Crazy busy here today with all the Steinbrenners here, the renaming of the field and it being the last game in Tampa, meaning flying down to Miami right after the game. So let's catch up quickly:
Kei Igawa is NOT making a case for himself to make the team. The Yankees are losing 4-1 in the top of the 3rd.
Some moves made yesterday include:
*outfielder Brett Gardner being reassigned to minor league camp. Joe Girardi said, "He needs to play every day," but make no mistake, Girardi's been impressed with Gardner. Gardner was OK after splitting his lower lip in yesterday's game, but not around for us to talk to.
*Cody Ransom, Jason Lane, Jason Brown, Greg Porter and Bernie Castro were all reassigned/optioned.
*The field was renamed George M. Steinbrenner Field, with Steinbrenner, his wife Joan and his four kids all on-hand. George Steinbrenner said (himself to reporters, not through a publicist):"It was good, it was a great ceremony.
*Hal Steinbrenner reiterated what he said in last week's interview with Newsday, that the Steinbrenners plan to keep the Yankees: "There's no plans to sell."
*Hank Steinbrenner is pleased with what he's seen of Joe Girardi, and expects this team to be contenders. He said: "We will do what we've got to do to win."
*Hank also defended Alex Rodriguez against allegations from Jose Canseco, saying: "There is such a thing as a natural, and Alex is a natural. It's that simple."
By the way, people who don't want to hear casual things from the clubhouse -- this is a blog. It's for fun. This is not the stocks section of the Wall Street Journal. If you don't want to hear about behind-the-scenes things with the team, baseball-related or humorous such as the Derek Jeter-Bobby Abreu-Hideki Matsui bet, you don't have to read it. But seriously, let's lighten up here.
Comments (15)
The behind the scenes stuff is great - keep it up Kat.
For more on Garner's fat lip see the SWB blog:
http://emedia.thetimes-tribune.com/Blogs/SWBYankees/tabid/552/Default.aspx.
It's always a good read.
Hey,
I hear the Yanks got new curtains in the lockeroom bathroom. Any update on the color and pattern?
Personally, I enjoy hearing candid anecdotes about the players. Thanks very much Kat.
Chuckie,
I heard that A-Rod glued Jeters locker shut and everyone had a big laugh over it. Thats great stuff. Should get us 6-7 more wins this year!
Yankee Minutia
I understand the first part of your name refers to your favorite team - but to what part of your anatomy does the second part refer?
Jon K,
Thats pretty clever! It refers to the part of my brain that cares about clubhouse clownery. Not at all like what I refer to as my Huge "Jon K". You know what I mean?
Minutia,
I'd certainly rather be reading about Matsui's wedding and clubhouse pranks then anything on Tibet, the economy or any other "passionate" posts...this is a Yankees blog, all things Yankees, all the time. You don't like it, you're going to have to move on.
Oh, and there is a new curtain in Legends Field, it's by Mussina's locker. Read back about 35 threads and you might find that info.
Jim A,
Does it match the cushions on the seats?
I mean players are battling for the final roster spots and we get Entertainment Tonight and other E! channel garbage. Is there a wonder why today there have been a derth of posting activity? Maybe just a coincidence I guess!
Kat,
The anecdotes are the very best part of blogs, and yours was a particularly good take on today's events.
Thanks for what you do, and just ignore the trolls.
Looks like the Yanks have their LHP lineup in.
Damon DH
Jeter SS
Duncan RF
Rodriguez 3B
Posada C
Matsui LF
Ensberg 1B
Betemit 2B
Cabrera CF
Guys out of the lineup, their stats against LHP in 07
Abreu = .262 Avg .678 OPS
Giambi = ( not enough AB's for 07 ) 06 = 213 AVG .829 OPS
Cano = .328 AVG .864 OPS
Obviously Cano would not sit against LHP in the regular season.
Lets look at Damon, Matsui and Wilson to see who should sit.
Damon = .281 AVG .705 OPS ( career .286 AVG .750 OPS )
Matsui = .274 AVG .814 OPS ( career .293 AVG .810 OPS )
Wilson = .239 AVG .670 OPS ( career .232 AVG .634 OPS )
The Yanks have a major luxury with their lineup since their LHH can hit LHP. So to supplement my post yesterday, this should be the Yanks lineup against LHP based on career stats =
Damon DH/LF= .286 AVG .750 OPS
Jeter SS = .334 AVG .908 OPS
Cano 2B = .299 AVG .756 OPS ( .340 OBP ), was great against LHP in 07.
Arod 3B = .299 AVG .976 OPS
Posada C = .301 AVG .886 OPS
Matsui DH/LF = .293 AVG .810 OPS
Ensberg 1B = .284 AVG .937 OPS
Shelly RF = .303 AVG .984 OPS
Melk CF = .268 AVG .679 OPS ( in 06 = .286 AVG .724 OPS )
Thats a pretty solid lineup against LHP.
Clare,
Like its not obvious you're really Diane. The only woman on this site who loves to hear just about anything personal because baseball ain't really her thing.
YM:
No, not Diane. I read Kat all the time, but usually don't bother to read the comments because of the high percentage of trolls. But after Kat's comment in the post I wanted to say something.
And it is possible to care both about baseball and about the people who play the game. I flew 1500 miles (one way) 10 times last year to catch games at Yankees Stadium, so you couldn't be more wrong about baseball not being my thing.
I am also a frequent reader of the blog who doesn't comment because of the number of trolls that frequent Yankee blogs.
I happen to really enjoy the anecdotes and funny stories from the clubhouse. Don't let the trolls get to you (some people are going to complain about anything and everything, it's their nature) and keep up the good work, Kat.
My budddy Dru:
How is that lovely firm you say you work for doing? I would give you a job, but all you do is post dribble all day. Head up kid, all the shops on the street need a coffey runner from Jersey.
Got Manny ? Got Papi? Got New Rings ?