Randy's Balky Back

According to the Journal News, Randy has some serious issues:

"Randy Johnson was found to have a herniated disc in his back, but the Yankees remain optimisitic that he'll start Game 3 of the ALDS.

He had an epidural today and will play catch tomorrow. A bullpen session on Sunday will determine his status for Game 3. If he can't go, the Yankees will have both Jaret Wright and Cory Lidle in the rotation for the first round."

I am not sure what to think of this. I heard one report on the radio that they will know by tomorrow whether the epidural took or not. Apparently the difference between an epidural and cortisone is that cortisone actually involves a little guesswork as to where the pain is. With the epidural they also use a steroid but they go in with a scope and actually hit the exact nerve that is bothering Randy.

Besides that -- is anybody worried about Damon's performance at the plate lately. This may have gotten lost, but since he is on my fantasy team and I am trying to win a championship, he has been HORRIBLE over the past three weeks and just looks completely out of sorts.

Thoughts??

interesting

Check out the lifetime stats of David Wells and Kenny Rogers:

Wells: 229-148, 4.08, .607 w/p
Rogers: 207-137, 4.19, .602 w/p

What's most interesting is that both of these guys pitched their best baseball after turning 30. You don't think of Rogers as a successful pitcher, but in reality he's been very successful. Andy Pettite will be lucky to finish with those numbers.

Credit When Credit's Due

Everyone, I would like to publicly congratulate Adam Cohen on the fruition of the Yankees "dream lineup" last night. It has been on his lips, heart, and mind for at least six weeks now, and yesterday he saw what was once merely an idea transmorgify into flesh and blood reality. I'm certain he could not be prouder, nor could we of him.

Revel in it, old friend, for all glory is fleeting.

-Steiner

In trouble?

The NY Post is reporting that Randy will miss his next start and possibly the ALDS with back troubles. If true, this is obviously the biggest of blows.

Right now, I think we need to pray hard to the baseball gods that Minnesota beats Detroit in the central and we play Detroit in the ALDS with three games at home. Minnesota reminds me of the Angel teams of recent years who have knocked us out. They are a team of pitching and execution, the type of team that usually does well in close games. Plus, Detroit has no one like Santana, and a pitcher like that, able to pitch 2/5 games, is devastating in a very short series like the ALDS. Detroit in my opinion is far more vulnerable.

Agree? Disagree? Comment?

We stink.

I think Dan's fears are being realized. We certainly seem to be backing into the playoffs at a time when there is still something to play for. It is disturbing to see Randy Johnson pitch as poorly as he has recently, and Mussina left today's game with an injury (though only a bruise). Villone has gone from an ERA below 3.00 to one over 5.00 in a month. As it now stands, I'm not even sure he should be on the postseason roster. It's shaping up to be another mess.

Thoughts?

Yankees Are Coming! Yankees Are Coming!

Since the Phillies f'd us over after a long affliation the void has been filled. It was just announced that the former Columbus Clippers are coming to Lackawanna County Stadium. This means a closer distance to Yankee Stadium. This means the area appreciates the Yankees more than Columbus (if it's not true then they would have re-signed with Columbus distance be damned.) This means more fans at games and more money in the county pocket.

Now all they need is some prospects.

Steinbrenner: "We win or I kill my son-in-law."

So the Yankees clinched. So what? A-Rod is still a zombie. They had to nail Giambi to the bench this evening because he almost floated away with that enlarged head of his. Bernie Williams is impotent (just as Posada). Torre wears diapers (just as Posada). And Randy Johnson is old.

So I ask again, so what?

Great article

Don't miss this Verducci piece on A-Rod. Great stuff.

Postseason Roster

Phil hits on the only issue worth talking about until the postseason. Who should be on our postseason roster? I'll put forward the sure things and what's left for debate:

1. Posada
2. Fasano
3. Giambi
4. Cano
5. Jeter
6. A-Rod
7. Abreu
8. Damon
9. Cabrera
10. Matsui
11. Williams

12. R. Johnson
13. Mussina
14. Wang
15. Wright
16. Rivera
17. Farnsworth
18. Myers
19. Proctor
20. Villone


That makes 9 pitchers, and we'll certainly at least carry 11. So we'll take at least two pitchers of out this list and one backup infielder, plus two others to make 25.

1. Lidle
2. Bruney
3. Karstens
5. Rasner
6. Veras
7. Nick Green
8. Cairo
9. Craig Wilson
10. Sheff

I would guess we take:

1. Bruney
2. Lidle
3. Cairo
4. Sheff
5. Craig Wilson

Thoughts?

What do we know? What can we guess? It's 09-19-06

Here's my thinking folks:

Matsui hasn't been able to the field (yet.) His bat keeps him in the lineup.
Giambi's bat keeps him in the lineup. Unfortunately, he must play 1B because of Matsui.
Cabrera can play the field. His bat shouldn't be counted on. (Though he may surprise us.)
Bruney, Karstens, Rasner all can be counted on more than Dotel. (Should not be resigned.)

Sheffield comes back, where does he play? OF? Abreu is better defensively. Cabrera has an arm. To start playing 1B in the play-offs? That to me is crazy.

There are too many odd-men out. Wilson, Green, Phillips, Guiel?

The end of the Mighty Clippers

This just seems so strange. I've been so used to looking up Clipper stats. Still, this might be nice. They could choose a team closer, or in a nicer climate that would be better to visit.

I give you the 2006 Post-Season NY YANKEES

I posted the following projected lineup right after we acquired Abreu on 7/31/06:

CF Johnny Damon
SS Derek Jeter
1B Jason Giambi
DH Gary Sheffield
RF Bobby Abreu
3B Alex Rodriguez
LF Hideki Matsui
C Jorge Posada
2B Robinson Cano

That's firepower.

When someone comes up to you (while you're wearing a Yankee cap) and scoffs at this gaudy lineup, you do the right thing and smack them in the face. This is a once-in-a-lifetime assembly of hitting talent. Discuss.

What to do?

We've currently got a traffic jam in the outfield, with Bernie, Matsui, Melky, Damon, Abreu competing for four positions, and the possibility that Sheff might join the mix before it's all over.

What would you do?

Jeter v. Ortiz

A concise summary from the NY Post:

"While Jeter doesn't have Ortiz' homers (13 to 48), he is not hitting a soft .346. He has scored 99 runs and driven in 91. His .396 batting average with runners in scoring position leads the league. Plus, Jeter contributes with his defense; something Ortiz can't."

Add to that Jeter's 29 stolen bases, and I don't even think it's close.

Umpires Against Yankees

Saturday was a blatant attempt by the Umpires to keep the Yankees from winning. Everyone knows the Yankees would have comeback in the 9th inning. If this continues then there is no reason to play the rest of the season. The Umpires will be calling Yankee Home Runs foul even if hit to Center. Pitchers will have a 3-inch Strike Zone.

Obstacle 1 is out of the way - Red Sox giving up, example David Ortiz and his heart. I'm not saying it's from all the steroids but.....

Obstacle 2 was to take out the Twins but the Umpires intervened so no sweep.

Obstacle 3 Tigers or A's

Obstacle 4 A's or Tigers

Obstacle 5 National League Champion