Off Day: Random Questions and Fun with Stats and Facts!

by Chris McKeown on May 9, 2011 12:01 PM EDT in Miscellaneous

Today is a fairly slow day in the Yankee world, and that's probably a good thing. The Bombers have returned to the Bronx after a 3-4 road trip at Detroit and Texas and will welcome the Kansas City Royals tomorrow night when Melky Cabrera makes his return to Yankee Stadium for the first time since being traded to Atlanta.

Since it's an off day, here's a few questions I'd like to ask you all.

1) How will the Yankees perform on this upcoming homestand? (3 against KC, 3 against BOS)

2) Who is the best team in baseball right now and why?

3) What's your favorite stadium to see the Yankees play in away from Yankee Stadium?

Interesting statistics:

1) Jorge Posada is 0-23 thus far against left-handed pitching this year. He has, however, worked six walks.

2) Most agree that it's strange that Derek Jeter hadn't hit a homer in the month of April. Perhaps that's because last year he smacked four in April (Ironically enough, I was at all those games). However, Jeter has had three seasons in which he hit his first homer post-May 8. In 2001 and 2008, he hit his first homer on May 10. In 2003, he didn't connect until May 25!

3) Despite the heavy doses of homers that the Yankees have been slugging, Alex Rodriguez hasn't gone yard since April 23. In fact, he's only 9-53 (.170) since his last homer. I'm betting the short porch in right will see an "A-Bomb" sometime this week.

4) Last year at this point, Curtis Granderson was sitting on the DL with a triple slash of .225/.311/.375 with two homers and seven RBI. This year? Just .283/.359/.646 with 11 homers and 23 RBI. I guess that trade that was heavily criticized is beginning to pay dividends.

Come back at 2 for a 1/5 season analysis by Travis!

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From my first front page post back on opening day:

By the way, even though I didn’t do a predictions post, he’s my pick for surprise player.

That was in reference to Curtis Granderson.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

I believe in the Church of Baseball.
- Annie Savoy

You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money.
- Donald Fehr

by Frank Campagnola on May 9, 2011 12:14 PM EDT reply actions

Well look at THIS guy!

"Nature never intended for you to survive here. But this fall, nature isn't the only thing to fear." September 10, 2011. Alabama vs. Penn State. White House.

by Chris McKeown on May 9, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

What can I say?

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

I believe in the Church of Baseball.
- Annie Savoy

You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money.
- Donald Fehr

by Frank Campagnola on May 9, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Do you have the winning numbers for NY Mega Millions ??

"Nature never intended for you to survive here. But this fall, nature isn't the only thing to fear." September 10, 2011. Alabama vs. Penn State. White House.

by Chris McKeown on May 9, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Why surprised?

We’re now getting what we, at least I, was thinking we would get when he joined the team last year. His HR totals may be a bit more than expected, but we shouldn’t really be that surprised. I was surprised and disappointed by his struggles last season, but not by his success this season.

I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?

by david d on May 9, 2011 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

11 HRs by May 8th are ridiculous numbers. MVP pace numbers. That’s a surprise to me

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

I believe in the Church of Baseball.
- Annie Savoy

You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money.
- Donald Fehr

by Frank Campagnola on May 9, 2011 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Most HRs he’d had by May 8th was 9 back in 2009. He’s certainly on track for a career year.

"Nature never intended for you to survive here. But this fall, nature isn't the only thing to fear." September 10, 2011. Alabama vs. Penn State. White House.

by Chris McKeown on May 9, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but did you predict that each one would come after a certain someone flipped the channel? I think not.

I saw a guy in the subway holding a pamphlet that said Jesus was coming on May 12, 2011. I don't think it will be that early, he would still qualify as a super two, so they need to wait until June to delay his arbitration clock.

by Wraithpk on May 9, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Nope, had to ban him instead.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

I believe in the Church of Baseball.
- Annie Savoy

You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money.
- Donald Fehr

by Frank Campagnola on May 9, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Zing!

"Nature never intended for you to survive here. But this fall, nature isn't the only thing to fear." September 10, 2011. Alabama vs. Penn State. White House.

by Chris McKeown on May 9, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Pfft, he totally delivered that Cervelli slam all the way from Band Land yesterday.

It's like being a huge fan of winning, which we do, relentlessly.

by WhatwouldJeterdo on May 9, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m sure.

He made a new account and that got banned too. Wasn’t me though.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

I believe in the Church of Baseball.
- Annie Savoy

You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money.
- Donald Fehr

by Frank Campagnola on May 9, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Dugganhammerz

"Nature never intended for you to survive here. But this fall, nature isn't the only thing to fear." September 10, 2011. Alabama vs. Penn State. White House.

by Chris McKeown on May 9, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

We need nicknames for our banhammers.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

I believe in the Church of Baseball.
- Annie Savoy

You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money.
- Donald Fehr

by Frank Campagnola on May 9, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Too bad I'm not a mod

Because nothing beats the “Wawhammer”. (Hint: It’s not actually a hammer, but nailing is involved)

by waw on May 9, 2011 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

That's a shame...

It's like being a huge fan of winning, which we do, relentlessly.

by WhatwouldJeterdo on May 9, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Good questions. Let's see...

1) I think we’ll most likely take both series 2-3, but IF we lose one of them, I think it will be against KC.

2) I’m liking us right now, although the Rays have been pretty dominating, as well as the Windians. Not really sure why, though the Rays’ bullpen has been quite a force. The Phillies are no surprise, with their rotation of like, 3 aces.

3) Camden Yards.

by luckiBelle on May 9, 2011 12:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Answers

1) They should win both series, possibly sweep KC, they haven’t played as good on the road.

2. Phillies, though they’re dealing with some injuries right now. Yankees right behind.

3) Camden Yards, Inner Harbor and Crab Cakes make that a fun park.

4) Kudos to the Grandyman, if he keeps this up he could be in the MVP conversation

by upstateNYYFan1984 on May 9, 2011 12:57 PM EDT reply actions

Hermm....

1. 4-2; 2-1, 2-1

2. Phils and Yanks.

3. Camden Yards and the BBQ pit behind right field. Drools Restaurants around the area (Inner Harbor) are incredible. What a nice section of B-More, if you can stand the busy-ness.

4. I’m pretty confident that AJ will continue strong this season and A-Rod, Tex pick it up this series. Too powerful for the Royals. Would like to see Jeter play well against the Sox, too.

NOT TEN!!

by Orange Drink on May 9, 2011 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

Pfft

1. Yanks will take both series. Might lose two games total.

2. Best team in baseball is the Yanks. There’s nothing wrong with having confidence in our team, guys. They’re not even playing to their full potential yet and they’re still winning games. It’s only gonna get better.

3. I love watching the Yanks win in Fenway Park. I live in Red Sox territory and I have to put up with a lot of really ignorant trash talk that’s vomited from the mouths of people who barely understand the game or the business. It feels great when the ball goes over the monster and the Bostonians get real quiet.

by jimitre on May 9, 2011 1:21 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

1. 2-1 vs. KC; 1-2 vs. Boston
2. Philly and St. Louis. Philly’s pitching staff; St. Louis, after a so-so start, playing well on the road and have two of the hottest hitters in the game right now in Holliday and Berkman.
3. Camden Yards, our home away from home.

I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?

by david d on May 9, 2011 1:35 PM EDT reply actions

Amazing how Berkman has turned it around, eh?

"Nature never intended for you to survive here. But this fall, nature isn't the only thing to fear." September 10, 2011. Alabama vs. Penn State. White House.

by Chris McKeown on May 9, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Stunning.

I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?

by david d on May 9, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh, and

Pujols hasn’t really kicked it in yet.

I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?

by david d on May 9, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Questions & Comments

Homestand- 4 wins & 2 losses

Best team… Phillies…. Pitching, Pitching & Pitching

I am very concerned about Arod.. He is not driving in runs, not hitting for power, striking out way too much and not getting base hits

by YANKEES FOREVER on May 9, 2011 3:09 PM EDT reply actions

Question Answers

1. Win both series, 2-1
2. Yanks in the AL, Phillies in the NL
3. Cleveland

If we dont get the 3 and out, well, when is the turnover coming?

by BuckeyeSki on May 9, 2011 4:13 PM EDT reply actions

Question answers, and yes, I'm feeling good about this team today

1. Yankees take all 6 at home
2. Best team in baseball right now: Phillies. (But at the end of the season? We shall see…)
3. Chicago (just so I can get there, not because I like the stadium)

by waw on May 9, 2011 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

"meaningless serendipity"

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Gimme-Five-American-League-scoreboard-features-?urn=mlb-wp5759

I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?

by david d on May 9, 2011 4:53 PM EDT reply actions

wow, that's pretty cool

The idiot formerly known as pkyankeefan! Now in Technicolour!

by Hasan Paliwala on May 9, 2011 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Question Answers

1. Win both series losing maybe 2 games.
2. Yankees in the AL and Phillies in the NL
3. Anaheim. (I live in San Diego and can get to the stadium pretty easily. Going on June 3rd. Stadium is pretty nice and Angels fans will leave early even if a no-hitter is going or whatever so you get good room.)

Stupid should hurt!!

by BBL on May 9, 2011 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

6-2

Phillies the best team

Losing is losing. Doesn't matter if it's Game 7 or a sweep, it sucks all the same.

by Cup Noodles on May 9, 2011 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

Lets see here

1) The Yankees will go 6-0, sweeping both the Royals & the Red Sox

2) The Rays. The turn around from the beginning of there season has been amazing. They have 14 losses, and 6 came at the start of the season. Consider all that they lost and seeing the team they are able to put out there, I just find that incredible.

3) Safeco was a really beautiful ballpark to watch the Yankees play in, and it’s the only stadium other than Citi Field I’ve seen them play in. I’d say Citi Field because it’s a really nice ballpark and only a 25 minute walk to their, but my hatred of interleague makes me say Safeco.

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on May 9, 2011 6:21 PM EDT reply actions

I'll say...

1/. 3 and 3. We just missed Lackey’s slot. So we can’t count on a guaranteed win from him.
2/. Yankees. We said all along that if we just get through April and May, we’ll sail home. Well we’re in 1st place and I feel like we haven’t even hit the accelerator pedal.
3/. Camden Yards. An architectural masterpiece and half the fans root for us when we’re there.

by alouishes on May 9, 2011 6:50 PM EDT reply actions

To answer

1) 4-2. Could see this team getting hot and sweeping one of the series (either one, really), but I’ll be safe and predictable and go with 2 of 3 twice

2) Phillies. Right now sharing the Majors’ best record with Cleveland, but Philly’s is more sustainable over the remainder of the season, I think. Phils are strong at home and on the road, while Cleveland is only 9-9 away (but 13-2 at home!)

3) Texas. I live in Fort Worth, so it’s the only park I can get to easily. I’ve seen them in Cleveland and Fenway, though, and both were nice. Wouldn’t mind doing it in Camden, or Pittsburgh, which is a very nice stadium

by Dr. Copp on May 9, 2011 6:51 PM EDT reply actions

1) How will the Yankees perform on this upcoming homestand? (3 against KC, 3 against BOS)

We’ll say 4-2, notching 2-1 series wins over both. KC usually seems to find a way to scratch out at least one win, and I think Boston’s probably too good to predict sweeps on.

2) Who is the best team in baseball right now and why?

The freaking Indians because they are inexplicably on FIRE

3) What’s your favorite stadium to see the Yankees play in away from Yankee Stadium?

I’ve only actually seen the Yanks play on the road in Baltimore, which was pretty nice. Camden Yards is such an easy answer, but it’s so picturesque. PNC Park in Pittsburgh is beautiful too though I haven’t seen the Yanks play there.

Unless you're a pitcher or Gustavo Molina, kindly SWING THE BAT and ignore the Binder's bunt signal.

by Andrew GM on May 9, 2011 9:22 PM EDT reply actions