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Joba Debuts, Joe Can't Watch
For a 9-2 final, this was an immensely entertaining game. You had a two bench-clearing altercations, on the same play, an ejected 45 year-old, a debuting 21 year-old, great defense, hard slides and clutch hitting. Luckily, most of the positives were on the Yankee side of the ledger.I don't want to spend too much time talking about the sissy fights that broke out when A-Rod was drilled by a Josh Towers pitch in the top of the third. The Blue Jays need to get over the "Ha!" play, it happened over two months ago. Both teams should be ashamed of themselves for the bench-clearing brouhaha which ensued. If you're going to fight, then fight. If you aren't, then stay in the friggin' dugout. Oh, and if you're Matt Stairs, just shut up. Why he was so intent on puffing his chest up to A-Rod when all A-Rod did was get hit by a pitch is beyond me. The best part of the fracas for me was seeing Shelley Duncan sprint out on the field and find Stairs immediately the second time the benches emptied. He's the type of guy you want on your side in a fight.
It was a foregone conclusion that Clemens was going to drill someone. I found his argument over being tossed mildly amusing. Let's hope this dies down tomorrow. The slate has been wiped clean.
Now, to the best news of the night. Joba Chamberlain made his debut. He pitched the 8th and 9th innings, and while he seemed nervous and a bit wild, his stuff was absolutely electric. He didn't throw a fastball below 95 MPH, topped out at 99 and showed a sick slider in the high 80's. Chamberlain's line: 2 IP, 0 runs, 1 hit, 2 BBs, 2 Ks, 33 pitches, 19 strikes.
Letter to the Skipper:
Player of The Game: Roger Clemens, 6 IP, 1 earned, 2 hits, 1 BB, 6 Ks, 1 pay-back beanball, 1 early shower.Play of The Game: Shelley Duncan's flying body check on John McDonald to break up a double play on a Melky bunt. This hard-nosed, but clean, play set up the Yanks to blow the game wide open. Speaking of Melky, he was 3 for 3 with 2 doubles, a triple and he was still in center even with Giambi back from the DL.
Joba looked solid. I'm excited.
Also, on your play of the game... watching it live, I kinda wish that was A-Rod who had done that, so the Blue Jays and the media could try to make it seem like it was a dirty play! "Look, A-Rod just kick McDonald's glove off!". Too bad.
was anyone else hoping there was aplay at the plate when arod was rounding 3rd on jorge's double? i was waiting for Arod to straight madden truckstick Zaun...
also, im kinda iffy for joba in the 8th. i say keep him in the 7th, and viscaino in the 8th, unless joba doesnt give up runs for like 3 weeks. I know its been stated, but viz has been LIGHT OUT, except ofr his last appearence (but hes been getting loads of innings recently for obvious reasons...)
Prez,
I think Joba's going to dominate. I expected him to give up a couple of runs tonight, just because of nerves. I was really impressed with that outing. I'm starting to think the Viz is running on borrowed time, and the workload might be catching up to him.
And holy crap, yes. I was praying for a collision there. A-Rod was absolutely flying around the bases, he was pissed. I think he was even more pissed when McDonald robbed him a couple of times.
SML, yep, they would've ripped A-Rod for that play. Is it just me, or can Shelley run? He moves really well for such a big guy and he loves breaking up the double play. He's like the Kurt Rambis of the Yankees.
You can count on Roger Clemens to deliver payback when it's due. You gotta love it that he will still do that.
And maybe Joe finally got the hint about giving the young guys a chance! This is all very encouraging.
I'm a huge A-Rod fan, but if I'm the Blue Jays....I hit him again today.
No way the Yanks pen is better than the Red Sox, at least for now....
You know the Christopher Walken, "We need more cowbell!" line? Well, "I need more Melky!" I can't get enough of the dude, give us a player profile, something in-depth, I may name my first born after him if he keeps this up.
*after the Cubs, the Yanks are probably my favorite team. Ironic? Like a no smoking sign on a cigarette break.
It's funny, but Melky has been the key to this season. You'll probably get some argument on this, even from die hard Yankee fans, but I'm convinced.
I'll write up an in-depth piece on him, but if you want to know what kind of kid he is, you should read this article. There's a blurb in there about Cano and Melky sitting down and deciding they're going to be more disciplined at the plate. Since then, they've upped their OBP's to .351 (Cano) and .349 (Cabrera).
bowa vs. stairs in the octagon!