Assorted notes before Yanks/Rays
As Xavier Nady said heading out the door last night, “See you guys in a couple of hours!” Well, here we are.
– Phil Hughes has been announced as Wednesday’s starter against the White Sox, in news that should be no surprise to anyone. Hughes struck out 12 in five innings to help the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees clinch the Governor’s Cup, which he said is really a lot like the Stanley Cup. The players don’t get to drink out of this one, though, and that’s probably for good reason. As Hughes said, “It’s really old and falling apart.”
– Look who’s back! Chien-Ming Wang played catch on the field before Sunday’s game. It’s a good sign, Joe Girardi said, but not all that significant in his timetable. The Yankees are expecting Wang to be ready to go for Opening Day ’09 or thereabouts.
– Alex Rodriguez still has some stiffness in his neck and isn’t ready to play the field. A-Rod will DH while Cody Ransom heads back out to third base, trying to get over watching his batting average plummet from .750 to .500 with yesterday’s doubleheader.
Now, for a couple of personal items: Kickoff over at the Meadowlands is at 4:15 p.m., is it not? Gang Green vs. the Tom Brady-less New England Patriots seems like a draw to me. …
Headed over to the multiplex on Friday to see Righteous Kill. A movie with Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino couldn’t possibly be bad, could it? Wrong. This one’s a wait-for-DVD snoozer; one review I read said, “Thoroughly mediocre.” I’m on board with that.
I’m looking forward much more to seeing Samuel L. Jackson play the neighbor from hell in Lakeview Terrace. First pitch 1:05 p.m.
Bryan Hoch
I was watching the Yankee pregame and Kim Jones said that Carlos Pena has been clutch all season for the Rays. I checked out his “clutch” stats and here’s what I found:
2 outs, RISP = .138/.309/.323
Late & Close = .324/.453/.716
So does that make him clutch or not, heh?
Sorry, I just love this nebulous idea know as “clutch.” People love throwing that word around and I think really they use it to describe a player who “I’ve seen on Baseball Tonight getting important hits more often than others” when really half the “clutch” everyone talks about aren’t really that clutch at all.
So the players on the team sound like they’ve finally come to their senses. Go out there and play some good baseball, for what it’s worth. I mean, really, for the fans at least?
And please, give ome of the rookies the start. Sit Giambi, sit A-Rod, sit Jeter; Let Hughes start the game on Wednesday, play Gardner in CF, and let these kids show their talents.
I do not post often. I enjoy reading this blog but I have been really surprised that no one has mentioned the loss of Wang and the impact that injury had on this season. Perhaps its because he is not flashy and people do not really notice him. To illustrate my point, Wang had 15 starts this year. The Yankees went 12-3 in his starts. I think it would be safe to bet that he would have 16-20 wins this year. Add those 8-10 wins into the win totals and the Yankees are in the race. I have even noticed several posters who start speculating about next years rotation and they don’t list Wang. Losing him was bigger than losing Posada. It was huge. To think that a staff who’s best pitcher is Mussina (who has had a great year, but in reality most thought he would be out of the rotation at this point) has a chance of contending is crazy. There are several other factors that have played into this year, but losing Wang was the biggest factor to this disappointing season.
That was the perfect first inning.
Hello, Bryan
I’m curious to why my name is displayed as opposed to my e-mail? ……….It seems like it’s random.
I forgot to mention Wangster ( Just another nickname curtesy of Jeter). I thought Matsui & Wang where zen and undestructable, guess not.
For whom remy? Once again Carl “the 45 million dollar BUST” Pavano showed why he *UCKS as a starter. Staked to a 4 run lead, let’s just give most of it back you bum!!!! Reason 6,504 why Crashman ought to go = Carl *ucking Pavano.
Derek must be upset he’s stepping it up batting .306 now!
My e-mail would be displayed in the past it doesn’t bother me in either case just curious. I’m “redsun” in case anyone was wondering.
Pavano is getting back on track here. I don’t think he will give up any more runs through five. I think Pavano has gotten more run support in his couple of starts than Moose has all year.
David Price, this should be fun
Yankees are making this guy look untouchable. These Rays don’t seem so great if it wasn’t for Moose’s flop we would be inline for a sweep and the last series wasn’t so spectacular.
Is this man blind those where down the pipe!
Pavano is getting robbed! What’s Girardi doing? Walking to the mound. “Here’s so words of wisdom kid we’re in fourth place whats the worst that can happen?’
amazing. Wonder how Price feels…already in the history books after 3 innings. Nice one Jeet
Turn, turn it up Derek Jeter showing captainess. My prediction on Pavano stands. The Bombers are playing for pride? We should have been playing for “pride” all season!
Gee’ Jeet slow it down there enjoy the moment round the bags.
Pavano? injured? Never in my life would I have seen that one coming
Marte continues to play for “pride”.
Pavano was taken out because of something particular?
pulled up slightly after a pitch. Didn’t seem much
I know your not just going to score one run over seven frames Toronto. I see, well he was up in his pitch count anywho. We at the least have Phils start to look forword too. 4-4 any takers?
Congratulations to Derek Jeter on tying the great Lou Gehrig in hits in the Cathedral. Jete has been on fire against the Rays, 9 for 11 that’s HOT!! This is the Jeter we know. A bit late but refreshing none the less… Can you believe it Pavano is injured again. That’s the end for him as a Yankee.. G’bye
Cathedral. I’d rather call it the ” stadium “. I love that name! Too bad it’s all going down… but a NEW era begins in NEW Yankee Stadium; I’m going to call it ” My Era “.