CC Sabathia Archives - Jane Heller

The Big Sweep

June 20, 2019

Gosh, it’s nice to be able to use the broom image again. And it’s particularly nice to use it against the Rays, with whom we’ve been dueling for first place. There’s no doubt about who’s in first now: the Yankees are — by 3 1/2 games. Not a huge lead, but the best one yet.

Clearly, the Yanks have the Rays’ number at the Stadium. They absolutely dismantled the Rays during the sweep. They’ve been less successful at the Trop, but we’ll see how that goes next month when they come back to town. Also clearly, Blake Snell, the Rays’s ace, did not have a good day, while CC won his 250th game – quite a milestone.

Tanaka had a complete game. Haap was great. Which goes to show that when you have good starting pitching, good things come of it.

On the offensive side, what can I say about yesterday’s Janer, in particular? TWELVE runs. Torres’s first grand slam. Sanchez’s show of power. And LeMahieu continues to impress. I really don’t want to lose either him or Maybin. And by the way, the Yankees’ hitting coaches must be really good this year, because Maybin, for one, was talking about how he got to the Yankees batting, like, .120 and with a few tweaks he’s on a roll.

Now the Yankees take on the Astros, which should be a great test of how the team is gelling. Again, pitching will be key, and Boone hasn’t announced his starter. (Please don’t let it be Cessa.)

Bombs Away in the Bronx!

July 2, 2018

What a finale last night against the Sox! After we were shellacked in Game 2 (Sonny Gray has to go, and Sale is truly the elite of the elite pitchers in baseball), the Yanks stormed back with a vengeance, knocked David Price around and wound up with a Janer worthy of my undying admiration.

Not only was Severino superb, nearly as good as Sale, but Aaron Hicks performing a hat trick? I mean come on. Three homers against the Sox was brilliant – even more so because he’s a switch-hitter and they came from both sides. In that regard and his speed, he reminds me of Bernie Williams. Loved it. There was even a homer by the third-string catcher!

If only we had four more Severinos and the offense could bash like that every night. It was definitely my kind of game – no stress, just happiness.

Friday night’s game was great too in a different way. It featured a surprising outing by CC and by “surprising,” I mean that Boston has been known to hit him pretty hard. Not this time. He was masterful. And we got just enough offense to win comfortably.

So if you ask me, I think this pennant race is going to come down to which young players Cashman trades away to get a good starter. I’m praying it’s not Andujar or Gleybar, but I know that’s who teams covet. And to get a good player, you have to give up a player that hurts. The most obvious trade pick is Clint Frazier because we’re full up on outfielders. And of course Sonny is expendable; the guy can’t pitch in NY and will probably do just fine in a smaller market like he did before.

So bring on Atlanta. I just hope the Yanks don’t let down, the way they sometimes do after the adrenaline rush of playing Boston.

Tied

May 11, 2018

First, let me say that although we didn’t sweep the Red Sox and ended the series tied with them for first place, having briefly overtaken them on Wednesday night, the games in this series at Yankee Stadium were great games. I enjoyed each one, even though they weren’t blowouts (my favorite, when we win, of course). Even in last night’s loss, there was always a sense that the Yanks would stage a comeback and they did. It just wasn’t enough after the homer off Betances.

CC didn’t have his best stuff last night and didn’t last long. And the truth is, he’s never been very good against the Red Sox – at least not in my memory. But aside from Severino’s great start, this series was all about the bullpen. They kept the Yankees in every game just long enough to give them a chance to score runs, and Chapman locked down save after save.

Everybody contributed in some way. I wish Hicks would get his bat going and I’m not sure Tyler Austin is ready for prime time and I do wish Gary Sanchez would cut down on the passed balls, but Gardner finally got hot. The lineup, top to bottom, is capable of doing damage at any time, especially late in games.

All in all, while last night’s finale was disappointing, the series was nail-biting fun with high energy in the crowd and among the players. You could feel it.

Now, I hope there’s no letdown for the series against the A’s. That can happen after a charged Red Sox series, but maybe this team of young players will keep the adrenaline flowing.

My State of Mind Last Night

October 12, 2017

The Yankees are onto the ALCS! The Yankees are onto the ALCS! I’m still in shock. Happy shock. I got about 20 seconds of sleep from being so amped up by the time I turned off the TV last night!

CC was tremendous. D-Rob was tremendous. Chapman was tremendous. And that’s just the pitching.

Didi’s two homers not only chased Kluber ultimately but gave CC and the rest of us some room to breathe. With an early lead, the Yankees at least had a chance. But the key for me was, of course, that Herculean at-bat by Gardner, fouling off pitch after pitch with two on base, ultimately knocking in those runs. Wow. Just wow.

I could spread the kudos around to everybody – all the Yankees contributed during this series. But I was just so happy for them when it was over. They fought and fought during each elimination game and came through. So resilient. Especially Chapman. I thought his arm would fall off, but no. He was sensational. Will he have any gas in the tank for Houston? I’ll worry about that tomorrow.

Was I surprised that the vaunted Indians didn’t perform better? You bet. They were the team to beat, but they had so many errors. I’m sure they’ll be brooding about those missed opportunities during the off-season. They’re a great team that just didn’t get it done.

Of course, I do take credit for all of this. I ate my lucky club sandwich before each and every win, and I’m so sick of them I want to hurl. But hey, a fan has to do what a fan has to do and I’ll be choking back another on Friday night.

Oh – one thing: a plea to Girardi. PLEASE drop Judge down in the order to, like, 7th. I love Judge, but the strikeouts are ridiculous. Until someone teaches him how to hit a curveball, move him down in the order.

Boo Hiss

June 15, 2017

After so much winning, it stinks to lose a series. And it particularly stinks to wake up from a deep sleep, check the Yankees score and find out all was not well in Anaheim. The Yanks dropped two of the three games, losing CC in the process to a strained hamstring. That one really bothered me because he’s pitched so well and has been such a big reason why the Yankees have continued to win. Now we’re stuck with kids I’ve never heard of. Maybe one or even two will rise to the occasion – it’s possible – but more likely that the Yanks will limp along like CC until he’s recovered and back on the mound.

Pineda got knocked around last night but at least he’s healthy. The problem throughout the series was missed opportunities, runners left on base and some crucial defensive errors. I hope they can regroup in Oakland so this road trip doesn’t turn really sour. I mean, Aaron Judge came up with a chance last night to put the Yanks in the win column. Instead, he failed. Maybe he’s not Superman after all – at least not for every at bat.

Sanchez Emerges From Slumber

June 9, 2017

What a satisfying series against the Red Sox! No, we didn’t sweep, but beating them two out of the three games felt great.

What stood out for me was last night’s Gary Sanchez Show with his two homers. If his swing is really and truly back, imagine what it will mean for the Yankees’ offense. We’ll have him, Judge, Hicks, Didi, Castro and that sudden powerhouse Gardner scoring runs along with Holliday and even Carter, who’s come alive at last. All we need is a healthy Bird and a more productive Headley and we’re a tough team to beat on the offensive side.

Pitching wise, I continue to be amazed by CC. Speaking of coming alive. He’s been mostly terrific so far this season – to the point where I’m not sure I wouldn’t want him back when his contract is up. With Montgomery and Severino pitching well too, I like the rotation.

The sore point is Tanaka. As I’ve said, I’d skip his turns until he gets straightened out, but Girardi and Cashman say they won’t. So be it – until he does get straightened out or his performances continue to hurt the team.

Heading into this weekend’s series against the O’s, the Yanks have to be feeling good about themselves. They’re not alone. I do too.

It Was Fun While It Lasted

May 10, 2017

Not much to say except the Yankees’ winning streak was snapped last night against the Reds. I fully expected our resilient hitters to come back from the hole CC dug for them (it wasn’t that insurmountable), but maybe their fatigue caught up with them. I do wonder about CC though. Were his last couple of starts an indication that he’s dealing with his own fatigue or will he make adjustments?

Anyway, on to the series at the Stadium against the Astros. Get a good night’s sleep, Yankees. We need you rested and ready to start a new winning streak.

First Place Feels Good Except…

May 4, 2017

Gardner was frustrated after striking out to start an inning last night, channeling Paul O’Neill back in the day. (I love when Holliday turns around to look and is so nonchalant.)

The good news is the Yankees won the game, yet again in come-from-behind fashion, and their 8-6 win over Toronto and series win put them squarely in first place – not a bad way to kick off May. They really are fun to watch.

CC dug them an early hole for the second time in a row. He was pitching well to start the season but is clearly in a slump now. I hope Rothschild can figure out what’s wrong. We need CC to go deep into games or the bullpen will be toast.

On the plus side, it seems there’s no hole our hitters can’t dig themselves out of – with power, grit and a little luck. Judge just keeps being Judge. Will he continue to homer his way into the record books for a rookie? Or will he turn out like this guy?

My guess is he’ll have longevity. Maas wasn’t even a highly touted prospect, as I recall, and he certainly didn’t have Judge’s size. But Judge is more than a big, tall guy. He’s a kid who worked hard to cut down on the strikeouts – the knock against him in the minors – and now he’s got a great eye at the plate. He and Hicks and Castro, in particular, were free swingers who take pitches now.

And I can’t forget to give some love to Holliday for hitting his 300th homer. That’s pretty impressive, and he’s been a nice addition to the Yankees. He and Chris Carter are giving the kids a veteran presence to look up to, and they’re contributing in their own way.

On we go to Chicago to play the Cubs this weekend. I’m glad Warren and Chapman will get their World Series rings, but I hope the Yanks make the Cubs forget they’re champs and beat them silly.

“Little Ronald Torreyes” Has a Big Game

April 5, 2017

Apparently, the clubhouse gag involving Yankees utility infielder Torreyes (does Girardi call him “Torrey?”) is to stand him next to Aaron Judge, the giant, to point up their disparity in size. But Torreyes, who had to endure some suspense to win the job as a replacement for the injured Didi, delivered big in the Yanks’ first win of the season. He popped a homer, had a nice glove and showed his versatility. CC was more than enough to hold off the Rays, and the result was a nice rebound from Sunday’s depressing season kick-off.

I’m not going to post about every game, but I thought the first win deserved some love. Here’s hoping for many more.

Meanwhile, the front office is clearly nervous about putting fannies in the seats this year. From yesterday’s NYT:

“On Tuesday the Yankees unveiled the stadium’s new features, which include a picnic area, refreshment terraces, charging stations for personal devices, a lounge equipped with televisions tuned to other sports events, and a children’s playground complete with breast-feeding facilities. The idea is to offer more options and to cater more to families, officials said, in response to surveys sent out during the past few seasons.”

How about a swimming pool like ballparks out west? Or yoga? I mean, come on. Fans don’t have ADD. They just want good baseball and don’t need all this “stuff.” What they also need is fairer pricing, and management is trying to address that too.

“The Yankees have also introduced so-called dynamic pricing, which alters the cost of tickets based on supply and demand. In this way, purchasing a seat at Yankee Stadium is not unlike buying a ticket on United Airlines. Prices for the same seat may vary, day to day, according to how many of them are available. The actual opponent matters less than the projected vacancies.”

Sounds confusing to me. Why not just lower the prices, period? Or would that be too easy?

How Depressing Was That?

September 19, 2016

I guess I should say it was a nice run while it lasted. I guess I should be excited that Gary Sanchez continues to be a superstar (although I wonder why he wasn’t brought up from the minors sooner). I guess I should be satisfied that the Yankees gave fans something to hope for when, after losing so many good players in the so-called rebuilding phase, they won games anyway.

But I’m not. I’m depressed this morning after they were swept in Boston over the weekend. It was a heartbreaking series on so many levels. The first couple of losses were mostly on Betances and by last night’s finale we had already lost Ellsbury and Castro to injury and Headley, too, was out of the lineup because of a stiff something or other.

So there’s the season in a nutshell. The Yankees had chances but couldn’t capitalize and it looks like they’ll be sitting the playoffs out.

I do have one request of all pitchers in spring training next year: Learn how to throw the ball to the bases. Whether it’s Betances not being able to throw home or CC not being able to throw to first base, the errors were really costly and I wonder why. Isn’t this a drill they practice over and over? If not, they should.

As for the series in Boston? All I can say is if we’d had our old bullpen (as in Miller and Chapman), I don’t think we’d be in the shape we’re in. At all.

Two Janers in a Row and Then We Score….

August 28, 2016

The first two games against the O’s this weekend were a thrilling display of offense, featuring the miraculous hitting of Gary Sanchez along with Castro and others. It felt good to gain ground against a Wild Card contender. Which is why today’s shutout by Baltimore was such a letdown. I thought the Yankees might actually sweep them. Instead, the team wasted a pretty decent performance by CC and didn’t score a single run. Days like today were bound to happen. It’s just much more satisfying when we win in a blowout. At least we won the series.

Now it’s on to KC to take on the Royals. Sanchez can’t possibly keep up his torrid pace, but wouldn’t it be nice if he did? It seemed to be contagious and get everybody else fired up, including me. Suddenly, it’s fun to watch the Yanks again.

A Walk-Off Saves the Yanks

June 22, 2016

Starlin Castro walkoff — Photo: Mike Stobe/Getty

Starlin Castro had never had a walkoff to win a ballgame, but he had one this afternoon to salvage the Yankees’ home series against the Rockies. The win wasn’t pretty, but it did show some grit on the part of a team that was about to go down to defeat for the second day in a row against a team they really should beat.

CC wasn’t as sharp as he’s been and he rolled his ankle in the process – not a good day for him. In fact, when I saw the score – that the Rockies had scored a bunch of runs while the Yankees’ bats were silent – I figured we were doomed. But there was a comeback in store and Chapman held the opposition in check for the save.

Little victories. That’s all we can expect this season, I’m afraid. But even little victories have their pleasures and I’m sure Castro is celebrating his big moment. He deserves it.

The Bats Were Made of Foam Again

May 26, 2016

What a shame to waste a good start by CC this afternoon to close out the series with the Blue Jays and lose the game and the series. Winning was nice while it lasted.

I feel good about the pitching for the most part, but the hitting has been so streaky. And what are we to make of Teixeira? His neck spasms came back and made me wonder if they ever went away in the first place. Is he hurt? Is that why he’s been so bad this season? Or is he just past his prime and showing it? A power-hitting first baseman is what the Yankees paid for when they acquired him, but that’s not what they’ve been getting so far. He needs to turn it around or I’ll really wish Greg Bird hadn’t gone down with an injury of his own.

The Yanks will spend the weekend at the lovely Trop, and maybe the Florida heat and humidity will loosen them up. If not, it looks like they’ll end May in pretty much the same ditch they’ve been in. Maybe A-Rod coming off the DL will spark something. Who knows. I have a busy weekend, so I probably won’t catch the games except in passing. I do wish everyone a very happy and safe Memorial Day!

Opening Day Coming Up

April 2, 2016

No matter what shape the Yankees are in as the season begins on Monday, there’s this.

Matsui will be throwing out the first pitch, and that alone makes me smile. Love Hideki.

So, the 2016 contest begins. I was excited about the bullpen since we didn’t get a front-line starter this off-season, but of course there have been setbacks already. Andrew Miller will be pitching with a fractured right wrist. His hand specialist gave him the go-ahead to pitch if he can tolerate the discomfort. Does that sound like a recipe for success? I don’t think so either. I can’t concentrate if I have a hangnail.

And then there’s poor Bryan Mitchell. The kid was all set to make the roster, having had a great spring, and then – bam. Broken toe. Is covering first base really that hard for a pitcher to do without getting injured? Apparently.

CC will be the rotation’s 5th starter “for now,” as Girardi and Cashman make a point of clarifying, so as to give Ivan Nova hope that he’ll escape from the pen if CC falters. As for Tanaka, he gets the nod to start on Monday despite having had a less than stellar spring.

But here’s the thing. If Ellsbury can stay healthy for decent periods of time (a big “if,” I know; ditto: Headley) and if A-Rod, Beltran, McCann and Teixeira can hit bombs and if Didi and Starlin turn out to be a really good defensive team, the Yankees will be in a position to challenge the rest of the division. They might even make the playoffs.

The real problem is the YES-Comcast battle. I have Charter, so I’m okay for watching the games, but I do feel for my friends in the Comcast area. It’s a pity that these big companies can’t put the fans’ interests ahead of their own for once, but such is life.

Meanwhile, play ball! And may the 2o16 season be filled with wins or at least lots of hilarity.

Not Happy About This

December 2, 2015

I figured the Yankees wouldn’t touch Price, given how much money he’d command. I just hoped he’d wind up in the other league. Or even another division in our league. But no. The Red Sox needed an ace and they got one, and paid dearly. (“The seven-year, $217 million deal is the richest awarded to a major league pitcher and the largest in Red Sox history,” said Peter Abraham in the Boston Globe.) So now we’ll face Price a zillion times. Swell.

Where does that leave the Yankees in terms of a starting rotation? In the same place we were in last year. We’ll have Tanaka (arm trouble), Evo (doesn’t go deep in games), Nova (inconsistent), Pineda (inconsistent), Severino (prodigy or fluke), Warren (so-so) and CC (who knows). Is there an ace in that group? If healthy, Tanaka’s still my go-to guy, and I’m betting Severino will only get better. The others are question marks for me, but they’re ours for better or worse.

I’m wondering if Cashman intends to make any deals to strengthen this team. I get that he’s hamstrung by bloated salaries that are still on the books, but this is the Yankees we’re talking about. It’s not in our DNA to stand pat and do nothing. Or is it? Will Cashman really wait a few years to spend on Bryce Harper, etc? Doesn’t he have a Stadium to fill in the meantime?

I wouldn’t mind a shiny new player under my Christmas tree. Just saying.

Post-World Series This and That

November 6, 2015

Since I haven’t posted since the Yankees were eliminated from the postseason, I figured I’d muse about a few matters pertaining to our boys in pinstripes.

A-Rod Goes on Fox

When I heard he was joining the crew in the studio for the pre- and post-game shows during the World Series, I was wary. Yes, he’s long been viewed as knowledgeable about the sport. And yes, he was a model citizen during the Yankees’ season, even a candidate for the Comeback Player of the Year (he ended up losing to Prince Fielder). But a commentator during baseball’s golden moment? The same guy that sued baseball? Well, surprise: A-Rod was the star of the show. He was not only knowledgeable but articulate, even amusing, particularly when he was self-mocking. And his conversations with Pete Rose, another reprobate, were kind of great. I guess he has a TV career after he retires from the game, if he wants it.

The Royals Win the World Series

I was thrilled that they won. Nothing against the Mets, who played well enough to get to the WS, a mighty accomplishment in itself. But the Royals came up short last year, so I was rooting for them to go all the way this time. And they did with their usual combination of athleticism (hitting, running, fielding), team work (you never get the sense that they’re a bunch of divas), starting pitching as well as a terrific bullpen and a never-give-up spirit that was in evidence whenever they were behind in games and came back and won anyway. Kudos to them. They once again made me realize that unless the Yankees get younger and more athletic, they won’t win a championship. The game is no longer about standing at the plate and swinging for the fences. It’s about manufacturing runs. The Royals did that and more.

CC Explains His Alcoholism

He went on “Good Morning America” and talked about his addiction for the first time since leaving the Silver Hill rehab facility. Sad story. I felt his pain as he described his binge weekend alone in his hotel room in Baltimore, his attempts to control his drinking, his hopes for a sober future. He said he’s had a drinking problem for three years, which begs the question about the affect on his pitching. Who knows. I wish him and his family well. It won’t be easy for any of them going forward.

Free Agents Declare That They’re Ready to Relocate

Will the Yankees pony up for Price, Greinke, etc etc? I know the money will be exorbitant, but we seriously need another starter. Luis Severino was a revelation in his rookie season, but a proven arm is essential too. Will Hal turn Cashman loose and give this team a real shot to win or are we looking at a bargain-basement type of acquisition? My inquiring mind wants to know.

P.S. If anyone reading this has subscribed to the blog, you’ll need to change your feed URL to this one now that both of my blogs have been incorporated into my newly redesigned web site.

That Series Was Huuuuuge

September 21, 2015

If you had told me that CC would still be on the mound throwing his 100th+ pitch in tonight’s finale against the Mets, I would have said, “No way.” Judging by the first inning, I figured he’d be gone by the third and the Yankees would be scrounging for relievers to finish the game. But not only did CC steady himself, he kept the Mets totally in check, saved the over-taxed bullpen and delivered an enormous win. With the Jays losing again to the Red Sox (thank you, Boston), the Yanks drew within 2 1/2 games heading into the all-important series in Toronto.

Unfortunately, there was also Tanaka news: bad Tanaka news. What is it with these starting pitchers when they play in National League ballparks? The second they have a bat in their hands instead of a ball and a glove, they think they have to be Rickey Henderson. Tanaka was trying to beat out a bunt on Friday night when he strained his hamstring. Even so, he went on to pitch several more innings before coming out of the game and getting an MRI. So now he’s out with a grade 1 strain and Nova – the same Nova who was banished to the pen for his stinko pitching – will get the start against the Jays on Wednesday instead. *Shivers* I only hope Tanaka will be OK for his next start.

In better news, Ellsbury seems to be coming around. He certainly contributed with his speed, which has to be a confidence boost for him. And how about Ackley? The guy is hitting, and we need hitting. And speaking of hitting, my guy, Bird, had another homer, giving us a Janer. I hope he doesn’t turn out to be a one-season wonder like Kevin Maas or Shane Spencer.

So having won another series, the Yankees head to Toronto for the biggest series of the season. It’s make or break time, people. Fingers and toes crossed.