Outside Looking In
I guess I had what would have to be described as a sneaky smile on my face as the Mrs. entered the room. “Look what you found,” she said with an I-should-have-known look on her face. There on the TV was the Yankee game, broadcasting quite clearly on ESPN’s Monday Night baseball. And things were going swimmingly, as the Yanks were putting the finishing touches on a 6-2 victory. Nice. They were due for some wins. A tough three out of four in Toronto took a bit of wind out of the sails, and took the Yanks two back in the loss column in the standings. So this hit the spot. Ordinarily the Mrs. walking in to me watching the Yanks is no great shakes, but this was a bit different. We were on vacation in Napa, and we were about to head out to our 8:45 reservation at Tra Vigne, a restaurant on route 29 in wine country. ESPN does have a love affair with the Yanks this season, which is okay by me. Gives me some more opportunities to catch some of the games while on the road.
No such luck on ESPN tonight, as we headed into San Francisco for leg 2 of the vacay. The good news is that the internet was working, which allowed me to log on and keep up. The wireless card was giving me all kinds of problems in Napa. And I have my trusty MLB gameday audio to follow along. Tonight the Mrs. was getting out of the shower just in time to hear John Sterling warbling from the laptop… “Yankees win; thuuuhhhh….” This was going to make my night better. Interesting being on the west coast. Most games are on at 4pm and over by 7:30 or so. Tough if you’re trying to watch any if the games. Mo is warming up by his tree in the pen by the time you get back from work. In any case, more good news from Texas tonight. Moose followed a big win by Randall with his own win, number 12. More theatrics from Aaron Guiel. Fascinating. I’m wondering if that guy is for real…
Have to apologize for the past couple of days, boys. Again, couldn’t get on-line until today. Apparently Ras got so tired of waiting he went and started his own blog. Good for you, Ras. Mark Newman and his band of merry men at mlblogs should have picked you up and put you on the roster by now. I think the first thing they do is put you on the “Rookies” list. The easiest thing to do would be to post a comment on Mark’s MLBlogosphere blog. This should alert them that you’re on board. And post the link on the BPS as a comment so I can attach a link on the BPS homepage.
As a side note, the Red Sox are staying at the same hotel that we’re at in San Francisco. The lady behind the desk asked me if “I was with the Red….” catching herself before she spilled the beans on what is not supposed to be public info. So I said, “I guess you didn’t notice my Yankees t-shirt [the Paul O’Neill shirt],” at which point she smiled. I text messaged the news to Acc, who had a few suggestions for me, none of which would have sat well with hotel security.
Back to business. Very often the best way to measure records is to look at the loss column. The idea being that any team with more wins could have more games played, and a team with fewer losses controls their own destiny. So with that said, when looking strictly at the loss column, the Yanks have the third best record in baseball. Better than the entire National League and behind only the Tigers and the Red Sox. Third best in baseball. Yet if the season ended today, they would be out of the playoffs. Sure, that makes sense. In the past I have questioned the need for the division format. I don’t know why everybody buys into the system so willingly and wholeheartedly. A team like the Indians got completely hosed last year, while a team like the Padres made it in. I get that MLB is trying to generate excitement, but adding more divisions seems to be causing more problems than it’s worth. I don’t have a whole lot on that at this point, but I’ll throw it out there.
So Mr. Wright gets another shot tomorrow. I have no idea what to expect from him. Or Sid. Who knows. My posts may be sketchy this week, guys. But as always, keep posting the comments.
All of a sudden I have visions of a knock on a hotel room door and a burning paper bag....hmmm...
Ras..looked for the blog...no luck though
Report any abuse or spam
I just left a note on the MLBogosphere, asking them to get my new blog on their list. I feel a bit foolish, as I've never done a blog; it's probably something I did wrong. BTW, my new blog doesn't replace my participation here. BPS rules !
So it's coming down to the wire, guys. What do we need most, as I don't see Cash getting an OF AND an arm too...hope I'm wrong, as I think we really need both. Dotel's iffy, at best. I've said it before and I'll say it again, don't expect Sheff and Godzilla to be 100%. Hope I'm wrong, but....... and Sid/Chacon/Wright don't thrill me. BTW, I've always been against the Wild Card, but what the ****, I'll take it. Hey the "Mighty Sawk" did, right ????
Ras #45
Report any abuse or spam
Wow, I don't know if I would be able to contain myseld in that hotel. At the least you should wear your colors with pride, even if it's the same shirt for the whole vacation!!
Going to the game friday against Tampa, who's the starter going to be, Jared?
I am NOT going to boo Arod, I'm tired of seeing the lack of support for one of the best players in the game. However, I beleive Mike from 660am said it right when he mentioned the only way NY fans will ease of on Arod is if he makes a big hit in a big game. They want Mr. Clutch but don't realize how clutch he has been so far. I feel for the guy, a little. He still is making 252 mil.
- Sunday Puncher Nick
Report any abuse or spam
Great having you back posting!! Hope you enjoy Cali for what it is (Hot!!!) and the beaches are sweet this time of year. All of the A-Rod junk will stop when he starts putting balls into the seats. Everyone who is watching the games closely can tell Allie Boy is going to turn the corner. His at-bats are getting stronger and his glove seems to have come back to him. As far as having the Red Sox in your hotel, I guess you have a answer for that foul smell your probably having...Let's Go Yanks!!
Report any abuse or spam
While you are staying at the same hotel as the enemy see if you can place a jelly donut in Private Papelbon's foot locker.
It is amazing what playing in a pennant race can do for you. Just ask Guiel. Could you imagine playing for the Royals one day and the Yankees the next?
Just heard we picked up Sal Fassano from the Phills. The end of Stinnett on the horizon? Too bad Sal won't be able to keep that 70's "adult film" look though. It worked for him.
Report any abuse or spam
Yup, Stinnet was just designated for assignment. Weak bat, bye bye.
Report any abuse or spam
My link:
http://yankeefantrappedinboston.mlblogs.com/survival_guide_for_all_ya/
Ras #45
Report any abuse or spam
This guy can hit. If we get him, we need to replace Proctor....
July 26, 2006 -- ARLINGTON, Texas - The Phillies told Bobby Abreu's agent the Yankees and Mets remain interested in the right fielder, but the Yankees have expanded their search for a bat beyond Philadelphia.
The Post has learned the Yankees and Braves have held discussions about the Yankees acquiring switch-hitting infielder Wilson Betemit and may be willing to give up reliever Scott Proctor.
Betemit has filled in well for Chipper Jones at third base, but the Braves believe their best way to cop the NL wild card is to improve their bullpen. And like a lot of NL clubs, the Phillies included, they like Proctor's live arm.
"They have a lot of teams asking for Betemit," an NL source said of the Braves. "And some of them have more experienced players to offer than the Yankees."
Betemit was hitting .290 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in 85 games going into last night.
"He is a [Placido] Polanco-type hitter with more pop," a scout said of Betemit, a career .284 hitter with 13 homers and 52 RBIs in 230 games.
Though the Braves believe Betemit is a player capable of contributing, they don't have a starting job for the infielder who turns 26 on Friday.
The Yankees view Betemit as the ultimate utility man who can play second base in Robinson Cano's absence. Cano, who has missed a month due to a hamstring problem, is at least two weeks away and could be out longer.
Getting Betemit would allow the Yankees to entertain trade offers for Cano during the offseason, when they will be in the market for pitching.
The Braves also like Columbus (Triple-A) lefty reliever Matt Smith and righty T.J. Beam, who was recalled by the Yankees on Monday.
Betemit had started 25 games at third base, 10 at shortstop and nine at second base for the Braves. Some talent evaluators believe the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder is athletic enough to play the outfield, though he hadn't played there in the big leagues.
Talks between the clubs began when the Braves were in The Bronx late last month and have intensified in recent days.
The Yankees are dancing with danger by surrendering Proctor, who has been lights-out since the All-Star break. In his past six appearances (seven innings) before last night's game against the Rangers, Proctor hadn't given up a run, surrendered three singles and fanned eight.
Removing Proctor from the bullpen mix would hurt, but the Yankees need a jolt in their lineup that isn't getting power from the corner outfield spots or first base when Andy Phillips is there.
Ras #45
Report any abuse or spam
hey my red sox are playing Now!Hope they win!Hope Wright gets back to his old form of not pitching well soon
-kaylee
Report any abuse or spam
MAN I HATE WHEN THE RED SOX lose nothing good about this game si far!
-kaylee
Report any abuse or spam
Kaylee, your new name is the Boston puppy.
There's a Yankee Hater blog, have you been to that one?
Or are you the author?
Ras #45
Report any abuse or spam
"MAN I HATE WHEN THE RED SOX lose nothing good about this game si far!
-kaylee"
yes there is... the red sox lost
Report any abuse or spam
Yeah I have been there
-kaylee
Report any abuse or spam
I can't wait until high school starts up again so Kaylee can quit with the comments and get back to hitting the books. Forget about the Red Sox, Lance Bass just announced that he was ***!!!!
Report any abuse or spam
i start in 2 weeks!
-kaylee
Report any abuse or spam
Fasano sure is a big boy, watching him rumble down the first base line for his first Yankee hit. I think he already has more hits this season than Stinnet!
Kaylee - good riddance. I'm sure your teachers will LOVE to have you back at school. And NO posting 'til all your homework and chores are done.
Report any abuse or spam
IF i do that will never post becaause i never do my chores.
-kaylee
Report any abuse or spam
Ohh Dont worry I wont be posting NEXT WEEK.Going tio fenway.
-kaylee
Report any abuse or spam
whew......what the fricking he11 was that game? Got a win and that is all that matters!
Report any abuse or spam
wow what a game. That was fun and painful at the same time.... something must be wrong with Farnsworth... Why would Torre bring in TJ Beam in that situation? I stopped watching for a bit after they brought in chacon only because I needed to take a shower and i figured that would be a good time to do it... When I came back I saw it was 6-7 still and I knew we were going to win the game!
Wild Card position baby! Next up, first place in the AL east.
Report any abuse or spam
I don't believe anything is wrong with Farnsworth. I think Torre brought Beam in to see if he's a pressure pitcher. I think he got his answer, that he's not quite there, yet. Despite Proctor's showing, I think we should keep him and Melky. Our #1 priority now is getting a good SP that can be a workhorse and go at least 7 innings, so that Proctor & company aren't overworked. I hear rumors of Maddox, and I think he'd be a good addition. Just keep Proctor and Melky. Adding Benemit would be a bonus, but we gotta keep Hughes, too. Maybe somebody will take Wright. Chacon showed me something tonight, maybe he'll be OK in the pen. He DID close for Colorado, so he can handle pressure.
Cash: WE NEED A 5th STARTER. Get 1 and we win.
Ras #45
Report any abuse or spam