On the Yankees beat

Thanks, Kat, for the effort. I realize Newsday is having its share of problems getting this blog site to work properly. Computer technology seems to have a mind of its own.

Yankee Austin Jackson almost hit a home run, yaaay -- but who the heck is Austin Jackson? And can he pitch?

Granderson is still playing in the 8th inning and he's apparently uninjured after all (good for him). Seems like the Tigers really want to win this one -- and I don't blame them -- as the Yankees farm team pulls the Yankees closer in the latter innings, while the Tigers' big guns are still pitching. Yankee Pitcher Wordekemper???? just got us out of a jam. Wordekemper???? The Yankees' future seems very bright, indeed.

This team cannot win; guaranteed

No doubt Carl Pavano will have the lowest era on the staff! He will pitch about 6 scoreless innings and be on injured reserve the rest of the year. He is the Don Gullet of our day.

This team has won nothing since 2001. I remember coming to the ball park after work many times in the late innings, could have been early August or May, didnt matter, the game would still going, the team was killing itself to get it done. Whether Tino hit a 11th inning homerun or someone made a big play, it was all about team, guys pulling together to win no matter what it takes. That spirit is dead.

Gone are the hungry role players, like Chad Curtis or Gerardi, the power pitchers like Clemens or Jeff Nelson. When Clemens couldn't strike you out he threw at your head. Failing that, he threw your broken bat back at you. Piazza was frightened of Clemens, he said there was no one homw when he looked in his eyes. What passion!

Don't expect that from the team this year. Maybe Andy can have one last go round.

The rest of the hurlers are junk ball throwers who are going to lead the team to a soft division win and a fall in the post season. They are abusing their true believer, Mariano Rivera.

Jason Giambi, ARod, Mussina and Pavano have no hearts, no spirit, no hunger and no souls. Giambi says he is an atheist.

They collect fat checks. the spirits of the monuments don't call out to them, all they hear are their agents calling them for their next endorsement.

i loved the team in 2001, the New York last ditch wins during the WS were unforgettable. Even though they didnt win it that year, it was of course the end of 'the dynasty', they had heart and soul after 911 that inspired the City. The Lord was with them. they were one with the City, the fans, the stadium, and the spirits in the monuments.

Baseball teams win one of three ways, either brilliant professionalism, hungry passionate players or young talent. The Yanks used to have the first two during the dynasty years.

I am hoping these rookies can do something.

Sorry if i feel like cheering a team on to a definite playoff series loss is a waste of time. They cannot win, guaranteed. Not these guys.

the yankees rotation, without wang, is CONSIDERABLY weakend. whether you want to admit to that or not, it’s a fact. pettitte’s back remains a question mark, and somebody remind me how mussina’s spring has gone so far. that’s not even mentioning pavano and igawa. thank god this is happening in april and not august. the yankees may well whether this storm, but they’ll need to hit their way through april. period. if the big bats start the year cold, count on a lot of games winding up in the L column. three weeks in april isn’t going to make or break their season, but if wang’s out longer, or pettitte goes down for a period of time, this team is in HUGE trouble. to look at it any other way is to be delusional

I blame on Today's loss against Tigers on Todd Pratt. He's worst game caller catcher ever. I didn't see Jeff Karstens throw once a curve today.. When Wil Nieves came in the ballgame, Tigers stop scoring runs.. i would rather have Nieves than Todd Pratt.

Lucy: wordkepler? is a 46th round draft choice who had a cup of Java at triple A last yr.Austin Jackson is a highly touted prospect who is just getting his feet wet.

Gloomy, they have medicine for your condition.

That's an interesting observation, jb. Since Spring Training is a time for practice, maybe Karstens didn't need to practice his curve ball. If this were a real game that counted, maybe he would have thrown all his best pitches, including lots of curves. Defense might have hustled more as well (a la Tigers Granderson), saving a number of runs, IF the game counted.

The thing with Yankees Spring Training is that you just never know the goals of those players who have already proven themselves. These games can be very deceiving.

Thanks, Ruse, for the edification. There have been Spring Training games where I didn't recognize our team. But I'm getting there right in time for Opening Day.

Here's The pitching sequence to Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco called by Great Todd Pratt - Best signal caller ever.

Todd Pratt call the pitch to Curtis Granderson - First pitch was down in Fastball? Everyone knows that Curtis Granderson weakness was Curveball. He's aggressive hitter and likes to hit first pitch fastball

Same thing Placido Polanco = First pitch was Up In Fastball which Polanco hit it the other way.

Karstens likely didn't throw his curve because he came out with a stiff elbow.

Gloomy:
I hope you don't live in a high-rise, 'cause if the Yankees get off to a slow start - I'll worry about you, son!
How many Teams have made the Post Season each year since 2001 and have won their League's Championship at least twice since 2001?????
You're Team is the best Franchise in sports history, have at least 3 Hall of Famers right now, won 97 games last year and have some great stars on the horizon - enjoy them!

Jason Grilli a retread relief pitcher if there ever was one got shelled in a ST game 1 inning 9 hits 8 runs and yet is guaranteed a spot in the Tigers bullpen...stop this reactionary state of mind! The Yanks have overcome adversity in the past namely not having 4&5 starters and have gotten mileage out of some truly suspect pitchers...if the Yanks at some point in the season have come to the conclusion they need a veteran starting pitcher I'm sure they'll come up w/one .As the April schedule shows they can get by for the most part w/4 starters and maybe 2 spot starts...Certainly no need to panic.

This last week of ST is more about getting the necessary work in and avoiding injury...at least that is the hope of the org...as the Tiger announcers said on XM radio today most veteran players are already looking forward to opening day.

Big news! Mientkiewicz up to .100

Sorry, with all the people worrying about Mientkiewicz bat, I thought I'd point out he singled his first time up and got past the Koufax line (hey, I had to give it some name and if I called it the Aguirre line only a handful of people would even know who I was referring to).

When everyone starts the season, thet'll be batting .000 now matter how they do in ST. If Mientkiewicz is batting .100 after three and a half weeks of the regular season, then I'll worry. For now, I'll sit back, relax, and see how things unfold.

I'm eager to see how Mientkiewicz does defensively. We all know that good defense is needed in the late innings to hold a lead, and since Doug is a Gold Glove first baseman, he might fit into the equation very well. Our Big Bats produce 10 runs in the first 5 innings and then we bring in Dougie M to hold the lead. It's a good plan. I like it.

FYI : Austin Jackson 20yr old RH OF at Single A Charleston in the SAL batted .260/w 37 SB,Eric Wordekemper is 23yr old pitched for Charleston and Columbus in 40 games mostly relief he was 4-3 w/ 1.76 ERA in 82 innings/71 strikeouts,Jason Jones was 13-5 for Tampa and Trenton w/ 3.37 ERA in 139 innings

Mike Martinez is a 25 yr old RHander pitched for Tampa in the FSL 1-3 in 36 games posted a 2.74 ERA in 66 innings w/53 strikeouts

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=olney_buster

Quote from Buster Olney

I always thought that there was an unusual obsession with Opening Day starters and lineups, in a sport which has a 162-game regular season; it really doesn't matter whether Pavano starts Game 1 or Game 4 or 5. But the fact that Pavano is the guy getting the ball in the situation may be apropos of the Yankees' starting pitching vulnerability.

In past years, they would always have three or four Cy Young-worthy candidates lined up, like jumbo jets on a runway, and were interchangeable. This year is different. This year, they probably have the least rotation depth since Joe Torre took over as manager. Jeff Karstens moves into the rotation as Wang's replacement, and the Yankees feel very good about Karstens, about the way he has thrown this spring, about his future. But it says a lot about where the Yankees are now and where they are going, philosophically, that they will ask an unproven pitcher, rather than a former All-Star, to plug a rotation gap for them.

In the big picture, the Yankees are moving in the right direction. They are making the right choices, focusing, once more, on their farm system. This year, however, they seem to be more at risk for not making the playoffs than in any season since 1993. We'll see.

Gloomy, ESPN is the devil and they worship the Red Sox. Their predictions about the Yankees are always predictable -- and their predictions are always wrong.

However, in case you and Buster are ill informed, Wang is the only pitcher on the DL and he's scheduled to be out for a few starts, not the entire season. Wishful thinking will get you nowhere.

You know, Gloomy, for a professed Yankees fan, you certainly don't have a Yankees mentality, namely a winning, optimistic mentality. Your allegiance to our great team is highly suspect and you're not fooling real fans for a minute. Time to burn the red suit, buddy.

I've never understood why so many Yankee fans hate ESPN.

The Yankees get more coverage on that network than any other team in MLB. It's not even close.

Are there several BoSox fans on their staff (ie: Gammons, Caple,Neyer etc...)?

Yes, but the ESPN headquarters is in Bristol -- which is right on the middle of Red Sox Nation.

What team do you expect these guys to root for in that part of the country -- the Seattle Mariners?

And finally, Buster Olney is one of the best baseball writers in the country. He covered the Yankees during their "glory years" of the 90s and his book about the dynasty was outstanding.

Olney is ALWAYS fair in his assessment and coverage of the Yankees and only knocks them when it is warranted.

Simply put, there is nothing wrong with ESPN's coverage of the Yankees whatsoever.

ESPN can objectively report sports news without "rooting" for any specific team. Their obvious fervent love of the Red Sox that screams "prejudice" lessens their credibility. I'd rather have root canal than listen to ESPN commentary during a Yankees-Red Sox game.

The Yankees get a decent amount of coverage, more than some other teams, of course, because of their standing in the baseball world. It goes with the territory when you're as successful, loved, and hated as the Yankees.

I wasn't condemning Buster in general, but I do think his assessment of the present Yankees situation is very ESPN-like in nature. There are many ways of looking at the Yankees present situation, but Buster chose a negative slant, as is his prerogative. It's my prerogative to disagree.

Baseball happens on the field of play not in some 3rd rate writers head...You alleged Yankee fans need to trust your own "stuff" and not the opinion du jour.

ESPN is indeed objective with their assessments and coverage of the Yankees.

It seems like any kind of critique of the Yankees is viewed by you as hating the Yankees.

Shooting the messenger is not the best way to rebut their arguments.

"Full-disclosure" is a good thing when offering an opinion because you know exactly where they are coming from and I don't have a problem with that.

Everyone knows that Caple, Neyer, and Simmons are Red Sox fans because they make no bones about it -- and have actually written books about it as well.

Olney is always fair to the Yankees and is as favorable to that team as anyone.

I'd rather have a bunch of Red Sox fans who know that they are talking about (Peter Gammons) rather than a bunch of Yankee homers who don't have anything of value to add to the broadcast (Tino Martinez).

Colin Cowherd on ESPN Radio is a big Yankee homer as well and says as such on a consistent basis.

I don't have a problem with someone having an allegiance to a particular club as long as they disclose it to their readers/viewers/listeners.

Ruse, you are so right and your words speak volumes: "Baseball happens on the field," and it does so in typical Yankees fashion. You can spot a true Yankees fan by their optimism and winning attitude. Antagonists need to resort to "psychic" predictions and what looks good on paper. Paranoia and defeatism are also characteristic of Yankee antagonists. I'm glad I'm a fan.

Anaconda, I don't care enough about ESPN to take the time to argue their merits or lack thereof in seesaw fashion, especially in a Yankees forum. It's good for ESPN that they have supporters like you, and it's lucky for the Yankees that they have fans like us. Now time for TV. Have a good night.

This guy Gloomy needs to get a life. His stupid, rambling posts are getting old real fast.

Deezer : I think your right about that!

Buster Olney is often labeled as a Red Sox fan but I believe he has come out and said he is a Dodger fan.

I said this earlier, but I'll say it again. Mentioning Pavano as a possible opening day starter is a smart move by the Yanks as it does a couple of things:
Let's Pavano know that the Yanks and Torre have at least some faith in him, so it gives him a mental boost.
It also lets potential suitors like the Cardinals know that the Yanks still think this guy can pitch and if they want to deal for him, they're going to have to give up more than what they've offered in the past.
Of course this can backfire significantly if Pavano stinks on opening day and is booed off the mound and has to duck some D-Cells on his way to the dugout. Frankly, if he pitches opening day, I hope he is lights out. He is wearing the beloved pinstripes after all.

Anaconda: Long time, no see. Welcome back!

Buster was a very good Yankees beat writer in his day at the NYTimes, but seems less accomplished as a columnist than as a reporter. Perhaps his talent is more for reporting than for 'opining'-- or maybe the ESPN environment doesn' evoke the best in him.

Ruse:

Great reporting, as usual, on the 3 new nobodies who played today. Where do you unearth that type of info, or is it a trade secret? I know they are not on the 40 man roster or even on the non-roster invitee list. I thought they were pulled out of the stands and were pitching in street clothes.

Also, will somebody/anybody PLEASE read my interview with Torre and let me know if you'd like any more stuff like that. It's posted in the thread entitled "Yanks - Blue Jays Lineup". Thanks.

Diane,
I think you are right. I enjoy his interviews/discussions with players more than anything else he writes.

Hey Kat: What are your first impressions of the Yankees? Who has made you feel welcome, who hasn't? Are you making any good contacts so you can give us some good scoop during the season?

Zander: I read your Torre bit. It was......nice.

Nespn = Espn

Jim A.

Thank you and good to see you too.

Although I hadn't commented in awhile, I still read Jim's blog almost everyday and all of the dialog back and forth between you, ruse, Larry, Roy, AJ, Eric...etc.

Okay, maybe it's not Jim B's blog any longer -- but his replacements seem to be filling his shoes just fine.

The good thing is that this blog seems to have significantly more traffic than it did last season when the average thread had just a handful of comments.

Anaconda: You are right, during my time on this blog (8 months or so) it has grown significantly and seems to be chugging along just fine, save for the technical difficulties that we hope are gone. I guess we're all looking forward to the season so we spend our days and nights chatting about our beloved Yanks.

All you guys that participated in the JIM B. Fantasy League Draft this AM did an excellent job. That Draft was far more challenging and enjoyable than reading the bulk of the banal "posts" on this Blog today. Please put some serious thought into your "opinions", before "posting" them here. Thanks

Zander : I share all the baseball info w/ all Yankee fans .Checkout : Minorleaguebaseball.com which is an affiliate to MLB.com...sometimes low drafted players become great players .See;Mattingly

Zander : as far as your interview w/Torre "no comment"

this blog is dying with this reporter. I went here:

yankees.lohudblogs.com

Ruse:

So these 3 guys were with the minor league camp, looked good, and are being given a look with the big club?

Zander : Yes.I suspect Wordekemper is something of a sleeper ,drafted in the 46th round? pitched really well for Single A Charleston and was granted a look see at Triple A Columbus in 2006....I just heard Jose Veras is another casuality ,just had bone chips removed and will be out 2-3 months,he apparently had been pitching in pain for 2 yrs and didn't tell anyone until recent.

I enjoy reading this blog for the most part. The posters in here are more often than not, intelligent, and baseball savvy. Clearly most are prejudice towards the Yanks...as they should be.

That said, I have to wonder how anyone could ever accuse Olney of being a Red Sox fan???...I mean PLEASE...Olney is such a Yankee sycophant that most of us Sox fans just roll our eyes and hit the channel clicker when he appears on ESPN. As far as the rest of ESPN, from a Sox fan perspective...I'd say that there are more Yankee fans than Sox fans, but I recognize there are some who clearly do root for the Sox.

In terms of the usual Sox/Yanks rivalry...I see no reason why it wont be even more intense this season. The Sox clearly have some advantages...starting pitching...on the other hand, the Yanks have perhaps the best offensive line up ever assembled. They will absolutely mash the baseball. I'd say the two teams over-all defense is about equal. With Papelbon returning to the closer role...I'd say that both bullpens are nip and tuck. Both have solid bench/role players to fill in where needed. It will come down to how well the Yanks starting pitching fares, and how many runs the Sox offense can produce.

By the way, I am one who is tired of the ridiculous antics between some Sox/Yanks fans....after-all, in the end it is still just a baseball game. I am as passionate in my "born into it" Sox obsession as anyone, but I'd prefer to discuss perhaps the most perfect, the most beautiful game the world knows without all the chest thumping and surlyness that seems to be frequent between the fans of the greatest rivalry in sports.

Here's to a great season of baseball. Let's hope that injuries do not plague either of our teams. May the season come down to the final weekend...and may the Sox and Yanks meet in the ALCS series.

Casual Observer

Very thoughtful and well written post. As a lifelong and passionate Yankee fan, it is truly refreshing to see that there are Sox fans that are both civilized and human.

The Remaining Sox fans SUCK !

Yankees suck, their fans suck, and this blog has sucked since the change of beat reporters. Anyone who denies that is more delusional than I orinignally thought.

Love how weak the Yankee rotation is looking. Pavano to start openingn day? Sweet!

Hey Yankees suck...does your mommy know you have been using the computer again? You better stop it or I'm going to tell her.