Against The Wall

Kenny Rogers pitched his tail off and probably had the game of his life. The Yankee bats didn't do anything to help Randy Johnson, who pitched a pretty decent game. The lack of timely hitting is killing us over these last 2 games.
My friend Dave raised a pretty good point in a comment on an earlier entry and i actually thought of this a few weeks ago. The Yankees are beginning to look like the Yankees of 2004 and 2005. Instead of moving runners and hitting the ball, it looks like they're swinging for the fences, which is never good. I wondered if the team chemistry was at all affected by the return of Sheffield and Matsui, and the removal of Melky Cabrera, Bernie, and the other fill-ins. These last 2 games they haven't looked like the same team.
We had a few miscues tonight that worked against us, but in the end, it wouldn't have mattered I guess, though the flow of the game might have been changed. Who knows? But we can't play the what if game? But we will, for argument's sake. What if we didn't blow the pickoff? What if they called Pudge out at third? What if it didn't rain the other day? We can't think about it. At the end of the day, what happened, happened. And what happened, was nothing. at least from a Yankee standpoint.
The back is against the wall, and we must now rely on (gulp) Jaret Wright. It's not an impossible task. He's been pretty solid lately. We can still pull this off. We've done it before. We can do it again. Heck, if the Yanks can take 5 in a row in Fenway, or drop 4 straight in the ALCS with a 3-0 lead, anything is possible.
I'm tired. Go Yankees!
J

RIP Buck O'Neill

Baseball has lost a great man. Rest in peace Buck. We'll miss you.

Tomorrow Is Another Day

Well, the sweep is out the window. Big deal. I didn't think the Yankees were going to win this series running away with it. As nice as it would have been to wrap it up in 3 games, I didn't see it happening. Most people think that the Yankees were going to win this series in 4. Well, there's the one loss. No biggie. Tomorrow is another day.
I think the letdown today was definitely the lineup. Even the greatest engine might sputter every now and then. It's a minor bump in the road. When a guy can come at you with a 100+ MPH heater and follow it up with a 75 MPH curve, you're not hitting it, even if you're the great Teddy Ballgame. The Tigers pitchers were lighting up the gun today. If they can get those pitches over for strikes, which they were doing two-thirds of the time, you don't stand a chance. Verlander and Zumaya were off the hook. The Tigers deserved that one, and there was nothing that could be done about it. Tomorrow is another day.
I don't see any real reason to show concern at this point. Like I said, if the series was going four games, the Tigers had to win one. Granted I'd feel a little better if that loss came with a 2-0 series lead, but what can you do. We should be use to this by now as Yankee fans. In 2005, we split the 1st two games of the ALDS and eventually lost to the Angels. We also split in 2002 (lost to Angels), 2003 (beat Twins), and 2004 (beat Twins). In 2001, lost the first 2 at home to the A's, and then won the next 3 to take it in 5. We split in 2000. You have to go back to 1999 to find a Yankee sweep in the ALDS, That was against the Rangers. So looking back, 2005 went 5 games. 2004 went 4 games. 2003 went 4 games. 2002 went 4 games. 2001 went 5 games. 2000 went 5 games. If history has taught us anything, the ALDS is never easy. Heck, the playoffs aren't ever easy. Over the last 6 years, the Yankees have failed to make the ALCS twice, both of which were at the hands of the Angels. Did we give up when the A's had us down 2-0 in 1999? No! Did we give up when the Sox had us down 3-2 in 2003? No! Did we give up the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? No! Toga, toga, toga. Focus. Focus. Deep breaths. And we're back. Anyway, losing game 2 to the Tigers isn't a cause for alarm. Don't man the lifeboats just yet. Tomorrow is another day.
The only thing that should be of a concern right now is the status of Randy Johnson's back. We don't need to see 2003 revisited when David Wells only lasted an inning in Game 5 of the World Series because of a bad back. The Big Unit has been pronounced fit to start. We need a big outing from The Unit. Put the team on your back Randy and carry us to the promised land. On second thought, your back probably can't take it, so just pitch a good game. You've got it in you. We know you can do it. We're behind you. And even if you lose, tomorrow is another day.
Let's Go Yankees!
J-Boogie

Raindrops Keep Fallin'

It's going to be a long night.
J

A Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On

That was a great game last night. A little scary at times, but I got the outcome I was expecting.
I thought Wang pitched a great game. I was a little shocked when Torre took him out with 2 down in the 7th. And for good reason as Mike Myers failed to do the one thing he's supposed to do and that's get the LH out. Another first batter HR. I think Ortiz did that to him way back earlier this season. Wang has 20 wins if you count the postseason. Who would have pegged that at the onset of the season? I certainly didn't. The kid has been great all year long. I'm glad Cashman was smart enough to hold onto him, and Cano for that matter.
Ah, the Captain. What a performance! I can't even put into words how awesome he was yesterday, so I'll just leave it at he's un-freakin'-believable.
I loved the lineup Torre put out there, by far the best lineup we've had out there all year. Stacked from top to bottom, and the alternating left/right is nice too. The lefties did very well against lefty killer "Gum Time." I thought A-Rod hit the ball pretty well. It was nice to see the ovation he got from the fans on his 1st AB. I'm expecting big things from this lineup. They're built to roll.
I thought Sheffield did well at first base, though he looked a little awkward. He did have a great stretch in I forget the inning. Maybe he'll look a little more comfortable there over time, but it didn't look natural. Am I the only one that saw that?
Game 2 is coming up in about 2 hours or so. Moose is on the bump and I'll be making my Moose calls as I watch the game. I suggest you do the same. It's always fun to let out a "Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooose." Say it with me at the top of each inning.
The Yankees have pretty much owned Detroit all season and the Tigers are playing like I expected them to all year. I never thought highly of the Tigers. Don't get me wrong, they deserve their spot in the dance, but they look they forgot the steps. I can't see this series going more than 4 games.
I was puttering around the MLBlogosphere this afternoon at work and I couldn't help but be amused by all the anti-Yankee venom being spewed over at the Red Sox Chick's blog. I'm reminded of the Gin Blossoms song "Hey Jealousy." The green monster, or monstah depending on where you're from, is rearing it's ugly head over there. Oh, brilliant idea hitting me. Wait for it. Wait for it. Are you ready? It's a doozie! From this point forward, the RSC will be forever referred to as "the green monster." Do I hear a second? "Second." Motion carried. It's now the law. Is it me, or do many (not all) of the card carrying members of the Red Sox Nation, such as the GM and her lackeys/cronies, lack the ability to think logically and also lack what appears to be simple reasoning skills? If you want a really good read, check this out, you won't be disappointed. Really, if you are a regular reader in the MLBlogosphere, you should give it a look. It's a rather well-done piece and kudos to Michael for not "thundering" any comments. Thunder. Ha. That still makes me laugh.
Consornit, the freakin' wife is yelling at me to take out the trash. Gotta go. Enjoy the game. Let's go Yankees!
Peace, love and Pinstripes.
J

Aw Yeah

The Captain is un-freakin'-believable. I don't even need to expand on that.
The Yanks take the all important game one 8-4. Chien-Ming Wang! The only pitcher this season to have won 20 games. How does that one taste? Yeah, it tastes good.
More tomorrow! Let's go Yankees!
J-Boogie

A Close Call

The wife was watching the game with me. She went to bed when Torre took Wang out of the game (something I don't think he should have done). As soon as she left, Myers gives up the dinger and Proctor gives up back-to-back singles. So like any good husband would do, I made the wife get up and take her place back on the couch. Needless to say Ordonez made the 3rd out. Phew, that was close.
Yanks up 7-4, top 8th and the wild one is in. 3 outs Kyle and we can give it off to Mo. I hope you have it in you.
J

Let's Get It On

Wow. I thought this time would never come. And I don't mean the start of game 1. I spent way too much time getting my car worked on. I went in for an oil change, an inspection, and a rotation. 2 hours later and I got the oil change, 2 new tires, a rotation, and i didn't get the inspection. I was expecting to be in and out in about 45 minutes, but my father-in law forgot to call ahead so they didn't know I was coming. We have the hook up there. My "check engine" light is on so they can't pass the car's inspection. i have to bring the car back later in the week. Anyway....
It's game time baby. First pitch is less than 10 minutes away! The march to 27 is on. Let's get it on! And they say Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Yeah right!
Enjoy the game, and the postseason! Let's go Yankees!
J

Tonight's Da Night

In a little less than 4 hours Yankee postseason baseball will be upon us and the march to #27 begins. Man, I'm excited. I can't wait for work to end so I can get home and plop myself on the couch and watch some pregame. If only I didn't have to get an oil change tonight. It hasn't been 3 months yet, but it's been about 7000 miles since my last one. Yeah, I drive a lot, and I'm lazy. I've been putting it off for weeks.
I have the luxury of listening to the games at work on XM, so I got to hear The Big Hurt stick it to the Twins. I love it. Coming up next is the Padres/Cards. Go Padres.
Is it 8pm yet? D'oh. Time is moving so slowly.
You have to admit the Yankee lineup is awesome. A-Rod is batting 6th. Freaking 6th. And that's probably the best place for him. Yeah, yeah, yeah, we bought the lineup. I said it before. The Yankees and their fans can't win when it comes to the detractors. They win the World Series, they bought the title. They lose and everyone makes cracks about they get paid so much to lose. Blah blah blah. Is that the best you got.
7 minutes have passed since I last checked the time. At least work is almost over. I wish I could jump out the window and slide into my car on the tail of a dinosaur a la Fred Flintstone. Yabba dabba do.
Chien-Ming Wang is on the bump tonight. He has been phenomenal at home. If that sinker is working, watch out. We might just see Wang shut down the Tigers again. It's very important that the Yankees win game 1. Besides not allowing the Tigers to steal the home-field advantage from us, it keeps them reeling. They've been taking their lumps lately. Let's keep them against the ropes and land an early knockout blow like Little Mac would do to Glass Joe in Mike Tyson's Punch Out. Man I'm giddy. It's 4:20. And that's not the reason why I'm giddy. It's the playoffs baby!
If any of you stopped by Mark Feinsand's blog today, you might have seen the contest he was doing. 10 Yankee trivia questions. Be 1 of the first 3 to answer them right and you'd win a copy of the Yankees World Series DVDs. I have to pat myself on the back for being number 1. I can't wait to get those DVDs so I can spin them in my DVD player. If you haven't checked out the contest, I suggest you do so. He hasn't posted the winners yet so there might still be a chance. They were great questions.
It's 4:23 now. Consornit. I think that's old-school swearing from back in day or something. I heard it uttered once on a Simpson's episode. Almost 3.5 hours to first pitch. I just hope these games don't last 4 plus hours. If they do, I won't be too productive. Not that, answering trivia questions and posting blog entries is productive. I probably shouldn't have said I was working. Yikes. Hopefully, they aren't monitoring the Internet today. Even if they are, it's the Yankees man. I have to get my fix.
It's 4:30. Come on Father Time, let's get a move on. I look forward to Damon, Jeter, Abreu, Sheffield, Giambi, A-Rod, Matsui, Posada and Cano rack Mr. Gum Time. It's now 10 minutes to 5. I had to answer some questions for somebody. It didn't really take me 20 minutes to type the Yankee lineup.
10 minutes left in the work day. I have to start "closing up shop." Otherwise, I keep babbling. Go Yankees!
J-Boogie

And Then There Were Eight

With the exception of the delayed Red Sox/Orioles game, the regular season has drawn to a close and we've finally learned who is playing who in the Division Series. Quick note, if you're not following the Sox/O's game, you might want to take note. Sox rookie pitcher, Devern Hansack, in his second professionally outing is working on a no-hitter. He's held the O's hitless through 5 innings. It's an official game, so if it gets called, I imagine it goes into the books as a no-no. The game was scheduled to start at 2:05pm. It's now almost 8pm, and they've just passed the 5 inning point, and it's in a delay. Call it already.
As a Yankee fan, I'm excited to draw the slumping Tigers in the ALDS. No Johan makes me a happy guy. The Tigers choked away the AL Central. I've got to give it to the Twins though. They nutted up and won their 4th division title in 5 years. They definitely deserved it. But the Tigers? Come on fellas. You got swept by the Royals to end your season, and at home no less. You lost your last 5 games of the season, giving up 43 runs in the process. The Tigers are definitely the weakest of all playoff teams right now, and they've drawn the best team in MLB. You have to love this matchup if your a Yankee fan.
They called the game in Boston. So the regular season is now officially over. I suppose the Sox pitcher gets credited with a no-hitter. Good for him. It's a fitting way to end a great season, even if it happened to the Sox. Oh well, they can rejoice in that while they celebrate a 3rd place finish. Ouch.
The Yankee game was fun to watch today. It was pretty neat seeing Bernie in control. The postgame comments made by his fellow teammates in the locker room had be laughing. They were dogging him but it was all in good fun. Early on, it looked like the AL batting race was going to be hotly contested. Jeter and Cano both had early hits, and Mauer whiffed in his first AB, so I was excited to see Jeter possibly pull it off. But as the Captain said after the game, "it wasn't meant to be." Congrats to Joe Mauer. He had a great season.
But now the real fun begins. This is what it all comes down to. October. What a great time of year. I live for this.
Peace, love, and Pinstripes.
J-Boogie
edited to add @ 8:40: I guess the Sox pitcher won't be credited with a no-hitter. Apparently, back in 1991, they instituted a rule that said it has to be a full 9 inning game. So, Hansack doesn't allow any hits, but doesn't get the no-no. Too bad, so sad.