September 2009

King Of The Hill

Hello top of the American League East (permanently), we haven’t seen each other in a while. Your looking dashing, have you lost some weight? Your Yankee-separation anxiety is finally cured. Yes, with a victory over the red sox (could anything be sweeter than that?) the yankees have clinched their first American League East title since 2006. 3 years has never seemed so long. 


There was certainly a lot to celebrate in the clubhouse this afternoon: Robbie getting his 200th hit of the season, the Yankees getting to 100 wins for the first time since 2004, Mark Teixeira and I own the same pair of goggles…

Both the newbies and veterans joyful, excited, hootin and hollerin, drenched in champagne, drowning others in champagne, not ruining all the expensive technology wrapped in plastic… and the yankees know that they’re right where they should be. 

“It’s a great feeling for all of us, to be busting your tail since the middle of February — coaching staff, training staff, strength staff, players, coaches, front office — to get us where we are right now is a testament to everyone coming together as a group.”-Nick Swisher

“We have 100 wins, and hopefully there’s 11 wins in the postseason we can get. This team is very special, and I like what we have here. I know this celebration is going to end soon. We understand there are bigger and better ones yet to come.”-Johnny Damon


“I can’t say enough about these 25 guys, I’ve never been around a group of guys that have been so close and love each other so much and respect each other so much.”-Alex Rodriguez

“We’ve still got some work to do, but this team is put together well, who knows what can happen? We have a lot of fun on and off the field. It’s a lot of fun when you can go out and play with guys that you really enjoy playing with.” -CC Sabathia


I feel a photo montage coming on…

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and my personal favorite:

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Victory has never tasted so…well, bubbly

Signing off for now

-Inside the Thought Bubble

Quick Update: Save Ian Kennedy A Seat In That Bullpen

These West Coast games are killing me, the one time (the weekend) when I have time to watch the games, and they’re scheduled to deprive a New Yorker of sleep. Unfortunately, that has just left me to read all the ESPN and MLB.COM game recaps, but then one article title grabbed my attention: Kennedy Completes Quick Return to the Bigs.  


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There isn’t a word to describe how this made me feel: maybe excitement + joy + surprise + pride does the trick. I thought perhaps they called him up just to have him be back around the game atmosphere, or maybe be the towel boy…but then the words “long reliever” sounded so much sweeter than I ever thought they could. Thats right fans, Ian Kennedy has made his grand return to the big stage Saturday and can be used as a long reliever. HOOOORAAAHHHHH!!!!! 

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Now, as far as Ian Kennedy fans go, I’m proud to say I’m one of his biggest supporters. Recall this blog I posted almost two months ago. His potential is outstanding, and his persistence and bravery that was rewarded with a trek up to Seattle is something everyone can admire. This call up came after a start at SWB during the Governors Cup championship finals, where he pitched 3 perfect innings, striking out 6 of 9. 

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And Kennedy couldn’t be happier: “It’s just been a blessing to be here. To line something like this up, only God can do.”
Signing off for now
-Inside the Thought Bubble

Lucky 13

The Yankees finished off their last season series against the Baltimore Orioles with a 13-3 victory. In that season series, the Yankees dominated the Orioles with a record of 13-5. And all this was completed on September 13th. Whoever said 13 was unlucky?



CC Sabathia was assigned one task today and one task only: stop the bleeding. The Yankees were in danger of getting swept by the Os, and we wanted this to stop. Right away. While CC wasn’t lights out, struggling a little bit through the first couple of innings, he got the job done. He provided the Yankees length and kept them in the game long enough to have their 8th inning rally. Sabathia became the first 17-game winner in the American League, and hasn’t been charged with a loss since July 28th, 10 starts ago. Since the All Star Break: CC has the most wins in the majors, 5th lowest ERA in the AL, most IP in the AL and 2nd most strikeouts in the AL. As far as I’m concerned, “ACE” is spelled with Two Cs. 

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But lets not forget about the offense. It was looking rather meekly through the first 5 innings, as if the offensive powerhouse that is the Yankees forgot all about what they did best. It especially looked that way in the top of the 4th inning when Johnny Damon forgot how many outs there were and allowed the runner from second to score on a sac fly. Whoops!

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The Yankees looked like they were about to crack it wide open in the bottom of the fourth with bases loaded and one out, but A-Rod struck out on a very questionable call to end the inning. Later on, both Girardi and A-Rod engaged in a heated argument with Marty Foster, resulting in their ejections. 

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As if acting as the Yankees’ cue to get this show on the road, they went on to score 2 in the bottom of the 6th, giving them a 5-3 lead. And then that little spark turned into a full on nuclear explosion in the 8th, with the Yankees scoring 8 runs. In that inning alone, Matsui homered and Melky, Gardner and Teixeira all doubled. 

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At the end of the day, Jeter went 3 for 5, Tex went 2 for 5 with 2 RBIs, Matsui went 3 for 5 with 5 RBIs, Cano went 3 for 5 and Melky went 2 for 5 with 4 RBIs. I’m getting tired of writing RBIs. And I could not be happier to be faced with such a problem. 

Final tidbit of information: This guy called Derek Jeter? You may have heard of him. He breaks one record and just doesn’t stop, he’s like the energizer bunny, only 6 feet taller. During todays game, he scored his 100th run of the season, marking the 12th season in his career having done so. He passed Babe Ruth, who had done it 11 times. Next on the very top of the list, with 13 seasons. Lou Gehrig. As if breaking one of his records wasn’t enough. 

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Oh yeah, and did I mention Boston’s elimination number is 13?

Signing off for now
-Inside the Thought Bubble






No Creative Title Needed: Derek Jeter Goes Down In History As The All Time Yankee Hits Leader

First, I want to apologize for not having written very many blogs recently. Between going back to school and varsity sports every day, I’ve been very busy! But nothing, not even my mounds of homework, can keep me from posting a very special blog today. If I didn’t, well, quite frankly, the guilt would probably eat me alive.


Yes, the Yankees lost on a rainy friday night. Yes, Andy Pettitte had an OK night. Yes, the bullpen was a little  very shaky. Yes, it lasted into the wee hours of the morning. Yes, that might have been a game the Yankee wanted back. But the game was so much more than another loss, another sub par bullpen outing, another rain delay. It was a magical evening. 

As I’m sure we’re all aware, Derek Jeter has been looming around the all time yankee hits record, previously set by Lou Gehrig 73 years ago with 2,271 hits. When Derek was within 3 of tying the record, he slumped into an ominous 0-12. Wednesday evening however, a bunt single turned everything around, where he got 3 hits, tying Gehrig’s record. An off day thursday and the stage was set for a historic moment on a historic day, September 11th. 

Just about every fan toughed out a 1 hour 27 minute rain delay, who would let a few little rain drops ruin their chance to see Yankee history anyways? Speaking of rain delays and yankee history, this game provided me with a little flashback to one of my favorite games ever to watch, David Cones perfect game. Did he let a rain delay ruin his chance at perfection? Hell no. 

Leading off the bottom of the first, Jeter approached the plate. The game truly had a world series atmosphere, with the breath of 46,771 fans hanging on every pitch. Jeter struck out on 5 pitches. Yes, the Yankess go on to score 3 in the bottom of the inning, but thats not really what the fans were looking for. 

Jeter is up again in the bottom of the third. In a 2-0 count, Jeter laces a pitch down the right field line, a classic Jeterian swing. And with that swing Yankee fans know so well, Derek Jeter cruises into first receiving an ovation not fit for words. There was chanting and cheering for about 3 minutes, the fans showing Jeter all the love he deserved. All the teammates in the dugout rushed up to first to congratulate their captain on his monumental accomplishment. 

Jeter had nothing but humble words about his accomplishment: “It’s still hard to believe for me. The way the fans have treated me around the city, at the field … being a Yankee fan, I never dreamt of this. The whole experience has been overwhelming.”

The Players had nothing but unending praise for their shortstop:

Alex Rodriguez: “Forty, 50, 60 years from now, fans are going to read the back of his baseball card and see a lot of hits. That’s pretty amazing, but that won’t capture even 50 percent of it.”

Andy Pettitte:“You knew really early that he was a great player — but not only was he a great player, he took it to another level in big situations and great moments that could be made. He’s just been extremely special to watch, and he’s a wonderful human being.”

But perhaps the boss said it best: ”For those who say today’s game can’t produce legendary players, I have two words: Derek Jeter. Game in and game out, he just produces. As historic and significant as becoming the Yankees’ all-time hit leader is, the accomplishment is all the more impressive because Derek is one of the finest young men playing the game today.”

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2,723 hits and counting

Signing off for now
-Inside the Thought Bubble

Seeing Double

The final Hoo-rah of the summer is sealed with nice weather, history lessons, and a sweep of the day night double header. After a split of the toronto series, all is restored in Yankee universe. Oh yeah, and did I mention a 9-game lead in the AL East? I wish every summer ended this way, it’d be so much easier to go back to school.

 

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Game One: Ace is spelled with two Cs

CC is looking about as unstoppable as James Bond, Iron Man and Jason Bourne all rolled into one. Not losing a decision since July 28th and going 7+ innings in 7 of his last 8 starts, Sabathia just continues to show Yankee fans the reason we went out and got him: he’s a work horse who, every 5th day, gives you a very good chance to win. His start today went a little something like this: 7 IP, 3 H, I ER, 10 K. Both his fastball and slider were looking pretty fierce, the slider down and in being a very effective out pitch to righties.

 

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The offense seemed to save their steam for game 2, but A-Rod had a very nice afternoon for himeself, going 3-3. A-Rod, Posada, Cano and Hinske all had 1 RBI a piece, and the 8-9 punch of hughes and moe secured a 4-1 victory.

 

Game Two: 1 and 1 makes 11

AJ Burnett improved to 11-8, picking up his first victory since June in the night portion of the double header. AJs numbers were strikingly similar to CCs a few hours earlier: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 8 K. Replicating a start like that deserves a round of applause *claps for AJ*. He featured a good fastball and his unique knuckle-curve. Once again, for the second time today, Evan Longoria is the only Ray with an RBI. Ouch.

 

 

 

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Game two was really more about the offense than anything. It seemed every single yankee on the 40-man roster got an at bat this evening, with the likes of Shelly Duncan and Fransico Cervelli playing the field. The result of the offensive free for all? 11 runs on 17 hits. By the 7th inning, I felt like we were playing a rousing game of musical infielders. Every starter got a hit except for Derek Jeter ironically (no, I didn’t forget about Jeter, just keep reading). Overall, the Yankee who had the best night award goes to Mark Teixeira: 3 for 4, 2 HR (one a monument park affair), 4 RBI, Double. Jose Molina also deserves recognition, going 3-3.

 

mark teixeira.jpg But perhaps the biggest headline of all was supposed to be Derek Jeter persuing the all time yankee hit leader Lou Gehrig, being only 3 hits away from tying Gehrig on the list with 2,718. Jeter went 0-4 in his first game and then 0-4 in the second game, the only time Jeter has ever gone hitless in a double header. But lets ponder this for a second, everyone put on your thinking caps: 3 hits to make up in 23 games. I dont think we have anything to worry about.

 

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Signing off for now

-Inside the thought bubble  

 

 

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