The Dynasty Crumbles - the 2013 MFY Thread

[Frayed Knot]

The 12-second rule is supposed to be for pitchers with the bases empty - so none of that would apply here.
What should apply is the rule --suggestion is more like it-- that batters are supposed to keep at least one foot in the box. That gives them the ability to hold back the pitchers pace if he's going too fast for them but without taking a stroll in between each pitch.

Problem is that only some of this is even codified in the rule book and even the parts that are aren't enforced.
The players and managers object to being held to strict limits which is why half of this stuff are merely suggestions or "guidelines" and not hard and fast rules. The umps don't want to enforce anything because it puts them in the spot of being the bad guys. And because these aren't really rules there aren't really penalties for the umps to hand out even if they wanted to call something.

There are goofy things in the rule book covering if say a batter refuses to step into the box (like if he's still steaming about the last call and won't shut up). In that case the ump has the power to tell the pitcher to deliver the pitch and he will call it a strike even if it flies to the backstop. But when was the last time anyone saw that called (I never have) and that's not what's happening here anyway. Hafner isn't refusing to get in the box, he's just not being asked to get there in the first place because, again, the ump doesn't want to play the heavy trying to keep a batter from doing something he's been allowed to do every day for the last decade or more.

I timed two of Hafner's ABs today; he's taking about 30 seconds per pitch - and these are middle of the game, non-pressure situations, not 9th inning game-deciding ones that require extra prep work.

[ashie62]

The Twins have jumpstarted the MFY'S Crappo

[MFS62]

Frayed Knot wrote: Speaking of Hafner, there's a guy who deserves a 50 game suspension. Not for PEDs (although maybe he does those too) but for constant delay of game. I was flipping over to the Yanx game every once in a while last night including during one of his ABs. And after Every. Single. Pitch. he first smoothes the dirt in the box with his feet; then leaves and walks towards the 1B dugout until he gets to the outermost edge of the dirt circle some 20 feet away; at this point he takes a couple of practice swings, stretches a bit, spits once or twice, then slowly walks back towards the plate where of course the dirt needs smoothing again. Only then is his ready to dig his feet in allow the pitcher the honor of throwing the next pitch. The Mets/Brewes game must have gone through two or three batters in the time Hafner's AB alone took. And I know it wasn't just this one time because I've seen him do this before.

All that, and he doesn't even resort to the old "adjust the batting gloves" routine?
How creative.
We can only imgine what Bob Gibson would have done if he'd tried that crap while Bob was pitching.
Later

[Frayed Knot]

MFS62 wrote: All that, and he doesn't even resort to the old "adjust the batting gloves" routine?

Actually, he does that too. I just forget to mention it.
Reminds of the Jim Bouton line about how if they just outlawed Velcro they'd shave 20 minutes off each game.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Adam Jones, American Hero.

[Frayed Knot]

Swan Swan H wrote: Adam Jones, American Hero.

I especially like the part where that HR came in between innings of our game so I could be watching it at the time. Love it when that happens.
Also was nice of Johnson not to suck today right afterward.

[Ceetar]

Frayed Knot wrote: Swan Swan H wrote: Adam Jones, American Hero. I especially like the part where that HR came in between innings of our game so I could be watching it at the time. Love it when that happens. Also was nice of Johnson not to suck today right afterward.

lost a chance to get into third, maybe even second, and a wildcard spot. instead, stay in fourth.

[bmfc1]

Barf:
"Even a meltdown shows how special Mo is"
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/even_meltdown_shows_how_special_z6vsCvR8BMYTz4C0zosOJN

[Edgy MD]

Here's to a second half filled with such special moments.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

He thinks it�s hard? Ask the rest of the men in his line of work how they would describe it. Ask Jim Johnson, the Orioles� closer, who was about as perfect as you can be as a closer last year and this year has averaged close to one blown save every 10 days or so, even if he did mow down the Quadruple-A portion of the Yankees lineup yesterday. Ask the Mets, who are working on their eighth closer (at least) since Rivera started finishing games for the Yankees 16 years ago.

And the obligatory cheap shot at the Mets.

Franco, Benitez, Wagner, K-Rod, Francisco and Parnell. Am I missing anyone?

[Edgy MD]

LOOPER!

Also like the cheap shot at Johnson. Sure you beat the Yankees, but they weren't really the Yankees. Yes, they were, Vaccaro.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

metsguyinmichigan wrote: He thinks it�s hard? Ask the rest of the men in his line of work how they would describe it. Ask Jim Johnson, the Orioles� closer, who was about as perfect as you can be as a closer last year and this year has averaged close to one blown save every 10 days or so, even if he did mow down the Quadruple-A portion of the Yankees lineup yesterday. Ask the Mets, who are working on their eighth closer (at least) since Rivera started finishing games for the Yankees 16 years ago. And the obligatory cheap shot at the Mets. Franco, Benitez, Wagner, K-Rod, Francisco and Parnell. Am I missing anyone?

Yeah, Looper. Putz, maybe.

[metirish]

bmfc1 wrote: Barf: "Even a meltdown shows how special Mo is" http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/even_meltdown_shows_how_special_z6vsCvR8BMYTz4C0zosOJN

WOW, that really is pathetic from Vaccaro .....

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Swan Swan H wrote: metsguyinmichigan wrote: He thinks it�s hard? Ask the rest of the men in his line of work how they would describe it. Ask Jim Johnson, the Orioles� closer, who was about as perfect as you can be as a closer last year and this year has averaged close to one blown save every 10 days or so, even if he did mow down the Quadruple-A portion of the Yankees lineup yesterday. Ask the Mets, who are working on their eighth closer (at least) since Rivera started finishing games for the Yankees 16 years ago. And the obligatory cheap shot at the Mets. Franco, Benitez, Wagner, K-Rod, Francisco and Parnell. Am I missing anyone? Yeah, Looper. Putz, maybe.

Takahashi. Ayala (ick).

[Ceetar]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Swan Swan H wrote: metsguyinmichigan wrote: He thinks it�s hard? Ask the rest of the men in his line of work how they would describe it. Ask Jim Johnson, the Orioles� closer, who was about as perfect as you can be as a closer last year and this year has averaged close to one blown save every 10 days or so, even if he did mow down the Quadruple-A portion of the Yankees lineup yesterday. Ask the Mets, who are working on their eighth closer (at least) since Rivera started finishing games for the Yankees 16 years ago. And the obligatory cheap shot at the Mets. Franco, Benitez, Wagner, K-Rod, Francisco and Parnell. Am I missing anyone? Yeah, Looper. Putz, maybe. Takahashi. Ayala (ick).

If you're gonna count those guys you have to count Soriano and Robertson and Ramiro Mendoza and Mike Stanton and Steve Karsay all who had more than 10.

Over that time frame, 1997+, the Yankees had 31 pitchers record a save and the Mets had 45. (side note, who the hell is Tony Borland?)

[G-Fafif]

Ceetar wrote: (side note, who the hell is Tony Borland?)

Borland and Ricardo Jordan were the bounty obtained from the Phillies in the Rico Brogna trade. That it's not known as the Toby Borland/Ricardo Jordan trade tells you what you need to know about its success in fortifying the Mets bullpen. Borland's sole save was Jackie Robinson Night. Armando Reynoso went four, the game was put on pause for the "42" ceremonies and since they went so long (and the night was so cold), Bobby V sent Borland out in Reynoso's stead. The two combined on a shutout, with Toby getting the rare four-inning save.

And that was really it where he was concerned.

[G-Fafif]

Rivera blowing Sunday's save only lends credence to how deserving he is to start the All-Star Game for the American League and then play an inning at each position thereafter. He'll throw the game's final pitch from right field and strike out David Wright, allowing the gods to weep soft rain tears of joy. Rivera will treat the feat as if it is nothing, known he has taller mountains to climb October -- taller certainly that the best player his crosstown rivals have to offer...for even the Mets' best is but a speck on the legend that is Mariano Rivera.

[Frayed Knot]

Edgy MD wrote: Here's to a second half filled with such special moments.

With the final one coming in the game which officially eliminates the Yanx from post-season contention, 'round about the second week in September.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

G-Fafif wrote: Rivera blowing Sunday's save only lends credence to how deserving he is to start the All-Star Game for the American League and then play an inning at each position thereafter. He'll throw the game's final pitch from right field and strike out David Wright, allowing the gods to weep soft rain tears of joy. Rivera will treat the feat as if it is nothing, known he has taller mountains to climb October -- taller certainly that the best player his crosstown rivals have to offer...for even the Mets' best is but a speck on the legend that is Mariano Rivera.

Bad ass.

[dinosaur jesus]

Mariano Rivera is the god Zeus appearing in human form so as not to blind our eyes, and his cut fastball is a lightning bolt with which he strikes down the mortals who dare to step up to the plate against him. Or swim in his pool.

I could have said he was Ahura Mazda, but I think he drives an Acura.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

A 5-1 loss to the mighty Royals tonight. Phil Hughes had given up two in four innings when the rains came, and Girardi chose not to send him back out. Jeremy Guthrie did come back, but needed four relievers to wrap it up. Former Dixiecrat VP candidate Preston Claiborne gave up two late runs, and that was that. The only Yankee run came on a PH solo homer by Lyle Overbay, batting for the recently-removed-from-the-compost-heap Travis Ishikawa.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Ah, yes... the poor man's Mientkiewicz.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Swan Swan H wrote: A 5-1 loss to the mighty Royals tonight. Phil Hughes had given up two in four innings when the rains came, and Girardi chose not to send him back out. Jeremy Guthrie did come back, but needed four relievers to wrap it up. Former Dixiecrat VP candidate Preston Claiborne gave up two late runs, and that was that. The only Yankee run came on a PH solo homer by Lyle Overbay, batting for the recently-removed-from-the-compost-heap Travis Ishikawa.

Best part was MFYs loaded the bases with 0 outs in the 9th before Greg Holland (no Mariano, he) struck out 3 straight to end it.

[MFS62]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Ah, yes... the poor man's Mientkiewicz.

Wow!
Just ... wow!

Later

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Looks like the Red Sox are starting their mandatory collapse to let the Yankees back in the race.

[Frayed Knot]

Mets � Willets Point wrote: Looks like the Red Sox are starting their mandatory collapse to let the Yankees back in the race.

Even if they are (and it's probably a bit too early to declare it so) it's not like the old days when the AL East was strictly a two-team division with the Jays, Rays & O's playing the role of disinterested also-rans. Nor is the loser of the two guaranteed a WC berth thanks to the likes of Oakland, Cleveland, etc.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Yeah, I'm wishing that the AL East opponents would take advantage of the Yankees' struggles to hammer them out of competition, but somehow they're able to float just in the range of a wild card spot and even the AL East title.

[Ceetar]

hilarious. they lose again. to the Royals. really squandered that six game winning streak by losing three in a row now. 2 back in the WC.

They came into today tied with the Phillies for 8th in least runs scored. Only .03 ahead of Pittsburgh.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Always good to see the MFYs get a 9 inning CG from their starter and lose.

[Frayed Knot]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Always good to see the MFYs get a 9 inning CG from their starter and lose.

They almost did the same thing the other day when Nova was on the verge of losing a CG, but that was the game that Johnson decided to suck for the O's.
Either way, that's 3 runs over the last 27 innings for the Yanx offense. 1 run only in each of the last 3 games.