Just a heads up, I’m going to be on Mike Ferrara’s Speaking of Sports radio show on WTQB out of Warwick, NY in a couple of minutes. You can listen online at WTQB’s site. I’m sure we’ll talk about the opening of the New Stadium today, as well as the general state of the team. Head over and give it a listen.
Game 10 Spillover Thread II
So why couldn’t Phil Coke stay in the game?
Game 10 Spillover Thread
Don’t worry, the baseball gods wil take care of the Yanks. They always do.
Game 10: Home Sweet Home
The Yankees are the only team in Major League Baseball that has yet to play a game at home, but that all changes today when they open their brand spankin’ new stadium. The day will be filled with ceremonies featuring the who’s who of Yankee alumni, highlighted by Yogi Berra throwing out the first pitch. Kelly Clarkson will sing the National Anthem (could be worse, trust me), and both the pitching rubber and home plate will be moved to the Yankees Museum in the ballpark after the game. The pre-game ceremonies start just past noon, when the West Point Band will perform in center field. You can find a full schedule of events here.
The Yankees are coming home after two big wins against the defending AL Champs down in Tampa. David Robertson was called up to replce Xavier Nady on the active roster, so the bullpen is in good shape. Brian Bruney may not be available after completely pwning the Rays the last two days, so Damaso Marte looks like the Bridge to Mo today. The last two AL Cy Young Award winners will face off on the mound, with CC Sabathia making his third start with the Bombers against former teammate Cliff Lee. Here’s your lineup:
Derek Jeter, SS
Johnny Damon, LF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Nick Swisher, RF
Jorge Posada, C
Robinson Cano, 2B
Hideki Matsui, DH
Cody Ransom, 3B
Brett Gardner, CF
And on the mound, number fifty-two, CC Sabathia.
Note: The Yankees named Paul Olden their oxymoronic permanent temporary replacement for Bob Sheppard … Sabathia will be making his first ever start against the Indians today, his long-time former team … MLB.tv’s free coverage will cover all the pre-game ceremonies and the first inning, but that’s it … first pitch is scheduled for 1:08, but given all the pre-game stuff I’m going to say there’s zero chance that will happen. Look for the game to start around 1:20-1:30.
Photo Credit: RAB’s own Ben Kabak
Scranton Yanks still on pace to go 140-0
Turns out that neither Kevin Russo or Austin Jackson were lifted in the middle of the game today due to an imminent call-up. Jackson took a pitch to the elbow and is day-to-day, while Russo left with an unspecified injury
Triple-A Scranton (4-3 win over Buffalo)
Kevin Russo: 0 for 2
Doug Bernier: 0 for 3, 2 K – replaced Russo, who was playing short
John Rodriguez: 2 for 5, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 K
Angel Berroa: 2 for 3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB – picked off second
Shelley Duncan: 0 for 4
Juan Miranda, Todd Linden & Justin Leone: all 1 for 3 – Miranda hit a solo homered, scored a pair of runs & walked … Leone drew a walk, K’ed & committed a fielding error
Austin Jackson: 0 for 0, 1 HBP
Eric Duncan: 1 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 K
Ian Kennedy: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 WP, 6-7 GB/FB – 63 of 94 pitches were strikes (67.0%)
Anthony Claggett: 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 2-0 GB/FB – 11 of 24 pitches were strikes (45.8%) … just one of those days
Brett Tomko: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 2-2 GB/FB – 14 of 22 pitches were strikes (63.6%) … check out Brett Tomko with the six out save
Yogi to throw out first pitch
Can’t really say it’s a surprise, but Yogi Berra will throw out the ceremonial first pitch during tomorrow’s home opener. The pitching rubber and home plate for tomorrow’s game will be the same set used in the final game at the Old Stadium, and will be put into the Yankee Museum in the park after the game. As you probably suspect, there will be a small army of Yankee alumni on hand for the pre-game ceremonies tomorrow. Click the link for a list.
Jackson, Russo not heading to New York
There was quite a bit of speculation going on after we learned that Kevin Russo and Austin Jackson were both lifted from Triple-A Scranton’s game in the third inning this afternoon, but Chad Jennings says that both players were lifted due to injury. Jackson was hit by a pitch on the elbow and is listed as day-to-day, while Russo is out with an unspecified injury. Hopefully neither is serious.
I’m thinking that Juan Miranda will get the call to replace Nady, serving as the backup first baseman and primary pinch hitter. They don’t need to call up another outfielder, they already have four on their roster, all of whom can play center at least adequately. In an emergency you could run Matsui or even Cody Ransom out to a corner spot. Plus no 40-man move would be required.