Open Thread: Joba states his case

March 17, 2010 by Michael Axisa 262 Comments

The internets were abuzz this morning with commentary about how Phil Hughes had grabbed hold of the fifth starter’s job following his shutout performance last night, which in turn meant that Joba Chamberlain‘s career as a starter was on borrowed time. There was talk about how he needed to man up, how he could end up in the bullpen or even in Triple-A, and there was a sense that the obituaries on his time as a big league starter were already written. But then something strange happened today.

He pitched well.

The box score shows three innings of one run ball with three strikeouts, but that doesn’t include the unofficial 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth in which Joba struck out two more. The run came in his first inning of work, when a well-placed blooper got past a diving Kevin Russo for a double, and a routine single by the next batter plated the run. After hitting 94 with his fastball in his previous start, there apparently was no stadium gun to get an idea of how he was throwing today. Regardless, he was impressive.

“Outstanding,” said Girardi of Joba’s outing after the game. “Worked quickly. Attacked the zone. He’s got to go out and throw more, and that’s what you want to see. Quality.”

This purported competition for the fifth starter’s spot is now three appearances old for everyone. It’s only March 17th, and all five candidates have at least two outings left before a winner must be declared. Hughes pitched well, Joba pitched well, Al Aceves has pitched well, even Sergio Mitre has pitched well. This thing’s far from over, folks.

* * *

Here’s tonight’s open thread. If you’ve managed to get into one of our six fantasy baseball leagues, do us all a favor and post your team name in the comments, so everyone can chat about their strategies and what not. The Devils, Nets, and Knicks are all in action, so have a blast.

Photo Credit: Gene J. Puskar, AP

mikebk

do the yanks look to take a chance on elijah dukes?
- rbizzler
  
  Yikes, my guess is that despite his talent, hey pass on bringing in Dukes.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
  
  I’d absolutely love to, but I doubt we do.
  
  As 5th outfielders go, though:
  
  Dukes >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hoffmann > Thames
  - Mattingly’s Love Child
    
    This.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
  
  My money’s on the Florida Marlins giving him a shot.
  - rbizzler
    
    Seems like a good low-cost flier for the Marlins with some (but not ridiculous) upside.
- http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
  
  I would love if they went after Dukes. Tons of talent there. I have no idea how much a clubhouse or any single organization can do to curb a player’s recklessness or attitude, but perhaps an organization committed to winning would help. Dukes has had a tough life, from what I’ve heard. While that doesn’t excuse his past transgressions, I don’t think he’s beyond being saved. It’s not like he’s Mike Tyson.
  
  Sadly, I don’t think the Yankees would grab him, although he would represent a major upgrade over Hoffmann and Thames.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
    
    I have no idea how much a clubhouse or any single organization can do to curb a player’s recklessness or attitude, but perhaps an organization committed to winning would help.
    
    I’d bet that playing every day next to Jeter, ARod, Teixeira, Cano, Swisher, Posada, Granderson, Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte, Jazzy, Mo, Marte, etc. would be a huge boon to him. We’ve got a veteran laden team with more success than you can shake a stick at. I doubt he’d be a distraction, he’d just happily fall in line and try his hardest to fit in and win rings.
    - Mattingly’s Love Child
      
      And if he doesn’t toe the line, they’d DFA him.
      
      I’ll admit, I got WAY too excited today when I saw this news. I wanted the Yanks to trade for him all winter. Now they could get him for nothin….
      
      But yeah, he’s probably going to sign with a team that would have less competition for a MLB roster spot.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        To be frank, though, WE have less competition for a roster spot.
        
        Not only could Dukes easily beat out both Hoffmann and Thames for the 5th outfielder/25th man roster spot, he can also easily steal time from/eventually beat out Gardner and Winn for the starting LF spot.
        
        Signing with the Yankees would be the PERFECT situation for him. He’d be in a competition with Brett Gardner, Randy Winn, Jamie Hoffmann, and Marcus Thames for the 9th spot in the lineup and LF in the stadium. No pressure, tons of opportunity, tailormade recipe for success, excellent clubhouse with lots of winning and celebrations and pies and fun and shit.
        
        Dukes and the Yankees is a freaking match made in heaven. Bonus: we don’t even have a leftfielder of the future in the system to bump him off. If he has a good year, we can eschew all the pricey overpaid Carl Crawfords and Jayson Werths and just give 26-year old Elijah Dukes a moderate contract extension.
        
        Mattingly’s Love Child
        
        Stop it! This was my plan all off-season. Don’t get my hopes up! This makes way too much sense to happen!
    - http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
      
      Yeah, that was along my line of thinking, in addition to him probably not really being as bad as people make him out to be.
      
      I think it was he had talent and some maturity issues but for the teams the production wasn’t great enough to offset the maturity.
      
      That situation I’m guessing would not exist in New York. He’d have a veteran established clubhouse and wouldn’t be cast into a starting role.
      
      Still, I don’t see them jumping into the fray.
      - Mattingly’s Love Child
        
        I think he’s probably as bad as people make him out to be, as much as I want him on the team….
        
        Dukes has been arrested at least three times for battery, and once for assault.[7] According to court records, he fathered at least five children with four women between 2003 and 2006.[7]
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah_Dukes
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        Manager Jim Riggleman, general manager Mike Rizzo and team president Stan Kasten all emphasized that the move was based on Dukes’ performance and was not connected to any off-the-field issues. Rizzo, though, did say he thinks Dukes’ departure improves the team’s makeup.
        
        “Elijah was great,” Riggleman said. “He’s done his work. He’s got no issues. It’s just a baseball decision.”
        
        Asked if any off-the-field incident could have precipitated his release, Dukes said: “Nothing happened. If something had happened, I’d know about it.”
        
        Indeed, while with Washington, Dukes appeared to have put his troubled past behind him. He had suspensions in the majors and the minors for various confrontations with umpires, coaches and teammates while in Tampa Bay’s organization; arrests for assault and for marijuana possession; and paternity suits.
        
        “He never got any of the bad headlines everybody feared when he came here, and I think he deserves credit for that,” Kasten said in a telephone interview. “If anyone says there was an incident, that person has no idea what he’s talking about.”
        
        Dukes’ Florida-based lawyer, Grady Irvin Jr., wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press: “Mr. Dukes has had absolutely no new off-the-field legal issues whatsoever. Despite the recent loss of his father, the past year has demonstrated that Mr. Dukes has continued his growth as a professional athlete, as a parent, and as a person.”
        
        Added Dukes: “All I’ve been doing is my job.”
        
        He was a bad apple, yes, but the Washington org maintains he has grown up and cleaned up his act.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        Sorry, source:
        The internet
        
        http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=5002750
        
        Andy In Sunny Daytona
        
        I say the Yankees sign him and sign Wily Mo Pena, have them play in Scranton with Juan Miranda, so they can finally unite the Licey Tres, from the 2009-2010 Licey Tigres of the Dominican Winter League.
        
        Mattingly’s Love Child
        
        Well if there is an end of the line, you’d think it was Washington. But apparently they’d rather see a lot more of Willie Harris than Dukes…seems foolish to me.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        Agreed, I don’t get it either. Dukes even still has options left, they could have stashed him in the minors if there was no room for him with the big club.
        
        http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
        
        We’re going to find out he was Ron Washington’s coke dealer or something.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        Heh.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size

This purported competition for the fifth starter’s spot is now three appearances old for everyone. It’s only March 17th, and all five candidates have at least two outings left before a winner must be declared. Hughes pitched well, Joba pitched well, Al Aceves has pitched well, even Sergio Mitre has pitched well. This thing’s far from over, folks.

Remember, though: Joba’s the dealer. All tiebreakers go to him.
- http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ
  
  Let’s hope the Yankees give him that spot. I have a gut feeling out of nowhere that even if it’s tied it won’t go to him.
  - http://www.soxandpinstripes.com JGS
    
    I think it’s the opposite. It will go to him even it isn’t tied
    - http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ
      
      Hopefully but with all the “officials” raving about Hughes I’m starting to worry. But hopefully it’s all unfounded.
  - mustang
    
    I second that.
- rbizzler
  
  I am not challenging you on Joba being the front runner at all, but I was perusing the game thread over at LoHud and was surprised that the consensus over there is that Hughes has always been in the lead.
  
  Not sure if you have spent any time over there, but there are a few old-timers who dominate the discussion in a ‘get off my lawn fashion.’ One of the lead guys lives in Florida and claims to have sources associated with the org and likes to posture like he has inside info. He seemed to be leading the ‘Hughes is the 5th starter’ charge, while stating not that Joba belongs in the ‘pen per se, but that he could use a stint in the ‘pen to get his mojo back (his term) ala Hughes 2009. Granted, this is also a guy who called Cano a ‘dog with fleas,’ when he was slumping in early ’08 and was on his jock once he started hitting again.
  
  I just find it amusing that two dedicated and enthusiastic factions of the fanbase can be working under completely different assumptions.
  - kunaldo
    
    Are you referring to SJ44? B/c I was looking over there as well, and I saw him saying referring to Hughes as having the advantage heading into ST. Personally, w/o any actual references(saw none), I think it’s all BS and just based on the fact that they think Hughes’ “mentality” is more suited for the rotation, and therefore obviously the FO thinks the same way.
    
    I call BS. All actual logic points towards Joba having been favored since the beginning. We shall see though.
    - rbizzler
      
      Meh. I’d rather not call anyone out as I am glad to be rid of the pettiness that goes on over there, but you are incredibly warm (if not downright smoldering) with your guess.
      
      I have a personal nemesis over there that I deemed too stupid to respond to almost two years ago.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
    
    I am not challenging you on Joba being the front runner at all, but I was perusing the game thread over at LoHud…
    
    Big mistake.
    
    Not sure if you have spent any time over there…
    
    I don’t. LoHud is a fetid shithole of idiocy. I avoid it like the plague.
    - rbizzler
      
      LoHud was moderately tolerable before the old timers and chicken little’s chased everyone away. Mind you I was double-dipping between there and the early days of RAB (even pre-tommie, if you can imagine that), but I only read CJ for the updates and info.
      - bexarama
        
        I gotta say, LoHud is still fairly tolerable. But the lack of reply button is a KILLER there, as are the Chicken Littles, and the people that post the same points over and over and over.
        
        rbizzler
        
        I thought that they tried nested commenting recently right? Was there a revolt or something?
        
        bexarama
        
        and there are a bunch of, as someone said above, “get-off-my-lawn” old timers.
        
        So…maybe not that tolerable.
        
        http://www.soxandpinstripes.com JGS
        
        wonder what they thought of Bill Conlin
        
        Will
        
        People dont post the same topic over and over here too?
        
        I read a ton of Yankee blogs and I’d say this blog leans hard for Joba, LoHud leans hard for Hughes.
        
        This is the blog that claimed the 5th starter competition was a haux anyway. So dont be surprised when the loyal readers here reiterate what Mike says on a weekly basis.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        H-O-A-X
        
        bexarama
        
        Nah, they do, but here, people mostly keep the discussion in one thread. That and the “reply” button makes me prefer this place by quite a lot, before we even get into the level of discussion.
  - http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
    
    Other facts, according to LoHud:
    
    *There are seven planets in our galaxy.
    
    *The Earth really is flat. Some guy named Friedman said so. It is a literal meaning. Suck on that dick, New York Times!
    
    *There are no such things as black swans. Similarly, what’s a red herring?
    
    *In any business, talent that provides the best value for their company should always be relegated to a role that best suits the inane comfort of others, and not the position that yields the best total value. This is why I have my secretary, who can type a gazillion wpm and is highly organized, cleaning the bathroom instead. I’ve replaced where she’d be most valuable with an autistic child with one arm. I feel more comfortable this way. Thanks, LoHud!
    
    *Only True Mailmen are allowed to deliver bills. Otherwise, the bills are invalid and they do not need to be paid.
    - rbizzler
      
      You mean like Karl Malone…
      
      That’s it, no more bill paying for me.
      
      Thanks LoHud
      - http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
        
        Basically, it’s like this
        
        RAB = Ross Ohlendorf
        
        LoHud = Carl Everett
        
        rbizzler
        
        I can’t respond right now, I’m still waiting for Karl Malone to stop by with my utility bill.
        
        http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
        
        Hope you’re an electrician!
        
        rbizzler
        
        No, but I can hotwire an ’89 Escort.
        
        http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
        
        I have been with many an escort born in 1989. BUT HOW ON EARTH DO YOU STEAL THEM?
        
        rbizzler
        
        I never said steal, quit putting words in my mouth. I said ‘hotwire,’ JMK. Use your imagination.
        
        Off to celebrate the holiday, enjoy your evening folks.
        
        Tar
        
        This coming from someone who thinks making jokes about Autistic children is funny. You are an ass.
  - http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs
    
    While I’ve never commented over there, I will 100% agree with you on the commenters but I’m sort of in love with Chad Jennings (as has been noted).
- http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist
  
  This.
  
  He has the most upside, no innings limits, and the most complete arsenal.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
    
    He has the most upside, no innings limits, and the most complete arsenal.
    
    Repeated for emphasis.
    - http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs
      
      Repeated for emphasis.
      
      reemphasized for more emphasis
  - WIlliam
    
    I don’t get the upside thing. I think Joba should be in the rotation, but only because his rules would be a waste and he’s older. I was under the opinion that the upside of joba and phil is similar. A front of the rotation starter. Since when does Joba have a bigger upside than Hughes?
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

If you’ve managed to get into one of our six fantasy baseball leagues, do us all a favor and post your team name in the comments

JesusMo&JoeDiMaggio
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
  
  CentWAR Centaur™.
  - Dirty Pena
    
    Garden Apartments
    - http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
      
      I trademarked that shit months ago, but whatevs. You can keep it.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        Carolina Blue kicks, hottest n#$%a on the block
        Used to willie bicycles since I was six
        High-school crossover, waved away picks
        Music was the same shit, gave away hits
        
        /Hova’d
      - Dirty Pena
        
        Oh, my bad. I actually thought I got it from somewhere else. I’ll change it- I don’t like cramping styles like that.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        You could go with “The Triple Entendre”.
        
        http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
        
        Hah. It’s fine. That meme/term is way beyond my control. I’m glad it still floats around here.
- Coach6423
  
  Goose Snausage
- rbizzler
  
  Monty’s Millionaires in League 4 (whatever that is being called these days).
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
    
    RAB Baseball League Two™.
- http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
  
  The Overshares FTW
  
  The RAB Conference National League (Tier 6)
- Brooklyn Ed
  
  NYC Gators.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
    
    You a Florida fan/alum?
    - Brooklyn Ed
      
      yeah…I was there for a semester when I was living in Florida for 3 years, then moved back to NYC unexpectingly. I knew some people there, and one of my buddies actually knew Tebrow (sp?).
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        Tebow threw at his pro-day today, to mixed results. He probably showed enough to merit a 3rd round pick (which is where I projected him anyway), but not enough to rise much above that. Still solidly behind Bradford/Clausen/McCoy/Pike/LeFevour for the 6th QB off the board.
        
        The good news from the UF pro day is that Haden ran a respectable 4.4 40-time on a slow, wet track and is solidly back in the top 10.
        
        The bad news: Brandon Spikes and Carlos Dunlap both ran slow times, and both are probably sliding out of the first round now (although Spikes was probably already out anyway).
        
        Nick
        
        Where’d you hear that from?
        
        I only ask because I heard Dunlap ran a solid 40, and Tebow was very very solid, given the recent change in mechanics and all.
  - http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
    
    Is this a sewer system joke?
- Jim S
  
  Abbots Right Arm.
  
  RAB Conference National League(6)
- http://warriorsmovie.co.uk/content/gangs/images/baseballfuries02.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
  
  The Baseball Furies
  
  And this is my avatar thingie: http://warriorsmovie.co.uk/con.....ries02.jpg (safe)
  - http://warriorsmovie.co.uk/content/gangs/images/baseballfuries02.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
    
    … And the Furies terrorize RAB Conference American League (5).
    - WIlliam
      
      I’m The Winning Team in the RAB Conference American League
  - Nigel Bangs
    
    that’s good stuff right there.
  - Snakes on the mother effin plane
    
    Ima go with the Baseball Furries.
    - http://warriorsmovie.co.uk/content/gangs/images/baseballfuries02.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      Avatar: http://i162.photobucket.com/al.....ascots.jpg (safe, but still sexy)
- http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0902/mlb.alex.rodriguez.through.the.years/images/1993.alex-rodriguez.jpg Drew
  
  Tier 6
  
  More Jobaltine Plz
- http://www.progressamericana.com/ Pablo Zevallos
  
  Jesus Montero’s Angels
  
  in the “Premier League”
- Spaceman.Spiff
  
  Ninja Assassin Cano
- Tommy S
  
  Yuri Sucart
- Jack
  
  The Victorious Secret, of the RAB Championship League.
- rex manning day
  
  ShaveThoseSideburns (in League 5)
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

Also, (and I promise to stop spamming)

Freddy Sez likes himself some St. Patrick’s Day

http://www.puristbleedspinstri.....z-slainte/
http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ

Here’s tonight’s open thread. If you’ve managed to get into one of our six fantasy baseball leagues, do us all a favor and post your team name in the comments, so everyone can chat about their strategies and what not.

I was lucky enough to be in the second league and I name there is my handle. JobaWockeeZ.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
  
  “I was lucky enough to be in the second league, The RAB Championship League™ and I name there is my handle. JobaWockeeZ.”
  
  /buildingthebrand’d
- Pedro (from Brazil)
  
  I was lucky too…got my team at the second league….My team is the Rio Bronx.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
    
    I was lucky too…got my team ~~at the second league~~ in The RAB Championship League™….My team is the Rio Bronx.
    
    Fixed.
  - Stephen in Iguazu
    
    Hey Pedro, I’ve been in Brazil for two weeks, you have an amazing country (and women).
http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ

Is there any truth to the Yankee officials believing Hughes to be the favorite for the 5th starter or was that just BS?

I read about it all the time though I don’t remember seeing any quotes and such.
Mattingly’s Love Child

Here’s tonight’s open thread. If you’ve managed to get into one of our six fantasy baseball leagues, do us all a favor and post your team name in the comments, so everyone can chat about their strategies and what not.

MattinglysPornStache (h/t tsjc, I needed some help with a creative/funny name) in league 5, whatever the name has been decided upon
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
  
  That’s The RAB Conference American League™.
  - Mattingly’s Love Child
    
    Thanks. I remember reading this morning that you were leading discussion about potentially changing the name. Didn’t know if that went through or not.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
      
      No, we stuck with the English soccer style naming system. Better to reinforce the relegation aspect of our leagues.
      - Mattingly’s Love Child
        
        Absolutely. So this relegation shit is really going to happen?
        
        http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
        
        It should. It’s a solid idea. Props to Mondesi and TSJC.
        
        Mattingly’s Love Child
        
        I love it. I’m almost more excited for that than the actual fantasy competition. I either want to finish in the top part of my league or the bottom. I wouldn’t mind getting relegated in fantasy just because it would be hilarious. Granted I’d rather move up, but moving down is better than staying the same.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        It’s 100% going to happen. Mondesi and I are e-mail meeting with the commissioners of the 6 leagues this week. We’ll make announcements soon.
YankeeScribe

I like Hughes’ temperment more than Joba’s but I don’t think either pitcher has good enough ‘stuff’ to be a top tier starter
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
  
  Were their best starts when they had all their stuff working and went 7-8 innings deep, dominating the other lineup not enough to convince you?
  
  I’d say starts like this one from Joba or this one from Hughes are convincing. To each his own, though, I suppose.
  - YankeeScribe
    
    “Were their best starts when they had all their stuff working and went 7-8 innings deep, dominating the other lineup not enough to convince you?”
    
    Nope. It takes more than a few great starts to be convinced of anything one way or another. Otherwise we would have been convinced that Aaron Small was a future ace after he went 10-0 in 2005
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
      
      Aaron Small, during that 10-0 stretch, never ever remotely showed the type of dominant stuff that would lead you to believe that he could keep it up. He constantly walked the tightrope and never overpowered anyone.
      
      Joba and Phil have been overpowering and dominant. The green shoots are there.
- http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ
  
  Why would that be?
- rbizzler
  
  Go on, describe this lack of “stuff” you speak of.
- ColoYank
  
  Me too, me too, I’d like to hear about their lack of stuff, too! That ought to be good.
  
  Did Joba really pitch an unofficial bottom of the ninth? And strike out two more?
  - whozat
    
    Yeah, it happens a lot in ST. The teams pre-agree to play top and bottom of all nine, even if the home team is winning after the T9. So they can ensure all the PT that they planned on coming into the game.
- kunaldo
  
  This “temperament” argument is such a cop-out. What, every great pitcher has to be as calm as the dalai lama?
  
  Roger Clemens
  Pedro Martinez
  Randy Johnson
  
  3 of the best pitchers of all time and had that “fiery” mentality.
  
  Great closers need to have that “bull in a china shop” mentality? Greatest closer of all time, on OUR OWN CURRENT TEAM has the temperament of a Buddhist monk.
  
  Please, please, PLEASE stop with this mentality stuff.
  - Mattingly’s Love Child
    
    Please, please, PLEASE stop with this mentality stuff.
    
    This can’t be said enough!
  - bexarama
    
    (blows kisses)
    
    What, it’s St. Patrick’s Day, we’re all drunk.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
      
      I’m black Irish.
      - kunaldo
        
        Haha thanks bexy.
        
        I’m brown Irish. Ok, maybe that’s a stretch, but I’m wearing green, and I’m feeling kinda buzzed.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        (cracks open three Pinstripe Highlander Irish Stouts™ and hands one to kunaldo and one to bexy)
        
        kunaldo
        
        Mmmmmm, Stout. Excellent choice tommie.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        It’s like the icing on the icing™.
        
        (Highlander Irish Stout™ and “It’s like the icing on the icing™ are registered wordmarks of Pinstripe Brewery©, 2010. All rights reserved.)
        
        bexarama
        
        (chug, chug, chug)
  - YankeeScribe
    
    It’s not fair to compare him to the greatest pitchers of our time because he hasn’t really accomplished a whole lot yet. When he lives up to the hype surrounding him as a starter, he can be as much of a tool as he wants..
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
      
      Nobody’s comparing him to the greatest pitchers of our time. All kunaldo was saying is that the greatest pitchers of our time do not have any monolithic “temperament” that makes them great pitchers. Pedro Martinez and Zack Greinke and Mike Mussina and Roy Halladay and Roger Clemens couldn’t be more dissimilar personality or temperament wise, and yet they’re all good pitchers because of their TALENT.
      
      Talent >>>>>>>> temperament
      - kunaldo
        
        Exactly.
    - kunaldo
      
      I’m not saying that he’s going to necessarily become one of those guys, just refuting the fact that you’re implying he can’t become one of those guys.
      
      First, I’m sure these guys weren’t quiet little boys who developed an edge as they became vets.
      
      Second, so now he’s a tool? Que?
- http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
  
  Perfect example of O:S, guys.
Nick

Question, how come everyone made a big deal to point out Hughes was so good yesterday against the Astros JV team, but when Joba faced the Phillies JV team, sans Ibanez (who he walked), people ignore it. Kind of odd huh?
- http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ
  
  Because in 2009 Joba was hated where Hughes was loved. So the fanbase is going to lean defend Hughes for the 5th spot while criticizing every bad thing Joba does.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
  
  Because all ties go to Joba. And, all narrow wins go to Joba as well.
  
  If Joba has 5 outings in the spring, and 5 of them suck but one of them is good, he wins the 5th spot in the rotation, because he’s already won all of the pre-spring competitions. He doesn’t need to outpitch any of the other 4 guys in the competition, he merely needs to show that he isn’t a total disaster.
  
  He’s done that now.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
    
    Sorry, meant to say:
    
    “Because all ties go to Joba. And, all narrow ~~wins~~ losses go to Joba as well.”
Eirias

Somehow it seems wrong for the Mets to have such a good cutter-specializing prospect.
Josh

Murderer’s Row: League 4
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

Yo, so who’s in Fantasy League Four?
- rbizzler
  
  me.
J.R.

My name is Clean as Canseco
- J.R.
  
  In league 6
  - http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
    
    In league 6
    
    The RAB Conference National League.
    
    FTFY.
    
    Also, that was my favorite name of the teams. Watch out the The Overshares. They’ll be a sleeper.
    - http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
      
      Fucking bold tag.
    - http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H
      
      Watch out for The Overshares
      
      TWSS.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
      
      Watch out the The Overshares. They’ll be a sleeper.
      
      Just watch out for the guns… they’ll getcha.
      - http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
        
        You betcha.
http://warriorsmovie.co.uk/content/gangs/images/baseballfuries02.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

To any Devils fans (and anyone else who wants to check it out for the novelty factor) who aren’t aware: The Devils are wearing the old school red/green/white uniforms tonight (MSG+).

This is pretty awesome, it’s bringing me back to my childhood. I busted out my old John MacLean red and green jersey, signed by the whole team. Yes I’ve kept it all these years, and yes I know how lame this whole comment is.
- http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)
  
  It’s pretty awesome.
  
  Also, at risk of jinxing this game, we own the Pens
  - http://warriorsmovie.co.uk/content/gangs/images/baseballfuries02.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
    
    It really is pretty cool. It’s extra exciting since they act like the Yankees and refuse to change their uniforms or wear third unis, so this is a pretty unique thing they’re doing tonight. I have a couple of these old jerseys from when I was a kid… They’re definitely awful, but the nostalgia factor is exceedingly high for me. I really meant to get tickets for tonight’s game but I just kept putting it off and forgot about it. There have been rumblings that this will be an annual St. Paddy’s Day thing, so hopefully we’ll have more chances to take it in in person in the future.
    
    And yeah, fingers-crossed on the Pens thing. Team’s been showing some signs of life lately though, and getting Martin back is obviously pretty huge for them. Hopefully they got their bad stretch out of their system a bit early this year and can ride a nice stretch into the postseason.
    - Jimmy
      
      And Kovalchuk isn’t even clicking yet. Hopefully Lemaire settles the lines out this week. I like the Langenbrunner/Zajac/Parise and Zubrus/Elias/Kovalchuk arrangements. All complimentary players.
Johan Iz My Brohan

http://cbs5.com/local/marin.ca.....66775.html

“A screaming line drive was hit, traveling over 100 miles an hour, striking Gunner in the head.”

Another metal bat incident, there’s a video on yahoo! as well explaining the incident. Pretty scary though, they really need to switch to wooden bats completely and permanently.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size

So, question:

The Celtics are wearing their special green and gold alternate uniforms (at home) in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

Is gold an Irish color? No. Orange is. Why isn’t the jersey green and orange? When the Knicks play St. Patty’s home games, they drop Blue for green and keep the orange.

What the hell does gold have to do with St. Patrick or Ireland?
- bexarama
  
  leprechauns?
- Johan Iz My Brohan
  
  Really?
  
  Gold = Pot O’ Gold = Leprechauns and such.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
    
    Leprechauns: not real
    
    The existence of the color orange on the Irish flag: real
    - http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
      
      They are real.
      
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded (SFW)
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        http://www.tradeport.com.ph/up.....haHood.jpg (safe)
        
        Sticky Fingaz… smh.
        
        http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
        
        Wait, is that real?
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        Yes. The 5th and 6th Leprechaun movies are set “in the hood” with an all-black cast. Apparently we negros stole all the Irishman’s gold, and he’s going to get us, the dirty shifty no-good crooks that we are.
        
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L.....2_tha_Hood
        
        http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
        
        God damn is that sad. Stay in school, kids.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        My favorite line from that wiki piece:
        
        In its “25 Worst Sequels Ever Made” article Entertainment Weekly named the film the third worst sequel of all time, stating “If a movie could spark a race riot, this is it.”
    - Johan Iz My Brohan
      
      I mean something like this:
      
      http://www.thepixart.com/stpat.....verted.jpg
      
      I guess that’s why they use gold.
- Dirty Pena
  
  Irish people refer to that color on the flag as gold.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
    
    I laughed.
    - Dirty Pena
      
      Haha it doesn’t make sense to me even as someone who was born in Ireland, but it’s the truth.
  - Dirty Pena
    
    For real, that’s not an “Irish people are stupid” (aka the American version of St. Patrick’s Day) joke.
- http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs
  
  Notre Dame owned the rights to the color gold and forged an unholy marketing scheme with NBC to make gold the official 2nd color of the Irish. Also, they’re drunk. Don’t ask questions about what drunk people do.
- A Lifetime of Question Marks
  
  They don’t wear orange because as far as the Irish are concerned, they relate the color orange to the hated northern ireland.
  
  Gold is for the gold that they never drunkenly find at the end of railroads, and is coincidentally the color of the irish whiskey and some beers they drink when trying to forget their sorrows for not finding that said gold. And to drown their sorrows when they write fragments and/or run on sentences.
bexarama

aagh Joba just can’t catch a break. Did anyone else hear what they (to be fair, I think it was just Harold Reynolds, known bad analyst) said about him on MLB Network? “He needs to get some outs.” What the heck did he do today?
- http://www.soxandpinstripes.com JGS
  
  When Joba gets them, they aren’t outs. Unless they are in the 8th. Joba only got three outs today
http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

Joba pitched well because he came into the game in the 6th inning. That was the key to his success.
Bill

Joba is more work to do. My guess he starts the season in the bullpen.
- Dirty Pena
  
  Oh, Another Krazy Trying Amount of Garbage
- rbizzler
  
  Hey Bill, nice try! Catch anything yet?
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
  
  Joba is has more work to do. My guess is he starts the season in the bullpen.
  
  Fixed. And, I disagree.
- http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs
  
  you’re lucky you’re so cute
- http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
  
  O:S
  - http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs
    
    Already?? Is this a repeat offense?
    - http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
      
      Maybe it’s a preemptive measure. If this is his first go at it, things can only escalate.
      
      I do like the “Joba is more work to do” line. It reminds me of a Russian friend that used to rap but had a fairly poor command of English. Hilarity ensued, of course.
      - http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs
        
        I would buy that record.
        
        http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
        
        You can check out Ill Mitch in the meantime. http://www.illmitch.com/
        
        Highly amusing.
        
        WIlliam
        
        Hilarious
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        My love for you is ticking clock
        BERZERKER
        Would you like to suck my cock
        BERZERKER
        
        BERZERKER
        
        http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs
        
        would you like to make some Fuck?
http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura

Ron Washington tested positive for using cocaine in 2009. In 2009, the Texas Rangers won 87 games.

DID RON WASHINGTON’S COCAINE USAGE HELP HIS TEAM WIN MORE GAMES IN 2009?!
- http://www.soxandpinstripes.com JGS
  
  obviously it did
  
  http://xkcd.com/552/
  - http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
    
    Hah. That’s pretty good.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
  
  In Texas, not only is the entire team on PED’s… so is the manager.
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze7CiKeVxe0 (NSFW-profanity)
- http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs
  
  a buddy of mine is friends with Buck Showalter and I asked if Buck did blow when he managed the Rangers and the response was “no, but he wasn’t the only black dude in Texas.”
- http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H
  
  As much sense as that makes, doesn’t that just mean that Girardi did even more cocaine that Washington in 2009?
  
  Clearly the front office was concerned, hence the trade of Phil Coke to the Tigers, Girardi would just have been too tempted.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
    
    We should have expanded the three-team Granderson/IPK/AJax/Edwin Jackson deal to a four team trade. Maybe Dustin Nippert goes to Detroit and Phil Coke ends up in Texas.
    
    That’s a missed opportunity. Would have been some AMAZING comedy bits this summer in Texas.
    
    “Coke’s huge line leaves Washington jumpy”
    - http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H
      
      “Washington has closed door meeting with Coke”
      
      “Washington not worried about overusing Coke”
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        “Washington, looking for relief, sends Coke down”
        
        thurdonpaul
        
        Washington hiding Coke in bullpen.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        “Coke’s letdown leaves Washington in despair”
        
        Charlie
        
        wow i thoroughly enjoyed lolling at these
      - theyankeewarrior
        
        +28
    - Nigel Bangs
      
      very nicely done.
- A Lifetime of Question Marks
  
  Does everyone involved with the rangers organization use illegal substances? Yes. J. Hamilton, R. Palmiero, J. Gonzalez, G. Matthews Jr., President Bush part II, now Washington
V

Bah, another league opens today when I’m not at work or at home. :shrug: Maybe next year.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size

http://twitter.com/leokitty/statuses/10645052435

George King III: irredeemable.
- http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
  
  Look at you all up on the Twitter for the first time in eons.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
    
    I’ll be back.
    
    /Governator’d
- http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist
  
  Pop King: Invincible
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_okNaDKp90
http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

While we all have bitched about the absurdity of a spring training competition for the #5 spot, take a step back for one minute and look at it from an organizational and developmental standpoint. All of the pitchers involved (including the top 2) have parts of their game that they needed to work on and focus on correcting.

-Joba has had trouble finding his fastball early in games, and hasn’t been very efficient as a Starter. His pitch selection makes you scratch your head at times as well.

-Hughes has been working on changeup since he was in AA. His splits facing lefties as a MLB starter suck. He needs that changeup to take it to the next level as a starter.

-Aceves needs to show he’s more than a back of the rotation starter/long man.

-Mitre needs to show that he’s fully recovered from TJ and that he better than the pitcher we saw last year.

Each of these guys have something to prove this Spring. Setting up a competition with the carrot of the #5 spot as the prize will get all of the participants to bear down and try to figure out what they know the Yanks are looking for. It can help them take that next step forward, and reports of Hughes’ improved change shouldn’t just be taken for granted, I think they know he wants to start and used that motivation to make him a better pitcher. It’s smart to do it now, in the heat and fog of the regular season it’s much harder to focus on these things.

I think the Yanks deserve praise for how they’ve run this camp. Many other teams are just going through the motions, getting in shape for the season. The Yanks are looking to maximize every asset they have. This competition is part of that process.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
  
  Each of these guys have something to prove this Spring. Setting up a competition with the carrot of the #5 spot as the prize will get all of the participants to bear down and try to figure out what they know the Yanks are looking for. It can help them take that next step forward, and reports of Hughes’ improved change shouldn’t just be taken for granted, I think they know he wants to start and used that motivation to make him a better pitcher. It’s smart to do it now, in the heat and fog of the regular season it’s much harder to focus on these things.
  
  An excellent point that we may be overlooking in our narrow focus on our frequently discussed favorite players to love (or hate).
  
  The “competition” may have much less to do with Joba and Phil (guys who have things to work on but still know they’re going to have a prominent role with this club regardless) and much more to do with Aceves, Mitre, and Gaudin. Give them an incentive to work towards, and see if they respond to the challenge.
  - http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist
    
    Thanks. Girardi loves to set up these competitions each spring, and has often said “it brings out the best in everyone”. It sounds trite (and it is) but that doesn’t mean he isn’t correct. I think it’s just another example of why they’re a well-run organization.
  - kunaldo
    
    I agree it’s a good point. But I wouldn’t say we ever disagreed with the concept of a friendly competition, if only to ensure that no one would take anything for granted. Having that carrot there is certainly important, but to think that a few starts in ST would bump up anyone besides Hughes or Joba to the #5 spot is naive, IMO. Unless the kids absolutely blow chunks, I would have to think that either one of them will be in the rotation, with the edge going to Joba.
    - http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist
      
      I’m not saying the Yanks deserve all the credit for the players performance(s) but I do think they deserve some. When you see players taking a step forward in this context, it’s something you have to consider.
      
      Look at the Joba quote that Eric just posted:
      
      ““I give [Girardi] a little bit of the credit, because sometimes you need a little bit of a kick in the rear,” Chamberlain said.”
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        The unstated corollary of that statement:
        
        “‘I give [Girardi] a little bit of the credit, because sometimes you need a little bit of a kick in the rear,’ Chamberlain said.” The rest of the credit, the much larger part, I give to myself for being a talented pitcher with great stuff and dynamic ability. I’m the balls, and now I’m pitching like it, because I was bound to eventually regardless of any outside factors.
        
        Sincerely,
        Theoretical Joba Chamberlain
        
        http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist
        
        Another reason NOT to give him the job, that cocky son of a bitch.
      - kunaldo
        
        I’m with you man, I like the idea of a competition too, no matter how nominal it may be.
        
        I was just saying internally the organization probably didn’t see it as a 5 horse race.
        
        Whatevs, I think we’re all on the same page.
- http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
  
  Solid point, Artisteve.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size

Challenged to “pick it up” and show the Yankees something special, Chamberlain answered the call with four strong innings of one-run ball against the Phillies at Bright House Field, keeping in competition to serve as New York’s fifth starter to open the season.

Chamberlain worked so economically, the Yankees had to ask the Phillies to come back to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning, even though Philadelphia had already put the finishing touches on a 6-2 victory. Given three more outs, Chamberlain quickly dispatched those batters, too.

“That’s me — attacking the strike zone and being able to work on some things in certain counts,” Chamberlain said. “I just felt really aggressive. It’s one of those things where once you feel it, you continue to build from that. I think it’s a good thing from a mental aspect to build on.”

[snip]

“I give [Girardi] a little bit of the credit, because sometimes you need a little bit of a kick in the rear,” Chamberlain said.

Girardi called Chamberlain’s effort “outstanding” and said that the right-hander used his fastball command and sound mechanics to get ahead in the count. That was what the manager had pushed Chamberlain to show in this third go-round, which will be given more weight than the first two.

“I told them I wasn’t going to evaluate them a whole lot the first couple of outings,” Girardi said of his pitchers. “I don’t necessarily think that they had a lot of innings under their belt, and they don’t have the arm strength that they have at this point.

“Their mechanics may not be as sound for some things that we’re asking them to work on. Now we tell them to go pitch, and it means more.”

http://www.fanfeedr.com/mlb/20.....mly-in-mix
- http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs
  
  While I sort of enjoy stories like this with the whole “the manager kicked my ass” theme, it really should never come to that. It’s a bit more defensible for someone like Joba, who’s f’n younger than me, but it still rubs me the wrong way a little.
  - http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
    
    Get off your lawn?
    - http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs
      
      Na, my lawn is open to all. Just a small pet peeve of mine.
    - http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist
      
      I’d love the neighborhood brats to be on my lawn. It’s loaded with Bulldog crap that I haven’t got around to picking up yet. Mwa-ha-ha-ha-hah!
      - http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist
        
        ..if I had a real lawn, that is. I live in a condo.
  - http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0902/mlb.alex.rodriguez.through.the.years/images/1993.alex-rodriguez.jpg Drew
    
    Well he was asked a question of how he took Joe’s statements that now it counts, now we’re evaluating you. I don’t know what else he could say, “nah I didn’t listen to Joe,” or something along those lines. I think this is less of a kick in the butt from Girardi and more of the fact that it was his 3rd appearance in ST, generally the one where you begin to air it out.
    - http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs
      
      fair point.
      - http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0902/mlb.alex.rodriguez.through.the.years/images/1993.alex-rodriguez.jpg Drew
        
        Jetes has to put him through the Jeterian School of Speaking, but Saying Nothing.
        
        http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs
        
        Or the Tiger school of Speaking, but Saying Nothing, then Banging every blonde in Vegas.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        Both teams played hard, my man.
        
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrOH-KHxXg0 (safe)
        
        http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
        
        One of my favorite videos ever.
        
        I’ve long wondered what it would be like to do a Big Brother with Rasheed, Artest, Eddy Curry, Jayson Williams, Spree, Starbury, Gilbert Arenas, JR Rider, Tim Donaghy, Alvin Robertson, Glenn Robinson and Greg Ostertag (just because).
        
        How fun would that be?
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
        
        I want Jordan and Oakley in there.
        
        My favorite line from Bill Simmons’s latest mailbag:
        
        Q: We’re approximately two months away from Charles Oakley and a Ghostbar cocktail waitress becoming the new co-owners of the Bobcats, no questions asked.
        — Kyle, Chicago
        
        SG: Come on, that’s not fair. That’s at least 10 months away.
        
        http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
        
        My favorite part about Oakley.
        
        From his Wiki:
        
        As recently as 2007, it was publicized that Oakley, at age 44, wanted to make an NBA comeback. He claimed Dallas, Miami, Cleveland and New York were interested but said he would “not [come] back cheap”.[1] He has not returned to the league.
        
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Oakley
        
        http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
        
        Oh, and unquestionably Charles Barkley should be there. Easily my favorite basketball player ever, mostly because he’s outrageously amusing.
  - Zack
    
    Did you say the same thing about Jeter when only last year he took big steps in the offsesaon to improving his defense? IIRC, it took the GM talking to him to have him do that.
ct_chris

Joba will get the 5th starter spot for two reasons.
1. Innings limit on Hughes while Joba is poised for 200 innings this year.
2. More MLB experience – Approx. 290 innings for Joba to 190 innings for Hughes. In addition Joba has a 3.6 overall ERA while Hughes ERA has been 4.2.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
  
  http://images.uulyrics.com/cov.....e-wall.jpg (safe)
http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura

My new follower on Twitter: http://twitter.com/account/pro.....reflang=en (Probably NSFW)

I’m open-minded but that’s just weird.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
  
  Dude, his “bio” is just seven short, nondescript web URLs from seven different countries.
  
  What does that mean? I have no idea. I’m not gonna find out, either.
  - http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
    
    My guess is you click the links and your computer is flooded with viruses and Brady Quinn pictures.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
      
      Sexy singles? In MY area? How can I say no?!?!
      - http://www.soxandpinstripes.com JGS
        
        no matter where you are
        
        http://xkcd.com/713/
      - http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
        
        I can’t tell you how disappointed I was when it turned out those things were scams. Thank God I didn’t have any money to blow after winning the Nigerian Lottery.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size

Nostra, are you in one of the 6 leagues of The RAB 120™?
nz

If Mitre is a even a candidate, I will shit myself.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
  
  He’s not. The only true candidates:
  
  1-Joba
  2-Phil
  8-Reyes
  15-Ford
  16-Jarrah
  23-Shepard
  42-Kwon
  51-Austen
  - http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs
    
    Love this. Love it sir.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
      
      Richard Alpert = Angel Berroa
      - kunaldo
        
        Well done sir. Although, wasn’t the joke that Berroa looks as old as time? And Alpert hasn’t aged a day in 100 years?
        
        Btw, what did you think of the last episode? It was a nice setup for the upcoming one I think. I’m really curious to delve deeper into Alpert’s past.
        
        WIlliam
        
        I’m deeply confused.
  - Rob NY
    
    Win. But which Kwon is in the running?
http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ

So apparently Cliff Lee is out for 4 or 5 REGULAR season games for an intentional head throwing. Wow.
- bexarama
  
  Yep.
  
  Barry Zito got nothin’ though. Go figure.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
  
  Meh, that’s one start, and they’re opening against Oakland.
  
  Whatevs.
- http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
  
  Here’s the link: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=mlb
http://www.soxandpinstripes.com JGS

“I think one day I’d like to become an actual pitcher”

-Mike Pelfrey
- bexarama
  
  I saw this. Faaaantastic. I love the Mets.
  
  Also, I just saw the uniforms the Sox and Phils were wearing today (no MLB.tv) and OH MY GOD, UGLY.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a The Large Sample Size
    
    Jeff Wilpon: So, Omar, our team is going to suck again this year. What should we do?
    Omar Minaya: Let’s add another alternate jersey uniform combination to the 10 we already have.
    Jeff Wilpon: BRILLIANT!!!! That’s why we keep you around, Omar.
    
    … aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, SCENE!
    - bexarama
      
      I laughed.
      
      They really do have waaayyy too many uniforms.
      - http://www.soxandpinstripes.com JGS
        
        Also, Brett Gardner has as many home runs at their ballpark as Castillo, Jeremy Reed, and Alex Cora combined
        
        WIlliam
        
        Is that 1 by Gardner and 1 by the rest?
        
        WIlliam
        
        I meant 2 by gardner
        
        bexarama
        
        Brett Gardner’s Citi Field OPS: 1.236
        David Wright’s Citi Field OPS: .812
        
        BOOM.
      - bexarama
        
        also, I’m flipping channels and I had the TV on SNY for a minute, and I saw THE SILLIEST Mets commercial. It was all sepia and dramatic and “we believe in comebacks” and “all the pieces are here” and “we love being Mets.” Also, either Dustin Pedroia went to the Mets or there’s someone that looks exactly like him on the team in that commercial.
        
        http://www.soxandpinstripes.com JGS
        
        It was Pedroia’s brother
        
        Jimmy
        
        It couldn’t possibly be his “little” brother, could it? Would you be able to see him?
- http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura
  
  I’m waiting for the Mets to trade F-Mart and Meija for Micah Owings, who would automatically become their #3 starter and #5 hitter.
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

WOOO I HAVE POWER AGAIN!
- bexarama
  
  YAAAAYY!!!
  - http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
    
    I know it’s silly but I feel all out of the RAB loop having mostly missed the last five days of posting.
- Jack
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BRv9wGf5pk (safe)
dkidd

r.i.p. alex chilton
Pasqua

I feel dumb for posting it, but I’m at a crossroads:

Have a keeper league, need to post my 8 keeps by tomorrow. This is a transition year for me, as some of my old reliables are getting older, but I’m petrified of wasting slots on younger guys who may or may not pan out.

Definites:
Pujols
McLouth
Werth
Chipper Jones
Roy Halladay

Leaning Towards:
J.A. Happ
Mark DeRosa

Don’t Know What To Do:
Johnny Damon
Juan Rivera
Joba Chamberlain
Wade Davis

Do I hang on to the young pitching? Throw Juan Rivera in over Johnny (considering the likely production drop from JD?) or assume Johnny’s got one more run in him? Lose Joba (esp. if he ends up back in a set up role)? Whutchathink?
- WIlliam
  
  Joba should definitely be left in a keeper league, especially over Happ. I’de keep Damon over Derosa.
chriskeo

I’m the Jersey Crushers in the 1st league.
Dirty Pena

RAB Brackets?
AJ

Damaso Marte took a Buster Douglas right hand to the face today.
bexarama

this is a really silly headline, ESPN:
Phillies roll as Pettitte’s Yanks debut falls short
Tom Zig

The box score shows three innings of one run ball with three strikeouts, but that doesn’t include the unofficial 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth in which Joba struck out two more.

So really Joba pitched 4 innings, with 5 Ks?

If so…AWESOME
Mike HC

Gritty Dominicans. League One.

Google+