Bullwinkle Knows How To Handle The Broom
You knew they were coming. The only question was when? Well, guess what: They're heeeere. I present to you: the real New York Yankees [ya know, the ones that actually win]. The Yanks have finally turned up the heat, extending their winning streak today to 6 straight, giving all those who have been counting them out for the AL East and Wild Card a big "hey, not so fast." The guy that got the win today for the Yanks: none other than the Magic Man, Mike "Moooose" Mussina [you know you love the alliteration]. Though everyone shouted "stick a fork in him, he's done" when the Moose was on the mound just last year, the Stanford man managed to rediscover his ability to sit 'em down this season, which is exactly what he did today, throwing eight solid, shutout innings allowing just 6 hits, while striking out 7. No one, including the Moose himself, thought he'd have 13 wins with two months of play left to go. Amazing.I don't think anyone knew that Cano, when he finally found his stroke, would be this hot either. Though he didn't drive in any of the 5 runs today, he produced another multi-hit game [his 6th straight, coinciding with the Yanks' 6 game winning streak]. Though the entire offense seems to be on a roll since the All-Star break, in these last 6 games Cano has hit with a .538 avg. That is simply the definition of hot. Another guy that has been hitting a bit better as of late is the other half of the C&C boys, Melky Cabrera. His avg. for the last 6 games has been .333. However, in today's game, the two guys that put 4 of the 5 runs on the board were A-Rod and Justin Christian. The rookie drove in the first two of the game with a double in the 5th, while MVP put two more on the board with a double in the 6th. All in all, it's great to see this offense finally breathing again, especially before they head into Fenway to face the Red Sox in another three game battle for the AL East.
The pitching matchup for the first game is a beauty: Joba Chamberlain vs. Josh Beckett. The one right after it screams headline: Andy Pettitte vs. Tim Wakefield. Ahh, what a series it will be.
Other Notes:
- I can't help but think what Kay was saying about A-Rod as hilarious. The guy will likely be the future home run king... and he has trouble catching pop-ups. Oh, the irony.
- Was Perkins mad in the 5th or what? I believe his exact words to Casilla were: "What the **** is wrong with you? One out!"
- After going to the game last night I forgot to give my favorite Crowd Quotes:
#1: Guy behind me: "We need a ground ball double play here."
Girl he was with: "What's a ground ball?"
Guy behind me: " A ball hit on the ground..."
[I swear she actually asked that]
#2: Announcement: "Now batting for the Twins #2, Denard Span."
Guy sitting two seats to my left: "The guy's last name is Spam?"
Ahh... Yankee Stadium.
- I don't know if anyone else noticed this, but I thought it was funny. Right after Moose struck out Gomez in the 8th he did the whole turn-a-round, sort of "brush the shoulder, without brushing the shoulder" move that said: "Pff, I got this."
- It seems that after going to the doctor they've found that Jorge's shoulder has gotten worse... but get this: they are going to try rehabbing him for two weeks and then try to have him play only DH or 1B [despite the fact that after surgery, which he will need eventually, he will need 6 months of rehab, which would make it difficult for him to be ready for Spring Training / Opening Day next season if the Yanks keep holding it off]... wasn't this the same guy that made a point of saying "I'm a catcher. I want to catch." not too long ago?
maybe Moose can finally get his 20-win season this year
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Goodness, I'm sick of everybody saying Posada was a huge loss. You know what? I hope he gets that surgery. He wasn't doing anything, and if he comes back hurt and reaggravates that injury, I'll forget I ever knew him. Seriously, don't do something stupid, Jorge!
-EJ/Kid From New York
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I'm seriously rooting for the Moose to get that 20 win season as well. He more than deserves it and he's come so close so many times. I know he'd be bummed if he didn't get it.
I don't know if I'd go so far as to say "I hope he reaggravates that injury" and "I'll forget I ever knew him". It's obvious he hadn't performed this season but he was a monster part of the team last year. Though it only matters about what you do this year when it comes to the fans, it's hard to say how much his performance with the bat has been lessened by his injury. I don't know if he would have done better if he had the chance this season. However, nonetheless, the Yanks lost some money, and the Yanks lost a bat. They're doing well now so they can obviously move on without him this season.
-F4Td
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Great quotes from the game. And I will go with EJ on the Jorge situation. He can help us more if he gets surgery, and if he doesn't, it's a very real possibility that we could lose him for TWO years.
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Hank, Cashman, and Girardi need to sit down with Jorge and say, "Look dude.."
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According to Pete Abraham, Cashman said the decision to try without the surgery involved "everybody" from the trainers to management. Translation: Management wants something for what they're paying for.
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wow, then this is bad on management's part.. i can't believe they'd try to push Jorge and risk long-term injury to him.. bad
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Eventually the management will come to their senses. Posada's shoulder's in bad condition, it's been affecting his swing. Let him have his surgery!
-EJ/Kid From New York
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Btw, 'grats on making the Top 25, Vanessa!
-EJ/Kid From New York
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"This is the first time in ages that Tampa has made any significant attempt at the postseason"
Correction: This is the first time EVER that Tampa has made any significant attempt at the postseason. They've only been around since 1997, back when I was, well, QUITE young.
-EJ/Kid From New York
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Right on both counts of your comment. It wouldn't be easy, but it sure as hell would be fun. And a sweep would make even the most apocalyptic Yankee fans a bit happy.
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Lol, true EJ. Though they did finish fourth instead of last [like they do every other year] in 2004, so I guess I counted that as an "attempt". But seriously, they're making a hell of a run for the postseason for the first time and all of a sudden everyone knoows they're going to make it? I will admit they have a lot of talent, but still they're too young. They have a good chance of making the postseason but I guarantee they won't win it all.
"Apocalyptic Yankee fans" lol. I'm sure Yankee fans would want to start another parade so they could stick it to the Sox one more time. What's funny about this rivalry is that is isn't just about who won the series or not.. the fans make it about who can upset the other team's fans. Embarrassment seems to be the name of the game.
-F4Td
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V, nice commentary. Moose is back in regular form, eh? Good for him. As for Ponson, your mentioning of him inspired me mentioning him in my latest as well...
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/07/blame_it_on_the_booze.html
Cheers
--Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
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Love the pics, I'm jealous, I haven't been to a ML game since June! I really wish they'd just send Posada on for surgary, how many First basemen/DH's do you guys have now?
I agree that Beckett/Chamberlin is THE matchup of the series, who knows, maybe the year. I hope we avoid any Joba/Youkilis problems though :)
Plus Papi's back? This should be good, even with both of us chasing...........Tampa Bay? I expect plenty of good natured, back and forth blogging!
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Mussina is having an excellent season!!! I thought they should have had him pitch the full game yesterday.
-Chris
The Baseball Collector
http://baseballcollector.mlblogs.com
http://snaggingbaseballs.com
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Hey, Vanessa ...
CONGRATULATIONS on being listed in the "TOP 25" [#21] Fan MLBlogs this past week ... Great Work and Excellent posts ... I look forward to your future posts and comments !!! ... Big series this weekend vs. the Red Sox - "I can't wait" !!! ... The Rays lost their first game of a four-game weekend series against the Royals in Kansas City, last night [July 24th], so the Yanks are right there in the mix, and by the end of the weekend, The Yankees could be tied for first place [with the Rays] - both at: 58-45 - if the Yanks sweep the Red Sox; and, Royals win the next three games vs. the Rays ... That would be great, and of course, that's what we are all rooting for !!! ... So, Go Yankees !!! ... Also, wasn't that an awesome pitching performance by Mike Mussina in the Yankees 5-1 win vs. the Twins ... I really wanted to see Mussina pitch the 9th, to complete the game , and record the shutout ...But, getting the win is the most important thing, as the Yankees are on a roll ... Six straight wins [and, counting] ... Take care, Vanessa !!! ... Jimmy [27NYY] ...
http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/
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