Yankees in the All Star Game

Last night was the 2010 All Star game out in Anaheim. The Yanks sent eight players to represent, all of which got booed by the Angels fans. So lets take a look at how each of the bombers did.

Derek Jeter hit second, and started at short stop. Jeter was 1 for 2 with a walk and a strike out. Jeter almost got hit twice and had to do his typical lung to get out of the way. Of course the balls thrown near him were close to his hands, causing me to plead with the TV to take him out before he gets hurt. Jeter left the game in the 6th inning, to allow for Elvis Andrus to get time at short.

Robinson Cano was the Yankee to be in the starting line up. Cano played second base and hit 8th in the line up, the first time he had hit 8th since 2008. Cano seemed to struggle a bit in the field, possibly due to the weird shadow pattern that was in the infield, but got the American League their lone run with a sac fly.

Nick Swisher pinch hit for Ty Wiggington in his lone at bat and struck out. Swish did hit four home runs in the home run derby the night before but did not make it past the first round.

Andy Pettitte pitched the third inning and showed why he deserved to make the all star squad. Pettitte struck out two batters, in his one inning of work, the same amount that Ubaldo Jimenez and David Price combined for in four total innings.

Phil Hughes was thrilled to be invited to the all star game in Anaheim, close to where he grew up. Following his pitching performance I'm unsure if he is still as thrilled. Hughes gave up two runs and two hits in just 1/3 of an inning. Hughes got the loss in the game even though it was Matt Thornton who gave up the hit that caused Hughes base runners to score. The real reason Hughes only was able to pitch that 1/3 of an inning is cause of the innings limit (Relax I'm just joking about that).

The other Yanks never got into the game, Mariano Rivera pulled out due to injury, CC Sabathia was not available to pitch because he had pitched on Sunday, and Alex Rodriguez was on the bench when the National League recorded their first victory since 1996. Many fans were curious to know why A-Rod was not used as a pinch hitter in the last inning to try and tie the game for the AL. But it was later found out that Alex had a sore thumb and was only going to be used in an emergency. A-Rod was the only player that did not get into the game.

The National League won the game, so they will have home field advantage in the World Series. So if the Yankees plan to make the series again and win it in front of their home crowd they will have to win in four or five. This years game seemed to go real quick, but was kinda on the boring side. The introduction and the whole ceremonies took longer then the first four innings. Lets hope the MLB can get that right next year since the game itself did not start till 8:52pm. Next year the game will be held in Arizona, and should be controversial with the new laws Arizona has put into effect.

Yankees Mid-Season Report Card

So with the All Star break among us, we are at the half way point of the 2010 season. It seems like just the other day the season was starting up in Boston, with Curtis Granderson hitting a home run in his first at bat and Chan Ho Park blowing the game. The Yankees find themselves with the best record in baseball, and it seems as if the team has not clicked yet. The offense hasn't been consistent all season and their is still no obvious option to Mariano Rivera, but the starting pitching has held them afloat. So on that note, let the grading begin !

Pitchers

Alfredo Aceves- B : Ace was pitching just as well as he was in 2009 before he got hurt. Aceves was suppose to be back following the all star break, but has had multiple set backs and may not pitch again this season.

A.J Burnett- C- :Burnett started the season out great, and was 4-0 with a 1.99 ERA. His season would go south from their going 3-5 and has raised his ERA to 4.75. Burnett's last two starts before the break were an improvement, Burnett is going to be inconsistent the rest of the way as he has been his career.

Joba Chamberlain- D : Joba has not found his 2007/2008 form. No lead is safe any more when he comes into the game. If the Yankees have one big need, it would be this area.

Chad Gaudin- C- : Gaudin was with the Yankees last season and in spring training before he was let go. Gaudin went to Oakland,pitched poor and was released. Gaudin came back to the bombers and has mostly pitched in mop up duty.

Phil Hughes- A- : Hughes did not make his first start until April 15th, and was expected to pitch like a fifth starter. Hughes has exceeded expectations and made the All Star team. Hughes hit one rough patch in late June but it seems to be past him. My only concern with Hughes is the Yanks plan to limit his innings.

Boone Logan- C- : Logan has been called up and down a few times this season. He has pitched the same way, one outing is great, the next is awful. Logan's biggest problem is he walks too many.

Damaso Marte- B+ : Has been living up to his role of getting lefties out (.146 BAA). Marte can also get righties out (.190) and should be given a shot at the set up role if they don't get help.

Sergio Mitre-C : Before the "Meat-Tray" went on the DL, he had been pitching well in his limited time. Sergio got hurt at a time when the Yanks really needed him but should be coming back soon and may be taking Gaudin's roster spot.

Chan Ho Park-F : Park has been an area of concern, from the moment he made his 2010 debut he has been awful. Park has gotten hit hard often and spent time on the DL. If he continues to pitch so poorly he could be designated for assignment.

Andy Pettitte-A : For years we have seen Andy pitch well in the regular season and then pitch phenomenal in the post season. This season Pettitte has pitched like it was the post season having his best season since 2005 and is on his way to an all star appearance.

Mariano Rivera-A : Mo is having another great season at the age of 40; he has battled knee and oblique injuries but still has been able to save 20 games.

David Robertson- D :  Has been inconsistent all season, last season pitched well following the break and the Yankees hope he can do that again this season.

CC Sabathia- A : Sabathia started the season off well, before hitting a rough patch in May in which he did not win a game. Since May,CC has rolled off eight straight wins before he heads to Anaheim to be in the ASG.

Javier Vazquez- B : Had a forgettable start to the season, heard the boo"s from the fans and even had his start skipped a few times. But since May 12 Javy has pitched to an ERA of 2.75

Infield

Robinson Cano- A+ : What can you say bad about the MVP candidate? Nothing. Cano has been an offensive threat all season picking up alot slack left by A-Rod and Tex, especially early in the season. Cano will be starting in the all star game Tuesday, and has quited many critic's who loved to call him lazy.

Francisco Cervelli-B : A fan favorite for his passion and love of the game, Cervilli got off to a hot start and was a given when it can to hitting with RISP. Cervelli since the end of May has slumped and behind the plate he can get a bit lazy. But still brings the energy that is needed on an older team.

Derek Jeter- B : The captain hasn't had his best season this far. Jeter has swung at alot of first pitches this season, and more then even seems to be hitting ground balls at an alarming pace. Jeter still has driven in alot of runs, even though from July 12 to July 6 he didn't drive in a single run.

Nick Johnson-F : This was the player that was suppose to replace Hideki Matsui ? Johnson has been a bad signing by Brian Cashman, with the option to sign Johnny Damon or Matsui he picked Nick. Although Johnson is a great fit for the Yanks line up with his extreme patients, but he didn't hit and got injured.

Ramiro Pena-C+ : Sure the young utility player is only hitting .195 but in a line up full of stars, his main goal is to play defense and he has done that job well. Pena does have 10 RBI in only 82 AB's.

Jorge Posada- C+ : The veteran back stop is the only member of the core four to not be at this years all star game, and of the four has started to show his age. Posada has been beat up all season, but can still hit. Georgie's defense on the other hand has been awful, allowing alot of passed balls and not throwing many runners out.

Alex Rodriguez-B+ : Much has been made of how A-Rod hasn't hit for power this season, but he still has 14 homers and 70 RBI. The main concern with Alex is his hip, but it hasn't effected his defense. What is considered a below average season for A-Rod would be a career year for many other players.

Kevin Russo- C : Doesn't get much playing time, when he was first called up he got a few clutch hits but since then his average has dipped along with his playing time. Still an asset in the late innings of a close game if called upon for defense.

Mark Teixiera-C+ : Tex has always been a slow starter but it took him till late June to finally hit. Tex still plays gold glove defense, and should be a force with the bat in the second half.

Outfield

Brett Gardner- A- : Gardner has played a solid left field and has hit so well many have forgotten about Damon. Gardy has exceeded all of my expectations for him this season and was a borderline all star. If Gardner continues at this pace, this off season their will be no need to chase Carl Crawford.

Curtis Granderson-C- : The big off season trade landed Granderson in the Bronx. In his first at bat he hit a home run, and hit well the first month of the season. Following a stint on the DL Curtis has come back and struggled at the plate especially against lefties (.212 AVG).

Nick Swisher- A- : During the off season Swish lost a lot of weight and worked on his swing. The dedication has worked out, Swisher has his highest average ever and made the all star team.

Marcus Thames- B : The king of the walk off this year has done his job of hitting lefties. His defense on the other hand.....

Yankees in the mid summer classic

So earlier today the All Star teams were announced, the Yankees as always were well represented. Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano were voted in by the fans. CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez were both choosen by Joe Girardi to make the club.Mariano Rivera and Phil Hughes were selected by their fellow players. Nick Swisher may also join his teammates, he is up for the final vote for the final roster spot.

One player that deserves to go and was not listen above is Andy Pettitte. At first like many fans, I was outraged to think that Pettitte may not make the team especially since he hasnt gone since 2001 and is having his best season since 2005. But if you look further into it there maybe a good reason why Girardi did not select Pettitte. CC Sabathia was selected but will not be able to compete in the mid summer classic because he is currently scheduled is the Sunday before the All Star game,under the new MLB rules a pitcher who pitches the last day before the break can not throw in the game. So Girardi is really adding CC to the All Star team so he will get recogonized as an All Star in his native California, but will still have the chance to add Andy to the roster as well. Girardi will get two chances to make the right choice of his own lefty pitcher. A side from CC pitching Sunday, Clay Buchholz of the Red Sox is injured, and cant take part. Their are three options that come off the top of my head that Girardi can take and thats Jered Weaver,Andy Pettitte, and Francisco Liriano.

As for the rest of the bombers to make the game Cano and Jeter will start the game since they were voted in by the fans. Cano is having a monster year and deserves to be at the game, if Cano keeps this pace up he could be in the MVP talks. Jeter isnt having his best season, but has always been a fan favorite and got the vote due to a weak field of Shortstops.

Phil Hughes and CC both have 10 wins and deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments.I was a little more suprised that CC was choosen but as i mentioned earlier I think that it was a way for Girardi to get both Pettitte and CC recognized as All Stars. For Hughes it will be a nice home coming since he grew up not far from Anaheim. Hughes has recently cooled of a little, but after the hot start still deserves to be amongst the best.

Mariano Rivera has reached that platau in his career were he should be allowed to be in the game no matter what. The god father of closers is having another great season and was an easy choice to make yet another apperance in the mid summer classic. Rivera has the respect of the rest of the league, well maybe outside of Jonathan Papelbon who in 2008 felt he should have been the closer instead Mo (Papelbon was not selected this year). Papelbon later said he was misquoted and apologized.

The one selection that was unexpected was Alex Rodriguez who was selected by Joe Girardi. A-Rod has been having a nice season but has not showed the power numbers that many fans are use to seeing. What suprised me more about this choice is that Girardi already has Evan Longoria as his starter and Adrian Beltre was voted in by his fellow players, so why add another third baseman ? Along with just a few weeks ago Rodriguez was battling a hip injury on the same hip that was oporated on last season. So why risk the chance of injury and leave A-Rod home to get some rest and not have to deal with any baseball activitys.

Nick Swisher may also join the rest of the pinstriped bunch and is up for the final vote on MLB.com. Swisher is up against tough competetion with favorites, Kevin Youklils and Paul Konerko along with Michael Young and Delmon Young (No relation). A few reasons to vote for Swish  is because he already has produced a funny video that has him holding a surf board and wearing beach cloths (Can be found on Yankees.com). Swisher also is like a big kid, you always know hes having a good time while playing the game of baseball and will enjoy himself being selected but if you watch the Yankees you would already know that.

The All Star game this year will be held in an American League stadium in Anaheim and while MLB claims that it counts there are still players such as Omar Infante and Evan Meek who make the game because they have to represent a team.The American League has not lost a game since 1996 and look to give the Yankees err i mean American League the chance chance to once again receive home field advantage in the World Series.

Mark Teixeira 2010 All Star? NO WAY

This may be a little late but like they say better late then never. When the 2010 All Star game voting started the Leader at first base was none other then Mark Teixeira. Shocking considering the slugging superstar was hitting around the Mendoza line.

The All Star game may be a game for the fans who want to see there favorite players in the game, but make sure the player deserves it. Even as Teixeira heated up a bit there is no reason for him to be in the mid summer classic. Sure some players may take it as a joke, but the game means something (As the MLB slogan for the game the past 7 years has been " This time it counts"). By giving Tex a pass to the mid summer classic, this is leaving a more deserving player off the roster. Luckily the fans seem to be getting this one right. During the latest voting Justin Morneau over took Tex, and should deserving go. Comparing the stats for this season is a win for the Twins first bagger who's hitting .350/15/49 compared to Tex's .230/13/48. So even though Mark's HRs and RBI are there the average is not and Tex hasn't come up big for the Yanks this year.

But don't worry Yankee fans, Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano seem to have there plane tickets already stamped for Anaheim with Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Phil Hughes not too far behind.