Alex Rodriguez promises to shut his people up about all non-baseball-related mishegoss. Let’s see how long that lasts. Meanwhile, he pal David Ortiz had this to say:
“I didn’t like it. I don’t think it was the right thing to do,” Ortiz told USA TODAY Sports. “But we don’t all think alike, and the guy who did it, Dempster, is a great guy. It’s not that I didn’t think it was right because Alex and I are friends, because once you cross the white lines, everyone’s on their own.
“But we’ve got Tampa right on our heels, and that pitch woke up a monster in the Yankees’ team at that moment. You saw how the game ended up. CC (Sabathia) was throwing 91 (mph) and started throwing 96. Alex later hit one way out there. You’re talking about a good team that you can’t wake up. But we learn from our mistakes.”
Andy’s on the hill this afternoon. Gray skies in New York so it could be a wet one.
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Vernon Wells DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Alfonso Soriano LF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Reynolds 1B
Eduardo Nunez SS
Chris Stewart C
Never mind the brooms:
Let’s Go Yank-ees!
[Photo Via: Casaboobcas]
Yankees lose IF Jason NIx to injury, so they call up...another pitcher. Like the sun rising in the east...
Anyway, at least I get to tune in to see the ol' ballgame this afternoon.
[0] So, Ortiz did not like Demster's gambit not because it was wrong, but only because he fears it "woke up the Yankees" in a tough pennant race. Hmm.
Not sure why Ortiz would say that in public and not just leave it private.
2) what can he say? he plays for a team that has a rich history of throwing at hitters (see Clemens, Roger; Martinez, Pedro et al).
Four measly games to catch Tampon Bay and Oaksterdam. From second wildcard to WS champ? I can hope.
[4] Pedro was a noted headhunter before he went to Boston; it was a perfect match.
[5] Provided those teams stumble in the stretch; possibly Oakland, but I don't see Tampa Bay falling off. Yanks need to stay really hot throughout September to have a real chance. Not impossible!
Ortiz knows he's gonna get it next time they play the Yanks; likely when Dempster is pitching so he can't retaliate. And he's right; that definitely woke them up. Keep throwing at him if you want and see your team lose big. One thing that has been fairly consistent with Boston is that when their bully tactics are stood up to, they fade like the end of a noir film; 04 and 07 notwithstanding.
Rain delay?! I was looking forward to listening to the Yanks game this afternoon to get me through a slow Thursday. Hoping this one doesn't get postponed - for the sake of facilitating both my work loitering and the nice little hot streak the boys have going on.
[1] C'mon! You know Preston Claiborne can play infield in a pinch.
Mo-time at the Apollo!
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57599684/metallica-is-headed-for-the-apollo/
Francesca is blowing his top over Ichiro being "honored" for having 4,000 hits. Douche.
[11] Well, I don't really get the increasingly over the top honors for player who achieve arbitrary benchmark counting stats, and in addition, more than 1000 of those hits were not in the major leagues. He's a fine player, but I too find all of this Ichiro 4000 hit hoopla a little much.
Check this link out
http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/H_career.shtml
Two things popped out at me... The Yanks have the top 3 active hits leaders, Jetes, Rodriguez and Ichi. Jetes as 3300 in 19 seasons, Alex has 2970 in 20 seasons and Ichi has 2720 in 13! seasons. Pretty amazing.
[12] Not too much hoopla, all forgotten by tomorrow and his real milestone will be 3000. But, all these hits are a career mark as a professional, and while Oh isn't recognized as the world HR leader with 816; Ichiro plays here successfully, has hit with basically the same average in the US and Japan. He is one of the greats, will be in the HOF, so recognizing his personal 4000 is ok, right?
[14] Is it "ok"? I guess. But since by all accounts the Japanese league is usually seen on par with AAA, why not celebrate all players total hits/HRs/wins/whatever between the bigs and, say, the international league?
I also question whether Ichiro is one of the "greats." He has a unique skill set that allows him to wrack up tons of hits, and he's fun to watch but as a corner OF he's really *not* one of the all time greats, even if you factor in his defence. But that's an argument for another day.
I support Ichro's greatness as a player in general. There aren't many players playing that have achieved what he has in the short span of time he's been in the majors as a hitter; power or not. It may be an argument of relativity, but he was certainly a dominant factor in any lineup through most of his career.
That said, there has been a discernible effort by national media outlets to obscure the definition of "professional baseball" in a concerted effort to stir debate perhaps; sports and debate go hand-in-hand. Is professional strictly American? And if so, does that also include or exclude the Negro Leagues? Why not then state his stats are strictly with MLB? I actually think MLB is using this moment to obscure the negative issues they are currently embroiled in, and even if they're not, they certainly welcome the distraction.
[15] He had the misfortune of playing almost exclusively in an era marked by an absurdly high run environment. Singles and stolen bases were never less important.
[7] Exactly. Well-put.
[12] I put "honored" in quotes b/c all the Yankees did was go out on the field for a few minutes while the crowd applauded. This simple act along with people now mentioning that Ichiro has 4,000 hits combined in both the U.S. and Japan is fine with me. I don't think there has been an abundance of hoopla at all. imho.
They started!
13) That's crazy! And to balance that, Jeter has 1,041 walks in 19 years, Alex Rodriguez has 1,223 walks in 20 years and Ichi has 538 walks in 13 years.
This young lefty kid is off to a good first 3 innings.
Good play, Alex. Zip - Zip still.
IchiGO!
Mets pick up Dice-K off the scrap heap. My, how times have changed...
I cannot friggin' believe that play. Shit! Alex may have been safe. Double shit.
Blown by blue ...
Sweet hands, Alex. DP! Damn straight!
Day-um!
Another Dandy, from Grandy!
Replay!
Well that damn runner on third should have tagged up regardless. WTF!
Dammit ... Dubs was about 6 inches from being a hero.
Meh. Cano needed to cash in that complete gift.
Dandy Andy. Only one bad pitch in 6 innings.
Dandy Andy!
Alex steals!
Nunez!
Eye high 2 run single!
Attention Baltimore, Boston and Tampa: Objects in your Rear-View Mirror are closer than they seem.
I really do not like Lawrie.
Joba is up?
Fuck, you can disregard [40], then ...
They really are saying Booooooooooooooooooooooooo-urns!
Oh, man, just as I suspected!
Phew. Great job by Robbie, he was hung out to dry by that throw from Preston ...
BRING ON THE HAMMER!!!
Rob + D-Rob = Out
Sweet!
Sic semper clavi.
NAILED!!!
[12] No disrespect intended but..do you actually enjoy watching baseball anymore? You can argue over his value and the level of play in the NPB, I would likely agree with you. But Ichiro is a very special and unique player, totally unforgettable. Why 'pooh-pooh' such a great moment for him and the fans? Do PED's bother you that much you cannot love one of the most enjoyable players of the last few decades?
[44] That is funny!
Regarding Ichiro, I know I was excited to see him come to New York. He's been an exciting player for his entire career in the US. Putting it in perspective, there are a lot of kids who are about 16-20 who grew up cheering for this guy, even if they weren't a Mariners fan. My nephew is an example; his favorite player was Ichiro. A unique talent, indeed.I think the hoopla about 4,000 hits was more a Japanese thing, but I'm still impressed and I want him to get his 3,000 hit in the majors wearing pinstripes.