There have been many Mets connections in this postseason. J.J. Putz was closing ballgames for Arizona. Darren Oliver is coming out of the Rangers bullpen. During the NLCS we see K-Rod pitching the eighth inning and Carlos Gomez getting playing time in centerfield for Milwaukee. Gomez was a top Mets prospect when he was called up in 2007 after […]
Joel Sherman made an excellent point in his Hardball Blog earlier today: Among potential AL playoff foes, the Rays already know how to exploit the speed issue, having stolen 22 bases in 23 tries against the Yankees this season. Tampa leads the majors in steals at 167. Texas is seventh at 117. You think of […]
The Yankees won the World Series last year going away. Since then, they’ve turned over a third of their starting lineup, traded away relievers who threw 100 innings as well as the “center fielder” of the future,” and a former no 1 draft pick and let go of a two-time 19-game winner. Normally teams that […]
Now is the time of year when, undoubtedly, Yankee fans see thousands of articles on what to do in free agency, who to sign, etc. etc. Every nitpicky sports writer with an opinion tells the Yankee what to do. And to that I humbly add, my version. 1. Proceed with caution with Doc Halladay. Let […]
I’ve been hearing some interesting chatter from down Tampa way that the Yankees “might” explore signing none other than long time nemesis Chone Figgins. Figgins is a very good player who could help lots of teams, but he doesn’t seem to be a good fit in the Bronx, simply for the fact that there really […]
A little blurry, but thought I would share some more photos of A.J. Burnett, Joe Girardi, and Jose Molina on their floats. Any coincidence that Molina and Burnett share one float?
I found this Associated Press report at Newsday regarding the issue of mound meetings slowing down games, specifically in the postseason. It appears that Mike Port, MLB Vice President of Umpiring, believes that frequent mound meetings will be discussed by league officials this offseason. The Yankees have been habitual offenders as Posada and Molina have […]
A.J. Burnett may have finally put any doubts to rest with his performance last night. Burnett had electric stuff, especially his curveball, and held the fort down just enough for the Yankees bats to get going in the 3-1 win. It seems listening to Cliff Lee a night earlier talk about confidence during the postgame […]
Maybe Roy Halladay wasn’t the best pitcher available at the trade deadline. Cliff Lee, who just two years ago was sent down to AAA, dominated the Yankees last night at the Stadium and made it look easy. He did it the old “Ray Miller way” as he worked fast, threw strikes, and changed speed. The […]
To date I have been wrong about every prediction this postseason. However, I have been on the money with each of the Yankee series. That brings us to the 2009 Fall Classic and here is why I think the Phillies will beat the Yankees in a 7 game classic. Confidence + Fearlessness = Phillies Joe […]
We will be doing various “checkpoint shows” throughout the Yankees playoff run. Tonight is the first as I am joined by NYBD contributor Frank Russo. Hear us talk about all the great signs from Game 1. We will discuss whether the playoffs is a “small sample size” or is there something to consistent success or […]
I didn’t hear the Jorge Posada interview live, but the transcript over at Newsday told me everything I need to know. You could tell Posada isn’t exactly thrilled with the decision to start Jose Molina when AJ Burnett pitches in Game 2. The outsider may say it’s luck (Burnett’s BABIP with Posada is .309 versus […]
In a controversial move that was obviously done to placate AJ Burnett, Jose Molina will be the Game 2 starting catcher in the ALDS. The news, though not official just yet, was actually broken by the Yankees Jorge Posada, who told the press Tuesday afternoon: “Molina’s probably going to catch A.J.,” and then commented: “It’s […]
Don’t tell me that A.J. Burnett doesn’t prefer Jose Molina. And more importantly, don’t tell me it doesn’t matter who catches him. Some think that a pitcher’s ERA with certain catchers is a overrated stat. Wrong. It isn’t. It matters. Just like any working relationship, it matters how well you work with someone. Kismet matters. […]
Bad loss for the Yanks at the Stadium today. They had rookie Dustin Nippert on the ropes in the first inning and let him off the hook. You have to feel bad for AJ Burnett. He gives up just 2 hits and three runs through 6 innings while striking out 12, and still loses. Yanks […]
