Baseball 2005

[MartyJazz]

Back to what we know is a Yank-Red Sox thread.

Check out a face only a mother could love:

Call me old fashioned but I much prefer the Yankee look.

[bluesForBartok]

Call me old fashioned but I much prefer the Yankee look.

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c'mon the yankees all look the same. They've got that corporate / republican look.

I'll take individuality anyday.

[Dan Gould]

Indeed. The no facial hair other than mustaches, the short hair, the numbers only on the jersey ... faceless, nameless ... lame.

And if those silly rules keep Damon out of New York after this year, hallelujah.

[MartyJazz]

Indeed.  The no facial hair other than mustaches, the short hair, the numbers only on the jersey ... faceless, nameless ... lame.

And if those silly rules keep Damon out of New York after this year, hallelujah.

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Hey, only stirring the pot. All that matters is how well a baseball player performs. But Dan, players don't turn down the opportunity to go to the Yanks because they can't keep their facial hair. If the money is right and Damon, for some reason, wants to come to New York, he'll shave and cut his hair just like so many others, e.g., Giambi, have done.

More importantly, speaking about actual baseball, are the Red Sox going to hold a base running clinic before tomorrow's game? I had a lot of fun watching that 6th inning display tonight. Here I am down by one more run at the time and I'm laughing my ass off. Considering what the Yanks did in the bottom half of that inning, those back to back throw 'em outs at the plate kind of ignited them, don't you think?

[Brad]

It's not only the Republican look, it's the corporate look. Give me a bunch of non-conformists anyday.

[bluesForBartok]

That loss hurt real bad Marty. No doubt about that.

I wouldn't say the Yankees won that game as much as I would say the Sox threw it away. They had a lot of opportunities to score and stranded a lot of guys on base. Against Randy Johnson no less! He's not what he used to be and if I were a Yankee fan I'd be concerened. I would be very surprised if he remains effective throughout the season and possibly post-season. If he has to work as hard as he did last night he'll eventually implode.

And you have to remember also. The Yankees big win streak has been with teams mostly under .500 (Seattle, Oakland, Detroit).

[Dan Gould]

Indeed.  The no facial hair other than mustaches, the short hair, the numbers only on the jersey ... faceless, nameless ... lame.

And if those silly rules keep Damon out of New York after this year, hallelujah.

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Hey, only stirring the pot. All that matters is how well a baseball player performs. But Dan, players don't turn down the opportunity to go to the Yanks because they can't keep their facial hair. If the money is right and Damon, for some reason, wants to come to New York, he'll shave and cut his hair just like so many others, e.g., Giambi, have done.

More importantly, speaking about actual baseball, are the Red Sox going to hold a base running clinic before tomorrow's game? I had a lot of fun watching that 6th inning display tonight. Here I am down by one more run at the time and I'm laughing my ass off. Considering what the Yanks did in the bottom half of that inning, those back to back throw 'em outs at the plate kind of ignited them, don't you think?

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Actually Damon has said specifically that he will not join the Yankees if the Red Sox do not re-sign him.

As for how they ran the bases, we need a clinic for our third base coach who has a history of sacrificing runners at home. There was no reason whatsoever to send Bellhorn; I didn't see if Damon went on his own or not. But the third base coach is a moron and has been that way since he took over from "Send 'Em In" Kim.

In fact, you might recall a game last October, Marty. Damon at second, single to left, thrown out at the plate. In the end though it didn't matter at all, just as last night's stupidities won't matter either.

[MartyJazz]

That loss hurt real bad Marty. No doubt about that.

I wouldn't say the Yankees won that game as much as I would say the Sox threw it away. They had a lot of opportunities to score and stranded a lot of guys on base. Against Randy Johnson no less! He's not what he used to be and if I were a Yankee fan I'd be concerened. I would be very surprised if he remains effective throughout the season and possibly post-season. If he has to work as hard as he did last night he'll eventually implode.

And you have to remember also. The Yankees big win streak has been with teams mostly under .500 (Seattle, Oakland, Detroit).

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Don't count me as one Yank fan who was happy to get RJ. Dan's practically my neighbor and I'm sure he recalls that I complained to him how terrible and short-sighted it was for the Yanks to give up Javier Vasquez (what is he, 28 years old?) after only one so-so year in pinstripes for a 42 year old who while he may be a Hall of Famer, is way past his prime. I like youth, e.g., Robinson Cano - where did he come from? I thought the Yankee farm system was completely bare.

[Dan Gould]

And after a bad start or two, Vasquez has been lights out for the D-Backs.

[Dan Gould]

Well, both good things and bad things always come to an end, and fortunately today they ended simultaneously, as the Yanks home winning streak and generally decent pitching went down the crapper as the Sox slumbering bats awoke with a vengeance, finishing the day just one hit shy of tying the record for most hits allowed by a Yankee team in a nine inning game (and considering how many shots Olerud hit through the box that got deflected for outs, that record should have been eclipsed for sure).

Now I know that tomorrow night we'll probably be wishing we had a few of those runs that scored today, but I'll start feeling much better about the defending champions so long as this marks the day when Renteria and Manny start doing what they're capable of. And I think Olerud is going to prove to be an excellent pickup. Wouldn't bother me in the least if Millar ends up riding the pine and Olerud gets most of the starts. He's still got the sweet swing and he certainly is still a smooth defender.

Now its up to Wells to start earning his salary/bonuses.

[Dan Gould]

Oh, and at this point, I'd say its safe to say the Sox are glad they missed out on Pavano and "settled" for Clement.

Clement:

6-0, ERA 3.07

Pavano:

4-3, ERA over 4 now.

And did anyone catch that stat of Pavano's home/away split? He's Ed Whitson all over again, he stinks up the Stadium, wins on the road.

[Dave James]

MJ,

I agree that the Johnson pickup was a poor decision. To get him, I think the Yanks gave up on a young guy with a live arm who just might have been salvageable and pretty much cleaned out their farm system. Then they complicate this move by extending the contract another two years at, what, $19 million per? Right now, Johnson has an OK record and and OK ERA, but he's giving up hits like they grow on trees. I don't play fantasy baseball, but a lot of leagues have a category called WHIP, an acronym for walks and hits per innings pitched. I've gotta think Johnson'ts WHIP is off the charts. I just hope when the weather heats up, he does to. I think the Yanks needed Johnson, but they needed him last year.

I was not aware that Pavano has Kenny Rogers Syndrome. If he can't pitch effectively at the Stadium, this is going to turn out to be another questionable acquisition.

My understanding is that cooler heads are starting to get The Boss' attention. For instance, if the Astros called and said they'd be glad to send Roger back for a deal that includes Chien-Ming Wang, I doubt it would get done. All things considered, though, I think if I was Brian Cashman, I'd keep my bags packed.

Up over and out.

[Dan Gould]

Well, as much as I enjoyed the weekend series victory in the Bronx, I am even more pleased with the hope that this is a turning point for Renteria, Manny, Ortiz and Wells.

If they continue to play to their previous levels as they did this weekend, then y'all better watch out for the defending World Champions.

And BTW, 52 hits this weekend sets the mark for most hits allowed in Yankee Stadium in a three game series in the expansion era (and I don't mean the most recent expansion).

[Dan Gould]

One more BTW:

Of 49 games played to date, the Sox lead the league in away games: 30 of 49 games played away from the Fens. And that includes some nutty "home stands" that lasted exactly three games. Being 27-22 after that many away games makes me feel a bit better about our chances.

Especially when you factor in that something like 28 of the last 36 games of the year are played at Fenway.

[Dan Gould]

Oh, and one other thing. Since everyone's talking about the possibility that one or both of these teams will miss the playoffs, if the O's hang on and the Twins and White Sox do well, too, has anyone considered the fact that the season concludes at Fenway with the Yanks?

Can you imagine if one team is fighting for a playoff spot and the other is out of it but can be the spoiler for the other guys? It would be the most intense three game series in Boston ever.

[bluesForBartok]

And as I said a few posts earlier. The Yankees dominant win streak has been against teams that are below .500. So far when they've faced the better teams this season, they've fallen apart.

They have Kansas City coming up so they shouldn't have a problem there. The Sox however are starting up w/ Baltimore tonight so we'll see if they can keep this up.

[Dan Gould]

Yeah, the Yanks start they're four-series road trip with KC, but they also get the Twins and the Cards (and the Brewers) too.

Now comes the first challenge for the O's, as they are riding their first three game losing streak (swept by the Tigers at home) just as the injury bug has hit them pretty hard: they're best starter, catcher and two outfielders. I think the Sox have a chance to make a major move soon.

[Big Al]

The race between the LA Angels and the Rangers is heating up, and it's only June! Both teams are playing kinda uneven right now, but they both sure put on an offensive outburst today! If it stays this close throughout the season, this is gonna be one fun year for baseball!

[Brandon Burke]

I'm going to see my Royals tonight at SBC Park. First time they've ever played in San Francisco...!

[Big Al]

Cool! They're doing pretty well right now, so I hope they post a W for ya!

I like it that Buddy Bell is their manager now. He's a good guy, and was my hero when he played for the Rangers (played third base, as did I). In fact, one of his kids was in the same Little League as I was one year. Unfortunately for him, our team dominated that year. But it was still cool, got to meet him and all!

Go Royals! (for BB, Buddy & Brandon)

Edited June 7, 2005 by Big Al

[Dan Gould]

Amazing how a new manager can change things around, at least for a time ... which leaves me wondering, is it actually possible that Joe Torre is at risk of getting canned?

Will the real Yankees please stand up, so we know if its the team that went 16-2 or the team that was 11-19 and is now under .500 at the latest point in the season for any season in the Torre era?

[Dave James]

Yankees? Who are the Yankees?

I'm just wating for The Boss to pop his top and replace Torre with Larry Bowa.

Up over and Harold.

[Soulstation1]

randy johnson ain't bringin' it in ny

[catesta]

What about Cashman?

His still being employed is very un-Steinbrenner like.

[catesta]

randy johnson ain't bringin' it in ny

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Nope.

Although, he's not getting much in the way of run support either.

I think last year was the last year for the unit.