The Royals and Yankees went to extra innings.  Youth was served when rookie Brett Gardner drove in Robinson Cano for the game-winning run in the 13th.  The Yankees won 3-2.  It helped sooth Friday's heartbreaking loss where Mariano gave up the go-ahead run in the ninth in a non-save situation.  He has given up seven of his nine runs in non-save situations.  He nor anyone else can explain it.  The Yankees have to keep winning while Wang, Joba, Hughes, and I rehab our injuries.

As for the Mets, they continue to roll as they beat the Pirates for their fifth straight win. 

Posted by The Tank barely keeping the faith for a Subway Series to close out Yankee and Shea Stadiums in NY.

After a great start following the All Star Break and great trade deadline deals, the Yankees have fallen on tough times.  Joba is out injured on the DL.  Ian Kennedy had attitude issues after melting down on Friday in Anaheim.

The Yankees were swept by the Angels over the weekend.  This is morally devastating because two of the three games were winnable, especially Saturday. 

It is still mathematically possible to catch Tampa as they have a 8.5 game lead but the Yankees will need help.  The Red Sox are still in striking distance with 4.0 games with 6 head-to-head games remaining.  The Yankees have to leap frog the Twins who have a 2.5 game lead.  The Yankees can help their cause in a four game set in Minnesota starting tomorrow night.

Can the Yankees weather the storm until Hughes and Wang return?  I like the offense but the Yankees can't afford any more bullpen meltdowns.  We have to keep the faith in the darkest hours.

Posted by a concerned Tank in NY.

The Mets and Yankees were on a roll going into last weekend.  But, the injury bug hit local teams hard like a plague.

The Mets were first victims as John Maine went on the DL.  Billy Wagner had arm pain on Sunday and then went on the DL today.  Aaron "The Human Rain Delay" Heilman is now the closer.  OMG!

The biggest injury could be Joba Chamberlain who had shoulder soreness during last night's loss at Texas.  He will be examined by Dr. James Andrews.  The Yankees may have lost the battle AND war, God forbid.

Steve and I may have to get stress tests during our next annual physicals with Dr. George.  Ugh!

Posted by The Tank hanging on the thread of his bad shoulder in NY.

The Yankees could have laid down and play dead after the Angels took a 5-0 lead yesterday.  They didn't.  They came back twice and won 14-9.  Nady was awesome with six RBIs.

The Yankees finally had timely hitting, sacrificed runners, and did all the things they used to in the late 1990s.  Is the magic back?  I'm not sure yet but I like the chemistry.  The Yankees have a little less than a third of a season to execute with a retooled team.  Texas is not a great team but the Yankees recently lost two out of three to them.  The Yankees must win at least three out of four.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

Yesterday marked 29 years since the passing of Thurman Munson in a tragic air crash.  It went by in a 
blink of an eye.  (August 2 is also the date of the ascension of the Old Testament Prophet Elijah into 
Heaven thousands of years ago.)  

When I pass from this earth (hopefully not for many years to come), I have asked to be buried in my 
Thurman Munson jersey.

Thunder and lightning passed through the area in the lead up to the game.  Would they be able to get 
the game in?  Why was CBS 880 AM only giving news updates and not going to the ceremony?

A record number, 72, players make it for the farewell.  

Super Twin Gil joins me for the first game in over a year at the Stadium.  The Angels who have won five 
in a row including sweeping the Red Sox and winning the first two at the Stadium.  Can the Yankees 
bounce back?  It did not look good early as the Angels scored two runs in the second.  The Yankees 
fought back with a bloop and a blast to tie it at 2.

Moose get his rhythm and shuts the Angels down in the third.  Molina hit a lead off single.  I go crazy.  
Damon singles him to third.  I suggest putting him on the 4x100 meter Olympic relay team.  Jeter hits into 
a double play.  Molina scores.  Yankees 3 - Angels 2.  As Brooklyn Brant check in, Bobby "El Como Dulce" 
(Just Like Sugar) Abreu hits a solo shot to right center.  Gil asks for silence but 54,000 plus fans and 
yours truly are screaming our lungs out.  Yankees 4 - Angels 2.  A-Rod singles to center.  Giambi 
grounds out to end the third inning.

Molina hits a lead off home run in the fifth.  Yankees 5 - Angels 2.  I call Robert in Tampa but I think he 
is in shock.  Damon grounds out to second.  Jeter flies out to center.  Abreu does the same.

A-Rod hits a solo home run to the netting in left field.  Yankees 6 - Angels 2.

Molina singled to lead off the seventh.  The Jose Molina Fan Club is growing by leaps and bounds.  Damon 
walks.  Jeter singles home Molina and Damon advances to third.  Yankees 7 - Angels 2.  Abreu grounds out
to second to get Jeter but Abreu is safe at force and Damon scores.  Yankees 8 - Angels 2.  The Angels 
go to the pen.

Moose's day is done as Veras comes out for the 8th.  Nice job.

Bruney wraps up with Mariano watching as the Yankees go down in order in the bottom of 8th.  Bruney 
knocks off the rust and does a great job.

Posted by The Tank reporting live from Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.

"Everything Counts In Large Amounts" is a great Depeche Mode lyric.  It unfortunately applied to the Yankees and Mets last night as they lost games they should have won, especially the Yankees.  Mariano let the only run in the ninth and K-Rod came in to preserve the 1-0 victory.  It was a waste of a great performance by Ponson.  Mariano doesn't pitch the same way in non-save situations as he does in save situations.  Most relievers are that way, including the Mets' Billy Wagner.

The Mets lost 7-3 at Houston last night but they need to beat up on the Astros to keep pace with the Phillies. 

"Everything (and Every Game) Counts in Large Amounts."

Posted by a Philosophical Tank in NY.

I wrote yesterday that Manny killed the Yankees over the years.  Kai quoted ESPN that Manny’s stats against the Yankees are .321 BA, .1.029 OPS, 55 HRs, 163 RBIs in 200 games.  I am so grateful that Manny left Boston but someone created a movie poster about it.  Gotta love the Internet.   

 

Mega thanks to Kai for the stats and Editor-in-Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack for the movie poster. 

 

Posted by the Still Partying Tank in NY.

 

Editor-in-Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack informed me a moment ago that the Red Sox traded Manny to La-La Land.  Wait, he already resides there in the theatre of his mind.   

Manny wasn't traded to the Packers as he recently joked below. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seriously, I waited posting until the dust settled.  The Mets dodged a major bullet as Manny was rumored to go to the Marlins.  I am just glad he is no longer with the Red Sox as he almost always kills the Yankees.  Thank God/G-d/Buddha/Allah/Creator of your choice!

Where is Omar before the Trade Deadline?  Was he asleep at the wheel or being held hostage by other teams for F-Mart and other prospects?  If the Mets don't make the post-season this year, I will personally pay for Steve's cab ride to Citifield to swear him in as the Mets new GM.  Of course, I'll blog about it. 

Posted by a partying Tank in Tradeville. 

Editor-in-Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack informed me not long ago that the Yankees acquired Pudge in return for Farnsworth who pitched for the Tigers in 2005.

I think it is a good trade.  The Tigers need a reliever and the Yankees need a hitting catcher.  No offense to Molina who is a great defensive catcher but he is not a good hitter.  This also lets Posada get the time he needs to mend and be ready for Spring Training 2009 and the rest of his contract.  Pudge and Molina can rotate. 

This trade kind of came out of left field, literally from the bullpen and figuratively as neither name was bandied about in trade talks.  Expect the unexpected until tomorrow's 4 p.m. Trade Deadline. 

Posted by The Tank in Tradeville.

Is Manny being Manny again?  OR, is it something deeper?  Manny wants the Red Sox's to pick up his options over the next two years or be traded.  Red Sox brass is not happy with him sitting out Friday's game and had him sent for an MRI which revealed no issues in his knees according to Suzyn Waldman on last night's radio broadcast.  Manny's teammates are also mad at him.  Even Boston fans are fed up with Manny.

I am hope that Omar makes the deal to get Manny out of Boston.  The Mets need a corner outfielder.  Yes, Manny is a defensive liability but a great offensive player.  I don't think the Red Sox will make the deal before Thursday's deadline but will probably wait till the off-season. 

Manny getting out of Boston and into a Met uniform benefits the Mets and Yankees. 

Posted by a hopeful Tank in Tradeville. 

The Mets beat St. Louis 7-2 and the Yankees beat the Red Sox 1-0 on Friday to continue to win.

The Yankees made a roster move and had a trade with the Pirates landing former Mets outfields Xavier Nady and left hander Damaso Marte for four minor leaguers. The Yankees made a steal. While these are not super star players, they may be enough the Yankees need to make some noise.

There is one week to the trade deadline.  What does it mean for the Yankees and Mets?

(1) Though the Yankees acquired Sexson last week, will they make a big deal?  I doubt it as CC Sabbathia and Rich Haren are no longer available.  More importantly, Bruney should be back in the next week or so which should really help the bull pen, touch wood.  Kennedy threw seven innings in AAA last week.  Amazing!  Wang is scheduled to be back in September.  Those returning players are as good as a trade.  Expect the Yankees to stand pat unless they get a deal they can't refuse.  For instance, if the Mariners offer Jerrod Washburn for Kei Igawa, expect the Yankees to try to make it work, even if they have to eat some or most of Igawa's big contract.  Washburn is a good #4 or #5 starter for this and/or next year if Ponson or Rasner run into issues. 

ESPN 1050 AM reports that Hank "Honky Tonk" Steinbrenner is considering acquiring Barry "Steroid Boy" Bonds.  I don't think the Yankees should or will.  First, it will take Bonds a while to get in shape.  Furthermore, it will distract the chemistry which is pretty good.  If the Yankees are going to bring anyone out of retirement, it should be Bernie Williams.  A piper dream perhaps, but I wanted to get it out of my system.

Expect the Yankees to try to get help at catcher since Posada won't be catching for the rest of the season.  Molina is good defensively but as good as an out at the plate. 

As for the Mets, they need a bat, especially at corner outfielder, but Billy Wagner's shoulder may force them to get a reliever.  Will Omar give up F-Mart?  If he has to, he will as his job is now on the line after firing Willie Randolph.

(2) We like to look ahead at SATT.  But, it's always nice to look back.  Editor-in-Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack reminded us that it's been 25 years since the infamous pine tar game.  George Brett had too much pine on his bat.  After Billy Martin appealed, home plate umpire McClellan called Brett out.  Brett ran furiously out of the dugout and wanted to get a piece of McClellan.  Brett was thrown out of the game.

MLB reviewed the game.  They ruled that it had to be continued on another day and the Royals unfortunately won 5-4.  White Fedora Mike remembers Ron Guidry catching a ball in center. 

Brett now laughs whenever he and his kids watch the video.  I watched a TV report a while back when Brett said he would rather be known for the Pine Tar Incident than being a spokesman for Preparation-H.  Time heals all wounds, literally and figuratively. 

Posted by a philosophical Tank in Tradeville and Memory Lane.

Mets closer Billy Wagner hurt his shoulder yesterday as the Mets re-tied the Phillies for first place ahead of their big upcoming series at Shea.  He is scheduled to get an MRI today.

In good news, the Yankees swept the As.  The Yankees gained three games on the Red Sox courtesy of the Angels who exacted some revenge for last season's ALDS loss.

Post by The Tank on an emotional rollercoaster.

The fourth and final All Star Game at the Stadium need its own introduction and cast of characters. 

Cast of Characters:

Steve and The Tank
Kathleen
PermaGuest Outlaw Jack
Andrea and her brother Matt from Indiana (Andrea is a Yankee fan and Matt is a Cubs fan)
Steven: Eight year old Yankee fan there with his father
Patrick: Cubs fan from Chicago with his son
Vendor Steve
Linda via SMS Text
Robert in Tampa via Telephone
Cast of 55,000+ at the Stadium and millions watching on TV around the world

The build-up has been tremendous.  There was to be a swan song for the Baseball Cathedral, Yankee Stadium. 

All the VIPs were there.  There was a great reception for Tim Russert's widow and son after they showed footage from the Yogi Berra Museum.

West Point cadets unfolded the American flag.

From mlb.com via PermaGuest Outlaw Jack "This year's All-Stars were introduced at their fielding positions along with 49 of the 63 living Hall of Famers."  It was one legend after another.  Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, and the list went on and on.




Mr. Steinbrenner presented the baseballs for the first pitch.




"Too many Red Sox!" Steven, an eight year behind us shouts about the current All Stars.  Agreed I reply.

Steve, Kathleen, PermaGuest Outlaw Jack, and myself sit together in the Tier.  Mega thanks to Steve for buying the tickets. 

Andrea and her brother Matt from Evansville, Indiana, sit to my left.  Andrea won the tickets after her drunk boss promised them to her.  Her brother owns her big time.  She is raising her three year old son right as a Yankee fan.   Matt is a Cubs fan and seems like a pretty good guy. 

Andrea and I talk about Donnie Baseball who is from Evansville and gives back to the community.   Too bad about Donnie's wife's drug and alcohol demons ended his career as he couldn't rehab his back properly as he had to go home to take care of their kids.  This will probably cost him a possible chance at Cooperstown.  As I tell my young Godchildren, nephew, and Steven, "Hugs, NOT drugs" are the answer.   Drugs have a negative ripple effect through society of destroying lives and shattering dreams.  For every Josh Hamilton, there are millions like Donnie's wife struggling from the downward spiral of drugs.  Let's hope she gets her life back on track after their divorce.  If that doesn't wake her up, nothing will.

After the ceremonies which took almost an hour, the first few innings were a let down.

The NL takes a 1-0 lead on a solo shot to right.

Ichiro strikes out.  Haren is nasty.  With two on and two out, the Captain comes to the plate in the 5th.  He works a full count.  Jeter grounds out to the athletic Haren.  Darn it!

The Marlins Hanley Ramirez gets on first.  Chase Utley singles him to third.  Berkman's sacrifice fly to center field scores Ramirez.  NL 2 - AL 0.  Pujols singles to center.  Steve and I cheer Chipper Jones' strikeout.  Steve asks for DW to enter the game.  Matt Holliday pops up to end the top of the 6th inning.

Josh Hamilton singles to center.  I agree with Steve and Andrea on the reform of the home run contest.  The two players with the most home runs after the first round goes to the finals.  Crede pops up to second.  Hamilton steals second as Sizemore takes ball one.  A foul ball comes my way but it lands 15 rows in front of me.  Sizemore strikes out.  Milton Bradley flys out to center. 

The real Village People lead the "YMCA" before the top of the seventh.   I didn't think they were still alive.  Jack says they have become like Menudo with new performers replacing the old ones. 



Vendor Steve stops by to say hi.  He coincidentally vends in this section during the regular season.




Morneau hits a stand up double in the bottom of the seventh.  Kinsler sacrifices him to third.  Navarro strikes out.  J.D. Drew hits a two run home run.  Yes, he is a Red Sox but playing for the American League.

Steve diagnoses the Stadium as psychio.  Yes, my name is The Tank and I am bipolar.  In that spirit, I boo Papelbum.  How dare you challenge  for the closer role?  Boo! 

Jack and I lead the "Mariano" chant as Papelbum gives up a leadoff single to Miguel Tejada in the 8th.  Tejada steals second and then goes to third on the wild throw.  Tejada scores on Gonzalez sacrifice fly to left center.  NL 3 - AL 2.  Good job, Papelbum.  "Face it Francona, Mariano is better!" Steven says.  I couldn't say it better.

Quentin flies out.  Guillen was out while I went to the restroom.  Mets closer Billy Wagner gives up a single to Sizemore with two outs.  Longoria gets on.

"DirectTV is the HD ace" is displayed on the blimp.  Sizemore goes to second on defensive indifference.  Longoria doubles in Sizemore.  NL 3 - AL 3 at the end of the 8th.

Corey Hart comes up to "(I Wear) Sunglasses at Night".  I love the song.  I wonder if he gets royalties.

PermaGuest Outlaw Jack was right.  K-Rod gets an appearance out before the greatest closer of all time in, Mariano Rivera.



To lead off the ninth, Ian Kinsler faces Dempster who has a weird disco move that he picked up from the Village People as he rotates his glove.  Kinsler strikes out.  Navarro strikes out.

I may have to root for a Red Sox, J.D. Drew, who is on deck.  This is the ultimate conflict of interest.  JD strikes out looking.  This is why I don't play fantasy baseball.  I have enough stress in my life.

To the tenth we go.

The first guy from the Pirates strikes out while I buy programs.  Gotta love the hustling vendor, one of Vendor Steve's colleagues.

Martin singles to right.  Tejada singles Martin to third.  Uggla hits into a double play to end the top of the tenth with a 3-3 tie.  Whew!  Andrea, Steven, and I go crazy.  Steve is dejected and Kathleen is tired.

Disco Stu gets his due. 

Michael Young hits an easy ball to Uggla who drops it.  Steve is upset at him for hitting into a double play.  Quentin hits it to Uggla who drops it again.  Two errors in as many at bats.  Runners at the corners with no outs in the bottom of the tenth.  Cook is pitching good but no help from his defense.  Guillen is intentionally walked.  Steven disagrees with it but Andrea and I explain the force out at home.  Sizemore comes up but grounds out to first who goes home for the force.

Longoria is on Steven's Dad's fantasy team.  Longoria grounds out to third.  Force again at home.  Two out.  Morneau comes up to Steven's cheer of "Come on Home Run King!"  Morneau grounds out short to first.  So close, darn it. 

Time for All Star Game Match Game as we go to the top of the 11th.

Soria comes out to pitch the 11th.  Gonzalez singles to left.  DW is up.  Steven thinks the Mets are "stinky".  Matt wants DW to take one for the team.  Steven's Dad is afraid it will ruin his perfect face.  DW strikes out.  Guzman pops out.  Corey "Sunglasses at Night" Hart lines out to right to end the top of the 11th. 

Stand up to Cancer.  You know The Tank is and will again this fall in the NYC Marathon for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Ian Kinsler comes up while Cook is still pitching.  Kinsler singles to right center.  Navarro fakes a bunt.  Cook tries to pick off Kinsler.  On the pitch out, Kinsler is nailed at second.  Andrea curses Francona's signs.  Navarro walks.  J.D. Drew is up.  Conflict of interest time.  Drew singles to center.  Young comes up with one out.  The Bleacher Cowbell rings in the distance and I yell the cheer to educate my uneducated Tier brethren.  Young singles to center but is out at the plate.  Darn it.  I almost have a hear attack.

Valentin grounds out.  Darn it!

NL loads the bases.  Uggla strikes out on a 67 mile per hour curveball.  Yeah!  Go Uggla!

"Welcome to Jungle!". I agreed with Andrea that John Mellencamp is better than Guns N Roses.

Adrian Gonzalez faces Sherrill from the Orioles.  Gonzalez strikes out.  I have never so hard for an Oriole since Cal Ripken.

Guillen hits it to deep left. We can't see it.  He hits a stand up double.  Grady Sizemore hits to second. Guillen to third.  Longoria strikes out.  Two out.  Morneau is intentionally walked.  Kinsler grounds out.

To the 13th we go.  DW hits a shattered bat single to center.  Guzman tries to sacrifice DW to second but hits it to Sherrill who gets it the force at second.  Corey "Sunglasses at Night" Hart strikes out.  I noticed the Moon's profound shift as Ludwick approaches the plate.  Ludwick pops out.

"We can finish the game in the new stadium," Patrick the Cubs fan says as we go to the bottom of the 13th.

Highlights from the 2001 World Series are shown on the screen.

Marmol comes up.  Navarro grounds out to Uggla.  Steve has taken Uggla off the 2009 All Star Ballot and deems him worse than Wagner. JD Drew gets on Uggla's third error.

Kathleen threatens to leave at the end of the 13th.

JD Drew steals second as Young strikes out. Guillen

Steve thinks someone has angered the baseball gods.  Andrea thinks it is Mr. Steinbrenner for building a new stadium.  Steve agrees. 

Guillen strikes out.

To the 14th we go.  Kathleen is true to her word and leaves as KISS' classic "Rock and Roll All Night" blares over the Stadium speakers.

Steve proposes a popup contest.

McLouth almost hits a home run to right as Andrea thinks a reserve will win it.  Martin hits one to JD Drew.  Tejada is out.

Get up and Stretch!  It's time for the 14th Inning Stretch.




The remaining Cast of Characters is really bonding for a group photo.




Steven says it's way past his bedtime.  Lucky his Mom has fallen asleep and hasn't summoned him home.  His Dad mentions going home and Steven won't have any of it. 

Andrea still has lots of energy and is ready to dance the night away at 1:27 a.m. in the center right side.



Patrick proposes bringing in the retired Hall of Famers.  Good idea!

Plan Z: Have the New York Philharmonic come in and play. 

Philharmonic Review: I texted Linda with the score and asked her about tonight's New York Philharmonic Concert in Central Park.  She said it was crowded but a good show.  I'll have to compare notes with her to the Brahms performance I attended in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1992.  But, this blog post is long enough already so I'll save it for another time.

Brandon Webb pitches to Carlos Guillen.  Guillen hits a shot to Tejada, the steroid user.  Sizemore is at bat while Steve proposes having breakfast delivered.  I want lox.  Sizemore strikes out.  Longoria comes to the plate as we debate the title of post.  Longoria strikes out.

"Cotton Eye Joey" is up again. 

To the 15th we go.  Kazmir strikes out Uggla.  Gonzalez flies out to left.  Steve wants DW to hit one out to expel Mets demons.  DW walks.  Guzman grounds out to end the top of the 15th.

Steve wants to start a count of "You've gotta be kidding me"!  I don't think any supercomputer can count that high.

The Stadium displays the following soon to be future trivia question.  (The final game time was 4 hours and 50 minutes.)




Morneau singles to center.  Kinsler is way ahead in the swing.  Kinsler flies out to a diving left fielder at 1:30 am.  Navarro singles to center.  JD Drew is up as the "Let's Go Yankees" chant rings out.  How ironic is it?  JD gets on.  Michael Young is up.  Is this it?  Young flies to right field, Morneau tags at third, and is safe at home plate.  OMG!  It's over.  We all hug and high five.  The American League wins home field in the World Series.  My prediction of Yankees winning a Game 7 at the Stadium can still happen, God Willing!

If anyone ever doubts that Steve and The Tank are die hard fans who actually attend games unlike other bloggers/journalists, your evidence is below. 



Mega thanks again to Steve for buying the tickets!  We had several proposed titles for this post from "Billy Wagner screws up again" to E4 (Uggla) to Best Game Ever so I blended the last two. 

Posted by an exhilirated and exhausted Tank reporting live from the Baseball Cathedral, Yankee Stadium, in the Boogie Down Bronx.

The Yankees and the world lost a true gentleman, Bobby Murcer, on Saturday.  Bobby died at 62 after courageous battling brain cancer.

Bobby played for the Yankees from 1965 to 1974 and 1979 to 1983.  He also played for the Giants from 1975 to 1976 and the Cubs from 1977 to 1979.

According to the "New York Post", he was the only Yankee to play with Mickey Mantle and Don Mattingly.  He replaced fellow Oklahoman Mantle in centerfield.  He gave one of the eulogies at Thurman Munson's funeral on August 6, 1979, and then drove in all the RBIs in a 5-4 comeback win that night in the Stadium.

After his playing career ended, he went to the broadcast booth.  He taught us how the game was played.  He was a good guy who played the game and lived life the right way. 

He was diagnosed with brain cancer in late 2006.  He fought the good fight and most importantly did it with grace and class.

Bobby was a great player on some bad teams but never complained because he was even a better person.  R.I.P. Bobby.  You were always #1 (before Billy Martin took your number).  You will be #1 in Our Hearts.

Posted by a grieving Tank in NY.

The Mets took us back on Tuesday night at Shea to a time when Steve and I were Jets fans.  It was a time of innocence before we stabbed in the heart and back by a move to Giants Stadium in New Jersey.  My heart was first broken in the 1980s by the Yankees loss to the Dodgers in the 1981 World Series.  David Stockman leaving the Reagan Administration was another low point in 1982 as I felt deficits would go higher.  I won't go to my father's hospitalization on prom night which also happened to be my parents' wedding anniversary in 1987.

The Jets played at Shea from 1964 to 1983.  Joe Namath, Wesley Walker, and the New York Sack Exchange dominated the headlines and our hearts.

It all came crashing to an end when the Jets moved to Jersey.  You can't fault them from a business perspective.  The Giants offered them a better revenue sharing deal.  I eventually became a Bills fan and Steve swore off the NFL.

Anyway, the Jets returned to Shea one last time to say farewell.  Can I cheer "J-E-T-S!" one last time to let the past go?

Marty Lyons, Greg Buttle, and Wesley Walker threw out the first pitch below. 



More on those guys in a upcoming post.  When I become attached and emotionally involved in something, it's hard to let go even when I got hurt.  Be it girlfriends or sports teams, The Tank is here in the trenches with and for you.

Back to the present.  Steve blogged the Mets 3-1 series victory at the Phillies this past weekend.  It's exactly what the Mets needed.  It helped them close ground on the Phillies to 2.5 games, get above .500, and have a three game winning streak.  If the Mets win at least four out of the next six games before the All Star Break, they will have some momentum going into the second half of the season.

John Pelfrey got out of a bases loaded jam in the first without giving up a run.

Reyes lined out for the first out.  Chavez singled, Wright walked, and Beltran hit one over the right center wall.  The crowd goes crazy.  Mets 3 - Giants 0.  Easley struck out.  Delgado walked on 3-2.  Tatis struck out.  I page Linda and Steve but don't hear back from them.

Reyes singles with two out in the second but is caught stealing. 

Yankees 2 - Rays 0 in the third according to the Shea Scoreboard.

DW hits an infield single in the third.  Beltran singles and DW advances to third.  Easley grounds out into a double play so no runs were scored.

Big Pelf singled to center to open the fifth.  Jose Reyes popped up and the rally ended.

While I went to the restroom, the Mets added another run in the bottom of the sixth to make it 4-0.

Argenis Reyes first hit as he pinch hits for Big Pelf in the bottom of the 7th.  The other Reyes, Jose, bunts his way to first.  DW lines out but Beltran singles Argenis home for his for run scored.  Mets 5 - Giants 0.  Ace Frehey's classic "Back in a New York Groove" blares over the speakers.  Are the Mets back in a winning groove?  Easley singles to center and Jose scores.  Mets 6 - Giants 0.

Schoenweis pitched a shut out eighth.  The crowd goes nuts when the Phillies lose to the Cardinals 2-0.  'Phillies suck" chants echo throughout my section.

How is Boston coming back against Minnesota?

Perma Guest Outlaw Jack checks in with Yankee updates.  Go Andy Go!  Mega thanks Jack!

Tatis hits a blast over the Game Number sign in center.  Mets 7 - Giants 0.  "I've got the power indeed."  Joe Smith comes out for the ninth and gets out the side.  "Put it in the books," to quote Mets broadcaster Howie Rose.  Sam is smiling at his fellow Canadian band BTO "Takin' Care of Business".   The Jets flag flies proudly in the breeze.  I let go.  I am free now. 





Posted by The Tank reporting live from Shea Stadium in Queens.

Each Yankee-Red Sox game takes a life of its own.

Thursday night's game wasn't much of one as the Yankees didn't show up.  Lester pitched a five hitter and the Red Sox won 6-0.

Joe Girardi held a 32 minute closed door meeting after the game.  Joel Sherman asked him about it but Joe wasn't talking about it.  Little need to as the Yankees haven't been playing up to snuff.

The Yankees came out swinging on Friday and took a 3-0 lead.  But, Johnny Damon hurt his shoulder when trying to catch a ball.  The Red Sox went on to win the game 6-4.  Johnny ended up going on the DL for the first time in his career on Sunday.

Saturday was a cardiologist special.  Moose pitched six great shutout innings.  The bullpen did its job and preserved a 2-0 lead into the ninth.  Mariano uncharactericalistically gave up a run and then loaded the bases.  He struck out the final batter before I almost had a coronary as the Yankees held on for a 2-1 victory.

A-Rod had a second inning solo shot against knuckle ball pitcher Tim Wakefield.  Joba pitched six innings.  The game went to extra innings.  Youth will be served.  Gardner hit a single up the middle as Cabrera sprinted in from second for the 5-4 victory in 10 innings against Papelbon. 

Keep the Faith!

Posted by The Tank on the Yankee Rollercoaster.

A-Rod, always full of drama said that he will skip the home run derby at Yankee Stadium before the all star game in two weeks. (Which both Steve and the Tank will attend, along with guests Jack and Kathleen.)

He said that it was because of his swing, he did not want the derby to affect his swing after the break, however, maybe it is due to his rumored romance with Madonna? Just speculating, but sometimes speculation can be fun.

Posted by Steve in New York

The Yankees and Mets played a two stadium doubleheader yesterday.  The Mets won the first game 15-6 at the Stadium during the day.  The Yankees returned the nine run favor and won 9-0 at Shea in the night cap.  Linda's text claimed that she jinxed the Mets.  I asked her if Sidney Ponson really pitching on the mound  Wow!  Best wishes for a speedy recovery from his personal and baseball issues.

I had tickets to both games but, of course, could not make it because of my high school reunion in beautiful Upstate New York (AKA "Appalachia" according to former Governor Spitzer).  It was great catching up with Ronjon, Oak, Bilbo, and the rest of the class.  Two thirds of our class started kindergarten together in 1975 and graduated high school in 1988.  Wow!  You don't see that too often.

Posted by The Tank on the road "Back to the Future" from beautiful Upstate New York returning to the greatest city in the world, New York.

The Yankees won seven in a row coming into Friday's game at the Stadium.  The Cincinnati Reds lost three game losing streak.

The Reds took a one run lead but the Yankees tied in the third.

Damon missed a ball in top of the fifth which was scored a double.  A sacrifice advanced the runner to third.  Griffey hit to right and Abreu's throw was on target but Molina just missed the runner's leg at home.  The Reds scored three runs and took a 4-1 lead.

Giambi flied out to start the fifth.  Cano singled to right.

Abreu grounded out to first.  A-Rod singled to center.  Matsui to right.  Giambino flew out to Death Valley.  A-rod tagged and went to third.  Cano singles to right center.  A-Rod scores.  Cabrera is out.  Reds 4 - Yankees 2. 

Moose was very impressive getting eight innings with 110 pitches.

Betemit almost hit it out to right center.  Darn it!

Traber pitched a nice 9th inning.  Maybe there is hope for setup men after Joba went to the starting rotation.

Abreu grounded out.  A-Rod lined out to second.  Matsui got an 0-2 count, took three balls, and then singled to left.  Yeah!  Will the winning streak be extended to eight games?  No, as Giambino grounded out to end the game.  Double darn!

Posted by a dejected Tank reporting live from Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.

It's hard to find a more painful 24 hours in sports than on Tuesday.  It started with the Mets firing Willie Randolph in the middle of the night, about 3:15 a.m. Eastern Time.  It ended with the Boston Celtics destroyed the LA Lakers 131-92 to win the NBA Finals.  I had predicted a Celtics Championship back on Halloween 2007 as part of the Boston Sports Apocalypse.  I don't like being wrong but wanted to be wrong about the Celtics because the future of the sports world and how the rest of the world may react to it.

What impact does the Boston Sports Apocalypse have on everyone else?  Mr. Met is frowning on the cover of the NY Post and that's even before Linda punches his lights out.  Steve is too depressed to write. The Yankees are dealing with Ching-Ming Wang's injury by signing on-the-wagon-again/off-the- wagon-again Sidney Ponson. 

You don't have to be Reverend Dr. Jack Van Impe to know where this is going.  Food riots.  Climate change.  Extreme heat and humidity.  Much of the Heartland is under water.  The US is about to bomb Iran.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed below 12,500 for the first time since Saint Patrick's Day.


Where Do We Go From Here:

(1) Without sports and personal repentance, we are doomed to more Boston sports championships as well as global pestilence, wars, famines, etc.

(2) If the Mets don't win this year, I will recommend that the Wilpons' fire Omar and hire Steve as the Mets next General Manager.  I know it will be difficult for Steve to be Vice President of the United States AND the Mets GM at the same time but I only need him in Washington for time breaking votes in the Senate.  If past travel patterns are indicative of the future, he'll spend most of his Vice Presidency and Mets General Managership in Pakistan, the Netherlands, or wherever you throw a dart on the map. 

You know what to do.  Pray to God/G-d/Allah/Buddha/etc for forgiveness and root for all Boston opponents.  The fate of the (sports) world lies in your hands and hearts.

Posted by a Repentant Tank at the edge of the Biblical Abyss.

I was depressed after leaving Friday's game at the Stadium.  Darrell Rasner pitched 119 pitches and held the Royals to 2 runs.  Enough to win, right?  Wrong as the Yankees only scored one paltry run.  The Yankees left many men on base.

I traded in my coat Friday evening for an air conditioner on Saturday as there was about 30+ degrees difference in the game time temperatures.  I didn't go to Saturday's game but psyched that the Yankees rallied three times, including erasing four run deficits on two occassions.  Johnny Damon was 6 for 6.  Whoa!

Sunday was another hot but less stressful game.  The Yankees held on for a 6-3 victory.  A-Rod, Giambi, and Abreu hit home runs.

Monday was even hotter.  Mike Mussina, the American League winner in wins, was down 2-0 before the Yankees tied it.  The Yankees lost the game 3-2. 

Where Do We Go From Here:

Sunday was the third time in 63 games that the Yankee starters played together.  It's a small miracle that the Yankees are at .500.  Think about it, Posada was out for six weeks, A-Rod for 17 games, Jeter for 7 games, Bruney out for the season, Hughes is out for a couple of months.   

Pitching seems to be improving and the bats are coming around, touch wood.  Today would have been a perfect opportunity to get two games above .500. 

Robert in Tampa refers to Hank and Hal Steinbrenner as Honky Tonk and Ham-Bone.  It's little wonder why they managed Mr. Steinbrenner's horse and shipping interests instead of baseball.  They had little choice to get into the baseball business after their brother-in-law recently divorced their sister and Mr. Steinbrenner's health started declining. 

Honky Tonk and Ham-Bone will go through growing pains as owners as the Yankees and Joba do this season.  Let's hope we see as few as possible public outbursts and moves that jeopardize the future of the team.

Posted by a philosophical Tank reporting live from Yankees Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.

Pedro Martinez looked good last night, going 6 innings and scattering 7 hits and 3 runs, walking 3 and striking out 3 to earn a win in his first start coming off the DL. This is a short in the arm for the Mets, who are more and more worried about 1/3 of an inning Oliver Perez. Pedro threw 109 pitches and struggled some times but was solid.

Pedro said: “I’m thankful to be back. I hope I can stay a little longer. It was a while back (the last outing), especially with all the distractions I had off the field, which made it even tougher. … I still feel like every time I’m given the ball I have the same responsibility, to set an example.”

Joba Chamberlain, lasted only 2.1 innings and allowed 4 walks, 1 hit and 2 runs (only 1 earned) while throwing 62 pitches. While the first pitch was 101 mph, the entire performance that bad but under whelming. In a sign that he was rushed into this role, Joba threw his mitt at the doughout wall when he was pulled from the game.

Joba said: “It didn’t go very good.I wanted to get my team a lot deeper into the game. Gotta be better, that’s for sure.”

Posted by Steve in Orlando

Tomorrow is a big day in New York pitching starting rotations. Joba Chamberlain, who has not started a single game in the minors in preparation for tuesday, is starting. Is he going to cut it? Will the Yankee's bullpen lose its oomf?

Pedro Martinez makes his return from the DL for the Mets tomorrow. Can he last the remainder of the year without stubbing his toe, hurting himself in his sleep, or falling down the stairs?

New York is waiting. Steve and the Tank's predictions? Both will be under whelming. But both will provide a boost to ailing teams.

 

Posted by Steve in Orlando. (And the talk of the town are "Are the Rays for real?")

On Thursday, the Yankees won their second game in a row and first series since the Mariners in early May.  The Yankees benefitted from great pitching performances from Rasner and Kennedy, respectively, thank God!
                                   
When I watched Joba throw 35 pitches on Wednesday from my seat in the right field bleachers, I knew that the Yankees were preparing him to start in the near future.  I am not crazy about Joba a starter but that's management's decision.  I would be a little less reluctant if Bruney was healthy to take Joba's eighth inning spot.  Farnsworth, Ramirez, Hawkins, Ohlendorf, and others will have to step up.

Once Joba is back aboard as a starter, our pitching staff should be set as follows (touch wood):

Joba, Wang, Pettitte, Rasner, Mussina. 

Let Kennedy, Hughes, and Igawa continue to improve in AAA and the bullpen for this year.  One of them can take Mussina and/or Pettitte's spot(s) next season and the other(s) can be trade bait, spot starters, or bullpen.  (I think Pettitte will come back for one more and call it a career.)
                                                     
Just as important, the Yankees may have found their passion and groove.  New manager Joe Girardi was thrown out of Thursday's game after arguing a call with home plate umpire.  Though the ball just hit Giambi's bat, Girardi got his money's worth and was thrown out of the game.  He even kicked up some dirt and threw his hat.  Great theatre and it ignited the Yankees to victory on Thursday. 

That momentum thankfully continued into Friday.  The Yankees scored double the amount of runs, eight in Friday in the fifth inning of tonight's (Friday's) game as they did in the entire Rays four game series last week.  Granted, the Rays had great starting pitching but the Yankees started to heat up against the Mariners, touch wood.
                   
The Yankees 13 - Mariners 2.
                   
Bottom Line: Have the Yankees turned the corner?  The Yankees are still below .500 but hopefully shifting into gear, touch wood.  Keep the Faith!
         
Posted by a cautiously optimistic Tank reporting live from Yankees Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.             

It's hard to draw too much from a single baseball game.  But, Thursday may have been the tipping point for Willie Randolph and a turning point for Joe Girardi.

The Mets lost their fourth straight at the dreaded Braves.  More importantly, Willie Randolph is on the hot seat after his racial reference remarks.  He apologized to the fans and the Wilpons but they won't return his calls according to ESPN 1050 AM. 

I am not African American so it is difficult to me comment on how Willie's perception of the public.  However, I care most about winning and losing, NOT black and white.  I don't want to win, but need to win.  It consumes me and I am a nervous wreck from April through October. 

I never thought of Willie as an African American but one of my favorite Yankees who happened to be African American.  I am rooting for Willie to pull through this crisis but his issues are bigger than race.  They are the following:

(1) Lack of Leadership: Who is the leader of this team?  Is it David Wright?  Carlos Delgado?  Jose Reyes?  Will someone please assert themselves as the leader of the team.

(2) Lack of Discipline: Even after a team meeting, Billy Wagner continues to spout off on teammates.  Granted, he can back it up with a stellar performance but it puts more pressure on his teammates.  Baseball is a sport where you fail more than you succeed.  Putting more pressure on yourself and others causes more grief and hardship.

(3) Injuries: Moises Alou, Pedro, El Duque, Ryan Church, etc.  Heck, my right hamstring tightens as I write this.

Bottom Line: I unfortunately join Steve on the "Willie Watch".  The Wilpons should give Willie through the end of the season.  Willie has earned the right to right the ship.  Mid-season managerial changes rarely work. 

As always, I am here as a counselor on the Yankee and Met Crisis Hotlines (which is a large part of this blog).  
     
Posted by a nervous Tank on the Willie Watch in NY.

Joba Chamberlain will be joining the Yankees’ starting rotation soon. As part of the transition to get his pitch count up Joba pitched the 8th and 9th inning last night, throwing 35 pitches.

“This is the timetable that we had set,” Girardi said. “It’s going to (take) him a while to (get) where he’s going be - a hundred pitches. But this is what we had planned all along, and we’re sticking to our plan that we talked about over the winter and in spring training.” Sorry Joe, but this has Hank Steinbrenner written all over it. Welcome to the Yankees.

This is actually good news, the Yankees need a jolt to their starting rotation. Joba may have to make a start or two in AAA (that will be fun to watch, after spending this time in the majors he should tear up the minor leagues.).

Posted by Steve on Willie-Fired watch :(

A-Rod's right quad is still not 100% and he will not be off the DL before the weekend series at the Stadium vs the Mets. There has been a buzz about the Subway Series this year (well there is always a buzz) since it is the last year at both stadiums.

I say, who cares? This is like the Sears and K-Mart merger. Both teams are no fun to watch anymore. they seems to give up, even against bad teams. The Mets can't beat the last place Reds and Nationals and the Yankees can't beat the hapless Rays. The Yankees will limp into the series maybe at .500 and the Mets will be no better. I was watching the game last night and at one point it was 3-3 and then the Nationals took the lead 6-3. Last year (pre-September) and definitely in 2006 I would have said "no problem, we'll get those 3 runs back, epically against a 0-3 pitcher." Not this year. The Mets seem to give up when they fall behind. The Yankees are even worse.

I have been saying for weeks now that the Mets and Yanks have to beat up on bad teams. So now they can beat up on each other.

Posted by Steve not excited by the Sears Series.

Former Yankees pitcher David Wells is trying to return to the Yankees according to yesterday's New York Post.  I liked Boomer when I met Boomer in September 2002 in Toronto.  However, I was initially against his return to the Yankees after the way he left the Yankees in 2003.  (I didn't have a digital camera back then so I don't have our photo.)

However, given Kei Igawa's dismal performance last night, it maybe time to reconsider Boomer.  Boomer has a rubber arm and a valuable left hander.  He's never been in the best shape in the world but maybe a short term answer until Hughes gets healthy and Kennedy fixes his issues.  If the Yankees decide to start Joba later this season, he won't be ready until July or August at the earliest.

If I was Brian Cashman, I would do the following:

(1) Sign Boomer to the minimum contract with performance incentives for starts, innings pitched, ERA, etc.
                                                             
(2) Let Igawa start one more game to give him another chance while Boomer gets a minor league start to knock off the rust.
                     
I know this may seem like panic move but I don't think Igawa will work out.  The Yankees invested lots of money in him but it maybe time to let him go back home.  If I am Brian Cashman, I am listening to any offers to bring him back home to Japan which include eating the contract.

Posted by an anxious Tank in NY.

Chien Ming Wang was 6-0 in his first seven starts.  The Indians Cliff Lee is 5-0 going into the game.  Two aces on a beautiful early May evening at the Stadium.  It promises to be a classic.

Wang gave up an early run even before I got to the Stadium.  Indians 1 - Yankees 0.

Lee was brilliant throwing a one hitter through three innings.  Matsui hit an early pop fly single to extend his hitting streak to 17 games.

Peralta scored on Blake single to center to make it 2-0 with two outs in the fourth.  Darn it!

Jeter leads off in the fourth.  The Yankees go down in order.

The Indians get two on in the fifth.  When Francisco tried to bunt on 1-1, Shelley Duncan sprinted down to home plate and almost got the ball as Francisco bunted to foul territory on the third base s