YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#27

-- Jimmy, "BY&L"

No second guessing [here] on my part regarding Joe Girardi's decision to pitch A. J. Burnett on three games rest in Game 5 of the World Series against the Phillies. Even though A.J. was terrible in his start ... in my view, Girardi, and the Yankees braintrust, made the right move in sending Burnett to the mound because basically: what other options did they have?

Chad Gaudin, the only possible fourth starter for the Yanks in this series, has not pitched in about a month. He would have pitched no more than three to five innings. So, it would have made very little sense in taking a chance with Gaudin on the mound instead of Burnett, especially, with all the ineffectiveness out of the bullpen.  

A.J. was brought to the Bronx to pitch big games for the Yanks, and it seems very clear to me: Game 5 of the World Series was a "big" game. Since Burnett was available to pitch on three games rest, then, there really was no other choice for Girardi, but to pitch A.J. over Gaudin. Period.

There is no way to sugarcoat A.J. Burnett's performance, though  -- he was awful.

A.J., who had a solid outing in Game 2, lasted only two innings, allowing, six runs, on four hits, four walks, and two strikeouts.

He was replaced by David Robertson with no outs in the third inning, after walking Utley and Howard, and, then, allowing RBI singles to Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez before being taken out of the game. Robertson allowed one more run to score for a 6-1 Phillies lead before getting out of the jam without any further damage.   

The Phillies took their first lead, 3-1, in the bottom of the first inning on a three-run homer by Chase Utley after the Yanks scored a run in the top of the inning.

In the seventh inning, the Phillies increased their lead to 8-2 on solo home runs by Utley and Ibanez. Utley's homer was his fifth of the series, tying Reggie Jackson's record of five homers in the Yankees victory over the Dodgers in the 1977 World Series.

In the meantime, Phillies starter, Cliff Lee pitched seven solid innings before getting into trouble in the top of the eight inning.

Johnny Damon led off the eight with a single which was followed by a single by Mark Teixeira and a two-RBI double by Alex Rodriguez that cut the Phillies lead to 8-4.

Lee (2-0), was replaced by Chan Ho Park with no outs in the eight.

Park faced Nick Swisher, who advanced Rodriguez on a ground ball out. A-Rod then scored on a sac-fly by Robinson Cano that made the score 8-5.

The Yankees scored their final run in the top of the ninth, before Ryan Madson closed out the Phillies 8-6 victory.

The 2009 World Series now heads to the Beautiful Bronx for Game 6, with the New York Yankees leading the series "three" games to "two" over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Another classic pitching match-up is on tap ...

Andy Pettitte, (Yankees) vs. Pedro Martinez, (Phillies).  

In my view, I think both starters will pitch well, with Andy out-dueling Pedro into the seventh inning.

But, the key for a Yankees win will be a solid bridge directly from Pettitte, with seven strong innings pitched, to the "Great Mariano" Rivera, closing out the Yankees World Series winning final game by recording a two-inning save, pitching a scoreless eight and ninth innings.

Andy to Mariano is: "THE BRIDGE TO VICTORY" !!!

And, a final note: I look for huge offensive numbers by: Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, and Mark Teixeira in tonight's game.

"GO YANKEES" !!!

ONE MORE WIN FOR #27 !!!  

Enjoy the game tonight ...

-- Jimmy, "BY&L"  

With two outs and the score tied 4-4 in the top of the ninth inning of Game 4 of the 2009 World Series against the Phillies, Johnny Damon battled at the plate until he stroked Brad Lidge's ninth pitch of the at bat to leftfield for a single that started yet another late-inning rally by the Bronx Bombers.

Then, on the first pitch to next batter Mark Teixeira, Damon took off for second and easily stole the base. On the play, with the shift on the right side of the infield for Teix, Damon quickly poped up from his slide, spun around, and sprinted towards third base which was not covered by any Phillie player because of the shift, earning Johnny an unchallenged second stolen base on a very rare base running play.

The unusual turn of events clearly unnerved the Phillies closer as Lidge then hit Teixeira that set up a first and third situation for Alex Rodriguez.

And, A-Rod delivered ... one of his biggest hits as a Yankee, a RBI double that plated Damon with the go-ahead run, moving the Yankees into the 5-4 lead.

Jorge Posada followed with a two-RBI single that scored Teixeira and Rodriguez with two big insurance runs, capping the scoring in the Yankees 7-4 victory.

The Great Mariano Rivera closed out the Yankees win with an easy one-two-three ninth inning that gave the Bombers a three games to one lead in the 2009 World Series.

The Yankees starter on the mound, CC Sabathia, was pitching with three days rest, and gave the Yanks a very solid effort even though he struggled throughout his six and two-thirds innings of work in which he gave up three runs, on seven hits, three walks, and six strikeouts, while throwing 107 pitches.

Damaso Marte recorded the final out of the seventh inning, protecting the Yanks 4-3 lead as the game entered the eight.

Joba Chamberlain was then called on to build the "Bridge to Mariano". But, even though Joba struck out the side, he allowed a two-out, solo homer to Pedro Feliz on a three-two pitch that resulted in the Phillies tying the score at 4-4.

The Yankees jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first off Phillies starter Joe Blanton on a lead-off single by Derek Jeter, which was followed by a double by Damon, and, a RBI groundout by Teixeira; A-Rod reaching first on a hit-by-pitch; and, a sac-fly by Posada.

The hit-by-pitch was the third time Alex has been hit in this Series, and resulted in the home plate umpire issuing warnings to both benches. It seems obvious, the Phillies would rather hit A-Rod with one pitch instead of using four balls to walk him to first.

Anyway, the Phillies scored one run in the bottom of the first to cut the Yanks lead in half; and, scored again in the fourth to tie the score 2-2.  

Then, in the top of the fifth, Nick Swisher walked; Melky Cabrera singled; Jeter [2-for-4], hit a RBI single that gave the Yanks a 3-2 lead; which was followed by a RBI single by Damon [3-for-5], that increased the Bombers lead to 4-2 at the time.

Blanton delivered a serviceable six innings starting this game for the Phillies, a move that has been, and will always be questioned, as manager Charlie Manuel decided "not" to  pitch his "ace" Cliff Lee on three days rest, which would have matched Lee up against the Yankees "ace" CC Sabathia who "was" working on three days rest.

Advantage Joe Girardi on these pitching decisions, as the Yankees manager has perfectly set CC in the rotation to pitch games one, four, and seven [if necessary].

So, the New York Yankees are now up in this Series 3-1, with A.J. Burnett [on three days rest] taking the mound against Cliff Lee in Game 5.

Alex Rodriguez had the game-winning hit in Game 4; but, it was Johnny Damon's classic nine-pitch at-bat; single; and two stolen bases, in the ninth inning that sparked the Yankees victory.

Much like Paul O'Neill's classic ten-pitch at-bat against Armando Beitez in the ninth inning of Game One of the 2000 World Series against the New York Mets, Damon's at-bat has now become another special moment in Yankees history.

Johnny Damon's great game and play in this World Series may lead to him be selected MVP, as the Yankees are on a solid path to their 27th World Championship.

The "Magic Number" is now "ONE" for number 27.

"GO YANKEES" !!!  

-- Jimmy, "BY&L"  

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee was in total control on the mound in the first game of the 2009 World Series against the New York Yankees, leading the National League Champs to a 6-1 victory over the Bronx Bombers.

Cliff Lee was brilliant, dazzling Yankee batters with a devastating curveball throughout his 122 pitch effort, that produced ten strikeouts, while Lee allowed one unearned run, six hits [including three hits by Derek Jeter], and no walks, in route to his complete game win.

Yankees starter CC Sabathia pitched well enough to win, throwing 113 pitches over seven solid innings of work, allowing only two runs [two solo homers by second baseman Chase Utley: in the third and sixth innings]; on four hits; three walks; and six strikeouts.

When CC was replaced at the start of the eight inning, the Phillies were leading 2-0; and, that's when the senseless parade of Yankee relievers was put in motion [once again] by grand marshal, Joe Girardi.

The bullpen was awful, collapsing any possible "Bridge to Mariano" before it was even constructed.

Phil Hughes walked two batters at the start of the eight, and was booed off the mound after being replaced by Damaso Marte who was the most effective Yankee reliever, retiring the two batters he faced.

With two outs, David Robertson replaced Marte, and promptly issued a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Then, Robertson gave up a two-RBI single to the next batter Raul Ibanez that increased the Phillies lead to 4-0.

Brian Bruney, who for reasons unknown was added to the World Series roster, allowed the final two Phillies runs in the ninth, without any help from Phil Coke - the final Yankee pitcher out of the pen. This continued ineffectiveness put the game out of reach for the Yanks as Cliff Lee was still on the mound painting his masterpiece.

The Yankees scored a meaningless unearned run in the bottom of the ninth on a throwing error by shortstop Jimmy Rollins on a double play attempt  that capped the scoring in the Phillies 6-1 victory.

Maybe, even if CC Sabathia was allowed to stay in this game into the ninth inning, it still would not have made a difference in the score because Cliff Lee was just way too dominant on this night in the Bronx.

But, Joe Girardi has to stop "over-managing" the bullpen the rest of this World Series.

If four, or five, [or more], Yankee relievers are constantly brought into each game, the odds are: not all these pitchers are going to be effective and pitch well. The only bridge to Mariano Rivera should be built directly from the starting pitcher each game.

And, maybe, even allowing the Yankees starters to complete some games would be a very refreshing path to victory.

Just look at the game Cliff Lee pitched in Game One -- a "CG" victory.

It is time for Manager Joe Girardi to forget about "pitch-counts"; "inning limitations"; "righty/lefty pitching matchups"; or, "using the middle relievers" out of the Yankees bullpen.  

Let the starters pitch into the eight and ninth innings; then, go to the "Great Mariano".

This is the reason why CC, A.J., and Andy were given huge contracts in 2009 -- to start, and lead the Yankees to victory.

There will be plenty of time to rest after the World Series is over; and, the deeper our starters pitch in each game, the greater the Yankees chances of winning their 27th World Championship this year.  

-- Jimmy, "BY&L"   

Finally, after a week delay, baseball has returned. And, it is a great return for all of us in the Yankees Universe, as the New York Yankees, led by an awesome pitching performance by our "ace" CC Sabathia, won the first game of the American League Championship Series, 4-1, over the Los Angeles Angels on a raw, frigid, winter-like night at Yankee Stadium in the "always" beautiful Bronx, New York.

It is so wonderful that baseball is back on the national stage. Also, personally, it feels great to be back blogging again after a short absence because of my busy schedule which has greatly limited and curtailed my blogging activities here at my mlblog and throughout the mlblogosphere.

I am truly sorry for my lack of new posts, and not responding to the many excellent comments that have been posted on my blog over the past few weeks. I hope to update my blog by offering new posts on a regular basis throughout the rest of the playoffs and World Series, as well as, offering responses to comments on my blog, and, also, commentary on as many other mlblogs as possible in the time that my schedule permits.

Thank you to all who have visited my blog, and, or, also, posted comments on my posts. I truly appreciate all your kind words and thoughts; and, look forward to your future support and visits. Enjoy all the upcoming baseball action the rest of this post-season.

Game 1 was really over after the first inning when the Yankees took a early 2-0 lead, on a lead-off single by Derek Jeter; a single by Johnny Damon who advanced to second on a throwing error by left fielder Juan Rivera; a long sacrifice fly to center by Alex Rodriguez after Mark Teixeira flied out to left; and, an infield single on a pop-up in between short and third by Hideki Matsui that looked like an easy out; but, there was some miscommunication on the play between shortstop Erick Aybar and third baseman Chone Figgins that allowed the ball to drop safely to the ground [untouched] for the RBI hit.

On the replay it looked like Figgins called to Aybar to make the catch; but, Aybar was waring a ski mask to shield is face from the cold which also covered both his ears. Maybe this caused the shortstop to not hear his third baseman on the play. Anyway, this was a major mistake by the Angels infielders, and probably the key moment of the game that set the tone for the Yankees victory.  

The Angels scored their only run in the fourth inning on a double by Vladmir Guerro, and a RBI single by Kendry Morales that cut the Yankees lead to 2-1 at the time.

The Yankees increased their lead to 3-1 on a RBI by Matsui in the bottom of the fifth; and, completed the scoring in the game in the sixth inning when Melky Cabrera reached first on a two-out walk; advanced to second on a bad pick-off attempt by Angels starter John Lackey; and scored on a single to center by Derek Jeter that deflected off the glove of Torii Hunter allowing Melky to score without a play at the plate, upping the score to 4-1 in favor of the Yanks.

John Lackey lasted only five and two-third innings in this game, and certainly was hurt by the three Angels erros which resulted in two of the Yankee four runs being unearned.

But, CC Sabathia delivered a brilliant performance, throwing 113 pitches over eight solid innings, allowing one run, on four hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts to earn a very well-pitched victory, exactly the reason why the Yankees signed the great left-handed hurler last winter.

Mariano Rivera closed out this win for the Yankees by pitching a scoreless ninth inning, recording his all-time leading 36th post-season save.

Game 1 is now history with the Yankees leading the ALCS one game to none against the Angels.

The Yankees need only three more wins to become American League Champions; and, seven total wins for their 27th World Championship.

It is great to see baseball back on the world stage.

-- Jimmy, "BY&L"   

I do not usually like to make predictions 'cause you never know how a baseball game or series is going to turn out. Any team can get hot at the right time of the year, and go on to win big ball games and Championship series', all the way to winning the World Series.

Also, if the New York Yankees are involved in any playoff or World Series games, I am always going to to root for my all-time favorite team, the Bronx Bombers, throughout the post-season. So, I will never pick the Yankees to lose a series.

With all the above said, the following are my views on which teams will win the Division and Championship Series' in both leagues, and, also, the 2009 World Series winner ...

ALDS

Yankees over Twins    --  4 games

Red Sox over Angels   --  5 games 

NLDS

Dodgers over Cardinals  --  5 games

Phillies over Rockies      --  4 games

ALCS

Yankees over Red Sox  --  7 games

NLCS

Dodgers over Phillies    --  7 games

WORLD SERIES

New York Yankees over Los Angeles Dodgers  --  6 games

The New York Yankees, 2009 World Champions ...

Their 27th World Championship !!!

Congratulations to all teams playing in the 2009 Post-Season !!!

May every "game" and each "series" be fun and exciting to watch !!!

Everybody, enjoy all the baseball action !!!

-- Jimmy, "BY&L"

Well, it has been awhile since my last post. But during my busy schedule over the last few weeks I certainly have followed the Yankees pennant drive as the Bronx Bombers finally coasted into a smooth landing on top of the AL East, clinching their 16th Division Title since 1976.

The Yankees won six World Championships so far during the George M. Steinbrenner III era, and, hope to make this seven World Series victories for "The Boss", winning their 27th World Championship, sometime at the close of the 2009 post-season in the early days of November.

From (0-8), to (6-9), to (9-9), vs. the Boston Red Sox, reflects the story of the New York Yankees 2009 regular season. And, what a perfect way to claim victory in the AL East: a three-game sweep, 9-5; 3-0; 4-2, over the Red Sox this past weekend at Yankee Stadium that resulted in the Bronx Bombers clinching first place with their 100th win of the year, which also clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs for the Yanks who will end up with the best record in all of Major League Baseball.

So, now the journey continues as it really just starts for the New York Yankees with the beginning of the playoffs in about 10 days.

The Yankees goal this year is the same goal as "every" year -- "Win The World Series". 

The climb to the top of the baseball world has three acts that must be accomplished by the Yanks to become 2009 World Champions:

* Win three of five games in the American League Division Championship Series.

* Win four of seven games in the American League Championship Series.

* Win four of seven games in the World Series.

The above three-act play places the Yankees "Magic Number" at 11. If they play to perfection during this post-season, the New York Yankees will continue their great winning tradition with their 27th World Championship. Anything less will be a failure.  

"Congratulations" to all in the New York Yankees organization !!!

The 2009 regular season has been outstanding and wonderful to watch. You have made all of us in the Yankees Universe very proud to be Yankee fans. We all look forward to another special post-season, with the closing act ending with a standing ovation that will last throughout the days of Autumn and Winter into spring training 2010.

And, then, that ovation will continue at the Yankees home Opening Day, 2010, which will be even more special, highlighted by the raising of the 2009 World Championship banner in centerfield at the new Yankee Stadium, signifying that the New York Yankees are once again the best team in all of Baseball.  

27 is a very special number !!!

But, it will take 11 more wins to make it happen.

The Yankees goal is clearly in sight. May this October and November bring many special memories that Yankee fans will remember for a lifetime.

-- Jimmy, "BY&L"          

The "Captain" Derek Jeter collected three hits in the Yankees 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in the final game of their four-game series at Yankee Stadium [which was swept by the Yanks], that tied the Yankees first "Captain", Hall of Famer, Lou Gehrig, on top of the New York Yankees all-time hit list with 2,721 hits.

Derek Jeter

Jeter led off the game with a surprise bunt single on the first pitch by Rays starting pitcher Jeff Niemann that ended the captain's 0-12 hitless streak.

In the third inning Jeter grounded out to short.

In the fifth inning Derek blasted a shot to straight away centerfield that sailed over the head of B.J. Upton before taking a bounce over the wall for a grounds-rule double.

And, finally, in the bottom of the seventh Jeter stroked a two-out, first pitch, single, past first base down the right field line for his Gehrig tying 2,721th hit.

Lou Gehrig

In the meantime, as this game headed into the eight inning, the Yankees were losing 2-0 to the Rays.

Without doubt, Jeter was happy that he had tied the "Great" Lou Gehrig's all-time hit record; but, I'm sure Derek would be the first one to tell anybody: a Yankees loss would certainly take the shine off this outstanding accomplishment.

The Yankees had this in mind also, and, once again, provided some late-inning dramatics by first scoring a run in the eight that made the score 2-1, before Jorge Posada hit a solid line drive, one-out, three-run homer, off reliever Grant Balfour, into the lower right-field porch that moved the Bronx Bombers into a 4-2 lead.

Posada's 21st homer kept the inning going; and, after Melky Cabrera made the second out, Derek Jeter had one more chance to travel past Gehrig's hit record in this game.

Jeter had a couple of good cuts at the plate, but was walked on a 3-2 count by Balfour.

So, Derek would remain tied with Lou Gehrig until at least Friday night, September 11th, when the Yankees start a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at The Stadium.

The Yankees took their 4-2 lead into the top of the ninth inning; and, in a game that the "Joba Rules" once again limited Joba Chamberlain to only three innings on the mound, [in which he allowed both Tampa Bay runs in the first inning], the Yankees relievers: Alfredo Aceves, Jonathan Albaladejo (5-1), Brian Bruney, and Phil Coke, held the Rays hitless from the fourth inning on, with Coke earning his second save by closing out this win on a final out strikeout.

On this historic night that Derek Jeter tied the "Iron Horse", Lou Gehrig's all-time hit record, the Yankees 4-2 victory which completed a four-game sweep over the Tampa Bay Rays, made this special accomplishment even more "special".

In Mike Puma's New York Post article, Derek Jeter expressed his feelings on tying Lou Gehrig's record:

"I was a Yankee fan growing up and to come up through this organization and what [Gehrig] stood for, being the captain, he's probably one of the classiest people ever to play the game" ... "To be alongside him, pretty much anything you can do to have your name next to his is quite an accomplishment" ...

"We had so many special moments across the street", Jeter said ... "This is hopefully the first of many memorable moments here at the new Stadium. The fans have been tremendous and it's just a lot of fun."

-- photo credits:

* google images

* photos. nj. com/star-ledger/2009/09/derek_jeter

* http:// yankeeology. com/yankeefans

-- Jimmy, "BY&L"

Blue Jays 14, Yankees 8 ...

With this loss, the New York Yankees split a four-game series against the Blue Jays in Toronto. But, this was a very successful road trip as the Bronx Bombers (87-50), won five of seven games to remain in first place in the AL East, seven and a half games ahead of the second place Boston Red Sox (79-57).

The Yankees return home to play a Labor Day day/night doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in the Beautiful Bronx.

The big story, of course, is Derek Jeter's pursuit of Lou Gehrig's all-time Yankees hit record.

The "Captain" Jeter is four hits away from passing the Yankees first "Captain", the Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig on the all-time New York Yankees hit list.

Gehrig has 2,721 career hits; and, Jeter with three hits in yesterday's loss to the Blue Jays, now stands at a total of 2,718 hits. 

"Best Wishes" and "Thanks" to Derek for his many great years in Yankee Pinstripes.

And, Best Wishes to all who have visited my blog ...

I hope everybody has a very enjoyable Labor Day holiday weekend !!!

-- Jimmy, "BY&L"      

After beating the Blue Jays 10-5 in the first game of this four-game series in Toronto, the New York Yankees were stopped right in their tracks by the good doctor, Roy "Doc" Halladay, on a masterfully pitched, one-hit, complete game, 6-0 shutout.

Roy "Doc" Halladay

This game could really be called "A Tale Of Two Starting Pitchers", as Halladay delivered a performance that once again showcased why he is one of the best pitchers in baseball, while the Yankees braintrust are still dabbling with the "Joba Rules", trying to find the right formula that will limit Joba Chamberlain's innings pitched [this year] in the range of 150-160 innings, and, also, win ball games during this experiment.

In this era of baseball when the "complete game" is a very rare feat indeed, Roy "Doc" Halladay (14-8, 2.98 ERA), pitched his sixth CG this year by tossing 111 pitches, over nine brilliant innings, allowing no runs, on only one hit, a double to Ramiro Pena in the sixth innng, three walks and nine strikeouts.

In his 12-year Major League career, all with the Blue Jays, Doc Halladay has started 282 games; has a record of (145-74, 3.46 ERA); 46 complete games, including 13 shutouts, with two shutouts in 2009.  

Halladay had a perfect game going with two outs in the fifth inning when he walked Jorge Posada, ending his bid for perfecton. But, Doc struck out Robinson Cano to end the inning with a no-hitter still on the scoreboard.

Then, in the sixth inning with a 4-0 lead, Halladay had his most trouble of the night, loading the bases on Pena's one-out double, which broke up the no-hitter; and, back-to-back, two-out walks to Eric Hinske and Mark Teixeira that brought Alex Rodriguez up to the plate.

But, A-Rod could not deliver a big clutch hit, striking out on four pitches, with the third strike being a pitch right over the middle of the plate that fooled Rodriguez as he was called-out [looking] to end the Yankees only threat of scoring in this game.

At this point, Joba Chamberlain (8-5, 4.41 ERA), was already out of the game, lasting a pre-determined three innings, in which he threw 59 pitches, allowing three runs (two earned), six hits, and two walks, while striking out only two batters.

Joba Chamberlain

Well, maybe it did not mean much, as Joe Girardi said after the game, "Roy Halladay was great; if we gave up one run, we wouldn't have won tonight." 

But, the Yankees did use four relievers out of the bullpen after Joba's early departure; and, in his next three scheduled starts, Chamberlain is projected [?] to pitch only four, five, and six innings in successive order of those games.

This all adds extra pressure to the Yankees bullpen, as well as, not giving Joba enough innings of work to go the distance [at least seven or eight innings] in his future starts this season, and in the post-season.

I guess the only reason the Yankees (86-49), can continue this experiment is because they are in first place, up by seven and a half games over the second place Boston Red Sox (78-56) in the AL East.

It would have made a lot more sense, though, to limit Joba's innings in April and May so these ridiculous set of "rules" were not in effect at this late stage of the 2009 season, in the middle of a pennant race.

I look forward to the 2010 season, for Joba's sake, and all in the Yankees Universe, when the "Joba Rules" will be no more.

-- photo credits:

* google images

* http:// www. rightfieldbleachers. com/

* http:// blogs. mycentraljersey. com / yankees 

-- Jimmy, "BY&L"