotation on May 30, he has made nine starts, posted a 4.28 ERA and averaged about 5 1/3 innings per start. He last faced the Yankees in 2006 (two starts plus two relief appearances for the Orioles).
Sabathia looked a little rusty in his last start, though he was actually starting on normal rest having started the two games on either side of the Yankees’ four-day All-Star break. He still gave the Yanks seven solid innings in an eventual win. In his last nine starts, he has gone 8-0 with a 2.03 ERA and just two home runs allowed.
Marcus Thames starts at DH against the lefty Chen and bats seventh ahead of Curtis Granderson. Everyone else is in their usual place. Meanwhile, the suddenly very busy (and depressing) Yankee uniform has added another element, a black arm-band in memory of Ralph Houk, who passed away on Wednesday. I can’t remember the Yankees ever wearing three memorial objects on their uniform at once, though they’ve also never work a memorial patch before doing so for George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard this month (previously they had stuck to arm bands or retired numbers on the sleeve).
Kansas City Royals
2010 Record: 41-53 (.436)
2010 Pythagorean Record: 40-54 (.426)
2009 Record: 65-97 (.401)
2009 Pythagorean Record: 66-96 (.407)
Manager: Ned Yost
General Manager: Dayton Moore
Home Ballpark: Kauffman Stadium
Bill James Park Indexes (2007-2009):
LH Avg-108, LH HR-73
RH Avg-104, RH HR-87
Who’s Replacing Whom:
- Jason Kendall is replacing Miguel Olivo and John Buck
- Mike Aviles is taking over Mark Teahen’s playing time
- Scott Podsednik is replacing Mike Jacobs
- Chris Getz is replacing Alex Gordon (minors)
- Wilson Betemit is replacing Coco Crisp
- Bruce Chen and Anthony Lerew are filling in for Gil Meche and Luke Hochevar (both DL)
- Kyle Davies is taking over Sidney Ponson’s starts
- Brian Bannister is taking over Lenny DiNardo’s starts
- Dusty Hughes is taking over Ron Mahay and Jon Bale’s playing innings
- Blake Wood is replacing Jamey Wright
- Victor Marte is taking over Roman Colon’s innings
- Kanekoa Texeira is replacing Juan Cruz
25-man roster:
1B – Billy Butler (R)
2B – Mike Aviles (R)
SS – Yuniesky Betancourt (R)
3B – Alberto Castillo (S)
C – Jason Kendall (R)
RF – Mitch Maier (L)
CF – David DeJesus (L)
LF – Scott Podsednik (L)
DH – Jose Guillen (R)
Bench:
S – Wilson Betemit (IF)
R – Willie Bloomquist (UT)
L – Chris Getz (IF)
S – Brayan Peña (C)
Rotation:
R – Zack Greinke
L – Bruce Chen
R – Brian Bannister
R – Kyle Davies
R – Anthony Lerew
Bullpen:
R – Joakim Soria
R – Kyle Farnsworth
R – Robinson Tejada
L – Dusty Hughes
R – Blake Wood
R – Victor Marte
R – Kanekoa Texeira
15-day DL:
RHP – Luke Hochevar (right elbow strain)
3B/OF – Josh Fields (right hip labrum surgery)
60-day DL:
RHP – Gil Meche (shoulder bursitis)
OF – Rick Ankiel (right quad strain)
Typical Lineup:
L – Scott Podsednik (LF)
R – Jason Kendall (C)
L – David DeJesus (CF)
R – Billy Butler (1B)
R – Jose Guillen (R)
S – Alberto Callaspo (3B)
L – Mitch Maier (RF)
R – Mike Aviles (2B)
R – Yuniesky Betancourt (SS)
Wow, so Bruce Chen must have a sick GB/FB ratio (his Chinese half) and a preternatural cutter, huh?
No?
You can't predict baseball (using genetics).
[1] The Boone family sure gave it the ol' college try though...
Great, so we'll probably end up splitting the series with Kyle getting one of the wins.
Now if only this storm would pass so I can get the satellite link again. Better happen before first pitch.
I remember watching baseball in grad school with a buddy who was much more statistically inclined than I was at the time. Every season he would swear that Bruce Chen was going to break out.
You know, you just can't predict baseball (hat tip to [1]).
In happier news, I get the ol' Pinstripers on teevee tonight (thank you, blue jays day game).
Heh, according to the boys over at RAB, Callaspo was traded to the Angels today.
That means our old buddy, Wilson Betemit is starting at 3rd!!!
[2] I know. Debbie, Pat. How much talent can one family have???
I can't root against the Yankees, but i will admit that the thought of mattpat losing his mind over Farnsworth and Betemit killing the Yankees this series is darkly amusing.
[8] Hah! Twisted minds think alike!
I was going to call a homerun from Betemit off CHoP to deliever a win to Farnsworth ... but then I decided even *I'm* not that cruel ...
[7] Don't forget about Daniel... he was really big in his day...
In two weeks, the Yankees have lost three men representing 118 years of history.
Siddown, Pod Person
[11] The uniform is starting to look a little to NASCARish to me. No more, simple for no more deaths.
From Lohud:
THE YOUNG GUYS: Juan Miranda and Colin Curtis each hit home runs in the seventh inning yesterday. According to Elias, it was the first time two Yankees rookie hit a home run in the same inning since Sammy Byrd and Lyn Lary in 1929.
And I'll just keep posting amazing news about Montero. It's all right, noneofya have to make any comments.
[10] Believe it or not, Daniel really is related to Aaron et al.!
14) boy, I'm sure glad the game is on TV for me to see...
Huh.
But Cliff promised that the Royals still basically suck.
16) why did i reference 14) ??
What an inexcusable mistake by Guillen.
This isn't going well.
Well maybe not so bad.
[18] Typo? Spelchlekc?
Well, that could have been worse, thank you Jose Guillen and incompetent Umpire!
And Betemit right on cue.
Wow... what luck. And Betemit was safe at 2nd.
[13] All three men deserve their honor, but another death and they'll have to start assigning the pinstripes.
By the by... a great throw by Gritner.
21) actually, I think that I was going to respond in witty fashion to OYF's post when I was distracted by the game.
Michael Kay is in form early.
[26] His arm seems like it has gotten stronger, which is kind of odd.
Nice hustle, Derek.
[4] Perhaps it was a reference to his skin condition?
Yikes...Bruce Chen has thrown more than 150 innings only once, and more than 100 in only three seasons.
Does Chen's move to first seem as awkward as I think it is?
33) it looks like he's shot putting or, at the risk of offending, girl-throwing to first base.
Small sample size or not, Teix owns Chen.
Good.
Teix, July, good.
Luck > goodness
[34] I was going to say it looks like he is throwing a knuckleball, but your analogies work too.
Dang, missed the Teix double -- satellite going in & out
Yay-Rod! way to tie it up.
[15] Aaron Boone being related to Pat Boone throws me off for some reason, but I don't know why.
[40] Uh, he is?
I looked on Wikipedia. It mentions Aaron being a descendant of Daniel, but not a relative of the singing Boones.
THE PINE TAR HR
Hm. Is CC this far out of whack, or what's going on?
CC is soooooo big. From the side, his uni looks a little like a clown suit.
Great, is this going to be one of those Chip & Dale games?
"You take the lead"
"I couldn't possibly, you take the lead"
"Oh no, it should be your lead"
and on and on and on.
[41] On the Daniel Boone Wikipedia page, it's mentioned that Pat and actors Richard and Randy Boone all claim kinship. Thus... that is, if you believe Wikipedia...
[46] Ohhhhh.
That's a nice fact that is distracting me from the fat guy who doesn't know how to pitch standing on that hill.
[47] my hilarious hebrew! : )
what was that ridiculous accessory on the base runner's hand? Baseball really should crack down on the various body armor and such.
[48] Ah, just what we needed to counterbalance the Boone-like atmosphere!
[47] Not really. It's my opinion that Pat Boone is an asshole. But that's only my opinion.
[50] i was in the studio this afternoon with my half-hebrew engineer. (wrong half)
[51] It may be only your opinion, but it definitely isn't only your opinion.
[52] Wrong half? Oh, goyishe kop? ;-)
Speaking of the wrong half, that must be the Panamanian half of Chen saw this inning.
I thought for sure Gardy had that beat.
[53] well, if it's only the dad who's jewish, it doesn't really count. it's gotta be the ema!
[53] "... of Chen we saw..."
Although he did rip through the bottom of our order like a Chen saw.
[55] I know. But I don't really believe that. I mean, that's the law, but I buy it about as much as I buy the kashrut.
So Guillen just doesn't run hard at all, does he?
Oh, there he is.
Who was that fat guy pretending to be CC for the first two innings?
[52],[53] I was thinking the same thing, but with different letters. Had a question all set up about circumcision, too... >;)
I hope DeJesus is not hurt.
Oww.
Well, there's something you don't see every day.
[61] I do too, but that didn't look good at all.
Very nice hustle, Derek.
[59] I have a good friend who makes a passable CC; you'll eventually see him in one of my videos...
[60] Heh. We'll be happy to answer all of your questions.
Jews for DeJesus!
Oh, man, I meant, "DeJews for DeJesus".
Too bad for DeJesus
65) do the Yankees lead the league in inside the park home runs?
[70] Dunno.
[67] Are you sure?
Damn, Rob is really getting respect. Those to IBB yesterday really impressed my son.
[72] Well, come to think of it, no, I'm not at all sure.
But I'm pretty sure it would be interesting.
Yankees need more production from the six hole, otherwise Cano will lead the league in walks.
73) im really happy that the new and improved Cano doesn't swing at pitches during an IBB! ; )
Not to pick on him, but the pitch the Granderson struckout on last AB should have been launched into orbit.
Just to clarify, Chen is of Chinese decent, born and raised in Panama. He's Chinese-Panamanian like Alex Rodriguez is Dominican-American. He's not part Panamanian.
Thames smoked that ball, but for naught.
[77] He's not part Panamanian because he is all Panamania, no?
77) that raises interesting questions about these national/ethnic monickers. Why is he not Panamanian but rather Chinese? Why does one heritage 'count' more than another?
[73] Hmmm... well, maybe South Park has answered that question already...
Well, Cliff just means he is ethnically Chinese, because I made the stupid joke about 'genetics'.
Ugly, Swish, ugly.
I wonder how much action Po will see next year. I imagine Jesus will be up and we could still use Brains.
Ouch for Swisher
[81] Did you know that South and Chan-Ho are distantly related? True. Both descended from MacArthur.
[83] Actually, on the second replay, it looked like he may noy have misplayed it after all.
[79] Chinese ethnicity, Panamanian nationality. So, yeah, he's all both, I guess. Like how, say, Al Pacino is Italian and also American, and Italian-American, but not part Italian or part American.
Ridiculous play by Cano.
82) but even that raises interesting questions. If he was born and raised in Panama, he is quite likely to be ethnically Panamanian, not Chinese. Unles we are trying to say he is genet ally or rqcialy Chinese, whatever that means.
[80],[81] Wowzers, look how the planets just lined up... >;)
87) i'm just yanking your chain and being sort of dicky. In fact, i find the various discussion sof this or that players race or ethnicity or citizenship, etc, pretty tiresome all the way around. Then again, i'm the guy who hates the world baseball classic and the olympics because of the way it grafts competition onto these constructed identities.
It's one of my hang ups, is what im trying to say.
OK, back to the game...
[87] Right, but what then makes an ethnic Panamanian or even American? You can really keep going back in terms of ethnicity, so I prefer to look at Pacino as an American and Chen as a Panamanian, but that's a debate for another place.
Would Girardi consider leaving the Yankees for the Cubs? Is that wishful thinking on my part?
[85] I'll bet if South and Central had a baby, it would piss Pat Boone off immensely...
I really wish the YES would reassign Michael Kay.
The NYC sky is becoming a real home field advantage.
93) why would anyone want to leave a successful organizatioto go to the Cubs? Plus, he would have the specter of Ryne Sandberg hanging over him. I know you're being facetious. But more seriously, that is not gonna be a fun job for anyone to take, I have a feeling.
[94] Also Bert Parks would be none too happy.
96) i t bought Gardy had a shot at another inside the parker on that popup!
99) I thought....
[97] It was a rumor. Girardi was a Cubs fan growing up, so it might have appeal. He was asked about it earlier, and he said something along the lines of I am only worried about the Royals right now, which seemed a little coy.
[97] Home town, is the only reason.
[91] "Constucted Identities"? Ok Benedict Anderson, there's some value there, but keep your Canuck (living) hands off my WBC! :)
[97] Joe G is a Chicago boy, he wins the WS there and becomes bigger than Ditka..
101) interesting. Still, I wouldn't wish that job on anyone, or at least anyone I liked.
I would hit and run here.
I guess Teix can't get a hit *every* time against Chen.
[93] Keeping the Jesus ball up in the air for another minute, Fredi Jesus Gonzales is a serious candidate for the job. So does this make him a masochist or are the Cubs just... aw, what's the use...
That was a wasted opportunity. Gardner seems to be struggling now. I don't know if its a good thing, but this lineup has really never been hot together, and conversely has never gone completely cold.
The wild card looks ticketed for Texas, which I think is incentive to win the AL East.
I can't believe 20+% think Arod's 500th HR was the most memorable Yankees-royals memory. Short memories or younger audience, I guess.
[110] Was that the YES poll? Damn..I feel old..how could you choose anything but the pine-tar game?
Except for the PED bit, I'm a sucker for the Ankiel story.
[107] Well the Cubs are in need of a savior, and it would be a miracle if they won the WS.
In 1988, Eck said the following:
''This was a tough one," said Eckersley. "I haven't given up a bomb like that in a long time. This really shook me. A walk-off piece is what this was."
The Yankees have not had a good start since the All Star break.
I can't believe im saying this, but girardi should get someone warming in the pen.
Run and Gun Gritner!!!
Gardner's throwing has really been amazing all season.
Phantom tag.
Throw beat him, nut it looked like his foot was in there.
Posada didnt even tag him!
Man, the Royals suck in so many ways.
That was an atrocious call, even for the old throw-beat-the-runner play.
121) if there is one thing that you can predict in baseball, it's that Posada will do something you have never seen before.
So, does Po get credit for selling that?
The Yankees need to aggressively get Romine/Montero ready to catch next season.
WTF is it with Posada?????
I think Posada actually fooled himself by tagging is own knee.
[127] The worst part is he had the plate blocked, but then opened up his legs to allow Butler to slide through.
That was a bad send...Cano would have been dead on a decent throw.
Po comes through.
Yay! Po doing it with the bat and the glove tonight!
Can Posada score from 3rd on a single???
Kay really got excited on that 340' fly out.
132) :)
[132] Maybe, but he's already married (and to a hottie at that)...
[132] It's been a quirky season..perhaps he can hit for the cycle at some point?
You can debate whether the Yankees would be better off with Lee, but the Mariners made a mistake opting for Smoak over Montero.
136) If Bengie Molina can do it...
[133] (insert obscure Jim Browski joke here)
A Jeter inside-the-parker, a CC balk, a Posada phantom tag.
137) yeah, that is a head scratcher. Apparently they wanted a major league ready player, but the way Smoak is hitting, it's not like he is really MLB ready. Heck, they could have just put Montero at 1B and still need up with the better player, I think.
What the hell was that Jorge?
Well, this about sums things up
126. OldYanksFan
July 22nd, 2010 at 8:51 pm
WTF is it with Posada?????
That is the dumbest play I've ever seen.
Sigh.
As i said in 124)...
[139] HAHAHAHAHAH!!!! Think Michael Kay would get that reference, "in full effect, Yo!"
It's the Howdy Jorge Show!
Hot damn.
CC must have three or four Ks in his pocket for when he really needs one.
Well that sucked. Sigh. Like that balk call wasn't bad enough.
MLBN tells me Callapso got traded to the A's for Sean O'Sullivan. Watch the darn Royals start him this weekend. He doesn't still count as an URP, does he?
I am still stunned by the stupidity of that play.
Fortunately, this is the Royals we are talking about.
IBB Kendall? Are you serious?
IBB? really?
Jorge has to be the dumbest MLB player of all time. Love the guy, but he is unbelievable.
[154] Except when he has a bat in his hand.
Ummm, why walk Jason "I have no 3Bs, no HR, and my OBP is 15 points higher than my SLG" Kendall to face Ankiel? I mean, I know Ankiel is more likely to make an out, buy why throw an out away by putting Kendall on base?
[150] It's the new standard. I.e. "Cano made a stupid throw, but it wasn't Jorge stupid."
[155] Oh, I know. I was trying to explain to my wife that the bat outweighs everything else, but she doesn't get it.
150) the ONLY way it makes any kind of sense is if the runner at third broke really hard to home and Jorge was worried that if he threw to first he would score AND by looking him back to third, he could not get the runner at first.
maybe.
But i'm pretty sure that was not what Jorge was thinking. Because I am pretty sure he was not thinking.
Is it out of the realm of possibility to promote Montero or Romine now and simply make Posada the fulltime DH?
[156] Ankiel is a lefty. Aren't you paying attention? Don't you know anything???
[154] I still think Bill Lee has a firm half-grip on that mantle...
[159] Or, it could be that Posada didn't think he had to throw out the runner. Maybe he got confused and thought there was a runner on first.
[160] RAB made a nice point: the history of 20 year olds in MLB is not a stellar history. (Our 3Bman a spectacular exception to the rule.)
160) yes, it is out of the realm.
161) right, right.
Walking Kendall to face Ankiel is kind of like walking Tony Womack to face the pitcher.
[161] Sheesh, if he wants to play match-ups, he might as well bring in Boone Logan . . . ;)
[154] I don't know, you figure someone has to be dumber.
I wonder if CC has ever given up 11 hits in 6 IP before.
[164] A certain Junior who recently retired acquitted himself pretty nicely before age 20 as well...
[164] Romine is 21, but point taken on Montero.
More runs, please!
[164] The way Montero has been hitting lately, I think he would do just fine.
Romine - no way. No reason to rush that kid. He's hitting better this year than he ever has before; bringing him all the way up would, I think, mess up his development.
I like the idea, Gardy. Oh well.
He needs to get back to his old strategy of hitting it right at the infielders. That seemed to work exceptionally well earlier in the season.
Thats not a strike.
172) but can he catch? I thought his catching was still a work in progress. If anything, they could call him up to DH...but that would stunt the kids work behind the plate.
Insulated Can Holder night? What's next....
[166] Kind of like?
That was a sub-optimal inning.
[169] And Tony Conigliaro.
Still, check it out.
[167] Melky?
Does CC come out for the seventh?
[172] Sure he can catch. Let him learn on the job some.
Though, I would NOT want to see him catch against, say, Tampa Bay. Let him get his spurs against the teams that never run: Boston (as long as Ellsbury is still hurt), Toronto, Baltimore, Detroit.
[176] They stopped calling them koozies, eh?
181) yep.
182) though presumably those are the teams against whom Posada should start.
[181] He does.
So, even though only three of the runs were earned, it's not a Quality Start, right? (As if this made any difference in any way.)
[179] #30 is Danny Ainge?
Hey, check this out. I went to yesterday's game, and afterward we hung out for a while, and Joe Girardi went out on the field and threw pitches to two boys, maybe 8 and 6 years old. He has one son. Anybody know the story?
[179] Meh, some do, most don't. At least Danny Ainge got the right idea before it was too late (wrong team, but right idea)...
[186] Wow, I didn't catch that. Cool.
Ruh roh.
[190] What is it, Scoob? Ghosts?
I hate this bullpen.
Was the Posada play as bad as it sounded on the radio?
15 friggin' baserunners for the very very exceedingly large man.
[193] Worse.
Got away with one there.
192) I do like, however, that Girardi seems willing to go to Robertson in tough spots...as frustrating as Robertson is, he's probably the best not closer in the BP right now.
Tex should have let it drop...I dont think there was an IF called.
[197] Robertson is the best non-Mo option, but that's really damning with faint praise.
That was another huge mistake./
This is the worst game a catcher has ever had.
Well, at least he didn't throw the ball to third...
Wow ... it really is the Cletus show tonite.
Jeebus Frakking Crystal, what the fuck is up with Jorge?
126. OldYanksFan
July 22nd, 2010 at 8:51 pm
WTF is it with Posada?????
[201] Beating his own record! :)
201) I doubt that, given that he drove in a run and his poor plays, while aesthetically unpleasing, have mostly done no damage.
Should I bother asking or checking to see what the score is?
OK, do we have more to fear from a Joba 8th inning or Jorge behind the plate tonight?
Some folks'd never throw down to 3rd on a strikeout in the dirt,
then, again, some folks'll,
like Cletus, the slack jawed yokel ...
[204] 5-4 Yankees, despite Jorge's best effort to literally through the game away.
[209] The former, for sure.
[207] I didn't mean that literally...more along the lines that this has to be one of the poorest exhibitions of catching in the major leagues.
[211] Oh, hey, you pulled a Monkeypants! Awesome.
[210] Awesome!
599!!!!
599!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And obviously [211] > [204] is [208]
I think I'm coming down with Posadaitist.
Yay, 599 A-Rod!
BOOM!
That's the Arod oppo swing for which we've been waiting.
23) I know, i'm just having some fun. For more fun...
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/catcher_errors_records.shtml
Remember, misery loves company!
599!!!
Imagine, Teix at his July pace, A-Rod finding the groove, and Rob at his 2010 pace.
And Swisher setting them up.
214) be nice.
220) --> 213)
[220] Hey, it's Rick Cerone ( AL consecutive games w/o error). I didn't remember him as being particular slick.
This all might actually be the reemergence of that Jorge Posado guy that Bob Sheppard was telling us about some time ago... or maybe Posado kidnapped Posada and has him tied up in a clubhouse closet while he takes his place...
The eighth inning...
[225] or Jorge Posad'oh! as the case may be...
Even Joba's outs are discouraging.
Swisher is channeling his inner Abreu tonight. This is one ragged looking game all the way around.
[228] More than the hits, even!
[228] That deserves honorable mention for Comment of the Night...
That giant thimble on Podsednik's hand is ridiculous.
[224] but what a 'stache he had!
[233] And didn't he hawk "10" jeans or something.
Oy.
Ok, Joba has been unlucky this inning, and I mean that without sarcasm or reference to Sergio Mitre.
You have to go to Logan, or better, Mo here.
No way we get Mo to face Butler, right? That's what I'd do. (Assuming Joba gets Ankiel.)
jesus, we're being nickle and dimed to death
[236] He has, but the Joba so many people think still exists would have thrown such a nasty 0-2 slider, the hitters couldnt even make weak contact.
Joba's pitches to Ankiel have been scary.
233) My father, who was Italian-American, or part Italian and part American depending on your point of view ; ), was sooooooo excited when Cerone first joined the Yankees. And he had a decent year in '81 as I recall. Anyway, my dad was convinced he was the next great Italian Yankee. Of courier, Joe DiMaggio he was not...
mo's on record saying he can't go more than 1 inning in the regular season. the almighty "save" will prevent girardi from doing the right thing and stopping the bleeding when the win is in hand...
[243] When did he say that?
Is Girardi just trying to prove a point?
Damn close.
The Royals almost bailed the Yankees out there. What are the chances Joba can get Butler now.
Great...another blown call by these marvelous umps.
Not the greatest throw, and nice play by Arod, but he sure looked out.
It would have been nice if Posada could have made a better throw so as to remove any doubt.
Seems like the Umps are battling Posada tooth and nail to see who can have the worst game tonite ...
sweet 'n nasty all at the same time.
po...
244) "In the beginning was the word..."
Another hanger from Joba.
Jorge got a non tag at home which would be a run, Alex doesn't get the tag at third which is only a potential run at this point. I'll take the trade-off.
[244]
NY Times July 6th.
[244] i believe around the time he took himself out of the all-star game, saying he was banged up and needed rest...
249) sure it would have been better. But Podsednik IS fast and Posada DID throw him out I'd the ump made the right call.
[242] ..bet that was one hell of a message, eh?
[244] Maybe it's actually an "unwritten rule"...
[255] [256] Thanks...I missed that.
[255] toda raba!
i knew i read it, but couldn't remember where...
Let me tell you, Joba is skating on very thin ice.
Let there be Mo!
Whoa...98 in the dirt...good stab, or more likely blind lucky stab by Posada.
Joba is just not a good pitcher. He has zero command.
very frustrating, this jobber character.
Honestly, leaving Joba in here is like giving the game away.
Wow, that was nerve-wracking. But now I feel confident!
Damn, that was a long way around the mountain. Phew.
It's time to send Joba to Scranton to completely rework himself. That was really an awful inning of pitching.
glass carl has 12 wins. complete game, 5-hitter tonight. i believe he's the only pitcher this year to take every one of his turns and complete at least 6 innings.
asshole. and a horrible 'stache. nothing like rick cerone's!
[261] It can't be all that thin if it hold Joba...
whew...
Something needs to change. We can't do this every eighth inning.
The man's name is Dusty Hughes?
Thames crushes lefties, he really does.
Nice bunt, better play at first.
[275] I never understood why some people included Thames in their "Cashman's bad off season" lists. I really like Marcus for what he is.
Dusty Hughes is going to be replaced by Blake Wood? Are those real names?
[274] it's a cool name!
double steal!!
277) agreed. He has done everything expected of him. He shouldn't have started so much in the OF, but that was not his fault.
279) is Thames still on base, or did girardi send in a PR?
[278] Yeah, before you know it the game's gonna have an NC-17 rating...
Terrible bunt call by Girardi. You knew it would take the bat out of Gardner's hands.
[278] Beat me to it.
Whoo-Hoo!
The Stick of Nick!!!
Hmm, no need for Mo now.
Fiendishly clever, that Girardi.
This has been one ugly ass game.
283) I truly hope that is sarcasm, because if it is, and I think it is, it was brilliant parody.
swish-a-licious!!!
Swish! No need to break the glass and bring out Mo?
[288] {Bows}
290) not until Boone Logan or Chan Ho Park or whoever puts a couple of guys on.
ooh, now i want double digits!
[293] And 600! Half a league, half a league, half a league on...
Let this go to 11
Ok, I'll take a double.
Boooooooooooo!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
A real Yankee would have hit #600 there.
Nope, but close!
No HR, but that was a nice swing and nice drive the other way. 600 will come soon enough, the swing is more important.
double for the double digits!
The crowd was really into that AB. I'll be there tomorrow, so I don't mind the double at all.
[299] Definitely. I think it might be making me toooptimistic.
[301] I think Diane is going, too. So we'll root for #600 to show up tomorrow.
it's pepto...
[304] Looks like he got a job he could handle.
[301] That's how I felt when I had tickets to the 9/11 game last year and Jeter was sitting on 2721 on 9/10
Good win. I'm glad CC got the win too. He'd been pitching well enough of late to get a W on a less good game.
i like winning!
[303] Sorry, I can't. Tomorrow night I've got tix to the Mud Hens. Also Saturday night, but the Yankees play in afternoon, so I'll root for it then.
Royals 14 hits = 4 runs
Yankees 14 hits = 10 runs.
Good night all.
[307] 13-3
PLEASE IMTERVIEW JORGE!
307) he's so good, even on a bad night he gutted out a tough six plus innings.
[308] Now are you going to watch the Sox-Ms?
Rowland-Smith has faced the minimum through two innings -- the Sox got a hit but then GIDP.
[312] And may have gone further if not for Posada's throw into left field
[313] can't "watch", but yes, i'll definitely follow throughout the night. gonna hit the sierra soon. i'm totally wiped out from the studio today though... how late will you stay up watching nesn?
[315] Probably not long, actually. I was up early this morning, so even though I don't have anything much to do early tomorrow I won't stay up for much.
[313] m's strike first! 1-0
That was an awesome inning for the Run Prevention Kids. The Mariners score without benefit of a hit. BB, stolen base, advance on groundout, passed ball. They also got a man on by E4 in the first.
60 wins!
[318] nice! thanks for sharing that. but, fuck - that means ugly #1a is throwing a NO-HITTER!!!
And I might add, this is Kevin Cash (SB, PB), not Jorge Posada. Kevin "No Redeeming Values" Cash.
Well, I'm sure he's a very nice guy, actually.
[320] He is indeed. But wouldn't it be cool if he lost while pitching a no-hitter?
Ryan Rowland-Smith isn't good. Even the Red Sox are going to score off him, it's pretty clear.
Now it's a lot clearer.
fuck, and there it is ... 2-1 shit sox. fuck those disgusting scumbags straight to hell and back!
I guess I'll knock down this gin and tonic, and then turn in.
Ciao, thelarmis.
[323] The Hyphenator! from the Land of Oz
[326] enjoy. i'll go pour a sierra...
laila tov
Missed the game, just barely caught the highlights.
Can anyone remember the last time Derek hit a ball that hard?
That was really nice to see.
OK, so now I am getting the Mets-Dodgers game. The announcers just said that Torre is foxing with a nine man BP. Fourteen pitchers?!?
ugly #1a has a NO-HITTER thru 4...
no-no thru 5. this SUX!!! : /
[332] more Sierra!
5 hrs till Guinness time here...
0 H thru 6.
motherfucking bollocks!!!
[333] just took my 1st sip. real tired. not sure how long i'll last. but man, it tastes fucking GREAT!!!
royales get 14 fucking hits and the m's can't get ONE goddamn bleeder. i hope lackey loses the bid, the game and his mind. ugly son of a...
He's at 92 pitches after 6, am sure Francona wants him to give up a rinky-dink single so he can pull him..
Huge lunch + super hot day = little energy for work now...maybe time for some YouTube?
nuffin' troo seven.
goddamn it...