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April 30, 2006

April 30th vs. The Blue Jays

The Yankees are now 13-10 on the season - and in first place!

It's incredible that they are also 10-0 in day games this year. Watch out Willy Clark and Al Lewis - there's a new version of The Sunshine Boys forming in front of our eyes. (By the way, did I call the 13-10 record, or what? Now, let's hope that I'm right about the hot May and June as well.)

Mussina continues to leave runners stranded - he got out of a 1st and 3rd spot in the 2nd, a runner on 3rd in the 3rd, and the bases loaded in the 5th today. Amazing.

Let's hope that Wang and Chacon can be as magical in Fenway.

And, was there no way to do something with Sturtze (to get Small on the roster) instead of sending down Smith? That extra LHP out of the pen could be useful against Ortiz and Nixon this week.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:41 PM | Comments (7)

Target Lugo Or Wait On Pena?

Wild thought of the moment: If New York does become concerned about Jeter's defense at SS, then sign Julio Lugo after the season.

Lugo, while not in the class of Adam Everett or Jack Wilson with the glove at SS, would be an improvement over Jeter.

Then you move Jeter to 2B in 2007. And, you can either trade Cano (who would be a legit trading chip - given his age and contract) or move Cano to the OF in 2007. (With Sheffield - assuming they extend him - becoming the full-time DH in 2007.) Cano goes to LF and you move Matsui to RF.

Giambi would love to play 1B all the time anyway.

Or, as a Plan B, you just eat Jeter's glove for another season after this year, then go with Ramiro Pena at SS in 2008, move Jeter to 2B, and figure out what to do with Cano.

I know that many are thinking now "What about A-Rod at SS?" While that might make some sense, I don't see Jeter moving off SS for Alex. Yes, it's an ego thing. Think Derek doesn't have an ego? He might move for a new free agent or a kid coming up, but, with A-Rod, that's an admission of "He's better than me" that I think Jeter would have a hard time accepting.

Plus, who can say for sure that Alex, given his size, age, and time off the positon can move back to SS and do a good job?

When you look around the Yankees team, and their contracts, there's not a lot of positions to move Jeter to - and if they sign a RF after this season, that's one less moving part to play with in the shuffle.

It's either move Jeter to 2B in the next couple of years, or the OF (which he doesn't seem to want) next year, or run out of options soon.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:46 AM | Comments (9)

Watching WasWatching.com

Thanks to Peter Abraham for featuring WasWatching.com this week under the "Blog Watch" in his Sunday column at the Journal News!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:41 AM | Comments (1)

April 29, 2006

April 29th vs. The Blue Jays

There are many things that one could focus on from today's game - Damon's power and hustle, Unit's issues, Sheffield's injuries - but, to me, here's the most important thing:

With a win tomorrow, and if the Devil Rays can beat a tired Curt Schilling, then the New York Yankees will head into the month of May, and a two game series in Fenway Park, tied for first place with the Boston Red Sox. Sure, there's a few moving parts to this plan - but, it's not impossible.

Yankees-Sox on Monday. Damon's return to Boston. And, first place at stake. Wow, what's a fan of Prison Break to do? Actually, it's a no brainer. Really. I did say it was Yankees-Sox, right? There will be a whole week following the Fenway games to watch Prison Break on tape.

And, for those worried about the ol' "I hate it when they score a ton because that means they're going to hardly score at all tomorrow" thing, check out (going back a bit) each time that the Yankees scored at least 13 runs in a win. What happened each time on the next day? (Note: We're only using dates where there was a game the very next day.) The results:

4/3/06 - Won 15-2. Next day, lost 4-3.
9/13/05 - Won 17-3. Next day, won 6-5.
7/4/05 - Won 13-8. Next day, won 12-3.
5/14/05 - Won 15-6. Next day, won 6-4.
4/18/05 - Won 19-8. Next day, lost 6-2.
9/18/04 - Won 14-1. Next day, won 11-1.
8/28/04 - Won 18-6. Next day, lost 6-4.
8/19/04 - Won 13-10. Next day, lost 5-0.
5/27/04 - Won 18-5. Next day, won 7-5.

Just three times (out of 9 times) did they struggle to post some runs. Thus, there's little reason to sweat about Mussina not getting any run support tomorrow. (And, don't forget, the Jays' Gustavo Chacín has an ERA of 5.11 heading into the game. That will help some as well.)

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

What, No Eggplant Calzone Too?

From the Auburn Citizen -

George Steinbrenner isn't known as “The Boss” because of his generous reputation.

The New York Yankees' 75-year-old owner is famous for his surly demeanor and his no-nonsense approach to running an organization.

But don't tell that to Sydney Lattimore, 10, or her brother, Sean, 9. The budding Yankee fans and their parents were granted front-row tickets at Yankee Stadium for New York's home opener April 11 courtesy of Steinbrenner himself.

The Auburn family's encounter with baseball's most controversial owner occurred on a last-minute spring break trip by the Lattimores. Sean Sr. and his wife, Beth, decided to take their two children to New York City for a few days and ended up staying in the hotel where Steinbrenner lives.

“My wife and I went down to the lobby and all of a sudden a guy came in and he looked familiar,” Sean Sr. said of his first encounter with Steinbrenner. “I looked down at his hand and saw the (World Series) rings and knew it was him. I went over and introduced my son and daughter and he immediately was taken by them.”

He said his family's conversation with Steinbrenner was “just like talking with one of your relatives.”

“It was cool,” Sydney said. “He was really nice.”

The next morning, the day of the Yankees' opener against the Kansas City Royals, Steinbrenner was once again in the hotel lobby. When he saw the Lattimores get off the elevator, Steinbrenner signaled for Sydney and Sean Jr. to come over to him. That's when he offered up his own personal seats.

The Auburn family quickly accepted the exclusive tickets.

“Mr. Steinbrenner asked the kids if they were going to the baseball game,” Sean Sr. said. “They said they didn't have tickets so he reached in his blazer and pulled out four tickets. He turned to them and said, ‘You'll love these seats, they're my seats.'”

When the family arrived back at the hotel after the game, there again was ever-giving Steinbrenner.

“We went back after the game to get our luggage and he came right over to the kids,” Sean Sr. said. “He was chuckling with them. He asked them, ‘Were the seats good enough?' You never see that side of him but we've shared the stories with a bunch of people and different people have come up with some really special stories of Steinbrenner. He's got a real big heart and personal side that people seldom get to see.”

I gotta start hanging out in hotel lobbies more often. Best I ever did was running into the acts of Ozzfest 2002 in the lobby of a Hilton Hotel in Woodbridge (NJ) while I was waiting for a tow truck.

That's nada compared to a Big Stein encounter.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:35 AM | Comments (0)

April 28, 2006

April 28th vs. The Blue Jays

When the Yankees won last Tuesday, I wrote:

...tonight was a page from the recent Yankees-great-teams text book. Get an early lead, have your starting pitcher maintain that margin, and then tack on runs until the game is far in your favor.

Well, tonight, the Yankees were beat with a page from their own book. Luckily, no one has runaway with the A.L. East, and, despite a record of 11-10, New York is only one game out of first place.

In a way, you can say that it's now a 141 game season (instead of 162). And, if the Yankees win the remaining games in this series, and then go out and have a big May and June, then no one will care about the 11-10 start.

Really, the sun doesn't shine on the same dog's butt everyday. I truly feel that tonight was just one of those nights. You're going to win at least 60 games each baseball season and you're going to lose around 60 games each baseball season - and it's those remaining 40 games that make or break you. This evening was probably just one of those 60 games that you're going to lose, no matter what.

I expect the Yankees to rub some dirt on it, walk it off, and get ready to keep playing. It also helps to have Johnson and Mussina on the hill for the next two games.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:47 PM | Comments (4)

Steve Howe

From the AP tonight:

Steve Howe, the relief pitcher whose promising career was derailed by cocaine and alcohol abuse, died Friday when his pickup truck rolled over in Coachella, Calif. He was 48.

Howe was killed at 5:55 a.m. PDT, said Dalyn Backes of the Riverside County coroner's office. The accident occurred about 130 miles east of Los Angeles.

Howe will likely forever be the whipping boy of anyone bounced from the game looking for a second chance. We've heard it before - "Why can't I get a second chance? Steve Howe was suspended seven times and was allowed to keep coming back!"

Regardless of your position on that issue, as a Yankees fan, there's something else to remember about Howe. He was a New York Yankee. In fact, while many think of him as being a member of the Dodgers, consider this: Howe pitched in 231 games for Los Angeles and in 229 for New York. So, what, those two extra games make him more of a Dodger than a Yankee?

And, while he was in New York, Howe performed. Look at these stats via the Complete Baseball Encyclopedia - all pitchers with at least 200 IP for the Yankees from 1991 through 1996:

Some might like to say that, if you looked up the word "schlimazzel" in the dictionary, you'd find a picture of Steve Howe.

But, all things considered, Howe did a fairly good job on the mound for the Yankees. I just hope that some people can realize that when they look back at his life now.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:14 PM | Comments (2)

Baseball Between The Numbers

FYI, you might enjoy the review of Baseball Between The Numbers that I just did for NetShrine.com. Click here to read it.

In addition to the Jeter and A-Rod items mentioned in my review, there's a study in the book entitled "Are New Stadiums a Good Deal?" that I think is must reading for every Yankees fan.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:15 PM | Comments (0)

Hope For The Wright Stuff?

SG at Count the Rings™ goes Inside the Numbers for the Yankees. If you check it out, there is an interesting comment to the study - Could it be, with a better fielding team, that Jaret Wright is not all that bad? Good stuff.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:23 PM | Comments (2)

The Baseball Same Game

One year ago today, my first book, The Baseball Same Game, was released. While it now seems like it was more like a decade ago now, rather than just 12 months, that was a very exciting day.

Writing a book requires a serious amount of commitment. During the process of composing my book, I was focused on the task at hand just about every waking hour - and there were many of those hours as I hardly slept during the time it took to do the book. I probably averaged five and a half hours per night sleep those days.

And, when I say "every waking hour," it's not a reach. I would be thinking about content while in the shower in the morning, in the car on the way to work, during lunch in the office, again on the way home, and, lastly, as I was in bed (waiting to fall asleep). Of course, these thoughts always led to me making notes on odd pieces of paper - or whatever was handy - when they entered my head. I made notes on the back of ATM receipts, the bottom of tissue boxes, the back of junk mail envelopes - and stuff like that.

In retrospect, writing a book is a crazy process to put yourself through (because of the pound of flesh that you end up extracting from yourself while it's happening). Still, once you're done - and at that moment when the book is a reality - it's a wonderful feeling.

If you're fortunate, like I was, the feeling can be sustained for a bit. Receiving good reviews and getting exposure through the media (especially for the first time) like I did with The Baseball Same Game is extremely flattering and does wonders for your self-esteem.

However, there's more to this process that happens once the book is out and the reviews are in, etc.

First, you find out that, even though just about everyone you know said they were excited for you (and about the book), most of your acquaintances who said they would buy the book never actually pick up a copy. (People don't do what they say they're going to do. While this should never come as a shock, because it has a personal impact this time, it does sting a bit.)

Secondly, after a few months of sales, you begin to realize that it's questionable as to whether or not the commitment and sacrifice expended will ever be equally offset in terms of actual revenue. (In my case, sales were about 20% of what I had hoped for - and that doesn't come anywhere near what I put into getting the book out there.)

Further, based on my experience, I would say that, around 9 months after your book is released, you come to the conclusion that the best way to look at your book is to consider it as something that you did for yourself - and, since the book is done, it was a success.

After this concession, you just pretty much stop thinking about it. It's done - the whole process - and, in some ways, it seems like it never happened. Of course, that's silly - because your book does exist. Yet, compared to the feelings that you have when the book is first released, the feelings that you have 9 months after that are almost as if the accomplishment never occurred.

I should qualify this - if your book is a bestseller, etc., then this timeline and its milestones do not apply. But, I would bet that, in the case of just about every "non-best-seller," this progression applies over roughly the same time period.

And, I'm not looking to scare anyone out of writing a book. To be candid, I still expect to write another one someday. I'm just trying to share how writing my book was like a roller-coaster ride. It was a thrill - but, like every roller-coaster ride, while it was exciting, it had to reach a stopping point. And, why not use a one-year anniversary as a point to say "that was fun but it's over"?

In closing, I want to thank everyone who supported The Baseball Same Game during the last 12 months. You were what made my particular roller-coaster ride so much fun. I hope that you'll join me on the next ride when it happens.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:41 PM | Comments (0)

Mark Lamster At Coliseum Books

I just found out that Coliseum Books (in NYC) will be having one of their Baseball Book Group Meetings on May 6th. And, Mark Lamster, the author of Spalding's World Tour will be there. If you're in the area and looking for something to do, you might want to consider dropping in - as, from what I've heard, these meetings are usually a fun time for baseball fans.

Besides, Mark is a Yankees fan. Remember, in this world of post-2004, we should be supporting each other whenever we can! [wink]

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:46 AM | Comments (0)

April 27, 2006

April 27th vs. The Devil Rays

One month ago, the question came up: Will Jeter be the 2006 AL Batting Champ?

Well, he's sure off to some start, huh?

OK, when The Farns threw that 0-1 pitch to Ty Wigginton in the 8th, and the YES gun said "100 MPH," I have to confess that I yelled out "Whoa!" - even though I was watching the game by myself. (And, by the way, did the ump miss that pitch, or what?)

I was happy to see Matsui get the big hit tonight. Of all the Yankees, when they're not going well, I worry about him the most. Think of who he was (and/or is) in his country and how important it is for his people for him to do well here (at this level). Then, factor in the cultural implications for him with respect to not losing face. It's got to kill him more so than most Yankees not to do well. That's why I feel for Matsui the most when he's struggling.

Speaking of happy, how cool was it to see the Red Sox' Josh Beckett get batted around this evening like a piñata on Cinco de Mayo?

Lastly, I have to comment on Tanyon Sturtze starting the 9th inning tonight. Clearly, Torre was looking to get lucky there - and it blew up in his face in a hurry.

It was like the guy who needs a hammer to drive in a nail, but, he's too lazy to go get the hammer. So, instead, he picks up a rock and tries to bang in the nail by whacking it with the stone. And, after one smack, he realizes he's going to screw up the whole thing if he doesn't go get the proper tool - the hammer. Thus, in trying to be creative, in the end, he was just wasting time and assuming risk.

That's not smart.

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

TSN Interview With Damon

It must be getting close to May 1st. The Johnny Damon features are popping up all over the place. The Sporting News has a nice one up now. This part caught my eye:

TSN: There's a perception that the Yankees are corporate, the Red Sox more like a fraternity. Accurate?

DAMON: The guys we had in Boston definitely brought the fraternity and fun-loving side back to baseball. Over the years, the Red Sox fan base grew so much because of the players we had. We stepped out on the field and smiled, we goofed off and had long hair and dreads. Everybody dyed their hair or whatever, and we made baseball fun. People said, 'This is the team I want to root for.' I'm not sure they're still that way because I'm not there.

New York has always been more corporate, but we've added some great personalities. Myself, Shawn Chacon, Jason Giambi -- the whole world knows how great G is. A-Rod -- he's a great teammate, which is something I wouldn't have realized on the outside looking in. Same with Gary Sheffield. The personalities on this team are incredible, and I think people will realize that this locker room isn't like before.

Chacon, A-Rod, Giambi, Sheff...........but, no mention of Jeter? Hmm.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:16 PM | Comments (8)

In The Spirit Of LOB....

Last night's game got me thinking. Which Yankees pitchers are leaving runners stranded this season, so far?

LOB% for pitchers is a pretty useful tool. Here's the Yankees staff to date:

There are studies that say a pitcher who does well or poor in LOB%, compared to the norm, will revert to the norm level at some point.

This could be bad news for Sturtze, Proctor and Mussina.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:17 PM | Comments (0)

Nightengale On Damon

I really enjoyed Bob Nightengale's feature in USA Today yesterday on Johnny Damon. This part caught my eye:

A's fans greeted Giambi with signs that read "Money can't buy you love" and "There's no A in $ellout." While Red Sox fans are wearing shirts that say, "Looks like Jesus, Acts like Judas, Throws like Mary," Damon wants to believe they actually will forgive him.

"I don't understand some people, using biblical terms to criticize me when this is just a game," Damon says. "People saying some stupid things about me: 'I'm a traitor. All I care about is money. I'm not grateful.' It's crazy. People have the right to say what they want, but as long as I can go to bed at night and look myself in the mirror, I'll be all right. I know who I am. And I know I'm a good person.

"I mean, are people going to suddenly forget we won a World Series championship two years ago? Are they going to forget when I couldn't lift my shoulder last year? Or that I played with dislocated fingers? Or that I played with a concussion when I couldn't see right for months?

"I did everything I could for that organization, and now they want to forget all of that?"

Count on it Johnny. It will be instant amnesia on their part. Be prepared for it.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:16 AM | Comments (1)

April 26, 2006

April 26th vs. The Devil Rays

Oh, those El-oh-bees! (Sixteen LOBs, in fact, if you lost count.)

It's a shame that Wang's effort gets wasted today.

Yankees now have lost 9 games this month. And, the sad part is that 5 of those 9 should have been wins:

1. April 4th @ Oakland
2. April 8th @ Los Angeles
3. April 15th @ Minnesota
4. April 21st vs. Baltimore
5. And, now tonight vs. Tampa Bay

Further, now, three of the last four losses for the Yankees are games that they should have won.

So, suppose that they won 3 of these 5 "lost games." That would make their record 13-6 instead of 10-9.

That's a fair difference.

Shifting gears, yes, he does look like a young Timothy Busfield, but, boy, that Chad Orvella sure makes big pitches (at least it seems like) every time he pitches against the Yankees, no?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:10 PM | Comments (8)

Fearless (?) Updated Prediction

Three months ago, I thought that the Yankees would win 90 games this season. Now, looking at the Yankees schedule, and how they've played in their first 18 games, I want to change that to 99 wins for the season. The prediction breakdown now being:

That's right. I think the Yankees will have a big May and June. Then, they'll play slightly over .500 during July and August - and will close out with a huge September.

Mark it down: May, June, and September - those are the months where the Yankees can make their money this season.

Of course, they also need to keep their head above water during April, July and August to make those 99 wins.

And, 99 wins should be good for another A.L. East crown this year.

Update, 4:43 pm ET, 4-26-06:

Funny, I just went to CoolStandings.com and this is what I saw:

Note that their system now predicts 98.2 wins for the Yankees this season - pretty darn close to 99, huh?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:32 PM | Comments (2)

Gift To UNC From Jenny & Steve

From the AP -

George Steinbrenner presides over "The House That Ruth Built."

Now, he's adding the family name to the home of the University of North Carolina baseball team.

The principal owner of the New York Yankees, and the Steinbrenner family have pledged $1 million to name the courtyard at the entrance to Boshamer Stadium. The courtyard will be named the Steinbrenner Family Courtyard. Steinbrenner's daughter, Jenny, and her husband, Stephen Swindal, are both graduates of the University of North Carolina.

Swindal is a general partner with the Yankees.

OK, can the Yankees now have Andrew Miller in return?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:45 PM | Comments (1)

Week Left For Carlos Pena?

It could be - from the Detroit News -

Pena can opt out of his minor league deal for the first time May 2 if the Yankees have not called him up, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Think the Cubs would have an interest in Pena right about now? But, he would have to think about that - it would be an 8-week gig there (with no DH in the NL). Given that Pena is only batting .167 in his first 6 games at Columbus, he'll probably decide to chill at Triple-A for a little while longer.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:48 AM | Comments (0)

Keeping Up With The Next Mantle

Is Ruben Rivera really 32-years-old now? (Yes, and, actually, he'll be 33 in another 6 months and change.)

Here's how Rivera is doing now, with the White Sox Triple-A team:

I'm pretty sure that Rivera made the clubhouse party scenes on the 1996 World Series video. I wonder if he has a copy of that VHS and if he ever looks back that that now? And, if he does, what thoughts come to his mind?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:18 AM | Comments (0)

Mark Down June 7th On Your Calendar

From the Boston Globe:

He never had thrown this many pitches in a Red Sox uniform, or for anyone else in almost six years. In 534 big-league starts going back 19 seasons, he'd thrown more pitches just 16 times in his career. In April? Just twice, back in 1998.

So how is it that on a 42-degree night in Cleveland, Curt Schilling at age 39 was left in to throw 133 pitches, and that was without getting through the seventh inning of last night's 8-6 win over the Indians?

Schilling hadn't thrown this many pitches since July 7, 2000, when he was with the Phillies and threw 135 against the Orioles. The last Sox pitcher to throw as many pitches was Martinez, who threw 136 on May 1, 2001. Seven weeks later, by the way, he was on the disabled list with a bad shoulder.

But, Schilling insisted, ''This was one of those nights where the line score doesn't match [what happened on] the field."

I'm a firm believer that throwing 100 pitches over 6 innings in a 1-0 game against a great hitting team is more stressful than throwing 125 pitches over 7 innings when you're winning 9-1 against a team with an average offense. So, I've never been a slave to a strict pitch count - with a pitcher over the age of 28.

Still, 133 pitches over 30 batters (in 6.2 IP)? That's like 20 pitches per IP.

Granted, Schilling is a special pitcher. But, it will be interesting to see if this game does have any impact on his performance down the road this season. Yes, he did this back in April 1998 and went on to have the third best season of his career that year.

But, that was at age 31 - and Curt's 39-years old now.

Let's see how Schilling is 6 weeks from now on June 7th. By the way, on that date, the Red Sox will be in New York to play the Yankees.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:39 AM | Comments (6)

April 25, 2006

April 25th vs. The Devil Rays

On one side, tonight was a page from the recent Yankees-great-teams text book. Get an early lead, have your starting pitcher maintain that margin, and then tack on runs until the game is far in your favor.

On the other side, Tampa Bay was clearly playing their "B" tonight.

Regardless of the side that you may choose to run with, the Yankees are now two games over .500 for the first time this season. And, since you need to get to two over before you can do three, and then four, and then five, etc., the win tonight has meaning.

Actually, something came to me tonight - watching Scott Proctor close out the game.

You're a baseball player. You spend your entire life just trying to get to the major leagues. You have some talent and that allows you to get there. But, once at that level, there's tremendous stress to do well - along with having doubts in your ability - and that hurts your performance (because you're playing tight, as if every outing is "major league" life or death).

Then, you have a huge life event. Your one-month old daughter has to have surgery to fix a serious heart ailment. Any parent can tell you how such a matter can slap you in the face faster and harder than anything else known to man. It also gives you a very quick lesson in what really matters in life - and what's not so important in reality (despite what you may have thought in the past).

All of a sudden, that past situation where you would have been stressed is not as dire because you now know, without question, that it's not the end of your world if it doesn't work out - because of that slap wake-up call that brought your attention to what really is important.

Ironically, once that stress is removed from the situation, you're no longer tight and your talent flows instead of being choked off at the source. And, because you actually have talent, you start to succeed. As this is repeated, you build confidence and become more successful.

Now, I'm not saying that I know for sure that this has happened with Proctor. But, it's possible. All the pieces are there on the timeline. Again, it's just a thought that passed through my mind tonight as I watched what looked like a new Scott Proctor on the mound (to me). Your mileage may vary.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:23 PM | Comments (4)

The Curse Of HAL 9000?

From Byte and Switch -

While the Boston Red Sox were sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2004 World Series, Red Sox director of IT Steve Conley hardly felt like an 86-year curse was lifting.

Despite the Series sweep that broke the club's championship drought, the computer system running the club's video archiving program kept going on the fritz. "The system crashed four times in four games," Conley says. "We were crossing our fingers that it would come up. That drove us to go to a new system."

The Red Sox consider video archives a crucial part of their success. Management identifies it as a major reason for Dave Roberts' stolen base in the ninth inning of a victory over the New York Yankees when Boston trailed the playoff series three games to none. The triumph started Boston on an eight-game winning streak that carried through the World Series.

"In the sixth inning of that game, Dave Roberts pulled up every at-bat he could find of [Yankees reliever] Mariano Rivera pitching with a runner on first base," Conley says. "He played that on a loop. He was trying to gain an edge. Then he went in as a pinch runner in the ninth inning, stole second base and scored, and we turned things around. Having that video was another tool in the shed."

Luck is the residue of design, indeed.

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

Red Sox's Foundation To Yankees: Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?

From WTNH in Bristol:

The Red Sox Foundation is stepping up to the plate in Bristol today. A brand new playscape for the city's Head Start program is being dedicated, and there's a challenge out there aimed at the arch-rival Yankees baseball team.

These three and four year olds at the Bristol Head Start program are getting a little piece of Fenway in their own backyard.

"I love baseball, everyone in my country loves baseball."

Maria Marmol and her four-year-old son Carlos, both from the Dominican Republic, love the Red Sox -- especially number 34, David Ortiz or "Big Poppy."

When she heard the big league foundation decided to step up to the plate and donate money for a new playscape at Carlos' school she was grateful.

"We are happy they can go outside and play," says Marmol.

The entire playground cost $40,000. Through grants and the Red Sox Foundation, Head Start has the thing almost paid for. But they are $10,000 short, so the Red Sox's Foundation challenged the Yankees to step up to the plate and donate.

So far there's been no word from the Yankees on whether they'll match the funds. Head Start says they are lobbying ESPN and other big names and they're confident the park will be paid for.

Come to think of it, why can't the Yankees just give every person in the world $10,000 while they're at it?

They won't do it? Oh, those nasty Yankees. Boo. Hiss.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:14 PM | Comments (6)

April 24, 2006

Everything Rosie Now For Ruiz?

From the Norwich Bulletin -

Prior to Sunday's the Connecticut Defenders rainout at Dodd Stadium, the visiting Trenton Thunder, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, announced the signing of Randy Ruiz.

What's the big deal, you ask?

For starters, Ruiz. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, the first baseman/designated hitter is hard to miss. He also won the Eastern League batting title last season with the Reading Phillies.

But what is also big on Ruiz is his strength. And the baggage associated with how he acquired said strength.

Last season Ruiz served two suspensions after testing positive for a anabolic steroid, Stanozolo. This is the same substance that Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson used to capture gold at the 1988 Olympics before his medals were taken from him.

Ruiz denied he ever used the drug. Instead, the Bronx-born slugger alleged his positive tests were the result of his use of Viagra.

"I've been clean [ever since]," said Ruiz. "I've been tested three times already. I'm willing to take as many test as [baseball] wants."

Does this include an IQ test?

I just hope, that while Ruiz is in Trenton, that he doesn't get into Ramiro Pena's head the way that Mondesi got into Soriano's noggin (when Raul planted an attitude seed in Sori).

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:49 PM | Comments (12)

Andy Phillips Is Not Going To The Minors

With Carlos Pena looming in the minors, I've seen more than one reference lately about Andy Phillips going to the minor leagues. It's not going to happen. Phillips is out of minor-league options and cannot just be sent down. If the Yankees want to take him off the major-league roster, Phillips would have to clear waivers first. And, do you think that will happen?

For Pena to make it to the Bronx, either someone has to go on the D.L., or, someone like Matt Smith or Scott Proctor comes off the big league roster. Then again, one of them probably goes for Small's return.

This is probably why the Yankees are giving Phillips some ABs now. They need to see if they want him or Pena on the roster. It's going to be either/or - not both - outside of a D.L. thing.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:36 PM | Comments (4)

Yankees vs. Red Sox 2006

On May 29th of last year, 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, if the last 11 months have shown us anything, it's told us that this difference no longer exists. In fact, on the whole, the Yankees can hit with the Red Sox, toe-to-toe, and stay with them all day that way.

If anything, when it comes down to the Yankees and Red Sox now, there are three match-ups to focus on:

1. Schilling & Beckett vs. Johnson & Mussina
2. Wakefield & Clement vs. Wang & Chacon
3. The Sox 5th SP vs. The Yankees 5th SP (whomever it may be in both camps)

In "Group 1" above it will be all about health. The side who is able to stay sound the best will win that match-up.

I actually think "Group 2" above is a push. Clement and Chacon should run hot and cold all year. And, Wakefield and Wang both need their signature pitch to be on - to be effective - and they both should be OK most of the time.

This leads to "Group 3." Will it be Wells for the Red Sox? Will it be Pavano for the Yankees? Both are injury plagued now. Will it be Lenny DiNardo for Boston and Jaret Wright for New York? That's ugly all around. How about Jon Lester for the "Saux" and Matt DeSalvo for the "Bombers"? It's possible - but not yet likely.

The dark horse here could be someone like Roger Clemens. If he decides to pitch, and outside of Houston, the side that gets him has an edge over the side that does not. Then again, if either team can make a trade for another good SP - like a Dontrelle Willis, Andy Pettitte or Barry Zito - that would also be a huge edge.

What about the bullpens (you might ask)? Right now, they're about even too - like the hitting.

Between Boston and New York, this season, it's going to come down to starting pitching. And, the answer just might be "The pitcher to be named later" on both sides.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:28 AM | Comments (4)

April 23, 2006

April 23rd vs. The Orioles

Randy Johnson was just about perfect today. Then again, he went 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA in four starts against Baltimore last year. Maybe he just can't pitch well in Toronto and just can't pitch bad against the O's?

I thought Giambi's quote after the game was interesting:

"This is the best I've felt in a while, putting on the Yankee uniform. My swing has felt good this year."

This is the fifth year that Jason's had that Yankees uniform. Could we be looking at a 120 RBI season from Giambi? That would be nice.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:20 PM | Comments (3)

More Than Just A Fish Story

Today, we took the kids to the Aquarium down in Camden. (Right next to Campbell's Field.) It was the third time there for my daughter. And, the second for my son. But, now that he's two and she's almost four, they really had a good time there together today - as they're both old enough now to realize what's there.

Funny story: At one point, I was holding them up by a tank and a felt someone shove my right shoulder from behind. I hesitated and then turned around. Behind me was a young woman holding a baby around 18-months old. She was embarrassed and said "I'm so sorry, it was him" - meaning it was the baby who gave me the shove.

I looked at the little guy and noticed right away that he had on a navy blue pullover wind-breaker with "Red Sox" across the front of it. So, I said to the woman "It's OK. He probably figured out that I was a Yankees fan and that's why he hit me."

I don't think she really got it. Either that, or, she was just too surprised by the whole thing.

Just think, the kid was probably born right around October 2004. Get used to it Yankees fans - there's a whole new generation of Red Sox fans coming at you. And, they don't have 86 years of losing behind them. And, they're ready to push first and ask questions later!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:54 PM | Comments (1)

Anyone Have Some Gamma Radiation To Spare?

From the Daily News:

Johnson had never lost a game after being staked to a four-run lead, and yet what seemed most alarming, at least to professional observers, was his docile demeanor.

"The thing that shocked me," says an American League scout, "was that Randy just kind of hung his head when he was getting lit up. They were digging in, looking for his slider, hitting everything hard, and he never came up and in on them and knocked somebody down.

"From a pitching standpoint, I just think it was one of those nights. But the thing is, his slider is his out pitch now, and I think he needs to start putting some fear in hitters with his fastball, to let them know they might pay a price for diving in on his slider. He needs to get a little meaner."

Funny, I must be an AL Scout - because I was thinking the same exact thing as I was watching that game in Toronto.

More from the News:

Even if mechanics dictate his ability to throw strikes inside, Johnson surely would be more effective if he'd send batters sprawling or even drill them, a la Clemens.

Stottlemyre said that based on Johnson's reputation when he became a Yankee, he expected to see more of that type of pitching.

"He probably does not do that enough," Stottlemyre said. "I'm not trying to be a coach now, just an observer.

"I think that's something the Yankees expected, that he'd be more intimidating. I think a lot of it has to do with command. But sometimes it's better to take a chance on hitting someone, so that you don't get hit."

Guidry was asked if he reminded Johnson of the need to pitch that way.

"I try," Guidry said with a smile.

Do they have any of those shirts left over from last year that said "There is no trying. There is only doing or not doing"?

Maybe Gator could use one of those?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:51 AM | Comments (3)

April 22, 2006

When Octavio Dotel Arrives............

You hear this all the time. When Octavio Dotel arrives......well, what? Everyone assumes that he will save the day for the Yankees bullpen in 2006.

Will he?

Well, let's go back to the last year that he was sound (in 2004). In that year, he was 36 for 45 (80.0%) in terms of converting saves. This means that one time out of every five chances, he spit the bit. And, that was pitching for Houston and Oakland.

Based on this, how do you think he will handle the pressure of pitching for New York? Factor on to that the issue of coming back from Tommy John Surgery.

When I think of this, I can't get as warm and fuzzy as some other Yankees fans when they drool over Dotel.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:57 PM | Comments (7)

April 22nd vs. The Orioles

Robert Louis Stevenson would love this Yankees team. Don't get me wrong - I'm thrilled over the win today (and by the fine outing from Chacon). It's just that it's hard to believe how bad they look sometimes - when they can play so well at other times.

What's most amazing about all of this is that New York, despite their inconsistent play so far this season, is only 2 games off the lead of the A.L. East at this moment.

Just luck? I'm not so sure. It seems like every team in the A.L. East can hit - but, it seems like they all also have questions about the back end of their starting rotations.

This leads me to believe that, while most years it takes about 95 wins to take the A.L. East, this season the team that manages 90 wins might just take the flag.

And, therefore, winning just 90 games in the east this season might just be a big accomplishment.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:21 PM | Comments (6)

April 21, 2006

April 21st vs. The Orioles

When I was in grammar school, they used to have "Book Fairs" each year. It was like a "Bake Sale" or "Plant Sale" - something they, or the PTA, did to raise some cash. At the Book Fair, the students could buy books - and they were new (although I have no idea where the school got them).

Anyway, back when I was in the 5th grade (in 1972), I bought a book at the school Book Fair that was very important to me (at the time). I probably read the thing (at least) 50 times after I bought it. And, I still have it - I guess that I've kept it, all these years, just for old-times sake. Here it is:

Maybe I should make a copy of the book and sent it to Joe Torre?

In any event, here's one takeaway from tonight's game: When your pitcher has the bases loaded, and there are 2 outs, and there's a full count on the batter, don't let your pitcher throw from a full wind-up.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:19 PM | Comments (13)

Everyday Scottie Proctor

Isn't it amazing that a guy who only made the team because of injuries to a couple of pitchers ends up pitching in just about every game the Yankees play?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:11 PM | Comments (5)

Jose Veras

Don't look now, but, Jose Veras has been dealing in Triple-A so far this season:

6 games, 8.2 IP, 7 hits, 1 BB, 13 SO and a 1.04 ERA

Then again, Scott Erickson has been pitching well at Columbus too. So, that's probably bad news for Veras.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:38 AM | Comments (4)

Memory Lane Trip: The Complete Handbook of Baseball

When I was a kid, I couldn't wait for The Complete Handbook of Baseball to come out each year. It was a paperback released by Signet and edited by Zander Hollander. I got my first one in 1975 and picked up my last edition in 1982. By 1980, I pretty much stopped reading them - but, since I had a streak going I still felt the urge to keep buying them. As a kid, I used to refer to them everyday during the season. After a while, the covers became pretty worn.

As an example of what I mean, to see the cover of the 1977 edition that I owned, click here.

I also had a bad habit of writing in them. (Hey, I was just a kid.)

Click here to see the cover of the 1975 edition - which was the first one that I owned. Obviously, I felt (at the time) that Munson belonged with the other "stars" listed on the cover.

Click here to see the cover of the 1979 edition from my collection. Since it had a Yankee on the cover, this one was a big deal to me at the time.

I used to really get a kick of the player bios in the handbooks. Here's the Yankees Juan Beniquez as it appeared in the 1979 handbook:

Yeah, it's "Puff 101" stuff by today's standards. But, as a 16-year old in 1979, I still ate this junk up at the time.

Ah, good times.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:54 AM | Comments (2)

April 20, 2006

A-Rod The Straw?

I heard a stat last night on TV - and, if I heard it right, it said that A-Rod is batting over .700 when the Yankees win and around .100 when they lose. Granted, it's only been 14 games. But, if that stat is true, it's says something about his value to the team, no?

Update: I went back and ran the numbers for myself. See:

Either I heard it wrong or they said it wrong - but, while the numbers are not as wide as I thought, there's still something there.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:45 AM | Comments (5)

Sad News From The D.R.

To be honest, I didn't even know that Oscar Acosta and Humberto Trejo where in the organization. Still, it's sad to hear the tragic news about them this morning. You really never know what can happen every time you get behind the wheel.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:35 AM | Comments (1)

April 19, 2006

April 19th @ The Blue Jays

Fourth beauty in a row for Mussina. He should be 4-0 now instead of 2-1. Gee, is it his walk year this season? (Yes, I know the team has an option, but, they're not going to pick it up.)

Considering that Schilling goes for the Sox tonight, and how he's been pitching this year, this is a good win - it prevents the Yankees from falling four back in the loss column.

Do you know that Cano now has 54 PA this season (so far) and has not walked once? Yes, you don't walk off the Island. But, dude, you're here now. Take some pitches.

Do you also know that Andy Phillips now has whiffed in 19 of his 57 career big league At Bats (so far)? I think this is why Carlos Pena was signed.

Last concern from today: The Giambi HBP in the 7th. It was enough to drive him out of a 3-1 game with another AB coming. The way he's been driving the ball, you hate to see something like this happen.

Now it's nine games in a row at home to close out the month. This is the time to make a move. Keep your fingers crossed.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:33 PM | Comments (2)

Lucky 14

It's the Yankees 14th game of the 2006 season, and Andy Phillips gets his first start of the year at 1B this afternoon.

At this rate, he would get less than 12 starts at 1B for the year.

The Yankees must feel that this kid cannot play at the major league level. Maybe they're right? But, if so, do the player a favor and just cut him. In fact, do yourself a favor and cut him - then again, that might happen when Pena is ready.

So, for the Andy Phillips fans out there, take a picture today. It could be the last time that we see him start in the field for the Yankees.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:14 PM | Comments (3)

The Big O's Hair Do's and Don'ts

The Chicago Tribune is running a story featuring Oscar Gamble and his famous 'fro. Some Yankees history that I was not aware of:

When the Indians traded him [Gamble] to the Yankees in 1976, Gamble knew it was over. Owner George Steinbrenner's edict of neatly cut hair was already in place. When Gamble showed up in the Yankees' locker room, there was no uniform. No haircut, no uniform.

Gamble had a deal to do a commercial for Afro Sheen, but the Yankees won out. A team public-relations official arranged for a haircut. Gamble's wife cried at the senseless loss.

Steinbrenner paid for the haircut and gave him $5,000 in compensation for not being able to do the commercial.

This is the first that I've heard of Big Stein kicking in the five grand. He didn't have to do that. Cool. With inflation, I wonder what Johnny Damon would have gotten this year - if he had a hair deal too?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:26 AM | Comments (1)

The Big "One"

Today is the 365th day of WasWatching.com.

When this blog started, back in April 2005, it averaged about 900 hits a day. These days, it averages about 8,000 hits per day. I have to take that as a sign that I'm doing something right.

But, why don't you tell me anyway.
In the words of Ed Koch, How'mI doing?

What do you like about WasWatching.com? What would you like to see more (or less) of in this blog? Anything you can share would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:21 AM | Comments (13)

April 18, 2006

Thank You San Fran Chron!

Bummer that I missed this one! But, still cool overall. On April 6th, the San Francisco Chronicle had a mention of WasWatching.com -

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

April 18th @ The Blue Jays

Just imagine how bad the score would have been tonight if not for all those catches that Johnny Damon made in CF. Then again, it's a shame that he almost got himself killed (banging into the wall) in a losing effort.

So, Game 1 of the 38 Special ones was not so special for the Yankees.

Personally, this one is painful for me because I've disliked Troy Glaus since 1998. I never enjoy to see him do well - and it's worse when he does it against the Yankees.

Yes, it stinks to be below .500 again. And, yes, it's painful to see the defensive play of Bernie in LF (running into Damon), Giambi at 1B (throwing away a ball), and Sheffield in RF (hot dogging an out into an error) today. And, yes, it's upsetting to fall another game behind the Red Sox. And, yes, it looks like Chacon's clock has struck midnight. But, all that takes a back seat to the "big" problem from today's game - Randy Johnson's lack of command.

As a standalone game, you can write off Unit's performance tonight. However, given his situation in his last start, you have to now wonder about Johnson. And, without an effective Johnson, the Yankees are in Lo Mein City.

Hopefully it's just a matter of Johnson and the old SkyDome not getting along.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:15 PM | Comments (13)

Francisco Butto

From a Trenton Thunder Press Release:

The Trenton Thunder, the Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, announced that RHP Francisco Butto has been transferred to Columbus (AAA).

Butto was signed by the Yankees as a free agent on December, 18 2005. He posted a 0-1 record with and a 3.18 ERA for the Thunder in three games this season.

Butto split time in 2005 between Clearwater (A) and Reading (AA) in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He had a 1-2 record with a 3.49 ERA in 17 games with Clearwater. Butto notched a 2-5 record and a 3.65 ERA in 36 games with the Reading Phillies. In 2004, Butto appeared in 36 games, including 14 starts for Clearwater. Butto was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by Philadelphia (2/9/99).

I've never heard of Francisco Butto. But, I can tell you that he's now one step closer to the Bronx than he was yesterday.

I wonder why the Phillies gave up on him? Could it be because he lied about his age when he signed? Could it have something to do with him being involved in a murder investigation in Venezuela?

This is a strange case, at least to me.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:13 PM | Comments (2)

Checking The Roots

I was just using the Complete Baseball Encyclopedia to see the RSAA and RCAA totals for A.L. teams to date:

Sort of amazing that the Yankees are only 6-6 so far this year, huh?

So, what happened?

Blown games, my friends, blown games. With a little better defense and effort from the bullpen, the Yankees could easily be 9-3 right now - and that would have them in 1st in the A.L. East, by a half-game, with the best winning percentage in the league.

The really sad part may be this: Can we expect the defense and pen to get better? It's possible on the latter - but the former could be an issue all season long.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:41 PM | Comments (0)

Is Carlos Pena A "Slick Fielder"?

This morning, I read what I think is the 147th reference (over the last five days) about how (recent Yankees pick-up) Carlos Pena is a "slick fielder" and how he will help the team with his glove.

Will he?

Let's look at his last two full seasons in the majors as a first baseman. According to The Fielding Bible, he's a middle of the pack guy in those two seasons - at best.

In 2004, while not in the class of Todd Helton or Darin Erstad, Pena was fine - he placed within the range of Sean Casey, John Olerud, Nick Johnson, and Tino Martinez. That's OK.

But, in 2003, Pena ranked about the same as Jason Giambi, Shea Hillenbrand and Carlos Delgado. That's not OK.

So, which is it? It's not clear. Maybe we should look at his data from 2005, albeit based on a partial year in the bigs, as a tie-breaker?

In the Hardball Times Baseball Annual 2006, they use 9*(PO+A)/Innings in the Field to determine fielding Range Factor (RF).

In 2005, Carlos Pena's RF was 9.50. In 2005, Jason Giambi's RF was 9.64. So, where's the improvement? (For a further point of comparison, last year, at 1B, Julio Franco had a RF of 10.35, Kevin Millar was 9.99, Lance Berkman was 10.02, Mike Sweeney was 10.09 and Tino Martinez was 9.88.)

Granted, RF is not a perfect stat. But, it's probably safe to say that, for a 1B, anything under 10 says you're OK, at best, and not awesome.

In summary, it looks like Pena is not a butcher with the glove - but he's not the next coming of Don Mattingly either. So, why do so many say he's a "slick fielder"?

The gushing about Pena's fielding goes back to when he was a "prospect." For example, in the STATS Inc. 2002 Minor League Scouting Notebook, John Sickels wrote about Carlos:

"His defense at first base also is excellent.....he gets to balls that other first baseman can only wink at."

This was a carry over from the 2001 Notebook where Sickels wrote (about Pena):

"Pena made 22 errors, but, he gets to balls other first basemen can only flail at. With more experience, he'll be terrific with the glove."

You know, this is where it often starts - a rep, that is. A guy gets a label in the minors and carries it for the rest of his career.

All this tells me that the jury is still out on whether or not Carlos Pena is a "slick fielder." We'll have to wait and see for ourselves in New York. But, for the time being, can people stop calling him a "slick fielder" every time they mention his name? The performance results that I can find say he's not bad with the mitt - but, there's nothing to scream that he's "slick."

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:43 AM | Comments (1)

April 17, 2006

Alvaro Williams?

I was just using the Complete Baseball Encyclopedia to see the Yankees hitters to date:

Bernie Williams' Offensive Winning Percentage stands out the most to me here. Two-oh-seven?

If Williams does that for the season, and qualifies for the batting title, it would be an all-time low mark for a Yankees player.

Even if Bernie only gets 300 PA, that mark would be the lowest (for those with at least 300 PA) since Alvaro Espinoza posted a mark of .217 in 1990.

For what it's worth, in 1985, Bobby Meacham had an OWP of .317. Maybe that Bernie Meacham mention I had the other day was an insult to Meacham?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:20 PM | Comments (3)

Unit Needs An Oil Change?

From BP via SI -

Apparently, Randy Johnson didn't think his shoulder stiffness was a baseball decision. Johnson was lifted from his start after five innings and 87 pitches, something that has less to do with his shoulder and more to do with his knees. When Johnson's knees are pain-free (or, more likely, pain-reduced) in the effective period of his Synvisc injections, his mechanics are smooth. While I do not know when Johnson had his last series of injections, his mechanics in tonight's game implied that he was due for a new series of Synvisc. If you want a key, watch the chest of his jersey. When he's right, the jersey pops out as he's about to release the ball. When he's not, his delivery is much more of a long arc that stresses -- you guessed it -- the shoulder. Johnson's quick hook was a baseball decision; the Yankees can't afford to stress his arm in this condition if they intend to win. It would be interesting to know when Johnson's last series of injections was, to gauge whether or not the lubrication is having a shorter period of effectiveness.

I missed this report over the weekend. And, as far as I know, none of the New York media is running with it. It will be interesting to see if the guys in the YES booth make any mention of it in Johnson's next start.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:22 PM | Comments (3)

Yankee Ugly?

The Phoenix, out of Boston, has released their "100 unsexiest men in the world" list. Randy Johnson made # 2:

2. Randy Johnson: If he couldn't throw a ball 100 miles per hour, Johnson would be wearing a wife beater and getting hauled into a squad car on Cops. Could you imagine the nights when he pitched to Otis Nixon?

They've also listed Big Stein at # 71 and Godzilla Matsui at # 91.

Funny, David Ortiz, who would be a pimple on the butt of ugly if ugly was a living entity, didn't make the cut. Shocking, huh?

And, am I wrong, or, is Manny Ramirez looking more and more like something stuck in Bob Marley's arm pit hair these days? Yet, he's not on the list.

Also, Trot Nixon looks like the son of the banjo player from Deliverance. But, he missed the list too.

I guess you're only noticeable when you have "New York" written across your chest.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:11 PM | Comments (7)

Manny's Start In Beantown

At his current pace, to date, Manny Ramirez will bat .214 this season with zero HRs and 41 RBI.

Then again, Ramirez hit .211 with no homers and four RBI through the first 10 games of last season. Then, he hit five homers and had 12 RBI in his next 10 at-bats.

Still, how nice would it be for Yankees fans this year if Manny slumps for an extended period this season?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:07 AM | Comments (2)

The Blame Game

From the Post:

Blame Alex Rodriguez for the Yankees' inconsistent ways. At least that's what A-Rod says.

"I feel when I swing the bat well, the team does better. I need to swing the bat better," A-Rod said after the Yankees suffered a killer, 6-5, loss to the Twins last night thanks to going 3-for-13 in the clutch. "I need to elevate my game. I am the one guy to blame for what has been happening. I have been [ticked] at my game for a week now. I expect a lot out of myself. I have to get better."

What I feel is deep inside
This is real and I won’t hide
Go ahead, use my name
I’ll be proud to take the blame

You just did what I made you do
You love me and I love you
So if the way they talk can bother you
Put the blame, put the blame on me

So, who sings it better, A-Rod or Elvis?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:40 AM | Comments (2)

April 16, 2006

April 16th @ The Twins

I was nervous for Wang at the start of this game. Something about his sharp ground-ball ratio and the Twins' turf was concerning me. But, Chien-Ming figured out a way around that - with a career high 8 whiffs. Great timing too - the Yankees are now just two games behind from having the best record in the AL (wink, wink).

Still, if you were to listen to the last seven Mets fans that I've run into this season, it doesn't matter what the Yankees do - since they've all told me that the Mets are going to win it all this year.

And, I would guess that Boston fans probably feel the same way about the Sox so far this year.

The more that I think about the Mets and the Red Sox, the more that I have to consider that the Yankees have faced some tough pitchers in 9 of their first 12 games. And, all of those tough games have been on the road. Yes, they have not faired well against those tough pitchers. But, when you look at some teams that are doing very well at this point in the season, you have to consider the teams that they've faced, and where, as well.

If the Yankees win two in Toronto, and sit at 8-6, heading into a nice long homestand, I like their chances (now) to be sitting pretty on May 1st.

On the flip side, if the Yankees are not, say, 14-9 on May 1st, then I suppose the Mets and Red Sox fans might be right.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:55 PM | Comments (3)

April 15, 2006

April 15th @ The Twins

You have a meeting in Montclair, N.J., at 9:00 am. You live 45 miles south of Montclair. With zero traffic, you can get there in 55 minutes. But, you know, on average, it takes you around 80 minutes (with traffic) - so, you leave at 7:30 am.

You get on the Garden State Parkway at Exit 114 and it's just about stopped dead. Nothing but bright red tail-lights. It takes you 35 minutes just to go 10 miles - and, as far as you can see, there's nothing by traffic in front of you.

Screw it. You throw in the towel and realize that you're going to lose this one. There's no way that you can go 35 more miles, in this traffic, in 55 minutes. At the pace so far, you'll be just lucky to get to Montclair some time today.

But, then, when you least expect it, around Exit 135, the Parkway opens up. For some reason, there's no traffic. And, you start flying up the northbound side, doing 85 MPH. Before you know it, you're at Exit 153 and it's 8:45 am. You start to think "I just need to jump on Route 3 for around a mile, and then Route 46 for a second, and I'm there. I'm going to win this thing after it looked like I had no hope at all when I started out!"

Then you get off the Parkway to enter Route 3 - and, it's a parking lot. You're so close to Montclair that you could probably hit it with a rock, but, you're sitting on Route 3 with your car in park. You're stopped, dead, and there's no way off or out. It's 8:50 am, then it's 8:55 am, then it's 8:58 am, then it's 8:59 am........and you still haven't moved since you got on to Route 3.

It's over, you're totally screwed, you miss the meeting, and the middle miles from 135 to 153 was just a great big f'ing tease.

You know, this has happened to me countless times over the last six years or so. It used to make me want to rip the steering wheel right off of my dashboard when it would happen. But, through the years, I've learned to deal with it. It's traffic. What can you do? It happens.

You would think this would help me with a game like tonight. It's the same No Hope/Great Hope/Turns Out It Was A Tease scenario. Yet, I still want to rip my cable connection out of the wall now. Why is that?

When will I learn that....It's the Yankees. What can you do? It happens.......?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:56 PM | Comments (7)

Jesus Colome

If you're not good enough to pitch for Tampa Bay, you suck. The fact that the Yankees would take a flier on someone like this tells you volumes around how bad they are hurting for pitching.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:52 PM | Comments (9)

Damon Pitches For Hunter?

I saw a link to this story over at BaseballThinkFactory.org -

Just because the New York Yankees signed Johnny Damon to play center field doesn't mean there isn't room for Torii Hunter.

Damon told the Pioneer Press he would be willing to move to right field if the Yankees were to acquire Hunter. Hunter has talked openly about playing for the Yankees if the Twins do not show a commitment to winning beyond this season.

"I know how good Torii Hunter is, and he would be a good fit," Damon said before Friday night's game at the Metrodome. "We still have Gary Sheffield (in right field), which Gary may end up moving to the DH spot. I'm sure there's a lot that we can do. Whatever makes the team better."

"I had to do it for Carlos Beltran to make his job easier in the big leagues, and he seemed to do pretty good," Damon said. "Yeah, it doesn't matter to me. Whatever needs to be done. It's all about going out there and trying to win. (Hunter is) definitely one of the game's best players, but I'll leave that up to (Yankees general manager) Brian Cashman. I can't be running my mouth."

Johnny, dude, you don't have to answer every question they ask you.

Besides, Hunter's had one good year in his career - and that was 2002. Sure, he's great with the glove. But, otherwise, he's an average stick at best.

I'd rather leave you (Damon) in CF until Brett Gardner is ready.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:19 PM | Comments (7)

He's No Idiot

From the Journal News:

"We need to know how to win close games, and this was close most of the way," Damon said. "We need to know how to push runs across."

You tell 'em Johnny.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:29 AM | Comments (0)

Matt Smith

Smith is ten times more valuable than a 3rd string catcher. So, I like this move.

Interesting, in Yankees history, only once did they have a season where three LHP pitched in 40+ games (in the same season) - 1990 with:

Lee Guetterman
Greg Cadaret
Dave Righetti

If Smith can stick, he, Villone, and Myers should be able to join the club. The big question is: Will they do it before the All-Star break?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:20 AM | Comments (0)

April 14, 2006

April 14th @ The Twins

Just two days ago, I wrote:

Of course, against good pitching, the Yankees need to find another way to win - because you're not going to get the chance to try and wear down the other team. But, that's a topic for another day.

Boy, I was hoping to have a few more days than two before that 'nother day came around.

I really have no issues with the Yankees pitching today. If you watched the game, you may have noticed that there were a few plays where the Yankees could have helped out their pitchers tonight. Giambi on that foul pop. Bernie in RF on a ball that dropped in front of him. A-Rod on the bouncer down the line. And, there were a couple of key balls that were just out of Jeter's reach too.

I bet, if you took the best fielders at 1B, RF, 3B, and SS in the league, and gave them those same chances, you're looking at three (or maybe four) big outs being made as opposed to balls falling in.

Still, at the end of the day, even if the Yankees held the Twins to just one run tonight, at best they're still playing, and, for sure, it's not a win (as I write this). You're not going to win many games when you only score one run.

There's a problem when you live and die by walks and the three-run HR. When you face great pitching, you're not going to get the walks and then you'll have less chances for that three-run HR.

It's the reason why the 1969-74 Orioles did not win more rings. Ditto the 2000-04 A's. Once they faced great pitching teams in the post-season, they were unable to find ways to score (outside of the 3-run HR).

To be a champion, you need to be able to find a way to win against great pitchers. It's either throw an ace against their ace, or find a way to get some runs on their ace. Since the Yankees don't have many aces, and even when they do, the defense usually hurts them, New York needs to be able to find a way to score runs outside of waiting for the walk and the homer.

It's either that, or, two things: Pray that you can play the Kansas City Royals everyday, or, get used to losing games against teams with very good pitching.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:43 PM | Comments (7)

Damon Shirts In Beantown

From the student paper at B.U. -

Ever since the New York Yankees snatched Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox, Red Sox fans have harbored a deep resentment toward their division rivals, and since that time, "Yankees Suck!" chants became a fixture of New England sporting events.

Although the Red Sox banned the popular "Yankees Suck!" T-shirts in Fenway Park two years ago, T-shirt vendors tapped into their creative energy this off-season to come up with new digs against the Evil Empure.

While Yankee captain Derek Jeter and all-star third baseman Alex Rodriquez have long suffered the wrath of Red Sox Nation, Sox fans, not surprisingly, have found a new punching bag.

And the T-shirts show it.

Boston's former center fielder and fan favorite Johnny Damon, who led the renegade Red Sox to a World Series title in 2004, is now the subject of T-shirts that read "Johnny Who?", "From Jesus to Judas" -- on his betrayal of the Sox -- and "Johnny Demon."

I wonder - where were the shirts for Boggs in 1993 and Clemens in 1999? Maybe it's a "you can only do this after you've actually won one" thing?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:22 PM | Comments (11)

Carlos Pena

From DetNews.com:

New York has entered into serious discussions with former Tigers first baseman Carlos Pena.

The Red Sox, Dodgers and Chiba Lotte Marines also have shown interest in Pena, but baseball sources indicate the Yankees might be Pena's most likely destination.

Bobby Valentine 's Marines have considered Pena, but the Yankees might be too great a lure for Pena, a left-handed hitter, who has spent most of his brief career with the Tigers.

The Yankees made no serious move to sign Pena in the first days after he was released March 26 by the Tigers.

However, sources told Newsday Yankees manager Joe Torre has become increasingly concerned about defensive liabilities and now favors signing Pena.

It isn't known whether Pena would receive a major-league or minor-league deal, but he likely would have to begin a Yankees tenure in the minors because he hasn't played since his release.

The Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia tells me that Pena hits like Aaron Rowand:

So, Carlos is an average batter - thereabouts. But, what does this mean for Andy Phillips? I think it says that Torre has no confidence in him whatsoever.

Now, don't get me wrong, four months ago, I wrote:

Another problem that I have here is the assumption where many believe that Andy Phillips can hit. But, can he? Well, the experts at Baseball Info Solutions think that he can - they project him to bat .269 with a slugging percentage of .517. But, that's based on what he's done in Triple-A, at Columbus, over the last two seasons. And, I'm not buying the house based on what someone did in AAA at ages 27 and 28.

Fernando Seguignol, Orestes Destrade and Steve Balboni come to mind in terms of Triple-A sluggers who had their weaknesses exposed at the big league level. And, I believe that Phillips' 13 whiffs in 40 ABs last year tell us that he has some holes in his swing.

This is no knock on the Phillips story. He's a great kid. I have no problem with him being a defensive caddy at 1B in 2006. But, if you're going to rely on him for 500 (or so) PA next season - you cannot do that without assuming great risk.

Therefore, I'm not saying that the Yankees are making a big mistake to give up on Phillips - because of his bat potential. Maybe Pena is a big upgrade with the stick?

In any event, three weeks ago, Torre did say that he was fine with Phillips being a defensive caddy for Giambi.

What happened in the first nine games of this season to change his mind?

OK, maybe, the Yankees fear a suspension of Giambi this season - and that's what this is all about? They need to have someone with a little better track record than Phillips to fall back on (if Giambi is out).

Nah, that's too thin, right?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:29 AM | Comments (9)

April 13, 2006

April 13th vs. The Royals

In the 1996 World Series, Bernie Williams hit a HR off Greg McMichael (on a high change-up). After the game, Braves manager Bobby Cox was asked about the homer and he said something like "Bernie got a hanging change-up and did what he was supposed to do with that pitch - he hit the crap out of it."

That's how I see these games against the Royals. The Yankees are supposed to beat the crap out of Kansas City. So, these are good wins in my mind - as the Yankees did what they're supposed to do.

But, the big story today is Randy Johnson. As this is being penned, I don't know all the details on why he came out - just a rumor that it might be a strained oblique muscle. If this is true, and it's bad, we could be looking at 6 weeks without the Big Unit.

Rich Harden (of the A's) spent May 14 to June 20 on the disabled list last year with a strained left oblique muscle. The Indians' C.C. Sabathia strained an oblique muscle on Opening Day this season and he's pegged to miss 3-5 weeks.

If you apply these time tables to Johnson, it means you see him again on June 1st. And, if that's true, folks, then that's real bad news.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:26 PM | Comments (6)

Phillips Projection

Including the game today, Andy Phillips is on a pace to play in 90 games and have 36 at bats (this season). I wonder if Topps will do a special card for him like they did for Herb Washington in 1975? Instead of "Pinch Run" as the position on the front of the card they can use "1B Caddy."

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:08 PM | Comments (0)

Bernie Meacham

Coming into today's game, Bernie Williams' slugging percentage was .296 and his on base average was .310. The last time that the Yankees had a player, who had enough PA to qualify for the batting title, have a slugging percentage below his on base average was 1986 - when Willie Randolph did it.

Actually, Willie did this often - from 1978 through 1986, Randolph did this every year except 1983. And, he almost did it in 1977 and 1987 as well. But, Willie also was doing this while posting some nice on base averages.

It's that .296 slugging percentage for Bernie really stands out.

In 1985, Bobby Meacham had a slugging percentage of .266 and his on base average was .302. When you think about Meacham, being a switch hitter, well, dare we say that Bernie Williams is now batting like Bobby Meacham?

Of course, it's early - very, very, early. But, when you consider that it's been since 2002 that Bernie hit with any serious power.....again, well, maybe the Meacham thing is not that far off?

The biggest question, perhaps, here is: How far do you go with Bernie to find out for sure?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:25 PM | Comments (5)

The Family Mango Tree

If Royals' pitcher Denny Bautista is Pedro Martinez' cousin, and the Yankees are Pedro's daddy, what are the Yankees to Bautista?

Just say Uncle.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:05 PM | Comments (0)

Personal and/or Preferred Catchers

It's interesting that Randy Johnson is pitching for the Yankees today - at least to me - because just this morning I read an essay in Baseball Between the Numbers (by the Baseball Prospectus Team of Experts) regarding the impact of defensive minded catchers on pitchers performance. (And, as Yankees fans have learned, the Big Unit has a preference to throw to catchers whose first priority is their craftsmanship behind the dish.)

You know those defensive-oriented catchers, don't you? These are the players known for showing leadership and communication skills, being able to call a great game, block pitches, frame pitches to get strikes, etc. It's the Joe Girardi type of catcher. The focus of the essay in Baseball Between the Numbers was on whether or not these types of backstops favorably impact pitching performance.

The final findings in the book state that there is no consistent, objective, and dependency free data to support the notion that the Girardi types are able help a pitcher perform better - over the catcher not known chiefly for his work with the catcher's mask and mitt.

This makes sense, right? While people do like to debate that happy hens lay better eggs, the fact of the matter is that hens, happy or not, still lay eggs. And, therefore, a pitcher, if he's great, is going to be great, regardless of whether or not his catcher is defensive-oriented, because that's what a great pitcher does - he's great. On the flip side, the smartest catcher in the world is not going to make someone like Willie Banks a better pitcher - because once you're a human batting-tee, and you've been one for years, the odds are very strong that you're always going to be a human batting-tee.

Now, some might say that throwing to a catcher-type that you prefer probably motivates the pitcher to an extent. I would contest this as pleasure and pain motivate people - not having a catcher who they prefer. It works like this: I'm going to do this because it brings me pleasure - or I'm going to do this to avoid pain. Conversely, I'm not going to do this because it brings me pleasure to avoid it - or I'm not going to do this because it will bring me pain to do it.

Randy Johnson uses his talent to pitch well because it either pleases him to do well - or because he can't stand the pain of not doing well. Randy Johnson does not use his talent to pitch well because he likes his catcher.

So, the question comes up - why allow a situation where your pitcher can demand a certain type of catcher? Well, there's an answer here. Remember, people are motivated by pleasure and pain. This means they will be happy or sad - but still motivated to do something, if you (as a manager) angle it properly (pushing the right buttons for them to take action).

However, as a manager, would you prefer to manage a person (or group) who were motivated out of pleasure or pain? Trust me, it's easier to manage happy people. Yes, if someone is doing something just to avoid pain then they're still going to get the job done. But, the residual wake of them having ill feelings could eventually touch another area somewhere that will cause you, the manager, some extra and unwanted work.

Therefore, if there's no advantage or disadvantage to having a pitcher throw to a certain type of catcher (in terms of performance results) - but, it makes the pitcher happy, why not (as a manager) do it? Personally, I would rather hear my staff whistle while they work than grouse and grunt - just for my own peace of mind.

Perhaps that is the benefit of a Joe Girardi type of catcher? If there's no harm, keep 'em happy. Sure, it's Wilma Flintstone Rockenspiel jingle "keep your pappy happy" logic, but, where's the harm in that?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:04 AM | Comments (1)

April 12, 2006

April 12th vs. The Royals

What I found most interesting about today is that the Yankees worked the Royals pitchers for 193 pitches (in 8 innings). On average, a team usually throws around 140 pitches per game.

So, the Yankees looked at 24 pitches per inning, on average, today. The usual average for a game, in general, is around 16 pitches per half inning. I know that 8 pitches more an inning doesn't seem like a lot - but it's a big difference (when the innings start to pile up).

Of course, against good pitching, the Yankees need to find another way to win - because you're not going to get the chance to try and wear down the other team. But, that's a topic for another day.

This is a nice win today because it sets up the team well. New York is now back at .500 and has its ace on the hill tomorrow. Randy Johnson needs to get the team a win tomorrow - to keep the forward progress.

A loss tomorrow just puts the team back in the below .500 hole. And, the next 5 games that follow are against teams with talent - all on the road.

A loss tomorrow could spring board into a 6-8 start to the season. A win tomorrow could spring board into a .570 winning percentage after 14 games.

That's as big as the difference between seeing 16 and 24 pitches per inning.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:19 PM | Comments (0)

Robinson Cano Not Starting On 4/12

I wonder if this is only because the Royals are throwing a lefty today - or if it's because Cano is only averaging 3.4 pitches per PA so far this year? Maybe it's both?

The 3.4 figure is not great - but, it's acceptable, to some, if you're hitting well at the same time. In fact, if Cano had a 3.8 that would be very nice for him. So, he's not that far off from doing better in this department.

Perhaps he's just sitting because there's a LHP on the mound? I wonder, if Cairo does well, will this lead to a platoon at 2B? It might - Cano did have a 160 point drop in OPS vs. LHP last year (compared to facing RHP).

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:04 PM | Comments (6)

The Farns: I'm A One Inning Man

From CBS Sportsline:

Farnsworth, meanwhile, despite his price tag, is not comfortable pitching, sitting down for half an inning and then pitching again. So he likely will not be asked to do that very often, which is one reason why Proctor found himself pitching -- and losing -- last Tuesday in Oakland.

Farnsworth was very effective in obtaining the final two outs of the eighth inning, but even with the score 3-3, Torre called upon Proctor to start the ninth -- leaving many folks, including veteran Oakland broadcaster Ray Fosse, scratching their heads. Why wouldn't you stay with Farnsworth?

Well, because Torre and Guidry are still getting a feel for this year's batch of relievers and they're aware of Farnsworth's comfort level.

"I am (available to pitch multiple innings), but I prefer to get in and get out rather than to come in and then sit on the bench and then go back out," Farnsworth said.

Great. He's a one-and-done dude. I wonder if he knows this has already cost the team one win?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:48 AM | Comments (5)

All About Me

I recently did an interview with the folks at YanksBlog.com.

If you'd like to see it, click here.

Thanks to YanksBlog for asking me to take part in their interview series.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:18 AM | Comments (2)

Time To Cut The Cord On Sturtze?

I was just looking at the current Yankees pitching stats, via the Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia:

And, while I realize that it's only been a few games so far this year, Tanyon Sturtze stands out to me here - in terms of his stink-factor.

I like Sturtze. He seems like a man's man. But, when you look at what he's done this season, so far, and last season, and overall in his career, you have to start thinking "Maybe it's time to stop running him out there?"

After all, you can put a pig in a party dress, but, it's still just a pig.

Again, this is no reflection on Sturtze the person. This is all about the performance results of his pitching. The data says that he's a below average pitcher. I wish that it didn't state this - because he's a guy that you want to root for - but, there's so much evidence out there that makes the case to say "Goodbye Tanyon."

Or, at the least, make him the last man on the staff - to pitch mop-up, etc. - rather than use him as a set-up man. That would work. But, then, someone would have to make sure that Torre uses him that way. Any chance of that?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:30 AM | Comments (2)

April 11, 2006

April 11th vs. The Royals

This morning, I was trying to figure out how many times I went to Opening Day up in the Bronx. My guess is around 15 times. And, there are so many good memories from these games that it seems like they all meld together in a way now.

I had a nice streak going for a while once the (then) new Stadium opened - where I went every year without fail - that ran into the mid-1980's. Even during 1981, when they had the strike and were calling the first game back "Opening Day II," I went to that "second" Opening Day - to keep the streak alive. And, once I got season tickets in 2001, I usually made sure I was there for Opening Day.

Further, I must confess, there were many, many, times where (if I didn't go to the game in person) a certain creativity would be called upon so that I could (at least) watch the home-opener on TV.

Sometimes it was a flat hooky, call-in sick to work, thing. Later, when working remote became fashionable, I would "work from home" with the TV on in the background.

But, today is a very rare item for me - being at work the day of the Yankees home opener (and not even being able to see the game on TV). Thank the heavens for the internet and gamecasts. I'll try and make the best of it by providing some close to real-time commentary here - as work allows. Stay tuned.

Update 11:38 am ET: Joe Mays is pitching for the Royals today. This makes think of Opening Day 2003. The game was snowed out and played the next day. It was so cold that day that I lost the feeling in both my feet around the 7th inning. But, seeing Matsui's grand slam that day - off Joe Mays - made it all worthwhile.

Then again, when I went to O.D. in 2004, I was excited over the game that Javy Vazquez had turned in - and look what happened with him.

Update 12:57 pm ET: Sweet. A few minutes ago, I found out that the cafeteria in my building has the YES network. I went down and asked the cashier if we could put on the Yankees game at one. She was not sure if they had YES. So, I asked if there was a way to find out - and she handed me the remote.

I started to scroll through the channels to find YES and someone yelled "Just pick a channel!" at me. I said I was looking for YES and some guy said to try channel 70. It worked! (Funny, YES is 55 by me and 40 by my folk's house.) When I put on "70," and the pre-game appeared, I think I heard someone in the cafeteria say "Great!"

Ah, Yankees baseball. Me and some others are going down to watch the game for a bit while on a "lunch" break.

Update 1:55 pm ET: I did get to see most of the bottom of the 1st, all of the 2nd, and the first batter in the top of the 3rd, on TV. I'll take it - considering that I thought I would see none of the game live today. That Giambi HR was a golf shot. It looked like the pitch was 6 inches off the ground.

It was amazing to me how many people passed through the cafeteria oblivious to the fact that the Yankees were on TV. I really feel like the Yankees-version of the lead character from the movie "Fever Pitch" at times like that. What's wrong with those people? Don't they know what day it is? How can you walk by the TV without even looking up at it?

People - it's Opening Day at Yankees Stadium! Oh, what's the use.....

Update 2:16 pm ET: This is now twice in the game where Wang has allowed K.C. to score after the Yankees scored. That's such a no-no to the flow of the game. It ruins the whole Feng Shui of the scoreboard.

Update 2:39 pm ET: Bernie is a friggin' space cadet. Getting doubled off in a spot like that is inexcusable. Based loaded, one out, in the 4th inning of a tie game. How do you get doubled on a pop-up?

Update 3:05 pm ET: Great, we're 12 outs away from another Yankees loss - in a game where they once had a 3-0 lead.

Update 3:11 pm ET: Bottom of the 6th. One pitch to Cano. One out. Three pitches to Bernie. Two outs. Four pitches to Damon. Three outs. An 8-pitch inning for the Royals bullpen. I'm speechless.

Update 3:31 pm ET: You can't spell "Tanyon Sturtze" without the letters "rout."

Update 3:37 pm ET: Bottom of the 7th. Two pitches to Jeter. One out. Three pitches to Sheff. Two outs. Six pitches to A-Rod. Three outs. An 11-pitch inning for Elmer "Cy Young" Dessens. He must think the Yankees are like "butta" they way he's going through them.

Update 4:00 pm ET: OK, that was a pretty big 1-2 pitch hit for Bernie. Now down by one with the top of the order coming up. We have ourselves a ballgame!

Update 4:03 pm ET: Big Papi Jeter! OK, Joe, get Mariano up!

Update 4:23 pm ET: Little shaky there in the 9th, but, the win is the thing! Still, they need to play better if they're going to beat good teams. This means better defense, better base running, better relief pitching, and better at bats. You can't count on hitting two 3-run homers in a game when you face the really good pitching teams.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:14 AM | Comments (25)

April 10, 2006

Projecting Papi

I saw that the Red Sox signed Big Papi through 2010. So, I decided to go to the Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia to run a comp on David Ortiz. This is what I found:

Is Big Papi the next "Pops" Stargell? As a Yankees fan, I'd rather see his career go the George Foster route.

It's foolish to predict which way he goes (for certain) - but, at the least, it's nice to know that it's not impossible for him to slip off his (present) game.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 05:23 PM | Comments (0)

Yankees Universe Shirts

Click here to learn more.

I'm going to grab a grey one.

It's a good cause.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 02:31 PM | Comments (0)

Unsung Heroes In The Clutch

I've just started to read Baseball Between the Numbers (by the Baseball Prospectus Team of Experts). So far, I like it. (Once I am done, I will do a full review on it.)

In the beginning of the book there's a section on "clutch" hitting that I loved. In fact, I love it so much that I wish there was a way for me to hug it, kiss it, take it to dinner and ask it to marry me. It's that good.

Basically, it starts with redefining the definition of "clutch." Taking studies of base-out situations, run expectancy, and win probability, they're able to see what the "true" clutch situations are in a game.

For example, most fans think the solo homer with two outs in the bottom of the eight, when you're down by three, is clutch. Well, it is nice. But, it's not as clutch as the lead-off batter in the 7th reaching base safely in a game where you trail by one run (when you factor in the probably of runs scored from that point, etc.).

Using the "true" definition of what's clutch, the Baseball Prospectus Team then came up with a complex way of determining who's been the best/worse in the last 30 years in terms of clutch batting - in a season, a career, etc. But, what was most interesting to me is that they found there is a correlation between being a "true" clutch player and a batters who walk frequently while rarely striking out. They used "batting eye" (two times unintentional walk rate minus strikeout rate) to test out this correlation.

So, reading this, I decided to look at the "batting eye" (BE) of Yankees in the Torre era. And, this is what I found:

This data suggests that Tim Raines, Chad Curtis, and Chuck Knoblauch were important to the 1996-2001 Yankees.

It also points towards how big that hurt was when the Yankees had to replace John Olerud with Tony Clark in the 2004 ALCS.

And, it says that Giambi and Sheffield help the Yankees more than A-Rod or Jeter in the "true" clutch.

Pretty interesting stuff.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:20 AM | Comments (3)

April 09, 2006

April 9th @ The Angels

This was a good win - to me. Not an overly impressive win - considering that Colon is off his game. But, since this is a game that the Yankees should have won, and they won it, that's a good thing (these days).

I had to leave the house after the top of the 2nd - with the Yankees winning 5-0. And, even then, with that score, I was not sure what I would hear when I tuned in again - really. I've seen Mussina meltdown before - especially against the Angels. And, we've seen the Yankees throw away games already this season. So, it was a pleasant surprise to hear the final score (when I did).

What's going on with Joe Torre and Andy Phillips? Yesterday, Torre had Posada DH on his "day off." And, today, Torre had Giambi at DH and used Miggy Cairo at 1B. If I'm Phillips, I'm texting my agent during the game, asking him to tell the Yankees "Play me or trade me." Maybe, just maybe, I can "understand" (if I put on a Torre-mask) the Posada call. But, Cairo? That has to do wonders for Phillips' confidence.

Now, it's home - with K.C. for a short three game homestand. Why are all of these games 1 p.m. ET starts? OK, the first one and the last one I can understand - Opening Day and getaway day. But, Wednesday too? Well, at the least, it will make up for all the late nights over the last week.

Coming into this season, I thought the Yankees would need to average 16 wins a month to win the A.L. East. Given the off days in April, I would be willing to say that number should be 13 this month. They've now got two wins in April. Therefore, to get to 13, they need to go 11-6 over the next three weeks. Since the have a few tough teams to play this month, this means they better take at least 2 of 3 from the Royals.

And, it would be nice to see the Blue Jays give the Red Sox a hard time in Fenway this week.

I know it's early, but, I think on Friday morning we should have a nice idea of who's a contender and who's a pretender in the A.L. East this season.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:36 PM | Comments (18)

April 8th @ The Angels

I'm going to try and stay on the bright side of things today.

Yes, the Yankees have lost 4 in a row now - but, on the bright side, they could have (should have?) won each of these games - so, it's not like they're getting blown away.

Yes, the Yankees are now 1-4 to start the season - but, on the bright side, they did this in 1998 as well and went on to win 114 games. (Time again for a team meeting Joe?)

Yes, the Yankees could easily be a full 4 games behind the Red Sox by the time they get on a plane tonight - but, on the bright side, they still have 19 games to play with Boston.

Yes, this has been a terrible season opening road trip for the Yankees - but, on the bright side, there's just one game left and then they come home.

Yes, the Yankees have to still prove that they're a team that can beat a very good team (as opposed to being a team who gets most of their wins beating up on the weaker teams) - but, on the bright side, um, ah, errrrr......damn, I got nothing.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:37 AM | Comments (6)

April 08, 2006

Where There's Smoke.....

From Movieweb -

Sports cable network, ESPN, has announced it will develop the series The Bronx Is Burning, the first of its kind for the network.

The eight-episode scripted series will dramatize the New York Yankees' championship run in 1977 while the city nearly collapsed in racial tension, fear from serial killer Son of Sam, a crippling economic crisis and even an East Coast blackout, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The series is based on the Jonathan Mahler book Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning. It will begin airing in the fall.

Every time I hear "The Bronx Is Burning," the music to "Our Beds Are Burning" starts in my head. Maybe that song should be the Yankees theme song this year?

I wonder if Peter Garrett can pitch?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:03 PM | Comments (2)

Not So Clueless

From the Courant -

Yankees manager Joe Torre, normally a loyal supporter of Bud Selig, criticized the commissioner's choice of George Mitchell to head the investigation into steroid use.

"To me, if you want an impartial person you should appoint someone without a connection to baseball," Torre said Friday, alluding to Mitchell's affiliation with Red Sox ownership as a director and his position as chairman of The Walt Disney Co., whose ESPN division has contracts with Major League Baseball. "Of course, it can be someone who knows something about baseball."

I think Joe knows that the old man wearing the Yankee-hater hat in his rear view mirror is closer than he appears.........

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:42 AM | Comments (1)

April 7th @ The Angels

Strange night for me. I was able to catch part of the 4th inning, all of the 5th, and some of the 6th, on YES. But, I gave up on the game after Posada's ground out to end the top of the 6th and I went to bed. Still, I couldn't sleep, and, at 1 am ET, I decided to put the game back on.

Then I saw the final score - as the game had just ended.

Is it just me, or, has anyone else noticed that the start of the 2006 season is following the pattern of the 2004 ALCS starting with Game 3:

Game 3 2004 ALCS & Game 1 2006 Season: Yankees win in a rout.
Game 4 2004 ALCS & Game 2 2006 Season: Yankees blow the win in the 9th inning.
Game 5 2004 ALCS & Game 3 2006 Season: Yankees blow the game in the 8th inning.
Game 6 2004 ALCS & Game 4 2006 Season: Yankees only allow 4 runs - but cannot mount a rally at the bat and lose the game.

If this follows the trend, then the Yankees should get their asses kicked in their next game.

Is anyone on the Yankees still talking about how important it is to get off to a fast start?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 01:16 AM | Comments (2)

April 07, 2006

The Ducks On Pond Chacon

Cliff Corcoran at Bronx Banter posted an excellent summary of BP's Marc Normandin findings regarding Shawn Chacon and his "abnormally low opponents' batting average on balls in play."

Most of the stat-guys out there have red-flagged Chacon because of his low opponents' batting average on balls in play. The notion is that this indicates that he was lucky and his productivity for the Yankees last year was a fluke.

Normandin points out that maybe Chacon is just one of these pitchers who can produce low opponents' batting average on balls in play. And, as such, maybe he's not a fluke.

However, there's something else that should be considered with Chacon, with respect to his stats last year in New York. According to Ron Shandler's Baseball Forecaster 2006, Chacon's Strand Rate with the Yankees was 79%. (Stand Rate measures the percentage of runners that a pitcher leaves on base.)

According to Shandler's studies, pitchers with Strand Rates over 80% will have misleading low ERAs and tend to relapse to their previous ERA-levels.

79% is pretty darn close to 80%. (And, in case you're wondering, from 2002 through 2004, Shawn's rate was always around 67%.)

If you look at Chacon's road ERAs from 2002 through 2003 (when he last was a SP - before last year), that means that he should be closer to an ERA in the ballpark of the high fours this season.

Of course, with the Yankees offense this year, that's no reason why he cannot be a 15-game winner this season.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:28 PM | Comments (0)

Torre & Cooperstown

Back when I was a kid, growing up on Staten Island, there were tons of people moving to the Island from Brooklyn. (And, it became a very crowded place to live.)

During grades 6 through 12, I was introduced to hundreds of other kids who were recently transplanted from Brooklyn. And, they usually all had the same lament of: "Brooklyn is great. Staten Island sucks." Whenever I would hear this, I always offered the same reply: "Last time I checked, the bridge goes both ways." (By this, I meant "You can always move back if it's that bad.")

Just this morning on the radio, I heard another reference to the randomness of the post-season - in that anything can happen. You always hear this when teams lose - it's a small sample size, it's luck, etc. But, you never hear this from teams when they win. Gee, I wonder why?

But, in reality, if you're going to play that "luck" card with respect to post-season results, you have to allow the bridge to go both ways. If teams lose in the post-season because it's chance, then teams that win must also be the result of chance.

Nine months ago, I questioned Joe Torre's "ledger" in the post-season. Thinking about it more, and applying the notion that it might be just luck that got Joe his four rings, and then factoring in the public view of how Torre is a bullpen butcher, I have to ask the question: Should Joe Torre be in the Cooperstown Hall of Fame because of his record as a manager?

Yes, he's won a lot of games with the Yankees. But, how much of that is "Torre" and how much of that is "having a roster full of talent and playing in a division where (most seasons) there were three teams that were terrible"? I dunno - but, I'm wondering about it now.

When it comes time to make the Cooperstown call for Torre, should the voters be wondering about that too?

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

April 06, 2006

Blue Paw Print For Sheff Found In Minny

So, now there's a report that Larry M. Boyle, a Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge in Boise, Idaho, swears that he can tie PED-pusher Greg Anderson to Gary Sheffield (back in 2002).

And, we know that Giambi already confessed to using PEDs.

I'm telling you again, when Bud takes down Bonds, he's going to want others too. And, it seems like Giambi and Sheffield are just ripe for the picking here.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:46 PM | Comments (17)

Koyie Hill

From Yankees.com -

The New York Yankees announced today that they have claimed catcher Koyie Hill off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks. With Tuesday's (4/4) outright of RHP Jorge DePaula to Triple-A Columbus, the Yankees' 40-man roster now stands at 40. A corresponding 25-man roster move will be made when Hill reports to the team in Anaheim.

After the 2002 season, this is what John Sickels said (in his Prospect Book) about Hill:

He will be a very fine reserve catcher and will be good enough to start for some teams. Grade B-

Of course, that was three years ago. Still, Sickels gave him the same grade after 2003. However, it was qualified with:

...I'm afraid he may end up just as a reserve catcher down the road, rather than a future starter.

Lastly, in 2005, Sickels wrote:

...Hill looks like a .250 hitter with some power, but an inadequate on-base percentage, and not-as-good-as-it-should-be defense....

This all said, I don't see the need for this move - unless Hill has options that Wil Nieves does not. Then it makes a ton of sense.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:27 PM | Comments (6)

April 5th @ The A's

I'm shocked that the Yankees lost a game that they should have won - because of poor pitching and defense. Just shocked!

Shocked, I said.

OK, yes, it's just one game. And, yes, it's just the third game of the season. But, now, the chances are strong that the Yankees will not be a .500 team heading into their home opener. And, that's bothersome - because all we've heard this spring is how they know they need to get off to a fast start this year.

I hope this is just a blip. But, if it's not, it's going to be a long season. Short of moving Cano to 3rd, A-Rod to SS, and Jeter to 2B, there's nothing the Yankees can do to move any of their players around. And, that proposed infield shift will never happen. Well, at least, not as long as Torre is in charge. (Plus, I'm not convinced that A-Rod can handle SS - to the level the Yankees would need - given his size, age, years off the position, etc. And, there's debate as to how good he was there in the last season he played SS too.)

Maybe the answer is: Trade Cano, move Jeter to 2B, and get a true slick fielding SS?

I dunno, I'm just thinking out loud here. But, that's what happens after games like last night.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 09:21 AM | Comments (15)

April 05, 2006

April 4th @ The A's

When I saw the start of this game, I thought, if the Yankees lose, I want to hang this "L" on Torre.

Rich Harden is a tough RHP. So, how does Joe set up his line-up? After his table-setters, he slots Sheffield and A-Rod - in the 3rd and 4th spots. They're both RH batters. And, when Sheff and Alex whiffed in the 1st with runners on 2nd and 3rd (with no outs), I wanted to scream.

But, this morning, when I was looking at Harden's stats, I saw something that shocked me.

He's just as tough on LHB as he is on RHB. (That's not the shock.) But, check this out:

In his career, meaning the three seasons prior to last night, Harden has never allowed a LHB to score a run against him. So, why would you ever play a LHB against him? Here's a screenshot of the ESPN.com page where I saw this:

But, wait a minute! Notice that Harden has allowed homeruns to LHB. So, obviously, we have a problem here. This tells us that you cannot trust the stats at ESPN.com.

Man, I hate that. Without trust, you have nothing. Which brings us back to this game in question.

It's a tie-game, in the 9th. It's the 2nd game of the season. So, who do you bring in to pitch the 9th? The last pitcher to make the team - one who only made the team because of injuries to others - and who's been running all of the country now for a week because his newborn daughter's life was at risk.

Torre had many other options here. He could have left in Farnsworth. He could have brought in Rivera for two innings. He could have went with Sturtze. But, no, Joe goes to Proctor and the Yankees lose the game.

You just cannot trust Joe Torre to use his bullpen correctly. History shows us this. So, in the end, we can hang this "L" on Torre.

At least I didn't waste time staying up to watch the end.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:35 AM | Comments (25)

April 04, 2006

Review: Alex Belth's "Stepping Up"

I've just finished reading Stepping Up: The Story of All-Star Curt Flood and His Fight for Baseball Players' Rights by Alex Belth of Bronx Banter fame.

Before I start with the review, I should disclose that I know Alex. In the past year, we've traded dozens of e-mails. And, just recently, we had a somewhat long phone conversation about baseball, books, and stuff. (That was the first time that we had ever spoken to each other.) Lastly, I actually did meet him about three weeks ago - albeit briefly.

And, from my dealings with Alex, I've found him to be one of the most generous and nicest people that you could ever hope to encounter. And, among baseball bloggers, he's a prince. You either got it, or you don't got it - and Alex has it.

This all said, you can imagine how excited I was to read his book. And, it did not disappoint.

In Stepping Up, Belth carefully documents and superbly paints the story of Curt Flood.

And, what a story it is. The Flood case brought the issue baseball's reserve clause into the light for both players and the public. And, it forced baseball owners to bargain in good faith (as opposed to treating players like property). And, for all the life-altering pain that Flood had to go through during this process, he got zilch. Picture "Joan of Arc" meets "Rosa Parks" - and, that's Flood's story.

Alex's book is a quick read - it's in a 6" x 8.5" format and contains about 200 pages of actual text. But, it's full of information.

For example, the book mentions a series of articles written by Dodgers G.M. Buzzie Bavasi (for Sports Illustrated in 1967). These articles talked about how greedy the players were - and that money was the only thing that motivated them. And, these articles went on to rally the resolve of the player's union. Until I read this, I was never aware of it.

Also, just before he was shot, Robert Kennedy mentioned Don Drysdale in his speech at the Democratic Party's California presidential primary. (This was after Drysdale just threw his 6th straight shutout.) I never knew this before reading the book.

So, besides the great story of Curt Flood, you get lots of other baseball information in Alex's book.

Now, I would have liked to have seen more detail around the 1964 National League pennant race. And, when Belth details the Tigers comeback in Game 5 of the 1968 World Series, he never mentions any of the Cardinal pitchers who surrendered the game. Also, there's a mention of Spring Training "Murphy Money" without explaining why it had that name. (In fact, the term dates back to 1946 - when lawyer Robert Murphy tried to organize a player's union. While he failed, he did win the players a grant of money for expenses during Spring Training.)

Then again, maybe I'm just being picky with some of this stuff?

At the end of the day, I've learned many baseball things that I was not aware of - and enjoyed myself in the process - while reading Stepping Up. What more can you ask for in a baseball read? I highly recommend this book.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:27 PM | Comments (0)

Sheff Quits Chew

From the Post:

Six words from his son Jaden Amir were enough to make Gary Sheffield delete chewing tobacco from his mouth.

"My 3-year-old son was at home and my wife said he said, 'Daddy, I got my spit cup,' " Sheffield said yesterday, the 15th day he didn't stuff his cheek with tobacco. "My wife said he was emulating me at the park when he was playing baseball a couple of months ago. That's not the example I want to set. He kept repeating it."

So, two weeks ago Sheffield went cold turkey. Now, he doesn't know what it will mean starting tonight when the Yankees open the season against the A's at McAfee Coliseum.

"It might take away my edge a little bit but I always try to think about something," Sheffield said.

Remember this, via the Times:

[Pete] Harnisch had severe difficulties when he tried to quit at the start of the 1997 season. He feels it helped trigger a chemical imbalance that led to depression and caused him to miss most of the season.

While I don't want to see Sheffield use this stuff, going cold-turkey could be an issue for him. I hope he gets some professional help.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:35 PM | Comments (2)

Butt, Carl.........

From the Post:

Carl Pavano is on hold again. And nobody knows for how long.

Instead of injecting Pavano's sore butt with cortisone yesterday, the Yankees sent an MRI of Pavano's rear end to back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles. Watkins examined Pavano before spring training when the right-hander complained of back trouble.

"We wanted to make sure there is nothing we are missing," GM Brian Cashman said yesterday. "We will take [Watkins'] recommendation and hopefully we can proceed, but it also could be that [Watkins] wants to see him. We don't know."

The MRI, which was taken Thursday night after Pavano worked an inning in a minor league spring training game, didn't detect anything wrong in the lower left butt that Pavano fell on Tuesday night when he tumbled fielding a ball near first base. The results were overnighted to L.A. yesterday.

Until the Yankees hear from Watkins, Pavano is shut down.

Carl, at this point, just put on a dress and get on with your life. Pavano makes Mussina seem like Mr. Rough-n-Tumble.

If they ever want to do a baseball version of Transamerica, Carl is their, uh, man (?).........

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 12:26 PM | Comments (12)

April 3rd @ The A's

I was only able to hang in there (watching on YES) until the Matsui HR in the 4th, which made the score then 11-1 (in favor of New York).

Nothing like spotting a "7" in the second and then slowly pulling away. Jacob Ruppert would have loved this one.

Looking at Barry Zito last night, it clicked, he's a dead-ringer for the actor who plays Zack Addy on Bones. See below, if you don't believe me. (Zito's in color and the actor, Eric Millegan, is in B&W.)

Speaking of looks, that film clip of Jason Giambi getting his first big league hit (on YES last night) was scary. You see Jeter from 1996 vs. now and you can say that he's filled out. Yo see Bernie from 1991-93 vs. now and you can say that he's filled out.

But, when you compare Giambi from 1995 to now, wow, it really is not the same guy. Better living through chemistry, huh?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 10:09 AM | Comments (4)

April 03, 2006

One Team. One Mission.

From the News:

The Yankees' goal needs no explanation but they put it on a T-shirt anyway. As the Bombers completed their final preseason meetings yesterday, each player had two new shirts in his locker - one gray, one blue - that featured the same message: One team. One mission.

There was also the number 27 screened beneath the text, a reference to the Yanks' pursuit of a 27th World Series victory. Although that's no different than last year's objective (or the three years before, for that matter), there is a greater feeling of urgency among this year's team. According to GM Brian Cashman, every person in the organization - including scouts - will get one of the shirts.

And, what, the Yankees bloggers don't get one too?

That's sooooo unfair!

Actually, if you google "One team, One mission," you'll see that it's been used before by other organizations.

Maybe they should have went with something like Don't Confuse Activity with Achievement - but, that's been used already as well.

Still, I think I'm going to have to get one of those OTOM shirts when they hit the streets - which you know that they will - it could be a keeper if they win it all.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:45 PM | Comments (0)

Opening Day Thoughts

It's funny what you think about sometimes on Opening Day. Just now, today, I was thinking about 1985.

On April 9th of that season, Gary Carter hit a walk-off HR for the Mets on Opening Day. And, of course, the Mets fans went nuts - as it was Carter's first game as a Met, etc. The week that followed was not a great time to be a Yankees fan living in NYC - because all your heard was "Mets" and "Carter."

Then, on April 16th, at the Yankees home opener, Don Baylor hit a walk-off HR to win the game for the Yankees.

Of course, everyone at the Stadium went loco. And, as we all were parading down the ramps to get out of the ballpark, all you heard was tens-of-thousands of people chanting "F*ck Gary Carter, F*uck Gary Carter."

Ah, good times.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 03:39 PM | Comments (4)

What A Guy, That Damon

The Courant has a nice Johnny Damon feature today, which includes this:

"The best thing about him is, he's a great [bleeping] guy," general manager Brian Cashman says. "What you see is what you get with him. He lets everybody in. He'll help us three ways, with what he does offensively, with his defense in center field and because he's such a positive influence in a clubhouse."

Check out Cash with the potty talk. Tough guy.

It was nice to see what Jeter, Giambi, Mussina, and Rivera had to say about Damon. Looks like he's a welcome addition.

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

Victor Hu, I Think I Love You

From New York Magazine:

At 21, Victor Hu may be younger than the other pundits predicting a great 2006 Yankees season, but his track record in baseball prognostication is, so far, unassailable: As a Yankees intern at George Steinbrenner’s Tampa compound last summer, the Harvard JV second-baseman and applied-math and psychology major (who’s also working on a statistics master’s) advocated a potentially risky mid-season trade. His research showed a promising, previously undiscovered factor in Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Shawn Chacon’s inconsistent performance. His bosses agreed, and Chacon ended up a major contributor to the Yanks’ division title. A senior, Hu admits he was a bandwagon Red Sox fan until his extensive independent research into baseball-analysis problems caught the eye of Yankees brass when he sent in his résumé unsolicited; his hiring and the employment of a New York–based stathead named Michael Fishman mark a major foray into serious statistical analysis for the largely scouts-and-hunches Yanks front office, “though they’re certainly still much more heavily invested in traditional methods,” as Hu says. Hu is talking to several teams about post-graduation baseball-biz jobs...

Geez, why did the Yankees let this kid go? How long until Theo grabs him?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 11:06 AM | Comments (6)

April 02, 2006

Why The Yankees Will Lose Tomorrow....

....because it almost always happens.

First, in the last 10 years (prior to this one), the Yankees have only "opened" at home twice (2001 & 2005).

And, in those 8 times where they started the year on the road, their record is 3-5 in "Opening Days." (If you exclude 1996, then the record is 2-5.)

Which three "roadies" did they win?

1996 - at the Indians, 7-1.
2000 - at the Angels, 3-2.
2003 - at the Blue Jays, 8-4.

How about, in the last ten years, when they opened on the West Coast, how did those go?

1997 - at the Mariners, lost, 4-2.
1998 - at the Angels, lost, 4-1.
1999 - at the A's, lost, 5-3.
2000 - at the Angels, won, 3-2.

That's 1-3 and the one win was a close one. Not good.

How about just the last four years?

2002 - at the Orioles, lost, 10-3.
2003 - at the Blue Jays, won, 8-4.
2004 - at the Devil Rays (in Japan), lost, 8-3.
2005 - Red Sox at NY, won, 9-2.

OK, that's a little better - it's .500. But, still, not overly impressive - considering that it's the O's, Jays, and Rays in the mix.

Now, on the plus side, in the years where they won "Game 1" on the road, New York went on to the World Series in those seasons. In fact, if you look at all the Torre "WS Years" this is how they did in Game 1:

1996 - Won @ Indians, 7-1.
1998 - Lost @ Angels, 4-1.
1999 - Lost @ A's, 5-3.
2000 - Won @ Angels, 3-2.
2001 - Won vs. KC in NY, 7-3.
2003 - Won @ Jays, 8-4.

So, is it safe to say if the Yankees win, or lose a close game, in Game 1 of a season that it's a good sign?

At this stage of the year, I'll roll with that.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:39 PM | Comments (3)

The Stark Delivers

For what it's worth, Jayson Stark is picking the Yankees to win it all this year.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:35 PM | Comments (2)

Last Pass Of The Hat.....

Twenty nine days into the donation drive, we've had 34 folks help out so far. Thanks to all involved, again, for that!

But, this is much less than what I had hoped for on this effort (considering how many read this blog).

So, I'm asking directly again - if you like this blog, please consider making a donation towards it - even if it's just $1. It all helps. Thanks!

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 04:02 PM | Comments (0)

The 2006 Line-up

From the Courant -

Torre's Yankees batting order in 2006 could be one of historic production now that Johnny Damon joins Derek Jeter at the top of the lineup. Behind the two table-setters, Torre has four big-time run-producers in Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui ... or Giambi, Rodriguez, Sheffield and Matsui ... or Sheffield, Rodriguez, Giambi and Matsui ...

Torre, who plans to reveal his Opening Day batting order during the Yankees' workout in Oakland today, has obscured his intentions throughout spring training. During the exhibition games, each of his four sluggers has had turns hitting third, fourth and fifth. Matsui and Giambi have both hit sixth.

"That's because I don't want them to think if I hit them the same every day that's how it's going to be," Torre said. "The only thing I have to deal with now, when I do something that's drastic, I let the player know about it because these guys, they're all used to hitting third and fourth."

"It can make a difference where you hit," Giambi said. "I know last year, when I moved up between A-Rod and Sheff, that's when I really took off. I got a lot more pitches to hit, and I didn't face as many lefthanders, because they wouldn't want to leave a lefthander in for just one batter."

I've already said this, but, reading the above, it makes even more sense to go:

1. Damon
2. Jeter
3. Giambi
4. A-Rod
5. Sheffield
6. Matsui

To Giambi's point - if they want to bring in a LOOGY for him, then the guy is burnt, one and done, with A-Rod and Sheff to follow.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:34 AM | Comments (3)

April 01, 2006

What Joe Torre Thinks Of Statistics

From The Palm Beach Post -

"A lot of them are full of crap," former Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez says of statistics.

Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox adds: "In baseball, it seems like there's more things to keep track of. If there's not, we'll create something."

Cox appreciates hallowed numbers as much as anyone, but stat overload can drive managers batty. Former Marlins manager Jack McKeon loved keeping stat packs "for my fireplace." Larry Bowa, the current Yankees third-base coach who managed the Phillies and Padres, told his teams' PR men, "I don't want those stats in our clubhouse."

Torre takes a similar approach: "I encourage them not to necessarily pay attention to it. Hank Aaron told me one time, 'Each at-bat's a new day.' "

Torre remembers second-guessing himself years ago for having Wade Boggs pinch-hit for Luis Sojo.

"I needed contact with a man at third base," Torre says. "It was against a right-handed pitcher and I know Boggsy puts the ball in play all the time. I never even looked at the stats."

What happened?

"Boggs struck out on three pitches. I looked at the stats and Sojo worked this guy over pretty good in his career."

Torre concluded he probably would have made the same move regardless. But, he adds, "I made it a point whether I needed help or not deciding, I would always look. If something jumps out at me, I'll use it, but for the most part when you're with these players day in and day out, you know who you want in a certain situation."

Too bad it didn't "jump out" at him during the 2003 World Series that Jeff Weaver sucked? Or, during 2004 that Tom Gordon was a choker against the Red Sox?

Yeah, I know, the horse is long dead here.......

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 08:28 PM | Comments (5)

YES Adds Some Flash

From The News -

After a two-day audition as a SportsNet New York Mets studio analyst, John Flaherty yesterday jumped ship, agreeing to a deal with the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network.

Industry sources said when YES suits saw Flaherty on SNY - he worked in the studio following Mets-Marlins (Wednesday) and Mets-Cardinals (Thursday) - they moved quickly to sign the ex-Yankee catcher, who retired during a spring-training stint with Boston after 14 seasons in the big leagues.

"Someone in the Yankee organization - high up in the organization - saw John working on the Mets station and wasn't real happy," one source said.

Alan Nero, Flaherty's agent, downplayed any Mets-Yankees competition angle. Nero said that over the past two years, John Filippelli, YES' executive producer, has served as a mentor to Flaherty, helping him prepare a broadcasting portfolio.

Maybe YES can give SNY Kimberly Jones as compensation?

Now, this is entirely unrelated, but, I am wondering this morning, if Michael Kay's contract was up and SNY offered him twice what he was making at YES, I wonder how that whole thing would go down.

What would Kay do? What would YES do? What do you think?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at 07:32 AM | Comments (2)