Posada and the Blogfather

by Travis G on May 30, 2009 1:00 PM EDT in New York Yankees Analysis

Jorge Posada returned to the lineup last night and went 2-3 with a walk and a double. Having a catcher that hits like he does lengthens the lineup immeasurably (well ok, maybe measurably, but a lot).

Posada has been the second best hitting catcher over the last five seasons (trailing only Joe Mauer). This season, he's the third best (trailing Mauer and Victor Martinez).

On average, catchers are hitting .259/.330/.403 in MLB this year. Yankee catchers not named Jorge are hitting below the average (.273/.308/.345). Posada is at .325/.417/.600! So not only are we replacing a replacement-level hitter with an above-average hitter, but an All-Star.

- I conducted a little Q & A session with Peter Abraham, the Yankee 'Blogfather':

Is Arod acting any different this year so far? Do you notice any lingering effects of the steroid scandal? Is he looser?

He seems the same to me. No blonde highlights in his hair, there is that. I have not noticed any lingering effects on him, he is hitting well and producing. In terms of being looser he was never really a part of the team fabric socially or within the clubhouse. He is always working out, doing his own thing. People overrate that stuff anyway.

What's your best player anecdote from your career and this season?

Career: When Jeff Karstens got hit with a liner and broke his leg in 2007, Sweeny Murti asked Giambi what he thought. "Fuck," he said. "You hate to see that." Sweeny says to him that he needs a cleaner version to use on the radio and asks The Big G the question again. G says "No, really, fuck. You hate to see that."

This season? Not much yet. Seeing A.J. trying to speak Chinese to Wang is kind of funny.

Will the new Stadium continue to be so homerific? Why or why not? Are the players, coaches or executives concerned about it? What will be done to 'correct' it (if anything)?

It'll only get worse as the weather gets warmer. It's a joke. RF is not the same dimensions as it was across the street. The pitchers hate it, the hitters love it. The team baseball execs are horrified because it's Coors Field East. I suspect they'll move the fences back in the winter.

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Posada

isn’t it amazing how the Yankees still won with him in the lineup? Andy Pettite pitched well too !!!!!! WOW.

Imagine what the Yankees will do with Melky back and Xavier Nady as another option in the lineup, maybe as a replacement to Nick Swisher, the real Nick Swisher….

by FreeBradshaw on May 30, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

not much to critique about Posada's

catching abilities when the pitchers hold Cleveland to just one run. but i suppose Molina/Cervelli would have not only held them scoreless, but would actually cause Cleveland to score negative runs.

by Travis G on May 30, 2009 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Peter A Hates A-Rod

One of the worst things you could do is ask Pete A about A-Rod. He loves putting him down and that has been a huge issue with the fans of the LoHud Blog.

by Mondoas on May 30, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

Funny thing about A-Rod

is that while its claimed that he’s not really part of the team and does his own thing, was he not at a basketball game in Cleveland with Mariano Rivera and Cc Sabathia?

I know he’ll get criticized for not being there with the infield or sitting next to Derek Jeter….

by FreeBradshaw on May 30, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions

i dont think what Peter said

was very (if at all) critical of Arod.

by Travis G on May 30, 2009 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I would love to see

a video of A.J. trying to speak Chinese to Wang. That would be a classic!

Pride, Power, Pinstripes...Go Yankees!

by acman319 on May 30, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

Fences

So, look at the RF and LF configuration. How do they move the fences back without losing seats? One of the biggest problems is they very stupidly built a very low wall most of the way around. They have to do something, but the capacity is already down from the old place. I’d hate to see them lose seats.

by Ed Valentine on May 30, 2009 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

How about a Blue Monster?

(I’m just kidding. I would never want to copy the Red Sox. lol)

Pride, Power, Pinstripes...Go Yankees!

by acman319 on May 30, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Funny

They do have to do something, and moving the fences back is an option. It just annoys me that the capacity is already smaller than the old stadium, and that would reduce it even more.

by Ed Valentine on May 31, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions