Open Thread: Getting after it

by 245 Comments

Thames has an opt-out clause
2010 Draft Order finalized

Randy Winn, Marcus Thames, and Jon Weber making plays at the wall today. All photos by Kathy Willens, AP.

It’s snowy in New York, but sunny in Tampa. Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain threw to real live batters today, even though they only bothered to swing at 11 of 60 combined pitches. Games are just five days away, though it’s likely one of Al Aceves, Chad Gaudin, or Sergio Mitre will start that opener according to Joe Girardi. Just 37 more sleeps until Opening Day…

Here’s your open thread for the evening. You get to pick between the Knicks and the Olympics, though the Canada-Slovakia hockey game will determine who faces USA in the Gold Medal game. Enjoy the night, and the thread.

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Thames has an opt-out clause
2010 Draft Order finalized
  • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

    Ironically enough, the only guy with basically no shot at the MLB roster is the only one actually making a catch.

    • pat

      Hah, thats what I was gonna say. The caption isn’t exactly accurate as only Weber appears to be “making a play”

    • Esteban

      Haha yea, those pictures don’t show Thames or Winn in the best light. Hey Thames, the ball goes inside the glove.

  • Esteban

    As much as Tracy McGrady may hinder the development of Wilson Chandler and Gallinari, I still like the trade for the salary cap effects and for the fact that the Knicks have a really talented (though diminished) player for the first time since, who Latrell Sprewell.

    • JSquared

      Agreed. I Hope with two max free agents we can still sign David Lee somehow. Hopefully the Cap is higher than expected.

      • Esteban

        I was thinking about the free agent situation. If the Knicks don’t sign Lebron, the best situation for them might be to only sign Chris Bosh this offseason. Eddy Curry’s contract is up after the 2010-2011 season, so they might be able to afford two free agents from that class, which includes Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony. I’m probably dreaming, but having Bosh, Melo, and CP3 would be unstoppable regardless of who the rest of the players on the team.

        • JSquared

          It could happen. I don’t know if both Paul and Anthony would leave, but they’re going to get max contracts as well, should probably just sign LeBron James if hes available and not risk losing out on somebody waiting for Paul and Anthony to both leave.

          • Esteban

            That’s why I said if they don’t sign Lebron. Lebron is obviously the first choice. It’s not even guaranteed that Lebron or Wade leaves.

            • JSquared

              Got Ya. Missed that, thought you were proposing that they pass on him. Yeah, if they can not get two, i would just sign Bosh, and wait for Curry’s contract to leave.

  • bexarama

    I know we’ve been talking about pro-Red Sox and anti-Yankee bias in the media. For the record, I don’t think stuff like fantasy league rankings or over/under from Las Vegas is pro-RS or anti-Yankee.

    That said, I fully read Gammons expecting pro-RS stuff, so my confirmation bias is probably in play, but I don’t think I’m wrong. Classy models of the game: Mauer, Jeter, ….. Josh Beckett. Blah blah blah, mention a few things about Mauer and Jeter, talk excessively about Red Sox camp and how awesome all the Red Sox pitchers are and their depth.

    Ugh I’m never leaving my house again with the snow >:(

    PS. Is the ’90s fade gone?!?!?

    • DP

      My life is thrown into utter chaos at the sight of Jeter with a normal haircut.

      • Accent Shallow

        Agreed.

    • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

      PS. Is the ’90s fade gone?!?!?

      I bet Minka Kelly said something like, “You’ve had that same haircut since 1996….when I was 15. Update it.”

      • Tom Zig

        Is it actually sunny in Daytona?

        • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

          Sunny, but cooler than normal.

  • DP

    Does anyone good things to do in Tampa? I’m going down in a week and I’ve never been. Mostly looking for bar suggestions, but hey, no need to limit suggestions. Also is pregame for ST games like regular games? (Home team BP, road team BP) Do they allow you to go to other parts of the complex when they aren’t playing?

    • DP

      Where’s that “crickets” link?

    • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

      Go to the Tilted Kilt. It’s a Hooters-like restaurant where the girls wear tiny little plaid skirts.

      • DP

        Haha, excellent.

    • Matt Tunnell

      If you’re into craft beer, check out Cigar City Brewing Company. They have a tasting room that always has 5 awesome things on tap. There isn’t much in the way off ambiance though, as it’s basically a corner of the brewery that’s been cordoned off.

      • DP

        Thanks for the suggestion, love craft beer.

  • Esteban

    The Olympics actually made me put a hockey game on today. Maybe it was because it was already 6-0 but I still never paid that much attention to the game.

  • ultimate913

    http://milbprospects.blogspot......-2010.html

    Someone had a bit too much time on their hands.

    Also. I’m suprised Chapman is only 63rd best.

    • Esteban

      Why, just why is that long of a list necessary?

    • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

      1991. Seth Schwindenhammer, OF, BOS

      Someone tell the guy who did this list that no Sox player is worse than #200.

      • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

        I think you mean they’re all tied for 1-10.

    • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

      1819. Christopher Smith, OF, NYY

      I’m not sure if that’s his ranking, or the number of times he struck out last year.

      • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

        …Can’t it be both?

        • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

          Or it could be the number of chicken wings he can eat in one sitting…

    • Johan Iz My Brohan

      Why is Yeico Calderon, who hasn’t even played in the US yet, ranked higher than Romine, Bleich, Heathcott, Murphy, Melancon, and so on?

      Granted, I do not follow the international prospects unless their name is Montero, etc, but is this kid supposed to be good?

      • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

        Juan Miranda is #1606 and Rumolo Sanchez is #1607? Wow. The Yankees suck.

      • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

        Jose Ramirez is #1342.

    • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

      1720. Yao Lin Wang, P, CHC
      1721. Yao-Lin Wang, P, CHC

      He is so bad, that he makes the list twice.

      • http://twitter.com/riddering Riddering

        Yes, but 1720 is Yao-Lin in the BP where his bulldog mentality gives me slightly better value.

        • http://twitter.com/riddering Riddering

          *him

        • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

          haha

    • Tom Zig

      44. Casey Kelly, P, BOS

      /insert meme here.

      • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

        Honestly, that’s the lowest I’ve seen him. Just wait until he adds that extra 5 mph….

      • http://www.retire21.org Mike R. – Retire 21

        They have him 3 spots above Manny Banuelos. I have no problem with this. IMO Banuelos has a higher ceiling, but Kelly pitched at a higher level so I think that #44 is actually kinda fair.

    • Accent Shallow

      What a colossal waste of time.

    • Steve in PDX

      222. Melquisedec Mesa, OF, NYY

      whaa?

      • http://www.richardiurilli.com Richard Iurilli

        I want to see Melquisedec Mesa traded to another team that wears names on the back of their uniforms, get called up to the bigs, then decide to wear his first name on his uniform, Ichiro-style.

  • Tom Zig

    Loving the “cougarlife” advertisement

    • Esteban

      that’s hilarious that that’s a real website.

      • Brett Gardner’s Grittiness

        There is a Jose Tabata joke in there somewhere…

  • Esteban

    If David Lee could improve his defense as much as he’s improved his offense (shooting), then he would be a top-20 player in the NBA.

    • Tom Zig

      If Curtis Granderson could OPS .800 against Lefties, he’d be a top 20 player

    • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

      If I could’ve hit a curveball, I probably wouldn’t be here posting.

      • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

        Let the record show that Matt just implied that all other aspects of his game are MLB or MiLB worthy, it was just the curveball that is keeping him from tearing shit up.

    • Esteban

      Oh come on.

      • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

        Just being snarky.

        =)

        • Esteban

          Yea no worries, I realized that.

  • http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

    This weather needs to die.

    • bexarama

      absolutely, ughhhh

      • http://www.facebook.com/adorador Ray Fuego

        I agree.

  • bexarama

    Genius from Fack Youk:
    http://fackyouk.blogspot.com/2.....r-you.html (not really safe, though it’s mostly language)

    Also, I know he wrote that terrible article attacking Cashman, but Matt Taibbi almost makes up for it by writing this:
    Whereas a guy like Teixeira was born with a swing so gorgeous you want to paint it, Youkilis fighting a middle reliever to a nine-pitch walk looks like a rhinoceros trying to f-ck a washing machine.

  • http://twitter.com/riddering Riddering

    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02.....ill-t.html

    As someone who wasn’t alive when baseball was “innocent” I’ve got to say: mmmm, filthy steroids. Almost as delicious as a chili dog.

    • bexarama

      Above all, the story of Willie Mays reminds us of a time when the only performance-enhancing drug was joy.

      That actually made me lol.

      • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

        Someone seriously wrote that? How does an editor let something like that go?

      • bexarama

        in related news, MLB has now decided to test major leaguers for the presence of sunshine and rainbows.

        • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

          IETC.

        • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

          Cal Ripken Jr. once tested positive for “frog and snails and puppy-dogs tails”…and yes Manny Ramirez officially tested positive for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, but actually it was “sugar and spice and all that is nice”.

          • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

            /Waits for Steve H. rant on Ripken + ‘roids

            • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

              Cal Ripken Jr.’s .374 OBP in 1984 was underappreciated at the time.

              /Steve H.’d

              • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H
                • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

                  Babe Ruth: Underappreciated in his time.

                • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

                  Raul Mondesi: Severely under-appreciated in his time.

                • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

                  But not underfed.

                  /TSJC’d

                  http://instantrimshot.com/

                • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

                  Haha! Get it! ‘Cause he’s fat!

                  /Salty’d

                • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

                  Haha, very well-played. Poor Salty.

                • Hey Yo

                  Underappreciated? Boggs?
                  I don’t think so.

            • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H
  • VO

    Hey guys in fantasy my friend was offered Lowe, Niemann, and Manny for Matt Weiters. I’m not too great with the whole fantasy thing so I don’t want to give him bad advice, what do you guys think should he accept? He has Adam Jones, McCutchen, and Werth in his outfield as is and his pitching is also fairly well. But he doesn’t have a back up catcher and on the free agent market all that’s left is Miguel Olivo and Rod Barajas.

    • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

      How many teams? I can barely see Lowe even being ownable unless it’s a very deep league. And Niemann isn’t much better. It’s almost just Manny for Weiters (unless a 16 team league or so), and I’d probably still take Manny, but it’s close. If it’s a keeper league, take Weiters and run.

      • VO

        It’s not a keeper, 12 team leauge.

  • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

    That Canadian curler, is a hot piece of milfy goodness. But, that Swiss curler with the black hair, nose ring and pierced tongue was the best.

    • http://and-that-happened.blogspot.com Evan

      You mean the skip Bernard?

      • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

        Yeah man.

        • http://and-that-happened.blogspot.com Evan

          I second that. For some reason, whenever they get a camera shot of her stare, I feel compelled to say, “Yes Mistress!”

    • Tom Zig

      Madeline DuPont is a fox.

      http://tinyurl.com/y9ay78h

      (depends on your definition of safe)

      • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

        I see your headshot and raise you boob and panties.

        • DP

          Did I really just get linked like 6 mm down? Though I guess this comment might make it a whole 2 inches…

    • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

      Have you not seen the uninhibited Danish curler?

      http://www.vg.no/sport/ol/2010.....tid=589446 (nsfw)

      PS: I know everyone likes this Canadian lady but her nose kinda creeps me out. She’s kinda got a Skeletor thing going on.

      • Tom Zig

        Bravo, sir.

      • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

        Mmmm (creepy). I like the little mole on her. Call me crazy but those panties look fake.

      • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

        Love those Danish Viagra ads. So it’s not just us, huh?

  • Johan Iz My Brohan

    Shin-Soo Choo hired Scott Boras, as one of the most underrated players in the game I hope he gets a big payday.

    • pat

      Well if I needed to pick and agent who I thought could get me out of a mandatory 2 years in the South Korean army, it would be Boras.

      • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

        Next thing you know, we’ll hear that Boras is threatening to have Choo go serve in the military as leverage for a new deal. Watch out for a “mystery team military.”

        • bexarama

          ietc

          Fun (?) fact: Choo led all RF in VORP last year. Uh, yay?

        • pat

          Listen, you’re not gonna find an infantrymen in this market for less than 15 mil a yr. His bayonet skills are legendary, he marches in formation like a guy half his age and he hasn’t missed a training exercise in 10 years.

        • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

          Jon Heyman reports that the Japanese Army is recruiting him heavily. . . .

  • http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs

    This Kathy Willens has a sweet gig. Does she do AP photos for the regular season too or just spring training?

  • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

    Big choke there.

    • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

      For reals. Very surprising.

      • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

        Wow. After how well she played during the whole tournament, she really blew it against Sweden. So sorry, Canada.

        Ah, sweet, sweet schadenfreude.

  • http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs

    I’m two episodes into Season 2 of Dexter and loving it.

    Any other shows on DVD that I’ve seriously missed out on?

    • Granderslam

      Wait until you get to Season 4. It’s the best season of television I have ever seen. It’s epic.

      • http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs

        Ooh, that makes me pumped. I will say, it’s not as good as the Wire. But it is fantastic.

        • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

          Fact: The first draft script of the final episode of “The Wire” had Omar Little meeting Jack from “Will & Grace” at a mall and them running away together to Ibiza.

          • http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs

            I have read this sentence 5 or 6 times now and still can’t wrap my head around it.

            • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

              The writers obviously went in a different direction.

        • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

          I like Dexter but I actually enjoyed Season 1 more than I enjoyed the subsequent seasons. I’m in the minority on this one, but I thought the most recent season was a fall from grace. I don’t want to give anything important away, but I felt like they completely forgot who Dexter is in the latest season (how meticulous and careful he is) and made him do things that the character would never do, just to make the plot work.

          And Dexter and The Wire don’t belong in the same sentence. Dexter’s entertaining, but it’s not even close to being in the conversation with shows like The Wire.

          • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

            Well said, Mondesi. +1

            • Granderslam

              Really? The season finale of Dexter had one of the greatest television twists of all-time! I agree that The Wire is in its own category, but Dexter is brilliant. John Lithgow just killed it in Season 4. Literally.

              • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

                I don’t know man… As far as how good Dexter is… Definitely just agree to disagree. But that twist ending? I know a lot of people liked it, but could you really not see that coming a mile away?

                In fact, whatever… I just agree to disagree in general. I really don’t have all that much respect for Dexter beyond it being an entertaining hour of TV, and even the entertainment value dropped precipitously for me during the last season.

              • Hey ZZ

                I had the fucking “twist” ruined by the goddamn “Soup.” I did not have time to watch the show in season, so I waited until it finished at it was on demand.

                Dexter season 4 ends and the next day I was on my computer and flipping through the channels. I went to type something, look up from my computer and happen to be on the E channel with the end scene playing right in front of me. By the time I was able to grab the remote and change the channel I already saw the whole thing.

                I watched the whole freaking season knowing the ending. I cannot stand that bastard Joel McHale.

                /end rant.

          • http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs

            Nothing I’ve ever seen on television is the caliber of the Wire. But both shows are on networks that I can’t afford, hence the tie-in.

    • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

      It’s only been on for two episodes, but “How To Make It In America” looks like it’s going to be really good.

      • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

        Ha, I thought it was awful. Diff’rent Strokes.

        • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

          Really, I think it has a lot of potential.

          • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

            Eh, whatever, maybe it’s just me. I just felt like it was a really smug and cliched and unrealistic portrayal of the lives of young people in NYC.

            We hang out with models! We try to start our own denim line! We’re starving hipster artistes with hearts of gold!

            (Vomits in mouth.)

            • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

              Maybe it resonates for me because I know a few people like that.

  • Hangoverologist

    I was thinking of something while I was eating: If the Mariners are out of contention (10-15 games back) by the deadline, does anybody think they’ll flip Cliff Lee to some other team in contention and take some above average prospects?

    • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

      If they can get back something better than the two 1st round picks, I certainly think they’ll consider it.

    • bexarama

      I can very much see this happening, especially if Cliff is miserable in Seattle (he’s a professional, he won’t show it, but he might be).

      I really do wonder how Seattle will do this year. I know there was talk about it in the Las Vegas over/under thread, but I missed that. At least the AL West isn’t gonna be boring this year (now that I’ve said this, the stupid Angels will probably run away with it and everyone will praise Scioscia to the high heavens aaagh).

      • pat

        Pitching in a big stadium with Chone, Goochy, Ichiro, Jack Wilson, Kotchman and others I’m sure he won’t be too miserable.

      • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

        Neither team will run away with that division. The M’s don’t have the hitting to do that and the Angels don’t have the pitching to do that.

        • bexarama

          Generally, I agree.

          In fact, gun to my head right now, I think the Rangers win that division. But it’ll be close. But, as others pointed out in the earlier thread, Seattle really has close to twenty games to make up between them and the Angels. Is it impossible? Nah.

          • bexarama

            …but it’s obviously tough.

        • DP

          The Angels could have enough pitching. I mean all of their starting 5 has had a sub-4 ERA in one of the past 2 years. It’s not THAT crazy to think they will be better than expected (especially considering they do it every year.)

          • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

            Fair enough.

            I’m most interested by Morales: can he repeat his ’09 performance?

          • bexarama

            you forgot the ~Scioscia magic~

    • http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs

      I think they let him walk. How far out of it could they possibly be the deadline?

      I wonder if there’s a deadline deal in their future for a big bat. I know everyone in Boston is convinced Gonzalez is already their first baseman but that’d be huge pickup for Seattle.

  • Zack

    Wow, anyone see that play with Jason Kidd just now?

  • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

    I know very little about Canada’s team and absolutely nothing about Slovakia’s team…but I’m still willing to lay down a prediction:

    4-2 Canada.

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

      Marian Gaborik is Slovakian.

      • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

        Rangers forward?

        • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

          Yep.

          • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

            Woo, I kinda know stuff about hockey now!

          • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

            If Slovakia wins, is that like the Rangers beating the Red Wings?

            • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

              Rene: What are you doing? You promised me breakfast.
              Brodie: Breakfast, shmreakfast. Look at the score, for Christ’s sake. It’s only the second period and I’m up 12 to 2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, “the Whale,” they only beat Vancouver once, maybe twice in a lifetime.

              • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

                (Moment of silence for the Whale.)

      • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

        Their top two lines are pretty sick, but beyond that it gets a bit dicey (when you compare them to the big boys of the tournament).

  • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

    I have nothing against the Census but my Mo are those ads awful.

    • pat

      Tried too hard to be like those Dish ads.

    • DP

      IF YOU DON’T MAIL THAT SHIT BACK, THE WORLD WILL COLLAPSE UNTO ITSELF!

    • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

      Totally disagree, I love Christopher Guest and I think it’s awesome that whoever was tasked with heading up that campaign was cool enough to know to get him (and Bob Balaban and the rest of that crowd) to do the ads.

      “I said ‘I can do it but you better get me my left-handed scissors.'” I don’t know, that line makes me chuckle.

      • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
        • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

          Dude, I’m warning you, I will smash your face into a jelly. I’m like the love-child of Charlie Kelly and Epic Beard Man.

  • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

    Here’s your obligatory disclaimer: These lines and my thoughts are for entertainment purposes only. Don’t bet on baseball with my advice in mind, and if you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please contact the National Council on Problem Gambling.

    This is why it’s impossible to dislike Ben. He can’t even mention gambling without running a PSA.

  • http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs

    When will we see another .400 hitter? I realize BA is a taboo stat in these parts but that would still be a really cool feat when/if it happens next.

    • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

      Bored with the traditional .300/.400/.500 gold standard, Jesus Montero’s career line will be closer to .400/.500/.600

      • http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs

        I was wondering how my replies it would take to get to Jesus.

        • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

          Wait. You didn’t mean besides Jesus?

    • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

      Make everyone play with the same gloves from the 1930’s and you’ll see a .400 hitter real quick.

      • http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs

        So, you’re saying never? They should play the All Star game with those old gloves. That would be entertaining.

      • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

        Yes. I’m sure Barry Zito wishes he were born in 1884, and instead of making $126m over the next six+ years, he had made $40 per 350 innings and lived in a crappy one-bedroom near the park and aspired to drive a Model T and read with great interest news of the first plane flight and carried a watch fob and used a glove that was only slightly bigger than his hand that he had to leave on the mound for the guy on the other team to use and died of typhoid at the age of 28. Ah…the good old days, for baseball players.

        http://www.firejoemorgan.com/2.....uuuce.html

        • bexarama

          Albert Pujols (and others) routinely go into the clubhouse immediately after at bats to review the tape on how the pitcher got him out. If you could go back in time and take Nap Lajoie into a room after Rube Waddell K’d him on three pitches and show him a glowing box with a video replay of the at bat, he would call you a demon, slit your throat, tear out his eyes, and generally freak the fuck out. It’s a different game, these days.

          That’s my all-time favorite FJM paragraph. I miss that site SO MUCH, best Red Sox fans evah.

          • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

            Haha, I love that excerpt.

          • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

            Tim Lincecum is fourteen years old and weighs 88 pounds. I don’t care if his delivery was designed by NASA torque specialists. He can just relax and let someone else pitch.

            • bexarama

              Not that many games have been under his control, really. What with all the injuries.

    • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

      Don’t know when but I’m guessing it’ll be in Colorado. In fact, had Ichiro signed there 10 years ago, I think he would have had a strong chance to do it. Just so much open space there for hits to drop in.

      • http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs

        I remember being 100% convinced Tony Gwynn would’ve done it in 94.

        • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

          I’ve written on the subject (and 1994 in general)

          We also remember Tony Gwynn’s attempt at .400 that was aborted by the strike. Did you also know he was just about on pace to break George Sisler’s 74 year old record for hits in a season? He was, though I think his road to .400 would have been easier. Getting back to .400, did he have a real shot? Well the strike unfortunately came while he was on fire. He was hitting .423 in the 2nd half, and in an obviously small sample size, he was hitting .475 for the month of August. Just 38 more at bats at that pace would have put him at .400 for the year. The Padres that year, ironically enough, had a winning % of .401. In other words, they had nothing to play for. Knowing that, would they have rested Gwynn down the stretch against tough lefties? He “only” hit .374 against LHP that year, while hitting 30 points higher vs. RHP. Would they have rested him more on the road, where he hit .387 vs. .403 at home? He was just 1-5 as a pinch hitter, which dropped his overall average 3 points, so I’m sure they wouldn’t have him pinch hit again. The deeper you look, the more they could have done. He hit .434 hitting 2nd that year in 33 games, and .380 in 73 games, so they could have put him in the 2 hole only. Gwynn only hit .304 against “power pitchers” (as per B-Ref) that year. Solution, bench him against power pitchers. Gwynn hit .403 on open fields and only .319 in domes. While several examples above are small samples, to get to .400 wouldn’t have taken much. Considering they were terrible, they could have easily helped Gwynn on his way to .400 without upsetting the fans, and likely would have done all they could have to get him there.

          • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

            1994 was filled with all sorts of ‘what ifs’. The Yanks were rolling to what would have been their first playoff berth and division title since (sort of) 1981. Greg Maddux was in the middle of one of his best years, and Frank Thomas was having an ungodly season (1.217 OPS).

            • bexarama

              And the Expos would have won the World Series!!!

            • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

              How about Fred McGriff, he of the 493 career HR’s? Did that strike cost him his chance at the Hall? He was on pace for a career high 47 HR’s, which would have put him at 506 for his career. In the minds of the BBWAA, 506 HR’s and a career high of 47 is much more Hall-worthy than 493 with a career high of 37, right?

              • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

                Damn, good one. I’d steal this for a post, but it’s your idea.

                • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

                  I SMELL A GUEST POST!

                • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

                  I actually wrote a post on it which somewhat inspired the new blog. Basically I think the owners had the balls juiced in anticipation of the strike.

                  http://frosthendu.blogspot.com.....chive.html

                • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

                  I wouldn’t go with the juiced ball angle. Universities have studied and tested that and found that all of the accusations of winding the ball tighter had little to no effect on how the ball traveled. And we all know now it wasn’t the ball that was juiced….

                  Still, great idea for a post. Such an unfulfilled season.

                • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

                  There was still something else in the air though. Steroids didn’t show up in the game in 1994. Matt Williams/McGriff/Thomas/Bagwell/Belle were all on pace for career highs in HR’s (for before and after 1994).

                • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

                  Steve, Canseco said he was doing roids and spreading them all over the league in the late 80’s on those great A’s teams. They were around in 1994.

                  Players as far back as the 70s said they dabbled in them, but it was thought back then that adding bulk was bad for a Baseball player, that it slowed your bat down.

                • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

                  Surely Jeff Bagwell wouldn’t have won the MVP. He broke his hand a couple of days before the strike and would have been out for the rest of the year.

                • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

                  Nostra, I know steroids were in the game long before 1994, that’s why steroids alone don’t explain the outburst that season. Even Frank Thomas, who is likely clean, had that 1.217 OPS, and never was above 1.100 in any year of his career. For the first 8 years of his career he was between .975 and 1.085, other than that ridiculous 1.217. Steroids alone cannot explain the offensive explosion in 1994.

                • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

                  I suspect what happened is that since the season was cut short, players numbers didn’t have a chance to average out the way they will over a regular 162 game season. Player tend to wear out toward the end of the year and slump, but they didn’t get a chance that year.

                  Were really not comparing apples to apples. You’d have to look at each year for the first 113 games to see if there was really anything unusual going on.

                • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

                  Frank Thomas was slugging 100 points over his 2nd best season. There’s no way he was leveling off that much. His career ops in the first and second halves is separated by .15. Albert Belle’s was .20 higher in the 2nd half for his career. Matt Williams was .04 lower in the 2nd half for his career. They just weren’t going to fall off a cliff. Seriously, I think Fred McGriff is the best argument that something else was up. He was simply known as a 30/100 guy, and he had a real shot at 50, despite a career high of 36, and he was for his career better in the 2nd half.

                • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

                  Since everyone knew the strike was coming, could be some guys were mailing it in.

                • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

                  Meaning the pitchers, and so the hitters who don’t give away ABs took advantage.

    • Accent Shallow

      I think the guy with the best shot these days is Ichiro. Still, it’s damn unlikely . . . you need someone who’s fast, doesn’t strike out, and makes hard contact.

      He’d also have to get pretty lucky — just think how difficult it is to maintain a high BABIP; such a player would have to have a BABIP higher than .400, or have more home runs than strikeouts, which is closing in on absurd.

      • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

        In 2004 Ichiro hit over .400 on the road but “only” .338 at home. Put him in Coors, that year, and he would have had a hell of a chance.

        • Accent Shallow

          Again, so much of it is luck.

          ESPN has Coors as having a 1.24 hits park factor in 2004, as compared to .860 (!) for Safeco. Unsure if that would have resulted in Ichiro hitting .400, but it sure could have helped.

          • Accent Shallow

            Ok, the way I understand park factor is that you have to convert one set of stats to a neutral park, then convert to the new park.

            So: (.338/.860)*1.2 = Ichiro hitting .471 at home if he’d played his home games in Coors?! Either I did that wrong, or that shows one limitation of park factors.

  • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

    The Marriage Ref has potential…but it will not meet that potential. I know it’s going to suck, but I know I’m going to watch anyway. Damn you, Jerry Seinfeld.

    • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

      Yup. I’m giving it at least 3 episodes, but expect to be disappointed.

    • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

      After the Olympics, NBC is dead to me.

  • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

    It has been decided. As a Celtic fan I would give back Banner #17 to get the 2nd pick in the draft and get Durant. As fun as the title was, getting 15 years from Durant, with a core of Durant/Rondo/Al Jefferson/Perkins would be an absolute blast.

  • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist
    • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

      I hadn’t seen that. Well done.

  • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

    I’ve made it abundantly clear that I’ve no idea what it takes to make an HOFer in any sport other than baseball, so I’ll ask you guys:

    Are other HOFs as hung up on the “first ballot” thing as baseball is?

    • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

      I have never heard to an NBA or NFL Hall of Famer referred to as “First Ballot”, if that helps. The voting is definitely different though.

      It’s simply, as it should be, Hall of Famer.

  • Alex S

    have you guys watched that show on HBO Bored To Death? theres a few episodes in the on demand schedule. are they worth watching?

    • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

      I really enjoyed it. Galifianakis and Ted Danson were really funny on that show.

  • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

    All of the .400 talk from above reminded me of an article I once saw about Dmitri Young and if he could hit .400. Seriously.

    • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

      You have to find that gem.

      • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

        I’m looking for the actual article, but I think I know the source, and you’ll love it. This is from a Curtis Granderson’s blog on espn.com in 2007.

        I remember when I was younger, hearing Peter Gammons say he felt Dmitri Young would be the next player to hit .400 in a season.

        http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....son_curtis

        • bexarama

          I think we’ve found Curtis Granderson’s one character flaw: way too much belief in RBIs, pitcher wins, and BA. NOOOO!!!

        • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

          Gammons is one crappy prognosticator.

          Sincerely,

          Bobby Crosby, A.L. LVP

          • pat

            heh.

  • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

    Harold Reynolds just said: “He’s going to take me out to lunch and pay with real English dollars!.

  • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

    So are JMK and TSJC on a retreat together?

    • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

      Jealous?

      • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

        A little.

    • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

      Now now. Let’s not make fun of them and their alternative lifestyle. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course.

  • Hangoverologist

    Regarding the Granderson trade, would anybody have liked to get one of the pitchers the Dbacks shipped out to Detroit? I think either would have been good for the rotation or pen.

    • pat

      I would take one no problem. Can’t go wrong with a hard throwing young lefty reliever. Scherzer is no slouch either.

  • pat

    IMO Jeff Van Gundy is a great announcer. He knows the game and the players very well and he comes off as a pretty funny and self deprecating guy. I always end up staying on whatever game he’s calling because he’s so enjoyable.

    • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

      +1

    • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H
      • pat

        Without even looking this better be JVG clinging onto Zo’s leg.

        ::checks::

        //Wipes away tears thinking about the bad boy Knicks of yore.

    • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

      I was watching him and Mark Jackson the other night, and they were way to concerned with players not giving hard fouls. Those two just don’t get the fact that the NBA doesn’t want to see cheap fouls, fans don’t want to see it and the players don’t want to do it. They need to get out of their late 80’s – early 90’s mindset.

      • pat

        Maybe you need to enter the old school original gangster type mindset Andy. Did you ever think of that? A little clothesline here or a low bridge there never hurt anybody.

        • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

          Damn it feels good to be a gangsta.

          /Geto Boys’d

  • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Melvin-To-America/193013541601?ref=sgm Andy In Sunny Daytona

    Four-man bobsledding is so lumbering and boring. Give me skeleton racing any day.

  • pistol pete

    Am I the only one who feels the Yankee outfield is suspect, very suspect. Swisher had a decent yr last yr but was signed as a versatile spare part not really a top corner outfielder, Granderson hit 50 pts lower than any Yankee starter last yr at 780 ops (except melky) and he only hit 182 righthanded, and the Gardner/Winn dynamic duo will need a pinch hitter late in games. Cashman will be trading for of help by or before the allstar break, you can count on it.

    • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

      You’re probably the only one. Swisher has had an OPS+ >125 in the 3 of the last 4 years. And Granderson is going from a great pitchers park to a great hitters park and is in his prime.

      Oh, and let’s not leave defense out of the equation either.

    • pat

      Luckily Swisher doesn’t play like a “versatile spare part”. Granderson, like Swisher in 08, is coming off a career low BABIP. He also hit .267/.345/.516 w/ 20 of his 30 HR outside of spacious Comerica park. Not only is he due for a bounce back year when you take luck into factor he’s also due to have a better year playing with the RF wall 315 feet away.

    • Hangoverologist

      Yes, yes you are.

      Granderson hit righthanders for a .275 average last year. You must be confusing that for his .183 average against lefthanders. C-Grand will rebound or do better against lefties this year due to his work with Kevin Long this offseason. Swisher will probably do better this year than last year as he will likely figure out NYS and do better at home. Cash probably won’t resort to OF help unless Winn and Gardner completely shit the bed.

      • pistol pete

        I’m not confusing anything. Granderson did hit 182 right handed last year. That means it’s against left handed pitching because he’s a switch hitter.

        • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

          Yes, you are. Curtis Granderson is not a switch-hitter.

          • pistol pete

            Please, look it up, Granderson is a switch hitter, although a poor one from the right side, 211 lifetime. Go to mlb.com and type in his name under stats. Check out his splits.

        • bexarama

          he’s a lefty, dude

          • pistol pete

            He’s a switch hitter, I thought this was a Yankee site, know your players a little better.

            • pat

              Give it up.

            • bexarama

              Here is the Wikipedia profile for Mark Teixeira. He is an actual switch-hitter. Please notice what it says under “bats” in that little profile of him.

              Here is the Wikipedia profile for Curtis Granderson. Please notice what it says under “bats” in that little profile of him.

            • bexarama

              or better, because Wikipedia is, you know.

              Curtis
              Bats Left

              Tex
              Bats B (I assume that’s for “both”)

    • bexarama

      Am I the only one who feels the Yankee outfield is suspect, very suspect.
      Probably not. You should go talk to Bronx Teacher.

      Swisher had a decent yr last yr
      129 OPS+ and 132 wRC+ aren’t so much “decent” as they are “awesome.” And yes, they’re closer to what he’s done throughout his career than his bad 2008.

      Granderson hit 50 pts lower than any Yankee starter last yr at 780 ops
      He had a bad year, much like Swisher in 2008. And he hit quite well on the road (.696 at Comerica, .861 away). He still hit 30 home runs.

      he only hit 182 righthanded
      He’s a lefty. He doesn’t hit righthanded. This is why he struggles against lefty pitching.

      and the Gardner/Winn dynamic duo will need a pinch hitter late in games.
      Only when the Yankees aren’t winning by 37 runs, BWAHAHAHAHAH

      Cashman will be trading for of help by or before the allstar break, you can count on it.
      Sure. If Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher, Curtis Granderson, and OBP Jesus all have unbelievably bad years. In which case we would be screwed anyway.

      • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

        :golf clap:

      • pistol pete

        Swisher stunk in the playoffs and the Winn/Gardner combo is very weak. You really can’t think this outfield is very good. Also it’s very suspect vs left handed pitching which the bottom of the order is going to face with weak numbers righthanded by Granderson, Winn, and Gardner bats left. Not to worry we have Hoffman, Cervelli, and Pena to pinch hit. Trust me we’ll be looking for of help by the break and mising clutch at bats from Damon and matsui.

        • pat

          Hahaha so the 15 or so games in the playoffs are more important than the 150 he played in the regular season?? Do you realize how stupid that is?

          And no, we’re not going to trust you. Youre an ass who thinks granderson is a switch hitter. Don’t talk shit when you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. Learn to read a chart.

          • pistol pete

            You’re a moron. How come everyone on this blog is stating Granderson’s stats batting left and right handed, 275 vs 183, simple, you moron, because he’s a switch hitter. That’s why its Kevin Longs greatest job this year to improve Granderson’s right handed batting stats, give it up you moron, he’s a switch hitter.

            • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

              You should check your facts before calling people morons. He’s not a switch hitter. Never has been. Here’s the link to the roster on the official site:

              http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....p?c_id=nyy

              What does it say until B/T for Granderson? It says L/R. That means he bats left, and throws right.

              Stop being an idiot and take two seconds to do some research, or get off my site.

              • pistol pete

                He’s a switch hitter, plain and simple, check his splits. He bats 211 lifetime righthanded. last yr he hit 30 hr’s 28 lefthanded and 2 righthanded, you know why, because he’s a switch hitter, you moron.

                • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

                  Show me a link. Give me a link to these magical splits that don’t exist that show he hits .211 righthanded.

                  Wait, here’s the link:

                  http://www.baseball-reference......;t=b#plato

                  What does that say? vs RHP as LH, and vs LHP as LH. Where does it say he hits righthanded? No where, because he’s not a switch hitter.

                  Again, check your facts before you run your mouth and call people morons.

        • bexarama

          Swisher stunk in the playoffs
          So did Teixeira. Obviously this means these guys suck and are worthless.

          and the Winn/Gardner combo is very weak
          Oh nooooo our #9 hitter might be slightly below league average!!! Worst team evs!

          You really can’t think this outfield is very good.
          Do I think it’s the best outfield in baseball? No. But I think it’s quite good. Swisher’s great. Granderson’s great. It will also probably be very good defensively, which, you know, is fairly exciting considering what we’ve had out there in past years.

          Also it’s very suspect vs left handed pitching which the bottom of the order is going to face with weak numbers righthanded by Granderson, Winn, and Gardner bats left.
          Except Girardi is smarter than to set up the team so that they could be that easily crippled by a lefty. Pretty sure Granderson won’t be batting eighth. Also, dude, you don’t seem to understand switch-hitting. Only Randy Winn is a switch-hitter out of those.

          Trust me we’ll be looking for of help by the break and mising clutch at bats from Damon and matsui.
          if we need offensive help, again, it would require a terrible collapse/awful year by the tons of other guys on our team who are really awesome offensively, in which case we have more problems than just OH NO OUR #9 HITTER ISN’T THE BEST HITTER IN THE AL!

          And “clutch” doesn’t exist. You are probably one of those people who was whining about how Damon and Matsui looked old and done on like September 30.

          • bexarama

            I am ridiculously pedantic so let me just say that okay, “clutch” exists. However, it exists in what is pretty much an intangible way, and players can vary WILDLY in their “clutchitude” from year to year.

        • http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0902/mlb.alex.rodriguez.through.the.years/images/1993.alex-rodriguez.jpg Drew

          If you’re going to troll at least bring the heat. Next you’re going to tell us Park is a switch pitcher.

          • Tom Zig

            pistol pete says:
            February 27th, 2010 at 2:50 am

            Chan Ho Park isn’t Korean and Brett Gardner is African-American.

            • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

              Just go to mlb.com and type in their names under stats!

    • Accent Shallow

      While the OF does have limitations, it looks worse than it is due to the infield being so awesome.

      • Hangoverologist

        Well think of it, if the young guys in the low minors get their shit together then we can have a crazy good outfield to go along with our infield.

      • bexarama

        this, basically.

    • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

      I’m kinda upset I missed this one.

      • http://iheartrerun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rerun.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

        Don’t worry… There’s pretty obvious meme potential here, this conversation will probably be a gift that keeps on giving.

  • AJ

    Does anyone watch the Life and Times of Tim and see the Mets reference?

  • http://www.retire21.org Mike R. – Retire 21

    Ranaudo is experiencing discomfort on the outside bone of his right elbow

    http://www.2theadvocate.com/sp.....73057.html

    Step 1 – Elbow discomfort.
    …
    Step 3 – With the 32 pick in the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft the New York Yankees select Anthony Ranaudo of LSU.

    • pat

      Sounds good to me. Ranaudo is filthy.

  • larryf

    Spent a few hours at ST practice yesterday. Sat behind the Yankee dugout. Watched Joba throw to batters in the cage-most of whom didn’t swing. Grittner has hair! Grandy shagging fungos in CF. Girardi and Eiland sitting right behind and above Batting cage. Saw Boone Logan/Dustin Mosely/Edwar/Joba throw. Robbie and DJ taking lots of grounders and Robbie taking some at short showing a great arm. Arod signed a bunch. Nick the Stick weighs about 275 (just kidding but the man ate alot this winter). Best cars? Jorge’s Mercedes sedan/Curtis’ white Jag sedan/Joba’s black Hummer