Was away from Friday morning until Sunday afternoon. Had some thoughts saved up and kept up (somewhat, access limited) on the weekend happenings.
First off, going into Friday, Mussina was 266-151, one of 18 pitchers 115 games or more over .500 (and I see he got a ND Friday night). 12 of the 18 are in the HOF. Of the five not in the HOF besides Moose, four of the five are Clemens, R.J., Maddux, and Pedro….all who will be in the HOF (except for maybe Clemens because of the steroid allegations….) Furthers the case for Moose in the HOF.
Secondly, Why does it seem like every time Suzyn describes a player under 25, they were “rushed up” and that she only gushes over veterans who have been around 12 or more years? Maybe the veterans are the only names she remembers. Most of the time it sounds like Suzyn wants to broadcast in an old age home.
Hmmm…Yanks face arguably the best pitcher in baseball and are a team that has scored two or fewer runs in something like 40 of 125 games this year but some sportswriters question them playing littleball? What’s not “to get” about Jeter bunting on Halladay in the 1st? He’s Jeter, not Henry Aaron. He’s a #2 hitter who won’t hit 15 HR this year. Granted a .300 hitter, but one who for the greater portion of 2008 has been an average ballplayer. Besides, isn’t the job of a #2 hitter that of advancing the runner? Preferably by hitting the ball to the right side. If the leadoff guy doesn’t get on, be a leadoff guy yourself. Walk. Steal. Take pitches to let what you hope is a speedy leadoff guy steal. Swinging on the 1st or 2nd pitch and GIDP (which Derek has done a lot of this year) isn’t the job of a #2 hitter. But, oh yeah…he’s Derek Jeter. Rules that apply to #2 hitters don’t apply to him? I know he’s been hot lately, but this is Halladay we are talking about. Were it a nobody, then I question him bunting. A Halladay or Halladay-type pitcher? No. You need to take advantage of every chance you can get to advance the runner, score, etc., and how many bases loaded, no out , 1st and 3rd, no or one out situations have we seen this year where the Yanks don’t score?
Amazing. 40 times two runs or less, and when they DO play littleball, they get ripped for it. Unreal. Hypocritical.
Since 2001, the Yanks have had the big G, Tony Clark, Sierra, Alex, Sheff, Sexson, Bernie, Abreu, Posada, Matsui and now Pudge at various times, and where has the wait for the 3-run HR approach gotten them? The situational hitting has been bad for years. Forget the number of runs scored last year. What has the offense done in the playoffs recently? What is it doing this year? One World Series appearance since 2001. Yet the same reporters decrying the lack of offense want that offense to continue down the same road. Don’t bunt. Don’t steal. Don’t squeeze. Unreal.
Meanwhile, a team with lesser offensive firepower, but one who keeps taking advantage of their opportunities—who plays littleball—keeps beating the Yanks left and right. The Angels.
One thing making it worse is that the players who a) have speed or b) should be bunting because of the types of players they are (Melky, Cano, Damon, Jeter….Gardner) don’t bunt.
Not utilizing ALL your talents…one sure way to lose. Another way is waiting for things to happen instead of making them happen, and we’ve seen that a lot lately, haven’t we?
What’s not “to get”?
Get rid of the “I can’t (fill in the blank) because I’m (fill in the blank)” attitude, and maybe this team can start winning again.
Ok. Saw the Yanks won Friday night 9-4 behind 4 HR, a couple from unexpected sources. Cano, Molina (back to back), then later Ransom and Nady back to back. Ransom a defensive replacement. Meanwhile, since his callup, 2 for 2, 2 HR with the Yanks. Didn’t I want him instead of Betemit a month or so ago? And how about that Nady again? Great pickup.
Then I see that Mister MIA himself went 5 IP, 3 R and got the win last night—right in front of Yankee Fan Club members (I was not on the trip). HRs by Giambi (#389, tying Johnny Bench) and Matsui. Giambi’s next HR will tie Graig Nettles on the all-time list.
Lastly, I didn’t see the minors this weekend, but did see that Phil Hughes was rocked Friday night. 3 1/3 IP, 8 R, 10 hits, 6 K. Ouch.