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June 30, 2005
Wayne Franklin
Wayne Franklin is the new LOOGY in town.
Whenever I hear the name "franklin" these days, I think of the Orlando Jones character "Clifford Franklin" from the movie The Replacements. And, then I hear "Clifford Franklin is lookin' for a new ho!" in my head. (One of the funniest lines in a sports comedy, to me. But, then again, I can be strange sometimes on things like that.)
Anywho, the Yankees new Franklin is no kid. He's 31. And, he's been around the block. In the last 5 years, he's been in 4 big league cities now. And, he's been pounded pretty good in some spots.
The word is that he has average stuff, and when he can control the zone, is a capable pitcher. But, you can say that about any minor league vet - like this one.
If the Yankees are smart, they'll let Franklin play catch with Mo before every game and see if they can catch lightning twice.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:52 PM | Comments (0)
Web-Rag: Jeter and A-Rod Slug It Out
On June 20, after a throwing error from Jeter to Rodriguez handed the Yankees a 5-4 loss to the last-place Tampa Bay Devil Rays, a TV producer says the sluggers came to blows in the clubhouse.
“I was doing an interview in the locker room and saw them go at it,” says the source. “A-Rod walked past Jeter’s locker and mumbled something about his throw, then Jeter told him to go f*** himself and all hell broke lose. Their teammates were pulling them away from each other.”
“Now you have guys like Bernie Williams who remember winning the World Series taking Jeter’s side, and then you have the trades, like Tony Womack, taking A-Rod’s side,” says a ballclub insider. “What you have is a team that’s split, and you can’t win baseball games like that.” Yankees spokesman Rick Cerrone called the fight an “absolute fantasy,” and denied any rift between the players, claiming “there are no lines drawn in the clubhouse.”
I have no idea if this is true or not. But, I do know that a report such as this, now that it is out, is not going to help this team. It's just something else for the media to hound them on......which is not a good thing.
Best thing for Jeter and A-Rod to do now is a joint interview to show they get along, etc., and put this little fire out.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:00 AM | Comments (25)
Good-Bye Q and Stanton
From the News:
Mike Stanton and Paul Quantrill could be traded or released during the Bombers' off day in Detroit, as both veteran relievers appeared to be saying goodbye to teammates late last night.
One Yankee insider wasn't certain what method the Yanks might use to cut ties with Stanton and Quantrill, but indicated the Bombers were looking to get younger in their bullpen.
Well, a week ago, I wrote that these two were just taking up space. So, this is not a shock.
They'll both land somewhere. No need to shed any tears here.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:23 AM | Comments (7)
June 29, 2005
The Baseball Same Game
FYI, a review of the book is now available over at Brian Kamenetzky's Full Count.
Many thanks to Brian for taking the time to check out the book!
And, if you get a chance, check out Brian's book - Fishing on the Edge.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:06 PM | Comments (0)
Strange But True!
The Yankees game tonight, 6/29/05, at Baltimore, was rained out.
When was the last time that the Yankees had a road game called?
It was almost two years to the day - July 2, 2003, also, a game at Baltimore.
Several games have been called at the Stadium in the last two years - but, other than tonight, and the 7/2/03 game, nothing on the road (in between).
Wacky.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:00 PM | Comments (0)
If The Yankees Lose Tonight
Coming into today, here are the June winning percentages for each AL team:
Angels .708
White Sox .696
A's .680
Indians .640
Red Sox .640
Tigers .542
Twins .520
Mariners .500
Orioles .462
Yankees .462
Royals .440
Blue Jays .423
Devil Rays .320
Rangers .320
There are only four teams in the AL worse than the Yankees, so far, this month. If the Yankees lose tonight, and the Royals and Blue Jays win, then there will be only two teams with worse June records in the AL.
If they Yankees lose tonight, that puts their June record at 12-15. Those 15 losses would a "month-high" (or low?) mark for the season. (The Yankees lost 14 games in April and 10 in May.)
After tonight, the Yankees have 84 games left this season. If the Yankees lose tonight, they would have to play .607 ball the rest of the way to get 90 wins for the season.
But, it's not like a win tonight will change much here either. June has just been a terrible month for New York - like April was for them. Time to close the book on it and move on.
The Yankees need to win at least 16 games in July to pull back into this thing. Another month of 10-12 wins is just not going to do it.
So, what I'm saying is this: If they Yankees lose more than 10 games in the month of July, turn out the lights, because the party (as lame as it has been this year) will be over.
The countdown begins on Friday.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:15 PM | Comments (3)
Quantrill For Juan Encarnacion?
From the Sun-Sentinel:
Since the 2003 World Series, the Yankees have been enamored with Juan Pierre. They may settle for another Marlins outfielder to fill their need in center field.
According to a National League source, the Yankees have inquired about Juan Encarnacion. Their interest could intensity if they can't pry Mark Kotsay, considered their top target, from the Oakland Athletics. The center field situation has reached a critical point in the Bronx, where the Yankees have resorted to using Tony Womack in the spot Bernie Williams can no longer anchor.
The Marlins continue to tell teams relief help is their top priority leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline. The Marlins have liked Paul Quantrill in the past and the Yankees are desperate to move him.
I like this move if the intent is to bring in Encarnacion - who once hit a very, very, long HR in Yankee Stadium - just to play late inning defense and be a pinch-runner, etc.
As a hitter, he's pretty bad. Think Tony Clark, like he was last year, and apply that. It's not Womack-bad. But, it's basically some HRs, lots of whiffs, few walks, and a low BA. Not exactly the FT answer to the Yankees CF needs.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:35 PM | Comments (7)
Melky Cabrera
With the Yankees in the market for a new centerfielder and trade talks heating up, the organization moved one of its top prospects, Trenton Thunder centerfielder Melky Cabrera, to triple-A Columbus. Cabrera, 20, is hitting .267 with nine home runs and 44 runs batted in.
You do not move a 20-year old from Double-A to Triple-A, when he's batting .267 in AA, unless something is up.
Worth noting.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:54 AM | Comments (6)
Moose Tonight
From yankees.com:
Mike Mussina left Baltimore on Monday morning, returning home to Pennsylvania to be with his two youngest children after they were admitted to a hospital for food poisoning.
Shortly after arriving in Baltimore on Sunday night, Mussina called Torre to ask permission to go home for two days to be with his kids. Torre granted Mussina's request, as the pitcher had done his between-starts work on Sunday in New York.
Mussina's children, 6-year-old Brycen and 2-year-old Peyton, were released from the hospital on Tuesday. Torre said that Mussina, who starts for the Yanks on Wednesday night, was scheduled to arrive back in Baltimore either late Tuesday night or on Wednesday morning.
"He was very relieved today, because they finally kept some food down," Torre said.
As a parent, I know exactly how Mussina must have felt. And, I too would have rushed to my children. Luckily, Montoursville (PA) and Baltimore are only about 3 and a 1/2 hours apart. But, I have to wonder how this stress will impact Moose tonight.
Will this be another lost series?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:45 AM | Comments (5)
Cameron for Sheffield?
From the Bergen Record:
The Yankees' search for a younger, quicker outfield led them to a tentative deal with the Mets that would've sent Gary Sheffield to Shea in exchange for Mike Cameron and Miguel Cairo, according to a major league executive who'd been briefed on the talks.
It was the Yankees who initiated discussion during this past weekend's Subway Series, according to the source. Saturday's 10-3 loss to the Mets convinced GM Brian Cashman that Bernie Williams' rapid decline and the absence of a bona fide replacement would cost the Yankees any chance of getting to the postseason.The Mets are believed to be seriously interested in Sheffield, and are now waiting for the Yankees to make a formal offer.
But, the other day, the NYT has Sheffield saying:
"I'm not going anywhere," said Sheffield, who is signed through 2006. "If I have to go somewhere, I won't go. If they said, 'Wouldn't you want to get paid?' I'd say, 'I've got plenty of money.' I'm not playing nowhere else. I can promise you that."
I think that I know what the Yankees are thinking here. One, they need a CF and the market is tight there. Two, they're probably thinking that Sheffield will be a major headache next season - looking for an extension, etc. - and want to head that off at the pass. And, do you want to have to give Sheff a contract for a season when he's going to be 38?
But, what I do know is that Sheffield is the one batter who strikes fear into the hearts of teams playing the Yankees. You take him out of the line-up, and you have a huge whole that cannot be filled - esp. with Cameron's bat. I mean, for cryin' out loud, Sheffield is your number three hitter!
You do not trade your number three hitter. So, hopefully, this is just smoke to get the A's and/or M's to lower the prices for their CFers on the market. That would be the smart thing to do, right?
Or, is it a mistake to assume that Cerberus can make the right choice sometimes?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:02 AM | Comments (8)
June 28, 2005
Cerberus In Pinstripes
For what it's worth, on TMKS today on ESPN Radio in NYC, around 4:30 pm, Jon Heyman hinted towards the following:
The Tony Womack signing was handled by the Tampa office.
The Carl Pavano signing was a New York branch call.
And, the Jaret Wright signing was all Big Stein.
In Greek mythology, Cerberus is the three-headed watchdog who guards the entrance to Hades. According to the story, Cerberus allows new spirits to enter the realm of dead, but does not let them to leave.
From now on, instead of typing out something like "Yankees Brain Trust" or "The Yankees Front Office" (and such), I'm just going to call them Cerberus - because, in the end, they do the same thing.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:11 PM | Comments (2)
Yankees To Get Swindal'ed
It's official. Steve Swindal is on deck:
With his 75th birthday approaching next week, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner made it official Tuesday: Son-in-law Steve Swindal will follow him as head of baseball's most storied team.
Steinbrenner did not say when Swindal would take over. At a news conference on June 15, Steinbrenner mentioned in passing that Swindal was "going to carry on."
"Yes, Steve will be my successor," Steinbrenner said through spokesman Howard Rubenstein in an e-mail response to questions from The Associated Press. "I also have other sons, daughters, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law coming along and they will remain involved. As I have said many times, 'You must let the young elephants into the tent.'"
Swindal, 50, is married to Steinbrenner's daughter, Jennifer. He said there was no way he would be as hands-on as his father-in-law.
"I think that's impossible. My inherent style is more delegation," Swindal said Tuesday during a telephone interview from Tampa, Fla. "I don't think there could ever be another George Steinbrenner. He is Mr. Yankee and has represented them for 32 years. I could only could only hope to surround myself with the best, brightest baseball minds and do a lot of listening."
Swindal said Steinbrenner had told him he would be the successor.
"We've discussed that all the kids would be involved at some point in running the team and everybody would contribute," Swindal said. "It just happens at this point in time my kids are further along, and I can spend more time in New York. The other boys have younger children, and they have to stay closer to home."
Closer to home? I thought this team was run out of Tampa as it is?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:56 PM | Comments (2)
June 28th @ The Orioles
When the Yankees were retired in the top of the 5th tonight, I thought to myself "They're going to lose this game." I thought this even though they were leading the game, 3-1, at the time.
When Womack managed to reach to start that frame, and then stole second with no outs, and the Yankees 1-2-and-3 batters, Jeter/Cano/Sheffield, could not even advance him to third, I took that as a bad sign.
And, in the next inning, once Palmeiro homered, I thought to myself, even more, "They're going to lose this game" - even though the score was 4-3 in favor of New York at that time.
And, two innings later, when Tom Gordon did his thing in the 8th to allow the O's to tie the score at four, I was convinced further that "They're going to lose this game."
And, of course, in the bottom of the 10th, as soon as Roberts made contact, I said to myself "They're going to lose this game" - and I was right.
The Yankees are now just a half-game out of 4th place. Further, even if they play lights-out ball for the rest of the season, reaching 90 wins is going to be an uphill task. And, it's a very, very, steep hill.
I hope Part II of the meeting in Tampa goes well tomorrow.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:34 PM | Comments (5)
The Willow & Cash Tango
From the Star-Ledger:
Willie Randolph said before last night's loss to the Yankees that he believes his old team misses him. But the Mets manager was quick to point out that he doesn't think his absence has anything to do with the team's won-lost record.
Randolph said he made subtle contributions to the Yankees' success over the years, contributions he said that went largely unnoticed by the team's upper management during his 11 seasons as a coach.
"My contribution to a lot of teams is not something you see," Randolph said. "It's behind the scenes. It's one-on-one, very subtle. ... Teaching players how to win and how to play day-to-day baseball is hard work, but it's very much between the ears.
"Let me say that my relationship with those guys over there is special. Like I miss them, I think they miss me. Let's leave it like that. That's all. I don't think I'm the direct result of wins and losses. I'm not going to say that. But what I bring to a team is not the tangible stuff that goes unnoticed and people don't really think about."
Asked if he felt underappreciated by the team's upper management when he was with the Yankees, Randolph nodded.
"I do," he said, later adding that he was not talking about Joe Torre. "I do."
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who visited with Randolph by the batting cage before the game, didn't appreciate Randolph's remarks when they were relayed to him.
"I'd have to ask Willie what he meant by that," he said. "I know a lot of upper-management people worked hard to get him that job at Shea.
"It's a problem when you begin painting with a broad brush like that because you include people that weren't involved. He should name names. When you start something like that, you need to finish it."
Aw, com'on fellas. Don't phunk with each other's heart, huh?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:51 PM | Comments (5)
"Mantle" on HBO, July 13, 2005
Oklahoma baseball legend Mickey Mantle will be the subject of an HBO documentary this summer.
The documentary is called "Mantle" and will be debut July 13th, the day after Major League Baseball's All-Star Game.
Interviews include Mantle's widow, Merlyn, sons David and Danny, Oklahoma native and former New York Yankee Bobby Murcer, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and Billy Martin junior who is the son of Mantle's good friend, the late Billy Martin.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:29 PM | Comments (0)
Behind George's Words
From an AP report:
"My patience is a little short by the fact that the team is not performing up to its great capabilities," Steinbrenner said in a statement issued by spokesman Howard Rubenstein. "The players have to want to win as much as I do."
This is interesting. Who gets the players to "want to win"? It's the manager, right?
I know that I've been calling for a change for the past 7 weeks.
But, would you do something now, after two wins in a row? OK, OK, I know that I said last night that the team should not let these games fool them. And, I'm still standing by that.
It's just that such a move now would play right into the hands of the media. Your current MGR is "winning" (albeit just at the moment) and then you replace him. And, when the new MGR loses his first two games - and, why wouldn't he, it's going to take more than 48 hours to right this ship - what's the press going to do to him?
That's putting the new guy into a bad spot - well, a worse spot that it already is, in my opinion.
Unless Big Stein is thinking about going after coaches and leaving Torre alone, for now? Then, it makes no difference what the team is doing. We'll know soon.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:41 AM | Comments (11)
June 27, 2005
June 27th @ The Orioles
Taking advantage of walks and balks, plunking batters when they're getting too comfortable at the plate, having your starter get to the point in a game where you can use your desired bullpen plan, and busting it down the line on potential DP grounders. Amazing how when you do all this stuff, you stay in the game and eventually win it, huh?
Personally, I'll take this as a chance to voice my displeasure of the balk rule. Yes, I know it's been on the books for like-forever. But, I think it's one rule that you could ditch and it would add to the game rather than take away from it. Why shouldn't a pitcher be able to deceive a runner? Isn't that what they do with the fake throws to 2nd and 3rd?
In any event, it was a good day to win, beat the team in front of you, and post the "W" while the Red Sox were getting beat up at Fenway. (By the way, thanks for the "tip" tonight in Fenway Christopher Trotman. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.)
But, here's the deal: The Yankees cannot afford to let these uplifting wins in the last two games fool them. They are not turning a corner now, etc. Why? Because they did not turn it around after their 10-game winning streak, like we thought it was turning at that time. Nor did they turn it around after their 5-game winning streak, like we thought at that time. And, they did not turn it around after their 6-game winning streak, etc.
Therefore, two wins in a row, while nice, is just like treating a broken leg with an aspirin. It's not going to properly heal and will remain a serious matter of trouble.
The Yankees still need to address the issues with why this team is where it is at this junction of the season.
Tomorrow is a big day for the Yankees. The "eight highest officials" in Yankeeland will meet in Tampa for a meeting at 3:30 p.m. to discuss the team. I hope they're going to look past the last two nights and make the right calls on what's needed - and then go do it.
I know that Big Stein said the other day that it's all in Torre's "lap" now - but, that's not right. It's in the lap of the one and only true Yankees "Boss" - the mack daddy of turtlenecks, G.M.S. the 3rd. Brace for impact.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:49 PM | Comments (14)
Home Sweet Giambi
Some Giambi splits, thanks to Baseball Musings Day by Day Database:
Since April 26th, BA/OBA/SLG:
Away: .241/.362/.328
Home: .302/.429/.397
Since May 26th:
Away: .261/.414/.304
Home: .350/.469/.500
Yes, that's .350/.469/.500 - - Needless to say, in his last 13 home games, we're seeing the "old" Jason Giambi. But, what's going on with these road stats? Could it be that the BALCO-steroids-cheater-stuff chants/booing is getting to him?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:21 PM | Comments (21)
David Wells On The State Of The Yankees
In the Globe today:
David Wells, who was twice a Yankee and before signing with the Red Sox last winter called Brian Cashman and tried to talk the Yankees' general manager into a third go-round, was asked his thoughts on the Bombers' current travails, which had them just over .500 (38-37) after last night's win over the Mets.
"I don't know and I don't care," the Sox pitcher said. "I'm glad I'm where I'm at. That's their problem, and you can go ask them.
"But I don't think George [Steinbrenner] is too happy. I think he's about ready to clean house, tell Brian to trade everybody and then fire him. I'll take him, though, because Cashman is a great guy. He's been good to me."
For a guy who says "I don't know and I don't care" Boomer then goes on even more, in the piece, to talk about Bernie and the Big Unit too.
Wells has some ideas here. And, it's hard for him hide them. After all, when he gets an idea, the light bulb goes on for all to see.....
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:53 PM | Comments (8)
The Wildcard Chase
As I look at the AL Wildcard standings this AM, and see the Yankees are just 4 back in that race, I want to say thank you to the Tigers, A's, Cubs, Mariners, and Pirates. Why?
It's because the Yankees, to date, are 19-2 this season when playing the Tigers, A's, Cubs, Mariners, and Pirates. And, against the rest of the teams that they have played, New York is 19-35. (Yes, 19 and 35.)
Without the contributions from the Tigers, A's, Cubs, Mariners, and Pirates, the Yankees season, right now, would be hopeless. As it stands now, however, there's something to shoot for - as it is attainable.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:35 AM | Comments (5)
June 26, 2005
June 26th vs. The Mets
Until the 9th tonight, I thought the entry for today's game was going to be:
Despite the last ugly loss being one of those where you call it one of the most painful ones of the year, pushing aside all the previous stinging losses, along comes another loss to make the last one now seem like the second to most painful one.........
But, that nice comeback in the final frame changes everything - for one night, at least. It sure makes facing the Mets fans at work a tad easier tomorrow AM. (Of course, the Red Sox fans will still be loaded for bear and firing at will.)
Best way to describe this feeling on the win tonight: It's like when you were back in school, and you totally screwed up and did not prepare for something big due that day, and you're sweating bullets over the pain that's coming your way when you arrive.........and, just then, when you get to class you discover that the teacher called in sick and you have new life for another day.
I'm sure there are more than a few in the Yankees organization who now feel like they've been granted another day with the game outcome this evening. If the 4-3 score had held up, given the way the Yankees played in the first eight frames tonight, it would have been a much different morning on Monday for some, no question.
Here's the big question for me on this game: When was the last time that the Yankees used three pinch hitters in a game during the month of June where all of them came into the game before the first out of the seventh inning? Do you think that Torre was feeling some pressure to win this game?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:47 PM | Comments (17)
Kevin Reese
From SI:
Kevin Reese didn't know what to say first when he called his friends.
"I'm getting married. By the way, I just got called up to the big leagues," he told some.
For others, he reversed the order.With Bernie Williams struggling defensively, the New York Yankees purchased the contract of the 27-year-old outfielder from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday and immediately put him in the lineup against the Mets. Reese was penciled in to play left field and hit ninth, with Tony Womack shifted to center.
Reese was batting .272 at Columbus with 22 doubles, eight homers and 37 RBIs in 305 at-bats. Acquired from San Diego in 2001, he split last season between Columbus and Double-A Trenton, and made the Eastern League All-Star team.
On Friday, he proposed to Laura Le Gallo after the Clippers' game. They plan to get married in September. They had been talking about marriage for a while but hadn't set any plans.
What I've heard about Reese: Bats and throws left. A non-prospect. Controls the strike zone somewhat while batting. Could hit for a decent average. No major league power. Some speed. Decent with glove. Line drive, on base type hitter. A bench player, at best.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:43 PM | Comments (2)
June 25, 2005
Unit's Back
From the NYT:
Randy Johnson will start for the Yankees tomorrow, and he said yesterday that his health was perfect. But the Yankees were so worried about Johnson's back before his start on Tuesday that they called up another pitcher from Class AAA in case Tanyon Sturtze had to make the start for him.
Three people with ties to the Yankees who were briefed about Johnson's status confirmed that Johnson was experiencing discomfort in his back and was questionable for the start. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
Johnson's start, against Tampa Bay, was awful. He lasted three innings and allowed seven runs, although the Yankees rallied for a 20-11 victory. After the game, Johnson said he felt fine physically.
The pitcher who relieved Johnson on Tuesday, Scott Proctor, had been recalled from Columbus earlier in the day. To get the extra pitcher on the roster, the Yankees had to send down outfielder Bubba Crosby, even though they were already short an outfielder with Hideki Matsui limited to designated-hitter status.
Please, Randy, we've had some bad experiences recently with hurt pitchers trying to gut it out. If you're hurt, say it, and go on the DL.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:25 PM | Comments (7)
June 25th vs. The Mets
OK, so, Henn's not ready yet. Good to know. Personally, I was always a fan of the old O's way of bringing in kid pitchers - let them work a year or two in long relief before giving them a starting job. Teams did this for a while - as recent as Chuck Finely and Jimmy Key. But, I guess, that was then and this is now. Back to Henn, at this point, if Brown can't go, might as well let Quantrill start a game. It couldn't be any worse.
To the current state of the Yankees, well, it's obviously very bad right now. Most recently, you have a terrible 12-game road trip. It's the one from hell. Then, you come back and win six in a row. However, you follow that by losing 3 of 4 against what might be the worst team in baseball - and you probably should have lost all four - and then you let the Mets come in to your house and play flat for the first two games of a three game set.
But, this is nothing new. We've been down this road a few times this year - where the Yankees string together some wins, and it's looking good, and then they're garbage, playing the lowest of low brand of baseball. It's a cycle that they have not been able to stop.
Yet, by some miracle, the Yankees are not 10-something games out of first - despite these long stretches of poor play. And, even though many Yankees fans are starting to become apathetic about the team's chances this season, there is still a chance that they can get back into this thing......if they start playing better and are able to maintain that level of play for the remainder of the season.
But, how to they do that? If you ask me, they need someone to come in, take control, and rally the team. Since the salaries on this roster do not exactly permit many changes on the players-side, it has to be a change in field management.
Is this fair to Torre? No. It's not his fault that Brown and Wright were busts and the best answer to that is Henn. It's not his fault that the team thought Bubba Crosby could play second-string CF in the majors and when that failed they were forced to play guys in the OF who have no business being there. It's not his fault that he has to carry players on the roster to just cover for a one-dimensional players like Womack and Giambi and that prevents him from carrying other players that might help him win games. And, there's more - too much to keep listing.
Nonetheless, in baseball, since you cannot fire the players, you fire the manager. It's what they do. Yes, it's no lock that a change will work. But, you can either try - and attempt to turn this around and no longer be the $200 million laughingstock of baseball. Or, you can stand pat, and keep doing what you've been doing all year to date - which is nothing - and let this thing die a long, slow, painful death on the vine.
And, if you choose the latter, just watch - lots of Yankees fans out there will pull up their interest stakes and do something else with what is a good portion of their summer disposable leisure time. Is that a good thing? No, it's bad for the team. Absence makes the heart forget.
Let Yankees fans go from July to March without anything to keep their interest in the team and you'll see that many of them will not be interested in the team again until they see that it's a legit winner. Front-runners be they? Sure. But, that's the way it works. Just check Yankees attendance, from 1987 through 1991, and then compare that to 1999-2004.
Think it over Big Stein. What, right now, is the best move for your business? Then again, what do I know? Maybe I have this all wrong? After all, I thought the Yankees were going to have a very good season this year.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:09 PM | Comments (13)
Bernie Williams Talk
It was interesting to see what Torre said about Bernie Williams last night:
"Bernie dropped a fly ball," Joe Torre said after the Yanks' fourth loss in five games. "But the whole thing about it is, especially with Pedro (Martinez) pitching, you can't give things away. ... They played outstanding defense, and we didn't." Before the game, Torre had expressed little concern over his team's middling fielding; the Yanks ranked ninth among the 14 AL teams in fielding percentage entering last night. "You can't play defense more than you're capable of, just the best you can," Torre had said.
That pregame assessment included the weak-armed Williams, whose casual chase of Julio Lugo's weak fly to center Thursday resulted in a gift double in a 9-4 loss to Tampa Bay. "That's where the instinctive player he isn't hurts us," Torre said.
That's where the instinctive player he isn't hurts us. Wow.
Now, I've been a Bernie Williams fan. I even think he has a case for the Hall of Fame.
But, now, seeing Torre say something negative about Bernie - which is a thing he would never do in the past - and having heard something else earlier this week, I truly believe that this will be the last season that we see Bernie in the Bronx.
What did I hear earlier this week? Well, here's the story. I was speaking to someone who is on very good terms with a current member of the Yankees organization. This member has been with the major league team for over ten years and is a vital part of the team's success to date. The person that I was speaking to, when Bernie's name came up, said "Oh, [insert name of the member of the Yankee organization] can't stand him."
I was shocked to hear this because I thought (a) this member was the type of person who got along with everyone and (b) I thought Bernie was the type of person that everyone liked. So, I asked "Bernie? Are you kidding me? Why?"
And, the person I know told me "[Insert name of the member of the Yankee organization] says that Bernie doesn't work hard enough. And, that's why he's fed up with him."
I want to believe this to be untrue. But, (a) the person that I was speaking to has zero reason to make this up, and (b) that member of the team that they're friendly with is someone in perfect position to make a call on a player's effort. So, there's something there.
Come to think of it - consider the two biggest flaws in Bernie's game, even when he was at his peak: stealing bases and throwing. It was obvious that he was bad in these departments. Yet, both of these areas are parts of the game that can be improved if you put in the effort. See Chad Curtis on throwing. And, there's always ways to improve your jumps and pitch selections on steals. But, we never saw Bernie improve his base stealing or throwing. Basically, he just wrote off those two parts of his game.
In any event, Bernie has been a great Yankee to date - just check his position on the team leader boards. If you're a Williams fan, enjoy the next three months. It is probably the last time you'll get a chance to root for him as a Yankee.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:26 AM | Comments (4)
June 24, 2005
June 24th vs. The Mets
It was both painful and boring for the first eight innings tonight, watching Pedro and the Mets pretty much have their way with the Yankees - sans, perhaps, Jeter and A-Rod at the plate. It was not right up there with having root canal while watching paint dry, but it was close.
And, guess what........Sean Henn gets the start tomorrow!
Oh, and, by the way, the Red Sox are now in 1st place.
Ever see the movie Blade - Trinity? There's a scene where the character Hannibal King runs into a room with a dog and he says something - then he sees two more dogs and says something else. That's kind of my reaction to tonight. I said the "something" when the last out of the game was made tonight. And, when I saw the finals for the Sox and O's on ESPN.com afterwards, I said the "something else."
The "something" is a four-letter word followed by the word "me."
The "something else" is that same four-letter word, followed by the words "me sideways." I think you can figure it out.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:06 PM | Comments (9)
Trade Target Suggestions
Cash, if you're listening.....can the Yankees trade for:
Mike Gonzalez - Lefty, 90+, with a good slider - for the pen. (Bye Stanton.)
Dan Wheeler - RH RP, who has found himself in Houston - to replace Quantrill.
and.........
try and get Randy Winn to play CF until Brett Gardner is ready. He can take Womack's place on the roster.
The price tags for Gonzalez, Wheeler and Winn are probably low enough that New York would not have to part with Cano or Wang.
How about Marcos Vechionacci for Gonzalez, Tyler Clippard and Jeff Marquez for Winn, and Melky Cabrera for Wheeler? Or, at least offer these as a starting point. You don't get a black eye for asking.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:22 PM | Comments (7)
0-25 When Scoring 3 Or Fewer Runs
To date, this season, the Yankees are 0-25 when scoring 3 or fewer runs. You see that stat often in the paper and you hear it on TV. I've seen the comment shared here frequently as well. So, I decided to look at those 25 games to see if it's the pitching not doing the job, or the batters. Here are those loss scores ("A" is runs allowed and "S" is runs scored):
As you can see, in 9 of these 25 games, the team's pitching keep the Yankees opponent to within 2 runs or less of what the Yankees scored. So, are these 9 nine losses the fault of the Yankees pitchers or the Yankees batters (for not scoring more than 3 runs in those games)?
Further, in 12 of the 25 games, the team's pitching keep the Yankees opponent to within 3 runs or less of what the Yankees scored. Given the names in the Yankees line-up, it would not be a reach to say that in 12 of these 25 games, the pitchers kept the team in the game.
Therefore, in those games where the Yankees have scored 3 or less, and have gone 0-25, I would offer that half the time it was the pitchers letting the game get away - and the other half of the time the batters have to be called for not scoring more in that game.
Sadly, this is what happens with teams playing as poorly as the 2005 Yankees - everyone deserves some of the blame.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:56 PM | Comments (5)
Looking At The Yankees Losses
Just looking at the 35 Yankees losses to date this season:
In 6 of the 35, the Yankees scored 5+ runs.
In 10 of the 35, the Yankees scored 4+ runs.
In 19 of the 35, the Yankees scored 3+ runs.
In 16 of the 35, the Yankees have scored 2 runs or less.
In 12 of the 35 losses, the Yankees have allowed 5 runs or less.
In 5 of the 35 losses, the Yankees have allowed 4 runs or less.
In 4 of the 35 losses, the Yankees have allowed 3 runs or less.
Let us assume that the Yankees should have won those 6 games where they scored 5+ runs and also should have won those 4 games where they allowed 3 runs or less. That would make the Yankees record to date 47-25 instead of the actual 37-35. (That 47-25 sure looks like what most of us expected them to have at this point in the season!)
What were the scores of these 10 losses? Here's the list:
Lost to the Angels 3-1
Lost to Kansas City 3-1
Lost to Milwaukee 2-1
Lost to Toronto 2-0
Lost to Tampa Bay 11-8
Lost to Toronto 8-6
Lost to Baltimore 7-6
Lost to Seattle 7-6
Lost to Baltimore 12-5
Lost to Boston 8-5
The games that stand out the most to me here are:
Lost to Kansas City 3-1
Lost to Milwaukee 2-1
Lost to Tampa Bay 11-8
Lost to Toronto 8-6
Lost to Baltimore 7-6
Lost to Seattle 7-6
Lost to Boston 8-5
The Toronto 2-0 loss was a good game by Halladay, the Angels are a great team and the 12-5 loss to the O's was a game where Wright was pitching BP (and I was there). This is why I can give a pass on these three.
The 3-1 loss to KC was a game where the Unit pitched well but the team just did not show up to play - and Torre ripped them for it.
The 2-1 loss to the Brewers was a game where Pavano pitched well, but the bats were flat. (The Yankees got only 4 hits that night.)
The 11-8 loss to Tampa Bay was the game where Henn made his first start. Not much you can do there.
The 8-6 loss to the Blue Jays was a game where Pavano got pounded and Stanton did a bad job out of the pen.
The 7-6 loss to the O's was a game were Sturtze and Gordon blew the game - allowing 5 runs in the 7th.
The 7-6 loss to Seattle was one of the ugly ones of the season to date - Sturtze, Gordon, Posada, Womack and Giambi should all have bad memories from that one.
The 8-5 loss to the Bosox was the game where the fan took a swipe at Sheffield. The game was tied, 5-5, and then Gordon got banged around for 3 runs in the 8th to blow it.
OK, so, knowing all this, maybe we should throw out these games:
Lost to Kansas City 3-1
Lost to Milwaukee 2-1
Lost to Tampa Bay 11-8
And, just look at these:
Lost to Toronto 8-6
Lost to Baltimore 7-6
Lost to Seattle 7-6
Lost to Boston 8-5
When you look at these four games, the thing that pops out the most is "Tom Gordon."
Now, this is not meant to rip Tom Gordon - because he also, to date, has helped towards 14 of the Yankees 37 wins.
But, what it does tell me is that the Yankees problem this year, so far, has been the bullpen. All four of these games were losses because of the pen:
Lost to Toronto 8-6
Lost to Baltimore 7-6
Lost to Seattle 7-6
Lost to Boston 8-5
If you take those games and make them wins, then the Yankees are 41-31, instead of 37-35, and then they would be just 1 game out of 1st at this moment.
So, if the Yankees are looking for help on the trade-front, maybe they should focus on getting some pen help and replace guys like Quantrill and Stanton who are just taking up space?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:20 AM | Comments (15)
June 23, 2005
June 23rd vs. The Devil Rays
From May 22nd through May 27th, the Yankees won 5 games in a row. Since that time, including the loss tonight, they've gone 10-14.
Worse, many of those 14 losses came from teams like the Devil Rays, Royals, and Brewers. Guess what? Despite the recent series sweeps of the Pirates and Cubs, the Yankees have been a bad baseball club this month. Even more depressing, New York was a bad team in April (10-14) as well. So, this season to date looks like this:
April: 10-14
May: 17-10
June: 10-11
And, most of the credit for May should probably go to the bad play of the Oakland A's and Seattle Mariners, more so than towards the positive credit of the Yankees. Obviously, whatever the Yankees are doing this season, it's not working.
Think about it. The highlight of this game was clearly Jason Giambi finally bunting for a hit against the shift (in the 9th) after what seems like years of everyone saying he should do it. This is what it has come down to - looking for scraps on the floor to find something that could be used for good. There's an expression to describe this act. It's called garbage picking. As Yankee fans, this is what we have been reduced to this year. Garbage picking for scraps that are signs of hope, etc.
Lastly, am I the only one who noticed that Torre's phone in his office was ringing during the post-game interview on YES? Any guesses on who was calling?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:22 PM | Comments (7)
RSAA Comparisons
Runs Saved Above Average (RSAA) is the amount of runs that a pitcher saved versus what an average pitcher would have allowed. A negative Runs Saved Above Average indicates a below average pitcher in this category.
Here are Red Sox-Yankees pitcher results in RSAA for this season, through 6/18:
Sox Pitcher (RSAA) ~ Yankees Pitcher (RSAA)
GOOD PITCHERS
Clement +7 ~ Johnson +6
Myers +4 ~ Gordon +5
Arroyo +2 ~ Mussina +2
Wakefield +1 ~ Sturtze +2
Wells 0 ~ Wang +1
Timlin +12 ~ Rivera +9
BAD PITCHERS
Foulke -2 ~ Groom -2
Mantei -3 ~ Stanton -3
Miller -3 ~ Pavano -4
Embree -8 ~ Quantrill -8
DL'ed GUYS that should be back
Schiling -7 ~ Brown -10
The Red Sox also have Halama at -6, but there's no pitcher on the Yankees active roster now to match him up against.
The numbers here pair off nicely. So, if the Yankees pitching is "terrible" then what is the Red Sox pitching?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:50 PM | Comments (7)
The Last Ring Season
Well, this is interesting:
Yankees 71 Games Into The Season
2000 vs. 2004
2000: 37-34 record, 2 GB, +20 RS-RA
2004: 37-34 record, 5 GB, +33 RS-RA
Of course, two games later, in 2000, the Yankees made the trade for David Justice and then went on to play better ball for the remainder of that season.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:49 PM | Comments (2)
Yankee Pitching Trending Up
I was just looking at the Yankees ERA and OPS allowed, for each month, and their rank for that month in each stat (in the AL). Here's the trend, with June being to date:
ERA
April - 11th out of 14
May - 9th out of 14
June - 8th out of 14
OPS
April - 13th out of 14
May - 9th out of 14
June - 7th out of 14
This makes me wonder: To all the claims of "terrible Yankee pitching" - how much of this is the result of looking at season numbers that are weighed down by some bad performance in April?
Are the Yankee pitchers great? No - not by a long shot. But, at least in May and June (so far) they have been around league average.
Average is not terrible, right?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:10 PM | Comments (4)
Boston Herald: Yanks Are Lost And Pathetic
Ouch.
From the Boston Herald:
While the Yankees were pounding away at the Devil Rays for 13 runs Tuesday night, one Red Sox player, without taking his eyes off the clubhouse cribbage board, said: ``That is the worst team in baseball history.''
There is a very good chance he was talking about the Devil Rays, but every day the evidence keeps piling up that the worst-case scenario for the 2005 Yankees is coming true.
They are flops so far, the embarrassing kind. Even when they play the schoolyard bully and beat up the scrawny kid in glasses, they come back the next day and crumble when they lay eyes on the weakling the next time instead of flashing the menacing glare that should be enough.
As incredible as the Yankees' four-home run surge was for the 35 minutes it lasted Tuesday night, captivating the many Red Sox players who were watching it, lost in the bluster was that these were the Devil Rays, the worst team in the American League, who the Yankees were beating up.
So Bernie Williams' comments after the game (``If there was a turning point to the season, this should be it'') reflect just how lost and pathetic the Yankees are right now.
Turning point?
To channel the voice of Jim Mora when he was coaching the Indianapolis Colts and incredulously repeated ``Playoffs? Playoffs?'' after a particularly crushing loss, to have even a single Yankee express wistfully that this kind of effort would represent a ``turning point'' just goes to show how out of whack and whacked out the Yankees are this season.
Turning points for a baseball team come, more fittingly, when the catcher stuffs his mitt in the mouth of the most highly paid member of the archenemy.
Turning points come when a team performs a remarkable rally, shows great heart and admirable grit against a respected foe.
You can't have a turning point against the Devil Rays, and the 5-3 Yankees loss against Tampa Bay yesterday is a reminder of both that and just how underachieving this $206 million unit truly is.
The Yankees are 3-6 against the Devil Rays this year, 1-5 against the Orioles, 3-2 against the Blue Jays, 4-5 against the Red Sox. After the Red Sox got through taking two of three at Yankee Stadium near the end of last month, the Yankees went out and got swept by the Royals, lost two out of three in series vs. the Twins, Brewers and Cardinals before running off six wins in a row against the Pirates and Cubs
Does Big Stein read the Beantown rags too?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:59 AM | Comments (2)
Take A Picture......
.......because we might not see some current Yankees in pinstripes for too much longer this season. Who?
Here's the list: Giambi, Gordon, Posada, Quantrill, Stanton, Stottlemyre, Tino, Torre, and Womack.
At least one of these names will be gone before Big Stein's birthday on the 4th of July. Yes, it's just a hunch. But, it's one that I feel strong about.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:47 AM | Comments (6)
June 22, 2005
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
As of COB today, the Yankees are in 3rd place in the AL East, with a record of 37-34. This means New York has 10 games left until they hit the half-way mark for the 2005 season.
These 10 games are: One with Tampa Bay, 3 with the Mets, 3 with the Orioles, and 3 with the Tigers.
Come July 3rd, when these 10 games are complete, if the Yankees have a record of 40-41, or worse, what do you think will happen? I think we all know the answer to that: Changes.
Now, what if it's 41-40, or 42-39, is there really much difference between 40-41 and 41-40 or 42-39? Not really. We'll probably see changes here as well.
The only thing that might prevent some changes would be if the Yankees win 7 or 8 out of the next ten. But, what are the odds of that happening, based on their play to date?
I'm pretty sure that Cashman & Co. realize this as well. And, they're probably thinking "Why put off for tomorrow, what you can do today?"
Therefore, expect something to happen within the week.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:02 PM | Comments (10)
June 22nd vs. The Devil Rays
Splat!
You know, part of me wants to say that Pavano actually pitched a good game up until that 1-2 pitch to Green in the 7th. But, the reality of today is that Carl allowed 2 homers this afternoon to guys who really should be in Triple-A (and that cost him and the Yankees the game). I'm beginning to come over to the side that Pavano is basically a number four type starter and he's going to run hot and cold (and last year was a fluke year for him in that he was more hot than cold).
More importantly, how soon until Sturtze's arm falls off? Torre is a killer to pen men, no question. How Rivera has survived all these years is a miracle. Actually, if Mo had remained a set-up man in 1997, maybe he would have been cooked by 1998?
One week ago, I wrote that the Yankees magic numer was five. By this, I meant "If they lose more than 5 games over the rest of this month, it will be bad news."
Well, it's now down to three with seven games to go. They better win tomorrow.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:48 PM | Comments (4)
Tony Womack
It seems like just about everyone needs to vent some on Womack.
Why? Could it be his .352 OPS in the month of June, so far. Yes, that's no typo. His OPS is .352.
I've just come across this photo taken on April 5th of this year:
Could it be possible (?) that Sox 1B Kevin Millar, in this meeting, is whispering to Tony: Remember what Henry and Lucchino told you. They'll triple, under the table, tax-free, in cash, what Steinbrenner is paying you as long as you suck.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:57 PM | Comments (6)
The Speech That Never Happened
From MSNBC:
On the verge of being eliminated by the Yankees last year, the Boston Red Sox owners jotted down a concession speech on a yellow legal pad.
When the Red Sox rallied to beat New York in Game 4 of the AL championship series, the pad went into a drawer. Boston fell behind again in Game 5, and out came the legal pad.
But it was never needed, because Boston won the next three games to eliminate the Yankees and then swept the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.
“I asked Larry (Lucchino) what happened to the legal pad,” Red Sox owner Tom Werner said Tuesday night. “And he told me Doug Mientkiewicz had taken it, along with the ball.”
I can just imagine what was in that speech. Whining about the size of the Yankees payroll. Whining about the A-Rod trade. All that stuff that Sox management whined about in 2003 and for most of 2004.....until they beat the Yankees in the ALCS and, then, suddenly, all of that 'unfair' stuff didn't seem to matter any more.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:57 AM | Comments (3)
What's Was Up With Randy?
Some Unit quotes from last night:
"You aren't going to do it every time,'' Johnson said. "I felt like after the St. Louis game and after the Pittsburgh game the location was better in those games. Today it was evident that it wasn't. But I have a chance to pitch in five days and do much better.''
From the YES post game, Randy said: "Nothing was working tonight. I just didn't execute. My location was off considerably."
Personally, I'm willing to wait and see how Randy does in his next start before I start throwing dirt on his casket. It could just be that Sweet Lou knows something about Unit that others don't? See the last game that Johnson pitched against TB.
In fact, if you take out Johnson's two starts against TB this year, his ERA goes from just-slightly-over-four (4.02) to three-point-three. An ERA of 3.30 in the AL is nothing to cry about.
This could just be like Pettitte in Game 6 of the 2001 World Series where it's a pitch tipping thing? And, Lou is the one who knows what Johnson is doing. The next start by Johnson will tells us just as much as the start from last night.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:24 AM | Comments (3)
June 21, 2005
June 21st vs. The Devil Rays
It's the first day of summer and things are heating up in the Bronx!
To me, the beauty of this game is that the Red Sox are playing a game in Cleveland, and the O's are in Toronto, and at some point they both look up at the out-of-town scoreboard and see the Yankees are losing, getting pounded 10-2, to the Devil Rays and the game is half over in New York.
And, then, on SportsCenter tonight, or when they read the morning paper tomorrow, those same Sox and O's are going to see that the Yankees won this game, 20-11.
Message, sent.
By the way, I actually did feel sorry for Travis Harper in the 9th. Shame on Lou to let him take that pounding. Bring in a fielder to pitch if you want to toss the game at that point. It was obvious that Harper had nothing. Why let him get undressed like that?
Tune in tomorow for the news on Randy Johnson.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:45 PM | Comments (8)
Seeing Red
Number of managers hired, last ten years:
Cincinnati Reds: 5
New York Yankees: 1
Yeah, that Big Stein is a firing mad man.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:52 PM | Comments (4)
Jorge Posada
I was listening to Joe B. and Sid on WFAN early this afternoon, and they were talking about a Yankees fans right to "boo" guys like A-Rod, when they play poorly. But, they said, the fans should not "boo" Jeter, Mo, Bernie, and Posada - because those guys have built up "equity" with their 4 World Series championships.
You hear something like this from time-to-time. Jeter, Posada, Bernie and Mo are the only ones of the "old guard" left, etc.
What bugs me about this is the inclusion of Posada.
First off, he has three rings, not four like the others. In 1996, Jorge Posada played in 8 games for the Yankees with 14 At Bats. In those appearances, Posada batted .071. If Posada deserved a ring in 1996, then so does Robert Eenhoorn.
Secondly, in 1998, the Yankees catching duties were just about split between Posada and Joe Girardi. In that season, Jorge had 409 Plate Appearances and Joe had 279 Plate Appearances. Basically, Posada was the Yankees catcher about 60% of the time in 1998. So, it's not like he was Jeter, or Bernie, and was a FT main cog of the team.
So, in some ways, some might say that Posada has 2 1/2 rings. But, most would say three. I'd give him three. But, in no way does he have 4 rings (like Jeter, Bernie and Mo).
As a result, Jorge has not built up as much "equity" as Jeter, Bernie and Mo - if you believe there is such a thing as equity.
Also - and this is just hearsay relayed to me from someone in a position to know - some say that Posada is not well liked in the clubhouse. As the story does, he's loud and complains a lot. Now, I could counter and say "And this is a bad thing? Wasn't Munson that way?" But, from what I am told, the other players (for the most part) do not like Jorge and if not for Jeter's friendship, he would have been sent packing a while ago.
If I recall correctly, Posada is one of the few Yankees without a no-trade clause. And, we know now that Randy Johnson prefers another catcher. Does all this add up to Posada perhaps being traded this year, if the right deal should come along?
The Yankees would then need another catcher - and there's nothing there on the farm. This is probably working in Posada's favor - in terms of being able to stick around.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:11 PM | Comments (15)
June 20, 2005
June 20th vs. The Devil Rays
Oh, soooooooo, close. Boy, the Devil Rays sure like Yankee Stadium this year. But, having Unit go tomorrow is the best way to shake this one off.
Two quick questions:
1. Can somebody tell Casey Fossum that Cosmo Kramer wants his hair back?
2. Why, oh why, is Tony Womack batting second in the Yankees line-up night-after-night?
Speaking of line-ups, batting Posada and Giambi, the kings of swing-when-you-should-take and take-when-you-should-swing, back-to-back in the line-up kills a rally quicker than it takes to go from "A" to "B" in the alphabet.
Lastly, something came to me in the game tonight that I hope teams don't see. I saw it when Carl Crawford had that huge lead off first in the top of the sixth. When teams with speed play the Yankees, and Giambi plays first, base runners should take an uber-monster lead off first base - so huge that it screams for the pitcher to throw to first. And, when the pitcher does throw to Giambi, the runner should take off for second - because Giambi will never be able to make the throw to second in a fashion to get the runner. It's a gimmie, every time. Just watch and see if someone picks up on it. For all we know, maybe that's what Crawford was trying to do tonight?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:27 PM | Comments (15)
The Baseball Same Game
Click here for some news on the book.
This is after it being on Amazon for about seven weeks.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:48 PM | Comments (0)
The Power Of "O"
According to Forbes, Oprah Winfrey made $225,000,000 last year.
Next time someone whines about the Yankees team payroll, tell them that New York, as a team, still is paid less than what Oprah makes in a year.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:20 PM | Comments (7)
Classy Cats
I saw this item this morning:
Fans deep in the heart of Boston Red Sox country don't have to like the New York Yankees. But they do have to be careful how they show that.
Officials with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats are cracking down on offensive t-shirts and abusive comments as the Fisher Cats play a New Jersey-based Yankees farm team in Manchester this weekend.
The team's president said people wearing shirts reading "Yankees Bleep" are asked to either turn them inside out or leave.
The team said it was ready to stop games to make announcements if typical abusive and explicit anti-Yankee chants broke out.
One fan who took his 8-year-old daughter to Friday's game said he approves since he doesn't want to have to explain to her why some adults are "behaving badly."
The Fisher Cats are a Blue Jays affiliate. But, before anyone gives the Jays too much credit, remember, it was March of 2003 when the Blue Jays took out ads in newspapers urging Toronto fans — in English and Japanese — to come out and boo New York slugger Hideki Matsui. The ads also showed a Yankees cap covered in bird droppings.
At the time, Toronto said they were just trying to have fun and reverse an attendance slide.
So, I have to give the Fisher Cats management all the credit for this good move. Minor league ball is all about a good, clean, time at the ballpark. It should not be about having to explain to your kids that people can he idiots at times.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:13 PM | Comments (1)
Mark Kotsay
It's Gammons, so, it's probably not true, but:
The Yankees are trying to get Oakland's Mark Kotsay, who can be a free agent at the end of the year. But whether or not Brian Cashman will give up the prospects needed to get one of the game's premier center fielders, like right-hander Philip Hughes and perhaps third baseman Eric Duncan, remains to be seen.
Gosh, just do it. I'm still not convinced that Kotsay is a FA at year end. I read once that he has a clause that allows him to ask for Free Agency in his contract, if he wants to get away from the A's. But, contract stuff can be worked out.
Kotsay would be the best defensive CF that the Yankees have seen in a looooong time. He has a cannon for an arm, and, he's a capable 6th or 7th hitter for this team. Maybe his power even goes up in Yankee Stadium?
Hughes looks to be rock solid blue chip. But, he's at least 2 years away and a lot can happen to a kid pitcher. And, Duncan has stalled some this year at AA and is also probably 2 years away. Also, being a local boy, it might be too much pressure for him in NYC?
Bottom line, it would be 2008 or 2009 before Hughes and/or Duncan would star in New York, if they ever do. And, the Yankees need a CF, now, and for the next few years after.
And, the market for CFers is not good now. It's basically Preston Wilson and Johnny Damon. Give me Kotsay anyday over those two.
Do it. Do it now.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:34 AM | Comments (16)
Keeping The Old Grass Green
How are they ever going to keep the grass green at the soon to be "old Stadium" site? Do they have any idea how many people are going to walk on that turf, and maybe steal some grass/dirt too?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:13 AM | Comments (3)
The Baseball Same Game
FYI, later this week, some members of ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, WFAN in NYC, and the YES Network will be receiving copies of my book. If you should hear/see anyone at these outlets mentioning it, please drop me a line at author@baseballsamegame.com
Thanks in advance!
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:43 AM | Comments (0)
June 19, 2005
YES Ultimate Bore Trip
During the 8th inning of the game today, the YES cameras focused on the YES Ultimate Road Trippers to tie into a promo.
There's Christa falling out of her shirt. There's both Vinny and Ray, elbow on knee and fist under chin. And, there's Dave looking like he's trying to have a BM. And, no one is talking at all.
I have to imagine that after nearly 70 ball games, and all the time where YES forces these four to be together to do the stuff the network wants them to do for the series, that these fans have just flat run out of things to say to each other. And, when you go to every game, day-in and day-out, even the games get to be a little dull.
That shot today was just a perfect portrait of boredom. These four are going to be nuts before Game 100. Just watch.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:49 PM | Comments (3)
June 19th vs. The Cubs
When I see the Yankees play as well as they did in their win today, and as well as they have played in the last week, I cannot understand exactly what happened in that 12-game road trip that preceded this homestand. It's a math equation that just does not balance. I guess that's why the call this game baseball and not algebra.
What this win today does, for me, is that it gives Sean Henn a lot less pressure tomorrow. This is not like it was seven weeks ago. The team has just won six in a row, and, in the start following Henn, the Yankees have the Big Unit ready to go.
It will be interesting to see how Henn handles this great opportunity.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:25 PM | Comments (5)
Happy Father's Day!
Just as baseball and apple pie are staples of America, statistics and fathers are the hemoglobin of baseball. So, since today is Father's Day (really, it is, Hallmark says so!), I want to wish all the fathers out there a Happy Father's Day!
Treat yourself to some Yankee baseball today. I know that I will.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:37 AM | Comments (0)
June 18, 2005
June 18th vs. The Cubs
Some game today, huh? Five-in-a-row now.
Today, Jeter hits his first homerun ever with the bases loaded, after 154 Plate Appearances with the bags juiced (in his career) prior to today's blast. And, he had another tater to boot.
Obi Wang goes eight, facing just 4 batters over the minimum. (I have to say, right now, of all the Yankees starters, Wang is the one that makes me feel most comfortable heading into the game. Another good start and I just might start lobbying for him to be on the A.L. All-Star team.)
While all of this is good stuff, what really excites me is that, as I write this, if the O's lose tonight, then the Yankees will be just 4 games out of first place. (I'll be tracking the score of the Baltimore game this evening, for sure!)
What an incredible state that would be, if it comes true later today. Sixty-seven games into the season - where the Yankees have underachieved (just about to the max) - and they could sit just 4 back of first at the close of business on June 18th.
Gosh, this is a season for the taking. I hope they realize that too.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:59 PM | Comments (4)
June 17, 2005
June 17th vs. The Cubs
Best.Sprained.Ankle.Ever
Who would have thought it, watching Godzilla get hurt in Saint Lou, that the injury would turn him into a hitting machine?
Watching those Cubs fans at the Stadium tonight, celebrating like they just won the World Series, when Chicago took the 6-4 lead, well, that just makes this win even sweeter.
Speaking of annoying Cubbies, I think this is the first time that I've seen Carlos Zambrano pitch. Gotta say, if my daughter brought this guy home one day, to meet the family for the first time, my reaction would be: "What a chooch!" Seriously, that dude is just a tick away from Lima-time. Somebody throw a bucket of water on him. Wait a minute, I think the Yankees did tonight.
And, it's official. It's now time to say that Pavano has an issue with pitching at home. When Henry Blanco and his .172 OBA (yes, one-seventy-two) steps up to the plate and bangs out a 2-run single to take the lead in the game, you're doing something wrong.
Giambi came out of the game with the chance for two more PAs, for defense? Gosh, it was the 6th inning. Is he hurt? Traded? Something else? I mean, you worry about defense when you're down two and have 4 more frames to hit in? That was strange.
Lastly, watching Giambi "throw" to 2nd tonight, and Womack "throw" to home, I have to wonder: If Giambi, Womack, Bernie and a girl had a throwing contest, who would win? It would be close, for sure.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:47 PM | Comments (6)
The Trade Rumor Winds Are A Blowin'
From the S.I. Advance:
A person who spoke to Cashman recently confirmed Cashman is pursuing a significant deal.
"It sounded like he was close on some stuff," the person said. "He's working it."
Preston Wilson? Barry Zito? Jacque Jones? Mark Redman? Roger Clemens? Brian Giles? Jose Mesa? J.T. Snow? Bob Wickman? Ken Griffey Jr.? Aubrey Huff? Adam Dunn? Mike Sweeney? Lyle Overbay? Eric Byrnes? Guillermo Mota? Wily Mo Pena? SpongeBob SquarePants?
I just have a feeling that, this trade, if it happens, is going to be like the Justice Deal of 2000. It will be something that none of us saw coming.
Let's hope it helps as much as the Justice trade did back then.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:59 PM | Comments (5)
Made To Orta
Crew chief admits umpire made wrong call
The meat of this:
The crew chief umpiring the Pirates-New York Yankees series admitted a colleague made an incorrect call in the ninth inning Wednesday night that cost the Pirates a victory.
Ed Montague said first base umpire Tony Randazzo erroneously called Gary Sheffield safe on a potential game-ending double play grounder. Replay showed Sheffield was out.
With the inning prolonged, the Yankees rallied to score the tying run and won the game, 7-5, in the 10th on Jason Giambi's two-run homer.
"Nobody feels as bad about something like that than an umpire," Montague said Thursday, "especially Tony, who is so conscientious. But what are you going to do?"
Montague said Randazzo was so distraught after watching replays of the play that he didn't speak the entire ride back to the hotel.
"This is my 30th year in the league, and when something like that happens, it still tears your guts out," Montague said. "It's like a ballplayer making an error. We feel worse probably because it can cost the game."
So, if it becomes true that June 15th is the game that turned the Yankees 2005 season around - and, yes, we're still a long way from knowing this to be fact - then The Randazzo Call will be a huge point of interest on the season timeline.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:16 AM | Comments (4)
June 16, 2005
June 16th vs. The Pirates
Mr. Snappy shows up for the first time in the Bronx!
Yeah, I know, it's easy to say "But, it's the Pirates." Nonetheless, you have to give the Yankees credit for doing what they're supposed to do with a team like Pittsburgh.
Now, a better test comes along: The Cubs. And, if I recall correctly, in 2003, the Cubs did some dancing on the Yankees when they met at Wrigley. It would be nice to get some form of payback for losing 2 of 3 back then......if that's possible.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:11 PM | Comments (10)
Da Bronx Bombers
Some of those pictures are pretty funny.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:10 PM | Comments (0)
The Name Game
From an AP report:
Yankees president Randy Levine said the new ballpark also will be called "Yankee Stadium," but that the team may sell naming rights and have the ballpark called "Yankee Stadium at 'X' Plaza."
So, who would be willing to pay, say, around $75 million over 30 years (or so) for the naming rights to the "Plaza."
Trump? That would be confusing? "Do the Yankees play in AC now?"
Nike? Gosh, that sounds too much like "Yankee Stadium at Mikey Piazza." Besides, the Yankees-Adidas deal runs through 2013. Nike on the outside and Adidas stripes on the inside? The place will start to look like the world's largest footlocker store.
Well, whoever wins the bid, I just hope that it's not something obscene and vulgar.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:58 PM | Comments (1)
Gary Sheffield's Place In Baseball History
Alex Belth over at Baseball Toaster recently asked:
Is Frank Robinson the most underappreciated great baseball figure since World War II, or what?
No question, Robby has a claim here. But, I wondered - who's close to him? So, I used the handy-dandy SBE to run the following RCAA list:
CAREER RCAA - 1946-2004
1 Barry Bonds 1496
2 Mickey Mantle 1099
3 Ted Williams 1068
4 Hank Aaron 1032
5 Willie Mays 1008
6 Stan Musial 988
7 Frank Robinson 852
8 Frank Thomas 796
9 Rickey Henderson 763
10 Jeff Bagwell 680
11 Mark McGwire 665
12 Joe Morgan 663
13 Eddie Mathews 655
14 Edgar Martinez 647
15 Mike Schmidt 623
16 Willie McCovey 606
17 Gary Sheffield 605
18 George Brett 593
19 Manny Ramirez 573
20 Jim Thome 571
Number 17 jumped right out at me. So, I decided to look at Sheff a little more, using the SBE.
Gary had 35+ RCAA in a season 10 times. Since WWII, who else has done that? Here's the list:
1946-2004 Number of Seasons with RCAA >= 35
1 Hank Aaron 18
T2 Barry Bonds 16
T2 Willie Mays 16
T4 Frank Robinson 13
T4 Mickey Mantle 13
T6 Stan Musial 12
T6 Ted Williams 12
T6 Rickey Henderson 12
T6 Mike Schmidt 12
T10 Jim Thome 10
T10 Gary Sheffield 10
T10 Manny Ramirez 10
T10 Jeff Bagwell 10
Now, Edgar Martinez is not on the list above - because he had 8 such seasons and missed the cut. But, eight is close to ten - and, Edgar and Sheff are close in the career RCAA list too. So, how do Martinez and Sheffield compare?
Through 2004, Edgar has a 14 point lead in Offensive Winning Pct. And, a 3 point lead in OPS versus the league average. Neither of those is a huge margin.
Based on all this, I would feel pretty comfortable saying that, to date, the relative batting careers of Gary Sheffield and Edgar Martinez are close to each other in terms of their results.
So, then, if Edgar Martinez does make it to the Baseball Hall of Fame someday - Sheffield would deserve a place there as well.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:01 PM | Comments (0)
Copy Tigers?
The more that I look at the plans for the new Yankee Stadium - which, by the way, should be called Steinbrenner Stadium, if you ask me - the more I see Comerica Park. Notice:
Don't the stands/seats patterns and the layout of the playing field in the park look the same? And, see:
If you take out the light towers at Comerica, it's the same bowl in the box look, no?
For what it's worth, I've heard that Comerica is a beautiful park - so, I guess copying that is not a bad thing. But, this is Yankee Stadium - - so, wouldn't it be nicer if the new park was totally unique?
Then again, maybe it's just a matter of it being a ballpark - and, bottom line, perhaps they do have to look somewhat alike?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:20 AM | Comments (8)
Succeeding Stein
Reading this now, it confirmed what I thought watching the tape of the new Stadium press conference today. See this:
Making a rare public speaking appearance in a formal setting, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner appeared to anoint son-in-law Steve Swindal as his successor.
Steinbrenner, who turns 75 next month, has avoided news conferences in recent years, choosing instead to have a spokesman issue statements. But he did answer questions at Wednesday's announcement plans for a new Yankee Stadium, and he dropped in a reference to his succession plans while discussing why the team chose to remain in the Bronx.
``I think it's very important to the whole family and Steve, who's going to carry on,'' Steinbrenner said. ``I think it's important to him to do something great for New York.''
Swindal, a Yankees general partner, is married to Steinbrenner's daughter Jessica. Swindal and other Yankees executives were surprised by Steinbrenner's statement.
When I saw Swindal at the mike today, the first thing I thought was "He looks just like Stein did in 1973" and then I thought "I guess some girls do want to marry a guy just like their dad?"
Yankees fans should probably start keeping Steve Swindal on the radar a bit more now.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:06 AM | Comments (0)
June 15, 2005
June 15th vs. The Pirates
I would have pinch-hit Russ Johnson for Giambi in the 8th tonight. That just goes to show what I know!
This was a very big win this evening. We're talking Yankees Classics material. Just on the level of game excitement for a standalone Yankees contest, it deserves to go into the YES Network rotation.
However, there are other factors as to why this victory is very meaningful. Right on the surface, it's an important win because it allows the Yankees to keep pace with everyone else in the AL East - as they all won tonight. Secondly, it takes the O'fer-trailing-after-eight-this-season monkey off the Yankees backs. Also, the game-winning homer has to be seen as a positive for Giambi.
That's three things that most people will think about when they weigh this win. But, for me, the reason why this "W" is so important is because of what an "L," instead of the win, would have meant tonight.
If the Yankees had lost this game, it would have been painful - perhaps one of the most stinging losses of the season to date, considering how close the game was, etc.
It would have been one of those losses that keeps you up at night and results in you still being in a pissy mood the next morning - and for most of that day. And, in my mind, had the Yankees lost this game, it would have made tomorrow's game "Must Win." And, that status would not be just because of another possible game lost in the standings - although that's still a bad thing. It would have been "Must Win" because, as a team, the Yankees could not afford to lose two of three to the Pirates after playing like living fecal matter in the 12-game road trip before this series. It also would have been "Must Win" because New York has it's ace going for them - one Mr. Randy Johnson.
But, now, even if the Yankees lose on Thursday - and, that's still possible (as the Bucs' Perez is very tough) - New York would have still won this series. And, that's what the Yankees need to do now: Win every series. And, that's why this was a big win.
This game also could be the one that becomes the win that everyone points to later as the point that turned the season around. While it's way too early to hang that label on this game, I did find what Torre had to say about the game in the YES post-game coverage to be interesting:
"If this game doesn't pick us up, I don't know what game will."
This is worth noting going forward. If the Yankees do turn it around now, then this is the game to point at (in terms of being a positive trigger). But, on the flip side, based on Joe's words, if New York does go out now and loses something like 5 of their next 8, then maybe it is time to start thinking about next year - because not even a game like tonight can turn around this team.
The next two weeks will tell us all we need to know about this team - and, this is now possible as a result of the win tonight which sets up the upcoming games to be a good proving ground.
Tonight, indeed, was a really useful win.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:10 PM | Comments (11)
Shopping Godzilla?
From a Star Ledger report:
Contending teams generally don't want to send back major-league talent for high-priced veterans, but there's a chance the Yankees could try to convince Matsui, for example, to accept a deal to a West Coast team like the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, which has some pitching to deal and could use Matsui in a pennant race. But the Yankees could end up competing with the Angels for the wild card, and it's unlikely they'd want to do something that could help a competitor.
Another possibility is San Diego. The Padres can't take on any payroll, but if they dealt a player like Phil Nevin (who's making $8.5 million this year and next) for a player like Matsui (who's making $8 million this year and can be a free agent when it's over), it could help them free up some cash for other things.
Trading Matsui would be a big mistake. They need more players like Matsui - and should be looking at how to get those, instead of shopping the ones that they have.........are they that clueless to what's going on with this team?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:31 AM | Comments (7)
June 14, 2005
The Word On The New Digs Is Coming
I heard that YES will air the press conference tomorrow on the big news.
Expect many to lament about the loss of "hallowed ground" and the like. Personally, I'm looking forward to a new, state-of-the-art, ballpark with all the things that come with that.
I'm going to hate the traffic mess from 2006 through 2008 when there's a game on and the construction happening at the same time. But, it's a small price to pay, I suppose.
And, mark this down: Those who complain about the end of the "old" stadium will "get over it" in a hurry when the new park is open. Just like in 1976, when some (who had cried about the park taken down in 1974) sat in the new park and realized the days of sitting behind poles was no more.
It's about the fans and the team. It's never been about the ballpark. From 1965 through 1973, and from 1989 through 1993, where was the magic of Yankee Stadium? It's only when the team is playing well and the fans are flocking to the place that we hear about how special Yankee Stadium is, etc.
If the team plays well in the new place, and the fans fill it and become the 10th man, people will say great things about that park too.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:03 PM | Comments (7)
June 14th vs. The Pirates
If only more games were like the one tonight for New York.
The Yankees are now 31-8 in games where they score 4+ runs. This tells me that the Yankees bad record to date is all about the hitting, or lack thereof, this year.
Tonight's game was much like the big game of May 7th from Mussina - and, that game started the big winning streak for the Yanks. Can this game do the same? Fingers crossed!
I meant to mention this a few games ago, but, better late than never. Every time that Tony Womack hits a fly ball, he should have do to 50 push-ups on the spot. Maybe that will get him out of the habit?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:45 PM | Comments (7)
You too?
"This is difficult to fix, to be honest with you. So many people are performing below our expectations and below our projections that this isn't easy to fix. If this is the best that this pitching staff can pitch, then I really miscalculated and it's time for changes. This is my fault. The guys have to play better or we've got to make some changes. I think we've allowed something like (77) runs in our last 10 losses. We're out of games. It's time for changes. Soon."
No, that's not Brian Cashman speaking.
It's a quote from Theo Epstein - made just two days ago.
It will be interesting to see which team, the Yankees or Red Sox, do indeed fix their problems this season.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:46 PM | Comments (0)
Verducci on Womack and Giambi
Tommy V. chimes in on Tony and Jason. Here are some of the bigger points:
The Yankees made a mistake in signing Womack to a two-year, $4 million deal rather than keeping Miguel Cairo. They made the blunder bigger by playing Womack every day. They made things even worse by batting him first or second, giving a guy with a .289 OBP extra plate appearances. And they goofed again by moving him to left field, as if an American League team can simply write off offense from a corner outfield position.
It boggles the mind to think that after 62 games, only Derek Jeter, Hideki Matsui, Alex Rodriguez and Gary Sheffield have taken more at-bats for the Yankees than Womack. It is a mystery why the Yankees have no bona fide backup outfielder -- a Shane Spencer/Chad Curtis type. But even more mind-blowing than that oversight is that manager Joe Torre keeps writing Womack's name in the lineup, especially near the top.
Womack has been so bad that you can boil down his year to this harsh conclusion: He's on track to be the worst outfielder in 99 years.
Giambi is nearly as worthless and historically bad as Womack. Womack can at least catch a baseball and touch his toes.
"[Giambi] looks finished," one AL scout said. "He lost his hands [as a hitter]. He used to hit with such great hands. Not now."
Giambi cannot field, he cannot throw, he cannot run, he cannot hit with power, he cannot hit the ball to the opposite field. He, Womack and Ruben Sierra are dead roster spots. Yes, but Giambi still gets on base, you say. The man has a .383 OBP, after all! Chill out. Giambi is the embodiment of the foolishness of putting your faith in one statistic. His OBP is hugely devalued by his inability to run or to hit for extra bases. The same guy who once led the league in doubles has hit only three this year. Since April 19 -- almost two months -- Giambi has one home run and two doubles for his only extra-base hits. His slugging percentage (.340) is worse than his OBP. He is on track to score 39 runs.
Good luck trying to find hitters with that kind of profile (gets on base, doesn't score, no power). Giambi is on pace to get 368 at-bats. Only one player in history has ever batted 350 times or more and posted an OBP better than .380 but didn't score 40 runs or slug .350: Floyd Baker of the 1949 White Sox, a third baseman who hit one career homer in 874 games. At least Baker was such a slick fielder he was known as The Glove Man. Giambi, especially after his fiasco of a game last Friday in St. Louis, should never be allowed to wear a glove again.
The Womack part speaks for itself. He should be a bench player, at best, now. As far as Giambi, about a month ago I wrote that June 15th should be "Deadwood Decision Day" for Jason. Seeing the stats, I'm sticking to that.
Why keep Giambi at this point? Is he going to get better this year? How about in 2008? The money an issue? They have to pay him, no matter what. Better to pay him not to be on the team - than to pay him to be on it now.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:19 PM | Comments (2)
The Rest Of This Month
The rest of the June schedule for the Yankees is as follows:
3 with the Pirates. 3 with the Cubs. 4 with Tampa. 3 with the Mets. And, then 3 at Baltimore.
New York really needs to win 11 of these 16 games to get back on track.
Therefore, the Yankees magic number for June is now 5. If they lose more than 5 games over the rest of this month, it will be bad news.
On your mark, get set, go!
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:50 PM | Comments (0)
Not Pretty
From The Star-Ledger today-
Torre's teams have always had dominant starting pitching, and this one does not. The Yankees' team ERA in the first six innings of games this year is 4.96, which ranks 24th in major-league baseball. Teams are hitting .297 against Yankee starting pitching -- only Cincinnati is worse.
Torre's teams have always been comeback teams, able to batter opposing bullpens. Over the past five years, opponents converted just 57.9 percent of their save chances against the Yankees. This year, Yankees opponents have nailed down 14-of-19 (73.7 percent) save opportunities, and it's no coincidence. The Yankees' .227 team batting average after the sixth inning ranks 29th in baseball.
Torre's teams have always found ways to get runs home. This one does not. With runners in scoring position and two outs, they're hitting .212, better than only three teams.
Torre's teams haven't always been great defensive teams, but they've rarely been disastrous ones. This year's is. The folks at Baseball Prospectus use a formula called Defensive Efficiency Rating, which evaluates how good a team is at recording outs on balls in play. The Yankees rank 30th in baseball. While five teams have made more errors, none has made fewer plays.
So, basically, if the 2005 Yankees were a dog, we should shave its behind and teach it to walk backwards, I guess........
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:11 PM | Comments (0)
June 13, 2005
Life Outside Of The Two Streaks
Today, I was wondering to myself: "Just how many times have the Yankees won back-to-back (BTB) games this year?" The answer is depressing.
Outside of the big winning streak of May 7th through May 17th, and the mini-streak from May 22nd through May 27th, there have been just three other times this season where the Yankees have won BTB games: The first two games of this season at home against Boston, two games at Toronto on 4/20 and 4/21, and a game versus Texas on 4/24 followed by a game against the Angels on 4/26.
Think about this for a minute. This means that outside of the streak where the Yankees won 10 in a row, and the 5-game winning streak that followed 5 days later, New York has gone 15-32 in all their other games this year. That's a "winning" percentage of .319.
Basically, it's losing every series outside of those 15 days of magic. Putting it all together, the Yankees string so far this season has been like this:
4.5 weeks of bad baseball, followed by
1.5 weeks of great baseball, followed by
2 weeks of good baseball, followed by
2 weeks of terrible baseball.
The 1.5 weeks of great baseball offset the 4.5 weeks of bad baseball. But, the 2 weeks of good baseball does not entirely cover the 2 weeks of terrible baseball. Therefore, the Yankees need another good streak now, or they will fall out of this thing in a hurry.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:51 PM | Comments (0)
The Baseball Same Game
FYI, a review of the book is now available over at Dan Agonistes.
Many thanks to Dan Fox of Dan Agonistes for taking the time to check out the book!
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:14 PM | Comments (0)
June 12, 2005
June 12th @ The Cardinals
You draft a guy in the 88th round during the 1996 draft. And, nine years later, he homers for the 1st time in the big leagues to beat you - when you really need the win. You are the 2005 New York Yankees. Actually, these current Yankees are the fat guy who always falls prey to "day two."
You know this guy. He's the one who needs to do something about his weight and decides to diet and/or exercise. Starting it is never a problem for him. There are many times where he decides to do something, and, on "day one" he's great. He eats right and watches the quantity of his food. He drinks lots of water. And, he works out hard that day. Maybe he does an hour on the treadmill or dusts off the Bowflex - or both - and really works up a sweat.
But, despite that great effort and results on that first day, the next day, he falls off the wagon, sits on the couch for most of the day, and eats like a pig on his last meal. And, all the forward progress and steam from "day one" is wiped out. So, he has to start another "day one" when he can get to it. Maybe it's later that week - or, in a couple of weeks. But, then, on the next "day two" (of his latest attempt at the right thing) he fails again - and he just keeps repeating the cycle over, and over, again.
This is the 2005 Yankees to date. They hit rock bottom, and then win a game where you think it's the start of something - but, the day after, they cannot string together another win for the chain.
The incredible thing here is that, as bad as the Yankees have been this season, New York is just 6 games out of 1st place. (To compare, if the Yanks were in the AL Central, they would be a dozen games out of 1st right now - dead and buried.)
Through the graces of luck, there's still time for the Yankees to make a run at it this season. But, the first step is to win two in a row. You have to win 2 in a row in order to start a winning streak.
Maybe this can happen against the Pirates this week?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:28 PM | Comments (6)
June 11, 2005
Unit Measure
Some may believe that, today, Randy Johnson pitched his best game as a member of the New York Yankees, to date. But, just how good was he today?
Perhaps a good way to look at it is via some recent Game Score history for the Big Unit.
Game Score is a measure of pitching performance for starting pitchers. Developed by Bill James. The formula consists of eight parts:
1. Start with 50.
2. Add 1 point for each out recorded.
3. Add 2 points for each inning the pitcher completes after the fourth inning.
4. Add 1 point for each strikeout.
5. Subtract 2 points for each hit allowed.
6. Subtract 4 points for each earned run allowed.
7. Subtract 2 points for each unearned run allowed.
8. Subtract 1 point for each walk.
Consider this pitching line:
IP H R ER BB K
8.1 5 2 1 2 7
The game score for the performance shown would be 72 (50+25+8+7-10-4-2-2).
Today, Randy's Game Score was 76.
And, actually, Johnson's already done better than that this season. On April 24th, Randy registered a Game Score of 78 for New York.
OK, I'll agree that 76 and 78 are pretty darn close. So, what about last year? How many times was Randy Johnson above 76 in a game?
In 2004, Randy Johnson had a Game Score of 76+ ten times. And, on five other times, he was above 72. So, last season, Unit was over 72 in 43% of his starts.
Now, here's an interesting thing: In 2004, eleven of those fifteen 72+ games came after June 28th. Perhaps it is true that Unit needs the warm weather to start heating up?
I'm starting to feel better about him this season.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:38 PM | Comments (2)
June 11th @ The Cardinals
Unit, sharp. Batters, good.
It's always easy to win when you only allow 4 baserunners in the 1st seven innings and your 1st five batters in the line-up reach base 12 times.
I want to be excited about this game. But, we've seen this before - where there's a winning-play-oasis that appears when we need it the most and then it's gone for the next game.
Therefore, let's see what tomorrow brings.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:55 PM | Comments (0)
June 10, 2005
June 10th @ The Cardinals
"They're shitty."
- a Korean Groundskeeper, in the movie Major League.
In the film, he wasn't talking about the 2005 New York Yankees - but, he might as well have been........
One more game like this over the weekend and maybe Joe doesn't get a ticket back home to the Bronx. I did find it interesting in the post-game where Joe, when asked what did he say to the team, said "It's nobody's business."
Whatever he said, if it doesn't work, what more can he do to turn this around? Nothing, probably. So, why not give someone else a chance to see if they can clean up this mess while there's still some time to make a run at this season? Money (as in the remainder of Torre's contract) an issue?
That's sort of silly. Think of it this way: You're throwing a party and you've spent $200 million already on the plans. Now, unless you throw in another $16 mill, the party will be a failure. Of course, it makes sense to throw in some more dough rather than let the $200 million investment go down the tubes. That's why it would make no sense to allow Torre's remaining money on his contract to preclude the team from making a change.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:22 PM | Comments (4)
Yankees, Looking Back, Looks Like Now....
Several weeks back, I mentioned in a game entry that I had kept daily notes on the Yankees during the 1984 and 1985 season. Just for fun today, here are the June 10th comments:
1984:
- Toronto, Won 5-3
- Gamble & Mattingly had 2-run homers
- Rawley ineffective, Christiansen went strong 4 for the win, Righetti got his 7th save
- Yank attendance down 9.2% from last year
1985:
- Toronto, Won 4-2
- Bob Shirley was excellent: 6 1/3 inn., 1 run, 6 hits, 1 BB & 2K's....what a lift!
- Meacham, Winfield & Baylor (2) had RBIs
- Mattingly, Pasqua, Baylor, and, once again, Henderson each had 2 hits, Winfield had 3, Pags added a double for 12 hits
- Marty Bystrom is due back soon
- In games that the Yanks have held the other team to 3 runs or less, their record is 22-4
- In games where the Yanks have given up 5 runs or more their record is 4-16
- Where would this team be if they had some pitching?
Thoughts on these today:
1. Shirley, Meacham, Pasqua, and Pags......there's a song in there somewhere.
2. Was June 10th the official "Play the Jays" day?
3. Pitching - the more things change.........
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:33 AM | Comments (1)
June 09, 2005
Jon Lieber
It seems like it was just a month ago that many were on the Yankees and Brian Cashman for their self-admitted market value miscalculation on attempting to re-sign Jon Lieber.
Wait, it was a month ago - and, the push then was mostly driven from the fact that Lieber, as of May 7th, had won 5 of his first 7 starts and had a tidy ERA of 2.57 in the process (while people like Jaret Wright and Kevin Brown were getting tattooed for New York).
But, all that Lieber talk seemed to fade away rather quietly. Why? Is it because Lieber, in his next 6 starts following May 7th, would allow 28 earned runs in 33 innings pitched? If I had to guess, I would say that had a hand in it.
If Jon Lieber continues to pitch so-so this season can we expect all those who were on Cashman, et al, to raise their hand and say "My bad!" or "Never mind"?
Think of it this way - if the Yankees had signed Lieber, then they would have not signed Wright. And, if Wright's not on the team, then his injury does not open the door for Wang.
Carry that out to 2006. Brown will be gone. And, to replace him in the rotation, would the Yankees hand the spot to a kid who was in Columbus all year in 2005? Never - they'd sign someone, like another Wright. But, now, Wang proves himself in 2005, keeps a spot in 2006 (moving up in the order to replace Brown) and then the Yankees look for a cheaper 5th guy in 2006 or go with Wright, if he can pitch.
It's funny how the wrong decision can sometimes work in your favor in the long run.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:56 PM | Comments (9)
The Baseball Same Game
FYI, a review of the book is now available over at Pearly Gates.
Many thanks to Richard Ceccarelli at Pearly Gates for taking the time to check out the book!
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:09 PM | Comments (0)
Bernie's Impact
I was looking at Bernie's game logs this afternoon and noticed this:
When Bernie plays, the Yankees are 21-28.
When Bernie doesn't play, the Yankees are 8-2.
When Bernie plays and gets a hit, the Yankees are 14-13.
When Bernie plays and goes hitless, the Yankees are 7-15.
Based on these splits, it appears that Bernie Williams hurts the team when he plays and goes hitless. And, if he's not going to hit, it makes more sense not to play him.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:47 PM | Comments (5)
Worst.Buyout.Ever
From Newsday:
One day after increasing his workloa