Part 6. Current score: Mercenaries 4, Blue Jays 1
Lineup: Gomez, Cat, Rios, Delgado, Wells, Hinske, Zaun, Johnson, Hudson.
I like Wells in the #5 spot better than #3. Is it just me? Or is it lineups don't matter?
I like Wells in the #5 spot better than #3. Is it just me? Or is it lineups don't matter?
Is it just me? Or is it lineups don't matter?
I think it's part of the conspiracy to create more talk than necessary about baseball. If we weren't posting lineups and discussing their merrits, baseball would probably be taking the backburner to work getting done ;-)
I think it's part of the conspiracy to create more talk than necessary about baseball. If we weren't posting lineups and discussing their merrits, baseball would probably be taking the backburner to work getting done ;-)
I don't like Rios in the three hole. Because he makes a lot of contact, hits the ball on the ground, and is a righthanded hitter, he's a significant double play risk. Add that to the fact that his homerun power is pretty limited right now, and it makes him unsuited to bat #3.
Josh Phelps has been traded to the Cleveland Indians for AAA 1B Eric Crozier (.297, 20 HR, 53 RBI)...Gabe Gross has been recalled...
*cough* *blink* Whaaaaa?
*cough* *blink* Whaaaaa?
Wow! Really Scott?? That's pretty exciting. Will Gross make it in time to be available tonight? I'd love to see the debut-which will undoubtedly take place in Yankee Stadium-tough for a kid.
Eric Crozier born August 17, 1978. So he's turning 26 very soon.
Once I get the final details, I'll start a new thread about the trade.
Once I get the final details, I'll start a new thread about the trade.
He was born on August 11, 1978, making him (for a little while) 25.
Hey Scott... Nothing like scooping your employer!
Well that was a surprise trade... I guess that explains the 'stiff neck' yesterday.
I'm stunned that he passed through waivers. If teams like Anaheim, Tampa, and the Yankees are willing to take chances on Fred McGriff, Andres Galarraga, and John Olerud, you'd figure that someone would tale a chance on him.
HELL of a way to start! Yeah Carlos. Rios just continues to hit too. Sweet!
Nice start! Delgado still has the power, even if he's struggling.
You know, "What do you think about that?" isn't so bad. We could be hearing "Pow, Zoom, Gone" every time.
You know, "What do you think about that?" isn't so bad. We could be hearing "Pow, Zoom, Gone" every time.
http://me.woot.net
I swear it happened like this.
I'm watching the game. Delgado is announced, and the Yankees predictably boo him.
I say to myself aloud, "This'll be Delgado's game, I think."
Delgado hits it out to centre. Bang, 3-0 Jays.
I swear it happened like this.
I'm watching the game. Delgado is announced, and the Yankees predictably boo him.
I say to myself aloud, "This'll be Delgado's game, I think."
Delgado hits it out to centre. Bang, 3-0 Jays.
Wow. That shot from Delgado could have competed for the X Prize. Great start!
Pow. Carlos seems to be snapping out of his slump, methinks.
The Yankees are only "mercenaries" in the same sense that a team that imports Roberto Alomar, Tony Fernandez, Joe Carter, Devon White, Paul Molitor, Rickey Henderson, Jack Morris and Dave Stewart in order to win a World Series title was "mercenary."
As I recall, TO had a pretty good core of home-grown players in '93 --very much like Posada, Jeter, Williams and Rivera, signed some valued free agents -- like Sheffield and Matsui, and dealt away some prized young players -- like Nick Johnson and Alfonso Soriano -- to fill out the eventual champion roster.
Same thing, different salary structure -- all around the game. It's not happening in your city, so it seems unfair.
As I recall, TO had a pretty good core of home-grown players in '93 --very much like Posada, Jeter, Williams and Rivera, signed some valued free agents -- like Sheffield and Matsui, and dealt away some prized young players -- like Nick Johnson and Alfonso Soriano -- to fill out the eventual champion roster.
Same thing, different salary structure -- all around the game. It's not happening in your city, so it seems unfair.
lets hope Douglass stays calm and gets out of the first unscathed
I hate it how Jeter throws his butt out for every pitch that's middle of the plate in. It's mighty annoying-cause he always seems to get the call (although THAT one probably was a ball).
Rios just continues to hit too
When Wells was hitting third, he was getting himself out most of the time. Rios on the other hand, has demonstrated a willingness to take a couple pitches and wait for his (though the walks haven't come, he isn't affraid to take a pitch with 2 strikes on him). Wells was great at doing that last season so it may just take a little longer for him to get back into his comfort zone. I can't believe Rios is hitting 3rd in the lineup the rest of the way.
When Wells was hitting third, he was getting himself out most of the time. Rios on the other hand, has demonstrated a willingness to take a couple pitches and wait for his (though the walks haven't come, he isn't affraid to take a pitch with 2 strikes on him). Wells was great at doing that last season so it may just take a little longer for him to get back into his comfort zone. I can't believe Rios is hitting 3rd in the lineup the rest of the way.
http://me.woot.net
Mick, you mischaracterize the Toronto teams. White was an offseason trade before the 1991 season. Alomar and Carter was hardly a mercenary sitaution as well—that was just a big blockbuster trade. Yes, the Jays did import players and pay for it because they could afford it. But the Jays didn't outspend the rest of the league the way the Yankees do.
Mick, you mischaracterize the Toronto teams. White was an offseason trade before the 1991 season. Alomar and Carter was hardly a mercenary sitaution as well—that was just a big blockbuster trade. Yes, the Jays did import players and pay for it because they could afford it. But the Jays didn't outspend the rest of the league the way the Yankees do.
The Yankees are only "mercenaries" in the same sense that a team that imports Roberto Alomar, Tony Fernandez, Joe Carter, Devon White, Paul Molitor, Rickey Henderson, Jack Morris and Dave Stewart in order to win a World Series title was "mercenary."
Alomar, Fernandez, Carter, White, and Henderson were acquired in trades for homegrown talent. The only free agents were Molitor (replacing Winfield), Morris, and Stewart.
My problem with today's Yankees is that they have the budget to annually cherrypick the two or three best free agents available (though even George might not be able to keep this up for long). Even at the peak of their big-budget era, the Jays never spent like the Yankees are now.
Alomar, Fernandez, Carter, White, and Henderson were acquired in trades for homegrown talent. The only free agents were Molitor (replacing Winfield), Morris, and Stewart.
My problem with today's Yankees is that they have the budget to annually cherrypick the two or three best free agents available (though even George might not be able to keep this up for long). Even at the peak of their big-budget era, the Jays never spent like the Yankees are now.
Ugh. Sean Douglas did this last week while the Yankees were at SkyDome.
Why pitch around Olerud? Screw this L/R garbage and get someone out. I'm also not a big fan of Cash/Zaun setting up well off the plate. Douglass meaninglessly hit the target.
Any word of if Gross is in NYC?
And Flaherty gets a hit-good thing they pitched around Olerud.
Any word of if Gross is in NYC?
And Flaherty gets a hit-good thing they pitched around Olerud.
This inning seemed so harmless. Jeter on 1st, 1-2 count on ARod with 2 outs. Oops.
I know he's been hot since joining the Yanks, but pitching around 2004 Johnny O makes about as much sense as pitching around a fuzzy kitten who happens to be scratching around in the lefty batter's box.
Great play by Gomez. However, what was with that look of disgust on Douglass' face. I know it must feel bad to pitch like crap but you'd think at least he'd show Gomez some love for saving his ass.
Don't you just love it when umpires feel the need to prove that they're in control of the game?
What? Time to go see this on TV. Why was Douglass tossed?
Douglass was tossed for hitting John Flaherty (yes, the .170ish hitting Flaherty) on a 1-2 count. This is downright silly.
That was flat wrong. The ball moved more than expected, and ran in on Flaherty and hit him. If the umpire was worried about hostilities breaking out, he could have warned both benches first. Now, the Jays will be forced to bring in Miller or Towers to pitch, and risk injuring one or more pitchers by forcing them to come in when they're tired.
We've got Justin Miller coming in, Douglass was getting shelled and should have been yanked anyways. As a Jays fan, I'm thanking the umpire. But as a person who believes in some semblence of justice, that was outrageous.
he hadn't been giving Douglass the corners for the vast majority of the first 3 innings. you're right James, he's got to be in control
It has to be asked:
"Why do all the umps hate the Blue Jays? Did we embarass them at some point and they feel the need for vengence? I mean come on."
"Why do all the umps hate the Blue Jays? Did we embarass them at some point and they feel the need for vengence? I mean come on."
Yes, with a runner on third and a 1-2 count with no one out, I'm sure that Douglass was trying to hit JOHN FLAHERTY in the knee. What a pile of crap. Some umpires need to get a clue.
"Weeee, I'll get on Sportscenter for this!!"
"Weeee, I'll get on Sportscenter for this!!"
On the one hand, I'd rather see Dave Berg pitching...
on the other hand, that was stupider than Phil Cuzzi.
on the other hand, that was stupider than Phil Cuzzi.
The announcers on Rogers Sportsnet called it best by saying that the problem is the umpires have no idea how the game is played.
Also keep in mind, that while Douglass wasn't pitching very well, they needed him to eat up as many innings as possible tonight.
Maybe he thought Douglass spit a sunflower seed at him?
On another note, did Johnny O always hang that much over the plate? It looked rediculous in his second at bat.
On another note, did Johnny O always hang that much over the plate? It looked rediculous in his second at bat.
on the other hand, that was stupider than Phil Cuzzi.
Not even close. Douglass had nothing left today.
Halladay last year was pitching like...Halladay last year. It's worse to lose 8 or 9 innings of Doc-ball than 2 more innings of Douglass-ball.
Is the umpire Chris Guccione?
Not even close. Douglass had nothing left today.
Halladay last year was pitching like...Halladay last year. It's worse to lose 8 or 9 innings of Doc-ball than 2 more innings of Douglass-ball.
Is the umpire Chris Guccione?
The Yankees announcers were ripping the call too. They said "it might be one of the worst umpiring decisions you'll ever see," in classic over-dramatic fashion (but I happen to agree). Douglass looked like he wanted to cry.
It is Mr. Guccione.
He should be moved from the penthouse to the outhouse after that call. What do you think Moffatt? A cuddlefish? A Muppet?
He should be moved from the penthouse to the outhouse after that call. What do you think Moffatt? A cuddlefish? A Muppet?
Nah, I mean Guccione ejecting Douglass is even dumber than Cuzzi ejecting Doc.
Cuzzi was stupid and wrong, but at least the two teams had some record of hitting batters. Even if it was mainly Zambrano hitting Blue Jays.
But this boggles the mind. Yeah, they're throwing at the .170 hitter. Cut that crap out.
Take a breath, Guccione, and think about it.
Cuzzi was stupid and wrong, but at least the two teams had some record of hitting batters. Even if it was mainly Zambrano hitting Blue Jays.
But this boggles the mind. Yeah, they're throwing at the .170 hitter. Cut that crap out.
Take a breath, Guccione, and think about it.
Dont you hate when you tune in late to the game only to see the starting pitcher tossed on a BS call and then his replacement giving up 2 more runs....
In a Leonard Nimoy voice: The season of hell..... goes on.
In a Leonard Nimoy voice: The season of hell..... goes on.
Watch as the Blue Jays completely and utterly give up.
Oh, wait. Down 10 - 3 in the third.
This is painful.
Oh, wait. Down 10 - 3 in the third.
This is painful.
An article from ESPN's Page 2 (no date) I found on everybody's favouite umpire:
"What was that umpire thinking?"
I will put forth a bet. If Vasquez hits someone in the Jays lineup (a big if, granted) he will not get tossed. I'm just saying that's what would happen.
"What was that umpire thinking?"
I will put forth a bet. If Vasquez hits someone in the Jays lineup (a big if, granted) he will not get tossed. I'm just saying that's what would happen.
Well thank goodness that's over. I wonder if there's any chance at all that this incident fires the team up and they make a ballgame out of it.
You're right, Tosca wasn't tossed. I believe he would have to be tossed if a warning was given to the teams but because of Guccione's over-reaction, that doesn't apply here.
Even Jerry's getting in on the shots now -- letting the radio audience know that no one can tell what a strike is this evening. I wish Wilner were in the booth right about now, he'd be all over Guccione (I bet some producer at the FAN's studios is getting an ear-full about this right now ;-)
Even Jerry's getting in on the shots now -- letting the radio audience know that no one can tell what a strike is this evening. I wish Wilner were in the booth right about now, he'd be all over Guccione (I bet some producer at the FAN's studios is getting an ear-full about this right now ;-)
An article from ESPN's Page 2 (no date) I found on everybody's favouite umpire:
"What was that umpire thinking?"
F. "I am the king of all baseball, bow before me indentured servants and devoted concubines. Prepare to witness the god of the diamond at work."
"What was that umpire thinking?"
F. "I am the king of all baseball, bow before me indentured servants and devoted concubines. Prepare to witness the god of the diamond at work."
I bet some producer at the FAN's studios is getting an ear-full about this right now
Poor, poor Rob Pizzo.
Poor, poor Rob Pizzo.
I take it eveyone turned this game off?
I did. I can only take so many calls going for the Yankees; 3 in one inning is just rediculous.
1. Williams gets the neighbourhood call on the Rios to Gomez relay.
2. Douglass gets tossed for absolutely NO reason.
3. Delgado's foot clearly did not leave the bag until after the ball had been caught. Numerous angles on TV showed that.
Whoever said bad calls even out by the end of the year must be a fan of the pinstripes. The last two series with the Jays-Yankees have just been disgraceful as far as umpiring goes.
I did. I can only take so many calls going for the Yankees; 3 in one inning is just rediculous.
1. Williams gets the neighbourhood call on the Rios to Gomez relay.
2. Douglass gets tossed for absolutely NO reason.
3. Delgado's foot clearly did not leave the bag until after the ball had been caught. Numerous angles on TV showed that.
Whoever said bad calls even out by the end of the year must be a fan of the pinstripes. The last two series with the Jays-Yankees have just been disgraceful as far as umpiring goes.
Wilner said it last series:
There is a different set of rules for the Yankees.
There is a different set of rules for the Yankees.
The Yankees do NOT cheat to win, the umpires do it for them!!!!!
Wow! Jamie Campbell just reported that Larry Walker cleared waivers and was dealt to the Cardinals.
That's it! Tomorrow Gabe Gross and the Jays feast on Yankee blood!
Well that does it for me. Im off to enjoy the night. Try to enjoy the game folks. I offer myself as a sacrifice if the Jays come back to win, you may all point and laugh at me and boo me till your throats... uh... fingers are sore.
here's to better days tommorow.
PS. Good lucky out there Phelpsy. I always thought you were alright. If not hitting wise.
here's to better days tommorow.
PS. Good lucky out there Phelpsy. I always thought you were alright. If not hitting wise.
Jobu, are you sure you have "the Hammer" aligned correctly?
Jerry really hates the umpire's handling of this game. He said this is one of the worst night of strike zone calling he's seen.
Not an exact quote, obviously.
Not an exact quote, obviously.
What do you know... Nitkowski hits Hinske, yet remains in the game. I'm shocked.
Someone called it. Hinske hit by pitch, Yankees dont even get a warning. Wonderful. It's the right call, but it sure tastes bad after what happened to Douglass.
I sorta called it...
I will put forth a bet. If Vasquez hits someone in the Jays lineup (a big if, granted) he will not get tossed. I'm just saying that's what would happen.
It wasn't Javy, it was C.J. My initial reaction (oh, what a bad pun) was the same as Loveshack's: "It's the right call, but it sure tastes bad..."
I will put forth a bet. If Vasquez hits someone in the Jays lineup (a big if, granted) he will not get tossed. I'm just saying that's what would happen.
It wasn't Javy, it was C.J. My initial reaction (oh, what a bad pun) was the same as Loveshack's: "It's the right call, but it sure tastes bad..."
Well, time to hear what Wilner thinks of this sucky game.
Check minor league update thread for exciting news on 2 young pitching prospects.
I dont know who these ESPN radio guys are on the fan right now, but they are really pissing me off. They're falling all over themselves to hype matsui's big game and make comments like "GOD-ZILLA!!!" play the sounds clips constantly, and convieniently forget to mention the Jays starter was tossed in the 2nd inning on a total BS call forcing the Jays to use up their pen.