The Yankees left the bases loaded in the first inning of tonight’s game against the Indians – Posada, finally back, struck out – but it didn’t turn into One of Those Games. Although Pettitte left in the sixth with the vague yet ominous-sounding “back stiffness,” both he and the Yanks’ heart attack of a bullpen were solid, and New York won 3-1.
The Yankees took the lead in the second when Derek Jeter singled in Nick Swisher, and Mark Texeira’s bases-loaded groundout knocked in Brett Gardner. One inning later, Swisher hit a sac fly, Cano scored, and the Yankees had their three runs, which was enough. Cliff Lee looked pretty good tonight, but not 2008 good. Meanwhile Pettitte pitched well up ’til his untimely departure, and Aceves and Rivera took things from there. Nice clean win, even though the dreaded midges showed up for a while in the early going (shudder). And with all due respect to Francisco Cervelli it was great to see Jorge back, especially since he went 2 for 3 with a walk and a double.
The Red Sox lost to Toronto tonight, which means the Yankees are alone in first place for the first time since… wow, 2006? We were all so young then.
–
I don’t know a lot about Cleveland, really… never been there, don’t know anyone from there. When I think “Cleveland”, I think:
-Swarms of gnats
-Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
-LeBron James
-Drew Carey
That’s about it, really, plus “Look Out Cleveland,” by The Band, which is an excellent song. But I actually picked the Indians to win their division, and I’ve always kind of liked them (awful racist logo aside), and so I’m rooting for them to play better. As soon as the Yankees leave town.
Finally, in other good news, the Mets have acquired RHP Lance Broadway. Not that I know a damn thing about Lance Broadway — and a quick glance at his stats has not exactly left my jaw on the floor — but, needless to say, that man was born to pitch in New York City. You don’t mess with destiny.
Cleveland images (never been there):
Snow
Polkas
Municipal Stadium in the 80s, 75K+ capacity, 10,000 fans..maybe
E.Byner
Joe Pozanski
LeBron
Major League (film)
Strangers in Paradise (Jim Jarmusch film)
Michael Jordan
cleveland images (have been there)
on the time zone border, so the daylight always seems strange for the hour
mimi
rock and roll hall of fame - seriously?
sandy alomar
president palmer/serano
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
LeBron (for now)
Cabbage Patch Kids - oops, wrong cleveland
Sounds like Andy will be okay -- on the large assumption that they're being straight with us:
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2009/05/30/pettitte-ill-make-my-next-start/
cleveland images:
airport
ashtabul adisc golf course
lake erie
sprawl
Look who's the hottest prospect in baseball:
"The 19-year-old Montero, signed out of Venezuela in 2006 for $1.65 million, is one of the Florida State League's youngest players—and one of its hottest. He boosted his season total for hits to 54 and slugging percentage to .569—both good for second in the traditionally pitcher-friendly circuit."
cleveland images (been there many many times)
mother-in-law
1. regular snow on Thanksgiving
2. corky and lenny's
3. civilized driving, lots of American cars
4. sad empty urban blight (but not as sad as Detroit)
5. beautiful suburban homes in Cleveland Heights/Shaker Heights for ridiculously small $$$
6. great ballpark
7. seeing Jeter hit first MLB home run, April 2 1996, couldn't have been warmer than 45F (game delayed 1 day due to snow)
8. Cleveland Symphony Orchestra/Severance Hall (wow)
[5] Regarding Montero (and Romine):
Joel Sherman reported yesterday that Yankees will "promote one or the other to Double-A to allow for both to be catching regularly".
My guess is that it will be Montero.
First thing that comes to mind when I think of Cleveland is the Cuyahoga River catching fire.
I remember when Cleveland was a punchline. Maybe it still is, but nothing like I remember. I finally made it out there in 2003.
Cleveland Images (in no particular order):
Jim Brown
If you have never seen him play, you simply must watch NFL footage of one of the original "men among boys!" His Syracuse Lacrosse and Football footage is almost as legendary...
George M. Steinbrenner, III
The SS Henry Steinbrenner, an ore carrier named for George's father the shipping magnate, which sank in Lake Superior in 1953 during a storm.
Grover Cleveland "Old Pete" Alexander, who was born during the first term of...
Grover Cleveland, the only POTUS elected to non-consecutive terms and therefore is listed twice.
Derek Jeter's first HR
Sandy Alomar Jr. "sticking his bat out" against Mo in '97 only to lose the World Series to the Marlins...
John Adams, the idiot with the bass drum in the CF nosebleeds
Dennis Kucinich, who while Mayor in 1978, presided over "the first major American city to enter default since the Great Depression," leading to the phrase "The Mistake by the Lake."
The 1969 fire on the Cuyahoga River due to industrial waste.
"Cleveland Steamer"
: )
Pere Ubu
Dead Boys
[5] In the face, Montero looks like the "love child" of Rivera and Posada!
: )
[11]
You know what would really be karmic for all the guys doing PEDs? . . . if taking them had a side effect of allowing them to become pregnant!
(this bizarre thought brought on by the thought of Rivera and Posada having a child)
[12] LOL
And their "offspring" would glow like those genetically altered lab monkeys in a kind of "Cain's Mark" type of arrangement!
I think players like Lyle Alzado and Ken Caminiti's fate (as well as some wrestlers whose names escape me at the moment) serving as their ever present "Sword of Damocles," is karmic enough for anyone, don't you?
I have no problem at all with Cervelli and Montero as Yankees Catchers of the future. I just hope they can remain healthy, and in the system long enough for the organization to actually "bear fruit" with those two...
I mean who knows how long Posada will last after all!
: )
You slay me, as always, Emma.
Ever seen "Almost Famous?"
Cleveland is given mythic status in that film: "Come to Cleveland, come to Cleveland, come to Cleveland..."
[1] Nice, but it's Stranger *than* Paradise!
[6] "Civilized drivers," really?? I believe it, but I think that's the first time I've ever heard the drivers of any city described as anything but awful. New York, LA, Boston, New Jersey, Florida, Chicago - people are always claiming their local drivers are the worst in the country... I may have to visit Cleveland now just to see this for myself.
Cleveland Symphony (#6 beat me to it)
"Good night Cleveland, there will be no encore!" (Spinal Tap)
[17] Oooh. Remind me to use that for my post title Monday if the Yankees win.
[18] you got it, emma! i sure hope you get to use the title... : )
Reds finally place Joey Votto on DL, but not for inner ear issues .... its "stress-related"
http://tinyurl.com/kndun7
(color me perplexed)
[20] Lemme guess...
He missed the 30-day extension to file his Income Tax Return for last year?
: )