I apologize for the space in between my articles. Lately, my stories have been coming in every few days, which is not what I wanted. I've been researching some things in preparation for a story I'm doing that focuses on prospects, and I'm going to give my predictions for who's going to stick and who's not going to make it to the big show.
I've also been busy trying to earn my spot in the Journalism program at the Times Union next year. I had my interview yesterday, and I think it went pretty well. The writing sample I submitted wasn't my very best work, but I thought I did a solid job.
All I know is if I don't get it in to the program it will be the biggest disappointment of my life.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Hank's At It Again
The New York Times has reported that Hank Steinbrenner has lashed out and almost demanded that Joba be placed in the rotation. He nudged that it'd be in place of Mike Mussina as well.
“There is no question about it, you don’t have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a setup guy. You just don’t do that. You have to be an idiot to do that.”
Out of all the comments he made, this one struck me as the most humorous. First of all, he basically called his manager an idiot, along with many, many media members who agree the Yankees need Joba in the pen.
For everyone, including Hank, visualize the Yankees bullpen without Joba Chamberlain. This would mean LaTroy Hawkins and Kyle Farnsworth pitching the 8th inning. As a Yankee fan, we better hope that we're up by five heading into the 8th frame if we want to win.
The other part of that statement is the top, about not having a pitcher who can throw 100 as a setup guy. Now, Kyle Farnsworth can throw regulary in the high 90s, and has touched 100. Using Hanks logic, Farnsy would be a good fit for the rotation too, right?
Hank then also said he believed the rotation would work out when Kennedy and Hughes got more starts, Joba entered the roto, and Wang and Pettitte stay consistent. By doing this, he shunned Moose out. When asked about Moose, he said that Mussina needs to learn how to pitch like Jamie Moyer. One can tell the extreme dislike Steinbrenner has for Mussina as a pitcher. I don't think Moose can pitch either, but the owner of the franchise doesn't have to chastise a guy who gave them some great years.
After reading this, I'm just glad Hank doesn't run the actual team. We'd probably be closer to 5-15 then 10-10. Everyone, except Hank, knows that he's the idiot, not Girardi. Joba should ultimately be a starter, yes. But at this point in time the Yankees will be most successful with Chamberlain pitching the 8th inning.
Link To Story
“There is no question about it, you don’t have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a setup guy. You just don’t do that. You have to be an idiot to do that.”
Out of all the comments he made, this one struck me as the most humorous. First of all, he basically called his manager an idiot, along with many, many media members who agree the Yankees need Joba in the pen.
For everyone, including Hank, visualize the Yankees bullpen without Joba Chamberlain. This would mean LaTroy Hawkins and Kyle Farnsworth pitching the 8th inning. As a Yankee fan, we better hope that we're up by five heading into the 8th frame if we want to win.
The other part of that statement is the top, about not having a pitcher who can throw 100 as a setup guy. Now, Kyle Farnsworth can throw regulary in the high 90s, and has touched 100. Using Hanks logic, Farnsy would be a good fit for the rotation too, right?
Hank then also said he believed the rotation would work out when Kennedy and Hughes got more starts, Joba entered the roto, and Wang and Pettitte stay consistent. By doing this, he shunned Moose out. When asked about Moose, he said that Mussina needs to learn how to pitch like Jamie Moyer. One can tell the extreme dislike Steinbrenner has for Mussina as a pitcher. I don't think Moose can pitch either, but the owner of the franchise doesn't have to chastise a guy who gave them some great years.
After reading this, I'm just glad Hank doesn't run the actual team. We'd probably be closer to 5-15 then 10-10. Everyone, except Hank, knows that he's the idiot, not Girardi. Joba should ultimately be a starter, yes. But at this point in time the Yankees will be most successful with Chamberlain pitching the 8th inning.
Link To Story
Saturday, April 19, 2008
As Usual, Yanks Staff in Shambles
For the fourth night in a row, we're watching a Yankees starter deliver a horrendous performance. Chien-Ming Wang and Mike Mussina both struggled against the Red Sox, and now young ones Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy have found trouble against the O's. Wang's was most likely a fluky bad start caused by a lack of rhythm with third string catcher Chad Moeller, but what about the other three?
Mike Mussina has shown his age over the past two seasons. He now throws a mid 80s fastball and has to get by on location and movement. He hasn't shown either as of late, throwing two 86 mph fastballs down the middle to Manny Ramirez (kids: don't try that at home). It's sad to see Moose like this. He was so good for so long and was always a fan favorite, but he just can't get guys out consistently anymore.
Phil Hughes is the one who will turn it around quickest, in my opinion. He just has to locate better. He's throwing strikes, but hes catching too much of the plate. He's given up 25 hits in 16 IP, which is way too much. He should turn it around with more experience.
Ian Kennedy needs some time in AAA. His biggest problem is something thats hindered so many careers from becoming great, control. Counting tonights game, in 13 IP this season, Kennedy has walked 13 batters, given up 19 hits, and surrendered 15 ER. A walk an inning will prevent success. He's struck out 13 hitters as well, which is very good for a guy who is not a power pitcher. Kennedy should work out his control problems with Scranton, not the Bronx Bombers.
Now if we're sending Kennedy down, you might ask who can the Yankees call up? Kei Igawa surely isn't the answer to the Yankees pitching woes. They don't have an answer on their roster, but they do have a guy who can be a serviceable fourth or fifth starter. This man I'm referring to is Darrell Rasner, who has a 1.06 ERA in three starts for AAA.
Come on, you can't call up a guy based on three AAA starts, right? Rasner was the Yankees fifth starter for the first month or so last season, and was decent. He posted a 4.01 ERA in 6 starts before injuries ended his season. The year before he was good in a September cup of coffee as a starter as well. He could give the Yankees some quality starts until they are ready to bring Kennedy back up or send Joba to the rotation, and then he can do some work in long relief. In my eyes, Rasner would be an upgrade over Ian Kennedy at this point in time.
Mike Mussina has shown his age over the past two seasons. He now throws a mid 80s fastball and has to get by on location and movement. He hasn't shown either as of late, throwing two 86 mph fastballs down the middle to Manny Ramirez (kids: don't try that at home). It's sad to see Moose like this. He was so good for so long and was always a fan favorite, but he just can't get guys out consistently anymore.
Phil Hughes is the one who will turn it around quickest, in my opinion. He just has to locate better. He's throwing strikes, but hes catching too much of the plate. He's given up 25 hits in 16 IP, which is way too much. He should turn it around with more experience.
Ian Kennedy needs some time in AAA. His biggest problem is something thats hindered so many careers from becoming great, control. Counting tonights game, in 13 IP this season, Kennedy has walked 13 batters, given up 19 hits, and surrendered 15 ER. A walk an inning will prevent success. He's struck out 13 hitters as well, which is very good for a guy who is not a power pitcher. Kennedy should work out his control problems with Scranton, not the Bronx Bombers.
Now if we're sending Kennedy down, you might ask who can the Yankees call up? Kei Igawa surely isn't the answer to the Yankees pitching woes. They don't have an answer on their roster, but they do have a guy who can be a serviceable fourth or fifth starter. This man I'm referring to is Darrell Rasner, who has a 1.06 ERA in three starts for AAA.
Come on, you can't call up a guy based on three AAA starts, right? Rasner was the Yankees fifth starter for the first month or so last season, and was decent. He posted a 4.01 ERA in 6 starts before injuries ended his season. The year before he was good in a September cup of coffee as a starter as well. He could give the Yankees some quality starts until they are ready to bring Kennedy back up or send Joba to the rotation, and then he can do some work in long relief. In my eyes, Rasner would be an upgrade over Ian Kennedy at this point in time.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Wild One In The Bronx Tonight
Round Two of the Yanks and Sox began tonight, and this one is proving to be much more entertaining. Currently the Yanks lead 11-9, after five innings. We've seen the Yankees blow a lead, regain a lead, blow the lead again, and then Boston blew a lead of their own. Neither Clay Buchholz or Chien-Ming Wang could pitch five innings, and Buchholz couldn't even get through four.
The good thing thats coming out of this (and the two game Tampa series) is that the bats are waking up. This is also coinciding with Derek Jeter's return to the lineup. Jeter hit a two run single with the bases loaded and two outs in the 4th. This gave the Yanks a 6-3 lead that would be extended to 7-3 and later relinquished. What may be forgotten is the at-bat that was the key to the inning. With runners on the corners and two outs in a 3-3 game, Chad Moeller came up to the plate. He ran a full count and fouled off numerous pitches before hitting a broken bat bloop single into left field. This at-bat may have shaken up Buchholz, who did not get an out afterwards.
For anyone that is a huge fan of baseball and stats, subscribe to the Baseball Prospectus website (http://www.baseballprospectus.com). I did last week and the articles available to subscribers are great. There was an excellent one on Tuesday about Lou Pinella's decision to move Soriano back into the leadoff role and how it was the right move for team chemistry, comparing it to a Pittsburgh Pirates situation of the 1920s. They pop out articles every day, and each of them are interesting in their own aspects.
Sorry about the hiatus for a week, I've been busy with school and such. I just visited the University of Syracuse today. What a campus. The architecture is amazing, and it just seems like a place I could see myself. It will be the first of many college visits I have planned.
Exactly one week until my interview for the chance to 'intern' at the Times Union for my senior year.
The good thing thats coming out of this (and the two game Tampa series) is that the bats are waking up. This is also coinciding with Derek Jeter's return to the lineup. Jeter hit a two run single with the bases loaded and two outs in the 4th. This gave the Yanks a 6-3 lead that would be extended to 7-3 and later relinquished. What may be forgotten is the at-bat that was the key to the inning. With runners on the corners and two outs in a 3-3 game, Chad Moeller came up to the plate. He ran a full count and fouled off numerous pitches before hitting a broken bat bloop single into left field. This at-bat may have shaken up Buchholz, who did not get an out afterwards.
For anyone that is a huge fan of baseball and stats, subscribe to the Baseball Prospectus website (http://www.baseballprospectus.com). I did last week and the articles available to subscribers are great. There was an excellent one on Tuesday about Lou Pinella's decision to move Soriano back into the leadoff role and how it was the right move for team chemistry, comparing it to a Pittsburgh Pirates situation of the 1920s. They pop out articles every day, and each of them are interesting in their own aspects.
Sorry about the hiatus for a week, I've been busy with school and such. I just visited the University of Syracuse today. What a campus. The architecture is amazing, and it just seems like a place I could see myself. It will be the first of many college visits I have planned.
Exactly one week until my interview for the chance to 'intern' at the Times Union for my senior year.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Yankees Hitting Woes Continue
The New York Yankees hitting has gone from bad to worse, as they have managed a paltry two runs in the first two games combined in their series with Kansas City. Sure, Kansas City looks like a much better team then we've seen in the recent past. However, this is supposed to be one of the premier lineups in baseball, and they have scored just 25 runs in 9 games.
What is to blame for the struggling bats? Injuries have played a key part. Derek Jeter is out, Jorge Posada is out, and Jason Giambi has been banged up the entire time. Jose Molina and Wilson Betemit are less than stellar bats at the plate. The injured players don't do anything to justify the "Golden Sombrero" that Alex Rodriguez reached after his 0-4, 4K night in the opener @ Kansas City.
Hopefully the bad start is an aberration. The Yankees are 4-5, and so is Boston, so there is no need to panic yet. If hitting is still a huge problem a week or two from now, then we can worry. The Yanks go to Boston this weekend in a crucial early series.
The Royals start southpaw John Bale tonight, who has nowhere near the stuff of Bannister and Greinke. The only player with more than three career at-bats against Bale is Johnny Damon, who is 1-7 career. Andy Pettitte takes the hill tonight for the Bronx Bombers. Perhaps they can start to live up to that name by blowing the doors open tonight.
What is to blame for the struggling bats? Injuries have played a key part. Derek Jeter is out, Jorge Posada is out, and Jason Giambi has been banged up the entire time. Jose Molina and Wilson Betemit are less than stellar bats at the plate. The injured players don't do anything to justify the "Golden Sombrero" that Alex Rodriguez reached after his 0-4, 4K night in the opener @ Kansas City.
Hopefully the bad start is an aberration. The Yankees are 4-5, and so is Boston, so there is no need to panic yet. If hitting is still a huge problem a week or two from now, then we can worry. The Yanks go to Boston this weekend in a crucial early series.
The Royals start southpaw John Bale tonight, who has nowhere near the stuff of Bannister and Greinke. The only player with more than three career at-bats against Bale is Johnny Damon, who is 1-7 career. Andy Pettitte takes the hill tonight for the Bronx Bombers. Perhaps they can start to live up to that name by blowing the doors open tonight.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
It's All Over
One of the saddest days in the world is today, the day after the NCAA Championship game. I'm going to miss college basketball for the months that it's gone. The next few weeks will be full with players declaring to enter the NBA Draft, or to stay in college for at least another season.
What a championship game. It was easily the best championship game I've ever watched, and Kansas deserves the title. Memphis made a few questionable moves, missing free throws down the stretch and then not fouling Sharron Collins or Mario Chalmers. After the Jayhawks domination against North Carolina, I kind of expected them to win it all (although Memphis handled UCLA rather easily as well). Kansas outplayed Memphis, Bill Self outcoached John Calipari, and "Rock Chalk Jayhawk" was the story of the night.
I'm not going to get into North Carolina's disaster of a Final Four appearance. They didn't show up to play. Roy Williams took the fall for the loss, but it's hard for the Tar Heels to win when they shoot 5-24 from 3 point range. The bright side of this is everyone could come back next season. The only player that worries me in that area is Ty Lawson, who could be a top ten pick.
The list of players who have declared for the NBA Draft continues to grow, with the recent additions of Arizona's Jerryd Bayless and Indiana's Eric Gordon. Gordon's season looked very promising, as he was the star of one of the best teams in non-conference play. Kelvin Sampson's scandal ultimately did in the team, as they lost in the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament after sliding down to an eight seed. So far, the only player who has declared they are returning is this year's darling of the tourney, Stephen Curry.
Now that the NCAA Tournament has ended, the blog will focus more on baseball (more then just the Yankees too), and some NFL Draft may be in the discussion.
What a championship game. It was easily the best championship game I've ever watched, and Kansas deserves the title. Memphis made a few questionable moves, missing free throws down the stretch and then not fouling Sharron Collins or Mario Chalmers. After the Jayhawks domination against North Carolina, I kind of expected them to win it all (although Memphis handled UCLA rather easily as well). Kansas outplayed Memphis, Bill Self outcoached John Calipari, and "Rock Chalk Jayhawk" was the story of the night.
I'm not going to get into North Carolina's disaster of a Final Four appearance. They didn't show up to play. Roy Williams took the fall for the loss, but it's hard for the Tar Heels to win when they shoot 5-24 from 3 point range. The bright side of this is everyone could come back next season. The only player that worries me in that area is Ty Lawson, who could be a top ten pick.
The list of players who have declared for the NBA Draft continues to grow, with the recent additions of Arizona's Jerryd Bayless and Indiana's Eric Gordon. Gordon's season looked very promising, as he was the star of one of the best teams in non-conference play. Kelvin Sampson's scandal ultimately did in the team, as they lost in the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament after sliding down to an eight seed. So far, the only player who has declared they are returning is this year's darling of the tourney, Stephen Curry.
Now that the NCAA Tournament has ended, the blog will focus more on baseball (more then just the Yankees too), and some NFL Draft may be in the discussion.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
One Down, One To Go
Memphis has already reserved their spot in the NCAA Championship game, but my highly anticipated matchup is about to begin. North Carolina plays Kansas, in a game full of storylines and stars. Roy Williams taking on his former team is the biggest storyline outside of the game, as many Jayhawks fans despise the way Williams bolted for his alma mater.
The biggest question is what can Kansas do to stop Psycho T, the best player in college basketball. It's not a matter of stopping him, it's containing him from a monster game. I think UNC's running game will not be stopped. This game worries me more then if we played Memphis or UCLA, because of how good Kansas can play defense. They have the team that can beat the Tar Heels, but I'll be praying they won't.
I'm in Flanders, New Jersey for the weekend for a softball tournament with the tournament team that I am an assistant coach of. Not sure if I'll update the blog after the game tonight, but I'll be home tomorrow night. If North Carolina loses, expect my blog to take on a gloomy tone for a little while.
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