ByWelcome back, Sidney. The most famous Aruban baseball player, recently released from the Rangers for his bad behavior, will report to Scranton and is now first in line for a rotation spot. Where’s my Aruban judge? I owe him a kick to the head. (And, yes, I know: Low risk, high reward. But still.) · (30) ·
How to vote for the All Star team
By · CommentsPersonally, I can’t stand the idea that the All Star Game counts for something. The game itself is nothing more than a glorified exhibition contest designed to showcase some of the best talent around while celebrating the game. The voting is nothing more than a popularity contest.
So every year, when the voting comes around, it’s a bit laughable when the true All Stars aren’t the ones getting the vote. What makes this year’s voting more ironic — at least from the Yankee/Red Sox perspective — is that the fans of the Red Sox, the AL’s front-runners right now, are voting for their own players when it would behoove their chances for that home field advantage in the World Series to vote for the Yankees (and a few non-Yankees). I wonder if Boston fans can handle that cognitive dissonance.
Let’s take a look at the most recent voting results, starting with the first basemen.
ByOver at Minor League Ball, John Sickels talks about the controversial Jesus Montero. What’s so controversial you ask? His defense and his plate discipline, apparently. In case you missed the DotF update, Montero finished second to Hagerstown’s Michael Burgess in the Sally League HR Derby last night. Eleven unfortunate balls felt the Wrath of Jesus. Ain’t nothin’ controversial about that. · (36) ·
ByThe Yankees feel bad for Willie Randolph. While Jorge Posada understands the politics of baseball, both he and Derek Jeter praised Randolph for his baseball skills and demeanor. Based on Brian Cashman’s statements, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Willie rejoin the Yankees in a Front Office capacity before too long. · (5) ·
ByJoe Girardi irked a few Yankees earlier this year when he banned unhealthy food from the post-game spread. Ever looking for edge, Mike Mussina made a deal: When Moose reaches 10 wins, the ice cream returns. Well, Mussina won his tenth game on the road, and the ice cream is back. Once Moose reached 12 wins, the donuts can return, and 15 wins will bring back the candy. If that’s what’s keeping Moose dealin’ this year, maybe the Yanks should have tried this sooner. · (14) ·
Ajax does it again, SI season begins
By · CommentsUpdate: Jesus Montero finished second behind Hagerstown’s Michael Burgess in the Sally League HR Derby. Montero hit 11 homers total.
Triple-A Scranton (4-3 loss to Norfolk)
Brett Gardner: 1 for 5, 2 K – 5 for his last 24
Justin Christian: 3 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B – 15 for his last 35 (.429)
Cody Ransom, Juan Miranda, Nick Green & Chris Stewart: all 1 for 4 – Miranda drove in a run & K’ed … Green hit a solo shot & K’ed thrice … Stewart doubled, scored a run & K’ed
Shelley Duncan: 0 for 0, 4 BB, 1 SB – picked off second … still hitless in his return to the minors, but at least he brings spark and energy … he’s put the ball in play just twice since going back down
Jason Lane: 0 for 4, 3 K
The Ghost of Kei Igawa: 7 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 9-9 GB/FB – 61 of 90 pitches were strikes (67.8%)
Scott Strickland: 1 IP, zeroes, 1 K
Heath Phillips: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K – opponents are hitting .310 off him
Game 71: Rock out with Wang out
By · CommentsWhile the Yanks won’t feel the effects of Chien-Ming Wang‘s absence until Saturday, this is their first official game without him. Hence the mildly inappropriate title.
Couple of notes from PeteAbe (because you haven’t seen his game thread yet, right?). Dan Giese is official for Saturday. If he can give us a couple of decent starts — six or seven innings, three or four runs each time out — it’ll be tough to complain. Ian Kennedy won’t be up anytime soon, at least not in time for the Mets doubleheader a week from Friday. The time in AAA will do him good. Yes, I just said that.
Apparently, Brian Cashman is intrigued by the hot start of Trenton righty Al Aceves. He’s not exactly young; eight months younger than yours truly. But he’s dealing in Trenton right now, having walked just three guys in 36 innings, striking out 29, and sporting an even 2.00 ERA. Cashman, though, said he’d need at least a little time at Scranton before the Yanks will consider him. Does that mean he’ll be promoted soon?
Good find from Mike. John Moores, owner of the Padres, has taken his entire staff to New York so they can experience the old Stadium before it is no more. Sounds like a boss I’d like to work for.
And finally, your lineups:
1. Johnny Damon, LF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Hideki Matsui, DH
6. Jason Giambi, 1B
7. Jorge Posada, C
8. Robinson Cano, 2B
9. Melky Cabrera, CF
And on the mound, number forty-six, Andy Pettitte.
ByJust wanted to mention that you can check out Short Season Staten Island kick off their season against the Brooklyn Cyclones tonight on SNY. The game is at Coney Island’s beautiful KeySpan Park, with first pitch set for 7pm. Man, I can’t tell you how much I’m hoping Pat Venditte pitches. Two innings out of the bullpen, say 4 RHB and 2 LHB would be just perfect. (h/t to commentor JohnC)
Update: Sorry all, looks like the game isn’t on. That’s what I get for not confirming the info before posting it. Thursday’s Yanks-Cyclones game will be on SNY though, at least that’s why my DVR tells me. Again, sorry about that. Feel free to call me an idiot in the comment. · (15) ·
ByHal Steinbrenner told Yankee reports that he was “shocked” by the Mets’ firing of Willie Randolph. Call it inept; call it embarrassing; one thing it ain’t is shocking. Meanwhile, Hal says that, once the firing blows over, the Yanks will figure out how to honor Willie this year. “Willie’s been a Yankee for a lot of years and he’s a great man,” the younger Steinbrenner said. “We need to let all the dust settle and see what happens here and go from there.” · (21) ·
