So Who Is the Head of MLB Umpires?

Why it's none other than former Red Sox GM and long term exec, Mike Port! He's been the boss of the umps since August of 2005. I think this explains quite a bit. Oh, and it gets better, he also worked for the Angels.

Hughes is a Mess

Hughes was pretty terrible and un-hugheslike again tonight. He was down 4-1 with runners on second and third when they lifted him with 1 out in the 5th. He doesn't have his command, his velocity, his curve, his change, his 2 seamer or his slider right now. I really don't think the Yanks major league pitching coaches can straighten him out. They need to bring in Nardi or send him down. It's a shame, but he's a mess.

Yanks Sweep!

Chien-Ming Wang had a no-hitter through six and combined with Joba and KRam for a two hit shutout of the Red Sox. Cano had two homers off of Schilling and that was really all the Yanks needed, though, Jeter was also 4-4, and Abreu and Matsui had big RBI's in the 8th, for a 5-0 win. Oddly, Joba Chamberlain was kept in to pitch the ninth after working a scoreless but non-dominant 8th. After retiring Ortiz on one pitch, Joba was thrown out of the game for throwing two pitches over the the head of Kevin Youkilis. Let's hope he doesn't get suspended. Go Yanks!

Yanks Win Again!

ARod's homer proved to be the difference tonight in a 4-3 Yankee win. The Yanks have moved into a virtual tie for the wild card with this win and Seattle's loss. Clemens had a weird game. He hit Pedroia, which is not very satisfying, and walked 5 or so before finally giving up a homer to Ortiz in the 6th which was the first hit he allowed! The Yanks got 13 hits but only 1 walk and 4 runs off of Beckett tonight, and that was just absurd. They didn't grind for large chunks of the game. Farnz came and and he and Po are still not on the same page: they gave up a two run shot that made it 4-3. Fortunately, Mo is out of his slump, and got a 4 out save. Final game is tomorrow and let's win that one. Go Yanks!

Kennedy Getting the Call!

Ian Kennedy will take Mike Mussina's place in the Yankee Rotation starting Saturday. He has not been added to the 40 yet, but I'd look for Brower to go. Kennedy may be bumping up against his innings limit, so that will have to be watched. He is not the power pitcher that Hughes and Joba are, but he's got 4 really good pitches and plus control of his fastball. Let's hope he's not tapped and can keep the spot down the stretch. Go Ian! Go Yanks!

Yanks Win!

Johnny Damon hit a tie breaking 2 run homer in the 7th and Joba and Mo made it stand up. Andy gave us another quality start and got the win. Sadly, ARod was hit by a pitch in the first and so far, no action has been taken to remedy that. Another reason I won't be sad when we get a new manager. Go Yanks!

This Moose is Cooked

Mike Mussina had his 3rd catastrophic start in a row and once again gave his team no chance of winning. This was probably his last start for quite some time - perhaps ever, so rather than blast him for letting us fall further from the pennant and the post season, I'd like to thank him for all the great work he's done as a Yankee. He should have won a ring by now, and I sincerely hope his teammates can find a way to get him one this year.

On The Char...

Okay, here are some tips if you ever get to Fatburger: always ask for your burger "on the char" - that means they'll make it on the charcoal grill and not on the hot sheet of metal; also never, ever ask for the relish - it sucks. But that's it, other than that, Fatburger shares with All-American Burger the designation of best non-drive through fast food nonetheless chain in LA. Oh, and I hear they're spreading, so get there, get char and no relish! Chow!

Yanks Lose Again

Hideki Matsui played a fly ball by the Tigers 1st hitter into an inside the park homer today, and the Yanks lost by 1. Another terrible loss. There is no way on earth, that Damon should be DHing while Matsui plays left. It cost us a game today.

Hughes is Struggling

Phil Hughes has not pitched like Phil Hughes since returning from his leg injuries. His fastball velocity and command aren't where they were last year and he has no feel for his curve and change. He has given up 5 runs through 3 today, on 2 run jacks and 1 inside the park home run, which Matsui should've caught and Damon or Melky would have caught. If we had any alternatives, I'd hope that Phil could go get recallibrated down at AAA, but it seems like he will have to figure it out in the bigs. Let's hope that Gator and Kerrigan can help him. I've been really umipressed with how they've handled the kid starters so far.

The Crap the Yanks Put Up With

All balls, all called strikes. This got Po thrown out and this kind of umpiring is why the Yankees lost.

Overmanaged Early and Losers Very Late

The Yanks were set up in the first inning of tonight's game, but foolishly tried a double steal which left them unable to score in the first. That would comeback to haunt them as they lost in extra innings. Sean Henn gave up the runs. Send him down, bring up Britton. Handedness is overrated. Better start going now Yanks, or your gonna miss the playoffs.

DFA'd?

In another sign that Cashmoney Green is not gonna tolerate crappy veterans anymore, Ron Villone has apparently been DFA'd to make room for the the return of Brian "The Bully" Bruney. Here's hoping Bruney is back to throwing strikes after his sojourn in Scranton. Keep playing hardball, Cash! Go Yanks!

UPDATE: Eh, Villone was just DL'd not DFA'd. Unless they moved him the to 60 day DL this doesn't create space on the 40 and I don't think he can be DFA'd from the DL. Weak.

Yanks Right the Ship

Pettitte held the small ballin' Angels to 1 run over 7 innings, Joba surrounded a hit with 3K's in the 8th and Mo came in and gave up a run in the 9th, during the Yanks 8-2 win over the Angels tonight. They finally hit some liners that landed. BTW, there is nothing like watching Mike Scioscia, the biggest jackass in baseball (yes, he tops Schilling) lose, and of course nothing like seeing Joba pitch. I know Edwar had a rough night last night, but between Edwar and Joba they have faced Vlad 3 times and K'd Vlad 3 times. That's outstanding. The Yanks have an offday on Thursday and the hope here is that Villone won't be on the roster Friday. They'll have a spot on the 40 if they DFA him, and that spot could be filled by Stephen White or Scott Patterson if they're still lacking enthusiasm for Britton and Bruney. Get some rest, then GO YANKS!

Some Cool Books Are Back!

After too much time, Vintage Crime/Black Lizard are re-releasing Ross MacDonald's Lew Archer books. Archer was the heir to Philip Marlowe's cool guy private eye mantle, and it's great to see these books coming back. They're great for travelling or kicking back, check `em out!

Yanks Lose By Playing Angel Baseball

The Yanks lost again in Anaheim. And they lost largely because they spent most of the game playing Angel baseball instead of Yankee baseball. The Yanks aren't built for a l0t of small balling (other than the stuff you will normal see as the result of having people on base all of the time). Yet, tonight, the Yanks kept "starting the runners" with less than two outs and playing for one run instead of a rally. ARod's homer shook them out of it to some extent, and some of the other guys, notably Po, started grinding but this was an hideous game that was lost cause the Yanks wouldn't grind. Hughes was so-so again, and we have to wonder whether this is just a lost year for the kid. Let's hope not, we need what he can do. GRIND TOMORROW, YANKS!

EdwarMania, Too?

Man, as great as it's been adding Joba, Edwar's also gonna really help. After Joba went through the heart of the Tiger order like a hot knife through butter in the 7th, Edwar K'd the side in the 8th, then got three easy pop-outs in the 9th. That's relief! And what a joy to watch kids come up and get it done against an "elite" team like the Tigers. Wang struggled again today, but still managed a quality start. Things didn't start breaking right for the Yanks until late in the game when Wilson Betemit tacked on 4 big runs in his last 2 ab's. Johnny Damon also had a good day at the dish and it's nice to see him contributing like he can. Gotta beat the Angels. Go Yanks!

Mo's Back!

But the scary thing for other teams is that Farns may be back, too. He pitched a very impressive 7 today giving up a fly ball, then K'ing Sheffield and Ordonez on swinging strikes. That was dominance. Abreu had a game changing homer, and the Yanks ended up winning comfortably. They can win the series tomorrow. Go Yanks!!!!!!

The Buck Stopped Here

Andy Pettitte came through with 8 innings of one run ball, thereby picking up Mo and every one of his teammates. That was hip. Joba pitched the 10th and actually gave up a hit to Ordonez, before getting Guillen to pop up and K'ing IROID on a 90mph slider. Giambi hit two bombs and Andy Phillips had three hits and the Yanks won easily. GO YANKS!

Moose Doesn't Give the Yanks a Chance

Mike Mussina gave up a grand slam in the first inning of the game tonight and the Yanks never caught up. Moose typically lost it after Alex Rodriguez made an error on a ball that might have started an inning ending double play. Moose, who has become utterly unresourceful this year, immediately walked the bases loaded then gave up a granny cause that great brain of his went into deep freeze. A pathetic start by the seasoned and perhaps cooked vet. That's three losses in a row. We haven't gotten a good start since last weekend. Go Yanks.

EDIT: On the post game, Moose took full responsibility for his terrible game and costing his teammates. I can't call that gutless.

Can We DFA This Guy Yet?

If Ron Villone comes in with men on, he makes sure they score. If he comes in to start an inning, he still finds away for the other team to score. Britton's a better option for the Yankee pen. Can we DFA Villone tonight?

Mo Won't Win Today Either

Mo was Brower-like today and gave up 3 runs on two doubles and a homer in the top of the tenth to waste the Yanks game tying rally in the bottom of the 9th. Mo seems to go through this every August. Since it was a tied game at home, I would have gone with Joba for two, and not because of anything I thought about the immortal Mo, it's just that we had last licks and I would have saved my closer for a closing situation at home. On the road, I would use Mo in a tie cause it's do or die. Shelley Duncan had a big game with a 3 run game tying HR and an OF assist. And Edwar Ramirez was excelllent in his 2.1 scoreless innings of relief. Sean Henn was also pretty good in relief of Phil Hughes, who did not pitch like Phil Hughes in this series. The Yanks better wake up, cause the Tigers are coming tomorrow. Go Yanks.

Hughes Won't Win His First at the Stadium

Phil left after 5 having given up 3 runs (2 earned). He hasn't been dominant at the Stadium yet, but he will be. Phil wasn't hitting his spots today and the ump was squeezing him like he was Charmin. He'll be dominant at home soon, and the more pitches he throws the sooner his plus/plus fastball will be back. Go Yanks!

Peca Final?

We're all hearing Peca is a Ranger. If he's healthy the Rangers probably have the best 1-3 C's in the league. But when was he last healthy? Also, does this take opportunities away from the kids? I guess we'll have to see what else they do. There has been persistent talk about a Phoenix deal all summer, I guess we'll have to see about that.

Yanks Lose Before They Even Take the Field

No one may ever know why Brian Cashman kept Jeff Karstens in the majors while he showed no control of his fastball. Nor may anyone ever figure out what the hell Jim Brower was doing on the Yankee roster during a pennant race. What's more, Ron Villone gives up inherited runners like he gets bonused for it. Let's hope some changes are made. There is no excuse for getting blown out at home by the Orioles when there were better pitching options down in Scranton. We're not winning anything with the bullpen the way it is tonight.

UPDATE: Karstens and Brower are gone, Ramirez and Henn are up. I don't know what Britton has done to keep himself in the minors.

Rest in Peace, Scooter

It's a sad day in Yankeeland the Hall of Fame shortstop and longtime announcer of the Yankees is gone. One of the funniest and most delightful people who ever lived. One of the funniest things I ever saw him do during a Yankee game went like this:

Scooter: Hey, White, you know who we never say hi to?

White: No, who?

Scooter: All the guys in jail! So hello to all the guys in jail. Lotta Yankee fans in there!

Rizzuto was absolutely guileless, and I'm sure he had no interest in why the guys were in jail. He just thought they should be acknowledged. Funny guy, God Rest His Soul.

Happy Birthday, Hitch!

Today was Alfred Hitchcock's birthday. He's one of my five favorite directors and I believe my five favorite Hitchock flicks are: The Thirty-Nine Steps, Notorious, Shadow of a Doubt, Rear Window, and North by Northwest. But I have more than five favorites. I also love The Lady Vanishes, Foreign Correspondent, Strangers on a Train, To Catch a Thief and Psycho. And I guess I'll never forget: The Man Who Knew Too Much, Spellbound, Dial M for Murder, Rope and Vertigo. I'll just never forget his work. And you shouldn't either next time you feel like watching something cool.

Yanks Win!

Big comeback win for the Yanks tonight. Wang is still off and they got behind early after he gave up 3 runs in the first. The Yanks pulled ahead on two two run shots by Abreu and Betemit. Wang left up 6-4 in the 7th only to have Villone give up a run on a coupled of wild pitchs. Joba came in in the 8th and bracketed two K's around a groundout to ARod. Mo, who threw 30 pitches yesterday gave up a run in the ninth on a bloop rally. In the bottom of the ninth, they hit Melky who went to third on Giambi's pinch hit single, and then one it in walk off fashion off of the Captain's infield hit. I can're remember the last time this team was so together. Go Yanks!

SWEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yanks just completed a sweep of the tribe! Andy was great, but Viz and Mo were shaky, until Mo came to life in the 9th after giving up 3 hits and a run with no outs. He got two K's then a fly ball with runners on second and third. Wow!!!!! Giambi and Melky homered, and all of our runs were scored with 2 out. Yanks win 5-3! Go Yanks!!!!!!!!!!

Arod Hammers Tribe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ARod hit a pair of 2 run jacks and Giambi came off the bench to add one of his own as the Yanks clobbered Cleveland again behind great pitching from Mike Mussina. Get the sweep tomorrow, Yanks!!!!!!!!!!

Yanks Grab a Share of the Wild Card!

With Seattle losing and the Yanks doing their thing, the Yanks have a share of the Wild Card. Who woulda thunk it in April? Actually I have a list of people. Way to keep the faith Yankee fans! Go Yanks!

Homegrown Pitching Too Much for Tribe

Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Mo Rivera were more or less unhittable and way too much of the Indians to handle tonight. Phil was cruising till he ill-advisedly through a first pitch dead red fastball to Barfield who should never see another strike till he gets his OBP over .300. But these are things Phil will learn from. The ump sucked and Phil walked one and lost some strikeouts as a result, but he finished with 6 over 6ip. Joba struck out 4 over 2ip. Mo k'd 1 while he was putting the baby to bed. ARod hit #501 and the O was pretty efficient around a bunch of GIDP's. Go Yanks!

The Coolest Show on TV

Mad Men on AMC is the deal. It's a really cool drama set very close to the reality that was the New York Ad Game in the 1960's. The attention to detail is terrific and the characters are distinctly drawn - hence the setting doesn't become the star of the show. It's full of interesting characters, manners and cocktails. The tensions between three generations, all still rather young, but defined by WWII, Korea and no war, respectively, is rich and they are getting the most out of it. It will remind us to a degree of where we've come from and just how far. Check it out.

Yanks Lose

Wang and Jeter were absolutely awful tonight as the Yanks got blown out on Toronto. On the bright side, Cano hit two homers and Matsui chipped in one, all off Doc. But it was not enough. Tomorrow is an off day, then it's off to Cleveland and let's win there! Go Yanks!

Two of a Kind?

The seeming clones called Clemens and Chamberlain were great tonight. Roger allowed two hits before being ejected in the top of the 7th for hitting Alex Rios right between the numbers in response to an earlier HBP on ARod'a knee. Brower pitched the 7th and scared everyone to death, before Joba came in for a scoreless 8th and 9th. Joba was clearly nervous and walked two guys, but he only allowed weak contact and got through his debut with no runs scoring. Melky had another big game and Cano walked three more times. What a farm (Austin Jackson and Jose Tabat homered in Tampa!)! Go Yanks!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Miggy

Miguel Cairo was DFA'd to make room on the 40 and 25 for Joba Chamberlain. I appreciate his efforts, the teammate he was, and the opposite field triples he hit in his first tour with the Yanks. I hope he lands on his feet, and wish him well.

In other news, the Yanks sent down Brian Bruney to make room for Jason Giambi. This makes no sense to me, as Bruney is superior to Brower and seems to stand a better chance of getting outs than Karstens does these days. I hope Bruney gets straightened out quickly and that he's back for the stretch drive. Go Yanks!

Mo Saves!

Cano had the big hit, but with a 1 run lead in the 9th on the road Mo came in and struck out Rios, Wells and Thomas. Awesome. Melky had three more hits today, the team as a whole didn't seem to bring it's patience across the border and the manager is still doing strange things with the pen. Expect some more roster moves! Go Yanks!

Joba to Join Yanks in Toronto

Please join me in a prayer for Joba's health as he goes to work in a Torre bullpen. The 6'2" 230 lbs Clemens-clone will need all of our support as he tries to help the team down the stretch. We need him in the rotation in the future and we have to really hope this doesn't screw him up or sidetrack him in any way. Go Yanks!

UPDATE: He got the call. He is not; however, on the 40 man roster yet, so someone is gonna have to be DFA'd.

Giambi is Back!

A healthy Jason Giambi will re-join his teammates in Toronto on Monday. It's unclear when he will be activated, but the smart move is to get rid of Cairo, who is now useless due to the presence of Betemit, and keep Shelley Duncan up with the big club. Oh and don't listen to any media dummies tell you the Yanks aren't better with Giambi in the line-up getting on base 40% of the time and hitting homers. They are better off with Giambi. Let's hope they make the right move. In coming days they could add Joba and, perhaps KRam, too. Again, we must hope they do what's best for the team and not cater at all to the manager's preferences. Go Yanks!

UPDATE: Mike Myers, has been DFA'd. He did whatever was asked of him and we wish him well in the future. That said, it's the right move and a great start.

SWEEP!

Moose gave the Yanks a quality start, and after some OCD bullpen management, they completed the sweep of the Royals today. Now it's time to take the great approach on the road, and hopefully reign in the OCD bullpen management before it destroys the Yankee's chances. The Yanks are .5 games out of the wildcard and Giambi and Chamberlain moves could be made as soon as tomorrow. Go Yanks!

10 OVER

ARod finally his his 500th homer and he did it in the first inning of a game where the Yankees absolutely destroyed the Royals. Hughes was shaky to poor in his first start back, but no worries. The O is ripping and roaring and it doesn't feel like they're gonna stop. Betemit was a perfect addition to the team and has not only had good ab's but hits. Damon had a tough day and Po did,too to an extent, but everybody else, from the Captain through Melky brought their rakes and went to work. Hughes will get in his groove and the Yanks will get to the post season. GO YANKS!

The Dominican Army Strikes!

With 2 outs and Po on first in the sixth today, Cano doubled, Po to third. Betemit singled, Po and Cano scored. Melky doubled, Betemit scored. Get used to it folks. All three of these kids are on the upswing. Go Yanks!

Phil Done

Phil Hughes looked like his regular self through the first two innings today, then managed to give up 5 runs including a two run homer before being lifted with two outs in the 5th. He left a man on second for Mike Myers. Phil, and this could be a problem all year cause of his long layoff, does not have his full armstrength yet, and may never have his best fastball back till next year. It takes time to build up armstrength and between focusing on the change and sitting out so long, he just doesn't have what he had last year. He threw a ton of fastballs today, and that may be in the hope of building up his arm. Myers just gave up a double, so that means Phil is charged with 6 runs. Terrible outing. He'll get better. Go Yanks.

Yanks Win!

Cano is taking his game to another level. Tonight he hit a homer, singled, had another walk and made a spectacular play or two in the field. His buddy Melky is making a similar step and slugged two doubles, one a ground rule double off the pitcher and into the seats, and a single. Phillips and Shelley Duncan also had premium hits and ab's. Very nice to see for fans of the system. Cairo, and not Andy or Shelley should go when Giambi returns. Wang was outstanding, pitching 7 innings of one run ball. Torre was a little nuts with the bullpen in the 8th. Up 5 he brought in Myers after Wang gave up a lead off double. Myers got a K, and then Torre, for reasons know only to his muddled mind, brings in Vizcaino. Yeah, the Vizcaino who has been our second best reliever lately. This was exacytly the formula for killing Tom Gordon for the playoffs back when he was a Yank. Just ridiculous. At least we get Hughes tomorrow! Go Yanks!

Turning for Home?

Strong rumor that Artest is heading for home, and it could be as soon as Monday. The price I hear is Malik, Nate and Balkman. I find that stupid. Sacramento wants to get rid of Artest, so how do we let them act like he had to be pried away? Why isn't Jefferies or some other crap Isiah has acquired anywhere in this deal? Why are we only seeing a solid guy and two high upside picks going over? What Isiah has done best for the Knicks is pick, and if thise deal goes through, exactly two of his picks will be left on the team. It's absurd. BTW, I'm sure we're gonna hear that there was competition for the Lakers. Well if that is so, let them dump their talented youth and keep Nate and Balk. This seems wildly foolish, particularly given the fact the Artest can get himself suspended at any moment. It seems reactionary to the trade the Celts made and that's no way to run an organization. BTW, I do think Artest makes the Knicks better, but I think we could have made a much better deal.