Ruddo: "Guiel is Going Deep Tonight"
We brought one back tonight, boys. And **** it if Rud didn’t know what he was talking about. That’s why the kid is a pro. We go way back. We were babies in downtown NYC a decade ago when the Yanks were putting the finishing touches on their first World Championship since 1978. Together we figured out the secret to guaranteeing their success. We would go across the street to the deli on Water Street for a cup of tea every morning at work (Irish guys drink tea, what do you want from me?). During the Yanks run to the finish, we figured out if we ran over and touched the first piece of Yankee paraphernalia we saw on the way back to the office, the Yanks seemed to come out on top. We rode it all the way to the finish. I still remember the last one, on the Friday morning after the Pettitte/Smoltz 1-0 game, before they came back to the Stadium on Saturday for the Jimmy Key/Greg Maddux matchup in game 6. I had bartended the night before on the Upper East Side, and Rud was there watching the game, so we were both a little groggy that Friday morning. As we were walking back out onto Water Street, I saw a cab stopped at a light. The cabbie was wearing a satin Yankee jacket, as it was a crisp October morning. As I barked it out, Rud and I sprinted towards the cab, and as we got close the guy was kind of freaked out, so we screamed out “Go Yanks!” and pointed to his jacket. As we stuck our hands out, he thought we were there to high five him. We left his hand high in the air as we both tapped the Yankee patch on the sleeve of his jacket. As the light changed green, he shrugged his shoulders and gave the patch a tap himself. I don’t think I need to tell you the rest….
So the White Sox went down. Contreras went down. Anybody who goes for 17 in a row deserves some credit. But he hasn’t been pitching lights out. In three of his last five starts, he left the mound losing, in some cases badly, but was bailed out by the offense. And tonight Ozzie left him in one batter too long. So he took the L. I guess you can see why Ozzie didn’t want to go to the pen. The White Sox pen doesn’t impress you outside of Jenks.
They are a good team, the White Sox. They are very tenacious, and have become very comfortable winning. They battle you right to the end. And the media still loves them. Chicago and Detroit are the go-to stories in the AL this year. I think everybody in the media is sufficiently relieved not to be talking constantly about the Yanks and the Red Sox, again. Well maybe I’m stupid. The White Sox last year were the first team since 1995 that did not have to go through the Bronx to win a pennant. So forgive me if I’m silly enough to think that being able to beat the Red Sox and Yankees is really the only true measuring stick as to how good you are in the AL (I’m not even going to bother with the awful NL in this comparison). So the media darlings, the Tigers, are 2-5 against the Yanks and Red Sox this year. The still feel-good story, the White Sox, are 1-3 so far. There are a lot of games to be played, but let’s start to look at some of those important match-ups. Everyone seems to be insisting that the AL Wild Card is coming out of the Central. Hmm. The Yankees, the resident second place team in the East, and therefore current de facto Wild-Card contender, are four games in the loss column behind the White Sox. A nice lead for the Sox, but hardly insurmountable. There are a ton of games to be played head-to-head between those Central division teams. And that includes the resurgent Twins. There are only so many games you can play against the Royals. These teams are going to start to lose some games.
So who should we be talking about? The A’s, perhaps. Always a strong second-place team, they currently sit in first place in the West. More importantly, they are 5-0 in their last five games against the Yankees and Red Sox. That’s impressive. There is no other team in baseball that can say they won 5 in a row against those two teams. Watch out for Oakland, gentlemen.
Some notes. The Ferocious Lion is apparently looking pretty good for mid-August. Don’t act so surprised. When he went down they said three months. He’s right on target. It was the doomsday alarmists who kept screaming that his career was over. Sheffield’s on track for September 1. Cano will be back in a week or two. Which will give him a full month out, as the BPS reluctantly predicted. Dotel is scheduled to throw in a rehab game, and seems to be about two weeks away. The latest talk is Freddie Garcia or Javy Vazquez for Aaron Heilman. What do you think, Grossman? If it’s Garcia I like it. If it’s Vazquez I don’t. Vazquez is a bum. I’m also hearing Melky to the Pirates for Craig Wilson and Burnitz. Which to me means Melky for Craig Wilson. Burnitz should retire. I have no faith in Craig Wilson. Mediocre numbers playing in Pittsburgh in zero-pressure games where nobody cares. Besides, I’m not trying to be sentimental, but Melky’s kind of growing on me.
I was splashing around in Big Joe’s pool last Sunday afternoon. As I listened to the end of a tough loss on WCBS 880, and heard the grim news that the Red Sox enjoyed a late lead against the White Sox, I resigned myself to a four-game deficit at the All-Star break. After playing exactly one game since then, the Yankees are one game out in the loss column. Shows you how fast fortunes can turn in this game. It’s going to be interesting.
Seannie! Your boy’s up!
I'm going to be really mad if they trade Melky. Is Cashman stupid? The guy has been great for us this year, he's young, and he cost us pretty much nothing.
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I think if the right deal came along I could live with losing Melke. I like him a lot but to be honest he is expendable. Good to see Randy was able to shake off that 2 run homerun and pretty much shut it down from there. Let's hope Moose continues wheeling and dealing and can get us within a half game of those Faux Saux. Let's Go Yanks!!
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The following is on the Yankees web page:
NEW YORK -- General manager Brian Cashman has made it clear that pitching prospect Philip Hughes is as close to untouchable as any player in the Yankees' farm system.
But what about Melky Cabrera?
According to a Major League executive, the Yankees and Pirates have discussed a deal that would send the young outfielder to Pittsburgh in exchange for outfielder Jeromy Burnitz and first baseman/outfielder Craig Wilson.
Pittsburgh originally asked for Hughes earlier in the season, but the Yankees told the Pirates that the right-hander was not available.
"If this was July 31," Cashman said, "I'd be very comfortable saying no to everything that's been put in front of me."
It is unlikely that the Yankees would part with Cabrera given his improved play this season, but it remains a possibility. The Pirates are believed to have made an offer to the Yankees last week for a package that included Cabrera, but New York declined.
Cashman said that he is in no hurry to make a trade, but with the trade deadline less than three weeks away, it wouldn't be surprising to see New York upgrade its outfield.
"All that matters to me is making the right move," Cashman said. "I don't think how the team plays will dictate anything. I think it depends on the taste of the opportunity; I've had opportunities, but none of them have made sense."
"We still have time to figure out if we need support somewhere to fill a hole -- if there is a hole," Joe Torre said. "Right now, the only position we change personnel on a regular basis is right field."
So here's my opinion: I like Melky too, BUT, if he stays will depend on a couple of things. First of all Ponson. If he does well up until 7/31, AND if Dotel shows us he's back, then I believe Cash will keep Melky, and not make a major deal (Abaru, ect....). Another question to ask is this: at what price tag are the Yanks willing to win this year, and foresake (Melky & Hughes)the future??? And IF they keep Melky, they have to risk the following: that Sheff and Matsui are 100% (which I doubt, but I'll be happy if they are), and that Melky & the other kids are NOT tested under fire (the post season)- so their performance may be questionable.....
Also, I thought it was interesting to read that after last night's victory, The Boss was asked if he thought they'd win the AL East, and he said, "We're going to try" - a bit of a change from his "We will win it all" statement in Spring Training. Basically, I think Cash has told him that he's trying to win this year, while protecting the future years.....
Should be interesting. I really don't know what to think they'll do by 7/31.....
Ras #45
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I have been lurking on the blog for two seasons now and this is my first post.
I was waiting for one of the "I am a sox fan but I like watching the Yankees" guys to post so i could follow up.
I guess they are not in the mood today.
I am a Yankee fan and I love watching the red sox too. Last nights game was one of the most enjoyable to date.
bob
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Steamboat, welcome to BPS. If you're a Yankee fan, then I assume that you love watching the Sawk lose, correct? The reason I ask is because we have a new blogger that claims to be a fan of both teams, and true BPS fans know that just isn't Kosher, if you know what I mean :)
Great victory today. I bet if they make a move, it'll be $$$ and a few second tier prospects for Abaru (probably not spelled right, but he isn't in pinstripes *yet*, so I don't care about the spelling....:)
Ras #45
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Ras-"The reason i ask is because we have a new blogger that claims to be a fan of both teams" meaning a red sox and yankees fan.Surely you could not be talking about me could you?Nice win by the yankees today.Ugly loss by the red sox last night 15-3 Yikes!But the red sox are wiining 5-0 in the 6th with Schilling on the hill although with our bullpen
including the closer papelbon.
No lead is save for the red sox of late.
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One more thing to add to my postabove the yankees can still win the division
-The red sox and yankees fan
-kaylee
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ChiSox fans in the know knew for sure we were going to lose one of those first two to the Yankees- specifically whichever day Chris Widger started. The guy is worthless. Today they looked like the northsiders with all the misplays out there. It was ugly. Buerhle must have really pissed off the umps because thats the 4th straight game he couldnt buy a strike on the outside corner(to righties). His stuff isnt overpowering so if blue squeezes him, hes in trouble, and hes been getting squeezed aLOT. No excuses though, they played like **** and deserved to lose. Maybe they were looking ahead to the Detroit series, who knows, but for about 2 weeks the Sox have seemed flat, almost bored. Yanks got them at a perfect time. The Tigers are beating the brains out of bad teams, but I agree that they have to beat contenders to be considered for real. Against the ChiSox they are 1-5 so far in addition to the poor record vs beantown/NYY you mentioned. Tomorrow should be interesting, I personally think Garcia is toast and want the Sox to trade him, and Wright ***** too, should be a lot of runs and fun to watch. No team has swept the White Sox this season yet.
Abreu for second tier prospects? youre on crack bro, you gotta stop reading those New York papers that seem to always expect something for nothing for the Yanks and Mets.
Good luck in your teams run to the play-offs, I wanted the Sox to go through New York last year, but the Angels had other ideas. I dont think Detroit can win it all, but I firmly believe they can make the play-offs, so the east battle should be really interesting. Ponson? good luck with that, theyd be better off calling Hughes up now.
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for the record the White Sox have 10 more games vs KC. 2 @ Orioles, 3 vs TB, and 4 vs Seattle- as far as bad teams left on the schedule.
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Well the RED SOX shurout the a's but,that does not mean a whole lot Cuz the Yankees also won!
-kaylee
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Kaylee, of course I was talking about you :) How's Arizona, heating up yet? Are you a Diamondback fan, too ? :)
Eric, No I'm not on crack, "bro"...Abreu for $$ and 2nd. tier prospects was mentioned on the game of the week yesterday - not in the NYC papers. I can see that happening.
Ras #45
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Ras-Yes it hotter then sin today 120 degrees is hot enough.Yes I am a diamondbacks
Fan but they dont have a shortstop Our shortstop fractured his rib on a swing and a miss.We got stephen Drew up here.He has been in the minors for only 1 season.the red sox need aa huge comeback to win this game
Did the yankees win?
-kaylee
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feels good...great weekend by the boys...
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A sweep of the best team in baseball and now a 1/2 game back. Nice weekend eh?
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Well the Red sox lostbut they can SWEEP the Royals so the yankees better win.so dont get too excited about that .5 gamesback statement there Happymedims.
GO RED SOX!
GO YANKEES!
-kaylee
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Great series by the Yanks, they pitched great and let the offense do quite a it of the work. I'm not estatic Joe used Rivera for 6 outs, since that pretty much made him useless tommorow, but right now it looks alright. Kaylee, the Sox haven't been playing great ball lately, I think a sweep of the Royals is the last thing on their minds...
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kaylee stop pretending you're a Yankees fan...
http://kaylee-wwwtheworldaccordingtokaylee.blogspot.com/
its hurting my eyes....
Anyway, good game today... I did not think the yankees could sweep the white sox... hopefully we wont be let down this week... Go yankees!
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Rocco:I am not petending to be a yankees fan.
-kaylee
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rocco:Is there something I am missing here can you not have a red sox blog and be a yankee fan?
-kayleee
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Luckleftie:They will take any wins they can get now!
-kaylee
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I think she has a split personality, that is the only way I can think of someone who would root for both teams...
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I'm calling "BS" on the whole kaylee "character"
-GeOfFf
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I Aint no character.I am just a 14 year old rooting for the red sox and yankees
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Kaylee, where is your Yankee blog ? Nice call, Rocco. Everyone, check out the blog Rocco is referring to. You just can't be "obsessed" with the Red Sox AND be a Yankee fan, or even be rooting for them. Just ask any true Sawk fan.....they HATE NY.
I rest my case. No more from me on that subject.
Great sweep of the other Sox, we appear to be on a roll...
Ras #45
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Ras:I dont have one!
-kaylee
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What is your guys Point here?
do you want me to go read red sox blogs?
-kaylee
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I guess the comment that drove me over the edge was this one:
http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=30994956&postID=115301805738546697
"Kaylee said...
AND Scott,
I will "smack-talk" the yankees all you want cause they **** the red sox are actually good.
-kaylee "
Why are you pretending to be both a red sox and Yankees fan?
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Rocco:Ummm..........I dont really have an explation for that comment there.He was driving me crazy "smack talking" my red sox so I came back with that comment.
-kaylee
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Thanks for posting that comment You wanted to show everyone what "I really think" Huh?
-kaylee
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I guess next time I should Have reasons behind what I say before I make comments like that.
-kaylee
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I think I have figured out that you YANKEE fans are worthless For a RED SOX fan to talk to.
-kaylee
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I just feel that if you like a team, you do your best not to bash them. The example that Rocco used is just one of many. You root for the Yankees on a Yankee blog but I've read on some other blogs that you really don't like them. I have no problem with you being a Red Sox fan, that's great. Just don't pretend to be a Yankee fan when you really don't like our team.
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LUCKY:should I just confess Now?
-kaylee
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