Jul
07

Game 83: Last trip to the Hefty bag

By Mike Axisa

This is last series the Yankees will ever play in Minneapolis’s Metrodome, which will be replaced next year by the brand spankin’ new Target Field. How the people of Minnesota will ever bear an early season or late October game without a roof, I’ll never know. The Yanks are 74-64 all-time in the big garbage bag, so they’re guaranteed to walk away from the place with a winning record.

CC Sabathia didn’t face the Twins when they came to the Bronx for a four game set in mid-May, but the Yanks still swept the series thanks to a trio of walk-off wins. After an ugly outing last time out, Sabathia will look to right the ship tonight. He’ll be opposed by Scott Baker, the Twins incumbent ace who didn’t face the Yanks earlier this year. Baker’s overall numbers aren’t anything special, but his last six starts have been outstanding. They’ll have to earn this win tonight.

Here’s the starting nine:

Jeter, SS
Damon, LF
Teixeira, 1B - I’m calling it, he hits one out tonight
A-Rod, 3B
Matsui, DH
Swisher, RF
Cano, 2B
Gardner, CF
Cervelli, C

And on the mound, big bad CC Sabathia.

Oh, and Angel Berroa was released today. Forgot all about him.

Posted on Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 at 7:30 pm in Game Threads.

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341 Comments

So Teixeira won’t be hitting a HR tonight. Thanks, Mike.

Mon(s)tero’s reached on an E5.

MattG says:

Monstero! We have a winnah!

 
 
Charlie says:

phil hughes’ development and future as a starter is so fucked right now

I don’t know about ’so fucked’ but it’s on that track.

 

I think everyone is getting to overwrought about it. What exactly is the problem? That he can only give them 180 innings rather than 210 next year? No biggie. It was an issue with Joba because if he had stayed in the bullpen last year, he would be at 120 now. 180 is pretty close to what you would expect Phil to reach anyhow.

I don’t think he’s going to be able to go 180 this year. He’ll be three years removed from throwing 146 so I think they’ll have to bump him back down to 150.

What evidence do you have to that effect? Or anything that suggests there is an expiration date on the previous high?

Honestly, I’m not sure, but if Hughes goes less than 100 innings this year, which is likely, I don’t think an 80+ IP bump would be a good thing.

If that was true, I would be more bothered by it. Being that I honestly do not know, I will wait for it to play out. All I know is that without any of this info, it is pretty impossible for me to sit here and call this a disaster.

 
Charlie says:

i’m worried about hughes’ innings too, but he’ll definitely be over 100 this year. he’s already at 69 if you include his AAA innings.

 
 
 

Do people realize that only a handful of MLB starters pitch 200+ innings on any given year? Typically a little over 1 per team.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....mp;minip=0

Phil is not going to be asked to give us 200 innings as the #5 starter. If he’s on target for 150-160 (which he will be with winter ball) he’ll be fine.

Also, I wouldn’t be worrying so much about next years innings for a pitcher who’s spent 3 of his 6 years with the organization spending time on the DL.

We can worry about Phil’s innings next year, lets worry about winning a championship this year.

 
 
Charlie says:

Also he should be learning how to get major league hitters out a few times through their order, not going all out in one inning like a reliever. It would be nice to not have 2 capped starters in the rotation next year, too. Who eats the last 40 or so if joba/hughes can only go 180?

Aceves? Kennedy? That’s why you build depth.

Chris says:

Nova, McAllister

 
 
 
 
Chris A says:

Yeah, I get the feeling that Joba was screwed up from being in the pen, and now Hughes is traveling down that same road. The worst part is that according to Mark Feinsand ( http://twitter.com/BloggingBom.....2522397988 ), Hughes will not even be in the rotation mix after the ASB.

I’m pissed off.

That is an awful, awful move.

 
Charlie says:

that is absolutely brutal. what the fuck are they thinking??

 
Dayman, fighter of the Nightman says:

Wasn’t there talk of switching Hughes and Joba once Joba reached his innings limit?

 
 
 

Let’s hope for a bounce back from CC.

And, I’m with Mike. Tex hits one out in the first.

 
J says:

yankees lineup against an average stuff guy who throws strikes and has extreme flyball tendencies sounds like a good matchup for the yanks.

lets start a new streak!

 

Jeter 1-5 (2b), BB, K
Damon 2-6 (2b), K
Teixeira 2-5 (HR)
Rodriguez 0-5, 3K
Matsui 0-3
Swisher 2-9, (2b, HR), BB, 3K
Canó 1-4

Gardner and Cervelli have not faced Baker

Tank the Frank says:

I love Morneau’s numbers vs CC! :-)

 
 

I’m wondering why everyone is so A-OK with Pedroia starting the All-Star game, let alone being on the team, and I have not heard anything on that. You could make the argument that he has been the 5th or 6th best 2B-man in the AL this year (Zobrist, Hill, Kinsler, Cano, Roberts). His OPS+ is 95, yet I have not heard a peep about it.

Yeah, I’m not exactly happy with that either. Jeter shouldn’t really be starting over Bartlett either, and Hunter should be on over Hamilton.

King of Fruitless Hypotheticals says:

HE’S A STARTING MVP-AHH!!1!

 
AndrewYF says:

Isn’t Bartlett out for the year?

AndrewYF says:

I guess not. Huh.

 
 
 
J says:

watch out. peter gammons might just hack into your blog and create destruction for this pedroia related heresy!

Tank the Frank says:

I talked to a scout who said Dustin Pedroia has the power of Roger Maris, the speed of Vince Coleman, the looks of a young Marlon Brando, and the penis of a Giraffe.

– Peter Gammons

kunaldo says:

hahaha awesome

 
 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Because he plays for Boston. That’s why he won the MVP too. Compare his numbers from last season to Jeter’s numbers in 2006 when he finished 2nd in the MVP vote. Nearly identical…. except Jeter was slightly better.

However, Pedroia = MVP, Jeter = No MVP

kunaldo says:

he won it w/ a 122 OPS+, not even in the top 10, and 41 points lower than the leader (and 28 below our 3B)

 
 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Soooooo…. Posada officially does not catch CC. I’m not one of the fans who thinks Jorge “calls bad games” or whatever. But why is this? Why would CC Sabathia apparently prefer throwing to a rookie straight out of double-A rather than a veteran like Posada?

kunaldo says:

night game after day game…duh………

King of Fruitless Hypotheticals says:

I thought the concern is day after night?

mvg says:
 
Charlie says:

i think he was joking

 
kunaldo says:

it is, i’m just messing around. I guess i should have made note of the sarcasm/joke

 
 
 

In the last 4 games, each has caught him twice. So officially nothing.

Tank the Frank says:

Ah ok. Good to know.

 
 
 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

Does that ballpark look alot like the ballpark in cleveland ?

 

That other Texeira in the Yanks’ system is pitching something awesome tonight.

 
Charlie says:

I’m really hoping the yanks have some plan to get hughes starting and getting him to 180 innings, but i doubt it. they seem content with screwing his development and taking aceves out of a role that he was perfect in.

 
Teix is the Man says:

Anyone read the SI article on King Felix? It’s awesome.

Yeah, I wish I could e-mail it directly to Joba.

 
Salty Buggah says:
 
 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

If anyone interested in watching minor league baseball scranton

http://www.channelsurfing.net/.....p?w=110720

Charlie says:

what the hell is that link supposed to be?? it doesn’t seem to work

yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

Its scranton wilkes barre game

Charlie says:

so you’re telling me thats supposed to be a live minor league game? looks like a black screen that can’t load with a broken play button to me.

yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

well i can see the game perfectly and sergio mitre pitching a good game so far with 6 strike outs.

Charlie says:

guess its just my computer then

 
 
 
 
 
Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

Awesome. You’re the man now, dog!

 

Cool! I just clicked it and A-Jax was at the plate!

 
 

So how long will it take for the Twins to regret an open-air stadium?

Tank the Frank says:

Probably during the huge snowstorm they get next June.

Rick in Boston says:

There’s not one season in the Twin Cities that an open-air stadium makes sense. My mom’s reaction (Twin Cities native) to the new stadium: “That’s f’ing stupid”.

It’s cold in April, late-September and October. And it’s muggy as all hell the rest of the time.

 
 
 
 
King of Fruitless Hypotheticals says:

Stupid question alert:
so the Yanks win the WS, get a parade and go home.
Why can’t Philly go to Tampa with eiland, nardi, cash, Joe and four AA bitters (not named Jesus), and throw 80 pitches every five days?
No, not as good as facing the Sand Gnats, Biscuits or Mets, but at least it’s reps.

Charlie says:

you’re right, that is a stupid question. 4 AA “bitters” are not at all similar to facing a major league lineup. And who the fuck in Nardi?

Rick in Boston says:

No need to get snippy. Nardi is Nardi Contrares (sp?) Yankees pitching guru. While it’s reps, it’s not quality reps in a game situation.

 
Salty Buggah says:
 
LiveFromNewYork says:

You don’t know who Nardi is?

 
kunaldo says:

haha…maybe just b/c it doesnt simulate a real game? but i guess the point is building arm endurance…so i dunno…is it against some rule?

 

The only stupid question asked during this conversation was “who the fuck is Nardi.”

There’s no need to be such a jerk.

 
 

It might have something to do with the fact that none of those guys would be paid for the extra work. They all have families they’re away from all summer. The offseason is their time to be a dad/husband/son/whatever.

kunaldo says:
 
 
 
Tom Zig says:

So Kei Igawa gets his own post but Angel Berroa does not?

King of Fruitless Hypotheticals says:

The Ghost is still in stripes…

 
 

For Trenton .Vazquez just hit a GR double off the top of the wall

 
mustang says:

“brand spankin’ new Target Field.”

Having no retractable roof in Minnesota ?

April and October games will be lots fun there.

mustang says:

“Earlier plans called for a retractable roof, but neither the Twins or Hennepin County wanted to pay an additional $115 million for construction.”

Isn’t the Twins owner one of the richest man in the world? or the family because I think the owner died.

God i love being a Yankees fan.

MattG says:

I think Polhad took it with him.

 
Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

Isn’t the Twins owner one of the richest man in the world?

I didn’t know that Gerrit Cole’s father owned the Twins.

mustang says:

men.. happy.

Still loved the line.

 
Ivan says:
 
 
 
 

Vazquez has 50 RBI for Trenton.

 
MattG says:

Why the lefties behind Rodriguez all the time? I am not sure what LHP the Twins have in the pen, but as a general rule you want Swisher or Posada behind Alex, as this makes it impossible to match-up.

For that matter, it is one of two really good reasons why Rodriguez and Teixeira should’ve been 3-4 instead of the other way around (the other being that Alex is faster, even with one hip).

 
Jamal G. says:

For all those complaining about Phil Hughes not making Thursday’s start or any start after the A;;-Star break, have you given any thought to the notion that the Yankees are confident in the fact that Chien-Ming Wang’s return from the DL will be within the stated month?

If that is the case, would you really advocating stretching out Phil Hughes in order for him to just make two or three starts, and then being put right back into the bullpen once Wang returns? I know I wouldn’t.

When’s the last time a Yankee pitcher came back from an injury on schedule?

Jamal G. says:

Yeah, but that doesn’t have much to do with current or future injuries.

The Yanks have quite the track record of down playing injuries, no? Why should expect this one to be any different.

Jamal G. says:

Do you really expect every injury a Yankee suffers to be longer than what’s publicly stated by the team? I understand your point, but with the decision on Hughes, I think the reasoning stated above is the most logical explanation.

 
AndrewYF says:

They haven’t really downplayed major injuries this year. A-Rod and Posada all came back on schedule.

Jerking Hughes around is bad for his health. He’s thriving in the ‘pen this year. This is not a Joba situation, where it’s almost guaranteed he has more value as a starter. Hughes has never had a consistently great stretch of success as a starter at the major league level. Also, he’s a two-pitch pitcher.

He can start next year, and won’t really be any the worse for it. The Anti-B-Jobbers obviously have a great point regarding Joba, but it doesn’t necessarily carry over.

 
 
 
Accent Shallow says:

This is what I’m worried about. Wang’s gone for awhile, the Yankees go with an inferior option in the rotation.

 
 

Thank you.

BTW-There’s about four of us. Me, you, Rebecca and Mo.

We’re like comic book superheroes. There’s 4 of us, three guys and a girl. Now we just need a nickname.

H-Men?

The Phantastic Phour?

 
 
 
VO says:

Thanks for leaving me out. I thought I was actually the heaviest advocate, shows what I know.

 
 
MattG says:

Or, put Wang into the bullpen. He is (re: should be) the 6th starter on this team right now.

Pennants are lost more than anything because the wrong players got the opportunities to play. 2009, Hughes >>> Wang.

Last 4 Starts for both players:

Wang: 5 IP 3 ER, 5IP 3ER, 5.1 IP 2ER, 5.1 IP 4ER.

Hughes: 5 IP 3ER, 5IP, 3ER, 8IP 0ER, 5IP 4ER.

Basically, over those 4 starts, Hughes was 2 runs and 2.1 innings better. That’s really not that much, and I think that getting Wang fixed is just an important a goal as getting Phil innings, if not more so.

Exactly. Phil’s been so amazing out of the pen that people forget he was mediocre (at best) as a starter.

You take Phil out of that bullpen, and its April all over again out there. You need a fireman out there to get you to Mo. Bruney hasn’t shown he can do it yet.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

Who knows when Wang is coming back. Plus,ur waiting on a pitcher with a 10.00 ERA and not to mention it’s setback for him to gain form.

Phil Hughes really should be at least be ready to get in the rotation.

 
 

Kanekoa Texeira has pitched four 1-2-3 innings for Trenton. And yes, he started.

 
Mike HC says:

I am in the middle of reading David Wells 1993 Auto-Biography and came across this little nugget of information:

David Wells, talking about coming back to Yankees in 2002, claimed that Jorge Posada called the “smartest game in baseball,” and also stated, “I swear to God, the man’s psychic.”

With all the controversy over Jorge’s game calling abilities, count David Wells as a Jorge supporter.

Mike HC says:
 
LiveFromNewYork says:

Jorge probably could throw down signs that Wells could read when he was drunk. Hence the psychic part.

 
 
Little Bill says:

Tonight is Cervelli’s swan song. He will be gone after tonight, thank God.

“thank God”?

He’s been a terrific surprise for us.

Little Bill says:

Molina’s better. Cervelli is a work in progress. It was amazing how many fans overrated him because he beat out an infield single once. His horrible bat is no longer needed.

MattG says:

Mr. Pot, I’d like you to meet Mr. Kettle…

 
 
andrew says:

Yup, I’m so excited for Molina’s awesome bat to be back in the lineup!

The two bats are a wash, both are outstanding defensively and Cervelli has terrific speed for a catcher.

Slight edge Cervelli.

andrew says:

Agreed, that’s why i didn’t understand the “Thank Mo, Cervelli’s gone” attitude

 
 
 
Steve H says:

Yes, this lineup will not survive much longer without Jose Molina’s .618 OPS. That’s a big stick to bring back instead of that bum Cervelli and his .601 OPS.

 
 
 
 
J says:

awesome cone and singleton are broadcasting. i was getting tired of kay’s continual barrage of dumb questions.

That’s the ‘A’ team for me.

 
 

The Twins will regret not naming their new stadium after Hubert Humphrey.

 
Tank the Frank says:

Methinks CC has CG dominance tonight.

 
Tank the Frank says:

The M&M boys! Ahahahahahahahashutup.

You hear Kay’s lame nickname for the two Phil’s in the bullpen?

“The Phil-thy’s”

Ugh.

If you really want to go with that, you could do a rework of the Cincy “Nasty Boys” and call them “The Philthy Boys”

 
Tank the Frank says:

Yeah I heard it. Michael Kay is so up his own ass. I too am happy to have Kenny and Cone for this series.

 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Jon Heyman: http://tinyurl.com/ktpvdb

#white sox are dead serious. they just got reliever tony pena from #dbacks for very good infield prospect brandon allen

 
Teix is the Man says:

Heh, if Gammons says Boston is looking for a ‘Justin Smoak’ type of bat for Penny, the Jays could problably nab Jesus Christ and prospects for Halladay.

You mean . . . . . we’d have to give up Melvin?

Teix is the Man says:

Melvin chooses where he plays

 
 
AndrewYF says:

Uh huh, and the Yankees were looking for a ‘Tommy Hanson’ type arm for Nady in the offseason.

Teix is the Man says:

sarcasm, I assume?

 
 
 

Texeira loses the no-no as NH gets single. Pitching into the fifth inning is uncharted territory for this reliever.

4.1 no hit innings.

sounds like he’s beginning to tire.

 
 

I just can’t wait for Coney’s first “Red Ruffing” reference.

Teix is the Man says:

It’ll problably be some sexual innuendo too.

Hmmmm . . . how will he work that in?

Teix is the Man says:

hey ken, speaking of a red ruffing….

“I had some ‘Ruff’ sex last night”

Teix is the Man says:
 

“….and my ass is still ‘Red’. Ouch.”

 
 
 
 
 
 

Prove me right, Tex!

 
 

Wheels falling of for Texeira now. Definitely tired.

 
Ivan says:

The Yanks will be in first place when the baseball season arrives at the ASB. True or False?

Teix is the Man says:

false. the sox are way too gritty

 

False. We’ve gotta get through Anaheim.

 
Little Bill says:

False. Sox are at home against lesser teams than Minny and Anaheim.

 
AndrewYF says:

True

YA GOTTA BELIEVE!

 
 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

Nice hit for tex.

 
Tank the Frank says:

Holy shit look at A-Rod’s numbers at this place. That’s insane.

Awful number against Baker though.

 
 
J says:

ugh. cmon arod

 

CC better get that high strike call.

 

Such dead weight. DFA this guy.

 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

Matsui on firee.

 
AsianShuutoHeat says:

Godzilla is pissed.

 
 
J says:

matsui is scorching.

 
AndrewYF says:

I thought the Yankees were supposed to release Matsui? That’s what Steve from WasWatching told me.

Little Bill says:

Nope. Irrational fans have moved on to releasing Swish and Cano now.

 

Matsui was pretty bad about a month ago, his OPS was 2nd lowest among the starters, except for Melky. But he’s been hitting a lot lately, so all is forgiven.

Matsui is a square peg on this team, but as long as he hits you live with it.

Yeah, but even then I think he was OPSing higher than the average DH.

Right, but not as high as anyone else on our team. Which means that we were sitting/not resting guys with better numbers to play him. Damon, A-Rod, Swisher and Posada would have all been upgrades at DH, plus got a much needed 1/2 a day off.

 
 
 
 

Hey, so, um, you gave Baker that call, blue.

 

And, wow, where did that pitch miss?

 
Accent Shallow says:

Brendan Harris sucks. Great trade for the Twins, huh?

Wonder if D. Young ever becomes something worthwhile.

Ivan says:

Delmon Young will not be a star until his plate disipline improves

Accent Shallow says:

And until he re-learns his power stroke.

 
 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Joe Mauer doesn’t suck, but outs is outs.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Wonder if Morneau is going to give back Jeter’s MVP.

Dela G says:

i am glad i’m not the only one who’s still peeved about somehow the canadian won

 
 
cr1 says:

Suggestion for the Twinkies in their new house: all afternoon games for the first and last months of the season.

Not quite as cold if they play in the sunshine.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Scott Baker is eminently hittable. Lots of runs, please.

 

Is the sound a little off on everyone else’s broadcast?

Dela G says:

fine for me. But i am using mlb.tv

 
VO says:
 

Hmm, guess I’m the only one. It seems like I’m getting the sound before the ball hits the bat and/or glove.

 
 
Dela G says:

cano is ridiculously awesome without runners on base

 
AsianShuutoHeat says:

cano is a table setter, but not a table cleaner

Johan Iz My Brohan says:

This may be the stupidest question of the day, but should/could Cano be a decent leadoff hitter?

Little Bill says:

No, his OBP is way too low.

 

Lead off guys need to take walks. Canó bunts on a 3-0 count. And he doesn’t have nearly enough speed.

AsianShuutoHeat says:

ugh, don’t remind of the 3-0 bunt…

 
 
Steve in PDX says:

best case-maybe #2 hitter. Maybe.

 
 
 
Dela G says:
 

You know, it is incredibly confusing listening to one game and watching another, especially when one team is batting and another is pitching.

Yay Cervelli!

 
Little Bill says:

That was a gritty and energetic sacrifice fly by Cervelli.

Dela G says:

you sound like peter gammons when talking about the red sox

Tank the Frank says:

I talked to one scout recently who clocked Daniel Bard’s fastball at 116mph and told me he could easily see him as either a #1 starter or the next Jonathan Papelbon.

- Peter Gammons

Dela G says:
 
 
 
 
Johan Iz My Brohan says:

TEX WILL HIT A HOME RUN HERE!

BOOK IT!

Johan Iz My Brohan says:

Well he didn’t hit a HR, but i’ll take a nice RBI any day.

 
 
Dela G says:

cone you are dumb

he was safe

 
AsianShuutoHeat says:

I think we need to replace the legend/myth of Paul Bunyon with the big Tex.

 
Tom Zig says:

Just keep making Baker work.

 
Steve in PDX says:

good base running wins games.

Tank the Frank says:

Nick Swisher’s motto.

 
 
Accent Shallow says:
 
Dela G says:

WOOOHOOO MT BRINGS IN THE RUN!

 
Dela G says:

damn it alex, not even i would swing at that shit

 
YankeeScribe says:

I love the contact with RISP. Hopefully the trend sticks around…

 

Manny just got tossed.

Tom Zig says:

Arguing balls and strikes with Hirshbeck.

Hirshbeck has a long rep of having a huge strike zone. He’s not a bad guy, but he’s a total pitcher’s umpire. You might also remember him from the Robbie Alomar spitting incident.

 
 

This umpiring group look familiar to anyone?

Umpires Home – John Hirschbeck, First Base – Wally Bell, Second Base – Marty Foster, Third Base – Chad Fairchild

AsianShuutoHeat says:

Ugh…
Everyone knows that punk Foster didn’t get face any repercussion what-so-ever behind closed doors.

I bet Hirschbeck dragged him to the back room, gave him a cookie and sat in each other’s lap…

 
 
 
 
Dela G says:
 
Accent Shallow says:

Miss Matt Garza yet, Twinkies?

 

CC’s changeup > DY

 
Johan Iz My Brohan says:

The only hits I wanted Minny to get was with Joe Mauer so he can increase his AVG and dethrone Ted Williams =(

 

The Mets are in such bad shape. They’re using a pinch hitter (Arjenous Reyes) for their starting pitcher who has a .154 OBP.

 
Johan Iz My Brohan says:

Wow, if I was a Met I would demand a trade right now to get away from those scrubs, hell, i’d rather play for the Pirates than the Mets…

Who is this Argenis Reyes character and why the hell would anyone use him to PH with his .077 avg? Tim Redding has a better avg than him.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Bet Bartlett gets to that ball.

 
Don says:

Everytime the Yanks play the Twins I am reminded of how Jeter was shafted out of the MVP in 2006 in losing out to Justin Morneau. Looking back at it, Jeter beat Morneau in all of the following fangraph categories:

RAR
WAR
WPA
WPA/LI
REW
Clutch
WRC
WRAA
WOBA

In addition, Morneau played on a team with two other top 7 MVP vote getters in Mauer and Santana and the Yanks finished with a better record than the Twins. I guess it doesnt matter now, but it always bothered me.

Accent Shallow says:

It’s the cult of the RBI. Writers were unable to look past Morneau’s RBI total, despite Jeter being an excellent table-setter.

Don says:

Precisely, meanwhile you win by scoring runs and Jeter was 2nd in the league with 118. Morneau didnt crack the top 10, nor the 100 run plateau.

Using runs scored as MVP criteria isn’t too great either. It’s largely dependent on who’s behind the batter. I know Jeter is a good OBP guy/table setter, but the other guys still have to knock him in before he can get those runs.

Don says:

Im aware, but if a short sighted writer is going to place value on RBI he should place equal value on Runs scored.

I see where you’re coming from.

 
 
 
 
 
Steve in PDX says:

you forget that everyone outside NY hates the Yankees, someone has to have a season like A-Rod did a couple years ago to to get MVP if yer a Yank

Don says:

I never forget that, but excellent point.

A close second to this snub was Mariano losing the Cy Young the prior year to a guy who is in the news today because his team has no clue where he is – Bartolo Colon.

They should probably check the closest all you can eat buffet.

Johan should’ve won that year.

 
 
 
Tony says:

Oh, it matters. It will always matter.

Didn’t someone leave Jeter off his ballot that season, or am I imagining that?

Don says:

Joe Cowley from Chicago.

 
LiveFromNewYork says:

Pure jealousy. Jeter has to console himself with the Maxim 100.

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

It bothers the shit out of me. It bothered me even more when Pedroia won it last year with inferior numbers basically because Morneau didn’t have as good a year.

 
 
AsianShuutoHeat says:

wrong Singleton, the sign was “are you free for lunch tomorrow?”

 
Johan Iz My Brohan says:

Cano has a 3-2 count, WHAT?

6 pitch AB…
7 pitch AB…
8 pitch AB…

and there’s the out, NOT A DOUBLE PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Girardi: “Cano did such a great job when Swisher was on first today, having an 8 pitch AB, even though that he got an out, there was obviously improvement. He has earned the 5th spot in the lineup and will be penciled in there for the next few series…”

Crap…

Accent Shallow says:

What are you complaining about? Cano worked a good at-bat, and even had a well-struck ball turned into an out by a solid LFer.

Johan Iz My Brohan says:

Nothing, it was a great AB, great hit as well.

 
 
 
Accent Shallow says:

At this rate, Baker will be pulled after the fourth.

 
Dela G says:

bad AB for GRIT

 
AsianShuutoHeat says:

okay, I just shot Coca Cola out of my nose thanks to Ken’s little talk about wrestling… and the comment about Rey Mysterio.

 
Accent Shallow says:

It’s Nick Punto, throw strikes!

Johan Iz My Brohan says:

Balls 1 and 4 were definitely strikes, ball 3 was debatable the only one that was definitely a ball was ball 2. At least according to GameDay, bad calls by the ump there.

 
Steve in PDX says:
 
 
Jake H says:

CC is cruising pretty much.

 

The answer is Jack Morris three times.

Stephen says:

such a gritty, big game pitcher. Opening day starter every year. So clutch

Pitched to the score like a real great.

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

I know Jack Morris gets crapped on a bit here (as does Jim Rice), but they were both damn fine players.

Probably not Hall of Famers by most objective measures, but very good players. I feel that we may lose sight of that with all the counter-snark done here.

 
 
donttradecano says:

thw White Sox “lost” Bartolo Colon

VO says:

Care to explain?

donttradecano says:

all i know is they lost contact with him in AAA and cant find him.

 
 
Steve H says:

Check your local buffet’s.

For lack of a more creative name.. Alex says:

haha that made me laugh

 
 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Cervelli better not be going here…

 
whozat says:

It seems like something’s wrong with this kid…have mercy, Gardenhire!

(after Johnny hits a 3-run jack, right here)

VO says:
 
 
Tank the Frank says:

I love it. Have their starter go 3 or 3.1 IP in the first game of a series and get that bullpen nice and taxed.

 
A.D. says:

Cone rocking the baseball reference mention, nice

 
Johan Iz My Brohan says:

TEX HITS A GRAND SLAM!

BOOK IT!

 

Did Ken Singleton really just call this a “Snakes on a Plane” situation. I love Ken Singleton so much.

 
Jamal G. says:

Carlos Gomez is a cocksucker.

Accent Shallow says:

Yup. Let’s see if he tries to break Tex’s wrist again, then gets salty about it.

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Freakin’ Gomez. Worst dude.

 

I’m not even mad.

 
Steve in PDX says:

^$^%$&%^$ Gomez

 
Johan Iz My Brohan says:

SO CLOSE AROD SO CLOSE!

Stephen says:

He posed a little too much –> bad karma

For lack of a more creative name.. Alex says:

haha, yea think K-Rod’s fist pump before Luis Castillo.

 
 
 
For lack of a more creative name.. Alex says:

Watching him, it really seems that Matsui should be hitting much lower than his near .270.

 
Tank the Frank says:

I don’t think the play was that spectacular. It was a big play because it saved 3 runs, but he had forever to get over there, set himself, track the ball, and time his jump. That ball hung up there for a while.

Stephen says:

I agree. He jumped pretty high though, but it wasn’t spectacular. That baggy is pretty low.

 
 
Salty Buggah says:

did he rob Alex of a slam?

 
Accent Shallow says:
 
Salty Buggah says:
 
 
Tank the Frank says:

That lessens the sting a little bit.

 
Johan Iz My Brohan says:

Thank you Duensing

HUGE SPOT FOR CANO!!! LET’S GO CANO!!!

 
Steve in PDX says:

jesus f-ing christ cano

 
Accent Shallow says:

If A-Rod were more clutch, he’d have hit a line drive, or hit the ball a foot farther.

Oy, Cano . . .

 
Salty Buggah says:

I hate it when we get robbed! Hopefully, Melkman or Gardy rob a HR this series.

 
MJ says:

Well, it will be nice for Minnesota to have a ballpark thats actually meant for baseball. But, just to let you guys know it’s actually warm in Minnesota. So the early season/October games aren’t going to be tough to handle at all.

Steve in PDX says:

In the summer. It’s warm in MN in the summer.

 
Mattingly's Love Child says:

By warm do you mean above 40 degrees?

;)

 
 
Johan Iz My Brohan says:

Montero 0-4 with 3 Ks =(

For lack of a more creative name.. Alex says:
 
Salty Buggah says:

I guess it’s somewhat a good thing. It’s good to struggle at times in the minors, it can only make you a better and smarter batter.

 
 
Salty Buggah says:

I guess that HR A-rod got robbed of shows his bad luck with BABIP.

In the end it does, but homers don’t count towards BABIP.

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

This game has CC for 8 and Tomko for 1 written all over it.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Hey, the Twins recorded a 1-2-3 inning!

 
Tank the Frank says:

My goodness the Mets are putrid.

For lack of a more creative name.. Alex says:

I’m surprised Jerry Manuel isn’t on suicide watch yet.

 
 
Tom Zig says:

The poor poor Mets.

 
VO says:

In all honesty I really do feel bad for David Wright, the dude goes out there and gives it his all basically for nothing.

LiveFromNewYork says:

Agree. I actually like David Wright a lot.

I really only hate K-Rod. I don’t mind the rest of the Mets.

For lack of a more creative name.. Alex says:

agree 99%.. Jose Reyes really annoys me also.

Eh, I don’t mind him. He’s harmless, really.

 
 
 
 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Good Lord the Twins got hosed on these trades.

Accent Shallow says:

Yeah. The pitchers the Mets gave up for Santana? Hilarious. Maybe Guerra can become something, but he’s struggling in High A.

 
 

“No relation to Vida Guerra”

Hahahah!

Salty Buggah says:

who said that?

Vida Guerra…:drools:

Singleton-”the Twins got Deolis Guerra in the Santana trade”

Cone-”No relation to Vida Guerra!”

Salty Buggah says:
 
 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Confirm/deny:

Coney will eventually get fired for something sexually inappropriate, and the broadcasts will be poorer (and less erotic) for it.

Mattingly's Love Child says:

I certainly hope not, but the Yankees are pretty conservative. He’s definitely entertaining. MLB Network might hire him though…

 

That, or for jerking off in the booth.

 
 

Coney has to get his innuendo reference in each night.

http://english.pravda.ru/img/i.....rra-44.jpg

 
 
Salty Buggah says:

My interner isn’t working. Only the sites i’m on are but it won’t open a new site and it does this all that time. Anyone know what could be wrong?

VO says:

Google chrome does that to me sometimes, what internet service do you have?

Salty Buggah says:

Hmmm, I am using Chrome but end up having to restart the router to make everything work.

I think I have Qwest High-speed or DSL or something like that.

VO says:

Ok, well next time just try exiting and going back into Google Chrome itself. I don’t know much but you internet provider so I can’t really help you there, usually a simple restart of the router should do the trick for all problems like that, but if it continues you should contact you internet provider and have them walk you through it or come out and fix it for you.

 
 
 
Mattingly's Love Child says:

Too much porn?

JK ;)

Don’t put your problems on someone else, MLC.

/hopes your wife isn’t watching

Mattingly's Love Child says:

LMAO, and she is sitting right next to me….

Salty Buggah says:

Freaky couple…

 
For lack of a more creative name.. Alex says:
 
Mattingly's Love Child says:

You know you’re just jealous

 
 
 
 
 
 
VO says:

Haha, CC and Johan.

 
Will (the other one) says:

Good Lord, Nick Punto is a black hole.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Duensing and Dickey? Hopefully we can get to the non-dreck portion of the pen.

 
AJ says:

So a quick question to all the fans here:

Whose the worst broadcast team for the Yankees – Cone/Williams or Sterling/Waldman?

Tom Zig says:

Sterling/Waldman by far

Mattingly's Love Child says:

Anything with Susyn is the worst ever. She makes me want to hurt cute things.

For lack of a more creative name.. Alex says:

everytime I’m in another room and she starts talking, I run to the radio because I think it’s Sterling screaming about something exciting.

 
 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Who’s Williams? I think Cone is pretty ok.

Sterling and Waldman are awful. Sterling is a terrible play-by-play man, and Waldman adds nothing.

 
A.D. says:

Cone Williams is awesome. Sterling Waldman really can’t be beat, maybe Sterling/Waldman/guest spot by McCarver would be worse.

 
AJ says:

Sorry, I meant Singleton. I think Sterling/Waldman are pretty terrible, but Singleton pisses me off too. He shouldn’t be the play by play man.

Accent Shallow says:

I think you’re in the minority there. I’m a big fan of Kenny’s, and I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anyone express the opposite sentiment. Of course, maybe Michael Kay is just so bad that Singleton sounds like Vin Scully in comparison?

 
 
For lack of a more creative name.. Alex says:

I love Cone’s commentary.

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Can you just hit it to Cuddyer? He’s the only outfielder who won’t go get it.

 

Kenny…did you seriously just say Swisher could steal some bases? Look, I love him but Swish ain’t gonna be stealing any bases any time soon. Walks? Yes. Power? Yes. Steals? Not so much.

 
cjc says:

its like someone is playing a cruel joke on robbie

There’s the punchline, baby!

 
 
Steve in PDX says:

about f*ckin time

 
Accent Shallow says:
 
A.D. says:

Oh my mo, Cano with a hit with RISP

 
Johan Iz My Brohan says:
 
J says:

wow the yankees are killing the twins this year. too bad mauer’s gonna be a redsuck in 2011.

Nope. He’s gonna get traded to them for Josh Bard at the deadline ’cause that’s the best the Twins could get for him.

Tom Zig says:

Not even Daniel Bard?

Woops, wrong Bard. Joke fail.

 
 
JobaWockeeZ says:

Everyone love the all-American gritty Red Sox that they can sign Mauer for 10 years for 1 cent a year. The Twins can’t even compete so they should trade for Bard since that’s all they get.

 
 
Tom Zig says:

Gonna go out on a limb and say he stays with the Twins

 
Mattingly's Love Child says:

I think Mauer stays. He’s a hometown boy. That and he’s WAY too clean cut to be a Red Suck. Mauer actually knows what a razor is and chooses to use one.

No, he’ll definitely stay. I don’t think the Twinkies have much money tied up in anyone but Morneau for now and maybe some arbitration raises, but I think they’ll pony up the dough for Mauer.

 
Johan Iz My Brohan says:

Damon learned how to use one when he came to NY!

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

I don’t think the Twins can let Mauer leave, especially with the opening of the new park. The fans would absolutely riot if they let him walk.

Not to mention he’s a hometown kid, and that seems to really count up there.

 
 

Gardner put too much grit on that ball for Gomez to catch it.

Mattingly's Love Child says:

Brett must’ve grabbed A-Rod’s shipment of HGH…

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

See what I mean? Cuddyer’s the only one of their outfielders who can’t run.

 
For lack of a more creative name.. Alex says:

Cone on Gardner.. “He’s got a little pop..” no, just no.

 
Johan Iz My Brohan says:

HOLY SHIT GARDNER I LOVE YOU!

 
Accent Shallow says:

Points:

-Dickey’s knuckleball doesn’t seem to move as much as Wakefield’s.
-Gameday doesn’t recognize the knuckler. Says “curve” or “change”
-What does that say about Gardner’s power that he can’t take that pitch out of the park?
-SLG INFLATED BY TRIPLES!

 
J says:

its awesome that gardy is in the conversation for RoY.

 
J says:

wow. Cervelli should have 2 HRs.

 

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