On the Yankees beat

I have noticed Cano's discipline at the plate improving but the biggest change has been his defensive play at second base. The impoved and way too relaxed fielding is sometimes difficult to watch but his turn of the double-play has been beautiful. There is credit deserving for these changes . I would thing Bowa and Long get some credit.

Seeing good things during our streak. Funny stuff watching the Indians and Redsox and finding myself rooting for the hated Sux. Hope by the July 31st deadline the Yankees upgraded their bullpen and bench. Scott Thorton throws hard and he's a lefty that's available. He does have some control issues. But a lefty that throws gas is nice to have. I don't think they should trade for Wiggington. They would be trading from a position of weakness. Their bullpen besides Mo and now Vizciano has been inconsistent at best. If they can get a Jeff Conine type i would like that. I don't forsee any major moves. But many times in the past, Cashmen stated that he had nothing going on he makes a big move.
BTW i have been watching the Bronx is Burning. I have been pleasantly suprised. I am interested in the feedback or opinions you may have.

Take care

Enjoy your day

So Cano is trainable after all. That's good news and I'm impressed.

Speaking of being impressed, how about the Yankees scoring 63 runs in the last 5 games and 56 in the last 4? Feast or famine seems to describe the 2007 Yankees very well. I just hope we can continue feasting all the way into a World Series win.

DID YOU HEAR THE KANSAS CITY ROYAL FANS BOOING THEIR PITCHERS!!!
Oh, dear! Goodness gracious! I'm shocked because I thought this sort of behavior was exclusive to New York Yankees fans, as our naysayers always seem to suggest. Imagine, there are human beings in Kansas City as well. What's this world coming to?

Phil,

I have been watching "The Bronx is Burning" and have also been impressed. When I saw the original commercial for it I though it was going to be a joke. I like they way that they mix the news of the time into the show. I am also impressed with John Turtorro and Oliver Platt as Billy and George. I am definitely hooked on it and will watch all 8 parts. Has anybody else been watching it?

winning 10 out of the last 12 games, most noteably after the all-star game, is encouraging.

with the trade deadline looming, and contending teams looking to beef up weak areas, august and september will seperate the contenders and pretenders.

yanks need to take momentum from this solid play vs. very weak teams and carry it over to the tougher schedule ahead.

I...The Nudge.....officially announce....that the Yankees are now in the hunt for the AL Wild Card. With Hysterrsis and all, they dropped out at 9 games and back in at 5! Sorry for the technical stuff, just explaining the details of the decision on my part for those who care.

Lucy,

I dont think I ever heard one person say that only New Yorkers boo their team so Im not sure where your going with that.

BTW Thats Hysteresis! Sorry.

Nudge, I guess we don't read the same material.

Nudge-

with that being said, how do you see the other WC contending teams doing down the stretch? last i looked, SEA, MIN, and even TOR are "in the hunt".

if yanks continue to play .500 / .650 ball, do these other teams (i.e. CLE) have the ability to stay afloat?

Nudge, to further explain the sarcasm, of course all teams boo their players at some point, but Yankees fans are highly criticized when they do, whereas people tend to overlook the rest of the booing population. For New Yorkers, it's a crime to boo, but for everyone else it's acceptable behavior or ignored behavior. That's really where I'm going with that.

I think every fan boo's their players but they don't think that you should ever boo the superstars like A-Rod, Jeter etc. I remember when Jeter and Mo got booed and people freaked out. There are some players that are unbooable (Is that a word?).

ATTENTION GARLAND ADVOCATES!!!

I am in SHOCK about what I am hearing from so many of you regarding this potential Garland aquisition.

ESPECIALLY YOU CHIP!!

Can any of you who support this move please tell me how "Jon" is going to fill our glaring lack of a set-up man?

I'm sorry, did I miss something?

Did "Jon" magically tranform overnight from an "average" AL Starting pitcher to a proven closer who happens to be on a weak team that is out of the race and clearly tradeable?

Did they chop off his right arm and replace it with Eric Gagnes or Octavio Dotels?

Did Brad Lidge get plastic surgery and grow a soul patch and is now a Jon Garland imposter!!!

Oh...That's right I forgot about the "MASTER PLAN" where we bring up Joba to be Mo's handoff man...HAHA Sorry...Don't mind me I just wasn't aware that Edwar Ramirez and Joba Chamberlain are not just minor league prospects with high ceilings and potential. No...They sure certainties and the "ace in the hole"-(THE MOST IMPORTANT HOLE ON THIS TEAM!!!) They are missing pieces we've needed for the better part of this until recently sub .500 season.

IT GOES LIKE THIS

1. EIGHTH INNING GUY
2. SEVENTH INNING GUY
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
10.RIGHT HANDED(BAT IF WE CAN GET ONE IT'S A LUXURY)

Another starter unless he's just a pawn for the acquiring the 1st two on the list is absolutely ABSURD!!!

Are we going to cut Mussina?
Is Hughes not coming back?

And before you say it...I Don't want to hear that "Hughes only pitched one game he might comeback and get shelled after all he's still a rookie blah blah"

Our bullpen outside of Viscaino-aka "The Artist formerly known as Viscaidiot"

Has been the worst in the MLB

A 27yr mediocre Jon Garland does not fix that.

Good morning all...

Sorry but I had to post that one twice in hopes to get some answer I WANT ANSWERS I WANT THE TRUTH

YOU WANT THE TRUTH?

YOU CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH!!

Can Nicholson be our next manager?

Agreed on Garland.

The Yanks aren't going to trade for Garland -- that rumor is a bunch of gibberish.

They have no room for him once Hughes returns and Moose ain't going to the pen.

They need set-up guys in the pen -- not another starter.

Gilooli,

Would you take Garland and a set up man? I'm sure they are looking for both or they are going to acquire Galrand for trade bait.

Lucy,

The focus on the Yanks fans booing was that they were booing the best player in the game.....but now they love him. It was the whole hypocrisy thing.

Miguel,

Assuming that winning the WC takes 92 wins, the Yanks need to play .619 ball the rest on the season. Right now that doesn't seem impossible, but the schedule stiffens considerably in August. That will be roll call time for your team.

Toronto I think will be up and down and threatening to get in the race but never really get there.

Minnesota much the same but they may occassionally creep in and if they finish strong as the tend to do could make someone sweat, odds are less than 50% IMHO.

Seattle and Cleveland are the threats. Cleveland could win their division so then the Tigers are your #1 challange. But I think Tigers hold off Cleveland. The battle for the top of that division hurts the Yanks because Cleveland now is chasing, not holding off. They only have to play ay a .540 clip to make the 92 games.

Seattle has to get on a hot streak soon, but they are also chasing the leader so that helps them except for the parity in that division which hurts them. But they have an easier schedule than Cleveland.

Schedule wise the Yanks and Toronto have the easiest schedule being from the weaker east(39 an 38 games against losing teams)

Seattle is next then Minnesoata and Cleveland.

But the big key is which team can surprise against the good teams. There I think Cleveland and Seattle have the best shot.

not to look ahead, but who will come in the game friday night against baltimore for the susp. game?

i don't know the details of when the game was suspended, but do you bring in farnsworth and mo? or have mo get the 4-6 outs needed?

should be interesting to hopefully see yanks close the game, get the win, and then go play 9 innings immediately after.

The suspended game will be treated like any other game when they have a 2-run lead in the 8th.

Torre usually goes for the kill when his team has the lead late in the first game of a DH because you don’t know what’s going to happen in the nightcap.

So, based on that, I bet a rested Proctor or [gasp] Farnsworth pitches the 8th and Mo pitches the 9th.

Vizcaino is not eligible because I looked at the box score and saw that he already appeared in that game.

Torre usually goes for the win when the opportunity is there to take it.

Phucker:

I said Garland only makes sense if the Yankees are planning to spin him to a third party in a trade for some pen help. I even went so far as to propose a three team deal:

ChiSox get: Clippard, DeSalvo, and maybe a third prospect - Steve White, Chase Wright type

Astros get Garland and cash from the Yankees

Yankees get Alex Cintron from Chicago to bolster the bench and Brad Lidge from Houston.

On another note - pure speculation - but with the Sox and Yankees scouting each other so much, might they be working on a deal that would bring Paul Konerko to the Bronx?

Chip,

I like Konerko but it looks like he starting to decline. How old is he and how is his defense?

Any chance Torre uses whatever starter has his throw day on Friday to finish up the first game of the double header?

chip for once i like your speculated thinking. konerko would be nice fit and certainly an upgrade with the recent tear he's on.

however, im convinced that all these CWS and NYY scouts at eachother's games are merely for advanced scouting, and not so much evaluating a trade....but who knows!

Boston Fans also Booed their pitchers as well. Don't be hypocrite Lucy..

Hail Larry "Lucifer" Lucchinno.

The Redsox aka Satan

"Any chance Torre uses whatever starter has his throw day on Friday to finish up the first game of the double header?"

No.

When you have a win in your sights -- you go for the kill.

These games are now too important to screw around or experiment when a win is there for the taking.

PHUCKER-
Just look at who is agreeing with you on this Blog, and you gotta realize your "way off base" You are judged by the company you keep. Anytime a team has the opportunity to acquire a starter with the resume of Garland, they have to "check it out".

Oops, that last post was mine.

Viper,

I agree with you about it being too important to screw around. So does he bring in Mo to pitch 2 innings considering Vizcano has already been used? I would think a starter on his throw day would be better than any of the trainwrecks in the bulpen for an inning.

John,

My money is on Proctor or Farnsworth.

Depending on what happens tonight, Proctor should be rested because he's been away from the team for a few days.

I don't think Torre will use Mo for the 8th unless whomever gets in trouble and Mo is needed to bail him out.

As WC Metric for the Yanks.

Watch what they do against Baltimore. My view is that they need 8out of 12 against the Orioles to make it.

They play 14 games against last place teams...assume 10-4 record. They play 17 games against 1st place teams...assume 9-8 record.

They play 19 against the rest minus Baltimore who they play 12 times(almost 1/5 remaining games)...assume 12-7.

To get to the 92 wins they need 8-4 against Baltimore. So far they are 2-4 against them.

"Numbers crunchers" are worth a laugh. As Al Davis says, "Just win baby".

Nudge, you said "The focus on the Yanks fans booing was that they were booing the best player in the game.....but now they love him. It was the whole hypocrisy thing."

Two points: Stadium fans booed his bad play last year, and cheer his good play this year. No hypocrisy involved. They've done the same for many a player and will do the same for him if he has another extended slump (especially if he again goes around denying he's in one).

A significant part of that discussion was about whether fans should ever boo their own players, with some bloggers here insisting that fans should do what I call "rooting for the laundry" -- cheering whoever is in the uni, no matter how they play. Lucy is remembering the discussion correctly -- there were remarks to the effect that only terrible meanies like NYY fans would do such a thing!

Chip how old is Lidge and Cintron or their prime aged?

whatever we trade for should be at least a player that can play for the next 5 years. trading for aging players should be extinct. This is the crime of this recent winning streak reverting to our old ways. Eventhough we are winning we need to think Rebuild. Honestly Ithink BC is holding Back so that he does not have another Bobby ABreau situation he bit the bullet now because of the option but may not be so lucky with someone else.

Nudge the one Booing are probally from the other side of the Hudson River

us mainland folks root for the Team they may get a few curses at them but is all love.

PS: Are you going to Accept our invite and show up at the Canyon of Heros for the Yankee World Series Parade??

It will be nice we can have a Newsday Blog gathering along with Kat. Just one thing......

You have to wear a Yankee Cap and a package of Keebler Townhouse Fudge Cookies

Anonymous, good way to miss the real point (regarding Red Sox fans booing their pitchers). You're right, they do boo their pitchers. Now go back and read the posts again for an understanding this time around.

Nudge, it's not a case of Yankee fans hypocrisy, but knowing your slant, it's patently obvious why you would make such a statement. Diane and Bomber explained it all clearly. No need to repeat their words of wisdom and common sense.

All teams fans boo their own players!

Boggs, Rice, Clemens and Nomar all got booed at Fenway. So did Ted Williams and Yaz.

Mickey Mantle was booed out of the building his first few years. Roger Maris never got love.

I recall in 2005 two Yankees named Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter getting booed. What did THEY ever do for the franchise?

When players play badly they get booed. When they play well they get cheered. It's not exactly a new development in the game.

OK, bring up Joba to be the 8th inning guy.

Kennedy, Horne, Tabata, and Jackson for Texieria.

Mike, Yesterday's eposide was the best for me. The scene with "George" giving a pep talk in Detroit was priceless. Martin's look on his face was hysterical. If the portrayal of Thurmon was accurate you can see why he was so loved by his teammates and fans. Funny thing is that you remember how you felt about some of these guys(Mickey Rivers, Jackson,Thurmon, Billy, George) and you seam to identify with those characters. I am certainly suprised that i have been enjoying it. Billy was my guy because he was so fiery on the field. But the flip side was, that he was battling so many demons, that gave him that fire to begin with. The Son of Sam saga brought back memories for me too. I do remember being scared for my sister when she went out of the house. She cut her short too. But on a personal note my father was a homicide Detective in NYC at that time. He knew the Detective that made the arrest of Berkowitz. We were actually away with our family when he got the news that Berkowitz was arrested. He called his friend immediately. He told me when was older what the break was that made the arrest possible. I am waiting to see how they portray that in the movie.

Take care

Thank you, Sully, for further edification of my point. Those were great examples. I guess some might say so-called "hypocrisy" runs rampant throughout the baseball world. I call it passion, but I guess such label depends on which team is being evaluated and who is doing the evaluating.

Diane,

To follow your line of thought through to is logical conclusion...every out by a Yankee should be booed and only the hits cheered...by ALL Yankees....not just this weeks villian. I didn't hear any Sheffield or Matsui booes last year in the playoffs, yet they stunk it up too. No booes in 2005 for the pitchers getting hit or catchers not throwing out runners. It was the cheap shot way out...kick a man when he is down rather than extending the helping hand to him.

BB,

Good to hear some cockiness back from this bunch. I've been at a few Yankee parades already though.

Nudge, it's nice to see that you live by the Baseball Cheering & Booing Rule Book. I guess your team holds up cue cards that say CHEER, CLAP, CHANT, BOO -- oh, sorry, not "BOO" for your team (bite my wicked tongue). But Yankees fans live by passion and instinct. They allow emotion to move them without aforethought.

Regarding A-Rod specifically, since he is the greatest player, as well as the highest paid player in baseball, expectations for his level of performance would be at a higher level than any other player. More is expected of him and rightfully so. Therefore, emotions will be at a higher level as well. Fan reaction is caused by something known as human nature. Lest we forget, Yankees fans are human. I know it's a tough lesson, but with enough prodding, we'll get that message across to the hearts & minds (well, maybe not the hearts) of other non-Yankee humans who typically hold the Yankees and their fans to higher standards of humanity than any other people on the face of the earth.

Nudge, you said, "To follow your line of thought through to is logical conclusion...every out by a Yankee should be booed and only the hits cheered...by ALL Yankees...."

Again, two points:

First: I wasn't trying to determine logically what Yankee fans SHOULD boo and cheer, just describing their age-old custom -- cheering good play and booing bad. As Sully remarked, not exactly a new development in the game. (But perhaps more common among fans of old, established, historic teams, and not so much among fans of johnny-come-lately teams?)

Second: naturally, seasoned fans like ours are not naive enough to imagine that that each and every out is a sign of bad play -- actually they are pretty knowledgable about statistics and know that baseball is a game of percentages in which the percentages are always against the player. So yours sounded like either a very ingenuous remark or a very loaded one. (But maybe it just represents the mindset more often found among fans of a team with a short history?)