I suspect Cliff had this entire post ready to go for several innings before this game was over.

Just a hunch. :)

[1]

Mad Libs: Yankee Recap edition

[2] I laughed. That somewhat makes up for you sending me a Wilson Betemit card on Facebook

[3] That just made me collapse in laughter..

The irony is I got this post for a 10:05 start up earlier than I got yesterday's recap for the 1:05 start up. Yeah, I had it in the hopper, beat-writer style. The game was uncomplicated. I could have posted the score (11-1) and left it at that. There wasn't much to see there other than CC dealing, Matsui hitting, and Jeter running smoothly.

Yanks could up their Run Diff byt 25 this weekend..easily...

slowing down here..anyone up for some classic Stadium stories? Guy I know here told me the other night about smoking weed in the Upper Deck at the Old Stadium..and guy he bought it from was an on duty Security guard at the Stadium..think that happens these days?

Ain't nothin' easy, but tonight was. Good times. Look out West Side. : O

[6] Nope...and I think that's a good thing. I know some people pine for the more rowdy stadium of day's past, but I prefer the more civilized atmosphere that has evolved over the past 10-15 years.

[8] $9 beers = civilized?

[9]If the more expensive beers mean fewer people who only come to the game to get drunk, then I guess it probably does.

[10] Perhaps I romanticize the past, but to quote Jimmy Breslin, when he was asked about Rudy G's gentrification of 42nd St.. "What's there now, The Outback and a Disney Store? I'll take the drugs and hookers, please."

[11] Drugs and hookers over families from all over the world enjoying a variety of entertainment options while pumping dollars into the local economy? That's not my definition of romantic.

[12] Disney is one kind of drug, reefer is another..i'll leave it to others to decide which is worse..the bland-corporate takeover of NYC (Yankee Stadium included) is just not cool with many of us..

i just caught up on the game post.

Just Fair asked which old Banterer knew CC. iirc, i think it was standuptriple and he was a catcher. may have been a professional player of some kind. i think he still stops by every now and again. i'm also think it could've been johnnystrongleg, but prolly the first guy i mentioned...

[14] Word. Thanks
[13] As to reefer > Disney, both make for some crazy shite. lol.
[12] ps. Ichiro's going to to scale the wall no matter the situation. Do doubt in my mind.

Great, easy win tonite, love to see it. Capn looked no worse for wear, Godzilla showed Ichiro who's boss and the pen, posada and a-rod get a breather. Noice one, let's do it again tomorrow, Andy.

[13] I've never heard of people killing others while high on Disney, so we'll definitely have to disagree here. Recently in NY, a woman drunk and high on "refer" decided to go the wrong way on a highway and killed not only herself, but several others, including four young children. Something tells me that if that lady had fallen victim to the bland corporate culture of Disney as opposed to enlightening refer madness, there would be 4 laughing children alive today.

I'll get off my soap box now...it just really annoys me when people glorify behavior that is so obviously destructive.

[17] All studies done on the subject show conclusively that marijuana is far less destructive than alcohol, yet it remains illegal.. I don't know the accident you are referring to but I would imagine it was alcohol and not the effects marijuana that led to such a tragedy..

In any case, I could also go on for 4000 words about the destruction of true American culture by corporate behemoths like Disney but that will take us farther away from baseball than we've already gone..

For your pleasure though, williamnyy23 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5dgAszVslA

Friday pm here, time for some Guinness with Mrs. OK Jazz!

[18] Exactly. THANK YOU!!!! I loved going to Yankee stadium as a kid and smelling the pot. I don't really think fans are anymore civilized now, many are extremely boring and lame, and others are too juiced up on testosterone and go there to start fights.

I'm not saying it should go back to the battery throwing days, but geez, a little identity with a stadium in the Bronx is definitely fine with me. I also love how people make arguments for "families", people procreate themselves into poverty and then we have to pay for all their kids, their beautiful little kid grows up to be the biggest a-hole, I think the family and kid argument is a little lame. It's thrown around like, "YOU ARE AGAINST THE KIDS, OMG!!!". I didn't say kill them, I'm saying they are not my problem and many are quite annoying.

I was at Saturday's game and, yes, I was crazy high, I love having my brain frying like an egg with the sun beaming on it, it reminds me of the old Regan era "say no to drugs" commercials. The beer lady in the 300 area, where the imported beers are, asked me a question that I couldn't answer too fluidly, for obvious reasons. When I couldn't give her the answer the third time she asked me what did you just smoke "sour diesel" or was it "cush"?

ans: sour diesel

Plus I was too into the game. I'd rather she would have sold me THAT than the beer anyway, I just would have ate more garlic fries anyway. In the end, they'll still get my money.

[17] BTW, the lady was drunk. I have yet to read a report that said she was high at the time of driving, she had pot in her system, but pot stays in your system longer than any other drug so I have yet to read conclusive evidence that she was high. To blame it on the "refer" is a cop out.

Well, this morning's game recap thread is certainly enlightening.

[18] I don't think public intoxication of any kind is an acceptable form of behavior. If you want to hang out at home and get high, go for it. But when you do so in a public place, you not only run the high risk of doing something disruptive toward others, but possibly deadly as well.

As for the destruction of true American culture, again, we probably would have wild disagreements on that topic, but I'd like to think that "drugs and hookers" wouldn't a better alternative to either of our ideals.

[19] To each his own...we obviously come from very different viewpoints, so needless to say I am very pleased that behaviour such as you describe is tolerated less at not only Yankee Stadium, but most public places that I enjoy going.

[20] You can check out the Daily News archive for more information, but according to one article, "The level of THC in her system indicates she smoked pot within an hour of the crash". I wouldn't doubt that the alcohol contributed more, but just because marijuana was the lesser of two evils doesn't make it ok.

[22] That's the first I heard of the THC level. I'll definitely check it out.

As to your other point, what behavior are you referring to? The fact that I'm sitting there quietly watching the game or the fact that I couldn't wrap my head around the question the beer lady was asking me? I agree, my behavior was really, really, awful and should never be tolerated. I was surprised that my behavior didn't cause the national guard to come storming into Yankee stadium. Nothing worse than someone smoking their ganga and enjoying it, that's just straight criminal.

[22] You're right that it's in the Daily News archive, but how come that's the only paper that seems to have that information? I know the post says that weed was partly the cause, but I never saw that line repeated or anything similar to that line in the dailynews in the post or ny times (kindle edition).

[23] Right, because no stoners are ever disruptive. They all just sit quietly, enjoying the cosmos in peace and tranquility.

[17] I've never heard of people killing others while high on Disney either, but it's been clinically proven that people who wait an hour and 45 minutes for Space Mountain, or experience It's A Small World are likely to become tempted to kill. I think that's why they came up with FASTPASS®.

Anyway...on another note, anyone else wondering how the F we're going to replace the offense of Damon and Matsui next year??

They're both pretty much tearing it up, Damon especially, Matsui of late. Counting stats looking pretty good for both. That's a LOT of HRs and RBIs to make up for next year.

I know we're all worried about Matsui's inability to play the field, Damon's horrific arm and OF play in general, and we've bantered (oy) about trying JD on a 1 year deal. We''ve also worried about having too many aging DH types. But man does this collection of guys rake when they're all more or less healthy.

BTW, the lady was drunk.

That could explain her aggressive behavior. I have yet to meet an aggressive stoner.

[23] If you can't answer a simple question then maybe you wont be able to return to your seat without spilling your beer on someone...or falling on someone while climbing the stairs...or run them over with your car on the way home. Or, maybe it will just lead you to behave in a manner you might not otherwise if you were sober?

I go to Yankee Stadium to watch baseball, so I guess I don't get why anyone would choose to get drunk or high during a game, but that's just me.

[24] From AP:
"Diane Schuler, who died along with her 2-year-old daughter and three nieces in her red minivan, had more than 10 drinks of alcohol in her system and a high level of the main ingredient in marijuana, authorities said."

AND

"Blood tests also showed she had smoked marijuana 15 minutes to an hour before the crash, said Betsy Spratt, chief toxicologist for the Westchester County medical examiner."

[27] the stadium is built for lefty power. I think there's a chance they'll both be back. I'd happily overpay them year to year, but in reality the Yankee way is to overcompensate valuable veterans in terms of years.

[27] Whether or not they can repeat their performance, the Yankees will still need to replace/retain it next year. I think the Yankees will target a slugging OF'er in the offseason, while also retaining one of Matsui and Damon. I think Damon is the likely candidate because of his ability to take the field and the fact that he is more durable. I also think Posada will slide more into a DH role, which of course means they'll need to recover some offense there as well.

Because so many Yankees are having great offensive seasons, I think the 2010 will likely see an offensive drop-off unless Arod, Tex and Cano (three guys I think can do better) all improve, or a significant outfield bat is brought on board.

[28] if you've never met an aggressive stoner you've never waited in line for ice cream after a Grateful Dead concert.

I think Damon jams to Peter Tosh. Matsui on the other hand....... ??????

If that lady had 10 drinks in her system, I think that's 'nuff said. I don't think I've ever heard of someone getting into an accident from smoking weed, though I'm sure it happens. I know I've never heard of someone being violent or aggressive from smoking it, but that's probably happened too.

Anyway that story about the woman on the Taconic is bizarre. Her husband claims he never saw her drunk in his life ... She pulls over to call and say she's disoriented? Who does that with 10 drinks in them? Then she drives for two miles in the wrong direction? It's crazy. I guess she was downing vodka and smoking weed the entire ride!

[27] For the number of question marks coming in to the season (mostly about age), the Yankees sure have been firing on all cylinders. As great as it is though, the cautious person in me wants to release at least one of the two before they fall apart. I love Matsui, but as everyone's pointed out the Yankees have too many older guys who will need days off, and Matsui has zero versatility. Damon wouldn't be bad to keep as a primary DH, since he's got some speed and he can play OF easily if someone else needs a half-day off. Then you'd have to find an everyday left fielder. Hinske/Duncan platoon? I dunno.

[33] I think Damon jams to Peter Tosh. Matsui on the other hand……. ??????

What a silly question, my friend! >;)

Hattip to RAB:
August 14, 2009 - Is Austin Jackson ready for the prime time?
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_article/is-austin-jackson-ready-for-the-prime-time/

I look forward to seeing AJax in NY but I agree there is absolutely no reason to rush him. I think when Gardy comes back, we have a solid but not outstanding OF, but one with good defense.

Based on this article, I wonder if 2010 is even too early.

[8] Are you insinuating that people who smoke weed aren't civilized? Me and Thelarmis take offense!

Based on Matsui's and JD's hot years, there are some people open to a 1 year contract for Godzilla and maybe 2 for JD. I love both these guys but I don't think we can NOT have a pure DH for 2010. With Po, ARod and Jeter on for another 2 years, I think we must have the DH spot open to rotate players through.

And I'll be the first to admit (like many here?) that I'm amazed we got (all) 4 good years from JD. It's turned out to be a fine signing. And this year, he seems to be swinging the bat better then ever. But he D has deteriorated and I can't see him taking a well-priced one year deal. I would imagine he will use this excellent year to help land a 3 year FA contract.

Do you guys thing JD can get something like 3/$30 this coming winter?

[22] Jeez.... now you're down on hookers too?

offtopic this one's for the NY Giants fans. sing along with Michael Vick now:

Fly Pitbulls fly,

On the road to victory.

Fight Pitbulls fight,

Kill another dog 1, 2, 3.

Hit'em low, hit'em high,

And watch our Pitbulls fly.

Fly Pitbulls fly,

On the road to victory.

P-I-T-B-U-L-L-S PITBULLS!

Who let the Vick out ?(woof woof-woof-woof)

heh. yeah I know.. too easy.

[27][31] I t hink William nails this one. Johnny has more value because he can still run and can still play credibly in the OF (well, sort of credibly). On the negative side, it is hard to imagine he'll repeat this year's performance, and doesn't he have a history of alternating good and stinky years? Still, I would take a chance on him for up to two years.

Matsui, however, I would not retain even for one year [39]. He's raking now, but he has always been streaky. And his numbers for a full time DH are just not that impressive (though his offense has improved this year, and his overall numbers fit right in with classics Matsui, 2005-7).

The real problem is that Matsui is so inflexible with regards to position. Even if he learned to play 1B (everyone's favorite solution) that doesn't create much roster flexibility. At least with Damon, you could DH him a bunch and rotate him to the corner on days when Posada needs to DH. Heck, Damon even played a game or two at 1B before.

So, from my view: try to resign Damon short term, say bye-bye to Matsui.

a few things to ponder on a damon re-signing -

1) are the yankees planning to move the fences back or anything to alter the short porch in rf - if so, how much of an impact would that have on damon's power?

2) i'd like to parse his defensive numbers more. did he have a bad stretch (the way robbie did last year that torpedoed his defensive metrics) and otherwise has been a bit better? can the times he looked really sketchy out there be attributed to that weird issue he was having with his eyes blinking, is that something that will stay with him?
basically the yanks need to know if he has totally fallen off a cliff with his of play or can he bounce back or level out some.

i am personally okay with a 2 year deal for jd. as oyf points out in [39] jackson may not really be ready next year.

[39] Based on what happened in the last off season I'd be SHOCKED if any team gave JD a third year. 2 + a team option/buyout for a 3rd year I could see, but not 3. And not for $10mm/year.

Unless of course the economy rebounds sharply, unemployment goes way down, the Dow goes back to 14000, etc. :)

It will definitely be interesting to see how the OF/DH situation unfolds this offseason. Many many moving parts. In addition to the Damon and Matsui questions, how is Gardy when he comes back, and what does the FO project for him next year? How does Melky finish the season and what impact does that have on the team's plans for him next year? Is Ajax ready? Or not?

Also, What FAs are available? Holliday's recent surge upon returning to the NL may indicate that he was taking the year to adjust to unfamiliar AL pitchers as much as the idea that he was a product mostly of Coors field (which I believe). But what does that say about him long term as a hitter in the AL and how do the Yanks evaluate him? Ready to take a run at Crawford?

It should be fun. Probably not as exciting as CC/AJ/Tex this past off season. But fun nonetheless!

plese don't tell me I came too late for the weed and hookers discussion.

I've always been of the mind that anyone who pines for the days of grindhouses and syringes on 42nd either a) wasn't there or b) is just trying to write some good copy.

Now that being said, the Giuliani-era Disneyification of the area is just as disgusting but for a wholly different set of reasons, if your idea of a culture is Olive Garden and the M&M's Store then hey, knock yourself out. After all this is someone who called a City Hall press conference (bought and paid for by city tax dollars) to announce that he was leaving his wife for another woman...so par for the course I suppose.

But there is something profoundly sad about living in a city (or country for that matter) where your choices have to be whittled down to "Mall of America or Crackhouse" or "weed in the upper deck or $15 Lobel's sandwich"

/end rant.

[46] Here here!!

[46] The pendulum doesn't swing slowly in NYC it seems; the times change like a digital watch in the blink of an eye.

Also, What FAs are available?

From Cot's Baseball Contracts

Outfielders
Bobby Abreu LAA
Garret Anderson ATL
Rick Ankiel STL
Rocco Baldelli BOS
Jason Bay BOS
Marlon Byrd TEX
Mike Cameron MIL
Frank Catalanotto TEX
Endy Chavez SEA
Coco Crisp * KC
Carl Crawford * TB
Johnny Damon NYY
David Dellucci TOR
Jermaine Dye * CWS
Darin Erstad HOU
Cliff Floyd SD
Ryan Freel BAL
Brian Giles SD
Ken Griffey Jr. SEA
Vladimir Guerrero LAA
Matt Holliday OAK
Geoff Jenkins * PHI
Reed Johnson CHC
Andruw Jones TEX
Austin Kearns * WAS
Hideki Matusi NYY
Jason Michaels CLE
Xavier Nady NYY
Magglio Ordonez * DET
Manny Ramirez * LAD
Dave Roberts SF
Gary Sheffield DET
Randy Winn SF

[40]

wanna rephrase that? :-)

(I *was* going to say 'come again?', but that was too easy) :-)