The Sunday Question

10 comments

1. 

   Hazmet

   6/20/2010-9:41am at 9:41 am (UTC -4)

   Reply

   Tough Question. In no particular order, I had to narrow it down between:
   1. Milicki’s start in the First Game Ever
   2. The 2008 Split Double Header Game One Drubbing of the Yankee’s at Yankee Stadium
   3. Piazza getting beaned at Yankee Stadium, and
   4. Koo’s dash to the plate game they won against Randy Johnson

   The run off was between 2 & 3. I’ll have to go with #2, maybe because it was the most recent, or, maybe it’s due to the crush factor in that game or it’s that I can’t stand the thought of remembering Piazza motionless on the field and essentially the incompetence of the payback. Really, the delay in not responding immediately and then Este’s not even coming close to hitting Clemen’s the next season. Only in metland.

   Second question, yes I will be disappointed if they don’t win today. The scale of disappointment would depend on how Johan pitches.

2. 

   stickguy

   6/20/2010-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)

   Reply

   I am terrible at remembering specific games (I tend to jumble them up!) But I am sure you could get 2,000 words out of Greg Prince on this!

   So, I will go with the game where Matt Franco (it was him, right?)singled off Rivera at Shea to finish a comeback victory. This one I was actually there for.

   Bonus: Yes, i will be disappointed, but I actually don’t expect them to win. I actually expect Johan to get beat like a drum. Sorry if that makes me seem negative or fatalistic. But after his last couple of starts, pitching on a hot day when balls are likely to be flying out of the band box, that is what I expect. And yes, I hope I am wrong and you can all make fun of me post game!

   I posted a link to an ESPN NY piece last night about Johan this year, in relation to his vastly lower K rate (and he only struck out 1 guy in each of his last 2 starts). Basically said that he still manages to get to 2 strikes, but just can not finish off anyone.

   the big difference seems to be he does not get swing and misses on 2 strike change ups anymore. So unless that pitch comes back from the dead (or his FB, if the issue is really speed differential) expect to see him continue to struggle.

   right now, he is 2006 vintage Tom Glavine, and if he is going to succeed as that, he needs to add another out pitch (maybe the infamous cutter?)

   1. 

      trs86

      6/20/2010-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)

      Reply

      My question is if that is what he is now, then what was he in starts 7-12 where he gave up 3 ER in 5 games over 36 2/3 innings? Or the fact that in 9/14 starts he has given up 2 runs or less? Or the fact that in 8/14 starts he has given up 1 run or less. That’s an incredible percentage.

      1. 

         stickguy

         6/20/2010-12:07pm at 12:07 pm (UTC -4)

         Reply

         I think you are missing my point. so, let me elaborate.

         I am NOT saying that santana now sucks, or is barely better than ollie (wait, that is the same thing).

         I am saying that he is not the same pitcher that he used to be. Not that he can’t still be effective.

         also, Glavine in 2006 was actually a good, solid, effective pitcher for the most part. He just was not a power pitcher, or living off Ks.

         and this year, neither is Santana.

         Now, will Johan just click in the 2nd half, and gain some zip/movement on the FB, and lose some velocity on the change and regain the nasty dip? Maybe. But quite likely, over the next few years, he will become more glavine like, and less old Johan.

         so, if he doesn’t find a new trick in his bag, it might not be pretty seeing an 88mph FB and an 82MPH flat change.

   2. 

      ceetar

      6/20/2010-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)

      Reply

      Santana is going to mow them down today. 2 starts is quite a bit of data for Santana to make the relevant adjustments. It has nothing to do with not being able to get swings and misses on his changeup, it’s more to do with the actual control of the changeup, so he’s not able to put it where it needs to be for the swing and miss. I know the numbers are down, but he’s been working on this specifically. Did you hear the interview with him on Friday with Kevin? Was pretty encouraging at least.

   3. 

      Kingman 26

      6/20/2010-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)

      Reply

      Johan is still certainly good, but his fastball velocity is way down, and while he still will be a winning pitcher, of course he is diminished and we simply cannot expect him to be the Johan of a few years ago.

      Stick’s point about speed differential could not be more right on the money. Johan’s great change–regardless of location–is simply not going to be as effective following an 89 mph fastball than it was following a 94 mph fastball.

      Let’s hope this game more closely resembles his 2010 game vs the Yanks at Citi than his 2009 game at Yankee Stadium.

3. 

   rustyjr

   6/20/2010-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)

   Reply

   my most memorable come down to 3 games
   1 the one where maz coerced the ump for calling interference on zeile
   2. the piazza beaning
   3 delgado’s single handedly destroting the yanks with 8 ( i think( r.b.i’s and 3 homers in 2008
   in answer to part 2 of the question
   to paraphrase tom glavine i would be upset but not devastated
   we will have gone 7-2 if we lost today – which is better than what alot of us have expected

   1. 

      Kingman 26

      6/20/2010-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)

      Reply

      Totally agree with Rusty here.

      I pick the Delgado game and even if we lose, excellent road trip. If we win, among the very best trips in franchise history.

4. 

   stickguy

   6/20/2010-12:09pm at 12:09 pm (UTC -4)

   Reply

   wait, what about the Ollie masterpiece in 2008? That was like seeing Nessie. A once in a lifetime experience that you will never have again.

   1. 

      rustyjr

      6/20/2010-12:26pm at 12:26 pm (UTC -4)

      Reply

      Trust me to quote iron maiden in terms of the Ollie game ” reality is some knd if strange illusion”