Is Maggs' swing back?
That's two hard-hit balls Magglio Ordonez has pulled in as many days -- one double off the left-field wall Wednesday, the other a homer well into the visiting bullpen at Yankee Stadium Thursday. He says he's feeling well right now and that he's trying to get back into a rhythm of playing day in and day out for a full season. It's only two days, but I think it's fair to say that the suggestions he's already out of gas have been overblown. He thinks he's set up to hit well in September. If he doesn't, I don't believe fatigue will be to blame.
Overall, however, Jim Leyland isn't happy with his team's offense. He's not complaining about the approaches anymore; he's just saying they need to score more runs. "We had some pitches to hit," he said Thursday. "We just didn't hit them." The remarks from Inge make you wonder if there's any split personality going on with some of the hitters trying to be patient to a fault. There aren't an abundance of called third strikes to suggest that, but there were a few this series that were over the plate.
Other items from Thursday:
- I know the replays might make you wonder if Leyland was arguing with the umpires while God Bless America was being played. But after watching the incident again, I don't think he was. I think he was arguing with his hat off while the public address announcer was speaking before the song. "Well, that was a little embrassing," Leyland said afterwards, "and I certainly in no way, shape or form meant to be disrespectful. But you can't call time and say, 'I've got to listen to Kate.'"
- It'll be interesting to see what happens at second base this weekend with Neifi Perez battling a minor injury while also struggling at the plate. I'd expect Omar Infante to start at least once this weekend if not more. If he can hit and make the routine play in the field, he'll push for more playing time.
- I didn't put it in the early notes, but both Leyland and Placido Polanco said they're hoping he can return to action in as little as two weeks. He might not immediately return to the second spot after missing so many games, Leyland suggested, but his presence in the field alone could be big in late September.
- I wouldn't expect many call-ups, if any, to Detroit tomorrow when rosters officially expand, especially now that it looks like Ledezma will start Sunday. It's more likely to happen once some of the minor league regular seasons end this weekend.
- Leyland on the difference between the Yankees payroll and the Tigers payroll: "It's just common sense. If you go to the clothing store with $500 and I go with $100, you should come out with better. You'll be wearing cashmere and I'll be wearing some itchy tweed."
- Leyland on Casey's collision at first base Wednesday night: "He doesn't go to Arthur Murray on the weekends, I can tell you that. He might be a star, but he won't be dancing."
Whats the deal with Perez? He's not half as good as Infante! He hasn't been contributing anything, while Omar sits in the dugout, wasting talent!
Report any abuse or spam
Why is everyone making such a big commotion about Leyland talking or not talking during the 7th inning stretch? "God Bless America" is not a national anthem and I am not aware of any law requiring silence while an old recording of Kate Smith is being played. When did the 7th inning stretch stop being fun? It SHOULD be a law that all ballparks have to go back to playing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" ONLY during the stretch.
Report any abuse or spam
I happened to be watching the game at the time Leyland was out arguing. He began the argument before the Kate Smith rendition, paused during it politely, and began again after the song was over. He did nothing wrong, impolite, or questionable in regard to behavior during the tune. Anyone who differs must be a close relative to the home plate umpire of the day, since he was about as clueless and blind while calling the strike zone as I have seen lately. Even my family members, who are die hard Yankee fans agree. One more thing,after the double header, I wondered why Thames and Infante were not getting playing time. Let's see, we score 4 yesterday and those two players accounted directly for three of them. Personality conflict? Neifi might be the nicest guy around, but he just doesn't have the talent Infante has to work with. Leyland says he prefers talent to experience when discussing pitching. Shouldn't that also go for position players?
Report any abuse or spam
To answer nulaw's question, I don't think it should be a big deal whether he did or didn't argue during the song. I saw ESPN playing it repeatedly on Sportscenter, though, and though I didn't have the sound on to hear what they were saying, I had a feeling the question would come up. As for the 7th inning stretch, the Yankees are the only major league team I know of that plays God Bless America at every home game. It's a touchy topic given New York and 9/11. They play the recorded version during the regular season and bring out Ronan Tinan on certain special days and during the playoffs. I will say it becomes a tough subject for opponents during the playoffs, because when they bring out the live singers it results in a really long break before the bottom of the seventh.
I was covering the Yanks-Twins AL Division Series a couple years ago and I remember Brad Radke had a well-pitched game going one night. Between God Bless America and the extended break for the Fox broadcast, the seventh-inning stretch took really long, and it was suggested the break threw Radke off his rhythm.
Report any abuse or spam
Will Ernesto wash out the game tonight? It's been raining all day here in western New York.
I just figured out why Jim bats Monroe 2nd. After inning one he's got Inge, Infante, and Granderson in front of him. Plus, batting 2nd gives him a potential extra at bat every game. I really like Inge a lot. With his slick fielding, power and decent speed I can easily overlook the .250 ave.
Infante watch... last night 1 for 2 with a double, 2 walks, 2 rbi's and 2 runs scored. Plus a very good game in the field...He's hitting .294. What else need he do? I agree Jason, the fatigue factor is overstated. Don't all the other teams including pitchers and position players play 162 games too? Magglio will be fine...but... I still think when a player is struggling that there's nothing wrong with moving them down in the lineup
just to take some pressure off. Either Ledezma or Miner would be fine on Sunday, with a quick replacement at the first signs of struggling.
Rogers and Jones are money.(and I don't really like the term) Any doubters left? Brilliant aquisitions!
Report any abuse or spam
Which swing? The one where he looks like a MLB player or the one where he hacks at the first pitch?
Report any abuse or spam