Weekend Update

Yankees lost the final game against the Royals, but there was some good news.

The starting pitching continues to be excellent. CC pitched great on Saturday, mixing a 93-95 MPH fastball with some very effective off speed pitches.
I can't imagine trying to adjust to pitches that varied by as much as 15 or 20 MPH. Talk about killing a batter's timing.
And yesterday, Joba was bringing it at about that same speed range. He is pacing himself. When he relieved, he would hit close to 100 MPH, but as a starter, he has toned it down so he could last a bit longer. Yesterday he went 6 innings, and struck out 5. He held the Royals to 4 hits and only 1 earned run.

With the Master's on this weekend, I missed most of the games, and only caught a few innings of each, but with that over, I'll be back in my seat tonight.

Wang is starting tonight at the Trop against the Rays. Gametime is 7 on YES.

Go Yankees

Yankees lose home opener

So, it looks like they aren't going to win the 162 games I had hoped for, nor will CC win every start.

Oh well. It's a long season.

CC was shaky, and had trouble getting his fastball over for strikes. The Yankee offense was good, putting up 5 runs, which should be enough when the ace is on the mound.

Wang is scheduled to start Wednesday at 7:05 against the O's on YES.

Go Yankees

News from Florida

About the only non A-Rod news of note out of spring training in Florida is that Wang faced some big league hitters and looked good. Bernie Williams was in camp, and batting against Wang, Bernie drilled a shot off him.
Bernie will be playing in the WBC for Puerto Rico.

Wang was interviewed after pitching and he said,
"It's normal," Wang said. "I don't feel anything."


Go Yankees

Spring Training camp opens

New acquisition CC Sabathia has thrown to Jorge Posada, and the early reports are that all is good.
Wang looks to be fully healed from his injury, and Joba is looking good. Pettitte will slip into the 4th or 5th spot in the rotation.

But Wang, to me, willbe one of the key's to the season. If he can return to his position as one of the premiere starters in the AL (back to back 19 win seasons, and last year was 8-2 before his June injury) the team is going to win easily.

With a little bit of luck, the Yankees could have 2 or more 20 game winners on the staff. I doubt they would be able to match the Orioles of the 70's with 3 every year it seemed, along with the 1971 squad with 4.


I'm feeling it. I just sent in my Yankee Fan Club Membershiop dues.
The team is loaded and ready to make up for last season's terrible finish.

Trivia question of the day
Can you name the 4 starters with at least 20 wins each on that 1971 Orioles team?


Go Yankees

CC Sabathia Signs with Yankees

CC Sabathia reportedly is signing the largest pitching contract in MLB history.

I am pleased to report that Santa Claus isn't the only fat guy coming to NY this December. The contract is for 140 million dollars over 6 years. I had put this forward a few days ago, and the Yankees listened to me and signed him. Finally.

The first piece of the '09 team has fallen into place. We still need at least one more starter to go along with Wang and Hughes.

The other big free agent signing was the Mets and K-Rod. The team has fallen apart the last 2 Septembers, and now it appears they may have the closer they needed.
The Indians signed Kerry Wood, the often injured Cub reliever, which may or may not have been a good deal due to his history.

Go Yankees

Such a season

The pain continues. Giese is on the DL now.

I'm getting tired of everyone pointing out the Yankees payroll and laughing at their struggles. They have been so destroyed by injuries, it isn't even funny any more.

What team would even be mentioned as having an outside chance after losing their catcher, left fielder, #1 (Wang) and #3 (Hughes) starter, a key reliever expected to join the rotation (Joba) for much of the season, along with their All-Star 3rd baseman missing a month.

Sure, teams get banged up, but this is ridiculous. In essence, 50 % of the staff is down. I'm not talking about sheer numbers, but who they are. Losing an ace starting pitcher like Wang is much more devastating than losing a middle inning reliever.

Matsui All-Star OF, has been out most of the year. He was a consistent 100 RBI guy who never missed a game before this year.

Posada, All-Star catcher, never was on the DL until this year. Talk about key players going down unexpectantly.

And Wang got hurt running the bases. WTH?

This is why I have accepted that this may not be the year. So many freak injuries.

But, I do remember the last time a Yankee team suffered and came up short. 1997. And we all know what happened the next year.


Go Yankees

Looking at the disabled list

The team has had so many injuries to the pitching staff, I forgot a bunch of them.

Here's the updated list:
Jonathan Albaladejo
Chris Britton
Brian Bruney
Ian Kennedy
Humberto Sanchez
Phil Hughes
Jeff Karstens
And, believe it or not, one of the worst signings ever, Carl Pavano, is still on the team, and is on the injured list.
Got a couple more, but they weren't even on the 40 man roster.

I don't remember seeing a staff so decimated, long-term, by injuries.

Go Yankees

Wang out until September

This just reminds me of the video boxing game (may have been called Punch Out) where one can hear the announcer say "Body Blow." That's what I feel like with this news. The staff is reeling. The number 3 pitcher, Hughes, has been out most of the year. Number 5 pitcher Kennedy is out. Now number 1 is going down. Things are looking down in the Bronx. How many teams could lose 60% of their starting staff for most of the year, and have a chance?

Looking crosstown, the Mets out-Steinbrennered the Yankees. They did something in a manner even worse than George at his worst. They fired Willie Randolph. Talk about bad timing. They did it after a win, and after the beginning of a road trip. They easily could have done it before the team left for LA. They could have done it before Willie had his post game press conference, and talked of the positive move toward the future as the team won 3 of 4. Totally classless move, Mets.

Hank Steinbrenner, obviously upset that the Mets got the back page of the Daily News, is now carrying on about Wang'sd injury. He is blaming it on the lack of the DH in the NL. Come on, Hank, he was running the bases. When I was younger, even I could run the bases without getting injured.

It was a freak injury. Shut up.

Go Yankees

Yankees win in extra innings

It took 12 innings for the Yankees to finally put away the Twins 7-6 in what turned out to be a very unusual game. It was the first extra inning win of the year, and their 3rd straight win.
Wang started and had trouble early on getting his sinker over for strikes. It was consistently low and outside. Wang usually goes deep into a game because he doesn't waste a lot of pitches, but that wasn't the case yesterday as he threw 92 in a little over 5 innings of work.
Since his 6-0 start, Wang has been struggling, and yesterday was no exception as he fell behind early. He lef in the 6th, clinging to a 6-5 lead. The normally perfect Ramirez gave up his first run of the season (a solo shot by Cuddyer in the 7th) and blew the save.

The rest of the pen held the Twins in check, and Mo nailed down the save (his 15th) in the 12th. Ohlendorf pitched 2 scoreless innings to pick up the win.

The Yankees scored in the top of the 12th as Damon, Jeter, and then Abreu singled to drive in the winning run.

Today Rasner (3-1 1.80) takes the mound at 2:10 (YES)

Rasner has been the most consistent Yankee starter, and with a little support, he would have been 4-0.


In the injury report, Posada has been throwing in Florida, and could rejoin the team and be behind the dish by Thursday.

In other news, Joba is scheduled to make his first MLB start on Tuesday against the always tough Blue Jays.

The Yanks wll be calling up another pitcher to take Joba's place in the pen, but that announcement hasn't come yet.





Go Yankees

5th in a row for the Yankees

This afternoon, the Yankees continued their fine play of recent days as they won their 5th in a row to move to .500, and get out of the AL East basement.

Best of all, they did it by coming back against the Mariners with a 4 run 8th inning, capped by Molina's RBI double. The team only managed to collect 8 hits, but half were doubles. The Yankees also were aggressive on the basepaths, stealing 2 bags off Mariners starter Washburn, who had not allowed a stolen base in over 100 innings.

It seems like they have been playing with a fire since A-Rod is back. The Yanks are done with the Ms this year, winning all 6 games.

Wang struggled with his control, and didn't figure in the decision. He was tagged with all 5 runs in his 6.1 innings of work.


Ramirez picked up the win with 1.2 innings of shutout relief, and Mo racked up save 12 with a 2 strikeout ninth.

Today, Rasner starts against the Orioles 1:35 on YES.



Go Yankees

So, what's going on with the Yankees?

Yesterday was rained out, so Rasner will miss his start as Pettitte takes the hill today against the rival Mets (1:05 on YES.) Amongst the fans this rivalry nearly equals that of Yankees-Red Sox. Pettitte was given the nod because he has always been a big game pitcher.

As much as I respect Andy, I think Giradi is making a mistake. He already pushed Rasner back to start the Mets series, and now he's pushing him back again. It's not just an issue of fairness, it's an issue of long term effect for the Yankees. While Pettitte, Wang, and Mussina have been doing well, the Yankees need 2 more dependable starters, and Rasner has done well in his 2 starts. I know the long term plans are for him to be a long reliever/spot starter but the rest of the staff is breaking down. He has earned the respect of a regular spot in the rotation. I don't know if he'll be there when Hughes comes back, but until he loses the job, it should be his.

At the quarter season mark, how does this team look? It's hard to give an accurate assesment. They are in last, but only 5 games off the pace. At only two (2) games under .500, they are not terrible. They have been wracked by injuries to key players. It's hard to score when 2 of the biggest bats are out, especially when their replacements are awful. The team struggles continue as half of the team is at or below .200.

But fans always look for the bright side, the light at the end of the tunnel. I've found the light. A-Rod is due back Tuesday, and Posada is starting to throw, so he is not far behind. Getting those big bats back in the lineup makes everyone better. Cano is showing some signs of life at the plate. The big 3 pitchers have delivered thus far. The pen has been strong, and Girardi seems to be using them well. Farnsworth is pitching like he should, and Joba and Mo are nearly lights out every time, while Hawkins and the rest are getting the job done consistently.

Lastly, quite a few teams in other divisions are having problems, so the all important wild card slot may be wide open.

I have hope they will get through this once the team is back at full strength, the Yankees will be back and challenge for the AL East title.

Go Yankees

Pettitte to start tonight

Due to the rainout, Pettitte will start tonight against the hard hitting Rays at Tropicana Field.

In other news, Jeter was scheduled to bat clean up if the game would have been played against the Tigers. It would have been only the second time in his career that the Captain hit in that spot. The rainout may have changed the rotation. Girardi hasn't decided yet whether he wants Rasner to face the Mets on Friday, or go with Igawa as originally planned. The rotation against the Rays will be Pettitte, Wang, Moose, and Rasner, unless Girardi holds him back. Otherwise it will be Igawa against the Rays. Whatever game Igawa pitches, I hope the infielders wear Kevlar. They have had enough injuries this year.

And on the injury front, A-Rod is due back this week, while Posada is scheduled to work out with the team. Giradi expects Jorge back in the lineup on June 1st. Karstens has made some rehab appearances and may be back with the big club in a few weeks. That's the good news.

Now for he rest of the injury report.

Albaladejo will not require surgery, but he will need more than two weeks of rehabilitation at the club's Spring Training facility in Tampa, Fla. Betemit is on the DL along with Bruney and Hughes. This is not the team Girardi brought north with him. So many early injuries. : (

Go Yankees

Same old story, Yanks lose, offense sucks wind

The Yankees wasted another good starting pitching performance last night as they got shut out 3-0 as Wang drops to 5-1. The offense continued to sputter as they could only muster 5 singles and a pair of doubles as the power outage at the Stadium goes on.

In more bad news, A-Rod is going in for an MRI, pushing back his return to the Yankees even more.

If the rain holds off, Mussina faces the Indians at 1:05 at the Cathedral on YES.



Go Yankees

Yankees lose a tough one

Andy Pettitte pitched well, and got them into the 7th inning, but once again, the offense was so puny they only pushed across 3 runs with 7 singles and a double. It's easy to blame Joba for the loss, as he did give up a 3 run HR after walking 2 batters, but it really was a cheap shot onto the RF porch. I don't mean to sound apologetic, and I'm not, but again, the Yankees need to put some offense up. 3 runs in a game does not cut it in the AL, particularly with a power team like the Yankees. With Posada and A-Rod still on the DL, it does hurt, but this is a team loaded with All-Stars. No excuses accepted. Many teams would be happy to boast a lineup with Damon, Jeter, Giambi, Abreu, Cano, Melky, and Godzilla. They are loaded even without Jorge and Alex.
Finally, some good news. It is thought A-Rod can start working out today. He may even make a start or 2 in Trenton or Scranton before returning to the big club.
Today, Wang (6-0) starts against Lee (5-0) in a match of unbeaten starters at the Cathedral. Game is on YES at 7:05.

Go Yankees

Yankees finally win one

With Ace Chien Ming Wang on the mound, the Yankees always have a chance. He keeps the other team down, and yesterday, he didn't disappoint. Wang turned in 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run and striking out 5. He then turned over the pitching to the pen, and they came through admuirably as Farnsworth and Joba held the Mariners down until Mo came on in the ninth to nail it down in a non-save situation.

The offense, again, was anemic. They managed to bunch up their 6 singles and 1 (one, uno) double to push across 3 runs (1 earned) against a very good pitcher. 4 Seattle errors should have spelled disaster, but the offense couldn't capitalize on all the free passes. The one bright note was in the 8th, they managed to push across 2 more runs. This is the first time in a few games that the Yankees padded a lead.

In today's game (1:05 on YES) Moose (3-3) takes the mound aginst Hernandez (2-1) at the big ball orchard in the South Bronx.

Go Yankees

Yankee losses keep piling up

For the first time since 1966, the Yankees were swept by the Tigers in a 3 game series. And the hitting woes continue. The first 2 batters, Damon and Jeter, got on and scored on Abreu's HR. That was pretty much it for the day as they only managed 8 singles the rest of the day.
Kennedy didn't help as he, again, didn't get out of the 5th inning. This is going to start taxing the pen, as Yankee starters have been very inconsistent with getting into the 7th inning. All the Yankees injured isn't helping either, as Hughes is out until July, A-Rod is on the 15 day, Bruney is looking at an August return at best, and no one knows when Posada will be back.

Tonight, Wang (5-0) gets the nod vs Bedard (2-0) as the Yankees take on Seattle at the big ball park in the South Bronx.

In what has been a dismal season, thus far, here is some good news. Former Yankee all-star Bobby Murcer is returning to the broadcast booth tonight. The doctors have said his cancer is in remission, and while he is weak, he is showing improvement every day.

Go Yankees