On the Yankees beat

Sully,

OVERSHARE

(Ant waves his arms!)

TMI!

What if your wife read that post you would be dead ...

She was just some gal I met today ... it was no big deal ...

Go Yankees!

My wife reading a baseball blog?

HA HA!

As impressive as Joe's career with the Yankees has been I don't think he returns next season. I think with so many changes coming it is a natural time for him to step aside as well.

Also, I'm a firm believer that a manager is never as good as he looks when his team is playing well and never the dolt he appears to be when the team is playing badly. True a good manager helps, but lets face facts, Tito Francona is far from a genius of a manager, Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez, D-Lowe, Manny, Damon, and Papi sure made him look like one though.

SUlly

I almost dated a Redsox fan i really wanted to actually. Thought it would be fun but she wasn't quite up to par...

What I mean is I was so into the idea of dating a Redsox fan that I let other criteria slide a bit.

In the end the "other criteria" proved insurmountable and I had to take a pass.

But I think yankee redsox coupling could be very err..."exciting" LOL

My wife doesn't care about baseball but she has given Varitek a nickname 10,000 times better than "Tek"

She calls him "The Lobster."

It happened when I was watching a Sox game and she saw Varitek in his red mask, red chest protector and red glove.

She said "He looks like a lobster." And she'd say when he came to bat "It's the Lobster."

She's a good woman
She's bewildered by my love for baseball. Even when we went to the premiere of Bambino at the HBO HQ, she was like "I just don't get it."

Oh well.

Molina: Enjoying Yankees experience

[quote]

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/articl...sp&c_id=nyy

This Yankees team has changed the opinion I had developed about them during the seven years I spent with the Angels.

When you're facing the Yankees, you sort of sit in the dugout and think to yourself that the team has a lot of superstars and you figure they must be selfish and just playing for themselves. At least, that's how I viewed it from the outside.

But now that I've been here and had a chance to see things from the inside, I've eaten those words.

What you see on the inside here is the complete opposite of what you might think from the outside looking in. You have to be part of this team to know about these guys and how they work together. It's certainly changed the way I'll view opposing teams in the future.

When I came here, I wasn't expecting anything from anybody. Coming in, though, I knew it was important to talk to everyone and try to get to know them -- starting with Jorge Posada.

Jorge's been a great teammate from the beginning. Overall, as a fellow catcher, he's been the biggest help to me. Any question that I have, I go to him and he always has an answer for me. He's been amazing.

Coming in to New York, another important thing to me was to try and fit in. The club was winning and I didn't want anything to change. I figured that was the best way to come into the new situation. I think I've done things right so far.

When I first got to New York, I didn't even think about my first trip back to Anaheim. It didn't really hit me until a few days ago. You have to be in New York to know just how crazy it is to be there. I wasn't paying attention to coming to Anaheim at all, even though I have a lot of memories and I remember all of the good things that happened.

It did feel a little weird to come into the visitor's clubhouse in Anaheim for the first time, though. One of the first things I did, however, was to go across the hall and say hello to the many friends I still have in the Angels' organization. For seven years I went to the home clubhouse, so to come to the visitor's clubhouse for the first time was rather strange.

In addition to seeing so many friends this week in Anaheim was that I also got to sleep in my own house. I enjoyed that.
[/quote]

Aww, Off course He's enjoying The Yankees experience because He's version of Judas Iscariot and traitor.

Michael PTRS:

my lady is a Sox fan....I love her dearly and wish the Sox well UNLESS they are playing the Yanks! Hey Sully and Ant:)!

TNG... you are a centered man

It's amazing how much less I hate the Red Sox now that Pedro's gone.

Kind of dissapointing actually...

Torre's one of the best Yankee managers ever (in a group that includes Casey, Joe McCarthy and Billy Martin.)

Who was the worst?

My pick: Dallas Green, closely followed by Stump Merrill and Bucky Dent.

Best "What If" Manager (What if he hadn't been fired so soon?): Dick Howser.

I am a Colt fan as well...she a Pat's fan...imagine the irony;)..be well , my friend:)!

Ed;

Dick howser was a shame...I believe he deserved another chance after that 103 win season;).

Worst..............Stump.

I miss Pedro

Well, don't crap too much on poor Stump

He had Steve Farr as a closer!
Jeff Johnson, Wade Taylor, Chuck Carr in the rotation?

Mattingly was breaking down, Sax was afraid of the ball, Mel Hall, Matt Nokes and Kevin Maas were the big guns.

It's not like he had the horses.

My three best in my lifetime

1) Joe Torre. He had the horses, but still he did it in the free agency era and NOT by always bringing in the biggest fish.

2) Billy Martin's first time around. Put them over the hump... and a calming influence.

3) Buck Showalter. He lay down the foundation to the new dynasty

3 Worst

1) Clyde King. How could you have a losing record with the 1982 Yankees?

2) Dallas Green. It's easier to win when you have Rose, Schmidt, Carlton, Boone, Bowa and McGraw.

3) Bucky Dent. He was fired at Fenway Park. Cruel irony

I was married to a Red Sox fan.

WAS married to a Red Sox fan.

Let's just say that coming home from work after the Yanks won the playoff game in 78 was NOT a good experience.

I got home just as Nettles cought Yaz's popup for the last out.

I said to her, "now that that's over with, what's for dinner?"

She didn't say a word. She got up off of the couch, went to the cabinet, got out the box of Cheerios and said, "CHOKE ON THIS YOU (STINKIN') YANKEE FAN!!!"

Because of Kat's rule on vulgarity on this blog, "stinkin'" was NOT the word that she used.

WE have now been divorced for 24 years.

Did you eat the Cheerios?

DAMN RIGHT I DID!

And I made sure that she saw me enjoying every ("stinkin'") spoonful, too.

Thank GOD I was too young to understand 1978

I made it up to her for her birthday. I called the Red Sox and got tickets for a game in the 79 season. I took her up to Boston and we made a weekend of it.

I remember the game too. Boston lost 13-7. It was the first time that Darell Porter came to Boston after the drug scandal. Needless to say, Sox fans let him know it.

Eckersley was the starter for the Sox.

Evans caught one right in front of us. We sat in RF, 2 rows from the wall.

John G.

You ate the cheerios LOL!!!

Nice!!

Weren't there mass suicides in Massachusetts that year?

Phucker,

I was mean, wasn't I?

I still can not stand hearing the words "Don" and "Zimmer" in the same sentence

Com'on Sully.

He's an old man now. Give the guy a break.

Forgive me my lack of historical acumen which as a yankee fan of my passion should be shamed but can somebody here calmly "101" me from time to time without hostility as who some of these people are?

I thought Don Zimmer was just some crazy dude that Pedro "head spun" like Mr. Miaggi...

But from time to time I see you people referring to Zimmer with some apparent Redsox affiliation other than the one I just mentioned.

This kinda goes with the same ignorance I had with the "Crossetti" reference.

It's not that I don't care...I just dont know.

I won't go on my typical Anti Don Zimmer rant

Let's just say he managed the 1978 season in a way where he didn't put the best team on the field because.... well... he was bullheaded and kinda sorta dumb.

But he became a cute mascot sitting next to Torre.

Zimmer managed the 1978 Sox.............his relevance in the Torre years makes it oh , so ironic;).....don't cha think?

Phucker,

Zim managed the Sox in 78 when they blew the 14 1/2 game lead to the Yanks.

He's "Public Enemy #1d" in New England, right Sully?

Oh... I've thought of the irony

Sully,

I thought that you told us that you invited Zim to you wedding?

Ah...

I get it!!

So he was the manager in that bucky dent game?

Thanks Sully that makes much more sense now.

I like thought Zimmer like you so aptly put was basically just Torre's mascot.

If it makes you feel better
SNL murdered Zimmer with Horatio Sans in the weeks following the "Pedro Headflip"

It was quite good.

Thanks John

You are quite welcome, Phucker.

Now, for your first "lesson" in Yankee History class #101, here's your "homework".
Question #1: "What was the yankees' name before they became the yankees?

Question #2: What city did they play in before moving to NY?

Take your time.

You have 10 seconds to answer!

(just kidding)

If you want, I'll give you a hint for question #2

tick tock tick tock

I know that you know the answers Sully so don't help him.

My lips are sealed

I think Phucker dropped out.

The Highlanders.........then The Yankees

John G.
The cereal story absolutely one of the best I've read on this blog.lol

BTW John G. that would be the city of Baltimore would it not ?

It's good he got the record ... I have not heard how his brother is doing ... it must be hard for him.

So there is no game tonight ... that is kind of sucky.

Sully, I just saw Kate Beckinsale ... she's kind of Liv Tyler-ish. Did you see Underworld? I used to have the biggest crush on Kate, Mimi Rodgers and Heather Graham and Angie Harmon. But now I am just not into them, and they have to accept that.

Meeting Julie was the highlight of an otherwise horrible day ...

Also Sully did you get a hold of the USA Today? On the cover is a Red Sox nation story.

Ant

John G.,

Oh my God what a story on the Cheerios. Remember the film Wall Street? "Who peed in your Cherios?"

I love the Mets and Yanks. One of my students,(picture Cameron Diaz) loves the Cardinals and we would argue about that ... last year was very hard for me ... baseball wise, with the Cards beating the Mets and then winning it all ... the horror ... During the WS I let the kids follow the game on line during a journalism lab ... providing they got their work done ... people are insane for the Cardinals here ...

I can't imagine being married to a Red Sox fan, ever ... Cardinals yes. Red Sox, never, ever. It's like an abomination.

How are things at the University of Arizona? Are you in Arizona? You should see the baseball field at Arizona State ... it's better than Yankee Stadium ... that grass ...

Also there is a cute movie which was filmed in Tucson, "Can't Buy Me Love" which you and yours might like.

Slow baseball night ...

I heard David Wells signed with LA and will pitch Sunday night on national tv against Los Mets.

I am a bit depressed tonight so I am going to watch K-19 and Deep Impact to cheer myself up. Then I think I'll watch The Day the Earth Caught Fire.

SEA looks like they will pull off another win tonight

and certainly MINN cant be taken for granted this time of year...they too have put together some key wins recently.

any word if BOS/CHI will make up game with doubleheader this weekend?

DET is struggling....Yanks better not be the cure. no sheff, no controversy.
i like!

Talking about bad Yankee managers don't forget the immortal Johnny Keane.....

ChiSox and BoSox play a doubleheader tomorrow

I hate doubleheaders

I saw the USA Today story
Eh, so what?

Lots of bandwagon fans show up? Not exactly groundbreaking journalism

IAN KENNEDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

22 YEARS OLD

12-2 1.86 ERA 156KS IN 140 INNINGS

SWB(AAA) 1-0 1.86 27KS IN 29 INNINGS

TRE(AA) 5-1 2.59 57KS IN 48 INNINGS

TAM(A) 6-1 1.29 72KS IN 63 INNINGS

MUSSINA IS GARBAGE AND A BABY HES WAY TO TOUCHY FEELY. IF HE DOT FELL IT HES HORRIBLE. THE ONLY TIMES HES BEEN GOOD IS AGAINST BAD LINEUPS HE NEEDS TO GO TO THE NL THERE HE CAN GET AWAY WITH HIS STUFF.

HE DOESNT EVEN GIVE THE YANKEES A CHANCE IN HIS STARTS.

THEY HAVE A GOOD OFFENSE BUT ITS NOT MURDERS ROW.

WHY NOT GIVE KENNEDY A CHANCE HES GOTTA BE BETTA THEN MUSSINA AND HES GOT BETTER NUMBERS THEN JOBA IN THE MINORS.

AND I NEVER WANT TO SEE IGAWA IN THE MAJORS EVER AGAIN UNLESS HES ON ANOTHER TEAMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bobby

Kennedy looks great and what even better about him is that he got little respect coming out of the draft. Many projected him early as a future number 5 specifically Baseball America who knows there stuff (although Drew Henson was once rated as a top 5 prospect in baseball with eric duncan in the top 20). I love the fact that after a month or two in the minors he rose to the the level of a projected 4 starter, then 3 starter, and nw a number 2 starter. He has actually put up better numbers in every area except K/9IP than Joba although he doesnt have that stuff.

He has been dominant in the minors like few others and really hasnt had 1 bad game (only gave up as much as 4 runs twice all year). He is going to be a gem and actally reminds me a lot of Mussina. He doesnt have a spectacular fastball (its okay 92-93), but he throws 3 other plus pitchers and throws them for strikes at any time in the count. From what I have read about him he reminds me a lot of a young Mussina and I would take that and run if the baseball gods offered it now.

Unfortunatly, you will not see him start this year (maybe one game late in an emergency once if he is called up in Sept). It is iffy that he gets a Sept. call-up because he isnt on the 40 man roster and more importantly he is close to his innings count.

There is no doubt that the Yanks are being overly catious with both him and Joba (If the guy throws 2 innings but only a total of 15 pithes does he really need two days)

Even thousgh its overkill, I would rather they play more on the safe side even if it costs them a playoff spot. The Hughes injury, althugh not to his arm scared the organization and they do not want to become the Cubs of Wood and Prior (remember how good they were supposed to be)

Next year Kenndey will start in double A unless Joba struggles as a starter and is moved back to the pen in Spring training, but he will be called up after the first injury.

Bottom line though is that we will not see him this year. His iining count is much too high.

2008 will be a strange o be a year as its going to be a transition year with by mid year a rotation featuring 3 guys wirh less than half a year of experience (Hughes has been on the DL and I don't count that and will still consider him a rookie next season). They will also probably promote Olendorf to the bullpen and maybe Sanchez as well toward August if he shows that he is healthy.

Its weird because I really think they will struggle next season (see 04/05 Tigers), but at the same time it will be a fun team to watch and even better, will filter out the band wagon fans.

2009 they will return to dominace with a totally rebuilt staff as I firmly believe that they will add Santana to the list of youngsters. They will not repeat the mistake they made when they couldnt land Pedro and will want the best pitcher in baseball starting game one in NY.

This future movement has me so exciting because for the first time in a while we can not only enjoy a pennant race, but can look to the future. The biggest question will be who will close in 2009. I know that Rivera will still be there, but will he have anything left? Nathan is a free agent after 2008, or they could look from within - Joba if he struggles as a starter or even Sanchez if he is healthy as he K'd more guys 2 years ago than Hughes did.

Bobby,

We are going t have to live with Mussina this season and hope for the best. Lets face it, Kennedy is not coming up to start and if he is healthy there arent any better alternatives - Do you want Igawa going against Boston later this year? That's an automatic loss.

Next season Mussina will have to compete for the 5th starter spot and will probably get it breaking camp. Thats a big reason why I would like t see a managerial change. Torre has his crew and he sticks with them - sometimes it works/sometimes not.

With such a young staff on the horizon, I don't think he is the manager for the 08-2010 yankees. He has proven that he can't handle a bullpen and all they youngsters will get buried for the year if they struggle in April which is real possibility with rookies.

I love what he has done, but in any organization when you drastically change the roster and and go through a rebuilding/transition year you need to change the manager.

Girardi - who has proven (although in a small sample) that he can manager young players, specifically pitchers very well is the man for the job next year whether or not the team makes the playoffs.

and finally - you can't call Mussima a baby, he is just losing his stuff. His major problem is that his fastball is very straight and he has lost quite a bit of velocity. 91 down to 88/87 is a big difference. When he can't locate his pitches he is a dead man and gets hit hard.

Certainly though, I don't think you can question this guys guts.

JEEZ - Can Seattle ever lose a game? We may need to start rooting for them to overtake the Angels they win every night although it must be nice getting to play 1/3 of their games against the A's and Rangers.

I HATE this unbalanced schedule. It really is B.S. If you are going to have a wild-card where the Yankees compete aginst the Mariners - they should play the same schedule.

Also what schedule maker decided to group the Angels in with the American League Central part of the schedule - NY to LA to Det. That a joke. These guys need to pay more attention to travel considerations for all teams not just the Yankees as Boston had to do it as well.

and enough is enough with this home and home interleague series with the Muts. I am getting sick of interleague play and I have hated it since its beginning.

Think of how special the Yanks/Mets series in 2000 would have been if they hadn't already played in interleague play

I agree with the unbalanced schedule... I know they wanted more Red Sox vs Yankees games, but it is silly in regards to the wild card race

I don't mind interleague play
Hell, it gives the midseason a little boost

Colony, a friend of mine acted with Kate Beckinsale in a movie. Said she was nice enough but a smidge dumb.

She is foxy.
She has very big teeth

Jim (LA): Do you think Ian Kennedy can outperform Mussina the last 6 weeks of the season?

SportsNation Keith Law: I think Ted Kennedy could outperform Mike Mussina at this point. Even after Happy Hour.

Am I the only one who has noticed the Mariners have tied the Angels in the loss column?

Am I the only one who has noticed the Mariners are playing the lousy-when-not-playing-Baltimore Rangers?

And the Angels are playing Roy Halladay?

There is a VERY good chance that the Angels could fall BEHIND the Mariners in the loss column by the end of tonight

Red Sox and Yankee fans should unite... Go Mariners!

Or maybe YOU want to face the Angels in the post season?

Sully, I have noticed and I'm not at all upset with this turn of events. But overall it is meaningless to me if the Yankees don't make the playoffs.

I am not upset... I'm just amazed that the team I picked to win the World Series (the Angels) and the team that I STILL think is winning the World Series (still the Angels) have been caught by a Mariner team that makes me scratch my head

Chris, you're already looking to 2009? The yanks are in the thick of a pennant race now.

And, whey would Ian start in Double A in 08 when he's at Triple A now?

I am resigned to the fact that the Sox will get the division - there pitching is just to good to to go into a polonged slump.

As for the Wets race, I find it interesting that analysts spend more time and more energy concentrating on the East race than the west division race which is far more exciting. Gotta love the scheduling though as Seattle, I think the Mariners only play the Angels for one more series (I could be mistaken and am too lazy to check).

I liked interleague play at first but I changed my mind when the two NY teams squared off in the Series. It is something that NY fans dreamed about for the last 40 years. At the very least the two teams shouldnt play 6 games - that is a handicap for both teams not only because they are both good, but because of how draining those games are.

Sully - Do the Red Sox do a home and Home? Is it with the Braves?

Seems to me that the unbalanced schedule and interleaue play are just all about the money.

They talk about the excitment that the unbalanced schedule brings, but then they have the SOx and Yanks play 15 games against one another in April and then not again until September or Ausgust - that is crazy.

If they are going to have interleague play than I think they should limit it and get rid of the home and home rivals - Bring some excitment back and do it every 4 years. Of course that will not happen -- $$$$$.

Its so frustrating that I look at the Mariners schedule and see so many games vs.the A's and Rangers. Then again the Yanks did have a cake walk for a month after the break

As far as rooting for the Mariners over the Angels remeber last year. Most Yankee fans, mysel included, were rooting hard for the Twins to overtake the Tigers thinking the Tigers would be an easier match-up because of their late season colapse.

We all remember what happened

L

Stump probally could have won games with the 90 yankees.

Torre is great but just like Casey was bum in his previous jobs.

What seperates Casey is the fact that he retooled the team when the aging players was in decline (platoon etc.) had he remained I believe he would have won MORE WS especially 64.

Torre weakness is Casey's strength he does not have full movement in replacing his aging players , however Cano , Cabrera and Wang and Joba is making my argument weak.

Chris,

There is no guarantee next season that Mussina, Pettitte or Clemens will be back.

Clemens is the most likely to go - as he's not at all under contract - his spot goes to Joba. Andy has a player option, could make more on the free agent market than the 1year $16 mil he has coming to him and has not hidden the fact that Torre's future with the team will be a big factor in his decision regarding his option and Mussina - well who knows. If one or both of them don't return Kennedy will be given every chance to win a spot in the rotation. He, like Joba, has shown that the minor leagues are offering him no competition. Makes very little sense to send him back a level.

Tom Verducci made a very good point - protecting pitchers is hugely important, but there is a point to which you over protect them - Chamberlain needs to be watched because his innings count is up there, but Phil Hughes has never thrown over 100 pitches in any start at any level - though I figure that next year the Yankees will open him up a bit more.

Chip I'm worried about the Joba switch to starter. In saying that I fear that Joba through stamina and players picking up on him may not be as effective , Remember as a RP you have to transform into that mentality. and if we place him in the rotation who is our RP options?

I believe the Joba story is like the Mo's story You just don't mess with the Aura. I remember Mo as a starter. It would be harder to find MO's replacement than a starter

TNG and Ruse, NY

I just saw your posts from last night. I logged out and went home before you guys posted so i apologize.
You guys are correct with your answers. We were giving Phucker a lesson in #101 Yankees because he wanted to brush up on his history.
Ruse,
The cereal story is funny now, but not too funny when it happened. I was lucky to survive the night. :-)
Talk about a passionate Red Sox fan. My EX loves that team, well, at least she did. I haven't seen her in 25 years so who knows now.
Did you move to NY Ruse?

If Torre goes then GIRARDI would have to be the replacement he is following the team and probally is better suited for the Youth explosion than any other potential canidates

Bomber

Agreed.

I think Joba shouldn't go back to starting. He seems to be heir apparent to Mariano the way he's going and that's tough to do.

I think if A-Rod leaves we call up the Twins and try and get Johan with Kennedy/Horne/Brackman?

I don't know...But what I do know and what I'm sure of is that Omar and Cashman are going to go HARD after Johan and both have really nice prospects however we have the edge IMO because our prospects are pitchers theirs are outfielders.

Exactly ALL TEAMS want the Yankees to swaet and start trading away these prospects. The met prospects have proven to be only bench type fill in players.

Phucker,

The Twins are going to ask for the moon for Santana if they decide to move him.

The Yanks can simply wait until he's a free agent. There are only a few teams that could afford him anyway so even if they trade him prior to the deadline next season, he'll be a rent-a-player.

As it stands now, the rotation next season could be:
Wang
Hughes
Chamberlain
Kennedy
Petitte (if he decides to stay)
and Moose.

But a lot of stuff can happen in the off season so who knows.

The only way Joba is a starter is if Sanchez proves he can do what Joba is doing in relief. and depending on Mo's status and contract length this is important

Girardi will be manager next year
Why else would he be turning down interviews now?

To hang out with Michael Kay?

Joba is lighting in a Bottle he is having the same kind of buzz mo had in 95 well not quite but if shuts down Boston and lights out in the Playoffs there is NO WAY he returns to the Rotation.

Sully,

Actually the Youth is the basis of Torre's future if they can continue to thrive under him then the path for an extension may be paved.

The last thing you want to do is casue disruption in the makeup of a Joba to adjust to a new manager but it can happen (MO)

If AROD leaves then torre is gone. Trying to manever a productive 3b is not a easy task and may take a task master like Joe Girardi.

Latest on Torre (NY POST)

New York Post suggests Joe Torre's future will have an impact on what free agents Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens. will do following the World Series. Posada told The Post he doesn't see playing for anybody else. Rivera said, “I would like to play with him until I retire,” while Pettitte described his relationship with Torre as "like a dad." Clemens made it clear that he wouldn’t have come back had Torre not been the manager. As for free-agent to be Alex Rodriguez, he doesn't have the history with Torre the other players do.

Bronx... exactly how long is Torre supposed to manage?