Game 153: Do or die for Moose’s quest

September 18, 2008 by Benjamin Kabak 367 Comments

If Mike Mussina wants to win 20 games this year, he has but one choice tonight. He must win. He will make three starts, counting this evening’s, before the season runs out. If he wins them all, 20 wins will be his.

Unfortunately for Mussina, he has done little winning lately. While the Yanks are 5-2 over his last seven starts, Moose has nailed down just two W’s in that period, and his ERA over that stretch of 43 innings is 4.81. Mussina will also attempt to keep his walk total lower than his number of games started. He has allowed 27 base-on-balls in 31 starts.

This could also be Moose’s last career start in Yankee Stadium for the Yankees. In his Yankee career, Moose is 69-38 with a 3.66 ERA in 125 starts.

Facing Mussina will be old friend Javier Vazquez. The former Yankee is 12-13 with a 4.13 ERA. In his only 2008 outing against the Yanks, Vazquez allowed 10 hits and six earned runs in 5.1 innings of work. Meanwhile, on the year, Javy’s allowed a hit per inning and has just a hair under a strike per inning. If you want to talk about the Yanks’ selling low, Vazquez should enter the conversation.

In other news, Juan Miranda makes his Major League debut tonight. He kills right-handed pitching.

Gardner CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi DH
Nady LF
Cano 2B
Miranda 1B
Molina C

Mussina P

Mike Pop

Hope Miranda goes deep
- Mike Pop
  
  he will
1996 Yankee Alumni Society

Good luck Mike! If nothing else 20 wins might make Steve Phillips think of Mussina
as a HOF pitcher (like the way Phillips’ feels about his broadcast partner
Orel Hershiser. Good God in heaven). Is anti-Yankee bias the only reason Phillips has a job at ESPN?

Peace!
pat

im actually pretty pumped to see miranda
- Chip
  
  He could be there next season if they don’t sign Tex or Giambi (or Dunn)
Manimal

God damn it! Just when I get ready to do homework and ignore the useless and pitiful games, Juan miranda is starting and now i need to watch the game. Thanks Yankees. Gardner is also up to leadoff again. That melky guy didnt really work out.
Manimal

OH YEAH mike, I JUST got promoted to the NHL, I shot 3 pucks off the crossbar in my first game. some luck.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Nice. My record in my Dynasty is 4-6-0-5 or so. I was having serious trouble scoring with the manual aiming, but I’m starting to get the hang of it.
  
  Heh, it’s funny. At first I was shooting way wide, then I was shooting just a little wide, then I was hitting the iron, and now they’re starting to go in.
  
  My record would be way worse without Holmqvist, he’s a man amongst boys in net.
  - Manimal
    
    Haha I’m still getting used to it to, It seems like in the AHL I got the hang of it then in the NHL the Defense is just that much tighter that you miss barely.
Mike Pop

Hoorah !!! for home homegrown talent
- Manimal
  
  Look at the list the past two years of home grown talent that was called up. Pretty impressive. Probably better than the redsox in that span.
Ivan

Man I knew having a job was rough but damn it can be just draining on the body.
- Manimal
  
  lol where do you work? I work at a supermarket and the constant right-left motion at the register really takes a toll on my back. The only reason I don’t play sports anymore is because I have a really bad back and that just makes it worse.
  - Ivan
    
    I work at an afterschool program. Try working with loud, obnoxious and annoying kids for a couple hours at a time. It’s my first job ever too.
    - Manimal
      
      HAHAHA I HAVE dude. My first job was at Pump it up, a local birthday party place for kids. It has inflatable bouncing stuff. I supervised the birthday parties and made sure no one go hurt. Did you have to clean pee poop from inflatable rides?
      
      If you think I’m joking I’m not, http://www.pumpitup.com. The only reason I worked there is because they hired at 15 and no one else does in MA. Once I turned 16 I quit and now I work at price chopper.
      - Manimal
        
        http://www.pumpitupparty.com/ thats the website, my bad
        
        Ivan
        
        Nah you help kids with they HW and etc.
        
        Manimal
        
        yeah dude you get the polite side of the kids, I got the rotten side of them in my old job.
        
        Ivan
        
        That’s what you think. It ain’t like that trust me.
    - E-ROC
      
      try raising them. do u want mine?
      - Manimal
        
        Haha I’m good thanks.
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
        
        That’s the best part about other people’s kid. You can play with them and stuff when they’re fun and cute, but once they start crying you can give them back.
      - Ivan
        
        surprise you got kids.
E-ROC

I will actually get to watch this game on WGN-Chicago. Lucky me!

Baldelli/Miranda platoon at DH next year? Sounds like a plan to me.
Mike Pop

i wanna see a brett gard home run
Mike Pop

Try being a busboy man shit is rough
Mike Pop

Is Tex gonna top that 140 mill deal that Texas offered him ?
Mike Pop

102 yrs old god bless him
Mike Pop

Ill say no too mussina shut him down so type A dont go away
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  He’s pretty locked into that. Nothing he does in his last few starts should change that now.
  - Mike Pop
    
    You agree tho right… Hes been much different lately. I love what hes done but i could not give him a 2 yr deal after what ive seen in the second half… My dad is the best hes like he throws garbage up there idk how he gets ppl out
Manimal

Damon was granted a day off to spend time with his wife, Michelle, who just had a baby girl, Danica.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Danica Damon?
  - Manimal
    
    Danica Damon. Girardi asked if she was going to be a racecar driver and he said “she can be whatever she wants”
    - Mike Pop
      
      Well Danica Patrick and Michelle are great friends i read somewhere
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      You know, it would be pretty badass to have Johnny Damon as your old man.
      - Manimal
        
        then again, I’d hate to get his jaw.
Ivan

I don’t know about you guys but I wanna see players that interest me. Like Miranda, Hughes, Joba, Robertson and etc.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  It would be nice if Humberto pitched tonight. He was up the pen the other day, but nothing.
  - Mike Pop
    
    ya id really like to see him pitch
  - Ivan
    
    Yea love to see him. Guys like Giambi and even Jeter and A-Rod don’t really get me all hype and stuff. Well except Mariano cuz hey that dude is fun to watch all the time. Yea it’s a inning but it’s a damn fun inning pitch.
    - Mike Pop
      
      Whaaaaaaaaaaattt ! Arod and Jeter you dont like watching ???? lol i guess i know what ya mean but i like watching those 2 cano and gardner as of right now i liekd watching melky alot when he gave some great at bats
      - Ivan
        
        Im not dissing A-Rod or DJ, it’s that the season is basically over and you know, you wanna see the new talent/the younger guys.
        
        Mike Pop
        
        Agreed
giselle

it seems odd to see pitchers blowing on their hands. although it was kinda cold out today.
Mike Pop

I really hope we deal Damon tho sell high ya know
E-ROC

Mussina ain’t missing many bats.
Manimal

Where is sexson’s 6 foot 8 reach when you need it
Mike Pop

I cant beleive Bedard thats wild lets give him a 3 yr deal worth 12 mill
- Manimal
  
  except he signed last year.
  - Mike Pop
    
    they were talking bout non tendering him tho
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  I’m fairly certain he could get more than that on the open market, shoulder issues or not.
  - Mike Pop
    
    if he gets non tendered i see toronto giving him a contract but idk how much he will make a year not much more than 5 6 mill i would think
giselle

i bet 50 cents that javy vazquez has a 10-pitch inning.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Did Al Leiter just say Javier Vazquez is second in the Major Leagues in K’s since 2000 (Randy Johnson)?
- Ivan
  
  surprising, Javier Vazquez has always been a very good pitcher. Put it this way, if Hughes could be Vazquez, you take that right now in a heartbeat.
  - Chip
    
    He doesn’t quite have as much movement or speed as Hughes though. Kinda sad to say that isn’t it? Hughes could DEFINITELY be Vazquez and still not be at his full potential
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Holy shit he is. Comfortable lead over Pedro at #3 too.
  
  http://tinyurl.com/52cyp4
Mike Pop

Lol @ Michael Kay talking bout Pavano
Mike Pop

Bobby !
E-ROC

That was pretty.
giselle

damn that ball was smoked! yea bobby!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Ay Boo-Boo!
Mike Pop

Vazquez dont give up HR’s eh
giselle

who is this team and what have they done with the 2008 yankees?
- Steve H
  
  I don’t know who this team is, but I know what happened to the 2008 Yankees. Remember, they quit on Girardi
  - Mike Pop
    
    yes they did
  - Ivan
    
    Yea Girardi has lost this team.
Mike Pop

Random thought—Mark Prior ??? Has he done anything since he signed with the Padres ?? does he have any gas left in the tank
- Chip
  
  No, he’s done
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Got injured, is rehabbing now if they did not shut him down earlier in the year (I think they did, in late May or early June).
E-ROC

‘He gone!’ LOL, that has to be one of the coolest phrases in broadcasting.
Mike Pop

Could Tino be the next GM ?
- Chip
  
  After next season’s WS championship, Girardi will probably be around for awhile :)
  - Mike Pop
    
    Lol but hes the manager my dude
    - Chip
      
      My bad, I’m dumb. What qualifications does Tino have to be a GM? I don’t think being a former player has as much to do with being GM rather than the skipper
      - Mike Pop
        
        Idk im just saying isnt he like a special assistant or something
      - Steve
        
        He would be the handsomest GM in Baseball, and all the other GM’s would follow him around just hoping to get some of his sloppy seconds.
        
        So he could negotiating a deal with Billy Beane like this
        
        TM-“I really want that top prospect you have”
        BB-“Sorry, but I can’t. We really need him and he’s going to be great”
        TM-“I’ll let you hang out with me at the Mall”
        BB-“Deal!!”
Ivan

I still wouldn’t trade Cano.
- Mike Pop
  
  me either man me either
Illustrious

Asking here because some might have baseball experience… after a bad first inning, is it possible for a pitcher to go back in the clubhouse and kind of mentally fix his “stuff” for the night? Or is what he has what he has, generally speaking?
- Chip
  
  “Stuff” changes from pitch to pitch for me. I would sometimes hang a curve one pitch and then throw a filthy one right at the spot I was going for the next. The part you get back on the bench is more about control, you have a chance to calm down a bit
  - Illustrious
    
    Interesting. I’ve almost always heard MLB pitchers refer to their “stuff” as being pretty much the same all night, e.g. “I had good stuff today,” “I didn’t have my best stuff today.” Good and bad “stuff” is an interesting phenomenon to me, as someone who’s never thrown a pitch off a mound.
    - Chip
      
      Well yeah, there were definitely nights I could feel like I was going to dominate and other nights that I couldn’t get a ball to break if my life depended on it. I still say that “stuff” changes all the time though. You can go through pretty much any start and see a pitcher just nailed a corner with a curveball or something. When you’re on, that just happens more often
- Steve
  
  Generally speaking, a pitcher is trying to figure out two things in the first inning.
  
  1-Whats working for him that night
  
  2-What the ump is calling for strikes
  
  Once he has those two things nailed down, he’s in business. Thats why you don’t go nuts over guys who have shaky 1st innings. Lots a great, veteran pitchers do. Its all about making the adjustments.
Ivan

I remember when Girardi hit that Triple in the 96 WS, I was so hyped and watching that crowed going insane was one of those moments that made me a yankee fan.
E-ROC

Miranda coming up!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

I can really see why people hate Derek Jeter, the way people talk about him is nauseating at times.
- mascot
  
  Epic ball-washing from Kay.
  
  “He doesn’t treat people poorly.” Wow!
  - Illustrious
    
    And “doesn’t treat anyone as if they’re beneath him.” Meanwhile, I know FOR A FACT Kay does.
    - Mike Pop
      
      kay didnt tip me when he ate at my restaraunt once that prick
      - Illustrious
        
        Hah, seriously?
Chip

Good ole AA Scranton
Chip

Well that was anti-climatic
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Miranda must be a Mario Lemeuix fan.
Samsonov KGB

well he has an obp………
Illustrious

Bunting with Gardner up next? Okay…
Samsonov KGB

miranda slid real early
- Steve H
  
  Saving his face. Especially with Molina running. Not gonna be a close play no matter what.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

God Damn, George King is a fucking idiot. He actually mentioned Jake Peavy is a trade candidate for the Yankees this off-season. Yes, I’m sure Kevin Towers will be chomping at the bit to trade Peavy. You know, Jake Peavy, the guy who is under contract for the next five seasons at a total of $78M (2009 club option for $8M, 2013 club option for $22M) and the guy who is the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  They are looking to shed payroll. They could clean house if they trade Peavy, at least 3 quality young players. Cano, Hughes and Jackson would be a starting point.
  - Mike Pop
    
    Would you give up Cano Hughes and Jackson for him I dont think I could
    - Chip
      
      Probably not but that’s where they’ll start. I bet they could get Cano, Hughes and Coke for him. That could be pretty decent from what we’ve seen from Coke thus far. You figure at least you get a young starting 2B who could be great, at least a number 3 starter with serious upside and a lefty reliever who could be a pretty good starter
      - Mike Pop
        
        I couldnt do it man lol I just couldnt .. Peavy is the real deal and all I know but Phil could be great and I would rather take the risk
      - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
        
        Nah, we’re talking about two up-the-middle position players that are 25-and-under and a 22-year-old starter with a #1 starter’s ceiling.
        
        Ivan
        
        especially pitching in that park.
    - mascot
      
      Absolutely. He’s terrific and only 27. Feels like he’s been around forever.
  - Ivan
    
    Persoanlly I wouldn’t trade those guys for Peavy. His #’s are not as great considering he plays in the best pitcher’s ballpark and pitch in a weaker league specifically a weaker division. He’s a very good pitcher though.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    According to MLBTR, via Buster Olney, the Padres want to cut their 2009 payroll to around $50M. At $73M now, the loss of Brian Giles and Trevor Hoffman would be about half that $23M drop.
    
    I don’t know, I just can’t see why they would entertains erious offers for Peavy when they are in that division. A couple savvy moves and they could be right back where they were in 2008, on the cusp of October baseball.
    - Mike Pop
      
      Bobby !!! Hot Damn but i dont think they will trade him for at least 2 years because if he stays decent they could still get a good haul when he nears FA
- Ivan
  
  There not trading Peavy period, even if they are shedding payroll.
Illustrious

I feel like the Yanks should be hammering Vazquez a lot harder than they are. All I know is that I want like 6+ER given up by him tonight. Thanks for 2004, Javy.
E-ROC

Bobby Abreu bringing out the power stroke tonight.
Samsonov KGB

zack hample almost caught anotgher hr ball it was pretty close to him
Samsonov KGB

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCTvx9buOvA
- giselle
  
  crazy. i cant believe he can ask for a ball in 27 different languages or whatever… he said it perfectly in spanish and italian.
  
  he does come off as a bit of a fraud carrying around gear from both teams, though.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    I’ve caught one ball in my life. Actually, it was more like I was the first to grab it off the ground. Darryl Strawberry in BP, about 20 years ago, RF seats in Shea.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Bobby Abreu is really making me fight myself on whether he should be allowed to walk or not. I know the Yanks need to get younger and better defensively (and the extra couple of draft picks wouldn’t hurt), but damn, this guy is pretty fucking important to the 2009 and 2010 Yankees.
- Mike Pop
  
  I agree Bobby is a solid hitter and despite his troubles defensively i think hes got at least one more good year of baseball left him him for the yankeees
- mascot
  
  Everyone would want him back if he were the DH.
- Ivan
  
  I think Abreu gets underrated by yanks fans. He’s been one of the better hitters in big spots and he still has a good eye at the plate and can hit very well.
- Chip
  
  Problem is, who do you start? You could play Damon in center, Matsui/Nady in left and then Damon in center. I think the Yankees would like an outfield of Matsui/Damon in left, Gardner in center (with A-Jax on the way) and Nady in right. Besides, Bobby isn’t coming back for one year, he’ll have much better offers
Mike Pop

Id give em 50 mill and some B prospects hah
Ivan

I have a feeling that AJ Burnett is gonna be a yankee next season. CC is far from a lock to sign with Yanks and While I like Sheets, the yanks might avoid him especially with the “stiff forearm”.
- Mike Pop
  
  As most of you know I am OK with that
Mike Pop

If we dont land any of the FA guys would you make a deal for Duke in Oakland
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Nah, played over his head this year and Billy Beane wont deal him for what he’s worth.
  - Mike Pop
    
    So what would u do go in with what we had this year ?
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      To be frank, what I really want o do is kind of just go through a rebuilding year next season. Offer arbitration to Mike Mussina and Bobby Abreu (hopefully Mussina declines), try our best to find the fairest value for Johnny Damon and anything significant for Hideki Matsui, and decline the option on Damarso Marte and try to coup another Type A compensation.
      
      Realistically, that shit ain’t happening. So I think I would do my best homework on Ben Sheets and if I’m confident in his long-term health, I’d sign him and Derek Lowe instead of Ben Sheets to three and four-year deals at the most, respectively. I also would take a look at Mike Cameron, see if I can get him on a two-year deal to be a stopgap for Austin Jackson and insurance for Rocco Baldelli if he makes sense, financially. For First Base I would go with a platoon of Juan Miranda and Xavier Nady and not risk offering arbitration to Jason Giambi.
      - Mike Pop
        
        Cmon man Lowe ? and i think u mean burnett
        
        http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
        
        Derek Lowe is a Type-B guy and he can be had for less years. To be honest, if he can’t be had on a two-year pact, just move on and hope Andy Pettitte just needed some rest.
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
        
        Lowe is a Type-A. The Tigers Thoughts guy made a mistake and posted an update.
      - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
        
        Sorry, in that second paragraph where it read:
        
        “I’d sign him and Derek Lowe instead of Ben Sheets to three and four-year deals at the most, respectively.”
        
        was supposed to say that I would sign Sheets and Lowe to four and three-year deals at the most, respectively. If that can’t be done, go for broke on C.C. Sabathia.
        
        Mike Pop
        
        I like sheets but i couldnt sign Lowe for us hes gonna be in the nl
        
        http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
        
        Don’t put too much thought in what I said. I hate having these type of discussions, playing armchair GM. I find it idiotic. I was just trying to answer your question.
        
        …I feel dirty now.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Michael Kay is such a douche.
Mike Pop

The Mick !!!
E-ROC

LMAO, this dude is stealing paint chips off the left field foul pole and keeping them as souvenirs.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Saw “Burn After Reading” this afternoon, I really liked it. It’s a nice movie, to put it simply. Something you go to see if you just want to see a movie, not nothing you should really care about missing out on or anything like that.

The story makes you say: “Are you fucking kidding me?” in a lighthearted sort of way.

Brad Pitt and John Malkovich were really good in this one.
- Steve
  
  You seem to be a big movie buff. I don’t know why, but for whatever reason when people sit around talking about movies, those conversations just seem to go nowhere.
  
  There was a local radio show all about movies (with a critic I liked) a few years back and it was the most boring show I’ve ever heard. Every call would go like this-
  “I saw that ‘blah blah’ movie last night. I really liked it. ”
  “Yeah, I saw that too. It was pretty good.”
  “Yeah . . . . uh-huh . . . . ”
  “OK, thanks for the call”
  
  Mike and the Mad Dog would mix in movie talk occasionally and it was the same thing. I don’t understand why that is.
Mike Pop

got it right !
Mike Pop

MY dad is a hughe Mantle fan was his favorite player. Still thinks he could of been better than Willie Mays.. I know everything there is too know bout Mantle cuz of him lol… Mantle was awesome tho such a cool name too
Mike Pop

The Giants have decided to keep Tim Lincecum on four days’ rest next week to give him two more starts after tonight.

Getting a Cy Young Award apparently trumps the hopes of the Giants’ franchise going forward. Lincecum should have pitched only once more because of the Giants’ off day Monday, but he’ll go Tuesday and Sunday. Jonathan Sanchez loses a start as a result. This likely means that Lincecum will finish with the year at 225-230 innings pitched. The Giants shut him down after 177 1/3 innings in 2007. Courtesy of Rotoworld

Man they are working him huh
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Not to mention that pitch-count wise, he is the most abused pitcher in the Major Leagues. Matt Cain is fifth. Bruce Bochy, ladies and gentlemen, Bruce Bochy.
  - Mike Pop
    
    And look at Matt Cain struggling hard this year
    - BklynJt
      
      Let’s see how this affects Lincecum next year. If Lincecum doesnt suffer any ill effects from the high innings/pitch counts this year, the debate on pitch counts will have some new light. Lincecum supposedly has a very solid delivery and people will try to argue that it’s not the increase in pitch counts that causes the injury but faults in pitchers mechanics.
Chip

HE WALKED!!!
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Holy shit I think Ben just caught that Cano near homer. Either that or the dude looks just like him.
- Mike Pop
  
  Call him
  - giselle
    
    yea, or text. duh, mike.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      hi ben. u r the best. u catch canos hr? kthanxbye
      - Mike Pop
        
        lol
Chip

That was strike three on Molina
giselle

what about getting a hole in one in golf? i bet thats harder than hitting a baseball, michael kay.
- Mike Pop
  
  Or scoring 100 points in a basketball game that could be harder
  - Chip
    
    Yeah but shooting a basket isn’t as hard or hitting a golf ball. I really think that there’s no other more difficult thing than hitting a major league pitch
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      There’s no way I could make contact with a ML pitch. And if I did, I wouldn’t hit it past the pitcher’s mound.
      - Mike Pop
        
        I think you could gotta have aluminum bat tho … I could hit Mussina’s fastball with my bat..haha
        
        BklynJt
        
        For once Michael has made a valid statement. People just hate him so much that they’re argue for arguing sake. I hate him too so I’m not complaining.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  The golf ball isn’t coming at you at 95mph with 55,000 screaming fans surrounding you.
  - giselle
    
    pshh, maybe not where you play.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    No, instead they have disrespectful fans who keep their cell-phone ringers on as the guy is in their back-swing.
    
    Those bastards…
- E-ROC
  
  Driving over 200 mph is probably harder than hitting a baseball.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    I never really thought about that, that is a good one.
    - BklynJt
      
      Unless your just making left turns….
Chip

How is Gardner supposed to steal second now?
- Steve
  
  I thought everyone said “You can’t steal first” about him.
  
  Now he’s supposed to steal SECOND as well?
  
  Where does it end with you people?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Intangibles.
E-ROC

Well, that works.
Mike Pop

Bobby hits this than hits a 3 run homer next time up and gets the hr cycle
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  That would be nuts. Remember when A-Rod almost did it a few years ago? I think he just needed a solo shot.
  - Mike Pop
    
    Was it against the Angels ?
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      Yep, Bartolo Colon. The 3 HR 10 RBI game.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    Intead he got a RBI-1B. Un-clutch.
E-ROC

Here is my homework; what do ya think?:

Post your response to the following discussion question by clicking on Reply. Your response should be between 200-300 words.

Discuss recent reform efforts at the intercollegiate level to emphasize the term student in the student-athlete identity. College sport reform is discussed on pp. 77-79 of the text.

* Do you think college athletes should be compensated for their athletic prowess either through paychecks or other rewards?
* Speculate how paying and rewarding athletes could both positively and negatively affect intercollegiate athletics.
- Mike Pop
  
  Whats ur major ?
  - E-ROC
    
    Sports Management; I want to be the GM of an NFL or NBA franchise. LOL, the MLB is too complicated for my taste.
    - Mike Pop
      
      Mlb is the best you have so much to deal with with no caps !!!
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  * Fuck no.
  * They would just become spoiled brats that much sooner. God forbid someone out there still plays for the love of the game. There’s a reason why the CWS is so great while the WS sucks ass.
  - steve (different one)
    
    aren’t “scholarships” like getting paid?
    
    isn’t college like $30-40K/year these days?
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  1. Yes, college athletes should be compensated in a monetary form. One way would be to set up a trust fund that can only be accessed if the student-athlete graduates or reaches some combination of athletic and academic achievements.
  
  2. One way that would have both a positive and negative aspect is recruiting. Having financial benefits for the student-athletes (SA) would allow for cross-country schools to recruit SA’s more effectively from across the country. For example, USC would have a greater chance to sign a player from Florida because they can recruit a player from outside of their normal talent pool.
  
  The addition of monetary benefits could affect recruiting negatively because now schools like Rutgers, who has limited reach as is (sorry Joe), will basically have zero chance to recruit any top-level talents because now they will be outbid by the top schools on both a field level and financial level.
  
  It can also positively affect intercollegiate athletics because now SA’s will see getting their college education is of greater benefit than it was in the past. No longer are they forfeiting every single cent they would earn in the next three or four years just to attend school, they would be getting money and the added bonus of a college education.
  
  *That’s just off the top of my head, so sorry for the rough thesis and all.
  - Ivan
    
    I totally disagree with ya there. I don’t think college athletes shouldn’t get paid.
    - BklynJt
      
      They are getting an education!!! People would kill for a free ride to college and they should be grateful for that opportunity. No way in hell should they get paid.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Where the fuck has this team been all year?
- giselle
  
  um, thats what i said. who is this team?!
  - 27 this year
    
    The pressure is off so now they learned how to hit. Many of the guys just have contracts to play for now.
giselle

damn that bobby’s on fire!
Chip

Now this is fun
Samsonov KGB

right through the legs
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

All I ask is that they go into Fenway that last series with a chance to knock the Sox out of the playoffs. That’s the Yanks’ postseason right there.
- giselle
  
  thats basically the only reason i look at the standings anymore. to see if that possibility still exists. its not looking to good, though.
- mustang
  
  Mike A. you just gave me a reason to watch Yankees baseball. You’re a genius it would actually give meaning to this waste of a month I’m asking right with you.
- mustang
  
  I just saw the standings.
  LOL
  Good luck with that back to the Heroes premiere.
Samsonov KGB

pleaseeeee let miranda get up there
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Hey, the more runs they score, the more likely Humberto pitches.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Kay: “John did you ever go 0 for 2 in one inning?”

Flaherty: “Oh yeah.”

Kay: “Isn’t that like the worst feeling in the world?”

Flaherty: … fuck you Michael.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Didn’t someone make all 3 outs in the same inning a few years ago, in the mid-to-late 90s or something? I want to say it was Dante Bichette, but I dunno…
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    Gee, thanks Wiki.
    
    http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Has_.....one_inning
    - Mike Pop
      
      Lol Yo mike you say some funny shit man
    - Steve
      
      Somebody said the other day that a 1B had an unassisted triple play for the Red Sox in the 40s or something. They explained it, and I still have no idea how it happened.
      
      Man on 1st and 2nd. Caught the ball, stepped on the bag . . then chased . . . Nope, that doesn’t work.
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
        
        Huh, interesting.
        
        I remember that Showalter explained a triple play on BBTN where no one ever caught the ball:
        
        Runners on first and second, no outs, 3-2 count. Showalter was the 3B coach (in the minors) and sends the runners. Hitter pops the ball up on the IF, so the umps call the IF Fly rule, 1 out. The batter that was on first wasn’t paying attention and passed the runner that was on second on the basepaths, 2 outs. The popped up ball then hit the runner that was on second in the helmet on the fly, 3 outs.
        
        Steve
        
        Wow.
        
        That goes into the “watch Baseball long enough and you’ll see something you’ve never seen before” file.
        
        steve (different one)
        
        here’s something i’ve never seen but would think should have happened by now:
        
        runner steals second, catcher throws down and nails the pitcher who is ducking down.
        
        i’m surprised i’ve never seen that.
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
        
        Heh, I remember Ken Harvey getting hit in the back while ducking down on the IF during the throw home. Ah Royals’ baseball.
  - Ivan
    
    Talk about bad luck.
- Steve
  
  Flaherty:”I dunno. What does it feel like having a head the size of parade float?”
  - E-ROC
    
    LMAO!
Mike Pop

Ya i wanna see Humberto
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Ben just replied to my text. He’s sitting in LF, so no, he didn’t catch Cano’s near homer.
- steve (different one)
  
  how was his grammar? awful?
  - E-ROC
    
    LOL.
Illustrious

Gardner’s routes to the ball are pretty terrible.
- Mike Pop
  
  yaa damon is betteer……………. too bad he drops the balls or makes them go over the cf wall ..David Wright
  - Illustrious
    
    Where did I imply that Damon was better?
    - Mike Pop
      
      Implied it
- steve (different one)
  
  really? not saying you are wrong, but to me he’s looked pretty awesome the last week.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Kudos to Yankee Stadium playing “Disturbia” by Rihanna. I love that video.
Samsonov KGB

cano looks funny with his legs closed, but hey its working
Mike Pop

Cmon Juan !!!
steve (different one)

i’d like to see miranda smoke one here
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Who the hell said Juan Miranda was slim last night? Dude his brolic as hell.
Mike Pop

When Kay gets going he dont stop
Steve

Its really a culture shock to watch a CF cover so much ground. Its something I haven’t seen in years, if at all.

Damon is an average CF, Bernie had good speed but usually got a bad jump. Ricky Henderson might have been the last really good, fast CF we’ve had. I don’t remember how good Roberto Kelly, Claudell Washington or Mickey Rivers were.

Actually, come to think of it Bubba Crosby had really good speed as well.
E-ROC

Molina damn near had a hernia trying to hit that first pitch.
Samsonov KGB

whats the record for most consecutive walks to start a career?
- Mike Pop
  
  8
E-ROC

RBI single for Brett Gardner.
Ivan

Clay Buchholz is going to the AZL.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Yeah I saw that. That league is stacked this year. Wieters, Snider, Hanson, Marson, G-Becks, Wallace, Ajax, Cardenas, Hughes, Buchholz, Hodges, Beau Mills … that’s insane.
  - Joey
    
    damn
  - Steve
    
    You might add Joba to that list as well.
- Steve
  
  Wasn’t he supposed to be the ace of BOS staff by now? I seem to remember hearing he was better than Joba from some BA types.
Illustrious

Can Kay stop treating the broadcast as an interview?
- Steve
  
  MK-“Al, do you think Jeter just blocks all those cameras out? Being such a big star, do you think he’s used to it?”
  
  AL-“Oh yeah. You have to block that stuff out. Comes with the territory.”
  
  MK-“Oh please, Al. Like you have any idea what its like to be Derek Jeter. Who the fuck do you think you’re kidding?”
  - Illustrious
    
    I especially liked when he kept asking question after question and Flaherty was just like “… yes.”
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

No offense to Derek Jeter, but Steve Spagnuolo is still the “King of New York” in my mind.
Joey

Mike, I’ve been trying to see the updated BA Tops Prospects by league, but this page hasn’t been updated: http://www.baseballamerica.com.....66854.html

I haven’t looked around the site yet to see if it’s just that page though
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  That’s it:
  
  http://www.baseballamerica.com.....ects/2008/
  
  Lop of the random numbers at the end of the URL.
  - Joey
    
    Thanks, appreciate it
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      Don’t mention it.
E-ROC

Damn, it’s STILL the 5th inning!
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Seriously. I want to get some quality NHL 09 time in after the game, but at this rate…
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

So … do we want to starting taking bets on how the Mets’ pen is going to blow this one?
giselle

why is alex rodriguez blonde? why?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Man, now Kay’s giving it to him.
Steve

You see that color all the time in Chelsea bars.
- Samsonov KGB
  
  lol
  - Steve
    
    Don’t ask me how I know that.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Nice.
Samsonov KGB

lol hahaha funniest shit kay ever said.
Ivan

Hey Mike you see Buchholz breaking out alla Lester? And overall who ya breakout players in 09?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  If he figures out how to pitch out of the stretch, then yeah, I can see him breaking out. As far as breakout players in 09, I’ll say … Alex Gordon, Felix Hernandez, Lastings Milledge and The Justin Upton.
  - Ivan
    
    Buchholz control also left him as well.
  - giselle
    
    and hughes? or does hughes spend a big chunk of 2009 at AAA?
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      I kept Hughes off for fear of looking like a homer. He’s certainly on the short list though.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

I can’t wait for the day when someone (preferably Kim Jones) makes a fat joke about Kay.

Seriously though, Kay has gained a significant amount of weight. I think it was 2007 when he just blew up.
Chip

Resign that guy!
Ivan

Classic Family Guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tQjk_dTjAI
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  My favorite moment (outside of the “Can’t Touch This” dance, but for some reason YouTube users aren’t allowed to upload that scene): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yMKEv6Hvr0
  - Ivan
    
    I love that one as well.
    
    I like the one where they diss the shit out of Will Smith.
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul6IHXklym8
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      OMG, I’ve never seen that. That is instantly a classic for me.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Anybody check out Gym Class Heroes’ latest album, The Quilt? Fucking sick. My favorites are:

Peace Sign/Index Down
Cookie Jar
Live Forever (Fly With Me)
Home (Madden 2009 song)

Hip-hop fan or not, this album is nasty.
- Greg C.
  
  GCH is hip-hop?
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    Mainly, they incorporate some punk rock elements, but they are mainly hip-hop.
    - Greg C.
      
      I was kidding, kinda. I know a lot of hip-hop fans who consider them some emo-alternative band or something, but that’s mostly people who have pretty narrow tastes.
      - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
        
        Those are probably rap fans. Now, I may like a rap song here or there just for the fun of it, but I probably will not like you as a living entity if you are a fan of the rap genre.
- Ivan
  
  Wow Rolling Stones gave it only 2 and half stars.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    I kinda over-exaggerated with the “Fucking sick” comment, but I really do like it. “Fucking sick” is reserved for The Cool or maybe Graduation.
E-ROC

Just missed that pitch. Dammit! Next time, maybe next time.
Pedro

Are they going to unleash Humberto tonight?
Tripp

Is it me or has Pete Abe turned into a complete d-bag? Does he even enjoy covering the Yanks?
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I just realized that that might have been the final home game in Mike Mussina’s Yankee career. Wow.

***stands and applauds***
- Steve
  
  Next stop, Cooperstown?
  
  I think so, but it will take him a few years.
- Ivan
  
  It truly might be his last start in yankee start.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    That was pretty amazing man. Goosebumps.
    - Joey
      
      Moosebumps
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
        
        Niiiiice.
Samsonov KGB

moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose!
Steve

I think thats the last time we’ll see him pitch as a Yankee. Glad to see him get a win tonight.

Thanks for the memories, Mike.
Samsonov KGB

i was at his july 23rd start this year, probably the best of his year
E-ROC

I didn’t know France produced big league players.
- Steve
  
  They grow up playing in the Bordeaux region playing with balls made of old, stinky cheese.
E-ROC

C’mon Veras, people gots things to do.
- steve (different one)
  
  i think the ump agreed with you
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Not for nothing, but with the way Chien-Ming Wang bounced back before his injury, the way the Mike Mussina v2008 was pitching and the way Joba Chamberlain was pitching as a starter, I would’ve had no qualms matching those three up against any rotation in baseball.
- Steve
  
  I think even if we were totally healthy this year, we were still a bit short in the rotation. IPK and Hughes just weren’t ready, Joba had innings limits even without getting hurt and Moose is shaky at his age. He had a few games this year where he barely got out of the 1st inning. Although if the season was a month longer, we could have had a great rotation if Hughes is for real.
  
  But even then we get back to the lineup, which hasn’t scored runs all year. Just not our year, and I’m glad were finally going to address some things that have been a LONG time coming.
  - Ivan
    
    I think they need to add one pitcher and then maybe that can be pretty serious in that department.
- Ivan
  
  Wang, Joba, Hughes, FA pitcher, Pettitte/Moose.
  
  That is a pretty good rotation.
- Manimal
  
  makes this offseason just that much more interesting.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Humbertooooooooooooooo!!!
steve (different one)

hungry hungry humberto is warming!!
- E-ROC
  
  lol, i had one of those toys in my younger days. they were the shit!
Steve

Yes! The big man coming in.

Anyone that big (6’6″ 230 lbs) should seriously have a nickname by now.
- Ivan
  
  More like 270lbs.
  - Steve
    
    Maybe back when he showed up in spring training (06?) but the first thing I noticed is that he’s slimmed down considerably.
    
    Good for him, for a guy who’s been injured as much as he has, looks like he’s taking his conditioning more seriously.
- Jack
  
  I believe it’s “Hummer”.
Steve

Lee Mazzilli

Biggest douche who ever lived?
- Ivan
  
  What he said?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  No way, not even close. There’s a long list ahead of him.
  - Ivan
    
    Like Pete Abe and Kay.
Ivan

HUMBERTO!!!
Samsonov KGB

cervelli….any good? all i know is that he is probably the reason the rays are competing this year
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Nasty looking hook by Humberto.
- Steve
  
  Seriously. You could see the hitters knees buckle on a few of them. He throws and extra slow curve, and a good hard fastball. His size should make him harder to pick up as well.
  
  I heard when we got him he was a 2-seamer ground ball guy like Wang, but what I saw looked like 4 seamers and curves to me.
http://yankeesmtom.blogspot.com steve

Random question:

What would it take to get one of the 3 catchers from Texas (Salty/Ramirez/Teagarden) and Chris Davis? I assume Hughes would have to be the centerpiece – which I would be very willing to do for those guys.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  They need all sorts of pitching. Hughes, Kennedy and Robertson for Teagarden and Davis?
  - Ivan
    
    fair trade?
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      I’m not sure of Taylor Teagarden’s tools or skill-set. Can you fill me in? What type of ceiling/floor he has, probability of reaching said ceiling, all that good stuff.
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
        
        All-around guy, not an all-star, but a solid everyday catcher in the bigs. High probability. That kind of player has a ton of value, especially with 6 cost controlled years ahead of him.
        
        JB Cox’s catcher in college, not that it means anything.
        
        Ivan
        
        Mike you make that deal though?
        
        Jerry
        
        I think that is an undersell of his skills especially defensively. If you saw his throw down to second at the futures games in Yankee St this year, you know that his arm is plus plus and in general his defensive skills are very good to exceptional.
- steve (different one)
  
  is catching really a big enough need to move Hughes for? i know you included Davis, who is interesting. just saying, the yankees are pretty deep organizationally at catcher.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    I agree. I’d rather move Hughes for an up-the-middle guy that can really defend, not a guy already relegated to first because he sucks defensively, no matter how good the bat is.
    
    My new kick is defense, so important yet so under-rated.
    - Steve
      
      And so tough to gauge statistically.
      
      Have you softened on Brett Gardner at all? His bat is a work in progress, but he’s saved about 3 doubles and a few singles in the past week. If he can suppress a few runs a week, then he could be a valuable guy and more productive than his hitting stats would show.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

ZOMG HE’S ONLY THROWING TEH 94!!1!!!11
E-ROC

Nasty!
steve (different one)

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

I see Uncle Charlie came to dinner.
E-ROC

And he can run!
steve (different one)

look at him run!!
Samsonov KGB

new nickname for humberto………….dirty sanchez, because that last pitch was naty! lol
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  It’ll be funny because prunes wont know what it means and they might use it whilst oblivious to its meaning.
- http://yankees.com D.B.
  
  thats a balla nickname
Rob D.

I’m officially in the Humberto bandwagon. All it took was that pitch.
Ivan

Feels like a minorleague game, Sanchez, Miranda and Cevelli.
http://yankees.com D.B.

i miss Dotf, but now it seem as if it has followed into the majors
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  That’s the best part. Seeing these kids you’ve been following for so long finally make it. I remember when Phil Coke had a near 6.00 ERA in Low-A and was on the brink of being released. Look at him now.
  - Steve
    
    Would that be the same Phil Coke who was drafted in the 2002 draft in the 26th Round (786th overall)?
    
    Some prospects you completely forget about, give up on them and then all of a sudden BOOM something clicks in. Its really amazing.
Jack

Evan Longoria has hit three bombs so far.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Stud.
  - Jack
    
    Are you coming onto me, Mike?
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      Well, we like to maintain a real “intimate” relationship with our readers, if you know what i mean…
      - Jack
        
        So that’s what “Breaking Balls” was. Huh. I never made the connection.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

First player in Yankee history to wear 77. Must be a Ray Bourque fan.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Quien?
Ivan

I hope they let Humberto pitch another inning.
Ivan

Why Chris Britton? He’s garbage.
- steve (different one)
  
  its “pay by the pound” night in the bullpen
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

There’s only 4 players in the majors with a listed weight heavier than Humberto: CC, Broxton, Jenks and Britton. Three of the five fattest players in baseball are in the house.
- Steve H
  
  Hopefully 3 are in the house next year too!! (or at least 2, and one of those two isn’t Britton)
  - Jack
    
    Wait, I’ve heard this one before. The other one is Britton, right? Did I get it? What do I win?
    - Steve H
      
      LOL. To clarify, if there are only 2, I hope NEITHER is Britton
- Steve
  
  and lets be honest, you can usually add 20 pounds to most player’s weights.
E-ROC

Betemit wastes no time with his AB.

Britton is upping his trade value with this 9th inning appearance.
- Steve
  
  I know he’s small potatoes, but Betemit has to go next year.
  
  He’s a utility infielder who you can’t find a spot for defensively.
http://yankees.com D.B.

Smells like cookies?!?!!?
wonderbread..?
Ivan

Wow that’s pretty cool seeing all those young guys giving eacher pounds and stuff.
scottnar

when is the last time anyone can ever remember the yankees acting the royals and pirates do every september by playing the kids and seeing what they have for the future? this could be a silver lining in an other wise dark cloud of a season
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

I like seeing opponents held to one run or less. Fuck you, Chris Britton.
E-ROC

Dammit Britton, you’re messing up your trade value.
- Steve
  
  You mean there’s something lower than getting traded for Jaret Wright?
Ivan

Chris Britton fits nicely with the mets pen.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Be fair, the Mets’ pen gave up only 1 run in 2 IP tonight.
- Steve
  
  A dog’s ass would fit nicely in the Mets bullpen.
Will (the other one)

I know this is a little off-topic, but is it me, or does Britton’s Gameday pic look like somebody snapped it at the height of a bad case of Bell’s palsy?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

LoL @ Adam Everett with a go-ahead RBI-2B.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  That’s bad. Adam Everett is a little league hitter.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Look at that, they clinched a winning record. Not all is lost.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  The strive for 90 continues!
E-ROC

You can barely see Britton’s eyes.
Ivan

Yankees Win.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Oh man.

http://thunderbaseball.wordpre.....ver-claim/
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Yeah, saw that earlier today. Does wonders for the stomach…
cupz

Am I the only one that gets that extra bit of enjoyment from watching morbidly obese pitchers. I kind of feel like, “good for you. You can’t run 100 meters, but you can still technically be a profesional athlete.”
- Steve H
  
  And when it’s a guy like CC or Wells or Schilling, they can make more $$ than the best 100 meter runners in the world too
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  They’re not athletes, they’re baseball players.
Cam

Not for nothing, but if the change Cano made to his stance is the thing that gets him on the right path to becoming a consistent, more professional hitter, it will be the best thing that Kevin Long has accomplished.