Frayed Knot

We are beginning to see the d'Arnaud the scouts all liked as he was coming up.

Eight Philly hits through seven innings, but all singles and three never left the infield.

O'Connor found a way to rip Tulowitzki and praise Jeter: http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/11273496/troy-tulowitzki-looks-more-alex-rodriguez-derek-jeter From that piece: Tulowitzki has made it fairly clear he wants to play Jeter's position, in Jeter's house, in 2015, and by taking in [the game] among 45,062 fellow fans, he all but rented a plane and put it in writing across the Bronx sky. Has Tulowitzki really "made it clear" or is it more O'Connor (Jeter's biographer don't forget) and his fellow writers inviting the story they want to see? And if TT really is pining to succeed Jeter in the Bronx then he shouldn't have signed a contract to play in Denver that runs until Jeter turns 63. Guess what players?: those lengthy contracts have drawbacks to them as well as (ridiculous) upsides and you have to live with them both.

Burnett getting his tattoos knocked off here.

Some Tulo-facts so as to help you along * Contract runs thru 2020 plus an option for 2021: $20/per thru 2019; $14 mil in 2020; $15mil in 2021 or $4mil buyout. IOW, approx $123mil with the remainder of this year's money and assuming the buyout * [u:1f3rsgus]Can only be traded once[/u:1f3rsgus] during the length of the contract, IOW acquiring team effectively inherits a N-T situation even though there's no clause now and he will not reach 10/5 rights until this deal is just about up * Turns 30 in October - about the same age as Wright was when he was signed. The two deals will run concurrently and end at the same time * Has missed 210 games over the past four seasons (2010-2013) and around 300 (and counting) since 2008 - IOW, between 10-15% of the time (or close to 2 full seasons) over the last 7 years * Is from southern California so naturally his dream is to succeed Derek Jeter in the Bronx ... or so it is assumed.

Speaking of Tulowitski, although he's currently on the DL, he sat in the stands in YSIII on Sunday afternoon while his Rockies were back in Denver hosting the Pirates. An odd move to say the least (both his being in NYC and him choosing to spend the day watching a baseball game) and of course, when you combine that along with his #2 wearing tribute ass, it now has Yanqui fans wondering if it all means a trade is imminent. Speculation as to which marginal minor league relievers they can foist off on Colorado in exchange is now commencing while they recoil at the mere mention of the word Bettances.

Torre didn't write out his speech yesterday, and in giving his remarks off the cuff inadvertently left out any references or thanks to the late George M. Steinbrenner III. When it was pointed out to him shortly afterward Joe immediately went to the assembled press with his apologies and to make sure it wasn't taken as intentional. I would have liked it better if he had said; 'yeah I left his name out intentionally, what of it! He's dead now and no longer signs my paychecks' Consistently chose defense over offense up the middle, leaving the team with gaping holes in the lineup. Gaping. And I'm a Doug Flynn fan. One of his first acts as Yanqui mgr was to remove the then-popular Mike Stanley as the backstop and install the more defensive-minded Joe Girardi in his place (although Girardi hit decently well initially) and it wasn't until 1998 that Posada got the lion's share of ABs although Joe was smart enough to use Posada during the post-season. Not a popular move at the time among Yanqui fans, but of course many of the moves made in that era weren't well received at the time (trading for O'Neill, Tino-for-Mattingly, keeping Bernie Williams over Gerald, not re-signing Wetteland, others) Hmmmm, Girardi, another Captain-type championed by Torre.

Edgy MD wrote: Elston Howard, Yankees "They finally got me one and they got me one who can't run" -- (reportedly) Casey Stengel

So what's up with them Phils? - Ryan Howard started both games over the weekend after sitting for three straight prior to that. Without a lefty starter in the rotation I suspect we'll see him at least twice in this series. Otherwise Darren Ruf (I hope he finds who stole his other F) subs in at 1B and occasionally in the OF - they've added Grady Sizemore since we've last seen them and he's been starting every day alternating between CF in place of Ben Revere and LF instead of Domonic Brown. The continued comeback attempt of Sizemore has, so far anyway, given the Phightin's a boost [.319/.360/.404 - in 47 ABs] but of course he did that in Boston for a short spell too before fading. - other than that, the rest of their lineup is pretty set with the usual suspects: Utley, Rollins, Aschie, Ruiz in the IF, and trade-bait Marlon Byrd starting virtually every game in RF - John Mayberry Jr is on the DL, Tony Gwynn Jr was released, plus I hear they've also canceled plans for a post-game concert by Hank Williams Jr., between innings entertainment by comedian Buddy Young Jr., and also a first-pitch ceremony with race car driver Junior Johnson AJ Burnett vs Colon tonight Tuesday: Hamels & Gee Wednesday (12:10 start): Kendrick vs Wheeler - Multiple Phillies could be traded before the week is out. Odd scheduling note: This is the last Monday [u:m1msulk6]night[/u:m1msulk6] game until September 8th! The next three Mondays are all day games as a result of being the final games of a four-game "wrap-around" series [home vs Giants, at Philly, home v Cubs], then comes an off day on Aug 25, then back to a day game in Miami for Labor Day Monday

deGrom - 3.8 Black - 0.4 Familia - 0.5 Mejia - 0.4 Duda - 2.3 Murphy - 1.2 CYoung - 1.4

Does Oil Can Boyd count? A little too unique in my mind as I was thinking more of generic type nicknames. But, as Jerry Seinfeld once said to Lloyd Bridges: 'Who knows how official any of these rankings really are'

Brought to mind by the appearance today of [u:25nzvicb]Scooter[/u:25nzvicb] Gennett Other MLers with old-timey schoolyard type names Bucky Dent, Buck Weaver Spike Owen Butch Huskey Buster Posey Moose Skowran Whitey Ford Red Schoendeinst Skip Schumacher Corky Miller Buzz Capra Buddy Harrelson

Edgy MD wrote: After Scooter failed in his PH-ing attempt, I was wondering if Roenicke was going to call next on Buster, Whitey, Corky, Spike, Butchie, or Skipper? He crossed you up and called on Aramis. Nobody in my neighborhood was named Aramis (or wore Armani). OK I don't remember any Spikes or Busters either, and the only one called Whitey was me and that was only rarely.

Edgy MD wrote: I totally would have had Young bunting. One guy on the right side of the field? And it's Overbay? Positioned as a secondbaseman? Punish people for that sort of shit. I thought of that too. The problem is that it might have been a decade since he last bunted and you'd like to see the guy with 4 doubles in his last 5 ABs take a hack in a situation where he could at least drive in a run with an out. But, yeah, I would have bunted.

Ahh don't worry about it, it's not like those stranded runners are going to come back and haunt us or anything.

After Scooter failed in his PH-ing attempt, I was wondering if Roenicke was going to call next on Buster, Whitey, Corky, Spike, Butchie, or Skipper?

Prior to the Duda HR, I was beginning to wonder whether giving up lead-off doubles to NYM batters was part of some opposition strategy knowing that the Mets never score off that kind of beginning.

Nice move by the Braves to delay their game today until 5PM after all the HoF ceremonies are over.

Ashie62 wrote: Chris Young again? oye Doubles in 4 consecutive ABs over two games now.

I'm shocked to learn that Rocker hasn't already been on 'Survivor'. Or maybe 'Celebrity Rehab'. Or on whatever that new red-neck version of Jersey Shore is.

So how many 'first ML hit' to opposing pitchers is that for this year? Seems like thirty.

Niese - 1.5 Granderson - 2.2 Murphy - 1.2 CYoung - 1.6 EYoung - 0.5

Ceetar wrote: Ray Liotta picks up hot looking chicks by drinking some pretentious sounding liquor that nobody has ever heard of. guess it's working then. It's hardly pretentious and actually quite pedestrian. I have no idea if the liquor is pretentious or not -- (I don't even know what kind of liquor it is, and I think that's pretty much the point of the ad, along the lines of: If have to ask ...blah, blah) -- but the ads are certainly designed to make the booze seem highfalutin' and pretentious.

There are some construction crews working outside a fashion runway session that don't do as much looking as NYM batters have tonight.

I'm wondering if Niese is going to say something after the game. Between the quick hook tonight, the one where he got yanked after getting winged by that line drive, and the unwanted DL stint just prior to the ASB, I have a feeling he's not exactly a happy camper right about now and might be ready to go off the reservation to say so.