And you know statistics mean crap,if you don't get the win.

Maybe it's in the water. Drinking from the Hudson River again, are you?

No look: Looks like DeSalvo may be the real deal with his 2nd straight great outing:

6 2/3 innings, 7 hits, 2 runs, 3 BB, 2 SO, 1-0 with a 1.98 ERA

6 2/3 innings= 20 batters,right

7 guys get hits, 3 guys take walks= 10 batters or 50% made it on base.
8 guys hit out with either a grounded ball, fly out which can be cause by the good pitching or be caused by poor hitting, you make the call. The right combo and ....

Two out of twenty get SO and we call that great pitching with a low 1.98 ERA.

They still lose which sucks.......BIG TIME


Now we go into Chicago and then the back to NY to face the Mets.

Statistically, he has given quality starts. but you can't tell me it was any worse than what Chase Wright dished up.

Pitching isn't the problem anymore (immediately, anyways). It's the quasi-silent bats.

and to add to it all, its the shit teams that are getting by us.
OUCH..it hurts.

Actually, 6 2/3 innings = 20 outs, not batters. The 7 hits he surrendered would have presumably been against 27 official at bats, which would yield a batting average of .259, which is pretty average. However, if those hits don't include a homerun, it's a pretty good outing.

I'm certainly not ready to proclaim him anything, based on a successful outing. He may be a pretty good pitcher, but I'm sure he'll get roughed up a bit if he stays in the big leagues.

Yes, you are right.

My bad. 2 SO out of 27

Still NOT what I would call GREAT... are we getting that hard up

I agree. Can any Yankee pitcher have a great start this year or is that forbidden? Dice-K has a better win-loss record because his batters (particurlarly Manny) continue to bail him out. Yet his ERA has ballooned to over 4. Too much emphasize on win-loss record.

If that great Yankee lineup of ours would have put up some runs when they are needed, then we wouldn't be 8 games back.

The greatest pitcher in the game would still lose if his team doesn't get him at least one run. And yes, an Avg. pitcher will have a great W-L record if his team stands by hi and he gets the win.
The Yankees would gladly take a couple of 20 games winners with ERAs of 4, 5 or even 6 if our lineup covered the runs.
Last time I looked it was the win-loss record that took you to the series.

I'm not talking about the win-loss record of the team. I'm talking about the win-loss record of pitchers

Andy Pettitte benefited from great run support in the past as he's had very good W/L records with mediocre ERAs.

Exactly klydon. I look at a pitchers stats such as ERA, etc and don't solely rely on win-loss records as they can be misleading.

Clemens to face Class A on Friday

SEATTLE -- The countdown for The Rocket's liftoff has begun.
Yankees manager Joe Torre said on Sunday that right-hander Roger Clemens is tentatively lined up to make his first Minor League appearance on Friday for the Class A Tampa Yankees, pitching against the Fort Myers Miracle in a Florida State League game.

Clemens, 44, spent most of last week working at the University of Kentucky complex following the announcement of a prorated one-year, $28 million contract.

Eventually, Clemens will be back into the pinstriped uniform of the Yankees, for whom he pitched from 1999-2003. Clemens is expected to report to the Yankees' Legends Field complex on Monday and has been scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday.

Torre said that the Yankees have not yet decided if Clemens will need two or three starts in the Minor Leagues before making his first big-league appearance.

"A lot of it will depend after the first start," Torre said. "We'll see what that is, and if everything goes according to the way we expect it to go, he'll graduate."

Torre indicated that Clemens is likely to pitch just once for Class A Tampa, with the Yankees mindful of their Minor League schedules so as to keep Clemens at home stadiums, where the organization can control all aspects of mound maintenance.

Assuming Clemens makes it through his first effort for Tampa, he could pitch on May 23 for the Double-A Trenton Thunder of the Eastern League, facing the Portland Sea Dogs at Waterfront Park in New Jersey.

From there, the Yankees would need to decide whether Clemens' next start would come at Triple-A -- he would line up to pitch for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees on May 28 against Toledo in an International League contest -- or in the big leagues.

The Yankees play at Toronto on May 28, but a third Minor League start would put Clemens in line to make his big-league return on June 2 at Boston's Fenway Park.

Torre said that he has not spoken recently with Clemens, but he has heard promising reports.

"He feels pretty good, from what I understand," Torre said. "But again, he needs to get his legs under him. The arm is one thing, but the legs are a big contributor to the way he pitches."

Source: Yankees

Looks like Dice-K pitched a hell of a game for Boston.
A complete game with no walks against Detroit I may add.
And, with us off, we fall back another 1/2 game.

Like I said more than a few posts above, the Yankees problem right now is not pitching. It's that their left handed batters are virtually useless (excluding Matsui) and the rest of their order is relying on clutch hits from Doug Mienkeiwicz (say that three times fast), which is sad.

I agree with Mike Francesa. The next three weeks are going to be telling. If they are behind, in double-digits, by June 4th, then it is time to seriously consider panic. But right now, history has shown Abreu should come around. We need Damon not watching the scoreboard and playing like he did last year.

Actually, we need...Bernie Williams. Even at his stage in his career, you can't tell me that you wouldn't rather have Bernie hitting in that pinch spot instead of Eye-Chart.

Oh, and "big" news, we signed journeyman 38-year-old reliever Pete Walker to a minor-league deal...

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=4f64c0e7-8d19-4542-a311-15a99f9eca3f

Also, for those of us (I know I12 and myself) who wanted Ron Villone back, May 15th (today) is the deadline for the Yankees to call him up to the Major League club, or else he is released, according to his contract.

I say bring him up and give him a shot...he can't be any worse than Vizcaino at this point...or perhaps send Henn down to see if he can find the strike zone again.

For the record, here is what Villone is saying:

“If they don’t call me up, I’m going to go somewhere else, probably. I’m not going to say 100 percent because I’m not sure how the scenario plays out. You never know what people are going to say to you. My ears are open and I’m just going to weigh out my options and hopefully things work out.” - Ron Villone on the May 15th deadline

You know how this will play out. They will let him walk and then he will play very well for another team. Its a New York Tradition!

Well, I can't understand why they wouldn't at least give him a shot, especially since our bullpen is crap. I trust Villone, even with his wet noodle arm (courtesy of Papa Joe), more than I do Losscaino.

Yanks add veteran lefty Villone

CHICAGO (AP) -- Ron Villone will join the New York Yankees' overworked bullpen.

Villone will be added to the major league roster, general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday. Cashman said a corresponding roster move would be made after manager Joe Torre spoke with the player involved.

Villone's minor league contract contained a Tuesday deadline to add him to the major league roster. If Villone wasn't brought up, he could have become a free agent.

The 37-year-old left-hander was 0-1 with a 1.90 ERA and one save in 17 appearances with Triple-A Scranton. He allowed 21 hits in 23 2-3 innings, striking out 27 and walking 10.

Villone failed to make the opening day roster after compiling a 14.40 ERA in spring training, allowing 10 runs -- eight earned -- and 13 hits in five innings over nine games. He was 3-3 with a 5.04 ERA in 70 appearances with the Yankees last year.

Source: SI

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WOO HOO A fresh arm!

Stupid Rain Delay.

The good news is that the Red Sox lost last night to Detroit (which is bad and good, since Detroit could also be one of our big competitors for the AL Wild Card if we can't catch the Sox), so we could make up some position today with the double-header.

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Clemens had a great workout session yesterday at the Yankees minor league complex, but the biggest plus was that Phil Hughes, Jeff Karstens, and other minor leaguers were watching. I realize that Clemens is here for the money, but if he can get some of these guys started on the way to success, then I'm all for it.



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Sean Henn was optioned down to the minors because he still has option years left on his contract, which means he can move freely between MLB and AAA without fear of waivers. This is why someone like Vizcaino hasn't been sent down - he'd have to clear waivers, and likely wouldn't. Henn has done a decent job, its a shame he got rocked the other day.

Yet, we're giving Losscaino infinite chances to blow it?

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Guess who's tearing up AAA? Yeah. Andy Phillips. (sigh) I hate it when you have players too good for AAA, but not good enough for the MLB. It's tragic.

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So Villone is back in town. Hooray. Any fresh arm is a plus at this point. I'm just glad to see they didn't simply release him.

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Well, get ready for round 3 of AAA call-ups. With this double-header, its going to make moody Mike Mussina either pitch on short rest (which we know he'll throw a temper tantrum like a 8-year-old girl about) or, more likely, Tyler Clippard (Yes!), Steven Jackson (Woot!), or Chase Wright (Ugh!) will be called up to pitch against the Mets in the Subway Series.

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From the LoHud Yankees Blog:



Boy, that sucks. I'm more of a Cubs fan anyway (if I had to deviate from my pinstriped bloodline), but c'mon, that's shitty.

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ESPN is going to have Clemens Single-A start for Tampa on-air. Great.

Now watch how much people bitch because of this. Nobody said boo when they did this for his last comeback, but now that he's a Yankee, we'll hear everyone on ESPN talk about why this guy shouldn't be a such a big deal...

Admittedly though, I could give two fucks about his minor league start. I might watch it on YouTube, but oh well. If it shuts up Tony Korheiser for a little bit, I'm all for it.

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Papa Joe has redesigned the batting order to try and get some results. Setting the pace for the AL, Jeter is back at #2, while A-Rod's quiescent bat is at #3. Hot hot hot Jorge now cleans up, and Matsui should ride in right afterwards. Hoorah. Bobby Abreu hits 7th.

The back end of our order is now going to be devoid of any offensive ability - Abreu, Mientkeiwicz, and Melky.

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The Yankees have made some more "big" minor-league signings, hot on the Pete Walker coattails. Eric Junge, formerly of the Phillies affiliate Bridgeport Bluefish (this is where Klydon needs to tell us about this kid), has appeared in 2 games this season for Bridgeport will immediately report to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, the AAA affiliate of the New York Yankees. While in Bridgeport, Junge posted a 1.29 ERA in 5.1 innings of work, striking out 5 while walking only 1. Junge has appeared in 10 games on the major league level posting a 2-0 record with a 2.21 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 20 1/3 IP for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2002-2003.

The problem? He's already a journeyman minor league, spending time with the Padres, Dodgers, Phillies, and the Mets.

Next comes the signing of Tim Lavigne (not Avril's brother! ), who allegedly has "chaotic" stuff according to a Mets blog I'm reading. He's a bit old for a prospect (28), but has a nice splitter.

Any help is a plus though.

Can't tell you much other than I forgot about this guy. The Phillies traded Omar Daal years ago for him, plus another guy. I give him credit for hanging on in the Atlantic League at his age. These independent leagues tend to be graveyards for older guys still struggling to make it in the big leagues, or unable to leve the game. I wish him well in AAA. Plus, you never know...he might be able to put a couple of solid months together at the big league level.

Good luck.

Well, they split the series. Abreu hit a home run, which is a plus, but then looked lost in the second game.

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My biggest problem? The Yankees have ZERO patience at the plate, something they seem to have begun only this year. They habitually swung on the first or second pitch against Contreras, even though we all know he has control issues. Is Kevin Long (or Papa Joe) actually watching these games? What the fuck?

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Wang, as always, solid. A solid Wang. You can't ask for much more out of life.

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Well, it's nearly over for Steve Swindal. The Yankees are doing what they should have done with Kevin Brown and Carl Pavano - they are buying out his contract.

He's out, Tom.

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Minor league pitching master Nardi Contreras has apparently overhauled Kei Igawa's delivery into something more consistent and balanced. We'll have to see if he'll be able to return to Major League level, or be a $49 million bust.

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Torre still favors Chase Wright, a AA pitcher, over Tyler Clippard, our AAA stud. Why, I have no idea.

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It sounds like the Yankees will pitch Wang on Sunday against the Mets on three days rest, especially with hissy-fit Pussina and his moodiness.

I'd rather have Wang on three days rest than Pussina on full rest anytime.

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Has Melky finally turned the corner? He had an amazing rob in Game Two, and looked better at the plate. Maybe he finally can pull himself out of the black hole that is the end of our batting order...

Breaking news: Yankees are calling up Tyler Clippard to pitch Sunday against the Mets.

Wow the battle of New York

Got a time and day for that brother?

Farnsworth criticizes Clemens clause

CHICAGO (AP) - New York reliever Kyle Farnsworth thinks no one on the Yankees, not even Roger Clemens, should be allowed to leave the team when they aren't pitching.

Farnsworth was on Chicago's 670 AM The Score on Thursday morning when he first criticized the so-called "family plan" clause in Clemens' one-year, $28 million contract that allows the right-hander to leave the team for personal matters when he's not pitching.

Farnsworth reiterated his beliefs in the clubhouse before the Yankees' 4-1 loss to the White Sox.

"As far as a teammate and a player, I think everybody should be here whether they're pitching or not," he said. "You don't see guys who are hurt not sit on the bench. They're always there."

Even so, Farnsworth doesn't think it's going to be a problem and didn't foresee any clubhouse tension over preferential treatment for one of the game's greatest pitchers.

"It's just an opinion of mine. I don't think it's a concern at all," he said. "You guys asked my opinion about it and I gave it."

The 44-year-old Clemens could join the Yankees rotation against the Blue Jays on May 28 or 29 or at Boston on June 2 or 3.

"Whether it's going to cause a problem, we'll see," Farnsworth said. "I don't think it will. We're all professionals here and we know how to go about our jobs. As far as friction, he's going to be here to help this team win. That's the only thing that everybody is worried about."

Source: FOX Sports

Farnsworth should worry about his mediocre pitching and terrible inconsistencies. This from the guy who can't pitch a back to back game of relief after one inning...

Giambi even said there aren't any problems with Roger, and that it isn't going to be a problem. Who gives a shit what Kyle Farnsworth says?

Maybe you all should be less focused on how Clemens will manage his time and more on HOW TO HIT THE FUCKING BALL AND WIN SOME GAMES...

Pretty sure that it's tomorrow @ 7 PM ET.