Thursday, April 9, 2009

Michael Kay Says FU to CGs

On Monday's YES broadcast, Michael Kay was discussing CC Sabathia's 2008 numbers. These numbers include 10 Complete Games (CGs). Kay then discounted these CGs by Sabathia by saying that these numbers would be remarkable in yesteryear, but "Not in an era where complete games aren't important anymore given the role of the bullpen."

Really, Michael? Complete games aren't important?

Given the increased role of the bullpen, wouldn't complete games be more important? Such would save the bullpen for when they are truly needed. A fresh bullpen usually is an effective bullpen.

True, complete games may increase the risk of an injury to some pitchers based on the fact that usually more pitches are needed to accomplish the feat. But if you have a 6'7", 290LB horse like a Sabathia who can accomplish them without injury risk why wouldn't they be important? What about a guy like Roy Halliday (9 CG last year) who Michael consistenly fawns over?

Also, a pitcher who throws complete games means that he is effective. Effective pitchers aren't important I guess... Find me a big league manager or GM who says CGs aren't important. I bet you a large reason why the Yankees gave Sabathia $161MM was his ability to pitch a full 9 frames.

Come on man, you are making my job too easy. In accordance with your annoying shtick of asking big leaguers in the booth next to you questions that tee ballers could answer, shouldn't you just have asked Kenny Singleton if complete games are important?

Game 3: Aint No Wastin' Time No More


Before this year, as a Yankee fan, I really never thought that I would be depending on A.J. Burnett for anything. I used to hate him. Everything about the guy, from his angry sneer to his demonstrative asshole presence on the mound. His freakish gifts and his inconsistent performances. He was an easy target.

No more.

Burnett will be donning the Road Grays today and trying to salvage at least some semblance of dignity from what has been a very disappointing start to the season. Win today and the Yankees are one game from .500, lose and they'll need to sweep the Royals to get back there.

You can use this as a game thread if you have a way of following the game at work. See you in the comments section.



You don't need no gypsy to tell you why,
You can't let one precious day slip by,
Look inside yourself, and if you don't see what you want,
Maybe sometimes then you don't,
But leave your mind alone and just get high.

TEH SKY IS FALLIGN!1!!!!!!

I didn't follow the game on LoHud last night because I was writing our game recap, but luckily our resident IT Manager & Internet Researcher, Cliff did. He was kind enough to mine out some of the most hysterical overreactions to last night's game from the comment section for your viewing pleasure (everyone together: Thanks, Cliff!). I would love make fun of each of them individually, but I don't have time and there's really no point.

Without further adeiu, I present, in conjuction with LoHud Enterprises, A Fack Youk Production:

Game Two: Overreactions In Orioledom

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Matt April 8th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
I miss Jose Molina behind the plate. All the memories of Posada calling for a pitcher’s 3rd best pitch with runners on base and serving up extra base hits are rushing back.

KO April 8th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
leave it to the Yankees, with huge expectations and brand new stars, to come out flat against a last place team in their own division. so far these two games look like a reprint of 2008. they have absolutely no clue at the plate. no plan of action. way too many times already have they taken a fat pitch right down the middle on the 1st pitch or early in the count and they’re falling behind, then chasing. everyone seems like they are pressing already and a bunch of scrubs are whipping them…. Wang no more runs bro…

KO April 8th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
LOL GREGG ZAUN JUST MASHED A DOUBLE I AM OFFICIALLY TURNING IT OFF

Pat April 8th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Wang is awful. He’s a #4 starter at best

Every Day Phil Coke April 8th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
The Hank watch is on. The Dave Eiland watch is on.

ZZ April 8th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Awesome. Already destroying our bullpen only two games into the season.
Great job of Girardi not bringing a long man into the rotation.

Hank April 8th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Great job not taking a long man Girardi. He’s fired by May.

Global Warming April 8th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Where is the “these games don’t matter” crowd? When this team decides to show up let me know. Ridiculous.

ron April 8th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
same old bums….. no f….k..g balls…. they should line this team and just shoot them…..

ugh April 8th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
What a pathetic joke. It’s like this team enjoys embarassing themselves.

Dan April 8th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Tex is a headcase. This is unacceptable.
Why can’t we ever acquire players with guts? We always go get players who have been losers on other teams.

7 UP April 8th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Go acquire Matt Holliday and put him in CF
Trade Melky, Shelly Duncan, and Dan Giese to OAK for him. We cannot watch our season go down the drain because of this pathetic offense.

[Cliff Note: 1) Oakland just claimed Giese off waivers 2) Holliday would be a disaster in CF 3) I'm sure OAK would love a 32 year old minor league pitcher, a 29 year old minor league journeyman, and a fringe bench player who had a 68 OPS+ last year in exchange for the best available OF on the trade market]

Ryan April 8th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Give Swisher the start at first tomorrow. Maybe being benched will piss Teixeira off a little, or at least keep his o-fer out of the 3 spot.

kelvin April 8th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Tex will go 0-26 to start the season. Mark that down.

Carl April 8th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Need to re-shape the lineupSwisher needs to play 1st, Melky in CF, Pena at SS, Molina at C. Get some spark into the lineup.

Edwards April 8th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
eerily similar to last year—unable to beat the bottom feeders of the league and play inconsistent baseball. Teixeria is NOT worth $180 million, he is not worthy of being the 3rd highest paid player in baseball.

RC 61 April 8th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
The problem is that Cashman didn’t get any players with fortitude. He should have signed proven winners like Lowe and Manny who are clutch and unfazed by pressure and know how to win. You think Lowe gives up 7 runs tonight??

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Aaaaand Scene.


For good measure, here is one voice of reason, from the most unlikely of places:

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ray (sox fan) April 8th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Teixeria is NOT worth $180 million, he is not worthy of being the 3rd highest paid player in baseball.”

Hey, I’m a Sox fan, but even I have to ask how does one come up with this conclusion after a grand total of two games?

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Thank you, Ray. Stop by anytime.