He is human afterall.

Over 26 games, Joba Chamberlain's career had been pretty much perfect, but yesterday he gave  up the winning run in the ninth inning in the White Sox's 7-6 victory. Pushing up his ERA to 1.12 for the year.

“He’ll be fine. He’ll bounce back. He’s given up a run before in his life,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of Joba.

The loss will do him good, the pressure to continue the near perfect streak is now over and Joba can get on with being one of the most dominating set up men (and eventually starters) in the league. The loss will take some pressure off and make him reflect on his role. It will mature him pretty fast.

Posted by Steve in New York

Yankees Analysis (MLB)

Friday, April 25, 2008 4:39:07 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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The Mets were is a batting slump and lost three games in a row. Mets fans (including myself) had visions of September 2007 in our head. But there are two reasons why that is not the case.

First the stopper known as Johan Santana. Seven solid innings (2 ER, 4K and only 1 BB) and even a pair of doubles at the plate. The second reason is 8th inning setup work by Duaner Sánchez, back to his old form after missing a year and a half.

In 2007 there was no stopper, someone you can give the ball to and expect a W. In the last week of the season, the Mets asked that of Tom Glavine twice and twice he got shelled. In addition there was nobody to go 7+ innings to give the bullpen a rest. Santana has pitched into the 7th inning in all of his starts (and into the 8th in one) to record 34.2 innings in 5 starts.

The second reason this is not 2007 is Duaner Sánchez. His presence with his 4 pitches in the bullpen makes him the perfect 8th inning set-up man, a role Aaron Heilman was not comfortable in, nor were Mets fans comfortable with him in.

The bullpen was one of the main reasons why the collapse occurred last year. Willie will have more depth and options in his bullpen as well as a stopper of small streaks who comes in and sets the tone the way Santana set it last night. While the Mets still have to do a lot of things right to win the NL East, but at least they won't just give it away like last year.

Posted By Steve in New York

Mets Analysis (MLB)

Thursday, April 24, 2008 8:38:35 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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I had the pleasure of meeting Baseball Hall of Famer and 1986 Mets World Champion catcher Gary Carter in Midtown Manhattan last week.  He was autographing his new book, "Still a Kid at Heart: My Life in Baseball and Beyond".
                             

Speaking of kids, I asked him to autograph a copy of the book for my 12 year nephew Elijah.  Elijah is playing Little League baseball, soccer, and other sports thank God.

Gary mentioned that many school districts across the country are cutting physical education programs.  I knew this and we discussed the alarming rate of childhood obesity.  I mentioned that I was watching a 220 pound 12 year old boy who was on the "20/20" program a few years ago.  It is scary because of the future health ramifications.
       
It was great that Gary continues to inspire and hope that school districts get with the program.  We should all be "kids at heart". 

Posted by an inspired Tank reporting live from Midtown Manhattan.

Editorial | Halls of Fame | Live! | MLB

Wednesday, April 23, 2008 1:12:26 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Here is a news flash, a Steinbrenner is making rash public statements that contradict the GM, Manager, and the situation on the field. Then the next day that same Steinbrenner comes out and tones down his statements but is still pretty confrontational. Yankees of 1978?

The names have changed, but this is the Yankees of 2008. Hank Steinbrenner went on a rant in the media yesterday about the role of Joba Chamberlain, the Yankees 22 year old bullpen ace (30 career IP, 2 earned runs, 100 mph fastball.) "I want him as a starter and so does everyone else, including him, and that is what we are working toward and we need him there now," Hank Steinbrenner told The New York Times yesterday. "There is no question about it, you don't have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a set-up guy. You just don't do that. You have to be an idiot to do that."

GM Brian Cashman disagrees. "Joba's staying in the bullpen right now." Cashman told Newsday yesterday. He also said that Hank already knows this and was confused by his statements to the NYT.

Steinbrenner is already second guessing the pitching situation since he lost the battle to get Johan Santana to Cashman. While Kennedy and Hughes struggle early on, it would be foolish to push Chamberlain into a starting role.

While Hank was vocal all winter, this is the first time we are seeing his true stripes, and they are the same color as his dad's. This is not good news for Yankee's fans, but this is Yankee baseball.

Posted by Steve in New York

Yankees Analysis (MLB)

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 7:51:16 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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MLB has conspired against the Yankees again.  They suspending Kyle Farnsworth for three games for throwing behind and high to Manny Ramirez on Thursday night. 

Why is this wrong?
(1) A-Rod was hit by a pitch on Wednesday.  Was anyone on the Red Sox was suspended or thrown out of the game?  NO.

(2) Was Farnsworth thrown out of the game?  NO.  Therefore, MLB is overruling its own umpires.
     
(3) Manny has killed the Yankees over the years, especially this season.  No Yankee, especially Mussina, has had the guts to thrown inside to, much less hit Manny.  Granted, Farnsworth misexecuted but at least was trying.  You have to give him credit for trying to stop the beaning of Yankees.

Manny understood why he was thrown at in the post-game interview.  Therefore, why the suspension? 

Bottom Line: MLB continues its anti-Yankee conspiracy.  No Red Sox or other team has been suspended for beaning Jeter, A-Rod, and other Yankees over the years.  This is on top of Senator Mitchell's conflict of interest.
           
Yankees Early Outlook:

Bad: Mussina is nowhere near a #2 starter but had to because of Pettitte's back injury.  He hasn't been an ace since Bay Ridge Bob, Howard, Ronjon, and myself saw him pitch a perfect 8.2 innings at Fenway Park on Sunday, September 2, 2001.  Mussina needs to be reassigned as a #4 or #5 starter, made into a long man, or traded.  (I don't think he will be traded because no one will want to take the contract.)  Granted, he'll complain but the Yankees are his last best chance at a ring so he has to play ball because he's doesn't have it anymore.

Good: 
Joba, Hughes, and there some young guys in the minor leagues are great.  I am so-so on Kennedy because he is a location guy like Mussina, though younger.  We need power pitchers.  The only exception is if we get a proven knuckle baller like Boston's Tim Wakefield to throw batters off in between starts.

The Yankees won more games in April 2008 so far, 10-10, than all of April 2007, 9-14.  The Yankees should have at least two more ones (one against the Red Sox as Pettitte should have been pitching those games rather than Mussina).  The Yankees should have one more each against the Royals and Orioles.  Anyway, not bad but the rotation needs to be Wang, Pettitte, Hughes, Mussina, Kennedy.  That adjustment will hopefully start to be made with Monday's off-day.  Pettitte is going to be inserted between Hughes and Kennedy to stop overworking the bullpen according to ESPN 1050 last night.  Well, it's a start.    

Future:
It will be a challenge to contend this year but we have enough hitting and better pitching than last year.  Moreover, I am excited about next year and beyond because we'll be able to get some key free agents, compensate the kids, and save luxury tax money as $53+ million will be coming off the books (Mussina's $11 million, Farnsworth's $10 million, Pavano's $10 million, and Giambi's $20+ million).

Posted by The Tank in NY.

MLB | Yankees Analysis (MLB)

Monday, April 21, 2008 12:44:31 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Memo to Knicks management: bring Mark Jackson home. After ending our pain and suffering by finally firing Isiah Thomas as NY Knicks Head Coach, Knicks management has a chance to win the fans back by bring back Brooklyn born, Bishop Loughlin High School and Saint Johns University educated New York native Mark Jackson.

Jackson was drafted by the NY Knicks at the 1987 NBA Draft. I was there and witnessed the dramatics live when they called his name. There was an excitement in the air, an excitement that Jackson will bring some change. We need this excitement back now.

Jackson went on to be the 1988 Rookie of the Year and have a great career with the Knicks during those years where the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan had a great rivalry with the Knicks, back when basketball in New York was fun to watch.

Mark is a native New Yorker who has played on great teams and knows the pressure of New York and the pressure of the playoffs. Like Willie Randolph he has no coaching experience. Like Willie Randolph he can achieve great success.

Bring him home.

Posted by Steve, waiting for Mark Jackson

NBA

Sunday, April 20, 2008 9:11:44 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Last night the second-place Mets headed into Citizens Park with an 8 game losing streak there. There has been talk that the Phillies are "in the Mets head."

The Mets needed a win to set the tone for the year that this is not 2007. The Phillies and Citizens Park are not in the Mets head.

Citizens Park is a classic hitters park and the Phillies have one of the most devastating lineups in the National League.The Phillies had their ace, Cole Hamels, starting, who had an ERA less than 1.The Mets countered with Johan Santana. Big game, big money pitcher.

This is why Johan Santana is worth the money. Johan was awesome, not intimidated by the boos and the hitters park. Johan over 7 innings allowed only 2 hits (one a homer to Utley), walked none, and stuck out 10. Willie allowed him to pitch the 8th where he allowed 2 hits and Aaron Heilman gave up a three run home run, so the final line on Santana is 7+ innings, 4 hits and 3 ER, 10K and 0 BB. An economical 105 pitches.

Last year the Mets had nobody to come in and set the tone. (Or alternatively stop the bleeding in a losing streak.) Santana set the tone. The Mets are armed and ready to take on the Phillies. They set the tone and took over first place. The Phillies are on notice.

Posted by Steve in New York

Saturday, April 19, 2008 9:30:02 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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