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August 31, 2005

They Must Think They're In!

I just got the bill for my 2005 Yankees post-season tickets. The price always goes up.

Last year, for my seats, it was:

LDS: $65 per seat
LCS: $90 per seat
WS: $185 per seat
- - with a $6 processing charge to be added to each ticket.

Looks like, this year, they've "done away" with the processing charge - right, do the math - but, now, for 2005, for my same seats, the post-season prices are:

LDS: $71 per seat
LCS: $106 per seat
WS: $191 per seat

And, I betcha there's some convenience fee or something to be added when you try and pay for them on-line.

In 2001 and 2002, the prices for these same seats were:

LDS: $45 per seat
LCS: $70 per seat
WS: $175 per seat

It's interesting that the LDS and LCS are up 50% from just three years ago and the WS is almost the same.

In the end, what can you do? If you want to go, you have to pay.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:20 PM | Comments (13)

Felix Hernandez

Just some perspective on the Venezuelan Sidd Finch, Felix Hernandez, that the Yankees are facing tonight. Right now, he's just one year older than Danny Almonte.

It's too bad that Ruben Sierra is not playing today. Big Rube made his big league debut less than 2 months after Hernandez was born.

When I think of this game tonight, why do I have the feeling that it's going to be like something that I once saw before?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:53 AM | Comments (10)

August 30th @ The Mariners

So, there will be no waking up to happy endings today. Actually, I peeked last night - so, I ended up getting the bad news earlier than usual. One of my dogs had to go at 2:40 am EST. So, when I got up to let her out, I put on ESPN News and saw the final score on the scroll.

If getting up in the middle of the night to let the dog out isn't enough to tick you, seeing a Yankees loss, knowing that it drops them another game out of first, on top of that chore sure does the trick. Well, at least New York still leads in the Wildcard this morning.

To me, this game came down to two players: Ichiro and Bernie Williams.

Ichiro got the big 2-out three-run homer in the 2nd to make it 5-0. If Chacón is able to make a pitch there and get him out, it's a whole different ballgame from that point.

Also, Bernie came up in the 1st with the bases loaded and one out and popped up - failing to drive in at least one run. Then, in the 3rd, with runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs, Bernie whiffed and did not help that situation at all. On the night, Williams had 6 LOB. You need the 5th batter in your line-up to do better in those situations.

If you think about it, Sheffield was really missed tonight. With him in there, Bernie's not batting 5th.

Anyway, even without Sheff, just give Bernie a single in the 1st to drive in two and take out the Ichiro homerun and then it's a 5-5 game going into the bottom of the 5th - even with all of Chacón's command issues.

Unit better be golden tonight.

And, Bellhorn needs a haircut.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:59 AM | Comments (3)

August 30, 2005

Tampa Bleeping Bay

With their big comeback win this evening, the Boston Red Sox are now 10-4 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays this season (to date).

The New York Yankees are 4-9 versus the D-Rays (also to date).

Tampa Bay's closer is part of the problem. Danys Baez is 5 for 5 in save chances in games with the Yankees - and his ERA is 0.00 against New York. Against Boston, Baez has allowed 14 base runners in 7 IP and is just one for three in save chances.

Boston still has 5 games left with Tampa Bay. It would be nice if Piniella's boys would start to play the Red Sox as tough as they have played the Yankees this season.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:17 PM | Comments (1)

Pitching In

Thanks to the Baseball Musings Day by Day Database, I was able to run the following today:

This tells us that, when the Yankees were going good before this month (meaning in May and July), they were just mashing the ball and out-slugging the other team. But, this month, the pitching has kicked in and performed the best this team has seen all season.

If the Yankees hurlers can keep up this current pace through September and October, we might be looking at a cakewalk to # 27.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:11 PM | Comments (3)

Booming

From ESPN.com:

Red Sox pitcher David Wells lashed out at Bud Selig after losing his appeal of a six-game suspension on Monday, drawing denials and apologies for the blustery lefty's charge that the commissioner dragged his feet on steroids.

"I've been tested three times this year, but it's obvious that there's guys getting away with doing it," Wells said during a pregame news conference. "And he's not doing a thing."

Wells' comments drew a quick response from the players' union, the commissioner's office and an apology issued by the Red Sox.

"The comments made by David today regarding the commissioner of baseball do not in any way reflect the views of the club," the Red Sox said in a statement. "The club believes the commissioner has demonstrated visionary leadership and integrity, and we recognize that his contributions to the game have been enormous. Thus, we apologize to the commissioner."

Boomer being Boomer. I wonder if anyone in RSN is thinking of doing a site for David now?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:00 PM | Comments (5)

Giambi's New Record

From The Record:

Giambi became the first Yankee ever to have consecutive multiple homer games twice in the same season.

On July 20 (at Texas) and July 21 (at Los Angeles) Giambi hit two homers in each game. He connected twice Sunday against the Royals, and hit his 24th and 25th homers of the year Monday night.

I'm shocked. Ruth, Mantle, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Berra, Maris, Reggie, et al, never did this? Ever?

One would think that one of the greats, or a fluke like Cliff Johnson, Kevin Mass, Matt Nokes, Darryl Strawberry, or Oscar Gamble, would have pulled this trick.

Wow.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:44 AM | Comments (6)

Fan's View On Yankees Defense

Tangotiger's 2005 Scouting Report by the Fans for the Fans is now complete.

Some interesting notes on the Yankees results - with the yardstick being "50" for being average:

Bernie's Arm Strength: 0
Giambi's Arm Accuracy: 0
Posada's Hands: 25
Jeter's First Step: 42

OK, I can live with those. But, Jeter gets a 48 for "Instincts"? No, no, no, no, don’t phunk with my heart. What's up with that?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:16 AM | Comments (4)

Babe, Bucky, Buckner, Boone......and Bellhorn?

There could be some bonus to the Yankees in picking up Mark Bellhorn.

As a middle infielder, Bellhorn would know the Red Sox' signs and indicators. So, at the least, this will inconvenience Varitek & Co. to change all their methods of communication with their staff.

And, who knows? Maybe Bellhorn knows more? Maybe he knows the best way to get David Ortiz out? Maybe he knows something the Yankees pitchers have been doing to tip their pitches (and that the Red Sox use)? Maybe Boston is stealing signs at Fenway and he knows how?

Mark has plenty of incentive to be chatty on anything he knows - after all, Boston released him. Maybe there is some payback raging inside him? Wouldn't that be nice?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:35 AM | Comments (6)

August 29th @ The Mariners

Boston had just about already won. The Yankees were losing 4-2 and their game was heading into the bottom of the 5th. It was about midnight. So, I went to bed. And, this morning, I woke up to a 7-4 Yankees win.

Now, that's a way to start your morning right.

That shot in the elbow is doing wonders for Giambi, huh? And, I credit Torre for saving this game, yanking Princess & The Pea Mussina as quick as he did - rather than let the game get out of hand. And, of course, Lucky Charm Small to the rescue.

Also nice to see Matt Lawton HR on the day that Katrina ripped the roof off his house. It shows that he's able to focus. That's good to have in a player.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:40 AM | Comments (5)

August 29, 2005

Mark Bellhorn

FOX Sports is running a story that reports recently DFA'ed Mark Bellhorn will sign with the Yankees:

Mark Bellhorn, one of the heroes of the Red Sox's 2004 postseason run, will join the rival Yankees once he clears waivers at 1 p.m. Tuesday, FOXSports.com has learned.

Bellhorn, a switch-hitter, will give the Yankees infield depth and a left-handed bat off the bench.

Why? Bellhorn's only skill is mastering the Sonny Crockett beard. And, on the Yankees, that skill is not needed.

Yes, he can play some second and some third in a back-up capacity. But, he's not a glove-stud. And, he's only been a decent offensive performer twice in his life - last year and 2002.

Could it be possible that this is just playing keep-away from the A's?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:17 PM | Comments (6)

The Curse of "Paint It Black"

OK, I'm calling it.

The Boston Red Sox allow the Rolling Stones to destroy their turf - enough so that the Fenway ground crew had to get 40,000 square feet of sod from a farm in southeastern New Jersey to replace the grass on their field.

New Jersey?

The birthplace of Derek Jeter!

If that's not begging for a new curse, nothin' is. Look for the Red Sox to now lose 17 of their remaining 33 home games this season - starting tonight.

UPDATE, Aug. 30th: That should have been "12 of their remaining 22 home games this season - starting tonight."

I think I need an eye-exam!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:40 PM | Comments (5)

The Interior D Better?

"Paul from Boston" recently asked:

With Rodriguez at third, and Cano at 2nd, the infield seems much better than in previous years. Any data to support this?

So, I decided to look at the data:

But, sometimes you need to look past the numbers.

The numbers for A-Rod are based on the whole season - and, earlier this year, he was not doing a good job at third base. However, in the past month or so, Alex has turned his game at the hot corner around - a full 180, in fact.

Therefore, if you factor this in, I would offer that the Yankees present infield defense is just as good as it was last year - but, not better.

The key to me is Cano. Until Robinson cuts down on the "easy" errors (meaning throws) then Cairo (from last year) has the edge on him.

This is not bad news. Think of it this way: If Cano can improve next year, and if Giambi becomes more of a DH in 2006, and the Yankees get someone at 1B who can field well, then next year the infield, defensively, looks to be a solid unit.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:50 PM | Comments (9)

In Defense Of Jeter

Looking at the leaders in Fielding Win Shares for AL SS this morning, this is what I saw:

Player-Team-FWS:
1 J Uribe CHA 6.4
2 J Peralta CLE 5.7
3 J Lugo TB 5.0
4 D Jeter NYA 4.8

I was surprised to see Jeter so high - because the sabermetric crowd usually likes to kill Jeter's defensive rep.

Last year, Rob Neyer of ESPN.comn called Jeter a "terrible" SS - twice in the span of days, once in print in his column and once in an ESPN News interview.

I never understood the "terrible" label.

Does Jeter have great range? No. His range, in my opinion, is somewhat limited - esp. going to his left.

Is he a terrible SS? No. A terrible SS would have been moved off SS by now. Tony Batista was moved. Chipper Jones was moved. Mike Lansing was moved. Mark Lewis was moved. Jose Offerman was moved. Wil Cordero was moved. Julio Franco was moved. In the big leagues, if you truly are a terrible SS, you will eventually be moved. Even a stupid team figures it out after a while. Jeter has not been moved, because he is not terrible with the glove at SS.

As a Yankees fan, at no point in time, over the last several seasons, has a ball been hit to Jeter at SS where I thought "Oh, no, why did you hit it to him?" - - the way one would think when balls were hit to the Jose Offerman or Wil Cordero types (when they were trying to play SS).

In fact, when a grounder is hit to Jeter, within normal range, my gut reaction and expectation is "that's an out." I have no fear whatsoever on a groundball to Jeter.

Further, in Baseball America's recent 2005 Best Tools Survey, League Managers selected Derek Jeter as the AL's "Best Defensive SS" - ahead of Miggy Tejada (at # 2) and Michael Young (at # 3).

So, the stats now favor Jeter, and are in line with those on the field. Therefore, is it now time for people to stop lamenting about Jeter's glove work?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:48 AM | Comments (17)

August 28, 2005

The Baseball Same Game

FYI, a review of the book is now available over at BookIdeas.com.

Click here for the review.

Many thanks to John Hoh Jr. for taking the time to check out the book!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:23 PM | Comments (0)

August 28th vs. The Royals

Nice to see Giambi come out of his month-long funk today in a big way. And, don't look now, but, in each of his last 5 starts, Al Leiter has allowed 3 ER or less, going between 5 and 7 IP each time.

And, yes, I know that Love Child was doing his thing in the 9th - but, it was sofa king we todd ed that Gordon was getting loose at the end of this game.

So, now, the Yankees become the Kings of Wishful Thinking. Four at Safeco and three in the other Beane-town. It would be nice to see a five and two record out of this trip.

The highlights of this road-run should be Wednesday night, Unit vs. Sidd-x Finch-dez, and then the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, Chacón vs. Zito (on ESPN at night).

Yankees Baseball.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:06 PM | Comments (0)

Grind It

From the CT Post:

Alex Rodriguez wore a navy blue T-shirt with the words "Grind it" written across the front as he stood at the end of the tunnel leading to the Yankees clubhouse and answered questions for a postgame radio interview Saturday afternoon.

Grind it. That sure sounded like the theme of a ninth inning in which the Yankees should have been finished, left to wonder if they would lose a game on the Red Sox in the AL East.

Grind it. Well, in 2001, Schilling said that Mystique and Aura were strippers. Maybe Grind it makes sense?

Still, the thought that A-Rod might be channeling Eric Nies here is sorta chilling - and not in the good chillin' kind of way.

Personally, when I hear Grind it, I think of the Sam and Diane thing from Cheers: Did you grind the beans? Yes, but I didn't grind them fine.

A-Rod can grind them anyway he wants - as long as the Yankees keep winning.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:58 AM | Comments (5)

August 27, 2005

Good Night

Wow. The Red Sox blew an early 6-zip lead tonight - and lost to the Tigers by a score of 12-8.

So, now, with 34 games to go, the Yankees are just 2 games back in the lost column of 1st place in the AL East.

It will be very interesting to see what the standings look like just about two weeks from now. That's when the Red Sox come into Yankee Stadium for a three game set.

For the longest time now, it seemed like the Yankees would need those games to try and get closer to Boston. Now, the way things are going, maybe it will be the Red Sox who need to win those games to try and get back into first?

With a few breaks, the Yankees might be in first in the AL East by the close of this month. Amazing.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:46 PM | Comments (10)

August 27th vs. The Royals

Attagirl Aura!
Attagirl Mystique!

Folks, this is why you never leave a game early.

You never expect something like this to happen, but, when it does, and you saw it, the feeling is indescribable.

So, since I saw it, albeit on TV, I'm speechless and have nothing to say.

Therefore, for now, I'm just gonna keep grinning.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:47 PM | Comments (1)

Repairing The Unit

From the News:

Randy Johnson hasn't had the greatest of seasons. In fact, he admits his first year in pinstripes has been "frustrating" at times.

But Johnson insists he hasn't lost confidence in his ability. Instead, he says, he's just lost his ability to maintain his mechanics at times.

That is why Johnson changed his routine when he threw a bullpen session on Wednesday. Instead of throwing off of flat ground like he usually does, Johnson climbed the mound in the Yankee Stadium bullpen and fired balls as if he were pitching in a game.

Johnson said he received advice from pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, personal catcher John Flaherty, Jorge Posada - the catcher he supposedly has an icy relationship with - and Joe Kerrigan, his former pitching coach in Montreal who was recently hired by the Yankees as a special pitching instructor. All agreed that Johnson's mechanics needed to be tightened up.

Mel, Flash, and Jorgie have been on the Johnson case all summer and nothing happened. Kerrigan talks to him once, for the first time, this past Tuesday, and then the next day, Randy tries the new warm-up routine - and then has a great game.

Unit's being very PC here in the credit. But, I truly believe this is all Kerrigan.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:31 AM | Comments (4)

Matt Lawton

I was surprised this morning to hear this news:

With an outfielder their most pressing need as they try to claw out a playoff berth, the Yankees last night acquired ex-Met Matt Lawton from the Cubs for an A-ball minor league pitching prospect.

Lawton, who hit .268 with 11 homers and 49 RBI in 120 games with Chicago and Pittsburgh this season, likely will be plugged into left field with Hideki Matsui moving to center on regular occasions as the Yankees address what has been a problem for them all season long. According to sources, the deal came down in the middle of last night's 5-1 Yankee win over the Royals, after it had been learned earlier in the day that Lawton had cleared waivers.

The Yanks are believed to be shipping Staten Island righty Justin Berg to the Cubs, who will save the roughly $1 million remaining on Lawton's contract.

One month ago, I said that Lawton is just about an average batter. That is what he has been the last few seasons. This year, he was doing OK for the Pirates - but, not so great once he went to the Cubs.

Justin Berg was a 43rd-round selection from the 2003 draft. So, we're not talking about giving up a blue-chipper in this deal.

Maybe the Yankees can get lucky here? In 2000, New York picked up a so-so performing OF from the Cubs for the pennant run and he exceeded expectations when he played for the Yankees that year. His name was Glenallen Hill - and he went on to pound out 16 HRs in just 40 games.

And, this is just a guess, but, I think the Yankees will end up batting Lawton in the two-hole. So, he should see lots of good pitches to hit in that spot.

Given what the Yankees surrendered in this trade, and the possible return, it's not a bad deal.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:48 AM | Comments (1)

August 26, 2005

August 26th vs. The Royals

Memo to Unit: For the remainder of this season, four days before each start, please spend 30 minutes talking to Joe Kerrigan.

Twelve days ago, I suggested that Bernie has to stay in the line-up until he stops hitting. I'm glad that he was playing tonight. Could he be the go-to guy? If he does, it's going to help him in terms of his next contract.

OK, the-uh-uh Yankees win. So, why were they playing Liza at the Stadium tonight, at the end of the game, and not Frank? What's up with that?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:41 PM | Comments (5)

The New Rotation

I was just looking at who were the true "aces" of the Yankees starting staffs (in terms of best stats) since 1995:

1995 - Jack McDowell
1996 - Andy Pettitte
1997 - Andy Pettitte
1998 - (tie) David Wells & David Cone
1999 - David Cone
2000 - Roger Clemens
2001 - Mike Mussina
2002 - David Wells
2003 - Mike Mussina
2004 - Jon Lieber
2005 - (so far) Mike Mussina

That's seven different men over the last 11 years - and five of them are still active - but only one of the five is still with the Yankees (Mussina).

Some might think: Imagine if this Yankees team had a rotation of Clemens, Pettitte, Mussina, Wells and Lieber?

But, I'm not sure that I would say that now. Given the way that Wright is throwing, and the way that Shawn Chacón has performed, and if Chien-Ming Wang can come back in a week or two, then Mussina, Johnson, Wright, Chacón and Wang might just be fine over the last part of this season.

Heck, if all goes as planned, the Yankees' biggest problem might be choosing which one of the five is not used in the post-season rotation.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:48 PM | Comments (4)

New Boston Fan Slogans

The Boston Herald is running a story where readers submitted their "new" anti-Yankees slogans.

I have to confess that I found "26 rings and a matching choker to go with them" to be very clever.

The one that burns me is "If you can't win a title, buy one." Com'on RSN, take those Bosox blinders off for a moment. Didn't you guys "buy" one in 2004? Are Foulke, Schilling, Manny, & Company lifelong Soxers? In fact, how many players on that squad were drafted and retained by the Red Sox? Further, just what was the Red Sox payroll in 2004? How many teams in baseball had a lower payroll?

Anywho, if Yankees fans were asked to come up with some new anti-Boston slogans, I wonder what they could come up with?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:29 AM | Comments (17)

ESPN Hollywood

From the News:

Who was that mystery woman cozying up to Derek Jeter?

When asked, Rick Cerrone, the Yankees' senior director of media relations, had no answer. Cerrone did see the mystery woman in a newspaper during the Yankees' recent three-game series in Tampa. If he saw her while eating breakfast, the corn flakes did not go down well.

This lady of mystery was in a full-page advertisement. She was silhouetted with a question mark on her head. Jeter, smiling, was resplendent in a suit and tie. Like the ones catching your eye while waiting at the supermarket checkout, this headline screamed.

"Jet-Setting JETER! A NIGHT ON THE TOWN WITH NYC'S MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR."

"This is very puzzling and troubling. I'm totally befuddled that ESPN would position one of its shows as a low-rent tabloid," Cerrone said. "In the ad they insinuate they are out with Jeter, with his permission, or they are following him. Give me a break. Neither is true."

Considering the Yankees' reaction, and the reaction of others Antinoro cited, the advertisement served its purpose. However, in the Yankees' case, it clearly set off a negative alarm. "Bottom line, I've had players say to me: `Don't ever ask me to do anything for them (`ESPN Hollywood'),''' Cerrone said.

ESPN should be careful. I think Jeter has a Bo Laramie side to him. And, if it happened, I couldn't blame him.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:55 AM | Comments (4)

August 25, 2005

4th and 3

Actually, it's not really Fourth Down.

But, it's close. There are 36 games left to the Yankees 2005 regular season. So, Fourth Down would have actually been around 4 games ago. But, since the difference between two-ninths left (which is 36 games) and one-quarter (which is 40.5 games) is so small, just seven two-hundred-fiftieths, I'm rolling with it as still being Fourth Down. (Gee, my grammar school teachers were right, this fraction stuff would payoff someday!)

And, with the Boston loss this evening to KC (Thanks Curt!) the Yankees are now just three games behind in the loss column to first place Boston (in the AL East).

It's 4th and 3. Punting is not an opinion.

Even though it's relatively short yardage, it's time to go shotgun and put the ball in the air. Someone on the Yankees needs to be Fred Biletnikoff, the go-to guy, over these next five and a half weeks.

It will have to be just like Vladimir Guerrero did for the Angels last September.

When you look at this Yankees team, there are only three men, in my mind, who are capable of doing this: Sheffield, A-Rod, and Matsui.

The glory is there for the taking - if one of them wants to grab it.

Of course, if all three of them want to run for it at the same time, that's fine by me as well.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:28 PM | Comments (3)

Yanks Fan Buys Schilling Stuff

From SI:

Congress may not have solved baseball's steroid problem, but its hearings on the subject will do some good after all.

Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling earned $2,000 for two charities by auctioning off the subpoena he received to testify at March's hearing alongside Rafael Palmeiro, Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco. Kevin Bronson, a New York Yankees fan and memorabilia dealer from Springfield, Mass., paid $2,200, including auction fees for the document and an autographed picture of the Boston ace.

"It's probably one of the more significant baseball documents of the new era of baseball," Bronson said in a telephone interview on Thursday. "I think in years to come it's going to be more significant."

Pull-ease. Now, if this was Raffy's subpoena, or McGwire's, then maybe I would agree that this fellow has something here. But, Schilling's subpoena? Big deal.

You've now got a piece of paper that brought cause for the Cliff Clavin of modern day baseball to once again flap his way-too-willing-to-open-yap and "bless" us with his I'm-the-only-one-who's-right-dribble.

That's not a cocktail napkin, er, subpoena, it's a cry for help.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:18 PM | Comments (4)

Mussina Post-2006

I was just reading about Mike Mussina being a free agent after next season. Should the Yankees consider re-signing him?

Well, first of all, Moose will be 38-years-old in the first year of his next contract. That should scare away anyone. But, the Yankees have shown that they're not afraid to throw money at old-timer hurlers. So, is there anything else to consider?

In terms of relative career pitching performance and opportunity earned, and age, the pitchers that best line up to Mussina, since 1900, are Stan Coveleski, Kevin Brown, and Curt Schilling - in my opinion.

Coveleski was cooked by the time he was 38 - but, he pitched during the 1910's and '20's. So, Brown and Schilling are probably the better "comps" to look at here.

Brown actually was a good pitcher at age 38 - and we saw how he was at 39, last season, in the Bronx. Schilling is 38 this season. And, we also know how his year has been for Boston (to date).

I'm not seeing anything that says Mussina will have some pitching life left once his current contract is up with the Yankees. Therefore, if they were to ask me, I say let him walk after the 2006 season. And, don't even think twice about it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:12 PM | Comments (4)

The Baseball Same Game

Click here for some news on the book.

This is after it being on Amazon for about 16 weeks.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:29 PM | Comments (2)

Not So Prêt-à-Porter

From the Boston Globe:

Charles Steinberg, the Red Sox' executive vice president of public affairs, ......was caught a bit off guard by the calls he fielded yesterday regarding the team's rules against wearing offensive T-shirts to ballgames.

Especially, Steinberg said, since the Sox have had the same guidelines in place since the start of the 2004 season, in response to complaints from fans objecting to such T-shirts as those accusing the Yankees of inhaling excessively, but in blunter language. Evidently, the issue resurfaced yesterday because Boston Magazine's website published an item referring to the Sox' practice of asking fans to turn inside out T-shirts that they consider offensive -- again, most of which target the Yankees and their most prominent stars, such as Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

"About two years ago, at the beginning of the 2004 season, in response to requests from many, many fans, we started the practice of asking fans to turn their T-shirts inside out," Steinberg said. "The compliance rate has been outstanding ever since we started. It has not been an issue, and it has contributed greatly to a more family-friendly, civil ambience."

Understand, Steinberg said, the Sox have not instituted a formal prohibition against wearing such T-shirts. They are relying, he said, on the goodwill of their customers to comply.

"If someone wants to make a point, we're not trying to make some legal claim," Steinberg said, referring to the freedom of speech issues raised. "If it's a cool night, we might ask someone to wear their jacket over it. Our security people use their judgment that [wearing such shirts] is not going to be a problem. It is not a rigid concept; we rely on a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.

"I asked [director of security Charles] Cellucci, and he said he doesn't remember anyone being ejected [for offensive attire]."

The Yankees have had a similar practice of requiring fans to reverse offensive T-shirts at the turnstiles in Yankee Stadium, but there isn't a team in the major leagues that has yet to find a way to curb the practice of fans chanting the very words they are compelled not to wear on their T-shirts.

Interesting, just three years ago, the Red Sox had a different position on this. From ESPN.com at that time:

According to a survey by The News Tribune of Tacoma, 16 teams allow such shirts, while 14 do not. The controversy prompted several to review their obscenity policies.

Bob DiBiasio, a spokesman for the Cleveland Indians, said the team would ask fans to turn the shirts inside-out.

"Ultimately we are responsible for entertainment in an atmosphere that is good for adults and little kids," he said.

No such policy is expected in Boston, said Red Sox spokesman Kevin Shea.

The distaste Red Sox fans have for the Yankees is rooted in their team's sale of Babe Ruth to New York -- and in perhaps thousands of other events since then.

" 'Yankees suck' means something different to us in Boston," Shea said.

Related, earlier this season, I was up in the Bronx and saw a shirt for sale outside the Stadium, near the parking garage up around 164th Street, that read (something like):

"Boston: There was no curse. You just sucked all these years."

I wonder what would happen if someone walked in to Fenway wearing that one?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:08 AM | Comments (2)

August 25th vs. The Blue Jays

10:49 am EST: Today's prediction is that Sheffield is going to have a big day at the plate, and that the only Blue Jay to give Chacón much trouble will be Hillenbrand. And, the Yankees win.

Then again, I'm Oh'fer two in my last two day-game predictions. So, what do I know?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:49 AM | Comments (5)

August 24, 2005

August 24th vs. The Blue Jays

Bummer. The Yankees were so close to going 15 games over .500 for the first time this year. Now, they will have to win two in a row to get there. I'm wondering if it will ever happen.

This is the second time in his last five starts where Mussina was humming along and then imploded at just about the half-way mark of the game.

Well, Moose did get to keep the ball from tonight when he notched the out that marked his 3,000th career inning. I guess that's the important thing for him - keeping track of his personal milestones.

Many say there's a reason why Mussina has never won 20 games in a season. And, they say that he's never been a true ace. And, they say that he's not Cooperstown material. And, games like this one just add another log to their fire.

Hopefully tomorrow's game will be better. I'm calling it The Battle of the Vowels - Chacon v Chacin. Let us all hope that "O" is the winner.

I actually stopped watching the game tonight as soon as it was 9-zip. The other day, I had picked up The Punisher on DVD at Target for ten bucks. So, I thought this was a good time to watch that instead of the game. The star is Thomas Jane - who played Mantle in 61*. It was pretty cornball - but it had enough suspense at times, and humor at others, mixed in with the requisite amount of guns/cars/explosions that you would expect from this type of flick to keep your attention.

There was even a Yankees reference in one line when The Punisher says:

"Upset? I used to get upset when I got a flat tire. I used to get upset when a plane was delayed. And, I used to get upset when the Yankees won the series. So, if that's upset, how do I feel now? If you know the word, tell me, because I don't."

Maybe the word is "That-feeling-when-Mussina-spits-the-bit"?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:23 PM | Comments (5)

Enter Sandmen?

From Philly Inquirer Columnist:

Everyone needs to be entertained, even Phillies coming into the game at Citizens Bank Park. At least a dozen players request certain tunes to put them in a hitting or pitching mood. It's up to Phanavision director Bill Hooker to play "Enter Sandman" by Metallica when pitcher Billy Wagner warms up, for instance, or queue up a Fabolous hit when shortstop Jimmy Rollins goes to bat. You might not recognize pitcher Brett Myers' pick, Subject to Change, a band from his hometown, Jacksonville, Fla. Some players don't have just one choice; Hooker can play "Major Tom" by Peter Schilling or "The Zoo" by Scorpions for pitcher Jon Lieber.

The guys are listening in the dugout, all right. Teammates gave second baseman Chase Utley major-league grief over "We Like to Party" by the Vengaboys. You know it - it's the peppy song that the creepy old man dances to in those dopey Six Flags commercials. (Apologies for planting that tune in your head.)

If the Yankees decide to go after Wagner this winter, and sign him as a Free Agent to fill Gordon's role, he's going to have to get another song.

I would suggest Ride of the Valkyries.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:18 PM | Comments (3)

Sheff's On-Line Pen Pal

From wesh.com, about the "celebrity status" of being in the LLWS:

Moroff isn't the only player receiving fan mail from the big guys. Dante Bichette Jr., who was featured in USA Today on Tuesday, has received an e-mail from Gary Sheffield of the New York Yankees.

Bichette Sr. and Sheffield were together for one year only on the 1991 Brewers. It's nice that they've kept in touch all these years. (I'm assuming that's how Gary got the kid's e-mail addy.)

So, you play with a guy for one season, and, 14 years later you're still fairly tight with him. Yeah, that Sheffield, he's a clubhouse cancer.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:09 PM | Comments (2)

Piazza To The Bronx?

Bob Klapisch thinks it's possible:

But that's not to say the 36-year-old Piazza is ready to stop playing after 2005 or that he's even finished as a Met.

Logic says the Mets will allow Piazza to move on, but that could change if ownership sensed the Yankees were encroaching. It's not impossible: The Bombers will be looking for a right-handed power hitter and as creaky as Piazza has looked at times, one National League scout recently said: "Piazza still has the ability to catch up to a fastball. That much, I'd say he's still got."

Piazza in the Bronx? He just smiled at the revolutionary thought, which isn't to say he is or isn't interested. All Piazza tells you is that he's "curious" to see how the winter plays out.

"I know it's a sensitive subject, but I'm not even close to making up my mind," he said. "I mean, so much can happen, and I have no idea if the Mets are interested or if other teams are. In a way it's exciting because I've never been a free agent."

Every year, for five years in a row, Piazza's offensive productivity has gone down. He'll be 37-years-old next year. If it's true that "The Bombers will be looking for a right-handed power hitter" please let it be someone other than Mike Piazza.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:56 PM | Comments (5)

The Price Of The First Half

Since July 2nd, the Yankees are playing .652 baseball. From that same point, the Red Sox are playing .600.

It's really too bad that the Yankees can't mulligan the first three months of this season - or add another two or three months to the end of the schedule.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:50 PM | Comments (1)

CG Torre

From Box Office Prophets:

Yankee Irving, a CG-animated feature that Chistopher Reeve was directing from his home at the time of his death in October 2004, has added some additional voice talent to its cast. Jake Syzmanski will voice the title character, while other cast members will include Rob Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg, Brian Dennehy, William H. Macy, Mandy Patinkin, Dana Reeve, Robert Wagner, Richard Kind, Raven Symone and New York Yankees manager Joe Torre. The story will center on a boy who is traveling across the country to return Babe Ruth's bat before the deciding game of the 1932 World Series.

I wonder how CG green tea tastes?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:13 PM | Comments (0)

Secret Mound Tools?

From the CT Post:

Tom Gordon is responding to antibiotics, manager Joe Torre indicated, but was unavailable to pitch Tuesday night as he continues to battle a urinary tract infection.

I had no idea how important the urethra was in terms of being able to pitch effectively. Baseball is great. You really do learn something every day.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:19 AM | Comments (7)

Dr. K To Help Unit?

Thanks to "Shaun P" for the heads-up on this from The Post:

For almost 30 minutes yesterday, Randy Johnson spoke with pitching expert Joe Kerrigan at his locker.

Kerrigan, the former Boston pitching coach and manager recently hired by the Yankees, was Johnson's Double A and Triple A pitching coach in the Montreal organization in the late 1980s.

GM Brian Cashman said yesterday that Kerrigan was hired to "tighten up" the team's advance scouting, but Kerrigan doesn't have a title.

Speculation has already begun that Kerrigan will replace Mel Stottlemyre as pitching coach next season, since Stottlemyre has once again said he'll retire after this year.

Well, it Unit goes on a roll now, perhaps we will have this meeting to point back to?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:13 AM | Comments (2)

Against All Odds?

According to the folks at Baseball Prospectus, the odds are against the Yankees this year:

Above is the % chance of winning the east, getting the card, or just making the post-season.

Less than a 50-50 probability of them making the post-season? Good thing they play the games on the field and not on paper.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:00 AM | Comments (0)

August 23, 2005

August 23rd vs. The Blue Jays

If you missed this game, click here to experience what it was like watching it.

A great effort from Leiter. Yankees down by two in the 6th - get one there to cut the lead and another in the 7th to tie. They fall behind again in the 8th by one and come back in the bottom of that frame with one more to tie again (on a big Bernie hit). They allow another in the 9th to fall one back again - and then score two in the bottom of the 9th to win - the first run on a Godzilla HR to tie and then with the GWRBI coming with 2 outs and 2 strikes on the batter (who just happened to be Felix Escalona!).

I did not see the post-game on YES - so, I have no idea if this was confirmed, but, on the replay of the Matsui HR in the 9th to tie the game, when they showed the Yankees dugout, I'm pretty sure that Jeter said to A-Rod "I told you."

How cool is that?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:14 PM | Comments (8)

Not A No-No To Me

The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal is running an interesting piece on the lack of no-hitters in baseball these days. In the feature, Billy Wagner talks about the June 2003 "no-hitter" against the Yankees:

"It was probably the most exciting moment of my career," said Wagner, now the Phillies closer. "It was my only appearance against the Yankees, and it finished off a no-hitter. We knew we had done something special."

I must confess that, for a long time, I took pride (as a Yankees fan) that no one ever threw a no-hitter against the Yankees in my lifetime (which is a long time, as I was born in late 1962).

And, I still take pride in that - because I just cannot consider a six-man "effort" as the same as one pitcher shutting down a team for 9 innings.

Yes, they were held hitless that day. But, no "pitcher" (note, singular) has thrown a no-hitter against them since Hoyt Wilhelm did it in 1958.

Sorry Yankee-haters, it's still 47 years and counting in my book.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:48 PM | Comments (6)

Wanted

Author of no-hitter for the Yankees wanted by police.

And, no, it's not David Wells.

Go figure.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:27 PM | Comments (4)

The Baseball Same Game

I just recieved this note, via e-mail, today regarding The Baseball Same Game -

I purchased a copy of your book for myself and for a gift for my father (who is 80 years old).
As a poor kid growing up in Brooklyn, he couldn't afford to go to baseball games but was able to follow baseball through the radio and the newspaper.
He was a math whiz and had an incredible memory of baseball statistics.
Going to games with him when I was young was an experience.
So many facts and records were mentioned during a nine-inning game that my head would spin.
My mother has dealt with this obsession for over 50 years.
Things were pretty quiet for them in Florida following the Marlins and the New York teams until I mailed him your book.
It seems that his baseball juices starting flowing again and he hasn't put the book down since he started reading it.
I called him the other day to see if he liked the book and he mentioned a few of the chapters that he really liked - Pierce vs. Drysdale, Hornsby vs. Mantle.
He told me the height of each pitcher and their records and the memories of baseball he had growing up in New York with the Dodgers, Giants and the Yankees.
He loves your book and based on your references to other statistical works, he's off to the library to see what else he can read.
There's good and bad new to end my e-mail.
My father has shared his love of your book with other senior citizens in his Florida community and they all sit around and discuss the comparisons.
That's the good news. The bad news is that they are all reading the copy of the book I sent my father.
At least there are people reading and enjoying your book.
A baseball fan.
Jeff

Stuff like this just makes my day!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:00 PM | Comments (3)

The Countdown Begins

From NoSenseWorrying.com:

262

That's the number that was in the lower left hand corner on the marquis outside of the Stadium. The one that lists the opponent of the night and the game time. Driving in over the Macombs Dam Bridge I noticed the number but had no clue what it meant. Then, during the game I heard someone talking about it. Turns out, 262 is the number of home games that are left at the current Yankee Stadium.

Gosh, that "last game ever" is going to be insane.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:10 PM | Comments (7)

CF In 2006 - Part II

An interesting feature in the Star Ledger on the state of the Yankees farm has this:

KEVIN THOMPSON: After battling injuries the past few seasons, Thompson was healthy this year and emerged as one of the top players in the Double-A Eastern League as the left fielder and leadoff hitter for Trenton. He earned a promotion to Columbus July 2 after hitting .329 with 28 doubles, 12 home runs, 43 RBI, 25 stolen bases and a .432 on-base percentage. He's still adjusting to Triple A and turns 26 in September, but the Yankees are hoping he can continue to improve in center field and possibly step up next season. Wanting both he and Cabrera to get playing time in center, the organization stuck with him at their top minor-league affiliate. "He pushed himself from a guy who we liked a little bit to a guy who was at the top of most offensive categories in Double A," Newman said.

"the Yankees are hoping he can continue to improve in center field and possibly step up next season"?

Is it possible that the Yankees have looked at what's going to be on the market this winter and decided to try and fill CF next year from within?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:40 AM | Comments (2)

The Big Unit And The Ryan Express

In my mind, Randy Johnson and Nolan Ryan are linked. Why? Partly because of this story:

Although his final numbers did not suggest it, Randy finally started pitching the way everyone knew he could. Mired in a losing streak, he sought the advice of some legendary flamethrowers, including Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan. The 45-year-old Ryan, in his next-to-last season with the Rangers, mentioned to Randy that he was landing on his heel when he strode toward home plate and that he might try landing on his foot. Texas pitching coach Tom House concurred. This, they said, might be the key to the consistency that had eluded him.

After tinkering for a couple of weeks, everything began falling into place. At one point, Randy hit 102 mph on the radar. With his fastball hitting spots and his curve and slider bending over the corners, Randy finished the year strong. Over his final 11 starts he was 5-2 with a 2.65 ERA, giving up a mere 47 hits while averaging 10-plus strikeouts a game. His last start was an eight-inning performance against the Texas Rangers in which he fanned 18.

And, partly because Ryan is the greatest right-handed strike out pitcher of all-time and Johnson is the greatest left-handed strike out pitcher of all-time.

Now, what is becoming interesting is the way that both Ryan and Johnson pitched in the seasons where they were ages 40 and 41 - and then how Ryan did at ages 42 and 43.

In 1987, at the age of 40, Nolan Ryan had a great pitching season for a team that finished 14 games out of first place.

In 2004, at the age of 40, Randy Johnson had a great pitching season for a team that finished 42 games out of first place.

In 1988, at the age of 41, Nolan Ryan had one of his worst seasons ever - in terms of his pitching effectiveness. By many standards, he was a below average pitcher that year.

And, we know how Randy Johnson has been this season, where he is 41-years-old, in terms of his pitching effectiveness.

So, how did Nolan Ryan do after that 1988 season? Well, in 1989, at the age of 42, Ryan was one of the ten best starters in the American League. And, in 1990, at the age of 43, while Ryan was not as good as he was in 1989, he was still one of the more effective starting pitchers in the league.

Therefore, history shows us that it is possible for a 41-year-old "future Hall of Famer" power pitcher who is having a so-so year to comeback and pitch effectively the next season, and the one after that.

Will this happen to Randy Johnson in 2006 and 2007? While I would not bet on it, I will root for it. And, if Johnson can be a good pitcher for the Yankees after this season, I would not be shocked.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:11 AM | Comments (3)

August 22, 2005

Looking Ahead

I know this is too far head to matter, but, assuming that the Yankees stay in rotation, and do not skip any starts, and that rain out game is made up on the next trip to Camden, then in that last series of the year - at Fenway Park - the Yankees scheduled pitchers will be, in this order, Mussina, Chacón, and Randy Johnson.

Yes, that's Randy Johnson in the last game of the season - at Fenway Park.

And, Jaret Wright would be the guy if there's a tie-breaker game.

But, again, a lot can happen in five and a half weeks.........

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:16 PM | Comments (7)

August 22nd vs. The Blue Jays

I've said it once, and I said it a second time, and I'll keep beating the horse for a while more.....it's great to see someone, like Wright, who goes about his work with some passion.

Tonight was important - and this date is now important as well. Thanks to the outcome of tonight's game, the Yankees now control their own post-season eligibility destiny.

New York is now tied for first in the AL Wildcard standings (with the A's and Indians) and 2.5 games ahead of the Twins. There are 39 games left to the season.

In a nutshell, all the Yankees have to do is play better baseball over those final 39 games than the A's, Indians, and Twins - and they will be in the post-season. Will it be easy? No - not at all. But, now, the Yankees, assuming they win, and very often, only have to worry about what they do - and not what the other teams are doing. And, that's good.

Having control over yourself and your fate is a very basic, yet extremely important, human need. That's no longer an issue for this Yankees team. The control now is theirs - and it's up to them to keep it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:54 PM | Comments (1)

Gamesmanship

From TSN:

No one expects general manager Theo Epstein to leave the Red Sox when his contract expires at the end of the season, but some interesting dynamics are in play.

Epstein, who is completing a three-year contract with an annual salary believed to be in the $300,000 to $400,000 range, likely wants a deal close to the one Boston offered Billy Beane in November 2002 -- a reported $13 million over five years. The Red Sox would be more comfortable paying Epstein about $1 million per season, but Epstein possesses the ultimate leverage -- he could threaten to bolt for New York if GM Brian Cashman leaves the Yankees. ...

Theo and the Sox about $1.5 million a year apart? This could be interesting. If there's a way for the Yankees to play this to get Boston to have to pay, they should do it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:43 PM | Comments (3)

Vince Faison

The Yankees have signed Vince Faison from the Jackson Senators of the Central Baseball League. It's an Independent League.

He's an OF, now 24-years-old. Bats and throws left. And, he was a former 1st round selection (by San Diego) in the 1999 draft (20th overall).

From 1999 through 2003, he didn't hit much at all in the minors - stalling out at Double-A. In January 2004, he was traded to Seattle in the Jeff Cirillo deal. Last year, he was in the Mariners chain and didn't play much. He had a great year this season with the Jackson Senators. It's anyone's guess if he could ever help the Yankees.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:08 PM | Comments (6)

Who's Hot And Not?

Batting Average/On Base Average/Slugging Percentage numbers for some Yankees starters, thanks to the Baseball Musings Day By Day Database:

From July 21st through yesterday:

Jeter: .333/.401/.496
Williams: .267/.292/.422
Sheffield: .296/.362/.461
Rodriguez: .330/.426/.651
Matsui: .256/.315/.419
Giambi: .224/.438/.566
Posada: .205/.305/.313
Martinez: .314/.372/.429
Cano: .216/.256/.288

From August 7th through yesterday:

Jeter: .279/.333/.426
Williams: .293/.318/.488
Sheffield: .273/.333/.455
Rodriguez: .352/.435/.759
Matsui: .241/.328/.389
Giambi: .097/.333/.097
Posada: .222/.364/.389
Martinez: .368/.432/.395
Cano: .186/.262/.220

Some observations:

1. A-Rod sure seems to be doing his best to carry this team on his back. I hope he can keep this up for another six weeks.

2. It would surely help this team if Matsui would start hitting like we know that he can - when he's right.

3. You have to keep playing Tino now until he stops hitting.

4. Could it be possible that Posada is about to start pulling his weight at the plate? He's trending up the last two weeks.

5. Yes, that's no typo on Giambi. Over the last two weeks, his Batting Average and Slugging Percentage are the same - .097. Yes, that's oh-ninety-seven.

6. I remembered hearing that, last month, Robinson Cano had commissioned Vernon Wells Sr. (yes, the father of the Blue Jays CF) to paint a portrait of himself, his dad, Jackie Robinson and Rod Carew - all together. Maybe he should have thrown in Tony Womack too?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:25 AM | Comments (4)

August 21, 2005

The Ones That Got Away

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 the 2005 RSAA totals, coming into today's games, for some recent ex-Yankees pitchers:

Roger Clemens 51
Andy Pettitte 28
Brad Halsey 7
Esteban Loaiza 5
Chris Hammond 5
Jose Contreras 5
Gabe White 2
Mike Stanton (with Wash.) 2
Paul Quantrill (with SD) 1
Brandon Claussen 1
Jon Lieber -1
Orlando Hernandez -2
Javier Vazquez -3
David Wells -4
Jeff Weaver -8

For a point of comparison, here are the RSAA marks, again, coming into today's action for the current Yankees hurlers:

Mike Mussina 14
Shawn Chacon (with NY) 11
Randy Johnson 8
Al Leiter (with NY) -1
Jaret Wright -9

Mariano Rivera 21
Tom Gordon 13
Aaron Small 5
Tanyon Sturtze 3
Felix Rodriguez 0
Scott Proctor -1
Alan Embree (with NY) -2

In terms of the ones that got away, the one that bothers me the most is Brandon Claussen. That could be Doug Drabek Part II. But, in a way, without that deal, maybe the A-Rod deal never happens for New York? So, in the end, maybe Brad Halsey is the one that perhaps they should have found a way to keep?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:15 PM | Comments (12)

Adios Alejo

From The Times:

Jason Giambi has learned to live without having his personal trainer, Bobby Alejo, at the ballpark. Now he has to get by altogether without him.

Alejo, who left his job as the Athletics' strength coach to join Giambi in New York after the 2001 season, is taking a job as the head strength coach for all 18 sports at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He ended his final trip with the Yankees on Sunday, and he starts his new job Sept. 1.

"He's great to me; he's one of my best friends," said Giambi, who added that he did not know if he would seek a new trainer. "It's definitely going to be difficult. But I have to finish the season and worry about that at the end."

Alejo's presence had long been a point of contention between Giambi and the Yankees. Giambi signed with the understanding that Alejo would have full access to help him at the ballpark before and after games, supervising his weight training and batting practice.

But when Major League Baseball imposed stricter rules on clubhouse access in 2002, the Yankees had to hire Alejo as a batting-practice pitcher, even though Giambi still paid him, so that Alejo would have full access.

Gradually, Alejo's access dwindled to team flights only, and Giambi has had to change his routine, working out away from the park before games instead of immediately after them.

"It's the routine I've had since I started in the big leagues," Giambi said. "Granted, it's changed since I got over here. I had him in the clubhouse and I had to rearrange my workout routines. But he's been around me a long time, so he's seen a lot of things. We could talk about hitting, talk about the game. He was fun to have around."

Giambi had long contended that he needed Alejo to keep him free of injuries and productive on the field. He proved he was serious by paying Alejo a sizable salary.

But the Yankees saw a potential conflict in granting Alejo extensive access, because other players could have complained that their trainers were not treated the same way. This May, the Yankees promoted a batting-practice pitcher, Mitch Seoane, specifically to work with Giambi.

And I thought Mussina was a prissy baby.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:05 PM | Comments (3)

August 21st @ The White Sox

OK, first the good news:

A). The bullpen should now be well rested for the four game set against the Blue Jays.

B). Oakland lost.

Now, on to the bigger tickets from today.........

This was a bizarre game for Randy Johnson. He allows only 4 total hits in 7 of the 8 innings that he threw - and then in the one big inning, the 4th, he allows 6 hits, including 4 homers, for six runs. And, the dingers allowed were interesting - the first on a low pitch, the second on a high pitch, the third on a low pitch and the last one on a pitch high and wide and probably out of the strike zone.

Even Johnson was confused - after the game he offered up quotes like "I have no idea" and "I don't have an explanation" and "I can't put a finger on it" when asked about that big fourth inning for Chicago.

After losing seven in a row, maybe it was just the White Sox day this afternoon? Look at Contreras. Here's a guy, when he was with the Yankees, despite being built like King Kong and having electric stuff, would choke and soil himself every time he pitched against the Boston Red Sox and things got tight in a game. Yet, today, against the Yankees, he was able to get tough every time he was in a jam - and there were a few spots in this game where he could have lost it, as he allowed 11 hits in 8 innings pitched. Go figure.

Yes, this was a tough one because the Yankees now lose a game in the standings to the Red Sox (who won). But, I truly believe this was one of those games that was not meant to be a win.

Think about it. Say Johnson only allowed two runs in the 4th - instead of six. That wouldn't matter because the Yankees only scored two runs today. Or, say the Yankees picked up that run in the top of the 4th that they should have plated. And, give them another run here and another one there. Then, New York would have scored five runs today. But, then that would not matter because Johnson allowed six runs.

When you don't score much, and allow the other team to score a lot, it's just not your day. Best thing the Yankees can do is just try and shake it off and get ready for the next game.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:25 PM | Comments (10)

Posada The Problem For Unit?

The Times sure makes a case:

John Flaherty will catch Randy Johnson on Sunday for the 13th time this season. In 12 games with Flaherty, Johnson is 6-1 with a 3.84 earned run average. In 13 games with Jorge Posada, he is 5-6 with a 4.55 E.R.A.

Joe Torre said Flaherty had a better feel for Johnson's mechanics, which often need adjusting during games. Flaherty stays on Johnson about keeping his arm angle high, and the results have usually been good.

"We're not hurting Jorge's feelings, because he seems to understand," Torre said. "Because Randy is so big, if things get out of rhythm a little bit, you can pick it up if you see him a lot."

Flaherty has caught all but one of Johnson's starts since June 11.

I think many Yankees fans expected Unit to be something like 12-3 at this stage of the season, when the Yankees traded for him last winter.

Perhaps it's time to consider a new starting catcher for next year? Posada can be traded. I wonder if Showalter would take Jorge in exchange for Rod Barajas and Gary Matthews Jr.?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:15 AM | Comments (11)

Fight Today In The Windy City?

From the Chicago Sun Times:

Maybe it was an accident. Maybe it was incidental. Maybe it never even happened at all, as A.J. Pierzynski said.

But I think he did it. Pierzynski threw that elbow Saturday at Yankees pitcher Shawn Chacon, who was tagging him out on a weak ground ball in the eighth inning. Pierzynski, who had flung his bat away after tapping the ball, just couldn't admit it to himself. The White Sox, whose slump reached seven games with Saturday's 5-0 loss to the Yankees, are in denial.

But it's about to sink in.

"It doesn't seem like there's any fire,'' Pierzynski said. "Maybe we need to get into a fight or something.''

The Sox are percolating, and the lid is about to blow. Orlando Hernandez threw at Yankee Alex Rodriguez for no reason, and Sox manager Ozzie Guillen went into a postgame rant. This wasn't just another loss, but an important new chapter in their story.

Two weeks ago, when the Chisox were in New York, I thought we may see a fight. All I can say now is, if there is a brawl today, and that chirp-master Pierzynski is the spark of it, based on his comments from yesterday, he should be suspended for 20 days, at the least.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:02 AM | Comments (2)

Torre And Posada On Girardi

From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

"I think he can pretty much do anything that is asked of him," Torre said recently. "I think he'd be very capable of managing if that's what he wanted to do. I think he'd like to stay on the field. I think he probably has the intelligence to be a general manager, if he's crazy enough and decides to do that."

"I think he'll be a great manager," Posada said. "He really understands the game. He's all about helping you. He's going to make sure he does everything to make you become a better player, to make you understand the game. As a manager he will be even better at that."

"He's very prepared, very upbeat, very intelligent," Torre said. "He learned under Zimmer, so that doesn't hurt him at all. He can combine the instinctive stuff with the statistical stuff, and he gives you much more than you ask for."

I have to wonder - if he's that good, would he be willing to stick around New York for the next two years as a bench coach? Probably not. If Dusty Baker is let go in Chicago, I think Girardi would take that post.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)

August 20, 2005

Reality

Ten days ago, I thought that the Yankees had little chance of catching the first place Red Sox in the AL East standings.

Now, as this is being penned, New York sits just three games back of Boston - with each team having 41 games left to play. If I were to maintain at this junction that the Yankees have no chance of catching the Sox, today, I would be a moron. Therefore, I have to say, right now, that the AL East is indeed up for grabs.

Of course, anything can happen - and it can happen quickly.

The last time that the Yankees were this close to first place on August 20th of a season, when they were not in first place, was 1993 - when New York trailed Toronto by 1 game. In fact, just a week later, the Yankees caught the Blue Jays are were tied for first on August 27, 1993. However, September 1993 was not a good month for the Yankees - including a killer 5-game losing streak from 9/19 through 9/25. And, in the end, the Yankees finished second in 1993 - seven games behind Toronto.

Further, if memory serves correct, the last time that the Yankees were not in first on August 20th of a season and then went on to finish first was 1978. And, the time that it happened before that was 1964. (At least, this is what I recall. Maybe I missed something? But, I doubt it.)

So, there's not a lot of history to call upon here - even for a franchise as old as the Yankees. In the last half-century there have not been many times where the Yankees made a charge at first during late August and finished first. Therefore, if it were to happen this year, it would be something to cherish.

In any event, for Yankees fans, the important thing is that, for today, you have every reasonable right to have hope. Yes, it might be gone in a matter of days. But, until that becomes reality - this reality is the only one that matters: The reality that the New York Yankees, today, warts and all, are contenders for first place in the AL East.

Cool.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:36 PM | Comments (2)

August 20th @ The White Sox

This is why it would not bother me at all to face the White Sox in the post-season. The Yankees can play with them any day.

OK, I was totally wrong about Shawn Chacón last month. In fact, if he keeps doing what he's been doing, he might just be the one to lead the Yankees into the post-season. I just hope the Yankees didn't let him run up his pitch count too much today.

Lastly, it was interesting to see the other side of El Duque show up today. I'll always like the guy for what he did for the Yankees in the past - but, the boy can fly off at times - no question.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:39 PM | Comments (12)

August 19, 2005

August 19th @ The White Sox

Nobody likes to hear it, because it's dull, but the reason you win or lose is darn near always the same - pitching. - Earl Weaver

Although, I confess, given the way the Yankees bullpen has been performing lately, just for a change of pace, with the hope that it brought some luck, once Mussina was out of the game, and the Yankees fate tonight was left to the pen, I switched from WOR to WGN (in the bottom of the 8th).

Gosh, those guys on WGN are huge homers and incredible bores. But, I had to take one for the team tonight.

Just finding a way to get it done.......

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:51 PM | Comments (7)

Torre Singles Out Cano & Posada

On the Michael Kay Show today, it was reported that Joe Torre had a team meeting after the game on Wednesday, which was less than 10 minutes, but was conducted by a 'raised voice' Torre.

Reportedly, in the meeting, Joe singled out Cano and Posada.

Cano got it for "styling" on the play where he made the error - and not knowing the base-runner and setting for a good throw. And, Posada got it for not running hard and advancing to second on his last hit in the game - and for not backing up the play where Cano made his error.

It will be interesting to see how the boys respond tonight.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:12 PM | Comments (1)

Johnny Damon & Roger Clemens Rumors

For me, if the rumors about Johnny Damon are true, it would be huge news.

I think such a distraction in RSN, again, if found true, would have to go in the Yankees favor. And, it would be funny, considering this from a March 3, 2004 story on BALCO in the Providence Jounal,

Then, returning to the dominant theme of the spring, Damon allowed himself to smile. Noting two of the players involved in the investigation -- Giambi and Sheffield -- he said: "We have nothing to worry about over here. Let the Yankees worry about it."

Hmmmmm........

And, as far as the Clemens rumor, which would not shock me for a dozen reasons, let us just say "Pitching problems in the Bronx or not, boy, the Yankees dodged a bullet in not trading for Clemens, if that was possible."

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:24 AM | Comments (4)

Community Cards

Another way that I can tell that WasWatching.com is becoming popular is by the amount of SPAM comments that are being made these days. I must have deleted about 40 of them this AM - and banned about a half-dozen IPs.

It's a pretty wide range of SPAM - home equity loans info, weight loss pills, cheap viagra, etc. But, by far, the two most popular types of SPAM comments that I receive are for on-line casinos and for Texas Hold'em sites.

So, I thought, if you can't beat 'em..........here goes:

As of this morning, the Yankees are 4 games out of first (behind Boston) and 1 game back in the loss column for the Wildcard (behind Oakland). There are 43 games left.

Will the Yankees draw out and go on a rush - or - is this season just a bad beat?

Place your bets.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:14 AM | Comments (11)

Find A Way To Get It Done

From an AP Report:

Through all the ups and downs this season, Torre remains upbeat.

"I have to be," he said. "(Coach) Don Mattingly started using it last spring ... 'Find a way to get it done.' And that's basically what we've been doing."

"We're playing nine innings ... tough, hard-nosed baseball. It hasn't always been pretty, but we've come from behind a lot, we've play an awful lot of close games," he said. We've been playing a lot of games, which means you're tested, basically. I think it's good practice. If you're going to go into postseason, and obviously that's what we hope we can do, it's a good dress rehearsal."

Find a way to get it done.

Could this be the Why Not Us? of 2005?

Hey buddy, get your T-Shirts here. Find a way to get it done.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:41 AM | Comments (6)

August 18, 2005

August 18th

This morning, the Yankees sit in 2nd place in the AL East - 4.5 games back of the Boston Red Sox. I was wondering, when was the last time that the Yankees were in 2nd, this far back of Boston, on August 18th? Thanks to RetroSheet, that's an easy thing to figure out.

Here is the list of where the Yankees were in the standings for the last 10 "August 18ths":

Year - Place In Standings - Games Ahead/Back

2004 - 1st - 8.0 Ahead
2003 - 1st - 5.5 Ahead
2002 - 1st - 7.0 Ahead
2001 - 1st - 5.0 Ahead
2000 - 1st - 3.0 Ahead
1999 - 1st - 6.5 Ahead
1998 - 1st - 19.5 Ahead
1997 - 2nd - 5.0 Back (of Baltimore)
1996 - 1st - 5.5 Ahead
1995 - 2nd - 9.5 Back (of Boston)

So, the answer is: 1995. And, it's been a decade since the Yankees trailed Boston by this many games on August 18th (of a season).

On the bright side, the Yankees did win the Wildcard in 1995. And, that season was a lot like this one - in 1995, the Yankees used 12 different pitchers to start games and their "big three" in the pen were John Wetteland, Bob Wickman and Steve Howe, supported by guys like Bob MacDonald, Joe Ausanio, Scott Bankhead and Josias Manzanillo.

Oh, and, they were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round.

Talk about coming full cycle - maybe.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:20 PM | Comments (4)

The Royal Treatment

The Royals have now lost 18 games in a row. Next, they head to Oakland for three games - and then they go back to K.C. to play the Red Sox three times.

After that Boston series, the Royals come to New York to play the Yankees in a three-game set.

OK, show of hands - how many people fully expect the Royals to lose six more in a row, to run their losing streak to 24 games, and then win that first game against the Yankees at the Stadium on August 26th?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:22 PM | Comments (10)

Ruben Rivera's Coming

From The Post:

The Yankees are moving closer to signing Ruben Rivera to a minor league deal, with an eye on seeing if he can help them upgrade center field defensively when the rosters expand next month.

"It is something I will probably do," GM Brian Cashman said of signing the 31-year-old Rivera to a minor league contract. "I am not opposed to it. His season is over and he is free."

Before Cashman can predict where he would send Rivera (likely Triple-A Columbus), the outfielder needs to secure a work visa, which shouldn't be a problem.

Rivera spent this year playing for the Campeche Pirates in the Mexican League, where he batted .342 (102-for-298) with 21 homers and 71 RBIs. He was released from his Campeche contract recently.

"I am going to pursue it and see what happens," Cashman said.

And, Derek?

Jeter has no problem with Rivera returning. "He has been to my house since then," Jeter said.

One question - assuming the guy can help, why not get him on the roster before the end of the month - so that he can be post-season eligible? Unless, they can use someone on the DL, like Pavano, and sneak him on that way, I guess.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:54 AM | Comments (5)

Sliced Giambi

Thanks to the Baseball Musings Day by Day Database, I was able to look up some numbers on Jason Giambi this morning.

The numbers that are shown are Batting Average/On Base Average/Slugging Percentage.

In his first 27 games of this season, Giambi went .195/.386/.325. Then, he had that meeting with Torre and Cashman where they discussed sending him to the minors. In his next 59 games, Giambi went .326/.471/.652. This brings us up to August 1st, which is the day that the news on Rafael Palmeiro broke. Since that date, in 14 games, Giambi has gone .195/.421/.366. Let us stack these numbers up:

.195/.386/.325
.326/.471/.652
.195/.421/.366

Am I the only one who sees an eerie pattern here?

OK, granted, we're just talking about 14 games here since August 1st. But, what if Giambi continues to slump for the next two weeks or so? Would it not be fair then to question what happened here?

As a Yankees fan, I hope Jason starts hitting away again, and soon, and then this all becomes moot.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:31 AM | Comments (15)

Day 120

Today is the 120th day that WasWatching.com has been up and running.

So, how am I doing?

According to the stats, WasWatching.com traffic has been building nicely:

Thanks to all for your interest over these past four months. Knowing that some enjoy this makes it all worth while!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:00 AM | Comments (14)

August 17, 2005

August 17th @ The Devil Rays

What the Sam Hill is going on here?

The only thing that I can figure tonight is that this is The Curse of Hurricane Frances at work.

During the series in New York which followed Hurricane Frances last year, from September 6th through the 9th, the Yankees came out looking like bad guys (not having a heart for the D-Rays "situation") to many in the world - even though it was not warranted.

That was the last time that Tampa Bay and the Yankees faced each other last season. And, now, this season, Tampa Bay has defeated New York in nine of the thirteen games that they have played so far this year - including these stunning losses the past two nights.

Yes, that is correct - the Yankees have played four series so far this year against the Devil Rays and they have not won a single one of those sets - nada, zip, zero, zilch.

And, Team Torre still has to face Piniella's Posse six more times this season. New York would need to win all six of those games to finish one game over .500 for the season against Tampa Bay.

The 2005 New York Yankees, looking back, looking forward, .... and out-played by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:19 PM | Comments (4)

Charity Celebrity Softball Game @ Home of S.I. Yanks

I just heard that the Alzheimer’s Foundation of Staten Island will be having a Charity Celebrity Softball Game this Sunday.

When: Sunday, August 21 - Gates open at Noon
Where: Richmond County Bank Ballpark - St. George, Staten Island

Celebrities scheduled to appear include: Danny Aiello, Gia Bella, Irene Cara, Mary Higgins Clark, Ken Dashow, Dr. Dre, Linda Fiorentino, Nick Fotiu, Tony Hawk, Robbie Knievel, Alicia Keys, Bill McCreary, Freeman McNeil, Melba Moore, Brian Mullen, Sandy Pepa, Curtis Sliwa, Paul Sorvino, and Steven Van Zandt (among others).

And, there will be a post-game concert by Screaming Broccoli.

Ticket prices run $10.00 per person, and reservations can be made by calling the Foundation office at (718) 667-7110. The proceeds from this game will go to benefit the Alzheimer's Foundation of Staten Island Respite Program.

Sounds like a great time - and it's a good cause. If you're looking for something fun and affordable to do this weekend, and want to help people at the same time, this game is your ticket.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:18 PM | Comments (0)

Key Players Down The Stretch

These teams could be the ones who decide who makes the playoffs in the AL this season, or not:

Baltimore: They play the Red Sox 6 times, the Angels 3 times, the Yankees 8 times, and the A's 5 times. Roughly half of their remaining games impacting the race for playoff spots.

Toronto: They play the Yankees 10 times, the Red Sox 7 times, and the Angels once. This is slightly less than half of their remaining games impacting the race for playoff spots.

Tampa Bay: They play the Red Sox 7 times, the Angels 6 times, and the Yankees 7 times. Roughly half of their remaining games impacting the race for playoff spots.

Seattle: They play the Angels 6 times, the Yankees 4 times, and the A's 6 times.

The Texas Rangers also have a hand in all this as they play the Angels and A's 6 times each.

Then, there are the teams in contention that have to go head-to-head.

Boston: They play the Angels 7 times, the Yankees 6 times, and the A's 4 times.

Los Angeles: They play the A's 7 times and Boston (see above) 7 times.

Yankees: They play the Red Sox 6 times and the A's 3 times.

Oakland: They have to play the Yankees, Angels and Red Sox (see all above) 14 times, in total.

For the Yankees, it's simple - beat Boston and Oakland when you play them - and then root for the O's, Blue Jays, Devil Rays, M's, Rangers and Angels when they're playing other teams.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:15 PM | Comments (2)

Bowden Next G.M.?

From TSN:

Yankees. This should be it for Brian Cashman. One G.M. envisions Jim Bowden returning to the Yankees, for whom he worked in 1989, then reuniting with Lou Piniella, his manager with the Reds.

Jim Bowden, the brain surgeon who signed Christian Guzman for 4 years at $17 million. Great.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:09 PM | Comments (4)

Summing It Up

From The Post:

The Yankees are now 4-8 against the last-place Devil Rays. They have lost eight times when leading by at least three runs, six of those are games started by either Randy Johnson or Mike Mussina. In August, they have lost six games: Four by one run, including a pair of 2-1 defeats last week to the White Sox that brought out the worst in George Steinbrenner. The Yanks lost a game to Toronto in which the pitching matchup was Johnson vs. Scott Downs. And the Yanks' other August defeat was when Mussina could not protect a four-run lead in Cleveland.

"The common denominator to me is that we have not delivered the knockout punch," Rodriguez said.

Yup.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:28 AM | Comments (2)

Al Leiter's Lack Of Command

I was just looking at some of the fine data over at FanGraphs.com.

Looking at Leiter's command (K/BB) rates since 2001 shows a steady decline. Al was below average in 2003, even further below in 2004, and has been lower yet in 2005. Given his age, and this data, there is no reason to ever expect Leiter to start showing better command of his his pitches - over the dreadful rate that we've seen since he came back to the Yankees.

For those with little patience, I highly recommend skipping the first two hours of the game tonight.

Zoboomafoo and Dragon Tales with the kids and then an hour of clicking around, landing on the first hour of Anchorman more often than not, will have to do it for me.

Anything is better than watching 0-2, 1-2, 2-2, 3-2, ball four, over and over again.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:58 AM | Comments (5)

August 16, 2005

August 16th @ The Devil Rays

If the Yankees do not make the post-season this year, their poor play against Tampa Bay this season will be a huge factor behind that event.

Some may elect to look at this game today and say "Mo blew it." However, that does not work for me. There are two reasons, in my mind, why this game was lost. They are:

1. Torre's blunder in the 11th. The game is on the line and you choose to go with Embree and Proctor? Yes, I know that Gordon and Rivera were used. And, yes, I know that Sturtze has been used a lot lately. But, why not Aaron Small the minute that Mo was done? Embree and Proctor are just lucky to be on a big league roster now - based on their performance this season. No way should they be used in a big, game on the line, spot. While this is not "Jeff Weaver in the 2003 World Series" big, it's a large mistake by Torre.

2. Horrid execution by some key members of the Yankees offense. Tonight, in the 2nd inning, the Yankees had the bases loaded with no outs and two-three-four in the line-up due up. A grounder, whiff, and another grounder later, there were three outs and no one scored. In the 5th inning, New York had a runner on second with one out and could not get him home. Worse, in the 6th inning, the Yankees had a runner on second with no one out and the next three batters were retired without a whimper. If New York had plated just one of these four runners in prime scoring position then the Mo homer in the 9th means nothing.

When you play bad baseball, and your manager pulls a rock, it's very hard to win. I wonder if Big Stein was watching this one too?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:24 PM | Comments (12)

Mo Future

Yogi is 80. Whitey will soon be 79. And, Scooter, bless him, will soon be 88. When they pass, who will be the "Greatest Living Yankee"?

Mattingly? Bernie? Gator? Roy White?

For many, it will be Mariano Rivera - and I think few could gripe with that selection. Thank you Herb Raybourn.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:08 PM | Comments (10)

The Real Joe Fix-it?

The Yankees are now 14-7 since 10 days after Joe Kerrigan was hired as a consultant. (Why do I think my High School English teacher would have an issue with that sentence?)

And, 3 of those 7 losses have been by one run - and were clearly games that the Yankees coulda/shoulda won.

Cowinky-dink? I doubt the Merovingian would buy that.

Yeah, I know, small-sample-size yadda-yadda.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:02 PM | Comments (4)

Deviled Unit

The Devil Rays have beaten Randy Johnson now three consecutive times - albeit over the span of eight years. More topical, the Big Unit has an ERA of 10.45 ERA against Tampa Bay this season.

Throw in Randy's back concerns and I believe Torre should watch Unit tonight using the three-run rule. Johnson should be taken out of this game the minute he allows his 3rd run of the game - and, whether that's the first inning or the eighth inning will be up to Johnson.

This is no time to allow games to get away from you. Every winnable game must be won.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:07 PM | Comments (4)

August 15, 2005

August 15th @ The Devil Rays

TCOB Baby.

Jaret Wright looked just as I expected tonight. I still see that guy who cares. That counts in my book. (And, he's not afraid to pitch inside too.) Now, if only he could get rid of that chaw.......

On the bad side, Giambi is now 1 for his last 21. Actually, since the news broke on Rafael Palmeiro, Jason is batting .205 and his Slugging Percentage is .385. Something there? I hope not.

And, tonight, just for the fun of it, Schilling blew a save and lost his third game since coming back as a "closer" last month. While it's still far this meaning anything to the AL East, it's always nice to see it happen.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:41 PM | Comments (12)

Best Season With The Bat Since 1973

Runs Created Above Average (RCAA) is a Lee Sinins creation. It is the difference between a player’s Runs Created total and the total for an average player who used the same amount of his team’s outs. (A negative Runs Created Above Average indicates a below average player in this category.)

Here are the best seasons by a Yankees batter, since 1973, in terms of RCAA:

1. Derek Jeter, 1999 - 77
1. Rickey Henderson, 1985 - 77
3. Jason Giambi, 2002 - 75
4. Don Mattingly, 1986 - 67
5. Bernie Williams, 1999 - 64
6. Reggie Jackson, 1980 - 62

This season, Alex Rodriguez is on pace for a season of 69 RCAA. If he can turn it up a notch or two, he just might put together the best season by a Yankees batter since 1973.

By the way, the all-time Yankees season RCAA record (Ruth with 166 RCAA in 1921) will be safe for a long time.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:41 AM | Comments (3)

Tom Gordon 2006

Tom Gordon will be a Free Agent at the end of this season. Funny, you do not hear much about the Yankees intentions on him.

So, what will they do?

If this was my call, I would let him go. It would not be unheard of - to let a productive RP finish out his career outside of Yankeeland. Dave Righetti did it. So did Sparky Lyle - and Goose Gossage, and Steve Farr, and Ron Davis, and John Wetteland, etc.

Gordon will be 38 in 2006. Plus, he has shown signs of being on the verge of some arm injuries. Perhaps it's time to consider giving Tanyon Sturtze the set-up role (to Mo) in 2006 - and then finding another RP to own the 7th inning?

Then again, for all we know, Team Stein is considering making a run at Billy Wagner or B.J. Ryan, paying them closer-money, and asking them to set-up for Rivera - much like the Yankees did with Gordon in the winter of 2003.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:24 AM | Comments (6)

August 14, 2005

A-Rod Vs. Sheffield

From The News:

On the Yankees, for instance, Alex Rodriguez entered the weekend with 10 more homers than Gary Sheffield, but only three more RBI.

What allows Sheffield to close the RBI gap is his performance with runners in scoring position. He entered the weekend leading the majors with a .400 RISP average (44-for-110), picking up 66 of his 87 RBI. Rodriguez, in 21 more RISP at-bats, has 13 fewer RBI because of his .260 average. Of the 25 American League players with the most RISP at-bats this season, only Eric Chavez has a lower average than Rodriguez.

Rodriguez's 1,519 career RISP at-bats, just like Sheffield's 1,956, are probably a better indicator — and both sets of lifetime stats are those of superior hitters who take advantage of their RBI opportunities. But only one of them has maintained that level of performance while dealing with the pressure of playing in the Bronx.

I have less of an issue this season with A-Rod being "clutch" than last year. Why? Because he's launching bombs at a good pace - and, because of his placement in the Yankees line-up.

I think back to 1977-78. The Yankees had Munson batting third, Reggie fourth, and Chambliss fifth - or, at least, if memory serves correct, this is how they batted most of the time. I'm pretty sure this is the way that Billy Martin set them up. And, the logic was: Munson was the best clutch hitter but not the big bopper (because Yankee Stadium worked against him) so he hit third. Reggie would whiff a lot (for that time) but he was the one who could break a game open with one swing - thus, he batted clean-up. And, Chambliss was the security blanket in case Reggie failed. Chris had some power - but was also a contact hitter who would put the ball in play when runners were on base. This is why Chambliss batted fifth.

And, this season, Sheffield = Munson, A-Rod = Reggie, and Matsui = Chambliss......so, it's all in the same sound formula. Therefore, who cares if Alex whiffs sometimes with runners on? His job, in this line-up, is to try and deliver the death-blow. I see no need to get on him for doing his job.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:34 PM | Comments (4)

August 14th vs. The Rangers

You know, Bernie has a really bad game last Wednesday, and, since then he's been getting big hits. Is it his time of the year or a salary drive? Who cares? Ride him while he's hot. I'd DH him until he cools off. Maybe he could go on a run like Giambi had in July? That would never hurt.

It was nice to see Chacón get the win today. But, what I found interesting and a tad concerning was the way that Barajas hit him. It makes me wonder if batters who have seen him for a while get to know him too well. It's something to file away until Shawn starts to see AL teams for the second and third time.

So, what happened in Boston today? The Bosox are finally losing a game, and to a good team, and the rains come and wash it out before it's official. No matter. That's just the new Fenway magic doing its thing. And, as far as the Yankees should be concerned, it means nothing.

Only two things matter at the moment to the Yankees. First, going down to Tampa and beating the tar out of the Devil Rays. Nothing outside of a sweep in the next three days is acceptable - or, so it should be to Team Torre. Second, New York needs to maintain their great position in the Wildcard chase. With the A's loss today, the Yankees are now just two games back in the loss column in the Wildcard Standings - with 46 games left to play. They must either hold that slot, or better it, nothing else - until they assume the lead. And, back to point one above, sweeping Tampa Bay will ensure that, at least for the next three days.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:08 PM | Comments (2)

August 13, 2005

John Flaherty

This is just by eyeballing some game logs, but, I think the Yankees are 9-1 in the last ten games where Flash was allowed to catch the whole game. Maybe I missed a game or two, I dunno? But, still, even if it's 9-3 instead of 9-1, it's still impressive.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:46 PM | Comments (5)

August 13th vs. The Rangers

Some bad things happened in the Yankees game today. Rivera blew a save for the first time in about one-third of a calendar year. Sheffield let a ball drop out of his glove - although he recovered for a force out at second. Earlier in this season, these types of things may have been enough to sink the ship.

But, good things happened today as well. A-Rod hit a ball to the moon early in the game and made a great play in the 11th to save the game - a play, by the way, that he never would have made earlier in the year. Mussina, the start after throwing 120-something pitches, pitches into the 8th inning today. Bernie went boom. And, Lucky Charm Small gets the win.

And, the win is the important thing. Both the A's and the Angels went on to win today - and the Yankees needed to keep stride. That's all it's about these days - just win. No points off for style. All that matters is the "W" at the end to stay in the Wildcard chase.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:28 PM | Comments (0)

Joe, Joe, Girardio, We Want Him On Our Side?

From The Chicago Tribune:

Joe Girardi may not have long to wait before succeeding his mentor, Joe Torre, as the Yankees' manager.

Is it a done-deal that Girardi is next? I think we can never assume......

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:11 AM | Comments (3)

August 12, 2005

August 12th vs. The Rangers

I think, from now on, when Leiter is scheduled to pitch, I'm not going to start watching that game from the start. I'm just going to wait two hours, turn on the TV, and then pick up the game in the 5th inning.

Sixty-plus pitches in the first two innings. Gosh, he is painful to watch.

It was pretty interesting to see Shawn Chacón come in for the 8th. Actually, it's not a bad idea. Given where the Yankees are, and what they need to do to win the Wildcard, I think I would have every starter be on guard now two days before their next start and say "You might have to pitch an inning today." An extra inning from a quality pitcher each game would help. But, I just cannot see Mussina signing on to that - not in a minute.

Sheff really scared the heck out of me with that catch on the final out. For a guy (me) who loved the snatch-catch with Rickey, that off to the side thing that Gary picked up last year is just too risky.

I see that Schilling hung on and Boston won again tonight. Big deal. Who cares? They could win every game left this season - as long as they lose in the post-season. The bigger news is that, as this is penned, both L.A. and Oakland are losing their games. Com'on Twins and M's - let's win today!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:56 PM | Comments (2)

Sesame Place

Today, we took the kids to Sesame Place. If you enjoy crowds, extremely long waits on line, being subject to gouged prices, and seeing 1,000+ overweight people in bathing suits that they have no business even dreaming about much less wearing, then this is the place for you.

And, of course, this is just me talking - because the kids had a lot of fun today. Ah, to be between the ages of one and three......

Actually, today, a thought occurred to me. If a stranger came up to you on the street, could be anyone, but someone who you did not know, and asked "Would you like to take a bath with me?" you would probably think about beating their head in, just for asking. But, yet, going to a water/spray park and jumping into the water with hundreds of people who you do not know is fine. The world is strange sometimes.

Anyway, the next time someone moans about the price of Yankee Stadium, or the crowds, or the sights that you may be subject to see there, tell them to try Sesame Place instead.

Cool stuff from today, besides the kids having fun:

On the way out of the park, a security guard pointed to my 1998 World Champions Yankee T-Shirt and said "Go Yankees!"

And, on the way home, on 29, we passed the park where the Yanks' Double-A team plays. We were so close that you could reach out and touch it. It was the first time that I saw the outside of that park. It's now on the "to do" list. Looks like a great time.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:13 PM | Comments (5)

August 11, 2005

August 11th vs. The Rangers

If you ever wondered what it would be li