Around the Yankee Universe, 06.03.09

by Ed Valentine on Jun 3, 2009 8:01 AM EDT in News Comment 17 comments

Let's look around the Inter-Google at stories making news around our cruising New York Yankees this morning.

The Yankees have won 15 of 19, and at 31-21 have the best record in the American League. Ken Davidoff of Newsday and Joel Sherman of the New York Post both opined today that the Yankees are increasingly looking like they just might be the AL's best team. Here's a little bit from Sherman.

The Yankees played their ugliest game in weeks and won by nine runs against the AL West leaders.

Maybe that says something about the state of the AL West. Or maybe it says something about the muscular state of the Yankees. Even on a night when they did so much wrong, the Yanks compensated with enough firepower to devastate Texas, 12-3....

What we are seeing now is that the Yankees' "A" game might be better than any other team's, and they can even win -- by a wide margin -- with a "C" performance.

Mark Teixeira got drilled twice by Vicente Padilla, and explained later that there is history between the two.

"The first two at-bats of my career (against Padilla on June 9, 2005, when Padilla was with Philadelphia), I hit home runs," Teixeira said. "Third at-bat, I got hit. And every time I've faced him since there have been balls near my head, near my body."

John Harper of the Daily News says the fire Teixeira showed breaking up a double play after the second HBP might help propel the Yankees to a title. Speaking of Teixeira, Joel Sherman rejoices in the fact that as things are working out the Red Sox really could use Tex's bat.

Where was Francisco Cervelli when the Yankees needed him? The Yankees' 18-game errorless streak is over thanks to a throwing error by Jorge Posada. I guess you can forgive Posada, though, since he is the best offensive catcher of this decade.
The New York Times has a nice piece on how it is now virtually impossible to get an autograph at Yankee Stadium without buying one.
Speaking of the Stadium, Andy Pettitte says he isn't going to let the home runs or his 5.57 ERA at home bother him.

"I'm not gonna worry about that or make any adjustments," Pettitte said before last night's game. "We've been scoring some runs. If I'm going to give up some runs in the ballpark, so be it. I won't make any adjustments yet."

Shelley Duncan leads the International League in home runs and RBI and is still hoping for another chance with the Yankees.

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I love the attitude of this Yankee squad

Guys like Texiera, Swisher, even CC, Gardner, Burnett of course, all these guys bring different dynamics to the team that just weren’t there in the past. Yes, of course all are talented in their own right.

BUt to see what Burnett did with those walkoff games, how the team all likes Gardner, Swisher’s constant insanity, watching CC and Johnny Damon throw sunflower seeds at each other, it just makes

And Im sure there will be a few more Posada comments, that the streak would still be alive without him. But anyone could sail a throw like that, ish happens. The guy hit a 3-R HR anway, that’s more than any other catcher on the Yanks would do

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 3, 2009 8:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Posada

You know, of course, that my Posada remark was tongue-in-cheek. I love the guy, I jut don’t know if he can catch every day anymore without continuing to break down. We are going to find out, though.

by Ed Valentine on Jun 3, 2009 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tex and AJ

got to go to the game last night. besides enjoying the blow out, it was nice to see AJ
“sit down” Cruz after Tex got hit twice, and Tex flipping their SS on the double play attempt, which kept the big inning going. I’m not for throwing at batters, but you have to protect your guy, something that the championship teams didn’t do. The crowd was kind of flat until the 2nd HBP. Tex got the whole place fired up with his slide, and AJ got an nice ovation for protecting Tex.

by fredny on Jun 3, 2009 9:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think of TEX and A-ROD as a double edged sword

You cant walk one without the other blasting one out of the ballpark

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

by NCbillsfan12 on Jun 3, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shocking

I am surprised to read Joel Sherman had something positive to say about the Yankees! He always puts the Yankees down especially A-Rod.

by Mondoas on Jun 3, 2009 11:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Duncan

sure would like nice coming off the bench rather than Berroa
I trust Pena at third if A-Rod needs a break

by Brian5517209 on Jun 3, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We agree

I think the Yanks are still concerned about A-Rod’s durability, and they like flexibility on days he DHs. But, I’d like to see Duncan instead of Berroa.

by Ed Valentine on Jun 3, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Shelly could play 3B

he’d be a fixture on the squad. There’s just no need for a Corner OF/1B

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 3, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shelly

could work out well.. swisher and Damon may need a day off once in a while..

by YANK77 on Jun 3, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you guys

think Andy will hit someone tonight or Texas will try to hit someone again to get them fired up again??

by YANK77 on Jun 3, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nah

Geesh, that’s over with. Just play baseball.

by Ed Valentine on Jun 3, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yup

No need to hit anyone from either side. Padilla got knocked around, Tex got his revenge with that AWESOME slide, AJ made sure the Rangers knew what would happen if it happens again. Hopefully the Rangers are cool and the gang with it and Padilla was thrown up against a locker by the hitters and told not to do that bush league stuff anymore.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jun 3, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

let

shelly shine in AAA and use him as a trade chip to a team seeking a bat at 1st or DH. He will never be a fixture on the Yankees and there really is no room for him. Especially when Nady gets back.

The Mets sure could use him to take Delgado’s spot in the lineup although we know that never will happen.

by Soriano NY 12 on Jun 3, 2009 1:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs