Posted by: Patrick
On MLB.com, Keith Olbermann shares a story told to him by Vin Scully.
"When the Yankees let Mel Allen go in 1964, I got a phone call from the man who they had brought in to run their broadcasting operation, Craig Smith," Vin began. "He had been in charge of the World Series broadcasts forever, so I'd known him about 10 years by then. And he asked me if I'd like to come home to New York and become the lead announcer. He offered a very handsome salary, and a long contract.
Posted by: Patrick
Chien-Ming Wang made his scheduled start today at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre reports John Parker at MLB.com.
While no one would mistake it for pitching against Major Leaguers, Wang did face the Columbus Clippers, who are leading the International League with an average of .285 and featured a lineup including Travis Hafner, Andy Marte and Tony Graffanino. He only threw 75 pitches and retired 12 batters on ground ball outs. He threw an additional 25 pitches in the bullpen after he had been removed.
Brian Bruney also saw action today, in the second game of a double header, pitching the first inning and allowing one run on two hits. His fastball reached 94 mph.
After wards, Brian Cashman spoke to Chad Jennings on both pitchers. On Wang:
On Bruney:
It is unclear what the next step will be for both players, but it's thought that Bruney could be back on Tuesday and that Wang's next start on May 17 could be in the Majors.
While no one would mistake it for pitching against Major Leaguers, Wang did face the Columbus Clippers, who are leading the International League with an average of .285 and featured a lineup including Travis Hafner, Andy Marte and Tony Graffanino. He only threw 75 pitches and retired 12 batters on ground ball outs. He threw an additional 25 pitches in the bullpen after he had been removed.
Brian Bruney also saw action today, in the second game of a double header, pitching the first inning and allowing one run on two hits. His fastball reached 94 mph.
After wards, Brian Cashman spoke to Chad Jennings on both pitchers. On Wang:
“Performance-wise he was terrific," Cashman said. "This was a much better hitting club. Columbus is a much better offensive club than the team he was facing last time, but his stuff was better last time, to be honest, although he performed great in both outings. He didn’t have the slider that he had last time. His changeup was better today than last time. His fastball velocity was a little bit lower this time than it was last time. At the same time, he handled the lineup and got a lot of groundballs. Facing guys like Hafner kind of tells you a little something you want to know. I think he had some groundouts and that broken-bat single to center. I know Hafner is on a rehab assignment and he’s a guy who can really do some damage if you’re making mistakes, not making some pitches, and (Wang) made his pitches. That tells you a lot.”
On Bruney:
“He looked healthy, which is the biggest thing for him," Cashman said. "Unlike Wang, he’s coming off of an elbow injury, so you want to see health. And I saw health."
It is unclear what the next step will be for both players, but it's thought that Bruney could be back on Tuesday and that Wang's next start on May 17 could be in the Majors.
Posted by: Patrick
One of the biggest revelations to come out of the Selena Roberts book on A-Rod was that the third baseman had tipped opponents has to what pitch was coming in games that were out of reach for one side. Those around the game commented and Major League Baseball is investigating, reportedly.
However, in combining Tom Tango's Leverage Index stat with data collected by Sean Forman of Baseball-Reference.com, Dan Rosenheck of the Times reports that the numbers don't support these events. In summary:
There is more to look at, so check out the article. And, of course, this doesn't mean that Rodriguez didn't engage in pitch tipping. Even if you know what's coming, that's no guarantee you'll actually hit it, let alone reach base. But, the numbers are interesting to ponder.
Via Joe Pawlikowski of River Ave. Blues.
However, in combining Tom Tango's Leverage Index stat with data collected by Sean Forman of Baseball-Reference.com, Dan Rosenheck of the Times reports that the numbers don't support these events. In summary:
If a tipping conspiracy were in place, one would expect that Rodriguez and rival middle infielders in games he played to have hit better in low-leverage situations than in high-leverage ones. Using a fairly loose definition of high leverage as a L.I. above 1.5 and low leverage as below 0.7, the data provide a resounding answer: either no tipping was going on or it was pathetically ineffective.
There is more to look at, so check out the article. And, of course, this doesn't mean that Rodriguez didn't engage in pitch tipping. Even if you know what's coming, that's no guarantee you'll actually hit it, let alone reach base. But, the numbers are interesting to ponder.
Via Joe Pawlikowski of River Ave. Blues.
Posted by: Seamus
A.J. Burnett put in a solid performance and another Yankee, this time Johnny Damon, came up big in extra innings as the Yankees defeated the Twins by a score of 3–2. Johnny Damon's home run in the bottom of the 10th gave the Yanks their third straight walk-off win, the first time the team has done that since 1972.
A.J. Burnett and his Twins counterpart, Kevin Slowey, pretty much matched each other pitch for pitch through the first six innings, both not allowing a run before the 7th inning. The Twins did eventually get to Burnett though in the top of the 7th, as Matt Tolbert's single put the Twins ahead 1–0 and Minnesota got a second run in the inning when Nick Punto scored on a wild pitch by Burnett. A.J. finished the game with a respectable line of 2 runs on 6 hits in 6 and 2/3 innings while striking out 7.
The Yankees were able to bounce back in the bottom of the inning. A-Rod led the Yankees' half of the inning off with a solo home run, and the Yanks tied the game on a sac fly by Melky Cabrera that scored Hideki Matsui.
In the bottom of the 9th with the game still tied, Brett Gardner was brought in to pinch run for Nick Swisher at first base with nobody out, and promptly went on to waste his appearance in the game. While there was nothing wrong of course with the decision to pinch hit Gardner in the 9th, he ended up advancing to second on a bunt by Melky that would have gotten Swisher to second just as easily. Fair enough. On the next play, Francisco Cervelli hit a ball off the pitcher that came back towards Twins catcher Joe Mauer. Mauer pump faked a throw to first as Gardner came in rounding third, thinking he could possibly score from second on the groundout since Mauer was a good 20-30 feet in front of the plate. Mauer, whether it was instinctively or somebody motioned to him, turned around and was able to tag Gardner just in time to get the second out of the inning. The next batter, Cano, flied out to left and on we went to extra innings. I've heard some people say it was all instinct on Gardner's part, but your basic instinct as a major league ballplayer should be not to go home with less than two outs unless you're absolutely sure you can make it.
It turned out to be all moot anyway, as Johnny Damon put one into the seats in the bottom of the 10th to give the Yanks their 5th straight win. It was the Yankees' 3rd straight walk-off victory and the 5th straight game in which the Yankees won after trailing at some point.
The Yanks will go for the four-game sweep tomorrow night. The pitching matchup features a battle of lefties, as Andy Pettitte will take the mound against the Twins' Glen Perkins. Game starts at 7:05 ET.
Recap records: Patrick: 11–5, Seamus: 7–8, Andrew: 2–4.
A.J. Burnett and his Twins counterpart, Kevin Slowey, pretty much matched each other pitch for pitch through the first six innings, both not allowing a run before the 7th inning. The Twins did eventually get to Burnett though in the top of the 7th, as Matt Tolbert's single put the Twins ahead 1–0 and Minnesota got a second run in the inning when Nick Punto scored on a wild pitch by Burnett. A.J. finished the game with a respectable line of 2 runs on 6 hits in 6 and 2/3 innings while striking out 7.
The Yankees were able to bounce back in the bottom of the inning. A-Rod led the Yankees' half of the inning off with a solo home run, and the Yanks tied the game on a sac fly by Melky Cabrera that scored Hideki Matsui.
In the bottom of the 9th with the game still tied, Brett Gardner was brought in to pinch run for Nick Swisher at first base with nobody out, and promptly went on to waste his appearance in the game. While there was nothing wrong of course with the decision to pinch hit Gardner in the 9th, he ended up advancing to second on a bunt by Melky that would have gotten Swisher to second just as easily. Fair enough. On the next play, Francisco Cervelli hit a ball off the pitcher that came back towards Twins catcher Joe Mauer. Mauer pump faked a throw to first as Gardner came in rounding third, thinking he could possibly score from second on the groundout since Mauer was a good 20-30 feet in front of the plate. Mauer, whether it was instinctively or somebody motioned to him, turned around and was able to tag Gardner just in time to get the second out of the inning. The next batter, Cano, flied out to left and on we went to extra innings. I've heard some people say it was all instinct on Gardner's part, but your basic instinct as a major league ballplayer should be not to go home with less than two outs unless you're absolutely sure you can make it.
It turned out to be all moot anyway, as Johnny Damon put one into the seats in the bottom of the 10th to give the Yanks their 5th straight win. It was the Yankees' 3rd straight walk-off victory and the 5th straight game in which the Yankees won after trailing at some point.
The Yanks will go for the four-game sweep tomorrow night. The pitching matchup features a battle of lefties, as Andy Pettitte will take the mound against the Twins' Glen Perkins. Game starts at 7:05 ET.
Recap records: Patrick: 11–5, Seamus: 7–8, Andrew: 2–4.
Posted by: Patrick
The recently DFAed Eric Hacker has been sent to the Pirates for Romulo Sanchez. Sanchez, 25, is a reliever who has has seen 26 games in the Majors, going 1-0 with a 4.60 ERA.
Posted by: Patrick
MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli reports that Brian Bruney is set to pitch in Triple-A on Sunday and he could return to the Major League squad on Tuesday. He last pitched on April 21.
Posted by: Andrew
For the second straight day, the Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins in walk-off fashion. Today, Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th inning to lead the Yankees to an 6-4 victory. It was his first home run in his second game at the new Yankee Stadium.
Joba Chamberlain started for the Yankees and had a successful first inning for once. However, the Twins got on the board in the second inning in somewhat unusual fashion. With runners on first and third with one out, Brian Buscher hit a fly ball to Brett Gardner in center. Michael Cuddyer, the runner at first was in motion and slid into second base. He had to retreat back to first base but failed to retouch second base. Derek Jeter noticed this and Cuddyer was called out on the appeal. However, the run scored and the Twins led 1-0.
Mark Teixiera gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third with a three-run home run with two outs. This was part of a larger 4-for-4, four RBI day for Teixeira. His batting average now stands at .238.
The Twins scored again in the top of the fourth when Joe Mauer hit a leadoff home run.
That would be all of the scoring until the eighth inning. Chamberlain left after six innings and 108 pitches. He gave up three hits, two earned runs and four walks while striking out six.
Phil Coke entered the game with one out in the top of the seventh trying to clean up Jose Veras' mess. With runners on second and third, he induced a pop out to second and a fly out to center to end the threat. However, Justin Morneau hit a solo home run in the next inning of the Yankees' lefty to tie the game at 3. After a two-out walk to Michael Cuddyer, Buscher doubled to right, scoring the runner when Melky Cabrera overthrew the cut-off man to give the Twins a 4-3 lead.
However, the Yankees, who have shown fight over the course of this four-game winning streak, didn't quit again. Hideki Matsui led off the bottom of the eighth with a pinch-hit double. Derek Jeter sacrificed pinch runner Ramiro Pena to third. After Johnny Damon failed to get the run home, Teixeira responded with a two-out single to right to tie the game.
Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth and 10th innings and the Yankees were unable to put anything together offensively. Alfredo Aceves pitched a perfect 11th inning, leading up to Rodriguez's heroics. Teixeira led off with a walk against left-handed Craig Breslow. Rodriguez followed with a home run over the left-field wall after broadcaster Michael Kay asked his analysts if he should bunt. So much for that.
The Yankees are now 19-17 and have won six of their last eight game. A.J. Burnett will look to keep the line moving tomorrow afternoon at 1:05.
Recap records: Patrick: 11–5, Seamus: 6–8, Andrew: 2–4.
Andrew Fletcher blogs about the Yankees regularly at Scott Proctor's Arm.
Joba Chamberlain started for the Yankees and had a successful first inning for once. However, the Twins got on the board in the second inning in somewhat unusual fashion. With runners on first and third with one out, Brian Buscher hit a fly ball to Brett Gardner in center. Michael Cuddyer, the runner at first was in motion and slid into second base. He had to retreat back to first base but failed to retouch second base. Derek Jeter noticed this and Cuddyer was called out on the appeal. However, the run scored and the Twins led 1-0.
Mark Teixiera gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third with a three-run home run with two outs. This was part of a larger 4-for-4, four RBI day for Teixeira. His batting average now stands at .238.
The Twins scored again in the top of the fourth when Joe Mauer hit a leadoff home run.
That would be all of the scoring until the eighth inning. Chamberlain left after six innings and 108 pitches. He gave up three hits, two earned runs and four walks while striking out six.
Phil Coke entered the game with one out in the top of the seventh trying to clean up Jose Veras' mess. With runners on second and third, he induced a pop out to second and a fly out to center to end the threat. However, Justin Morneau hit a solo home run in the next inning of the Yankees' lefty to tie the game at 3. After a two-out walk to Michael Cuddyer, Buscher doubled to right, scoring the runner when Melky Cabrera overthrew the cut-off man to give the Twins a 4-3 lead.
However, the Yankees, who have shown fight over the course of this four-game winning streak, didn't quit again. Hideki Matsui led off the bottom of the eighth with a pinch-hit double. Derek Jeter sacrificed pinch runner Ramiro Pena to third. After Johnny Damon failed to get the run home, Teixeira responded with a two-out single to right to tie the game.
Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth and 10th innings and the Yankees were unable to put anything together offensively. Alfredo Aceves pitched a perfect 11th inning, leading up to Rodriguez's heroics. Teixeira led off with a walk against left-handed Craig Breslow. Rodriguez followed with a home run over the left-field wall after broadcaster Michael Kay asked his analysts if he should bunt. So much for that.
The Yankees are now 19-17 and have won six of their last eight game. A.J. Burnett will look to keep the line moving tomorrow afternoon at 1:05.
Recap records: Patrick: 11–5, Seamus: 6–8, Andrew: 2–4.
Andrew Fletcher blogs about the Yankees regularly at Scott Proctor's Arm.
Posted by: Patrick
Phil Hughes took the mound on Friday night, facing off against Francisco Liriano of the Twins. Despite 6 walks, it was Liriano who had the better knight as he scattered those 6 walks, along with 4 hits, far enough apart for only one run to score in 6 innings of work. Phil went 5, allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 4 walks, moving his season ERA to 7.56.
The lone run off of Liriano came thanks to a Derek Jeter solo home run. After Liriano was out, Brett Gardner picked up an inside the park home run, making it 4-2, in favor of the Twins, after seven innings.
The Yankees bullpen did a solid job, allowing just 1 earned run on 3 hits and 3 walks over the final four innings. Jonathan Albaladejo, Phil Coke, Brett Tomko, Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras combined for the effort.
To start the ninth, the Yankees brought in close Joe Nathan to protect the two run lead. Coming into the game, the righty held a 1-0 record, 1.29 ERA and 0.79 WHIP with 6 saves (1 blown). He was in trouble, right away, thanks to a lead off triple off the bat of Gardner (who ended the day a double short of the cycle).
Mark Teixeira came through with a single that scored the center fielder, shrinking the deficit to one. A-Rod walked for the fourth time of the night to put runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs for Hideki Matsui.
Matsui struck out to make the first out and Nick Swisher grounded out to first, moving Teixeira to third and A-Rod to second. At this point, Ramiro Pena was brought in to run for A-Rod. The Twins elected to intentionally walk Robinson Cano to load the bases for Melky Cabrera.
Melky, who has had an exceptionally rough time with runners in scoring position this season, made them pay. His two RBI single would be a walk off, ending the game with the Yankees victorious and a game over .500. Yessir.
Gardner collected 3 hits on the day, going 3 for 3 with 2 runs and his homer. Teixiera and Melky both had two hits and their runs/RBIs in the ninth were their only ones of the game.
The series will pick back up tomorrow at 1:05 PM ET, when Joba Chamberlain (2-1, 3.89) will face Nick Blackburn (2-2, 4.32).
Recap records: Patrick: 11–5, Seamus: 6–8, Andrew: 1–4.
The lone run off of Liriano came thanks to a Derek Jeter solo home run. After Liriano was out, Brett Gardner picked up an inside the park home run, making it 4-2, in favor of the Twins, after seven innings.
The Yankees bullpen did a solid job, allowing just 1 earned run on 3 hits and 3 walks over the final four innings. Jonathan Albaladejo, Phil Coke, Brett Tomko, Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras combined for the effort.
To start the ninth, the Yankees brought in close Joe Nathan to protect the two run lead. Coming into the game, the righty held a 1-0 record, 1.29 ERA and 0.79 WHIP with 6 saves (1 blown). He was in trouble, right away, thanks to a lead off triple off the bat of Gardner (who ended the day a double short of the cycle).
Mark Teixeira came through with a single that scored the center fielder, shrinking the deficit to one. A-Rod walked for the fourth time of the night to put runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs for Hideki Matsui.
Matsui struck out to make the first out and Nick Swisher grounded out to first, moving Teixeira to third and A-Rod to second. At this point, Ramiro Pena was brought in to run for A-Rod. The Twins elected to intentionally walk Robinson Cano to load the bases for Melky Cabrera.
Melky, who has had an exceptionally rough time with runners in scoring position this season, made them pay. His two RBI single would be a walk off, ending the game with the Yankees victorious and a game over .500. Yessir.
Gardner collected 3 hits on the day, going 3 for 3 with 2 runs and his homer. Teixiera and Melky both had two hits and their runs/RBIs in the ninth were their only ones of the game.
The series will pick back up tomorrow at 1:05 PM ET, when Joba Chamberlain (2-1, 3.89) will face Nick Blackburn (2-2, 4.32).
Recap records: Patrick: 11–5, Seamus: 6–8, Andrew: 1–4.
Posted by: Patrick
David Williams of MarianoRivera.com (and formerly this blog) shares his recent and disappointing attempts to see Monument Park at both the old and new Yankee Stadium.
At the age of 51, I have been a Yankees fan for more than forty years. I was privileged to see the “old” Yankee Stadium before the refurbishing done in 1974 and 1975 when the Bombers called Shea Stadium home.
In 1976, the stadium reopened and a pennant came when Chris Chambliss took Mark Littel of the Royals deep to claim the AL crown for the Yankees. We got swept in the Fall Classic by the Big Red Machine, but as a fan it was almost anticlimactic. Being born in 1957, by the time I was able to appreciate baseball, the glory days of the Yankees had passed. I suffered through the lean years from 1965 to 1975 when guys like Horace Clarke, Lindy McDaniel and Ron Bloomberg were suppose to replace Berra, Mantle and Ford.
In 1977, when I was in college, we reclaimed the prize and all was right with my world thanks to Reggie and the characters who called the Bronx Zoo home. In 1978, we came from 14 and 1/2 games behind to catch the Red Sox and then beat them in a one game playoff at Fenway Park. I recall skipping my late afternoon class during my senior year of college to go home and watch the game with my Mom. Mom was a gloom and doomer and I told her to leave the room when the Bombers had fallen behind 2-0 to the Bosox. But then Bucky Dent hit the famous home run and we held on to secure a 5-4 victory.
At the age of 51, I have been a Yankees fan for more than forty years. I was privileged to see the “old” Yankee Stadium before the refurbishing done in 1974 and 1975 when the Bombers called Shea Stadium home.
In 1976, the stadium reopened and a pennant came when Chris Chambliss took Mark Littel of the Royals deep to claim the AL crown for the Yankees. We got swept in the Fall Classic by the Big Red Machine, but as a fan it was almost anticlimactic. Being born in 1957, by the time I was able to appreciate baseball, the glory days of the Yankees had passed. I suffered through the lean years from 1965 to 1975 when guys like Horace Clarke, Lindy McDaniel and Ron Bloomberg were suppose to replace Berra, Mantle and Ford.
In 1977, when I was in college, we reclaimed the prize and all was right with my world thanks to Reggie and the characters who called the Bronx Zoo home. In 1978, we came from 14 and 1/2 games behind to catch the Red Sox and then beat them in a one game playoff at Fenway Park. I recall skipping my late afternoon class during my senior year of college to go home and watch the game with my Mom. Mom was a gloom and doomer and I told her to leave the room when the Bombers had fallen behind 2-0 to the Bosox. But then Bucky Dent hit the famous home run and we held on to secure a 5-4 victory.
Posted by: Patrick
Tonight's match up between CC Sabathia and the Blue Jays' Brian Tallet was more of a pitchers duel than we were hoping for, but the Yankees came up with a couple of big runs late to bring the lefty to an even 3-3 record by the end of the game.
Tallet got off to a bit of a rough start, allowing a double to Johnny Damon and then walking Mark Teixeira,, Hideki Matsui and Nick Swisher to walk a run in. But, Cano grounded out with the bases loaded, allowing him to escape with only the one run allowed.
CC, meanwhile, cruised through 3 and 1/3 innings until an Alex Rios solo shot tied the game up in the fourth. In the fifth, the Blue Jays grabbed the lead thanks to a Rod Barajas RBI double.
Tallet came out to start the seventh, but was taken out after allowing a walk and a single, to put runners on the corners with no outs. Jason Frasor came in to face Derek Jeter, who promptly singled, scoring Brett Gardner. Unfortunately, with runners on 1st and 2nd and no out, the trio of Damon, Teixeira and A-Rod came up completely empty.
Matsui would break the tie as the lead off hitter in the eighth, driving a solo homer to deep center.
After allowing runs in the fourth and fifth, Sabathia was back on his grind, allowing just one hit during the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. After 111 pitches, he gave way to Mariano Rivera to pitch the ninth. Mo needed exactly 11 pitches to set the Jays down in order, picking up save number 7 of the season and 489 of his career.
With the win, the Yankees moved back to .500 at 17-17. They begin a four game set back at the stadium tomorrow, with Phil Hughes (1-2, 8.49) facing Francisco Liriano (2-4, 5.75) at 7:05 PM ET.
Recap records: Patrick: 10–5, Seamus: 6–8, Andrew: 1–4.
Tallet got off to a bit of a rough start, allowing a double to Johnny Damon and then walking Mark Teixeira,, Hideki Matsui and Nick Swisher to walk a run in. But, Cano grounded out with the bases loaded, allowing him to escape with only the one run allowed.
CC, meanwhile, cruised through 3 and 1/3 innings until an Alex Rios solo shot tied the game up in the fourth. In the fifth, the Blue Jays grabbed the lead thanks to a Rod Barajas RBI double.
Tallet came out to start the seventh, but was taken out after allowing a walk and a single, to put runners on the corners with no outs. Jason Frasor came in to face Derek Jeter, who promptly singled, scoring Brett Gardner. Unfortunately, with runners on 1st and 2nd and no out, the trio of Damon, Teixeira and A-Rod came up completely empty.
Matsui would break the tie as the lead off hitter in the eighth, driving a solo homer to deep center.
After allowing runs in the fourth and fifth, Sabathia was back on his grind, allowing just one hit during the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. After 111 pitches, he gave way to Mariano Rivera to pitch the ninth. Mo needed exactly 11 pitches to set the Jays down in order, picking up save number 7 of the season and 489 of his career.
With the win, the Yankees moved back to .500 at 17-17. They begin a four game set back at the stadium tomorrow, with Phil Hughes (1-2, 8.49) facing Francisco Liriano (2-4, 5.75) at 7:05 PM ET.
Recap records: Patrick: 10–5, Seamus: 6–8, Andrew: 1–4.
