In last night’s post I was only repeating what I thought was a rumor. But, alas, Meat Tray has returned. Why? I guess because he’s better than Buddy Carlyle. But is he better than Hector Noesi? Better than Brian Gordon? Better than Colon, Garcia or Hughes now that it looks like they’ll all be with us?
Never mind.
The good news is the Yankees won again and our division rivals lost.
AJ was the guy we all hoped he’d be.
Martin remembered how to hit.
Granderson showed why he should be an All-Star.
D-Rob showed why he should be an All-Star.
Mo showed why he’s a god.
Nunez showed why he needs more glove work. (Another error. Oy.)
Posada had a Jeffrey Maier special.
I thought the Brewers were supposed to be good. I bet they’re counting the hours before they can stumble out of town.
I know I said that we didn’t need Meat Tray last night which is still true but an extra cheap arm in the bullpen won’t hurt. As long as he isn’t used over our other much better options in high leverage situations and he doesn’t start. Great game tonight. Martin and AJ are the game’s MVPs for sure. Martin’s homer snapped his offensive funk and gave us the lead while AJ pitched well enough to get out of jams especially that 6th inning. I don’t know why Posada’s home run took such a long time getting reviewed when it was obvious that without the interference it would’ve landed in the stands. Hughes’ latest rehab start is really promising as he has been throwing in the 90’s consistently so when he and Colon return, our rotation should be in good shape if they all remain healthy. Am I the only one that still wants to see Noesi get a shot for the final rotation slot essentially switching spots between Nova and him? If it doesn’t work, then they can easily go back to their original spots.
I agree in theory, Leo. You can never have enough pitching. But I seem to remember that Joe didn’t use Mitre all that much when we had him last time. He was always passed over for some other arm, so I’m not sure what purpose he serves. I think Posada’s homer caused the umps some confusion just because of how quickly the ball was fielded. Very pleased with the news about Hughes. I like Noesi too, but Nova’s been pitching well lately. I wouldn’t yank him.
Wow, just getting back from the game now! (after hanging out a little at the after party with my cousins!) What a great game! So much to talk about!
Granderson’s double play! Wow! We’ve seen him make that overhead catch on the run so many times, I just knew he was going to make that play. I sat mid-way between first base and the foul pole on the second tier, so I had a great look at it. What I didn’t notice was that the runner had run past second base. The entire stadium was screaming, “FIRST!!!” And then joy!
And then Cano’s triple! We all know of Nyjer Morgan’s antics last year, acting like some idiot, thinking he was some kind of thug, looking to start a brawl or something… What a complete ass. My cousins and I were already talking about him earlier in the game, and when he hit that wall, woo!, the expletives flew in the air! “Good for you, you bleeping so-and-so!” and the such. And then mimicking his body flailing from hitting the wall, lol! I’m pretty sure the only hit to that point was Gardner’s double, so this was a great opportunity to tie up the game, with the lead-off triple. My cousin started making fun of Morgan looked down at his hat and seemingly blamed it for the collision. I chimed in, “I couldn’t see the wall because of you, you stupid hat!!” (the preceding quote has been modified for family audiences) Hilarity ensued!
And then Martin’s home run. My cousin hadn’t really seen much of Martin as a Yankee, so he was suspicious of how good he really was seeing his numbers. I told him, “No, he started really great but has been slumping lately.” And then he hit that home run to give us the lead. On the ‘small’ screen they played the animation of Martin as a Canadian Mountie, which goes up whenever he gets a hit. “Oh, he’s Canadian?” my cousin asked. “I love Canada!” is what I think he said. I couldn’t really hear because I was yelling, “Russell has muscle!!” at the top of my lungs.
And then Posada’s home run. It was such a no doubter from my position. I easily saw the ball bounce off the top of the concrete wall and bounce back in. The ball came back in and Posada was tagged, but I had no doubt this call would be overturned. The umps just had to get together and decide to actually take a look at it! I hoped they wouldn’t be too proud and say no review was necessary. I was screaming for them to take a look at it, while doing the home run signal. The umpires obviously heard me, so they went inside to take a look. So there I was, sitting for a review! A baseball first for me! And they came back out with the signal. I had told my cousins that if they called this an out, I was going to fling chairs around and rip flesh! But they made the correct call, and that’s all we ask for… Funny thing to see Posada round the bases twice, with the home run music and graphics going! After being tagged and Girardi asking the ump a question, Posada decided to round the bases anyway. So without an official call, someone deep down in the bowels of Yankee Stadium decided to put the whole home run show on. And when the umps came back out, Posada was already waiting at first, ready for a second trip! I screamed, “We should count this as two runs for making us wait!!”
My one cousin isn’t an AJ fan, which is funny because this is at least the third AJ start he’s witnessed! Not by choice, mind you. But he didn’t have much to say today after his great outing. He’s got a video game general manager mindset, which is another way of saying it’s totally unrealistic. His big idea is to (*warning!* take a deep breath! and yes, he is a yankee fan!) trade Jeter, along with Joba and AJ to the Mets for Reyes, Johan, and K-Rod. Like I said, unrealistic. Too many video game trades for him… There are other ‘plans’ he has if ever becomes the Yankees’ GM, but I think the previous one is already too much for anyone here to bear!
And David Robertson was great again. I reminded the same cousin from above that we witnessed his major league debut against the Mets in 2008. The guy’s come a long way. He’s one of those guys like Brett Gardner, or even Ivan Nova this year, that any team would love to have. These are the guys who aren’t superstars, but are extremely valuable to the team. Bonafide, legit baseball players who are more often than not, great. I really hope he gets an All-Star nod.
And then Mariano! What smooooth sailing. No worries in the top of the ninth. Sit ’em down, Mo!
So it’s only now that I hear that got Mitre back. And how you thought we were finally rid of him, Jane! He’ll help the bullpen as the long man. Which seems odd to make that move, seeing how we’re getting Colon and Hughes back soon. But what do I know? I’m not the Yankees GM like my cuz…
So, just another note Jane. The Brewers have had trouble with the AL East so far this year, not just with the Yanks. They lost two of three against the Red Sox. Then they lost two of three against the Rays. And after a Twins sweep, they’ve lost the first two against the Yankees. This just goes to prove what a tough division the AL East is. Milwaukee is a division leader, with great pitching and great hitting. But they just can’t hack it against this division’s best. Maybe it’s more an indictment against the National League as a whole.
And I just realized how long this comment is…. I’m just gonna pretty much post the entire thing on MLB Blogs! LOL!
http://yankeecase.mlblogs.com/
Jane! Lol, I don’t understand what just happened!
lol…
http://yankeecase.mlblogs.com/
Hey all, I’ve missed you guys! Well, actually, I haven’t missed you, because I have been reading. Just haven’t had time to comment this week. So I’ll have to get it all in here.
First of all, thanks for the list of Top 50 Yankees – what a wonderful walk down memory lane! I became a fan in the early 70s, back when Ralph Houck was manager and Bobby Mercer and Roy White roamed the outfield and Thurman Munson, my favorite player, was at the plate. I know a lot of people think I’m a Yankees fan because they are a successful team but I missed the glory years on both ends, losing track of them in the 90s when I was busy with my kids and such. I enjoyed the late 70s but for the most part I was following the Yankees during some tough seasons. And yet I loved them just the same and going through the list and seeing some of my old favorites was such a joy. What an important part of my childhood the Yankees were – sniff, sniff – I need to call my dad! (I did send him that link, of course).
YankeeCase, thanks for the great insider’s view of last night’s game. That was a fun one to listen to but I’m glad this weekend’s games against the Mets will be televised in my area. The radio can scratch my itch for only so long! And my family really needs to schedule a trip to the stadium.
This team is really starting to feel good. AJ was fantastic and D-Rob – awesome! Mo is, as you said, Jane, a god. Why were we worried about pitching again?
I told you guys Yanks would be making a major addition!
Going on the DL Friday AM. Be back with a new right knee sometime next week. Not planning a rehab assignment. Probably resume baseball activities quickly. I just love talking like a GM.
See Ya!
The Brewers (unfortunately) are good, but they’re streaky and you all got them at the right time (not to mention the Yanks are playin’ pretty good ball right now)… anyway, again, thanks for the assist! Cards are movin’ up!
Michael Kay said that Boston/Philly was not the only preview of a potential World Series match-up this week, but that Yankees/Brewers also fit that category. Let’s hope so, because they aren’t good.
Glad Jorge’s HR stuck. I love that he’s hitting now… I think everyone who gave him crap about his mental health day needs to write him an apology letter, and send presents. Apparently he knew what he needed.
His stance on the base path after they tried to tag him out was the best thing I’ve seen in a while… he just stood there, pointed to the wall, put his hand on his hip and had a very WTF look on his face. Love him.
Wow! YankeeCase, that comment (the first one) was so turbo-charged I could feel your energy and excitement right through my computer screen! Love it. You gave us a great play by play from the seats at YS, plus a wonderful characterization of your cousin. LOL. I agree that Jorge should have been given two homers on that call! As for the Brewers, scroll down and read Jeff’s comment. He’s more involved with the NL Central than we are, so I’m betting the Brewers are indeed good and streaky and that we’re lucky we caught them at a weak moment (plus our boys really are firing on all cylinders right now). So glad you enjoyed the game.
Welcome back to the comments section, Audrey. Life does get in the way of baseball, doesn’t it? I doubt I’ll get the Yankees-Mets game here in CA on Saturday. FOX has a way of ruining everything for those of us who live out of the area, but there’s always John and Suzyn and they’ll have to do.
HAHA, John. Meat Tray is some major addition. So you’re having the surgery tomorrow? My friend had his knee replaced a few weeks ago and I’m having lunch with him tomorrow so we’ll toast in honor of new knees. As he says, “It’s great to be able to walk without pain.” Good luck and let us know how things go.
Thanks for the insight into the Brewers, Jeff. I’d heard they were good, of course, but they’ve played terribly these past two games in the Bronx. And you’re welcome about the Cards. As I said yesterday, you owe me.
If the current Boston/Philly match-up was any indication of the World Series outcome, Rachel, the Red Sox are in trouble. That Philly pitching is just plain scary. At this rate, I don’t know if the Brewers will make it to the WS. They don’t look WS caliber to me. I love that Jorge’s hitting too. We really need production from him as the DH and his job was clearly on the line. Now he seems to be settling in to his new role and it’s a relief. Loved the look on his face when he was tagged out on the homer. At first it was unclear what had happened, because his base running has been suspect, but then I came to my senses!
Loved the view from the stands Yankeecase!
So here’s the question of the day:
Jorge apparently went around the bases after he hit the HR (which really was a HR and I like that baseball uses a replay in this way. Did any of the umps signal a HR?). Then he went back to first. (WHY? If it was not a HR, he was out, if it was, he’d already gone around the bases.)
So here is the question. IF Jorge did finish going around the bases after the hit (it doesn’t show it on the video), then the ball was ruled a HR, and he went around again. SO on the second time around, IF he missed second base and the Brewers did an appeal play, could he have been ruled out? (Me thinks not and oh what mess that would have been.)
Thanks Audrey, Jane, and Melissa! It really was a great game. But I never felt we would lose that game, I never really felt tense about it. My same crazy cousin on the other hand was rooting for a closer game and was hoping Prince Fielder would hit a two run home run in that one at bat! I told him, “It’s already a three run game! Mariano’s coming in, what else do you want? You want the Brewers to take the lead? Do you want a walk-off?! Please, be quiet!” (again, the language has been cleaned up with an extensive amount of verbal bleach) Crazy guy….
Melissa, there was no indication from the umpires that Jorge had to come back out to run the bases a second time. After he was tagged, there was a little discussion and he probably felt it was going to go our way, so off he went. But either he or Girardi probably decided to play it safe and wait at first base until the umpires came out with the signal. And off he went around the bases in a more ‘official’ manner. So if he missed second base that second trip….. Ouch! Yeah, he might have been called out I guess! But good thing he had that practice run!
http://yankeecase.mlblogs.com/
Well, well…normally, after such a gab-feast, I don’t know what to add. Special thanx to YankeeCase for that pitch-by-pitch description (or so it seemed)! But here’s s’more viewpoints from outa LF…
Yup, that’s the Brewers. Milwaukee Don was distressed and em-bear-assed by the prior nite’s drubbing. His take: this year’s Brew Crew are Not Quite Ready For Prime-Time players; they have a BAAAD road record. I recalled how sometimes, even in pro ranks, a team can be beaten b4 they take the field. Memory: at the start of the 1998 WS, Tony Gwynn (and others) just HAD to go out to the monuments to see them, for real. And despite his heroics, you know what happened in THAT Series! Sometimes, when you’re in awe-inspiring surroundings, you play awe-ful. Like Nyjer…some great natural talent, but some amazing brain-lapses, which is why both the Pirates & Nats & others gave up on him (among others…).
As for Hor-Hay’s HR — when I saw replays, I thought: “wow…good thing that fan was such a spaz.” He tried to catch it, but it short-hopped off his hands & belly…now, if it had been a lazier fly ball, like Jeet’s in ’96, the fan mighta had his hands extended, which woulda meant they were in the field of play. Methinx that’s what the umps were hesitating about — to be sure that the ball DID leave the field of play first, which of course it did. Good thing, too…can you imagine how much caca Hor-Hay woulda taken if he’d been tagged out, and THAT stuck? “Typical Posada…can’t run the bases…”
Also, Welcome Back Audrey. Glad you loved the “50 Greatest Yanks.” Jane and I are in polite disagreement over the non-inclusion of Bobby Richardson (and, for that matter, the ENTIRE infield of the early ’60s), so weigh in as you like. Anyone who got thru the early ’70s, and ALL of the ’80s, is a FAN…
And now, it’s back to Our Meat Tray. We poor punsters and silly song parody-writers say THANKS FOR COMIN’ BACK! Could only do so many poopy things with Colon for so long, y’know (sorry ’bout that…)!!
Another great win with a little of everything. I really hope Jeter isn’t too upset they’re playing their best ball without him. Thank god for Interleague play! Speaking of god, if you hadn’t heard, I read in another blog Pinstripe Alley that Mo is donating 3 million dollars to restore a church. Is he the nicest guy ever or what? I know I’m late, but how great was Old Timer’s Day? Bernie, Tino hitting a homer, Yogi being able to make it. I wish June wouldn’t have to end so soon :|
Yes, a gab-fest today, Dave. You never know who will say what! I’m laughing at your description of the fan on Jorge’s homer. The ball did bounce off his belly, poor guy, but lucky for us that it did!
I did read about Mo’s investment in the church, seindsfeld. Since he was planning to build one in Panama but has now moved to NY full time, I guess he plans to have his own church here, which is great. And yes, June’s been pretty special in Yankeeville except for all the injuries.