This week in Baseball

[UZI Suicide 0]

Amazing game going on in LA between the Dodgers and Braves. Dodgers are up 2-0 in the 8th, Jeff Weaver pitched 7 1/2 scoreless innings, in the 8th he loads the bases and Adam LaRoche hits a grand slam off him with 2 outs to make it 4-2. Bottom of the 8th, LA Loads the bases and Milton Bradley returns the favor with a grand slam of his own, now it's 6-4 Dodgers.

[Guest TheDon]

It's funny. Bernie Williams is hitting worse than Giambi, and no one suggests sending HIM to Colombus.

And you call yourself a baseball guru. Are you on crack? Do you even pay attention to the yankees to make such an idiotic comment like that. Last time I checked bernie could still almost hit while Giambi is a failure among every aspect of the game this season.

[Guest StylesMark]

Giambi hit the ball! My god. He's back on the ROIDS!!!!

[Guest TheDon]

What is Giambi 1 for his last 18?

[Matt Young 0]

Fuck, I missed that Dodgers game earlier.

 

I'm really wanting to attend one of the 4 White Sox/Angels games in Anaheim later this month. Those will be the only 4 games the Sox play in Anaheim, and likely my last chance to see the team live for a long time.

 

It'll also be nice to see my favorite team (Chicago) play in person for the first time. The only baseball games I've ever attended have been in Busch Stadium- Cardinals vs. Twins in 2001, and Cardinals vs. Reds in I believe 2003.

 

Hey, cool. Upon further investigation, cheap outfield seats are a mere $9-12. Add in a couple bucks for the Metrolink trip, and that's a damn good deal for getting to see my favorite team and a little Vlad Guerrero on the side.

 

Only problem is transportion home. The Metro stops running early, and I wouldn't have a place to stay. I may have to settle for a later Cubs/Dodgers day game.

[Guest StylesMark]

Well, Kevin Brown takes the mound tonight.

 

:::waits for disaster:::

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

It's funny.  Bernie Williams is hitting worse than Giambi, and no one suggests sending HIM to Colombus.

And you call yourself a baseball guru. Are you on crack? Do you even pay attention to the yankees to make such an idiotic comment like that. Last time I checked bernie could still almost hit while Giambi is a failure among every aspect of the game this season.

Bernie Williams

H/AB: 27/110

R: 9

HR: 1

RBI: 10

SB:1

AVG:.245

 

Jason Giambi

H/AB: 16/81

R: 11

HR: 3

RBI: 6

SB: 0

AVG:.198

 

I pulled these off of Yahoo fantasy baseball real quick, hence why I didn't list OBP, BB, and Ks. Still, Bernie is hitting better than Giambi this year.

[the pinjockey 0]

Giambi: .198/.381/.321/.702 (18BBs, 31Ks)

 

Williams: .245/.311/.309/.621 (11BBs, 15Ks)

 

Looking at those numbers, it appears that Williams gets credit for not striking out despite the fact he makes many more outs than Giambi. Williams numbers make him a black hole, at least Giambi can still get on base while hitting under the mendoza line.

[Mik 0]

The fact that it's close enough to even debate just shows how CORRECT al was in the first place.

[the pinjockey 0]

Ed Wade needs to put a gag on his players

 

From Jimmy Rollins:

"Patience is a virtue, and it'd be nice to see patience from a Philly fan," Rollins said. "But that's not what they're known for. And you'd better believe, they like the reputation."

 

From Kenny Lofton:

"You look at the fans here to be your supporters and the fans here in Philly, they're not your supporters. You don't have supporters here in Philly and that's not good for a team. I've been on a lot of teams, you guys know that, and they look at the fans as being the 10th man on the field to help them. The fans are not that. The people in Philly need to start changing it around and start being positive. I think that will make a big difference, to be positive.

 

From Brett Myers:

"Definitely... I want to stick it up the media's a**," he said, stone-faced. "And all the people who doubted me."

 

Next, Myers was asked to comment on the fact that so many are calling for Manuel's head so quickly into his stint.

 

"People can open their mouth all they want and see what they want to see," Myers said. "But they don't know the behind-the-scenes stuff. Half the people sayin' that don't know a frickin' thing about baseball. They're just lettin' their lips run."

 

Meanwhile, Myers did acknowledge that he sometimes pitched scared last season, and that too often he would hesitate throwing a curve, for example, because the batter was purported to be a tremendous curveball hitter.

 

"Now, I'm going with my pitch," he said. "If you hit it, you hit it."

 

Guys, people aren't big fans of the team now as it is. If you want to talk about patience then you better yell at Wade about it. For three years now the fans have been sold the idea that "Well, if everyone plays to their potential then we will succeed". I certainly won't say the Philly fans are the most easy going crowd, but preaching patience to a fan base that has been told they have a winner for three years (with no playoff appearances to show for it), a fan base of the losingest franchise of the previous century, and a city that has not seen a title in a 1/4 century you are setting yourself up to be crucified.

 

Another problem is that people have complained that this is not a very likeable bunch, thank you Brett for irritating those people further. You pitched like shit last year and turned it around, congrats. But you certainly were not due a free pass last year so suck it up.

 

This summer might get really ugly if they don't turn it around in a hurry (read: win about 8 of the next 10).

[Guest StylesMark]

The fact that it's close enough to even debate just shows how CORRECT al was in the first place.

Again, their contractual issues are much different.

 

Giambi is also not near and dear to the Yankees organization as Williams. And, like it or not, fair or not, that's the way things work sometimes.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Because, Williams > Giambi. Not to mention Giambi's contract is far greater, so the team would slightly benefit. The 2005 Yankees lose nothing by this. Bernie has the POTENTIAL to be an all around better player this year, as far as a bench guy goes.

 

Again, Bernie actually HITS THE GOD DAMN BALL. Sure Giambi has a better OBP, slugging, and OPS, but Bernie has more hits, a better average, more RBIs, and again, CAN HIT THE DAMN BALL.

 

And you call yourself a baseball guru. Are you on crack? Do you even pay attention to the yankees to make such an idiotic comment like that. Last time I checked bernie could still almost hit while Giambi is a failure among every aspect of the game this season.

 

Others ran the statistics, but they bear repeating, and I will add a few. Giambi is hitting .198/.381/.321. Bernie Williams is hitting .245/.311/.309. Williams' argument in this case lies in the fact that his batting average is higher. Of course, batting average is not as good as slugging percentage or on base percentage, but hey, it is all about the hits right?

 

Mike mentions that Bernie has more hits and RBIs. Ten to six is hardly a slam dunk win in the RBI category, but the larger problem is that Bernie has about 20 more plate appearances to work with. And that ignores another stat category. Giambi has scored more RUNS than Bernie has this season. You know, that thing that wins games?

 

Looking over some advanced metrics, Giambi beats Bernie Williams in runs created, even with the deficit in plate appearances. If we go by Runs Created over 27 outs, Giambi smokes Bernie. Giambi hits for more power than Bernie Williams. Quite honestly, I am hard pressed to find a better argument for Bernie besides "he has a better batting average."

 

Giambi walks often, and thus does not use outs, and gives the Yankees a baserunner with the potential to score runs. Bernie makes more outs. Granted, Giambi is as bad a player you can find with a .381 OBP. But .381 is .381. And that is much better than the low OBP and no power the Yankees are getting from Bernie, and Giambi is even more productive than regulars Tony Womack, Hideki Matsui, and Robinson Cano.

 

Is Giambi finished? He is nearing the end, as his batting average and slugging are nowhere near respectable. But there are worse hitters on this team, and I have a hard time believing that sending Giambi to AAA accomplishes anything besides scraping a few million off the luxury tax. That is all this move is about. Money.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Guys, people aren't big fans of the team now as it is. If you want to talk about patience then you better yell at Wade about it. For three years now the fans have been sold the idea that "Well, if everyone plays to their potential then we will succeed". I certainly won't say the Philly fans are the most easy going crowd, but preaching patience to a fan base that has been told they have a winner for three years (with no playoff appearances to show for it), a fan base of the losingest franchise of the previous century, and a city that has not seen a title in a 1/4 century you are setting yourself up to be crucified.

 

In a way, the players are right. Philly fans boo at the first hint of bad play. Much of that is frustration, but I wonder sometimes if it costs us the home-field advantage we should enjoy. When the fans boo a player (in this case, Mike Lieberthal) at his first at bat of the game, there are problems.

[iggymcfly 0]

Let me add some numbers that will really show how bad Giambi and Bernie Williams are performing.

 

Jason Giambi: .198/.381/.321/.702 (18BBs, 31Ks), $13,428,571 per year

Bernie Williams: .245/.311/.309/.621 (11BBs, 15Ks) $12,357,143 per year

 

Oh and don't forget:

 

Kevin Brown: 31.0 IP, 1-4, 6.39 ERA, $15,714,286 per year

 

For comparison's sake, the only player on the AL East leading Orioles making $11,000,000 or more a year is Sammy Sosa. That in a nutshell, is how the Yankees can have the highest payroll in baseball and still be terrible.

 

(Don't even bring up the winning streak. I might start paying attention if the Yankees get over .500.)

[Jericholic82 0]

Let me add some numbers that will really show how bad Giambi and Bernie Williams are performing.

 

Jason Giambi: .198/.381/.321/.702 (18BBs, 31Ks), $13,428,571 per year

Bernie Williams: .245/.311/.309/.621 (11BBs, 15Ks) $12,357,143 per year

 

Oh and don't forget:

 

Kevin Brown: 31.0 IP, 1-4, 6.39 ERA, $15,714,286 per year

 

For comparison's sake, the only player on the AL East leading Orioles making $11,000,000 or more a year is Sammy Sosa. That in a nutshell, is how the Yankees can have the highest payroll in baseball and still be terrible.

 

(Don't even bring up the winning streak. I might start paying attention if the Yankees get over .500.)

I wouldnt start bragging if I were you, one day the os players will wake up and remember "hey were the orioles, we suck!"

 

 

remember this day when I warned you all, The Yanks will win the east again. I guaran-damn-tee it. TM Rocky Maivia

 

 

If I'm wrong you can have a thread insulting me all day if you like.

[Jericholic82 0]

I've watched Angels v. Rangers games and saw no issue with the announcing. Hudler is a pretty good announcer.

 

Every announce team is biased in some minute way or else they'd likely be fired. They're always going to take the home-team's side on a close call. The good ones will accept facts against it.

Ok then, but try and watch a yanks vs angels game

 

Sorry I don't watch much games not involving my Yanks so....

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

When the fans boo a player (in this case, Mike Lieberthal) at his first at bat of the game, there are problems

I can't wait to see what the reaction to Lieberthal is going to be once he reaches his target at-bats, kicking in the $7.5M contract for next season, especially if he continues to play so poorly. Not going to be a pretty sight.

[Jericholic82 0]

and Iggy I wasnt make fun of you, I was just being competive ok? I dont want to be another anglesault here lol

[mike546 0]

Because, Williams > Giambi. Not to mention Giambi's contract is far greater, so the team would slightly benefit. The 2005 Yankees lose nothing by this. Bernie has the POTENTIAL to be an all around better player this year, as far as a bench guy goes.

 

Again, Bernie actually HITS THE GOD DAMN BALL. Sure Giambi has a better OBP, slugging, and OPS, but Bernie has more hits, a better average, more RBIs, and again, CAN HIT THE DAMN BALL.

 

And you call yourself a baseball guru. Are you on crack? Do you even pay attention to the yankees to make such an idiotic comment like that. Last time I checked bernie could still almost hit while Giambi is a failure among every aspect of the game this season.

 

Others ran the statistics, but they bear repeating, and I will add a few. Giambi is hitting .198/.381/.321. Bernie Williams is hitting .245/.311/.309. Williams' argument in this case lies in the fact that his batting average is higher. Of course, batting average is not as good as slugging percentage or on base percentage, but hey, it is all about the hits right?

 

Mike mentions that Bernie has more hits and RBIs. Ten to six is hardly a slam dunk win in the RBI category, but the larger problem is that Bernie has about 20 more plate appearances to work with. And that ignores another stat category. Giambi has scored more RUNS than Bernie has this season. You know, that thing that wins games?

 

Looking over some advanced metrics, Giambi beats Bernie Williams in runs created, even with the deficit in plate appearances. If we go by Runs Created over 27 outs, Giambi smokes Bernie. Giambi hits for more power than Bernie Williams. Quite honestly, I am hard pressed to find a better argument for Bernie besides "he has a better batting average."

 

Giambi walks often, and thus does not use outs, and gives the Yankees a baserunner with the potential to score runs. Bernie makes more outs. Granted, Giambi is as bad a player you can find with a .381 OBP. But .381 is .381. And that is much better than the low OBP and no power the Yankees are getting from Bernie, and Giambi is even more productive than regulars Tony Womack, Hideki Matsui, and Robinson Cano.

 

Is Giambi finished? He is nearing the end, as his batting average and slugging are nowhere near respectable. But there are worse hitters on this team, and I have a hard time believing that sending Giambi to AAA accomplishes anything besides scraping a few million off the luxury tax. That is all this move is about. Money.

I see all those stats, and I'm honestly dumfounded how Giambi leads in them. Maybe its mostly from April, but if you watch all of his ABs from May, its purely pathetic. Sure Bernie is hitting bad as well, but hes making contact. Also the fact that for all hes done for the Yankees, people can honestly understand and accept the fact Bernies not what he used to be. The thing that pisses me and other Yankee fans off is that Giambis problems are so easy to see. He can't hit a fastball anymore, and I'm sure he was thanking Juan Cruz for giving him a hanging curve on his hit.

 

I understand your stats Al, and I accept them, but looking beyond the stats, Giambi shouldn't be in this lineup.

 

And Iggy, how can you not care about this winning streak? Were only 5.5 games behind you right now. With 13 more games against you. Your confidence in the fact the Yankees won't come back is laughable in my opinion.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I understand your stats Al, and I accept them, but looking beyond the stats, Giambi shouldn't be in this lineup.

 

You're right. The problem the Yankees have is that they have several players who quite honestly, have no business in a major league lineup.

 

What the Yankees can do in the short term is outright dump Bernie Williams and a few others, and pick up some replacement level players to replace them. Minor league veterans like Ernie Young. Give Mitch Jones a shot. Second, and I can't believe I'm saying this, they need to make Rey Sanchez a regular player. Play him at second, or play him at short, and move Derek Jeter to center field. They need to shore up the defense.

 

And Iggy, how can you not care about this winning streak? Were only 5.5 games behind you right now. With 13 more games against you. Your confidence in the fact the Yankees won't come back is laughable in my opinion.

 

I'm not sweating the Yankees. The Red Sox however are just a game back, and have won eight of their last ten.

[mike546 0]

Theres no way their going to dump Bernie. If that happened, I'd stop being a Yankee fan. And beside the fact moving Jeter to CF won't happen, the more logical situation would be to shop for a LF at the deadline, and platoon Womack and Cano at 2nd, or give Rube the LF job and do the platoon. Then again, that kills an already pathetic bench. I don't want Matsui out of CF. He looks SO much more comfortable there than LF, and catches everything. And Rey Sanchez has been stellar off the bench, hes batting somewhere around .400.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Jeter in center? He sucks at the position he's had for years now, I can't see him being any good at a new one.

[the max 0]

Jeter can show leadership by catching every flyout, much like Kelly Leak in The Bad News Bears.

[NYU 0]

If they put Jeter in center, he would need to find a completely new way to hurl himself into the stands for no reason.

 

No dice.

[the pinjockey 0]

Whoohoo, Phillies trade Marlon Byrd to the Nats for Endy Chavez. Nothing like getting a .311 OBP back in a deal for someone with at least a little potential. I can see it now though, with the 32 steals last year they will stick him at the top of the lineup to be the speed they lost when Lofton got hurt.

[Brett Favre 0]

(Don't even bring up the winning streak. I might start paying attention if the Yankees get over .500.)

This is pretty laughable. 5.5 games behind the Orioles with like 126 games to go and you're not worried.

 

And yes, Giambi right now is a better hitter than Williams. Giamb's OPS is like 80 points higher. Someone should call in a talk show and give them the stats, and I bet you you'll get called a dumbass (Like Mike and the Mad Dog). That's also pretty laughable.

[Bored 0]

Giambi gets a hit for a second straight night. The A's are the official slump busters for the Yankees. Already down 4-0. God this team fucking sucks.

 

Edit: From what I've heard the Yankee announcers said Rich Harden was placed on the DL but that isn't true. Harden will miss his next start but that might be it.

[mike546 0]

Giambi gets a hit for a second straight night. The A's are the official slump busters for the Yankees. Already down 4-0. God this team fucking sucks.

This is Kevin Brown were talking about. If things go according to plan, we'll be tied going into the 2nd, instead of being down 4-0.

 

Edit, 4-1.

 

[Guest StylesMark]

(Don't even bring up the winning streak. I might start paying attention if the Yankees get over .500.)

This is pretty laughable. 5.5 games behind the Orioles with like 126 games to go and you're not worried.

 

 

I agree. Even as fan, I'll admit they suck right now. But thanks to the complete sucktitude of the A's and Seattle, they are on a roll. It may stop tonight, for Brown, but the wins will start again tomorrow for Johnson.

 

Haters, have your fun now. I see a 70% chance of all your asses singing another tune in August when it's "OMG!! Not fair...they bought the division!!!"

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

At least the Os look to be on their way to a win tonight..