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September 30, 2005

The Unit At Fenway

On April 14th this season, Randy Johnson pitched at Fenway Park. He went 7, but he allowed 5 runs. Edgar Renteria and Jason Varitek did a lot of damage to him in that game.

On July 16th of this season, Johnson again pitched at Fenway - going 6.3 IP and allowing 4 runs. He got the win in the game - but, allowed HRs to Manny Ramirez and Mark Bellhorn.

Prior to this, it's been a long time since Johnson pitched in Fenway - it's at least four years, probably six years.

On average, against Boston this year, as a whole, Johnson (in 5 starts) has averaged pitching into the 7th inning and allowing, on average, 2.6 runs to score.

The Yankees need Johnson to do this tomorrow - go into seven, allow less than three - if they're going to have any chance at all.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:19 PM | Comments (2)

September 30th @ The Red Sox

Serenity now.

OK, before that sets in - to the game tonight.

This season, Jorge Posada, Ruben Sierra, and Bernie Williams have been hot and cold at the plate - but, more often cold than hot. So, what does Joe Torre do in one of the biggest games of the year? He bats these three men back-to-back-to-back and they go 0 for 12 in the game (as a group). But, because they all trail each other in the order, that's like giving the Red Sox pitchers a free pass in 4 innings - or close to half the game. Brillant.

And, of the three, Posada killed them the most tonight - failing twice with a runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs. And, by the way, the Yankees lost by two runs tonight - possibly the two that Posada left on the pond and dying to come home.

Hey, it was that kind of night for the Yankees hitters, outside of Matsui. They hit balls well at people in spots and let too many hittable pitches go by without doing damage in others.

Perhaps the game, offensively for the Yankees, was captured in this snapshot: Jeter homers in the 7th to make the score 5-3, and says to A-Rod, as he crosses home plate "Come on, let's go." And, what does Alex then do? Rodriguez whiffs - looking.

It's too bad that Posada failed in the 1st with the sacks loaded with one out - because that could have been the spot to knock David Wells off his game. But, once that passed, Wells was dealing. Without question, Wells is one of the last men that you would ever want your daughter to bring home someday - but, the guy can pitch in a big game when he has a lead.

Speaking of pitching, I think Wang did OK - not great, not very good, but OK. After the 5th inning, I thought to myself "He's gone five and allowed two. For a rookie, in Fenway, facing this line-up, in a game like this, that's very nice." But, then, thanks to some bad defense and walks, the game got away from him in the sixth. I still find it amazing that Jason Giambi cannot throw the ball 80 feet, at times.

So, now, it comes down to Randy Johnson. Tomorrow is the day that the Big Unit can earn every penny due over the life of his Yankees contract in just one day. Facing Wakefield, it will not be easy. And, I will make one prediction now - if the Yankees lose on Saturday, they will lose on Sunday as well, and go home with nothing. And, we will know then that the worm that turned last year never turned back again. Yes, now, thanks to tonight, tomorrow is that big.

Serenity now.

Damn, it doesn't work at all.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:26 PM | Comments (7)

Just Do It

I've been trading e-mails the last few days with the folks that I split my Yankees season tickets with - and today we were discussing the "keys" the current series, and one of the gang wrote back with:

I thought the key was for me to wear my lucky shirt and sit in my lucky chair.

Know what? I can respect that. We all have those things that we do. So, tonight, and tomorrow, and Sunday, well, just do it.

It can't hurt.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:55 PM | Comments (2)

Thank You

By the way, yesterday was the 162nd day for WasWatching.com being around - cool number, eh? - and there were 6,855 hits made to the site yesterday (which is an all-time one-day high, to date).

So, I have to say "Thanks!" to all for their interest in WasWatching.com and for checking it out as often as you do. It's great to know that folks get something from what's happening here.

Thanks again!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:19 PM | Comments (5)

The Eraser

A caller into ESPN Radio in NYC today, around 1:45 pm, got me thinking about something.

Last October, when the Red Sox came back against the Yankees in the ALCS, and then went on to win the World Series, from many sources I heard that the win by Boston "erases everything" for the Red Sox (and their rivalry with the Yankees). And, that, completing the comeback in the ALCS, etc., gave Red Sox Nation the reply to knock down any comment about past happenings (such as "1918" or "Buckner" or "Bucky" or "Boone" etc.).

So, here's the question: If one ring in 2004 can make up for 86 years of failure, then, if the Yankees win it all in 2005, and defeat the Red Sox in the process, does that "erase" what happened in 2004?

Personally, I would say "no." But, then, of course, when you transfer the same logic to the win by Boston in 2004, then it means that the comeback, etc., by the Sox last year cannot make up for all the prior years of failing.

However, for those who want to insist that 2004 was some sort of all-powerful "eraser" of all things past, it will be interesting to see how a Yankees win in 2005 (if it happens) will be applied to their grand Yanks-Sox Ledger.

Hey, it's just another reason why it will be great to see a Yankees win this season - to add another iron to the fire of debate.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:23 PM | Comments (1)

I Think He's Earned It

From the Star Ledger:

Shawn Chacon, who makes $2.35 million this year, will fall short of incentive bonuses unless he pitches a one-game playoff Monday. He has a combined 25 starts and 151 innings pitched between the Colorado Rockies and the Yankees. His contract calls for a $50,000 bonus for reaching 170 innings and a $25,000 bonus for making 26 starts.

I gotta think Big Stein will just give him the 75-G. Neo's earned it, stats be damned.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:53 PM | Comments (1)

Pitching Keys

In his last 9 games, the Red Sox Jonathan Papelbon has an ERA of 1.46. Somehow, the Yankees need to solve this kid over the weekend. If not, they could have an issue.

The Yankees will also have an issue if they use Embree, Felix Rodriguez, or Proctor in any of these games against Boston. They are like pouring gasoline on a fire. Even Sturtze is bad news for the New York these days - his ERA in his last 9 games in 7.88.

Back to Boston pitching, Chad Bradford has been a human batting tee in the last week or so - if he gets into a game, the Yankees need to pound him. And, who knows what Craig Hansen will provide Boston? He's a big wildcard in this series.

As far as the starting pitcher match-ups for this series, this is what we're looking at:

Tonight: Wang, with an ERA of 4.44 in his last 4 starts, against Wells, with an ERA of 6.14 in his last 4 starts. The Yankees must win this game.

Tomorrow: Johnson, with an ERA of 2.17 in his last 5 starts, against Wakefield, with an ERA of 1.99 in his last 5 starts. Wear two pairs of underwear when you're watching this game.

Sunday: Mussina, with an ERA of 5.87 in his last 2 starts, against Schilling, with an ERA of 4.46 in his last 5 starts.

It might just come down to that final game on Sunday - which presents an interesting situation for the Yankees and Joe Torre. If New York has a lead in this game, and needs to bridge to Gordon and Rivera, what do you do? Bring in the duds in your pen? Or, do you try and get extra innings out of Gordon and Mo? Or, do you bring in someone good, like Chacón, and play as if there's no tomorrow - when there could be a tomorrow in the Bronx on Monday? It's going to be a second-guesser's delight.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:51 AM | Comments (11)

Hitting Keys

Alex Cora and Edgar Renteria have been hot lately for the Red Sox. Over their team's last 9 games, Renteria is batting .342 and Cora is batting .357 (although Cora only played in 6 of those 9 games).

The Yankees know that Ortiz and Manny are going to hit. And, they know that Bill Mueller will hit them as well - he always does. And, Trot Nixon will get big hits off RHP. You really cannot stop them - you can only hope to contain them.

But, the Yankees have to find a way to get Cora and Renteria out in this series this weekend. That could be the key for New York. You need to get 27 outs to win and Cora and Renteria might be able to provide close to a third of those 27 outs.

On the Yankees side, Jeter, Matsui, A-Rod and Cano have all been hitting well lately. Even Sierra, in his last 6 games, has been doing OK. Obviously, they need to keep this up in Fenway.

But, the key for the Yankees offense in this series just may be Bernie Williams, Gary Sheffield, and Jason Giambi.

Bernie has hit well in his last 4 games (.312). And, Sheffield has 3 HR in his last 4 games. Giambi has been an on-base machine in his last four games. But, that all was against Baltimore. In the series before the visit to Camden, these three did not perform as well.

Cora, Renteria, Williams, Sheffield, and Giambi. Come Sunday night, we'll know how they all did. Keep you fingers crossed Yankees fans.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:27 AM | Comments (10)

September 29, 2005

September 29th @ The Orioles

It's Jeopardy!

I'll take "Scott Proctor" for "closing," Alex.

And, the "answer" was not "How will the Yankees blow this must win game that seemed to be in the bag?"

Wow. I'll get back to that in a bit.

The bigger story tonight was Small Hobbs once again doing his Lucky Charm thing. The guy has made 15 appearances this year and is 10-0. Can it get any better than that?

And, congrats to A-Rod for becoming just the 3rd RH batter in Yankees history to have 120+ runs and 120+ RBI in the same season. The others? Joe DiMaggio and Ben Chapman. Now, there's a trivia question for you.

Was Jason Giambi locked in at the plate in this series, or what? I just hope that he keeps it up in Fenway now. And, perhaps Sierra can muster up one big night tomorrow against Wells in Boston? (By the way, Big Rube, a bright red silk shirt and matching tie on the YES post-game? Way to mack there fella.) And, this is just a hunch, but, I'm calling a big series for Matsui this weekend. He often rises to the occasion on the big stage. This is the perfect set up for Godzilla.

Now, to the bad news: You have a six run lead in the 8th and you have to use Gordon and have Rivera up and tossing as well? That's flat out sad. It's almost as sad as watching Sturtze served up nightly these days - cooked ala' Torre. It's a crime what Torre has done to so many promising pen men over the years.

Back to Proctor, it was scary on a couple of levels to see him closing tonight. First, well, because he's Scott Proctor. And, the second reason is because he started the Yankees big run this year with a surprisingly good spot start. I hate to think that a surprising good close-job might be the other bookend to frame this collection of stories on great Yankees wins.

Speaking of a couple of reasons, the Boston win tonight was bad for New York in two ways. First, it was a Boston win. And, second, it was the way that they won - with a run in the 8th and 9th both delivered from Big Papi. Giving those guys some steam is the last thing that you want to do before a big three-game set.

In any event, it's clear what the Yankees need to do now - win two games in Boston to lock up the A.L. East. Or, at the least, win one to force a tie-breaker game on Monday in the Bronx. And, if the Yankees win none, it's over.

Knowing this, I keep thinking back to the Kevin Millar mantra during the ALCS last year - "Don't let us win one game." And, I truly feel that this applies for this year as well. It will serve the Yankees well to win on Friday and have Big Unit win on Saturday - and not let the Red Sox move from the line of scrimmage, at all. But, that's easier said than done, right?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:04 PM | Comments (12)

Mike Stanton To The Red Sox

From the AP:

The Red Sox acquired left-hander Mike Stanton from the Washington Nationals on Thursday for right-handers Rhys Taylor and Yader Peralta.

Boston's trade means Stanton could wind up pitching this weekend against his former team, the New York Yankees. If the Red Sox advance to the playoffs, Stanton would not be eligible for the post-season roster.

Stanton, who is 38, started the season with the Yankees and was cut June 30 after going 1-2 with a 7.08 ERA in 14 innings over 28 relief appearances. He signed with Washington on July 13 and went 2-1 with a 3.58 ERA in 27 2-3 innings over 30 games.

Geesh, I hope Mike doesn't show them the Yankees secret handshake.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:42 PM | Comments (8)

The Toronto Factor

On August 5th, I wrote:

The key team in all of this might just be the Toronto Blue Jays. Starting tonight, the Yankees play the Blue Jays 13 times from here until the end of the season. And, Boston has to play them 7 times. Toronto is trying to get into the AL East race as well. So, they will be up for these games.

When it's all said and done, it will be interesting to see how New York and Boston did with these Toronto games - and how it impacts the final standings.

After tonight, we'll have the final tally.

The Jays went just 4-9 against the Yankees in those 13 games. But, so far, they're 3-3 against the Red Sox - with one game left (this evening).

On the whole this season, Toronto went 6-12 versus New York and is 11-6 against Boston (to date).

Both pitchers for the Jays-Sox game slated at Fenway tonight have struggled this month. It could be one of those softball-score-affairs. Yankees fans can just cross their fingers and hope that Toronto can win just one more against Boston this season.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:08 PM | Comments (9)

Grinding It

The Yankees are now 23-9 (.719) - heading into tonight's game - since Posada handed out the "Grind It" shirts.

Of course, just three days before the shirts came out, Joe Kerrigan fixed Randy Johnson.

But, the shirt thing is a much better story. Shockingly, I have yet to see "Grind It" shirts on sale anywhere. It's just a matter of time.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:20 PM | Comments (4)

Excuse Me John Henry

Just about a week ago, it was shared here that we should expect lamenting from RSN about what could have been this season if not for the health of some of their players.

And, now the Red Sox brass has picked up on using that excuse as well. From the Boston Globe:

"If we had been as healthy this year as last year, I would [be frustrated]," Henry said. "All teams have injuries, but when you lose the guy at the front of your rotation [Curt Schilling] and the back-of-your-rotation closer [Keith Foulke], it's not easy this day and age to fill those spots. Imagine if the Yankees lost [Randy] Johnson and [Mariano] Rivera or they had 6 ERAs.

"So, I can't be totally unhappy with having to fight to the finish. I was probably overly happy two weeks ago when we weren't."

Now, have the Yankees been 100% healthy this year? Have not all the members of their original starting rotation this year missed starts because of injuries? What about the Yankees bullpen? Go ask Sturtze and Gordon if their arms have been sound all year.

Further, didn't Ruben Sierra, Bernie Williams, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield, and Hideki Matsui all have injuries at some point this season (although Godzilla and Sheff played through theirs as a DH)? What about the bad thumb that Jeter's been playing with for a good portion of this season?

In fact, a case could be made that some of the Yankees injuries were a chance for the Yankees to show their ability to find a way to win. Without Brown, Wright, and Pavano going down for extended periods then Wang, Small and Chacón are probably not wearing pinstripes right now.

The Red Sox owner is right when he says that it's not easy to fill spots created due to injury. It's not easy. But, it's possible - just look at what the Yankees did. Now, using excuses, that's easy to do.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:33 AM | Comments (5)

September 28, 2005

A-Rod 2005 vs. Joe D. 1937

With his HR this evening, Alex Rodriguez broke Joe DiMaggio's Yankees team record for most HRs in a season by a RH batter. DiMaggio's mark was 46 HRs in 1937. It's a great feat by A-Rod to pass this mark. However, one thing that should be taken into consideration is Yankee Stadium 1937 versus how it measures today:

It's pretty safe to say that Joe would have had many more than 46 homers in 1937 if Yankee Stadium (then) was the same size that it is today.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:59 PM | Comments (6)

September 28th @ The Orioles

Once again, the story is Shawn Chacón. As much as Chien-Ming has been Obi Wang this season, Shawn has been "Neo Chacón."

Ever since Morpheus Cashman freed him from the Baseball Matrix in Colorado, Chacón has been "The One."

It was also great to see Mo get the save tonight only using 9 pitches.

Of course, a huge thanks has to go out tonight to Frankie The Cat and Ted Lilly. It must be nice for Lilly to win in Fenway at a time like this - when it was just two years ago that the Boston Bush Leaguers had his name taped to the backs of the jackets in an attempt to get the crowd at Fenway to sing-song his name and try and rattle him.

With the Yankees now up by one game, with four to go, it means that - at the worst - New York would need to win 2 of 3 in Fenway this weekend to take the A.L. East (and not a sweep to clinch). Further, with a win tomorrow - regardless of what Boston does on Thursday - New York would then only need one win in Fenway to lock in a tie for the East.

Throw in the Cleveland loss tonight - which gives a little breathing room in the Wildcard chase, if needed - and it's just been a very nice night in Yankeeland.

Now, it's up to Small Hobbs to keep moving the chains tomorrow.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:28 PM | Comments (8)

Alan Embree

To date, Alan Embree has pitched in 23 games for the Yankees - totaling 14 IP. He's allowed 23 base runners and 12 earned runs in those 14 IP. Prior to coming to New York, Embree performed at the same poor level when he was with the Red Sox this season (which lead to his release from Boston).

Some recent news on Embree in the CT Post:

But when pressed on Tuesday, Torre said he'd likely carry 10 pitchers if the Yankees make the playoffs. He expects that at least one pitcher would be a lefty reliever.

The candidates are Alan Embree and Al Leiter, both of whom have been inconsistent.

Embree allowed three runs in the ninth inning of Monday's 11-3 victory, but was encouraged with the way he threw the ball.

"If I go out with that kind of stuff for the rest of the year, something good has to happen," Embree said.

Torre was encouraged by reports from catcher John Flaherty about Embree's stuff. But the manager remained noncommittal about a possible postseason roster spot for Embree.

"I want him to be," Torre said, "I'll leave it at that."

If I go out with that kind of stuff for the rest of the year, something good has to happen.

Good for who Alan? Good for who?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:13 PM | Comments (7)

A-Rod Lately

Alex has 16 whiffs in his last 11 games. Is it just me, or, at this time of the year, and given the standings, etc., do you want to see more contact from A-Rod?

Yes, he also has 11 hits and 7 BB in those 11 games. But, and maybe I'm just being pissy, should an MVP candidate be doing more?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:11 AM | Comments (20)

September 27, 2005

September 27th @ The Orioles

Two days ago, I wrote:

It really bothers me that Boston swept the O's - for two reasons. First, there's the obvious one. But, secondly, Baltimore has now lost eight games in a row - and five of them have been by one-run. By virtue of the laws of probability alone, they're due for a fluke win over the next four games.

So, I had a feeling that this was coming. Did I know it would be 17-9 bad? No - never, at all. But, thanks to Meltdown Mussina & The Arson Squad (with the latter being Leiter, Proctor, F-Rod, and Sturtze today) it was that ugly.

Now, it's up to Chacón and Small to save the Yankees hopes for this season - and, why not? They've been doing it for months now.

At least the Indians and Red Sox also lost tonight. The Yankees got lucky there - both of them losing close games was a huge horse of a gift.

And, the next five games will tell us if the Yankees decide to look that gift in the mouth - or not.

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

The Six Pack

At this moment, the Yankees and Red Sox are tied for first:

And, including tonight, each team has just 6 games left.

If I had to guess, I'm thinking that Boston will win two of it's next three against Toronto.

So, at the best, the Yankees will be 1 game up heading into the final weekend at Fenway. Or, they could be as far down as two back. Again, this is assuming that the Blue Jays can win at least one of the next three games.

If the Yankees are one-up heading in, they need to win two of three in Fenway to take the A.L. East. If the Yankees are two-back heading into Fenway, they need to win all three games in Boston to win the A.L. East.

This tells me a couple of things.

First, for the Yankees to win the A.L. East, they're going to need help from the Blue Jays. Toronto needs to win more than just one game in Fenway between now and Thursday.

Secondly, unless Toronto helps out, it's very uphill for the Yankees. Going into Fenway, needing 2 of 3? Or, needing a sweep?

On average, including the game this afternoon, Boston wins 2 out of every 3 games in Fenway (this year).

Therefore, now, I'm thinking maybe it's time to start thinking about Wildcard in addition to the A.L. East. There's no shame there.

Ask the 2004 Red Sox. Or, the 2003 Marlins. Or, the 2002 Angels.

Getting into the dance is the fun. Does it matter which door you go in?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:07 PM | Comments (2)

Curt's Not Loved?

Will he be too upset to pitch against the Yankees?

From the Boston Globe:

Curt Schilling is in pain, the worst of his 20 years in professional baseball. He hurts inside, as do his wife, Shonda, and their children who are old enough to sense his anguish.

Less than a year after Schilling risked his career to help the Red Sox capture their first world championship in 86 years, he is plagued by the guilt and despair of failing to fulfill the expectations of his fans and teammates. It also hurts that at least one teammate has suggested that Schilling has unfairly escaped the public wrath that other Sox players have endured for their disappointing performances.

"Purely on a professional level, this year has been by far the hardest for me of my career," Schilling said. "It has been very, very painful."

"Somebody on this team wants me to get booed to make them feel better, and that really bothers me a lot," said Schilling, 38, who hopes to pitch two more years.

Citing the lack of a public backlash against Schilling for his subpar season -- the Sox ace is 7-8 with a 5.89 ERA -- the player was quoted as saying, "When he comes into the game, people cheer him like he's the Pope? You think they'd let Pedro [Martinez] get away with this? Why does he get a free pass?"

Schilling made no secret of his anger at the criticism, even if it came, as he suggested, from ''somebody who's not wired right."

"As much time as we spend together, you think you know someone," he said. "But more times than not you find you really don't."

Curt forgot to mention that he is convinced that his mate on the Sox, who wants him booed, got 30 pieces of silver in payment for making those bad statements against him.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:58 PM | Comments (15)

Cash: No Excuses

From the Washington Times:

The little team that could? Not with their $200 million payroll, the omniscience, impatience and bombast of owner George Steinbrenner and the pinstriped arrogance inherent in their name.

Still, the New York Yankees have had much to overcome this season. They had their worst start since 1966. Their high-priced pitching staff was torn apart by injuries. They lost a three-game series to the horrid Kansas City Royals.

Yet the Yankees (92-64) have persisted.

"And before all these injuries, which you can use as an excuse but which I refuse to do, we were healthy and full strength and playing like [garbage]," general manager Brian Cashman said. "We lost three in Kansas City earlier in the year. There's no excuse for that."

And, if the Yankees should not make the post-season this year, Cashman is right. It's not because of injuries - most of those injured were nicely replaced. It will be the result of playing like "garbage" in the first 30-or-so games of the season.

Good call Brian.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:56 AM | Comments (4)

One-Two History

Seasons in which New York and Boston have finished first and second:

During the past 100 years prior to this one, in only five seasons have Boston and New York finished first and second in the final standings where the difference between the two teams was less than 3 games: 1904, 1949, 1977, 1978, and 2000.

Last season came close to making this six instead of five. And, for the record, the Yankees finished first in all of these "close" years sans 1904.

This just amplifies how unique this current pennant race is for New York and Boston.

I wonder: When it's said and done, and if the Yankees win, will 2005 be thought of along with 1949 and 1978? Or, will it be thought of closer to 1977 and 2000? (I say this assuming that no one remembers 1904.)

The next three of four days could be the key to the answer.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:18 AM | Comments (2)

Tim Wakefield On October 1st

So, now, the Red Sox will be throwing Yankee-killer Tim Wakefield on 10/1 at Fenway, against Randy Johnson, instead of Curt Schilling (who will throw the next day).

This could be interesting. Wakefield is 38. He's already logged 213.3 IP this season - the most that he's done since 1998. And, as far as I can tell, in the last three regular seasons, from 2003 through 2005, he's never been asked to throw as a starter on three-days rest.

Yes, Wakefield does not have the "strain" that most pitchers do - because of what he throws. Still, it will be interesting to see if shorter rest, age, and season-workload perhaps impact him in some way.

Put it this way, as a Yankees fan, I'd rather face Tim under these conditions than have him under normal ones. Anything that could help New York, is a good thing.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:21 AM | Comments (3)

September 26, 2005

September 26th @ The Orioles

I go out walking, after midnight
Out in the moonlight, just like we used to do....

At 11-0, after 6, I think it's safe to put this one in the books.

Now, of course, you know that the Yankees are going to have scoring issues tomorrow. That's always how it goes.

OK, gotta go now, the Escalona-Proctor-Womack-Lawton show is about to begin. Vento and Phillips better not be far behind.

Yankees magic number is now, assuming the "W" tonight, seven with six games to go.

Update, 9/27/05, 12:20 am EST: After watching Matt Lawton butcher another fly ball tonight into a hit and seeing Alan Embree once again play human batting tee (both in the 9th), I know (for sure!) that I would rather see the Bacardi and Cola guys on the Yankees post-season roster than Lawton and Embree (should the Yankees make it).

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:21 PM | Comments (5)

Jays-Sox Rained Out 9/26

Day/Night Doubleheader tomorrow at Fenway for the make-up game. I wonder: Will this mean that someone will have to pitch on short rest on October 1st? Will he do it carrying a bloody umbrella?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:19 PM | Comments (6)

Perlozzo: When We Kick The Yankees Butts

From the Baltimore Sun:

As the Red Sox were putting the finishing touches on a humbling three-game sweep, leaving the Orioles with an eight-game losing streak that matched a season high, Perlozzo peered up at the Boston-partisan crowd that was standing and applauding in anticipation of the game's final out.

"I said to myself, 'Take a look at this. You've seen it enough, and I don't want to see it no more,'" Perlozzo said. "In the long scheme of things, we don't want our Septembers to be like this anymore. That's the attitude I take. 'Take a look at it, boys. Go ahead. See all the people standing. That's not going to happen again, so let's learn something from it, let's get that bad taste in our mouth and let's make sure we don't have to see that again.'"

There was just one thing that stopped Perlozzo from delivering the message to his players.

"We still have four more games of Yankees [fans] to listen to," he said. "So the last night, when we kick their butt, that's what [the Orioles' players] will hear. They'll hear, 'Look, we're sending [Yankees fans] home quiet, boys, and it's not going to happen next year. Do you hear it?' That's what I want to be able to say Thursday."

Boy, I wish Peanut Perlozzo had tried to get this fired up for the Red Sox series too.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:25 PM | Comments (5)

1949

Think this year is stressful? Try 1949.

On this date, September 26th, in 1949, coming into the action for that day, the Yankees and Red Sox were tied for first place in the American League. Boston had just beat the Yankees in two straight, at Fenway (on 9/24 and 9/25) to bring about the tie.

On this date in 1949, the Red Sox came to New York and beat the Yankees, 7-6, with 4 of their runs coming in the top of the 8th. This gave Boston a one-game lead in the standings.

On September 27th, the Yankees beat the A's and the Sox beat the Senators - and Boston remained in first by a game.

On September 28th, The Yankees beat the A's again - but the Senators scored two in the bottom of the 9th to beat Boston, 2-1. The tie for first in the A.L. was on again. Since September 29th was an of day for New York and Boston, the tie remained for two days.

On September 30th, the A's beat the Yankees and the Sox beat the Senators - putting the Red Sox up again, by one game (with two games left to play in the season).

The next day, on October 1st, the Yankees beat the Red Sox in New York, despite Boston jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the game, by the score of 5-4 (with the winning run scoring in the 8th inning, the only run scored in that frame, on Johnny Lindell’s home run). The teams were tied again in the standings - with a winner take all game to come the next day.

On October 2nd, it was a 1-0 game heading into the bottom of the 8th - when the Yankees scored 4 runs to take a 5-0 lead. Three of the runs in the 8th came on Jerry Coleman's bases-loaded bloop hit - struck with two outs.

Boston came back with 3 in the top of the 9th - but, fell short. Two of those runs came when Joe DiMaggio couldn't catch a ball off the bat of the Sox' Bobby Doerr. (The playing-hobbled DiMaggio then removed himself from the game to get a better fielder out there. Joe had a viral infection at the time.) In the end, the Sox had the tying run at the plate in the 9th, but, he popped up.

The Yankees won the game, 5-3, and took the A.L. pennant.

All I can say is, if the Yankees do the same thing this year, and it's October 2nd, in the 9th, New York better not wait for their CF to remove himself from the game after a miscue.

Just what is it about these two teams and October 2nd, anyway?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:58 PM | Comments (1)

You Can Never Have Enough Friends

So, Shea Hillenbrand and Frankie Catalanotto, can you be a friend and have a really big night at the plate tonight against Curt Schilling?

It would really be appreciated.

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

October 1st

It's just one pitching rotation from today. Johnson versus Schilling at Fenway. Assuming that the Yankees and Red Sox are tied after Thursday, this will be the biggest game of the set.

If the Yankees lose on Friday, then October 1st is must win. And, unlike many must win games, this one really is must win. If they go into the Fenway series tied, and lose the first two games, then the season is over.

If the Yankees win on Friday, and they were tied coming into the series, then a loss on October 1st allows the Red Sox to live another day - and then they get to throw Wakefield on Sunday. If the Yankees win on Friday and Saturday, then they win the A.L. East and Sunday is fun day at Fenway.

Therefore, as you see, if the Yankees are tied heading into that Fenway series, either way, New York has to win on Saturday to have a chance at winning the whole thing.

I hope that the Big Unit is up to the task. And, I hope that Joe Torre manages the games leading into Saturday, as well as the actual game on October 1st, knowing that Saturday is the biggest game of the set with Boston (even though all the games are important).

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

There's No Place Like...........

From Lupica today:

"Four million to the 4-4," said Joe Flannino, the big guy with the handlebar mustache who works security for the Yankees, at home and on the road.

Flannino is an ex-New York City policeman, and once worked in this part of the Bronx, in the 44th Precinct, which he still calls the "4-4."

"Four million fans to watch baseball in the 4-4," he said again in the parking lot, as more players kept arriving. Tino Martinez. Jorge Posada. Chien-Ming Wang, yesterday's starter, another surprise star of the season. "Who would have ever believed it?"

On Saturday, Knicks coach Larry Brown stood in back of Steinbrenner's suite and looked out at the crowd and the day.

"They started 11-19, right?"

"Eleven and 19."

"And they still drew four million fans?"

He was told they sure had.

"There's no place like this," Brown said.

Yup.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:43 AM | Comments (7)

Elsewhere

In addition to rooting for the Yankees and the Blue Jays this week, Yankees fans should do the following:

1. Root for the Devil Rays to take 2 of 3 from the Indians this week.

2. Root for the White Sox and the Tigers to split their four games this week.

3. Root for the Indians to win on September 30th - but, for the White Sox to win on October 1st and 2nd.

This will leave the Indians with just the Wild Card as an option - and with 94 wins on the season.

Hey, it never hurts to have a safety net.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:21 AM | Comments (3)

Deep To Left

When the Yankees play their last game of the 2005 regular season, at Fenway, on October 2nd, what's the under/over line on how many times the YES Network will show the clip of Bucky Dent's HR at Fenway, hit 27 years before (to the day)?

Twenty-seven? Why does that number resonate in my head?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:11 AM | Comments (7)

September 25, 2005

April 6th, Slowly I Turn, Step By Step......

If the Yankees end up losing this thing by one game, I wonder how many will look back to that ugly top of the 9th on April 6th?

It was just the 3rd game of the season - but, a terrible loss. Up 3-2, heading into the 9th, and then a leadoff walk (man, those things kill you every time), two singles, a big A-Rod error, a squib, and another single later, it's 5 runs in and the game is over.

Sure, there are probably a dozen games this season that the Yankees let get away where it cost them a win. But, for some reason, tonight, this one game is starting to stick out to me.

Funny, many say that A-Rod should be the MVP because of his defense. Others say it should be Mo for his brilliance this season. Yet, this one crushing loss has their fingerprints all over it.

Hopefully, in the next seven days, Mo, Alex, and the gang, will have enough chances and success that it will drive this game way back into the ancient history files.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:26 PM | Comments (6)

Bring It On

When I look at these pictures.....

I have to wonder if Jeter told the fellas: "Let's get one thing straight - this is not a cheerocracy. I'm the cheertator. I make the cheercisions around here."

Man, that's a funny movie.

I have to say, I've been impressed with the production level of the outfits the last few years. The Yankees don't thrift shop this stunt. They even had player's numbers on them this year? That's funny.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:50 PM | Comments (4)

Are We Going Down To Florida Tonight?

And he hits one into the hole.
They're gonna have to hurry.
They'll never get him!
They got him.
How do you like that?

Holy cow!

And a "Happy Birthday!" to Fiero Francis Rizzuto who is eighty-eight today.

How about these cannolis, White?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 06:13 PM | Comments (1)

September 25th vs. The Blue Jays

A nice little comeback victory on Bernie Appreciation Day at the Stadium really hits the spot today.

For those who missed it at the very end of the YES Post-game, Bernie's comment, when asked about the fans today, was funny. He said it was a lot different today than back in 1991 when they were yelling "Go back to Columbus!" at him. Good memory Bernie.

To the game, what can be said about Obi Wang that has not been said already? Wang, Small, and Chacón have been the glue to this Yankees comeback this season. Amazing - three guys not on the Yankees radar this April. You never really know in baseball, do you?

And, it was nice to see Sheffield play RF and blast a HR. This would be an excellent time for him to go on a roll and hit something like 8 homers in seven days. Camden and Fenway are the perfect parks for him too.

So, now, it's a seven game season. Why do I think that I'm not going to be sleeping very well this week?

It really bothers me that Boston swept the O's - for two reasons. First, there's the obvious one. But, secondly, Baltimore has now lost eight games in a row - and five of them have been by one-run. By virtue of the laws of probability alone, they're due for a fluke win over the next four games.

To be honest, when I factor this in, it just adds to the not so warm and fuzzy feeling that I'm starting to get about this race.

At this minute, I truly feel that the Yankees need to be tied or up by one or two, going into Fenway, to have a chance at this.

If New York is down by one, maybe they can take 2 of 3 in Fenway and force a tiebreaker - and that's a big "maybe." If they're down by two, they need a sweep to win. With Wakefield on Sunday, they're not going to sweep. (And, if anyone is up by two going into Fenway, it's either win or lose - and there can be no tie.) And, if the Yankees are down by three, they would need a sweep just to tie.

Of course, as we learned last year, over the course of a few games, anything can happen. So, I would never be placing any bets on any of this.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:48 PM | Comments (4)

No One Goes There Anymore, It's Too Crowded

From Yankees.com:

Sheppard instead thanked the crowd on behalf of the Yankees organization. After attracting a crowd of 53,911 for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, the Yankees' home attendance surpassed 4 million for the season.

They are the second American League team to draw 4 million fans -- the Blue Jays are the other -- and third in the Majors. Toronto and Colorado each surpassed the mark in 1993; the Blue Jays had done so in 1992 as well.

"It's an incredible achievement, particularly when I remember that when I bought the Yankees, we had trouble drawing one million to the Stadium," George Steinbrenner said. "We have the greatest fans in the world. I cheer our fans as they cheer us, day in and day out. And I thank everyone in our organization, on and off the field, for helping to reach this amazing milestone."

With one home game remaining this season, the Yankees lead the Majors in total home attendance, as well as per game average after selling out 41 of 80 home games thus far. The team's average of 50,444, entering Sunday, would place second in Major League history, behind only Colorado's 55,350 average in 1993. If the Yankees reach that total again Sunday, they would overtake Toronto (4,057,947) and post the second-highest single season mark.

This is the eighth straight year the Yankees have set a new season-high in attendance, and the seventh consecutive year they have welcomed at least 3 million fans through the Stadium gates.

I wonder, if they end up breaking some record, will someone moan about the 324 home game tickets used by the YES Network Road-Trippers?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:29 AM | Comments (7)

September 24, 2005

With A Cherry On Top

Tomorrow, Sunday, could be a very big day for the Yankees and Red Sox.

After tomorrow, Boston hosts the Blue Jays for four and the Yankees head to Baltimore for four. And, then New York and Boston square off for three in Fenway.

The Red Sox are only 5-9 against the Blue Jays so far this year. But, some of those losses were against Doc Halladay - and he's out of the picture now. Throw in the Fenway Factor, and Boston should take at least 3 of 4 from Toronto.

Likewise, I expect the Yankees to take 3 of 4 from the O's. Baltimore is really struggling now - and the Yankees are playing well.

Therefore, the Sox and Yanks should cancel each other out on their upcoming four game series - meaning that tomorrow's game is the chance for one team to get a leg up on the other (before the big and final showdown).

I wish the games were starting right now - instead tomorrow afternoon. Tom Petty was right. The waiting is the hardest part.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:20 PM | Comments (0)

September 24th vs. The Blue Jays

Yesterday, I wrote:

If Jaret Wright can pitch into the 7th tomorrow, I like the Yankees chances to make that (magic) number go down some more.

What I should have added on to that was: "Of course, if Wright is only able to register three outs and allows 7 runners to cross home plate, then I don't like the Yankees chances." Ah, hindsight, it's so much easier.

They say that the sun does not shine on the same dog's ass everyday. Clearly, it was not shining on Wright's fanny today - for sure. Still, the Yankees had several chances to get back into this game today - and failed. In truth, there were quite a few Yankees' behinds not feeling the sun's rays today. What can you do? I guess the Yankees are not a squad of David Dunns? It's just a shame to waste that wonderful relief effort by Roy Hobbs today in what was ultimately a losing cause.

And, despite a semi-good fight by the O's, the Red Sox won today. So, what does this all mean?

It means that today, and the 173 days that preceded it, are completely irrelevant. Yes, you got it. All the marks on the blackboard have now been erased. Why? Because, as of this moment in time, it's all been rendered meaningless.

The only true reality now is that the 2005 season for the Yankees is an 8-game set - no more, no less. And, there's only one other team in the league: The Boston Red Sox. One of these two teams will win more games than the other in their next 8 contests and that team will be the one to get the glory. Now, it could end up as a tie - but, that should not be the aim of either team. The goal for both sides is the same: Win as many of these 8 games as possible. It's pretty simple.

Tomorrow is the only home game for the Yankees in this new eight game season. It would be nice if they took advantage of it, had some fun, and got a win.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:33 PM | Comments (4)

Eight Eleven

From the Toronto Star:

This is only the 11th day this season on which the Yankees have either held or shared the lead in the AL East. That may seem low for a team trying to win its ninth consecutive division title, but given the chronology of discontent that has rocked the Bronx Bombers, it's actually a lot.

The Yankees were a season-high nine games behind the O's on May 7; were in fourth place on June 13; and were 5 1/2 games behind Boston on Aug. 10.

Indeed, August 11th, that's when the magic started. Scott Proctor, of all people, got the start - filling in for the Big Unit - and pitched well. And, even though the middle guys in the pen allowed the Rangers to come back, the Yankees pulled it out with a Jeter HR in the 7th and some Rivera magic (as usual).

Including that win, since then, the Yankees have gone 30-11 (which is a blistering .732 winning percentage). At the same time, Boston went 23-17 (which, at .575, is pretty good darn ball too).

When this is all said and done, the Yankees can look back to "Eight Eleven" - it's when the rabbit came out of the pinstriped hat.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:02 AM | Comments (6)

September 23, 2005

September 23rd vs. The Blue Jays

From a Bob Klapisch feature on ESPN.com, earlier today:

"Anyone who tells you they could've predicted what Shawn's done, or did predict it, is lying," Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. "When we got him [July 28] we needed a pitcher, and he was better than what we had on the roster. That was about it. The rest you can credit to Shawn."

Seriously, how could anyone have predicted that Chacón would channel the pitching skill of Don Newcombe (say, around age 30) once he hit the Bronx? As long as he keeps pitching the way he's been doing, including tonight, let's just join hands and keep riding the C-Train. Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo!

Memo to Yankees: Find a way to trade with the Jays for that Shaun Marcum kid and use him out of the pen. He's not afraid of pressure, throws strikes, and has some stuff. He's going to be a good one.

So, ho-hum, the Yankees win another game today. And, it's the 14th shutout victory for the team this year - tops in the A.L. (Lousy Yankees starting pitching, huh?)

Again, it (meaning a win) just seems like a given thing these days - even when they do something like tonight, where they have the bases loaded with no outs (in the 2nd) and the heart of the order up, and plate no one. It just doesn't seem to matter. They're just going to win.

Further, the Yankees actually now have a great shot at posting the best record in the league and getting home field in the post-season. How did that happen? Man, they've come a loooong way baby.

During the game today, I did allow my mind to wander a bit - towards the game on Sunday.

Will the Yankees fans do something for Bernie Williams, in what may be his last regular season game? I'm thinking no (at the moment) - as they probably expect him to have some post-season games coming in the Bronx. And, he's not retiring, so maybe there's no sense of urgency? I'm not sure.

Also, I wonder what the Yankees rookies will be forced to wear going into the last road trip of the season? Didn't they do Elvis last year? Or, was last year the pimp suits? I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures for this year - whatever they decide. Wang, Cano, and the boys better get ready.

I did have one rant from today. It's the 9th inning, there are 2 outs, you're up by five, and you have Rivera start to get loose? Torre, man, you're killing me.

Lastly, thanks to Miggy (B-12) Tejada, the O's let down Daniel Cabrera tonight (and cost my prediction from coming true) and Boston won this evening. Nonetheless, the Yankees magic number is now 9. Any combination of Boston losses and Yankees wins that equal 9 means the Yankees will win the A.L. East. And, there are 9 games to go.

If Jaret Wright can pitch into the 7th tomorrow, I like the Yankees chances to make that number go down some more.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:35 PM | Comments (5)

Aaaaaah, Yessssssss.......

The post-season tickets have arrived!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:30 PM | Comments (6)

Yankees Fall Classic Collector's Edition DVD Set

Thanks to friend of WasWatching.com JeremyM for giving me the heads-up on the upcoming release of "The New York Yankees Fall Classic Collector's Edition 1996-2001" on DVD.

I was excited to hear about this - since I've been ticked ever since baseball released the "The Boston Red Sox 2004 World Series Collector's Edition" DVD set. Why was I upset? It's simple - because the Sox DVD set included the "unedited original broadcasts of all seven ALCS games against the New York Yankees and all four World Series games against the St. Louis Cardinals."

Now, this is great for Red Sox fans - but, what about the Yankees fans in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000? During those years, all Yankees fans got from baseball was the "World Series film." And, you can ditto that "How about?" in 2001 and 2003 as well. Why, all of a sudden, get generous with the release of full gamecasts in 2004? Just because it's a team that hasn't won in 86 years?

In any event, after further review, I'm not as thrilled as I was at first about the news of the soon to be released Yankees DVD set - as it only includes the following original complete game broadcasts: 1996 WS Game 4, 1998 WS Game 3, 1999 WS Game 3, 2000 WS Game 5, and 2001 WS Game 4.

To me, if you're going to do it right, this should be the list of full gamecasts that must be included (and those in italics are the ones that are part of the actual set):

1996 ALCS Game 1
1996 World Series Game 4
1996 World Series Game 6

1998 ALCS Game 4
1998 World Series Game 1
1998 World Series Game 3

1999 ALCS Game 1
1999 ALCS Game 2
1999 World Series Game 3

2000 ALDS Game 5
2000 ALCS Game 4
2000 ALCS Game 6
2000 World Series Game 1
2000 World Series Game 2
2000 World Series Game 5

2001 ALDS Game 3
2001 World Series Game 4
2001 World Series Game 5

OK, maybe I'm greedy with some of these LDS and LCS games. But, no 1996 World Series Game 6, 2000 World Series Game 1, or 2001 World Series Game 5? That's a major no-no in my book.

Also, the DVD set includes the "official MLB World Series films from 96, 98, 99, and 00." What happened to 2001? I've seen that one - and, despite it being a loss for New York - there's plenty in that film that Yankees fans would enjoy.

I truly wish they had put more thought into the making of this DVD set.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:32 PM | Comments (6)

The Series This Weekend

It would be in the best interests of the Yankees to win this current series against the Blue Jays - because I believe that the Red Sox are going to have issues this weekend in Baltimore.

Look at the Sox-O's pitching match-ups.

It's Arroyo-Cabrera tonight. Arroyo is a better pitcher on the road this season (compared to at Fenway). But, he's not had luck this year against the Orioles. Cabrera is a much better pitcher at home (than on the road) and he's been having a super September. This game is not a slam dunk for the Red Sox.

Tomorrow, it's Clement-Bedard. Since the All-Star break, and especially this month, Clement has been a turd. While Bedard has been a better pitcher at home than on the road this year, he's been bad after the All-Star break as well. This one could be a slug-fest that will be determined by the bullpens. That's not a Boston strength.

The Red Sox should win on Sunday. That's Wells-Maine. Wells has been bad on the road this season, and has the knee issue, but, he's great this season pitching in Camden Yards. Plus, he loves the big game.

With the chances being in favor of the Red Sox losing 2 of 3 this weekend, the Yankees will serve themselves well to win 2 of 3 and get a nice 2-game lead heading into the season's final 7 games.

With the Sox heading back to Fenway to finish their year, this could be the one chance to pad the lead before the big show-down 7 days from now.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:47 AM | Comments (5)

Millar's Diary

From Millar's Diary on mlb.com:

We went through a little stretch and we were 4 ½ up and now we're a half-game out and we lost two out of three in Tampa Bay. The only choice we have is to come fired up in Baltimore this weekend and to come with a positive attitude. We do that as a team better than anybody. We know how to shower off the bad games. We know how to shower off the negative stuff that's written about us, that's talked about us, better than any other team.

These next 10 days, we have that choice, to come out positive, or to feel sorry for ourselves because we're a little banged up and guys are going through some tough injuries and guys are battling with tough years statistically. We just have to bring that positive energy to this club the next 10 days.

Personally, I think that Millar should consider writing Dear Abby instead of Dear Diary. In any event, get ready for the cries of this "injury excuse" from RSN if they lose this year.

Millar is using it above. And, I've seen others in RSN start to throw it around lately as well.

Gee, I guess that Wright, Brown, Mussina, Pavano, Johnson, Williams, Sheffield, Giambi, Jeter, Sturtze, and Gordon were just the pictures of health all season and that's why the Yankees are in first today, huh?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:03 AM | Comments (6)

Jeter Doing 60 Minutes

From the News:

Yankees star Derek Jeter gives his mom a heads-up when he's going to try to hit one out of the park.

"Sometimes he'll just stick his head up and go like [raising his eyes]. It means he's going to try to hit a home run," Dorothy Jeter tells "60 Minutes" interviewer Ed Bradley.

"I shouldn't give that away, should I?" she added.

The "60 Minutes" profile of the Yankees shortstop airs Sunday on CBS at 7 p.m. It also includes an interview with the Yankees captain.

Bradley asks Jeter who was more difficult to negotiate with - his father, with whom he made a contract as a boy outlining the conditions under which he could play baseball, or Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

"The Boss is definitely harder to deal with," Jeter tells Bradley.

Sometimes he'll just stick his head up and go like (raising his eyes).

Shame on Derek for giving his own mom the Hey, how you doin'? look!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:42 AM | Comments (0)

Prison Break?

From MSNBC today:

Brian Cashman is flittering around the batting cage at Yankee Stadium, making small talk with Alex Rodriguez, cracking jokes with Joe Torre, slapping Ruben Sierra's back. "Loosest I've seen him in ages," says one longtime associate, eyeballing the New York Yankees' general manager admiringly. If outsiders didn't know any better, they might mistake Cashman for a prisoner who has passed his parole-board hearing and is counting down the days until he is freed.

Hmmm, Brian Cashman doing a Michael Scofield? What about the rest of the cast?

Could Giambi be Lincoln Burrows? Kevn Brown as Haywore Patoshik? A-Rod as Fernando Sucre? Gary Sheffield as John Abruzzi? Mo Rivera as Charles Westmoreland? Big Stein as Warden Pope?

And, of course, Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino gets to play T-bag Bagwell.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:13 AM | Comments (1)

September 22, 2005

September 22nd vs. The Orioles

As this game was coming to a close this evening, all I could think about was how much things have changed this season.

When the year started, I would watch the games thinking that the Yankees would win, and they didn't. After a while, I started watching games hoping that they would win, and sometimes they would - but, sometimes they would lose too.

But, now, I watch the Yankees play and I expect them to win, and, they do - just about every time - regardless if they sputter with the bats in the early innings, or give up runs in the middle of the game, or have pitchers allow runners to reach late in the game. It doesn't seem to matter. They just win. It's incredible.

Lately, it's like watching a movie where you know the hero is going to get the girl, save the day, and be shining at the film's close - it's just that you don't know what's going to happen in between the start and the expected end. And, that's the point to watching the movie - just to see the currents of the story. But, no matter what you see in that "in between" time, it's pure and clear to you all along that the good guy wins at the end - and he does.

How sweet would it be if the Yankees kept this up for 10 more games and into the post-season? It would be like "having just thirty dollars to your name and then winning the Lotto" sweet.

And, in a way, what makes it that sweet is how they are doing it now (in this time of winning).

Of course, if the Yankees manage to win it all this year, people are going to point to their payroll. But, it's not that "payroll" which is entirely responsible for what's happening now - as some large chucks of that (like Brown amd Pavano) have not been contributing to this effort. It's been the Smalls, Wangs, and Chacóns, etc., who have been a bigger part of this turnaround. And, in the grand scheme of things, they're in the "take a penny, leave a penny" dish in terms of the total payroll picture.

To the game today, it was nice to see Mussina shine - although I thought he was going to kill Lawton in the 6th when that ball dropped for a cheap hit. (How has Lawton survived all these years in the bigs being such a butcher with the glove?) And, Posada has been smokin' the last three weeks with the bat. Also, it's good for the scouts to see Sheffield drive the ball (like he did tonight). On the downside, Leiter could have done better - and may have hurt his chance to make a post-season roster.

In the end, while it's obvious that every win is important now, this one was nice for me - because it gives the Yankees a full game lead. As I stated earlier today, it's very important to have a 2-game lead heading into the final weekend of the season. And, before you can have a 2-game lead, you need a one-game lead.

Now, all the Yankees need to do is win one more game than the Red Sox over the next week and they will have that two-game lead heading into that important series in Fenway.

The Yankees magic number is now 10. Any combination of Boston losses and Yankees wins that equal 10 means the Yankees will win the A.L. East. And, there are 10 games to go.

It's hard to believe that on the morning of July 2nd of this year that the Yankees were in 4th place in the A.L. East, with a record of 39-39, six games behind the first place Red Sox. Less than 12 weeks later, here are the Yankees - with a magic number just outside single digits. It's some story, huh? And, as a Yankees fan, it's an even better feeling.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:28 PM | Comments (16)

The Final Series Match-Ups

Two days ago, I figured that it will be Wang, Johnson and Mussina for the Yankees last three games of the season. (This assumes that Wang stays in the rotation and that Mussina is able to take a normal turn.) But, who's on schedule to pitch for the Red Sox? As of now, assuming no injuries, skipped turns, etc., it would be Wells, Schilling and Wakefield.

So, the Friday night game on 9/30 will be Wang-Wells. On Saturday, 10/1, it will be the game that everyone wants to see: Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. And, on Sunday, 10/2, it will be Mussina and Wakefield.

That Sunday match-up is bad news for the Yankees. Yes, Mussina pitches well in Fenway. But, this is not an in-shape Mussina and the Yankees have issues with Wakefield. If this whole thing comes down to the last game of the season, the Red Sox have an edge there.

It's looking more and more important to the Yankees to have a 2-game lead heading into that series - and then take a shot with Wang on Friday for the clinch, and have Johnson as a great back-up on October 1st.

Locking it up by Game 161 would do wonders for this Yankees fan's old ticker.

Besides, think of all those in RSN who probably paid thousands for seats to that last game of the year. How cool would it be for them to get to watch the Sox play against the Yankees' Wil Nieves, Andy Phillips, Felix Escalona, Mike Vento, Mark Bellhorn, and Jorge De Paula in a meaningless game?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:45 PM | Comments (6)

Wells Takes Shot At A-Rod

From The Herald - David Wells says:

``David (Ortiz) right now is in a league all by himself,'' Wells said last night at Tropicana Field, where the Red Sox lost to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 7-4, in the finale of a three-game series.

``There's no (expletive) question what he means to this team. (The MVP) is David Ortiz. The guy's as humble as (expletive). He jokes around every day and doesn't say a bad thing about anybody. He makes people laugh on the bus and at the park, and if we're going to talk about defense, let's talk about (clubhouse contributions), too. He's not going to say that he's working out before everyone else wakes up in the morning.

``If they're going to do that and personality comes into play, he's got it unanimously.''

He's not going to say that he's working out before everyone else wakes up in the morning.

Uh, maybe he can't say it because he's not doing that? Or, maybe he doesn't have to do that since he's not required to field or expected to run during games?

You don't need to be in shape to do stand-up on a bus, right?

Nah, that can't be it, huh?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:51 PM | Comments (9)

The A.L. MVP

In defense of Alex Rodriquez' chances for the A.L. MVP, I want to share two things that I think those in the "David Ortiz for MVP" camp are missing.

The first item that RSN likes to point to, in favor of their Big Papi, is his "clutch" performance.

But, what is clutch? I think most would say that it's batting with runners on (RISP). Many in RSN think no one is better than Ortiz in the clutch. However, Ortiz is not even the best clutch hitter on the Sox.

As of today, John Olerud is batting .404 w/RISP. Manny Ramirez is batting .351 w/RISP. What about Ortiz? He's batting .345 w/RISP. That's not only below some of his teammates, but, it's less than Gary Sheffield, Michael Young, Mark Kotsay, Mark Teixeira and Travis Hafner in the AL. In fact, the Tigers' Rondell White has a higher batting average, right now, than Ortiz, w/RISP.

Now, some others like to point to "late and close" ABs w/RISP. So, where is Big Papi in that stat? Well, as of today, he's behind Vladimir Guerrero, Raul Ibanez, Mark Kotsay, and Victor Martinez (among others). In fact, as of this morning, Ortiz has the same batting average in "late and close" situations as the Yankees Hideki Matsui (.338).

So, is David Ortiz the best clutch hitter in the game today? No. He's very good. But, he's not the best.

Therefore, to say that Ortiz should get the award because he's head and shoulders above everyone else in the clutch is not true.

Is Big Papi better than A-Rod in the clutch? Yes, he is better. But, so is Manny Ramirez (in terms of batting average w/RISP). And, Manny has a better number here than Ortiz too. Should Manny then get the MVP? Why don't we hear that from RSN?

Secondly, in defense of those who say that Ortiz should not win the award because he is a DH, many in RSN like to say that no DH has ever had a season with the bat, on a winner, like Big Papi has this season.

This is 100% untrue. In 1995, Edgar Martinez (the DH) of the Seattle Mariners was by far the best hitter in the league. In fact, Martinez' 1995 season was probably the best season (in terms of relative batting value) by a RH batter in the AL since 1941. And, his team won their division and made it to the ALCS.

And, who won the AL MVP in 1995? Mo Vaughn (the 1B) of the Boston Red Sox. (Edgar finished a distant 3rd in the voting.) Why? Probably because Mo was a position player who hit a lot of HRs and had many RBI for a team that won.

Doesn't that sound a lot like Alex Rodriguez?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:02 AM | Comments (5)

September 21, 2005

September 21st vs. The Orioles

Another close game. Wow. But, it's another win.

September 16, 1964 - the Yankees are a 1/2 game out of first.
September 19, 1964 - the Yankees take first place and don't look back.

September 16, 2005 - the Yankees are 1.5 games out of first.
September 21, 2005 - the Yankees take first place for the first time since July 18th.

This year is really starting to look like 1964.

Tonight's game is a credit to the good people on staff with the Yankees.

On July 24th, Joe Kerrigan sits with Randy Johnson. Since then, including tonight, in his last 6 starts, the Big Unit is 4-0 with an ERA of 1.91. He's only allowed 1 homer in those games and the league is only hitting .158 against him.

Matt Lawton comes to New York and can't hit planet earth if he fell out of a space ship. Don Mattingly works with him and tonight he hits the big HR that provided the runs to win this game.

Wow. Have I said that already?

And, elsewhere, Mike Timlin blows a game in the 8th inning for the Red Sox. In their last 20 games, Boston has a record of 10-10. Something is happening with that team.

Is it O.K. to say "Wow" again? Wow.

Wow-we-wow-wow, in fact.

There are two concerns from this otherwise wonderful evening. First, Giambi looks like a guy who should be on the DL because of his back. Secondly, Mariano Rivera is not going to have a shoulder left come October the way he has to pitch just about every game these days.

Nonetheless, the Yankees magic number is now 11. Any combination of Boston losses and Yankees wins that equal 11 means the Yankees will win the A.L. East. And, there are 11 games to go.

Torre better have a very short leash on Mussina tomorrow. While a loss on Thursday would not be the end of the world, a win, giving the Yankees a full game lead, with just 10 games to go, is a gazillion times better than allowing the idle Red Sox to regain a share of first place.

This is the time to put the pedal to the metal.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:49 PM | Comments (14)

Damon Oppenheimer

Bob Nightengale speculates on Cashman's survival rate:

Brian Cashman, Yankees

• Survival odds: 25%

Cashman, the most popular GM among his peers, has grown tired of being owner George Steinbrenner's whipping boy. Then again, if the Yankees don't make the playoffs, Steinbrenner won't give him a choice.

Cashman is telling friends that he is gone. He would love to work in Baltimore, apparently figuring that even with Angelos and his sons running the show, Camden Yards would be like Club Med compared to dealing with Steinbrenner.

• Prediction: Cashman departs, and vice president Damon Oppenheimer replaces him.

So, who is Damon Oppenheimer? From a recent Madden column:

Oppenheimer, 43, played college baseball at USC and then joined the San Diego Padres (where his mother, Priscilla, was director of minor league operations) as an amateur scout. He was hired by the Yankees in 1994 as a cross-checker in their player development department, but he managed to get himself assigned to Michael's major league postseason scouting team.

"Stick was like a mentor to him," said one Yankee organization man, referring to Michael. "But after time, Damon kind of separated himself from him as he rose in power down in Tampa."

Ever see the movie Coneheads? If you did, do you remember the character of the suck-up INS Agent played by David Spade? Why can't I get that image out of my head when I'm reading that summary on Damon Oppenheimer?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:43 PM | Comments (10)

The Final Head-To-Head

I was just looking at some of the Win Shares (WS) data over at The Hardball Times site, which is as of 9/15, and was matching up the WS "values" of some of the Red Sox and Yankees. This I found:

That the combined value (in terms of WS) of A-Rod and Sheffield is 60 whereas the combined number for Ortiz and Manny is 55. Further, the combined WS total for Jeter, Giambi, and Matsui is 65 whereas the number for Damon, Varitek and Mueller is 58.

Continuing, Posada and Williams combine for 28 compared to Nixon and Renteria who pair for 27. Also, Tino and Cano add to 15 versus Olerud and Millar who total 17.

What about the starting pitchers? Schilling, Wells, Clement, Arroyo, and Wakefield total 53 Win Shares. For the Yankees, Johnson, Mussina, Wang, Chacon and Small total 39. But, it should be noted that Schilling, Chacon and Small have not made as many starts as the others here.

In the bullpen, it's not close. TanGorMo is at 30 and Timlin/Foulke/Myers/Bradford are at 18.

Two fairly equal attacks here in terms of position players. To me, when these teams go head-to-head, it's going to come down to the pitching.

For the Yankees, their starters are going to have to step up and out pitch the Red Sox starters, for New York to do well. On the flip side, for Boston to do well, they're going to need their pen to get big outs and prevent add-on and/or comeback runs.

It should be fun to see what happens.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:55 PM | Comments (0)

Best Season With The Bat Since 1973 - Pt. II

Following up on something from August 15th, don't look now, but, Alex Rodriguez has 72 RCAA at this moment. He's in excellent position to lay claim towards the title of "Best Season With The Bat Since 1973" for the Yankees.

Further, when he's done this year, A-Rod might also have the "Best Season With The Bat Since 1937 By A Right-Handed Batter" title for the Yankees as well.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:05 PM | Comments (3)

Not So Uphill Anymore?

On September 12th, I shared this:

The latest "odds" from CoolStandings.com:

Boston: Win AL East = 79.5%.
Cleveland: Win AL Wildcard = 71.4%.

Yankees: Win AL East = 20.5%, Win AL Wildcard = 9.6%.

Well, just nine days later, this is what they say now:

Boston: Win AL East = 55.5%.
Cleveland: Win AL Wildcard = 67.0%.

Yankees: Win AL East = 44.5%, Win AL Wildcard = 7.6%.

New York is still not the favorite, huh? That's O.K. It will just make it sweeter if they win it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:20 PM | Comments (4)

The Natural

I know that Aaron Small, in his last 3 appearances, has been smacked around lately (to say the least) - with 13 ER in 19 IP.

However, I still have a feeling about him - that he's going to come up big when it counts (either doing something to get the Yankees into the post-season and/or helping them win a post-season series).

Why? It's probably because of the Roy Hobbs nature of his story. He was the "nobody from nowhere" who showed up one day in the Yankees dugout like that famous "middle-aged rookie" from Bernard Malamud's classic tale.

And, on the day that Small was called up, the Yankees were a .544 ballclub. Since that time, they've played .633 baseball.

Remember, in the movie-version of The Natural, Hobbs hit a speed bump of sorts just before coming back to lead the team into the promised land. This could be one of those times where life imitates art.

With just 12 games left until the end of the season, we'll know soon enough.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:36 AM | Comments (6)

September 20, 2005

September 20th vs. The Orioles

The good news: How many times do you allow 18 hits, 2 walks, and make an error in a game and win?

The bad news: When you're winning 10-3 after five, you probably should be able to close the game out without using your primary set-up man and your closer. The use of Mo in this game was very disturbing - especially since he was warmed, then sat down, and then later brought up again to come into the game.

Related, just what is the deal with Ramiro Mendoza? He hasn't been used in three weeks. If he's not able to throw, just why was he activated at all? And, hearing the stats on YES tonight about Leiter against LH batters as a Yankee (it was something like 0 BB and HR allowed), it's time to start using him as a LOOGY and forget about Alan Embree.

Aw, what the hey? The important thing is the "W" tonight. Just keep on keeping on, that's the thing. Who cares if it's pretty and/or pristine at this stage? In the end, it doesn't matter - as long as you win.

I guess those reports of Sheffield not being to hit for power were not spot on, huh?

And, that bomb from A-Rod in the 8th, well, I've been watching games since 1973 and I cannot ever remember seeing a RH batter go upper-tank at the Stadium before. That's power.

The Yankees magic number is now 13. Any combination of Boston losses and Yankees wins that equal 13 means the Yankees will win the A.L. East. And, there are 12 games to go.

It's a big game for Randy Johnson tomorrow. His ERA of 3.60 for September (to date) is the best mark that he's posted for any month so far this season. Ditto his opponent's batting average of .185 this month. He needs to keep pace with that now.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:42 PM | Comments (24)

Mussina Coming Back Would Help

A month ago, I guessed at who would start for the Yankees in the last series of the season. At that time, it looked like it would be Mussina, Chacón, and Randy Johnson.

Looking at it now, it appears to me that it will be Wang, Johnson and Mussina (in that order) - assuming that Moose comes back this Thursday and is OK.

Now, if Mussina stays out, it looks like it will be Small, Johnson and Chacón.

Either way, I'm fine with this. But, where it hurts is if a tie-breaker is needed. If Mussina is in the rotation, then Chacón would pitch the tie-breaker. That's cool. But, if Mussina does not come back to the rotation, then it would be Wright or Leiter in the tie-breaker. Yikes. The only way around this would be to use Wang on three-days rest.

As you can see, Mussina coming back would help.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:03 PM | Comments (1)

Disabling The Fenway Series?

I was just thinking to myself "Is there a way that the Yankees can take the steam out of that season ending series at Fenway?"

Of course, the answer is to be 4 games up in the standings at the start of that three game set. But, can that be done?

Well, considering that the Yankees have taken 3.5 games off Boston's lead in the last 9 days (9/11 to 9/19), one would have to assume that it's possible to add 3.5 games in 9 days as well, no?

From today, through 9/28, the Yankees play 9 games and the Red Sox play 8 games. If the Red Sox split their 8 games, then the Yankees would have to win all 9 games to have a 4 game lead over Boston on 9/29. OK, that's not going to happen.

Of course, there are the games of 9/29 that have to played as well before the Yanks-Sox finale. What if that is factored in?

Suppose that Boston goes 5-4 in their final 9 games before the Yankees series. Then the Yankees would need to go 10-0 to have that four game lead going into Fenway. Yeah, that's not going to happen either.

Therefore, it's going to come down to those final three games of the season - unless Boston tanks it, big-time, in the next 9 games. Or, of course, unless the Yankees play terrible and then it won't matter.

Clear your calendars: 9/30, 10/1 and 10/2 - and possibly a tie-breaker after that. Oh, my stars and garters.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:37 PM | Comments (2)

As The Worm Turns

I have to confess that there's a small, semi-paranoid, pinstriped-part of me that's worried about the "worm."

Prior to 2004, for 86 years, when it came to Yankees-Red Sox, the Yankees had fortune always smile upon them. Of course, we all know what happened in the ALCS last year - when the worm turned.

Now, what if the worm has decided not to turn back, and the Yankees are operating this season under the worm that turned last season? Could this latest surge by New York all be part of the plan of last year's worm? Is this a set-up? Is the goal to get the Yankees with a one-game lead going into the final series and then have them get swept by the Sox?

Maybe this is true? Maybe 2004 was not enough to satisfy the worm and he wants more food in 2005? There would be no better topping to the 2004 ALCS, from the Sox' worm's perspective, than having the New York rug pulled out at the last minute in 2005.

I hope this is nothing. Still, the thought does reside with me - albeit at a small level. I wonder if any other Yankees fans out there are fearing the same?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:00 PM | Comments (6)

For Happy Ears

Some topical remarks from RSN bloggers today -

From the The Joy of Sox:

It's a wonder these brain-dead f**kers are still in first place. God, this team sucks right now. They are painful to watch.

From A Red Sox Fan In Pinstripe Territory:

I'd just like to blame that racist f**king idiot DirtDog once again for running Pedro out of town, causing us to have to watch that fat-head Wells self-destruct and whine and complain and get frustrated and f**k up in September against the Devil Rays.

From Sox Blog on Live Journal:

Bastards....Sorry, just very upset right now. Their playing like fools. Pitching has gone to the toilet. Edgar's making errors again, Veritek looks tired, Nixon stinks, and...oh wait, I think thats it. So long eastern division title, so close...

But, for the most part, I noticed a lot of Red Sox Blogs out there that have not been updated with entries recently. That's too bad.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:47 AM | Comments (17)

For Sore Eyes

At some many times this season, especially in the first-half, if you would have told me then that the Yankees would be one-half game out, with 13 to go, I would have told you it was time to put down the pipe.

I have no idea what the next 13 days will bring. But, for this moment, who cares? It's fun to be a Yankees fan this morning, huh?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:31 AM | Comments (9)

September 19, 2005

September 19th vs. The Orioles

Bubbalicious!

It's been a long time since I can remember feeling this happy for someone having a moment on a ball field - like I felt for Crosby tonight. In the YES post-game, Bubba said that he's never hit a walk-off homer in his life - not even in Little League. It's awesome with a capital "A" that he gets to do it now, given the situation, and the location. It's a memory that he will have forever. Good for him. The Mattingly-induced new stroke is working for Bubba. He's batting .379 in 13 games this month. And, also on the YES post-game, Torre said that "he's become a regular part of this thing." What a wonderful story.

Even though the Yankees have been saying for a week-plus now that this is our post-season, tonight's game was the first one for me that had that true play-off feel. And, despite the stellar picthing of Obi Wang (nine assists for him and just one fly ball allowed!), I was feeling uneasy watching this game with all the runners that the Yankees were leaving on base.

What a wonderful win. And, tonight, Bubba and Wang sent a message to Torre - "We can play and shine under big pressure." This is what happens on championship teams - the Wangs, Crosbys, Smalls, etc., of the world come out of nowhere and play big roles. These are good signs.

And, thank you Devil Rays! The Yankees magic number is now 14. Any combination of Boston losses and Yankees wins that equal 14 means the Yankees will win the A.L. East. And, there are 13 games to go.

Lastly, has anyone ever seen a baseball player as big as Walter Young before? Six-five, three-twenty-two? I would imagine that when he goes to a restaurant, he looks at the menu and says "Okay!"

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:55 PM | Comments (12)

Pee Wee Wanninger

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.)

As of last Saturday, Tony Womack's RCAA total for 2005 was -24.

The last time that the Yankees had a left-handed batter with a RCAA total nearly that low was Jim Mason in 1975 (with a mark of -23).

The worst RCAA mark by a LH batter in Yankees history belongs to Pee Wee Wanninger who had a mark of -37 in 1925. That season, Pee Wee, as a 22-year-old, made the jump from Class C-Ball to become the Yankees SS. He was back in the minors the next year - and later played in 46 games with the Red Sox and Reds in 1927 (the only other year he played in the bigs).

However, Wanninger was the player for whom Lou Gehrig PH for in the first of the Iron Horse's 2,130 consecutive games played.

Now, that's a good trivia question.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:35 PM | Comments (0)

Mark "Bleeping" Hendrickson

Mark Hendrickson pitches for Tampa Bay tonight against the Red Sox. It would be a nice help to the Yankees if Hendrickson pitches this evening like he has against New York this season - and not the way he has against Boston to date.

Hendrickson made 5 starts against the Yankees this year and went 3-0 with an ERA of 4.73. Tampa Bay won 4 of those 5 starts - and they just missed making it 5 for 5 when they lost to the Yanks by a score of 6-5 in Mark's last start.

Hendrickson has made 2 starts against the Red Sox this year, facing 23 Boston batters in the process - with of them 14 reaching and 11 scoring. His ERA against the Sox this season, to date, is 30.00.

Lifetime, the Red Sox are a perfect 5-0 against Hendrickson.

Mark "Bleeping" Hendrickson, indeed.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:50 PM | Comments (1)

The State of WasWatching.com

Tomorrow, WasWatching.com hits its 5-month anny.

Where has the time gone? In any event, it's been fun.

I think that many still enjoy reading what's posted here. To date, the hits per day average for September is slightly down from the average for August (~2600 vs. ~2900). But, that could be due to a couple of days this month where no posts were made (when I was in Cooperstown) and, perhaps, less Red Sox fans reading the blog (as there's been less Yankees fan suffering these days).

Nonetheless, it would be great to hear from those who visit here. What do you like about WasWatching.com? What doesn't float your boat? What would you like to see more? Less? That sorta thing. Comments are welcomed and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:37 PM | Comments (18)

K.C. Star: Torre, Not So Good

From the Star:

3 REASONS: This isn’t even close to Joe Torre’s managing masterpiece

1. The obvious first: He might not make the playoffs. Doesn’t matter how many injuries there have been. Doesn’t matter how little pitching he has. Good managers erase the negatives, and Torre has done that masterfully in the past. This season, though, the $208 million clubhouse splintered early on, and Torre didn’t remedy it. Now he’s got a desperate team playing desperate baseball, going head-to-head with a $42 million Cleveland team.

2. He waited too long to make the right moves. Starting in June, when Torre could see Jason Giambi’s renaissance wasn’t merely a fluke, he needed to change his lineup. Move Giambi, an on-base machine, to third, pushing Alex Rodriguez to second behind Derek Jeter. With Gary Sheffield at fourth and Hideki Matsui fifth, Torre would have avoided left-handed specialists keying on Giambi and Matsui back to back and would allow Sheffield, the team’s best run producer, to hit behind three high on-base hitters. Finally, last week, Torre unveiled this lineup.

3. He hasn’t managed to shut George Steinbrenner up. Although he’s slowing down, the Yankees owner still has managed to fire shot after shot at Torre this season. And while The Boss’ past ruminations reeked of desperation and overreaction, he has increased their incisiveness by toning down their frequency.

And, if the Yankees manage to win the A.L. East? What then?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:24 PM | Comments (7)

John McMullen

RIP.

McMullen, a career naval officer who founded a marine engineering firm after leaving military service, turned to the sporting world in the early 1970s. He became a limited partner in the group headed by George Steinbrenner that purchased the Yankees from CBS, but famously remarked that "nothing is as limited as being a limited partner of George's."

What a classic line that was....it was/is perfect.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:19 PM | Comments (0)

Sheff Not Returning To Right

From the Post:

Gary Sheffield says his days as a right fielder this year are over.

"I am done doing that," said Sheffield, who has been limited to DH duty for the past six games due to a strained left thigh. "I don't see it getting any better."

Sheffield suffered the injury Sept. 7 chasing a fly ball at Yankee Stadium and believed it would be healed by now.

Great. So, now, both Giambi and Bernie must always play the field in order to bat - and, against LHP, the Yankees have an old-timer in RF. And, Tino Martinez only gets to play as a 1B caddy in the late innings.

The story also says:

Sheffield said the thigh problem is robbing him of his power at the plate.

"Just when I am ready to explode I plant my left leg and want to go forward but can't," Sheffield said. "I am doing everything right until that point."

Since Gary has only hit nothing but singles since returning, maybe it's time to consider benching him the rest of the way and using Sierra at DH, or Andy Phillips/Matt Lawton in a platoon at DH, or Giambi at DH and Martinez at 1B, or Bernie at DH and Bubba in CF? I'm not sure. But, considering that Sheffield clogs the bases now - and is only hitting singles, it might be time.

And [ducks as he says this] maybe it's time to get Womack some ABs in case you need him to play some OF in the post-season? What happens if Sierra is in right and pulls a hammy? You want to go with Lawton the butcher? Not me.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:03 AM | Comments (7)

Sox Call Up Johnnies Alum

From The Herald:

The Red Sox bullpen is expected to receive a timely jolt of both firepower and youth as early as tonight when Craig Hansen joins the team for its series against the Devil Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Hansen, according to a source, will join the Red Sox as soon as tonight or sometime during the three-game set against the Devil Rays, arguably the best first test for the club's much hyped pitching prospect from this June's draft.

Hansen, the 21-year-old right-hander, has been the focus of intense attention since he was drafted and then signed by the club to a four-year, $4 million major league contract on July 23.

He did not disappoint once he reported. Hansen did not allow a run or a walk in two games and three innings for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox and then for Double-A Portland, he allowed no runs and just one walk and nine hits with 10 strikeouts in eight games and 9 2/3 innings.

Hansen was shut down toward the end of the Sea Dogs regular season with what the team described as a tired arm. The team's conservative approach with Hansen was for him to rest up and possibly help the Red Sox' needy bullpen.

The plan worked to everyone's satisfaction, with Hansen pitching 2 1/3 more scoreless innings during the Sea Dogs' just concluded postseason run.

I have a feeling on this one. This could be the move that either wins or loses it for the Sox (and the Yanks). Either way, it shows some desperation. Prospect or no, without Triple-A experience, this is a hope-and-pray type move, in my opinion.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:18 AM | Comments (6)

Thinking About Thinking About The Unthinkable

This morning, I found myself wondering "What will Yankees fans think if the team ends up finishing just one game out of first and/or the playoffs as a whole when this is all said and done?"

Will they think: Darn, at least the team fought a great fight over the last three months to make this interesting - when they could have just rolled over and played dead back in June.

Or, will they think: #$%&!(*?!, this is what happens when you play as ugly as they did when XYZ (where 'XYZ' could be anything, like, "they stunk in the first half" or "they tanked against Tampa Bay" etc.)

Honestly, I'm not sure what I will think if the unthinkable should happen. Therefore, I'm not sure what the majority of Yankees fans will think as well.

Hopefully, the situation that would require some thought never comes to pass.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)

September 18, 2005

September 18th @ The Blue Jays

I missed this one today. We took the kids to see the Somerset Patriots - it was their last home game of the regular season. Here's a picture of us there having fun:

My thanks to the nice young lady working at the park who agreed to snap the photo for us.

The kiddies made it through five-and-a-half today. That's just about their limit: 2 hours - and, then they get antsy/cranky. I'm going to keep running them out to minor league parks until they can make it for three hours. Once done, then they get a trip to the Bronx for the first time. I'm guessing that's 2008. (Great timing - it's going to impossible to get tickets in the last season of this current park.)

I did catch the score of the Yankees game at one point on a TV that they have in the Patriots' gift shop. It was the top of the 7th at that point. Needless to say, when I saw it, I said "Aw, come on Yanks!"

What's with ESPN.com? I looked at the game summary later this evening and this is what I saw:

A negative run in the bottom of the 6th? What the.......

I'm really torn about the result today. Part of me is OK with it - in the sense that I know they cannot win everyday, and that they had won 6 in a row coming into this game. But, the other part of me wanted this game because they were in it and had a chance to tie it at the end.

In a way, this game reminds me of that May 18th game against the Mariners. That was another game where they had a chance to win the game, and extend a winning streak, but failed.

I'm not worried about Wright - he's tough and should be OK. And, if Mussina can come back, that will help if Wright cannot return. Giambi, even though he says that he's playing tomorrow, concerns me.

If I saw this right, on ESPN's Baseball Tonight, Jeter is now 0 for 8 this year, meaning he was the last out in 8 games this season, where he left the tying run on base. Wow, if only he was able to come through on two or three of those eight games. That could have meant a difference in the standings.

Last night, I wrote:

I'm disappointed in the A's current showing at Fenway. They've pitched well - but, they need to score more runs against the Sox.

Attaboy Oakland! Thanks for listening!

The Yankees magic number is now 16. Any combination of Boston losses and Yankees wins that equal 16 means the Yankees will win the A.L. East. And, there are 14 games to go.

In my mind, the next series for both Boston and New York just may be the key to the Yankees chance to win this thing. The Yankees must take 3 of 4 from Baltimore. And, the Devil Rays must win at least one game in their series with the Red Sox. If this happens, then the Yankees will pick up a half-game and will be just one game out with 10 games to go.

And, those 10 remaining games for both Boston and New York will be the same - 3 with each other and the rest with Toronto and Baltimore. See, I told you last month that it was the Jays and O's who would have a say in who wins the East.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:57 PM | Comments (7)

Giambi's The Key

From Mike Lupica:

A-Rod is having a wonderful season, and might end up MVP of the American League, even if David Ortiz has clearly been the MVP in the season played so far. But as the Yankees have started to play since the first of July, Giambi has been their biggest run producer.

How does this all go without Giambi showing up, the way he has, out of nowhere? The Yankees were desperate to get rid of him, get out from under the $80 million they still owed him when his grand jury testimony about BALCO was leaked. If he was in the last year of his contract instead of the middle of his contract, who is to say they wouldn't have cut him when he started the way he did, and this year looked like last year? Only he did have that contract, one that looked like the worst in all of sports back in May. He also had the right not to go to the minors when the Yankees suggested that.

They were stuck with him. We had him as a cartoon character in the newspaper stealing money.

Now he hits during the second half the way David Justice did five years ago. Now Giambi is the MVP of the second half.

And, he's right.

Just three and a half months ago, I wrote:

Actually, I think I can sum up the difference in the Yankees and the Red Sox over the last couple of years in two names: Jason Giambi and David Ortiz. Yankees have the former and the Sox have the latter. And, it's worse that New York paid gazillions for Jason and Boston found David on the scrap heap. Go figure.

Thanks Jason, for closing the gap.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:36 AM | Comments (4)

The Baseball Same Game

There's a story about me, and the book, in the current edition of The Monmouth Journal.

Click here to see the story.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:15 AM | Comments (0)

September 17, 2005

September 17th @ The Blue Jays

For the second day in a row, it was one of those games where, if this game was in the first half of the season, the Yankees would have found a way to blow this game. It's truly been a new world since July 1st. If I heard it correct on the YES coverage today, the Yankees have the best record in baseball since that date. Hearing this fact provides confidence for what may be in store for the rest of this season.

And, while I confess that there were several moments today where the fear of losing this game crept into me, Shawn Chacón's effort was uplifting. Not only did he provide the bullpen with some much needed rest, but, he reestablished himself in terms of "Who is Shawn Chacón for the Yankees? Is he the guy who was gang-busters at the start of his tour here - or the the guy who has been banged around at times lately?"

Also, am I the only one who thought that DP in the 9th to save Gordon, and the game, looked like a replay of the DP that ended the 1977 ALCS? Nettles to Randolph to Chambliss. And, the reaction today, especially from A-Rod, at the end of the game seemed like it was an LCS win.

Still on A-Rod, his play on the DP was another example of why he is the Total Paquete. He had a very bad day at the plate this afternoon - but, with the glove, he has a huge part in saving the game. That was clutch - and, something that a DH could never provide.

The win today puts the Yankees in a good spot. If they can sweep this series, it probably allows them some rope in one of the four-game series with the O's. And, then, maybe if they end up splitting one of those sets, and not winning both, a sweep of this three game series offsets that issue.

Speaking of series, I'm disappointed in the A's current showing at Fenway. They've pitched well - but, they need to score more runs against the Sox. I really thought that these four games would be a split. Maybe tomorrow will bring good news?

The Yankees magic number is now 17. Any combination of Boston losses and Yankees wins that equal 17 means the Yankees will win the A.L. East.

15 games to go.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:13 PM | Comments (0)

They Think It's Coming

From The CHB:

Today marks the 60th consecutive day that the Sox have been in first place. They have led the American League East for 84 of the last 85 days. What the Sox did to the Yankees in 2004 should be enough to keep panic at a minimum around here. But the idea that the ancient rivals may be playing a winner-take-all series here on the final weekend is suddenly very real.

The stress of September has risen to the highest levels of Sox management, though the holy trinity of Sox executives said before the game that there is no reason to panic.

"I'm looking forward to the second half of September," said principal owner John Henry. "How could you not want to be in a pennant race with the Yankees?"

Tom Werner added, "Obviously, this is better than seeing the Yankees in the standings above us. This is where great players have to step up and be at their best."

As an official cartel representative of the New York Times Company's 17 percent interest in the team, I felt obl