Moose tries for 19
With the Yankees barely clinging to life in the postseason discussion — let’s make it simple, the Yankees need to win six and the Red Sox need to win six — all eyes are on Mike Mussina tonight as he tries to win his 19th of the year.
We all know the story by now, but yes, Mussina has never won 20 games in his career. He also has not done a lot of other things, but at some point you have to realize that you may just be looking at a Hall of Fame pitcher here tonight.
Here’s one tidbit for you. Cito Gaston would not be one bit unhappy to see Mussina unable to get No. 19 against the Blue Jays here tonight. He and Moose have a long-standing feud dating back to the 1993 All-Star Game in Baltimore, when Mussina started warming up in the bullpen without being told to.
If Mussina gets his day in Cooperstown, you can bet Gaston will not be in attendance.
I spent some time today talking with some of the guys about Sunday’s ceremonies and what their lasting impressions of them were. Here’s what Jose Molina – Mr. Final Yankee Stadium home run — had to say: “I can’t imagine for Mo, Jeter, Posada, Andy. Spending so many years there. I will still miss the time, but I think for them it will be a lot harder. All their life, they’ve been playing on the same field. That’s where the memories are.”
One last note. I believe I popped across this on the NJ.com site, but in any event, here’s a guy who built Yankee Stadium — out of Lego bricks. That’s really something awesome.
Bryan Hoch
Hey Bryan,
Cito Gaston can kiss my [posterior], and you can tell him I said that.
Damn, bad time to hit a triple with 2 outs and no one on base. Any other time you’re probably going to tack on another run. Oh well, good hustle from Gardner, as they say, speed doesn’t go into slumps. Go Mooooooooose
Nooooooo Cliff Lee is losing…there was no chance in hell of Cleveland sweeping but you’d at least think they’d win that one
How about Cito goes to **** himself. Lee is losing and you hope Cleveland can score two runs. They didn’t have much trouble being a pain back in 2007… ********. If we keep winning Boston would still have to play a one game playoff against us. Let’s just focus on our games and hope Boston flops. If Boston does meltdown… that beats any type of success they’ve had against us in the past few years. A six game lead and you melt down… in the last six games. Ouch, at least the Mets had 17 to go. Let’s see if that Red Sox bullpen holds up ( and if Papelbon’s arm holds up. ) We’ve got a couple innings to go; Most importantly, we HAVE to win.
Save for Mo, 19 for Moose. Red Sox win, oh well sh*t happens. Hopefully we’ll finish the season strong and get upto that 90 win respectability mark
Sadly since Bucky Showalter handed the M’s a playoff in 1995 the Yankees have not made the playoffs. In retrospect I believe this season went downhill as soon as our GM did not pull the trigger on the Santana trade. Just think when a Cy Young ace like Santana is available for two unproven youngsters and an average cf you pull the trade. Alas what might have been. Not sure about next year either. I’m old school I guess, I think you don’t reward failure. See that way to often in this country and Crashman has been a failure as a GM and yet looks as thou he will be brought back. Well think I’ll be rooting for ex-Yankee manager/player Lou Piniella and the Cubs in the playoffs. Cub fans have suffered for 100 years and deserve a championship. As for the Yankees It’s Wait Til Next Year.
The redsucks are drinking bub lights what a bunch of **** is that all thay can get with there money bub lights LOL!!! little teen age girls drink bud lights!!!!! Don’t get up set fellow Yankees fans good times are going to happen in 09 we will win it all then!!!So untill then just sit back relax and see the mets choke again and the REdsucks get slamed by L.A.
WOW! Where was every one last night??? Freakin MLB Extra Innings didn’t even carry the DAMNED game! Moose showed some grit out there after the liner off his elbow. I hate to say it but I think that puts his season at an end…
We’ll see. 19-9 with a 3.47 ERA at 39 years old ain’t NOTHING! 269 wins. 5 innings of no run, 6k ball. Coke and Bruney have definitely looked good. Chamberlain showing strength and determination and pitching VERY well even in tough situations. Bases loaded and 2 out? Young pitcher? NEED to win? How many would fold under that pressure? Marte? Yeah well, we’ll see if he’s around in ’09.
Ok who’s staying who’s going?
Subtractions: Chris Britton, Ian Kennadian, Melky Cabrera, Darrell Rasner, Sidney Ponsonic, Damarso Marte (complete disaster) Bobby Abreu, Hideki Matsui, Kevin Long (hitting coach), Rob Thomson (Bench Coach).
Staying: Brian Cashman, Joe Girardi (on a short lease, no poor starts), Jason Giambi, Pudge Rodriguez.
Additions to coaching staff: Bench coach = Pauley O’Neill, Hitting coach = a reach in Mo Vaugn, I couldn’t think of anyone else and we don’t need Straws.
Rotations: Wang, Mussina, Pettitte (low chance but we need to convince him not at $16M), Aceves, Hughes.
We need to add a back end guy also. We don’t need to sign CC, Sheets or Burnett to long term deals. Burnett is Pavano redux. CC is not Santana and we can’t fool ourselves there. Sheets is solid but not worth overpaying for. We still have Wang, Hughes and Aceves could be an ace.
Pen=Joba, Mo, Brian Fuentes (this HAS to be our free agent splash, gives us options with Joba), Farnsworth?, Veras, Ramirez?, long reliever to be named.
Lineup:
Damon LF/CF
Jeter SS
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Giambi/Miranda 1B
Posada DH
Nady RF
Cano 2B/LF
Pudge/Molina C
Gardener/Pierre(could lead off)/Jackson/Free Agent CF
Cano needs to go to LF. I know I am going to take heat for this but he is making too many errors and I am convince if he runs more, he’ll hit better.
On Posada, if you have any knowledge of shoulder injuries/surgeries, it could be close to 2 years before its completely healed. He likely won’t be able to throw by opening day and he might not be able to catch above his head. I’d rather have Pudge than Moehller.
No class, Hank Steinbrenner. Why the need to dis Joe Torre one more time? Classless enough that Torre wasn’t mentioned or honored at the last stadium game the other night.
The Yanks miss what Torre brought to the table–heart and soul–and a sense of humanity. It’s something the Steinbrenners money can’t buy!!!
I hope this comes through, The 1941 Yankees, A team I remember, It was a great team. My father took me to some games, Actually my grandmother was a staunch Yankee fan, we used to listen to many of the games on the radio, Most of the games were announced by ticker tape (not live). I think Ronald Reagan played the part of an announcer doing the ticker tape broadcast, Much of it ad-libbed, In one of his movies.. I could go on and on, but as I do it brings back many fond memories.
“GO YANKEES! 2009″)
PS: If you remove the /1941_Yankees.jpg from the below there are some great photos of the depression years.
http://www.openmyeyeslord.net/ALookBackInHistory_files/1941_Yankees.jpg
I think DJ Brian Bruneye and Giese can be in the pen, Ramirez can head back to AAA.
New York is an AL-best 75-0 when leading after eight innings and 70-2 when leading after seven innings.
I like our bullpen
Shame about everything else
Seeknay said it best- 2 unproven youngsters and an average centerfielder for a Cy young winner in Santana (and a fairly young Cy Young winner at that)! Don’t pull the trade and pop goes the season. Cashman should be gone just for that major blunder itself. Having Santana would of made all the difference in the world, especially with Wang going down. With Santana we would of made the playoffs and had a realistic run at getting to the World Series (especially if Wang was able to come back). Ask the Mets if they would trade Santana for Hughes, Kennedy and Cabrerra now and they would laugh in your face! Now there are more Free Agent Pitchers available for next year, no none are a Santana but CC would be the best of the lot. At least he is young and has had success. We need to sign him and maybe another to have a chance next year or we will be writing this same crap in the blogs come the end of next September. Anyone who would suggest we start next season with Wang, Mussina, Pettitte, Aceves and Hughes should forget about being a baseball fan and switch to Ping Pong or something. Even Cashman I would hope has enough brains to realize what a MISTAKE it was to go into a baseball season with 2 unproven kids. (Notice I said HOPE) Kennedy and Hughes had some pretty good starts after being called up last year, much the same as Aceves this year. Hughes has been awful at the MLB level this year so how can you count on him? Sorry but pitching 4 innings and allowing 4 hits and 1 run on 89 pitches is not a promising start. Kennedy was given a couple of opportunities and blew them. Signing CC and another good FA pitcher is imperitive for any chance at success next season!
Foresight, and a Crystal ball would have made it easier for Cashman to know what lay ahead. Injuries are a part of the game, and did you know this spring that Hughes, Kennedy and Wang would not be a major part of our season? What has already happened cannot be changed. Hindsight is a fabulous thing. We are all experts now in what should have been done.. Cashman doesn’t deserve all the blame for the less than perfect season that we were all looking forward to. Pass the blame around to the manager, coaches and players who didn’t get the job done..
“GO YANKEES! 2009″
Santana is better than any free agent pitcher available this winter. We need strengthen our pen, eject Marte add Fuentes. We need to add a starting pitcher but not a 5 year 140m variety. We need a back end 1-2 low money guy to go with what we have.
Signing Mark Texiera to Giambi like money will doom us. Bring back Giambi for one year and groom Miranda, if that doesn’t work, look at the market next year.
I’d sign at least two free agent pitchers. One of Sheets/CC?Burnett then go after someone low key who’ll give you innings and a chance to win most outings, John Garland most probably
Dump the old fart Giambi, he is done!!!! This team hasn’t won jack with him!! Fuentes is too much like MArte, this team shouldn’t waste its time on him.
midnite must have ESP. Santan would have an impact on this team? I doubt it, not with this team’s problems and his mediocre record against AL East teams.
Our problems most reside on our ability to hit 2-3 runs per game. Santana would have had a losing record with our run support. Fire Long immediately.
Fuentes is the best lefty, I know of, hopefully he is better than Marte.
Dump Rodriguez as catcher, he is pretty much done, and get one of those catchers from Texas in Laird, or Salty. The only good thing about Rodriguez is that it allowed this team to dump some of its garbage in Farnsworth on another team. The catching position will remain a hole for this team until it is addressed. I doubt Posada will make it as a starter with his age and injury, and Molina is nothing more than a backup. Screw Pierre, that fool is a mediocre player, this team doesn’t need a player like him, and Gardner hasn’t shown anything as a hitter, Yanks will probably send him back down. Keep Pavano? Bring Farnsworth back? What are you an idiot? Dump his sorry carcass. Stay away from Burnett. Aceves an ace? Yeah right!!!! yet another delusional blogger here!!
Where did I say keep Pavano? I said Burnett=Pavano. Stay away.
Do you know anything about Aceves? Has he got lit up so far?
OH YEAH DODGER DAN and Lowe would be an Ace! What world are you living in?
It’s over. Let’s look at 2009 and how this team needs to become ( note, I didn’t say improve. ):
Dump Damon, if possible. Replace him by trade ( Josh Willingham) or in house ( Melky )
Put Gardner in CF, have him hit lead off.
Acquire Saltalamachia from Texas. He seems to be the odd man out in that situation. ( Teagarden, Laird )
Shift either Posada or Matsui to first base and have one of them DH fulltime.
Pitching situation: This is where all of the spending must be done.
Sign one of Sabathia, Sheets, or Burnett or Garland ( top priority ). Stick him in front Wang. Sign Mussina back and stick him in the third spot of the rotation. The fourth ans fifth spots remain in the air. If Joba becomes a starter, stick him behind Moose, if not, sign another FA from the above list. Have Aceves, Hughes and Kennedy compete for the fifth spot in the rotation.
The bullpen is fine, a veteran acquisition helps all the time though. Let Marte go. Sign somebody like Ohman or Eyre or Howry. Jamey Wright and David Weathers are intriguing as well. Keep Ramirez there as well, he’s shown nothing but improvement so far.
A rotation of:
Sheets
Wang
Mussina
Joba/ FA starter ( Garland, Lowe, Dempster, Lohse or Pettitte )
Hughes/ Aceves
seems very competitive.
Notice that most of the moves I made are specificly defense and pitching based. This team doesn’t need anymore offense and it needs to get younger, specificly in the OF.
A lineup of:
Gardner ( speedy guy with good D ) CF
Jeter
Willingham LF
A-Rod
Nady RF
Matsui 1B
Posada DH
Cano
Saltalamachia C
this lineup is much younger, much more energetic and brings a new dynamic back to the Yankees: the ability to play small ball. Superstars will eliminate that factor. Plus we have room to get better with the potential in our youngsters. If you don’t think that lineup can compete, than look at the Rays’ lineup and come back to me.
PLUS the strong rotation that we’ll have next year garauntees us a good, young competitive team next year, kind of like that of the Reds or Rays or Marlins, but with enough star talent ( A-Rod, Jeter, Nady, Posada and Sui ) and the good rotation.
The bullpen has been the silent posotive of this season, we have a very good one. Bruney could take over for Joba in the eigth inning role, our middle relief is great with Sanchez, Ramirez, Geise and Marte ( although he will be replaced by a FA ) and the bridge to Mo seems alot more secure now.
Thoughts are welcome.
midnite,
The same planet who thinks that Santana would make any difference. What the heck are you smoking?
I think the Yankees should go after John Lackey. The guy is a stud period. Does anyone really think C.C. is going to sign w/ the Yanks? Lackey & Wang 1-2 punch.
The Yankees haven’t won anything since signing Giambi is true but, they haven’t won anything since signing Moose either. Even though Giambino is hit or miss, I think he’d be fine as a late inning pinch hitter.
I’d move Jeter to 3rd due to his declining mobility & Stat-Rod back to SS. Too bad Cano can’t be traded for Kinsler or Punto. I’ve made it known all season I don’t like the kid. Posada needs a 1B glove. I’ll get back to you on the OF but, it doesn’t include Bobby “I’m not getting my uni dirty” Abreu.
Oh and why sign Fuentes? Is it because he had decent numbers in Colorado? Hawkins did too. I thought Hawkins was going to do well. Need I say more? Besdies, this team already has a similar pitcher in Marte. We talked trash about the White Flag Brigade because they were all similar.
Hawkins was terrible in Colorado.
Abreu has been replaced by Nady, who will shift back to RF.
Guerrero could become available if the Angels bring back Texiera.
NEW THREAD
How I see the off season playing out. First, for all of us who like to play GM, remember that Matsui has a no trade clause and is owed 13 million. I don’t think he is going anywhere. I recently read where the Dodgers might be interested in Cano for Matt Kemp. Make the trade. Sign Orlando Hudson to play second base. Make a good offer to Teixeira and if he turns it down, resign Abreu. Sign Jon Garland. Lets also be real on this one. Hank wanted Santana and was talked out of it. It might have been a mistake not making the trade, but Hank will not be talked out of Sabathia, he might not come on board, but he will be offered far more than any other team will offer. So with this in mind, everyday players.
C-Posada/Molina
1b-Teixera if signed, Nady if not.
2b-Hudson
3b-Arod
SS-Jeter
lf-Damon
cf-Kemp
rf-Nady, Abreu if Teixeira does not sign.
dh-Matsui
Rotation:
Wang, Sabathia, Garland, Hughes, Mussina, I failed to mention bringing him back.
Pen: Riveria, Joba, Coke, Bruney, Veras, Sanchez, Rameriz.
I personally think this years Yankee team was good enough to win, losing Wang was huge, figure 8-10 more wins and the Yankees are in. Thats my two cents.
Hank won’t be talked out of Sabathia and I don’t think Cashman will be either. It was only the kids that stopped the trade – what was that mid season quite from Hank about if it was just the cash he’d have pulled the trigger? Blatantly they’re going after the high-profile free agents
You guys keep saying Gardner can’t hit, but that’s not what I’m seeing. In the last few games this man has been in the thick of our run production. He had three hits yesterday, add another one today. He’s hitting .205, and may not have the best stats right now, but that’s is a very small sample. I think over the course of the season this kid can hit in the .260 range, which coupled with his speed and D, is good enough. I wouldn’t be suprised if he beats Melky ( who hit .240 this season ) for the CF position. Then again, maybe Gardner’s just fooling me.