O.K., so, now, the Yankees have lost two in a row to the lowly Baltimore Orioles.

Hey, no need to panic over that…as the Yankees are still a lock to make the post-season and it’s a 98% probability that they win the A.L. East.

Now, of course, you might get nervous over the fact that this loss leaves the Yankees with just a 5 game lead over the Los Angeles Angels – for the best record in the league – with 19 games left to be played. But, if the Yankees go just 9-10 in those remaining games, then the Angels will have to go 16-5 to pass New York. And, I doubt all that’s going to happen.

But, if you want to get nervous over anything, in Yankeeland, at this moment, start getting antsy over A.J. Burnett. Even with his good start the last time before this game that he pitched, Burnett has now allowed 38 earned runs in his last 55.6 innings pitched. That’s an ERA of 6.15 since August 1st for Burnett. And, that’s not good…when you’re counting on A.J. to be one of your “horses” in October.

There’s an excellent chance that the Yankees will need Burnett to start two games in the ALDS this year. And, if that happens, and if you cannot count on A.J. to win his games, then you’re asking CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte to carry you in a series that’s basically a situation where you have to win three out of three games. And…yup…that’s zero wiggle room for the Yankees lefties.

And, if you watched the 2005 NLCS, 2007 ALCS and 2008 NLDS, then you should know that Sabathia and Pettite are more than capable of throwing a clunker in the post-season.

Hey, if this all rings a bell, it’s because I wrote about it last week.

Burnett has three starts in which to get his act together and show us somethining. And, if A.J. cannot do it, expect the ALDS this year, for the Yankees, to be no different than the ones from 2005, 2006 and 2007…meaning it will be the end of the road for the Yankees season.

Filed under Game Commentary 09/09 ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

Click here for more information about this entry.

Filed under Water Cooler Talk '09 ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

Both Jay Jaffe, at New York Magazine, and Steven Goldman, at his Pinstriped Bible, say the 2009 Yankees have the Secret Sauce. So, should we expect a parade through the Canyon of Heroes this November? What do you think?

Filed under Trap Door Items ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

An odd time for MLB to leak this story, eh? Via the New York Times -

The commissioner’s office has decided not to discipline Alex Rodriguez in light of its investigation into whether he lied about his use of performance-enhancing drugs in a meeting with baseball officials in March, according to people in baseball with knowledge of the matter.

Jay K. Reisinger, a lawyer for Rodriguez, declined to comment. The people within baseball spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were discussing an internal investigation.

As part of the investigation, baseball investigators interviewed Angel Presinal, a Dominican trainer who has been barred from major league clubhouses since 2002 after being linked to an incident involving performance-enhancing drugs. The interview of Presinal, who has trained Rodriguez and dozens of major league players, yielded little information about Rodriguez’s possible use of banned substances.

The New York Times reported in May that members of baseball’s department of investigations had contacted Selena Roberts, the author of “A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez,” and several of Rodriguez’s associates to determine whether Rodriguez had used performance-enhancing drugs for a longer period than he admitted.

The investigation began shortly after Rodriguez met with the investigators and baseball’s top labor lawyer, Rob Manfred, in March to question him after it was revealed that he had tested positive for steroids. He subsequently admitted publicly that he used a substance he referred to as “boli” from 2001 to 2003. In the meeting with the baseball officials, Rodriguez reiterated that he used boli from 2001 to 2003 and said that he had never received substances from Presinal.

Concerns about the truthfulness of Rodriguez’s statements grew in the commissioner’s office in April, after Roberts’s book was published. It contained assertions that Rodriguez used several different steroids under the supervision of Presinal and had human growth hormone in his possession in 2004.

The investigation proved difficult for the commissioner’s office, but it also showed that its investigations department was willing to try to develop evidence against one of the game’s premier stars, particularly in its effort to interview Presinal. Many of the accusations in the book were not damning and were based on anonymous sources. Other accusations were several years old, and Roberts declined to cooperate with the investigation. The baseball investigators have little power to compel witnesses who do not work for baseball to speak with them.

Although it was not announced, MLB also decided to not to discipline Roseanne Barr for butchering the National Anthem on July 25, 1990 or Deion Sanders for not running out a pop-up on May 22, 1990.

Filed under PEDs & A-Rod ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

It’s a few minutes before midnight on September 11th as I write this. The Yankees game is in a rain-delay, with two outs in the top of the seventh inning, and New York trailing 10-4 (to Baltimore). It’s pretty safe to say you can close the book on this one.

First, the good news: Derek Jeter set the all-time Yankees career hit record in this one. And, it appears that no Yankees player, so far, has been injured in this contest.

But, the bad news: This has been a terribly sloppy game for the Yankees. Just a mess…

What a shame…not because of the standings…as this game means nothing. More so, it’s a shame because this game, with the Jeter record therein, should not have played out this way.

Actually, by the sixth inning, because of the rain-delay at the start of the game, the rain during the game, the fact it was 11 pm ET, and the score (as Damaso Marte began to let the game get away), Yankee Stadium began to empty out…and, now, with this second rain-delay…well…if they do start playing again, there will hardly be any fans there to see it.

In the perfect world, the Yankees would have won this game, and, during the top of the ninth inning, Joe Girardi would have pulled Jeter off the field, and replaced him with Ramiro Pena, defensively. While this was happening, 45,000 Yankees fans would have given Derek a crazy standing ovation, for several minutes, calling him out of the dugout, etc. And, that would have been fitting. But, now, that’s ain’t gonna happen…and, again, in my opinion, that’s a shame.

Filed under Game Commentary 09/09 ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

Nope, it’s not that crazy new math…it’s just an wonderful moment for an all-time Yankees great…and one of the best players to ever play the game.

Filed under Yankees History ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

Click here for more information about this entry.

Filed under Water Cooler Talk '09 ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

No, not Johnny Damon…

Today,on SIRIUS XM’s Mad Dog Radio channel, host Gary Williams spoke with actor Matt Damon, who was on to promote his new movie, “The Informant,” and the charitable foundation he supports, “One X One.” The Massachusetts native and die hard Patriots and Red Sox fan offered bold predictions for his teams this fall. [Thanks to Andrew FitzPatrick for this information.] Here’s what Matt Damon said -

Williams: “Meanwhile, your Red Sox, they’re only about 19 games back of the Yankees. Do they have anything for them in October?”

Damon: “Yeah, of course, man. October comes and everybody is 0-0. All we need to do is back into the wild card and we’re fine. We’re fine. Listen, New York, they’re going to collapse. They’re still, I mean, nobody on that team has won a World Series in… I mean, Jeter has but the rest of them…”

Williams: “Posada has, Pettitte has…”

Damon: “Nine years ago these guys won the World Series. They got so smoked by the Red Sox in ’04, I mean, I’m telling you, man. They’ve got the yips. They’re going to fold like a cheap suit. You watch, man. You watch. If we make it into the playoffs, man, we’re taking them down.”

Just another reason to root for the Texas Rangers to take the 2009 A.L. Wildcard berth…

Cowboy Up, Matt.

Filed under Rivalry Snapshots ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

Watch out Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Dom DiMaggio, and Johnny Pesky…

In Yankeeland, #’s 2, 20, 42 and 46 have been lockering together for a long time…via Joel Sherman -

Their navigation through the system is a starting point for a dynasty. In Jeter’s first full pro season, 1993 at Greensboro, he was joined by Mariano Rivera. The following season, Jeter, Rivera, Pettitte and Posada all were at Columbus together (although Posada was on the disabled list with a broken ankle when Jeter was promoted to Triple-A). For an 11-day period in May 1995, the four were all active and teammates for the Clippers.

It is possible that no minor league team has ever had that level of talent at one time, before or since. Think about this group: Jeter and Rivera are first-ballot Hall of Famers, Pettitte and, especially, Posada will generate Cooperstown support.

Not one other member of the 1995 Clippers is still active. Yet here are Jeter, Pettitte, Posada and Rivera not just active, but thriving — and still teammates. The odds of making it into the majors even from the minors are not good, the chance of doing it with a teammate lower yet. What are the odds that four teammates from one Triple-A team would still be together 15 years later and still be vital?

“I would put it like this: What are the odds that anyone in the minors for any team right now is going to have a 15-year career?” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “So [having four together], that stuff just doesn’t happen.”

But it has happened for the Yankees. Tonight Pettitte (who took a three-year hiatus in Houston) will make his 372nd start a Yankee, Posada will start as a catcher for the Yankees for the 1,363rd time, Jeter will start his 2,097th game at shortstop and Rivera will await the call to appear in his 909th Yankees game.

Rivera signed in 1990. Posada and Pettitte signed in 1991. And, Jeter signed in 1992.

Stick Michael was calling the shots as G.M. during these signings. (Michael was G.M. from 8/90 through 1995.) Bill Livesey was the Scouting Director back then as well. Mitch Lukevics was the Farm Director.

Good job by Michael, Livesey and Lukevics on these four teammates…very good job, indeed.

Filed under Yankees History ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

I just got this via a MLB Network press release –

MLB Network will televise the premiere of Major League Baseball Productions Wired for Baseball on Sunday, September 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Hosted by Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Kevin Millar, the show focuses on the behind-the-scene sounds of the game that have been recorded thanks to players wearing wireless microphones. Wired for Baseball takes an inside look at conversations exchanged among players and coaches during Spring Training, All-Star week and the Post Season throughout the past five seasons, including Millar during the 2004 American League Championship Series, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, New York Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher, Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder.

The show also contains vintage clips of MLB Hall of Famers Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Stan Musial, Jimmie Fox, Tommy Lasorda, Yogi Berra and Ted Williams as well as footage of Cal Ripken Jr., wearing a wireless microphone during his final All-Star Game in 2001.

Wired for Baseball will re-air on MLB Network on Wednesday, September 16 at 5:00 p.m. ET and Sunday, September 27 at 11:00 a.m. ET.

…Millar during the 2004 American League Championship Series…

Yikes. That could be painful for Yankees fans. But, then again, hearing what Nick Swisher had to say might just be must see TV…

Filed under Trap Door Items ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

Pete Abe has the news :

He could start throwing around Sept. 14 and that would give him ample time to get ready for the playoffs.

Glad to see Robertson’s not going under the knife. He could potentially be a big piece to our playoff puzzle, so hopefully all he needs is to shut it down for a little bit.

- Posted By Corey

Filed under News Items ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

The 2009 Yankees currently have 7 players with 400+ PA and an OPS+ >=120. If New York can keep this up, they will become only the third team in baseball history to have 7 players with 400+PA and an OPS+ >=120. The others to do it were the 1993 Tigers and 1978 Brewers.

Click here for all the statistics on this study.

Of course, the 1993 Tigers had no pitching and the 1978 Brewers had the Yankees and Red Sox to deal with in the A.L. East that season.

But, wait, there’s more! Jorge Posada doesn’t have 400 PA yet this season – but, he will soon. So, that would give the 2009 Yankees 8 players with 400 PA and an OPS+ >=120. So, does that make the 2009 Yankees the most dangerous and deepest starting line-up of all-time? What do you think?

Filed under Stat Of The Day Blog ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

Here’s what the A.L. East standings looked like at the close of business on September 11, 2008:

Tm  W   L W-L% GB   RS  RA   pythW-L%
TBR 87 57 .604 --   667 582 .562
BOS 85 60 .586 2.5  766 611 .602
TOR 79 67 .541 9.0  653 556 .573
NYY 77 69 .527 11.0 704 670 .523
BAL 65 80 .448 22.5 733 779 .472

What a difference a year makes, huh?

At the worst, the Yankees will be 8 games up at the close of today. With a little luck, they could be 10 games up. But, most likely, they will remain 9 games up – which is where they are now, at this moment.

That’s a 20 game swing from down eleven to up nine. So, what happened? Look at it this way:

2009 Yankees, to date, 91-50, 1st place in AL East
Scored 809 runs, Allowed 657 runs. Pythagorean W-L: 84-57

2008 Yankees, at COB 9/11/08, 77-69, 4th place in AL East
Scored 704 runs, Allowed 670 runs. Pythagorean W-L: 76-70

Note the difference in Scored Runs and Pythagorean W-L. That’s the story. The Yankees bats, and some luck, this season have brought cause for New York’s turnaround in the standings.

Now, of course, the trick is: Making sure those bats and luck don’t tuck tail and hide in October…

Filed under Trap Door Items ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

Has another year gone by? That was quick. I know the Yankees have something planned for today. And, others have a way to mark the day.

It’s interesting…of the current Yankees, only Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera were with the team back in 2001. None of the other current Yankees know what it was like to be here back on 9/11. In fact, present day Yankees Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Francisco Cervelli were not yet 16-years old when the planes hit the World Trade Center. (Although Joba was only days away from being sixteen.) When you look at it this way, it seems like September 11th, 2001, was a very long time ago…

Heck, Zachary Slade Heathcott, the Yankees #1 pick in the draft this year, turned 11-years old 17 days after the attack on the World Trade Center…and you have to wonder if someone that age even remembers, clearly, what happened that day?

The Staten Island Yankees are making it a point to try and remember. Good for them. After all, their ballpark is so close to Ground Zero…

Much of the focus in Yankeeland will be on the number 2,722 today. But, in the backs of our minds, we’ll be thinking about what happened 2,922 days ago too…at least those who are old enough to remember it. Very strange to say that…as it seems like it was just yesterday…but, it has been a while.

Time is a tricky beast, ain’t it?

Filed under Random Thoughts ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

Click here for more information about this entry.

Filed under Water Cooler Talk '09 ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

So, does anyone else think they are stretching out Joba and Aceves at the same time?

I do, and if they aren’t I would. This would be my plan:

Sept  11 – andy
Sept 12 – aj
Sept 13 – cc
Sept 14 – scrub (mitre/gaudin)
Sept 15 – joba/ace + 1 extra day rest
Sept 16 – andy
Sept 18 – aj + 1 extra day rest
Sept 19 – cc + 1 extra day rest
Sept 20 – ace
Sept 21 – joba + 1 extra day rest
Sept 22 – andy
Sept 23 – aj + 1 extra day rest
Sept 25 – cc + 2 extra days rest
Sept 26 – ace
Sept 27 – joba + 1 extra day rest
Sept 28 – andy
Sept 29 – aj
Sept 30 – cc
Oct 2 – ace
Oct 3 – joba
Oct 4 – scrub/prospect

I figure Joba has 3-4 more starts this year, depending on how the Yankees use their off days. For his next start, I would again have Aceves piggy back him, coming in after Joba has reached his pitch count limit. For the final 2-3 starts, I say place Aceves in the rotation (making it a 6 man for 2 or 3 go-arounds). Now you have 6 pitchers (5 i’d give the ball to) stretched out for the playoffs, and you have it set up so that if Joba comes out of the gate walking the park (or AJ since he’s suseptible also), you can have him on a short leash with Aceves there to clean up the rest.

But, Aceves is already the long man you say? Yes, he can go 3 innings if need be, but then that kills the rest of the pen cause you still have innings to make up after that. My method allows the Yankees to have an extremely short leash with the rotation and, in the event you don’t need to use Aceves, he can come in for short relief on consecutive days, for multiple innings, since his arm is stretched out. i figure this way, the starters get extra days off right before the last week, that way they are in line for the playoffs.

Plus, it’s better than seeing Mitre or Gaudin come in during the 4th inning after Joba has thrown 100 pitches right?

- Posted By Corey

Filed under Staff Musings ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

According to mlb.com – The Club with the best record in the American League will have the right to decide whether it will play in the seven-day or eight-day Division Series (i.e., whether it will start its Division Series on Wednesday, Oct. 7 or Thursday, Oct. 8). The A.L. Club with the best record will make its selection no later than one hour following the completion of any game that finalizes which club will have the best record in the Championship Season or finalizes the matchups in the Division Series, whichever is later.

So, for the Yankees, this is a choice of “Do I want Joba Chamberlain to start in the ALDS, or, don’t I?” See how each schedule would break down in terms of starters for the Yankees…with SP options for each game…

Seven Day ALDS Option
10/8/09 Yankee Stadium Home Game 1 Sabathia
10/9/09 Yankee Stadium Home Game 2 Burnett
10/10/09 NO GAME SCHEDULED OFF
10/11/09 Away Game 1 Pettitte
10/12/09 Away Game 2 Chamberlain
10/13/09 NO GAME SCHEDULED OFF
10/14/09 Yankee Stadium Home Game 3 Sabathia

Eight Day ALDS Option
10/7/09 Yankee Stadium Home Game 1 Sabathia
10/8/09 NO GAME SCHEDULED OFF
10/9/09 Yankee Stadium Home Game 2 Burnett
10/10/09 NO GAME SCHEDULED OFF
10/11/09 Away Game 1 Pettitte
10/12/09 Away Game 2 Sabathia
10/13/09 NO GAME SCHEDULED OFF
10/14/09 Yankee Stadium Home Game 3 Burnett

If you were the Yankees, which option would you choose, and why? Me? I think you have to go with the 8-day plan…the way Joba’s been pitching lately…

Filed under LDS 2009 ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

I’ve been thinking about Game 2 of the 2009 ALDS for the Yankees.

For me, in the ALDS, Game 2 is the most important game of the five-game set. If you lose Game 1, then you must win Game 2 – or else you will find yourself in a situation where you must win three games in a row and where one loss means you’re dead. If you win Game 1, and then you win Game 2, then you put the other team in a spot where they must win three games in a row and where one loss means they’re dead. Basically, no matter what you do in Game 1, Game 2 is a contest that you want to win in a LDS situation.

Now, for the Yankees, you know that CC Sabathia will start Game 1 of the ALDS. But, what about Game 2? Do you start A.J. Burnett or Andy Pettitte?

Petttitte has been the more effective pitcher, than Burnett, as of late. But, do you really want to start two lefties, Sabathia and Pettitte, back-to-back in a five game series? Also, it appears that Games 1 and 2 will be played in the Bronx, for the Yanks, in the ALDS. And, this season, Burnett has been great at home (in New York) and rough on the road – whereas Pettitte has been the opposite (pitching better on the road than at home). So, even though Pettitte’s been better than Burnett, lately, it almost seems as if you have to start Burnett in Game 2…

…but, if, for some reason, CC Sabathia loses Game 1, then you’re putting all your eggs, just about, in the one basket of A.J. Burnett…hoping that he doesn’t put you in a situation where you’re down, 0-2, in a best of five series.

So, maybe the bigger question, for the Yankees, in the ALDS, is: “What can you do to make sure you win the first game, started by CC Sabathia, no matter what?” And, if you can do that, then maybe you can roll the dice with Burnett pitching Game 2 and Pettitte starting the third game of the ALDS…

Filed under Trap Door Items ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

Here are some of Derek Jeter’s milestone career hits, to date:

Hit#	Date	  Opp	Pitcher	 	 Inn	Play Desc.
1	05/30/95  @SEA	Tim Belcher	 T 5	Single to LF (GB thru SS-3B)
100	07/17/96  @BOS	Joe Hudson	 T 7	Single to CF (LD to Short CF-RF)
250	05/23/97   BOS	Heath. Slocumb	 B 9	Single to LF (GB thru SS-3B Hole)
500	07/20/98   DET	Bryce Florie	 B 6	Single to CF (Line Drive)
750	08/18/99   KCR	Dan Reichert	 B 1	Single to CF (LD to Deep SS-2B)
1000	09/25/00   DET	Steve Sparks	 B 5	Single (Ground Ball)
1500	08/16/03  @BAL	Pat Hentgen	 T 5	Single to CF (Ground Ball)
2000	05/26/06   KCR	Scott Elarton	 B 4	Single to C (GB Front HP Adv E2)
2500	08/22/08  @BAL	Radhames Liz	 T 1	Single to 2B (Pop Fly CF-RF)
2721	09/09/09   TBR	Jeff Niemann	 B 7	Single to RF (GB RF line)

Single, single, single…you know, you always hear about guys like Rod Carew, Tony Gwynn and Ichiro Suzuki being magicians with the bat because of their ability to make contact and place hits “where they ain’t.” How come we never hear that about Jeter? He does it, no? Maybe it’s a bias against right-handed batters or something?

Filed under Yankees History ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

For 25,700 days, no one touched Lou Gehrig’s Yankees career hit record. But, today, Derek Jeter made it a milestone built for two. And, now, on 9/11, Jeter will have a chance to break that tie and own the record.

Oh, by the way, the Yankees won another game in dramatic comeback fashion. Actually, it’s starting to feel like New York will hardly ever lose a game again – and never lose another game at home. High fives and fist bumps go to the Yankees bullpen and Jorge Posada for this “W.” But, obviously, this night, on the whole, belonged to Derek Jeter – as he collected three hits on the evening, and, in the process, matched the New York Yankees record for career hits (a mark held by Lou Gehrig with 2,721 career base hits).

Too bad the Rays walked Jeter in the 8th inning. But, that record breaking hit will come…and many more will follow after it.

New York Yankees’ Derek Jeter hits a single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, at Yankee Stadium in New York. The hit tied Jeter with Lou Gehrig for most hits by a Yankee. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Filed under Game Commentary 09/09 ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

Click here for more information about this entry.

Filed under Water Cooler Talk '09 ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

A big Yankee fan named Vinny sent me this one:

Something tells me that Jeter wasn’t using the PC to forecast his future Ultimate Zone Rating, Probabilistic Model of Range, and Dewan +/- totals…

Filed under Trap Door Items ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

Courtesy of Baseball America’s website, there is a feature story on former Yankee prospect Jose Tabata.  Among other things, Tabata talks about his (and his father’s) idol, Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente.  As a big Clemente fan myself, I can definitely relate.

Besides talking of his hero, the article quoted Indianapolis (AAA) Indians manager Frank Kremblas on Tabata’s developing game:

“He has an above-average throwing arm.  He can play any of the outfield spots, but I think he’s most comfortable in right.  And his speed is above average – he’s a lot faster than people think.”

More importantly, Kremblas said he hasn’t seen any of the negatives that cropped up for Tabata at the end of his time with the Yankees.

“He always plays hard – there’s never a time when he doesn’t play hard,” Kremblas said.

The one thing Kremblas said Tabata needs to continue to improve is more opportunities to play.

“Defensively, he needs more repetitions in the outfield,” Kremblas said. “He needs to learn positioning against certain players and situations, and you can’t get those things any other way except by repetitions. And he needs as many at-bats as he can get.

 “But I think he’s capable of being an everyday big league player. I think his power will come with time, and he’ll become a 25-30 home run guy if he remains healthy and plays every day.”

Nady and Marte and a failed run at the 2008 playoffs or a potentially bright future with Tabata.  I know what I would’ve picked.  There’s obviously no way of knowing if Tabata will develop the way his Triple-A manager thinks he will.  But it sure would’ve been nice to find out.

-Posted by MJ

Filed under News Items ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

Johnny Damon for 2009 A.L. MVP? (H/T to BBTF.)

Now, that would be music to Scott Boras’ ears…

Filed under Trap Door Items ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

…errr…I mean…date.

Filed under Random Thoughts ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

Via Tyler Kepner:

Dave Robertson, the Yankees’ bullpen strikeout specialist, said he was not worried about the tightness in his right elbow. But the Yankees have shut him down indefinitely, and he has an appointment Thursday with Dr. James Andrews, probably in Pensacola, Fla.

“The stiffness has not went away in the last 10 days or two weeks,” Manager Joe Girardi said. “It’s a concern of mine, because he’s been a huge part of our bullpen, and his ability to get a strikeout is important. He’s been as good as anyone in baseball, really, at doing that.”

“I feel confident it’s not going to be anything,” Robertson said. “I feel like I’m going to come back. It’s just a little rest.”

Robertson has not pitched on consecutive days since Aug. 11 and 12. He said he had felt discomfort for about two weeks, mostly after he pitched. He had a magnetic resonance imaging test Monday but said he did not know what it showed.

“No idea, really,” he said. “I’ll just go to Dr. Andrews and get his opinion. That’s really all I can do.”

Robertson, 24, has worked his way into a more prominent role as the season has gone on, appearing more often when the Yankees have a lead. Girardi said he was still hopeful that Robertson could return.

“I don’t want to write him off,” Girardi said. “He’s down until he sees Dr. Andrews and we figure out what we need to do. Whether he’s here or not, guys are still going to feel pressure. One thing it does is it gives you less weapons. We don’t necessarily have as much flexibility as we did.”

Maybe the Yankees should have something like the Robertson Rules in place, to prevent this? Yes, I’m kidding – sorta/kinda.

Filed under Possible Bad News ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

It’s September 9th, and through yesterday, the Yankees have only lost 20 games at home this season. Here they are:

  Cnt Losing Pitcher    Date       Tm   Opp GmReslt
+----+-----------------+-------------+---+----+-----+
    1 A.J. Burnett      2009-08-27 NYY  TEX L  2-7
    2 Joba Chamberlain  2009-08-25 NYY  TEX L  9-10
    3 Sergio Mitre      2009-08-10 NYY  TOR L  4-5
    4 Andy Pettitte     2009-07-25 NYY  OAK L  4-6
    5 Andy Pettitte     2009-07-06 NYY  TOR L  6-7
    6 C.C. Sabathia     2009-07-02 NYY  SEA L  4-8
    7 Joba Chamberlain  2009-06-18 NYY  WSN L  0-3
    8 Chien-Ming Wang   2009-06-17 NYY  WSN L  2-3
    9 Andy Pettitte     2009-06-13 NYY  NYM L  2-6
   10 Mariano Rivera    2009-06-06 NYY  TBR L  7-9
   11 Andy Pettitte     2009-06-03 NYY  TEX L  2-4
   12 Brett Tomko       2009-05-24 NYY  PHI L  3-4
   13 A.J. Burnett      2009-05-22 NYY  PHI L  3-7
   14 Mariano Rivera    2009-05-07 NYY  TBR L  6-8
   15 Phil Coke         2009-05-06 NYY  TBR L  3-4
   16 Joba Chamberlain  2009-05-05 NYY  BOS L  3-7
   17 Philip Hughes     2009-05-04 NYY  BOS L  4-6
   18 C.C. Sabathia     2009-05-02 NYY  LAA L  4-8
   19 Chien-Ming Wang   2009-04-18 NYY  CLE L  4-22
   20 Jose Veras        2009-04-16 NYY  CLE L  2-10
   

For those scoring at home, Andy Pettitte (4) and Joba Chamberlain (3) have been charged with 7 of these 20 losses.  No other pitcher has more than two.  And, 6 of these 20 losses were by one run.  Imagine if New York had won those?  They would be 54-14 at home right now.  Wow…then again…not that 48-20 is anything to be embarrassed about…

Filed under Math Class ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

So, today, I get my invoice from the Yankees for 2009 Post-Season tickets. And, it comes with a letter from Lonn A. Trost, the Yankees C.O.O.

Trost’s letter opens with:

Dear Yankees Fan:

Over a span of just a few short months, Yankee Stadium has already been the site of several memorable and unforgettable moments.

Anyone who was in attendance on Opening Day will surely recall the pageantry and pride that went into unveiling the Yankees’ sparkling new home.

On May 15, Brett Gardner’s inside-the-park home run propelled the Yankees to a victory against the Twins and put a smile on the face of a young girl awaiting a heart transplant, a girl that Gardner had met in a children’s hospital earlier that day. And who can forget August 7, when A-Rod’s 15th-inning home run broke up a scoreless tie against the Red Sox, or the numerous come from behind victories and walk-off home runs?

It’s likely that you have your own particular moments that will stay with you forever. And that is what Yankee Stadium is all about, unforgettable games and unforgettable moments.

So far, 2009 has been a season for the ages; the come from behind victories, the pinch-hit home runs and the amazing plays in the field. The excitement in the Bronx has been palpable and it is sure to increase as the seasons draws to a conclusion. As we enter the home stretch for the 2009 American League East Division title, the Yankees have begun preparations for a return to the postseason in our Inaugural Season of our new home. It is also time for you to start making preparations for a return to Yankee Stadium to enjoy the postseason.

Since when did Yankees post-season tickets become such a hard sell that the team has to play the “smile on the face of a young girl awaiting a heart transplant” card? Really, is it necessary to use this poor girl’s misfortune in an attempt to pitch coming to see October baseball in the Bronx?

Michael Kay always quotes Buck Showalter with the line of “If you do something good for someone, and somebody other than you and them knows about it, you have to question what your intention was really all about.”

Gardner went to see that sick kid because that’s the way he is…and it was a nice thing for the kid. He didn’t do it for some P.R., etc. Shame on the Yankees for trying to use that now…to fluff up the new Yankee Stadium experience.

Hey, Lonn, you know what? At this moment, the Yankees are 48-20 at home this season, in first place, and going into the post-season, most likely, as the team with the best record in the league for the first time since 2006. That should be good enough for a sales pitch. Leave the sick kid out of it.

Filed under Yankee Stadium ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

If the Yankees reach the World Series, they’ll be the home team – and, Games 6 and 7 of the Series, if needed, will be played at the new Yankee Stadium.

Game 6 of the World Series this year is scheduled for November 4, 2009.
Game 7 of the World Series this year is scheduled for November 5, 2009.

I can’t wait to see A-Rod wearing one of those Elmer Fudd baseball caps with the flaps…

Filed under Trap Door Items ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post

You just knew they were going to win it, in a walk-off, didn’t you? As soon as Hughes lost his Blown Save cherry, I thought to myself “Here comes the walk-off.”

Actually, I thought A-Rod was going to do it in the 9th…after that clutch hit to drive in the second run, I thought it was his night. But, turns out it was Swisher’s night…with a little help from the new Yankee Stadium at the end.

A walk-off, of course, it’s what the 2009 Yankees do…13 times now, and counting! Aw, heck, if you’re a Yankees fan, it’s time to join hands, join the train, and start dancing!

Filed under Game Commentary 09/09 ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post