Aug
30

Game 135: Lots of runs, please

By Mike Axisa

John Parrish vs Darrell Rasner.

That about sums it up. I’m hoping for about 10 runs from the lineup, 5 innings out of Rasner, then 4 more out of Aceves. Let’s get it done.

1. Damon, CF
2. Jeter, SS
3. Abreu, RF
4. A-Rod, 3B
5. Giambi, 1B – ZOMG, BUT TEH LEFTIE!!11!1
6. Nady, LF
7. Matsui, DH
8. Cano, 2B
9. Pudge, C

And on the mound, Waiver Claim Rasner.

Notes: Clay Buchholz Loves Laptops interviewed blogging HOFer Chad Jennings, make sure you check it out … Derek Jeter’s retirement plan includes being a lazy bum … during the game the RAB Fantasy Football League draft will be held, I’ll post my roster later today

Posted on Saturday, August 30th, 2008 at 12:17 pm in Game Threads.

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256 Comments »

dan says:

The way I read the opening line it sounded like you were hoping that Rasner only gave up 10 runs in 5 innings.

Mike A. says:
 
 
Pops says:

Rasner going 5 2/3rds 3 runs

 
Yankees=warriors says:

I’m kinda disappointed that Aceves is not starting, but if Rasner does the job, I’ll be more than happy.
Go offense~

 
Mark B says:

To take a quote from Bluto from Animal House:

Over? Did you say “over”? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!

And it ain’t over now. ‘Cause when the goin’ gets tough…the tough get goin’! Who’s with me? Let’s go!

LET’S DO IT!

Let’s get it done today, Yanks….keep hope alive

Mark’s right! We gotta take these bastards!

Now we could do it with conventional weapons that could take years and cost millions of lives… no, I think we have to go all out. I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody’s part.

And we’re just the guys to do it.

 
 
zs190 says:

I’m superstitious, maybe Mike post game threads for games until Yanks lose again? =p

Mike A. says:

Hey, it worked during the 8 game winning streak after the break.

E-ROC says:

Man, that winning streak seems so long ago.

A.D. says:
 
 
zs190 says:

Yeah and we just won the last 2 days with your game threads, let’s get some magic back! =p (truth be told, we need something magical to come through)

zs190 says:

errr, nevermind, haha, I counted today’s game as win already somehow =P

 
 
 
 
E-ROC says:
E-ROC says:

I got a little ahead of myself. A-Rod to haters: Clutch these!

 
 
zs190 says:

Totally not clutch, it’s 1st inning runs.

 
The Honorable Congressman Mondesi says:

Well this is a fun new experience.

 
Pops says:

Mike in your live chat yesterday you said Arod has been the 2nd best hitter in the AL this year. Whos been the best in your opinion ? Sizemore Quentin ? /// Go Yanks !!!!!

zs190 says:

Milton Bradley, no?

slugger27 says:

i assumed he was talkin about hamilton

Pops says:

ya but quentin has a great season going

 
zs190 says:

He’s wildly overrated, he’s probably the 3rd best hitter on his own team. Bradley>Kinsler>Hamilton

 
 
Mike A. says:

Bradley. Leads the league in OBP AND SLG.

 
 
 
E-ROC says:

Giambi to haters: Clutch these! Mike, we just might score ten runs.

 
A.D. says:

Kinda wish we were getting to see Aceves today

Pops says:

we might see him out of the pen if the lead is large enough

 
 
A.D. says:

any chance somine picks up Pavano off waivers today

Slugger27 says:
Joe says:

How much is Pavano’s option?

A.D. says:
Joe says:

Any thoughts to picking it up and trading him if he does well? I know, I know, he’s Carl Pavano, but 10 million isn’t that much for a guy who would be pitching for a contact, and could be a 3-4. Just a thought. Plus the Yankees could easily take some that salary on to increase the prospect

Pops says:

we are keeping pavano for the rest of this year… hes gonna help us to our run at the world series

 
A.D. says:

he has a no trade, so there always is that hurdle

 
 
 
pat says:
Joe says:

That’s a bit more than 10, that I don’t know about.

pat says:

Carl Pavano rhp
4 years/$39.95M (2005-08), plus $13M 2009 club option

via cots

A.D. says:

yeah my bad, theres a 1.95 buyout, so effectively its 11M they’d have to pay

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
 
 
Slugger27 says:

no matter what it is, its an auto decline

 
 
 
 
Slugger27 says:

it seems like every time we face the jays we have to face halladay… u would think once we’d get lucky and miss him

 
A.D. says:

alright Cano over .270

 
A.D. says:

Pudge has almost shaved 20 points off his avg since coming over

Joe says:

I just saw that, man, that’s dissapointing.

 
 
Pops says:

at least he got a hold of that one

 
Slugger27 says:

another zero ras… come on

 
Pops says:

So whos been the best hitter in the NL this year ? Pujols right

 
Pops says:

Nice job for Ras so far

 
pat says:

ras is at what 25 pitches thru 3?? very nice

zs190 says:

He throws strikes, that’s for sure, but he can give up a lot of hits in a hurry.

 
 
Pops says:

I thought J Upton was like 19

 
Pops says:

but hes 21 so im wrong lol

 
Slugger27 says:

im not sure damon gets that ball

 
Pops says:

Giambi bad swing there

 
Pops says:

Mondesi and Shawn Green for the trivia ? Shannon Stewart maybe in there ?

Slugger27 says:

what was the question i missed it

Pops says:

who played left field and right field when vernon made his mlb debut in center on this date in 1998

 
 
A.D. says:

I think Green was traded for Mondesi, so it can only be one of them

Pops says:

Green and Jose Cruz Jr ima go with .. but shannon stewart could be in place for one or the other

 
 
 
Pops says:
 
ArodisstillGreat says:

Can someone please give me a good argument so i can print out and give it to my friends that are mets fans and Arod haters. They are retarded and keep saying that Arod is having a terrible season and he is so unclutch and i really cant listen to it anymore. Anything that can make then shut up please, Thanks.

Pops says:

Cuz they pist they dont have him =)

 
Slugger27 says:

just give them his 3 slash line… all 3 are impressive

ArodisstillGreat says:

did that. i guess its not worth arguing with a bunch of idiots

A.D. says:

Hes in the top 10 in the following catagories, top 3 for those with a *
OBP
Slugging*
OPS*
Runs
HR
OPS+*
Adjusted Batting Runs
Batting wins*
Offensive win %*
IBB
Power Speed #*

All this, and he missed 3 weeks

A.D. says:

A team full of Arods with avg starting pitching would play .788 ball, which would be 127 wins, that is redic

 
 
 
 
pat says:

David Wright
292. average 25 HR 100 RBI .385 obp .515 slg .239 W. RISP

Alex Rodriguez
.307 ave 28 hr 79rbi .395 obp .579 slg .248 w/ risp
oh and arod missed about 30 games

ArodisstillGreat says:

hahaha yea i forgot that they kept saying that they would much rather have wright more than Arod and that Wright is the best 3b in New York. I just laughed. I mean i know theyre are some dumb yankee fans but for every dumb yankee fan there are 100 dumber mets fans

 
 
 
 
Pops says:
 
A.D. says:
 
Slugger27 says:

for trivia shannon stewart and jose canseco

 
Brett says:

You missed the jew!!!!!!!!!

 
Pops says:

I had the right idea

 
Pops says:

Robbie I would not trade you ever !!!

 
Brett says:

Look at robbie doing some stuff today

 
Slugger27 says:
 
ArodisstillGreat says:

what a sweet swing

 
Pops says:

Ivan you son of a bitch !!!!! That was sick

 
pat says:

BELLY TO BELLY BABY

 
Brett says:

PUDGE CAN HIT SINCE WHEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
Slugger27 says:
 
Pops says:

cmon damon make it 3

 
E-ROC says:

They are the I-Rod and Cano that we know and love.

 
Pops says:

I kinda want Ivan back just because I liked him ever since I was young but I know we cant have him with Posada around

 
Pops says:

Snider reminds me of Giambi a bit

 
 
pat says:

we really need arod to blow this open a bit

 
Pops says:

I love his bat… We cant deal Godzilla !!

 
zs190 says:
 
E-ROC says:

Matsui!

Nady might be coming back to earth

 

Well, that was a fun 2 hour RAB fantasy football league. I’ll just turn the volume up on the ol’ TV here and see how we’re doing in the game and –

HOLY SHITBALLS, DARRELL RASNER IS STILL IN THE GAME AND PITCHED EFFECTIVELY THROUGH 6 INNINGS?!?!?!?!??!?

pat says:

not bad, IMO. I assume we’ll post some rosters or something in another thread at some point, so I’ll try to stay on game topic.

But I was happy to find Ricky Williams, Chris Johnson, and the Chicago defense at picks number 66, 95, and 106 respectively… Plus Issac Bruce in round 8, Maurice Morris in round 9. And after he comes off suspension, Chris Henry in round 11 may be lightning in a bottle…

Mike A. says:

I’m going to post my team later (~4pm), stick your team in that thread if you want.

 
pat says:

not too bad and yea henry is not a bad pickup esp if ocho cinco is really hurt

 
 
 
 
zs190 says:

Not bad, 6 IP, 2 ER on a bomb, good start by Rasner, only 67 pitches, send him out for 7th?

Steve H says:

Yes, Veras has sucked, Mo went more than an inning last night, try to get Rasner as deep as possible to give the pen a little break.

zs190 says:

sigh, I guess he can’t go beyond 6 after all.

 
 
 
pat says:
 
Hitman says:

If Aceves is not going to pitch today I want him ready for his start against Detroit. The yankees have got to see what he’s got. If Cashman thinks he’s going to win the wildcard with Rasner, Ponson and Pavano he’s bonkers. They need to start preparing a little for next year by seeing pitchers which will actually be here next year.

 
Jamal G. says:

I think for the first time I’m finally going to get into College Football this year. I’ve always been a Michigan fan (dunno why, just liked them since I was a kid) and I hope to get into USC for next year. So who are the top dogs this year?

USC, Georgia, Ohio State, Florida.

 
E-ROC says:

Georgia, Ohio state, USC, Clemson……there are others.

 
 
pat says:

this is gonna end badly

naw, we’re gonna get out of this.

 
 
Mike A. says:

This game just got unnecessarily interesting.

 

Well, apparently my shocked praise of Rasner jinxed him, and for that I apologize to all of you humbly.

 
zs190 says:

huge K there by Bruney

 

I’ve never been happier to hear that stupid PC Richards whistle.

 

Mike, I know that arm strength is like the least important defensive tool for an outfielder, but everytime the ball goes towards Damon it just pisses me off.

He’s like your boy Chad Pennington out there…

 
Smitt Dog says:

Is Mo available today?

zs190 says:

He is, I imagine, but I really hoping we don’t need him. He’s getting up in ages, pitching him for 3rd straight day is not good.

 
 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

OK, fantasy trade has been proposed to me:

Fred Taylor (his guy) for Greg Jennings (my guy).

His RB’s are:
Larry Johnson
Willis McGahee
Thomas Jones
Fred Taylor

My WR’s are:
Roy Williams
Greg Jennings
Bernard Berrian
Reggie Williams
Kevin Walter

My RB’s are:
Steven Jackson
Michael Turner
Kevin Jones

It’s a 3-WR and 2-RB set-up with 5-BN spots. Shaun McDonald (DET) is available on the waiver wire, so he would be a nice pickup to replace Jennings for some depth. I do think I’m a bit thin at the RB spot, but since this league does not allow for a third RB to be played, I don’t know if it’s worth giving up Greg Jennings unless I’m getting back someone that deserves to start over Michael Turner.

pat says:

i think taylor is not gonna see alot of PT as mjd is gonna get a majority of the carries. jennings is gb’s # 1 receiver i dont do it

Jamal G. says:

Yeah, I was thinking that. I wasn’t to thrilled about the deal from the start, just wanted to get some outside opinions.

 
 

If it’s a points-per-reception league like ours, then no, keep Jennings.

If not, take Taylor. Jennings probably takes a step back, with the entire GB offense, minus Favre. And Turner is a total wildcard… he could be nice, but he could be a bust. The Atlanta OL is crud (unlike SD’s) and Turner hasn’t carried a real workload yet. Big questionmarks.

Jamal G. says:

Yeah, it’s a full point for receptions (which seems a bit high).

Mike A. says:

.5 points per reception. I checked just to make sure.

Jamal G. says:

Sorry, I meant this other league is a full point.

With all that, then, no. Pass on the trade.

With a full point per reception, Jennings will definitely outproduce Taylor, so the only way you would consider that deal is if you have a huge surplus of WR’s and have a titanic hole at RB. Neither of those things are true for you.

Ride out Turner and Jackson, both of whom should stay healthy and be the focus of their teams offenses, and keep Jennings in your starting lineup.

 
 
 
 
 
Steve H says:

It’s a one for one trade before the season starts, so where were they drafted? Did you pass on Taylor to take Jennings, or did he pass on Jennings to take Taylor? There’s been no change to either’s value, so if you had the option of both during your draft and took Jennings, why would that change now. If it’s the other way around go for it.

 
 
Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

League throws major gas.

 
Hybrid Moments says:

I know today isn’t exactly the best day to say this but I really hope Rasner doesn’t get another start. He’s terrible and I’d rather them give Aceves or even Chase Wright a shot.

 
dkidd says:

any chance we’ll see aceves this inning?

Mike A. says:

No. He’s strictly mop-up now.

dkidd says:

does he have a start scheduled yet?

 
 
Hybrid Moments says:

Why would you want to throw him to the wolves?

dkidd says:

don’t want to, just curious what his role is

 
 
 
Hybrid Moments says:

Ramirez has to be able to get these two hitters out. They’re pretty terrible.

 
E-ROC says:
 
CJ says:

This has been a big choke thus far.

 
dkidd says:
 
Hybrid Moments says:

I can’t stand Ramirez.

Steve H says:
 
 
E-ROC says:

Girardi may have made one too many moves. ‘Ol well. C’mon Ramirez!

Hybrid Moments says:

His biggest mistake was sending Rasner back out there for the 7th.

Andy In Sunny Daytona says:
CJ says:

The guy had hardly thrown any pitches, though. I’m not saying it’s the obvious choice, I’m just saying it’s a defensible one. The bullpen has been shaky, so I have no problem with that.

My problem is w/ Cano’s lazy junk that started all this.

 
 
Slugger27 says:

with a tired bullpen i think he just wanted to try and squeeze another inning outta ras

 
E-ROC says:

Ah, Rasner was cruising through 6. Nobody thought he would lose his stuff at 70+ pitches, at least not I .

Steve H says:

Yeah, at 72 pitches, with a tired bullpen and a 4 run lead, you have to throw him back out there.

 
 
giselle says:

yea… he avoided that problem yesterday with pavano by pulling him before he could work himself into a jam. now he leaves rasner in for too long. why not take the 6IP 2R from rasner?

meh, hindsight is 20/20.

 
 
 
dkidd says:

chance for redemption for cano this inning

 
Hybrid Moments says:

Two lefty relievers for the 8th and 9th. Is is possible to score two runs?

 
Pops says:

yanks find new ways to lose games

 
Mike A. says:

For cryin’ out loud, stop saying boo birds.

 
cupz says:

If we lose this game, our season is officially over. No playoff caliber team would blow a lead like this late in the season at the height of a playoff hunt. Terrible. Absolutely terrible.

Mike A. says:

No offense, but that’s about the 20th time I’ve heard that this month, and they still have a chance.

Hybrid Moments says:

What about this team makes you think they’re going to pull this off? Have they done anything this year to inspire any sort of confidence?

LiveFromNewYork says:

I think that’s the thing. It’s not there and even if it magically appears for a game, it cannot be sustained in the playoffs. this is not a championship team. on paper yes on the field no.

Steve H says:

Not even on paper. we started the year with 2 rookie starters, and now have Ponson/Rasner/Pavano in the rotation. That is far from a championship caliber team either on paper or on the field.

 
 

“What about this team makes you think they’re going to pull this off?”

Nothing about this team makes me thing they’re going to pull this off. The game of baseball makes me think that virtually anything is possible.

What about the Colorado Rockies in mid-August, 2007 made you think they would be in the World Series? What about the 2007 Phillies, who’s third best starting pitcher was my grandmother, made you think they’d win the NL East? What about the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals, a team that sucked major balls, made you think that they’d be world champions?

It’s baseball. Crazy shit happens. Until they’re mathematically eliminated, they’ve got a shot at pulling it off.

 
 
 
Steve H says:

I’m sure playoff caliber teams have blown leads like this a million times, let’s not overdo it.

Hybrid Moments says:

This isn’t a playoff calbur team. They’ve been done since they lost that series in Minnesota.

Steve H says:

I was responding to the comment below. I don’t think it’s a playoff team either, but that comment was ridiculous, actual playoff caliber (and WS winning) teams have blown leads in August and September a million times.

“No playoff caliber team would blow a lead like this late in the season at the height of a playoff hunt.”

 
 
 

“No playoff caliber team would blow a lead like this late in the season at the height of a playoff hunt. ”

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Ladies and gentlemen, the 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox!

 
 
BigBlueAL says:

Cant wait to read the positive spin after this game if the Yankees lose this one….

Mike A. says:

The positive spin is that they’re still mathematically alive.

LiveFromNewYork says:

barely and they find new waays to lose all the time.

 
BigBlueAL says:

So are the Orioles.

 
 
 
E-ROC says:

Why use up Gardner in that situation?

Slugger27 says:

to take the chance on a damon base hit

 
 
dkidd says:
 
Mike A. says:

Why in the name of God is Ransom in the game? They’re losing, and Girardi takes one of their best hitters out of the game. This is right up there with the “PR Pudge & PH Melky” move.

BigBlueAL says:

Ransom came in the Top of the 8th though no??? Made more sense that inning.

Mike A. says:

Did he? I missed it then. If he came in during the 8th, then I take it back.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

Because it was 6-2 with three innings to go when he made the switch, if I’m not mistaken.

Jamal G. says:

Oh no, it was 6-5 heading into the 8th. But still, can you really criticize him for bringing in a defensive replacement in a 1-run game where Giambi’s spot is eight turns away?

 
 
Slugger27 says:

mike, ransom came in the game when they were winning… so to girardi’s defense, he made the move as a defensive replacement while they had the lead… soemthing he does all the time

Mike A. says:

I know that now, I missed it. I thought Girardi put him in for the 9th. My bad, I take it back.

 
 
 
dkidd says:

is ransom with the team next year? is he the new shelly?

Steve H says:

Ransom will be struggling his way through the minors next year, as he has his whole professional career. He’s 32, he is what he is, and it ain’t much.

 
 
Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

Today we spell redemption….

 
 
Andy In Sunny Daytona says:
Steve H says:
 
 
 
Slugger27 says:

2-3-4… scratch somethin out!

 

Mike, Jamal, this is for you… I boldly predict a game-tying ARod hit with RISP.

ARod v. Ryan, career:
.200/.385/.200 in 13 PA’s

 
 
E-ROC says:

C’mon steal a bag, Jeter!

 
Slugger27 says:

luckiest bounce for the jays ever

 
 
BigBlueAL says:

Here we go again….

 
Hybrid Moments says:

You knew he would come up in a situation like this.

 
Steve H says:
 

GOD DAMNIT, AROD, STAY BACK ON IT!
STOP LUNGING AT EVERYTHING!

 
Smitt Dog says:
 

can’t fault him for that

 
BigBlueAL says:

Didnt see that coming….

 
dkidd says:

THAT was the luckiest bounce

 
Mike A. says:

Unreal. He smoked that ball.

 
dkidd says:

just how girardi drew it up. ransom!

Hybrid Moments says:
 
 
 
mustang says:

I don’t care what A_Rod does with stat if he doesn’t fix this it will DEFINE HIS CAREER.

Jamal G. says:

Mustang, there is no way in hell you can tell me you blame A-Rod for making an out there? Is he he supposed to guide the ball away from the fielders now? I know he makes $30M, but I’m sorry the man isn’t telekinetic.

mustang says:

I blame him because how many times has this shit happen this season. It’s happen at least twice this week alone. I mean fuck if he has all these skills that you give him so much credit for then do something anything. Shit he could of made an out and still be productive in that situation.
He can break all the HR records he wants until he figures things out he be define by this and I’m sorry for that.

 
 
 
dkidd says:

halliday tomorrow. that should do it

 

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK

 
Smitt Dog says:

Can we close the book now? Shift focus to next year?

 

Sometimes it ain’t meant to be

CJ says:

Sadly, I must say Amen.

 
 
BigBlueAL says:

No big deal so the Yankees lost again. They are nowhere near close to being the new favorite RAB word “mathematically” eliminated, and they face Roy Halladay tomorrow!!!! All is great in Yankee land!!!!!!

Mike A. says:

Man, you complain more than Youkilis.

BigBlueAL says:

BUT, I am better looking!!!!

Steve H says:
BigBlueAL says:

Yeah I know, that isnt saying much.

 
 
 
 
 
E-ROC says:

No wonder he was a career minor leaguer. Cody Ransom, BJ Ryan just went 3-2 on the first three batters he faced. At least take a pitch. Geez.

 
Jamal G. says:

I swear, only A-Rod can hit a ball as hard as possible and it be a detriment to his team. If that ball is hit any softer than it was, it’s just one out.

Hybrid Moments says:

Man I love A-Rod too but even you have to admit that its time for him to get a hit. No one cares about his poor luck anymore. Put the ball in center field for a base hit.

mustang says:

Agree or anywhere to at least move the runners into scoring position.

 
 

Okay, Jamal. I’ll grant you that THAT was damn unlucky, ARod did everything right there. And Yankee fans at the stadium booing ARod for that play are stupid fuckholes who deserve to be pummeled nearly to death by Serbian exchange student basketball playing thugs.

But don’t try to act like all the other times ARod has failed to deliver this year are just “bad luck”. You know that’s not true.

Bill N. says:
 
Jamal G. says:

I’m not, I’m not saying he has not come through in the “clutch!1!!1!1″ this season, I’m just saying the way people are criticizing him and the way people are devaluing him just because of his struggles in these situations are horrendously stupid. You can be displeased with his play in the latter innings, I am as well. But to say shit like “Oh God, nine more years of this bum”, “Fuck him!1!!!!!!11!1″, “He’s useless”, or my favorite “I’d rather have Doug Mientkiewicz than A-Rod on this club” is fucking ridiculous.

Steve H says:

Jamal, the last quote must be a little different from how it originally appeared. There is NO WAY that the person who wrote the Mientkiewicz comment spelled Mientkiewicz right. Probably didn’t even spell on right.

 
BigBlueAL says:

Who the fuck said they’d rather have Mientkiewicz than A-Rod?????? No sane person thats for sure….

Jamal G. says:

LoHud, my friend. LoHud.

 
 
Bill N. says:

Yes but if you are the “best player in the world” shouldn’t he come through ?

mustang says:

Thats “the best player ever”.
Agree

 
 

Okay, but Jamal, you KNOW people who say shit like that are flaming idiots. Not much you can do on that note besides tune them out.

But your defenses of ARod against their totally irrational complaints are edging toward irrationality itself. Your denial of ARod’s struggles with men on or in late game situations as being anything more than dumb luck are a bit disingenuous.

 
 
mustang says:

Their booing him not only for today, but also for all the other times he done the same shit if it were just today it wouldn’t be that bad.

I don’t care. As frustrated as i get with ARod’s failures. he’s going out there every day trying like hell to produce and get his team, the team we all root for, to win. And you’re booing him, a player on your own team.

Doesn’t matter how often he’s failed. You boo your own players = you’re a stupid fuckhole.

 
 
 
 
mustang says:

I guess RISP is still a useless stat that doesn’t mean anything. I want some one to tell that to A-Rod right now.

 
Bill N. says:
 
Kyle D. says:

A-Rod had a 2-OUT RISP hit in the first inning and you weren’t giving him a blowjob then, so don’t criticize the guy when he hits the ball hard. Runs in the beginning of the game count just as much as ones at the end of the game. People need to stop running to reasons to criticize the best baseball player on Earth.

Steve H says:

Would people have bitched more or less had he struck out? Would have been a better outcome for the team without the DP, but I think people would have rather seen him strike out so they could bitch even more.

Kyle D. says:

Agreed. I mean, I get angry at the guy when he doesn’t perform well, but he’s not to blame for the Yankees not making the playoffs this year, should it happen. It’s a combination of a bunch of factors (Cano, Wang, Hughes, Kennedy, Posada, Melky).

The first thing I thought when I saw he grounded into a DP was: “Oh man, he’s going to get torn apart for this.” No matter what, criticism of A-Rod, however unwarranted it might be, is going to occur.

We can’t blame A-Rod for everything when he’s going to end up with a .300, 30+ HR year. If THAT is seriously our biggest problem, we should go 162-0.

 
 
BigBlueAL says:

Nobody here is criticizing Albert Pujols….

Kyle D. says:

Sorry. Nope. And I’m a huge Pujols fan.

BigBlueAL says:

Pujols is the only player in baseball Id take over A-Rod. Granted A-Rod’s speed and the fact he plays 3b is a huge factor in comparing the two, but just look at Pujols’ career numbers, it is absolutely amazing….

 
r.w.g. says:

They both average about 127 RBI and 40 HR a year. So that’s the same.

But Pujols has about a 30 point advantage in OBP, about 60 points over Alex in SLG. Ends up being about a 20 point swing in OPS in Pujols’ favor.

Albert Pujols also has walked more than he’s struck out in every single major league season except his rookie year (and he kept the Ks under 100 that year). In fact.. aside from his rookie year, he has NEVER struck out more than 69 times. Depending on how this season ends, 4 of his 8 professional seasons he will have struck out less than 60 times.

Albert Pujols is the best player in baseball, and as good as Alex is, it’s not really all that close.

BigBlueAL says:

Well like I said the fact A-Rod plays a position where offense isnt as easy to find as 1B and he has alot more speed on the bases does close the gap significantly, but to me like I said Pujols is the only player in baseball Id take over A-Rod, but it is a close call.

r.w.g. says:

Alex Rodriguez’s intentional walks in his career: 79

Albert Pujols’ intentional walks in the last 3 seasons: 80 (150 for his career.. which is 8 seasons compared to Alex’s 15).

I would give the defense argument more credit if Albert was garbage at 1B, but he’s a gold glover. Yeah, 3B is a lot harder, but I don’t think it closes the gap.

Albert Pujols stands alone as the best hitter on the planet.

r.w.g. says:

Just to add.. Albert is currently sporting a 187 OPS this year.

That’s 10 points higher than Alex’s 2007 OPS.

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Jamal G. says:

OPS+ is based on the average of the player’s league, not the Major Leagues. So Albert Pujols is 87% above average in the N.L. in 2008, not the American league.

 
r.w.g. says:

You’re right. Thanks for correcting that.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hybrid Moments says:

Nady had a pretty bad game today

Steve H says:

A-Rod must have done something to Nady to force the bad game

 
Jamal G. says:

What does that have to do with the Yankees? Last time I checked, there are twenty-five Alex Rodriguezes on this team, why do you think he is the only one ever to get blamed?

 
 
Bill N. says:

I think I saw Reggie Miller in the teirs with his hands around his throat

 
cupz says:

The big problem with this game wasn’t A-Rod, but the starting pitching breaking up, and Girardi’s attempt to salvage it with an overworked bullpen.

The season is, barring a miracle, over. Of course they have a chance, but let’s be a bit realistic. This was just a season marred by ineffective pitching and too many injuries. Off to the races next year.

 
Hybrid Moments says:

1.) Rasner should never have worked the 7th, I don’t care how good he looks. You’re lucky to have gotten what you got out of him. Don’t push your luck, just send out Bruney.

2.) Edwar Ramirez has no excuse for not being able to get Jose Bautista out.

3.) Cano is awful and looks like he did when he was first called up to the big leagues. They really need to do something about this in the offseason whether its have a serious talk with him or look into trading him.

4.) Cody Ransom has no business being in a 1R game. I doubt his glove is that special.

giselle says:

1.) Although I agree with you on this point, hindsight is 20/20 and Girardi had no idea that Cano and Jeter were gonna botch that play. The throw was close enough that derek could’ve caught it…

2.) Maybe Bautista is the opposite of A-Rod, and only gets hits when there are RISP.

3.) Cano did have that horrible play late in the game, but how giddy were you when he broke the 2-2 tie? Were you thinking “Man, he looks awful… just like he did when he was first called up to the big leagues. They really need to have a serious talk with him or trade him” – You gotta take the good with the bad, no player is perfect (see Alex Rodriguez).

4.) Cody Ransom hit that ball deep enough to score Jeter from third had Alex made a productive out. Instead Alex hit into a DP and Ransoms mid-range fly ball was just the final out.

 
giselle says:

1.) Although I agree with you on this point, hindsight is 20/20 and Girardi had no idea that Cano and Jeter were gonna botch that play. The throw was close enough that derek could’ve caught it.

2.) Maybe Bautista is the opposite of A-Rod, and only gets hits when there are RISP.

3.) Cano did have that horrible play late in the game, but how giddy were you when he broke the 2-2 tie? Were you thinking “Man, he looks awful… just like he did when he was first called up to the big leagues. They really need to have a serious talk with him or trade him” – You gotta take the good with the bad, no player is perfect (see Alex Rodriguez).

4.) Cody Ransom hit that ball deep enough to score Jeter from third had Alex made a productive out. Instead Alex hit into a DP and Ransoms fly ball was just the final out.

 
 

Who wants an Alex shirt?…lightly worn…80% off? I can’t get mad anymore. Eventually, you are what you are – and he’s Mr GIDP.

-Scott

Steve H says:

Is Jeter Mrs. GIDP?

 
 
bill says:

This is a gut wrenching loss if I ever saw one

 
Steve S says:

Only in this town, with these fans, can Arod get blamed for the bullpen blowing a four run lead. He has struggled this year but everyone does, they are all human. I understand the expectations but this is ridiculous, he is somehow going to get blamed for a team with a lot of deficiencies (as a result of injuries and some poor planning this year). He is one player and major part of why they are even where they are at.

And by the way the game that is gut wrenching is the one where Damon drops a fly ball to center field in the 8th inning to allow the winning run to score and you lose a game 2-1.

Mike A. says:

Only in this town, with these fans, can Arod get blamed for the bullpen blowing a four run lead.

I’m sorry, I laughed my ass off at that. Well done sir.

It’s funny because it’s true.

 
 
Hybrid Moments says:

At least Boston is basically putting the hammer down finally so we can stop pretending these last few games mean something.

 
Bill N says:

I’m trying to get tickets for the stadium via stub hub, i have been to the stadium like 40 times and have never sat in the bleachers is would you guys pay 120 to sit in the bleachers and watch them play the rays ? I know it has been a struggle this season but I just had a daughter and havent been able to get up there and I feel as if this is going to be the last oppurtunity to go

 

$120 a ticket? WAY too much. I speak from experience.
See one of RAB’s advertisers, we’re one of them.

-Scott

 
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