2014 Yankees in-game thread

[Northern Star]

And let's not forget, the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs today. Buh-bye!

[jacksonianmarch]

I'm trying to think if I would pay hundreds of dollars for ANY player's last game, and I think the answer is no.

 

I paid a lot of money to go to tomorrow's game. I hope to hell it isn't rained out

[Northern Star]

Someone needs to write a book about The Cult of Derek, because it's just a bit scary.

[Divinity]

Big spot with Jeter at bat, game tied, bases loaded, 1 out.

[Navafan29]

Wow it was so improbable that Jeter would even get to bat again. Orioles hit 2 homers to tie it in the 9th, the second HR coming with 2 outs. Then, on the last home game of his career, Jeter pokes the game winning hit by the first basemen's dive. This was one of the best MLB games of the year. Edited September 26, 2014 by Navafan29

[a700hitter]

The last of Jeter's 2,000 career bitch hits to RF.

[Youk Of The Nation]

The last of Jeter's 2,000 career bitch hits to RF.

 

The gentle liner heard 'round the world.

 

Seriously, you couldn't even muster up a double to the warning track?

[jacksonianmarch]

That was f***ing crazy. The atmosphere was amazing

[Youk Of The Nation]

The ball should go in the Hall of Fame along with the last weak pop foul from a utility infielder that was caught by Jorge Posada and the final weakly disputed checkswing pitch from Andy Pettitte. They can call it the Mediocrixibhit.

[gojohn99]

Wow a walk off hit in a meaningless September game. Congrats Captain! Of course this whole weekend series is meaningless, although it was quite a way end his Yankee Stadium career. Sounds like he will not play SS, just DH this weekend.

[a700hitter]

I am a little tired of the season long Jeter- farewell tour. I find it unbecoming that he goes from city to city grabbing as many gifts as he can carry and the Yankees capitalizing on it as a money making endeavor. I always hear the word "classy" used when describing Jeter, but this fairwell tour has been anything but classy or dignifified. My recollection was that when Yaz announced that 1983 would be his final season, he insisted that there be no special ceremonies or gifts in each city. The league obliged. I researched it to see if I could find anything about the way he left the game and found the following article. He left the game with dignity and class.

 

“Yaz”

Posted by Greg Hoard on March 7, 2013 · 2 Comments

 

3/7/13

 

 

 

CINCINNATI—It was 1983 and two of baseballs greats had announced they were leaving the game. Johnny Bench and Carl Yastrzemski had proclaimed that season to be their last.

 

Yet, they were leaving the game in different ways. Bench was being praised and regaled at every stop of the season, from Los Angeles to New York. There were pre-game ceremonies and gifts and Bench, always gracious and articulate, accepted the praise with humility and a tip of his cap, clearly enjoying the adoration.

 

Meanwhile, Yastrzemski insisted that there were no ceremonies, no gifts, no speeches – nothing out of the ordinary to signal his departure from the game.

 

He was insistent on the subject, and given his achievements, teams around the American League obliged.

 

This distinction led my editor to send me to Cleveland for Yastrzemski’s final trip to Municipal Stadium. “I don’t know what you’ll find,” my editor said, “but it strikes me that it’s very interesting that ‘Yaz’ and Bench are taking such different approaches to their retirement.”

 

It was a striking contrast. I was given an expense check, handed the keys to a company car and told to “bring back something.”

 

The night before I left for Cleveland, I sat in my studio apartment studying Yastrzemski: a 23-year career with the Boston Red Sox, the successor of Ted Williams, 18-time All-Star, seven Gold Gloves, member of the 3,000 hit club and the first of that select company to hit over 400 home runs, Red Sox all-time leader in career RBI’s, runs, hits, singles, doubles, total bases and games played, and second only to Ted Williams in Red Sox history in home runs.

 

And, to top it all off, he was the game’s last Triple Crown Winner, 1967, when he led the Sox to the World Series against the Cardinals.

 

Driving up I-71, I came to the conclusion that Yastrzemski was a better player than Bench, but that wasn’t the issue. The issue was: “Why go out without proclaim, when proclaim was thoroughly warranted?”

 

My visit to Cleveland began with an interview with Guardians General Manager Gabe Paul and Assistant GM Phil Seghi. I asked for the interview to introduce myself and explain my purpose, at the suggestion of my friend Bobby DiBiasio, the Guardians’ public relations director.

 

“Well,” Paul said, smiling, “I didn’t think you came up here to see our club.”

 

The Guardians were hopelessly buried in last place in the American League East, some 20 games out of first place. “So you are here to talk to Yastrzemski. Every time I see him I am reminded of one my greatest mistakes in this game. When I was with Cincinnati,” he continued, “I had a chance to sign him.”

 

Paul said he made “Yaz” a sizeable offer, but a few days later Carl’s father came back and asked for an additional $500. “I turned him down,” said Paul, a tall, well-dressed man with shining white hair and a glimmering smile. “The next day he signed with Boston. I lost Carl Yastrzemski over $500. Damn! If I hadn’t been so damned dumb we could have had an outfield of Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson and Carl Yastrzemski. Pretty good, don’t you think? How far could we have gone?”

 

That evening, I found Yastrzemski sitting on a stool before his locker. His dark hair was gray around the fringes. He looked tired, spent. He was surrounded by a group of players who seemed strangely jovial given their season, running just ahead of the hapless Guardians.

 

In one corner there was Jim Rice and Tony Armas. Across the way, there was Dwight Evans, Wade Boggs and Jerry Remy. Dennis Eckersley was here and there, like a politician soliciting support. Oil Can Boyd sauntered about, paying attention to little, and the manager, Ralph Houk, passing through the clubhouse, observed the scene with a vacant look in his eyes, as if he recognized the season was lost and so was he.

 

I approached Yastrzemski, introduced myself and asked if he had a few minutes to talk. He said nothing for a moment and then looked up at me. “Cincinnati?” he said. “There was a time when I thought I would play there. Sure, we can talk. Let’s get out of here. We’ll go to the dugout. Got a smoke?”

 

I handed him a Marlboro and he picked up his bats. “Great,” he said, “my brand.”

 

We walked down the tunnel to the dugout and we talked of all sorts of things. I didn’t want to get to the meat of the interview straightaway. I asked about former Red Sox outfielder Tony Conigliaro, who was hit by a pitch in 1967 and nearly blinded.

 

“A tragedy,” Yaz said. “We will never know how good he could have been. The kid was a great talent, all lost. One pitch. That’s the way life is, completely unpredictable. We never know what’s around the next bend.”

 

I mentioned Ted Williams. “The greatest hitter of all-time,” he said. “He knows more about hitting than most can ever dream.”

 

“What was it like to follow him,” I asked.

 

“God, do you know how many times I’ve been asked that question? It was damned hard, but I think I did okay. I did what I could. Ted was Ted. There is only one Ted Williams. There will be no one like him.”

 

I found him to be one of the most thoughtful baseball players I had ever interviewed. He answered every question, always holding on to his bats. I worried that I was taking too much of his time. “Don’t worry,” he said. “As long as you got smokes, I got time. You see, I quit.”

 

And then he lit another one.

 

“What? Smoking.”

 

“No,” he said, “buying. Tell you what, batting practice is coming up, why don’t you meet me at the team hotel after the game and we will talk some more.”

 

He went to the cage, while I sat in the dugout and watched him rope line drives across the expanses of Municipal Stadium. Dwight Evans was in the dugout, too. “Something, isn’t it?” he said. “When you are a blue-collar guy, like me, it’s hard to watch. Damned impressive, and he’s quitting. What I would give to have that skill?”

 

For three days, we talked. He smoked my smokes and I bought beers. He preferred to meet at the bar in the team hotel. Finally, I asked him. “Carl, why no ceremonies? Why no recognition from the fans?”

 

He dropped his head and laughed. He tapped his Marlboro in the ashtray and looked up with a slight smile. “Here it is,” he said. “I’m gonna miss all this enough. I don’t want to be reminded of what is passing, what’s lost. I can’t do this anymore. I wish I could, but I can’t. It’s done. I want to walk away clean. I just want to tip my cap and walk away.”

 

On his last night in Cleveland, that’s exactly what he did. The crowd stood and applauded his every at-bat, and with each at-bat, he tipped his cap. There were no speeches, no gifts and no ceremonies.

 

I think he had a couple of hits that night. I don’t remember. If he did, that was okay. If he didn’t, that was okay, too. It didn’t matter. It was all about the tip of the cap. That said all that needed to be said about Carl Yastrzemski.

 

After the game, I made another pass through the clubhouse. Yastrzemski was packing up his stuff, hurrying along to make the team bus.

 

“I’ve thought about what we been talking about,” he said. “Give me a smoke.”

 

I pulled another “nail” from my pack. He lit it and inhaled deeply. “These people don’t owe me anything,” he said. “I owe them everything. That’s it. See ya.”

 

 

http://greghoard.com/2013/03/07/yaz/

Edited September 26, 2014 by a700hitter

[Northern Star]

who started this farewell tour ********? The earliest I can remember is Paul O'Neill, and that might not have been a whole season, don't remember for sure. But anyway, it's classless.

[seabeachfred]

who started this farewell tour ********? The earliest I can remember is Paul O'Neill, and that might not have been a whole season, don't remember for sure. But anyway, it's classless.

 

The best way to answer this farewell tour of BS as you put it is to go out there and win this three game series, no matter how unimportant it is in the overall scheme of things this season. At least let's try to finish in an upbeat manner. We have some young players in there tonight and let's hope they come through and show the front office they are worthy of a long look next Spring. After enduring the likes of Jackie and Will this season we need a positive shot of some "good young blood".

[Spudboy]

The best way to answer this farewell tour of BS as you put it is to go out there and win this three game series, no matter how unimportant it is in the overall scheme of things this season. At least let's try to finish in an upbeat manner. We have some young players in there tonight and let's hope they come through and show the front office they are worthy of a long look next Spring. After enduring the likes of Jackie and Will this season we need a positive shot of some "good young blood".

 

Amen.

 

Brentz has looked good. Even Webster has appeared to have improved. Although that could be an illusion!

 

There is hope for the future. As long as the brass don't go cheap on starting pitching.

[a700hitter]

Nava is one of the stupidest base runners that I have ever seen. He's right up there with Hubie Brooks-- if anyone remembers him.

[Spudboy]

Nava is one of the stupidest base runners that I have ever seen. He's right up there with Hubie Brooks-- if anyone remembers him.

 

I don't remember Brooks but I have to acknowledge that smart and skillful base running is not one of Nava's skills!

 

Don't worry Ted. He will likely be jettisoned in the off season.

 

Which is too bad because a 4th or 5th outfielder or back-up 1st baseman with his hitting skills is a nice luxury to have around.

[Spudboy]

And speaking of dumb base running, did you see the boner Castillo made at first base today? I believe it was Cechini who stupidly got caught in a run down between 3rd and home after Castillo had singled , I think. Anyway, Castillo ran back to 1st instead of taking 2nd. He was thrown out by the third baseman after the tag on Ceccini.

 

This, to me, typifies the lack of polish and situation skills that seemingly most of the Cuban refugees suffer from.

[Northern Star]

Does Girardi get fired after this season?

[seabeachfred]

Nava is one of the stupidest base runners that I have ever seen. He's right up there with Hubie Brooks-- if anyone remembers him.

 

Jameel Weeks isn't too smart on the paths either. He has made three bonehead plays since he's been with us. I wonder what gives with Nava. He has come on strong with the bat since that ill fated and stupid move by Farrell to make him a leadoff man at the beginning of the season. The guy can hit righthanders and though a lot of people want him out, he is not the guy who needs to go. The inept and overmatched Bradley is the first who should be jettisoned.

[seabeachfred]

I don't remember Brooks but I have to acknowledge that smart and skillful base running is not one of Nava's skills!

 

Don't worry Ted. He will likely be jettisoned in the off season.

 

Which is too bad because a 4th or 5th outfielder or back-up 1st baseman with his hitting skills is a nice luxury to have around.

 

I'd be very leery about just getting rid of Nava this off season. He came back very strong after that miserable start and he can hit right handed pitching very well. A nice luxury like him you try to hold onto unless he is part of a big deal to get a top notch starting pitcher. The guy that needs to go is Bradley......very quickly.

[seabeachfred]

And speaking of dumb base running, did you see the boner Castillo made at first base today? I believe it was Cechini who stupidly got caught in a run down between 3rd and home after Castillo had singled , I think. Anyway, Castillo ran back to 1st instead of taking 2nd. He was thrown out by the third baseman after the tag on Ceccini.

 

This, to me, typifies the lack of polish and situation skills that seemingly most of the Cuban refugees suffer from.

 

Cuban ballplayers are not dumb but they do seem to lack those situational skills you talk about. What I've seen very recently is that Castillo looks like he is getting good and locked in and with Cespedes talking about free agency after next season we need to hold onto Rusney like a vise. Spring Training is the time for the coaching staff to stress and work on base running skills Spud, and if Farrell decides to run a real camp next March instead of the farce he directed this past Spring Castillo can be brought up to date. He is looking better with every game and so is Cecchini, another lunk head on the bases today, as well as Brentz who has hit well the past three games. Very carefully must the front office and coaching staff make personnel decisions this winter. They must pick the right players and get rid of those that don't fit in one way or another. Give Castillo, Cecchini, Brentz and Betts a lot of room next Spring and we may get a very pleasant surprise.

[jacksonianmarch]

We'll see how "stupid" the farewell tour is when Ortiz has his next yr. Also, these "farewell tours" raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for their charities. In the end, it's a good thing.

[a700hitter]

Its an undignified casdh grab that detracts from the purpose of the team.

[Spudboy]

I'm sick of the idolatry. Jeter did nothing spectacular. He played baseball.

[Bellhorn04]

I don't remember Brooks but I have to acknowledge that smart and skillful base running is not one of Nava's skills!

 

Don't worry Ted. He will likely be jettisoned in the off season.

 

Which is too bad because a 4th or 5th outfielder or back-up 1st baseman with his hitting skills is a nice luxury to have around.

 

Nava will be back. We need some left-handed bats.

[Bellhorn04]

Does Girardi get fired after this season?

 

Absolutely not. He did pretty good considering the backfired offseason moves and the injuries to the starting rotation. This is on the Yankee FO.

[jacksonianmarch]

Girardi is gonna get an extension. This team had no business being above .500. We lost 80% of our starting rotation for a period of 2-3 months or more apiece. Our #6 lost 3 months as well. The funny thing is, the FO operated brilliantly from opening day until now. Their pre-season and off-season acquisitions were what killed us