1. In the first Rivalry series of the season, the Yankees and Red Sox will split two games at Fenway Park, with tomorrow's contest being postponed by rain. In order to avoid losing his starting pitcher to an incoming storm tonight, Joe Girardi will start Brian Bruney, then bring in Kyle Farnsworth, Billy Traber, Ross Ohlendorf, Kei Igawa, Wilson Betemit and pitching coach Dave Eiland, before finally using Chien-Ming Wang to get an out in the eighth (at which point it will rain for three hours).
2. At Shea Stadium, the Mets will take two of three from the visiting Brewers. Continuing the Mets' run of good luck, they'll learn tonight that Brewers slugger Prince Fielder will miss the series and be replaced by Eric Bruntlett.
3. The Red Sox, progressing their reconciliation series of ceremonial first pitches, will invite Grady Little, Mike Torrez and Ben Affleck up for the weekend.
4. The Tigers, off to a horrendous start, will drop two of three to the White Sox in Chicago, increasing the tension and prompting Jim Leyland to yearn for the tranquility of his 1998 Marlins.
5. After Thursday's re-distribution of titles within the Yankees' hierarchy, Hank Steinbrenner will successfully lobby to change his title to "pro-Santana co-chairperson" and Hal Steinbrenner's to "Better-be-right-about-not-getting-Santana co-chairperson."
Ned left behind a wife and four daughters, and friends are holding an auction April 28th in New York City to help his family. The auction will feature donations from the Yankees (general manager Brian Cashman inspired Thompson with a letter and autographed ball, shortly before Thompson's death), Mets and former Mets manager Bobby Valentine. For more information, call 212-741-4828.
Comments (11)
Sounds like a fun weekend for Ben Affleck. Since getting married to Jennifer Garner, he doesn't seem to get out much anymore.
What do Yankees fans do if the Red Sox and Mets play each other in the World Series?
and thanks for spreading the word about sports and good causes!
Ken - Considering the status of the Yankee starting rotation and a couple of worthless relievers, plus the possibility that Molina could see significant time at catcher, do you think the team could actually have a losing season despite some very good players in the lineup? Do you also think there is a possibility of Boston turning in a sub-par season? Yes, I know that anything is possible, but what are the odds of either one of these happening?
I'd bet against a losing Yankees season and a subpar Red Sox season, Jim. I think both teams are both loaded with talent and well run. Even though I picked the Yankees to miss the playoffs, I think they could win 90 games.
Ken, I agree with your assessment, i,.e. the talent level, etc. I think it's only natural to think the worst when a couple of key players go down with injuries, but I also think Jeter will be back sooner rather than later and that Posada can contribute by DHing - a benefit of playing in the AL. But, to win 90 games will require Hughes and Kennedy to win more than a handful of games. That's the part the scares me a little bit. Until I see them put together a little winning streak, or at least a string of solid starts, I will be concerned. Hughes throws way too many pitches, as well. Everyone has to know that Cano will start hitting and the offense should be able to get untracked and score lots of runs. I still wouldn't be surprised to see a mid-season pitching pick-up, at a minimum to shore up the middle relief corps. I guess an off-year for Boston would be 90 wins.
Oh, you have cause for concern, Jim. But I do think that more young arms are on the way (Horne's setback notwithstanding), and I'm going to be the last man standing on the Igawa bandwagon. I also think the Yankees will be very much in on the bidding war for Freddy Garcia, despite baileywalk's hatred of him ;)
Non smokers die from lung cancer every day. It is a shame each death requires a disclaimer.
Craig, I thought it was worth mentioning ,given Ned Thompson's work at Ground Zero and the illness that has befallen many people who did such work.
Yes, Ken you will be the last man standing in support of Igawa until the guy actually shows he can pitch and be successful in MLB. Let's see, the Yankees wasted $21 million on Farnsworth, but threw $49 million down the drain with Igawa. Another Cashman fiasco? Someone has to take the blame for this disaster.
Ken, understood. The 9/11 circumstances always bear mention and respect. I've had two family members die from lung cancer that never smoked and were very rarely exposed to second hand. I despise the stigma that lung cancer holds, "you did it to yourself." That's not always the case, and there's no need to condescend to the dying. That said, you appropriately recognized the sacrifices of a man who answered a call few would. I did not mean to imply otherwise.
I never thought you did, Craig. I am very sorry for your losses.