What they say as they spray

Wow. Wow wow wow. Who'd a thunk it back in May when we were 14.5 out? There is STILL a lot of work to do. We've sprayed THIS champagne every year for the last 7. I want some WS spray!

On Proctor - to those who say he *****. See, thats where you're ALL wrong. Proctor was on his way to working himself into a 21st century Jeff Nelson but suffered from OVER USE! He was burnt OUT. Look at how starters are used early on. It's generally accepted that even after ST, pitch counts are watched as they ease into the season. But Proctor was thrown out there day after day, game after game, often 3 games in a row! He pitched himself into the roster because he could pitch. Look at what he's done since going to the Dodgers - With comparable work he's 3-0 with a 3 era in 29 innings with 26k's. But when you look at his use pattern, he gets regular breaks, not game after game after game. You all forget his 2006 season when he lead the majors in appearances and STILL had a 3.5 era. Who wouldn't KILL for a dependable middle reliever with a 3.5 era on THIS team??? The best thing that could have happened to him here was to get hurt and take a month off. But no, we've got Betimit now... Bully.

Something that REALLY bothers me about our relief is the K to BB ratio. It STINKS! We have relievers who WALK way too many batters. That is going to come back to bite us.

Lastly, note A-Rod's sound bite. Sure SOUNDS like someone who wants to be a Yankee next year....

Ok. I can't stop talking. Why bring in Chamberlain in the 7th yesterday? We're up lots by then. And when you consider today's matchup against Kazmir, you might think close game so why not preserve atleast ONE of your two most dependable pitchers?? Now supposedly Chamberlain is unavailable for today and do you WANT to throw Mo out two days in a row?? We're already 16-8. 4 more. Will not settle for less.....

golf - I thought the same thing about Chamberlain last night too - but the announcers were saying that they want to try putting him in back to back games before the post-season to see how he hold up. So maybe he is available for tonight?

i think joba can handle back to back, don't ya think he is being a little too pampered by the NYY ORg.? who do you think is the team's mvp is: Posada | Jeter | ARod | Pettite | Wang | Farnsworth (hehe)| Joba | Mariano |?? iwould pick posada, (the catcher position is very tiring, and he has hit very consistenly all year .330, All-star, and worked with all them pitchers (so many diff. types of bowlers) he deserves it. go George!!!!

A-rod is obviously the league MVP - but I agree that Posada is the team MVP - it's got to be the hardest position with a regular starting rotation but I can't even imagine what he dealt with this year. He had to basically coach a ridiculous number of rookies through their first MLB start! Never mind his amazing offensive stats....

Posada gets my vote too. What an awesome job with the pitching staff, and a .330 batting average to boot. I thought he was an old man? I think either Jorge or A-Rod will get to manage the team on the last game of the season.

If we can get 6 to 7 strong innnings of work each game from our starters, we are going to win the whole **** thing. If we can't, and we have to rely on our bullpen to pull us out of games while we slug it out, it's going to take a miracle for us to advance.

That's why they brought Joba in last night. Look for him in today's game. I hope he can do well pitching 2 days in a row. We're gonna need to throw him every game in the playoffs for crying out loud. They brought in Mo I guess to give him some work.

That quote from A-Rod is REALLY reassuring. That sounds like he has already made up his mind. We really need to get behind this guy, and the rest of em, for the playoffs. It's time to welcome A-Rod into the inner circle and make him a part of the family.

Congrat's to the Yanks on there 13 in a row.I believe Joe Torre will sail off in to sunset and retire,win or lose!A very nice guy!Good luck Joe and Yanks in playoffs.My vote still is for Joe Girardi to replace Mr Torre.

Chaz,They brought in Mo so he was on the mound to clinch it! Joe's way he does things.

Round 1: Indians or Angels? remember its a FIVE game series. somebody (Chazz) please draw out the playoff-picture. clemens can be our R O L A I D S guy, in this outing, Wang Petitte Mussina, (3 wins were in the ALCS). All eyes on AROD now, honestly are we all behind him even if he hits .190 and 0 hrs and 6RBI's this (first round) we need him more than ever this time. pray people its not guerro & co. in sunny skies KAliforNia,

"Start spreading the news... I'm leaving today, I want to be a part of it, in old New York..." Sorry I had to bust out a little Frank S. Torre almost made me cry last night, I got a little teary eyed, I'm not going to lie, but the last time I cried like a little girl was in 99' after the Yanks beat the Braves, because I was elated and also because of Paul O'Neill losing his dad during the World Series and he still played like a champ. I have already started my October trash talking last night, I'm ready, bring it Yankee haters, bring it!!!!

A true Yankee never stops believing even when the chips were down.As for all those people who were yelling negative remarks about A-Rod during spring training??? How do you like him now???Can we finally give A-Rod a true NEW YORK welcome?????

Yeah I agree with Bronx Bomber, I'm an A-Rod freak, who hasn't been flying my A-Rod flag too high, these past couple of years, I have been more of a "closet" A-Rod fan. I still have my hesitations when it comes to Alex in the postseason, but I promised a few people of this blog, I would be postive, come on Alex, shut the A-Rod haters up. And what a catch by the Milk Man last night...

Hey everyone - Awesome night. The rookies spraying Joe while he was being interviewed was pretty funny. I don't know if ARod was trashed or not, but he sounded like he wanted to stay.

I wonder what series Boston will take, assuming they finish with the best record and play the Angels? Pros and cons for both series types for sure.

Oh and Jill I read that you have a crush on Joba, I have a huge crush on Joba(I saw him first hahaha cat fight!), but I like his real name better, Justin, but I'll call that man whatever he wants me to, ok sorry for being a total girl. And for the record I would love Joe Girardi to manage next year, just because I love him and I think he's sooooo baseball smart and look what he did with a bunch of rookies, he almost got the Marlins to playoff contention. And he's got that controlled fire about him, no offense to Don but it looks like his heart beats only twice a day, I know Chaz is going to come after me now....

Jill,winning the division means nothing in recent years.even home field does not have alot advantage.A brand new season in Oct.Wild Card has pretty good record lately.

Dandri -- I was thinking more of pitching matchups btw the Sox and the Angels. What would be a better matchup? The other thing is that I am hoping these standings pan out because I think the Yanks having only to fly to CLE for a short series is helpful, as opposed to flying out to the west coast.

JeterStar - HAHA.

jeterstar,

i disagree, Don M. will take over, where torre leaves off, girardi is good (no doubt mngr of the year) but he has been away from the yanks for about three years, a lot has changed for the bombers and yeah we got some young peeps, but we got some vets as well, noone other than matingly (an all star from the 80's) to lead this mix batch. jirardi, was in the right spot @ the right time, young coach with rookies, no vet (you gotta work around or with to make them happy n stuff), plus mattingly has been more and more there for this team so the AROD's giambi's damon's and dont forget jeter all have this confidence in him, i saw it many times this year. i just think its not about "owe-ing" it to him, but rather good fit time is right; captain | loyalty | hitters-coach | he can certainly grow in this role to win some rings and and FINALLY get into the HOF. i know this may sound a little far fetched, but he i am yankee fan from the 80's. i spoke with KEVIN MAAS recently, we work in the same industry.

Girardi has been working with the Yes network therefore, he has kept a close eye on what the Yankee organization is up to, and the Yanks front office is aware of it, especially when Girardi turned down a few managering gigs. A-Rod wouldn't even listen to Don's hitting advice, remember that SI Article last Sept.? I would would be alright with Don or Girardi but I just personally prefer Joe Girardi.

Again I say Joe G.He is young and more fire.Very smart base ball man,and would work well with young team.Time to dump some of the vets and start afresh and stop pampering!!

I hear that Dandri2!!!

Jill,I believe the angels have a better pitching staff and manager then the sox.AS far as lining up who knows flip a coin!!It is usally who can bring it.

The Indians' pitching is pretty dang good too, C.C. Sabathia(sp?) and Carmona, thats a pretty good one, two punch, not to mention, Grady Sizemore, who I love, I know he is going to be the enemy, but hey he's a great ball player and the Indians' catcher has been going on a tear at the plate.

Agree to disagree, but don fits in NYY better than jirardi (he is good but but outside NYY he is better) this town/club has a thing for olderer coaches. bench coach zimmerman, (key example) i think jirardi will coach here but not any time soon. i think don can quickly replace joe, and AROD doesn't really need hitting advice, triple crown numberesque career player, just needs to bat and fans need to appreciete him, all year jeter has been sayin good stuff about him, no clemens next year does drop a few years (team age avg) but we still have priamrily a vet team, (damon,jeter,arod,giambi,mo,posada,matsui,petite,mussina comapred to joba,cano,melky,kennedy,hughes) get my point older coach better fit in NYY. especailly whoses seen this team prevail this year while sitting next to them. girardi would have been a good fit two/three years ago. ya'll "young cats" might not remember how hard we had to to get a coach to return the following year before torre, it was absurd on how we had coaching difficulties each year from early 80's till 95/96. (steinbrenner had the original reality show: "The Apprentice Yankee-Style" YOUR FIRED !!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah you got me there redsoxloose I was still playing with Barbies and listening to the New Kids on The Block in the 80's, I am from '84 after all. I wonder when it comes to Alex staying in NY, has anything to do with who is going to manage next year, I mean if Torre stays, would that make Alex lean towards leaving? What you guys think?

Oh and Chaz I read your post about something that A-Rod said last night, FYI, don't believe anything Alex says about staying, he sent letters to Ranger season tickets holders telling them that he was dedicated to being a Ranger and that he wasn't leaving. That was after the Boston deal fell apart, you know that Manny for Alex deal. He freakin lies, don't fall for it, like I used to. He is just a beautiful liar I guess, you don't know what Alex is really thinking till he makes his move.

I need to get this off my chest, if we dont win the WS this year, i really do think AROD will leave, so lil confused on should we welcome him in-in or otherwise. i think torre will depart as well, although healthy, but time needed away. no more clemens either. all you AROD haters, like others have said before, "cheer for him like he is your lil brother" in his first game. casue w/out him we may not be here next year. toronto (if played in the National league would be in the playoffs, & i'm not just talking W/L's, (pitching & hitting) so anyway lets enjoy this moment...

I gotta go with Tony Peña to manage after Torre. He's got great baseball instincts, MLB managerial experience, is great w/the players and has a balanced temperament, unlike Mattingly (too laid back) or Bowa (too intense). Ghirardi is a good candidate but how comfortable do you think Jeter, Mo and especially Jorge--who, lest we forget, replaced him as everyday catcher--would feel being managed by him? Not very, I'm assuming.

I might take what A-Rod said with a grain of salt. But, I'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt as well. We should all be hoping that he comes back.

Don Mattingly has been my hero since '85. He IS the reason why the Yankees are my favorite team. Why all this talk about needing someone to "fire up" the roster? George Steinbrenner isn't fiery enough? So, with a fiery manager, and a hot headed owner, who stands between the Boss and the players? Torre's even tempered attitude is the reason why he does so well with the players. He is the buffer between George and the Dugout. Precisely the reason why Donnie would do awesome as skipper for the Yanks. He is loved by all Yankee fans, loved by the organization, and loved by Uncle George. Number 23, remember, was the last captain of this team anyway.

We might as well not speculate on Cleveland or LA until it's all over. There are too many variables in the air. Can we still get the division, possibly. Who will finish with the best record between the Tribe and LA? Who knows? It looks like Cleveland, but it's baseball. Anything is possible. The matchups favor NYY v. Cleveland, and Boston v. Anaheim. I think we can break Cleveland off quickly, and If we can make it through LAA in the ALCS, there is no National League team that can beat us.

Saul, I never really thought about Pena before, but as far as Jeter, Jorge, and Mo being "uncomfortable" with Girardi as the manger, I don't think they would give Girardi a hard time, they are pros and Jeter is the embodiment of class on the field and in the clubhouse.

Chaz,we do not even know if george s,is her on earth mentality.I believe some one else is the helm or will be.like a said who cares what the players think.If your 4 for 50 your on the bench.Cannot find the strike zone out of here.Quit pampering.

Hey there, I just wanted to congradulate the Yankees on their latest,Unexpected((expected)who could ever count them out?),comeback. I'm a Dodger fan, usually on another Web-Sight, where I belong. Since we didn't make it, I'm hoping the Mets pull a miracle and actually do finally win the N.L. West (If that bullpen can snap out of it)and maybe we might even have another subway series here in N.Y. Incidently as an N.L. Fan, I'll be rooting for them, as usual.

One more thing remember i am a 52 yakees guy no pampering back then with old casey Fire up i am not your momma boys!

A lot of mis spelling,Sorry!

Dandri2, I just wanted to say your'e awesome. And I think Cash and Hal and Hank(George's sons) are basically running the Yanks right now, sadly, I don't think George is in the best of health to be a complete owner like he used to, I love you George S.!!!!

It doesn't matter who we play in the ALDS - we are the hottest/best team. Just exhume the confidence guys!
Both the Angels and Indians have a couple decent hitters (Guerrero, Figgins, Hafner, Sizemore, etc...) and a couple decent starters (Lackey, Escobar, Sabathia, Carmona). The Angels bullpen isn't nearly as devastating as they were earlier in the year, Shields has struggled, and I think we've done alright against Rodriguez. Outside of Betancourt who the heck is in Cleveland's bullpen anyway?

We beat Carmona twice this year, got to Escobar for some runs, didn't face Sabathia, and Lackey's for the most art dominated us, but I think he's become more vulnerable since Old Timer's Day...If ANYTHING i hope to face both these teams, in hopes of not facing Boston. It would sure help my annual October blood pressure issues...

John! I downloaded a few songs from Live In A Dive, and you are so right, they sound awesome on Live In A Dive, thanks!

naptown,

thanks for your "expert" opinion on Proctor. First of all, don't even compare your experience as a college pitcher to that of a major league pitcher. There's no comparison at all. Until you have pitched at the major league level you don't know what you're talking about. Your ignorance just showed there naptown. Last season Proctor was one of the better middle inning relievers in baseball as Matt, and rcn golf mentioned. While he was here this pen was better than what it is now , obviously. His problems stemmed from overuse from the previous season, and earlier this season. He started out strong this season, but again was being overused which led to his problems. Now I'm not saying that this team would have done better if it kept him, there's no way of telling, but the road would have been a lot smoother than it was with him based on the perfomrance of this current pen this season. If he were as bad as you say he were then his stats with the Dodgers wouldn't be as good as they are, granted he is in a league with weaker hitting, but the mere fact that his stats are as sgood as they are right now indicate that he has definitely gotten better.

Any team would kill to have a pitcher like Proctor who can generate an ERA around 3.50 like he has, especialy in this day and age where good quality long relief is nearly impossible to find. How often will you see a pen where every pitcher has an ERA under 3.00 not very often. Saying that a pitcher with an ERA over 3.00 can't hack it is absolutely wrong. That stement tells me that you are either living in a dreamworld or you just don't know much about major league pitching.

Go get 'em killer!!!!!!!!!

Jeter Star I like George also,he put some fire under their butts!He put out the bucks for this team!Not always a guarantee,but do your job!!Do not evev want to go there on money it stagger me !!!I still love the game!!After all these years.Need more Jeters.

jeterstar,

I agree that Girardi will be manager of this team after Torre is gone. IF this team is going to go in a different direction, and start using younger players then Girardi is the perfect fit. Unlike Torre, Girardi can relate to the younger players and is more willing to place trust and confidence in them. He also has the experience as a manager, unlike Mattingly, if they do go down a different path. Mattingly is too much like Torre in terms of temperament, he is simply too laid back, and may not be able to light a fire under this team when they need it. This team can't rely on Steinbrenner any more to do that, he is simply way too old, and his health is deteriorating. I think the contact he usually has with players will just deteriorate as well. He's simply not up to that anymore.

As for A-Rod winning the MVP, and Posada winning the team MVP< those are no-brainers.

jeterstar,

Sorry, but I just can't get as excited as the rest of you about winning the WC. I am still kind of bummed we lost any kind of shot at the dvision when KArstens gave up that freakin' homer to the Rays the other night. I really wanted that Division Title!!!

John,

I agree with you I don't care who we play, but I definitely prefer playing the Indians simply based on percentages alone. The Angels have had the Yanks' number for quite a while, and despite whatever problems they have had in the past, they seem to get over on the Yanks. I would definitely prefer a team that the Yanks have swept in the regular season, period.

Matt,Like I said the The title has not meant much lately except for pride.I always said there is not much incentive in winning your div,with the wild card in place.need some changes we all know that.

"Light a fire", "Light a fire", "fire, fire, fire", how much more fired up can you possibly be than going from 12 games under .500 to 23 games over .500? Has anyone been paying any attention? You don't think this team has any passion with guys like Torre at the con? Um......HELLO! What JUST happened? Did we put together a 13th consecutive playoff run by playing ho-hum baseball with no sense of urgency? Freaking **** NO! You guys act like Girardi is the next Connie Mack for cripes sakes. He had 1(one), that's uno, singular, DECENT season in the NATIONAL LEAGUE. Who the **** cares? Just cuz the dude's face doesn't sport any wrinkles doesn't make him Yankee Jesus. I'm not saying that if he gets the job, that I won't have his back, but he is not going to "inject" the Yanks with fire and passion. THEY ALREADY FREAKING HAVE MORE OF IT THAN ANY OTHER TEAM IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES!!!!!! GO YANKS!!!!!!!

dandri,

I agree it hasn't meant much, but I have a lot of pride, but I really wanted to beat the Suks regardless. There's nothing wrong with the WC, but it just feels like second best, maybe it's just the competitor in me.

Chaz,settle down,your young cat remember?other people have their opinons also! a old saying is opinions are like ***holes every one has sometimes they both stink!!

chaz,

take it down a few bud, but what we have been saying goes beyond this season. Remember the first half of this season? It struggled badly, and underperformed, and it looked like this team had no life or energy in it. This team basically put itself in a hole, and had to go on the run it did just to get out of that hole and put themselve in the position they find themselves in now.

So no this team isn't always going to have that fire, it needs someone to provide that fire for them sometimes. The first half of this season proves that.

One other thing, what's up dude? You doing o.k? You should stay away from those energy drinks for a while (if it actually is energy drinks you are on). LOL!!!!

Why the opinion that Donnie isn't going to able to put the screws on someone who is not getting it done? Was he a Yankee Captain? Yes, Chaz, he was! Does Donnie know a thing or 25000 about baseball? Why, Chaz, of course he does. Do the players respect him? Has he sat in the same dugout with them for the last 324 games? Um, yep, they sure do, and he sure has! Is he some 90 year old blue hair? No, Chaz, he only been outside the white lines for a shade over a decade. What makes everyone think that he won't shake up the clubhouse if he's got some lollygaggers on the roster? Here's another thing, I'll take the managerial experience of 50 New York bench coaches before 1 manager with 1 season of experience in the bigs. If Donnie isn't hired, then The front office needs to go after guys like Leyland, LaRussa, or Randolph. Someone who won't get carded when the go to buy beer.

What makes you think that Girardi can't do those same things or possess those same qualities? There are more questions about Mattingly than there are about Girardi.

Chaz,thought you were a young cat what do you have against age.Torre and I am 67 over the hill.I thought you would like young guy's!! leyland has some spark in his approach but he is old fart!!Now quit talking to your self!

Sorry everyone for the heated posts lately. I am freaking on edge for the playoffs, fellow Yankee Faithful! I am ready to punch everyone wearing Boston gear right in the mush! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Nah, I get fired up over anyone getting on Donnie. I had to defend him for alot of years after he hurt his back, and was never the same. I'm sitting here in a Mattingly T-shirt for crying out loud. My take is personal, not imapartial, because I think the guy can do well with the team. It may also be the only chance for Mattingly to get into the Hall of Fame, which he would have done had his career not been hampered by injury.

I'm sure it won't matter who succeeds Joe. The Yankees will always be right in the hunt. I'll not post on this anymore. Future posts will be with regard to the playoffs. GO YANKS!!!!!!!

Age & experience will always overcome youth and skill, Dandri. I learned that very early in life.

Chaz,Never said any thing neg.about Donnie baseball,Enjoy the games!!

chaz,

I have never met a Yankee fan who didn't love Donnie, so you don't have to defend him against fellow Yankee fans. I remember in his early years, he was just afreakin' hitting machine. I love watching him hit, he had the sweetest swing I will ever see. IT hurt me watching him struggle through his back problems, if it weren't for that he would have been a certain HOFer. He showed me how tough and competitive he can be as well, that's why he is one of my all-time favorite Yanks.

Not reading anything negative, Dandri. I guess I am just kinda shocked because I always assumed that Mattingly was really strong with Yankee fans. It surprises me that there are not more people for him than Joe. I can remember seeing 55,000 cheering "Donnie Baseball, [Clap, clap, clap clap clap]" in the '95 ALDS. I took more pride in that than any other experience as a Yankee fan. He hit .412 in that series by the way.

You guys remember that freaking radical "Hitman" poster back in the day? I would kill to get another one. My copy was destroyed in a move like 15 years ago. Makes me sick thinking about that.

Actually, I think I do remember that one, if it's the one I'm thinking of. I haven't given that poster a second thought after I put away somewhere.

He's wearing a zoot suit, leaning against an old '30's coupe, and he's got a bat in his hand. The "HITMAN" logo has bullet holes in it.

Jeterstar - Live in a Dive actually gives me chills as if I were seeing them in person - it's nuts. Great album.
Like 9 million other people, i adore Mattingly, I even taught myself at a young age to hit lefty because of him - i still do the elbow hitch in my hardball/softball games! I can see him being the manager over Girardi, and it's no knock on Girardi. I also think that Torre could theoretically 'retire on top' if we win the WS, or hang out to open the new Yankee Stadium...regardless, I rarely get on a Manager's case, in the professional ranks it mainly comes down to the players' performance/execution. I get pissed at guys that swing at crappy 3-0 pitches and weakly ground out to 2nd, or a reliever that comes in and walks a guy, not the manager who put said player/pitcher in the game...

John,

I am left handed, and my stance at the dish is modeled after 23, too! I don't do the elbow thing, though. I like your theory on major league managing as well.

Everyone,

Something feels right about this season. I am more confident in this team than I was in last years' iteration. I sense a little Yankee magic in the air. Like The Babe is going to be at the games. I can't wait to see A-Rod take the cover off the ball, Roy Hobbs style.

Hey, we can still win the division. If Boston goes 1-3, and we go 3-1, we win. If Boston goes 2-2, and we win out, we win. If we finish with identical records or better, we win. I hope Boston chokes so we can rip that division flag before they get to hang it up.

Did anyone else on this blog play ball? High School, American Legion, Softball, anything? Just curious.

Did anyone scope out our "Murderer's Row" for tonight's game? Sheesh. Maybe the Yanks are cool with the WC. Fine by me, I guess. The whole starting lineup is hung over, LOL. Look for Jeter rocking the Pepto in the dugout, while A-Rod's chillin' with a 5 gallon bucket in front of him.

Chaz I played ball,so long ago I forgot when or where!!

chaz,

You're right about that, but isn't my ideal team to pin my hopes on, especially with the type of lineup the Yanks have going tonight, it's still probable, but I guess i'll have to settle for a WC, oh well!!