While We Sat Idly By Today ….

May 7th, 2012 by

…there was lots of non-Yankees news.

Cole Hamels was suspended five games for hitting Nats rookie sensation Bryce Harper. (I agree with the Nats manager who cursed out the plunking. What kind of a message does a veteran pitcher need to send to a newbie? So lame.)

The Rangers (NHL) beat the Caps in overtime. (Yay. Michael’s ecstatic.)

And Adrian Gonzalez seems to be assuming the role of Red Sox scapegoat. Is the venom warranted? No idea, but take a look at Pete Abraham’s column on Boston.com:

 KANSAS CITY — As the Red Sox sink further into the abyss (they are 18-36 since Sept. 1), Adrian Gonzalez has started to receive some of the fan backlash usually reserved for Josh Beckett.

So let’s look at the numbers and determine whether that’s warranted. For the purpose of this discussion, RBIs are not going to be a major talking point because they are too contingent on things out of a batter’s control. And there will be no harping on the 27 games played this season. That’s 16 percent of the season.

Here’s a look at sample sizes that do mean something:

Gonzalez since he joined the Red Sox: .327/.398/.522 over 186 games with 29 home runs and 132 RBIs. Hard to argue with any of that. You’d like to see more home runs, but a .920 OPS is impressive. Since the start of the 2011 season, only 12 players in the game have a higher OPS.

Gonzalez at Fenway Park since he joined the Red Sox: .332/.395/.488 over 94 games with 11 home runs and 58 RBIs.

This is a little odd. Gonzalez has hit for a higher average at Fenway but his slugging percentage drops by 6.5 percent. When he was acquired from the Padres, it was widely expected that Fenway Park would be a haven for him and all those balls that died on the warning track at Petco Park would be home runs.

That has not been the case. Gonzalez averaged a home run every 24.7 at-bats at Petco. He is averaging a home run every 34.2 at-bats at Fenway.

Gonzalez since the 2011 All-Star break: .302/.382/.455 with 12 home runs. Here’s a problem. Gonzalez has an .837 OPS in his last 97 games and that is well below expectations. He is 70th in baseball in slugging percentage since last July 15.

That’s right, 70th.

Gonzalez at Fenway Park since the 2011 All-Star break: .284/.357/.381 with 3 home runs and 22 RBIs in 50 games.

Bingo. Here is why people are so mad. Gonzalez is averaging one home run per 65.66 at-bats at Fenway Park since last July 15. You have a better chance of getting a moderately priced beer at Fenway than you do of seeing a $21 million player hitting a home run.

Gonzalez likes to say that he doesn’t try to hit home runs. And of course, that makes total sense. No hitter should go up to the plate trying to hit home runs.

But he did average just over 32 home runs in his five seasons with the Padres whether he was trying to or not. At the moment, he has hit 29 in 186 games with the Red Sox.

Here’s a few ideas about what’s going on:

1. Health: Gonzalez had shoulder surgery after the 2010 season and it’s probably no coincidence that his power has dropped since then. Last season seemed to wear him down and the power has not returned this year.

Why the Red Sox allowed him to participate in the 2011 Home Run Derby remains a mystery. That was an amazingly dumb decision.

2. The opposition: Gonzalez is facing better pitching on a daily basis in the American League than he did in the National League. That should be offset by his being in a better lineup, however.

3. The pressure of expectations: It’s crushing Albert Pujols, so who’s to say it’s not weighing on Gonzalez? He exudes an outward calm, but his trade to Boston and subsequent contract extension came with the pressure to perform and live up to the hype.

4. A different culture: San Diego is not Boston. Baseball is not part of the daily fabric of life in San Diego like it is in the Hub. If Gonzalez went into a slump in San Diego, it was not a matter of civic concern. In Boston he probably has people flipping him off at traffic lights.

I also think the clubhouse culture bothered him last year. Gonzalez is a quiet guy who spends a lot of time watching video and preparing for games. Then he suddenly found himself in a place where “rally beers” were acceptable. He wants to be a leader and can’t seem to figure out how best to do that.

So what happens now? Did the Red Sox give a $154 million deal to a first baseman who is going to hit like Wade Boggs?

Probably not. Gonzalez is only 30 and still very much in his prime. He’s going to figure it out and produce. But it’s fair to say that those lofty numbers at Fenway Park everybody was envisioning may prove to be just a fantasy.

And that’s just Abraham’s two cents. In another piece on the site, writer Chad Finn said this:

Gonzalez has the charisma of a rosin bag.

Ouch. Is “charisma” really necessary for a ballplayer to succeed? Or is the word just a euphemism for lack of effort? If I were a Boston fan, I wouldn’t write off A-Gon just yet. Good players don’t suddenly go bad unless they’re hurt. Well, not usually.

 

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She’s Laughing Again

May 6th, 2012 by

There was a lot to smile about during today’s game. Not only did I get my 10 Runs, but I got them in Bronx Bombers fashion. Small ball is swell, but I do love homers.

Lots of applause to go around.

* Kudos to Hughes. During the first inning I said out loud, “Here we go again.” He didn’t look great and I figured we’d be in for another short outing from him. Wrong. It turns out he was great. If he can continue to pitch like he did today, I’ll feel a whole lot better about our rotation. But in the meantime, clap clap clap for Hughes.

* Kudos to Cano. He looked like a different person today and not just when he hit the granny. His swing was smooth and Cano-ish, like we’re used to seeing.

* Kudos to A-Rod. That homer into the fountains or whatever they are was fun to watch.

* Kudos to Swisher for coming back from his injury and making his presence felt.

In truth, the game that really interested me today was Red Sox-Orioles. I was at a party late this afternoon and started listening on the way home. (I think it was the bottom of the ninth.) Once I realized we were talking about extra innings yet again between those two teams, I was glued. What fun that they both had to bring in position players to pitch – especially Chris Davis, who’d been like 0-for-100 at the plate. Who could have guessed that he’d get the win. Baseball is one amazing sport. Kudos to him too.

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More Offensive Slumping

May 5th, 2012 by

I didn’t watch much of the game tonight. I had a party to go to and left the house after the fourth inning. But from what I’ve read I didn’t miss much.

Kuroda was getting knocked around, which was disconcerting, and the heart of the order did nothing to pick him up, which was even more disconcerting.

Oddly enough, while I’m still in psychic pain over Mo not being with the team for the rest of the season, I’m pretty comfortable with our bullpen. It’s our starting pitching and our offense that’s worrying me. I still say Cano will come around. I’m less sure about A-Rod and even less sure about Tex, as much as I love him at first base. He’s so all-or-nothing at the plate. He’s got a ton of talent and has such a good work ethic, but he can go entire months without doing much. How to explain it? I can’t.

This Yankees team should be scoring runs and it isn’t. I’m not amused.

 

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Life Is Better

May 4th, 2012 by

Sounds like we’ll be seeing Enter Sandman again after all. Not this season, but next. With the news that Mo does, in fact, intend to come back once he’s healthy, we can regroup after the shock of yesterday and focus on the immediate future without him.

Toward that end, the Yankees had a nice game in KC tonight. Early on, I thought CC might get hit hard but he settled right down and dominated after giving up the two runs.

Great to see Tex hitting the ball. Finally.

And Jeter continues to amaze. We all hoped he’d play at a high level, but go on a tear like he’s been doing? Including another homer tonight? Sick.

I was glad the Yankees called up Dewayne Wise. The kid can play the outfield and takes care of my defensive concerns, plus he got a hit tonight. I hope he hangs around awhile.

Chris Stewart is really a surprise. He seems to contribute every time he gets the opportunity to catch. Good for him.

And D-Rob. It was when he came in for the ninth that I felt the absence of Mo very keenly, even though it was a non-save situation, but I said to myself, “Get used to it. This is the new reality. It’ll be okay.” Robertson was more than okay. The way he handled the Royals in the ninth was very Mo-like.

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Trying To Process…

May 3rd, 2012 by

I did not want to post a photo of Mo writhing in pain on the ground at Kauffman Stadium. There are plenty of them online for anyone to see.

Similarly, I did not want to post the video of his accident. It, too, is available for viewing just about anywhere.

What I wanted to post was an uplifting picture of the man who’s meant more to me in my Yankee fan life than any player ever – a picture of him in happier times to try and counter the image that’s haunting me right now….the image of Mo at his press conference tonight, teary and choked up and so very sad.

He said he didn’t expect his injury to be as severe as it is. He said he’s not going back to New York right away but rather is staying in KC to be with his team and make sure everybody’s okay. He said he doesn’t know if he’ll play this year, which is another way of saying “or ever again.” He, like his teammates, like his fans, seemed dazed, in shock.

I really can’t write about tonight’s loss to the Royals. Who cares.

I really can’t write about the state of the bullpen, either. It’ll get sorted out in time.

All I feel like doing is crying. Which is why I was grateful for Twitter. I could cry with hundreds of other Yankee fans, all of whom were brought to their knees by the events that unfolded in KC.

Is it the end of the world that Mariano Rivera suffered two knee injuries? Of course not. What’s devastating is that he was most likely to have retired after this season and if he can’t come back from rehabbing the knee it’ll be the end of his career, the end of “Enter Sandman.”

We were all expecting 2012 to be his farewell tour. What we didn’t expect was that the “tour” would end with a nine-pitch save against Baltimore.

 

 

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Calling All Runners For A Great Cause

May 3rd, 2012 by

In case people haven’t read about the Damon Runyon Race, here’s the info!

 

JOIN THE LINEUP AND SUPPORT CANCER RESEARCH AT THE
RUNYON 5K AT YANKEE STADIUM, AUGUST 12


NEW YORK, MAY 1, 2012 — While the New York Yankees take on the Blue Jays in Toronto on August 12, thousands of baseball fans, runners, cancer survivors, and supporters will gather at Yankee Stadium for the fourth annual Damon Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium.  Since 2009, the run/walk has raised more than $1.4 million for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation <http://www.damonrunyon.org/> , which funds groundbreaking cancer research conducted by today’s most innovative young scientists. Registration for the 2012 Runyon 5K opened today at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The first heat of the 5K will launch at 9:30 a.m. from inside Gate 4 before winding through the legendary ballpark’s concourses and ramps. Participants will climb stairs between levels and appear on the center field video board as they take two laps around the warning track that circles the field. Over the past four years, the Runyon 5K has become one of New York’s most unique summer events and the only charitable run/walk to use the iconic stadium as its course.

Registration for individuals and teams opened today at www.damonrunyon.org/yankeestadium <http://www.damonrunyon.org/yankeestadium>  and is limited to the first 4,000 registrants.  Participants pay a $40 registration fee and must fundraise at least $60. On July 12, the registration fee will increase to $50. Family and friends will have the opportunity to meet Damon Runyon scientists and watch the event from the Delta SKY360° Suite overlooking home plate.

100% of all funds raised by participants will go directly to Damon Runyon cancer researchers. “We’re so grateful to the New York Yankees and all of our sponsors for helping make this possible year after year,” said Lorraine W. Egan, President and CEO of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. “And we couldn’t ask for better supporters. They really enjoy the incredible Stadium views and work so hard every summer to raise money for cancer research.”

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, established in 1946 and based in New York City, has a long history with the Yankees.  Joe DiMaggio was on its Board of Directors and Mickey Mantle was an active fundraiser.  Damon Runyon himself was a New York writer who began his career as a baseball journalist, revolutionizing how the game was covered and often reporting on Yankees games.

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Happy NOT Birthday To Me

May 2nd, 2012 by

Michael and I aren’t celebrating my birthday until Saturday night, so I was home tonight and saw most of the game. Losing the series to the O’s? Seriously? Where do I start with this rant?

With Chavez, I guess. It’s my fault he got hurt. I actually said, earlier in the day, “I’m so glad Chavez has been able to stay healthy.” Jinx. That’s what I am. I was upset when he had to leave the game because he’s been one of our best players lately and because our guys are dropping like flies.

Then there’s Nova. He wasn’t very Nova-esque.

But mostly I’m worried about the offense – or lack thereof. I know I’ve been saying, “They’ll come around. Everything’s fine.” And I do believe it’ll come around/be fine. But ever since that game in Texas when the hot bats were cooled off, there’s been a drought of runs, no matter who the opposing pitcher is.

Are they all in a stupor because the weather’s been cold? If so, how come the other team isn’t too cold to hit the ball?

Are they all suffering the creakiness of old age? I wouldn’t call Cano or Tex “old,” would you?

I never thought I’d see the day when not having Swisher’s bat in the lineup would make or break this team, but at the moment he’s sorely missed. Gardner too.

Slow starts are okay if a team gets hot eventually and goes on a tear, but slow starts put you in a big hole really fast. If I were the Yankees, I’d do everything humanly possible to take the series in KC.

 

 

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Yup, Another Post About Eduardo

May 1st, 2012 by

Here’s the thing. I like Nunez. He seems like a good guy and he can hit and run the bases. It’s not his fault that the Yankees are trying to turn him into a sometime outfielder; they pulled the same trick with Ramiro Pena for awhile. But as anyone who saw tonight’s game will attest, he’s not good in left field – not even in an emergency.

Yes, I realize that the injuries to Gardner and Swisher have altered the landscape. I also realize that we need to carry a ton of pitchers on the roster. But isn’t there someone – anyone – in the system who has actual experience and expertise in the outfield? This is the New York Yankees we’re talking about, not some team from Oshkosh. (Not that I have anything against Oshkosh.) It’s not befitting a championship team to have an amateur out there.

Okay, I got that off my chest.

On to Phil Hughes. He was better. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but maybe it was an outing he can build on. Does he inspire confidence? Hardly. But he’s got the job for the moment so all we can do is hope for the best from him.

I thought Granderson’s homer would be the start of something big. I was wrong. It was the start of something small. We didn’t put runs on the board. While I thought A-Rod’s bunt was “interesting,” he doesn’t bat cleanup to bunt.

Needless to say, I hope we win tomorrow.

 

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Eduardo Scissorhands Didn’t Make An Error!

April 30th, 2012 by

Photo: Jim McIssac/Getty Images

I couldn’t resist. Sorry.

The truth is Nunez handled his outfield duties without incident, and I have to give him props for that…for now. I’d just really like to have both Gardner and Swisher back out there.

Meanwhile, the Yankees played a crisp game tonight against the red-hot O’s with a heartening performance by Kuroda, saving the bullpen. I only watched the game intermittently (I’ve got a work deadline this week, so my observations will be spotty), but I did see that great play at the plate with Martin flipping to Kuroda. (I have no evidence to back this up, but I think pitchers from the NL have better defensive skills than those in the AL.)

I love that Chavez is doing well in his limited role, and am so glad Cashman brought him back for the bench/DH role.

What else? Tell me what I missed….

 

 

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CC, The Mood Elevator

April 29th, 2012 by

He pitched like an ace today and made me forget all about the fact that Garcia’s going to the pen (I don’t really want him there any more than I want him in the rotation but whatever). He even made me forget that Swisher, following his big two-homer game yesterday, now has a strained hamstring. Well, he almost made me forget about that. Does it seem to anybody else that Swish has hammy issues a lot?

CC was efficient for the most part and exuded confidence, and I never felt like the game was in jeopardy even though the score was close much of the time.

Speaking of the score, I should have had my 10 run-er in this one. The Yankees offense had SO many chances to knock in runs and failed. But it was great to see Cano hitting the ball with more authority and Grandy and Jeter just keep showing what they can do and Chris Stewart has turned out to be a nice pickup; CC clearly likes pitching to him.

All in all, a very enjoyable win today. Always great to take a series, and taking one from the Tigers is especially sweet.

 

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