So now, after winning nine in a row, the Bombers have lost three of five. Is this cause for concern? It depends if you're a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty type of person, I guess. I'm most worried about Melky Cabrera. If there's anybody who's been a sparkplug for Yankee rallies, it's him.
Let's hope A.J. Burnett can get his first victory in over a month today. It would be a shame to lose this series to the Rangers.
* * *
Jason of the great baseball blog It Is About the Money, Stupid has another website - and a rather devious plan. He's asking fans to Vote for Manny Ramirez for the All-Star Game.
Why does he want Manny as a starter? Jason writes:
What do you think? Leave us a comment!
Jason of the great baseball blog It Is About the Money, Stupid has another website - and a rather devious plan. He's asking fans to Vote for Manny Ramirez for the All-Star Game.
Why does he want Manny as a starter? Jason writes:
To highlight the silliness that are the MLB rules towards PED users as well as their "head in the sand" approach to this situation. Rather than confront it head-on, MLB is choosing to do nothing and simply hope there are three higher vote getters in the NL OF.Manny Ramirez is currently ranked fourth in the All-Star outfield balloting. And you know who's leading for NL catchers? Yadier Molina! I vote for him every time I fill out an All-Star ballot, just so I can tick off Squawker Jon about the 2006 NLCS!
What do you think? Leave us a comment!
Yeah, it's Melky that's the key to those Yankees rallies. Him and the spark that only he can provide. Clearly Melky, and not ARod and the 1000+ OPS that he inserted into the middle of the lineup about 2 weeks ago. I forget, how well have they played since he arrived? And how well were they playing before that?
ReplyDeleteOf course A-Rod is valuable - please scroll down on the main page to see how many times I have written that A-Rod is the No. 1 reason this team has improved. But Melky does have three walkoff wins this season.
ReplyDeleteMelky is a huge reason the Yankees' rough start in 2009 hasn't been nearly as rough as their starts the previous three seasons. So has Cano's wakeup. And A-Rod doing what he does, not the least of which is protecting Teixeira.
ReplyDeleteAnd for the most part, we've been getting better pitching, too, although if Hughes is going to pitch like that as a starter, and Joba is going to pitch like THAT as a starter, then when Wang is ready to come back as a starter, it'll be time to put Joba back in the pen where he always belonged, a far better fit for someone with his stuff, style and temperament.
On a slightly related subject, I'm still laughing over Papelbon's reaction to that Sox loss to the Mets the other night. What a buffoon.
A Yankee Fan voting for Manny is like a gun control advocate voting for Dick Cheney. There ain't enough money on the planet to get me to punch his name on my All-Star ballot. However, if you want me to punch something else of his... aw, forget it, he'd never feel it.
A split so far in Texas? Yesterday's game was bad? Just remember what Casey Stengel said: "The Yankees don't pay me to win every game. Just two out of every three." A win tonight, and we'll feel a lot better.
I think some people are a little jealous. The Yankees should be so fortunate to have Pap in their bullben. I guess making fun of him is all you can do to make yourselves feel better.
ReplyDeleteNAM, what's it that Jeter used to say? Fans don't boo nobodies!
ReplyDeleteNam...
ReplyDeleteNever was a big Pap fan but after his antics at the All Star Parade last year ...I really don't like him. He was riding in the car and waving his ring at the Yankee fans ...then he had the nerve to cry about how his wife was upset. If you don't want your wife upset ..don't taunt the crowd of New York fans. I was there and saw it firsthand.
After his comment about how he should be the closer over Mo at the ASG at Yankee Stadium the last thing he should have done was wave his ring at ANYONE. He shows a lot of class ..unfortunately it's all low. He should watch Mo a lot more closely to observe the highest form of class. Could you ever see Mo run out there and have a hissy fit after a play like Pap did with the Mets the other night? Hell would freeze over before Mo would have ever reacted that way. That's why I get crazy when people react to Joba's fist pump but Pap can triple pump and do a jig on the mound without any comments. Give me a break.
Pap may be good pitcher but not one of my favorite people.
Peggy
Go Yankees 2009 !!!
Sorry Peggy, but that's not enough for me to judge someone's character and class or lack thereof. I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. It's not like he drives drunk or something while he's waving the ring and insulting Red Sox legends while do it. Now that's classy.
ReplyDeleteNam ...
ReplyDeleteI have no idea if Pap drives drunk ..maybe he just never got caught? Who disrespects Red Sox legends? I found Pap was totally disrespectful to Mo ..if the situation was reversed Mo would have NEVER claimed he should be the closer at Fenway no matter how well he was doing. Thankfully Terry F. didn't agree with Pap on that..he knew who was most deserving to close for that last ASG at the Stadium.
Anyway ...as I said before ...life would be boring if we all AGREED on things. Difference of opinions is what makes the world go round ..
Peggy
Go Yankees 2009 !!1
In actuality ..Mo didn't close ...but ..he did pitch the 9th where he always did most of his "talking" and he did it in his home ...again...thanks to Terry who to me showed true class.
ReplyDeletePeggy
Go Yankees 2009 !!!
Hi Peggy,
ReplyDeleteI was referencing Joba's conduct. I guess my point being, Yankees are not all saints, although Mo does fall into that category. I think the negative comments about Pap on this blog seem contrived. He is young, like Joba, and so far, his behavior does not make him the worst person on the planet or even in a Red Sox uniform. Players are human beings and I think if you judge them otherwise, there will always be a stupid comment or moment to rip them over. Read what I wrote about Joba on Feinsand's blog the day the story broke about his mother being arrested. I just don't judge someone on their worst day or for some idiot comment. We deserve better and so do a couple of kids like Joba and Pap.
Well, our teams are keeping pace. It is going to be a long summer, but that is what makes it great. As the poet laureate Donald Hall once said, baseball is better then summer itself. He is, of course, an avid Red Sox fan. Good luck tonight. Our series is 4 games - I hate those.
Noreen
Hey Nam ..
ReplyDeleteI realized you were referencing Joba and I hope he has learned a valuable lesson by never drinking and driving again. He should thank his lucky stars no one was hurt. He is young but old enough not to drink and drive. I don't know how the drinking mind works as I am a disgrace to my Irish heritage because I'm probably the only Irishman that's NEVER been drunk..hahaha.
Regarding Pap...I am speaking from first hand knowledge because I was there when he was flashing the ring to the fans as he drove by...only player from the Sox to do such a thing in the parade. He was 27 at the time and I think he should have known better too..especially after the comments about Mo. Then he whined afterwards about how his wife was "terrified". I didn't like him before but after the Mo statement and the ring waving that was it for me. I acknowledge he's a fantastic player but I hope he NEVER finds his way onto the Yankees where I will have to root for him because he wears pinstripes ...it would turn my stomach. I have never booed a player..Yankee or opposing in my life but I did come close when he entered the ASG...it took great restraint ...lol.
Hey ..I know about players who have "sinned" on the Yankees ..even my fave the Mick AND we do have Alex the Great with all his flaws but it's the obnoxious personality of a guy playing about 4 years that really rubs me the wrong way...that's Pap to me.
Ok ..that's enough on Pap ...just had to rant about him because of the fact he gets a pass on his behavior while Joba gets crucified for less infractions on the field. Oh well ..that's the life of a Yankee but as Jeter said ..."when they stop booing that's when I worry". Without our rivalry ..how boring baseball would be ..lol.
Anyway ...not only is the weather heating up but so is the season ...it should certainly be fun the rest of the way...
Peggy
Go Yankees 2009 !!!
Peggy,
ReplyDeleteRanting is good. It gets it all out of system. Maybe road rage is less amongst bloggers than non-bloggers. Pap is old enough not to behave like an idiot in a parade or anywhere else, but the all-star game is for all, not just the hosting team. I'm sure there were a few Red Sox fans in the city. Did you notice, not that you would want to, how many Mets fans were in Fenway. We were invaded!
Have a good one,
Noreen
I wonder how those Met fans got the tickets....I am finally going in August and only because a Boston friend is giving me tickets. I have tried for six years to get tickets to the Yankee/Sox games and it's always sold out. One year I waited online for 2 hours before they told me the game was sold out. I guess since it's a novelty for them to be in Fenway many of the Met fans paid Stubhub prices. Maybe the Sox just make it hard for YANKEE fans ..lol. I'm looking forward to the game ...I just hope I come out alive ...haha.
ReplyDeletePeggy
Go Yankees 2009 !!!
Peggy,
ReplyDeleteThat is great. I hope it is a great experience for you. And the Fenway faithful better be nice to you! It's old, the seats are small, but it is a grand old place to see a game. And one of the great things about it is the location. You are right in the heart of the city. Please be prepared for the "Yankees suck" chant after the game. I apologize in advance. I'd rather they cheer for their own team than jeer the other.
Noreen
And Lisa,
ReplyDeleteGreat quote from Jeter. It really says it all.
Nam ...
ReplyDeleteI've been to Boston many times and I've toured Fenway about 5 years ago (just before they WON..Thank God !!!...hahaha) I just never got to a game. I didn't want to go to any game only a Yankee/Sox game. I had a blast with the tour guide. I wore my Mickey jersey and the group that was touring were fans from all different teams. He kept trying to trip me up with different questions about the Yankees but I got him every time and I received a round of applause from the other fans doing the tour (strange he knew so much about the Yankees being a Sox fan ...lol). It was all good natured fun. I've toured many Stadiums/parks about 19 in all. The tours are basically the same but it's nice seeing the small differences of each place. I've already toured the new Stadium. The clubhouse is just sick ...I would love to live there...haha.
I'll be there August 21st for the game and I want to visit Salem ..I have never visited there in all my Boston trips. I'm off to Florida the end of June for Yankees/Marlins ..first visit to that Stadium. Can't wait ...
I love the city of Boston definitely not the team ... :o)
Peggy
Go Yankees 2009 !!
Peggy,
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful. I used to ask my father Sox questions when I was young and he'd say, ask your mother, she's the real fan; she's been following them longer than me. There were two pictures on her dresser, Dads and Ted Williams. My father came here from Donegal when he was 19. He immediately became a Dodger fan living with his Aunt and Uncle in Brooklyn. His first job was running the carousel in Coney Island. I wish he could have lived long enough to see the Sox get their WS title. It probably would have killed him. Anyway, I think it is great you are a walking Yankee Encyclopedia. I am not great at retaining information. Kudos to you. They should hire you in the public relations department!
I toured Salem on a visit home about 5 years ago. A friend came with me and that's where she wanted to go. It was great. I particulary loved the house of the seven gables and the secret stairs. We were only there for a day. I would love to go back.
Enjoy!
Noreen
Nam ..
ReplyDeleteCan't say I'm a walking Yankee Encyclopedia ...I was just lucky he asked the questions I knew answers to...lol. One he asked was who were the only two players to still wear #42 ...at that time it was Mo & Mo both New York ...Mo Rivera and Mo Vaughn (Mets)..I was the ONLY one who did know the answer ..maybe because I was from NY. I know enough about the Yankees..I guess it's because I've been around a LONG time..not so much a stats gal as much as a trivia lady.
I've been on that carousel in Coney..the Cyclone too. Talk about rickety and old but the Cyclone is fun ...a true wooden roller coaster not like all the super duper new ones. Speaking of roller coasters we will also be going to Six Flags in MA when we go to the game. A full weekend of fun (naturally a lot more fun with a Yankee win).
I guess you can see I had a very busy work day...NOT!! Bosses will be away for a week ...PLAYTIME !!
I'm out of here ...going home soon...bye bye
Peggy
Go Yankees 2009 !!!
P.S. I feel like we had our own private time today .. :o)...nice chatting with you.
Peggy,
ReplyDeleteSame here and you too! My boss has been buried in his office drafting something.
Talk to you later.
N.
Peggy
ReplyDeleteI see you are going to Florida,
Good luck getting tickets for the Marlins. It is a zoo.
I hear Scalpers will pay you $300.00 to take a 35 dollar ticket, hee Hee
Larry
Hey NG,
ReplyDeleteYou can also some to the Tampa area and get Ray's tickets. The so called fans have dwindled down to about 13,000.
NAM: I'll skip over your whacked-out idea that we're jealous of Papelbon, an absolute jackass, and point out that... You're right about Rays tickets. Dang, Geno (wherever you are), that "Ray-volution" didn't last very long, did it?
ReplyDeleteLisa: "Fans don't boo nobodies" was actually said by a certain Mr. Jackson. What Jeter said was that he likes winning on the road and making the fans go quiet.
Uncle Mike, please don't remind me about the Ray-volution. That was so obnoxious. I'll stick with jealous.
ReplyDeleteNam
ReplyDeleteI really am disappointed in Tampa's lack of support of the Rays.
But While I did dump the Knicks for the magic and the Isles for the Lightning when they were expanded in to the leagues. I really had a feeling that The Rays would never really become a competitive team and get the support of the area, So I decided I would not give my full heart and soul into the Local team.
I do pull for them and support them and last year was alot of fun. Of course beating the Red Sox made it more fun.
But in the end, I still expect Baseball to contract in the future and Tampa and Miami will be gone.
"Lisa: "Fans don't boo nobodies" was actually said by a certain Mr. Jackson. What Jeter said was that he likes winning on the road and making the fans go quiet."
ReplyDeleteThanks for the correction, Uncle Mike. Curt Schilling has also said essentially the same thing as Jeter.
As for Papelbon, the cliche about somebody who can dish it out but can't take it comes to mind.
Actually Jeter said "When they stop booing..that's when I worry".
ReplyDeleteAJ made a comment earlier in the season about when on the road he likes when it's quiet because it means he's doing his job. At least that's the way I remember it ...
Jeter could have said the same thing at some point about it being quiet but I don't remember it.
Hey ..Hit-deki hit another bomb. He's such a streaky player that Mr. Matsui.
Peggy
Go Yankees 2009 !!!
I guess it's not so "hot" in Florida for baseball teams .. :o)
ReplyDeletePeggy
Go Yankees 2009 !!!