Game 114: One game at a time, one inning at a time, one pitch at a time

August 6, 2008 by Michael Axisa 409 Comments

1. Damon. CF – oh yeah, Melky’s totally being benched
2. Jeter, SS
3. Abreu, RF
4. A-Rod, DH
5. Giambi, 1B
6. Nady, LF
7. Cano, 2B
8. Pudge, C
9. Betemit, 3B

And on the mound, Sidney “will pitch for food” Ponson.

Notes: Sorry the site hasn’t been updated as much as usual lately; Ben’s on vacation, Joe’s in the middle of moving, and I’m rather swamped at work. It’ll be back to normal soon … all signs point to Ian Kennedy starting on Friday, and by Friday I mean Saturday … Chien-Ming Wang will remain on crutches for the foreseeable future … the Yanks had scouts attend Freddy Garcia’s so-so audition … Chad Moeller cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Scranton … Joba’s been placed on the DL, but that’s all we know so far; no news is good news, right?

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

“Sorry the site hasn’t been updated as much as usual lately…” Really? Damn, you guys must have some really high standards.
http://WWW.mvn.com/mlb-yankees Moshe Mandel

Joba has rotator cuff tendinitis, rest and then a throwing program in a week. Sounds not bad, right?
- Chip
  
  Where did you get that? Sounds like one of the best we could have hoped for
  - http://WWW.mvn.com/mlb-yankees Moshe Mandel
    
    Pete Abe’s latest update.
    - Chip
      
      Hmmm looks like next season will be the season of the big three instead of this one. Wouldn’t it be awesome to see them all pitching in the playoffs though?
      - B
        
        Big 3? Its really only the big 2! Joba and Hughes.
Yankee Fan in Chicago

Dave Pinto has a post up at Baseball Musings quoting some Yankee blogger I’d never heard of that Joba has a rotatorcuff tear. Please Gd no.
Chip

Honestly, if we can get Hughes back for a few starts at the end of the year and Kennedy can hold down the fort, we just might take the wild card
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Yessir. Only three back, nothing to say the last rites for.
- TurnTwo
  
  only 3 GB behind Boston. forget the Rays for now.
  - Ivan
    
    Word.
  - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
    
    I’ve just got to say…Even though most of the people reading/commenting here are relatively savvy baseball fans (so it’s not like the people here were unaware coming into 2008 of just how talented the Rays’ prospects and young MLBers were/are)… Just think about this for a minute:
    
    The Tampa Bay Rays are probably going to win the AL East in 2008.
    
    I mean, I’m sure we’re all used to the idea at this point in the season, but think about that sentence for a sec. The F’ng Tampa Bay Rays are probably going to win the AL East division title. That’s pretty extraordinary, wouldn’t you say? Man… Obviously they’re a rival so I’m not exactly psyched for them or anything, but good for them (whether they win the division or not).
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      No, more bad for us than good for them. The Rays can easily be the most talented team in the Majors over the next three, four seasons. Again, that’s why I’m glad our strength in the far system is on the mound.
Ivan

Yeaaaaaaaaaaa lets go out there and kicks some ass. Rocky, Rocky, Rocky, Rocky, Rocky. Lets Go Yankees.
TurnTwo

dont you negate the Melky benching, though, when you basically replace him with Betemit in the lineup?
Geno

I like this lineup.
Ivan

Joba with Rotator Cuff tendinitis, not too bad. Just probably have some rest and evaluate the guy. Wouln’t be surprise if he comes back, at the same time wouldn’t be surprise that he doesn’t.
Steve H

Rays have 12 of first 15 in September against Yanks/Sox, if we can pick up a game or two by the end of the month, we definitely can make up some ground there. Then they have 4 with the Twins, who may still be in contention. Rays aren’t in the clear just yet.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Only haters, dummies, or short-sighted fans have given up on this team right now.
  - Ivan
    
    Yea, with two months to go.
  - Michael in AZ
    
    Thats silly. Given up is a strong word, but their offense is disappointing, they have one of the worst starting staff’s in baseball as it looks today, Mo is banged up when they need them most, and Girardi is starting to over-use the pen as he did earlier in the year when he had no choice.
    
    IPK to the rescue, and catch Boston as well?? Tough order, and I don’t see much to hang my hat on.
    
    Ill be watching, but Im realistic
    - Steve H
      
      Ok, if Joba misses 2 starts, it’s essentially the same rotation of the team that went on a tear out of the break. And Giese will most likely be an uprgade over what Rasner has been giving us. Pudge is an upgrade over Molina. Cano and Abreu are hitting well, and Damon is healthy, and when he is at the top of the lineup, gets things going. Their offense has more than enough potential to be one of the best, if not the best for the rest of the season. Has it been disappointing? Clearly. But is there any reason to think they can’t turn it around? They have been lately, Melky appears to have been benched making the offense even better. While we aren’t the favorites, we’re not exactly huge underdogs here.
      - Steve H
        
        And I even forgot to mention Nady.
Ivan

Girardi knows he’s gonna need tons of offense so put your best bats out there.
KW

Awesome clip!
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Cone just broke down Joba’s injury. Basically said it was inflammation in the rotator cuff, and could be attributed to the heat the other night. “No structural damage” is the key term he used.

Phew. Best case scenario?
- Ivan
  
  Pete A. on lohud was saying it was probably a slight tear.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    Don’t listen to anything that man says unless it is a report. Anytime, and I mean anytime you see him giving his opinion, do not listen to it. Fuck the grain of salt, just completely disregard it.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    Even if it is, slight tear > complete tear. It’s good news.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      Well, not good news, more like, the best bad news possible.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Peter Abraham really pissed me the fuck off. He called the inflammation a “nice way” of saying it is a tear. That is highly incorrect. Strains are a “nice way” of saying it is a tear, inflammation is swelling of a tendon. That’s what the fuck tendinitis means, inflammation of a tendon.
  
  Even the dudes on SoSH know the fucking difference.
  - Joe
    
    I take it Pete’s not on your christmas card list?
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      I don’t like people who speculate irresponsibly when they have a public forum on which to do so. Any of us can say some stupid crap, but it doesn’t matter because we are just readers. If you have a God Damn blog dedicated to reporting on the New York Yankees as a fucking beat writer, you have a responsibility to get your shit straight before you just post thoughts from your head without any information backing it.
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
        
        I don’t like people who speculate irresponsibly when they have a public forum on which to do so.
        
        We do that all the time at RAB! Difference is that we aren’t credentialed, or being paid for it.
        
        http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
        
        Hey, when you three are all living in your mother’s basements, I can deal with a little sensationalism now and again. :P
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      Well, he is a Sox fan.
- Chris
  
  Second best case, I think. The best case would have been a grade 1 strain of the deltoid muscle. A strain may have caused him to miss slightly more time this year, but the potential long term downside from rushing him back would be much much less if it was a deltoid strain.
  
  Either way this is generally good news.
  - Joe
    
    Is this a chronic injury or a one-time, something happended to cuase this injury type things, such as the weather or falling?
Steve H

And oh yeah, screw the Indians and their bullpen. Even Borowski would have saved that one.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  That was brutal. Cleveland’s pen was terrible in 2006, awesome in 2007, and again terrible in 2008. The effed up thing is that it’s largely the same group of guys exceptions being Borowski and Kobayashi.
  - Chris
    
    that trend doesn’t bode too well for the Yankees pen next year….
E-ROC

Yikes!
Steve H

Yankees are 1-10 vs. rookie pitchers this year. Uggh. This guy has Ponson written allover him. Even Ponson was slimmer as a rookie. They could be a wrestling team. “Weighing in at a combined 550 lbs”
- Ivan
  
  That’s just great.
E-ROC

Rocky Balboa was a great movie!
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

You know a pitcher sucks when one of his Keys to the Game is “he’s from Aruba.”
- E-ROC
  
  LMAO!
- Steve H
  
  On the Rangers broadcast they are talking about how good he is. What am I missing.
  - Joe
    
    Now they are looking at the signs fans have made, it’s like a minor league game
    - Steve H
      
      Just realized it’s on ESPN too, with no Joe Morgan. And HD.
E-ROC

I do like how Ponson is using his breaking pitches. It sure helps him miss some bats.
E-ROC

That WHIP is shrinking fast.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Heh, Chris Russo said Alex Rodriguez is having a “bad year” on more than one occasion today. I won’t bother posting his numbers.
- Steve H
  
  If only they were all having such “bad years”
- Joey H
  
  russo is a fuckin idiot jamal. did u see him with the tampa bay hat on. just cause his giants suck he doesnt care about baseball. francessa on the other hand is a genius
E-ROC

I totally forgot that A-Rod played for the Rangers. It seems like his days in that uniform was a mirage.
giselle

through a series of random events i find myself at a friends house who happens to be an acquaintance of justin masterson, and tonight, masterson has asked (as a favor) if he could leave his car parked in my friend’s driveway.

so what should i write (or draw) on the driver’s side door? i have a sharpie and limited art skills, and i’m open to your ideas…
- Chris
  
  Keep it simple – a nice Yankees logo.
  - Steve H
    
    And sign it Manny being Manny
    - giselle
      
      hahah genius.
Old Ranger

Watch Jeters hands as he swings, they are way ahead of the bat. One can’t get away with that if you don’t have a lot of power. He is hitting in front of the his belt, therefore…not enough power to get the ball out to the field hard and on a line. He’s hitting short and on the ground…therefore, DPs and line outs to the infield. 27/08?
- Old Ranger
  
  I ment, if his hand is bad. he can’t get the power he needs. 27/08??
E-ROC

Damn rookie pitchers!
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Tommy Hunter is one ballsy mofo.
Joe

Uh-oh, implosion time
Ivan

This have not been a good trip for the yanks in Texas so far.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Shades of Chuck Knoblauch…
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  He got the force at second though.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Looked like it hit the dirt on that first angle.
Steve H

in slightly decent news, Manny has another HR
Realist

He caught it!
- Realist
  
  Whew, thank goodness they got together to get it right! Say what you want but the Umps did the right thing!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Hooray for non-replays!
Chris

I love hearing Cone say you shouldn’t argue with an ump while the play is still live… he’s one that should know.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Heh, yes he should.
Steve H

Hope they take advantage of this. Maybe we can have Jeter pinch hit and get the DP
Mike Pop

cant beleive karstens outing
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Heh, this is like that Michael Vick play, where Vick’s knee literally was a centimeter above the ground.
- Dave P.
  
  that was a SICK touchdown for Vick.
  - Steve H
    
    Yeah, he took it to the (dog)HOUSE
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      Zing!
Mike Pop

ponson needs to get replaced by somebody anyboddy
Ivan

At least if hughes suck, you can live with it and justify it. When Ponson sucks, that who he is.
E-ROC

Abreu actually made an accurate throw to home.
http://www.pinstripesplus.com ansky

great. Lets knock more people off the roster
Mike Pop

god i hope pudge is okay
Realist

Pudge blocked it like it is supposed to be….I hope he is OK!
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Looks like he got spiked. Typical Red Sox bullshit from Murphy. Old habits die hard.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Didn’t get spiked, scratch that.
  - Chris
    
    looked like a head to head hit…
Ivan

Tough play Pudge.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Pudge should have spiked that shit.
- Joey H
  
  i say they bean the cocksucker next time.
Joey H

if pudge is out we are totally fucked.
- Joey H
  
  ok we are fucked
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    Nah, I considered Pudge was a luxury.
    - Chris
      
      Moeller cleared waivers, and is back at Scranton…
    - Joey H
      
      yeah a luxury that costed us our (this season) valuable 8th inning guy. and dont give me some bullshit about him sucking on detroit. im positive that is a result of getting traded over there. he loves being in NY . especially with the fans finalllllly trusting him after years
Jack

Question: I’m looking into investing in MLB.tv. Is it worth the $20? If so, is the premium package worth the extra 10?
- Joe
  
  yup
Realist

It just keeps getting worse……….
Joey H

I happen to have a really good feeling about IPK this time. i think his whole time off did him well. everyone elses thoughts?
Ivan

See Cano, when ya work counts you get good pitches to hit.
Mike Pop

we were playing better befor pudge came tho// who knew farnsy held it all together lol
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Anyone want to second my proposition to cut off Texas from this country?
- Dave P.
  
  I like your idea from yesterday. If we ever get invaded I hope they start in Texas.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

You can bet on Betemit!
Mike Pop

i hope hughes and kennedy blossom next year like danks and floyd have this year for the white sox.. be amazing// and we got a run !!!!
Chris

I know I’m in the minority, but I think that blocking the plate as a catcher is one of the dumbest moves in baseball. How many more outs do you get by blocking the plate as opposed to making a swipe tag like they do at the other bases? Balance those few outs with the risk of losing a catcher, or at least shortening his career…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Heh, “You are soooo not catching that one”.
Mike Pop

Does anyone think that we see Dellin next year in the bigs ??
- Steve H
  
  no
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  What the hell?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Huh? If we see him in 2011, he’ll be ahead of schedule.
  - Mike Pop
    
    na we will see him in 2010 u jus watch
    - http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos
      
      let’s break this down:
      
      2007: 25 innings in LoA Staten Island (elbow strain); lost season
      2008: >100 innings at A Charleston
      2009: ~150 innings between Charleston and HiA Tampa
      2010: ~170 innings between HiA Tampa and AA Trenton
      2011: ~190 innings between AA Trenton and AAA Scranton
      2012: the show, bitches.
Steve H

If that was Varitek blocking the plate, Murphy would have hit the C on his chest and bounced back to 3rd. Then they would have erased the hits Ponson had given up, and Tek would be working on yet another no hitter.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  The “C” on Varitek’s jersey reminds me of the Canadian flag tattoo on that guy from “Knocked Up” (the skinny roommate that’s kind of gay), it’s a target for “something”.
Ivan

great another injury.
Mike Pop

yay jeter !
- Steve H
  
  Let’s not give him too much credit for hitting into what would have been a tailor made 6-4-3 DP had the infield been at regular depth (and of course had someone been on first)
Ivan

If your Texas why are you playing the IF in, in third inning with Ponson pitching.
Mike Pop

september call up for dellin hes that good according to my friend here
- Steve H
  
  Hanging out with Brian Cashman?
  - Joe
    
    Yup, and I just talked to Montero and he said after pudge got injured he hopped on a plane to meet the Yankees.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Zero chance of that happening.
  - http://www.pinstripesplus.com ansky
    
    yup. There is no way you’ll see any of the Charleston guys anytime soon. And that’s a good thing.
Realist

You ALWAYS block the plate….geez fundamental baseball! Swipe tags can be hook slided around, under or over…
- Chris
  
  and by blocking the plate you can get knocked out for the season, or simply drop the ball. I know every catcher is taught from early on ‘you must block the plate!’ but when you really think about it, it doesn’t make a lot of sense.
  - Realist
    
    Yes it does…you keep the runner in front of you and can cause him to go out of the baseline. It’s not XBox its a baseball game…you can’t take one incident and make it protocol…well maybe you can?
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

That Derek. He’s a lucky mofo.
- Chris
  
  not lucky… he’s clutch
  - Joey H
    
    no there was no runer at first. he wouldnt of even been in that situation if there was
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Epic failures by both A.L. All-Star Short Stops.
Ivan

That was a play you only see in the movie Major League.
- Kevin
  
  What happened? I didn’t see it.
E-ROC

Tommy Hunter is making the Yanks look silly at the plate.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Wow, JB Cox lost it tonight. 4 walks and a HBP in 1 IP, yet somehow no runs scored
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  11 of 31 pitches were strikes.
- Ivan
  
  how is that logically possible.
  - Ivan
    
    now I got it.
mike pop

jamal who willl the yankees sign over the offseason/ and who is the best free agent to pursue
giselle

who is this kid always on sportscenter “live” commercials. the muffin kid? i don’t like him, but i have a feeling he’s not gonna go away.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Yo, PeteAbe reported Jim Kaat’s wife, MaryAnn, passed away a couple weeks ago. Is it just me or is the first time anyone has heard about this?
- Joe
  
  I heard when it happened it really explains why he left the Yankees booth, I bet he’d give everything he has to have a little more time, it’s amazing how life works out, no amount of good times can make up for the bad
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    it really explains why he left the Yankees booth
    
    Wait, what do you mean by that? That he left so he can spend more time fulfilling his life or that the people in the booth were assholes?
    - Joe
      
      He left to spend more time with her, I don’t recall him saying that she was dying, only that she was sick.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  I heard about this, like 2 weeks ago. They mentioned it during the game day she passed.
  - Joey H
    
    yea right around the time we lost the great Mr. Murcer
mike pop

you guys hear mattingly say manny is the best right handed hitter he has ever seen// lil shot to arod there in my opinion
- Steve H
  
  People say it all the time. Part of the reason is that A-Rod isn’t considered just a right-handed hitter, he’s a 5 tool all-around, all-time great. Even A-Rod says Manny’s the best RH hitter. Don’t think it’s a shot at all, and in a very minor way, is a backhanded compliment of Manny, because it’s the only thing he does well.
  - mike pop
    
    guess u got a point
  - Joey H
    
    plus with all due respect to arods greatness, he couldnt cold manny’s jock when it comes to the clutch. i would pitch around manny to get to arod HELL i would IBB him to get to arod in the bottom of the ninth 1 run lead
    - Steve H
      
      While I won’t completely argue that point, Manny had 0 walkoff homeruns in his 7.5 regular seasons with the Sox. 1 in the playoffs, and I’m pretty sure he only had 2 in his time in Cleveland. A-Rod did that much last year.
      - Joey H
        
        theres alot more to being clutch than walkoff homeruns steve.
        
        Steve H
        
        Agree, but you mentioned 9th inning at-bats, and walking A-Rod to get to Manny with a 1 run lead. Well with 1 on, A-Rod is more likely to end that game with a HR than Manny is.
        
        Joey H
        
        i understand what you are trying to say, the the point at hand is manny in my eyes is still much more tougher to face in a clutch spot than arod is. i would trade all of a-rods walkoff home runs for him to get a bloop single in a big spot in the 9th with runners on. not a hr but just a dribbler down the line or a bloop single, Shit even a sac fly
        
        Steve H
        
        Or even a grounder that isn’t a DP to end the game. I know what you mean, and living in Boston I have seen way too much of Manny’s clutchness. I just think A-Rod’s past is overlooked sometimes during the present, ie last night.
        
        Joey H
        
        oh wow i had no dea you lived in boston. i was wondering how u knew so much about his tenure in beantown lol. i feel for ya’ bro. and “his past” is exactly that, his past. and as i type this he just hit into the DP.
mike pop

hehehe wright made an error
Joey H

ponson generates alot of movement on his pitches. think it has anything to do with his frame? and they said he was a control pitcher. HA i had no idea
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Eat it you fucking hicks.
- Joey H
  
  gee you just have it for these incest engaging motherfuckers dont you lol
Steve H

Giambi needs to work the stache/no-stache thing sooner. It seems to work, but he can’t let himself slump so long.
Ivan

The Giambino.
Charles

Wow,Cano has been really showing some patience huh?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Buck Showalter and…
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Billy Martin.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Q?
  - Joey H
    
    manager to manage both yankees and rangers. i knew buck. i didnt realize billy
Ivan

Obviously buck Showalter is one of them.
mike pop

Even tho Steve H in my opinion its kind of a dumb comment to make. manny is what 3 or 4 yrs older than Arod and Arod has more hrs and rbi not sure bout batting avg but Arod is most likely the better hitter than manny is
- Steve H
  
  Oh I agree. I just think the label “right handed hitter” doesn’t naturally get applied to A-Rod as quickly as it does Manny, it’s usually “great baseball player”
  - mike pop
    
    i am glad we had this discussion
- claybeez
  
  I’ve heard it said that A-Rod can hit it out even without squaring up on the ball. But, I thought I also heard Manny can hit a pitcher’s best pitch, while A-Rod tends to thrive more on mistakes.
  - Joey H
    
    ill believe it when i can see it
Charles

Wait what happened to Pudge again? I missed it.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Collision at the plate. Looked like a knee-on-knee job.
BigBlueAL

Buck and Billy Martin
Joe

Wow, looks like Aceves is coming back to earth.
mike pop

billy martin
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Wow, Ted Williams, Don Zimmer, and Bobby Valentine all managed the Texas Rangers at one point.

BTW, what is Johnny Oates famous for, his name sounds too familiar for someone of his playing record.
- Joe
  
  He coached Baltimore for a bit and Texas
- A.D.
  
  He was the manager of Texas all the times we played them in the playoffs in the 90s
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    I still have nightmares of Juan Gonzalez.
Ivan

I had feeling it was billy martin.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

These umpires really get a hard-on talking crap to players as they walk away, huh?
mike pop

we really need boston and tampa to slump jus a lil bit
Ivan

Hey who would you guys take Matt Weiters or Justin Upton?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  The Justin Upton.
  - Steve H
    
    Upton. A year younger, already modest success in the majors and way more upside potential (channeling my inner Jay Bilas)
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Normally I would take Wieters because of the value he brings due to the bat he has at his position, but Justin Upton is one of those talents that no words can describe.
  - Ivan
    
    Man I don’t know. Switch hitting catcher who brings good D, great arm and very good power and very good plate disipline don’t come often either.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      Upton’s a .320-40-140 guy once he gets going. It’s like picking between A-Rod and Mauer.
      - Ivan
        
        Weiters has more power than Mauer and he switch hits.
        
        Upton has the potential to be a monster no question but I don’t if he’s as good of a prospect as A-Rod was a prospect.
    - Steve H
      
      Upton gets compared to A-Rod and Griffey at the same age. Not a catcher alive that has potential to top that.
      - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
        
        Good thing for us Jesus isn’t exactly “alive”. ;)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Ken Singleton, don’t remind us. BTW, who will regret not signing their draft pick more, the Yankees (Chris Davis) or Red Sox (Pedro Alvarez)? Obviously, this was not a big error on either side as I think both were almost assured to head to school.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Alvarez. Can’t go wrong either way.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    Is he destined for a corner outfield spot, or First Base?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  I’m fairly certain the Mariners wish they signed Rich Harden back in the day.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    Was it the Dodgers who drafted David Price out of High School?
    
    BTW, what kind of ceiling does Preston Mattingly have?
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      Yeah, Dodgers drafted Price our of high school, ditto Melancon.
      
      Mattingly kinda sucks. Def didn’t get the baseball talent gene from dad.
  - Chris
    
    Didn’t they also pass on Lincecum in the draft?
Charles

injured knee for Pudge?that can’t be good right?
mike pop

i still think we need a couple more runs here
A.D.

like moving damon back to cf, with melks blackhole
- Joey H
  
  i dont see why not. i havent seen melky make any eyepopping assists lately. damon has got a pretty good glove if i dont say so myself.
Charles

I hope Betemit is a late bloomer kinda like David Ortiz. He’s got really huge power.
mike pop

i wish we had chris davis now though
A.D.

the Yanks really should have tried to trade Kontos sooner, and then switch him for someone else.

7ip 0R 4H 5K
- Charles
  
  Heh, George ” The Greek God of Pitching” Kontos on fire huh?
Charles

Uh oh, perfect time for a Jeter specialty.
mike pop

does anyone want manny to dh for the yankees next year ??
- Realist
  
  Nope, let Manny be Manny somewhere else….
  - Joey H
    
    mars sonds like a good option to me. once he gets his money his old tricks will return
- A.D.
  
  i could just go for a healthy matsui, we are paying him anyways
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Yes, but not worth the draft compensation. Also, anything more than two guaranteed years is idiocy beyond epic proportions.
  - mike pop
    
    ya but jamal we get those picks back by abreu leaving right ??
    - A.D.
      
      we get the abreu picks anyways, so its still a loss of pick
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      Screw that, you horde that shit like money, you never have enough and there are no substitutes.
    - http://yankeesmtom.blogspot.com Steve S
      
      And I-Rod.
      And Marte.
      And Giambi.
      And Mussina (if he leaves)
      And Pettittte (ditto)
  - http://yankeesmtom.blogspot.com Steve S
    
    Also, I believe the Dodgers agreed to decline arbitration to Manny when the trade as being made so they get no compensation. I assume they are going to pick up CC so they are going to lose their regular first rounder anyway.
    - mike pop
      
      ooooo soo we get him without losing picks
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      No no no, Manny agreed to decline arbitration so the Dodgers will get the picks.
Realist

Jetes and Damon getting it done! Nice!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Oh, NOW you want to hit the ball in the air! Fuck-nut.
- Steve H
  
  They need to have whoever is at 1st steal if Jeter is up, even if it’s Molina!
mike pop

jeter 2 times tonight hes came through
Charles

This is insane. That wasn’t what Jeter was supposed to do right?
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I see my Rocky motivational speech is working.
- Steve H
  
  “If I can change……and you can change…….everybody can change!!!”
  
  I think Jeter got that Rocky motivation tonight, he’s changed!
  - Realist
    
    He also said in that movie, “If you stay in one place too long , you become that place.” For whatever thats worth?
  - Joey H
    
    ROCKY IS THEEE SHITTT. I have the whole box set.
    - Steve H
      
      Did you take Rocky V out of your set and burn it?
      - Joey H
        
        hey i really didnt dislike rocky 5. it wasa decent idea to show post rich life for rocky. it could have been done better tho.
Old Ranger

Good hitting by Jeter. Nice to see him get a RBI, when we really need it. 27/08?
mike pop

cmon arod plz man big hit
E-ROC

Meachem didn’t send the runner, lol.
Joey H

is it me or has bobby been taking some horrible looking hacks lately? un-abreulike hacks
Charles

HR for Arod here.
- Joey H
  
  gee..
mike pop

here we goooo
A.D.

Key fact from today on Ken Rosenthal’s column:

Type B free agents DO NOT have to be offered arbitration for a team to recieve comp, that means you Jason Giambi
- Joe
  
  What if you don’t offer Type-A free agents arbitration? Do you still get a supplemental pick?
  - A.D.
    
    you have to offer arb to type A’s, didn’t go into that scenario, but I think you have to offer
Charles

God, these Rangers pitchers must think high ERA’s are better.
- A.D.
  
  everything is big in texas
Ivan

That’s pretty lame A-Rod.
- Joey H
  
  i know, im shocked, he choked, and it isnt even past the 8th inning yet!
mike pop

worse hack ever
E-ROC

Poor A-Rod.
Charles

Crap.
mike pop

Is Texiera worth the picks Jamal ???
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Yes, but not worth the contract he’s looking for.
- Charles
  
  I think it’s better we go after CC than Tex. Though both are gonna be very expensive.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

What has been the reason(s) (on the mound) Sidney Ponson has never lived up to his ability? Is it the lack of command or control (or both), or lack of a good breaking pitch?
- Steve H
  
  Alcohol
  - Steve H
    
    Sorry, missed the on the mound. Though I think alcohol has led to his on the mound problems as well. Conditioning, focus, preparation, etc. Needs to lay off the sauce. He’s the John Daly of MLB.
- A.D.
  
  focus
- Joe
  
  I’m pretty sure he’s a functioning alcaholic, that’s going to effect him on the mound
- Ivan
  
  he never really had that mentality of wanting to be great or at least good.
Joe

Ponson recovering well
Ivan

The one thing about Ponson I will say this, he does have a good arm unfortuantely he never reach that potential.
mike pop

i personally beleive we have to get Texiera more than anybody else… i really hope we get his ass.. that would be a greater 3 4 than bobby arod // tex arod is where its at
- A.D.
  
  I actually think they may be better served to trade for a young of/1b or else try and sign Juan Rivera, and play X at first, something like that, else a platoon.
  
  Tex will be awesome for a few years then he may deteriorate and block young players, Arod/Tex would be a sweet 3/4
mike pop

yankees will give tex 7 or more years.. they gave giambi 7
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

A.D., did they just change that rule? I always thought arb had to be offered to Type-A or Type-B free agents for their last team to be compensated in the draft if they leave via free agency.
http://Anotherlefty Peedlum

Dunno if anyone has already posted this, but ESPN is reporting the following: “a source told ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney that Andrews told the Yankees he doesn’t believe Chamberlain’s injury is a long-term problem.”

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3522585

best damned thing i’ve heard all day.

hopefully its just 3 or 4 starts. would be nice to have joba during that tough stretch at the end of the schedule.
- Steve H
  
  Saw that on the bottom line. phew
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  ’tis good.
  - Joey H
    
    :)
mike pop

No way charles …. texiera is the safer bet for all that money and all those years… who would u rather give a 8 year deal to a 1st baseman or a heavy overweight starting pitcher// all due respect to CC he is filthy im just saying he is a real big guy plus he will end up in the nl i think .. with the dodgers i agree with what someone said be4
- Steve H
  
  Plus our system is more stocked with young arms than bats. And while we have needed an ace for a few years, I have no qualms about Joba being a #1 starter on a WS caliber team (in the future)
  - Charles
    
    OK,agreed. I just don’t think both of them are gonna be worth the huge contract they’re going to sign over the winter. How bout Tex+Sheets?
  - mike pop
    
    agreed.. joba is that 1 and hughes might even be able to be a 1 himself plus we cannot forget about wang who is good for 15 plus wins… we do not have a young serious 1b in the minors right now who is close to taking over… i am all for signing texiera hed be a great fit to our team
mike pop

nady is gosh darn sexy
Realist

Nady has really shown me alot!
- Joey H
  
  i, for whatever reason didnt think nady was legitimate. was more of a fluke player. but he has totally shut me up. i hope a-rod can do the same!
  - Realist
    
    Gotta say I agree…I won’t comment on ARod as there is a daily diatribe on this site pointed at myself and others whose opinions differs from the management ;-)
  - Steve H
    
    Maybe just a late bloomer. He was a big time prospect but never truly panned out, maybe we’re seeing now what everyone expected years ago.
    - Joey H
      
      yeah it does go underthe radar that he is 29 years old. thats prime majorleague age
Joey H

oh, this a-rod yankeeography shit is really good to piss me off, who is next? joh n sterling doing his own yankeeography? or maybe a michel kay yankeeography! nah i say go with suzyn waldman!
- claybeez
  
  Here! Here!
  - Joey H
    
    dont you think the highlight of her career was “oh.. o my goodness gracious… ROGER CLEMENS IS A NEW YORK YANKEE!” .. LIKE IT NEVER FUCKING HAPPENED BEFORE.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  He deserves it IMO. He carried the Yankees past the Twins in the 2004 ALDS, he won two MVP awards in his first four years a Bronx Bomber, he carried the Yankees to the post-season in 2007, and he had one of the greatest offensive seasons not only in Yankee history, but in the history of professional baseball in 2007.
  
  If there was ever a person who deserves his “Yankeeography” in such a short time, it’s Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez.
  - Joey H
    
    jamal, i can give a rats ass about what you listed. his career isnt anywhere near over. im POSITIVE we havent seen the best of A-rod yet. besides, we all know, the next postseason, arod is gonna crush opposing pitching. i just FEEL it
- A.D.
  
  CC or Tex yankeeorgrapy, maybe a bit premature, but they could look into the futer… that would be emmy award winning
Charles

X really looks good in pinstripes huh?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

How can a man survive in Texas with that hair and that girth?
A.D.

type B rule change was part of the newest collective barganing agreement

probably because type bs dont hurt the signing team, and some type bs are older players no longer worth their contract
D.B.

wow look up harold garce…the guys got 62 walks in 29 IP
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Yeah, he was an old International Free Agent that had an electric arm but absolutely no coaching. I’m serious, he is like 23-years-old, can hit 99-MPH, but was never coached a day in his life.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Sheesh. Check out what Mr. Turnbow is up to, 51 BB in 24.1 IP.
Ivan

Man Carlos Beltran has had a pretty sorry season for a guy being paid 117 Million dollars.
Joe

Brett Marshall officially signed, $850,000
- A.D.
  
  AWESOME
- A.D.
  
  source?
  - Joe
    
    Source? I am Brett Marshall. It’s somewhere on mlb.com, give me a minute I will find it.
    - Joe
      
      http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....8;c_id=nyy
      - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
        
        “I wasn’t for sure how much I was going to get,” Marshall said. “Rob [Martin, adviser] called me one night and he told me the number, and I kind of broke down in tears. It’s just been a dream. It was unbelievable.”
        
        I love reading shit like that.
    - A.D.
      
      would have been halarious if you were
A.D.

at least there were 3 less guys on compared to monday
mike pop

yankees cant leave so many on base
Ivan

That’s a bitch ass HR. that would not be a HR in alot of parks.
Dave P.

any word on pudge yet?
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Day-to-day with a bruised knee.
  - Dave P.
    
    Thanks.
mike pop

The X man !!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

X Gon’ Give It To Ya!
Realist

Fucking Nady! Woo hoo!
Steve H

6 innings/3 runs from Ponson. Has the lead. All up to the bullpen now, they better step it up.
A.D.

all X does is make me smile
Ivan

If I told ya guys that Ponson would pitch better than Joba and Pettitte in this series you would curse me out of here.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Gee Josh, did you used to run like that from your dealers?
- Steve H
  
  to them
Charles

Man, Ponson has given us two quality starts in a row. As much as I hate to say it, he’s holding down that fifth starter spot quite adequately.
- Steve H
  
  I just wish he had less natural ability, it makes it more frustrating when he blows up.
  - Joey H
    
    between the movement of his fastball and his nasty curve when its tight, he is damned nasty. he was probably never coached properly.
Joey H

Wow did anyone know john sterling has triplets? i thought the man never even got laid!
- A.D.
  
  the one time and look what happened, talk about a drunk mistake for that chick
  
  totally kidding, I also had no idea
  - Joey H
    
    actually he has 4 kids ;). i thought he played with actionfigures in his spare time. the yankees figurines comingup with his entertaining homerun calls. im shocked to know hes married too!, and no, not to palmela handerson.. althouggghhhh.. they dont list her name lol
mike pop

charles tex + sheets i kinda like.. i wish horne was str8 ive been wanting to see him for so longgg// maybe he will end up going to the pen.. i wanna see humberto so bad hes got filthy stuff from waht ive seen and read
- Charles
  
  The problem with Humberto is that he’s really fragile. I read somewhere that he’s had an injury again which is the reason why he’s been missing in action the past few days. Same thing goes for Horne. These guys have filthy stuff but injuries have really derailed them.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    Something his latest injury (elbow pain) is a ploy by the Yankees to keep him on the DL so they can get another 30-days of rehab for him. His rehab days ran out so the Yanks would have to put him back on the 40-man roster.
mike pop

christ
Joey H

can mo come out and play tonight?
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  According to PeteAbe, he was available last night.
  - Joey H
    
    do we care really listen to that gentleman?
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      Yes, when he reports something. Anything opinionated, no.
      - Joey H
        
        oh wasnt sure it was a report that you read. thanks for the info pal
Steve H

We need to go to the pen as soon as someone gets on
Jake H

Good job sidney
Ivan

Good outing by Ponson.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Looks like Kevin Youkilis left due to an injury.
- A.D.
  
  shucks I really like to see him succeed
  - Joey H
    
    shucks id really like to see him mowed down by a fucking bus :)
    - Steve H
      
      I think Joba’s heater would (will) do more damage
- Charles
  
  What injury? I thought his face was injured all year long.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Heh, you know a Changeup is nasty when you throw two straight Changeups and the hitter is lunging at your ensuing heater.
Ivan

It must tick Pete Abe off when Edwar pitches well.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  It must tick Pete Abe off to know that Edwar weighs as much as one of Peter’s chins.
  - Joey H
    
    LMAO! you hate him. dontcha?
Steve H

Just caught this press release

“According to Stats, INC. The New York Yankees have set a major league record tonight with the biggest weight differential between two successive pitchers. The 150 pound difference between Sidney Ponson and Edward Ramirez crushed the previous record of 127 pounds set in 2000 by Red Sox pitchers Pedro Martinez and Rich “El Guapo” Garces”
- Ivan
  
  okay.
Realist

Moving arunner over, good baseball!
- Steve H
  
  No, A-Rod did it, so he choked. Had Jeter done it, Clutch.
  - Realist
    
    Nope, striking out or failing to move a runner over is choking…
Chris

Listening to the game on the radio… the foul ball into the booth…. LMAO…
Old Ranger

Anyone else remember Oil Can Boyd? Back in the ’80s for bosox, good pitcher on not so good teams. Kenny was right, he and Edwar look and pitch a lot a like…Oil Can threw harder. 27/08??
- Steve H
  
  Oil Can was a nutcase
  - Realist
    
    So was Mark Fidrich…oh wait, poor example ;-)
- Realist
  
  Very true…Oil Can was a pretty good pitcher.
E-ROC

That Rangers pitcher looks like a gremlin.
John

Espn really has nothing better to talk about than that guys tie? Wow.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  It’s either that, or more Brett Favre.
Jake H

Giambi is awesome.
mike pop

that was a big run wasted
Manimal

When was the last time the yankees had a web gem, seriously. I think Nady has a good chance.
Ivan

Pressure.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Short leash on Edwar I hope…
Manimal

Fuck Marte. I want Karstens Back.
- Steve H
  
  Gonna give back the X man too?
  - Manimal
    
    No keep him. Tabata Mccutchen and Ohlendorf is more than good enough.
Ivan

solid work by Edwar.
A.D.

see if marte can not blow this
Ivan

Yo Marte do ya fucking job too. Ya better than this.
Charles

Let’s go Damaso!
Ivan

That was close.
Ivan

1/3IP away from Mo.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Was that Erin Andrews next to the camera?

LoL, anyone hear about the quote she made, saying that guys in the locker room don’t look upon her as a sex object, but “as a little sister”, or “just one of the guys”?

I don’t know which is a bigger case of BS, those quotes or Jason Varitek being a 2008 All-Star.
- Steve H
  
  Not sure, but I think the 2008 AL All-Stars actually looked at Jason Varitek like a little sister. (hits like mine)
- Dave P.
  
  Jamal you crack me the hell up.
- A.D.
  
  no one should be thinking of their “little sister” that way
  
  must be what erin tells herself
Ivan

Veras got away with that hanger.
Ivan

Sign stealing?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

You can tell by his load-up that Byrd was gearing up for a Fastball.
Charles

Bring out the Hammer of God!!
E-ROC

Does think Manny will cut his dreadlocks?
- A.D.
  
  said he would
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  No chance I say.
- Steve H
  
  Doubt it. Torre said he wouldn’t remind him, so they only had one conversation about it. Manny’s attention span is about 5 minutes.
  - Joe
    
    Why should he cut his hair, what is Torre’s problem?
Pingback: River Ave. Blues | Kontos dominant again
E-ROC

Boy, Justin Verlander has really fallen off the cliff this year.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  130 pitches? Eek.
  
  Man, their staff sucks.
  - Ivan
    
    their staff was below average to begin with, once Verlander had the year he has had, you knew they were dead.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      The messed up part is that they’re contractually locked into everyone in that rotation, except Rogers, until 2011.
      - Steve H
        
        Don’t think Dontrelle will make it back? I couldn’t even finish that sentence without laughing out loud.
Steve H

Rick Sutcliffe says Joba will be back in the bullpen next year. He’s smoking crack.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  At times like this, I’m glad the game’s blacked out on ESPN here.
  - Steve H
    
    It was either this or the Rangers announcers on extra innings. I went with HD and Erin Andrews, though now I”m questioning it.
    - A.D.
      
      HD, Erin, Mute…thats the way to go
      - Steve H
        
        Damn….forgot the mute, and now I am dumber for having listening.
- A.D.
  
  well that what happened to paplebon, but not going to happen
  - Steve H
    
    Papelbon is a 2 pitch pitcher, would have been a #3 starter. Joba=ace. Certainly not going to happen
    - A.D.
      
      yeah and they needed a closer in boston so it was one of those welll we could use this anyway
Jake H

Rick S thinks Joba should go to the bp. What a moron!
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Bobby groundeding out earlier in the game, says Singelton.

I kid, I like Kenny.
Steve H

Even though the 5 runs isn’t great (certainly not bad), I like the 12 hits this lineup put up tonight. Hope to see more Melky-free lineups going forward.
Ivan

You know Mo’s best year was when he wasn’t even when he was a closer. 96 he was just phenomenal and didn’t even had the cutter back then.
Ivan

Mo making these hitters his bitches.
E-ROC

LOL, Rick Sutcliffe ragging on Cabrera’s offensive woes. Saying if Cabrera continues to swing at that those breaking pitches, he will continue to sit next to Girardi. I guess word travels fast.
- Steve H
  
  Take it with a grain(rock) of salt, he also said Joba will be in the pen next year.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Will the Pirates really be stubborn enough and not sign Pedro Alvarez?
- Ivan
  
  After last year pick, they shouldn’t be.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Nah, just a negotiating tactic. Second overall pick? You HAVE to sign that guy, no matter what.
Steve H

Youk left the game after being HBP tonight. Sox fans will probably try to pin it on Joba.
Newman

God being God

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