Cold Chillin
Mark Teixeira was a late scratch on Saturday night night, and is listed as day-to-day with a sore left wrist.* But the Yankees didn’t miss him as Nick Swisher played first instead and had another great game. He walked twice, hit a triple (belly-flopping into third), and a home run. Picked up three more RBI. Swisher also made a nice pick on short-armed throw by Sabathia to end the seventh inning. He’s been Mr. Everything for the Yankees this week–a likeable, loose personality on a hot streak. I can see him being a good New York player, can’t you? Like Dykstra. Or Lerityz. Or Kevin Millar, who would have done well here in his prime.
Swisher has gotten good press this spring as a fun clubhouse presence. He gives the Yankees some physical swagger without any trace of menace. Swisher’s a got a Cheshire Cat grin and a round, cartoonish face. Steve Lombardi compared him to Jack Black and that’s not a bad call, but it’s not perfect either. There’s something more there. I’m not sure what the call is, but I do know that Swisher has got tremendous hair, almost a retro-Donnie Baseball look.
Swisher seems perpetually cheery, hyper-active, effusive; a more Golly Gee-earnest Jason Giambi. After the game tonight he told Kim Jones that he had three Red Bull in him and he was just looking forward to going to the clubhouse to try and relax. He may be amped, but Swisher also shows patience at the plate. And he’s got pop in his bat. The homer he hit from the right side was crushed.
The Yankees scored six runs in all, including a two-run double by Jorge Posada, more than enough for Sabathia, who delivered the goods in his second start. He wasn’t dominant but Sabathia was able to work out of trouble, getting some big strikeouts, and a couple of inning-ending double plays. He pitched shutout ball through seven-and-two-thirds. Struck out six and didn’t walk a batter. 6-1 was the final as the Bombers won their third straight.
Sabathia is a huge man, but he doesn’t always look as big. He looks wide. Enormous. But like Grimace wearing a toga because of the way he wears his uniform: big n’ baggy. Sabathia’s cap is straight-billed and tiltled ever so slightly to the side. It fits down close to his eyes. He looks like a kid wearing a hat that is too big. He he massive but there is something almost sweet about him.
Sabathia reminds me of David Wells though his motion is different. He also reminds me of Sid Fernandez. He doesn’t short-arm the ball like El Sid, but CC does hold the ball for a moment, curled behind his back, before he delivers. His delivery is not as fluid as David Wells’ was, but then this is…an enormous man trying to harness a lot of moving parts. Against the Royals, Sabathia’s fastball was at 95-96, and later on, 92-93. He featured an effective change-up as well as a good breaking ball as he handled the Kansas City hitters.
It was a fun game to watch and I thoroughly enjoyed the color commentary by Cone and Flaherty.
I know it’s just the Royals but it’s easy to imagine the Yankees pitching staff having a good year, isn’t it? Man, just the promise of good pitching is intoxicating. Tomorrow gives Joba. Next start for CC will be Opening Day at the new Yankee Stadium on Thursday. Wonder if Swisher will play that day?
* After the game, manager Joe Girardi told reporters that Teix has tendinitis and will probably start tomorrow.
He may not haven been 2 H 14 K dominant, but Kansas City was never in that game, and not just because the Yankees scored 6 runs. I think he may have taken his foot off the pedal a little when he got the huge lead, but before that, he was as advertised.
Yep, yep! Power arm establishing number one = Really tough time for opposing lineups.
I believe I had the call on the mechanical issue...
They shortened his stride, which enabled him to get more upright at his release, and as a result, on top of his fastball, which yielded command. He established it early, setting up everything else. It was even effective from the stretch, which is additionally a great sign.
I'm with you Alex! It's a great thing having deep pitching and players hitting in a timely fashion on the road to help get wins... All with Tex resting his wrist and no A-Rod...
I like Joba tomorrow against Meche, and I like Wang, Burnett and Pettitte finishing the trip in Tampa. With that short lottery guy along, they can finish 6-3 or even 7-2 heading to C.C.'s next start on The Opening Day!
Until further notice, I'm still going with "Gashouse Gorilla!"
;)
Mr. Snuffleupagass perhaps?
love the title of this post! CC Swisheira, kicks ass!
love the El Sid reference, too!
i don't necessarily agree on the Dykstra, Leyritz or Millar comparisons, though i see where you're going with it. out of those 3, i'd say Millar, is the closest. i like the "golly-gee" Giambi ref, pretty well.
great comp on Grimace, who's not unhappy! i remember getting Grimace & Hamburglar glasses at McD's as a kid in NY in the late 70's. my fave though, was getting the 1979 Topps Yankee cards from Burger King. those ruled!
as far as the hair, Swish grew it out the other year (much to the chagrin of his ex-major leauger father Steve), and eventually donated to a cause in dedication to his grandma. not only was i incredibly close to my maternal grandparents, but i donated over a foot of my hair to Locks of Love a little over 3 years ago. it's a great organization - they procured my hair and from it, made wigs for children 18 and younger who are undergoing chemotherapy. great cause and a mitzvah indeed!
i dig Swish and i hope he plays often, plays well and sticks around for the duration of his contract.
i also hope Cliff Lee doesn't come out of his post Cy Young swoon on Opening Day at The Stadium v.2.0.
looking forward to Joba tomorrow.
i was on a plane today, didn't see the game. what were the 2 HBP like? were they complete loss of control or more like Hughes this Spring, grazing batters jereseys 'coz he was coming inside?
[0] He gives the Yankees some physical swagger without any trace of menace.
Very well put.
I agree with [1]. If he wasn't quite dominant, CC was in total command. But for Ransom's error, he may have pitched with sufficient economy to throw a complete game (not that he should have). He touched 95, even by the often stunted YES gun, after throwing 100 pitches.
ah, just saw the headline NoMaas used for Pavano's debut. made me giggle! : )
btw, can we consider Thursday's nights Opening Night - Todd Drew Day here at the Banter???
[4] I only saw the HBP of DeJesus, which was on the hand, similar to the way that Jeter often gets hit as a result of diving into the plate.
[7] thanks, man!
Hey Thelarmis! He was just pounding inside, like your Hughes reference. No big whoop with Gordon [hit on the elbow and not cause for him leaving the game early (hip tightness)], but DeJesus will feel the plunk on the hand for a few days. There was no retaliation...
thanks for the details, PJ - 'preciate ya! i like both those royals - gordon and dejesus. hope Joba helps us sweep manana!
Hey Rich! I don't know about you, but I'm already more than sick of the YES gun's consistent readings of 56...
I'm having Phil Niekro flashbacks!
: /
[8] Hey man, check out the last post or so on the previous thread..some jazz tidbits for you. On way out door now for family time, more record updates later!
Any time! I'm lookiing forward to Joba's start, as well!
[12] hey man! i saw 'em briefly, but didn't get a chance to watch. i'm listening to live Jimmy Smith on Blue Note right now. i'll be headed out soon to - hit my watering hole before last call! : )
enjoy family time, my friend!
i know there's been some whispers that the Yanks might pick up Dallas McPherson off the wires. fwiw, he signed a minor league deal w/ the Giants...
That seems like a lateral move.
I'm goin to the game today! I was jacked to see CC until Joe pulled the ol' switcheroo, but I'm happy to see Joba too, he's a hometown favorite. Wonder if his pops will be there? Weather calls for stuff you don't want to sit outside in, but hopefully that will hold off until the game is over.