Guest Blogger DG
We raise a very interesting question in gametalk about Torre's BP management : why wasn't anyone burned out from 1996-2003? I won't claim that Torre is flawless at BP management, but I have few cmplaints this season. Vizcaino was pushed too far a couple times, IMO, but not to the breaking point. Anyone think such accusations this season will hold up under scrutiny of game logs?
Others--Proctor: Can't say he's on his way out of the majors. There were certainly times I wouldn't have used him last season, no argument there.
Villone: Pushed to the breaking point last season, but bounced back this season. Also broke down in the 2nd half of 2005 with the Marlins.
Sturtze: How good was he to begin with? Had his moments, but tough to say Torre ruined him.
Quantrill: Have we forgotten how much he was used prior to his stint with the Yankees? He was no stranger to pitching a ton of games. Is it shocking that a pitcher or 2 per season will be pushed extremely hard.... especially when we're primarily discussing middle relievers?
Big question: I'm not saying Torre is flawless.... and not saying he excels at BP management, but....Am I seriously supposed to believe that our Pitching and BP coaches are figureheads? Sure, Torre makes the final call, but why is it never, ever mentioned that 3 people are involved in relief appearances? None of us know what goes on in the dugout, but can anyone seriously picture Torre saying "Screw you, Guidry!! I said use ___________.
Who the hell cares what you think? " ? What coaches would want to work for him if they weren't allowed input into game decisions? Doesn't make sense. Maybe looking at the big picture would paint a clearer picture. Torre isn't flawless and he isn't an idiot. Going back to the "I never want to see ______ pitch for the Yankees again" stuff..... I find it odd Torre is constantly accused of over-using relievers, yet many of us want to limit his options by saying we'd only use a few selected relievers. Pot, meet kettle.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
What A Difference A Day Makes
By Guest Bloggers Yankefan Bill and Knuckles
If you saw Friday night's game you know that Polanco made an error when Damon flustered him in the first inning. It ended his record-setting errorless game streak.Lo and behold we find out on Saturday that the official scoring has been changed and the streak is still intact.
Something should be done about "homefield" official scoring. If the Tigers were on the road, I'm sure the original call would have stood.
Major League Baseball with all the millions of dollars it pays in salaries should hire an impartial official scorer as the 5th man of an umpiring crew.
Failing this, the home plate umpire should make the official call (with the option of a conference or even a replay to get it right).I realize this might slow a game down but baseball being a 'numbers' game should make sure those numbers are accurate.
There are still rules that can force a pitcher to speed his delivery to compensate for these delays.
I remember a game in 1993 with the Yanks playing the Blue Jays and batting champion (to-be at year's end) John Olerud hit a routine bouncer to second, and the Yankee fielder (Pat Kelly maybe?) butchered the play. Olerud was flirting with .400, and the scorer gave him a hit.
And then of course in '98 there was the game in Texas when Juan-Gone glared at the official scorer in disdain until he switched a Knoblauch error to a hit so he could have 7 or 8 rbi's.
OTOH, Michael Kay wears me out (as he did Leiter last night) when he goes on and on about this stuff. Bottom like, it's a ballgame, and hit or error, the guy on base could score. I don't think during the game is the time to start a campaign for a neutral scorer.
As an interesting sidelight, Leiter said that retired ump Ken Kaiser called him and suggested a retired ump should get the scorer job. Kay has been talking about balk potential the whole series with Bob Davidson being a member of the officiating crew. I was surprised he was unable to combine his two rants. I'm sure Kaiser called more balks than Davidson ever will.
In 1996 he called a balk on David Cone for faking a throw to second against Baltimore. This remains the only time I ever saw a balk called involving a move to second. I suspect I'll never see it again. Bottom line they should not have reversed the Polanco call, and it's one more record for which I now have lost respect.
If you saw Friday night's game you know that Polanco made an error when Damon flustered him in the first inning. It ended his record-setting errorless game streak.Lo and behold we find out on Saturday that the official scoring has been changed and the streak is still intact.
Something should be done about "homefield" official scoring. If the Tigers were on the road, I'm sure the original call would have stood.
Major League Baseball with all the millions of dollars it pays in salaries should hire an impartial official scorer as the 5th man of an umpiring crew.
Failing this, the home plate umpire should make the official call (with the option of a conference or even a replay to get it right).I realize this might slow a game down but baseball being a 'numbers' game should make sure those numbers are accurate.
There are still rules that can force a pitcher to speed his delivery to compensate for these delays.
I remember a game in 1993 with the Yanks playing the Blue Jays and batting champion (to-be at year's end) John Olerud hit a routine bouncer to second, and the Yankee fielder (Pat Kelly maybe?) butchered the play. Olerud was flirting with .400, and the scorer gave him a hit.
And then of course in '98 there was the game in Texas when Juan-Gone glared at the official scorer in disdain until he switched a Knoblauch error to a hit so he could have 7 or 8 rbi's.
OTOH, Michael Kay wears me out (as he did Leiter last night) when he goes on and on about this stuff. Bottom like, it's a ballgame, and hit or error, the guy on base could score. I don't think during the game is the time to start a campaign for a neutral scorer.
As an interesting sidelight, Leiter said that retired ump Ken Kaiser called him and suggested a retired ump should get the scorer job. Kay has been talking about balk potential the whole series with Bob Davidson being a member of the officiating crew. I was surprised he was unable to combine his two rants. I'm sure Kaiser called more balks than Davidson ever will.
In 1996 he called a balk on David Cone for faking a throw to second against Baltimore. This remains the only time I ever saw a balk called involving a move to second. I suspect I'll never see it again. Bottom line they should not have reversed the Polanco call, and it's one more record for which I now have lost respect.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Now He Is A Real Holy Cow
Today we lost a Yankee, today we lost a friend. More than just a superstar Phil Rizzuto was everyone’s uncle. A voice well known to all, a voice that made you smile and feel warm all over.
As a youngster the Scooter as he was known to all taught me the game, as well as what a canoli is. Holy Cow, an expression he shares with the late Harry Carrey, but Phil always said it better. If it was the 7th inning you know he was halfway across the George Washington Bridge, and you know it there was thunder he was nowhere to be found.
Scooter was a friend to BTB as far back as when we were on paper. On occasion he read articles on the air during the lean years. He often donated signed photos to us to give away. He mentioned BTB on the air from time to time. He was always very good to us.
Back in the early 80s we often made trips to Fenway Park for the weekend. We often stayed at the Sheraton where the Yankees stayed at the time. Well one day we met him walking back to the hotel and we joined him and he treated us like old friends.
Scooter we miss you. You will always be the best. God Bless you and your family. More to come, including an interview with the Scooter.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
REMEMBERING THURMAN
Could it really be 28 years since we lost our last great Captain? We have had a lot of great player who had been captain since then but Thurman Munson was our last great Captain. He was a Captain that led by pushing, by yelling, and by staying on top of a player. A player who played hurt, a Captain that hardly missed a game.
A lot of the captains after him led by example, but Thurman made you want to give more and more. He was a player’s player. A leader, both on and off the field. When he played hurt nobody could complain about their own injuries. Thurman Munson always a fan favorite was brought back to life in “The Bronx is Burning”, but if he saw it he would think it made him look to placid.
He was George Steinbrenner’s original Warrior, a title which was also given to Paul O’Neil, and deserving so, but only Thurman can spell in capitols. Rarely can you go to Yankee Stadium and not see his familiar #15 on someone’s back. And his locker still stands vacant in the lockers room. We miss you Thurman.
A lot of the captains after him led by example, but Thurman made you want to give more and more. He was a player’s player. A leader, both on and off the field. When he played hurt nobody could complain about their own injuries. Thurman Munson always a fan favorite was brought back to life in “The Bronx is Burning”, but if he saw it he would think it made him look to placid.
He was George Steinbrenner’s original Warrior, a title which was also given to Paul O’Neil, and deserving so, but only Thurman can spell in capitols. Rarely can you go to Yankee Stadium and not see his familiar #15 on someone’s back. And his locker still stands vacant in the lockers room. We miss you Thurman.
THURMAN LEE MUNSON 1947-1979
"OUR CAPATIN AND LEADER HAS NOT LEFT US TODAY, TOMORROW, THIS YEAR, NEXT... OUR ENDEAVORS WILL RELECT OUR LOVE AND ADMIRATION FOR HIM."
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