Yankees Take Series From Devil Rays With a 4-1 Win

After going 3 for 3 last night with a walk, Derek Jeter raised his batting average to .408, second in the entire league behind Miggy Tejada, who is currently hitting .424.

It was just great to see Chacon, Myers, Farnsworth, and Mo shut down the Devil Rays. Despite a few shaky starts by Randy Johnson, Chacon, and Jaret Wright, the Yankees pitching staff actually has the lowest ERA in the league: 3.50

Let's hope that Matsui's big 2 RBI-hit is a turning point for him. He has looked somber and frustrated as of late, and we really need him to break out soon.

Up next: an important series against the Blue Jays. Jaret Wright will take the mound for the Yankees against the scorching bats of the Toronto Blue Jays.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

Quick update

Sorry, everybody...I couldn't get myself to post a blog entry this morning because I was too upset by the melt down last night. Lack of clutch hitting is killing us. And I'm just as frustrated tonight - it's the top of the 6th and the Yankees haven't given Chacon any run support.

It's great to see Derek Jeter still zoned in the way that he is, but the others really need to step up their games, especially A-Rod and Matsui.

Hoping for a turnaround any second now,

Joshua

Yankees 9, Devil Rays 1

You had to love yesterday's game. The Yankees have to dominate bad teams to keep their confidence up.

Jeter and Giambi are smoking hot. Both of them are hitting for power and getting on base with incredible frequency. If Giambi continues to perform this well as the DH, he may find himself in that role on a full time basis for the last couple years of his contract.

It was good to see Miguel start the game and get a couple of hits. He is going to be the most important bench player for the Yankees this year, and we have to keep him sharp.

And what can I say about Moose? I may have to take back some of the harsh words I've had about his declining skills in the past few months. He is throwing all of his pitches with command and making hitters look silly. Let's hope that he keeps it up for the rest of this season.

Just saw a good post at our message board that tells us that the starters for the series against Boston next week will likely be Wang, Chacon, and Wright.

Imagine us sweeping that series? That would be a dream.

Let's hope for another good game tonight.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

Yankees 7 Orioles 1

Now that was more like it.

Randy Johnson pitching a solid game with Georgie behind the plate.

Jason Giambi breaking out of his mini 0-9 slump with two dingers and 5 RBIs.

Derek Jeter being Derek Jeter in collecting 3 more hits and providing the steady offensive power that he has since the season opened.

Yes, the Yankees are finally over .500. And after a day of rest on Monday, they have three games coming up against the Devil Rays at Yankee stadium.

I like that our players will get to rest in their own beds tonight and tomorrow night before starting the Tampa Bay Series.

Up for the Bombers: Mussina, Wang, and Chacon.

Still waiting for Damon to bust out offensively. If he can hover around the .310 mark for the season, the Yankees are likely to score a thousand runs as many are predicting.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

Yankees 6 Orioles 1

Shawn Chacon battled hard yesterday to lead the Yankees to a good win. Despite allowing baserunners in almost every inning he pitched, he grinded his way to a good overall performance. If he can sharpen his location in the coming weeks, he could be semi-reliable for the rest of the 2006 season.

Derek Jeter has been the most consistent offensive force for the Yankees thus far.

I don't know about you, but to me, it looks as though Sheffield is on cruise control. I think that Brian Cashman really screwed things up when he tried to butter Sheffield up like a little kid early on in spring training. When the media portrayed Sheffield like a kid who had been manipulated by Cashman, well, let's just say that Sheffield's lack of focus and effort took a big shot. My bet is that Sheffield won't be back next season.

Today's game is important for several reasons, the two most important of which are:

1. Jorge Posada gets another opportunity to show Yankees management and Randy Johnson that he can lead the Big Unit to a good game.

2. The Yankees really need to break the .500 barrier to develop some momentum. Languishing at the .500 mark is mentally draining for everyone.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

Orioles 6 Yankees 5

Well, well, in looking through the box score for last night, the number that stands out more than any other is 5.

That's 5 men left on base by guess who?

That's right, good old A-Rod.

Pardon my French, but what heck is Joe Torre doing in stubbornly keeping A-Rod in the clean up spot?

I don't care if A-Rod takes more swings than anyone else during practice sessions.

I don't care if A-Rod gets to practice an hour or two before anyone else.

The bottom line is that he is not well suited for the clean up spot.

Batting A-Rod in the 4 spot is costing the Yankees many runs and games.

Until Joe Torre develops some courage and moves A-Rod down to the 6th spot and inserts Matsui or Giambi in the clean up spot, the Yankees are destined to be a .500 ball club at best.

Once again, here is what our line up should look like:

1. Damon
2. Jeter
3. Matsui or Giambi
4. Sheffield
5. Matsui or Giambi
6. A-Rod
7. Posada
8. Cano
9. Bernie

The 7th through 9th spots don't really matter so much. Cano could just as easily switch positions with Bernie to make the line up more "circular."

Bottom line: Joe Torre needs to exert some courage and do what's best for our club.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

Yankees 3 Blue Jays 1

Okay, I have to admit, Mike Mussina looked like a multi-million dollar pitcher yesterday.

From beginning to end, he had very good command over all of his pitches. One change up that had Troy Glaus swing way too early looked like a Bugs Bunny slo-motion pitch. It was amazing to see how badly it fooled big old Troy.

The last time that I remember Moose being that good was when he almost pitched a no-hitter against the Red Sox. Painting the corners, fooling batters with change of speeds, carrying an air of dominance - this is Mike Mussina at his best.

***

In other good news, Aaron Small has had two good outings in them minor leages without any problems with his hamstring. If he has one more pain-free outing, he should get called up to join the big club. The Yankees can definitely use his services, both as a fifth starter (or maybe a fourth if Chacon doesn't regain his confidence), and as a solid long reliever. Scott Proctor has been okay, but I just don't feel safe with him yet.

***

Hideki Matsui looked somewhat down. After a strikeout late in yesterday's game, he looked very dejected and had his shoulders slumped as he trudged back to the dugout.

I wonder if Hideki is still dealing with the emotional stress of the WBC and how his decision to not represent Japan cause him to lose the respect of many baseball fans in his homeland.

Also, I wonder if he is just plain lonely living so far away from his family and friends. He is known to be a good clubhouse guy, but I'm sure that there is always a bit of a barrier because of cultural and language differences.

Hideki has gone through some low periods before. Let's hope that he climbs out of this one soon.

***

Johnny Damon (foot) and Jason Giambi (elbow) are both nursing injuries sustained while playing against the Blue Jays. Both of them plan to get rest and treatment today, with hopes of suiting up on Friday.

***

The Yankees have a good homestand coming up. Look for them to climb at least a few games above .500. We'll need some solid outings from Wang and whoever is their number 4 pitcher. We'll also need for the offensive production to continue at its current pace.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

Blue Jays 10 Yankees 5

I don't know about you, but I've stopped expecting Randy Johnson to turn things around.

I'm resigned to the fact that he is a 42 year old pitcher who will never again be the dominating pitcher who almost single handedly prevented the Yankees from winning their fifth consecutive World Series back in 2001.

Yup, the Yankees are definitely paying big bucks - to the tune of 48 million over 3 years - for what Randy Johnson has accomplished in the past.

Contrast this with the team that thumped them last night, the Blue Jays, who decided to give away some Yankee-esque contracts this past offseason to players who are in their prime or just entering their prime. In other words, the Jays, like other smart teams in MLB, are intent on paying big bucks to players for what they can reasonably produce in the present and future.

For example, B.J. Ryan did not have a long history as a dominant closer before the Jays gave him 47 million over 5 years. But his age and his performance as the Orioles closer last season convinced Jays brass that they were going to pay big bucks for the best years of B.J. Ryan's career.

The Yankees are in trouble.

They have a boatload of heavy contracts for players who either well past their best playing days (Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina), or for players who don't have the make-up for clutch performances (A-Rod).

The blame goes partly to George Steinbrenner, and partly to Brian Cashman.

If Cashman were more shrewd, he would have been smart and strong enough to commit to developing younger players before he was forced into it last year with Wang and Cano.

Okay, enough ranting.

Here are some steps that Cashman can take to help make up for all of the mistakes that Yankees management has made since the Paul O'Neil era:

1. Don't pick up Gary Sheffield's option for 2007. It doesn't matter how he performs this year. He may have the heart of a lion, but this lion only shows up when he feels like it. We don't need his approach to the game.

2. Don't even think about signing Mussina to another contract after this year. Not even for half a million dollars.

3. Ditto for Randy Johnson after his contract runs out at the end of 2007.

4. Most importantly, do everything that can be done to trade A-Rod. I can't think of a manager who has the guts to slot A-Rod into the 6th or 7th hole in the batting line up because of his tremendous ego and contract. But this is exactly where A-Rod belongs. Having him in the 3 or 4 spot is killing the Yankees. This spot should be taken by Giambi or Matsui.

If you have any thoughts on what the Yankees need to do to turn their ship around, please leave a comment below.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

Carlos Delgado: One Smart Dude

On Sunday, Carlos Delgado of the New York Mets hit a home run off a Milwaukee Brewer's pitcher to put the Mets up for good.

What was really interesting about that at-bat is that on the pitch before the one that he socked for his home run, Carlos swung and missed terribly on a curve ball.

Willy Randolph later told reporters that he was pretty sure that Carlos missed that badly in order to set the pitcher up for the next pitch.

When asked about this, Carlos denied it, but the tone in which he denied it left many reporters believing that Carlos was just trying to protect his secrets. It was a *wink wink* type of denial.

Isn't that amazing? You know that pitchers spend their nights dreaming about how they are going to work the batters that they have to face the next day.

High and in followed by down and away.

Two quick strikes right on the outside of the plate and then one slightly further out to try to make the batter chase.

With two strikes, a high fastball so that the batter can see the pitch and will want to swing at it but has no way of catching up to it.

The scenarios are endless.

Now how about a batter purposely swing and missing on a pitch to make the pitcher think that it's a pitch that he can get away with again?

Those who use their heads like Carlos Delagado can really make the game a lot of fun for us fans, can't they?

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

Twins 6 Yankees 5

I know that a lot of Yankees fans are angry about yesterday's ninth inning loss to the Twins.

I, for one, am not upset at all.

In fact, I thought it was a great game.

Here's why:

Mariano Rivera was as dominant as the Yankees need him to be. Luis Castillo was clearly struck out and Hideki's error put Maur on second with Castillo on third.

Did you see the way that Mo dominated Rodney White and Tori Hunter when he absolutely had to? That was some powerful stuff.

Yes, seeing Mo dominate the way that he did last night left me feeling very good about this season.

Also, Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon are showing me that they are a good pair of clutch hitters. Johnny got on base in the eigth when we really needed to pad our lead. And Jeter, after quietly having an outstanding 3-hit, 3-RBI night, put his exceptional bunting ability to use and moved Damon over to third. Name one other player on the Yankees who you can count on to do that consistently. Derek's the best at it. Maybe the best in the league.

Sheffield's 13-pitch battle with Damon on third ended disappointingly with a strikeout, but you had to be pleased with his effort and concentration. Sometimes, even great hitters who are trying their best strike out.

And what about A-Rod popping up to second to waste the efforts of Damon and Jeter? Well, let me ask you, did you expect something better? A-Rod is going to give us big numbers this season, there's no question about it. He'll give us the same big numbers that he did for all those years in Seattle to earn the big bucks that he landed in Texas. But as of today, based solely on his performance, none of us can reasonably expect him to come through when it really matters.

He is the Stephon Marbury, Vince Carter, and Peyton Manning of baseball...talented, but not clutch.

Still, if you forget about A-Rod for a second, surely you can agree that last night's loss to the Twins gave all of us Yankee fans plenty to cheer for over the next 6 months.

Just love seeing Damon and Jeter do their stuff.

- Joshua
InisdeTheYankees.com

Great Interview With Derek Jeter

The following is a fun interview with Derek Jeter that I read in today's New York Post:

By Steve Serby

Q: What are the odds you'll be married before you retire?

A: Probably good.

Q: Why?

A: (Smiles) 'Cause I hope to play a long time.

Q: What if you fell in love with a Red Sox fan - could you marry her?

A: (Laughs) I don't think it'd be a question of, "Could I?" It'd be a question of, "Could she?"

Q: But you could?

A: I could probably convert her. But I don't know if her family (chuckles) would allow such a thing.

Q: If you were Commissioner and Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's record, what would you do?

A: Celebrate it.

Q: Why?

A: Why not? Everything's speculation. I get tired of hearing about it because every day someone else has a new book, and someone else is saying this, saying that. It's all speculation. You can't prove a thing.

Q: You're 31. How much longer do you want to play?

A: As long as I'm having fun. Once this becomes a job where you don't want to come anymore, I couldn't do it.

Q: Could you see yourself as a manager, coach or broadcaster?

A: Nope.

Q: What do you see yourself doing?

A: I would love to own a team. I'd love to be able to call the shots.

Q: How will working for The Boss help you when you own a team?

A: (Smiles). The thing people fail to realize about The Boss ... everyone says how tough he is, but if you play for him, he's loyal. That's why you always have all these ex-players (at spring training). He takes care of you. Being a Yankee means a lot to him, and once you are a Yankee, he wants you to be a Yankee forever.

Q: What about the way he goes about his business will help you?

A: He's loyal, strict, expects perfection. That's the biggest thing.

Q: Would you be that kind of owner?

A: I would expect perfection.

Q: You'll be The Boss II, then?

A: I wouldn't necessarily be The Boss II (smiles). There's only one Boss.

Q: The key to performing in the clutch?

A: Staying calm. A lot of times the game speeds up when you get in big situations. You have to do everything in your control to slow it down.

Q: What's it like being hated on the road?

A: I enjoy it. It makes it fun to play. It's fun to get booed. I look at it as a challenge.

Q: Key to playing and succeeding in New York?

A: People don't want to hear excuses. If you play well, you played well; if you play poorly, then stand in front of your locker and say you played poorly.

Q: You've been called the modern-day DiMaggio.

A: No, no, no, no. It's a compliment, but I can't compare myself to DiMaggio. He's idolized by me, so I don't ever view myself as being that.

Q: Your fantasy in a different sport?

A: I would love to be Jordan for a day, when he was playing, just to see what it would be like.

Q: When would you rather be someone other than you?

A: Walking around sometimes, I would love to just be able to watch people, see how they act. Sometimes I would love to be invisible.

Q: Who's the Yankees' best dresser?

A: Mo (Rivera) dresses pretty good.

Q: One Damon story.

A: We're in the WBC. He had like six at-bats. I think he might have broken eight bats in those six at-bats. So Chipper Jones kept laughing at him. And then we went to Orlando to play Atlanta in spring training. (Damon) had three at-bats and he broke three more bats.

Q: Your offseason training regimen this year?

A: A lot more agility and running. When you get older, you gotta pay attention to that. When you're young, you can get away with just going out there and playing. But as you get older, you have to make sure your legs are in shape and you're not losing any lateral movement.

Q: You look bigger up top.

A: I'm pretty much the same. Usually come to spring training about 200, 205. By the end of the year, 190.

Q: Has your diet stayed the same?

A: I eat a lot better now.

Q: What do you avoid?

A: Fried foods, heavy foods, fast food.

Q: That's why you have a cook?

A: I can't eat like I used to.

Q: Favorite current football player?

A: The Manning brothers. Peyton's already established. Eli's gonna be great. And Tom Brady.

Q: How did you get to know the Mannings?

A: Peyton, I got to know through Gatorade. Eli, I got to know through Peyton when he came down for my golf tournament.

Q: Matt Leinart or Vince Young?

A: Vince Young. He beats you with his legs, he beats you with his arm.

Q: If Joe Torre weren't a manager, what would he have been?

A: Mayor.

Q: Any political ambitions for you?

A: No (smiles). They might do a background check.

Q: Toughest competitor you've played against?

A: Can I do 'with'?

Q: Sure.

A: Mariano.

Q: Favorite current basketball player?

A: Dwyane Wade.

Q: Did you ever play hooky in school?

A: Never. I went to school on Senior Skip Day.

Q: That's pathetic.

A: Isn't it?

Q: Best book you've read in the last year?

A: Just read "Alchemist."

Q: Funniest moment on the mound?

A: Remember when (Luis) Sojo tripped on his own shoelaces in the playoffs? In Oakland? He got the groundball? It was Game 5, elimination game. It was like the sixth inning. So we go to the mound and (Andy) Pettitte says, "No, this is not happening! Not to me! Not now!" That was the funniest thing I ever heard (laughs).

Q: Why are you so driven to succeed?

A: You want to be the best you can be, individually and as a team. Second place has never really settled in with me.

Derek Jeter's Approach to Hitting

Have you ever wondered why Derek Jeter is known to hit with power to the opposite field?

The answer lies in the nature of hitting.

Go to batting practice before any major league baseball game and you will realize something pretty quickly: all big league ball players can hit fastballs with accuracy and power.

During batting practice, hitters know which pitches are coming, so timing is not a problem.

During live games, good pitchers use a mix of fastballs and off speed pitches to throw batters off, to keep them guessing.

For example, as a batter, if you were to expect a fastball but the pitcher throws a curveball, you would most likely be way ahead with your swing. The result would be a complete miss or a poorly hit ball.

Conversely, if you were to expect a curveball and the pitcher throws a fastball, you would most likely swing late and miss the ball.

Very few players have enough arm and wrist strength to look for an offspeed pitch but then to catch up to a fastball. Gary Sheffield and Barry Bonds are two such players.

Derek Jeter does NOT have enough bat speed to sit on an offspeed pitch and catch up to a fastball. Assuming that the fastball is in the high 80s or 90s.

So what Derek does is he purposefully sits on a fastball every single time, and has the mindset of driving it up the middle or to right field.

In other words, Jeter has the intention of hitting fastballs a little late, so that he doesn't pull it into left field.

Why does Jeter do this?

Because if the pitcher throws an offspeed pitch, he can be early with his swing and the ball is likely to stay in left field instead of being pulled foul.

Since Jeter is always trying to swing a bit late to drive the ball up the middle or to right field, it's easier for him than most players to hit offspeed pitches into left field without pulling foul.

Hope that makes sense.

Derek Jeter is one smart player. Great instincts matched with effort and a good melon - these are the attributes that make him a great all around ball player.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

Yankees Forum - A Gathering Place for Yankees Fans From All Over The World

Hi everyone...

Today marks the launch of the Inside The Yankees Forum, a place where you and other devoted Yankees fans can share your thoughts and questions on everything to do with our favorite team.

I hope that this forum can become the premier meeting place for the best Yankees fans out there.

Please check it out here:

Inside The Yankees Forum

See you there!

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

Jorge Posada Begins His Quest for 12 Million in 2007

We can all expect Jorge Posada to have more games like he did on Sunday in Anaheim.

3 for 4, 2 homeruns, 1 double, and 5 RBIs.

We all know that Jorge Posada is a threat to hit a home run every time he steps up to the plate. He is arguably the best offensive catcher in New York Yankees history.

If Jorge can only find a way to maintain consistent production over the next 6 months, the Yankees will be very happy to welcome him back for the 12 million that he is due in 2007 if he makes at least 81 starts this season.

Jorge Posada is an excellent fastball hitter. He seems to have equal pop from both sides of the plate.

Another player who has a lot of motivation to have a good season is Mike Mussina. He pitched a good game today, leading the Yankees to a 2-4 record as they get set to fly home for a 3 game stand against the Kansas City Royals.

On deck: Chien Ming Wang, Shawn Chacon, and Randy Johnson.

Chances are very good that the Yankees will be 5 and 4 by the end of their series with the Royals.

It will be interesting to see if Joe Torre starts Jorge Posada behind the plate in Randy Johnson's next start. A good game from both Jorge Posada and Randy Johnson in that game may be just the ticket to the two of them having good games together throughout 2006.

- Joshua

P.S. Here are my predictions for the 2006 season:

Team leader in...

Homeruns: Hideki Matsui 44
RBIs: Hideki Matsui 121
Runs: Derek Jeter 115
Batting average: Hideki Matsui .323
Steals: Johnny Damon 28
Wins: Randy Johnson 18

If you have any predictions for the Yankees 2006 season, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
InsideTheYankees.com

A Message For Joe Torre

Dear Mr. Joe Torre,

Did you noticed what happened in the first inning yesterday? Damon and Jeter were on 1st and 3rd with no out in the top of the first inning.

How did your team, Mr. Joe Torre, leave that inning without at least one run?

We the fans hear a lot about the value of small ball, the lost art of moving runners over one sacrifice or good bat at a time.

And yet, isn't it the responsibility of the manager to instill this mindset in his players?

After Damon walked and Jeter doubled, I don't care who's up next. The priority must be to move Jeter over and get Damon in. It's called situational hitting. And your team sucks at it.

To have two men on, one in scoring position, with no out, and then to have Sheffield, A-Rod, and Giambi fail miserably at the plate is inexcusable.

Did you watch the World Baseball Classic? Did you see managers of other teams focus on getting one run at a time? Did you noticed a clean-up batter being replaced with a contact hitter just to get a run in?

Here's a question for you: what is your best clutch hitter, Hideki Matsui, doing batting in the 6th spot? Are you thinking, Joe Torre, that your American players have egos that can't handle batting out of the coveted 3rd, 4th, and 5th spots, but that the humble Matsui can handle it?

Screw egos. Matsui is in a class of his own, far superior to the rest, especially A-Rod when it comes to situational hitting. Matsui should be in the 3 spot and everyone in Japan knows this.

Did you look at the stat line from last night, Joe Torre? Your golden A-Rod left 5 men on base. A-Rod will always be A-Rod. During Monday night's 15-run rout, A-Rod drove in 5 and was in all the headlines of New York's finest papers. Last night, in a closely fought contest, A-Rod chimed in with 0 RBIs. Did that surprise any true Yankee fan?

C'mon, Joe Torre. Stop living by the politically correct book that you hold close to your heart and lead this team with more common sense.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com

Hideki Makes Impressive and Unheralded Debut to 2006 Season

Lost in the cloud of good feelings that surrounded the Yankees last night as they romped the Oakland A's was another outstanding performance by Hideki Matsui.

Read through the New York papers and watch the cable sports highlights and all you'll read about and see are A-Rod's grand slam in the second inning, a few scattered hits by Johnny Damon, and a relatively strong pitching performance by Randy Johnson.

But how about Hideki Matsui? His line read:
4 hits, 2 walks, 1 three-run homerun, and 4 RBIs.

That translates to a 1.000 batting average and a 1.000 on-base percentage.

Hideki Matsui is without a doubt the most reliable offensive force on the Yankees. Not only is he steady throughout the regular season, he has the faith of his teammates to come through in clutch situations, something that A-Rod notably lacks.

Don't expect Hideki Matsui to grab too many headlines during the 2006 season.

Don't even expect Joe Torre to do the right thing and slot Hideki Matsui into the 3-spot in the line up behind Damon and Jeter.

Just expect Japan's greatest baseball player to give you solid, humble effort every single night he takes the field.

Also expect Hideki Matsui to end up with more than 100 RBIs, a batting average in the .300s, close to if not more than a 100 runs scored, and between 30 to 40 homeruns.

I only wish that we could take about 9 million off of Mussina's salary this year and another 10 million off of A-Rod's salary and divide the total among Hideki and others who deserve more, such as Aaron Small, Chien Ming Wang, and Shawn Chacon.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com