Attention NY Yankee Fans: This Is a Script I Couldn’t Possibly Have Done a Better Job Writing Myself
Most baseball fans think about their favorite team over the winter–probably over and over. Many discussions are about things like:
- Did the general manager sign the right free agents?
- Who will be the hot rookie this year?
- Will the trades that we made make a difference and take my team to the World Series?
My winter was no different except the fact that I had little to no snow in Dallas. During spring training I always check the April schedule and predict what my beloved Red Sox will do the first month. Will they get out of the box early?
I really believed this year the Red Sox would start really fast, jump out and lead over the NY Yankees and frankly I was right. With almost a third of the season in the history books, this is what has happened so far:
The Yankees are 2-10 in 1 run games! They never lost games like this in the past.
- A-Rod started hot but now is as cold as ice only hitting .235 in May
- The Yankees have the same record as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays!
- During a 19 day stretch in May, the Yankees scored the fewest runs in the majors!
- Yankees pitching staff is a mess! That sounds great doesn’t it?
- Jason Giambi has only 7 homeruns and is hitting .262
- Robinson Cano is hitting 80 points less than his average last year
- Mike Mussina looks like he is below average at best
- The Yankees have had a revolving door of starters this year
- Their Japanese phenom (their answer to the Red Sox) is in the minors and still struggling
- Johnny Damon who I like and thought would have a great year has 3 homeruns and is banged up
- Bobby Abreu looks lost with an average of .228
- Mariano Rivera isn’t hurt and has only 4 saves all year!
- The Red Sox swept the Yankees and lead the season series 6-3
- The Red Sox have only given up 201 runs–2nd BEST in the American League
- The Yankees have already had losing streaks of 5 and 7 games this year
- The Red Sox are 18-8 at home and on the road – so clearly they are doing playing great everywhere
When you look at the Red Sox team they have a number of guys struggling like Ramirez, Lugo, Crisp and some injuries like Timlin and Lester. When they return to form, the Red Sox will be even better. Clearly the future is bright for this summer.
All this has added up to the Yankees being in last place! A whopping 13 1/2 games behind the Red Sox.
- The Red Sox have the BEST record in the American league
- The Red Sox have the BEST record in BASEBALL!!
Life has been great so far. No that’s wrong! Life is and has been fantastic for me since the start of the baseball season.
I know Yankee fans like Jennie, Jay Wilson, Jeffrey, Nicole, Uncle J, Homer, and Jim Q will say, “Just wait. The Yankees will get hot, make the playoffs and then you will see what happens!” Maybe they will be right but I doubt it. The Yankees are in turmoil and nothing short of Mantle, DiMaggio, Ruth and Whitey Ford will help them this year.
Clemens will help a little bit but they have dug themselves too big of a hole. Get ready New York! Fourth of July will be coming early and often in the Bronx! There will be lots of fireworks this summer for sure, especially when Clemens arrives and is allowed to do things that nobody else can do. Kyle Farnsworth has already spoken up and others will follow.
Joe Torre is a classy guy. His record is very impressive. Unfortunately in a good year he gets too much of the credit and in a bad year he takes too much of the fall.
Sorry Joe — and all my friends that are Yankee fans. The Red Sox are the better team this year and have the chemistry that your team doesn’t have.
I look forward to your comments and thoughts.
June 1st, 2007 at 7:02 am
I saw Clemens pitch here in Scranton on Memorial Day. Yankee fans shouldn’t be hoping for The Rocket to save them. His stats looked good (6 IP, 2H, 0 ER) against the Toledo Mud Hens, but big leaguers are going to eat his 89 MPH fastball for lunch.
Yankees Suck. Go Mets!
June 1st, 2007 at 7:54 am
Time to step out front and take my medicine. My Yankees are not a good team this year. The pitching staff is old (we knew this was coming) but attempts to solve this with money by buying guys like Carl Pavano, Kei Igawa and others, has failed. No home grown talent, except Wang, has led to this. This is not Torre’s fault but Steinbrenner’s. And, while I am the biggest Derek Jeter fan in the world I think “The Captain” needs to step out front and take some responsibility for a dysfunctional clubhouse. I don’t recall him saying much of anything or calling a team meeting.
I now must suffer through the first losing Yankee season, with no playoffs, in 11 years! (And quite possibly a few more because this is not something I think Steinbrenner can buy his way out of) To top it all off I am a Laker’s season ticket holder (think Kobe saga) and a NY Giant’s fan (will Eli ever be any good?). I am now looking forward to my 5 year old daughter’s T-ball games for real competition!
Enjoy Merrill!
June 1st, 2007 at 8:30 am
Baseball is great for stats. Did you know that in May the ERA of the Yankees two best starters (Pettite and Wang) were better than the Red Sox two best ( Beckett and (amazingly!) Tavarez). The hitting is where the Red Sox have really separated themselves. Six regulars hit over 300 for the whole month with two (Youk and Pedroia) over 400. BTW the six have average OBP of 439.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:23 am
Michael,
You are a classy guy! I appreciate your comments. You are 100% right about Derek Jeter - I am shocked he hasn’t stepped up that’s what leaders do.
Sounds like all of your favorite teams are a mess - good luck.
Merrill
June 1st, 2007 at 9:26 am
Hello Merrill!
Whew, where to go with this one…I begin by stating that in the last week your Red Sox have done something they haven’t done in 34 years-Sweep Texas in Arlington! Each game overcoming a deficit to do so. I enjoyed watching Dice K do his thing before the nausea set in. Jason Varitek I have followed since his days as a Mariner prior to 1997. JD Drew has been murder on the Rangers so far. Having watched Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling last year, I have no worries about the pitching staff…
Prior to the tragic death of Thurman Munson 8/2/79 there probably wasn’t a bigger Yankee fan on the planet than myself. However I always conceded that I respected the Red Sox and their fans. The AL’s answer to the Cubbies for diehard loyalty. Having moved around and having lived in Chicago, Portland Seattle, Anaheim, and now Arlington it is fun to watch how much east coast are hated or loved but never ignored.
You sir are the first fan to speak optimistically about your team, and I concur. To the many people of ‘the nation’ I have one thought for you:
2007 IS NOT 1978!!!!! To those not around that was the year when a Yankee team fell 14 games behind Boston on July 19th before playing .720 ball the rest of the way forcing a one game playoff.
New York was helped by a managerial change in Bob Lemon, a newspaper strike and some really good pitching. Ron Guidry went 25-3 and Jim ‘Catfish’ Hunter returned to form with a 6-0 August record and a 1.84 ERA. There are no stalwarts on this 2007 team.
I will not be surprised when Brian C, A-Rod, and the Giambino aren’t around at the trade deadline. Joe Torre can at least take pride in that his tenure outlasted Billy Martin’s five stays in New York!
All Boston has to do is play .500 ball the rest of the way and they have a 94 win season. No way in hell NY or anyone else in the East plays .740 ball just to get even. I only hope The Red Sox do not suffer the same fate as a certain Dallas Maverick team that went one and done in the playoffs…
Why Roger Clemens wouldn’t want to finish with the team he began with is beyond me, unless Theo Epstein knows something more than I do about not wrecking team chemistry.
The last time the Yankees has a last place finish was 1991. George Steinbrenner was banned as owner for a spell. In 2007 the banishments will be fast and hard from the players/ coaches side.
Enjoy the ride Merrill! Enjoy!
Peace!
June 1st, 2007 at 10:08 am
Willie,
Thanks so much for including all of the facts and numbers with your response.
I remember 1978 and as a Sox fan it was a year I would like to forget. There is no chance that happens this year unless most of the stars get hurt. The Red Sox of 2007 are very deep and are set up to go deep into the playoffs.
Merrill
June 1st, 2007 at 10:45 am
What do I have in common with a Red Sox fan? Love of my team through thick and thin! What do the Mets and Red Sox have in common? These are two teams I wouldn’t root for even under threat of castration!
The Yankees have a legacy with Mickey Mantle, while the Mets have a legacy with Ed Kranepool! The Red Sox have a legacy of winning the big prize every 90 years or so! If we catch the Sox, that’s great; 13.5 games out is like one game ahead, using Bucky Dent math.
June 1st, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Papa Paul and I are having the best time this year as Red Sox Die hards. You should also know that Rabbi Kushner of “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” arranges his speaking engagements outside of the Boston area to coincide with that city’s team playing the Red Sox.
We are counting on a World Series in Boston.
June 2nd, 2007 at 4:28 pm
As a Dodger fan, I am heartbroken over the Yankees recent misfortune. Boy, as far as I am concerned, if Mr. Bonds fails to break the career homerun record, 2007 will go down as a lost and forgotten season. (For the young and the dense, this is a mode of satirical wit that writers and comedians often employed called “sarcasm”)
With the Yankees in the tank and Red Sox Nation poised for the playoffs in October, do you think Fox and ESPN will continue force feeding their now meaningless games to the rest of the nation? If one did not subscribe to MLB Extra Innings and relied on the two above mentioned networks for their baseball fix, they would be led to believe that there are just 4 major league baseball teams; the Red Sox, the Yankees and whoever they happen to be playing.
June 4th, 2007 at 9:27 am
With reference to your blog, I hope you understand that Yankee fans have supreme confidence in their team and look down with scorn on the weak, pitiful, delusional attempts by insecure Red Sox fans to grasp at straws.
The rotation is coming together. Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, Clemens and Hughes (when he comes off the DL)-it’s the best in baseball. Damon. Abreau, Cano–the guys who have not been hitting–are proven hitters and will have strong seasons from here on in. Giambi has been a distraction–good riddance! A-rod has a busty girlfriend so I expect him to return to April performance levels. Jeter and Posada are the best in baseball at their positions.
The Red Sox? A flash in the pan. Schilling is over the hill; Wakefield is a 500 pitcher at best who can’t beat the Yankees; the Japanese guy needs a couple years in the minors; the others are prone to injury.
Most of the new team members are overachieving and will start to decline. As soon as Manny sees the team start to decline, he’ll start thinking about being traded. The Red Sox are about to implode.
The implosion starts tonight!
June 6th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
As a Yankees fan living in Boston, I’d like to amend what I told quite a few people in 2004. I would never deprive another human being of the right to be happy twice in 88 years.
June 11th, 2007 at 7:09 am
A little Yankee/Red Sox humor that was sent to me last week:
Showing once again the lack of Honor from the RS Nation.
One foggy night, a Yankee fan was heading north from New
York and a Red Sox fan was driving south from Boston. While crossing a narrow bridge, they hit each other head-on, mangling both cars. The Red Sox fan manages to climb out of his car and survey the damage.
He looks at his twisted car and says, “Man, I’m lucky to be alive!” Likewise, the Yankees fan gets out of his car uninjured, he too feeling fortunate to have survived. The Yankee fan walks over to the Red Sox fan and says, “Hey, man, I think this is a sign that we should put away our petty differences and live as friends instead of being rivals.”
The Red Sox fan thinks for a moment and says, “You know, you’re absolutely right! We should be friends. In fact, I’m going to see if something else survived the wreck.”
The Red Sox fan then pops open his trunk and removes a full, undamaged bottle of Jack Daniel’s. He says to the Yankee fan, “I think
this is another sign we should toast to our newfound friendship.”
The Yankee fan agrees and grabs the bottle. After sucking down half of the bottle, he hands it back to the Red Sox fan and says, “Your turn!” The Red Sox fan calmly twists the cap back on the bottle, throws the
rest of the bottle over the bridge into the river and says, “Nah, I think I’ll just wait for the cops to show up.
June 13th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I was anticipating this blog for quite some time. I believe you waited until it was relatively safe to make this prediction. Two things, it’s not over until it’s over and there is always the Wild Card — where it very well may come down to a playoff series between the Yankees and Red Sox — and when those 2 teams meet crazy things occur. I now have to “pay” to watch my beloved Yankees (MLB extra innings) — and we are not happy with what we are seeing (until the past week or so) and we find ourselves constantly switching to the Red Sox games to see what they are doing — congratulations, you do have a great team this year — may the best team win!
June 14th, 2007 at 10:21 am
I too have been waiting for this one. We can go with old facts like, the Yankees always seem to find ways to beat the Red Sox…giving them a break once or twice a century, or we can go with new facts like, the Yankees were 13 1/2 games back when this blog was started and only 8 1/2 games back now and riding an 8 game winning streak! (makes me smile to know the sweat beads are beginning to build on the brow of the RS nation…even though they won’t admit it!)
We can update the stats as well…
-over the last 7 days-
A-Rod: 4 HR - 14 RBI - 7 R
Abreu: 11 R - .440 avg. - 9 RBI
Damon: .345 avg over the past six games.
Rivera: 0.00 ERA - 0.86 WHIP - 2 SV
Mussina: struck out six and walked none in 7 2/3 last night.
The Yankees are averaging eight runs over their past six games. Wednesday’s three long balls make it 15 in 12 June games. In June, the Yankees are already 10-2, with more than half the month left to play.
As a little cake topper, since that sweep the Yankees have won 5 and lost 4 to Boston while scoring 49 runs in the process!
Watch your back Boston! It aint over yet, fellas…long time until October!!!
June 15th, 2007 at 7:35 am
Pat,
Thanks for your comments. It should be an interesting finish this year. The Red Sox/Yankees don’t meet until August. Maybe those games will mean something after all!
The Sox are in the middle of a losing streak - there worst of the year. Enjoy it for now because it WILL NOT last long!
Merrill
June 15th, 2007 at 7:40 am
Jennie,
Thanks for waiting weeks to respond - yes your yankees are hot and yes Clemens is back. Roger if you really want to impress me pitch a gem tonight and beat the Mets. Than win a few games on the road. Beating the Pirates who by the way might be the worst hitting team in the NL is meaningless. Jeannie they pushed his start because they didn’t want him to face the Red Sox and get pounded.
Enjoy your recent success because they still have a way to go and I for one don’t think they will do much of anything in the playoffs - assuming they make it. The closest they will get to a world series ring this year is having Jeter and AROD call “BIG PAPI” and have him show off his ring!
90+ games to go - should make for a fun summer.
Merrill
June 15th, 2007 at 8:23 am
Can you Red Sox fans count to 7 1/2?
June 15th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Pat,
I love that you are following the race so close. Please don’t get too upset when your Yankees let you down this year. Easy for you to have high expectations when your team has the highest payroll in baseball.
That team is very old - and frankly getting older everyday. Yes they will make a trade at the deadline but I really don’t believe they will be playing in late October!
Merrill
June 18th, 2007 at 10:25 am
Just like a Red Sox fan, counting early in the season.
Don’t look now, but the Yanks have won 11 of the past 12 and have taken that 14 game deficit down to 8.5 after the weekend. And I thought we’d have to wait until the end of July to catch up to “Red Sox Nation” (do you have a flag, a salute and a handshake too?).
June 18th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Good morning.
The Red Sox are clearly in a bad stretch - their worst of the year. They are 8-8 during this month and The Yanks are hot.
Enjoy it while it lasts because the Sox will go on another tear this summer and put some more distance between the other American League. contenders.
Because the Red Sox have solid pitching they will NOT have long losing streaks - their longest of the year is 4 and might stay that way the entire season.
Merrill
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:15 am
Jennie/Pat/Matt,
Just wanted to make sure you didn’t miss what Scott Proctor did over the weekend:
After surrendering three runs in 1/3 inning Saturday, Scott Proctor set fire to his glove, uniform, spikes and other items, outside the Yankee dugout following the game.
“I burned everything, the whole bit,” Proctor said. “I’ve done it before when things have gone bad. When I needed a change.” He has given up six runs on 10 hits and three walks in his last 4-1/3 innings.
I guess things are really “HEATING UP IN THE BRONX”.
Merrill
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Mr. D!
That is pretty funny. More importantly, I know we’re back to 11 games back. So what! Only 1/2 way through the season as you just reminded me 10 seconds ago. For most teams that would be devastating…for the Yankees, that’s NOTHING!!!
July 6th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Jennie,
I love the fact that you support your team. I do believe you are not in touch with reality.
Most championship teams don’t have huge peaks and valleys.
Take a look at the winning and losing streaks by our two teams:
Red Sox Eight - three game winning streaks
Two - four game winning streaks
Two - five game winning streaks
One - three game losing streak
One - four game losing streak
Yankees Two - three game winning streaks
One - nine game winning streak
Two - three game losing streaks
One - four game losing streak
Two - five game losing streaks
The Red Sox will win the east for sure. Their pitching is solid and won’t allow long losing streaks.
Sorry Jennie and fans of the Yankees it will be a very long summer for you and your team.
Merrill
July 6th, 2007 at 11:31 am
My friend Merrill,
2004 was real, wasn’t it? The Yankees proved then that these regular season streaks mean nothing. The longest losing streak we had was 4 games, and it only happened once. Other than that, only three 3 game losing streaks. We had an 8 game winning streak, a 6 game winning streak, three 5 game winning streaks, five 4 game winning streaks, and three 3 game winning streaks. Oh yeah, and we won the east…which we’re currently sitting on a 9 titles in a row streak there. BUT, we all know where that led to…the toilet! After it was all said and done, your BoSox went home MLB champions. ‘member that? Ooooof course, you do! The Yankees can do the same thing. Everyone knows it! Many hope and pray that they won’t! But until the last out is called and the fat lady starts whaling, there will be just enough fear in the back of your minds to keep you switching over to the Yankee games to check the score…just to check…just to keep your hopes alive…just to keep your confidence up…just to keep your doubts in check…because, until then we’re right behind ya, right on your bumper, making you nervous like a cop late for his donut break!
So, a long summer is fine with me! It will be fun to watch no matter what.
BTW, how many Yankee games have you gone to this season, and how many BoSox games have you gone to this season? Don’t worry, I won’t tell!
July 10th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Jennie and other Yankee fans,
Since we’re talking streaks, I seem to remember a four game losing streak by the Yankees back in October 2004 that turned out to be THE BIGGEST CHOKE IN THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS! So don’t be so cocky. The Fat Lady will sing again, but the song she’ll sing is “Tessie”.
Boston Bob
July 11th, 2007 at 9:48 am
The AL won the All-Star Game! Sox will have home field advantage in the World Series! Woo-Hoo!
July 12th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Bob,
I happen to be there and had mixed feelings about the AL winning. since they won the first two games will be in BOSTON but Ed and Myself will be in Atlanta for the MRA board meeting and conference.
If they lost the middle games would have been over the weekend.
I am glad they won! Ended up being a fun and exciting game.
Merrill
July 15th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
When we start thinking “Wild Card” it’s time to heed the words of Yogi, “The future ain’t what it used to be!”
At 9 1/2 games out, 1 week after the All-Star break, I’m not ready to think bridesmaid. It is now about character and the will to win (as well as avoiding injury and throwing the occasional strike!)
So, do the Yankees have the collective spirit necessary to make a comeback? I honestly don’t know. The team is studded with great players, and yes, aging veterans, who know how to win. Predicting this is like predicting the Stock Market - I don’t know if it will go up or down, I do know they have enough talent to rally, and Torre is an amazing leader.
And one more thing, Merrill, you have to promise to stop throwing that Yankee Payroll nonsense out there, especially when the Sox payroll is second only to the Yanks and more than double 12 teams in the majors! We both know that money helps but doesn’t buy victory. If it did, the Sox may have won more World Series’. HA!
P.S. Don’t take your eyes off the rearview mirror. There’s still a lot of baseball to play.
July 16th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Jeffrey,
Thanks for finally responding now that the Yankees have cut into the Red Sox lead. You can never toss out the payroll fact - yes the Red Sox have the 2nd highest payroll but it is 80 million dollars behind the Yankees.
We both know that money does buy some championships and if it didn’t the Yankees wouldn’t have won ANY under Joe Torre.
Should be a fun summer.
Merrill
July 18th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Fact check - 80 million does sound better!
Year / Total Payroll 2007
Team Total payroll
New York Yankees $ 189,639,045
- Boston Red Sox $ 143,026,214
equals $46,612,831 [take out A-Rod ($22 mm) and Pavano ($10 mm)we're almost even!]
8 games back - start thinking Bucky Dent!
July 19th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Jeffrey,
Thanks for setting the record straight………. sort of… if you are taking out AROD and Pavano - than the Sox can take out Clement ($9mm) and other members of the team that are hurt as well.
Can’t fight this fact the Yankees have had the highest payroll for YEARS! That won’t change for a very long time and clearly can make personnel mistakes as opposed to other teams where the margin of error is much smaller.
When the Yankees make a mistake they go out and buy another player - it would be nice to have a unlimited salary budget like the Yankees do.
Good luck Jeffrey - this year you are going to really need it. They face Tampa Bay and KC - and will pile up the wins. Wait until they go into another funk - which should happen in the next few weeks.
Merrill
July 19th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Dubes:
Glad we’ll pile up the wins vs KC since they handed your boys 2 losses this week including a 9-3 shellacking. What does that tell you - that KC got good all of a sudden, or the vaunted Sox are starting to show signs of, dare I say, low self-esteem? 7 1/2 games out and the image in the rearview gets a little closer, a little bigger. Besides, who wants to see Cleveland in the playoffs?
I love this game!
Jeffrey
August 6th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Jennie, Jeffrey, Jay, Nic,
I guess we are in the home stretch and guess what the Red Sox are in 1st place. Not only are they in 1st place the y have the BEST record in baseball. They only team with a winning percentage over .600.
The Red Sox have outstanding pitching and with the addition of Eric Gagne (thanks Theo) and Curt Schilling coming back tonight they just got better.
Yes the Yankees are playing better - we knew they would BUT before all of the Yankee fans get too excited their season is on the line. 20 of the next 23 games are against really good teams. If they can beat teams like Detroit, Cleveland, LA and the Red Sox they deserve to make the playoffs.
The time is NOW - lets see what happens. I know the Red Sox will be playing in October - what about the Yanks?
I look forward to hearing your perspective.
Merrill
August 6th, 2007 at 11:28 am
All right, all right! I’ve been waiting for this. Dubes (I like that, Jeff), I told you when you started this and you were cruising through the office with your feet 3ft. off the ground…the Yankees will be there! …and, here we come! Btw, I’m loving the current BoSox series. You win, you help us in the wild card race…you lose, you help us in the division race as well! Doesn’t matter though, we’ll be there! Hmmmm, the next 23 games huh…the Yankees will finish AT LEAST 18-5 and that will include a series win over your BoSox.
Question about all this payroll banter…is it worse to buy another player after you make a mistake, or is it worse to spend millions of dollars on a player specifically so the team you’re most afraid of doesn’t get him?? OR, is it all just successful MLB of the not so distant future?
***faint whisper chant Merrill hears in his dreams…buck-y…buck-y…buck-y***
August 7th, 2007 at 6:37 am
Jennie,
I love your passion, energy and enthusiasm even though it is miss directed to the NY Yankees. There is no way the Yankees go 18-5. I will even make a friendly wager on it - no money something that means more. If the Yankees go 18-5 or better i will not wear my Boston Redsox red band for ONE month. If the Yankees come up short you can’t wear a Yankee shirt for a month?
Since the Yankees already won yesterday you have a head start.
Are you standing behind your team?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Merrill
August 7th, 2007 at 10:09 am
OK Dubes,
You bet I am standing behind my team!! It’s a bet! I had to cut off about 11 inches of my hair once because of the Cowboys! I can do this! I don’t think the Yankees will make me buy a new wardrobe, though! But, I think you should have to wear short sleeves the whole time your BoSox band is missing…AND, I should get to cut it off of your arm!!!
You’re confident, right? 
August 7th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Jennie,
I will agree to both of those things with one exception client visits. I still will wear a shirt/tie other than that short sleeves for a month.
If you win we will take some pictures of you cutting it off my wrist.
Good luck.
Merrill
August 7th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Perfect! I’m sharpening my scissors as we speak!
August 8th, 2007 at 7:58 am
I haven’t checked this blog in awhile and thought I would find some interesting stuff from Jennie and Merrill. I thought I was a fanatical Yankee fan — Jennie, you have me beat. I am routing for you (and the Yankees) 100% and if the Yankee pitching can keep it up, I think Merrill will be bandless. So, keep those scissors sharp, but we have our work cut out for us, 18 and 5 will be tough — already have 2, only need 16 more!
PS Merrill — I think Boston has the far better pitching team. Yankees have a bunch of “old” pitchers that I think will start to show their age come September when it is going to get down to the nitty gritty. And don’t get too excited about Curt Schilling — I think we can put him in the same categoy as Mussina — both starting to show their age, not to mention that the Yankees always seem to bomb him.
The next month is going to prove to be very interesting.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:53 am
In the time since Mr. Dubrow’s eloquent blog posting on June 1st:
The Boston Red Sox are 32-28, a whopping 4 games over .500, a .533 winning %
The New York Yankees are 40-21, 19 games over .500, a .655 winning %
-The lead in the American League East has been trimmed from 13 1/2 games (at the time of the posting- 1 game better than the high mark of 14 1/2 games) to just 5 games, with still 6 games head-to-head against the Red Sox remaining
-The lead in the wild card race has been trimmed down to 1/2 game
-A-Rod has gone on to post MVP-type #’s .296 36HR 109 RBI’s 258 total bases- 1.025 OPS–with still 49 games to play, and possibly have one of the greatest complete offensive seasons in Yankee history in terms of total HR’s and RBI’s and OPS
-Since the All star Break, the Yankees (21-7) lead the league in Wins, Runs Scored, HR’s, Batting Average, OPS, etc.
-The pitching staff has been fortified, both in experience with Roger Clemens, as well as infused with Youth, in the form of Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain, strengthening both the starting rotation and bullpen. Gone are the Matt DeSalvo’s, Tyler Clippards, Darrell Rasners, and Chase Wrights of the world (unfortunately for Red Sox fans, he will not be around again to serve up 4 consecutive gopher balls). The “revolving door” of starters is no longer, and quite possibly, the Yanks have the most potent 1-5 starters in the league. Wang, Pettitte, Clemens, Mussina, Hughes.
- The “Japanese Phenom” as Merill describes Kei Igawa (although I would be hard pressed to see any Yankee beat writer, staff member, or fan describe him as such, he was brought in to be a #4 or #5 starter, unlike Dice-K, whom was expected to be at worst a #2 starter) is back in the minors where he belongs, and will not see NY for the rest of the season
-Jason Giambi has now returned the the lineup from injury, making the bench even stronger. A bench of Giambi, Duncan, Damon, Bettemit, and Molina certainly sounds a lot better than Kevin Thompson, Josh Phelps, Wil Nieves, etc, etc…
- Robinson Cano has raised his average approximately .70 points during the season, and since July 2nd (33 games) is batting .412 with 8 HR’s and 27RBI’s, scoring 27 Runs, also with increased plate discipline (see 3 BB’s from last night’s game)
- Melky Cabrera since June 1st- .348 5 HR 34 RBI’s .928 OPS 124 total bases, while also leading the team in OF assists
-Mike Mussina has won his last 3 starts (more than can be said for Any Red Sox starter right now)
-Bobby Abreu has raised his average from .228 to .285
- Hideki Matsui in earning player of the month for July, batted .345, 13 HR’s, 28 RBI’s, 31 runs, 39 hits
- Mariano Rivera, whom Merill so cheerfully stated only had 4 saves, now has 18 saves (it’s tough to pile them up when the team consistently is blowing out the competition) his ERA is now below 3.00, at 2.83 (I believe in the last 2 months his ERA has been approx 1.50) his WHIP is 1.01, and his K to walk ratio is at a staggering 50/5.. - equating to 10.0– Papelbon’s ratio stands at 4.46
-Since the opening sweep by the Red Sox in the 1st series of the year, the Yanks hold a 5-4 edge in Head to Head competition (2-1 since Merril’s June 1 posting)
so I implore Merrill, please, keep the blogs coming!
August 8th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Joshua-
Your recap of the stats are remarkable. I knew Cano and Cabrera have been on fire the last several weeks — along with other players getting key hits. I am still leery about Yankee pitching — though I liked what I saw last night with Chamberlain. I have to disagree with the “potent” pitching staff — I think Clemens, Petite and Mussina can all pitch a good game, but I believe (with the exception of Clemens) they need the offense to put a good 7 - 10 runs on the board to win the game — which luckily they have been doing (but the Red Sox will come and score 11 or 12). I know it’s not always the case, but I don’t think either Mussina nor Petite are pitching extremely well overall.
You can’t get a bigger Yankee fan than I am. I was raised right outside the Bronx, went to high school in the Bronx and my husband is an ex-Yankee vendor (when he was in high school). So, let’s go Yankees and let’s knock Boston right out of first place like we did last year!
August 8th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Where are all the Red Sox fans! I feel like I need a little help.
Joshua - I love your passion and frankly I am very impressed with your putting together the stats. I will admit I have been impressed with how the Yankees have played over the past few months I still don’t believe they win the east.
I loved Roger Clemens hitting Rios and after getting tossed out having that “would do i do look - the ball slipped out of my hands” I hope all of the Yankees have the same look when they don’t win anything this year.
Pat - Chamberlain did look good but remember Hughes was pitching a no hitter and got hurt a few innings later. many months later he is pitching now.
May the best team win and I keep my Red Sox bracelet in one piece this year!
Merrill
August 8th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Joshua - We need to meet - that was an encyclopedic rendering of the Yankees recent performance. Well done!
This is a fired up team, Merrill. You can tell, because if you listen to the fans, right here on your own blog, you can hear we are pumped. And the Red Sox fans? You said it: “Where are all the Red Sox fans! I feel like I need a little help.”
I was happy to settle for the wild card a few weeks back. NOW I WANT IT ALL!!! The Yankees will win the World Series this year - how they get there is relevant only in how entertaining the race becomes. This rivalry is what makes the sport so good. I mean really, who would care if Detroit or Cleveland was battling it out with the Sox except for a few welders in Motown?
Jennie - Make him wear a Yankees cap too!
Hit Hit Jorge!
August 8th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
I’m guessing that RSN is a bit too nervous right now to puff out their collective chests and defend themselves…I owe a great deal of the stats to the good folks from nyyfans.com- as much as I would love to say that I computed that all on my own, unfortunately that thing called work always seems to get in the way…As far as Clemens goes, of course he is going to have the “it just slipped” excuse, because out and out admitting that he plunked Rios would lead to an automatic suspension (which he may get a few games anyway). Just as a small history lesson, in 2005, at this same point in the season the Yanks were 5 games back, so you still give them no shot at the division, especially with 6 games head-to-head??
August 8th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Josh,
You are a bigger fan than I thought - especially to abbreviate Red Sox Nation - it doesn’t matter how big of a puzzled look Mr Clemens (who will be wearing a Red Sox hat when he goes into the Hall Of Fame) on his face will be suspended as will Torre - or at least they should be. My gut is two games for Clemens and one for Torre.
2005 was along time ago form this standpoint - the Sox pitching is GREAT! If their starters give them 6 quality innings they will not lose many games. Their bullpen is usually lights out in the 7/8/9 inning when it really matters. The Yankees can beat up on all the little teams - but lets see them rock Halliday and Carmona in the next two games.
Josh - I would rather be in the Red Sox position than the Yankees.
Time will tell.
Merrill
August 8th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Ah, Yankee fans, such a class act. You’re talking mighty confident for a team that is still behind. You’ve been mighty quiet for a while, but it looks like the bandwagon has made a stop at the old Merrill Dubrow blog nothing attracts Yankee fans more than a bandwagon.
Do the numbers 2004 mean anything to you? It should, that was the year you committed THE BIGGEST CHOKE IN THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS.
The Yanks going 18 and 5 in the next 23? Can I get in on this action? If the Yanks go 18-5 on their next 23 games I will eat Teo’s Hot Dogs in the middle of Park Square in Pittsfield, MASS in my UMASS boxer shorts.
Jenny, I don’t hear a chant of “Bucky-Bucky”, but I do hear “Steroids, steroids, steroids..” whenever Jason Giambi steps up to the plate. By the way, how do you get the NY Yankees to stand up at the same time? “Will the defendants please rise…”.
Remember, folks, it ain’t over ’til the fat lady sings, and in the 21st Century her favorite song is “Tessie”.
ps. Let’s give a big shoutout to my heroine Jessica Biel who dates Derrek Jeter, but wears Red Sox apparel in Yankee Stadium. You go girl!
August 8th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
If you were impressed by my RSN abbreviation, would you like me to start talking about SoSH? Question- if the Sox starting pitching is as dominating as you claim, how does that explain the mediocrity from the team for the past 2 months? Granted Schilling has been hurt, and now Gagne added to the mix makes an already great bullpen devastating, but the Sawx should be well above .500 since June and they simply have not been. Part of it could be a product of having a huge lead and “going through the motions” but turning the switch “On” is a lot tougher than it seems. Agreed, the Yanks have certainly been beating up on the “little sisters of the poor” of late, but what this has done is put the Yanks in a position to make a run at the WC, division, etc- and now that the team is playing their best ball of the season, I really feel confident that they can win a great deal of the games during this tough August stretch- maybe 18 is a pipe dream, but with Detroit and Cleveland’s poor play of late, the 11 games against those 2 teams is not nearly as daunting as it was a month, or even 2 weeks ago. Yeah, you can throw 2004 in my face, just as easily as I can throw 1978 right back, and 2003, and Babe Ruth, etc, etc…unfortunately 4 games doesn’t erase all of recorded history (one year just can’t erase a fan base’s inherent feeling of impending doom either). Would I rather my team be 5 up or 5 down, obvious no-brainer- but I will pose the question back–Would you rather have your team playing at a .650 clip heading into the stretch run as opposed to meandering through at .500…And as far as the steroids/Giambi comment, in this day and age, it is fairly impossible to believe that a clubhouse exists that is completely clean, so it really is a case of people in glass houses throwing stones. Yes Giambi is an admitted user, but you’re going to sit here and tell me that Papi’s head naturally got that big???
August 9th, 2007 at 10:29 am
Josh,
Thanks for the email and all of your comments. Good pitchers have bad streaks and that is one reason that the Sox have played poorly over the past few months. Their hitting has gone away at times and again another reason why the lead isn’t double digits howvere the fact is with 48 games to go they have the BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL! I know that pains you and Jeffrey and Jennie to hear the reality is it is the truth.
The Yankees have gone 20-8 in their last 28 games - very impressive….. maybe…. The teams they have played with the exception of 3 games - ALL had a losing record. That all changes for them in the next 3 weeks. With the exception of the Orioles who play them tough they face really good teams - if the pitching match ups don’t go the Yankees way they will lose a bunch of games.
The Red Sox - have 12 games let with Tampa bay - I believe they will win 8 of those games - if they split the other 38 games that gives them 95 wins. The Yankees just to tie have to win 32 more games - two out of every three. I just don’t see that happening. Maybe they get closer but they don’t win the east.
Also most of the Yankee starters are old - as the season goes on they will not be able to toss great game after great game. Wang’s era went up last night almost a half a run with a bad outing - it won’t surprise anyone when that happens to their other starters. Not to mention Hughes got pounded on Saturday.
Good luck over the 49 games!
Merrill
August 9th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
One more thing to ponder is that the yankees were trying to get rid of ARod, who just hit 500 homeruns… They’re so smart… And Let’s talk about Johnny Damon. You may say that he left the Red Sox for a better team, when really the Yankees bought out Damon only to keep him on the bench and place him on the field very rarely. Red Sox Nation has the most dedicated fans… How do I know that? Well because I am one and through hard times we stick to our beloved team, for better or for worse. All you can seem to talk about is how they are going to come back… Well, hope and dream all you want but may I just remind you that we are in reality and in reality yous’ guys are behind. I have one word for you Papi, and if he not a big enough statement for you then check the rankings. Thank God I ‘m a red sox fan, the dedicated team that doesn’t buy out their risks. This is baseball and not the stock market. Red sox keep baseball, baseball; the yankees make baseball about money. I leave you with this the Red Sox hit the baseball wicked hard!!!
August 9th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
My, my, my is this GREAT or what???
Bob, let me start by saying that true blue-blooded Yankee fans are fans through thick and thin and don’t need a bandwagon.
And Josh, we both know the RSN always brings up 2004, because that’s ALL they have! Makes ‘em feel better about that “inherent feeling of impending doom”! Funny you should mention 1978, because I was coming here to do that very thing. Dubes, the standings in 1977/1978 were almost exactly the same as they are now. Do you need details of how the season ended? Probably not.
Jason Giambi’s steroid use will not factor into this season’s standings no matter what. Whether he’s at Yankee Stadium or the Betty Ford clinic, it doesn’t matter at all.
I would much rather be playing with the momentum the Yankees have as opposed to moving towards a downhill slump.
In any case, I can smile already just knowing that it was not that long ago that a certain RSN member told me that it was virtually impossible for the Yankees to make the playoffs, and now he knows he was WRONG…not only is it possible for them to make the playoffs, it is entirely possible for them to win the division! BEAUTIFUL!!!
August 9th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
I’m a little curious about Jennie’s Aug 7th bet. Jennie, did you realize that you were committing to a 78% winning percentage? Did that really come from someone who works in Market Research? How’s it working out?
August 9th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Bob - It’s working out well so far, actually. 2-1 so far. It’s just too bad that we didn’t start 3 games sooner. We’d be at 5-1. There’s nothing wrong with forecasting.
August 9th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Jenny,
Of course you Yankee fans stick with your team through thick and thin. That’s why you waited two weeks, until they got “warm” and they welcomed Clemens back into their midst until you first replied to this blog topic.
I must say you and Josh are awfully non-challant about the presence of a dirty drug abuser on your team (to say nothing of a a guy who yells “I got it.” or tries to swat the ball out of the first baseman’s hands when he can’t beat the tag).
Josh, If you’ve got evidence of Papi’s steroid use: bring it-put up or shut up! His head may be big, but so are his stones, and in a clutch situation is there anybody else in baseball you’d want batting on your team? But that’s OK, Big George will buy himself another over-rated superstar to add to his collection of clubhouse poison come off-season and they will fail again because they lack chemistry and chemistry wins championships.
As for 2004: The onus of having THE BIGGEST CHOKE IN THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS is still the monkey on your back (although the Indianapolis Colts almost took it away in 2005). 1978 is a distant memory. And of course 2004 is not the only thing historically that the Red Sox have going for them. They have won more than one World Series. Can you tell me how many without looking it up? They also had the greatest hitter in the history of the sport (imagine if he had not chosen to serve his country in the Korean War, but I digress…)
I think back to my childhood. By the time I was 7 years old, I had lived through the dark cloud of 5 Yankee Championships. A 7 year-old today has never experienced even one. Oh maybe, we’ll let you win another one one of these days, when the kid is an insecure pimply-faced teen–those are always such hard years, and we are not without compassion.
In the meantime, if the Red Sox win the League and/or the Series (see I take nothing for granted) does it really matter what their lead over the Evil Empire is? Which do I prefer, the ignominy of ending the year with a double digit lead or winning by just one game, letting the bums get just close enough–maybe two strikes away–from winning it all only to crush them against our foreheads like an empty can of Knickerbocker Beer. Gee, I can’t decide which is better…
PS. Jennie, sorry to hear you lost 11 inches of hair because of the Cowboys. That probably wouldn’t have happened if you had rooted for the Pats (you know, 3 Superbowls in 4 years), but that’s another story.
August 10th, 2007 at 7:40 am
As far as the Papi and Roids allegations- they came right from the horse’s mouth:
http://rss.msnbc.msn.com/id/18551856/
what Papi said isn’t any different than Sheffield or any others stating “I used the cream, but didn’t know it had roids in it” Again, you’re fooling yourself if in this day and age of the “steroid era” in baseball, that the Red Sox clubhouse is 100 % clean.
And seriously, I don’t want to hear any arguments from the nation about their lovable group of under-dogs somehow managing to be in front of the Yankees. The Sox spend a TON of $$’s (of course not as much as the Yanks, but they did out-bid everyone dramatically for Dice-K). Face the facts RSN, the Sox have become the Yankees (minus the 26 championships) in terms of out-spending just about every team in the league- which is everything that you loathe and despise.
As far as starting pitching staff’s go…If Pettitte, Clemens and Moose are “old”, then what does that make Schilling and Wakefield?
All I can say, is it is going to be a fun month and a half the rest of the way- this rivalry drives the sport (at least in my east-coast biased eyes) and will be great to see those gutty, gritty Yankees win the division again!
August 10th, 2007 at 8:09 am
A few thoughts this morning!
GO BOB GO! Your message to Jennie/Josh and other Yankee fans was perfect.
As mentioned in a comment from me on Wednesday Mr. “I didn’t mean to hit Alex Rios” Clemens has gotten suspended for 5 games. I had predicted two but glad I was wrong - now he can go visit his family in Katy, Texas. Torre also got suspended for one game which is exactly what I said he would get.
Here is some advice for Roger - Keep defending your teammates and getting suspended. maybe it is just me but if the Yankees wanted and more important needed revenge than why not bring in Farnsworth or one of the pathetic relievers they have in the bullpen as opposed to a starter they will need?
Merrill
August 10th, 2007 at 10:02 am
One of the really great things about being a Yankees fan is that there is no need to pop off. I like to just smile warmly at all my Red Sox fan friends.
August 10th, 2007 at 10:05 am
More re: Big Papi– from today’s Boston Globe–
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/08/10/ortiz_is_powerless_in_clutch/
the drop in power, the nagging injuries/body breaking down…infer whatever you would like from that…
August 10th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Boy, is this getting really heated. Well, what keeps the Yankees and Red Sox rivalry going is actually the die hard, dedicated fans — not the players. Merrill asks who’s side we are on —- JENNIE, JOSH AND THE YANKEES OF COURSE! I can already envision Jennie cutting that band off Merrill’s wrist (we want pictures!). And in the event (slight chance) Jennie doesn’t win, I will make sure to wear a Yankee shirt when Merrill comes to Greensboro.
August 10th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Bob,
Actually, I was out of town and didn’t know about this blog topic. I posted as soon as I read it. But, if I’m breathing and I see my friend Merrill there is a BoSox/Yankees exchange no matter what the history, score or standings might be.
LOL, the only reason anyone says anything about the whole “I got it” thing with A-Rod is because it was A-rod. Big deal. Had anyone else thought of it and got away with it, it wouldn’t even be up for discussion. Oh well.
No club in baseball is juice free. Sad but true. Some will get caught and some won’t. Nature of the beast.
There’s no monkey on our backs. It happened, it sucked and now it’s over. Yup, I can tell ya how many pennants the BoSox have won without looking…20 LESS than the Yankees! And kids were born, grew old and passed on between their last 2. Can’t say that for the Yankees. No doubt we’ll win more.
If it weren’t for their rivalry with the Yankees, no one outside of Boston would even know the difference between the RSN and a bunch of little girls running around with red socks on their feet.
It’s great! Finally more baseball to watch starting tonight! GO YANKEES!!!
August 10th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Josh,
While I do understand lots of what you are saying I don’t agree that we overspent for DiceK. Yes we spent lots of money up front BUT we took all of the power and leverage away from Scott Boras for many years. When you factor everything in I believe we are paying around Barry Zito money which will be a bargain for sure. He is a workhorse and with DiceK, Beckett and a young Mariano Rivera closer in Papelbon the pitching will be set and steady for years.
Merrill
August 10th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Jeremy,
You are one classy guy!
This is the best rivalry in sports!
Merrill
August 10th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
This thing is getting longer than Harry Potter!
Bob Graham wrote: “As for 2004: The onus of having THE BIGGEST CHOKE IN THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS is still the monkey on your back.”
Does the name Billy Buckner ring a bell? Sure, we lost a series, ho hum. But that game was the biggest choke I’ve ever personally witnessed. Want to know the sad thing? I was about to marry a Rhode Island girl and so to suck up to my father-in-law-to-be I sat by his side and actually rooted for the Sox (against the Mets, it wasn’t really too difficult!) So I have felt what you Sox fans feel almost daily. You are very strong people, I admit, to take all this abuse that you so rightfully deserve! (BTW - Still married 27 years later.)
New York City is the capital of the world and the Yanks are the official emblem of it’s power, and wealth, and success. Boston is a pleasant blue-collar town. Both so “American” in their own ways. Overachievers versus the Underdogs.
In the end it doesn’t really matter who wins what - to me what matters is that it’s there to watch, to cheer, to fret over, and applaud. God I’d be miserable if I didn’t have this family feud. Thank you all for adding to the fun of it!
August 12th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Josh about Papi and steroids, he states that he doesn’t know if he used steroids when he was younger. Is it not possible that the steroids could of been in a supplement to lose weight or tone up. There was a point when steroids was like Creatine or cigarettes no one realized the effects. As a sports medicine trainer, I can tell you that Ortiz has fat all over his body, and the same fat that a steroid user would not have.
August 12th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
The Yanks are 22-8 since the All-Star break and are now only 4 games back of the Sox (and leading the wild-card race). We’ve made up 10 games on Boston since you began this thread and look how much time is left in the season…
Ah, this is getting really fun.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:41 am
Well, well, well…HAPPY MONDAY!
A little recap for your reading pleasure…
My boys are at 5 - 1 with 18 games left in this bet with the sweep of the Indians this weekend. How did the BoSox do you ask? Hmmmm, they lost 2 out of 3 in their weekend series! Who was pitching? Well, that would be Daisuke Matsuzaka and Curt Schilling. NICE!!! We did it with 21 yr. old Phil Hughes, Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte. The latter two of course are two that are supposed to be too old to win a game if their lives depended on it…according to certain people posting on this blog.
We have a little ways to go, but what a nice start! I keep telling you not to be so quick to write off the Yankees! BoSox fans grab yourselves some hankies to wipe those sweat beads that are building on your foreheads…and, bring on the “contenders” AND bring on the schtick!!!
Have a nice day!
August 13th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Matt/Jeffrey - clearly the Yankees are playing great baseball but they are playing WAY over their heads. Just like they weren’t as bad as their record indicated earlier in the year they aren’t this good now.
Yes the Red Sox have been playing very poorly over the past few months - but when you check the standings this morning. THEY STILL HAVE THE BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL….. Amazing BUT true!
This is the best rivalry in sports!
Merrill
August 13th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Well since you like to stay current and not so much about OLD stats, let me add…
“The Yankees have won eight of nine, and with an offense mashing like no other, improved to a BASEBALL-BEST 23-8 since the All-Star break.” (espn.com)
…you know, just to stay current and up-to-date!
August 13th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Listen carefully. Can you hear it? The slowly accelerating, inevitable onslaught of Jeter, A-Rod, Matsui, Cano, Posada etc., the whining of Red Sox fans, the deer-in-the-headlights look on the faces of the Red Sox players who, with one lucky exception, have crumbled in September? The Yankees are coming…the Yankees are coming!
Get out your checkbook again.
Jay
August 13th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Boston, home of Harvard, MIT, BC, BU the Boston Symphony the intellectual capital of the US is a “blue collar city”? Forget steroids, Jeffery, what kind of drugs are you on?
Let’s not get off topic though, because I love New York City. I lived there for 5 years and go back every chance I get. I may not love it as much as I love Boston (and I love it in a different way) but I do love it just a little more than I love my third favorite, Chicago (and way more than I love LA or SF).
Yes, the Yankees have won more WS Championships than everybody else. They are the Celtics of Baseball.
In the meantime, the Yankees start a 3 game series with Baltimore tonight. Hey Millar, COWBOY UP!!
August 13th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
last time I posted, the Yankees were 12.5 behind the redsox and I said that by Yankee-Red Sox math. the Yankees were really a game and a half up. (I was a stats major in college before going into Mktg
Research). Now it’s only 4–I’m lovin’ it! Go C&C boys!
August 14th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Let me pause Yankee fans to offer condolences on the passing of Phil Rizzuto. He was a great and charismatic announcer had an enormous love for the game and was fun to listen to (even if I didn’t always care for the outcomes he was reporting). “Holy Cow!”
August 14th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Following up on Bob Graham’s comments I want to send my condolences to all Yankee fans. Phil Rizzuto was a great Yankee player and Broadcaster
He wasn’t the biggest or strongest player in his day and clearly was over shadowed by Mantle and DiMaggio but he did his part. He was a scrappy player, who made the All Star team 5 times.
I
didn’t realize he was American league MVP in 1950. One of the main reasons Phil is in the Hall of Fame was because of Boston’s own Ted Williams. Phil was bypassed 26 times in total which might be a record before getting into the Hall of Fame in 1994. The only reason he got in was a very emotional and aggressive speech by Ted Williams to the voters.
Phil Rizzuto will be not only missed by Yankee fans but baseball fans.
Thanks for all the great memories.
Merrill
August 15th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Hi,
kath
I have not previously posted on this topic.
As a citizen of RSN, I just wanted to say good morning to all you yankee fans.
Did you all have a nice evening?
August 15th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
nah! it was a butt kicking for sure, but that’s it in the grand scheme of things. we both lost today, so the standings remain the same. in the smaller scheme of things it puts me 2 games closer to a wardrobe change. LOL! i’m still 100% confident that won’t have to happen though! 14-2 is do-able. my boys can do it! 8 games vs detroit and 3 vs los angeles, and then the REAL FUN begins!!!
GO YANKEES!!!
August 16th, 2007 at 7:02 am
Jennie,
I am sure you are disappointed that your Yanks have now lost two in a row. That Oriole team is certainly scrappy and doesn’t give up. The real challenge for your team starts in 30 hours when they start a 14 game stretch that is the most challenging of the year. They than get a breather against Tampa Bay and than face the Seattle Mariners.
Should be exciting!
Merrill
August 16th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Just in case you haven’t heard…
Commissioner announces no discipline for Giambi
08/16/2007 11:37 AM ET
MLB.com
Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced today that he will not take any disciplinary measures against Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees given his cooperation with Senator George Mitchell’s investigation and his off-field charitable activities.
Giambi had admitted to the use of performance-enhancing substances in a newspaper article in May and subsequently discussed his use with Senator Mitchell’s investigative team.
“Jason was frank and candid with Senator Mitchell,” said Commissioner Selig. “That and his impressive charitable endeavors convinced me it was unnecessary to take further action.”
In a letter to Giambi, the Commissioner wrote: “In the days since your interview, your representatives have discussed with my office your commitment to off-field charitable activities. For example, your agent has informed my office that you intend to donate $50,000 to the Partnership of a Drug Free America. You have also committed to make an additional donation of $50,000 in cash or equipment to the Harlem RBI. You also have agreed to make an appearance at the Major League Baseball Academy in Compton, California during the 2007-2008 off-season. Finally your representatives have notified the Baseball Tomorrow Fund of your willingness to participate in a check presentation ceremony.”
August 17th, 2007 at 8:54 am
I prefer the headline in the Boston Globe:
“Giambi Escapes Punishment from Selig”
Presidential pardons: it not just for White House cronies anymore!
ps. Go Sox
August 17th, 2007 at 9:00 am
Almost forgot. Has everyone seen the great new Clemens dropped-call commercial for Cingular. Roger is on the golf course and calls his wife asking if he should go back to the Yankees. At that time, the sound cuts out and Debbie Clemens is seen yelling “No!NO!NO!” with no sound coming out of her mouth. Roger then says to his golf buddies: “Hey guys, I can come back. She’s sppechless!” Really funny stuff!
August 17th, 2007 at 9:07 am
Bob,
I haven’t seen the commercial. Any chance you can find it on the web and we can post it on the site. Thanks for your comments.
Merrill
August 17th, 2007 at 9:48 am
Here is the Roger Clemens commercial:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1749498531571522718&q=clemens+at%26t+commercial&total=1&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
Very funny!
Merrill
August 17th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Jennie: still think it’s possible now? (moral: it’s fine to root with your heart, but please learn to bet with your head - this game is streak-y, and 23 games is a long time …)
August 20th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Absolutely! ANYTHING is possible! I can see dropping one in LA, although I think they’re probably a little over confident after their series win over the BoSox. …then sweeping Detroit and the BoSox. It’s ok if no one wants to admit how well the Yankees are playing right now. Even if I had said 17 - 6 or 16 - 7, the same people would say they couldn’t do it. Would it look as “impossible” to you if they hadn’t lost that fluke last game in the Baltimore series? The bottom line is that they are not only playing better than LA, Detroit and Boston, they are playing better than EVERYONE right now! So, CAN they do it? Yes! WILL they do it? We shall see! They are improving with each and every game…playing with momentum! Everyone else is fighting to keep up and stay ahead!
GO YANKEES!
August 21st, 2007 at 10:24 am
Dearest Jennie,
The Yanks are playing better than “anyone” right now and “everyone” else is “fighting to keep up and stay ahead”? Earth to Jennie:they are 6-4 for the last 10 games; the same as Boston, the LA Angels, Oakland, the Mets, Arizona, Pittsburgh (last place, NL East) and SF (last place NL West). They are in second place in the AL East and second place in the Wild Card race. Don’t you think a touch of humility is called for?
Chances are good that you will need a new wardrobe soon and I have just the place for you to go shopping:
http://www.chowdaheadz.com/antiyankeegear1.html
August 21st, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Yup, that’s exactly right…since the all-star break they have the best record in baseball.
I’ll give up a touch of humility in that we have an uphill battle tonight, seeing how we’re already down 6 runs, and it’s only the second inning. Still too early to count them completely out, though. In any case, if I have to change the duds, so be it. I’ll have them back in time for the playoffs! The Yankees WILL be in the playoffs!
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:51 am
Dearest Jennie,
Well, you were right about dropping one in L.A.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-BBA-Yankees-Angels.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin
Now 5 games back with a 6-5 past-11-game record? They’ll need to play a little better than anyone to get in the playoffs, or build momentum. For the record, 16-7 would be a 70% winning streak - very high, but historically possible. When you’re talking 20+ games, however, a 78% record (18/5) is over the top.
C’mon now, don’t tell me a researcher can’t calculate odds. You can do better than this. Or perhaps we should say shame on Merrill for taking advantage of a passionate young lady.
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:39 am
Let me summarize
1. The Reds Sox have the second best record in the AL since the all-star break.
2. This year they are a better, more balanced team than the Yankees.
3. The lead is 6 games right now.
4. The Reds Sox will match whatever the Yankees do from now on to end of season.
5. The best the Yankees can hope for is a wild card berth followed by a west coast trip and defeat by LAA in a five game series- a preview of which is now showing at 10pm tonight.
6. The Red Sox meanwhile will have time to getting the pitching rotation sorted, have home field advantage and a short trip to the central zone- probably Detroit
7. Which team would is better placed in your opinion?
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:32 am
Ahhh, the Angels…with pitching like we had last night the Bad News Bears would have beaten us up. Go figure. That’s not going to keep happening though. Not with the youngsters as hot as they are. They can’t help if they don’t play, though. They will fix that!
No, Merrill didn’t take advantage of anyone. He gets WAAAY more grief than he dishes out. This little bet is NOTHING!
I LOVE this! Always resorting to stats, history and odds. None of which can take away the nervousness and nail biting that each and every Yankee win provides. Their losses, at this point, only provide more dialog and a little hope. When and IF they are eliminated from the playoffs will be the only time you can relax, and by the time your nails grow back it will be time to start biting them again.
GO YANKEES!!!
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Owen,
One thing you forgot from your summary: The Red Sox currently have the best record in baseball. I know Jenny would like to ignore the first half of the season, but facts is facts.
Dearest Jenny,
In the first place, my nails are intact as is the Red Sox ban on Merrill’s arm. I don’t fret the possibility of losing the AL title to the Yanks, because the Yanks themselves have show just how irrelevant it is in the grand scheme of things. All those AL titles you’ve managed to win in the past few years haven’t translated to WS titles have they? WS Champ T-shirts sell better than Divisional Champ t-shirts, I’m sure Mr Steinbrenner will verify that (or maybe it’s been so long he’s forgotten…).
Anyway, I’m glad you like our citing of statistics, history and odds. I’m amused by the way you keep ignoring them. Tell me again, exactly what position do you hold in the Bush Administration?
Boston Bob
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:18 pm
George hasn’t forgotten anything…he doesn’t have to count championships in 86 year increments. It’s somewhat true though I guess about the AL titles. We only have 16 of those to go with our 26 WS titles. I guess ya can’t leave out the 39 League championships since we’re all about history and such. Facts is facts, right? So if we use those statistics, it sounds like we have more trophies and banners than we do empty space. Hmmmm, 26 championships in 84 yrs to 6 championships in 104 yrs…I like those odds. Or, is it ok to ignore those?
Bush?? Didn’t he play for the Boston Bees in the 30s???? Sorry, I wasn’t around back then but, even if I had been I still wouldn’t have been a Boston fan!!
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Jennie,
Greetings from vacation - I have lots to say BUT I will be brief today. I respect you standing behind your team and love your passion for the NY Yankees. Yes you lost the bet and thankfully I don’t have to cut off my Red Sox bracelet. I must say there was little chance of that happening - your Yankees really aren’t that good. Yes they have scored lot’s of runs but their pitching is weak….. very weak… yes they have experience but they are old…. very old… Mussina might be dropped from the rotation.
The thing you need to realize is time is running out - there is not alot of games left and the Yankees margin of error is very, very slim!
I look forward to seeing your smiling face over the next 30 days since you won’t be wearing any of those Yankee shirts.
See you Monday.
Merrill
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:44 am
Merrill!!!
It’s about time! I’ve actually missed ya this week!
So, does the entire RSN read from the same script? It differs a bit from the rest of baseball you know. (ex. foxsports.com has us 3rd in power rankings this week) But, whatever makes you guys feel better!
I look forward to you seeing me to over the next 30 days! BUT, let me say right now before anyone gets crazy, again…I myself WILL BE ON VACATION NEXT WEEK 8/27 - 8/31 WITHOUT ACCESS TO A COMPUTER!!! Rest assured that no matter what happens, I won’t be hiding from, avoiding or afraid of this blog!! I WILL be back, so everyone RELAX!!!
GO YANKEES!!
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Jennie,
RSN reads from the same script? All we seem to get out of Planet Yankee is “86 years…Bucky…Buckner…Steinbrenner isn’t a sleaze ball…Yankees are loved all over the world…zzzzzzz Well in the first place, anybody can have a bad century, and in the second place those ghosts are gone, exorcised in 2004, despite Yankee fans’ tiresome obsession with living in the past.
Merrill,
Congrats on being able to keep your bracelet, but you’ll need a new one in October: One that says Boston Red Sox: 2007 World Champions.
August 24th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Bob,
I love the way you are thinking. I was watching the Sox game tonight and actually saw Manny hustling……… the announcers actually said that Manny thinks they have a great shot at the trophy again this year!
Sounds like a strong possibility of a parade in late October!
I can’t wait!
Merrill
August 28th, 2007 at 7:04 am
Jennie & Yankee fans,
Good morning. For some reason the sun is shinning a little brighter, the birds are singing a little louder - why you ask? I will get back to that in a minute.
In the last three weeks this is what has happened:
As predicted here - the Yankees would struggle during the hardest part of their schedule. They needed to step up and didn’t going 11-9 in their last 20 games. During that time the mighty Red Sox have expanded their lead by going 12-8.
The Red Sox became the 4th team in the last 110 years to score 10+ runs in 4 straight games. During their sweep of the White Sox - the Red Sox outscored them 46-7.
Oh yeah and I forgot the Yankees just suffered their WORST road loss (16-0) last night in the history of their franchise.
The reason that today the sun shines a little brighter and the birds are sining a little louder is my beloved Red Sox have an 8 game lead over the Yankees and the next three game DON’T MATTER - even if the Yankees sweep it still won’t matter.
Yesterday I got my 1st call from a Yankee fan conceding the American League East title. Mark Sutin said the east is done but maybe the wild card is something that they can win.
With 31 games to go - how much drama is their really left?
Jennie - enjoy your vacation.
Merrill
August 28th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Sad headline from today’s NYTimes:
“Ugly Outing by Mussina Casts Cloud on Future”
August 28th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
How is that headline sad, Bob?
August 28th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
It is simply amazing that the Yankees continue to waste MONEY! Apparently nobody cares!
Agent Scott Boras announced Sunday that first-round pick Andrew Brackman has decided to undergo Tommy John elbow surgery.
Brackman was told by Dr. James Andrews earlier this month that surgery wasn’t required immediately, but Andrews is now scheduled to perform the surgery. The Yankees knew of Brackman’s arm problems and likely surgery when they drafted him, yet he received $3.3 million in signing bonuses anyway. He’ll miss most or all of next season and attempt to come back at full strength in 2009.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:42 am
So why did Chamberlain throw at Youkilus not once but twice?
Chamberlain is young, and evidently had a problem controlling his nerves as he assumed the enormous burden of rebuilding The Curse.
That’s the party line.
Confidentially, it was heard and seen in the Yankee locker room that as Chamberlain picked up the wager against A-Rod, he said “I told you told you those BoSox were nothing but big babies.”
Pinstripingly yours,
Q.
August 31st, 2007 at 8:50 am
Time to take a cue from Liverpool
“…When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark
Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Tho’ your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone…”
Besdies, we still lead by 5 games.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:28 am
Jim,
The sweep meant nothing to the Red Sox - Manny got hurt if AROD or Jeter was out the outcome would have been different.
No question that Chamberlain was throwing at Youk - don’t be surprised or upset when he is suspended. Clemens was throwing at Pedroia but didn’t get tossed because he is a veteran.
All foolish considering your Yanks visit Fenway Park very soon. Enjoy it now because IF you make the playoffs - the Angels will beat you 3-1.
Merrill
August 31st, 2007 at 10:00 am
What a great welcome back the Yankees homepage was! I had no idea about the latest sweep of the BoStockings until I got here this morning! NICE!! But of course, now “it doesn’t matter!” How typical is that?!?!? When the Yankees lose, it’s “I told you so”…when they win it’s “they played a crappy team - they can’t beat a GOOD team!!” Hmmmm, so what does that say for Boston?? I LOVE IT!!! The excuses never cease to make me smile!
Dubes, keep hoping that the Angels boot the Yankees in the playoffs!! That’s about the only way that your boys won’t get sent home by the Yankees, AGAIN…you know, assuming the BoSox make it that far!
August 31st, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Jennie,
Welcome back from vacation. It is such a breathe of fresh air to see you wearing anything back a YANKEE shirt! I actually think it brightens up your face. I would be surprised if others in the company don’t notice it as well.
Every time goes through a dry spell and come up short - Seattle has lost 6 in a row - are they a horrible team…. no. The ox were swept and they were outplayed but they still have the best record in the American League and the majors and unfortunately you can’t argue with that.
Have a great weekend. I believe when I see your smiling face on Tuesday the lead will be cut further to 4 games because the Yankees will sweep Tamp Bay while we take two of three from Baltimore.
Merrill
August 31st, 2007 at 7:32 pm
How Many Games Back?
September 2nd, 2007 at 10:37 am
As long as we stumble into the playoffs…we get to sweep you again.
Post that to your blog.
September 4th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Well, if the Yanks can’t take Tampa Bay, (one out of three is a sweep?? - Merrill, where’s the faith?), it figures that they lose the first one with Seattle.
September 5th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Bob,
I know I was wrong - I thought they would sweep Tamp Bay and than lose two out of three to Seattle. I was right about Chamberlain getting suspended - he was throwing at Youk - I just don’t know why.
I am not sure why Joe Torre is playing games by checking the bat of Iwamura over the weekend. Of course Madden would check AROD’s bat a few innings later. All that does is fire up a team. I can’t wait until the fireworks next week at Fenway.
The Yankees have no shot at the AL East and better pray their thin pitching holds up over the next few weeks.
Merrill
September 5th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
H8RSOX- the Yankees are now 7 games back, with 22 remaining. They have gone 5-5 over the last 10 games, where the Sox went 6-4. The only thing that still makes it a little interesting is that these numbers include the recent 3-game home stand where the Yankees swept the Sox. The Sox have an opportunity to even that up with a 3-game home stand against the Yanks on Sept 14, 15, & 16. That would give them huge momentum going into the playoffs …
Bob
September 5th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Attention Yankee Fans - I am sure all of you are holding your breathe.
A-Rod to Have MRI Exam of Ankle
Sep 5, 4:11 PM (ET)
NEW YORK (AP) -Alex Rodriguez was limping in the New York Yankees’ clubhouse Wednesday, and the team sent him to get an MRI exam of his right ankle.
Despite leaving the ballpark a little more than three hours before the Yankees were to play Seattle, the slugger was listed in the starting lineup when it was posted. He was batting in his regular cleanup spot and playing third base.
Rodriguez was injured in the seventh inning of Tuesday night’s 12-3 victory over the Mariners when he slid into Adrian Beltre and the third baseman toppled onto his right leg, rolling A-Rod’s ankle. Rodriguez came out at the end of the inning, and postgame X-rays were negative.
While the ankle was more sore Wednesday, Rodriguez thought he would be available for the game.
“I don’t understand. You’ve got to talk to Dr. (Stuart) Hershon,” he said. “I thought I was ready to roll, but I’ve got to go downtown.”
Rodriguez was in workout clothes when he got ready to leave Yankee Stadium about 3½ hours before the scheduled first pitch.
“I was ready to play, but they’re sending me to get an MRI,” he said.
Rodriguez leads the major leagues with 46 homers and 131 RBIs. He is batting .310.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:14 am
Nope, no breath holding here…at least not from Yankees fans!
A-Rod smacks two homers in Yanks’ win
09/06/2007 12:12 AM ET
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com
NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez insisted that he could play, even as his sprained and bruised right ankle had him limping through the Yankee Stadium clubhouse corridors.
And as manager Joe Torre searched into the All-Star’s intense stare, looking for hints of uncertainty floating about the trainer’s room, he listened. Good thing.
Rodriguez jumped out of an MRI tube and onto a pair of pitches in the Yankees’ eight-run seventh inning on Wednesday, as his Major League-leading 47th and 48th blasts of the season comfortably helped the Yankees to a 10-2 victory over the Mariners.
“There’s not much time left,” Rodriguez said. “I guarantee you that if it was April or May, I probably would have taken a day, no question. Every game is so important.”
Habitually one of the earliest reportees to the stadium for games, Rodriguez arrived on Wednesday ready to go through rigorous regimen paces, despite having injured his right ankle in a headfirst slide on Tuesday.
The Yankees, as cautious as would be expected with the probable American League MVP, had different plans. Instead of running sprints in the outfield and taking dozens of cuts in the underground batting cages, Rodriguez found himself grumbling his way to a Manhattan hospital, where tests revealed injuries that left him at an estimated 60 percent.
“You’ve got to be smart about it,” Rodriguez said. “Going to the hospital at 5:15 [p.m.] is something that you’re not very excited about. You want to play, you know your body, and you certainly don’t want to get into an MRI machine.”
While Rodriguez was in transit, Torre ripped up his original lineup card, on which he had optimistically filled in Rodriguez as New York’s third baseman and cleanup hitter.
Another version briefly filtered through Torre’s mind, showcasing Jorge Posada as the designated hitter and Wilson Betemit at third base, but Rodriguez wouldn’t have it — going through an abbreviated pregame workout at the stadium, he charged past reporters and into the trainers’ room, where Torre asked him to prove that a third revision was necessary.
“I know you want to play, but are you going to be able to apply yourself and not be tentative?” Torre recalled asking Rodriguez.
“He wanted to look me in the eyes and make sure I wasn’t lying to him,” Rodriguez said.
The truth came through in the seventh, as Rodriguez — the DH, batting fourth — erased a one-run deficit by turning on a full-count Jarrod Washburn fastball, instantly spoiling six innings of work in which the Seattle left-hander had limited the Yankees to little but Jose Molina’s solo homer.
After an error, the Mariners turned Washburn’s game over to their September-swelled bullpen, and from there the Yankees took control, sending 12 men to the plate in the inning. After Rodriguez’s homer, George Sherrill offered two walks before pinch-hitter Posada looked at a 3-1 Sean Green pitch to force home the go-ahead run. Johnny Damon bounced into a RBI fielder’s choice, and Melky Cabrera singled through the right side with Damon in motion. Derek Jeter’s two-run double off the wall in right-center preceded Rodriguez’s second homer of the inning, a blast to left field that earned him a curtain call from the crowd of 52,538.
“I can’t relate to it. It’s unbelievable,” said Jeter, who stood at home plate applauding Rodriguez’s memorable feat. “I haven’t seen anything like it in all my years playing. It’s not that easy.”
The home runs gave Rodriguez 512 for his career, moving him past Mel Ott and tying Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews for 17th place on the all-time list.
Even though Rodriguez said this is no time to ponder his place in history, Torre didn’t hesitate to marvel once more.
“His whole career is something special — the numbers he’s put up at his age, and how he takes care of himself,” Torre said. “Sometimes how important this game is to him gets in the way, because he needs to do so much. This year he’s been a gamer.”
The big inning left 21-year-old Joba Chamberlain in line to earn his first Major League victory, having pitched a scoreless seventh in relief of starter Phil Hughes. Chamberlain said that he didn’t realize how the official scoring worked until Mariano Rivera congratulated him after the game; crediting Rodriguez with helping him get win No. 1 would be no problem.
“The man’s incredible,” Chamberlain said. “He’s one of the best in the game, and he still works every day to become better. That’s a tribute to him and his workout. He understands that it takes hard work. You can’t get at the top and stay there. You have to work even harder.”
Raul Ibanez reached Hughes for a two-run homer in the fourth, but otherwise the right-hander appeared in command, tying a career high with six strikeouts, and scattering five hits and walking two in a 97-pitch effort.
“Especially coming off three not very good starts, it’s definitely one that I can work off of,” Hughes said. “And it also feels good to know that I didn’t just go out there and [not] know what I did differently. I know where I need to be right now, and that’s a good feeling.”
The outburst helped the Yankees bookend their nine-game homestand with high notes. A sweep of the Red Sox was followed by the doldrums of dropping two of three to the Devil Rays, a luxury the Yankees can ill afford. But picking up two wins against the AL Wild Card-contending Mariners provides a springboard to an important trip to Kansas City, Toronto and Boston.
“We have a lot of work to do here,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve talked about how, from July on, every game for us is a postseason game. We just need to take small bites.”
The last 2 games against Seattle made up for the first one!
And btw Dubes, NO WAY was Chamberlain throwing at your boy! Of course they made an example of him with the suspension, but he was absolutely NOT throwing a 98 mph fastball at his head!
September 6th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Jennie,
Welcome back.
AROD did well for sure…. The question really isn’t is he great – he is…. But his teams have never WON anything and he doesn’t show up in October…… For the record yesterdays game was in September.
THERE IS NO QUESTION CHAMBERLAIN was throwing at Youk. I have watched him pitched 7 times and he has pin point control. Maybe one slips but not two in a rown At the same spot, Chamberlain also was seen nodding at AROD prior to doing it. MLB did the right thing - stay tuned to see if the Red Sox retaliate - by the way when beckett of Schilling throw at a Yankee - I WILL ADMIT IT…..
Merrill
September 6th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
I know, I know…always SOMETHING! We shall see!
Not a chance, man! TA, do you believe this guy?
7 times, huh? Well, he’s only pitched against the BoSox 2 times!!! Thanks for your help in keeping those Yankees ratings at the top!
September 6th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Jennie,
When you have the baseball package, the Red Sox have already won and nothing else is on TV you watch The Yankees - usually I am multi-tasking but he throws hard and is very accurate. He knew what he is doing. Yes TA is on your side and the guys at PTI as well - they don’t believe he was throwing at Youk - for the record I strongly believe you are all wrong!
MLB made the right decision suspending him.
Merrill
September 6th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
End of a long season: Matsuzaka and Okey Chokey are out of gas- the regular Japanese system would have been over 7 games ago. Manny is hurt . Meanwhile Rocket is having ‘cortisone’ injections which he has to go to Texas to get- and after only playing half a season!! Johnny Damon is falling apart . Mussina is done. The only player punching his weight is A-Rod who chokes in the playoffs.
Both teams will have similar records till the end of the season when the Red Sox will limp into the playoffs as the number one seed and get a charge from the young members of the farm system such as Buckholz and Ellsbury. Plus home field advantage and less travel.
Watch out for the Central Division. Cleveland have won 12 of 15 and Detroit are only 3 back in the wild card.
PS: Clever of the the Red Sox to let the Blue Jays win the last game of the series. Keeps them interested in the playoffs. They are only 6.5 out of the wild card and have 7 games against the Yankees.
PPS: 19 of last 22 NYY games are against AL east . So far they are .500 in the Division. They will have to do better to make the playoffs.
September 7th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Ya gotta love Jennie. She reminds me of the Black Knight in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”. Hack off a limb, blood comes spurting out and she yells “Only a flesh wound!”. I figure right now she’s lost both arms and is hopping around on one leg. Next week, she’ll be at the “Come back, I’ll bite you to death!” stage.
September 12th, 2007 at 7:40 am
Jennie,
You look GREAT in your new wardrobe! You have been very quiet - how about a prediction from you regarding the Red Sox / Yankee Series this weekend?
All of Red Sox nation look forward to hearing from you.
Merrill
September 12th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Why thank ya! The good stuff will be a little less faded and worn for the playoffs! All good!
The Yankees will win the series! How’s that?
September 12th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Jennie,
Not sure any Yankee shirt considered “good stuff.” We will see if you are right. I am looking forward to seeing Clemens pitch this weekend. My prediction is he won’t last 4 innings. Also it will be interesting if the Red Sox retaliate for Mr. Chamberlain’s sudden bout of wildness. My guess is a few guys get hit this weekend.
Merrill
September 12th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Jennie,
Good morning - two words for you BIG PAPI!!!!!
Wow.
Merrill
September 13th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Good morning!
Yeah, fortunately for you, he saved your night!
Only 3 HRs in 57 ABs against the Yankees this year, though. He and Pedro must have the same Daddy!
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow!
September 14th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Merrill, your initial premise is holding up well: the script continues. Both teams hot (9-3 Boston versus 8-4 Yanks over the last 12 games) heading into this weekend’s showdown. Boston needing to avenge the Yankee sweep last time they met. With another sweep, the Yankees might pull out a miracle finish (only 2.5 games back). With a sweep, Boston deflates the Yankee momentum & goes into the playoffs confident. Stay tuned …
September 14th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Bob,
I am glad it worked out that way and frankly not surprised at all. If I was Terry Francona I would have flip flopped Beckett and DizK this weekend. With the Sox day off yesterday Beckett would still be on schedule and DizK could have used the extra day off.
I doubt either team will sweep this weekend. No matter what happens the Red Sox will finish their last 15 games 9-6 so even if the Yankees get closer over the next three days they would need to go 15-1 to tie. Somehow I doubt that will happen.
Should be some fireworks this weekend. The teams will probably throw at each other. With Chamberlain pitching two innings on Wednesday the only game he could pitch is Saturday - the yanks might get desperate and need to change that.
Enjoy!
Merrill
September 17th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Merrill:
Nice call:
“I am looking forward to seeing Clemens pitch this weekend. My prediction is he won’t last 4 innings.”
Clemens held the Red Sox to just one unearned run and two hits over six innings.
Last night -Big Papi = Big Floppi (I’ll admit it now that Mo was pretty wild, but he did the job.)
Yanks Rule!
September 17th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Jeffrey,
You are 100% correct I said it and I was wrong. I also predicted that one team would win 2 o