“Hopefully” Brian?

Via Jack Curry -

“The A.L. East is the best division in baseball by far, and a lot of that was because of the Red Sox and the Rays,” Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said. “Hopefully, we’ll still be a part of that conversation.”

You know, back in 1924, Emily Dickinson said:

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune–without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I’ve heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

And, that’s a nice thought. But, in any event, as a Yankees fan, do you really want to hear your G.M. ‘hoping’ that his team can keep up with the Rays and the Red Sox?

October 10, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 10 Comments

Why Bringing Cashman Back Was A Mistake

As we learned yesterday, Brian Cashman and the Yankees have agreed on a three-year deal that will keep him with the team through the 2011 season as their General Manager.

Now, Brian Cashman has some great qualities. As I wrote back on August 29, 2008:

Brian Cashman has value. He understands New York. He can navigate through the Yankees organization. He’s polished. He can take a punch. There’s nothing wrong with having Brian Cashman as the face of the front office - and being the person on point between the owners, the team, the media and the fans.

Still, Brian Cashman’s career resume in Yankeeland is also full of bad results as well.

“What a minute!,” some are probably thinking here…”Cashman has three World Series rings on his report card. How are those results bad?”

The answer to that is simple.

Brian Cashman became Yankees G.M. on February 28, 1998. And, yes, the Yankees did win rings in 1998, 1999 and 2000. However, when Cashman took over as the head man in charge, the following players were already on the team: Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera, Paul O’Neill, Derek Jeter, Tino Martinez, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Mike Stanton, David Cone, Ramiro Mendoza, David Wells, Joe Girardi, Jeff Nelson, Chad Curtis and Darryl Strawberry.

This group of Yankees was added to the team by Stick Michael and Bob Watson. It was they, and not Cashman, who built a powerhouse entity (via this cadre of players) who went on to win three rings from 1998 through 2000 - and which benefited Brian Cashman when he took over for Watson in 1998.

After 2001, when that the force that Michael and Watson created was nearly tapped out, is when the Yankees sincerely became “Brian Cashman’s team.” And, sure, from 2002 through 2008, under Cashman, the Yankees were marvelous in terms of their win totals and revenue. But, if not for Boston collapses in the 2003 ALCS and the regular seasons of 2005 and 2006, this seven-year period would not look as pretty for New York as it does on the average fan’s ledger.

On the whole, Brian Cashman took a team that was a three-peat World Champion and turned them into a team that would finish first and then lose in the LDS…and then into a team that would no longer finish first but would win a Wildcard (and lose in the LDS)…and then into a team that would not make the post-season at all. Notice the trend here?

In addition, there’s a long list of moves made by Brian Cashman that suggest he’s clueless when it comes to evaluating talent. For example:

On February 1, 1999, he traded Mike Lowell to the Florida Marlins for Mark J. Johnson, Ed Yarnall, and Todd Noel.

At that time, it was claimed that Cashman was stocking the Yankees system with up-and-coming young pitching talent - like Yarnall, Ben Ford, Ryan Bradley, and Craig Dingman - much like his recent “plan” with Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain. (The plan didn’t work back then and it sure didn’t work this season.)

On July 5, 2002, as part of a three-team trade, Cashman traded Ted Lilly, John-Ford Griffin, and Jason Arnold to the Oakland Athletics and received Jeff Weaver from the Detroit Tigers. For the Yankees, Weaver was a complete bust - while Lilly has been a solid major league starter since leaving New York.

Looking to later dump Jeff Weaver, on December 13, 2003, Cashman traded Jeff Weaver, Yhency Brazoban, Brandon Weeden and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Kevin Brown. Like Weaver, Brown was a bust in New York.

Three days later, on December 16, 2003, Cashman traded Nick Johnson, Juan Rivera, and Randy Choate to the Montreal Expos for Javier Vazquez - who had as much fun in New York as Kevin Brown.

The next year, on December 20, 2004, Cashman signed free agent Carl Pavano to a four-year deal worth nearly $40 million. Pavano would go on to become the modern day poster-child for a terrible free agent signing.

Then, about two years later, in November of 2006, Cashman spent $26 million to earn the right to sign Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa - and then spent another $20 million on a contract for Igawa. When last seen, Igawa was coaching first base for the Yankees Triple-A farm team.

Granted, it’s not been all bad under Cashman’s watch. As many would be quick to point out, players like Chien-Ming Wang and Robinson Cano have come to the Yankees under his leadership. Yet, Cashman reportedly also offered Wang and Cano to the Arizona Diamondbacks back in January 2005, in an attempt to acquire Randy Johnson, and they only remained with the Yankees because Arizona instead wanted Brad Halsey and Dioner Navarro. So, was Cashman smart with Cano and Wang, or, just lucky?

Here’s another way to look at the job Brian Cashman has done - in terms of building the Yankees pitching (which is the element of the game that separates the men from the boys). Start with ERA+ (which is the ratio of the league’s ERA, adjusted to the pitcher’s ballpark, to that of the pitcher). An ERA+ greater than 100 is above average and an ERA+ less than 100 is below average.

From 1998 through 2008, here’s a count of how many pitchers were on each Yankees team where they pitched in at least 10 games and had an ERA+ of 90 or less:

[* Pitchers names appear at the close of this entry.]

As you can see, from 1998 through 2003, the Yankees only had a few “dud” pitchers on their roster each year. However, in the last five seasons, the Yankees, on average, have had around eight “dud” pitchers on their roster each season. Those Yankees pitching staffs from 1998 through 2003 were manned by the Michael and Watson carry-overs. Since 2004, the Yankees pitching staff has been all-Cashman…and contained many “duds.”

When you take this all in…the bad moves, especially when it comes to pitching, and bringing the team from the status of World Series contender down to first-round post-season road-kill and then down to non-contender…I just don’t see how you can reward Brian Cashman with another three years of being in charge of the New York Yankees.

Obviously, the Yankees feel differently. And, if you ask me, that’s a mistake.

October 1, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 81 Comments

Yanks Fans Inconsistent Towards Prospects?

This is a tale of two Yankees prospects.

One is a batter who is just 23-years old. The other is a pitcher who is just 22-years old.

Let’s look at the pitcher, first. He’s ripped through the minor leagues - making stops at Rookie Ball, Low-A, High-A, Double-A and Triple-A. To date, in his minor league career, he’s logged 310.6 IP and allowed an ERA of just 2.40. Further, he’s only walked 77 of the 1,186 batters that he’s faced - while whiffing 348 of them.

In the big leagues, he hasn’t done all that well - so far. In 94.6 IP he’s allowed an ERA of 5.51 - and, he’s only won 5 games in 19 starts. Yet, because of his age and minor league track record, many are convinced that he will be a major league star in the near future.

Now, let’s look at that batter. He’s ripped through the minor leagues - making stops at Short-Season A-Ball, Low-A, High-A, Double-A and Triple-A. To date, in his minor league career, he’s logged 1,489 At Bats while posting a batting average of .296. Further, at the Triple-A level, his lifetime batting average is .325 - and on top of that he’s a plus defender in the outfield with a strong throwing arm.

In the big leagues, he hasn’t done all that well - so far. In 1,425 At Bats he’s batted .266 with no power - and he’s hit just .242 in his last 401 At Bats. Yet, despite his age and minor league track record, many are convinced that he will never be a useful, full-time, player in the major leagues.

Seems sort of inconsistent, doesn’t it? Both are very young. Both have shot through, and excelled, in the minors. Both have struggled in the majors. Yet, one is seen as a future ace in the Yankees rotation and the other is seen as a bench player, at best.

Oh, by the way, the pitcher is Phil Hughes and the batter is Melky Cabrera.

Now, I’m not saying that Hughes will be a bust. And, I’m not saying that Cabrera will be a star. But, when you look at their resumes, they’re not all that different, are they? And yet, they are looked upon differently - by many Yankees fans. And, that seems unfair - at least to me.

September 15, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 22 Comments

Yanks Could Finish Below Jays Now

At this point in the season, CoolStandings.com is predicting the Yankees to finish with 85.6 wins this season - and for the Blue Jays to finish with 85.2 wins. Basically, they’re saying that it’s now a toss-up between New York and Toronto as to who finishes in 4th place (in the A.L. East) this year.

Ken Rosenthal, back in January, warned this could happen.

When has the last time the Yankees didn’t finish in 3rd place, or higher, in the final standings? That would be 1992 - which was also the last season of a four-year period which has a strong claim towards being the worse run in the Yankees’ timeline – in terms of the team’s relative and collective shortcomings.

Just how is this possible when you have a payroll in excess of $200 million? Sure, injuries played a part of it. But, there’s also an element in play here that falls under the heading “bad planning.” And, you would not be flogged - at least by me - if you suggested that there’s a lack of inspired play by certain members of this team.

It will be very interesting to see what the Brothers Stein do to address these situations. Right now, based on what we read and hear, it doesn’t sound like much will happen - in terms of changes. So, don’t be shocked if the Yankees, next season, repeat this horror show in the first year of the new Yankee Stadium.

September 6, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 7 Comments

Cashman: My Money’s On Hughes

I’m a little late on this one…with the Cooperstown trip and all…but, I still felt it was worth noting, albeit somewhat tardy. Via Ken Davidoff:

Phil Hughes missed three months last year after pulling his left hamstring, and about 3 1/2 months this season with a fractured rib. So the question must be asked: Is Hughes injury-prone?

“Obviously, it becomes a concern if it keeps happening,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “At the same time, you look at examples elsewhere. [Jose] Reyes had a history of hamstrings. Everybody was like, ‘He can’t stay healthy. Move him, move him, move him.’ It seems like he’s been his healthiest in the big leagues.

“There are a ton of other guys who can never stay healthy. Nick Johnson, guys like that. For every example I can give you that’s good, you’ll give me an example that’s bad, and I’ll say you’re right. That’s the great thing on this stuff. You place your bets on certain individuals and then you hope those horses finish the race first for you.”

…You place your bets on certain individuals and then you hope those horses finish the race first for you…

Well, after placing losing bets on Weaver, Vazquez, Brown, Pavano, and Igawa, Cashman is due for a winner, no? Yeah, right…

September 3, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 5 Comments

Yanks Have Become Annie Sez

In 1996, Yankees second baseman Mariano Duncan came up with the game mantra of:

“We play today, we win today. Dat’s it.”

And, the Yankees kept attitute for the next few years. What do we hear from the Yankees today? Via Joe Girardi, in his post-game press conference last night:

“You have another game tomorrow.”

And, you’ve heard this line from other Yankees - such as Johnny Damon, Alex Rodriguez, and Derek Jeter - quite a bit lately. Heck they might as well be singing…

The sun’ll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There’ll be sun!

Just thinkin’ about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
‘Til there’s none!

When I’m stuck a day
That’s gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin,
And Say,
Oh!

The sun’ll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
‘Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow!
You’re always
A day
Away!

This is what this Yankees team has become - it’s no longer a take care of business today type of team…and, now, it’s all about ‘Well, we still have tomorrow.’

Well, guess what fellas? There’s not a whole lot of tomorrows left for this season. So, stop insulting the intelligence of your fans with this “You have another game tomorrow” nonsense. It’s way too late for that now.

August 28, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 4 Comments

Dustin Pedroia’s Slam 8th

It’s time to sing this song now…

August 27, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 4 Comments

The Batting With RISP Excuse

[Regarding the Yankees poor record this season, to date] When it is suggested that no one could have foreseen all the injuries and no victories from touted rookie pitchers Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, [Yankees G.M. Brian] Cashman said, “That has nothing to do with it. It’s our … offense. We can’t hit with runners in scoring position.” [source]

We can’t hit with runners in scoring position.

I am sooooo tired of hearing this excuse from the Yankees and some of their fans.

Yes, statistically speaking, the Yankees, as a team, have done a poor job with respect to batting with runners in scoring position (RISP). To date their BA/OBA/SLG line with RISP is .259/.347/.381 (in 1,309 PA). That OPS mark of .729 for New York, with RISP, is 11th worst in the league.

But, there’s a problem with the batting with RISP stat…as it does not tell you anything about the score of the game during those Plate Appearances when the runners were in scoring position.

It treats the PA with RISP when the score is 16-0 (either way) the same as the PA with RISP when it’s the bottom of the 9th, no outs, with a runner on third, and when you’re down by a run. And, that’s stupid.

For me, I’d rather look at how a team is batting, period, when it’s a close game - say when the score is within 2 runs (either way). And, in this “Within 2 Runs” situation snapshot, this season, to date, the Yankees BA/OBA/SLG line is .270/.343/.419 (in 3,142 PA).

Now, some may see that “Within 2 Runs” OPS for New York of .761 and offer that it’s very close to the OPS mark of .729 for New York with RISP. However, there is a difference here.

That OPS mark of .761 for New York when the score is “Within 2 Runs” is 5th best mark in the league. So, when it comes to batting when the game is close, the Yankees are one of the better teams in the league, to date, this season.

Perhaps a better reason why the Yankees have done so poorly this season is their pitching.

During the first half of the season, the Yankees starting pitchers had an ERA of 4.51 (in 525.3 IP). This mark was 9th worst in the league during the first half - and just a few points from being 11th worst.

And, during the second half of this season, to date, the Yankees bullpen has an ERA of 5.83 (in 78.6 IP). That ERA is the worst mark - out of all 14 teams - in the league during the second half of the season.

If the Yankees, or their fans, what a reason/excuse for the team’s poor record this season, to date, it was the terrible pitching of Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, and Darrell Rasner during the first three months of the season; and, it’s been the terrible pitching of Edwar Ramirez and Damaso Marte this month.

Maybe that’s not 100% of it - in terms of where to lay the blame. But, it’s a huge part of it - and more important than how the Yankees have been batting with runners in scoring position.

Maybe Brian Cashman doesn’t want to ‘fess up to that? After all, Hughes, Kennedy, Rasner, Ramirez and Marte are all part of his pitching plan for this season. So, it’s much easier to point to a stat like batting with RISP - which looks bad…but, which tells you nothing, in reality, because it’s not reflecting when those Plate Appearances occurred.

But, to me, when it comes to the Yankees “story” this season, it’s the same as it’s been for the last four years before this one - it’s all about the pitching…and Cashman’s bad plan in terms on who to count on…for the Yankees staff.

August 14, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 13 Comments

Please Pass The Seditol

Anyone else losing sleep because the recent play by the Yankees?

Last night, I was up until 2 AM, tossing and turning, over their loss to the Twins. Ditto three days ago when they lost to the Angels.

Know how some people count sheep when they can’t sleep? Well, I count by Yankees…using uniform numbers - either the current Yankee, retired number, or the last Yankee to wear that number…like this:

Billy Martin
Derek Jeter
Babe Ruth
Lou Gehrig
Joe DiMaggio
Joe Torre
Mickey Mantle
Yogi & Dickey
Roger Maris
Phil Rizzuto
Brett Gardner
Ivan Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Wilson Betemit
Thurman Munson
Whitey Ford
Justin Christian
Johnny Damon
Chad Moeller……….etc.

Most times, I’m sleeping by Abreu or Matsui. But, even that didn’t work last night.

Man, I’m tired today. How about you?

August 12, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 3 Comments

And Then There Were None

So, Joba Chamberlain is now on the D.L. with a bum shoulder.

And, this season, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy have seen more time on a minor league mound than on a big league hill.

What in the name of Leiter, Arnsberg, and Fulton is going on here? Are we looking at the next generation of Paul Wilson, Carl Pavano and Bruce Chen?

August 6, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | Leave a Comment

Same Ol’ Cashman

In conjunction with the recent trades made by the Yankees, I see many fans of the team now dusting off their “Ca$h-money is a genius!” T-shirts and the like…

Maybe they shouldn’t be so fast here? Let’s look at what Brian Cashman has done, recently, with the Yankees roster:

Richie Sexson replaces the role that was supposed to be filled by Morgan Ensberg and/or Shelley Duncan

Xavier Nady replaces Hideki Matsui
(It should be noted that Nady replaced Brett Gardner who replaced Johnny Damon who replaced Matsui. And, since Damon is still playing now as a D.H., and Gardner was only here for a few games, in the end, it’s really Nady filling in now for the injured Matsui.)

Damaso Marte replaces Kyle Farnsworth
(Some like to suggest that Marte has replaced LaTroy Hawkins. But, when you look at roles, Chris Britton is now the new Hawkins and Marte is the new Farnsworth.)

Ivan Rodriguez replaces Jose Molina (with the latter replacing Chad Moeller)

In summary, Cashman has replaced the bat that was missing due to the injury to Godzilla and has upgraded his catching position with respect to the offense generated from that spot. Marte for Farnsworth and Sexson as a new right-handed bat off the bench is sort of a push.

Cashman did little to address the Yankees true need - meaning replacing Sidney Ponson in the starting rotation. The combination of Posnon and Darrell Rasner, as starters, is the Yankees weak link right now. You can live with Rasner if you had a decent fourth starter (to go with Pettitte, Chamberlain and Mussina). But, when you have Ponson in the rotation, it makes having Rasner be an issue as well.

Right now, the Yankees pitching is not as good as the White Sox, Angels, or Red Sox. Heck, it’s not as good as the Blue Jays. And, that’s all because of the back-end of the Yankees starting rotation.

So, what did “Ca$h-money” do to address this issue? Like always, he tries to hide the stink of his pitching with some offensive cologne.

Now, I know that some Yankees fans out there are thinking “Cash knows what he’s doing. There’s nothing out there to replace Ponson. But, soon someone like Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes, Alfredo Aceves, or even Carl Pavano should be able to step into the Yankees rotation and help out. And, they also recently signed Victor Zambrano and Eric Milton.”

Really?

Kennedy, Hughes, and Aceves have proven nothing, consistently, at the big league level. Pavano? Com’on, do you really want to go there? Ditto on Zambrano and Milton.

Sorry Cashman Kool-Aid Brigade, when I look at the recent changes to the Yankees roster, I see “Same ol’ Cashman” - meaning, “In Case of Fire, Add Bats.”

Until Cashman goes out and gets an effective starting pitching to replace Sidney Ponson, color me all not all that impressed with what he’s done recently.

August 1, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 24 Comments

Sir Sidney Blutarsky Goes “Boom!”

See? I told you it was just a matter of time.

Seattle Mariners interim G.M. Lee Pelekoudas can go to bed tonight feeling good - as the price for Jarrod Washburn just went up this evening…thanks to Sidney “Hit Me!” Ponson.

July 27, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 13 Comments

Little Joe Morgan Talks The Talk - And Then Takes A Walk

Via a mlb.com feature entitled “Legends gather for Stadium sendoff” that was published the day before the 2008 All-Star Game:

“This is the greatest fraternity in the world,” said Joe Morgan, the second baseman on those same great Cincinnati teams of the ’70s. “You can talk about the other halls of fame, but baseball is held to a higher standard.

“When we get together, it’s always special for me. But this … the mystique of the Yankees and of New York … this All-Star Game will be very exciting: It’s the first time the venue matches greatness of the players.

“You play the All-Star Game in some of the newer parks, and the players are the stars of the show, and rightfully so. Tonight, both the park and the players will be stars.”

And, yet, when it came time to be on the field, at Yankee Stadium, during the 2008 All Star Game “pre-game ceremonies,” Joe Morgan took a pass.

Morgan was at the Stadium the day before the game - to cover the Homerun Derby for ESPN. So, what happened?

Well, for years there’s been a perception in some circles that Joe Morgan thinks Ryne Sandberg is unworthy of being a member of Cooperstown. And, related, there’s a school of thought out there that suggests Morgan’s way of protesting Sandberg’s inclusion in the Hall of Fame is to be a no-show when Sandberg is present at a “Famer” function.

In any event, Joe Morgan is not looking good right now for giving Yankee Stadium the snub this week. And, if he’s there to do the last game of the regular season this year - as it appears ESPN is slated to cover the game - it will be interesting to see how well Morgan is recieved by the fans.

July 17, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 14 Comments

Help Protest ESPN’s Call To Have Last Game At Yankee Stadium Played At Night

My fears from back in February have been confirmed. Via SI.com -

Yankee Stadium’s regular-season finale will be a night game. The Yankees’ Sept. 21 game against the Baltimore Orioles has been scheduled for 8:05 p.m. and will be televised nationally by ESPN or ESPN2 as part of the Sunday night package.

I’ve already sent a brief and polite e-mail to George Bodenheimer, the man in charge of ESPN, requesting him to ensure that Yankee Stadium gets it’s last day…in the sun…as it deserves.

If you would like to do the same, here’s his e-mail address: george.bodenheimer@disney.com

July 17, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 5 Comments

Abreu: Why Does He Bat Third?

In his last 50 games this season, covering 218 PA, Bobby Abreu’s BA/OBA/SLG line is: .254/.326/.431

And, in his last 25 games this season, covering 110 PA, Bobby Abreu’s BA/OBA/SLG line is: .237/.327/.371

Yet, in 78 of the 87 games that Abreu has played for the Yankees this season, he’s batted third - where your best hitter should reside.

I don’t get it. I really just don’t get it.

People like to complain about Joe Girardi batting Melky Cabrera in the lead-off spot at times - and, they should - but, we don’t hear much about the strange call to continue running Abreu out there in the three-hole. Why?

July 9, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 5 Comments

A-Rod Not Being A Leader

Via Sam Borden -

Girardi professed his confidence in the Yankees’ ability to improve, but so far this year’s Yankees are also lacking a key ingredient the championship teams had in droves: clutch hitting.

To be fair, quantifying clutch hitting is one of the more impossible things to do, yet the feeling you have when a Yankee comes up with a runner in scoring position surely isn’t the same now as it was back then, and the numbers bear that out: From 1996 to 2000, the Yankees hit .293, .298, .299, 292 and .273, respectively, with runners in scoring position. After going 2 for 9 yesterday, they’re at .256 in those spots this season.

The most glaring failure was Alex Rodriguez’s groundout with the bases loaded in the seventh inning. Trailing 6-3 and with Sox starter Josh Beckett out of the game, Rodriguez took two pitches from reliever Manny Delcarmen, swung and missed at a curveball and then grounded out to third base to end the inning.

Rodriguez refused to be accountable for the second straight day, blowing out of the clubhouse without talking to reporters.

I find this distressing.

You make $28 million a year. And, you’re going to be with the team for another nine seasons - making between twenty-something and thirty-something million, thereabouts, per year. Basically, you’re now the face of the franchise.

The team is in a rough patch. The manager just called everyone on the carpet. The media is on the players - big time.

What do you do? You bolt from the clubhouse - two days in a row - and leave your teammates to deal with the media. That’s weak.

It makes me wish that someone on the Yankees would pull a Billy Wagner and call-out A-Rod for his lack of clubhouse accountability.

July 5, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 8 Comments

Kid Carter Takes Shot At General Joe

Via George King -

For a guy who played the game with Hall of Fame talent and smarts, Gary Carter is saying and doing some dumb things.

Talking to the L.A. Times about not getting a chance to manage in the big leagues, Carter took a big and unnecessary shot at Joe Girardi and the Steinbrenner family.

“[The] pictures Joe Girardi must have on Steinbrenner,” said Carter, who is managing in a California independent league.

When those words were relayed to Girardi following last night’s 12-3 defeat to the Pirates at PNC Park, Girardi listened without comment. Asked if he had a bad history with Carter, Girardi said he didn’t.

“He was always cordial and nice to me,” Girardi said.

My initial reaction on this is the same that Yankees fans had back on April 16, 1985 - towards Carter.

I could not stand Gary Carter when he played for the Mets. He was a “Red Light” player - long before anyone ever hung that term on Curt Schilling. When he was on the field, Carter always knew which T.V. camera was hot.

Later, after he retired, my position on Carter softened - and I was happy for him when he was selected for Cooperstown.

Now, after he lobbied for Willie Randolph’s job (with the Mets) - while Willow was still in it - and this, well, Carter is starting to sound like a whiney and complaining menopausal wash-woman in need of some good meds.

June 25, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 6 Comments

Griffey Deserves To Be Booed At Stadium

Via the Post -

Ken Griffey Jr. didn’t make the walk out to Monument Park yesterday, and has no plans to do so this weekend.

He won’t stop to smell the roses, because Griffey figures he will have to hold his nose.

“My favorite Yankee Stadium memory?” the Reds slugger said last night. “It’s leaving Yankee Stadium.”

Griffey is no fan of history, and no fan of the Yankees since Billy Martin, who has been dead for 17 years, yelled at a young Griffey while his dad, Ken Sr., was a member of the Bombers.

Once, Junior said he would never play for the Yankees for that reason alone.

“The Reds haven’t been here in 30 years,” he said before the Reds’ 4-2 victory last night. “For us it’s a road trip

If you’re a Yankees fan, and you’re reading this, and you have a chance to go to the game today or tomorrow, please consider showing Kid Griffey the same lack of respect that he has now voiced towards Yankee Stadium.

In other words, give Griffey “the works.”

June 21, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 6 Comments

The Checked Swing

In case you missed it, here’s the “checked swing” issue from last night’s game - via Kat O’Brien:

Jason Giambi, whose pinch-hit two-run homer in the ninth inning gave the Yankees a 9-8 victory over the Blue Jays on Thursday, had a chance to steal the back page again. He batted against lefthander Ron Mahay with runners on first and second and two out in the eighth, but this time he was left frustrated.

Giambi tried to check his swing on a full-count pitch in the dirt - replays clearly indicated he did - but Royals catcher John Buck leaped at Giambi to tag him and plate umpire Ed Montague ruled he had gone around, prompting a brief argument from the stunned Giambi.

Giambi was calm after the game, saying: “It doesn’t really matter now. You can’t do anything about it.” He added: “I really respect and love Ed Montague. I’ll never say anything bad about him. It’s over now.”

Montague told a pool reporter he had not yet watched a replay and said of Giambi: “He said he didn’t swing. I said I had the ball passing the bat. And that was it. Checked swing. Close. I had him offering at the ball.”

This is interesting, as, almost three years ago to the day, on June 8, 2005, the Yankees were also involved in another heated check swing call - one going the other way. Via the Times, back then:

[Tino] Martinez and [Joe] Torre were ejected after Martinez complained that [Brady] Clark went around on a 1-2 pitch. The first-base umpire, Larry Vanover, threw out Martinez, and when Torre got in Vanover’s face to argue, Vanover ejected him too.

“Everything we haven’t been doing built up, and I took it out on the umpire, which I shouldn’t have done,” Torre said.

At that time, this is what I wrote on the matter:

On the “checked swing” thing, that was the most heated that I’ve ever seen Torre get with an ump. Personally, “checked swings” have been an issue for me for a long time. “Checked swing” is an oxymoron. There’s no such thing as a checked swing. Once the swing is started, it’s a swing. If these were called properly, in that they are all swings, it would make the game move a lot faster.

And, my opinion has not changed on this matter. So, put me on Ed Montague’s side for the play in question from last night’s game.

June 7, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 4 Comments

The New Yankee Trend: Weak Pen Coming Back To Haunt

May 26th will always be a day that stands out to me on my personal Yankees calendar. It’s not because of some on the field result, player news, or front office move, etc. It’s because the first time my kids ever went to a Yankees game was on May 26th (of last year).

So, as I was looking at the Yankees schedule this morning, May 26th caught my eye - being a special date, etc. And, I noticed that the Yankees have now lost four of seven since May 26th (this season). That’s not good. But, “how” they have lost these games is worse. The rundown:

May 26, 2008: Yanks trailing, just 1-0, heading into the bottom of the 7th inning. La Troy Hawkins and Jose Veras imploded in that inning and, bam, the Yankees are now in a 6-0 hole with 6 outs left. They lose the game 6-1.

May 27, 2008: This one hurt. The Yankees led 4-0 after one and a half - and Ian Kennedy allowed 4 in the second to tie the score. Then the Yankees led 8-4 heading into the bottom of the 5th - and Ross Ohlendorf allowed four in that frame to tie the score. Then, the Yankees take the lead in the 11th, 9-8, only to have La Troy Hawkins blow the game in the bottom of that inning. They lose the game 10-9.

June 1, 2008: The Yankees trail, 3-1, heading into the bottom of the 6th inning. Darrell Rasner was tired - having thrown 92 pitches in the first five innings. He’s left in the game for the 6th, and, by the time he’s thrown his 111th pitch of the day, and thanks to some bad outfield defense, the Yankees are down 4-1. Scott Patterson allows another run in the 7th inning. New York can never catch up. They lose the game 5-1.

June 2, 2008: This one was like May 27th. Yanks lead, 2-0, after one. Then the game is tied at two after three. Yanks pull ahead, 4-2, in the 6th inning - but allow the Twins to tie the game that inning (4-4). Yanks pull ahead again, 5-4, in the 7th inning - but allow the Twins to tie the game that inning (5-5). Each time the Yankees had the lead, Andy Pettitte allowed the Twins to come back in the game. When Pettitte blew the lead in the seventh, it was on a homer to Joe Mauer - off Pettitte’s 92nd pitch of the game. Next, Kyle Farnsworth allows a double-bunt-double combo in the 8th inning inning. They lose the game 6-5.

The Yankees lost these four games because their pitchers either could not keep a close game close or because their pitchers could not hold a lead when it was presented. Sure, you cannot win everyday. But, it’s not a reach to say that the Yankees should have won at least one of these four recent losses - and maybe two.

The key has been the bullpen. If the Yankees had better arms in the pen then maybe a tired Rasner and a tired Pettitte do not allow those late inning runs (in their losses). And, maybe you don’t allow guys like La Troy Hawkins and Kyle Farnsworth to blow games for you too.

I saw this coming - way back in December. But, then again, the Yankees have not had an effective pen, outside of Mo Rivera, since 2003.

If things don’t turn around soon, then, for the last five seasons now, Brian Cashman deserves an “F” on the “bullpen” section of his report card.

June 3, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 12 Comments

Can You Bench A Bench?

How bad has the Yankees bench been this season? Check this out:

Via the Complete Baseball Encyclopedia, Yankees batting seasons, since 1973, ranked by worst OWP - min. 60 PA - with 2008 being to-date:

Player		YEAR	PA	OWP
Joel Skinner	1987	154	.036
Wil Nieves	2007	66	.042
Dale Sveum	1998	64	.051
Dennis Werth	1981	71	.066
Butch Hobson	1982	60	.068
Bucky Dent	1982	173	.075
Johnny Callison	1973	142	.077
Jesse Barfield	1992	105	.080
Cla.Washington	1990	83	.083
Jim Mason		1975	251	.089
John Flaherty	2005	138	.091
Brad Gulden	1979	105	.091
Wayne Tolleson	1990	83	.092
Andre Robertson	1984	152	.097
Gerald Williams	1993	71	.099
Luis Sojo		2001	84	.111
Johnny Oates	1980	67	.114
Morgan Ensberg	2008	80	.125
Ed Brinkman	1975	68	.125
Clay Bellinger	2001	88	.132
Lou Piniella	1975	221	.138
Mike Fischlin	1986	116	.139
Brian Doyle	1980	81	.142
Jose Molina	2008	102	.143
Jim Mason		1976	236	.155
Todd Greene	2001	100	.159
Luis Sojo		1998	153	.159
Paul Blair	1978	136	.162
Enrique Wilson	2002	119	.166
Fred Stanley	1979	110	.167
Henry Cotto	1986	83	.168
Shelley Duncan	2008	62	.180
Hal Lanier	1973	90	.182
Joe Girardi	1999	229	.182
Omar Moreno	1985	68	.185
Andy Fox		1996	219	.195
Wayne Tolleson	1989	160	.201
Jim Spencer	1981	72	.202
Jose Cruz		1988	88	.202
Bobby Meacham	1986	185	.204

What offensive value have Shelley Duncan, Jose Molina, and Morgan Ensberg added, so far, this season? None. They’ve been terrible with the bat. Considering that the Yankees are carrying 12 pitchers, this is worse news - since their bench then consists of just four players: Molina (when Posada returns), Duncan, Ensberg and Wilson Betemit.

Granted, the Yankees bench should not have to be called upon all that much. But, they still do have to play in some games. And, when Molina, Duncan and Ensberg do play, they’re killing the team offensively.

May 27, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 10 Comments

It’s Not The ’90’s Anymore

Tom Verducci, at SI.com, has a feature running on the high flyin’ Tampa Bay Rays - it’s entitled “The Bizarro Supermen.” Now, I’m all for giving the Rays props. Back on February 19th of this year, I was doing it - way before it became the popular thing to do. But, seeing this in the Verducci piece bothered me today:

The Rays and the Marlins in first place in mid-May? Looking at the standings too long these days can induce vertigo. The American League East particularly seems to have confused down with up. Not only did the Yankees bottom out in last place this deep into a season for the first time since 1990, but they were also exhorted by the boss’s son, team cochairman Hank Steinbrenner, to play more like… well, like the Rays, owners of nine last-place finishes in their 10-year history.

The shift toward emphasizing younger players was dramatically evident during last week’s Yankees-Rays series. New York features seven regulars who are 32 or older. Two of them (third baseman Alex Rodriguez and catcher Jorge Posada) were on the disabled list, and four others were hitting below their career averages (outfielders Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu, shortstop Derek Jeter and first baseman Jason Giambi). The Yankees scored only six runs in the four games, hit only one home run and stole no bases (they ranked last in the league at week’s end) and showed little range defensively.

The Rays, meanwhile, ran the bases aggressively, chased down just about anything airborne in the outfield, turned key double plays and shackled New York hitters with power pitching.

Seems like Tom is using his pro-Rays piece as a chance to take some shots at the Yankees too, no? Then again, I suppose, what he’s saying is true…so…

…I guess we, as Yankees fans, better get used to this - with teams like the Rays and Red Sox going well and things in Yankeeland being the way they are - as New York has become the model of “what not to do” in terms of having a team that wins today.

May 20, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 7 Comments

Stories Without Wings

Via the AP:

A die-hard Red Sox fan from Gloucester, Mass., is going to have to pay up big time after a Yankees fan punched him, and hurt his hand in the process.

Bay Stater David Sanborn, 40, was ordered by a California jury to pay Yankees fan Mario Melendez $25,297 because Melendez hurt his hand when he punched Sanborn in the mouth during a bar brawl in Carlsbad, Calif., two years ago, the Boston Herald reported.

Sanborn said the two men were watching games on TVs in the restaurant when Melendez started cheering for the Yankees and Sanborn told him to sit down. A fight quickly ensued and Melendez said he punched Sanborn in the mouth in self-defense, breaking some of Sanborn’s teeth.

The bongo player said he realized how much his hand hurt later and went to the doctor, later suing because he needs his hands to make a living. The jury awarded him $15,297 for medical costs and $10,000 in punitive damages last week, the Herald reported.

Anyone else getting completely tired of hearing these Yanks-Sox fan battle stories? Someone should tell the media that the horse is dead and the shark has been jumped.

May 13, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 1 Comment

Yeah, The Yankees Really Miss A-Rod

The Yankees record this season when A-Rod was in the line-up: 12-12
The Yankees record this season, so far, when A-Rod does not play: 7-8

Just think, if A-Rod had never got hurt, the Yankees would now be a .500-team!

May 13, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 19 Comments

Where Is That Great Yankees Offense?

The Yankees have played 35 games now, this season.

In 15 of those 35 games, 43%, New York has scored 3 runs or less. And, they’ve lost 11 of those 15 games.

In 20 of those 35 games, 57%, New York has scored 4 runs or less. And, they’ve lost 15 of those 20 games.

If you’re wondering why the Yankees, on the morning of May 8th, are a game under .500 for the season, there’s your answer.

May 7, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 7 Comments

THT’s Kalk Looks At Cano

(Hat tip to WasWatching.com reader “hopbitters” for the heads-up on this one.)

I just read Josh Kalk’s “Anatomy of a player: Robinson Cano” at The Hardball Times. Josh concludes that:

Cano simply can’t lay off low and away change-ups from right-handed pitching. While he is making contact with these pitches, he is often rolling over and weakly grounding out. The change-up from a right-handed pitcher moves away from a left-handed batter and it appears that Cano is getting fooled often by these pitches and swinging even when the ball is far outside the strike zone. It also points to the possibility that Cano isn’t picking up the ball quickly and thinks fastball only to swing and realize the pitch was a change-up away from him. Again, because he is getting himself out on this pitch, he is seeing a pretty hefty diet of off-speed pitches away. Cano needs to lay off this pitch if he is to get better pitches to hit.

While it is extremely unlikely that Cano is going to keep hitting this far below the Mendoza line, it definitely appears that something significant has changed in his approach this season. First and foremost, Cano simply has to be more selective at the plate. His problem isn’t swinging and missing at pitches but putting way too many balls in play when the pitch is a foot outside the zone. When he becomes more selective, pitchers will have to come in to him and then he can effectively pull the ball the way it appears he wants so desperately to do. Unless he can make these corrections, he is going to have a long season.

Just this past Saturday, I was listening to the Yankees game on the radio. And, Suzyn Waldman - at least I think it was her and not John Sterling - said that Kevin Long, and the Yankees brass, felt that Cano was standing too far off the plate, and that was adversely impacting his ability to handle the outside pitch. But, as she reported, Cano didn’t want to move closer to the dish because he felt that pitchers were jamming him with inside pitches.

Sure enough, when I got home, and caught the end of the game on YES, it looked like Cano was way off the plate (with his stance).

Kalk’s data backs-up what Waldman reported and what my eyes confirmed. What’s really amazing is that the Yankees know what the issue is - and, yet, Cano will not follow their advice.

Maybe a couple of weeks in Scranton will warm up Robby to the notion of not being so far off the plate?

May 6, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 9 Comments

Igawa To Be Throw To The Tigers?

Via George King -

Since the Yankees don’t have another option, get ready to see Kei Igawa in Detroit.

With Ian Kennedy being sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre yesterday, the Yankees need a starter Friday or Saturday against the Tigers. Whatever game Darrell Rasner doesn’t work will go to Igawa, the $46 million disaster.

“He is the leading candidate,” Joe Girardi said before the lefty went seven innings, allowed five hits, four earned runs, walked four and fanned eight against Durham yesterday. He is 3-3 with a 3.68 ERA for SWB.

“That’s the way we are leaning right now,” said GM Brian Cashman, who is willing to look for an answer inside the organization first.

I wouldn’t go with Igawa. Check these numbers:

In his last 5 Triple-A starts, Kei Igawa has thrown 29.6 IP - allowing 27 hits, 11 walks, and 16 earned runs. That’s a Triple-A ERA of 4.87 in his last 5 games. Basically, he’s the same Igawa that we saw last year.

On the other hand, Steven White, in his last 4 starts at Scranton-Wilkes Barre has thrown 23.6 IP - allowing 14 hits, 11 walks, and and just 5 earned runs. Granted, his walks are high, but, at least he’s preventing runs.

Also, journeyman Dan Giese, pitching for the Yankees at Triple-A, has put together these numbers in four games as a starter: 21.3 IP, 1.27 ERA, zero homers, and a BA allowed of .189. (Further, Giese had a cup of coffee last year and held his own at that time - with an ERA+ of 92.)

But, Giese is not on the 40-man roster. So, to consider him, the Yankees would have to move Phil Hughes to the 60-day D.L., or something like that, to make a move for him.

In the end, it probably will be Igawa to get the call. When you think about that, it almost makes more sense to start LaTroy Hawkins, have him go three, and then follow-up with the crew of Ross Ohlendorf, Jonathan Albaladejo, Chris Britton, and/or Edwar Ramirez. They’d probably do just as good as Igawa.

May 5, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 7 Comments

Oblique: Devious, Misleading, Dishonest?

Hey, that’s what it says in the Dictionary. See “4(b)” below:

oblique (ō-blēk’, ∂-blēk’)

adj.

1.
a. Having a slanting or sloping direction, course, or position; inclined.
b. Mathematics. Designating geometric lines or planes that are neither parallel nor perpendicular.

2. Botany. Having sides of unequal length or form: an oblique leaf.
3. Anatomy. Situated in a slanting position; not transverse or longitudinal: oblique muscles or ligaments.

4.
a. Indirect or evasive: oblique political maneuvers.
b. Devious, misleading, or dishonest: gave oblique answers to the questions.

5. Not direct in descent; collateral.
6. Grammar. Designating any noun case except the nominative or the vocative.

May 1, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 12 Comments

Tim Battle

Can someone please tell me why this man is still in the Yankees organization? He’s 22 and has been in A-ball for the last 5 seasons. As of yesterday, he’s had 1,927 minor league At Bats and has whiffed in 634 of them - fashioning an OPS of .661 in the process.

Yes, reports say he’s a fine defensive outfielder. But, he cannot hit - at all.

Sure, he was a 3rd round pick (in 2003). And, O.K., some say he’s a hard worker with great tools. Also, I know that he’s a survivor of B-cell lymphoma (a form of bone cancer) which he had in his left ribcage (back in 2003).

But, again, he’s 22-years old and been stuck in A-ball for 5 years because he cannot hit. It’s time to cut the cord, no?

April 29, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances | 17 Comments

Hey, Doc, Guess What? We Don’t Want Him!

Schilling wants to pitch for Yanks in ‘09?

Via WBZTV.com

Will Curt Schilling pitch for the Red Sox again? His personal doctor says probably not - and he could finish his career in New York.

Dr. Craig Morgan told ESPN Radio in Philadelphia Monday that, in his opinion, Schilling will not be back to pitch in Boston this season.

“Not only that, it’s my opinion he’s angry enough that it’s entirely conceivable even though he’s 40 years old, it’s entirely conceivable that he will have the operation, rehab, and pitch for the Yankees next year,” Morgan said.

There has been no comment from Schilling, the Red Sox, or the Yankees.

I’d rather watch Kei Igawa take a regular turn, and get pounded every time time, than have an old, fat, and done Curt Schilling on the Yankees next season.