Clutch This!

I wish I could say that my recap of last night's game is late because I was at the Stadium this afternoon. Unfortunately I couldn't take the day off. But I did listen on the radio. Like most, if not all, Yankee fans I am soooo happy for A-Rod. I'm thinking that a hit that dramatic is something he can build on. He was on Michael Kay's radio show briefly after the game. It was probably the most open interview I've heard from him. Alex let his guard down a bit. He didn't flat out say that fans shouldn't boo, rather he spoke about how booing won't help him or other players do better. He also mentioned that his wife had told off some people in the stands that were giving him a hard time. At the end of the interview she was there and said that she feels bad that she lashed out like that. I wish I could cite more from the interview, it was really good. I don't really like Kay's radio show but he's very good with interviews.

Now on to last night's recap





Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Home Game 39
Braves 5 Yankees 2
Subway Race Winner: D train
Cap Game: #2



Bad loss. Not that any losses are good, but some can be accepted. Not this one. Jaret Wright did great. He finally made it through 6 innings, and probably would have started the 7th if there weren't a few lefties due up. It sucks that they wasted such a good start.

For the first time this season I sat somewhere other than my seats in the bleachers. I splurged for a field box seat in left field. The view was pretty good (I was right behind Melky), although the camera guy was often in the way on plays to right and center. I had a great view of Melky's throw home. It was really cool viewing it from behind him.

It's always nice to see a game from a different perspective. What's not always nice is dealing with some of the fans in the box seats. Perhaps I'm spoiled seeing games surrounded by (for the most part) people who are knowledgeable about the team and the game. And then coming home and reading blogs by people who are knowledgeable about the team and the game. There were maybe 3 other people sitting near me who know who TJ Beam is. And while I was upset that Villone gave up the dinger, I certainly wasn't calling to dump the guy from the team, like others around me. I appreciate what he's done for the team. And, my god, the A-Rod booing was completely out of control. There were teens there booing just to boo. I don't even think the one was a Yankee fan. He would boo if A-Rod hit a foul ball.

Random Notes
– It was Roger Maris bronze statuette night. That was pretty much the reason I was sitting in the box seats. This game wasn't on my schedule and I wanted the Maris statue. I'll try to get a pic of it up sometime over the weekend.

– Jaret Wright warms up to "Shout at the Devil". I thought I saw this when last I saw him pitch, but I wasn't quite sure. Now I am. Johnny Damon must love the Crüe, because he was really getting into. During the chorus he would pump his fist and bang his head, much to the delight of the fans behind him.

– There are security cameras above the pitch count screen. I never knew that.

– I brought my camera hoping to see another Melky home run snag or something like that. The best action shot I got was Cairo tagging out Orr who was attempting to steal in the first.

– I've noticed that when the Yanks win a game at home, whatever train won the Subway Race will win the next game as well. Same with the Cap Game. When they lose, both are changed for the next game. If you look back at the recaps here you can see the pattern.


The Mets sure picked a fine time to start losing. *cough*collusion*cough* Friday night can't come soon enough. Moose vs. El Duque. I can't wait.

In attendance record: 13-12

Hot Johnson

Monday, June 26, 2006
Home Game 38
Yankees 5 Braves 2
Subway Race Winner: D train
Cap Game: #2



I think the hot, muggy weather is starting to agree with Randy Johnson. He had probably his best performance of the season. True, it was against the struggling Braves (Todd Pratt?!). But his stuff was working last night. He looked more emotional last night too, but in a good way. The best moment came in the 2nd, when Posada gunned down Diaz. Randy pumped his fist at Jorge, in a "Fuck Yeah!" kind of way. It's nice to see those two kids getting along.

Giambi atoned for his errors on Sunday by providing all the runs the Yanks would need, driving in 5 runs on 2 dingers in the first 2 innings. Proctor struggled a bit in the 9th and gave up a 2-run HR to Chipper. So, unfortunately Mo had to come in to get the final 2 outs.

Andy Phillips mashed the ball pretty well, going 3-for-3 (single, double, triple). The triple just missed going over the wall.

As was mentioned a gazillion times seemingly everywhere, Jeter's 32nd birthday was yesterday. In the top of the 6th we sang Happy Birthday to him and he gave a little wave in acknowledgement.


In attendance record: 13-11

Split in Two

Sunday, June 25, 2006 (game 1)
Home Game 36
Yankees 2 Marlins 1
Subway Race Winner: B train
Cap Game: #3



Now I know why teams don't like to play double headers. I'm exhausted just watching the games.

The pitching matchup in Game 1 lived up to the hype. Moose was back on track, only giving up 1 run in 7 innings. If it weren't for some trouble he ran into in the 6th, he may have gone a bit deeper into the game. Moose also recorded his 2,500th strike out of his career.

Damon had both Yankee RBIs in the game, hitting a sac fly in the 4th and an upper deck shot in the 7th to give them the lead. I've always heard that splitting a double header is condisered a success, so it was good that they won the first game. Especially against their best pitcher.

Ranom Notes
– Speaking of the Marlins best pitcher, when did Dontrelle stop wearing his socks high? It made that leg kick of his more dramatic. Kinda like El Duque.

– During the 2nd inning they do this "Soundman" thing on the video screen. They have 3 songs or artists (usually some sort of theme, like tv shows from the 80s or something) and they ask the players which one they want to hear. Today one of the choices Bernie Williams, and of course everyone picked him. So we got to hear a bit of Bernie's music.

– Andy Phillips came to the plate to Joe Walsh's Life's Been Good.


In attendance record: 12-10



Sunday, June 25, 2006 (game 2)
Home Game 37
Marlins 5 Yankees 0
Subway Race Winner: B train
Cap Game: #3



This game went according to expectations too. Unfortunately I didn't expect them to win. I'm guessing most Yankee fans had that same feeling and didn't even bother showing up to watch the game. Less that 7,000 of us turned out for the night game. It was like 1991. It was kind of surreal. We could hear the guy on the third base line heckling A-Rod clear as a bell.

In the beginning of the game, security came by and said that we could sit in the main section if we wanted. A good amount of people left to go to the land of beer and seat backs. There were probably 60 of us left in the bleachers, including this group of Marlins fans on the left field side (sporting the old-school teal hats no less).

Thankfully Atlanta won yesterday. The Yanks seem to do as well against teams on a losing streak as they do against pitchers they've never seen before. Here's to hoping that the Captain has a good birthday. Maybe Randy can give him a shutout for his birthday and the rest of the team can score 5 or 10 runs or so. And Happy Birthday to Mike Meyers too!


In attendance record: 12-11

The Coolers

Friday, June 23, 2006
Home Game 35
Yankees 6 Marlins 5
Subway Race Winner: B train (*see note)
Cap Game: #3



Yay! My first Friday night win!

The Yanks managed to cool off the recently hot Marlins. After the way the first inning went I thought we were in for a blowout. But Florida hung in there and kept it close all night. Wang wasn't as sharp as he had been in his last few starts, but he pitched well nonetheless.

A-Rod is starting to heat up, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and run scored. Jorge also had 3 hits as did Andy Phillips (including his first career triple.)

The people who usually hold up a banner for Matsui when he comes to the plate now have one for Giambi.

Melky's assist in the 6th was just awesome. He fired an absolute bullet. Cano made one of the smoothest tags I've seen.

Today looks like it could be a wash out. Even if they do play I doubt the Old Timer's festivities will be held.

* It seems the subway race is no longer brought to us by Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robins. They went back to the old graphics, before the race was sponsored.

In attendance record: 11-10

No So Happy Father's Day

Sunday, June 18, 2006
Away Game 33
Nationals 3 Yankees 2
Presidents Race Winner: Thomas Jefferson
Capitol Dome Game: #1



– It was just my parents and my aunt with me today, as my brother, his wife and their kids headed south to visit friends. I was able to get better seats for this game. We were in the mezzanine and were thankfully in the shade all day. The middle section at RFK is a little strange. There were only 3 rows of seats. Behind the front row and a short wall and then a platform with 2 more rows of seats (we were in the 3rd row). There were a few blind spots, but overall not too bad. Just wish the concession selection was better on that level.

You could tell that they added at least one of the rows when the stadium opened for baseball again last year. The seats of the row we were in were stamped with the LA Dodger insignia. Guess they got them cheap or something.

We had some camera dudes in our section and caught a glimpse of Ken Singleton and Michael Kay's giant head.

– The ceremonial first pitches were thrown by several of the Nationals' fathers.

– From a pure baseball perspective, the game was outstanding. From a Yankee fan's perspective, it was heartbreaking. Yet another pitchers duel involving Wang. Unfortunately he came out on the wrong end of this one. I was furious after the game. First time this year I was really pissed at Torre. I'm not a fan of how he uses the bull pen, but I usually don't let it get to me. Sunday, however, it really got to me. It looked like Wang was starting to tire in the 8th. He walked the lead-off batter (his first BB of the game). Retired the next 2 batters and then walked another. With 2 on and 2 out, Vidro lined a shot to left and it looked like the Nats would take the lead. But Melky ran it down and made yet another nice play. And we all know what happened in the bottom of the 9th so there no need to rehash it.

But back to the Torre thing, I was really pissed after the game. I knew Mo wasn't available, but I thought that Villone would be an option. Well, after stewing it over on the car ride home, I had a change of heart. I can't blame Torre for leaving him in. Sure, he can take some heat for Saturday's debacle, but looking back, I'm glad Wang got the opportunity to finish the game. I've heard that he was visibly pissed off after the game. And I've seen comments by some that suggest an result like this will have an ill-effect on the young pitcher. But I think he'll be fine. He seems to have the memory of a goldfish sometimes. I saw him give up a home run on the first pitch of the game. He shrugged it off like nothing happened and went on to have a solid start.

BTW, in the top of the 8th, A-Rod had a (gasp!) late game clutch hit when he drove in Melky for what was then the go-ahead run.

– We set the RFK attendance record (for baseball games) on Saturday afternoon and then surpassed that mark (by about 70 people) on Sunday.

– The Nats share the stadium with DC United. There are pictures all over place of the team, which is somewhat nice to see. (The Metrostars/Red Bulls don't really get much love over at Giants Stadium). I say somewhat nice because I don't like DC United. The rivalry they have with Red Bulls is similar to the Yanks/Boston thing. Except DC is more like the Yanks in that they win a lot. Red Bulls can't even get out of the first round of the playoffs.

– During the 6th inning they played YMCA as the grounds crew dragged and raked the field. The crew didn't dance though. Actually they didn't do much raking either. The infield still looked like crap.

In attendance record: 10-10

Hot & Bothered

Well, this week didn't quite go as planned. Since tomorrow kicks off 5 straight days at the Stadium for me I'll try to condense the 2 Nationals games into some highlights that are in no particular order. I can't read my notes all that well because the score card that they sell has a dark blue background in the margins. Kinda hard to read stuff written in pencil.


Saturday, June 17, 2006
Away Game 32
Nationals 11 Yankees 9
Presidents Race Winner: George Washington
Capitol Dome Game: WW



– The rest of my family took a walk down to the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall while I hit the Metro to get to RFK early. Coming off of the train there were a couple of Yankee fans that recognized me from the Stadium. I felt bad that I didn't recognize any of them, but I'll look out for them next time.

– I love watching batting practice. And at RFK, they left you go down to the box seats to watch (at the Stadium you need to have a ticket in order to get down that close.) A bunch of players were wearing their socks high for BP. Not quite sure why. A-Rod got some cheers every time he stepped into the cage. He was swinging the bat really well. Donnie was outside the cage nodding with approval. I like to think he's poised for a tear.

– Our seats were in the 5th row of the upper deck in left field, in foul territory. The view wasn't too bad, although the sun was brutal. RFK isn't a bad place to watch a game. There's definitely room for improvement as far amenities go. (Not enough concession stands on the Mezzanine level. Not enough souvenir stands above the first level.) But I'm sure they're not gonna go gung ho until the new place opens.

– Spike Lee was at the game. My brother always thought he was a Mets fan.

– As for the game itself, that was brutal. Just agonizing to watch. There were some good things that happened. But they were outweighed by the oh so bad.

– My nephew's streak of seeing the Yankees win ended.

– One of the more frustrating things about these road trips is that I don't have internet access. And the hotels don't carry YES. So we had no clue what was going on with Farnsworth. I thought the worst when TJ Beam came in (for his major league debut) to pitch the 6th (I thought they should of let Smith go another inning). Someone had to be either sent down or DL'd to make room for him. I saw Kevin Thompson take batting practice so I figured Farnsworth was put on the DL. It wasn't until the next day that someone told us the Small was DFA'd.

It was a pleasant surprise to see Beam. Well, it wasn't pleasant to see him give up 2 runs. But I got to see him pitch at Staten Island in 2004. So it was neat to see him make his debut 2 years later. I saw him pitch against the Cyclones in Brooklyn that year. They lost 1-0. He pitched a helluva game though, going the complete 8 innings, with 4 hits, 1 run, 0 walks and 7 Ks.

– Seems like every ballpark has a race of some sort. Whether it's a live-action race with people dressed like cure meat or a race on the video screen, like the subway race at the Stadium. Well, at RFK they have a Presidents Race, featuring the 4 guys on Mount Rushmore in 3-d animated form. On Saturday Washington won.

– After dinner back at the hotel we drove down to where the war memorials are on the Mall. The last time I was there was in 1984. I only remember this because we were in DC during the opening cermonies of the LA Olympics. My mom wanted to go to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to find the name of a friend of hers. From there the path led to the Korean War Veterans Memorial, which is rather hauntingly beautiful. Before we left we hit the National World War II Memorial, which was very nicely done.

In attendance record: 10-9

OK, we're here. You can start winning now.

We left for D.C. around 5pm on Friday night. Luckily WCBS 880 has a rather far reaching reception, and we were able to listen to most of the game on the way down (save for a few dead spots). We stopped to eat along the way and missed the first few innings. By the time we hit the road again the Nats were up 4-3. I think I dozed off at one point because I don't remember much of the game until we got closer to D.C. At that point I was helping my dad navigate from his hand written directions.

As we're nearing closer to the city the Yanks are mounting their 8th inning rally. We turn on to East Capitol St. and Melky knocks an RBI single to bring them within 1. As we head down the road, RFK Stadium just comes into view and Jeter is up. It's always weird driving by a stadium while a game is going on and listening to it on the radio. Just as we're about to turn right to circle around the stadium Jeter draws a walk to send the tying run home. We got a little lost trying to get to the hotel (which isn't hard to do in D.C.). During the time there was a pitching change, Giambi fouled out, and then another pitching change. We were already in the hotel lobby by the time A-Rod struck out. (We later found out that the Road Trip people were staying at the same hotel.)

We made our way up to the rooms in time to see Mariano warming up. I heard something about somebody getting hurt and I assume it's Farnworth (the Nats annoucers suck. As much as we nitpick some of the guys on YES, we should be greatful that we don't have to listen to some of the other guys around the league). Mo proceeds to get the next 2 outs. Next inning Bernie puts one over the right field wall and Damon adds another with a sac fly. Mo retires the side and the Yankees win.

What a great way to start the weekend, right?

Capitol Punishment

Just got home from D.C. Needless to say the weekend didn't go as well as we hoped. Still, it's always nice to see the Yanks in a different ballpark (even if they did break our hearts 2 days in a row). Hopefully when I go to Seattle in August the results will be better.

I'll try to recap the weekend's events in the next day or so. Let's just hope the Nats continue to win over the next 3 days.

I went to a Yankee game and a soccer match broke out.

Monday, June 13, 2006
Home Game 32
Yankees 1-0 Indians
Subway Race Winner: 4 train
Cap Game: #3



While I would've liked to have seen the Yankees take advantage of their scoring chances, I'm not at all upset about the two and a half hour pitcher's duel tonight. Wang was fantastic. Cano found his stroke at just the right time. The bullpen was lights out. Melky and KT made great plays in the outfield. Also, I'm thankful that the game was short because before the game I got that feeling in my throat, you know, when you're about to come down with an illness of some sort. My bet is on a throat infection. Guess I'll find out tomorrow.

Since I feel like shit I'll keep this short.

Random Notes
– When Melky slammed into the wall in the first inning I swear I could hear the thud.

– There were a couple guys in the bleachers who donned brown paper bags over their heads (like the Unknown Comic) when A-Rod came up. On one of the fronts the guy wrote "A-Rod Fan" and drew a big frown with tears streaming down his face). Their accomplice would hold up a sign behind them but I didn't get a chance to read what it said.

– So, will they move the big bat over to the new Stadium?

Tonight was my only game in the Bronx this week. But on Friday night I head down to D.C. for 2 games this weekend. Hopefully by then I'll start to feel a bit better. Road trips sucks when you're sick.

In attendance record: 10-8

Day Late and a Dollar Short

Friday, June 9, 2006
Home Game 29
A's 6 Yankees 5
Subway Race Winner: B train
Cap Game: #2



Ok, so it's more like 2 days late and a few thousand dollars short. My G4 crapped out on me so I spent most of yesterday buying a new computer. Of course I later find that the monitor I have is no longer compatible. I get an adapter today only to find that the monitor isn't even compatible with the adapter. Tomorrow I bite the bullet and I'll get new a display. So for now I'm writing this on an old iMac.

Now, onto the debacle that was Friday night. I really thought Randy would be OK. Hell, there were 2 outs before roll call had ended. But little by little he went downhill, ultimately imploding during an absolutely excruciating 4th inning. We've seen enough crap in the past few days, there's no need to really get into too much detail. Let's just say there was a hell of a lot of anger emanating from the stands. When the wind started whipping up in the 7th it was almost like we summoned the storm ourselves. Speaking of which, the field at the Stadium drains amazing well. Too bad the you can't say the same for the drainage system in the concession area of the bleachers.

Random Notes
– There was a close call for A-Rod before the game. He was jogging to the outfield for pre-game stretching at the same time the grounds crew was preparing the hose down the field. Just as he was about to step over the hose the crew started to lift it off the ground and he had to hop over it on one foot. That's all they needed. A-Rod tripping over a hose and twisting an ankle.

– The anthem was done by Sam "the Bugler” Grossman from the Belmont Park. Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens threw out the first pitch.

– Fans got on Milton Bradley's case after the rainout. Well, we were on him most of the night, but I guess it was easier for him to hear us when the place was nearly empty. He responded with various pantomimes suggesting that he's getting paid big bucks. At one point he threw down his glove as if to say "why don't you come down here and play right field". He grabbed his crotch in our general direction a few times too. At least Vernon Wells has fun with it. Milton was just a pompous jerk.

In attendance record: 9-8

Blech.

Friday nights at the Stadium have not been kind to the Yanks. They're 1-4 at home. Maybe it's me. The one Friday game I didn't go to was the one their lone victory.

Full recap tomorrow, once my notes dry off.

Meh.

Thursday, June 8, 2006
Home Game 28
Red Sox 9 Yankees 3
Subway Race Winner: D train
Cap Game: #1



This was one of those "shit happens" games. Sure, there are things to complain about, but I'm not too worked up over the loss. I just wish that Wright could make it through the 6th inning one of these days. (And I also wish that Scott Erickson would fall off the face of the earth.) Coming into this 4-game series I would've been content with a split. Thanks to Thursday's rainout, they won 2 of 3. I'll take it.

In attendance record: 9-7

Oh, What a Night

Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Home Game 27
Yankees 2 Red Sox 1
Subway Race Winner: WW
Cap Game: #1



Tonight could be a slugfest, with Boston starting David Pauley and the struggling Wang going for the Yanks. Having said that, this game will probably turn out to be a 2-1 affair.

Did I call it or what?

Out of the 4 pitching matchups slated for this series, who would've thought that this one would be a pitcher's duel.

The Stadium was electric tonight, still buzzing from yesterday's romp. It felt like October. This night had it all. Jawing between fans. A guy running onto the field and getting clocked by security. Blood being drawn in the bleachers. Or so I was told. I didn't see what happened, but all of a sudden everyone in front of me stood up and there was a collective "Oh!" A friend was passed the scene when he was coming back to his seat. He said a guy was face down on the stairs, out cold and bleeding. Hope the guy's OK.

Phillips had 2 nice plays tonight. My view was blocked on the first one, but I was told it was a great snag. The play of the night, of course, was Melky's thievery in the 8th. You could tell he had a bead on it the whole way, it was just a matter of if he could get his timing right, and he did. Heard on the post-game that he's been practicing everyday with Lee Mazzilli in the outfield on plays just like that one, jumping up on different parts of the wall. It's way too early to say that we're seeing another start to one of those special Yankee careers, like we did 10 years ago with Jeter. But no matter what the future holds for Melky, he's a helluva lotta fun to watch right now.

Think we can stop with the "Wang can't pitch against the Red Sox" stuff now? Yeah, it's only one game, but still, he came up huge. Going 7 innings, and only making one real mistake.

I don't care that Ortiz hit that home run. I don't care that A-Rod was 0-for-4 and struck out with bases loaded. I don't care that the winning run was walked in, and that the rally was started by a soft infield hit with 2-outs. I don't care that they left 9 men on base. They won. They guaranteed at least a split in this series. A home-grown rookie who, to put it mildy, struggled in his brief stint last year, saved the game with a catch that will probably be shown as often as Jeter's dive into the stands. A home-grown pitcher shut down a team that has owned him. Farnsworth, who is now committed to going after batters with his best pitch, conquered Ortiz again. Bernie hit a home run left-handed. They won without their Captain. They won with 2 of their best hitters still getting over stomach ailments. They won with 7 home-grown players getting into the game tonight. If you can't savor victories like this without finding something to complain about, even if it's just for one day, you got problems.

In attendance record: 9-6

Update
I'm watching the encore on YES, and you can hear the "Fuck You Manny" chants coming from the bleachers right before he hit the shot that Melky caught.

Becketts of Runs

Monday, June 5, 2006
Home Game 26
Yankees 13 Red Sox 5
Subway Race Winner: D train
Cap Game: #1



So much for that pitcher's duel. I was certain this was going to be a bad night. Traffic was miserable. The bridge was a mess so we opted for the Lincoln Tunnel, which was no picnic either. We left from my brother's house in Central Jersey at around 4:45 and walked into the Stadium nearly two and a half hours later as the bottom of the 1st began (I missed Melky's trip around the bases while waiting for my sausage.) Thank god it was an ESPN game, which always tend to start a bit late. And thankfully our hard luck on the road didn't carry over into the Stadium, as the Yanks pounded Beckett for 8 runs and chased him out after only 1.1 innings. They tacked on another 5 against Van Buren. And Moose picked a good night to have his first shaky start of the season (ain't it nice to consider an 8 strikeout night as a shaky performance?). It was a great way to kick of the 4-game tilt. And it was nice to hear the glut of BoSox fans that have been infiltrating the Stadium as of late shut up for a change.

Tonight could be a slugfest, with Boston starting David Pauley and the struggling Wang going for the Yanks. Having said that, this game will probably turn out to be a 2-1 affair.

In attendance record: 8-6