It was brutally hot in New York today. It isn’t exactly chilly this evening either. It behooves Randy Johnson and Brad Radke to work quickly. Through three-and-a-half, they’ve done just that. Johnson has six strike outs. Alex Rodriguez golfed his 28th dinger of the season to straight-away center to lead-off the second inning.
Wednesday
December 18, 2024
Since 2002
"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver
--Earl Weaver
1. Johnson is pitching great. If you're not watching the game you're missing something
2. Matt Clement of the Sox just took a brutal linedrive to the head. Very scary. Aside from seeing his stomache rise as he was breathing, he had no movement at all. Very, very ugly.
Hopefully we will hear some encouraging news before Baseball Tonight/Sports Center. Anyone with children might not want them to see this. Very ugly.
And while I hate myself for thinking this, our main rival has just lost their ace. Don't know for how long, but he really looked bad. The Sox also blew a 5-0 lead against the Rays. Now 5-5 on an Aubrey Huff Slam.
3. The years have shown me to be a Yankee fan. Last year I was able to answer many more prayers. Let's just say that it was necessary to restore the cosmic order and baseball can be a very dangerous sport.
4. Couple of points (i) this is not good, anyway you look at it and (ii) the Yankees don't need any help.
5. GREAT GREAT GREAT start by Johnson, A-Rod goes yard, Giambi on bse 3 more times...only problem is:
using gordon here borders on irresponsible...if he's unavailable in 2 days and giving up an inning to proctor, then even more so...a 4 run lead against one of the worst hitting teams in baseball...you have to use either a) Randy johnson (who legitimately might have been out of gas) and if not, b) felix rodriguez if you really cant stomach the thought of proctor going in...I love Torre an believe that his strengths as a Yankee managaer probably outweigh his sometimes puzzling in-game strategies, but his use of the bullpen over the last month (and '03 series) has proven to me that he will never improve as a manager of the bullpen and understand some key precepts about high-leverage and low-leverage innings
6. RJ had terrific command of his slider.
With a four run lead, it would have been a perfect opportunity to pitch F-Rod in the ninth. They need another reliable arm in the pen, and he has pitched well lately. But no, Gordon again.
7. Nothing to do with tonight's game but I just started wondering: if the Yankees make it to the postseason again, is Torre still going to start Flaherty whenever Randy pitches?
8. Looks like it. The Unit definitely pitches his best with Flash behind the plate. I know, I know, Flaherty can't hit his weight. But the hope is that RJ will throw games like he did last night and you won't need Jorge's bat.