Yanks vs Indians: Game 63-Open Thread

by John Amato on Jun 15, 2006 12:52 PM EDT in New York Yankees News

Mike Mussina 8-2, 2.76 vs Cliff Lee 4-5, 5.12

Starting Lineups

J. Damon, CF
M. Cabrera, LF
D. Jeter, SS
J. Giambi, DH
A. Rodriguez, 3B
J. Posada, C
R. Cano, 2B
B. Williams, RF
A. Phillips, 1B
G. Sizemore, CF
J. Michaels, LF
T. Hafner, DH
V. Martinez, C
B. Broussard, 1B
R. Belliard, 2B
J. Peralta, SS
T. Hollandsworth, RF
A. Boone, 3B

I liked Johnson's move. It would have been nicer to see Ortiz jump away, but Randy's pitch didn't even hit the batter. Larry Brooks:

IT was about time. It was about time a Yankee pitcher protected his buds in the metaphorical foxhole. It was about time the Yankees got tired of having their hitters serve as standing targets in the box.

It was about time the Yankees started taking care of their own, because if not them, who?

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Comments

Prediction:

Lee is gone in the fifth.
I like seeing Jeter bat third, it lengthens the lineup and showcases Jeter's skills.
For mg, drinking games! Keeping the pitchers in mind:
Drink for every checked swing.
Drink for every 3-2 count.
Drink for every XBH.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

Posada

Why is Jorge catching a day game after a night game? Does Torre have that little faith in Stinnett? Maybe Cashman should be looking to acquire a catcher.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

double for Belliard

Drink!
It bounced into the right field seats, and I thought for minute that Bernie would get it.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

Dying quail double

Drink.
Come on Moose, get it together. No more hanging curves.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 1:29 PM EDT reply actions

And a long double

that Bernie misplayed in right.
But it was another hanger.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 1:31 PM EDT reply actions

Moose

looks like you're drinking alone today. :)

sheez, who would have thunk Wang would hold Cleveland scoreless, Johnson would give up only one run, and Ace Moose gives up two in the first two innings!

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Finally!

Somebody else showed up. I was starting to ask myself those annoying "does this make me an alcoholic?" questions.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL !

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

You knew it was going to be day game

why didn't you call in sick?

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Everybody is hitting

the 2-2 pitch today. I need a few more drinks because I just got called into work. I'll need to stop by the fifth, so if you guys could take a few extra pitches it'd be great.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

i'll try to cover

i'm working and watching the game and ignoring IM's and claiming mail server problems. :)

who's that old man on second? haven't we retired that bum yet?

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Double for Bernie

to the deep part of the stadium. Double the drink for the old champ!

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

I'm here too

A drink for every new bat A Rod tries today.

by Yankee Fanne on Jun 15, 2006 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

I'll take one

to make up for missing his first AB.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

good one

wow, wasn't that an interesting conversation. everything you ever wanted to know about bats. :)

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

3-2 on Philips

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

A drink

for every time Michael Kay tells us something stupid - like Cliff Lee's favorite food is spam. Really didn't need to know that.

by Yankee Fanne on Jun 15, 2006 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

The broadcast team

would be wonderful if it was Kaat and O'Neill.
Maybe someone will throw up and in, and Kay take one on the hand.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Comic books?

What were you reading?

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

Sandman

is the only one of those I'm familiar with. Great stuff.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Cool

if you ever find those hours and hours (that's what the offseason is for, isn't it?) post us a link.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

If you love O'Neil

you should add his sister Molly's new book to your reading list. It's called Mostly True and it's a memoir about their family - how Paul was the baby who became a star in NY at the same time that Molly became the food critic of the NY Times. The part about Paul playing right after his father died is really touching. Plus who knew he was a great cook!

by Yankee Fanne on Jun 15, 2006 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Spanish Bombs (see Cairomack thread)

So if Cairo is Spanish Bombs, what songs define the other Yankees? Mo if obviously Enter Sandman.
Who else?

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

Big Unit

How about Leroy Brown? You expect a tough guy, but he gets cut to pieces.
And it's an oldie, just like Unit.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

On the replay

Did it look like Belliard reached for Cano's glove?

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:07 PM EDT reply actions

Missed that but

are we gonna lose this game or what? Where are the bats?

by Yankee Fanne on Jun 15, 2006 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

this is the game for A-Rod

If A-Rod's going to break out this is the game.

Next time up he needs to make something happen with whatever bat he gets his hands on.

by collink on Jun 15, 2006 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

Even if it's just taking a walk to start a rally, Arod needs to be the player of the game today.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

next at bat he'll get 'em

by collink on Jun 15, 2006 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Cabrera

damn him, no power at all. :)

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

Good call man

I am sure that one home run will turn him into a slugger overnight. Sheez....

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Melky

ya really just don't like the kid do you?

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

It is not that at all

It just sounds fucking retarded when he hits one home run and people break out with the "so much for his lack of power" crap. He now has one home run in 112 AB.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

And it seems dumb

to doubt a kid who hasn't shown the league everything he's got yet. I'd have except a no-homer season from Cabrera this year, so I get to exsult when he flashes some power. I expect 40 homers from A-rod and Giambi, 20 from Jeter and Posada. That's money in your wallet. Melky hitting one is like finding money in your pocket after you do the wash.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

If he can do it once

he can learn to do it again. He's 21 years old. Mattingly had to learn how to hit for power, why not the same for Melky?

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Melky

i've heard a number of commentators say that everyone agrees that eventually Cabrera can be taught to hit for power -- it's just that Mattingly doesn't want to start messing with things right now in the middle of a good rookie season. right now he's a good contact hitter, and doing what the Yankees need -- so maybe next spring we'll see Mattingly start working with him on hitting the long ball more.

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Minor league stats

There is really little to suggest that power is coming based on his career minor league stats. Unless of course you consider 12-15 home runs as "power." If that is true, then you are as qualified to run a baseball team as Steve Phillips.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

sheez

<< then you are as qualified to run a baseball team as Steve Phillips. >>

nice shot, but you're shooting the messenger. all i was doing was quoting other people. i don't know flip about this stuff, i'm just a fan.

but you're probably right -- guys like Mattingly, O'Neill, and Tino Martinez don't know squat either, right? :)

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Taught?

You can teach people how to hit for power? Interesting, why don't they do that with every hitter? Maybe the Heat should just teach Shaq to shoot free throws. That would be a much better indicator of future performance than his career free throw percentage.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Melky!

Double drink for Melky's first career homerun! And to the deep part of the park!

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

Melky power

that kid's earning spot in my heart

by collink on Jun 15, 2006 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

Big smile

for the Melk Man. Now maybe somebody else can step up today.

by Yankee Fanne on Jun 15, 2006 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

For my pregame prediction

to come true, Andy needs to do some hitting now.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

Alright!

Let's go Johnny!

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

nice call!

but oops, Damon doesn't come through. :(

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Absolutely

We're still in this one, but I'd like to see some runs scored before I go to work at 4.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:49 PM EDT reply actions

Jeter's throws

He's looking better in the field, but he's still snapping the ball more sidearm than he does when he's 100%.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

2 on 2 out

Here comes Joe. I think I agree with this one. What do you think?

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

ooh

he left him in

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn

I was right.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

oops

wow, what happened? i thought Joe was pulling Mussina and i was getting ready to agree with you, and then boom. sheez, that's a killer. three runs we could have maybe overcome, but six -- not so possible.

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

We need a strong finish

and it needs to start now.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

One batter too long

Hollandsworth was below the Mendoza line and Moose is our ace, so I support Joe's deference to Moose's wishes. Too bad it didn't work out today. Still, can't really complain about taking two of three from the Indians.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 2:59 PM EDT reply actions

Nice save by Cabrera there

Why doesn't Jeter ever wear sunglasses on day games? I think the flip downs would be ideal.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 3:03 PM EDT reply actions

Well guys

I'm off to get ready for work. Have fun.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Jun 15, 2006 3:06 PM EDT reply actions

A-Rod

think he finally found the "right" bat? sheez, i sure hope so!

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 3:30 PM EDT reply actions

A-Rod's homer

I don't know how to react. I hope it's him coming out of this slump.

But again it's his timing. His first big hit in weeks and at this point could be rendered meaningless.

by collink on Jun 15, 2006 3:31 PM EDT reply actions

meaningless runs

someone here the other day made what i thought was a great point -- there are no "meaningless" runs. we're now back to three down, and we've now got a ballgame again. thanks to A-Rod and Bernie.

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

maybe not meaningless

but again it's frustrating that down five runs with no one on is the time that A-Rod finally gets his swing going.

The context of hits affects their value and meaning.

Cano's solo shot won a game. Today a solo home run is just one run.

by collink on Jun 15, 2006 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

A solo home run

Still adds one run to the scoreboard. The timing can make it seem more important based on the score of the game, but a homer is a homer.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm happy he hit it

and I'm hoping he hits another one next time up.

I'm not against the solo homer.

by collink on Jun 15, 2006 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe

He might get his chance here unless someone hits into a DP ahead of him.

by SP on Jun 15, 2006 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Bernie

That one confused MLB gameday- it said "out recorded" followed by "Bernie Williams hits a home run"

by SP on Jun 15, 2006 3:33 PM EDT reply actions

confusion

it confused the ump and the announcers as well! :) everyone in the stands where it went out were cheering, so seemed obvious to me that it got out fo the park.

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

Michael Kay blew the call big time too. Not surprising though.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn you Todd Hollandsworth

That HR is really starting to hurt more now. One batter too long......

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 3:35 PM EDT reply actions

Damon?

Crosby in for Damon can't possibly be good news. Damon was leading off the next inning, so something ain't right.

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 3:42 PM EDT reply actions

Not good at all

I appreciate Damon playing through injuries, but man he sure seems to have a ton of them. That scares me when I think about the last two years of his deal.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Bubba

Bubba really isn't that good, but it is pretty safe to assume that he will do better against righties than Bernie will. Since Bernie is still good against lefties, that could be a platoon. Not great, but better than Bernie playing everyday.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 3:51 PM EDT reply actions

go Derek

Jeter up as tying run, no outs, here we go!

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

yikes

Giambino as the go-ahead run!

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

Mo?

Do you start warming Mo still down by 3 just in case?

by SP on Jun 15, 2006 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

Rally caps

Get em on fellas!!!

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

sizemore, DEAD!

I want grady sizemore's head on platter. enough of Yankees getting hbp

and that little f's wedge's too. wedge was crying a like a ___ about Randy pitching inside last night.

by collink on Jun 15, 2006 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

Jeter?

What was that? He never makes baserunning mistakes.

by SP on Jun 15, 2006 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

Jeter

why isn't Jeter sliding in that situation?

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

Big Unit

Got suspended for five games. Damn it.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

Appeal

He's got to appeal that- he didn't even hit him!

by SP on Jun 15, 2006 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Doubt they'll reduce it

Since he is a starter, they have to suspend him for five games to have any real punishment.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

that's BS

by collink on Jun 15, 2006 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

agree

<< he didn't even hit him! >>

exactly. what bullsh*t.

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Randy

Well, all that says is that next he'll be sure to drill the guy. Although with Randy's control it will probably be down the middle and hit for a homerun.

by SP on Jun 15, 2006 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree too

It is a BS suspension, but I am just saying that I seriously doubt they will reduce it. A five gamer for a starter is like one game to everyone else.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Cairo

great steal!

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

Aaron Small

Way to dash our comeback hopes asshole. When Rasner gets back off the DL, I think they should release Small. He is terrible.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 4:16 PM EDT reply actions

New drinking game

I propose a game for the entire season: any time either Bernie or Damon throw out a runner trying to advance on them, you drink the rest of the alcohol in your house, no matter the amount.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 15, 2006 4:21 PM EDT reply actions

A-Rod the clutch...

I feel like a HR is a HR, but A-Rod not driving in runs with 2 in scoring position and less than 2 outs is getting ridiculous.

by orupaperboy on Jun 15, 2006 4:24 PM EDT reply actions

ugly game

now they're on to philly.

Without the DH will Giambi play first?

A-Rod got a homer, so let's hope that gets him going. And as sad as it may be A-Rod has to get away from the hometown fans for awhile. It's like he killed a puppy out there with the boos he's getting.

by collink on Jun 15, 2006 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

Washington's next, right?

then Philly.

by orupaperboy on Jun 15, 2006 4:44 PM EDT reply actions

Botton of the 8th

That sums up this offense right now very well. Bases loaded 0 out, 4-5-6 hitters due up and we don't get the ball out of the IF. Hell, only one guy even put the ball in play.

A-Rod's strike out swing was weak. Why swing at all if you aren't going to swing well?

Hopefully he will hit better on the road with less pressure (although I expect DC and Philly to be Yankee Stadium South like Baltimore) and can carry that forward for a while. With all the injuries we need him to step up and deliver. People like to say that he is one of the best players of all time and for that to be true he needs to show it.

by tiyuri on Jun 15, 2006 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

oh well......

baseball's a funny game. Torre pulls Mussina at the right time, and we're leading 4-3 after eight, Mo gets the save in the 9th, we get the sweep, and everyone is happy. instead, Torre leaves Moose in, we lose and everyone's bashing all the usual suspects.

heck, i'll take 2-out-of-3 every time. we're still in first place, we got good starts out of Wang and Johnson, and now we've got a 3-game series coming up against Washington (who just lost four in a row to Colorado). let's just hope Soriano doesn't get to vengeful on us. :)

"90% of the game is half mental." - Yogi

by lee on Jun 15, 2006 4:56 PM EDT reply actions