SB Nation Blog: John Amato

What's up with Jeter? Girardi Hot?

John Amato — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:26:30 -0000

His first inning error set the tone for the rest of the game. Getting Manny to hit into a double play to end Boston's first plate appearance would have been a very nice way to get this game going, but Jeter throws it over Wilson's head, a run scores and Andy melts down the rest of the way. Derek usually is solid against Boston.

OK, everyone makes an error, but Jeter has been playing flat out terrible baseball most of the season. He's regarded as one of the best base runners in the league, yet Derek was picked off of second base that killed a rally a few weeks ago that really surprised me. He was a guy you could count on to get that runner home from third base with less than two outs, but even he has struggled at that task of late. His overall is indicative of the team's overall play.

He was on a roll until he got hit on the wrist, but it's been a while now since then and he doesn't seem to be bothered by it so that's not flying..His .342 OBP isn't helping either.

PA pal Joel Sherman got into it with Girardi during the post game. Joe called a 30 minute team meeting as soon as they lost and visibly disgusted in the presser about their play. Sherman kept asking questions about the team meeting that Girardi refused to answer. Sherman almost made it turn confrontational when he said that there are over 4 million fans that want to know what went on in the meeting after Joe said it was private. Smoke came steaming out of Joe's ears and he used Sherman's name to repeat to Joel that it was between himself and the team.

Sherman: I'm sure the 4.5 million people that come to the games would like to know.

Girardi: It's between my team and me. (pause) Team meetings are not for everyone to hear.

Sherman: Sometimes they are?

Girardi: No, they are not.

Sherman: That's your decision.

Girardi: That's your opinion too.

Sherman: I said that's your decision, not your opinion.

That's your opinion.

Sherman: It's not really an example of you wanting to see everyone to do well at their job right to not give us any idea of what happened at your team meeting.

Girardi:

We can dance around this all night Joel. It's between Me and my team

I like it when reporters not suck up to players and whatnot, but Sherman's nagging sounded like he wanted Joe to fly off the handle and cause a controversy. He needs to do a better job too.

Brett Gardner is not in the starting lineup again today...

What was Girardi thinking? Quick Notes

John Amato — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:20:59 -0000

Melky hasn't had a hit in what seems like weeks and the Yanks have the tying run at first with no outs in the bottom of the ninth so we know what's coming. Melky is a very good bunter so the obvious play is to put the tying run on with Damon and the pinch hitting Jeter coming up.

Wait, he took a strike on the first pitch. Say, what? Am I seeing things?

I got me off the couch and picked up my cigar. You can't let him swing away, right? OK, he'll bunt now. I blinked and it was 0-2.

Come on, you gotta be kidding me. At this point I was hoping he would just hit a weak dribbler down the 3B line or fly out---heck just strike out and pass it on, but no---he hits into a tailor made double play and ends the Yankee threat. Just another awful loss in the Bronx. What is a home field advantage again?

Girardi's excuse that the lefties weren't swinging the bats so he left it up to Melky and hoped he could get a hit to make it first and third was absurd. Damon is hitting .320; who cares if he walks Jeter to get to Abreu. Get men on base and put the pressure on Texas. This on the job training is painful.

It was unwatchable baseball again. Joba couldn't find the strike zone, but because he has great stuff he only gave up two runs after four bad innings.

On the plus side, Giese looks much better in the bullpen---Robertson went two and showed nice stuff and Veras is still on a roll.

The hitters were in a coma with runners in scoring position as usual.

Does Damon have to get five hits a game now?

Abreu used to be automatic at driving in a runner from 3B with one out. Not anymore.

The loss of Matsui has really put the team in an offensive funk.

Posada got a couple of hits, but still seems to be in a fog at the plate. He just looks uncomfortable. Jorge is a defensive liability also since he can't throw anymore. Kinsler took 3B and the game after doubling off Mo to left with no outs.

How about this bold move. Girardi could have PH Jeter for Melky and then moved Brett into center.

Rivera was bound to give up a run. It should have been a save situation instead of a tie game.

In the fourth after finally pushing across a run against Texas, Betemit struck out and Melky popped up to end another threat with two men on base.

Another blown opportunity to gain ground on Boston.

If they win tomorrow it still won't wash out the terrible taste in my mouth,

ESPN's Steve Phillips says the Rays will beat out the Yanks for playoff spot

John Amato — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:33:07 -0000

Baseball Tonight's Steve Phillips said on ESPN yesterday that the Rays will beat out the Yanks for a playoff spot. Hey, the Yanks have problems for sure, but I hope this is pinned up in the Yankee clubhouse. Yea, the Yanks need some help on their roster, most notably in the pitching department and the Rays will make a run, but to anoint them already in is pretty ridiculous. Let's see where they are in August...

A quick memo to Joe Girardi---the Yanks can't afford to give up games. Sitting Cano, Abreu and Giambi all together was a mistake.

A quick memo to Brian Cashman----sending up Chad Moeller to pinch hit for Rasner is a clue, don't you think?

David Robertson called up!

John Amato — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:40:08 -0000

I was listening to Sweeny Murti and John Heyman on WFAN and they brought us a little good news:

Don't know yet who's coming down, but David Robertson is in New York. Seems like his audition for the eighth inning will begin any day now, possibly tonight. No doubt Robertson earned the opportunity. He has a 1.64 ERA in Triple-A, with 48 strikeouts in 33 innings. His ERA for the past month 1.06.

Yanks Win! Quick Notes

John Amato — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:21:12 -0000

Pettitte's on a roll. His record stands at 8-5 and we know his history in the second half. Andy seems to pitch better with men on base. 19 scoreless innings and counting...

I will not be growing a moustache in honor of Giambi's streak. Hit a WS winning HR and I'll reconsider.

I'm surprised when Johhny Damon swings at a pitch and doesn't break his bat.

I usually love the way Posada calls pitches. it's a hobby of mine as I watch the game. He made a huge mistake on Griese's 0-2 pitch with runners on second and third with two out in the seventh yesterday. That's not the first time he's called an inside pitch on when it's 0-2 in a big situation. Mussina got burned and it cost us a game. it also cost Giese his game too...

YES must have asked David Cone to perk it up a bit. He's been more enthusiastic covering the games lately. I do like him though. We're stuck with Michael Kay unfortunately. I wish we could start a petition to get him pulled from being the main dude in the booth. It's sad that the # 1 organization has picked a very bland personality to run the show on a multi billion dollar network.

The Rays are staying in this race. They've had numerous fights and arguments with their own teammates as well as with others so it'll be interesting to see during the "dog days" how they handle the pressure of a pennant race. And it's all about their pitching. I was shocked to see Tampa's batting stats reveal them as a middle of the road offensive team with that talent.

Joba Rules! Quick Notes

John Amato — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:58:30 -0000

Joba is turning into the # 1 starter the Yankees desperately need. Today was the first time the training wheels came off as he had more than100 pitches to work with. The results were 1 ER , 4 Hits. 3 BB's and 9 K's in 5.2 IP. He's still waking too many batters, but as he gets more comfortable taking the ball every fiftth day his mechanics should become more fluid.

And he's the type of pitcher that can get out of a bases loaded, no out jam because of that 98 mph heater.

It looked like he finally had that devastating slider we've seen from him as the bridge dude.

Please Joba, don't block home plate with your knee again.

Every HR ARod hits is historic. It's something I don't think we've ever witnessed before. He's only freaking 32 years old. Just think about that for a few minutes while you sip your Fiji water. For the next four years he'll be making Baseball history for every bomb he clobbers. Will it be a distraction?

A memo to the Baseball Tonight crew: You can't steal bases unless you get on base. Idiots. The Yanks have been running like the wind ever since they started to hit better than .220 as a team.

Damon had five SB's in his first 49 games and eight steals in his next 27, when his average rose from .266 to .332

The Melkman stole a run with his swipes of second and third to score on a sac fly by Molina.

Even if they have been beating up on the bad teams in the league, I'll take seven straight any day. Remember when they went into Colorado and SF and lost 5 of 6 on the road last year during inter league play?

Veras goes as his control goes, but he's looking like the real thing.

Cashman does need to pull off a big trade for some pitching and another bench player. Somehow I don't think Sir Ponson is the answer.

Another Bad loss: Quick Notes

John Amato — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 02:36:50 -0000

The Yanks just can't get it going and they are a very frustrating team to watch day in and day out. OK, Melky was safe at first base in the eighth inning which hurt a possible rally, but he's got to show a little patience when he comes up in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and two out. Soria was losing it again and he had just plunked the weak hitting Moeller of all people to load the bases just ahead of him. He then gets ahead in the count 1-0, but swings at the next pitch and grounds softly to first base to end the game. Hey Girardi, isn't there a sign for him to take a pitch? WTF?

Why was Mariano brought in anyway? It's a tie game and he's pitched twice in a row which means he's going to be unavailable to pitch against the A's Tuesday. Even though it was another scorcher at the stadium, Mussina only threw 89 pitches. Girardi could have let him go back out to start the ninth or give the ball to Edwar. Is he going to develop into a trusted arm or not?

That being said, on an 0-2 pitch, why wasn't the usual high fast ball not thrown there? Posada does it religiously. I remember a few years ago when Mo gave up a ninth inning HR in Cleveland, (might have been a grand slam) to beat Rivera on an 0-2 count and there was a lot of chatter about him not wasting pitches. Soon after, Posada started the old, 'stand up behind the plate routine' to make sure the pitch was out of the zone and Rivera got back in the groove. With no Posada, is Moeller incapably of calling that pitch? Throwing the ball inside opens him up to exactly what happened. The ball tails over the plate to the one player who has destroyed the team all series. It just boggles my mind.

The Yankees are in no position to keep wasting excellent performances by their starters.

What a Difference a Strike Makes

Joba was a strike machine Sunday, throwing 78 pitches, 53 for strikes. Compare that with Tuesday's performance against Toronto. 62 pitches, 32 for strikes. Granted it was KC,and they aren't as patient at the plate, but in Joba's quest to be able to go deep into a game, he succeeded, And his fastball had much more life to it. He hit 98 mph on the gun in the fifth inning which answered the question of the day. Can Joba keep his velocity up as he throws more pitches and goes deeper into games? I think he answered that question and what was really impressive was that it was 95 degrees.

OK, I'll say it. Giese was nice. His change up really has very nice late movement.

The lineup is finally complete, but their cohesion as a unit rests on Posada's shoulder. If he goes down then the team is in serious trouble. He looks damn good right now so who do they call up to replace Chad's spot on the roster? They definitely need some speed to come off the bench.

When Veras throws a heavy dose of fastballs, he's much more effective. He was lights out on back to back days of work. Kind of like the anti-Farnsworth.

Sigh...Quick Notes

John Amato — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 01:58:41 -0000

After a rousing comeback against Toronto the night before, weren't the Yankees finally going to make their run to get five games above .500? I guess they really don't read the papers or listen to Sport's Talk radio,

How many times did YES replay Giambi's game winning pinch hit two out, two run HR in the bottom of the ninth during tonight's telecast?

I'm starting to get used to David Cone's voice.

Another excellent performance by DR wasted. With this awful bullpen, the Yanks can't afford to give away well pitched games by their starters. Especially to teams that have lost eleven in a row on the road. If you asked me which team would get ten hits and score only one run I would have picked KC----I mean San Diego.

ARod sure has been hitting in the clutch with the bases empty this year.

Giambi did not swing at that pitch in the bottom of the eighth. Instant Replay baby, OK, not on balls and strikes or anything else except HR's and foul line stuff, but that was a frustrating call. If Melky or ARod can drive in a guy from third with one out, it may not have been an issue.

I sometimes forget how young the Melk. man is.

The new greatest rivalry in Sports is? The Rays vs The Red Sox.

Manny Ramierz got into the fight last night, but it was with the wrong team.

Wang shows why he's not a #1 starter on the staff. His fifth straight poor outing. He's an excellent major league pitcher, but not an ace.

How bad is the bench? Shelly Duncan came in to pinch run for Posada last night.

How bad is the bullpen? No examples, it just sucks,,,

Bobby Abreu should watch replays of Wilkerson's catch last night over and over again.

Will Mike Mussina make the All Star team? No, I'm not drunk.

After Girardi got tossed and the Yanks won 5 in a row I thought he turned a corner, but so far he's been underwhelming to say the least as a manager in pinstripes.

Yanks win! Quick Notes

John Amato — Sun, 25 May 2008 04:42:24 -0000

The Yanks come from behind to beat the Twins 6-5 with a 16 hit attack and another very good pitched game from Mike Mussina. Who would have thunk that he'd be 8-4 at this point? After a rocky first inning that wasn't all his fault, he sailed along for the next five.

HP umpire Jerry Meals had a terrible zone yesterday. Burt Blyleven made an interesting observation calling the game for Minny. He said that the newer rotations which send umpiring crews to both leagues, a pitcher only might see Meals one time for the entire season and will never get a feel for his strike zone. For an established veteran with a great lifetime record, Mussina never seems to get the close call.

The Yankees could have blown this one wide open if it weren't for some weird bounces, line drive outs, double plays, a pick off and Giambi getting thrown out at second base trying to stretch a single into a double after hitting the baggy off the right field wall. When will he ever learn?

Farnsworth gives up another HR. He's been tagged for 8 HR's in 24 IP. Anyone want to do the math on this one? How long will it take for Girardi to give Edwar Ramirez a shot at being his eighth inning set up guy?

What team will take LaTroy Hawkins off our hands?

These maple bats should be considered lethal weapons.

Cashman has put together another bench filled with deadwood. Shelly Duncan isn't long for this team if he doesn't show some of the power he flashed last year real soon. Betimit has no position and no bat and is Ensburg still here? They only have one bench player that can do anything productive and his name is? Johnny Damon.

Who's your pick to come up from the minors to be added to the bullpen?

Scott Patterson, Dan Giese, Mark Melancon. Daniel McCutchen

They could use a right handed hitter and preferably one that can field the 1B position desperately. I agree with jscape2000 though---no Jason Lane.

The Bombers need to come up with another starting pitcher as some much needed insurance so what team do they look to? Could it be San Diego, Colorado or Cincinnati? Was I dreaming when SD tried to trade for Igawa last year? And I always keep my eye on that nasty lefty from Pittsburgh---Damaso Marte. His ERA is pretty high as is his WHIP, but he has 27K's in 25 IP's.

Joe Giradi said that Jorge Posada should be back in the lineup in early June. That's great news, but shoulder injuries are very unpredictable, especially one that seems to have come out of nowhere so I guess we'll keep our fingers crossed when he finally returns.

Quick Notes plus Joe Morgan's Hackery

John Amato — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:16:38 -0000

Quick Notes:

How bad is it in the Bronx? Derek Jeter steals second base with a six run lead and the YES team justifies it.

The wheel begins to turn.

Cashman is on the firing line. Why can't he assemble a decent roster before the season starts?

Hank didn't get Johan so he got Joba. Who's going to pitch the eighth inning now? I guess it's a moot point when you never need one, If Joba succeeds as a starter then either another rookie has to comes up big (which is highly unlikely because of the pressure involved) or they make a trade for a pitcher.

Razy does it again and I hope IPK watched closely. With Joba coming into the mix, the starting rotation looks like this:

Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, Rasner, Joba, IPK, Hughes.

We're not certain if Hughes will be effective after he comes back from his long absence since he wasn't before the broken rib. Kennedy needs to start pitching better very soon or he won't be on the team after the break. And if Joba fails as a starter they can put him back in the pen, but if that's the case then it probably will be too late to mean anything anyway.

Damon comes up with a big hit off a minor leaguer last night to drive in two runs. How many broken bat pop ups has he recorded this year? He's more wood for the fire.

Bring up one of those speed guys from down below and start pushing him already.

And while we're at it, throw Giambi, Duncan and Ensberg into the pile.

So what do they do to fix 1B?

OK, I had written this piece Sunday night after the game, but I've been stuck on the campaign trail so I'm a little behind.

Outside of a horrible performance by the Yankees Sunday night, I had to endure the inane babbling between Morgan and Miller right off the bat.

Joe complains that if Willie Randolph's job is under fire then the same should be said of Joe Girardi because the Yanks are in last place and the Mets are not.
Here's a little lesson in NY baseball for Morgan from last year. Something he should know as the lead talker for ESPN's signature Baseball night which has a huge research staff at his disposal if he chooses to use them.

1) The Mets had an epic collapse last year---blowing a big divisional lead with a few weeks left in September and they didn't make the playoffs. There fans see a listless team that is barely over .500 even after bringing in Johan Santana and has played .500 ball for almost a year now..

2) The Yanks were 14 games out of first place and I think 10 games out of the wild card before they caught fire. They proceeded to post the best record in baseball after the all star break and made the playoffs for the 12th consecutive time under Torre

.Does Morgan even try to make any sense? Please stop, it hurts! They continued this embarrassing behavior all night long.

Then ESPN cut in from time to time with a few ominous reports about the Mets and Yanks with horror movie music blaring in the background. What a freaking joke.