Inside Pitchtag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-12605382009-11-19T14:00:00ZTypePadAlex Ramirez named MVP in Japantag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6b00ce7970b2009-11-19T09:00:00-05:002009-11-19T14:00:00ZHere's a blast from the past: Former Bisons star Alex Ramirez was named MVP of the Japanese League for the second straight year on Wednesday. Now 35, Ramirez led the Yomiuri Giants to their first Japan Series title by leading the league with a .322 average, 31 homers and 103 RBIs. He has become an icon during his nine-year career in Japan The 35-year-old Ramirez hit .322 in helping the Yomiuri Giants to their first Japan Series championship since 2002. He had 31 homers and drove in 103 runs in 144 games this season, his ninth in Japan. He's the...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/alex-ramirez.htmlVote for the NL Cy Youngtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6b0f314970b2009-11-18T16:30:00-05:002009-11-18T21:30:00ZI thought Zack Greinke was a fairly obvious choice for AL Cy Young but the NL is no open-and-shut case. It gets announced Thursday at 2 and it's a tough call. You can read MLB.com's summary here. There are a bunch of names in there but I really think it comes down to three: The St. Louis duo of the Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright and San Francisco ace Tim Lincecum. Linceum (15-7, 2.48 ERA, 261 K) won it last year when he was 18-5 and was brilliant again. Carpenter (17-4, 2.24, 144) once again looked like he did in...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/vote-for-the-nl-cy-young.htmlGirardi got this votetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6afe98c970b2009-11-18T14:30:00-05:002009-11-18T19:37:58ZI was one of the 28 voters for this year's American League Manager of the Year award, which was given to Los Angeles' Mike Scioscia today. The Baseball Writers Association of America requests we keep our votes secret until the winner is announced and now I can let the cat out of the bag: I had Joe Girardi first, Scioscia second and Ron Gardenhire third. There is certainly a lot of anti-Girardi sentiment along the lines of he's supposed to win big with all that talent. But 103 wins are 103 wins, folks. And A-Rod was gone for 38 games....Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/girardi-got-this-vote.htmlVote for the managers of the yeartag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6a91a73970b2009-11-17T14:30:00-05:002009-11-17T19:30:00ZAwards continue Wednesday at 2 as the AL and NL Manager of the Year citations are announced. Full disclosure: I was one of the 28 voters for the AL award and the Baseball Writers Association of America has requested we not reveal our ballots until the winner is revealed (we voted for a top-three). You can see a full discussion of the candidates for the AL award here. Pretty obvious the main candidates are Los Angeles' Mike Scioscia, Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire, New York's Joe Girardi, Texas' Ron Washington, Detroit's Jim Leyland (save for the last week!) and Seattle's Don Wakamatsu....Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/vote-for-the-managers-of-the-year.htmlIt's awards time: Pick the AL Cy Young tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6a75850970b2009-11-16T15:01:11-05:002009-11-16T20:10:26ZAndrew Bailey of the A's and Chris Coghlan of the Marlins were named American and National League rookies of the year, respectively, today by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Hmmm. If I had a vote, I had Detroit's Rick Porcello ahead of Bailey in the AL and the duo of Philly's J.A. Happ and Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen ahead of Coghlan in the NL. Voting for all awards was done prior to the postseason. Writers generally vote for one category. This year, I was a voter for American League Manager of the Year and it's requested we not reveal our...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/its-awards-time-pick-the-al-cy-young-winner.htmlCoaching carouseltag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e2012875a8e552970c2009-11-16T11:47:42-05:002009-11-16T16:47:42ZBack from a post-World Series vacation and keeping an eye on the smoldering hot stove, which will heat up next month at the Winter Meeetings in Indianapolis. Here's some moves in the dugout I found interesting: ---New Indians manager Manny Acta made three more additions to his staff today, including the hiring of former Bisons pitching coach Scott Radinsky as his new bullpen coach. Acta went with an outsider, Steve Smith, as his third base/infield coach, a post some thought could go to Torey Lovullo. The first base coach slot is still open and Lovullo probably has a chance for...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/coaching-carousel.htmlCloser was a dilemma only Yanks solvedtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e2012875638f37970c2009-11-08T09:00:00-05:002009-11-08T14:00:00ZIn today's Inside Baseball column, I look at the ridiculous postseason success of ageless Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. He has an 0.99 ERA, fifth all-time in World Series play and second in the last 60 years to Sandy Koufax. While every other team's closer had a major slip-up in the postseason, Rivera was impenetrable again. Had Hideki Matsui not had six RBIs in the clinching game, Rivera almost certainly would have been the World Series MVP. Rivera was by far the most reliable closer this October/November. But I'm curious to find out, especially from the Yankee fans out there, who...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/closer-was-a-dilemma-only-yanks-solved.htmlA video look at Yankees' clinchertag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6576ab1970b2009-11-05T13:59:45-05:002009-11-05T19:01:48ZNEW YORK -- Live from ... gate 19 at JFK Airport! Still in follow-up mode to the Yankees' World Series win. We'll have another story in Friday's paper and be sure to check out Inside Baseball in Sunday's paper for more thoughts on Mariano Rivera vis-a-vis closers in the postseason. As for today, I put together an audio recap after Game Six and, through the magic of digital media producer Joe Popiolkowski, you can view our video slideshow of the Yankees' clinching triumph. You'll hear from Rivera and Jorge Posada in it as well. By the way, MLB.com is reporting...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/a-video-look-at-yankees-clincher.htmlGame 6 final sprays, er, thoughtstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6aae45e970c2009-11-05T01:31:09-05:002009-11-05T08:36:10ZNEW YORK -- Yes, the champagne stings if it gets in your eyes. And the whole celebration is one loud, chaotic, raucous circus. But the New York Yankees have waited nine long years to celebrate a World Series title and it was party time in the Bronx early this morning after the 7-3 Game Six win over the Phillies completed the quest for 27. Uncluttering the mind, the notebook and the bubbly stains after this one: Joe Girardi: His legacy last year was missing the playoffs after Joe Torre had gone for 13 straight years. He has own legacy now....Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/game-6-final-sprays-er-thoughts.htmlLive from the Bronx: Yanks go for the clinch IItag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a653c61a970b2009-11-04T19:28:50-05:002009-11-05T06:01:41ZNEW YORK -- What more is there to be said? It's the Yankees and Phillies in Game Six. Andy Pettitte vs. Pedro Martinez. The quest for the Bombers' 27th title. The Phillies quest to keep their reign going and get to Game Seven. Sully wants the Yankees to drill Chase Utley. You would think that's coming. Keep it here for your live updates. Here's the lineups: Philadelphia: Rollins, ss; Victorino, cf; Utley, 2b; Howard, 1b; Werth, rf; Ibanez, dh; Feliz, 3b; Francisco, lf; Ruiz, c; New York: Jeter, ss; Damon, lf; Teixeira, 1b; Rodriguez, 3b; Matsui, dh; Posada, c; Cano,...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/live-from-the-bronx-yanks-go-for-the-clinch-ii.htmlLineups are in: Swisher, Victorino get the calltag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6a96488970c2009-11-04T16:08:21-05:002009-11-04T22:22:36ZNEW YORK -- Both teams' lineups are now in for Game Six and the main questions are answered: Shane Victorino's finger is good enough for him to start in CF for the Phillies and the Yankees will start Nick Swisher in RF against Pedro Martinez. Swisher is 2 for 12 in the series and batting just .136 in the postseason; Hairston is batting .367 lifetime against Pedro and got the start in Game Two. "Swish has been our every day right fielder and we thought it was just important that he sit down for a day," manager Joe Girardi said...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/yankee-lineup-swisher-gets-call-in-rf.htmlPedro in diaper -- yes, diaper -- on cover of today's NY Posttag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6a877c7970c2009-11-04T11:23:17-05:002009-11-04T16:25:06ZNEW YORK -- Just when you think you've seen it all from the New York Post comes today's cover. Check it out. You may remember last week that Shane Victorino, a native of Hawaii, was photoshopped on to the front page wearing a grass skirt and was none too pleased during Media Day prior to Game One when a Post photographer wanted to get him to hold up a shot of the cover. Today's gem is Game Six starter Pedro Martinez in a diaper because he's about to get whupped by his daddy, the Yankees. In the one uncomfortable moment...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/pedro-in-diaper-yes-diaper-on-post-cover.htmlNo weather issues for Game 6tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6a8536f970c2009-11-04T10:49:03-05:002009-11-04T15:49:03ZNEW YORK -- It's a bright, sunny day in the big city. There's only a 10 percent chance of rain with temperatures in the mid-40s expected tonight as Andy Pettitte and Pedro Martinez meet in Game Six of the World Series. You can check out the hour-by-hour forecast here. Things look quite a bit more iffy if there's a Game Seven tomorrow. Looking at that current hour-by-hour as of 11 a.m. today, the temps may only be in the high 30s and the chance of rain hits 50 percent by 9 p.m. Uh-oh. ---Mike Harrington (www.twitter.com/bnharrington)Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/no-weather-issues-for-game-6.htmlPearls from Pedrotag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a650be79970b2009-11-03T18:38:31-05:002009-11-03T23:42:58ZNEW YORK -- Pedro Martinez was a big hit with the media last week on the day before his Game Two start, when he spent 20 minutes on a variety of topics. Among them was really his first in-depth discussion of the infamous 2003 ALCS brawl with Yankees coach Don Zimmer. There were some light moments for sure, but there was some pretty heavy stuff as well during which Martinez showed some great introspection. Nothing heavy about Martinez on the podium today at Yankee Stadium on the day prior to Game Six. Smiling, chatty, boisterous. He had a crowded room...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/pearlsofpedro.htmlOn the scene in the Bronxtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a650164d970b2009-11-03T15:03:06-05:002009-11-03T20:04:19ZNEW YORK -- We're back at Yankee Stadium (thank you, Amtrak) for the workout day prior to Game Six of the World Series. But we don't expect many Yankees here at all and the Phillies have canceled their workout. The Yankees' clubhouse will open any minute and we should hear from Joe Girardi and Andy Pettitte within the hour. Charlie Manuel and Pedro Martinez will be at the podium from 5:15-5:45. There are a few fans outside hunkering down by the ticket windows hoping for a chance at a view of Game Six. They have a long night ahead; the...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/on-the-scene-in-the-bronx.htmlGame 5 observationstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6a307c1970c2009-11-03T01:00:42-05:002009-11-03T07:00:22ZPHILADELPHIA -- I'll be on Amtrak's Northeast Regional headed back for New York Tuesday morning because the Yankees couldn't figure out Cliff Lee enough and Chase Utley at all in the Phillies' 8-6 win Monday night. There's a reason why these guys are defending champs. They're a pretty resilient group. Lesser teams would have crumbled after what happened in the ninth inning Sunday. Here's what's cluttering my mind after Game Five: Chase Utley: Let's see. He's channeling his inner Chuck Howley, Ron Hextall, J.S. Giguere as in guys from losing teams to win playoff MVP. I still think the Yankees...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/game-5-observations.htmlLive from the Bank: Yanks go for the clinchtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6a14d40970c2009-11-02T19:40:27-05:002009-11-03T04:27:50ZPHILADELPHIA -- It's been nine years, since a clear and chilly night like this one in Citizens Bank Park, since the New York Yankees have won the World Series. That's not long if you're a Cubs fan or you've been a Red Sox fan most of your life. But in the Bronx, it's an eternity. On that night in 2000 at now-bulldozed Shea Stadium, Mariano Rivera got Mike Piazza on a fly ball to Bernie Williams for the final out as the Yankees celebrated their fourth title in five years and the 26th in their long history by completing a...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/live-from-the-bank-yanks-go-for-the-clinch-1.htmlUpdate: Pena on Yankees' roster for Melkytag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6a1ce62970c2009-11-02T17:45:40-05:002009-11-02T23:02:01ZPHILADELPHIA -- Joe Girardi has confirmed Brett Gardner will start in center field tonight batting seventh and Jose Molina will catch A.J. Burnett and bat eight. Melky Cabrera is expected to be out for the rest of the series with what's rumored to be a hamstring tear although Girardi called it a strain. "We're in the process of talking with Major League Baseball," Girardi said. "Something will be determined later. That's about all I'm able to share at this point. But he's very limited." 6 p.m. update: MLB has approved the Yankees' substitution of IF Ramiro Pena on the roster...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/no-word-yet-on-melky.htmlBig boo-boo for Philly Inquirertag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6a134dc970c2009-11-02T15:04:21-05:002009-11-02T20:05:57ZPHILADELPHIA -- Don't normally like to disparage fellow members of our industry, but it hasn't been a good weekend for the newspapers in the city of Brotherly Love. Good luck finding copies of the Inquirer or the Daily News, especially if you're staying by the airport like I am. A lot of gas stations don't even carry them, with three telling me today to find a street box. Found two Daily News street boxes that took my quarters but wouldn't give me a paper (they did return the quarters at least). The writing and photography have been pedestrian at best...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/big-booboo-for-philly-inquirer.htmlNo more Melky way for Yankeestag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6a0775d970c2009-11-02T11:40:37-05:002009-11-02T16:40:37ZPHILADELPHIA -- The word last night was that Melky Cabrera had a hamstring injury that might be serious and the word this morning starting to leak out of New York City outlets is that it's a full tear. Brett Gardner is almost certainly going to start Game Five tonight and the Yankees may replace Cabrera. The candidates would either be outfielder Freddy Guzman, infielder Ramiro Pena or third catcher Francisco Cervelli. Let's see if the Yankees go for Cervelli because Jose Molina will start behind the plate tonight with A.J. Burnett pitching. As soon as Burnett comes out -- and...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/no-more-melky-way-for-yankees.htmlGame Four observationstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a69ef579970c2009-11-02T01:09:52-05:002009-11-02T17:10:19ZPHILADELPHIA -- Trying to make sense of the Yankees' amazing ninth inning Sunday night is difficult. It all happened so fast. From two outs and nobody on to three runs in and a stranglehold on the World Series. In real time, it might have been five minutes tops. Here's some thoughts on the aftermath: Johnny Damon: It's likely this is his final tour with the Yankees. If they win this series, the folks in the Big Apple will never forget his mad dash from first to third in the ninth inning (left) About as heads up a play as we've...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/game-four-observations.htmlLive from the Bank: Yanks-Phillies IVtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a69e2d1a970c2009-11-01T20:49:07-05:002009-11-02T17:08:49ZPHILADELPHIA -- It's a crisp but clear 49-degree night in Citizens Bank Park as the Yankees look to take total command of the World Series with CC Sabathia on the mound against Joe Blanton. That's a mismatch on paper. We'll see. The lineups: New York: Jeter, ss; Damon, lf; Teixeira, 1b; Rodriguez, 3b; Posada, c; Cano, 2b; Swisher, rf; Cabrera, cf; Sabathia, p Philadelphia: Rollins, ss; Victorino, cf; Utley, 2b; Howard, 1b; Werth, rf; Ibanez, lf; Feliz, 3b; Ruiz, c; Blanton, p. ---Mike Harrington Yanks win, 7-4: What a ninth. Two outs and nobody on. All the momentum in the...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/live-from-the-bank-yanksphillies-iv.htmlHarry the K a Philly legendtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a69d9681970c2009-11-01T16:51:44-05:002009-11-01T22:00:27ZPHILADELPHIA -- So much was made during the ALCS about the Angels' quest for a title in honor of late pitcher Nick Adenhart, killed in April by a drunk driver. The Phillies have a similar quest going in honor of beloved late broadcaster Harry Kalas, who collapsed and died of a heart attack in the press box April 13 in Washington. He was 73. The players have a black "HK" patch on their jerseys. There's a tribute to Kalas on the outfield fence -- and the players jogged all the way out there and poured champagne on the sign after...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/harrythek.htmlSunday Series chattertag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a69d1f0f970c2009-11-01T12:59:07-05:002009-11-01T17:59:07ZPHILADELPHIA -- Believe it or not, I'm heading to Citizens Bank Park for Game Four of the World Series at about 2:15 today. Yes, I know first pitch isn't until 8:20 but it behooves me to get there before the 70,000 fans next door for the Eagles-Giants game at Lincoln Financial Field spill out into the streets! Last night's rain-delayed 8-5 win gave the Yankees a 2-1 lead in the series. The final out was made at 12:42 a.m. and we got a story in as many papers as possible as soon as the game ended, something that I'm sure...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/sunday-series-chatter.htmlGame 3 observationstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a69bc0db970c2009-11-01T01:40:41-05:002009-11-01T06:42:46ZPHILADELPHIA -- A big comeback produces an 8-5 win and a 2-1 Series lead for the Yankees. Now CC Sabathia is coming back Sunday against Joe Blanton. Even on three days rest, I call that one advantage, Bombers. Be sure to see our Web-only version of the game story, with comments from the clubhouses. More thoughts from Game Three: Cole Hamels: Guess 2008 was a fluke? How do you explain it? He's not mentally tough when things go against him and his pitches are flat. What a dilemma for Charlie Manuel. No way you can trust this guy to go...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/11/game-3-observations.htmlLive from the Bank (finally): Yankees-Phillies IIItag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a69aea57970c2009-10-31T21:08:48-04:002009-11-01T06:19:39ZPHILADELPHIA -- After waiting around in Citizens Bank Park like it was, oh, 2008 against the Rays, we're finally ready for Game Three of the World Series between the Phillies and Yankees. The tarp is off, Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt has thrown the ceremonial first pitch and the rain is still falling lightly but we're not expected to have any weather trouble the rest of the night. Here's the lineups: New York: Jeter, ss; Damon, lf; Teixeira, 1b; Rodriguez, 3b; Posada, c; Cano, 2b; Swisher, rf; Cabrera, cf; Pettitte, p Philadelphia: Rollins, ss; Victorino, cf; Utley, 2b; Howard, 1b;...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/10/live-from-the-bank-yankeesphillies-iii.htmlSeries bulletin: Tarp timetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a69af254970c2009-10-31T19:27:24-04:002009-11-01T00:45:17ZPHILADELPHIA -- It just started pouring at Citizens Bank Park and the tarp has been put on the infield. It's not supposed to be a night filled with prolonged rain. We'll see. Stinks. We get a 70-degree day on Halloween in the Northeast but we get rain too. So if -- if -- we get a rainout tonight, that would almost certainly scuttle the Yankees' plans to use CC Sabathia on short rest in Game 4. MLB would likely just scrap Tuesday's travel day and Games 3-7 could be played over 5 days in a row. 7:57 p.m. update: Our...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/10/series-bulletin-tarp-time.htmlYankees rotation likely just three mentag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a69a9aa4970c2009-10-31T17:12:24-04:002009-10-31T21:12:24ZPHILADELPHIA -- Joe Girardi just announced CC Sabathia will pitch Sunday in Game Four on three days rest. He then said he was leaving open "the possibility" that A.J. Burnett would do likewise in Game Five and Sabathia would come back again in Game Seven. Andy Pettitte is slated for Game Six. It's a three-man rotation. Period. If this goes seven games, it's going to be Sabathia-Burnett-Pettitte-Sabathia-Burnett-Pettitte-Sabathia. Book it. Do you want one of those guys or do you want Chad Gaudin out there? You can go through all the explanations you want but Girardi summed it up best when...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/10/yankees-rotation-likely-just-three-men.htmlWeather watchingtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a6450191970b2009-10-31T16:23:29-04:002009-10-31T20:53:25ZPHILADELPHIA -- It's a warm and windy day here at Citizens Bank Park -- haven't seen 70 degrees at the World Series since '05 in Houston and don't even think it got that warm in Tampa. The problem: It's dark. It's been raining some. It might rain some more. We can't catch a break. My shot (left) shows you the clouds behind the rear of the scoreboard. It's one of the iconic views outside, with the Phanatic picture and the plaza statue of Steve Carlton. Anyway, Game Three is on time for a 7:57 start. Assuming we play, be sure...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/10/weather-watching.htmlSaturday readstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b85a69e20120a644621f970b2009-10-31T12:01:17-04:002009-10-31T16:34:48ZPHILADELPHIA -- There were some tech issues with the Web publishing of our World Series stories from today's editions but the links are up and working now. My main story was about the top billing starting on the bats but now the pitchers are dominating. In our Series notebook, the Yankees have quite the dilemma the next three days with Hideki Matsui. Some links from the New York and Philly papers: The NY Daily News: Andy Pettitte in the World Series: It's been a regular show since 1996. NY Daily News columnist John Harper: Mariano Rivera needs help in the...Blog Editorhttp://blogs.buffalonews.com/insidepitch/2009/10/saturday-reads.html