The Yanks split a double header with the Pirates by winning a close one (4-3) and then losing a close one (5-3). What I’ll remember most from the game is Derek Jeter. This year, pitchers are challenging him with fastballs and for the most part, they are beating him. He isn’t bent and fat in his old age, but his bat is slow (and so is Ichiro’s). After hitting a weak ground ball to second in the first game, I watched Jeter jog back to the dugout. For an old man he still looks trim. Yes, he is thicker in the face and he now wears his hair so low as to be practically bald, but he still looks good. Not DiMaggio never-make-a-mistake good, just fit, still hard-working.
Jeter didn’t play in the second game but was called on as a pinch hitter in the 8th inning, the Yanks down a run. He fell behind 0-2, then took 3 balls before he fouled off a couple of pitches. On the tenth pitch of the at bat he got a breaking ball. It was low, but Jeter handled it, and looped a base hit to center field. The 3,353rd hit of his career. It wasn’t the most dramatic or the most important–and he never scored–but it was the kind of hit that typifies Jeter. It’s the kind of at bat we’ve come to admire (even take for granted) over the years. Won’t be too many of these left.
Yesterday, I took it all in.
Thanks, Cap.
[Photo Credit: Andrew Theodorakis/N.Y. Daily News]
He's only turning 40. That isn't old anymore (I hit 50 this October)
Very hard to devote all of a beautiful Sunday to watching the Yanks. But with this last time to watch the Captain, sorta kinda had to. When he was out of the lineup for game 2, I just had to get outside so I missed the hit live. Got it on DVR!
Good stuff, Alex. We had two soccer games, about two acres of grass that needed cutting for the first time this spring, and a birthday dinner (mine), so I missed the at-bat you described.
I've been paying special attention to Jeter's plate appearances, savoring them, knowing his time in the game is running out. Great to see he's still looking good, and, for the most part, making his plays, and getting his hits.
Ugh: http://nypost.com/2014/05/19/yankees-cc-sabathia-out-until-at-least-july/
I'll take a "slow" bat any day if it comes with a .356 BA.
4) I saw a misguided comment that one poster on an article about this said: "He should keep eating and sit still for the next 6 weeks. He pitched better when he was fat."
While he did have more velocity and ring up more wins with a smaller ERA, I think we can attribute that to youth and not weight.
Losing Pineda and CC for a stretch coupled with Nova done for the year, is troubling. Lets hope this baptism by fire of the youngins produces dividends. If they can tread water until we get our rotation back and gain some big-league seasoning to boot all will not be lost.
Everyone and to a large degree, myself believed Tex was done, and he has been a pleasant surprise. I hope he can keep it up as Beltran is going to be on the shelf for a while.
This aint the way that Cash drew it up, but it is October or bust. Let's send the Cap out with a ring for his other hand! Who is with me? Harumph, Harumph...I didn't get a Harumph outta you!
Do we ealy think that Ca$hman will sit this one out and wait for a return of starters from the DL? OTOH, if the Yanks can stay viable in the AL east with spare parts and Tanaka-san, perhaps we can wait until July before getting another starter.
As to CC, anybody saying that the knee problem is the root cause of his loss of velocity, and that he lost weight because his knee was hurting? Just the other day, there was a story saying Tanaka was basically the second coming of Tom Terrific, because he gets so much power from his legs.
7) CC has stated that it was a relative dying that caused him to look at his health and lose weight. But all that weight is tough to carry on your knees.
Remember when we had David Wells and he was quite heavy too, but I don't think as heavy as CC, since he is shorter too. Wells had gout.
CC has thrown more innings than most over the last 10 years and that catches up with you. Eventually, he was gong to have to learn to get by on more guile than power. Perhaps his legs did let him down, and maybe some of that velocity will come back?