New York Yankees News: 1/2/12

by Lord Duggan on Jan 2, 2012 6:00 AM EST in New York Yankees News

Mariano Rivera's right arm, baseball, cutter.

Mood Music - Green Onions by Booker T and the MGs

Mariano Rivera: Thinking Man's Cutter
You're Mariano Rivera, the best closer in the history of baseball. You throw a cutter, they know you're going to throw a cutter, and you get them out anyway. It's not rocket science, but that doesn't mean that Rivera doesn't learn and adapt his craft. In the above link are some interesting quotes from Rivera, Jorge Posada, and A.J. Burnett on Rivera's approach.

Yankees, Nakajima Still Far Apart in Talks
Despite all reports indicating that Hiroyuki Nakajima wants to be in America next season, there remains a fairly substantial negotiating gap between him and the Yankees. The two sides have until Tuesday to reach an accord if Nakajima is going to be a Yankee.

Alex Rodriguez 'fine' Following Knee Treatment
The procedure is reported to have gone well, and now we'll have to wait and see if the results show up on the field. If he does improve, the story will be that it is only because of his 'controversial treatment.' If not, not even trying to cheat the system can stop him from being washed up. Can't wait.

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Great mood music choice

"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel

by tnredneckyankeesfan on Jan 2, 2012 11:07 AM EST reply actions

Thanks.

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by Lord Duggan on Jan 2, 2012 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

How unfair is this, really, though?

If he does improve, the story will be that it is only because of his ‘controversial treatment.’ If not, not even trying to cheat the system can stop him from being washed up. Can’t wait.

Especially the first sentence.

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
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by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Jan 2, 2012 12:11 PM EST reply actions

I’d say that it’s pretty obviously unfair if any and all success that he has is attributed to a surgery in which we can only guess as to its impact (which it will be). Not to mention him being perfectly transparent about doing something within the rules being deplored because his name is Alex Rodriguez.

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by Lord Duggan on Jan 2, 2012 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

Well, you said if he improved.

So I’m thinking, take what you’d expect from him as a baseline, and then anything on top of that would be attributed to the procedure. I thought that’s what you meant, and I think that’s pretty fair.

For example, if he finally played 140 games again, for what would be the first time in 5 years, after he just had this procedure done, would you not think that, at least in part, the procedure helped him do that?

by SandalsNoPants on Jan 2, 2012 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

It could be the surgery or it could be better training and conditioning or it could be diving less in the field or it could be dumb luck. If he comes back and is productive, I don’t really care what people have to say about it because it will be good for the Yankees, but presuming to know the extent to which the surgery impacted his play is ridiculous.

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by Lord Duggan on Jan 2, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

Okay, but to call it unfair to think that people will think that the procedure helped him

if he improves is a little ridiculous, also.

I mean, what would be more likely? Dumb luck helped him improve or a procedure he chose to have done to hopefully keep him healthier?

Also, wouldn’t this procedure help him with his training and conditioning?

This could go back and forth forever, so until another take on this shows up, I’ll leave it alone.

by SandalsNoPants on Jan 2, 2012 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

Of course he thinks it will help (and it probably will) or else he wouldn’t have done it. It is, however, one factor in his health and productivity next season that we have no way of isolating.

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by Lord Duggan on Jan 2, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

Why does it matter what the reason is?

The procedure was cleared by the league and is completely within the rules. He’s been very open about it and is hiding nothing from what we can tell. Baseball obviously knows about it.

I don’t understand what the problem with the procedure is to begin with. Baseball has no issue with it and they’re in a period where they’re coming down hard on anyone who is even suspected of steroids or HGH. The only reason fans and the media will bring it up as a “controversial surgery” is because his name is Alex Rodriguez. If Pedroia or Longoria had this same procedure done, nobody would care.

If A-Rod comes back this year, plays over 140 games, hits .300 and hits 35-40 home runs (not saying that will happen, but if), then I honestly don’t care how much the procedure helped. It could be completely responsible for it for all I care. Because he’s within the rules of the game and is helping the Yankees win games by being a lethal bat out of the cleanup spot.

I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant

A.J. Burnett's only fan!

by nyyrocks29 on Jan 2, 2012 4:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Did I mention anything here about having a problem with the procedure?

I’m just saying, if Arod improves, it’s probably because the procedure helped him to improve.

by SandalsNoPants on Jan 2, 2012 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

Duh!

If it helps make him healthier/feel better, he’ll probably perform better…sheesh.

Romine!

by david d on Jan 2, 2012 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

And when/if he does better, critics will say he is ONLY doing better because of the “sketchy treatment”, as if no other thing had any contribution…which was the entire point of what Duggan said. I cannot believe this is hard for anyone to understand.

Jesus Montero fangirl

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 2, 2012 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

You talkin' to me?

You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? Then who the hell else are you talking… you talking to me? Well I’m the only one here. Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to? Oh yeah? OK.

Romine!

by david d on Jan 2, 2012 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

You’d have to be acting a lot more intentionally obtuse for me to be talking to you.

Jesus Montero fangirl

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 2, 2012 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

Not sure what the problem is here.

by SandalsNoPants on Jan 2, 2012 4:59 PM EST up reply actions

Did you and I miss when “only because” became the same thing as “in part”? Guess we must have. Weird.

Jesus Montero fangirl

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 2, 2012 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

Faulty logic will do that.

"Don't you think it's strange that you'll make more money than President Hoover this year?"
"Why not? I had a better year than he did." - G.H. Ruth

366 Up, 366 Down

by Andrew GM on Jan 2, 2012 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

I missed it too

With this guy’s and some others’ logic, every “procedure” may be considered questionable. I mean, what if Joba comes back better than before, are we to assume that MLB should ban the TJS? I thought that’s why people had surgeries and medical procedures; to get healthy.

Romine!

by david d on Jan 2, 2012 2:57 PM EST up reply actions

What is this about now?

I don’t think my logic has anything to do with the claims you’re making regarding it. Or are you not referring to me?

by SandalsNoPants on Jan 2, 2012 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

Since you ask

What was your point? Inference?

Romine!

by david d on Jan 2, 2012 3:28 PM EST up reply actions

Point about what?

by SandalsNoPants on Jan 2, 2012 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

x

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Jan 2, 2012 6:46 PM EST reply actions

I'd take .285AVG, 25-30HR and 90-110RBI from A-Rod

He can hit those numbers if he can play 130-150 games healthy. This procedure was cleared by not only the Yankees, but MLB, so I am not sure why anyone has a problem with it. Of course the procedure will have helped if he can hit the numbers I mentioned, but the procedure will also have helped him train and get in baseball shape.

by nj23nut on Jan 2, 2012 10:39 PM EST reply actions

Isn't this what I said?

I demand OUTRAGE!

by SandalsNoPants on Jan 2, 2012 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

where did I disagree with you?

by nj23nut on Jan 3, 2012 12:17 AM EST up reply actions

You didn't.

It was more a response to no one giving you crap about your totally sane thoughts.

by SandalsNoPants on Jan 3, 2012 8:20 AM EST up reply actions

well i look at it like this

he’s only been performing sub-par A-Rod because of his injuries. so if the procedure helps him get better say for instance those cortisone shots well big deal. when i get a hang over i take something to make me feel better. some people do acupuncture, some people pray thing is your body is design to get healthy. not allowing an athlete to be as healthy as he can be is retarded.

by bleedsyankeeblue on Jan 3, 2012 2:39 AM EST reply actions