Game 152: Return of the Phranchise

September 17, 2008 by Joe Pawlikowski 329 Comments

The Yankees elimination number is just three, so any combination of three Yanks losses or Red Sox wins, and it’s officially over. Not that we’re holding out hope at this point. For the Yankees to make the playoffs would take a collapse on the level of…nah, I won’t go there.

On the mound tonight is Phil Hughes, in his first major league start since going down with a fractured rib in late April. Phil has been stellar his past few starts in AAA, winning two playoff games, including the clinching game of the International League Governor’s Cup.

It’s not exactly a big night for Phil. With the Yanks basically out of it, there’s no pressure. Yes, it would be wholly disappointing for him to look like he did in April. But if that’s the case, well, it’s no the end of the world. He’ll get another start or two before the season closes, and he’ll get plenty of work in winter ball. All we really care about is him doing well in 2009.

For the skeptics out there, though, it’s best that he gets through at least six innings with two earned runs tonight. And when he gives up those runs, hopefully it’s in the later innings. If he gives up a run in the first, I fear for my text message inbox. I can see the “Fraudchise” messages pouring in.

Your lineup:

1. Johnny Damon, LF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jason Giambi, 1B
6. Xavier Nady, DH
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Ivan Rodriguez, C
9. Melky Cabrera, CF

And on the mound, back to number sixty-five, Phil Hughes.

BigBlueAL

Forget the return of the Phranchise, its the return of Melky!!!!!!
- Ivan
  
  That’s just phenomenal. The return of the Melk Man.
IvanS

I don’t like:

1. Pudge catching him.

2. Melky playing.
- Mac
  
  I don’t like Pudge catching him either. I was hoping for Molina…
Will (the other one)

I just caught Rick Sutcliffe’s BBTN segment on the 6 PM SportsCenter, and he had some really insightful commentary on the Yankees’ situation. In case anybody missed it, here are the points Sut would have brought eloquently to your attention:

1) The Yankees will miss the playoffs this year because they didn’t trade Phil Hughes for Johan Santana, a trade in which no other players apparently would have been involved.
2) The Yankees have dramatically overestimated the talent of their entire minor-league system.
3) Phil’s most exciting (and apparently only) major-league skill is his ability to throw 95 MPH fastballs.
- Ivan
  
  Blah, blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada, yada.
- Kyle D.
  
  If you didn’t figure out Sutcliffe is mentally handicapped just from listening to him for a short period of time, this tells you all you need to know.
  - Lanny
    
    And how is he wrong about any of that?
    
    Not getting an ace was a terrible move.
    
    The prospects are all overrated except Joba.
    
    Hughes’ only pitch is the fastball.
    - Kyle D.
      
      Yeah, just a fastball… and a plus curve.
      
      And Johan doesn’t guarantee playoffs. Look at the Mets. The Yanks have scored less than runs than them too. I understand about the blown saves however.
    - Will (the other one)
      
      1) The Twins were asking for far more than just Phil.
      2) One year isn’t anywhere NEAR enough time to tell how good or bad the minor leaguers are.
      3) Despite what the gun may be reporting tonight, Hughes has pretty consistently topped out between 92 and 93 this year, except for a couple “special occasions” (read: “overthrows”).
      
      Does that cover it?
Ivan

Hopefully Hughes gets a win and just end the whole IPK/Hughes have been winless all season arguement.
- Kyle D.
  
  Problem is, that just turns into “CARL PAVANO HAD MORE WINS THIS YEAR THAN IPK AND HUGHES COMBINED!!11!!1!one!!1″.
Joey

The Goggles make teh debut!
Joey

Holy shit that was a long freakin AB
Jack

http://www.newsday.com/sports/.....?track=rss

Just found this linked from MLBTR. Interesting stuff.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Hughes hit 95-MPH on the fourth pitch of the Orlando Cabrera At-Bat. So much for the theory that he can barely go above 92-MPH.
Ivan

Hughes first out ya.
Ivan

Hughes K’s Dye ya.
Lanny

Where is that mid 90’s fastball we heard he was throwing in the minors????

The gun at Scranton is a joke.

Hughes is at 92 tops. You can win doing that but your location needs to be precise and you need to change speeds and have three pitches.

He doesn’t seem to have that.
- Ivan
  
  He just Hit 95 on Gameday.
  - BigBlueAL
    
    Done it a couple of times already.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  It’s a pretty well-known fact that the only T.V. guns you trust are those of FOX and ESPN. Check Gameday if the game is not televised on either of those two networks for accurate readings.
  - BigBlueAL
    
    ESPN sometimes can be pretty slow as well.
    - Lanny
      
      He hit 95 once in 30 pitches according to the YES gun and that’s saying he throws mid 90’s??
      
      Come on. The guy is at 92 pretty much consistently. He doesn’t have a blow away fastball.
      - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
        
        Nobody said he has a “blow away fastball”, artard. ;)
      - Frank
        
        Hughes sits 91-93 w/ the 4-seam… SITS. He can touch 95. That’s a good fastball.
        
        He SITS 86-90 w/ the 2-seam and now cutter, depending on the pitch
        
        What is it that people don’t understand? You people want every pitcher to come out and throw 95 plus. People need to accept what Hughes is… and what he isn’t.
        
        Lanny
        
        He’s touched 95 once on the YES gun. That’s not a good fastball. It’s average.
        
        It’s easy to see what Hughes is. A solid but not top of the rotation starter.
        
        Frank
        
        You’re wrong. Low 90’s to 95 is plus. Look it up.
        
        http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        OH MY GODDING GOD GOD.
        
        “He’s touched 95 once on the YES gun. That’s not a good fastball. It’s average.”
        
        I’m trying to be civil, but… SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU STUPID MORON!!!!!! This is not Playstation. A 95 MPH fastball is not “average”. It’s EXCELLENT. A 89 MPH fastball is average. STOP TREATING REAL LIFE SHIT LIKE IT’S A VIDEOGAME.
      - BigBlueAL
        
        So???? Hey look Im one who has killed Ian Kennedy for having nothing in terms of stuff. Now he barely throws in the high-80’s, and does so pitching up in the zone w/o a real 2-seamer which is one thing the Yankees told him to try to work on. Thats a problem. Big-league hitters kill pitchers like that.
        
        But the reason Ive never been down on Hughes is cause his stuff is more than enough to potentially dominate big-league hitters, and last season at age 21 he had some moments like that with the Yankees. I still think both IPK and Hughes’ problem is their inconsistent location. Well IPK’s biggest problem is he has Darrel Rasner stuff. But that was last night, tonight is not the time to rip him. Tonight is hopefully a good night for Hughes supporters.
Joey

27 pitches already, damn…
Ivan

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

Mother Phuckin’ Phranchise, bitch.
Jake H

That first at bat really put him on his heals but the kid recovered.
BigBlueAL

WOW look at this guy’s horrible numbers. For sure then he will go 7 ip and give up only 1 run.
- Joey
  
  Thanks Pete! j/k lol
Ivan

HOPEFULLY Hughes just calms down gets into a groove and progress better as the game goes along.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  I think he was pretty calm, that Orlando Cabrera AB just per longed the inning.
BigBlueAL

My God this guy throws pure slop.
- Frank
  
  And of course the Yankees don’t hit him. Honestly, that guy pitches like crap.
Ivan

Nice Cutters by Hughes.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

The leading candidate for the dumbest LoHud comment of the day is:

R23 September 17th, 2008 at 7:25 pm

Hughes is a prime candidate to be traded this Nov. He should not be untouchable. Maybe he fetches Prince Fielder.

He doesn’t have the stuff to be a 1 or 2 starter and we can find 3-4 starters.
- Ivan
  
  With Hughes pitching tonight, you gonna have some pretty good ones by lohud.
- Joey
  
  Yea, it’s pretty dumb but you’re underestimating LoHud’s commentors collective idiocy. They’ll come up with something better
- Frank
  
  Duuuuurrrrr!!! Daaaa Rick Sutcliffe is right.
  - Lanny
    
    Hughes should be traded this off season while his value can still get people like Prince Fielder.
    
    His stuff is completely average and isn’t a top of the rotation starter.
    
    Jamal, you are a complete moron. Do you believe every yankee prospect is gold???
    
    I bet you still have your Hensley Meulens and Ruben Rivera Columbus Clippers jerseys.
    
    Keep at it, Jam.
    - Steve H
      
      Whatever you choose to say about Hughes is fine, but to call his stuff completely average is completely asinine. Talk about his command, attitude, balls, brain, whatever. But you cannot call his stuff average. Nonsense. What average pitchers have you been watching?????
Ivan

Well hopefully improve his changeup at the AZL.
- Frank
  
  Changeup looked good in the championship game last week. He’s not commanding his pitches tonight, too amped up IMO.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

I like how A-Rod is constantly portrayed as the bad guy for doing what every professional athlete aspires to do: Make a lot of fucking money.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  He, Barry Bonds, and Adam Dunn are the three heads of Cerberus.
  - Will (the other one)
    
    There you go again with Adam Dunn. You’ve got NO passion, TJ.
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
      
      I’ve got a feeling I wouldn’t be very happy if my GM brought a guy like that onto my team.
Lanny

He has no put away pitch. His fastball isn’t good enough.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Of course he doesn’t. Your infinite wisdom dwarfs all the knowledge of professional scouts and talent evaluators who say otherwise.
- Joey
  
  You’re on the wrong blog man. http://yankeees.lhblogs.com is for you
  - Lanny
    
    Really?
    
    Where’s the put away pitch?
    
    I lost count in the 60 pitches in 2 innings and 8 full counts.
    
    Woe is me!
    - Steve H
      
      Nice sample size!!
- BigBlueAL
  
  You must have Hughes confused with Ian Kennedy.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  Lanny’s right. Phil has not yet struck and killed anybody with a 120 MPH fastball… he SUCKS BALLS! He’s garbage, and if I had an extra turkey in my pocket and he was hungry and penniless on the street, I’d eat the turkey and then kick Phil in the nuts for sucking so much.
Samsonov KGB

haha they just had george costanza on seinfeld teaching jeter and bernie how to hit.
- BigBlueAL
  
  I love that episode!!!! The one where he becomes smart cause he doesnt have sex anymore. Also a good one is the episode with Kramer and Paul Oneill.
  - Samsonov KGB
    
    i also like the episode where he gets them to change the outfits to cotton
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

LoL @ the Mets relying on Brandon Knight to avoid losing three straight to the Nationals.
Jerry

Is it me or is he really relying on the cutters? (the 84-88 mph)
Ivan

Geez.
E-ROC

These mofos need to stop fouling pitches off and just strike out already.
Mac

Hughes is still awesome. He’s just beating himself here a bit I think…
- Joey
  
  adrenaline I’d guess?
Jake H

He’s just missing right now. Sit him down and caml the kid. He will be fine.
BigBlueAL

If there ever was a better indication of the difference between the Majors and AAA is tonight. Hughes would be through 4 innings with 9 K’s by now at AAA. But in the Majors they arent nowhere near as easy to put away. Granted the White Sox have a pretty good offense. But it really speaks to the difference in competition.
- Lanny
  
  Don’t say that here. You may get called a moron for actually having common sense.
  - BigBlueAL
    
    Im not ripping Hughes like you are. I rip Ian Kennedy. I actually like Hughes. Just making a point on how easily Hughes strikes out AAA batters but how difficult it is to do so at the Major League level.
  - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
    
    In addition to BigBlueAL’s response… He didn’t say anything negative about Hughes in that comment, he made an observation about the difference in the level of play between AAA and MLB.
Samsonov KGB

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTwE7xDZkPk
- Joey
  
  classic
- Ivan
  
  “Yeah….Six Games” Love that one.
- BigBlueAL
  
  Damn look how young Jeter looks!! 1996, the good ol’ days….
Pedro

57 pitches in 2 innings is bad, no matter how much we like Hughes.
- Ivan
  
  Yea that ain’t greg maddux like with pitches per inning.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Seeing as how he’s thrown a total of 29-pitches in just three AB’s, you can forgive him for the high pitch-count. Well, a reasonable mind would.
Jake H

Why is it that crappy pitchers just dominate us?
- Frank
  
  If we don’t hit this guy I will be depressed for a while. For all those talking about Hughes, look at Richard, he is truly average.
Lanny

2nd time around the order and they’ve all seen about 6 pitches each time up.

This could get ugly.

But we are all morons right Jamal for actually calling it like we see it.
- Joey
  
  I’ll call you a moron too if it’ll make you feel better
- Frank
  
  You’re not a moron.
  
  It’s that just about every other intelligent poster here disagrees with you.
  
  The stuff is there, the command is not. But that’s what he’s known for most; his command. It all just has to translate to the majors. And that can take a while for 21, 22-year-olds.
  
  If you see something different… well more power to you.
  - scottnar
    
    thank you Frank. the kid has above average stuff just no command of 3 of his 4 pitches tonight. He can throw 92 all day if he has command and moves it in and out. They will get him fixed and he can be a nice #2-3
BigBlueAL

Love Papa Johns.
- Joey
  
  garlic butter shit is why I order it, otherwise I think PizzaHut is the best if you’re goin for the fatty greasy fastfood type pizza. Dominos is shit
  - BigBlueAL
    
    Living in Miami is tough cause there aint much to choose from in terms of Pizza. You guys in NY dont realize how lucky you are to be able to get NY-style pizza anywhere.
    - Ivan
      
      I remember I was at Miami and ordered some PJ’s. It was tremendous.
    - Joey
      
      I live in Coral Springs and go to school at UCF, I know where you’re coming from. lol Some good NY Pizza in Springs though
      - BigBlueAL
        
        The best NY Pizza ive had in Miami came one year at the Youth Fair.
- Frank
  
  LOL. That was shameless advertising.
BigBlueAL

Alright guys here we go, Melky is comin up!!!!!
Lanny

I realize this is the Hughes Delusional fan club.

But you are fooling yourselves if you think this is a front line starting pitcher.
- Jake K.
  
  Just curious, but what are your qualifications to make such a matter-of-fact statement? Hughes was, less than a year ago, the top pitching prospect in baseball. For you to convince us that his ceiling is now just average, you’ll have to do more than just say so.
  - Frank
    
    Here, here!
  - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
    
    I don’t think his “qualifications” are as important as his reasoning, which he hasn’t offered up. Not a knock, Lanny, but if you’re going to put your opinion out there you could also share how you came to that opinion.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  I’m glad you can base that on his 22.0-IP coming into tonight’s game. It’s not like you can base that notion on his impeccable Minor League career, his interrupted no-hitter in May 2007, and his stretch-run performance last year during September and the ALDS against the Tribe.
  
  It’s not like you can base your notion on anything other than his 22.0-IP this year, because, you know, you’ll be that word you keep bringing up.
  - Lanny
    
    So his claim to fame is his 7 inning stint in Arlington and his 4 innings against Cleveland in the playoffs? Or is it his injury plagued minor league career where he dominated hitters that can’t catch up to low 90’s heat?
    
    That still doesn’t go into his stuff and if he is a front line type of starting pitcher.
    
    His fastball is so so and his off speed stuff is terrible. Not many starters who throw 92 tops become front line pitchers.
    
    His value is worth more on the trade market than keeping him around.
    
    I know you want with all your being for him to be an ace and for a Yankee prospect to actually be good but this isn’t the guy.
    - The Fallen Phoenix
      
      Yeah, that curveball with major two-plane break is absolutely terrible.
    - pete
      
      you’re right we should trade him for lincecum i think
      or maybe accept that his trade value is approximately casey blake right now and be patient
  - Mac
    
    amen.
BigBlueAL

Standing O for Melky!!!!
- Ivan
  
  and he doesn’t dissapointed DP.
- BigBlueAL
  
  Melky is back!!!! Nice to see he hasnt lost his skill….
Frank

What’s with the Derek Jeter impression Melky!
- Ivan
  
  Unfortunately he can’t do impressions of Jeter hitting well.
Pedro

I wish Melky would go away forever.
Ivan

Where the hell is Mike?
mike

I dont see the hate coming at people who believe Hughes has barely demonstrated that he could – could – be an above average pitcher, as he has pitched well on a few occasions in the majors.

And we have to admit that perhaps the scouting reports overestimated his “stuff”, as we were all led to believe he would be Tom Seaver…..with a second off-speed pitch.

He has also pitched horribly on a few occasions, and passable on others. I think anyone would believe he has been a disappointment thus far in his major league career, not only because of the hype but because he has not put up the numbers/results we all expected.

Also, had he and some other players been traded for SAantana, chances are the Yankees would be in a better position for the playoffs this year, considering that Hughes and Kennedy, and their replacements, did more harm than good.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  WHY THE FUCK IS MY BURRITO TAKING THIS LONG TO COOK IN THIS MICROWAVE!!!!?!?!??!?!?!
- Chip
  
  But then everybody would come out of the woods yelling at Cashman if Hughes did fairly well this season and Santana had to have Tommy John. With pitchers you just never know. Give him a few seasons to figure it out and he could be dominating
  - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
    
    Don’t even bother trying to preach patience or long-term outlook. Futile.
Frank

Breaking a lot of bats w/ that cutter. I like what I see with that pitch, considering he just learned it.
Eric

I thought Hughes would have better stuff. His fastball is just major league average. His curve is flat out terrible. We could have had aces like Johan and Haren for him???
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Yeah, what a terrible Curvebal Juan Uribe just whiffed on…
Ivan

Wow that Jeter signiture play and he didn’t catch the ball. Another indicator that it’s not the yanks year.
- The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
  
  Dude… What you just said was full retard. You’re better than that comment.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Hughes is getting a lot of break on that Changeup, that’s good to see.
- Steve H
  
  You mean it’s not just average break. I mean, after all, he only has average stuff. I love how scouts and talent evaluators across baseball salivate over a guy with average stuff.
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
    
    Here’s Phil Hughes’ original scouting report, back when he was the #1 rated high-school pitcher in the country:
    
    Fastball: 15
    Curveball: 10
    Slider: -5
    Changeup: Ponsonian
    Command: 0
    Movement: 0
    Mechanics: 0
    General Suckiness: 80
    
    (All ratings on the 20-80 scale)
    
    Notes: This kid fucking blows. Worst pitcher since Hideki Irabu.
    
    Sincerely,
    Gene Michael
Ivan

Yo Uribe is one ugly ass dude.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

LoL @ Michael Kay hearing crickets…again.
Lanny

Jamal are you Hughes’ agent??

Because the man crush you got on him is pretty hilarious.
- Mac
  
  Total cheap shot.
- giselle
  
  how can you hate a 22-yr old pitcher? clearly he has to prove himself, but he’s not gonna do that in 10 ML starts. i think you’re being too quick to judge him, but you’re obviously welcome to that. it just makes you look shortsighted, is all.
  
  dont keep trying to pick a fight with jamal over hughes’ projected career stats. you really need to back off. its why you’re coming off as a moron.
  - Chip
    
    And that award for the most intelligent comment of the day goes to Giselle!
    
    Pitchers Hughes’ age just don’t normally dominate when they’re 22. The only ones who really do are the guys with 100 mph fastballs and those types are once in a generation. Randy Johnson was a good young pitcher but it took years for him to put it all together and flat out dominate. Not every pitcher matures the same
- radnom
  
  You’ve moved from trying to get your point across to full fledged troll.
  - radnom
    
    P.S. guys, don’t feed the troll.
Frank

Hughes doesn’t have his command tonight. His missing his spots and yanking a lot of his pitches. His curveball (his best pitch normally) has not looked good.

That being said, I’ve been impressed b/c he’s battling. His cutter looks good and the change does have great break. It goes to show you that once the command that he’s known for comes around… he’s going to be a dangerous pitcher once he puts it all together.

Hopefully that can happen soon.
- Steve H
  
  Clearly you’ve been doing too much watching the game and paying attention to baseball experts (you know, the ones who get paid 6 figures to figure this shit out for a multi-billion dollar industry). Hughes has average stuff, end of story. Just ask Lanny
Bill N

Lanny your are awarded no points and may god have mercy on your soul…………
- Steve H
  
  We are all dumber for having heard you speak
Sands

The Hughes apologists are out in force. Defending this scrub.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  …Sigh.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  After watching Lanny act like a blind ass-tard with his irrational, dishonest diatribe against Phil, how is it that you think the worst thing here are “Hughes Apologists”? Perhaps people are only Hughes Apologists because the Hughes Haters have gone off the deep end with their nonsensical idiocy, and the Hughes Apologists are simply trying to pull the discussion back from the brink of Bush-administration-level delusion?
BigBlueAL

I think we are focusing too much on Hughes. We should focus on this fuckin pathetic Yankees offense. I was kidding earlier when I said lookin at this guy’s HORRIBLE numbers this season that he will hold the Yankees to 1 run in 7 ip. But shit the Yankees have sent the minimum number of batters thru 4 innings. Embarrassing.
- Frank
  
  Utterly embarrassing. People who want to talk about average pitching need to look out when the Yankees are batting.
  
  Meanwhile, when did Phil Coke become such a hardass!?!
- giselle
  
  no shit. i feel like the yankee hitters are trying to one-up hughes’ iffy 4IP. its more than embarrassing because if any of our hitters took 4 pitches we’d be getting walks and 3-1 counts.
  
  in other news, according to the mindset that hughes is not an MLB-caliber pitcher, clayton richards is the next nolan ryan. and phil coke is the next mariano.
BigBlueAL

C’mon let Hughes pitch the 5th inning.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

I really want to see Humberto Sanchez tonight.
- Frank
  
  Same here. Has he pitched since coming up? I may have missed it.
  - Steve H
    
    If he does, he better dominate and throw 95 MPH+, or he is doomed to be a failure.
    - Frank
      
      I’m only worried that he makes Curt Schilling look like Richard Simmons.
      - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        I’m worried that he makes Bryant Gumbel look like Malcolm X.
  - Chip
    
    Nope, we’re all on the Dirty Sanchez watch
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  Don’t waste your time, Jamal. Humberto probably has average stuff, and will never amount to shit. May as well trade him right now.
Frank

He doesn’t throw over 95mph!!!! HOW CAN HE POSSIBLY SUCCEED!!! If you don’t learn how to pitch, in the majors no less, by 22 years old, you never will !!!! NOOOO!!
Pedro

Out after 89 pitches? Guess they aren’t taking any chances but maybe he could have gotten through another inning.
Chip

So how about this guy that replaced Hughes? He could be a difference maker next year.
BigBlueAL

I aint drinking Pepsi anymore, from now on Im only drinking Coke!!!!!

Sorry that was corny as hell….
- Ivan
  
  Michael Kay lite. That was awful
  - BigBlueAL
    
    At least I admitted it.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  I’m not shooting Heroin anymore, from now on I’m only freebasing COKE!
  
  [lights butane lighter]
  
  AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- DaveM
  
  Coke is it!!!!!!
Bill N

Steve H with the throwdown ha quality.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Heh, Phil Coke threw as many pitches in his first inning as Phil Hughes threw in his first At-Bat.

Way to show-up your teammate, douche. ;)
- Chip
  
  Obviously Phil Hughes had them all set up perfectly so Coke could do that :)
BigBlueAL

Only this Yankees offense can make a sold out Yankee Stadium sound like a library.
Frank

Someone needs to make a list of all the below average pitchers that have DOMINATED this lineup.

That someone may just be me.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  If you do make a list of all the below average pitchers with mediocre stuff who have shut down this lineup full of all-stars, be sure to think of that list every time someone says that Phil Hughes can never be an ace.
- Steve H
  
  How much time do you have?
cv

Is Coke in the mix for a starting spot next year, or does his stuff limit him to a left-reliever type role?

(every time I see his name I think of LT, which says somthing about my age)
- Frank
  
  I don’t see why he wouldn’t get a chance to start.
- Will (the other one)
  
  Eh, I wouldn’t worry about that. I know all about LT and his propensity for snow days, and I’m only seven.
mustang

It wasn’t a horrible night, but Hughes didn’t live up to the build up. He is still so young and has so much talent they have to give him a chance.

Sorry Ivan the winless streak continues.
- Ivan
  
  oh well there’s next start.
Ivan

Next season you know what, Guys like Hughes and Buchholz are gonna make alot of guys eat crow.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  I was online the other day looking up a great recipe for crow, but someone stole my laptop.
  - Steve H
    
    lol
  - Ivan
    
    That’s a good one.
  - mustang
    
    LMAO
- mustang
  
  I hope so for what it’s worth I think your going to be right, but for now people shouldn’t make too much of wins in the AAA playoffs.
A.D.

Nice little end of season treat with the Hughes & Coke appearances
Bill N

As much as I love the Yanks, it is hard to flip between 3 games. Living in Philly I am kinda caught in their playoff push rooting for them to top the mets again.
scottnar

The Hughes haters make me sick. All the points have been made about him. 22 years old, 10 major league starts etc. Give the kid a chance, he probably won’t be an ace but we already have one in the making in Joba if Cash would just stop babying him and start him next spring.
BigBlueAL

My God Melky really????
A.D.

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

I feel sorry for Melky, couldn’t have happened at a worst time.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  what happened? Gameday just lists Melky’s AB as a foul-out to catcher.
  - Pedro
    
    Bunt popped up.
- Ivan
  
  Only Melky.
- Pedro
  
  I feel sorry for Yankees’ fans who have to watch him play. I feel sorry for the people who paid to watch him play..that’s sad.
Pedro

Oh no, 2 men on. Are we even allowed to do that?
Jake K.

I really haven’t missed the Melky experience.
A.D.

at least Gardner probably would have gotten the bunt down
pete

ok…this is not a hughes apology…i think he looked perfectly decent tonight for a 22 year old in his first start back in the majors…89 pitches in 4 innings is pretty bad, but 1 run in 4 innings is pretty good, and the white sox have been very good in my opinion tonight when it comes to taking borderline pitches and fouling off two-strike pitches. I think hughes has to improve in his next couple starts, but minor leaguers just plain old don’t hit like the white sox have tonight. They swing pretty freely (usually, anyway), and hughes doesn’t throw much over the center of the plate. what you can’t ignore is the fact that he managed to escape all but one of those jams unscathed. He isn’t joba, but he could be a valuably decent 5th starter next year.
- Frank
  
  Good points.
  
  With the stuff he brought to the stadium tonight, he could have gotten pounded.
  
  I saw a lot of promise tonight b/c what was missing was his command, which is his best attribute. He’ll come around.
Ivan

All I can say is that the yankee offense will be much better next season.
- Frank
  
  You mean they BETTER be better. I don’t see how. It’s going to take more than Tex to turn this around.
Frank

Coke being stretched out for a start perhaps?
A.D.

On ESPN tonight Peter Gammons proposed a Cano for Kemp deal in which the Yankees “would do that in a heartbeat”

Gotta say, not so sold, Kemp is a good player. gives a nice SB dynamic, but I would think that you’re probably better off with Cano.

The Yankees plan in this would be to sign Orlando Hudson as as replacement, whom apparently Cash is high on
- Ivan
  
  I’ll do that deal.
  - Steve H
    
    Me too, easier to replace the 2b than a young CF like Kemp.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    I wouldn’t. Let me have my 25-year-old Second Basemen who has basically been the second best offensive Second Basemen in the Major Leagues (Chase Utley) coming into this season.
    
    Why is it that every other organization allows for their young players to struggle, but when Yankee players go through it, they are automatically rumored to be dealt? Such BS.
    - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      I agree, Jamal. My initial reaction is that I wouldn’t do it either. I’m not a big fan of either Kemp or Hudson. Cano, if he rebounds, is clearly more valuable than those guys. That being said, nobody in this thread ripped Cano. A.D. just repeated a rumor he heard on TV, and people discussed it.
      - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
        
        No, I was talking about the media, not anyone here.
        
        The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
        
        Eh, it’s f’ng Gammons.
- Frank
  
  That’s exactly what I wanted to do. I liked Hudson… and then he had shoulder surgery.
  
  Although it would take more than Cano to land Kemp IMO.
- clamchaoder
  
  what would they do with ajax when he’s ready if they get kemp?
  but otherwise, it wouldn’t be bad
  - scottnar
    
    If and when he is ready you can easily move Kemp to one of the corner OF spots, as Jamal pointed out kemp is a corner outfielder that is playing Center. A decent 2B with a higher OBP than Cano can be found. I am a fan of Cano I just think they should listen to offers
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  The main reason not to dismiss it out of hand is that Kemp is two years younger. But, offensively they’re almost the exact same player (.300/.332/.465 for Cano vs. .297/.338/.470 for Kemp) and Cano’s done it in a tougher league and division playing a tougher defensive position. So I’d pass.
  
  And, btw, O-Dog is going to be 31 in December, he’s probably leaving his peak, said peak is much lower than Cano’s, he’ll probably cost more than what Cano would, and we may have to give up a pick to sign him.
  
  Boo that too.
  - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
    
    And we’ve seen Hudson in the AL East, and it wasn’t too impressive. It was a few years ago, but still. There’s a track-record there, it’s not like Hudson’s a world-beater.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

LoL @ Gus Ferotte being the starter in Minny the rest of the year (per ESPN Radio).
- Ivan
  
  If your Jackson, that tells ya alot of what they think of ya when the replace ya with Ferotte.
  - A.D.
    
    Vikings spend all kind of money on WR & Allen, and still went into the season with a guy who couldn’t start at Arkansas
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  Drafting Tarvaris Jackson, Vince Young, Alex Smith, Matt Leinart, J.P. Losman, and Rex Grossman:
  
  http://failblog.files.wordpres.....-fail3.jpg
  - A.D.
    
    You can toss Cade McNown & Akili Smith on top of that, but Ryan Leaf would deserve his own
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
      
      I decided not to go that far back… we’d be here all night.
scottnar

I would make that deal too in hopes you sign Hudson. Kemp is young and he is a CF. then just need to figure out 1B
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Matt Kemp is a corner-outfielder playing Center Field.
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
    
    True. Cano defensively as a 2B >> Kemp defensively as a CF.
Ivan

Im gonna watch SuperBad.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Heh, I was just think of that scene where Michael Cera’s girlfriend calls him “a little bitch” for not sleeping with her.
  - Ivan
    
    I remeber that one.
    
    The funny one was when Seth admit to his friend that he had an obssession of drawing Dicks.
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      I think all my favorite scenes are the interactions between Seth and Fogul. I just love the way Seth continually owns that dude.
    - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      Whatever… It’s not even that big of a deal, something like 8 percent of kids do it.
Frank

Hasn’t Hudson had season-ending surgery? I was high on him till then.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  He’s over thirty and will cost us a first-round pick. Why do you think Matt Kemp is worth the loss of a first-round pick and tens-of-millions-of-dollars?
  
  Basically what you are saying is that you would rather a combination of Matt Kemp, the loss of a first-round pick, the signing of a middle-infielder over 30-years-old and a multi-year/multi-million-dollar commitment to said middle-infielder than Robinson Cano and his affordable contract? Robinson Cano, he of the one bad season.
  - scottnar
    
    good point, then screw Hudson and find a contact hitting above average 2B. shouldn’t be that hard and for cheap
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      Dude, I understand you’re frustrated, but just stick with Cano. He’s kinda good.
      - scottnar
        
        I understand, like I said I like him a lot, just thinking outloud ways to improve the team. I just know they will need help in the OF.
    - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      Who? If contact-hitting, above average second basemen were so plentiful, wouldn’t everyone have one?
      
      So you’d do Cano for Kemp, straight up, without having a 2B target? Just asking, not meant to be sarcastic. I can’t see dealing Cano for Kemp, straight up. Take a look at their respective career stats, keep their positions in mind, etc.
  - Frank
    
    I was…. just asking if he’s had surgery……
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      Heh, sorry. That was kinda in response to the general opinion of wanting to deal Robinson Cano for Matt Kemp and signing Orlando Hudson.
    - scottnar
      
      Yeah he had season ending wrist surgery on august 10. He definitely does not need to be the answer if Cano is dealt. 2B are not hard to find. How bout Ellis
      - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        Ellis is even older and shittier than Hudson.
        
        Like the Congressman said, non-offensively-crappy second basemen don’t grow on trees.
A.D.

alright some runs!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Thank you. Couldn’t take the “Yankees quit!1!11!1″ crowd and their nonsense.
A.D.

Looks like Meacham is getting a hand of this 3rd base job
Ivan

Fuck it, I wouldn’t trade Cano for Kemp. Call me a flip flopper.
- Steve H
  
  hahaha
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  Hold on, let me get Karl Rove on the phone…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

I love it when A.J. Pierzynski fails. Anybody who gets socked in the jaw and cheers to the crowd without returning a blow deserves all the failures he endures.
Ivan

Im watching CNN, and it seem to me that people don’t understand that raising taxes isn’t so bad especially when the economy is down right struggling like Melky.
- The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
  
  Which candidate are you referring to when saying “people don’t understand that raising taxes isn’t so bad?”
  - Ivan
    
    Well with McCain he brings up Tax cut, Tax cut. Bush preaches Tax cut and it never works, especially since guys like me never get a cut of that money.
    - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      Obama’s economic plan calls for tax cuts for 95% of Americans. Not trying to start any sort of political discussion here, just think what you said was a little inaccurate.
      
      http://chartjunk.karmanaut.com/taxplans/
      - Ivan
        
        But those tax cuts are towards working americans. McCain tax cuts are for basically corporate rich people. Plus, Obama will eventually increase taxes on those same corporate.
        
        It’s gotten to the point where corporate people are running this country.
        
        The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
        
        I don’t know what you’re responding to, I didn’t say their plans were similar or that McCain’s plan was better for the middle class than Obama’s. I’m very left-leaning, you don’t have to convince me. Honestly… I figured you were making a pro-Obama statement, and I just think the way to back Obama is not to tell people tax-cuts are bad, but to point out to them that Obama actually wants to cut taxes by higher percentages for all but the richest people. Better to be armed with the facts and be able to explain to people what the candidates’ plans actually mean for them, personally (since most people seem to be under the impression that they’ll get more tax relief from the right than from the left).
        
        Ivan
        
        Yea Im an Obama supporter, but not a democrat or Republican.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  Fun Fact time: Since the beginning of the 20th century, every significant financial crisis or stock market crash (Great Depression, 70’s stagflation, late 80’s-early 90’s recession, current recession) has been directly preceded by tax cuts and deregulation, and virtually every economic period of growth (Roaring 20’s, Postwar Boom, Clinton’s 90’s) has been preceded by a tax increase and stringent regulation.
  - Ivan
    
    People killed Clinton for raising Taxes, and it turn out to be a good move, cuz the country had a surplus. Now that surplus has been squaddered away by Bush and this stupid war.
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      You know how you know the President failed miserably? When kids in a Junior High School in an urban neighborhood actually have knowledge of what he’s done to this country. I’m serious, I remember in my JHS that we had fully fledged discussions about Bush’s Presidency at the time (8th grade in 2003) and how bad he was/is.
      - Steve H
        
        All part of the master plan!! He just wanted the youth of today to pay attention and learn about the world, and what better way then to fuck everything up so much that everyone would discuss it!!
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
      
      Yeah. People love tax cuts, but generally speaking, bankrupting the government and running up massive debts is a surefire plan for eventual economic ruin. Bush’s tax cuts, coupled with expanding the size of the government, have doubled the national debt and hurt the long term health of this country immeasurably.
      - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
        
        Btw… If the Steinbrenners are reading this thread… Please don’t revoke my ticket license. (Tough being a liberal Yankees fan.)
        
        http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        Tell me about it.
        
        Yankees = Steinbrenner Clan = Conservative Republican
        Jets = Woody Johnson = Conservative Republican
        Knicks = James Dolan = Batshit Crazy
        
        The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
        
        I guess you’d run into that sort of problem in most cities though… Except fucking Boston, I bet that ownership group are all liberals. Fucking Boston, being all good all the time. Assholes.
      - Ivan
        
        And he gave too much power to corporate America.
      - A.D.
        
        Actually tax cuts generally lead to to more tax revenues from the rich, they’re less likely to shelter their money, this has been shown many times.
        
        Additionally whomever made the Clinton tax raise comment, he cut one of the most important cuts of all, capital gains.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Nice fucking play.
- Ivan
  
  Yankees showing no fight. Comming back from 1-0, shocked.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

UPDATE, 8:34 p.m.: OK, I officially give up. The person pulling the countdown lever tonight was some vice president from Met Life. Apparently everybody who has ever played, managed or coached for the Yankees was busy. Maybe they all went to the same movie.

I understand that Met Life sponsored the countdown. I get that. If they wanted somebody to pull the lever in June or July, that would have been fine. But this guy was the sixth company executive to do the honors.

THIS IS THE FINAL WEEK OF GAMES AT THE STADIUM!

It’s a disgrace. How can a team like the Yankees ignore their history?

What is this guy’s problem? It’s a fucking countdown lever…who gives a shit?
- The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
  
  Eh… I agree it’s not really an issue that anyone should get worked up about, but the Yankees really could have gotten some better people to do the honors. It’s different when you’re watching on and not in the Stadium regularly. When you’re there all the time, it’s a little more striking that the Yanks bungled the countdown-lever thing.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    I’ve been to a few games this year, I’ve only noticed once when the lever was pulled. I guess I’m not as sentimental as others, but I could not care any less about this countdown thing.
    - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      I’m not talking a few games, I mean if you’re there all the time. I don’t really care, but there were definitely a few times this season when I looked up and was like “really? This is the best the Yanks can do? They couldn’t pick up the phone and get an old player, TV personality, SOMEONE affiliated with the team to pull the stupid lever?” Whatevs, I know it’s stupid.
  - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
    
    (meant “watching on TV”, obviously)
Steve H

Joba just threw a 94 mph fastball. Not 95, 94, he’s average.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Dude, who gives a shit? Technically, he wasn’t even a first-round pick. Plus, Chris Russo once said that he couldn’t turn a lineup over because he got beat my Manhattan in the NCAA Tournament.
  - Frank
    
    Listening to Russo gave me headaches. I get mad just remembering he said that.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  Joba sucks balls.
  
  All these fuckers blow. Trade everybody for some grinders like Reggie Willits and Eric Byrnes.
  - Ivan
    
    Hustle guys.
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
      
      Yup. Real gamers. Like Varitek. And Darin Erstad. And Corey Koskie.
      
      Is Corey Koskie still alive? Somebody should find out.
- Chris
  
  Trade Hughes and Joba for Bronson Arroyo
Ivan

You Ben Stein is one of those guys where the closes thing he ever got to a breast was at KFC.
BigBlueAL

Posada is a genius.
scottnar

something oo economics? Voo doo economics
- The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
  
  lol. I have a feeling that reference is a little old for much of the crowd here.
  - zzzzz
    
    save ******.
  - scottnar
    
    Ha Ha, was waiting to see if anyone caught that one. Classic
  - Steve H
    
    That’s sad. When I have kids, I will force them to watch that movie.
    - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      About time for a little Mia Sara comeback, no?
      - Steve H
        
        Last time I saw her on some VH1 show, she looked awful. I was horrified, not how I expected her to look at all.
      - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
        
        What the hell are you fossils talking about? ;)
        
        The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
        
        Mia Sara was hot back in the day! Don’t F with my Mia Sara, Jamal.
        
        scottnar
        
        extremely hot, name one other movie she was in from that timeframe
        
        The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
        
        Ugh the only thing that comes to mind if Timecop. What else was she in?
        
        scottnar
        
        Legend with Tom Cruise
        
        The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
        
        Nice work. I should have remembered that. This is totally random but I was in a bar in Paris this summer and that movie was on (don’t ask, weird French bar). I was already drunk so I ordered my drink and was like “holy shit, Legend!” The bartender looked at me like “yes. Congratulations. You’re a huge loser.” lol
        
        scottnar
        
        ha ha nice. screw that french bastard, the devil in that movie is awesome
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Nice catch by the fan. S39 represent!
Charles

Yey! More runs please so we can get to see Humberto!
Brett

Oh man the yankees can come back, who knew where has this play been all season
Chip

Look at those reliever ERAs on Gameday

Coke 0.00
Bruney 2.03
Chamberlain 2.53

and soon you might see

River 1.53

Just think how good this team would have been if not for the injuries……
Samsonov KGB

that guy is a professional, when i saw him last night he looked familiar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsF0mPONeZc

althought i think its him, please tell me if i’m wrong
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

You see, A-Rod scored the tying run. Clutch!
Brett

and the inability to hit with RISP, and you know have consistent starting pitcher (outside of mussina and pettite the first half of the season and now alfredo)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Record-breaker. Bitch.
BigBlueAL

Hope Joba finishes the game.
Chip

For all of you who don’t think A-Rod is clutch, he’s hitting .305 with runners in scoring position this season (obviously somebody is always in scoring position when he comes up)
steve (different one)

how strong do you have to be to hit a ball out with your “C” swing?
Joey

That fat bastard called it. For all the making fun of him we do, I gotta give him props on this one:

“UPDATE, 9:35 p.m.: Man, this will be a bad, bad loss for the White Sox if the Yankees hold on. Meanwhile, it’s almost like Girardi let them suddenly eat candy bars again in the seventh inning. The Yankees were sleepwalking and all of a sudden started playing again.

This would be a typical spot for a crushed A-Rod homer. Just watch.

UPDATE, 9:38 p.m.: See? “
- Steve H
  
  Wait a minute. It was a 3 run game in the 8th inning. Isn’t that one of those “clutch” stats out there that gets thrown around? By some asshole’s definition of clutch, that was truly a clutch hr by Arod
Brett

Edwar seriously, does Girardi just want to let up enough runs to let Mo get a save
Samsonov KGB

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsF0mPONeZc
BigBlueAL

I dont get it. Why the FUCK is Joba not pitching the 9th inning???????????????
- Steve H
  
  He must have quit on Girardi.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Well you can forget the Ben Sheets over C.C. Sabathia idea: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=mlb

As we all know, forearm tightness is often a precursor to TJS.
- Joey
  
  I’m sure even without this development the medical team would have been all over him before he would have been signed
- Steve H
  
  Maybe we can get him cheap on a Lieber type deal, provided it is TJS obviously and he needs a year to rehab.
- Ivan
  
  I was tight when I heard that.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos

Yanks win… Phil shows signs of improvement… Sox losing to TBA, Philly winning to hang on to the East lead and keep the Mets sweating (which is a little fun to watch).

Not a bad night, gents!
- The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
  
  8 games back, baby!
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
    
    A couple of onside kicks and we’re right back in this fucker!
    - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      lmao. The irrational competitiveness and enthusiasm is actually kinda cracking me up. I’m going to walk around work tomorrow and be like “8 games back, people! We can fucking win this thing!”
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Don’t forget the Brewers are winning as well. We need them to keep the Mets out of the postseason.
steve (different one)

Leiter just said he thinks Hughes has 2 plus pitches. too bad Al Leiter doesn’t know as much about pitching as some RAB posters. on the other hand, it’s nice to have that level of in-house expertise.
- Steve H
  
  So you’re going to take more credence in what a guy with 162 wins says over Leaping Lanny Poffo?
Ivan

I think Hughes next season will show why he could be a front-line guy. Just watch breakout guy in 09.

His cutter looked very good though.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

It’s funny how you forget how big of a guy Phil Hughes really is.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

I like how people are completely disregarding the fact that Phil Hughes threw a combined 29-pitches to three hitters: Orlando Cabrera, A.J. Pierzynski and Juan Uribe.
- pat
  
  i just perused this game thread, I dunno how you guys didnt put your fists through your computers reading some of this stuff about hughes and his “suckiness”.
  You’re better off having an argument with a harvard grad than an idiot because at least the graduate will know when they’re wrong.
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
    
    You can always tell a Harvard man… but you can’t tell him much.
- The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
  
  Ok… I’m sure I’m really F’ng annoying when I try to be diplomatic between warring factions here, but hear me out. Now, I agree with you, I don’t think Hughes’ start tonight is any reason to doubt his ability or his future. Trust me… I think it’s a little weird how badly I want Phil Hughes to succeed, I’m on your side. BUT, I think what antagonizes some people is when people try to spin every little thing in Hughes’ favor (and the same goes for some other players). I hear you – he ran up his pitch count in one or two innings, really, and really just against a couple of guys… But, you know what? In the end, he threw too many pitches in too few innings. Just let it be, there’s no need to sugarcoat every little thing. To be perfectly honest, in my opinion, who fucking cares if he threw too many pitches and only lasted 4 innings on September 17 (when the Yanks are realistically out of contention) 2008, at 22 years old? What’s important is that he gets some work in, continues learning what he needs to learn about pitching to be successful, and continues maturing as a pitcher. I think when you sugarcoat things it comes off like you’re an apologist, refusing to see faults, and really you don’t need to do that to make your point. I guess what I’m saying is, it’s a bit unfair to get on people for being down on Hughes tonight because of his pitch count. His pitch count was high, it happened and he’ll work on it. (Just my two cents and I’m generally a moron, so tell me to F off if what I wrote is annoying.)
  - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
    
    Feel like a sanctimonious ass right now, heading out for a smoke. lol
  - steve (different one)
    
    no, this post is fine. its reasonable and not written in a way that makes you sound like a pompous know-it-all (which, yes, is my own favorite style sometimes).
    
    also, you made your observations AFTER the game.
    
    most of the comments people were annoyed with were made about 2 batters in, at around 7:20….
    
    therefore, people correctly assumed that these opinions were mostly based on about 22 innings of work at the beginning of the season.
    se for Phil are also a little annoying.
    
    it’s just not good baseball sense to judge a young pitcher so quickly.
    - The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      Agree on all counts. One of the pleasures of being a Yankees fan – having such a huge fan base means you’re going to deal with a lot of enlightened people and a lot of people who don’t really get it.
      - pat
        
        I feel like alot of the “problem” if you will is you get alot of kids in their teens who only know yankee domination. its almost like there is a generation of mini-georges who want success immediately. Alot of people dont realize that the jobas and lincecums are the exception not the rule and get spoiled.
        
        The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
        
        I often feel the same way but then again, the older guys I work for tend to be the same way. When you go to the playoffs for so many seasons in a row and have an ownership group that makes proclamations about the team that make it sound like they think it’s the team’s divine right to be in the World Series, that’s what you get. I do think it’s interesting that the teenage and early 20s fans don’t know what it’s like to root for a team that isn’t in the playoffs, but I don’t think age is really the defining factor.
        
        The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
        
        lol and whatever, I’m in my 20s. I’m not ready to start looking down on kids like that (yet).
        
        pat
        
        Haha im also in my 20’s so its weird to be chastising these darn hooligan teenagers or whatever but i just have such a major problem with people coming in and saying ridiculous shit that is so blatantly uninformed and knee jerk. Then again i just get angry because i feel like this is my home turf and have to defend it from the hordes of trolls who come creeping through. A feeling im sure is mutual with some of the other curmudgeons who try and fight the masses.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

LoL @ the Mets for allowing the Nationals to bring the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning, a game they lead 7-1.
- E-ROC
  
  Elijah Dukes is a beast. He’s finally getting extended playing time.
scottnar

I love the optimism Ivan, I’m with you.
giselle

huh. weird fact from the announcers on espn’s wed night baseball: Alfonso Soriano is the last yankee to homer in Yankee Stadium during the World Series.

I loved Soriano. He’s awesome.
The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

Awesome – That kid in the bleachers who caught Giambi’s homer the other night (and did the cabbage patch) and who caught another one tonight (and did the cabbage patch again) was just on Sportscenter.