Jan
22

Open Thread: Moving out, moving in

By

Oh, to be in Tom Kaminski’s chopper as he flies past Yankee Stadium. (Photo courtesy of WCBS 880 AM)

Tomorrow is moving day for the Yankees. As the AP reported earlier today, the Yanks are, after 86 seasons, packing up and heading to a new ballpark.

On Friday, all but a few Front Office departments will begin the task of setting up new offices and a new home on the north side of 161st St. Except for the clubhouse staff, IT, the ticket office and the main switchboard, the rest of the Yankee crew will be start life in New York Stadium. Everyone else will join them on Feb. 27.

Meanwhile, in Queens, Shea Stadium seems to be mostly demolished with just half of the donut left. We’re still awaiting word from the Yanks about stadium memorabilia sales. Meanwhile, some of the Shea faithful want to see the Mets sign Andy Pettitte.

Anyway, this is your open thread for the evening. You know the drill. Play nice.

Categories : Open Thread

126 Comments»

  1. Matthew says:

    The Mets offices moved in mid September and were up and running in Citi Field by the end, abrupt end, of their season.

    • Ben K. says:

      Yup. But as you can see from Shea Stadium, the Mets had to be out by then because by now, their stadium isn’t really there anymore.

      • Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

        Yeah, I pass by there every day and the entire Left field section of the building is completely down. If there are roughly 6 sections to Shea Stadium, one of them is completely missing.

        The Right field stands are next, they’ve removed the cement from the upper deck.

  2. Jamal G. says:

    Heh, this is from a commenter from the Andy Pettitte link that Ben posted:

    And let’s not forget Willie. That also felt wrong from the start, and it was. Him and his Torre-dk-riding “Yankee professionalism” ways. That BS doesn’t fit with the Met’s identity. K-Rod does. Manny would.

    What fucking identity?

  3. Mike Pop says:

    Wow, McGwire’s brother sold him out.

  4. Ace says:

    The Dark Knight got snubbed by the Academy for Best Picture. What a DISGRACE. Easily the best movie I’ve seen since The Departed. What a joke.

    • Matt says:

      I watched TDK the other night and “Batman Begins” last night. Comparing the two is like night and day. BB is definitely a fantastic movie but it pales in comparison to TDK.

      It’s incredible how much more of a mature film the sequel is. I don’t mean because it’s more violent or more disturbing but just in terms of the story itself and the themes. If I may, BB is about the Bat while TDK is about the Man.

      • Mike Pop says:

        Oh my god dude, The Dark Knight….So awesome. Saw that opening night. Wish it had more Joker but obviously it couldn’t.

    • Jamal G. says:

      I think it got snubbed because it seems that whoever the nominators of these flicks are, they seem to favor movies that the average movie goer, under the age of thirty-five, won’t go see. Honestly, unless films are your “thing”, the average 24-year-old – or 19-year-old, in my case – is not going to checkout “Slumdog Millionaire”.

      • Ben K. says:

        The average 19-to-24 year old would love Slumdog Millionaire. Don’t knock it ’til you see it. It’s one of the best movies of the year. That was a very deserved Oscar nod.

        • Matt says:

          I want to see it. My mom came home and was RAVING about it.

          That, “Doubt,” and “Revolutionary Road” are on my list.

        • Jamal G. says:

          Yeah, but there’s a difference between “loving” a flick and having the urge to go see it. You and I don’t factor into the group I presented because it seems you, like myself, are an avid movie fan. However, I know if I ask my non-acting buddies if they want to go check out Slumdog or “Let the Right One in”, I would get a resounding, “Dude, what the fuck are you talking about?”

          • Ace says:

            Slumdog Millionaire is an incredible movie. I dont know why anyone would be biased enough to not see it. Is it the title? Or is it because there isnt a huge american star in it?

            I hope it wins best picture since The Dark Knight got robbed.

          • A.D. says:

            So basically ur saying because some movies have huge houses behind then that can pump the shit out of them and create hype… thats what the award nominations should go to

  5. Mike Pop says:

    I know it is hard to judge but who is the best pitcher ever?

    Koufax, Ryan, Johnson?

    • Thomas says:

      Easily Walter Johnson. A career ERA+ of 141 with 4 years over 200, 3509 K to 1363 BB, a .599 winning percentage for crappy teams.

      Also Nolan Ryan, while a deserving HOFer, is probably the most overrated (by fans) pitcher ever.

      • Mike Pop says:

        Ya but Koufax during that stretch of his career was just completely dominant. I don’t know if it is fair to say “easily”.

        • Thomas says:

          Koufax was dominant for a short period but Johnson went for a longer period. Walter Johnson’s WHIP is 1.061 for his career with 9 years under 1. Koufax only pitched 9 full years. Koufax’s best year with ERA+ was 190, Johnson 5th best was 191.

          Also I may be wrong about this, but didn’t Koufax retire because he had a injury that was going to end his career, which sort of hurts his case.

      • Matt says:

        I would agree with the Nolan Ryan part for sure.

        When you look at it, compared to the era in which he played, the numbers Pedro Martinez put up are beyond incredible. In my opinion, his 2000 season was the best pitching season in the history of baseball.

        • teixburnathia says:

          I think Koufax’s 1965 season is pretty darn impressive–

          26 wins, 2.04 ERA and 382 strikeouts. Not bad.

          • Matt says:

            Pedro had a 1.74 ERA when the league ERA was 5.07. His ERA+ was 291, Koufax’s was “only” 160. His WHIP was 0.737. I’m gonna type that again. 0.737 WHIP. Koufax’s WHIP in ’65 was pretty nuts, too (0.855) but when you consider the offensive levels of the 60′s vs. the the early 21st century…

            Pedro’s K/BB: 8.875, Koufax’s: 5.380
            Pedro’s K/9: 11.8; Koufax’s: 10.24
            Pedro’s BB/9: 1.33, Koufax’s: 1.90
            Pedro’s H/9: 5.31, Koufax’s: 5.79

            I’m going Pedro. And, again, the offensive era tips the scales even more in Pedro’s favor.

        • Mike Pop says:

          Ya but then again, who the hell are you?

          ;) jk

        • Thomas says:

          Pedro was fantastic, though his legacy will end up slightly tainted because of the end of his career. Luckily his career mark won’t be changed that much because he will end up hurt and not pitching many innings.

          It is just so ridiculous Pedro’s numbers in the AL East, during the steroid era, and in Fenway. Good lord.

          • Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

            Let me ask you something. Do you think any less of Babe Ruth because of the awful 1935 season he had with the Boston Braves?

            Pedro’s place in history is secure.

            • Thomas says:

              Pedro’s is future is secure. He is a HOFer. I was just saying by hanging on he is hurting his career stats. His last 3 years have been lousy and injury plagued. And his next one will be too.

              Also, Ruth had a batting ave of .181 and still had an OPS+ of 118. Crazy!

    • teixburnathia says:

      Koufax, no questions

      • Matt says:

        There is rarely ever “no question” in baseball and this is not one of those cases.

      • Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

        As good as Kofax was, he was a 2 pitch pitcher (4 seamer/curve). That was all you needed back then. In today’s game, he would need a 3rd pitch or else he would most likely wind up in the bullpen. He dabbled with a forkball and change, so maybe he would have worked on those.

        I’m not saying he would/would not have developed another pitch, but just making a point about how much the game has changed in favor of the hitters since he pitched.

        • Ace says:

          Disagree. Ben Sheets domiantes with 2 pitches. Fastball/curveball. Randy Johnson fastball/slider absolutely dominated for all those years. If you have 2 pitches that are ridiculous you can dominate.

  6. Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

    Oooooo Mike A, you little joke stealer you.

    “Mike A. (RAB): Kieth, I disagree with your ranking of the Yanks farm system. Their affiliates in Milwaukee and Orange County just produced CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira!

    SportsNation Keith Law: Hah. ”

    http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....ings-7160/

    “pat says:
    January 21st, 2009 at 8:36 pm

    Klaw doesnt know what he’s talking about. Our minor league affiliates in milwaukee and anaheim (Or is it LA?) just produced cc sabathia and mark teixeira.”

    I just hope our buddy Pat gets a writers credit for that or something. If not, the Freelancer’s Union will be hearing about it.

  7. So what’s everyone’s favorite plays?

    I like the Crucible and MacBeth.

    Also, I can’t believe it’s the NHL all star game….

  8. andrew says:

    1) Mussina pitched in front of that horrific defense and won 20 games without a fastball. AP did not pitch well last year…no excuses.

    some guy posted that ap pitched badly last season because of the horrible defense we had. and the above comment is a reply by another guy. a reasonable logical mets fan…….who knew?

    • whozat says:

      some guy posted that ap pitched badly last season because of the horrible defense we had. and the above comment is a reply by another guy. a reasonable logical mets fan…….who knew?

      Exceeeeept he’s not. The Yanks had a poor defense. Just because it bit one pitcher in the ass and not another doesn’t say much. What are their relative ground-ball tendencies? Moose had a GREAT year…Could Andy not still have had a decent one, with a league-average defense? What of Andy pitching through pain in the second half? Might that have had anything to do with his dropoff in performance?

      As an aside “no excuses” is possibly my least-favorite sports aphorism. It’s not about “making excuses” for poor performance…it’s about explaining and understanding them so that we can make a more informed prediction for the future. If a guy sucked because he was nursing an injury, and there’s reason to believe that he can avoid said injury in the future — greater depth leading to the possibility of taking off a start or two from time to time, more offseason workout time, fixing mechanics, etc — then there’s reason to believe that better results are likely to occur in the future. That’s the whole point of looking for the cause of poor results.

  9. A.D. says:

    http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....ize-o.html

    Another big FA signed…can’t believe Cash missed out on this one….HE WINS BALLGAMES

  10. Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

    Cubbies have a new owner

    http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....lects.html

    and apparently, the family that bought the team doesn’t get enough Vitamin C.

  11. A.D. says:

    http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....gn-fr.html

    Makes the most sense, Garcia to the Mets

    • 27 this year says:

      i was about to post that. I want to know whether it is a minor league deal or ML. Hopefully ML because I do not want to see the Yankees passing on a minor league deal for someone who has some possibility of being a fifth starter.

  12. Manimal says:

    The Office tonight, Michael and Dwight go spying on a comepeting paper company hahaha

  13. Jake H says:

    For those people out there who network for their jobs. Do you network through your family?

  14. Januz says:

    I guess the El Cheapo Mets are not going after Manny, and probably not Andy or Oliver Perez. I hupe Manny and Perez stay in the NL.

    • Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

      Perez walked 100 guys last year. Who cares where he goes.

      I know he killed the Yanks, but so did every other lefty last year. We have a more balanced lineup now.

      • Januz says:

        Oliver Perez is very inconsistant, but he looks like Cy Young against the Yankees. The game or 2 difference that the Yanks could pick up by NOT facing Perez, could be the difference between playoffs or not.

  15. Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

    “But one thing we know for sure is that Rocco is one classy dude. My buddy Marc Topkin of the St. Pete Times notes in his blog that Baldelli took out an ad in their paper thanking Rays fans. Hopefully they both read it.”

    http://yankees.lhblogs.com/200.....-the-rays/

    Oh come on, Pete. That’s not fair to pick on the Rays fan base like that.

    Plus, we all know those two can’t read.

  16. Drew says:

    Sorry to change the subject here but after reading the Mets have agreed to a deal with Garcia I am mad!! It’s a minor league deal(according to MLBTR) that is incentive laden. Why didn’t we get him? I hate losing out to the Mets in anything. Anyone else agree?

    • Mike Pop says:

      No because we don’t know what happened. With the Mets he has a better shot at the Rotation. I would of liked the deal but it’s not anything to get worked up about.

    • Steve H says:

      Are the Yankees somehow entitled to get “dibs” on all free agents? Do they all need to see if the Yankees want them first before shopping themselves to the other 31 teams? Unreal.

      • 27 this year says:

        29 teams.

      • Drew says:

        No Steve H, but when it is down to two teams, one being NYY and the other NYM, I’d like to win out. A minor league deal strictly incentive laden is exactly what we’ve wanted since he began throwing again.

        • Mike Pop says:

          How do you know the NYY didn’t offer him a deal like it but he simply favored the Mets? Due to the better chance t ostart there and maybe pitch better in order to get a better contract after this year.

  17. pat says:

    Oh my mo, Space Buds a movie not about intergalactic stoners but Air Bud’s astronaut puppies.

  18. Mike Pop says:

    Lol, Owings PH Home Run. The announcer went off.

  19. ryan says:

    mets just got freddy

  20. Mike Pop says:

    I can’t wait for A-Rod to send bombs right into the Restaraunt in CF, lol.

  21. pat says:

    Holy shit WTF is up with va tech? Some grad student beheaded another student in the middle of the cafeteria with a kitchen knife, damn.

  22. Shamus says:

    Saw poor Bobby Abreu is taking a beating today…

    I say if he’s unemployed by ST, offer him $8M as a bench role.

    Then trade Nady, Melky and a prospect for some sort of pitching depth.

    http://johnsterling.blogspot.c.....erate.html

  23. Dave says:

    One would have to assume that damon in left, gardner/melky in center and swisher/nady in right will be a very solid, above average outfield defense on any given day. The best combo defensively would probably be damon, melky and swish but the best offense with those three positions may very well be damon, gardner and swisher but maybe not. Unfortunately, the best offense with any of the combo above would be damon, nady and swisher but one of the worst defenses of that same combo would be nady in left, damon in center and swish in right. Its too bad that damon can no longer play center effectively.

    This is the end of the line for this outfield after this season with nady, damon and matsui all probably gone and swisher the only one left on the major league roster this year. Holliday, AJax and Swisher could make for a good defense and very good offensive production as well as long as Holliday’s numbers were not completely carved out of the coor’s stadium design. The other option would possibly be crawford, ajax and swisher but crawford has a team option left. If ajax is not ready which he probably will not be out of spring training next season, we may be looking at another partial season of whomever of gardner and melky do better this season.

  24. Jim M. says:

    What is the status of partial season ticket plan holders transition to the new stadium? I have not heard anything.

Leave a Reply

You may use <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong> in your comment.

If this is your first time commenting on River Ave. Blues, please review the RAB Commenter Guidelines. Login for commenting features. Register for RAB.