Tagged: Gardner
Ladies and Gentlemen…
Allow me to introduce the newest member of the New York Yankees.
Eric Hinske?
Now accepting nicknames.
I woke up at 12:15 or so and so my brother and I are still doing the morning sniffles, and of course, my brother looks quite angered like he always does in the morning. Energy wise, I’m about 70%, physcally, I’m 50%. Hopefully I’ll be at 100 on both counts by 3 when MLB.com will have a live chat with Mark Teixeira.
This is somewhat of a strange move… not necessarily a bad move, but an odd one. This move gives the Yanks a left handed bat with some power off the bench, think kind of a poor man’s Nick Swisher, but with a somewhat higher average. Hinske can also play the corners; left, right, third and first. so he is basically Nick Swisher with a lot less power and slightly more average.
The confusing part is that, who’s going to have to be sent down to make room for Hinske? Why would we need Hinske when we have Swisher, who plays first, left and right, Gardner and Melky in the outfield, and Ransom, who can play all infield positions, including first and third? Did we really need to make this trade? From what we know now, it seems like a very unnecessary move, so I have the feeling that there’s definitely something up. My guess is that the Yanks are going to put Matsui on the DL because he’s not himself right now. Maybe something’s up with his knees.
But this is all speculation. It could be for any reason, really. That’s all for today, let’s hope Joba turns in a good performance and we can continue this streak against the M’s.
Stay positive, Yankee fans.
Song of the Day is Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine…
Also, I forgot to mention. Gary from Nasty Nats, I’m sorry, but I am not J. Hova, I don’t know who that is, but I hope that you do find him if you’re looking for him. Lol, if you’re looking for him…
-EJ the Kid From New York
I Love The Subway Series
I love it!
We always win!
Save for a few games, of course, like the Nieve ballgame earlier this year, the Yankees just constantly prove that they Mets will never be able to beat us. Why? Well, I’ll tell you why.
Because the Mets are cursed. What kind of curse, you ask? Who brings the curse upon the Mets? Some could argue Minaya curses the Mets, and I hear that argument, but I wouldn’t say a specific entity haunts the Mets. It’s really just this pressure that the Mets have on them. They have so much pressure to defeat us, the big brother Yankees, that they rush and they overdo everything and end up losing the fundamentals. Think about it!
When you go and acquire Johan Santana and K-Rod and JJ Putz, you now have so much responsibility to succeed. You cannot fail with those guys, especially after losing the NLCS in 2006 in game 7, losing on the last game of the year two years in a row, you have sooo much pressure to get every out and hit the big home run and make the great play that you rush and overdo it.
So that’s the plague that the Mets have. Plus, they get injured so often. Maybe that has something to do with it too? I dunno, I just know y’all Mets are cursed.
By the way, we also played pretty well, too. Unfortunately, Frankie went 0 for 5, but Gardner had 5 hits including his 3rd big league homer, which was sooo great for him. I love Brett Gardner.
I love Francisco Cervelli more, but Brett Gardner’s definitely up there.
Also, congrats to A-Rod for bombing a homer to right center, passing Reggie Jackson on the all-time homer list and showing Citi Field ain’t small, you Mets just suck.
Haha, I’m just teasing.
The Song of the Day is one y’all might know, called Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz.
Stay positive, Yankee fans. AND COMMENT THIS TIME
-EJ the Kid From New York
Thanks, Yankees! And the Top 10 Moments of ’09
Thank you, New York Yankees, for giving me a really nice win to talk about. Finally, the Yankees scored a bunch of runs again, as their offense was looking really flat of late. After the controversial(and completely blown) call that Brett Gardner was picked off from first base, Joe Girardi stormed out there and argued and argued that call. He was sooo trying to get ejected, I have no doubts about that. The umpire wasn’t even really arguing with him, and plus, once he got tossed, he just walked away instead of continuing to argue. But hey, he got the job done, because the next batter is my new man crush, Frankie Cervelli.
And all he does is hit his first MLB homer to left center to tie it at 1. We just took off from there.
Later, Alex Rodriguez hits a sharp two run single to center field, and I’m shouting “I don’t believe what I just saw!” (In a year so improbable… the impossible has happened!)
I mean, honestly, yesterday was one of the best things that ever happened to Alex. He hit a few balls well, caught a popup, and hopefully that game will begin his massive tear of Major League Baseball pitching this season. I doubt that’s actually true, but a boy can dream, can’t he?
But easily– easily– the best moment of the game was Mariano Rivera’s at bat. From the minutes leading up to it, when Melky Cabrera was giving him batting gloves, a helmet, and a good talk. Then, when he was on the on-deck circle, just chillin’, leaning against the backstop like nothing was gonna happen. It all ended sooo climactically, with this:
A line drive to center field. Sadly, Nate McClouth was right friggin’ there, but it was actually a very good swing and a very well-hit ball. If only he had just pulled it more, it would be the best moment of the year. But alas, it’ll have to settle for the top 10.
Actually, that’s a pretty good idea. What have been the top 10 moments of the 2009 Yankees season? Trust me, I came up with this just spontaneously. This was not planned. Dead serious.
10. Jorge Posada lines a walk-off single to left center off Brian Fuentes of the Halos
I believe this was our first walk-off of the year. We came back against the Angels, who always kill us, and win it on a walk-off single by the then-not-useless Jorge Posada.
9. More Posada – Jorge hits the first home run at Yankee Stadium, to dead center
Into Monument Park. This’ll be a trivia question for the ages.
8. Mo Rivera gets to hit – line out to center
A hilariously beautiful moment. If only it were a hit.
7. Melky Cabrera walks it off with a two out, two run single
Facing Joe Nathan down by two runs in the ninth inning, Melky Cabrera hits an improbable two run single to left center.
6. Nick Swisher pitches a scoreless inning of relief
Swishalicious brings a lot of humor and fun to the game, and this is a great example. His first MLB outing ensued hilarity at the end of a ballgame that is otherwise terrible and disgusting.
5. A-Rod comes back from the DL and crushes the first pitch
A-Rod comes back in the most storybook way possible. Yet, we all most definitely saw it coming.
4. Damon’s big fly makes it 3 straight walk-off wins for the Yanks
First it was Melky Cabrera’s two run single. Then it was Alex Rodriguez’s walk-off, two run bomb. Finally, Damon capped off the clutch streak with a walk-off shot in extras.
3. Melky ends a ninth inning rally against the Phillies with his third walkoff
Down by two runs in the inning, A-Rod tied it with a homer into right field off Brad Lidge, and again off Lidge, Melky Cabrera drives in fellow Dominican and buddy Robinson Cano for his third walk-off of the year. If that’s not enough, it was on FOX.
2. Gardner starts a comeback and fulfills a promise to an ailing fan with an inside the parker
Before the game, Brett Gardner made a bold promise to an 18-year old fan who was in the hospital. After hitting a blooper than got by Denard Span in left, Brett Gardner went balls-to-the-wall on the basepaths and came all the way home, for an inside-the-park homer, the second of Gardy’s career and probably the wake-up call for the Yankees to comeback in that game against Minnesota.
1. Luis Castillo drops a pop up to win the game for the Yankees
Against a team who’s fans, every year, think their team will be so much better than the Yankees even though they were severely disappointed the year before, the Yanks once again prove that, no matter what we do, whether we fail embarrassingly or succeed tremendously, you guys will always, always, always find some way to embarrass yourselves worse. Enjoy that.
So, thanks for reading, I think this blog is a lot better than my other blogs have been recently. Be sure to leave comments.
Almost forgot — Song of the Day is I’m Not Jesus – Apocalyptica ft. Corey Taylor.
Stay positive, Yankee fans.
-EJ the Kid From New York
Despite AJ’s Efforts, Marlins Beat Yankees
The Yankees unfortunately lost 2-1 to Florida yesterday thanks to an inability to hit off of Marlins ace Josh Johnson and a sloppy error in left by Johnny Damon. It was a great game, but a frustrating one.
And look, this is one of those losses that I won’t blame the Yankees completely for, even though if Damon hadn’t dropped a somewhat routine fly ball the game would have been tied and we might’ve even won. But let’s face it, Josh Johnson is a dominant starting pitcher and he showed that once again last night. Coming into the ballgame, I knew it would’ve been very difficult for the Yanks to get anything off of Johnson, and I was exactly right. He was locating fastballs with very good velocity and throwing solid breaking balls. His location, his eceonomy. He was nearly unhittable, and we were lucky to get one run off him.
This Yankees team is very frustrating though. They show you promise, they look like they’re about to come back and use that Yankee magic to win again, and then they completely blow their chances. That error by JD was absolutely devastating, and I don’t think any Yankee fan or baseball fan who was able to see that game will argue with me on that. Damon put us in a position where we not only had to score one run against the overpowering Josh Johnson, but we had to score two. That seemed impossible.
I just wanted the Bombers to get Johnson out of the game. When they took him out, that was our best shot, even though the Marlins’ bullpen has been really good this season. I was relieved.
Unfortunately we were unable to capitalize on the exit of Johnson, as a game ending double play by Robinson Cano (sounds familiar) just killed all hopes of beating this damn under .500 team.
So, of course, that loss was completely frustrating but I guess understandable.
By the way, I’d like it for JD to sit today’s game. Put Melky in left and Gardner in center, because Gardy’s ready to go after that collision. I can understand not letting Gardner play so quickly after the accident(even though he pinch ran yesterday), but Johnny’s clearly being set back by eye problems. He’s not hitting well at all, first of all, and now that drop? Jeez man. Gardner really should play today.
We’re facing the tall sinker-baller Chris Volstad today. Volstad is one of my favorite pitchers, and he can really dominate at times, but you can see the numbers aren’t very dazzling.
4-7, 4.75 ERA.
But the numbers are really skewed by his performance so far this month, which is definitely encouraging for the Yanks. In June, Chris Volstad(who is now no. 41 rather than 71, as it was in that picture) is 0-3 with a 9 ERA. Now, those numbers are a little misleading: his first loss was a cheap one, as he had a quality start(2 runs in 6 innings) but the Marlins weren’t able to score against San Fran. In his second start, he was much worse, giving up 6 runs in 5.2 innings with 10 base knocks allowed. His third start was the one where he blew up, surrendering an ugly 8 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks in 3.2 innings. So he’s coming off a terrible start against Boston.
But Volstad is a very good pitcher, don’t be fooled by those numbers. He has a hard sinker that is his main out pitch, so he uses his height to his advantage with that pitch. That sinker could tear apart this Yankees lineup, clearly, since we have a couple hitters who are very prone to a double play (Posada, Jeter, Cano, Swisher, sometimes Alex).
So don’t think that the Yankees automatically are going to beat up Volstad, because when you combine the double play-prone Yankees and their inconsistency regarding hitting pitchers they’ve never seen before, and you have a potentially un-promising mix.
But don’t worry too much, because we have our ace, CC Sabathia on the mound, and he has a 3.35 Earned Run Average on the road, much better than his home ERA. Sabathia has pitched well of late, so hopefully he can tear through this Marlins lineup and we can give him some run support.
Song of the Day is Just Like You by Three Days Grace.
Stay positive, Yankee fans.
-EJ the Kid From New York
Marvelous.
What a terrific game yesterday, eh?!
Burnett pitched fantabulasticularily, and the offense delivered to score 7 runs(on the back of Derek Jeter and Brett Gardner, and of course Nick Swisher)to deliver the 4th win of the season. Sure, we only have put up a .500 record and we’re capable of so much more, but it’s only 8 games into the season. I’ll worry about record when we’re 20 games in. Right now, we’re doing fine as far as I’m concerned.
I’m very, very sorry I did not blog twice yesterday. I’m not even going to try to do it anymore. I’ll keep up one a day and if I want to blog again when the time comes to blog again, well, that’s when I’ll do it.
In other news, I’m terribly lazy. About 20 minutes ago, I was watching TV and trying to decide just what to do after the show I was watching(a re-run of MLB Tonight on MLB Network). So I’m lying down on the bed, all comfortable and full of bliss, and I think about playing MLB 09 The Show on my PS3. Then I realize, “But then, I’d have to get off the bed, bend over, turn on the PS3 and the controller, and go back in bed.” Obviously that was too much for me.
So I asked my brother to pick up my laptop and put it on the bed for me, and so he asked my godfather(my godfather is not an old man, so my brother’s not abusing the elderly) to do the deed, which he did. So here I am!
I’m so awful.
In other news, the battle for the center field position appears to be heating up once again. Brett Gardner won it out of spring training, but Melky Cabrera is still performing and doesn’t appear to be giving up a starting spot so easily. You know that Cabrera is going to give you solid defense, defense that no other Yankee player can match in center field. Gardner might be able to cover a lot of ground, but Cabrera has a phenomenal throwing arm, and he seems to be able to get to any ball out there(even though his RF/9 is only somewhat over the league average). There was a point where last season, Melky had at least one great catch every day.
Now, Melky is batting .333 in 8 at bats, forcing the question: is Brett Gardner going to lose some playing time? Well, with the way Gardy performed yesterday, I doubt it.
He’s a grinder; he works the count and fouls off tough pitches, Damon-style. He can hit for a pretty good average, .285-.290. And, of course, he has that blazing 50 steal speed. Nobody can doubt that last one.
He’s performing fairly well this season, and I’m definitely satisfied with the 25-year old 5’10” center fielder from Holly Hill, South Carolina.
And that’s it for today’s edition.
Stay positive, Yankee fans!
-EJ the Kid From New York
Yankee Predictions for 2009
Who will be the best hitter/pitcher? Surprise player? Let me give my opinion on it. We’ll start wiiiith…
NYY Surprise Player of 09
My Pick: Brett Gardner
Other Possibilities: Phil Hughes, Humberto Sanchez
Brett Gardner was called up in 08, stunk with the bat, and was sent down. He was called up again, and got redhot at the plate, hitting .343 in his last 35 at bats. He hit .300 in his last 50 at bats. He’s shown the ability to hit, in the majors and the minors. He’s shown patience in his plate appearances, he has shown good defense (Luke Scott anyone?), and he obviously has that fantastic speed, 13 steals in 14 attempts. With this in mind, I think the Yanks should start him in center field. He can be a catalyst for the Yankees, and he can give them a chance to boast their prospects along with their free agent signings.
NYY Best Offensive Player of 09
My Pick: Alex Rodriguez
Other Possibilities: Mark Teixeira, Xavier Nady
Look. You can complain about how clutch he is, you can complain about postseason, you can complain about how he’s only in it for the money, et cetera. In the end, he’s still Alex Freaking Rodriguez, and Alex Freaking Rodriguez is the best player in the American League and the 2nd best player in the game, currently. He can still steal 20 bags and hit 40 home runs, he can hit .310 and have 130 RBI. He’s an all around fantastic offensive player, so I pick him for best offensive player.
NYY Best Defensive Player of 09
My Pick: Mark Teixeira
Other Posibilities: Brett Gardner, Jose Molina, Melky Cabrera
The above picture shows Mark Teixeira swinging a bat, which he is fantastic at. However, let’s not forget that he might be the best defensive first baseman in the game(Douggie Mientkiewicz also comes to mind). There are no better defensive players on the Yanks, so Marky Mark will be their best.
NYY Best Pitcher of 09
My Pick: CC Sabathia
Other Possibilities: AJ Burnett, Mariano Rivera, Chien-Ming Wang
Come on. As fantastic as Mo is, it’s hard to go against CC Sabathia. He’s a lefty with great stuff and he’s put up great numbers. He was the 07 Cy Young winner, and did spectacularly down the stretch for Milwaukee last year. There’s that risk of his arm falling off, of course, but unless that happens, he should be the best pitcher.
And finally…
NYY Most Valuable Player of 09
My Pick: Mark Teixeira
Other Possibilities: Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Mo Rivera
Along with being the best defensive player of the year, and the second best offensive player in my opinion, Mark Teixeira will rake at the plate and dominate on the field. He’s always had a knack for starting out slow and being fantastic in the second half: well, doesn’t that sound familiar? The Yankees have been that way for the past couple of years: Teixeira will be able to carry us to the postseason.
One last thing: here’s a song I discovered not long ago, it’s called Before I Forget by Slipknot, I really like it. Take a listen if you like hard rock.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcHfp9ZOne8
Stay positive, Yankees fans!
-EJ the Kid From New York
The Squad 